Fuyaiyah had asked the Queen to help Princess Zyla find the bracelet so that she'd have an excuse to talk to her. To her surprise, the Queen agreed, and, back on the roof, showed her where and how she threw the bracelet.
Fuyaiyah had bowed to the Queen and left.
In the Queen's garden covered in snow, first, Fuyaiyah went to confirm the place where the bracelet landed, then went to check up on Princess Zyla.
"It's not snowing heavily. You shouldn't have to dig for the bracelet."
Princess Zyla was startled again and looked at her. Fuyaiyah gave her a smile, and the Princess returned it.
"Perhaps snow from the tree fell on it,"
She looked up at the roof. "But," she pointed to the roof and the area they were currently in. "-the ledge of the roof is all the way over there, and you're all the way over here."
The Princess stood up from crouching and sighed with defeat.
"Did mother tell you where it is? Just tell me. It's too cold."
She smiled.
"She did not. Because she wants to teach you a little lesson. But, the Queen did replay how and where on the roof she threw it. I was able to pinpoint its location by that."
Princess Zyla frowned.
"Well, if she wants me to learn something, I probably shouldn't ask you for help then. I'll keep looking myself."
Fuyaiyah sat on the bench and smiled.
"As long as you're searching in front of the roof ledge, you'll find the bracelet. I'll wait for you here."
Princess Zyla smiled like she used to, and, with newly refilled motivation, went again to look.
Sitting on the bench, Fuyaiyah let her thoughts roam while admiring the scenery of the large, wintery garden.
"I found it! I finally found it!"
She opened her eyes and looked at Princess Zyla's glowing happy face as she waved the bracelet in the air. She then joined Fuyaiyah on the bench.
"Good job! You found it all by yourself!"
She frowned.
"Don't lie to me or treat me like a child! I saw your footprints and just followed those."
Fuyaiyah laughed. Then ceased when Princess Zyla didn't laugh too.
"What's wrong, Princess?"
"You're about to be a Princess too, so it's weird to keep calling me that. Just call me Zyla, okay?" There was a moment of silence as she stared at the bracelet and asked hesitantly.
"Do you still have that charm I gave you?"
She sighed and gave a small smile.
"I'm sorry. I don't. The charm is with my other items which are far away from here. But it's safe."
"I see," said Zyla. "So I'm the only one hanging on to things."
Fuyaiyah felt a sting in her heart hearing her words.
"I really love this bracelet. It was the first thing you gave me, and reminds me of the first time we spoke. While everyone else was only trying to impress everyone else, you were the only one who thought of me. I was so happy and never took off the bracelet."
"I'm so sorry for leaving, Princess Zyla. I didn't want to leave the way I did, but I definitely was unable to stay any longer."
Zyla shook her head.
"No - it's okay. Mother helped me understand. You didn't hate me, but you just loved your village even more, right? If I had known that, I would've let you go. I'm not mad at you anymore."
Fuyaiyah nodded then got straight to the point.
"I've returned. And if I can please the King, I'll be married to Prince Kyuni and will officially be a Princess here. But even though I'm doing that, it's only because we made an agreement: if I marry Prince Kyuni, my village will be set free. Even now, my business in the Palace is still only for my village." She looked at Princess Zyla.
"Are you sure you're not mad at me?"
Though she didn't meet her eyes, she shook her head.
"I'm not mad. Actually, I'm relieved! After you've done all that trouble for the sake of your village just to return back here suddenly being devoted to the Palace - I would've been very upset." Princess Zyla smiled. "Mother's right; instead of looking at your bracelet, I should be looking at your firm, passionate heart. I shouldn't let materialistic sentimentals hold me back."
Feeling the moment, the Princess threw the bracelet behind her and sat back, seemingly proud of herself.
There was a moment of silence.
"Princess Zyla,"
"No no, it's okay. It's really okay. I don't need it."
Fuyaiyah gave a weak smile.
"Princess. Even if you don't need it anymore, you probably shouldn't throw away a gift someone worked hard to make for you."
Princess Zyla jerked up.
"Ah! You're right! Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!"
She had tried to assure Zyla that she didn't have to find the bracelet again, but she insisted and ran off. Fuyaiyah sighed.
All of a sudden -
"- I knew I heard your voice,"
When she opened her eyes again and saw Prince Tuquor, Fuyaiyah stood up and gave a little bow.
"Good afternoon, Prince Tuquor."
He didn't answer immediately.
"Even now you still won't drop the formalities.."
She stood up straight from her bow.
"Today, I would like to meet with some people and properly explain myself. I'm almost done with the Princess, then, I shall talk to you next."
"You could've talked to me yesterday, and now is another chance."
"Prince Tuquor, you've been very understanding and tolerant towards me despite my conduct. Please understand one more time when I say that I'd like to do this properly. I had left the Princess without explanation. I've returned now, so before I leave again, I'd like to make sure she's okay. It shouldn't take long."
Prince Tuquor, heavy hearted, couldn't look Fuyaiyah in the face. She found it understandable and accepted how it affected her. In that silence, Princess Zyla's footsteps in the snow sounded closer. She bowed to the Prince, and left to greet Princess Zyla.
He just stood there.
"You really didn't have to retrieve it, Zyla."
The Princess perked up at hearing her name from her mouth.
"It's okay. I'll just put it safe with my other jewelry."
They both smiled. To finish up their conversation, they were taking a walk all around the Queen's garden before Fuyaiyah escorted the Princess back inside.
"Oh yeah - after you left, there was nobody that knew how to tend to that plant. So I've been taking care of it. I don't think I've done as good of a job as you, but it grew very big and bushy that we had to move it into another pot. You can," she suddenly seemed sheepish. "-come see it whenever you want."
For a reason she could not explain, Fuyaiyah was very pleased with the news and said genuinely.
"I will!"
They both smiled again, and when they walked halfway around the garden, she was ready to explain to the Princess.
"So, the Queen seemed to have told you that I may be marrying your brother."
"Yep."
"How do you feel about that, Zyla?"
The Princess smiled.
"I don't really mind. Besides, you'll be marrying him for your village, so it's like you're not actually marrying him. Also, you're a very responsible person. If you did marry him, you'd know how to handle his weird ways."
Fuyaiyah's eyes widened. So did her smile. She pounced on the Princess in a big hug.
"What was I tense for? You've grown to be a mature young lady!"
They both laughed together.
YOU ARE READING
Womanish Lady
General Fiction**** (It doesn't have a cover, but my book is good - I swear!!) **** When one is living their life but it suddenly gets taken away from them - how is anyone supposed to take it? Follow the adventurous story of a girl whose village gets burned down a...
