Everything seemed 'great' in Vira's eyes… but how can I tell her it was never real? I want to change the story… Nevermind… It's already too late. Her story—and her brother's—has already been written. I can't change it…
The story must go on…
The queen holds the baby, the king sits beside her, and Vira stands next to her mother. Butterflies swirl in her stomach, her heart races with excitement. She begs her parents to let her name the baby. "Mother, can I please name my baby brother?" The queen chuckles softly. The king nods. Vira jumps in joy and thinks hard. Finally, she finds the perfect name. "We can call him... Vireo! Yeah! Vireo!"
The parents laugh together, amused. The king smiles, "Sure darling, we can call him that. It matches your name too!"
Vira giggles. "Of course it does! I wanted it to match!"
And they lived happily ever after…
Just kidding. Had you for a second, didn't I? Back to the story—jeez, tough crowd.
Vira jumps into bed, expecting her usual bedtime story from her father. But he only says, "Good night, kid." Vira, a little stunned, replies instinctively, "G-goodnight, I guess?" But in her head, she wonders, "Why didn't he tell me a story? Why did I say that? I could've asked..."
You think she's complaining, don't you? That she's being dramatic and doesn't realize there's a newborn in the house? But she's still just a kid… be kind to dear Vira.
The next morning, Vira wakes with messy hair and heavy limbs. She climbs out of bed expecting her family to greet her. But there's no one. All the attention is on her baby brother, Vireo.
She sees her mother making milk. Vira taps her shoulder. "Mother? Why didn't you make breakfast today?" Her mother responds coldly, "Go make your own. Leave me alone."
How did Vira feel? She became stubborn. She asked again, "Mother, why didn't you make breakfast?"
Oh no… Vira shouldn't have asked that.
Her mother clenches her jaw, turns, and slaps her so hard that Vira falls and spits blood. She looks up, teary-eyed. "Mother?..." But something in her mother's eyes… it wasn't right. Too furious. Too strange. Vira remembered something: "Eyes never lie." But fear blurred her vision, like a rose hiding their thorns.
Why is this happening? Right after her birthday? How cruel…
"Stand up. NOW!" her mother demands. Vira obeys, vision spinning, the world twisting in colors. But she tries her best to focus.
"You should try to be useful. Don't end up useless and bratty!"
Her voice changes—now sweet and sing-song. "Dearest dear, would you mind making milk for your baby brother?"
Vira nods. Her body agrees before her mind does. She doesn't know how. She hasn't read the instructions. But she does it anyway… hoping, somehow, her mother might be proud.