A Magical Evening (Chapter 6)
It was now late morning. Sofia and Marla walked through the front gate of the castle, and made their way into the castle. Baileywick greeted the two.
"Good morning" Baileywick smiled at Sofia and Marla.
"Good morning, Baileywick" Sofia smiled, trying to hide her worry at what was to come. "I came across Lucinda's mother in the Peppertree Forest. I invited her for lunch".
"Very good, Princess Sofia" Baileywick acknowledged. "I'll have an extra lunch setting added to the royal dining table".
"Where is Lucinda?" Sofia asked Baileywick.
"She's in her workshop" Baileywick answered. "Did you want me to summon her?".
"We'll walk up and see her" Sofia replied as she and Marla walked toward Lucinda's workshop.
Before long, Sofia and Marla had reached Lucinda's workshop. Sofia knocked on the door. In a few moments, Lucinda answered the door.
"Mom, Sofia" Lucinda smiled. "This is an unexpected surprise. Please, come in".
Sofia and Marla walked into Lucinda's workshop as Lucinda closed the door.
"Lucinda" Marla started, "Sofia and I have something we need to discuss with you". Sofia and Marla then explained what happened in the Peppertree Forest.
In a while, it was time for lunch. Sofia, Lucinda, and Marla walked down to the royal dining room. As they got closer, the three talked among themselves.
"I'm not looking forward to this" Sofia said, worried.
"Neither am I" Lucinda agreed. "But we can't let ourselves be blackmailed. Better we tell them than to have them find out from a third party. We'll have lunch first, then request a meeting with King Roland and the rest of your family".
"I'll be right there with both of you" Marla reassured Sofia and Lucinda.
Soon, everybody sat down to lunch. During lunch, everybody had a pleasant time enjoying a fine meal and talking to each other. However, before long, lunch came to an end.
"King Roland" Marla spoke up. "Might I request an immediate meeting with you and the royal family?".
"What is this about, Marla?" Roland asked, curious.
"Princess Sofia and my daughter have something they need to discuss with you" Marla replied.
"We can discuss it right here, if you like?" Roland suggested.
"This is something that all of us should discuss behind closed doors" Marla diplomatically said.
"Very well" Roland agreed. "We'll retire to my office. Baileywick, see to it we're not disturbed".
"Yes, Your Majesty" Baileywick acknowledged.
In a few minutes, everybody found themselves in King Roland's office. Sofia then told everybody that Cedric was back, was in league with Miss Nettle, and that Cedric was after Sofia's amulet. Sofia also mentioned that Cedric had tried to use blackmail to get Sofia's amulet.
"What possible blackmail could Cedric use against you, Sofia?" Roland asked, concerned.
Lucinda and Marla walked over and stood next to Sofia.
"All I ask is that you try not to judge myself and Lucinda too harshly" Sofia requested.
"Sofia, why would I judge both of you so?" Roland wanted to know.
"Well, there is no way to soften this" Sofia started, "so I might as well just come out and say it. Lucinda and I have a romantic relationship. We love each other. And Cedric somehow found out about it and tried to blackmail me".
Everybody was silent after Sofia's admission.
"In light of what has been revealed, you will have my written resignation on your desk in an hour" Lucinda quietly said to Roland.
"And in light of what has been revealed, I'll make plans to move out of the castle as soon as possible" Sofia quietly added.
As Sofia and Lucinda slowly started to leave Roland's office, Roland looked at them.
"Who said anything about you resigning, Lucinda?" Roland inquired. "And who said anything about you moving out of the castle, Sofia?".
"We assumed that to avoid any further scandal, Sofia and I should leave" Lucinda responded.
"The scandal would be if two young women I admire greatly were forced to leave a place they call home" Roland said. "Sofia, your my daughter, and I love you very much. And Lucinda, your a fine sorceress and a credit to your profession. Our family will stand behind the two of you. And we will stand behind you proudly".
Sofia and Lucinda sighed with relief. Roland then walked over and hugged them. "Everything is going to be alright" Roland reassured them.
"Everything is going to be just fine" Queen Miranda smiled at Sofia and Lucinda.
"At least it's out in the open now" Amber smiled at Sofia and Lucinda. "The two of you won't have to worry about hiding anymore".
"If the two of you are happy, then I'm happy for you" James smiled at Sofia and Lucinda.
At that moment, Baileywick walked in.
"I'm sorry for the interruption, but reporters have arrived at the front gate" Baileywick announced. "There is some scandalous rumor that ... Princess Sofia and our royal sorceress have a romantic relationship".
"Well, it didn't take that damned Cedric long to act" Sofia said in disgust.
"Is there something I should know?" Baileywick inquired.
"Yes, the rumor is true" Roland admitted. "Tell the reporters to come back in two hours. We'll hold a news conference at that time".
"I'll see to it immediately" Baileywick said as he left the room.
"I can already see the pitchforks and torches" Lucinda commented.
"... and the rotten fruit" Sofia added.
"Everything will work out" Roland assured Sofia and Lucinda. "Try not to worry".