First skill of being a wife

The next day, Alex packed his bags and was ready to depart. However, to his surprise, Jordan arrived with King Cyrus and Carmen.

"Were you planning on leaving without saying goodbye?" The King inquired.

"Alex always does that. I'm used to it now," Jordan explained.

Alex felt remorseful. "I-"

The King interjected, sensing Alex's hesitance. "Don't worry. I understand. I have a canoe that you can use for your journey."

"Thank you for the offer, but I don't have the money to pay you if it becomes damaged. I'm not the most skilled paddler," Alex admitted.

The King chuckled. "I'm not asking you to pay for anything. The boat is yours to keep."

Alex was taken aback. "What?!" he exclaimed, his face breaking into a wide grin.

Jordan was also amazed. "Wow, this is incredible," he said, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Come on, Jordan. We've been friends for how long?" the King asked.

Carmen approached Alex and hugged him tightly. Jordan was concerned about how the King would react, but he simply smiled.

"I'll miss you," Carmen said with a quiver in her voice.

"I'll miss you too, my Queen," Alex joked.

Carmen playfully pinched Alex. "Ouch!"

The King couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry when Alex referred to Carmen as "my Queen." He knew he would have to explain to her one day that she wasn't truly his blood.

"When will I see you again?" Carmen asked, her eyes filled with tears.

"I don't know, but I'll visit once a week," Alex promised.

Jordan breathed a sigh of relief. Alex observed his father for a moment.

King Cyrus led Alex to the boat and helped him load his bags onto it. Alex hugged each of them goodbye. Carmen waved as Alex paddled away, her tears streaming down her face. It was a poignant moment for everyone.

"If you play with any other boy besides me, I'll come back and take off his hand with my sword!" Alex teased Carmen.

Jordan and the King laughed heartily.

"If you hold another girl's hand besides mine, I'll come to Noracia and bite both of your hands off so that you never touch anyone's hand again!" Carmen retorted.

Alex laughed too, but Jordan didn't find it as amusing, and the King seemed troubled. Despite the unease, Alex and Carmen continued to visit each other every year.

Carmen let out a loud scream and Shiandra hurried over to see what was happening.

"What's wrong?" she asked, concerned.

Carmen pointed to her bed and Shiandra lifted the covers to reveal bloodstains.

"Come with me," Shiandra said softly, taking Carmen's hand.

Carmen washed up while Shiandra helped clean her blankets.

"What's happening to me? Am I dying?" Carmen asked.

Shiandra chuckled.

"No, my dear. You're experiencing a menstrual cycle."

"What's that?"

Shiandra proceeded to explain the menstrual cycle to Carmen.

"So, all girls my age go through this?" Carmen asked.

"Yes, my dear. It means you're growing up and becoming a woman, and one day you may be someone's wife."

Carmen giggled.

"You mean I'll be matched with a boy?"

"Yes, but only when you're ready," Shiandra said, pressing the importance of waiting until she was older.

Carmen grew worried, wondering what kind of husband she would have and how he would treat her once he found out she wasn't of royal blood.

"I'll never get married!" she exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes.

Shiandra's eyes widened in surprise.

"Why not?"

Carmen ran off before she could finish her sentence, leaving Shiandra concerned.

She went to see the king in his library, where he was reading letters from citizens and devising solutions to their problems.

"What can I do for you, Shiandra?" he asked.

"Your daughter, Carmen..." Shiandra began.

"What has she done now?" the king sighed.

"She's started her period," Shiandra replied.

The king was startled, not quite sure how to react.

"Is she alright?" he asked.

Shiandra nodded.

"But you know what this means for her," she said.

"That she needs to stay away from boys," the king said sternly.

"Carmen is becoming a woman. She needs to be matched and bring honor to our family," Shiandra said, pressing the issue.

The king was not pleased.

"She's too young to be concerned with marriage. She needs to finish school first, and then we can think about finding her a suitable match," he said.

"But, my lord, Carmen is not just any ordinary girl. She's going to be a queen one day and needs to lead the people of Kineti," Shiandra insisted.

The king grew furious at the suggestion of marriage.

"Carmen is my daughter! She will be matched only when I say so. Do not bring up this topic again," he said, dismissing Shiandra.

Later that day, Shiandra led Carmen to the dining room to teach her some skills she would need in the future.

"Where is everyone?" Carmen asked.

"They've been instructed to leave the dining room to us in the afternoons. No one will disturb us," Shiandra said.

"Not even my father?" Carmen asked.

"Only he can interrupt us," Shiandra replied.

Carmen giggled.

"Why are you setting the table like that? Are we going to eat?" she asked.

"We'll eat later. For now, I want to teach you how to set a table. It's a skill you'll need when you get married," Shiandra said.

"I'll never get married, unless it's someone I truly love," Carmen said defiantly.

Shiandra looked amused.

"If you don't marry, you'll have to stay here with your father until he passes away. Is that the life you want for yourself?" she asked.

"No, I don't want to stay with my father forever. I want to travel on a ship," Carmen replied.

Shiandra looked at her with pity.

"But constant training is required for sailing too." 

"I will still learn how to sail!" 

"What if you get married and never have the chance to sail, or if your duties as a wife and mother take up too much of your time?" Shiandra asked.

"I'll make sure to find time for sailing, even if it's just once in a while," Carmen replied confidently.

"That's a good plan. You're going to make a great queen someday," Shiandra said with a smile.