Chapter 30: Special Delivery

~Sin-Vira's POV~

"It's already been a week. What if she doesn't even respond? Was I too forward when inviting her over? I feel like throwing up…" Sin-Vira complained as he was cleaning in the arena.

It wasn't used very often, so he would make a habit of cleaning the weapon collection and organizing it. Though he cleaned them all thoroughly, he made sure to give extra attention to his favorite sword. Which he was currently polishing.

Ivy was watching him with a frown. "My prince, you're clearly overthinking this. I'm sure Sibylla is busy turning down other princes and will get back to your invitation when she can."

Hearing her scenario only made him polish his sword vigorously. "Do you think so? What if out of all the other royals, she chooses one over me? She wouldn't, right? Though I wouldn't be surprised..." Vira mumbled to himself. "She wouldn't say that to every prince, right!?" he asked her.

The maid stared at him dumbfounded before sighing. "It's not like you to worry over princesses like this. She's going to reply to you, she has to just to keep appearance after all."

"When you have a mother like mine, revenge is the current topic rather than romance. Worrying over how a certain someone sees me is strange, but I can't get rid of that knot even in my sleep." The sword was so well polished that Sin-Vira could see his reflection in the blade.

"I'm glad you're considering her opinion on you, but keep in mind you need her to fall in love with you. You claim she's different from that king, but you still shouldn't let her live in your mind for free." Ivy swung her legs. "Besides, I doubt you thought about what you'll do after she arrives. You've never hosted anyone, let alone someone you're supposed to impress."

He shook his head with a grin. "All I have to do is show her around and introduce her to my mother. I'm sure I can manage to do that with ease."

"She's coming a long way and is supposed to be here for half a day. It will only take a couple of hours to show her the mines and have tea with the Queen?" Ivy questioned him with her arms crossed. "A good host has multiple plans prepared to keep guests entertained and happy during their stay. The mines are a depressing sight to see. Knowing your mother, Sibylla will be interrogated like a criminal over tea. Does any of that sound fun to you?"

Sin-Vira knew she had a point. He already said what he needed to about the mines and could only show her the outside and processing sections. There was nowhere to safely walk around, everyone would likely be too afraid to socialize with the daughter of a tyrant king, and all Sin-Vira did for fun was train.

He could only shrug. "I'm not much of a social planner. If she comes over, we can get the serious stuff out of the way and wing it the rest of the way. That's what Sibylla usually did. Maybe we can duel to pass the time?"

Ivy stood up from her seat as she approached him. "Prince! Royals do not casually dress to duel during visits! You're supposed to impress her! Not challenge her to a fight! Is there a single romantic thought up there? Or is horseplay the only thing on your mind?" She pointed to his head before poking his forehead.

"Ow! Look, I know I'm not too romantic about this, but it's not like I have to be anyways…" Sin-Vira spoke, referring to the agreement he made with the princess. Though he never told anyone about it.

Ivy seemed close to popping a blood vessel. "What did you just say!? The only reason you're allowed to bring her here is to make her fall for you!" she shouted. "As much as I disapprove of this relationship, she's our only chance to getting my papa home and freeing everyone else!" She soon settled down. "You're too reckless with your words and actions. One day you'll get in deep trouble for it."

He was aware of how much pressure he was under to make the plan work. All he had to do was keep pretending he was in love with Sibylla then marry long enough to get their freedom back. Though they'd be stuck with each other, Sin-Vira hopped he and Sibylla could remain friends after her father kicks the bucket. Then she could go marry someone she'd actually love…

"I'm reckless because it's just how I am. I act without thinking because planning things isn't what I do. If it gets me in trouble, I can handle it." He stared at his reflection and felt flushed. "So for this time, do you think you could help me plan it out?"

"Me?" Ivy pointed to herself.

He nodded. "I couldn't think of anyone more qualified. You plan your days out all the time. You even worked dealing with me into your schedule. I just want to make a good impression…"

Ivy sighed in defeat. "You're more hopeless than I imagined. Alright. I will do what I can to make an efficient plan for you two. But we aren't even sure when she'll be here."

"That just gives us more time! Thanks, Ivy." Sin-Vira began putting away the weapons he had already cleaned when the door swung open.

He looked over to see one of the older servants who looked terrified. His teeth were clattering as he struggled to speak.

"What's spooked you? Did my mother chew you out?" Sin-Vira asked with a smirk.

The servant frantically shook his head. "A letter. Th-there's a letter for you at the front door…" he answered in a trembling tone.

The prince went wide-eyed. "Ivy! Do you think it's from Sibylla?" He questioned. He could feel his heart pounding with

"I am a maid, not a fortune-teller. You're better off going down there to-…" she paused and looked at the servant. "Why not bring the letter yourself? It would've been more convenient," she questioned.

"I-it was requested… that the prince retrieve it himself…" he answered.

"That's adorable of her to do! Ivy, please finished putting these away for me. My darling princess is waiting for me!" Sin-Vira ran past the servant and zoomed down the hall. He dodged past anyone in his way and cleared over a serving cart with ease.

Being filled with such excitement was something he wasn't used to. Sibylla was cruel for leaving him in suspense, but he'd forgive her with whatever she had planned on the other side of that door.

Once he made it to the main entrance, he took a deep breath to calm himself down. Sin-Vira gripped onto the door handle and swung the door open with a bright grin.

"It's a pleasure to finally see-!… y-you…" Sin-Vira's grin dropped as he looked up to see it wasn't Sibylla. But her father standing there.

"Surprised?" The king spoke with a smug expression.