The Enchancian Curse

It's Time to Prepare

Chapter 3

(Sofia POV)

A few days had passed since that night that I spent talking with James and Amber and we are beginning to fall back into a routine with one another. In the mornings I would train with James before breakfast as we both needed to keep our skills sharp. After I would bathe and change, joining the family for breakfast. I would then help amber with her royal tasks between breakfast and lunch. After lunch I would go off on my own sometimes visiting the gardens or Minimus other times I would read a book that I did not have to find the ending to. Then after dinner I would attempt to write letters to my friends but, I was never able to bring myself to send them.

During the time between lunch and dinner today I was taking a walk in the castle gardens. Everyone in the castle was excited about the upcoming ball and I was excited to see my old friends, although I didn't know how they would react after not seeing or hearing from me in a long time. "Princess Sofia" I jumped as someone called from behind me. "Baileywick, you startled me." I said regaining my composure, "Forgive me Princess but, I have a letter for you." "Thank you Baileywick." I said as he gave me the note. I opened it and saw it was from Hugo, my breath hitched. He had written me again after months of silence and I couldn't figure out what would have brought this on. I read the note and felt tears come to my eyes. How could a boy who was suck a jerk when we first met, grow up to be such a kind person.

I sighed as I walked back to my suite to place the letter with the others he had written me. I had passed my parents' suite as I heard arguing, "Rolland, it is coming closer it will come for one of them any day now. We can't leave them in the dark any longer." "Miranda we still have a little bit of time..." I pushed the door open, "Have a little bit of time before what?" I asked looking at both of them, "What is going on?" Mom came towards me, "Sofia we can talk about this later but for now please excuse me and your father as we still have a few things we need to discuss." She went to close the door but I put my foot in the doorway, "Whatever it is James, Amber and I will find out eventually whether it is from you or someone else I hope it's you." I moved my foot and let the door close before continuing to my suite. I placed the letter carefully with the other letters Hugo had written me in my trunk but, I couldn't shake what I had heard outside my parents' suite. I decided to look for Amber and James and see what they knew.

I found Amber and James in the observatory, "Hey Amber, hey James." I announced myself and they turned toward me, "Hello Sofia" "What's going on Sof?" They responded, "Are Mom and Dad acting strange toward either of you?" The exchanged a glance and nodded, "They have been pretty secretive recently but, they are probably planning some surprise for us or something" Amber said waving it off. "I don't know Amber I just heard them a moment ago and it sounded kind of bad..." James was now more intrigued, "What did they say?" I told them what happened in the hallway. Now Amber was more worried, "That doesn't sound like them at all, what could they be keeping from us that is so dangerous?" I couldn't think of anything and neither could James. We came to the agreement that we would continue to keep an eye on them and see if we could find anything else out, "We will me back here tomorrow to go over what we have found" I said as Amber and James nodded in agreement.

I kept waking through the hallways aimlessly waiting for dinner when I thought about what Hugo had written me. I felt worse for never sending any of my letters back and how he believed that I have never read any of them but, I still couldn't bring myself to send anything back. I also couldn't figure out why it was so hard to send anything to him but, I decided to let it go for now trying to make myself focus on the task at hand, trying to find out what Mom and Dad were hiding.

My amulet began glowing a blue light calling me to the secret library. I looked down at it and cursed its timing I turned and saw James standing right behind me looking at my necklace, "Wow, that thing has fantastic timing." His voice dripping in sarcasm. "So are you going to go?"

(Hugo POV)

These past few days I have been doing everything in my power not to think about Sofia and why she would not have written back to my letter if she was home at the palace. What could be going on that she wouldn't write back now? Could she not have gotten my letter? "Prince Hugo?" Does she... does she not want to even be my friend anymore? "Prince Hugo?" Could she... "Prince Hugo!"

I was brought back to what was going on as my Dad was going over something with me. "I'm sorry, can you go over that again." "This can wait a moment, what is going through your head boy?" I wasn't sure what to say. On the one hand I really wanted to talk about Sofia with someone but, on the other hand I'm worried he will say something I don't want to hear. "Is it about finding a wife?" he asked and I immediately nodded my head. In truth I had forgotten about that until he brought it up now but, the thought of being in a loveless marriage, let alone a marriage without her terrified me. "Hugo," He sighed, " I know this isn't exactly what you want but, you need to focus on your other duties as well as this." "Dad, what if...what if I know who I want to be with but, she doesn't want to be with me?" "Well have you ever told her?" I shook my head, "Well then I don't think you are asking the right question then." "What should I be asking?" I actually wanted to know, "What has been holding you back up until this point on telling her how you feel? Is it because you are scared or is it because you don't actually like her but rather the idea of her?" I was taken aback by the question but I didn't even need to think before I had my answer "I don't like the idea of her, I love her." I gasped as the words left my mouth. I loved Sofia, and after all this time I said it out loud. "Then what are you waiting for?" My Dad asked.

Even though, I now knew the truth I still couldn't just go to Enchancia to tell her how I felt. It needed to be the right moment. I then remembered, "They are hosting a ball in a few days, I can tell her then. I need to get things ready for then." I said walking out of the room. "When you see her and tell her this, make sure you tell Princess Sofia I said 'Hi'" This stopped me in my tracks. "How did you..." "You wouldn't stop talking about her since the moment you met her at Royal Prep and you have never talked about another princess, let alone another girl, the way you talk about her." I smiled and continued walking to my room this ball was going to be perfect.

(Unknown POV)

"I will get what they owe me and I hear this year's prize will be better than all the others. Just a few more days until I reach the castle. Just a few more days." I continued getting closer and closer with each minute preparing to get into the castle. "No one is going to take MY PRINCESS away from me."