Chiyo followed the king - her heart racing as she sensed that this was more than a mere audience with the ruler. The king led her to the castle corridors, a familiar place, and their footsteps, loud and silent at the same time, echoeing off the stone walls like there is a looming mystery waiting to be unleashed. They arrived at the greenhouse - its warmth and flowery scent enveloped her - a sanctuary of life amidst the cold. Chiyo hesitated, then settled into an intricate design chair, its wooden arm embracing her.
King Ryota sat across from her. His eyes, once cold and sharp, now seem haunted.
"May I know why you brought me here, Your Majesty?" She did not wait for him to start the conversation. "Is there something you want to tell me?"
The King rested his head on his palm. His temples throbbed, but the incessant pain is gradually decreasing as he looked at her familiar face.
"Chiyo," He began. "Do you believe in fate?"
Asked by an unusual question, Chiyo raised an eyebrow. "Fate? What does that have to do w—"
"Everything." Interrupted the King. "Do you wish to be Queen as promised? Or do you held a grudge against me for making you choose that day?"
"I am confused, Your Majesty. What are you really implying?" Annoyed, she tapped her finger on the table. "Don't beat around the bush."
Ryota leaned forward and his lips tugged up, but it held no mirth. "I don't believe in that so-called fate, Chiyo, and even if we go back to that day my choices will still be the same."
"I don't believe in fate either."
"Then stop appearing in front of me."
Chiyo scoffed in disbelief. She was his sister. They were bound by blood, but why can't he remember her? Why is it after all those years, he never looked for her, then on the first time they met again he disregarded her. The King doesn't look like he lost his memories, he knew a lot of things for her to say that he can't remember anything. But why?
Why does he look at her like she was trying to steal the throne? Is he really her brother?
However, she was so sure that he was Ryota. Yokai can smell their own race. They distinguished their kin by their own unique scent. That's why she never doubted his identity.
"What made you think that I wanted to claim the Queen's position? Did anyone tell you that?" All pretenses are gone, Chiyo decided to show her true color to the king. She leaned on the beautiful chair, her arrogant demeanor back — eyes intense. "I am happy being in my husband's side. That's all I care."
"Did I offend you? I apologize if I do. I'm just restless these days."
"Is it because of the Vogarax?" She asked, noticing the scar on his palm she also pointed at it. "You have a scar."
Chiyo watch his expression as he eyed the long scar. Shaking his head, he answered her like he was recalling a trivial past. "This? I got it when I was young. I fell down a tree and scratched my hand."
"Oh?" Her gaze droop. Heart racing faster than normal, a seed of doubt started to grow in her heart. That scar — it was a blood oath. An oath he made with his most loyal knight, Kaoru. That ritual is very important so it is impossible for him to forget such a thing.
Are you really my brother? She wanted to ask, but the door of the greenhouse suddenly opened and her words were stuck in her throat.
"My queen." King Ryota casually said. "What brought you here?"
The queen, alluring as ever, smiled at them as she entered the garden. "Somebody is requesting for an audience, My king. It is regarding an important matter."
"Then... entertain my guest for a while."
Chiyo watched the king leave in a hurry then she glanced over at the queen, her blood boiling with silent fury. She will never forget how the queen looks at her husband daringly like she was never married in the first place. Queen Emi sat from where the King was mere moments ago, then a maid entered to place a tea set on the glass table.
"This is a rare tea." Sweet yet threateningly cold — like honey laced with poison, her voice echoed through the greenhouse. "Try it. I brew them myself."
Chiyo smirked at her, not caring about her position at all. "Why not drop the act, Your majesty? it's only the two of us now."
"It's really easy to provoke you, child. Don't fret. I am not here to argue." White hands reached for the teapot, then a simming hot tea was poured on the porcelain cup. "What does His Majesty wants from you?"
"I am not too sure either." She was confused as well. At first, she was expecting him to say he remembers her, however, such expectations were instantly gone. "How about you tell me why?"
Her gaze bore onto the queen.
"As if I know what he's thinking." The queen scoffed. She elegantly drank the tea before she added: "A dream. He was restless these days. Dreaming about your eyes. It haunts him every night. It might be fate that's intervening or you two have met a long time ago."
Yes. When my parents were alive. She internally said. Shaking her head, a small smile appeared on her lips. "If he's trying to know if we've met a long time ago then why forget? Did the king lose his memories?"
The queen also smiled at her as if they were old friends casually talking together, but their eyes betrayed their surging emotions. She studied the delicate handle of her teacup, her voice trailing.
"No... But how about you?" The queen stood up, and she walked behind her. In a daring, sweet voice, she whispered in her ears. "Are you sure you haven't met before? He said he saw a child in his dreams. That child was running, hatred shown on her beautiful gray eyes — clutching a dagger close to her chest."
The Queen's voice was disguised with concern, but beneath it lies jealousy. However, Chiyo do not care about it. As if she's seeing nothing, her face went blank. Her heart clenched. The words echoed through her ears again and again, dragging her back to that painful past.
That was the night she ran from her enemies. Small and still a child, she was chased by wolves whose size is twice as much as her.
It was the night she was killed.
"Chiyo?"
Going back from her reverie, Chiyo clenched her hands. "A child? Maybe it was his sister?"
She stood up from her seat, wanting to go home, but at the same moment the king entered the room.
"I don't have a sister. I am the first and last born of the late king and queen. The last of the Kitsune."
As if her world collapsed, Chiyo wanted to run away and be at the comfort of her husband's embrace, but such a thing is impossible as the realization hits her like lightning. Her breath quickened. The Queen is behind her, she can sense jealousy radiating from her, and at the doorway, stood the king — his crimson eyes piercing through her.
She wanted to run...
The King is an impostor.