Dressed up in his rather unusual suit, Cedric could only sigh in response with how everything went with his day. What was supposed to be a normal visit to his Mother for Mother's Day has turned into this catastrophe
It just so happened that Winifred's wish for Mother's day is for Cedric to experience at least once to court a woman or at least try to. And it also just so happened that taking place in the same day is the start of Princess Sofia's courtship ceremonies.
With this, the Sorcerer was inclined to attend and try his chances… even though there is no way in heck Sofia was gonna approve of him anyways, the experience can't be that bad
"Hey watch it over there!" a rather masculine voice from up ahead grunted out which was sure heard from those behind. It was the Prince of Flannigan with his very long ridiculous hair
The line was getting more and more worse, and it was getting worse every second that passes. It was like a line to a ferry ship or something that has exceeded very long. Cedric smirked as he thought of this, Sofia must be very valuable to these desperate princes that they went out of their way to endure all of this
An hour passed and the line barely made progress. Not only that, the afternoon was getting darker and darker too. If not for his love for his mum on her day, Cedric would've already dipped since earlier ago.
But from his position, he finally got a view of Princess Sofia sitting on the balcony with her own personal throne. From their time they spent with each other, Cedric could tell she was forcing her smile to entertain the so called suitors that come from different kingdoms
In a split second, their eyes met and a surprise grazed her face. It was like she couldn't believe that he would be there. But in that moment, her eyes lit up and gave a cheery smile
Cedric gave a smirk in response as the line went on. One prince after another, and another again and another. It took a while, but finally Cedric was just one step away from facing the royal family with intentions of courting the princess
When he finally stepped in front of the pavement, their gazes almost could melt him on the spot. But in the corner was the soft and rather delicate look on Sofia that somehow makes her comfortable. She always makes things easier for him no matter what and that is something that he always appreciates
"So Cedric" King Roland stood up from his seat with a rather flabbergasted expression "We sure encountered a whole variety of princes and men come across us, but surely, you're the last person we'd expect to show up today"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I am in here of the intention of proving myself worthy of being Sofia's suitor" Cedric forced a grin
"You do realize you are no prince in any way whatsoever…" A sudden irk from the side chimes in. It came from Amber herself who definitely didn't look as happy as the rest "And you're like… a decade and a half older than my sister"
As if Cedric hasn't known that already, as if the whole thing wasn't ridiculous enough in the first place. But his mother insisted on doing it, what else could he do? There's nothing else to know or to decipher. If she saw Sofia as a wonderful match for him, then it is what it is
"I am aware of that, Princess Amber." Cedric responded in a polite manner
"Just let him cook, Amber. Maybe Ced has a good reason for this" it was James's turn to retort. Despite his rambunctiousness, that blonde man always has his back no matter what. "I say we give him a chance" He then turned to his parents "Mom, Dad?"
"I believe it is Sofia's decision if she'd let Cedric take part" Queen Miranda chimed in while looking at her daughter beside her who had an expression from her face that definitely didn't need any more answer whatsoever
Cedric smiled internally. Finally, all she has to do is refuse and decline… then after that, he just has to accept and walk away and go home and tell her Mother it just wasn't meant to be.
A brilliant plan from the Genius Sorcerer
"I accept Mister Cedric!"
Just as quick as the idea came to him was as fast as his smile faded away from hearing that. Grimacing, Cedric could only look at Sofia with a frown on her face
"Well then there you have it!" King Roland announced "Tell us what you have to say Cedric"
Sighing to himself yet keeping his smile, Cedric gathered up his courage to formulate them into words. Now he has to say the good qualities of Sofia and what makes her amazing
"All I have to say is Sofia is really an amazing girl who is capable of doing many things. She is also very smart and outspoken" His thoughts still raved on other things
"Is that all?" King Roland asked
"Yes, Your Majesty" Cedric answered
"Those sure are rather minimalistic traits of Sofia that you chose to use… but either ways… Thank you for coming Cedric. Next!"
Cedric could finally relax, all that's needed to do is just to walk away from there and head back to the tower where he would tell his Mum how it went.
.
.
.
"I choose him."
Not again.
"I choose Mister Cedric, Dad" Sofia stood up and pointed at him which made everyone gasp in response
Especially the Sorcerer as his eyes widened in surprise and disbelief
"M-me…?"
Sofia slowly nodded with a slight blush on her cheeks
"Yes!" her voice raised in a cheery tone "I will allow you to court me, Cedric!"
x X x
"What is wrong with you!" It was already evening at the tower as Cedric could almost bark in annoyance with Sofia sitting in his chair looking all guilty "Now look what you did, everyone is expecting me to be your husband and King Roland is preparing for the wedding!"
"I-I'm sorry!" her voice broke with her eyes closed "It was Ma'am Winifred, she told me about how you're gonna show up and take part in the courtship ceremony"
"Well… you should've known that she was just wanting me to join for the experience!" Cedric reasoned out. His voice was raised, yet, also keeping a respectful manner to the princess "she didn't really expect you to choose me of all people!"
"I-I didn't know…" her eyes opened and it was resonating of guilt "I'm sorry, Mister Cedric.."
Not being able to resist those eyes of hers, Cedric just sighed and turned away "It's not your fault if you didn't know, Sofia. You just misunderstood and all"
"Besides…" Cedric then reached out for his pocket to reveal a paper that had a form written on it "I had a plan B ahead if ever this happened.."
Whatever he was holding on his hand sure took the interest of Sofia as she leaned in closer "What is that?"
"A form used by any suitor to back out from any engagements or commitments whatsoever. But this only applies within a day…"
He then took out a pen and presented them to her "All you need to do is sign the line above your name as the princess and how you officially accept my resignation as your suitor."
"With this, we'll be out of this situation for sure" He added while smiling at her
"I see, Mister Cedric. Can I use my pen instead?" she asked nicely
"Sure" Cedric took his pen back turned around to watch the windows
"This is our way out, Sofia. Now you don't have to be bethrothed to someone you don't love, isn't that wonderf–"
"oops.."
A clang sound was heard from behind as Cedric turned and was horrified of what he saw.
The paper… the form…
Drenched in ink!
"No No NO!" Cedric frantically ran to the table to try to wipe off the ink but it was no use. It already drenched the entire thing, ruining the content as a whole
"I-I'm sorry, Mister Cedric. I accidentally poured the ink container…" Sofia reasoned out but Cedric was already sighing in defeat
"That's okay…" her curiosity piqued hearing this yet again as he then pulled out another form from his other pocket "I figured this might happen too so I brought an extra"
"Okay!" a smile quickly forms on her lips with her eyes closed "Give me.."
"Hup Hup Hup Hup…" Cedric pulled away the paper behind him quickly "This is the last one… so please be very careful, Sofia. And make sure to sign properly"
"I will, Mister Cedric" With this, Cedric finally gave it to her as he then walked to the sink to get a rag to clean the dripped ink on the table.
With this, Sofia won't have to be in one of those scenarios where she has to marry someone she didn't love or whatnot. All she has to do is to sign the paper and the whole thing will be over.
What else could go wrong?
.
.
.
"I waited for this moment my whole life. You think I'm just gonna let this little paper ruin everything?"
A sudden unusual comment from her made Cedric turn around "What was that?"
She was facing the other way to the windows as a sudden tear was heard coming from her. It didn't take long until Cedric finally made sense of what she was doing..
.
.
Sofia was tearing the paper piece by piece! And despite her having her back facing him, Cedric knew what she was doing from the reflection of the windows
She tore it again… and again… and again… and again until they were merely bits of paper dusts that she tossed into the window and along the air
"W-Why would you do that…" was all he could mutter. He was all out of forms and that was the last one. They were pretty much fucked at this point
And the tides slowly turns, as the breeze of the evening wind from the opened windows gave Cedric the chills. But it was a different vibe all over with Sofia's back turned against him and him anticipating why on earth she would do such a thing
Sofia then slowly turns around with a goofy look on her face with her grin playing on her lips. She definitely was not taking this seriously
"Oops… silly me.. tee-hee!" she only giggled in a childish way with her lips pouted, but the look on her eyes was definitely not of guilt of clumsiness… but of playfulness and triumph
.
.
.
"Looks like we'll just have to get married no matter what, Ceeedric~"