Cold. So cold.
She was shivering, her dress soaked but the one who made her cold didn't care.
He forced her under. He ignored her coughs and sputters as she tried to resurface.
As she sunk further into the water, her eyes gazed up at two figures.
He who'd forced her under the water and her best friend.
She couldn't recognize their expressions but knew that as she remained sinking, he who'd forced her under was laughing.
She couldn't move. Her eyes were closing and the water was winning.
Her life was cut short and unfulfilled. She couldn't fathom why.
Sofia awoke with a start, finding herself on the floor of her room, underneath her blanket until she pulled it off.
"You okay kid? That must've been some fall you had," Clover muttered.
Sofia shook her head. "Oh Clover! It was terrible! Mr. Boswell escaped the dungeons and took you and me away again!" She hiccuped. "He took us to somewhere with water and forced me under! I tried resurfacing but he kept pushing me down! I was so cold and my dress was soaked and..."
Clover shushed her with his paw, hopping onto her lap.
"He's under security twenty four hours a day remember? Boswell has no magic to defend himself against so if he were to get out, he wouldn't last more than a minute," he smirked.
"That's right. I forgot," Sofia sniffed.
"You forgot something else too."
"What's that?"
"Your father's ordered Boswell's wagon for burning today!" Clover grinned. "You allowed those painters to paint it and when they finished, King Roland ordered a wagon burning."
"I remember that. That painting Amber said is a reminder of what we went through," Sofia smiled. She hugged herself close. "But I'm scared too."
She'd only recently relearned to say I'm the day before but was pleased to finally speak like an normal eight year old again once more.
"I am too Sof," Clover admitted. "But this'll be a way for us to move on until his execution. It's been a tough month for us. We had to get used to castle life again."
"And you had to get used to staying on the castle grounds!" Sofia giggled.
"I'd rather stay here than in Boswell's wagon any day."
"Me too."
Sofia jumped, hearing the door to her room open before giggling at her father's presence.
"I see you're awake," Roland smiled, helping her up. "Are you okay?"
Sofia nodded. "I had a nightmare but Clover made me feel better." She felt him brush a lock of hair away from her face and smiled. "I know we're going but are Clio, Hugo, and Desmond still accompanying us to see Mr. Boswell's wagon burned?"
"Yes they are. They have to heal from this too."
"I remember. Daddy I wanted to ask you about my Buttercups outing that's a week from today. They're my scout troop."
"Do they know about what happened to you?" Roland asked.
Sofia nodded. "Mrs. Hanshaw does. I'm supposed to learn and do things on my own for independent reasons but she'll help me if I..." She fought back tears. "If I have a panic attack or something triggers my trauma. I don't want to feel like a baby in front of the other girls. They'll say something. Especially Jade."
Roland nodded sympathetically. Ruby and Jade were nice girls, if not rambunctious at times.
But from what Sofia once told to him, Jade could be grouse in an instant.
Why? She couldn't recall, stating that it'd been like that for as long as she knew her.
"We'll talk to Jade's father if we need too. Now what color dress do you want to wear today?" Roland smiled, helping Sofia to her feet.
They walked to her closet as Sofia stared at the many gowns she had.
Months later and the immense amount of clothing still made her speechless.
Roland stood back, watching as she went through rack after rack until finding the dress she wanted.
It was plain purple with a pink ribbon near the chest area but Sofia didn't care, hugging it close to her chest.
She neglected shoes despite Roland's request for her to put them on.
Why would she need them when she'd spent most of her time in the wagon completely barefoot?
Shoes were for school and the public only.
When dressed, Sofia smiled as Roland took her in his arms.
"You're getting heavy!" He teased playfully. "Have you been sneaking snacks while Baileywick's not looking?"
"No!" Sofia giggled. "I'm gaining my normal weight again! I barely have any bones showing anymore!"
That did explain to Roland why her dress wasn't dragging on the floor, making him smile.
After a round of playing and giving her raspberries on her stomach, which made Sofia giggle until tears came out of her eyes, Roland left her to continue getting ready in private.
…
Sofia never thought Vivian would let her go the moment she saw her.
Informed by Amber and James that she, Hugo, and Desmond had arrived just before breakfast that morning, Sofia squeaked in surprise when Vivian hugged her in front of everyone.
"Vivian! Let her breathe!" James grinned.
Sofia gasped, catching her breath as the Zumaria princess had let go.
"Sorry about that. I've missed you," Vivian blushed.
"I understand but you weren't affected by Mr. Boswell. Why are you here?" Sofia asked.
"Mother and Daddy thought that today would be the most appropriate time for you two to reunite," Amber explained. "As you know Sofia, this'll be healing for you."
"You've always been there for us so now let us be there for you," Vivian added.
Sofia blushed, stepping back from the group. "Me? I'm not exactly the princess you should be rooting for right now."
"Is it because of Boswell?" Hugo guessed. When she nodded, he stood up and took her hand. "Sofia, you're the strongest person I know. You're stronger than most of the princes on the Flying Derby team. Including me."
"You really believe that?"
"We always have since your return," Amber smiled. "To everyone else, you're a victim but to James and I, you're our strong little sister."
"You vanquished a monster by attacking him!" James grinned. "He tortured you for two weeks and when he broke your treasured hairpin, you snapped."
"What hairpin?" Hugo wondered.
"You'll see it today in pieces. It was an older girl's hairpin with a flower on it," Sofia blushed. "I know it's an insignificance to most but it helped me cope with my situation."
"Maybe you can get your sorcerer to fix it if we find all the pieces?" Desmond suggested.
"Des, if Cedric can repair one of James' toys then surely he can fix Sofia's hairpin," Amber smiled. "He's been close with her lately anyway."
"Just so she can trust magic again," James reminded her. "But Cedric's so understanding of what happened that he's taken things slowly."
Before Sofia, who was red as a tomato by that point, could speak, she and the other children turned their attention to Baileywick.
Clearing his throat, he beckoned the children to get ready to go before kneeling to Sofia's level.
"Cedric's coming along with calming droughts just in case you need them," Baileywick whispered.
"Mr. Ceedric's doing that for me? Why?" Sofia questioned.
"Princess Sofia, after everything you've gone through, he's only trying to make your day more merry which comes as a surprise for me."
"He has changed. If Mr. Boswell hadn't..."
"Don't blame yourself. The man doesn't deplore what he's done to you. He'll be paying the price with his execution, not you," Baileywick assured, stroking her hair. "That's all you need to remember right now."
"It's before my birthday too."
"Indeed it is. In a month from now, you'll be nine years old and I'll ask Violet to careful when dressing you. Your physical scars may be gone but you can't handle touch like you used to."
As Sofia was lead out of the sitting room, she felt butterflies in her stomach.
The wagon only brought her memories of darkness and fear.
How could she handle going inside it before it burned to the ground?
She wished she knew, forcing a smile as she sat beside Amber and Vivian.
"It's okay if you're nervous," Vivian assured. "I was during our dream castle project."
"Except replace dream castle with wagon and you'll get the same thing," Amber smiled.
Sofia nodded, thinking about maybe listening to their advice.
She was nervous but she couldn't imagine being in Hugo or Desmond's shoes.
Especially not Hugo's.
Her nerves softened as she saw James make a funny face, erupting into a fit of giggles.
"James!" Amber scolded.
"What? I cheered Sof up didn't I?" James grinned.
"Yes but if you keep your face like, it'll stick that way."
"As James would say brilliant!" Hugo chuckled.
Amber and Sofia rolled their eyes playfully, enjoying the relaxing atmosphere.
Amber couldn't recall the last time they felt that way.
"Amber, I know it sounds like a fatuous comment, but thank you for coming with us despite my nervousness. I couldn't ask for a better sister." Sofia smiled.
"Fatuous? Have you been playing word games with James again?" Amber grinned.
The younger princess shook her head. "I saw it in a letter Daddy was writing. He seemed upset about something."
"Whatever it is, just let it go. Besides there's more important matters at hand like Boswell's wagon burning to the ground and you healing."
"But what if I can't do it? It's only been a month since everything changed."
"I know," Amber smiled sympathetically. "But like we've been telling you since day one, there's no rush for you to come back to how things were before."
Sofia nodded, blinking back tears. Her sister was right.
She had no reason to get into the rush now.
All she knew was that she and her family had a wagon to burn.
Excitement filled her veins at the thought but she couldn't fathom why she dreaded going inside it.
...
"It's okay Sofia. This is a safe place. You'll never be hurt again."
Sofia recalled Clio's gentle voice calming her down the night of her rescue. She had been ready to make a run for it despite her injuries but her friend's gentleness had stopped her in her tracks.
Said friend was looking her over, astounded by her skin lacking the cigar burns and bruises that once laid there.
Sofia blushed, glancing at Amber and James in the hopes one of them would change the subject.
"Daddy told us that what you experienced was rough on you. How are you feeling?" Amber asked.
Oh thank Enchancia she changed the subject. Sofia thought gratefully as being only known as the found lost princess made her uncomfortable some days.
"I'm just excited to see Boswell's wagon burn!" Clio grinned.
"Clio, you're just like the boys. James is especially excited to watch it be lit on fire."
"What about Sofia? It's not everyday someone like her gets to see their tormentor's residence destroyed."
"Nervous," Amber confessed. "She's too stubborn to say it but I can tell by her facial expressions. I wouldn't blame her for feeling that way either. She's had to learn to live in a place without physical punishment for a month now and sometimes she still cries at night and most of the time, we don't know why."
"Anything orange brings her into a relapse. We hadn't forgotten her panic attack her first night home," James added. "We're not sure if seeing carrots themselves were a trigger but anything orange has been banned in the castle until further notice."
"Carrots are a trigger?" Clio gasped. "Oh Hildegard's gonna take advantage of Sofia with that knowledge if she finds out!"
"Which she won't," Hugo assured, seeing Sofia go pale. "As long as we're together, she won't know one of Sofia's phobias."
Sofia blushed despite the overwhelming feeling in her stomach.
"I need a moment. Alone. If that's okay," Sofia requested. "King Deacon? Queen Ophelia?"
Clio's mother nodded. "Just don't venture too far. We wouldn't want you lost now would we?"
Sofia shook her head, sprinting just as she felt her amulet glowing warm against her skin.
She hadn't felt its warmth in a long time.
"Sound's like someone's a little distressed."
Sofia turned towards the voice, nearly fainting at the spot.
Short brunette hair, green eyes, freckles.
No. It couldn't be.
"Princess Rapunzel?" Sofia gasped.
Rapunzel nodded, kneeling beside her. "Your amulet sent me here. Is everything okay?"
"No. We, me, my family, and some friends, are visiting my former kidnapper's wagon today but I'm petrified. I won't be able to step inside without thinking about all those dreadful memories and it only wants to make me throw up."
"I understand. I felt the same way when Pascal ran away and went back to the tower."
"Did he run away because you were too busy for him?" Sofia wondered. When Rapunzel nodded, she turned away. "My friend Clover did too. I've never forgiven myself for that when we were kidnapped together but he's forgiven me."
"That'll take awhile. Trust me. But you know what I think will help? Telling yourself that the wagon is just a wagon," Rapunzel suggested. "Nothing more."
"I guess that could work but there's so many memories there that it hurts."
"I completely understand. When Eugene and I heard about you, he said 'The poor kid's gonna suffer from some terrible memories but you know what Sunshine? She'll have support. Just like you have.' and I believed him."
Sofia blinked in surprise. "He said that?"
"Dad offered him to help with your search but Eugene feared that if you saw him, you'd bite him or worse," Rapunzel recalled. "But when we read about what you did to that magician, I've never seen his face light up so immediately. You've impressed him."
Sofia blushed sheepishly, brushing her shoe against the grass. She wasn't expecting that.
She felt Rapunzel stroking her hair, looking up to see a reassuring smile on the princess' face.
"Thank you for your help. I appreciate it," Sofia smiled.
Rapunzel giggled, hugging her close. "Anything for a former lost princess."
As she watch Rapunzel fade into existence, Sofia felt tears in her eyes.
She couldn't do it. She couldn't go back to the wagon alone.
Leaning against the nearest tree, she huddled in a ball and cried softly.
"Princess?"
Sofia sniffed, seeing a calming drought clutched in a familiar gloved hand.
"I'm scared Mr. Ceedric," She croaked. "I'm so scared."
"It's Cedric," Cedric grumbled before kneeling towards her. "You have every right to be scared after what that monster's done."
"How did you find me?"
"I was concerned for you. I care about you."
"You're the only magical male that does!" Sofia giggled.
"I haven't lost your trust. That's why!" Cedric chuckled. He placed the calming drought in her lap. "Drink slowly. Not all at once."
"So it's like if I'm having tea with Amber?"
"Minus the elegance of Princess Amber's tea parties then yes."
Helping her with the top of the potion, the sorcerer rubbed her back while she carefully sipped the calming drought as if it wasn't her sitting on the grass but instead at one of Amber's tea parties.
Only lacking the elegance of a tea party.
Taking the empty potion bottle back when she finished, he gave her a smile as he helped her stand up.
"Are you feeling better my dear?" Cedric questioned.
Sofia nodded, rubbing her nose. "Thank you Mr. Ceedric." She brushed her feet against the grass. "Not just for the calming drought but for the sparkles and helping me at my most vulnerable. You wouldn't have done that months ago."
"You're right. I wouldn't have," The sorcerer agreed. "I only started because I witnessed you be emotionally hurt by what that amateur did."
"You won't be like him right? You're nice now Mr. Ceedric but what if you become cruel and lack decency one day?"
"That'll never happen my dear."
"You mean it?" Sofia smiled.
"Yes. Now wipe away your tears because if we don't leave soon, your father will have Baileywick send out a search party," Cedric smirked.
Sofia wiped away her tears, feeling Cedric take her hand.
After today, the wagon, her two weeks of horrors, would be no more, having her smile at the thought.
...
She could see it in their eyes as she saw James pat Hugo on the back, Desmond's hand being squeezed gently by her mother, and Clio being consoled by her father when they had stepped inside the wagon.
Fear.
Sofia took a deep breath, observing the atmosphere around her.
Clover's dressing table with its stool pushed to the side, dried out cigars that Boswell had use at her side, and just a few feet away from the broken pieces of her cherished hairpin was her corner.
Her lonely corner.
"That's your corner?" Amber asked sympathetically, putting a hand on her shoulder.
Sofia nodded, biting her bottom lip to keep her tears at bay. "My blanket's still there, discarded from Mr. Boswell waking me up."
The older princess picked up the blanket and frowned. "Daddy wouldn't even dare let anyone in our village sleep with something like this." She threw it down in disgust. "Let it burn with this wagon. I don't care."
"Amber it's just a blanket," James scoffed.
"I know that James but the thought of Sofia trying to stay warm with that raggedy thing angers me."
"Why do you think I had Clover with me?!" Sofia blurted. "He's the only one who knows what I went through and he's at home! I had to rely on his warmth to stay warm myself and I deplore that!"
"We may not understand what you went through but that doesn't mean we can't sympathize with you," Roland assured, hearing her outburst. He took Sofia's hands in his, seeing her began to cry. "We all came today so you could heal, not bring back any memories that you would love to forget."
"Wouldn't her healing start after the trial?" James asked.
"In a way James but what Daddy means is that our sister has come here today to heal herself mentally," Amber muttered. "After today, this wagon will only be a memory to her that doesn't hurt."
"What about Boswell?"
"He'll have to stay with me for the rest of my life," Sofia sighed, She brightened, seeing Miranda come over to them and hug her close. "But I'll have you all to help me with whatever the future brings. Just promise me one thing James."
"Anything," James smiled, ruffling her hair.
"Promise me that you'll stick by my side? We'll be different as we grow up but I can't do this all alone like before. I need everyone's help and I'm sorry for how I acted previously."
"I'm sorry too Sofia. I guess I overreacted when I saw you with Hugo. I only wanted you to be safe and it backfired."
""It's okay James," Sofia smiled. "I forgive you."
"I'm happy you two have forgiven each other but can we please collect whatever Sofia wants from here and leave? It smells foul in here!" Amber complained. She paused, hugging Sofia close. "Which isn't Sofia's fault."
Miranda had let go of Sofia, noticing the discarded blanket. Walking over to it, she smiled softly.
"Mommy what are you doing? Amber said we leave my blanket here," Sofia frowned.
"I know. Everyone in here heard but I was thinking that maybe I could fix it up, make it less raggedy looking," Miranda reasoned.
"But it's a reminder of Sofia's terror! Not to mention it looks hideous!" Amber retorted.
"Amber, if your mother wants wants to fix it, she can. It's Sofia's decision to make if we leave this blanket here or take it with us." Roland placed a hand on Sofia's cheek, stroking it softly. "What do you think Sofia?"
"I'm not as attached to it like my hairpin," Sofia admitted. "But it kept me warm on nights when Mr. Boswell would take Clover away from me as punishment for talking back." She smiled softly at Miranda. "If it means that much to you to fix it Mommy, you can."
Miranda nodded, gently patting her head before looking over the blanket.
Amber was correct on its raggedy appearance but as a mother, that didn't matter to Miranda.
It wasn't as significant as the hairpin her youngest daughter cherished but maybe she could make the blanket anew somehow.
Clutching it tightly, Miranda noticed Sofia looking around the room and taking deep breaths.
"Sofia are you alright?" Vivian asked.
Sofia nodded. "It's just surreal on account that I used to fear this place because I thought it'd hurt me."
"You were hurt while inside it," Hugo grumbled.
"Not to mention trapped," Desmond added.
"I know guys. There's a lot of memories from here alone that I wish I could have Mr. Ceedric erase every day with some memory wiping spell but now that I've come here as a survivor of my ordeal, I feel different. I don't know what it is exactly but I like it better than fearing the wagon."
"That's great to hear Sof," James smiled. "Dad said that we should leave this place soon. Seeing Boswell's cigars and your ripped undershirt in the same place is giving me chills."
Sofia nodded, stifling a giggle. "I couldn't agree more! Though you're not the one who had to witness everything first hand!"
"No he didn't," Amber agreed. "But I believe everyone's gotten chills just from being here. Especially Hugo."
"Hugo? But I thought he didn't get scared anymore," Sofia frowned.
"He isn't scared. It's just a dreadful memory for him. That goes for Desmond and Clio too."
"She's right. Just from seeing the torn curtains, I immediately went pale," Desmond admitted. "You kept screaming and Boswell holding you back as if he didn't want you to escape."
"He tried to escape the night we rescued Sofia," Clio smirked. "I'd never seen a grown man be that cowardly about his actions before then."
"He didn't want to face the consequences of his actions. That's why he tried to run," Hugo grumbled. "At least he didn't lie to you and your parents' faces by saying Sofia was volunteering to help him."
"I'm sorry Mr. Boswell lied, rode away, and attempted to run off. I completely understand your anger. I was angry too and hurt." Sofia bit her lip to control the tears in her eyes. "He considered letting me go after I let it slip to a guard about what he did to me. He didn't know about that but he noticed the opened window and in retaliation for that, he hurt me severely." Tears went down her cheeks just as everyone gathered around her. "I had to do something! I just wanted to go home! How was I supposed to know that Mr. Boswell would react with his bare hands and cigars?! What was I supposed to do? Let him win?!"
"If she's this emotional now, I'd hate to see her during that amateur's trial!" Cedric hissed.
"Indeed," Baileywick agreed, seeing his youngest charge shaking like a leaf. "You don't have to continue Princess Sofia."
She sprinted towards him, burying her face in his chest as Roland cleared his throat.
"Everyone out!" He beckoned. "This is too much for Sofia so the sooner this wagon burns, the sooner we can leave."
...
With her books and blanket collected, Sofia had to smile a little as she heard a match being lit.
It almost reminded her of Boswell lighting his cigars but Amber squeezed her hand to prevent anymore tears.
"It's a good thing I snuck Crackle with me," Vivian smiled. "She's been wanting to see this wagon ablaze since she first saw it."
"I'll have to ask Daddy if it's okay but how did you get her to be quiet?" Sofia asked.
"Oh bribing her with Clover did the trick."
"You know what Vivian? That's not a bad idea. Oh Daddy!" Amber called.
"Is everything alright?" Roland asked.
"We're fine but Vivian had a suggestion."
"Oh really?"
"I thought that Crackle could set the wagon ablaze. I know it's the guard's job and I don't want to interfere but wouldn't Crackle make it less time consuming?" Vivian asked.
"Actually she would," Roland smiled. "Good thinking Vivian!"
Vivian beamed at the accolade given to her as Sofia walked over to Crackle.
"You ready to burn the wagon?" She asked.
Crackle became apoplectic at the mere mention of Boswell's wagon. "I've been ready."
The fact that she had been fain to burn her former tormentor's wagon made the young princess timorous yet she could sympathize with the dragon's anger.
Sofia watched the guards scatter, shielding her and the rest of the family just as Crackle had set the wagon ablaze.
The crackling of the flames while they danced around the wagon had James and Hugo stare in astonishment while Desmond covered his eyes with Clio immediately following suit.
"Sofia?" Amber asked, seeing tears trailing down her little sister's face. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. It's just this is the happiest I've felt since the day I went home," Sofia sniffed.
"Really?"
"Yes. If I hadn't been so dum—"
"You were traumatized." Amber cut her off, squeezing her hand. "How were you supposed to act mentally? You suppressed your memories of what happened so we wouldn't be affected by your screams and cries."
"It took me nearly a month to speak properly again. I could've done more than what I did had I not suppressed my trauma," Sofia frowned.
"The past is the past. We must focus on the future," Roland consoled, wrapping each arm around his daughters' shoulders. "Starting now."
Seeing the crispy remains of the wagon, Sofia had to smile in agreement with her father's words.
Only a few more weeks then everything will be over. The young princess thought to herself as Amber had let go of her hand.
She wasn't alone in her ordeal anymore.
...
"How can you be so calm?"
"Sofia's a strong girl Clover. She'll be fine."
The rabbit kicked a pile of hay with his hind legs, hopping over to the purple flying horse's stable.
"You don't know her when she's in a timorous state. What if she's having a panic attack this very momenta and I'm not there to comfort her?" Clover asked.
Minimus rolled his eyes. "You've been worrying over her since she left this morning. You do realize you're putting me to shame don't you?"
"You're her therapy animal as requested by King Roland himself. Besides you wouldn't know half of what the kid's gone through you piece of sh—"
"Clover!" Sofia cried, sprinting over to him and Minimus.
Clover smiled, hopping into her arms. "I was so worried for you kid!"
"That's the understatement of the day," Minimus grumbled.
Sofia giggled. "Oh Minimus!" She scratched Clover behind the ears, smiling at both animals. "Mr. Ceedric had a surprise for me before I came here."
"Oh? That's certainly a surprise," Clover smirked. He watched as she reached into her dress pocket and pulled out a familiar hairpin. "Is that—"
"—your hairpin?" Minimus finished. "But Mr. Worried over here told me that Boswell destroyed it."
"Yes he did but Mr. Ceedric found all the pieces and fixed it!" Sofia grinned. "He used a repairing spell and—"
"Clover!" Crackle cried.
The dragon flew into Clover, bringing him and Sofia to the ground.
"Oh Crackle! I can't tell you enough about how I didn't miss this," The rabbit grumbled.
"He's just happy to see you. That's all." Sofia spit out some pieces of hay that had gotten in her mouth. "I know you missed him but Clover's a little..."
"Protective?" Crackle asked.
"You can put more anxious than me on that list," Minimus smirked.
"Watch it will you?!" Clover growled.
Sofia shrugged her shoulders. "Touch sensitive exactly but any of those would describe him too."
"Viv's told me everything about Sofia here but how about you Clover? How have you been?" Crackle asked.
"Oh I'm just having severe trust issues with pretty much any two legged person minus Sof's family and friends alongside separation anxiety with the kid and a hatred of crowds but we've been better," Clover replied.
"He's right," Sofia smiled. "I still have nightmares and panic attacks but we're taking it one day at a time."
"Boswell messed both of you up didn't he?" Crackle asked quietly.
"He did but the kid's stronger than she looks. You should've seen her Crackle! She bit and scratched him all on her own!" Clover beamed.
"To be fair Clover, you taught me how during our games," Sofia blushed. "It's a good thing I paid attention to them."
Clover nuzzled against her leg, hopping into her arms once again. "You only paid attention because we were having fun."
"Without you Clover, I would've been lonely and possibly more gullible. I mean I thought Minimus was dead because Mr. Boswell told me so."
"He lied to you kid. The monster tried to take advantage of you."
"But you beat him and he's facing the consequences for what he did to you!" Minimus grinned. "You're a brave princess Sofia!"
"Thank you Minimus," Sofia smiled. "I'm glad to have all of you here beside me. Especially Clover because without him, I don't know where I'd be."
"You're safe now. You have my Clover to thank," Crackle agreed.
"Crackle! Crackle! Crack— Oh there you are!" Vivian chuckled, seeing her with Clover. "You just couldn't wait to see Clover could you?"
"No she couldn't!" Sofia laughed. "Vivian would you like to stay here?"
"I wish I could Sofia but Mom and Dad said I had to be home before dark."
"Are you going alone? I could have Baileywick get a coach to get you home."
"Thank you for the other but Desmond's offered to take me back," Vivian smiled.
"Why don't you stay after the trial in the upcoming weeks?" Sofia suggested. "Constable Miles said I could have support if I needed it."
"I'll have to ask my parents but we'll be honored to support you in your time of need."
"Thank you. I... I really appreciate it."
"Sofia, you shouldn't have to thank me. A friend is all you need," Vivian smiled, taking Crackle in her arms. "We better go. Desmond may be a patient prince but his coachman is not."
The two girls giggled, hugging each other before an annoyed but respectful shout from Desmond's coachman was heard.
Sofia gave Vivian a wave as she departed, smiling softly.
"How are you feeling, kid?" Clover asked once Vivian and Crackle had left.
"About today?" Sofia guessed. "Well it wasn't as nerve wrecking like the trial will be."
"You'll do fine," Minimus assured. "In fact, Clover has offered to go with you."
Clover rolled his eyes playfully. "Are you trying to tell her that I'm some sorta softie?"
"You are a softie!" Sofia giggled. "You're my blue ribbon bunny."
"Well I do enjoy the occasional cuddle time but I'm only going with you for support. Besides you're not the only one that wants Boswell off the face of the earth."
"If only he could understand you then Daddy would agree with you Clover."
"You two seem like you're closer than ever because of Boswell. That's the only good thing coming out of that madman," Minimus smirked.
Sofia blushed, taking Clover in her arms. "You're right about that Minimus. We are closer than ever." She scratched the rabbit behind his ears, smiling as he relaxed in her arms. "We went through two weeks in that wagon together and we'll spend the rest of our lives together. Just a princess and her blue ribbon bunny who are survivors of a greedy man who took advantage of us both without one instance of deplore."
"Couldn't have said it better myself Sof," Clover smiled.
Sofia stroked his fur, sitting down in the hay beside Minimus.
"If I get dirty, I can always take a bath later," Sofia smirked. "I'd rather be here with you two than by myself like I used to be."
"It was lonely being with Boswell," Clover confessed. "Nights were difficult because I never knew if you were okay."
"See? You are a softie!" Minimus laughed.
"If it wasn't for me, Sofia wouldn't have been kidnapped. I couldn't help but worry for her."
"But I was the one who talked back to Mr. Boswell. I threatened him," Sofia recalled.
"You thought him taking me was an injustice kid which I thank you for!" Clover grinned.
"She did the searching while I had to do the flying," Minimus recalled. "My landings weren't the greatest."
"According to James, you looked all over for me didn't you Minimus?" Sofia asked.
"When you and Clover didn't return, I realized that something was wrong when I saw the wagon no longer in sight."
"That was Mr. Boswell's doing. I don't remember it but Clover told me."
"She doesn't remember due to Boswell knocking her unconscious," Clover confessed. "Sof used to have a bump on the back of her head from it."
Sofia nodded, seeing the flying horse's look of concern. "I did but it faded before my rescue."
"It still doesn't excuse Boswell for hurting you. If only I could kick and trample him," Minimus grumbled.
"You're too small to hurt Mr. Boswell that badly!" Sofia giggled. "Besides Daddy and Constable Miles said you stay here."
"And the guards have put him on heavy resistant so he can't hurt Sof during the trial," Clover added.
Minimus nuzzled Sofia as the words came to him. He'd been worried sick for her but hearing the measures of keeping her safe when the time came to execute Boswell made him feel at ease.
Clover smiled at them, hearing Sofia giggle in response to being nuzzled by Minimus.
It had been far too long since he'd seen her that innocent and blithe.
A month ago hurt to her would've been a scraped knee or any physical injury while betrayal hadn't existed in the young princess' mind.
Boswell had changed Sofia and that aggravated Clover.
The former magician had brought her hurt and betrayal in just a day's time.
The rabbit couldn't imagine his reputation once everyone knew about what went on in the wagon.
If it wasn't shattered already.
"Clover, you don't have to come with me to the trial if you don't want to," Sofia muttered, seeing his expression.
Clover shook his head. "I want to kid. I want to see that magician get what he deserves for hurting you." He placed a paw on top of her knee. "You are a little girl. You shouldn't even know half of what he did to you because of your age but Boswell destroyed it. Any innocence you have left is because he couldn't damage the rest when he had already taken away so much."
"Mr. Boswell tried to control me like I was nothing more than Mr. Ceedric's puppets. Clover, if you hadn't been there with me, I don't know what else he could've done."
"Nobody hurts my princess and gets away with it. Why do you think I'd claw him during the night?"
"So it was you!" Sofia giggled. "Mr. Boswell would always blame me for that!"
"It's not like I could talk back to him. He wouldn't have understood me anyway," Clover smirked.
Sofia smiled, stroking Clover's fur before feeling a tap. She flinched at the touch before seeing two familiar brown eyes looking back at her.
"I keep forgetting you don't like to be touched," James apologized. "Baileywick wanted me to come get you before it got too cold." He began to pet Minimus and smiled. "Clover and Minimus keeping you company?"
Sofia nodded, beginning to brush Minimus' hay off her dress. "We were just talking."
"About Boswell?"
"How did you know?"
"I'm your big brother. I always know!" James teased. "Besides do you know how painful it'll be for us have to hear you recall everything that that monster did to you? Especially for Mom and Dad?"
"Mommy and Daddy?" Sofia frowned. "I don't understand."
"It's okay if you don't right now. You got a few weeks left."
"But what if I get upset during the trial?"
"No one will blame you Sof," James assured. "Especially not Amber. She said it's okay."
"But she's so stern with being a princess!" Sofia gasped.
"I was surprised too but Amber cares about you. Do you remember your first night home?"
"Most of it. Everything was a blur before my panic attack over carrots."
"I remember that. You were so pale afterwards. You looked like you could throw up which you did. All over Amber," James recalled. He saw Sofia turning away and squeezed her hand. "She wasn't upset with you Sof. Had it happen before your kidnapping, maybe she should have, but she knew better when you were scared of everyone and everything."
"I was a bit of a scaredy-cat wasn't I?" Sofia smiled.
"You were but you got better. You'll never be yourself prior to Boswell like you once were but it's okay because you got years of healing to do."
"But what if you don't want an emotionally damaged advisor when you become king?"
"Who called you damaged?!" James growled.
"I don't know but I can tell when most people avoid me like the plague," Sofia confessed. "Or they hate me for getting all this attention that I didn't even want in the first place!"
James hugged her, seeing her eyes glistening with tears. He agreed about the unwanted attention she received before and after her return but he wouldn't think of her as damaged.
As he felt hot tears staining his shirt, he stroked her hair, stroking it until her speech was nothing more than hiccups.
Her kidnapping, Boswell, Hildegard, relearning how to speak in complete sentences, functioning normally, and being avoided due to being emotionally fragile was an emotional strain on his little sister and James couldn't blame her one bit for soaking his shirt with her tears.
"You feeling better now Sof?" James asked.
Sofia nodded, wiping her nose before seeing his soaked shirt. "James... I didn't... Are you... I'm so..."
When she trailed off like that, he knew that meant she was afraid of him being filled with indignation.
Seeing her grab Clover in an effort to console herself, James felt his heart shatter.
The rabbit had been her only comfort in her two weeks of horrors.
The lanterns, that she forbid anyone from touching since her return, had been a comfort as well but you couldn't hug a homemade piece of paper with the Enchancia crest on it like you could an animal.
"I'm not mad Sof. I've been upset over much worse which I'll tell you before the trial," James promised.
"So I'm not a bad girl for crying?" Sofia sniffed.
"No. You've been trained to conceal your anger and sadness around me, around Dad and Baileywick. It might've annoyed Boswell or even irritated him but do I look that way?"
"No. You're understanding. You're not punishing me."
"You were punished for crying?" James frowned.
"How do you think I got burned?" Sofia hiccuped.
James opened his mouth before closing it. Now wasn't the time to scream and yell.
He could do that in the privacy of his bedroom.
His little sister needed him.
Sofia shivered, feeling the chilly autumn breeze getting to her.
"Here. I want you to have my coat," James said as he held out her arms.
"It's a little too big for me!" Sofia giggled. She smiled, hearing him laugh. "I'm serious James! My arms can barely fit through the sleeves!"
"You'll grow into it I promise. Besides I don't want you catching a cold because of me."
"Can I at least say goodbye to Minimus first?"
James shrugged his shoulders, giving her a playful grin. "Okay but be quick before Dad or Baileywick sends out a search party."
Sofia nodded, petting Minimus before burying her face into his mane.
"Thank you for taking care of Clover while I was gone," She smiled.
"Anything to keep him from worrying about you," Minimus smirked.
Clover gave a playful growl in response, causing the young princess to giggle.
James took her by the hand once she said her goodbyes to Minimus, seeing the sun beginning to set.
He knew how anxious she got when it happened the last time, dragging her along as he sprinted towards the castle steps.
Sofia opposed to being dragged but realized that James had the best of intentions, hearing a familiar click of a pocket watch the moment they were inside.
"Good. You're both on time," Baileywick smiled. He noticed James' coat on Sofia, shaking his head. "We'll hung this up so it can be cleaned later. Oh and Prince James?"
"Yes Baileywick?" James asked.
"In the future, I'd like for Princess Sofia to fetch her own coat if it's chilly. Yours barely fits her."
"It's only at the arms!" Sofia giggled.
Baileywick chuckled, taking the coat off of her. "That may be so but your brother's a size bigger than you."
"Does that matter?" James grinned. "Sof sometimes borrows Amber's dresses if she needs to."
"That was one time!" Sofia pouted. "I accidentally got my favorite dress soaked giving Clover a bath because Rex knocked the tub over!"
"Oh yeah! You were bathing your bunny while I took Rex for a walk. Until he saw a squirrel, chased it, and knocked into you."
"Clover wasn't liking the bath anyway but at least Amber had a dress she barely wore for me the instant she saw me."
The two siblings laughed at the memory as they walked along to the dining room.
The bath time incident as they called it had happened weeks prior to Sofia's kidnapping, making James smile.
It seemed that despite her trauma, it didn't dampen his little sister's memories of happier times before her loss of innocence and trust.
"I miss the happier times too but Daddy told Amber and I today that we need to focus on the future which I can't do without you James," Sofia smiled. "You're my brother and I heard from Mommy that you wanted to be my bodyguard?"
James blushed sheepishly, brushing a hand through his hair. "That was just in case you were to need it when you returned."
"Why a bodyguard?"
"Not a bodyguard Sof. I only wanted to protect you. I'm your brother and it's my job to look after you."
"If you want to protect me, can you not be like Daddy and Mr. Ceedric? Please?" Sofia begged. "I'll need you for the trial. I can't be alone."
"You won't be alone. Never again," James promised. He bopped her on the nose and began to sprint towards the dining room entrance. "On your mark. Get set. Go!"
A prince, a princess, and the princess' rabbit raced towards the dining room entrance with traces of excitement and yearning for food in their eyes, having Baileywick shake his head in amusement.
Scolding James for provoking Sofia to race could wait after dinner.
He could hear Sofia and James' childish squabbling of who won the moment the steward had replaced Roland's quill with a fork, stifling a smile.
Baileywick wouldn't admit it out loud but he missed the squabbling.
A stern glare from Miranda dissolved the squabbling, having Sofia and James look at Baileywick sheepishly.
"Now that that's settled, you made sure to double check Sofia's meal before it's served Baileywick?" Roland asked. "We don't need a repeat of her first night here."
"Not to worry your majesty. Princess Sofia's meal is lacking a certain vegetable as you requested until future notice," Baileywick assured. "I had Chef Andre double her portions so we can slowly get her back to her normal body weight."
"You forgot Clover too," Sofia reminded her family as Clover squirmed in her arms.
"Clover is at his normal weight," Miranda smiled. "Now put him down before he gets fur everywhere."
Sofia nodded, putting him down before beginning to eat.
There were no carrots on her plate so she had no need to panic.
"Daddy any report on Boswell?" Amber asked.
"Still refusing to cooperate with Constable Miles and I Amber," Roland sighed."He won't say why he chose to hurt your sister."
"That's okay Dad. He'll say why eventually," James assured.
"Mr. Boswell might be angry that we burned his wagon," Sofia shivered. "I know he deserved it but—"
"We don't care about how he feels sweetheart," Roland interrupted. "We only care about your feelings, not that amateur magician's."
"You were brave out there today Sofia," Amber added as she dabbed her face with her napkin. "You had your moments of cowardice but you proved yourself to be stronger in the end."
"Amber's right," Miranda agreed. "You've changed so much since the day you returned home."
"But I'm still scared of the dark and carrots," Sofia frowned.
"Why do you think Amber brought you that nightlight?" James grinned. "Sof, no matter what happens, we're always be there for you when you need it."
"Even Baileywick," Roland assured, seeing his youngest daughter's worried look.
"All day and every night," Baileywick smiled.
"Thank you," Sofia muttered.
After dinner and getting herself a bath, Sofia yawned as she stepped on her step stool and climbed into bed.
"Long day Sof?" Clover asked.
Sofia nodded, rubbing her eyes. "You have no idea."
"We couldn't imagine. Especially when you had to go inside that wagon a month after everything that happened," Mia chripped.
"But it didn't affect her like we thought it would," Robin added.
Sofia blushed, fiddling with her amulet. "Clover..."
"What? They wanted to know!" Clover chuckled.
"Can you blame him? He was worried sick about you!" Robin chuckled.
"A little more than usual according to Minimus," Mia snickered.
"Clover has every right to worry! I couldn't talk to anyone else so he was my only friend!" Sofia pouted sleepily.
"All right now let's leave Sof be before she gets too cranky!" Clover teased. He turned towards the young princess and nuzzled her hand. "Will you need me tonight kid?"
" I want to but I want to be brave tonight."
"I get it Sof but I'll still be here if you need me."
"Thank you Clover," Sofia smiled.
She went to sleep and for the first time in a long time, there wasn't a nightmare to disturb her from her slumber.
Still, Clover couldn't help himself and hopped over to her bed in the middle of the night, resting towards the end in case she needed him.
Just like old times.
Except this time there wasn't a cold wooden floor to sleep on.
Instead it was warm bedding which helped him fall asleep faster unlike the wagon.
Old habits died hard and protecting his kid was something that would never die.