Rigoletto

Summary: *Loosely based on the movie* During a stormy evening, Cedric tells Sofia the story of Rigoletto, an outcast who was often underestimated based on his outward façade with a heart hidden away from everyone, except from one remarkable girl who saw him for who he really was. (Similar to my "Read Me a Story" series)

Disclaimer: I don't own Sofia the First or Rigoletto.

A/N: So here's the final chapter of my story, and just in time for the new episode. :) Needless to say, I'm anxious to see what's in store for Season 4. Anyway, you'll get to see what actually occurred at the end of the last chapter, and of course the current-day duo's discussion. Enjoy!

A/N 2: There's a minor reference to my original character Juliana at the end. If you're not sure who she is, take a look at my story "Juliana the Just" for clarification. Thanks! :D

*Story*

Chapter 6: Rigoletto

"Sofia… Sofia? Sofia, sweetie, wake up."

The auburn-haired girl stirred softly and mumbled something incoherent before blinking her eyes open, her sight blurred by the steady stream of light that filtered in through the curtains. She sat up in the bed she'd been resting in and immediately regretted it. Her head was swimming, and she became dizzy.

"Shh, lie down, Sofia." Miranda's voice was soothing and quiet, thankfully. The brunette carefully guided her daughter into a lying position once more before stroking her cheek gently. "How are you feeling?"

"Horrible," the girl responded honestly. "My head hurts, and I had a terrible dream."

Blue eyes narrowed in concern. She thought it had been a dream…?

"I came home from the competition and Dad told me that Mr. Cedric was…" She paused when she realized her mother's eyes were watering a bit, though she attempted to hide it by turning her head slightly. Still, she'd noticed. "Mom, tell me it's not true."

Miranda sighed sadly and shook her head. "I'm afraid it is, Sofia."

Sofia teared up and allowed her tears to flow freely down her face. "Why would anyone want to hurt Mr. Cedric? He was such a nice person, but people never gave him a chance. People never do!"

The woman was surprised at what was coming from her daughter's mouth now. "Sofia."

"People see what they want to see, Mom, and all they saw of Mr. Cedric was a trouble maker. They never took the time to get to know him. Instead they just judged him before discovering for themselves that he's ten times more sensational anyone else in this narrow-minded village." She frowned as she felt anger coursing through her, something she was certainly not familiar with. "How could they do this? Why? Why are people so horrible to each other?" She rolled over and sobbed into her pillow as Miranda attempted to soothe her by raking her fingers through her hair gently. "He—he told me our last time together was our last time together, but I never thought he'd meant it like this…"

Miranda sighed and pulled her daughter into her arms, cradling the distraught child. "Oh, Sofia…"

A few days later, Sofia's family, Greylock, and even some of the villagers organized a memorial for the fallen sorcerer. Sofia didn't have the energy to speak, but she did listen as others spoke. She heard words of regret and sympathy. Evidently some of them realized what they'd done was wrong, but it was no use. Cedric was gone, and no amount of beautiful words could ever bring him back.

Still, she chose to rise above it all. Cedric wouldn't want her being sad and defeated. He'd want her to thrive and keep going. So she silently promised him that she would.

"So what happens with you now?" Miranda asked Greylock once they'd received approval for departure from the memorial.

The sorcerer simply smiled thoughtfully and tugged at his sleeves. "I'm actually leaving myself. I've regained employment with an old employer of mine, so I'm going home."

"Where is home?" James asked curiously.

"Oh, a place so far away that you'd never know it existed." He chuckled lightly when Sofia rushed into his arms once again, holding him tightly in an embrace. "Ah, now I will miss these hugs of yours, Sofia." He indulged her hug and gave her silent words of encouragement before she released him. "Be sure to take care of your family and friends. Now that you're on your way to becoming a sorceress, you'll be a force to reckon with." He winked playfully at her.

She giggled. "I'll do my best, Mr. Greylock. I'll miss you."

"Never fear, my girl. I'm never going to be that far from you, so long as you hold me in your heart."

A few hours after the memorial, Sofia, Vivian, James, Amber, and Roland were walking along the path that led near Cedric's former mansion, and they paused once they realized that the building was actually lit quite well inside. And they swore they could hear something going on within.

"What in the world?" Roland wondered as the children had already begun quickly approaching the mansion. "Kids, wait!"

Sofia pushed the door open and looked around, noticing the candelabras flickering with renewed flames. Items were floating in the air, and the general feeling of magic surrounded her. "I know this…" She eyed the familiar door before her before feeling her heart pounding in anxiety. She had to know. She rushed forward and opened the door.

The others followed the stunned girl into the room and stared in surprise.

"M-Mr. Cedric?"

The figure in question turned and smiled at her. He did indeed look like Cedric; however, he appeared a bit younger and his expression was one of serenity. "May I help you, my dear?"

Sofia blinked a few times before coming to the conclusion that perhaps she'd made a mistake. "I'm sorry… I thought you were someone else."

Roland stepped forward and put one hand on the girl's shoulder. "I apologize, sir. My daughter has experienced something of a tragedy recently, and it's affected her a great deal."

The man looked sympathetically toward the girl. "I'm sorry to hear that. You've had a bad experience here?"

"Actually, no," Sofia responded with a small shake of her head. "Here, things were wonderful. I learned more than I'll ever know, and I'll always appreciate that he…" She trailed off as the stranger smiled calmly at her.

"So what are you doing here exactly?" Amber asked curiously.

The stranger laughed sheepishly. "Actually, I used to live here quite some time ago. I was simply traveling through one last time before going home."

"Home?" James asked. "Where's that?"

"Quite far."

Sofia smiled knowingly. "So far that…we'd never believe it existed?"

He nodded. "You might say that, yes. Well, I must be going. I'll be late meeting up with my companions." He walked forward and out the door, the entourage following him. He watched as a carriage flew down and opened, a brunette stepping out and hugging him tightly.

Sofia's eyes widened. The girl looked just like Elena from several months ago! Now she had to know… "What's your name?"

The stranger released his friend before looking back toward the girl. "My name? Some people call me Rigoletto." He helped the girl into the carriage again before smiling mysteriously at Sofia. "But you don't believe that, do you?" With one final nod, he followed his companion into the carriage and shut the door.

The quintet noticed that someone who looked strikingly similar to Greylock was driving the flying carriage, lifting them into the air and singing joyfully—and off-key, one might add.

"Rigoletto?" Amber asked in confusion. "Do you believe that, Sofia?"

Sofia smiled slowly as everything clicked for her. Cedric had been a façade—a mask for the world. And she'd seen past that mask to who he truly was. She sighed happily. "I do."

*End Story*

"…"

Cedric glanced down at the princess, who looked a bit miffed. "What now?" he asked with a huff. "You always have some complaint about my stories."

"No, no complaints," she assured him before shrugging. "I just don't get why your character had to die is all. First you kill off Juliana—"

"That was reality!"

"—and now you're destroying your own doppelganger. Really nice, Mr. Cedric." She grinned as he rolled his eyes at her antics. "I'm just kidding. I loved the story. And of course Slickwell was the real bad guy. And Mr. Greylock would love that he got a big role in one of your stories for a change."

He smirked before hearing a loud crack of thunder echoing through the kingdom. "Okay then… I suppose it's time for us to retire for the evening."

She pouted. "Really? You're going to just end it there and send me off to bed with this horrible storm going on? Some guardian you are."

Cedric chuckled. "Mentor, dear girl. Mentor—not guardian. If I had to guard you, you'd get me into more trouble than I do myself."

"And you'd enjoy every minute of it!" She giggled as he shook his head in humor. She yawned before smiling sleepily. "Well, I guess you're right. I guess we'll call it a night. Sleep well, Mr. Cedric."

He nodded as he stood and even helped tuck the girl in. "You do the same, Sofia. I'll see you tomorrow."

She nodded and watched as he left before smiling and sinking into the covers, her eyes closed as the storm continued around her. However, it didn't bother her, because she knew that even the worst storms would eventually end and pave a way to a bright new day.

The end