Chapter 5:
(Hugo POV)
I could see it in Sofia's eyes she didn't know that this was happening today either. Countess Cunningham walked to the center of the room and gestured for Sofia to follow her. Sofia looked straight ahead and stood in the middle of the room as Countess Cunningham began circling her. Sofia was still as the Countess began asking, "Princess Sofia, may I ask what you are wearing?" Oh no, I thought. I was the one who told her to wear this dress. Sofia still wasn't talking. Countess Cunningham then asked, "Is that the dress I picked for you to wear?" She shook her head. Countess Cunningham then asked, "May I have the pages that I asked you to do last night?" Sofia shook her head. "Why not?" I wanted to step in but my Dad held my arm telling me not to say anything. Sofia opened her mouth but she quickly closed it. The Countess nodded. "Thank you Princess Sofia, you are dismissed." Sofia took the opportunity to leave. She bowed toward my Dad and I and then left the room.
Countess Cunningham then looked toward us, "Princess Sofia has failed every aspect of her training so far. As you can see she is defiant as she did not follow the rules I set out for her before we began training. She has no better understanding of our traditions, customs and laws than when we first began training. She doesn't even have a basic understanding of how to behave as a princess let alone a queen. Honestly we should have expected this given her upbringing." I clenched my fist when she said this, "It is my recommendation that you esteemed Advisors, and royalty that you consider alternative options." She curtsied before walking next to her husband. "What do you mean by alternative options?" I asked.
Count Cunningham cleared his throat, "I think that it is obvious that we don't exactly approve of you choice in bride..." I nodded wanting him to get to the point. "Well we believe that we should look into annulling your marriage to Princess Sofia." What? Dad stepped in knowing that if I talked it wouldn't go well, "What do you mean annulling his marriage. Princess Sofia, though may not be doing well right now, is a respected princess across a pleather of kingdoms and has done much to protect the realm." Count Cunningham stepped in, "We understand that but, we are not talking about her reputation, we are talking about her ability to become Queen. We believe that her lack of training, respect and understanding are a hinderance and will negatively impact the kingdom. Not to mention," he sighed, "she is not a real princess." This is what pushed me over the edge I maintained my composure but stood up, "Princess Sofia is the direct descendant of Princess Alice of Enchancia in addition to her stepfather being King Rolland II. But despite all of that, she is a real princess and I will not stand to hear otherwise." Count Cunningham nodded, "That aside, I don't believe that she is right to be queen and that we might want to consider an annulment if she doesn't improve soon. Then you will marry a bride of our choice." "And if I refuse," I asked. "Then you abdicate the right to the throne and will no longer be in line to be king along with ending your family line in Albuquerque and gets passed down to the next in line."
(Sofia POV)
I went to the library as soon as she dismissed me and began rewriting the pages that I had lost in the black ink. I heard the door open but, I didn't look to see who it was. "Sofia," I felt Hugo's hand on my shoulder. "I didn't pass," I whispered looking down at my work. "Sofia can you tell me what goes on during your training with Countess Cunningham?" I began shaking my head, I didn't want Hugo to know that I was failing at stuff we had learned during our time at Royal Prep and that I was staying up late as a punishment for not doing things correctly or looking perfect. He looked at the book I was reading. "Why are you always copying pages from this book? What even is this book?" I looked over at him, "It's part of my training. The book is A Complete History of the Kingdom of Albuquerque." He nodded and then I asked, "What did they say about me?"
(Hugo POV)
"What did they say about me?" It was a simple question but, I couldn't bring myself to tell her that they wanted to end our marriage. My blood began to boil as I thought about how they claimed she wasn't a real princess. I wanted to scream right now but, I wouldn't do that in front of Sofia, she didn't need to know about this right now."Nothing you need to worry about," I whispered but I could tell by the look on her face that something else was up. "Hey Sofia," she stopped working and turned looking up at me, "has Countess Cunningham started teaching you about some of our traditions and customs." Sofia shook her head. No wonder Sofia didn't know anything about them she hadn't been taught them. I knelt down next to her chair, "How about I help you learn a little bit more about them at night? It could be helpful..." She nodded and smiled. It was nice but it wasn't enough, "Come on Sofia I want to hear your response." "I would love to Hugo," I leaned in a gave her a quick peck. She turned back to her work and I sat next to her.
I still needed to know about what Countess Cunningham was doing to Sofia and what the advisors were up to but two things became clear to me this afternoon. One the Count and the Countess were planning something and two Sofia was in the crossfire of another war that wasn't her fault. She was as emotionally detached as she was when James and I saved her from Prince Cole. I needed to save her and I knew that my Dad and I were on the same page.
(Sofia POV)
Hugo sat next to me and stayed with me as I did my work. I knew he wasn't telling me something that happened in the meeting but, I had a feeling that if wasn't telling me I really didn't want to know. I worked on copying the 10 chapters but, I knew that I would need to do more soon but, I didn't want to be even farther behind. I could only imagine what tomorrow was going to be like. I had not gone to my training today, I had worn a different dress than what was expected, I had not turned in my pages.
"Sofia," Hugo brought me out from my thoughts, "It's time for dinner." "Alright," I smiled placing down my work. I had finished the 10 chapters that I was supposed to do last night and wrapped them up in a ribbon. "Can we stop by our suite first, I don't want these to be ruined?" Hugo nodded and was happy I was talking. We quickly stopped by our room and Mary came in, "Are you ready to get changed for dinner Princess Sofia?" I looked over at Hugo who was waiting for me, "Sofia, do you want to change?" I then thought about Countess Cunningham and what she would say and shuddered at the thought, "Yes Mary, please help me."
I changed into an uncomfortable gown and couldn't help but see Hugo frown as he saw my irregular breathing pattern but, I wasn't too focused on that right now. We went down to dinner and I held onto his arm as we passed by the nursery. I thought about what might happen to our kid one day if they have to go through what we have to now. I stopped and Hugo turned to look at me, "Sofia what's wrong?" I looked back at the nursery and up at Hugo. I don't want my kids to have to go through this I thought. I didn't say it out loud and Hugo wasn't sure why I was suddenly upset but, he stopped asking and just waited for me to collect myself.
We walked into the dinning room and joined King Garrick, "Hugo, Sofia what took you so long?" I quickly apologized, "I'm sorry it was my fault we were delayed." He laughed it off, "Nothing to apologize for Sofia." He exchanged a look with Hugo as Hugo went to sit down. "Sofia, there is something that you missed at the end of the meeting," I looked over at him. "What did I miss?" "The Count and Countess will be hosting a ball at the end of the month and we are all expected to attend." I nodded. But, worry overtook me. I didn't know what was going to happen but, I knew nothing good ever happened to me at balls.