The Enchancian Curse

The Big Question

Chapter 16

(Sofia POV)

I was unaware of what just happened and groggily looked up and saw him, "H-H-Hugo?" He smiled down at me, "Hey Sof. How are you feeling?" "I-I'm not sure." My mind was then flooded with everything that had happened before I blacked out, "My amulet... Prince Cole... the war..." I brought my hands to my head starting to panic. I looked down at my amulet and it looked normal again and then I saw Prince Cole lay on the floor. I didn't hear any fighting outside but, I didn't know how any of this happened. "Hey, hey look at me Sofia," I turned back to Hugo. He pulled me close into his chest and held onto me for dear life "I will explain everything in a minute but right now I need you." I wrapped my arms around him, holding him with the same amount of force and power as he held me. Whatever happened it could wait but, right now Hugo needed me and I needed him too. James came bursting through the door and my parents soon followed. I saw James look from us to Prince Cole and back to us, "I'm going to need an explanation." "So are we..." my parents said. Hugo let me go and let out a sigh before I added, "I still need one as well."

Hugo told all of us what happened. It seemed unreal, "So my ancestor kind of 'possessed' me and along with your help not only convinced Prince Cole that he didn't love her but, also that he had to let go of his revenge?" "Well it was a little bit more complicated than that but to put it shortly yes that is what happened." No one had any other response, we all just needed time to absorb the craziness that has been the last 2 weeks. "I'm going to send for Amber," James said being the first person to leave my suite. Hugo then looked toward my father and asked, "May I request a private audience with you, Your Majesty." My father gave him a nod. He looked down at me as I was still in his arms, "I will be back soon. I think that you and your mother have some stuff to talk about and I have some business to discuss with your father." I nodded and he placed a quick peck on my forehead. I watched as he left the room.

I then looked towards Mom, "Sofia," she began not sure how to start, "are you- how are- do you want to talk?" She finally settled on. I nodded and we both walked over to the window seat. We saw the guards and troops coming back to the castle leading Prince Cole's army with them. "Mom, these last two weeks have been a mess," I turned to face her. She couldn't help but nod, "Indeed they were." I began to cry into her arms, "Oh Honey." She said while stroking her fingers through my hair. I began to tell her about everything that happened when I was captured. But, I broke down even more when I began to tell her about the last 4 years of my life. I was so lonely and I just wanted to come back but I felt like I couldn't and I wasn't sure what to do. As I calmed down Mom asked me, "Sofia, are you happy with your life? And I am not talking about the ludicrously of the last 2 weeks, I'm talking about in general. Are you happy?" I sat up and thought about this.

My amulet had pretty much stopped helping me and was now only the source of my powers and would call upon me to be Storykeeper. I was all alone and as a Protector I had faced so many monsters and horrors that still sometimes keep me up at night. I couldn't even lean on the other Protectors as much because, they had their own realms to protect. I have spent so much time devoted to keeping my friends and family safe that I almost lost them entirely and risked my own safety and life constantly.

I turned to Mom and shook my head, "I don't think I have been happy with my life in a while." "I think it might be time for you to consider taking off the amulet and stepping down as Protector." I nodded. I did need to think about this and there was someone who I really wanted to talk to about this.

(Hugo POV)

I walked into the king's office and suddenly felt more anxious. The last time I spoke to him individually (not including Prince Desmond) I had kind of yelled at him and accused him of not being a good father. I just had to hope that he would understand where I was coming from. "King Rolland, I would like to apologize for how I acted earlier. Although I stand by my sentiment my behavior was absolutely deplorable." He sighed, "Prince Hugo, if I am speaking frankly, I probably would have done the same thing in your position but, that is not all you wanted to talk to me about or else you wouldn't have asked for a private audience away from Queen Miranda and Sofia." I nodded, "Your right that was not my only intention. King Rolland, I love your daughter Princess Sofia," He nodded. "I'm aware of that fact Prince Hugo." I nodded of course he knew that, "As you know I am the Crown Prince of Albuquerque and with that responsibility comes finding a queen." He leaned forward in his chair as I said this and I wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing, "But regardless of that responsibility I have loved your daughter since we were children. However that said responsibility has put a time limit on things and..." Nothing I was saying was coming out right and I think the king was enjoying watching me squirm but his face remained the same. I took a deep breath, "I would like to ask for you permission to ask Princess Sofia to marry me." He began contemplating this for a second and then said, "You have my blessing." I released a breath I didn't know that I was holding in. "Honestly she has been in love with you since, you were kids too. But, you should know that my blessing isn't really what you need. It is her's that really matters." "I couldn't agree with you more. Now I just need to ask her."

(Sofia POV)

I went form a walk through the hallways until I found myself going outside towards the gardens. "Princess Sofia," I heard from behind me and saw Hugo in a deep bow. I couldn't help but laugh a little as I went down into a curtsey, "Prince Hugo." We both laughed for a moment before he asked, "Care to take a walk with me?" I smiled grabbing his arm. We began walking in a comfortable silence, I wasn't sure how to start my conversation and it was clear that there was something on his mind. "Hugo""Sofia" we both said at the same time. I let out a little laugh as he rubbed the back of his head and said, "You go first." "Hugo, I'm thinking about stepping down as Protector and Storykeeper." He seemed surprised by this as he continued to listen, "What do you think?" "Well-" he started thinking about how to respond, "will that make you happy?" I smiled as he asked this. "Yeah, I think it would. If I'm being completely honest I haven't been happy in a while and I need to get back to the things that I care about. The things that really matter, the people that really matter in my life." "People?" He asked. "Yeah, like my mom, dad, Amber, James, and my friends like, Desmond, Hildegard, Clio" I could see his smile fading as I teased him by listing more and more names, "and most importantly my best friend: you." He smiled after I said this and I planted a small peck on his cheek. "Now what do you want to ask me?"

(Hugo POV)

When she told me she didn't want to be a Protector or the Storykeeper anymore I was surprised but, I was so happy that she wouldn't be in danger anymore, and that she wouldn't disappear again. I was also happy when she called me her best friend. "Now what do you want to ask me?" She said. I was about to ask her when I thought back on what Princess Alice had said: No one ever asked her what she wanted. Sofia and Princess Alice were both not born royal, what if Sofia didn't want this life either. I didn't want to force it on her I loved her too much. But, then I recognized myself cowarding out of talking to Sofia again. I did this before when I didn't tell her how I felt and it turned out that she loved me too. I had to ask "What do you want in life?" Came out. She was surprised by the question, "Huh, no one ever really asked me that," she commented. Wow we really need to start asking princesses what they want in life if the same answer comes out more than once. "I guess I just want to be happy and to be surrounded by the people that make me happy. No matter what I do or where I go if I'm with the people that I love and care about who love and care about me I think I will be alright."

I was so relieved that, that was her answer. "Sofia, do you mind if I take you somewhere?" She nodded, "Where are we going?" "Do you trust me?" I asked and she smiled, "With my life." We walked toward the gazebo. This was where I had planned to take her, the night of the ball.

"Sofia, when you came to Royal Prep all those years ago you changed my life. You saw past the pompous jerk I was when we first met and saw who was underneath, a person who was scared they would fail to live up to family expectations. You made me a better person, not by trying to change me but by allowing me to be myself. You have encouraged me to go after what I want and were there to help when I didn't believe it was possible. You never gave up on me. I want to be completely honest with you, I have to find a future queen for Albuquerque soon, but this doesn't change anyway I feel about you. If anything it just moves up the timeline. You are not only the bravest, kindest, most selfless person I know but you are my best friend and the only person I could ever see by my side." I sighed. "I love you" I got down on one knee and took the box out of my pocket I heard her gasp as she brought a hand to her mouth and I took her other, "Princess Sofia Balthazar-Winslow the first of Enchancia, will you marry me?"