Sofia the First: Father

Chapter 35: The Word Is Out

Jerry and Gerald entered the ballroom to see it completely flooded with staff and guests, whereas King Roland was greeting two elderly people. "Father, you made it!" he beamed. "I'm thankful I did, son!" chuckled his father, "Even though I'm confined to a cane moving forward... Do have any idea how difficult it was getting into our carridge?". "I can tell," Roland replied, "It's just a shame you never got a chance to meet the members of our family...". "I know," his father said sadly, "But there was nothing for it, my heath was deteriorating serverely and had to retire to bed... untill now that is". "And because of that, deary, you never got a chance to meet Sofia when I came to visit everyone, and you never met the one myself and Matilda have been talking non-stop about". The Grand King's face lit up, "Of course! Where are they, son? I can bearly wait to see them much longer". "Don't worry," Roland smiled, "Only 12 minutes left, then the party can finally commence!" Just then, Gerald and Jerry came rushing over, "King Roland," they decleared, bowing before him, "Ah, good morning, gentlemen" Roland smiled, "Good to see that you're feeling better". "Thank you, Your Highness, but we've recently heard news that your son is still on the lose". "On the lose?" Roland asked, raising an eyebrow, but then he realized what they ment. "Oh! You weren't there to see it, but Ethan and myself have finally made amends. We're on good terms once again, there's no need to worry anymore". "No..." Gerald gasped quietly, "We've made a mistake... we have to find the Captain immideitely!".

It was at that moment, they realized that both the King and his parents had heard them. "What mistake?" he asked. "Is there something you'd like to tell us, gentlemen?" Cedric asked sternly as he turned to face them. "No, Sirs," Jerry decleared, "It's just that... he... may have escaped...". The King and Cedric gasped with horror, "Oh, for the love of..." Cedric snarled, holding his face in his hands. "What!?" Roland asked angrily "How!? When!?". "We came across him in the courtyard. After we told him what was happening presently, he pretty much told us to come and find you while he looks for Prince Ethan," Jerry replied. Roland was red in the face, but Cedric spoke for him, "You are two of the highest ranked members of our Royal Army!" Cedric snarled, "Why didn't you detain him there and then like you could have done!?". "We were simply following orders, Sir" Gerald protested, "As the two personal henchmen of the Captain of the Royal Guard, we are to answer the Captain himself ONLY. It's part of our job, my King!". "Son?" the Grand King asked, "Is something the matter?". "Oh, it's nothing, father," Roland quickly replied. He then turned back to face the elite guards, "As your KING, I command you to find the Captain and get him behind bars. Quickly." he snarled quietly, "If he so much as lays a finger on Ethan...". "Yes, Sir!" the guards replied. "Hold on a monent, gentlemen," Cedric decleared, "I was the one who stopped him to begin with. I'll be joining you untill everything is resolved. Begin looking for Ethan and excort him back here, I'll handle Valthor!". The pair did exactly as ordered and followed him out of the room. "Bailywick!" called the King. The steward came walking over, "Yes, Your Majesty?" he asked. "I'm afraid there's bad new: Captain Valthor has somehow escaped from Cedric's tower, and he's probably looking for Ethan!". "Oh my goodness!" Bailywick's face went pail. "I need you to quickly notify the entire unit, tell them all to increase security measures untill the Captain is found and detained". "Right away, Your Majesty!" Bailywick replied, and he rushed off  without another word. "Is something wrong, son?" the King's father asked. "Oh, nothng, father," Roland replied, "Perhaps you'd like something eat?" he showed both his parents to one of the banquet tables, trying to desperately to prevent mass panic.

Meanwhile

The Captain of the Royal Guard slowly and quietly made his way down the halls, trying to find the royal he had fought. He was carrying a massive sword on the back of his armor. "I'm getting too old for this... just show yourself already!" he thought. Just then, he heard what sounded like boots, getting louder and louder, untill two guards came around the corner. "What th-!?" one guard gasped. "It's him!" the other yelled. They drew their swords, "Captain, freeze! Don't you move!". "What's the meaning of this, boys?" the Captain asked sternly, "Do you have any idea who you're talking to?". "Drop the wand, and get down on the ground," one of them growled, "This is your final warning!". Valthor just sighed angrily, "What's the point?" He then quickly drew his wand, and recited the words of a spell that froze the guards solid. Onward he went, looking for the Ultimate Prince, after passing by and paralyzing many other guards, he finally came across Prince Ethan himself walking through down a long hallway. "There you are..." He Snarled quietly, he quickly used a spell to turn himslef completely invisible. He watched as the prince made his way into his sister's room after knocking, "Are you ready, Sofia?" he heard him ask. "I sure am!" Sofia smiled tiredly, "Wow, you look incredible!". "Are you alright?" Ethan asked her, "You seem tired, had trouble sleeping last night?". "No..." Sofia sadly replied, "I had a protector mission to go on...". "Another one?" Ethan remarked, "And I thought MY job was a hand full... and yet I've only had TWO missions my entire career!". "I'll be fine..." sighed Sofia, "I'll feel wide awake when I finally get to meet my grandfather". "Same with me. I can't wait to meet my new uncle, Bartleby. I've heard he's quite the charcter, just as much as his wife". "Oh, you'll love him," Sofia smiled, "He really sweet, and chipper. And loves adventure just as much as we do. Anyway, I'd better go and get ready". "And I'd better-" Ethan went, before hearing her voice pick up. "Wait!" Sofia stopped him, "Where's your chain?". The older royal looked down towards his chest and sighed, "Shoot, I must have left it in that changing room in the west wing. I'll be right back". Ethan raced out of the room and down the hall out of site. Valthor had a plan for a way to 'weaken' the Prince, without even laying a finger on him. So, he waited patiently untill Ethan came rushing back into Sofia's room. Sofia was already changed into a new lovely red colored dress.