#..{{:purity: princess sofia:}}..

Sofia had multiple ulterior motives as of late when it came to such extended invitations. Either that, or she needed a baby-sitter for some blasted reason. If she were by herself she was off doing things that’d mortify her parents, yet, if some other children were involved, she still needed a baby-sitter. What was up with that?

Besides, the beach had many negative connotations for him whether she knew that or not.  Could she not see how pale he was at the least?

“My father?” he’d question as his nose crunched, a huff escaping him as he leaned back in his chair, “He’s never happy with anything I give him, even if it’s something he’s asked for. This year is going to be even worse than usual, I can feel it in my bones. I’ll just get him some chocolate and call it a day.”

“R-really?  Are you really?  MISTER CEDRIC!  I– I never wanted to make you uncomfortable, I just thought that since we’re friends you could tell me something like that.  …Will I get to meet her?” ---

“...Her.”

The blurred rush of multiple uncontrolled emotions flustered the sorcerer as he walked alongside the king; confidence beaming despite the loss. Praise was being poured upon him for the first time in ages, and for the first time in many long years, he felt it to be sincere. Not out of pity. 

Leaning upon the King - quite literally: the pain that shot up through his leg was grimacing, but he tried with all his might to hide it from the child following them. It seemed Roland had noticed, however.  - he smiled a purely normal crooked grin— more so from his ugly smile than one that was full of devious mischief. No amount of pain could take this moment from him. He had regained a friend; something he earnestly believed he would never have again. {At least, not one practically a quarter his age.} Granted, he too also believed he would never lose a friend either, but his focus wasn’t on that. There was too much to be grateful for now.

Their brief conversation was on that of their past, and apologies long needed but unable to be manifested due to their mutual disdain. Now, however, it was as if time had reversed, and in this brief moment of clarity, despite it all, Cedric felt right. This was how things were meant to be. He was a guardian, an aid to the king— the kingdom. Even if he could never live up to his role, at least he could bask in the glory of it all now for this one fleeting spec of time.

Turning, still trying to maintain his composure and attempt to hide Roland’s assistance from the girl, he would call to her, “Princess Sof-”

She was gone.

“Princess Sofia?”

Oh no. Not again. He couldn’t deal with any more chaos. 

These moments were ones he looked forwards to no matter how many years had passed; and as she grew older, it became more intimate. There was something charming about how the conversations they had over dinner becoming more and more important as they aged; how they began to relate to each other more and more. It was like watching his own daughter grow before him, but with particular perks that her real father would never be able to partake in. There were just some things you felt more comfortable sharing with a best friend who couldn’t judge you, and for that, he was eternally grateful and delighted.

Secrets would be exchanged over these meals. It had just become customary at this point, and for what felt like the first time in forever, he had been the one to invite her off schedule. It was his turn to share some life-changing news for once, and while he was still unsure of it all, he knew that she would support him no matter what— and be the second voice of reasoning he needed to nag him to go through with it all.

As this had always been a private affair, nobody else was home with him, and Hugo certainly wasn’t invited. It was just the two of them, some tea and wine, and whatever it was they felt like partaking in for the evening; a sweet curry this time, with various pastries that Grey had left behind for them for desert later.

Whenever it had been his turn to speak what was on his mind, it took forever, and she always had the patience to wait for him to finally ease his way into the actual conversation. Idle chit-chat had never been his thing, but these were some of the only times he would engage in such redundant banter. However, he knew he needed to get to the point sooner rather than later, and thus he would finally begin their tradition proper at the dinner-table.

“So, I’ve been in cahoots with Merlin about something of rather... meaningful significance lately, Princess...”

Of course she wouldn’t knock.

Swirling his drink in hand lazily, Cedric would simply glance over his shoulder at the child with a cocked brow, his lips peeled into a hint of a scowl. Yet, he would try to maintain a calm tone with the child despite his somewhatinebriated state. What was she doing? There was no warning of whatever it is she was trying to coax him into. Children, honestly.