Chapter 7
Two cars pulled up at the same time in front of the royal condominium, Sarocha Empire.
Freen stepped out of her car, and so did the person from the other vehicle. As Freen made eye contact, her expression shifted in surprise.
"Miss Orantara?"
"Lady Freen, it's nice to meet you too," Orantara replied smoothly.
Oh no. Freen’s worst nightmare was coming true. She let out a long sigh and walked toward the main entrance.
Both of them took a seat in the lavish living room, but Miss Orantara looked far too comfortable for Freen’s liking.
"The Highness will be here shortly," one of the servants announced while serving them water.
Delicate, royal footsteps echoed as they descended the luxurious staircase.
"Oh my, two beautiful ladies arriving together," came the familiar voice.
Freen choked on her water.
"I mean—Freen, you are as beautiful as ever, my child. And Miss Orantara, you are aging like fine wine," her grandmother quickly corrected herself, trying to recover.
Freen could already sense what was coming, and she just hoped it wasn’t what she thought.
"How are you, Grandma?" she asked, hugging her.
"I'm at my best, Saro."
Miss Orantara extended her arms for a hug as well, but Grandma awkwardly bowed instead, avoiding giving Freen a heart attack.
"Miss Orantara, I’m glad you arrived on time," Grandma said warmly.
Then silence settled over the room—a silence that stretched for what felt like an eternity.
"Uh-hum… Miss Orantara, why don’t you check out my new gazebo in the garden? I had it built just the way you like—"
Freen coughed loudly, this time on purpose.
"I mean," Grandma corrected herself quickly, "the one you wanted for the university dormitory. Please check it out. Who knows? You might even want to implement the model there as well."
Grandma’s subconscious was clearly not on her side today.
"Till then, Freen and I will take care of dinner," she added.
"Sure, I’ll take my leave for a while," Orantara said, following a servant outside.
As soon as she was gone, Freen turned to her grandmother with narrowed eyes.
"EXPLAIN."
"Shhh! I will! That’s why you’re here, right? Come, let’s have coffee," Grandma said, already walking toward the sitting area.
"Grandma, don’t tell me it is what I think it is! Tell me you agreed to let her stay in my room because you had to, not because you couldn’t say no to Miss Orantara!" Freen’s voice was ice cold.
"Look, my child, I know this might sound strange, but bear with me," Grandma said while pouring coffee into Freen’s cup. "I’m old. I don’t know how many years I have left. I just want to live some."
"No, no, no. Not everything can be settled with your age excuse, Grandma. Please get to the point and get it over with." Freen stared into her grandmother’s eyes, demanding an explanation.
"A year ago, when I first met our new dean, Miss Orantara, I knew something was happening," Grandma began. "For months, I couldn’t figure out what…"
Freen suddenly stood up, her voice rising.
"Oh no, no, no! Oh no! No way. It’s not happening."
"Freen, sit, please." Grandma gestured for her to calm down. "The way you’re reacting right now? I was the same when I finally realized what was happening to me."
Freen crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.
"Grandma, what’s your age? Tell me, please."
"Will you please listen to me?" Grandma pleaded, her eyes soft like a child’s.
Freen sighed, taking a sip of her coffee. "Okay, you have five minutes. Go."
"I don’t know what it was, okay?" Grandma said, choosing her words carefully. "My whole body was betraying me—wanting me to just be around her, craving her presence. For months, I didn’t understand. I resented my feelings. I was ashamed to even give them a name. Trust me, I fought it. But nothing worked."
She seemed lost in her thoughts as she continued.
"She didn’t have to talk to me. She didn’t even have to look at me. She just had to be there, and somehow, that was enough. That peace. That contentment. She is like my sun—when she’s around, I feel light."
Grandma was careful not to get too romantic in front of her grandchild, but Freen…
Freen was picturing someone.
Someone’s presence.
Someone’s warmth.
Someone who made her feel exactly like that.
"And then we talked," Grandma continued. "And I realized it wasn’t just me. She craved my presence too. For a very long time, we didn’t name it, didn’t call it a thing. We just enjoyed each other’s company… until our bodies could no longer stay in our control."
A slight blush crept onto Grandma’s face as she turned away, avoiding Freen’s gaze.
Freen, however, was still processing what she had just heard.
"Grandma… but we’re royal," Freen started hesitantly. "Haven’t you always told me to be careful? Our country isn’t that advanced. If anyone finds out—"
Grandma cut her off.
"Why should anyone need to find out? And even if they do, we don’t care. And Freen—" she took a deliberate sip of her coffee, "—we can literally buy anyone with money. If you observe life and people around you, they always seek their own benefit. And I can give them benefits."
Freen scoffed, shaking her head.
"Aren’t you the same person who always restricted me because of our royal status? Freen, don’t wear this. Don’t wear that. Don’t go here. Don’t do that. Don’t party late at night!"
She took another sip, her voice dropping.
"That’s why I hid my identity. So people wouldn’t have anything to say about what I do."
Grandma nodded thoughtfully.
"I guess life has ways of teaching you lessons. And I’ve learned mine," she admitted. "So, hear me loud and clear. If you ever fall in love, don’t think about restrictions. Don’t think about class, community, or these royal standards."
Then, in a much softer voice, she added,
"Or gender."
Freen choked on her coffee.
"Grandma!" she warned.
Grandma just smiled.
"And just so you know, you already have my blessing. I already like that cute little girl—what’s her name? Rebecca?"
Freen froze, staring at her grandmother as if sending a silent warning.
"Oh, honey," Grandma chuckled, taking another sip of her coffee. "I know you better than you know yourself. You think I wouldn’t notice how certain judges on the panel suddenly disappeared from campus activities to the point their careers are on verge of failure? Or how you’ve been staying in your dorm even though you could come home?"
Freen felt exposed.
"No, no, no. You do whatever you want with your life, Grandma. But don’t go scripting mine like some cheesy romance movie. Yuck." She made a disgusted face.
"Oh, sweetheart, what if I am the mastermind?" Grandma teased proudly.
Freen stood up and walked off.
"Don’t be too full of yourself," she muttered.
But just as she was about to step toward the dining room, realization struck.
She turned back, eyes narrowing.
"Don’t tell me… sharing my room was your idea. That was part of your scripted plan too, wasn’t it?!"
Grandma gasped. "Oh, I would never!" she said dramatically. Then, with a cheeky smile, she added, "But when I heard about it… I may have just given it a little push."
Before Freen could react, Grandma bolted toward the garden.
"I’ll be right back! Sit tight, my love!"
Freen just stood there, shaking her head.
"Unbelievable."
As Grandma’s words settled in Freen’s mind, she found herself revisiting everything she had just heard. The way Grandma described love—craving someone’s presence, feeling at peace just by being near them—struck a chord deep within her. It reminded her of someone. Someone whose presence alone was enough. Someone who made her feel light.
But before those thoughts could take root, she shook them off immediately, forcing them out of her mind.
Meanwhile, Irin and Becky were practicing tirelessly for the upcoming audition on Monday. Their hard work and dedication were evident, but more than that, their growing bond was unmistakable. It was as if two long-lost sisters had finally found each other, strengthening their connection with every moment spent together.