The New Normal

                                    

                                          
Chapter 14:
(Hugo POV)
A few months had passed since that night and things started to get better between Sofia and I. We still had to complete our training but, we were united. Aunt Vi was much better at directing Sofia's training and after Sofia got over some of her fears, they became good friends. We kept our promise and everyday after dinner we spent an hour together working on understanding more about the kingdom and its traditions. Sofia was more confident now as well. Every Thursday night, we limited our training to the morning and I took Sofia somewhere we could be alone, just Hugo and Sofia. Sometimes we would go enchanted ice skating, or practice flying derby other times we would go into town and talk with the people and sometimes we went for picnics in the gazebo. I had our sorcerer place an enchantment on the gazebo that kept it warm throughout the Winter so that we could always go there and relax without worrying about it getting too cold. Sofia was beginning to be herself again. She was smiling more often, she was talking to me, she was trying to be open and it felt good.
Her birthday had come and pass in those months and I surprised her with a banquet. I invited all her friends and family. I thought about throwing a Ball but, given the history I thought it might be too soon. I had decorated the dinning hall in purple butterflies and had the chef prepare her favorite foods. She seemed to have a great time and I was relieved I didn't mess anything up.
Our coronation was approaching quickly and was only a month away. The advisory board has yet to approve of either me or Sofia and I was worried that one day they are going to call us in and tell us that we were not approved and that I had to annul our marriage or we both had to abdicate the crown. I think Sofia was nervous about this too but, whenever I brought it up she would tell me, "It will all work out in the end. We are doing everything right and the people see that. We have to trust that the advisory board will see it too." I wasn't sure how much she actually believed it but, I chose to believe her.
(Sofia POV)
A few months had passed since that night and things started to get better between Hugo and I. We still had to complete our training but we were finally united. We began to spend more time together and not only did Hugo help me with our tutoring sessions but, he kept his promise and we had date night every Thursday. He always wanted to surprise me and found new ways for us to spend time together. I loved it when we rode our flying horses or skated or even when we went into town and visited the village but, my favorite is when we had picnics in the gazebo. He had a spell cast on it so it always felt warm and I loved spending time there.
I enjoyed working with Violet. She was a really nice princess and she knew how I learned and helped me. I was now allowed to pick my own gowns eat breakfast with the family and then I went into training. She knew I had attended Royal Prep and went to Everrealm Academy for 2 years so she focussed more on the traditions, customs and laws of the kingdom. I was learning so much more and she was beginning to feel like a friend to me. I had told her all about how Hugo and I met, how we flew in flying derby together, enchanted ice dancing and all the events of the last year. She was surprised to say the least but was very proud of her nephew and brother getting over their preconceived notions of who showed do what sports. She really liked the influence I had on them.
Our coronation was coming closer and closer. It was coming up faster and I wasn't sure what was to come. The advisory board and not yet approved of me as Queen or even Hugo as King. Hugo was nervous about the fact we haven't got approved yet and being honest I was scared too but, it was beyond our control. All I could do was tell him, "It will all work out in the end. We are doing everything right and the people see that. We have to trust that the advisory board will see it too."
(Hugo POV)
On one Thursday leading up to our coronation it was date night again but, neither of us wanted to leave the castle. I had planned something in the castle and just had to find Sofia, to bring her to our surprise. I went into the meeting room where Aunt Vi had decided to have their sessions. I entered the room and saw Aunt Vi standing there, "Hi Aunt Vi, where is Sofia?" She turned and smiled at me, "Hi Hugo, we finished early today so I let her go early" I nodded and thought about where Sofia might have gone. As I was leaving my Aunt added "She seems really prepared to become Queen one day. I think that you two will be great together." I turned and smiled at her, "Thanks Aunt Violet." "My pleasure" she went into a curtsy, "Crowned Prince Hugo." We laughed at the formality of this. "It is really nice having you around Aunt Violet, I wish we could have spent more time together when I was younger."
"Hugo, did anyone ever tell you why I left the castle?" I shook my head, "No, no one really talks about it." I had wondered about it but, I never wanted to ask. She gestured for me to sit down."I had left the castle when your Dad was crowned King, not out of any jealousy or anything but, because I couldn't stand to live in the castle." I didn't understand what was wrong with the castle. I had grown up here and it was fine. She saw my confusion and nodded "My mother had me later in life, your father is 7 years older than me and your uncle is 5. My father only wanted sons and he made his feelings about having a daughter known. Growing up here was like being a caged bird sitting in front of a window. I could see everyone else flying free but, no one was willing to open the cage to free me as well. My Father, your grandfather, had high expectations of his sons in sports but, they had been awarded freedom that was not given to me. Heck you Dad married a maid in the castle and called off an engagement with one of the most prominent families in the kingdom and your Grandfather couldn't have been more proud. I was not granted this freedom. I would be trapped in this castle and forced to learn more lady-like pursuits. I sometimes attempted to play with my brothers and they always welcomed me but, if my father ever found out I would be scolded and berated to the point that I was in tears." I stayed silent listening to her talk no longer to me but, to herself. "He even tried to arrange a marriage for me with this awful prince in a neighboring kingdom. Your father and uncle contacted some friends and got my out of the kingdom until your father was crowned King. I came back for his coronation but, then I left and never looked back. I still wrote Garrick and Kingsley sometimes I heard from my mother but, I never missed royal life. I never talked to my father again and I would never stay in the palace for longer than a week until he died."
I went over to her and gave her a hug. "Thank you for making an exception for Sofia," I said knowing that she had been here for months now, "I owed your father a favor and I really like Sofia. She made the Albridge men better. I know how you treated her during flying derby and how your father treated you during enchanted ice dancing," I hung my head down, "Hey that Princess straightened you out and made you a man that I will be proud to call King." "Thank you Aunt Violet." She nodded her head, "Speaking of that Princess go find her, I know she was excited for 'date night'" I nodded my head and left. I walked through the halls of the castle, wondering where Sofia was. I then thought about it and new where she was. I walked down the hallway opened the door and found her standing in the middle of the nursery, arranging teddy bears or something in the corner.
(Sofia POV)
I had finished my training early and had gone to the nursery. I felt myself drawn here more and more often and today I found out why. I started moving around the teddy bears and items in the room when I heard someone come in. I turned and saw him standing there. "You, my dear wife are late for date night," He said walking in. I smiled at him, "Sorry." He put his hands around my waist and pulled me into a kiss. I then turned around and finished what I was doing with his arms around me and his head resting on my shoulder, "I don't want to have to beg for your attention but, I am not above it." I laughed and turned my head towards him, "Fine, I will be out in a minute can you grab my cloak from our room. I promise you will have my undivided attention then." He sighed, "I will take what I can get." He kissed my cheek and then left the room. I waited for him to close the door and I placed a hand on my stomach, "Well baby Clara, looks like you are going to be a fun surprise for Daddy."