The Uninvited Princess ✔

Chapter 22

Translation/pronunciation note:

Luksaw (Luuk-sow): Daughter

Mae (Meh-ah): Mother

Chapter 22

Pranee rarely dreamed whenever she slept but this was one of the few times that she did.

She was standing outside of the palace and she seemed to be looking at the banana tree in front of her. She didn't know why she was staring at it so intently but it fascinated her. She had walked through this area many times but never did she have an interest in this specific spot. She kneeled near the tree where she saw a tiny golden vase and bowl that are used in rituals at the temple.

There was a rustling from the tree and her perception of the view warped for a moment. She couldn't identify what she was seeing until her mother stood in front of her. Her mother was wearing gold and white robes and her hair was pinned up with ornaments only reserved for the queen.

"Luksaw."

"Mae." Pranee breathed out the word. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." Her mother smiled back warmly. "I hope you've been eating well."

"P'Tanet has been making sure I do at least."

Her mother kneeled next to Pranee and began to pour water from the gold vase into the bowl.

"Pranee, I'm hungry. Could you please give me food next to this old banana tree next time you come back home?"

The water trickled into the bowl and her mother touched her knee to pass on the blessing of the prayer.

"Of course." Pranee bit her bottom lip. "Mae–"

"Shhh, it's not the time."

The morning light shone over Pranee's eyes and she winced. She adjusted her position and rubbed an eye with the back of her hand. That was when she noticed that she felt something heavy laying on top of her. It was Shashi. One of her arms was wrapped around them and their head was on her shoulder.

It felt strange for Pranee to wake up next to Shashi but she couldn't admit that she disliked it either.

Their breathing was soft and quiet. The rhythm of their breaths calmed Pranee as the dream nagged at her.

When was the next time she'll be able to come back home? With her half-brother on the throne, she wouldn't feel safe to even be in the capital.

"What are you thinking about so early in the morning?" Shashi's scratchy voice was followed by a yawn.

Their voice startled her and looked down at them. Their eyes were barely open and almost looked brown instead of their usual golden colour that she had gotten used to. They wriggled a little and readjusted their head so that their forehead was touching her neck.

Her hand brushed the hair out of their face. "Why do you ask that?"

"It looked like you were thinking really hard."

Pranee's eyes wandered in the opposite direction of Shashi. "Yeah... I was just... thinking about how I still really wanted to learn magic."

It wasn't untrue. If she were to properly give any offerings to her mother, she needed to know some magic.

"Why do you have a fascination with magic anyways?"

Pranee paused for a moment. Shashi stared at her with eyes full of curiosity, waiting for her to explain. She pursed her lips then spoke.

"When my mom was alive, she used to tell a lot of stories about magicians and how people that could do magic were respected greatly. She would even be able to do small things like creating images while she told the stories using magic."

"She was a magician?"

"Yeah, but she wasn't a master at it." Pranee closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I always admired my mother. I think those memories hold a special place in my heart."

"Mm, I see. You do know magic is really dangerous though, right?"

"I know but I still want to learn."

"Okay, I'll see what I can do."

Shashi rolled off the bed and Pranee sat up immediately. She couldn't help but miss the warmth of their body already.

"I'll write a letter to Kiet. I'm sure he'll be happy to help." Shashi stood on their toes as they stretched their back.

"But he said I was ineligible to practice magic."

"I think he can easily be persuaded." They dragged their feet towards the bookshelf and began to take items from it. They then proceeded to walk to the desk going back and forth to get everything they needed.

The familiar scene made her eyebrows scrunch together and she wondered what exactly they were going to say. After walking a few times back and forth, Shashi sat at their desk and began to write.

"How?" Pranee carefully pulled her knees to her chest.

"You'll see."

Shashi continued to write while Pranee watched them from a distance. She stayed on the bed, remembering the instructions from the last time they wrote a letter.

"Do you want to watch?"

The question made Pranee jump. Her eyes were wide and she stared at them to see if they had actually said that. They continued to write their letter but then stopped to sigh.

"You don't have to be afraid. I won't get upset with you."

Pranee quickly got out of the bed and peered over their shoulder. The writing was even more beautiful than she had remembered. It was blockier than the writing she was used to and she couldn't help lean closer to have a better look.

"Hey, if you get too close, I'll get distracted." Shashi leaned back so their eyes meet hers.

She carefully wrapped her arms around them and she could feel them relax under her touch.

"Hmmm, really?"

"Yes, really."

"Be prepared to be writing that letter for the whole day then," Pranee teased.

Pranee no longer worried about the dream about her mother or her half-brother. Shashi was the only person on her mind and she allowed herself to be lost in the moment.