Chapter 2
(Sofia POV)
I could feel myself falter as I was under the Countess's scrutinizing gaze. "It is so nice to meet you Princess Sofia," I turned to Hugo but he was just as confused as I was about why she was ignoring our run in earlier. "It is nice to meet you as-well Countess Laurianne Cunningham. I look forward to working with you," We nodded at each other. Hugo and I walked to our room and in the back of my mind I kept thinking about her stare and how she made me feel less than human as she looked at me. "Sofia, are you ok?" I turned to Hugo who seemed to be concerned. I shook it off and smiled, "I'm fine Hugo, just tired." He nodded to himself and smirked again. He picked me up, "Well if you are so tired I shouldn't let you walk to the room." I laughed and snuggled into his chest as he walked down the hallways with me in his arms. He helped me take off my gown and I quickly fell asleep in his arms. He held me throughout the entire night, his heartbeat was steady in my ear as I laid on his chest. This was the first time since I arrived at the palace that I felt like I was home.
The next morning, I was woken up to find that Hugo was gone. I turned and saw the Countess waiting for me, "Princess Sofia, sleeping in is unacceptable of a future queen. Look at your husband he has been up and working for hours." She rolled her eyes as I made my way out of bed. She began circling me again, like a vulture. "Very well, let us get you dressed. Maids come in." Two women came into the room and went down into curtseys. The taller of the two was brunette and the shorter one had black hair. "What are your names?" I smiled. They looked up at me but before they could speak, "Such insolence," She began, "they are here to help you get ready so I can begin your training. We have no time for such pleasantries, you may do that on your own time." She had an icy grip on my arm as she pulled me into the closet and the two maids followed. She began shuffling through gowns and I turned to the maids. The tall one whispered, "I'm Sarah and she is Mary." I nodded. As Countess Laurianne turned her attention back on me. "This one," she held up a small, floor length black gown. I didn't think that it would fit but, before I could say anything. She turned to Sarah, "Please get out a corset for Princess Sofia." I had never had to wear one before, at first I was too young and then as I got older and was a Protector it didn't make sense, I guess that now it was expected of me. Sarah put the corset on me and began tightening the laces. It was painful and I could tell she wanted to stop but, each time Sarah slowed down, Countess Laurianne would say, "A little bit tighter." When it was finally good enough I was barely able to breath. Mary helped me put the gown on and it did in fact fit now but, I felt awful as I tried to move around. Countess Laurianne looked me up and down again before saying, "Adequate, now do her hair."
When I was finally ready, breakfast had long been over. "Well Princess Sofia, in the future please be prepared before I arrive. These two will dress you every morning and I will pick out your gown for your training. You will then change for dinner and then if I deem it necessary change back and continue training at night. Now let us go today I will be accessing your skills, starting with serving tea."
(Hugo POV)
I woke up early this morning and looked down at Sofia. I didn't want to leave her but, I knew I had to. I wanted to wake her up but, she looked so peaceful and I didn't want to disturb whatever she was dreaming about. I went down to see my father in his office, "Good morning Dad." "Hugo, my boy, how was your first night back?" "It was nice," I smiled. My dad gave me a knowing look and I was pretty thankful that we live with my family rather than my father-in-law's family otherwise this would be so much more awkward. We went down to breakfast and I kept looking around waiting for Sofia to arrive, "Dad, do you know why Sofia hasn't come down?" "I think that Countess Laurianne is with her." I nodded. I guess Sofia was getting started with her training.
Breakfast ended and Sofia never came down. I made a mental note to talk to her about it later but now it was time for my training. My Dad was responsible for it and it was similar to what I was doing before I married Sofia. "Hugo, at the end of the week I want you to make the presentation to my advisors." I shuddered at the thought. There was one group of people I absolutely detested that came with becoming King, the advisors. They were going to force me to marry a woman of there choice if I hadn't found Sofia and married her before the deadline. I don't think they are exactly happy that they didn't get to pick my wife. "Very well father, what is it on?" "Now, now I know you don't like the advisors but there is no need to call me Father." I rolled my eyes before taking a deep breath and nodding, "Sorry." "That's better. Ok the presentation is going to be on the trade deals and alliances we have established and want to establish in the near future. I can't help you with this one. It has to be your work, research and more. You are welcome to the ledgers but that is all I can give you." I continued nodding. I didn't expect any additional help from him. "You must also do this on your own time, I need you to continue with the other aspects of your training."
(Sofia POV)
I hadn't felt this way since I first became a princess, according to Countess Laurianne I was doing everything wrong whether it was, pouring tea, or public speaking or anything else. It felt like I couldn't breathe without being criticized over something. All day I just wanted to see Hugo but, he was tucked away in his father's office working on his training. "Your movements are sloppy, you lack grace and finesse. Honestly it is as if this is your first day being royal. If this is what comes from Enchancia then I fear what will happen when Princess Amber takes the throne." This was where I had reached my limit, "Princess Amber, will be an amazing queen. She is exactly what Enchancia needs, don't you dare insult her..." Her eyes narrowed. "Well I guess, that is true. She is what Enchancia needs, but you see what Enchancia needs is no longer your concern. You are married to the Crown Prince of Albuquerque, you better start acting like next little outburst you have I will not be so kind. Now go get changed and go to dinner. Then tonight before you retire to your chambers," She took out a big, heavy book and placed it in my hands, "I want you to copy Chapters 1-10 in that book and show it to me tomorrow." I began flipping through the book and saw that this was close to a hundred pages of a small font in this book. Before I could protest she added, "Unless, training is too difficult and you no longer have the ambition of being queen." "What do you mean?" I asked confused. I thought that this training meant to prepare me to be queen, not a condition of me becoming queen. "If I tell the advisors that you failed my training you will be ineligible to become Queen, and you will take Prince Hugo down in the process."