Forbidden Love✧⁠*⁠。

Episode 5

The early morning sun filtered softly into Perth’s room as he woke, stretching his arms and feeling the pleasant aches of yesterday's hard work. Today, he’d decided to take a rare rest day, choosing to stay home to help his mother, Ariya, and spend some time with his sister, Freen. Smiling to himself, he rose, showered quickly, and got dressed in comfortable, simple clothes that suited a restful day at home.

Heading to the small kitchen, Perth decided to surprise his family by cooking breakfast. He gathered some eggs, vegetables, and herbs from their small garden, and started preparing the meal with a sense of calm and purpose. As he cracked eggs into a bowl and whisked them, he heard a familiar yawn from behind him.

"Oi, nong," Freen greeted, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "You’re up already? And cooking breakfast too?"

Perth glanced over his shoulder with a small smile. "Yep. Decided to take a day off work today," he replied. "I’m pretty worn out from yesterday, and we’ve got enough money set aside. I’ll get back to it tomorrow."

Freen grinned, patting him on the shoulder. "You deserve a break. But let me help you with breakfast, alright?"

Perth chuckled, waving her off. "Phi, go shower first. I can handle this."

But Freen shook her head, a mischievous smile crossing her face. "No way! I’m helping whether you like it or not."

The siblings worked side-by-side, laughing and teasing each other as they cooked. Freen kept joking about Perth’s cooking skills, insisting he would burn something at any moment, while Perth fired back that she’d probably trip over her own feet if she tried to do anything more complicated than stirring. Their banter filled the small kitchen, making it feel warmer and more alive.

Their playful laughter reached Ariya, who peeked into the kitchen with a smile. Seeing both of her children cooking together filled her with warmth and pride. She stepped into the room, her presence unnoticed until she softly asked, "Perth, you’re not going to work today?"

Perth turned, smiling at his mother. "Not today, Mae. I’ll stay home and help you out instead. I’m tired from yesterday, and besides, we have enough set aside for now."

Ariya’s eyes softened, and she nodded approvingly. "I’m glad you’re taking a break, son." She glanced between her two children, smiling at the scene before her. "And what are you two up to?"

"We’re cooking breakfast, Mae," Freen answered, proudly showing off the ingredients they were preparing. "I told Perth I’d help out."

"Oh, it’s alright; I can handle breakfast myself," Ariya began, but Perth quickly shook his head.

"No, Mae. You sit down and rest this morning. We’ve got this." He nodded confidently, a grin on his face. Ariya chuckled softly and took a seat, watching her children with quiet affection as they continued their playful cooking routine.

As they worked, Freen glanced over at Perth and casually asked, "Hey, Perth, do you want to go to the lake later this evening?"

Perth’s eyes lit up, nodding immediately. "Of course!"

With breakfast finally ready, the two of them set the table. It was a simple meal, but lovingly prepared, with warm bread, scrambled eggs, and freshly picked greens. They placed everything on the worn wooden table, and the three of them sat down together to eat. Conversation flowed naturally as they talked about yesterday’s events, village news, and shared little jokes. The warmth of family filled the room, making the breakfast feel like a special occasion.

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Meanwhile, back at the castle, Santa found himself at a much quieter breakfast table. This morning, only he and his sister, Becky, were present. Their parents had pressing matters to attend to and wouldn’t be back until tomorrow morning, a fact Mix, the butler, had explained earlier. The grand dining hall felt unusually spacious and almost too quiet without King Adun and Queen Laila’s presence.