Chapter Three: A Tragedy

"My palace is hosting a tournament on Friday. All my knights shall be in attendance. There will be many competitions involving sword fights, wrestling, and weight lifting. The victor will have the honor of choosing the tournament queen from the stands. You should attend," Axel told Sofia as the coach landed at Amalgamate castle.

"That sounds lovely. May I bring the rest of my family?" Sofia asked, trying to get excited about something that she always loved.

"Of course. But this tournament is just for my knights, so James cannot compete," Axel explained.

The door of the coach was pulled open and early morning sun entered the curtained space. Sofia smiled at its warmth. Axel stepped out and held his hand towards Sofia. She smiled gratefully and took it. As her feet hit the ground she heard angry footsteps coming up the stairs to the carriage platform.

Hugo stormed up the stairs, his expression a mix of anger and grief. His eyes were red, as if he'd just been crying. A black shirt and jacket covered his torso and tight black pants were tucked into black boots. An air of tragedy hung around him like a cloud. Axel just smirked at the sight of his brother. The contrast between the two brothers' expressions twisted Sofia's gut. Something was very wrong.

"Baby brother. I want you to be the first to hear the happy news," Axel began, slipping his arm around Sofia's shoulders. She wanted to shake him off, go to Hugo and see what was wrong. Her heart seemed to be bruising as she watched his obvious pain.

"Where…were…you?" Hugo rasped out, eyes glaring at Axel with extreme hatred.

"I was in Enchancia. Proposing to Princess Sofia," Axel explained, relishing the words, face triumphant. Sofia hated feeling like a trophy. Hugo's dark eyes, full of pain and now pity, flicked towards her before his glare at his brother intensified.

"So, while I was…while Dad breathed…his last breath," Hugo spat and Sofia gasped. "You…you were threatening a kingdom with war so you could win another prize for yourself!"

"What makes you think war was discussed?" Axel demanded, tone light, despite the fact that he had just learned his father was dead.

"No maiden would ever willingly marry you," Hugo bit back. "Why did you go today? You knew Dad was getting worse! You knew that he may not be here the next day!"

"I didn't know Dad was going to die this morning," Axel protested.

"That's the point! You should have been here! But you weren't! I was sending dozens of servants and guards, frantically searching for you so Dad could tell you his last bit of advice!" Hugo yelled, gaining momentum, letting all his emotions out. "But he had to tell me his last words. Because you weren't here! Just like you weren't here when Mom died! Just like when you were wandering away when you should have been watching Anna! You're never here when you need to be!"

"Well, I appreciate the pep talk, baby brother, but if what you say is true, than I need to prepare a coronation and a funeral," Axel responded and began to walk away, but paused when he got next to Hugo. "My fiancé is here to speak with you. Try to remember that she belongs to me." And Axel descended the stairs and entered the ornate palace, Hugo glaring after him. Sofia took a hesitant step forward.

"Hugo?" she whispered.

"I'm sorry, Sofia, but I don't think I'll be off much use to you today. I can barely think," Hugo admitted, gaze pined to the wooden ground.

"That's fine. I know it won't help, but are you okay?" Sofia asked, taking another step forward, yet keeping her distance.

"I…I don't think so," Hugo sighed.

"That's okay. You won't be. But you'll get there," Sofia promised.

"How do you know?"

"Because I've been there. But I was a lot younger so it wasn't as bad. I can't imagine going through what you are." Another step. The distant between them was a canyon but it would ruin them if they closed it.

"I'm sorry. I never asked you about your Dad."

"It's fine. I was only six when he died. I don't remember him much."

"Lucky. Maybe if I didn't know him as well as I do, did, than it wouldn't hurt as much."

"Don't say that. Then you would worry about the 'what ifs' and the 'what could have beens.' Trust me. I know."

"Maybe…," Hugo sighed and looked towards the bright sky. "Did Axel really force you to marry him?"

"No. I agreed," Sofia said quickly. Hugo's eyes snapped back to meet hers. They were filled with a calm fire of rage.

"Don't. He threatened your kingdom with war, I know he did. And he knows you're a good person so he knew you'd agree," Hugo told her and took a step forward. They could touch each other if they reached out now. Sofia's stomach churned at the thought of being so close to him. She swallowed and looked up into his dark, deep, eyes.

"I'm a princess. It's my duty to protect my kingdom from harm," Sofia said simply, standing straight, refusing to show fear, determined to be brave.

"But you were never meant to be a princess. You shouldn't have to do this," Hugo insisted.

"It doesn't matter. I became a princess and I have to do this. And there's nothing you or I could do to stop it. I already signed the papers," Sofia sighed. Hugo's hand reached out and took hers. Her pulse quickened. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. You have your own things to worry about."

"I know," Hugo sighed, his shoulders slumping at the memory.

"I should go," Sofia whispered and slipped her small hand out of his strong one. She turned and wondered if she should ask the coachmen of Axel's carriage to take her home or if she should summon a carriage from her castle or if she could borrow one of their horses.

"Simon," Hugo called and a coachmen came out of the stables and approached the prince. "Take the young lady home."

"Of course, Your Highness. And may I offer my condolences on the loss of our king. He was a great man," Simon said, bowing low. Hugo's muscles stiffened.

"Thank you, Simon," Hugo told the bowing man. Then he turned to the princess. "And thank you, Sofia."

"My pleasure," she responded. "Get well." Then she turned and climbed into the coach so she could return to her home.


Four days later, on Wednesday, Sofia sat in her window seat, Clover sitting in her lap, as she watched Whatnaught chase his five children, Walnut, Pistachio, Almond, Acorn, and Cashew, around her room. Robin was perched on Sofia's bed with her daughter, Ruby. Crystal, an artic fox, was lying in a patch of sun on the floor.

"You're never going to catch me!" Walnut sang as he dashed into Sofia's closet. Whatnaught squeaked after him and started puffing up his cheeks in anger. Clover laughed and Crystal turned over in her sleep.

An urgent knock interrupted their fun. One of Sofia's lady maids, Violet, entered the room. She curtsied low.

"Hello Violet. Is there something you wanted?" Sofia asked sweetly. Violet straightened.

"The kingdom of Amalgmate sent a coach to pick you up. The prince has requested your presence," Violet informed her. A feeling of apprehension settled into Sofia's stomach but she nodded.

"Thank you. Tell the coachmen that I will be out in a moment," Sofia told her. Violet curtsied once more before she left again. Sofia leaped up, frantic.

"Yo, princess, is something wrong?" Clover moaned from his spot on the window seat.

"Should I change? Is this dress too plain for seeing your fiancé?" Sofia asked Robin and Ruby, twirling in her simple dark purple dress with a white ribbon at her waist. They both tilted their heads before they flew into her closet.

"I have the perfect dress!" Ruby chirped.

"And I know the perfect tiara you should wear!" Robin added.

"Don't forget the shoes," Walnut laughed as he ducked behind her shoe display to evade his father.

Ruby and Robin dressed Sofia in a pale purple dress with white lace around her waist, on the collar, around the cuffs, and in two lines down her chest. A swirly silver tiara with purple and pink gems sat atop her head. And her pink amulet rested over her heart, matching her pink shoes.

"Is this good?" Sofia asked her other animal friends as she twirled around the room.

"He'll be head-over-heals in love with you!" Crystal cried as she looked up from the sunny floor. Pistachio nodded in agreement. Whatnaught tackled his daughter during her moment of stillness.

"Okay. I'll go now. Wish me luck," she said and waved. Then Sofia left the room and headed outside to the coach. Simon was waiting for her.

"Princess," he said as he bowed low. Sofia nodded and climbed into the coach, trying to still her heart. She flew over villages and mansions, clouds and birds. When she finally landed, she was very worried. Why would Axel bring her here today? What could he possibly want?

"The prince is in the sun room," Simon told her as she exited the coach.

"Thank you," Sofia said and dashed off. She had to ask a maid for directions once but she managed to find it. Before she opened the heavy oak doors Sofia took a deep breath. Then she pushed open the doors.

"Hugo!" she gasped in surprise when she saw who was in the room. Hugo stood in front of a large window that filled the room with sun light. He turned when she entered, his face calm and happy. "I thought…Wait, you sent the coach?"

"Of course. Who did you think sent it?" Hugo wondered, his brow crinkled in confusion.

"Uh, you, of course," Sofia muttered.

"Right. Well, I was wondering if you still need help finding Sir Charles," Hugo said. "I actually I know where he is right now."

"Really?" Sofia gasped in delight. "That's amazing Hugo!"

"Thanks."

"But how are you?" Sofia demanded, walking over to him.

"Fine," Hugo replied instantly, too quickly. Sofia just raised an eyebrow. Hugo sighed. "Better. It's hard. Sometimes I think I hear his footsteps coming down the hall or hear his laugh in the throne room. But it isn't him. It's hard to remember that he's gone forever."

"I'm sorry," Sofia whispered and looked down.

"It's fine. I'll be fine," Hugo promised. Sofia nodded in understanding. "Um, so, Sir Charles is training today, in a nearby village. You can borrow one of my horses."

"What about Axel?" Sofia wondered, looking hurriedly over her shoulder, fearful that the soon-to-king was right behind her.

"He's visiting all the villages today so he isn't here. He won't find out," Hugo said.

"Okay. Let's go."