The days after Raksa's decision to follow the Princess changed his life completely. The decision had a far greater impact than he had ever imagined. Raksa was now inside the palace, surrounded by luxuries he had never dreamed of. Despite this, there was a sense of alienation and awkwardness that always haunted him. Life in the palace was full of rules and hierarchies that had to be followed, and Raksa, an ordinary young man, felt like a fish trapped in a tank that was too big.
However, even though he felt like an outsider, the Princess was always by his side, guiding him. The young woman, who possessed incredible power and charm, seemed truly intent on making Raksa feel at ease, even as the world around him grew more complicated.
That morning, as usual, Raksa was greeted by a servant who introduced himself as Prince. "Good morning, Master Raksa. The Princess has been waiting for you in the garden," he said, in a soft yet authoritative voice.
Raksa merely nodded, though he felt restless inside. Since entering the palace, he couldn't stop feeling anxious, afraid that he would make a mistake or break an unknown rule. But, at any rate, he couldn't turn back now. His decision had been made, and he had to follow the path he had chosen.
The royal garden, where the Princess usually spent her time, was full of brightly colored blooming flowers. The morning breeze blew gently, carrying the refreshing scent of the flowers. In the middle of the garden, the Princess sat on a wooden bench, wearing a light blue gown that shone under the sunlight. Her beautiful face and calm expression made Raksa feel entranced. Every time he looked at her, he felt something deeper, something that bound his heart to hers.
Raksa approached, and the Princess smiled softly. "Good morning, Raksa. I'm glad you came," she said, her eyes sparkling like the warm morning sun.
"Good morning, Princess," Raksa replied in a soft voice, slightly unsure. "I'm sorry if I kept you waiting."
The Princess shook her head. "Not at all. I'm actually happy that you came on time. I want to talk about what we need to do moving forward."
Raksa nodded, sitting beside the Princess, though his heart was still racing. This conversation felt important, and he knew that every word that came from the Princess's mouth was not to be taken lightly.
"What would you like to discuss, Princess?" Raksa asked.
The Princess smiled, but this time her smile was a bit melancholic. "There are many things we need to prepare for, Raksa. The palace is not an easy place. There are many eyes watching every move we make. My family, the advisors, even the people in the palace itself—everyone will be observing every step we take. All of this, Raksa, is not just about you and me. It's about a much larger kingdom."
Raksa furrowed his brow. "What do you mean, Princess?"
The Princess sighed, her eyes glancing up toward the blue sky above them. "There are many people who want power and position. Even in this palace, there are those who do not want us to be together. They fear the changes we might bring. They want to conquer this kingdom in their own way."
Raksa felt uneasy. He didn't fully understand what the Princess meant, but he could feel the tension in her words. The palace turned out to be not just about wealth and power, but also filled with unseen intrigues and political games.
The Princess continued, "I know that you're not someone who desires power or luxury. But you need to know, Raksa, your life is now tied to this kingdom. Your decisions will affect many things. I don't want to burden you with all of this, but I want you to understand that we must remain vigilant. Many people want the position by my side. And we must be ready for anything."
"So, what should I do?" Raksa asked, though his heart was growing more confused. He didn't know how to handle all the intrigues and conspiracies. All of this felt so far removed from the world he knew.
The Princess looked at him intently, and for the first time, there was a different kind of determination in her eyes. "First of all, you must learn about this world. Learn about the kingdom's politics, the people around us. You need to understand who we can trust and who might be dangerous. I want you to be more than just the poor young man who came to the palace. I want you to become someone who can protect yourself, and the ones I love."
Love. That word echoed in Raksa's head. Even though that feeling was starting to grow inside him, he still hesitated to express anything. Everything was happening so fast. He was just an ordinary young man who never imagined that love would change his fate like this.
"If that's what you want, Princess," Raksa said with a firmer voice. "I'll do my best."
The Princess smiled and nodded in satisfaction. "I know you can, Raksa. I believe in you."
But behind that smile, Raksa felt something deeper. A feeling that wasn't just coming from the Princess's words, but from her eyes, which were full of hope. That feeling was love, even though he wasn't ready to admit it.
At that moment, Raksa realized that he had entered a world very different from the life he once knew. A world filled with intrigue, secrets, and love that had to be carefully guarded.
And although the path he had chosen was full of uncertainty, one thing was clear—his fate was now intertwined with the Princess's fate. Together, they would face this world, no matter what would happen.