The Uninvited Princess ✔

Chapter 47

Translation note:

Makhuea means Thai eggplant.

Chapter 47

This market was bigger and more active than the river market that Pranee had visited with Shashi.

Pranee and Shashi were taking the time to buy supplies for the camp. A bad was slung over Shashi's neck and Pranee had another bag on her arm in case they got a good deal. People crowded the stands as they chatted and shopped around.

It had been some time since they left the naga kingdom but Pranee couldn't help but wonder what exactly waited for them in the destination the queen had told them. They didn't even know what exactly they were facing against since all of the people the queen had sent all disappeared.

Pranee sighed. Maybe she should pick up a book to get her mind off of things. Her hand brushed over the cover. Kama Sutra. Pranee vaguely remembered that she had read a few sutras back at the palace. They were always filled to the brim with advice and instructions.

"Don't buy that." Shashi's voice was higher more than usual.

Pranee spun around and saw Shashi's panicked expression. Her eyebrows scrunched together. "It's a sutra though. Aren't sutras supposed to hold a lot of wisdom?"

They cleared their throat. "I mean... yes. But you don't have to worry. I have it memorized so you can just ask me what it's about. No need to waste money on it."

Her hand left the book and she continued to walk alongside Shashi. "What's it about then?"

Shashi tensed up. "Uh... hm... The intimate art of... uh... e–no. Emotional fulfilment? Yeah, let's go with that. Emotional fulfillment."

Pranee stared at them for a moment before she realized why they were so embarrassed.

"Ah, wait. I've actually read this before."

"Wha... Actually, that would explain a lot."

"Really?!" Pranee covered her face with a hand. "Why do you even have this memorized?"

"I was told there was a part that mentioned no arms. Unfortunately, I forgot that some chairs had more arms than me," Shashi muttered.

"I mean... It must've been helpful if you still memorized it."

They gave her a mischievous side glance. "I suppose so."

A small smile appeared on their face and Pranee couldn't help but blush.

"Hey, did you guys get anything good?" Kiet's sudden appearance made Pranee look back. Kiet had his staff strapped to his back and Chann was standing next to him with a hand on their neck.

"We got some lychee so far but we didn't have a chance to really look around," Shashi replied. "Anyways, why aren't you back at camp?"

"Well," Chann smiled awkwardly. "Kiet got bored so he wanted to catch up with you two."

Chann looked to Kiet and Kiet gave an unapologetic shrug.

"You should be with P'Tanet. He needs to be protected you know." Shashi looked upset.

"Yeah, but the princess needs protecting too. He has the other two, so he'll be fine." Kiet waved a hand dismissively.

Shashi's frown deepened. "Kiet–"

"Shashi! Look!" Kiet slung an arm around Shashi and pointed at a stall with another hand. "They have really cool looking prosthetics over there! I saw one of them had carvings of lotuses on it."

"Kiet, those look expensive."

"Let's go have a look anyways. Let's go, let's go."

Kiet dragged Shashi with him leaving Chann alone with Pranee. Pranee watched the two head to the stand with the prosthetics.

Pranee glanced to the stall beside it and it had an array of vegetables.

She sighed. "I guess we can see what this stall has."

Chann nodded and the two made their way to the stall. They stood there looking through and picking out vegetables for a few moments in complete silence. Chann cleared their throat.

"So... how have you been, your highness?" They gave her a glance but quickly looked away.

"Well... uh... I've been okay." Her eyes focused on the pile of makhuea. "The naga's kingdom was a sight to behold, wasn't it?"

"It's alright. It's really beautiful but it's not that spectacular when you... well..."

Pranee picked up a makhuea and inspected it. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. I was just trying to make conversation."

"Oh, no. I'm not uncomfortable about it just... embarrassed you could say."

"Embarrassed? How?" She set it back down on the stand.

"The reasons why I gave up my divine nature for a human is very... taboo."

"Because... you ..." She attempted to find the right words but the only thing she could do was wave her hand around.

"I was a naga. Yes."

"A-ah, I see. I never would have guessed."

"Because I'm not thin like a snake?"

"No, no! Just... you seem really well accustomed for the most part."

"Mm, it has been a long while so I had some time to really get accustomed."

Pranee looked at Chann but their eyes were focused elsewhere. They were looking at Kiet. Kiet looked back and raised an eyebrow at Chann. Chann lifted their hand to give a sign that they're okay. Kiet gave a goofy smile which made Chann snort. Kiet turned to Shashi and pointed at a prosthetic arm that seemed to have a live fish inside it. Shashi aggressively shook their head.

Pranee bit her lip. "You said 'was' earlier."

"I suppose I'm human now. Or as human as possible."

"If... it's okay to ask. How exactly did it happen?"

"Well... it's complicated. But in short, magic was used and I can be... well... this."

"Ah... I see." Pranee added a few handfuls of makhuea to her bag before paying the vendor. "I want to ask you one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Do you... feel upset that you're forced to stay in this form?"

"Not at all. I get to be with Kiet and that's all that matters."

Pranee nodded slowly.

"Hey, Pranee! What do you think of Shashi's arms?" Kiet yelled.

Pranee looked back to see Shashi with large prosthetic arms that had large exaggerated muscles. There were even details of veins on it making Pranee reel back in shock. Shashi's expression was one of displeasure and they mouthed something to Pranee. Pranee squinted at them, unsure of what they were trying to convey.

"You look like a monkey that suddenly got a staff."

Pranee felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked down only to see four digits.

Wipa gave Pranee a warm smile and turned her attention back to Shashi.

"Funny seeing all of you here."