The day passed rather quickly. Aqua was led around by Sheira, who eagerly showed her each part of the palace before she returned to her room just as the sun fell.
Aqua collapsed onto her new bed while she petted Sun God as she usually did. Sheira told her that she should make her clothing resemble a maid uniform that the usual attendants wore as such, and the veil shifted.
Her peasant illusion was changed into a long black maid uniform. The things I do for people I care about.
She hung her legs to the side while she swung them slowly.
She let out a sigh. "Sun God, do you think I made a mistake?"
"Why Would I?" The fiery avian stretched its blazing wings as it turned around to face Aqua. Sun God laid his face onto Aqua's chest.
"I don't know… Just feels weird to play such a role, you know?"
"Are you uncomfortable with it?" The bird crackled.
"No… I… I just don't know how to feel about Sheira and Azure… I am worried they will betray me like most… yet I find it difficult not to trust them."
The phoenix remained silent, "You were always here for me, so I wish to ask for advice. Is it truly right to trust those two… after all, I only met them recently. Is it truly right for me to let down my guard?"
She leaned her head back as she groaned, "I feel so conflicted. On one hand, I feel so much better when I talk with them… but my inner voice keeps screaming at me to cut them off and isolate, as if isolation is the only way for me to be happy."
Sun God's form flickered as he escaped her grasp. A streak of flame rushed next to her head as Sun God gained the form of a fiery sparrow. "Aqua, answer me now."
She turned her head to the side. "Have those two done anything to warrant suspicion?"
She shook her head, "No…"
"Have they tried to use your power for their personal gain?"
"No…"
"Have you ever met anyone who was that selfless before?"
She kept silent.
"Aqua… I know better than anyone else what you went through… the pain… the misery… the sting of betrayal. I have seen it all."
He is right. She thought about it for a moment. They had never tried to obtain the power for themselves; it was her own will to grant them boons. They had asked her only to teach and to use her power to hide herself from the prying eyes.
"Yet… Never in your long life have you met someone who was truly looking out for your own benefit. Those girls… I have shown tolerance to them because they are unique."
Aqua inhaled sharply, "What would I do without you…"
"I don't know, probably cuddle up in some hole and wait for another glorious world soul to rescue you!" The phoenix cackled.
Aqua chuckled, "I guess… but still, thank you so much. I love you."
"You know… if that Azure girl heard you say that, she would be crying right now."
"Why?" Aqua pushed herself up as she crossed her legs.
The Sun God hopped into her lap and enlarged to fill it. "That girl likes you a lot. I think you can bond very well with both her and Sheira."
Aqua tapped her chin, before her smile widened as she lunged and grabbed Sun God. She spun on the bed, "I can't believe you remembered their names! It means you truly do think they are trustworthy!"
Knock.Knock.Knock
The knock startled her. It's the queen. What does she want?!
Aqua jumped from her bed as the Sun God became invisible once again. She approached the door and opened it, "Your majesty? What can I do for you?"
Aqua kept eye contact with the woman, yet the queen merely passed her and entered the plain room.
"I have come to speak. I have already spoken with Azure and Sheira, though her tale remains unclear to me. Yet one thing stands certain: she trusts you with her very life." She spun and sat on the bed.
"Whatever do you mean, your majesty?" Aqua tilted her head, yet a single bead of sweat ran down her forehead.
"I know you're using an illusion… but it's so powerful, even I can't see through it. So, I came to speak with you myself."
Aqua instantly raised her hands defensively. The air became hotter to the point that the queen started sweating.
"My dear, I mean you no harm. Please, stay your hand and grant me a moment to speak." She produced a small fan as she attempted to cool herself. "I did cover for you and Sheira, did I not?"
Despite the immense danger Soleah had felt, she still had a calm demeanour, even though a slight tremble was visible in her hands. She knew she could have died here, yet she had made a gamble.
"I came alone; no guards, no escort. Not even my dear husband knows I'm here." Soleah smiled.
What is she playing at?! Aqua wanted to scream at herself for not removing the possible threat, yet the queen truly seemed to be harmless, and what's more, she was still bound to her promise not to kill Sheira's parents unless necessary.
Aqua sighed. The temperature returned to normal. "I guess you know I am not an actual attendant, then?"
She nodded, "I know. I could feel it the moment I looked into you; such power. It was like flying too close to the sun."
"Interesting…" Aqua brought her hand to her chin. "So what do you want? I promised Sheira I would not hurt you; however, I advise you to choose your words carefully."
"Such hostility… Tell me, dear one, has someone wounded you?" Soleah's eyes softened, widening with quiet concern. "If ever your heart grows too heavy to bear alone, come to me. I will listen.
"What would you know?!" Aqua shouted.
Soleah shook her head, "I may not know your full story, but I am a mother, and I know the ways of wounded hearts. My doors are always open to you, dear one. You're welcome in my chambers, whenever you wish to come."
Aqua stared in silence. "Is this a ploy to reveal myself?"
The queen took a deep sigh, "I beg you, grant me the benefit of the doubt. Whatever lies beneath that illusion is more powerful than anything I've ever seen… perhaps powerful enough to bring ruin to everything we hold dear. So no, I do not ask you to reveal yourself to me. I ask only one thing."
"What is it?" Here comes the ruler trying to use my power.
"I gather it's your power and not Azure's that saved her. And you are the reason I sense she has grown far stronger."
"That would be correct." Aqua raised her brow.
Soleah jumped from the bed and took a kneeling position, "I ask only this: keep my Sheira safe. I will do all I can to cover for you; nothing matters more to me than my children's safety. In return, I promise to provide you with any information or aid you may require."
Aqua leaned back. Huh?
Aqua tapped her foot against the floor. "I have already promised Sheira, I am teaching her magic and will make sure to make her powerful enough to defend herself against anything this world can throw at her."
Soleah pushed herself up and pinched the sides of her dress before she curtsied before Aqua, "I thank you. Remember, my offer still stands. If you require someone to talk to, my chambers are open to you."
Aqua's lips formed into a wry smile. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Enough with that, to friends of Sheira, in private, I am just Soleah. May I call you Aqua?"
"Of course." Aqua bowed.
She nodded, "It is time for me to depart. I am curious how you taught Sheira to use magic when everyone else failed, but I am still thankful. Until next time we meet, Aqua." With a wave, the Queen approached the door and turned the knob before she made her way out of Aqua's room.
Aqua fell back on her bed as Sun God materialized on top of her stomach. "That woman… is interesting." Sun God's voice crackled with flame, "I am surprised she had the guts to come to you so suddenly."
"She is a worried parent…" Aqua chuckled, "Why do I feel a little jealous of Sheira now?"
"It is only natural."
"I guess…" Aqua sighed loudly, "I guess Sheira inherited her personality from her mom in a way."
Sun God cackled, "I can see it. Both of them are irritating, yet unique." Sun God flapped his wings and flew to the other side of the bed.
"Aqua, do you feel like you can sleep?" The Sun God's color became deep orange.
"I will try… I always struggled with it due to nightmares, so I relied on meditation. But…" She turned and tapped the bed. It was surprisingly soft as her hand sank into it.
"I want to try sleeping for the first time in this new world…"