Back in the ballroom, the king and queen were looking around, along with the royal children and Jane's parents.
Lavinia caught sight of Sofia and Jane. "Sofia! Jane!" She called out.
The girls looked up.
Lavinia ran to them. "Good morning." She smiled.
"Good morning to you, Princess." The girls said together.
Lavinia giggled. She looked to Sofia. "Do you know any more tricks, apart from the flower thing?" She asked.
Jane laughed. "Sofia has many tricks up her sleeve I bet."
Lavinia took Sofia's hand and dragged her towards her parents. "Mummy, daddy!" She said happily.
"Yes, Lavinia?" The king asked, he looked up to Sofia, who bowed in greeting
"Do you want to see some of Sofia's dragon tricks?" She asked excitedly.
Sofia's eyes widened. "Um... I don't think it's the right time-"
"Oh please?" The king put his hands together, he had an excited smile on his face.
Sofia sighed. "Um... may I eat some fire from the hearth first then, your majesty?" She asked.
He nodded.
She went to the large fire at the back of the room and inhaled quite a bit. She went to the royals again. "So, what would you like to see?" She asked.
"Fire! Your sapphire blue flames!" Cuthbert exclaimed.
Sofia thought about what would be safe. "Alright, everyone stand back." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, focusing her magic energy to her core. Fire licked up her hands. She danced in circles, moving her hands around, it looked like she was drawing symbols in the air. Then she stood still, feeling the fire building up within her. She waved her hands up into the air before bringing them together and kneeling to the floor.
Gunther stared at the beautiful blue and purple fire that came from her, then the circle of fire that surrounded her. "I hope this doesn't take too much out of you, pretty Lady Knight." He muttered.
Jester smiled at what he heard. "You should tell her how you feel, Gunther." He whispered.
Gunther glanced towards him. "She'd never return my feelings, I'm happy just watching her at the close distance which I can right now. If I say anything, I could lose her forever."
Jester patted the other man's arm. "I doubt she'd leave your side because of that."
Gunther shrugged. "I dare not risk it."
The room filled with gasps as the circle of fire grew higher around the girl.
Then out from the flames, appeared a dragon, made up of the flames. It had black scales and blue eyes. Just like from the story Sofia told Lavinia.
Sofia gave a roar, resulting in the dragon copying the action, before the flames died down into nothing.
Everyone applauded as she stood up and walked slowly over to the royals.
"That was stunning, Lady Sofia!" The queen smiled down at her.
She bowed. "Thank you, my dear Queen." She knelt in front of Lavinia, showing her a flame in her hand before putting it close to her face and blowing.
The flame turned into fluttering blue and purple butterflies. Lavinia cheered and danced around.
Sofia stood again. "If I may be excused, there's still a bit of preparation to do before tonight." She bowed.
The king and queen bowed their heads in respect and took the children out of the ballroom.
Lady Turnkey walked up to Jane. "Have you got a ball gown, Jane?" She asked.
Jane smiled widely. "Yes, it is amazing." She shot a look towards Sofia who was making her way over to Jester, Smithy and Gunther.
Gunther had a smile on his face that Jane had gotten used to seeing when he was with the blue-eyed maiden.
"Jane. Who will be escorting you?" Lady Turnkey interrupted her daughter's thoughts.
"Jester offered."
"Could you not find no better?"
Jane scowled. "There is no better than the man I love, mother." At that she stormed off towards her friends.
Sofia had heard what was said. She leaned in to whisper. "That's the way to tell her."
Jane blushed. "You're worse than Dragon for eavesdropping."
"Oh, well we are quite alike."
"That was quite the show, Lady Knight." Jester grinned. "Was that black dragon you?"
Sofia nodded. "I basically projected my soul into the fire, and it formed my true self. It was great for scaring trespassers away back in my forest." She snorted.
"Well your dragon form is quite magnificent." He said.
She smiled. "Thank you, Jester."
Gunther tapped her shoulder.
She turned to him. "Hmm?"
"How are you feeling? That was a lot of magic." He added.
"My fire doesn't use much. I'm fine."
He nodded. "Good. Well it was beautiful."
She grinned.
Jane and Jester shared a look, and a smirk.
