Dating : What she was thinking

Sofia finished plating Lily’s hair. “There. Just like a proper princess.”

“I wish you could come to the ball.” The little girl turned to look at Sofia. “You’ll be the only person that says anything interesting.”

Not for the world sweetheart. I’ve already got a movie on the DVR, and popcorn in the microwave. This is my night off. “I know. But it’s not my place.” Sofia tucked a stray curl behind the princess’s ear.

Lily’s dad came through the door already in uniform. “How is the most beautiful girl in the kingdom doing?” He said it to Lily, but his eyes were on Sofia. How long had he been standing there?

She flushed and her pulse fluttered. He had that way of looking like he knew what she was thinking. He always did it when she was thinking something vaguely naughty too. Like when she was considering eating all the chocolate ice cream when she ran into him a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully, she had covered that up with her rad sandwich-making skills.

She turned away and grabbed Lily’s tiara to hide her expression.

“Papa, say Sofia can come to the ball!”

“She wasn’t coming already?” He lifted an eyebrow.

“I haven’t received an invitation, your highness. I’m just the governess — ” Sofia stammered. Please no. She had been looking forward to movie night all week.

“You are invited as of now.” The king declared. “There are some perks to being king.” He probably thought he was doing her a great service by inviting her.

“Oh! But I have nothing to wear!” Other than the blanket she was planning to snuggle in for four hours straight to watch the Sound of Music.

“Nonsense! Marge will help you find something.” the king winked, Sofia’s stomach sank. He took Lily by the hand. “It’s decided then. See you at the party.” He led Lily from the room, content in that he had made the world a little happier.

Sofia stood for a moment, then let out her breath. She was going to the ball. Dang it.

***

Leon frowned. That was probably it. That was what she had probably been thinking. He was a horrible boss.

Okay, this was still recoverable. He would just wait until she came, let her have a dance, and tell her she didn’t have to stay the whole time. But not like she had to leave. Just leave if she wanted too.

Ugh, this was complicated. He wished he knew what she was thinking.

***

“You are going to be late!” Marge called from the other side of Sofia’s door.

“Almost done!” Sofia said.

Stupid kings ruining Sofia’s well-laid plans. She made plans as soon as she heard the ball was happening. This had definitely thrown a wrench into them.

Sofia connected the last wire and stuffed the bomb in her purse, maneuvering her huge ballgown. She could still make this work. Maybe she could even grab Lily as she left. She had grown fond of the girl through their time together. But a job was a job.

This was her last chance to kill him before the announcement of the engagement after she failed at poisoning him with those sandwiches a couple of weeks ago. Honestly, when Leon walked into the room, her first thought was that he had somehow found out that she was an assassin.

It was a good thing kings can’t read minds.