The Silent Princess

Chapter 2

They soon landed near a well in the middle of the village. Ciara was a little surprised on how the village was. It was a small village but really well kept, crops are growing fine with healthy soil, horses and animals being treated, and houses and homes not tattered or destroyed but looks new. Ciara got off Pharos and stayed close to him, a little nervous. Pharos gently chuckled, "Don't worry. It's calm here. You don't need to be afraid. No bad people here, and I checked," he said, soon seeing a middle aged woman walking towards them.

She was wearing the common bakers outfit: a brown gown with a white apron on top of it. Her hair was a nice raven and her skin was tan like dough and her eyes were a nice sky blue. Her smile also felt warm and friendly. "Ah, there you are. I've been wondering what you were gonna bring back," her gaze went from Pharos to Ciara and her eyes widened," Or who you were bringing back." Ciara hid behind Pharos and watched the baker nervously. Pharos lightly brought Ciara in front of him and so the baker could get a better look at her.

"Oh dear. Who's this?" The baker asked and she looked at a crest that marked the back of Ciara's hand. The crest was a Phoenix spreading its wings and lifting his head high. "That crest...,"she trailed off and lightly gasped, "You're from the royal family aren't you? Oh my Lord, the news runs fast here. I feel sorry for your kingdom. But didn't the royal family have a son also?" the baker asked. Ciara looked down and was about to cry because of a quick flashback of what happened to her brother. Pharos wrapped a wing around Ciara and kept her close, comforting her.

"Something happened to him? Oh dear, I'm so so sorry. Please forgive me, I had no thought of what happened but I won't mention it again." The baker apologized. Ciara pulled away from Pharos and gave the baker a soft forgiving smile. The baker replied with the same soft smile.

"Hey, since you're here. Do you wanna stay at my bakery? I reckon it was hard for you to sleep out in the open." The baler suggested, Ciara looked up at Pharos and he gave her a small nod, slowly looking back at the baker she gave a nod and a bit of a bigger smile. The baker chuckled softly, "Alright, great. It's this way. Oh! I forgot to introduce myself. Im Reina Waterwood. Im the baker of this fine village. I provide lovely deserts and bread to every loving villager here. Heh, and I'm guessing your Phoenix friend gave you a few dumplings a while ago, didn't he?" Reina asked with a grin. Ciara blushed lightly in a bit of embarrassment and nodded. Pharos nudges Ciara's back gently, making her tumble a bit forward. Ciara's eyes widen and looked back at the Phoenix and gently hit him.

Reina continued to lead both Pharos and Ciara to her baker cabin. She opened the door and the rush of fresh baked deserts burst out the door and showered Ciara and Pharos. Reina let out a soft chuckle and opened it a bit wider for the princess. "I'm baking some more bread and some more dumplings for an order. Ignore the mess, I didn't know I was bringing guests today." Reina informed, while Ciara stepped into the cabin and let in a deep breath, letting in the nice smell of fresh goods that were set into the oven. Before Reina stepped into the cabin as well, she gave Pharos a dumpling to eat and Pharos gladly snatched it out of her hand and gulped it down. She then stepped in and closed the door behind her, to keep anything from entering. Pharos walked around the cabin and stuck his head through an open window.

Reina goes over to her oven and takes out the tray of bread and dumplings and set them onto the table. She noticed Pharos sticking his head into the window and laughed gently, Ciara noticed as well and let out a soft giggle. "Seems like the Phoenix will be your feathered guard, eh?" Reina asked, her gentle soft accent cleared into Ciara's ears, catching her attention from the Phoenix. She faced Reina and nodded while nervously rubbing her arm. Reina looked over at Ciara with a curious glance, she was thinking about why Ciara is so quiet. She might be like that because of the tragedy or if she was born like that. Reina's curiosity took advantage of her and she spoke.

"Princess, you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but, why aren't you talking? Are you okay?" Reina managed to say. Ciara jumped to the sudden question and looked away and nodded softly. Its hard for her to explain what she has since no one had the guts to ask. But when she was younger she always knew a lot of the kingdoms people had been whispering about it and speaking of it behind her back and always called it some "curse". She looked at Reina and saw how much she's been nice to her and is not a person to run away or call her a cursed child.

Ciara let in a soft breath looked over at Pharos at the window with gentle eyes, telling him to give her something. Pharos nodded and took his head out the window and quickly back in with her bag in his beak. Ciara reached for it and grabbed it and went into her bag. Reina was curious on what she was getting until her eyes widens once Ciara took out a blue velvet book with golden marking outlining the details and rims of the book.

"That book is it-" Reina was cut off by Ciara's nod. She wiped her hand along the cover of the book as dust was swept off of it and revealed the title,"Crimson Nectar of Heart and Voice". The word 'Crimson' and 'Heart' was written in red lining while the rest of the title carried on with the gold writing. Reina was hesitant on whether she should speak or wait till Ciara makes her move, but results into waiting as Ciara opened the book to the first page. The pages were a bit worn out and even torn around the edges. The rough feeling of the page softly made a crumpling sound as Ciara flipped the pages few by few. Until she reached a page with red letters spread along the page.

Ciara flipped the book and set it on the table as she pointed on the page that reads 'Crimson Heart. The enchanted voice'. Reina's eyes grew big as she read the words that was lent out to her. "You're the daughter of King Rin and Queen Elaine Heart. And you're the muted daughter Princess Ciara Heart." Reina said, her tone filled with amazement and shock. Ciara slowly nodded and faced away with a upset smile.

"Oh dear, did I say something wrong? There you done it, Reina. Oh, puffy muffins, keep your mouth shut next time," Reina says, punishing herself. Ciara tapped her and shook her head as her hands followed her head's movements. She put her hand to her chest and lets out a gentle breath and looks at Reina. Reina does the same as Ciara and calmed down. "I'm sorry, Princess. I didn't mean to say whatever I said that made you upset."

Ciara waved her dismissively letting out a scoff with a gentle smile. Reina let our a small laugh as well. "Glad you're feeling a bit better,Princess."

The door swung open as a gruff old man with dust all over his hands and clothes burst through the door. Reina quickly faced the man and jogged towards him with a bit of shock.

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I guess I'll stop right here. Im trying to find MOTIVATION!! But sorry that this is short but I'm trying again.

Anyways. Love you. Hope you have a wonderful day!