Book2:KigdomIteDreams

thebeautiesdidn’tquiteknowwhethertoughorcry.Butshewasveryprotectiveofthem,andtheywillinglycametobeonintimatetermswiththissinister-lookingbutkiedoldwoman.Sometimesshewasfusedandsilly,butsometimesshrewdandcapableandthebeautiestreatedherliketheiroldgrandmother.Yoko,theAsiayairofentigdimplesonhercheeks,eciallyclosetoAmalia,whopickedherupfromthestreetsaftershewasdesertedbyherparents,andpracticallyraisedherfrominfancy.Butthatwasinthebygonedaysofthesmokypast.OnhearingLotus’wordsDornasaid,

    “Don’ttrytoscareme.Amalialovesmeandwouldneverliftafiome.Anyway,sheisnotinthepaceatthemomentandhasgoneroamingsomewhere.Whensheesback,Iwilskherwhereshehasgoneandwhyshehadn’ttakehher.Thatwillmakehersorepentantthatshe’llnevereventhinkofspankingme.”

    “OK.OK,mylittleprincess!”ughedLotus.“Stoptalkingamoreofthesedumplings.Afteryouhavefinished,goandaforawhile.It’steandIheardAishahassomethingimportanttoannouonight.”

    Thefirlssataroundthechoppingboardaowithzeal.AsDeannaate,shewasthinking,

    “Imustswimtothedeepwatersinthemiddleofthekeassoonaspossibleait’salbout.IfDorna’scuriosityisnotsatisfied,thestrong-headedgirlwillbesuretosetoutbyherself.Ifanythinghappenstoher,itwouldbebecauseofmeandIwouldneverfivemyself.”Theirappetitesfullysatisfied,thefirlseatherownway.Soon,otherbeautieshearingofLotus’freshandtastyrefreshmentscameintwosandthreesfollowingoneachother’sheelstotrythesteamingdumplings,whicheveryohemdecredtobeuniqueanddelicious.Lotus,everthegracioushostess,talkedtothemandsawtoitthateveryonewasse