Greetings! Welcome to the fifth chapter of this tale. In the previous chapter, Sofia took important decisions. This story will certainly change, as the own main protagonist changed. There will be more surprises in this fifth chapter and the return of important characters of the franchise.
Some surprises became after some suggestions. Thanks to everyone who submitted reviews.
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.
The following hours and days were almost normal for the three children of King Roland. Sofia continued her routine, at home and at school. Always kind and smiling. Even for Amber, who spoke little to Sofia, but always returning the kindness of her younger sister. Amber does not understand why Sofia is still so kind to her. Amber thinks Sofia understood her message.
James is the one who came back to take care of Sofia as he did before the first strategy lessons. Being gentle and protecting his younger sister. The point to resume the fencing practice with Sofia, teaching everything he knows. Still difficult to know which one of them is the best fencer.
The truth is James does not matter if he will be the king or, instead, Sofia will be the queen. He fears only an Amber's reign.
The following friday came and, with it, the new meeting of Buttercups. The meeting is beginning again in front of Enchancia Castle. Earlier, Sofia and Amber put their Buttercup uniforms, and found each other in the corridors of the castle. Sofia is gentle as always.
- Amber, I know you still angry because of me, but I ask you to enjoy the meetings of Buttercups as usual. We can not involve the troop in our domestic problems. Put a smile on your face!
Amber laughs, embarrassed.
- Me? Involve Buttercups? No, Sofia. Don't worry. I will put a smile on my face and will have a good time with the troop. You will see.
It is the time when Princess Vivian joins the two sisters, coming from Sofia's room. Vivian arrived earlier to the castle, and entered with Sofia in her room, where Vivian changed her princess outfit for the Buttercups uniform for the first time. But without a vest.
- How do I look, girls?
- Beautiful outfit, Vivian - Amber says.
- Nice, Vivian - Sofia says. - I will go with you today, in your debut.
- Thanks, Sofia - Vivian says.
Amber is really getting excited about this meeting of Buttercups. It is a group that she likes to join. After all, it is the group that turned her into outdoors princess, much thanks to Sofia. Moreover, it is a group where she could forget a bit the royal problems, because there is no royals or commoners in the troop. Amber loves her life in royalty, but sometimes gets stressed with the duties. During the Buttercups meetings, all of them are only Buttercups. Even Sofia being the only girl of the troop owner of a Leadership Badge. Amber smiles embarrassed when she sees that badge. She read about that badge on the Buttercups's manual. Helen Hanshaw, who is the only adult woman of the troop, has a Leadership Badge, too.
The trio finds the other Buttercups in front of the castle: Helen, Ruby, Jade, Meg, and Peg. Lucinda wears a new Buttercup uniform, including hat, but no vest. Helen welcomes Vivian and Lucinda. Sofia gives Vivian a vest, and Amber gives another to Lucinda.
After Helen explained to Vivian and Lucinda all about Buttercup's activies and badges, the group go to Peppertree Forest, where Vivian and Lucinda were never. The girls get several badges after doing many activities. Surprisingly, Amber, Vivian, and Lucinda earn many badges, including Wood Gathering Badge, Wild Flower Badge and Bird House Badge. Sofia earn this three same badges. She hadn't this three badges before. Amber learned to deal with things that once believed to be dirty, as the land beneath the plants. Lucinda is the last Buttercup to make her bird house. This is an uncommon bird house. Helen asks:
- Lucinda, what did you do?
- It's a birdhouse. In fact, a house for crow puppies. Crows are birds, aren't?
Helen is surprised.
- Well, they are. Then you deserve a Bird House Badge.
- Thanks, Mrs. Hanshaw.
At the end of the activies, Lucinda joins Sofia and Amber.
- Thank you both for bringing me to the troop. You don't know how important this is to me.
- Some important reason? - Amber asks curiously.
- Amber, I had no friend before Sofia, Ruby, and Jade. I was a bad witch before know them. Now I have several friends in Dunwiddie. In addition to the two of you, and Vivian. Thank you.
- You're welcome - Amber says.
- And I did all of today's activities without magic! I left my wand at home. Mom told me I needed to learn to do more things without relying on magic. When not in my witch's work, of course.
Sofia smiled. She is also learning to rely less on the Amulet of Avalor. Although she could be a sorceress if she wanted to, her work is not this. She is a princess. Help her family on taking care of the kingdom is her mission.
Sofia is proud of Amber, who had kept the promise to smile and have fun, as well as being kind to the other Buttercups. Sofia keeps hope to restore her friendship with her older sister.
Meanwhile, Roland and Miranda are in the castle on their duties. Miranda helps her husband. Until Miranda asks.
- Roland, I never saw you on flying derby. When did you end to do that?
- When I assumed the throne, I had to reduce my activities outside my duties. Do you see the amount of tasks I have today? But when I was a kid, I won some races. As James and Sofia do today.
Roland continues to work while thinking of something to satisfy Miranda's curiosity.
- I think I can practice flying derby for one day. And take you with me in going and coming.
- Like our trips by horse before our marriage? - Miranda asks.
- Yes. I also want to do it again. Our trip and the training. But to do that, I'll have to pass the crown for a day again.
- Are you thinking about our children's training?
- Yes. I put James in charge for a day. I promised to do the same with Sofia, and Amber.
Roland pauses and speaks seriously.
- Moreover, even if one day I want Sofia replace me, first she will have to prove to be ready for it. The entire kingdom depends on it. We chose to have no child after Sofia. She'll not have any younger sibling to leave the throne. Tomorrow we'll leave for the derby and let Sofia in charge.
Miranda is in doubt.
- And when do you want to announce this to the children?
- Early at breakfast. How I did when James took over. It will be done to Amber, too.
Some hours later, at night, Sofia is in her room, wearing her nightdress, ready to sleep. She sees her rabbit Clover arriving by the small secret passage.
- Hi, Clover - Sofia smiles. - Do you want to sleep here today?
- Yep. I missed you. What did you do today?
- I just went to the forest with the Buttercups. Everything worked. Vivian and Lucinda loved the group. Amber was kind to all. Including me.
- Amber? It's hard to believe. I lost count the amount of times you told me your sister was rude to you. Her jealousy by the possible role of crown princess was the worst of all.
- I know. But that's the past. Now I think we're fine, as possible. I chose to do what I must and want to do, no matter what the others say about it. I can be anything. If I will be or will not be, only time will tell.
- That's it, girl!
Sofia hugs Clover.
- Now I'm only concerned about tomorrow. There will be no class at Royal Prep, no derby flying training or racing , no duties with Dunwiddie Ducks, no duties as princess. If dad is not too busy, it will better to go out with Minimus and find Carol and the Merry Band, to do good deeds with them.
Clover yawns a little, and smiles to Sofia.
- Sofia, you worry too much. It's too late and it's time to sleeping. Tomorrow you will choose what to do.
- You're right. Good night, Clover. Sweet dreams!
- Good night, little princess.
Sofia leaves Clover on his pillow, washes her hands and face and gargles on the room's sink, takes off her slippers and lies down on the bed, going to the world of dreams.
About the next day, Sofia doesn't know what is waiting for her. The Merry Band may wait the return of Sofia for more time.
This is the Chapter Five. I hope everyone will enjoy this. Perhaps the next chapter takes a little longer to be published. It deserves more care, and may be bigger than the previous ones.
I'm waiting for comments and suggestions. Thanks to everyone!