Enjoy Chapter 3! Next update will be next weekend :)

Chapter 3

The following morning was cloudy with what appeared to be rain in the distance. Sofia loaded a small carriage up to Minimus for the flight to pick up Cedric. Sofia felt butterflies in her stomach. Would he absolutely loathe her? Would he refuse to leave with her and choose to stay in prison? Clover and Wormwood sat beside her, Minimus took off and began climbing into the air. Sofia took long, deep breaths to calm herself trying to stay positive. There is always the chance he has already forgiven her and will be ecstatic to see her… "Yeah right." She thought to herself doubtfully.

Noticing her distress, Clover climbed into her arms and settled there to allow her to pet him. "Oh Clover, what if he hates me after all this time?" Sofia asked uncertainly. Wormwood, too jumped up to comfort her, nuzzling against her cheek.

"Thank you guys. I will do what I must to make it all up to him. Even if I have to die trying, I will spend the rest of my life seeking absolution," She explained to her friends. As they saw the gates in the distance Sofia told Wormwood and Clover to get down and stay hidden. Minimus slowly began to descend toward the entrance. Sofia noticed a small group of people at the gates waiting for their arrival. She closed her eyes afraid to see the look in Cedric's eyes when he saw her for the first time. The carriage jostled gently as they landed and came to a stop. Not wanting to appear improper or show her insecurity, Sofia stood up and made her way to exit the carriage when sudden the warden was at the edge holding out his hand for her.

"Oh, thank you, sir." She replied shyly as he bowed to her.

"Greetings, Princess." He called out before rising.

Finally Sofia slowly raised her chin and let her gaze wander towards Cedric. Her eyes traveled up his thin frame before coming to a rest on his eyes. She gasped as they locked eyes. His widened for a moment before hardening and he looked down at his feet silently. In her mind, Sofia felt that was his answer, he hated her. Knowing it would be a long road for them, she carried on anyway. Stepping closer, she made small talk with the warden about the conditions of Cedric's release. She felt terrible speaking of him as if he weren't standing a mere five feet away hearing every word they said. Once finished she met his eyes again momentarily and noticed the hurt before he turned away. He followed her wordlessly towards the carriage and stepped inside. Sofia followed and gave Minimus the order to leave. As soon as they were in the air Wormwood came flying out from under the seat and almost knocked Cedric over. For the first time Sofia noticed his face light up in true happiness as he held his bird to his chest stroking him lovingly. Giving them a moment Sofia observed the horizon in the distance.

A small nudge at her feet alerted Sofia to Clover's presence. She picked him up and held him to her for comfort as they made their uncomfortable trip back to her cottage. They still hadn't spoken a word to each other.

An hour later they began their descent towards her cottage. Cedric turned in shock to look at Sofia. She no longer lived at the castle? Who was this young woman before him? She was different. Older, yes, obviously. But there was a sadness and emptiness he could see within her eyes. He had to admit she grew into a beautiful young woman. Not in the usual, sense. She wore no make-up and her hair hung in a mess of brown waves past her shoulders, but her features were petite and feminine, with an upturned nose and small rosy lips. Her blue eyes have haunted him in his cell all these years and they appeared unchanged; still big and full of wonder, yet with an underlying melancholy behind them when one looked close enough.

Well she'll be in for quite a reality check when she finds out how pessimistic and downright dreadful Cedric could be now. He was no longer Cedric the Sensational. He now thought of himself as Cedric the pathetic, having grown weak and gaunt over the years from lack of sunlight and exercise.

Sofia noticed his hallow eyes and brown rings under them as well as how bony he had become. She'd have to make sure he ate good, healthy meals and slept well. She vowed to care for him and get him back to health as he was before.

Startling her, Cedric finally broke the tense silence, "Thank you…" He murmured quietly to her. "You… you took care of Wormy all this time." He added as he continued to affectionately hold his friend to him.

"Oh, um, well, you're welcome." She replied, shyly.

Once on the ground Sofia jumped out before Cedric and put a stepping stone below the carriage for him, knowing he wouldn't be as strong but not wanting to offer him her hand and offend or upset him. When he was standing on the ground, Sofia detached the carriage from Minimus before she entered her cottage, leading Cedric inside.

In a small, insecure voice, Sofia turned and faced him gesturing with her hands around her, "This is… my home. I've lived here about two years now with Clover, Wormwood and Minimus. It suits us well. It's not much, it's not a castle. But it's warm and it's comfortable and you're more than welcome here. Please, make yourself at home."

Cedric stared at her, he was unsure of her intentions with taking him in. Did she truly believe he had stolen her amulet? If so, why was she opening her home to him so kindly? Was it a farce to get back at him? Or did she believe him? The uncertainty and ambiguity of the situation was causing him much anxiety so he decided to keep his guard up, not knowing what to expect.

"Uh… um… okay. Thanks." He replied as he sat down stiffly.

Noticing his discomfort Sofia tried to explain, "Look, I realize you probably have no idea what is going on and I'm sure we need to have a really long talk but I want you to have a chance to settle in, get a good night of sleep and a proper meal in you first. In whichever order you prefer. I don't want to overwhelm you. But just know, I am not out to harm you in any way. You're safe here."

Continuing to look at her, undecided on what to think or feel, he stood and began looking around the home, occasionally looking over his shoulder at her while she cooked in the kitchen. Whatever she was making smelled amazing. Then again he'd been eating stale prison bread and grotesque scraps for the past ten years so it wouldn't take much to impress him.

He took to staring out her window at the pasture before him. They were surrounded by a large garden and what appeared to be a forest in the distance. Sofia lived on the outskirts of the kingdom, a fair distance from the castle. He was curious what had happened since he left but at the same time he wouldn't ask. They were no longer friends. That was made abundantly clear the day he was found guilty. She had probably been brainwashed to believe he had been the thief to steal her amulet. With a sigh, Cedric turned and walked to the other side of the house. It was the same on this side, although the forest didn't appear as far away on this side.

Her voice grabbed his attention and he turned as she announced dinner was ready and she set it on the small table in a little alcove beside her kitchen. Cedric noticed she no longer wore the same purple outfit she used to wear, day after day and once she arrived home she had removed her tiara signifying her royal status. "So many questions…" He mused to himself as he sat at the table ogling the delicious, aromatic feast before him, his mouth watering with need.

"Thank you, Princess Sofia." He whispered, looking down at his plate of what appeared to be a hearty helping of beef stew.

The look of pure longing in his eyes confirmed Sofia's suspicions that he'd probably eaten very little and when he did it wasn't very appetizing. A small smile spread across her face as they began to eat. She could see Cedric trying to restrain himself from eating too quickly.

After finishing their meal, Cedric attempted to help her clear away the dishes however Sofia stopped him. "It's alright. Go relax or sleep if you'd like. There are new clothes and pajamas in the armoire in your room and the bed is of the best quality so you should sleep comfortably. I can take care of this."

"Very well." Cedric said, feeling rejected. She obviously didn't want to be around him. He went to the bedroom Sofia had said would be his during his stay and changed into a new set of pajamas she had provided for him following a quick warm bath. As soon as his head hit the pillow he was asleep. His dreams torturing him with her eyes, staring at him across the courtroom as he was led away. As he slept, Wormwood kept careful watch over him, perched beside the bed.

The kitchen clean, Sofia surveyed her small cottage taking in what Cedric would see. She realized he probably wondered how she ended up here away from her family and the castle. In time they would talk and she could explain everything. If things went this awkwardly forever though they may never speak more than a few words to each other. That's alright though, Sofia had patience. She would take care of him and try to make amends for as long as it took.

Darkness overcame the land as Sofia sat on her front porch in her rocking chair watching the stars come to life. She thought about how to make things right with Cedric. He seemed unable to trust what she was giving him, and rightly so she realized. He'd been locked away and who knows how badly he was treated there. She shuttered to think about what may have happened to him in that depressing castle far from here. At least here he would get fresh air and sunshine, respect and good food as well as comfortable sleeping accommodations. Sofia only hoped the town's people stayed away and didn't bother them once word was out about his whereabouts. She didn't even allow her thoughts to think about her family's reaction.

With an exhausted yawn, Sofia rose from the chair and entered her house, locking the door behind her and setting safety wards and alarms with her wand. After losing Cedric, Sofia poured herself into studying magic with a vengeance. She could even consider herself a skilled sorceress at this point with her knowledge and talent. It may even rival that of her favorite sorcerer. Maybe tomorrow she'd show him. For now, she needed sleep.