1 A Woman's Place (1)

"Lady A-Narah its time to wake up." The maid pulled open the drapes around the bed and candle light spilled past the heavy fabric.

A-Narah covered mouth as she yawned delicately.

It was currently the time of the rabbit, the sun would rise in another couple hours or so.

"Mmm okay, who is coming today?" A-Narah sat up and stretched her arms above her head. A maid came forward with a soft cloth to carefully remove the gathered sleep dust from A-Narah's eyes.

The other maids scurried around the room preparing her robe and shoes and pouring fresh water for her to freshen herself.

A-Narah stood and lifted her arms. One maid held her robe, placed it on her and tied it, A-Narah then stepped forward into the matching silk slippers. Another maid pulled out a chair and once A-Narah sat, began brushing her hair.

"Today the music and etiquette instructor will be coming in the morning."

"Oh, no mathematics or history today?"

"No, my lady. This afternoon there will be guests arriving and the Lord has ordered for everyone to be ready to attend."

"I see. Must be someone of great importance then."

"Yes, my lady."

A-Narah looked at the maids in her room through the mirror of her vanity. Her fingers gently tapped the polished wood of the tabletop.

"Today we shall dress simply for lessons then. It will be easier to change into something fresh later."

"But my lady your sisters-," one maid worried.

"Why do I have to try to compete like a peacock with them? It's better to just study and come back earlier."

"You are right my lady, forgive me." The maid bowed and backed away. A small knock was heard at the door before it was opened. "My lady, breakfast has arrived."

The servant walked in carrying a silver tray of hot food. Another came in with fresh tea. A-Narah was helped from her chair and escorted to her breakfast table.

The food was beautifully laid out. There was enough to feed one small family. Never forgetting her image, even in private, A-Narah used her spoon to serve herself a fresh egg and light grains. The aromatic and heavy foods were left to get cold and decorate the table.

Any leftover food would be given to the maids to enjoy. A-Narah never overate, so the maids never went to the servant's kitchen for breakfast, but would wait for her to leave before savoring the rich meal. It was one of the benefits of serving the legal daughter.

When she finished her light breakfast, the maids came forward again to finish dressing her. Her hair was coiffed into a simple up-do with a single ornament. A light, translucent powered was applied to her face and her maids helped her into her heavy robe, so that she would feel comfortable in the morning chill.

Her loyal maids worried because her half-sister, Seena, always dressed extravagantly and wore heavier makeup. Seena was also incredibly beautiful and her maids were able to highlight her features, making her even more eye-catching. But A-Narah found that by the end of lessons fine cracks would cover Seena's face. Instead of a pretty porcelain doll she looked more like an antique bowl.

So A-Narah never chose to compete with her sister in beauty during lessons. Because she would be in front of outsiders, she always maintained a refined appearance that no one could take exception too, but she would rather feel more comfortable and relaxed during her day.

By the time the sun was cresting the horizon A-Narah was finally ready. Her maids opened the doors out of her rooms and they all bowed as she left. Her head maid stayed by her side as she made her way from her personal courtyard to her mother's quarters.

Every day, before lessons, she would go to greet her mother with her two elder brothers. Once a week all the other wives and children would also come to give greetings. Mother had told her some households were very strict and would adhere to the morning greetings every day. But she agreed with mother, why feel stressful and start the day with people you dislike when you could instead spend it leisurely with people you love.

When she arrived at her mother's courtyard the lower maids welcomed her with sincere smiles. When the doors were opened, she was led to the receiving room where her mother was seated comfortably on a cushion.

"A-Narah, my love," her mother warmly greeted her.