Womanish Lady

Chapter 12:

Instead of a room, the King and the two Princes were standing, waiting for her under a gazebo. The Princess went to stand a little behind her brothers.

Fuyaiyah gave a curtsy but said nothing.

"I have somewhere to be, but I wanted to see who you'd pick," said King Lenon.

She looked at the King but still didn't say anything. The Royal Official who led her informed her.

"Miss Fuyaiyah, you are asked to pick who you'd want to be a personal servant to."

"Personal servant?"

"Yes." said the King. "Apparently, you struggle to assist us by quietly cleaning our towns or making clothes. But regardless, I can tell you'd be less rebellious serving directly under one of them. So I'm having you pick your new master."

She was uneasy about it, and bowed again.

"Please choose one for me."

The King laughed.

"Don't suddenly act like that. Go on - choose someone."

Fuyaiyah turned around and let the Royal Official - who grew to be a kind of friend of hers - see how unpleasant she found the situation. He just stood up straighter. She turned back around, and had a strong feeling that she was only supposed to choose between the Princes. But she saw Princess Zyla looking rejected a little bit behind her brothers.

She meant it when she said she wanted to avoid doing anything for anyone possibly involved in the destruction of her village. Also, the Princess and her got along fine. She wouldn't mind looking after the young Princess. And the Princess seemed to be in need of a new servant anyway.

Fuyaiyah walked right through both of the Princes and went to stand by Princess Zyla, who looked up at her surprisingly. She smiled down at her.

"Ho - Fuyaiyah, I didn't know you wanted to be with the Princess."

Princess Zyla hugged Fuyaiyah.

"Could she really be my personal servant?"

"Hmm." the King thought. "I was hoping she'd pick one of your brothers; Kyuni grew to be a big rough around the edges, so a woman of her type could soften him a bit. And Tuquor could be more motivated to strive to become a better King."

He paused. The two brothers didn't like their father's words very much. And the Princess feared Fuyaiyah couldn't be with her.

The King recalled being told of how hard of a time his youngest daughter had for adjusting to her new servant. He looked at her sad face.

"But, my dear daughter really needs a personal servant that can help her."

When Princess Zyla popped her head up, the King smiled.

"Oh well. Zyla, this is your new servant. Don't give her a hard time like you did the others. Fuyaiyah. I really hope not to hear anything else but good news about you. She's my daughter anyway."

The King turned to leave. Leaving the five by themselves. The Royal Official smiled at the two females.

"Then, shall we go and get your settled in, Miss Fuyaiyah?"

Though he was only addressing Fuyaiyah, both she and the Princess nodded. Then they gave their respect to the Princes before leaving.

Both the Princes sighed.

"Wait - why are you sighing?" asked Tuquor to Kyuni.

"Nothing. The result was just unexpected. My time was wasted."

"Hoo?" replied his younger brother with amusement, not believing him.

He smiled the same as Tuquor did.

"Oh yeah? How about you then - why'd you sigh?"

"I won't hide it one bit: I wanted her to consider me."

Kyuni closed his eyes.

"Didn't I tell you? You already did good deeds for her but she didn't even consider you. In fact, she walked right through you. You're also wasting your time."

Prince Tuquor started walking away.

"I'll decide when my efforts turn futile."

He shook his head. Then called out.

"You should learn to listen to your older brother."

He didn't look back.

It didn't take long for Fuyaiyah to get settled in her new position of Princess Zyla's personal servant. Cook her meals when the other personal servants do, clean her chamber, accompany her everywhere and be aware of, and report events concerning her.