A Hugfia Miracle

Ch. 25: A Problem

"Now what do we have here?" King Roland asked with a sharply raised eyebrow. His jaw was clenched angrily, his hand tightly wrapped around Miranda's.

Her face looked disappointed and Sofia's heart sank at the sight of it. She believed she would never make her mother disappointed in her for any reason again. Looks like her belief is crushed with their expressions.

Sofia's gaze shifted to Amber and her own heart beat faster at the sight of her smug smile. "What do you mean?" she asked, glancing at her father. "Hugo and I were just talking."

Roland bared his teeth but his neck strained, as if holding himself back. "Really?" he said with a shaky inhale. "Amber here says that you've been doing much more with Hugo. Speaking of which--"

Roland stepped forward and Hugo hopped up from the floor, standing firmly by the balcony edge. The king walked so close to the young prince that Hugo needed to press against the railing behind him. "Why would you ever take advantage of my daughter like that?" he growled, lightly grabbing Hugo's collar and bringing his face close to his. "She has never done anything worthy if this type treatment."

Hugo swallowed but his eyes stayed on Roland's bravely. Sofia admired him for that- any other man would've backed down before Roland even stepped toward them. "I didn't lay a finger on Sofia when she didn't give me permission," Hugo said firmly, his dark eyes boring into the king's. "I would never, ever, traumatize your daughter like that." His eyes shifted to Sofia's, a glint sparkling and making Sofia smile. "I love her too much for that."

At the word 'love', Roland seemed to stiffen. "You two aren't married yet." His hand let go of Hugo's collar and the prince breathed normally again. The king turned around and faced his daughter, her big blue eyes focused solely on him. "Sofia," he whispered, "you know better than this. Marriage is the only time you should be able to do...that." His cheeks turned pink at the thought of the word 'sex'. It felt like his daughter was still just a girl and that the realities of the world are too dark for her mind. But if she really did do it with Hugo...she's already been exposed to the darkest sides of humanity. He looked at Sofia in a new light. She wasn't innocent any more. She was becoming an independent woman. However, his mind protested that she shouldn't be playing around with fate. "You should be careful. Rules will be established again," he finalized. "Hugo will not be seen with you again until your marriage dates."

"Dad!" Sofia exclaimed, eyes wide. She glanced back and forth between her father and Hugo, eyes glazing over with tears. "What?" she asked, her heart sinking. Nothing could be said about the despair she was feeling. "You---" she pointed accusingly at Amber, a single tear slipping down her cheek. "You did this. You!" she shrieked, collapsing onto the ground. The only thing keeping her up in her mind was Hugo's presence, comforting her just with his eyes on her. 

Roland inhaled through his teeth and looked down at his daughter, his heart tearing apart.

"How would you feel?" Sofia asked, her teary eyes now focused on her father. "How would you feel if the love of your life was separated from you?"

"At least I didn't do something unholy with her! The fault is yours and yours only...Sofia." Roland could barely bring himself to say his daughter's name in vain. "Hugo," he ordered, motioning for the prince to approach him.

Hugo followed his hand and stopped just before his majesty, kneeling down onto the floor, head bowed. "Yes, King Roland?"

Roland's hand shook when he put it on his future son-in-law's head. "You are to restrict your visits with the princess from this moment onwards. Notice from your father's sent ship arrived earlier this afternoon-- you are to leave by tomorrow, early morning."