Chapter 9
Amber and James entered the ballroom and were greeted with a hearty, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
The twins were about to open their gifts when King Roland said, "Wait! We must wait for your sister!"
"Where is she? She was right behind us!" said Amber, in a bit put off manner.
"Ballywick? See if you can find Sophia!" ordered King Roland.
"Oh, don't bother, Rollie. I'll find her!" replied Tilly.
"Okay, Tilly."
As Aunt Tilly left, something caught her eye just off to the side, on a table. As she went over to investigate, she found Amber and James' gifts. Instead of looking for Sofia, she returned to the ballroom with the necklace and badge.
"Whose are these?" she asked.
"Oh, those are the gifts Sofia gave to us," replied James in an offhanded manner.
"And you toss them aside like fireplace ash?" Aunt Tilly asked.
"Why not?" countered Amber. "We can always get new ones for half a penny in the village!"
Tilly walked over to the twins and said, "What ever gave you that idea?"
"A peddler woman in the village. She was selling them for a half penny each," replied James defensively.
"Really? Did the ones she was selling glow in the sunlight or other bright light like these do?"
Amber and James racked their brains to remember. "Well, no. They were kind of dull." answered James quietly. Amber shook her head in agreement.
"Well, let's take a look at these in the bright candle light, shall we?" And Aunt Tilly led both of them to the brightest spot in the ballroom. King Roland and Queen Miranda followed.
"Do you see the letters shining on the necklace and badge? What does it say, Amber?"
Amber cleared her throat as she read aloud, "It says 'With Love' in sun stones."
"Does your badge say the same thing, James?" James shook his head yes. Both he and Amber were starting to feel embarrassed.
Aunt Tilly wasn't done. "Now let's dowse all of the candles," as she waved her wand. "What do you see, James?"
"The same message, 'With Love', Aunt Tilly, in moonstars," he said in a whisper. Aunt Tilly then relit all the candles with a spell from her wand.
"Did either of you even bother looking at the back?"
The children's eyes were filling with tears as they shook their heads 'No'.
"It reads, 'from your Loving Sister, Sofia'," Aunt Tilly stated, as an embarrassed James and Amber looked on.
James and Amber slowly reached for their gifts. As they did, Aunt Tilly softened her tone.
"As you can see children, these are very special hand made gifts that Sofia wanted you to have."
Amber looked at James and stated, "They...they are. And they are beautiful! James, we owe Sofia a BIG apology!"
"We sure do! Let's go!" and they made a beeline for her room.
