A/N: Here's the latest chapter. It's… something. I don't know. I liked the idea of girl talk, and I think Vivian would be a much more willing to lend a sympathetic ear than say Amber who would be like "But Sofia, he's so oooollld. And he's not a prince. And… he's Cedric. Ew." or something, Thanks again for reading and reviewing. Still more to come! Hopefully. And to answer the question of what King Roland did that made Cedric so upset, it's vaguely mentioned in the next chapter, but it was mostly just typical: "Don't screw it up, Cedric." in regards to what he's to do at Amber's ball. He also might have implied that there would be a couple more Engagements/Weddings to come. And the implication of Sofia getting Married, is something that bothers Cedric even though he doesn't exactly know why.

At late afternoon the two Princesses sat in Sofia's secret garden drinking tea and chatting. It was actually very relaxing. Between Amber's frenzy of pre-nuptial planning and the as of late disastrous encounters with Cedric, she had forgotten what it was like to just sit and chat about nothing with a friend. They seemed few and far between these days. It wasn't as if Sofia, who was universally adored, did anything to lose them, but time and circumstance did the job nicely enough for her. Several of her friends from Royal Prep had gotten married, and were very much absorbed in their lives as is of course is expected. She still saw them from time to time. Usually at Weddings or other royal gatherings. She would see them at Amber's engagement ball, and that was always pleasant, if not somewhat awkward.

As for Ruby and Jade? The three had remained friends, but as the years passed they had drifted. Ruby had taken over for her mother as troop leader for The Buttercup Scouts and Jade had become rather close with the Good Witch Lucinda. The exact nature of their relationship wasn't clear, but it was very obvious the two cared for each other and were constant companions.

Even her animal friends had left as they tend to do. Mia and Robin had migrated, though they had left many offspring over the years, and her beloved bunny, Clover, had died two winters ago. It was easily the most painful experience in her young life. The one good thing that had come of it, was that it had further cemented her bond with Cedric. He had been unexpectedly sensitive to her loss and had told her the story of an old grey cat he'd had as a boy and how he had felt upon it's death, really showing her quite a lot of sympathy and affection. Once again her thoughts had returned to Cedric. She sighed.

"Is everything alright Sofia?" asked an alarmed looking Vivian. "I know I must be rather boring with all this talk of the Mandolin. I.. I mean you must hear such exciting things and…" the dark haired girl trailed off and looked at the ground. Sofia was mortified.
"Oh no, no, Vivian. It wasn't that at all. I love hearing you talk about music! I was just… thinking about Clover." Vivian smiled sadly at Sofia.

"I'm so sorry. I know you miss him. I can't imagine what I'll do when I lose Crackle."

The two sat in silence for a moment quietly reflecting on mortality. Surprisingly, it was Vivian who was the first to break the reverie .

"I love this tea! Is it a special blend?"
"Oh, why thank you! Yes, I uh, made it myself. It's just jasmine and lavender green tea."
"It's delicious!"
"Do you really think so? Amber says she thought it was too heady."
"Oh, I don't think so at all. I love lavender. It's so calming. How are the plans for Amber's ball going?"
"Oh, well you know how Amber is." Sofia chuckled. "This isn't even the royal wedding and already she want's it to be the grandest event in the history of Enchancia."

Vivian giggled but then looked away. "I'm sure Amber will make a beautiful bride." she said wistfully. Sofia studied the shy Princess, she looked so very sad and then it dawned on her, with the exception of herself, Vivian was one of the few Princesses in their circle of friends who was not engaged or married. She wasn't even sure if she'd been courted or had suitors asking for her hand. Well, she must have the latter. Even Sofia had experienced that awkward ordeal, but had cited her Sorcery lessons as her main priority and that had lessened the interest. For now at least.

The lack of suitors or a husband did not bother Sofia in the slightest, but she never really had an interest in such things. Well, there was that and the fact her heart belonged to someone who may or may not return her affections, but she was content to wait and see if that changed.

But what of Vivian? Did she feel like that too or did it bother her? Sofia looked at the green eyed beauty. She was probably one of the loveliest Princesses and so clever and talented. Even her shyness had diminished a tiny bit over the years. Sofia felt a rush of affection for her friend. She was tempted to ask her Vivian about it, to reassure the girl of just how wonderful she was, but she was hesitant. Vivian, would no doubt be deeply embarrassed. She was on the verge of asking but was interrupted by the sound of someone calling her name:
"Sof?! Sofia?! Where are you?!"
"Back here, James! The golden haired young man came bounding over to them.

"Oh, Sofia, I'm so glad I found you! I need your help!" He looked worried.

"What's happened? Is everything alright?!"
"I'm fine, but you see, I sort of… broke this.." he held out in his gloved hands his sword. The blade had been broken in twain.

"I was sort of hoping that maybe you knew a fix it spell?"
"Well, I do... but shouldn't you ask Mr. Cedric?"
James rolled his eyes, "Ah, come on Sofia, you know he'd just say something like: "I'm the Royal Sorcerer, not the Royal Blacksmith!" Besides, I need this done quickly, I don't have time to make it to his tower and back again before Sir Finnegan returns."
Sofia smiled slightly at his fairly accurate imitation of the Sorcerer, but then frowned. She disliked doing Cedric's work for him. James was constantly saying how he would have her take over as the Royal Sorcerer when he one day became King, and the idea made her feel slightly ill. Not to mention it probably would wound Cedric's delicate ego... but, James was her brother after all, and Cedric was busy. She'd really be doing him a favor.
"Alright." she conceded, "But just this once. What did you do to break your sword anyway?"
"Um, it's a long story… I'll tell you later." Typical James: 22 years old and still breaking things.

Sofia took the pieces of the sword and laid them on her lap, she retrieved her wand from her skirts and waved it over them crying out

"Za Prasen za Prasu make this sword into one piece instead of two!" and in a flash of light the sword was repaired.
Vivian gasped and applauded "That was wonderful!" Prince James looked over having just realized the other girls presence.

"Oh, hello Vivian! I hadn't noticed you there."
"Hello." was all the dark haired Princess could manage to squeak out.
"Well, I really do have to go. Thanks again, Sof! Bye, Vivian, it was nice to see you!"
And he was off. Sofia amusedly shook her head, she turned to Vivian but was taken aback when she saw the way that the girls green eyes watched the direction in which James had departed. She knew that look. She recognized it well, it was the one she wore in the mirror when she thought of Cedric and that was very often as of late.
"Vivian, are you in love with James?"
Poor Vivian blanched and then turned a brilliant shade of vermillion. The teacup she'd been holding fell from her hands to the blanket they were sitting on. She turned to Sofia, her eyes wide and frightened.
"How did you know?! Oh, James doesn't know does he?!" she sounded near tears.
Sofia cleaned up the spilled tea with a wave of her wand and tried to reassure the near weeping girl in front of her.
"No Vivian, James doesn't know. I didn't even realize it myself til just now."
"Oh Sofia, It's so awful. He doesn't even notice me! You heard what he said..and I just… he means so much to me. I can't bear it!"
"Vivian, I'm sure that's not true. I know James likes you!"
"Yes, but not in the same capacity that I like him. And it kills me whenever I see him. You wouldn't understand."
Sofia embraced her friend,

"Actually, you'd be surprised."

The crying Princess pulled away looking at her with surprise.
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"I know what it's like to be in love with someone and to not know whether they reciprocate or not. I know how much it hurts. I do."

"You're in love too?" Sofia nodded.
"I didn't know that. You never seemed to show in an interest in being courted or talked about it like the rest of us."
"I've never told anyone."
"Do you mind if I ask who it is? Y-you don't have to answer… I mean, I understand."
Sofia thought for a moment. She really did need to get the weight of all she felt off of her chest and truth be told, she could use a confidant. And if anyone could keep quiet, it would be Vivian. Especially since she was in a similar situation.

Sofia nodded again feeling a flutter of nervousness surge through her body.
"Is it someone I know? Did they go to Royal Prep with us?"
"Yes, you know him and he was at Royal Prep every once in a while... but he wasn't exactly in our class." Vivian looked thoughtful for a moment and then her eyes widened with realization.

"Are you in love with Mr. Cedric?!"

Sofia felt her cheeks burn and answered "Yes." in a small voice. She glanced at Vivian expecting a shocked or disapproving look, but the green eyed girl simply sat smiling at her.
"I can see that. You've always admired him haven't you?"
"Yes. I have." she replied with a smile. "I don't know when my admiration turned to adoration or when that turned to what it is I feel so strongly today. I don't completely understand it. I know he's quite a bit older than me and not a royal, and that he probably still sees me as a child, but I don't care. I love him. I suppose I always have in a way." She picked up an orange from the bowl in front of her and nervously rolled it in her hands, as she proceeded to tell Vivian about the dreams, about her latest encounters with the Sorcerer. With nearly everything she felt comfortable telling the shy girl, and in return Vivian told her about her feelings for James. After all was said they sat in silence until Sofia said with a laugh: "Well aren't we just a pair?"

Vivian giggled back. "We are aren't we?" Then after a pause she asked:

"I don't suppose you know any love Spells do you?"

"I know a few charms, but I've never tried them. And I don't think it's the best idea. Besides, you don't need something like that. I know James is fond of you. He just needs to realize that. Maybe I could get him to dance with you at the ball?! You never know where that might lead." Vivian looked uncertain. "Only if you want of course. I won't force anything on you." Vivian smiled at her friend and replied

"I'll think about it."

The rest of the time the two girls spent at tea proved to be wonderful. They no longer felt so alone.