Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Cause of Death
~Arika's POV~
Staring at a grave she was once resting in was always surreal to her. Staring at a tombstone covered in stuffed animals, letters, gardenias, and miscellaneous gifts.
'HERE LIES ARIKA PURCELL'
'PERISHED: EIGHT
'MAY HER SOUL BE FREE FROM HER SUFFERING'
Arika could only wish that were true. She was free from suffering in her previous life, but her current one had new struggles she was clueless in.
"My gift is a bit smaller than everyone else's, but I hope she will still like it." Sin-Vira knelt before her grave and placed a box down. He bowed his head and closed his eyes.
"I'm sure she would. Even rocks on the side of the road excited her." Arika stood beside him as she stared at her grave. She avoided thinking about it for as long as she could. If she wanted, she could've dug up her body and stare at her own corpse. She was likely rotting or already a bare skeleton. When she looked up at the tombstone, she read a part of the engravement that she knew wasn't there before.
'CAUSE OF DEATH: ???'
"I'm sorry our little date is only getting more depressing from here. But I wanted to pay my respects at the very least…" Sin-Vira pushed himself off the ground.
Arika tore her eyes away from the stone. "Her death was sudden for everyone. We still feel the effects around this time…" She smiled the best she could.
"I wish I could talk to her, even if it was one more time…" Vira turned to face her. "But wishful thinking won't make it happen, huh?"
She could only nod with the cause of death still bothering her. "What would you say to her if you could?"
Sin-Vira glanced at her grave before sighing. "I think I just want to talk with her. I also wanted to apologize for never doing more to be there for her. She must've been so alone in her room. No one could've played with her."
Arika hated how right he was. When she was sick, no one bothered to check in on her and see if she was okay. The only one who saw her was her father, who fed her disgusting porridge every day. He would never stay long to talk, and wouldn't even look her in the eye when she asked if she would be okay. Unfortunately, he was the last thing she saw.
"She wasn't entirely alone. Father would visit her often and read stories to her. I wasn't allowed to see her but was told she would be okay. I'm sorry we never told you about her condition, my father wanted it to stay quiet and hope she would be fine. Mom hid her sickness well. Since apparently, she passed almost in the same night…"
Sin-Vira tensed up at her words. "Was your mother's passing confirmed to be from illness?" he questioned.
Arika glanced at her grave. "No. My father was there for her last breath. But she apologized for hiding it from us…"
"But that…" The prince still seemed put off by her words and stared at the grave. He continued staring before shaking his head. "Never mind. I'm overthinking things…" he mumbled.
Arika reached out and held his arm. "Can we go to the forest? I could go for a break…" she felt uncomfortable like an eerie presence was judging her.
Sin-Vira began walking with her. "So, this was our first official date. Did I do a good job?" he asked.
It was an obvious attempt to fix the mood, she was too exhausted to be against it. "besides being chased by children, falling out of a tree, lashing out in front of guest, being punished, and visiting the family grave–" She hugged his arm as she squealed with excitement. "This was the best date ever! Maybe even the best day ever! I had so much fun being with you and never saw you look so excited! You're cute when you're being protective!" She gushed a bit more about the little things before smiling. "Oops. I never really answered you, huh? You did an amazing job, Vira. Any girl would be lucky to spend this day with you. If she didn't mind you being a bit goofy that is."
Sin-Vira cleared his throat as they went through the open gate. "We're alone now. You don't have to exaggerate to make up for how bad I messed up." He glanced down at Arika who was still looking at him.
"Maybe I'm saying all this because we're alone?" She released his arm as she continued walking with him. "This day was eventful and I got to learn so much about you!"
He seemed embarrassed by her words as he laughed nervously. "R-really? What did you learn about me?"
"You have a great sense of smell, you're great with kids, you blend in with strangers pretty well, you're protective, well built, your hair looks better when it's curly–" she covered her mouth and looked away from him. "You're just more charismatic than I thought you were. Sorry for thinking you're just a brute…" she mumbled. "What about me? Did you learn anything?"
Sin-Vira seemed to struggle with the question before looking at her. "Nothing significant. Which bothers me a little. You never express much interest in doing anything and tend to be secretive about everything." He had a determined look on his face. "I want to know so much more! What seasons you like, what foods you like to eat, if there's a place you want to visit. I know we're pretending to be lovers, but I don't even feel qualified to be a real friend to you."
Hearing him say they're pretending stung her chest. He was right, there weren't supposed to actually fall in love.
"When we get to the forest, I'll answer whatever questions you'd like! But if they're too personal you have to answer something personal as well. Deal?" she asked.
Sin-Vira chuckled. "I won't. But I'll still agree to it…"
As they walked, Arika looked at Vira's clothes and snickered. He was more fit than she thought, not many royals were toned like him.
"My eyes are up here, Princess," he joked before patting her head.
"Hey! Maybe you should start bringing spares over if you're gonna complain?"
Sin-Vira laughed. "Does that mean I would get a room in the castle?"
"Yes! A room we like to call the 'dungeon'! Because that's the only place my father would allow you to sleep."
"How much of a threat am I to him? If he won't let me sleep, why does he let you be alone with me? Even my mother wanted Ivy to stay with me."
Arika reached her arms above her head and stretched; she didn't feel a pop or need for it since her joints were fixed. She only enjoyed the idea of it. "I doubt it's because you're a threat. I bet he just doesn't like you. Since I convinced him marrying you would reinforce control over your kingdom, father dearest is tolerating you until we marry."
"Well, my mother is expecting me to take advantage of your kindness. Though she would likely force the plan to end if she found out this was your idea."
Arika thought back to their parents and sighed. "My father hates you, and your mom likely hates me. I know it was my plan, but what if they call it off? What do we do then?"
Sin-Vira sighed as well. "Mom's giving me time to make you mine. So long as we're officially together in the Winter, she'll hold off. What about your father?"
"He's preoccupied with another plan. So long as stay on schedule, you'll have your freedom."Arika could only hope her sister would keep the promise. If Sibylla was conscious, she would explain the plan to her. Since she wouldn't be around to see the plan at the end.
"What will you gain from the agreement?" He asked out of the blue.
She already knew what it was…
"Nothing." She smiled. "I'm merely a pawn in our deal. In the end, I have nothing to gain or lose."
Sin-Vira gave a small sigh. "There you go being secretive again. I've been wanting to share my secret with you, but it's hard knowing you can't even tell me your true intentions for this deal we have."
"You're so unfair! Fine! You'll get one secret outta me when we're in the forest!" Arika crossed her arms in defeat.
All of her secrets were too dangerous to reveal to anyone. The fact she was Arika, Sibylla is sick in bed, her father turned her into a doll, she only made the plan in the first place to screw over her father before she was in the ground again.
So many secrets to share, none of them were worth getting Sin-Vira wrapped up in it.
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