Chapter 36: Soul Name

~Arika's POV~

Ivy stayed true to her word as she fixed Arika's ruined hair. She made no snide comments about it and seemed quite happy with her work. Each cut had precision and grace.

"Sibylla? The queen can be quite… passionate when it comes to her hatred for you and your kingdom. She might be harsh, but it's only because she has yet to properly meet you," Ivy explained as she stood in front of Arika and cut her bangs.

"I'm not surprised. What my father has done to your kingdom is inexcusable. If I were her, I'd be just as furious…" Arika sighed.

She wasn't sure what the queen would want to say to her. All she had to go off on was concerns she'd have with the enemy wanting to marry her son. Having to lie that she was simply head-over-heels wouldn't work on her.

The anxious sense in her chest grew the longer she thought about how wrong this meeting could easily go. Sin-Vira managed to handle her father, so she prayed she could do the same.

"There's a lot that you have to learn just to get a basic understanding of our kingdom…" Ivy explained as she brushed her hair more than it needed. "Geez, your hair is incredibly soft… I'm jealous…" she admitted with a sigh.

Arika giggled at her sudden compliment. "Well, then I'll have to come by more often! About the hair- don't be! If anything, I'd want to have hair like yours!" Hair that could grow back rather than replacing an entire head. "When we have time, let me do your hair!" she grinned.

The maid turned bashful as she nervously smiled. "Maybe…" she then picked up a handheld mirror and showed it to Arika.

Her hair was cut to barely reach her chin. It was incredibly short, but it made a wide grin appearing on her face. Having hair length that didn't always match her sister's made seeing her reflection more bearable. Even though it was simply hair, it felt like her own for once.

"Lady Sibylla? I hope it's satisfactory. It was the best I could do in such a short time." Ivy held her hands tightly and kept them against her chest. "I apologize if you're disappointed…"

Arika sat the mirror down and stood up from her chair. It was a risky move, but she couldn't help but express her gratitude with a hug. "I feel ten times better. I couldn't be happier with it… thank you…" she spoke in a giddy tone.

"N-no no… it's simply my duty as a maid. Though I'm pleased knowing you like it this much!" Ivy admitted before hugging her back. "Prince Sin-Vira might like it too ya know!" she teased.

"Ivy! You-!" Arika gently pushed her away as her cheeks became pink. "He's gotta deal with it even if he hates it!" She folded her arms as his possible reactions sunk in. "Do you think he would?" she asked quietly.

Ivy began sweeping the false hair with a worn-down broom. "I wouldn't know. Prince Sin-Vira never talked a lot about what he likes in a princess. Honestly, you're the first he's ever mentioned to me. If anything, he seemed more worried about being to your standards." She smiled. "He was a mess over your lack of response to his letter. Oh! But don't tell him I said that! He wouldn't tell me anything else if he found out!"

Arika sat the mirror down when she saw how red in the face she was getting. She hated how happy it made her feel. Knowing Sin-Vira was caught up over a simple letter. She desperately wanted to keep her hopes buried deep in her soul. Sin-Vira was the true victim of being deceived by her…

"I'll make sure not to let it slip out…" she braved a smile. "Before I pass out from stress, please escort me to meet the queen!" Arika spoke in a slightly desperate tone. The sooner she did it, the quicker she could get over it.

She peered over to the window and saw it was already raining. Though it was more of a downpour. It fit the mood well.

"Ah yes." Ivy rests the broom by the wall. "The queen will be in her tea room. We will be providing tea and sweets!" She opened the door for Arika who quickly walked out.

"I'm a fan of sweets! So I'll do my best to control myself!" Though she wouldn't be taking in too much. The only thing that would be inside her was tea and soggy treats if she attempted.

Ivy only giggles before stopping at an adjacent door. "Here we are!"

Arika looked back at the room she left and glanced before staring at the door in front of her.

"You're… kidding…" she mumbled. "Couldn't you warn me how close it was? I am not mentally prepared for this…"

Ivy shook her head. "I picked this room to cut down on time. I always make time for inconveniences after all. Sorry~" she shrugged before knocking on the door. "Our guest has arrived my queen!" Ivy announced.

"…Come in…"

If she had no other choice, then all she could do was get over the anxiety. Once she got the queen's approval, all Arika had to do was get the approval of all snapdragons…

The door was pushed open and revealed a brightly colored room. White walls, pink and white furniture, and a large cake stand already filled with strange treats. All of them were the same circular brown treats.

The welcoming interior stood out from the gloomy aesthetic the castle had. It would have to be something she'd ask Sin-Vira about later. If the queen was as hot and cold as she heard, certain comments couldn't be made.

"My queen. It's a pleasure to finally meet you once more." Arika bowed to her. She kept a smile and face towards the ground.

"…Hm. Sure. Take a seat…" She muttered.

"I shall take my leave then. Please enjoy your–" Ivy was cut off by the queen raising her hand.

"Stay in the room, Ivy. You aren't to take your eyes off her, remember?" She spoke in a cold tone, but Arika could see a malicious glint in her green eyes.

"Ah yes. My apologies…" Ivy closed the door and walked into the room. Standing beside the queen as Arika took a seat herself.

Arika hoped the queen and her would be alone. While she didn't distrust Ivy, having a loyal servant that reports to Sin-Vira wouldn't make her feel any less uneasy.

"Sibylla. You've certainly grown the last I saw you. I didn't bother mentioning it when we came to visit, but acknowledgment on growth seems obligatory during these meetings…" she spoke with such little care. Focusing on her tea which she wouldn't drink.

"Oh yes! I understand. It's been far too long since I've seen you! You were practically an aunt to me when I was young. It's childish to say I've missed you, but it does bring me joy seeing you again!" Arika spoke with a bright smile.

The queen raised a brow of amusement. "An aunt, hm? I remember you calling me a 'mean old bat' that one time."

A mean old bat? There's no way Sibylla would be so blunt towards someone. Even as a child, she put on the appearance of 'perfection'. Arika remembered calling Julianna an old bat after she couldn't get a hug from her.

"Ahah! That's funny! I think I remember little Arika calling you that. She always gave everyone silly nicknames…" she corrected her with a smile remaining on her face.

The queen stared her down with a harsh glare before suddenly grinning. "Yes. My mistake. Arika was the troublemaker and Sibylla was the definition of perfection. Is that the appearance you're attempting?" she asked.

Arika felt her hands trembling as she averted her eyes to her tea. It was dark and likely bitter. "D-daddy knows I'm perfect. There's no need for me to attempt anything…" she brought the tea to her lips and gently sipped it. She felt nothing like the liquid contaminated her insides.

"Mhm… I see…" she muttered. "The tea goes great with these cocoa rolls. I took quite the trip to get them, so I hope you enjoy them as well."

Eating was something she wanted to avoid. Swallowing the round treats whole would eliminate the issue of making her insides sticky, but it would appear strange to her watchful eye.

"Oh! If you made such an effort, I can't let these go to waste!" Sibylla reached for the treat and picked one up. Even though it was suspicious to her, she was drawn towards it. The chocolate coating already stained her white glove.

She glanced over to see Ivy was also watching her carefully. It left Sibylla with no other choice but to chew the whole thing in her mouth. So, she plopped it in and quickly chewed it down. Simulating a swallowing motion as she gently moved her head back and tongue to work it down.

"Amazing! I wasn't expecting to experience such a flavor, my queen. I'll try to keep from eating the rest to myself!" she lied with a smile still on her face. She could feel the treat in her right thigh. Though it would've been fine since she had no saliva, the tea was likely doing the work for her in ruining everything.

The Queen propped her elbows on the table and laced her fingers together. "I'm pleased you like them so much." Her kind demeanor shattered as she glared at Arika. "With that out of the way, who are you?" she ordered.

Taken aback, Sibylla assumed the queen forgot her name. "My name is Princess Sibylla Purcell, my queen. It wounds me that you forgot a name as pretty as mine!" she giggled.

"Mhm… well that 'flavor' you enjoyed so much came from the Angel's Trumpet kingdom. It took some negotiating to receive enough to put in all of these treats," She explained with a bright smile.

The Angel's Trumpet kingdom is well known for its toxic flowers. To the point that getting even a single flower from them is near impossible or done illegally. They caused hallucinations, paralysis, sometimes death. But it was obvious Arika wasn't reacting to the drugged food.

"M-my queen!? You didn't do that, right? Sibylla is the sole offspring left to rule the Gardenia kingdom! If something happens, we'll go to war!" Ivy shouted. She seemed more afraid than angry, it only made sense.

The queen ignored Ivy as she continued looking harshly at Arika. It angered her to see the woman with such a smug look on her wrinkled face.

"Let me rephrase my question: What is your soul's name?"