Greater Than They Think
Seventeen—year—old Princess Lorelei smiled happily as the flying coach landed in front of the Enchancian castle. It was a beautiful Friday afternoon in April, and the princess had decided to start her weekend by visiting some of her dearest friends. A servant opened the door, and she thanked him as she stepped out of the coach. She made her way up the steps and through the front doors into the castle.
"Princess Lorelei, it's wonderful to see you," Baileywick greeted her with a bow in the entry hall. "How have you been?"
"I've been great," she replied, beaming. "I passed a dancing test today with flying colors."
"How delightful. Prince Roland can learn a few things from you," he said with a smirk.
She giggled. "Is Roland home?"
"Yes," he nodded. "But he's in fencing practice right now. And Princess Matilda disappeared on one of her adventures several days ago."
"That's okay. What about Cedric?"
"Oh, well…" The cheerful smile left the steward's face and was replaced by a frown. "Perhaps it's best to leave him alone, princess. He came home from school in a very bad mood today."
"Oh…" Her face fell, eyes full of concern for one of her closest friends.
"I'm sure he'll be fine," he assured her, trying to cheer her up. "I believe Prince Roland will be done with practice in thirty minutes. Would you like to have tea in the meantime?"
She shook her head. "It's such a beautiful day. I'd rather take a walk."
"As you wish." He bowed before turning and walking away.
Lorelei went back out the front doors and down the steps. Spring had been good to Enchancia this year, and the kingdom was alive with everything from fresh green leaves on the trees to colorful butterflies fluttering about in the castle gardens. It was her favorite time of year, but the princess ignored the beauty of nature as she made her way through the castle grounds. She had a feeling she knew where Cedric would be. It was the same place he always went after something upset him, which happened a lot. It had been his space ever since shortly after the incident. of his sister's hair. It wasn't really a secret space, but it was a secluded area.
He was exactly where she thought he would be, sitting under a large tree with his legs drawn up to his chest and his arms wrapped around them, his head resting on his knees. He was still wearing his Hexley Hall robe, so he must have come here right after school. She walked quietly to the tree and sat down next to him.
"Hi, Cedric," she said softly. "How was your day?"
"Terrible," he grumbled, raising his head and leaning back against the tree.
"Oh." She clasped her hands in her lap. "Do you want to talk about it?"
He huffed, folding his arms. "What's to tell, Lorelei? I failed two tests, and everyone made fun of me."
"That's awful." She reached up and tucked some of his wavy bangs behind his ear. She couldn't explain it, but she sensed that something else was bothering him.
He sighed and glared up at the sky. "Final exams and graduation are coming up, and everyone tells me that I—the son of Goodwyn the Great—will never pass the exams. They say I'll always be a bungler. Father and Cordelia keep reminding me they graduated at the top of their classes." He balled his hands into fists. "Someday I'll show them. I'll show the whole Ever Realm that Cedric the Bungler is greater than they think. And then I'll—"
Lorelei looked at her friend sadly. It wasn't fair that he had been labeled a bungler when he was only eight. She just wanted to hug him, so she did, wrapping her arms around him and silencing his rambling.
"L–Lorelei…" he stammered, stiffening. "W–What are you doing?"
"You seemed to need a hug, so I'm giving you one." She smiled when she felt him relax and return the hug. After a minute, she released him and gave him a gentle look. "Everything is going to be just fine. You will pass the exams and graduate with your other classmates. And one day you will be the greatest sorcerer the Ever Realm has ever seen."
He stared at her for a moment before a smile made its way across his face.
"There's the smile that was missing," she said, giggling happily. "I love it when you smile."
"You do?" A light flush colored his cheeks.
She nodded. "I like to see you happy." She took one of his hands and squeezed it. "Don't pay any attention to what people say, Cedric. I know you will do great things. I believe in you."
"It's nice to know someone believes in me." He squeezed her hand, giving her a meaningful look. "Thanks for being my friend. You always know what to say to make me feel better."
"I'll always be your friend, Cedric." A minute of silence passed between them before she asked, "Any plans for the weekend?"
"Yes," he smirked mischievously. "I plan to curse Roland so he'll be the clumsiest prince alive."
"Cedric!" She swatted his arm even as she laughed with him.
For a while, the two of them just sat there talking and joking like the close friends they were.
A/N: I really wanted to do Cedrelei for Comfort. Thanks for reading my stories this week. It was fun writing them.