The Uninvited Princess ✔

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Pranee definitely wasn't pleased as the moment they had jumped out of the window, the two wizards caught them immediately. The wizard that had caught Pranee was holding her by the arm and her other hand was on the staff. It was different from the way Shashi flew where they would be standing on the staff. The wizard seemed to have more control over how they flew as Pranee didn't realize that they had descended when they had arrived.

She instantly recognized the area the moment she had time to process. It was the waterfall area that she could barely see from the tower. The water flowed into a small river and the trees crowded the area, creating a decent amount of shade. She looked to Tanet in confusion and he turned to the wizards.

"Please guard the area. I would like to be alone with my sister."

They promptly followed his orders and left out of sight. Tanet immediately turned to Pranee and whatever trace of happiness was gone from his eyes.

"Pranee, how long have you've had it on?"

"Um..." She averted her gaze.

Tanet sighed impatiently. "Have you been sleeping with it on or does that wizard know?"

"Is this why you took me here? I'm doing ok–"

"Pranee."

"...I've been sleeping with it on." She looked at the ground in shame.

"Pranee, that's not good. Hasn't your head been hurting? Take it off now."

Pranee fingers grazed her hairline before carefully peeling the wig off her head. She could feel the pressure lift from her head but a throbbing sensation was left behind, making her feel a little dizzy. Tanet stood there with wide eyes and his hand immediately touched her head. She flinched and his frown only deepened.

"Does it hurt? Your head looks so red."

Pranee nodded and tried to hold back tears. She didn't realize how much it hurt until she had taken it off. "It's okay, it's my fault. I should've taken it off at night."

He looked at her with sympathy. "Yeah, but you barely know that wizard. I know how self-conscious you are with your hair."

Pranee walked towards the river and looked into the water to see her reflection. Her head definitely was very red and she swore she saw some areas bleeding. She closed her eyes, refusing to look at the clumps of hair and bald spots that she had learned to be ashamed of.

"We can get one of the wizards to heal your head. I bet it'll–"

"No. I don't want them to see."

Tanet sighed. "Okay, wait for one second. I think we carry medicine with us just in case."

Tanet left the area and Pranee looked at her wig. It was dirtier than she had realized. There were some bits of dirt clinging to the ends and it felt slightly damp. She couldn't remember the last time she hadn't worried about her appearance. Her mind couldn't shake off the whispers of the servants when she was younger about how pitiful she looked.

She kneeled down and began to wash the wig as best as she could with only water. Some strands of hair washed away and she couldn't help but feel anxious. How long would it be before she had to get another one?

"Pranee? Why are you crying?"

Tanet looked at her with concern and Pranee looked up at him. He had a small jar in one hand of what she assumed to be the medicine. She quickly wiped the tears away from her eyes.

"Is that the medicine?" Pranee changed the subject quickly.

"Yes. I brought soap beans too since I figured you'd want to wash up." He handed the jar to Pranee and proceeded to take a small bag out from his pocket.

She bowed her head before taking them from him. "Thank you..."

"Wash your hair first and then we can put medicine on it." Tanet gestured to the river with his hand.

Pranee glanced in the direction he was pointing in and pursed her lips. "Could... you help with my hair please?"

"Sure."

Tanet carefully knelt beside Pranee and inspected her head. "You shouldn't be wearing the wig at night."

"I know." She carefully lowered her head towards the stream and began to scoop water onto her head. She could hear that what Tanet was saying despite the waterfall being so loud.

"Is there any way to sleep in another room?"

Pranee thought about the door that Shashi had forcibly opened with their homemade explosive. There was another floor of the tower but it was probably the kitchen. She would be sleeping on the ground anyways so perhaps sleeping on the floor in the kitchen wouldn't be as bad of an idea as long as there was space.

She suddenly felt her head sting as soap found its way into her wounds. She gritted her teeth and bared through the pain as Tanet scrubbed her head.

"There's no way you can put that wig back on. Your head is swelling a lot," Tanet's said worryingly.

Pranee dipped her head into the water in an attempt to rinse out the soap. "I'll be okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, let's just put on the medicine quickly. Why did you even bring me out here anyways?"

"I wanted to make sure you were alright."

"That can't be it." Pranee wiped the water from her forehead. "You've disappeared ever since that day. P'Ritthirong even put me in a tower. Something must've happened."

"It's not a good time."

"When is it? When you're dead and I can't see you ever again?"

Silence separated the two and Pranee only looked at him with angry eyes. That was when Tanet let out a breath and his body slumped in reluctance.

"Just... before I tell you. I want you to know that I won't ever let anything hurt you. Okay?"

There was an uneasy feeling in her stomach but she ignored it. "I know that."

"I'm just reminding you."

He sucked the air through his teeth, avoiding her gaze. He eventually sat behind Pranee and began to rub the medicine onto her head. If he was so eager to avoid looking at her directly, then she can't imagine what exactly he was going to say.

"You know how our family has a history of fighting over the throne once the reigning king dies?"

"Yes, it's been a long time since anyone has actually done that."

"Well, it's common in kingdoms for people to fight over the throne."

Pranee pressed her lips together. She attempted to turn her head to face him but his palms were firmly pressed against the sides of her head, preventing her to move even an inch.

"Pranee listen."

"What's going on?" The uneasy feeling grew. "Was what P'Ritthirong said true? You were committing treason?"

"Pranee, he committed treason first."

The words barely registered in her mind. She felt her stomach turn and her mouth went dry.

"What?"

"He killed our parents to succeed the throne."