Living Up
To
Our Fathers
Okay, just heard Cedric's Sister is older than him. My mistake. Moving on.
xxx
Miranda was fast asleep shortly after dinner ended. King Magnus wore her out with his constant bragging. His loud voice left a gnawing gnat in her ears. Her head hit her pillow and she was gone to dreamland. Roland wasn't so fortunate. The space beside Miranda remained empty well towards midnight. The impression of an absent Roland all that accompanied her for the night. The balcony overlooking the palace grounds occupied Roland for the portion of the night. Guilt and regret spinning the wheels of his mind would be his company. Lydia's words before she adjourned to her room haunted him.
'Hurts when its thrown back, doesn't it...Hypocrite?' This weighed heavily on Roland's heart. The disdain in her tone. Steel would be skewered. Just when he thinks he's found tranquil grounds with Lydia, a quake ruptures that ground and tears a gap between them. This week that gap seemed to widen. And it all started with the wand. "She was fine with it after a while…" Roland assured himself. She certainly took it well. "She started working hard and taking her duties seriously." Just he knew she would. When presented a challenge, Lydia rises above and overcomes them. Lately, she's been using them to shove people from her path. Lydia's not the most difficult person to read, but it's hard to tell what she's thinking sometimes.
"I doubt simply handing her wand over will pacify her." Roland placed a hand to his throbbing forehead. He mentally berated his softness. No child learns by having their demands adhered to. No matter how old they are. And thinking he can buy Lydia is folly on his part. "It came on so suddenly." He mumbled dismayed. "She's been fine. Happy, if not disgruntled. Then…" Lydia flicked a switch and she hated him all over again. Roland had a hard time discerning why. "Sofia wasn't nearly as difficult to get along with. Or her mother." He loves Lydia. He knows he does. So why doesn't she love him?
xxx
"Hurry up, Amber, or you'll be late!" Lydia knocked on her door. The coach was leaving in 30 minutes for Royal Prep, and Amber's been toiling away with her hair. Split ends. The mother of all disasters.
"Coming! Coming! Coming!" Amber's door flew open. She came charging in a fury, patting her already perfect hair and fixing her tiara. "How do I look?" She flirtatiously posed.
"Gorgeous as usual. Now come on!" Lydia giggled, dragging her on their way. "I don't get why it takes you so long to get ready!"
"I don't get how you get ready so fast. I thought Daddy took your wand!"
"Does everyone REALLY think I use magic for everything?!" These rumors exasperated her. "I do get dressed, bathe, and do work like normal people!"
"Coming through!" James barreled by, knocking the girls on their butt. "Sorry!" The matted haired boy muffled with his shoes in his teeth. He hopped on one putting his pants on and wrestled with his dress coat. Amber circled a hand to the example of normal skipping half naked down the hall.
"James doesn't count." Lydia abruptly protested.
Amber picked herself up, "I ruled James out when he was born." She smoothed her dress. "But I have to admit, I'd love to see you do that one day." She smugly grinned.
"You'll be kissing frogs before that happens." Lydia dusted her skirt standing.
Amber challengingly put her hands to her hips, "Challenge accepted." The girls busted up laughing, proceeding for the coach. "You wouldn't really make me kiss a frog, would you?" Amber shuddered sickly. "I hate frogs."
"Of course not…" Lydia cooed puckishly.
Roland strolled into the same hallway, spotting Amber and Lydia meandering on their way. "Lydia! A moment please!" He beckoned.
"Morning, Dad."
"Hello, Daddy. Is everything alright?"
"Just fine, Honey. I just need to borrow Lydia for a moment."
Lydia raised a bewildered brow. By his stern smile it was important. "I'll catch up."
"Don't be long." Amber went on her way.
"Is everything alright?" Lydia asked worried.
"That's kind of what I wanted to ask you." Roland tenderly countered. Lydia crossed her arms. She wasn't sure what he was on about. "What you said at the end of last night. Have I offended you in some way to warrant that?"
"What I said?" A lot was said last night. Especially by King Magnus. Who, by the way, was still fast asleep. His snoring made the whole castle shake. Lydia's head shook. She barely remembers last night. "What'd I say?"
Roland steeled himself, bracing hands at his back. "You said I wasn't as great as my father." He choked saying father.
Guilt ridden blue eyes widened. Lydia and Sofia volunteered Cedric to put on a magic show. Roland tried to discourage the idea, and the night ended with Lydia saying something she should have kept in her head. She lowered her head shamefully. Why would I say that to him? Roland was disparaging Cedric. Lydia insults Cedric all the time. She should be fine when someone puts the danger of Enchancia in his place. Might force him to change his mind about taking over the kingdom. She and Cedric have shared insults way below the belt before. But I've never compared him to his father. Remembering Roland saying that to Cedric prickled her chest again. And I would never remind him of his shortcomings. Truth be told, Lydia never knew Goodwin the Great was Cedric's father. Would explain the powerful hits and misses from time to time. Regardless, she'd never say something so...hurtful. Or so careless. Not like you, Balthasar!
"I said what was necessary to be said. Nothing more." Lydia turned to walk away.
Roland carefully reared her back by the arm. "Why was it necessary?" He stressed, growing impatient. "Why say that at all? I didn't breathe a word about your father."
"But you did with Cedric's! And since he works for you, he's obligated to bite his tongue! I'm not!" She truculently hissed. Roland, shocked by her ferocity, stepped back a couple steps. Lydia sucked her lips, cursing her outburst. The horses are out of the barn. Too late to change the subject. "You told me it's not as important to live up to a name as it is to create one for yourself. Keeping in mind the example predecessors set."
"Yes…"
Lydia furiously threw a finger in any given direction, "Yet there you went and told Cedric he's not as great as his father!"
"I didn't say that to him!" Roland gruffly argued.
"You did! Holding absolutely no regard for Cedric's feelings about his father! AND," She prevented Roland from interrupting, "You said it to Magnus! A VISITOR from another kingdom!"
The message between the lines was clarified. Roland spoke ill of a member of his staff to someone not of the kingdom. As King, Roland understands full well that is how rumors begin, and how a reputation starts to blemish. "I didn't think-"
"Exactly!" Roland flinched. Lydia wasn't shouting. But her disappointment in Roland echoed for miles. Unawares to the debating pair, Sofia was pressed to an adjacent wall. Her ear hearing every word, and her hands cupped to her fretful chest. "I've noticed Amber says what's on her mind, regardless of another's feelings. And there's an irritating need to outdo people." A charm of Ambers that gets old every other three days. Lydia admires her confidence, but wishes her head would deflate. "I see where she gets it from."
"When have I-" Lydia plucked a golden horse statuette from a pedestal. Roland stopped when he recalled asking Cedric to help spruce up his castle for Magnus's arrival. Hearing him brag about how great his kingdom is, and all the things he eats and does, might have gotten to him.
Lydia released her hot breath, placing the horse back. A cooling sensation washed over her. "To put this out there, I don't care that you took my wand. That's fine. Plenty of times it was taken in school." She came to grips with that a while ago. "But lecturing me about my diplomacy needing work when you're berating your own sorcerer to a stranger? I expect something like that from Abraham. Not you." She needed to wrap this up. The coach was leaving soon. "Cedric's not perfect. And announcing it to the world shows such a lack of class that I can't be around you." With that she turned and stormed off.
"Wait! Where are you going?"
"To Professor Popov! I have a Dance grade to bring up!"
"Lydia! Please wait!" Sofia spun behind a pedestal. She felt Lydia shake the floor passing by her. Roland gave up the chase, knowing she wasn't going to get anywhere with her. "Maybe this will blow over later." He murmured hopefully.
Sofia stooped to her knees, somberly tracing the lines in the tiles. Her nerves buzzed, rattled by Roland and Lydia' arguing. She was confused. She thought Lydia and Dad loved each other. But they argue so often. "Why wouldn't they like each other?"
xxx
Cedric scrambled in his workshop, minding to not ruin Sofia's hard work. He was impressed a princess showed diligence in cleaning. Guess it comes from her being a village girl. They understand rewards of hard work better than most. Speaking of hard work, Cedric gathered together the items Sofia would need for her Ruby, Emerald, and Crystal spells. She was making excellent progress for an amatrue. A great potential for magic. No real cause for concern.
"Full of potential...just like her sister." He murmured admirably. Cedric cradled a ruby between his fingers, adoring the sheen. "Passion as bright as those beautiful blue eyes." Briefly, Lydia's smiling face appeared in the ruby. Cedric grimaced bright as a cherry and dropped the ruby, shaking disgusting thought from his head. "Merlin's Mushrooms! What am I thinking?!" She's not beautiful! Her eyes aren't passionate! CURSES, WHAT'S WRONG?! He yanked at the white tufts of his hair. He must be sleep deprived. YES! THAT'S IT! I'm just exhausted from preparation. Why wouldn't he be? He must put together the acts he wished to perform for Magnus and Roland on Friday night. Three or four should suffice. He already planned for the grand finale. It was the rest that had him rankled. "Pfft! I'd probably spout admirations for a truffle I'm so tired!" He snorted arrogantly. He shooed the idiotic fondness far from his mind.
"Oh do stop being such a proud fuddy!" Cedric growled resentfully, clenching fists at the rippling painting. A misty orbs fluttered about the workshop. "Zeus's Xylophones..." The orb touched ground, evolving into a sniggering Goodwin, "Not even I was so stubborn when I met your mother."
"Mother says it was months before you had the guts to say hello." Cedric brazenly retorted, hands to his hips.
Goodwin coughed pink cheeked into his fist. "I never said I wasn't nervous."
"Isn't being nervous another form of stubbornness?"
"Then you must be sweating in your vest, Cedric." Goodwin roughly patted Cedric's shoulders. "Because I have never met a man more stubborn than you."
"Have you checked the mirror in the last 30 years?" Cedric's pursed lips rebelled.
"Oh, come now!" Goodwin threw his hands up. Kids these days are far too obstinate. "Why can you not simply accept that you are enjoying Princess Lydia's companionship?" Cedric shoved a hand at him, turning and unable to stomach hearing this song and dance. "She obviously feels the same way."
Cedric stopped mid step. "She does?" He squeaked.
"Indeed she does." Goodwin cooed, meandering to his portrait. "Why else would she defend you at dinner last night?"
"Defend me?!" Cedric gaped. "Defend me from what? Why?" He adamantly urged.
"If you wish to know…" Goodwin winked puckishly, "Ask her yourself."
"FATHER!" Goodwin shrank to an orb, floating back to the painting and to his home in mystic meadows. Cedric ground his teeth, steaming like a tea kettle. "The only person that irritates me worse than that pretty eyed princess!" Cedric bit his tongue. He called her pretty eyed...AGAIN! "DOH!" He smacked his forehead, toppling to a recliner her accidentally created last week. Complete with cup holders. "I need nightshade and cider."
xxx
The Enchancian coach's wheels brushed the Royal Prep runway. Already the bell tolled for school to start, and ushered the students inside. James, Sofia, and Lydia practically trampled one another getting out of the coach. They were a three man stampede racing through the door. Lydia thanked Harold and sent him on his way. He bowed his head and drove the coach to the air. A despondent breath she muffled the entire coach ride lifted a weight off her chest. For her own reasons, she declared this whole madness will be over by friday. Cedric's magic show will take place, Magnus will go home...and who knows what will happen next.
"Maybe by then Dad and I will be competing over pudding."
Lydia had to walk along the wall to safely pass through the halls. A speeding herd of princes and princesses in fear of being late to their classes. A pleasant run in; Clio bumped into Lydia, spilling her books on the floor.
"Oww…"
"And here I thought today would be dull." Lydia teased, helping Clio to her feet. "What's the rush, Clio?"
"I have history this morning, and left my books in the gym!" She panted. Lydia helped her with her books. "I can't be late again, or I'll be stuck organizing the library for a week."
"Far be it for me to stop you." Lydia pet her combed locks, continuing for Professor Popov's classroom. "See you around."
"See ya!" Clio was gone in a flash.
Lydia shook her head. She sort of missed racing to be on time for class. At Hexley, it was fun levitating through the halls and into the classrooms' windows. There was one time she was going to be late for dinner with Sofia and Miranda. She was in the woods. Further than what Miranda allowed. She had ten minutes to get home. Lydia's not the best at levitating. But, in a pinch, she soared across the woods, and made it to dinner with two minutes to spare. If she wasn't bound by her promise, she'd practice her levitating and fly to Popov's classroom. But then that would speed up her visit, and take her home faster.
"AH! NEW PRINCESS!" Lydia was suddenly whisked inside a classroom, stumbling face first to cushions.
"Oww…" Lydia held her spinning head. Popov locked the door, partly closed the windows. He clapped his hands. A pair of magic shoes danced to Lydia and slipped to Lydia's feet, coating her boots in a glaze. "Umm. What are the-EEAAH!" Her legs threw her on her feet. "AW MAN! Not magic dance shoes!"
"Only de best from Popov's days as a school boy!"
"And notorious for breaking ankles."
"Peeshaw!" Popov snapped his fingers. Magical instruments prepared to play. Lydia would come to regret joining him. Popov took her by the waist and hand. Lydia swallowed a lump. Her heart pounded. I can't do this! She'll trip like last time. Someone might pass by and see her mess up. I'll be mocked from here to Tangu! "Heed me, Princess." Popov whispered. Lydia kept her nervous eyes to the floor, waiting for Popov to guide her in steps she'll stumble on. "I will no longer teach you to dance."
"Say what?" She gawked. Popov clapped his hands again. The shoes left her boots, returning to the cubby. The instruments put themselves to the wall. "I...don't understand…" Popov parted from her, smirking with a sense of pride. "You said I could come back and learn."
"Why learn what you already know?" He quizzed her, earning a puzzled glance. "My Dear, I have been doing this for a long, long time." He fluttered a hand to the years. "Simply watching one walk through de door tells me of their dancing prowess. And you," Lydia flinched at his pointed finger, "Possess the same untapped potential for dance as your younger sister."
"I...I do?" She brightened.
"All that holds you back is your stage fright."
Lydia blushed bashfully. "You know about that?" She whined.
"It was obvious from yesterday." He poured a cup of peach tea, offering Lydia a cup. She politely declined, too enthralled by Popov's praise. "As a sorceress, performance and skill are judged by de masses constantly. Are they not?" Lydia bobbed her head. "You mess up, people laugh or scold you. Diminishes confidence." He's hitting the nail on the head. "The way to rebuild that confidence is to cast those voices out."
"How do you mean?"
"A professional though I may be, I trip and fall. Even on de most SIMPLEST of steps!" He swung a hand. He can't begin to recount the number of times he's tripped. "But what many of those harsh voices fail to realize is that falling and mischtakes are de best teachers. True, no?"
"Very…" Lydia stiffly shuffled her shoulders. "I thought my tan would darken with how many times spells blew up in my face."
"And as many times as they blew up, you tired that much harder to perfect them!"
"Of course. I had a younger sister to wow back home." Lydia always looked forward to the end of the school year at Hexley. Able to see her mom and sister, and melt as Sofia lit up watching her perform magic tricks for her. Till this day, Sofia still lights up. Those innocent eyes shining like stars.
"And now you will wow her with your superb dancing!" Popov flamencoed to a pose. "But not before you conquer your stage fright." He wagged a finger. Popov went to finishing cleaning up the cushions the students left scattered after yesterday's dance class. Naturally they'd be clean. Popov cursed that he had to leave early.
Trapped in a daydream, Lydia wandered into the school's gardens. A fountain of flowing crystal clear water glistened in the sunlight. The fresh air at her cheeks, and grinding stone at her boots pulled her from her cycling thoughts. The water's rejuvenating sprays wafted a pond scent to her nose. Trimmed hedges, and watered grass smelt of mulch and pine. Benches beneath flowery arches, a picnic area, and a field where the princes left their soccer ball. It reminded Lydia of the park in the village. She sat down to fully appreciate the garden. She's disappointed she hasn't stumbled on this part of the school yet. She hasn't really taken the time to tour the school before. Always getting lost in the hallways and wanting to get out the front door before she's lost her mind. considered Popov's words. Talking of her magic, she laughed while kicking herself for freezing during her duel with Cedric. It ended better than she thought it would. Minus the devastating loss.
Lydia swung her legs aimlessly, happily drifting to her school days and the time she spent hiding in the mazes. The toes of her fluttering boots scraped the ground. She was touching the ground a second ago. Her body swayed forward and back, going higher each time. Higher? "Hold on…" Lydia deadpanned with dread. She looked down. The ground was rushing below. The garden would sink and rise. Looking up, her hands were gripped to ropes suspended by a familiar arch. "Of course this place has an enchanted swing." She groaned. Powerful dips and lifts would lift her butt a centimeter from her seat, giving the impression she was about fly off. "I hate this THIIINNGGG…" The swing bucked her high in the air. The fountain swiftly approached. "SORRY DAD!" Lydia took off her headband. "STOP!" She stopped mid fall on a dime. The water inches away rippled tauntingly. A glowing skyblue outline saved her. Her relief reflected in the water. The glow gradually faded, freeing Lydia from her near death fall. An exaggeration, but warranted. Lydia swung her legs, planting them to the fountain wall. Her noodle legs trembled, struggling to stay standing. Lydia shook the dizziness off, dusting the aura off her. "That was too close. Maybe I should thank Fauna while I'm here." She re-placed the headband. From the corner of her eye, something was drowning in the fountain. Lydia rolled her sleeve to the elbow and scooped it up. It was a money pouch. "This is Sofia's. What's it doing out here?"
The double doors squeaked as Sofia herself entered the yard. She and Lydia spotted one another. The pouch in Lydia's hand made her beam. "THERE IT IS!" She cheered, jumping the stairs.
"Here it is." Lydia mockingly dangling it by one finger. "It SHOULD be in your backpack, Young Lady." She dropped it to Sofia's small hands. "Unless the fountains here can order lunch."
"No, nothing like that." Sofia giggled. "Yesterday I was playing soccer with James and Zandar, and I must have dropped it."
"That explains why your room was a mess." Lydia itched her chin. Sofia's room looked like a tornado walked through last night and this morning. She emptied her backpack and almost forgot her other homework. No wonder she was the last one to reach the coach. "Do your teachers know you're out here?"
"Yes, and you saved me 20 minutes of looking." Sofia hugged her pouch gratefully.
"Then let me walk you back to class before I head home."
"That'd be great!" Sofia led Lydia by the hand.
"Glad you think so…" Lydia opened the door for her, "Gives us a chance to talk about you eavesdropping on me and Dad this morning."
Sofia winced at the burn. "You saw me?"
"I saw your dress when you ran." She winked. That purple is unmistakable. Sofia mustered a nervous laugh, throwing a guilty groan to the floor. She should have known. Lydia has the sharpest eyes of anyone she knows. A shared trait in a way. Lydia sighed abysmally. It's not the first time Sofia's heard hers and Roland's disagreements. "I'm guessing you heard all that then."
"I'm sorry…" Sofia lost her voice. She knows its wrong. But she was worried. Sofia is the intuitive one. Always knows how someone is feeling, and has the instincts to know when something doesn't feel right. Miranda outranks them both. Rarely does anything escape her.
"Don't be." Lydia ran finger through Sofia's hair. "Dad and I shouldn't be talking to each other like that anyway." Talk is a kind term. Put them on debate teams and they'll chase everyone off.
"Do you hate Dad?"
A anvil broke in half on Lydia's head. "What? No! Of course not! Why would you ask that?" She was shocked to hear Sofia ask such a thing. And, maybe, a little hurt.
"You guys seem to argue a lot."
"We don't argue. We debate." Quite a lot if Sofia think she hates Roland. "I love Dad very much. I don't agree with him sometimes, but I love him."
"Lately it doesn't feel that way." Sofia's bubbly cheeks slouched.
"I promise. What's going on with me and Dad will blow over like it always does."
"Really?" Sofia asked hopefully.
"Yep." Lydia kissed Sofia's forehead. This one might take a while. And avoiding Roland will only help it grow. "Changing to a slightly happier topic, how did Cedric like the performance idea?"
"He's all for it!" Sofia cheered. "I'm going to help him get ready."
"Mind if I join you? I said I'd help him with his stage fright."
"Not at all. I think Mr. Ceedric is looking forward to it."
"Uh-huh…" Lydia groaned doubtfully. "I wouldn't go that far."
"It's true. He really likes you." Lydia's cheeks tinted pink. Cedric...likes me? Sofia's intuition is sharp for her age. But Lydia doubted Cedric liked her.
xxx
The guards greeting Lydia's arrival sounded more like a death walk than a welcome. "Not as great as your father…" She muttered, unaware she was talking out loud. 'Hurts when it's thrown back.' Lydia gnawed the inside of her cheek. "Geez. I bet Dad thinks I'm spiteful." Here she is chastising Roland for his hurtful statement, and then she comes around and does the same thing. There's an age old expression about adding fuel to the fire. Lydia the wind to rising embers. The fuel depends on the time of day, and how Roland and Lydia handle one another.
"GRR! This is all because of Cedric!" If he would have just cast the spell right - WHICH HE IS FULLY CAPABLE OF DOING - Roland and Lydia would be in round three of a jiggly wiggly pudding eating contest. "Sofia and I know how great he is! For Dad to not see it because of one - or ten - bungles is pure evil! Cedric can't let someone else determine his worth! Baileywick and Dad don't have the first clue about magic!" Wait? Which one was she mad at? Roland or Cedric? Roland said Cedric isn't like his father because Cedric messed up. Cedric messes up, but that doesn't make him incompetent. Roland never would have made that comment had Cedric done the spell right. He shouldn't have. Cedric has stage fright bad. It wasn't his fault. Dad should come to expect the best, but shouldn't' expect it all the time. Then Baileywick opens his mouth.
"GAH!" Lydia pulled her hair. Sticks beat her like a pinata. "IT'S TOO CONFUSING!" The audience hall echoed. Faults and blames orbited her head. Cedric, Roland, Baileywick - who was she more furious with? Is she mad at herself? "Why the heck would I be?!" She hasn't done anything wrong. Except talking to her Dad disrespectfully. "He was disrespectful first!" To Cedric. Not her. He's the king, fine! But that doesn't give him the right to stunt a person's self esteem. "He had not right to tell Cedric he wasn't as good as his father." Is that what has her so ruffled? Is she mad...in Cedric's place? If Cedric spoke to Roland this way, he'd be halfway to Jamestown with a sack of potatoes. "Sofia's Amulet would be safe if that ever happened." She partly laughed. Then she fell solemnly quiet.
Lydia plopped to Roland's chair. She couldn't sink lower. That prickling came back to her chest. Endless thoughts ricocheted off the high ceilings and walls, pelting Lydia relentlessly. Cedric failing. Roland being insensitive. They both equally aggravated her. Her rival messing up simple spells. Her Dad putting his foot in his mouth.. They all raised the same question. "Why am I so upset?"
"Teenage years bring on all SORTS of hormones and emotional storms." Cedric sauntered in, wearing grim nostalgia on his brow. He flashed a hooked smirk to the dreary princess, "Young women, such as yourself, experience mood swings far more frequently than men."
"As eager as I am to hear where you read up on female psychology," She threw herself onto her feet, "I'm more interested on what brings you from your tower." She placed a knuckle at her hip, "Don't you have a show to prepare for?"
"Already set. Just need Princess Sofia to iron the kinks." He flicked a wrist, strutting up the stairs. He's far from worried about Friday night. "My concern is for you, this moment." Lydia cautiously stepped away. He addressed the word concern to her. He's up to something. "Dance lessons with Popov come to a crashing halt?" He smugly mocked.
"This is why I don't talk to you!" She grit her teeth. Her mistake for sharing stories with her arch nemesis.
"Careful not to hurt my feelings, or you shan't receive my services." He impishly threatened.
"Services? What services?"
"Glad you asked!" Cedric drew her in close by the waist. They vanished in smoke, reappearing in the ballroom. Cedric spun Lydia, tenderly holding her by the hand. "Today, my Dear Princess, I will be helping you with your nerve ridden two left feet!"
"You dance?" She never would have guessed.
"Not professionally. But if you're helping me with my stage fright, I'm helping you with yours."
She appreciated the sentiment. She definitely needed the help. And Yuri and Popov weren't options. "How's that?" He piqued her intrigue.
"Let me show you." Cedric drew his wand and tapped the tip to his palm. A spout of sparkles poured to his palm. "Oohs and ahhs, boos and coos - from singing voices to a tapping shoe." He chirped for the singing and tapped his shoe."Herd and gather when wand is bowed." He stirred his wand in the air, drawing a sparkling, swirling dust cloud."Assemblage thusly ogling crowd!" He bowed the wand. The cloud dropped. A crowd of transparent nobles and village folk appeared in the ballroom. They were very convincing. Lydia's nerves were turning to jelly. Cedric cast a responsive spell. The crowd really will Ooh or Boo depending on her performance. Fingers pinched her chin, veering her to Cedric. "Are you ready?"
"Not in the slightest." Her dry throat croaked.
"Let us begin then." He winked. Lydia angrily puffed her cheeks. I'm going to kill him. "We begin with me bowing and you curtsy." The two bent low. "Now, if you'll permit me…" He setup his arms and hands. Lydia swallowed nervously, letting Cedric take her by the hand and waist. Rumbling mutters echoed from the false crowd. They caught Lydia's ear, diminishing her confidence. She started to shrink and hide. "Nuh-uh-uh!" Cedric forced her to stand straight, and tilted her head up. "When dancing or singing - the crowd is not there. You're in your room, and it's only you and the music." He stepped forward, Lydia stepped back.
"But I-"
"You're lost in your own little world…" Cedric stepped back, bringing Lydia with him. "No judgements…" They glided side to side in a star shaped circle, "No pressure…" Cedric drew Lydia in a spin, "Only you," Cedric had them part, lifting Lydia's hand, "And the person you imagine yourself with." He stepped in, leading her in a twirl and having her back meet his chest. "Perfect…" Lydia's cheek were flushed in adulation. She was having so much fun...with Cedric! Her heart was fluttering as he guided her in a side step. His hand and her to her hip, while the other kept their arms extended. I'm really dancing! And I'm not tripping! "Excellent...excellent…" Cedric stopped then slid form behind her, standing opposite her with his palm to her. "Do not dance...glide…" They circled one another, edging closer and closer in, "Let your feet flow like a river, your body weave like the wind." When their shoulders touched the other, "Then break the cycle…" Cedric and Lydia twirled away, "And end as we began," Cedric bowed and Lydia curtsied. An applause filled the room as music none realized started ended.
Lydia touched her knees, panting in a daze. "I can't...believe it…" Lydia was twinkling, as if in a dream. The spotlight on her. "I danced! I really danced!" Only when she allowed her breath to catch up did she notice the imaginary crowd. Cheers and applause rooting her on. "And they like me!"
"And you were splendid, Princess!" A voice beyond the crowd made Lydia and Cedric turn to statues. The images stopped clapping, but applause was heard in the back. The spell faded into particles. Magnus, Baileywick, Yuri, Roland, and Miranda emerged positively delighted by what they saw. "Simply stunning, you two!" Magnus shouted to the heavens. "You two are the perfect couple!"
"C-C-COUPLE?!" Cedric and Lydia shrieked. Me...with him/her? It's ridiculous! Ludicrous! GROSS EVEN! Yet...and...yet...a mental image formed of the two together, shading their faces cherry red. "NO WAY!" They shoved each other away.
"NUH-UH!" Cedric put his foot down.
"Never gonna happen!" Lydia waved her hands frantically.
"She's too young!" He pressed on her head.
"He's so old!" She poked his cheek.
"WHAT'D YOU SAY?!" The two clashed noses, lightning shooting between their glares.
"DAD!" Lydia moved suddenly, letting Cedric face plant the marble. "MOM! Say something!"
"Your dance grade is a C+ now." Roland impishly commented.
"WHAT?!" She roared. "Wait...what?" Her hearing is on the fritz. She swears she heard him say C+.
"Yuri bore witness to your waltzing and decided to rethink his initial grade." Roland educated her. Yuri happily bowed. He presented her a certificate with her C grade. Cedric and Lydia bumped fists. "Congratulations, Lydia."
"Congratulate me when I get my wand back." Lydia handed the certificate to Roland. Empty praise meant as much as an empty promise to her. Roland was far from off the hook with his careless words. "If you'll all excuse me, there's a more pressing matter I need to take care of. Let's go." She nudged her head. Cedric was right behind her.
Roland lowered his head. She's still mad at me. That widening gorge tore his heart asunder. "Is everything alright?" Miranda hugged his arm. She touched his cheek. His skin was slugging. "You and Lydia have been acting strange since dinner last night."
Miranda's intuition was always top notch. Roland should have seen it coming a mile away. Miranda's feelers are always on the look out for the amiss. It brought a smile to his lips. "Nothing to worry about, Miranda." Roland pat her hands. "Just one of our disagreements that blows over after a while." He kissed her forehead. "No need to worry."
xxx
The kitchen staff were off on lunch, leaving the kitchen empty. Cedric passed a downtrodden Lydia a bowl of jiggly-wiggly pudding. She paid no attention to it. Too distracted by the fascinating tiles on the wall. She dejectedly stuck a spoon in the pudding, and slowly slurped it. Meanwhile Cedric conjured himself a chocolate milkshake. Cherry, and strawberry flakes on top. He sipped a good inch, hydrating himself up for the turmoil dimming the usually vibrant princess.
"Daddy's little girl angry at daddy." Cedric cooed teasingly, furrowing Lydia's brow. He blew on that familiar heat. "Are we to expect a hunger strike in the near future?"
"Can you be someone else's misery sponge?!" She barked.
"Yours is by far the healthiest, and most tantalizing." He winked. "Plus it has
"I hope I give you indigestion!" She shoveled three mouthfuls of pudding. Choked on the swallow. Cedric slid a glass of water to her. She chugged it empty. She heaved with relief, slamming the glass on the table. "See that! That's me choking on your arrogance!"
Cedric threw up a hand. He'll let her think what she wants in her time of grievances. "What you should be swallowing is your disagreement with the King. What possessed you to start this feud anyway?"
"I didn't start it!" She croaked dryly, fighting to regain wind.
"Did he?" He poured Lydia another glass. Lydia shook her head no, drinking the second glass. "Then please explain why their is a pronounced awkwardness stirring between the two of you!"
Lydia coughed her throat clear, pounding on her chest. "I didn't like what he said about you and Goodwin." Cedric quirked a brow. "He said you can't be as good as Goodwin."
"That's what's got you hot under the wand?" Surprising to hear Lydia getting angry for him. She's normally angry at him. "But why? It's got nothing to do with you."
"Because it was insensitive, and completely inaccurate. I know how great you are."
"While I appreciate your confidence, you shouldn't ruin your relationship with your father."
"He's not my real father, you know." Gloomily she rested her head on her folded arms. "Might explain why we'll never have a real relationship."
"Oh no? Then where is YOUR father?" He quizzed daringly. He wouldn't take silence for an answer. Either Lydia tells him, or he spells it out of her.
"I don't know. Somewhere in the world."
"Does he write? Visit? Send postcards with his thumbs up in front of the Leaning Tower of Pizza in Italy?" He bombarded her, demanding a response.
"No…" Sorrow hushed her voice.
"Then what makes him your father and not Roland?" Cedric crossly challenged her perception. "Because he is one of two instruments that brought you into this world?"
"Isn't that how it works?"
"And here I struck you as one who saw the world in color." He spat spitefully. He's disappointed in her black and white views. Lydia tilted her head confusedly. "Biologically, the man is your father. I am afraid it takes more - what King Roland is giving - to be a father."
What Dad is giving? Lydia lit up. "He's there."
"90% of those born only get one mother and one father. By death or poor relationships they lose them and never get a second." Cedric sat beside Lydia, placing a comforting hand to her shoulder. "You and Princess Sofia are among the blessed. You both got a father, brother, and sister. A gift most would give up everything to obtain."
"I never thought of it that way."
"Hm, yes. The young often don't think past their own pride." He thunked his wand on her head. "King Roland's words are careless at times." A lot of times, come to think of it. "He compensates by helping to raise two extraordinary young girl, so that they may blossom into beautiful women." He touched fingertips to her chin. "In my opinion - though it's been short months - he's done a miraculous job with you."
A pink blush shaded across her nose. She shyly smiled to the floor. "You...you really think so?" She bashfully twisting her hair.
Cedric sputtered when he realized what he had said. "Well uh…" He sweated bullets. His tongue tied in knots. "You're...well you're…" Recovery, recovery…Lydia rubbernecking darkened his blush. "You're...not as impertinent as when you first arrived! And...you're far more pleasing to the eye than Princess Amber!" He fumbled, tossing words in the air, trying to maintain his waning decorum. He poked an eye open, surprised Lydia wasn't giving him an earful. Instead she gazed dreamily, taken aback by his obtuse compliment. "What? What!"
"Just...that's the first time you've ever said something nice to me." She twinkled.
"Surely not!" He yelped. He itched his red cheeks pensively. "I'm sure I've complimented you before." Lydia snuck up and hugged Cedric.. The world stopped. Fireworks exploded in Cedric's head. Warm arms constricting him. Loving cheeks at his chest. When Lydia parted from him, he touched his thumping heart, ogling her aghast.
"Thank you, Cedric! You've been a great help!" She darted out of the kitchen.
Cedric, still in a daze, waved listlessly. "You're...welcome…" The phantom arms lingered around him. He wanted to collapse. At the same time he wanted to float above the clouds. "She...hugged me." A bright, euphoric smile stretching his cheeks ear to ear. "SHE HUGGED ME!" He rocketed through the ceiling. Chef Andre and his cooks entered to find a gaping hole crumbling to the counter.
xxx
Magnus's visit appeared to span longer than the intended duration. The neverending boasts of his accomplishments and how extraordinary his kingdom is compared to the ones he's visited. Roland pretended to not be offended. Magnus has a way of accidentally insulting others. A harmless man with very loose lips and an over the top loud voice. No matter the corner he turned, or how far Roland tried to escape, Magnus would be there as soon as he lifted his head. He was a very suffocating man.
Roland found solace in gardens. Surrounded by serene nature, the lapping of the flowing stream washing his troubles down stream. He rested his head to the soft hedge. Relief massaging his sore shoulders.
"Mind company?" Lydia appeared around the hedge, batting her huge blue eyes.
"Not at all." Roland shuffled over, patting the spot. Lydia pressed her skirt to her thighs, seating herself close to Roland. "I'm glad you came."
"So am I. I owe you an apology."
"You...you do?" He wasn't expecting that at all.
Lydia hugged her knees to her chest. "I haven't been fair to you at all. And...here's why…" She trailed off, reaching into her blazer. She handed Roland a folded paper.
Perplexed, Roland accepted it. Lydia sank ten feet in her spot. When he opened it, Roland's eyes widened fretfully. "This is my letter from King Abraham." He rumbled. He faced Lydia appalled. He received this letter in confidence. Only Miranda and Baileywick know it exists. Lydia hid her shame in her knees, unable to look Roland in the eyes. He sucked on his dry lips. He isn't mad. He isn't upset. He's just hurt. "How long have you known about this?"
"I found out weeks before the Flying Derby Races came to Enchancia." She admitted with the utmost disgrace.
That was months ago. "How did you come by this?"
"Eezeyal was flying around and found it." She grudgingly forced her confession.
"Eezeyal can read?"
"Amongst other things."
"Why would you hide this from me?"
"My biological father wasn't always there. When he was...I preferred it when he was absent." Roland wanted to inquire as to what she meant. By her quivering lip, he can assume what brewed between her and Balthasar. "When I heard I was getting a new father - a king - I wasn't too thrilled." Roland figured as much. She was rather reserved towards letting him get too close. "When I saw this letter, it reminded me why I wasn't thrilled. I knew I'd be the poster child for succession. Always living under the shadow of a father I barely know." As opposed to a father she rarely had. "It took all my willpower not to confront you. Not to tell you to tell Abraham to shove the letter where the sun doesn't shine."
"Why wouldn't you?" Confront him, he means. The second part was a welcomed slip.
"Because Abraham was just reiterating what I already agreed to do. And I broke our agreement by putting magic first."
"You didn't break it." Roland reassured her, putting the paper in his coat pocket. "You got caught up in the success and neglected your other duties."
"It's no excuse. Neither is how I've been behaving towards your position."
"My position is my own concern." Roland wrapped her by the shoulders, bringing her in close. He sighed dismally, finally realizing what's causing Lydia's dissolution. "As King, appearances are all most people see. Often times I do fall victim to the boastings of others and seek to one up them." Not too often, but often enough that Lydia notices. "Sometimes, when I feel others aren't putting their all into meeting my expectations, words that should stay in my mind tend to fall out."
"Everyone does that. We're human."
"But that doesn't make it right. As you well know."
Lydia groaned sadly, shying to the dirt. Her remark on King Roland I. "I didn't mean what I said. I was upset."
"I insulted your friend. I would be upset too."
"Not just that." She shook her head. "Cedric and I are always compared to our fathers. put in their ever growing shadows, and reminded on how short we fall." She spat every other word. The doubtful voices are not deaf to her. "Hearing you say it - I wanted, for one second, for someone to know what it felt like. It just…" She touched her chest.
"It wasn't what you thought it'd feel like." The understatement of the year. Roland pat her on the back. "I think enough feelings have been hurt this week, don't you?"
"Shouldn't someone tell King Magnus that?"
"No need." He leaned in, lowering his voice, "He's leaving tomorrow night, anyway."
"I knew there was a reason you were so happy." She chimed teasingly. the two laughed heartily, lying to the hedge. Gazing up to the sky, the radiant blue-blue sky and fluffy coating clouds relaxed them. It was an amazingly gorgeous day. The two planned to enjoy it before heading inside.
xxx
The moment Sofia returned home from school, she blew past everyone to head to Cedric's workshop to help him prepare for his magic show, and her magic test tomorrow. She left skid marks on Suzette and Violet. There was a lot of work to be done, and Sofia was excited to help Cedric prepare for his show tomorrow night. Lydia arrived a few minutes later, ready to help him overcome his fear of performing. They started with that while Sofia helped clean the workshop.
Using their duel as an example, Lydia never forgot the immense pressure the crowd's eyes put on her. Wonder, awe, a secret hope she'll screw up. A pot of nerves poured on her, turning her into a statue. How she overcame it was not only by the votes of confidence from Sofia and her friends, but remembering what fun she has spellcasting and potion making. Pouring her soul into her craft, and projecting it in a natural, mysterious art form for all to witness. Did they like it? Are they impressed? Lydia hadn't cared. The blissful freedom, the uplifting air - she was letting the world see her for the first time. And that is who she would be from that day forth.
The key to Cedric keeping his cool would be to perform with the same confidence he bestowed to Sofia. And when he changed her back from a lizard. To remind himself of what he's capable of and let the whole world see it. If he hears the naysayers, block them out. Their words are born from their own misery, and a dire hunger to see others fail to lift their spirits. If they groan, roll their eyes, or mock him under their breath - imagine the entire audience in their underwear. The worst thing Cedric can do is stifle his abilities and prove those who disparage right. The opinions of others matter very little when it comes to one's passion. Granted, other sorcerers are named the greatest by the mouths of others. But even they messed up horribly to become who they are. Cedric will be no different. He will rise above the doubts, and his self pity, and become the greatest sorcerer anyone's ever known. Of that Sofia and Lydia were certain.
Next, with the workshop clean, Cedric and Sofia began working on preparing for their show and Sofia's test. They started with the rock to a ruby spell. Cedric showed her the spell in her book, and guided her through the motions. Sofia showed her prowess by transforming all the rocks to rubies. She even did it left handed. Lydia elbowed her, calling her a show off.
Following the spell lessons, Cedric borrowed Clover for a moment. When he got Clover up there was anyone's guess. Cedric levitated him into the air, floating him about the workshop. He planned to show off a flying bunny as a show opener. After he pulls him out of a hat, or something. It earned Lydia and Sofia's seal of approval. Lydia had him puff his chest out, and hold his head high. Those are the postures of a confident and competent sorcerer.
While leaving Sofia and Lydia to work on the ruby, emerald, and crystal spells, Cedric was off at his desk, tending to his own devices. He was tinkering with something inside a beaker. He grew more excited as the final drops were added to his concoction. It bubbled and expunged built up steam. Not the reaction he was searching for. A bubble swelled and burst into confetti, blowing Cedric's patience with it. Maybe he'll use it to end the show, or something.
The night was nearing its end. Cedric and Lydia decided to wrap up Sofia's lesson with a couple more spell casts. She tried to turn a lime into an emerald. Instead she got cabbage. She tried it again, and a beautiful emerald was in her hand. It was a job well done by all. Everyone taught each other all they knew. Saluting their wands, they brought the lessons to a close.
Cedric excused himself to take care of a little matter. What it was - Lydia and Sofia hadn't asked. Sofia finished cleaning up the workshop while Lydia poked around. She was impressed by the quality equipment Cedric had. The tabloid on the desk showed where he got it from.
"Yeck!" Sofia grimaced at Cedric's spellbook. Lydia saw the smudge and reacted similarly. How does anyone smudge a page in their spellbook. When Sofia cleaned it off, she was baffled by two extra lines added to an odd mixture.
Cedric hurriedly shot his door open. "Your sorcerer test is in the morning, and you have a big day of princessing. You both should go finish your work elsewhere now!" He animatedly pushed. A complete 180 from earlier.
"Mr. Ceedric, I just cleaned a big smudge off your spellbook."
"So?"
"Well it looks like there are two more ingredients you need for your invisibility potion."
Cedric inspected the book. The clouds parted above him. "Poseidon's Pumpkins! You're right!" An evil smirk slithered on his lips.
Lydia was thrown a curve ball. "What invisibility potion?"
"I'll tell you on the way to dinner." Sofia led Lydia by the hand. "See you tomorrow night, Mr. Ceedric."
Lydia closed the door on her way out. "Care to explain?" She gruffly pestered.
"Mr. Ceedric's been working on an invisibility potion while helping me with my magic lessons."
"Any particular reason why?" She groaned.
"He hasn't told me." She shrugged indifferently. "But I bet he'll use it in the show tomorrow."
"I bet…" Lydia put her fingers to her chin pensively. There's something screwy going on here. Because it is Cedric, Lydia's attention drifted to Sofia's Amulet.
xxx
The next morning was gone in the blink of an eye. Sofia was already home, running through the audience hall to Miranda and Lydia with the best news in the world. She received a gold star in her magic's class. The top grade for acing all the spells. Lydia and Miranda were beyond proud of her. She showed it off to Roland and Amber, thanking Cedric for all his help. Lydia would need to be careful. Sofia might pass her up later on in life.
"Lydia…" Roland rose from his chair. Lydia stood up with him. He reached around, and bestowed upon Lydia her wand. Her eyes went wide. She didn't understand why he was giving it back. "This week you've proven to me, and more importantly yourself, how determination and hardwork can turn any situation around." He recited poetically. "While mutua diplomacy needs work," he winked at mutual, "I am proud of the way you've handled yourself. For that, I give this back." He took her hand, placing the wand in it. It felt odd holding it again. Like an old friend. "And your spellbook was returned to your room."
"Thanks, Dad!" Lydia beamed.
Trumpets sounding King Magnus's entrance into the audience hall ruined the moment. Both grunted abhorrently seeing the rotund man waddled his proud self into the hall. "SO, when do we see this great sorcerer of yours, Roland?" He more demanded than asked.
"Right now, King Magnus!" Sofia reassured him. She and Lydia rushed to go help Cedric prepare. First they curtsied to Magnus, and then went to get Cedric.
Lydia, with a little help from her wand, setup the red curtain so Cedric could finish prepping. Ubos and Eezeyal hid up in the rafter to watch the show. Sofia was already in her sorcerer's garb, lugging Cedric's bag to him. She was so excited to begin the show.
"Good luck!" She sang.
"Yes-yes-yes! Just get ready!" He opened the bag on a small table. A stand sprouted and parted, blooming with filled potion beakers.
"You ready?" Lydia quizzed.
"As I'll ever be." He shrugged. Lydia bowed her head, assuring him he'll be fine. She exited the curtain to join her family at their seats. Cedric chuckled under his breath, turning to his faithful raven. "Wormy, this is it! All my hardwork and suffering is going to end tonight." He could hardly contain himself. "As the finale, I'm going to pour the invisibility potion on myself. Then, while everyone is enamoured by the show, I'll swipe Sofia's Amulet and FINALLY take over the kingdom!" He and Wormwood laughed maniacally, seeing their futures on the horizon.
Lydia, who wanted to wish Sofia luck in the show, was frozen with her fingers at the curtain. A dark hue highlighted the bitterness boring holes in the ground. She stepped away, walking to her chair with a blank face. "I knew it." She rasped. A good thing she has her wand back.
Thankfully the show was getting underway. Baileywick, for aesthetic, unrolled a scroll. "May I present, the Royal Sorcerer of Enchancia - Son of the beloved Goodwin the Great - Cedric the Sorcerer!"
The curtains furled open. Sofia was glistening like a beacon. Cedric was fighting to keep his food in his stomach. "G-g-good evening!" He cracked. He swallowed his nerves, taking a breath. "YOU are about to behold a feat of sorcery so fantastic that my last trick, this potion," Lydia braced herself, "Will CHANGE the kingdom forever." He snuck a glare to Sofia. She meekly waved. And it will be your final mistake, Cedric. Lydia hissed hatefully. She kept a hand where she'll be able to grab her wand and defend everyone.
"Oh, this is going to be a disaster!" Roland groaned, unable to take the pressure. You have no idea. Lydia grumbled.
"It'll be fine." Miranda touched his hand. Lydia wanted to believe her. But Cedric's proven to be a worm forming a spine.
"First thing's." Cedric executed a perfect spin, casting a stream at a stool. Clover appeared in a puff of glitter.
"My sorcerer made an entire zoo appear once." Magnus HAD to throw out there.
"I'm-sure-he-did!" Roland clenched his jaw.
"i bet none of you have ever seen a rabbit fly before now!" Cedric confidently gambled. "Floatilla...Rabbitza!" Cedric turned away when he cast it.
"Oh no!" Lydia clamped hands to her mouth.
Clover floated into the air as promised. His ear stiffened outwards, and he started to spin out of control. Lydia closed her eyes, unable to look. A Cedric despairing Cedric watched Clover hover around for a few seconds. The spell happened nothing like it did in practice. Clover hit the ground, and bounced all over the place out of control.
"Oh no!" Sofia cried. Ubos and Eezeyall hid their embarrassment for the sorcerer.
Cedric shivered and stammered uncontrollably. He shut down completely. His shaking fingers barely held on to his wand. "F-F-Floa...tiza?" He attempted to fix the spell. His voice was completely gone. Clover only bounced more fiercely, ricocheting off the walls and floor like a beam.
"That doesn't look like a flying rabbit to me, KING ROLAND!" Magnus barked. For someone with the son of the greatest sorcerers in the world as his royal sorcerer, he expected to be wowed. He'd sooner stay in bed. Roland couldn't watch. He predicted this as much, but kept his comments to a nill. Lydia put aside her desire to hinder Cedric's hidden objective. This show might just put him under a rock.
"OOh…" Sofia cringed, Clover bounced right past her. "Mr. Ceedric is too nervous." She looked to Lydia, who shrugged. She wasn't sure what to do. "If only he was doing a trick he knew really well." An idea came to mind. "Like a trick he learned in sorcery school!" She dug in his bag, pulling out the lizard potion from before. She hid it inside the bag in case things went wrong. Glad she did. She winked at Lydia.
Taking into account Cedric was crumbling, Lydia saw what Sofia was planning and nodded. "Make it look good." She mouthed.
Sofia threw herself about clumsily, waving the potion all around. "OOPS!" She splashed a drop on herself.
"Sofia spilt a potion on herself!" James exclaimed fearfully. Amber pushed up to rush and help her. Lydia hid her smirk, finding her sister in need of acting lessons.
Sofia regressed into a lizard form again, dropping to the ground. "Sofia!" Miranda shrieked.
"Sofia!" Cedric breathed.
"Someone! Do something!" Roland begged. "Lydia! Help her!"
"I don't know the spell to change her back!" Lydia feigned panic. Show time, Cedric!
Cedric shed to confines of her apprehension. The young girl in his charge - his friend - was in danger. He stood up straight. he littered his wand and chanted, "Lizardo Chango!" A stream wrapped around Sofia, lifting her into the air. Before anyone could exhale, Sofia returned to her beautiful self.
"You did it!" She cheered. Miranda and Lydia ran to Sofia, checking to see if she was alright.
"That was magnificent!" Roland shook Cedric's hands, beaming gratefully. "You saved Sofia's life! Thank you, Cedric!"
"I...saved her life?" He liked the sound of that. He saved someone's life. And it was more than a half.
"It would appear so." Lydia elbowed him.
"Did you see that?!" Roland gestured proudly to Cedric, stepping aside so Magnus can revel in his glory. "That's our Royal Sorcerer. The GREATEST in the land!" Cedric soaked up the praise while he could.
"That he is!" Magnus applauded. Applause echoed in the audience hall. A true feat of magic to behold.
Not that Cedric isn't happy about the turn of events; He was confused how any of it happened in the first place. "What happened?" He whispered to Sofia and Lydia.
"I'm just clumsy, that' all." Sofia lied. "But it turned out to be a great trick."
Cedric gasped at her sneaky grin. "You did it on purpose!" He smiled.
"Devious little thing, isn't she?" Lydia leaned to him.
"It was the one trick I knew he could do. No matter how nervous you are." Sofia explained. "Everyone saw what a great sorcerer you are."
"One of the greatest." Lydia added adoringly. Cedric felt like the luckiest man in the world. What he'd done to earn to girls like this was beyond him.
"So, Cedric," Roland chortled from his chair, "Let's see that last trick you were talking about." Good feeling's gone now. Lydia paled with dread.
"Uh...yes...Your Majesty…" His mouth dried. "My...last...trick." He'd almost forgotten about it. The invisibility potion. Sofia took the potion from his bag and set it on the display table. "An invisibility potion!" Lydia moved to left stage, hiding close to the curtain. She folded her arms high on her chest. Her fingers snaked inside the collar folds. "This is a trick I've been...planning for some time." Cedric practically salivated over Sofia's amulet. A single drop and he'll be able to take it, and bring Enchancia to its knees. "And tonight…" Cedric swiped the potion. Lydia dug her feet, "I will demonstrate this potion…" He brought it close to himself. Lydia's fingers gripped her wand, "On my trusty rabbit."
"What?!" Clover cringed.
"What?" Lydia gasped in disbelief.
"Say what?!" Eezeyal gaped. Ubos remained silent. He wasn't surprised in the least.
Sofia propped Clover on the stand. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Sofia held him, keeping him from jumping down. "No one said anything about turning invisible!"
"You'll be fine." She promised him.
Clover wasn't able to argue for long. Cedric carefully tilted the bottle. A single drop landed on Clover's head, and her vanished without a trace. A roar of applause erupted in the hall. Amber, James, Roland, and Miranda were in awe of his skill. Magnus, on the other hand, was pleased to have seen something his sorcerer has yet to perform. A truly remarkable man Roland has under him. Lydia and Sofia clapped proudly for him, overjoyed he conquered his stage fright. Cedric saw Lydia sheath her wand, astonished she had it the whole time...and never used it.
xxx
Cedric would have lingered for a standing ovation, but he was too excited to sit still any longer. Lydia and Sofia had to sprint after him in order to keep up. He hooted and cheered in his success all the way up to his workshop. He couldn't believe how amazing he did. How amazing everyone thought he was.
"Oh boy, that was great fun!" He spun Lydia. "Did you see the looks on their faces?!"
"Congratulations, Cedric." Lydia giggled. "It was an amazing show."
"So amazing…" Sofia walked up with her hands behind her back. "Here." She handed him a rolled up paper.
"What's this?" Cedric opened it. A gold star made him light up. It left him speechless.
"Sofia got a gold star in school today," Lydia hugged Sofia to her hip, "So she made you one. Proof of how great you truly are."
"I..I don't know what to say…" He held it to his chest.
"You've said plenty." Lydia reassured him. "It was fun being your apprentice." She graciously handed him her sorcerer's hat. She curtsied to him for all he's done. She'll never be able to repay him.
"Goodnight Mr. Ceedric." Sofia skipped off, leaving Cedric flushed. Goodnight, Princess Sofia. He won't bother correcting her about his name.
"Night, Cedric." Lydia grasped the handle to shut the door.
"Princess, Lydia! A moment!" Cedric abruptly stopped her. "I...AHEM...I owe you a debt of gratitude. Without your help, I might not have made it through tonight."
"Not true…" Lydia bashfully tied her hands behind her back. "Like Sofia said, you're an amazing sorcerer. You would have found a way to make it without me."
"Perhaps." He humbly agreed. Seeing as Lydia was so insistent. "But, today, it was thanks to your encouragement that I not only wowed two kings," He rested a thankful hand on her shoulder. "But gained newfound confidence in myself. For that you have my thanks." Lydia was the same color as a cherry. He was laying it on thick. She...she liked it. She froze like a deer in lantern light as arms embraced her. Wormwood cawed appalled. Cedric squeezed her in a remarkably warm and adoring hug. Her mind blew into shrapnel. "King Roland truly is the luckiest man." He murmured. Lydia's noodle weak arms swayed at her sides. A haze carried her to a dream.
"You...you're welcome…" Lydia managed to touch at his elbow.
Cedric liked this. Hugging another person. He could do without the butterflies in his stomach. The sweating is definitely unwanted. "Okay, I think that's enough mush!" Cedric suddenly broke the hug, and escorted Lydia out of his workshop. "Goodnight, Princess Lydia." Cedric shut the door in her face.
"Ugh-Goodnight…" Lydia was still lost as to what just happened. Eventually she smiled, savoring that one moment that is sure to never happen again. She spun on her toes, gracefully floating down the stairs. This overbearing sense wings grew on her back lifted her to the clouds. She was spinning fast enough for it to be real. She touched a hand to her fluttering heart. "I can't believe it. He...really hugged me." She cupped her cheek.
Till next time.