Sofia the First: The Rise of Rulers

Chapter Eleven: James

Chapter Eleven

James

I wake up to the sound of something shattering and screaming. My first thought is Vivian. I jump up to check on her. "Viv! Everything ok?" I yell, running into her room. It takes me a second to realize I'm in her bedroom with her half-dressed. "Yes." She says relieved. "I accidentally knocked over this vase. I guess I've just been on edge since yesterday." My mind immediately goes back to the events of the first trial. We were told something unexpected was to happen and to be prepared for any scenario. Vivian and I were sending wedding invitations when the attack alarm sounded. She got so scared she practically jumped into my arms. I held her tightly, savoring how right her body felt in my arms. I didn't want to move or breathe or do anything but that for the rest of my life and still don't.

"James?" Vivian says. I'm brought back from my flashback.

"Oh yeah. Yesterday." Her eyes travel lower down my body and I realize I'm also half dressed and don't have a shirt on.

"I should um, go get changed now." She says.

"Right me too." Before I leave, I take a mental picture of what she looks like. Her hair is tangled and she's wearing a loose pink nightgown. I don't think she's ever looked better. I reluctantly turn around and head back to my room when Vivian says, "Thank you. For checking on me I mean." "Of course."

I'm walking down the halls, replaying what just happened. Was she checking me out? She couldn't have been. Could she? I have to put those thoughts away for now. It's time to get ready for the second trial, fulfilling villager requests. I've never met the people of the village in Zumaria so I'm excited. Since it's not very formal, I put on a loose blue button-down and khaki pants. I fix my hair and brush my teeth. As I'm doing so, I decide I can't just sit here with my feelings anymore. I'm gonna make a move on her today, I just don't know how. I walk out of my room and head to meet Vivian in the courtyard. She has been teaching me about Zumaria and its customs. It's good practice and I love the extra time I get to be around her. I head to the garden and see Vivian smelling flowers. She's wearing a simple, flowy, red dress with short puffed sleeves. She looks gorgeous. I stand back and watch her for a minute. She walks around, admiring all the scenery. I finally decide to walk up to her, tapping her on the shoulder.

"Hey, James. Ready for your next lesson?"

"Of course. We have to be quick though because we have to be in the village for one."

An hour later, we decided it couldn't hurt to be a little early and leave for the next trial duty. I hold out my hand to help her into the carriage. When our hands connect, a shock shoots down my spine. It's my new favorite thing. I've decided that my "making a move" for today will be trying to hold her hand as much as humanly possible. When we step out of the carriage I take her hand and don't let go. She doesn't try to resist either, which I hope is a good sign and not just her being nice. All my attention is focused on where my hand meets hers. It's cold, but a good cold. Like the kind of cold, you want your bedroom to be at night. We walk around the village and greet the people. I want to be a very involved king, so the people of Zumaria are very important to me. Vivian and I talk to everyone and help them with solutions to their problems. We arrange for the royal sorcerer to grow more crops and speak to children at the school. By six o'clock, we are ready to get back to the palace. We walk toward the exit of the park we are in when it starts to rain, hard. The wind is soon howling and lightning is striking everywhere. We have to find shelter fast. We duck into a bakery to wait out the storm.

One hour goes by, then two, then three. The storm has not lightened up. There is no way we can get back to the palace in this condition.

"Your majesties, I believe the storm will last until morning. I would hate for you to have to stay up all night. We have an extra bedroom upstairs and if you'd like to use it, it's all yours." The baker offers.

"We'll take it. Thank you very much." I say without hesitation. The baker nods and leads us upstairs. I start getting nervous. What if Vivian doesn't want to spend the night with me? As much as I hate to pass up the chance, I'm going to offer to sleep on the floor.

"Goodnight your majesties." The baker says before leaving.

"Listen, Viv, don't feel like you have to share a bed with me. I'll sleep on the floor."

"No." She quickly responds. "You'll sleep on the bed." That settles it.

We wake up the next morning with my shirt half unbuttoned, Vivian's head against my chest, and my hand in her hair.