A small wooden rowing boat glided gently toward the private pier of Khunchai Phop's family. Khunchai Phop took Khunying Bussaba's hand and helped her step off the boat with utmost care.
Before them stood Ruen Phitak Aiyara, an imposing teakwood mansion that reflected both its age and the wealth of its owners. The fresh scents of orange jasmine and pikoon blossoms drifted delicately through the air.
Beneath the raised house, servants were diligently working. The moment they noticed Khunchai Phop and Khunying Bussaba arriving, they hurriedly bowed low in deep respect.
Nanny Im, the head servant, stepped forward with a warm smile.
"Khun Chai, Khun Ying! I thought you would arrive after midday. The servants have already prepared the meal at the middle pavilion."
"Thank you, Nanny Im. We only just returned from the market," Phop replied.
"You must be tired from the walk. Please rest at the reception pavilion first. I shall go pay respects to Mother in the inner house—there are matters of importance I must discuss with her."
Bussaba nodded softly.
"Of course. Go ahead, my lord. I shall arrange the flowers we bought."
Khunchai Phop entered the inner house, where he found Khunying Mani, his mother, seated gracefully as she embroidered a piece of silk.
"Mother," he greeted as he knelt at her side, bowing with utmost reverence.
Khunying Mani gently stroked her son's hair.
"Every time I see Khunying Bussaba, I cannot help but admire her. She is perfectly suited to you. I have no worries about your household at all."
Phop smiled with pride before shifting to the matter at hand.
"Mother, I wish to discuss the wedding gifts to be presented to the elders. I want them to be worthy and respectable. Might you help me choose the silk for the ceremonial shoulder cloths? I fear time is short before the wedding in two months."
"There is no need to worry," Khunying Mani assured him calmly.
"I have already arranged for the finest silk from Ayutthaya to be delivered."
She paused, then added with a thoughtful tone,
"But what concerns me more is your father's birthday celebration next month. It is close to the wedding date. Entertaining high-ranking guests requires greater preparation than usual."
"I have already taken responsibility for Father's birthday arrangements," Phop answered confidently.
"But… there is something small that has been troubling me, and I wished to consult you."
Khunying Mani looked closely at him.
"What is it, Phop? You seem unsettled."
"I saw Phat at the market today," Phop said quietly, referring to a distant relative.
"He must have just returned to the capital. But… I felt something different about him, Mother. The way he looked at Bussaba… it made me uneasy."
Khunying Mani nodded with composed understanding.
"Phat, though kin, does not possess the same standing as you. Bitterness about his own circumstances may have begun to grow in him. That is only natural."
She held her son's gaze.
"He may simply have been struck by Bussaba's beauty. But you must not let this trouble you. Two grand events await us—now is not the time for discord within the family."
"Be courteous, be mindful, and keep everything harmonious," she advised firmly.
"Honor him as is proper, so your father will not be burdened with unnecessary concerns during his celebration."
Phop breathed easier at her words.
"Thank you, Mother. I will do as you advise. I will not allow anything to cast a shadow over our wedding."
Khunying Mani caressed his cheek affectionately.
"Ensuring that the wedding preparations go smoothly is what matters most."
---
The Stirring of Doubt and the Will to Protect
After speaking with his mother, Khunchai Phop went to the reception pavilion where Khunying Bussaba was resting.
She was arranging fresh flowers and scented herbs on a polished wooden table, assisted by Nanny Chuen and a few maidservants.
"Did Mother ask you about the business in the outer provinces?" Bussaba asked as soon as she saw him, her smile bright as sunlight.
Phop came closer and gently took the jasmine flower from her hand, drawing her to sit near him.
"Only a small matter," he replied.
"I hurried to settle the invitations for Father's birthday celebration—and for our wedding—so I could return to you quickly."
"You exaggerate, my lord," Bussaba said shyly, her cheeks flushing pink as she leaned on his shoulder.
"I missed you too… even a moment apart feels like years."
Phop wrapped his arms around her, holding her as tenderly as he could. His love for her was pure and unwavering.
"I've ordered Joi to keep close watch around the pavilion and its surroundings during the upcoming festivities," he said in a low voice.
"From now on, whatever you do, I will make sure someone is there to look after you."
Bussaba looked up, puzzled.
"Are you truly that worried? The capital is perfectly safe."
"Regardless," he said, voice firm with devotion,
"I cannot let anything—or anyone—threaten you. I love you too deeply to let you out of my sight again."
Bussaba could only nod, touched by his sincerity.
Under the shade of Ruen Phitak Aiyara, they sat close, wrapped in a peaceful and gentle atmosphere.
But within Khunchai Phop's heart, a thin layer of unease had begun to spread.
He knew too well that the relative who had returned after years away
may not have come merely to join their joyous occasions—
but perhaps
to reclaim something
he believed was rightfully his.