When Ravven followed Lady Vienna into the kitchen, he didn't even look back at the room they had passed. He was far too used to empty dining rooms and waiting.

The young girl had seemed surprised that he was willing to be seen in the humble kitchen. She was quick to kneel before the cold hearth and start a small fire.

As the warmth began to permeate the room, he felt her gaze upon his pale hands, still grasping his gloves tightly.

She gestured to the bench in front of the blaze. "This is the warmest seat, Your Highness."

He nodded his thanks. He pulled the bench out to sit, his long legs having enough room beneath the large wooden table.

"You may address me by my name, Lady Vienna."

She seemed to freeze on the other side of the table as she laid out utensils beside him.

"Your..." She started moving again after she breathed, "Ravven, you may drop the formalities with me as well."

A breath he didn't know he was holding passed in a rush from his lips. Ravven reminded himself to smile.

She wasn't looking though, her focus on setting the table before him.

Ravven's gaze wandered around the room. Herbs hung drying, shelves carried flowering pots with bright blossoms of violet, delicate pinks, and even some yellows framed the room lifting the darkness. It felt as if the air was alive and breathing.

The fire behind him crackled softly. The comforting smell of wood smoke reminded him of going on small expeditions with his father to oversee the kingdom and the campfires as his father leaned forward, telling him stories of the past.

His back felt warm. His fingertips tingle as the feeling comes back into them.

A movement to his side showed Lady Vienna setting a kettle above the fire to boil.

"Don't you have someone to do that for you?" His lips twitched as he saw her give a slight eye roll while warming some biscuits.

As she finished, her hands dropped to her apron. He watched them tighten and his lips became a thin line as he saw how they shook.

Ravven's heart tightened and swallowed before turning to face the table, his hands clenched in his lap.

Her voice was soft and lilting. "We only have Ezzie. She recently had two little ones, so she doesn't come as often. She taught me how to care for myself and the basics of home care. Pop and I do fine."

Ravven watched from the corner of his eye as Vienna made her way to the window. She leaned forward to open it and peered outside.

"Is your shadow knight available for tea and biscuits?"

Ravven stood and walked to her side. "I would call her in, but I doubt she'd agree."

At the sound of his voice, a small, mus-like squeak was heard by his side as the girl startled before scampering away.

The teapot whistled and her features relaxed in relief as she scurried to grab it.

He watched, guilt running through his veins, "You were scared of me then too. I suppose it hasn't changed." His voice had become a whisper. He waited for her to leave the hearth and set the food down.

His black boots clicked against the cobblestone of the kitchen floor before he set his hands and leaned forward. His head dipped low to catch the look in her eyes, "Why are you still afraid of me? I promise I will never hurt you again."

The girl kept his gaze for a short time before looking back down. She shifted in her seat across from him as she shook her head. A small, self-deprecating laugh came from beneath her breath.

"It doesn't take much to change a person."

Ravven knew this to be true. In only a few brief moments, everything had changed for him when I first met this Vienna Thorne.

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The next time Ravven was at the Thorne estate he found himself walking the grounds, searching for Vienna.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

As he reached the forest surrounding the estate, the object of his quest dropped in front of him, causing him to jump back.

Ravven found himself blinking at her sudden appearance. His hand lifted on instinct to stop Knight from drawing her sword.

Vienna stood strong, her head tilted high, with her long brown hair swinging behind her. Her hands held a staff that took the full impact from her jump to the terra.

Vienna's round eyes stared at him for a moment as if she had to remember who he was.

"Oh, it's you."

Her eyes drifted to Knight by his side and she moved carefully to place her staff against a nearby tree.

"You are back."

Ravven nodded before asking Knight to let Duke Thorne know he was there.

"Do not travel far, Your Highness."

When he looked back at Vienna, he caught her curious gaze. A wry look passed through his features.

He gestured towards the worn path back to the estate.

"As I've told you before, I wrote you letters of apology for many months after the event that occurred when I was eight." He looked down at the path's dust coating his boots. "After no success, I approached your father when he came to court..."

His gaze went fuzzy as his thoughts became full. He had been so scared and confused back then. One moment he'd been a young prince of barely eight and then suddenly he had a whole life of memories filling his mind.

The fear was overwhelming as he began to second guess everything and everyone around him, hiding within his rooms. Curled beneath his blankets, hands clutching his ears and his eyes closed tight as if he could block out the thoughts that assailed him.

His parents had come at the week's end, checking in on him. Worry is shown by wrinkles across foreheads and pursed lips. His mother had carefully unwrapped him from his blankets and both sat beside him; neither asking what was the matter, merely staying by his side. His mother stroked his hair and his father patted his back.

It was so different from what the memories plagued him with, of a king and queen who seemed accommodating but distant. The Other had not been grateful for everything that was given him but instead had grown up spoiled and entitled. He took for granted the unconditional care of his parents and the kindness shown by his friend, Vienna Thorne.

"Your Highness?"

Ravven blinked, his mind clearing sluggishly.

"Ravven, are you alright?"

His gaze came up and met the face of the Vienna Thorne that stood before him in the present. So unlike the Other's Vienna, and yet there was a kindness in her eyes that was similar.

He hummed under his breath before walking to the forest tree line. He stopped and looked over the land in front of him. His eyes wandered from the pond at the front of the estate to the gazebo created by a circle of trees upon a terran platform.

"I realized I had much to change. I approached the Prime Minister after I failed in my quest to apologize." Ravven looked into confused fawn eyes, "The event taught me that I had much to improve on if I ever wish to follow my parents' example."

Her undivided attention made him want to squirm. He resisted the urge. He felt his cheeks heat up.

"When Sir Roark believed me ready, he brought me before your father."

For all Duke Thorne's gentleness when he was before his daughter, he was an intimidating presence. The Duke was taller, and in his eyes was a piercing agelessness that only the wisest of Terra possessed.

Even with all the preparation and tutelage from Sir Roark, Ravven still felt a shiver of dread run down his spine whenever he approached the duke.

In the present, a wry smile came across Ravven's lips. "Duke Thorne would allow me to meet with you as long as I followed his guidelines."

Ravven looked at the girl, who had remained silent through all his contemplation. "It's all worth it if I can see you again."

Vienna broke her silence. "Why?"

He frowned. "There is someone I do not wish to become..."

Ravven took a breath. He knew it was a risk. He'd learned this quickly, though nothing worthwhile wasn't without its challenges.

"I wish to become your friend, Lady Vienna Thorne."

This time, the fear was unmistakable in her gaze. The young girl stepped back. Her hands clenched the hem of her tunic as she stared down at the ground.

Ravven wanted to reach out to her, while at the same time, he wished to run away and never come back.

His throat felt dry. He cleared it before speaking up, "I only wish to start again with you Lady Vienna, and become acquainted."

He let out a breath. Although he regretted frightening such a pure bright soul, he couldn't regret meeting her. If he hadn't met her, he wouldn't know what he had to change. He would be eternally grateful just for that alone.

"I..." Her voice drifted off and her gaze seemed to hover above his head, looking up at the blue sky above. "I don't know if I..." she sighed before looking straight into his eyes. "I don't know if I'll be able to be your friend, Your Highness."

The formality caused his heart to sink.

It made sense; he told himself. From the memory he gained of this Vienna Thorne in the Before, he knew she was aware of some of the happenings that occurred in the other timeline. She had valid reasons to be wary of someone who betrayed a childhood friend.

His smile was subdued in return.

"Sir Roark boasts of your mind. I would be honored if you could allow me to have discussions with you."

She acquiesced on the basis that the meetings would end whenever she wished.

He held back a sigh of relief before smiling and thanking her.

It was better than nothing.

This Vienna was the only one who could ever understand the sense of otherness that seemed to permeate his being. Ravven hoped that with time, she'd be able to trust him. If so, then maybe he wouldn't feel so alone.