Sofia the protected

Bonus #2

Hugo's perspective.

I stare at Sofia awkwardly as she brushes the hair out of her face and fidgets with her skirt. Secretly I push down the hope that what she has to tell me is a crush confession. Hope rises up inside of me anyway. I've liked Sophia ever since RPA.

I stare at my best friend in front of me. Her voluminous red hair is loose around her shoulders her calloused white hands still fidgeting with her purple skirt. I wonder where her determination and Adventurous spirit come from?

This tiny princess has been underestimated many times even by myself. I cringe at the memory. A mistake I will not make again.

" Hugo, um, I spend a lot of my time. Well, let me start by explaining this."Sof held up her amulet.

" It all started here. Dad gave it to me as a welcome to the castle present. Little did he know that it has the power to bless or curse me. Because of this amulet, I can talk to animals, shape-shift, and change size."

"No way I just thought that was a cute little habit you had. Talking to animals that is."Sophia blushes at me calling her cute but continues her story.

"I'm also a story keeper. A story keeper Gives unfinished Tales happy endings. That's how I found out there was a princess trapped inside the amulet I worked to free her and my family helped Princess Elena reclaim the throne."

"So that's awesome. I knew you went to Avalor over summer break but wow."

"That's not all I'm also a protector I fight to keep the Mystic Isles and this world safe from magical threats."

I have so many questions but I'm rendered speechless by this amazing girl in front of me. I thought she was cool before I knew of all of her daring rescue missions and acts of selflessness. I'm about to say something when the door to Sophia's room is opened and Bailewick stands in the doorway prim and proper as always.

" Young highness your parents request an audience with you in your Father's Office Sophia."

"Thanks, Bailiwick." Sophia plauds over to him and I get up from my comfortable position on her bed.

"I wonder what this could be about?" Sophia's eyebrows furrow.

" We didn't do anything wrong right?" I scratch my head trying to recall if I messed up.

" You probably did."Sofia teases. For real though I wonder why we're being summoned?

Sophia's perspective.

As we enter my father's office I noticed the lack of smiles on everyone's faces. Everyone looks so serious and uneasy. I was just teasing Hugo back there, but now I'm actually racking my brain for things that we could have done wrong. Four sets of eyes stare at me intently. That's when I noticed a large scroll sitting on my father's desk at the bottom of the scroll there are two dotted lines.

I look at my mother her eyes are glistening beautifully with tears. When I focus my gaze on my dad I notice he has his King mask on. Hugo's parents are acting weird too. Hugo's mother is staring at me openly but gently. King Garrick is smiling at Hugo and me as if we're little kids that got into some well-meaning mischief.

"Kids we called you here because we believe that you're responsible. And we wanted to include you in this important decision." My father leans forward on his elbows staring at both of us intently.

"Our two countries have only recently become allies." My mother says.

"Unfortunately this bond is still fragile." Hugo's mother says taking out a handkerchief.

"So we proposed a betrothal." King Garrick said point blank.

"Why us?" Hugo's voice isn't sad or angry, it's just a well-meaning question. But if it's just a well-meaning question, why do I feel a heart stab?

" It's really messy to betroth the heirs of 2 different nations. And you two are already best friends. Having a boyfriend or girlfriend is really just a best friend who kisses you" My dad rambles.

I look at Hugo. This is so awkward and embarrassing.

" What do you say champ? Would you like to marry Sophia in a few years?" Hugo's dad says.

" If she accepts as well, yes." Hugo looks at me blushing madly.

True love is never something I thought would be chosen for me. Could I spend the rest of my life with Hugo? When I look at him I see my best friend the guy who I secretly wish was my boyfriend. My partner on many different sports teams. He is reliable and funny. He's kind. Most importantly he always has my back.

" Yes." I stride forward and pick up the pen next to the dotted line."

Out in the hallway after the whole ordeal.

" Are you cool with being betrothed to me?" I ask Hugo, suddenly feeling very self-conscious.

He runs his fingers through his black hair and slowly slides down against the wall. I did the same to face him.

This is not how I wanted to tell you, but I like you, Sophia. I have for a really long time."

I inhale sharply. I can feel my cheeks growing a deep shade of red. "I like you too."

His face breaks into a mischievous grin."He grins at me for a moment before saying "What do we do now?"

" Calling me your betrothed has a lot of weight to it. Could I maybe be your girlfriend? At school, people are gonna tease us terribly."

" Oh I just meant what are we gonna do next? Are we gonna return to our school project or or?"

" I'm way too wound up to work on the school project."I blush embarrassed.

" Maybe we could go Ice dancing or something? I could come over tomorrow to finish the project. Plus it would give me another opportunity to see you."