A/N: Hi everyone. Sorry for the delay. We had some health issues in the family and I had to deal with those for a while. Enjoy!

Roland still had not approached me, including about a punishment, before Amber and Cedric returned. I could barely hide the excitement as I waited for the noise of the carriages coming to the castle. When they were finally in view, I nearly flew down the stairs to the front door, only to find Roland sending a servant for me.

He squeezed my shoulder with his hand and I thought I saw excitement in his eyes, but he hid it well. I could not keep the smile from my face when my eye's met Cedric's as he sat upon his horse. It took all I had not to run to him, or even wave. His smile was more guarded, but of course Roland was also looking in that direction.

When Amber's carriage stopped, Roland went forward to help her. She smiled at him coldly, but accepted his arm. I could not hear what they said to each other over the noise of the horses and other voices, but whatever it was, Roland's mirth disappeared and Amber's chin raised. As Roland led her to the front steps he told me to be in the dining room for supper.

I nodded and looked for Cedric. He was gone.

I hurried to the laboratory, knocking in case Cedric was there, but no one answered. Entering, I saw that the room was just as lonely as it had been for days, so I sat in the desk chair and waited. Voices echoed down the hall and realizing that Cedric was likely not bringing his luggage alone, I quickly dove under the desk and waited.

Two others had indeed carried a trunk for Cedric. "Thank you," Cedric told them and I heard the door shut. Now I felt like an idiot. Here I was, hiding, and what would I say when I came climbing out from under the desk. "Sofia?" My breath stopped. "You can come out, now."

My face flushed, I climbed to my feet. "How did you know I was in here?"

Cedric laughed. "I didn't, but I figured you either were, or you recently had been. I could smell you."

"You can smell me?"

"Yes. And that's a very good thing. Especially for a person who makes potions. Sometimes things are visibly similar, but the smell," he pointed to his nose, "lets me know what is correct."

I did not even listen to the last part of the sentence; I flew across the room, crushing myself into his chest. "Cedric," I said his name over and over as I buried my face into his neck.

"Sofia, what happened? Johnna and I received your messages, but Elliot and one of the servants said you were hurt."

"I have to get away from here, Cedric."

"Do you still have the amulet?"

I swallowed and pulled away to look up at him. "Yes, but, I…I don't know if…I'm not sure… Are you sure it works?"

"Do you have time to talk?"

"I have to be at supper tonight, but otherwise yes."

Cedric pushed me to sit in the desk chair, then pulled another over to sit next to me. "Let's start at the beginning."

I told him about the meeting with the king and the prince and that led to Roland and me leaving the palace. I was ashamed to say anything about Roland hitting me, but I figured Elliot had already told Cedric about the bruise on my face which was imperceptible now. At that point I could no longer look Cedric in the eye. I was ashamed of the kisses I had shared with Roland, though I did not tell Cedric about that, but I had to tell him about the stranger who accosted me in the street during the village fair, and what had potentially happened to him.

"So, you are saying that when this man hurt you, the amulet did something to him, but when Roland struck you, nothing happened?"

"I think so."

"Were you not afraid of Roland?"

"I…I think at that point I was more afraid of where we were than the duke himself. And I wasn't expecting him to hit me."

"Sofia, look at me."

I peeked at him cautiously. "I don't know why the amulet worked that way. I know the information I found was scant, but it appears I need to do more research. However, it saved you once so I want you to keep wearing it." I nodded in agreement. "Also, I heard from my family. We are working on a plan to get you away from here, and I'm making inquiries into other positions, so we can be together."

"Truly? Your family will help?"

"Of course. I knew they would, but with the duke involved, there are some extra precautions to take."

"I just remembered something." I told Cedric about overhearing Roland and Baileywick talking about punishment for me.

Cedric laughed. "Just another reason to remove you from this household."

"What kind of punishment do you think Roland would give me?"

Cedric shrugged. "Let's not worry about that right now." He stood and pulled me back into his arms. "Kiss me." I acquiesced and our lips met. "I haven't been able to stop thinking about you," his hands held my waist firmly.

"Cedric," I sighed into his neck. "No matter what happens, you are the only one I love."

"You sound defeatist, Sofia. We will be together. I promise it." His lips found the ticklish spot on my neck, and I stifled a loud laugh.

"It must be nearing supper." The shortness of my breath was apparent and Cedric continued to move his lips along my jaw. "I…I should go."

"Will you be here to assist me in the morning?"

"That is my plan." Our lips met again.

"Good."

We stood there a few more moments, with our arms around each other, breathing in each other's scent. "Can we just run away now?" I whispered.

"We can, but it would not be wise. But I promise it will be soon."

Pulling away from him was like leaving a warm bed when the coals in the fireplace had gone cold. "I love you." I hurried out the door before I changed my mind and stayed in his arms.

Roland and Amber were already seated when I arrived at the dining room. I dipped in a quick curtsy and hurried to the chair a servant was holding for me. The food was served immediately. While my plate was being filled, I looked at all the empty seats down the long table and thought back to the dining room in the palace.

"Amber has some news for us, Sofia." Roland smiled wanly.

"Oh?" I looked at her.

"Lord Ian proposed," Amber smiled coyly. "I accepted, of course."

I beamed. "Congratulations! I knew he liked you!" Amber's smile became more pleasant. "Does this mean you will be cancelling the other balls?"

"Absolutely not! In fact, we'll be throwing another, to officially announce our engagement."

"How soon?" In the back of my thoughts I was wondering when Cedric would be able to get me out of here.

"The end of the season. We will need to give everyone time to prepare."

"Will it be here, or at Ian's home?" Roland asked cautiously.

Amber raised her chin, but concentrated on cutting her veal. "We have not decided yet. Uncle offered to let us do it in the palace," I saw Roland's jaw tighten, "but Ian would rather do it in his home. I've been thinking of doing it here."

"But you'll be living with Ian." Roland pointed out.

"I would never have thought you would be one to pinch pennies when it came to your heir, your grace."

"Amber, you are not my heir."

It was as if daggers came from her eyes. Her next words were uttered with her lips barely moving. "Need I remind you that your duchy is in the land of my Uncle, the king, and that he has the final say in these things?"

My grip on the fork in front of me was fierce as my eyes went back and forth between Roland and Amber.

"Perhaps I need to remind you, daughter, that this duchy was given to our family by thee royal family in perpetuity." It felt as if they were speaking of something else without saying it out loud and I was slightly confused.

"Nevertheless," Amber went on, "I am the eldest and only child that is not baseborn. When you and Ian's father are gone, we will unite the land and create one duchy. We have King Stephen's blessing."

"Michael will be duke after me."

"Oh, is he still alive?"

I gulped and Roland slammed his fist on the table, making both Amber and I jump. "Enough! You are still my daughter and under my roof. You will not disrespect me or your brother!"

Anywhere but this room was where I wanted to be, but then I saw Amber smile, and heard her murmer, "Yes, your grace."

My appetite was gone, but I picked at my food to make it look like I was eating.

"We have some news to share with you, as well," Roland carried on as if the previous conversation had never happened. Both Amber and I paused, looking at him curiously. "Sofia and I are to be married."

The fork fell from my hand, just as my lower jaw fell. Amber gasped, looking between us, but then she began to laugh. "Oh, you almost had me there. That is hilarious."

"I am not saying this to amuse you."

"You won't get me to believe it, don't bother," Amber laughed. "Look at Sofia. You could have at least clued her in to keep her face straight."

Roland reached over and took my hand but I pulled away immediately, which set Amber laughing even harder. "Amber, compose yourself. Sofia," he held his hand out still. I looked at it and back up to him. "Give me your hand."

"No." I barely breathed the word out, but when it came out the room was silent and my rejection was loud.

"Sofia."

"You aren't serious!" Amber stood. "You really think you can marry her? Your… your…daughter?"

"She is not my daughter, nor have I ever claimed to treat her as a step-daughter. We have grown fond of each other these past weeks-"

"You mean the rumours are true?" Amber shouted

"Sit down and stay quiet."

"May I be excused?" I felt faint, but neither of them heard me ask the question.

Amber turned on me. "You are a harlot! You've been sleeping with my father? Since when?" Roland tried to break in on her tirade about me being just like my mother, but it was to no avail.

"I won't have her around me. I should have stayed. I should have listened to my uncle!"

"Amber…" I hoped if she could listen to me, she would help me.

"You will not address me as your equal!"

"Amber-" said Roland and she turned on him.

"And you are disgusting! You…you…" she could not finish her words and she turned and stormed out of the dining room.

We were silent a moment, which was fine because I was still reeling inside.

"She will come to the idea soon." Roland went on eating. "And in time, when both you and she have children she will understand better."

"I don't understand."

He looked at me. "What don't you understand? You want to keep a roof over your head and I need a wife. Would you like me to get down on one knee?" I shook my head. "See? Your affections were enough to let me know." My affections? "Your food is becoming cold. Finish eating." He stood, then bent over me and kissed me on the forehead. "I will speak with you later."

He walked out before I could ask when 'later' was. Tonight? I needed to talk to Cedric now.