First attempt - Failed

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The afternoon quickly faded into night. The orange hue was consumed by the navy blanket. The servants and Baileywick had all retired, dressed in their night attire as they prepared for a good night's sleep. James and Amber returned to their rooms, not all too excited about returning to school the next morning. But at least it gave them something to do. Sofia lingered about the castle, wanting to push her curfew a little before heading off to bed. Roland and Miranda adjourned to their quarters. Miranda was excited about the upcoming Friday. Lydia's demonstrated her magic before, but never in a real life duel. Finally she would be able to see what her daughter could do when put to the test. Roland and the other castle dwellers were excited as well.

Lydia wished she could be as excited. Anxiety was racking her nerves more than excitement. Roland may have said Cedric was incompetent, but Lydia was not so naïve to believe so definitively. Even the most incompetent of warriors can become deadly when backed into a corner. Push a sorcerer hard enough, they can literally lift the entire castle from the ground and put it above the clouds.

As the time fell onto 9:00 at night, everyone in the castle began to relax. They were snuggled in their beds, engaging in their nightly routines to aid them in getting a proper night's sleep. Lydia, on the other hand, had her nose buried deep in her large Red and beige book reviewing the spells she had learned, and using the little black book for spells she thought she should learn for Friday. So far…the whole ordeal is giving her a migraine.

"Ugh…" Lydia rocked back and forth on the canopy bed, balancing a quill on her nose. "The duel itself will consist of random spells." Taking the quill, she ran the feather along her ear tickling the thoughts in her mind to form and focus. "Transfigurations…" She glanced up to the canopy above the bed, "Do you mind, Eezeyal?"

"Not at all, Miss Lydia." The western drawl owl remarked. "I'm happier than a kitten with nip when you turn me into some…cane-I-vorus reptile." Eezeyal ran his tongue ravenously over the side of his beak. "That snide boy with the glasses tasted better than mustard and donuts."

"You don't eat mustard and donuts."

"A bird can dream."

Lydia giggled to herself, jotting down notes on some parchment. "Now I just need to figure out what I'm going to do about the Potion."

Eezeyal soared to the bed, landing next to the book so he could see what she was looking for. "Hmm…" He hummed, twitching his nose. "How's about one that takes care of dandruff?" Eezeyal fluttered his wings, relieving himself of the flaky dead skin and a few feathers.

"An amazing potion." Lydia stressed, sweeping the feathers and dandruff from her book.

"One tha' turns dandruff into hair…or feathers."

"For the last time," Lydia turned the page of her red book, "You're not going bald."

"Ya sure?" Eezeyal panicked, stampeding in a circle to see his tail feathers. "Because I feel a breeze near my nether regions." He stroked his wings over his whiskers. "And I think mah whiskers are poof'n?"

"Your whiskers have always been poufy."

"But-" Lydia waved her wand. Sparklets of dust flittered to the bed. A bowl of figs appeared out of thin air, silencing the panicking bird instantly. "Feed me apples and call me Applejack!" Eezeyal buried his face in the figs, munching loudly in pleasure. Lydia stroked his back, pleased she could calm the unwanted storm of paranoia.

The doors to the princess suit slid open part of the way. Sofia entered the room with a loud yawn, catching Lydia's attention. "Tired kiddo?"

"Totally." Sofia sighed.

Lydia reached into her pocket and glanced at her pocket watch. "9:30. You should get ready for bed."

"Alright." Sofia sauntered along drowsily to her changing area, hiding behind the wooden divider screen. "What'cha up to anyway?" She asked, tossing her dress over the screen.

"Trying to decide…" Lydia trailed off, jotting down another note, "What potion I'm going to use."

"Potion?" Sofia poked her head out from behind the divider. "I thought this was a duel." She slipped her head through the sky blue gown. "Spell casting, enchantments flying everywhere…"

"That's a basic duel. This is a standard duel." Lydia clarified.

Sofia closed the divider, stretching her little arms as she trudged for the window seat. "What's the difference?" She asked, sitting on the window seat.

"A standard duel consists of three rounds." Lydia raised a hand. "Transfigurations, potion making, and a showdown." She erected the fingers.

"What do you have to do?"

"Transfiguration's is transforming one thing into another." She pointed to Eezeyal, "Example: I turn Eezeyal into something else and try to outsmart Cedric." Sofia bobbed her head, seeming to get it. "Potion making: I'll have to create a spectacular potion. From dandruff removal to bringing a withered garden back to life." Sofia oohed at that idea. "As for the showdown…" Lydia swallowed a nervous lump, fiddling with her fingers, "Cedric and I will have to hurl spells at each other until one or both of us in tired out." Or unconscious. But Lydia didn't think it smart to mention that.

"Sounds exhausting." Sofia lied down, snuggling into the seat.

"It will be."

"Well you'll be fine." Sofia reassured her. "Even if you don't win, it'll be awesome to see you and Mr. Cee-Drick dueling."

"You…really won't care if I win?" Lydia asked in disbelief.

"Nope."

"But I've left for seven years. You don't want me to win?"

Sofia leaned up hurriedly on her hand. "Don't you remember what mom always says? Win or lose, fail or succeed…"

"When you've tried your hardest," Lydia and Sofia recited together, "You've won indeed." The two girls giggled cheerfully. Lydia felt her hopes rise. "Lydia, I don't care how long you've been gone. What matters is that you're back." She erected a faithful thumb up, "And I know you aren't going to go down in that demonstration without a fight."

"You're right." Lydia meandered over to her sister. Taking a hand she ruffled Sofia's hair lovingly. "Thanks Sofie." Sofia giggled bubbly, glad to be able to help. "Now go to sleep." Lydia snapped her fingers. The lights died down, making Sofia smile brightly. "You have school in the morning, don't you?"

"Yeah…" Sofia yawned as Lydia pulled the blankets over her. "At Royal Prep. A school…for…" Her eyes slowly began to close, "Royalty." The second her eyes closed, Sofia was fast asleep, on her way to blissful dreams.

Lydia gently pressed her lips to Sofia's head, wishing her sweet dreams. "Good night, Sofia." She whispered. "Hm?" Lydia glanced back to Eezeyal who had just finished his bowl of figs. His stomach protruding, he lied passed out on the bed, snoring happily. Lydia shook her head with a half-smile. "Enjoy your sleep Eezeyal." Gathering her things into her bag, Lydia tiptoed for the door. "I'll finish up in the courtyard." She whispered to herself. It was a decent plan. That way she wouldn't disturb Sofia or Eezeyal. She just hoped the castle was as airtight as it seemed.

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"Hmm, hm, hmm, la-la-la, hmm…" Amber sang pleasingly to herself, fiddling with the ruffles in her nightgown. Her eyes darted to and from the night filled sky. Her mind whirled in anticipation to the upcoming Friday. The day she would be able to witness just how much bluster Lydia's Sorcery Certificate really is. Cedric may not have been the best sorcerer in all of Enchancia, but Amber was sure he wasn't going to lose to some fresh out of the academy brat in training. Least of all one that hasn't been in a REAL duel.

"This Friday is going to be fun." Amber chortled sinisterly.

"Fun for Lydia or fun for you?" Amber jumped when she heard the question. James came storming into her room, eye boring heatedly into his sister. "Because it seems to me you're the only one enjoying herself at Lydia's expense."

Amber scoffed under her breath, turning her back to her brother as she lied on her side. "I don't know what you could possibly be talking about." She denied cockily.

James approached her bed, standing behind her as he knew his sister would try to avoid his gaze. "You brought up the challenge on purpose, Amber." James accused harshly. "In case you didn't figure it out, Lydia didn't want to challenge Cedric."

"If she didn't want to challenge him, then why boast about graduating with honors?"

"She wasn't boasting! She was surprising Sofia!" Amber bit her lip at Sofia's name. "That certificate meant Lydia and Sofia can finally be together. That she isn't going to leave."

Amber turned to her brother, wanting to face him squarely. "Then why accept the challenge?" She challenged him. "If she didn't want to fight him, why say yes?"

"Because you left her with little choice." James quickly retorted angrily. "You proposed the idea in front of mom and dad. Two people who are excited and proud of her. You knew they would convince her to say yes." James put a finger in his sister's face, "You want Lydia to face Cedric."

"Cedric," She spat, removing his finger, "Wants to face Lydia."

"For educational purposes. You want to see her be beaten."

"Now why would I want that?" Amber feigned innocence. She twirled strands of her hair in between her fingers. "An honorary spellcaster needs a good workout if she's going to survive this cut throat world."

James sighed somberly. A part of him had hoped he wouldn't see Amber behave like this. But Amber was as proud as she was envious. This is also not mentioning her stoic, steadfast persona. "You're doing it again, Amber." James moaned gravely. "You're treating Lydia like you did Sofia."

Amber was taken aback by the comment. Sort of hurt. "No I'm not." She replied, a hint of doubt in her tone. "I'm simply…" She twirled her hand, trying to defend her behavior, "Having Lydia put her money where her mouth is."

"Lydia's mouth is on her face." James snapped, pointing to his face. "And she's been nothing but nice the whole time." Amber leaned back, frightened by her brother's tone. "Why are you treating her like this?" He demanded to know. "Are you jealous of Lydia?"

Amber curled her bottom lip in, biting it fiercely. "Why would I be jealous of her?" She snarled, offended by her brother's accusation. "She has to become a Sorceress," She jeered with doubtful air quotes, "Not a queen in the future." Amber turned her back, folding her arms. "Meaning she'll have to leave Sofia and her mom again." James was caught off guard by the answer. "Why would I be jealous?"

"Maybe…" James trailed off, trying to surmise it in the right words, "Because you're mad she left at all." Amber's face fell in utter shock. "Is that it, Amber? Are you mad at Lydia for leaving?"

"Why would I be mad?" She glared at her brother. "I only met her a few hours ago!"

"I saw the looks, Amber. You're definitely mad at Lydia."

"If I'm upset…" He voice cracked, "It's only because Sofia isn't!" James groaned in disbelief, shaking his head. "Lydia's left her several times in the last seven years to live at some fancy school for the gifted, and be given an education!" She stressed. It was no secret Amber had grown close to Sofia in the short time they've lived together. But it was surprising to see her react this way. "Meanwhile Sofia's been in that village, struggling to help her mother. A SINGLE PARENT! Why didn't she just stay?"

James saw where Amber was going with this. It wasn't about the being a sorceress. Itwas about someone who Sofia loved more than life not being there when she needed her the most. "I don't know." James answered honestly. "But I do know if Lydia could have, she would have stayed with Sofia."

"And pass up learning magic so she could be made part of the royal life one day? I doubt it."

"Believe what you want." James turned on his heels, heading for the door. "But I believe Lydia truly wishes she was there for Sofia." Amber scoffed incredulously, turning her head away. James exited from his sister's room, leaving her in her self brought on misery.

Amber sat in her room, fuming and fiddling with her nightgown. She muttered heatedly under her breath, biting her lip in an attempt to not scream out loud. "She left…" She whispered, her breath shaking. "And yet Sofia…still loves her so much." She hugged her knees to her stomach. "Now James is on her side." She buried her mouth into her knees. Why did it feel as if she was lonely all of a sudden?

The time fell onto ten at night. Amber knew she needed to sleep…but she was too rattled to do so. "Ugh…" Amber slid off her bed, slipping her feet into her slippers. She grabbed a robe and stormed out of her room. "I need some air."

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In his gloomy lair, Cedric paced from left to right, muttering pensively to himself as Wormwood watched him intently. The Raven found himself growing dizzy from Cedric's well focused multitasking. Plotting a fool proof – yet guaranteed to fail – scheme to snatch Sofia's amulet from around her neck, while at the same time conducting research and experiments for his duel against Lydia.

Cedric wasn't nervous about the bout. He was confident he could outmatch a novice. But he knew better than to underestimate anyone with a wand. Magical bursts or sudden lucky shots were a given. And an honorary student, "A little shot to her pride won't hurt…much." He grinned evilly. Cedric meandered up his stairs to the second floor of his tower. Coming to a bookshelf, Cedric ran his fingers over his copious books, searching for a specific book. "Now maybe I can get back to my amulet problem. How do I get to it with-Hm?" Cedric peeked outside his window, noticing someone in the courtyard. "Speak of the Devil." He gasped. "It's Lydia?" Wormwood grunted angrily. He flew rapidly to Cedric's shoulder. He narrowed his beady eyes out the window, watching create bubbles with her wand. Wormwood ruffled his feathers, snarling venomously. "So the little wannabe Sorceress is going to do a little late night practicing?" Cedric flittered his wand and cast a spell on the telescope on the first floor. He propped and set it up, spying vehemently on the young Princess. "What are you up to my little Sorceress to Be?"

Lydia was seen digging into her bag. She laid out potion beakers, chemicals and herbs, her books, and finally she pulled out a doll. "Pfft!" Cedric rolled his eyes. "A doll?" He droned. "She plans to use a puppeteer potion? How primitive." He spun the telescope, sluggishly sauntering down the stairs. "The little fool plans to outdo me with such a basic chemical?" He asked Wormwood, feeling insulted. "Aside from that, that little trick will keep her out there all night-Wait?" He stopped mid-sentence. "All night?" A fantastic idea came to mind. He pointed out the window. "Princess Sofia is alone in her room…" A sinister grin slithered across his face, "Asleep."

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A bubble forming from a beaker burst with a wailing moan. "AH!" Lydia screamed in fright, falling to her butt. The wail only lasted a second. Luckily no one in the castle was disturbed. At least she knew which chemicals not to mix. "BLASTED…GRRR!" She stomped on the ground. "Alright…" She fanned her hands in rage, "Let's try something else!" Lydia moved onto spell casting and transfigurations. Those were…less than successful.

Lydia would cast one spell and have it blow up in her face. At one point she managed to send a spell flying, but it bounced off the wall and struck her in the chest. She succeeded in turning a rock into a bunny. But the bunny soon grew fangs, turned rabid…it burrowed into the ground. "Uh…I'll…get that later." Spells missed their targets; potions either blew up or created monstrosities out of harmless garden creatures and plants.

"DUMBLEDORE'S DUCKS!" Lydia cursed. Her head felt light, stars circled her head. Exhausted and tired, Lydia collapsed to her knees, panting heavily. Her wand fell from her hand, rolling to the ground in front of her. Why were none of her tricks working? She's done all of these once before with little to no hassle. Why were they falling apart now?

"This…is…RIDICULOUS!" Lydia cursed herself. She grabbed hold of the doll lying on the ground, glaring at it with daggers. "What's wrong?" Potion beakers were spilt, pot marks were scattered all around the courtyard, and the flowers and plants and trees were charred to crisps. "I've cast the most complex of spells! Conjured the most gruesome of creatures! I've even created a potion that could dehydrated a person until they're a prune!" She shook the doll, wishing it would answer. "Yet…" She glared at her wand, forsaking it and herself, "I can't even conjure a stupid rabbit without it attaining rabies."

On cue, one of the rabid rabbits appeared from the ground. Lydia swooped up her wand and sent a lightning stream at it. The stream hit the rabbit in the chest, returning it to the rock it once was. Lydia gaped in awe, but quickly faded into self-loathing. She ran her fingers over the doll, stroking the hair in deep thought. She felt pressure on her shoulders, a weight she didn't recall feeling. Not even during finals at Sorcery School. "Could I be worried?" Lydia asked herself. "Am I scared that…all of my hard work will be for nothing?" That had to be it. Because any other time Lydia could match skills with teachers. But not being able to turn a rock into a cute bunny? Something had to have been bothering her. And it wasn't the rabid bunnies. "I guess this demonstration has me rattled." She admitted to the doll. "Luck may not be on my side anymore."

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Amber stormed throughout the castle, muttering angrily under her breath. She hadn't realized she was walking around for a couple of hours. All of those thoughts whirling in her head, her conversation with James – None of it was allowing her to fall asleep. Amber couldn't recall ever feeling this…guilty? Ashamed? Not with Sofia. But Lydia? Why would she feel like this with Lydia? "Could what James said be true?" Amber asked herself. "Would Lydia really have stayed if she had a choice?" Amber's lost in thought brought her to the courtyard door without her knowledge. "Could I be mad at her…for no reason?"

When amber opened the doors to the courtyard, a refreshing night breeze graced her skin, awakening her from her train of thought. The starry night sky was absolutely breath taking. Amber almost forgot what she was thinking about before then. "Whoa." The moment of bliss was trekked upon by the state of the courtyard. Pot marks, charred gardens, a pig with wings. "Wait…" Amber watched the winged pig fly away. "I guess that means father will let me drive the carriage soon."

"Gr…grah…ergh!" Someone grunted animatedly.

Amber looked out to the yard and was shocked. Sitting on the ground, pounding away at the stones was Lydia. She was a wreck. And there was a doll sitting next to her on the ground. Amber, her curiosity getting the best of her, approached the young sorceress carefully, not wanting to startle her. Amber could hear her muttering something, but couldn't make out what. Folding her arms, she cleared her throat. "Up a little late, aren't you?"

Lydia flinched at her voice, turning around rapidly. Amber arched a cynical brow. "Oh, Amber." Lydia climbed to her feet. "What are you doing up so late?"

"I asked you first." Amber retorted harshly.

"Hmph." Lydia shrugged. "I can't sleep." She messed with the doll in her hand, stroking the yarn locks from the face. "This demonstration has me worried."

"I didn't think an Honorary Sorceress got nervous." Lydia didn't bother to respond. She was aware it was Amber's desperate attempt to get a rise out of her. Instead she distracted herself with the doll in her hand. Amber took notice of the doll. The dress was imbedded with six Rhone Stones – Red, green, purple, blue, yellow, and orange. "Isn't that one of Sofia's Dolls?"

"Yes." Lydia answered dreamily. "It's one of the two dolls I got her."

Amber raised a bewildered brow. "Two?"

"The one she sleeps with and this one." Lydia clarified. "And both hold memories."

"What memories?"

"Memories of the times we spent together." Amber titled her head. "When I returned after my first year of school," Lydia held the doll to the night sky, able to see the memories of her past play out in the stars, "I got Sofia two dolls. One for me and one for her." Lydia hugged the doll to her chest. "From my second year on," She pointed to the Rhine stones, "I would find these Rhine stones, and cast a charm that literally captures every single moment we spend together." Amber leaned over, wanting to see the doll closer. Part of her wanted to see a memory they had together. "I put it on her doll's dress so that way, when she misses me or falls asleep, she can relive those memories." Lydia marveled at the doll, feeling her hopes and heart flutter. "I keep this so I can relive those times…and it brings me luck."

"That sounded like a complicated spell." Amber said with a hint of sympathy.

"It was." Lydia touched a hand to her head. "I nearly lost consciousness a couple times."

Amber gaped in astonishment. "You did all of that for Sofia?"

"You sound surprised."

"I just…didn't think you had time for Sofia."

"I made time." She trailed a finger along the doll's face. "I had to."

"You could have had more time if you would have stayed home."

"I wanted to. But I couldn't." Her shoulders sank. "Because…The High Sorcerers didn't give me the option to."

Amber gaped in fright. Earlier before, Lydia mentioned she didn't have a choice in the matter of staying home or going to school. Amber wondered if this was what she meant by not having an option. That she was…forced to leave. Looking down at the Rhine Stones, Amber recalls seeing the same stone on the doll Sofia has. If Lydia hadn't cared…why would she go to such great lengths?

Lydia's hands tightened around the doll. Her bangs may have hid her glossy eyes, but Amber saw a lone tear trickle down Lydia's face. Amber was startled by the tear, stepping back with a hand to her chest. Lydia…Amber subconsciously reached a hand out. "It's late." Lydia quickly changed the subject. Amber retracted the hand, folding them to onto her dress. "We should get to bed."

"Um…right." Amber agreed absentmindedly. "What about…" She trailed off, running her finger over the decimated courtyard.

"I got that covered." Lydia picked up her wand, dusting it off. Amber stood back, keeping her eyes glued to the wand. Breathing meditatively in and out, Lydia calmed her rankled nerves. Closing her eyes she raised her free hand and wand, marshaling the magic in the air around her. Lydia's eyes opened. "Repar-tee," She looped the wand and hand around, "Gather-tay." She pushed outward. A green light flashed at the tip. Tiny particles from the flash spilled to the ground, bouncing along and over all imperfections recently added to the yard.

The split beakers picked themselves up. The liquid staining the stone ground evaporated into thin air. The broken beakers fixed themselves. Every shard of glass returned to its prospective beaker, and they filed neatly into Lydia's bag. The gravel from the freshly made pot marks filled into their holes, fixing the ground as if nothing had happened. The charred greenery regained its luscious coloring. A few flowers even bloomed.

Amber marveled with twinkling eyes, watching the courtyard repair itself in green streams of light. The night sky illuminated the green streams. It was like a magic show. "Amazing." She gasped breathlessly.

"Glad you approve." Lydia giggled in flattery. "It's the only decent spell I've been able to cast in the last 30 minutes." Amber found that hard to believe. If Lydia could put on a display such as that without really trying, imagine what she could do when challenged. "Let's get to bed." Lydia advised, placing a hand to Amber's shoulder. "You have school in the morning." She reminded Amber with a smile.

"Oh…um…" Amber was bewildered by the hand…but found it oddly comforting. Warm. "Alright." Lydia nodded, guiding her new sister toward the stairs. All the while, Amber still continued to wonder, How could someone not give her a choice?

^\*/^

Cedric skulked about the castle, stepping so lightly his shoes didn't even clop on the floor. However every breath seemed like a blow horn. He was glad he left Wormwood back at the lair. Maleficent knows that raven can't handle himself under pressure. Luckily Cedric had reached the hallway in which Sofia's room was located. To his eternal delight, no one was around. His prize was only a mere 100 footsteps away in a straight path.

"I can't believe it didn't think of this sooner." He scolded himself quietly, sliding along the wall with his back firmly planted. "All I need to do is lift the amulet from her neck." He chortled giddily. "It's genius and simplistic." He creaked the foyer door open. "Simplistically genius." He slithered through the door, tiptoeing through the little foyer with a proud grin on his face. It was growing wider with every second.

When Cedric opened the bedroom door, he was beyond pleased to see Sofia fast asleep on the window seat. Her amulet was hanging loosely around her neck, just begging Cedric to take it.

Cedric gently closed the doors behind him. Step, step, step – he skulked across the room as carefully as he possibly could. "Brrr…" A deep purr came from the bed. Cedric froze in mid step, trembling with his heart pounding. Glancing to the bed, he found Eezeyal fast asleep, rolling about. Cedric released a breath of relief and continued towards Sofia.

Sofia muttered in her sleep and turned her back towards the room, giving Cedric a clear path to the clasp in the back of her neck. "Alright…" Cedric knelt down, hands hovering over Sofia. His heart pounded, sweat beaded down his brow, his tongue ran hungrily over his lips as his slender fingers touched the clasp.

YAAWWNN! An exhausted wail howled from behind the Sorcerer. Cedric whirled around, hearing the first set of doors closing to the foyer. "MERLINS MUSHROOMS!" He cursed, poofing out in green smoke.

Lydia entered into Sofia's room with a disoriented groan, itching her drowsy eyes as she fought the urge to collapse asleep where she stood. "Hm?" There was a small trace of twinkling smoke disappearing into thin air in front of Sofia. Lydia squinted her eyes, casting her sights around the room in alarm.

"Eezeyal?" She whispered. The little owl mumbled incoherently in his sleep. Lydia prodded his side. "Eezeyal?!" She beckoned his more strongly.

The owl snorted and grunted, shaking his head as he awoke. "Liddy…" He rasped hoarsely, blinking rapidly. "Something wrong?"

"Was somebody here?"

Eezeyal looked around, curious if someone did enter the room under his beak. "Not to my knowledge." He released a tired yawn, smacking his lips. "Why? Did ya see something?"

"No." Lydia hummed, underdoing her shirt. "Probably just my imagination." She slid the coat from her shoulders, folding it and placing it on the trunk at the foot of Sofia's bed. "I am a little drowsy."

"I would be too if I stayed out past midnight."

Lydia smiled bashfully, slipping her night dress on. Sofia sighed happily, turning to her other side. Lydia noticed Sofia still fast asleep on the window seat, not even bothered by…whatever Lydia thought she saw. "She always was able to sleep without a care." Lydia stroked strands hair from Sofia's face, admiring the glow of her skin. "How can she be so happy?"

"What's that?"

"I've left her so many times." Lydia cursed herself, biting her lip to fight the rising tears. "All the times she needed me…I was away." Lydia sat on the side of the bed, dropping her head to the floor. "How can she be happy to see me every time?"

"B'cuz she loves yew." Eezeyal assured his saddening owner. "And, though she may be a tad on the young side," Eezeyal touched his wing to her leg. "She understands. Now ya have a chance to make up for lost time."

Lydia snickered as she bobbed her head. "You're right." She pet him down his back. "As usual."

"Tha's right, ma'am. I am." Hovering in the air, Eezeyal pressed his talons to her forehead, pushing for her to lie down. "Now get some rest, little lady."

"Yes sir." Lydia touched her head to the pillow, pulling the covers over her. Eezeyal snuggled closely to her, falling straight asleep. "Goodnight, Ezee." Lydia whispered as she drifted off to sleep.

Seconds later Cedric emerged from Sofia's closet, glaring ominously at the slumbering teen. Her growled venomously, biting his lip. "Merlin's mushrooms." He grumbled silently. "Looks like I'll have to ensure everyone's asleep." With a snap of his fingers Cedric vanished. Lydia heard the puff of the smoke, but fell back asleep in an instant.

^\*/^

Morning came to the kingdom of Enchancia, basking the happy region in a warm glow. The servants tended to their castle duties. Cleaning, washing clothes, making bed, ETC. Roland, Miranda, Lydia, and the children all gathered in the banquet hall for a lavish breakfast. All were ready and bustling in anticipation for their day.

"YAAAWWWNNN!" Well…almost all of them. Amber and Lydia howled drowsily at the breakfast table, stretching their arms over their heads. "Ugh…" They groaned.

"Didn't sleep well, girls?" Roland asked, putting pancakes in his mouth.

"I slept great." Amber lied, groaning as she rubbing the sand from her eyes. "Well…" She trailed off, glancing to Lydia, "After I took a little walk."

Lydia snickered quietly. James and Sofia noticed the stares between the two. It was a perplexing change from yesterday. "I was up until Midnight." Lydia admitted nervously. "I was…practicing." Luckily she cleaned up after her practicing. Though she did have a hard time locating the flying pig. It made her apprehensive about eating the bacon. So much so she passed on to Eezeyal.

"That late?" Miranda gasped in impression with a hand to her chest. "This demonstration must have you concerned."

"A little." Lydia yawned again. "Okay a lot." She rumbled. "But it won't do me any good if I don't get proper rest."

"Six hours of sleep doesn't sound so bad." Sofia commented. "I've survived on five hours once."

"That was because you drank five cups of energized tea and ate three cupcakes." Lydia scolded playfully. "And you crashed hard by noon." Sofia giggled in guilt. "Besides, magic drains the stamina drastically. So that six hours only seemed like six minutes."

"Well make sure you pace yourself." Roland advised out of concern. "I don't need you getting hurt."

"Okay." She promised.

Amber was distracted from the conversation. She prodded at her pancakes dismally, recalling the events of last night during her walk. Her mind constantly replayed what Lydia had said about the Sorcery School. She still couldn't make sense of how someone forced her to leave. And then…there was the tear. That single tear that pierced through the deadpan, carefree expression Lydia put on thus far. It made Amber wonder just how fragile Lydia might be. Did she act collected so Sofia wouldn't worry?

"So what's on the Agenda for you three today, Amber?" Lydia asked out of the blue, wanting her to be included.

"Oh…um…" Amber scratched her head, startled at being put on the spot, "School at Royal prep, lessons the whole day, then we come home." A borderline simple day.

"I hope you have a good day." Lydia batted her eyes.

"Um…yeah…thanks." Amber tried to smile. Truth be told she was adjusting to…being friendly the second time around. Sofia, James, Roland, and Miranda were confused by the sisters' banter. But they took it. It was a lot less nerve racking than yesterday.

^\*/^

Sofia, James, and Amber boarded the carriage for their ride to school. Lydia promised to spend more time with Sofia when she returned. She'll get most of her training done while she was at school. That way, Lydia could spend the rest of the afternoon with her and vanish during the night again.

As the carriage was preparing to take off, Amber glanced over to Lydia. She, along with Miranda and Roland, waved in a fond farewell to the young rulers. Amber subconsciously waved back with a half-smile. Lydia was stunned by the wave. She didn't think Amber liked her enough to even acknowledge it.

Amber quickly yanked her hand down. Her cheeks flushed a light shade of pink. She tucked strands of her hair behind her ear, questioning why she was waving. To her celebrated relief the carriage took off. The Pegasi spanned their wings, soaring high into the air and vanishing beyond the mountains.

Lydia smiled warmly. I guess Amber's coming around.

"You, James, and Amber seem to be getting along." Roland remarked.

"Slow but steady." Emphasis on the slow. "They're great kids."

"Thank you." Roland bowed, honored to hear it.

Lydia returned the bow happily. Her happiness quickly faded into reservation. There was an issue she needed to discuss with the king and her mother. But she wasn't quite sure how to word it. "Um…" Roland and Miranda gave Lydia their full attention. "I've been meaning to ask you something." She announced, playing with her fingers.

"Yes?" Roland replied with interest.

"Since I'm technically a princess and the eldest," She began, making that the key point of her question, "Does that mean I have to prepare to take over the throne one day?" She asked, hoping that wouldn't be the case.

Roland was taken aback by the question. He stared to Miranda, who also heard the uncertainty in her voice. Roland brought his attention back to Lydia. Her blue yes begged him to answer her question. "That's generally how it works." He answered. "Step-daughter or not, you are entitled to inherit the throne should anything happen to myself or Miranda." Lydia blinked in aghast. She lowered her head, hugging her hands to her elbows. She wasn't happy about the news. "But…" Roland added, earning a glow in Lydia's face, "Seeing as you went to Sorcery school…" He tapped his chin thoughtfully, "I don't think you intended an occupation as Queen after graduation."

Lydia giggled and shook her head. "No. Not really." She replied softly. "I intended to become a sorceress so I could give my family a better life." Miranda touched a hand to her cheek, beyond charmed her daughter still thought about hers and Sofia's well-being. "But seeing as you beat me to it-"

Roland raised his right hand, "I won't force you to give up your studies for the throne." He promised. He touched the hand to her shoulder, leaning forward. "But I do hope I can count on you to look after things should Miranda and I be called away."

"Of course you can." She reassured him.

"Great." Roland pat her shoulder. "So what's on your agenda?"

"Well I have all of today, Thursday, and part of Friday for practice." She answered, laying out her…lenient schedule. "But I can't spend all of my time practicing." There was a danger of exhausting herself into a critical state. "I think I'll tour the castle a bit, if that's alright."

"It's perfectly fine." Roland granted. "Do you need a guide?"

"No thanks. I like getting lost. Helps me think." She shrugged.

"Very well." Roland responded, bewildered by the statement. "Enjoy getting…lost."

"I will." Lydia excused herself and ran into the castle. Roland found Lydia's desire to get lost odd, but found her charming none-the-less.

"I think she's going to be fine." Miranda commented.

"I agree."

^\*/^

Wormwood flapped his wings wildly, cawing and screeching scornfully at his master. Feathers flew everywhere, scattering to the ground in bundles. "I know, I know! I should have acted sooner." His body feathers ruffled. He growled thunderously in the back of his throat, boring his beady little eyes like daggers. "I tried to!" He stressed. "But Lydia returned sooner than expected!" Wormwood cawed again, stamping his blackened foot. "Yes, yes, Wormy!" Cedric rolled his eyes. "I know and I will!" Cedric gathered some potions, displaying them around his desk in a particular order. He opened his spell book, turning it to a certain page. He ran his finger down the page. Finding a particular brew he stamped his finger on it. "But this time I plan to do this right." He chuckled, admiring the picture of an orange flower. "That way…" He grounded powder and crushed the juice from the eye of a frog into a bowl, "There are no interruptions until tomorrow morning."

TO BE CONTINUED!

WHY? Because I must tease before I allow any action to take place.