"You sure you won't be needing my help at all?"
Sofia eagerly asked, holding her hands together as her expression forms into uncertainty. The workshop was quite busy with the sorcerer working on something at that moment despite being late at night
"For the hundredth time, Sofia – I can handle this myself, but thanks for the offer" Cedric responded while busy pouring a solution into a flask that emitted colors of neon green and aquamarine
"Ohh…. Okay..." the young woman hesitated, not wanting to impose much on the sorcerer
"Anyways, it's almost midnight." Cedric uttered "Isn't it past your bedtime?"
"I'm already 21, Cedric" Sofia giggled, trying to walk with her arms raised to the side while balancing on her tiptoes "I'm not a little girl anymore"
"Sure you're not" Cedric murmured with a smirk while writing a new formula this time
A pout forms on Sofia's lips upon hearing this "Well clearly… my Sorcerer doesn't want me here, then I might as well just leave his workshop"
"Cool, make sure to close the door afterwards."
A disgruntled Sofia came into view. Clearly, her "making Cedric guilty" plan didn't work since he was too apathetic about the whole thing
But just as she was about to utter a word, a sudden yawn escape from her mouth. Her eyelids were now droopy and she could now feel the drowsiness.
She can always pester Cedric in another day, perhaps tomorrow, but for now, the princess needs to have a good night's rest
"All right, Cedric. I guess I'll go to sleep now" Sofia yawned again with her eyes closed and hands fanning her yawn
"Goodnight~"
"Goodnight, Princess Sofia" Cedric responded
As she made her way to the door, she paused for a little bit to turn to him
"I love you~"
"Thank you" he responded sincerely
Sofia then made her way out of his workshop, just waltzing by his door. She was too tired to think, but out of nowhere, a sudden realization came to her as she opened his door to meet him again
"I said I love you"
"I know, you just said it."
"I love you~" she sang in a sing-song tone this time
"Yees, I know~" he also responded in a sing-song tone
Now peachy, Sofia made her way back into his workshop with her hands on her waist this time. She wasn't happy at all
"Cedric." She called out for him
The sorcerer then turned around to meet her now stern expression
"I said I love you." She repeated again
"Umm yeah, you said that like a hundredth time"
"Cedric!" just like clockwork, her expression shifted in a more childish one. Like a spoiled child wanting for something
"Say it back!"
"I did, I said Good night didn't I?"
"Noooo" She whined this time while leaning close
"Say you love me."
"Ummm, why?"
"Becauseee" Sofia whimpered "Who knows what might happen to me tonight, and this could be the last time you'll ever see me, and I want you to say I love you before that happens"
"Sofia, go to sleep. You're tripping." The sorcerer wasn't having none of that
"Ceedriccc!"
"What? keep your voice down, some people are already asleep at this hour, Sofia" Cedric hushed her close
"Then say it back"
"Say what back?"
"I love you."
"Okay, thank you"
"Cedric!" Sofia whined even more, hitting him with light smacks on his back
"Say you love me"
"Sofia, you're sleepy. Go to sleep."
"I'll go to sleep if you tell me you love me."
"Come on… this is so childish."
Suddenly, the princess made her way to his room which Cedric took notice immediately "Where are you going?"
"I'm gonna sleep in your room tonight!"
"What? why?" Cedric's asked in confusion
"Because…" Sofia paused, hesitating to utter the following words "I don't wanna risk this to be the last moment we will have and you're not saying you love me…"
Cedric heaved out a sigh, the formula was almost finished, but now he has something more to take care of.
"Will you just please go back to your room and sleep, my dear Princess Sofia?" Cedric asked politely this time with a forced smile on his face
"No." She sharply responded with a serious expression "I'm gonna stay here until you say you love me"
"Sofia, I don't have time for this, do you realize how late it is?" Cedric was trying to reason out to the princess herself
"You can't be serious about this."
"Try me." Sofia crossed her arms with a serious look on her face
"Aw Merlyn's Mushrooms…"
Suddenly, a knock was heard from the door. As it slowly opened, there revealed Queen Miranda herself in her nightgown.
"Good Evening, Cedric. I hope my visit isn't causing disturbance to you"
"Oh, you are most very welcome here, My Queen" Cedric responded with a bow
It didn't take long before Miranda noticed her daughter hiding under the table, upon seeing her tiara sticking out
"Did you really think you can hide from me?" Miranda scolded in a calm manner
Sofia flashed a grin upon seeing her Mother standing before her "Sorry Mom, me and Cedric was just spending some time together"
"Well I'm pretty sure there is still a tomorrow for you two lovebirds. Come, let's not interrupt Cedric any longer, he still has a lot to do"
Cedric cleared his throat which was heard by Sofia. She then turned to him with a deep pout in which Cedric responded with a smirk and a shrug
"Okay mom" the young woman finally agreed as she waltzed her way outside of the workshop with the queen up ahead
But before Sofia could finally leave from the door, she felt something sudden from behind that kept her in place. It was warm, and tender – A pair of arms embracing her tummy with a touch of a chin on her bare shoulder
A smile forms on her lips upon realizing who it is.
"I love you, my Sofia" he whispered softly in her ear
"Now say it back..."
Without hesitation, Sofia turned around and threw her arms on his shoulder, pulling him in for a kiss as they both shivered for each other's taste
Sofia pulls away and gave him a passionate and heartfelt look. Her face was red, which went well with her shining sky blue eyes.
"I love you too, my Ceedric~"