One Last Chance

Beyond The Veil l

The dawn broke over the Kingdom of Suwannarat, casting a golden glow across the majestic silhouette of Phra Nakhon Castle. Rising from the lush emerald landscape, its intricate spires and ornate gables shimmered like a jewel, a testament to centuries of artistry and ambition.

As the sun rose from the horizon, vibrant hues painted the sky-deep oranges and soft pinks mingling with the crisp morning air. The castle's reflection danced in the tranquil waters of the surrounding moat, a shimmering mirror of its grandeur.

A parade of servants in flowing silk uniforms began their day, carrying baskets of fragrant jasmine and golden mangoes, the scent of ripe fruit mingling with the freshness of morning dew.

In the east tower, a beautiful woman sat before her mirror. At her vanity, ornate with intricate carvings, she began her ritual. The first touch was a gentle cream, smoothing over her skin, followed by a subtle fragrance of jasmine and sandalwood, a signature of her lineage. As she adorned herself with layers of shimmering silk, the colors-emerald green and royal gold-draped around her like sunlight through leaves.

Her hair, long and dark, was braided intricately in a bun, woven with strands of delicate jasmine that danced with her every movement.

Meanwhile, another young woman with two youthful braids swinging behind her was running along the hallway, each footstep quickening with excitement.

Without knocking, she pushed open the door and called out in a sing-song manner.

"P'Yaaaaaa, good morning!" Princess Chalita, the youngest princess of the Kingdom, called out sweetly to the vast bedroom.

Used to her sister's lively behavior, Princess Chariya only smiled elegantly in the mirror as she put on her golden bangles. Her handmaidens were by her side adjusting her pleats and braids as she stood before the mirror.

"Good morning, nuu. Excited are we?" Chariya turned to her sister.

"Of course, this is my first time seeing people from beyond the ocean! I wonder if they have golden hair and blue eyes like the teacher said." Chalita twirled in a circle, her eyes glinting with excitement at the thought of a prince charming.

"I heard he's a middle aged man, so don't bring your hopes up." Chariya teased her sister and enjoyed watching her pout.

"That'd be so boring and defeats the whole purpose of this ....thing."

"This 'thing' is our father's effort to bring our name across the sea. The British Governor is all the way from England, a country beyond our knowledge. Imagine if we could strike a business of sorts." Chariya explained patiently as the sisters exited the bedroom and walked slowly to the throne room.

Though her words were soft and demure, Chariya was actually terribly nervous inside. She was only putting on a show in front of her sister and everyone else because they looked up to her. Her teacher had been teaching her English for a month, for that was when her father, the King, told her about the coming visit.

However, a month was hardly sufficient to learn a new language. While Princess Chariya was known to be a very intelligent woman in the Kingdom, picking up a foreign language when all she had known was the Thai language was challenging.

The massive doors of the Throne room pushed open with a loud, echoing groan. The atmosphere hummed with a sense of anticipation and reverence, the two royal sisters stepped inside with their heads bowed down respectfully.

"Good morning, por, mae." The sisters bowed to their parents, the well beloved Queen and King of Suwannarat.

"Good morning, my dear daughters. Please have a seat, the governor shall arrive soon." The King said kindly.