~ Chapter 18 ~

                                    

                                          
I showed the girls my routine from the one I had performed with the rest of the newbies class earlier in the day, hoping that I at least looked relatively impressive doing so. Margaret, Sylvie and Kristina all looked like they liked my good dance moves, but when I tried to look at Amia she scowled and looked away.
Whatever. It's not like someone like her can appreciate the beauty and amazement of Spanish princess Francesca Fortuna. Not like anybody in the world can, especially that despicable Duke of Aragon who still hasn't rescued me, weeks later. It shouldn't take that long, unless they don't care about me anymore.
That pained my heart to think such vile thoughts, but oh Dios, ¿Qué se supone que debo pensar?
What else am I supposed to think in this situation? I can only hope for the best and try to make some gains here for the time being.
Nigar clapped her hands when I was finished.
"Perfect, Francesca Hatun. Absolutely splendid. I think the girls can nail it." I remembered that the other girls were also chosen as they were splendid dancers, and that would probably make things a whole lot easier, especially in this short amount of time.
Nigar instructed me to go through it again, with music, and as a group with the others. We formed a formation of 4 girls in front of me in 2 rows of 2, and I behind by a wall. The music began playing and I strutted forward, repeating my signature moves. The other girls made waves around me, twirling and encircling me like I was the special one, which of course in my mind I am the special one.
It was at this point where I moved towards the right to twirl, and was on my toe doing a ballet like spin when something, or someone caught under my foot and tripped me, and I fell sideways with a big crashing sound as the girls immediately stopped the musicians and everyone surrounded me. 
I rubbed my head, which hurt a bit, and tried to get up, but I couldn't. It was like jolts of pain through my leg falling on the hard floor, that so happened to be wooden and not carpeted where I was striding from before. Stupid me! I should have stayed in place. But how would I have known I would be tripped over and then fall?
I looked outside the encircling crowd and sure enough standing a distance away, was Amia, who was very carefully and precisely looking at her nails.
"It was her," I growled under my breath. I repeated it a bit louder again to the girls beside me, as I tilted my chin in Amia's direction. "It was her!"
"Now Francesca, that's a very serious accusation. I don't think Amia would do anything like that." Nigar sighed.
"Did you see it?" I questioned. Nigar slowly shook her head. 
"No, I was watching the other girls."
I slowly got up on one of my legs as I looked around at Nigar, Sylvie, Margaret, Kristina, and the two or three musician girls who were standing by. I repeated my question to the rest of the group.
"Did any of you see it happening?"
Amia came close to me as she scowled. "I didn't do anything. Stop trying to force me out of the spotlight, you ugly wrench. Nobody likes you anyways."
My eyes met hers as I saw that her outburst meant one thing: She was nervous, and very anxious. It most definitely was her who did it, and she was afraid to be punished. But I didn't care, she hurt me severely. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a girl slowly opening her mouth, a musician girl. Ella lo vio.
She saw it.
I limped solely on my left leg, which of course is very difficult since it aligns with my left hand and I am of course right handed, to the girl who I could tell was a musician because she had an instrument laying at her feet, one that she must have been playing during the incident.
"Excuse me, I don't know if you were able to watch my dancing, but if you did, did you see what happened to my feet when I was tripped?" I inquired of the girl. She was a small brunette, and obviously not a candidate for being a concubine (that is why she was chosen to be a musician), and would probably not have an incentive to lie about what happened to me, or pointlessly assist Amia when everyone can tell she is probably the perpetuator in this situation.
She inhaled deeply as her mouth opened, and soft words, like the sound of music began to flow from her lips.
"Francesca Hatun, I saw everything that happened -and Nigar Kalfa please don't chastise me for this- I put down my instrument and decided to watch the performance and didn't play my music like I should have been. However I saw her," She pointed at Amia, "Move her leg, and not accidentally, to trip up Francesca. She did it intentionally, and refuses to admit it!"
Amia rolled her eyes. "She's just a silly little liar. Aren't you, Alsu? You'll regret lying to try to hurt me."
The girl, whom is apparently called Alsu, her lips quivered after Amia's harsh words. I grabbed Alsu's hand and squeezed them gently, murmuring an 'it's all right' to her.
I then stepped forward, doing all this on my one not hurt left leg to Nigar.
"The evidence is clear," I nodded to Nigar. "Witnesses have seen that Amia intentionally tried to hurt me. The intention? Because she wanted to be the leading dancer and was upset when I became it."
Nigar returned my nod. She then turned to Amia. "Amia Hatun, you have been stripped of the privilege to dance for his majesties. You will be replaced with Alsu Hatun, as a thank you for her help."
Nigar grabbed Amia's arm and began dragging her towards the doors. "And in the future, don't you dare try to threaten members of his imperial majesties, the Hünkarim Sultan Süleyman Khan!"
I smiled, satisfied. And I could have sworn my foot felt a lot better. Not ideal though as I pressed down on it, but Nigar agreed that after a little rest and choosing my outfit, I would still be allowed to dance for the Sultan too.