Womanish Lady

Chapter 31:

   Prince Kyuni now walked with Fuyaiyah to see his father. But he first brought her to his chamber and had her change out of her red uniform into something more appropriate.

"We're not having sex," she finally spoke while getting changed behind the room divider.

Prince Kyuni laughed.

"You're skipping too far ahead."

"You're not allowed to kiss me either!"

He looked back a little.

"That's what's been on your mind for the past hour?"

Fuyaiyah didn't respond. It felt like history was repeating itself. She thought about that, and the situations her mother was in, then began thinking of ways to avoid encountering those situations.

"We're almost there. I'm just telling you because you never proved you already know, but-" he stopped and they looked at each other. "-don't open your mouth, okay? Otherwise this entire plan won't work."

She huffed.

"I know how to read situations and act accordingly."

Prince Kyuni smiled, and they both stepped into the War Room.

King Lenon had his back turned to study a drawing board on the wall.

"Father."

"You're late, my son."

He turned around and saw his son with Fuyaiyah and got very upset.

"What is this?" he yelled. "Why is this girl sitting in front of me? After everything she's done in this Palace!"

Fuyaiyah bowed modestly. Prince Kyuni smiled.

"You called me to ask why we're home so early, right? It's because we found a more effective way to deal with our enemies."

"You can tell me without this girl present! She doesn't need to hear anything."

"Father. Fuyaiyah was, indeed, a part of those Archer women's group. When she heard we were about to attack, we negotiated and set an agreement. With our hands together in marriage, we'll make like a wall that'll protect both sides. We both mutually agreed. Now we just need your approval."

His father wasn't paying attention to him, but just kept staring at Fuyaiyah. He took a step towards her.

"That may sound right," he began, but to her. "But, we destroyed your village, enslaved and killed your family. Someone is probably getting abused as we speak. There's nothing left for you to protect. What's your real motive in joining hands with my son?"

Fuyaiyah just sat modestly and tried not to let her face waver. Prince Kyuni was relieved.

"Father. Did you not hear? We had set an agreement: In exchange for protecting our sides through mutual marriage, she agreed to help me restore this Kingdom, and I agreed to set her remaining villagers free."

His father cocked his head at Kyuni.

"Restore?' What do you mean by 'restore?'"

Fuyaiyah, who was looking at Prince Kyuni from the corner of her eye, was surprised that he showed fear.

"Father - you're overthinking again. I only meant that we all know that Fuyaiyah's previous misconduct with lack of appropriate punishment has made people degrade us. With her being a faithful wife, she'll be making up for her behavior everyday, and our former reputation will be restored. That's all."

He squinted his eyes at him. Then turned back to Fuyaiyah and wagged his finger at her.

"I'll trust you, my son, but I don't trust her." Then he walked back and forth in thought. The two sat silently until he came up with a solution.

"I'll agree on your marriage on one condition."

They both sat up straight, but the King stared at Fuyaiyah only.

"If you can actually prove that you can be such a wife for the next three months, I'll approve of your marriage, and of letting the remaining slaves free."

"That's pretty agreeable," said Prince Kyuni, who felt that his presence was no longer needed. He looked at Fuyaiyah, who looked at his father.

"Doesn't it?"

"To fulfill the agreement, I am willing to do almost anything." She said then bowed again.

King Lenon was unsatisfied, but looked forward to how she'll conduct herself for the next few months. He turned his back on them both and dismissed them.

Neither of them said anything as they walked out of the room. However, as they were about to turn the corner, they almost bumped into Prince Tuquor. Despite the encounter, both of them, of the same mind in this matter, tried to walk past him.