Chapter Eight: A Tournament

"I have something important to tell everyone," James announced during dinner on Thursday. He stood up and everyone went silent. James swallowed hard, then turned to the castle steward. "Baileywick, can you please send my guest in?"

"Of course, your Highness," Baileywick said as he bowed and left. Amber raised a blond eyebrow.

"Who's here, James?" she asked.

"I proposed to a girl today," James admitted. Amber squealed with glee and Sofia clapped. James turned red. "She said yes."

"Oh, that's wonderful James! Congratulations!" Miranda, his step-mother, cried out happily.

"Who?" Amber demanded.

"She'll be here in moment," James assured his twin. Amber rolled her eyes and leaned closer to the door, as if she could see through. Sofia just smiled, as she already knew who the young woman was. Baileywick came back through the door, grinning wider than he ever had before.

"Attention, everyone, please welcome Prince James's royal fiancé," he said and ushered in the girl. Her dark hair was pulled back with a golden and ruby clip. A red dress hugged her curves and flared out in a great skirt at her waist. And a nervous smile curled her lips. Ruby stood before them, nervous but happy.

"Ruby?" Amber stuttered, not understanding. She looked back her brother for answers.

"Amber, I proposed to Ruby. She said yes," James explained simply. He walked forward and placed and arm around his fiancé's waist and smiled at her. Ruby smiled back, relived, than looked back at his parents, worried once more.

"I'm so happy, for both of you," Miranda sighed happily and wiped her eyes wife a kerchief.

"Welcome to the family," Roland boomed and embraced the happy couple. Sofia couldn't sit still any longer. She jumped up and embraced them as well.

"We'll be just like sisters!" Sofia said, gripping her best friend's shoulders, tears sliding down her face. Ruby nodded and wiped her own eyes.

"We're going to hold the ceremony the Friday after yours, so we don't interfere," Ruby said and smiled. Sofia swallowed and forced Axel out of her mind, focusing on Ruby's smile and joy. "You and Jade will be my bridesmaids, of course."

"And you and Jade will be mine," Sofia instantly responded. She glanced down at her friend's left hand and saw her sparkling ring. "It's a lovely ring."

"Thanks," Ruby sighed and stroked it with a giddy smile. Amber suddenly tackled her with a hug from behind.

"Congratulations," Amber told her and ringed hand. "I have to say, I like much better than the rest of James's options."

"Thank you?" Ruby responded, unsure on how to take Amber's comment. She began to pull her future sister-in-law towards the door.

"Come on. I'll show you to our nicest guest wing," Amber said and the two of them ran off. Sofia glanced over at her brother and her father. They were talking, embracing, celebrating. Miranda approached her daughter.

"This is lovely. You seem to be impacting our entire family," Miranda and hugged Sofia. She smiled and nodded. She was gladded James had proposed, but she didn't like the price it had come at.

"A celebration is in order!" King Roland yelled suddenly. "Baileywick, serve the jiggly wiggly pudding!"


"You are not wearing that!" Amber cried when she saw Sofia's dress on Friday morning.

"What's wrong with it?" Sofia wondered and smoothed her purple skirt. The dress had a white bodice sewn up with purple ribbon and a swishing skirt made of purple ruffles and white lace.

"Everything!" Amber screamed and dragged Sofia into her room. Crystal jumped in fright and Robin and Ruby flew back into their bird house that was hanging from Sofia's roof.

"What are you doing?" Sofia demanded as Amber stormed into her closet.

"Is this all you have?" Amber asked as she riffled through gowns and shoes.

"Yes," Sofia sighed and flopped onto her bed. "Could you tell me why you're digging through my folded clothes?"

"Because you're going to a tournament! You are going to be seen by the villagers from Amalgamate and they are going be seeing their future queen for the first time. You need to look perfect. Stunning! Deserving of Axel's hand!" Amber explained very loudly.

"Why can't I look like me?"

"Because you are going to be queen of Amalgamate! No one wants to see the village girl turned princess!"

"But-"

"Put this on," Amber instructed and handed Sofia a plain white dress.

"Fine," Sofia sighed and slipped the dress on. Amber then tied a golden ribbon around her waist and in her hair. The gown seemed to sparkle in the sunlight filtering in from the window. "Approved?"

"Perfection," Amber sighed.


"You look radiant," Axel said with a hungry expression on his face as Sofia climbed out of the carriage. She smiled, grimaced really, and gave her fiancé a small nod. "I am about to go put on my armor but I wanted to see you first."

"How kind," Sofia forced out and fanned herself lightly with the golden fan Amber had lent her. Her older sister said it was a key to winning over any man. Axel's green eyes drifted down to the thin golden silk scarf around her shoulder.

"May I wear your colors?" Axel said, but it sounded more like a demand rather than a request.

"Uh, of course," Sofia told him and handed over the golden silk, since she saw no other alternative. Axel wrapped his meaty fist around the silk and smiled evilly. Sofia swallowed. Perhaps it had to do with her betrayal with Hugo or the fact that she had seen him collecting poison, Sofia was even more wary of him than before.

"My guards will show you to your seat," Axel said. A muscular man with gray hair and war scars stepped forward and held out his arm. Sofia took it gratefully and was led away from Axel. Since she was facing forward, she missed Axel's intense stare sweeping her body.

The guard led her to a shaded pavilion, seated high above the other seats. Her family was already there, seated around a tall golden cushioned throne above the others. Roland and Miranda were together, looking regal. James and Ruby sat on the far side of the booth, holding each other's hands. Amber was missing, no doubt mingling with the local nobles.

The guard gestured to the lavish chair and Sofia blushed at the thought of sitting above everyone, especially her family. It felt wrong. But her mother gave her a smile and her father gave her a nod. Boosted with the approval of her family, Sofia climbed the two steps and sat in the large golden throne.

The tournament began shortly after she sat down. All the knights rode into the stadium atop their horses, wearing their family colors. Hugo entered, sitting atop Lighting, after all the knights and the villagers applauded loudly, clearly exclaiming who their favorite was. He nodded at all the stands, even the poor sections were they had to stand, all with a smile on his face. Then he directed Lightning to the end of the line.

They all then turned towards the entrance once more. Two men blew a fanfare on trumpets and Axel entered sitting atop a black winged horse, his armor shining, and Sofia's golden scarf fluttering from its spot, tied to his right arm. Sofia swallowed as Amber looked at her approvingly and Ruby giggled in her direction. Axel rode around the ring and glared at the audience. Polite applause echoed around the stadium. Axel halted his horse in front of Sofia' booth. He looked up at her and nodded. Sofia waved softly, hoping she looked like a girl in love. Then Axel returned to the line and awaited the beginning of the games.


Axel dominated in wrestling but Hugo excelled in all other areas, from sword play to archery to horse races. He was stupendous and every close encounter with a sword made Sofia's heart race. She clutched her heart when he nearly fell off his horse during a race and when a stray arrow nearly hit the back of his head.

Half way through the tournament the knights retired for a break. The audience was free to mingle amongst the food and goods stands outside the stadium. Sofia snuck out of her booth, craving to be alone. But as soon as she stepped out, villagers approached her and bombarded her with questions. Sofia was patient and tried to greet each one. As she talked to everyone, Hugo crept out of his tent where he was resting and watched her. She was so kind, had a minute or a smile for everyone. It didn't matter if they were old or young, rich or poor, royal or villager. Sofia was kind to all. And that was something that was obviously absent from so many royal courts.

Sofia looked over the crowd and spotted a solitary group of trees up on top of a hill a bit away. She quickly excused herself and dashed away, making sure no on followed her. When she was all alone, Sofia sighed in relief and leaned against a tree. Quiet air surrounded her and she was finally alone. The constant eyes, constant judgement, weighed down on her so much she was afraid it would break her back. She didn't know why so many people loved and craved this life. It was worse than her old life, in her opinion.

Suddenly, Sofia heard a twig snap. She whirled around and saw Hugo approaching her. He looked guiltily down at the broken twig beneath his foot and then looked back at her. Sofia breathed a sigh of relief. She thought it was Axel.

"Hugo," she gasped. "What are you doing here?"

"I, uh, I wanted to tell you something," Hugo said and walked forward. Sofia nodded, signaling for him to continue. "The Duke of Sermia died last night. He got very sick, very fast, and died at eleven o'clock."

"Oh no," Sofia said and held her hands to her mouth in horror. "That's awful."

"I believe he was the man you heard my brother plotting to murder. He was very loyal to my father but his son, who is now the duke, is very loyal to my brother. Sermia is a large town, very powerful. If my brother did not have control of it things would go downhill for him very fast," Hugo explained.

"Hugo, we've got to tell somebody," Sofia cried out, placing her hand on his arm.

"Who are we going to tell? Axel is the king of a very powerful nation. He has the largest army in all the kingdoms," Hugo demanded, exasperated and angry.

"We have to tell someone. Someone will be able to do something."

"Who, Sofia? Tell me how to stop him and I'll do it. But there's nothing we can do!" Hugo yelled and slammed his fists into a tree. Sofia looked away sadly before she looked back at his fire filled eyes.

"The people. The villagers of Amalgamate. They could do something. Your kingdom is huge, your numbers vast. If the people knew what Axel had done then I believe they would rally behind you. They love you, Hugo. They would follow you if they knew that they had an evil man leading their kingdom," Sofia suggested. But Hugo shook his head.

"No. Axel may take revenge and kill you. I can't…I can't let that happen," Hugo gasped, as if it hurt him. "We'll keep quiet. Not say anything."

"But Hugo, we can't-" Sofia protested.

"We can and we will," Hugo interrupted, stern and angry. "I have to go get ready for the rest of the tournament. Please, be careful." And then he was gone, leaving Sofia alone and fearful. She sighed and returned to her booth, thinking of what she could do.


At the end of the competition the duke of the closest town stepped out into the arena in front of all the men. He held a golden medal in his hand and a flower crown in another. The crown of the tournament queen. He nervously fingered them both. Finally he took a deep a breath and held up his megaphone.

"Attention, citizens of Amalgamate," he called out. "It has been a long hard day of noble games and feats of strength. But in the end, one victor must come out of top!" The crowds cheered and waved their countries flag above their heads. "And that victor is…. Prince Hugo!" The crowds went wild. Sofia leaped to her feet and applauded with the rest of the kingdom. Hugo nudged Lightning forward and the duke gave Hugo his medal and a crown of flowers. "And as the victor of the tournament Prince Hugo has the honor of choosing the queen of the tournament."

Hugo rode around the stadium slowly, as if considering his choice. He took of his helmet and flipped his black hair out of his eyes. Sofia got chills. Finally, he rode up to her booth. The nobles and rich girls sitting in the neighboring booths all straightened up. But Hugo's dark eyes found her. As Sofia stared at him, so relived he was okay, so happy for his victory, all thoughts of who was watching her flew out of her mind. All that existed was Hugo, and his eyes. Hugo climbed off of his horse and walked forward, climbed into her booth, never taking his eyes away from her. He strode with purpose towards her then paused. Sofia looked at him, confused. His eyes flicked to Amber than back to her. He gazed at her with the answer in his eyes and Sofia understood. He couldn't choose her, even though he wanted to. Not if front of all these people. Not in front of Axel.

Instead, Hugo changed direction and placed the crown of flowers atop Princess Amber's head. Then he led her out to the stadium and placed her on Lightning. Sofia was not expecting it, but blood roared in her ears and fire raged through her. An extreme hatred for her older sister burned her heart. This emotion had never been so extreme for her and the rush was awful. She wanted to pull out Amber's blond hair, one strand at a time. She wanted to go waltz with the first knight she saw so Hugo would know how she felt. Sofia titled her head to the side and examined her heart. So this was jealousy.