Chapter 4 the first day
Harry sighs as he turns his attention back to Madeline and her mother. "I would like to apologize for any grievances, please accept our sincerities apologies and how would you like a brand new dressing room?"
Madeline was a bit surprised, but before she could reply her mother cut in and said. "She accepts."
A few days later found Madeline along with her family and friends sitting in the theater, watching as the movie started.
There on a podium sat a book with of a diamond crown under it was two amulets: one was oval with a pink gem inside and the other was diamond with a blue gem.
Suddenly, three similarly dressed fairies with three different colors: Flora, Fauna and Merryweather flew over the book. Flora, tapped the book with her magic wand as it opened up to bridge with a castle at the end and the three flew through…
Once upon a time, in the magical Kingdom of Enchancia, there lived two young girls named Sofia and her little sister Margarita ," the blue fairy Merryweather began. " Margarita and Sofia led a simple life working at the village shoe shop with their mother, Miranda."
"One fateful day, they were summoned by King Roland the 2nd, who needed a new pair of royal slippers. "Fauna continued.
"Oh, I hope they're blue!" Merryweather interrupted.
"No, red!" Flora interjected.
"We'll see." Fauna declared, stopping the small quarrel.
"Sofia, Margarita and their mother arrived at the castle," Flora narrated. " Sofia and Margarita were very excited to meet the King."
"Miranda placed a slipper on the King's foot." Merryweather continued.
"It was a perfect fit. and so were they." Flora continued. "King Roland and Miranda were soon married."
"And what seemed like a storybook ending... was really a storybook Beginning." Merryweather declared as the story soon continued on it's own…
As Sofia and Margarita looked out of their house's single bedroom's window, Sofia holding a doll with brown hair and Margarita holding a book.
"Sofia, Margarita, it's time to go!" Miranda called. "The coach is waiting!"
"Coming, mom!" The girls chorused.
Sofia ran out of the room, but Margarita stopped to grab the heart shape picture she made of her, Sofia, and their mother and soon followed Sofia out of their old bedroom. As they stepped outside, they found the entire village cheering for them.
Sofia and Margarita joined their mother in the royal carriage. Unbeknownst to them, a handful of nearby animals hitched a ride as they started moving.
As the carriage moved down the streets, it was chased by Sofia and Margarita's best friends, Jade and Ruby.
"Good luck, Sofia and Margarita!" Jade called.
"Don't forget about us!" Ruby yelled.
"Bye, Jade!" Sofia waved.
"By-bye, Ruby!" Margarita waved too.
As they left the village for the castle, Sofia asked her mother a question.
"What do you think our room at the castle's going to be like?" She inquired.
"I hope our is-is so big it fit all thr-three of us!" Margarita added.
"Girls, now that we're living in the castle, You two will have your own bedroom," Miranda declared with a smile.
"Yes!" The two girls cheered in unison.
As they neared the castle, they encountered a large crowd of people, who had come just to see the new members of the royal family. A number of doves were released, and two pairs of specially trained birds placed tiaras on Sofia and Margarita, who had changed into new royal gowns enroute. Two girls smiled, brightly at the new people they were to meet in their new lives.
King Roland and his own children, Matilda, James and Amber, watched their new family approach.
"Uh-oh." James smirked, as Sofia and Margarita neared them. "Looks like someone's not gonna be the fairest in the land anymore."
Amber hid a scowl behind her fan. Matilda nudged her sister slightly as a sign to behave. Amber rolled her eyes but said nothing back.
"Amber, James, I trust you will do your best to make your new sisters feel Welcome." King Roland told his offspring sternly.
"Of course, father." Amber said dully.
"Matilda," Roland added. "You will look after all of them."
Matilda smiled. "Of, course I will Dad."
"Your majesty." Sofia and Margarita said in unison as they curtsied, then giggled lightly.
"King Roland the second." Miranda said warmly as she smiled as she walked up to her new husband.
"Queen Miranda." Roland replied just as warm, kissing his new wife's hand.
"Hey there!" Sofia said to her new siblings. Margarita waved her ne siblings.
"Good Morrow Sofia." James replied. " Margarita ."
"Great Morrow, Prince James!" Sofia smiled, as both girls curtsied.
"Princess A-Amber, Princess M-M-Matilda, Sofia and I are so excited we're going to be sisters!", Margarita squealed despite her stutter.
"Stepsisters." Amber corrected her at hearing that Matilda scowled at her sister's words.
Matilda then gently rubbed Sofia and Margarita's heads. "But loving sisters none the less."
"Amber, James, Matilda, I know there aren't many fairy tales about kind loving stepmothers", Miranda said as she approached her new stepchildren. "But I hope to change that". She handed them three small patches. "These are for you. I made them myself."
Margarita and Sofia remembered how their mother was working late at night and surprisingly still full energy in the morning.
"It's our family crest", James noticed.
"That's right, James", Miranda agreed. "Because that's what all of this is really about, becoming a new family".
"Sofia, Margarita, welcome to the Family", King Roland smiled.
"All hail queen Miranda, Princess Sofia and Princess Margarita!" Baileywick, the castle steward declared.
The crowd cheered as the new royal members smiled. At that moment, Cedric, the royal sorcerer, came out of the royal procession.
"Roje flora!" He chanted, pointing his wand to the sky. A burst of magic flew out, and it started to rain. The crowd gasped. However, the royal guard took out umbrellas over the royal family.
"Cedric, I said flowers, not showers", Roland told Cedric testily.
"Oh, excuse me Your Majesty", Cedric apologized. "I'm still breaking in my new wand". Sari stepped closer to Cedric and whispered, "Just take a deep breath Ced, and stop messing with your wand before something else happens."
"That's Cedric, our royal sorcerer," Roland told Sofia and Margarita , "He comes from a long line of royal sorcerers, so we're stuck with him. The lady next to him is his girlfriend and our royal sorceress Sari. She too comes from a long line of royal sorcerers and is very gifted."
Clumsily, Cedric patted the back of his wand, sending out another magic burst that flew behind him, ricocheted off a door, and into the sky. The rain was then replaced by a shower of rose petals.
Sari smiles at Cedric who was just happy to succeed.
"Ooh, rose petals." Sofia said, holding her hands out in awe.
"A-amazing!" Margarita cheered.
The crowd cheered again with some trying to catch the petals.
"Should we wave?" Margarita asked.
"Yes, you should both wave." Amber replied curtly.
"Right." Sofia started waving. "Hi!"
"Hello!" Margarita called.
Soon after, they entered the castle. Sofia, Margarita walked with Amber, Sofia curtsying to each member of staff they passed.
"We don't have to curtsy unless they're royalty," Amber told them, with the air of arrogates in her tone.
"Oh, right", Sofia blushed.
Matilda, glared as she began to scold her sister, "Amber, I think that I am going to have to have a long talk with you before bedtime tonight."
Amber face was stone the only betraying her worry was her eyes widening a bit before turning her attention back to the younger girls.
"I-I-I think it's going to take us a while to get the hang of things ar-ar-around here", Margarita amused.
"Just follow my lead and you two will be okay", Amber states, pointily ignoring her older sister's narrowed eyes.
"Great", Sofia smiled, walking ahead of Amber.
"That means I lead and the rest of you follow," Amber said haughtily, moving ahead of them.
"Oh, okay", Sofia shrugged, "Following."
Margarita frowned but continued. "I pr-pr-prefer to march."
Amber rolled her eye. "Well, then…," Amber started to walk away. "You won't last too long."
Matilda growled as she goes to stand in front of the rude princess, "That is IT Amber Lorie Winslow! You come back her right now and walk with your new sisters."
Amber now looked worried as she breaks into a run with Matilda chasing after her, years of exploring and learning the castle's many secrets, she quickly finds the right secret pathway that would lead to where Amber would like be heading, her room.
Amber said thinking she was able to out run her older sibling, "Ha! You aren't the boss of me."
Matilda stands in front of Amber as she replied, "Oh that's where you are wrong Amber Lorie, which means that I most certainly can tell you what you should and shouldn't do. And technically since I am the oldest you should have to follow AFTER ME."
Amber folded her arms and pouted Matilda sighs tiredly "Whether you like it or not, they are your new sisters, you lose them you lose your whole family."
Amber didn't say a word.
Matilda sighed again. "Go on to the dinning room, I will keep a lid on it for now, just be lucky I don't tell father of your behavior and there will be no dessert for you tonight young lady."
Amber took out her fan aggressively but walked away as Matilda sighed with exasperation as she shook her head.
Meanwhile in the main hallway, Sofia was dealing with Margarita.
As Sofia looked confused by the interaction as Margarita looked upset as she defiantly stomps her feet gaining her big sister's attention.
"Margarita. Behave." Sofia said firmly
the young girl just folded her arms, pouting. "S-she is m-mean."
Sofia give her a stern look before firmly taking her wrist and dragged her along to tour the castle alone.
Suddenly as they started, Sofia passed the throne room doors only to come to abrupt stop to look inside.
"Sofia, w-w-why did you did stop?" Margarita asked as she removes the older girl's grip on her wrist.
Sofia said nothing, Margarita was about to ask again, when she heard it.
"Oh, do be careful mate," one man said to other. "That's the new princesses' thrones."
Sofia and Margarita watched as the two men brought in three thrones that were pink, purple and blue.
"I can't believe this is happening to us." Sofia said in wonderment, while Margarita nodded in agreement as they turn away to resume their exploration.
At that moment, the two girls bumped into Cedric and Sari. Margarita almost lost her balance, but Sari caught her in the nick of time.
"Why don't the pair of you watch where you two are dawdling?" Cedric huffed.
"Sorry, Mr. Ceedric", Sofia apologized.
"It's Cedric", Cedric corrected her, while Margarita snickers behind her hand quietly.
From beside him Sari said, "Cedric, be nice please." Turning to Sofia and Margarita Sari continued, "I apologize for my boyfriend, he can be a bit awkward with children. And I am terribly sorry that he almost knocked you down Princess Margarita."
"It's okay Mi-mi-miss Sari," Margarita smiled, "It-it-it is amazing meet a real-life sorcerer and sorceress, right Sofia?"
"That flower trick was a-amazing," Sofia marveled.
"If by amazing, you mean a complete waste of my talents, then yes thank you very much," Cedric replied. "I should be out slaying dragons and battling ogres. But no! Instead, King Roland has me doing party tricks when I should be..."
At that moment Baileywick cleared his throat, interrupting the rambling sorcerer.
"Oh, why do I even bother?" Cedric huffed before disappearing in a large puff of green smoke.
"Urgh, that man," Sari said shaking her head, "I swear that I will see to it that he is nicer to you two from now on. As for now, I must say good-bye to you all."
That having been said, Sari disappeared in a small puff of red smoke.
Giggling softly Matilda came back to the throne room after seeing the site, "Don't worry, you'll get used to Cedric, and Sari is extremely nice as you both just witnessed." Gesturing her hand towards Baileywick, Matilda continued, "And this is Baileywick, the castle steward."
"Thank you, Princess Matilda," Baileywick said with a bow, turning to Sofia and Margarita, Baileywick continued, "Ladies, as the castle steward, it is my responsibility to make sure that everything in the castle is where it should be when it should be, and the three of you should have been in the Banquet Hall thirty seconds ago."
"Oh, right," Sofia smiled.
"Off you all go then," Baileywick said, spurring them on.
"Yes sir," Margarita giggled.
"Yes Baileywick," Matilda said with a smile as she walked her sisters to the dining room.
Shortly after, the royal family were sat at the dinner table.
"Margarita what fork or knife do we use?" Sofia asked.
"Let me find out." Margarita suggested as she grabbed a fork.
"Sofia? Margarita?" King Roland said suddenly, causing both girls to yelp in surprise.
"Yes, your M-M-Majesty?" Margarita asked.
"Call me Roland. or you with the Crown, or Dad." Roland joked. "It's a tradition to provide an official welcome to every new Member of the royal Family for your mother it was the wedding, but for you two we will be throwing a royal ball in your two honor at the week's end."
"Brilliant!" James cheered through a mouthful of food.
"James, manners." Baileywick admonished him.
"Sorry Baileywick." James gulped.
"A ball, just for us two?" Sofia gasped.
"Father, why didn't I get a ball?" Amber asked.
"You did, Amber." Roland informed her. "When you and your brother were born and so did Matilda."
"You don't remember? James snickered.
"Of course, you remember mine," Matilda joked.
"Sofia and Margarita, it will your royal debut." Roland continued. "You and Margarita and I shall dance the 1st Waltz. Sofia will be first."
"Oh, Rollie, You're so sweet." Miranda gushed.
"We have to dance?" Sofia and Margarita said together looks of dread on their faces.
Margarita remembered their last time dancing at their old school, Lily Oaks, there was dance to celebrate the end of the school, unfortunately both Sofia and Margarita were sick that week, and while Margarita was able to recover some and the school dance was that night and Madeline had taken her sister place. It didn't turn out as well as their mom had hoped for, Madeline near threw up and had a coughing fit, Miranda took her home almost 20 minutes into the dance.
"Why, what better way to let everyone know in the tri-kingdom area that the kingdoms newest Princesses have arrived?" Roland smiled.
Sofia and Margarita looked at each other with worry in their eyes.
Having been watching Amber for a few minutes, Matilda said. "Oh, I almost forgot, Dad, Mom, Amber was being a little snippety towards Sofia and Madeline before we came to dinner."
Amber glared at her older sister. "You said you wouldn't tell."
"You're lucky I'm not telling her what you said," Matilda whispered.
Looking over at Amber, Roland said. "Amber Lorie Winslow , you and I will most certainly be talking after dinner."
"But Daddy." Amber said. "I just—"
"Not another word Amber." Roland said sternly. "Now finish your dinner."
At that word Matilda added. "Oh, and Dad, Amber can't have dessert tonight."
Considering this, Roland said. "Matilda, I..."
"No Matilda is right Rollie." Miranda interrupted. "Amber did a bad thing, so she has to be punished for it."
"You're both right." Roland said. "I'm sorry Amber, but since you chose to give your new sisters a hard time, you will have no dessert for one week."
Scowling Amber said. "But Daddy, why are you taking Mother and Matilda's side? It isn't fair."
"That's enough Amber." Roland said. "Please go and wait for me in your bedroom."
"Fine." Amber said as she rose from her seat and left the dining room.
and Sofia looked guilty, but Matilda winked at her new sisters with comfort.
After dinner, Matilda proceeded to give them a tour of the castle. Sofia and Margarita were amazed by everything that they saw, everything was all so big, and grand to them.
Once the tour was completed, Matilda took Sofia and Margarita to meet up with Baileywick, the castle's Stewart, so that he could show them to their bedrooms. After guiding them down a few hallways, were led to their new room which stood behind a tall single door, through which was a set of double doors grasping the door handles Baileywick opened the doors, revealing a large and luxurious room.
"This is our room?" Sofia gasped.
"No, dears", Baileywick chuckled, "This is just your room, Sofia".
Baileywick opened another door revealing a massive bedroom with elegant windows, perfectly crafted toys, and a royal large-sized bed.
"It's so huge", Sofia gaped.
"Seems like your standard princess suite to me", Baileywick replied. "You've got your canopy beds, window seat, playing area, reading nook...", He opened another door, revealing a massive wardrobe of regal clothing. "Here you'll find all your gowns and royal accessories".
"Wow", Sofia gasped.
"Indeed", Baileywick continued, "Now, if you need anything at all, at any time of day, all you have do is ring this bell", he then told them and pulling on the tasseled bell ringer. Barely a second later, a maid entered through the doorway.
"Yes, ma'ams", She stood ready to serve. "You rang?"
"Do you need anything?" Baileywick asked the girls.
"I don't know", Sofia shrugged.
"Do we?" Margarita asked.
"Well, when you know what you need, you know what to do", Baileywick smiled as he ushered the maid out of the room. "Now Princess Margarita if you, and Princess Sofia will please follow me next door to the door on your right I will now show you to your room."
Walking out of the bedroom Baileywick led them to the bedroom next door, and opened the doors for Sofia and Margarita.
"You've got your canopy beds, window seat, playing area, reading nook...", He opened another door, revealing a massive wardrobe of regal clothing. "Here you'll find all your gowns and royal accessories".
Baileywick cleared his throat slightly before speaking up, "Now just like in your sister's room, Princess Margarita, you also have a bell that you can ring if you need anything, and it is located to the right of your closet door," Baileywick continued. "There is also a special door that connects your room to Princess Sofia's room, just in case you need her."
"Wow," Sofia and Margarita replied together with identical smiles on their faces.
"Now unless there is anything else that either of you require, then I will bid you good evening, Princess Sofia", Baileywick declared, "Princess Margarita".
Stepping out of the room, Baileywick pulled the doors shut behind him.
"Night!" Sofia and Margarita called together.
The two girls looked around the room.
"Wow, it is… s-something." Margarita declared in awe
"You took the words right out of my mouth." Sofia agreed.
Margarita said, "I wonder who came up with the idea of putting a door between our rooms for us?"
Sofia said, " It was probably mom since she knows that there are certain nights when you don't like to sleep by yourself, like when there's a thunderstorm. AND Beside the door will make it easier for me to check in on you since you do sometimes like to wander off during the night."
Margarita blushes at hearing that, "No I don't Sofia!" she winces.
Crossing her arms Sofia said, "Yes you do Marge, like that one time during our sleepover with Ruby and Jade. I let you sleep in our bed, and when I woke up at around two a.m. you were already out the door. If mom I hadn't awake by my scream. who knows what could have happened?"
Seeing a frown begin to form on her sister's face, Sofia quickly pulled the younger girl into a hug, "I'm sorry Marge, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, it's just that with everything that's happened lately. It was a good memory… for me at least." Sofia sighed as did Margarita with regret. "What happening?" Sofia asked aloud.
Soon Sofia began to sing as she let go of her sister…
"Everything seems crazy big and we're feeling unsteady. Mom says we'll be just fine, but I don't think I'm ready. New school, new friends, new family; and a ball where they want us to dance. We're just two little girls from a small, small town. In this world, we don't stand a chance."
Sofia stood as she looked at Margarita's new town castle.
"I'm not ready to be princess. I don't have what it takes. I'm too short for gowns, I look bad in crowns and I'm gonna make a bagillion mistakes.
Looked through Margarita's drawer, seeing that that just made her feel worse.
"I'm too average to be princess. I respectfully refuse. I don't know the rules, we don't want the jewels and these feet were made for comfortable shoes. I'm not ready to be a princess.'
Margarita looked at her sister with worry. "But Sofia," causing Sofia to turn to her little sister. "If your-your to not ready, I'm not even close." So, Margarita began to sing.
"I've ever known is village, my life like simple keys. Three was only three and that was fine with, but things just changed so suddenly. I would also play in the mud with no care. Now, I'll wear gown and fancy crown that I bet will not fit me. Mama is so happy and guess a new families grand. But I don't if I can be me."
Margarita looked at her fancy toy but did not feel great.
"I'm too loud to be princess. To this I say 'poo-poo'. I don't know the rules, I don't want the jewels and those fancies shoes will be tore up in two. I'm ready to be a princess."
Sofia and Margarita walked to the closet with the gowns and crown.
"Shelves bursting with trinkets. that we're afraid to touch!"
Margarita soon closed the closet with fright.
Sofia grabbed all the toys with worry instead of enjoyment.
"Fancy toys and ginormous pillows. It's all much!"
Margarita still looked frightened.
"Too much!"
The girls soon ran out of Margarita 's room and in the whole.
"Too much!"
The girls ran through the hall afraid and overwhelmed.
"We're not ready to be princesses. One look, and that seems clear!"
"Cancel our debut,"
"Keep your royal crew and if we ever find mom's room."
"We're outta here!"
The girls feel to the floor saddened as Margarita cuddled into her sister.
"Sofia, not a noble name."
"Margarita, even my wave is lame."
"We're not ready to be princesses."
Suddenly the heard a door open. The two girls turned to the noise and saw their mother in her purple nightgown.
"Sofia? Marge? What are you two doing out here?"
"Oh, mom/mama." They said together, as they ran to their mother as she embraced her daughters. She soon escorted the two into her bedroom.
"What's the matter, Sweethearts?" Miranda asked, as she had Sofia sit on her left side with Margarita on the right.
"We don't want a Royal Ball." Sofia declared.
"No. mama, we do not," Margarita said as she biting her lip with worry. "It-it-it is too much."
"Oh, girls, I've never known either of you to turn down a party." Miranda said in surprise. "Especially one thrown just for the two of you."
"But mama we-we-we don't know anything about being a princess." Margarita said as they both took off their crowns as placed them to the side. "And we don't know how to d-d-dance. What if one of us trips and everyone laughs at us like that night at the school dance."
"And I will not happy if they do." Margarita added.
"You'll both do fine." Miranda assured them. "And besides, the school dance you were both sick. Plus, no one never laughs at a princess. "
"Says who?" Sofia asked.
"Come here, you two." Miranda said as she embraced her daughters. "Just try the best you two can." She put the crowns back on their heads. "And if it's not good enough for all of those Stuffy duke and Duchesses, then that's then problem. Mmm-hmm?" Miranda hugged her two girls close to her.
"Sofia, Margarita" Roland stepped forward causing the two girls to look at him. "I have something for the both of you. Consider it a welcome home gift." Roland produced two amulets: one blue, and one purple. Both girls gasped in delight and awe.
"They're b-beautiful." Margarita whispered.
"These are two very Special Amulets." Roland told them, as he put the Purple one around Sofia's neck, and the blue one around Margarita's. "You must both promise never to take them off. That way you will never lose them."
"We promise." Sofia and Margarita said in unison.
"And now, you two best run off to bed", Roland smiled. "You both have princess school in the morning".
"Princess School?" Both Sofia and Margarita asked in both shock and surprise. This should be both interesting, and terrifying at the same time. So much for making them feel better.
Just then the credits start to roll, after a round of applauses from everyone, soon Madeline and co. were on their way home, when her Mom got a call from the director and after talking for a few minutes she hangs up and turns to look at Madeline.
"Madeline that was Harry, he said that you will be attending a class that will teach you about what being a princess entails and of course I said yes."
Madeline just sighs resigned to the extra "lessons" leaning into Katie's side, the older girl puts a comforting arm around her. "How long is it?" she asked.
"About two weeks." Marie said
For the next two weeks Madeline was being dropped off to an isolated studio warehouse, when either of her parents tried to go in and meet with the teacher, she was told in a polite way by an security guard that stood at the entrance of the studio that parents and guardians weren't allow inside, because it would be distracting for the both teacher and student.
At first Madeline was a bit tired, otherwise okay, but quickly over the next few days, she became more and more distant and withdrawn and what was more worrying was the fact that her once cheerful demeanor, was now sad and zombie like, she was also losing an alarming amount of weight, which she kept hidden by wearing large hoodies of Kates that went down to her knees, the costume designers had to refit her dress so it wouldn't fall off of her, they had wanted to say something, but figured that maybe she was just going through a growth spurt like all children did.
By the end of the second week, Madeline had come to the set, her eyes glazed with exhaustion as they went through the scenes of the movie once more.
At that moment, the two girls bumped into Cedric and Sari. Margarita almost lost her balance, but Sari caught her in the nick of time.
"Why don't the pair of you watch where you two are dawdling?" Cedric huffed.
"Sorry, Mr. Ceedric", Sofia apologized.
"It's Cedric", Cedric corrected her, while Margarita snickers behind her hand quietly.
From beside him Sari said, "Cedric, be nice please." Turning to Sofia and Margarita Sari continued, "I apologize for my boyfriend, he can be a bit awkward with children. And I am terribly sorry that he almost knocked you down Princess Margarita."
"It's okay " Mi-mi-miss Sari," Margarita smiled, "It-it-it is amazing meet a real-life sorce, sorce?"
Madeline's speech slurred as she felt dizzy before losing consciousness, the last she heard was, "MADELINE!?" and she knew no more.