Join the new world

...cerita sebelumnya

“Is someone here?” She asked the room, but there was no reply. She searched the room as she had the night before, but the occupant was nowhere to be found. How strange that he would make breakfast and leave. Had he made it for her? She sat down at the table and picked up the silver spoon. “Thank you… who ever you are.”
After breakfast, the princess made the bed and paced around the small room. She was too afraid to leave and she felt at peace in this strange little cottage. Eventually, curiosity led her to the bookshelves by the door. The shelves were lined with books on fauna, flora, and the history of the forest with its many names over the centuries. One of the older books contained the inked image of the beast, which was referred to only as the Forest Guardian.
She read all morning long, and when midday arrived, her nose tickled with the fragrance of fresh herbs and flowers. The princess looked up and found a fresh plate of greens and a goblet of cool water waiting for her on the table. She carefully put the books back on the shelves and sat down to eat her lunch.|As the princess ate, the sunshine streaming upon her from the window, she became aware of her current physical condition. She was covered from head to toe in dried mud. She looked around the small space for her hidden host, and realized with dread that she must look terrifying. No wonder he was determined to hide from her. She needed a bath.
“No wonder you are afraid to show yourself, I look like a monster in all of this mud. Perhaps if I wash off you will not fear me. Oh, and thank you for the mid-day meal, it was lovely.” There must be a well nearby, the princess decided. She peered out the front and side windows, but no well was visible, which was a relief because she dreaded stepping outside the cottage. She turned toward the small door at the back of the room. Maybe there was a well behind the cottage.
Before she took a step toward the door, she saw the brass tub in the corner near the fireplace. It was filled almost to the brim and steaming. “Thank you.” she said to the cottage. After her warm bath, the princess washed her traveling clothes and set them out to dry on the table. It was a little uncomfortable wearing nothing—especially because she felt she was not alone, so she open the chest at the base of the bed because it looked like it might contain something in which she could wrap herself. To her relief, she found a soft cotton dress and a pair of slippers. She put them on immediately.

... to be continued...

Part 1
Part 2