Womanish Lady

Chapter 22:

Fuyaiyah laughed loudly, happily finished her breakfast, and tried to stand up to clean up, but her body still felt too heavy so she plopped back down.

Her Teacher cleaned up instead.

"I know you want to get working right away, but let's quietly get you back on your feet and wait until the Palace's anger dissolves."

She began to recall the previous events, and was downcasted.

He observed the look on her face and spoke softer.

"I'm sure you have many things to reflect on too. You should probably think about them so you can be ready to deal with the future. I'll be back in a few hours. You know not to go outside right?"

Fuyaiyah didn't even notice that he was putting on winter boots and his cloak.

"Huh? Where are you going?"

"I was given some privileges, but I'm still under their authority. They have me help supervise the young boys, and assist the men as needed. I'll check up on you as I'm able to."

She understood and looked back down. Then recalled that she had woken up in a different set of clothing before she took her bath. "Wait - who was the one that changed me into these clothes?"

"I'll be back,"

He shut the door.

Fuyaiyah did, indeed, have many things to reflect on. She genuinely wondered why a troublesome maid fleeing the Palace made it so enraged. She thought of the young Princess; she seemed to understand her situation that night, but she looked hurt nonetheless. And, strangely, Fuyaiyah thought of the two royal brothers - the look on Prince Kyuni's face, and whether or not Prince Tuquor finally understood that his efforts for her were ultimately futile, and wouldn't keep thinking about her.

After thinking, she got her body used to being active again, and moved around while exploring the house. Then she went back to her bed and looked at her few items.

First was the uniform she made secretly while she was a royal embroidery maid to try to appease the Archer women. Under her uniform, was the other half of the charm that the Princess had given her. She felt guilty again, and put it safely between her uniform and put it in the drawer before unpacking her other items.

Between her bed and the end table was her bow and her few packs of arrows. And recalled the memory.

"Learn to shoot, Fuya!"

"If you want me to learn, then come, and teach me, Nali."

That was a childish thought of hers. She acknowledged that as she grabbed the bow and stood up and went by the front door.

Nali couldn't help her at the moment.

After five minutes to set up a target, Fuyaiyah tried teaching herself how to shoot. She got into the best stance she could and drew back her arrow. She was a little scared to let go.

Suddenly, the front door swung open and Her Teacher greeted her optimistically.

She got scared out of her mind and released the bow that pointed right at Her Teacher.

Her Teacher dodged the bow, and it flew in the snow.

"Woah! Did you boobytrap your home or something?"

That was Siomi's voice. Fuyaiyah, who had fallen over after firing the bow, sat upright as both Her Teacher and Siomi stood in the doorway. She thought she was going to get in trouble, but instead, Siomi, overjoyed to see her, lunged at her in a hug. And Her Teacher smiled.

The next thing that happened was her handing over the bow and arrow to Her Teacher and apologizing.

"What were you even doing?" asked Her Teacher as he inspected her handmade bow.

She got embarrassed.

"I was teaching myself how to shoot,"

Again, he looked at the bow - how poor in quality it was - but didn't comment on it as he put it up.

"You don't know how to fire an arrow? I'll teach you. Just don't do these dangerous things by yourself. You no longer need to do that, you know."

Fuyaiyah looked down. She was too embarrassed to speak, but was appreciative of his words.

Siomi didn't want to see her feeling down.

"Anyway, how are you feeling, Fuyaiyah?"

She looked at him and gave a faint smile.

"I just woke up with a new situation, so there's a lot to think about. But I'm so happy that I was picked up by my Teacher, and that I got to see you again."