Sofia jolted awake with a start, her heart racing.
She looked around quickly, remembering where she was.
The wagon. Her jail. Her inability to be free.
Tears flooded her eyes, searching around for Clover before remembering that Boswell had him.
A few tears slipped down her cheeks as she looked down, noticing a stain on her homemade skirt.
Sofia sighed. Just her luck that she had to have an accident during a nightmare.
Except this time it was lacking Miranda's soft spoken voice of reassurance and gentle shushes while she cried before being carried to the bathroom to be cleaned.
She wished more than ever that she was home, even if only to avoid the humiliation that could come with Boswell finding out.
Humiliation and being subject to his anger. She shuddered at that thought. She did not want Boswell to be more angry, especially since she was supposed to be asking him what to get her today.
She wasn't a baby. She was eight years old!
The door to the wagon opened, having Sofia look away as the magician stepped forward with Clover in his arms.
"Seems you trained Mr. Cuddles to attack me in my sleep," Boswell scoffed, showing her a claw mark. He frowned, noticing Sofia not looking up. "What's with you?"
"I don't want to talk about it. You'd yell at me anyway," Sofia sniffed.
He put Clover down onto the floor.
Clover immediately hopped over to her, concerned.
Boswell gave her a curious look, "whatever it is, you know I would find out either way," he sighed.
He was becoming irritated with how stubborn she had been, but he didn't want to take away the opportunity for her to get something, that way he would have proof on his side that he was treating her well, even if he wasn't.
"And I thought about it last night. I would like a few books or maybe a new dress," Sofia smiled sheepishly.
Boswell nodded, "I'll see what I can do." He fixed the edges of his outfit as he spoke.
Sofia was shocked. She wasn't sure why the magician was being so nice but she hoped it would last.
Maybe he would be nice enough to take her home and get himself arrested instead of having any guards do it.
She wished that was an option.
Going home was all the princess wished for.
Though after the results of her nightmare, she wasn't sure she wanted to see her siblings, for fear of them thinking of her as a baby.
Especially Amber.
She could just hear her sister's scolding voice on how improper it was for princesses to have accidents.
Sofia gasped as Boswell came towards her and laughed.
She shrunk herself into her corner, scared of him getting too close to her.
Alarm struck her for a moment as she realized that her lanterns weren't beside her, but she relaxed about that when she heard the dove up in his cage.
"I put them in their hiding spot again. Boswell is an unpredictable man and I don't want you getting caught," he spoke.
Sofia nodded at the dove, thankful Boswell didn't see it.
"I had a nightmare," Sofia apologized upon seeing Boswell look at her. "I didn't mean to. It just happened."
She could see amusement in his eyes, and wondered what the magician found funny about the situation she was in.
She was humiliated, trapped, and scared. What about that could anyone find funny?
Clover gently pawed her face, hoping to keep her tears at bay.
"I'll see what I can do about a few books. But a new dress? That's out of the question!" Boswell chuckled.
She nodded. She was sad she wasn't getting a new dress, but she supposed that would make it too easy for him to get caught.
Plus he seemed to find humor in her predicament.
"Thank you, sir," she spoke calmly.
Boswell rolled his eyes. "Just behave yourself. The last thing you need is bruises again."
Sofia nodded softly, watching as he left her with Clover.
"You alright, kid?" Clover spoke gently. He knew she was probably feeling embarrassed. "I gave him a scratch or two for you."
"Thank you!" Sofia giggled. She frowned, feeling him nuzzle against her. "Clover, not now."
"Not in the mood huh?"
"I didn't mean to. I had a nightmare and it just happened."
"I know, Sof. It's okay. It happens," he told her, his voice sympathetic.
The dove looked down at the two of them, his eyes worried for the small princess.
She was too vulnerable to Boswell, making her easy to take advantage of.
The dove may have known the magician for years but even he was starting to hate him.
He felt bad for the princess. He had heard her whimpering in her sleep during the night, but felt it wasn't his place to wake her.
He wanted her to go home just as much as she and Clover wanted to be home.
"Do you know what kingdom we're going to next Mr. Dove?" Sofia asked him. "Mr. Boswell never said anything."
The dove shook his head, "sorry kid, but I'm not sure." He flew down from his cage, landing on the table to stretch his wings.
"If you're not sure, that's okay," Clover smiled, nuzzling Sofia gently.
"Clover's right," Sofia agreed. "I'm just sorry I asked."
The dove shook his head, "you've got every right to wonder. Boswell is a real-"
A look from Clover stopped that sentence.
Clover did not want Sofia to hear any more cursing.
Her innocence was damaged enough already.
Sofia looked at him, curious for a moment, before looking down at herself, her heart sinking as she remembered what was going on.
The wagon was moving and she couldn't escape to change clothes.
If only she hadn't had that nightmare in the first place.
She shuddered thinking about it. Her nightmares had been bad in the days following her kidnapping, but this one had been worse than most, at least what she could remember of it.
All she could remember was that she spent a decade in the wagon just like Rapunzel had spent eighteen years in her tower.
She didn't like the idea of being trapped for that long. She hoped that wouldn't actually be the case.
Sofia just wanted to go home. Sure she'd be busy again but at least it would get her mind off her kidnapping.
But in the wagon and even as Clover nuzzled her, that was harder to do as she wiggled her loose tooth.
It was still in there.
She played with it every once in a while, trying to be careful not to force it out before it was ready.
She wished she could play a game somehow to get her mind off of everything but with the wagon moving and her feeling so uncomfortable that wouldn't be easy.
Clover noticed her discomfort and held a piece of lettuce in front of her face.
Sofia eyed it with a small growl from her stomach. In her humiliation, she forgot about food.
She gently grabbed it from him, "thanks, Clover."
She wasn't in a mood to interact much, but she was glad for the rabbit's company.
Without him, she would've lost hope the moment Boswell had thrown her into the wagon.
As she ate, she thought of Roland. Clearly he loved her enough to send out as much guards as possible.
She was glad they were looking for her, but it always frustrated her that they hadn't found her directly yet.
Though she couldn't just run up to them, because if Boswell caught her first she would get beaten worse than ever.
She shuddered at the thought before finishing the piece of lettuce and stood up.
There was nothing to cover herself up with but Sofia didn't care about modesty anymore.
She just wanted out of the outfit she was in.
She was just glad she was only with animals, and for once she was grateful for the curtain on the window so that no one outside could see her.
With her riding outfit back on, she giggled as Clover pawed one of her legs.
Getting the message, she took him in her arms as she walked around the wagon with her bare feet touching the wooden floor.
He smiled, glad to spend time with his kid.
The dove flew back up to his cage, perching inside and watching the two of them as Sofia moved around the room.
She giggled, twirling Clover around the room.
They hadn't had that much fun before with her life being busy almost everyday.
Maybe her getting kidnapped had one good thing about it.
Clover was glad to see Sofia finding some joy despite the situation, though he did get nervous a couple of times thinking she would drop him if she tripped.
She didn't trip, thankful that her dance lessons came in handy as Sofia laid herself on the floor in a fit of giggles.
Clover hopped into her lap, smiling at the sound of innocence escaping from her mouth.
Sofia was having pure fun and it seemed to light up the entire wagon as they travelled along.
Even the dove was enjoying hearing the sounds of her laughter, glad she wasn't too traumatized to have some joy in her life despite being kidnapped.
And unlike the last time, Boswell didn't seem to be bothered by the noise.
The wagon was filled with joy, even if it was only temporary, and that's all any of them could have asked for.
Sofia stopped her giggling as a smile formed on her face.
Even if her nightmare caused her to have an accident, she was feeling better than what she had been that morning.
She was very grateful for that fact, glancing at Clover with light in her eyes.
"See you're feeling better kid," the rabbit smiled, gently pawing her face.
"I'm just happy I get to spend time with you," Sofia smiled. She frowned at the realization. "If I had back home then we wouldn't be here."
He shook his head, "you're a princess, kid. A princess is bound to be busy. We just gotta find time to spend together when we get home." He laughed on the last sentence, trying to make her smile.
Sofia giggled in agreement. "Clover, I think after everything we've gone through, Mom and Dad can't object to you being with me."
"You mean that?"
"Dad has trouble saying no when it comes to me. Except if it involves cats. But otherwise he can't say no."
"Well, good thing I'm not a cat," he joked, smiling.
He was glad he could spend more time with his kid when they returned.
He had no issues with the king and queen anyway. Now anyone with magic, he knew he would have issues with them upon Sofia's return.
Sofia laughed at his little joke, and he nuzzled up against her.
He wished she could stay this happy, but with Boswell around he knew there was no telling what might happen.
Especially if the magician was to go back on his word about getting Sofia a few books.
Now that would break her heart.
Clover could only hope he would stay true to it.
He hoped, if Boswell continued to have good performance days, Sofia would stay safe.
That's all he hoped for. The longer she was safe, the happier Clover wanted her to be.
Sofia yawned, stretching her arms before falling asleep with her thumb in her mouth.
Clover couldn't help but smile at the scenario.
Clearly his kid had the right idea.
He curled up beside her, planning to nap until either Boswell woke them up, or they reached their destination.
...
Vivian seemed to notice how different Crackle had been acting lately. A week ago she was always bursting with excitement.
She sat down next to the dragon, gently touching her scales.
"You missed them too don't you?" Vivian smiled sympathetically.
If Vivian could understand Crackle, she would have poured her heart out the moment she asked the question.
She missed them both more than she could say.
Vivian missed her first friend. Sofia helped her make friends, helped her be less shy.
She stayed with Crackle until she stood up in search of her parents who immediately took her in their arms the moment she walked into their study.
"Mom? Dad? What's going on?" Vivian asked.
They brought her over to the couch, and she couldn't make out on their expressions what was running through their mind.
That was one thing Vivian had grown accustomed to while being so shy, reading people's expressions.
But she couldn't this time.
By the way her mother was hugging her and her dad was patting her back, they looked upset.
Was it over Sofia?
"What's wrong? What's happening?" She asked. Her anxiety was through the roof as she spoke to them.
Queen Cecily sighed, looking at her daughter. "It's about your friend Sofia."
"Luckily it's not anything too horrific Vivian," King Marcus added. "But we thought we would discuss it with you."
Vivian was baffled. But it at least explained her parents' current state.
"Is she okay?" Her voice was full of concern.
Her parents seemed more concerned than they generally would be about most things, which concerned her.
"As you know, Sofia was kidnapped," Cecily reminded her. "But we just heard news from King Garrick's kingdom that left your father and I shaken."
"W-What is it Mom?"
"Sofia was abused by her kidnapper," Marcus sighed. "Prince Hugo witnessed the entire thing."
Vivian's eyes widened in horror, "what? Is she okay?"
Her heart raced with worry for Sofia, and concern for Hugo for witnessing it.
"We don't know," Marcus sighed. "But every kingdom is to keep an eye out for a red cover wagon that has Sofia inside."
Vivian frowned. Sofia was stuck with a monster until she was found? That wasn't fair.
She nodded, "does her family know yet?"
She wasn't sure how to keep from saying anything to James and Amber if she saw them at school.
She hoped the siblings were alright.
"They know of her kidnapping and the name of her kidnapper thanks to Sofia having the idea of sending notes," Cecily smiled. "Unfortunately they don't know of these current events."
"Should I tell Amber and James then?"
"Vivian, that wouldn't be appropriate right now."
She nodded, "okay."
She was feeling overwhelmed by what she had just learned, playing with the bottom of her sleeve.
She couldn't believe it.
Sofia had to be scared.
Anyone would be scared. But Sofia was so innocent. She helped everyone, even Vivian.
She wondered who would do such a thing.
Who would be so cruel as to kidnap an innocent princess?
Vivian wished she knew as she stormed to her room upon leaving her parents.
She could hear Crackle flapping her wings behind her and assumed the dragon had been waiting for her.
She took Crackle in her arms and hugged her close.
"I hope Sofia's okay," Vivian sighed. "Crackle, how can someone kidnap someone so innocent?"
Crackle huffed, smoke coming out of her nose.
She wished she knew.
She wanted to do something to whoever had kidnapped Sofia and Clover, but she couldn't.
Keeping Vivian company needed to be her top priority.
Vivian smiled sadly at the dragon, seeing the smoke coming out of her nose.
She wouldn't blame her for wanting to go after Sofia's kidnapper if she could.
She wished anyone could do something to get Sofia out of the situation she was in.
Especially knowing that she was being harmed by her kidnapper.
If he or she or they could rescue her friend, Vivian would be so grateful.
She hugged Crackle closer, both for her own comfort and for the worried dragon.
"Don't worry Crackle, Sofia will come home. I don't know when but she will," Vivian assured.
She wished that time would come soon.
Sighing, she pet Crackle's head.
At least that would calm them both down in some way.
She sighed, looking out one of the castle windows, wishing she could spot the wagon her parents had mentioned.
Except no red cover wagons were to be seen in Zumaria.
No tours were scheduled for anyone with magic to perform at this time.
She could only hope the magician, and Sofia, were found soon.
...
When you were wanted for kidnapping and child abuse, you had to stay low as Boswell parked the wagon under a place he hoped wouldn't be easily found.
With a drag from his cigar, he let out a puff of smoke before remembering the princess.
He sighed, making his way to the door of the wagon.
He swung it open, not sure what to expect, before seeing her laying in her corner in her riding outfit, with the rabbit beside her.
She looked so peaceful.
A chuckle escaped from Boswell's lips. It was a shame he would have to ruin it soon enough.
The princess jumped at the noise he had made, staring at the magician with blurry eyes.
"Mr. Cuddles, stop that!" Boswell scolded, hearing the rabbit growl at him.
The princess rubbed her eyes, calming down from the shock slowly.
The rabbit moved closer to her as Boswell watched her, letting out another laugh at her confusion.
He normally would never do that to children.
But the princess had gotten in his way, almost succeeding in taking his magic bunny.
Or Clover as she called him.
He rolled his eyes at the name.
As far as he was concerned, she was getting what she deserved.
"Are we in another kingdom?" The princess asked.
"Are we in another kingdom?" Boswell mimicked before glaring at her. "Of course we are you stupid bitch."
The princess stared at him with tears flowing in her eyes.
He rolled his eyes at her. Of course the little princess would start crying.
He could see the rabbit beside her, nuzzling up against her.
He snuck up behind them and grabbed the rabbit, having the crying princess try to reach for him.
It was almost like a game with Boswell taking advantage of her height while she struggled to get her friend back.
He taunted her as she jumped to try to get to the rabbit, always inches short.
The rabbit was growling at him once again, but he didn't care enough to react, too caught up in taunting the princess.
"How can you be a princess if you're that small where you can't reach your friend?" Boswell chuckled.
"Give him back!" The princess yelled. "Clover hates you! You're nothing but an abusive bastard!"
He was taken aback by her language, and he brought the rabbit down into his arms very slowly before stepping towards her.
She seemed to recognize what she had just said as the magician towered over her, stepping closer.
Boswell grabbed her by the collar of her riding jersey as her face gagged at the smell of cigars coming from his breath.
Fear was evident in the princess' eyes as she looked at him.
He could hear the rabbit making small noises in his other arm, but he ignored it.
"So you think I'm a bastard do you?" Boswell mumbled.
"It just slipped out," the princess explained. "You made me mad."
He tightened his grip on her riding outfit for a moment, before releasing her harshly.
She stumbled backwards, and he glared at her.
He noticed a loose baby tooth as she opened her mouth, wishing it was his doing.
He could see that she was still scared even though he had let her go.
If anything, he was glad she was still scared.
That gave him more control.
It gave him more ability to get her to do things his way and to listen to his orders.
"Princess stay. I don't need you escaping," Boswell smiled, seeing her not moving from her spot.
He treated her like a dog, but she listened regardless.
He made his way back towards the door, turning around to look at her again.
The princess had curled herself into a ball, sobbing softly.
With a smile, Boswell closed the door.
...
Rain bounced on the wagon windows as Sofia looked up with tears flowing down her cheeks.
Boswell was gone and so was Clover.
She glanced around, wondering what to do. She felt defeated.
She looked up into the corner to see whether or not the dove was still in there with them.
Sofia frowned, seeing that he wasn't there.
At least she had her lanterns to keep herself company.
She gave a small smile as she made her way over to where they were hidden.
She was glad the dove had thought to hide them from Boswell while she was asleep the previous night.
Sure the glow had vanished but the letters from Amber and James were still there as Sofia bit her lip.
Maybe she would be able to find Roland or Miranda's lantern in the upcoming days.
She promised herself to keep an eye out for them.
Anything to distract herself from the situation she was living in.
A wagon of isolation and it felt like she was the princess.
How could anyone live in isolation?
She wasn't sure, but she wished she knew.
She sighed, walking around the wagon for a moment, trying to decide on something to do.
It was too rainy to go out as Sofia jumped at the sound of a tree branch touching one of the wagon windows.
Now she could add another phobia from her time being kidnapped: loud noises.
She hated that she was becoming so afraid.
She worried what her siblings would think when she returned home, how they would react to her being so afraid.
Sofia knew they would help her but the possibility of being called a baby came to her mind.
The thought of that made her cringe. She hoped that would never happen.
She sighed, hugging the lanterns close before hearing her stomach growl.
"Thanks Clover," Sofia smiled softly upon seeing what was supposed to be Clover's breakfast.
She grabbed a small piece, sitting down nearby.
She wished the magician would give her better food, but she supposed something was better than nothing.
At least she wasn't famished. Her family would be concerned if she was.
Though she admitted that she might be skinner because of her ordeal.
She yawned. She was still tired after having her sleep so suddenly interrupted by the magician.
She was grateful he hadn't harmed her after her choice in words.
The shock on Clover's face had been enough for her to realize what she did wrong.
Being a little kid, especially a princess, she should've known what she did wrong right away.
But Boswell had taunted her for her height.
He made her angry and she didn't know what else to do.
Anyone who knew Sofia knew she tried to never insult anyone even on accident, but the magician had deserved it.
She couldn't wait for the day Roland would have Boswell executed in front of everyone.
Even if her eyes had to be covered to protect her innocence.
Though she wasn't sure how much of that there was left after the week she had spent with Boswell.
Abused physically and emotionally, called obscenities, and always hungry by someone who James had looked up to.
She wondered what James thought upon hearing that it was the magician who had kidnapped her.
She hoped he didn't take it too hard.
She'd feel remorseful if he did.
Going to her corner, she let the rain put her to sleep as she placed her thumb in her mouth.
Dozing off, home was on her mind. Thoughts of reuniting with her family and friends.
Thoughts that made her smile as she listened to the rain, and slowly fell asleep.