Claimed By Zodiacs

Chapter 30

# Sofia Skyloft

"Father?" I called as I opened the door to Sir Fireblaze's office. "Can I have a word?"

He looked up, jerking upright when he saw me...and not in a good way. It was as if he had seen a ghost. He recovered himself fast enough, smiling at me warmly. As if I just imagined all of it.

* But I didn't imagine any of it, not at all. If the bags under his eyes were to speak, it'd be speaking volumes. *

"Of course dear, have a seat."

* Dear. Not Sofia. Not by my name. Never by my family name. *

"What is it that you seek?"

I decided to sit down, thankful for retracting my wings before coming here. The clutter that was his office would be too crowded for my wings.

"I have a request to make...if I may?"

"Anything for you dear."

* Anything huh? * Nathaniel would've laughed at that. He trained me the discipline of a monk and the survival of a nomad. I knew how that word could be a promise and ruin.

* Nathaniel was the former Queen's Prince Consort. He took me under his care after my younger years with the Bravesky's. *

"I would request your permission to leave sir."

"Of course. You have the freedom to stroll in the city and buy everything you want. I will give you access to my bank account and-"

"That is not what I meant sir," I interrupted awkwardly. Seriously though? Why in the four Kingdoms would I need his bank account? "I mean permission to leave the Kingdom Sir."

He froze at that, shoulders stiff with dislike to my request.

"I think I made it clear-" he replied after a long stretch of silence "-that the Kingdoms are in danger right now. The champions are staying here with me so I can protect all of you."

I almost shivered at that. Indeed he protected us. Too much that we don't feel like champions anymore. Instead we are merely sitting ducks in this Fortress, waiting to be served for dinner.

"I can't stomach the idea of me sitting here while the people of Hail suffered. As a Queen, I must suffer with my people, for my people."

He blinked once then stared at me for a while, as if seeing me for the first time.

"Your mother used to say that too." It's the first time she mentioned my mother in context. So he really knew her, if he remembered the phrase. Nathaniel said it was what my mother lived for. It was something that I, as her child, must live upon too.

The errant thoughts stopped when he reached out for my hand.
"Your mother asked for freedom once. I offered her one but refused at the last minute. She chose her people over herself. She lost herself in fulfilling it." He squeezed my hand reassuringly. So he knew what happened to mother. He knew she lost her mind after childbirth.

Then he must've known about Nathaniel agreeing to be Prince-Consort to save my mother's dignity. It would be a scandal. A pregnant Queen out of wedlock.

"You have a choice dear," he penetrated through my thoughts. "If ever things go awry, run. Leave the crown. Start anew. Pass it down. The Skyloft's crown has been long overdue for decades."

I nodded, quite tempted by the offer but not enough for me to turn back.
"Thanks Father. I appreciate the offer but it must be done."

He searched my face, for what, I don't know. I hope my doubt didn't crack through. He smiled, blinding me for a few seconds. He was too dashing that it hurts my eyes.