Remember – Josh Groban

Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia the First or any characters.

I decided to post another chapter early because it's my birthday! Happy birthday to me! Yay!

Crowds were beginning to form outside the castle walls; the stifling sun and heat beating down on them as they stood waiting to pay their respects and hear the new queen speak. Sofia watched from inside one of the rooms high above the castle's main entrance, hidden from their view. Cedric approached her from behind, placing his hand on her shoulder. "We'll get through this Sofia. Once today is over we can move on and begin the healing process and rebuild."

"I can't do it. It's all too much. I'm not ready to be queen. I never wanted this!" Sofia told him miserably, looking out the window again. "I'm too young for all this responsibility; I'm only ten years old. I don't know the first thing about how to run a kingdom."

"Baileywick really is the only one who knows all the ins and outs of how things are done and he's going to teach you and walk you through everything, you'll get the hang of it. You're a quick learner." Cedric attempted to reassure her.

Sofia could feel herself becoming angry. She didn't want to be queen and nobody seemed to listen to her or care about what she wanted. She began to breathe faster and harder as her heart raced. She ripped the amulet off her neck and threw it at Cedric, "You've always wanted my amulet and to be king. Well now is your chance Cedric. Here you go. You're King Cedric of Enchancia now. Congratulations." And she stormed out of the room, slamming the door.

No longer feeling a desire for the amulet as he used to, Cedric sighed as he bent down to pick up the discarded necklace. Ever since Sofia befriended him years ago he'd lost the need to steal her amulet and take over the kingdom for self-validation. He put it in his pocket and looked out the window Sofia had just abandoned. Thousands of people had now gathered outside to mourn the loss of the late King Roland II, Queen Miranda, Princess Amber and Prince James. Today was going to be a very difficult day for Sofia. Queen Sofia to be exact. Whether she wanted to accept it or not.

Returning to his workshop, Cedric heard crying from his bedroom. He knew he'd found Sofia. She had yet to return to her bedroom or any of the main parts of the castle since they returned from his parent's cottage at Mystic Meadows. She had been staying in his tower with him, feeling unsafe anywhere else in the castle; though even in his tower she still didn't feel completely safe either. Cedric felt he'd have to figure something out soon because first of all, this was not a place for a young girl to be living – it was cold and drafty and secondly he wanted her to feel safe. No matter how much he reassured her that she was no longer in danger Sofia worried bad men would climb up his tower walls and in his windows to kill Cedric leaving her all alone.

Slowly approaching his bedroom, Cedric opened the door and saw Sofia with her face down on the pillow crying. She was talking to herself calling out to her family angrily, asking them why they left her. His heart broke for her and the pain she was in. He didn't know whether to go comfort her or give her time to grieve alone. He wished an instruction manual came with this situation.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Baileywick began speaking immediately and walked in as soon as Cedric opened the door not waiting for permission to enter, "Queen Sofia has one hour to prepare for the ceremony. Is she around? Where is she?" He looked puzzled, he was sure she would be here; he knew she didn't feel comfortable being anywhere else in the castle and had been staying with Cedric.

Trying to hold back his irritation at the intrusion, Cedric explained, "She is here, although she's having a moment right now. She's grieving for her family in my bedroom. I'm not really sure what to do." He admitted, shrugging and shuffling his feet awkwardly.

"I understand. I will go speak with her. I'm quite familiar with young girls and their crying episodes." He stated confidently as he strode into Cedric's bedroom.

Cedric felt an emotion he had a difficult time naming, could it be jealousy? Was he envious that Baileywick might have better luck comforting Sofia than he did? He soon realized his feelings were unwarranted as he heard Sofia begin yelling and Baileywick raced out of the room looking terrified and pale as he shut the door behind him.

"Um, I have been informed, she is not the queen and that you are King Cedric… your majesty…" Baileywick said awkwardly as he bowed in front of Cedric, beads of sweat beginning to drip down his forehead.

"Oh stand up straight. This is ridiculous. I'm not the king, Baileywick!" Cedric shouted as he stormed into his bedroom, leaving the anxious butler standing alone in his workshop.

Entering his bedroom, Cedric saw Sofia was still crying. She rolled over to glare at him. "What do you want, your majesty?" She asked with contempt in her voice.

Sitting on the bed beside her, Cedric began, "I know you're hurting, you're in a pain so deep I'll never understand. I wasn't there when your family was murdered in front of you. But I'm here now. And I'll never leave you. I promised you the night I came back for you at my parent's cottage Sofia. I will never leave you. You are going through a difficult time right now. You're going to grieve and get angry and sad and sometimes all within a short amount of time. But I won't ever leave you, no matter what. You were the only person who ever cared for me, even after I tried to steal from you and take your amulet to use for evil. You still showed me compassion and gave me your friendship. You gave me your love and I love you more than my own life; somehow you snuck your way into my heart. So let's just get through today, put on fake brave faces and then we can drive each other mad starting tomorrow and for forever. But I think we're going to give poor Baileywick a coronary if we continue at the rate we're going. So what do you say?"

With a small smile, Sofia sat up and wiped a few tears from her cheeks. "I'm sorry Cedric. You're my best friend; I wouldn't be able to get through this without you." She said and gave him a hug. "Let's get through today, you're right. Tomorrow I will begin your lifetime sentence of driving you mad for forever." And she began to giggle as he tickled her.

An hour later Queen Sofia, stepped out onto the platform as a roar of applause sounded from the crowd. As she scanned the crowd she noticed there had to be thousands of people from villages and kingdoms near and far. She felt tears begin to fall as she felt appreciation at their show of support and love for her family. She quickly put her emotions back in check and stood up straighter. Though she was only ten years old she needed to act strong and mature. "Be the queen. Be the queen" She whispered to herself as she walked up closer to the front of the platform. Sofia looked to her right and saw Cedric and Baileywick there in the shadows. Baileywick looked stressed out and about to faint. However, Cedric looked like he was ready to catch her should she fall. She smiled tentatively towards them and took another cautious step.

Dressed in a mourning gown of all black with a black sheer veil pulled lightly over her face Sofia faced the crowds fully. She was nervous, her heart thumping so fast she could hear her pulse racing through her veins. She could hear people chanting for Queen Sofia. This was it. She was really Queen Sofia now. She looked one more time at Cedric for support with wide scared eyes and he just nodded as if relaying the message that she could do this.

When Sofia was finally at the end of the platform and to the spot where she would stand to address the crowds they quieted down. She was just about to open her mouth and begin to speak when suddenly she heard singing. Then more voices joined in. She realized the crowds of people were singing the Anthem of Enchancia. Sofia's hand flew to her mouth as she choked back a sob that tried to escape her mouth and tears began to flow down her cheeks. It sounded beautiful. She hoped her family could hear it, wherever they were.

After the song was over she addressed the crowd: "Thank you all for the beautiful song and for coming today to mourn the loss of my family; the late King Roland II, Queen Miranda, Princess Amber, and Prince James…" She began. Turning to look at Cedric she saw he had a tender smile on his face looking straight at her. She turned back towards the crowd and continued to speak from her heart. She spoke of her love for her family, her love for all the people of their kingdom and villages, how they would move forward from this tragedy, and how they would grow stronger and more resilient in the face of adversity.

Through all of her speech Sofia felt as if she were wearing a fake face. It was true she loved her family and the people of her kingdom and villages but the messages about moving forward and being stronger and resilient had all been written by Baileywick. She felt none of that optimism. All Sofia felt was an overwhelming sadness and anger. But now she had to put on a brave and strong front and pretend all would be okay for these people.

Looking one last time at Cedric and then back at the crowd Sofia had a sudden idea. He'd promised to never leave her no matter what, well, she was about to test that theory. Her heart began to pound again as she addressed the crowd for a final announcement. "As the royal heir of this kingdom, I announce that I am giving the throne over temporarily until the date of my 16th birthday so I have time to properly grieve and mature to where I can better run this kingdom. I hereby announce your new ruler is King Cedric of Enchancia." At first she was met by silence and then a roar of applause and cheering sounded out.

Too afraid to look towards Cedric, Sofia continued to look straight ahead at the crowd. She wasn't sure what to do now. She hadn't really thought through this decision. He was going to strangle her. She wished she could hide behind Baileywick right now, if he hadn't already had that coronary Cedric had warned her about earlier. With a grim expression of dread on her face, Sofia slowly turned towards Cedric and Baileywick, her legs beginning to tremble with fear. Cedric looked like he was going to kill her at any moment while Baileywick was rushing towards her, ushering her off stage in the opposite direction of Cedric. "Let's go Sofia. Get far, far away from Cedric. I think he has bad, bad ideas on his mind for you right now. We should give him time to calm down."

"I'm sorry Baileywick. I didn't even think. I just announced it. I don't want to be queen. I don't. I really don't. I can't handle the pressure." And she began to sob again as she fell to her knees in the dirt as she let out an emotional wail that was so painful sounding it made Baileywick's heart shatter for her. Thankful they were now far away from the crowds and the platform, Baileywick kneeled beside her, "I know dear, I know. You're too young for all of this. He'll understand and forgive you, just give him a moment." He said as he gently stroked her back soothingly trying to calm her, feeling his own tears now streaming down his face. Sofia continued to wail loudly and was beginning to hyperventilate and scream in agony as the pain was becoming too overwhelming. Suddenly Cedric appeared beside them. "Don't hurt her, Cedric. She didn't mean anything by it." Baileywick pleaded with him.

"Don't be ridiculous Baileywick, I'd never hurt her." Cedric kneeled down and picked her up into his arms as he carried her towards his tower holding her body close as she continued to sob uncontrollably.

"I'm sorry… So sorry." Sofia choked out as she continued to hyperventilate.

"Shhh… don't try to speak. Just breathe." He told her as they entered his workshop. Once they got there he found a potion and handed it to her, "Drink this." He ordered. She did as instructed and instantly she felt herself beginning to calm down, her breathing returning to normal.

Afraid to look him in the eye, Sofia continued to look at the floor, her legs swaying back and forth as she sat on the table. "I'm really sorry Cedric."

"I know you are. I could tell by the terrified look on your face after your announcement." He said chuckling slightly. "You had been holding in all your emotions and about to panic. I understand why you did it Sofia. It doesn't mean I'm not extremely angry at you right now. Because I am, quite thoroughly. I thought we agreed no driving each other mad until tomorrow though?" He smirked at her, pulling her off the table.

"Oh don't worry… I'm saving up the good stuff for tomorrow and ever after. Today was nothing." She threatened him smiling with a giggle.

"If announcing to the world that I am replacing you as king is considered small time in your book than I'm in for some rough times…" Cedric laughed.

"I truly am sorry about that…" Sofia said suddenly losing all traces of humor.

Grasping her shoulder, Cedric said, "Sofia, yes you're young but you can still be the Queen of Enchancia. Both Baileywick and I will help you through it."

"Ever since I'd met you, all you'd wanted was to get your hands on my amulet to take over the kingdom and become king. Why, when it's handed to you on a silver platter do you turn it down Cedric?" She asked.

"Things change Sofia. That kind of power isn't important to me any longer. It hasn't been for a while now. After I got to know you and you befriended me I gave up my quest to steal your amulet." He responded softly.

Looking up at him with interest, she asked, "Then what is important now?"

"Friendship…" He said reverently, looking at Sofia.

"Then do it not for the power but because you're my friend." She pleaded with him, grasping the collars of his robe. "Please…"

"Sofia…" Cedric sighed, letting his forehead rest against hers.