A small crowd had gathered at the message board in the village square to see what notice there was from the king as the royal messenger had been there not a minute ago to post a decree. As the throngs increased, gossip began amongst them over the rather unusual request. Sofia Balthasar, a nearly nineteen-year-old maiden with copper hair and watercolor eyes had to carefully maneuver her way through her fellow villagers before she was at last close enough to read the notice herself.

King Goodwyn the Great of Enchancia seeks one young woman to entertain and tend to his highness, Crown Prince Cedric.

Candidates must be of age and unattached, of sound mind and good health, and above all, patient.

Please inquire at the castle at 3 PM today.

A curious post indeed, Sofia thought as she then escaped the masses to return home to the modest home she shared with her mother, step-father, and two step-siblings. They ran a bakery that did a decent business and her mother still cobbled from time to time making for an income that never left Sofia and her siblings wanting, except maybe her sister Amber who had a taste for the finer things in life. Perhaps she ought to mention the notice to her. The chance to live at the castle would be a dream come true for Amber, only she wasn't exactly the most patient of women, and with their prince's reputation of being a disagreeable sort, it might not be a wise match.

"Oo, it is a tempting offer," Amber responded once the two met at lunch with the rest of their family. "But it's a rather vague job description, isn't it? And the prince is so much older and not much of a looker. I don't know if it'd be worth it."

"I'm surprised, Amber," their father, Roland, said. "I thought you'd jump at the opportunity."

"Oh Daddy, it would be wonderful, but you yourself said the crown prince is an incompetent fool."

"Is he really?" Their brother James lent forward to question their father further. "We never really see the guy. How do you know?"

"Well, the fact he's thirty-eight and yet to broker a successful marriage deal is one of my concerns. He is to be the next king and yet he has no report with his subjects. I fear the kingdom will become unstable and weak when Cedric takes the throne, and I think that's what King Goodwyn is concerned with."

"I think I might go," Sofia announced, drawing the attention of her family members to her.

"Honey, are you sure?" Miranda asked her daughter.

"Mom, you always say how good I am with others. If this is a matter of protecting the kingdom, then I ought to try."

"But Sofia, Prince Cedric is so…" Amber made a cringing face meant to convey the true summary of her feelings.

"If no one really knows him, maybe he isn't as bad as we think," Sofia smiled with her usual optimism. Besides, she might not even be chosen.

There were at least a dozen other girls from the village in attendance of the king that afternoon at 3. Sofia recognized a few of her friends and gave a little wave from her place in line as the king, with his queen at his side, rose from his throne to speak.

"Thank you all for coming. As you know, I'm getting on in years, and there are certain things I want to make sure are in place before my time in this world is over. That being said, my son Cedric, as you may or may not know, remains an unwed shut-in. Not exactly qualities befitting an heir. We've tried our best as parents, but as Queen Winifred advised me, some things require a woman's touch. I'm hoping one of you will be able to nurture him in a way his mother and I haven't been able. Cedric is a bit stubborn, so I hereby grant permission for you to refuse any order he gives you. Believe me, he's not very happy we're doing this," King Goodwyn then turned to his steward. "Baileywick, if you would."

"Of course, sire," the man cleared his throat and spoke in a loud, clear voice. "Announcing his highness, Prince Cedric of Enchancia."

The trumpeters by the doors sounded the usual fanfare and the doors were pushed open by the guards on the other side, revealing the lean figure that was the crown prince. He certainly didn't fit the storybook image of a prince, being quite thin with a long, pointed nose, tired eyes, and hair of two different colors: grey bangs with black length. His demeanor was no better, having a grumpy scowl and his shoulders slouched as he reluctantly entered the room, his eyes not minding his feet as well as they should have and catching the edge of the carpet, sending him face first to the ground.

The gathered girls tried to retain their composure, but those who didn't snicker exchanged a quick commentary between them, all except for Sofia who watched the prince shove help from one of the trumpeters away as he got back to his feet, visibly embarrassed. It must have been bad enough his parents were basically choosing a babysitter for him, but to demonstrate his lack of grace must have wounded what pride he had left. She may agree the prince needed some work, but it ought to be on his terms, shouldn't it?

"You," the king's voice brought Sofia's attention back to the royals as Prince Cedric slumped into his throne. It took Sofia a few moments to realize the king was making eye contact with her, looking at the other girls first to make sure.

"Me, your majesty?" Sofia pointed to herself, needing to be positive.

"You don't find my son comical?" Goodwyn asked.

"The fall looked painful, sire. There's rugburn on his highness' chin."

Cedric glanced over at her and cupped his chin which was a little red and stinging.

Baileywick stepped over to tend to the injury only to be slapped away by Cedric.

"Step forward, my dear," King Goodwyn beckoned.

Sofia gulped nervously, wondering if she'd made some sort of mistake by not laughing, but as it was an accident the prince wasn't laughing off, there'd been no intent to be funny. She took a few brave steps forward ahead of the other girls, giving a quick curtsy to the royals now that she was presenting herself.

"Your name?" Goodwyn asked.

"Sofia Balthasar," Sofia bowed her head and kept it bowed.

"And what do you think of your prince, Sofia?" Queen Winifred inquired.

"With all due respect, your majesty, I do not know the prince well enough to have a proper opinion."

Goodwyn and Winifred exchanged a look, a silent conversation between them, and then a nod of the queen's head.

"A problem we shall rectify," King Goodwyn smiled. "You're hired."

"Must you really, father?" Prince Cedric finally spoke as the other girls left the throne room and the king and queen went to engage Sofia in further conversation.

"I've been lenient with you for far too long, Cedric," Goodwyn turned and scolded him. "You brought this on yourself. Why not try to get along with this one this time?"

Cedric crossed his arms over his chest and turned his head with a huff. Behavior more fitting of a child than a full-grown man.

"Sofia, dear, it's a pleasure to meet you," Queen Winifred smiled warmly as she took the girls' hands for a welcoming squeeze.

"It's an honor, your majesty."

"Baileywick will send for your things and get everything else you'll require in order," King Goodwyn told her as he approached, motioning to the steward who was already on his way out the door. "So why don't the two of you get acquainted? You'll be spending a lot of time together from now on."

"As you wish, your majesty," Sofia bowed and watched the royal couple depart before turning back to the lone prince in his throne, still not looking any too happy about recent developments. "Um, it's nice to meet you, your highness."

"You don't need to make with formalities. No one ever thinks it's nice to meet me," Cedric grumbled.

"You're certainly doing an excellent job of being standoffish," Sofia smiled and slowly stepped up the few stairs to his throne. "I'm sorry you're dissatisfied with your circumstances, but surely you understand your parents' concern?"

"Yes, it's a matter of national security I learn to be a social butterfly, marry another butterfly, and make a bunch of caterpillars," he said with a roll of his eyes. "How's a simple village girl supposed to accomplish such a feat?"

"I haven't the slightest," she answered honestly, "but I imagine I'm to bring out a gentler, humbler side of you. However, I think before any attempts can be started, you and I should get to know each other first."

"I'm not at all interested."

"I figured as much," her smile didn't waver as she continued the conversation, unaware the royals had not left the vicinity entirely in order to watch the first exchange unfold, their breaths held and hearts hopeful.

"I don't know, Winifred. He's barely bat an eye at her," Goodwyn commented. "If a pretty, young thing like that can't ply him, all hope is lost."

"Ceddykins is just shy. You know he's always deflective at first," Winifred assured her husband. "I have a good feeling about this girl, Goodwyn. It's only a matter of time."

"For the kingdom's sake, I hope you're right."

Sofia's family wasn't entirely surprised when the steward arrived to announce their daughter's hire. Her mother packed a small bag with Sofia's things, assured by the steward further clothing and toiletries would be provided at the castle, and Sofia would be free to visit on Sundays. She would have liked a proper goodbye with her family, but her earlier send off would have to suffice. There was work to be done, if Crown Prince Difficult would allow it.

For the first forty-eight hours, he tried his best to simply avoid her and did not succeed due to traitorous staff always betraying his position to her just when he thought he'd lost her, and so, reluctantly, he accepted her into his space, but kept her at distance in every sense of the word.

He passed his time in the royal library most days, reading book after book, filling his head with all sorts of knowledge. She did the same, picking up titles he'd finished to have fresh topics for conversation, not that he ever grumbled at length with her, but it was a start. Some days he ignored her completely which she allowed. She saw no point in forcing him to talk as long as he tolerated her presence and even that she wasn't quite sure of most days.

"Let me hold the ladder, your highness," Sofia insisted as she watched him place a foot on the rolling ladder to get to out of reach section.

"If you must," Cedric said as he continued up the ladder, now secured in Sofia's hands.

It had been ten days of simply being in the same room, certainly enough time to have him acclimated to her as a companion, or so Sofia thought. She chewed on her lower lip, debating whether or not she'd push for conversation today. After taking a quiet breath, she decided to make an attempt. "What is it you're researching so dutifully?"

"I'm reviewing current treaties and trade agreements with our allies," he answered, plucking one book from the shelf and reaching for another that just barely grazed his fingertips.

"It's good to see you take being a prince seriously," Sofia smiled.

"Of course I take it seriously," Cedric answered with some offense added with the frustration of the book he desired being just out of reach. "It's all the elbow rubbing that has my parents' concerned, remember? I'm smart enough to be king, just not charismatic enough."

"…Should I inch the ladder over?" Sofia asked first.

"A smidge, yes," he answered and held the handles as she glided the wheels to the right.

"At least you admit you have a problem in that area. Why is it you're so hesitant to rectify it?" Sofia continued as Cedric at last grabbed the book.

"Charisma isn't something that can be taught. You either have it or you don't. My acting might be able to fool children, but grown dignitaries can always tell. After one particular ball, I didn't see the point in pretending anymore. If the biggest complaint my subjects have about me is that I'm 'not approachable' that'll just mean less work for me."

"But people should feel able to come to you if they have problems," Sofia reminded him as he descended the ladder. "M-Maybe you don't have to radiate amiability, but you want your subjects to have confidence in you."

"Yes…" Cedric hissed through his teeth as he reached the bottom rung and then stood next to her, his eyes narrowing at her. "And what do you think, Miss Royal Babysitter? Am I a man capable of being depended on?"

"I think anything's possible, your highness. I know I feel much more confident in you knowing how well read you are," she smiled.

"Be a bit odd if a prince wasn't well read," Cedric pointed out, his voice slightly quieter and his cheeks a tad pink.

"Well yes, but you're doing it all willingly," Sofia said as she watched him return to his study table. "It means you care more than you let on."

He was avoiding eye contact, but continued talking as he sat down. "I take it consensus in the village is that I don't?"

"I figured that's the main reason why I'm here and not some noble woman," Sofia said, taking the seat in front of him.

"Pfft, you really think that's why you're here?" Cedric's usual frown curled into an amused sneer. "Mummy's cunning, but she isn't subtle. It was a call to service the crown all right, but for my other head."

Sofia blinked her innocent blue eyes, completely ignorant of the implications. "Your other head?"

Cedric's demeanor shifted again, this time to embarrassment. "Forget I said anything."

"But I don't understand. If I'm not doing what I was hired to do, you should tell me."

It was tempting, for the sake of her reaction, but Cedric's devious side reminded him he could have much more fun toying with his parents if Sofia remained blissfully unaware of certain expectations.

His mother wasn't conventional, he'd give her that, but hiring a lovely little village girl to seduce him into being more compliable was not going to work. He was satisfied with celibacy, seeing no need to bring in another person and complicate matters. He'd plan to endure Sofia for a few months, making it look like they both were making earnest attempts with the other, but come the inevitable realization the plan was a failure, he'd slip right back into his normal routine.

"If you want an answer, come to my bedchamber tonight," he suggested, wondering how deep her naivety ran.

"Oh, alright," Sofia nodded, accepting it as a perfectly reasonable to show up to a man's room and have nothing sordid take place.

Prince Cedric's intentions were to let his mother think everything was going to plan, knowing at least one of the staff would see Sofia enter his room that evening and report to Baileywick who would then relate the news to Winifred.

"So," Sofia asked when she entered the prince' suite still fully clothed and made up. "What part of my job is this?"

"First," Cedric said, fresh out of the bath and in his bedclothes, reaching into his wardrobe to pull out a spare shift. "You ought to change."

Sofia took the shift but eyed both it and him curiously. "What-?"

"We'll be sleeping together of course," Cedric explained. "You're here to be my companion, yes? Well, did you know sleeping next to someone helps build trust?"

"Will that be restful for you? Sharing a bed?"

"It's more than big enough," he said with a hardy yawn into his open palm. "But if you'd prefer to return to your own quarters, I understand."

Sofia looked at the white undershirt that was to be her nightgown and then back to him. "May I change in your washroom?"

"Certainly," he pointed to the desired door and stepped past her to climb into bed as she went to change, chuckling to himself in his moment alone.

He hadn't pegged Sofia for a fool given how articulate she was, so it was rather amusing to learn she hadn't a clue about some social decencies either… or she did and simply had no reservations with him, and why should she? The last thing he was known as was a womanizer. He had his attraction to the opposite sex and wasn't a stranger to flirting, but a series of rejections and his general mistrust in others hadn't made for a successful sex life. He remained a virgin in the physical sense, but all his purity and naivety had vanished long ago.

He laid on his side, his back to the washroom door as it opened and Sofia exited and began dimming the oil lamps.

"Straight to sleep then?" She asked after finishing the lamps.

"Yes, I'm rather tired," he answered, listening to the light rustle of the sheets as she crawled in with him. He barely felt the disturbance from her shifting weight given the size of the mattress, but the idea there was a woman in his bed did cause his heart rate to increase.

"Well…" Sofia said quietly as she made herself comfortable. "Good night then, Prince Cedric."

"Good night," he answered, turning his head into his pillow and cursing himself for being effected by something so simple.

Author's Note: Huge thanks to Jessibelle811 for going over this and giving me some advice. I do plan on this being a smut fic, but I can't say for certain they'll start in chapter two or not. Hope ya'll enjoy it!