3rd P.O.V.:

It has been six months since Sofia has become a protector and since then she has attended about 4 out of the 16 protector meetings. So when she had learnt that there had been another human protector she thought maybe she would finally be able to have someone help her solve her problem with the lies.

Chyrsta had delivered her a letter with details on when and where she would be able to meet this mystery protector. The fight that happened a few nights ago was still playing on repeat in her mind, she was looking forward to the meeting tonight that Chrysta had told her about.

Sofia excused herself from dinner and made her way to her room, awaiting the arrival of Skye.

Hugo, on the other hand, had been using training as a way to distract himself from the argument. Orion circled him as he punched at the dummy.

"Your breathing, Hugo," Orion commented.

"Breathe with your punches, this will help your stamina, you got the rhythm right, but you also sometimes forget to control your breaths when you throw out your shots," Orion noted.

Hugo nodded as he jabbed again, trying his best to conserve his energy.

"Breathe in, hold, shoot and release."

Hugo followed along.

"That's it, now you're getting it!"

"Now, try two jabs and a duck, then release your breath."

Hugo attempted what was asked of him.

"You released too early," Orion walked over, and placed his hand over the lower half of Hugo's torso, "remember to breathe with your core in mind."

Hugo nodded again, going back for a few more tries.

"Now that you've become accustomed to your enchantlet, you need to go back to the basics of learning battle defence, now that you have perfected both skills separately, we will go forward on bringing the two together," Orion stated.

Hugo nodded in response.

"Right then, let's close off with some stretches."

As they stretched, Orion interrupted the silence, "oh yeah, I forgot to mention, there's a meeting tonight."

"Okay... and?" Hugo asked somewhat confused.

"And you will be meeting the other human protector," Orion stated like it was nothing.

"I'm sorry, what?!" Hugo asked, quite baffled.

"What?" Orion asked, genuinely confused.

Hugo shook his head in disbelief, "Another human? And you never thought to tell me about them?"

"Never thought it was important enough to bring up," Orion answered casually.

"How come we've never come across each other?"

"Dunno, just happened, it was never intentional to keep you two away from each other."

"And you mention this now?"

"Eh, slipped my mind," Orion laughed it off.

Hugo scoffed in bewilderment. The more Hugo thought about it, the more excited he became, a friend that would relate to his worries. Hopping up, Hugo ran to have a quick shower before the meeting.

With each passing minute in her seat, Sofia could feel the excitement and nerves bubble in her stomach. She fiddled around with her fingers, waiting for the other human protector's arrival. She sat while everyone else mingled before the meeting began.

Finally, she heard Orion's voice. She turned around in her seat, anticipating the moment they would walk through the door.

Upon seeing his arrival, she was confused at first. She swivelled back in her seat, shock written all over her face.

Hugo?! What's he doing here?! No way...

But then she thought about it. This was actually better, now she didn't have to lie to him, and it would make things much easier. She relaxed. She didn't have time to think further than that, Chrysta was calling for her.

Hugo walked in, and instantly, Chrysta greeted him, "hi, Hugo, I'm so excited for you to meet the other protector!"

"Princess! Come here!"

Hugo turned his attention from Chrysta towards the girl who slipped off her chair, she turned around slowly, and when he noticed her face, Hugo did a double take back.

His eyes slowly widened. Hugo looked away, looking at the others, this had to be some sick joke. When he saw that no one was reacting to her, he knew it wasn't. He clenched his jaw, and his eyes darkened. Looking back up at her.

Sofia smiled, but seeing the bitterness in his eyes made her realise maybe this was not better than a stranger, her smile slowly fell.

"What is she doing here?" Hugo asked shakily.

"Huh? Do you know her?" Chrysta asked.

"Oh no, don't tell me you guys have a history?" Orion jokes.

Hugo scoffed pettily, his mouth sneering, "worse."

His fists clenched, shaking with fury. He made his way towards her. Abruptly stopping in front of her. She swallowed hard, she got chills just from standing so close to him. His anger was practically rolling off his body.

"What, in god's name are you doing here?" Hugo fumed quietly.

"Um, here for the meeting?" Sofia answered gently.

Hugo scoffed with a mocking smile, it sent bolts up Sofia's spine.

He hardened his gaze, "and why would that be?"

"Be-because I'm a protector?"

"And you said yes?" Hugo boiled.

"Yes." Sofia mumbled, busying herself with her fingers, daring not to look up at him.

Hugo stood there nodding, for what felt like eternity.

"WHO?!" Hugo bellowed. Instant silence took over the room.

"Who dared to make you a protector?!" Hugo then turned away from her facing everyone else, his eyes were filled with anger, yet he was smiling in a mocking manner.

"As if it wasn't enough you got her, involved," Hugo paused, his face scrunching in pain, "but you dare to drag Sofia into this mess."

"As if it isn't dangerous enough with Alex, running around freely!" He continued

"Hugo, Sofia is quite strong an-,"

"DON'T!" Hugo howlered. "Don't, just don't," Hugo breathed, closing his eyes to calm himself down.

"Sofia, will not be a protector." Hugo declared.

"Hugo! You don't just get to decide that!" Sofia had finally broke, she was now starting to fume. Hugo was making a scene over nothing.

"I already did the test, I've already proven I'm more than equipped for this job! I want to help!" She cried out.

"I'm sorry, test?! You tested her?!" Hugo his eyes twitching as he turned and faced the protectors.

"It was just a little feather walking and wrangling a Baronga..." Chrystal trailed off sheepishly.

"You're lucky she's not hurt or else you'd be dead," gritted Hugo.

"Hugo! That's enough!"

"I beg your pardon, princess," Hugo hissed, turning to face her.

Sofia's face was now red, not only from anger but from embarrassment.

"That's enough, Hugo." Sofia calmly claimed.

"Oh, is that so?!"

"Hugo, you don't even know anything!"

"No! It is you who knows, nothing!" Hugo snarled.

"Hugo, let's talk about this," Sofia pleaded.

"There is nothing to talk about." Hugo repeated. He grabbed her arm, dragging her out. She ripped her wrist out of his hand, glaring. He shot daggers back.

Sofia could see this was going to go nowhere, she pulled out her trump card.

"Fine, then let's fight for it!" Sofia splurted.

"What?" Hugo seethed.

"You heard me, draw your sword, the winner gets to decide!" Sofia exclaimed, stepping forward.

Hugo clenched his jaw tightly, his eyes seething with anger. He had ripped it off of his side, his hands on the hilt and cover of his sword. The way Hugo was itching to draw his sword and battle this out, but he'd rather be hanged than dare draw a sword at Sofia. And he knew, she knew this. Exasperated, he let go, throwing his sword to the ground.

This action shocked a lot of the other protectors.

"I guess our only option now is to talk about it, isn't that right, Hugo?"

"Now, I would appreciate, if I could privately talk to my betrothed to figure this out." Sofia declared.

Finally, as if a light bulb had gone off, it clicked as to why Hugo was so angry and against the presence of Sofia.

"Come, let us give them some privacy," Vega instantly stated. This was no conversation they had any part in.

All the protectors there made their way outside, Vega closed the doors behind them.

Instantly Chrysta's ears were pressed against the door.

Garish rolled his eyes, "it's soundproof."

"Aww, dang it!"

Back inside, it was a storm of emotions. There were no words being communicated but each body let out tones of energy. Each held their stance, eyes boring holes into each other's souls.

Finally, Hugo started, "Sofia, go home, this is not for you."

"Hugo, that is not your decision to make," Sofia snapped back.

"Sofia!"

"Hugo!" Sofia whined. "Hugo none of this makes any sense either!"

"Why are you so against the idea of me being a protector?"

Hugo's anger started to simmer down, instead sadness was starting to replace him.

"It's complicated," he tried quietly, but that was not enough for Sofia.

"Complicated?! That's your excuse?!" Sofia yelled, bewildered.

"Look, Sofia-," Hugo tried, but was cut off by an angry Sofia.

"Hugo! Are you serious?! You can't just ma-," but she was cut off.

"I can't lose you too! I-I can't lose you too, okay?"

That stopped Sofia.

"What? Hugo what are you talking about? You're not making any sense." Sofia softly pried.

"How do you think I landed this role?! Huh?!" His anger back.

Sofia's eyebrows scrunched together, if she wasn't confused before she definitely was now.

"My mother! My mother, she didn't die on her trip, she died as a protector herself. I watched her as she died in my arms," – a painful sob escaped – "knowing I couldn't do anything to save her. Do you know what that feels like?!" He screamed, tears streamed down Hugo's face.

Sofia's eyes softened in shock. She slowly made her way to Hugo, and hugged him. Holding him as tight as she could. The more she thought about it, the more she felt her heart tear up, she started to weep. So this is what Hugo had been bearing all along, all by himself. She cried as she held him, Hugo didn't deserve this kind of fate. A few moments passed in silence.

"Yet you want me to bear the possibility of that happening to you?" Hugo continued.

Sofia pulled away, "Hugo, I-." But she couldn't say anything.

"The idea of just having you, of all people, run around to train, the concept of you, a goddess, having to pull up your sleeves and do the grovel work is disgusting. The thought of a single hair on your gorgeous body being hurt is heartbreaking. The idea of a scratch on your porcelain skin, I can't dare think of what I would do to those who harm you. The thought of losing you," — another painful cry— "is just agonising as it is, if-if it were to come true – I can't even begin to fathom the thought of not having you by my side." More tears were flowing down Hugo's cheeks and neck.

"Hugo...," tears streamed down Sofia's face, his words not only touched her heart but her soul.

"I love you."

"I am so helplessly in love with you, Sofia, my love for you is far greater than that of the sea. If stars were to represent the reasons I loved you, the sky would run out of stars. If you sent me to my death I would thank you, if you asked me to lay my body for you I would gladly do so with a smile on my face. No matter how great my vocabulary, I still come short when it comes to my love for you. There are no words to describe my affection for you. You are my light in life, my warmth, my energy, my breath."

Her mouth fell agape, eyes dewy; his words had sent her to heaven.

Without letting her say anything, Hugo grabbed her face gently and pressed their lips together. He let her feel his words, all his emotions, the pain, the love, all of it he poured into that one kiss. Sofia didn't hesitate in reciprocating the same emotions. She poured her love of the past years into that kiss as well, gripping tighter onto his shirt. They pulled away, gently. Their breaths uneven, foreheads pressed together and eyes still closed.

"I love you, too."

"I love that you push me to be greater, that you encourage me when times are tough, you are my motivation and my comfort. You have taught me to love the parts of me I didn't think I could, taught me to enjoy the little things. I too, cannot imagine my life without you. We are one, and not just because of this blessing in disguise, but because we truly are in sync. I could ramble for days, and even then I would know that I cannot truly describe the love I have for you. You are my direction, my destiny, my passion, my everything."

She creased his face, "so trust me."

"Sofia-," Hugo started.

"Just-just hear me out, please?"

Hugo grimaced, but nodded nevertheless.

"Think about it Hugo, if I know how to defend myself, if I am educated on this topic, and I know the ins and outs, logically, I'll have a higher chance of surviving any attack, don't you think? Plus, in the long-term think of all the good I'll be able to produce. The potential is limitless."

And just before he could protest, "and don't forget the benefits for you; you won't have to lie to everyone, we'll be able to help each other out, cover for each other, no more lying, just plain trust."

Her eyes were desperate, and he could see the passion. One of the things he loved about her was her perseverance, but in this instance it was also her weakness. But she did have a good point, it would be easier if it was her rather than a stranger.

"Alright fine, instead you have to promise me two things; first, you cannot, and I seriously mean this, you cannot under any circumstance push yourself over and beyond, I know how you can get, so promise me; you will put yourself above all," Hugo addressed.

Sofia nodded.

"And, when you are not training, I must be by your side, or at least aware of what you plan to do in this field."

"If you can abide by these two, then I won't have any objections anymore, deal?"

"Deal." Sofia squealed.

Jumping into his arms, she breathed "thank you, Hugo."

He hugged her back.

"As long as we're together, we're unbeatable." she giggled, pulling back slightly to get a view of his face.

"Wait, then if we're going to be honest, what was all of that about the other night?"

"The other night?" Sofia asked, a little confused. She thought back, oh right, the whole fight about the envelope. Recalling back, Sofia blushed, she looked up and the fact that Hugo was so calm asking about the whole situation was annoying. Getting a little creative she wanted to tease him.

"You mean the envelope I stuffed in my bra, the one you ripped out of my bra, that envelope?" Sofia asked, smirking.

Taken aback by her forwardness, Hugo stepped back, blushing. Flustered, he nodded. He hadn't been paying attention to where he had actually grabbed the envelope from.

Sofia giggled at his reaction, "it was from Chrysta informing me about tonight and meeting you."

"Oh, oh okay," Hugo nodded.

"What about you? You lied about visiting your mother's grave didn't you?!" Sofia gasped.

"Not exactly," Hugo denied sheepishly.

"Anyway," he said, taking her in his arms. "It doesn't matter anymore, because, well the cats outta the bag."

Sofia laughed at that.

He smiled looking down at her, "Do you think the others are still outside?"

"Don't know, either way, I wanna go home," Sofia yawned.

"Come on, let's go back."

Sofia nodded, following him out like a puppy.

As Hugo came outside he walked towards Chyrsta pausing beside her. Not even bothering her with a glance;

"If a single hair on her head is damaged, a single scratch lands on her, a single peep of pain escapes her lips – I will make sure to imprison you in a cell with plaques of the heads of everyone you care for, you will stare at their dead faces for eternity if any harm comes to her, understood?" he hissed.

The aura around him sent shivers down her spine, she could barely nod.

He then continued down the path.

Sofia, mouthed to Chrysta; see you for next training. Giving her an apologetic smile for what had happened.

On their ride back they discussed a few things, like how Sofia had managed to hide her enchantlet, revealing she had sewed pockets in her dresses and kept them there. Although Sofia wanted to ask about the day Hugo had lost his mother, she knew it would be too much so she just let it be for next time.

Hugo made sure to drop off and ensure the safe arrival of Sofia, before going back to his own castle.