The Name Game
Summary: It's time to settle a mystery that has evaded me for over two years now… Why does Sofia call Cedric by a title and not Baileywick? It's now time to find out.
Disclaimer: I don't own Sofia the First or the characters mentioned in this story. I'm also not sure if they'll ever clarify the issue presented in here, but this is a theory I've kicked around, so we'll just have to see what happens. :)
"Sofia," Cedric began curiously one afternoon as he and the girl were taking a break from doing spells in order to eat their lunch. "I have a rather silly but somewhat necessary question for you."
The auburn-haired girl nodded as she scooped some grapes onto her plate. "What is it, Mr. Cedric?" she wondered with an inquisitive glint in her eyes.
He smirked at her inquiry before chuckling lightly. "Actually, that's part of the question I had… So I've noticed in our conversations and in your interactions with both myself and Baileywick, you address me with a title." He raised an eyebrow as she blinked at him. "But you don't do so with Baileywick. Why is that?"
The princess paused and opened her mouth to respond before blinking a few times and folding one arm under another, resting her chin onto her hand as if contemplating his query. "Well…" She laughed softly before lowering her hands and smiling in contemplation. "I'm not sure… Well, that's not entirely true. I have a theory."
"Please, elaborate," Cedric suggested as he halved his sandwich.
"Well, you and I are friends." She giggled when he smiled proudly. "But since you're older than I am, though it's not that much, I still like to use a title for you because that's what my mom always taught me to do. I'm kind of like a friend to Baileywick, but I'm more of a princess he has to look after, too. Um…hmm. This is going to be a weird explanation."
"No more so than I naturally would expect."
She laughed again and nodded. "Right. Well, Baileywick kind of has a built-in 'title' I guess. I think it's the 'wick' part… Kind of like if I met a butler named Jeeves, I'd probably just call him 'Jeeves.' It's sort of a natural and accepted title."
He nodded in slight agreement before raising an eyebrow. "But what about your friend Ruby?"
"What about her?"
"She actually called Baileywick 'Mr. Baileywick.' Perhaps, according to your theory, she is being a tad bit redundant then?"
Sofia pondered this before shrugging with a grin. "Maybe she's just not aware of the 'rule.' Of course, I could be making this whole thing up, but I'm not sure, Mr. Cedric. It's the same reason you call me 'Princess Sofia' when we're around people in public." She smiled. "But I like it when you just use my name if it's just you and me. There isn't a barrier between us then."
He smiled at her thoughtful reasoning and nodded. "I've noticed I have a habit of doing that… I wasn't sure you'd caught on or minded."
"Mm-mm, I don't mind at all!"
"And when are you going to call me by just my name?"
She smiled happily. "Well, not any time soon… Besides, I like calling you 'Mr. Cedric,' because I'm the only one who does. It's our thing, I guess—like our not-so-secret secret?"
Cedric actually laughed at that statement as they both returned to their lunches. "Whatever you say, Sofia…"
The end :)
A/N: Another short story! What am I thinking?! Haha. This idea has literally entered my mind several times over the last two years, but it's been far more persistent lately. I didn't know if I was the only one who noticed this or not, but there it is. Sofia also addresses other adults with titles…but not Baileywick. So of course, I had to give some perspective on it! :D All right, I'm off. Until next time, everyone! ~AquaTurquoise