The morning of the ball had arrived, and so had the Professor. It had taken him longer than he had assumed but he was glad to be back before the ball. It was an important day for Caspian and Cornelius wouldn't have missed it under any circumstance, not even to fulfill his curiosity. "I am one step closer to this, Your Majesty." He told the inner circle that had gathered inside the library for a conversation. "We have the words of the prophecy with us. The mystery of 'The Lost Legacy' will be revealed soon. But I must hurry to Glenstorm and decipher it with him."

"You can't leave before the ball," said Trumpkin, crossing his arms across his chest. "It will seem suspicious. The Council is already extremely snobbish. We don't want to give them another reason to pry on us. We've just restored peace with the Fae."

"What I think Trumpkin is trying to say is that," started Reepicheep. "Is that you can leave while we tell the Council that you never arrived in the first place. All of us need answers."

"And you need to take rest as well," spoke Caspian. "Deciphering the words couldn't have been easy. It was a mix of old Narnian and Starverse. Only a descendant of the oldest families could have done it, which means that you travelled far."

Right then, the door of the library opened and an exclamation broke through the tension inside. "Professor!"

The inner circle turned their heads to look at the young girl lingering by the entrance, holding the door with one hand as she had opened it. "Sophie, my dear." The Professor smiled as he made his way towards her and hugged her.

"How are you?" Nobody had told her that the Professor was back but she was extremely happy that he was! It had been a silent few days without hid guidance, and it finally felt right to talk to him. "It feels like it has been years since I saw you."

"My sincere apologies for leaving without giving you any sort of information, Sophie. The situation was an urgent one. I had to leave as soon as I received the letter that I had been expecting."

"Is everything okay?"

"Everything is wonderful." He smiled, his eyes twinkling in the morning sunlight.

What's going on, Sophie thought. The Professor had never looked that happy in the many months that she had spent in Narnia. "Have I interrupted something?" 

Caspian said 'no' at the same time that Trumpkin said 'yes', which made the dwarf glare at his King, who then cleared his throat. "We were just talking," informed Reepicheep, trying to walk around the awkward silence that they would face later.

"Yeah, talking about strategies," said Trumpkin.

"I can come back later." Sophie opened the door behind her and walked out.

"I'll come with you," said the Professor, following her out.

Sophie held her forehead, distressed that she had interrupted them. "I should have knocked but I thought that the library would be empty. I only wanted to take new books to read. I didn't think that anyone would be present there."

"You didn't know, dear. It wasn't your fault at all." He assured her as they started walking towards his study.

"Professor, can I talk to you?"

Both of them entered his room and Sophie wondered if this was how a psychologist would have helped her back in the Other World, because the Professor was always open-minded and ready to listen to her thoughts. That's what made it so easy for her to talk to him. "Why do you think I'm here?" She asked him after they took their usual seats. "It's been bothering me ever since I came here. I think there is a reason for everyone to be somewhere. Why am I here?"

"If you think that way, we just haven't found your reason yet."

Sophie laughed. "That was perfectly put."

"Is there a reason you want to talk about whatever it is we are here for?"

"I just wanted to know what you thought. You are one of the wisest people I know, and talking with you always helps me." Sophie told him about water healing her, about her worryful thoughts on Thomas and what had happened in the forest. "Why would the centaurs bow to me? At first I thought they were doing so to Caspian but they did it directly at me. I could feel Glenstorm looking at me. It was quite hard not to notice that."

The Professor had his suspicions too, but it was still too early to reveal it without having any proof. "I find that strange as well. I'm sure there must have been a reason for it. I can ask Glenstorm if you want."

"Wouldn't that be rude of me? I know that centaurs value their pride. As they should too, and I don't want to cause any ruckus."

"I'm going to meet him today anyway. I think it is time that you know where I've been for so long." He leaned forward in his seat. "I've found information about the prophecy."

"The Forbidden Prophecy?" Her eyebrows rose up at realising that this was what had needed Doctor Cornelius' immediate attention. He had been so passionate about the truth that she knew this was the most important objective of his life.

"Yes! I can't believe that I've found it after so many years of searching. I have been tracking one of the oldest families in Narnia. I sent them an owl many years ago about my interest in learning about the prophecy, but they never replied to me. They sent me an owl out of nowhere and I left immediately."

"Wow! Have you gotten a chance to read it yet?"

"I haven't. Not yet. The situation is that it was written in a cryptic language that I'm sure that the centaurs have an answer to."

"This is so amazing! I'm so happy for you, Professor. Congratulations!"

"Thank you, dear. Once I have the prophecy, you and Caspian will be the first people to read it with me."

They talked about his journey and the difficulties that he had faced during it, but he kept silent about one particular instance in the town beyond the woods. If Caspian couldn't find out, neither could Sophie. He could only reveal it when the time was right. Only he and Trumpkin would be a part of this, no one else.

Until the time was right.

Sophie mentioned the description of her ring and how Caspian had wanted her to talk to him about it. "Professor, what is so special about the ring anyway?"

A sigh escaped him at the thoughts of secrets that could destroy the kingdom. He would have to be careful. "Caspian has grown up in Narnia and hence knows all the tales that have been told ever since the beginning. He told me about your ring and wants me to confirm his suspicions. He hasn't told you about it, has he?"

"No, he hasn't. What does he suspect exactly?"

"I think it is better if I can confirm it first, dear. It is good that Caspian hasn't told you just yet."

"Should I be worried?" She let out a shaky laugh.

"Nothing to worry, Sophie. Enjoy your day today and tomorrow. Firsts always come only once and it is in our hands to make them special."

"I'm dreading tomorrow, if I'm being honest." The thought of falling in her own steps was definitely not one she could laugh about.

"I give you my word that you will enjoy yourself tomorrow."

The corners of her mouth twitched into a small smile. "If you say so."

Leaving the study to let the Professor take his rest, Sophie started to walk in the direction of her room when she was stopped by Nina and she heard the words that she never thought she would. "Sophie, I need your help! I'm going to town to make sure that everyone is ready for tomorrow. Can you please come with me?"

Finally, she thought.

The entire way to town, Nina talked about how excited she was for everyone to attend it. The staff needed to bring the supplies in that day and confirm the orders for the last time. It was important that she had someone like Sophie to make sure that she didn't miss out on anything. This day was so important that Nina hadn't even let Sophie see the gown that was being made for her. 

"Can you please go to Claire's and collect your dress?" Listening to her, Sophie strode to Claire's, not wanting Nina to lose the temper which she hadn't ever since the news of the ball spread like wildfire through the kingdoms. 

"Here to collect your dress?" The greying woman asked Sophie as she stood up from her seat, having been hemming the skirt of a dress.

"Yes." Sophie, surprised at how Claire knew that it was her who had entered without even having looked up. "Good morning, by the way."

"Good morning, dear," chuckled Claire. "Now. That dress is one of my masterpieces, Sophie. I suppose it would look great on you but you must be the judge of that. I am simply a humble servant of the crown." She revealed as she walked to the back of the room.

"Really? Now I'm thinking that Nina might have gone a little too far."

"Don't worry." Claire waved her hand down. "I've made it to your liking." She pulled out a package that was tied with a navy blue ribbon.

Sophie had spent some time in the shop to talk to Claire about the fashion from the Other World as she would bring in the designs of the dresses she would make. Claire was more than happy to incorporate some of those details into the dresses that she would be making and she took into consideration Sophie's personal likes and dislikes. Sophie thought of Claire as her family as well. She was really grateful to have someone who appreciated her talent and made it mean something in the world. 

So when she brought the dress out from its package, Sophie hugged Claire, not finding the right words to express how blessed she felt. "How can I ever repay you?"

"Just be your kind-self throughout your life, dear. And keep giving me your sketches! They're making a phenomenal sale! I'm sure that the princes' tomorrow are going to be looking at you all day long. Maybe even an open-minded princess. Who knows!"

"I hope they don't."

Sophie didn't really care about the other people. Not really.

The day of the ball was a tiring one. Everyone was busy with the last final touches to be prepared for the welcoming of the people from other kingdoms. The castle was decorated with flowers all day long, which were replaced with a fresh batch in the evening as soon as they came from the town. The fragrance hit you no matter where you went. The kitchen was busy with making loads and loads of food, which Sophie was told to be excluded from. 

"You can help with the checklist," said Evelyn, handing Sophie a parchment and pencil.

Sophie  marched to the front gates to make sure that everything that came into the castle was checked off the list. Personally, she was extremely excited to meet the Narnian troupe, having heard marvellous comments about them. So when their carriage arrived, she couldn't help but jump up and down. 

The shipment from the bakers? Check. 

The extra dresses and suits from Claire? Check. 

The stone statues of the old kings and queens? Check. 

Candles for the chandeliers? Check.

Once evening fell, the ships started coming into the docks and carriages made their way through the streets. People started assembling in the ballroom, both commoner and royal alike. Some moved around in the courtyard and some looked around. 

Everyone was settling in and Sophie realised one thing - it was time to get ready.

The lovely gown that Claire had made for Sophie was the same dress that she had been working on when she had met Sophie for the first time. The main gown was an off-white colour and it was made out of one of the softest materials. The gown had gold embroidery all across the neck and the waist. The hands were long and made a flowery look that would contrast Sophie's fair skin.

But Sophie, as always, needed help with the hair. And there was only one person she could ask. "Oh, you look beautiful, Sophie!" Nina said, making sure that Sophie was perfectly ready for the dance, not wanting her to miss anything.

"Thank you so much for everything, Nina. I don't know what I would do without you."

She placed her hand on Sophie's face. "Thank you for being another daughter to me." She pulled back and took a deep breath. "Now do not make me cry. I don't want to ruin my dress."

The choir bell rang exactly three times, almost calling Sophie out on the number of times water had healed her ever since she came to Narnia, and also announcing it to be the time to assemble in the ballroom. Sophie walked down a little late because she did not want to be the center of attention. She had known that people would make a fuss about her and that was exactly what she hadn't wanted. All she wanted was to melt into the shadows for the evening. She tried to search for the Professor to check whether he was back from the Professor. 

But she wasn't going to enter the ballroom all alone. 

"Miss Adams!"

"Trumpkin!"

The dwarf was wearing a vest and dress robes. His usual clumsy hair was combed up neatly with his beard shaved neatly. He was told to dress up for the occasion by none other than Nina and there was no way that he was going to disappoint anyone. "I hope I don't look too ridiculous. This vest is tighter than it seemed at first. Why did even agree to come again?"

"You look amazing." Sophie smiled. "Just a second." She walked over to one of the vases that stood on the tables facing against the walls and plucked a flower off of it. She showed it to him before pinning it to his chest. "There you go."

"Am I supposed to wear that?"

"If you want to complete the look. You look great!"

"Fine," he conceded. "Let's end this once and for all."

And then, they entered the room together.

*****

This is not the dress I have in mind but I found them with my queen Katrina and I know it looks similar with the embroidery