The Beginning of Winter

The weather was frigid. The nights were even chillier. The Kineti royal attendants lit a blazing fire in Carmen's chamber to keep her warm through the night, but her hands remained icy. They never warmed up, even in the summertime. However, Carmen was unaware of this. She learned of it only once when she and Alex were playing as children. Carmen was never susceptible to fever. Her cells were resilient enough to fight off any illness that attempted to invade her.

"It's getting colder, you need to consume some oil to keep your blood circulating throughout the winter," Shiandra proposed. She had purchased a bottle of cod liver oil that she trusted would work miracles during the colder months.

"You know I never drink that," Carmen objected.

"But my lady, it has other advantages as well. It will make your hair silky, robust, and radiant like mine."

"I will never touch that bottle, nana. You can advocate for the oil as much as you want. I will never drink it."

"One spoon, my dear. Just one spoon. I vow I won't disturb you again."

"Nana, do you realize how old I am turning this year?" Carmen inquired.

"Fifteen?"

"Sixteen. I am getting older now. My birthday is just around the corner. I doubt my father has even gotten me a gift yet. Hopefully, it won't be like the one he gave me last year. I don't want another sheep. Other girls get regular gifts unlike what he gave me. If Alex were there that day, he would have definitely laughed at me," Carmen remarked.

Shiandra burst into laughter. "Pardon me, darling. I don't mean to laugh. The king is something else, isn't he?" Carmen rolled her eyes.

"I feel hungry. I think bean soup will suffice," the princess stated.

"As you wish, your highness." Shiandra went to the kitchen to speak with Mrs. Miller, while Carmen took a hot bath.

King Cyrus summoned Shiandra. She promptly attended to the king.

"Yes, your highness," she said, bowing her head.

"May I speak with you?"

"Of course, my lord." The king led Shiandra to the dining room, where they both sat.

"My daughter is turning sixteen this year. You are a woman, and I am certain that she has told you what she wants for her birthday," the king stated.

"Sigh, your daughter is not always clear about what she wants. She changes her mind quickly. She might say that she wants a scarf today, and then change her mind and say she wants new shoes," Shiandra replied.

"We are very desperate here, and you are the only one who knows her that well," said Jordan, his grey beard appearing more grey each day.

"Sigh, I cannot promise you a lie. But I do have someone in mind who can be of great help to us."

The king smiled. "Who is it?" he inquired.

"Who else but Alex!" 

"But Alex is not here," Jordan said.

"Alex knows Carmen better than all of us. I think we should ask him to visit here," the king stated, glancing at Jordan.

"Perhaps I should just purchase what I want her to have. Anything that I believe will be of significant value to her. A journal will suffice," the king stated.

"But how is that helpful, my lord?" Jordan inquired.

"She can write down her thoughts," the king replied.

"Oh," Jordan said, remembering his son. Alex always carried a journal with him and wrote down his poems.

"I wish I could help you, my lord, but my son has duties to perform. He cannot come whenever I want him to. He is a devoted warrior."

"I understand, my old friend. Don't worry, Carmen will be thrilled with the present I have for her," Jordan reassured Shiandra.

Shiandra wanted to add that Carmen would need the journal more after she got married as it would be her close confidant. But she kept silent, knowing the King disliked the topic of marriage. Not that he didn't want Carmen to marry, but he wanted a man of influence and great wealth to be the one who married his daughter. He wanted only the best for the princess.

Just then, Carmen walked in, greeting everyone as was her habit.

"Father, do you remember when you bought me a sheep for my birthday?" she asked.

Shiandra couldn't help but burst out laughing, much to Jordan's disapproval.

"Yes, I remember," said the King in a low voice.

"Well, this year I would like a better present. It can be a hat, a dress, or even a boat, anything except a sheep," Carmen requested.

The King was relieved to hear her request. "You want a ship?" he asked for confirmation.

"Yes, a small one, for me. Please, Father," Carmen pleaded.

The King smiled. "Then I shall get you a ship," he promised.

Carmen beamed, and Jordan felt a slight relief.

The royal cook entered the dining room carrying a platter of roasted meat and vegetables and a bottle of wine. Shiandra saw the perfect opportunity and fetched the cutlery, placing them on the table haphazardly.

"Princess, would you help me set up for everyone?" she asked.

Carmen smiled, stood up, and arranged the plates according to Shiandra's instructions. "Voila!" she exclaimed.

"Wonderful, my lady. Now we can eat," Shiandra said.

The King looked on with pride in his eyes, and Jordan was happy too. But his heart was heavy with worry as he missed Alex badly. Although he wanted to smile and speak good words, he couldn't help but wonder when he would see his son again.

That evening, Shiandra sat in her bedroom, her heart filled with conflict and rage. "It's only a matter of time. Little Carmen is growing into a woman. She trusts me so much, she'd even eat poison without seeing it. But I can't act now. It's hard to practice anything here. The world is cruel to witches. The world has been cruel to me since childhood. I shall have my vengeance. Everyone will know who I am. I will endure these people for now, but their end will come one day, and I will rule. Gishon is mine!" she declared in a low yet bitter tone.