The Uninvited Princess ✔

Epilogue

Epilogue

The palace had to undergo many reparations and it would take years for everything to be restored. Pranee was a little sad she wouldn't be there to see the whole process but she had more important things to tend to.

Tanet was dressed in kingly attire but didn't look very comfortable in it. He tugged at his sleeves with an irritated expression but Pranee didn't mind.

They were in front of the banana tree that held their mother's spirit. There was a small area of unearthed ground that had bits of Ritthirong's ashes with a small stone to mark the grave. Pranee had left two dishes. One had fruit, rice, her mother's favourite stir-fry dish. The other had meat and rice with a vegetable side that was placed in front of Ritthirong's grave and Pranee hoped it would appease his spirit.

Pranee was on the grass, sitting on her knees while her hands were pressed together in a silent prayer. She hoped that her mother would lay to rest and wouldn't harm more people while she was still stuck as a nang tani. She lifted her head when she was done the ritual and Tanet broke the silence.

"Are you sure you want to revoke your title as princess?" Tanet asked Pranee and she nodded.

"I really have no reason to stay a princess," she said as she placed her hands onto her lap. "Are you sure you can run this kingdom? You were always a free spirit."

"Honestly, no." His smile cracked. "But I'll figure things out."

"Like with your emperor?"

He muttered something under his breath and Pranee took it that the two were still on not-so-good terms.

"Well, I'm sure whatever happens, you won't be alone," she said.

"To be honest, the most I'm worried about is how I'm going to walk everywhere without people fussing over me because I have prosthetic feet." Tanet waved his hand to his feet. "The royal court has been treating me like I'm some fragile flower even though I fought in battle just days before."

Pranee gave him a sad smile. "It might take some time for them to realize your capabilities."

"They need to hurry up because I'm tired of it," he muttered.

"Your highness, there's another noble that would like to plead his life to you," Anuman interrupted the conversation. "There was also the late king's last servant. Charunee was her name, I think. She was found in the king's bedroom clinging to his portrait. We're not sure what happened but I think it's best that you assess the situation."

"I'll come and handle it," Tanet said with a sigh. "Will you be okay, Pranee?"

"Yes, I have to see Shashi anyways."

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

Shashi arrived at the tower with Kiet's arm looped around them and Pranee could hear snippets of their bickering.

"Do you have to hold me like that?" Shashi snapped. "It's disgusting how you have to have your hands all over me."

"Disgusting? May I remind you that you're the one without your staff and I have to escort you everywhere because I'm nice?" Kiet said.

"Oh, as if—"

"Hey, I asked you to come here because I wanted to show you something, not so you two can bicker the evening away," Pranee mused with her arms crossed.

Kiet gave a dejected sigh and scratched his face with his staff. "You two honestly make me sick."

"As if you're any better with Chann," Pranee joked. "Anyways, is it okay if you leave for a little bit? I swear I'll be really quick."

Kiet grumbled something before taking a walk into the jungle, leaving Shashi and Pranee alone.

Shashi turned around to Pranee and had a raised eyebrow. "Is it the tower repairs? Is it good to sell now? I know that your brother was covering the cost for everything but I didn't think it would be this fast."

"No, it's better."

She opened the door and guided Shashi up the stairs and they walked into the kitchen area. There weren't many visible changes to it but Shashi seemed to have noticed the shift in energy of the tower.

"What is this?" Shashi asked. "There's way more magic in here than usual."

"I asked Ubol a favour since she is a master wizard and it worked out in my favour that she also had a small liking to architecture," Pranee said and tapped a carving on the side of the fireplace. A fire roared to life and Shashi was taken back by the sudden flame. "Everything in this tower is now made to accommodate you while you don't have your staff. I don't want you to see this as pity since you can decide whether you want to stop studying wizardry and sell this to another novice that could use a tower like this. Seeing you so passionate about magic before made me think there must be more people like you out there."

Shashi examined the kitchen and bumped their knee on another carving which made dry rice pour from a hidden compartment and spilled all over the counter.

"Oh no, you were supposed to put a bowl there." Pranee covered her face with a hand. "I should've explained every function before you went exploring. At least it was just the rice."

Shashi laughed. "This isn't perfect but it's better than before. I never used this kitchen since it was indoors and only kept food here because Kiet forced me to."

"Well, now there's a reason to use it— If you still want to stay here of course," Pranee said the last part quickly. "You know I actually wanted to have your staff ready too but the crafter said there was a delay and we would have to wait a little longer and I couldn't wait—"

"I love it," Shashi smiled. "You really didn't have to. Even the staff, you really didn't have to."

"It was difficult but I wanted to," Pranee blushed. "Does that mean you'll still pursue a mastery? I know it's been a goal of yours for a very long time. It would be a shame if you gave up so soon."

"I'm not sure." There was a twinkle in Shashi's eyes. "It depends."

"Depends on what?" Pranee took a step closer towards Shashi and they mirrored her.

They pressed their forehead against hers and she let them rub it against her head, even if she wasn't wearing a wig at that moment.

"If a very nice and talented goddess would like to live with me."

"I'm not a goddess," Pranee laughed. "I don't have powers anymore. I thought I told you that."

"Oh, but you still defied the heavens and survived," Shashi said. "You must've used some sort of spell."

"Well, if a certain wizard could help me research on the limitations of said powers, then I don't have any reason to decline." Pranee wrapped her arms around their neck and their smile widened.

"So, it's settled."

"It is."

They sealed their agreement with a kiss.

There was still so much that Pranee had to learn about magic still but she didn't have to do it alone.