*Flora's POV*

It was closing in on School Swap Day, so us fairies went down to the Dunwiddie School and talked with the teachers on who would be switching.

"Flora, I have an idea. Instead of one student, how about two? One girl and one boy." Ms. Candoo said.

"Hmm, interesting. Who should it be then?" I asked.

"Jade and Lucinda." Ms. Candoo said.

"Hmm, okay. How about James and Cleo?" I said.

Fauna and Merriweather smiled.

"Flora, are you sure?" Fauna asked.

"Yes. They are both close to Sofia and so I figured that for them to get a sense of what she was like before Royal Prep, they could go to her old school." I said.

Ms. Candoo winced a little before smiling, "Sofia huh? How is she?"

"She's fine and excelling at all her classes. She's bored in the math and science parts though. The only classes she enjoys are Sorcery, Royal History, and Strategy. Why?" I asked.

"Well," Ms. Candoo started, "Sofia had joined us when she turned five as is normal. She was a small little thing but she had a wiry strength to her. I had started us off with an ice breaker and who their parents were. She only mentioned her mother but not her dad. One of the boys had taunted her that she didn't have a dad. She was such a sweet kid too. Something happened and she had changed. I had noticed that one of the boys had picked on her and that five others joined in while the others didn't do anything. She had no reaction to it other than a smile. She was six when the taunting stopped and the boys seemed scared of her. Ruby and Jade, her friends, had stepped in and stood by her. They came to me and explained why the boys were scared. It was because Sofia had completely beaten the boy who used to be her best friend. After that day, she never really opened up with many children. Sofia seemed to give up trying to fit in with the others and just soared in academia and athletics. She very quickly proved that she was a genius and a quick learner on top of that. I had to speed up her schooling and by the time she was seven she had completed our curriculum. Before she went to the castle, she had been out of school for a year. She always stopped by my house though to say hi."

"Huh, the Sofia we teach is quite different. She's quiet but always answers the questions. She had quickly worked her way to the top student. She's also the tallest of the children. She's always in some sort of tunic and pants combination except for when we have a semiformal event going on and she's in a dress." I said.

We spent the rest of the time just talking about who to switch. We also learned more about Sofia and how she grew up. We were concerned about her temperament and so we would keep a little closer eye on her.

"Oh and one more thing." Ms. Candoo said, "Please go easy on Sofia. She may act and seem much older than she actually is but she's still young. She's had to grow up too quickly. Her mother had to pick up the slack when Sofia's father ditched them when Sofia was three. They were struggling with money and Sofia had pitched in. Sofia stayed in the village while her mother traveled to the near kingdoms to get a little extra money to keep their house. Sofia started working odd jobs around the village and had picked up trades really quickly and by the time I got her, she had already known how to read, write, cook, you name it she probably knew how to do it. I remember when she was just a wee little thing as she ran around the village with a bright toothy grin on her face as she greeted everyone. Her laughter and her grin had disappeared when she was only six."

"How so?" I asked.

"Well, Sofia loves to connect and absolutely loves people. Though, who she thought was her best friend had turned on her and told the villager kids about her and how her dad ran out on her. She got mocked while her best friend became popular. I caught her out climbing in a tree instead of playing with the others like she used to. Ruby and Jade, Sofia's friends stood up for her and protected her. Sofia had kind of distanced herself from all the other kids and had developed a talent for sneaking out of a crowd without being seen. I followed her and found her just sitting by the river staring off into space. Instead of the outgoing girl I used to know was replaced by a quiet and withdrawn smart kid. She learned how to hide her emotions really well and when she never showed any reaction to the bullies, they stopped. She's only fully lost her temper once and only once. Ever since, she's never lost her temper." Ms. Candoo said, "I have suspicions that it came from how her father treated her before he disappeared. I have a feeling that she knows what happens when someone loses their temper and doesn't want anyone to see that part of her."

That was surprising. Sofia seems so well mannered and even tempered.

"Merriweather, would you be safe in trying to find what makes her mad? I want to see what we are dealing with if she ever completely loses her temper." I said.

Ms. Candoo looked worried, "Uh, not to offend you or anything but the first and last time Sofia ever lost her temper, the boy who used to be her friend had tormented her long enough and beaten her. She had turned on him and proved that she was much stronger than him and beat him senseless. Ruby and Jade had tried to pull her off but Sofia had pushed them out with minor injuries. I pulled her off but I had trouble. I had to calm her by whispering in her ear. I knew she was okay when she went slack in my arms and stopped fighting. She looked around and her face crumpled before running off into the woods. Once I made sure the boys were okay and patched up, I went after Sofia. When I found her, she was despondent and had flinched when I put a hand on her. I reached for her but she curled up and scooted away. She apologized in the smallest tone and ever since, she's never let anyone get close to her."

Hmm, well, we'll just have to see how this goes.

*Amber's POV*

It just so happened to be School Swap Day and Sofia was confused.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Well dear, it's where a day where one of our students swap places with a student from the Dunwiddie School. Except, this year, we've made a slight change. We are swapping one girl and one guy." Flora said.

I looked to Sofia and saw that she was quite tense.

"You mean that two people from my old school are coming here?" Sofia asked.

"Yes." Ms. Flora said.

Jade came in and Sofia was happy. She had gotten out of her seat and hugged Jade.

"Huh, so this is where the reject went." a male voice said.

Sofia tensed and had left Jade's range.

She answered the male with a cold voice, "I wasn't a reject if I was smart enough to graduate before your tiny brain if you even have one."

"Please. You're just lucky your mother was hot enough to catch the eye of the king. Otherwise you would never have been anything." the male said.

"Who the heck are you to disrespect a princess?" I asked, stepping in front of my sister.

"Princess? She's no princess. Just some girl who got lucky." the male said, "Plus, her only two friends were just because I gave them to her."

"Jade?" Sofia's voice shook with confusion and hurt.

Jade sighed, "It was at first but I grew to like you and it wasn't for him. Hasn't been for years now."

"Wh…what about Ruby? Her too?" Sofia asked.

"Yes." Jade said.

I knew something was wrong when Sofia went still.

"Sofia? I'm so sorry. I never meant for you to know." Jade said, "You are my best friend. You have been for years."

Sofia's eyes were calm, "Jade. Did you ever protect me because you wanted to or was it all because someone told you too?"

Jade was quiet.

Sofia looked down, "I see."

"Sofia, would you take them on a tour?" Ms. Flora said.

"Fine." Sofia said.

I was worried because I knew Sofia was hurt…badly. She was good at pushing down her true emotions when she needed to. I was worried because I saw the walls go up. I knew that tonight was going to be much different.

*Cleo's POV*

James and I were the two students from Royal Prep to go to the Dunwiddie School. I smiled because I would find out what Sofia was like before she became a royal and James would learn a thing or two about his sister. After introductions, I very quickly learned that Sofia had excelled so much that she graduated here at just the age of seven. When I brought up Sofia, a few of the other kids seemed sad but some just grinned. We learned about lodestones and built a climbing structure.

I also found out that Sofia had been a bit of a recluse.

*Jade's POV*

Oh man. Sofia was never supposed to find out. I really did like her. I knew she had it really rough. I knew that. Jaxon had been Sofia's friend and that if he wasn't around to watch out for her. Except, when she was five and the other children found out her father ran out on her. Even Jaxon didn't stick around. I saw her happy personality dim into a quiet recluse of a person at just the age of six. So Ruby and I always played with her. Yes it got tiring to protect her constantly, but it didn't get old. I liked protecting her because it meant she didn't need to deal with anymore bad things happening to her.

Jaxon and I were picked for the School Swap Day and I was happy that I was finally going to school with Sofia again. I missed her. I didn't miss the happy look in her eyes when she saw me. I saw the hurt in her eyes when I couldn't say anything to her comment. All throughout the tour, she was stiff and just explained things. I wanted to make it up to her.

"Sofia." I said.

She stopped and looked at me with a blank look. It hurt because I've never gotten that look, it meant she was hiding all her emotions, holding them back.

"What?" she said.

"Can I talk to you? Alone?" I asked.

She nodded and led me to a secluded area. She shunted Jaxon off onto one of the other children, Maya I believe.

"Sofia. I'm so sorry. I never meant for you to find out. I've always wanted to get to know you. Yes Jaxon had asked us to look after you, but I did it because I wanted too." I told her.

She looked down and I could tell she was struggling a little. I moved to place a hand on her shoulder but she moved away from me. She's never done that.

"No. Don't. Just…just don't. I appreciate that you apologized but I just need time." she said quietly.

"I understand." I said.

"No, you don't." she said.

"Then help me understand." I said.

She chuckled but it had no mirth, "Why should I tell you?"

*Amber's POV*

I heard Sofia's voice call to me and it was one that was scared and hurt. So I ran to where I heard her voice.

*Jade's POV*

I sighed, "Sofia, I know you. I know that your a sweet person. I know that you love helping people."

Her eyes were swirling with emotions and I knew that she was losing her grip.

"Nah, the peasant takes advantage. Oh poor me, let me try and wrap the adults around my fingers." Jaxon's annoying voice sounded.

"You're just upset that your parents like me more than you." Sofia shot back.

Jaxon hit her and it was on. Sofia hit him back once and he went down.

"That all you got you wannabe tough guy." Sofia said.

Jaxon threw something at her and she caught it, a knife, which she returned fire and pinned Jaxon to the wall.

"You do not get to come to MY school and act like you own the place. You know what? I'm just glad I'm smarter than you." Sofia said, "Know why? Because here in this school, we learn things that you can only dream of."

"My father will hear about this!" Jaxon said as he kicked her.

"Really? What's your father going to try and do, sue the school for being mean to his little boy? Oh boo hoo, the royals were too much for the great Jaxon Menix." Sofia sneered.

Jaxon tackled her and she punched him. The next thing he said set her off majorly.

"At least my daddy stayed. Yours ran off to marry some chick who bore him a son." he said.

Sofia decked him. I tried to pull her off but she went right back at it. Amber ran to her and tried but had gotten backhanded by Sofia. She landed weirdly and let out a shriek of pain.

*Amber's POV*

My arm hurt a lot but it wasn't as bad as the look of pure anger and rage that Sofia had. It hurt to see her like that. I knew she had it rough. I knew that her birth father was a sore subject with her. I felt the pain disappear and looked up to see Ms. Flora standing over me and holding my arm. Ms. Fauna was taking care of the boy that just got royally beaten. Ms. Merriweather was taking care of the crowd. Sofia…was nowhere to be found. She was just gone. I only saw her when we were getting in the coach to go home. She was distant and she barely said anything.

*Miranda's POV*

I was waiting for the children to come home. I knew James was one of the people who were apart of the School Swap Day. The coach landed and my mom senses went off. Something was wrong. James was fine. Amber was fine. Sofia…was distant. The two said hi to me but Sofia was quiet and walked by me not saying anything.

"What happened?" I asked Amber since she would have been with Sofia.

"Well, the fairies thought it would have been a better idea if two children were swapped. Jade was one of them but the other was a boy named Jaxon Menix." Amber said, "Jaxon angered Sofia enough to the point where they got into a fight. He set her off. I tried to stop her but she pushed me off. I landed wrong on my arm, probably broke it but the fairies fixed it."

As soon as I heard the name I knew Sofia wasn't alright. I went right to her room. Thankfully I ran into Baileywick and told him to cancel everything on my schedule. I had to take care of my baby girl. Amber and James may be my children now but Sofia was mine first. I heard crying and went in. I saw my baby crying in a ball on her bed. She had taken off her dress and so her scars were on display.

"Sofia." I said softly.

My baby sniffled.

"Sweetie. What happened?" I asked.

Her hair was in her face so I pushed her hair back. She told me her side of the story in a hushed tone. I made her look at me and I saw the hurt and pain she was in. I pulled her close to me and put her on my lap.

"Why momma? Why does no one want to be my friend?" she whispered. "Am I just that different?"

"Sweetie, they do want to. You just have to let them." I said.

"Maybe they were right. Maybe I'm just too different for them." she whispered.

"No sweetie. You just have different experiences than them, that's all. They just don't understand." I said.

My sweet baby girl was hurting. I wrapped her in a hug, one that made the dam break and I felt her shaking. I held her as she cried. I held her tightly and rocked gently. She grew heavy and I knew she fell asleep. I held her close to me and eventually fell asleep myself. She was distant the next morning and her gaze was blank.

*Amber's POV*

It was lunch and Sofia was sitting by herself. Her gaze was distant as she finished her plate. I hurriedly finished my own and went after her. She was sitting on the edge of the fountain staring off into space. Sofia had been distant all day and I was worried.

"Hey." I said.

She looked at me before looking back down at the water.

"I'm sorry I hurt you." she whispered.

"Sofie. I love you." I said.

"Just the fun side of me." she muttered.

"I love all of you." I said, "I love your cooking. I love that you teach me new things. I love that you're brave enough to wear whatever you would like. You are my little sister and I love you. I love you for who you are now. Your experiences shaped you into the person you are now and I wouldn't have you any other way."

She looked at me in shock, "Are you serious?"

It hurt to hear the shock in her voice.

"Yes." I said.

Next thing I know, she was in my arms completely relaxed. I loved her. She had a golden heart that was just dulled by all the bruises that's all.

*Miranda's POV*

I found Sofia and Amber curled up together asleep on the bed. It was the first time I've seen Sofia relaxed so much to the point where if you looked at her you would know that she was only eleven years old. It was nice to see her finally relaxing here. So when Amber and Sofia wanted to go sailing to see the Minotaur Meteor Shower, I went with them. Though our boat got sunk when a pirate ship crashed into ours. The captain's name was Quivers. I used the fact that they needed to find a treasure against them and help them find it in order to get back home.

"What treasure are you looking for?" I asked.

"We are looking for the Golden Maiden of the Seventeen Seas." Captain Quivers said.

I was a little confused but Sofia looked like she knew.

"The Golden Maiden is a figure head that when whispered into her ear, she will guide the ship to the destination." Sofia said.

"We are seeking it so that we will never be lost again." Captain Quivers said.

"Do you have the directions?" I asked.

"Aye. It's in a sea shanty!" Captain Quivers said.

They sang "Listen well and I'll sing for you, the very firstest treasure crew. Pass the snores of Old Argyle. Then stay on an in a little while a bigger challenge ye shall face. The kind that sets your heart to race. Stick your courage to the boards and sail through the Sea of Lemming Hordes. The next clue is the hardest yet that leads you to a fearsome threat. Aim yer prow ye filthy rubes. Right through the streams of cloating floobs. And closer now yer treasure be when the full moon rises undersea. In the wavering part of the loom. Ye treasure lies within a watery tomb."

"The Shores of Shark Isle, then sail through the sea of swimming swords and through streams of floating cubes. Set a course for the Evening Star of Khaldune. Then sail through the whirly burly." Sofia said.

"How do you know that?" Amber asked.

"Balthazar. He too hunted for the Maiden but never got to it because of the difficult clues." Sofia said.

"Oh. Sorry." Amber said.

So we sailed through the Sea of Swimming Swords. Sofia smiled though.

"Mmm, swordfish. They are delicious." Sofia said.

She took one of the swordfish and killed it. She stripped the meat and then put it in storage. We sailed through the Icey Sea. Once we were through, we set a course for the Evening Star of Khaldune, eventually coming across the whirly burly. We found the Maiden and the Captain kept his word and we sailed home for Enchancia. We got to watch the Meteor shower too and it was a lot better out on the sea. Sofia made us some food by cooking the swordfish and the pirates told us tales of their travels. I held Sofia on my lap because I wanted to, plus it reminded me of Balthazar and when we went sailing the seas. She may be older but she's still my little girl. I was sad that Ruby and Jade had become friends with Sofia because someone asked them too, but they had written Sofia an apology as well as came to read it in person. It was nice to see that Sofia gave them a second chance and since the two have been over to the castle a lot more.