Womanish Lady

Chapter 9:

   For a few weeks, the Royal Embroidery Maids had projects to complete for everyone else, but finally, a project to be prioritized came in for them. Unlike back at the Maiden's Village, when an important assignment came in, all the maids had to stand in line at the entrance with their heads bowed.

"Winter is about to be in full force," began the Royal Official. "So the King, Queen, and all the other royal bloods, have need of new cloaks. They love original pieces, so you will be making your best design yet, and it will be judged in front of all the royal family."

The Official finished speaking, then the Honored Elder Seamstress walked out from nowhere.

"Well, since we have a project for the Royal family. I'll be taking part. I'll be making the King a cloak, so you other maids better make a cloak for the others!"

Then she left, and the Royal Maidens were dismissed. Carleigh and Fuyaiyah walked silently together to the supply room.

They both looked for their fabric in the same aisle.

"Who will you be making your cloak for?" asked Carleigh softly. Other maids were around, including Winter.

"That young princess - I don't know her name."

"Princess Zyla? You won't make anything for the older royalties?"

"If I don't have to, I'll refuse to create something for anyone else - who possibly knew that our Village would come to destruction in their hands - or the King - who must've given them the final approval to go fourth with that day. The younger ones had nothing to do with that. I'll refuse unless I have no choice."

Carleigh looked at Fuyaiyah before turning away, sadly.

"That's fine. I'm sure Zyla will love what you make. But you should watch your words. Please."

"I'm whispering."

"Fuya. whenever you get passionate, your voice gets louder." she observed, since years ago.

Fuyaiyah got quiet, but it was too late. The last maid that needed to hear her statement heard it anyway and left the premises.

The days went by as the Royal Embroidery Seamstresses worked on the cloaks. They all worked in their stations, but would hardly look at each other nor speak.

Nothing else happened as they worked. But the day the cloaks were supposed to be presented, a blizzard came in, and the presentation was given the order to be delayed.

The Maids were inconvenienced by it, but were told to work on the other projects. Fuyaiyah looked out the window numerous times. Then, staring out the window a last time, she stood up and approached a Superior.

"May I get my cloak, please? It's really cold."

"Go on ahead."

So she went to the bed chambers and got the cloak she made for Princess Zyla as well as her own. She went outside a different way and headed towards the Royal Palace.

She ran into the Royal Official and fell into the snow.

"Miss Fuyaiyah!" he exclaimed while helping her up.

"What's having you in a hurry? Shouldn't you be inside?"

He spotted the cloak that she made. Fuyaiyah brushed herself off.

"Could you take me to the young Princess please? It's blistering cold out here so I thought to give this cloak to her early - also as a thanks for helping me be here."

"Don't you want your cloak to be seen by the King?"

She shook her head.

"It doesn't matter; I made this for the Princess. The King's judgment doesn't matter." she paused, then remembered her manners and got sheepish.

"With no offense to the King."

The Royal Official blinked, then laughed, and smiled at her.

"Alrighty then. But make it quick so you can return here. Follow me."

Fuyaiyah smiled at the Royal Official and they hurried into the Royal Palace. The Official bowed to her, then took his leave.

Fuyaiyah laid low though the area was vacant. She was focused, and looked for any sign of the Princess's dwelling.

That sign came quickly and clearly. A thick curtain flew open and a servant stumbled out.

"Princess! I already said - I'm not allowed to let you out in this weather!"

"I'll be fine. I just want to go for a quick walk around the Palace."

There was a faint voice of Prince Tuquor coming from the chamber.