Ever Realm Chronicles - a Sofia the First fanfic

Chapter 24: A New Home

September 9, 1872

It was a Monday morning at Enchancia Castle. In the courtyard of Enchancia Castle, Violet stood waiting for a carriage to arrive. In a few minutes, the carriage entered the courtyard and came to a stop. Baileywick got off of the carriage, followed by a fourteen-year-old girl, and a twelve-year-old girl.

"Violet," Baileywick started. "These are our new charges from the orphanage - Bethany Richards, and her younger sister, Louise Richards".

"Nice to meet you, ma'am," Bethany said to Violet.

"Nice to meet you," Louise said to Violet.

"It's nice to meet you, girls," Violet smiled at Bethany and Louise as Baileywick took Violet aside.

"Bethany and Louise lost their parents recently in a wagon accident," Baileywick explained. "Since they are on the older side, it was thought it might be better if they were brought here and trained as maids. The fact is, most people are looking to adopt younger children."

"My sister and I are good workers," Bethany spoke up, nervous.

"Don't you fret, girls," Violet said in a kind, compassionate voice. "The two of you are going to fit in nicely here. We're very happy to have you."

"It's going to be the same situation as we had with Dorrie and Candice," Baileywick informed Violet. "They will live here, work here part-time, go to school in the village, and have free time for themselves as well."

"It's settled, then," Violet happily acknowledged. "If you'll follow me, girls, I'll show you around the castle, and explain your duties."

Bethany and Louise followed Violet into the castle. As the three walked, Louise looked at Violet.

"The man said Dorrie and Candice," Louise noted. "Princess Dorrie and Princess Candice?"

"Yes," Violet smiled. "I'm their mother."

"Then you would be Lady Violet Cosmarune-Cooper," Bethany said to Violet.

"Guilty as charged," Violet chuckled. "But just call me Violet. Everybody else does."

Violet took Bethany and Louise around the castle and explained what duties they would be doing around the castle. Afterward, Violet took Bethany and Louise to the servants' quarters and showed Bethany and Louise their rooms.

"This will be your room, Bethany," Violet announced. "And, Louise, your room is right next door. You'll find these rooms quite comfortable. They use to belong to my daughters."

"These are the rooms where Princess Dorrie and Princess Candice stayed?" Louise asked in awe.

"Yes," Violet happily acknowledged. "They would be happy to know that their rooms here have gone to two fine girls such as yourselves."

Bethany and Louise smiled at the compliment.

"We have a home, now," Bethany said to Louise. "And, we're together."

"How long has it been since your parents died?" Violet inquired.

"A little over a month," Bethany answered.

"It's still fresh, isn't it?" Violet asked tenderly.

Bethany and Louise sadly nodded their heads yes.

"I wish beyond anything else I could bring your parents back," Violet sadly admitted. "But, I can't. But I can give you the next best thing. We, the staff here, will be your family. We'll see to it that you are cherished, and well looked after."

Bethany and Louise raced over and hugged Violet.

"Everything is going to be all right," Violet reassured Bethany and Louise. "Meanwhile, you'll find your uniforms in your closets. You'll also find some dresses, shoes, nightgowns, and other clothes, as well as school supplies. We wanted to start you off right."

"Thank you," Bethany said, grateful.

"Yes, thank you," Louise added gratefully.

"I'll leave the two of you to settle in," Violet smiled. "My room is just across the hall if you need anything."

As Violet left, Bethany walked over and tenderly hugged Louise as the two looked out the window at the castle grounds.

"This is our home now," Bethany gently said to Louise. "We'll be fine here."

"I know we will," Louise smiled at Bethany.

October 6, 1872

It was a Sunday afternoon at Enchancia Castle. Violet was in her room looking out her window when she spotted Bethany and Louise playing on the grounds of the castle. It was a day off for the two girls, and Violet smiled as she watched them play together.

In preparation for starting school back in September, Bethany and Louise had been tested to see what kind of magical potential they had. It came as a surprise that both girls had a very high magical power level buried deep down inside them, so much so that they skipped attending school in the village, and had been fast-tracked into the Wendarby Institute as soon as they started school. The two chose to be attached to Cosmarune House at Wendarby with Violet's blessing. Bethany and Louise were at a loss to explain their power level since their birth family apparently did not possess such high magical potential. It was a mystery that would have to be looked into as time went on.

As Violet watched Bethany and Louise playing, a happiness came over Violet's mind. As she had with Dorrie and Candice, Violet was falling in love with Bethany and Louise. The two girls were also becoming quite fond of Violet.

"It's not just a matter of love," Violet thought to herself of Bethany and Louise. "There is the timeline to consider. And even if my adopting them didn't disrupt the timeline, how would they react to me being a Voyager? And how would Dorrie and Candice react to me wanting to adopt Bethany and Louise?"

At that moment, a white woman in her late 30s with short blond hair appeared out of thin air in Violet's room. The woman held a gold Omni in her hand.

"Well, if I live and breathe," Violet happily said to the woman. "If it isn't my old friend, Trixie Franklin-Ayward."

"Good to see you again, Vi," Trixie smiled as she walked over, and she and Violet hugged each other.

"What brings you to Enchancia Castle?" Violet asked Trixie, curious.

"Actually, Voyager Command sent me," Trixie confessed. "You're reaching another turning point in your life, and I'm here to give you a green light as it were."

"And what green light would that be?" Violet inquired.

"Adopting Bethany and Louise," Trixie answered. "And no, it won't disrupt the timeline. Actually, it's part of what's meant to be."

Violet's eyes lit up at the news. But then Violet found herself asking out loud "but how would Dorrie and Candice react?"

"I've been on a few Voyager missions with Dorrie and Candice, and I know them well enough to know they would welcome two new sisters with open arms," Trixie reassured Violet. "As for how Bethany and Louise would react to you being a Voyager, they seem to be level-headed girls. After all, from what I hear through the grapevine, they reacted well to finding out they were magically inclined, and that must have been a shock."

"You're right, of course," Violet agreed. "It's settled, then. I'll contact Dorrie and Candice, and arrange a meeting."

"Mind if I tag along?" Trixie asked, hopeful.

"I'd welcome your presence" Violet agreed, gratefully.

"Then consider it a done deal," Trixie smiled.

October 7, 1872

It was a Monday morning in Enchancia. A cloud coaster from Ornburgh arrived in the courtyard of Enchancia Castle, as King Roland, Queen Miranda, Baileywick, Amber, Lucinda, Violet, Bethany, and Louise stood on the steps leading to the castle.

"Princess Dorrie and Princess Candice of Ornburgh, and Mrs. Trixie Franklin-Ayward," Baileywick announced as Dorrie, Candice, and Trixie stepped out of the vehicle.

"This is the first time I've ridden in a cloud coaster," Trixie whispered to Dorrie and Candice with a smile. "That was jolly fun."

"Dorrie, Candice," Roland smiled as he walked up. "It's good to see you again."

"And you as well, King Roland," Dorrie smiled back.

"This is our close friend, Trixie," Candice introduced Trixie to Roland.

"A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Ayward," Roland acknowledged. "Any friend of Dorrie and Candice's is a friend of ours."

Trixie smiled at Roland, pleased with the warm reception. As the driver of the cloud coaster parked the vehicle in a corner of the courtyard, everybody else started walking into the castle.

"Well, fancy meeting you here," Amber whispered to Trixie.

"Dorrie and Candice have all the luck - they know all the cool Voyagers," Lucinda happily added in a whisper to Amber.

"Thanks for the compliment," Trixie happily whispered to Amber and Lucinda.

"Dorrie, Candice," Roland started. "After your meeting, I'd like to see the two of you in my study. We have some catching up to do."

"We'd be delighted, King Roland," Candice happily acknowledged.

Dorrie, Candice, Trixie, Violet, Bethany, and Louise were shown to a fancy conference room in the castle where they were left alone.

"Let's all have a seat," Violet suggested. "Bethany, Louise - I'd like the two of you next to me."

"I take it this is why you kept Louise and me home from school today?" Bethany asked Violet.

"Yes," Violet acknowledged.

Everybody sat down around a grand table.

"I've called you here because I want to discuss something with you," Violet started, before turning to Dorrie and Candice. "Adopting the two of you has made me very happy over the years. And now, I'm hoping with your permission, I'd like to adopt Bethany and Louise."

"You want to ... adopt ... us?" Bethany asked Violet, with a mix of shock and awe.

"I've come to love you and Louise very much," Violet smiled. "I'd love to be a mother to the two of you."

"We love you, too," Louise said with tears of happiness streaming down her face.

"We wouldn't want to step on anyone's toes," Bethany said, looking at Dorrie and Candice.

"Oh, girls," Dorrie said in the sweetest, kindest voice. "You would not be stepping on our toes."

"Mom has plenty of love to go around for all of us," Candice reassured Bethany and Louise.

"Candice and I would absolutely love two new sisters," Dorrie smiled.

"What about it, girls?" Violet asked Bethany and Louise. "Would you like to be part of my family?"

"Yes!" Bethany and Louise gleefully answered as they got up and hugged Violet.

Dorrie, Candice, and Trixie smiled at the precious scene.

"Mom?" Candice asked. "What about your other job?"

"Bethany, Louise," Violet started. "There's something you need to know about me, and Dorrie, Candice, and Trixie".

"If I might make a suggestion?" Trixie proposed as she looked at Violet. "Why not show them how the magic works?"

"They say seeing is believing," Violet acknowledged as she brought out her silver pocket watch-sized Omni. Violet then turned to Bethany and Louise. "Grab hold of my arms, girls. And don't let go." Violet then adjusted the dials on her Omni, pressed a button on the side of her Omni, and she, Bethany, and Louise disappeared into thin air.

"They're gonna have fun," Trixie smiled, referring to Bethany and Louise. Trixie then turned to Dorrie and Candice. "While those three are away, I have a message for the two of you," Trixie announced as she pointed up toward Heaven. "The people upstairs are still very proud of you."

"You've met an angel, then?" Dorrie asked, curious.

"Two, actually," Trixie happily acknowledged. "Two dead friends from my midwifery days who are now angels - Sister Evangelina, and Sister Monica Joan. As angels, they've reverted to much younger bodies, and have gone back to using their pre-nun names of Enid and Antonia. It was good seeing them again."

"Sister Monica Joan?" Candice asked. "As in Antonia Cavill?"

"Yes," Trixie answered, surprised. "How did you know?"

"Mom, Dorrie, and I met her in the early 1900s when she was starting out in midwifery," Candice revealed. "We helped her deliver a baby."

"Well, it's a small world, isn't it?" Trixie happily remarked.

At that moment, Violet, Bethany, and Louise reappeared in the conference room, wearing dresses from the 1960s.

"That was awesome!" Louise exclaimed in glee.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine such a place existed," Bethany remarked, impressed.

"I've better put us back into our uniforms," Violet said as she brought out her wand, and waved it over her, Bethany, and Louise. "Costumas Restoro." The dresses the three were wearing then transformed back into maid uniforms.

"Have fun?" Dorrie smiled at Violet, Bethany, and Louise.

"Yes!" Bethany and Louise grinned in delight.

"I took them to the 1964 New York World's Fair," Violet announced.

"Good times," Candice fondly remembered. "I remember when you took me and Dorrie to the opening day in April."

"I opted to take Bethany and Louise to a day in May," Violet revealed. "Didn't want to bump into myself - that wouldn't do at all."

"Louise and I promise to not say anything about you, Princess Dorrie, Princess Candice, and Mrs. Ayward being Voyagers," Bethany promised to Violet.

"So, you still want me to make arrangements to adopt you ... after what you've found out?" Violet asked Bethany and Louise, hopeful.

"Oh, yes!" Bethany smiled.

"Please," Louise happily added.

"Then I'll contact Mrs. Tweedle at the orphanage, and make the arrangements," Violet happily announced.

"And none of this princess stuff," Dorrie smiled at Bethany and Louise. "We're going to be family. It's just Dorrie and Candice to you."

Bethany and Louise happily looked at Dorrie and Candice, pleased with the warm reception they were getting.

"Well, we'd better be getting to King Roland's study," Candice said on behalf of herself and Dorrie.

"Meanwhile, Trixie, let me, Bethany, and Louise give you a tour of the castle," Violet offered.

"I'd enjoy that," Trixie accepted, pleased.

A secret revealed

In a few minutes, Dorrie and Candice arrived at Roland's study. Dorrie then knocked on the door.

"Enter," Roland invited.

Dorrie and Candice entered Roland's study.

"Ah! There you are," Roland smiled. "Come in, and close the door behind you, please."

Candice closed the door, as Roland directed her and Dorrie to sit down.

"I take it your meeting went well?" Roland inquired.

"Very well," Dorrie smiled. "Mom's going to adopt Bethany and Louise."

"Well, congratulations," Roland happily said. "I know you'll make a fine family for them."

"What did you want to see us about, sir?" Candice asked Roland.

"You see, I went to Warehouse Ten the other day," Roland revealed. "I was given a tour of the dark vault, and imagine my surprise when I saw displayed there ... King Gideon's crown."

"I knew this was going to come back and haunt us sooner or later," Candice said to Dorrie.

"Not to worry, ladies," Roland smiled. "I understand. Quite frankly, that crown always gave me bad feelings from the time I was a child. I'm glad it's out of the castle. And since the two of you replaced it with an exact replica, nobody here but the three of us ever need to know what happened."

"For what it's worth, we're sorry to have done that," Dorrie apologized on behalf of herself and Candice. "We were under orders by ..."

"... my mother." Roland acknowledged. "I understand she was a high-ranking Regent at the Warehouse."

"Yes," Candice admitted.

"Understand, sir, that the two are us aren't normally thieves," Dorrie explained about her and Candice. "Those at the Warehouse thought it would be safer to have the original crown under lock and key there."

"No need to explain," Roland reassured Dorrie and Candice. "You should know that something else from the castle wound up in the Warehouse - the magic mirror that was tucked away in the attic."

"I can assure you that Dorrie and I had nothing to do with that," Candice explained, taken off guard.

"I know," Roland chuckled. "It turns out that Sofia and Lucinda had the magic mirror taken to the Warehouse. It's safely under lock and key in the dark vault."

"That's a relief," Dorrie said thankfully.

"Tell me about it," Roland said, grateful. "I found out the hard way to be careful what you wish for - you might get it. But, enough of Warehouse business. How is married life treating the both of you?"

"I for one couldn't be happier," Dorrie smiled. "Frederick is all I could have ever wished for."

"And, Everett is all I could have ever wished for," Candice happily added.

Roland smiled, seeing that Dorrie and Candice were happy. At that moment, a knock came at the door.

"Come in," Roland responded.

The door opened, and in walked Baileywick with a tea cart.

"I thought the three of you would like some tea as you talked," Baileywick smiled.

"An excellent idea," Roland happily responded.

Baileywick poured some tea for Roland, Dorrie, and Candice, and then left to take care of other duties. Roland, Dorrie, and Candice then had a pleasant conversation as they enjoyed their tea. After a while, Dorrie and Candice left Roland's study and started walking down a hallway.

"Dorrie, Candice," a familiar female voice called out from behind them. Dorrie and Candice turned around to see Amber standing there.

"Amber," Dorrie smiled.

"What may we do for you?" Candice asked, curious.

"Let's go to the sitting room," Amber suggested.

"Okay," Dorrie and Candice agreed, not quite sure of what was going on.

In a few minutes, Amber, Dorrie, and Candice entered the sitting room as Amber closed the door behind them.

"I know I shouldn't be minding other people's business," Amber apologized. "But, did you know that Lady Alexandra is a Voyager?"

"Yes," Candice smiled. "She told us before she left."

"She did?!" Amber gasped in awe.

"She also told us who she really is," Dorrie revealed.

"Say again?" Amber responded, not quite sure of what to make of Dorrie's revelation.

"You've better sit down," Candice suggested to Amber.

"Okay," Amber agreed as she sat down.

"This is going to come as a shock," Dorrie gently warned Amber. "It sure shocked Candice and me."

"Well, inquiring minds want to know," Amber started, excited. "Spill."

"The simple fact of the matter is," Candice started, "Lady Alexandra is ... Queen Elizabeth the Second."

"What?!" Amber exclaimed, shocked, before calming down. "I thought there was something familiar about her voice. But, how did she change her appearance?"

"She has a Transformation Manipulator implanted inside of her," Dorrie explained.

"Of course," Amber acknowledged, recognizing the term. At that moment, a knock came at the sitting room door. "Come in," Amber invited.

The sitting room door opened and in walked Baileywick.

"Princess Dorrie, Princess Candice," Baileywick started. "Your mother is in her office along with Miss Bethany, Miss Louise, and Mrs. Ayward."

"Ah, yes," Candice acknowledged. "Dorrie and I will be there shortly."

"Very good, Princess," Baileywick acknowledged as he left.

"It was nice seeing you again," Amber smiled at Dorrie and Candice. "You have family to catch up with."

"You know about Bethany and Louise, then?" Dorrie asked.

"It's a small castle," Amber winked. "News travels fast, especially good news."

Dorrie and Candice walked to Violet's office where they had a pleasant conversation with Violet, Bethany, Louise, and Trixie. After a little more than an hour, it was time for Dorrie, Candice, and Trixie to leave.

"Mom," Dorrie smiled as she and Candice hugged Violet.

"The two of you make a mother proud," Violet smiled back at Dorrie and Candice.

"And now we're going to have sisters," Candice cheerfully said as she and Dorrie looked at Bethany and Louise.

"We're going to be one big happy family now," Dorrie happily said to Bethany and Louise.

"Until we meet again," Bethany smiled as she and Louise hugged Dorrie and Candice.

"Dorrie and I look forward to that," Candice smiled back at Bethany and Louise.

Dorrie, Candice, and Trixie then walked over to the cloud coaster and climbed aboard. As the three left in their cloud coaster, Violet, Bethany, and Louise waved goodbye.

"We've best be getting to afternoon duties," Bethany said to Louise.

"Coming," Louise happily responded. "I'm looking forward to trying out some of the work shortcuts Dorrie and Candice told us about."

"As am I," Bethany smiled in agreement.

As Bethany and Louise walked off, Violet smiled at the happy scene. It also reminded Violet of when Dorrie and Candice were younger. History was repeating itself, and Violet couldn't be happier.

October 28, 1872

At Enchancia Castle, it was now late-October. Violet's adoption of Bethany and Louise had recently been approved, and the three were now a family. Violet, in her office, had just finished filling out some castle paperwork when she pulled out her silver pocket watch-sized Omni from her pocket. Violet then opened the cover of her Omni, and the green light flashed on.

"Good," Violet smiled upon seeing the green light. "The timeline is normal."

It had been Violet's job ever since she came to the castle to be an undercover Voyager ... to make sure that the timeline surrounding the castle and the royal family stayed on track. Violet then heard a knock at her door. "Come in," Violet invited as she put away her Omni.

The door opened and in walked Baileywick.

"What may I do for you, Mr. Baileywick?" Violet asked with a smile.

"You have guests, Violet," Baileywick happily announced. "Mr. and Mrs. Ayward are here to see you, along with a twelve-year-old girl."

"Please, show them in," Violet requested.

Baileywick showed Mr. and Mrs. Ayward and the twelve-year-old girl into Violet's office.

"Trixie!" Violet happily exclaimed as she hugged her friend.

"Good to see you, Vi," Trixie smiled. "I'd like to introduce you to Matthew and my adopted daughter, Ella."

Violet looked at the twelve-year-old girl who had white skin and brown shoulder-length hair.

"A pleasure to meet you, ma'am," Ella smiled at Violet.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ella," Violet smiled back.

"I'll let the four of you have a conversation," Baileywick announced as he left and closed the door behind him.

"Well, look at you," Violet happily said to Trixie and Matthew. "You now have a daughter."

"We couldn't be happier" Trixie responded as she and Matthew hugged Ella.

"If I might ask, where is Ella from?" Violet asked, curious.

"London ... 1940, ma'am," Ella answered.

"The Blitz?" Violet inquired.

"Yes," Matthew responded. "Ella was an orphan."

Flashback:

It was October 14th of 1940. In London, it was night, and German forces had just carried out a substantial bombing raid against the city. Trixie and Matthew were walking down a deserted street when some banging from some rubble caught their attention. Trixie and Matthew raced over, threw some bricks in the rubble aside, and noticed a door underneath.

"Help me!" a girl's voice screamed from the other side of the door. "I'm trapped!"

"No worries, sweetheart," Trixie reassured the girl. "We're going to get you out."

"Please hurry," the girl urged.

Trixie and Matthew managed to clear the bricks away from the door and soon were able to get the door opened. On the other side of the door, there was a crevice in the rubble which contained the girl.

"Stay still, sweetheart," Trixie gently said as she brought out a 24th Century medical tricorder, and scanned the girl. "No bones broken," Trixie smiled. "You got off quite lucky. Give me your hand, and I'll help you up."

The girl took Trixie's hand, and Trixie helped the girl to her feet.

"There we go," Matthew smiled. "You wouldn't happen to be Ella Kay, would you?"

"Why, yes," Ella admitted. "But how did you know who I was? We've never met before."

"My husband and I know a lot about you," Trixie started. "Your parents were killed in a bombing raid last month. You were sent to live with your aunt and uncle here at their diner. We've heard your aunt and uncle haven't exactly treated you well."

"The only reason they took me in was that I could be free labor in their diner," Ella responded. "Beyond that, this was just a place for me to stay, and work. There isn't what you would call love."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Trixie sadly said. "You deserve better."

"Where are my aunt and uncle?" Ella asked.

"I'm afraid they're dead in the rubble," Matthew quietly reported.

"I know this is a bad thing to say, but I can't say I'm sorry," Ella responded. "They worked me to death, and just gave me enough food to get by on."

"I can understand why you would feel that way," Trixie admitted as she gently hugged Ella.

"I suppose it's off to an orphanage for me?" Ella theorized. "That can't be any worse than what I've had the past month."

"No orphanage for you, young lady," Mathew smiled. "You'll be coming with us. The people we work for would like to give you a new life as it were ... a life where you would be loved and cherished. A life filled with wonders beyond belief where you could make a difference in the lives of others. A life where we would be your parents."

"You want ... me?" Ella asked in amazement.

"Oh, yes!" Trixie exclaimed in happiness. "Things are going to be so much better, I promise you."

At that moment, Trixie, Matthew, and Ella heard some rescue workers approaching from a few blocks up the street.

"We've better be going," Matthew suggested as he and Trixie brought out their gold Omnis, opened the covers, and adjusted some dials. "Hold onto my arm, and don't let go. We're going for a ride."

"But I don't see a car around," Ella noticed.

"There are other ways to travel," Trixie smiled. "Prepare to be amazed."

Trixie and Matthew pushed a button on each of their Omnis, and the three disappeared into thin air. In a few moments, the three found themselves flying down a time vortex before reappearing in the middle of a large, futuristic city.

"Wow!" Ella exclaimed in awe. "That was amazing!"

"We thought you would like that," Trixie happily observed. "Welcome to Voyager City, Ella. If you'll come with us, there are people who want to meet you ... so they can welcome you home."

"Including our son, Jonathan," Matthew added. "He's a bit younger than you. I think the two of you will hit it off nicely."

"Then I look forward to meeting him," Ella smiled at Matthew.

End of flashback, and back to the present.

"And with that, we have a future Voyager," Violet smiled at Ella. "Welcome to the ranks, Ella."

"Happy to be here, ma'am," Ella smiled back.

"So? How do you like Voyager City?" Violet asked Ella.

"It's an absolutely wonderful place," Ella joyfully answered. "I never dreamed such a place existed."

"Ella's already knowing her way around the place," Trixie smiled.

"How would you like a tour of the castle, Ella?" Violet happily asked. "There's not much going on here today, and I'd love to show you around."

"I'd like that, ma'am," Ella eagerly accepted.

With that, Violet showed Ella around the castle, with Trixie and Matthew following behind. As Ella happily took in the sights, Trixie and Matthew smiled. It was nice seeing Ella happy, and it was a wonderful way to spend the day. Afterward, the four returned to Violet's office.

"So, how is Jonathan?" Violet asked Trixie and Matthew.

"He's quite well," Matthew answered. "He's in Voyager elementary school, achieving high marks."

"And how are you enjoying Voyager elementary school, Ella?" Violet wanted to know.

"There's been a change of plans regarding Ella," Matthew spoke up.

"Change of plans?" Violet asked, taken off guard.

"You see, Violet," Trixie started, "when we took Ella to Voyager Medical to be examined, it was discovered that Ella has magical abilities buried inside of her."

"Turns out our Ella is a witchlet," Matthew explained with pride.

"And we want Ella to have the best magical education available," Trixie smiled. "And the Wendarby Institute at this time is the best magical education available."

"We were wondering, since you know Headmaster Merlin, if you could make arrangements for Ella to attend Wendarby?" Matthew asked Violet, hopeful.

"I'd be happy to," Violet cheerfully agreed. "As I'm sure you know, Merlin is a Voyager-in-Residence. I know he'll be happy to find a place for Ella at Wendarby."

"Thank you, Vi," Trixie acknowledged, grateful. "Matthew and I would have contacted Headmaster Merlin ourselves, but ... we're not magical."

"We thought to smooth things over, it might be best for someone magical to approach Headmaster Merlin regarding Ella," Matthew explained.

"I understand completely," Violet said in a reassuring voice. "You do realize that Wendarby is different than Hexley Hall and Hogwarts in the fact that there is no sorting hat ceremony? At Wendarby, each student gets to choose what house he or she wants to enter ... with the house's approval, of course."

"I was reading that," Ella acknowledged. "If it's all the same to you, I'd like to choose Cosmarune House."

"Well, I'm very honored," Violet responded, pleased. "Speaking on behalf of Cosmarune House, we'd be happy to have you, Ella."

Ella, Matthew, and Trixie smiled at the news.

"I'll contact Merlin and let you know when all the details have been ironed out," Violet announced.

At that moment, a knock came at the door of Violet's office.

"Come in," Violet invited.

The door opened, and in walked a male servant.

"A message from King Erik of Corona, Lady Violet," the servant announced as he handed an envelope to Violet.

"Thank you," Violet acknowledged as the servant left. Violet then opened the envelope.

"Good news?" Trixie wanted to know.

"You could call it that," Violet admitted as she read a letter that was inside the envelope. "King Erik wants me, Bethany, and Louise to have dinner with him in Corona."

"Excellent!" Trixie exclaimed with a smile. "He obviously wants to get to know Bethany and Louise, now that they are your daughters."

"Just one thing," Violet pointed out. "I haven't yet told Bethany and Louise I'm dating Erik."

"I'm sure they will be pleased you're dating a king," Mathew said in a reassuring voice. "Plus, it will give Bethany and Louise a chance to see life outside of Enchancia."

"Yes, of course," Violet admitted. "I've better see to the arrangements."

Meanwhile, in the skies near Enchancia Castle, Lucinda was sitting in a flying carriage on its way to the Kingdom of Yensid. There was a surprise event going on in Yensid. Prince Carter of the Kingdom of Farmington would be proposing to Princess Dianna of Yensid ... and Dianna had no idea of Carter's planned proposal. It was meant to be a surprise for Dianna. In fact, Dianna's sisters had been secretly working on a dinner to be held at Yensid Castle that night, and Lucinda had been invited as one of Dianna's best friends. At the dinner, Carter would propose to Dianna.

Lucinda smiled as she sat back in the carriage as it flew toward Yensid. It would be a great evening featuring a pleasant surprise for Dianna. Everything was going to be fine with the world.

(End of Chapter 24).

Behind the scenes

In this installment of "Behind the scenes", we have a special surprise from jolly roger brat: a recipe for Sorting Hat Cupcakes (appropriate for Hogwarts, as well as Hexley Hall).

Ingredients:

* 1 15-oz box white cake mix, plus the ingredients called for on the box.

For the Sorting Hats:

* ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted.

* 24 Hershey's Kisses.

* 12 Oreos, cream filling removed.

For the frosting:

* 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) butter, softened.

* 6 cups powdered sugar.

* ¼ cup heavy cream, plus more if needed.

* 2 tablespoons butterscotch syrup.

* Pinch of salt.

* Red, yellow, green, and blue food coloring (for Harry Potter-style sorting hats; for Hexley Hall: red for Pepperton, orange for Waldgrave, purple for Kennicott, and dark blue for Stryker).

* Gold sprinkles for garnish.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 and line two muffin tins with 24 cupcake liners.

2. Prepare cake batter according to package instructions, then fill cupcake liners ¾ full with batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cupcake comes out clean (20-25 minutes). Let cool completely.

3. Make Sorting Hats: Spread melted chocolate onto bottoms of Hershey's Kisses and press onto Oreo halves.

4. Make frosting: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, heavy cream, butterscotch, and salt and beat until smooth.

5. Divide all but 1/3 cup frosting among four bowls. Using food coloring, dye one bowl each red, yellow, green, and blue (or red, orange, purple, and dark blue).

6. Using a teaspoon, scoop a well in the center of each cooled cupcake, then fill with a different color.

7. Transfer remaining white buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes and garnish with gold sprinkles and Sorting Hats.

Author's notes

24th Century Medical Tricorder is from "Star Trek: The Next Generation".

Carter proposing to Dianna was the idea of dbug27. Prince Carter of Farmington and Princess Dianna of Yensid are characters created by dbug27 and are used in this story with permission from dbug27. Princess Dianna is from dbug27's story "diary of a special princess".

Dorrie and Candice telling Amber about who Lady Alexandra really is was a request by CarlaSwenKnight108.

Hogwarts, and sorting hat ceremony, are from "Harry Potter".

King Erik Fitzherbert of Corona was originally created by Skyrimfan for Skyrimfan's stories "Lucinda the First" and "Rise to Power: Queen of Corona". Skyrimfan has given me permission to use King Erik Fitzherbert in my stories, and I have given Skyrimfan permission to use Dorrie and Candice in "Lucinda the First" and "Rise to Power: Queen of Corona".

Jonathan Ayward, Matthew Ayward, and Trixie Franklin-Ayward are slightly older versions of Jonathan, Matthew, and Trixie from "Call the Midwife", with Matthew and Trixie now each a Voyager. Sister Evangelina, and Sister Monica Joan, are also from "Call The Midwife".

Omni and Voyagers are from the "Voyagers!" TV series.

The Kingdom of Corona is from "Tangled" and "Tangled: The Series".

The Kingdom of Farmington is a kingdom created by dbug27 and is used in this story with permission from dbug27.

The Kingdom of Ornburgh is where Prince Frederick, Prince Everett, and their family live. The kingdom is also where Dorrie and Candice live now. The kingdom was never given a name in "Sofia the First", so I named it Ornburgh.

The Kingdom of Yensid is a kingdom created by dbug27 and is used in this story with permission from dbug27.

Violet, Bethany, and Louise having dinner with King Erik of Corona was inspired by a request by CarlaSwenKnight108.

Warehouse Ten is from my stories "Dorrie", "Dorrie: Book Two", "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia", "Changes", and "Enchancia Castle". It is a warehouse housing paranormal artifacts that existed before the current Warehouse 13 (as seen in the TV series "Warehouse 13").

Disclaimer

"Call the Midwife" and everything associated with it © BBC, Neal Street Productions, and PBS.

"Harry Potter" and everything associated with it © J. K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Publishing, Arthur A. Levine Books, Little Brown, Heyday Films, 1492 Pictures, Patalex IV Productions, and Warner Brothers Pictures.

King Erik Fitzherbert of Corona is the property of Skyrimfan and is used in my stories with the permission of Skyrimfan.

Prince Carter of Farmington, Princess Dianna of Yensid, and the other original ideas from dbug27 are the property of dbug27 and are used in this story with the permission of dbug27.

"Sofia the First" and everything associated with it © Craig Gerber, Jamie Mitchell, Disney Television Animation, Toiion Animation Studios, Team TO, and Disney-ABC Domestic Television.

"Star Trek: The Next Generation" and everything associated with it © Paramount Domestic Television and CBS Television Distribution.

"Tangled" and everything associated with it © Disney.

"Tangled: The Series" and everything associated with it © Disney.

"Voyagers!" and everything associated with it © James D. Parriot Productions, Universal Television (MCA), and Scholastic Productions.

"Warehouse 13" and everything associated with it © Universal Cable Productions, NBC Universal Television Distribution, and SyFy.

I only own Bethany Richards, Candice Cosmarune-Cooper, Cosmarune House, Costumas Restoro, Dorrie Cosmarune-Cooper, Ella Kay-Ayward, Louise Richards, Mrs. Tweedle, Prince Everett, Transformation Manipulator, and the Wendarby Institute.