Love Upon A Time.

Special Chapter 3 - Figure Out The Truth.

These past few days, I've felt that something was off with P'Phop.

 

"Chuay, has P'Phop gone to work yet?"

 

"I don't know, sir."

 

The young man, who followed me around like my own shadow, replied as I scanned the veranda for my target. It was early morning, and I'd just finished bathing and dressing. Normally, P'Phop would be sitting on the

veranda, reading a book or cleaning his swords and weapons while waiting for breakfast. But for the past few days, he'd been nowhere to be found.

 

I glanced at P'Phop's bedroom door, just a few steps away from mine. The door was tightly shut, and Khong, his close servant, was nowhere to be seen, indicating that he wasn't in his room either. Honestly, I wasn't that eager to see him since he always found fault with me. But his sudden disappearance made me feel uneasy. Maybe it's because it was too unusual. My usually reliable instincts told me to pay attention to this. It's one thing for him to be missing in the morning, but in the evening, after work, when he usually taught me to read and write, he'd also gone. He used to chat with me after lessons, finding ways to keep me from leaving. But lately, he'd been rushing off somewhere right after teaching, only returning when dinner was served. This piqued my curiosity.

 

"Have you noticed that P'Phop has been disappearing a lot lately?" I whispered to Chuay after greeting Phraya and Aunt Prayong and taking my usual seat for breakfast.

 

"Really, sir?"

 

"Yes, it's strange. P'Phop has never been like this."

 

"l...I think maybe Muun has a lot of business to attend to, sir." Chuay replied softly, his voice hesitant.

 

I raised an eyebrow at his unnatural smile. Normally, Chuay would eagerly continue to gossip with me, but this time, he seemed unusually reluctant.

 

"Do you really think so?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

Chuay nodded briskly, relieved that I seemed to agree. I smiled at him, but my mind was elsewhere. Alright, this was even more suspicious because of this kid. Chuay was a terrible liar. His uneasy expression and shifty eyes gave it all away. He definitely knew where P'Phop had been going, which only made me more curious about what that Muun was up to. He isn't planning to prank me, is he?

 

I kept my suspicions to myself, pondering alone. Soon, the servants brought up the food trays. I looked towards the stairs. P'Phop's breakfast tray was placed next to mine. Shortly after the servants left, P'Phop, still in his house clothes, came back up to the veranda. This was another odd point. Normally, after bathing, he'd change into his work uniform. But now, he was still in his house clothes, only changing after breakfast. How could I not be suspicious?

 

"Phop, were you practising with your sword?"

 

"Yes, Father."

 

P'Phop smiled at his father and quickly started on his breakfast. I glanced at him as he sat down beside me. His face was slightly sweaty, but not enough to be from exercise. His clothes weren't sweaty either. But I noticed his pants were dusty.

 

"Spying on me early in the morning?"

 

His deep voice murmured as I scrutinised him. I flinched slightly and looked up to meet his eyes. His dark eyes sparkled oddly, making me look away.

 

"I just noticed your pants are dirty," I deflected. P'Phop looked down and nonchalantly brushed off the dust. I turned my attention back to my food, but I couldn't stop wondering. What business could he have that made him disappear morning and evening instead of teasing me like before? As far as I knew, he stayed within the house grounds and didn't go out. Could he be charming the young maidens? It's possible. There were many pretty maids in Phraya Pichaipakdee's house. Maybe Mr Officer was looking for a maid to share his bed.

 

"I'm off to work now. Don't get into trouble while I'm gone."

 

After breakfast, P’Phop changed into his uniform and bowed to Khun Ying Prayong, his mother, before turning to remind me and making me glare at him. I was annoyed that he spoke as if I always caused trouble. I wanted to argue that trouble found me, not the other way around, but I was too lazy to argue. It was best if he hurried to work.

 

"Yes, hurry up, or you'll be late."

 

"I'll be back to teach you in the evening." He said before following Phraya down the stairs.

 

I waited until P'Phop's boat left before 

ordering Chuay to clean my room. Then, I headed to the servants' quarters to investigate.

 

"Sai," I called to a young woman in a worn cloth who was picking chillies in front of the kitchen. Sai was Chuay's wife and a servant under my command, temporarily assigned to Phraya Pichaipakdee.

 

"Yes, Mr Klao?"

 

Sai smiled innocently. I picked up Jam, Sai's daughter, who was playing nearby, and turned to Sai.

 

"I have a question for you."

 

"What is it, sir?"

 

"Have you seen P'Phop around the servants' quarters these past few days?" I asked. Sai paused, thinking, then shook her head.

 

"No, sir."

 

"Really? But I've seen him disappear often, morning and evening. He must be around here. Have you seen him?"

 

"No, sir," the young woman, a few years younger than me, denied. I might've believed her if she hadn't looked so nervous, but her expression confirmed my suspicion.

 

"Really?"

 

"Really, sir. I stay in the kitchen all day and don't know much about what happens outside."

 

Sai smiled awkwardly, just like Chuay did this morning. These two were really alike.

 

"Alright, maybe I'm overthinking. I won't bother you anymore. Continue your work."

I pretended to agree, returning Jam to Sai before heading to my next target.

 

"P'Chuen!" I approached another servant supervising the younger ones washing clothes by the river. P’Chuen was Khun Ying Prayong's personal maid, around her mid-thirties, and very kind to me.

 

"Yes, Mr Klao?"

 

"I have a question."

 

"Ask away, sir."

 

"P'Phop has been missing from the house often. Do you know where he goes?" I asked. P'Chuen blinked, processing, then beamed

 

"He might be practising with the male servants, sir."

 

"Morning and evening? And I haven't heard any sword sounds."

 

"Maybe they're using wooden swords, sir. Wooden swords aren't as loud as metal ones."

P'Chuen smiled politely, but her words felt like she was cutting me off.

 

"But Mr Klao, aren't you hot? You should rest inside. Walking in the sun like this, you might get a fever."

 

P'Chuen suggested kindly. The sun now wasn't as harsh as in my time, but I accepted her concern and walked away. Then I went around asking other servants.

 

"I haven't seen him, sir."

 

"I don't know, sir."

 

"There's nothing, really, Mr Klao."

 

The answers were all the same, which made me more sceptical. Finally, I gave up and dragged myself back to my room, lying on my bed, thinking. Nothing means there's definitely something. They wouldn't tell me. What was going on? Everyone was siding with P’Phop. The servants here were so loyal, and it was annoying. But I wouldn't give up easily. If they wouldn't tell me, I'd find out myself.

But... Why am I so interested in his business?

 

Time passed slowly. Around four in the evening, P'Phop returned. After resting and drinking tea, he came to teach me as usual.

 

"That's enough for today. Go rest."

 

"Thank you." I nodded, signalling Chuay to collect the writing materials and, at the same time, secretly observing P'Phop. He remained calm and composed as always.

 

"Do you have something to say to me?"

Seeing me looking at him, he raised an eyebrow.

 

"Where are you going after teaching me?"

 

"I'm sweaty. I'm going to bathe."

 

He spoke, his sharp eyes staring at me intently. Then, in the blink of an eye, his lips curved into a faint smile.

 

"Or are you lonely? Do you want me to stay and chat with you for a while?"

 

"No, you should go take your bath," I dismissed him. His deep voice chuckled softly before the mischievous Mr Officer walked out of the study room. I pretended to continue reading, glancing occasionally at the open door. 

 

Not long after, P'Phop, with a towel draped over his shoulder, walked past the room carrying a basin of bathing supplies. But wait, why is he still in his uniform? Normally, he'd change into a towel and head straight to the pier.

 

"Mr Klao, where are you going?"

 

As soon as I stepped out of the study room, intending to follow P'Phop, Chuay, who was sitting guard outside, quickly grabbed the hem of my traditional Thai pants.

 

"I'm just going for a walk. You stay here," I said, trying to pry Chuay's hand off to follow P'Phop. It might seem a bit nosy, but my curiosity had already overtaken my sense of propriety.

 

"No, sir. It's raining now. If you go out, you'll catch a cold"

 

"I don't get sick that easily. Let go," I insisted, trying to follow P'Phop, but Chuay clung to my leg with all his might.

 

"No, sir, Mr Klao!"

 

"Chuay!" I shouted, but the young man didn't give up. In the end, we struggled until we were both out of breath, panting heavily.

 

"Fine, I won't go," I said, plopping down on the bench outside the room, glaring at my loyal servant. Chuay beamed, pleased that I'd given up.

 

'Hmph, as if.'

 

"Good, sir. If you get sick, it'd be terrible."

 

Chuay swiftly supported my decision. I pretended to agree and sat there for a while, letting him lower his guard.

 

"Chuay."

 

"Yes, sir?"

 

"It's chilly. Can you fetch me a towel from the room? I want to wrap myself in it."

 

"Yes, sir." Chuay hurried off to follow my order. As soon as he was out of sight, I grinned and dashed off the porch.

 

"Mr Klao, sir!"

 

Chuay's frantic voice echoed behind me. I sprinted like an Olympic runner towards the servants' quarters behind the main house, looking left and right but not seeing P'Phop.

 

"Dang, have you seen Muun?" I grabbed a young servant boy who could speak coherently, knowing that if I asked the older servants, they wouldn't tell me anything.

 

"I saw Muun heading towards the kitchen, sir."

Dang pointed towards the kitchen earnestly. I patted his head lightly, promising to bring him sweets tomorrow, and ran towards the kitchen.

What are they hiding from me? It must be something related to me, so I have the right to know, don't I?

 

"Mr Klao!" Sai, who was washing pots beside the kitchen, widened her eyes as soon as she saw me marching towards her. She dropped what she was doing and knelt, grabbing my shirt.

 

"You can't go in there, sir."

 

"I'm here to see Aunty Muan. Why can't I go in?" I asked. Sai looked hesitant. When she didn't answer, I pulled her hand away and walked straight to the door.

 

"Mr Klao, sir, you can't!"

 

Sai's voice was frantic, but it was too late. I pushed the kitchen door open and scanned the room for my target.

 

Inside the spacious kitchen, the servants were busy preparing dinner as usual. The aroma of food, the smell of burning wood and charcoal, and the scent of spices filled the air. This was a familiar scene to me, as I often came to taste-test food for Aunty Muan, the head kitchen servant. But something was different today-a man standing next to Aunty Muan.

 

"P'Phop, what are you doing here?" I asked in surprise. The sight of the muscular man, with his face, clothes, and hands covered in flour, was unusual. P'Phop rarely set foot in the kitchen, but now his rough hands, usually wielding weapons, were holding long wooden chopsticks. In front of him was a brass pan with boiling oil.

 

"l... I apologise, sir. I couldn't stop Mr Klao in time," Sai said softly, standing at the door with a guilty look. I saw Chuay panting behind her, probably having rushed to stop me, but arriving too late.

 

The sun was setting, and it was drizzling outside, making the kitchen dim. Cool air blew through the open windows. Despite the pleasant weather, the atmosphere in the kitchen felt awkward. I stared at P'Phop. Though his eyes showed no emotion, his ears were noticeably red.

 

"Everyone, leave us, "P'Phop ordered the servants in a calm voice. Soon, the kitchen was empty, leaving just the two of us.

 

"Did you come to see me?"

 

I stepped closer, glancing at the items on the bench. There was a bowl of mixed flour and a plate of something burnt beyond recognition. It was evident that P'Phop was trying to cook, his once-clean uniform now stained with flour. But why would the future owner of the house be cooking for himself?

 

"You still haven't told me what you're doing here," asked. P'Phop was silent for a moment before clearing his throat and answering.

 

"I'm learning to make sweets."

 

"Sweets?" I raised an eyebrow, stepping closer to the pan. Seeing the misshapen dough floating in the boiling oil, I immediately guessed what he was trying to make.

 

"Is this khanom kong?"

 

"Yes," P'Phop answered, struggling to flip the sweets with the chopsticks. His clumsy attempt made me chuckle. Normally, he wielded weapons, not kitchen utensils.

 

"So this is why you've been missing, hiding in the kitchen?"

 

"Mmn." He mumbled, his ears turning a deeper shade of red. Normally, P'Phop was the type to remain calm and composed. I'd never seen Mr Officer this flustered before.

 

"P'Phop, watch out for the splattering oil," I warned, seeing the danger. Unable to bear his awkwardness any longer, I took the chopsticks from him to flip the sweets myself. I'm no professional cook, but I'm definitely more skilled than P'Phop.

 

"Why do you want to learn to make sweets?" | asked while flipping the sweets. His answer made me pause.

 

"You like khanom kong, don't you? Tomorrow is the tenth day of the fourth month, your birthday. I thought you'd be happy if I made some for you."

 

The sound of boiling oil grew louder in the silence that followed. I stood still, momentarily confused, before realising what P’Phop meant.

 

"Oh... birthday," I murmured, trying to keep a straight face. Of course, it wasn't my birthday. I was born in December. P'Phop was referring to the birthday of the real Klao, whose life was living. So, he'd been learning to make sweets to surprise me, or rather, Klao, for his birthday. And he ordered the servants to keep it a secret. However, the plan failed because of my curiosity. Also, the servants here are terrible actors.

 

It was quite unbelievable to think about how he spent his time every day learning to make sweets. In this era, most men weren't as meticulous as he was. They were generally rougher and tougher. Cooking was considered women's work. But P'Phop went to such lengths, showing how much he cared for his younger one.

 

"I wished to surprise you, but you caught me," he laughed softly. I glanced at the burnt sweets on the plate, unable to suppress a smile at his endearing effort. Even though it wasn't my birthday, and he didn't intend it for me, I still felt touched and... saw him in a slightly better light.

 

"Thank you," I said softly, picking up another plate and placing the perfectly fried dough on it. P'Phop leaned in to look, then grabbed the plate I'd just set down.

 

"I roasted the peanuts, ground them, mixed the flour, and did everything myself. But I don't know how it tastes."

Mr Officer's sharp eyes met mine.

 

"Do you want to try it?"

 

"I won't get a stomachache, will I?"

 

"Probably not."

 

There was a hint of hesitation in his usually confident voice. I smiled, reaching for the misshapen khanom kong he'd just fried, and took a bite. If you don't count the fact that I fried the dough at the end, P'Phop made everything himself.

 

"Not bad at all," I commented.

 

"Really? Then I'll make more for you tomorrow."

 

His eyes sparkled with joy, pride, and something else I couldn't quite identify. But one thing was certain: looking into his eyes made my stomach flutter (not because of food poisoning).

 

I looked away, taking another big bite of the sweet. The khanom kong made by Mr Officer-turned-chef wasn't bad at all.