Tales from the Castle - a Sofia the First fanfic
Chapter 24: Sweetheart Pie
Note: this is an idea passed along by Jolly Roger Brat, and is set shortly after the "Sofia the First" episode "Tea For Too Many".
What to do about a problem?
James was sitting on a bench behind the castle when Sofia walked up.
"What are you doing, James?" Sofia asked, curious.
"I was just thinking about your recent tea party, Sof" James answered. "It went well, but Amber really needs to learn not to meddle in other people's parties, not to take over, and that bigger isn't always better. I'd really like to teach her a lesson. Perhaps a prank of some kind?".
"I don't really approve of pranks" Sofia commented.
"Just something to teach Amber a lesson" James pointed out.
"I guess I can understand that" Sofia admitted. "To tell you the truth, I was doing a good job on my own before Amber started taking over".
"Then you'll help me teach Little Miss Bigger is Better a lesson?" James asked, hopeful.
"If we're going to do this, it has to be something harmless" Sofia pointed out.
"I may have a suggestion" Baileywick said as he walked up. "Like Sofia, I'm not too keen on pranks, but I understand where you are coming from. And, I have an idea which may help".
"Who are you and what have you done with Baileywick?" James joked with Baileywick. "Sof, check the castle for pods!".
"I can assure you it's me" Baileywick chuckled. "This reminds me of when Nigel and I were your age. We had a cousin who was a lot like Princess Amber, even down to the bigger is better routine. Nigel and I then decided to teach our cousin a lesson".
"What did you do?" James asked, curious.
"Nigel and I made some Sweetheart Pies" Baileywick started.
"Sweetheart Pies?" Sofia inquired.
"A Sweetheart Pie is just big enough for two people to share" Baileywick answered. "Nigel and I made some standard sized Sweetheart Pies which had great tasting fillings like apple, cherry, blueberry, and even pumpkin cream".
"Mom likes pumpkin cream filling" Sofia happily remembered.
"Nigel and I also made a slightly larger Sweetheart Pie with a sour, horrible tasting filling" Baileywick continued. "At dinner, our cousin took the bait, and grabbed the slightly larger pie. After she took her first bite of the pie, she learned a valuable lesson - just because it's bigger doesn't mean it's better".
"I think we have a plan!" James cheerfully exclaimed.
James, Sofia, and Baileywick then went to the castle kitchen, and made the pies.
Dinner
That night at the royal dining table, the royal family sat down for dinner. After an enjoyable dinner, it was time for dessert - the Sweetheart Pies. As the servants laid down the pies on the table, Amber helped herself to the bigger of the pies. All the pies had a top crust to them, so it was impossible to know what filling each pie contained. Amber then took a bite of her pie, and a shocked look came over her face.
"Somebody messed up making this pie" Amber announced, shocked. "This is the most sour, horrible tasting apple pie I've ever tasted".
"Well, Amber?" James started, "still think that bigger is better?".
"Well, definitely not in the case of this pie" Amber pouted before a thought entered her mind. "Oh, my! I get your point, James". Amber then turned to Sofia. "I'm sorry for trying to take over your tea party. It was selfish of me, wasn't it?".
"... maybe a little" Sofia admitted quietly.
"Well then, I'm sorry" Amber apologized. "Bigger isn't always better ... nor is trying to run something that isn't mine to run".
"Apology accepted" Sofia smiled.
"Let's say we start again, Amber" James suggested. "You'll find the rest of the pies are just fine".
Amber picked up another pie, and was pleased to discover it contained a delicious cherry filling. As the royal children happily talked to each other, Roland turned to Miranda.
"I don't normally approve of such pranks" Roland whispered to Miranda, "but it appears a valuable lesson was learned because of it".
"I have to agree with you, Rollie" Miranda whispered back before taking a bite of her pie, and being pleasantly surprised. "Pumpkin cream! My favorite!".
For the remainder of the evening, the royal family gathered together in the castle sitting room for something new that Miranda had come up with - family game night. Everybody had a good time playing games and connecting with each other. Everything was right with the world.
Author's notes
Family game night was first shown in the "Sofia the First" episode "Royal Vacation". By the time that episode aired, family game night was a regular weekly event in the castle. I thought it would be nice to end this chapter with a look at how family game night got started.
I want to thank Jolly Roger Brat for coming up with the idea for this chapter of "Tales from the Castle" (including the idea for a Sweetheart Pie - something that Jolly Roger Brat remembered from the past when Jolly worked in a pie shop).
Nigel (Baileywick's brother) was first seen in the "Sofia the First" episode "Baileywick's Day Off".
"Who are you and what have you done with Baileywick?" James joked with Baileywick. "Sof, check the castle for pods!" - this is a reference to the 1956 movie "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". This is also a piece of dialog that Jolly Roger Brat supplied for this chapter.