The Uninvited Princess ✔

Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Pranee stood in front of the palace with her hands placed firmly on her head in fear that her wig would fall off.

The group was gathered behind bushes in front of the palace. The jungle's shade helped obscure any eyes that looked their way. The two men that had joined them on the journey kept a lookout behind them while they observed the bustling scene.

Nobles gathered around the entrance, waiting to be let in one by one by the guards. Pranee's eyes scanned the area for the fiftieth time in hopes to see any signs of Ubol. There was no such luck.

"Ubol should have fulfilled her part of the plan already." Tanet slid another dagger onto his belt, ready to charge in at a moment's notice.

"I doubt it." Kiet had stabbed his staff into the ground and hacked away at the dirt as if he was trying to find something.

"Shouldn't we wait for Bayu? She hasn't returned from the nagi's kingdom yet," Anuman said. His fingers nervously tapped his staff.

"We don't have time. P—the king will be at his most vulnerable on this day."

Pranee noticed Tanet's change of words and stayed silent. They couldn't afford to think of Ritthirong as a brother anymore but a tyrannical king. It was easier that way.

"There are many entrances into the palace but there will be a lot of security," Tanet explained. "One of the wizards knows how to put barriers for the heirlooms in the palace."

"No way a wizard could do it for doors," Kiet scoffed and continued to dig. "I may specialize in fishing and nets but I know a thing or two about the basics."

"Well, these wizards aren't just ordinary wizards." Anuman spoke up unexpectedly and his eyes were downcast. "They didn't even seem human. They always tried to push their boundaries to the limit and disregarded people around them."

"I don't remember them too well," Pranee said quietly.

"It's because father didn't like them being near you." Tanet scratched the back of his neck. "Said it was too dangerous for a young girl to be near them."

"What do we do then?" Shashi gave the group a sharp look. They looked impatient. "Blast the wall open and charge in?"

"You would like to do that, wouldn't you?" Kiet muttered the question with the faintest hint of humour but Shashi brushed off the comment instead of retaliating.

"There is one thing he probably couldn't think of," Tanet said. "The palace has a garden. It doesn't have a roof and there are multiple entry points since it's in the middle of the palace itself. Our mother used to visit it frequently and I remember she would take me there to feed the birds."

Kiet's digging came to a stop. "And then what?"

The corner of Tanet's mouth twitched downwards but he tried to keep it neutral. Kiet didn't seem to catch it but Pranee had.

"The wedding should be happening in the throne room so we might have a better chance of sneaking in," Tanet looked to the wizards of the group. "How many people can you both carry when it comes to flight?"

Anuman rubbed his forehead with the palm of his hand. "I'm confident with carrying one person. Shaky at best with two."

"A princess and many grocery bags," Shashi said.

"I don't. I'm a fisherman." Kiet waves his hands to emphasize his point. "If you want me to make another fog, I can do that. It just will be weaker than last time's since Chann isn't here to help."

"That'll be fine," Tanet said.

"How should we go about this, then?" Anuman asked.

"We'll have to leave two people behind and find a way for the others to be let in." Tanet turned his head to Pranee. "You're staying out here."

"What?" Pranee's hands curled into fists. "Why do I have to stay out here?"

He paused. "You don't have magic."

"I summoned an elephant."

"You aren't trained to fight."

"I can still try."

"Pranee, I can't lose you too."

"And you think I can lose you?" Pranee snapped. "I saved you the last time we were here. If it weren't for me, you might've been dead."

"I think you forgot, I can only carry a princess and grocery bags," Shashi piped up. "I will not carry a wizard who smells of fish."

"Hey!" Kiet tried not to shout but his voice was louder than it should've been.

The creases in Tanet's forehead deepened and he sighed. "Fine."

After some deliberation and preparation, Pranee found herself on the back of Shashi's staff again, preparing for take-off.

"Is this okay?" Pranee gingerly put her hands on their waist. "I... don't know where else to hold."

Shashi gave a curt nod but didn't look behind them to meet her eyes.

A thin mist began to surround the group and they took off.