Cedric sighed, his hand already was beginning to tire as he gently licked the fence with the white painted brush. Luckily for him, it was already early afternoon and noon has passed
If he was to do this in the middle of noon, he would've lost his marbles for sure. And so for now, the only thing he was focusing of was to finish the work that he was doing
But as he glances over the entirety of the fences, he could only grimace in defeat and exhaustion. He hated working before everything, and this was absolutely not how he wanted to spend his afternoon
And to add to that… he also had to paint the other side.
"Hello Mr. Ceedric" Just as he was about to throw a tantrum, a certain cheery voice from nearby caught his attention. It was the princess herself
"Hello Sofia" he greeted in a passive tone with no enthusiasm at all
"What are you doing?" She scooted closer with her hands on her back
"Painting?" Sofia wondered as she glances over the wood fences that he was painting on "The entire fence?"
"Yeah.."
"Can't you just use magic?"
"What a bright girl indeed, why haven't I thought of that one!" the manchild sarcastically thought to himself as he stared her down
"I was instructed to use magic to do all of this but… you know" he looked away before finishing his statement
"but what?" she leaned in closer in curiosity
There was no way he was gonna tell her how he screwed up and almost splurged the entire castle into a white paint.
"Well.. I just like to paint them myself.. you know" he came up with an answer "It's more fun that way…"
"hmm.. really?" Sofia looked interested and Cedric took notice of this
In that moment, a certain bright idea came to him. As he thought of this, a sinister smile reached his face
"Well.. you get to show your creativity.. and artistic skills doing this" He uttered as he drew a flower and an apple with the brush which made Sofia cheer in delight
"And you don't get to paint everyday… you know" He eyed her on the corner of his eyes to make the insinuation more effective. And she was indeed thinking about it
"And then you get gratifaction!"
"Gratifaction?" she repeated, quite very interested in the word
"Yeah. Gratifaction" he smiled in response. He then turned to her "It's when you have so much fun that you don't consider something a chore"
"really.." As Sofia watches him, an uneasy expression grazed on her face. Biting her lip, her hand also mimics Cedric's movement on painting the fences
Seeing this, Cedric knew he finally got her. As he then proceeded to paint the fences in a more amorous and lively manner this time. He drew all kinds of shapes and objects with the brush which would be appealing – and to add to this, he was also humming a melody to add more to the supposedly "fun" time he's having
After just a few seconds, his finest moment finally came
"Can I also have a turn?"
Bingo. Cedric was smiling internally at this. He knew he finally baited the princess into doing his work. He glances at the nearby tree and couldn't help but imagine how nice it would be to take a nap underneath it
But he had to bait her even more so it wouldn't be obvious
"Eh.. I don't know, Sofia. This seems way more complex than you think" He picked up the bucket and turned the other way
Sofia, now desperate, ran in front of Cedric with her pleading eyes "Come on, Mr. Ceedric.. Just a couple of licks?"
"Meh.. okay" Cedric then handed her the brush as he moved the bucket to her. Seeing this, a big smile immediately fixed on Sofia's lips
"Thank you so much!" she cheered
Cedric didn't respond as he made his way to the shade underneath the tree. A sinister expression already on his face as the overwhelming satisfaction of finessing Sofia has come to him
As he laid on the ground and watched Sofia happily painting the fences, he couldn't help but smile. The girl was as innocent and kind as ever… and she didn't hesitate to talk to him too
Realizing this, a wave of comfort soon followed unto him as he felt his eyelids slowly relaxing. And in a matter of time, he finally fell into slumber..
~x X x~
It was already dark when Cedric woke up from his long nap. He intended it to be just a mere nap but it became an entire slumber. The sun was already set and crickets already buzzed the place
As he sat up, he notices he was actually covered in a blanket. If it wasn't for that, he would definitely itching all over. And he already knew who put him in it
Thinking of her, he remembered of the fences. He turned to it, and notices that it was already painted white without any hint of lapses. Cedric was visibly impressed by this – even the back was also done excellently
From a corner, he notices a small writing that says "Painted by Mr. Ceedric and Sofia".
"That girl I swear" Cedric gently grazes over the carvings as a smile fixes on her lips. When she does stuffs like this, it makes him want to appreciate her
But perhaps another day, because he was gonna retire to the tower now to get a proper sleep. Going through the entrance and walking the halls, Cedric realizes he might as well thank Sofia for what she's done
As he was finally halfway to her room, a certain blonde princess approached him from behind "Cedric, where do you think you're going?"
"Uhhh to Sofia's.."
Amber shook his head sideways "Nah-uh, Sofia's pretty tired and resting right now. Perhaps it can wait some other day"
Hearing this brought surprise to his face "S-she was?"
She nodded "It was late afternoon when she immediately went to her room and skipped dinner because she was so tired. Sofia only said she played too much and needed to rest"
"S-She's that exhausted..?" Cedric stuttered
"It seems so.." Amber hummed sadly "Do you know what she was doing that made her that worn out?"
"Sorry no time to talk, Amber" Cedric uttered to himself as he ran off from that conversation and ran outside without stopping. All of this happened because of him..
He darned himself.. darned himself for letting such a little girl do his work, knowing she was just a girl. He exploited her, took advantage of her kindness… just because he got lazy and didn't want to do his responsibility
He was such an awful jerk for letting this happen. He was the worst
He doesn't deserve such a nice and sweet girl like Sofia.
He was never gonna do something like this again.
Landing back on the ground, Cedric slicked his hair back with thoughts on his mind. He messed up, but perhaps he could still make amends about it. There was an idea on his mind that could compensate, but he had no skills in it whatsoever
Regardless, he was gonna do anything for Sofia.
~x X x~
A certain series of knocks wake her up from her rest as Sofia rubs her eyes. As she opened her eyes, she realizes that the knocks were coming from the window and not from the door
"Sofia.. it's me.."
"Mr…. Ceedric?" Sofia hopped out of bed without hesitation and opened her window "Are you okay? Did something happen?"
The cold breeze of the evening wind made it chilly for her, but the aroma of whatever Cedric was holding in his hands was making her feel better.
"I should be asking you that.." he responded, holding the hot bowl of soup for her to take
"I… heard you didn't have dinner so.. I made you this" Cedric looked away, clearly still conflicted of guilt of what he did
She accepted the bowl and laid it down next to the table. But instead of surveying the bowl, Sofia grew more concerned of Cedric "Did something happen?" she leaned in closer "Come in, let's talk about it.."
"Sofia.." he finally looked at her with clear guilt in his eyes "I'm.. terribly sorry for what I did.."
"I'm a jerk, and I shouldn't have done that" he bowed his head saying this. He couldn't look her in the eye no more
Sofia bit her lip and moved closer "I should thank you really.."
He raises his head quick upon hearing this
"What"
Sofia smiled and giggled a little bit "It's just like you said, Mr. Ceedric. Gratication" She started mimicking the brushing motion yet again from muscle memory "I had so much fun painting that I forgot that I don't mind being exhausted"
"T-That's the thing.. Sofia. Gratication isn't a real thing" Cedric did not even try to even consider uttering another lie to her "I just invented it so.. you will take my place and do the work for me"
And just like that, Sofia's smile slowly fades away as looks at him visibly shattered "Y-You lied to me..?"
Cedric looked away in guilt and nodded
Biting her lip, she was hurt of what she just heard him say. But seeing his face hurt was hurting her too.
"I'd understand if you'd hate me for this and never talk to me again, Sofia. I just wanna apologize to you before that happens.."
Not being able to talk to him again was worse than everything. She was not gonna let this happen
"Well.. you told me the truth in the end so… It doesn't matter that much.." she moves closer and held his hand with hers "And I appreciate you for having courage and saying it to me. I know you're not very good at these things, Mr. Ceedric"
Cedric grew flustered. She should be angry with him at least. She should stop being nice to him, he didn't deserve it. But when she's looking at him like this… it was like a way of her telling him everything is gonna be okay
And her smile… he wanted to keep this smile on her lips forever
"Do me a favor though, Mr. Ceedric"
Cedric looked at her "Anything.."
"No more secrets.. and no more lies.." For a second there, she looked hurt. But he held her hand tightly to let her know he was there for her
"Okay?" she smiled at him
"No more lies and no more secrets." Cedric said with serious expression
"You promise" Sofia asked softly
"I promise." Hearing this, Sofia reached out her pinky finger to do a promise with him. Seeing this, Cedric didn't even think twice to do the same, officially forming an oath to the stars and beyond that he was gonna treat her much better after tonight
"Pinky Swear.. Sofia."
"That's better~" Sofia gleamed
Noticing the aroma from the soup he made, she turned to him "Did you make this?"
"Uhh.. yeah.."
"But I thought you hated cooking.."
"I do… but I have to make something for you" his words there somehow caused a certain feeling of rush inside Sofia. He was thinking of her and she could squeal in joy of the idea of that
"oh.. okay" For some reason, she was acting shy
"Can you do me another favor though.." she played with her fingers as she looked away
Cedric turned to her "What's up?" now noticing up close, he realizes her cheeks have turned red
"Sofia, are you okay?"
"I am… but.." She playfully twisted the auburn curls on her shoulders this time "I would… really appreciate it if…" she was stuttering now for some reason, and she could barely look him in the eye
"You can.. f-feed me and all.." she finally breathed
"Feed you?" Cedric puzzled
Sofia nodded slowly as he looked away also rather quickly. Her legs were weak now and so, she sat on her bed
Cedric smiled as he took the bowl and pulled a chair from the table. He sat down and scooped a portion of the soup and blew it slowly first
"Say ahh.." Cedric whispered, which Sofia found really cute and adorable. He was taking care of her. And without hesitation, she opened her mouth to accept the spoonful
"I'm sorry it isn't as good.." He scratched his arm saying this
"It's per-fect~" Sofia chimed softly with her eyes closed munching the soup in her mouth. Cedric specifically made this for her and she didn't care how it tasted, she absolutely loves it. Seeing this brought a smile on Cedric's face as he scooped another spoonful to her
"Another one?"
"Please and thank you!" Sofia said without hesitation and scooped the spoon with her mouth
That evening was bliss, as Sofia and Cedric enjoyed each other's company lit by the moon and stars above. It was the evening Cedric has decided to change his ways throughout and to never even think of making Sofia sad again.
No riches, no power and no amulet can equal the joy that Sofia gives him, and her genuine smile that just makes everything better.
As long as that smile stays on her face, then Cedric would be there for her no matter what~
~ d~