"So you are Princess Aphatsara."

Jindarat's wound had now healed after days of recuperation, but her heart was still filled with confusion upon learning of Aphatsara's identity. Their love had just blossomed, and now they had to part ways as Aphatsara had to return to her true identity, to the place where she belonged.

Before Aphatsara appeared in her life, Jindarat never thought that one day someone's existence would be so important to her. Without Aphatsara, Jindarat was like the night sky without the moonlight shining on it, the longing always filled her soul whenever she thought about the days Aphatsara was with her. The scent of jasmine was still somewhere, but her lover's figure was no longer visible, leaving her to carry her burdens. Perhaps in this life, even if the sky and earth collapsed, Jindarat could never let anyone replace Aphatsara, even after their separation.

Aphatsara now returned to her true life as HRH Princess of Devanthira. However, a feeling of emptiness still enveloped her, as if some memories had been temporarily buried in forgetfulness. In her dreams every night, Aphatsara still saw the figure of a girl whose face she could not see clearly, but she still felt a strange emotion towards that figure, as if it had been deeply kept in her heart.

"Your Royal Highness, Princess Piangnapha has brought a dessert for you."

The servant's call pulled Aphatsara out of her thoughts. The dessert that Piangnapha had prepared was also served at this time, a simple sweet sticky rice dish on a silver plate, sprinkled with crispy roasted mung beans. The scent of jasmine wafted through the white glutinous rice grains, as if awakening a sleeping memory when Aphatsara tasted it.

______

"Princess Katherine will be arriving in Ayodharapura in a few days, Your Highness."

Athitaya had just received information from her subordinates about Katherine's upcoming presence in Devanthira after the war in Helverra ended, which meant that the marriage between the two kingdoms would take place in the coming days. If Athitaya did not know about the matter between Jindarat and Aphatsara, she would probably feel less guilty about having to separate them. Even though Aphatsara now did not remember what happened in Prachan, that love was still cherished in her heart.

"Tell Niwat to invite Countess Jindarat to Ayodharapura, because her presence is extremely important." After thinking it over, Athitaya finally made a decision on this matter. Only when the three of them, Aphatsara, Jindarat, and Katherine, faced each other could they hope to find a complete solution.

After many days and nights of longing, Jindarat was invited by Niwat to Ayodharapura to have the opportunity to meet Aphatsara, although she had just recovered, she did not care and immediately agreed to go Devanthira with the desire to meet her lover. Katherine, according to the agreement, also went to the capital of Devanthira during this time, but not for the purpose of proposing to Aphatsara.

The reception was held in a grand manner at Devanthira's palace, welcoming distinguished guests from the neighboring country. Katherine sat on the same level as Athitaya, while Aphatsara sat right next to her sister. But instead of looking at her fiancée who was the Crown Princess, Aphatsara looked at Countess Jindarat, who sat on the same side, as both were members of the Avaloria royal family. Buried memories were gradually reawakened, causing Aphatsara to shed tears as the one she loved was now right before her eyes.

"Tomorrow night Her Royal Highness is holding a ball. I hope you can come, My Lady."

Niwat received the order, on behalf of Aphatsara, to deliver the message to Jindarat when the reception ended, when she was still unable to meet Jindarat directly. Receiving this invitation made Jindarat's heart suddenly confused, hesitant even though she knew this was her only chance to be close to the one she loved, given their different status. Aphatsara was a princess of the royal family's main line, while Jindarat was born as a relative of the royal family, they were truly worlds apart. And more than that, Aphatsara was Katherine's fiancée, making Jindarat even more afraid to think about her.

______

"Your Royal Highness, this may be a bit sudden but... I wish to break off my engagement with Avaloria."

After the reception ended, Aphatsara had the chance to be alone with Katherine—her only opportunity to to request the annulment of the engagement with Katherine. Regarding this, Aphatsara could completely imagine Katherine's attitude, as well as realize the seriousness when this marriage would be a solid bridge for the relationship between the two kingdoms. But even so, Aphatsara did not want to force herself, bind herself to a marriage when neither had feelings for the other. Even if Katherine were angry that she dared to treat the Crown Princess of a kingdom as a joke, Aphatsara was prepared to face it.

"I want to know why Your Royal Highness doesn't want to marry me." But compared to what Aphatsara imagined, Katherine's expression was much gentler, which made her a bit surprised. Not showing any anger or similar emotions, Katherine remained calm in response to Aphatsara's request and asked her clearly for her reasons.

"Your Royal Highness and I don't love each other, but that wouldn't be a problem if I hadn't fallen in love with someone else. I don't want to betray the person I love, especially when I don't just owe that person a debt of love."

Aphatsara said these words, her heart was filled with emotion. Even though she had just begun to dream of love with Jindarat, she already knew that no one else could ever enter her heart. With Jindarat, Aphatsara not only gave all her love, but also her own life was saved by Jindarat. Even if she had to sacrifice herself, Aphatsara did not want to be paired with anyone other than Jindarat. And if this marriage was the responsibility of a Princess, Aphatsara could give up her title.

"The one you love is Countess Jindarat, right?"

"Only Countess Jindarat can make me lose everything for loving her."

Saying this, Aphatsara also thought about her previous self with her sister's marriage. Before, when Athitaya married Piangnapha, their marriage was a royal duty and Athitaya's heart was not with her spouse. And now when thinking about herself because of the duty of marrying someone she did not have feelings for, and that person probably did not love her either, Aphatsara did not think that she could continue to live in such a marriage for so many months like the way Athitaya and Piangnapha still do.

"If that's the case, then you don't need to lose anything since I didn't come to propose to you. I came here to break off our engagement." Katherine's words shocked Aphatsara. Before that surprise, Katherine, although not speaking, gave an affirmative look in her eyes as she looked straight at her.

______

That night, the ball took place, and Jindarat still decided to attend as this might be the last time they saw each other before Jindarat buried her newly blossoming love. The ball was held with the presence of many nobles and royals of Devanthira in attendance. Everyone was dressed splendidly with elaborately decorated masks, at Princess Aphatsara's request.

In the melodious music of the royal musicians, instead of the traditional music of Devanthira, the orchestra played the melodies of Western music. Jindarat was no stranger to these songs and this kind of night ball. And then at this moment, the figure of a girl approached, although her face was hidden by a mask, the scent of jasmine was unmistakable.

"Countess, would you dance with me?"

Although hesitating at first, Jindarat did not refuse as she took the girl's hands. Following the music, the two of them moved in harmony. As the music gradually came to an end, the dance steps slowed down until they stopped completely. Without a word, Aphatsara lifted Jindarat's mask, forcing the two of them to face each other at this moment.

But as soon as she had to face Aphatsara, Jindarat, instead of continuing to stay, chose to leave. And of course Aphatsara would not let go of the opportunity to explain to the person she loved like that. Regardless of the surrounding gazes, she immediately chased Jindarat out to the palace corridor.

"Jindarat, Doctor Jade, don't you remember Mali?" Hearing Aphatsara's voice, hearing the name she used to call her, Jindarat paused. But the sadness was still there, Jindarat didn't dare to turn back to look at her lover even though feelings can't be easily forgotten.

"Mali is someone I thought was a commoner, but you are the HRH Princess of Devanthira." Saying this, Jindarat also felt bitterness on her lips, although no tears fell from her eyes, deep in her heart they flowed.

"What's the difference between Mali and Aphatsara? It is still this appearance, this body, and the same unique soul, dedicating all its love to Jindarat Wongsathorn only."

"But you are the fiancee of Crown Princess Katherine, Her Royal Highness is my cousin. How can I steal my cousin's bride-to-be? You are a Princess, you are more suited to a spouse of Crown Princess status than to someone of a lesser branch like me."

"Before, because I thought I was just a commoner, I thought I was not worthy of a Princess like you. It was you, the one who said that love is not about being worthy or not worthy, what's important is that you love me and I love you too. Why today, when you know I'm Princess Aphatsara, then you say that you're not worthy of me when we still love each other so much?"