"James can you stop playing with your fork?" Amber was irritated with her brother. For the last ten minutes, James had been turning his fork in his hand.

"Sorry," he said, "I'm just thinking."

"Of Sofia?"

"Yeah. Sof's so innocent. Why Boswell took her still frustrates me."

Amber nodded, sighing, "I wish I knew, too."

"It just doesn't make sense! What use could he have for her if he's not using her in his acts?" James wondered.

"It's a mystery Prince James," Baileywick said as he gave him a napkin. "But your father's already scheduled a day for Boswell's execution."

"Daddy's that serious?" Amber gasped.

"He'd do the same if you were in your sister's shoes Princess Amber."

"Maybe so Baileywick but Dad's keeping Sof in mind. After everything that monster's done to her, I'm not surprised he choose execution," James grumbled.

Baileywick gave the young prince a sympathetic look before checking his pocket watch.

It had been nearly two weeks since Sofia had been taken and he prayed her trauma resulting from her unfortunate circumstance would fade on its own.

"I heard every kingdom's after Boswell since Desmond almost had Sofia free," James recalled from what Desmond had told him at lunch that day. "But Sof had poison ivy and the wagon disappeared before she could be saved."

Amber closed her eyes at the thought to keep herself from crying. "Please don't bring that up again James. This is the second time she's almost escaped."

"Third time's the charm Amber," Miranda smiled, kissing her cheek.

"I heard that magician's going to Corinthia for his final tour."

"We'll be lucky when Clio or her parents find and free Sofia," Roland added. "But your mother and I have already decided to pull your sister out of school until she's healed."

James nodded quietly, though he was thinking more on revenge against the magician, almost turning his fork again before Amber silently reached over her hand and stopped him.

The less her parents didn't endure the noise of a fork scraping against a metal plate, the better.

She nodded in response to Roland. She didn't like the idea of continuing to go to school without Sofia, but she knew it would be better for Sofia that way.

Sofia needed to recover however possible.

Little did the family know that the Sofia who left would come back emotionally broken.

James spoke up after a moment, "Desmond seemed really shaken up about seeing her."

Amber rolled her eyes at his remark, "Of course he was shaken up, James. Since when is he not?" She didn't mean to be rude to her brother, but the stress of the situation had been making her more irritable.

Lack of sleep also did a number on her. She had nightmares of her sister never coming home.

She wouldn't admit it to anyone else, though she was sure they already knew, but she had woken up crying a couple of the nights, and hadn't been able to fall back asleep.

Not that she would blame Desmond for being shaken up. She would've been the same way if she had found her half naked sister covered in lotion begging for help.

She knew Desmond had tried his hardest to get her help, but the magician had taken off with her yet again before he had the chance.

That only made her smash her cup in fury, ignoring the small piece of glass that managed to get inside her hand.

She felt James lay his hand on her shoulder quietly while Miranda gave her a shocked look, standing up to check on her.

"Stay still Amber," Roland beckoned softly, stroking her hair.

"I'm sorry Daddy. I didn't mean to. I just..." Amber felt tears in her eyes. "I'm so angry at that magician! If he had stayed longer, Desmond could've freed Sofia and she would be on her way home!"

He let her lean into him while James continued to hold onto her shoulder in sympathy.

"I know, Amber. It's okay," Roland assured her, glancing at Miranda.

"She'll be fine," Miranda smiled. "I got the glass out but her hand will scar for a few days."

"Sof will probably feel guilty if she found out the truth," James muttered.

Hearing that made Amber feel worse, and she began sobbing into Roland's chest. She didn't want Sofia to feel worse than she already would after everything she had been through.

What if Sofia was scared of all of them when she came back because of being abused by Boswell?

Amber knew she'd be afraid of the dark, already making sure Sofia had a nightlight during the night.

She wanted nothing more than Sofia to be home and okay, though the latter was not very likely.

The entire family knew Sofia would be damaged emotionally from her trauma as preparations for the dark and no yelling were underway.

They worried for how Sofia would react if something did trigger her, and were trying to prevent it to make her as comfortable as possible when she returned.

No matter what she would be emotionally.

Amber continued to lean into her father as she was caught in thought.

Roland glanced around at the rest of the family, his eyes worried as he locked gazes with Miranda, who looked worried and tired.

Sofia returning would be a joyous occasion to begin with but her healing process would probably take longer then what it should have been if she had been rescued her fifth day of being kidnapped.

The entire family knew it would be a struggle.

They just worried how much of an impact everything would have on Sofia.

Returning home and having to face Boswell again would crush her.

"The sooner that magician's executed, the sooner Sofia can heal," Roland muttered. "I don't want her blaming herself for something she didn't do."

James heard him and nodded, silently agreeing.

Baileywick had been watching the royal family quietly since Amber had gotten the glass stuck in her hand.

Sofia had been on his mind as well, making sure to be gentle and understanding with her no matter how she was upon her return.

He knew she would be scared. All of them did.

He would just be glad to have the small princess home.

That was the only thing the steward wanted more than anything.

...

Sofia made a mistake.

Most people would call it an accident as she had been too excited about being rescued that she forgot to not look out the window as the wagon reached the kingdom of Corinthia.

She shouldn't have done it but she was glad to at least know where she was, hoping to be able to send out another note.

Thankfully the itching from getting poison ivy had ceased during the travel, having Sofia pick up what was left of her undershirt with her hands.

She sighed as she looked at it. She wished Boswell hadn't ripped it.

It was humiliating to be bare chested when you were a kid. Especially a princess.

Yet Sofia had to smile, watching Clover wake up from his nap.

"Hey, Clover," she whispered gently. She didn't want to scare the rabbit while he was still waking up.

"You alright kid?" Clover yawned.

"I'm fine. I can't believe we're in Clio's kingdom." Sofia paused, seeing a lantern on one of the trees. "Another lantern?"

"Wonder who this one is from," he spoke, rubbing his eyes with his paws.

Sofia knew it wouldn't be from Amber and James as tears came to her eyes.

Roland and Miranda sent a lantern too?

The thought hit her harder than she expected, and Clover gave her a concerned look, seeing her nearly crying.

"Mom and Dad. They sent lanterns too," Sofia croaked.

Clover nuzzled up against her, "that's great, kid."

He could see why that would affect her the way it was. She had been missing her family a lot.

Especially her mom.

Clover would hear Sofia cry out for Miranda at night in her sleep, nuzzling her until she calmed down.

He couldn't imagine how she would react to finally seeing her mother face to face. He expected there would be a lot of tears.

The rabbit could see the tearful reunion in his mind before his thoughts were interrupted by Boswell who cleared his throat at Sofia who didn't give him any eye contact.

He immediately spun her towards him forcefully. The magician had grown far more forceful with her, knowing she was slowly breaking.

Clover gave a low warning growl to the magician.

Oh how he wanted to claw Boswell at that moment. The magician was treating Sofia like a rag doll and Clover didn't like it one bit.

"What do you want Mr. Boswell?" Sofia asked, fear clearly evident in her voice.

The magician chuckled, "What are you doing looking out the window? Not planning an escape, I hope?"

Sofia shook her head. She didn't want to get hurt again. But she didn't understand that she was slowly breaking.

"That'd only upset you Mr. Boswell sir," Sofia muttered softly. "Bad girls get punished if you're upset."

"That's right," Boswell smiled, his tone menacing. "Now try to entertain yourself during my acts. No stubbornness."

He turned to Clover, picking him up.

Sofia raised her arms, attempting to get Clover back before giving up. What was the point of trying anymore?

Boswell was getting his way. She wasn't the feisty child she had been her first day in the wagon.

She glanced back at the window for a second, catching a glimpse of the lantern once again.

She gave Clover a look as Boswell turned around to bring him out to the stage of the wagon.

Once the magician had left, she took out the hair pin from her pocket in the hopes for a little bit of freedom.

She made her way over to the window, turning back around for a moment to check that the magician wouldn't come back in.

Seeing that he wasn't, she slowly opened the window as Sofia was careful not to lose the hair pin.

Pulling it open, she took a deep breath of the fresh air before pulling herself through the window.

As her boots crunched the ground below, Sofia giggled softly to herself as she heard some birds chirping away.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for a lantern. Can you help me? Please?" Sofia requested.

They glanced up at her, eyes wide. They didn't yet realize she could speak to them, so they wondered whether or not to show that they understood her.

"Is she talking to us?" One of them shyly whispered to another.

The other bird nodded, pointing to the amulet. "Must be the missing princess everyone's been searching for lately."

The first bird turned back to Sofia with a small smile."You say you're looking for a lantern?"

"Yes. With a crest of a flying horse," Sofia explained softly.

The bird nodded, turning around to face her fellow birds. "You hear that? Let's help her look. Check everywhere."

Sofia giggled, feeling one of the bird's feathers tickle her nose before sneezing on accident.

"Sorry," she quickly apologized, hoping the bird wouldn't be angry.

"It's okay sweetheart. I'm not mad," the bird assured, seeing the princess' smile turn to sudden panic.

"Thank you. You have no idea what I've been through lately."

"We've heard a bit. Everyone has been looking for you, so we hear the guards talking sometimes."

As the birds flew off to find the lantern, Sofia stood in shock. She couldn't believe that everyone was looking for her.

She thought she'd been forgotten.

Granted it hadn't been that long since she had been kidnapped, but she had assumed everyone else had lost hope like she had.

Except it seemed to be the opposite. They hadn't lost hope in finding her. Sofia smiled at the thought, hugging herself.

She was glad they were still searching for her.

She watched as the birds flew about, searching for the lanterns.

When they finally found them, two in one kingdom much to Sofia's surprise, she gently took the lanterns, finding Roland's message first.

She was nearly shaking with excitement at the thought of the messages from her parents. She opened his quietly, smiling.

Her smile widened at the words "I promise Boswell will be trialed and executed the moment you return" that Roland had written down upon him missing her and the guilt of him not protecting her like he should have.

In most cases it would be messed up for a child to be excited about death, but Sofia would be glad once she was finally rid of Boswell after everything he had done, and the letter proved she would be even closer to that.

She just wondered if she would have to be present for the trial.

Or would she have to relive her abuse, show every bruise, and mostly recently cigar burns, the magician had given her to horrified people?

The thought of doing that terrified her and she had to take a deep breath to calm herself down.

She didn't want to get burnt again. Being held over a small fire was no laughing matter.

She held Roland's note close for a moment, taking everything in.

She felt remorse over his guilt. It wasn't Roland's fault, it was her fault.

She blamed herself for being kidnapped no matter how many times Clover tried to tell her it was either his or Boswell's fault.

It wasn't their faults. She was the one that got in Boswell's way, she was the one who didn't leave when he requested it, and she was the reason behind Clover running away in the first place.

Homesickness began to show itself again as tears filled Sofia's eyes.

The birds had continued to watch from nearby and one of them moved forward slowly, concerned that the princess was suddenly nearly crying.

"Are you okay?" the bird asked her quietly.

"I miss my family," Sofia sniffed. "And Mr. Boswell's act is almost up. If I'm not in the wagon, he'll hurt me but I don't want to go back because.." A small whimper escaped from her lips. "Because if I bother him with anything, he'll hurt me."

The birds gave her a shocked look. None of them had known how bad the situation truly was.

Either way, the princess risked getting hurt.

That was a shocking realization for anyone.

Sofia fell to the ground upon hearing a startling noise, causing the birds to flee.

She kept silent, wishing to hide from whatever it was.

She glanced around, trying to find the source of the noise. She hadn't made out what it was yet, but she was more focused on hiding.

She spotted a boot then a gun rifle. It had to be a guard. Only guards carried gun rifles even if the object itself scared Sofia every time she saw one.

She made her way towards it slowly, carefully glancing around her.

She saw Boswell coming inside the wagon from afar, immediately grabbing the guard's hand.

"Slow down young lady. Are you alright?" The guard asked gently.

Sofia shook her head. "There's a bad man in that wagon."

"Bad man?"

"My name's Princess Sofia of Enchancia sir. He's had me hostage for awhile."

The guard knelt down beside her, alarmed by her flinching at his touch. "What does this bad man do to you sweetheart?"

"Mr. Boswell beats me, starves me, and leaves me alone in the wagon for hours at a time during his acts," Sofia whimpered. "I don't wanna go back."

"Boswell? Like the magician?"

"Yes sir."

Sofia hugged the guard's leg, not wanting to let go.

He wasn't sure how to help her but hoped he could do something for the small, scared princess.

"Sweetheart, I'll get some friends of mine and we'll help you out. I promise we'll get that bad man arrested okay?" The guard promised, seeing her look up at him.

"You promise?" Sofia whimpered.

"Yes but you have to be brave a little while longer. Can you do that for me?"

Sofia nodded as a few tears went down her cheeks.

It broke the guard's heart in two upon seeing her break.

He had found the missing princess who cried silently as she was carried back to the wagon in his arms.

He carried her up to it quietly, avoiding making sudden movements as he could tell she had been traumatized.

Damn that magician.

The guard watched as she flinched upon seeing Boswell, noting the magician's smile switch to fury.

As he made his departure, the guard heard the sound of a cigar being lit.

…

The moment Sofia saw the guards, a sparkle filled her eyes.

Her arms were hurting from being burned, her throat was sore from screaming, and her riding pants were soaked resulting from losing her bowels during her altercation with Boswell.

Biting and scratching him gave her strength, giggling as the magician panicked and attempted to escape.

"Oh no you don't!" A guard growled. "The Amazing Boswell, you're under arrest for the kidnapping and physical abuse of Princess Sofia of Enchancia."

Upon hearing her name, Sofia looked up, her eyes glistening with tears.

She was finally free. She could go home.

"You alright sweetheart?" A female guard named Clara asked, kneeling beside her.

Sofia nodded, taking a deep breath. "You're gonna arrest me too?"

"What do you mean?"

"I talked back to Mr. Boswell."

"Was it on purpose?" Clara asked.

"No," Sofia admitted. "He took my rabbit. Clover doesn't like collars so he doesn't wear them."

"Where's Clover now?"

Sofia pointed to the wagon door, hearing Clover growl at the male guards.

"Do I get to go home?" She asked quietly.

"Yes you get to go home," Clara assured. She gently stroked Sofia's bangs affectionately. "You're not getting arrested. Boswell is."

Sofia sniffed at the thought, happy tears rolling down her cheeks.

She watched as Boswell was led out of the wagon before burying herself into Clara's chest.

Freedom. She couldn't believe it.

…

When Clio approached the wagon with her parents by her side, she gasped upon seeing the condition of Sofia's corner.

A scrap of food and one blanket.

How could that magician let her friend live that way?

"I know it hurts but it'll be over soon," Clio heard Clara shush as she stepped inside.

She watched as Sofia halted her crying and stared. Traumatized blues stared into warm browns as Clio stepped closer, being careful not to scare her.

"Clio what you doing here?" Sofia asked softly.

"My parents and I came to pick you up," Clio assured, shivering at the burns on her friend's arms.

"I not go home?"

"You will but in the morning. Amber's sick and it's best that you don't get what she has."

"Okay," Sofia frowned, slowly letting go of Clara. "Mr. Boswell in jail?"

"Yes he's in the dungeon and he'll be there for a few days," Clio's father assured, kneeling beside his daughter and Sofia.

Sofia buried herself in Clara's chest, whimpering softly.

Men were terrifying to her now.

"I think she's scared of you Dad. Mom's getting her lanterns for her but can you do us a favor and get Clover?" Clio requested. "He's Sofia's bunny."

"Men scary," Sofia whimpered.

"What about your brother or your father?" Clara questioned, only to get a nod. She took Sofia's hand and stroked her hair lovingly. "Princess Sofia, sweetheart, not all men or boys are like Boswell. Your brother nor your father will ever hurt you like he did."

Sofia nodded with a smile, being carried in Clara's arms before giving the wagon a final look.

After two weeks of pain and turmoil inside that transportation of horrors, she was free.

…

Her first decent meal in weeks she devoured in under ten minutes much to the sympathetic looks of Clio and her family baffled Sofia, now dressed in one of Clio's old nightgowns after a bath of tears and playful splashes, as she blushed softly.

She didn't mean to behave like an animal.

"I be excused?" Sofia asked. "I wanna see Clover."

"You may," Clio's mother smiled. "Your bunny's been waiting for you for awhile now."

Sofia thanked her with a smile, sprinting to a guest room the family had prepared for her before giggling as Clover hopped into her arms.

"I'm glad you're okay kid. I thought something happened to you," the rabbit admitted, nuzzling against her.

Sofia shook her head. "Burns hurt but I okay Clover."

"You look and smell cleaner."

"Got scrubbed. Clio's mommy was gentle."

"That's great Sof," Clover smiled.

Sofia frowned, fiddling with her amulet. "Clover, you think we be okay?"

The rabbit twitched his nose before putting a paw on her chest. "We'll have our problems but we'll beat them together."

"Sofia?"

Clover scattered to the end of her bed as Sofia opened the door and let Clio inside.

"What I do?" She wondered.

"You didn't do anything," Clio assured, leading her towards the bed. "Hugo and Desmond are going to be so relieved that you're safe."

Sofia sat down, looking baffled. "They miss me?"

Clio nodded, sitting down beside her. "Everyone has."

"I sorry."

"No. That's not your fault. You didn't ask for any of this. Sofia, you're one of the strongest princesses I know. You left Boswell's face bleeding from your scratches."

"I did that?" Sofia gasped.

"You sure did!" Clio laughed. She took her hand, squeezing it gently. "Boswell's in trouble for what he's done. He won't hurt you anymore."

Sofia smiled at the thought, putting a hand to her lips to muffle her giggles.

Clio saw a sparkle in her friend's eyes, petting Clover as he came in between them.

"Clio, I didn't mean to get scared over your daddy," Sofia apologized after a moment. "It just—"

"He understands. It's okay," Clio assured. "Boswell shattered your trust in the opposite sex and it'll take you awhile to trust them again. Even James."

"Will James be scary mad?"

"No. Absolutely not. He'll understand. King Roland will understand. Every man or boy in your life will understand."

Sofia nodded, a yawn escaping from her mouth.

After everything she went through, she was knackered.

Clio noticed her yawn, assisting her off the bed before taking her to her room.

Sofia, remembering the last sleepover she had before her kidnapping, sprinted towards the stuffed animals in the corner.

"Mom thought it would help if you had something comforting to sleep with tonight," Clio explained.

"It help," Sofia smiled, immediately grabbing the stuffed flying horse.

It reminded her of Minimus who she missed dearly.

She was thankful that Roland took him in just for her.

Clio smiled softly at her being lost in her thoughts before Sofia smiled back, feeling comfortable around her.

"I trust you," She confessed softly. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. You'd do the same for me." Clio took her free hand, taking her back to the spare room. "Come on. It's time for bed."

Sofia, being unable to protest at the idea of sleeping in an warm bed, obeyed and got in bed, smiling at the sight of the oil lamp.

It was like Clio and her family knew she had a phobia of the dark.

"You've been alone in the dark for too long," Clio muttered, seeing her satisfied expression. "We didn't want you scared."

Sofia started to cry, reaching towards Clio and hugged her.

"You not have to," She sniffed. "But thank you. No dark."

"No dark," Clio echoed, rubbing her back. "You're safe now."

When Sofia had calmed down and went to sleep, Clio closed the door ajar, making sure the light of the oil lamp glowed in case Sofia needed more comfort.

"You got her to sleep?" Clio's father smiled.

"Yes. She's so traumatized Dad. How could she get that way in only two weeks?" Clio croaked.

"It's unfortunate what happened to her but she'll be okay. She's a strong girl."

"I'm just worried about what Hildy will say."

"It's none of her business. If Hildegard doesn't have anything nice to say to Sofia after all she went through then she shouldn't say anything at all," Clio's mother commented, putting an arm around her daughter. "It's best you go to sleep too dear. You had a long day."

"Sofia got rescued today Mom. She's free," Clio yawned.

"Yes she is. Her recovery will be a long process but she'll have all the love she needs."

"We count don't we?"

"We do darling," Clio's father assured, taking her in his arms. "Now the sooner you're asleep, the more energy you'll have for tomorrow"

Clio, sleepy to protest, took in her father's comfort as she thought of Sofia.

She couldn't wait to see or hear her reaction to her family in the morning.

Her cries of excitement, her gasps of surprise, and her tears of happiness.

Clio wanted it more than anything else in the world.