Voyage Of The Villainess

"Vivian, where should I put this?" Vivo called out while carrying a small pot containing some seedlings. Compared to before, his cheeks had become plumper and he gained more weight too. His adorable wide caramel eyes sparkled as he waited for his big sister to answer him.

"Just put it under the shade there," Vivian instructed as she pointed in her right direction. She continued to plow the middle land in their yard to create a field for her carrots and cabbages.

It was more noticeable as well that she grew a bit taller and gain some little weight now.

With the gold coin she received, half of it, she bought different foods and things for her and Vivo to live more comfortably. She also bought different seedlings and plants in the market ranging from herbs to fruit-bearing plants. Then she hid the remaining half of the coins for savings.

Their mother once told her before, that having your own plants growing in your own backyard was always a great advantage. Not only will you be able to save money but also you wouldn't go hungry that much since you have your own food growing at your own place..

In the past days, the two children were busy planting in their backyard. From time to time Grandma Selda, the mother of their village chief visited them and brought them some snacks especially sweet corns. Just thinking of eating those couldn't help but make the two kids' stomachs grumble. Despite being orphans, they didn't really feel neglected at all since the villagers were so kind to them. And if Vivian and Vivo had some problems they could always rely on them.

But despite the goodwill of the villagers, Vivian didn't want to take advantage of this. She sought jobs as well, where she could earn a living for her and Vivo to live more comfortably.

"I don't understand," Vivo said as he put down the small pot in the shade. With his plump hands, he wiped the sweat forming on his forehead.

"What?" Vivian asked as she continued to plow the soil.

"I thought that plants need the sun to grow taller," Vivo said as he went to get another pot that had the same seedling as the one he carried before. "Why do these plants need to be put under a shade? Is it better if we put them in a much place where the sun?"

"Vivo," Vivian stopped and fixated her gaze on her brother. "Just like us, plants prefer different things." 

"Prefer different things?" Vivo replied. His eyes became more conflicted.

Sensing that her brother still didn't get it, Vivian pondered for a moment.

"Ah." Her expression lit up when she thought of something. "You hate broccoli, right?"

"Yes!" Vivo's expression soured. "Why are you asking that? Are we going to eat broccoli?" 

Vivo shook his head with great rejection. "I don't want that! No no no..."

"Silly," Vivian walked and smacked Vivo's head. "It's not like that.

Vivo whimpered as he rubbed the part where she smack him with teary eyes.

"Some plants like us hate too much sunlight just like how you hated broccoli."

"Is that so?"

"Vivo, Vivian." A soft and gentle voice called out to them all of a sudden. They didn't need to look to who it was and began running towards the source.

"Grandma Selda!"

Grandma Selda, the mother of the chief of the Sulkira village who frequently visited the children, graced a gentle smile on her already wrinkled face. She had hair that turned white already with a small hunch on her back. A wooden crane supported her and she carried a straw bag in her right hand. 

Vivo rushed to hug the old woman while Vivian stood in front of her. 

"Both of you seemed very busy today,"

"Yes, we are planting cabbages, carrots, and some berries today!" Vivian happily reported.

"Oh! That was nice." Grandma Selda's eyes lit up with glee at Vivian's words.

"Grandma Selda, what are you carrying?" Vivo's line of sight peered at the bag the old woman was carrying.

"These are some cook corns and apples." 

"Corns!" Vivo exclaimed, his voice laced with excitement. "Can I have one now?" he jumped up and down.

"Let's clean up ourselves first, we are still covered with dirt," Vivian said.

"Alright!" Vivo immediately ran away from them heading to their bathroom.

"Grandma Selda, would you like some herbal tea with us?" Vivian politely asked. 

"I would love to deary, but can my friends also join?" 

With that said, Vivian just noticed that there were another two people that was behind Grandma Selda. Her eyes widened with surprise seeing who it was. Despite almost a month now that passed, she would never forget the faces of the people that save her.

"Malaya!" Vivian happily exclaimed. 'She really visits me just like she says in that letter.'

"It's been a while, Vivian," Malaya said with delight. "I have come as I promised."

Dorris who was behind her was also beaming with smiles seeing the little girl again. Both of them wore the same dark brown cloaks they always wore when they were outside.

"They are the ones I've told you Grandma Selda! The one who saved me and the others!' Vivian said with excitement brimming in her voice.

"Oh dear and here I thought you will feel uncomfortable since I brought some stranges. But I guess, there is really nothing to worry about." Grandma Selda said with a merry laugh.

"Please you are all free to come inside!" Vivian gestured them the way. Everyone could feel her tenseness as she guided them towards her humble house.

---⚓⚓⚓---

As they made it inside the house, one thing that anyone could notice easily was how neat and everything was in order. The floors were made up of wood, the same as the walls. On the left side, there was a small fireplace and one square table with four seats surrounding it. There were also three more doors in different corners and a staircase that led to the second floor of the house.

'There are only two kids living here, but to maintain orderliness and cleanliness at such a young age. How nice.' Malaya continued to glance around.

"Please take a chair-I to mean a seat there!" Vivian said a bit panicking. "I will come back shortly after I clean myself first too!" 

Malaya just let out a giggle at the adorableness of Vivian. 'It seems, I truly surprised her.'

After almost fifteen minutes, Vivian already came back while Vivo hid behind one of the doors in the right, looking at Malaya and Dorris with both intensity and curiosity in his eyes.

Vivian served all of them with teas and the freshly cooked corn from Grandma Selda. Also some fresh sweet cherries they had been growing in their yard. The little girl knew how to entertain her guests very well. For starters, she mostly talked about her gardening to them. Malaya did the same thing and even gave some tips to Vivian.

"And Vivo here is really a great assistance to me!" Vivian proudly exclaimed as she pulled out Vivo who was hiding behind the door.

"Sister!" Vivo retorted.

Malaya and the other giggled at the sight. Then she glanced to where they entered. "But is it alright, to leave your work like that?" She remembered the unfinished plow of land.

"It's alright! We could finish it tomorrow!"

"Hmm... If you want, we could finish it now."

"Milady..." Before Dorris could finish her retort, Malaya both pulled Vivian and Dorris already. And Vivo that was still under the grasp of Vivian got swayed too.

Dorris just held her head and followed her ladyship outside.

"Let's continue this! In what part are you working now?" Malaya said as she held the rake. Vivian glanced at Dorris, a bit perplexed and confused about what to do. 

"Just let us help," Dorris tiredly sigh. Then she picked a shovel. "Let's start now. Give us the instructions." She said as she pulled up her sleeves.

"Then..." Vivian picked up the rake as well. "Let's start by plowing the fields. Follow after me."

"Alright!" Malaya said. And Dorris just shook her head at her lady's silliness. 'Does she even know how to do these things?' And to Dorris' surprise, even it was confusing at the first, Vivian was able to explain things for them well.

Vivian felt uncomfortable first, but as time passed by, she grew used to it seeing how the two worked with her diligently and happily. Vivo also started to open up with the two visitors and even taught them some things they needed to do.

"You should put it there!" Vivo said to Dorris. "There are some plants who don't like sunlight and prefer shades," Vivo said as he put two of his plump arms on his waist. 

"My my, you have very well knowledge in planting? Are you perhaps the king of plants?" Dorris said as she went to the place Vivo pointed at.

"Of course! Hehehe." A proud expression escaped Vivo's adorable face. "If you have more questions, I would tell you more about what you want to know!"

"I'm greatly honored Your Majesty," Dorris giggled.

Both Vivian and Malaya chuckled at the interaction of the two as well as they kept plowing the field.

After a few more hours of work, Vivian's field was finally done. The four of them rested and enjoyed the sweet corns, which Grandma Selda reheated for them. They all glanced with satisfaction at the field that was completely done now.

"Vivian, there is one more thing that I would like to tell you," Malaya spoke in the middle of their eating.

Vivian looked at Malaya, paying attention to her next words closely. "You will have your Florescence ceremony now within two years, right? When that time comes, you could visit the address here," Malaya gave an envelope which the little girl accepted with both hands. Her caramel eyes laced with curiosity as she held the letter.

"Yes, I will!" Vivian nodded her head without second thoughts.

"It could serve as a new opportunity for you and your little brother,"  Malaya said with a smile on her face.

---⚓⚓⚓---

More hours passed, it was time for Malaya and Dorris to depart seeing the sun that was now going to set down.

"Will I see you again, Malaya?" Vivian said looking down. She clasped both her hands together.

Malaya simply patted her head. "Yes, we will, sometime in the future,"

"Milady, the array is now ready," called Dorris.

"Take care of both yourself and your little brother, Vivian." Malaya started to walk towards the array now. 

As soon as she stepped there, it started to glow. Before they completely disappeared, Malaya waved her hands the same with Vivian and Vivo.

"Goodbye, Malaya!" Both the children this time, enthusiastically kept waving until Malaya and Dorris disappeared.

Grandma Selda stared at the place where Malaya disappeared to. 'That striking blue hair. It seems our little Vivian here truly met some incredible people with a great status.'