A brooding figure sits staring intently at a scroll unfurled on his messy workshop desk. The parchment is crisp and important with a seal he had only seen on rare occasion in his youth. His mind is torn at the prospect laying before him and he is lost in it mentally, barely registering the familiar knock on his door.

"Mr. Cedic?" comes the sing-song voice of an adolescent girl as she tentatively opens the heavy oak door.

"Huh?.. oh yes, Princess Sofia what is it?" He speaks to her but his eyes never leave that blue seal of wax that has entangled his mind.

"What's that?" asks the same small voice brightly. A delicate hand reaches to the table but, Sofia always being a mannerly girl, does not presume to touch the paper. Only on seeing her stand in his peripheral does the spell of the seal break in Cedric's head and he truly notices her there.

"It's nothing!" he declares sternly and rolls the paper back into its original scroll form, tucking it to the back of his desk, out of sight of her prying eyes

"Oh well it just seemed important. My Father always pays special attention to anything with that seal."

Cedric stands and walks to another part of the room, busying himself with whatever half finished potion he had left when the scroll had arrived. "Did you need something, Princess Sofia? I don't have time for idle chit chat you know". He says this with drama and flourish, perpetuating the idea he tries to keep up with her that his time is very precious, to stop her from taking too much of it.

She sidles up closer to him with her hands clasped in front of her, full of that mock shyness he finds somewhat infuriating, knowing this girl does not really know what "shy" feels like. "I was thinking maybe I could work as your apprentice today. I haven't really had a chance to spend time here in a few days."

"Yes well you're not REALLY my apprentice you know. You are not required to keep coming."

"I know but I think what you do is really fascinating! I love spending time here." She smiles brightly and his resolve, as it always does, melts a little. A lonely world has made him socially awkward, even cruel at times, but this girl could be his undoing, simply with that sincere smile.

He tries one more path to argue. "Why don't you go play with Princess Amber or something."

Sofia looks off to the side, her smile fading slightly "She's going on a date today."

Cedric starts "Good Gods a date? How old are you girls now anyway?"

Amber and James are 17 now. I'm not quite there yet but soon.

"And your Father approves?"

Sofia nods her head "Oh yes he is very supportive. He says Amber is ready to start finding a proper suitor and a good alliance. He thinks vetting the possibilities is a smart move."

Cedric affords a quick glance at Sofia. Budding breasts, fuller hips. While he has been busy doing his best to never look too long, lest he garner even more of her attention, she has grown up before him. Distracted by his train of thought, and more than a little embarrassed, Cedric gives up his attempts to dissuade the Princess from staying and throws up his hands "Fine, you can stay!" (And silently chastises himself for looking at her at all)

Sofia squeals a little and rushes to the wall to grab her hat and robes. Baileywick, the passionately efficient castle steward, had installed a peg on the sorcerer's wall years earlier when she first took an interest in Cedric's work. It might not be "proper" for a Princess to get too involved with magic, but Baileywick always seemed supportive when she wanted to explore new things that other people did not understand.

"What can I do to help you?"

Cedric turns a circle around the room. His dried potion ingredients? Alphabetized and labeled by Sofia herself a year earlier. His wands and other "tools" of the trade? Neatly lining the wall in the proper places. (All but his family wand, given by his father, which was nestled in the small box Sofia had made for him many holidays previous.) His books? He turns to find them exactly as she had left them on her last visit: Carefully catalogued and lining his shelves, not only by title, but by category and author.

His back turned to the girl, he allows a small smile as he realizes how much time she really has devoted to his trade, and that if he is honest with himself, she is not bad company to keep. Supportive and sweet, how he had won the loyalty of a genuinely kind and caring person was beyond him. He wipes the smile from his face before turning to face her.

"Well, since it doesn't look like I have any real tasks for you, you can help me with this potion I've started"

"Really? I'd love that!" Sofia scampers over to where his cauldron is boiling slightly and peers inside with curious delight. "What will it do?"

"This potion was requested by your Mother to help the gardeners keep particular weeds at bay while not affecting the flowers. Normal poisons won't work because the flower with which she is SO enchanted," he rolls his eyes and drawls out the sentence mockingly, "is technically a weed as well and would be killed along with the rest."

He mumbles almost inaudibly with deep sarcasm "important work for the greatest sorcerer in the Kingdom".

"Sounds great! Let's get to work!"

Watching her with so much excitement, undiminished after years spent begging crumbs of magic from him and getting really very little back, he smiles a little and hands her a vile. "Ok, Princess Sofia, let's start with this one..."

Three, four, five hours tick by and the sun falls from view of Cedric's lone tower window. A swift knock shakes the door, startling both Cedric and Sofia as they bend over his potion apparatus.

"Yes what is it?!" Cedric calls with annoyance.

Baileywick opens the door with confidence "Ah, Princess Sofia, I've been searching for you. Dinner is about to be served and your family is already in the dining hall."

"Oh I'm so sorry! I forgot the time! Mr. Cedric and I have been working on a potion for my Mom!" She beams with pride at the tall, grey haired man.

His demeanor remains proper and rigid but his face softens with fondness at her thrill. He glances at Cedric with eyebrows raised slightly.

"Yes well anyway we were almost finished and I have other things to work on now." He begins cleaning up the table and turns his back on Baileywick's bemusement.

"I'll be right down in a minute. I just want to bottle a little of this potion and bring it to my Mother. Please let them know to start without me I don't mind." That infectious smile never leaves her face and Baileywick can only shake his head a little as her walks away.

"Yes, Your Majesty and we will see you a few moments. Please don't take too long." With that he is gone, shutting the door behind him.

Cedric thrusts a bottle in her hand "Here now go on before you get me in trouble for keeping you!"

"Thanks, Mr. Cedric! I had a great time today!" She bounds to the door and stops short with her hand on the knob.

Turning back to face him she says "do you think I could come back again tomorrow?"

With what was becoming over the years more mock annoyance than sincere, Cedric replies more harshly than he really means "It isn't as if I could stop you."

"Great! I'll see you tomorrow!"

The door shuts behind her and Cedric stares at it for a moment. His wonder at her positivity, her kindness, her... HER stunning him for not the first time. He shakes it off with a half smile and goes back to his work.

Sofia takes the steps 2 at a time on slender legs, her hair trailing behind her in soft curls. She hates to be late and disappoint her family but there was no better way to spend a day than studying magic with Mr. Cedric. If she lets herself think on it, her little girl infatuation with the sorcerer's mystery had become a young lady's crush while she wasn't looking. The shock of white hair in his bangs, catching a glimpse of a tattoo on his arm while he is working a spell, the accent in his voice, unlike anyone else in Enchancia...

She shakes her head, smiling at herself. Silly little girl thoughts. A powerful sorcerer, 10 birthdays her senior, is not a likely possibility for a scrawny little girl from the village, accidental princess or not.

When she arrives in the dining room, the first course is just being served and she slides quickly into her seat.

"I'm so sorry I'm late but I had the best day learning magic with Mr. Cedric!"

Her mother, Miranda exchanges a look of subtle bemusement with her husband, King Roland II. "Sofia dear, I do hope you are not too much in the way. Cedric has work to do for your father."

"Oh no... or at least I don't THINK I'm in the way... I try to always be very helpful! Look..." She produces a small vial from her gown pocket and passes it to her mother via her brother, James.

"What's this" he asks as he passes it over, watching the green swirl of liquid, almost alive in the vial. "Does it do something awesome?"

"It's the potion you asked for, Mother, to keep the weeds from taking over your flowerbed." Sofia smiles brightly at her parents. "I helped him mix it for you." James' excitement wanes and he goes back to his meal.

"That's very clever, dear." Miranda smiles warmly. She has a daughter to be proud of and she knows it. But she also knows Cedric can be... prickly, and hopes her sunny little girl isn't a little too much for him to take. Her concern is less for the sorcerer himself but more that he would hurt Sofia's feelings when he has finally had enough. Though he has seemed to grow more patient over the years...

Sofia continues to tell the family about, what is in her estimation, a most amazing day. They listen politely and then Amber takes the conversation to her "date" and the rest of the meal is a procession of squeals and dramatic hand gestures. Sofia smiles at Amber, delighted to see her so happy with the outcome of her day, but still focused on her own excitement.

She has been studying magic with Cedric for years but, and it could be her imagination, she feels as though the last few months he has more freely offered her responsibility and knowledge. Maybe he finally sees that she is growing up. For her own part, and her image of her deal friend, she has seen glimpses of who he truly is. Behind the cold façade of solitude, she knows he wants respect from her Father, and the respect and love of his parents. She has tried to offer, not just her assistance as his "apprentice", but to be a supportive friend as well (of which he did not seem to have many).

With the meal complete, the family retires to their private quarters for the night. Sofia curls into her soft bed and dreams of magic and fire and smoky spells...

...and of Cedric. A rare smile on his face, which he shares with the world very little, and she hopes it is for her.

The next morning finds Princess Sofia climbing the steps to Cedric's tower as early as she can slip away from breakfast. On her mind is the scroll of parchment he had ripped from her view and what it could mean. In the enjoyment of the day, she had let it slip from her mind. Sitting at breakfast, listening to Amber continue to pine over her new greatest love, it had hit her like recalling a dream.

She had known who the seal represented but didn't reveal that to Cedric. She had hoped he might trust her with whatever the content was but that was a foolish little girl fantasy. He wasn't going to share official Royal Sorcerer business with her, no matter her rank or title.

The familiar blue wax, with the serpent and flora entwined, belonged to a council of exceptionally powerful magicians. They kept no loyalty with a particular Kingdom, but instead worked with each monarch in regards to their royal sorcerers. They helped shape careers, place which sorcerers would serve which kingdom, and, when needed, help remove a sorcerer who was not performing up to par. The council had placed Cedric almost solely on the merits of this father's magic skills. A fact that was not lost on Cedric and had haunted him over the years.

So what was the council's business with her favorite sorcerer? Surely he was not being "removed" or she highly doubted his spirits would have risen enough to allow her to stay in his workshop yesterday. And besides she ponders to herself, she had seen him grow and improve exponentially since her arrival in the castle. Almost a child himself, Cedric was very young when given the coveted position. His youth and inexperience was certainly the reason a sorcerer of his natural talent had let nerves make him appear... LESS talented.

Approaching the door her pace slows and she presses her ear to the door, listening for signs Cedric is in his room. Countless times she had knocked on his door only to interrupt an important spell and mess up the entire process! She heard no clinks of glass bottles or "puffs" of smoky air, only silence. Perhaps he was out.

She knocks softly as not to startle him and calls his name a beat later. "Mr. Cedric? It's Sofia..."

She waits and receives a distracted "Yes, yes come in Princess Sofia."

She opens the door to a familiar sight: Cedric slumped over a piece of parchment, eyes boring holes she would swear could catch fire to the paper. The blue seal tempting her curiosity again.

He is nearly unaware she is in the room... but he HAD clearly invited her. Would it be so terrible to try to take a peak before he put it away?

She sneaks to his shoulder and peers at the script as best she can

"...pleased to inform you have been selected..."

"...exclusive company of ten talented..."

"...will require your acceptance within this lunar cycle..."

Sofia could not get the whole text from this angle but it seems like a very positive note. She beams, happy her mentor is not in any sort of trouble and lays a hand on his shoulder.

"Mr. Cedric is that the same message from yesterday?"

Cedric jumps slightly and notices her gaze on the paper before him.

"Yes well not really any of your concern, Princess. Not polite to read over one's shoulder you know..." He rolls the paper as he speaks and tucks it back in the corner of his desk where he had the day before.

"I couldn't really read it over you but what is it? Please? I know that seal and I'm just curious why the council is looking at you? You're not in any trouble are you?" She sounds sweet as pie but it is not genuine concern. She knows he ISN'T in trouble or she might not have been brave enough to ask.

"No no I'm not in trouble at all." He tries desperately to move away from her stare and simply not answer but she follows him, meekly but right on his heels, looking up with those wide eyes that could often beg an answer from the toughest target.

"Fine..." he sighs. "If you must know it's an invitation to a sort of ... training. While the rest of us are doing the tedious bidding of our Kingdoms, the council has the luxury to study REAL magic." His hesitation is growing into what Sofia can only describe as excitement. She has seldom seen Cedric.. excited, over anything.

"Only 10 royal sorcerers are to be invited. The knowledge I could gain would be invaluable for ... the Kingdom."

"That's amazing, Mr. Cedric!" She hugs him tightly for a brief moment and feels his body stiffen with surprise.

As she pulls away he stepped backwards, obviously embarrassed and stutters "Y-yes... well... I uh... I haven't even decided if I will accept!" he finally answers with some force.

"Why wouldn't you accept?" She is honestly curious. He seemed to have brightened at the idea of it. Why ever would he miss out such a great opportunity?

"I uh... I don't even know if your Father would LET me go. I mean, who would be his sorcerer while I am away. What if something happened? He will never allow it I'm sure..."

"Cedric, there are over 130 Kingdoms and they invited 10 sorcerers!" She splays her 10 fingers in front of her, trying to highlight what a small number that really is. "He couldn't possibly say no. His sorcerer would return one of the best in the world!... not that you're not already." She hastily adds, and blushes ever so slightly.

"Well I.. even if he would let me go I mean, you said it yourself, I'm already great right. I don't need "training"". He says this haughtily; puffed up like a bird. But Sofia, knows her sorcerer too well.

"Are you.." she hesitates. It was her nature to be "helpful" but often she felt helpful collided with intrusive. She plunges forward anyway "Are you afraid to go?"

Cedric's face reddens and he raises his pointer finger as if to begin a tirade of denial.

Then he stops, slumping back into his chair. Head hung, eyes closed, softly "Of course I'm afraid". He looks up at her with softer eyes.

Sofia moves to the table and sits in the chair to his right. "But why? You're amazing. The council thinks you're amazing, my Dad thinks you're amazing, and... so do I." Sofia takes what is for a 16 year old girl an impossible chance and puts her hand on his. Daring rejection but feeling some kindness is what Cedric really needs. Always needs really.

He stares at her hand for a moment then turns his own over so he can clasp hers gently. "Sofia you are the most exceptional person I think I have ever met."

"Oh. that's... " She blushes in spite of herself. "I'm not magic or anything. Not powerful like you." Her eyes lower and study her hand in his. "I just really believe in you."

A moment passes. One beat. And then another. Neither saying anything, both intent on their hands entwined. Cedric is the first to break from the spell and he jumps up suddenly, releasing her hand with effort. "Alright then... I'll do it!"

Sofia takes in a breath and jumps up herself. "Really? That's great Mr. Cedric! How long will you have to be away? I can sweep the floor while you're gone. And take care of anything else you need. Just let me know and your apprentice is here to help!"

Cedric's face freezes a moment with some sort of realization. "Oh Sofia, this isn't some small excursion. It takes weeks, months to learn spells. Years to be proficient at this craft..." He swallows a little and looks away. "I'll be gone for nearly 2 years".

Her face falls "Oh…" Her voice was a tiny thing. A sparrow gone in the breeze. She feels as if the center of her has evaporated, leaving her empty. She recovers as quickly as she can and shines that brilliant smile, but some of the luster is visibly gone. "Then I guess I'll just have to take care of it a little longer than I thought!" She moves to the door. "I'm going to go tell Dad you would like an audience with him and Mother and come back later, ok? Congratulations, Mr. Cedric!"

Sofia leaves the room as happily as she can pretend and shuts the door.

In the hall, she slumps against the back of the door and nearly falls to the stone floor. "Silly, silly girl." She chides herself silently. "Be happy for him and stop being foolish." She walks away with a melancholy she'd never known.

Cedric stares after her for a moment and then looks down at his hand. "This girl really will be my undoing," he thinks.

Slowly he makes his way back to his work table, finding a clean piece of parchment amongst the clutter, and waves his hand across the page. "By leave of King Roland, upon his acceptance. Cedric" appears in a beautiful script. He places it in the tube from which he had pulled the message from the council. With another wave his message of acceptance vanishes with a tiny pop. It is done. No going back. Unless the King denies him of course. And after the prodding of the same young girl that has pushed him into so many situations over the years.

And, he admits to himself slowly, the princess who might have been a reason to stay. Cedric has no illusions as to how well-liked he generally is: Not very. Sofia had proven to be, not just a child hanging all over the magician as if he was a carnival attraction, but a friend. Truly. And, he ventures, testing the waters of his own truth timidly, he would very much miss her. By the time he returns he imagins, she will be a young woman, ripe harvest in the eye of many suitors, and a pride of the kingdom. Roland would be a fool not to use her for a strong alliance. Amber is a pretty girl and James would be, he had to admit, a decent King, but Sofia is the best of them. In 2 years' time she will no longer have the time or luxury of playing apprentice. Leaving now basically means cutting short any friendship they would have. Sorrow came then. The sunshine she brought into the room dying in his shadows and Cedric the sorcerer returns to his work alone.

Later in the evening, when the rest of the castle is settling for the night, Sofia walks back up the stone steps. It had taken much of the afternoon to calm herself enough to return, lest he see how sad she really is.

At the door she pauses and takes a breath, closing her eyes. She knocks with confidence and forces a "Mr. Cedric?" from her lips. It sounds a little shaky so she tries again with more strength, "Mr. Cedric, it's Sofia. Can I come in?"

The door opens and he looks down at her, "A little late for apprenticeship, Princess. I'm about to retire for the evening myself."

Her face falls more than she meant it to and she looks down a little, "Oh, I - I just wanted to say Father was hoping he could meet with you tomorrow just after breakfast to hear your announcement." She forces the sunny smile back to her face. "I told him it's really great news and he is excited to hear it!"

"Oh well… yes that would be fine. I will join him in his study then. Thank you, uh, Princess Sofia."

"You're welcome!" She pauses and without knowing what else to do plows forward with no excuse to stay other than because she wants to. "Do you mind if I come in instead of standing here in the doorway?"

"I - well... I suppose not." He moves to one side and she bounds in immediately, barely letting him finish the sentence.

"Great because I wanted to ask you about your trip. When will you be leaving?" She tries to sound nonchalant. Like she is interested but not really that concerned. She isn't sure she pulled that off but hoped.

"If your Father gives his leave, I will depart in 6 weeks' time."

"Oh so we have a little time!" He looks at her puzzled. "Before you leave I mean. We have some time we can spend together-".

His expression deepens a touch.

"I mean if it's ok I just was hoping since I won't see you for a while we could maybe spend some extra time, you know... doing magic... and.." She looks at him hopefully. "Please understand what I'm saying without REALLY understanding", she thinks. She isn't sure she really understood her full meaning herself.

His face takes on his typical brooding scowl, "Well I will have a lot of preparations to make so I will be really busy for the next few weeks..."

Her heart breaks a little and her smile fades.

He notices. He notices and he can't help but finish the thought in a way to bring that smile back to her face.

"… so I could probably use an apprentice I suppose." He waves his hand like it really isn't such a big deal but her face lights the dark room.

"Oh Mr. Cedric, thank you! I will be so much help and I won't get in the way."

"Yes yes well off with you now we can speak more tomorrow. It's very late for Princesses. Even apprentice ones."

Her eyes glimmer and she straightens "Yes Master Sorcerer, I will go straight away and be here first thing tomorrow!"

She turns and starts out of the room and then stops suddenly. Returning to him, she glides across the room and tips onto her toes in front of him. He steps back a step and finds he is against a table and has no where to go.

Her lips press his cheek lightly and linger, just a moment too long to be a peck. She steps back with a delicate lilt to her head and smiles up at him. Her mouth opens like she would speak but she seems to think better of it and decides simply to turn and go. At the door she turns back a moment and waves, "See you tomorrow, Mr. Cedric."

"...the death of me" He thinks again and begins the walk down the stone steps to retire to restless sleep.

Sofia sleeps a shallow, dream heavy sleep. She wakes often, glancing to her window each time to gaze at the tower across the castle's courtyard. The tower of the Royal Sorcerer.

Cedric's tower.

When morning finally comes, it finds her exhausted. But she refuses to waste any more time in her room. The sun has barely risen over the horizon and she is dressing, choosing a gown with more care than usual. She wants to look, and feel, more mature today.

Six weeks to spend with her sorcerer and she does not want him to see her as a pestering child. She also intends to accompany him to meet with her Father today. Though she sincerely sees the value of his continued study with the council, she is not sure the King will immediately agree. She wants to feel she can speak with her Father on Cedric's behalf if he needs a little nudge. No, today there will be no childish lilac dress. She chooses a simple yellow gown with no pearls or frills, only a subtle fleur de lis tapestry woven in the fabric. Fitted to the waist with a square neck, it had been a gift from her Father's sister on her 16th Birthday. Everyone thought it seemed a little old for her. Today, that seems perfect.

Sofia walks the cold halls to the dining room to break her fast with her family. King Roland and her mother are already seated at the table. The princess walks into the room casually, as if her dress were nothing of note. "Good morning, Mom and Dad!"

Her mother starts a little, "Sofia you look lovely. What's the special occasion?"

"Oh, not really special. I just think it's time I started to explore my wardrobe. You have always given me such beautiful things and I hardly wear anything except the same purple gowns."

Her mother gives her a smile and, Sofia thinks but wonders if she imagines it, there seems to be a little "knowing" in her eyes.

James and Amber both enter a few minutes later: James dragging himself across the room mid-yawn, Amber walking primly across the floor, head held high. "Good morning, everyone," she announces in her golden voice.

"Good morning, Amber. James. What are your plans today?" Roland nods to his twin children.

Breakfast is off from there and Sofia begins to fade from the room. She is in her own head, thinking about the conversation to come and hoping there would be no issues for her friend.

Cedric stalks the halls in his long robes and approaches the King's study with much trepidation. Roland had once shown very little fondness for the sorcerer. Partially, he knows, due to Cedric's many failures at various spells early in his career. Once, he had been embittered enough by the lack of respect he was shown to dream evil schemes. Mostly they involved taking over the smug king's throne by stealing the powerful amulet from around Princess Sofia's neck

(...lovely white slender neck)

He sighs and shakes off his own distraction.

But those thoughts were since past. The king had been far more respectful over the past few years, mostly due to Cedric's increased talent but in no small part also because of the awe with which Sofia viewed him. She had encouraged her Father on many occasions to give Cedric opportunities to prove himself and was always vocal in her praise.

His father had always said that the Royal Sorcerer's place is standing beside his King and, if this King would respectfully have him, Cedric was now comfortable in that position.

Though he maintains a strong and, in his opinion healthy, sense of self preservation.

Cedric glides through the heavy double doors and finds not only King Roland, but Sofia seated in the plush room.

"Ah, Cedric, just in time!" The King stands with powerful body frame but open arms.

In his presence, Cedric tends to stoop upon entry to a room. Not a respectful bow honestly as much as that old lack of confidence trying to return. Once inside however he stands to his full height, almost as tall as the broad chested king.

"Your Majesty, thank you for seeing me so quickly."

"Why of course, Cedric. Especially when Sofia insisted it absolutely could not wait." He smiles and winks over at the girl, causing Cedric to glance her direction as well.

She looks lovely.

Her typical flounce of purple and petticoats is much more subdued today. The soft yellow gown hugging her to a dropped-waist, giving an indication of the fullness of her hip. The square neck is much more daring for the girl as well. The amulet that usually laid against the fabric of her gown, instead falling on bare flesh.

Cedric looks away quickly, fighting what almost became a blush and looks intently, with purpose, at no one but the King.

"I have received an invitation of sorts. A summons if you read through the lines, by the Council of Magi." He presents the scroll to the King so he could see the seal for confirmation.

"They have a position open for 10 Royal Sorcerers to study under the great masters for 2 years. It will strengthen my knowledge and my ability to do work for you and the kingdom."

He waits. He thought he sounded confident enough but truthfully he is terrified. He notices Roland glance over at Sofia, her face beaming with... pride? She always seems so proud of anything he accomplishes. As if she has anything to do with it. Or as if, he is hers and hers alone...

Maybe in some ways, her love and loyalty bringing him to heights of near greatness, he is.

Roland hesitates a moment. "I don't know, this is a lot to consider. Having my one and only sorcerer away for such a long time would place the Kingdom in a weak position."

"Yes, Sire, I considered that. If you know the council as I know you do, they must feel what they can teach me is worth the time spent. Perhaps making you, in 2 years, one of the most powerful Kingdoms in exchange."

"I suppose, yes." He thinks for a moment and looks back at Sofia.

"Can you believe it, Dad?!" Only 10 sorcerers from 138 Kingdoms and they chose Mr. Cedric! Isn't that amazing?" She has stars in her eyes but her father, deep in thought, does not seem to notice. Cedric, staring intently AWAY from her, does not either.

Roland seems to make, as he often does, a snap decision, "Very well. I will not let King Magnus tell me how his sorcerer has more knowledge than mine. If I'm lucky, his sorcerer wasn't even invited..." That puts the smile back on his face and he offers Cedric his hand to shake. "Cedric, you have my leave to accept."

The sorcerer grasps his hand, lightly at first, then with strength and allows his own smile, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

He takes a step back and bows slightly. "If you will excuse me I have many things to prepare."

"Yes, yes, of course."

He flees the room with one last quick glance at Sofia. Her smile is... genuine? But frozen on her face.