Page 17 of Her Royal Houseguest

She paused and turned back, seeing the monk prince in his robes rushing forwards. Obviously, he could see she wasn’t a man but maybe his command of English wasn’t all that good. Either way, she couldn’t turn her back on him. That would be rude.

He slowed and bowed in her general direction. She opened her mouth to speak with him but he abruptly grabbed Clarke as he passed by with a stack of rags in his hands, no doubt headed for the attic. The prince’s motions were quick and emphatic. Indeed, poor Clarke nearly spilled everything.

‘Sir,’ the prince said, directing his attention to Clarke. ‘I must discuss some of the arrangements for our food. We understand that the English do not have monks as we have.’

Clarke’s eyes widened as he looked at her. ‘Pardon me, sir?’

‘Your Royal Highness,’ Anna quickly corrected Clarke.

‘Er, yes. Your Royal Highness. But you should direct—’

‘It is forbidden to speak directly to women.’ The prince spoke to Clarke but then cut his gaze straight to Anna and quite obviously rolled his eyes. ‘So I ask you, sir, to relay my thanks for the discomfort we have caused.’

Clarke looked at the prince then back to Anna. ‘Um, my lady—’

‘No need to repeat it,’ she said. ‘You can relay that it is our pleasure to serve him.’

Clarke nodded then turned back, opening his mouth but the prince shook his head.

‘I, too, have ears.’ He looked to her and then back at Clarke. ‘You understand. This is formality?’

‘Er, yes, your—’

‘Phra Raja Vaji is a good name. Monk Prince Vaji in English.’

‘Yes, er, Phra Raja Vaji.’ Clarke stumbled over the awkward syllables but he managed, nonetheless.

Anna smiled. ‘If that is all, then—’

‘We had a terrible calamity on the voyage. Storms to make the belly shake. Fear of pirates.’ He shuddered. ‘A terrible sickness that struck our most glorious people.’

Apparently, Monk Prince Vaji had an eloquent nature, even in a foreign language.

‘That sounds awful,’ Anna began but the prince spoke over her.

‘Our most valued and well-treated servants departed us.’

Departed them? As in died?

‘I’m so sorry—’

‘The servants we used on ship are strong, nimble, glorious sailors.’ He paused there and looked to her but she had no idea what he wanted.

‘Yes?’

‘Oh yes! But they are lowly sailors without familiarity to princely customs or religious requirements.’

What could she say to that? ‘I’m afraid we’re not familiar either.’

‘But Mister…’ He looked to Clarke and dipped his chin.

Anna nodded, seeing that the poor boy didn’t quite understand what was happening. ‘He would like to know your name, Clarke.’

‘Oh. Um, I’m Joseph Clarke, Phra, um…’

‘In English, I am Monk Prince Vaji. May I name you Mister Clarke?’

‘Clarke is fine, sir. Er, prince.’