Quiet in the Chaos
Summary: Even with all the uncertainty of the danger and the gloomy outlook ahead, Cedric still finds a way to offer Sofia a few moments of quiet reassurance.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: There's no real rhyme or reason to this story, except to give you guys one more "I'm alive" story, and a bit of…progress, perhaps? Lol. And I suppose it could be seen as an early "Wassailia gift," though you do have another one coming around Christmas/Wassailia time. Also, you could look at it as a "thank you" story, for those who've stuck with me and even returned to my stories, even after all this time. I truly appreciate you. 😊 Enjoy!
Note: The name Aman in here is one I've borrowed from one of my favorite movies: Kal Ho Naa Ho. It's a funny, dramatic, emotional Bollywood movie, and Aman is one of the main characters of the story. His personality isn't too different from the one mentioned here. :D
*Story*
Sofia was in the lavatory, having just finished bathing and washing her hair. After a bit of combing and drying aided by magic, her hair was warm and wavy as usual, which she briefly tied into a loose bun so she could finish dressing.
After completely drying off, she slipped into her undergarments, properly settling them into place, before walking to the other side of the room and reaching up for a new outfit she'd only just received.
Maya, an old classmate from Royal Prep, had sent both Amber and Sofia beautiful clothing from her home kingdom of Khaldoun as a 'thank you' for some gifts the princesses had sent to her for her upcoming wedding. She was engaged to a man ten years her senior named Prince Aman. From what Sofia had heard, he was a very generous, gracious, considerate man, always helping the poor and using his inherited wealth in positive ways. For Sofia, knowing that made her very happy; if he was like that toward complete strangers, she knew instinctively that he would take care of Maya and be a good spouse to her, and she had no doubt Maya would return the favor.
Sofia first slipped on a lovely, soft-textured pair of pink pants (the kind that she often saw Maya and Leena wearing under their outfits, which the girls had once told her were called anarkalis). Once she had those on, she then took the beautiful ankle-length dark purple dress, trimmed on the collar and the long sleeves in the same pink fabric as her pants, and pulled it on next. Glancing down, she noticed that the bottom of the dress was heavily patterned with pink and black flowers, spanning all the way around her ankles. She slid on some black flat shoes next, which seemed to complement the outfit nicely, and then undid her hair, allowing it to flow down her back and legs, and rest along the length of her new dress.
"Wow," she murmured to herself as she looked in the mirror. She spun once, giggling as the dress gave way just enough to accommodate her. "So pretty... I guess this is what she wants us to wear to the wedding reception." She sighed, folding her arms. "I know it's in a few months, but the way things are going… I hope we'll be able to make it." She shook her head and left the room, closing the door behind her.
"There you are," Amber greeted, grinning as she gestured toward her sister's outfit. "Oh, you decided to wear yours today, huh? It looks nice on you; definitely you. Mine is gold, white, and green."
"Which I'm sure is definitely 'you' too, Amber," Sofia laughed. "Were you looking for me?"
"I wasn't. Some flustered sorcerer was though." She grinned as her sister smiled sheepishly.
"I told him I would be a while… Mr. Goodwyn and Mrs. Winifred took the girls so they could spend the night, so he wanted to—"
"—Have you all to himself?" the future queen suggested, smirking at the younger princess's flushed features. "Perhaps a little magical evening ahead?"
"M-Maybe…" She sighed. "I'd love nothing more than sitting quietly with him, not having to worry about the next evil invasion or anything… Just for once…"
"Well, the weather is clear enough for now. You could always have a picnic."
Sofia giggled. "Except we always have picnics… I wanted to do something different and special. Cedric deserves a break and something nice."
"You both do…" Amber walked up to her sister, taking her hands. "Whatever you two decide, you both deserve to have a little time to yourselves—to breathe and just enjoy the peace and quiet."
She smiled. "Thanks, Amber… I'm sure we'll figure out something to do."
Cedric had just exited the tower (for the second time in the last hour) and quite literally ran straight into the person he'd been looking for. He grasped her shoulders before she fell over and smiled. "There you are, Sofia. I've been looking all over for you."
Sofia smiled before hugging him, which he returned, and then she glanced up at him. "I told you I would be a while…" She giggled as she felt his hands playing with her loosened hair. "It takes a bit longer when I have to wash my hair, remember?"
"Right, right, of course…" He gently tugged on her hair, making her laugh. "Although magic…works rather well too."
"Maybe, but it can't replace water and the strawberry shampoo." She smiled as he released her, next admiring her outfit. "You like this? Maya sent it to me."
"Oh, one of your friends from your Royal Prep days, right?" Seeing her nod, he hummed. "It's quite nice."
"I'm pretty sure that she wants me to wear it to her wedding in a few months; she sent one for Amber too… If we're able to make it."
He frowned. "Why wouldn't you be able to make it?" He saw the expression on her face and paused. "Oh, right… Well…" He shrugged, folding his arms. "Let's just hope we can settle all these dire situations soon, including your fainting spells, which…haven't been as prominent the last few days, right?"
"Shh!" She reached up, placing a finger over his lips, smiling sheepishly as he blinked at her. "We don't want to jinx ourselves…" She lowered her hand, opting to take his instead as he unfolded his arms. "So, what's the plan?"
"From what I've heard, there is supposed to be a flash-star display this evening. This phenomenon is a bit different from shooting stars, as these stars flash into existence before disappearing. Though they're also said to give off magical bursts when they flash."
"Oh, that sounds neat! And there always seems to be some sort of 'magical phenomenon,' doesn't there?"
He chuckled, carefully squeezing her hand. "My dear, the greatest 'magical phenomenon' I've ever experienced is you, so…"
Sofia blushed modestly, smiling as she glanced down at their hands. "Cedric…"
Cedric smiled at her reaction before releasing her hand, pulling her closer. "We've got a few hours until the stars should appear. Until then, I'd suggest we get something to eat, and you still owe me another game of chess."
She grinned up at him. "Sounds like fun."
A few hours later, Cedric led Sofia to the bridge, where they would likely get a good view of the flash-star display. While Sofia opted to sit along the edge, her legs dangling over as she gripped the ledge, Cedric sat more on the stone bridge for leverage. The stars were already twinkling in the darkness, the normal lighting from the castle a bit dimmer that evening.
"Have you ever seen the flash-stars happen before?" Sofia wondered.
"Several times when I was younger, yes," he answered. "Though it's been a long time since I've been able to catch them since I'm usually working or traveling during their display." He glanced up as a soft twinkle caught his eye. "Ah, here we go."
As Cedric had mentioned, the flash-star event was exactly as it sounded: stars would flash into existence, sprinkle a trail of magical dust, and then vanish into nothingness. They repeated the spectacle all across the sky, from over Enchancia to several kingdoms away, they were sure.
"So beautiful," Sofia whispered as the wind picked up a bit, rustling the trees, and stirring her hair aside, causing it to fall away from her back.
Cedric happened to notice and blinked as he saw the back of her dress. From just below the neckline and down toward her waist, there was a sliver of fabric cut away in the design. It framed her spine, which was something he'd never seen with any of her outfits. Granted, this one had been gifted to her, but…
What was it she'd just said? He reached out curiously, ever so lightly tracing his forefinger down her spine, smiling as she gasped in surprise. 'Beautiful,' he thought quietly as she turned to him.
"C-Cedric?"
"Did you know your dress had a section missing?" he wondered with a warm smile, continuing to caress her back, his fingers now feeling small goosebumps appearing on her skin. He imagined it probably felt rather good, if not a bit ticklish, especially having happened so suddenly.
"N-No," she managed, calming a bit as she now felt more relaxed than startled. "I didn't realize how…sensitive…my back was…"
Cedric chuckled, slowing his movements, before tracing his forefinger very lightly along her spine again, causing her to shiver. "It's not just your back, Sofia… It's your spine. You do know what is connected along your spine, right?"
She blushed a bit, unsure what he was talking about. "I… No?"
He smiled, trailing his finger up toward her neck, and then nestling his fingers in her hair along her head. "Your brain. The brainstem is connected to the spinal cord, and it's all part of the central nervous system, causing it to be very…sensitive."
Sensitive… Nervous… Two key words to describe the princess's current situation… "O-Oh," she finally mumbled, sighing as she felt Cedric move her hair back into place, undisturbed by the wind now. She smiled as she felt him caressing her hair along her shoulders and arms, twirling some of the locks around his fingers. "I thought we were watching the flash-stars…"
Cedric released her hair, opting instead to tuck some of it behind her ear, then brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers. "I have my star…"
Sofia blushed a bit as he leaned toward her, and she closed her eyes as she felt his lips brush against…her cheek. She opened her eyes, seeing him still smiling calmly at her. "Cedric?"
'Not quite yet,' he reminded himself as he stood, pulling the princess to her feet. 'Almost though…' He held her hands gently. "Let's get back inside. I think the wind is about to pick up again, and that might mean rain."
"R-Right… Right…" She hugged him once more, smiling contentedly as she felt him wrap his arms around her, his fingers curled into her hair and nestled against her back once again. And this time, the warmth and gentleness made her feel more at ease than anything. 'Mental Note: Remember to thank Maya later…'
They separated before Sofia took Cedric's hand, walking back to the castle with him as the wind picked up yet again, the impending storm right on the precipice.
Indeed…
The end