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: This chapter is a bit longer, and there are a few light moments compared with the others. 😊Finally. Haha.

Chapter 18: Hope in the Wake of Tragedy

About a week later, Desmond was still wounded but was recovering in a local hospital. As the days passed, his mind became clearer, and images of the events at the barricade started coming back to him. He knew from talking to some of the nurses that all of his friends were gone… All of them…

For days now, he'd had nightmares of Sofia's death, what he assumed Cedric's last moments of life were, and many other things. He felt like he was to blame for a lot of this mess, even though he knew it wasn't true. His feelings for Amber hadn't had anything to do with the uprising and defeat of Merlin's followers. That had been in place long before he even knew who Amber was. Still, he couldn't help the guilt that overwhelmed him, since he now knew he was the only one who hadn't died that day.

In the meantime, Roland had postponed his exit from Zodia and instead stayed behind, having already told Amber what had happened—well, to a degree. He let her know of Desmond's injury, but he didn't tell her the full truth about how he knew. The poor girl… He'd already kept so many secrets from her, and he knew she probably wasn't sure what was even real anymore with him. Soon enough, he'd have to make amends for that…

When he'd gone searching for Baileywick to at least attempt to talk to the man, he couldn't find him. There were whispers that he'd either fallen or been pushed into the Zodian River, as his effects had been found somewhere a few miles down the riverbank, but Roland knew better. That man had been struggling to cope in the midst of a lot of darkness and conflicts for years now. He'd seen it reflected right back at him each time they'd met; after all, Roland himself wrestled with much of the same. But for the inspector to act on it… It wasn't anything he ever imagined happening. May he rest in peace, at last…

Regarding Desmond, Roland made sure that the boy didn't know he was the one responsible for his survival. He also hadn't told Amber. Why, you might ask? He didn't want to be seen as a hero. He didn't want any unnecessary attention drawn to him. Roland was satisfied knowing that Desmond was alive and getting better, and that was all the validation he needed. In any case, he'd encouraged Amber to travel to the hospital to see Desmond and comfort him so he would get better faster. After all, survivor's guilt was a terrible thing that happened to many, and it often hindered their healing process, sadly. And how did he know Desmond was in the hospital? "Rumors," he'd told Amber when she had also asked. "This one just so happened to be true."

As it turned out, Amber's visitations to Desmond worked like a charm. Of course, there had been a few hiccups along the way. With Desmond's mind tortured and hopes for Zodia all but tarnished, he often told her things like, "I would die for you," to which Amber would tearfully respond, "I know that, Desmond… But I wish you would live for me." It took a while, but eventually, Desmond came around to his naturally good-natured and friendly personality again, which thrilled the blonde girl to no end. They'd been able to rekindle their affection for each other, and before long, they were courting. While Roland had first hesitated at the idea of his only daughter being romantically involved with someone, he knew that she was now old enough to make her own decisions. She would not need him to guide her anymore, as she was no longer a child.

A few months went by, and Desmond and Amber became engaged. Roland blessed their future marriage before asking to speak with Desmond privately. Amber, believing this to be one of those 'heart-to-heart/father-in-law-to-future-son-in-law' speeches, gracefully bowed out and made herself busy elsewhere.

When they were alone in Roland's study, Desmond was about to speak when he heard probably the most jarring words that sent him into stunned silence.

"I'm an escaped convict who must leave to keep my daughter safe."

Shaking his head, Desmond blinked. "I'm sorry, sir. What?"

Even though he knew what happened with Baileywick, he also knew the inspector had successors who would likely take over his role for him. And even if such people didn't exist, he wasn't going to risk his daughter's safety. "You heard me, Desmond. For years, I've been on the run, and I've tried my very hardest to keep my daughter safe. I can't keep moving her town to town, city to city, anymore. I must disappear and leave her with you, her future husband. Telling her anything about this will put her in more danger than I'm willing to admit, and I just can't do that to her." He locked eyes with the young man, frowning softly. "Please, Desmond. Look after her for me, but promise me you won't tell Amber about my past. She doesn't know, and I'd like to keep it that way. It's better for everyone."

While hesitant, Desmond knew this was one promise he had to keep. It clearly meant a lot to the other man, so… "I promise."

Not long after, Roland disappeared without a word, much to Desmond's surprise and Amber's disappointment. She had known her father to be very secretive and aloof, but to just leave without telling her? And with the wedding fast approaching? Regardless, Desmond comforted his fiancée and reminded her that he was there for her. Maybe Roland just needed time to himself to sort some things out, and then he'd return. While not fully satisfied, Amber did appreciate her fiancé's kind words, and with that in mind, they made plans for their wedding.

Several more months passed by, and Roland had not been seen or heard from in all that time. Desmond and Amber, while still holding onto some hope for the man, decided to go ahead with their wedding. After all, he'd already given them his blessing, and they would finally be able to share their love with the world and begin a family of their own.

The ceremony had gone wonderfully and was absolutely beautiful, and now everyone was gathered in a grand ballroom for the reception. After the toasts and speeches, a ruckus could be heard just outside the building, and to everyone's surprise, Nigel and Cordelia crashed the party. They were dressed (poorly) as some strange form of nobility, with far too much makeup and far too gaudy of outfits. Amber recognized them immediately and called them out.

"Didn't you ruin my life enough as a child?" the bride chided angrily, stepping up to them and yanking their ridiculous crowns from their heads. "How dare you ruin my wedding?"

"Ohh, the precious little Amber has finally grown up," Cordelia cackled. "Don't flatter yourself, darling. We all know that you're only marrying this boy for his money."

"Right," Nigel added, grinning. "You don't have the same passionate relationship Cordelia and I have. I could be poorer than a dead man buried under a shipwreck beneath the ocean, and Cordy would still love me. Right, Cordy?"

The woman eyed him momentarily before rolling her eyes. "My life was better without you in it, Nigie. But sure!"

"You will depart now," Desmond demanded, stepping up next to his wife. "That's not a request."

"Ooh, look at the little one, all feisty and zesty." Cordelia giggled, folding her arms. "You're sure you want to marry into this family? Why, the girl's father is a murderer who was carrying a corpse through a sewer several months ago."

"We would know because we were there," Nigel added unnecessarily. "We were…cleaning up the streets. Yeah!"

Desmond and Amber exchanged glances, not quite sure where the couple was going with this.

"Come to think of it," the older woman added, "that 'corpse' looked an awful lot like you, young man…"

Her words hit him like a bucket of cold water had fallen on him. Desmond had never known how he'd been rescued at the barricade. He was just told someone had found him and carried him all the way there. Now, he realized it had been his very own father-in-law who had saved his life. And he'd wanted nothing in return… He reached down, grasping Amber's hand. "We need to find your father."

"How, Desmond?" she asked, seeming taken aback by his sudden declaration. "He's been gone for months. You know that."

"I'll figure it out. I promise. In the meantime, guards!" He turned, pointing toward Nigel and Cordelia. "Arrest them."

Nigel and Cordelia were simply laughing raucously as they were carried out of the ballroom, toasting with their stolen glasses of champagne. Meanwhile, after the party concluded, the newlyweds decided that the next morning, their new adventure would begin.

The quest to find Roland.

To be continued…

Next Chapter: Atonement