There was a sudden knock on Carmen's door.
"Come in."
Shiandra entered.
"What is going on a here, why are you crying child?" She asked, seeing that Carmen was wiping off the tears from her rosy red cheeks.
"My father said that I am not his blood, was he telling the truth?" Carmen asked, looking at her reflection on the mirror.
Shiandra grabbed a comb, then began to brush Carmen's hair gently
"So is it true?" The princess asked.
"When did he say that?" Shiandra asked, with a concerned look in her eyes.
"Today! I overheard him talking to Jordan."
There was an awkward silence in there room.
"You should not worry yourself about anything. You are a queen and you will rule one day." Carmen found the words comforting, she stopped being sad. Shiandra left the room but caught Alex walking away from the door as if he had been listening over to the conversation and indeed he was. Shiandra was very upset.
"Hey you! Stop right there." She commanded. Carmen was lost in sleep by then.
Alex stood still, frightened.
"What did you hear?"
"N..nothing." Said Alex unable to look at Shiandra in the eye.
"I hope it stays that way, unless you want the king to know that you were up to and if he knows that you were here what do you think he will do to you? Let you live since your father is the king's advisor? huh! Don't forget yourself boy. The king is heartless he will behead you without thinking twice!"
Alex began to tremble in fear.
"I swear I won't tell..please don't say anything." he pleaded.
Shiandra laughed hilariously as if she were a witch. Indeed she was one. She walked away, leaving the boy trembling still.
Late evening, Alex made dinner with doubt in his heart.
"Son are you alright?" Jordan asked, seeing the worry that covered his son's face.
"I would like to visit my relatives in Noracia!" Said Alex.
Jordan was surprised as he knew that his son did not like visiting anyone far.
"And how long do you plan to go away for? Remember that Kineti needs your kind of skills. You are the best fighter here."
Alex was reluctant to answer his father's question nor did he want his permission. He began to tremble. Jordan was concerned.
"Why do you want to visit Noracia, are you running away from something here?"
Alex kept silent. Jordan became furious. He thought his son was trying to be a rebel.
"Why do you do this? I know that I am not like your mother. She understood you better but please son don't turn your back away from me. I am still your father and you are still my son!"
Alex shaked his head slightly.
"Father I love you very much. I will never turn my back on you never! But I cannot stay here either. This place is not my safe haven." Said Alex, walking away to try to co himself down.
In the morning, Jordan went to Shiandra for advice. He did not understand his son's odd behaviour.
"You look worried, what is troubling you?"
Jordan exhaled heavily.
"Alex is different now." He said.
"Different in which way?"
"He does not speak freely with me about the things that are troubling him. He's behaviour worsened after the death of his mother. How will I ever get my son back?" Jordan cried.
Shiandra gave Jordan a pat on the shoulder.
"Children that have reached Alex's age all behave that way. They act abnormally at times. They are happy today, tomorrow their angry. It will pass."
Jordan sighed.
"I feel much better after sharing what was in my heart. You are good with children. Do you have them, children I mean?" he asked.
"Yes I do. Many of them." Shiandra said with a smile.
"You should bring them here once in a while. I am certain that the King will be very happy to see them. Carmen wont be lonely.She will have someone to play with when Alex is away."
Shiandra's eyes widened.
"Alex is leaving?" She asked.
"Yes. He said that Kineti is not a safe haven for him. My son has become a ccomplete stranger. I do not understand him anymore."
"Oh!" Shiandra had a crooked smile on her face.
"Yes and I don't know why he would do such a thing. Alex is a fighter like me. If someone were to try and oppress him, he would fight back." said Jordan.
"I am certain he would. No doubt about it ."
Shiandra was laughing from inside her heart. Jordan excused himself.
Meanwhile Alex was sitting with Carmen under the cherry tree a few metres away from the palace. Two warriors were standing a little farther away keeping a close eye on them. Carmen didn't go anywhere outside of the palace without a warrior or two.
"What do you like about me?" Carmen asked.
She was eight by that time and Alex was thirteen years old.
"Who said I like anything about you. Look at how round your nose is." Alex teased.
Carmen rolled her eyes.
"I don't have a round nose." She protested.
"Yes you do. It's round, a little crooked and ugly."
Carmen frowned.
"I am kidding. I think your round nose makes you look pretty."
Carmen smiled.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yes really. It is not pointy and scary like a sword."
Carmen laughed. Alex joined in.
But their good time was short lived. Alex had a frown on his face.
"What is it?" Carmen asked.
"I am leaving Kineti."
"What, but why?"
"I am not getting along well with my father."
"But why? Jordan says good things about you all the time. He loves you very much."
Alex smiled.
"I know. My father does love me. But I miss having my mother around. She knew me better than my father. My mother would take her time just to listen to my poems, my father wants me to put my focus on combat alone. He never listens or ask about my writings."
Carmen pitied Alex.
"Did you tell him how you feel?" She asked.
"I won't! He should have asked me but he hasn't because he does not want to listen to my poems at all. But my father is not the only reason I am leaving."
"But you just said that.."
Alex interrupted.
"I know exactly what I said. But my father didn't do anything wrong. One day were going to grow up and we will never.." Alex paused.
Carmen was even more puzzled.
"What are you talking abpout Alex?" she asked.
Alex chuckled.
"No its nothing." He stood up and dusted himself from the leaves and small tiny branches. "Let me walk you to the palace." Alex said offering Carmen his hand. She pulled herself up using Alex's hand and they returned to the palace.