The Tiger Within

"That is… is unfortunate . I am certain a good match will be found for you, if i must seek it myself . " he offered honestly enjoying the idea of creating a closer bond with this woman . A medicinal genius did not come along often and were of great importance if used correctly .

Mally watched astonished as her old friend majestically turned a her weakest points into endearing traits that led royal family right into her hands . She wondered why she had bothered to worry, Kyera was, after all a very peculiar princess .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"So, Kyera, will you be staying long?" Queen Kira asked, blowing daintily on her tea . Kyera turned to look at her for a moment . She hesitated and batted her eyelashes slowly, as if clearing a thought from her head . A soft blush tinted her cheeks as if she had a thought she did not dare speak aloud . Instead she shyly looked back up at the Queen and cleared her throat softly .

"I won"t impose on your hospitality long, I a.s.sure you . I plan to go back to the mountain tops till my Master Half Eye returns . Afterall, I would be in the way here . " Kyera replied softly, her voice hinting she already felt like a bother . The Emperor heard that and found her shyness endearing, humility and humbleness refreshing compared to those who seemed to believe they deserved his praise .

"How long will he be away?" The Emperor asked curiously and Kyera thanked the G.o.ds silently . She sighed softly, wiping her lips lightly with the cloth napkin next to her cup . It was obvious she was searching for a answer that would suffice .

"Quite a while I am afraid . I will be alone on the mountain… it"s not a problem . I love the silence and the trees . " she comments with a smile but there was a slightly forced quality to it . Kyera"s acting was flawless as she sipped her tea with a wistful expression .

"How long has he been gone?" The Empress Dowager asked frowning at the girl"s posture . Such a delicate thing shouldn"t be left alone in the woods . She looked capable enough, but not quite healthy enough to be on her own in such a unforgiving wood . A completely healthy maid could become sickly with the bite of the wrong disease .

"Almost 3 weeks . I came to get the antidotes and see my sister since since I had permission . Of course I wouldn"t dare impose on your Majesty"s lands often…" Kyera explained quickly, letting him draw his own thoughts from her carefully planned words . His eyes softened at her, something about her seemed to remind him of Little Vella whom he had not seen in far too long .

"After what you have done for us today, Lady Moon, I wish to offer you a position in the palace . I would like you to be a Lady of My Medicinal Court . " He offered, sitting back as he watched her face . Kyera"s showed an appropriate amount of shock and hope in her eyes . As the emotions played out on her face he smiled, feeling even more sure of his decision .

"I couldn"t your majesty, I have so much to learn…" Kyera tried to decline gently . The Emperor chuckled and smiled, a tenderness in his eyes that did not escape the Queen . She frowned softly, but tried to hide that little edge in her heart . The Empress Dowager watched quietly, very pleased with his suggestion, but knowing it would not be that easy .

"She is a bit young, don"t you think, Emperor?" Queen Kira asked softly, Her voice submissive even as she directly challenged his decision . Kyera looked at the Queen and then down at her lap, obviously feeling uncomfortable by Kira"s comment . The Emperor scoffed, causing the Queen to freeze for a moment .

"If age mattered, she would not be the apprentice of Shaman Half Eye . She is capable and that is what matters . If she knows this much now how much will she know later, Hmmm?" The Emperor asked, rather tickled with his own wisdom . The Dowager Empress smiled softly, perhaps the spell was starting to break .