A Single Mother's Farm of the Gods
Chapter 297: Negotiation of the Merfolk [I]

Chapter 297: Negotiation of the Merfolk [I]

A few days have passed by then after Elaina first got taught of her first Artisan Products by the Feys. During that time, Elaina also learned the recipe for the apple pie and it is now possible for her to make one for herself. Although it wasn’t great, Elaina plans to practice cooking and master the Apple Pie recipe. She didn’t want to just leave it to the Feys to do all the heavy lifting in creating the recipes. She wanted to learn herself.

The Apple wine also undergoes a sifting process to get rid of the sediments that were present and is now in its final stages and only the waiting game is left. It will take some time before they will be able to taste the first batch of the Apple wine but it won’t be long. Until then, they will have to let it sit for a while. The longer it stays still, the better it will be.

Right now, Elaina is replanting the plants that have been harvested while the Feys are working on the other crops that have remained and will regrow their produce for any sort of disease or pests that will affect the flowers. Although the plants that Elaina has right now are already quite a lot, Elaina wants to expand her catalog of plants to grow. For example, flowers.

Elaina noticed that flowers are selling quite a lot, especially during festivals and stuff that needs flowers. Not only that, according to the market, there is also the need for pressed flowers and perfume made from those same flowers as well. Flowers might not be crops, but Elaina wanted to at least have a variety of other things on her farm. After all, with the big farm she had, it would be a waste to not utilize the farm’s big space.

While she is still busy replanting new seeds in the tilled soil, Zaza and Shardu who were just resting on the porch suddenly stand up and rush towards the gate. Julia also comes out of the farmhouse and runs outside, followed by Princess Margaux who is already holding her staff that she usually uses when she is using magic, startling Elaina as the two heads straight at her.

"Sis! The merfolk, they are back!"

Hearing this, Elaina’s face turned serious and she immediately grabbed the sword that was currently resting on the porch and rushed with Julia to the gates, joining Zaza and Shardu who were ready to fight and were already in combat stance. They have noticed the presence of the Merfolk already. But it is natural for them to be in this mode considering the last visit of the Merfolks was a chaotic mess.

The gunflower and swordvine on the gate are already on alert and are ready to attack. They are just being held back by Elaina who is stopping them from doing anything at the moment.

While the situation is tense, a knock on the gate can be heard. They couldn’t hear anything outside but Julia was pretty sure there were a lot of them outside.

"Be careful, Sis. There are lots of them outside. Most of them carry weapons. If they do something, we won’t hesitate to attack. Just be careful."

Looking at the two girls who nodded and with the Garden Guardians and the two beasts beside her, they are now ready to confront the merfolk as she slowly opens the gate.

Before her are merfolk guards with a merfolk who is wearing a suit that is usually the uniform of human secretaries.

"Hello, human. I am the representative of the Merfolk Kingdom. We bear no harm and come in peace."

Elaina frowned. "What is the representative of the Merfolk kingdom doing in here?"

"The Kingdom would like to discuss important matters related to the last incident and we would like to negotiate with everyone involved in that incident. We just wanted to ensure that we are not making any unnecessary enemies."

Hearing this, Elaina looked at her companions before looking back at the representative once more.

"Try anything funny and we will ensure you merfolk will not leave here alive. Come inside and we will listen to your words."

Sheathing back her sword, she let the merfolk and the escort soldiers enter the farm while holding back the Garden Guardians from attacking. Julia is holding back Shardu while Princess Margaux is holding back Zaza.

"Where is the princess?" the representative asked.

"Is her presence necessary?" Elaina asked sternly.

"Unfortunately, yes. We have some things that we are going to discuss with her at the moment."

Elaina nodded and headed over to the stream where the Harvest Goddess and Alessa were staying.

"Harvest Goddess? Are you busy?" Elaina shouted on the stream.

A few seconds later, the head of the Harvest Goddess poked out from the water.

"What is it? I am busy at the moment, if it is about farming, we can discuss it later."

"It’s not about farming. I was going to ask if Alessa is doing something there. Someone is looking for her."

"Someone? Don’t tell me..."

"Yes. Someone from the Merfolk Kingdom."

The Harvest Goddess frowned at first before she sank into the water. A few seconds later, she resurfaces again with a big frown on her face.

"She refuses to meet them. Tell them to go away."

Before the Harvest Goddess can return, the representative of the Merfolk approaches and speaks.

"Please. Can you at least persuade her? We just have matters we want to talk to her. We promise that we will not do anything to her and her child. We are just here to talk and to negotiate. Nothing more, nothing less."

The Harvest Goddess had an indescribable frown on her face while looking at the representative before she sighed.

"Alright, fine. But don’t expect I will succeed. If she won’t, then don’t force her."

"Promise."

After the conversation, the Harvest Goddess sank back into the water. A few minutes later, someone else resurfaces and this time, it is not the Harvest Goddess but Alessa herself.

"I am here. Fohl, what do you want with me?"

The representative who Alessa calls Fohl suddenly knelt on one knee and bowed his head before her.

"Princess, we are asking you to return to the kingdom and claim the throne of the Merfolk Kingdom’s ruler. This isn’t an order but we are asking. Please, princess, the kingdom needs you."