The night was young, with the party in the castle about to begin. It was a wondrous vibe as the Royal Family was introduced which garnered applauses from everyone.

"And last… but certainly not the least" Baileywick spoke in front "Princess Sofia the First!"

The crowd cheered, following a series of blasts from the trumpets for a royal entrance. And there she was, appearing right before the stairs and making her way down. She looked as lovely as ever in her sparkling navy blue dress with her beautiful auburn curls tied in an intricate updo

The Princes couldn't help but fawn over how wonderful she looked in that dress. Some already excited for the ball to start so that they can have their chance to dance with the gorgeous princess

"And ladies and gentlemen, let's give a round of applause for our Royal Family of Enchancia!"

And cheers filled the hall, with everyone's clapping in unison. The band played another wondrous round of a chorus which was met by the waving and smiles of the Royal Family themselves by the spotlight

Everything was according to festivity… that is until a certain man sitting in the corner of the hall, sulking to himself while silently watching the entire thing from afar

"Psh, as if the beckoning noise wasn't enough… now I have to stay until the end of this party" Cedric scoffed with his arms crossed with the eccentric way he was sitting

"Cedric!"

A voice from nearby caught his attention. It was Baileywick in his nice and sophisticated outfit fit for the occasion

"I can't believe you attended without even wearing something special for the occasion!"

"Hah, cut me some slack. I attended, didn't I?" Cedric sarcastically responded. He was wearing his usual long robe and pants

"Yes, I'll have you know that Kings from the other kingdoms are attending. What will they think of when they see the Royal Sorcerer of Enchancia all looking ragged and–"

"Okay okay!" Cedric flaunted his arms in the air for emphasis "I get it, I'll hide from the party."

"And how are you supposed to do that?" Baileywick asked

"I'll find a way… anyways, when will the servers serve the food?" Cedric asked "I'm starving"

A chuckle was heard from the Royal Steward as he utters "Tonight is a special occasion. For tonight, we are gonna have a buffet setting"

"A buffet setting?" Cedric gasped in surprise "Then that means I have to go get my food myself on the table"

"That's right" Baileywick stated "It was actually Princess Sofia's idea."

"Of course, who else would it have been…" Cedric sighed in defeat

"Anyways scram now before the King calls you and he spots me here" Cedric blurted, his hand doing a gesture of shooing

The steward gave him a nod before finally leaving the scene to start helping with the guests. The Dinner was about to start and Cedric had to find a way to conceal himself somehow

Of course, the most rational thing to do at the moment is to just leave the party and sulk up in his tower… but a certain promise made to a certain princess kept that from happening.

"Hey Cedric" Desmond appeared before him holding a punch in his right hand. Out of all the princes, he looked the least elegant with his rather plain but still somewhat stylish outfit "Didn't know this was your thing"

"Well look who it is… the boy who set me up!" Cedric gnarled in defiance

"Ha ha… why don't we let bygones be bygones" The young prince sneered as he sat on the table next to one Cedric was sitting on

"By the way, have you seen Amber anywhere?"

"Amber huh…" Cedric looked at him sideways "So you were after her all along…"

"No I'm not!" Desmond blushed upon hearing this "I was just wondering where she was"

"Right… but knowing that spoiled brat, she's probably flaunting her dress to some friends or something" Cedric responded "She's not really hard to spot, with her sparkly dress and all"

And speaking of the capybara, there she was at the middle talking to Princess Hildegard and Cleo while fanning herself

Desmond's eyes brightened upon seeing her. It was like he saw an angel or a deity. It was fairly obvious that the boy had it bad for Enchancia's princess

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Cedric uttered "Go!"

"Right right of course" Desmond finishes his punch before hopping out of the table "Wish me luck, Cedric"

As he reached the ground, the prince almost stumbled with the height of the table that he just jumped from "Wow, that sure is a big table."

Hearing this caught the Sorcerer's interest. He then slowly inspected the table from above and realizes that it was indeed tall and big. In fact… it can even be used as a fort!

He then made his way to the ground. Crouching down, Cedric made sure to lift the tablecloth that was rather heavy despite how it looks. He was right, it was indeed spacious.

A bright idea came to Cedric.

Meanwhile, Prince James passed by his table which notices Cedric smiling to himself for some reason

"Yo Cedric, what are you doing here. Come sit with us!" James uttered as he approached him

"Yeah yeah later… James could you do me favor please"

"Ohh what favor?"

"Can you please bring me food here, I'm starving."

"You know you can just go there and serve yourself right?"

"Yes, but brothers look out for each other right?" Cedric pleaded with his hands clamped "And aren't we brothers from another Mother?"

"What was that?"

"Okay. If you bring me food here, I'll let you borrow the flying machine for a whole month"

"Deal." The blonde prince agreed with a delighted expression on his face as he then made his way to the table where the food is served

Cedric anticipated the whole thing. The only thing that he needs is some food and he'll be set in that fort for the rest of the party.

Seeing James holding a plate of food and walking in his direction was enough for Cedric to be excited, But out of nowhere, a group of girls came to him, fawning over the prince himself. James could only shrug at Cedric as he had no choice but to entertain the crowd of girls with him

A grunt escapes from the Poor Sorcerer's mouth. Even with a party like this, the odds still refuse to smile in his favor.

"Oh well… it's not like I'll need food that much" he uttered to himself as he hopped from the table and made his way under it. The long table cloth made it possible for him to stay hidden and not be visible to others. A perfect place to hide indeed.

And so the Sorcerer prepared for a nap, his hands acting as his pillow. It was so spacey in that place that he could literally stretch his legs and still have space left to move on. This was indeed a perfect fort for a certain underdressed Sorcerer to hide in

He closed his eyes, now the music was shifting into a mellow one.

"We will be starting to ball momentarily!"

Baileywick's voice echoed as the musical instruments starts to play in a rather soft tempo. Now it felt more like a romantic ball than a party for everyone (The Music is a slow dance rendition of A Thousand Years"

Cedric opened his eyes. He figured he might as well watch the show since he's got nothing to do in his fort anyways. Besides, no one should see him peeking out of the curtains at least

And that he did, as he slowly opened the curtains from the huge table – revealing a nice view of the hall from below. Now it looked even more vast in his proximity

The Princes started to make their way to their own respective choices of Princesses as the music continued to play. Some were already at their hearts content being enthralled by the mood alone

But from afar, a certain princess wearing a navy blue dress and her curls tied in an intricate updo was all alone to herself. She was also holding a plate of food in her hand and it seemed as if she was looking for something, or someone, in the party

She caught the hiding sorcerer's interest for sure as his keen and observant gaze has noticed something peculiar about the girl

x X x

With every nook and cranny, Sofia had practically searched the party for a certain someone. "Was he not in the party?"

But she was certain she made him promise otherwise. And Cedric was certain that he was gonna come, he did tell her after all

As she took another step, the lingering pain on her ankle returned. It was getting worse and worse every step she takes. And the ball was about to start, for sure, it would definitely be a terrible situation

She had been practicing every night for the dance, even to the point that she was pushing her ankles to the limit just to find the right rhythm, hoping her efforts would eventually be enough

But so far, it had caused her nothing but a sprained ankle and an injured foot. Surely, her dilemma is gonna make the party terrible for her

But as much as the poor girl wanted to rest and not walk, Sofia knew she had to stay in the ball and participate in the dance. She just has to bear her foot for now. It shouldn't be that bad

She then made her way to a certain corner, hoping to find the person that she was looking for. Sofia knew this person very well, and the fact that he's way too passive to reach out and get her own food, she figured she'd give him her plate instead and they could eat together

Perhaps, to distract herself of her dilemma

"And now Ladies and Gentleman, Gentleman and Ladies… we now officially start the ball!" Baileywick's voice now echoed in the hall

The Princes now making their way to their certain princesses of interest to ask them for a dance. Sofia was now nervous. It was finally the time, with her injured foot, she'd surely make a fool out of herself in front of everyone or make her injury worse

Sofia then closed her eyes with her hands clamped together, praying for a miracle

When suddenly…

"Pssst"

Sofia heard a certain sound from nowhere. She opened her eyes to inspect the area, and there was nothing.

"Psst, down here!"

The voice was in a form of a loud whisper coming from the ground. And as she looked down, a certain Mr. Ceedric was calling out for her under the table for some reason

"Mr. Ceedric!?" she squealed in delight with her eyes sparkling with joy

"Come here… quickly!" Cedric hushed, hoping no one would notice

Delighted, Sofia nodded as she crouched down and went under the table with Cedric without hesitation. Sofia couldn't help but fawn over how big and spacey the table was. It seemed like a fort even

"You kept your promise!" Sofia gushed in very adorable way

"Of course I did"

"Wow, nice place you have here" Sofia smiled, caressing the fabric of the tablecloth as she inspected the space and how the under table seemed to be big enough for a fort.

"Stay still…"

Cedric said as Sofia felt a touch from her foot. It took her by surprise as the princess literally hopped a little bit, causing the table to move.

This surely garnered the attention of the people, but luckily, they brushed it off just as immediately

"Are you trying to get us caught!?" Cedric grunted in a low voice

"Well… I didn't notice!" Sofia barked back

Cedric sighed to himself "Anyways, let me take a good look of your foot"

"M-My foot!?" Sofia exclaimed

"Hah, you've been limping since earlier." Cedric responded as he carefully inspected her foot "Surely, it would be dangerous to dance with an injured foot"

"You noticed?" she asked with a sudden blush on her face

He nodded.

Cedric then slowly rubbed her foot, but before doing more so, he turned to Sofia "May I?"

"Mhmmm~" Sofia hummed slowly with a gentle smile on her lips "But please be gentle…"

"You make it sound like I'm a rough person" Cedric sarcastically bickered as he carefully lifted her toe unto his lap.

He then takes out an ointment from his pocket and starts pouring it all over his ankle. Cedric followed by a couple of slow yet soft massages that started from her sole then to her ankle, hoping it would ease the pain whatsoever

The cold sensation of the ointment alongside with Cedric's caresses made Sofia feel as if she was on cloud 9. She couldn't help but close her mouth with her hands or else she might let out a cry of pleasure

There were still hints of pain in there, but Cedric's gentleness made it seem as if it was nothing. Sofia craved for more with this tenderness that he was giving her

The way his gentle hands moves in a rhythm with her ankles made it even more satisfying. A feeling of euphoria was now engulfing the princess, hoping this to never end whatsoever.

"And it's done."

And just like that, Sofia's pleasure ended just as immediately

"Wha… that's it?" she pleaded with disappointment

"That should be enough for the dance" Cedric responded while closing the lid of the ointment "Now scram or you'll miss the dance entirely

"Oh… I see" Sofia slowly caressed her ankle. The bruise was still there but it didn't hurt as much anymore. Now, she should have no problem moving her feet in rhythms

"That was some wand-less magic you did just now. Mr. Ceedric!" Sofia said with delight

"It's called a massage, Sofia" Cedric bit back "And you wouldn't have a sprained ankle if you haven't been rigorously practicing dancing every night"

Hearing him caught Sofia off guard. She turned to him with a surprised expression "Y-you knew?"

Cedric nodded, storing the ointment back in his pocket. Sofia stared at him for a couple of seconds before finally gathering the words to use

"Well… I have to, Mr. Ceedric…" Sofia said slow, facing the ground this time as hints of melancholy and uncertainty had replace her usual quirky and lively tone "Dancing is something that every princess should be excellent of, and I have to make sure I won't look like a fool in front of everyone"

Cedric rested his hand on her shoulder which made her look up to him "Look Sofia, I know this whole ball and dance thing is important to you… but you shouldn't push yourself too hard"

"I didn't have a choice… and I didn't want to bother you again with another potion or spell"

"That's ridiculous, you're already a good dancer as it is"

"But I want to be excellent!"

"I'm pretty sure those people won't be watching you because of your dancing, Sofia" Cedric carefully lifted the tablecloth. Revealing the audiences watching from afar while princes and princesses dance on the ballroom

"Those people watch you because you're Sofia the First. The coolest princess in the whole world!"

Sofia's face lit up upon hearing this "Y-you really think so…?"

"I know so" Cedric responded "Those people watch you because you're an amazing princess regardless if you are good at dancing or not"

"no… I mean the other one…" Sofia gave him a smile as she leaned in closer "You really think I'm the coolest princess in the world?"

"Of all the things I said, that's what got you the most?" Cedric frowned

Sofia nodded slowly with delight and anticipation in her eyes

He sighed.

"Fine…" Cedric looked away, looking at anything else but her sparkling sky blue eyes – which says a lot because there was nothing in that fort, but her sparkling blue eyes "You are… the coolest princess I know"

"Aww… thank you, Cedric" Sofia gleamed in delight

She then reached out for something under her skirt "And for that… I have something for you!" A munchkin was revealed as she finally pulls out her hand

"Hey!" Cedric called out just as immediately upon seeing and identifying what munchkin it was… whom it belonged to

"Where did you get that?" Cedric leered in suspicion

"Mother gave it to me."

"Mother?"

A hand immediately covered her mouth upon realizing her stumble with her cheeks blooming red all of a sudden "Eh… I mean… Ma'am Winifred!" Sofia giggled a quirky grin

"Wait… she's here?"

"Yes she is" Sofia stated "Didn't you know? Alongside with Fa… Sir Goodwyn!"

"Damn it!" Cedric was suddenly in distraught for some reason. He never would've expected their parents to come "Were they looking for me?"

"Not really" Sofia responded "Your Father mentioned something along the lines of… Cedric is probably sulking up in his tower… or something"

"Of course he would say that" Cedric sighed in defeat

"Well, I guess there's no need for me to worry then" Cedric said as he laid back down on the floor, watching the view from the outside. The ball was currently still ongoing "You know, you can still join in if you'd like. Just try to limit the steps though"

"Not a chance~" Sofia laid beside Cedric under the tablecloth as she saw the view from the ground just as Cedric

"You sure about this?" Cedric looked from the corner of his eyes "You're about to miss out in their dance… it could be fun"

"Hah, what else could be more fun than watching the show in this comfy fort we have" Sofia giggled, as he nonchalantly takes a bite off Cedric's munchkin from his hand

"Hey!"

"Whuah?" Sofia asked with her eyes closed and her cheeks full from the munchkin "I'll have to eat something"

"This is mine!"

"Well, it came from me so technically… it's mine" she raised her eyebrow, giving him a playful leer

"Well then why did you gi… nevermind" Cedric sighed in defeat

"Hey Cedric, you may want to be nicer to me because~" she sang in a sing-song tone. Sofia then pulled out a plate, revealing a bunch of food which made Cedric salivate just as immediately "I brought food!"

"Now we're all set for our show" she added with excitement

"Hah, I trained you well, Sofia!" Cedric jested, giving her a nice pat on the head as reward.

"You're just being nice to me because I brought you food…" Sofia leered in suspicion

"Of course not!" Cedric denied in defiance "Why would I be mad of my little cute adorable well-dressed apprentice?"

"Your nose twitches when you lie, Mr. Ceedric" Sofia said "And for that…" She leaned in once more, taking a bigger bite of Cedric's munchkin

"M-My munchkin!" Cedric exclaimed, a loud voice that almost garnered the attention of the people. Cedric immediately covered his mouth upon realizing this

"That's what you get for lying to me, Mr. Ceedric" She mumbled, with her cheeks full with the munchkin. Sofia looked like a hamster in that moment

Cedric sighed in defeat "Merlyn…"

"Mushrooms?" Sofia cut in with an adorable giggle

"You're stealing my catchphrases now?" Cedric snorted

"I'm just borrowing it~"

A series of giggles came out from Sofia. It was quiet, and sly, for they might be heard and caught from the people outside, but it was for the thrill – and Sofia was enjoying every second of it. Sofia was way too comfortable with their situation

"You know, Mr. Ceedric" she looked at her fingers while twiddling them to each other "At first, I thought my ankle sprain is gonna cause the party to be a disaster for me"

"But it turns out…" She slowly turned to him watching the people from the tablecloth

"It was a blessing in disguise all along~"

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She just stared at him for a couple of seconds before the man finally caught her gaze

"Did you say something?"

"Nothing…" Sofia rolled her eyes from him with a contended smile on her lips "I said I'm taking another bite if you won't be watchful~" she sang in a sing-song tone

She was so occupied that her legs are swaying back and forth with each other. It seemed as if her injured ankle was now irrelevant for some reason.

Ditching the dance, hiding from everyone under the table and snuggling close with her favorite sorcerer is something Sofia never knew she needed~

~ d~

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Cedric savored the mashed potatoes, besides Sofia who was eating the salad. The two were currently watching the guests while eating together

"That one looks like you without the ridiculous hairstyle, Sofia" Cedric pointed out while holding back a chuckle

"Oh my… what's that!?" Sofia spoke all of a sudden, pointing at a certain couple from afar "Well, it's no other than Ma'am Winifred and Sir Goodwyn themselves. Maybe I should invite them he…"

"Now now Sofia hah…" Cedric let out a nervous chuckle "Did I say ridiculous? I meant beautiful and gorgeous. That hairstyle of yours is truly wonderful, Princess Sofia"

"hmmmm…?" Sofia leaned in with a suspicious and teasing glare. Cedric looked away

"Okay fine, Mr. Ceedric" Sofia closed her eyes with a smile on her rosebud lips. She then pointed on a certain direction "And that one is you"

"That's a dog, Sofia…"

"I know, you are a dog." Sofia playfully teased "A nice little doggie"

"If I'm a dog, then you are a cat.."

"Why, thank you. I'll take that as a compliment~"

"Wha… it's not a…" Cedric stammered to himself, wanting to clarify what he meant

But upon the realization that there was just no winning over Sofia, he just sighed in defeat

"oof nevermind…"