It was clear that the Princess hadn’t recognized me. Suddenly, she let go of the children as if she had just remembered something important.

Where’s Gotz?

He’s in the kitchen smearing honey on his cheeks -- answered Yara.

Smearing what?

Honey -- answered Yara. -- Bono told him to. -- The Princess ran back to the castle.

I did no such thing, Mother! -- said Bono.

Yes you did! Yes he did! -- said Yara.

Did not! -- said Bono.

Did too! -- said Yara.

Did not! -- said Bono.

Did too! -- said Yara.

Did not! -- said Bono.

Did too! I heard you! -- said Yara.

You didn’t hear me! -- said Bono.

Did too! -- said Yara.

Did not! -- said Bono.

Did too! -- said Yara.

Did not! -- said Bono.

Did too! -- said Yara.

Did not! -- said Bono.

Oh my God! And they kept going on like this for two more rounds!

The carriage full of children rode off, leaving Bono and Yara standing there. Bono and Yara looked at the carriage as it disappeared and finally they were quiet.

Taking advantage of the silence, the Writer was able to narrate that they were truly beautiful children. Bono was around nine; he had Odai’s features but he was blond, and Yara was around eight; she had her father’s features but she had dark skin. You could tell she was going to be a beauty.

Why would you listen to Bono? -- asked the Princess as she walked out of the castle with one more child. She was cleaning his face with a handkerchief that she maternally licked with her tongue.

Bono said that if I did it I could have his carriage -- said the little one, who was... approximately... seven years old.

Bono doesn’t have a carriage, Gotz! -- the Princess explained.

He doesn’t?! -- asked Gotz, who suddenly felt fooled.

No.

Gotz freed himself from the Princess’ grip and ran towards Bono.

You told me you had a carriage, Bono! -- yelled Gotz. -- You said that if I smeared honey on my cheeks I could have it!

Told you so, Mother! -- Yara interrupted.

I said no such thing, Mother! -- said Bono.

Yes you did! Yes he did! -- said Yara.

Did not! -- said Bono.

Did too! -- said Yara.

Did not! -- said Bono.

Did too! -- said Yara.

Did not! -- said Bono.

The Princess suddenly realized something...

Where’s the carriage?

It’s gone -- said Yara and Bono together.

We tried to stop it but it left anyway -- said Bono.

They always do that to us. Can’t they wait just one more minute?

That’s not true, Princess -- said the Writer suddenly. -- Yara and Bono were arguing. They did nothing to stop the carriage from leaving.

There was a moment of silence and then all four turned to look at me.