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Prince Hugo Alexander Dimitri of Snoladden had never met his soulmate. In fact, he believed that she didn’t exist. There were several reasons as to why.
First, when his father King Garrick had been born, it took all of a week to find his soulmate. He met his future wife when they were five years old. Lady Anastasia of Dusooni was crowned Princess Consort at eighteen years old. Together, Garrick and Anastasia were crowned King and Queen at twenty-six.
Likewise, when Hugo’s older brother Axel had been born, his soulmate was found within six months. Lovely Princess Astrid of Freezenburg had just been christened and announced to the world's nations when a private letter arrived in Snoladden, also announcing that her soulmark, while small and faded, read ‘Axel’. The two were betrothed the following month.
It was common practice for Royals to be betrothed to their soulmate as infants. The entire thing was a simple affair. When a new baby was born, a letter was sent to each kingdom with the name of the child’s intended soulmate. These letters were specifically collected by a servant who organized and filed them away from prying eyes. If that kingdom were to have a child with a name that matched the soulmark, and their name matched the senders mark, this servant would inform the rulers and a meeting would be arranged. It was done to prevent any cheap tricks from bad rulers who might want to specifically name their child after a powerful kingdom’s soulmate. For the lower classes, this was no problem, as soulmarks were a typically private affair. Royals acted differently for some reason.
They were strange like that.
The third, and most damning of Hugo’s soulmateless existence was the fact his parents had never found her. The King and Queen searched for years, but came up empty handed. There were no Princess Sofias in the world. The name ‘Sofia’ wasn’t common either. It had gone out of fashion a good fifty years earlier, and nowadays people used the spelling ‘Sophia’.
Prince Hugo was ten years old when his mother carefully sat him down and explained it all. He didn’t cry, only stared blankly at the roaring fire, trying to wrap his head around the reality of his mothers words.
Soulmarks weren’t often wrong. There were only ten or so recorded cases of a soulmark never triggering. Hugo resigned himself to being case number eleven, and prepared to go on with his life.
He attended Royal Prep with other royals his age. Through Flying Derby, he befriended Prince James of Enchancia, and through him, Princess Amber.
The twins were a bit rough around the edges, a side effect of growing up without the late Queen Lorelei’s influence. King Roland ran a big and flourishing kingdom, and often didn’t have time for his children. Both were affected and acted as such. James became a rousing daredevil and troublemaker, while Amber buried herself into becoming a perfect princess, when often led to her bossing others around. Despite all their problems, the three royals became fast friends.
Hugo began to regularly visit Enchancia. With James, he played Knights and Dragons or practiced for the Flying Derby. With Amber, he researched kingdom history and read in the library. With both twins, he went on adventures through the palace and gardens, causing general mischief for the servants and Baileywick.
The twins were similar in a lot of ways. Both were blonde, model royals and energetic. At first look, one may see Prince James as an upstanding citizen and Princess Amber as the depiction of beauty and grace - much like her late Mother.
But they were very different too. James was immature and laid back, while Amber was bossy and uptight. Another thing they shared different views on were their soulmates.
Amber was a hopeless romantic at heart. The young princess adored the love story associated with soulmates, and wished to meet hers just like in the fairy tales. When Hugo asked why she hadn’t already done so, the blonde explained that her mothers dying wish was that Amber and James were able to experience the magic of soulmates without the overbearing royal conditions.
Amber was ten when she showed Hugo her soulmark. In a shaky and nervous handwriting that wrapped around her bicep like an armband was the name.
‘Desmond’
James wasn’t as open as Amber was about his mark. At a sleepover when they were ten years old, James confessed that he sometimes hoped that she’d be platonic. He was worried that he would grow so attached to his soulmate and lose her, just like his father. He then showed Hugo the name that wrapped around his ankle.
‘Lunacynthia’
Hugo shared that his parents had been unable to find his soulmate. James almost didn’t believe him. Hugo showed James his soulmark, folding down his high collar so the other boy could see the name on his neck.
“Sofia, huh?” James muttered when they both settled into their beds, careful not to wake Amber, who was sound asleep on the other side of her brother.
“My Sofia,” Hugo echoed. “What does yours even say ?”
James smiled a little.
“Lunacynthia,” He said. “It’s a mouthful, right? I wonder if she has a nickname,”
-------❅------
Hugo was eleven when James burst into his room, tears streaming down his face.
“DAD KNOWS!” He cried. Hugo leapt to his feet and dragged his best friend towards the fire. Snoladden’s castle might have seemed warm, but Hugo knew the reality of heaving tears frozen to his cheeks.
“King Roland knows what?” Hugo asked.
“Dad knows who she is,” James said. “Where she lives, who her family is,”
Oh. His soulmate.
“Turns out he did everything royals do!” James continued. “I was supposed to meet her on my own! Not be set up!”
Hugo was conflicted. On one hand, he knew his friend had a right to be angry. Roland had promised Queen Lorelei that the twins wouldn’t have arranged marriages, and he had clearly broken that promise. On the other hand, James had never expressed interest in the romantic part of soulmates, but at least his existed. Hugo couldn’t help but feel a spike of jealousy as the back of his neck burned in appreciation.
-------❅------
Now, at the age of fifteen, Hugo spent more of his time in Enchancia than in Snoladden. Something about the kingdom felt more comfortable and safe, like a warm breeze at his back. Hugo attributed it to his friends.
His homelife in Snoladden wasn’t ideal. King Garrick had intense expectations, ones that Axel managed to crush and Hugo never managed to reach. Queen Anastasia had become somewhat a recluse in her aging years, preferring to stay in her room and read dusty scrolls about rulers without Soulmates. Axel was engaged to Princess Astrid now, and didn’t have a lot of time for his little brother. Hugo didn’t mind, and packed up some of his things and stayed at the Enchancia Palace, telling his family that he was able to do more school work there.
He’d graduated Royal Prep with the rest of his class. Now, he attended The School of Science and Alchemy. Amber and James had gone to EverRealm and Chivalry Hall respectively, and all three were crazy busy.
A lot had changed since they were little.
For one, Amber met her soulmate at the Royal Prep Graduation Ball. Desmond of Rystleton wasn’t what anyone would have thought Amber's soulmate would be. He was nervous and shy and had many, many phobias. He and the Enchancian heir were exact opposites in many ways. But for some reason, they completed each other. Amber was the fire and drive the two needed to get stuff done, while Desmond was a genius who was able to listen and format solutions.
James had met his soulmate too.
The trio had attended a Halloween Party in Zumaria. The partying had been interrupted by a loud fight from the second floor, which turned out to be a group of Hexley Hall students who wanted to hex the royals. A small, curly haired blonde girl wearing too-big robes had fought the other two boys off, and then tripped over James’s ankle when she passed by. Princess Vivian, the host of the party came over to prevent another fight, where she scolded the wizard girl, which led to James meeting Lunacynthina Lyon. Who much preferred to go by Luna.
But nothing on the soulmate spectrum had changed for Hugo. He was yet to meet a single Sofia, and by now had resigned himself to becoming an unmarried bachelor forever. And he was only fifteen.
Hugo made his way through Enchancia Castle’s various twisting hallways, working a path from the kitchens to the throne room, where he, Amber and James had agreed to meet. He munched on a small lemon cake as he walked, admiring the various portraits along the walls.
“Hi Hughie!” A loud voice chirped from the hall. Hugo turned to see Luna - still dressed in oversized robes, though these were Enchancian purple - carrying a stack of several books and potions.
“Hi Lulu,” He muttered, watching the wizard apprentice stumble her way down the hall. After discovering their soulbond, James had convinced his father and Cedric to appoint Luna as the palace sorcerer's apprentice. The blonde was great at magic, but she had a tendency to attempt to do too much at once, and usually had ash mixed in with her blonde curls.
Just one more reason she and James were perfect for each other.
Hugo went back to examining the portrait of Duchess Matilda and the knitting dragon, hardly listening to the sounds of Luna trying to maneuver her way past servants.
“Oi, watch it a bit there!”
Who was she harassing now?
“WOAH!”
Hugo spun around just in time to see a pretty brunette trip over the carpet as she swerved to avoid Luna, losing control of the small cart she was pushing. He stepped forwards and grabbed her round the waist, pulling her upright as the girl’s fingers locked around the back of his neck. Hugo felt a spike of heat travel down his back.
“Oh, thank you!” The girl cried, standing upright. “That could have ended badly!”
Her brown hair curled at the tips, splaying out over her shoulders, only kept out of her shining hazel eyes by a ribbon in the back. She wasn’t wearing the servants uniform, but a faded purple skirt and loose cream top. An apron was tied to her waist, a little lopsidedly, the pocket holding a small rolled up scroll.
“Yeah, it could have,” Hugo said. The girl examined him for a second and brightened.
“Are you the prince?” She asked. “I’m looking for the throne room,”
“I’m not Prince James, but I’m also headed for the throne room, so I would be happy to assist you M’lady,” Hugo replied, bowing slightly, watching as the girl blushed a little. “Prince Hugo at your service, miss…?”
The girl was grabbing her cart when she stopped in her tracks.
“I’m… Sofia,” She whispered.
-------❅------
“Are you the shoemaker?” Baileywick inquired irritably when Sofia and Hugo finally reached the throne room. “You’re ten minutes late!”
“Sorry,” Sofia cringed. “I got lost, but Hugo here help-”
“Nevermind that!” The steward bustled, shooing her into the throne room and holding the door open for Hugo. “Prince Hugo, Princess Amber and Prince James are inside, but they’re scheduled for a fitting, so you’ll have to wait a few minutes,”
“Baileywick, that's fine, but you won’t believe what happ-”
“SOFIA!”
Another brunette woman, this one older and more like his mothers age rounded the corner. She carried a heavy looking bag over her shoulder and was dressed similarly to Sofia.
“Is she inside?” The woman asked Baileywick, who appeared even more miffed. “I’m her mother, the senior shoemaker, she went ahead of me since I got caught up in a delivery!”
“Inside Ma’am!” Baileywick huffed, ushering the woman and Hugo inside the throne room in one foul swoop.
Inside, King Roland and the twins were seated on their thrones. Amber was watching her father intently, but James glanced up and waved at Hugo. He waved back, then stepped off to the side.
He was still a little excited about having finally met his soulmate. He knew they couldn’t be sure yet, especially since they hadn’t compared their soulmarks. But he wasn’t that unlucky. Surely this was the Sofia he’d been searching for. Hugo fidgeted in his seat as he watched the shoe fitting unfold in front of him.
“King Roland, this is the shoemaker and her daughter,” Baileywick introduced, gesturing to Sofia and her mother. Sofia’s mother smiled, something completely different from her daughter's impossibly bright one. The older woman’s was softer and full of love.
Sofia stepped forward with a small cushion from the cart, kneeling so the king could put his foot on it. Her mother knelt down with a sample shoe from the cart.
“We’re going to see how this fits Your Highness,” She said. “Sofia dear?”
Sofia retrieved a notepad from the cart and got ready to take down any measurements. Roland only laughed.
“Why it's a perfect fit Miss…?”
“Miranda,”
The king suddenly choked on air. Amber and James looked at their father in surprise. The King cleared his throat and suddenly stood up. Miranda looked surprised, but stood as Roland pulled her to her feet.
The king leaned down and removed his sock. Miranda noticed and rolled her sleeve up.
‘Miranda’
‘Roland’
The names wrapped around Miranda’s wrist and Rolands heel. Both handwritings were flowing and calm, Miranda’s scratchy and Rolands elegantly practiced. Everyone else watched in shock.
“They’re… soulmates,” Baileywick whispered.
“
DADDY
!?” Amber yelled, leaping to her feet. “What is this?!”
“Mom?” Sofia asked quietly. “What about dad?”
“What about MOTHER !?” Amber almost shrieked. James looked like he was in shock. Out of the corner of his eye, Hugo saw Cedric and Luna enter from a hidden door. Both looked worried.
“Your Majesty, perhaps we should continue this discussion… elsewhere,” Baileywick added, glancing worriedly at the door, where a selection of maids had gathered. “The Royal Retirement Chamber?”
The maids scurried off. A quick look from Baileywick sent the guards following. The Castle Steward ushered the families (plus Hugo) towards Cedric and Luna. The two sorcerers led them up the secret stairs and into their workshop. Luna snapped her fingers to clear some of the mess from the tables and chairs. Cedric conjured more seating for the family. He then opened a door to another chamber and gestured for Luna to follow him.
James grabbed Luna by the hand and pulled her into him. Cedric nodded and closed the door behind him. Hugo made to follow him, but Baileywick stopped him with a swift head shake. Hugo sat down on one of the spindly working stools. The room was eerily quiet.
Finally, Roland spoke.
“James, Amber, I’ve been lying to you.”
“You think?” Amber snapped, looking up from her hands. “Daddy, you and Mother !”
“Lorelei didn’t have a soulmate,” Roland confessed. “And I did. But my mother and father never found her. Lorelei was my age, soulmateless, and since I’d never found mine and I was about to become king, we… faked it.”
“Dad…” James suddenly said, looking up from where his face had previously been planted in Luna’s hair. “Why didn’t you tell us! Amber spent her whole life trying to match your love story!”
“She found her soulmate all on her own! Which is what your mother wanted!”
“Is that you dear?” Miranda suddenly asked. Hugo realized with a start that she was asking him . He opened his mouth to correct her, but didn’t get the chance to.
“He’s mine Mom,” Sofia said. “We met in the hall, before the fitting,”
The room erupted. Roland and James stood up to congratulate Hugo, Amber smiled but was still torn up over the latest discovery. She obviously wasn’t processing it well, and she stood up to yell at her father for lying, the swirl of her skirts banging into Sofia’s legs, which knocked the poor girl off balance and made her almost fall off her stool. Miranda lunged for her daughter, but was cut off by James, who had stopped mid-movement to make sure Luna wasn’t too badly injured when he’d knocked her onto the ground rather unceremoniously. Luna got a mouthful of Amber’s skirts, got stepped on by three people and eventually scooted backwards - where she hit Sofia’s seat and sent the brunette tumbling over backwards.
“ALL RIGHT!” Baileywick yelled, stopping everyone in their tracks. “That is quite enough!”
Everyone managed to look sheepish as the steward continued.
“Many great things have happened today, but we have to remain calm. Lunacynthia, please go retrieve Cedric.”
Luna picked herself up and ran off towards the chamber the sorcerer had disappeared into.
“Prince James, Princess Amber, please sit down.”
The twins sat.
“King Roland, please take a seat - with Miss Miranda ,”
The two also sat down.
“Now, Prince Hugo, sit with Miss Sofia,” Baileywick finished. “Now that we’re all settled, we are going to figure this situation out. Ah, Cedric, if you will?”
Cedric nodded and conjured a stack of parchment and a quill for the steward to write on. Baileywick started to write down all the new information and his plans to deal with it.
“Alright, so this is what's going to happen…”
-------❅------
Six Months Later :
“The bridesmaid dresses look great,” Desmond commented, finishing the knot on his tie.
“Did they finally get Lulu all laced up?” Hugo laughed, watching as James turned red. The blonde prince had just returned Luna to the side of the palace where the women were getting ready. Miranda had surprised Luna by wanting her to be in the wedding party, but the girl was not a fan of frilly dresses that had been selected for the occasion. She’d tried to run off twice now and go back to her apprentice robes, but Amber had threatened to burn them if she tried again. James had found Luna hiding behind a few statues, dressed in nothing but her chemise and work pants. The rest of the boys had been ribbing him ever since.
“Boys, boys!” Roland laughed, entering the room with his coat draped over his arm and shirt only partially buttoned. “Now, let’s finish! We can’t be beaten by the ladies!”
The royal wedding of King Roland to Miranda of Enchancia was a worldwide affair. Royals from all over attended just to catch a glimpse of the royal couple and their children. Rumors had spread about the soulmates of all those involved, but nothing could put a damper on the day.
Miranda looked gorgeous. Her dress was a mix of white and ivory, and it floated around her like a cloud of fairy mist. Her bridesmaids were clad in different shades of pastels, all adorned with simple flowerlike tiaras.
The ceremony was long. Roland and Miranda had a typical ceremony, complete with combinations of cultures and rituals. Miranda and Sofia had to be coronated as Queen and Princess, which was another event in itself.
But Hugo couldn’t be happier.
He was set to dance the night away with his soulmate, who he’d spent years thinking would never come. Sofia was going to be a wonderful princess, with a big heart and curious mind, Hugo couldn’t want to share the rest of his life with her.
“Hey, aren’t you going to dance?”
Hugo turned to see Sofia looking up at him. Her brown hair had been pulled back into a braid and ponytail combo that cascaded down her back and really let her eyes shine through. Her little flower tiara sparkled in the lights. She typically wore a simple princess dress in Enchancian purple, but today her dress was a full skirt with pearl beading and silver thread, gems along the neckline and at the cuffs of her puffy sleeves.
“Of course m’lady,” He said, leading her out onto the dancefloor.
He placed a hand on Sofia’s hip - where her soulmark lay hidden under the skirts - and started up a waltz. Sofia put her arms around his neck and Hugo shivered as they touched his soulmark.
He was happy, and so was everyone else.
‘ Hugo’
‘Sofia’
-------❅------
Hugo & Sofia Amber & Desmond James & Lunacynthia Miranda & Roland
-------❅------