*Baileywick's POV*

I had been sent to go pick up Miranda and Sofia to bring them to the castle. In the year that passed since Miranda and Roland met, Sofia seemed to fill out. She looked like she was nine but after accidentally hearing a conversation between Miranda and Roland, I found out Sofia was actually eight and was turning nine in September. She was only a few months younger than the twins, who were born in February. I quite liked Sofia. She was a quiet type. As Sofia climbed into the carriage, a few of the children seemed really sad.

"I'm sorry Sofia." most of them said.

I was watching her to see what she was going to do. Her eyes were cold even though she was smiling. The cold look faded when she saw two girls in the crowd and waved at them. Her pet was at her feet curled up in a ball. As we continued through town, Sofia was quiet and looked around as we continued on. I took Sofia on a tour of the castle.

"Baileywick." one of the maids said.

"Yes Karla." I said.

"Shouldn't you slow down a wee bit? The princess does have shorter legs than you." she said politely.

I was shocked. I didn't even realize that I was going that fast. I looked down to see Sofia still on my heels.

"Do you need a break? The castle is big and isn't going anywhere." I asked her.

She shook her head so I continued on. She seemed a little annoyed at the slower pace so I sped up and she kept up with a small smile. Once we got to her room she looked around.

"It's so big." she muttered.

"It's a normal princess suite." I commented.

I showed her the bell and then the closet. Once she was settled in her room, I went to pull up the application for enrollment for Royal Prep, I realized that the Queen had to fill it out as I barely knew anything about Sofia.

"Excuse me Your Highness." I said to grab her attention.

"Baileywick. No need for formalities. Just call me Miranda." she said.

"Oh I can't do that ma'am." I said.

"Then perhaps just around the castle if that's okay. What do you need?" she asked.

"I need some help filling out this application." I said.

"Ah." the new queen said.

We sat down and I learned a lot about the newest princess. We got down to the activities that Sofia was involved in and even Miranda was a little stumped.

"Baileywick, we kind of need Sofia. Even I don't know all of the things she can do. I was focused on keeping a roof over her head to not notice some of her escapades." the queen said.

"Hmmm….odd." I said.

So I sent for Sofia and she came quickly. A little too quick for where she supposedly was in the castle.

"Hi mom." she said, "Baileywick."

The queen explained what was going on and Sofia just smiled.

"Mom, I know you figured out most of what I've done. Gramps told me about the day you came to his shop." Sofia said.

"I know, I just wanted you to do it." the queen said.

"Alright mom." Sofia said.

She looked at the application with a comprehension that shouldn't be on an eight year old's face. She corrected a few things like her weight and her height. She finished the application with a smirk.

"There we go." she said and she left.

I was watching her curiously.

"She's always been like that." the queen said with pride in her voice.

"Really? I was expecting her to grumble about a new school." I said.

"She's never complained much about anything. At least from what I know. She's always picked up the slack when I couldn't. She's the one that keeps the shop looking so good. She had fixed the front of the shop and added a few things to the first level with help from the younger men of the village. The adults love her and she has the most stubborn of villagers wrapped around her fingers." the queen said.

I was stunned, that little girl was keeping that shop?

"What about her father? I thought it was a male who was keeping the shop." I said.

"No." the queen said with an undertone of malice, "Her father walked out on us after Sofia was able to take care of herself in his eyes that after she turned three, he left. Said that he didn't want to be tied down anymore and took up a job offer of captaining his old ship as they had been docked in Enchancia for a supply refuel and trade."

"I'm sorry I asked." I said as I could tell that it was a painful memory for her.

"It's alright. You didn't know." the queen said.

I had to go check on the children. I found Amber in Sofia's room talking. It was odd, Sofia had managed to reach the sweet girl that was under the haughty mask Amber always put up. She was allowed to wear what she wanted around the castle as long as she agreed to wear a dress to school. She had then asked if there was a chance for a comfortable dress instead of the fancier dresses that were in her closet. Oddly enough, it was James that Sofia had a problem with. The smiles that seemed real with Amber were forced when interacting with James.

*Fauna's POV*

Today was the day to update all the student's files. Flora, Merryweather and I were looking through the files and found a new one. It was from the Kingdom of Enchancia and they had a new princess. Princess Sofia. I looked over it since that is my job to look at the new students. I was intrigued because she didn't have the typical file. This girl was different. It seems she was a quiet type, not shy but not talkative either. She was a very intelligent girl. She preferred to work alone then groups but will if she absolutely has too. Her activities list and background drew my attention the most. She knew how to ride a horse, hunt, cook, sew, rock climb, anything physical, and has a knack for musical instruments. She also had a pet wolf that follows her everywhere. I approved and sent the file to be looked over by Flora and Merryweather.

"Odd, there's no mention of her previous father." Flora said.

"Perhaps there's a reason." Merryweather said, "I want to see what this girl is made of."

Soon in came time for school and the children to arrive. We were in our tiny forms and I spotted Sofia first. Right away I could tell that she was different from the other princesses. She had on a dress and her hair was short. She had an amulet on and a pair of flats.

"Welcome to Royal Prep dear." I said.

She looked right at me, which was surprising since I was expecting her to be a little confused.

"Hello." she said.

We introduced ourselves and she smiled at us. We gave her a tour of the school and a rundown of the rules and what not. She was so quiet at times that we actually had to look to see if she was still there. She did well for the first half of the day. She seemed to get along really well with the others, at least until I saw her running in from break soaking wet. I went to see what was wrong.

"Sofia? Are you alright?" I asked.

Her eyes, which held a guarded look, cleared as she looked up at me, "I'm fine. Just a prank."

"By who? Pranks such as these are not acceptable." I told her.

"James." she said and shrugged, "It's fine, it'll dry. Just water."

I waved my wand and dried her off. She smiled.

"Thank you." she said.

"Now off you go. Don't wanna be late for your class now dear." I said.

She took off to her next class. I kept an eye on her all day and watched as she seemed to surpass her peers in some parts. She really was a quick learner.

*Baileywick's POV*

I noticed that the staff had been getting tasks done quicker and more efficiently. I wasn't complaining but the matter stands as who came up with the ideas? It seems as if the staff were getting around the castle quicker than I was and that was saying something.

"Baileywick." Sofia called out.

"Yes Sofia." I said.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked.

"Well, I was thinking about how the staff are getting things done quicker and more efficiently." I told her.

She giggled, "I bet they're using the shortcuts I showed them through the castle."

"Shortcuts? You?" I was very confused.

She laughed and I found that I liked her laugh and wanted to hear it more.

"Baileywick, I noticed it when I went exploring one day. Violet followed me since she's my personal handmaid at times and noted a few passageways that I hadn't seen. We took them and found that they led from one end of the castle to another and quite a few branched off to other places. We labled them so we knew which one led to which area. Turns out the rest of the staff found them too and began using them."

I was dumbfounded until Sofia led me through the passages and I was surprised. There were actual shortcuts.

"Good eye Sofia. Now, off you go to dinner." I said.

She hummed and skipped off. Now to get things ready for the Royal Family to attend a Flying Derby race.

*Amber's POV*

As we headed to watch the Flying Derby race, Sofia was bouncing in her seat. Excited in a way that I could tell was a rarity.

"Sofia, settle down. It's not going anywhere." mom said.

Sofia stopped and settled for wiggling in her seat, "Sorry mom, I'm just excited. We've never been to a flying derby race in person."

"You've never been to a race before?" dad asked.

"We've never had the time…or money." mom said, "Sofia settled for regular horses."

"Well, you're going to see some of the best racers in the kingdom. In fact we'd already be there if Amber didn't keep us waiting for fifteen minutes." James said.

We took the high road and made it in time for the racers to make their first rounds before the official start. I couldn't believe I was saying this but I knew that if Sofia wanted to she would.

"You know Sofia, we have a junior Flying Derby team at Royal Prep." I said.

Her eyes lit up in excitement.

"Really?" She said.

"Tryouts are next week and sign up's tomorrow." I said as I heard it from James who had been trying to get on the team.

"That sounds fun. Are you trying out James?" she said.

I had noticed that even though Sofia held a sort of aversion to James, she still tried.

"Yup." James said.

"Hugo's going to be trying out as well and he's one of the best riders in our age group." I said.

"I'm a good rider too." James pouted.

I couldn't help but rib him a little. I knew that Sofia was going to tryout, not watch. Hugo was being a meanie and told Sofia she couldn't just because she's a princess.

"We princes are meant to handle the rough stuff that's certainly not suitable for girls. We're the ones who ride horses, climb trees, fight monsters, and save fair maidens." Hugo said with a sneer.

"A princess can do that too." Sofia said.

"When has a princess done anything of the sort?" Hugo smirked.

"Princess Boudicca of Airlann. Royal Advisor Mulan. Queen Elsa. Princess Anna. Queen Merida. Queen Rapunzel. Queen Cinderella. Snow White. Tiana. Jasmine. Belle. Pocahontas. Need I go on?" Sofia said.

Well damn.

Hugo took a moment, but his answer was weak, "Well that's how we do things here."

So I steered Sofia away, knowing that the topic would come up later tonight. Sure enough it did. At dinner.

"Everyone, I have an announcement." Sofia started, "I'm going to be trying out for the Flying Derby team."

I was proud. James wasn't very pleased. Daddy looked surprised and mom just smirked.

"That's great. A step up yes?" she said.

Sofia nodded. Mom nudged dad and he was pleased.

"But Sofia doesn't know how to ride a pegasus." James protested, "she doesn't even know how to ride a horse."

Mom snorted a little and Sofia had a smirk.

"Then someone will have to teach her," dad said, "like her older brother."

"But…" James started.

"Oh no worries. I know how to ride a horse." Sofia said nonchalantly.

From all our late nights spent talking and getting to know each other, I knew Sofia had won a few races. Albit a regular horse race but still.

"Besides, you could use the extra practice." I said.

"What about riding clothes?" James tried.

"Oh I have some." Sofia said.

And so the next day, Sofia was ready to take on the Flying Derby.

*Sofia's POV*

Once school ended, I changed into my riding gear. I was the last to get my pegasus.

"Good afternoon Sir Gillium!" I said.

"Ah. Princess Sofia, how nice of you to come back." I could tell he wasn't pleased but was giving me a chance, "I take it you still want to try out for the team?"

"Of course." I said.

"Right, well…I'm afraid that almost all of the pegasi are taken princess. There's only one left and no one wants him." he said.

"That's okay. I'm not picky." I said.

"Of course you aren't." Sir Gillium sighed, "Come along then. I'll take you to him."

As we walked we passed by so many beautiful pegasi. We stopped at one that held a beautiful black with a white diamond on the center of her head.

"There she is princess." Sir Gillium said, "The youngest pegasus of her age group. Born and raised right here on the school grounds."

"She's beautiful." I said.

"Aye, she's a sight to look at, but fair warning princess, she has a bit of a temper." he said.

I watched as the mare tried to scare off another with a glare.

"Don't you dare think about it!" she said to the horse.

Thanks to my amulet, I could understand and talk to animals.

"Her name is Tempest and she's one of the rougher pegasi to handle. No one wants to ride her because she's rowdy. I won't blame you if you want to reconsider princess." Sir Gillium said.

"She's perfect." I said.

I walked over to her and she looked at me with a guarded look. I stopped at the edge of her pen and held my hand out.

"Easy girl. I'm not going to hurt you. Come here." i said.

She trotted around her pen a little and eventually got curious. She came over and sniffed me.

"Yeah, your just misunderstood aren't you. You're a sweetheart." I said.

She looked at me with her beautiful brown eyes and let me pet her muzzle. I praised her as I pet her. Sir Gillium stepped forward and she backed away, rearing.

"No don't. I've got her." I said as I saw Sir Gillium move to restrain her.

Sir Gillium left me too it and I got her to calm down.

"Are you comfortable with a saddle?" I asked.

She backed up a bit.

"It's okay. I'm not going to make you wear one if you're not comfortable yet. Do you allow for people to ride you though?" I said.

"No, but I would like you to try." she said.

"Alright. I'm going to go slow. Let you get adjusted to having my weight on your back." I said calmly.

"Actually, I want you to ride me. Now lets go catch up with those losers." she said.

"Oh. Okay." I said.

I led her out of the stables with only the reins. I smirked as the boys looked shocked that I chose Tempest. I arrived just as Sir Gillium was explaining that Friday was the tryout race and that we could practice whatever, whenever, and however we want. Great.

"Sofi did you want me to aid you? I am quite tall." Tempest said.

"Nope." I said as I hopped up easily. "I've ridden a horse before Tempe."

She whickered at the nickname, pleased.

I had her trot around and gallop a little to get used to having me on her back and moving with me. Then I decided to do something, I ditched the reins, pulling them off her head and rode bare back. We took off and it was incredible. I didn't pay attention to the boys as I was finally back in my element. After a smooth run of the course, I decided to do something fun, only if Tempest was up for it.

"Hey Tempe, what do you say we do the course for speed?" I said.

"I'm down Sofi! This is fun. I like this. I can't believe I was fighting the boys. Though they are stinky." Tempest said.

I giggled and so we got ready. I held onto Tempest's mane and we took off. She was a lot faster than my old steed, Blackjack, the one I won my first race with. It was great. We finished the course with a crushing record of about ten minutes.

We landed only to see the dumbfounded look of James and the rest of the princes. I smirked.

"Say Tempest, care to show off a bit?" I said.

She whinnied and we took off again. We did a barrel roll, loop-de-loop, and a tight roll. I kinda left off the part that I was able to do acrobatics on a horse and so I got Tempest to tilt me off and I flipped through the air. Just before I hit the ground, Tempest was under me and we were back up in the air.

"Wahooo!" I yelled as this was amazing.

Tempest was slowing down so I knew it was time to stop. We landed, I picked up her reins, and led her back into the stables.

"That was great Tempest. I don't know why people call you unhandleable. You are the sweetest." I said.

"I did not like anyone else." she said.

"Come on sweetie. Let's get you fed and cleaned for the night." I said.

She was hooked up in her pen. I filled a bucket with water and I grabbed the soap and a fresh pale of water. I also grabbed a brush. While the water was warming, I mixed what Blackjack always liked and seemed to work. It was a mix of grains, wheat, oats, and some roughage. I also added in a bit of fish oil. I placed the feed next to Tempest and let her smell it.

"Oooh. This smells good." she said as she stuck her muzzle straight in.

I waited till she was really eating before I started to clean her. I watched her tail flick so I knew she was liking it. I brushed her clean and dry. I grabbed a cloth and dipped it in the clean water.

"Tempest sweetie. Can I clean your face?" I asked.

"Okie." she said.

I took the cloth and cleaned her face. When I was done, I sprayed her with a bit of coconut oil. I brushed it into her coat and she was nice and spiffy. Her black coat was gleaming.

"Look at you. So clean and shiny." I complimented as I always got a happy neigh from the horses I took care of.

"Thank you. I like you." she said as she trotted around.

I giggled, "Well, tomorrow I'm going to switch it up. It always did the horses good whenever I fed them it after a long day of training."

Tempest swished her tail. I realized it was a little late and so I ran to catch my ride home. The next couple of days were spent training and simply spending time getting to know Tempest. It always worked with the horses that I took care of in the village and Tempest seemed no different.

When it came time for the big day, I blocked out everyone and focused. I leaned down to whisper in Tempest's ear that she'll do just fine. So, when the starting shot went off and the gates dropped, we sped out of the gate. We had found out a more efficient way of getting through the course. Instead of slowing down at the rings, I would jump off Tempest as she zoomed through the ring and I landed on her again. The bridge we did a tight roll. I pressed myself close to her body as she spun. We spun through the trees and zoomed through to the tower. Tempest engaged a secret that pegasi have but not many knew about. I knew because I rode bareback. She had a set of smaller wings that allowed for speed and agility. We climbed higher and higher, I tugged the bell and we headed for the finish line. One of the boys tried to cut us off but we rolled under them and continued onwards. I crossed the line as did James as it seemed that Hugo was the one to try to knock me off. The crowd went wild as James and I crossed the finish line, making the team.

I heard Amber cheering for both of us. I heard the announcement that I made the team.

"We made it Tempe. We made it." I said as I held her muzzle in my hands as she whickered.

"I did it! With all that practice, I was fast but now I'm even faster!" she said.

I smiled and decided to award her with a good feed today. My family congratulated me and Amber gave me her Derby Tiara.