Love Upon A Time.

 Mind Wandering.

Earlier, when Thi insisted that I see a fortune teller or make merit, I never paid any attention to his words. But now, I'm starting to regret it. I can't help but think that if I'd listened to him back then, maybe I wouldn't be facing this string of bad luck.

 

"Father ordered that your room be arranged close to mine so I can take care of you easily." A deep voice spoke amidst the quiet atmosphere of dusk. Crickets chirped in harmony as we walked along the path within the grounds of Phraya Pichaipakdee's residence.

 

P'Phop's words made me, who was following him with utter despair, glance sharply at his broad back with a scowl. Phraya didn't order it. I bet it was him who arranged everything. Just as I thought, even though he seemed friendlier, P'Phop still didn't fully believe that it was Klao. Keeping me close was more about keeping an eye on me.

 

"Do you have any problems with that?"

 

"I'm just a guest. How could I dare to have any problems?" I replied emotionlessly, thinking that from now on, I'll have to be very careful. If I can avoid him, I will. I'm not good at lying; I'm afraid I might slip up and get caught.

 

"That's good then."

 

The light from the lantern hanging by the house pillar reflected on the corners of his mouth, lifting. P'Phop led me to a smaller house connected to the main house by a veranda, stopping in front of a room.

 

"This is your room. I had the servants prepare the bed and other necessities. See if you need anything else."

 

He pushed the door open and gestured for me to enter. I stepped over the threshold, scanning the room. This room was larger and more luxurious than Klao's old bedroom. The teakwood wardrobe and vanity were intricately carved. The four-poster bed with mosquito netting was big enough for two. Even the small furniture pieces were polished to a shine, and the window curtains were made of expensive fabric with exquisite floral patterns.

 

I felt like I was exploring a wealthy home from the Ayutthaya period. On the bright side, it was a unique experience. How many people get to see ancient artefacts in pristine condition? But honestly, I didn't desire this VIP experience at all. I want to go home, do you hear me?!

 

"No, this is enough," I replied after a quick look around. "My room is over there. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." He pointed to the left, where another large veranda connected to his private quarters. My room was less than ten steps away from his. It felt like being neighbours. I was practically a prisoner under Mr Officer's constant watch. Great.

 

"Why are you staring at me like that?" The older man's lips curved again when I looked at him. His calm eyes held a hint of mischief, which annoyed me.

 

"I'm just looking. Can't I look at your face?" I curled an eyebrow teasingly. His smile widened before he said something that nearly made me choke. "I thought you were uncomfortable and didn't want to sleep alone, so you were gesturing for me to sleep with you."

 

"No! No, that's not it!" I exclaimed, my eyes wide, stammering my words out. His eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled at me. "Are you sure? When you were young, you used to cry and wouldn't let me leave, begging me to sleep with you. Don't you remember?"

 

"That was when I was a kid. Now I AM GROWN!" I emphasised the last three words. His amused eyes made me press my lips together. This guy was a master at messing with people, trying to see if I remembered old stories. What a difficult person to deal with.

 

"If you're grown enough to sleep alone, then I won't disturb your rest. Sweet dreams." P'Phop said before leaving. I rushed to close the door, exhaling loudly behind it.

 

Just moving in, and he's already messing with my head. I can't imagine what life will be like from now on.

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

Even though the new bed was spacious and comfortable, I couldn't sleep well that night. It wasn't just the unfamiliarity; I had too many worries. I was pretending to be someone else, not knowing when I'd be caught, and I had no idea how to get back home. I didn't fall asleep until almost dawn.

 

I woke up to the sound of a rooster crowing, thinking I'd only slept for a couple of hours.

Still groggy, I walked to the brass mirror on the vanity. It wasn't as clear as modern mirrors, but it was enough to show the dark circles under my eyes.

 

Knock, knock.

When the knocking sounded, I heard Chuay's voice outside, so I opened the door.

 

"Did you sleep well, Mr Klao?" The young man greeted me with a smile. I rubbed my messy hair, mumbling a response, watching as he prepared the bathing equipment.

 

"Go bathe first, sir. Then we'll go have breakfast with Phraya and Muun."

 

"Alright," I replied resignedly, undressing and changing into a loincloth. I knew I couldn't avoid having breakfast with them. I'd already resigned myself to it. I just had to keep quiet, eat quickly, and try not to talk to P'Phop.

 

"P'Phop had me move to Phraya's house. What about you and the other servants?"

 

"Don't worry, sir. Muun had all the servants follow you here. Today, they'll move to the servants' quarters." Chuay's cheerful voice reassured me.

 

The servants had taken good care of me these past two days, and I didn't want them to be left behind. Chuay led me to bathe in the area for the nobles. The sky was still dark, but Chuay said everyone else was already up, bathing and preparing to give alms to the monk. I quickly bathed in the cold water, my teeth chattering, then went back to change clothes and join Phraya for breakfast at the large pavilion on the veranda.

 

"Did you sleep well?" Phraya Pichaipakdee, sitting on a large reed mat in the middle of the pavilion, greeted me.

 

"Yes," I replied, gave him a wai and my smile, then sat on the mat next to P'Phop.

 

"Good. I thought you might still be tired, so I didn't have the servants wake you for alms." Phraya spoke gently.

 

"It's good to have you here. I'm glad you didn't refuse this time."

 

"Thank you for your kindness," I said, giving him another wai. Then I glanced at the person next to me. He met my eyes at the same moment. P'Phop gave a slight smile, and I returned a half-hearted one before looking away.

 

"Alright, let's eat."

 

"Yes," I replied, eating the food before me. I couldn't help but feel tense eating with so many strangers.

 

The meal included Phraya and P'Phop, a middle-aged woman, two young women, and three or four young men and women. Judging by their fine clothes and speech, the three women were likely Phraya's secondary wives, and the young ones were P'Phop's half-siblings.

 

Nobles in the past had many wives and many more servant wives. It was the norm of the time. I wasn't aware whether Mr Officer, who was supervising me, was married with children. I glanced at the sharp profile of the man beside me, eating. He looked like a bit of a Playboy. By now, he probably had a dozen kids, just not at the table.

 

"Why does Klao's food look so bland?" 

 

Suddenly, Phraya's voice broke the silence. I glanced at the dishes on my table, noticing they were mild compared to the others' spicy food.

 

"Khong, call Muan here. I want to ask why she prepared such bland food for him."

 

"No need, Father. I was the one who instructed the servants to prepare the meal this way. Klao doesn't like spicy food," P'Phop's deep voice interjected before his father could get angry.

 

"Is that so? Very well then," Phraya nodded in acknowledgement. I rolled my eyes and looked at the one who answered, but P'Phop just kept his head down, focusing on his meal without looking up. I had to turn my gaze back and get lost in my thoughts.

 

Is this considered caring, or is he planning something? I couldn't figure it out. But if P'Phop is starting to believe that I'm the real Klao, it obviously shows how much he cares for his father's friend's son, who is technically his Junior.

 

"Klao, feel at home here. If there's anything that makes you uncomfortable or if you need help, just tell Phop or me. Think of us as one family. After all, your father and I have been friends since childhood. I'd never abandon his son," Phraya Pichaipakdee said

 

"Thank you," I raised my hands in a respectful wai, feeling genuinely touched. Even though I didn't want to be here, it was clear that Phraya Pichaipakdee truly cared for and wished the best for Klao. Despite Klao's misfortune, there was still some luck. But I wondered if he'd ever learn about it.

 

"As for your servants, let them stay under my care for now. If one day you decide to get married and move out, return them to serve you," he continued.

 

"Yes," I replied with a forced smile and a respectful wai, thinking anxiously, 'Please don't let me stay here long enough to get married. Let me go back to my normal life in my own time.'

 

After the meal, Phraya Pichaipakdee and P'Phop prepared to go to work. Even as they walked down from the house, P'hop's eyes never left me, making me want to roll my eyes.

 

Good grief! He really doesn't let up.

 

"Chuay," I called out as soon as the house owners were out of sight. Curious, I quickly returned to my room and called for my personal servant.

 

"Yes, sir?" Chuay crawled on his knees towards me. I sat down on the bed and asked curiously, 

 

"What did you say P'Phop does for work? I can't remember."

 

"Muun works for the Patrol Division of the City Guard Bureau, sir."

 

"Patrol Division? What's that?"

 

"It's a department responsible for maintaining peace and order in the city, taking care of the people's welfare and suppressing criminals and thugs."

 

"Oh, like the police."

 

"No, sir. The Police Bureau protects the king, but the Patrol Division maintains public order."

 

The meaning of positions in this era mightn't be exactly the same as today. From my understanding, the Patrol Division is somewhat like the police in my time. Last night, I thought of him as an officer sarcastically, and it turns out he really is a cop.

 

"And in your opinion, what kind of person is P'Phop?" I inquired.

 

"Muun is kind and compassionate, just like Ok-ya. He never looks down on or mistreats the servants. He speaks with calm authority and is very handsome. Everyone respects and fears him."

 

His overly flattering words made me smirk a little. Handsome, rich, and perfect. I wouldn't dislike him so much if it weren't for that annoying, smug smile.

 

"How old is he?"

 

"He's a year older than you, Mr Klao. He's twenty-one this year."

 

"So, he must have a family by now, right?" I asked, but Chuay shook his head hurriedly.

 

"Mr Klao, don't you remember? Muun hasn't married yet."

 

"Huh? With a face like that, he still hasn't found a wife?" I raised my eyebrows and asked loudly. Chuay looked around nervously, then hastily put a finger to his lips, signalling me to lower my voice.

 

"No, sir. Muun is very attractive, and many women in the city desire to be with him. But he doesn't seem interested in anyone."

 

"Oh, he still loves his freedom. But he must have some servant wives, right?"

 

"No, sir. Khong once told me that many of the female servants in this house were interested in Muun and wanted to be his wife. But Muun never paid them any attention, not even the prostitutes."

 

"That's strange," I muttered, puzzled

 

In this era, men of noble or wealthy families usually have many wives to show their status. I've seen that this house has many pretty female servants. Even Phraya Pichaipakdee has several wives. So why is P'Phop different?

 

"He says he wants to dedicate himself to serving the country, so he hasn't thought about starting a family," Chuay said.

 

"You can work and have a family at the same time," I argued.

 

Chuay seemed to agree with me because he hesitated as if he wished to say something but didn't dare.

 

"Or is there another reason why P'Phop hasn't married? Do you know?" I asked, trying to catch him off guard. Chuay looked around again before crawling closer and whispering.

 

"Mr Klao, please don't tell anyone. I once heard the villagers gossiping that Muun hasn't married because..."

 

"Because?"

 

"Because he... he... lacks the ability to… perform."

 

His hesitant words made me raise my eyebrows in surprise. People gossiped about him being impotent? That's harsh. But it's not surprising. In an era where people marry and have children at fourteen or fifteen, if he's still a virgin, he's either a monk or impotent.

 

"But Mr Klao, please... don't say anything. Otherwise, I'll get whipped for sure."

 

"I won't say anything," I promised with a laugh.

 

It's pitiful to be gossiped about like that. Only he can answer why he hasn't married yet. But despite feeling sorry for him, I couldn't help but find it a bit funny. I guess I'm not a very nice person, huh? Haha.

 

"By the way, what about me?"

 

"Sir?"

 

"I don't have a wife or children either, right? Or did I ever have one?"

 

"No, sir. You always said... You didn't want to get involved with anyone." His dry smile and awkward demeanour made me suspect Chuay wasn't telling the truth. It wasn't that Klao didn't want to get involved with anyone; no one wanted to be associated with someone labelled the son of a traitor.

 

"Go get me some tea. I'm thirsty."

 

"Yes, sir," Chuay replied, quickly fetching the tea. I moved up to sit against the headboard, resting my hands behind my head, and let out a long sigh.

 

It's been three days since I got stuck here, and there's no sign of the real Klao. Even though there's no logical reason, my gut tells me that my being here is connected to Klao. I should try to find him. If I find Klao, I might be able to return to my own time. I need to start by finding out what Klao was doing before he disappeared.

 

'He likes to drink early, huh? I guess I should start there' 

 

After drinking tea to quench my thirst and calm my mind, I asked Chuay to go out with me. No one knew what Klao was doing before he disappeared. Chuay said Klao had left the house and hadn't let him follow. So, I thought I should gather information from the liquor shops Klao frequented. But besides Klao's house and Phraya Pichaipakdee's house, I hadn't seen the outside world in this era. So, I decided to take Chuay along as my guide.

 

Chuay suggested that I shouldn't go out without permission. I should wait for P'Phop to return from work and ask for permission. It was the polite thing to do since I was a guest. Also, considering all the trouble Klao had caused, I'd surely get scolded if I went out without permission. So, I spent the morning exploring my new residence, killing time until my guardian returned from work.

 

Saying Phraya Pichaipakdee is wealthy is an understatement. He's more like a billionaire. From what I saw while walking around, this house must have at least forty or fifty servants. Not to mention the vast surrounding area, like Chatuchak Park, with training grounds, stables, birdhouses, and fields. Everything was within this estate. By the time I finished exploring, I was exhausted and returned to the house just in time for lunch.

 

"Oh, Klao! It's been a long time."

 

After finishing my meal and getting ready to go for another walk to digest, I heard a woman's voice greeting me. When I turned to look, I saw a middle-aged woman walking up to the house. She looked to be around forty years old, dressed in a long-sleeved shirt draped with a Sabai and wearing beautifully patterned traditional Thai pants. She was adorned with gold jewellery, including necklaces, bracelets, and rings that sparkled in the light.

 

“I've been away on business for several days and just heard you've agreed to move into this house. That's wonderful."

 

"Yes," I replied with a smile, trying to go along with the situation even though I was still dazed. Judging by her attire and age, this woman was likely Khun Ying Prayong, the main wife of Phraya Pichaipakdee and the mother of P'Phop, whom I'd been told about before.

 

"What happened? Why did you agree to move here? I haven't seen you in months. Come, let's talk." Her soft, well-manicured hand, a sign of someone who hadn't done much hard labour, grabbed my wrist and led me to sit on a bench.

 

Our conversation lasted longer than I expected. Khun Ying Prayong was kind but stricter than Phraya, as one would expect from someone in charge of the household. I realised at once where P'Phop got his inquisitive nature from.

 

Khun Ying (who insisted I call her Aunt) questioned me thoroughly, as if she were scrubbing a piece of cloth until it was nearly worn out. She also reminisced about old times when Klao was a child. I answered her questions awkwardly, making excuses about my poor memory due to excessive drinking.

 

Eventually, I let slip that I had disappeared for several days, which had everyone searching for me. That earned Chuay and me a lengthy lecture until our ears rang. By the time she finally let me go, the sky was starting to change colour. 

 

Why did I have to get scolded for something I didn't even do?

 

It was already evening, so my plan to go out was temporarily shelved. That evening, I had the chance to join P'Phop's family for dinner. Since I wasn't yet familiar with them, I felt a bit awkward, so I sat quietly and observed the people around me. From what I could see, Aunt and Phraya's other wives seemed to get along well, which meant there were no internal conflicts to worry about.

 

"Khong, where's P'Phop?"

 

After finishing my meal, I asked P'Phop's personal servant, looking for the person who'd disappeared the moment I took my eyes off him.

 

"He's gone to bathe, sir. He should be back soon."

 

"Thank you," I said with a smile, then walked over to sit on the bench in front of P'Phop's private room. I wasn't waiting out of any particular fondness; I just wanted to ask for permission to go out tomorrow.

 

"What are you doing here? Are you waiting for me?"

 

After waiting for a while, I heard his deep voice. When I turned to look, I couldn't help but swallow hard. He was still wearing only a loincloth. I'd guessed from his long-sleeved shirt that he had a decent build, but seeing it up close, he was even more fit than I'd imagined. His shoulders, chest, and abs were perfectly defined, not too much or too little. 

 

His tan skin was also quite appealing. P'Phop's physique was like a sculpted statue, the dream body of many men. Even as a guy, I found him hot. We were about the same size, but he had a high sex appeal, while I was pale and lacked any muscle.

 

"What's wrong? Your stare is quite intense." His deep voice, laced with laughter, snapped me out of my daze. I quickly looked away.

 

"I have something to ask for your permission," I said, still feeling a bit strange and trying to avoid eye contact. He, on the other hand, stepped closer.

 

"What is it?"

 

"Can I go out tomorrow?" I asked, explaining the reason for my wait. His reaction was to raise an eyebrow. 

 

"Where do you want to go?"

 

"I want to go to the market to buy some sweets."

 

"Isn't there enough sweets in this house for you?"

 

"There are, but I want to get out and see things a bit. Staying in the house for days is boring. Can I go out?"

 

"You're not fully recovered yet. It's better not to go out," he refused.

 

"I'm perfectly fine. P'Jom said, "I'm just a bit tired."

 

"That means you're not fully recovered. Going out tomorrow isn't suitable. Stay and rest until you're completely well, then you can go out. If you want any sweets, just tell me, and I'll have the servants make them for you."

 

His tone wasn't harsh, but it was firm enough to make me realize he wouldn't grant permission. I pouted and gave him a resentful look, but he just smirked, his sharp eyes gleaming with a knowing look.

 

It seemed he wasn't really concerned about my health. He was probably worried I'd cause trouble. That's so unfair. The troublemaker is Klao, not me. He even suspected I wasn't Klao, so why would he think I'd cause trouble? Or maybe he was afraid I'd run away or just wanted to annoy me...

 

"Go to bed. Sweet dreams," He said, and I  grumbled a response before stomping back to my room, fuming at the person watching me leave. Thanks for the sweet dreams. I hope you have nightmares!

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

Since I was a child, my parents have always said I was mischievous and a bit stubborn. Thi often said I was strong-willed, and I admit I am. So, not getting P'Phop's permission to go out wouldn't stop me.

 

"Are we really going out, Mr Klao?" Chuay asked worriedly as he hurried after me down to the dock after Phraya and P'Phop had left for work.

 

"We'll go out for a bit and come back before P'Phop returns. He won't know. Get the boat ready," I urged the hesitant servant.

"But... but I think-"

 

"If you don't go, I'll go alone." I stepped into the boat and grabbed a paddle. There was no time to waste. I needed to investigate Klao's situation as quickly as possible. The sooner I got information and found him, the sooner I could go home.

 

"Are you coming or not? If not, I'm leaving."

 

"I'm coming, I'm coming. Please let me go with you," Chuay said, hastily stepping into the boat and taking the paddle from me, which was a relief since I didn't know how to row. If I had to do it myself, I'd probably end up circling here all day.

 

"Where are we going, sir?"

 

"To the place where I often drink."

 

This was why I needed Chuay. I didn't know any places. If I went alone, I'd get nothing and probably get lost.

 

"But Mr Klao... you drink at many places."

 

"Then let's go to the nearest one first, I concluded, and resigned. Chuay nodded and started rowing.

 

After about fifteen minutes, we arrived at a floating market. I stepped onto the shore and walked along the riverbank, fascinated by the many boats selling food. Exploring an ancient floating market was a rare opportunity, so I intended to make the most of it.

 

The ancient floating market wasn't much different from modern ones, except that the vendors dressed traditionally, chewed betel nuts, and called out to customers. They sold fruits, dried goods, and cooked food, some familiar and some not, as well as sweets like bua loi, khanom [l goh, and even khanom krok and khanom bueang.

 

"Buy whatever you want," I told Chuay, who was following me, while I looked at the various foods and sweets. I learned that markets in the past were called 'Pah, clearly divided by what they sold. There were sweet Pah, medicine Pah, spice Pah, monk robe Pah, mattress Pah, and many more. It was new knowledge for me.

 

"Is that okay?"

 

"You wanted khanom pia, right? Go buy it. I give you permission," I said, noticing his eyes lingering on the khanom pia boat. Chuay smiled happily and hurried over while I watched him fondly. Though married with children, Chuay is only nineteen. A kid is still a kid.

 

"P'Klao!"

 

Suddenly, someone called out the name of the person I was impersonating. I turned to look and was stunned to see the person running towards me.

 

"Pun..."

 

"Huh?"

 

The person I called frowned and tilted his head, looking puzzled at me. "What did you just call me, P'Klao?"

 

I hesitated, my eyes still fixed on the fair face of my conversation partner in astonishment. How could I not be stunned? This kid looked exactly like my junior.

 

While I was still confused, another familiar voice chimed in. "Who are you talking to, Kaew? Oh, it's you, Klao."

 

"P'Jom."

 

"Out here for a stroll, are you? You must be feeling better than." P'Jom walked over, greeting me while giving me a once-over.

 

"Yes," I replied, my eyes darting between the two people in front of me with mixed feelings. Why do I keep running into people who look like people I know? This is getting stranger and stranger...

 

"P'Jom told me that you got lost in the forest. You must've been drunk and wandering around. I warned you not to drink too much, but you never listen."

 

Even the way he spoke was just like my junior. I cleared my throat, trying to gather my thoughts before speaking

 

"Yeah, I know. I won't do it again." As soon as I said that, Kaew's big, round eyes widened.

 

"P'Klao is talking to me! Great! I hate it when you're cold to me. Don't do that again, okay?"

 

"..." Damn it, has Klao ever been nice to anyone? Why does he have to be so cold to everyone? This is getting more complicated.

"So, P'Jom and P’Kaew, are you here to buy something?"

 

"I went to the medicine Pah earlier and stopped by to get some snacks on the way back. This kid insisted on tagging along," P'Jom said and sighed, glancing at the small boy beside him with a look of exasperation.

 

The boy smiled back widely, seemingly unfazed. "Yes, I'll follow P'Jom everywhere."

 

Just one look at those sparkling eyes, and you could feel the emotions inside. I blinked, staring at the scene in front of me in confusion. Thi likes Pun, but in this world, the person who looks like Pun likes the person who looks like Thi. Wow, am I in a parallel universe or something?

 

"Since we've run into each other, let's go together," P'Jom suggested, and I didn't object, so we joined them in shopping for food. I bought a few more snacks, but since I still didn't know how to use the local currency, I whispered to Chuay to handle it. Then, P'Jom and Kaew excused themselves while instructing Chuay to lead me to the tavern Klao frequented.

 

As we walked through the market, I noticed the looks from the vendors and villagers. Some looked at me with disdain, others with annoyance. As I passed by, they grouped together to gossip. Clearly, Klao wasn't well-liked, being labelled as the son of a traitor and a drunkard, making him a prime target for gossip.

 

"This is the place," Chuay whispered when we reached the end of the market. I saw a small wooden shack with jars of herbal liquor and wine lined up in front of it. Inside, there were a few small tables and chairs occupied by drunk and rowdy male customers.

 

"Do I come here often?"

 

"Not very often, sir. You usually drink at the Pak Khlong Market. You come here maybe once or twice a month."

 

Chuay's information made me frown. I tried to chat with the shop owner, who mentioned not seeing me for months. This meant Klao hadn't been here before he disappeared. So, today's search gave me no clues.

 

"Let's go back." As the sun was nearing its peak, I told my servant, intending to return home before P'Phop finished work in the afternoon. But then, I heard a commotion.

 

"What's that noise?" I frowned.

 

"Probably those thugs causing trouble again, sir," Chuay replied as I walked towards the source of the noise. I wasn't trying to be a busybody, but our boat was parked that way, and we couldn't leave without passing through.

 

The closer I got, the more I heard the rough voices of men and the screams of women. The area was filled with whispers and people pointing to the scene, but no one dared to get closer or intervene.

 

"You dropped your money pouch, and I picked it up for you. Aren't you going to give me a little something for my trouble?" A mocking voice rang out. 

 

In front of me was a burly man who looked like a villain from a play. Beside him were three or four tough-looking men, holding a male and a female servant. A beautiful young woman, elegantly dressed and seeming to be their mistress, stood nearby.

 

"I already thanked you for your help." Her sweet voice was tinged with obvious fear.

 

"I don't just want your thanks, my pretty Wanna."

 

The man licked his lips lecherously, stepping closer. It was a scene that made me frown. Hey, harassing someone in the middle of the market, huh? Why isn't anyone helping her?

 

"Mr Klao, let's go." Chuay tugged at my sleeve, trying to pull me away from the area.

 

"Wait a minute." I resisted. That was when I heard the middle-aged female servant's sharp voice.

 

"Cherd! You filthy thug! Don't you dare touch Little Mistress! If you lay a hand on Ms Wanna, Phraya will surely have you whipped!"

 

"Hahaha, is that so?" But the thug just laughed, turning back to his target with a lecherous look.

 

"If I'm going to be whipped anyway, I might as well enjoy the sweet scent of Ms Wanna's cheek." The thug grabbed the young woman's wrist and yanked her towards him. The crowd gasped, and the woman screamed.

 

"Let me go! Someone help!"

 

"Mr Klao, let's go!" Chuay pulled harder, but I shook him off and walked straight into the middle of the scene, yanking the thug's arm and pushing him away.

 

"What kind of man are you, threatening a woman in the middle of the market?" I said firmly, pushing the woman behind me. I wasn't trying to be a hero, but since no one else was stepping in, and I couldn't stand seeing a small woman being bullied, I had to step in.

 

"You've got a lot of nerve!" The burly thug growled, looking at me. But when he saw my face, he looked as if he'd seen a ghost in broad daylight.

 

"Klao, it's you!"

 

"What's going on here?"

 

Before anyone could say more, a deep voice boomed. I turned to see P'Phop walking through the crowd towards us, making me feel hot and cold at the same time as his sharp eyes locked onto me. He's glaring at me. How did he get here? I'm in trouble now...'

 

"I asked, what's going on here?" P'Phop's low voice made the temperature around us drop by twenty degrees. I looked down at the ground, barely daring to meet his eyes. Then, I heard the female servant speak up. "Cherd was trying to molest Ms Wanna, sir. Mr Klao stepped in to help."

 

"I wasn't molesting her!" Cherd shouted, glaring at P'Phop with hostility before hastily walking away with his gang. Thugs and lawmen never got along, and the laws these days must be pretty strict for Cherd to flee. The crowd lost interest once the situation was resolved, leaving me standing next to the victim, likely the next one to be scolded.

 

"Are you alright?" P'Phop asked the young woman behind me.

 

"I'm fine."

 

"How did you get into trouble with Cherd?"

 

"I dropped my money pouch, and he picked it up. If Mr Klao hadn't helped, I'd have been in trouble. Thank you, Mr Klao."

 

She gracefully gave me a wai, and I quickly returned the gesture, trying hard not to look at Mr Officer beside me. But even without looking, I could feel his stern gaze piercing through me.

 

"Please don't tell my father about this. I don't want it to become a big issue, and I'm fine." Wanna said softly.

 

"Are you sure?" P'Phop frowned, clearly not agreeing, but she insisted.

 

"Yes. Please." She pleaded.

 

From their conversation, it seemed they were quite familiar with each other, as Wanna didn't call P'Phop by his title like others did, and she seemed to know Klao as well.

 

"If you say so, I won't tell Phraya." P'Phop sighed, making her smile lovingly. It was a smile that could melt any man's heart.

 

"Then I'll take my leave," Wanna said. Wanna raised her hands in a respectful wai to P'Phop and then tome before walking away with her servants. I began to feel uneasy being left alone with the stern-looking man beside me.

 

"Hey, Chuay."

 

"Y-yes, sir."

 

"Take your master to wait at the dock. I'll be back at the house shortly," P'Phop said simply and walked away. I watched him leave, closing my eyes tightly and slapping my forehead.

Great, just great.'

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

The sun was blazing overhead when Chuay and I reached the dock. We sat down to wait for Mr Officer. I'd just learned that Chuay kept nudging me to avoid Cherd because Cherd was an enemy of Klao (which was too late now; I'd already gotten myself into trouble). But I couldn't help but wonder why Cherd showed no hatred when he saw me, as one would expect from someone who dislikes another. What I saw in his eyes was only shock and disbelief. How odd...

 

I sat there thinking for about half an hour before P'Phop returned and ordered Chuay to row the boat back to the house. I braced myself for a long lecture on the way back, but P'Phop didn't say a word until the boat docked at the pavilion of Phraya Pichaipakdee's house. He then ordered Chuay to leave before turning his sharp gaze to stare intensely at me.

 

"Do you have anything to say?"

 

The calm yet pressuring tone made it hard for me to breathe. I avoided his gaze and spoke quietly, "I didn't start it."

 

"I wasn't referring to your fight with Cherd. I meant sneaking out without permission," the older man said sternly.

 

"I just... wanted to go outside," I mumbled, not understanding why he was so serious. I wasn't a four-or five-year-old kid and didn't go out alone.

 

"I haven't allowed you to go out because you just started feeling better. If you go out in the sun and wind too much, you could get sick again. If I didn't have a duty to patrol that area, would I have known you disobeyed my orders?" He spoke so long he almost forgot to breathe, while I, the wrongdoer, was stunned and couldn't argue back. I just bowed my head and accepted the reprimand.

 

"I forbid you because I care about you, don't you know that?"

 

"... I'm sorry," I said, raising my hands in a wai. I heard a sigh from the person in front of me. P'Phop's sharp eyes looked at me with exasperation for a moment before he turned away and walked up to the house. I slumped down on the seat in the pavilion, letting out a big sigh.

 

I didn't know if he'd stopped being suspicious of me, but his gaze and the conversation filled with reprimand, reproach, and concern led me to one conclusion.

 

He really does care about me. No, he really cares about Klao.