So, in this story Hugo is about the same age as Sofia (15) and Axel is around 18, like Amber and James. Also, it's come to my attention that I failed to let you guys know who Mercy is. She's Minimus's daughter and Sofia's new horse since he died a few years ago. Thanks for reviewing!


Chapter Two: A Proposal

Sofia walked down to breakfast with a skip in her step. Her plain blue dress hit her mid-shin and was covered with her purple jacket. Her brown hair was pulled into a simple braid down her back and her pink amulet rested right over her heart. Black boots were tied tightly to her feet and her hand was carrying her purple bag filled with anything and everything she might need, including the umbrella her Aunt Tilly had given her just before she died.

James was already in the dining room, shoveling pancakes into his mouth as he read an official document. When James turned fourteen he began to help his father with his work, so that he would be prepared for his reign. And, ever since, James had become a more responsible and a more stressful prince.

Amber was absent from breakfast but that didn't surprise Sofia. After any big party she stayed in bed all day, sleeping of all the wine she had drank the night before. Sofia just hoped she hadn't done anything too crazy last night.

Sofia sat in her seat and began to eat her pancakes when the door opened and Baileywick entered, walking unusually fast. But Sofia didn't notice. She was too busy mentally writing out how she would explain to Charles that his mother was dying.

"Princess Sofia," Baileywick called. "Your mother and father request your presence in the King's private study."

"Oh. Okay. Thank you," Sofia said as she stood up. Curiosity and a slight bit of nervousness raced through her veins. Why would both her parents need to see her? And in her father's private study? Did they know about last night? Would they blame her?

Sofia slowly pushed open the grand oak door and entered the study. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with records and history. A portrait hung on the back wall, a painting of the man sitting behind the grand oak desk in the middle of the room. Sofia's father, King Roland II. Next to him, sitting in a slightly less fancy chair, was his beautiful wife, Sofia's mother, Queen Miranda.

"Mom, Dad," Sofia began, walking into the room slowly, "what's going on?" The answer to her question stood up.

"Hello again, princess," Prince Axel said in his snooty tone as he rose from one of the two chairs facing Sofia's parents. Sofia gaped for a moment before she remembered what was expected of her. She dipped into a low curtsy.

"Hello again, Prince Axel. How…odd to see you here so early in the morning," Sofia responded, silently praying for a way out.

"Well, I like to get going as soon as the sun rises," Axel responded, a smirk on his face. Sofia wondered why he wasn't in bed with a headache, especially since he had mostly likely had more to drink then Amber. Then she realized that he must drink very often. Disgust curdled the milk sloshing around in her stomach.

"I guess we should inform the young princess of the purpose of your visit, Prince Axel," Roland suggested. Axel smiled and sat down again. Sofia perched on the seat next to him, extremely uncomfortable.

"Prince Axel has come to ask for your hand in marriage, Sofia," Miranda told her slowly, as if afraid the news may knock her over. And it nearly did. Sofia gasped and lost all air in her lungs. Sweat began to bead on her face and pink stained her cheeks.

"What?" she gasped.

"He believes the marriage would benefit both countries," Roland said. "That we could finally be trade partners."

"But…But I'm only fifteen," Sofia protested, still trying to wrap her head around it all. Marriage. To Axel! This had to be a dream. A nightmare.

"I've known village girls who got married at thirteen. You should count yourself lucky," Axel told her, his lustful eyes sweeping over her body. Goosebumps erupted on her flesh.

"Sofia, I understand it is a lot to take in, but be reasonable," Roland began.

"Reasonable!" Sofia shouted, "You said I would never have to enter an arranged marriage! That I could marry for love!"

"Yes, but-" Roland began again.

"What about Amber! She's an actual princess!" Sofia interrupted.

"We suggested that but Prince Axel will only take you," Miranda said, silencing her daughter.

"And if I don't get you then I'm afraid I will have no choice but to invade Enchancia. You do have the best farm land," Axel inputted.

"You…would invade our kingdom. Just because of me," Sofia gasped.

"Yes. And I would win. Amalgamate's military is much larger than Enchancia's," Axel replied smugly. Sofia gulped. "And this really is the best offer you're going to get. You're only a village girl, despite the pretty jewels on your head."

"I…I…I," Sofia stuttered as she struggled for words.

"I can see I've left you speechless," Axel said triumphantly.

"Prince Axel, could you please give us a moment to speak alone?" Roland requested, smothering his anger.

"Of course. I shall be waiting outside in your gardens," Axel said, winked at Sofia, and left the room. Roland collapsed in his chair while Sofia let her silent tears fall.

"Honey, I'm so sorry. You don't have to marry him," Miranda said and walked around the desk to kneel before her daughter. She stroked her hair and Sofia leaned into the embrace. "I promise, we'll find another way."

"No, Mom," Sofia stated firmly and pulled back. She wiped her eyes and looked at her dad, determination straightening her spine. "Axel is right. We would lose if Amalgamate's army attacked us. Our military is not equipped to stop theirs. This is the only way to preserve the peace."

"Sofia," Miranda started.

"It's my duty as a princess," Sofia interrupted. Roland nodded, proud and relived.

"I will fetch Prince Axel and we will make it official," he said and stood. "But I am so sorry that peace has to come at the cost of your happiness." Then he left. Miranda petted her daughter's hands.

"You'll be well provided for. Amalgamate is a lovely kingdom, with fantastic tournaments, and ice rinks," Miranda babbled to fill the silence. "And I'll only be a carriage ride away, if you need anything. And of course we'll visit you on holidays. Perhaps this will finally convince James to settle down with a wife-"

"Mom," Sofia interrupted and Miranda halted, looking up at her daughter with worry.

"I'm so sorry, Sofia. If I had known this would have happened I never would have married Roland. This is my fault. I'm the reason you are a princess," Miranda whispered in shame. Now Sofia stroked her mother's hair.

"Even if I weren't a princess I would still want to serve Enchancia any way I could. I don't blame you. I'm grateful for the luxury I have. And I would never want to hold you back from someone you love," Sofia assured her. "I'll be fine. I promise."

Roland opened the door and Miranda darted up, back to her chair. Axel entered closely behind the king with an air of victory.

"I have the papers right here," Axel said, grinning like a fool. He drew a folded scroll out of his pocket and laid it on the Roland's desk. Axel's loopy signature was already on the page, as was his father's royal seal. "All they require are Sofia's signature and your royal seal, King Roland."

Roland nodded and picked up the stamp, pressing into onto the crisp paper. Than he handed Sofia an extremely fancy pen. She took it and signed the page, her hand trembling slightly as she did so. Axel grinned, victorious.

"The wedding shall take place on the next Sunday, in eight days, at my castle. Sofia's coronation shall take place the following morning. Now, I really must be going," Axel said and turned to Sofia. "Walk me out." It was a command, not a request.

"Of course," Sofia agreed and stood. She gave a quick wave to her family and then walked out the door with Axel.

"You look as though you are going somewhere," Axel suggested as they walked to the carriage garage.

"I am, actually," Sofia said, not looking at him.

"Where too?" Axel demanded, leaning closer to her. Sofia smiled slightly, a pathetic attempt to be nice.

"I was actually going to see Hugo. He promised to help me with something," Sofia admitted.

"With what?"

"I can't tell you."

"It's a secret?"

"Yes," Sofia said simply and stared out of a grand window. She could hear Axel grinding his teeth.

"Princess, my brother has never had the truest intentions with women. I'd advise you to be on your guard. And, remember, you are now betrothed to me. You belong to me. Your reputation would be ruined if you did anything sinful with my brother," Axel warned, baring his teeth. Sofia felt fear settle into her stomach and anger in her heart.

"How dare you suggest I would do such a thing!" Sofia hissed. "I would never, ever, do anything with your brother, or any man, unless he was my husband."

"Good," Axel sighed and walked outside. His carriage was waiting for him on the runway. "Ride with me. It will be much faster than you going in your own carriage."

Sofia nodded, though she wanted to refuse. She wanted to relish in her freedom and time spent away from Axel. But it would be foolish to deny a ride. So Sofia allowed herself to be pulled into his carriage. The ride was silent. They didn't say a word to each other, just looked out the windows, each lost in their own thoughts.