Two

Sunlight streamed through the windows of the cottage as Sofia woke up and rubbed her eyes.

"I did! I actually did it!" She whispered, careful not to wake up Clover sleeping at the end of the bed.

With a yawn, she got out of bed and changed into one of the simple dresses she brought with her.

A purple dress with five buttons at the chest area and ruffled sleeves, something Miranda had given her for her birthday in case she felt like taking an off day from princess duties.

That off day was now forever as Sofia looked in the mirror. She could worry about the amulet later, pulling at a piece of her hair.

She pulled at it again before noticing her disheveled appearance.

"Amber would kill me if she saw me like this," Sofia murmured, her bottom lip trembling. "She wouldn't approve of this at all."

"Princess? Oh I see you're already up and ready," Cedric smirked, brushing back a lock of his hair. "Is everything alright my dear? You look upset."

Sofia shook her head, looking down at her feet in shame. "I had an accident last night before I ran away."

"I can tell. My dear, what in Merlin's name have you done to your hair? It's a mess!"

Sofia looked up, a long lock of her hair touching her face as she grasped her hands nervously.

The look in his eyes reminded her of the annoyed scowls her father gave whenever she disturbed him.

She was thankful to never having to face that expression again as a tear went down her cheek.

"I cut it," Sofia murmured, brushing her feet against the carpeted floor. "Does it look bad?"

Cedric shook his head, getting a small smile. "It's not the worst I've seen but don't worry Sofia, I can fix it." He patted her head and squeezed her head. "Before I begin, would you like it back to your normal length?"

"No thank you. I'd like something new. Please."

"All right. Let's see what I can do."

Sofia beamed as the choppy split ends and missing locks turned into a set of waves that rested on her shoulders.

Gently, she felt a wave before giggling at the touch.

New look, new life. What more could she ask for?

"It's beautiful! Thank you Mr. Cedric!" Sofia beamed, hugging him close. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Cedric smiled, glancing back at her as they gazed into the mirror together and patted her shoulder. "Neither would I, Sofia."

"I'm sorry I showed up dirty last night, Mr. Cedric. Sliver got spooked and flung me off, flying me into a river where I threw my enchanlet in frustration and it shattered against a rock."

"I thought I was seeing things when I didn't see it on your wrist," Cedric smirked. He knelt down to her level and ruffled her hair. "You look famished. Let's get you a little something to eat before we waste the day away."

Nodding excitedly, Sofia followed behind him, looking forward to seeing what her new life would bring her.

As Cedric made plates for himself and his apprentice while Sofia sat patiently at the kitchen table, she grimaced at his stern expression.

It reminded her of Roland's whenever he was overwhelmed with stress.

"Sofia, I'm not mad nor am I disappointed in you for running away," Cedric assured her, seeing her tense expression. "I just want to know why. Why did you run away from the castle last night?"

Sofia sighed, biting her lip. She knew the sorcerer, being his apprentice, and she knew he wanted an honest answer out of her.

"I've been feeling overwhelmed by everything lately," She confessed as Cedric gave her her breakfast. "I've been having these feelings of being sad and fearful for no reason and I don't know what to do."

The sorcerer smiled sympathetically, knowing those feelings were difficult to fight on your own.

"Did you feel like nobody understood you because of those feelings?" He asked. Seeing Sofia nod, Cedric reached over and squeezed her hand. "Sofia, I've never told you this before now, but as someone who's dealt with depression and anxiety himself, it's not the easiest of journeys to get through by yourself. However, if you need to talk about it, like we're doing now, just know that I'm here for you no matter what."

"Thank you for understanding Mr. Cedric," Sofia murmured. "And for breakfast."

Cedric chuckled at the compliment as he took a bit of his food.

"There'll be plenty more where that came from my dear."

…

"I'm terribly sorry Your Majesty but no one has seen a trace of Princess Sofia since last night. Who knows where she can be by now."

Roland slumped into his throne, devastated by the news.

The castle had sounded the alarm hours earlier when locks of his youngest daughter's beautiful hair were discovered on the floor of her bedroom along with one of the horses missing from the stables.

Was it possible she ran away from home without telling anyone? His heart ached at the thought of her being capable of doing such a thing.

Sofia was the glue that held the family together and without her..

Roland winced at the thought as Amber, who'd been sitting beside him for moral support, rested on the arm of her throne and sighed.

"Daddy, do you think she got overwhelmed after everything with Vor?" Amber wondered. "There's a possibility that she could've been feeling effects from dealing with that horrible woman and we weren't there for her."

A realization of the future queen of Enchancia being right hit Roland like a ton of bricks.

His youngest rarely asked him or any of the adults for help anymore. Roland assumed that it was because of her maturity.

Until he recalled their trip to Merroway Cove three years ago where she had stood there soaking wet, pleading with them to help rescue Oona from the sea monster.

He, the rest of the family, and Admiral Hornpipe had only thought of it as a trivial tale she dreamt while taking a nap inside the ship.

He'd give anything to have stood up for his daughter back then, no matter how infantile her story had seemed.

But he couldn't. The past was in the past where it belonged, unable to be changed.

"Daddy, I miss her," Amber murmured as she stepped off her throne. "I hope she's okay."

"Me too," Roland said as he blinked back silent tears. "Me too sweetheart."

…

"This is a mighty big decision, son. Are you sure you can handle it?" Goodwyn asked.

Cedric sighed. Even now with his recognition as Cedric the Great, his father still found ways to look down upon him.

The first day of Sofia being in the cottage was uneventful as they stayed inside to get her adjusted to her new surroundings.

Now she was getting ready for bed, allowing the sorcerer to have alone time with his parents.

To his surprise, neither Goodwyn nor Winifred had objected to his decision to keep Sofia though they still had their doubts.

"Yes I'm sure, Father," Cedric scoffed.

"Now, Cedric, I'm afraid your father's right about this. The princess' family must be missing her terribly and who knows what Roland will do to you when he finds out you're hiding away his daughter," Winifred murmured.

"We'll cross to that bridge when we come to it, Mummy."

"It's Princess Sofia's decision that matters most in all this," Goodwyn smiled. "If she decides to stay with you then we'll be thrilled to have her as an honorary granddaughter."

"And she'd be thrilled to have you as honorary grandparents," Cedric agreed. "But it is a lot to think about. Mind if I have a few days to decide?"

"Of course not Ceddykins. Take your time," Winifred smiled.

"But remember, son, it's the princess' decision," Goodwyn added.

Cedric sighed, collapsing onto his bed once his parents had left.

While he adored his apprentice dearly, he had no idea what it took to be a father. What if something happened to her and he didn't know what to do?

He didn't want to fail her.

"Mr. Cedric?"

Cedric gazed at Sofia, taking in the pitiful sight before him.

Her pink nightgown fluttered against her ankles while she clutched her doll with her cheeks looking as if she had been crying.

"Sofia? What's the matter?" Cedric asked. "Shouldn't you be asleep by now?"

"I can't sleep. I miss the castle," Sofia hiccuped. She gazed at the floor, hugging herself. "Can I sleep with you? Please? If not, I understand."

"No, no, Sofia, no..." Cedric murmured. He took her in his arms as if she was Calista, carried her to his bed, and rocked her back and forth. "Of course you can sleep with me. The cottage is a new environment for you. I wouldn't want you to be by yourself on your first night here."

"Thank you Mr. Cedric."

Before long, she was asleep in his arms with drool escaping from her mouth.

With a gentle touch against her chin, he closed her mouth and wiped away the drool with his pointer finger while she slumbered peacefully in his arms.

Without thinking, Cedric kissed her on her forehead as he laid Sofia against him.

"Goodnight my dear. Sweet dreams," He murmured, stroking her hair.

Was this what being a parent was like? Holding a child in your arms as a way to tell them they're safe?

Cedric didn't know yet he felt a warm smile across his lips as he felt Sofia's small frame raise and fall against his chest.

They needed each other and if he had to become her adopted father in order to do it, then he would do it in a heartbeat.

No questions asked.