Inside the hut, Mirella had prepared pancakes and vegetable soup.
Sienna secretly wanted another bowl of rice. One glance at Mirella's composed expression told her that tonight, the menu was not open for negotiation.
The hut originally contained only four chairs.
Sienna summoned three more from the barn. Soon all seven of them were seated around the modest table. The space was smaller than the castle dining room, but the warm light, the smell of food, and the presence of trusted companions made it feel unexpectedly cozy.
Knives and forks were laid out.
Sienna used them with a quiet sigh.
In truth, she would have preferred to fold the pancakes with her hands and eat them naturally.
But Mirella's standards were ironclad.
The pancakes were plain, but pleasant.
The soup was simple, but comforting.
Everyone ate quietly.
There was something deeply reassuring about sharing a meal while the world outside remained uncertain.
