Chapter 6:
(Sofia POV)
After dinner that night, life fell back into the similar cycle that it was in before. I would wake up in the morning and Hugo would be gone before I woke up off at his training, I would get dressed in some uncomfortable gown and begin my training, Countess Laurianne would yell at me for hours, I would go to dinner and then go to the library to finish my tasks for the evening. Two things changed though. The first was that I no longer had to copy from the large book at night, the day of the meeting I rewrote the 10 chapters and wrote the next chapters 10 chapters after dinner because I knew that I would face punishment. Because I finally caught up I was able to sleep more at night and was presentable in the morning so she didn't assign more chapters. She still found new and inventive ways to give me work at night but I was able to finish it faster than copying the book. The second thing that changed was that every night for one hour after dinner Hugo taught me about the laws, customs and traditions of Albuquerque. When I was told about Queen training this is more of what I had expected. It also gave Hugo and I an opportunity to spend some time together in the day.
Still I was failing in all other areas of the training and I didn't feel like talking much. Hugo was also keeping something from me as well but, I couldn't push it because he wasn't pushing me. He kept asking everyday but he never made me talk more than I wanted to. The month moved by quickly and before I knew it it was the week of the Ball that I really didn't want to go to. Not only do I have bed memories associated with Balls (casting a spell that put everyone to sleep, Amber's butterfly costume being real, getting kidnapped by Prince Cole) but, the people hosting the Ball were people that I feared the Count and Countess Cunningham.
"Princess Sofia," I tensed as I heard her say my name. I turned to face her, we had finished our "training" for today and I was heading to the dinning hall. "I have selected your gown for the Ball it is time for the dressmaker to take your measurements." I nodded and allowed her to guide me to the dressmaker. "Let me take your measurements," she began to take out the tape when Countess Laurianne stepped in, "Before you take the measurements Mary please tighten Princess Sofia's corset." Of course I thought. Mary looked at me and I gave her a small nod. I held in a breath as she began to tighten my corset. When Countess Laurianne was finally satisfied, the dressmaker began to measure and I saw her give a little extra room around my waist. I gave her a small smile as she gave me more room to breathe. "Perfect now please use the fabric we discussed and Princess Sofia will be here the same time tomorrow," I stayed silent knowing not to argue. We left the room and she turned to face me, "Well it looks like you missed dinner, oh well it is probably for the best. You do need to fit into your dress this weekend." I nodded and she walked away.
(Hugo POV)
The last couple of weeks my Dad and I have been trying to figure out what their plan is but, we hadn't made any progress. Sofia and I were spending more time with one another but she was still not talking to me. Today she didn't come to dinner. I went looking for her but I stopped when I heard voices, "Well it looks like you missed dinner, oh well it is probably for the best. You do need to fit into your dress this weekend." I then saw Countess Cunningham walk away from Sofia. She didn't see me and when she was far enough down the hallway I walked over to Sofia, "Hey, are you ok?" She gave me a small smile, "Yes, I'm fine." I decided not to ask her about what Countess Cunningham had said but, I will tell Dad later."You missed dinner, do you want to grab something to eat before we begin working together again?" I asked grabbing her arm. "I'm alright, I really want to just go to the library." I nodded and walked hand in hand with her to the library.
The Ball rapidly approached and I saw Sofia less and less, she was getting out of her fittings later. "Dad she is trying to keep my wife away from me." He sighed, "I know, Hugo. Believe me I am doing everything in my power. But, the advisors get to choose the person who gives the training in the event the King or Queen are unable to. They appointed Countess Cunningham and unless we can prove that she is mistreating Sofia and doing everything we know she is doing, we can't do anything." I sighed, "Dad, I love and respect the rules and traditions of our kingdom but, when I am King I am changing these rules. No one should have to go through what Sofia is going through and I will make sure it doesn't happen again." He nodded. "I understand I wish there was more I can do but, I didn't change the laws and in the years of transition the advisors have a lot of power to make sure that we don't show favoritism or nepotism in training." I understood the role of the advisors.
They were selected based on their role in the kingdom, the amount of land they had, and how much influence they had. They would be assembled once the Crown Prince's training began, which usually started when they were 16 and they would be disbanded once they turned 21. The only way to get rid of an advisor is if it can be proven that they are acting against what is best for the kingdom.
This is why Dad and I were looking for what their angle could be. We also needed proof but, Sofia wouldn't talk and unless we can find some other form of physical proof I needed to convince her to talk about it. For now I was focusing on finding a motive. "Hugo, tonight we need to keep our eyes and ears open. Keep a close eye on Sofia so we can see their interactions." I nodded, I knew the plan I just needed to do this quickly before my wife was completely destroyed.
(Sofia POV)
It was the day of the Ball and I had yet to see Hugo today. I was tired and hungry and I just wanted to lay in bed with Hugo but, we had to go to the Ball today. Hugo then came into the room. I swayed slightly, "Sofia why don't you come with me?" I nodded and we walked down to the dressmakers workshop. "Prince Hugo, Princess Sofia Welcome back," When had Hugo come down here? "Hi Gretchen, do you have the dress we talked about?" The dress they talked about? "Right here," She smiled and gestured to a beautiful ballgown. It was a strapless ballgown. The skirt was eggplant and the bodice was white with purple detailing going into all these different curves. "This dress is amazing," I smiled but then my thoughts went to Countess Cunningham. Hugo saw my face and then said, "Princess Sofia" he never addressed me by my title, "that dress that Countess Cunningham wants you to wear is a work of torture not to mention that it is not what is expected of a princess of Albuquerque." I stayed quiet as I looked at him. "Do you like it Sofia?" I let out a breath, "I love it Hugo. Thank you."
(Hugo POV)
The maid, Sarah, came in and helped Sofia get dressed. "Do you want me to leave?" I asked and Sofia turned toward me, "Stay." I stayed in the room and saw all the bruises along Sofia's ribcage. I then saw Sarah begin putting on a corset on top of these bruises and Sofia wince as it was tightened. Why was she subjecting herself to this. "All done," Mary said after she finished getting Sofia dressed in her gown and doing her hair. She handed Sofia a shawl and Sofia put on long purple gloves covering up the blisters on her fingers. I then placed a silver tiara on her head that was decorated in amethysts.
We walked down to the carriage and met up with my father and we arrived at the Cunningham estate. We were waiting to be announced at the top of the staircase. My Dad walked down first and I looked over at Sofia, "You look amazing." Her breath was still shaky as her hand trembled in mine, "Hey I'm not going to leave you tonight. Ok." She looked over at me, "I don't have the best history with balls." I had not thought about that. The last time we went to a ball she got kidnapped. Before I knew it the announcer said, "Crown Prince Hugo and his wife Princess Sofia." We smiled and walked down the stairs.
We walked to the dance floor and watched as the Count and Countess opened up the Ball and then I took Sofia's hand and walked her to the dance floor. Despite how scared she was she danced like she always had.
(Sofia POV)
I was dancing with Hugo when I felt a tap on my shoulder. A beautiful young woman stood behind me, she had golden blonde hair and icy blue eyes. She looked familiar but I couldn't place where, "Forgive me" she said in a sickeningly sweet voice, "I'm Lady Eliza may I cut in." I just nodded and turned to Hugo, "I will find you after." He whispered in my ear as I walked away and watched them. "They look perfect together don't they," I turned and saw Countess Laurianne standing behind me. "She is a lovely dancer," was all I said. "It is such a shame their marriage never came to be... she would make a great Queen." She placed her icy hand on my shoulder, "Perhaps she still can be. Please excuse me." She walked away and I stood still for a moment and then I realized I needed something to drink. I went to walk and find a waiter when I overheard two members of the advisors, "Prince Hugo is doing extremely well but I'm not sure about Princess Sofia." "Yes I have to agree perhaps we should consider Count Cunningham's proposal about annulling their marriage."
I turned around and began walking toward the door, I didn't want to be where I wasn't wanted and clearly I wasn't wanted here right now. I felt someone grab my arm, I turned and saw Hugo. "Where are you going?" I shook his hand off my arm and continued walking, "Sofia did something happen?" he asked as we walked out of the ballroom. He then pulled me to face him, "Sofia did Countess Cunningham do something?" I shook him off again.
"Sofia," he sighed bringing his hands to his face, "I want you to talk to me. I don't want to have to force you to tell me but, I can see that something is wrong but, you won't talk." "Hugo, I'm terrified," I whispered, "I was a Protector for years and I was Storykeeper. Some of the stuff I had seen haunts me to this day yet, she scares me more than any of them combined" I could feel tears start to form but in this moment I didn't care. "She is constantly telling me how much I am failing and how I would be a terrible Queen and that all she needs to do is tell the advisors how terrible I am and I will ruin it for both of us. And if you abdicate the throne it's going to her family and I don't want that for your people. Then I hear the advisors talking about how you should have ended up with Lady Eliza and that they are thinking about annulling our marriage." I was bawling now, "H-H-Hugo I love you but, this doesn't feel right. I just want to go home." "Ok, Sofia it's going to be ok. I'll get the carriage and my Dad and we will go back to the castle." Hugo said. "T-T-That's not my h-h-home." I got out in between sobs.
I ran to the carriage and took a few deep breaths. Hugo didn't deserve that I needed to talk to him, I heard footsteps behind me. "Hugo," I turned around but I didn't see Hugo I saw two dark figures that I couldn't quite make out. "Sorry, please excuse me." "I'm afraid we can't do that Princess Sofia." One of the figures said. I suddenly realized there were no guards around here, no other people, I was alone with these two figures and I suddenly realized how much danger I was in.