Silent Snow ~

2 ♡ Beet Red

♡ 3 days before Wassalia that same year ~

The snow blanketed the castle, turning everything white, from the oak and maple trees lining the gates to the beaks of the robins that chirped with the sunrise. Sophia sat slightly slumped as her maids rushed to get her ready, pinning up her hair and fitting her gown. Sophia's private maid, Rosalie, clasped her hands. "Miss, you look absolutely darling today! It's as if the sun kissed your very cheeks."

"I agree! This baby pink gown suits the rosy look as well." Said another maid, Fiona, as she brushed up the loose threads from the vanity.

Standing to the wide and curtsying, they immediately scurried off to continue cleaning the rest of the bedroom as Sophia walked out, escorted by Baileywick to the breakfast table.

"Morning mom, Morning dad!" She greeted, beelining for her seat next to Amber.

Amber helped her into her chair, straightening her tiara. "Morning Sophia." Her gown matched Sophia's but differed with the glamour and sparkle that only Amber could pull off so effortlessly. Sophia turned to James' seat to speak to him and furrowed her brows when she noticed his seat was empty. "Where's James?" Amber passed over some pancakes, sighing. "He woke up with a cold, so he was told to stay in bed. He was burning up..." Sophia's eyes widened. "Oh gosh, will he be okay? Who's looking after him?"

King Roland chuckled, amused by her worry over her brother. "James will be fine. He's in the good hands of our Royal Doctor. He should be better by Wassalia morning."

Queen Miranda nodded. "And if he isn't, we will just postpone our trip to King Garrick's Castle till the day or two after to make sure James is well enough."

Sophia felt her heart sink a little. "Oh. So we won't be spending Wassalia with Hugo - I mean in King Garrick's kingdom?"

Amber raised an eyebrow. "We could always go the day after, I mean, it won't be as fun without James." She suddenly placed a hand over her mouth, a horrified expression on her face.

"I just said something nice about James... maybe I'm sick too!" She gasped.

"Oh, Amber..." Sophia giggled, still feeling down. "Well, I just hope James gets better soon. I'll also help him with whatever he needs."

"That's really sweet of you, Sophia." King Roland smiled, placing his hand over hers.

♡♡♡

♡ A few hours later ~

"Soooo, James. Do you feel any better? Like even a little bit?" Sophia asked as she sauntered into James' bedroom, her arms full of hot towels.

Upon seeing her, James sighed. "Sophia..." He grudgingly sat up again, freeing her from the weight of the mountain of steaming towels. "You've been here five times already today, and it's only..." He checked the clock that was ticking quietly on the wall opposite his bed. Its dainty gold hands indicated midday.

"Twelve pm!" Sophia chimed. "Yeah, I know. It's been ages. I just wanted to check up on you." She plopped down on the side of his bed, eyes wide with anticipation.

"Sophia." James began, "Do you want something from me?"

Sophia held a hand to her chest, feigning shock. "Of course I don't. Im just doing this so you get better is all!"

"But the last time I got sick, you visited a couple of times, but that was it. You definitely want something." He crossed his arms, waiting for her to spill. Her face went red for a few seconds before she sighed.

"Fine. I'll talk. I just want you to get better quickly so..." She trailed off, picking at the hem of James' bedsheets with her fingernails.

"So?" James prodded.

She sighed again, the exasperation setting in. Telling James she wanted him better so they could go to King Garrick's kingdom would mean confessing she wanted to spend time with Hugo. But not telling him made her feel guilty.

Which was the lesser evil?

"Sophia," He looked at her pleadingly. "I just want the truth."

"Okay, okay!" She placed her hands in her lap, surrendering. "I wanted you better so we could go to King Garrick's castle tomorrow."

James frowned, confused. "Why would you want to go to King Garrick's kingdom?"

Sophia's face went beet red. "I...I want to see Hugo again!" Her words tumbled out, and she stared at the floor, embarrassment coursing through her.

"Oh." James said with a small smile. "What was so hard to say about that?"

Sofia looked up. "Hold on, you're fine with it? Like you don't mind that I like him?"

James shook his head and laughed, which triggered a sneeze that Sofia quickly passed him a tissue for. "Of course I don't mind Sofia. We all like Hugo."

Sophia facepalmed. "No, silly. I like like him."

James furrowed his brows, still confused. 

"A crush, James." Said a voice from the doorway.

They both spun round to see Amber standing in the doorway, a disappointed expression on her face.

"Amber?" Sophia and James spoke at once.

She walked in. "You can be so dense at times, James." She sat at the other end of James's bed across from Sophia. "And you Sophia should have told me. I'm your sister."

Amber pouted, wishing she had been the first to hear the news. "Thank goodness I'd left lunch early to go on a walk, or I never would have known my sister had a crush on someone."

"I'm sorry, Amber. I only told James because he pressured me." Sophia said, scowling at James, who shrugged his shoulders.

"I wanted to know why she kept visiting ao much -"

Amber gingerly waved her hand, shushing him. "Well? Fill me in, Sophia!" She clasped her hands together in excitement, and Sophia sighed.

"Okay. It started at enchanted skating practice -" ...

~ A/N

Hey loves,

There's three chapters left of Sofia and Hugo in their childhood, and chapter 6 onwards will be them as adults!

I really do hope you liked this chapter and the next one on Tuesday <3

Silent Snow update schedule for 2024:
~ Updates biweekly (Tuesday and Friday)
~ Double update every last Friday of the month
~ Triple update on special days (Christmas, etc.)

I'll see you in the next one!

Love,

Nine.

~