Love Upon A Time.

Whole Heart Flutter.

Living in an ancient era, which isn't the time and society I grew up in, causes me stress every single day. I have no choice but to try to adapt to this place and blend in with its people and culture until I find a way back to the present. After living here for about three weeks, I can see many differences between the time almost 400 years ago and the present, with both pros and cons.

 

Let's talk about the good things first. I think the nature here is very abundant. There's plenty of food, and you'll never starve. There are rivers, rice fields, Thai-style houses, and temples everywhere you look. There are no tall buildings or industrial factories, and no factors are causing as much air pollution as today. You don't have to worry about PM 2.5 entering your lungs with each breath you take. The air is pure and cool. Even without a fan, you can live without sweating a drop. And even though it's almost summer now, the weather is still cooler than it was in winter in Bangkok. Moreover, the people's way of life is simple and free from chaos. It feels like time passes slowly. If you don't count the fact that I'm anxious to return home every day, living this simple life helps my tired mind relax a lot from the fast-paced city life.

 

Of course, where there are good things, there must be bad sides, which are numerous for someone like me who was born and raised with convenient technology all along. The number one disadvantage is that there is no internet here, no mobile phones, no Netflix, no video games. Travelling is difficult. If you don't row a boat, you have to walk or ride a horse or an elephant (yes, they really ride elephants when travelling far or on rough paths). If you have to travel far, you ride a carton along dusty roads.

 

Communication is also difficult. In the present era, you can contact someone by calling, sending a LINE message, or making a video call, even if you are on opposite sides of the world. But in this era, there are only letters. Or if you want to send urgent news, you send a servant to deliver the message, which is still considered slow.

 

Then there's the social system that doesn't see people as equals, which really infuriates me. I didn't feel much when I listened to the teacher or read in textbooks. But seeing it with my own eyes, I must say I feel very lucky to be born at a time when slavery was abolished. Otherwise, I might be a servant in someone's house by now.

 

"Klao..."

 

And there's not much to do either. Day in and day out, I eat and sleep alternately. After three weeks, my cheeks are puffy. If I stay any longer, I might have to roll instead of walking.

 

"Klao."

 

Also, there's no shabu or barbecue pork here. When will I get to go home? I really want to eat barbecue pork.

 

"Klao."

 

"Oh!" The deep voice that suddenly sounded next to my ear made me jump and quickly turn to look. My heart, already beating fast, seemed to beat even faster when I found the sharp face of the voice's owner just inches away.

 

"What are you daydreaming about? I've called you many times."P'Phop narrowed his eyes, staring at me, who was still stunned, with a scrutinising look.

 

"Sorry, I... I was thinking about something. And... why did you call me, P'Phop?" I leaned back, stammering and avoiding his gaze. I swear I didn't hear him call me earlier. I was too busy thinking about shabu and barbecue pork. But why did he have to come so close...

 

"I want to see your notebook. Have you finished writing?" He glanced at the black notebook under my hand.

 

Since the day Phraya ordered P'Phop to teach me, every day before dinner after P'Phop finished his duties, or after breakfast on holidays, I'd sit and learn to read and write with Mr Officer, who took on the role of a makeshift teacher. He performed his duties flawlessly (even though he seemed quite sceptical about my reading and writing).

 

P’Phop was very patient. He taught me slowly and never scolded me when I made mistakes. His teaching method was to tell me the words and have me write them down, just like my elementary school teachers.

 

"It's finished," I said, putting down the pencil and sliding the notebook to him without making eye contact. I felt familiar with this situation since the first time I started learning with him, as if it'd happened before...

 

"I was going to say this the other day. Your handwriting has changed a lot from before." 

 

P'Phop glanced at my handwriting for a moment before speaking and looking at me. I swallowed hard, knowing that once again, I couldn't hide my suspicious behaviour. Even though our faces are the same, with the same marks, some things aren't the same, like handwriting. How could I write like someone from ancient times with their elaborate, swirling letters? Even though I tried to imitate it, the handwriting was still different.

 

"Well... I don't remember much. It's normal for my handwriting to change." I used my not-so-smooth excuse again. Mr Officer didn't seem to buy what I was saying, but he had nothing to argue back with, so he stayed silent and checked the words I wrote. I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness there's no fingerprint or DNA testing in this era.

 

"There are still some words you wrote wrong. It's okay. Read and remember them slowly. That's enough for today." P'Phop handed back the notebook, and the mistakes were corrected. I thanked him, feeling elated inside.

 

I'm finally free. It's only ten o'clock, and today is a holiday. I plan to ask P'Phop to go out and follow the trail of the taverns in other markets where Klao used to drink often, hoping someone might've seen him before he disappeared.

 

"Chuay."

 

"Yes, sir?"

 

"Take Klao's belongings to his room and then follow me to the stables," P'Phop told my servant, who was sitting nearby, before turning to me.

 

"Let's go."

 

"Where to?"

 

"To the stables. I'll teach you to ride a horse." 

 

He smiled while I widened my eyes. Teaching me to read and write is one thing, but teaching me to ride a horse... um...I might be a bit paranoid, but judging by his eyes, I think he has a plan. No way, I don't want to be pranked.

 

"It's okay. I don't need to learn to ride a horse."

 

"No, as a man, you should have these skills. In the future, you never know what situation you might find yourself in. Having knowledge, no matter how small, is better than knowing nothing." P'Phop spoke more seriously, leaving me speechless. He was right, but from what I've seen in dramas, learning to ride a horse...

Doesn't the teacher have to sit behind?

 

"I understand that you feel uncomfortable and don't want to learn from me, but I can't disobey the orders of my parents either. Learning to ride a horse isn't difficult. It doesn't take long. Just bear with it a little." The tone and reproachful eyes made me narrow my eyes.

 

On the outside, he seems like a quiet, reserved man, but P'Phop is quite cunning. Look at what he just said. Now, it's entirely my fault for not wanting to learn. And he subtly implied that he didn't want to teach me either; he couldn't disobey his parents. People in the old days were really cunning.

 

"I'm not uncomfortable; I just don't want to burden you," I made a brisk excuse. I indeed felt awkward about not wanting him to teach me, but who'd admit that? If I admitted it, it'd be like losing this verbal battle.

 

"No need to be considerate." He gave me a polite smile, but his eyes sparkled with amusement. I pursed my lips in frustration and, having no other choice, followed him down from the house to the stables.

 

Don't let me get a chance to get back at you. I'll make sure you can't say a word!

 

I've mentioned before that Phraya Pichaipakdee's house is very large. Just the living area, not counting the fields and gardens, is almost like a resort. The stables are at the back of the house near the bird tower, with servants taking care of the horses 24/7. 

 

In simple terms, they're guards because the horses in the stables are all beautiful, high-quality, and very expensive. Even though this is Phraya's house, who knows, there might be a brave thief trying to steal the horses. So, Phraya arranged for servants to care for the horses at all times.

 

The horse P'Phop chose to teach me today is a white mare named Si-nuan. P'Phop said she is gentle, not easily startled, and less irritable than the others. So, I felt somewhat relieved that when I got on her, she wouldn't throw me off.

 

"Come here. You need to get familiar with her before you can ride."

 

When the servant led Si-nuan out of the stable, P'Phop called me, who was standing awkwardly on the side, to come and greet the horse. I stepped forward, feeling a bit nervous because this was my first time getting close to a horse. Si-nuan wastall and graceful, like a Victoria's Secret model if she were a person. P'Phop taught me to stroke and gently pat her. After a while, I got used to it.

 

Next came the nerve-wracking moment when I had to climb onto the horse's back. I listened intently as P’Phop explained the proper way to mount. Then, I tried to climb up. The instant my butt touched the leather saddle, my whole body tensed up.

 

When I was a kid, I once fell from a mango tree and broke my leg. Even though it wasn't a high fall, the pain left a deep scar in my mind, making me terrified of heights. This fear extended to riding horses, as I was scared of falling and getting hurt again. Plus, in this era, medical science isn't advanced. I don't even know if they have anaesthesia. I don't want to imagine how horrifying it'd be to get injured like that again.

 

"Hold the reins, sit up straight, chest out, legs extended. Don't lean forward like that." P'Phop's voice echoed in my ears as he gave a series of instructions. I sat stiffly, trying my best to balance myself, but it wasn't easy for someone riding a horse for the first time.

 

"Extend your legs down, relax, don't tense up."

 

'Easier said than done. How can I not tense up when the horse keeps moving around?'

 

"Give her a light kick with your legs so she'll start walking," P'Phop said, and I began to sweat. Just sitting on a still horse was nerve-wracking enough. If she started walking, how would I keep my balance?

 

"Don't be afraid. She won't throw you off." P'Phop spoke as if he could read my mind. I took a deep breath and gave Si-nuan a few light kicks until she started to walk.

 

Damn, I'm getting cramps all over, I cursed internally as the horse began to move forward, led by a servant. Even though Si-nuan walked slowly, it felt incredibly unstable. I was so scared of falling that I leaned back unconsciously.

 

"Sit up straight, or you'll fall." P'Phop's stern voice rang out. I groaned. This was a hundred times harder than riding a motorcycle.

 

"Whoa.. whoa!" My face turned pale as the mare started to pick up speed. I gripped the reins tightly, unsure whether to pull them to stop the horse or what. I didn't know how to slow it down. P'Phop, who was walking a bit away, seemed to notice my pale face and called out.

 

"Ming, stop the horse."

 

"Yes, sir."

 

Phew...

I let out a breath, feeling like I'd aged several months.

 

"I told you not to tense up."

 

"It's hard," I replied, frowning and pouting at him.

 

I don't want to ride a horse anymore. So what if I can't ride? I'm not going to be here for... well, I'm not sure how long I'll be here, but it doesn't matter if I can't ride a horse, right?

 

"Are you scared?"

 

My face must've looked terrible because Phop asked that. I avoided his gaze, not wanting to admit the truth and lose face.

 

We both fell silent for a moment. Just as I was about to ask to get off the horse, he pulled one of my feet out of the stirrup, stepped into it himself, and swung up to sit behind me.

 

Сrap...

"Put your foot back in and step on mine."

 

I froze when I heard his deep voice whispering close to my ear. I awkwardly did as he said, realising that my back was now pressed against his chest with almost no space between us. My already clumsy hands and feet felt even more tangled.

 

"Is it better now?"

 

Better, my ass. It's even more tense now, 'I thought, panicking.  I'm usually a pretty reserved person. Even with close friends, I don't get touchy-feely. The closest I've been is

riding on the back of a friend's motorcycle. I've never had anyone ride behind me like this. 

 

When P'Phop extended his arms to grab the reins, it felt like he was hugging me from behind. It felt.. really weird.

 

"If you had told me you were scared, I'd have sat with you from the start."

 

".." Yeah, right. Instead of saying I didn't need to ride, he said he'd sit with me. He meant well, not trying to tease me at all.

 

I pursed my lips and didn't respond to P'Phop. I chose to look around instead. The servants in the area were all staring at us with shocked expressions. Even the servant leading the horse looked surprised, but when they saw me looking, they quickly averted their eyes.

 

I understood that in this era, it must look strange for two men to be this close. Seeing their bemused reactions made me feel uncomfortable, too. But P'Phop didn't seem to care about others' opinions. He continued teaching me to ride a horse.

 

"Be brave and practice often. You'll get used to it. Don't worry." His voice softened, almost in a comforting way, which surprisingly made me relax. The tension felt slowly faded. After a while, I even started to enjoy it. It wasn't as scary as I thought. Or maybe it was because P'Phop was close by, so I wasn't afraid of falling.

 

"That's enough for today."

 

After a long practice session, P'Phop swung down from Si-nuan and extended his hand to help me. But I declined and got off the horse myself, albeit clumsily. At least I managed to keep a bit of my dignity. I should probably tell Chuay to prepare some muscle balm. With all this tension, I'll be sore tomorrow for

sure.

 

"After one practice, you'll be more agile next time. You won't need me to sit with you again." P'Phop's sharp eyes glanced at me with a smile. "Or do you still want me to sit with you?"

 

"No, thank you," I replied hastily, lifting my chin slightly. Just this once was embarrassing enough. What would people think of a grown man like me needing someone to sit with him while learning to ride a horse?

 

"Klao." P'Phop's voice came as he extended a handkerchief towards me. I stared at it and then at his handsome face, confused.

 

"Here.."

 

"You're sweating all over your face, didn't you know?" P'Phop looked at me with a smile and sparkling eyes. My heart raced as his sharp eyes scanned my face, and it beat even faster when he spoke the next sentence.

 

"Is it hot? Why is your face red?" He asked, stepping closer.

 

"..."

"Your ears are red, too." He leaned in, and I could see his thick eyelashes clearly.

 

"..."

"Or maybe you-"

 

"It's just the heat," I quickly interrupted before he could say something strange. P'Phop chuckled while I started to feel the urge to leave because I felt so awkward.

 

"Aren't you going to wipe your sweat?" He extended the handkerchief again, looking into my eyes and speaking softly. "Or do you want me to wipe it for you?"

 

"I'll do it myself." I grabbed the handkerchief and wiped my face hastily, feeling his sharp gaze on me the whole time. P'Phop's eyes seemed to have a power that made people feel nervous, just as I did now.

 

"I'm such a useless one here, making you stand in the sun until your skin turns red. I must apologise." P’Phop sighed deeply. I immediately pouted because his mirthful eyes made it clear he was messing with me.

 

"It's noon. Let's go up and have lunch."

 

"Yes," I replied half-heartedly and quickly walked ahead of P'Phop, my face still feeling hot.

 

It's the fourth month now, entering the hot season. The weather is quite warm. Yes, that's it. My face is red because of the heat. It has nothing to do with him.

 

After spending such close time together unexpectedly, I felt awkward around P'Phop. Lunch went with a quiet atmosphere. After eating, I asked P'Phop for permission to go out, saying I wanted to buy something at the market with Chuay.

 

For the past few days, I'd been on my best behaviour. When P'Phop taught me, I paid full attention, hoping to earn his trust and avoid causing trouble. My good behaviour paid off, and P'Phop allowed me to go out as I'd hoped.

 

'What do you want to buy that you have to go out by yourself?" The deep voice from behind made me, who was sitting in the boat, ready to leave, pout in frustration.

 

Yes, he allowed me to go out but insisted on coming with me. When I protested too much, he got suspicious about where I was going and why he couldn't come. I couldn't tell the truth, so we ended up in the same boat, heading out together.

 

"I didn't plan to buy anything specific. I just wanted to get some fresh air." I replied listlessly, annoyed that my plans had gone awry.

 

I intended to go to Pak Khlong Market, but I had to change plans since that place was a hotspot for prostitution and bars, and Klao had caused trouble there before. If I mentioned it, P'Phop would never allow me to go. So, I had to change to another market with a bar that Klao frequented. As for Pak Khlong Market, I'll sneak there with Chuay another day when P'Phop is at work.

 

Sitting bored and tired in the boat for about half an hour, my rowboat finally docked at a pavilion. P'Phop left Chuay to guard the boat and led me straight to the market, which wasn't far from here. 

 

The market I visited today was a grocery and miscellaneous goods market that was open all day. Since it was a holiday, it was quite crowded. Normally, I don't like places with many people, but the unusual items sold on both sides of the path caught my attention so much that I almost forgot my surroundings.

 

"When you were younger, you didn't like to leave the house. Now it seems you can't stay home anymore," P'Phop's voice came beside me as I picked up an ashtray in front of a brassware shop.

 

I glanced at him, frowning. "And why should I stay home? I'm not a lady."

 

"...You're right," he agreed with a faint smile, his eyes showing a hint of amusement that I didn't understand.

 

We've been together for three weeks, but I still feel like I don't know this man. P'Phop is hard to read. Sometimes, he's serious and quiet; other times, he's annoyingly playful. But one thing's for sure: he seems very mature. Maybe it's because people get married and start families early in this society. Even though he's only twenty-one, which in my time would put him in his third or fourth year of university, he seems like a full-grown adult.

 

"At the end of the market, there's a shop selling brassware and nielloware from China. If you're interested, I'll take you there," P'Phop said as we started walking again. I noticed that the vendors greeted him, and he seemed very familiar with the area.

 

"Sure. You seem to know this place well," I noted.

 

"This is my area of responsibility. How could I not know it well? In this area, there are frequently thieves and troublemakers whom I have to bring to jail," he answered with a laugh.

 

Oh, right. I forgot he's a police officer. He has to patrol the area often, and if he didn't know the place well, he wouldn't be able to do his job.

 

"I thought you might come here often to flirt with girls," I joked. His thick eyebrows raised, seemingly surprised by my sudden jest.

 

"I haven't found any woman who catches my eye yet. Don't worry, I'll stay single with you for a long time," he said, smiling at me. His words made me frown.

 

Stay single? Does he mean he'll stay single with me? And by saying 'for a long time,' is he implying that I can't find a partner?

 

"Wait, what do you mean by that?"

 

"I mean, I'll stay single for a long time, that's all," he interrupted, smiling softly with a teasing glint in his eyes, confirming my suspicion.

 

"Let's go see the brassware, shall we? Hurry up," he said, walking ahead. I looked at his broad back, annoyed. If he's going to make fun of me like this, fine. If I can't find a partner, then I hope he can't either. He's so annoying!

 

P'Phop and I spent quite a while at the brassware shop at the end of the market. After browsing to our satisfaction, we moved on to the main purpose of our outing: visiting the liquor shop that Klao frequented. Of course, Mr Officer didn't seem pleased when I mentioned it. But he agreed to take me when I said I just wanted to greet the shop owner.

 

The liquor shop was located at the very end of the market. It was much larger than the first shop I visited, which was just a small shack. Despite the shop owner being a Chinese man who spoke very little Thai, the shop sold Thai white liquor, Chinese liquor, Western liquor, and herbal liquor, attracting a nearly full crowd even in early afternoon.

 

In this era, there's a tendency to look down on people who drink early in the day as lazy, but since today was a holiday, it was somewhat acceptable. Drinking in the afternoon wasn't considered inappropriate.

 

"P'Phop, let's go inside," I invited him into the shop. He immediately put on a stern face.

 

"I don't think you should drink anymore."

 

"But you let me drink the other day."

 

"That was because we were drinking privately at home, not in a public place like this," he said, looking around seriously while I quickly tried to think of an excuse. We came all this way; it'd be a waste not to ask around for information.

 

"Fine, I won't drink. But if it's herbal liquor for health, that should be okay, right?" I said, my eyes catching sight of the herbal liquor jars at the front of the shop. He didn't seem convinced.

 

"Herbal liquor is still liquor," he stated flatly.

 

"But it's also a health tonic. Just a glass or two won't get me drunk. And if I do get drunk, you wouldn't leave me, would you?" I beamed at him, trying to look as pitiful as possible.

 

"And I'm tired. We've been walking for a long time. Let's rest in the shop for a while."

 

"..."

 

"Pleeeease, P' Phooop."

 

"...Alright," he finally relented.

 

'YES!' I cheered internally and quickly dragged him into the shop before he could change his mind. A dark-skinned young man wearing only traditional Thai pants followed us to the table, smiling warmly and showing his black teeth.

 

"It's been a while since we last saw you, Mr Klao. And this time, you brought Muun here."

Just that greeting deflated my spirits instantly.

He said it's been a while. How long exactly?

 

"Really? It feels like I just visited here.. How long has it been?"

 

"Almost two months, I think. Lately, I've heard that Mr Klao has been frequenting the Pak Khlong market, and my boss has been complaining about it."

 

Almost two months... If I include the time I've been here, it must have been over a month since Klao last visited before disappearing. So, there probably aren't any clues here. I knew I should've gone to the Pak Khlong market. If P'Phop hadn't come along, I'd have gone there by now and found something useful. It's all his fault that this trip was a waste!

 

"Why are you looking at me like that?" P'Phop asked. I quickly hid my annoyed look and shook my head, ordering some herbal liquor to sip away my frustration.

 

The place was bustling with customers, mostly men. In this era, trade with foreign countries seemed to be flourishing. Everywhere I went, I saw foreigners dressed in strange clothes. There were foreign communities in the capital, both Chinese and Western. Even in the liquor shop where I was sitting, two blond foreigners were drinking and chatting in English at a nearby table. At first, I ignored them, but then I overheard a sentence.

 

"Did you see the man sitting at that table, the one wearing a long-sleeved blue shirt? He's a local police officer in this area."

 

"The man who's sitting with the fair-skinned man?"

 

"Yes, I once argued with a street vendor. She said the money I gave her wasn't the right amount. I got angry. That guy came to mediate but didn't understand anything I said. What a waste of time!"

 

"You already know this country is uncivilised. How could you expect anyone to speak our language?"

 

"You're right. In the end, I had to pay to put an end to the annoyance. There was another time when I was flirting with a woman, and he picked a fight with me. I doubt he wants her, too. The government officers in this country are truly shit."

 

Their conversation made me frown. I mightn't have known P'Phop for long, but from what I've seen over the past three weeks, he's straightforward and definitely not a thug as that guy described—especially the part about stealing women, which is impossible. I've never seen him look at anyone that way. Otherwise, he wouldn't be gossiped about as impotent.

 

"Why do I have to endure this barbaric country? I'm so sick of it."

 

"I agree, based on the shapes and skins of the people, they were completely ugly."

 

At this point, I started to scowl in displeasure. Indeed, Ayutthaya isn't as developed as the West in this era, but talking down about people's appearances is just uncalled for.

 

"That man is looking at us. "One of the foreigners said when he saw me staring. His friend turned to look at me before laughing and speaking loudly in English.

 

"Let him look. Those stupid people don't know what we're talking about."

 

"What did you say? Who's stupid?" I shouted. Instantly, the entire shop fell silent.

 

"Why don't you answer me?"I asked again when I didn't get a response. I stared at the two foreigners, who seemed frozen with shock, alternating my gaze between them while smirking.

 

"Are you surprised that I understand what you said? I didn't want to interrupt, but you mentioned my brother, so I had no choice."

 

"When did I mention your brother?" The first guy, who seemed to have recovered from his shock, retorted with a haughty expression and tone.

 

"You talked about a man wearing a blue long-sleeve shirt who is a policeman. Isn't he the only one in this shop? Hey, let me tell you something. He's a just person. He works according to his duties and never starts a fight, as you accused him of. Aren't you the one harassing others, so he had to interfere?"I spoke rapidly, my anger rising.

 

"You're on his side. You'd say anything for him."

 

"Maybe you're right. I wouldn't side with people who come to live in another country and then insult it as you do. "I retorted coldly.

 

Now, everyone in the shop started whispering among themselves. The guy clenched his jaw, seemingly trying to control his temper. Seeing the situation was getting worse, the other guy hurriedly calmed his friend, took out some coins to pay for the drinks, and briskly left the shop, with my hostile gaze following them out.

 

I really hate people who look down on others and gossip right in front of them. People like that need to be put in their place sometimes, but judging by their behaviour, they probably won't learn their lesson.

 

"Klao." P'Phop's calm voice made me turn around. A chill ran down my spine when I saw his sharp eyes fixed on me. "How do you know the language of the foreigners?"

 

'Oh crap, this is bad, 'I thought to myself as sweat started to form on my forehead. It wasn't just P'Phop; everyone in the shop stared at me, clearly baffled. It wasn't unusual for someone to speak English fluently in my time, but in this era, it must've been extremely odd. Even the nobles could barely speak it, and here I was, rattling off English fluently. Anyone who wasn't feeling sceptical would be crazy.

 

Nakun, you really messed up this time, big time!'

 

"Well... when I was in Phichit, I... I learned a bit."

 

"Learned from whom?"

 

"..The missionaries." I tried to keep my voice steady as I answered with a made-up story. I heard from Chuay that missionaries spread religion in the capital and taught English, so this excuse should be somewhat believable.

 

"There are missionaries in Phichit?"

 

"Yes! Otherwise, who'd I have learned from?" I let out a forced laugh, knowing it sounded insincere. I was really thankful that Chuay was ordered to guard the boat. If he'd come with me, he'd have contradicted me, and this excuse wouldn't have worked at all.

 

"Is that so? You seem to know the foreign language very well." P'Phop smiled slightly, but his eyes still held doubt, and his next words confirmed it. "You can't even read and write Thai properly, but speak a foreign language fluently. How strange."

 

Oh my god, dude, just quit being so suspicious already!

 

"My memory is fragmented. I remember some things and forget others. I just remembered how to speak the foreign language, that's all." I answered with the most plausible reason I could think of. Thanks to P'Jom for diagnosing my condition like this; it gave me a lot of excuses for my weird behaviour.

 

"P'Phop, I think we should head back. It looks like it's going to rain soon." I quickly suggested we leave before I did anything else that might look suspicious in his eyes, and he agreed without saying anything.

 

The wariness still lingered in the air around us. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to smack myself. I should've kept quiet and just listened. They weren't even gossiping about me. Why did I have to get involved...?

 

"What were you arguing with the foreigners about earlier?" The person who'd been silent for a long time asked as we walked through the crowded market back to the pier.

 

"They... insulted you and looked down on our country. I couldn't stand it, so I argued back."

 

"They insulted me?" He raised an eyebrow in surprise, and I nodded.

 

"Yes, they said you once intervened when they argued with a vendor and accused you of starting a fight when they were courting a lady," I said. Just thinking about those words made me angry again. P'Phop was silent for a moment before speaking softly.

 

"That did happen."

 

"Huh? Did you really start a fight with them?"

 

"No, it wasn't like that. The vendor incident occurred because they didn't pay the full price for their food, and caused a commotion, so I had to mediate. As for the lady, it was because they behaved inappropriately, and the lady didn't consent. She called for help, and I was patrolling nearby, so I intervened." P'Phop explained calmly.

 

So, that foreigner was just a jerk who took credit for good deeds and blamed others for bad ones. I knew P'Phop wouldn't behave like that. At least, this was one thing I understood about him.

 

"You argued back because they were gossiping about me?"

 

"...What they said wasn't true," I answered awkwardly, not understanding why I felt the need to defend someone else. Meeting his gaze, I felt even more embarrassed; he was smiling.

 

"Thank you for defending me." P'Phop's eyes looked gentler than usual when he said that. His dark eyes seemed to have a magnetic pull that made it hard for me to look away. I stared into his eyes for a moment, forgetting myself, until a wave of embarrassment washed over me. I hastily looked away, mumbling a response.

 

"It's nothing. Let's... hurry back."

 

"Alright."

 

I walked straight ahead, my goal now to get through the crowd and back to the boat as quickly as possible. I tried hard not to make eye contact with the person beside me. The market was still crowded, and the afternoon heat was stifling. I was sweating all over, my face feeling hot, like I had a fever. Maybe it's because I drank that herbal liquor. It must be. My blood is circulating, so I feel hot.

That's all it is. Nothing more...