**Sophia**
After Steve walked away, I smiled at the Dowager Queen Sarah.
"I'm sorry I was lost your majesty -..." I started to say, and she held up her hand to stop me.
"It's not your fault dear, Sharon was supposed to be there to greet you." Sarah said shooting her a glance and Sharon didn't seem to even be bothered by it until another lady in waiting elbowed her and she sighed.
"I'm sorry your majesty it won't happen again." Sharon bowed her head.
"Make it sure it doesn't." Sarah said and then turned her attention back to me.
"Thank you for inviting me to tea today your majesty, I don't know why I'm so honored to have tea with you." I said and she smiled as it was poured for us.
"Lady Barnes, you have shocked us all by showing up to Court. Your brother, Duke Barnes, finally bringing you to court was a shock." Sarah said and I nodded.
"It was but I wanted to get your son's permission to marry. I didn't think it would take all of this time though..." I trailed off and Sarah sighed.
"Steve takes courtships and marriages very seriously, he wants to make sure everyone is going to be provided for and taken care of." Sarah said and I half nodded.
"Well, I believe he is giving Sir John a job and then he will allow us to get married when he returns." I said and Sarah just slowly nodded.
"Well, that's...generous of him."
I heard her tone change and I just looked at her, "Is something wrong your majesty?" I asked.
"Lady Sophia I'm going to be honest and upfront with you. I remember you chasing after Bucky, Rebekah and Steve as a kid. They always let you tag along no matter what. You were a pretty little girl and then Bucky kept you away once you started to grow up, no one really understood but watching you arrive at Court the other day we all see why now." Sarah explained and I just looked at her.
"I don't understand your majesty." I said.
"You're beautiful Lady Sophia, you had every man in the room taking notice, one in particular. Steve took notice, I think you noticed he did. He couldn't stop looking at you and he even danced with you Lady Sophia."
"I had noticed but I thought maybe it was because I was new to court." I stammered.
"No Lady Sophia, it was because he was enamored by you. I know why Duke Barnes kept you away. If you had been in court any sooner and not come to court with someone who you were courting, you would be next in line to marry Steven." Sarah boldly spoke making me choke slightly on the sip of tea I took.
"Your majesty, I highly doubt -..."
"Sophia, are you telling me you have no feelings for my son at all?" Sarah asked.
"I never thought...I don't...I just -..." I stumbled through. I have never been this unsure of how to answer something ever. I took a deep breath, "I always thought Steve was my brother's friend and I was much younger than them so I figured I would always be off limits to even have King Steve look at me twice for marriage." I explained.
"No one is off limits to Steve. The problem is right now Sophia, he has seen you and he knows what you want for your future. He is conflicted." Sarah.
"Conflicted your majesty?" I asked.
"Conflicted on if he gives you to Sir John or takes you for himself." Sarah said.
I just sat in shock at what was just said to me.
I finally took a breath, "He can deny me to marry someone just so he can have me to himself?"
"Are you saying if King Steve asked you to his bed or asked you to be his wife as soon as tonight you would deny being with him?" Sarah questioned. There was a tone in her voice that made me very self-aware.
I knew I had to think about this answer, and I didn't know how to put what I wanted to say, "Your majesty please understand I love John, I have since I was 16. I have never known what it could be like to even be close to another man, let alone lay with one. John and I haven't even -...." I trailed off. Sarah looked at me shocked.
"Oh, you mean, you never have had..." I shook my head at her question. I suddenly felt ashamed. "It's nothing to feel ashamed about my dear. I love that you have saved yourself for your marital bed. It shows great restraint." Sarah smiled.
"Thank you." I said and she smiled.
As we were finishing up tea Bucky came walking out and I gave him a small smile as he bowed to Sarah
"Your majesty I hate to interrupt but might I borrow my sister for a few moments?" Bucky asked.
"You may. Lady Barnes, I would love to do this again, soon."
"I would love that as well." I said and curtsied as I stood up. I noticed Bucky looking at one of Sarah's ladies in waiting, Natasha. Rumor was around the castle that Bucky and her had been an item once but called it off since she thought she wasn't good enough for him. He still loved her but would never try again.
I linked my arm in Bucky's, and we walked out of the gardens and back inside the castle. We started to head towards the Barnes chambers at one end of the castle.
"We are going to be staying here for a while." Bucky said and I snapped my head to look at him,
"Excuse me?! Why?!" I asked.
"Well Steve asked me to stay for a while as things are getting done and in motion and I don't want you and Rebekah staying at the house alone especially since John will be gone and can't check in." Bucky explained and I sighed.
"Then I guess I need to go home and pack." I said and Bucky shook his head.
"A guard and some men have been sent by Steve to go help Rebekah pack up. She will pack up everything you need, don't worry." Bucky explained and I sighed.
"So, what, I'm just supposed to be stuck here when I only little time left with John before he leaves?" I asked.
"Sophia please, just know this is something that has to be done, okay? You will be here, safe and I can watch over you." Bucky said and I huffed a laugh.
"Watch over me or keep me prisoner in my room?" I asked.
"Prisoner? Really?" Bucky asked as we reached my room.
"Yeah prisoner, like you did at the house and kept me away from Court." I snapped. "Everyone has noticed Bucky, even the queen, not your best move." I said.
"I did what I had to do to keep you safe." Bucky said.
"Safe from who? Steve? Court? Who?" I asked.
Bucky looked down at the floor. I groaned when he didn't answer and just opened my bedroom door and walked in, closing the door in his face.
YOU ARE READING
The Other Barnes Sister ⭐️
Fanfiction*~COMPLETED~* Sophia Barnes is the youngest sister of James "Bucky" Barnes and Rebekah Barnes. Bucky had kept Sophia away from Court since she was 10 and kept her home knowing he didn't want to subject her to that life even though he was a Duke. Buc...
