If You Love Me for Me
Summary: Some people can't see Sofia past her village upbringing. Hugo was different. For STF ship appreciation week day four- Gratitude.
"Pardon me for asking Prince Hugo but is it really wise to be in a relationship with Princess Sofia considering her former upbringing?"
Hugo could see the uneasy expression of hurt in Sofia's eyes while she adjusted her skirt as he stared at the questioning duke in surprise.
Duke Alaric wasn't the most pleasant of royalty the two young adults had come across. He was well known in and out of the Ever Realm for being judgy against anyone.
It was rumored he'd left his wife after she was unable to have children six months into their marriage which left a sour taste in the young couple's mouths.
But this? It didn't sit well with Hugo while he watched Sofia attempt to conceal her emotions as she sipped her tea.
"Sir, don't you think that's an inappropriate question to ask right in front of the princess you've insulted?" Hugo questioned.
"Nonsense! Sure she's been a princess for a decade now but she still has that villager blood in her," Duke Alaric sneered. "Her villager blood could soil your royal blood if you choose to elope and if you choose to have a child, who knows how it'll affect your son or daughter by them having their mother's blood. Consider your options outside of her, Prince Hugo. You'll thank me later for it."
The room fell silent as Sofia's hands trembled, unable to hold her teacup steadily.
The teacup shattered to the floor, having the princess excuse herself while Hugo locked eyes with the sneering duke as some maids came in to dispose of the broken glass.
"My options are already considered, Duke Alarica. My mother, brother, and especially my father love Sofia to pieces just as much as I do. They don't berate her for her upbringing or ostracize me from functions and balls because of my love for her. If you can't see that then leave here and take your nastiness out the door with you!" Hugo growled. The older man was about to protest before he held up his hand. "Don't make me repeat myself."
Duke Alarica nodded slowly as he got up from his chair, his graying eyebrows arched in a tense expression. "Of course, young prince. At least you've had the decency not to banish me from your kingdom unlike my brother in law."
"Yes let's be thankful I didn't consider that option."
Once the duke had left, Hugo ventured into the castle gardens. Whenever she came to visit him, he knew it was her place to be whenever she needed time alone.
Autumn leaves crunched beneath his feet as he saw Sofia hunched over with her hair askew, her periwinkle heels peeking out from underneath her skirt.
"Don't worry it's just me," Hugo assured her, seeing her startled by his presence.
"Thank goodness." Sofia looked up and it was lucid to him she'd been crying. "Normally I'd never get emotional over my past but there was something the Duke said that just got to me, Hugo and it had me do torrents of thinking."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well you do have options to consider outside of me. More born royalty options."
She turned away, having him sit next to her as he gently lifted up her chin.
"You're the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, Sof," Hugo assured. "You may not have been born into royalty but you're more royal than anyone else I've ever met."
Sofia frowned. "You're just saying that to make me feel better."
"No, I mean it."
"Y-You do?"
"Certainly," Hugo mummered. Helping her to her feet, he smiled as Sofia's engagement ring glittered in the autumn sunlight. "Who else would have tolerated me for as long as you have?"
Sofia giggled in agreement. "Now that's a difference between me and the other options Duke Alaric would've had you consider."
Her fiancé chuckled, taking her hand in his as they left the garden to enjoy each other's company.