Warning: This chapter gets super dark, I apologize in advance. At least I am giving you some angsty Cedfia in this chapter!
Sofia's eyes popped open before the birds had a chance to chirp the first note of their morning song. Barely dawn and she was already up and getting ready for the rehearsal – she couldn't believe that her ball was so close.
The castle staff was bustling about setting up for the future grandeur, creating a soft hum down the corridors that was akin to electricity flowing through the wires. Sofia's smile couldn't be hidden, even as Bailywick and Amber bickered about last minute plans; it wasn't just the ball, it was that she was going to be there with Cedric by her side.
The last couple of weeks had been business as usual with Cedric, their relationship having gone back to normal. At first Sofia was sure that he had simply obliged her request to accompany her simply out of duty but the more they spoke, the more he complained and mocked the event, the more she started to think that perhaps it was his own way of expressing his excitement. Nonetheless, she was looking forward to his company and was even so bold as to think that maybe she would have the courage to tell him how much she thought of him that evening.
The day went by in a blink, everything in place and looking perfect. During the ceremony rehearsal, Cedric wore his usual robes and was stoic by Sofia's side. As they wrapped for the evening Sofia couldn't help but wander off with Cedric, as she had often done many times during her youth, and he was happy to have her company.
They walked through the gardens, watching the colors of dusk spread across the sky, without looking at one another. It was the first time they were truly alone since before Sofia had asked him to be her suitor and silence hung heavy in the air and she struggled with what to say, making small talk just to break the quiet. Cedric stopped walking and continued to stare forward without saying anything. Sofia stopped to ask what was wrong, facing his unwavering frame and thinking that perhaps he saw something in the distance that she did not. Cedric turned to face her abruptly looking over her face, searching for unknown answers, and asked her what her game was. Sofia had no idea how to answer him and stumbled over her words; Cedric continued and was emotionless as he asked her if she was intending to mock him by asking him to be her suitor or if she just wanted to have a familiar face by her side. Sofia was shocked and couldn't help herself, she scowled and searched deep within her for words to say. With a determined look she reached for Cedric's hand and her eyes met his; before words escaped her mouth, Bailywick came running down the garden path.
Cedric pulled his hand away and turned to face Bailywick, Sofia ignored him and continued to stare intently at Cedric. After a moment, Sofia remembered her manners and turned her attention to Bailywick. Last mine details, and Amber, required her presence at the castle. She couldn't find a way to avoid leaving her conversation with Cedric, instead looking over at him as he softly bid her a good evening.
After she had finally finished with the final preparations for the ball, Sofia had dinner with her family and appeased them with excited conversation and pleasant smiles but thought of nothing else but Cedric. By the time she was done it was far later than she had expected; when she glanced out the window to his tower, it fell dark. She retired to her room and fell into a deep sleep.
The knock at her door woke Sofia from her surprisingly restful slumber. Bailywick's familiar voice was on the other side, no doubt he was eager to see the day through; he let himself in and carried with him flowers from her parents. She smiled and felt an overwhelming love for her parents. Even with her current situation with Cedric, she felt so thankful for her life and her family.
The day pressed on and most of it was spent preparing for that afternoon's ceremony. There would be an official presentation and then the celebratory ball to follow. The last meal before the ball was a small family lunch, where James was more enthusiastic than usual about his progression towards the crown. Roland was filled with pride as he looked at him, glancing around at all of his children; when he saw Sofia watching him, he smiled even bigger. The next big even after Sofia's ball would be the official transfer of the crown to James; with only 8 months away, Amber could hardly wait to start planning. Her family almost made her forget about Cedric…almost.
Sofia's corset was laced, her make-up done, and the last strand of hair perfectly placed; she looked stunning and even she was able to admit it. She paced in her room, waiting for Cedric to arrive and escort her down to the hall for the official ceremony. Time was passing slowly and there were several moments where she thought he wasn't coming. When she heard the knock at the door, she jumped and her heart nearly stopped. She flung the door open and was met by Cedric…and Bailywick, as well as a handful of other members of the castle staff. Cedric looked at her with surprise, like he had never seen her in a gown, before extending his hand to her. She happily took it and they walked down the corridors as Bailywick chattered away in front of them and staff trailed behind them.
The ceremony was beautiful with lovely speeches made by Sofia's family; the final words were spoken by Roland and he hugged his daughter before officially presenting her to the crowd as Princess Sofia of Enchancia. She had always been Princess Sofia but now there was an official Princess, an adult with responsibilities and expectations. The court bowed to her, she giggled and thanked everyone and invited them to celebrate with her. With that, the reception and ball began.
Cedric made himself comfortable in the background as Sofia greeted people, thanked them personally, and made small talk with nearly everyone. Sofia had seen nearly everyone from the kingdoms and when she was done she looked for Cedric. Her eyes searched the crowds unsuccessfully. She was about to give up when she felt a hand on her shoulder, she turned around to see Cedric bowing and offering a dance with a smirk on is face.
The pair whirled around the dance floor, Cedric commenting on how lovely she looked and Sofia blushing. Neither one spoke of the conversation in the garden the day before. The song ended too soon and Sofia let her hands rest on Cedric's chest and shoulder longer than needed. Her stomach was filled with butterflies and she started to speak softly only to be cut off by Roland making the announcement that there was going to be a special fireworks show on the balcony and gardens in honor of Sofia.
Guests piled into the gardens and onto the balcony. Sofia stood with Cedric, just slightly removed from her family for privacy. The fireworks started but they were not normal fireworks; the sky was lit by shades of purple explosions that danced around in the inky blackness. Sofia turned to Cedric and asked him if this was his doing, he smiled and puffed up his chest before giving a solemn nod. She brought her hand to his arm and touched it gently, admiring the beauty; she felt his hand over hers and when she turned her head to face him, it was obvious that he hadn't been watching the fireworks. The explosions in the sky boomed with ferocity, it was nothing compared to the feelings that stirred within her.
No words were spoken, not out loud. Sofia and Cedric turned their bodies toward one another, Sofia moving her hands to his chest and Cedric brushing stray hairs from her face. They leaned in close, searching each other's eyes for deep secrets and taking each curve of each other's bodies in. Sofia bit her bottom lip and gripped his chest harder. Their bodies started to collide, both closing their eyes in anticipation of the next move, lips aching to meet among the booms and hisses surrounding them.
Their near-kiss was interrupted by Amber's scream. They jumped back from each other, thinking they were in some sort of trouble together. Amber's scream wasn't her normal shrill cry; it was a blood curdling guttural moan of agony. Everyone on the balcony turned to her expecting an explanation, yet nothing came. Her face was contorted in horror and Sofia followed her empty gaze to James, who looked just as shocked as everyone else. Miranda and Roland started to scold Amber but Sofia continued to watch James…something was off.
James's surprised look was starting to be replaced by sorrow and fear as his eyes started to roll back into their sockets. His knees started to give and it was only Sofia's rushing to him that drew attention away from Amber, who continued to scream in hysterics. James fell to his back before Sofia could reach him; both Roland and Miranda sprang forward and knelt by his side. No one noticed the red stain forming on his jacket until the deep red crimson started to pool on the stone floor beneath him.
Roland cried out orders, inaudible to Sofia as she stared at her brother's now-lifeless body. The balcony started to empty and she felt herself being pulled away from the scene like she was being pulled from a dream. Miranda had grabbed Amber and was pushing her after Sofia, a sense of duty kicking in and overriding emotions. Sofia saw the worry in her mother's face and when she turned back to see her father, Roland was now cradling James's limp body and letting his blood soak into his clothing.
Sofia and her family, what remained of it, were led into a secret room. Amber was unable to speak, sitting in shock as Miranda held her and wept softly. Bailywick was nowhere in sight, likely with her father. She scanned the room and the last face her gaze came upon was Cedric. There were no words, just her collapse into him and crying as he held her tightly.
The door opened, guards sprang up, but Roland entered and held up a hand to them. His normally white breeches were stained a sickening brownish red. His hands were covered in dried blood – her brothers. Bailywick had his hand on the King's shoulder, and softly told him to sit. It was the first time that Bailywick had ever given him an order that was not just a mere suggestion. Roland sat with Miranda and Amber, and they cried together for a moment before Amber broke the silence to ask what had happened.
Roland wiped his tears and looked at Bailywick for reassurance, who nodded confidently at the King as he wiped his own tears from under his wire-rim glasses. Roland started to speak, telling everyone that he received notice that Enchancia was under attack by rival kingdoms. Miranda interrupted, asking who would have done this, before Roland muttered that the attack was led by Rudistan. The room fell silent before somber conversation continued.
The family spent the night in their hidden enclave with the exception of Roland, who had decisions to make. Cedric stayed too, conjuring items needed and reciting protective spells as an added measure of caution. Miranda held Amber until she fell asleep and then Sofia held her mother until she finally succumbed to sleep. When Cedric fell asleep while sitting on a chaise, exhausted from the events of the day, Sofia left her mother's side and curled next to Cedric, burying her head into his robes.
As she closed her eyes, the image of James's face came to her; his eyes rolling into the back of his head and exposing the whites of his eyes. Sofia opened her eyes again and refused sleep.