Sofia yawned and rubbed her eyes, looking around the game room. She squinted at the clock by the wall, but she was still partially asleep and it was hard to see the small numbers. Instead, she looked out the window. It was barely even sunrise.

"Couldn't we have just met in the throne room?" Amber asked. She was currently running a brush through her tangled hair as she dragged James behind her.

"Your parents have something important to ask you and they wanted to talk in a more private setting," Bailiwick said.

Sofia looked around. Slowly, as she started to wake up more, it dawned on her what must be happening. Their parents looked excited, Bailiwick was calmly smiling, Cedric was practically bouncing in his seat, and Ivy was nowhere to be seen.

"What do you think of Ivy?"

There was a long silence. Sofia looked over at her siblings. She had her own opinion, of course, but she wanted to give Amber and James a chance to speak.

"I...you're going to..." For the first time Sofia had ever seen, Amber looked speechless. Then she laughed. "Oh, I knew it! I'll get Madam Colette to make her a ballgown!"

"Wait, what?" James looked confused.

Amber put her hands on his shoulders and jokingly shook him. "They're adopting her, James! We get another sister!"

"We...what?!"

"Princess Amber, please stop shaking your brother. No matter how good Cedric is at potion-making, there's nothing he can do for a brain injury."

"Actually there are," Cedric said, "but I would prefer not having to. And yes, Prince James, your parents are hoping to take Ivy in as their daughter and as your sister."

Sofia looked at her stepfather, who looked as happy as he had ever been. Her mother looked equally as excited.

"Well, now that we've heard Amber's thoughts, why don't we hear what you have to say, Sofia?" Miranda asked.

Sofia hugged her parents. "Its one of the best ideas you've ever had."

Roland chuckled. "I couldn't agree more. James? What do you think?"

"I think it'll be cool!" the prince answered. "Her magic could be awesome once Cedric teaches her to use it! She's a really nice person, too. I was afraid she wouldn't even want to speak to me after we first met, but she forgave me right away. So, when are we asking her? When are Aunt Tilly and Uncle Bartleby coming over to meet her?"

"Calm down, James!" Sofia laughed. "That might be a little too much!"

"Aw, but she needs to meet them eventually!"

"Alright, settle down."

Sofia looked up at Roland. "James is right about one thing, though. How are we going to ask her?"

"Tonight. How do you three feel about a day off school?"

"We get a new sister and a day off school?1" James sounded like he almost couldn't believe it.

Sofia laughed and gave her stepsiblings a high five.

"Now go get breakfast, and don't wake Ivy up. She can't know until tonight."