The sunshine faded from the window. It was almost time to prepare for things for lunch. Aqua looked out the window. "Talin thawed not long after. Apparently Lena let him see everything to 'report' to us all that had happened. Unfortunately he was the only one that thawed. He tried to bring Queen Lena back with him but." Aqua got quiet and a tear rolled down her cheek. "Lena used her magic and Queen Ulma fell to pieces. Talin brought the princess back with him but, she was in the state that she is in now. Only a few of the Kings closest personnel knows the details. Other people just thinks she's an odd duck."

Sora stared at his tea. "Why do you suppose the King never told me?" He spoke softly.

Aqua paused what she was doing. She looked down at the cup in her hand thinking. "I would like to think that he didn't want to burden you right away. To get to know the princess before you knew of this wild tale. Besides, would you have believed it if you knew the truth right away?"

Sora shook his head. "Not in a million years. Sure the princess is odd and hard to be around. Not to mention she has no personality at all." Sora stopped himself. "Sorry."

Aqua gave Sora a reassuring look "It's quite alright if you say that to me. Trust me I know what she is like but, you better not say that anywhere else."

Sora gave a nervous smile. " Right, you never know what may happen if you make fun of royalty."

Aqua chuckled slightly. "I really hope you get along with the princess. I think you will be a good match for her."

Sora tilted his head in confusion "Whatever you say but, I don't know how much help I'll be in this type of situation. Oh by the way, does the princess know what happened to her?"

Aqua let out a deep breath. "We have always contemplated about telling her or not. If we did tell her, it's not like it will affect her at all. As you could see today, she can't comprehend what is happening to her." Aqua looked down at the table laying a hand on it. "She's like an empty shell" she said quietly.

Sora stood from his chair and bowed. "Thank you for telling me this story. I feel like I can understand her a bit more now."

Aqua nodded "Thank you for taking the time to listen. Why don't you go check on her. I'm sure she is awake staring out her window."

Sora bowed once more. "I shall take my leave then." Sora was in deep thought as he traveled back to the princess's room. If he had not of witnessed what he did this morning, he probably would have never believed it. The story sounded familiar to him. There was a story his mother used to tell him as a boy right before bed. A curse fell upon a wonderful girl. She was the delight of her family who everyone loved, but unfortunately there was one person who was jealous of her. The older sister saw that her younger sister was getting the love and affection from her parents and only the older sister got scolded. A bitterness grew in her heart and she cast a spell over her. The young girl became like a lifeless doll, an empty shell. In time everyone grew cold to each other and started to fight each other until, everyone and everything turned to ice. Sora always thought the story was sad. There was no happy ending, so why would there be a story like this? He looked up and noticed he was in front of the princess's door. He took a deep breath and knocked.

Kairi sat on the window ledge, gazing over the kingdom. In the distance you could hear the mid day life happening in the market. A few birds landed on the roof nearby, lightly chirping at each other, and bouncing around. Kairi watched them for a few minutes when a hawk came swooping in. The birds scattered away flying away from the hawk. They swooped right and left, up and down. A few bids then charged after the hawk and then the whole flock joined in. The hawk then gave up its lunch and flew away. All seemed good for the birds except for one. One had fallen by Kairi's window sill. She tilted her head watching the bird struggle. After a few moments the bird fell on its body breathing deeply. She scooped up the bird into her hands staring at the pitiful creature.

Blankly she spoke. "What must you be feeling right now? Pain? Fear? I know nothing of those feelings. Even this morning, i tried to inflict pain upon myself." She held her bandages hand up in front of her. "What does it feel like? What kind of emotion would I show?" The bird then breathed its last breath, it became motionless.

Kairi then heard a knock on her door. She expected it to be Aqua checking in on her like normal. She let herself stay silent. Usually Aqua would come in after a few moments but, all she heard was more knocking.

"Excuse me princess?" A muffled voice came from behind the door. "I was sent by Aqua to check up on you."

Kairi sat there in silence. So it was the boy Sora who was outside her door. This was a change.

"Princess, are you up? May I come in?" Sora opened the door about an inch hoping he wasn't going to get in trouble for opening a princess's door without permission.

"Seeing how you already have the door open, you may enter." Kairi coldly stared back out the window.

Sora sheepishly walked in. "Pardon the intrusion but, how are you feeling?" Sora then mentally slapped his forehead.

Kairi turned her head to face the young man. "I feel nothing. As you know, I feel no emotions. No pain. So your question is useless."

Sora bowed "I am sorry your Highness. Please forgive my lack of sensitivity to the situation."

"As you see, in your terms I am fine. You may leave now."

Sora stood up thankful that his stupidity didn't get him into trouble. Though one thing was puzzling him. "If I may Princess. If everything is fine then, why are you holding a dead bird in her hand?"

Kairi looked down at the lifeless bird. "It was attacked by a hawk and fell here. It died moments later."

"That still doesn't explain why you are holding it in your hand." Sora was a tad creeped out by the scene.

Kairi let the bird fall on the window sill. "What is there to tell. I was merely watching it as it died."

Sora took a step back. "Right." Clearly this girl was more of a wack job then he initially thought. Even after learning about the curse that was set upon her life. "Well, since you seem to be doing great then i guess I'll see you around." Sora turned to leave but, was stopped from Kairi speaking out.

"Sora was it? I do believe my Father ordered you to take me around the market." Kairi pointed out. "So please accompany me after we have lunch."

Sora shut his eyes, his back still toward the princess. "Oh. That's right. Of course, your Highness." That was the last thing Sora wanted to do at the moment. He then turned around to face her. "Is there anything else you might need?"

Kairi turned her head back toward the window. "No. You may leave now."

Sora bowed one last time and left the room. As soon as he shut the door, he leaned back against it and tilted his head back resting it on the door. "Great. Just how I wanted to spend the afternoon. Hanging out, IN TOWN, with the lifeless princess. I just hope I don't see any of my friends later." He let out a sigh and then headed outside.