Finally, Lady Selena says. "Clearly, Young Miss finds this wet nurse unacceptable. Send for another one" Lucy stops screaming when they hand her back to Mom. Finally, my throat was starting to hurt. Lucy waits for Mom to feed her, but instead, she's forced to reject two more wet nurses. By the time, a 4th wet nurse came in, Lucy was exhausted and starving. She didn't think was so hard to let Mom fed her, but clearly, it was.
Lucy's tummy rumbles making everyone hopeful, as the woman lifts Lucy to her breast. Facing yet another strange woman attempting to feed her. Lucy loses it and screams. And screams, her face turning red, and her head pounding. Lucy screams until she faints. When Lucy opens her eyes, Lady Selena is holding her, and the wet nurse's body is on the floor. What? She's dead? Blood was soaking the floor, and she could smell it. "Young Miss is awake," Lady Selena says. Lucy whimpers, trying to look around. Where's Mom? Is she okay? Did someone try to assassinate us? After all, Lucy had been born into a royal household. Something, that had been obvious when Lady Selena lectured Mom about conduct for Royal Consort.
Lucy glares up at Lady Selena. Where's my mom? "You're quite the picky one, Young Miss." Lady Selena says, seemingly not noticing her glare. "Your Consort Mother has gone to request the Second Imperial Prince Benin that she be allowed to nurse you." What? Mom has to ask permission to nurse me? I am her baby!
Lady Selena looked down at the 3rd Young Lady and marveled. The babe had been so well behaved in her mother's arms. Even attempting to reach her breast a time, or two. Clearly, the Young Miss wanted her mother's milk, yet when they tried to nurse her, the quiet babe flipped out. Young Miss Lucinda could scream quite well when she was unhappy. And the wet nurses all made her unhappy. Lady Selena felt a headache coming on. After Consort Lin starved Young Master Dead to death, Imperial Prince Benin had forbidden his wives, and consorts from nursing their babes without approval.
Lucy waited what felt like years for Mom to come back. Finally, the door opens. "His Highness Imperial Prince Benin and Consort Lani" Someone announced. Really? You have to announce them? Lucy yawns. At least while, Mom was gone the wet nurse's body had been taken away, and the blood wiped up. The midwife and maids kneel, while Lady Selena bows. "Is what Consort Lani said true? My daughter is refusing to nurse?" Prince Benin asks. Lady Selena nods. "It's true, my lord. Lady Lucinda has refused all the wet nurses." Lady Selena says. She pauses. "It might be best to let Consort Mora try. Lady Lucinda is remarkably well behaved in her arms." Lady Selena says.
So maybe she's not so bad. Lucy decides. "Call the wet nurses, and try again. Perhaps she wasn't hungry" Father orders. No! Lucy whimpers. I'm starving. Just let me eat. But once again, Lucy was handed off to strangers to be fed. Lucy screams, only stopping her wails in her mother's, or Lady Selena's arms. Lucy makes sure to whimper, but not wail in Lady Selena's arms. After all, she didn't want her Father to get upset with Lady Selena, despite her own annoyance with the woman.
When Lucy refuses the seventh wet nurse. "Consort Lani, you may attempt it. Miss Selena summon a healer to check Consort Mora's milk supply" Lucy's new Father finally orders. Lucy is handed back to her mother. Everyone watching, as she's lifted to the breast. At this point, they expected Lucy to refuse. Instead, Lucy clumsily opens her mouth, and mouths the nipple. Milk! Come to my empty stomach! A small trickle wets her throat. Lucy sucks harder to encourage it. After a minute, Lucy's tummy is full, so she drifts off to sleep, secure in her Mom's arms. It shouldn't have been that hard to make them give in!