Chapter 37: Obstruction
"Right this way, your highness and company."
"Thank you Sir."
The steward of Leidleville was ancient, just as its rulers. Slowly they shuffled down long, impressive corridors. The sluggish pace could have been due to his advanced age, or perhaps and more likely it was designed to force visiting royalty to linger in the immaculately designed and lavishly decorated halls.
What Sofia loved best about Leidleville's castle was its origins. Unlike Enchancia's palace and many other recent constructions that were purely decorative, this one was ancient, built of stone for defense in the era before cannons. But even so, it had been converted to display the opulent wealth of the ruling family, as all the others' had. These palaces weren't just 'homes', after all. They were symbols of their nations, as a device of intimidation and display of social standing for visiting dignitaries, and now that Sofia had begun to see the world as it was, they also served as reminders to citizenry of their ruler's power.
Even as a child she'd recognized that presentation before the royalty was always performed in a pattern, and so she dutifully played along, forced marveling at the pageantry aspects of it all. But now, coming to grips with the reality of the message that this wealth was designed to convey, the displays were a constant reminder of the ground war in Friezenburg, and the urgency of her people's peril.
They were almost to the royal reception room before Cedric, slinking along behind her, leaned over and whispered into her ear. "And company, I am a Royal sorcerer, not some accursed accessory."
"Oh Cedric, he didn't mean it offensively." She whispered back.
"Humph. That remains to be seen."
His grumpiness made her smile. Anything was better than his near emotional collapse in the coach. The seclusion of the covered ride had afforded them some privacy, but upon landing the footman had flung open the door, and Cedric likewise had leapt from her grasp so as not to be seen embracing the princess.
Now she felt as if they should maintain socially acceptable boundaries, at least while they were in Leidleville, and so she walked behind the steward, hands folded across her middle in a way that made her dress sway a bit awkwardly back and forth.
Finally the torture was over, as the Steward opened the creaking door with a gentle smile. "Confounded sea air. A thousand pardons your highness. I'll need to set Ginny on oiling these joints again."
Sofia couldn't help but smile, "It's alright, I love the sea air."
"Then you'll love the parlor. Please, do wait for Crowned Princess Amber here. I believe she is in the gardens with her friend, and shall send for her immediately."
"Okay. Thank you."
Light was streaming in through glass panes that surrounded the large circular room. Several of the windows were open, streams of brisk autumnal air peppered with sea salt rushing in like the waves crashing below.
"Sofia dear! Whatever are you doing here?" Sitting in one of the many high backed lounge chairs was Queen Cecily of Zumaria. The woman still favored a high bun and intricate green robes, but age had produced a few lines on her near flawless complexion. Upon seeing her Cedric snorted and gave the quickest of dismissive bows, then bee lined for the windows near the opposite side of the room, leaving Sofia standing near the entrance. Warmly the Queen beckoned her to sit alongside, "Sofia dear, come rest a bit, especially after traveling so long in your… condition."
Royal gossip really does spread fast. Sofia sank her head down into a hand and shook it. Every royal from here to Tangu was going to think she'd had an emotional breakdown, but there was an upside. Maybe that mess with Hugo and engagements would be nullified. After all, no one would hold someone on the verge of mental collapse to an engagement, right?
She wiggled a bit to fit her backside and all the billowing fabrics of her skirt into the seat adjacent Cecily, and tea was poured. Sitting in silence with the Queen was incredibly uncomfortable, but she didn't need to go correcting every bit of gossip flying through the lands.
She needed to apologize, and mend things with her brother. "Um, Queen Cecily?"
"Oh dear, just Cecily."
"Right, do you happen to know where my brother is? I was told he was here in Leidleville with Amber, but the steward didn't seem to want to talk about it with me when we arrived."
The woman smiled, pulling her teacup from her lips and setting it gently on the saucer in her lap.
"Your mother and brother were here this morning, and left just as Vivian and I arrived. They were off to the southern realms, to find you. After all dear," Cecily took one hand and set it with care along the arm of Sofia's seat. "They love you so very much, and were incredibly worried about your health. They waited a few days for word, but could wait no longer."
Sofia turned a bit to glare in the direction Cedric had slunk, but found him staring out the window at the crashing waves below, unaware of the conundrum his distortions of the truth had brought.
"Oh."
Great, now what? Journey to find them, or wait? And Oh! Miranda was flying around the continent now. Rolland would absolutely flip if he knew his pregnant wife was traipsing around without a royal procession as escort.
"Do you know where my family went looking for me? I need to find my brother, soon."
"I asked Sofia, but it was all very rushed and confusing as they were departing in haste, however they seemed to have a plan. I'm sure you sister knows where they've gone too, after all, she sent several guards along for their protection. I'm sure they will be fine, but word should be sent of your safe and healthy return."
It was a question masked in a statement. "Yes, I'm fine now. Cedric saw to it, and thank you."
"You two are friends, aren't you?"
Huh? Sofia realized she'd been staring at Cedric this entire time, and flush with embarrassment refocused on the teacup in her lap.
"Yes. He's… he's… very important to me."
"Hmmm, I'm guess I'm glad for him." The remark made Sofia turn to the Queen, who tossed uncomfortable glances at the Royal Sorcerer.
Sofia had never thought about it before, but Cedric hadn't just grown up with Rolland, had he? Just as Sofia and her siblings always had their friends over growing up, Rolland and Matilda must have to. "Cecily, do you know Cedric?"
"Well of course I do Sofia. He's been your family's Royal Sorcerer for over fifteen years, and as I recall he even helped Greylock the Grand save the royal schooner at your kingdom's anniversary celebration a few years back."
Remembering his impressive magical accomplishments from years past brought a genuine smile of adoration to her. She'd been so proud then, but too distracted by the deception of Slickwell to let him know.
"Yeah, but I was wondering, did you know him when he was younger, before he took over as Royal Sorcerer."
"Oh my." Again the Queen tossed some uncomfortable sideways glances at Cedric, and pivoted to stirring her tea hastily.
WHAT. She was hiding something. She had known him. "Were you friends with my Aunt Tilly?"
The older woman gave her an uncomfortable smile. "I wish I had been. Your Aunt Matilda was such a wonderful, independent spirit, but she was so much older than me, and similar to my daughter I was quite shy as a child. No, I clung to bad influences, in an effort to belong."
"Anne."
Sofia had stated it almost before the conclusion solidified in her mind, and startled, Queen Cecily sat back farther in her chair. "My dear, what was that? I'm sorry, for a second I thought you said…"
"Anne. Queen Anne, my father's first wife."
The teacup began rattling, the Queen's hands shaking enough for the bone china to bang together. The sound stilled her hands, and gently she set the cup and saucer down on the nearby end table. Cedric now had his eyes closed and head stuck completely out the window, wrapped up in the crashing waves below and trying not to be noticed. He seemed incredibly uncomfortable around the Queen, and upon reflection had always hung to the back of royal engagements when Rolland's peers were about, trying to almost forgo being acknowledged at all. Sofia had always assumed it was fear of Rolland's reprimands, but maybe it was more than that. Everything with him seemed to be more than appearances would indicate.
"Sofia that was a long time ago."
"But you were friends with her, weren't you?"
After a minute pause, "Yes" came from the woman's reluctant lips.
An opportunity had presented itself while waiting for her sister, to understand what had happened from a different perspective. She knew Cedric had a tendency to think the world was against him, and straight answers were never easy to obtain from her sorcerer. This woman knew Anne, on some personal level, perhaps she was even the 'bad influence' referenced. Knowing she shouldn't ask, but completely unable to stop herself, the questions began.
"Cecily, was Queen Anne… pretty?" Confused, the woman dropped her head a bit. What was she thinking? There were so many more question much more important that that one. "I mean, Amber is so gorgeous, I just thought she must have also been."
"Yes she was very beautiful, but to be honest she was more shaped like you dear, up top I mean."
A small spark of self-assurance welled up inside her, matched only by the loathing of its acknowledgement and the very real fear she was merely a substitute for the dead Queen, but perhaps a more adequate one than she'd originally envisioned.
"You're smiling dear, what is it?"
Queen Cecily had leaned over, trying to deconstruct Sofia's behavior, which prompted an uncomfortable dodging of the question. She still wasn't sure where this thing that wasn't really a relationship with Cedric was going, and to outright spread how he felt about her would do nothing but destroy his career, a downright shameful and unacceptable thing to do to him.
"It's just nice to hear, that's all."
They went back to stirring their respective teas, but more burning questions lingered in Sofia's mind. "Did she… love Rolland? Or maybe… was it an arranged marriage."
"I'm not so sure this is appropriate Sofia."
"Sorry, I was just curious."
The Queen sighed heavily, "I suppose this is very relevant, considering your brother's current situation. Yes it was an arranged marriage Sofia, but Anne did indeed love Rolland very much and was happy with the outcome of the negotiations. She was the one who pressed her family and threw her weight around to make sure no one else encroached on her terrain."
Sofia hung on every word, every single syllable. It must have been a bit intimidating, as Cecily looked uncomfortable. "What do you mean 'terrain'?"
"It's not good to speak ill of the dead Sofia. Please forget I said that."
"No, please tell me. I need to know so badly. Please Queen Cecily, it's so incredibly important."
"Well, alright. But please, if you use this information to help resolve this issue with your father and brother I beseech you, do not use my name. Understood?"
Furiously the princess nodded, and Cecily dropped her guard. "Alright. You see, Sofia, Anne was very popular. She was beautiful, and ambitious, and Rolland was the prize all the girls wanted. She intimidated anyone who didn't do as she asked, and set her sights on Rolland very early. She wanted him like no other, and finally she got her wish."
"But then… did she love him? Or just want the prestige? Was she… in love with someone else."
"Of course she loved Rolland, he was handsome and charming and… Oh. I see." It did little to ease the princess's troubled mind, which must have been apparent as Vivian's mother leaned in closer. "Dear, you've heard things, haven't you? About Anne?" She glanced back at Cedric, who had pulled his head from the window and was looking uncomfortably at them. From this distance he couldn't possibly hear what was being said, but the look of concern was evident. He quickly weaved around the purposefully placed furniture, coming up alongside Sofia. To still his worry the princess reached a hand out. "We were just talking Cedric. I'm fine."
"But Sofia does look a bit famished. Perhaps you could procure some accompaniments for our tea? If you'd be so kind." Cecily added. Cedric shot a couple odd glances at the Queen and retreated quickly without speaking. It was apparent the Queen was also watching him depart, which intensified the strange manner of his exit from the room.
"Why did you ask Cedric to leave?"
The Queen's shoulder's slumped, "Because he always seemed a gentle soul, if incredibly odd, and it would be best for him not to overhear this conversation."
The muffled sound of waves crashing upon the rocks below provided the soundtrack for her admission. "You see, I harbor some, I guess it would be called 'regret' from my youth Sofia. I never participated in the cruelty, but I didn't stop it either."
So Anne had tormented Cedric, just as he'd described, and by the look on Cecily's face, she hadn't been too secretive about humiliating him in front of her friends either.
"Try to understand Sofia. Not everyone is born magnanimous and outgoing as you are. Some are afraid of rejection, and so they go along with things they know are wrong, afraid that if they speak up they will become the target themselves."
"But what about the people getting hurt? Don't their feelings matter?" Sofia was so incredibly upset for Cedric she'd begun gripping the purple fabrics of her skirt tightly.
"Of course they do, but, when people are young they might not think about this clearly. I know I didn't, and for that I am sorry."
"I'm not the one you should apologize to about it." Sofia implored.
"I'm not so sure he or the anyone else affected by her would appreciate revisiting the past Sofia."
What. "Wait, there were others?"
The two women were locked in a staring contest that Cecily finally broke. "Well yes, of course. Anne was beautiful and longed for attention. She took extra pleasure in watching those of lesser standing fawn over her. It gave her a special sort of thrill, a power even. Girls and men, everyone flocked to her, eager to be in her good graces."
She didn't know if she should feel relieved or miserable. "Then, Anne never had secret lovers? It was all just to control other people?"
"Oh no, never. It was all an elaborate game to her, why I remember at one point she had no less than seven sons of prominent dukes and two princes of small islands vying for her attentions! That, and the twelve of us girls who were at her beck and call, hanging on her every word lest she cut us out of the group. She controlled us all, and always did get what she wanted."
"I'm not so sure she wanted what she ultimately got." Sofia muttered under her breath.
"What's that dear?"
"Nothing. I just, feel bad for the people she used. Really bad. But, somehow, this all makes me wonder why she needed all that attention. Was she just bored, or was she just really unhappy for some reason?"
"If she was unhappy, no one knew it. She had a mission, to be Queen of Enchancia, and we were all just pawns to get her there." Cecily stared off at where Cedric had departed from. "That poor sorcerer, I remember the day she marked him. We'd been in Caldoun earlier at a jousting tournament. One of Anne's playthings, a duke of some far flung country, had given her an ugly yellowish scarf. The thing was truly hideous, and she was getting teased by one of our mutual friends. Anne insisted that the girl was just jealous, and that she could make anything do her bidding, even a toad. We went to Enchancia afterward so Anne could strut before Rolland, but your father declined in favor of some enchanted science experiment he was involved with, and so we all ended up in the gardens. That sorcerer was off alone in the hedges, chatting with the birds. He was so very strange Sofia, but not truly bothering anybody."
With that Cecily paused, staring guiltily down at her lap. "The names they called him Sofia, the things they said about his size and shape. It was shameful. Anne was the worst of the group, and equated him with a toad who'd skipped meals, then our friend reminded her of the bet from earlier, and to prove Anne's prowess she should make the ugly boy, wear the ugly scarf."
As if she'd swallowed a whole spoon of caster oil, Sofia grimaced upon realizing that Cedric, in his beautiful but twisted devotion had worn that same scarf his entire adult life, and the whole while it had been a sick joke. Never had she wanted to reach through time and throttle a dead person so thoroughly.
"The poor fellow, all I could do was watch helplessly as she befriended him, then as she tied the bow around his neck she quite literally pushed him into the mud, the rest of those girls laughing mercilessly at the awful name she gave him."
"The Royal Fool."
That cringe the Queen made revealed all. It was exactly as Cedric had described it. The poor man had been marked for torture, but Sofia doubted he knew his entire life had been marred by some trivial bet between princesses. Then again, maybe he did. No wonder he hated Royalty so.
On the verge of tears, Cecily noticed and stopped. It forced Sofia to look up, and begin pleading, "Please don't stop. I need to know."
But the Queen was shaking her head, "No dear, this is painful for you. He must be a good friend of yours if he confided this to you, and considering your fragile state I shouldn't—"
"No please. I'm fine, really I am! Please I need to know everything about what happened between them."
"Well there isn't much more for me to tell. After she began humiliating that sorcerer routinely I couldn't take it any longer, and stopped participating at all in social functions with them. It was only after Anne's passing that I again associated myself with your father, as the man was practically inconsolable."
"That can't be it!"
"I'm sorry dear, there isn't more to tell."
"But did Rolland know she was tormenting Cedric? Please I absolutely have to know!" If he did, then perhaps a lifetime of torture from Rolland could in some way could provide the understanding she needed to move past this with him. Maybe it wasn't all about Anne? Sofia needed it to be something else beyond blind, love struck devotion to another woman that made him want to kill Rolland. On some level she just needed to know she was more special than Anne.
"No, not that I was aware of. He had little tolerance for Anne's games after all, and I don't think your father would have taken kindly to it had he, after all the sorcerer was his servant. I'm sure he'd have protected him from her."
Sofia's heart sank, but she did manage to respond, looking Cecily straight in the eyes. "Nobody looked out for Cedric. No one. He was all alone."
"Oh dear, Sofia it's best to let the past go. She's been dead for years, and life continues on. Actually I'm surprised that man would mention any of this to you at all. It was so very long ago and particularly humbling. Did you know, there's even a rumor mulling about that he prefers the company of men and has taken a male lover. There isn't any truth to that, is there dear?"
The Queen had been chortling slightly and begun fanning herself when discussing Cedric's sexuality. Sofia glanced at the intricately woven tapestry on the floor, unsure how to respond for fear of revealing Cedric's intentions towards her. After all, it wasn't the Queen's business and Cecily, while somewhat regretful of the role she played, didn't seem to have given up the need for gossip. Before she could formulate a response Cecily's hand was on her thigh. "Sofia dear, is something the matter? Don't tell me that you're enamored with him?"
"I wanted to thank you your Majesty, for being honest with me. Things make a lot more sense now." Cutting her off seemed the best strategy, but there lurking in the Queen's eyes was the unspoken truth. She'd pegged Sofia, much as Amber had before Sofia even realized how much she cared for him.
Thankfully, salvation came in the form of one bounding golden princess. "SOFIA! You're happy, you're healthy, you're SAFE! I'm so relieved!" She'd been pulled upright and wrapped in her sister's embrace.
Cheeks pressed together, all the princess could respond with was, "It's nice to see you too Amber." Behind her Vivian came in slowly.
"Oh, hi Sofia." Her muted comments a stark contrast to Amber's vivacity, Sofia need only smile at the girl to set Vivian at ease.
Cedric had reappeared as well, hunched over and carrying a tray of delectable goodies from the kitchens. Almost overwhelmed by the desire to run to him, throw her arms around the man and burry her face in his chest, Sofia stood and quickly shuffled to his side, taking the assortment from his hands and thanking him softly while staring at the star she'd given him, still clinging to his neck as did the special significance it carried. She reached out to it with her free hand, and the man snapped to attention, his annoyance at being sent away gone. In what could have been construed as an effort to hear her better he bent down to her level. She closed her eyes, taking it all in through the nose. His consideration, his dedication, and all the attention he'd given her, even though she seemed less than meritorious of it after the Scarlett incident. Why he didn't set the castle on fire during his upbringing spoke volumes as to his true character.
"Oh, you're here too Cedric? Could you bring us more tea? Mmm, these are my favorite." Amber had bounded over, taking from the platter Sofia held all of the cheese tarts. She now stood as a third wheel in their bonding moment, practically shooing the sorcerer off once more. To that, he did not take kindly.
He snapped at the girl, "Princess Amber! The last time I checked I was, in fact, a ROYAL SORCERER and not some common waiter. If you're in need salvation from a volcano or another appropriate use of my talents then by all means spew requests, but I am NOT here to fetch beverages from the kitchen. Humph!"
He stomped off, clearly not in the direction of the kitchen. "Wow, what's the matter with him Sofia?" Amber was staring after him, confused. Before Sofia could answer erroneous conclusions had been drawn, "Oh! He's upset because…." She'd trailed her gaze down to Sofia and began stroking her hair with the remaining free hand. "There there, it'll all be okay."
"Amber I'm not a cat. You don't have to do that, I'm fine."
"Oh shhhh, Amber's here."
"Ugh."
Vivian was giggling softly, but stopped immediately as her mother rose from her chair. "Vivian, I think it's best we be going, that is if you're done discussing matters of state."
Courteous bows, and they were off, leaving Sofia alone with her sister. "What was that all about?" Sofia inquired.
"Well I'm inheriting Leidleville. I need to forge some treaties, after all Desmond's parents are so old, they don't really know anyone." Quickly Amber grabbed up her sister's hands. "But that's neither here nor there. Do you need to lie down?"
"NO. I came here for a reason Amber."
"Of course you did, to see me, and I'm glad you did too. I was really worried about you Sofia. I wanted to go with Mother and James to find you, but I'm establishing myself, to assume all of the royal responsibilities, and couldn't leave for days or weeks."
"Days, or weeks?"
Amber simply nodded, then with a confident smile headed out over to the open window to gaze at the crashing waves below. "It's so beautiful here, why I can even see the spot where you and Hugo got acquainted."
A massive grin upon her face, Amber pointed at a particular outcropping in the distance. Cedric was a few windows away, and upon noticing this inched closer.
Amber had also been severely affected by Scarlett's existence. After all, it was a much less daunting prospect to start by confiding in her typically amiable sister, rather than her distraught and sometimes imprudent stepfather.
"Amber, there's something I need to tell you." The girl had been blissfully staring out the window, but a look of concern grew upon her face as Sofia spoke.
"It's about Desmond's funeral, what happened with Hugo, and everything that's happened since I was abducted. You see…" This was harder than it seemed. Compared to the life-threatening reveal she intended for Rolland this should be a small matter, but she'd grown to love her sister so much over the years, and this was bound to hurt her.
Amber's expression changed to worry, and lunging forward she took Sofia's hands in her own. The sudden jerking motion drew Cedric in a panic to where the girls were standing. "Oh NO Sofia! You didn't let Hugo HAVE you, did you?! Oh, Oh NO! This is scandalous! You need to marry him, right now! I'll send word to Daddy and maybe if Baileywick delivers the news he'll-"
"NO! No Amber, please stop." Cedric simply stepped in front of Amber, knocking the girl's handgrip aside. He stared down at Sofia, completely blank as if all the blood and emotion had drained from his body. Instinctively Sofia's hand was on Cedric's jaw, comforting the man as she shook her head. "I'd never let Hugo touch me. Please stop jumping to conclusions Amber, what I'm trying to say is, that wasn't me."
Unable to stop himself, Cedric buckled at the suggestion that Hugo had claimed her. He might have fallen over had Sofia not reached her arms out to hold his torso upright, bringing his head into her shoulder. He tried to pull away, the last attempt at preventing the truth's escape from crossing his lips. Slowly, a "Please, don't do this Sofia. Your sister is central node of the gossip grapevine, just as her mother was. Please, you mustn't." She didn't want to disagree with him, but she couldn't stop now.
Amber was staring at Cedric's head burying itself into Sofia's chest in disbelief while the brunette princess wound a hand into his hair. "I've decided, and I have to come clean."
"No. Way. He's REALLY NOT GAY! OOOH and he was JEALOUS of Hugo and Sofia! Why in the world did you go along with the engagement to Hugo at my inheritance ball when I know you love Cedric so much!?" Eyes practically popping out of her eyes, Amber had taken a step back and was pointing mercilessly at Cedric's head. He turned a bit to look at the girl.
"She… t-t-told you this? That she l-l-loves me?"
His head was still planted into Sofia's shoulder, and in a vain effort to deflect all the embarrassing confusion she'd had when discussing this with Amber in her room she tried covering his eyes and ears with her arms. Ineffective, Cedric wiggled out of her arms and stepped toward Amber. The girl nodded slowly, "Well yes. I thought that, after they way you two looked at each other just now that she must have already told you. Didn't she?"
The glowing smile but shaking hands that had betrayed the duality of fear and excitement he'd just sprouted faded away, as he looked to the far side of the room. Sofia couldn't help but glance in the opposite direction.
"Oh, this is serious. What did you do Cedric? It can't possibly be another girl. WAIT! You're not one of those weird fetish guys who likes to chain your lady up or pour oil on them, are you?"
An angry little humph came out of him, and pulling his robe tight he stomped toward the nearest seat and planted himself, making a grand show of his displeasure. "M-M-My p-p-predilections are no one's business but my OWN. Sofia your brother is NOT here, we s-s-s-should be going!"
Amber gave her sister a series of guilty sideways glances, then leaned over, whispering but not too softly. "I bet he wants you to tie him up, doesn't he Sofia? He's always been a glutton for torture."
"Amber."
"OOOOOOH maybe likes it both ways, eh?"
"Amber please this isn't…"
"Some men are into group activities, but I never imagined Cedric would-."
"AMBER. We're not exactly together right now, and it's really painful, so would you PLEASE STOP."
Cedric winced, arms crossed he'd started gripping his sleeves and turned so the back of the chair was blocking them from seeing his reaction. He could still hear it all though. Thankfully her sister did, indeed, finally stop needling the younger princess. "Sofia I… I'm so sorry. What happened? I know I'm not Mom but maybe I can help if you tell me."
A deep breath, and the ugly, messy, painful truth began to tumble out. "Okay, here goes. I was never insane. It's probably seemed like my personality split in half because, well, I did actually split in two. I… conjured a copy of myself."
"Wait. You did what?"
"I made a copy of myself again. I know it was wrong, but I did it. I thought that I was so much better at magic now and it would be okay, but she was worse than when I made her all those years ago. She's the one who pressured you into assuming Desmond's throne. Not me. I agree with Mom and James, that you shouldn't throw your life away like this."
Finally able to look up at her sister, the golden girl was confused. "Sofia, I don't understand. Didn't you promise not to make copies of yourself anymore after the Hootenanny incident?"
A small guilty "eh", and Sofia ground her shoe into the ground as she spoke, "Well technically I didn't promise not to do it, and I was trying so hard to fix my mistakes and keep everyone happy at the same time. I just couldn't do it all at once, so… I made her. I know it was wrong, but I've already been punished by all the chaos my copy spread. She did awful things, and she even imprisoned me in my Amulet so I had to watch it all unfold. I'm sorry."
Amber blinked back some tears. "But I… I trusted you Sofia. I listened to you because you're always thinking of others and I, I believed you when you said it would be better this way." A pause settled on the room, and only the crashing waves below intruded on it. Slowly Amber regrouped. "She's kidding, right Cedric? She's still ill and this is all just a bad joke, right?" Over the top of the chair his nose and eyeballs poked out. A light bulb seemed to go off in his mind, but before he could spout whatever he was thinking Sofia interjected.
"Amber please try to understand, war was breaking out and I had to try to do everything in my power to stop it."
"I KNOW Sofia, when we were going over plans for my party you said that only if we formed a grand coalition of countries could we save Friezenburg and our continent from the poison."
The comment gave Sofia pause, and the truth of Scarlett's plans revealed themselves. "That was my copy Amber. She wanted the royals to all think she was bringing some great peace by uniting all the affected kingdoms, but in reality she wanted to conquer it all and overthrow the monarchies, installing herself as their ruler. I'm so sorry Amber, but she used you, just like she used everybody else." Amber began shaking her head from side to side, choking back the emotion desperate to come forth. "Amber I'm so sorry, but she saw an opportunity. Desmond's parents are old and frail, and she seized the chance to control this kingdom by having you marry into it."
Falling backwards a step, Amber's bottom collided with the windowsill. In truth it was the only thing propping up the Crowned Princess, lest she collapse from the weight of the betrayal.
"Then, you, I mean SHE wasn't trying to save Friezenburg from the peasants?"
"No. Actually she supported Birk and the resistance, just like I do."
Amber snapped. The apparent turmoil faded away, and left in its place was a blank expression. "So, you made this copy, to deceive your family who cares about you, including me, and then you let her wander around in your life for days on end while you were off supporting the rioting peasants?! Did you know Cedric? Were you in on this too?"
"No Amber, don't drag him into it. I deceived him also." Cedric was still observing this descent from the chair, and the pained expression the sorcerer wore seemed tor resonate with the golden girl.
"So it's not him at all, YOU betrayed him too."
"Amber look, Cedric and I need to work out some things, but I want you to know that I realize it was wrong to duplicate myself, and I'm sorry, but I want you to know why. Friezenburg is falling apart and they needed help."
"Oh well, at least you know it was wrong now that my whole future is already decided! You knew I was worried about this, but you still pushed me into it!"
"Amber it wasn't me, it was my copy. I'm sure Desmond's parents would understand if you wanted to back out."
Angrily Amber stomped, "How can you even suggest that Sofia?! And why should I listen to you NOW! How do I know you're, well, YOU! Can't you see I've been inducted into their family! I can't just back out now, I stood proudly and declared that I was inheriting their kingdom, and that I'd make everyone proud. What you're suggesting would bring shame to everybody, Leidelville and Enchancia!"
Amber was sucking in angry breaths through her teeth, barely able to maintain her composure.
"I'm sorry Amber, but there's more."
"There's MORE?! How can there be more Sofia!" Suddenly her arms dropped to her sides. "Oh no. You didn't. You couldn't have." Actual tears began to streak out of Amber's beautiful brown eyes as she stood helpless against the realization. "It was YOU! You told everyone about James! HOW COULD YOU SOFIA!"
"It wasn't ME Amber! I wanted to help James but my copy knew he was in love with Ruby too and I was trapped and powerless to stop her!"
"Can't you see what you've DONE! We promised to support him, you even talked me into it! Can't you see how much you've hurt everybody! James is absolutely beside himself, Mom is furious and DADDY! He's in shock and so embarrassed! I can't even look at you right now."
With that the crowned princess turned, planting her arms against the windowsill. The ocean offered little by means of respite to her raw pain as Sofia pleaded with her sister.
"Amber I'm sorry. If I could take it all back I would have never conjured that copy, betrayed everyone's trust. Amber please, I never meant for anyone to get hurt." Sofia was up against her sister now, tugging at her arm to get the girl to turn and look at her, "PLEASE Amber, I'd have never come to Desmond's party! Please I—"
The golden princess jolted backward. "That's RIGHT. You did show up to Desmond's party, and I invited Hugo because of it. All this time I've been blaming myself for what happened because I convinced him to go for the picnic. But it wasn't my fault Hugo was there, it wasn't my fault this happened, it was YOURS!"
"Wait, Amber, hold on. I tried everything I could to save them. If I'd only have had my wand…"
"But you didn't, did you?! I did what you TOLD me to do and I ran away when those men attacked, did you ever think what might have happened if I'd stayed! Maybe we could have stopped them! Maybe Desmond and Hilde would still be alive, and my life would have been HAPPY! This… This… THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT ISN'T IT?!"
Mouth agape, Amber had lost the last traces of love and composure. No longer was she the ever-stately girl with perfectly quaffed hair who vaunted herself above the rest. Bitterness and rage had grown where once there was love.
But what could Sofia say? Sure the actual circumstances of the abductions that led to Desmond and Hildegard's demise weren't of her intentional creation. However Sofia did start the war, and that had ultimately led to their deaths.
It was true.
"Yes."
Crying hysterically, Amber stood as tall as she was able, shoving against Sofia's hold on her arm so the girl would let go. "YOU WERE IN LEAGUE WITH THE PEASANTS, WEREN'T YOU?"
Amber was hysterical, and Sofia was loosing control of the discussion. "Well, yes and no. There was more than one group of dissenters. I only knew one man in the caves, and I begged him to get help."
She'd never seen her sister's arms shake so violently, with a rage she never imagined her sister capable of. "You KNEW them, and my Desmond is dead. He's dead. Hildy is… you, YOU YOU! YOU WANTED HER DEAD, DIDN'T YOU?! TO LET THEM TAKE OVER HER KINGDOM!"
"NO! Amber I never wanted anyone to get hurt. I've been trying so hard to save everyone's lives, please believe me." Cedric had tore small gashes in the fabric of the seatback as he dug his nails into the chair listening to this exchange as Sofia continued, "Can't you see Amber. The citizens of Friezenburg are people too, and they are dying!"
Narrowed eyes were returned for Sofia's efforts, "You're one of them. No matter how much we loved and accepted you, in the end, you were always one of them."
No. Anything but that. "Amber please listen to me, it doesn't have to be this way. It doesn't have to be US versus THEM. The real enemy is Victor in Maldonia."
"I've heard enough to know you are an enemy of Leidleville. Begone from my kingdom."
Shaking her head, the tears began to involuntarily slide out of Sofia's eyes, "No please Amber. Please I had to tell you the truth!"
"NO Sofia. I'm the crowned princess of this country and I have a duty to my people, like ALL ROYALS do, and I've given a royal command. You are to leave before I do something we will both regret."
Sofia gathered her hands up to her chest, shaking violently with adrenaline, "Amber I want you to know I love you!, I never intended to start this war, and I'm going to set it right."
"You can NEVER set it right Sofia, because you can never BRING THEM BACK. NOW GO AWAY!"
Sofia didn't stop running until her entire body collided with the covered coach. She stood there, hands pressed against the grainy wood shaking for a minute, then managed to toss herself into the coach and upon the seat. Slowly the door creaked open, and the cushion shifted below her. The sound of reigns snapped, and the carriage was in motion.
Sitting alongside her was Cedric, his hands in his lap he was staring at the opposite bench for a long while as she cried into her hands. She managed out some words between the sobs. "Go ahead and say it. I know you want to."
Unmoved, he still sat there, inhaling deeply. "Fine. I'll say it. You were right, she hates me." Frustrated, Sofia slapped her hands into the seat cushion, gripping the upholstery. "And I deserve it. It's my fault, it's ALL my fault. It should have been me instead of Hildegard, I—"
Her head was yanked sideways straight into him, and a single word crossed his lips.
"Never."
A fresh round of sobs, and Cedric's chin came to rest on hers, one of his hands gripped her tight to his chest, the other began stroking her hair to calm her down. "Please Sofia, never go back to that place in your mind. Whatever Duchess Matilda told you, keep it close to your heart. It wasn't your fault you ran away to that gathering, it was mine. If anyone is to blame it is I, so please stop this." Stroking his chin and nose alongside her face, his hands had begun to roam southward around her middle. All she wanted to do was crawl into him, to let it all go and find solace in someone who seemed to care and understand, and for the moment, she did. Slowly his eyes closed, and twisting his torso he gently let his topside slide backward, banking up against the side of the coach. As he took up the position she came along, ending up curled onto his chest. Rhythmic breathing helped to steady her, as did his hands in her hair and around her back.
This wasn't platonic.
Of this she was aware, but it felt right. He was her shelter from this world she never quite fit into once more. Wait…
That's what he was to her.
That's what this was all truly built on, wasn't it? Through all the strife she'd forgotten it, but their deep friendship, their mutual solace in each other against the forces constantly assaulting their psyches. THAT was the foundation of their relationship. The 'something deeper' she needed to turn to in times of crisis. They were both outsiders to this world foist upon them, and together they had weathered the storms.
"Don't say that. I've been so scared and alone for so long I forgot, but you've always been here for me, even when I lost myself. Thank you."
She felt his whole chest rise as she said it, his one arm around her keeping her near gripped tighter, and the hairs upon her hair flattened as a soft kiss was set on the top of her head. "That's my Sofia speaking. I've missed you."
The rest of the coach ride was spent recovering from the fight with Amber. Her eyes burned from the crying, and head ached from the stressors on her body, but through it all he held her tight. The kisses to the very top of her head trailed down so slowly she didn't notice it change until he had to strain a bit farther than this position allowed for gracefully. In truth, she should have protested or pulled away, to maintain their boundaries.
But she didn't. Instead she shifted her seated position to let his leg come up around her. Her bottom half pulled between his legs on the seat, She was now, in essence, laying on him. To complete the transition from comfort to something more intense she'd been pulled higher up his frame. He now had access to the full range of her face, and was utilizing this new angle to press his lips upon her temple, even her ear.
This was nowhere near the realm of platonic.
Quietly she whispered in his ear while the sorcerer set about kissing her cheek slowly, and softly. "Rolland is never going to listen to me, is he?" Slowly the man nodded, then set another kiss on her nose.
"Do you truly want my opinion on this Sofia?"
She nodded softly, letting her forehead rub against his jaw line. "Your stepfather is condescending and self-assured. PLEASE do not put your fate in that man's hands. I've ample experience observing what happens when a young woman trusts their fate to him." A set of soft kisses trailed even lower, each one punctuated with, "Please, let it go."
"Please."
His voice trailed off even softer, barely audible as he encroached on her lips.
"Please."
It had turned from pleading with her to not confront Rolland into something else entirely. The tone of his voice had heightened, and but a few centimeters off her lips he hovered, a desperate longing in his tightened grip and shut eyes.
"Please."
It was an invitation. To forgive him, to embrace him, to abandon the confliction and succumb to what she so clearly wanted but shouldn't have.
Softly she whispered in return. "Then.. what should I do?" He stopped just short of claiming her lips, leaned back a bit and started blinking. "What's the alternative? I know deep in my heart I should let all the secrets go, but it hurts so much."
His eyes slowly worked themselves all over her face, as if memorizing her expression in this moment, and as he gently brushed aside a few loose strands of hair from her face a small smile crossed his lips. "Come away with me. I'll lie to your sister that indeed it was all your mental affliction causing you to absorb the fault where none exists, and then make off with you for 'extended' periods of intense healing."
In response, her brow furrowed. "How does that solve anything Cedric?"
"It would keep you alive, and safe, therefore I think it very much satisfies your requirements. Leave them all to their own devices, your interference has already done enough damage."
She'd begun shaking her head, the distance between them becoming more pronounced as he slowly sat up, she performing the same. "Sofia there is no possible way to solve this in the way you're thinking my lov- dear."
He deflated a bit, and sat back, letting even more distance come between them. "Oh… I see. All this time I couldn't understand what you were trying to accomplish with all the deception and lies, but now I do… see. You wish for it all to return to the way it was, before you started this. But Sofia, trust me when I say this…" She was still seated between his legs, but with their upper bodies separated he tried desperately to reach her mind by taking her hands in his own. "Dearest girl, you can never undo what has been done. I've spent decades searching for a spell, any sort of way to undo the past, and believe me when I say that it can never be done. Not even your Amulet can reverse time."
"What are you saying? That I just can't do it? You don't believe in me at all, do you?"
"No Sofia, I believe you'll do everything in your power to thwart the wheels you've set in motion, but you have to understand I will do what I must as well, and that starts with trying to convince you of the utter folly in your actions."
"I'm not trying to reset it all, I just need to… to… " Desperate to counter his argument but finding no defense, she looked out the window.
"Yes, you are. It is why you kept such dire secrets, why you've been putting yourself in danger, and why you continue to defy reason and logic." He took in a deep breath, then bit his lips a bit before delivering the next salvo, pulling on her hands to draw her attention to him. "Dearest girl, you've been my only and more importantly my best friend for years, and therefore do not take it lightly when I say I know you'll stop at nothing when you think you are right. But consider this, there's not always a perfect solution Sofia, and I also know that your family occupies all the deepest loving places in your heart. If you do this, and Rolland does what he must, then I shudder to think of what that would do to you Sofia. Even if you survive you may never be able to speak to them again. Please, I implore you spend considerable effort on deciding if the truth is more important than your family's love, more than your very life."
"I… will." She'd looked down at her hands in his, then slowly leaned up against the backrest of the coach. After a few minutes he slumped over onto her, draping one of his robed arms over her in something that looked like a cocoon of purple fabric.
He was right. She'd been trying desperately to revert everything back to the way it was.
The carriage came to a stop, and slowly its occupants descended the stairs. Cedric attempted a little chivalry, bolting out and extending his arm to help her disembark. A long series of sighs were exchanged as she contemplated her next move, the coach being returned to the stables by the coachmen left them alone at the front of the castle.
Standing there before her that softness had crept up on him once again. She really did love him still, despite the things he'd done. "I've been thinking Cedric." He nodded slowly, stepping closer.
"I realize that, no matter what I do things will never go back to the way they were. Thanks for helping me see it." Slowly he took in her words, nodding slightly and trying his best to be supportive.
"I was hoping there were certain aspects of the last few weeks you didn't want to undo." A wide smile spread across his lips as he said it.
Taking his face into her hands, she stepped even closer. "I've decided that I won't tell Rolland any of your secrets. I want you to make peace with them, but they're yours and it's not my place to reveal them." He truly looked as if he wanted to sweep her up into his arms, but standing there in front of the castle, with potentially anyone watching this, he didn't. Instead he closed his eyes.
"Then, c-c-can you l-l-love me?"
She sucked in a deep breath, then looked down at the intricate cobblestones. A few sniffles, and she stroked his cheek to calm him. "I have to tell Rolland the truth, and trust that he still loves me enough to forgive me."
"No! Sofia please, just imagine what a happy future we could have together. All we need is to slip away to my cabin. Oh Sofia we could cast spells every day, every night we could hold each other and gaze up at the stars, and every morning I would take you as my own. You do remember what you told me, don't you Sofia? When we fell asleep under the stars in the garden?"
She did, in fact, remember what she'd told him as they stargazed while her leg was injured. "I said that, we would always be together, like binary stars."
Convention was abandoned, and the man narrowed the distance between them, dropping her hands and pulling her hips in closer. "We are Sofia, I fought against it for so long but indeed my life, like the shepherded planets circling the sun I am forever caught, orbiting alongside your radiance. Oh please, just imagine how wondrous that future would be."
It was wonderful, and horrible all simultaneously. Could she be the selfish princess? Put her wants above the needs of the suffering in Friezenburg, who had exchanged abduction and slavery for open war. On a personal level, could she trust him? Abandon her reason to emotion, and give herself to a man of dubious motives who'd equated her as a replacement for love long lost?
Ripped apart at the seams, on and on the debate raged inside her, intensifying as each counterargument screamed to silence the opposing viewpoints. Her hands had taken to gripping the edges of his robe, bunching the fabric tight as she pulled him ever closer to her. How she wanted him, against her better judgment, against reason and sanity and all the years of indoctrination she'd been subjected to about the privileges and responsibilities of royalty.
The swirling anxiety reached fever pitch, until it was finally broken by the loud cry of a bird circling overhead. Cedric looked up first, still clinging to her sides, squinting into the sunlight. Another high-pitched blast, and the bird descended lower. Sofia pulled her head out of Cedric's chest to see it circling overhead. "That's… not Wormwood."
"Indeed, it isn't." As the bird descended lower in one great arch it became clear just what was descending from on high. "Your phoenix. She's back." Cedric's mouth quirked up, and slowly he looked down upon the object of his desire. "Don't you see Sofia?! This will be perfect. We can take them both with us, I daresay Wormy will forget this whole nonsense in a fortnight now. We can bring the rabbit too, if you insist upon it. There's ample vegetables in the garden for the creature to spend his final days in bliss. I'm sure that after a while, despite the voluminous disappointment your family may feel that you settled for this old fool, they would not disown you outright."
Sofia however, was fixated on the shape of the bird. She'd grown to be full-sized, daresay even a bit larger than Wormwood and considerably fuller. Adorned in bright plumage head to tail, she shimmered in the sunlight. But then, something was wrong with the silhouette. "Oh NO! Cedric, I think she's hurt."
Immediately he looked back up, squinting at the bird who had descended low enough that an odd bulge was visible. "Is that a rather poorly executed splint? I'd assumed your witch friend would have ample experience by now in the mending of limbs."
But it wasn't a splint. Now mere yards above where they stood in the central courtyard it became obvious that the bird carried something.
Released, the item floated down more than fell straight into Sofia's outstretched hand. Slowly she drew the rolled parchment down to eye level, taking a moment to examine Cedric's reaction to it.
"It's… a parchment."
He hardened considerably. "From Friezenburg no doubt." They stood there, he was still clinging to her hips, and suddenly jerked her toward himself, banking his whole lower body up against hers. "No, no you needn't hear of the war or their strife. It's not your battle, it's not too late for us to flee. Sofia please with all that is in me do not read that."
"But Cedric, it's obviously meant for me, and the only reason they'd send something like this is because there's something really wrong."
"NO! NO Sofia if you read it I'll loose you forever. NO!" He'd buried his head into her shoulder, and begun rocking back and forth, taking her along for the ride as he tried to soothe himself.
Still holding the rolled parchment in her hand, she slowly reached around to hug him tightly. She took in his scent, his unsteady breathing, everything that made up his magical essence.
Things began to move in slow motion. She could perceive on some level how Cedric had sprung backward as Baileywick, appearing from thin air, launched into hysterics. She hadn't even seen the steward, but now words were flying between them about the impropriety on display. But there, in her hand was an inescapable truth. Slowly the note unfurled while Baileywick and Cedric sparred, and upon it was written:
Sorcerer of regard,
Please relay to my nephew.
My brother, his father, has fallen.
Please show him compassion,
And temper his reaction.
He needs your solace.
PFU-B
Perhaps she took a few steps to the side. There were no tears, but a loud piercing ringing in the ears that blocked out everything else. The sunlight blanched her surroundings, and coalescing in her mind was one vivid image of Westin, his arms wrapped lovingly around his adoptive father, their mutual smiles and obvious love for each other burning into ashes. This man, Sofia's uncle, who'd taken in her cousin and sheltered him from harm in the mines, who put his son's welfare far above his own, was gone.
The next thing she saw was the streak of a roman column in her peripheral vision. A few seconds later and a painting of Amber as a child that hung in the throne room passed as a blur. She was aware that men were chasing her, but as she bolted with inhuman speed throughout the halls of the castle the fact that Baileywick and Cedric, both gripped with terror that the balcony incident was repeating itself were mere steps behind her, mattered little.
There, at the end of the hallway was Rolland's study. The doors were still locked, and still on guard stood Westin and that older, stouter guard. The look of shock on both men's faces to see Sofia barreling toward them at top speed apparent, but all she could see was her cousin, now an orphan once more.
Arms thrust around her cousin, the momentum carried them both crashing into Rolland's chamber door. As they slid into a puddle Sofia sobbed hysterically into Westin's ear. Something akin to "Sofia, what's the matter?" came from her overtly worried cousin.
She managed to turn to him, sprawled in his lap and locking eyes with Westin he knew something was terribly, terribly wrong. She managed a whisper before Baileywick and Cedric caught up to them.
"Your Dad, he's gone."
Confusion melted into shock as she shook the parchment alongside their heads. Shock turned to disbelief, disbelief to anguish, and anguish to rage. Westin began wailing, and gripped Sofia tight. Cedric was trying to pry the Sofia off of her cousin with his hands, Baileywick was running back and forth giving orders, and the other guard stood there watching this scene unfold when BANG.
The study doors opened.
Rolland loomed over the scene, and suddenly it all became poignantly clear. People were DYING. It didn't matter if Rolland forgave her or not, if the love he'd had for her these past years disappeared. Maybe it was the price she deserved to pay for it all.
'What is going on here? Cedric, I thought she was receiving healing in the south?" That bolt of lightning that had hit him when Amber was screaming again passed over his face, and lunging forward the man held Sofia's arms in place, halting her escape.
"We need to talk NOW. King Rolland, you need to know the truth, and I need to tell you everything."
One eyebrow was up, and a pained expression broke out on his face. "Cedric, is she healed now?"
Eyes closed, teeth grit, lies came streaming forth. "N-N-No Sire, she's q-q-q-quite confused. Yes, y-y-yes she's-"
"Cedric STOP! This is MY life and MY decision!" Sofia cried out, the man wincing but holding her steady, "Please let me go! I need to talk to Rolland, NOW."
A solid hand was set upon her shoulder. "It will be okay Sofia." Rolland stood tall, "Take her back until she's fully healed. Baileywick, I need you to mind her."
Cedric began to pull her backward, "NO! NO Cedric STOP!" Rolland was turning away as Sofia screamed, the door beginning to shut behind him. "NO DAD! I have to talk to you!"
With all his might Cedric tried to stop Sofia's forward momentum, but she used her size against him and pressed free, storming into Rolland's chambers. After a quick scurry Cedric bounded after her, followed by Baileywick and the doors shutting behind them.
Without fear or hesitation, this was the moment of truth. "Sir, I have to tell you everything, and the truth is I am responsible. For freeing of the prisoners, for starting this war, EVERYTHING is my fault."
Rolland's hands were up to his face, "Sofia I can't deal with your emotional breakdown right now. I'm still dealing with Miranda and James, among other things, and you obviously need better help than Cedric can give you." He glared at Cedric during that exchange, and the sorcerer wilted. "Baileywick, see to her. Cedric, I command you to stay here for a minute. I'm expecting Amalthea shortly." A dismissive wave, and Baileywick was ushering her out but gesturing for Cedric to stay.
Planting her feet, Sofia refused to budge. 'NO DAD. You need to listen, you HAVE to listen to me. I have the answers you've been looking for."
This was it.
"I AM THE MYSTERY MAGE!"