The Enchantress

85.

Prince Chaeyoung.

Our first day back in our kingdom was sad yet we ignored it for we have a lot to do. Father wanted a big celebration. I hired people to make an enormous tent in the castle grounds. I've been busy all week in preparing the celebration.

Momo somehow have been absent most of the time. I always have someone to find him. One time I was the one who went to get him. Me and a castle staff went to where he was. We rode past the town and reached a farm. I told the staff to go back to the castle. I unmounted and walked pulling my horse.

I was about to knock at the house when I heard people talking. It came beside the house. I went around the corner and saw a beautiful young lady standing beside a cow. She was talking to a man who's back was facing me. He appeared to be milking the cow. I was surprised when I hear the man's voice. That's Momo.

"Am I doing it right?" Momo said.

"Hold it firmly. Don't tell me you're grossed out?"

"Of course not. I just really haven't done this before."

"Yeah. He haven't. It's good that you're actually willing to learn something new." I said

Momo got startled and immediately stood and faced me. The girl went forward and said while she courtsied: "Your highness."

"So this is where you go whenever you disappear." He was wearing an apron that made me chuckled.

He quickly took it off. "Chae. What are you doing here?"

He looked nervous. I wonder why.

"I want to see where you go." I went near them. "Momo, where are your manners. Won't you introduce me to your girl?"

"Uh. Umm she's... She's not my girl... Yet." He said to me then looked at her smiling.

Is it possible he's courting her?

"I'm Dahyun, your highness. I'm one of the cooks in the castle."

"Oh. I see. Is my brother bothering you?"

"No, your highness." I heard another girl's voice coming behind me.

I turned and saw another beautiful girl.

"I'm Miyeon, Dahyun's older sister. Prince Momo is actually courting my sister."

I knew it. I looked at Momo who's looking embarrassed.

"That's good then."

"I'm sorry your highness, but are you agreeing to let the Prince court my sister?"

"Yes. Why not? Not because he's a prince he wouldn't grant the wishes of the family of the girl she likes." I then looked at Momo. "Which is better. A different approach from what you're used to."

"I... I didn't expect to hear that from you." I looked at her who suddenly looked at her hands and added. "...Your highness."

"We are aware of the tradition of the people in terms of courting. Being a prince won't void that. I myself have gone through it." I looked at Dahyun. "Good choice of letting him work hard for your hand."

I then turned my horse around then faced them. "I won't take much of your time. I'll leave my brother in your capable hands."

I mounted my horse and nodded to them before riding back to the castle. It's amusing to see Momo that way. Is it possible he really likes Dahyun that much to agree to court her. He have never done that before.

I arrived at the castle ground and saw father and Tzuyu talking with the event organizer.

"Where's Momo? I thought you went to get him?"

"I did. He's busy courting a cook from the castle."

They both looked at me as if I said something unbelievable.

"He what?" Tzuyu said.

"Momo? Courting? You're messing with us are you?"

I knew they won't believe right away.

"No. The sister of the girl he's courting confirmed it. I saw with my two eyes he's milking a cow."

"He's milking a cow!?" Tzuyu said looking surprised.

"I guess he finally found someone who said no to him. He must like her very much." Father said.

Tzuyu and I looked at each other and smiled. We're both happy to know that. Finally he found someone.

At dinner, Momo joined us. He looked tired. He looked at us and said.

"Don't mock me now. I'm so tired."

"Who'll mock you? What did you do after the cow?"

"I just started the courting yesterday. They taught me how to manage the rice field. They just told me how to. Today they actually showed me how and made me do it. They had me carry sacks of rice that weighs 10 kilos each. I think I carried 20." He said while stretching his back and arms.

"That is tiring. I'll have a masseuse sent to you later." Father said.

"A guy please. I think I need a hard massage."

"Okay." Father said and resumed eating.

We all ate in silence. Few minutes later I noticed Momo kept looking back at us.

"That's it?" Momo said.

"That's what?" Tzuyu said.

"You all ain't saying anything to mock me."

"Why would we mock you?" Father said.

"Father, I know my brothers. Whenever I do something out of the ordinary they won't stop mocking me the whole day."

"That depends on what you did." Father said. "This time they're actually proud of you. We all are."

Momo was surprised looking at all of us.

"You have been with countless of women and they all like you. They all said yes to you right away. It's the first time someone said no to you yet you pursued her and even agreed in courting her." I said.

"Finally you found someone you like which we all have been praying for." Father said. "I would love to meet this girl who finally captured my son's heart."

Momo was too stunned to speak. He cleared his throat before he spoke again.

"I... I invited her to your celebration."

"Good. Now Tzuyu, Chaeyoung, I'd like to meet your girls too. I believe they're now your girlfriends right?"

"Yes, father." Tzuyu and I said in unison.

Father smiled. "The time has come where all my sons are in love."

"Yah! Father. I'm not in love." Momo said.

We all laughed at him.

"What! I'm not. She's... She's..."

"Oh Dahyun. I thought you wouldn't come." I said looking behind Momo.

Momo, who's looking alarmed, suddenly stood. "I didn't mean..."

We all laughed. His face fell when he realized I was just testing him. He slowly went back to his seat unable to look at us.

"Momo. You shouldn't be embarrassed in admitting you're in love. It won't lessen your ego."

"All men fall in love. That means you're really normal." Father said.

We all laughed at that even Momo laughed as well.