FALLEN KINGDOM

"How's the bite?" uncle asked as soon as I stepped down the staircase, while Mino was right behind me. I quickly glared at uncle, who grinned back.

"What? Are you still shy, Vreihya?" he teased, catching a huge plant thorn that I hurled at him. He promptly tossed it in front of the nearby window while continuing to chuckle teasingly.

Seriously? Why was I granted with an uncle who had a childish mind and shallow delight at times? "Sit down, Vreihya and Mino," mother remarked as she exited from the palace kitchen, which I quickly saw as she was holding a pot. From here, I can smell what she prepared. "Woah! Is that what I'm thinking?" I exclaimed excitedly, and mother smiled at me. We were seated at the table a few minutes later.

Uncle and Mino are next to each other, while mother and I are close to each other. I wanted to inquire why they came here and how our kingdom is doing, but mother doesn't like chatting while eating. In the middle of my bite, I looked at Mino, who seemed to be h