Chapter 10: Breaking the Vow (NC-17)

“Jealousy? What jealousy?”

Phiengwad replied with a sweet smile, quickly steering the conversation toward Sir Ramdecha. “If you think I’m jealous of Sir Ramdecha, then you’re mistaken. I feel absolutely nothing for him.”

Phiengwad spoke with complete honesty. She wasn’t jealous of Sir Ramdecha; her feelings of jealousy were directed at La-Orchan, La-Orduen’s twin sister.

“If that’s the case, then I’m relieved,” La-Orduen said cautiously, though her words were carefully chosen to sow discord between Phiengwad and La-Orchan. “Because Sir Ramdecha has feelings for La-Orchan. I was worried that if you had feelings for him as well, you might end up heartbroken.”

Phiengwad fell silent for a moment before responding in a calm voice, her words carrying a deeper meaning.

“I think the one who’ll end up heartbroken won’t be me.”

La-Orduen furrowed her brow slightly.

“It’s Sir Ramdecha who will be left despondent because La-Orchan doesn’t seem to have any feelings for a man like him. She’d likely choose someone far better,”

Phiengwad said enigmatically before rising to her feet. She excused herself and walked away, leaving La-Orduen standing still, her brow knitted in frustration at her inability to make Phiengwad abandon her feelings for La-Orchan.

…

In the stillness of the night,

the only light came from the moon shining through the window. La-Orchan had just finished her bath, her skin glistening with beads of water. Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind, covering her mouth. Startled, La-Orchan froze, and then a voice whispered softly.

“Don’t scream, La-Orchan.”

The hand gradually released her. La-Orchan spun around instantly, her wide, startled eyes meeting someone she never expected to see in her room—Phiengwad.

“P'Phiengwad!” she gasped, her voice low but filled with surprise. “How did you get into my room?”

La-Orchan stared at her from head to toe, disbelief evident in her expression. Her voice trembled with curiosity as she continued.

“And why are you dressed like a man, P'Phiengwad?” she asked, unable to hide her astonishment. Her gaze fixed on Phiengwad, who was dressed in an unfamiliar attire: a short-sleeved round-neck shirt and dark-colored traditional trousers. Her long, flowing black hair was tied and hidden carefully, as if to conceal her true identity.

Phiengwad chuckled lightly, a mischievous smile gracing her lips.

“If I weren’t dressed like this, anyone who saw me would immediately recognize that Lady Phiengwad, daughter of Lord Krai, had climbed into the room of Lady La-Orchan, daughter of Lord Noradit, in the dead of night,” she replied teasingly.

La-Orchan was left speechless...

…

The flickering candlelight cast shadows of two women in the room. Phiengwad sat at the edge of the bed, dressed in the disguise of a nobleman from the capital. Though her attire was unfamiliar, it couldn’t conceal her natural elegance. La-Orchan stood a short distance away, arms crossed, her flawless face set in a stern expression, betraying her clear displeasure.

Phiengwad lowered her gaze, unable to meet the reproachful look in La-Orchan’s eyes. Guilt swelled within her, yet she remained silent, unsure of how to explain herself.

La-Orchan let out a soft sigh, the sound heavy with the frustration she had been trying to suppress.

“What business does P'Phiengwad have to sneak into my room like this?” she asked evenly, her tone calm but firm.

Phiengwad lifted her head to meet La-Orchan’s gaze, her eyes filled with pleading, as though silently asking for forgiveness.

“Why is La-Orchan scolding me so harshly?” she replied, her voice gentle and coaxing.

Phiengwad’s sweet, imploring eyes caused a flicker of softness in La-Orchan’s heart. Though her feelings wavered, her expression remained composed, giving nothing away. Regardless of Phiengwad’s charm, La-Orchan could not condone such reckless behavior.

“What P'Phiengwad has done is highly inappropriate. Sneaking out of your residence in the dead of night, even dressed as a man, is dangerous. What if you had encountered trouble or bandits? What would you have done then?” La-Orchan’s tone was tinged with concern.

Phiengwad stepped closer, her eyes filled with a mixture of hurt and hope. La-Orchan instinctively stepped back, but the room was too small to offer her an escape.

“Why have you been avoiding me?” Phiengwad asked softly, her voice tinged with sadness.

“I haven’t been avoiding you, P'Phiengwad,” La-Orchan replied softly.

“That’s not true. Ever since that day, you’ve been avoiding me,”

Phiengwad said, her voice laced with hurt. She tried to meet La-Orchan’s beautiful eyes, hoping to glimpse the feelings hidden within, but La-Orchan avoided her gaze. Determined, Phiengwad reached out and gently took hold of La-Orchan’s delicate hand, hoping to coax her into opening up. Yet, La-Orchan quickly pulled her hand away.

Phiengwad’s heart shattered at the rejection, and she couldn’t help but voice her anguish.

“La-Orchan... what do you truly feel about me? If you’ve never cared, why did you kiss me back that day?”

Her voice trembled with emotion.

La-Orchan froze, unable to answer. The vow she had made still bound her heart and emotions, silencing her. An oppressive silence fell over the room as both women stood motionless, enveloped by the weight of unspoken words.

Phiengwad gazed deeply into La-Orchan’s eyes, the bitterness of rejection slowly consuming her.

“Or is it because you have feelings for Sir Ramdecha?”

“It’s not true! It’s impossible! I see Sir Ramdecha as nothing more than an older brother,” La-Orchan quickly denied, guilt washing over her for letting Phiengwad misunderstand.

Her response lifted the somber veil that had shrouded Phiengwad’s face, replaced by a smile she could barely contain. Though she tried to feign disappointment, her heart swelled with joy at La-Orchan’s words.

“But I saw you with Sir Ramdecha today,” Phiengwad teased in a sweet tone, pretending to be puzzled.

“It was merely a chance encounter. I wasn’t walking with him for leisure, I assure you,” La-Orchan explained softly yet firmly, her tone sincere as she sought to clarify.

This time, Phiengwad couldn’t suppress her delight any longer. Her eyes sparkled, and a wide smile spread across her lips. Her joy overflowed, impossible to conceal. Gently, she reached out to touch La-Orchan’s face, her hand trembling slightly as she finally voiced the feelings she had held back for so long.

“From the day we first met, my heart has been yours. I think only of you, long to see your smile, hear your voice, and be near you always. I have always known this feeling to be love. La-Orchan, you are my first love.”

Phiengwad’s voice was soft and warm, and her touch tender as she caressed La-Orchan’s face. Her gaze was filled with genuine hope and heartfelt longing. La-Orchan stared at her in stunned silence, her heart racing as warmth filled her chest.

“I fell in love with your smile and those beautiful eyes from the moment we met in the temple that day,” Phiengwad confessed.

Her words left La-Orchan momentarily entranced. Joy crept into her heart for a brief moment, but it was quickly overshadowed by the image of La-Orduen flashing in her mind, a stark reminder of the impossibility of their love. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“Our love can never be, P'Phiengwad,” La-Orchan said, her voice trembling.

Phiengwad fell silent for a moment before asking softly,

“Do you think our love is impossible simply because we are both women?”

Her question was accompanied by a firm grip on La-Orchan’s slender arm. La-Orchan tried to pull away, but Phiengwad drew her closer, wrapping her arms tightly around her from behind. Resting her face against La-Orchan’s soft, fragrant hair, Phiengwad held on as if refusing to let her go again. The more La-Orchan struggled to escape, the tighter Phiengwad’s embrace became.

“P'Phiengwad, please don’t do this,” La-Orchan pleaded gently.

“Then tell me what I should do,” Phiengwad replied, her voice tinged with desperation. “If I don’t hold you like this, you’ll just run away from me again.”

Her tone softened, turning teasing but earnest. “Or should I kiss you once more? Would that make you confess your true feelings for me, La-Orchan?”

“P'Phiengwad...” La-Orchan said softly, her voice carrying a mix of exasperation and surrender. Though she cast a stern glance at the woman behind her, her resolve wavered, leaving her powerless to resist.

Phiengwad rested her face against the curve of La-Orchan’s delicate neck. The sweet scent of her skin made Phiengwad’s breath hitch. She traced gentle kisses from the graceful slope of her neck to the pale expanse of her back, then cupped La-Orchan’s face tenderly, turning her to meet her gaze. Phiengwad’s sharp eyes held an unspoken adoration as she leaned in, pressing her lips softly against La-Orchan’s.

La-Orchan was entranced by the intimacy of the moment. Her slender frame remained still, offering no resistance. Yet, within her heart, a tempest raged—a fierce battle between an unyielding desire she could not deny and the sacred vow that continued to weigh heavily on her soul.

However, as Phiengwad’s fiery lips met hers once more, the yearning in her heart only grew stronger. The vow La-Orchan had made before the sacred statue seemed to blur into insignificance in that fleeting moment.

Her delicate lips parted unconsciously, welcoming the tender kiss. Their warm breaths intertwined, filling the space between them with a shared longing that had been buried for so long. Phiengwad slowly unraveled her long, dark hair, allowing the silken strands to cascade around her face, as if inviting La-Orchan to touch.

La-Orchan lifted her gaze to meet Phiengwad’s strikingly beautiful eyes. Her voice, soft as a whisper caught in a dream, escaped her lips.

“P'Phiengwad, you are so beautiful...”

Her sweet voice barely audible, her slender hand reached out to gently touch the smooth, flowing hair. Her fingers brushed away the strands framing Phiengwad’s face, tucking them delicately behind her ear, revealing the graceful curve of her neck that captivated her.

“No matter how beautiful I may be, my La-Orchan... you are far more breathtaking,” Phiengwad murmured, her voice dripping with honeyed words.

Like a poet skilled in weaving verses of affection, she spoke with a soft smile that melted into her expression. Her eyes glistened with the light of someone utterly consumed by love. Gently, she guided La-Orchan to lie down, her slender hands caressing the smooth, porcelain skin with a featherlight touch. With deliberate care, Phiengwad began to remove each layer of clothing, revealing the stunning form hidden beneath. Her heated lips trailed tenderly across every inch of La-Orchan’s flawless skin, savoring every moment of intimacy.

"I love you above all else, La-Orchan,"

Phiengwad whispered softly, her lips brushing against her lover's ear. Her voice, husky with desire, sent a tremor through the air. Warm breaths caressed La-Orchan's smooth cheek as Phiengwad's lips trailed down her slender neck.

La-Orchan let out a low moan, her body arching instinctively under the touch. Her fingers dug into Phiengwad's silky back, nails pressing slightly as her beautiful eyes fluttered shut, surrendering to the sensations.

The candlelight dimmed slowly, casting flickering shadows around the room, as the melody of their love deepened. Phiengwad’s lips traveled lower, grazing the delicate skin of La-Orchan’s chest. Her touch was gentle yet brimming with unrestrained passion.

Her warm tongue began to explore every curve of La-Orchan’s soft flesh, igniting a fire that spread through both of their bodies. La-Orchan’s breath hitched, a soft moan escaping her lips as she murmured,

"Ah... P’Phiengwad..." Her eyes squeezed shut, and her body writhed, responding instinctively to the escalating intimacy.

Phiengwad gazed at her lover's flushed face, her expression soft yet filled with longing. She leaned down once more, letting her tongue glide across La-Orchan's smooth, tender stomach. The warmth of her touch sent tremors rippling through La-Orchan's body.

“Mm…” A low moan escaped La-Orchan’s lips as her hips instinctively lifted, responding to the gentle yet electrifying sensations coursing through her.

La-Orchan felt an overwhelming surge of desire with every touch from Phiengwad. Her body moved in rhythm with the teasing pace her lover set, writhing and trembling as Phiengwad ventured lower. When Phiengwad’s warm tongue began exploring the moist, sensitive spot below, La-Orchan's breath hitched sharply.

The yearning in her heart overflowed with each fiery touch.

“Ah... P’Phiengwad… I can’t take it anymore…” La-Orchan’s voice came out in a hushed, trembling whisper, tinged with urgency. It was as if every kiss, every stroke of Phiengwad’s heated lips and gentle tongue, fanned the flames of her desire to an intensity she could no longer resist.

Phiengwad’s slender fingers began to explore the delicate, damp warmth of La-Orchan’s most sensitive spot with meticulous care. The heat between them grew steadily as her fingertips brushed against the hidden, tender area. The mixture of moisture and warmth drew a cascade of soft moans from La-Orchan, even as she tried in vain to suppress them.

“If it hurts, La-Orchan, tell me, okay?” Phiengwad murmured softly, her voice low and soothing. Her fingers moved in and out with a slow, deliberate rhythm, gradually picking up pace as La-Orchan’s body responded to the intimate touch.

Sweet moans spilled repeatedly from La-Orchan’s lips as her body writhed, overwhelmed by the growing intensity. "P'Phiengwad... ah... I can’t take it anymore... I feel so... sensitive... I can’t hold on..." Her voice trembled, laced with both pleasure and desperation.

Phiengwad’s touch sent waves of growing desire surging through La-Orchan’s body, building to a point where she could no longer hold back. Her body shuddered slightly as her eyes squeezed shut. Without realizing it, her hands reached up and dug into Phiengwad’s back, her nails leaving faint marks in their wake.

The sharpness of the gesture drew a soft moan from Phiengwad.

“La-Orchan...” Phiengwad murmured her lover’s name, her voice husky with passion, as she felt the heat behind La-Orchan’s unconscious grip.

Slowly, La-Orchan released her hold, gazing up at Phiengwad with tear-filled eyes glistening with sweetness. Her lips trembled slightly as she caught her breath. “I’m sorry... I couldn’t control myself...”

Phiengwad smiled warmly, leaning down to press a tender kiss to her lover’s forehead. “It’s alright. I like it... because it shows me just how happy you are.”

La-Orchan lay still beneath Phiengwad, her body relaxed, as a contented smile graced both their faces, a shared satisfaction glowing between them.

After their breaths steadied, returning to a calm rhythm, the fire of desire still lingered in Phiengwad’s eyes, glowing softly yet unmistakably. Leaning down, she whispered near La-Orchan’s ear, her voice low but carrying unmistakable intent.

“Will you do this for me, La-Orchan?”

La-Orchan’s eyes widened slightly, her cheeks still flushed from the euphoria moments ago. The way Phiengwad looked at her reignited the desire simmering within, even as her body remained weak. Her heart, however, raced with a thrill that she couldn’t ignore.

“P'Phiengwad... I’ve never…” La-Orchan murmured, her voice barely audible.

Phiengwad gave her a soft smile, raising a gentle hand to caress La-Orchan’s cheek. “Don’t worry. I’ll guide you… Just follow your instincts.”

Though hesitant at first, La-Orchan finally lifted her hand, letting her slender fingers trail across Phiengwad’s body. Her lips pressed together nervously as her hand ventured further, eventually finding its way to the hidden warmth of her lover. The first tentative touch made Phiengwad flinch lightly, spurring La-Orchan to continue.

Phiengwad watched her intently, her gaze filled with both love and yearning. She placed her hand gently over La-Orchan’s, guiding her movements with tender encouragement. “Take it slow… Just like that,” she whispered.

Soft moans began to escape Phiengwad’s lips as La-Orchan’s fingers explored her, discovering new depths with each motion. The unfamiliar yet intoxicating sensations made Phiengwad’s body arch instinctively in response. Reaching out, she cupped La-Orchan’s face tenderly before leaning down to press a soft kiss on her forehead.

“You’re doing so well... You’re amazing, La-Orchan,” Phiengwad whispered, her voice full of affection.

La-Orchan followed Phiengwad's lead, matching her movements as the rhythm intensified. Phiengwad’s euphoria surged higher and higher until, at last, her body trembled violently. A loud moan filled the room, signaling her release. She shut her eyes tightly, her hands still holding La-Orchan's firmly against her body.

With a satisfied smile, Phiengwad pulled La-Orchan into a tight embrace. “Tonight, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been,” she murmured.

La-Orchan rested her head on Phiengwad’s shoulder, her breath soft and uneven, before whispering back, “I’m happy too… Tonight will be a night I’ll never forget.”

Phiengwad pressed a gentle kiss to La-Orchan’s forehead, pulling the blanket over their entwined bodies. The warmth of the shared embrace and the love that filled the room brought a fleeting calm. Yet, in Phiengwad’s eyes, the spark of desire remained, undimmed by time or fulfillment.

This was the first time La-Orchan had broken her vow—her sacred promise to La-Orduen, her twin sister, and to the deity she had once sworn to in the temple. And she had done so, unable to resist the pull of her heart.

…