Forbidden Love✧⁠*⁠。

Episode 16

It had been a few weeks since Santa and Becky had sneak out of the castle without getting caught. Whenever their parents, King Adun and Queen Laila, were around, Santa and Becky would take turns slipping away to meet with Perth and Freen. They would trade off, one day Santa meeting Perth at their secret spot by the lake, and the next day, it would be Becky’s turn with Freen. On the rare occasions when both their parents weren’t in the castle, Santa and Becky would sneak out together.

The plan was risky, and although they tried to keep things discreet, their parents began to suspect something. Queen Laila was somewhat convinced by Santa and Becky’s casual explanations. They’d tell her they were spending the day in the library or out in the gardens, or simply relaxing in each other’s rooms. She saw no reason to doubt them, especially since they always seemed to be by each other’s side within the castle walls.

But King Adun was not so easily convinced. He’d noticed subtle shifts in his children’s behavior: the small, secretive smiles, the way they would suddenly disappear for a few hours and return looking… different. Despite his suspicions, he chose not to pursue it, at least for now, allowing them a bit of independence. In the meantime, he kept a close eye on them, hoping they would confide in him when they were ready.

For Santa and Becky, those secret meetings at the lake became their own little fantasy world. The bond between Santa and Perth, and between Becky and Freen, grew stronger with each meeting, their shared moments filled with lightheartedness, laughter, and the quiet, tender discovery of young love.

When it was Becky’s day to meet Freen, they would walk by the water’s edge, fingers entwined, often leaning into each other, sharing small, gentle kisses that left Becky blushing and Freen smiling. Freen loved to tease Becky, making her laugh and blush at her playful comments, and Becky, though shy, would sometimes surprise Freen with her own cheeky remarks. The two of them would find themselves lost in conversation and laughter, lying in the grass under the shade of the trees or sitting by the water, simply enjoying the presence of one another. Becky couldn’t believe she was experiencing something so wonderful, and she cherished every stolen moment with Freen.

When it was Santa’s turn to meet Perth, their time together was just as magical. Perth’s arms around him made him feel safe, and every kiss they shared was like a secret only the two of them knew. Perth would hold Santa close, the two of them often resting forehead to forehead, exchanging smiles and whispered words that were just for each other. Sometimes they’d walk along the shore, hands brushing against each other’s until Perth would finally take Santa’s hand, sending a soft warmth through him. They’d sit together, sharing quiet conversations, each moment strengthening their bond, their laughter and kisses weaving memories that felt like a dream come true for both of them.

Meanwhile, Est and William couldn’t help but feel a little relieved. They’d noticed the glow on Santa and Becky’s faces whenever they returned from the lake, and they were thrilled to see their friends so happy. Secretly, they were glad Santa and Becky were no longer seeking them out as much, which meant that Est and William could enjoy their own time together in peace. They would laugh about it privately, saying how now, with Santa and Becky occupied, they could finally have their own sweet moments without interruption.

But little did Perth and Freen know, someone else was watching too. Ariya, their mother, had started to notice the changes in her children. She was usually busy with her duties, but in those quiet moments when she’d see Freen or Perth returning from their outings, she observed the glow in their faces, a happiness that hadn’t been there before. Freen would come home with a playful lightness in her step, sometimes humming a tune as she went about her evening, her smile lingering as if she were still thinking of something—or someone—special. Perth, too, wore a smile that was different from his usual cheerfulness. There was something softer, almost secretive, in the way he moved through the house, a warmth in his gaze whenever he thought no one was watching.