Chapter 1: Accusation
The next morning, Mia and Robin flew through Sofia's open window. It was the start of what promised to be a beautiful day, and the two birds were singing cheerfully as they landed on the footboard of the princess's bed, hoping to rouse the sleeping girl.
The little door in the wall opened, and Clover and Whatnaught hopped into the room.
"Wake up, Sof," Clover called as he jumped onto the mattress, the squirrel following close behind. "I hear you're having blueberry pancakes for breakfast. You'll have to bring us a bowl of those berries."
"Always needing more blueberries," Mia teased.
"Yeah, well," the bunny shrugged lazily. "What can I say? You can't get enough of the deliciousness."
Whatnaught shook his head and pointed at Sofia, who hadn't even started to stir.
"It's strange that she hasn't woken up yet," Robin said, a concerned note coming into her voice. "Do you think she's sick?"
"Nah, she's probably just sleeping deeply." Clover hopped up to one of Sofia's shoulders and started shaking with his paws. "C'mon, Sof… Sof… SOFIA!"
It took several minutes of persistent shaking before the princess finally stirred. Groaning softly, she sat up, rubbing her eyes. She didn't know why, but she was feeling extremely sleepy. Resisting the urge to lie back down, she just stared with unfocused eyes at her animal friends before mumbling, "Oh… hi…"
The animals exchanged worried looks. Then Mia asked, "Sofia, are you feeling okay?"
The girl blinked, only hearing chirps. "I can't understand you," she said groggily. Suddenly, the same thing occurred to all five of them. "Oh, no…" Now wide awake, Sofia glanced down. "Where's my amulet?" The pink jewel no longer hung around her neck.
…
Cedric walked into the throne room, having been told by Baileywick that Roland wished to see him. The steward didn't say what the king wanted, but Cedric could tell by the grave look on the older man's face that something was wrong. And now that he was here, the sense of unease increased. For one thing, there were more guards present. For another, Roland was the only member of the royal family in the room. The king sat on his throne with his chin resting on his folded hands, brows furrowed, and a very serious look in his green eyes. This look was foreign for the usually amiable king, and Cedric had never been more nervous in his presence than he was now.
"You summoned me, Your Majesty," the sorcerer said as he bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Cedric." Roland stared down at him through narrowed eyes. "Tell me, do you remember what I told you when I reinstated you as royal sorcerer?"
"Y–Yes," Cedric swallowed nervously. "You told me to remember everything Princess Sofia has done for me–"
"–Or you would be in the next coach out of the kingdom."
Not knowing how to respond, Cedric watched as Roland stood from his throne, walking down the steps, and moving to stand in front of him. The intense glare on the taller man's face made the sorcerer take a step backward, while fidgeting with his gloves.
Roland held out his hand. "Give me your wand," he commanded.
Cedric's hand shook as he reached into the sleeve of his robe, only to realize he didn't have his wand. "I–I left it in my workshop."
The king lowered his hand and continued to glower at the smaller man.
"Sire, what's going on?" Cedric asked with what little bravado he could muster. "Where are Queen Miranda and the children?"
"My family's location is no concern of yours," Roland snarled. "As for what's going on, Sofia's amulet is missing."
"What? How?"
"That's what I would like to know." He balled his hands into fists. "I may not know much about the amulet, but I do know it has very powerful magic. Did you sneak into Sofia's room to steal it while she was sleeping? Were you going to try using it to take over kingdom again?"
"N–No, Your Majesty." Cedric fell to his knees under the king's hateful gaze. He wondered momentarily if Roland actually knew about his previous plots to overthrow him. He doubted it. Only his mother, Wormwood, and now Sofia knew his secret. Would Sofia tell her father? He didn't think so. It was very likely that Roland only suspected him because of what happened a few months ago. "Please, sire," he pleaded, clasping his hands in front of him. "I didn't take the amulet. I wouldn't do that to Sofia. I don't want your kingdom anymore–"
"Silence!" Roland barked, causing the sorcerer to gulp. He nodded to a couple of guards, and they approached. "A few months ago, Sofia convinced everyone to give you a second chance. And I agreed against my better judgement. I should have just sent you back to the dungeon."
"B–But–" The sorcerer gasped when he felt strong hands wrap around his arms and haul him to his feet. "King Roland, please…"
At that moment, Constable Miles walked into the throne room. "Your Majesty," the portly man said, bowing. "The coach is ready for him."
"Good," the king nodded. "We're though here."
The color drained from Cedric's face. "Y–You're sending me away?"
"You're going to the Tri–Kingdom Prison," Roland informed him. "I don't want you in my castle, and that includes the dungeon."
The guards started to pull Cedric away, but the sorcerer struggled against them. "Please, sire," he begged weakly. "Please just let me see Princess Sofia."
"No!" Roland snapped sharply, stepping forward and looking the terrified man dead in the eye. "You are never going to see my daughter again. Take him away," he commanded the guards, turning his back on Cedric.
The poor sorcerer felt his heart shatter. He wasn't even allowed to see his only friend before he left… And he would probably never see her again… A small whimper escaped him as the guards dragged him out of the castle to the coach that would take him away from Enchancia, away from Sofia.
…
Hours later, a covered coach pulled to a stop at the entrance of a large stone building after passing through the gate. Constable Miles hopped down from the driver's seat where he had been riding next the coachman and greeted the guards stationed at the door. After a brief exchange, Miles turned back toward the coach as two royal guards climbed out, each one holding an arm of the former Royal Sorcerer of Enchancia.
Cedric, who had resigned himself to his fate the minute he was forced into the coach, had a stoic look on his face as he was handed over to the prison guards. Before they led him inside, he took one last look at the outside world. The once beautiful day had turned gray; a storm was coming, which suited his emotions.
The guards led the sorcerer inside and marched him through several dim corridors lined with cells and lit by lanterns. Cedric kept his eyes on the man walking in front of him, not wanting to see if there were prisoners occupying the cells they passed. Finally, the small group stopped in front of an empty cell at the end of a particularly long corridor. The leading guard unlocked the gate, and Cedric hung his head as he stepped into what was clearly to be his home for rest of his life. He stood with his back to the entrance as the gate was shut and locked. The uniformed men left without a word.
Only when he heard the last echoes of footsteps did the sorcerer's stoic mask crumble. With a cry, he collapsed to his knees, burying his face in his hands as his body wracked with sobs. How had everything gone so badly? Roland hadn't even listened to him. The king had just blamed Cedric like he always did when something went wrong. And Sofia… What must she think of him now?
"Sofia…" He choked on her name as tears rolled down his cheeks. He hadn't been allowed to see her. Did she think he stole her amulet? He would probably never know. "It wasn't me. I swear I wouldn't do this to you. Please… please… don't… don't… hate me…"
A/N: Poor Cedric… I apologize if Roland seems OOC, but we know from "In Cedric We Trust" that he didn't trust Cedric for about a year after the events of DOTS, and I can really see him reacting this way if this sort of thing did happen.
Next chapter starts the time jump. I don't have an update plan, but I do plan to work on a different WIP every week. I can promise there will be at least SEVEN stories from me this month. I'm proud to participate in CedfiaWeek this year.
Thanks for your interest in this story.
