Author's Note: What did Axel see? Who is the woman Cedric engages? and perhaps most importantly, who caused Sofia's distress at the end? Theories welcome!
Chapter 9: Premonitions
Baileywick escorted Sofia through the gardens and around the hallways of the castle. "Before I forget Princess Sofia, Madame Collete has finished mending your cape. I can deliver it to your room this afternoon."
"Oh okay, thanks Baileywick." Sofia's thoughts turned to her bedroom, and the crumpled green dress on the floor. The steward would assuredly take to cleaning the dress, and he might just start asking questions about why it was covered in ashes. "On second thought, I'll just stop by and pick it up myself."
"Are you sure Princess? It's no bother at all."
"I'm sure Baileywick. I'd like to thank her myself."
He smiled in his overtly kind way. "Very well Princess."
They turned a corner and entered the royal reception room. As with most other formal rooms of the castle this one was high ceilinged and bordered with gold filial. Her Dad stood hunched over a table, examining some documents. "Your Majesty I've located Princess Sofia. She was wandering the gardens."
Rolland turned and stood abruptly, "Good man Baileywick, but I'm almost out of time." He gave the steward a gentle nod and the servant bowed before retreating. Rolland turned to his youngest daughter with more than a little concern. "How are you feeling today Sofia? We were all worried about you."
Guilt. "Sorry Dad, but I feel fine."
He nodded, "Good. Now I have a very important job for you today. I need you to help Amber and James entertain your friends, and believe me when I tell you this is very serious. They should be arriving with their parents any minute, and I need everyone to remember the friendships they've formed. It's what's going to get us through this."
"But Dad—"
He turned and grabbed one of her hands, imploring her assistance. "This is vital Sofia. I need everyone's help. Normally I'd have your mother soften the tone, she's so wonderful at that, but your mother isn't feeling well again and can't get out of bed."
"Wait, so the medicine isn't working anymore?" He nodded. Her poor mother, but there was so much more at stake now. Rolland seemed rushed and turned away, back to the document. "But Dad I really need to talk to you about what's going on in Friezenburg."
"I'm sorry Sofia I don't have time, they'll be here any minute and I need to prepare. Please go help your sister."
"But Dad this is important!"
Just then Amber entered the chamber, "Oh Sofia there you are! Come with me, I've got the most amazing dress I want you to try on. Prince Hugo won't be able to resist you!"
Impressing Prince Hugo was the farthest thing from a priority imaginable. "Amber I need to talk to Dad."
"But Sofia he's busy and we need to help, right Daddy?" She smiled up at the King and he gave her a half second nod. It encouraged Amber to start tugging on her sister's arm. "Come on Sofia, let's go."
"NO." It rang out loud and clear from Sofia's mouth, and both royals were startled by its forcefulness. "No Dad, I need to know. Did you know that Friezenburg and Maldonia were working together to hunt down the people who escaped?"
She looked him dead in the eyes, and he returned her stare. "Of course I did Sofia, and I'm trying to do it again. Above all else we need peace and stability right now, or everyone will suffer."
He couldn't know what he was saying, "But Dad don't you realize the prisoners are from Friezenburg! All they want is to go home to their families."
Rolland came a bit unglued. "Sofia I need everyone's help to prevent war again and I don't need you second guessing every decision I'm making, not right now dear. These people are criminals, and they need to be captured. Can't you understand that?"
His forceful tone resounded off the walls, stress ringing clear through the words. Sofia couldn't accept that Rolland would be so cold to those in dire need and pressed him further. "But Dad how do you know they're really criminals? What crimes did they actually commit?
"Sofia I don't have time to go into all this right now."
"Dad everyone deserves freedom and happiness, don't they?"
"Sofia this isn't the time to discuss the merits of humanity. I need to solve this NOW. Think about your friends and what will happen if I can't resolve this."
"But Dad I am thinking, about EVERYONE."
"That's enough Sofia. You wouldn't be arguing with me if you were thinking of your friends."
The door opened and in walked a steward with King Victor of Maldonia. Sofia lunged forward and grabbed Rolland's arm in a last desperate attempt, "But Dad the people! They don't deserve this, do they Dad? DO THEY?!"
"ENOUGH. Sofia you are simply too innocently naïve and I need you to go now. Amber take your sister with you please." He wore a massive scowl as he dismissed his daughters. Sofia had cut short his meager time for preparations and had confronted him on his actions, but it only served to enrage the man.
Amber instantly grabbed Sofia's arm at their father's behest, yanking her into a clumsy bow in front of the visiting king, then dragged her off out the side door. Sofia tried to resist but was choking back tears, and the elder girl won out. Amber pulled her younger sister down the corridor and away from the meeting that had begun. "Sofia that was horrifying. How could you talk to Daddy like that?!"
"But Amber he's trying to help King Victor and King Aaron capture and kill people." She was barely able to keep back the tears and took big gulps of air to suppress them.
"Oh Sofia it's NONE of our business. I'm sure Daddy is right, he always is. We need to help Daddy by doing what he asked and entertaining our friends to make sure they're happy. That's a princess's job. To be beautiful, dutiful and knowledgably and in so doing to aide our kingdoms, THAT is a princess's responsibility." Amber's words sounded accurate, if misguided in their application. The elder princess could see the reticence in her sister's demeanor and knew another argument would follow. Instead she brushed a golden lock from her shoulder in a haughty fashion, and then pinched the edges of her skirt to allow for effortless gliding along the corridor. "Now are you going to come try on this dress or am I going to go entertain them myself."
Sofia looked down at her usual purple ensemble, then past it to the floor. The hallway seemed to spin around her. She'd utterly failed to sway King Rolland. Even appealing to their shared humanity did little good. "I don't feel like entertaining anyone Amber. In fact I think I need to lay down."
"Very well then." Amber scoffed and was down the hallway before Sofia could blink. She stood there staring at the beautiful tapestries along the walls and decorative vases lining the corridor feeling utterly, miserably alone. No one cared what she had to say, no one was remotely invested in what would happen to the freed men. Sofia slogged toward the castle seamstresses chambers, took the mended cape and thanked the woman for her efforts with as much enthusiasm as could be mustered under the circumstances, and trudged back to her bedroom, collapsing on the soft linens of her bed. She couldn't help but imagine that her Papa was sleeping on some forsaken dirt pile, or maybe even fighting for his life in some brown wasteland deep in the squalor of Friezenburg. All the while she lay in a castle filled with wasted splendor.
...
After a bit of moping a now-familiar rapping was heard at her window. She rose to open it. None other than Lucinda came in with the breeze, spinning on her broom as she floated down into a landing on Sofia's bedroom floor.
"Oh Sofia it was so magical! I knew I'd finally meet the one, oh and he's so handsome. You were so right, being good does have its rewards!" The beautiful witch was grinning wildly but her jovial demeanor turned on a dime as the woman realized her friend's mental state. "What's up Sofia? You look like someone hexed you good."
"It's not that." Regret filled Sofia as she watched the jubilant mood of her companion fade away. "I'm sorry Lucinda. Who did you meet?"
The witch clasped her hands to her chest and then reached out for Sofia, initiating a waltz with the girl around the bedroom floor, levity restored. "Oh Sofia that Axel fellow from last night, he was so amazing and charming. He's the one, I just know it!"
Sofia dropped Lucinda's hands and stepped away slowly. The witch looked at her motions and the glorious smile faded from her lips. "Oh no Sofia, what is it? Don't tell me he's into whips and chains, because I could see that working."
"NO Lucinda. I think… you'd better sit down."
Her friend sat along the edge of the large plush bed and Sofia took up a position alongside the witch, pulling her knees to her chest. "Lucinda, Axel is… the Crown Prince of Maldonia, and he's betrothed." She watched her friend's eyes close and lip turn downward. Oh no, Lucinda must have really fallen for the prince last night. "I'm so sorry Lucinda."
"Who's he supposed to marry anyway? Was it that girl who came up and dragged him off last night?"
Sofia gave her friend a shrug, "Probably. Her name is Hildegard, and she's a princess from Friezenburg."
Lucinda's eyes bulged from their sockets. "The one with black hair and stuck up nose that pointed to the stars?" Sofia nodded. That fit Hildegard to a tee. "Oh he didn't even seem to like her." Lucinda started pounding the bed with her fists, then gave up and flopped onto the bed. "Aw man, he was so handsome and seemed so kind. Why oh why are all the good ones taken?" The witch paused her despondent musings and turned to Sofia, "Are you sure I can't hex her?" Sofia raised an eyebrow at her friend. That was a definite 'No'.
"Rats."
"I'm sorry friend."
Lucinda finally extracted her face from the covers. "So how many of your royal friends are already engaged? I think I need to know this in case I ever get flung into a party with them again."
"Just the crown princes and princesses for the most part. Their parents want to make sure the lineages are preserved with royal marriages."
"Then James is betrothed too?"
"Yes, but really you're not thinking of him too are you Lucinda?"
"No, but Ruby's going to be heartbroken when she finds out."
"Yeah." It was impossible not to notice Ruby's devout affections for the Crown Prince of Enchancia. Even James had remarked on occasion about it while in private, but knowing nothing could ever transpire it was never openly acknowledged and her affections were never returned.
"So are you going to tell me where you disappeared to last night?" Sofia looked at her friend confused, but then realized she'd just abandoned the witch at the party.
"Oh sorry about that. I found out that Friezenburg and Maldonia are cooperating to recapture all the prisoners we freed."
Lucinda shot up off the bed, "You're kidding me! Why would Friezenburg just turn over their own people like that?!"
"It's worse. A whole lot worse." Lucinda was practically bouncing on the bed, cajoling Sofia to continue. "Okay, well I found out last night that Friezenburg has been capturing and selling its own people to Maldonia as slaves for a really long time. Decades."
Lucinda stopped bouncing. She actually looked to have stopped breathing. "Are you serious Sofia?"
"Yeah, and there are a lot more prisoners of war still left in Maldonia that we didn't free."
Lucinda sat there, taking it all in. "They were SOLD, as SLAVES. That's… it's too terrible for words."
They sat there in silence for a couple minutes. Finally Lucinda stood. "So when are we going to go free them?"
It took Sofia aback. "Wait Lucinda, I can't let you be involved in this anymore. Remember what by Dad decreed, it could kill you."
Lucinda was shaking her head, "But this is AWFUL Sofia. We have to do something, we HAVE to help!"
"I know. I want to, but I promised my Papa I'd come home to Enchancia. This is really bad Lucinda, a real civil war could be breaking out."
"AND we need to help them!"
"Do you REALLY want to fight Axel? Because that's what you are suggesting. Hildegard's family, and Axel's family, they're in on this together." Lucinda stopped.
"His family has been buying people… as slaves." Lucinda had uttered the words, but their full meaning didn't hit until spoken. She sat back down on the bed, the breath knocked from her body. "It can't be, can it? Could he really be involved in any of this? Does he know?" There was desperation in Lucinda's eyes as she spoke, as if the world was collapsing behind their green reflections.
"I… I don't know." Sofia flung her hands up in exasperation, "He's the crown Prince of Maldonia after all, which means his family has been involved in or at least condoning the capture of Friezenburg's people for generations." Sofia stopped in her tracks. "I don't actually know if Axel has been directly involved in any of this. I want to believe the best of people, so maybe he doesn't know." She turned to her friend. "Do you think he knows?"
Lucinda's expression grew hard. "Yeah. He probably knows. The guy was all sweet-talking to me last night while failing to mention he was an ENGAGED crown prince of Mal-treatment-donia. So yeah, I wouldn't put it past him."
Sofia could see that little flicker in Lucinda's eyes when her mischievous nature longed to burst forth. She was most displeased with the recent developments. "So what are we gonna do Sofia?"
"I think you should forget any of this happened, just like we agreed yesterday." The witch nodded reluctantly. "I'm supposed to keep an ear out for information that's royal privileged, and then pass it along to Papa." Sofia was nerviously stroking the fringe of a pillow as she said it. The idea of spying on others went against her very nature, but it was less abhorrent then letting her Papa suffer alone.
"But how are you going to hear anything Sofia? You're stuck here in your room."
"Well, Hugo kind of has a pretty big crush on me so he comes to Enchancia often."
"I didn't notice" Lucinda raised an eyebrow as the sarcasm spilled forth.
Sofia rolled her eyes, "Anyway, I'll just let him visit and listen to what he has to say. In fact… he's probably downstairs somewhere right now along with his brother and Hildegard's family."
"They're HERE?" Lucinda exclaimed as daggers shone in her eyes and vitriol seethed from her mouth. "Those charlatans, warmongers, SLAVE OWNERS. They're here NOW? Ooh I have more than half a mind to end their scheming!"
"Hold up there friend, King Rolland is trying to broker another cease-fire after I kind of destroyed the last plan by beating that Royal Sorceress and her daughter on my adventure last night." Lucinda paused for a brief second, then let out a little chuckle. "Wait, what's about that is funny?"
The witch shook her head a bit, "Well the idea of witches fleeing in terror from you is pretty funny, miss 'everybody-should-get-along'. And since when is he 'King Rolland' to you? I thought you always called him 'Dad'." Her comment took Sofia by surprise, but it wasn't entirely off point. This whole situation had caused fractures in her good opinion of the King.
"And you're not squeezing every ounce of information you can out of them?"
Sofia looked down at the floor. "I… I guess I could just listen, like Papa suggested. It's hard though, everything Hugo says irritates me and I feel kind of uncomfortable with it all. It seems dishonest."
Lucinda let loose a wicked smile. "Oh Sofia it's not dishonest to listen to what people have to say, and it's completely worth it. What if it ends up saving lives?"
She had a valid point. Sofia hugged her dear friend and mustered her courage. This was going to take some serious effort. The witch was left to stew in private and Sofia affixed her tiara in her hair and headed out to try her hand at subterfuge.
...
Our beleaguered princess found the group of younger royals on the green below Cedric's tower. Amber had initiated a game of croquet and was laughing obtrusively to cover the tension in the air. Hildegard and her older sister Marianne were standing next to Amber, croquet mallets in their hands, while Prince Axel sat upon the edge of the fountain some distance away reading a thin book. James was in his own hypermanic world as usual, practicing his fencing form with a blunted rapier. Hugo was pacing the length of the grounds, and upon Sofia's entrance beamed with excitement as he advanced toward her. She fought her revulsion instinct while the boy took Sofia's reluctantly given arm and paraded her around the croquet court. Amber watched the display and smiles of delight crept up on her face. Sofia was fulfilling her part of this task, and at least one royal amongst the party was now happy.
Several turns about the green with Hugo spouting nothing but flattery and Sofia could endure no longer. She sent pleading looks at anyone willing to make eye contact, and finally found a savior in Axel. The crown prince set down his readings and strode up to the pair. "Lovely day, isn't it princess Sofia?" and with that he stole her arm from his younger brother, escorting her quickly from the disgruntled boy.
Axel did have a charming smile; no wonder Lucinda found him immediately likeable. "I've had better days than today."
The prince nodded. "Ah yes. All this talk of war, it's quite distressing. I've been pressuring my father to let it go, but so far he's refused."
"REALLY!" She practically jumped with excitement. Perhaps the Crown Prince of Maldonia was someone who could be reasoned with.
He was a bit confused by her forceful reaction, but continued. "Of course. A couple dozen prisoners and the broken word of a king aren't worth the lives of my people, even if our criminals are now roaming about Friezenburg."
"Forgive me, but did I just hear that MY father was the one breaking promises?" Sofia and Axel's turn about the green had led them into proximity of the ladies playing croquet, with disastrous results, as now Hildegard's older sister Marianne was glaring at the pair in arms. "I do think it's YOUR father who cannot seem to keep his word."
Axel blistered at the comment, "My lady you are mistaken, for my father would never go back on his word."
Now Hugo was jumping into the fray, "Unlike yours, who always seems to go back on HIS word."
Hildegard gave off a disrespectful little laugh, "Well then, aren't we just so confident about that. I know for a fact that YOUR mages haven't been doing their job, and my father thinks it's INTENTIONAL."
Hugo was turning crimson with anger, "You don't even know what you're talking about! Cecelia and Amalthea would NEVER go against my father's wishes and it's your derelict little kingdom that's the problem!"
Axel buried his free hand into his face, "Oh Baby bro, that was NOT the right thing to say."
Amber interceded, "Everyone please, let's leave the 'discussions' to our fathers who know exactly what's happening, and instead why don't we all have some nice relaxing tea? Our chef's cookies are simply the best!" Amber's radiant smile seemed to halt the shouting. The golden princess gave a few tugs on her friends blue dress; "Come on Hilde, I'll have your favorite teas brewed this instant."
The insulted princesses of Friezenburg unfurled their fans and stuck their noses to the sky as the group of ladies walked off.
For his part Axel kept a steadfast grip on Sofia's arm, effectively halting her participation in the tea-based distraction. Sofia noted his disdainful looks as the girls wandered off, and couldn't help but recognize that there was little affection between the Crown Prince of Maldonia and the youngest Princess of Friezenburg. She looked back at Axel, and a thought gripped her. If Hugo could speak of nothing but her hair, perhaps Axel would be more willing to divulge what was going on. He was bound to be more informed, being the elder son, and also seemed more willing to speak on the matters at hand.
"Axel, it looks like you don't want to have tea. Will you take a walk in the gardens with me?"
He smiled widely, "I thought you'd never ask."
They were barely out of eyesight when Axel dropped the courtly pretense and began to pull on Sofia's arm, dragging her deeper behind the bushes. Sofia quickly realized it was to evade Hugo, who had attempted to follow them. It must have looked a bit comical as they raced away from the greens through the tall hedges, but time spent without Hugo's pandering was a welcome relief to the princess. After a distance Axel finally stopped and held her hands, beaming with excitement. "Princess, I'm sorry to be so forward but I simply must know. What kingdom does the family of your radiantly beautiful friend rule?"
Sofia stared at him. "I'm sorry, who?"
He was smiling widely, a stark contrast from the croquet game. "Your friend, I saw you two enter the ball together. Her name was Lucinda, but she didn't tell me any other particulars and I simply need to know."
Was he really asking her this? For talking at length during the party they really hadn't said much to eachother, had they? "Um, why do you want to know Axel?"
He smiled up to the sky, "Don't you feel that Sofia, the warming rays of the sun. They melt the ice and snow, blessing us with new life and a whole new world of possibilities."
Sofia hadn't even noticed the sun shining down on them. "Uh, I guess I feel the suns heat."
"Exactly. Everything today is more beautiful, more magnificent, and the very world is singing praises now that I've met her."
"What in the?"
"Oh Sofia she was whip-smart and incredibly beautiful. If I could but spend my life with a princess like her my days would be filled with happiness forevermore. Please just tell me what kingdom they rule and I'll find a way to break my engagement. I'm sure I could convince my father for he is so disenchanted with King Aaron right now, and I swear I'll make that lovely princess mine." He was already holding Sofia's hands but upon this statement he grabbed her into a waltzing position, turning her about the space between the bushes. The man was delirious.
There were SO MANY THINGS wrong with what he'd just said, but he seemed so happy, and Lucinda equally enthralled with the prince earlier. Sofia stopped dancing and the mood grew somber.
"Axel I'm so sorry, but… she's not a princess."
He looked like he'd been punched in the gut. "Oh" was all he said as his hands fell to his sides. The poor guy, he was smitten.
"But Axel, my Dad married a commoner and it worked out okay, and I really think you should follow where your feelings lead you, and please, PLEASE don't start a war with Friezenburg over this."
A disheartened smile was all he could muster. "That's sweet Sofia, but my feelings can only move so many mountains. Your mom was King Rolland's second marriage. He'd already fathered heirs by then so it didn't jeopardize his kingdoms standing." Just then high-pitched whooping could be heard coming from the direction of the gazebo. Hildegard must have found something funny. It was almost cringe-worthy. Axel looked back toward the direction of the tea party. "I'm doomed."
A wave of sympathy washed over Sofia and reached up to stroke his face gently. "You can't just give up if you're unhappy!"
He turned upward, gazing into the sky, "I have to Sofia. I'm a crown prince, and I have to marry a princess. Our families have a long standing tradition and I'd break it if I could, but I just can't. Not for a commoner."
Sofia felt waves of empathy for the man, but his conviction to hold onto and support tradition didn't bode well for his stance on the slavery issue. Sofia was still stroking his chin and the dejected prince raised his own hand to halt her gestures. He grasped her fingers and brought them down to her side. "It's sad, but suddenly the sun doesn't feel as warm anymore."
They stood like that for a brief few seconds before Axel jumped. Sofia retracted her hand, "What, what is it?"
"I thought I saw…" He was staring up toward the castle.
"What?"
"I thought I saw someone in the window staring at us, but it was gone in an instant. " Sofia looked up toward the castle. The balcony on this side of the castle was empty, nor was there anything visible in Cedric's tower window. "I'm sorry Princess, I must have been mistaken." He was visibly shaken, but it didn't matter for long.
Amber popped her head around the corner, distracting their attentions. "Oh good, there you are! Everything's all worked out and Daddy has invited everyone to dinner. Come on let's go!"
Axel gestured for Sofia to lead, but she waved him off. She was so torn as she watched the man walk toward an unwanted destiny. She knew Lucinda had felt the same way about Axel after the party, but he seemed resigned to marry a princess regardless of love, and Lucinda seemed determined to fashion him a grave before a kiss.
...
Despite the 'resolution' dinner was less than pleasant. Miranda was still unwell and unable to join in the meal. King Victor had taken the Queen's seat and was whispering into Rolland's ear throughout. Next to him sat his eldest son, and poor Axel seemed dejected through the entire exercise, barely eating. Pangs of sympathy ran through Sofia as she watched Hildegard fuss over him from the adjacent seat with alternating disdain and possession, while Amber sat alongside distracting the raven haired girl. Sofia had taken up position as close to Rolland as possible to potentially overhear what particulars this new deal contained, and was alongside James. To her dismay Hugo had positioned himself on her other side, and was constantly inventing ways to have their arms graze.
Most conversation was of mutual acquaintances, as Rolland was careful to keep the topics to shared friends and relations. Midway through the meal Baileywick interceded, "Your Majesties, we have unexpected guests." Behind him strode none other than Amalthea, Cecelia and another witch. Roland waived toward Baileywick, communicating some unspoken command and the steward retreated from the dining hall.
This just got a whole lot worse.
The witches stood at the end of the table as Amalthea stepped forward and hovered behind King Victor's seat, "Your Majesties I bring news."
King Victor looked to Rolland, and the pair nodded. A glance was given to King Aaron at the opposite end, who bellowed with anticipation, "Well let's hear it. I trust you've captured the those foul, degenerate men congregating in my mountains." Every word grated on Sofia's soul.
"Indeed, and slain any who opposed you. I know I speak for everyone when I say huzzah to the end of this whole ordeal!" King Victor's words stung like lashes from a whip upon Sofia's ears. She gasped and held her mouth to restrain the cries of agony and tears from falling. How could any human be so heartless?
Amalthea took a step closer to King Victor. "My lord there is now a riot in the village of Antiwiell. I've come to ask your permission that we expunge this seed of upheaval before it spreads further."
"Are you sure witches?" King Aaron at the far end of the table was intensely concerned. Rioting in his kingdom was sure to be an unwelcome development.
"Of course they're sure. Why, Amalthea is the best. Too good in fact to spend her time on trivial matters like peasant grievances." King Victor turned callously back to his roasted greens, oblivious to the King of Friezenburg's distress.
The royal sorceress bowed gently to the King of Maldonia, "As you command, your Majesty."
"Now wait just a minute. You agreed to help us Victor, you gave your word." Aaron was getting agitated at the end of the table.
"I gave my word to recapture the… well the people who aren't supposed to be in Friezenburg any longer. The kingdom of Maldonia did not agree to police Friezenburg, did we Rolland?"
All eyes were now on the King of Enchancia. Sofia didn't know what to hope for. An end to all hostilities would be nice, but was probably not one of the many options. Rolland finally spoke, "That… was not part of the agreement. I'm sorry Aaron."
Friezenburg's ruler slumped back into his chair and gripped the table. He looked menacingly at Rolland, then Victor. "I suppose my troops can handle this themselves." The look of betrayal was writ upon his face.
"Of course they can father, our soldiers are the best amongst all the lands. Why we have no less than 500 who guard the palace. I'm sure that they can make an example of these traitors." Hildegard turned her face up to Axel, who was trying with all his might to free his arm from the youngest Friezenburg princess.
"I know I'll be celebrating once this is all over."
When the words came out of King Aarons mouth Sofia came unglued. There was no more holding back the girl's sense of justice. She shot from her seat and slammed her hands down on the table. "How can you even say that Hildegard! Or celebrate anyone's death for that matter?!" Before a shocked Hildegard could answer Sofia turned to King Aaron and shouted her repulsion at him, "They're YOUR people, just what makes you think you can persecute your own people this way?!"
Jaws around the table dropped. Roland shouted, "SOFIA THAT'S ENOUGH!" It melted Sofia's resolve. Rolland had never shouted at her, let alone in front of assembled nobility. He gestured to King Aaron across the room and offered platitudes as Sofia felt like breaking down into a weeping mass. "My apologies Aaron. My youngest daughter has a deep vein of sympathy for all living things, birds and beasts and everything in between. Rest assured she didn't mean it in offense." Rolland turned to Sofia, a stern scowl upon his face. "Sofia, would you please apologize for that outburst."
The entire room was glaring at her, but the most ominous came from Rolland. Their eyes were boring into her, judgment and condescension at her words. For an instant she imagined herself fleeing in terror from this castle, never to return. But then what good would that do? Everyone in Friezenburg was counting on her to find how they planned to quell the riot and it was solely her royal status that could aide them in this dark hour.
This apology was going to be hard, but necessary. Sofia swallowed hard to push down the self-loathing this apology would bring, and drew in a long purposeful breath. She couldn't do it while looking them in the eyes so instead she stared at her plate.
"Please… forgive me King Aaron, and Hildegard, I'm just concerned about everyone, including the prisoners. They are people too."
There was silence. Timidly Sofia glanced up to see Hildegard glaring at her. King Aaron sighed, "I understand Princess. It's distasteful but some things are necessary to maintain order."
"She really does have a big heart, doesn't she Hugo?" King Victor was all smiles. It seemed to Sofia that there was no love between the rulers of Friezenburg and Maldonia, their shared acquaintance through Rolland alone.
At the end of the table King Aaron stood. "Come my daughters, it seems we need to take care of some things at home."
Oh no! Anything but that, Sofia needed to know what was happening in Friezenburg, and blurting out her opinions might have cost her the opportunity. "No please! You don't have to go, I promise I won't interrupt anymore." Sofia saw some disapproving glances and needed to divert the conversation, but how? She lunged forward and grabbed a roast eggplant dish, "You've barely eaten and uh.. It's cold outside and… um It's getting dark? You might get lost. Eggplant?"
King Aaron scoffed. "Get lost? Of all the nonsense."
Hildegard unfurled her fan as she walked toward her father, "We have the most decorated coachmen draw our carriages. Each one a derby champion, you needn't quibble over such insignificant fears."
"I bid the well Rolland." Was all Aaron said as he turned and left the dining room.
His daughters bowed and departed behind their father. Sofia felt awful. She was simply horrible at hiding her true opinions.
Once king Aaron departed the mood relaxed considerably. Victor was chuckling in between bites of lamb, and Rolland slumped a bit in his chair. "Not eaten enough? Get lost? Where do you come up with these things little princess." King Victor was still laughing and shaking a lamb leg at the youngest Enchancian princess.
Hugo took up a defensive position, wrapping an arm around the Princess. "Sofia's just really conscientious of others Dad. I bet she wanted to have lanterns fetched for them, didn't you Sofia?"
Luckily Hugo was staring at his father, as if to drive his opinion toward acceptance. Sofia just shoved more potatoes into her mouth and pretended she wasn't actually in the most awkward dinner ever held in this hall. Her evasive tactics must have passed for embarrassment, as not a second later King Victor burst out in raucous laughter. Victor leaned over the table toward where Sofia sat with a large grin plastered on his face. "Hugo has been telling me of your kindness and beauty little princess, just don't waste it on... those who don't appreciate the kindness of others." Victor looked at the far side of the dining room where Aaron and his daughters had departed. Hugo turned a distinct shade of crimson at the public announcement of his affections, though all present already knew.
Amber broke the awkward tension for Hugo, "King Victor, who may I ask are these ladies standing behind us?"
King Victor cleared his throat, "Why this is our Royal Sorceress Amalthea and her daughter Cecelia."
The older woman bent her head low but Cecelia huffed while glaring; "I've met Sofia before, when I beat her in the Hexley Hall tournament yesterday."
"Manners Cecelia!" Amalthea was not amused, and the frightened look on Cecelia's face said it all. The young witch immediately bowed low.
Amber let out a tiny gasp, but Roland resumed his diplomatic tone, "Well then, I guess you should be congratulated on your win. Would you all join us for dinner?"
Amalthea bowed graciously at the offer, and walked to the opposite end of the table, where the three witches took empty seats previously occupied by King Aaron and his daughter. "Thank you for your hospitality King Rolland, but there is no need to compliment my daughter. Cecelia has a lot to learn before she can call herself a qualified sorceress."
The poor girl. Cecelia slumped over in her chair and clutched at the wand in her hands. Sofia felt waves of empathy for the girl. The berating of her accomplishments reminded Sofia of the way Cedric was treated.
"Maybe all she needs is someone who believes in her." Unfortunately instead of lifting Cecelia's spirits it had quite the opposite effect, as the young witch scowled menacingly at the purple princess and muttered harsh words. "I'm better than YOU and I don't need your pity."
Sofia had barely heard the comment, it had been completely unintelligible to King Victor and Rolland, but Hugo was seated a bit closer and reacted in anger to her cynicism, "You're NOT better than Sofia! She's the most wonderful girl ever! Don't forget your place!" The girl looked horrified and curled inward in her chair on the verge of tears.
Axel was shaking his head, "Oh baby bro you've really got to watch what you say."
Everyone started to grumble at each other when a giant "YUM!" came out of the James. The crowd turned to look upon the loud commentator.
"These yams are delicious! You all should try them." James was beaming as he jammed chunks of the orange potatoes in his mouth. Everyone stared at him in disbelief that the most important thing this one-day leader of men had to say was about the side dishes.
"James!" Amber exclaimed.
"Well they are, and I'd rather talk about potatoes then yell at everybody. Wouldn't you Amber?"
"Oh." Amber looked embarrassed and started pushing food around on her plate.
Sofia wanted to flee again. What a horribly awkward meal this was, if it could only just be over so she could return to Friezenburg before King Aaron sent his troops to quash the helpless villagers.
There was uncomfortable silence marred only by the sound of chewing. Sofia kept looking at the end of the table where Cecelia sat scowling at her. The comments had been well intentioned, why couldn't the girl see that?"
Next to Cecelia sat the unfamiliar witch. Something about this woman rubbed Sofia the wrong way. It might have been the way her eyes were slightly askew, or the tiny curl of her lips at their edges. This woman was perhaps a bit younger than Amalthea, with long raven's colored hair. She appeared gaunt with sinewy arms and was exceedingly pale. She wore a simple layered dress, so she probably wasn't a royal sorceress. It reminded Sofia of someone, but she couldn't place it. Interestingly Amber didn't ask about her identity, and neither did Rolland.
"Your Majesties may I present Cedric, the royal sorcerer of Enchancia." Baileywick had returned to the dining room, with Cedric following close behind. He was hunched over as was common when interacting with the King, he stared straight at Rolland, then started scanning the room. His eyes settled on Sofia and she could see pain lurking behind them. He was still terribly upset from earlier. She wanted to run and hug him, reassure any doubts he had and end this misunderstanding, but in this mixed company full of tension that seemed like a terrible idea. Instead she bit her lip and gripped her seat. He stared at her for a while longer, and seemed to be looking down at Hugo's arm around her. A shrill laugh came from the end of table that finally broke the sorcerer's stare. He glanced in that direction but then jumped as if a ghost appeared before him.
"E-EDITH!"
The witch at the end of the table continued cackling loudly and rose, sauntering up to the startled sorcerer. "Hello there little man, long time no see. You still failing miserably at life Cedric?"
Sofia gasped, what did that woman just say!
Cedric snarled at the woman, "Indeed! At least I wasn't tossed from the sorcery counsel!"
"You never could mount a serious challenge, verbal or magical could you Cedric!"
Cedric scoffed at the comment, then fired another salvo at her. "I see your complexion hasn't benefitted from living in that cave of yours!"
"YOU aren't qualified to make comments about complexions, oh great purveyor of paleness! At least I'm not a pathetic looser holed up in a tower!"
"At least I don't live in a cave with an ice-peddler for a husband!" Cedric crossed his arms and looked pleased with his insult.
The woman grit her teeth and clenched her hands, "He's a hundred times the man you'll ever be, and you can think about it while you die alone buried in your spell books!"
Hugo leaned in to Sofia and whispered in her ear, "This is an awkward little lover's spat, isn't it my lovely?" Huh? What was Hugo saying? Could they have been... together? Amber and Rolland seemed to know her after all...
Cedric was still hunched over but was livid. "They are MY spellbooks, aren't they?" Wow. That comment made the woman's face turn red. Her mouth was practicallly foaming. "And it is MY tower, isn't it? After all, I'M the Royal Sorcerer of Enchancia."
The comment set the mystery woman off. She reached over and grabbed his hair, yanking it downward. "If you're gonna hunch over, really go for it small man!"
That was it. Sofia shot up out of her chair and instinctively dove in between this witch and her sorcerer, knocking the intruder's hands from him and blocking her ability to further attack the man with her body. "That's IT. Nobody hurts Mr. Cedric! Back off lady."
The woman reared back a bit, staring at Sofia strangely. This woman had an obvious history with her sorcerer, one that didn't end amicably.
The witch cocked her head to one side and the corners of her mouth turned upward. Suddenly there was a gentle hand on her shoulder. "It's alright Princess, I can handle her myself."
"Mister Cedric, my my Ceddykins you've got a title now and everything. Still playing with birds instead of people?"
Only his mother called him that. This woman must know her too, and Wormwood rarely left the castle grounds, so she must have known Cedric well. Really well. Maybe Hugo was right. "If you must know his title is Cedric the Sensational now, he's the most amazing sorcerer in the universe and Wormwood is adorable." Sofia stood feet planted in front of Cedric. There was no way this woman was getting within reach again. For her part the woman stared at Sofia in disbelief.
"Please Sofia it's fine." Sofia turned her head and saw Cedric glancing between her and King Rolland. He seemed embarrassed that Sofia had interjected. He bent low and brushed a wisp of her hair aside, whispering in her ear, "Really I'm fine Sofia, now let's go sit down before your father gets upset that you're involved." A little smile was all he could give before Baileywick interceded and not so gently ushered Sofia back to her seat. Cedric tried to follow, but stopped and stared at Hugo seated next to her. His eye started twitching.
Rolland was displeased but seemed to expect some sort of altercation at this 'Edith's' presence. "It seems you have much to discuss, perhaps you would like to move your conversation to a more appropriate venue."
"Oh I wouldn't dream of denying your hospitality for something so trivial your Majesty." The woman bowed low and returned to her seat. Cedric stood there and looked unsure of what to do. Rolland simply rolled his eyes at the poor sorcerer and gestured toward the empty seat right next to Edith. He grumbled and trudged toward the spot. He sat next to her at the table and again the pair of pale enemies set about trading whispered barbs.
Hugo was still fuming about Cecelia's comment earlier, and was gnawing at some poor creatures roasted limb, but kept staring back at the young witch. His penetrating stare made the girl shrink farther into her seat. Sofia couldn't take it anymore and whispered in his ear, "Please don't be angry with her anymore. There's been enough fighting tonight and I don't like to see anyone so sad."
Hugo whispered back, "But she was very rude to you."
"Well, that's true but she's already been punished enough." Sofia pouted and Hugo nodded.
"And what are you two whispering about?" Rolland was eyeing Hugo and the boy pulled his head away from Sofia's.
"Oh let them be Rolland. Young lovers just can't help it."
Sofia sank her head into her hands in embarrassment but then a loud CLANK was heard at the end of the table. Sofia looked up and saw Cedric trying to desperately cobble his glass back together; a look of panic gripped his face. The woman was laughing at him and Sofia rose to intercede again, but Hugo pulled on her arm and it pushed her back into her seat. Sofia wished dearly to support her sorcerer, as Cedric was obviously upset by something Edith had said to him, enough so to break his glass. Amalthea drew her wand and in a flash the glass was repaired. Cedric nodded timidly at the Royal Sorceress of Maldonia, but kept looking back at Sofia. She knew Cedric was enamored with the older witch, was he embarrassed that Amalthea had seen that?
She then noticed Cecelia was staring at her and gnashing her teeth. The young witch was watching her and Hugo intensely and seemed distraught. Hugo seemed not to care or notice, and resumed whispering in Sofia's ear. She shouldn't worry about an old sorcerer, he could handle his own problems, she should go with him for a stroll in the gardens after dinner, she had lovely eyes, he wanted her to try some of the lamb on his plate. He started commenting on how soft her hair was began to stroke it gently, as if they were lovers alone together in a field and not at dinner with their parents. It was mortifying. Sofia sent pleading glances begging for salvation to Axel, but this time the prince couldn't gracefully end her suffering. Hugo reached down from her hair and started stroking Sofia's arm. The next thing she knew there was a warm sensation rising up her leg. It took only a second for the pleasant warmness grew uncomfortably hot. The next instant pain shot through her as an intense burning sensation made her leg spasm.
"AAGHHH!" She jumped up from the table knocking her chair over. Hugo reached out to grab her but his aim wasn't true and she crashed into the floor, grasping desperately at her ankle.
Someone had set her leg on fire.