Chapter 34: Maneuvers
Never in all her years had Sofia seen a man smile so wide, so jubilant by a simple promise. But it was a big one, and the ominous undertones of complete subordination didn't temper his enthusiasm in the slightest. He kissed Scarlett so hard she was knocked backward into the wall. Little words came out between the smothering and roaming hands.
"Oh Sofia, my princess. We will be so happy together, I'm absolutely positive of it." More kisses, along her cheeks and forehead. Caution had been tossed to the winds. "Before we came, you told Rolland of your disinterest in Hugo, didn't you? That's why he was so infuriated."
That murmur, and Scarlett lied outright as Cedric's hands roamed up and down her sides. "Uh yeah, sure."
Cedric dove into her with more kisses. "Yes, yes I knew you loved me. It must be so." Arms reached around the imposter and Scarlett's entire weight shifted. Cedric was pulling her into his frame rather seductively. "Finally you're mine."
After a fashion Scarlett pushed the jubilant man away. "That's better. Now would you get me something tasty, please? And stop worrying, I'm only going to go talk to my sister. Hugo's probably in the garden."
"Yes anything for you, my beautiful, charming princess." Scarlett sashayed into the castle, Cedric hot on her heels. He turned abruptly, heading down what looked to be servant's corridor toward food while Scarlett was off to the upper level in search of Amber. She paused to look out a window, and chaos had erupted in the gardens below. Victor was screaming, Hugo was despondent along a hedge, Rolland was trying to calm him while several other kings and queens were wrapped up in the chaos.
Axel was nowhere to be seen. "Perfect" Scarlett mused. Sofia no longer felt the strength to fight it, and languished in the bottom of the Amulet, consumed with sorrow.
A few steps around the corner, and an arm was set into the wall directly in front of the false princess, halting her movement lest she collide with it head on.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry, your Highness?" Amalthea stood, staring at Scarlett menacingly.
"I'm trying to find my sister. Please remove your arm so I can pass."
Instead of acquiescing, Amalthea pulled her entire body in front of Sofia. "I wouldn't dream of slowing you down, princess." Dark, penetrating glances seemed to be trying to bury through the veneer Scarlett wore.
Scarlett tried stepping around the Maldonian sorceress, but the woman shifted her stance, again blocking the imposter. "But I couldn't help notice you're not wearing the bandage around your arm. It was broken but two days ago, and you seem completely healed. How odd."
Scarlett jumped back, now on the defensive and the murmur and lies started up again. "What of it? Cedric's spell did it."
"So soon? I've never encountered a spell that could accomplish it so quickly, never."
"Well then that's your fault, perhaps you should study instead of interrogate me about Cedric's skills." Scarlett's entire body had stiffened. This was a war of wills, one that Sofia was almost thankful she didn't have to fight.
Instead of being offended by the terse response Amalthea gave a soft, disarming laugh. "Any word on how those prisoners got out of your castle, your Highness?"
Scarlett was caught squarely in Amalthea's gaze. "Not that I've heard, but you already knew that, so why ask me? Shouldn't you ask my father, the King." The irritation in Scarlett's tone was audible.
"Just curious if you'd heard or seen anything. After all, the mystery mage did break into your castle and smuggle them out, right under everyone's noses, like she knew the castle and its inner workings, like she had some sort of personal knowledge of the layout. VERY personal knowledge of it."
"Dad thinks someone on the inside helped her, but you already knew that. Now if you don't mind I'd like to see my sister." Scarlett breezed past the sorceress, but Amalthea wasn't done yet.
"Oh of course Princess, but aren't you worried they'll catch the traitor?"
Scarlett stopped hurrying away, turning back over her shoulder. "What are you suggesting Amalthea? After all, you were the sorceress who knew where they were in the dungeon, you saw them last. Weren't you able to figure out how the mystery mage managed it?"
"Oh I'm going to, soon enough." Amalthea uttered in low tones, eyes narrowing in on Scarlett.
Scarlett simply brushed her off. "Whatever. You should be worried about your own affairs." Pointing out the window directed Amalthea's attention at the chaos below, eliciting grumbles from the royal sorceress.
"This conversation isn't over." Hurriedly the elder mage set off for the direction of King Victor, Hugo and Rolland.
"Old, bitter hag. Soon I'll be ordering you around."
Scarlett was off, inside the winding stone corridors of Leidleville castle. She found Amber surrounded by a bevy of servants, each tending to a small detail on the ornate dress Amber wore. Once her elder sister spotted the imposter she squealed in joy. "Oh Sofia, I was so excited I couldn't sleep. What do you think?" Shooing the servants back Amber gave a small spin on the pedestal she stood upon, the train of the long white dressed trimmed in gold and silvers wrapping around her.
Scarlett waved all the servants out of the room with a dismissive gesture Sofia had seen often but never actually performed, preferring to chat with others as equals, despite their rank. Once alone Scarlett narrowed in on the soon-to-be heiress of Leidleville. "You look amazing Amber." The golden girl beamed, directing her gaze from the floor length mirror back to the imposter.
"I know. The silk is from Wei-Ling, and all the gold interleave was spun in Corinthia, I even had quotes from Desmond's favorite books embroidered around the hem in silver…." Sadness gripped the girl as she gestured down to the intricate hemming, the jubilant mood now sucked from the room. Amber turned to stare at the mirror, the weight of nations on her shoulders.
"This was supposed to be my wedding dress, to celebrate our happy future together."
Scarlett stepped closer, taking Amber's hand in her own. "I know, but you're honoring him in the best possible way."
Amber sucked back a tear, "Sofia I'm… so sad. It all seemed so clear before, but now that I'm here, I can't help but see Desmond in everything. This was his home, and I'm going to sleep in his bed every night. Now that I'm here, he's just… everywhere." The woman began to sniffle. "I miss him so much, I know it's only been one week since it happened, so I shouldn't be so hard on myself for being sad, but standing here I feel it all so poignantly. I almost feel like I'm replacing him. I'm not sure this is right anymore."
Scarlett was up on the defensive, "Don't think about it that way! Leidleville needs you, and you're not replacing Desmond, you're fulfilling his wish to be the Queen of his country. They need you Amber."
Obviously unsure, Amber returned her gaze to the mirror, inspecting the dress once more. "But, maybe Mother was right."
"Don't let Miranda get to you Amber. She's all… hormonal. You're doing the right thing."
Amber bestowed one of her world-softening smiles, the kind she'd grown into as a beautiful maiden, but then flinched backward. "Sofia, when did you start calling our Mother 'Miranda'? That's so unlike you."
"Oh I…." Scarlett turned to leave, but Amber caught her by the hand.
"Sofia? Is everything okay?"
"Sorry. It's Hugo, Cedric, and everything else. I'll be glad when you're safe in Leidleville, and so will Dad."
Amber nodded, then smiled widely. "Oh that's right! I bet Hugo is here." The elder princess began stroking Scarlett's hand empathetically. "I know Cedric being gay was a harsh blow, but Hugo's so much better. I'm glad you see that now."
"He is… strategic." Scarlett muttered under her breath. Scarlett signaled the maids to announce the ceremony was about to commence, and with that left her sister alone. Cedric was waiting for her at the door with an assortment of foods, and the imposter tore into them voraciously, a hunger she couldn't quell. Sofia knew exactly why, the pain gnawing at her innards too much for words.
…
Amalthea and Victor were gone, and after a long series appeals for calm Desmond's parents had managed to control the situation, steering everyone to their assigned seats. However Hugo remained, and Rolland strode up to Scarlett, taking her hand and escorting her away from Cedric and straight into Victor's vacant seat alongside the Maldonian prince. Scarlett tossed several backward glances at the sorcerer, heightening his anxiety. This sort of formal display was reserved only for engaged couples, a fact not lost on Cedric, fuming and stomping with other sorcerers across the courtyard. Greylock was there, and seemed to briefly interrogate the sorcerer, but Scarlett was busy fending off Hugo's roaming hands for much of the ceremony, and so the view of Cedric was blocked.
It was a beautiful late fall afternoon, with the waves below crashing upon the shore. The ceremony was held outdoors, Amber was formally adopted into Leidleville's royal family, the sole heir to their throne. Banners with insignias and pageantry displays of color splashed everywhere one cared to look.
This was all too horrible. James and Miranda sat alongside each other, furious, mumbling on occasion to each other while Rolland sat a ways off. Midway through Sofia managed a glance in Cedric's direction. The man had wandered away from the pack of sorcerers and seemed to be pounding his fists into a wall behind a bush, partially obscured from view, and here Scarlett sat, alongside Hugo, as the ceremony commenced.
After it was over the crowds began to mingle, drifting slowly into the reception hall where celebrations would ensue. Sofia lost sight of Cedric and the rest of her family, as the imposter was guided along by Hugo, as if cementing their status as a couple.
Hugo was all too eager to show off 'Sofia' to anyone who would listen, declaring loudly that their engagement had been agreed upon. Many clapped as was customary, and several showered blessings. Scarlett took them all in stride, but to a trained observer did seem a bit uncomfortable with the lie.
Amber sat upon the throne alongside Desmond's parents, as the party below celebrating this travesty ensued. Her sister looked so alone up there, resplendent in the most exquisite fineries yet the most unhappy Sofia had ever known her to be. Scarlett seemed to care little, after catching Rolland's eye she nudged Hugo.
The prince puffed up considerably, and after bowing with customary courtesy took Scarlett's hand in his own. Expertly he twirled her around the dance floor.
"I'm so incredibly happy your father finally agreed Sofia."
"They've decided you'll inherit your father's throne, right Hugo? Because Axel is a traitor." Scarlett stated it so forwardly, it took the prince back a bit.
He shrugged most of it off, and continued dancing with her at a slower pace. "I never would have guessed that my big brother would do such a thing. How could he? I've looked up to him, admired him for so long. Sure he knocked me down a few times, but he's my big brother. I thought I knew him."
Dance over, congratulations were loudly offered to Rolland by all nobility in attendance. A fine match indeed it seemed to be, and Hugo in his charming, overbearing way paraded Scarlett around the room upon his arm, taking all the compliments at finally landing his filly. Sofia managed to catch glimpses of her sorcerer through the crowds and glittering gowns, the man was beyond rage, having sucked the light and energy from that side of the reception into a vortex around his person. It was almost frightening, but then no one else seemed to notice. Perhaps Scarlett did, as she too cast backward glances in Cedric's direction.
"Your father is a lucky man dearest, to have all of his children in positions to lead kingdoms. I'm certain an era of peace is upon us."
Huh? Sofia stopped obsessing on Cedric's deteriorating mental state. Before Hugo and Scarlett stood Emperor Quan of Wei-Ling, shaking the prince's hand. Hugo shied away from the comment, retracting the arm and casually grabbing at the back of his neck with the now freed limb. "Uh, thanks but my brother is the heir to Maldonia's throne still."
Emperor Quan stiffened, "Oh we've all heard about your brother's treachery. News travels fast at these events after all." After that his pursed lips softened into a smile, "It's a blessing of fate that Victor had two sons. Chin up son, you've been preparing for this, just in case." Hugo did not seem eager to usurp Axel's title, and now Sofia was sure.
Victor and Amalthea had gone to confront Axel. He was in mortal peril.
With that Quan turned to the imposter, still clinging to one of Hugo's arms. "My dear, I've known you since you were small. You'll make an excellent Queen of Maldonia, and this will only strengthen the bond with other nations, what with your brother's impending marriage into Corinthia and your sister's great sacrifice today, I foresee stable and prosperous times ahead."
Scarlett smiled wide, that horrible, wicked smile. Sofia knew something awful was coming, and tried her best to thwart the imposter's plans. Without hesitation she slammed into the front of the Amulet. Sofia collapsed, spasming in pain, but it also affected Scarlett. The imposter would have fallen to the ground, if not for Hugo's supportive arm. Immediately the worried prince deluged her with questions, with a concerned Emperor looking on. "Sofia are you okay? Hungry? Tired? What's the matter? Shall I send for a doctor?"
Slowly Scarlett regained her footing, and glared down at the Amulet around her neck. "It's NOTHING, I just…" the girl offered up a sad face, "I was overcome with sorrow, because Cornithia and Enchancia won't be aligning themselves, so the happy future the Emperor was mentioning won't happen."
Oh no. Sofia tried to control the throbbing in her arm, to brace for another impact and stop Scarlett, but the Emperor caught her meaning too fast. "What is that child? Your brother's engagement was settled upon years ago."
"Oh I know it's just, he fell in love with a peasant from our village and intends to elope." The murmur was back, but Hugo looked like he'd been punched.
"What? Since when Sofia?"
It didn't matter what the response was. Quan was gone, and it was like wildfire watching the message spread. Scarlett took off for Amber, dodging away from Hugo, her manipulations of him seemingly finished for the day. Hopping up the steps to the miserable girl putting up a brave face Scarlett smiled wickedly as she muttered. "Damage control time. Gotta risk it to get Miranda out of here."
"No, NO!" Sofia cried, and lunged into the wall once more, making Scarlett miss a step. She fell straight into Amber's lap, startling the girl.
"Sofia what happened?! It's those shoes, isn't it! I always tell you to float in heels, not stomp."
"Sorry!" Scarlett winced.
Amber peered over Scarlett's shoulder, noting that Emperor Quan had cornered Queen Cecily and a crowd from the southern kingdoms, to the reception of shocked gasps and stares. "What's going on Sofia?"
"Oh, it's about Hugo and I getting married. Soon." That set her sister at ease. "Say, I noticed you haven't spoken to Mom all night."
"Yes, she's still against this decision."
"Well, maybe you could take her on a tour of the castle? It might make her more comfortable with this."
"That is… a great idea! Thank you Sofia!" Amber stood, "Oh, but the party. I can't leave, it's for me after all."
Scarlett tossed a dismissive hand wave. "Don't worry. I'm sure Desmond's parents will understand." To Amber's side his parents sat upon their thrones, Desmond's mother smiling gently. The woman was ancient, as was her husband.
"Thanks." Amber was off to join Miranda, who had been forcibly planted by Rolland in a chair so as not to overexert herself. After a very brief discussion Miranda was up, despite Rolland's protests, and the two girls left the vicinity of the party, leaving Rolland alone with James.
A group of kings were now locked in a serious discussion some ways from where Rolland stood. Among them stood Zandar's father, and several backward glances were made toward James.
Oh no. Scarlett had removed Miranda, the voice of reason. James was exposed.
"NO! NO you can't…. Ugh…" Pain echoed through her, and hunger bent the girl at the knees, taking her imposter down too. Scarlett was still to the side of the party, and with the fervor over James building no one seemed to notice.
An arm was underneath Scarlett, pulling her back from the party and into the shadows. "Cedric?"
The sorcerer grumbled loudly under his breath. "Drink this. Drink this NOW please." Another cup of the berry juice was offered and downed quickly. He mumbled something about side effects, but it was overshadowed by Quan beckoning Rolland into the growing pile of kings in the center of the room.
Sofia had to do something. To make this stop, somehow. Again she tried the only thing she could, and with force crashed her injured arm into the front of the Amulet. Scarlett may have cried out, Sofia couldn't tell over her own shrieking, but it wasn't enough. Rolland went from laughing to confused, then marched straight over to James.
James.
Her brother.
Who had trusted her with the greatest secret of his life.
James.
Who had accepted her without question into their family.
James.
Who had taught her how to ride a flying horse. Fit into high society. He'd done so much for her.
Rolland was staring his only son down while other kings shouted, the entire ordeal as painfully public as possible, and Miranda nowhere in sight to settle the tension or provide the voice of reason.
There was a moment of awkward silence as all assembled hung on James's response.
…
"I can't marry Clio if I love Ruby, it'll just hurt everyone."
…
The room erupted. Words went flying, as Rolland stood immobilized in the center of it all. James grew enraged, and was shouting something about love his father couldn't imagine in Rolland's face, but the other kings were having none of his explanations. Several dozen more onlookers were enthralled by the very public shaming this was bringing to Enchancia, gawking and whispering on the scandal unfolding before them.
Cedric gripped Scarlett's shoulders and pulled her back from the party. "I've got to get you away from this, away from them. Rolland, that prince, and all their designs upon you. We've…"
"Wait! I'll go, but I need to eat something. I'm so hungry." He couldn't process it. Scarlett had been eating all day, and he was clearly confused. But he held his tongue, and despite the screaming in the ballroom gathered up some food hastily and took off running, dragging Scarlett to the coach and muttering loudly.
"They all pretend they've your best interests at heart, but I've seen firsthand what a loveless marriage does to the participants. I can't let this happen. I won't let this happen."
"It's fortuitous you should mention that Cedric, I…"
He ignored Scarlett's response, planting her rear squarely upon the covered coach's seat and ordering the servant to depart. But the coachman wouldn't leave unless Rolland ordered him to do so, and so Cedric's nervousness compounded as he paced outside the carriage, searching in vain for a way to escape with his princess in tow. Scarlett was oblivious, downing cheeses and vegetables galore, trying to quell the insatiable hunger that wasn't truly hers as Rolland came stomping up.
In as stern a voice as ever heard, Rolland boomed, "Sofia where is your mother? We are leaving NOW."
"She's with Amber, touring the castle. I'm sure she's completely safe."
There was no murmur, as another fistful of cheese went in. Baileywick came running up, "Sire! You can't leave James here like this, not after…"
"Find Miranda NOW. We are leaving in two minutes, James can stay here to think about what happened tonight."
The steward bolted as if a meeting was behind schedule. Rolland stood there, glaring at Cedric. "Well, that means you too. Go find my wife, we are leaving NOW."
The raw fury shedding off the king made Cedric wilt into a puddle, and the sorcerer took off running. Rolland entered the coach and began screaming. "HOW could he not tell me? ME? His own father?! I've been carrying on as if everything was okay, making alliances and forging treaties. How could he just keep it from me? ME? My own son's been lying to me!"
Scarlett stopped shoving food into her mouth, setting a sympathetic hand on the king's head opposite her in the coach, and that wretched murmur was back. "I'm so sorry Dad. He just doesn't care about Enchancia and our kingdom's future more than his personal happiness."
"I detest you!" Sofia cried, and lunged once more into the wall of the Amulet. Scarlett cried out, and flopped back into her seat. Rolland sat up with worry, but mistook the pain for sadness at James's decisions.
"Sofia he knows that I love him unconditionally and would figure out something, but to do it this way, in front of everyone just to embarrass me. Why Sofia? Why wouldn't he just come talk to me, like an adult?" Desperately he looked deep into the imposter's eyes. Cedric was back without Miranda, and came crawling into the coach. "Where is she?!" Rolland demanded.
"S-s-sire, she is…. B-B-Baileywick has found her. They're c-c-coming."
The king took in a deep breath, and Scarlett set a hand on his lap. "Maybe he's made his choice."
"But why Sofia?! Why couldn't he just come talk to me?! I can be calm! I can listen to reason! Tell me what did I do to deserve this public shaming?! I'm just doing what's best!"
"Indeed." Cedric obviously hadn't meant to verbalize the comment, but the criticism of Rolland was ill-timed, too loud, and biting. The next thing anyone knew Rolland had lunged sideways, the entirely of all the stress, anger and frustration the war, death, James and everything else had brought down upon him came blistering forth upon the side of Cedric's head.
Cedric was knocked back out the carriage door, tumbling down the steps and into the mud below. Scarlett was a step behind, gathering up the sullied sorcerer in her arms.
"Rolly!" Miranda with Baileywick at her side was standing not ten steps behind where Cedric lay in the mud, a newly forming welt along his temple. Her hands were up to her head, "Did you just strike Cedric?"
"He's an insubordinate, traitorous, worthless lump!"
Sofia in the Amulet was cradled next to Cedric's head, a front row seat to the searing physical and emotional pain the sorcerer was now enduring.
"Go! Just GO!" Miranda cried. Rolland's shoulders slumped.
"But dear, I'd bet my life he's the.."
"NO. You need some time to think, ALONE. We'll take the coach Amber brought earlier."
Miranda marched straight up to the door, and Rolland crawled backward into it, unable to defy her will. She slammed the door shut, and the coach was off with a very alone Rolland.
"Baileywick, help." Was all Miranda need utter. The coach Amber had brought earlier was summoned, harrowed returnees to Enchancia boarded, and ready to depart, Scarlett still cradling Cedric's injured head. "Wait, where's James?"
"He'll stay with Amber. We need to follow Rolland, or he might do something else equally awful."
Miranda actually agreed, and they were off without James.
Leaning forward, Miranda set a hand on the injured sorcerer's shoulder. "I'm so incredibly sorry Cedric. I can't believe he did that. Is there anything I can do?"
"Perhaps some ice for your jaw? I've got just the thing in the travel compartment." Ever helpful, Baileywick drew a box from underneath the seat.
Cedric shook a little, then curled up into Scarlett's chest, ignoring both Miranda and Baileywick's obvious good intentions. It was a pretty intimate display for a princess, even if an imposter, to hold a man's head in her bosom, but considering the king had just knocked him to the ground Miranda didn't seem suspicious. Finally Cedric extracted himself, "Y-y-your M-M-Majesty…"
"Yes, what is it? What do you need?"
One of his long, thin arms reached behind Scarlett and he was obviously bracing for bad news, but soldiered on. "I… I n-n-need your p, your p, p-p-permission. To… to… perform some m-m-magic, and sing. T-t-t-tonight."
He set his head into the back of the seat, but the queen was more confused than angry. "Cedric, I'd never expected you to be so concerned about Rolly, especially after what just happened, but I don't think entertaining him is the best thing right now."
Cedric's fingers were dancing on Scarlett's dress, limbs curled around the girl cradling his head. "P-p-please your Majesty, it's not for Rolland, but… but… b-b-b-but… for S-S-S-Sofia. Please, your p-p-permission, your Majesty."
"Cedric, the Queen has already stated that there is to be no magic show tonight, you of all people should appreciate the King's temperament is not amenable at the present to another explosion like the last one." Baileywick snapped his watch shut. Everyone was on edge, even the steward.
Cedric clamped his eyes shut, gripping onto Scarlett's dress tighter. "P-P-Please!"
Miranda set a hand on Baileywick's shoulder, eyes darting between Cedric and Scarlett. "Of course Cedric, I'll make sure the king attends, as a small gesture of how sorry I'm sure Rolly is right now."
The coach landed and Miranda was off in the direction Rolland was sure to have travelled, Baileywick only half a step behind. Left alone at the coaches, Scarlett traced a finger along the growing welt on Cedric's temple. "I didn't think he'd actually hit you."
The sorcerer smirked sarcastically. "Does it truly matter? You've been so happy to stomp on my heart as of late, and given the choice I prefer the physical to emotional violence."
"Oh Cedric, it was all Rolland's doing, he…" Scarlett shot back after murmuring.
"Spare me sweetheart. It's your own fault, letting that cad touch you." The sorcerer shuddered. "I suppose that's the least of my worries after tonight." Cedric trailed off, letting his arms come a bit too close to her midsection for such a public area. "I need time to prepare, now you mustn't wander off Sofia, and I'll fulfill the wishes you set forth."
"WAIT!" Scarlett cried, but Cedric had disappeared in a poof of green smoke. "Ugh, men. Well, I guess I can just corner him in his workshop. I'm so close to breaking him."
"Whatever you're planning I won't let it happen. I'll break my other arm before I let you break him." Sofia uttered in low tones. Scarlett stroked the Amulet, and Sofia seized the opportunity to launch herself forward, banging into the wall once more. The girl stumbled down the stairs and grabbed the amulet, extending it off her chest in front of her and growling.
"What IS it with you?! Stop it already!"
"NEVER!"
Scarlett was off, bounding into Sofia's room and stripping the overly tight green dress off and all undergarments. The imposter took the blue dress, left on the windowsill from the morning in her hands and laughed menacingly. "He won't be able to resist."
She knew.
Somehow Scarlett knew Cedric had been in love with Anne. After all, her copy had suggested that swing ride where he'd given her this dress, Anne's dress, and was exploiting his emotions surrounding it.
"OOOH, YOU are so evil! Take THIS!" Sofia slammed her injured arm into the wall for good measure, and Scarlett staggered to the side, crying out in pain much as Sofia did.
"I'm really starting to hate you Princess."
"The feeling is SO mutual."
Dawning the infamous blue dress and nothing else Scarlett sauntered up the tower steps and produced Sofia's trademark knock upon the sorcerer's door. Without waiting for an answer she traipsed in, swaying her hips side to side. All about the room swirled magical ribbons of light, and Cedric's many hundreds of potions vials, spell books, and trinkets were dancing in mid-air, single file in a great line that spiraled about the tower and led straight into his small, green carpetbag, items shrinking in size as they descended into the darkness. Cedric stood at the middle of this upon a short stool with his back turned to her, a great conductor seeing to the orderly decommissioning of the tower.
"What do you think you're doing Cedric?" The man jumped, falling backward and landing with an unceremonious thump along the cold stone floor. Scarlett knocked a few of his books out of the way, leaned forward and helped the man to his feet.
"S-S-S-Sofia! I'm well, er, planning? Dress, that dress…." He'd started to tug at the yellow ribbon, as if strangulated by it.
"Planning what, exactly?" Scarlett's chipper tone belied the menace within.
A resigned sigh, and Cedric's hand, wand still entwined, fell upon the workbench. "Sofia it cannot wait until your birthday, not any longer. He'll have you married off to that prince in a fortnight at this pace, I cannot let it happen. Not again. You're mother agreed to let me perform and sing for your hand tonight, and I shall do so, but once I do your father will have me executed, so it's best we depart immediately. I was thinking in a poof of smoke to the stables, then we could ride that winged horse of yours into the sunset, as we used to so often do together." He turned and looked toward his bedroom, "Or I suppose we could port back here, and disappear through the painting, but then it would have to remain behind, and could betray our location."
Scarlett let out an exasperated sigh, "Oh Cedric you're being silly, there's a better way."
"There is no better way! Don't you think I've run through all the scenarios? In the nights you've left me to wallow in misery I've thought of nothing else. It's not like I could actually sleep when you were gallivanting around with other men. Now that you've chosen me, I've got to make you mine. Immediately, before your eyes wander once more or Rolland marries you off!"
Sofia was struck with realization. The night he'd been out in the rain and caught a fever, the night her ankle had been injured. All this time when she was flying off to Friezenburg to fight or Maldonia to free prisoners, he'd thought she was off in some lover's tryst. Probably with Hugo. The maddening desire to know when and where she was sleeping all started to make sense. No wonder he wanted to keep an eye on her, preferably in his bed. "Oh Mr. Cedric, I'd never do that to you." The princess set her good hand upon the clear prison, desperate to hold him, soothe him, reassure him that no one else had ever held her body or her heart the way he did. Certain behaviors he'd displayed today would need discussing, this controlling streak in him but one of a growing list of concerns, but it wasn't unforgivable. Right?
For her part Scarlett giggled at the sorcerer. Making light of his pain caused the sorcerer's shoulders to slump. "Oh Cedric. You're overcomplicating this. We don't need to run away."
Cedric's head practically exploded. "Sofia the man STRUCK me for speaking out of turn not two hours ago! Imagine what he'll do to me once he realizes the meaning behind my song, and I'm positively certain he'll try to lob my head off when I k…. I k…. I kisssss you in front of your parents and cement our bond in the parlor."
Scarlett snorted angrily, "So THAT's why you're so intent on performing tonight."
A half-smile crossed the sorcerer's face. "Well I had intended to do it in front of your assembled friends and family, at your birthday. You did say you preferred that sort of wedding when we traveled to Dunwitty, you even agreed to let me stand beside you. You will… stand beside me tonight and accept me, won't you?" He was wracked worry. Either way this would be the end of Cedric's career, something he'd spent his entire life studying at, working toward, and suffering for.
From inside her prison Sofia mournfully spoke, "Please don't do it Mr. Cedric, even I'm not worth it, and Scarlett will only hurt you."
The girl shook her head to dismiss his plans, and the borken man stepped backward several paces, crashing into the half-emptied bookcase. Slowly Scarlett paced toward him, letting that blue dress sway back and forth. "Silly Cedric, you should leave the planning to me." One of her wretched hands reached up and started stroking itself through his two-toned hair. "We don't have to leave the castle or Enchancia, Rolland does. Permanently."
Now Cedric was just as horribly confused as Sofia was. "B-b-b-but what was that now? Rolland leave? He's not about to abandon his kingdom. Not by choice."
Scarlett gave a little, menacing chuckle.
"Exactly."
The second of Scarlett's hands wound their way into Cedric's robe, bypassing the knot easily. "All we need is to arrange a little, accident, for the insolent king. The one who'd strike his servants. The one who'd order his citizens to certain death in foreign countries, the one who'd scream at his pregnant wife and disown his son publicly." Slowly Cedric realized where this was going, and despite Scarlett slowly grinding her body up against the sorcerer pinned to the bookcase, limbs intertwined, his eyes grew wide like saucers.
Sofia could almost see the rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins as he started staring at empty space, lost in his thoughts. "Sofia do you mean to… that I should… but he's your father. No, no… he's your father. What I wanted long ago… it wasn't supposed to be this way. Not like this."
Hissing, Scarlett pushed herself harder into the conflicted man. "And why not?! What has Rolland done with the crown and all his power? He's tried to project a stance of neutrality in this war, only to provide aide to the monsters that are killing their defenseless citizens."
Cedric's began flailing. "So, you would have me believe that's the reason you've been endangering yourself in this war and destroying everyone around you, me included. Sofia I can't. No amount of planning will end him."
"How can you be certain?" Scarlett was trying to tangle her hands into his hair, but the sorcerer batted them away.
"No, Sofia NO. This can't work. It won't work. I can't do it."
"Why, WHY can't you do it Cedric? He's treated you like dirt for decades! And if you don't do it he'll marry me off to Hugo!" Cedric spat angrily, clearly wracked with anguish as Scarlett hissed. "Is that what you want, do you want me to marry him!"
"NO!" Screamed the maddened sorcerer.
"Then why! WHY won't you do it!"
"Be-Be… BECAUSE! This isn't you! You can't be asking me this, I… I…" Scarlett pushed him sideways into the potions table.
"Cedric you promised to do what I wanted! EVERYTHING I wanted!"
"But! But!... OOOOHHHHH How can you do this to me Sofia? To purposefully ignite the demons within me I've tried so hard to suppress! I thought you could never forgive such an act as this! You're supposed to be the kind and empathetic one, always full of encouragement for me to be a better man!"
He was trying desperately to evade her, snaking out from the potions table and winding through the workshop. Scarlett kept on him though, and distracted he smacked the back of his head into one of the lines of possessions floating in the middle of the room, sending books, beakers and quills on errant trajectories. Still Scarlett pressed him further. "I said I could forgive killing someone it it was for a good cause, and saving the world from a prolonged and bloody war is a very good cause." Scarlett had him cornered, advancing on him step-for step.
"B-B-But what you're implying is MURDER! Sofia I… I… Oooh I can't dance around it any longer." He forcefully took her by the shoulders. "Dearest you're not yourself! Please come away with me, I can work on healing you, making you better, away from this mess of a war you've gotten yourself into."
Scarlett knocked his hands away, stepping into him. It pushed him back a step, straight into the windowsill.
Scarlett's lunged forward, pressing him into the side of the sill angrily. The window was shut, otherwise he'd have been in the planter box with those strange maroon flowers once more. "Cedric, I'm NOT going to run off with you. I'm going to stay and end this war the only way I can, and that's by clearing away the filth that rules these lands. You can either rule alongside me, or Hugo can take your place, in my throne room and my bed."
Cedric lost the last grip on his sanity, hissing curses and desperate pleas, he'd begun almost laughing at his conundrum.
"No… no… You can never understand, this simply cannot succeed. I can't attempt to hurt him, it may seem like the best idea ever dreamt of, but whenever I attempt to hurt someone with my magical skills it always backfires, and something I treasure pays the price."
Scarlett growled, "Ugh, Cedric you've got me this time and I make your magic better. I'll make sure Rolland gets what's coming to him."
"But YOU'LL be the one who gets hurt! And I'll never forgive myself if you perished by my hand! Even attempting to startle Hugo away from you resulted in that horrid burn to your leg. With my cursed luck you'd end up the recipient of the poison, and I've vowed to drink the draught of death in your place! I'd die a thousand times to save you, PLEASE don't make me do this!"
It was him. Cedric really was the one who'd burned her leg after all. Before Scarlett. Before the massive deception that Sofia had been blaming for his manipulative behavior. It was Cedric all along. "Oh Mr. Cedric no… no please no. I can't take any more. I want to believe that you're good, please no more… no more…"
Wait, did he just say…. He'd drink the draught of death? That sounded familiar, Oh! He'd said that when he was delirious after being sick. Wait… had he…. No. He couldn't have tried to kill someone… and it backfired…. OH NO…. NO. It wasn't possible. Not her Cedric. Not her wonderful magical man who snarked about the unfair aspects of life and conjured the most magnificent spells of wonder when the king wasn't looking. When the king wasn't making him horribly nervous. When the king wasn't reminding him of all his failures, great and small.
Scarlett screamed as Cedric's head pressed against the glass. On the other side of the pane Wormwood and her Phoenix had appeared, banging claws and wings at the window in an attempt to enter and thwart Scarlett. Below them in the planterbox Clover was spinning around frantically. The rabbit and raven had actually teamed up to thwart Scarlett's plans.
"CEDRIC!" Scarlett screamed, "YOU DO AS I ASK NOW, OR THIS IS THE END!"
"B-B-BUT! Oh WHY won't you listen! I've told you SO MANY TIMES never to play with the emotions of a SORCERER! It brings UNINTENDED consequences!"
"NO EXCUSES! And no hiding behind possibilities. You're doing this, TONIGHT." Cedric made to shout over her, but the girl flung her fingers over his mouth. "It HAS to be tonight or I won't be able to assume control. Rolland is vulnerable NOW Cedric. Make a potion that will cure the world of him, IMMEDIATELY."
Cedric's resolve was faltering… He was pressed literally and figuratively into a trap he couldn't seem to escape, but there was something else. Something deeper. The subtle gnawing at his lower lip, the sideways glances. Something deep inside him was helping him to resist Scarlett.
It must be his goodness. There was no coming back from the taking of an innocent life, was there. He needed help to let the goodness win, and fast.
This was the moment. If only she could break the window, letting Wormwood and the phoenix in. Combined they may be able to wrest the Amulet from the imposter, and alert Cedric to the true reason behind Sofia's sudden change. Sofia stood and shoved her entire body weight into the front of the glass, sending Scarlett reeling to the side.
The cursed girl missed the glass, and Cedric's arms reached out to catch her before the imposter hit the stone floor. He reigned down the most sorrowful look, choking back tears. "Please, oh please come back to me Sofia. I need you to be okay. I need you to be yourself, the light in my darkness that I know you are."
He really did. When guided by Sofia towards the light he shone like the stars, but when guided by Scarlett, the darkness took him.
Scarlett staggered to her feet. "FINE. It looks like I've got to find another husband. Goodbye Cedric."
"NO!" He cried, reaching out and wrapping his arms around her, pulling the copy's back into him. Sofia couldn't really see beyond the clasped, gloved hands along Scarlett's chest, but it wasn't good. He was trying desperately to keep her here. Sofia tried again, lunging her whole weight into the Amulet. Scarlett cried out in frustration and snapped.
"YOU CAN'T DEFY ME, NO ONE CAN! I'M IN CONTROL!" Scarlett screamed and turned, knocking his arms away and shoving him into the window with force, pinning the startled sorcerer to the glass panes.
Sofia was winning this! It was agonizing, but if she just kept it up she could thwart the imposter's plans.
"Because he's GOOD, because you're the reason he's being drawn to the darkness, but HE'S GOOD!" Sofia wailed as she launched headlong into the back wall. Scarlett buckled at the knees, screaming, "WHY! WHYYYYYY! WHY DO YOU KEEP DEFYING ME! I'LL NEVER GIVE UP!"
Cedric took the comment as directed to his obstinacy. Something within him snapped visibly. His face contorted, eyes bulged and began to shake his limbs uncontrollably.
"BECAUSE, THE LAST TIME THE MADDNESS TOOK ME AND I TRIED TO END ROLLAND SHE DIED INSTEAD!"