Author's Note: Well Cedfia fans, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Its time has come. This chapter is A) DARK. B) contains sexual situations- those younger teens please not to be reading, and elder folk please be not offended. Scarlett uses her attributes to her great advantage.
Chapter 32: Wickedness
The soft purple glow inside the Amulet consumed her. At first she couldn't believe it had happened. This harbinger of doom couldn't really be wreaking havoc in her skin, could she? Was Scarlett truly a bad copy, or perhaps something hidden deep within herself; the logical, methodical part her empathetic nature kept subdued? It didn't matter. If she ever got out of here Scarlett was done. Never again. If only something or someone could fix this and set her free, but bargaining with empty space was getting her nowhere. The Amulet didn't seem able to respond anymore than she was able to escape it.
As the hours spent in the eerie purple glow wore on she began to dwell on all the lives Scarlett would forever scar if she got her way. All the peoples of Friezenburg, Maldonia, Leidleville and even Enchancia were in danger now, all because Sofia couldn't be more than herself. All because she couldn't rise above it all and do everything, be everything asked of her. Feeling the utter failure seep into her skin she finally came to accept that without external aide she was completely helpless. Undoubtedly the callousness of her copy and erratic behavior would eventually be discovered, but would it be in time to prevent catastrophe? And even then, would anyone ever find and free her from this prison?
Uneasy sleep slowly took her. She dreamt of broken kingdoms, weeping refugees, and other hellish nightmares that would come to pass if she was unable to find a solution to the strife now gripping half the continent. The darkness beyond the purple haze began to soften in the morning light, waking the princess. Sofia found that the magical bandages slowly healing her shoulder seemed to have kept their effect. The throbbing was lessened, although she longed for any of Cedric's many spells to numb the pain.
Cedric.
She still hadn't spoken with him, and now her copy roamed free to inflict untold pain on him as well. Intense light streaked in through the drawer's keyhole, and the slight tinge of hunger gripped her innards. An entirely new panic set in, for if she was hungry that meant she could very well die in this prison from starvation should no one come to her aide in time. Then what would happen to Scarlett?
Once more she tried with all her might to pound upon the jeweled prison walls, but to no effect. Exhausted from little sleep and overexertion she collapsed backward, trying her best not to cry and failing miserably.
"Please, PLEASE Amulet if you can hear me, help me. I'm sorry for creating Scarlett, I'm sorry for everything. PLEASE I don't want to die, not like this. Not when everyone needs me. PLEASE." More hours ticked by in utter desperation.
Somewhere past midday there was a faint scratch, so quiet in fact Sofia almost didn't realize it had happened. Then another, then a third. She stood on her tip-toes trying to peek through the keyhole and saw the flash of grey fur and heard several grumbles of an old rabbit trying his best to clean the princess's room, a duty he hadn't flagged on, despite his old age.
Clover.
The drawer squeaked open, and floppy ears tumbled down from above. "Let's see, this should go next to the… WHOA." The bunny was standing on the tabletop above the drawer, peering over the edge into Sofia's prison. As soon as he laid eyes on the Amulet of Avalor he'd lost his grip on the laidelilly vial. It tumbled into the drawer without ceremony, knocking into the Amulet. Clover managed to paw at the jewel frantically, bringing it up onto the table. "What in the world is this doing here? She NEVER takes it off and… Oh no. She must have conjured that copy again! And now she's in trouble!" Sofia sprang up with joy, for even if Clover didn't know where she was at least someone knew that her imposter was running amok in the castle.
"Wait, is this the real Amulet, or the copy? Either way, I've got to find Sofia."
The rabbit sat back on his haunches staring at the object. Sofia tried with all her might to alert Clover to her presence inside the jewel, with little effect. "I bet Wormwood would know if this is the real one. Oof. I really hate that guy."
The rabbit hedged a bit more. "And now I've got to lug this thing up all those tower steps too? Girl does not feed me enough for this."
"I'll feed you all the carrots in the castle Clover, just take me to Mr. Cedric! He'll realize and free me! PLEASE!" She knew her bunny couldn't hear her, and that she would finally have to come clean about the copies existence, but it was better than starving to death and letting Scarlett cover the lands in blood.
Taking the clasp and a bit of the Amulet in his mouth the rabbit slowly hopped down from the dresser and over to the small hole in the wall. He labored to carry the thing through the back passageways, finally emerging at the internal corridor opening nearest Cedric's tower steps. The poor guy took forever to get it up and over the lip, and finally flopped out. Deep love and admiration for her decade-long companion welled up inside her at his devotion. "Oh Clover. Thank you."
Of course her praise went unheard, and he began the torturous process of hoping up each of Cedric's steps, then lugging the Amulet up behind him. She smiled widely with each grumble the bunny made. Thunk. About ten steps up he had to stop to catch his breath. "This bunny is OLD." Another five steps up, and again the Amulet landed with a thud as Clover slid down onto his belly. "At my age I should be pampered, not lugging this thing up Cedric's endless stairs. Oof. I need a vacation." Ten more steps, each one with a louder groan, and he was nearing the final turn in the stairs. He stopped to catch his breath once more, staring down the Jewel. "Alright I can do this. She's always been there for me, even when no one else was, and right now she's in trouble." He lunged forward and took the clasp in his mouth, prepping for the final set of stairs when a loud bang came from above. Quick footfalls and Sofia began screaming. Those weren't Cedric's.
"RUN CLOVER! RUN!" The walls of her prison deadened the sound of her screams before her rabbit could hear her cries.
Around the corner came a flurry of petticoat and purple dress folds. Scarlett was three steps down before she saw the rabbit on the stairs. "Oh there you are Sofia! Girl you need to be more careful messing with magic copies. Well you probably can't understand me without it but…"
They both stared at each other for a brief second, and Scarlett smiled, a foul glint in her eyes. "Aw Clover, come here with that my sweet little pet." The bunny froze, then stared at Scarlett's chest.
"Pet? Wait a minute, Sofia never calls me…Uh OH." Clover knew.
The girl took one look down, and giggled as she clutched the fake Amulet around her neck. "Caught me."
"RUN!" Sofia screamed.
A blur of fur was heading down the stairs belting out muffled screams while trying to dodge her swiping hands. "Give that back you little miscreant! I'll teach you!"
He barely managed to get down the stairs, the Amulet rolling from his mouth as he collided unceremoniously with the landing. Scarlett saw the opportunity and jumped over him, but a sudden burst of energy from the old bunny and once again the Amulet was in his mouth while he was heading back to the small hole in the wall.
Smart move. The girl couldn't shrink like Sofia could, not without the Amulet, and lacked the ability to cast a spell. He was ten yards away from escape when suddenly Sofia was in freefall. The Amulet had continued onward, but the bunny had been caught by the hind legs and ripped backward. The jewel rolled to a stop alongside the wall and Sofia watched in horror as her dear friend was suspended in midair, held up by his hind legs. Kicking furiously to get away did little good as Scarlett snarled at the upside down rabbit. "Now what to do with you? I can't have you trying to alert everyone, especially Cedric. He'll figure it out for sure if you start acting strangely around me. I've already got the bird to deal with." The girl looked around as Clover struggled.
"What did you do to Sofia?! Let me go!"
OH NO.
Scarlett was staring at the open window at the end of the corridor. With one hand she held Clover's hind legs, and with the other bent down and picked up the real Amulet of Avalor. They were three stories up, and his old body would never survive the fall. "NO! NO SCARLETT DON'T! DON'T!"
The copy was moving to the window. Clover managed to curl upward and bite her hand. The imposter jumped, but didn't let go. Instead she angrily tossed him slightly into the air, grabbing at the scruff of his furry neck. "HOW DARE YOU HURT HIM! I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!" Sofia screamed with all her might, pounding against the walls of her prison with both her arms, despite the pain, to no avail.
"I'm just as much Sofia as she was, only I'm better. I can do what she couldn't, stop this war and cover the lands in stability. Birk is already conquering Friezenburg, but he has no idea how to rule a kingdom. As his daughter I'll naturally be the one to take command of the situation. Maldonia is next, but I can conquer it in two days time with the help of a certain forgotten prince. All he needs is a little… persuasion. Which leaves Leidleville, and ultimately Enchancia, before the scourge is purged and all is set right in the world. I'll complete the story, where Miss goody-goody never could."
Scarlett took a few more steps toward the open window, the bunny flailing wildly in her clutches. "You could have stayed with me, I'd have fed you all the carrots you'd liked, but NO. You just had to be devoted to Sofia, just like that bird, and that horse." Scarlett was standing in front of the open window now, the slightly chilled breeze tousling her shoulder-length auburn locks about her shoulders. Scarlett set the hand with the real Amulet along the windowsill, staring down the bunny that couldn't struggle free.
"Say hello to Robin and Mia for me."
Clover stopped struggling, the understanding of what was to come gripping him.
"I'm sorry Sofia. I tried."
CAW!
A mass of bright red plumage tore at Scarlett's neck and face, knocking her backward. Arms went up, but the girl didn't let go of the Amulet. As the girl stumbled she tried lobbing Clover at the bird. Missing the phoenix Sofia's beloved rabbit went headlong into the wall, connecting with the most gruesome crack she'd ever heard.
"NOOOOOOO!"
The phoenix attacked again, its sharp talons trying to rip at the wicked copy. Scarlett started swinging the real Amulet at it, then fled down the corridor. All Sofia could do was look back at her dear companion, now laying still in a heap on the corridor floor, motionless.
Scarlett was down the hallway in seconds flat, and reached her bedroom as the phoenix came swooping in. The door slammed shut right into the bird, and another horrifying thud resounded as Scarlett ran to the mirror to inspect the damage. There was a slight tear along Scarlett's temple. Almost imperceptible, but instead of blood that black Miasma leaked out.
"Not good. Not good at all. If he sees this… I guess I'll have to fix my hair a bit different." Scarlett looked down at the Amulet, cursing. "You just don't give up, do you? I'M IN CHARGE NOW. Get used to it." Scarlett ripped the fake jewel from her neck, slamming it down on the tabletop, then clasped the real Amulet with Sofia inside around her. "Alright FINE. I've got to keep a closer eye on you, but it shouldn't be a problem." Amulet affixed, she ran an index finger over the scratch across her temple, then gathered a bunch of her curls into a sweeping dip and clipped the pin in place, covering the wound. "I dare you Amulet, curse her. Curse her for everything she's done and more. Give her all the righteous fury you can muster for pandering toward peace instead of seizing the opportunities she's been presented with." She stroked that finger over the Jewel, and the lack of any twinkle in the mirror's reflection probably meant no curse had been granted for that horror in the hallway.
Inside Sofia cursed, screamed, and pounded against the clear walls knowing it would have no effect but still so hurt and angry she couldn't stop herself. Trying to get a grip on herself she played mental gymnastics. Maybe Clover was just unconscious. He would wake up, and figure out some way to let others know this embodiment of evil was running amok in her skin.
Now that the injury was concealed she went back to the door, unlatching it slowly with a pillowcase raised in defense, as if she meant to catch the bird. The door flung open, but the hallway was empty. The phoenix had flown off.
It wasn't more than a handful of steps before Amber had caught the imposter, beaming with joy, "I just can't thank you enough Sofia! All the planning is done for the ceremony and it's perfect, and I'm so glad you resolved that whole… situation… with Cedric. Now you can really move on with your life."
Sofia's heart sank. Cedric was gay after all, why else would Amber say that?
"Me too Amber, me too. But I was thinking, why should you wait weeks for your coronation when we can have it all ready in a day? After all, Leidleville is anxious for the stability you will bring them."
Amber blinked, then looked down the corridor nervously. "Do you really think so Sofia? It's not too soon? Daddy and Mother were pretty against me doing this after all, I thought they'd need more time to accept it."
That wretched copy set a hand on her caring sister's shoulder, "Amber you are going to be a Queen, that means you should start making your own decisions, and don't you think Desmond's people will love that you've chosen to honor him this way? That they'll know everything will be okay because there will be an heir?"
Slowly Amber began nodding, while Sofia screamed for her to stop listening to these manipulations. "I… never thought of it like that but you're right Sofia! Desmond's parents are so old, the people of Leidleville must be worried sick about something else happening and having no royals to rule them."
"I know when I was a peasant I would have worried if something happened to King Rolland while you and James were babies."
Oh my stars, that sounded like horrible advice, but Amber was beaming. "STOP SCARLETT! STOP!" The words went unheard and unheeded once more.
"You should send word to Desmond's parents that you want the ceremony to happen immediately, first thing tomorrow! That way the monarchy will be protected." Scarlett was nodding furiously, bolstering Amber's slight uncertainties. "For Desmond."
"But what about Mom and Daddy?"
"You can tell them your decision at dinner, it is your life Amber and you should get to choose. I'll support you one hundred percent, after all, we're siblings." Amber beamed a radiant smile that matched her golden locks. A false hug, and the beautiful princess bounded off, leaving Scarlett alone in the corridor.
"Amber's as good as gone. One down, two to go. Gotta time everything just right though."
"LEAVE MY SISTER AND DESMOND'S KINGDOM ALONE!" Screamed Sofia, but of course it went unanswered. The imposter tapped on the Amulet rudely, the reverberations knocking Sofia to her knees. "If you can hear me I bet you're just loving this. Hahahahahaha!"
"SCARLETT!"
….
"NO!"
"But Mother!"
"No Amber, with everything going on right now you should wait before making such a huge decision." Miranda was still kindly, but very stern in her voice. The bombshell of Amber's accelerated timeline to inheriting Desmond's kingdom was not sitting well with their parents, and dinner had effectively halted for all but the voracious James while words went flying. Sofia shed ten pounds of relief, as Miranda seemed dead set against it. The princess watched all this drama unfold while dangling from Scarlett's neck, the delicious meal in front of her setting her drooling on the Amulet's clear walls. So close, yet so far away. It had been almost an entire day since she'd eaten, and the pains were intensifying. People can only live about three days without food or water, a fact she was acutely aware of. Thankfully Scarlett had remained silent through the meal, leaving Amber to Miranda's sound advice.
"Daddy please, you already gave me permission to marry Desmond, why is this any different?"
Rolland didn't answer, instead Miranda took his closest hand in her own, and gave the verdict that was truly the only reasonable response. "Amber, living your life in effigy to him won't bring Desmond back, and it isn't going to bring you happiness. Right now it may seem okay, but you'll get lonely, and then what will happen? I don't want the expectations of his kingdom and throne to dictate your future." Miranda wasn't making headway with the eldest princess, and turned to her husband. "Rolly, say something to her."
All eyes were on Rolland, who seemed to be nodding to his wife. Slowly Scarlett set down the goblet she'd been nursing. "Amber must assume Desmond's throne."
The way she'd said it, so regal and commanding without any hint of hesitation, was not Sofia's mannerism in the slightest. Miranda quite literally sat back in her chair, perplexed. "Sofia? You can't possibly expect your sister to go through with this?"
"Of course. She can and she must." Ignoring Miranda, Scarlett went right over her head. "Dad, you know more than anyone the absolute necessity of maintaining the traditions of Royalty. Without her the kingdom is left in peril."
The last person to be eating, James stopped at Scarlett's words and glared at the copy. Sofia knew his own future hinged on Rolland breaking with tradition.. WAIT… So did Scarlett!
Leaning in, Scarlett dealt the final death knell. "These are troubled times Dad, and Amber will bring stability to Leidleville. It's better this way, for all kingdoms, including yours. The people need to know that the traditions will be upheld, or there will be further panic."
"But Sofia, surely you can't think that this is a wise decision?" Miranda was practically pleading. "Amber should free to make her own choices in life, and stay here at home until she's found her true calling, not running someone else's kingdom all alone. Please you all must see that."
Scarlett smiled one of those horridly wicked smiles. "Mom, it sounds like you just don't want your children to grow up, but we're not babies anymore. You've got a new baby to worry about after all, and should be focused on that, right Dad."
Did Scarlett just say that to her Mom? Queen Miranda. WOW. Sofia had NEVER seen her mother blister so fast and furiously in her life.
BOOM.
Rolland was immediately putty. He turned to Miranda, taking her hand in his and stroking it lovingly to calm her fury. Scarlett simply smiled, knowing she'd already won. "Dearest, Amber can and will visit us often, you've been an amazing mother to her and she'll continue to have mentors in Desmond's parents. I know Amber can do this, she is grown now, like Sofia said."
"That's right Daddy, I can do this! All my life I've been training to rule a kingdom. I won't let you, or Desmond, or anyone else down!"
Miranda was shaking her head, in complete disagreement, but Rolland just reached his free hand up to stroke her jaw lovingly. "It'll be alright dear. I know Leidleville has boosted security along the border, and this is what Amber wants, what we all need right now is stability, and to maintain control of the situation. Besides, there may be traitors in out midst, so Amber may just be safer there anyway."
Control…. That's what Scarlett was really after, in sum total. Complete, ultimate control of Friezenburg, Maldonia, Leidleville… Well she had Friezenburg and Leidleville pinned down, but what was she planning for Maldonia and… Oh no, ENCHANCIA. This was going to be awful, but HOW?! HOW TO STOP IT!
"But Rolly, I just don't think this is right." Miranda trailed off, and tossed the strangest, menacing glance at Scarlett, but the girl just continued smiling and took another swig from the goblet. She'd won by triggering Rolland right where she knew he'd fold, the traditionalist and stability aspects that he'd been clinging to throughout this turmoil, with a little worry for the baby tossed on top for good measure.
"It'll be okay. I have faith in Amber, and so, I declare that you've my permission." The eldest princess squealed in delight while Miranda shrunk. With that it was over, the rest of the meal suffered in silence, with Amber mouthing gratitude over the stuffed potatoes.
OH NO.
If Scarlett was able to push Rolland's buttons, whom else could she grapple with? A sudden panic gripped her, as she realized that everyone trusted her, Sofia, with their secrets. She knew James was in love with Ruby, directly against Rolland's wishes, she knew Axel was a traitor to his country, and… Cedric. He'd tried to steal the Amulet. Sofia was loosing the ability to scream from weakness, the arm throbbing and her throat dry and hoarse. Instead she settled into the aerus of her Amulet, her head resting along the translucent prison wall.
Dinner over, Scarlett was out into the halls and up the staircase before she'd been caught by the arm. A menacing Miranda was glowering down at her. "Sofia what was that back there? You owe me an explanation for that."
Scarlett shook her arm free, further startling Miranda. "I supported my sister. We aren't kids anymore Mom, and you need to accept it. You've got your own bundle to worry about, and Amber knows what she's doing."
A hand was over Miranda's mouth. "Sofia that is absolutely no way to talk to another person. You know better than that. What's gotten into you lately?"
Scarlett angled one hip up while standing on the top step, "I've grown up, and I don't need you telling me what to do."
Sofia cringed at the venom behind that sentence, the sheer wickedness of Scarlett only masked by the face she hid behind. The abuse of the good will Sofia had spent a lifetime cultivating that made everyone trust her, how could she have been so blind? And how could Miranda not realize this wasn't her? Perhaps she did, on some level, but couldn't figure out yet just what had happened. The growling in the pit of Sofia's stomach made her plead with the fates that Miranda rip the Amulet straight off Scarlett's neck and take her to Cedric, but it was of no use. Pursing her lips and squinting, the Queen shot back. "You say you've grown Sofia, but an adult doesn't act this way. If this is some sort of teenaged defiance you're going through I understand, I went through it too, but I'd like to think you're smarter than I was, and will listen so you can learn from my mistakes. But most of all I'd like to think you'd be more careful with your sister, who loves you very much."
Teenaged mistakes? Scarlett just shrugged, murmured under her breath, and bounced a bit, "Thanks Mom. You're right and I'll think about it. Good night."
A bold faced lie if ever there was one, but no one suspected Sofia of such behavior, so the copy got away with it once more. She left the Queen on the staircase, walking confidently into her room. It was so shameful, but Miranda let her go. A nightgown dawned, and hair brushed out, she was readjusting the star pin in her hair to ensure the black cut was covered after changing while Sofia locked in the Amulet dangled between her cleavage. The primping ritual was interrupted by a knock on her door, and beyond it a none-too-pleased older brother stood.
"We need to talk Sof."
Scarlett sighed as the prince walked in. "Well what is it? Can't you see I'm getting ready for bed?"
"You were way out of line with Mom tonight, and I'm starting to think she's right about Amber and Leidleville. This isn't right."
Arms crossed, the doppelganger glared at the man much taller than she as if she was the dominant between the two of them, a wholly unsettling thought. "And just why is that?"
"Because Mom is right, Amber's not going to be happy. This will make her miserable."
"So? It's what she wants James."
His hands were up, shaking, "If you know that then why aren't you telling her to stop?! Sof you told me to pursue happiness, to examine what my life will be like in five years. Well why aren't you telling Amber the same thing?"
Scarlett made a little murmur, and her fingers began to wiggle. The girl was going to lie, outright, again. The murmur was her tell, if only someone else would notice it. Merlin help her, if the Amulet was cursing Sofia for this she really was going to starve to death inside the jeweled prison. "Oh wow James, you are so right!"
He gave a half smile, then relaxed. "So you'll talk to her Sof? Because I think I should if you don't."
"Oh, of course I will. You don't need to get in her girly emotional space, I'll talk to her."
"Thanks Sof! You're simply brilliant!"
Her copy nodded and Sofia cringed, "Absolutely. You can count on me, Sofia the first!"
Sofia could feel the girl laughing a bit, but James's seemed not to notice. "We sure can. Everyone counts on you Sofia. Thanks."
The door clicked closed behind him as Scarlett sneered, "Don't mention it. After all, you're next. Well, maybe not the very next…" OH NO. She really was after James, and SCARLETT KNEW ABOUT RUBY.
Sofia cried out, "James I'm SORRY! I'll try and stop this before she hurts you, PLEASE MAKE IT STOP! I'M SORRY!"
Drawing a full length shawl over her Scarlett snuck out of her bedroom and up towards Cedric's tower. But the light of a single candle caught the imposter, her shadow dancing along the wall from its flicker.
"Princess Sofia, what are you doing out of bed at this hour?" Baileywick again. That murmur was heard under Scarlett's breath, and she turned, layering on sickeningly sweet and utterly fake platitudes. "Oh Baileywick, I'm in desperate need of a sleeping draught from Cedric. Don't worry, I'll be straight to bed after I procure it from him. No need to bother you with it, as you're so busy with helping Dad in this troubling time."
"It would be my pleasure Princess. I'll be sure to obtain it from him and bring it straight to your room."
"But Baileywick, I think it'd be better if I went up alone, after all, I heard about that incident a while back, and Cedric doesn't like when you disturb him after hours. You don't want him getting any… ideas… about your intentions toward him, right?"
Baileywick shook in a most uncomfortable way, shuddering the memory of catching Cedric in a 'compromising' position many years prior. "My word no! I did agree not to disturb him late at night, but Sofia…"
"It's FINE Baileywick, he gave me permission to seek out sleep aids when I need them. After all, he's my friend still. I promise I'll be back in bed soon. You can come check on me in a little while if you're worried."
"Indeed I will your highness. Good night." Wow. She'd managed to manipulate Baileywick as well.
With that she bounded up the stairs to Cedric's workshop. The girl smiled widely, as Wormwood flapped in her face. "YOU! Out this instant, OUT! You're not welcome here. I'm starting to wonder if I should even let the real Sofia in."
"Good luck finding her, and don't you have to do what Cedric wants anyway, familiar? Hehe."
"YOU Harlequin! CAW CAW CAW!"
"Now that wasn't very nice." Scarlett began shouting, "Help Cedric! Wormwood's attacking me again!" The red curtains blocking the way to his bedroom flew back, and out the sorcerer came, arms flailing.
"Wormy what's gotten into you today!" He shooed the bird out the window and latched the panes behind, but instead of turning to address her the sorcerer looked away, toward his workbench. "I'm so sorry Sofia, I let him renter because I thought you wouldn't… come back…" Dejected, Cedric's voice dropped off.
Scarlett inched up on him, and the man backed away.
Sofia would have upturned the contents of her stomach, had she eaten anything within the last day. The conversation really had upended their friendship, just as she'd worried. Oh this was horrible, too horrible to endure.
Suddenly his spine straightened out, renewed energy bursting forth. "Wait a minute, you've come back! Does that mean… you've… decided?" The initial burst of energy tapered off by the end, leaving him a crushed soul. What decisions he was referring to, Sofia had no clue. All she did know was that he looked wounded.
"Oh, silly Cedric, I meant what I said and I'm still deciding. But that doesn't mean I can't spend time with you, does it? You still want me to visit, don't you?" The copy giggled, then leaned forward, batting her eyes and puckering her lips. She was almost flaunting the Amulet of Avalor straight into his face. Captured within it and now dangling from Scarlett's chest this was her chance. Surely Cedric would see her and set her free. He just had to. Sofia was pounding with all her might, that Cedric might somehow see her and realize what was going on. But no, he did seem to be staring at the Jewel, but then gulped strangely and looked to be in pain. "I truly am your royal fool. S-S-Stay with me, torment me for the sheer pleasure of it, do whatever you will with me princess."
"I intend to." The wicked girl pushed him into his bedchambers, and stripped her nightgown off before him. Sofia watched as the candlelight illuminated his strange expressions while watching this display. The man had broken out in a cold sweat, and was flush as Scarlett, now adorned in not but her bloomers pushed him backward onto his bed and crawled atop the sorcerer, beginning the process of removing his robe. "S-S-S-Sofia, N-N-N-No! STOP! P-p-p-please I'm asking you not to do this. Sofia…."
"Can't we Cedric? Who's going to stop us?"
He pressed shut his eyes and grabbed the imposter by her sides, tossing her off his lap and onto the bed alongside the wall. "Stay there and well out of trouble, I'm beginning to recognize your moods dearest, and when the moniker is dropped I'm doomed. After all, a princess should know better than to behave thusly."
The 'moniker'? HE KNEW Scarlett had dropped the 'Mr.', but hadn't figured out why. "Mr. Cedric it's NOT ME! REALIZE it's NOT ME! I would never force you to do something like this! NEVER!"
Scarlett didn't let up, instead her hands came forward and started undoing his vests, the yellow tie, and everything else. The man was muttering bits about impropriety, but not actual sentences, however he seemed passive in letting her undress him. Sofia hadn't realized just how intimate this all looked, having been wrapped up in her own emotions she hadn't fully processed what Cedric must have been feeling. He was uncomfortable, first and foremost, but not disgusted by any means. But then, Scarlett wasn't jittery at all while Sofia had felt so unsure. Scarlett left the golden star around his neck and then went straight for the pants, causing the sorcerer to yelp. He jumped up off the bed, protesting with an emphatic, "NO. Sofia I've said this before, and on this I'll not waver. The pants stay ON, understood. I'll not undo them with an unmarried maiden anywhere in proximity."
"I got them off you once." She snickered and he went crimson with embarrassment.
"Of all the insufferable injustices! You simply LIVE to torment me, don't you? Will you even force me from my bed? That I might be subjected to spend the evening in my chair while you writhe in my linens and pretend wretched princes accompany you, is that your wicked game?"
"Sounds good, but you won't be able to sit in that chair for five minutes. You're too bony." Scarlett rolled over onto her stomach, bunching up his blankets around her bare arms and glancing at the cold stone floor. "I'll give you five minutes before you fold and come begging to be let back into your bed."
The man looked positively hurt. Diving at the robe on the floor he brought it up to his chest as if to cover himself. A softly spoken, "b-b-bony… I thought you found me h-h-handsome…" trailed out of him as he looked at nothing in the corner of the room.
Sofia couldn't help it, she started screaming again. "I HATE YOU! HATE YOU HATE YOU HATE YOU SCARLETT! HOW COULD YOU HURT HIS FEELINGS LIKE THIS!"
Scarlett was up on her knees, gesturing him closer with her finger, "Aww Cedric, come here. I'm soft enough for the two of us." He whimpered while clutching at the robe, and then began stroking the star around his neck. Scarlett slowly stood and walked toward the leery man. She ran her hands down the sides of his bare arms and pulled him toward the center of the room. "Aww, poor baby. You know how much I need you. You're my sorcerer." He finally looked up from the floor toward her. "How much you mean to me." That set off a fresh round of whimpers from the man.
"Who's the only one that cares about you?" Scarlett reached up and begun running one of her hands through his hair.
"Y-y-y-you are." He managed to squeak out.
"Who's the only one that believes in you?" Scarlett had narrowed the distance between them, pressing the Amulet and her chest up against Cedric's bare chest, the robe falling from his hands to the floor below them.
"Y-y-y-you are, Sofia."
The imposter swirled her lips nearer to his, and Sofia watched, dumbstruck as Cedric lingered, mouth agape, mere millimeters separating them. The initial raging jealousy Sofia felt was broken by the startling realization that he was mesmerized, putty in her hands.
Whispering, Scarlett drew her lips up to Cedric's ear. "Who is the only person in this world that will ever truly love you?"
LOVE.
Cedric closed his eyes and drew his hands up and over Scarlett's bare hips, letting his fingertips graze lightly along the skin while he kissed her neck. "Y-y-y-you are the o-o-o-only one, my S-S-Sofia."
"Tell me what I want to hear Cedric."
His head bent down farther, resting those grey bangs along Scarlett's exposed collarbone. A single tear was shed, dripping down onto the Amulet. "I'll not say it, not while you let that PRINCE touch you. Not before you've decided, lest you crush my heart in pieces just to watch me shatter."
"Right now he doesn't matter. SAY IT. You know you want to say what I want to hear." Scarlett was coaxing him on.
Sofia ran on adrenaline alone to try and stop this complete manipulation of her beloved. "STOP TOUCHING HIM! HE'S NOT YOURS! STOP!"
"I'll not. I can't say it. Sofia, why do you hate me so?" Cedric was whimpering loudly, clearly fraught with confliction.
"I don't hate you Cedric, would someone who hates you do this?" Sofia could do nothing but watch as one of Scarlett's hands slipped down into the depths of Cedric's pants, disappearing from view.
He didn't recoil.
He didn't run away.
He didn't cry for her to stop.
Instead his mouth dropped open as he started to emit out those little 'mmmms' and 'ooohs' that he'd been making while they were on the swing together.
The world stopped spinning as Cedric buried his head deeper into Scarlett's chest, actually touching the Amulet of Avalor with his nose as they rocked back and forth together in the middle of his room. He didn't seem joyous about the situation, but there could be no further doubt.
He wasn't gay. Oh no he really and truly wasn't.
"Say it Cedric, say it… or should I stop?" The rocking motion halted and his arms went up, frantically petting her hair while setting soft kisses on Scarlett's exposed shoulders.
"N-N-No! Don't S-s-s-stop! PLEASE not NOW!"
"Maybe you'd like Westin to come and help you? After all, everyone else thinks you're gay." When she said it she laughed hysterically at him, making the sorcerer scowl.
"Y-y-y-you won't settle for anything less than my utter humiliation will you? ooooh why, WHY am I such a FOOL!'
"Tell me what I want to hear! Or my magic fingers might just be too tired to continue." She demanded.
OH MERLIN. THAT'S WHAT 'MAGIC FINGERS' MEANT! No wonder Birk was embarrassed!
"Alright! I FOLD! I LOVE YOU! THERE, I S-S-SAID IT! I'll do anything you ASK! I p-p-promise! Just P-P-P-Please don't stop!"
"Good man."
Scarlett took another step forward, pressing the mostly undressed man into the back wall. With one sweeping motion her guilty arm tugged, and he cried out in that same sound Sofia had mistaken for agony when he'd been massaging her, and when they'd been together on the swing. There was no mistaking it now; it wasn't an actual cry of pain, but something else entirely, relief tinged with shame. With that he collapsed, slumping down the wall and panting heavily.
Inside the Amulet Sofia started to sob. How could she have let this happen? "Mr. Cedric I love you, I love you so much. I'm so sorry. This is my fault. Everything is my fault. I LOVE YOU, and I'll do anything to save you from her! I HATE YOU SCARLETT! I'm so, so sorry."
Scarlett just smirked, as if she'd conquered her prize. Without ceremony she retracted her hand, yawned and grabbed her nightclothes, leaving the sorcerer standing there and Sofia sobbing in the Amulet.
"Sofia? What are you doing sweetheart?"
Nightgown reassembled, she pulled the shawl over herself. "I'm tired, and I've got a long day tomorrow."
This abomination was almost out the workshop before the sorcerer blocked her path. "B-b-but won't you stay the night? After what we just did… well I assumed you would want to cuddle or something afterwards. I would very much like to spend the night with you in my arms, to know that you are safe, here in my tower and not off gallivanting around and changing the course of nations." He'd begun smiling, a certain afterglow of affection softening his sharper edges. By the fates above, he really did love her. If not for the horror of Scarlett's manipulation and the side effects of starvation she might jump for joy.
But she was desperately hungry, thirsty, and still locked in the Amulet.
'Aww, Cedric that's so sweet of you." To that the man blushed, inching closer. " But Amber is going to be crowned Queen of Leidleville in the morning. I need my beauty sleep and Baileywick is going to check for me in my room soon."
The warm glow of affection drained quickly from his face. "What?! Sofia you can't possibly be going there, I f-f-forbid it! That putrid prince will definitely attend. I'm… I'm… I'm coming to protect you from him!"
Blue eyes flashed with impatience. "I'm not your wife yet Cedric, and acting like that isn't persuading me to accept your offer over his, so don't get ahead of yourself and order me around. Besides, you can't possibly come."
"I… can't? I most certainly can and will. Royal sorcerers are expected to attend such things as coronations anyway, and you've already torn my heart asunder when left alone in Leidleville. I'll not have this Sofia, not in the slightest. I told you not to toy with the emotions of a sorcerer like this, the consequences can be dire."
"I'll do as I please. After all, it's my life and I'll have to live with the consequences. This is a hard choice to make, he's offering me everything Cedric."
His eyes dropped to the floor and resolve lessened, allowing the despicable imposter to pass by. She'd stepped through the door and onto the foyer before he managed to speak. "B-b-but I thought you'd never marry for anything less than love. Isn't that what you told me, Sofia?"
Inside the Amulet Sofia cried out, "I would never! I won't let this happen Cedric! I Ughh…." Hunger gripped her as Sofia collapsed to her knees, hands streaking down the sides of her jeweled prison. Suddenly the entire vessel she was affixed to lurched to the side.
Scarlett almost fell over. The girl managed to catch herself and resume standing as Cedric's arms hovered around her. Scarlett stood, slightly hunched over trying to process what had happened as Cedric blinked and drew his own conclusions. "Then you do still care about such things. Please, you approved of my home, the gifts I can offer you, and even of me, once. I know others see only my weaknesses, but surely you of all people must see that my life has value, that I am someone worth loving. Please."
Scarlett shook and took the amulet in her hand, inspecting it closely. No emotional epiphany caused that list to the side, the imposter was a copy, and the physical toll being taken on Sofia was finally starting to translate. "Alright already. I know you're ah-mazing, I just need some time okay?" He cautiously nodded, then backed away a few steps. "But you still can't come tomorrow. I need you to do some research for me. You did say you'd do anything for me, didn't you?" She batted her eyes at him; that full-blown wickedness was up to something awful.
To that he paused, turning his head to the side to inspect her. "Just what sort of research is this then?"
"I need you to find me books on conjuring familiars."
He eyed her suspiciously, his trust evaporated. "As in, Wormwood, and your Phoenix? Why would you ever be in need of such things? I've already gone and created you a beautiful one to match your radiance."
The imposter glanced out the foyer window, and then murmured under her breath. Another lie was coming. "My phoenix can't speak, and Wormwood said it's because the spell went wrong somehow." That actually wasn't a lie, so it had to be for another reason than the one mentioned.
Cedric bristled, "Are you suggesting I cast it wrong? Sofia there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with my spell! If anything it's a reflection of how you felt at the time, as she was made from your essence, your breath of life."
Scarlett let loose a wicked smile, "Oh I know, the breath of life indeed. I need to know everything about it Cedric. I want to know how you harnessed the breath of life in that spell."
"Whatever for my beloved princess?" Oh that sounded heavenly when he said it, but the context was horrifying. Why did Scarlett need to know about the phoenix? Was she going to stop the bird from trying to thwart her?
"I want to know how to imbue something with another's life force." Quickly Scarlett caught herself. "For the phoenix, of course." She let out a horrifying giggle, and Sofia realized that Scarlett wanted much more than to be a copy.
She wanted true life.
Scarlett puckered her lips and twirled his hair in her hands. "Please Cedric, you're the most amazing, wonderful sorcerer I've ever known, and you promised to do what I asked." Batting her eyelashes at him, the man melted into nodding acquiescence.
Sofia had no idea she wielded such power over him, and with his vast knowledge and Scarlett's ruthless ambitions this was a truly terrifying thing.
He stood tall, "Sofia, I'll do ask you ask, but I want you to declare right here and now that you are MY lover. Please dearest, you keep saying how much you adore me. PLEASE stop torturing me so, my heart simply can't take it. Please don't make me do things we'll both regret, not again. Don't drive me to a madness I may not be able to contain."
MY lover.
It was almost too good to believe, but there he was, standing and declaring it as if it was some sort of shared universal truth. Perhaps to him it was, they'd been so close of late, and while she'd been so unsure he seemed to have already decided, despite the situation with Hugo.
Narowing in on him, Scarlett pursed her lips. "Just do as I say Cedric. I'm the only one who has ever cared about you, and ever will."
"Will you at least let me… me… k-k-kiss you, before you go wandering off to leave my heart in anxious misery once more?" He'd inched closer, and was looming over her. They weren't inside the tower workshop anymore, and his nervousness was palpable. He'd begun staring at the decorative gargoyle and fidgeting with his hands. "I k-k-know you said you don't particularly like it, but I… do." Licking his lips a bit, one foot started tapping.
"Don't touch him! NOOOOO! You don't care about him if you'd mess with his feelings like this! You don't care about anyone but YOURSELF! Cedric snap out of it and realize THAT'S NOT ME!" Sofia screamed, but it was pointless. Scarlett inched in and caught him in a lover's embrace.
The imposter suddenly ripped away, leaving him standing in the middle of his foyer longing for whom he thought was Sofia to stay. Of course Scarlett had no intention of doing so, and returned to her room in time for Baileywick's bedtime check. Scarlett lay upon the bed and stared up at her ceiling, the windows still shut and Clover nowhere to be seen.
"Tomorrow is going to be ah-mazing." The imposter began to laugh, "If all goes well, which I'm sure it will, Cedric will bring me the solution to stealing your life force and I will truly be my own master, then I can set everything right. After all, it's already in motion. Isn't that right Sofia the first?" She gabbed at the Amulet hard, knocking Sofia against the wall with force.
"Hugo, James, and then finally Rolland. This is MY moment to shine." The wicked girl drifted off into slumber, leaving Sofia alone with her thoughts. Cedric loved her, so did her family, and everyone she cared about was in serious danger. The horrors this girl had planned for the breaking day needed to be stopped, somehow.
"I HATE YOU SCARLETT! With everything in me, You're worse than ANY curse the Amulet could ever bestow!"
She gasped, and sank down onto the flattened Amulet laying square in the middle of Scarlett's chest.
Scarlett WAS the curse, for her indecisions, prolonging the war, everything. Desperately clinging to both sides of the conflict she'd brought to fruition this apparition, one who was hellbent on ending the story, no matter the cost.