Saving Prince James: A James and Sofia Love Story
Set in an alternate universe, James is now 20 and usurped his father as king and conquered every kingdom to create an empire, but he has lived his years as a lonely king with only power and wealth to keep him company. When Cedric summons a banished Sofia, 18, to the castle to secretly save the kingdoms and James, something stirs in James's heart the moment he sees a grown and blossomed Sofia. Can a banished princess save the kingdoms and a ruthless prince find his way into the heart of a princess he once lost?
Chapter 39: In the Meantime
James
There was already a smile on James's face before he had opened his eyes. He usually never wakes up with a smile, but lately he has been finding one on his lips ever morning. It's as if his body knew what to smile about even before his mind remembered the reason to, as if his body just wants to keep smiling it because it's so damn happy.
Because he's so damn happy.
When he first woke, James was still so sure it was all a dream, that his mind had concocted up every little detail just for his benefit or his punishment. The little things like their kiss that nearly sent him over the edge… hearing Sofia say that she wanted him to take her… bathing together and seeing all of her…
Sofia accepting his proposal….
He didn't want to open his eyes because he was afraid that if he did, the dream would end and he might lose the happiness that was enveloping him and keeping him so warm. That he would be back at the castle, back in his lonely nightmare, and back without Sofia. Naked, cold, and all alone.
But then a certain something – someone – shifted in bed beside him.
Sofia.
He could smell her signature lavender and vanilla scent and it was as if that made his doubts just wash away. Even though it has been three days since Sofia had accepted his proposal, it's still hard for him to believe that Sofia even agreed to marry him.
She said yes! James had to keep reminding himself. The word actually left her mouth! She is going to be my wife! I'm going to be her husband!
He was giddy with joy and excitement. If sunlight could sing right now, he was sure it would be to the tune of wedding bells.
With his eyes still closed, he listened to the sounds of her soft, even breathing as she slept on. He wanted to have a moment just to take it in. James felt his smile grow bigger, breaking his face in two and stuffing him full with sheer joy. Just at the sound of her sleeping right next to him made everything grow warmer and the excitement in his heart flutter like a thousand butterflies on a sugar rush. He was sure that was enough to sustain him for the rest of his life.
Hell, he could live off of the sound of Sofia's laughter even after he dies and is floating amongst the stars.
James cracked both eyes open and gazed upon her. She was right there, sleeping soundly. Sofia was curled away from him with her bare back to him.
Not having his fiancé – he'll never get tired of that – laying so far from him, James pulled her to him, rolling her over so that she was tucked closely into his side. He wrapped his arm around her. Sofia grumpily mumbled something incoherent, but didn't really seem to mind it all that much as she snuggled her head on his chest. James rested his cheek against the top of her head and his smile widened contentedly.
He never knew that mornings could feel this good, waking up to the love of his life beside him. It's good to see her like this, asleep with him. He considered himself the luckiest man in the world to have her like this, in his arms and almost bare to him. James and Sofia both had their underwear on, so it was safe for him to say that nothing happened beyond that.
And yet, despite the fact that Sofia's virtue was still intact – because it still is! No matter how badly he wanted to take her, Sofia still has her innocence – he couldn't get the image of her naked body out of his mind.
That is an image simply that refuses to leave his head.
It's not like he wanted it gone, but it was kind of painful – a good painful, but still painful nonetheless – for him to have in his head when he is having a hard time trying to maintain his self-control around Sofia.
Yet, with its setbacks, that image does have its benefits because it is one of two things that has been keeping him strong against Sofia's temptations.
Being alone with her in her room every night always resulted in them being tangled together on her bed that was barely big enough to hold two people. They always came so close to doing it, yet blessing his lucky stars, James managed to have enough self-control to not take her. Granted, it did take all of James's self-control to stop himself. If it wasn't for their underwear separating them and that memory of Sofia – the image of what laid waiting for him if he just controlled himself until she's sure and ready – James would have broken down and just let their carnal passion unfold and let what may happen just happen.
And to his shameful reward, James is strong enough. But just barely.
So far, he has been able to resist Sofia and not take her.
Not even when she is naked and they are bathing together – which they have done a couple more times now. Not even when she not so subtly hints to him that she wanted him. Not even when they were so intimately intertwined like last night and Sofia was teasing him to the point of insanity.
She wanted him to take her – oh boy, did she wanted him to. He knew without a doubt that she really wanted him to. He saw it in the burning blue fires of her eyes and in the way she lightly trailed her hands down his stomach but never low enough – but he didn't.
Of course he considered himself lucky enough that Sofia was more than willing to give herself to him. Hell, he was lucky just to have been able to see her completely bare and that it is still freshly embedded in his head. If he closed his eyes now, he could still see Sofia's soft, creamy skin when they had bathed together for the first time as clear as daylight. Hell, his heart goes into overdrive whenever he thinks about it, consciously or not.
That was something he was going to cherish for all eternity.
And yet, no matter how badly he wanted it – and he wanted it. Believe him. It's been getting harder and harder for him to remain in control and not ravish her – he didn't want Sofia's first time to be under these circumstances: The Evil and his diabolical plans. James and his mark. Her amulet and its mysterious powers.
Her first time needs to be special and free from all of this. He wanted her head to be completely free of everything but him and their time together. She shouldn't have to worry about when or where The Evil is going to attack her or who she needed to protect. It shouldn't even be in the back of her mind as they love.
The only ones in her head the first time they love should be him and her. That's it.
Anyway, he didn't want their first time to be in the house that their mother, who had recently left, and sister and Hugo is currently living in either. Especially since the walls do not seem thick enough to conceal any sounds that might arise during it all. When they love, he doesn't want to feel as though they need to do it in secret because she is worried about whether or not their family and friends can hear them or if they are to be caught in the middle of it. The only thing they need to be careful of should be that it is Sofia's first time and how gentle he ought to be with her.
This is her first time and he wants her to have the ability to be as loud as she wished, to be able to scream his name in pure ecstasy.
And he didn't want anyone else to be able to hear it.
Those sounds belong to him and him alone. James wanted to be the only one to hear her unravel and fall to pieces beneath him. He wanted to be the only one to see her melt at his touch and become undone. He wanted to be the only one she loves without any restraint.
Him.
Only him.
But truth be told, the main reason as to why he didn't want to take her right now is because he is still marked.
When they finally love, he wanted it to be when he is as free as she is. When his heart is his once more, pure and completely liberated of any dark controls. She is willing to give all of herself to him, it's only right that he does the same to her. His heart needs to be free before they go any further.
That's only fair to Sofia.
And to himself.
James wanted nothing more than to be his own man again, free from this madman. For five long years, he has been living in a hell that only he knew about. This man has ruined most of his life, damaged his mind and dragged it through the dirt, made him into a monster and nearly destroyed him with his own heart.
Tortured. Broken. Alone.
Five years of nothing but the painful draining of the love in his heart, the happiness in his life, and the sanity of his head. Day in and day out, to the point where he was nearly dead.
And he has had enough.
This is James's life and he demands his freedom. He wanted to take back the controls over his own life. He wanted to earn back the respect of his people and his power as king. He wanted to be able to live the life that he wanted, to rule as the king his people desperately needed….
To give Sofia the love she deserves.
James reached for her hand and gently kissed her palm, making a silent vow to her and to himself that he will do whatever it takes to rid himself of the mark. He swore it on their love they shared and the promise of their future together that he will be free.
Sofia… Her name was always the first thought he had in the morning.
He never knew that a love like this could exist, a love that is so profound and so special that it made his heart feel as if nothing but sunshine and dove songs and the lightness of air is in it. James loves her so much and he wanted to give her everything.
Especially his heart.
She already claimed it the moment he fell in love with her, but he wanted to properly hand it to her when his heart is his once more.
"James, stop messing with me. I'm trying to sleep here," Sofia suddenly said. She hadn't moved and her eyes were still closed. "Why are you even up? It's so early."
His smile widened to goofy proportions. "I know." He gave her hand another kiss. "But I couldn't go back to sleep."
Sleeping won't tell me if this is real or not, he wanted to say, but he didn't because that would sound too cliché to his ears. Everything felt so right that this really all could be a dream to him.
"Is this still about our engagement again?" she tiredly mumbled.
"No," he lied through his laugh.
"Liar," she grumbled. "How many times do I have to say it until you finally believe that we're engaged?"
"I don't know, maybe a few more times?" he joked as he held her tighter. James will never get tired of hearing her say that they're engaged. Hell, if Sofia doesn't feel like saying it, he would sing it just to hear it over and over again.
James has never felt happiness like this in such a long time. A happiness that set his heart aflame but at peace too. A happiness that made everything right in the world. A happiness that could do him and Sofia no wrong.
A truly happy happiness. There is no other way to describe it than that.
Sofia groaned humorlessly at him. "Weren't you the one who begged me to say yes?"
"Yes, but I like hearing you say it." He kissed the top of her head as the tingling in his chest returned with full force, making him feel alive. He never wanted it to go away. "Say it again."
"This is worse than when you wanted me to keep saying 'I love you,'" she sighed.
And yet, James didn't hear her object.
Sofia opened her eyes and James just melted at the sight of her perfectly blue eyes. Stars, everything did feel perfect. From how intimately they laid together to their laced hands to the sun shining into the room. If only he could keep it like this and protect it all just for Sofia.
She picked up her head and looked at James. He could tell that she was trying to hold a flat expression, but it didn't last for every long. James was sure that the big and goofy smile on his face would make Sofia break out into a smile of her own because Sofia had a history of not being able to resist it.
He was right.
The corners of her mouth curled until a smile broke out on her lips and she gave in. A little light laugh bubbled out from her.
The tingling in his stomach turned into an excited ripple of some sort, making his heart beat wildly with pure joy. With her hand still in his, laced together on his chest, he was certain that Sofia could feel how crazy his heartbeat had become.
She pushed herself up onto her elbow and looked down at him with an amused light in her eyes before she kissed him. "Yes, I'll marry you."
His cheesy grin exploded. He tucked her stray hairs behind her ears, looking deep into her sparkling eyes. James basked in how wondrous this all was, wanting this moment to last until the end of time. If he could capture this moment and preserve it forever, he would. He never wanted to forget this or any moment he is lucky enough to share with the girl of his dreams.
"Say it again."
"If you're like this with just 'I love you' and 'yes, I'll marry you,' then I wonder how you'll be when I say 'I do'?" she said with a laugh.
"You know I'm going to be worse." He cupped her cheek, lowering her lips back down to him for another kiss.
She smiled against his lips. "I love you…" Her voice was soft, like that of a springtime breeze.
Stars, what he would give just to make the world freeze and remain like this for the rest of his life….
He kissed her again. "One more time."
"'I love you'? or 'Yes, I'll marry you'?" She turned her head away, so he turned onto his side and started to pepper kisses all over the length of her neck and shoulders. His arm circled her waist, holding her close her to him as he traveled down to her chest.
"Both," he moaned into her skin.
"You only get one."
"Then you pick." He was too distracted by what he was doing and where his lips were going to even care. The taste of her soft skin was too much, obliterating whatever thoughts he was having and making it hard for him to even focus on anything else.
He felt her hands dig into his hair and holding him in place at where his lips were kissing her on her chest. "I love you."
At those words, he rolled Sofia over onto her back and hovered above her. He gazed down at her, this wondrous being that he was so fortunate enough to call his fiancé. He never knew that his heart could love anyone as much as he loved Sofia.
All those many years stuck in his dark nightmare, he never thought he would even be deserving enough to be given the chance to love and be loved. But here he was and here she is.
The Fates above had given him the one thing he thought he would even be able to touch, nonetheless hold and someday love with every fiber of his body and every ounce of his heart.
"Again…." It sounded like a plea to his own ears.
Her hands moved from their entanglement in his hair to the back of his neck. She pulled him down and whispered so softly, "I love you." Her lips and the words both caressed his lips before she kissed him.
She said it again and again. And every time those words left her mouth in between the many kisses he gave her, his heart would explode into a million happy pieces. James loved how the words fell from her lips and rang in his ears like wind chimes rigging on a summer's day. Airy and light, like little fairy giggles.
This kept on until James's kisses started to cut her off from finishing the very words he wanted to hear so badly. But it didn't seem like Sofia minded it at all because she would welcome the interrupting kiss eagerly. She even started to laugh right in the middle of his kiss, making it short-lived but just as nice.
James lost track of how long this went on or if it even continued because they got distracted by the early morning fun, but he didn't really care. He just wanted it to get lost in her eyes and drunk on her lips and electrified by the tantalizing feel of her skin. Goosebumps rose on his skin from where her bare body touched his.
Bliss…
Moments later, when they both had their fill of the morning fun before things started to get too carried away, James and Sofia both laid together in her bed and relaxed in the easy and comfortable silence between them. She was snuggled in the crook of his body, her head resting on his chest while their legs tangled together and their hands laced like two matching pieces of a puzzle.
"I can't wait until we're married and I get to wake up like this with you every morning," he said as he played with Sofia's messy hair with his free hand.
"You already do," she said, sounding amused. She turned her head again to look up at him from where she rested her head on him. Her cheek felt soft against his chest.
"Oh, right. Then I can't wait until we're married and I can wake up like this with you as husband and wife."
She laughs, the sound echoing off of the silence in the room and the contented beating of his heart. He watched as she bit down on her kiss-swollen lips, trying to quiet her laughter into sweet giggles. "You really want to get married, huh?"
"Of course. If it were up to me, I'd make us married right now. I'm king, so you know I can," he joked, picking up her left hand and kissing the knuckle of her ring finger, "but I'd rather wait until we get a ring on that finger of yours before I do."
James really meant it. He seriously cannot wait. He wanted to be married to Sofia right now. He wanted to start their life together already. He could make them officially married right now if he wanted to because he is the king and there is no higher authority than him.
But he really is more than willing to wait because he wanted to take the time and plan everything out so that it is perfect and the wedding of Sofia's dreams. He wants to give her everything her heart desires and make it so that the entire world knows that they are married.
Sofia softly chuckles, pulling her hand away and rolled onto him. She laid flat on top of him, giving him an unbridled view of her plump chest. Her arms were folded under her chin on his chest. She gazed at him with a deep, thoughtful expression.
He knew that look on her face. There was something she wanted to say to him.
"What? What is it?" he asked, his right hand settling on the small of her back out of habit. It was simply a need of his to feel her beneath his fingertips whenever he had the chance.
She chewed on her bottom lip. "…What would you say… if we just go pick out a ring ourselves?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean… would you be opposed to the idea of us sneaking into town to pick out an engagement ring? It'll just be the two of us," she said. "We won't leave for the First Tree until sunset and we already have everything set for when we leave, we would have nothing to do until then... so… why not just go into town and pick out a ring?"
James was surprised by Sofia's offer. Sure he was never that subtle about it since he did bring up that little thing every time they were alone, but his issue wasn't that she wasn't wearing a ring. It was more of the fact that he is upset with himself for proposing without a ring. It wasn't that he was trying to press the issue of making her wear one just to wear one because he would never force her to wear something he thought she might not like just to appease that little matter of his. James only wanted to give her a ring that she would love, a ring that he could be proud of because it would symbolize their promise of a future together.
But he never thought about if her lack of a ring bothered her too.
Sofia continued, "there's some jewelry shops in town and a lot of them are ran by gifted craftsmen and you know, this doesn't have to be a permanent engagement ring. I just figured we can make it a temporary one for now so –"
"Of course I'd like to go pick out a ring with you, but does not having a ring really do bother you? Because if it does –"
She stopped him with a finger on his lips. "No, it doesn't bother me. It seems like it bothers you more than it does me."
"You doing this just to make me feel better? Sofia, I know I complain about it, but I was more or less just joking. You don't have to wear one just to please me. I really can wait until this is all over to give you one. I mean, don't you want to pick out a ring from the royal vault instead of buying one from the town?"
This wasn't a question about money because James knew that they had enough to buy even the most expensive one in town. Their mother had left them a good amount of money she and the others earned from their shoe repair and flower business before she, Baileywick, and the entire staff left yesterday.
It was a question of what kind of ring Sofia deserved to have on that finger of hers. It had to be something special and meaningful and worthy of her. If he could, he would give her a ring forged from the sun and stars.
She reached up and brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes and said, "I don't care about the ring. I care about you. I want to do this for you. So, just let me."
"Sofia…."
"Just say yes before I have to kiss it out of you." She meant business. Sofia wasn't going to back down from this.
He laughed. "You can't do that. Only I can."
"I can if I want to."
"No, you can't."
She rolled her eyes. "Yes or….?"
"Of course it's a yes." It wasn't like she was giving him a choice. He took her face into his hands and kissed her fully. Sofia's amused laughter fell between their lips and made it even better.
But, like always, their fun kissing never lasts for very long as the morning rolled on and they had to be downstairs for breakfast in a couple minutes before any of the others thought otherwise.
Now, even though everyone knew of their relationship and was relatively supportive of it all, Amber had thought it would be best if some rules were established now that James and Sofia were openly a couple. About immediately after finishing their discussion about Sofia's powers and the feathers and her magical book, she set down some ground rules.
Some rules were very simple and completely reasonable, like no displays of being too overly affectionate and no sharing of what they have intimately done together and no revealing evidences of what they had done together.
Others, however, were not.
Amber had drawn up a large list of specific rules that were directed solely at him.
Idiotic rules like no going into an unreasonable jealous rage, keep the kissing and touching to a minimum and completely chaste, limit the "I love you" to only when they are alone. No pet names. No butt smacking. No couple-baby talk.
James was a bit offended that she thought he was that kind of guy in a relationship. He was only half of that kind of guy. To his relief, Sofia did protest to the rules as much as he did.
Honestly, Amber should give him more credit than that. It's not like he had the desire to do any of that in front of everyone! James hasn't even considered doing half of the rules she came up with! It's all clichéd and every bit as annoying as they sound.
But the absolute worst rule she laid down was the last one on the list: no sleeping in Sofia's room.
That was going too far.
Amber can't forbid James from Sofia's room! Who gave her that kind of power? James has gotten so used to sleeping with Sofia that he can't even fathom sleeping alone ever again! A bed without Sofia might as well not be a bed at all.
So it was a good thing James was never much of a rule listener. He broke that rule the night she told him of it. James is more than willing to obey every other rule on that insane list of hers, but no way in hell was she going to keep him from spending every one of his nights with Sofia.
Every knight and sorcerer in the kingdom is going to have to physically and magically restrain him if she wanted to make sure he doesn't sneak over to Sofia's room. But they're not going to work because he absolutely refuses to let anyone or anything get in the way of him and Sofia.
Not even Amber's rage.
When Amber caught him leaving Sofia's room the next morning, she threw the worst fit he's ever seen. She was so angry that her entire face looked like a ripen apple and cherry mixed together. He wasn't even unclothed either. He had on his pajamas and was decently dressed, so he didn't understand why her angry tirade was bigger than it needed to be.
At least she was too busy scolding him to even barge inside Sofia's room as he was leaving because he was sure her anger would have gone through the roof if she saw what Sofia normally looked like every morning with him. He didn't want anyone to see Sofia like that. Not even Amber. And given the fact that Sofia was in the room behind him, he didn't get into it with Amber because he didn't want Sofia to see him get into an angry shouting match with Amber.
The following night, he went to Sofia again. Amber angrily scolded him once more. And yet, it still did nothing to stop him. Not her rules or the inevitable consequences that followed from breaking them could stop him.
To his joy, Sofia managed to talk to Amber for the both of them yesterday. Better her than James because there was no way that he would have been able to placate his crazy twin sister and convince her to get rid of the rules. Sofia had sworn to Amber that nothing serious was happening between them. All they wanted was to be able to sleep together in each other's arms.
It was a half-truth, but still the truth.
He didn't know what went on in Amber's head, but after more of Sofia's convincing, she seemed as though she understood where Sofia was coming from a little and, to his surprise, she relented.
She even removed that crazy list.
Praise the stars.
James never cared for that list of hers. All that mattered to him was that he is able to come and go from Sofia's room as he pleased, but the moment Amber crossed out that stupid rule, he ran up the stairs and moved all his things into Sofia's – their room. Her room now became their room!
Since then, every moment with Sofia has been some of the greatest moments ever.
Waking up and going to bed with Sofia has always been amazing, but being able to do it without any secrecy is even better. Not only that, but washing up and getting dressed together made it as though he has floated up higher in the clouds.
James enjoyed just watching Sofia as she primped and prepped every morning and every night. In the beginning, he tried to be as discreet as possible with watching her, but it was hard to do when every little thing about her was so fascinating to watch. The way her fingers gracefully moved while she tighten the thin ties on the front of her bodice in the morning. Or how some of her sun-kissed strands of hair fell loose from its ponytail or braid and made her look just beautifully messy every night. Or the lazy smile on her face whenever she stretched herself out on the bed. Or how she would unconsciously purse her lips or hummed a tiny tune to herself whenever she concentrated on putting on her shoes.
He can't really explain it, but just watching all of her little details made it Sofia just captivating.
Eventually, he just stopped trying to be discreet and watched her freely. He was sure she could feel his eyes on her anyway. She didn't seem to mind it because she would smile back at him every time.
Everything was starting to feel so normal for him, like they were already a couple who have been married for years and had their daily routines down. It made him even more impatient to get married.
Stars I can't wait to get her a ring, James bounced excitedly down the stairs behind Sofia after they were dressed.
James had come to enjoy dressing as a commoner. He was in a plain white shirt with a simple navy blue leather doublet vest and matching trousers. It had none of the regal flamboyance of his kingly attire and he liked it. It made him feel less of a king but more of a man. A man who is strong and able to work with his own two hands and has the successful results to show for it.
It didn't hurt that Sofia looked just as beautiful in a commoner's outfit as she would in any other clothing. She was wearing a simple white muslin underdress beneath her dark peasant skirt with an attached outer bodice. His favorite part of her attire was that she always she seemed leave the front lacing of her bodice slightly open.
He liked that. A lot.
She looked like a country maiden – a sexy country maiden.
Stars help him, he wanted to take her back up into their room and just rip it all off of her because while she does look great in anything, her sexiest look is when she has nothing on.
But his excitement dwindled when his ears was met with silence.
That's right… everyone is gone.
Yesterday was their mother's, Baileywick's, and the staff's last day at the estate with them.
Now that everyone was gone and it was only the five of them alone, the estate now felt too big. It was all too quiet and a lonesome hole settled in him.
When they had first arrived, the house was so crowded that it was nearly impossible to move from room to room without bumping into anyone. It was all too small to host that many people. But James would rather have a house that was full of people than a house that was empty of any lively warmth. That was the one thing that made a house a home.
He could tell that Sofia had thrived off of the lively sounds and the sense of comradery from the servants. They all had brought with them the laughter and joy of having a large family, as if they were the extended family James, Sofia, and Amber never had while growing up.
It was a bittersweet morning for them all as James and the others watched their mother and everyone fly off in the carriages yesterday. He knew that it was the best for their mother to leave and go into hiding yet he did not want her to go because he had already lost one mother. James understood that she was not lost to him, but seeing her leave was not something that made him feel otherwise.
The hardest part of yesterday was watching Sofia as she put her mask back on for everyone's sake.
The broken, shattered mask that he was so sure she had left behind in that grotto. No one else didn't seem to notice that it was back on… that her happy exterior was forced or her laugh wasn't as genuine, that behind it that smile of hers were tears.
But James did. He saw the cracks in her mask and the tears that were falling through it.
Sofia has been improving slowly but surely since their talk in her grotto and she has been more open with him about her feelings and issues. It was wonderful to feel this emotionally close to Sofia and seeing her welcome him into that world inside her head, but James still can't help but worry about her.
He never wanted Sofia to recede back into herself like before, to put on her mask like it was the only thing that could protect her and fall blindly into the dark abyss.
But this time it felt different.
She wasn't falling into the shadows of herself. She had the mask on for everyone's sake. He understood that she was doing this for their mother. She wanted their mother to remember her smiling and laughing with everyone.
Happy.
She was creating a memory for their mother so that she can fill the moments they are to lose with those.
And on Sofia's lead, James did the same.
Laughter and smiles filled the hours that passed, making the house come alive with the sing-song humming of the collective joy. The morning light shined brighter than ever, making even the shadows that dwelled in the tiniest corners disappear.
And that was the atmosphere that filled everyone when it came time for them all to leave.
James remembers how bright the sun was as everyone was huddle outside in front of the estate while the butlers readied the over-packed three carriages. The afternoon air was warm and the sun was shining despite the sadness that clung to everyone. It was a contradiction on itself; the sun shining on such a shadowed moment.
Tears and smiled was shared as they all said their goodbyes. There were so many teary goodbyes and well wishes from the maids as they rushed to Sofia and Amber for one last hug that nearly crushed them to death. Marie and Abby were the ones who lingered the longest and were reluctant to let them go. Several butlers had to physically pry them off of Sofia and Amber and plop them in the carriages.
The worst part of it all was when their mother and Baileywick said their goodbyes. Every word they said made his throat tighten and feel choked.
He can still hear their mother's voice in his head as she wished them all good luck as she hugged Sofia and Amber, smiling like she knew they were going to win. But the one thing he can distinctly remember from her was how she whispered for him to always remember that he has her forgiveness and blessing.
"You will always be my son, James," she said. That made him nearly cry, but he kept it together for her sake. He wanted her to leave with a smile, not in tears.
It was harder when Baileywick said his goodbyes to James.
To be honest, Baileywick was almost like an uncle to him, a part of the family. It was kind of hard to see the man who was his father's right hand and who had a part in raising James go. To see him leaving along with this mother and the many servants that were a constant thing in his life made his heart ache a bit.
Baileywick was always good to James, even when he behaved just as spoiled as Amber and didn't deserve it. Especially when James was nothing but cruel to him after the murder of his father. Everything he did was always for the good of the family. He had dedicated his whole life to taking care of James and everyone else.
This man has been as big of an influence on James as much as his father. He is a selfless and patient man who taught James nearly everything he knew about being an honorable man to his word.
"I am not going to get into any sentiments with you, Your Majesty," he had said. "I think it's best if I leave with a little piece of advice for you instead. It was something your grandfather said to your father and I believe it is best if I give it to you in his place."
Advice?
Baileywick held James by his steady gaze. "Stop trying to be the kind of king your father was. Be the kind of king you want to be. Your father was his own king and you are yours. And you are a good one, James."
His words struck a chord in James.
"Baileywick…" was all James could utter then.
"I always knew that there was still good in you, Your Majesty. It just took a certain someone to bring it out of you," he had said as he gave a side-glance to Sofia, who was beside their mother and Amber at the moment. "I've been with you all these years and I've seen what kind of nightmare you've been living in, and yet through it all, you still have a good heart."
Just to know that he still believed in James despite everything he did made James feel as if he earned something from Baileywick that no one has ever earned, like he had accomplished something great. Baileywick may not know everything that has happened to James, but he still believed in him and saw the good that laid in his heart.
James honestly doesn't deserve any of it, but he will do whatever it takes to show that he does.
He is going to take back his crown and bring them all back home, smiling. They all had left with sadness and tears in their eyes as they waved out of the windows of the carriages while they were up in the air, but he will do whatever it takes to make sure that they come home with smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts. As their king, that is his promise to them all.
No matter what, James is going to make this all right. For both his mothers and for his father. For Baileywick. For Amber. For all the lives lost in this chaos.
For Sofia.
After years of the dark shadows that hung over his kingdom, James vowed right then and there that he will make the sun shine once more.
This madman will be defeated by his and Sofia's hands.
The sound of a tea kettle whistling brought James back from his thoughts. James and Sofia had found everyone in the kitchen, huddled around the big marble island counter with plates of food. Edward was beside Amber like usual, pouring her a cup of tea. Hugo was next to the stove, pulling the tea kettle off of the fire. Lucinda was sitting on the far corner of the counter with a breakfast biscuit and mug in hand.
"About time you two got down here," Lucinda said with a yawn, running a tired hand through her now even shorter hair.
Since yesterday, everyone except for Sofia and Amber had their hair cut. Of course, Lucinda had hers cut with a magical snap of her fingers, but the boys all had theirs cut, trimmed, and styled by Sofia and Amber.
Well, Sofia cut only James's while Amber was left to deal with both Hugo and Edward. James didn't want to share Sofia.
Nothing really changed for James's usual look except that Sofia had his sides cut short while leaving it fuller on the top because she said that she likes running her hands through his hair. She left his stubbly scruff because Sofia had commented that she liked that too, and if Sofia likes it, James wasn't going to complain against it. Hugo was cleanly shaven and left with a simple military hair cut while Edward got the "Amber Special," which was a freshly shaved face with hair cut so cleanly and styled so impressively that even Sofia made a whispered comment to Amber at how handsome he looked.
James wasn't upset about her little compliment because Sofia said James looked ruggedly sexy with his new haircut and scruff.
"Shit, you two are always the last ones to get out of bed," Lucinda yawned again.
James didn't return any snarky reply because he understood why she is so tired. She was the one who led their mother and everyone to the safe house. Lucinda hadn't gotten back until late last night. James knew because he and Sofia were still up then, doing what they usually do late at night.
James had offered the idea for her to just spell the horses to lead them all to the safe house instead of her just leading them on her broom, but she refused. She said that magic can be easy to manipulate depending on how weak the source is, so she chose to do it herself just to make sure that they all got there safely and she can be sure that all the protective wards are still active.
"I was about to storm up there and kick your asses out of bed," Lucinda said with a bite into her biscuit.
"Why? We don't have to leave until sunset," Sofia said as she grabbed two bowls from the white wooden cabinets and started to fill them up with fresh fruit. "We have literally nothing to do until then."
"Yes, but we actually need to go into town today because there are some things I forgot to get," Lucinda said.
"And I want to get some new clothes," Amber said. "I gave up trying to mend all of our old clothes since we don't have enough time, so I just figured why not just buy them instead. We'll make it a day out in town so we can waste some time before we have to leave for The First Tree."
Well, how about that… James inwardly smiled to himself. He couldn't believe their stroke of luck. It ended up working out for us.
"And I want to visit the town's blacksmith," Hugo said as he set down a hot teapot. "I am taking all the swords to be sharpened."
Since being freed of his mark, Hugo had become a lot less annoying than usual. There is still an awkward and stiff tension between the two of them, but things are better than they were before. James still didn't like him all that much because James often still sees the way Hugo looks at Sofia, but he is tolerable on some accounts.
He's a pretty skilled fighter, if James is willing to admit it. He almost beat James on several accounts when the girls had pushed the guys out into the garden because the boys had nothing to do. It honestly wasn't a good idea to had left them to their devices because that James and the others had ended up play fighting that turned into real fighting.
They are not at each other's throats all the time any more, if that is any consolation to hear. There is some easy banter and maybe even friendly exchanges, but that is a rare thing to happen between them. Things may be somewhat easier but it is still clear that everything is not fixed between James and Hugo, especially since Hugo still holds heavy affections for Sofia.
James doesn't know if things will ever truly heal in their relationship and have things be rebuilt back to what it used to be when they were children, but James is willing to work on it for Sofia's sake. He can see that Sofia does not want to lose Hugo as a friend. They have been through so much together and he knows that if Sofia were to lose Hugo, it might just permanently crush a part of her heart.
He hates to admit it but Hugo is actually pretty decent guy. He's seen how Hugo looks after Sofia. Obviously it's partially – more than partially – due to his feelings for her, but Hugo does watch her to make that she's okay. That her happiness is always protected.
Hugo truly cares for Sofia… in a way that could only come from a brother.
And that is something James could not give Sofia. Not even with all his heart and soul.
Hugo is the brother that James could not be for her because James and Sofia are fated to be more. That made Hugo a permanent and important fixture in Sofia's life. James knows that while the love he and Sofia shares is great and wonderful, she also needs other types of love in her life. Platonic love. Familial love.
And while James is not all too happy with that despite the rocky relationship he shares with Hugo, James is trying to learn to accept that only Hugo can give that to her.
Hugo has since apologized to Sofia for everything that has happened. He had actually pulled Sofia aside after their discussion the same night they had made their plans to go to the First Tree.
"Sofia, can I talk to you?" James remembered Hugo suddenly asking her as they were about to head upstairs for the night. He had not expected him to make any sort of apology so suddenly like that. The words sounded rushed and panicked to James, as if he was afraid he might lose his nerve if he didn't do it then.
Yet, when he saw Hugo's hands on Sofia's wrist, James did not take too kindly to it because he knew how Hugo was still in love with Sofia. Immediately, his instincts to pull Sofia away ran amuck in his head. Especially since Hugo was giving James a look when he added, "alone?"
The words "no" wanted to leave James's mouth in a roar, but Sofia answered before he could. "Okay," she said as Hugo led her off to one of the sitting rooms so they could talk in private.
"Sofia?" James called after her. He didn't care if his voice was pitched into a pitiful whine.
He did not understand how she could so easily agree to talk to him after what happened. Sure, James and Hugo had a fairly okay day with each other just competitively chopping wood as they waited for Sofia to wake up, but that did not mean James was going to let her walk off with the man who is still pinning after his girl.
"It's okay, James," she stopped at the door and looked at him with a smile over her shoulder. "Don't worry."
Don't worry? Don't worry?! he had wanted to say, but the words remained silent on his tongue when he saw the look of her eyes…. It was as if she could see something that he could not, something deep in Hugo that no one else knew about. So, despite his objections, he had to trust Sofia and understand that she knows what she is doing.
But that does not mean he couldn't eavesdrop on them.
James scurried after them as quietly as he could. Hugo and Sofia ended up in the sitting room near the empty foyer, their voices carrying lightly around in room. He hid just outside the door, and luckily for him, it was still slightly adjar. He tried as stealthily as he could to listen in on what they were saying behind one of the doors.
"I'm sorry, Sofia," James heard Hugo quickly rush out. He couldn't see them, but he could tell by the guilt-ridden tone of Hugo's voice that he really meant it. "I'm so sorry for making you cry. I'm so sorry for putting your life in danger, for putting your family's life in danger. I'm so sorry for all the shitty things I've said to you. I'm so sorry for hurting you even though I said I never would. I am so sorry for everything."
Hugo was talking so fast that it was hard for James to keep up with that he was saying. He wasn't even speaking more or less just meshing his words together like he was thinking of what to say and saying them at the same time.
He heard a muffled groan come from Hugo, like he was sighing heavily into his hands. "No, that wasn't how I planned to do this…. I know that just apologizing to you isn't enough to make up for everything I did to you or to even get you to forgive me, but I just want you to know that I am really, truly sorry. You don't know how much I regret everything I did to you."
It went quiet.
The sounds of the night flowed through the house, loud in the silence between Sofia and Hugo. The nightly winds softly rustling the tree branches and its leaves. The crickets playing a tune in ode to the stars. Wolves and creatures alike waking to play loudly under the moon.
He could hear Hugo taking a deep breath as Sofia did not say anything.
The silence mulled on and on, like the ever slow garden slug.
Oh what this silence must have been doing to Hugo. He was sure that Hugo was just dying to hear Sofia say something. James knew firsthand what Sofia's silence could do to a person. It can literally make someone's heart jump like it was being pumped with caffeine or dwindle like a plant in a sea of sand.
Still, she did not utter one word.
He wanted so badly to see Sofia's face just to know what she might be thinking. One look and he could attempt to read her expression and just know if she is okay. But he can't or else he would risk them discovering him behind the door.
Why was she being so quiet? Just how was she taking Hugo's apology?
James always fears Sofia's silence because it is as unpredictable as Sofia's temper. It could mean she is taking her time and formulating her words in a kind and calm manner. Or it could mean she is a hair's width away from unleashing hell on whoever she is talking to.
For Hugo's sake, James hoped it was the first.
Then he heard Hugo continue on when Sofia remained silent. "I am so, so sorry, Sofia. For everything. For making you cry, for putting your life in danger… for hurting you. You are the one person in this world I never want to hurt. I can't tell you how much I regret everything I did, Sofia. I know I have no right to expect anything, least of all your forgiveness, but I am more than willing to earn it… if you would give me the chance to…."
Finally, he heard Sofia speak. "…I'm not going to give you a chance," he heard Hugo's breath catch, like he was just slapped in the face, "because you don't need one. You already have it."
"Really?"
Really?
What exactly does she mean he already had it? At a time like this – or more importantly, with someone like Hugo – James sort of didn't like that Sofia was being a little too forgiving here. She deserves more than – okay, no. That was just a lie. It was more or less due to the fact that he didn't like Hugo that much. He wanted Hugo to beg for her forgiveness, to fall to the floor on his knees and grovel at her feet.
"That man was controlling you," Sofia said. "You weren't aware of what you were doing when you did and said those things. So I can't be angry with you for doing something you had no control over."
"No… Sofia, the thing is… I sort of... was."
What?
"What do you mean?" he heard Sofia say in a quiet breath.
"I don't know how to explain it, but… I was aware of what I was doing the entire time. I knew exactly what I was doing to you…. That voice in my head made it all sound so right because he promised that I could win you back if I just did what he said… and I wanted you so badly, Sofia, that I just willingly followed…. I-I-I am so sorry."
This was exactly what happened to James.
That man – that vile, cruel man – knew just what to say to make James do what he wanted, to make James believe that if he just did what he said then all his problems would vanish like magic. He used James's hurt and feelings of betrayal to make him hurt his family and ruin the kingdom that resulted in the deaths of so many innocent lives. He manipulated James, played on his emotions like he was a string violin.
And he did the same thing to Hugo.
He used Hugo's feelings for Sofia to make him hurt the very woman Hugo loved.
"I am so, so, so sorry, Sofia," Hugo said. "It's all my fault –"
"No, it's not," Sofia stopped him. "None of this is your fault. You're as much of a victim in all of this as James and I, as anyone else. That man used you, he manipulated your emotions and feelings for his own gain. He tricked you into doing what he wanted because he knew to say just what you wanted to hear. That's why you willingly agreed to it all."
She sounded upset, but not at Hugo. James knew from the heated tone of her voice that she was angry at this man who started this all. He was the one at fault, he was the one to be blamed. Not Hugo. Not anyone else.
And by the rising, furious tone of her voice, she was getting more than upset by the second. She was probably fighting everything in herself to not lose it because that fiery, raging inferno that James was sure her petite body shouldn't even be able to contain was more than bubbling again. At that moment then, he was afraid for Hugo's sake that it might explode like an active volcano and he was in the way of it all.
"Look at me, Hugo," he heard a click of her heel, like she had taken a step towards Hugo. The fierce sound of her voice did not waver or dwindle a single bit. "None of this is your fault, do you understand me? None of it is."
"Sofia…."
Her voice softened. "I don't hate you for all that's happened or all that you've done because you didn't do it. And you don't need my forgiveness because I never blamed you for all of this. But if it's any consolation or because you just need to hear it, then you do have it. I forgive you."
Hugo didn't respond.
The silence returned. James didn't hear either of them say a single word for quite a while that he started to worry at just what they might be doing in there. That kind of silence wasn't pleasing to his ears.
He was tempted to peak his head in until he heard Hugo say, "Thank you." It sounded muffled and choked, like he was near tears while his head was buried under something. Let's hope it's not the crook of Sofia's neck.
Because if it is, then Hugo is going to need more than the stars and Fates to help him when James gets a hold of him.
"Sofia…" Hugo said, "I –"
"I know, I know…. It's okay," Sofia whispered. "…You know, Hugo… the offer for you to leave is still on the table. After all you've been through, I won't blame you if you want to go back home, to be as far away from this mess as possible."
He heard Hugo let out an amused chuckle. "It sounds like you're trying to get rid of me."
The sound of Sofia's soft laugh rang in the night air. James had to fight some of his jealous at the sound of someone else making her laugh. Now was not the time for that.
"I'd have thought that you know me well enough by now to know that's not why I am still offering for you to leave. If it was coming from James then I'm sure that would be the reason why, but it's coming from me and I'm only saying this because I want you to choose what's best for yourself. I know you, Hugo. If leaving is something you need to do, then I won't blame you."
"Well, since you know me so well, then you ought to know that I would never leave you. Not at a time like this. Not when you need all the help you can get right now. I'm staying to see this mission through."
"Are you sure?" She sounded worried for him.
Despite his jealousy, it was her big heart that was one of the things he loved most about Sofia. She cared for nearly every living thing around her and always wanted to make sure that they were happy and well. And Hugo was no different yet just as special to her in his own way; his happiness was what mattered to her.
Hugo's voice was lighter again, like he had bounced back to his old cocky self. "Does this look like the face of an unsure man?"
James couldn't tell because he was hiding behind a door.
"Sofia, I want to stay. I need to. It's the only way for me to get back at this man who used me to hurt you, who hurt our families and our kingdom. I am going to help you make everything all right again and save the kingdoms." There was a strong determination James had never heard from Hugo before. It was surprising to hear it come from him.
For as long as James had known Hugo, well before any of this had happened, James had never heard Hugo sound so determined to do anything. Not even when it came to flying derby or anything else. Hugo had always been the kind of guy who would only do something for the benefit or glory or fun of it all. He never took anything seriously.
But to hear him like this made James respect him.
Hugo was finally understanding that there were some things in this world he just has to do for the sake of someone else…. That there were more important things than himself to think of.
Suddenly, his voice got quieter, softer, and fuller with emotion. "… Sofia, you know that I love you –"
James didn't like where this was going.
"– I have loved you for as long as I can remember and I'll most likely still love you long after this –"
He really didn't like where this was going.
"– and I know that I can't make you love me like the way you love James, but if there is any chance I can just be by your side then I'll take it. Being close to you is enough for me. I want to be there if you ever need me. I want to fight right next to you as we take back our kingdoms and avenge every wrongdoing that has been done to the people we've ever loved…. I want to be your friend again."
He heard Sofia sniffle, like she was shedding happy tears. "Okay…" There was a smile in her voice.
Okay, now he was really, really did not like this.
He could literally feel the tender and sweet moment that was building in that room. It was oozing out from the cracks in the doors.
James wanted to believe that it was a platonic kind of moment that happens between only friends, but it was kind of hard to tell since Hugo is talking about how much he loves Sofia. He was struggling not to storm into that room right now and stop whatever he fears might happen in that room.
"Okay…" Now there was a smile in Hugo's voice. "Besides, how else am I going to make sure that James doesn't act like an ass to you if I'm not here?"
Screw it.
An ass? James fumed as he tried as stealthily as he could to peak only enough of his head in so that neither of them would notice him.
He saw that they were standing in the middle of the brightly lit room and Sofia's back was to him, and on a good note, it seems that she was a good distance away from Hugo. Maybe they were a little too close for his liking, but at least Hugo didn't have her in his arms. The only pair of arms that is allowed to hold her was James's.
He heard another laugh jingle from Sofia. "James is never an ass, Hugo."
Hugo was looking down at her with an expression James could only describe as tender and loving. "Okay, so he's not an ass, but you do have to agree that he does have his moments where he a bit of an idiot…. Like right now." Hugo nodded his chin in his direction.
Shit.
"Oh, I know." Sofia shook her head with a light chuckle, but she still didn't turn around.
Wait, what?
"I knew that he was there the entire time. I am so used to his shenanigans by now that I would have been more surprised to find him not hiding behind that door." Sofia's shoulders rose and fell with a bemused sigh.
James looked from Hugo to Sofia as he hesitated at the door. He really didn't know what to make of the situation between them. It was light and friendly – or at least he hoped it was friendly and not in any way romantic.
With a sigh of his own, Hugo said, "well, I am going to retire for the night. I'll see you two in the morning." He patted Sofia's head and gave her a kind smile as he made his way to the door.
But as he passed James in the doorway, he paused and looked James in the eyes. His shoulders were squared and his chin was lifted in a noble way.
The silence that passed between them was something James could only describe as a moment of understanding between two men. Hugo did not need to openly say a word because James understood his unsaid words just by the serious look of his eyes. It spoke volumes for him, "you hurt her in any way or even make her cry one tear, I swear I am going to come after you, James. You understand me? You better make every day for her the best she's ever had."
James did not take it as a threat because, really now, that more or less as an order than anything else. Hugo may have given up on trying to win Sofia's hand, but he did not give up ensuring Sofia's happiness.
Now, of course James is going to make sure that happens. He did not need Hugo to issue him such an order because Sofia's happiness is James's number one priority. He would give up anything and everything just to make her smile for the rest of his life.
And given that he and Sofia are now promised to commit their lives together, her smile and laughter, the gleam in her eyes whenever she is excited, and the pure joy she brings into his life is more than a priority in his life now.
It is his one wish in his world.
It is something that makes his heart beat ten times faster.
It is the main reason he breathes.
"-James?" Sofia's voice brought him back from his thoughts.
"Hmm?" he starts.
"What do you say? You want to waste some time in town?" she asks again with that sweet smile of hers.
"Yeah, sure." With that smile of hers, he would say to just about anything she asked of him.
Anyway, if they went into town with everyone, then James and Sofia did not have to sneak out like they planned. It would save them of the work and effort it takes to lie and sneak out. And really, while James would love to spend the day with just Sofia and Sofia alone, he did not like how taxing lying and sneaking around can be.
Going into town with everyone would save him half the work. They'll find another way to secretly buy her engagement ring without anyone knowing.
With that, after they all finished their breakfast, everyone headed into town. They all walked because Sofia said that there was no real need to saddle all five flying horses just for the short distance it took to get into town. Taking flying horses would only draw unneeded attention to them in the town.
But to placate Amber and to accommodate the swords and future packages that Lucinda and Amber are to get, they took out the old carriage that Sofia's late flying horse, Minimus, used to lead when she ran the return errands for the shoe repair business their mother and her ran together. The old flying horse had passed early during the winter when Sofia was back at the castle. The butlers had dug him a grave beside all of her old palace animals out of respect.
So, with the old carriage strapped onto the two strongest flying horses – which were Edward's and Hugo's horses, Silverback and Mathias – they arrived in no less than five minutes.
Everyone split up the moment they arrived into the busy town square where all the markets and shops are located. Lucinda was the first to leave them in a magical puff of smoke, saying that she'll be back late around lunchtime. Edward scurried after Amber as she rushed off to the local seamstress shop while Hugo was left to man after the carriage with all of the swords.
Sofia and James were basically forgotten by everyone. Which James wasn't complaining about because with everyone slit up, then they did not have to lie or sneak about the town.
And they were alone!
How perfect is that? They had all day to just spend together and shop and have fun without the lies and secrecy – well, without half of the secrecy.
"Let's go find that jewelry shop, Sofia," James said with a kiss to her forehead as he took her hand into his own.
She let out a cute laugh. "Can we stop somewhere first before we do?"
"And where's that?" James didn't really care because they had all day to do whatever they wanted before they had to meet up with everyone in the afternoon.
"This way," she said with lip-biting smile. Sofia laced their fingers and pulled him in direction to a large building that James can only guess is the town's official town hall.
"Why are we going into the town hall?" James asked as they crossed the pebble-stoned street and entered the building.
The large white building was quiet and smelled of aged paper that sort of reminded James of a library. The town hall was a two-story, rectangular building that had one large dome-shaped ceiling that was decorated with colorful frescoes of flowers and a replica of the constellations in the night sky. There was the Enchancian royal flag and a flag of the town's emblem hanging in the entryway of the building.
The town hall looked to be empty with the exception of a handful of people scurrying around from room to room with paperwork. Some were walking while their noses were buried deep in what looked like something important. They all just ignored James and Sofia as they passed.
"I want to say hi to an old friend," she said over her shoulder as she tugged him up a marble staircase and walked straight to one of the big offices. It looks like she is going to barge into it without any announcement.
"Sofia, wait I don't think we can just do that," James warned her. He may be king, but he knows his limits when it comes to governmental protocol of nobles and political officials.
"Yes we can." She opened the large wooden door.
James saw a white haired man sitting behind a large oak wood desk, head down and signing some papers. There were age spots dotting his dark skin and deep set lines around the corners of his mouth and his eyes that told James that he must have laughed and smiled a lot throughout his life. And while he was dressed in a professional suit, it did not diminish the comfortable and easy air around him. The plaque on his desk read, "Mayor Roclaw."
His head bobbed up at the sound of his door opening. "Why, is that Princess Sofia?" His voice was low and warm, almost grandfatherly. He adjusted his reading glasses. "Why it is! I would recognize those pairs of blue eyes anywhere!"
"Hello, Mayor Roclaw," she said as she made her way over to the elderly man to give him a hug.
As he met Sofia half way, James noticed that he was shorter than Sofia, but that was only because his back was hunched and he was walking with a cane. "My, my! Since when did you get into town!"
"I got back a couple days ago. You're actually the first person I saw since getting back."
"Well, don't I feel special. You didn't even visit Thomas?"
Thomas? Who is Thomas? Why does that name sound familiar to James?
"Nope," she smiled. She looked back at James, who was still standing at the door, and reached out to him. She took his hand and pulled him into the room, letting the door shut behind him.
"And who is this fellow?" Mayor Roclaw asked, adjusting his glasses again. He squinted at James with his bright yellow eyes.
James was surprised that the Mayor didn't recognize him. Maybe it was because of his old age and the fact that he had to keep adjusting his glasses every five minutes…. But that doesn't explain why no one in town didn't recognize him. He was sure that the moment he stepped into town that the citizens would surely know who he was and either stray from him or just plain angrily come after him because of his bad reputation.
But no one did and that had him a bit curious.
"Mayor Roclaw, this is James," she introduced. "James, this is the town's mayor and head librarian. Mayor Roclaw."
"Nice to meet you, sir," James shook his hand. For an elderly looking man, the Mayor had a strong grip. "Mayor and head librarian?"
"You bet 'cha. I've been the head librarian for sixty years and mayor for fifty," the old man proudly said with a confident puff of his chest.
"That's how I met Mayor Roclaw in the first place," Sofia explained. "I bumped into him while I was in the town's public library."
Mayor Roclaw laughed heartedly. "I will always remember that day. You were walking around with a stack of books so tall that you couldn't even see where you were going! I think that was the day Thomas fell in love with you."
What? James didn't like the sound of that. It was already bad enough that James had to deal with Hugo when he was in love with Sofia, but now there's another guy? Again with that Thomas name! Who the hell is Thomas!
"Now, Princess Sofia, while I do appreciate you coming to visit me first, I can't help but feel there is a catch to all of this," the old Mayor kid as he looked at Sofia with suspicious expression. "You usually visit me later in the day when my work load is less."
"Okay, you caught me. I came because I have a favor to ask you." She briefly looked at James with another bit to her bottom lip.
She's nervous about something.
"And what is that, dear?"
She took James's hand and held on tight. "Will you be our marriage officiate and marry us today, Mayor Roclaw?"
Chapter thirty-nine! Woo!
I am so, so, so, so, so sorry! I am sorry! I am sorry! I am so sorry! I swear I did not give up on SPJ. I know I just disappeared and been MIA for like ever, but I had some personal issues to deal with that made it hard for me to remain committed to writing SPJ. I had to put SPJ aside while I worked through everything. But I am back and I am currently trying to finish up chapter 40. Thank you to everyone who is still with me and the story. I seriously love you all.
Anyway, how did you guys like this chapter. I really did not know how to go about this chapter, so I just used it to wrap up some things like Hugo and whatnot. Oh, and Sofia and James are ELOPING. Yes, you read that right! IT'S WEDDING TIME! Chapter 40, you guys. Chapter 40.
That means the sex chapter is coming soon. Fair warning for my more sensitive readers.
Read, Review, etc.
Thanks :)
