Disclaimer; I own nothing.
This is a one-shot based on the song Love Story by Taylor Swift, it is also a continuation from the previous chapter titled To Be a Princess.
Italics are song lyrics, Bold and underlined is memories.
Enjoy.
~'o'O'o'~
After the raid on the palace during her 16th birthday when she emerged into the ballroom covered in blood with a bloody sword and her tutor dressed like a knight right by her side she still had an air of grace about her as she asked everyone if they were alright.
Everyone saw that not only was Sofia a delicate Princess but she had the heart of a valiant Prince.
Her parents weren't very pleased with the action at first moment but when they saw she was alright and heard her tale of her bravery to save the castle and how much her tutor taught her.
But she held her grace standing in her father's office she was still covered in blood but she held her hands clasped delicately in front of her and held a low voice like a Princess should as she told her tale.
She was excused for a bath and she worried as she was bathed under a waterfall in the hidden hot springs on the Palace grounds.
Cedric had help from Prince James in getting the armor off all the while James was gushing with praise at how awesome his sister was and how amazing Cedric was for teaching her.
Though Cedric merely smiled and kindly waved off his praise for nothing more than his duty to not only teach and educate but also protect Princess Sofia.
Sofia and Cedric returned to her Father's study to receive his verdict.
They stood side by side in fresh clothes and slowly drying hair.
Roland tapped on his desk not looking at them with a scowl on his face while Miranda merely found her hands more interesting as she looked at them fidgeting where she sat behind Roland.
"I cannot say that I am entirely pleased with this, a Princess' duty is to stand there and look pretty." Roland scowled still not looking at them.
Cedric and Sofia said nothing.
"I have it in my right mind to give you a proper tutor Sofia, you've obviously passed Amber in the Princess behavior department so you no longer need a tutor to teach you the basics, I think lessons under Winifred would suit you better," Roland admitted seeming rather angry.
Cedric stayed silent, as is his place not to argue with the King, but stiffened when Sofia spoke.
"Father?" She called him out delicately like a Princess.
"Yes?" he asked finally looking at her.
"You promised." She reminded him making Cedric go wide eyed and looked over up past his eyelashes.
Roland tilted his chin up to look at her and thought for a moment.
"I did, didn't I?" he said turning his body to the desk and put his forehead in his hands.
They both watched him as he sighed.
"I know I made a promise Sofia but sometimes a King must break a promise if it means for the greater good." Roland demurred.
"Very Well then." She said making Cedric downhearted again while he felt a flutter in his heart that made him curious.
"Then I claim my right under the law of Enchancia as 3rd heir to the throne I claim my rights under clause 8 subtext 5." She called out taking her stance, making everyone in the room look up in shock.
"What is that?" Roland bemused opening his desk to look for the official law book of Enchancia.
"It states under the Royal Law of Enchancia that as my right as 3rd heir to the throne I can claim my official rights as an individual Royalty, I am of age now and b Law I can make my own decisions regarding my well being, such as I choose what to eat, what to drink, what to wear, where I go, what I do, whom I see, and who I choose to teach me. Though as King you do have the right to make suggestions, however, in the end, it is my choice." She challenged him.
Roland held a slack jaw and slumped back in his chair, he was thinking over what she had challenged.
"I don't wish to fight with you Father but I still truly believe that Cedric is the best choice for me, I still have much to learn and as you saw we pretty much owe Cedric our Kingdom and our lives, if it hadn't been for his great teaching and planning skills we would most likely be dead and our Kingdom overthrown." She said motioning to the head bowing tutor whose neck would have felt stiff if he wasn't used to such stretching.
"I agree with Sofia, Roland," Miranda stated coming up to him.
Roland looked up at his wife.
"Sofia is right, he taught Sofia and if it hadn't been for your threat and scolding he wouldn't have left and Sofia wouldn't have followed him, we owe him a lot. Especially an apology and a thank you." Miranda said with a calm smile.
Roland thought over all of this new information then stood up.
"Very well, Cedric you will continue being Sofia's tutor and that is all I have to say about this matter for now." He said waving his hand making them rush out.
Sofia had a grasp of his hand and hurried into a secluded hallway until they were alone for her to wrap her arms around his neck, he was quick to let out a laugh and wrap his arms around her waist then swing her around at her momentum.
He set her down and she brushed his shoulders straight from her actions.
"We did great Mr. Cedric." She quietly praised squeezing him and loving the feeling of his arms around her waist, Cedric felt his pants tighten at the feeling of her breasts pressed up against his chest.
"You were great, Princess." He purred in her ear.
She released him and kept in close proximity though neither noticed that she was still in his arms while her hands squeezed his forearms.
"Don't let Father worry you he was testing me." She said noticing the dishevelment of his clothes and began to wipe her hands over his shoulders smoothing down the kinks.
"He what?" Cedric asked bemusedly.
"He has been testing each of us since we turn 15 it's his way of finding his heir to decide which of us is not only worthy enough royally but also personally if we are strong enough he will name one of us his heir." She explained still smiling while picking at a piece of lint from his jacket.
He felt his heart race more at her movements to touch him, he was mesmerized at her inner strength and how powerful of a Princess she was.
He watched her in a daze barely recognizing her words, he was completely entranced.
"Mr. Cedric?" She asked seeing his red face and glazed eyes, however, she didn't see it coming when he crashed his lips against hers.
~'o'O'o'~
Age 17
Though never spoken of Sofia and Cedric kept up a small relationship.
Now an official adult her father made his approval for her to make her own decisions as an adult.
Sofia made a decision that put Cedric in charge of everything while she handled her Princess duties he took over her well-being, though technically it was her duty to watch over it she was still getting used to being an adult and having full range of choices, so she made it publicly known she trusted her tutor to take the reigns when it came to her person.
Cedric felt happy that she did, he now wore a longer purple robe with her crest as well as an official badge giving not only his title but rank as well, he began to compliment his looks with a slicking back his hair, getting older he now had to wear glasses.
At first, he felt ashamed of himself for what he did to the Princess and felt the need to fall to the floor and beg for forgiveness but when she pulled him back and laced his arms around her waist again he felt the need to melt.
"Good Morning Princess." He said clicking open his pocket watch as he looked over the sleeping Princess.
She turned over to face the windows where he stood, her natural beauty highlighted by the glow of the sunrise.
Her eyelids colored pink, lashes flared, cheeks blushed, lips plumped with a kissable pink, and hair flaring about her in calm auburn curls, all naturally colored showing her obvious Princess look of beauty.
She moaned wanting to stay in bed, but Cedric knew what it took to make her get up.
He carefully sat down on the bed tenderly leaning over her to brush a lock of hair over her ear, rubbed his nose against hers before dragging it along her cheek bring them closer together, she moaned again in satisfaction but groaning at the need for what she really wanted.
Still half asleep he figured but he wasn't going to give into her just yet, he racked his fingers over her arm then along her waist making her chuckle a little before going over her hip then down her leg just over the covers.
She giggled and rubbed her face into her pillows, he was still rubbing his nose against her cheek making her try to seek out his lips while his hand trailed back up her leg to the edge of the covers carefully slipping his hand underneath letting it explore her body.
Sofia moaned when her lips grazed his until she was bolted awake by sudden pain.
"OWWuch." She hollered into her pillow as Cedric pulled his pinching fingers from her fat cells of her bottom to toss the covers off of her.
"Time to get up Princess, Tonight is your Father's Birthday Ball and you have a full day schedule to keep." He said standing up from the bed as he looked at his watch again.
Sofia grumbled looking up at him through scrunched eyes and a contorted face of misery, while he just deviously smiled at her through the corner of his eyes.
She grumbled rubbing her head against her pillow before slinking to the side of the bed wanting to remember the soft feeling of her pillow throughout the day until she could return to them that night.
Cedric had a towel ready by the basin while she washed her face and brushed her teeth, then they went to the closet, she no longer needed the assistance of a maid so Cedric waited outside of the closet while Sofia put on her pantalettes and slip.
Cedric heard the familiar knock telling him it's safe to come in, Sofia was in the middle of braiding her long hair while he grabbed the corset she walked over to the pole as he reached around her waist to pull it tight against her form, Sofie tied off her hair just in time to hold her hands on her waist keeping the corset in place while he laced the strings.
Cedric being at the age of 23, he was still unsure about the current status of relationship that was going on between him and his Princess, but for the moment he didn't care, he would enjoy this infatuation until it was time that he give her over to her husband for her to get married.
She grasped the pole to keep herself steady as he began jerking the strings of her corset making the blasted thing tight to get her properly dressed for a Princess, Sofia kept gasping at the feeling of being tightened until she felt a squish.
"Ow" She lightly said making him stop he knew what the pain was, he didn't watch but felt her move as she reached in the corset to resettle her large breasts into the proper position for a proper lift.
"Ok." She said putting her hands back on her waist as he continued tightening her corset, he always hated the blasted thing and how uncomfortable it made her.
He finished the lacings and tied it off.
"Alright all done." He said letting her take a deep breath and relax.
She put her hand over her tightened stomach as she walked over to her vanity and sat down, Cedric pulled a generous gown of lavender silk from her shelves and matching shoes, she needn't wear makeup in his opinion however since he was merely a servant his opinion didn't matter, though he was glad she did very little in terms of actual makeup.
He natural beauty shined as always but the only thing she ever truly needed was a swiping of eyeliner with a wing tip, her sister always insisted on it, then with a brushing of face powder Sofia was shined to perfection of a Princess.
Cedric came up to her laying the gown over an empty table before kneeling in front of her, he pulled her beautiful but dainty feet with purple toenails up so he could slip on the lavender satin heels with cross straps, tying the straps in place around her ankle before he moved on to the other.
The heel was a meager 2 inches and thicker than his wrist, they shined perfectly against her porcelain skin, he stood up just as she finished her face powder, he grabbed the gown and bundled it while she held up her arms and slid the gown over her head.
She looked back at her mirror as Cedric did up the laces and zipper at the back of the gown while Sofia took a few pins and wrapped the braid into an intricate bun.
Cedric wrapped his arm around her neck to pull around a purple satin ribbon and tied it with a plum colored cameo while she put in her earrings.
As lovely as any Princess would admire and want to be.
After her 16th birthday, a reputation had been passed around to the point that Sofia wasn't just Princess Sofia the first, they called her the Rose of Enchancia, as beautiful and delicate like a flower but with thorns that can tear your skin if not careful.
Not only did her reputation begin that night but the many suitors that were putting in for her courtship had pulled out, not very many Princes would be happy about having a bride that constantly challenged their masculinity.
"Father said another suitor has pulled out of the drawing for my hand." She explained as he clipped on a gold bracelet while her nails dried.
"How many do you have left?" he asked looking her over one more time to check if anything was out of place.
"2 I believe, I know one is Prince Hugo, father likes him but I'm not so sure he has an arrogance about him." She replied as he gave her a smile and a nod making her look back at her perfect reflection that barely matched her inside.
"And the other?" He asked helping her to stand from the vanity and followed her out of the closet.
"I'm not sure, Father said the man who is offering his son is an old friend. But Father wants me to make my decision. Though I have to be careful about choosing since I am not allowed to meet this other suitor." She stated as the maids came in to begin cleaning her room.
"Youll do fine Princess. I have faith in you. However something you should try to mull over in the meantime." he said as they entered the sitting room as she sat at her writing desk while he pulled out his textbook.
"And what's that Mr. Cedric." She said returning to their Student-Teacher positions."
"Try thinking about the old friends of your fathers, think about who would want to put forth their son without you meeting them for a while." he said looming over her, while the maids scurried out finished with her room and ready to leave them to her studies.
She smiled and leaned back against her chair arms folding over her chest and giving him a devious look. "I already have." She smirked at him making him kneel down in front of her again barely brushing her chin forward as he breathed against her mouth "That's my girl." He said before pressing his lips to hers.
~'o'O'o'~
We were both young when I first saw you.
I close my eyes and the flashback starts:
I'm standing there on a balcony in summer air.
Age 21
Sofia was officially of marrying age and she had chosen her future husband.
She and Cedric both had confronted her father in his study asking for his permission.
Roland stared dumbstruck at them both.
Cedric was sweating as his spine was stiff with nervousness, he had been teaching and preparing Sofia since she arrived at the palace, though only a few years had passed since they had begun their courting but Cedric wasn't expecting for Sofia to ask for him to request her hand in marriage.
Roland shouted so loud the entire palace heard his anger, sending both Sofia and Cedric running.
Sofia stood on her balcony feeling the summer breeze, she had been confined to her room by order of King Roland he was basically taking charge of her now that she couldn't be trusted.
And neither could Cedric he had also been confined to his rooms in the servants quarters awaiting judgement of whether he was fired or going to be reassigned, after Roland had calmed down.
Both of them closed their eyes remembering when they first met.
"Good Marrow, I'm Sofia." She said with her best curtsy, Cedric looked down at the young Princess Consort he noted all of the things that needed to be fixed for her to be a proper princess.
"And to you as well Princess Sofia." He said kneeling before her and shocking Sofia with a kiss to her hand.
Cedric remembered the uncomfortable looking girl that was used to life as a peasant and is now suddenly a Princess, she was such a cute country bumpkin at the time but he saw how much she changed into the educated Princess she is today.
Cedric opened his eyes and filled his spirit with determination.
~'o'O'o'~
See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns.
See you make your way through the crowd
And say, "Hello."
Little did I know...
Sofia's 18th birthday party was made an intense and fantastic affair.
Sofia and Cedric planned everything themselves.
A majestic Masquerade ball. the ballroom was decorated to the very length of its capability and no expense was spared.
Sofia was conversing with friends when she felt eyes on her.
"Sofia Prince Charming is coming our way." Amber gossiped with glee.
Sofia turned just as the tall, dark, and handsome masked man stood before her, he watched her as he bowed and held out his hand for her to take.
Sliding her delicate hand in his calloused one sent a jolt of calming electricity through her, her long lavender gown sashayed around her as she spun full towards him while he gently led her out to the dance floor.
His Plum colored suit and black hair made him look so mysterious while his eyes were enticing, he grasped her waist to pull her close while her other hand laid along his shoulder.
The music then swept them off as she followed his lead, he was a marvelous dancer, though he never spoke his movements and the way he caressed her made her heart melt.
He dipped her letting her fall under his spell entrancing her with his gaze and smirk, he felt so familiar but she was sure they had never met, what made him seem even more dangerous was that Cedric was nowhere to be seen making her all alone in case of danger with this stranger and that made her excitement double while she was in his grasp, he made her feel safe while feeling so dangerous at the same time.
Still not talking she just watched him and flirted with her eyes like they were seducing each other with just their gazes.
He grasped 2 glasses of the pink champagne and held one out for her then with a gentle clink they watched each other as the gracefully drank.
The night went on, never speaking but just letting their actions do the talking from strolling along the garden fountain (with chaperones) to endlessly dancing the night away, they never even noticed other people were there.
2 in the morning the guests were leaving and the man still had said nothing but placing a chaste kiss on her hand before he left with all the other guests.
Sofia dream danced in a trance all the way to her room everyone saw the starstruck look in her eyes so no one bothered her, then when she arrived at her room she spun in circles dreaming of her handsome stranger until she fell back first onto her bed and sighed in happiness until she remembered.
"Oh man, I didn't catch his name." She cursed herself sitting up and reaching to undo her gown until a clicking noise on her window caught her attention.
She sauntered up to the window to look down and see her mystery man standing below with a handful of pebbles which he dropped when he saw her then bowed challenging her to come out and join him.
Which she did, she grabbed a lantern and quietly rushed through the palace and out to the gardens until she was in his presence once again.
~'o'O'o'~
That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles,
And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet."
And I was crying on the staircase
Begging you, "Please don't go."
And I said...
Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting; all that's left to do is run.
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess,
It's a love story, baby, just say "Yes".
The news had reached both of them, Sofia was on the staircase just outside of the palace crying as she watched Cedric's carriage roll away.
Roland had made his decision final a Princess doesn't marry a servant, he had tried to go up to Sofia to coddle her but she pushed him away.
"I am to be Queen I don't need your coddling, father." She growled out at him then gracefully stormed up to her room.
She flung herself on her bed and began to weep until a crinkling made her look up it was a letter.
"Dearest Sofia,
I am afraid my better judgment makes me follow protocol.
I'm sorry my Love I cannot run away with you.
But I do Promise we will see each other again,
For we belong together, I will fight for you
Please wait for me, I couldn't bare it if I lost you
All my love,
Cedric."
Sofia cried even harder on her bed, she wanted him there to hug her and tell her everything was alright, but it wasn't she was alone and worse she was engaged.
The family friends that she had never met and their son was who she was engaged to, Not Cedric, not the love of her life.
~'o'O'o'~
So I sneak out to the garden to see you.
We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew
So close your eyes,
Escape this town for a little while.
Oh, oh.
Sofia had led the way to her secret garden holding the hand of her mystery man then when they had arrived she turned on the lantern and was met with the sight of him pulling off his mask to reveal the familiar silver bangs.
Sofia set the lantern down on a rock and flung herself into his arms making them fall on the soft grass.
Once again they didn't speak but just let their actions speak for them, Cedric held her close while his lips danced with hers, an intimate setting highly inappropriate but absolutely delicious.
Both kept their virginities and dignities intact when they left at dawn but wishing they could stay there together forever.
~'o'O'o'~
'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter,
And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet."
But you were everything to me,
I was begging you, "Please don't go."
And I said...
Cedric stood with his head bowed in defeat letting King Roland scream at him.
Cedric just took the harsh words from his King even having to deal with him saying that he was fired and to never come near Sofia again.
The very thought of never seeing Sofia again made Cedric tear up, but he kept his propriety about him.
Then on his way out of the office after 2 hours, he had to tell Sofia to which she cried begging him not to go, but they were separated and to see her practically dragged off and the thought that it might have been the last time he saw her he wanted to scream.
'Oh if only I was a sorcerer.' He thought to himself as guards escorted him to his room to pack. 'Then I would use my magic to take over the Kingdom.'
~'o'O'o'~
Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting; all that's left to do is run.
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess.
It's a love story, baby, just say "Yes".
Romeo, save me. They're trying to tell me how to feel.
This love is difficult but it's real.
Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess.
It's a love story, baby, just say "Yes".
Sofia kept sneaking out to her secret garden to meet with Cedric just as themselves, no titles or duties.
They were just two people wanting to enjoy each others time together and get to know the other on an intimate level but without the sex.
This time they met with an embrace of loving devotion and need to never wanting to be separated, Sofia cried into his shirt as Cedric held her close.
"Let's run away, Cedric, please. I can live without the royal life but I can't live without you." Sofia begged between sobs.
He held her close to sniff her lavender scented hair.
"There is nothing that I would want more than sweep you away from this all." He explained making Sofia look up at him with those doe eyes filled with disappointment.
"But you love your family and your Kingdom. I can't be selfish and neither can you." He said bringing her in for a tearful kiss.
"My mother tried being a mom and listened to our story but she just said it was nothing more than a child's fantasy about love and I don't know what real love is." She tried still crying.
"I know and I'm sorry, But I promise we will get through this together and we come out stronger." He said brushing her tears over her rosy cheeks.
~'o'O'o'~
Cedric snuck through the castle until he made it back to Roland's office, he knew what to do and to say.
He knocked on the door and was called to come in.
He stood tall and proud as he entered and closed the door behind him giving them privacy for their chat.
~'o'O'o'~
I got tired of waiting
Wondering if you were ever coming around.
My faith in you was fading
When I met you on the outskirts of town.
And I said...
Waiting on the balcony Cedric came around with a smile making Sofia smile as she raced down to meet with him.
"Where have you been? I feel so alone since you were fired." She cried into his chest, it had been so long since she had smelled his scent and now she is surrounded in it once again with his strong warm arms pulling her close.
"I'm sorry Sofia, but I had many things to do." He whispered into her hair missing her the entire time he was working.
"What do we do now? I dont know what to do anymore. Dad has made me his heir to the throne, so I am being groomed to be Queen, but wihtout my tutor." SHe said looking up at his smiling face while he stroked her face loving being back together again.
~'o'O'o'~
Romeo, save me. I've been feeling so alone.
I keep waiting for you, but you never come.
Is this in my head? I don't know what to think.
He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said...
"Don't worry Sofia. I have fixed everything." He said releasing her to grasp her hands before kneeling and pulled out a delicate ring of silver with a purple gem to match her amulet.
Sofia blushed and cried with a huge smiled and listened to his loving words.
Marry me, Juliet, you'll never have to be alone.
I love you, and that's all I really know.
I talked to your dad – go pick out a white dress
It's a love story, baby, just say "Yes".
Sofia squealed a yes making Cedric slip the ring on her finger.
He spun her around with a kiss as their worries flew out of their heads so thatthey can enjoy their time together now.