The Uninvited Princess ✔

Chapter 28

Translation/pronunciation note

Songkran (saang-kran) is Thai New Year. There are a lot of different ways to celebrate the holiday but the most prominent are dressing in traditional Thai clothing, performing your duties at the temple as a lay person, and a giant water fight to make a clean start for the new year.

Chapter 28

Pranee was back in the cell with her extravagant attire. She wasn't sure if the king did that on purpose or not but the weight of the garments felt even heavier after that conversation.

Shashi had a double-take when they saw her appearance and was visibly confused. Pranee didn't say anything as she didn't want to cause a scene again in front of them.

"Is it Songkran or am I missing something? Why are you dressed like that?" Shashi spat out the questions in rapid-fire succession.

Pranee puckered her lips before giving a small head shake. "I don't know exactly why. I think... the king is trying to bribe me."

"For what?"

"All the information about P'Tanet in exchange for my royal status."

"What happens if you don't cooperate?"

"I die."

Pranee could tell that their expression said everything that they were thinking. It contorted from shock then anger then to fear so quickly that Pranee didn't know what to say to calm them down.

"Are you going to do it?"

"P'Tanet is one of the last family members I have left. I can't lose him."

"That king is just so willing to kill you off without any good reason! Isn't he related to you? How heartless is this guy?!"

"Shhh. Quiet. I don't want your life to be at risk too." Her body slumped to the ground in defeat. "He is my brother too but... it's complicated."

"I feel like there's something you're not telling me."

"I... just need to process everything."

Shashi sighed. That was when a paper bird flew into the room and landed on Shashi's head. That was when she noticed the pile of paper near them and she looked at them in confusion.

"What...?"

"That buffalo sends me thirty letters and can't figure out that I can't respond?!" They shook the paper off their head in irritation.

Pranee watched the paper float to the ground with confusion. "Who?"

"Kiet. I was supposed to visit him today apparently so he's been sending non-stop letters."

"His majesty requests for the wizard's presence." The guard's voice boomed throughout the room.

Shashi looked at Pranee with concern and she waved her hand in dismissal. "I'll be fine. You can't keep him waiting."

Shashi nodded and the guard promptly opened the door. The two left the room and Pranee sighed. Her hands reached for makuta on her head and it jingled noisily as she attempted to take it off. After a few tries, she was able to take it off successfully until she heard a clunk.

It was a hollow wooden sound and Pranee looked at the ground to see if something unexpected. Then there was a lighter sound followed by the loud wooden sound again.

Pranee searched the ground in confusion until she saw a foot and a platform sandal, instantly recognizing who they belonged to.

"Wipa?"