Theblindwriter95 asked about this song from Martina McBride, so enjoy your request! I thought it would be nice if, when he finds Sofia suffering from a nightmare, he helps her calm down by singing one of his favorite songs. He also assures her that he, as well as the rest of the family, will be there for her and Clover and help them whenever they need it. Thanks to theblindwriter95 for helping me with the story. Martina McBride's music is not mine.

Cedric let out a sigh of frustration as he heard a knock on his workshop's door.

He wasn't in the mood for disturbances, aggravated with a certain magician after visiting him with Roland an hour prior.

He hadn't forgotten the smirk on the man's face while Roland spoke of the emotional scars he'd brought Sofia during her time in his now burnt to a crisp wagon.

Cedric wanted to strangle Boswell before Roland held him back, reminding him of the execution coming up in a few weeks as the sorcerer went up to the door and opened it.

"What's so urgent for you to disturb me? Huh?!" He hissed before hearing a small whimper.

Before Cedric could react, a blur sprinted past him before sitting down in a corner of his workshop, pushing its knees toward itself and softly sobbing.

The sorcerer recognized those sobs.

They belonged to Sofia.

In his aggravation with Boswell, he accidentally raised his voice at her without realizing it.

Slowly he approached her before she held up her hand in an effort to protect herself.

"Don't touch me!" Sofia screamed. Through blurred eyes, she saw Cedric's look of concern before turning away from him. "I'm sorry I was a bad girl, Mr. Cee-drick. I'm really sorry."

"No, no, Sofia, no..." Cedric murmured. He took her in his arms as if she was Calista, carried her to the softest chair in his bedroom, and slowly rocked her back and forth, murmuring the whole time. "It's not your fault in the least. You did absolutely nothing wrong. You are not a bad girl at all; you are the most wonderful person I've ever met. I'm just a little on edge after everything that's happened."

Sofia calmed down a little bit as she heard Cedric's words of comfort. "Thank you, Mr. Cee-drick..."

"If you don't mind me asking, my dear, by how you reacted when I approached you, did Boswell hurt you whenever he raised his voice?" Cedric asked.

Sofia nodded. "He was always angry and didn't know how to deal with it, so I was always his punching bag if he had a bad day."

Cedric grimaced, holding in the words he wanted so desperately to release from his mouth for he knew his apprentice would start crying again if he were to raise his voice.

Despite calming down a little, Sofia trembled in her mentor's arms as she squeezed her eyes shut and prepared for a rough hand to come in contact with her skin.

The feeling never came. She only felt the sensation of Cedric's hand stroking her hair, and she heard him murmuring all kinds of reassurances.

"It's all right, my dear," Cedric murmured, "You're safe. That's all that matters now."

"But I'm still scared of everything," Sofia frowned. "L-Like carrots, the dark, and water."

"Those are only minor setbacks Sofia," Cedric assured her. "Besides, you've gotten so much better since your first night home and according to Queen Miranda, you don't cry while you're having a bath anymore."

"You heard that?"

"Through my crystal ball. Hearing you so vulnerable and scared broke my heart my dear."

"I'm sorry Mr. Cee-drick," Sofia frowned. "I hate being scared all the time. Why can't things go back to the way they used to be before Mr. Boswell?"

Cedric froze. How could he answer her question without being insensitive to the situation? "Sofia, do you remember weeks after your return how upset you got over getting to the castle after the sun starting setting?" he asked at last.

Sofia nodded, looking down at the floor somberly. "I fell, scraping my knees and you fixed them without using magic because you didn't want to scare me."

"That's right."

"Why did you ask me that, Mr. Cee-drick? Are you saying I can't be normal anymore?"

"Of course not," Cedric assured her. "I know you're wary of magic right now, and that's all right. You were trapped with a person who claimed he was a magician, but his tricks were nowhere near as good as mine, and let's be serious, he looked like he never attended magic school like I did, and his wand is most likely homemade without any magical substances in it at all!" He paused and smirked as Sofia giggled. "But being around him for so long was terrifying for you, so I understand how you feel about magic right now. You're always welcome to help me around the workshop, you will always be my apprentice no matter what, and you'll get used to magic again before you know it."

"Thank you, Mister Cee-drick," Sofia smiled.

"You're welcome, my dear. Is there a reason why you came to visit me this evening?"

"Yes. I wanted to thank you for the calming drought you gave me today, but when you got mad, it scared me."

"I'm sorry, Sofia. I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you," Cedric apologized. "Your father and I visited Boswell earlier this afternoon and he was exasperating."

"He didn't care about what he did to me, didn't he?" Sofia frowned.

"No, he didn't," Cedric grumbled. "He only cared about himself and any money he made from using your rabbit in his shows."

"Speaking of that, before the guards took him to be executed, the judge said that Mr. Boswell had to give me all the money he made with Clover!" Sofia agreed.

"And do you have any ideas on how to spend it?" Cedric asked.

Sofia nodded, biting her lip. "It's silly, but I've been considering getting Clover a new bed. He can't fit in his basket anymore and Amber doesn't like it when he lays at the end of my bed as she fears he'll get me sick."

"I think it's a wonderful idea, but have you considered getting anything for yourself?"

"I don't know. I don't think I deserve it."

"Don't deserve it?" Cedric chuckled. "Of course you do!"

Sofia smiled a little. "I do?"

"Yes you do."

"But I'm a baby. A baby who gets scared easily."

"Who said you were a baby?" Cedric frowned.

"Hildegard," Sofia murmured. "She always finds something to tease me about and enjoys it whenever I get upset."

"Note to self: curse Princess Hildegard as soon as possible and make it look like an accident," Cedric fumed.

"Don't do that, Mister Cee-drick," Sofia gasped. "You don't want to sink to her level."

"I know you're only repeating something your mother said to me, but I plan on doing something so Princess Hildegard learns that actions have consequences," Cedric frowned. "I'll also talk to your father and tell him what you just told me. And don't worry," he added, seeing Sofia tense up. "You're not the one who's going to be in trouble; you're doing the right thing by telling me about this. Then I'm going to do the right thing by telling your father, then he'll do the right thing by telling Princess Hildegard's father. See, we're all going to be doing the right thing."

"We are?"

"Yes. You wouldn't want Princess Hildegard to continue bullying you, do you?"

"No!" Sofia pouted. She wiggled in Cedric's arms, tugging at his sleeve. "Mr. Cee-drick, can I get down now? I need to…"

Cedric nodded, seeing a familiar desperate look on her face he'd seen once before. Giving her privacy, he waited for her to return until hearing her weeping softly. "Sofia, are you all right?" he asked.

Sofia shook her head, hiccupping as she gazed at the floor. "I... I didn't make it and had an accident on the floor. I'm sorry."

"Sofia, you have nothing to be sorry about," Cedric assured her as he took out his wand and cast a cleaning spell. He motioned to her dress and pointed at the floor. "See? Everything's cleaned up. It's going to be all right."

"But you did magic," Sofia whimpered.

"That's true, but I did that to help you," Cedric explained. "Just like I'm going to do magic again and help you calm down." He cast Sofia's favorite sparkle spell, smiling as Sofia tried to reach for them. He waved his wand again and produced several butterflies, which fluttered around them.

"I love these spells," Sofia smiled.

"And we love you, my dear," Cedric smiled back.

As he watched Sofia giggle and chase the butterflies around his workshop, he noticed her avoiding part of the floor. Sensing she was still devastated about having an accident in his workshop, he took her in his arms and stroked her hair.

"You're still upset about what happened earlier, aren't you?" Cedric asked.

"A little," Sofia admitted. "I'm supposed to be a big girl, but I frequently have too many accidents and it makes me feel like a baby."

"Sofia, the royal physician said it's a perfectly normal thing for you to go through after everything that happened with Boswell. It's nothing to be ashamed of."

"Really? It's not that I don't believe you or the royal physician, Mr. Cee-drick, but people say things or laugh at me if I have them. L-Like at school last week and before you blame her, Mr. Cee-drick, Hildegard wasn't the one being mean to me this time."

"And was anyone there to help you? Did the fairies do anything about the ones who were mean to you?" Cedric asked.

"Amber helped me get to the bathroom, then she helped me get changed into the spare dress," Sofia recalled. "When we got back, James told me that the fairies took the people who were mean to me to their office and said they'd be getting detention, and the fairies were going to contact their parents and tell them about that."

"And who were these people?" Cedric pressed.

"They were the two princesses who stole my shoes that one day," Sofia remembered. "They were the ones who stole them when I growled at Zandar."

Cedric sighed, stroking her hair as she gazed at him. "You don't deserve any of this, my dear. If they don't care about what happened to you, that's their business."

"Does that make me a bad girl, Mr. Cee-drick?" Sofia croaked.

"No. Absolutely not. You are not and have never been a bad girl. You're a good girl and we all love you very much."

"But what if I do something bad you don't like? Will you still love me?"

"Sofia, I'll love you no matter what," Cedric murmured. "If you do something bad, you won't be punished; we'll just talk about why it was bad, and we'll help you understand why you shouldn't do it."

Sofia smiled a little. "That sounds okay," she said at last.

Cedric nodded. "It does indeed," he paused, thinking for a few moments. "All right now. That's enough of these upsetting feelings. I know you're going to need something to calm you down, and I think I have just the thing to help you. I recall my sister singing this to me when I was younger, then after we made up after the incident, she told me that she that she started singing this to Callista."

"Did she like it?" Sofia asked.

"Oh, yes, she loved it," Cedric smiled. "Cordy and I even sang it after she and I reconciled, and she told me that she still remembered it after all this time." When he saw Sofia smile, he waved his wand, music started playing, and he started singing softly.

She remembers when she first got her wings
And how she opened up the day she learned to sing
Then the colors came, erased the black and white
And her whole world changed when she realized

She's a butterfly
Pretty as the crimson sky
Nothing's ever gonna bring her down
And everywhere she goes, everybody knows
She's so glad to be alive
She's a butterfly

Sofia gasped, seeing butterflies surround her as she squealed and attempted to catch one.

Cedric chuckled, smiling as she displayed her innocence in front of him.

Innocence that was beginning to return to her day after day while she showed progress in her healing.

He spun her gently as he continued, Like the purest light in a darkened world
So much hope inside such a lovely girl
You should see her fly, it's almost magical
It makes you wanna cry, she's so beautiful

She's a butterfly
Pretty as the crimson sky
Nothing's ever gonna bring her down
And everywhere she goes, everybody knows
She's so glad to be alive
She's a butterfly

"This is fun! Thank you, Mr. Cee-drick!" Sofia giggled.

"I'm glad you enjoy this, my dear," Cedric smiled. "You know I'll do everything in my power to help you recover from this ordeal. Don't get me wrong; your family will help you as well, but you can count on me to help you see that not all people who use magic are bad."

"Did you cast the sparkle and butterfly spells for Ms. Cordelia too?" Sofia asked.

"Oh, yes," Cedric smiled. "She loved those spells as much as you do. Even when she was angry at me, I still tried to cast those spells to make her feel better. She always denied that she enjoyed it, but her smile always betrayed her."

He smiled as he thought of Cordelia singing this with him as he continued, God bless the butterfly
Give her the strength to fly
Never let her wings touch the ground
(God bless the butterfly)

God bless the butterfly
Give her the strength to fly
Never let her wings touch the ground

Sofia giggled and laid her head on his chest while she attempted to catch the last of the butterflies, concealing a yawn.

Cedric noticed the sleepy smile on her face and began to rock her in his arms.

"No! Stop it, Mr. Cee-drick! You're making me sleepy!" Sofia pouted.

"Isn't that the point of a lullaby, Sofia?" Cedric smirked as he continued to sing, Oh, she's a butterfly
Pretty as the crimson sky
Nothin's ever gonna bring her down
And everywhere she goes, everybody knows
She's so glad to be alive
She's a butterfly
She's a butterfly
She's a butterfly

Sofia tried to pout up at him, but it turned into a yawn. "You're as good as James with words and music..."

"Oh, I doubt that," Cedric smirked. "Although I do enjoy hearing him sing through my crystal ball while I'm working. And his songs often work wonders for you when you feel frightened."

"He says music makes everything better!" Sofia smiled.

"It does indeed," Cedric smiled as he finished the song.

God bless the butterfly
Give her the strength to fly
Never let her wings touch the ground
(God bless the butterfly)

Oh, God bless the butterfly
Give her the strength to fly
Never let her wings touch the ground

He stroked her hair as Sofia snuggled in his arms, trying to keep herself awake.

"Can I stay here with you? Please, Mr. Cee-drick?" She asked.

"I'm sorry, my dear, but you have to sleep in your own bed," Cedric chuckled. "Besides, what would your father say if he found you in here sleeping in my bed?"

"That you're a great sorcerer for taking me in?"

"Well, yes, but I think you'd be more comfortable in your own bed," Cedric smirked. "But you don't have to worry; I'll be watching you through my crystal ball, and I'll cast the sparkle spell and the spell for the swirling colored lights to help you sleep, and you know the spell to alert someone if you need help will be activated when you fall asleep, so if something happens, whoever sees them will come in and help you."

"But what if I have another accident?" Sofia asked.

"Then they'll know to help you," Cedric assured her. "Like I'd said before, the sparkles don't tell the person if you have accidents, only that you're afraid."

"Okay," Sofia yawned, rubbing her eyes. "Thank you for everything, Mr. Cee-drick. Especially for the calming droughts."

"You're welcome, Sofia. Now time for bed."

"But I'm not sleepy!"

"My dear, you had a long day. How can you not be tired?" Cedric teased.

"Too many things on my mind, I guess," Sofia admitted.

"Well, I know just the thing to help you relax," Cedric said as he carried her to her room, tucked her in, and made some swirling lights appear.

Sofia smiled as she saw the lights swirling above her head. "Thank you, Mister Cee-drick," she murmured.

"You're very welcome, my dear," Cedric smiled as he turned her nightlight on, then dimmed her other lights. Before he left, he activated the spell for the door. He nodded when he saw the gold light already appearing, meaning that Sofia was happy.

"Mr. Cee-drick, wait!" Sofia yelled as she got out of bed.

"What is it?"

"You forgot something."

"Your rabbit's safe and sound in his basket, my dear," Cedric assured her. "No need to worry."

"No. It's not him I'm worried about. I'm worried about my doll. The one Mom made me after Mr. Boswell's wagon burned down," Sofia whimpered, blinking back tears. "Can you please look for Rapunzel, Mr. Cee-drick? I can't fall sleep without her."

"Of course," Cedric nodded. He cast a seeking spell, finding Rapunzel in Sofia's playing area with one of her other dolls. Even though he knew Sofia liked having Rapunzel with her, he brought both dolls, just in case Sofia might need some extra comfort.

"Thank you, Mister Cee-drick," Sofia smiled. "And you brought my other doll, too!"

"Just in case Rapunzel needs extra help keeping you and your rabbit safe," Cedric smiled.

Giggling, Sofia drifted off to sleep with the swirling lights being the last thing she saw as Cedric stepped out of her room and bumped into James and Amber.

"What are you two doing out here?" Cedric wondered. "Shouldn't you be getting ready for bed?"

"We will in a minute, Cedric," Amber murmured. "We were thinking about Sofia and wanted to see if she's okay."

"She's been through so much because of Boswell," James added. "We just wish we had the old Sof back. The new one's too fragile."

"Just take it one day at a time, Prince James," Cedric advised. "Sofia will be back to her old self eventually, but it will take time."

"And you know we'll help her if she needs it," Amber added.

"I know, and I do help her," James agreed, recalling how he'd help Sofia when he passed the door, saw the red sparkles, and sang to her or told her stories as he helped clean her up if she had an accident, or just needed comfort.

"And you both do wonderfully," Cedric agreed.

"So do you, Cedric," Amber smiled. "You were the first person with magic Sofia trusted upon her rescue and now she's beginning to realize that not all people who do magic are bad."

"She's slowly starting to do sorcery class at school again," James added. "Amber and I help her out if she needs it."

"I'm happy to hear this. I really am," Cedric smiled.

"Would it be okay if we visited her just for a little bit?" Amber wondered, biting her lip as she choked back a sob. "E-Ever since she's come home, I've been afraid to go into her room at night because I think it's going to be empty again and…"

"Of course you can visit her, Princess," Cedric smiled. "Just don't be too loud, since she's probably asleep. I just have to discuss something with your father, but then I'll be right back."

"I'll come in with you too, Amber," James offered.

Amber nodded, looking at the gold sparkles on the door, and hoping that they wouldn't turn red, slowly entered with James beside her.

They smiled as they heard Clover snoring away in his basket. Walking past him, they went up to Sofia's bed as they saw their sister sleeping peacefully.

"I wish she was like this during the day," Amber sighed.

"Me too," James agreed. "But look at how much she's grown in the last two months. Amber, do you remember when she went outside for the first time two days after she was rescued?"

"Oh yes. She was hesitant at first but once we assured her that she wouldn't be in trouble for being outside, she stayed out all day and came back to the castle covered in dirt from head to toe!"

"Cleaning her up afterwards was the hardest. She always squirmed away from us every time we tried to wipe the dirt off," James smirked.

"She thought she was going to be punished for doing something, but we always managed to get her calmed down," Amber agreed. "Between me talking to her and you telling her stories or singing to her, we got her relaxed enough to get cleaned up again."

"We can still do that if she needs it," James agreed. "She loves my butterfly stories, and the adventures we use our plush friends and your dolls in. I know my other stories aren't scary or violent, but I'm holding off on those until she's ready to hear them again."

"Good idea," Amber approved, "You didn't write about what happened, but you did put some of her speech in one of your stories. Mom actually read that one to Sofia, and she loved it!"

"Well, she was the inspiration for the speech," James smiled.

"She was so brave standing up to that monster like that. I wouldn't have been as brave as she was, James."

"Me neither."

"What monster?" Sofia stirred, rubbing her eyes.

"It's nothing, Sof. Go back to sleep," James smiled.

He started humming the song Cedric sang, since he'd heard it as he stopped by Cedric's tower to get him since Roland needed to talk to him about something. Roland had understood that Cedric was trying to help Sofia, and told him to come to him when he had a free moment.

"That's right, Sofia. Let James put you back to sleep," Amber smiled.

"…love you," Sofia yawned, reaching out to squeeze her sister's hand.

"We love you too, Sof," James smiled, watching as her eyes began to droop. "I'll stay with her this time," he continued as he and Amber tucked her in. He put Rapunzel and Sofia's other doll in her arms, and settled on the bed with a few of his story folders. "I brought a few stories with me just in case she needs one."

"Good idea," Amber agreed. "And we know you'll start telling Sofia the more adventurous stories when she's ready, even though they're not too scary."

"Take it one step at a time," James nodded.

"All right, you two, enough disturbing your sister. She needs her rest," Cedric smirked as he stepped into the room.

"It's okay, Cedric. I'll be staying with Sof tonight," James smiled.

"Are you sure, Prince James?"

"He's sure," Amber assured him. "Now what was it you were discussing with Daddy?"

"Was it Hildegard again?" James scoffed.

"Oh, yes," Cedric muttered. "I told your father everything you told me about her, and he invited me to stay while he informed King Henrik of this latest bullying escapade."

"And?" Amber asked.

"What happened next?" James asked.

"Well, Princess Hildegard will be grounded again," Cedric started, consulting the notes he'd taken, so just in case he wanted to tell Sofia about this, he'd remember what was said. "And her sister, Princess Astrid, will be coming to Royal Prep with her for the next two weeks to monitor her behavior and report any bullying to the teachers, the school counselors, and their father."

"I think Sof will be happy to learn that Hildegard will be monitored at school," James smiled.

"Me too," Amber agreed. "Lately, Sofia's been begging Mom and Daddy to keep her home because the bullying's gotten so bad. Some of the older students think she's lying about Boswell or trigger her phobias."

"That would explain why she always apologizes for those phobias," Cedric sighed. He smiled a little as Sofia squeezed Amber's hand and chuckled softly. "Princess Amber, I think your sister's telling us it's time to leave."

"I'll leave if you want me to, Sofia, but I have no problem having a sibling sleepover with you and James," Amber smiled as she gently pulled away.

"I'll come get you if she needs extra help," James offered. As he watched Cedric and Amber start to leave, he called, "Wait a minute. I forgot to ask, what's going to happen after the two weeks are up and Hildegard's still acting like she is now?"

Cedric looked at his notes. "Well, if Princess Hildegard continues her behavior after the two weeks are up, King Henrik told your father that she's going to be taken out for the rest of the year and homeschooled. She'll be allowed back in Royal Prep the following fall provided she improves her behavior."

"Well, it's a start," Amber sighed.

"And hopefully it stays that way," James murmured.

He watched as Cedric and Amber left before climbing into the window, hearing Sofia giggle in her sleep.

She must be having a happy dream, James thought, adjusting his pillow before falling asleep himself.

In the morning, after breakfast, Sofia visited Cedric in his workshop, who didn't mind her disturbing him this time, as he ruffled her hair.

"How's my favorite apprentice doing this morning?" Cedric smiled.

"Silly Mr. Cee-drick! I'm your only apprentice!" Sofia giggled as she climbed onto her stool and dangled her legs. "Thank you for helping me get to bed last night."

"Not a problem, my dear. Did you sleep well?"

"I did! Maybe a little too well because I woke up to my bed and nightgown feeling soaking wet for no reason."

"Did Prince James help you?" Cedric asked.

"He did," Sofia recalled, putting her hands on her lap. "James said that I was having such a nice dream that I forgot to wake up to use the bathroom."

"That happens to Calista sometimes, so no harm done, my dear," Cedric smiled.

"Do they know about what happened to me, Mr. Cee-drick? Mr. Goodwin and Miss Winifred?"

"Oh, yes," Cedric murmured. "While I was trying to use the seeking spells to find you, Mummy and Father also came to the castle and offered to do a more advanced seeking spell to find you. Unfortunately, theirs had the same result that mine did: the spell failed because that accursed Boswell had to move to a different location, so we could never get a lock on him."

"It's okay, Mister Cee-drick," Sofia smiled. "They tried, just like you did."

"Indeed," Cedric smiled. "And when they heard that you'd been found, Mummy started making all kinds of presents for you. I'm sure you noticed one of the gowns she made."

"The one that changes colors?" Sofia looked at her closet, seeing the purple dress in it, then watched as it changed to blue. "That's the most ah-mazing dress I've ever seen! And tell her that Amber saw it and she likes it!"

"Oh, she knows," Cedric smirked. "She's already making one for Princess Amber-don't tell her-and she made sure that orange is not going to be one of the colors the dress changes into."

Sofia beamed as she sprinted to Cedric and hugged him tightly.

"Oh! Isn't this a bit much for a thank you?" Cedric teased.

"I can't help it!" Sofia giggled. "I've never been this happy in two months! Mr. Boswell's gone and I got all these gowns and dolls and other stuff that I couldn't believe were all for me when I first saw them."

"You should've seen your vigil. We had people gathering at the castle for days until you were found."

"Really? Mr. Boswell had me convinced that nobody was out there wasting their time looking for me."

"What he said doesn't matter anymore," Cedric said firmly. He didn't want to raise his voice, but he wanted to make his point clear. "Everyone went out of their way to help us find you, since you're important to so many people. You've changed so many lives for the better, and they wanted to return the favor."

Sofia smiled. "Thank you, Mister Cee-drick!"

"You're very welcome, my dear, and now it's time for you to go to sleep," Cedric smiled.

"But I'm not tired! I got enough sleep last night!"

"I know you did, but remember what the royal physician said? You're still healing and can't—"

"—overdo it. I remember, Mr. Cee-drick," Sofia grumbled. "It's just, naps are for babies and I'm tired of being treated like one. I'm almost nine, for Enchancia's sake!"

"I'll have you know that your father would often tell me to take a nap when I worked too hard on the seeking spells," Cedric mock frowned. "And he had to tell Prince James to rest when he was working himself ragged before he started singing in public again. With those examples, do you think we're babies?"

"Of course not, Mister Cee-drick!" Sofia gasped. "But Dad told me that he wanted you to be at your best when you did your seeking spells. And James...well, we can't blame him for working so hard around the castle before he started singing again. He said he did that because he didn't want to have nightmares."

"That's right," Cedric smiled, taking her in his arms. "Now that you understand that naps aren't just for babies, let's get you down for one."

"Okay but… Could you…"

"Stay with you?"

"Yes," Sofia murmured, blinking back tears. "But if you're too busy, then I'll understand. I'm used to doing things alone by now."

"You'll never be alone again, Sofia," Cedric promised. "I'll stay right by your side for as long as you need me. And I don't have a deadline for any spells or potions, but if someone needs me for any other reason, I'll be sure to let you know, and get someone to stay with you."

"Thank you, Mister Cee-drick," Sofia smiled.

She yawned, causing him to chuckle as he took her in his arms.

"Looks like you're ready for a nap now, aren't you?" Cedric teased.

"A little," Sofia admitted. "But please don't tell the royal physician I tried to skip one. He's pestering me enough already about how much I eat and taking care of myself."

"Not to mention him wanting you to talk about your feelings."

"I don't like that part. I'm always afraid I'll start crying by the end of it or have an accident in the middle of it because talking about Mr. Boswell outside of you, the castle staff, my friends, and my family, my tummy hurts, Mr. Cee-drick." Cedric looked a little confused, so Sofia tried to explain. "When I talk about Mr. Boswell with the royal physician, my tummy hurts so much that I feel sick."

"That's all right," Cedric tried to assure her. "You shouldn't keep your feelings bottled up. You can cry if you need to, and nobody will think you're a baby. And if you have an accident, there are people who will help you, and they won't think any less of you."

"Really?" Sofia smiled.

"Really. I better take you to bed. You're long overdue for a nap, my dear."

"And they're not for babies!"

"That's right," Cedric chuckled, hearing her yawn. "Once you're awake, we'll spend the rest of the day together."

"Can Clover come too?" Sofia murmured.

"Of course he can," Cedric assured her. "You can have anything you want, and that includes your rabbit friend. And we'll do anything you want: have a tea party, visit the butterflies, or if you want, you can help me with some spells."

"I like your magic," Sofia smiled. "You do good magic, and you don't hurt anybody with it! You help people, just like you help me!"

"I certainly try, my dear," Cedric smiled. "Now go to sleep. We'll talk some more when you wake up."

"Okay," Sofia yawned.

When she was asleep and he saw her in no signs of distress, Cedric stepped out of the room.

His apprentice would get through this one day at a time.