Page 58 of Maid for the Alien Prince

“Of course, my Lord,” he said, bowing low. “My farm isn’t what it used to be… but I can show you what I have. Please follow me.”

He took us on a tour, showing us the vast acreage he’d once commanded but had since had to cut back as he didn’t have enough money for seed. He refused to blame the new Prince or Ges, and we had to read between the lines to fully grasp the problems he was suffering.

By the time he was done, Rayaw had a good idea of what the problem was.

“I’m about to have lunch,” Acis said. “It’s not much—much less than you’re used to, I’m sure—but you’re more than welcome if you’re hungry.”

Rayaw placed his hand on the farmer’s arm. “I’m afraid we have to be leaving,” he said. “But it’s very kind of you to offer. I’m going to send you a messenger the moment I return home. Everything you have told me has been very valuable. I promise things are going to get easier from now on. With any luck, your wife and daughter will return to help you and you can rehire your old workers.”

“Many of them have already moved on to other farms on other planets. But I am sure I can hire others.”

He smiled, bowed his head once more, and then turned and waddled towards his small farmhouse.

Rayaw watched him leave. “All this time, Ges never told me anything about the farmers’ plight, how difficult it has been for them.”

“He’s been starving them out, forcing them to leave. None of them wanted to go. They just felt they had no choice.”

“What do you think the chances are that the farmers will return?”

“Good. So long as there are favorable terms. It might be slow going at first as they have to find their feet again. But mostly they will want to see if you keep your word.”

“I suppose Acis will be the giika-mau pig.”

“Giika-mau?” I said. It took a moment for my translation device to interpret it. Then I nodded. “Guinea pig. Yes. He’s always been the most loyal farmer. Both to you and the royal family.”

Rayaw bristled at my mention of the royal family, but it was the truth.

“The royal family means a lot to some people.”

Rayaw nodded absentmindedly. “Are there other farmers still here? I’d like to get a broader view on the problems and issues they face in other parts of the estate.”

“I can think of a couple that might still be here.”

We climbed back on our Fayam and trotted off down the road. I cast one glance over my shoulder, back at the farmhouse, its chimney already billowing a thin plume of smoke.

Hold on just a little bit longer, I thought, sending hope to Acis. Hold on. A new prince is in town and he’s worth waiting for.

We ascended the hill, turned a corner, and the farm was wiped from view.

* * *

We got halfway to the next farm when the rain began to patter. I knew the rain was coming as my Fayam flapped its ears for ten full minutes before the first drop fell, but I hoped we could reach the next farm before that happened.

The rain grew heavier, and I knew we’d run out of time.

A wet Fayam was a sorry sight. With its long mane hanging drooped around its neck and shoulders, it looked like a cat that had fallen in a bath. It just didn’t look right.

“Over there!” I said, hurrying the Fayam over to a barn.

The rain was just beginning to fall harder still, and as I opened the barn door, I led the Fayam inside and tied it up. I patted the Fayam and he whined gleefully at being somewhere warm and dry. I peeled his mane back and saw that the rain had not fully permeated to his skin.

Rayaw struggled to dismount and hastily tied his own Fayam to the barn wall. “Well, at least we’re not drenched!” he said.

Then, as if on cue, the two Fayam shook like wet dogs and drenched the two of us.

I looked at Rayaw. He looked back at me.

We burst out laughing and wrapped our arms around each other as we headed deeper into the barn.

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