Falling For His Charms

CHAPTER 39

Nearly a week had passed since the wonderful kiss with Fitz. However, she had barely seen him since then. Every day, a few dozens of refugees of the town would come to the castle, and exactly like the day the first group had come, Sophie helped them settle in. And, like every day, Fitz had his daily meetings. With the two of them busy constantly, there had been no time to talk, and Sophie spent most of her time with Keefe and Lex.

"Close, but no, Lex, that's not how you do it." Sophie was teaching the younger kids of the refugees - and Lex now apparently - how to make little birds out of parchment. She now regretted giving the idea of doing this specific activity; the children were all so young that they weren't really making birds, but more just clumps of parchment. She sighed when Lex ripped what was supposed to be the wing of his bird.

"Oopsie," Lex giggled, and skipped of to the end of the table to get another paper. His fifth, actually.

"Sophie?" The called girl turned around to see a little girl around the age of three tugging lightly on her long orange skirt.

"Yes? What is it?" Sophie asked gently, crouching down to the girl's level. The little girl had odd eyes - they were so blue that they almost looked purple, and they gazed into her own with such a strong intensity for her age.

"There's a man at the door for you," She said. "He has a crown on his head; he's either the prince or the king." Sophie's eyes lifted to the door and saw Fitz's looking at her. She smiled, and thanked the girl for telling her. She walked over to the prince, her heart beating. What was he here for? Maybe news on Rex and Lex? A good morning kiss? To talk about the kiss?

It was none of the above.

"I'm... I'm sorry to bother your little craft-thing in there," Fitz apologized as they walked down the hallway. He seemed on edge; he kept rubbing the back of his neck and fidgeting with his navy blue cape. "But I need to talk to you about something important."

Sophie nodded, anticipation swelling up in her chest, but it died down as soon as he told her what the 'important' thing was.

"So... Those important meetings that I've been going to everyday are about the kidnapping of Bex and Rex... Well, and the people who are behind it. We have a plan to capture them, but you are included in it..."

She motioned for him to continue, even if her heart was sinking by the second. Fitz cleared his throat, and sighed sadly.

"The... The nobles want to include you in the plan since the kidnappers only took the children to persuade you to go with them. I tried to tell them to find another way, but they insisted..."

"Fitz, it's alright. Thank you for supporting me, but I'll do anything for Bex and Rex. They're my family." Fitz nodded, and shot her a small smile.

"Alright, that will make this a bit easier for me," He let out a hollow laugh, and Sophie frowned. She didn't like how tired he sounded, even though now she knew the cause. "So, um, we are going to host a ball. It is going to be on the date of our annual masquerade ball, but we won't wear masks this year so that the kidnappers can see who you are. There will be specially trained guards dressed as dancers - so that they blend in - and we will have our tightest security, without anyone except for you, me, and the nobles at the meetings."

"So... I will be some sort of... Bait?" Asked Sophie, unsure. The plan did not make complete sense to her, but she still tried to understand. Fitz scratched the back of his neck for what seemed to be the hundredth time.

"Unfortunately... Yes. Something like that. However, be assured: I have a dozen undercover guards that will be assigned to you and you only. The sole job is protecting you at all costs.

"Sophie, you will be dressed up for the ball like everyone else, you will dance the dances like everyone else - if you want to, of course; it's your choice - and act completely casual. Though, you will have to try to stay close to the main balcony, where the kidnappers will most likely attack."

"I believe that I can do that..." Sophie said, biting her lip. Sure, it was easy to say, but it would be quite complicated when the time came. Fitz smiled, glad to have finally told her. "Though I have one question."

He raised his eyebrow, but let her continue. "Didn't your father talk about that certain Black Swan? Aren't they supposed to be helping?"

"Yes, they are actually already here. They've been to the past four meetings."

Sophie's eyebrows shot up at the speed of light. "Really?! Why didn't you tell me?"

The prince sheepily smiled. "Well... We haven't really seen each other much the past few days..."

"True, true..."

"But I may be able to get you to meet them; at least their leader, in any case. I'll see what I can do."

Sophie suddenly jumped into his arms and hugged his waist tightly.

"Thank you," She whispered.

"Anytime, love, anytime."