Summertime Sadness – Lana Del Ray

A/N: This is just kind of a filler chapter. No real point to it. I felt like sending her to a ball. So I did.

The next year passed quickly and uneventfully. Sofia enjoyed spending her afternoons with Clover exploring the gardens and occasionally would invite her friends Ruby and Jade over for tea parties in the garden when Cedric was busy working. He had invited her to join him a few times to "learn the ropes" as he called it but she had turned him down. Cedric told her someday she would have to begin taking the time to learn some of these things so it wouldn't be such a shock when she took over as queen. Sofia was not looking forward to that day. It reminded her too much of the loss of her family.

One stormy afternoon Sofia stayed inside rather than going out to the gardens to play with Clover because of the weather. Cedric happened to be inside waiting for her to return from school.

"You're done with work early today." She remarked.

"Yes I am, and I wanted to discuss something with you." Cedric replied, gesturing for her to have a seat beside him near the fireplace in the living room.

Sofia felt hesitant. She wasn't sure what was going on but it sounded serious. Slowly she approached the large lounge chair and sat beside him.

"What's going on? Is everything alright?" Sofia asked tentatively.

"Oh yes, everything is fine. I just have a proposition for you. Though I know it's not your favorite idea. So I'm going to offer a compromise." Cedric told her. Sofia felt herself relax, feeling better that nothing bad had happened while she was at school.

"Thank goodness, you had me worried with your serious expression and start-up. Don't ever do that again! Just tell me you have a proposition next time. You made me worry." She said.

"I didn't even think of that. Sorry." He said chuckling a little.

"So let's hear it. What's this proposition and compromise you want to discuss?" She asked feeling unnerved by what he could possibly have to tell her about.

"Well, I know you don't want to begin learning how things are run around the castle and attend occasional meetings with me so I was going to say I would like it if you would at least attend the occasional large events with me that I'm forced to attend. This way we are seen together and united and you'll also begin to get a feel for things and being in the public eye." Cedric began to explain.

"What are these events? They could be boring seminars or fun parties I could be getting myself into." Sofia responded with a small laugh.

"You could always agree to any event or say no to an event. Especially if you have school as an excuse but yes some are seminars, others are parties such as a royal ball or masquerades, and other events could be personal invites to other kingdom's events such as weddings. But really the list of possibilities is endless. And I usually attend alone and they wonder where you are or why I'm not married. So, if you go with me, that will help quell all the questions." He told her.

"I see. I suppose I could agree to that. But only if I can agree to which events I attend and don't attend." She told him.

"It's a deal." He agreed with a smile. "Thank you."

"So… is there a masquerade or ball coming up in the near future?" She asked excitedly.

Cedric began to laugh, throwing his head back. "Girls…" Was all he said as he stood up and walked away.

"I need to know so I can get a proper dress!" She yelled after him.

"As if you don't have enough already." Cedric responded. "And don't think I haven't noticed you are using my closet by the way."

"I ran out of room in mine…" Sofia muttered.

Peeking his head back in the room, Cedric quickly added, "That's because you have too many clothes, as I just said."

A month later, Sofia twirled in front of the mirror smiling. She wore a sparkling long lavender gown with lace sleeves. Over the years her hair had darkened slightly and was now halfway down her back in soft waves. Tonight she wore a small tiara atop her head adorned with amethyst and diamond crystals. She was attending her first royal ball to represent her kingdom with Cedric. Sofia had never attended an event like this in this type of role before. Although she felt excited she also felt nervous and worried people would judge her for being so young. Not to mention if people brought up her late family members. Straightening her back and taking a deep breath, Sofia said aloud to herself in the mirror, "I can do this. I am going to be brave tonight."

"You're brave every night, my dear. And every day." Cedric said as he entered the room. "You look lovely by the way."

"Thank you, you look great, too. Told you I needed a new dress." Sofia said laughing as she walked towards him. Entwining her arm with his he asked, "Are we ready?"

She nodded and together they transported outside to their waiting carriage and climbed inside taking off flying into the night. Sofia began to get nervous and fidgety beside Cedric.

As they neared the royal ball at the neighboring kingdom, Cedric turned to Sofia. "There is no need to be nervous. I doubt any of these people will be so uncouth to say anything they shouldn't to you tonight that may upset you. However, should that happen I will be with you the whole time and put a stop to it. If at any time you want to leave you just have to say so and we will."

"Thank you. I'm sure it'll be okay, I'm just nervous." Sofia said, looking at the lights in the distance as they drew closer.

"You'll do great. You always do. I think once you relax you'll have fun. You always were a social person; it seems to come naturally to you. I'm the one who hates these things." He chuckled. That seemed to make her giggle a little and help ease her nervousness he noticed as she smiled. She gave him a small hug as they came in for a landing at the entrance to the ball.

Cedric climbed out first and took Sofia's hand helping her down next. Together they walked into the ball, her hand in the crook of his arm. As they entered they were announced as the King and Queen of Enchancia. They both gasped and went pale at the mistake and began to stutter. "Oh no, no, no, it's not like that." Cedric began as Sofia also began to say, "No! He's the King. I'm the princess. But we're not related. No! No. NO!"

People began to laugh and just continued on with the party not really caring about the mistake or their obvious discomfort. Cedric and Sofia looked at each other and grimaced. "Ugh." Sofia said.

"Gee thanks." Cedric responded chuckling.

"You're so…" She looked up at him with wide eyes as she realized what she was about to say.

"Go ahead. Say it, Sofia." He challenged crossing his arms with raised eyebrows. "Finish that sentence. I dare you…"

"…awesome?" She squeaked out with a shrug.

Laughing, Cedric took her hand in his arm and led her through the crowd. "Good save, Sofia. Good save." He said as they reached the edge of the main event.

"Maybe that's what I meant to say the whole time." Sofia said innocently.

"Right. You go ahead and stick with that story."

"I was planning on it, thank you for the permission though, your majesty."

"You're most welcome, Princess."

"So are you going to ask me to dance or are we going to be wallflowers all night?" She finally asked.

"Really? You're going to make me dance?" He asked with a groan of annoyance. "I'm not very good at dancing so if I break any of your toes it's not my fault."

"But you're so awesome, I would have thought you were a great dancer." Sofia smirked.

"Nope. You've been mistaken, my dear." He said as he led her to the dance floor. "As you're about to witness. But for you, I will humiliate myself because as you said, I am awesome."

Once on the dance floor, they began to twirl and spin around gracefully. Sofia was having fun and didn't think he was as bad as he seemed to consider himself. She began to loosen up and was smiling brightly, laughing and unaware of all the looks from the people around them. Cedric was aware of everyone watching them but he couldn't have cared less.

When the song was over, they walked back to the spot along the wall. A young beautiful woman came up and asked Cedric for a dance. He began to blush and stammer, not knowing what to say. Sofia cut in and said, "Of course he will." And she pushed him out on the dance floor. As the lady led Cedric out on the dance floor he looked back at her as if begging for her to save him, she just shooed her hands in an encouraging manner. It was time he found love.

From along the wall, Sofia watched the dance and could see how rigid and awkward Cedric was, he stepped on her feet and kept a large distance between them despite her continually trying to close the gap. As soon as the song ended Cedric immediately returned to their space along the wall and he glared at Sofia, "Thanks for saving me back there. You practically fed me to the wolves. You're supposed to help me!" He screeched looking frantic and panicked.

"Are you alright, Cedric?" Sofia asked.

"No, I'm not alright. The single women here are vultures. They always try to get my attention simply because I'm an unmarried King. They want a crown. They want to be a Queen. It's sickening. They couldn't care less who I am. It's all about the crown." He said sadly.

"I'm sorry Cedric." Sofia said, realizing for the first time how lonely Cedric must actually be. She had never thought about it before. "Well you'll always have me and I loved you even before you had your crown."

"Thank you." Cedric gave her a tender smile.

Later that evening after dancing, eating and interacting with royals and dignitaries from lands near and far Sofia was beginning to grow tired. She walked out to the terrace to get some fresh air and a break from the music and noise. Cedric noticed her leave and followed her outside. She was looking up towards the moon as he approached her from behind.

Coming up to stand beside her and lean against the ledge, Cedric asked, "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine, just thinking about my parents and what it was like for them at these events. It's hard to not imagine them in my position. Has my mom stood where I'm standing right now and looked up at the moon holding a glass of wine while catching a breath of fresh air in between dances?" Sofia thought aloud.

Taking Sofia into his arms Cedric kissed the top of her head. They stood there a moment and looked up at the moon before stepping apart. Both were lost in thought thinking about how much everything has changed. A single tear slid down Sofia's cheek and she quickly wiped it away and straightened up. Just then a yawn escaped her mouth, she couldn't suppress. She tried to cover it with her hand.

"Are you tired? We could leave if you'd like?" Cedric offered.

"I'm not that tired, I don't mind staying a bit longer." She responded.

"Nonsense. I can see you're exhausted. We'll leave." He protested, taking her hand and leading her back inside.

As they made their way through the throngs of people saying their goodbyes, someone touched Sofia's shoulder grabbing her attention.

"Leaving so soon?" The voice asked.

Both Sofia and Cedric turned to see who stopped them and noticed it was Prince Andre, the prince of the kingdom they were attending.

"Yes, Prince Andre. We must take our leave now. But thank you for the invite. We had a great time." Cedric told him, bowing slightly. Following his lead Sofia also slightly bowed and said, "Yes, thank you Prince Andre, I had a very lovely evening."

As they turned to leave they heard the young man add, "Your parents never left the ball early, Queen Sofia." He said her name with contempt. "They always stayed until the party ended. But I guess that's what happens when a child becomes queen. They have to leave early so they can get home for their bedtime. Am I right?" He chuckled at his own joke and was about to turn and walk away when Cedric began to turn red with anger. Sofia noticed him clenching his fists and trying to control his breathing. She tried to pull him away before he could cause a scene.

As they turned and were about to continue towards the door, Cedric called out to Prince Andre, "Don't you ever speak to Sofia that way again. In fact, don't ever speak to her again period."

"Or what?" He challenged arrogantly turning to face Cedric.

"You'll see…" Cedric said with flames of fire flashing in his eyes. The man gasped as he saw his eyes change and he took a few steps backwards almost stumbling to the floor. "Don't mess with her." Cedric threatened menacingly and quiet enough nobody else could hear but them, then the flames died down in his eyes as he turned and left taking Sofia with him. The Prince staggered a bit as he was flabbergasted by what he just saw in Cedric's eyes.

Walking quickly to their carriage, Cedric was practically dragging Sofia. She was trying to keep up but he was walking so quickly and pulling her along she had a difficult time. She tripped and her shoe fell off. Letting go of Cedric's hand she fell to the ground and sat on her knees for a moment before bursting into tears.

Kneeling beside her Cedric looked into her eyes. "I'm sorry for what that arrogant jerk said back there. He won't bother you anymore. I don't know what his problem was. He's probably jealous of all you have at your age knowing he'll never get to where you are."

"I don't care about what I have or what age I am. I miss my family! If they were here none of this would have happened. I wouldn't have attended this party because my parents would have been the ones to come tonight. Not us. Look at us! I'm a 12 year old orphan and you were our royal sorcerer who used to have evil intentions and now you're our interim king. Together we're running the kingdom with the help of our butler! What kind of screwy castle do we have going on?" She asked as tears streamed down her face.

"Well when you put it that way it sounds really ridiculous." He laughed, wiping the tears from her cheeks. "Let's head home. We're both tired." He said reaching out his hand for her.

She took his hand and grabbed her shoe and they both walked the rest of the way to their carriage and took off into the night to return to their castle. On the way home, Sofia quietly cried for her lost family. Tonight reminded her of her lost family members. She could see her mom dancing in her dad's arms merrily around the dance floor and having a great time at events such as these. Cedric didn't say anything; he simply let her lean against him while her tears fell softly onto his jacket.

By time they reached the castle of Enchancia Sofia had fallen asleep. Cedric transported them both underground and carried her to bed. With the wave of his wand her dress changed into her pajamas and he pulled the blankets up around her. He noticed her tear stained cheeks. He sighed as he left the room feeling as if he had failed in protecting her tonight. The night had started so well, she had fun and was happy then it ended so badly for her. Cedric only hoped she wouldn't back out of wanting to attend more events in the future.

The following morning Sofia woke up and nudged Cedric. He only mumbled incoherently and rolled over. So she nudged him again. He snorted in his sleep and rolled again. Sofia tried to stifle her laugh and wondered how far he would roll in his sleep so she nudged him again. This time he made a strange sound as he continued to roll over and was now at the edge of the bed. Using her wand, Sofia put a soft blanket on the floor and then nudged him one more time and let him roll off. He woke with start on the floor and she began to laugh hysterically.

"Did you push me off the bed?" He asked accusingly as he sat up.

"No, you rolled off." She said between giggles.

"Right. I doubt that. I have a feeling you had something to do with it, otherwise how did this blanket end up beneath me?" He asked, suspiciously.

She shrugged innocently and said, "Oh… well, I could see you were about to fall and I have really fast reflexes?"

"No, I still think you had something to do with me falling off the bed." He said as he stood and watched her for a moment.

Sofia's eyes got wide as she realized he was about to retaliate. She tried to scream and scramble off the bed but he moved too fast. He pulled her and all the blankets in one swift yank all on the floor with a thud. Then with a smug smile he walked out of the room.

"That seems a bit over dramatic!" Sofia called out loud enough for him to hear while still sitting on the floor where she landed.