"I heard Lord Seng's proposal," she replied in a muffled voice, "Lady Irin tried to cheer me up by introducing me to other ladies. It didn't work, because every time I talked to one of them, I hoped it was you."

"I haven't said yes to Seng. And anyway, he doesn't want to marry me for love. He will give me all the freedom possible."

"Freedom? I'm not sure that's the right word."

"Maybe you're right about that. It's just, he's helped me so much, I couldn't ignore it. At first I thought he was crazy, but he mentioned my mother, which made me wonder..."

"It's your decision, Freen. If you think your future will be better by marrying him, do it. You are part of the society in which you were born, yes, the one you complain about so much."

Freen was silent, Becky thought that she had already made the decision to get married, that's why she behaved like that.

"What other choice do I have? I can't live with the idea of being a burden to my mother all my life. So tell me, princess, what is the solution?"

"There is a solution. Marry me."

Freen's jaw dropped, she didn't expect that response from her, it was then that she remembered that in Becky's kingdom they could get married. The princess slowly approached Freen, took her hands, brought them to her chest and continued speaking.

"My heart belongs to you, Freen, I have never been so sure of what I feel. Will you marry me?"

All that dialogue was imagined in the mind of Becky, but she was not able to answer her to marry her. She was terrified, her heart galloped furiously in her chest, again what she feared was happening, again her heart was being broken.

"I knew it, I have no other choice. I understand how you feel, Becky, I... I'm not sure what I should do... He's like a brother to me..."

She moved closer to Becky, took one of her hands, it was soft and warm. She watched her face, her frown showed that she was really anguished, it wasn't fair that she felt that way. Going with her, she caressed the princess's cheek with her free hand.

"I knew this could happen... Any man in this kingdom could ask for your hand, and if your family wanted it, you would have to do it even if it was not your will... But I couldn't help but fall in love with you, Freen."

Her eyes met, as so many times, it seemed that only the two of them were there, in that small garden, nothing else existed, only the warmth of their intertwined hands and the labored breathing of both. Unintentionally, they were both bringing her faces closer, they were about to kiss, when a voice interrupted them, it was the prince.

"Becky! Miss Sarocha! What are you two doing? I was looking for you because Lady Irin didn't know where you were, sister. I was afraid something like this could happen. This could have been a scandal and worse for both of you."

They both moved away suddenly when they heard Becky's brother, who was relieved to see that he was Richie despite everything.

"I'm sorry, I got carried away," replied the princess, somewhat embarrassed.

"Let's go back to the living room, I hope you don't take risks like that again. Besides, there are already rumors about you, Miss Sarocha."

"Rumours? About what?" asked the aforementioned.

"That you are going to be engaged to Lord Seng. Apparently, I was wasting my time courting you," the prince replied sarcastically.

That bastard... She hasn't said yes yet but he's already putting pressure on her Becky thought, without saying a word. Freen was also upset, clearly Seng was assuming something he shouldn't. However, she wasn't sure if she should make such an important decision without at least consulting her mother. Becky's words had made her nervous, she sincerely wished that her mother had not agreed to anything with Seng, since it would be the worst possible betrayal on the part of her mother.

She stayed with Becky, Lady Irin and the prince for the rest of the evening, they didn't bring up the subject of engagement again, but Freen noticed that the princess was distant and didn't smile sincerely. The queen herself withdrew earlier than expected, although she said goodbye to the group before doing so, since she was interested in how things were going between the two young women, considering the rumor that had spread at the same party.

Queen Nam found out about Lord Seng's ruse, and she did not like her at all. Seeing her sad princess made her realize that she would have to intervene, before what she feared happened. Getting into the carriage, she sent a footman to direct Lady Irin to have tea with her the next day.

A short time later, both Freen and Becky left the party, feeling sour. The prince watched his sister with concern all the way back. He didn't mean to scold her further, as she seemed quite affected by Freen's supposed engagement. What he had said to scare her had become a sad reality, it hurt to see her sister like that, she didn't deserve to go through all that.

When they arrived at Lady Irin's mansion, Becky murmured "good night" and ran off to her room. Her brother hesitated to go talk to her, he knew she wasn't feeling well, he wanted to comfort her or at least listen to her, but clearly she wanted to be alone, so he held back. Despite everything, he found the viscount's behavior very strange, who had just arrived in the city and already wanted to get engaged. Inadvertently, he ended up discussing the matter with Lady Irin.

"I also find it curious, if not strange, that Lord Seng should have this sudden interest in marriage." And it seems that the queen also finds it strange, since he summoned me to have tea with her tomorrow.

"Will the queen approve of this marriage?"

"I don't believe it. My gut tells me that she's worried about our Becky, since she took a liking to her right away."

"I'm also worried about Becky, I think she's been hurt a lot more by this matter than what happened years ago in our kingdom."

"Sometimes there are people who need a little push to get what they want. Maybe that's what Becky and Miss Sarocha need."

"But if Lord Seng keeps interfering, it is possible that both of them will end badly. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to push my opinion, but I've noticed that Miss Sarocha shows no romantic interest in men, just like my sister. Marrying Lord Seng could be a blunder."

"It certainly is. Besides, Lord Seng's intentions may not be the purest."

"It's possible. Lady Irin, if the queen is on our side, you could tell her about your suspicions."

"Oh, of course I will, after all, Becky is a good friend of mine."

"I don't know how to thank you for your kindness, Lady Irin".

"It's not a problem, prince. You'll know how to thank me in the future," replied Lady Irin, smiling, "it's time to sleep."

What Lady Irin did not know was that Queen Nam had ordered Lord Seng and those associated with him to be investigated that very night, since she did not trust his intentions to marry Miss Sarocha. If the viscount really wished to marry, he would have arrived before the start of the season to scout out the best prospects, however, it seemed that he was only taking advantage of his friendship with Miss Sarocha to get a wife as soon as possible.

Without a doubt, the most surprised with the news was Lady Sarocha, when her daughter knocked on the door of her office, she did not expect her to release such news, since she had left before the party.

"Seng has asked for my hand, mother."

Seeing her mom's surprised reaction, Freen immediately relaxed, since it wasn't something arranged by her.

"What a surprise. And what did you answer?" Her mother asked cautiously.

"I told him I would think about it, I have not given him a definitive answer. However, a rumor spread that we would get engaged during the party."

Now her mother frowned upon hearing her daughter. The viscount's attitude did not seem entirely honest to her.

"The question is, do you want to marry him?"

"No, I mean..."

"You don't need to give any more arguments, daughter. You don't love him, do you?

"No, I don't love him, but..."

"But nothing. I can't let my daughter condemn herself to a life without love. I loved your father very much, you know? Losing him was painful and difficult, but I managed to move on. I want you to have the same, a love that makes you lose your mind, but that in turn makes you keep your feet on the ground. As hard as it may seem, I know you will find true love."

Freen smiled at her mother's words, but would she really approve of her being in love with another woman?

"I know you've always wanted that for me, Mom. But what if I never find the right man for me? What happens if by following the path of art, I am left alone forever? I don't want to be a burden to you, mom."

Freen's mother sighed in resignation before answering. It was the first time that her daughter spoke to her like that, so she worried more, someone had put those ideas in her head.

"You will never be a burden to me because you are my daughter and I love you more than anything in this world, don't think that again. And whatever you decide, I will support you and be by your side. Always remember it."

Freen smiled in relief, there was no need forher to marry Seng. Perhaps, she could follow her heart without fear of theconsequences, but she still feared her mother's reaction for her forbidden loveof hers. Her mother, however, only thought about how long she would have towait to hear the truth from her daughter.