Sofia the First: The Rise of Rulers

Chapter Eighteen: Sofia

Chapter Eighteen

Sofia

"Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god."

"Sofia, calm down will you." Amber says, guiding me to my vanity chair. I have been pacing all morning. I don't think it hit me till this morning, but I'm getting married! To Hugo. We will rule a kingdom together as husband and wife, as king and queen, as lovers, as rulers...

"Oh my god!"

Amber has given up on calming me down and begins to brush my hair. I asked her to do my hair today even though I know there are plenty of hair stylists who would do an amazing job.

This is my wedding day though. I want my sister to do my hair. She pulls half of my hair into a twisty bun on the back of my head and curls the half she left down. I hand her my veil, it's long and white and trails behind me just like my dress will. She clips it to my bun leaving the front of my face uncovered. She did an amazing job, it's beautiful. I hope Hugo will think so, too.

Amber leaves a little while later to get ready. I have one of the maids come in to help me put on some makeup. Then it's time to get into my dress. It's the most gorgeous dress I have ever seen. My dressmaker took what I had told her I wanted and made it ten times better. It's made of white skill that trails out behind me. The top is a corset and helps to define my figure. There are no sleeves as I requested leaving my shoulders bare. I pair it with my amulet and my favorite pair of pear earrings.

"You look absolutely stunning, Princess Sofia." Violet, my maid, tells me.

"Thank you." I do a little spin and watch as my train swirls around my feet.

When I come out of my room I meet with my bridesmaids: Vivian, Hildegard, Astrid, Clio, Ruby, and Jade. Ruby and Jade are some old friends I don't see too often anymore, but they were friends with me before I was Princess Sofia, so it's only right they should be here. Amber, of course, is here too, as my maid of honor. Everyone looks gorgeous. They are all wearing different shades of purple, as I wanted. They all take turns telling me I look gorgeous or that I'm glowing.

Then we all go together to our carriages and make our way to the venue.

Me and the girls make our way to the back of the venue and assemble behind the large wooden doors. Hugo's best man and groomsmen are here also and pair up with my bridesmaids. I see Amber look over her shoulder and follow her gaze to where Desmond is paired with Jade. He is moved to the back and paired with her because he, like her, doesn't have a kingdom. Amber is paired with Axel of course because he is the best man. Everyone is here but Hugo. He's out there waiting for me. I'm panicking.

I hear the light flow of music as the guards begin to open the doors and slowly everyone walks out until I'm the only one left in the room.

It is as if the music stops and time freezes when I look up at the altar. Hugo is there looking charming in his black tailored suit. He's smiling at me and I can't smile back. I'm scared. There are hundreds of people in this room who will be watching. He looks back at me again and nods in encouragement before giving me a wink, and I can't help the smile that finally comes. I begin walking slowly to the tune of the music. My train trialing behind me as I pass by people from my kingdom and others.

When I finally reach that altar I step up and face Hugo. Hugo. It's ok because it's Hugo. Just Hugo.

He leans in just a little bit.

"You look beautiful." His voice is low so only I can hear him. I meet his dark eyes and he's grinning. He makes it so easy to love him. He's so damn charming and funny and respectful and... hot. Oh god, he is so hot. I blink out of my daze when the priest begins his little speech.

When he reaches the point where I need to respond I do. So does Hugo, but when he comes to an end and says, "You may kiss your bride," he freezes. Only for a second before his lips are on mine. I'm kissing Hugo. I. Am. Kissing. Hugo.

The boy I have loved since I was eight years old, the boy who has seen me laugh and cry, the only boy in the world I could ever want is kissing me. His lips are soft and his hands are firm as they bracket my face. He's so close that I can smell the scent of his hair. This feeling is surreal. I've imagined it so many times and yet it could never compare to how it actually feels to have Hugo's lips dance with mine.

It's over before it started but the feel of his warm lips will forever be scorched into my memory. I look up to meet his eyes. They are dark as they look from my eyes to my lips.

I want him to kiss me again.

***

I haven't had a moment to talk to Hugo since before we were whisked away from the altar by all of our friends and family. Everyone was happy to congratulate me and tell me I looked gorgeous in my dress.

I'm looking at Hugo from across the venue now. I watch as he says something to Axel that makes him laugh. Then his eyes snap to mine as if he could feel me staring. He raises an eyebrow before walking towards me. My heart is pounding. I don't know why. I talk to Hugo all the time; he's my best friend, but something different now. Maybe it's because we are married and he no longer holds the title of best friend but husband instead. It could also be the fact that I've been replaying the way it felt to have him kiss me.

When he's only a few steps away he says, "You're my wife you know."

I'm his wife.

"I am? Huh, I didn't know."

"Oh is that so? Well, I guess I better make it more obvious."

He's flirting with me. He always flirts with me, but this time is different. He hasn't filtered like this since the ball all those months ago.

"Oh?"

Am I flirting back? No, you just sound freaking dumb.

He holds out his hand and I take it.

"We are going to dance."

I have never been more relieved. I'm always comfortable when I dance with Hugo.

He leads us onto the dance floor and the crowd makes a circle around us. They're watching.

We dance like we always do; he has one hand on my hip and the other is clasped with mine.

His eyes are dark. He has impossibly dark eyes already but right now they are almost black. His pupils consuming most of the deep brown. His eyes travel over me from my hair to my eyes, to my lips, and then to my bare shoulders.

"Hugo? What are you doing?"

"I'm admiring you. I love to admire you."

I can feel the heat travel to my cheeks.

We dance, and we dance, and when I think we are done Hugo pulls me in for one more.

My feet ache by the time the party ends and everyone begins to file out of the huge room.

Me and Hugo are escorted to our carriage. We are on our way to Whelshire. I now live in Whelshire with my husband, Hugo. What I would give to see the look on my face from a year ago if she could see me now. I'm living her dream, and I'm scared I might wake up.