Sofia was able to creep back to bed before the sun rose. Leaving Cedric to today's fate broke her. She knew it was true, he might not live to see tomorrow in the state he was in. She tried to shove the thoughts from her mind; today was coronation day and her birthday, it was a day to celebrate. But celebrate what exactly? The rise of a new queen or the death of the previous rulers? A day to celebrate birth and life or celebrate the loss of so many lives, including her own. In her own bed she couldn't find rest, only with Cedric could she find peace, but the sun was up, and coronation day began.

Sofia was bathed and dressed in a gown made of the finest lavender silk. Small pearls embroidered the bodice and around the waist. On the hem of the gown was a field of tiny hand-stitched violets, painstakingly perfect in size. A silk cape was draped over her shoulders, the exact color of texture of Cedric's old robe. She held the edges of the cape, feeling the fabric slip softly through her fingertips, remembering better times. Then it was time to be presented to the people of Enchancia.

Coronation was a blur, it came and went. Then the coronation part and Sofia's birthday party commenced. She walked, she greeted, she accepted gifts of all shapes and sizes, some beautifully wrapped, others not wrapped at all. She hardly acknowledged any of them, she felt like a dead woman walking. She forced her mouth upward into a cheery smile for all of the kingdom who expected a radiant queen. She danced with princes, laughed with princesses, hugged the people of her kingdom. She was surrounded by people who loved her, but they didn't love her.

While Sofia was chatting lightly with her old friend Princess Jun, Sofia felt someone's hand alight on her shoulder. She turned to see Prince Hugo standing behind her; he had grown tall and incredibly handsome. He smiled gently down at Sofia and kissed her hand. "A pleasure to see you again, Sofia. It has certainly been a while, hasn't it?"

"Yes, I suppose it has." She replied awkwardly. "How have you been?"

"Oh, been fine. I just wanted to saw how incredibly sorry I am for all your losses. This party so soon afterwards must be difficult for you."

"You have no idea, I've barely had three seconds to mourn. I've had no comfort."

Prince Hugo took her hands, "Well, if you ever need me," he touched her chin lightly, "I'll be here for you." He smiled a charming smile.

Sofia smiled meekly back, suddenly feeling embarrassed in the presence of her past bully. "Thank you, thank you very much Prince Hugo."

"Would you like to step outside for a moment?" He gestured towards the doors.

"That would be wonderful, actually." She took his hand as he led her to the steps outside.

They sat together on the castle steps. It was a warm night with a full moon high overhead. Sofia took a strong breath of the delicious air, letting it fill her lungs, and exhaled the stress that had been bottled up for so long. The two of them talked on for a while about their lives, their kingdoms and their families. Sofia felt relief to finally be able to talk freely, though she never thought she'd feel relief while sitting next to Prince Hugo.

"So, it's just going to be you ruling the entire kingdom?" He asked.

"For now, I guess."

"Well, someday you'll need a king to rule with, no?"

"Someday."

"Someday soon?" He sounded pushy.

"I don't know, just someday." She snapped.

"Okay, okay I'm sorry I didn't mean to sound pushy. It's just, Sofia I love you."

Sofia felt her face grow warm, "Are you really trying this now? Right after my parents have died, right after my life has been thrown up in the air? How dare you even consider such a thing."

"Fine," he stood up, "be that way, but when your kingdom falls under your rule because you have no man to rule for you, don't come crawling back to me." He stormed off back inside.

After what seemed like an endless line of people bidding her a goodnight, she was alone. She wondered how Cedric was tonight, as she wandered empty halls. Suddenly Arthur ran up to her, looking gleeful.

"Tonight went wonderfully, my Queen!" He laughed happily. "Soon we must find you a king though so you may rule by his side!"

"Why can't he rule by my side?" Sofia cocked her head to one side, "Ruling a kingdom is a two person job, we rule equally." She walked briskly past him, heading towards the prison.

As she entered, she could hear a conversation between two guards discussing Cedric.

"He's as good as dead at this point, he doesn't even put up a fight! Where's the fun in that now, eh?" Said the first voice drunkenly.

"Should we just finish him off and tell the Queen he died in his sleep or something?" The other voice questioned.

"No, you should tell the Queen exactly what you've been doing to this man this entire month." Sofia stepped forward from the shadows.

"Prince-I mean, Queen Sofia!" The first one bumbled, "It's nothing just the o'l prisoner is looking a bit beat up is all!"

"Don't you lie to me!" Sofia shouted sharply, "I know you've been torturing him, day in and day out, all through the night even. Who gave you permission to do such a thing?"

Neither of the men spoke as Sofia brushed coldly past them to Cedric's cell. Cedric lay on the mattress, barely breathing. Sofia knew the end had come, though the story had barely started. She commanded the two guards to help carry him to the castle, into her room. Both began to protest but stopped short and did her bidding. Cedric was unconscious as they set him down on Sofia's bed. The guards left immediately after as Sofia sat on the bed in an attempt to rouse the sleeping sorcerer.

Somehow, by some odd chance, he opened his amber eyes for the young queen. She took up his hand in her's and held it tight. He grinned slightly as she kissed his cheek. "You know I'm innocent, don't you?" He asked weakly. "I was framed, you know."

"Of course I know you didn't do it," Sofia whispered back, "but who exactly framed you?"

"Guess." He smiled.

She looked down at her hands still in his, "It was Prince Hugo, wasn't it?"

"Bright as ever. Somehow, he managed to frame me, a scrap of fabric, or something I'm not sure but it was enough to convince the royal guard."

"Cedric, I'm sorry I didn't pull you out of this sooner, I wasn't thinking. I could have saved your life."

He sighed and winced at the pain, "I understand." He said, his voice fading. "Just know how much I love you, my little princess."

"I know, Cedric. After all this, and it's too late." Tears began to pour from her eyes as her sorcerer's eyes shut for the last time.

Cedric's body was removed. There was no funeral of any kind, just a queen left in mourning. Sofia stood in the tower looking down at her kingdom. She wouldn't tell anyone Hugo was to blame, she wouldn't ever tell anyone Cedric was innocent. Nothing mattered to her anymore, she had a kingdom to rule, this was her duty whether she liked it or not. There was no turning back, she had to face the fact that everyone she truly loved was gone. They were all torn viciously away from her grasp, and there was nothing she could do. Her final thoughts slipped out over her tongue and through her lips, "I have reached the end of me".