Have You Found That One Person ALREADY?
How long did it take Sophia's words to sink in? Almost coincidentally, she realized the gravity of her words before she entered Clarisse's quarters.
With a cool poker face, she entered Clarisse's quarters, where Clarisse had been waiting for her. She knew Sophia would be coming as soon as she saw what was on today's headlines of Beldovia's tabloid, and boy did she have some serious explaining to do.
"Where were you, Sophie?" She asked curiously.
"Busy, attending matters of my own," Sophia answered sheepishly.
Clarisse took something and showed it to Sophia.
"And does those 'matters of your own' possibly have something to do with this?" She gestured at the tabloid headlines, fully knowing Sophia had seen it although not passing up on the chance to remind her of it for evidence sake.
Sophia looked elsewhere as if trying not to look directly at the same headlines she'd been teased repeatedly for.
"You never told me about a love interest, or a man in your life," she said, poking fun at Sophia.
"Do tell," she said, intrigued and ready to listen.
Sophia plopped down on one of the chaises, making herself comfortable before placing her head on her hand.
"And that's because he's no love interest of mine," she answered somewhat confidently.
Clarisse craned her neck closer to get a good glance at Sophia.
"Sophie," she said, calling her by the nickname she'd given her during their days of university together - which they'd completed together, from the beginning to the very finish.
"I've known you for how long now?" She asked.
Sophia answered almost instantly, easily remembering that answer, "About five years or so as of now."
Clarisse nodded.
"Yes."
"And among all those five years," she said, "You've told me - repeatedly - that you've never believed in love."
"In which you'd reason that I'd find someone that would make me believe in the 'universal force' we call 'love'?" Sophia asked rhetorically.
"I do," she answered dryly.
A smile slowly curved in Clarisse's face, "Is it possible that you've found that one person already?"
Sophia shook her head.
"Claire, he's not," she assured.
"He merely asked me to dance to which I replied yes to out of courtesy," Sophia answered sincerely.
Clarisse blinked, seeing Sophia so genuine.
She asked in disbelief, "Are you to tell me that the both of you are JUST friends?"
She quickly glanced at the picture of Sophia and Louis mid waltz, muddled. To her, seeing was believing. But this was Sophia she was talking to. The girl was as unpredictable as she was aloof at times.
"We're not friends," Sophia corrected.
"We're merely… acquaintances," she explained further.
Clarisse expected a better answer, and boy did Sophia deliver.
She told Clarisse the truth, although she managed to cautiously leave out the parts that she wasn't allowed to share with anyone else, no exceptions, not even her best friend who knew her from the inside out, and what was meant by that was the ruse she had agreed to the other day. After a long explanation of how she and Nicholas met, how Julia wanted the both of them to wed as her 'final wish' and how she felt about everything; Clarisse said, "So… before I comment on anything, let me get this straight."
"Julia's playing cupid and or matchmaker, and she wants you and him wed to ensure Beldovia a safe future without Emilia who's the stereotypical evil stepmother on the throne?" She asked rhetorically.
Sophia pursed her lips, nodding at Clarisse's rhetorical question.
"That's pretty much it," she admitted.
"So you compromised… yourself in order to keep Julia happy?" Clarisse enunciated.
"And what relation does Nicholas - prince of Sanguis - and Julia have again?" She asked curiously.
Sophia answered, quite unsure herself, "She's the 'closest thing to family' apart from us."
'That's messed up," Clarisse mumbled aloud.
"Right?" Sophia asked, seeking validation.
Clarisse said dryly, "Although, it does seem like you and he had fun last night."
"All for Julia's sake?" She asked, both her brows raised.
Sophia lied complacently, "Sadly, yes."
"And you're certain that's all?" Clarisse asked seriously.
"Come again?" Sophia asked, having been lost in thought before.
"Are you one hundred percent certain that's all this is?" Clarisse repeated.
"Merely trying to keep Julia happy?" Clarisse added, "NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING else? No other motives or intentions, anything?"
Perhaps it was because she couldn't believe of such madness, or perhaps it was because she wouldn't have ever experienced something of similar likeness. After all, she was 'merely' a countess from a neighbouring kingdom. The chance she'd one day rule were little to none since she was one of the youngest children of a family of royals - something she was notedly grateful for.
She had all the perks royalty could offer, without the boring part of having to join and hold engagements, entertaining and hosting foreign dignitaries, etc.
Sophia nodded as if the answer was obvious.
"Of course," she answered.
Clarisse nearly had to stop herself from doubling down in laughter or sighing in disapproval, disbelief and disappointment.
"Have you talked to Julia after last night's ball and actually find out what she feels about all of this?" She asked inquisitively.
Sophia stopped moving entirely.
"Come to think of it, I actually haven't," she realized.
Clarisse chuckled.
"Then what are you doing here and not with Julia as we speak?" She asked, scoffing.
"Perhaps ask her what she feels about the situation," she suggested helpfully.
Sophia caught her drift, answering, "You're absolutely right, Claire."
"Damn right I am," Clarisse answered smugly.
"Now go," she said to Sophia.
"But-"
"Go, I'll be fine," Clarisse assured.
Sophia stood up, a grateful smile on her face.
"Wonderful chat, I'll be seeing you later Claire," she said, unable to hear Clarisse's reply as she left abruptly, off to find grandmere.
Clarisse sighed.
"That girl," she mumbled, rolling her eyes in a playful manner, having gotten used to her best friend leaving on impulse and spontaneity. That was the spontaneous duchess she knew.