Chapter 7

On the sixth day, The Prince woke up early and cleaned himself up. He wanted to go farming with the girl. He wanted to get to know her; she was his agemate and he was getting bored staying in the house all day. Grandpa stopped him, while Buhle kept her face turned away, to hide.

Grandpa explained to the young Prince that he should not be seen in public, let alone while doing farm work for a lower-class family. He explained that that would bring them unnecessary attention. Sulking, the young man slithered down to a chair.

Sigh

Went the duo. They were relieved that they managed to convince The Prince without seeming suspicious. Buhle set her journey to the farm. There, she met up with Mini.

"Really?!", Mini exclaimed. "He was really The Prince all along?"

"Shh!", Buhle hushed her.

Mini covered her mouth, reprimanded herself.

"Oh my god", she whispered. "Then, does he know that he did not see you at the event, that day?"

Buhle shrug; "I do not know. But it seems he has not realized yet."

The doubtful Mini responded with a remark; "Or he is just faking it."

Buhle watered down the vegetation alongside her friend, Mini.

"I think you should just tell him. I mean, you are pretty at night. So, he will not mock you. Most especially because you possess a beauty like no other. I think he will be forgiving towards you", said Mini.

"I would rather not", said the pessimist.

"Tsk! you stupid child! Do you understand that not showing up at The Prince's bride selection is enough to get you killed? You are only lucky the royal family has not sent out daggers at you yet", remarked Mini.

She leaned into Buhle, almost as if conspiring, she said; "That is why I am saying, take this opportunity and seduce him. You can't let this opportunity go. Clearly the gods sent this to you… Now, use your sensual energy to get mercy out of him."

Buhle glared at her friend, Mini, who was scolding her. The friend squirmed.

"Well… I'm just saying. Assuming The Prince faking it, then he is having mercy on you. And this could be our one-way ticket out of poverty", spoke Mini.

"If you want The Prince, go ahead and marry him! And what makes you think, I will share my riches you?!", yelled Buhle.

"Well, we are sisters! We have to share. That is the natural order of things."

"And then what?! We will share him?! Him too?!", argued Buhle.

"Ew! No!", shouted Mini. "Who shares a man?!"

There was a short silence.

"If you do not want him, and he does not choose me, best believe that Nisa girl is going to have all her claws all over him. And you know that pretty mean girls always win", said Mini.

Buhle paid her friend no mind. She continued working.

"And because she is not only pretty, but unlike us, she is also from a very wealthy family. The Prince is totally going to fall for her. And her effortless charm, charisma and elegance… Come to think of it, they do make a good match. Both rich, both beautiful", said Mini.

"No! The Prince could never fall for her! Why would you say something like?!" Buhle yelled.

"I mean, I am just saying. The people in the kingdom would like The Prince to partner up with someone of an upper class…" Mini thought to herself; "Money is everything."

"Money is not everything! Do you think the royal family chases such things?! Do you know you could get prosecuted if you are heard making such accusations?!", Buhle continued to yell.

"No, I'm just saying… well you know…" after stammering through her words, Mini paused and then said; "Wait… why are you shouting at me? Why are you suddenly mad?"

Buhle shouted; "I am not mad! And I am not shouting! I am…" Buhle stopped, realizing that she was indeed yelling. She squirmed with embarrassment.

Mini smirked. She neared Buhle, and annoyingly, she asked; "It seems, locking The Prince in your house has led to some attraction. Is it not?"

Buhle backed away, leaving Mini amused.

"It is okay. It means our journey out of poverty has begun. Congratulations, I'm proud of you", said Mini, with a mischievous smile on her face.

Buhle looked at Mini and disputed; "I am not attracted to him."

Mini ignored her and proceeded;

"I have taught you well."

Back at the house, grandpa and the young man pilled beans together. They washed and soaked some for the evening meal. They also separated the grains from the mealie kernels. They were storing food away for continuous consumption through the days leading to the next harvest.

Fascinated, The Prince remarked; "I had no idea, the people in the kingdom worked so much. Living here has given me a higher sense of respect for the citizens and foreigners that live among us."

Heart warmed, grandpa said; "It fills me with so much joy to find out that our Prince is as humble as a child."

"Thank you for your kind words. I have learnt a lot of things here with you. I have learnt how to clean, how to store bananas and other fruits, as well as vegetables. And I have learnt how to do my own hair", said The Prince, teasing himself for only learning his hair at his age.

Grandpa laughed, remembering just how difficult The Prince was being as grandpa taught him how to do his hair. He had actually requested that grandpa teach him how to do his own hair. That was after he had seen Buhle do her own hair in the morning, and then tie it up in the evening before bed. And then, later after Buhle left for the farm, he saw grandpa do his own hair. The Prince had been seeing that throughout the days that he was immobile, and grandpa would do his hair for him. He had gestured his request to grandpa since he was still mum back then, due to the medicine. And grandpa took the time to teach him.

The Prince continued talking; "But now, I must learn how to cook."

Fascinated, grandpa smiled.

"I am not really a romantic. But I will be getting a wife soon. Learning how to cook will be a great start for me. Don't you agree?", asked the clueless Prince.

Grandpa found himself growing more and more fond of the young man. Although The Prince had a grand image, he was still a humble person. He always wanted to lend a hand, and he felt secure enough to let himself be vulnerable with other people.

"It is indeed a good idea that you learn to cook for her", grandpa agreed. "Cooking is another form of love language."

"I am noticing that Buhle does not feel comfortable with my presence here; she avoids me always."

Grandpa was taken aback, he did not know what to say for a moment.