Stranger in the woods

As the evening wore on, Carmen was overcome with a strong desire to walk in the forest. She carefully climbed out of her bedroom window, her hands and feet sticking to the walls like a magnet. Slowly, she descended the walls, moving as gracefully as a spider. Once she reached the ground, she darted off into the forest, moving at a lightning-fast pace without even realizing it. The scent of something familiar caught her attention, causing her to stop in her tracks. Suddenly, a mysterious woman appeared before her, shrouded in a red hooded gown that concealed her face.

Carmen didn't feel afraid in the woman's presence, but rather safe.

"Who are you?" she asked.

The woman stepped closer and brushed Carmen's cheek with a cold hand.

"You've grown up," she said.

"Who are you? If you don't answer me now, I'll scream," threatened Carmen.

The woman smiled.

"Don't be hasty. I won't let any harm come to you, nor will I harm you."

"Then why are you in the woods alone at night?" Carmen inquired.

"For the same reason as you. I wanted to see you," replied the woman.

"But I came here on my own. No one knows that I'm here, and no one told me to come," said Carmen.

"Yet, you came. Why did you come to the woods, little princess?" the woman asked.

Carmen remained silent for a moment.

"I don't know. I just felt like coming here," she said.

Meanwhile, back at the palace, Shiandra went to check on Carmen only to find her bed empty. She let out a scream, causing Jordan to rush to her side.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"She's gone!" Shiandra exclaimed, pointing to the empty bed.

"Where could she have gone? I'll tell the guards to search the palace grounds. I'm sure she's around here somewhere. You know how she can be," reassured Jordan.

As Jordan and the guards searched for Carmen, Shiandra contemplated how to explain the situation to the King.

"What! You lost my daughter?" the King bellowed.

"I found her window open. I think she's still nearby. We'll find her. Jordan's searching for her already," said Shiandra, trying to ease the King's anger.

"My daughter had better be unharmed, or I'll have your head! Search the woods!" the King ordered.

Meanwhile, the guards scoured the forest for Carmen. That's when the mysterious woman appeared before Carmen again.

"They're looking for you," she said.

"Oh no. I'll be in trouble for this. Who are you?" Carmen asked.

The woman smiled.

"Your father is worried. We'll speak again soon. Remember these words: you are a queen and can overcome any challenge life presents. When the time comes, I will find you a good soulmate. You will reign as it is your right. Don't tell anyone about me. Be good, Carmen," she said before transforming into a bat and flying away to the East.

Confused, Carmen stood there for a moment before a warrior came up behind her. Unaware of the woman's presence, he was relieved to have found Carmen and began blowing a horn to signal the other guards.

The King was overjoyed to see his daughter again.

"Oh, my Carmen!" he exclaimed, embracing her tightly.

"Don't ever do that again. The woods are not safe, especially at night," scolded Shiandra.

"I'm sorry for worrying you. I promise to listen to you and keep myself out of trouble," said Carmen.

Shiandra, Jordan, and the King exchanged surprised glances at Carmen's response. She had spoken mechanically, as if reciting words she had been instructed to say. 

"What brought you to the woods at this hour?" Shiandra inquired, but Carmen struggled to come up with a convincing answer.

"I don't know. I just felt like going," she replied.

"You felt like going there, in the middle of the night?" Shiandra pressed.

"Yes," Carmen said simply.

"Enough with the questions, Shiandra. The child is back safe and sound, and that's all that matters," the King interjected.

"Forgive me," Shiandra apologized.

Days passed, and Carmen decided to surprise the King with her homemade lemonade. However, her curiosity got the better of her, and she hid behind an empty wooden bench near the stables, eavesdropping on the King and Jordan's conversation.

"I won't be King forever. The citizens of Kineti will need a new ruler," the King said.

"You may not have a new King, but you'll have a queen. Carmen would be a great leader," Jordan suggested.

The King chuckled dryly. 

"We all know that won't happen. The throne requires someone with immense strength, someone willing to die for it, maybe even kill for it. I need someone who is strong," he said gravely.

"Carmen is that person. She's quick on her feet, and with proper training, she can protect herself and rule over the Kineti. The people already love her. You're worrying needlessly. Carmen is the right person for the job. She's your daughter," Jordan insisted.

The King's eyes welled up with tears, and he became visibly upset. 

"Carmen isn't my blood. The people of Kineti won't accept her as their ruler. They'll disrespect her and say hurtful things because they know she's not my real daughter, that she's not my blood," he lamented.

Carmen was stunned by the King's words and ran to her bedroom, where she broke down in tears. 

"Why would my father say I'm not his daughter? If I'm not his child, then whose am I? The woman in the woods said I'm a queen, but which country am I supposed to rule?" she wondered.