Womanish Lady

Chapter 14:

"Why is the Princess looking at me like that?" Asked Fuyaiyah casually.

She was preparing Princess Zyla for bed and while she was straightening the sheet and fluffing her pillow, the Princess stared at her with a mixed look of confusion and worry.

"I'm sure you know what I'm thinking."

Fuyaiyah stood up straight.

"Forgive me, Princess. I don't. I'm thinking about a lot right now so I don't have room to figure out other people's thoughts." She smiled.

"Exactly - you're thinking about a lot and it's my fault, but you're not showing any sign of being mad at me."

Fuyaiyah smiled softly and sat down.

"Weeks ago, I was told by another servant that she watched the relationships between you and your past personal servants. She asked me to focus on being your friend a little more than your servant. I thought I was doing okay, but I interrupted your first performance on the King's birthday. My consequences are my responsibility. Nothings your fault."

Princess Zyla sat up straight.

"I heard from Thylin; tonight wasn't your fault either!"

"I'm sure you heard everything, Princess - the bad reports about me and how I can't seem to confine to the rules of the land. It's understood that I would eventually get in big trouble."

She was getting upset.

"Yes, but even though I got to know you for myself, it was me who still agreed to put you in prison. That doesn't bother you?"

"As your personal servant, I can't question your decisions."

"Fuyaiyah, please get mad at me! I didn't mean to approve of you going to prison, but now that you are, and you're accepting it, I feel really bad. It's my fault."

Fuyaiyah observed the pained look of the Princess as she recalled the fellow servant who tried to advise her.

"No, Princess," she thought. "It's my fault, really."

Then, she stood up and brushed her uniform off and put her hands on her hips.

She spoke when she had the Princess's attention.

"Fine." She threw down the pillow she had. "You're right. I am bothered by you. I have never been to prison but now I will be because of you. I barely want to stand here right now, so, in fact, you can fluff your own pillow, blow out your own candle and tuck your own self into bed. Hmp!"

Fuyaiyah stomped out the room. With her obviously playing around with Zyla, she saw her smile a bit. Her goal was reached, and now they both could sleep well that night.

Early the next morning, Fuyaiyah hoped to wake up, and at least get the Princess her breakfast with a note from her on it, but not long after she arisen, the guards were outside Princess Zyla's chamber, stating that she'd better come out willingly before they'd have to bust in.

There was no need for their yelling. Fuyaiyah was fully ready to go. But, due to their shouting, Princess Zyla got out of bed and watched her leave. Fuyaiyah opened the door, turned and bowed a little longer than usual to the Princess before leaving.

Fuayaiyah and Winter intercepted paths while being escorted to the dungeon. Also, a few minutes later, the two Princes along with a few other men passed by them on horses. Prince Kyuni looked at the two but kept going. Prince Tuquor looked at Fuyaiyah and slowed down.

"Come on! There's an incident we have to go to! Forget about the maids!" Said Prince Kyuni.

Prince Tuquor responded in agreement but still looked at Fuyaiyah - who kept her eyes forward - before speeding up on his horse.

The dungeon was cold and dark, but their cell was even colder due to the small cell window near the ceiling.

Some nearby cell mates saw the females and grew indecent.

"Ho? What's two pretty girls doing all the way down here?" one of them asked. And the other prisoners that couldn't see the girls began asking their mates about them.

"You guys, be quiet and behave!" Said the escort.

"And you," said another one to Fuyaiyah. "Look forward. Nobody here should surprise you."

But, in fact, Fuyaiyah had a good reason to be surprised, she saw a few familiar faces of the men who'd work around her village daily.

However, the prisoner right in front of her cell was a vendor who was a little more than an acquaintance to her. She planned to inquire about him later and, from the way he stared back at her, he also planned to.

The females first two hours in the dungeon have passed. It was cold in the cell but Fuyaiyah had on Carleighs cloak, but Winter didn't - but she didn't complain.