SOFIA
Marcus had been right. The view by the iced-over pond had been stunning and well worth the ride.
With the palace far behind them, Sofia had sat astride Chance, both winded but exhilarated by the exertion of the fence jumps she’d allowed her steed, luxuriating in the snow blanketed panorama of Ducklenburge sprawled out below them.
It was easier to release the knot in her stomach that the altercation with Lady Belaye had caused when her gaze was drinking up the beauty of the mountainous region that surrounded the town and the ocean in the distance.
When she’d returned to the stables, Berk helped her brush Chance down and settled the Friesian in his stall. It wasn’t difficult to discern that the old stable master’s presence was a safeguard against any additional harassment of the princess consort, but Sofia found she was grateful for the buffer and the older man’s company.
She had used the opportunity to learn the stable lads’ names, brothers Benjamin and Oliver. After hearing the brushstrokes of their story, Sofia had promptly added them to her prayer list.
Whatever issue they had with her paled compared to being the only providers in a large family, with an ailing mother and an absent father. Though her compassion for their situation didn’t change the fact that neither sullen youth made eye contact with her when she encountered them on her way back to the palace.
Her protection officers had shadowed her through the gilded halls as she detoured to the Queen’s suites. Intent on checking on the monarch, Sofia had barely registered the hushed whispers of the royal staff that seemed to trail in her wake.
Though the Queen was still abed, Zeke had assured Sofia that he would pass along her, now daily, invitation for the monarch to join the ladies for breakfast. But the loyal aide’s soft words suggested Sofia shouldn’t be too disappointed if the Queen maintained her tradition of dining by herself.
And so, freshly changed from her ride and renewed in spirit, Sofia entered the private dining room ready to face whatever the headlines had to say about her visiting Princess Ava’s Angels Children Center yesterday.
Well, she would be ready after her first cup of coffee.
Eloise and Grace were already seated, and eating, at the expansive dining table that dominated the center of the room. Sofia’s guards took their position at the door’s threshold.
A movement near the breakfast buffet displayed on the edge of the room drew Sofia’s gaze to where Lady Arabella stood, making her selections.
Sofia’s elation at seeing Bella amazed her. But not as much as the woman’s presence after the run in she’d had with Lady Belaye. “Good morning… Lady Arabella.”
Bella glanced up, wearing a tight smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, and she nodded to Eloise and Grace, “Considering the servers are conspicuously absent and we’re in the presence of your family, Bella is fine.”
“Sofia dismissed the royal servers for non-ceremonial meals.” Eloise offered the reason for the breach in breakfast protocol, around a bite of her omelet.
“Of course she did.” Bella murmured as she perused the fruit selections on a gold platter. Unbothered by the obvious disapproval in Bella’s tone, Sofia poured a generous coffee for herself and took a seat next to her sister.
“Morning, seastar. You’re in a good mood.” Grace observed as Sofia sipped her coffee. Ahh bliss. “I am. Despite being awoken by an air horn this morning.”
“Oops.” Grace grinned unapologetically as Sofia handed her phone to her sister with a pointed look. “You gotta admit, that was a good one.”
“You nearly gave the entire stables’ occupants heart attacks with that stunt.”
Grace chortled. “George’ll be proud.”
Bella glanced between the sisters. “Dare I ask…”
With Sofia’s phone in hand, Grace shrugged, “Anytime one of us gets a new phone, we hack in and change alerts to the most obnoxious thing we can think of—”
“George changes our alerts. I thought I was safe because he’s not here.” Sofia mock glared at Grace, who defended herself. “I can’t help it if it’s more fun when it’s your turn because you take forever to figure out new hardware. You know, now that I think about it… I don’t know if I should change it. Seems like a princess should be able to change her own alert tones…”
Sofia arched an eyebrow at her sister over her mug.
In their silent sister-speak, Grace heard the message loud and clear: Change it or suffer swift reprisal. With an exaggerated “Fiiinnne,” Grace returned her attention to the phone, futzing with it as Eloise snickered.
Bella finished her selections, then set her plate down at the table. But she remained standing as she asked, “Was that palace issued?”
Sofia nodded and Lady Arabella retreated to the door, where Sofia’s protection detail had stationed themselves. “Please inform Mr. Gravette that palace issued devices are compromised and require a security upgrade. And they should release the software engineer who created the firewalls.”
“Whoa, wait a minute.” Grace interjected, “Sofia always uses the same password.”
Her sister’s eyes cut to hers, expecting Sofia to back her up. But Sofia studied Bella.
The elegant woman seemed composed, though Sofia sensed an underlying fragileness that hadn’t been there yesterday.
Given the run in with Bella’s mom at the stables, Sofia wondered again at her presence here, now. So clearly in opposition of her parents’ demands. And yet, still very much fulfilling her duty to train Sofia in the role of princess consort.
“Was there a second authentication that you bypassed?” Bella asked Grace when Sofia remained silent.
“Well, yeah, but that was easy…” Grace trailed off, realizing she’d proven Bella’s point.
Sofia’s security looked to her for direction, and she nodded. “I defer to Lady Arabella’s wisdom in this matter. But nobody gets fired over a mistake.”
“While your leniency is well-intentioned, left unchecked incompetency raises risk.” Bella stated high-handedly, but there was a fire missing from her words. Like what Bella was saying was a script she was reading from, and not something she believed with her whole heart.
Sofia nodded thoughtfully, returning her attention to the waiting security officer. “Please inform the head of security, as Lady Arabella advised. But with the caveat that I believe in second chances… and that my sister will be glad to offer her insights on upgrades if it would be helpful.”
Grace shrugged. “I’m just the padawan. George is the one they should talk to. If he can’t hack something, no one can…” An uncharacteristically stern look from Sofia changed her tune, “I mean, I’m happy to assist.”
“Thank you for relaying the message, Mr. Wilix.” Sofia said, and the protection officer smiled at her use of his name. Yes, she’d asked Zeke for the roster of the guards in her rotation and had memorized them all last night. She’d also asked Berk about all the stable hands. Covering all of them in her prayers. If she was going to stay, even for a time, she was going to proceed as she had her entire life. No one was beneath her notice. She cared about them all. If she wasn’t as prepared for any pop quizzes Bella might throw at her, so be it. It was time well spent.
“Vance will do just fine, ma’am. I’ll get word to the boss.” Vance stepped into the hall and the ladies heard indistinct words as he relayed the information through his earbud comms.
Bella returned to the table and sat down in front of her plate, across from Sofia, who asked, “Now… what’s really troubling you?”
Sofia probably should’ve waited until it was just the two of them, but she couldn’t shake the underlying tension behind the other woman’s poise. And Sofia wanted to help if she could.
“Besides the headlines?” Bella diverted.
“I haven’t seen them yet.” Sofia nursed her cup of coffee, savoring the caffeine that hit her system, and snagged a piece of toast from Grace’s plate.
“Pay up.” Eloise said to Grace, hand extended. Sofia was confused by the money that exchanged hands until her sister grumbled, “I bet that you’d have seen them as soon as you woke up. I mean, if I was in the news, I’d want to know what it said immediately.”
“I see someone needs to be added to the palace briefings.” Bella remarked as Eloise pocketed the money with a semi-guilty expression.
“Palace briefings?” Sofia and Grace asked at the same time.
Bella motioned to Eloise, prompting the younger woman to answer begrudgingly, “A memo was distributed this morning that no one was to disturb the princess consort with anything unpleasant until after her morning ride and breakfast.”
Sofia was grateful she’d swallowed her last sip of coffee before Eloise’s declaration, or she would’ve done a spit-take right onto Bella. “What?!”
Eloise pulled her phone out, opened an email, and handed it over. Both Truit sisters leaned in.
On the screen, a memorandum bearing the crest of Abdiel read,
To: All Staff
From: Crown Prince Marcus’s Office
Subject: Princess Consort Sofia’s Morning Routine
Henceforth, is not to be disturbed with matters of state or news until her morning ride and breakfast are complete. Any necessary communications should run through…
Sofia sat back, uneasy that a sleepy phone call with Marcus had resulted in a palace wide mandate. “I don’t know what to say—”
“I do. Eloise, that’s dirty pool. You can’t make a bet using insider information.” Grace held out her hand for the money, which Eloise playfully high-fived instead as she countered, “It’s not dirty pool… more like leveling the playing field. You have known your sister your whole life.”
Grace groused but conceded the point. While Sofia struggled with the revelation.
The sheer bizarreness and lack of privacy of this life continued to astound her. Lord, will I ever get used to this?
“I was just having a conversation with Marcus. That makes it sound like I don’t care about anything but myself.”
“You are an American.” Bella snapped. Sofia traded a look of surprise with her sister, so... the flawless lady had some claws after all.
“Mrrrrrrrrrrawr.” With a feline-like swat at the air, Grace doubled down with a, “Hiiiiiiiiisss...”
Which did exactly what her sister had intended it to. Sofia tamped down the indignant defensiveness that had flared within her and laughed instead. Eloise tried to stifle a giggle, but couldn’t.
Bella sighed, “I beg your pardon—”
But Sofia waved off her apology. “I’m more interested in what you mean by that than I am in any perfunctory apology. Spill.”
Bella gestured to the food laden tables. “That possibly the staff would prefer a quick hour of table service to the multiple hours of work required for a buffet.”
At Bella’s words, Sofia really took in the spread.
The serving trays, the heating elements under each, the additional serving silverware. She flinched at the thought of the substantial work required to prepare, transport, and then clean the multitude of trays and other elements… all because of her.
She’d been discomfited by staff hovering over her meals, thinking the tradition staid and more than a little classist. But she hadn’t considered the extra burden her simple request would demand. I did it again, Lord. When will I learn to see all perspectives instead of running ahead without consulting you or others?
Sofia nodded with new understanding and then set her mug down. “There. My coffee is done. Now for the unpleasantness. This new streak of speaking your mind—which, by the way I like, I know, I know how American of me—wouldn’t have anything to do with your mom accosting me in the stables earlier, would it?”
Surprise, then alarm, flitted across Bella’s features. But it was Grace who exclaimed, “She didn’t?!”
“Oh, she did. Charming, hospitable woman, Bella’s mother—”
At that, Eloise did do a spit-take. A spray of juice covered her plate and the surrounding table.
“Ew, ‘Loise. Gross.” Grace grabbed a napkin and wiped the spray that had hit her sleeve.
“After Lady Belaye’s vitriol, I’m surprised to see you here, Bella. She made it quite clear that the house of Belaye has no love for me.”
Bella weighed her words. “My deepest apologies. My mother had no right to confront you—”
“You are not your mother. Don’t apologize for her. I’m more concerned about how her actions affect you. What happened?” Sofia waited as Bella avoided their gazes.
After a considerable pause, Bella finally spoke. Her voice was measured, but her words held the burden of a child’s pain. “It would seem that… when loyalties are divided, a choice must be made. I have chosen. As have my parents. They… no longer acknowledge me as their daughter, and I no longer have a home.”
“Oh, Bella.” Sofia stood and went to the woman. Kneeling beside her, Sofia pulled the proper lady into a hug. Lord, what else will I rob her of? First Marcus, now her family? How can she bear it? Bella sat straight and stiff in her arms until Sofia whispered the words that pressed on her heart, “I am so sorry, Bella. I am so very sorry.”
Bella’s arms came up, hesitantly, then more assuredly, and she returned Sofia’s embrace. And then, like a faucet had been turned on, Bella’s tears started to flow.
As the indomitable woman sobbed against her quietly, Sofia hugged her tighter and prayed. Lord, please redeem what she has lost because of me. Please pour into her. Give her your comfort and love as only you can, God. And show us how to help.
Sofia’s gaze lifted to Grace and Eloise beseeching them, and in the next breath, they joined her. Their arms encircling Bella as well. They remained that way, their arms wrapped around Bella like armor, while she released her heartbreak with tears.
A silent sisterhood standing watch over this moment of vulnerability until—
“You even cry pretty.” Grace offered, which caused Bella to laugh through tears, “Hardly… Forgive me… it’s not ladylike to cause a scene…”
The wet, halted words wrung from Bella as she fought for composure. Grace handed her a linen napkin while Eloise scoffed, “What’s not ladylike is disowning your only daughter. That witch. Oh, she’s going to regret hurting you.”
Bella sob-laughed, “I knew I always liked you.”
“Likewise.” Eloise responded with a smile, “Now, tell me are we fancying itching powder in her face cream or—”
“We could put grease on all the doorknobs at your parent’s house… they’ll walk around with smudges on their faces and clothes for days before they figure it out. Ask me how I know.” Grace suggested with a grin and Bella belly laughed, an honest to goodness belly laugh complete with a snort.
Sofia sent her sister an admonishing look, but Grace was on a role, “There’s always the classic red color food dye in her shampoo—”
“Remind me not to get on either of your bad sides.” A commanding voice from the threshold of the dining room startled them all.
Their heads turned as one to the entrance, where the Queen, with Zeke slightly behind her, stood.
“Your majesty.” Bella exclaimed as she tried to hide the evidence of her tears while breaking free of the surrounding arms to stand and curtsey. Eloise followed suit, leaving the Truit sisters to bob their own unpracticed and awkward curtseys.
The Queen nodded in acknowledgement as she slowly crossed the room.
Sofia had the urge to assist the monarch, but a nearly imperceptible shake of Zeke’s head behind the Queen caused her to refrain. Right, no one else knew of the Queen’s illness. Sofia marveled that the woman appeared as strong as she did, even as she recalled her own grandfather’s last months. Some days were better than others.
The Queen took the seat next to Bella and the monarch’s frail hand, bedecked in jeweled rings, reached out to brush a wisp of hair from Bella’s face. “Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all.”
Sofia didn’t miss the way Bella’s face turned toward the monarch, like a flower seeking the sun as the Queen continued the scripture, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her at the gates…”
“You honor me, your majesty.” Bella ducked her head with her soft words.
“It is your faithful service that honors you.” The Queen motioned Zeke, who stepped forward and unrolled an official scroll. The parchment bore colorful calligraphy, and Sofia clocked the embossed seal at the bottom signifying the importance of the document.
Bella’s hands trembled as she accepted it, scanned the missive, and shook her head vigorously, “I cannot, your majesty—”
“You can and you will. My Thomas and your father may have arranged your match for their own reasons, but I approved it because of your character. Even as a youth, you had a quality and presence about you. Your actions these past days have further proven your dedication to Crown and country. And we must always reward loyalty such as yours.”
Bella glanced at Sofia, who couldn’t help but wonder what was happening.
“Uh, can someone translate for the Americans?” Grace wisecracked and Eloise feigned tossing a grape her direction as she peered at the parchment in Bella’s trembling hands, then explained.
“A letter of patent with the great seal grants titles with the Queen’s authority. And it appears Bella has just become a duchess. And now outranks her pretentious parents. Oh, may I be the one to tell them, please, granny?”
The Queen arched a disapproving eyebrow at her granddaughter, but no one missed the glimmer of mischief or adoration in the monarch’s eyes.
Eloise shrugged, “That’s a no, then.”
The Queen returned her attention to Bella. “Duchess Arabella Belaye, your strength and service to the Lord and the Crown has not gone unnoticed. While it’s not within my power to restore your parents to you, it is within my power… and it is my pleasure to ensure you are provided for. I know God has a great many things for you to do, and I pray these resources will aid you in your missions. We have established a permanent suite here at the palace for your use, as befits the princess consort’s lady-in-waiting…”
Sofia had been studying Bella carefully and noticed the subtle relaxing of the other woman’s shoulders. Thank you, Lord, for providing for Bella beyond what I even knew to ask for…
While Sofia didn’t really understand the magnitude of the title or what that entailed, she was grateful to see the other woman’s pain lessened with the Queen’s kind words and almost missed the monarch’s next statement.
“… should the Princess Consort officially offer the role, that is.”
All eyes were on Sofia, who stammered, “Of course… I mean… if Marcus and I…” remain married almost left her lips.
But she grasped, on some level, her heart had already decided. She was still here, wasn’t she?
Sofia cleared the doubt and fear that clamored within her and tried again. “I would be grateful for your mentorship and friendship, if you are willing.”
Bella examined Sofia, then turned her attention to the Queen. “I will strive to serve in a manner befitting the honor bestowed upon me, your majesty.”
“Wonderful, now… before we attend to the matter of the press, could someone fetch this old monarch some tea? There appears to be a staff shortage and I do my best plotting with a cup.”
Sofia jumped up to fetch it, beating Zeke to the tea arranged on a nearby trolley.
As she carried it back and set it in front of the Queen, she noticed that Eloise had pulled a large scrapbook from somewhere and had handed it to her grandmother. “What’s that?”
The Queen smiled, as her fingers flipped through the pages, reminiscing. “Marcus’s mother, Ava, called it the ‘Good, Bad, and Ugly’ book. It was her way of remembering that opinions are fickle, and perceptions change daily. Used to drive Thomas to distraction that she deigned to compile the headlines. But it was her way of not allowing good press to inflate her sense of self or allow bad press to influence her sense of worth. I was unaware it had been maintained.”
Eloise shrugged, shyly. “I remember little about her, but… Mother thought it was a good practice and Marcus wasn’t interested in it, so…”
The Queen stopped at the last page, which bore several clippings from that morning. Sofia peered over the monarch’s shoulder and took in a photo of herself, arm-in-arm with Bella, as they left the reading room in the children’s center, beside a shot of Marcus, jaw clenched, walking into negotiations.
Several headlines read:
The Polygamist Prince
All hail our future Queens?
Soap-box Sofia Strikes Back
The Queen spoke, “Eloise, you missed my favorite one…”
“I hadn’t finished, but I’m betting its…” Eloise shuffled through the pile of front pages that sat in a folder next to her, “This one.”
She held it up, and the Queen nodded regally, suppressing a chuckle, as Sofia stared at the headline before glancing at Bella, who simply smiled back.
Princess Sister-Wives, Besties or Frenemies? Only time will tell.
~~~
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Author's Note: Happy Valentines fellow wanderers!!! ... Thanks for hanging w me, and sending support and encouragement, while I worked out EA offline... I'm posting this part and one moar tonight as a special V-day treat, and will likely be sharing a couple moar parts in the coming week... EA is still in progress (though fully outlined, I've needed the flexibility to go back and re-weave things before posting what is quickly counting down to our final chapters... and I deeply appreciate your patience while I figure out my flow after starting this story as a "pantser" but realizing... well... pantsing a story brings its challenges too, especially when Marcus and Sofia surprise me every time I sit down to scribble...) but I look forward to finishing (and sharing) the rest of Sofia and Marcus's story w all of you in due time! :) Hope you've all been well, cheers! ~ W.A.
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