Chapter 19: How We Met

~Arika's POV~

 Arika stared down at the kids dumbfounded. For little pirates who wanted her dead one moment, they seemed eager to see them kiss.

 "Sorry, dearies! Witches don't do kisses as rewards! We spare lives!" Arika explained as Vira helped her stand on her feet.

 "Th-that's right! We should be lucky she hasn't placed a curse on us!" Vira ruffled one of the kid's hair.

 "That's boring!"

 "Yeah!"

 "He must be a witch too!"

 Arika placed her hand on Vira's shoulder with a bright smile. She knew all too well what this meant. "I hope you're a good runner!"

 Running from demon spawns half her age was the last thing she would've expected. Though it was much more fun spending it with Vira. It took a while, but they managed to find the perfect hiding spot behind a stone wall.

 Vira was still trying to gain his breath while Arika pretended to do the same. She had always played a more risky game of pretending after all. The one game she'd never lose at.

 The bell's ringing caused her to look up at the sky. The pink clouds mixed with the orange sky. It meant the day was already nearing its end.

 "Alright. It's time to be royals again. Remember, no fun, no cursing, and inside voices!" Arika laughed before standing up with Sin-Vira. They dusted themselves off and made sure they looked their best.

 "Are you gonna wear the hat?" Vira asked.

 Arika slowly took it off and placed it on the wall.

 "Whoever wants it can take it!" Arika shrugged before walking towards the castle.

 Vira stood beside her as he chuckled. "That was fun playing with them. You make a pretty good witch."

 Arika laughed. "And you make a great Pirate King! Those kids were easily charmed by you taking charge. Are you good with kids?"

 He held a slightly bent arm out and Arika held it gently. "I wouldn't be so sure. Kids who aren't in the mines are hidden away inside. Anyone gets punished for almost anything. Even if you get so much as a grain of sand on their uniforms, they give you hell for it."

 She tightened her hold of his arm. "Those bastards. I can't believe even the youth aren't given even a shred of mercy. When I get there, I'll do what I can to keep them in check."

 Vira wagged his finger with a tut. "Now now. What happened to the rule of no cursing?" Arika only glared at him, causing Vira to chuckle. "But seriously, thanks. I just want to see the kids back home playing as yours do."

 "The change won't be instant, but I hope it'll be gradual." Arika gave her best smile of reassurance.

 If she got the ball rolling, she could only hope her sister would have the heart to keep it going. The real Sibylla would do anything to get the world to love her.

 As they approached the castle's entrance, Arika saw many well-dressed royals and nobles entering. Some in pairs, groups, and alone, all represented their kingdoms well with their color choices.

 "My. It'll be as crowded as it was last year," Arika commented. She jerked back from Vira stopping in his tracks.

 He was noticeably tense and his emerald eyes were wide. "I can't do this…"

 "Vira? What do you mean?" Arika asked.

 "There's too many of them…" Vira mumbled.

 Arika released his arm and stood in from of them. "It was more crowded in the commoner's market today. What's the difference here?"

 Sin-Vira looked down at her, fear was written all over his face. "It's because they aren't as judgmental. If you bump into a butcher, he'll still treat you nicer than any noble you make eye contact with. I hate these events, I hate their judgment eyes, and I hate having to be careful of every move I make to avoid embarrassing myself."

 Arika placed her hand on her shoulder. "I agree with what you hate. Princes pretend to like me, drunk creeps hit on me, princess gossip with the hopes of getting dirt on me out of jealously."

 Vira seemed bothered as he looked away from her. "It sucks we have to go…"

 "But we're going together. We won't leave each other's side for even a second, okay?" Arika held her hand out to him.

 He stared at it before shaking it. "Deal. But can you keep me from embarrassing myself? I want to get as little attention as possible."

 Arika knew it was impossible to avoid attention. A Gardenia royal with a Snapdragon. Just entering together would cause a stir, but she wouldn't back out.

 "Of course. No matter what, I'll do what I can to keep the attention off of you. Think we can get going now? Arriving late will only be a pain."

 Vira took a deep breath as he offered his arm out to her. Arika took it gently before they continued the dreadful path towards the elaborate party. The music that filled the room was different from the music outside. It was far more classy and bland.

 "What do you do at parties like this, Vira?" Arika asked as she scanned the room.

 "Usually I stay in the corner of the room and eat snacks until I can leave. But I can tell this place makes that plan impossible."

 Guards were posted everywhere at every exit.

 Arika took notice before looking up at him. "If we need to, I have a direct escape route. So don't worry. For now, we should focus on getting through this."

 "Oh my goodness! Sibylla darling? I'm surprised to see you finally melted that frozen heart of yours and brought someone." A slightly older woman in purple with kinky lavender hair to match. She had many layers to her that made it frilly and puffy.

 She wouldn't voice it, but she was jealous she could wear something so adorable.

 Arika bowed towards the princess as did Vira. "Greetings Lady Mayn. Yes, after the pestering, I did decide to melt my ice-cold heart and allow myself to take interest in someone."

 Mayn took no shame in eyeing Sin-Vira up and down. "Let me guess!" She shut her eyes tightly before they flew wide open. "Sin-Vira of the Snapdragon Kingdom?"

 She could tell Vira tense up and hugged her arm.

 "Y-yes… It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Mayn…" Vira spoke in a meek tone.

 Mayn pulled out a red fan and fanned herself. "You are so adorable! You look intimidating, you're such a sweetheart!" She looked over her shoulder before looking back at them. "Excuse me for a moment! I need to find my fiance, then I'll hear all about how you two met!" She waved before hurrying off.

 "She seems… nice?" Sin-Vira shrugged as he slowly eased his tension.

 "Mayn is a sharp one. I'll do the sap love story and you smile and nod. Got it?" Arika spoke. Vira just smiled and nodded before smirking. "I hate you, beloved," she sighed.

 "I hate you, darling…" He chuckled.

 It couldn't have been longer than a minute when Mayn came back with a prince Arika knew all too well.

 He was dressed in layers of pure white with his white hair pulled back into a low ponytail. His sharp golden eyes were fixed on Arika, which made her feel uncomfortable.

 Lord Drell of the Cosmos Kingdom.

 "Princess Sibylla. It's always a pleasure seeing your beautiful face." He held his hand out to her.

 Arika hesitantly reached out to grasp his hand, dreading when he'd place his lips on her hand like usual. But before she could grasp it, Vira took his hand and shook it aggressively.

 "Greetings! I'm Sin-Vira of the Snapdragon Kingdom. Who might you be?" He asked. Still shaking Drell's hand until the male managed to pull his hand free.

 "Charmed." Drell wiped his hand with a handkerchief. "Lord Drell of the Cosmos Kingdom. I'm surprised of all royals, he's the one you chose to attend with. Did you lose a bet?" he joked rudely.

 "That's right! You have yet to tell us about how you two met!" Mayn spoke up with a bright smile.

 Arika kept from rolling her eyes. "Oh yes of course! We met by chance a month or so ago. I was taking a nice stroll in the forest when I ran into him. We didn't get the chance to talk longer, but we found a few things we shared in common so we'd meet often-"

 "What do the two of you have in common?" Mayn interjected with bright blue eyes.

 Taken back by the sudden question, Arika fumbled with her words.

 "We shared future goals we were striving for," Vira answered with a smile. "I felt compelled to prove myself worthy of her attention."

 Arika nodded and smiled, annoyed how easily their roles switched. "I loved how devoted he is to keep his promises. He ran on foot down the mountains just to attend a duel! I was so moved that I cheered my heart out for him!" she looked at Sin-Vira lovingly.

 He sheepishly scratched his cheek. "Your voice stood out from the crowd. I'm sure I would've lost if it weren't for you. Thanks, if I hadn't already said that."

 Hearing him speak in such a kind tone made Arika feel strange. It was nice he was playing along, but he seemed too honest in his words.

 "This adorable fool even skipped out on eating just to make it in time. After I found out, I knew he stood out from any other prince." Arika leaned her head against Vira's arm.

 The affection seemed enough to appease Mayn who was furiously fanning herself. "This is a fairytale in the making! They're such a cute couple! Wouldn't you agree, Drell?" She asked.

 Drell sneered. "I still don't see the appeal in choosing the poorest prince who has no political power. Who's to say he's not just using you to take advantage?" he questioned. "You're quite the naive little girl. Fairytale endings aren't possible, so try to be more realistic once you leave another broken heart in your path."

 Vira had been doing well at keeping his composure, but he bared his teeth at Drell's comment.

 "Beloved Vira? Can you please get me a drink? I've been a bit parched." Arika gestured to a large glass dish with wine glasses stacked beside them.

 He shot a glare at Drell before leaving to get the drink.

 "What a gentleman!" Arika giggled before lacing her fingers together. Grinning from ear to ear. "Since we are on the topic of breaking hearts, Lady Mayn's must be next, correct?"