Womanish Lady

Chapter 19:

When Fuyaiyah opened her eyes and realized the ceiling was different from that of Princess Zyla's and she had a different attire, she sat up, and looked around.

She was in Prince Tuquor's chamber.

Behind the room divider, she heard the voices of the Princess and her brother. Then she felt something in her hand. It was one half of Princess Zyla's charm.

"Here," said Tuquor. "Those maids were keen on feeding you two this soup before letting you leave. I'll see if Fuyaiyah's up to eat this."

She stood up.

"Oh! You were already up." he smiled and held out the soup. "Here."

She accepted the bowl and bowed to the Prince. He frowned.

"What happened last night?" she asked.

"We heard about you two falling from the mountain and came to retrieve, and warm up the both of you."

The Princess called out from the table.

"We were both naked in the hot tub! And you kept sliding underwater so the maids kept pulling you back up but you kept trying to drown."

Fuyaiyah pretended like she wasn't embarrassed.

"Anything else?"

"And I told off the townsfolk."

"Anything else?"

The Prince wanted her to ask more about it.

"Was something else supposed to have happened?"

Her eyes went big and she turned to the Princess. She gasped.

"We left the horse!"

The Princess jerked in her seat.

"That's right - oh no! We left her!"

"Thank you for the soup and taking care of me. I shall put it in a thermos."

"Let's go get her!"

The Prince was baffled as he watched his sister and her servant quickly leave.

"You can't leave yet. The Queen wanted to see you the first chance you got. And," he got bashful as he went over to a table and held a folded garment in plastic. "She wants you to wear this. Um, what will be the topic of the conversation?"

Fuyaiyah retrieved the outfit and looked at its beautiful red pattern. It was gorgeous, but not suited for a modest lady.

"I don't know."

Princess Zyla, half-way out the door, heard what her brother said.

"We'd better not keep Kitty waiting. Come on, let's go brother." and proceeded to go out the door. The Princess really wasn't allowed to roam without an escort, so Prince Tuquor followed her.

When Fuyaiyah was alone in the Prince's chamber, she unfolded the robe and held it up. It was very bold.

"What in the world could the Queen want with me looking like this?"

"You're getting ready to leave the Palace, right?" said Queen Veronica, without looking at her.

Fuyaiyah watched as the Queen dramatically stared out the window.

"Your servant is incompetent, and cannot comprehend what you said."

The Queen laughed and finally looked at her and walked towards her.

"Big words for an incompetent servant." and when she stood in front of her.

"But we all know you were never a servant. Don't act like one."

She remained calm but couldn't hide the confusion on her face. The Queen reached for a fruit bowl and offered it to her.

She just bowed but didn't receive it.

"Oh, that's right. You're busy today so let me get straight into it: you plan to be a part of that group right? Those men who claim they know where those Archeress' are?"

Fuyaiyah's eyes went big, but she didn't respond.

"Don't look like that, Fuyaiyah. I always had a feeling you were that kind of woman. The kind who wants to seek revenge if something's done to you."

"The Queen is normally intuitive, but today she is mistaken. But how did she know about the rumor?"

Queen Veronica gave her a look of wonder.

"My trusty boy, Thylin, lets me know everything about you. By my command. But go on - what do you mean 'I'm mistaken.'"

Fuyaiyah made a mental note to get him the next time she sees him.