Hugfia: The One That Got Away

Chapter 23

Sofia knocked on the door to Cedric's lair.

She heard the sound of glass shattering. "Barnacles!" yelled a muffled voice.

The door cracked open and a long pointy nose poked through. "What is it?" After a pause, Cedric said, "Oh it's you, princess."

"Hi Mr. Cedric! Would you mind doing me a favor? Do you know how to make the speaking potion that allowed Wormwood to talk that time we visited Hexley Hall? I would love to talk to my animal friends."

Cedric wrinkled his nose. "Why in the world would you want to talk to godforsaken animals?"

In the background, Wormwood squawked indignantly.

"Please", begged Sofia, clasping her hands together.

"Oh alright. I suppose I should pay you back for restoring magic to the Ever Realm." He poked around his workshop, gathering herbs and vials of mysterious liquids, all the while continuing to knock over bottles and adding to the mess. 

After about 15 minutes of mixing potions he handed her the finished product.

"Thank you sir!"

Sofia rushed down the winding stairs, out the castle, and back to the secret garden where she had instructed Minimus, Mia, Robin and Clover to wait for her.

She carefully poured a few drops of the potion on them one by one and was comforted to hear their voices again.

"Princess, we heard everything that happened! You're a hero!" Clover jumped up in enthusiasm. 

Minimus did an awkward victory dance that almost made him fall into a bush.

Sofia giggled.

"It's a shame that you had to sacrifice your magic though," said Mia.

"Well at least you can still understand us with that speaking potion," added Robin.

"But what about her other powers? And the amulet? And her protector duties?" Minimus cried.

"Woah, woah one at a time," smiled Sofia. "Unfortunately, I had to forfeit my protector duties because I can't use the amulet's powers anymore."

She gestured to the amulet hanging around her neck, which was a dull, lifeless, gray. The animals crowded around her, trying to get a closer look.

Sofia continued, "But despite my lack of powers, it doesn't mean that I still can't help others. Right now I'm helping Hugo rebuild the village in Kryevka."

Mia smiled. "With or without your powers you're still the same kindhearted princess." The others nodded in agreement.

"Aww, thank you guys," she said, hugging them. 

Prince Friedrich had been wrong. Not having magic didn't make her or anyone else less of a person. Though she did have to admit, after losing her magical abilities she had come to realize she had been relying on them too much. Even then, she had still managed to defeat him just fine with a bit of creativity and teamwork.

She was glad that the world still had magic though. She didn't want to think of what would have happened to Hugo, or even the thought of never talking to her animal friends ever again. 

She spent the rest of the afternoon lounging in the garden, answering their questions and playing with them until the radiant blue sky had morphed into a golden sunset.