The Uninvited Princess ✔

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

The night was chilly but it was loud as well. Crickets chirped outside of the window and Pranee couldn't get a wink of sleep. She started to understand why wizards preferred to study in a tower. She was sleeping on a tatami mat for the second night in a row and she had no idea if she would ever get used to sleeping this way.

She turned onto her side and found herself staring into Shashi's eyes. She quickly turned to lay on her back again and let out a small sigh. After a few moments, she couldn't stay silent anymore and spoke.

"Are you having trouble sleeping?"

"Mm." Their response came out as a croak.

She turned her head to them but they were now staring at the ceiling. She could see barely make out their facial expression but she knew it was the same expression from when they were outside. "Were you that shaken?"

"No, I just... was thinking. I've just been thinking... what is the difference between me and that ghost."

"What do you mean?"

"We both look... scary to many people. I even scared you when we first met."

Pranee paused. She did think they were a spirit initially but it was clear now that they weren't. Even then, if Shashi were in the capital, who knows how the citizens would treat them.

"Well... she... had said some things earlier as well to me. How we may have the same karmic paths. Being a noble fallen from grace and... just dealing with magic."

"Do you think that you and the Krasue have more things in common then?" Shashi's eyes were gazing directly into hers and she couldn't help but blush.

"I'm not sure." She attempted to hide her face with a hand. "It kind of reminds me of this tale where this monk watched this mother feeding her baby pork and the dog stole the piece before the baby was fed. She was about to raise her hand to hit the dog but the monk stopped her. He said that in a past life that dog was her mother and the pork was her father while her child was her greatest enemy."

"What does that mean?"

"It means... treat living beings with compassion which is the obvious answer but also... you don't know people's histories and what lives they have lived from before. Plus, who knows if you may end up like them in the next life."

"Hm. Essentially don't judge people without getting to know them, right?"

"I suppose so."

Shashi exhaled and nodded. "I'm very familiar with that."

"You're are?"

"I am. People tend to pity me for having no arms often. I've seen how they look at me but... I don't understand what there is to pity. I may not have arms but it doesn't mean I'm suffering."

Pranee was surprised. "You're not suffering?"

"Why would I be? It's an inconvenience to not have hands at times but I'm able to enjoy life." They closed their eyes and their expression looked so calm to Pranee.

She pursed her lips as she thought for some time. "Kiet... they had a fake leg. Maybe you can have something like that for your arms if you ever need them."

"I've... tried prosthetic arms before but they never worked properly. It isn't like a leg where you just need to walk. I need something to pick up a brush and precisely write words or pick up food and actually put it in my mouth."

"Oh... ignore that then."

"It's okay. You've never had to live without arms before. I wouldn't expect you to know."

Pranee unconsciously put a hand on the top of her head. Her life in the palace was constantly keeping up appearances and hiding what people would perceive as imperfections. Shashi seemed to have those pressures but probably much worse than she could ever imagine yet they were at peace with not having arms.

"Pranee?"

"Yeah?"

"I've been meaning to ask you something since I've met you."

She couldn't help but lift her head at the mention of a question. Shashi hadn't talked to her this much until now.

"Ah, what is it?"

"Did you come from a rich family?"

Her body stiffened. "Why do you ask?"

"Your hands aren't rough and you don't seem to act like you're a commoner. You seem disgusted by almost everything–"

"There were times where I wasn't disgusted!"

"You still seem put off by things very often."

She had no idea it was that obvious that she wasn't a commoner. She could feel her face contort into a small pout before she gave her answer.

"I guess you could say I am from a wealthy background. Though, I guess it doesn't matter now."

"I thought so."

The conversation died again and the frogs had decided to begin croaking every so often to join the chorus of crickets. Pranee still couldn't shake off the feeling that she had to say something. Who knew when she could talk to Shashi again without irritating them?

"Is it alright if I ask you a question as well?"

"Hm, I guess."

"How did you actually lose your arms?"

"I never had arms. It's been this way ever since I was born."

Pranee couldn't hide her shock as her lips parted slightly. She was so sure there was some sort of story because of what they said to the children. "Oh, I see. I'm sorry to hear that."

"Why are you sorry? It's not your fault that I have no arms."

"Ah... sorry. I just felt the need to say it."

"I told you earlier, I don't need to be pitied."

"Sorry..."

She closed her tired eyes to avoid looking at Shashi's disappointed face. She felt something smooth and warm touch her forehead. Her eyes flicked open and she saw Shashi's golden eyes. She instantly pulled her head away in a panic and Shashi had a stunned look on their face.

"Sorry, I just wanted to comfort you." They refused to look her in the eyes. "Just... don't feel too bad about earlier, okay?"

Her hand was pressed against her head tightly as she sat there blushing profusely. "A-ah. I see."

"Anyways, sleep well."

They turned to sleep on their side, away from Pranee. She laid back down on her back and squeezed her eyes shut.

"Goodnight."