Greetings! Welcome to the third chapter of this tale. I think this is a much expected chapter. I'm reading all reviews of the past chapters.
I wrote a lot of surprises in this third chapter. Almost all about Sofia, James, and Amber. But everything within their personality on the TV show.
In fact, things will get uglier before they become better. I can only say one thing: this story will remain K+. This is a tale about Sofia the First. This is not a game of thrones. Although Roland's succession is one of the tale's themes.
I hope everyone will enjoy this chapter and get curious about what may come after.
With the exception of the character of Eisenhower, who I created myself, the other characters and other elements mentioned in this story belong to Craig Gerber and The Walt Disney Company.
A few days passed. The students are at Sir Eisenhower's class again in the same room of Royal Prep, divided into groups of three. While the groups read many books, Eisenhower calls each group to inform the scores of the first work they had done, and guides each group. The groups were fine. All received good scores. The group of Amber, Vivian, and Desmond is called, and gets full score. The three are excited. While listening Eisenhower, Amber is quietly reading a scroll on the teacher's desk. The teacher sees.
- Princess Amber, what are you doing? You should not be reading this. Just pay attention to the work of your group. Don't worry about the others.
- Yes, sir - Amber says, and obey, moving away from the desk and returns to hear the teacher's exposure.
The three return to their table. Vivian asks.
- What did you see on the desk of Sir Eisenhower?
Amber disguises herself.
- Nothing important. Only the scores of other groups. Only two groups got the full score.
- It is not correct to spy on others, Amber.
Desmond is too shy to inquire Amber on this. If Amber had told everything to Vivian and Desmond, would have to tell the notes of only three groups she saw on the Eisenhower's list. In fact, Amber saw all the scores, but without seeing all groups. Amber and Sofia's groups were the only ones who took full scores. James's group was also fine, but a few points below.
During the break, the children go to the outdoors, as usual. They are in groups of friends, talking. Sofia is with Vivian, Zooey, and Kari. Seeing Amber watching from afar, Sofia says to her friends.
- Please, wait here. I think Amber wants to say something to me.
- Okay - Kari says.
Amber was with her best friends Hildegard and Clio, and with Jun, but leaves them, to speak only to Sofia.
- Amber, I'm worried about you. You're looking at me so strangely...
- Do not worry, Sofia. I just wanted to tell you something, but if you want, ask me later at home. Now I'm talking to Hildy, Clio, and Jun.
- Okay. If so...
Amber was strange since some days ago. She said nothing to Sofia at breakfast or in the carriage, on the way to school. Amber only greeted, on protocol ways. Only James smiled and talked to Sofia, though he spoke less than usual.
In the afternoon, away from school, James is taking classes with Sir Finnegan, one of the Enchancia knights. James still working as a squire, and dreams of becoming a knight. Amber is in the castle, and finds Baileywick, the Castle Steward.
- Baileywick, if you find Sofia, tell her I want to talk to her. I'm going to my room now. - Amber says, a little angry.
- It will be done, Milady. But this will delay. The King went for a duty outside the castle and took Princess Sofia with him.
Amber leaves Baileywick and goes to her room. The day could not have been worse for Amber. Everyone in the castle know sometimes Sofia seeks to help her father when he becomes too busy and she can help. Since the eve of the Villager's Ball of that year when Sofia joined the royalty.
By midafternoon, Amber hears footsteps near Sofia's Room. Amber runs out of her room, the time to call Sofia before the sister enter in her own room. Amber is not very friendly.
- Sofia, I want to talk to you. Now!
- Okay, Amber. What do you want to talk so much? - Sofia says, discouraged.
- I know everything, Sofia.
Sofia has a bad feeling about this. She recalls immediately the day when Amber tells her something similar. The day Amber revealed to have discovered Sofia talking to the animals. The same day Amber stole the Amulet of Avalor and Princess Ivy stole the same amulet and almost took the castle and the kingdom. But Amber forgot it all, because of Ivy's spells.
- What... What do you know, Amber?
- What I would like to know, Sofia. James told me a few days ago.
Sofia tries to question Amber.
- Amber, which did James say to make you so angry?
- James saw the group you have chosen to study strategy: Jin and Khalid.
- Okay, what's wrong with that?
- I'll be honest with you, Sofia. I thought you were grateful to become the youngest princess of Enchancia. But it seems you are not satisfied and want something more.
- Something more... What thing?
Amber begins to speak ironically.
- What else? Queen of Enchancia, of course.
- Amber, don't be ridiculous. I never asked to be Queen of nowhere.
- Yes, you are right. But thought about this before. Didn't?
Sofia is so sad as the hour she put a sleeping spell on all the royalty in her debut ball. Amber and James discovered what is perhaps her greatest secret.
- I'll not lie to you, Amber. I thought of that. But I wonder where my group enters this story.
- This group and more, Sofia. The two boys you chose to your group will be the future kings of neighboring kingdoms in the Tri-Kindoms Region. There was the future imagined in your mind. Two kings and a queen.
Sofia becomes angry with Amber's sarcasm. Before the group, she only wanted to approach the only two princes of the Tri-Kingdom Region who wasn't her brothers or from Enchancia. In fact, Sofia realized this combination of "two kings and a queen" when the group was formed. Not before calling Jin and Khalid. She couldn't undo the group after the schoolwork's beginning.
- I thought it would be good to study strategy with two friends of our family. I want to promote good relations in royalty. Jim and Khalid would have made a very aggressive simulation on that map, if I was not with them. I convinced them to make a peaceful simulation, even pragmatic. Diplomacy is important.
- Sofia, my dear, if it were only this, James may not have noticed. But you're desiring the throne since that day when dad promised to make you Queen for a day. A big dad's mistake. He must to make ME Queen for a day first. But I think he keep secrets to himself. And you are on the same way.
Sofia is sad again. She's terrified by the anger in Amber's eyes.
- I did not know this things would make you so angry, Amber.
Amber do the final sarcasm, smiling.
- Sofia, I'll tell you where this will end. James is the crown prince of Enchancia, you know. He can give it up. He really wants to be a knight. He knows he will never be a substitute to daddy so... "Brilliant", as he likes to say. Not brilliant as any one of us can be. But if he give up, do you know who will get that beautiful sun pin? ME, my dear. You will only have a chance if I and James simultaneously abdicate in your favor, which will not happen. Or if dad break dozens of protocols and make you the crown princess.
A brief silence between the two sisters. Sofia does not say anything, and goes toward the exit of the castle, leaving Amber alone.
James enters the castle's main door and finds Sofia. James is worried about his youngest sister.
- Sofia, where are you going? And... Why are you crying?
Sofia talks weakly, with some tears rolling on her face.
- Nothing, James. Leave me alone, please.
Sofia runs to the Royal stables. James is furious.
- I have a bad feeling about this - James says.
James runs to the castle stairs, straight to the Amber's room.
- If there is anyone in this castle able to make Sofia cry, I know exactly who she is.
James knocks the inner door of Amber's room.
- Amber! Can I enter?
Amber responds as usual. Looking like nothing is happening.
- You can. Enter in!
James finds Amber combing her hair and looking herself on the mirror. Amber turns to James.
- James! How was your class with Sir Finnegan?
James still angry.
- Not as important as what I saw in front of the castle: Sofia running out and crying.
- Oh, James. This will pass. She must have been sad by some truths I told her.
James is not very patient. He nearly gave up to be Sir Finnegan's squire. He would not be a squire today if Aunt Tilly had not taught him to not give it up. His patience is being tested now. Seeing Amber, he is seeing what he doesn't want to be.
- Amber, I know you. I will not even ask what you talked to Sofia. In part, it's my fault. I should never have talked to you about that Sofia's group with Jin and Khalid. This only made you hurt her feelings and revealed your ambition turned you again jealous and rude. I will never forgive you if something bad happens to Sofia today.
- James, you should know. Sofia is the youngest princess and will be a princess forever. Unless she becomes queen of another kingdom.
- Amber, you're wrong. I thought about these issues in recent days. Sofia deserves to inherit the throne more than any of us. Enchancia will need someone like her. She is kind, wise, fair, peaceful, loyal, compassionate and interested in the kingdom's matters. Things you will never be when on the throne. I fear a reign of you. In fact, I doubt my own skills, too. I can resign the throne if in favor of Sofia.
- You have to take the throne, little brother. Because I will let Sofia get there only if someone prove to me Sofia will be a better queen than me and will not do mess in the kingdom as you did for one day.
- Amber. Sofia is already better than both of us combined. And will prove this on the day our dad make her Queen for a day. You will see.
- Good luck to Sofia, James.
James walks to out of the room, his back to Amber. But turns to her to say something more.
- I remember when our dad was a baker. Sofia was proud of him and helped him a lot. You just wanted to get back to the castle.
This is the Chapter Three. I hope everyone will enjoy this. I'm waiting for comments and suggestions. Thanks to everyone!
In time: "I have a bad feeling about this" was taken from the Star Wars franchise, owned by The Walt Disney Company.
Sir Eisenhower is a tribute to Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower, a five-star general in the United States Army during World War II and Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. He was the 34th President of the United States from 1953 until 1961.