The day following the wedding Sofia joined Rafael to visit the King at his bedchambers.

“Welcome to the family, Princess Monica.” Said King Gustavo, smiling.

“Thank you, your Majesty.” Sofia curtisied.

The King turns to Rafael, “well, now is about time I passed the crown to you. So let's begin preparations.”

“Yes, Father!” Rafael said excitedly.

Things were moving faster than Sofia was ready for. She had experienced being a princess before, but this would be her first time being queen. So, when a couple of weeks passed and she received a letter from Alicia, with news that, since the Marchioness was better, The Duchess had free time to come visit, Sofia responded that she would be ready to receive her any time.

With a date set for Alicia`s visit, the new Princess Consort mobilized her ladies in waiting and the maids to prepare everything to the Duchess' taste. 

As Sofia waited for Alicia`s arrival, the hours passed and nothing of the Duchess. Sofia was terribly worried when a servant arrived with news of Alicia, her carriage had been attacked by bandits on the way to the palace.

“W-what of the Duchess?” Sofia asked fearing the worst.

“Her Grace got hurt, so her remaining guards hurriedly escorted her to Oliveira Manor, which was closer than either Garcia Manor or the Royal Palace.” was the servant's answer.

“Quickly prepare a carriage, I must go!” Sofia ordered. 

The Princess Consort took her carriage and rushed to Oliveira Manor. Once there, the first thing she noticed was the grim expressions on the servants` faces, they had not seen their Duchess in weeks and now she was back home, the situation was dire.

Sofia dashed to Alicia`s room, wondering if this was how she was to lose her mother once again. She found Duke Miguel pacing in front of the room`s closed doors. She could hear the muffled voices of the physicians coming from the other side. 

“How is Alicia?” Sofia desperately asked Miguel.

The Duke looked at the Princess, his face was that of a man who lost all hope. “There was so much blood.” At his words, Sofia lost all strength on her tired legs and dropped to the ground.

The time traveling daughter weeped loudly, crushed by the fear of her mother`s imminent predetermined death. So many things had changed with her presence in this time, so why couldn't this be one of them? Why could she not keep her mother this time? Sofia eventually fainted in her desperation.

*

Sofia woke up in her Oliveira Manor bedroom. The first face she saw was that of Prince Rafael, who was sitting beside her bed. She was uncertain how she felt about having him watch over her, but Sofia put that aside, for there were matters of greater importance.

“How is the Duchess?” she asked the Prince.

“You had a fever, the Royal doctor said it was due to stress. It's been two days.” Rafael informed, his usual playful demeanor gone.

“That is not what I asked! How is Alicia?!” Pressed Sofia.

“...The Duchess is unconscious, but they say she is going to survive.” Sofia was stunned by the answer. Her mother had overcome her grim destiny. How she envied the other Sofia who would get to have Alicia around as she grew up. 

Sofia`s forming smile suddenly halted, “Wait, what of the baby?” it couldn’t be, or could it? How would it even work? She looked at the Prince, his eyes were squeezed shut as he shook his head. Sofia`s suspicions were confirmed, the other Sofia was gone. What would that mean for her, the time traveler? Sofia looked at her hands, she was very much still there. This could only mean the other one was not needed for maintaining her existence.

Sofia realized, then, that she was once again responsible for the changes. Alicia was riding that carriage, at that time, under those circumstances to visit the Monica impostor at the palace. Because Sofia was here, impersonating her Aunt and becoming Princess Consort instead of Lady Ana, Alicia had been hurt and lost her baby. Despite all the misery her mother was going through, Sofia was relieved that in this timeline at least Alica would be alive.

“I will stay here to watch over the Duchess. You should return to the palace. I’m sure you have much to do.” Sofia said, turning to Rafael.

“You should come with me. Have them call you when she is awake and ready to receive visits.” Argued Rafael.

“I’m worried about her. I should stay here and be of some support.” Sofia knew Alicia wasn’t on the best of terms with her sister and the Marquess was already busy with the Marchioness. That would leave Miguel as the one available to be of some comfort and Sofia doubted he was capable of such a thing.  

“You will just get in the way. If you stay here you will make the Duchess worry about not being a burden to you. Not to mention the servants who will have to care for a Princess beside the grieving couple.”

“...” Sofia started to wonder if, perhaps, Rafael was correct. For Alicia, she was nothing more than Monica, her sister-in-law. It hadn’t been long since their relationship turned for the better. Maybe she really was going to just get in the way and be a burden to her grieving mother.

In the end, Sofia let the Prince convince her and the two returned to the Palace together.

*

For days Sofia anxiously waited for notice that Alicia was ready to receive visits. When the news finally came that she was well enough, Sofia hurriedly made her way to Oliveira Manor. 

Sofia entered the Duchess chambers. Alicia was at her bed, she was holding a small portrait, which she looked at longingly. The glimmer in her eyes had weakened, leaving only a small hint of it.

“Hello Alicia.” said Sofia approaching the bed. Now that she was finally here, Sofia found herself lost for words. She was the daughter Alicia was grieving for.

The Duchess looked at her and smiled softly, “Hi, Monica. Congratulations on your marriage.” Despite all her tribulations, Alicia still found space to feel happy for her friend.

Sofia felt herself choking up, she closed her eyes to hold back her tears, “Thank you.” The two stayed silent for a moment as Sofia recollected herself. 

When she looked back at the Duchess, Sofia saw the picture in the portrait, it depicted a young couple. Looking at their faces Sofia noticed similarities with Alicia. For a moment she wondered if they were Alicia`s parents when young, but the woman in the picture was blond and the man far too tall to be Marquess Garcia. Sofia knew it would be insensitive to pry, but she could not hold back, “A-and who are these?”

“Oh, they are my birth parents.” Alicia looked at the portrait lovingly, “They passed when I was young.”

It shocked Sofia, for she was not aware that Alicia, her mother, was adopted. She tried and tried, but could not recall anything about it. In all her life, first as herself and, then, impersonating her aunt, Sofia`s education had been superficial. She was only taught what she would need to play her part of being a noble lady to be married off. Her knowledge of House Oliveira family history was already very limited, so it was no surprise that she knew little of the family history of other Houses.

Alicia being adopted meant that Sofia`s origins were very different from what she had thought. Sofia looked at the portrait once again. Those were her biological grandparents.

Sofia snapped out of her thoughts, Alica was saying something, “...You know, I was planning to name my child after one of them."

“Oh?” Sofia was curious to learn of her grandparents' names and at the same time a realization was forming. 

“I-if I had a boy it would be Bruno,” she stroked the image of her parents, “And I was going to name my baby girl Sofia.” Alicia bursted into tears.

The time traveling Lady was momentarily stunned at the revelation that she was named after her biological grandmother, so it took a moment before she reacted to her weeping mother. Sofia embraced the crying Alicia, who hugged her tightly.

After a couple of minutes, when the Duchess' tears were subsiding, the two ladies loosened their hug. 

“Thank you Monica.” said Alicia wiping her tears.

“Any time, Alicia. I’m here for you.”

“You know, your presence is quite soothing.” The duchess smiled, “it must be your kind heart.”

*

The month following Sofia visiting Alicia, was quite hectic to the new Princess Consort. She was busy preparing for the quickly approaching coronation, when Rafael would ascend to the throne and Sofia herself would become queen. Hardly having the time to leave the palace, her contact with the Duchess got limited to letters. Sofia couldn't tell when she would be free to visit her mother, for once she was queen, Sofia would get even busier. Ideally the Duchess would come visit her at the palace, but with all Alicia was going through, Sofia felt awkward inviting her.

The coronation day had arrived. Sofia had been awoken early in the morning by her ladies in waiting. As a noble lady who had become a princess twice now, she had some idea of what was to come. She was pampered and prepared for hours on end for the ceremony. When she was finally ready in her regal purple dress, Sofia was already exhausted and couldn’t wait for the day to be over.

Sofia joined the soon to be king, Rafael at the entrance to the Grand Hall. The hall was filled to both sides with the nobility, while King Gustavo II waited at the end, to crown the new monarch. This would be his last act as king, for which he mustered all his strength to attend to. Sofia looked at Rafael beside her, his eyes were transfixed at the crown. 

The King nodded to his son, who started on his way to his father. Sofia followed at his side one step behind. Once they reached the other side, the couple kneeled to the sickly king.

“The time has come for a new generation to lead our great nation!” The King started. “It is with great hope that I, King Gustavo II, crown, today, my son as the new monarch!” King Gustavo reached for the crown on his head and placed it at Rafael`s. The new King rose and stood beside his father facing the crowd of nobles who bowed to him. 

“I, King Rafael, accept this great responsibility.” An attendant carrying a tiara stepped closer to Rafael, who took it and held it in his hands as he continued, “with happiness, I call upon my wife to bear it with me for the years to come.” Rafael placed the Queen`s Tiara at the still kneeling Sofia. She stood and took her place beside the new king.

Now facing the nobles, Sofia`s gaze first met Alicia. Duchess Oliveira, standing beside her husband, smiled at Sofia. Then the new queen spotted Lady Ana, who was the only of the Garcia household in attendance. 

“All heil his Majesty, King Rafael and her Majesty Queen Monica!” the nobles cheered.

*

Following the coronation, while the retired king returned to his chamber to rest, the new monarchs boarded the royal carriage to parade through the Royal Capital. The resplendent procession was marred by the queasiness Sofia felt, she hadn't eaten anything since early morning, and now being in this carriage was triggering her motion sickness.

Finally the parade was over, but Sofia wasn't free to rest yet, for there was a royal ball to be held. As Sofia was getting ready, with a different gown and applying makeup, there was a knock at the door.

“Your Majesty, Lady Garcia is here to see you.” informed a lady-in-waiting.

“Let her in.” said Sofia, curious to learn what Ana was up to and if this was perhaps another one of her schemes.

“Greetings, Your majesty.” Lady Ana curtsied to Sofia. It was off putting seeing her show such respect.

“What brings you here, Lady Ana?” asked Sofia, turning to the lady.

“I’m here to inform your Majesty that I plan to depart from the capital and return to House Garcia`s territory.”

“What? What causes this decision of yours?” asked Sofia, perplexed. To think Lady Ana was giving up on Rafael. Was she truly resigning herself, or was it all a part of a greater plan?

“After everything that happened, I decided to focus on inheriting my father’s title.” explained Lady Ana.

everything that happened. Sofia wondered what Ana was referring to. Was it because of what happened with the Marchioness, Alicia`s miscarriage, or Sofia succeeding in marrying Rafael? Perhaps it was the culmination of all of it. Regardless of the cause, looking at Lady Ana, she indeed appeared changed.

“Very well, good luck in your new endeavour.” Sofia struggled to hide her elation, she had succeeded at her goal. Now that Lady Ana was out of the picture there would be no Gabriel. It was a pity that in doing so it also prevented the eventual conception of the two princesses, Sofia had been fond of them. But, oh well, what's done is done, as long as Gabriel was no more, Sofia was satisfied.

Lady Ana, now finished with her business, once again curtisied to the new Queen, who nodded and with that, Ana took her leave. The ladies-in-waiting resumed preparing Sofia for the royal ball.

Sofia made her way to the ballroom. She joined Rafael and together, the two entered. “Announcing King Rafael and Queen Monica!” a servant shouted. 

The Royal couple moved to the center, it would be their first dance as the rulers of the Kingdom. As they danced, Sofia pondered on what to do going forward. With Alicia`s miscarriage, Sofia`s mother was safe from dying giving birth to her. Ana`s and Rafael`s relationship was over so Gabriel was not to be. Sofia had reached her desired outcome, but now she was married to King Rafael and was queen. Was that a desirable position? From what she knew of the King Rafael of her time, he had been a loyal husband to Queen Ana. but Sofia could just be unaware of his wrongdoings, she, after all, didn’t know of his affair with Ana when he was still engaged to Monica.

Sofia looked at the Rafael dancing with her. He was in high spirits, the new King. There was no guarantee this man would be a faithful husband, much like with Ana, he could very well pursue another affair. What should Sofia do? The possibility of divorce was nil. She could arrange for his assassination, but that was troublesome and it was best to wait until after she gave birth to an heir, this way she could remain as queen regent. Sofia, in the end, decided to see how things unfolded, for the time being.