*Baileywick's POV*
King Roland needed a new pair of slippers and since the Royal Cobbler had fallen ill, he sent me to the village cobbler. As my duty, I followed through and went into town. The village cobbler, a woman by the name of Miranda, had gained quite the name. Rumor has it that Miranda was a single mother of a wonderful daughter named Sofia. Miranda was well known throughout the kingdoms as she traveled around looking for work. Sofia herself had quite the reputation as well, winning the Terrell Circuit with a stallion that was known for its temperament and that none had been able to ride him before. It was another rumor that Sofia was ten years old and others say that she was older. I shook my head of the thoughts and focused on my task.
I walked into the village and began looking for the cobbler shop. It was quite difficult but after talking to the butcher, I found the shop with little problem. When I found it, I noticed the details of the shop and I was quite impressed with the man who did the upkeep on the shop. I opened the door and the little bell made a pleasant tinkling sound alerting those in the shop of my arrival. I waited a minute when a girl, around ten or so, came around the counter. She was wearing a tunic and pants and wiping her hands on a rag. She had blue green eyes and short brown hair. She had a lean build to her and it was obvious shew was used to the hard work.
"Good morning sir, how may I help you?" she said.
"My name is Baileywick and I am the castle steward. I am here on behalf of King Roland II. I am looking for Miranda." I said.
"Please wait one moment. My mother is in the back as we are catching up on orders due to the lack of materials needed to complete them." the girl, whom I assumed was Sofia, said.
She gave a slight bow and headed into the back. She returned with an older woman who I assumed was her mother.
"Good morning, I'm Miranda. I heard you were looking for me?" the older woman said.
"Yes ma'am. My name is Baileywick, the castle steward and I am here on behalf of King Roland II. He wishes to commission you to make a pair of shoes for him. The measurements and everything is on this scroll." I said.
Miranda seemed pleased but shocked.
"Of course. Is there a time limit that these need to be done? Unfortunately, we have been running low on materials to craft the shoes." Miranda said.
"If the materials needed are provided, would you be able to get them done within the week?" I asked.
"Yes." Miranda said.
"Good. Expect a shipment of material sometime this evening. A maid will deliver it." I said.
"Thank you sir." Miranda said.
I nodded and left. I notified Violet to bring a bundle of material for the shoes down to the cobbler shop as soon as I made it back to the castle.
*Miranda's POV*
I told Sofia that we were going to get as many projects done as possible before the shipment came. I wanted to be free for what would be our biggest and most important project yet. Sofia agreed and took over most of the projects. She was quick and we managed to get all of the other projects done before the bell rang. Sofia went to get it.
"Hello Miss. I was told by Baileywick to bring this to Miranda." a woman's voice was heard.
"This is the place." Sofia said.
I assumed Sofia had helped the woman bring in the material.
"Would you like something to eat before walking?" Sofia asked.
"Oh, that would be wonderful, but I must be back soon." the woman said.
"I'm sure you could have a little bit of food in your stomach before making that long trek back to the castle." Sofia said.
"Oh alright. I'm Violet." the woman said.
"I'm Sofia."
I smiled as Sofia ladled out a small portion of her stew in a bowl and gave it to Violet. Violet seemed to enjoy it.
"This is delicious. Thank you dear." Violet said.
"Mom, I'm going to accompany Violet at least to the gates of the castle. I know that the night isn't for walking alone." Sofia said.
"Alright Sof." I said.
Sofia smiled and headed out with Violet.
*Violet's POV*
I really wasn't expecting to be out so long, but taking the bundle of material down to the village cobbler was a bit difficult. I had come upon the well kept shop and knocked. It was opened by a girl who seemed to be around ten or so.
"Hello, miss. I was told by Baileywick to bring this to Miranda." I said.
I felt the load get lighter and I realized that the young girl had grabbed half of the bundle. I followed the girl inside and placed the rest of the bundle down.
"Would you like something to eat before beginning to walk back?" the girl asked.
"Oh, that would be wonderful, but I must be back soon." I said just as my stomach rumbled.
"I'm sure you could have a little bit of food before making that long trek back." the girl said.
"Oh alright. My name's Violet." I said.
"I'm Sofia." the girl said.
I sat down and watched as Sofia ladled me a bowl of the stew that was on the fire. It smelled delicious and the stew itself tasted as good as it smelled.
"This is delicious. Thank you." I said.
"You're welcome. Would you like an escort back to the castle? It gets quite dangerous at night." Sofia said.
"I think I'll be alright." I said.
Sofia shook her head, "I'll go. Mom. I'm going to accompany Violet at least to the gates of the castle. It isn't the best idea to walk alone at night."
"Alright Sof." Miranda said.
Well I guess the girl will come with me. I smiled as I struck up a conversation with her and found out that she was only eight. EIGHT YEARS OLD! Damn that girl is tall. It was quite the conversation because I found myself revealing a lot to this girl. Revealing knowledge that only Baileywick and my mother were aware of. It was quite nice to find another that had a similar upbringing. Single mom, dad left because he wanted a boy not a girl, bullied by the other kids, etc. I didn't even notice that we had walked the whole way and we were near the castle. I smiled and gave the girl a hug. I liked her and waved goodbye as the girl disappeared into the shadows.
I didn't know that in that year, Sofia would become the newest princess and subsequently my boss.
*Miranda's POV*
Once the shoes were made to absolute perfection, Sofia and I dressed in our best dresses and headed for the castle. When we got to the castle, Sofia just smiled.
"So big." she said.
"Fit for a king dear." I said.
She chuckled and we headed up to the gate and a fine looking guard stopped us with an up-raised hand.
"Halt. State your business ladies." he said.
"I am Miranda Roric and this is my daughter, Sofia Roric, sir. I was commissioned to make a pair of shoes for King Roland." I said as Sofia presented the shoes.
"They look fine ma'am. I was told of your arrival by Baileywick. Please go in." the guard said.
Sofia tucked the shoes away and the guard directed us to the throne room. We headed through the courtyard, a beautiful stone driveway circled a fountain that sent a spray of water high into the air. The garden in front of the castle was full of fragrant blossoms of every shape, size, and color. The grass was well tended and a healthy deep rich green. We walked up the big steps and a pair of servants pulled open the enormous doors and bowed as we walked inside.
The interior of the castle was revealed and it was marvelous. Two curving staircases framed a hallway that stretched far into the castle. The stairs went up to a second floor and were made of marble. The handrails were made of an elegant wood that I'm sure Sofia would be able to tell me what it is. We stood for a moment in the largest room we had ever been in.
"Hello, who might you be?" a male voice asked.
I turned to see King Roland and I curtsied low with Sofia copying.
"My name is Miranda your highness. I am the village cobbler and this is my daughter Sofia. I was commissioned to make your new shoes." I said.
"Would you like some refreshments? It is a long walk from the village." he said.
"That would be wonderful but I don't want to be a bother." I said.
"Nonsense. You made your way all the way here, it would be a shame if we didn't provide any refreshments." he said.
I smiled and he chuckled. He asked a nearby servant to fetch some water as we made our way through the castle. He sat down in a chair and I made sure the shoe fit him. Perfect fit.
"You made the shoes?" he said.
"Yes your majesty." I said.
Our gazes met and I fell in love. I guess love at first sight really is a thing, but he's the king and I'm a mere commoner. But that didn't seem like a problem as we dated and I fell in love even more. Roland took me on some fantastic dates and we had access to amazing food.
"Tell me something about her." he asked.
"About who?" I asked.
"Your daughter. She's a lovely girl, very polite. And I hear that she walked one of my servants home." he said.
I smiled in pride, "My daughter's name is Sofia."
"Your husband is a lucky man." the king said.
"My husband left when he heard that I couldn't have any more children and that Sofia was a girl. He wanted an heir to his name. One morning I found his stuff gone and that he had left to captain his ship. Underneath the letter were divorce papers and him signing away his parental rights to Sofia. Sofia began walking at only eight months old, talking at ten months, and reading by one year old. She's smart enough to actually test out of school and has. She's definitely inherited my family's height as she's five feet tall and she's only nine. Her birthday is October 6." I said.
He smiled and we talked about everything and anything. He told me about his late wife, the Queen. He told me of his two children and that they were quite hand fulls. James was a little bratty while Amber was calmer. Days of talking turned to small dates and eventually Roland asked me if I would like to be his girlfriend. Of course I accepted and it was an easy transition. Roland also considered Sofia, and got her new riding clothes.
*Roland's POV*
I truly enjoyed Miranda and Sofia's company. Miranda was a breath of fresh air in the murky waters of being a king without a queen. I did my best to keep James and Amber happy. Amber understood that sometimes I couldn't be there because of a meeting, but James was more bratty. Amber could be bratty too when she wanted to be but sometimes I'd find little gifts from her. I smiled when I remember the day that I was given a shovel talk by Sofia.
She had requested an audience with me through the proper channels and of course I had accepted. It was odd that she was asking without her mother's presence but I accepted. She arrived in some nice clothes and had a serious look on her face. She looked like she was twelve or so with how tall she currently was.
"King Roland II." she said.
I got chills down my spine at the way she said my name.
"What exactly are your intentions with my mother?" she said.
I internally shuddered at the look she gave me. It was one that I knew she was absolutely serious about the question and expected an honest answer. I smiled at her, a genuine smile too.
"I plan to get to know her better. Ever since we met, I felt a part of me slide into place in a way that even my late wife hadn't. Her smile makes me feel warm and she doesn't care that I'm the king. She's honest and not afraid to call me out on my bs. She's pretty, strong, and intelligent. She always lights up in pride whenever she talks about you and your accomplishments. And with your permission, I would like to continue to spoil her in ways that she and you deserve to be spoiled." I said.
She searched my eyes for something and apparently she liked what she saw.
"You have my permission. But if I find out that you hurt her in any way. I do not care that you are the king. I will make sure that you pay for it. My mother is the strongest and kindest person I know. She raised me on her own when Balthazar couldn't and didn't want me or her. She followed him because she liked him and thought he was a good guy. But no, as soon as Balthazar heard that she can't have any more children or risk her or the child's death, and that I was a girl, he left. He left her with only a note saying that he didn't want to be with her anymore, divorce papers as well as parental right papers saying that I was not his daughter. She was forced to work odd jobs because of the lack of income. She had thought that she could live off of Balthazar's income to raise me, but changed plans because he was no longer here. She worked to keep a roof over my head, and is the reason I am able to do what I do. Are you willing to stay for the person she is underneath it all? Are you willing to stay if she can no longer provide you what you want? Are you willing to give your all to protect and care for you as long as you are able?"
"Yes. I give you my word that I will not hurt her on purpose and I vow that I will give my all as long as I am able to provide for both you and your mother." I said.
She smiled and her serious facade dropped.
"Good. Now, I want to know, how old do you think I am?" she said.
That is a good question. Miranda never brought up her age as she's never told me her birth year.
"I'm gonna take a guess, you seem to be around twelve years old." I said.
She giggled and shook her head.
"Roland, I'm only eight. I'm nine in two months." she said.
"YOUR EIGHT?!" I said in shock.
Holy crap she's tall for being only eight years old.
"Yep." she said with a giggle.
"Now that I have your permission to date your mother, what does she like?" I asked.
She had a mischievous glint in her eyes and she told me. Her being eight changes things. Not in a bad way mind you, just confirms my initial thoughts and makes me want to adopt her even more. So a month later, and a month before Sofia's birthday, I asked to meet with her again. This time, I decided to visit her in her home and Baileywick came with me. She accepted my invitation and told me where to find her. I found the cabin. It looked big enough to be a three bedroom cabin. Baileywick knocked on the door of the cabin and it was answered by Sofia who was in a pair of pants and a tunic.
"Good afternoon gentlemen. Care for a drink? Or stew?" she asked.
"I'll have a drink, what do you have?" Baileywick asked.
"I'll like the stew and a drink please." I said.
"Well, we only have some light drinks or water if you prefer water." Sofia said as she ladled some stew for me.
"I'll have water." I said.
"Same." Baileywick said.
"Sure." she said.
While she was getting the drinks, I enjoyed the stew and got a good look at the cabin. It was quite a cozy little place. I knew that if we expanded it to hold Baileywick, myself, Amber and James, this little cabin could become a getaway house. A change from the large castle and it was really nice. Had a fireplace and the wooden furniture was really well crafted. Sofia came back with two wooden cups of water.
"Excuse the lack of ice, it's not yet cold enough for that." Sofia said.
"Oh that's quite alright dear." Baileywick said.
"So, Roland, why did you ask to see me?" she asked.
Her blue eyes revealing nothing which was impressive because she's EIGHT.
"Well, I came to ask for your blessing to marry your mother and if at all possible, I would like to ask if you would consider becoming my daughter." I said.
She seemed shocked.
"You have my blessing to marry my mother. But why adopt me?" she asked.
The confusion in her blue eyes hurt to see. This child never had a good male figure in her life. Though the village butcher would be one, she's never had a father figure, a good one at least.
"If I am marrying your mother, it would make sense to adopt you. I understand that some stepdads aren't the greatest and I would like the chance to get to know you better. You have the right to set boundaries okay? But one thing is for sure, I am proud to call you my daughter, if you'd let me." I said.
She froze and seemed to think about it. After a few minutes, she shyly looked up at me.
"I would like that." she said.
I smiled and had to use all my kingly knowledge not to get up and jump around in joy. And that very evening, I proposed to Miranda and she said yes. A month later, after celebrating Sofia's ninth birthday of course, I married Miranda and made Sofia my official daughter. I also got the blessing of my twins. Then a month after, Sofia and Miranda moved into the castle.
AN: Hope you enjoyed. I had seen somewhere that Roland liked Miranda because she calls him out on things if they don't seem right. I also wanted to have Roland sort of work to gain Sofia's favor and eventually trust him. All the castle staff enjoy Sofia's company since she asks about what they do instead of expecting them to do it.
Amber is just happy to have another sibling. James is skeptical. It's sort of a role reversal type of thing where James' attitude is similar to Amber's in the show.
Is there a specific episode that you would want Luna to come in or a specific season but don't really care where in the season Luna shows her cute little face?
Anyway, please let me know how I did. Thanks. ~Immortalshark