A/N: Not sure what I'm doing. Ending may have to change. Depression has been unbearable. But here's a chapter.

The day of the Ball celebrating the engagement of Princess Amber of Enchancia to Prince Hugo of Rhodes had arrived. The castle was was thoroughly enchanted, but the ballroom in particular radiated with magic. The rose coloured marble floors, had been charmed to look as though the guests were dancing on roses beneath glass, the gold lattice across the windows glowed in an otherworldly manner.

The vaulting above now looked like the nights sky speckled with the stars, that Princess Amber loved so much.

Cedric stood in the vacant room, studying his handiwork. It was an impressive sight he thought with a self satisfied smirk. He hadn't done it for Amber though, every spell, he had only thought of Sofia, of the understated beauty of nature she brought to his mind, instead of the ostentatious desires of her older sister.

His heart ached and his lips quirked into a frown.

'Tonight... ' he thought With some apprehension. He would see her again tonight. It had been less than two weeks since he'd last seen her, but it felt much longer. His hand unwittingly reached up to touch the pocket of his waistcoat, wherein resided the little nosegay of time frozen flowers he'd picked for her. Surely she would see, she would know he remembered their walks in the gardens, that he really listened to every little word she said. That even if he was too stubborn to let himself be fully aware of it, truly she had changed him.

'A Villain!' That's what he had called himself. Really that was a dramatic take on the whole matter, he was hardly anything so successful. Ah! But a Villain he really rather was now, breaking the heart of his little Princess. Making her ill, for the love of Merlin! How could he atone? He must, somehow he must. He loved her.

His eyes went wide with the internal admission.

He loved her. He supposed he always had, in one varying degree or another.

Oh how his self loathing had blinded him to it, when she, most perfect creature that she was, had confessed her love for him, he had been too filled with fear, with doubt, the words a stronger man may have spoken had jumped inside him, but then cowered beneath the weakness that ruled at his head.

Atone. He must. He would. Tonight..

The night came. The Royals arrived, a room with so many sparkling tiaras had not been such an occurrence, since the last Ball. Cedric stepped off to the side nearly blinded by the amount of diamonds in the room.

His eyes searched for his Princess. He knew she'd arrived home from Zumaria nearly three hours earlier. It had taken all his self control then not to rush from his tower to her room. Propriety be damned, he nearly had, he'd found himself halfway down his tower, before thinking better of himself, and returning to his room to dress for the Ball. His gingery touched the cravat she'd gotten him from Wei-Ling years ago, one he seldom wore. He should have worn it more. There were so many things he should have done. He would do them now, he vowed, if she would forgive him. "This time," he murmured to himself, "I really will be a better me."

His stomach was in knots.

His eyes scanned the room once more. A sea of silvers, golds, pinks, and whites, a young woman dressed in cornflower blue caught his eye, she was approaching him with purpose. It wasn't Sofia, but it was someone he recognized, and she may be able to bring him to Sofia.

"Princess Vivian." He bowed slightly.

"Mr. Cedric." She curtsied in return.

Her voice, usually small and shy had a hardness to it, he looked at her face and saw her green eyes regarding him with something akin to disdain.

A heavy sigh escaped Cedric.

"You've talked to the Princess I take it."

"I have. How could you do that to her?!"

"I… don't know.. I'm a cad! I regret it more than you can know."

"I hope you do!"

Cedric flinched at her tone.

"Wh- where is she?"

"I just arrived myself she hasn't come down yet."

"I've made such a mistake… I will atone, I must… but… Vivian, please tell her how sorry I am… that she means so very much to me that…" he trailed off.

Vivian' eyes softened.

"You love her… don't you?"

He lowered his head, averting his gaze.

"Please just tell her how sorry I am."

"i can't do that." Vivian said with a shake of her dark head.

"It isn't my place to. It's yours. Both of you have things you need to say to one another. You have to tell her yourself."

Cedric groaned slightly.

"I will tell her you're looking for her though."

She said with a slight smile.

Cedric felt his chest tighten but he nodded

"I'd be most obliged if you would."

"I will I promise. I hope the two of you are able to work things out." Said Vivian with sincerity.

"Thank you, Princess. I hope the same."

They stood silently for a few moments and Cedric noticed Vivian's gaze land on a group of young men chatting. She started, but then she closed her eyes, and set her mouth and opened them again, with an expression of resolve.

"I'm very sorry to leave, Mr. Cedric, but if you'll excuse me, I have another promise I must keep." And with a slight curtsy she was gone.

Cedric watched as she approached the group of young men and spoke to. None other than Prince James.

He couldn't tell what was said between them, but he noticed a bright smile grace the young Man's features and a bright blush appear in Vivian's pale cheeks as the two walked off together.

He sighed remembering his conversation with Sofia when this whole ordeal had started. Vivian had wanted a love spell for James. Well very clearly she hadn't needed it.

Cedric watched all before him for some time his heart beating erratically in his chest.

"Oh Sofia…." He sighed quietly to himself.

Or so he thought until he heard a slight noise behind him. He spun, and there facing him in a gown of black silk and white lace, was Sofia her eyes were filled with what seemed to be half Agony and half hope. She opened her crimson lips and in a fluttering whisper she spoke:

"Yes, Cedric?"