Sofia is perched on the stone railing of a low balcony, dangling her legs over the spring bushes just starting to blossom a few feet below. A hand rests on her shoulder and she knows who it is without looking.

"I don't know why everyone is so against us." She closes her eyes, forcing fresh tears to run down her already wet cheeks.

"Sofia, we knew this was going to be hard. They all think they're trying to help. Everyone loves you."

Cedric leans down and places a light kiss at the base of her neck. "Especially me."

She smiles and opens her eyes, looking wistfully out over the courtyard, softly lit in moonlight. "We could just leave now. Save everyone the heartache and stress. They'll be ok…"

"We can't do that to your family, Sofia. You know that."

She scoffs lightly, "Since when are you the voice of reason and I'm the one scheming?" She pivots on the stone wall to face him and parts her legs, allowing him to move forward, pulling him closer into her embrace.

His arms wrap around her and he smells the lilac scent of her hair before lowering his head to her waiting kiss.

A throat clearing interrupts them and Cedric yelps as he jumps away from his Princess.

James and Amber both stand, arms folded, staring at the two. Princess Clio is just behind James, looking nervous and blushing slightly.

"We need to talk to Dad, Sof. As a family. It's going to be ok."

Sofia smiles and looks between them. "You mean you're with me on this?"

"Oh Sofia, of course we are." Amber glides over to her and takes her hands. "Just because I thought backing Daddy in a corner with a public announcement was a bad idea doesn't mean I won't support you."

"Come on, Sof. You too Cedric. Dad went to his study to find a bottle of Brandy to celebrate my engagement. Most of the guests have left and I told him I'd join him there."

Sofia looks to Cedric and hops down. Well, I guess this is as good a time as any. What about Mom? Shouldn't she be there?"

James nods. "I'll find her. Just wait for me before you say anything ok?"

James strides away, Clio at his heels.

Amber leads the way with Sofia following. Cedric is many paces back, wringing his hands nervously.

XXX

When they reach the study, Roland is just removing the stopper from his beloved bottle of Brandy, 2 glasses waiting to be filled on his desk. A little flushed, it is evident this is not his first celebratory drink of the night.

"Amber, Sofia, I was going to have a toast with your brother!"

"Daddy can we talk to you first please?"

Roland looks between them and nods, noticing Cedric for the first time. He takes this as a good sign that it can't possibly be regarding Sofia's nuptial choices.

"Of course! Come in and sit down. Will you join me and your brother in a toast? Are you joining us as well, Cedric? Brandy?"

The sorcerer looks between the sisters and swallows hard. "Y-yes, Sire. I mean I'll be joining you but no Brandy." Cedric tries to create some since of formality, afraid already at how familiar his relationship to the family has become.

Roland sits in the massive chair behind his desk. Sofia and Amber site politely next to each other. Cedric hovers closer to the door.

"Daddy, Sofia really wants to talk to you about her suitors and you need to listen."

Roland is visibly surprised. "Amber, this is not your concern. Sofia and I have already discussed this."

Sofia has her head low but raises it to look in his eyes. "Dad, please, I don't want to live without him. I can't…"

"I have tried to be patient because I love you, but let me be clear: This kingdom needs a strong leader when I'm gone. Your claim to the throne is not as strong as I would like. You must have a noble king to prevent challengers to your position. I can't let you marry anyone unfit. And now, what, you've pulled poor Cedric into this? I know he's your friend but this is a family matter." He gestures to the young man as if in apology for the trouble his daughter is causing.

Cedric backs away a little closer to the door and smiles a scared, fake smile. "Oh it's not any trouble at all I umm it's just I…"

Miranda enters, startling Cedric who jumps out of her way to enter. James and Clio are right behind.

"Dad I have to talk to you." To Amber, "I told you to wait for me."

Roland throws up his hands. "Now what? James if this is about Sofia-"

"It is but something else. I need you to know why I was so late today."

Sofia's ears perk up, curious to know this as well, why her brother would nearly miss her own birthday, especially knowing what she had planned to do.

James squeezes Clio's hand. "We were in Corinthia today speaking with Clio's Mother." He looks at her and she nods for him to continue.

"Clio has given up her claim to the throne. Her sister will be the new heir. When Clio and I marry, we will stay here and I will take my birthright to your crown."

Silence falls over the room.

Roland shakes his head a little. "Why that's… that's wonderful, James! But-are you certain? This is unprecedented. And, Clio, your Mother is alright with this? Are you?"

Clio looks at James and smiles. "I just want him. Also, my sister will be an apt ruler or I wouldn't have considered this. Mother wasn't exactly pleased but we spent the day convincing her. Again why we are so late. Sorry, Sofia. Ultimately I think my sister will be a great Queen and we still gain exactly what my Mother wanted: A great relationship with Enchancia… just going about it a different way."

"Dad, I think Sofia would be a wonderful queen. She's the kindest person I've ever known. And she's smart and thoughtful and strong… all the things she would need to be. But she's not going to be happy. Not without him. If I'm lucky, she'll stay here with me in an advisory role." James looks at Sofia and smiles then turns to address her.

"Sofia you always do what you think you're supposed to do. And you always put other people first. You're there for everyone around you. Today, Clio and I agreed we want to be here for you for once." Sofia's eyes tear and she runs to throw her arms around her brother.

Amber is stunned by all of the new information but recovers and looks to her Father. "Daddy, James is right. Sofia has never asked for anything from anyone. All she does is give. You can't take this away from her."

Roland looks from his children to his wife, Miranda's hands covering her mouth in shock.

James continues, having released Sofia and stepping closer to the king, standing tall and sure, more regal than the boy-now-man has ever looked. "If I do this, the deal is Sofia marries who she wants. You don't have to like it, but you need to allow it. Or," he takes in a breath, "I will retract this and rule Corinthia with Clio as originally planned. Sofia and Cedric will be given sanctuary there."

Roland, exceedingly slow to catch on it seems, says, "Why Cedric?"

The family stares at him then looks back at Cedric. He smiles sheepishly and forces a fake laugh.

Sofia walks back to Cedric and takes his arm, leading him forward in the room. "Dad, I love him. Only him..." She stops, unsure how to finish the thought. That's all there really is to it. She loves him.

Roland looks between them and his head spins a little. He flops down in his chair taking a long pull of Brandy, staring ahead at nothing in particular.

"I-" He shakes his head and looks intently at the sorcerer. "Cedric do you know what a King is in his rights to do with a sorcerer who corrupts one of their children?"

Cedric swallows. "Yes, Your Majestry. I d-didn't intend for this," he gestures between them. "But now… I don't think I could ever let her go. I'll go to the gallows for her if you order it."

James chimes in, "You'll do no such thing! We'll leave for Corinthia tonight. C'mon, Sofia-"

Roland holds up a hand. "Not so fast, I'm not finished. The truth is…" almost undetectable at first, a smile starts on his face, "the truth is, I don't always agree with other Kings. I maintain, Sofia needed a strong king to secure the throne, not because I don't believe in you, Sofia, but because politics is an ugly business. But as Princess, or Royal Advisor?... I can think of no better suitor than the most powerful sorcerer in the world."

"Sire?..." Cedric's eyes are wide.

"I think 'Roland' will do fine from here on, don't you?"

Amber squeals in delight, releasing the room from it's paralyzed state. Roland shakes Cedric's (slightly trembling) hand. Sofia hugs her Mother in relief.

"Don't you think he should call you, Dad?" The room turns to look at James who shrugs a very "James" shrug.

"I think that's a little much for me to get used to just yet," but the King's laugh is genuine.

XXX

The kingdom receives the news of the upcoming wedding with delight. It will be a grand affair, unmatched by any before seen (even Amber's, leaving her a bit jealous). Not only will the young Prince wed his queen, but the realm's darling, Princess Sofia, is to wed the Royal Sorcerer, a pride of the people.

XXX

The night before the wedding is a cold, clear Wasailia. The revelry of the kingdom has been unmatched, celebrating the holiday and upcoming nuptials with fervor. Sofia knows she is not supposed to be seen by her groom before the ceremony, lest she garner bad luck.

But Sofia believes she makes her own luck.

At the top of the tallest tower, two lovers stand hand in hand. The woman lifts a dainty foot and brings it down to crush a tiny crystal on the ground between them. The flakes of white powder swirl and the man says, "You look beautiful in the snow."

She giggles, "So do-"

His kiss silences her, and their moment stretches into forever, safe in each other's arms.

A/N Well here we are at the end! What started as a piece of fluff to quell my obsession with this sweet little ship, became too much fun to leave at that. I tried not to venture too far into darkness (though the title tempted me to go to more dramatic places.) I want to say a big thanks for the reviews, pms, faves and follows. They are much appreciated and supported my shaky confidence more than you know! I hope you have enjoyed this even half as much as I enjoyed writing it!