Greetings! Welcome to the fourth chapter of this tale. I imagine readers are curious to know how Sofia will be in this chapter, after the sadness of the previous chapter. I ask for a little patience. I told things would get uglier before they become better. Who knows the things will become better in this chapter?

I wrote a lot of surprises in this chapter. Many of them are about Roland and Tilly's past. As these things were never spoken in the series, I created my own version for them, only valid in this story.

I hope everyone will enjoy this chapter and get curious about what may come after.

All the characters and other elements mentioned in this chapter belong to Craig Gerber and The Walt Disney Company.

Sofia arrives to Enchancia Castle's stable and takes Minimus, her flying horse.

- Come on, Minimus. To that beach near Merroway Cove. Now!

Minimus is concerned about Sofia.

- But Sofia ... Why the rush? And this voice so sad? And where is your derby outfit? And the outfit Duchess Matilda gave you?

- I have no time for that, Minimus. I'll go with this gown. I will only add the helmet.

Sofia is in her prominent lilac princess gown, with several layers and pearls. She puts her purple helmet and keeps her tiara in the pocket of horse saddle. The two leave quickly and fly to the Enchancia coast.

Sofia is not a bad girl, as Amber thinks. Since she was a baby, Sofia has always been a lovely girl. And since she was a villager she is interested in helping people and doing good deeds. She was never unfair to anyone or anything. And even when she made mistakes, she apologized and reversed what made. Miranda is right. No matter almost two years ago Sofia is a princess and lives in a castle. She will never forget where she came from. And will be forever that same Dunwiddie's kind girl.

Sofia loves everyone in her family. Miranda, Roland, Aunt Tilly, James, and Amber. We can say James never meant harm to Sofia. Sofia does not know James was unable to do anything against Sofia even when he felt a little jealous when she approached the other princes of the Tri-Kingdom Region in schoolwork. Amber became Sofia' friend after requesting forgiveness for sabotaging Sofia's first dance class. But even so Amber is still able to hurt Sofia's feelings when feels Sofia is taking her something. May be the time with their father. May be the popularity. And now the birthright. Sofia did not expect this from Amber. Especially after Amber took care of Sofia before and during the last Dads and Daughters day with the princesses of the Royal Prep.

Today, Sofia does not want to talk about all of this with any relative. She fears Amber knew, even by others. She was really terrified to see the anger in Amber's eyes, when the older sister spoke to her some minutes ago. Sofia could talk to Clover, but the rabbit is always in or near the castle and a relative or servant could hear and tell Amber. Sofia wants to know how to restore her friendship with Amber. She wants to regain her older sister without the intervention of others. The only person who Sofia could tell about her anguish is far away of Enchancia's royalty. Even being other royal.

Sofia and Minimus arrive to the beach with dock near Merroway Cove. Sofia leaves Minimus and walks alone to the end of the dock. There she takes off the helmet and the shoes, and remains there, sitting on the dock's edge. The tide is high. Sofia moves the water with her bare feet inside, but she don't turn to a mermaid. She can turn to a mermaid only if she wants, inserts her feet in the water and holds her amulet. She learned how to control this power.

Sofia had never felt so lonely. She breathes deeply and looks to the horizon at sea. Ten minutes later, a sea creature appears on the surface of the water and calls Sofia. It is one of her closest friends: the little mermaid Oona, Princess of Merroway Cove.

- Hi, Sofia. Glad to see you!

Sofia is lively, looks to Oona and smiles.

- Hi, Oona.

- I saw someone here and figured it was you. Come on, Sofia! Turn mermaid and come to the water!

- I'd like that, Oona. But I can't. I don't want anyone to know I'm here today. If I turn mermaid today, I'll back home with my gown wet or ruined and someone will ask why.

- Hmm. I think you want to tell me a secret. Come on, Sofia. If you need it, you can trust me. No one else will know.

Was at the time Princess Cora of Merroway Cove, Oona's older sister, also emerged.

- Oona! Come back!

That's when Cora sees Sofia on the dock and smiles.

- Oh! Sorry, Sofia. Nice to see you again.

- Me too - Sofia says. - I came here to tell a secret for Oona. But I think you can hear it too, Cora.

- Gee, Sofia. you look so sad.

Sofia looks to the horizon at sea and re-looks to the two mermaid.

- Today I had a problem at home. A big problem. Something I did not expect more. Amber was jealous again, and lowered my spirits.

Cora and Oona are sad, too.

- I don't understand, Sofia. You told me before Amber became your friend since your debut ball. Why would she do something bad to you now? - Oona asks.

- Because of a misunderstanding. I did a job at school with the two boys who will be the next kings of the two other kingdoms of Tri-Kindgom Region. I chose the boys. Amber knew this and accuses me of wanting to take her birthright, something she says she will get from James.

- Gee, Sofia. I believe in you. But you could have chosen other boys. What you did in school seemed a message to your siblings - Cora says.

- Only James saw. But he said nothing to me. He told to Amber and only she complained. Now she don't trust me. Even after saying I only wanted to establish good relations with the princes of neighboring kingdoms - Sofia says.

Sofia doesn't know James doesn't intend to stop Sofia and want to help her. Sofia remembers similar stories.

- Only three times people looked at me and lowered my spirits in a way so vicious. Amber before being my friend, because she was jealous of me in school. Jane did not want a royal girl in Merry Band, before accepting me as the entire band. Now Amber again.

A brief silence. Then Cora talks.

- Sofia, I do not know how is this question of succession to Enchancia's throne. But may I ask you if you are interested in that? Did you tell this to anyone or think about it?

- I've never spoken about it to anyone. I just thought. If I said I never thought, I lied. I was not born as princess. I became a princess overnight. But it was almost two years ago. A lot has happened. I learned many about the royals duties. After I learned my father received the crown because my aunt Tilly resigned during her childhood to be an ambassador and traveling around the world, I think what happened to my dad can happen to me. So I must to do my best. I can not be a "half princess". I must do what the kingdom need me to do, no matter what.

Oona tries to cheer Sofia.

- Sofia, since I met you I saw you are a loyal and fair friend. You did not give up to save me even when my mother wanted to sink the Floating Palace to save me, thinking your family kidnapped me. I think the only way to approach Amber again is doing exactly what you already do. You are not doing something wrong. You deserve to make your choices. If Amber is your true friend, she will not hurt your feelings again.

- I don't understand, Oona. All I've ever done has led me exactly to this conflict with Amber!

- Sofia, I think your sister must change more than you. You only need to trust more on yourself and on your good choices, no matter what the others say. No one will trust you if you not trust on yourself.

Cora speaks again.

- Don't worry, Sofia. Avoid misunderstandings with your siblings. At the end, all will be fine to you and Amber. She will ask your forgiveness again, and you must forgive her how many times she asks. And about what you say about you and your father, I think if you are his youngest daughter, his destiny can be yours and you can not escape from it.

Sofia immediately remembers good times of a recent past.

- Destiny... My aunt spoke of it to me once and said I need to get ready. I asked her what's my destiny and she did not tell.

Sofia is still in doubt about the destiny Tilly imagines to her. If it is about Sofia' work in the Secret Library or about something bigger. She gets excited.

- Well, if it will be my path, i'll follow it because I chose. It will be not only a destiny. Oona, Cora, you helped me a lot. I have to go home. I hope will not be long time to find you again.

Sofia gets up on the dock.

- Bye, Sofia! Come back soon! - Oona says.

- Bye, Sofia - Cora repeats.

- Goodbye! And thank you! - Sofia, to the two mermaids.

Sofia takes her shoes and helmet again, walks to Minimus and goes back home. With a smile on her face. A smile of her best days.

This is the Chapter Four. I hope everyone will enjoy this. I'm waiting for comments and suggestions. Thanks to everyone!