Sofia the protected

Chapter 1

Sofia felt the carriage jostle slightly as Amber placed her full weight onto the golden step.

Amber was wearing a nice yellow dress with a row of buttons going down the front. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a bun and a jewel-encrusted pin held it together. Amber's brown high-heeled boots shined strangely. Sophia looked closer to see that Amber had placed glitter on her shoes.

"I love your shoes, Amber," Sophia said gesturing to Amber's feet.

" Why thank you, Sophia."Amber did her signature hair flip of joy. Amber sat down abruptly both hands on her knees. "Coachmen we're ready to take off now," Amber called. Her voice sounded Regal and commanding.

Amber leaned forward out of excitement. Her smile was so large her eyes crinkled. "I'm just so excited to see all of our old friends again."

"Me too. But out of curiosity do you know who's coming?"Sophia pursed her lips and pulled her smile down and to the right. Sophia cocked her head thinking hard about who could possibly be coming and why her father had not told them the guest list.

"Oh, I don't know." Amber waves her hand dismissively. " I do wonder, why all the secrecy?"Amber had an excited glint in her eye and her eyebrows were raised.

"Maybe the guest list is just really long and dad didn't have time to list off all the names," Sofia suggested. That solution seemed quite practical to her. If it was going to be a huge party that meant new dresses for both her and Amber. Sofia expected Amber to immediately assume this herself and be excited. Instead, Amber's eyes glazed over and she started fiddling with her skirt.

"Or maybe this party is more significant than we thought," Amber suggested wistfully.

Sophia could see the light bulb that turned on in Amber's head. There was no bringing her out of Dreamland now.

So Sophia looked over the carriage wall and down to the land below. Just now they were flying over Royal prep. Sophia could see the main building the greenhouse and the flying derby track. Oh, how she missed flying derby.

There wasn't much she could do about it she didn't have time for sports when she was so busy all the time.

Sophia turned around looking back behind the carriage for another glance at Royal prep. But it was gone and covered by trees now. Sophia turned around and slumped in her seat facing forward again. In the distance, she spotted Ever Realm Academy. The tall golden towers of the school shone so brightly. Many would call it beautiful. But to Sofia, it ruins the picturesque skyline of trees and the mountains beyond.

Sophia could feel the carriage started to descend. The descent of the carriage woke Amber out of her daydreams.

When the coach landed both Amber and Sofia scrambled to get out of the carriage. They were not late but the faculty told them "if you're not early you're late."

Amber hurried up the tan steps and through giant golden and glass doors. The sun came out from behind the clouds and hit the glass of the doors. Which made Sofia squint as she hurried up the steps. The combined factor of her speed and her loss of sight made her trip and drop her books.

Someone Bent to help her pick up her books. Sophia recognized the Peach dress and the tan shoes. They belonged to princess Amelie of caldosa.

"You really need to be more careful Sophia." Princess Amelie giggled.

"It's a good thing I'm clumsy or else I have a hard time explaining all the bruises I get on my Protector missions," Sophia thought.

"Thank you for your help Princess Amelie" Sofia curtsied.

"You're quite welcome." Amelie smiled. Then her face contorted as the girl cringed slightly, afraid to reprimand her friend."Tho Sofia you did a number 8 curtsy you were supposed to do a number 12."

"Oh, no. You're right." Sophia facepalms. "When will I get this?"

"You'll get it eventually. But remember we have That quiz on curtsies1 through 12 on Friday."

"Just kill me now," Sophia said dramatically.

"Come on or we'll be late."Amelie motion to Sofia to follow and quickly walked towards their first class.