A Magical Evening (Chapter 7)
It was now mid afternoon. In the courtyard of Enchancia Castle, Sofia, Lucinda, Marla, and the royal family stood at the top of the stairs leading to the castle. A crowd of reporters, along with people from the village, stood at the bottom of the stairs. King Roland then stepped to a podium that had been set up at the top of the stairs.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the press, thank you for your attention" Roland started. "A rumor has surfaced about my daughter, Sofia, and our royal sorceress, Lucinda. I want to stress in the highest possible terms that I and the entire royal family proudly stand behind Sofia and Lucinda. I now give the podium to the two of them".
Sofia and Lucinda walked up to the podium.
"The two of us have a statement that I shall read" Sofia started. "I would ask that you please allow me to read the statement without interruption".
Everybody grew silent, waiting for what Sofia had to say.
"A rumor has surfaced that Lucinda and I have a romantic relationship" Sofia announced. "We are here today to say that what you have heard is not a rumor, but is the truth. The two of us have a romantic relationship. The two of us ask for your understanding, although we do realize that there will be those who will not accept our relationship. When this rumor first surfaced, we felt it necessary to reveal to you the truth. We apologize for any trouble that this may bring".
Sofia stopped for a moment, then continued. "On behalf of both of us, I hope most of you will find it in your hearts to accept us as we are. If there are those who feel the need to shout at us, or throw things at us, I suppose now would be as good a time as any".
Sofia and Lucinda braced themselves.
"Why would we attack you, Sofia?" a young woman in the crowd asked. It was Jade.
"You and Lucinda are still our friends" Ruby added. "The fact that the two of you have a romantic relationship doesn't erase all the good things you've done. For example, when the village orphanage was damaged by a fire eight months ago, the two of you immediately jumped into action and got the ball rolling on repairing the orphanage".
Ruby's mother, Helen Hanshaw, was standing in the crowd. Helen started clapping her hands, and was soon followed by the vast majority of those in the crowd. There were some in the crowd who walked away, not wanting to have anything to do with Sofia and Lucinda. However, the vast majority gathered showed their support for Sofia and Lucinda.
The next morning, rulers of other kingdoms gathered at Enchancia Castle, having heard the news about Sofia and Lucinda. Everybody gathered in the castle ballroom.
"King Roland" Emperor Quon started, "we are here not to show disrespect, but to simply find out how things will proceed now that the relationship between Princess Sofia and your royal sorceress is now public knowledge. What happens in Enchancia could have an impact on our kingdoms as well".
"Things, for the most part, will continue as normal" Roland answered. "Sofia and Lucinda will continue to perform their official duties as they always have. The only difference is that as of this morning, I have freed Sofia from having to merry by the time she turns twenty-one. Considering her and Lucinda's relationship, it seemed to be the most sensible thing to do".
"Then, in effect, your saying that you condone the relationship between your daughter and your royal sorceress?" King Nasir asked in a disapproving tone.
"I stand behind them" Roland responded. "They have my support".
"In my society, such a relationship would be met with disapproval!" Nasir snapped.
"What harm have Princess Sofia and Royal Sorceress Lucinda done?" King Magnus asked. "It seems to me that what the two of them do in private should be between them".
"To allow this is to give others ideas!" Nasir exclaimed.
"You act as if Sofia and Lucinda are leading some sort of great uprising" Queen Cecily said to Nasir. "All I see are two people in love".
"And I see two sinful young women who should be shown the error of their ways!" Nasir snapped.
"Enough!" Roland shouted. "My daughter and my royal sorceress have love and support from myself and the entire Enchancian royal family. We will not damn them. You don't do that to people you love".
"I will not stand here and listen to blasphemy!" Nasir harshly said as he stormed out of the ballroom.
"I'm sorry, Dad" Sofia sadly said to Roland. "I've come between you and a long time friend".
"I apologize as well" Lucinda sadly added. "Sofia and I never dreamed it would come to this".
"Don't you dare apologize" Cecily said to Sofia and Lucinda. "The two of you have done nothing wrong".
"Most kind, Queen Cecily" Sofia responded.
"You have mine and Vivian's support" Cecily smiled at Sofia and Lucinda. "The two of you are our friends, and nothing will change that".
"Thank you for your support, Queen Cecily" Roland smiled.
"Anytime, Roland" Cecily smiled back.
It was now afternoon at Enchancia Castle. In Sofia's bedroom, Sofia and Lucinda were looking out Sofia's bedroom window when a knock came at the door. Sofia walked over, and opened the door. Standing there was Amber, Hildegard, and Cleo.
"May we come in?" Amber asked.
"Yes, of course" Sofia invited.
"Hildegard and Cleo came over to talk to the two of you" Amber said to Sofia and Lucinda.
Sofia shut her bedroom door, then Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, Hildegard, and Cleo sat down.
"Sofia, Lucinda" Hildegard started, "Cleo and I want to say that we continue to think of the two of you as friends. In fact ...".
"... Hildi and I feel it is time to share something with you" Cleo continued for Hildegard. "Amber knows about what we are about to tell you".
"The simple fact is that you are not alone" Hildegard said to Sofia and Lucinda. "You see, Cleo and I ... are lovers, as you are".
Sofia and Lucinda sat silent for a few moments. They had already figured out about Hildegard and Cleo's relationship, but didn't want to let on that they knew.
"Lucinda and I realize that telling us about yourselves must have been a hard thing to do" Sofia said.
"It's just that, outside of Amber, you and Lucinda are the only ones who know about us" Hildegard admitted. "I'm sure Cleo and I would be damned immediately if it became public knowledge".
"You have our word that your secret will be safe with us" Lucinda assured Hildegard and Cleo. "Meanwhile, if one or both of you ever need someone to talk to, Sofia and I will always be here for you".
"That is most appreciated" Cleo smiled.
"This is the first time we've encountered a couple like Cleo and I" Hildegard admitted. "It would be nice to just talk to people like us".
"Then lets have a conversation right now" Sofia offered. "Nobody will disturb us, and what is said here will stay here".
For the next hour, Sofia, Lucinda, Hildegard, and Cleo talked about their relationships. Amber sat there and listened in, happy to see four people she thought the world of being able to talk freely among themselves.