IX: The Servant Part 2

Once outside of the hall, I heard him sigh. “Please allow me a moment, your majesty.”

I leaned my head to a side, repeated my father’s motions toward him, and watched curiously as he bowed and ran around the corner of the hall, coming back moments later with someone else.

“With the blessing of Lady Shu.” He intoned formally, pushing the other person forward.

Standing before me was a girl just a few years older, her body on the brink of developing. Her face was quite alluring, with dimples under her mouth, but what was most impressive about it was her absolute poker face. Despite the polite smile, there was no discernible emotion in it.

The girl bowed low before me and stood in that position as I watched her.

“What is your name?” I asked when the girl did nothing else.

“This servant’s name is Kumiko, my lady,” Bao Hu startled me by answering for her “She’s a mute.”