Chapter 62
Ubol found herself in the palace garden again. Her clothes were wet and certain areas were caked in mud from the chase. If the maids were awake, they would've been fretting over how
She threw her staff to the ground and the snake slid off her shoulder and curled around her wrist.
"You were so close to getting them," he hissed.
Her hands curled into fists. "I know."
"I was able to track them down for you, but you had to fail me."
Her head snapped to Niran. "Fail you? You weren't able to sniff them out."
"We had them right there. How could the so-called greatest wizard of this country be easily deceived with childish tricks?"
Ubol slammed her wrist against the nearby rock and Niran writhed under her grasp.
"How dare you treat me this way. I'm a naga, know your place human!"
"Correction, you used to be a naga. You're just a snake now."
"Remember our deal."
She gritted her teeth before reluctantly eased the pressure off of the animal.
"Ubol? I was wondering where you were."
The king's sudden appearance made her freeze. He was dressed in Niran was able to slither away quietly before she could notice, leaving the two alone.
"Your majesty." She bowed her head towards him but her hat fell off, displaying her soaked locks.
"Were you taking a swim in the pond with all your clothes on?" The king picked up her hat with one hand to inspect it.
"No, I was... practicing my magic and some mishaps occurred. Do not worry about the state of your garden, I have taken care of it."
"Oh, but this is my precious fiancée," the king emphasized the last word which caused her to flinch. "If people were to find out that the king treats his lover so badly, it would only mean bad news for the both of us."
He placed Ubol's hat on her head as he walked past. His back was turned against her and was now observing the garden with a smug expression.
"Now I have to ask... why were off the palace's premises the past couple of days? Your maids said you were feeling unwell, but when I checked your room, you were gone."
Ubol was sure that she was able to get the maids to cover for her while she was gone. Something must've happened.
"I was... actually visiting my mother." She forced the words out. "I wanted to let her know that I was to be wed."
"Why didn't you let me know? I would've accompanied you and organized the Sin Sod." His eyes were sharp. He didn't look convinced to Ubol and she had to tread carefully.
"I wanted to ease her into the news. It's been a very long time since I last visited her."
"And how did she react?" He said it so calmly, Ubol nearly forgot that she was being interrogated.
"I... wasn't able to tell her just yet. I got too overwhelmed and my mother insisted to stuff me with food."
"Ah, yes. Mothers are like that." He looked over his shoulder to meet Ubol's eyes. "At least, that's what I heard from the servants."
"I've missed my family dearly. I'm regretful that I left so suddenly, your highness." Her hand shook but she tucked them under her arms to avoid him from noticing.
"When we wed, it'll be a bigger issue if you go behind my back again."
"It won't happen again, your highness."
"Oh, you don't need to be so formal, Ubol. You can call me Ritthirong, I am your fiancé," he chuckled. "Unless you prefer some silly term of endearment, like 'my beloved.'"
"I'll just call you by your name..." Her mouth went dry. "Ritthirong."
"Good." He turned around and began walking towards the building before pausing. "Also, don't forget to cleanse yourself before sleeping tonight."
With that, he left and Ubol was left alone again.
"You don't have much time left," Niran said as he poked his head out of the bushes.
"I don't." She clenched her jaw. "We need to find those siblings again."
"Indeed, we do."
Ubol's heart pounded and another fire reignited in her. She will escape this marriage and get her tower back, even if she died trying.