Viena and the Black Mirror

[ 21 ] - 𝐖𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

      When Viena pushed the tent flap aside, she felt like a new person. The cotton poet shirt bagged off her torso, tucking neatly into a pair of midnight-blue pants. She remained shoeless, letting a new layer of dirt cover the bottom of her feet. She could imagine her father's ghost now, fuming at her lack of "modesty."

Viena shook her head. None of that mattered now.

"You've eaten, right Viena?" Darcie asked, stepping next to her. Many more citizens were up and about during the time Viena spoke with Darcie. The field felt alive with work as the camp filled with the noise of chores and conversation.

Viena nodded. "Yes, I have. I'm still a little hungry, but I think I'd rather eat until the next meal. I need to make a plan." To say it stressed her was an understatement. Each minute gone by without knowing what to do, made her heart palpitate faster.

"As long as you don't overwork yourself, dear." Darcie tutted, moving in the breakfast line's direction. "I'll head off now, so don't get too busy while I'm gone."

"She better not overdo it," a voice said behind her.

Viena jumped, spinning around to face the person. Sen stood there with a pseudo scowl on his face, holding two full bowls of rice porridge.

"Many people are helping, so trying to shoulder everything is nonsense. Here-" He handed her a bowl, pointing at it with his index. "You're eating that anyway."

"You must be the Forest king." Darcie smiled, reaching to shake his hand. "It's been a while since I've seen any other magic bloods besides Viena."

Sen hummed, a surprised look crossing his face. "I don't think I've ever seen you."

"It would be astonishing if you recognized me. I've only seen you once, a couple of days after you were born." Darcie had a faraway look in her eyes, glancing at Sen like she knew him, but didn't at the same time. "After Viena was born, I moved to Monduria permanently to be her caretaker. You must have been only two years old then."

"Oh, wow. You must have known both of our parents, then." Sen pointed between him and Viena.

"I supposed I did." Darcie chuckled, her smile turning sad. "Well, I better get in the breakfast line now. Don't want to wait too long."

Sen smiled politely, bobbing his head as a quick bow. "It was wonderful meeting you, miss Darcie."

Darcie laughed, pointing her finger between Sen and Viena as she walked away. "You two keep each other out of trouble, hear me?"

Sen and Viena exchanged glances, their eyebrows raising. Viena let out a puff of air, putting her hands on her hips. "How are we both supposed to do that? Only one of us can be the responsible one."

"I think both of us being responsible works out just fine, considering who we're friends with."

Viena smacked his arm playfully. "I'm alright with that arrangement as long as we aren't mature all the time." Although she was joking, she meant it too. How long she'll last as the role of queen is unknown. But maybe, if Viena could do things to balance her life out, it wouldn't be too horrible.

"You should add eating your breakfast to this arrangement as well." Sen gestured to the cooling bowl in her hands.

Viena exhaled. "If I eat this, will you get your council together?"

Sen placed a hand on his heart, giving a mock bow as he held his bowl high to spill it. "You have my word."

~֍~

      Viena walked five feet behind him, as always. The hallway stretching around them felt too spacious, too open compared to the other paths in the castle. Despite this, she continued to bounce on the balls of her feet in excitement.