Disclaimer: I don't own Sofia the First or any character from either film and/or cartoon series.
Synopsis: What's the full story behind Roland and Miranda? "Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess" might have suggested it was a typical love-at-first-sight story but I'd rather believe Disney skipped the full story because it was about Sofia adjusting to a new home, a new family, new friends and becoming a Princess.
Roland and Miranda
Chapter 1: A Royal Order
Once upon a time, a young widow named Miranda used to live at the Village of Dunwiddie. She used to work making shoes at the local shoe store where she lived with her daughter Sofia, who occasionally helped her. Neither Miranda nor Sofia ever expected their lives to change until the castle's steward Baileywick showed up at the store. "Good afternoon, Sir." Miranda greeted him. "May I help you?"
"I am Baileywick the castle's Royal Steward and I'm looking for Miranda the shoemaker." He explained.
"I am Miranda." She replied in hopes of getting a new customer.
"His Majesty King Roland the Second wants a new pair of royal slippers and you have been chosen to make them." Baileywick explained and then gave Miranda two pieces of parchment. "This is the official document to confirm the royal order. Present it to the castle guards when you go there to deliver the slippers so you'll be allowed in. The other one is a list of specifications His Majesty wants for the new slippers. If you accept, you'll be paid double of what you usually charge from your customers. Will you make His Majesty's new slippers, Madam?"
Miranda read the specifications before answering. "I will, Mr. Baileywick."
"Excellent." He commented. "I'll inform His Majesty. You'll be expected within a week."
A few minutes after Baileywick left, Sofia came back from school. She was surprised when her mother told the news. "Mom, you're making slippers for the King?" She was pleasantly shocked at this news. "Can I go with you?" She pleaded. "I'd like to meet Prince James and Princess Amber!"
"Sofia, the castle is so huge we can't be sure we'll meet either of them." Miranda explained.
"May I go either way?" Sofia asked. "I've never been in the castle before. Pleeeeease?"
"Do you promise to be on your best behavior there, Sofia?" Miranda asked. She was concerned about what could happen. King Roland the Second might have a reputation as a benevolent King but that didn't reassure Miranda that Sofia wouldn't be imprisoned for any perceived misbehavior.
"I promise, Mom." Sofia replied. One day later, Miranda and Sofia went to the castle to deliver the Royal Slippers. Once they arrived, Baileywick rushed to the throne room to inform the King. "Your Majesty, Miranda the shoemaker arrived."
"Excellent, Baileywick." The King replied in joy. "Let her in." As Miranda and Sofia entered, the King remembered that Baileywick had informed him that the shoemaker was a widow with a daughter. As Miranda approached, King Roland the Second was charmed by her appearance but soon regained his composure. "I trust that you've brought my new slippers." He said while trying to hide the fact he might want something else from Miranda.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Miranda humbly replied while trying not to think about the romantic emotions that she started having once she first saw the King. She didn't like thinking about a customer that way while serving the customer and was slightly afraid of how the King would react if she were anything but professional.
"A perfect match." The King commented upon trying the slippers. "You certainly earned your pay." He added while handing Miranda the money he promised as payment for the slippers. "You both may leave now." He reluctantly said. Miranda and Sofia bid their farewells and left the castle.
After they left, Sofia couldn't help but comment about the experience. "Mom, did you see how the King looked at you?" Sofia asked her mother.
"Well, it might be an approval look since His Majesty liked the slippers I made." Miranda suggested while trying not to admit that she got the impression the King might be interested on her.
"Mom, I think the slippers weren't all that the King liked." Sofia suggested with a smile similar with those she'd later use when asking favors from 'Mr. Ceedric'.
"Sofia, you must be careful about what you say about Royalty." Miranda warned Sofia. While she believed she might have fallen in love with the King, she couldn't be sure he'd feel the same and wouldn't mind repercussions from being involved like that with a commoner like her.
Meanwhile, King Roland the Second was wondering how Miranda would look like dressed as a Queen. Upon recovering from the surprise from thinking about a recently-acquainted shoemaker that way, he started thinking about excuses to see her again until he was sure of his feelings. 'Maybe the kids would like new shoes' he thought.
End chapter.