Womanish Lady

Chapter 13:

Fuyaiyah wasn't forgetting her goal, but she liked the Princess, and wanted to see her succeed like one. So, for the next two months, Fuyaiyah attentively learned the newly introduced routines so she could teach them to Princess Zyla.

The entire routine was slow paced, and had a lot of spinning and twirling. At first, the Princess was dancing without believing in herself.

At one of their extra practices, the Princess slipped and fell.

Fuyaiyah sat her up. "Princess, you're slowing down."

"I know." she said with a tone of hopelessness.

She sighed then gave a small smile.

"From failing many times, you must be doubting that this time will be different. But like you told that girl on the first day - that she didn't know how you'll end up doing - you also have to tell yourself that. Remind yourself why you keep trying: To perform for your father and see him proud of you, to show those girls a reason not to look down on you and, most significantly, because you don't want to keep failing. Isn't that right, Princess?"

Princess Zyla nodded and got back up.

Since then, though she'd mess up a few times, the Princess kept a stronger face and never fell again. Fuyaiyah would smile and nod seeing the Princess at the daily practice keeping up with the other girls.

Now, they were only hours away until they'd have to perform. Very early that morning, the personal servants, with escort of the Royal Official, walked in an orderly fashion to the Embroidery Palace, where the Embroidery maids were lined up, ready to pass them the costumes for tonight.

By chance, Winter was the maid Fuyaiyah had to retrieve the costumes from. Neither said a word as the bag with the costumes were handed over.

Customarily, the Embroidery maids were to smile and curtsy as their visitors departed, but, to Fuyaiyah, Winter's smile was meant for her in particular.

Fuyaiyah didn't worry. But she definitely kept it in mind that if anything happened after this moment, and she found out that Winter had a hand in it, she would personally see to her consequences.

The Royal Official was going about his next task after returning the personal maids back to the Royal Palace when Fuyaiyah ran up to him.

"Miss Fuyaiyah?"

"I'm sorry but, could I have your assurance?"

"Hmm? Of what?"

"The maid who gave the costumes to me does not like me and I think she wants something to go wrong."

"Like what?"

"I can't say, so I just have to wait, but in case something is off, please, would you help me?"

The Royal Official smiled.

"Of course I will. But Fuyaiyah, I would advise you to balance the relationship between you two."

"From the beginning, she did not like me for thinking I gave her sister a harder life to live, then her sister passed away in an incident involving me. I don't think I can do such things anymore."

"The right words with a sweet tone could easily soothe this maid. Why don't you give it a try?"

Fuyaiyah looked at the wintery garden beside them in thought. Then turned back to him.

"Whenever I could meet up with her again, I would like to try."

The Royal official nodded and they both exchanged courtesy and left.

The hour came where they would be performing.

King Lenon sat in his honorary seat high above everyone. He drank and ate and talked to the neighboring people. A few rooms away from the celebration was all of the Princesses and their servants getting ready and going over the routine.

Princess Zyla and Fuyaiyah sat in the corner. Fuyaiyah helped the Princess with her make-up.

"Don't have such a worried look on your face, Princess! Seeing you over the past few weeks-" she shook her head and laughed. "There's no need to worry."

"It's not that." the Princess looked to the side. What she wondered anxiously about was how proud her father would be. Ever since the death of the late Queen - ever since she was born, the King hasn't acknowledged her much.

The Princess saw everyone getting ready to present themselves in the celebratory hall.

"Fuyaiyah! Hurry and get changed into your costume! Everyone's about to leave!"

Fuyaiyah stood up to leave.

"Yes yes - I just had to make sure you looked splendid first."

All the royal daughters went out first and got ready for their dance. The personal servants waited in a line. Meanwhile, Fuyaiyah walked quickly to find her costume. She was the only one not dressed, so it shouldn't have been thar hard to find hers.