Love & Duty

Chapter 4

That night, Sophia slept like a baby. Whether it was from the long journey or the soft mattress, it didn't matter. She woke up ready to start her day and do anything to make her assignment successful. Now the real reason she woke with no assistance is not from her excitement... but from the fact that she forgot to close the curtains yesterday and the sun was blasting through. Shining right on her face!

She got ready, washed her face, and brushed her teeth. In the usual, her casual white Blouse, with her black Suede Bodice on top, and her black Force Utility leggings. Of course, the black riding boots can't be forgotten.

Before meeting Ren at his office, she tied her hair in a high ponytail and was ready to go. She looked over her sword, wondering if it was necessary to take it or carry it around the castle. Everyone tells her to always have a weapon with her. From her parents to her brother and even her aides, even when she feels it's safe. Does Princess Sophia listen?

No, no, she does not.

She sets her way to the office, weapon-free, saying good morning to the maids and guards she passes by. Two people join her and walk behind her when she turns a corner. "I don't see a sword strapped to those fat hips of yours." she stops abruptly at the comment! "Do you perhaps have a dagger up your sleeve? Or maybe down your-"

"Tyler." Valerie swats him on his arm.

"First of all, it's too early for you to be rude and too early for me to deal with you. Second, I'm in a castle; I don't see the point of having a weapon on me!" Sophia continues walking. Only to remember his first comment, she stops again, turning to face him. She points her finger right between his eyes with a frown on her face, almost touching his nose. "Oh! And my hips are not fat!" she side-glances at Valerie, mouthing 'right?' to her.

Valerie nods to her.

Tyler laughs with a smirk on. "You are not even sure yourself!"

"Shut up!" She turns and continues her-- what was once peaceful-- way to Ren's office.

Sophia and her group finally get to the office and enter when they get the approval. "Good morning Ren. Nikki." she greets both of them. She turns towards Rowen with a look of a challenge already in her eyes. "Good morning, Rowen." adding a smile to smooth things over.

"Good morning, Princess Sophia." he adds a bow.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. Can you repeat that?" Sophia puts her hand around her ear and scoots closer to him.

"Good morning, Princess Sophia!" he emphasizes her name. Sophia wasn't sure if that smile was genuine or just a sly one, knowing what he was doing.

"Didn't we agree that my name is Sophia, dear Rowen?" she raises her eyebrows and looks up at him.

"I don't remember agreeing to anything, Princess." his smile is still on, irritating Sophia even more.

"Are you calling me a liar?" she tries again.

"I would never, Princess; maybe you just misunderstood." she could have sworn she saw a glimpse of a smirk on those lips of his!

"Not this again." Ren interrupts.

"Ren! Tell your aide to call me by my name!" sometimes, Sophia tends to act younger than her age, and silly things that don't go her way, like name-calling, can really get to her.

She stomps her foot, trying to show her frustration.

"Soph, you made Rowen your target?" Ren has experienced this a lot of times. He can say that whoever becomes her target... won't have peaceful days anymore unless they give in to her.