Chapter 24: Rejection
Sunlight streaked in through the tiny circular window. Sofia felt a slight touch pulling her out of the nothingness of sleep and into consciousness. It took more than a few seconds to pry open an eyelid and realize that a pair of soft thin fingers were gently gliding along her hip. Startled, she jumped, and the man lying beside her reciprocated the motion, yelping a bit as he flew backward.
"S-s-s- Sofia! I thought, well I… I…well we've an hour before breakfast and… and… and…. OOOH!" He was leaning on one arm with eyes darting around suspiciously as the confusion set in.
"No, I'm sorry Mr. Cedric. I didn't mean to jump like that. I just wasn't expecting you to touch me there, that's all." The sorcerer's initial reaction of confusion melted away. Sofia watched him regroup, then slide back toward her with a grin emerging on his face.
"Well then, my s-s-sweet Sofia, were you expecting…. T-t-this…" He snaked up alongside her and buried his head into her hair.
It felt good.
Much better than it should, and she fought with all her might the growing infatuation inside her. It would only break her heart in the end. She couldn't let herself fall farther, but then he'd wound his hand into her robe, hesitantly hovering just above her skin. As if afraid to touch her while she knew he was doing it they laid there, an impossible stalemate with her longing desperately for him to continue and the sorcerer just hovering there, growing anxious.
A few grunts of frustration, and the sorcerer retracted his hand. Sofia let out the tiniest whimper of disappointment but quickly caught herself. She couldn't let him know how she felt; it would assuredly drive a wedge between them. If he knew her thoughts had shifted to any sort of physical desire the emotionally intimate relationship they'd developed might be ruined, and she could never bear that, not now.
He however did notice the whimper. Frustration gone, a rogue leg brushed up against Sofia's thigh and a wicked smile crossed his lips. "I was just w-w-wondering, I guess h-h-hoping, S-S-S-Sofia…"
He was so close she could feel his stomach tighten with each stutter. "What is it Mr. Cedric?"
"Well I… I… that is to say you… do y-y-y-you… OOH! Poseidon's pumpkins." He was looking at her so strangely, and couldn't seem to muster the words. Sofia thought back to the last time they were lying there, the night before the abduction, and remembered closing his eyes and facing away from her had helped. She smiled gently at him, and the man watched in confusion as she lifted a hand to cover his eyes.
He seemed so vulnerable in that moment. Blind to the world around him, barely clothed, with his bangs overlapping her fingers. She couldn't stop herself, and leaned in far closer than she should. Oh no, this feeling deep inside was truly serious.
"There, is that better Mr. Cedric?"
"Whaaaa?"
His genuine disorientation was understandable, she didn't typically block his sight, nor would most people be comfortable with that, but he must trust her implicitly if he was willing to share his bed with her, right?
"I thought this would help you relax. It's helping, isn't it Mr. Cedric?" The tightness along his stomach seemed to wane, and he let out a coy little snicker. By the stars above that sounded deliciously mischievous. Why oh why was she feeling this way?!
"Well I suppose it does help with the nervousness a bit, but in all honestly I'd rather get to see you when… when…" She let her hand drop away sadly and he scooped her up, clenching his eyes closed to be able to finally get the words out. "Oooh!... wheeeeeeen… that is… oh please Sofia let's do it again. Oh please, please."
"Again? Do what again Mr. Cedric."
What a wicked little laugh escaped him, "Playing coy with me, my sweet mistress of magic, you know what I mean." Was whispered into her ear. She went blank, for the sudden realization that she hadn't found out from her clone exactly what took place the night before dawned. His nose was up alongside the nape of her neck and thin leg was pressing into her rather forcefully. He interpreted the pause as some sort of game, and was being rather physical in his playful mood. "Alright fine, you want me to explode before you'll admit you liked it. I can play this game too if I must." He wiggled his hips a bit, repositioning himself. "I want your m-m-mmmmma… your mag-mag-mag…" Suddenly a hand was flung down, grasping her own. He'd begun vigorously stroking her fingers.
"Y-y-your m-m-magical fingers."
It finally squeaked out of him in a high, rather cringe-worthy pitch.
Magic fingers? Her confusion was evident, and he buried into her with pleading, "Oh please, PLEASE Sofia won't you… cast your spell on me again. It's all I can think about since I woke, and you were simply marvelous." There was a snicker as he said the spell part.
Oh no, her copy must have been up all night casting spells with him. She hadn't bothered to ask her copy WHICH spells they were though, so how was she ever to repeat it? He'd find out she didn't remember, and then he'd surely find out WHY, and that there had been a copy, and…
She couldn't let it go on.
Sofia knocked his hand away and turned over, curling into a ball. Stunned would be the understatement of the year, and Cedric just hovered there, looking unsure of what just happened. A defeated, "But I… Did I do something wrong Sofia? Oh please won't you tell me? Did I kick you last night? Or maybe snore? I didn't intend to upset you. Ooooh, Merlin's mushrooms." With that he flopped backward on the bed.
He needed an explanation, and an involuntary yawn provided her with the answer. She rolled back over, wrapping her arms around his center. It felt so nice to hug him this way, but she couldn't keep it up. He needed to be distracted, and he was always trying to get her to sleep now. It would probably work.
"I, uh, I'm just so incredibly tired Mr. Cedric, can I just sleep a little more? Please Mr. Cedric? I'm so tired."
He deflated like a hot air balloon whose patch was torn, but stroked her head gently. "I should think it wasn't too tiring for you, but I suppose if you need more sleep there's nothing I can do about it. Better that than you wandering off again. I'll be in the workshop when you're feeling rested."
With that he kissed her forehead once more and gathered up his robe and dressings, departing toward the workshop. She felt somewhat awful, as lies seemed to be piling upon each other, but there was no way she'd have been able to maintain the ruse. Not without knowing what happened.
Sofia tried to convince herself it wasn't a complete lie. It had only been a couple hours since she'd returned from Maldonia, and once the excitement of his proximity had worn off she drifted back off to sleep easily.
After a while Sofia awoke to Wormwood's crowing. Baileywick was having a muted conversation with Cedric beyond the curtains, while Sofia drifted in and out of consciousness. Only bits and pieces were heard.
…
"Oh I see"
…
"Despite what she agreed to yesterday I don't think she should travel, there of all places."
…
"Yes I do remember what the king was growling at me last night. Don't you have better things to do than reiterate what Rolland snarled at me? Perhaps a vase that needs shining somewhere?"
…
"Oh very well. As the king commands." Was groaned rather loudly. Cedric must not have liked something.
It was all very disorienting, and before too long the conversation halted altogether. It was practically lunchtime before Sofia awoke again. Wrapping herself tightly in her robe she wandered quietly out to the workshop, slowly gathering the red curtain back and peering around it. If he had any visitors she wouldn't want to complicate things further for him by appearing from his bedchambers. It would be too difficult to explain, and it wasn't sexual after all.
The caution proved unnecessary, as the only human occupant of the tower was its resident sorcerer. He was hunched over his potions table writing something. It looked to be important, and he was rather flustered about it, grumbling and raking one hand through his hair.
"Loss. Let's see Wormy there's moss, floss, gloss, toss, emboss? I simply know I've forgotten the best one, Ohhh! Neptune's Nettles, this won't do at all."
Wormwood cawed a dejected, "You are simply hopeless" at Cedric hunched over, but of course the sorcerer couldn't understand him.
"Mr. Cedric."
The man yelped loudly, standing in a spin and definitely guilty of some crime while she slept. "What are you writing Mr. Cedric?"
"NOTHING." It came out way too loud and nervous. Sofia couldn't help but drop an accusatory stare his way, and the sorcerer desperately shuffled papers around behind himself to cover whatever it was he was writing. Sofia diverted her glances down to one raven, and Cedric began panicking.
"Well what's he up to Wormwood?"
"Don't do it Wormy!" Shouted Cedric.
"Tell me and I'll get you extra birdseed." Sofia nudged the raven, who rolled his eyes.
"I'll get you blackberries if you don't say a word Wormy!"
Wormwood looked between the two, "Well princess, you'd better up your ante or my beak is sealed."
The little phoenix started cawing angrily at the raven, who shied away at the display.
"Well what do you like more than blackberries?" Sofia inquired. Wormwood looked back at the brightly plumed bird.
"Apparently I'm a glutton for torture, just like Cedric is." The raven grumbled.
"That's a trick question Sofia, there is nothing Wormwood likes more than blackberries."
"But why won't you just—"
"A-a-ah, you'll know soon enough." Cedric stood proudly and declared, but then leaned in, pulling her closer with the tie on her robe, making Sofia flush in embarrassment and perhaps hints of excitement. Why was she doing this to herself! "I do think you'll like it, daresay l-l-love it, but it's not ready yet." He looked back at the mess of papers, "Definitely not ready yet. Perhaps by your birthday. That is the goal, at the present moment."
A birthday present? Cedric never prepared those in advance for anyone. It was all rather odd, and she knew he was hiding something, but also rather touching, as it was meant to be her birthday present. A wonderful warm sensation coursed through her, followed immediately by self-loathing for being so delighted by a simple gesture from him.
Before she could comment the clock struck noon and Cedric jumped, "Odin's icicles it's noon already! You need to be dressed and down to the carriage in less than ten minutes."
"Carriage?" Confused, Cedric shoved her back into his room, gesturing wildly toward her dress on the end of the bed. Once clothed he pushed her out the tower and down the steps. She finally relented and started heading toward the front door, the last guise of sleep wearing off and hunger gripping at her stomach when Cedric grabbed her.
"No not that way!"
"But you said the carriages."
"Yes but not like that, you need to get dressed first or they'll catch on. Your room. NOW."
"Catch on to what?" But Cedric didn't hear her as he'd disappeared in a poof of green smoke. Sofia turned and saw Amber standing there in solid black, a veil obscuring her face and tissues clenched in her hands. The poor girl was in mourning for Desmond.
"Oh Sofia." Amber reached out and hugged the girl as Sofia returned the gesture. "You decided not to go after all, didn't you?"
Several blinks, but it was best to just be silent. Her copy had obviously agreed to do something today and Sofia had no idea what it was. Finally Amber pulled away, holding Sofia by the shoulders and simply observing her. The golden princess was simply overcome with grief, it spilled from every corner of her demeanor. "I just want you to know, Sofia, that I love you. We don't say it often enough, and after what happened I'm going to make sure the people I love know it, and everyone else knows it too."
"Oh Amber, I love you too." Sofia leaned in again and hugged her sister dearly. The girl broke down into another fit of tears, much as she had into Miranda's embrace yesterday at lunch. Sofia stood there, whatever coach ride she'd agreed to could wait. Amber was infinitely more important. Sofia started to stroke the distraught girl's hair, and after several minutes words finally came out.
"I can't believe he's gone." Amber had whispered it with such honest simplicity, it was truly heart-wrenching to hear.
"Oh Amber I'm so sorry. If only I'd had my wand I'd—"
"No Sofia. You don't need to say it. I know you did everything possible, and you saved my life." Amber had retracted a bit to smile at her through the tears. "My sister." There was another long and very solemn pause before Amber spoke again. "I'll be okay. Baileywick said something to me, and reminded me that I can overcome anything, even the loss of a loved one, and so I know it'll be okay."
"Baileywick?" Fell out of Sofia's mouth.
"Yes, he reminded me of how devastated I was, how we all were, when my mother passed on. I was very little, and she meant the world to me, but I survived, and so did everyone else. So even if it seems like my life is over, I know it'll be okay again, somehow."
"Oh Amber!" Sofia flung her arms around her sister. "I never thought about how you'd been through this before! I'm so sorry, and I'm really REALLY sorry I didn't realize how much Desmond meant to you."
"It's not just Desmond, Hilde is gone too. But yes, I loved him so much. We… we…" Amber lost composure, and started crying again. Sofia started stroking her cheek and making great circular strokes on her back to comfort the older girl.
"We were waiting, until after his birthday to tell everyone. He was turning 21, and his parents were going to announce his succession and our engagement then, but… but…"
Desmond's birthday would have been in about another month, just after Sofia's birthday. Amber's happy future had been violently ripped from her, and the full impact of that loss was still rippling through her life. Sofia then knew it would for a long time still.
There were anxious footsteps, and a solid hand set upon Sofia's shoulder. "Ah, that's what's up. Amber, Mom and Dad are waiting in the coach. We've got to go." James was standing there in a solid black ensemble. Amber in black was one thing, James was entirely another. The light began to dawn as James furrowed his brows, "Aren't you coming Sof? You seemed really anxious to go to Hildegard's funeral last night."
Sofia's jaw dropped open. Everyone knew but her. Oops. "Yes I'm going!"
"But—" Before Amber could finish Sofia had started running back to her room, "Just give me two minutes to change!"
Upon bursting into her room she encountered a sorcerer who'd looked as if he'd had a coronary while waiting for her. "Where in Merlin's name have you BEEN! Did you get lost in your own castle?!"
Unable to answer for lack of time she bolted into her closet. Frantically she dove through her clothes, but nothing solid black was to be found.
"Looking for this my sweet little blackberry?"
Sofis spun to see an elegant black dress with hints of deep purple about the edges. "Where did you…"
"A-a-aaa.. I conjured it from one of your many purple frocks while you were inching through the hallways. I should dare say it's fine enough for royal's funeral, wouldn't you agree Sofia."
She took the fabric from him, "This is ah-mazing Mr. Cedric. You are so incredible." The man began to beam with delight. "Amber was right, you've got such a fashion sense."
An eyebrow went up but the glow of happiness was still there, "You've been speaking to the wallowing waif about me? What ever did I do to deserve tha—"
Silence reigned as Sofia stripped off her dress and tried to wiggle into the new one. "Can you help me Mr. Cedric? Please."
She managed to turn back around and saw his eyes bulged out. "I'm sorry! I thought you didn't mind if I dress around you."
"Oh no n-n-n-n-no princess, it's quite alright, it's j-j-just…" Flung out toward her, his hands were shaking ever so slightly.
"Just what Mr. Cedric?" Sofia was wiggling to try and get farther in, and the petticoat was giving her trouble. What she wouldn't give for Robin and Mia to still be alive to help with this predicament.
"It's not a good idea to make me t-t-touch right n-n-n-now, I'll want to… to… to… keep on—"
"Are you ready yet Sof? Amber's gonna have another—"
James had walked in while Cedric's hands were tangled in Sofia's corset. He looked confused, then massively concerned. "What are you doing here Cedric? This is Sofia's room."
Several backward jerks of his hands had failed to free the sorcerer from the ties, and he stood there as a stone. An imperceptible whimpering started, and then a string of words spewed forth, "I told her I thought it was a bad idea but she made me do it and I oh, oh… Merlin's mushrooms."
"James I needed his help. I didn't have time to summon the servants." Sofia gave it one more tug and snap! It was right in place. "See, isn't it beautiful." She stuck her wand in her pocket and gave a little spin while James answered warily, "Uh yeah, it's great so can we go now? All the knights and guards are on a schedule and if we're late people could get nervous."
James pulled her forward, practically racing down the halls. "James wait, knights? Guards?"
"Well yeah, you didn't expect to go to Friezenburg right now unless it was under heavy protection, did you? Not the way things are going."
"You're kidding! The funeral's in Friezenburg!"
"Well of course it is" he shouted back, "Dad said so last night right after Mom asked you if you wanted to go. Don't you remember?"
"But it's not safe there! And MOM!" Sofia was suddenly overcome with worry, her mother shouldn't travel into a war zone. There was no way Rolland would allow it.
"I know, but Mom wasn't going to take no for an answer, not even from Dad, and you weren't going to either so now I'm a little confused."
"Not as confused as I am, but wait! I need to talk to you."
James had begun to run ahead but turned his head back round, "We don't have time."
"But it's about Ruby!" Sofia shouted. James tripped over his feet, then made a rolling leap to spring back up.
"Uuuuhhhh BYE!" He yelled and truly started sprinting out of Sofia's earshot. He was tall and muscular and when he really wanted to was a force of nature to be reckoned with. Her portly frame was no match for his speed. She finally reached the coach and James was already seated, nervous to no end. She couldn't out him right there in front of everyone, so the discussion was tabled for another day. The only seat left was next to one wayward Maldonian prince. Sofia felt like vomiting.
"Hello Hugo."
"Hi." It was a more muted response than she was used to from him, but he seemed introspective, and perhaps the gravity of the circumstances, or maybe the through tongue-lashing she'd given him after his failed romantic overtures were dimming his normally stifling affections. Either way, Sofia was grateful.
"Can I sit here?" He nodded, then glanced down at her dress.
"You look pretty."
"Uh, thanks." Both Royals stared at the floor while Miranda smiled from the opposite side of the coach observing this interaction. Cedric had finally come running up after them and stood at the doorway, gasping for air. Hugo immediately grew cold. "What are you doing here?"
The terse sentence set Sofia on edge. A harsh glare was directed at the prince, and he puffed up. Cedric saw the man and stood a bit straighter too, then saw where the young prince was seated, and his eye began twitching once more. "Cedric, did you bring Sofia's potion, just in case." Rolland trailed off mid sentence. The sorcerer nodded in agreement.
"What potion is it Sofia?" Inquired a suddenly concerned Miranda.
Sofia began to answer when Rolland cut the princess off. "Coachman, let's get going now." A small look of concern and dissatisfaction crossed the queen, but she immediately unclenched and acquiesced to the departure. Sofia had forced them off schedule, as evidenced by the several anxious glances Baileywick made to his pocket watch.
"Cedric, would you ride up front with the coachman please, to keep a look out for any trouble." Softly the queen had asked, and Cedric immediately buckled, bowing low and shooting another menacing look at Hugo before allowing the carriage door to click shut. Sofia wished more than anything to be riding alongside her sorcerer, maybe to even wrap an arm around his and rest her head on his shoulder for the journey, maybe to even…
"Sofia? Sofia are you okay?"
Snapping back to reality the princess realized her sister was sitting across from her and waiting for a response of some sort. "Oh I'm sorry Amber, I was just… thinking."
"Well are you going to tell me where you got that dress or not? It's beautiful."
"It is, isn't it." Sofia smiled widely down at the glorious soft black folds. The purple trim matched his robe… Cedric's robe. Sofia's mind wandered back to lying beside him when his robe was the only thing covering his topside.
"Sofia!"
"Oh sorry, Mr. Cedric conjured it for me."
Hugo made the strangest noise, as if he'd been punched in the gut. He even curled over slightly. Sofia looked over but caught James in her sights. He was looking at her suspiciously.
Hugo turned to Rolland, "You see your majesty, this is what I was talking about. It's not normal, and even after last night he's still doing these things for your daughter."
WHAT. Had Hugo been conversing with Rolland about the nature of Sofia's relationship with Cedric? Hugo had threatened to get Rolland involved right after he'd tried to sneak a kiss from her. Sofia felt a burning desire to drop kick the lowly worm when Rolland turned to face them. "I'm sure he procured it for her before our discussion last night, and as I said your attentions should be on your father and your kingdom right now Prince Hugo."
"Yes sir." Responded Hugo, but it clearly wasn't over in his mind as he kept looking through the tiny portal toward the coachman. Just a hint of Cedric's robe wafting in the breeze could be seen through the opening and Sofia found herself fixating on it and lamenting her newfound feelings while Hugo stewed alongside her on the dreadfully long ride to Friezenburg.
…
Sofia had ventured to this castle many times throughout her youth, usually with Amber in tow to visit Hildegard. The opulence of the large open entrance and multistoried wings that formed an impressive structure hadn't waned, but the massive security detail from multiple kingdoms was new. It wasn't entirely unexpected, as news of what was happening in Friezenburg had reached even the most distant corners of the continent. It was a testament to how well King Aaron was liked that an unexpectedly large number of royal families had hedged against the risk and come to mourn Hildegard's passing. That, and it was also well publicized that the rebellion hadn't made it to the provinces surrounding the castle yet.
Sofia was seated alongside her family in the center of the gathering with royal sorcerers along the outskirts and a personal guard and steward alongside each king. Clio did attend with her mother, and seemed distraught, a fact that was of little interest to James. Miranda made brief overtures for him to comfort his fiancé, but James seemed reticent, and Sofia knew exactly why.
About a dozen friends bounded up before the ceremony to hug Sofia and express their delight she was, at least publicly, unscathed by the ordeal. Sofia played along well, and caught fleeting glances of Cedric positioned a distance off with other sorcerers staring after her, a mixture of concern and something else, perhaps anger. Hugo had noticeably taken up the position alongside her despite Sofia's subtle hints, which was sure to incite the sorcerer's ire, and true to form the prince had taken the liberty to convey his supposed heroism in the caves to anyone who would listen. James sat through it all in silence, and several looked to her brother for validation of Hugo's stories. At one point James nodded in affirmation, but he wasn't really a braggart like Hugo was. An adventurer, racer, dare-devil, and occasional clown yes, but a braggart, never. Interestingly Axel and King Victor had come, and unpleasant glances were directed from Hugo toward his father. Axel was also stand-offish, and chose a seat next to the Hildegard's elder sister Astrid alongside the funeral pyre. Victor came by to offer up some unimportant words, and Rolland responded in a curt fashion. The strain was evident for all to see, but Miranda true to form was able to melt the anger seething below the surface of any situation, and Rolland's mood lightened considerably once Victor sat a distance off. Noticeably absent were Desmond's parents, as well as representatives of Wei Ling, Caldoun, and a handful of other kingdoms with close ties to Leidleville.
The ceremony refused to start, in no small part due to the lack of King Aaron. The assembled royalty began to grow nervous, and there were indications that King Aaron was too grief stricken to attend. Finally the funeral pyre was lit, as was customary for Friezenburg royalty. Peasants were buried due to a genuine need to conserve firewood, but not royalty.
There was no body to be burned though, as it was never recovered from the caves. Instead many of her personal effects were sent to the great beyond by incineration. The crown princess stood in her father's place, and afterward Axel spoke kind words. It was expected of him, but it was all rather forced as Sofia could see the relief behind his façade of grief. It wasn't meant to be disrespectful to Hildegard, but still Sofia knew it simply wasn't a fitting tribute to her friend.
Once Axel was done Sofia could stand it no longer and reached over Hugo to poke Amber, "Hey!" The golden princess chided.
"Maybe you and Clio should go say something?" Sofia suggested.
"Oh." Amber shot up and walked up to the funeral pyre, pulling Clio along with her. The brunette princess of Corinthia wept genuine tears while Amber relayed her fondest memories of Hildegard. THIS was a fitting tribute for her friend. Those assembled seemed to agree, and there was an aura of peace. Sofia caught her mother staring at her in the corner of her eye, and the woman smiled softly at her. An acknowledgement for setting the ceremony on the right trajectory was greatly appreciated.
Sofia only had a minute to relax as Amber came back slowly, pulling on Sofia's hands and forcing the princess to stand. "What?" Sofia whispered.
"It's your turn." Amber looked sincerely into Sofia's eyes as she said it, but she couldn't really speak at Hildegard's funeral, Sofia felt more than a little responsible for the resident princess's untimely end as it was, and Hildegard's last words rang out in her mind.
'YOU TRAITOR'
Sofia shook her head, "No I can't" Sofia whispered back to her sister.
"Nonsense Sofia, despite that little spat I know Hilde viewed you as a dear friend. It'll make you feel better."
Amber was insistent. Sofia looked back and saw Hugo leering at her backside, which was unfortunately close to his face as he was still seated. Aside from smacking him, a behavior unbecoming at a funeral, she decided to turn and looked over at her mother. Miranda was gesturing toward her to approach the fire, and whispered, "It'll help sweetheart. I know it." While with her other hand she held Rolland's.
Unable to avoid it Sofia began cautiously approaching the funeral pyre. What could she say? What should she say? They hadn't ended on particularly good terms. She wanted to convey a respect for the life that was lost, but a piece of her was still angry for the way Hildegard had been so callous to other's who were dying in the streets of her kingdom.
Perhaps those deaths could inform her conundrum now. Sofia finally reached the funeral pyre and turned looking out over the crowd of assembled royalty. Her eyes drifted further back, and there was Cedric, desperately worried for her. Next to him stood none other than Greylock, as well as Amalthea, Cecelia and even his sister Edith.
Sofia closed her eyes and thought back to that peasant whom Amalthea had dispatched on the battlefield of Radiwan. The funeral lamentation was a Friezenburg tradition, so it would have to do.
It started slow, and she kept her eyes closed even though Sofia knew her singing voice was well-regarded.
Along the mountains,
Beyond the seas,
Below the valleys,
Above the trees,
A soul has passed today.
Across the barren fields of ice
Held by none but nature's device
Your soul now free to dance along
The full beauty of nature's song
The silence was a defining contrast to the joyous chorus that had rang out for the fallen peasant beside the waterfall, and Sofia felt her resolve waver. Then, as if knowing it was needed another voice joined in. She opened her eyes to see heads had turned toward the back of the assembly. Amalthea had taken a step forward and joined her in the funeral lamentation. A mutual moment of understanding seemed to flow between them, and they continued on together.
Revered you shall forever be,
We sing your praise for eternity,
To join our ancestors is your fate,
Honored among them, forever great,
Within our hearts you'll never wane,
Within our minds you'll always reign,
The eternal journey just begun,
You shall never be forgotten, Friezenburg's son.
Amalthea and the other's fell flat on the 'son' bit. Apparently that was an ad-lib for the man's particular circumstance and should have been, 'my beloved one'. It seemed easily forgotten by most though, except Amamthea. The sea of voices from the servants of Friezenburg joining in had drowned out her mistake somewhat. Noticeably some of the other servants remained noticeably stalwart. Sofia noted it, and a glance toward Axel seemed to confirm her suspicions. There was dissention in the ranks.
It was finally over, and Sofia returned to her seat. She glanced back at Cedric and saw her sorcerer smiling softly at her. He knew she was feeling better simply by the sound of her voice in song. She was almost sure of it. How long her eyes lingered on him she didn't know, but it did not go unnoticed by the sorcerer who emerged from behind him, one Greylock of Rudistan. Sofia didn't realize until Cedric broke his gaze due to a swift gig in his ribs by the eternally mocking sorcerer, and embarrassed Sofia turned back around to see a disgruntled Hugo. The prince wrapped an arm around hers for the remainder of the ceremony and Sofia relented. It was uncouth to make a fuss about it in the middle of a funeral, and it did her no good to dwell on her burgeoning feelings for the sorcerer either, as there was no way he could ever reciprocate them.
Finally the ceremony was over and the crowds began to circulate. Hugo clung mercilessly to her arm, grabbing up pastries and practically stuffing them in her face. It was oppressive and at the first opportunity she ducked away beyond the flowing black gowns and stately trimmed hedges and into an open French door leading into the castle. She could hear Hugo calling after her as she wandered further in to avoid his oppressive clinginess until strange noise caught her attention. She wandered down the open, sunlit halls, the gasping noise growing ever louder. Passing by an open door she came upon Aaron, the emotionally distraught king of Friezenburg. He'd curled into a ball and was weeping along the railing of a balcony, a litany of papers scattered around his feet. Upon closer inspection the papers were covered in hundreds of names. Whose names they were Sofia had no idea.
Sudden guilt wracked the princess and she stepped forward to offer her condolences when the king began drifting in and out of speech in a deranged manner.
"They told me it would be okay."
Sofia halted her advance, unsure of what to say or even if she should speak. She wasn't entirely sure he was actually speaking to her, instead words were tumbling out of him while he stared off into space. After a deep breath and some reflection she decided to try once again to offer condolences, "Sir, I'm so sorry about what happened to—"
"Their eyes, they are watching me. Can't sleep, they're always watching me." King Aaron still hadn't made eye contact with the princess. Sofia noted that the king had drawn his arms tight around something pressed into his chest. She took a few steps closer to inspect it, and heartbreakingly it was one of the few childhood toys Hildegard had kept throughout the years. Every time Sofia had visited this place Hildegard's personal effects were brand new, but this doll the king now clung to was one of the few things that always remained. It had escaped the funeral pyre.
A king is but a man with power, and this poor man was justifiably devastated at his daughters loss. Sofia extended her hand and set it on Aaron's shoulder as the man stared out over the edge of the balcony into the barren fields beyond. "I'm so sorry King Aaron. No one should ever loose their child."
Pain gripped her, as King Aaron had spun and dropped the doll, digging his hands into her shoulders, "They SAID everything would be okay. They SAID the people wouldn't know, they'd never know, they'd never..." Sofia stared at the blank expression on the man's face. He'd become unhinged as his fingertips dug mercilessly into her shoulders.
"Please stop. You're hurting me, please."
"Why can't they understand? When I became king I tried to help them, I tried to save my people but the soldiers, there were just too many of them. Too many…. Too many… They're all ungrateful. I'm not the enemy, I'm their protector, I'm their king, I… I… They don't deserve my love, they don't deserve my protection, but still I did it because I'm their king. Their king." Aaron's head sunk low and his grip started to relax. More than a little afraid Sofia tried to reach her hand around for the wand in her pocket without reigniting the man's ire, but her twisting made him clench onto her even tighter once more.
"Please no, this hurts King Aaron! I'm sorry Hildegard died but—"
At the mention of Hildegard's name Aaron's face shot up and he began staring vacantly into her eyes and shaking the frightened princess by the shoulders. "My father paid the price for his dealings with evil. He was the one, not me, and when I became king I tried to stop it all. I tried so hard, but they just kept coming, they just kept. I couldn't win, we couldn't win, and they kept dying all around me. My father, my baby… my baby girl is gone."
With that he finally let go of Sofia's shoulders and collapsed into a puddle weeping. Sofia hesitated for only an instant as pity overwhelmed her, but then she saw his demeanor turn on a dime once more, a sudden violent tensing of his arms and she turned to run for her safety toward the funeral crowd, Aaron's words muddling her thoughts. What had he meant by his father paid the price? And when he took the throne…. Must have been years ago. Perhaps even before the last war.
Sofia was still running without regard for her safety and unceremoniously tripped over an unfurled runner in the garden, tumbling before all assembled. Hugo was quick to pull her up and wrap her in a tender embrace.
"Oh Darling Sofia I was so concerned. Please don't disappear like that, not in your condition. Are you hurt my beautiful?"
"Not now Hugo, please I need to think, I—"
The unwanted prince was grasping at her arm, distracting her thoughts. She needed space to gain some clarity. Finally braking free she wandered through the assembled royals, waving off some friends whose looks of concern distracted her further. Aaron had said the people wouldn't know, that they had assured him his people would never find out. The 'they' he spoke of must be King Victor, and King Rolland. Not her father, but King Rolland the first. He was definitely referencing the first war. But then, what did he mean that his father had paid the price? Amalthea had said she started the war when Sofia was healing Cecelia, but Aaron seemed to shoulder that burden as well. Aaron had just said when he became king he'd tried to save his people, did that mean when Aaron's father died and he assumed the throne he tried to rebel against it all. But then how was Amalthea involved in that?
Hugo began clawing at her arm once more, breaking her train of thought. She needed to escape and pressed onward, out of the royals and beyond to where the group of sorcerers were standing.
Cedric had been incredibly helpful in driving Hugo away on several occasions, and hated the prince with a passion. He was such a good friend to her, surely he could keep Hugo away long enough for Sofia to reason out all the things Aaron had just told her in his deranged state. She strode up to the sorcerers rather fast, unintentionally dwelling on how if the situation was reversed and Cedric was pursuing her she'd gladly stop, take his arm in hers, perhaps sigh a bit…
What was she doing? Her mental train of thought had lost its reasoning ability when the lanky royal sorcerer had entered her mind, and she found herself absorbed in musings on Cedric when she knew she should be focused on Aaron's words before they escaped her memory.
Approaching the practitioners of the craft she could hear Cedric's voice growing in pitch and intensity. A sorcerer stood to the side and an unpleasant laugh came from Cedric, faced away from her and toward his sister and Greylock, with Amalthea observing her approach silently.
Cedric waved his arms dismissively at whatever conversation was ensuing, "I've no interest in your theories either Greylock. As you can see I'm perfectly fine without any of your help, now if you'd please extract your nose from MY business and plant it firmly in you own I'll gladly do the same."
"Come off it man! I heard about the cave incident, and the way you acted in her room! You really think we're all that naïve Cedric. I just want to know it's mutual, she's rather young and I want to be sure you're not abusing the girl."
The princess froze. They were discussing Sofia, and did Greylock just imply that Cedric liked her? How could either his sister or Greylock not know he liked men? They'd both known him forever, decades perhaps? How old was Cedric anyway…
Sofia stood, mouth agape and all thoughts of Aaron's words stricken from her mind as if time stood still. Blood refused to pump through her veins while Cedric stood discussing his feelings for her amongst his peers. Surely he'd validate their friendship, right? He said he needed her, that she was his best friend. Sofia hadn't even let on how she felt about him yet, so why was she completely lost in this moment as if her future depended on it?
She watched as Cedric's fists began clenching oddly. He began tugging on his bow, and jittering strangely. Edith, too focused on Cedric's reaction to notice Sofia not four feet from this conversation pressed her brother further.
"I've got you this time baby brother. You've got a crush on the king's daughter." Edith inched closer, her finger squarely in Cedric's face. She couldn't see Cedric's reaction, but he did take a step back. "I'm sure of it Ceddykins, and this time I'm going to make sure I get the credit for finding you out."
Cedric exploded in words, "You've nothing on me harpee! I'm just doing as ordered by King Rolland, and I've absolutely no romantic interest in little girls, most of all the pretentious pampered princess of Enchancia." Edith rolled her eyes, but then caught Sofia in her gaze and a wicked smile sprung forth. Sofia tried with all her might to suppress the hurt at hearing Cedric's words. After all, the rational, reasonable part of her knew that there was no way a gay man was ever going to find her attractive, but still to hear it spoken openly still fractured her burgeoning affections, which must have been clearly writ across her face, judging by Edith's triumphant smirk.
Amalthea grunted as if to stop the conversation and gestured to where Sofia was standing, but Cedric didn't notice and kept on slashing Sofia's heart apart, "And more to the point, if you so much as breathe a word of your suspicions to the king I assure you wench I'll make sure you never set foot in Enchancia again." With that Cedric crossed his arms, stuck out his chin toward his sister and stomped his foot emphatically as if to drive home the point.
"Oh really, and just how do you think you'd convince him I'm wrong Ceddy? He's always been too smart to listen to you."
Cedric had turned a bit to face his sister, still oblivious to Sofia standing there. Greylock could now see Sofia standing behind them, and the small silent tears that were now trailing down her face. Greylock coughed and gestured to Sofia standing there but Cedric was too worked up to notice, "Because Sofia will tell him herself that I'm completely uninterested and never have been. You'll see, and then you'll be the fool, not I."
"I doubt it very much brother. You'll always be the fool." Cedric's arms flew up, but before he could respond Edith smirked, "Isn't that right Sofia?"
Cedric froze, then turned to her with horror. She immediately looked at her feet, unable to bear looking at him after that thorough smashing of her feelings.
"SOFIA!"
He called after her but the princess had taken off, dodging through the mourners and out beyond the trimmed hedges. At one point Hugo reached out but she evaded his grasp as well, snaking through the crowd to escape. No one could see her like this, it would be mortifying, and she finally came to rest against a tree on the far side of the gardens. It overlooked the funeral some distance away but she couldn't bear to watch anyone and instead clung to the far side of the great elm. It stood overlooking the village below the castle, and beyond that the barren wastelands. Cold wind stung her cheeks and froze her tears in place. The only thing preventing winter snows was a lack of rain.
Soon enough the storms would come and cover Friezenburg in the blue sleet and ice for which the kingdom derived its name. Her heart felt as barren as the fallowed fields beyond where she stood.
Why should she be so upset? Cedric didn't love her, nor could he ever. He simply wasn't wired that way, and she knew this beyond a reasonable doubt now. She stared off into the distance, trying to calm herself. She came to convince herself she was hurt because his response was not to just dismiss any romantic notions, but that he'd stated they only spent time together out of obligation. That, despite the assurances he'd given her in private they weren't even friends.
That he could insist she spend her nights with him, together in his bed and then turn around and deny they were even friends sparked a storm within her. The contrarian nature of his statements and actions drove her further down a spiral of self-doubt and rejection, each mental argument trying to justify and forgive his behavior counter pointed with reasonable assertions that he should at least acknowledge they were friends.
But then, it must mean her friendship was embarrassing to him. She was probably less than half his age, as his sister had asserted some time ago. That he couldn't find a best friend among his peers might be seen as embarrassing. Her mind wandered back to when she was convincing Cedric to let her compete in the tournament. His words then, which at the time she was able to dismiss without much rumination, now reflected a poignant sting,
'You're not affiliated with me outside this tower.'
But then counter points sprung up about how he'd written her poetry thematic on forgiveness. Even his words after saving her from the caves were so encouraging,
'I need you. Never forget it.'
She hadn't forgotten, but how could he have so soon? It had only been a few days.
"Hey there Sofia, what's wrong?"
The princess spun, and none other than Miranda was standing there. That knowing smile, those kindly eyes, and the tiniest of bumps growing between her hips. The visual made Sofia stop beating herself up enough to catch her breath. Suddenly she realized her mother must have seen her various sprints through the funeral and hiked up this hill to comfort her. "Are you okay mom? That hill-"
"Oh you sound just like Rolly. I'm FINE Sofia, but you're obviously not. What's the matter? You know I'm always here to listen."
She was, and caught in the pain and confusion of the moment Sofia's immediate problem seemed to trump all others. "Oh Mom, I'm just so… confused."
"About what dear?"
"It's just… Well I guess…" Sofia finally turned back to look over those assembled. Greylock and Amalthea were still standing where they once stood, but Cedric was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Edith, and Sofia was sure they'd gone off to fight about who was meaner somewhere in private.
Suddenly there was a hand upon Sofia's shoulder, and the kindest smile upon her mother's face. "Is this about boys Sofia?" The young woman dropped her gaze to her feet. Telling anyone she liked Cedric seemed a horrible idea. It would be best to just suppress it, especially since nothing could ever come of it. "Oh I see. Actually I was wondering when you'd start feeling this way dear. Now tell me what's bothering you, I have a little experience in this area and I might just be able to help."
After a deep sigh and some soul searching Sofia finally managed an upward glance to her mother, "Oh mom, how do you know when you love someone?"
Miranda caught her breath in her throat and smiled widely. "Well I suppose you feel it deep inside. The fact that you think you love someone means you probably do love them, but you're unsure of how to express it."
Sage words. Sofia had no idea what she was doing, and was failing miserably at the entire process. "But I..." She turned away to look over the village to the fields beyond.
"Now dear it's not the end of the world. In fact, it's the beginning."
"But I don't want to feel these things Mom, especially not for him, I just… if only I could make it stop."
"Oh Sofia." Miranda took her daughter's hand in her own and stroked it lovingly, "what I want you to realize is that feeling inside you is just the spark. It takes listening to each other, responding to each other's needs, and being there for one another. I'm sure he's very confused right now that you're running away, but if you take the time to embrace it you'll find the feelings grow stronger."
Sofia smiled up at her mom, then a loud, ominous crack was heard in the distance. It startled Miranda and the two looked off over the barren fields. There were some flashes of light, and Miranda grew tense. "I'd better tell Rolly it's time to be getting home to Enchancia. Let's go Sofia."
Suddenly it was if Sofia had been struck by that lightning bolt. Her Papa could be there, fighting in a battle. "Wait, Mom! There's something I need to ask you."
Nervous, Miranda put her unsettled nerves aside a bit and listened in, "Yes dear."
"It's about Papa." She watched as Miranda drew a tense breath. "That advice you were giving me, about loving and making it grow stronger, you learned that from being in love with my Papa, didn't you?"
Miranda looked out over the fields to gauge any danger before responding, "This war is bringing up many memories for you too, isn't it dear?"
"Well yes, but about Papa, you still love him, don't you Mom?"
Her mother took in a deep breath and let out a long sigh, "Yes, there is a part of me that will always remember him with love, and I think I know what's troubling you."
Sofia's eyes went wide. Did Miranda know that Birk was still alive? Involuntarily her mouth dropped open, but Miranda was quick to pre-empt her suspicions. "I want you to know Sofia that the new baby will never change the way I feel about you. Love is wonderful like that, the more we love the more room we have in our hearts for love. Yes, I loved your father and because of that I have you, so I wouldn't change that part of my life for anything. But just look at all the joy the love of merging our families has brought us." Miranda gave her belly a quick rub, then turned to look down at the royals, who had heard the crack of cannon fire and were now dispersing.
"But Mom, if you had to choose between my Papa and Rolland, who would you choose?"
"Sofia that's not a very kind question for me. I already told you I'd never choose to love one of my children more than another, so you don't need to worry." Her mother's warm and kindly demeanor was giving way to caution as another cannon blast could be heard in the distance.
"But Mom, please I need to know. You fell in love with my Papa, I know you two loved each other so much. Don't you still love him?" Sofia was practically pleading Birk's case to her mother, and if there was but a glimmer of hope she simply had to reveal his whereabouts to her mother. The woman seemed well enough now to take the news.
Miranda was growing increasingly worried about what was certainly a battle a distance off. "Sofia we can't choose who we fall in love with, but we can choose to build a relationship based on mutual trust and affection."
Sofia's shoulders slumped, "Mutual.."
It took Miranda aback, "Yes mutual. Love isn't always mutual, and if you don't take care of it, love can simply fade away leaving pain and nothingness in its wake."
"I think it's time to go ladies." Rolland had made his way up the hillside, and Miranda agreed pulling Sofia along down the hillside and toward the coaches. There was a blur of Amber's skirt went swishing by, and perhaps James brushed up against her but Sofia was lost in thought.
Miranda didn't seem to love Birk any longer.
The words were too ominous, too tinged with personal pain. The entire bit about love fading away to pain seemed eerily like the sadness her mother had carried like a stone around her neck in the years after Birk had been taken away.
Miranda called out to Hugo while still holding Sofia's hand around her bent arm. The prince was in a shouting match with his father some distance off from the main gathering. Axel was there too, and both princes seemed to be shouting at the elder man. Considering how intense Axel seemed it must be about the slaves, but Victor only laughed and dismissed whatever was being said with a jovial chuckle. Miranda called out to Hugo again and the prince noted Sofia alongside her. He hurried to her side and the inquiry as to Sofia's mental state began. Despite all of Hugo's annoying traits he did seem to genuinely care for her and was justifiably upset with his father. Perhaps this was what Miranda was talking about with love being something to work on, to take care of and make it grow. Hugo seemed to need a lot of work though, and the spark…
There was a pause in forward momentum. Staring at the gravel below her Sofia had barely the wherewithal to notice that Hugo had taken up the arm not occupied by Miranda, and that one pair of black loafers and a purple dress robe were swishing in front of her in the breeze. Cedric was standing there, and Hugo was saying something unkind. Sofia simply couldn't look at him, and the sorcerer said nothing. He simply stood in front of her. Sofia finally looked up, but Cedric was staring at his shoes while Hugo stood in between them saying something about Cedric conjuring a protection spell on the coach when they flew back to Enchancia. He seemed not to be registering Hugo's words either.
Something wriggled up Sofia's leg. The odd sensation broke her concentration and she retracted her arms. Out from under her skirt slinked a multicolored garden snake. It moved with magical velocity toward the far side of the castle, and one resident witch of Dunwitty was poking her head out.
"Lucinda."
"What's that dear?" Miranda inquired. Thankfully Sofia had mumbled the identifier, and quickly she recovered.
"Sorry Mom I left something. I'll only be a moment."
"Well hurry dear, we shouldn't linger."
Hugo tried to come after her but was pushed toward the approaching coach by James. Sofia turned back at the last moment before she rounded the corner and saw Cedric still stood planted in the same spot, immobilized in place. He finally looked up after her as Lucinda pulled her around the corner.
"What are you doing here in Friezenburg, there's fighting going on!"
"I know but it was Hildegard's funeral. More importantly what are you doing here?"
Lucinda tensed, "I was looking for Axel and he said he would be at this funeral today, but not that you were coming too."
Another cannon blast went off and both girls looked into the distance. "There's a battle going on, isn't there?" Sofia turned to her friend, who seemed reluctant to answer. "Isn't there? Tell me."
Finally the witch nodded. "Yea. The rumor is that since his daughter died King Aaron's giving Maldonia a blank slate now to kill or enslave with impunity."
"Wait! No, Lucinda it's not Aaron's fault."
"You can't know that Sofia."
"Yes I can! I just spoke with him and—"
"Wait, you SPOKE with him!"
"Yes and he's completely lost it Lucinda. He's vacillating between reality and the past and, it wasn't really clear but it sounds like he might have fought the last war to free the slaves, but that Maldonia was too powerful and defeated him."
Lucinda's eyes went wide, but then Cedric rounded the corner. Quickly Lucinda pulled the princess into a bush while Cedric went running frantically by, "Sofia! Sofia please it wasn't my fault, Sofia!"
Once he was a fair distance past Lucinda rolled her eyes, "Oh man, you two fighting again?"
Sofia whimpered a bit and jostled as if it could shake the pain and confusion off of herself. She wanted to forgive him, but it really was starting to grate on her. If he would only acknowledge being close to her in private, were they really truly friends at all?
"Look". Lucinda pulled her in, "I need to find Axel. I need his help to fight. We're in a real rat's nest this time. There's cannons and a whole legion of troops, and Birk is going to loose this if I don't muster up reinforcements, especially if those witches show up."
The witches. Sofia had to go, to save her Papa and everyone else. "I'm coming then."
"But Sofia you… alright. Let's get Axel and go."
Just then Cedric doubled back, looking even more frantic and seemed to be pulling out clumps of his hair. "SOFIA! Oh WHY, WHY! Poseidon's pumpkins" As his voice trailed off he seemed on the verge of tears.
Lucinda was watching her face, and as the sorcerer rounded the corner she rolled her eyes at the princess. "You want to stay for him again, don't you?"
Sofia nodded. She was starting to hate the realization that these newfound feelings were what pulled her to empathize with and constantly forgive Cedric for his less than kind behaviors.
"I… am."
"Well then you'd better do it already." A final nod, and again "Doppler Duplicato" came from her pointed wand. The copy sprung outward and Lucinda gasped.
"Wow, that's really good Sofia. I've never seen one before."
"Hello? You can speak to me, I can talk after all." The copy stated.
"Oh Sorry… Sofia?" The witch glanced between the two, "This is weird. Which one of you do I call Sofia?"
Both answered "me", then a pointed glance between them made the copy backpedal. "What I mean to say is, while I'm really a reflection of her I was thinking of going by Scarlett." The copy gestured down to her red dress, the only noticeable difference. "What do you think?"
Sofia nodded. It seemed fine but Lucinda seemed unsure. "Alright let's go Sofia, Scarlett here can mend whatever's going on between you and Cedric."
"Ugh again Sofia." Moaned Scarlett. She quickly caught herself and a sly grin escaped the girl. It was a bit terrifying, and Lucinda inched back, "Alright then, I guess I can… relax his… mood again, if you insist on it." The sideways glances in the direction Cedric had run, and the faint deviousness of her smile reminded Sofia of the fit of jealousy she'd experienced when seeing her copy in bed with Cedric. The red-clad girl began to stand and pursue the sorcerer when Sofia reached out grasping the girl's arm.
"Wait." Both Lucinda and her copy halted to look at her quizzically. "This time, can you go?"
Narrowed eyes of anger met Sofia, but deep inside something made her want to stay with Cedric. She had to know if it really was all an act, if he only pretended to care for her, if he was truly embarrassed to be around her. The copy yanked her arm away from Sofia's grip and seemed ready to unload but Sofia extended her wand forward.
"Here, you can take my wand." To that the girl's eyes went wide with delight. "Since we are the same your Papa is in danger too. Please save him, save them all."
The copy took her wand slowly into her hands, then let out a tiny giggle of delight. "Only if you insist Sofia."
It was said a bit too emphatically, and Lucinda cautioned "wait—" But it was done. Sofia took off running toward the direction Cedric had frantically run and called out to the despondent purple mass. Upon hearing his name he froze and turned. Sofia bounded into his chest, hoping against all hope he'd at least hug her in return, but there was none. Instead she heard some angry calls for her to board the coach from Hugo, and Cedric hovered over her, whispering in her ear.
"Please board the carriage. We can speak in private once we're home and you're safe sweetheart. I'm so… so… so…"
Sofia pulled away, his words stinging her.
In private.
He really was embarrassed to be near her. Amber called out, "Let's go Sofia."
The princess dropped her arms to her sides as Cedric whimpered, "Please, when we get home."
"Will you not be embarrassed of me when we're alone?" Sofia was choking back tears, and Cedric looked to be doing the same. But they stood there, a healthy two-foot distance that seemed the size of a great ocean. His gaze dropped again and once more he was staring at his feet. It seemed like he wanted to speak but simply couldn't. Amber wandered up and took her sister by the arm.
"Come on Sofia, let's get going. Oh and Cedric I want you to conjure an entire mountain of yellow marigolds for Desmond's funeral tomorrow."
To that he looked up. Amber seemed to notice he was upset, "Cedric you can conjure marigolds, can't you? It's important."
"Y-y-yes princess, but why?"
"Because I remember them at my mother's funeral. I want it to be just like that, you remember don't you? I think you were there too." So tomorrow was Desmond's funeral, and Amber was participating in it. Probably at Miranda's suggestion, as part of the healing process.
Amber turned back toward the coach and Cedric reached up to grasp at his yellow bow, sadness washing over him. "Calendula. Till my last breath I'll never forget."
Sofia just stared at him as Amber pulled on her arm. Suddenly Cedric noticed her watching him and dropped the ribbon, incredibly upset.
Sofia boarded the coach, and they were off toward Enchancia once more. She felt horrible, nothing was resolved with Cedric and now her copy was running off into battle in Friezenburg with her wand. Birk just had to survive, but would her Papa ever be happy again if he knew Miranda no longer felt the same deep love for him she once did?