Little Carmen

King Cyrus was in distress, tormented by the beautiful memories of the woman he loved who had suddenly departed. And when he closed his eyes, all he could envision was her countenance, her grin, her figure. All he desired was to hear her voice once more and the sound of her charming, innocent giggle. Jordan, his advisor, was greatly concerned about the King.

"Ugh, not again!" King Cyrus shouted in fury. Jordan grabbed the bowl of ink and cautiously placed it on the table. "Your majesty, I think you need to move on. It has been two years now," said Jordan in a calm voice.

"Carla is different, she is the only woman who was willing to understand me. But you are correct; she has been gone for a long time. I need to find it in my heart to accept that. Jordan, I need your assistance." The king sobbed.

"That is why I am here, my Lord. What is troubling you?" 

The king sighed. "It has been a while since I've sailed the sea. I need someone to look after things here while I am away. Can you help me with this?"

Jordan bowed his head. "As you wish, my Lord," he said.

The king packed a change of clothes, food, and fishing equipment for his journey, then set sail. 

Meanwhile, a mysterious woman in a scarlet gown meticulously wrapped a baby in a red cloth and placed the child in a small canoe. With tears in her eyes, she spoke a few words. "I know that you will be much safer with a human than with me," she said. The woman exhaled heavily, causing the canoe to float away until it reached the king's direction. "I will come for you at the appropriate time. Grow and live," she said before transforming into a bat and flying away to the Eastern country. The canoe drifted in the sea for three days before it eventually reached the King.

One chilly morning, while the king was fishing with no success in catching any fish, he heard a sound. At first, he thought he was being haunted by ghosts. "The stories are accurate. The sea is haunted," he thought to himself. The sound grew louder and clearer. "The spirit of a baby?" he wondered. The crying became louder, and the king looked around his ship, then saw a canoe floating with nobody paddling it. He then noticed something wrapped inside the canoe and wondered what it was. "It could be treasure," the king thought. 

The king promptly looked into his bag of tools, pulled out a rope, and knotted one end to a metal pole securely attached to the ship. He took the other end of the rope and threw it down into the canoe. "May the angels of God be with me," said the king, jumping into the cold water. "What do we have here?" he asked.

The king unwrapped the cloth tightly wrapped around the baby, who had suddenly stopped crying. To the king's amazement, it was a real baby, not a ghost or treasure. "Who could be so cruel as to leave an innocent baby out in the cold like this? Don't worry; I will take care of you," said the king. He wrapped the baby in the cloth, placed her on his back, and began to climb the ship until he safely entered it. The king exhaled heavily upon reaching the inside of the ship. "It has been a while since I sailed. I will have to do it more often," he said.

The baby began to cry again, and King Cyrus became worried. "You need to be kept warm," he said. The king began searching for a warm blanket, a jacket, anything he could find that could be utilized to keep the infant warm. "This cover will suffice," he remarked. The baby ceased crying. The ruler exhaled in relief. He hoisted his sail, then turned back to the castle. The excursion took an entire seven hours, but he eventually arrived. The trumpets blared. "The King has returned, the King has returned! Let it be known that the King is safe and has returned to us!" One of the king's gatekeepers bellowed. The occupants of Kineti congregated and commenced singing in joy. Jordan rose from his chair, then sprinted toward the king. "My King," he bowed. "We all have been so anxious. Thinking you had deserted us," he said, his eyes brimming with tears. "Don't be absurd. I would never do such a thing. Assist me. I have a present with me. Be cautious, she is delicate," the ruler commanded. Jordan was taken aback, but because he was a faithful servant, he did not dare question his leader. "Make way for the King," he said. The crowd and all of the king's men dispersed. King Cyrus was able to pass, then finally entered the palace. "Jordan! Assist me!" The King shouted, unwrapping the infant. "What do you want me to do, my Lord?" "I require something warm for the baby, Jordan! I believe she may be famished. Stay here with her." The King then rushed to the kitchen. Mrs. Miller, the chef, was surprised to see him there. She stood upright like a dutiful soldier awaiting to execute a command. "My Lord," she said, bowing her head. "I require you to make porridge. It should be tender, as it is for the baby." The chef was perplexed, but she did not inquire. She was frightened that the King could slaughter her if she asked too many questions. No one would dare question King Cyrus as he was feared by many. They knew he could kill a man without hesitation, particularly a man that gossips or asks too many questions. "I will be right on it, your highness, and if you require assistance with the baby, you can inform me, I…" Mrs. Miller didn't even finish her sentence. The King interrupted. "I don't require your assistance. Just do as I have asked of you!" He said. The King then instructed one of his maids to buy a small bed for the infant, a few blankets, baby food, and diapers. When the infant had finished eating the warm porridge, King Cyrus placed the child carefully on her new tiny bed while singing Kineti's national anthem. "Kings and Queens of old, battled together causing endless war. Women, men, and their children died in agony. Those who survived lived to tell the tale. Hunger and anger befell the land. Nonetheless, the people died, while some survived to tell the tale. The brave were made to rule. Those who used to lead became the ones who served. The nation thrived, Kineti still survives." Later that night, a woman arrived at the palace. "Someone is here to see you," said Jordan. The King had been getting ready to sleep, he already had his nightgown on. "This late!" he grumbled.