Womanish Lady

Chapter 6:

Fuyaiyah was very uncomfortable but curious as to why Prince Tuquor came for her.

"I won't keep you here long. I have to go back in a moment." He smiled. Fuyaiyah turned her head to him without looking at him.

"I just wanted to check up on you here. How are you? Are you having any trouble? Is your back healed?"

Fuyaiyah had no intention to answer him.

"If I may ask: why did you come only for me?"

"How could I not visit you after seeing my brother, and others treat you wrongly? People tried coming against you, you were whipped, and left behind from going to the festival. I wanted to be sure you were treated better here."

She looked at him.

"There is no better treatment for someone like me. It was reasonable that others came against me, and it was lawful for me to have been whipped. I didn't want to attend the festival either. You didn't have to visit me."

"There still is one reason to visit you, Fuyaiyah. Ever since we looked at each other for the first time, years ago, I wanted to see you again but didn't think I would. But now that you're here, I want to see you as many times as possible and get to know you."

Fuyaiyah stopped walking long ago, but Prince Tuquor, who looked up at the clear winter sky didn't notice until after he finished speaking.

He turned around.

"What's wrong?"

Her eye slowly met his.

"So you really were there." she said quietly.

"Hmm?" he came back to her.

"Wasn't it also you who killed my mother? Right in front of me?" her voice gradually grew louder.

"What are you talking about Fuyaiyah?"

"You participated in the destruction of my people and village and now that you brought me here, you can say such selfish things!"

"Fuyaiyah. I did not go with my brother that day to destroy your village nor take everyone captive."

Fuyaiyah was speechless. Prince Tuquor carried on. "The King, and my older brother wanted me to go because they thought it would be another good experience for me, but I refused to go. I couldn't stop my brother from going, so while I got punished, he. and his friend went. I had no part in that, Fuyaiyah."

Fuyaiyah felt shame, and deep melancholy passed over her and bowed her head.

"Is that so? I'm sorry for accusing you. Can I go back now?"

Prince Tuquor studied her for a moment then displayed a smile.

"Yeah - you can go. Sorry for saying selfish things - but I meant it. You say there's no better treatment for people like you, but, if there's anything I can grant you for your comfort, don't hesitate to let me know."

Fuyaiyah recalled how the Overseers, Superiors and other maids reacted to Prince Tuquor's reason of arrival.

"I don't need anything granted from you except to please don't come by anymore. Your presence makes me uneasy, and you'll be disturbing me and everyone else."

"Hmm. Asking something difficult right off the bat? I'll try to grant your request."

She knew her manners.

"Thank you."

There was a moment of silence before Prince Tuquor clapped his hands.

"Okay! Time for me to go. I'll escort you back."

"I know my way back."

"I know you do - but I would like to stay with you as much as I can."

Fuyaiyah gave Prince Tuquor a look without looking at him.

Fuyaiyah walked back into the room everyone was working in and approached an Overseer.

"I'm sorry I delayed my work. Was there anything I missed?"

She gave her a look different from before.

"Not much, but you'll have to sleep later to make up for what you missed."

"Understood," said Fuyaiyah, turning around.

"Wait." the Overseer hesitantly said. "What did the Prince want with you?"

"I believe I shouldn't relay the business relating to the Prince without permission. Excuse me then."

As mentioned, Fuyaiyah had to stay up late at the main room to catch up on her work. But the lights had to be out, so only a lantern was lit up for her. She was working alone in almost complete darkness. But about an hour later, a winter breeze flew by her, and Winter approached with her lantern.