A/N: So, here's the next chapter. I hope you all like it. I sort of had a hard time of it and feel like everything I've come up with is just so terribly trite.
This may be my last update for a bit unless I'm absolutely struck with inspiration.
One of my Cats disappeared and I'm really depressed about it. Plus I'll be really busy with work and a short film I'll be appearing in.
I DO intend to finish this at some point. So stay tuned.
And once again, thank you all so much for the reviews and encouragement. "
Cheers!

Although her afternoon tea with Vivian had calmed Sofia's nerves, by late nightfall she felt the unwanted sensation of anxiety crawling through her and now she couldn't sleep. She paced her room, unsure of what to do. She noticed the book about dreams sitting on the window seat where she'd left it this morning. She hadn't gotten the opportunity to ask Cedric about Astral projection, so, she decided to reread the chapter. It required a meditative like state. She attempted to follow the instructions, but couldn't calm her racing mind. She came to a section on Artemisia Vulgaris or Mugwort. It not only helped with the Astral projection, but was supposed to enhance lucid dreaming. She wanted to dream again. She wanted to control her dreams. She was being ridiculous, she knew it, but she was happy when she dreamt of her Sorcerer.

It said that Mugwort could be made into a tea. Perhaps, she could find some in the gardens.

She slipped into her dressing gown and stepped into her slippers, and then acting on a strange compulsion she grabbed her wand and the orange she had brought with her from tea and put them in her pockets. She had a hunch that she may be paying a visit to more than just the gardens, but she needed to make sure of something first. She then quietly exited her room and moved about the castle halls, so softly that she barely made a sound.

The air was cool and still as she stepped out into the night. It was almost an exhilarating sensation. She had walked the palace grounds at night plenty of times and there were usually little to none of the staff present. It was as if the entire place was hers and hers alone. She loved to walk the darkened gardens, bathed only in the moonlight. Sometimes she'd sit and stargaze. She wondered if she could convince Cedric to join her some night. It was doubtful, but she decided to ask it someday nonetheless.

She entered the gardens, using her wand to conjure a candle to light her way, and glanced around. She knew she should be looking for the cooking flowers and herbs, that was this sole purpose of this trip after all, but the sweet fragrance of lilacs and Jasmine filled the air and it persuaded her to go and admire them first instead. To amuse a passing fancy she decided to pick some. Violets for faithfulness. Camellias for admiration. Jasmine for grace and elegance. Lilacs for first love, and a single daffodil for unrequited love, all found their way into a small nosegay that she affixed to the bodice of her dressing gown. She felt hopelessly romantic! Hopelessly in love. She was being ridiculous, utterly ridiculous, but she didn't care. The quest for the mugwort momentarily forgotten, she decided to go look at Cedric's tower.

Like the man who resided there it was so different than the rest of the castle, but she wasn't there to compare the architecture, she was there to look for something in particular, and she was rewarded when she saw it: A light shining through the window. Her dear Sorcerer was awake. This didn't exactly come as a surprise, poor Cedric slept very little, but she knew how to remedy that: She would pay him a late night visit. First, however, she would stop by the kitchen to make him one of her special blends of tea.

She climbed the steps carefully tea tray in hand. She felt her heart pounding, but steeled her resolve and knocked on the door. She had little doubt that Cedric was probably very tired, but when he was tired he was one of two things: he was either very cranky, which was often, or he was very sweet. She was hoping luck would be on her side and he'd be the latter. After a moment the weary Sorcerer answered. He was very clearly surprised, but seemed to perk up a bit at seeing her.

"Princess Sofia, what are you doing here at this hour? It's terribly late."

"I couldn't sleep. I went down to the gardens and saw the light from your tower and I thought maybe you'd like some company?" Cedric raised an eyebrow at her, but didn't say anything. She felt the horrible anxiety of earlier begin to overtake her again, suddenly realizing the impropriety of the situation.
"I brought tea!" she said weakly holding up the tray.
The corners of Cedric's mouth twitched.
"Ah well, I do have a weakness for tea." he smiled slightly. "Alright, come in then I suppose." Relieved she made her way into his workshop.
"Why can't you sleep?" asked Cedric.

"I don't know. I'm Worried I guess."

"Worried? Whatever about!"
"Well… you."
"Me?!" Cedric cried. Once again surprised. "Why on earth would you be worried about me?!"
"You seemed so upset earlier. I felt bad that I couldn't help. What happened?"
He frowned and narrowed his eyes. "Just the same thing that always happens, my brilliance is underappreciated and I'm made to feel like a second rate bumbler. It gets rather tiresome. It's not as if I'm not trying! But no one sees that." he was upset and venting.
"I do."
His face softened. "Yes, so you do. But you've almost always been the exception, haven't you?" He smiled at her again and she could feel her heart race.
"Anyway, Princess, it's nothing to concern yourself over. As you can see, I'm fine.
"Mr. Cedric, you're my friend and I can't help but worry about you. And you most certainly aren't fine! You're exhausted. Did you sleep at all last night?"
"Not long." Cedric admitted. "But, the the little sleep I managed, was most…. pleasant."
"Well, we can't have you doing that again. Here, come drink the tea."

"You sound like my Mother." he complained.
"Well, Ceddykins, I really think you should drink your tea."
Cedric glared at her. "Don't call me that!" he said warningly.
Sofia giggled,"Alright, I'm sorry. I'll stop. As soon as you drink this tea."
Without another argument the Sorcerer joined her and she poured him some. He inhaled the tea's rather strong aroma and made a face.

"Sofia, is this another one of your "Home made blends?"
"Yes."
He grimaced. "I hope it's better than the Eggnog tea you made that one year for Wassailia ."
"I was 12! And I'll have you know, that was a big hit! Anyway, I know this doesn't have the most intoxicating smell, but trust me It tastes fine."
He sighed and took a sip.
"Is this… Valerian?"
"And lavender and a bit of blood Orange". She giggled "Of course Valerian helps with the nerves and insomnia . See, I was reading that chapter."
"So you were. Well, I must admit this isn't half as bad as I thought it'd be."
Sofia made a face at him but laughed.
They sat in silence for a while sipping their tea.
"So, what were you doing in the gardens at this late hour, anyway?"
Oh no! She'd forgotten the mugwort! Well, maybe Cedric had some.
"I was looking for something, but I got distracted." she replied gesturing to the flowers at her breast.
"Ah, so I see. You were picking flowers then? Well, I suppose they are lovely."
"Well, I'm so glad you think so, because they're for you!" she said removing the nosegay from her dressing gown and offering it to the Sorcerer who looked at her incredulously.
"P-Princess, why on earth would I want a.. a nosegay of flowers?!" He was flustered and possibly blushing. She wondered if he knew the Flower meanings, because she had just given him a pretty significant clue as to how she felt about him. She decided to underplay it.
"Because they'll brighten up your Workshop! And because they smell so sweetly!" She noticed him lift the flowers to his beak like nose and inhale.
"Also, because I wanted to ask you for something."
He looked up and eyed her suspiciously, "What do you want?"
"Mugwort."
"Mugwort?"
"Yes, I assume you have some? That's what I meant to get in the garden, but got distracted." she gestured again to the flowers he was still clutching and he quickly set them down.
"Yes, I have some. What do you want it for?"
"Tea." He quirked an eyebrow at her but didn't say anything. Instead he wordlessly walked over to where he kept his herbs, filled a small pouch and then returned handing it to her.
"Here you are, Princess."
"Thank you, Mr. Cedric!" as she went to place the pouch in her pockets. She felt the Orange that was still there and blushed.
"I have something else for you.." she said covering it with her hands.
"Well, if it isn't Wassailia in August." he deadpanned. "What is it?"

She slowly opened her hands to reveal the orange. Cedric stared at the Orange then at Sofia.
"Why would you bring me that?" he asked softly.
"Well, I… I was having Tea with Vivian and I thought maybe you hadn't eaten. And It tastes so sweet…"
He took it from her hands giving her the strangest look, but he didn't say anything. He placed it next to the flowers and then sat back down next to Sofia and started to drink his tea again. He seemed tense, but the tea was acting as a calming agent.
Sofia felt awkward and embarrassed.
"Are you alright?"
"Hmm? Yes, fine. Just tired. I think the Valerian is taking its effect."
"Oh, well then I suppose I should go…" She stood up, but was more than surprised, as well as a bit thrilled when he grasped her arm to stop her.
"I didn't mean to make you think you had to leave. You don't. Unless you want to." She smiled. He was so tired he was being sweet. She had gotten lucky.
"No. I don't want to leave."
She sat back down. It was silent for a moment.
"So… how is Vivian?"
"She's well. We had a grand time..." She paused. She didn't know what compelled her to ask, but she did:

"Can I ask you about love spells?"
Cedric jerked his head up.
"What?! Why would you ask me about that?"
"Well…"
"Do you need a love spell, Sofia? Because I don't recommend them. Whatever would you need one for anyway? Anyone can see that you're already the most lovely, spellbinding girl in any Kingdom! If they can't I wouldn't waste charms or spells upon them! Poseidon's Pumpkins..." He said this all in panicked flurry. Upon realizing just what he had said he blushed and shut his mouth.
Sofia could hardly believe her ears.
"Do you really mean that Mr. Cedric?!"
"I said it didn't I!" he replied sharply, turning away.

"Anyway, It's not just my opinion. Everyone thinks so."
She laughed awkwardly. "It's not for me, anyway. Vivian asked about it."
"Oh.. Princess Vivian?"
"Yes." Sofia realized she'd almost inadvertently given up the girls secret and shut her mouth.
"Is… she in love?"
Sofia shrugged and sipped her tea.
Cedric sat thoughtfully for a moment, and then smirked.
"She's in love with Prince James, isn't she?"
Sofia nearly choked on her tea. She had a coughing fit and Cedric came up behind her and patted her back.
"H-how did you know that?! Please don't tell anyone! I promised Vivian that I wouldn't tell…" she managed to say between coughs.
"Oh come now, Princess, I'm a Royal Sorcerer. I do have better ways to spend my time than to gossip about the love lives of the young Royals."
"How did you even know that she liked him?!"
"Sofia, I substituted so many of your classes over the years, and a man does observe things, it was something I noticed about her, the way she'd look at him. I honestly didn't care, but I did notice." he thought for a minute.
"Oh Merlin's Mushrooms, now I've just reminded myself how old I am." he sighed and put his face in his hands.
"Well, you certainly don't look it! I swear, you've never aged in all the years I've known you. What's your secret?" She didn't expect him to respond. She was surprised just how remarkably candid he had been tonight. He looked up at her and answered:
"A Sorcerer never tells." but then he thought for a moment, smirked, motioned her to lean in and said conspiratorially "Lets, just say magic has it's perks."
She giggled and he smiled at her.
"So, Vivian wants a love spell? I dare say she won't need one with Enchancia's very own cupid around."
"Are you referring to me?"
"But of course, my dear. Frankly, I don't know why you're my apprentice, you'd be far more effective as the Apprentice to the Royal Matchmaker."
"Oh, stop!"
"Although, let's see, The Duchess Matilda and Sir Bartleby, The Princess Amber and Prince Hugo, I don't even want to know how many of your playmates, and now I have little doubt you'll bring Vivian and Prince James together.… Forget an apprenticeship, they should just give you the job!"
She glared at him but then giggled. He smiled at her fondly.
"All the matches you make, Sofia, I'm surprised you've never made one for yourself." Oh, he was tired. She felt her cheeks burn and looked down.

"I don't want that." she answered honestly. "All I want is to stay here and study magic with you. Nothing else." There was so much meaning behind her words, she didn't know if he would understand. But he looked so very touched.

"D-do you really mean that, Sofia?" She smirked.

"I said it, didn't I?"
He laughed and then leaned in close to her, and took her hands in his.
"Sofia, there's something I need to tell you."

Her heart was pounding with anticipation, oh her hopes were so high! "Yes?"

"I want to tell you that I…I" he had been looking in her eyes, but his gaze fell to her neck and then he recoiled slightly, moving away from her. "I'm glad you're here." he said finally.
She felt her heart sink. What on earth had she expected from him? She tried so hard not to let him see the disappointment in her face and answered: "Well, there's nowhere else I'd rather be." She was quite surprised when he suddenly leaned down and kissed her lightly near the top of her cheek and her hair. It wasn't a declaration of love. But it was something and it was especially meaningful because Cedric had initiated the gesture. A rare occurrence, to be sure!

After that not much was said, they simply sat drinking their tea and chatting about nothing in particular, until she noticed Cedric no longer answering her. She looked over to see her beloved Sorcerer fast asleep, with his head resting on the table. She cleaned up the tea and then conjured a blanket with a wave of her wand and laid it over his shoulders. "Goodnight Mr. Cedric… I love you." she whispered, stroking his gray bangs softly. She leaned down kissed the top of his head. Then she snuffed the candle and walked out of his workshop to her own room. She was filled with hope