Les Misérables

Summary: After studying about the dark past of surrounding kingdoms, Tanya asks Cedric and Sofia if any other kingdom ever had the same level of darkness. This leads to a very unexpected story, filled with despair, hope, severed and forged bonds, and preventable demise. Read Me a Story format! (Takes place 5 years after my season 5 stories)

Disclaimer: I don't own Sofia the First. I own Corban and some other OCs mentioned here. MarionetteJ2X owns Tanya and Nana.

A/N: Well! I know how overwhelming writing these "Read Me a Story" narratives can be, but I do enjoy them, especially when it's a story I'm passionate about. I've loved Les Mis for a LONG time, especially after watching Ramin Karimloo as Enjolras in the 25th Anniversary edition a long time ago. I love that man. Lol. Anyway! This story will be 20 chapters long, and it will take me a while to write, especially since school begins for me next week, I'm working on finishing my dissertation, and I'm working with a resident teacher this year. I'm going to be very busy, so I will definitely write when I can. I anticipate that this story will be complete either in November or December, but who knows? Maybe I'll surprise myself and get it done earlier. Haha. I may have another idea up my sleeve for later, but for now, this is my main focus this semester. 😊 I hope you enjoy this crazy ride you're about to embark on. It will be dark, gritty, wild, and eye-opening. Like most of these types of stories, I will put my own spin on things in some places, especially given the characters and relationships, but the shell will be similar to the original story. With that said, here we go!

Note 2: In this story, like most stories in this area of 5 years after season 5 of my series, Nana appears 15 while Tanya appears 16.

Chapter 1: Historical Darkness

The end of the fiscal year was approaching, as it was early November, and many students were on a holiday break. With Wassailia mere weeks away at that point, it was nice to have some sort of downtime prior to end-of-semester assessments looming nearby. That being said, Tanya and Nana were home in Enchancia for the week, visiting their parents and other family members and friends.

For the next two days, Serena and Charlie were staying with Cedric's parents, giving the girls some closer bonding time with Cedric and Sofia, which they hadn't had in a long time. Not that they didn't love their little brother and sister, of course, but it was nice to get to experience a close connection again.

Cedric passed some biscuits to his daughters while Sofia sorted out the tea. They were in a common room, gathered around a fireplace on the floor, which was flush with numerous pillows and blankets. It was a nice nod to a typical outdoor picnic, if nothing else.

"So," the sorcerer began once everyone had some sustenance, "how is school going?"

Nana just smiled and nodded, like she was apt to do. In fact, Nana consistently earned top marks, which both stunned and pleased her professors. Of course, Nana was both studious and well versed in the concepts they reviewed in class, whether through personal experience or self-taught comprehension. Perhaps being from the Never Realm did have its advantages after all.

Tanya spoke, "We have both done well this semester. The magic courses are easy enough. However…" She sipped some of her tea before setting the cup down, her hands lifting to her braided hair, caressing it, as she frowned. "We have been looking into something quite disturbing in our history class." She saw Nana suddenly nodding, her green eyes wide. "We learned of many kingdoms that possessed quite dark pasts. For example, Wisenberg just north of here was built after the assassination of a previously beloved monarch. It is said that the throne room is situated on the resting place of Queen Viza."

"Oh, wow," Sofia remarked, a bit stunned. "They didn't cover that in Royal Prep…"

The white-haired teen laughed lightly. "Professor Ezlow said that would be the case, but not just of RPA, but many other schools. Their history professors are often asked to 'water down' the content to keep the peace. In his own words, 'I would rather divulge the gritty and gruesome truth, for this realm was built upon it,' or something to that effect."

Cedric hummed quietly. "I'm not familiar with him, so he must be a newer teacher. However, he's not wrong."

"He also told us of the Jyein Dynasty: Emperor Oldin sacrificed his own twin sister to become the ruler of his land?"

Nana's lips formed a straight line, demonstrating her discomfort, not to mention her distaste of the topic at hand. She waved one hand at her sister, sighing as she offered her a deadpanned look.

"Sorry, Nana, but I am just telling Mama and Papa about our studies…" She glanced toward her mother. "Did Enchancia ever have a dark past like that?"

The princess shook her head. "Not that I'm aware of… Sure, they've had a fair share of historical drama, but nothing as dark as what you've apparently heard about…"

"And what of other kingdoms? Did any other experience the same level of darkness as those?"

Cedric sighed, nodding. "Unfortunately, I am aware of one: Zodia. It was a kingdom that had fallen into deep despair, with many people destroyed at the hands of their own leaders. Those housed by its confines always had to live cautiously, walking on eggshells, as it were."

"Was it a magical kingdom?" Sofia wondered. "This is the first time I'm hearing of it."

"Oh, actually, yes. We learned about it in Hexley Hall." He smirked as she sighed in mild annoyance. "Didn't they teach you anything at that prep school, my love?"

She rolled her eyes. "I'm one of the best dancers, and I learned a few spells…" She grinned as his smirk widened a bit. "And of course, you had to teach me the 'correct' method for most of them."

"Right, because they weren't always fully accurate."

Nana tugged on Tanya's sleeve and leaned toward her, gesturing vaguely.

"Nana asked what the story is with Zodia," Tanya informed the other two, her bond and connection with her sister far more powerful and telepathic than it used to be.

"Story, eh?" Cedric laughed. "Sounds like I should indeed tell the full story… Give some background context and all that."

"Oh, geez, I'd better get some snacks then," Sofia joked. "I can tell this is going to be a long story." She smiled at her husband. "Do I have a role in this?"

He returned her smile, his own a bit flirtatious. "Don't you always?" He chuckled as she leaned down and kissed him before hurrying out of the room.

Tanya eyed her sister, who was grinning at the rather cheesy but adorable exchange. "Perhaps I should not have inquired about this Zodia kingdom after all…"

"Oh, no, Tanya," Cedric corrected. "In fact, it's quite an interesting story… One full of darkness, terror, uncertainty, and even…hope. It deserves to be told." He nodded toward Sofia when she returned, a basket of goodies in her hands. After she'd sat down and passed out the snacks, he cleared his throat. "Now then… Our story begins many years ago, with a prisoner whose only crime was stealing food to help his starving family. A good man named…Roland."

Sofia blinked in mild surprise before smiling softly at Cedric. "Oh, this is going to be interesting…"

To be continued…

Next Chapter: Nineteen Years