Chapter 50

"...stock price dropped by at least one point nine percent margin after the news about the alleged romantic relationship between the Kim Group of Companies CEO Jennie Kim and Thailand's Crown Princess Pranpriya--,"

"Funny how they seem to show so much interest about all these and yet the market says otherwise," Jennie commented, her voice tainted with sarcasm.

"It's not everyday that we get to wake up to a dating news between a company heiress who has been keeping herself away from the public eyes all these years and a royal who has apparently been running away from her birth right, Lady Kim. You two really are creating a certain dynamic unlike any others. The public is torn between loving it and incarcerate you both for it. Im other words, they're jealous," their family lawyer said and muted the volume of the LED screen.

"No, keep that on. I want to listen," Jennie said.

The woman with a short dark hair and wearing a thick, round-rimmed spectacles shrugged and pressed the remote button again and the voice of the anchorman filled once again inside the private jet.

"Both parties have yet to release a statement about this shocking revelation and now the public, and probably the whole world, is on the edge as we all wait for the development of this story--,"

Jennie snorted. "They really should be using other photos by now if they want the public to be 'on the edge'," she said in a strained voice while her eyes were still fixed on the TV screen, where the photo of Lisa and her inside the Impala was shown. "It's been two days and they're still feasting over the same photos and running the same headlines. It's starting to become boring, if they ask me."

"And yet, you can't turn that off so we can at least fly in peace," Mrs Kim commented nonchalantly as she busied herself with The Herald.

They were flying inside the Cessna Citation Longitude, the family-owned private jet. With them were Mrs. Kim's personal assistant, the family lawyer, a unit of security aides and Felicity, the stylist from Gustav's clothing store, which Mrs Kim insisted that her service was essential to the trip.

"I just want to know if they've already found something," Jennie replied defensively.

"Clearly, they haven't or they'd be talking about it already. Besides, it's good news, really, because it only means that the Kim Security Group is doing its job blocking everything about you," Mrs. Kim said from the seat next to the aisle, recalling on the back of her mind how she issued grave warning to everyone on the KSG to clean up the mess or she'd have to fire all of them. "Anyway, that really shouldn't be your concern by now. You heard the news. Our stocks are down --,"

"And Lisa," Jennie interjected, ignoring her mom's comment about the stocks.

"What about her?" Mrs. Kim asked, blinking as she lowered her spectacles just right at the bridge of her nose and threw Jennie a confused look.

"They haven't found her yet, too," Jennie huffed. "She really did an impressive job maintaining a low profile all these years. It's just incredible how nobody have found out yet about her place in Hongdae --  I mean, it's just there and her name's outside her building for everyone to see -- and yet they're still clueless. It's actually funny," Jennie said as the corners of her mouth curved slowly while staring at Lisa's face on the screen. She missed that face. It had been two days and yet there was still no words from Lisa. It was frustrating her, but she chose not to talk about it with anyone. Not even with Jisoo who called her before the flight to wish her good luck and to inform her that she was to meet Chaeyoung later "to discuss things related to the situation."

"Right. Well then, everyone is doing a great job ensuring that you, two, are safe and secured. For the meantime, of course, because he's correct," Mrs Kim flicked her head towards the man on the TV screen, "we are on the edge."

"I can hear the repulse in your voice, Mom," Jennie chided as she changed her position -- from sitting sluggishly to finally raising her both feet up on the personalized upholstery. She brought her knees close her chest and propped her chin above it -- a position that earned her reproachful look from her mother.

Mrs Kim sighed and removed her glasses. She still wasn't too keen to discuss openly about Jennie's relationship with the Thai princess because she hadn't yet embraced fully the idea of her daughter being romantically involved with another woman. But...

"It's not that I don't like her, okay? Who wouldn't like her? I honestly believe she's an incredibly amazing person," Mrs Kim said.

"You've met her once, Feli. What can you say about her?" Jennie interrupted and addressed the stylist, who once dressed Lisa for the Orange's Valentine's Party last February. It felt like long ago, Jennie thought.

"She's very modest and quite charming, Miss Kim. And very pretty, too. Like I said before, she could be a model. But she doesn't want that, of course," Feli replied.

"No. She said she doesn't want to be in the limelight and I get it now. She wanted to protect her privacy. It's the bargain she promised her father in exchange for whatever it's worth," Jennie said and realized how much she knew Lisa despite how they'd never really talked deeply about it. The thought somehow warmed her heart but did not alleviate her from the agony of not hearing anything from Lisa since the last time they were together. Somehow, it only made her feel worse.

"Look, it's not about her character or who she is. It's the fact that she's a woman," Mrs. Kim continued but treading carefully with her words. "Which, of course, is nobody's fault and I'm trying not to sound like a homophobic mother here because I am not -- believe it or not -- but you have to give me enough time to process all these, Ruby Jane. It's not everyday that I get to wake up to a dating news involving my own daughter with a woman -- a royal, no less. I mean, I have known all along, of course; you had implied so. But it's quite different when it's thrown carelessly out there for the world to see. This isn't paradise. People will talk and they will judge. The society is ruthless and not so forgiving and as a mother, I'm just worried."

Mrs. Kim wasn't too conventional as a person. She had been exposed to the complexities and the diversity of the world -- having traveled and seen the different corners of the globe through her eyes. But she was a mother and like every mothers who only want what's best for their children, she had always hoped that one day, someday, Ruby Jane would find someone befitting her status and would start a family of her own while maintaining and even surpassing the legacy of her father.

The news about Jennie and Lisa -- or Princess Pranpriya -- was shocking to Mrs Kim, owing mainly to the revelation of who Lisa was. The Thai princess, Mrs Kim would have to agree, had done a great job with hiding behind the pseudonym 'Lisa' and had kept a low profile that nobody ever questioned her identity by playing the role convincingly. It was astonishing for Mrs Kim to comprehend how her people from the KSG failed to discover it when they did a thorough profiling on Lisa when she asked them to. Nor had the KSG found out who was behind the dating article and the leaked photos. It was disappointing and Mrs Kim was apoplectic. Good thing there was Jisoo and her efforts to solve the mystery for all of them, saving her father and his company from Mrs Kim's wrath.

Mr. Tuan, Yi Eun's father and the company vice president was behind the desperate attack on Jennie, according to Jisoo's report. He had sent his men to follow Jennie around that particular night, hoping that he could find something that would help him depose Jennie from her position in the company and in the conglomerate after learning that Jennie squashed the idea of marrying his son, Yi Eun, and his wife's nephew, Jongin, who Mrs Kim asked once to appeal to Jennie. Mr. Tuan took offense that Jennie Ruby Jane Kim profusely declined two of the finest men in his family.

It was highly disappointing for Mrs Kim because she had always thought highly of the Tuans and Mr Tuan, himself, was a man of intellect and integrity. But admittedly, though, thought Mrs. Kim bitterly after realizing the mistake that she had committed, it was mainly her fault. She had planted the idea on Mr. Tuan's head that his son, Yi Eun, was a perfect candidate for Jennie and that they would make such a powerful pair. That their family's union would mean a stronger hold in the company. The Tuans apparently held on obsessively to the idea that it obviously messed up their heads in the process. Which was why she couldn't put the blame on Jennie or on the Thai princess, at all. They were young and they were obviously in love. Of course, they would go out and do things that young and in love people do. No, the blame was on her and it should be her duty to clean up the mess that she had initially created. But not before she and Jennie would meet His Majesty. The King had clearly implied on his letter that decisions were to be made on and after the meeting. Whether it was for the good of both Jennie and the Thai princess, and as well as the conglomerate, the Kingdom and their respective families, Mrs Kim had high hopes. But she was nonetheless skittish.

"I'm nervous," Jennie muttered to herself right when the jet hit a slight turbulence and was shaking a little.

Mrs Kim caught the slight shiver on her daughter's voice because she instantly abandoned the paper she had picked up once again and said, "You've always been afraid of heights," obliviously but not unkindly.

"It's not about that, Mom," Jennie replied and returned her gaze once again on the screen where, this time, the silhouette kissing photo of Lisa and her was displayed once again for the nth time (the lawyer beside her made a slight fidgety movement that didn't go unnoticed) as the newsman was now blabbing about a possible 'stronger and more personal, deeper alliance between South Korea and the kingdom of Thailand now that two of the most important women from the two countries have found each other in a strange but nevertheless spectacular way' but countered his own statement afterwards by raising a speculation of a staged romance between her and Lisa for whatever reasons he vowed he would find out.

Idiot, Jennie conluded with disgust on her mind after she listened and rolled her eyes numerously at the man's words.

"Of course," said Mrs Kim, nodding. "Of course, yes. I know what you mean and so am I. My nerves are actually literally shaking right now. Can you believe that? Your father would've known exactly what to do on situations like these and he would've taken this as an opportunity to forge a relationship that would benefit the company, no doubt. He was a wise man."

"I'm seriously feeling sick right now," Jennie said truthfully after a momentary silence. And she probably did look sick because one of the crew quickly grabbed a glass of water from the pantry and offered it to her.

"Please, I need something stronger," Jennie said, refusing the water.

"Make it two," Mrs Kim butted in and the lawyer said, "Three," and soon they were served with glasses filled with a Romanèe-Conti.

The thought of meeting Lisa's father, the King, himself, was twisting and knotting Jennie's insides. She wasn't feeling normal eversince they left the hangar in Gimpo. She was feeling sick but she was sure it had nothing to do with her basiphobia. She hadn't heard from Lisa yet since the last time they were together and that was two days ago -- which actually felt like a lightyear already -- and she was wondering if the Thai princess was still stuck inside her apartment or was lost inside her lab downstairs in Hongdae or had already flown to Thailand according to plan. And although it was a relief on her part that the media or anyone hadn't yet discovered Lisa's place, Jennie thought it would have been a lot better if she had heard from Lisa before heading to Thailand. She wanted the assurance that going there and meeting the King was the best thing to do before she would address the issue in front of the board.

Jennie had never been to Thailand. She'd figured before, years ago while planning her escape inside her bedroom, that if she'd have to leave in order to stay away from the microscopic eyes of literally everyone around her, she'd have to chose somewhere very far if she wanted to get away from Seoul. Hence, she chose Auckland in New Zealand first and then New York. Which did her great because she had grown so much as a person while being in those cities, even though she didn't fully find there what she had been looking for -- a home. The feeling of comfort and belongness, the security but with a sense of freedom with no one to tell her what to do and how she would live her every day. She huffed inside her head at the thought that she had been to places far and new only to have found a home accidentally, not in a place, but in a person. Lisa felt like home. Her warmth, her glow, her laughter and smile and those soft round orbs that would melt her every time. And she missed those entirely for the past two days that Jennie couldn't help herself but released a painful sigh after she took a sip from her glass.

"You should catch some sleep," Mrs. Kim suggested after checking the gold watch on her wrist, mistaking Jennie's sigh as an exasperation from the forthcoming event. "We still have at least a couple of hours before we land."

"I'm not sleepy," Jennie replied and asked, "How do we reach the place, by the way? I mean, the place where we would get to meet Lisa's father exactly? I've read that the royal family has many residences all over Thailand."

"It says here, Lady Kim," Mrs Kim's assistant instantly pulled a parchment, the seal had already been torn, "that we will be welcomed by a party 'designed by His Majesty,' himself, who will then take us to Pahr -- no, Pathum Thani; that's a province outside the palace complex, ma'am." She was reading the content of letter from His Majesty through his office, the gold royal emblem on the header was an intimidating sight.

"Right. But does anyone else feel like we're about to be flayed once when we get there or it's just me? God, I'm so nervous!" Jennie groaned desperately, indicating the crew to refill her glass. "Please tell me exactly again why nobody ever thought of declining the proposition, Mom?" she finally let it out what had been consuming her eversince she was informed about the invitation.

"What did you want me to say? 'Thank you. But no, thanks, Your Majesty. I hardly think meeting you is necessary.'?" Mrs Kim looked scandalized. "Besides, as anxious as I am right now, I still believe that this is a good idea. At least before you will address the issue in front of the board, that is. Those men will surely cut you open," Mrs Kim said.

It was quarter past three in the afternoon. The sun was slowly descending on the west but was still glowing hot against the thick silvery clouds. Jennie spent the time watching the serenity outside through the small window beside her and wondered what Lisa was doing at the moment until her mind drifted to the fading red marks on her skin courtesy of the Thai princess' plump mouth, beneath the striped sweater she was wearing. It was incredible how fast things had unfolded after that night at Irene's party, she thought. Losing and finding herself again in some new dimensions that Lisa took her and finding out the truth unwillingly the morning after was like a movie playing on repeat on her mind for the last couple of days. Jennie didn't see any of it coming. Especially the part about Lisa being a princess. Because aside from all the amazing things that Lisa does and those stunning eyes and exciting lips and those hands that did wonders to her body, there was never an inch about Lisa that could've gave away about her secret. The universe, indeed, had a funny way of sneaking up on anyone.

"I just wish Lisa would be there," Jennie whispered but enough for everyone to hear the despair in her voice.

....

Outside the walls of Her Royal Highness' residence in Phayathai Road was a brewing scenario of some sort. The royal guards were forming a circle and closing in around the cream-colored Lexus near the gates of the palace, led by the lady captain. Captain Pakpao could be seen standing between the high iron gates and the vehicle, where inside, behind the steering wheel, was Her Royal Highness Pranpriya who looked set and stubborn. And crouching on the window outside the Lexus was the butler, Lek, who was imploring Her Highness to 'do what is right and necessary.'

"I don't need a convoy tailing me around, Lek. It will only attract attentions and I don't want that. I'm sure His Majesty doesn't want that, either," Pranpriya reasoned for the fifth time, this time less calmer than her previous attempts.

"I understand, Your Highness. But His Majesty will surely disagree with your decision to drive alone, either. At least bring the lady captain with you, please," Lek implored.

"So that His Majesty can keep his watch on me? No, thank you. I prefer to be alone," Pranpriya said stubbornly, loud enough for the lady captain to hear.

"I understand your predicament, Your Highness. But I will not step aside until you will concede. I cannot allow you to wander outside the gates all by yourself. We cannot risk anymore your security and privacy this time. Please allow us to do our job," Captain Pakpao implored.

"You told me last night I'm not a prisoner," Pranpriya said, addressing the lady captain. She decided to take a different approach to the argument which had been lasting for the past half an hour or so already and had been wearing her patience thinner and thinner by the minute.

"Yes, I did, Your Highness. And no, you're not, indeed," said the lady captain.

"So, why don't you step aside and tell your men to open the gates so I can finally go out, Captain? We've wasted enough time already."

"His Majesty's order is to not let you out of our sight, Your Highness. We are under his command," Captain Pakpao replied, maintaining her stance.

"Please, Your Highness. Just bring the lady captain with you," Lek implored and persuading once again.

Pranpriya heaved a frustrated breath. She knew this would happen. Returning to the country after she had capriciously spent her freedom for years to her heart's content outside the walls of the kingdom would, of course, bear consequences. There really had to be some balance in the universe, she thought bitterly to herself.

Pranpriya stepped outside of the car but didn't switch the engine off. If she had to beg, then she would. But she was hoping that she won't reach to that point. It was embarrassing enough that she was surrounded by the royal army at the moment as though she was a criminal.

"Look, with all due respect, Captain Pakpao... I know you're just doing your job and I assure you you're doing it very efficiently. I can tell because you are enjoying His Majesty's trust and confidence. But just this once, I'd like to ask you to let me off your watch."

Captain Pakpao's expression softened by only just a little but maintained her stance. Her eyes, however, betrayed her as they flicked and met Lek's. The butler must have implored the lady captain without words because soon enough, Captain Pakpao breathed out heavily as if it was costing her painfully and stepped away, a bit hesitantly, from the hood of the car. She stepped aside and walked towards her.

"I understand that you're not feeling good right now, Your Highness. But I implore that you understand, also, that I am just doing my job and that is mainly to ensure your safety, above everything else. I do not mean to hinder your freedom, I swear. I apologize if you feel that I am," said Captain Pakpao.

"I just need to get away, Captain Pakpao. Just for a while. I need to clear my head, I need to think and I can't do that here. Not with all of you looking after me. You can track me or whatever, I won't mind this time. I just..." Pranpriya paused and breathed, "I want to be alone somewhere. Don't make me beg, Captain," she said, but felt like she was already close to begging.

"The Princess Mother will arrive at five, Your Highness. The guests, as I understood, are already on their way. His Majesty has ordered the kitchen to serve dinner earlier, which means that you can't not be here before dark. His Majesty plans to return to his residence later in the evening to accommodate the visiting state leaders from Europe," Captain Pakpao said.

The Princess' face lit up after realizing that she just won the argument and Lek and Captain Pakpao could both agree, even without sharing their thoughts between each other, that it was a beautiful sight. It was like witnessing the most beautiful sunrise and that it somehow made their decision to defy the King's order worthy despite their cloud of worries and fright. They had never defied the King's orders, ever.

Pranpriya nodded and said, "Thank you. I will be back before five," and immediately jumped once again inside the Lexus.

The lady captain then signaled the royal guards to open the gates and allow the Princess to pass through.

"I might as well start packing my things now," Captain Pakpao muttered after she and Lek both straightened up after the bow, as they both watched the tail of the Lexus disappeared on the first turn.

"I'm sure that won't be necessary, Captain," Lek said in an unconvincing tone. For he, too, feared that it was the end of his family's long legacy in serving the royal family.

"Well, it was nice working with you, Lek," Captain Pakpao said with a grim look on her face. "As long as she is happy," she added.

"As long as she's happy," Lek repeated with a heavy heart. "Who are we expecting later, by the way, Captain?"

"The Kims," the lady captain replied.

Lek's mouth dropped. "You mean to say that Miss Jennie Kim is coming and Her Highness doesn't know?"

Captain Pakpao nodded. "I hope Her Highness will make it on time. It's integral that she should be here when they arrive," she said.

Her Royal Highness Pranpriya decided to drive around the block, aimlessly cruising around and looking straight ahead with her head full of worries and her heart heavy with burdens. It was actually scary, if she had to be very honest. She had thwarted her guards and she might have costed Lek (once again) and Captain Pakpao their jobs which wasn't her intention, at all. Her father would be livid. She was sure about it. But she'd have to deal with that later, she thought, as she passed by the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre from which people were pouring in and out and the universe, she realized after her observation, had presented her something to get her mind off from the things that worry her.

She immediately pulled on a curb and parked between a glossy red Mazda and an old model gray Honda, so as not to attract unwanted attention. Although, she was confident enough that no one would soon realize that the ivory Lexus was, in fact, a royal car. She then picked up her Rollieflex from the backseat, loaded it with a black-and-white 120 before stepping out of the car to submit and engage herself in the abundance of subjects before her.

Once she thought she already had spent more than enough exposures before completely consuming the whole roll of Ilford, Pranpriya then drove further, passing by the National Museum and the Jim Thompson House. She did quicks stops and numerous snaps on the side of the street or when she was stuck in traffic at some point. Her expert fingers would quickly and automatically turn the knob after each shutter and adjust the lens if needed whenever she would find a fleeting moment she wanted to catch. Like when a pedestrian was crossing the street on the red light with her expression furrowing under the afternoon sun or a mother who was looking pensive with an excited child in tow licking popsicles; or a monk walking by with a certain expression on his face; the speeding cars that she blurred by slowing down her shutter speed; a group of teenage girls laughing about something, exposing their bright faces to her lens; the façade of an institution that stood proudly still after weathering the passing of years; an aircraft flying across the sky; and so on until she needed to reload the medium format with a fresh roll of film.

Pranpriya missed it, she realized. The feeling of just being there and being part of someone else's life by just watching them and freezing the time through photography. It was one of the many things that fascinated her about it. The immense pleasure it was giving her after knowing that she had seen and captured something through her lens that would speak volumes about someone or something and the wide array of different perspectives it would receive once she would eventually present her pieces out there for the world to see and cipher one photograph at a time

She wasn't born to lead a kingdom, she realized that many years ago, although she had never spoken about it to anyone. Or maybe she was, but her soul was just refusing to accept it wholeheartedly. It was evident on how she would detest rules and not submit herself to protocols. It was evident on how she could never see herself wearing a crown or ride on a palanquin and live in a palace with too many servants and thousands of guards serving under her pleasure and revered by her people. She didn't want all that. Pranpriya wanted to believe that she was born to tell a story, to capture life and the universe like how it was presented to her through her lens and to show it to the world one day. Her magnum opus was still out there, waiting and calling out for her. She couldn't be trapped within the walls of the kingdom and her wings clipped.

Pranpriya then took her phone out from the back pocket of her jeans. She scanned and scrolled the screen endlessly until she finally found what she was looking for -- a perfect hiding place. Just her luck, Pranpriya thought gleefully as she started the engine once again and wasted no time. She found an escape.

At five-thirty, the Cessna had descended and finally made its landing at the Don Mueang International airport in accordance with the directive attached in the letter of invitation, citing that it was closer to Pathum Thani and less crowded than Suvarnabhumi. Jennie had already changed in a semi-formal long-sleeved, knee-length white dress accentuated with thin black and gold linings on the edges and a belt around her waist. Her long hair was tied in a ponytail and her ears were adorned with black and gold chandelier earrings. Mrs Kim, on the other hand, was clad in a dark pinstriped formal attire that presents an empowered woman with infinite elegance. Their stylist, Felicity, did an incredible work dressing both women in such a way that no one would even dare question the beauty, the power and the elegance that a Kim possessed. They had to make an impression.

"Ready?" Mrs Kim asked everyone but was particularly eyeing her daughter who looked wary but nonetheless set to impress their royal host. Mrs Kim thought that in that monumental moment, Jennie was an embodiment of a true Kim -- proud and beautiful with a glint of haughtiness, courage and intelligence on those sharp cat eyes.

"Let's go," Jennie declared after she snapped the lock of her earring and everyone listened as though they were all waiting for her signal.

The door opened and they emerged one by one in a systematic fashion. The flight crew first and followed by the Kim security personnels. They formed a line beside the ladder. The staff then followed behind Mrs Kim and then there was Jennie, who looked breath-taking in her Chanel white dress and luscious red lips and glowing skin that had she been closer, she could hear the collective gasps from the people nearby witnessing her pulchritude. Her attention, however, was on the faint burst of colors on the west as soon as she had set foot in Lisa's soil and began to wonder at the back of her mind if Thailand had always been this mesmerizing and mysterious or was it just her and her overwhelming affection for the daughter of Thailand.

Their party was welcomed by a group of men in white uniforms and were wearing uniformed less-cordial look on their faces. A tall, lean man stepped forward and introduced himself as Sargeant Channarong from the Royal Security Command and proceeded to explaining to them that they were to escort them to Her Royal Highness Pranpriya's residence in Pathum Thani. Jennie's heart skipped a beat after hearing Lisa's name being spoken like a song of praise. It sounded so beautiful she could listen to it again amd again. She also wanted so much to ask the man if Her Royal Highness, her Lili, was in her residence to welcome them but contained herself with difficulty.

Sargeant Channarong looked unfriendly with his eyes, a deep shade of brown, was casting each one of them a look that implied he meant business. He extended his arm to them and offered them a stiff handshake. Mrs Kim thanked him for his service, which he responded with a bow.

"This way, please," Lieutenant Channarong said after the introduction and formalities. He was leading them to the parked vehicles only a couple of meters away from the jet.

There were four cars. One was a Camry and the other was a Teana, both were in ivory color. The other car was a Mercedes-Benz clear windows that gleamed haughtily at them. Jennie and her mom were to ride the special car, with two from the royal guards on the front seat. Yhe family lawyer, Felicity, Mrs Kim's personal assistant were to ride the modified van along with the security personnels and a designated driver from the royal guards. They then set to Pathum Thani after all their luggages were secured. The Camry on which Sargeant Channarong was riding was leading the convoy.

The ride to Pathum Thani was pretty much uninspiring. Jennie was sitting quietly alongside her mother inside the Benz that smelled of tangerine and mint. Their designated driver wasn't chatty at all and the only time he ever talked to them was when she asked politely how far Pathum Thani was from the airport, which took them quite a while to understand each other because the royal guard couldn't understand Hangul and he spoke little English. Which, Jennie concluded, was why he wasn't chatty. Her mom beside her, meanwhile, had been on her phone most of the time. Mrs Kim was busy keeping tabs on what's going on back in Seoul that it reduced Jennie to spending the time and the silence by looking out on the window, observing all she could the culture that was foreign to her. The setting sun on the west made the sky an endless canvass of blazing orange and pink. It was breath-takingly impressive that it completely took Jennie's attention until she heard her mom released an exasperated sigh for the third time.

"I'm sorry, Mom," Jennie said and she meant it.

"What for?" Mrs Kim replied distractedly. Her eyes were still fixed on the bright screen of her mobile phone, which illuminated on her face and made it glow in the dim inside the luxurious car.

"I don't know," Jennie replied reluctantly. "I just thought you wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't because of me. I can tell this is taking a lot of somethings from you. You're tired, you're worried and you haven't been sleeping well," she said.

Mrs Kim heaved out a breath and put away her device. She placed it on her lap and pressed the locked button so that they were embraced by the silence and the slowly-invading darkness courtesy of the growing dusk outside, disturbed occasionally by the luminous of lights shedding in from the streetlights and from the headlights of the vehicles they met. She sought Jennie's eyes and when she found it, she spoke so gently.

"You know, I'd be lying if I'd say I completely understand the -- whatever it is that you share with her, that you feel for her," Mrs Kim started with an obvious difficulty. "But I know you, Ruby Jane. You're my daughter. You're smart and you're a strong, independent woman and whatever it is, I know you're going to fight for it. And you're the only one I have in my life right now. Of course, I'm here for you."

Jennie was lost for words momentarily. Her mother had never said those words aloud in front of her for as long as she can remember. It was touching, how her mom had placed so much confidence in her that Jennie didn't know what to say, except:

"Thank you," Jennie whispered.

Mrs Kim didn't say a word but Jennie felt her mother's left hand on hers. It was gripping her and tapping gently on the back of her palm in rhythmic, comforting motion. And it was more than enough for Jennie. They weren't exactly open about how they feel for each other. Their relationship grew apart when she went abroad for her studies and it grew even more apart after the demise of her father. But right in that moment, surrounded by the growing darkness and the smell of mint and tangerine on the backseat of the royal-plated vehicle, with a man on the front seat who couldn't speak their language and as they speed past unfamiliar buildings and monuments and people, Jennie felt that their relationship somehow mended. And she knew it was now safe to drop all the pretenses and expose the fragility of her deepest soul.

"I'm scared, Mom. I don't know what to say to him," Jennie said, her voice quivered slightly.

"You have won his daughter's heart. You can win his," Mrs Kim said gently.

"But what if it's not real -- this thing between Lisa and I? We never even really talked about it. Like, as in talked," Jennie said in panicky voice.

"Honey, I don't have a vast knowledge about love. Your father and I married not for love. But we'd grown to love and respect each other eventually and then we had you and that's when I knew I needed to understand love. And there are no words for it. But you will know when it's real. You will feel it right here," Mrs Kim said, holding her hand close to her chest.

Jennie, with her temporary inability to form and string words together, leaned closer and wrapped her arms around her mom. She was so grateful and she was hoping that the tightness of her embrace would convey the message she wanted to deliver.

"I think we're here," Mrs Kim declared a moment later as they past by a tall iron-wrought gates and a magnificent view of a grandeur appeared larger and larger as they approached.

The view was splendid. The three-storey palace, standing grandly in the middle of a large estate was suffused in glowing orange light, with steep rooftops and forward wings. The tall marble pillars stood proudly from the ground on each side of the elegant terraced steps that would lead to the front door. Cars were parked systematically on the east side of the parking and guards were stationed in units and horses mounted by men in red uniforms and tall hats were patrolling the vicinity. It exceeded Jennie's expectations. She couldn't believe that her Lili lived in such grandeur.

Jennie and her mom's car came to a halt in front of the terraced steps, where two guards were flanking on each side with their rifles slanted on their chest level. The wide door at the top of the steps were flung open, teasing their eyes with the elegant view that was waiting for them inside. A man, small and wearing a tuxedo, was waiting for them at the bottom of the steps, He started strolling as soon as their driver stepped out of the car, walked around it to pull Mrs Kim's door open.

"Ready?" Mrs Kim asked before stepping out of the car.

"No," Jennie replied truthfully. She wasn't ready at all. She was shaking involuntarily. Her hands were clammy and her mouth was dry and her chest was constricting painfully on every breath that she takes.

Her mom held her hand once again. Its warmth was seeping through Jennie's cold palm, providing her just enough assurance that it was okay before she would decide to pass out.

"You'll be fine. You're a Kim," Mrs Kim said with such confidence in her voice that Jennie couldn't help but doubt even more.

Mrs Kim swung gracefully her legs and stepped out of the Benz. Jennie then followed suit with her heart pounding loudly but stood firmly and proudly, imitating the same energy being displayed by her mom as she planted the pointy soles of her stiletto in front of Lisa's grand residence. She felt tiny, though, compared to the mammoth architecture standing in front of her, with hundreds of mullioned windows staring at her in silence.

"Good evening, madams. My name is Lek," the butler greeted them with a bow and introduced himself in fluent English much to Jennie's relief. "Please allow me to welcome you to the royal residence of Her Royal Highness Pranpriya."

The Kims responded politely by bending their bodies forward, offering Lek the customary bow they do back in their country. Jennie then smiled at Lek, which the butler recognized with a timid smile of his own. His eyes lingered for a moment on Jennie's face. Jennie thought Lek looked worried as he threw her furtive glances but she wasn't too sure about it anyway.

"This way, please," Lek said and led the Kims to the stepped terrace and into the wide entrance.

Jennie couldn't help herself but admire as she was finally admitted to the grand foyer of the palace and her eyes started to wander around. She was particularly impressed with the glimmering huge glass chandelier hanging above in the middle of the high ceiling, draping downwards like a huge glowing teardrop and two elegant marble staircase sweeping upwards and the high ceiling painted with ornate designs.

Lek led them further to a corridor with lamps on each side of the stone walls that emitted orange light. He then paused in front of another door made of glass and dark wood and flung it open to reveal the elegantly-designed drawing room painted in rich colors. The room was filled with objects that depicted Thai culture and were placed strategically here and there around the room. There were images of the Buddha carved in stone, encased in glass boxes attached to the wall and spreading on the floor was a wide, thick, soft carpet in rich burgundy and cream colors and there, on center of the ceiling was another glass chandelier but only smaller than the impressive one in the foyer.

Lek stood beside the door to allow the Jennie and Mrs Kim inside.

"His Majesty and Her Highness, The Princess Mother will arrive shortly. Please have a seat, Miss Kim and Mrs Kim," Lek offered the long couch decorated with square pillows in different colors.

Jennie and her mom obliged and chose to sit next to each other, separated only by a comfortable space between them, on the cushioned couch. Thereafter, three uniformed female servants paraded inside. One was pushing a trolley that bears silverware that emitted deliciously sweet smell of sweets and a delightful aroma of coffee. They then spread the variety of colorful and masterfully-crafted portions of small rice crispy cups filled with minced pork and shrimp; there were also steamy dumplings in floor-shaped; edible flowers and mango spring rolls; a basket of freshly-baked homemade cookies; cups of hot steaming Letorgol coffee and many others that most were unfamiliar to Jennie.

Once the servants were done, they bid the Kims with a polite bow and soon left the drawing room.

"Please, help yourselves," Lek said graciously.

"Can I ask something, Mr. Lek?" Mrs Kim spoke for the first time since their arrival.

"Yes, of course, ma'am," Lek replied.

"What about our companions? I'm wondering where they are right now and won't they be joining us here?"

"His Majesty wishes to speak in private with Miss Jennie Kim and you, Madam Kim," Lek replied. "As for your companions, there is no need to worry as they are attended to in the parlour, ma'am."

Jennie on her seat, meanwhile, was fighting the urge to ask Lek the whereabouts of the Princess, as she had noticed Lek was still throwing curious and furtive glances on her direction. She knew in herself that Lek knew her and how she was connected to the Princess, without implying that he was judging her character. It was obvious with the way he would stare at her with a hint of recognition on his small eyes. She was nearly about to voice out her curiosity when a knock came and the door was swung open, revealing another man taller and older than Lek, with gray hairs combed in sleek fashion and a look of institution etched on his face.

"His Majesty, Prachao Yu Hua, and Her Highness, The Princess Mother, have arrived," His Majesty's personal aide announced.

Lek immediately placed himself beside the older man. Jennie and Mrs Kim, meanwhile, raised from their seats in synchronized manner, with Jennie's heart pounding so loudly against her chest it wouldn't surprise her at all if the rest of the room would hear it. Her mother beside her, however, already looked collected and dignified and ready to face what's coming.

A moment later, a towering man in a crisp all-white suit, with neatly cut salt-and-pepper hair that parted on the side and eyes that looked exactly like Lisa's appeared on the doorway. The King looked impressive and impeccable as he strode inside the drawing room in a manner that could only suggest he was the most reckoned and sterling man in the room. The fine lines on his face spoke volumes of the power he yielded while his sealed mouth and the creases on his forehead would suggest the profundity and wisdom that he possessed. Beside him was a woman, whose height leveled His Majesty's shoulder, in velvety satin dress with her black hair combed in style and a large expensive stone on her chest and ears. The Princess Mother exuded a gentle warmth about her. Her eyes were small and kind and a tender smile was visible on her lips as she regarded Lek when she passed by him. She looked beautiful and regal with the way she carried herself graceful. Her face bore a semblance to her daughter's but Jennie thought Lisa had taken her features from both her parents.

"Good evening, Your Majesty, Your Highness," Mrs Kim greeted the royal hosts in a voice Jennie knew was only reserved for powerful and the most important people her mother would revere. "Thank you for inviting me and my daughter, Jennie. This is such an honor."

"I hope the journey did not wear you out, Madam Kim," His Majesty spoke in his diplomatic voice and offered his hand for a handshake.

"Not at all, Your Majesty," Mrs Kim replied as she took His Majesty's hand and did the same ritual with The Princess Mother.

His Majesty nodded as though he was satisfied with the news. His eyes then shifted and regarded Jennie a look of  anticipation and curiosity.

"Good evening, Your Majesty, Your Highness," Jennie greeted Lisa's parents in a voice not her own. She was nervous but managed to steady herself quite impressively despite the trembling of her lips and the shaking of her knees. This wasn't how she pictured herself meeting Lisa's parents for the first time. She had imagine all of them sitting inside a warm room or outside under a tree shade, dining in palatable dishes, talking and sharing stories of each of their -- Lisa and hers -- childhood. Of course, that was before the dating news broke out and Lisa telling her she was a princess.

"So, you're my daughter's girlfriend," His Majesty said in a voice quite different from the diplomatic one he spoke to Jennie's mother, as he offered Jennie a handshake.

It wasn't a question but it somehow made Jennie feel like supplying an answer was the best solution to signify the reason why she was there in the first place.

"Yes, Sir. I am," Jennie replied, her voice surprisingly unfaltering. "My name is Jennie Kim and I am in love with your daughter."