"Happy Birthday, Sofia!"
"I'm so glad you could come. Mr. Cedric!" Sofia greeted in polite "I know how much you hated these parties"
"How could I forget my apprentice's 13th birthday?" Cedric winked as he pulled out his wand and made a spell up above to hail snowflakes from the ceiling
Sofia's eyes gleamed watching this with utmost awe on her face. She then turned to him and gave him a very sweet smile
"Have you noticed something…" Sofia gently tapped her tiara, as it shimmered red with the shiny rubies
In that moment, Cedric grew surprised
"No you didn't!"
"Yes I did!" Sofia bit back with a giggle
"Why would you wear that to your birthday?"
"Because.." Sofia held his hand with hers and looked at him genuinely "You're my best friend, and this is precious to me"
His face grew soft with this, as he held her hands with his. It was the same tiara that he made her from those rubies she made for him back in the day. Cedric then rested his hand on her shoulder realizing this
"And you are also the best friend I've ever had" he smiled at her as he fixes the tiara on her head
"A very happiest birthday to you, Sofia"
.
.
.
Smiling to herself, Sofia wiped her tears away upon seeing Cedric's face that night. The nostalgia had completely taken her aback, made her feel long for those days again
That was her 12th birthday, the same year she had saved everyone in Enchancia and everything else. Sofia and Cedric were still very tight then, that she considered him her best friend. She would come over to his workshop even without lessons or assignments and he would always do some stuff for her as well
Those days were magical… and nice
And… done.
Seven years has already passed, and a lot has happened. She got too busy with school and royal duties and hasn't had time to spend time with him anymore. They would occasionally meet in hallways, but it wasn't as often as before
She watched herself grow up, and so did her distance with Cedric. No longer did they have the usual chats, the fun games at the workshop and the little adventures they had
Instead, she was forced to learn about politics, the duties of a princess and to entertain princes from other kingdoms in consideration of marriage.
And despite how much they try to impress her, they couldn't hold a candle to the magical happiness and joy her Sorcerer had given her. Not even a little bit.
As she finally made her way out of the looking glass, Sofia wiped her tears before meeting Callista who was waiting for her
"Did you find what you were looking for..?" the fifteen year old teenager asked
"Yeah… I did" Sofia looked away in sadness
"Well, I hope you're happy about it!" Callista added as she cheered in joy "It's your birthday after all"
All that thinking almost made Sofia forget. It is her 20th birthday, and everything is in place. A grand ceremony to be held at the castle with everyone in attendance indeed. Lavish lights, colorful dresses and shimmering jewelry..
And yet… the void inside her was still missing something..
A void that can never be filled with jewelry, dresses, tiaras, lavish parties… and everything in existence. She could pretend to indulge herself in those materialistic things… but at the end of the day..
Cedric is still the one her heart longed for the most.
Bitterly, Sofia looked away in agony. They then parted ways as Callista had to go and prepare with some stuffs with her Mother and Sofia has to go and freshen up. But on the way, a certain figure was walking towards her. She knew him well
"P-Princess Sofia…" Cedric stuttered as he respectfully bowed at her "Happy birthday, your highness.."
No longer did his words hold any hint of familiarity and endearment. No longer did it have an essence of genuine and excitement to see her
It was just plain respectful, alongside with his forced smile. They were mere servant and princess now
"Hi.. Cedric" Sofia wanted to reach out for him but he was too far away
Cedric gave a respectful nod before walking away, leaving her behind and staring at nothingness. She turned to him, and it was a cold presence. Her Mr. Ceedric was no longer there and was replaced by a shell of a man this is
"Mr. Ceedric!"
"Child, watch where you're.. dawdling.."
"You're so good at magic, Mr. Ceedric!"
"Thank you, Princess Sofia!"
"See you tomorrow, Mr. Ceedric!"
"Goodnight, Princess Sofia.."
.
.
.
"You're the best, Mr. Ceedric!"
Those memories echoed in her like a lullaby, giving her a semblance of nostalgia with a hint of bitter joy as well. She longed for those days again.
These thoughts managed to reach her deepest emotions that her amulet started glowing, it hasn't done that in a while. Cedric really meant a lot to her, and losing him like this is just as much painful to her
She took him for granted, always assumed he'd be always there for her, assumed they would always be friends forever. But now, he's here… and yet.. he wasn't.
So close… and yet so far away.
.
.
.
She hasn't notice that tears had already fallen on her cheeks, as their distance from each other grew farther and farther. Sofia's longingness for her dear Sorcerer struck her just as much that it pains her seeing the distance already there
Sofia could only stand there and watch as he slowly slips away from her. She wanted to reach out for him but he was too far away now… and it wasn't the same as before. As much as she wants to make everything return back to how they were… a lot is at stake.
Things that are keeping them from being together again, all the responsibilities… the expectations…
.
.
.
"And the Spaces Between Us.."