The girl was nervous in front of them. The shifting of her weight and her shallow breathing. As if she was afraid someone would scold her for breathing too hard. She was too innocent to be in Seukine. Ienia sighed deeply as he heard Pueya shift. A deep breath came from the man as he was about to speak, he was nervous.

Ienia waited calmly as the words finally came, “Pristine Sa? Is that girl worthy of that much honor?”

The sound of the Rini shaking his sleeves out in an effort to remain calm caught Ienia’s attention. Slowly he slid his fingers across the table and picked up his teacup. Taking a shallow sip, he then held his hand out.

*“She is still from a high noble family. Even as a Danu she should be given honor and respect. Although the family remains unknown the crest is proof of her standing. It reflects upon us poorly if she is not given respect,”* Ienia explained lazily.

“Still, it will create issues with the Hibiscus courtyards. Especially Nu Wue. She will not take kindly to a Fanu having a Pristine Sa attendant,” Pueya stated the facts but Ienia didn’t like what was inferred.

*“Am I to cower at the hands of a Nu? Should I take into consideration the wants and whims of a concubine?”* The bite in the message caused Pueya to flinch. It was an avoidable mistake. His anger could pass through the connection and cause physical harm to the receiver. Knowing the man didn’t deserve that, Ienia let go of Pueya hand for a second and inclined his head lower in an apologetic fashion. Pueya shook his head the jingle of his hairpiece alerting Ienia to the action.

“Master needs not apologize to a Rini. I am not worth that much. I- I simply worry for the small girl. She has just reached the age of marriage, but she will suffer as a Fanu. She is but a child thrust into our world.”

Ienia visibly tensed. He was so busy feeling insulted he didn’t even think about the innocent girl in his hands. She would be bullied for his action, but he could not in good conscience give her anything less as she was true nobility. Seukine could not give anything less than what was owed to her, less Ghain ‘dea grasped on to the shortcoming and exploited it. Seukine reputation was pure white and could stand a stain or two but Ghain ‘dea would drag them through the mud if he allowed the weasel.

Keulnine was the only place he could find a suitable servant for the Fanu, though sending Wrel was really too much. The woman and her secrets were unending and always caused him trouble. The fact that his own aunt would send her of all people was a sign the woman had not forgiven him.

“She will learn to survive here, or she will not thrive. Wue U’la will do all she wishes but the Fanu will inevitably have to learn to fend for herself here in Seukine.” Ienia knew his words were harsh but the Rini would understand. In the end, he could not interfere with the working of his harem. As an Estate Master, it would be an embarrassment to Seukine for him to interfere in the court of women.

“I understand,” Pueya replied.

The girl would need to learn how to fight against the woman of Seukine. Still just reaching the age of womanhood without any support or training it would be near impossible for the girl to thrive. She would need to learn how to scheme or grovel and she would need to learn it swiftly. She was a lamb being thrown into a den of wolves and he could not lift a hand to support her. It was sickening but the alternative for her was death.

“Master, Estate Mune is outside your garden gates,” Dija said from outside the pavilion. The second rank attendant entered his ring of awareness, so he knew vaguely why the woman was there.

*“Let her enter.”*

“Tell the Estate Mune she may enter the garden,” Pueya barely held his voice steady as he spoke. Probably wondering why he would allow the woman into his courtyard again. It had been years since the Mune was permitted into his courtyard. Yet today she dared to push her way in and so shamelessly.

He felt her presence at the edge of his awareness as she was stepping into his gates. The ill-feeling that came with her made him clench his fist. Swallowing the discomfort, he straightened his back and awaited her arrival.

The woman entered the pavilion a minute later and Ienia used Pueya eyes to take a quick glance at her. The woman was as beautiful as ever, dressed in a white and soft pink dress with a black half dress embroidered in gold. It made her appear innocent but fierce. A small smile graced her lips and brightened her delicate features. As she moved to the small table in the pavilion. She took a seat with her back straight. Ienia let go of Pueya’s hand as he didn’t want to see anymore.

“Mune is surprised by Estate Master,” her voice was soft and light as a feather reminding him of the days he spent watching her dance and sing for him. Those were innocent days when she was like honey and spending time with her refreshed his battle-worn spirit.

He took a sip of his tea and kept his face neutral as he always had. Revealing one’s emotions or thoughts only led to defeat and manipulation.

“It has been so long since we’ve met in your courtyard. I feared I would leave this world without seeing the beauty of your inner garden.” He could picture the soft expression she wore with a hint of humor.

He didn’t reach for Pueya or make any attempt to convey anything to her. He poured himself more tea and took smaller sips. He could feel her eyes on him and felt Pueya growing impatient with the woman. The atmosphere in his garden had become uncomfortable. He hated it. The garden was where he went to relax. She was tainting it with her perfume and false concern. Her intentions were crystal clear.

“Mir’fea,” she breathed out like a small prayer.

He slammed the cup he held at the mention of his affectionate name. The woman flinched at the sudden roughness he displayed, but she could not or would not take a hint to leave. She continued, “Why must you hurt me this way? Why must you take a Fanu? I am still capable of bearing you children. Have I not already given you a son? Have I not suffered enough with you? Am I to be made the laughingstock of Vahnaine.”

Ienia turned away from her toward the sound of the lake and the scent of flowers. It was a clear sign that he didn’t want to hear anymore for her. Yet she was foolish and let her mask slip, “You are willing to insult me. You make me the shame of Seukine!”

Several seconds of silence followed her outburst before Ienia raised his hand to Pueya. The Rini took the offered hand, “Master states, his choice to take a Fanu is not an insult to you nor does it have anything to do with you. The Fanu is someone that he wishes to have. What grounds do you have to begrudge your husband a Fanu?”

The woman didn’t speak right away but when she did it was through clenched teeth with a lowered head, “If Estate Master desired a beauty then why not look for one of our own. Seukine does not lack women suitable for master. Is taking in the trash of Asila something to be proud of? She is a Danu, a slave. What will others think of you?”

“Master’s choice in a woman is his own. Are you lording over your husband’s desires?” Pueya voice was leaning toward insulting and Ienia gave his hand a light squeeze to rein him in before he said something disrespectful.

“Forgive me, I have overstepped my bounds,” she began with a helpless voice, “Yet is my concern unwarranted? Mir’fea chooses a Danu of another estate as a companion. I fear Mir’fea is losing control over himself. In your distressing condition will this vixen not take advantage of you. You speak as if she can give something that I cannot. You want her for you desire her but will you gain satisfaction from her? Can you gratify her?”

The teacup broke the second time it crashed into the table and the glass teapot flew across the table toward the woman slamming into her chest and falling to shatter on the floor. Even without his eyesight, Ienia knew where people were standing or sitting, and his aim was impeccable. Mana’ki took her sleeve and wiped away the water from her face and neck. The tea was fortunately warm rather than piping hot temperature it usually was.

“Master states you should return to the Hibiscus Courtyards with haste. He has no more words for you.”

The Mune stood up and stepped away from the table. “Please enjoy the rest of your day Ai’fea,”

The affectionate names for spouses almost made Ienia throw the vase of flowers that sat on his table, but he held in the need. The woman had no idea how close she came to being locked in her courtyard for insulting him. She had no respect for him left only giving him false dignity and respect.

His harem had thrown him away the day his uncle told them he would never walk, see or speak again. They didn’t even carry out wailing for long. Simply retreating away from him under the guise of heartbreak. Slowly they began to ignore his calls for companionship and kept his children from him. He was a prideful man then but even he resorted to begging his wife just to speak with him or allow him to meet with his children, but she was disgusted by him. She found him useless like the rest of those who abandoned him. Even his two children learned the same disgust and wanted nothing to do with him.

He had stored so much of his hope in her. He had fought for her hand and she gladly married him when he won her. She had been a delicate flower that he longed for. He had taken care of her and thought her benevolent to accept a concubine into their home so soon. The two of them became friends and at that point, he was content with the peace. Little did he know the two of them had planned their marriage to him. He only learned about the truth after his degrading return from battle. Betrayed by his friend and now broken he learned that her love was only as deep as his usefulness to her.

She now challenged his choice for a Fanu, simply because she could not control the girl and could not discourage her from interacting with him. Though he would not force her to accompany him, if she did so out of gratitude, he would not send her away. Her company would only anger the women. It was a petty blow but one that would leave room for more. He would slowly eat up his own harem if that was what it took to rid Seukine of the snakes that infested it.

A servant of Seukine would very well fall into the snare of the Mune, but Firynei was not of Seukine and Wrel was a woman who would not be bullied by anyone. Her past was shrouded in darkness even from him. What he gathered from her attitude was that she was arrogant and confident. She was probably more than a simple attendant. More than even a noble the way she spoke her superior’s titles as if she was calling on them rather than her being called on. Wrel was an excellent choice for the docile girl. As she would need protection from the Mune once she set her sight on the girl.

“Master, should I instruct the guards to prevent her entry next time?” Pueya asked.

Ienia shook his head, she could come if she dared. There would be no guarantee of hospitality next time. He had enough of all of Mir’fea’s women. How they deceived him for so long only added insult to injury. He was made a fool of by all those he trusted. A silent laugh escaped him as short puffs of air. An old sound that the Rini rarely heard from him. He finished laughing. Then he took the Rini’s hand and gave an order.

*“Set up a courtyard near mine. Let it be small and concealed in the Emerald garden. Make sure it has everything my Fanu desires. No servants should be allowed there. We will buy her servants from Keulnine later. It should be named the Snow Palace. Firynei should stay there safely.”*

Pueya glanced at his master’s indifferent face and gave an affirmative. Ienia wondered why he was suddenly changing things around for the Fanu. She should be in the Hibiscus courtyards with the rest of the women, but he didn’t want her harmed and he didn’t want her stolen from his hand. She belonged to him. He wouldn’t let Mana’ki take her from him.