I own my OCs.

Work from the Heart

Chapter 1

It was a particularly cold morning in Enchancia. An icy wind blew the freshly fallen snow from the night before. It was early January, and winter still hung over the kingdom like a dark cloud.

In the castle, Sofia was fast asleep in her warm bed. She was having a lovely dream about ice skating with her favorite sorcerer. It was especially wonderful because in reality it would be impossible to get him to skate with her.

Cedric took her hand and twirled her around. Then he pulled her close, hugging her. "Sofia, I wish–"

"Sofia, wake up!"

The youngest princess of Enchancia groaned as she rolled onto her back, rubbing her eyes. Amber was standing by her bed holding a lantern in one hand and what looked like three dresses were draped over her other arm. "Amber, what is it?" she asked drowsily.

The future queen smiled widely as she set the lantern on her sister's nightstand. "I need your help. Which dress should I wear today?" She laid out the dresses on top of the bed's comforter.

"What time is it?"

"Um, five o'clock."

Sofia sat up and offered her sister a pointed look. "You woke me up that early just to ask me that?"

The blonde girl shrugged, pulling her olive colored robe tighter around herself. "Sofia, we're going back to school today."

"So?"

"So, I need to pick out a dress now."

"Why can't this wait a couple more hours?"

"Because I also need to decide how to do my hair."

"Amber…"

"Would you please just help me pick a dress?"

Sofia sighed heavily. Deciding to just pick a dress regardless of the color and style, she reached for the closest dress, a lovely peach colored one. She frowned when she realized how thin the material was. Getting a closer look at the dresses, she saw that they were all in pastel colors and not at all winter clothing. "Amber, these are all spring dresses."

Amber shrugged. "I know."

Sofia gestured to the window, which was still dark. "It's freezing outside. Mom and Dad wouldn't let you leave the castle in one of these. Neither would Baileywick."

The blonde pouted. "But I've worn all my winter dresses at least once."

Sofia rolled her eyes "Wear one again."

"I can't. New year. New dresses."

"Who said that?"

"Princess Delia."

Sofia groaned and raked one hand down her face, an action she seemed to have picked up from Cedric. Of course. She should have realized. Princess Delia was one of the most popular girls in their class at Ever Realm Academy. She was also one of the snobbiest girls Sofia had ever met, but Amber, along with most of their classmates, seemed to hold her in high regards. It didn't help that Delia knew a lot about fashion which, Sofia supposed, was one reason Amber liked her. Sofia also knew that her sister missed Hildegard and Clio's company, which might be one reason she wanted to impress Delia and be part of the "popular crowd" just as she had been at Royal Prep. But enough was enough. "Go back to bed, Amber. And let Suzette pick out a warm dress for you."

"But, Sofia–"

Sofia had had enough. She reached into the drawer of her nightstand, withdrawing her wand and pointing it at her sister. "Go back to bed. Don't make me teleport you there."

Amber's eyes widened. "You wouldn't."

The younger girl smirked. "Try me."

"Oh, fine. But don't come to me if you need fashion advice." She gathered her lantern and dresses and left with a huff.

As soon as the door closed behind her sister, Sofia flopped back on her pillows, pulling the blankets over her head and hoping to reenter the dream of skating with Cedric. Instead, she dreamed of being lost in Amber's enormous closet with a dozen dresses chasing her.

…

A few hours later, the royal family was sitting at the dining table waiting for breakfast. Sofia was relieved to see Amber was wearing a dress made for winter, the maroon and gold gown she had worn a few days ago on New Year's Day. It was a little fancy for an everyday dress, but Sofia had a good feeling she knew why her sister chose to wear it. No one from school had seen her that day.

Sofia herself was dressed in a long sleeved plum colored dress with lovely golden buttons down the front of the bodice. It was simple for a princess, but she loved it. It was comfortable and warm. It was also the same color as Cedric's robe. This thought made her smile.

"Are you three ready to go back to school?" Roland asked as Baileywick and several servants came in and started serving breakfast.

"Sure, Dad," James yawned. "But why do we have to get up so early? I'm still sleepy."

"Perhaps if you hadn't stayed up late reading, Prince James, you wouldn't be so tired," Baileywick stated, setting a plate of steaming blueberry pancakes in front of the boy.

The prince stared at him with a perplexed expression. "Do you have eyes on my walls or something, Baileywick? How do you know I stayed up reading?"

The steward smirked. "Simple. The book was open on the bed beside you."

James grinned and took a large bite of pancakes.

"What book was it?" Sofia asked curiously as her own breakfast was set in front of her.

James swallowed his food. "Just one of the books Uncle Bartleby gave me for Wassailia about the adventures of knights. It's brilliant."

"Daddy," Amber spoke up, giving her father a sweet smile. "Can you have Madame Collette make me more winter dresses?"

Sofia rolled her eyes and sipped her goldenberry juice.

James gave his twin a sarcastic look. "Why do you need more dresses, Amber? You already have about fifty that you don't even wear."

She scoffed. "I've worn them all once."

"You can wear them more than once."

"No, I can't. It's the new year."

"So?"

"So? New year. New dresses."

"Who says?"

"That's enough, you two," Miranda interrupted firmly. "James is right, Amber. You can wear your dresses more than once. You and Sofia will each get a new gown for the Valentine's Day Ball. Other than that, you don't need any more dresses."

"I agree with your mother," Roland said, giving his older daughter a disapproving look. "Madame Collette worked hard on your dresses. The least you can do is wear them."

"Yes, Daddy," Amber sighed. She frowned inwardly, realizing that she was starting to sound like the vain, spoiled girl she had been a few years ago, and she did not like that feeling. She made a silent promise not to let others' opinions affect her negatively. That included Princess Delia.

…

A short while later, the kids were gathered in the front hall preparing to head outside to the coaches. James was putting on his heavy winter coat, and the girls were being helped into their fur lined cloaks. Sofia frowned slightly as Baileywick handed her purple gloves to her.

"Is something wrong, Princess Sofia?" the steward asked.

"Have you seen my scarf, Baileywick?" she asked him. "I thought I left it with my cloak."

He smiled wryly. "You have several scarves. Which one did you want?"

She giggled before answering. "The light purple one Mrs. Winifred gave me for Wassailia. It's enchanted to keep me warm."

"I'm sorry, princess, but I haven't seen that scarf since yesterday. I'm sure someone will find it. However, it's time for you children to leave for school." He put on his own coat, and, after making sure they all had their book bags, led them outside.

Outside, the wind from earlier in the morning had died down, but the sky was dark, and it was very cold. It would probably start snowing again soon. Two flying coaches were waiting at the bottom of the steps. One would take James to Chivalry hall. The other would take the girls to Ever Realm Academy.

"Well, I guess I'll see you later." James waved to his sisters as he walked down the steps. The young prince was very amused to see his breath come out in a mist, and he blew several large puffs on the way to his coach.

"Oh, it's colder than Friezenburg," Amber complained, pulling her cloak tighter around herself. "Let's hurry, Sofia."

Baileywick opened the door of the coach and helped the older girl inside. Just as Sofia was about to follow, a puff of green smoke appeared beside her and there stood Cedric… facing toward the castle.

"Mr. Cedric," the girl exclaimed happily.

The Royal Sorcerer grunted. "I really need to perfect that teleporting spell. Anyway…" He turned around and smiled at Sofia, handing her the very scarf she had mentioned a few minutes ago. "You left this in my workshop yesterday. I can't have you getting cold."

Sofia smiled widely. "Aw, Mr. Cedric… It's so sweet of you to bring it to me." She giggled when he blushed and took the scarf, wrapping it around her neck and instantly feeling warmer. "That's so much better." She looked back up at her mentor. "You better get back inside before you get cold."

"Don't be silly, my dear," he laughed, waving a hand. "I have three layers of clothing on. I won't get–" Just then, there was a rather cold gust of wind. It only lasted a few seconds, but it was enough to make Cedric shiver and hug himself. "Merlin's frozen mushrooms! It's cold out here."

"You were saying," Baileywick smirked.

"Oh, hush up," Cedric snapped as the steward snickered.

Sofia just shook head and reached out, giving the sorcerer a quick, but warm, hug. "I'll see you later, okay." With that, she bounced into the coach and sat next to Amber, who was reading a book. A minute later, the coach took off. A new semester was about to begin, and Sofia was excited to see what lay ahead.