After bathing, General Min decided the company would spend the night by the pool as they had made good progress that day.
This location was deemed suitable as thick foliage surrounded the area, creating a concealed perimeter that shielded it from prying eyes.
A rise in the land by the waterfall formed a natural lookout point, providing clear sight-lines to the surrounding terrain.
The sound of cascading water masked their noises, offering an added layer of cover.
And a line of fan palms near by provided suitable shade.
The men set up camp as efficiently as before. Cetan and Htoo started a discreet smokeless fire, while Denpa and two men, went to the water's edge to see if they could catch any fish.
"Ya didn't join us, where ya go?" Soe said, pulling on his shirt.
"I was taking the first watch," Bayin answered, feeling a little flustered when her eyes rested on the General who was still bare chested.
"How come ya look so clean and neat?" Soe asked, working the shirt fastenings with his fingers.
"Spirit of Cloth," Bayin simply replied.
Kyaw chuckled and said, "You should keep the power of Spirit of Cloth a secret. Now Soe's gonna be praying to make himself look good all the time."
"You're right, old man. I'll do that right now," Soe confessed, with a cheeky grin. "But there ain't girls here to impress."
Kyaw glanced at Bayin and shrugged.
"Look good for yourself," Bayin spoke up. "Surely the adage, a glowing lantern doesn't need to seek the moths, is true." She'd heard this saying from Ungyi.
"Bayin's right," Kyaw agreed. "Inner beauty's what matters most."
"Well then, I've been glowing all this time. Come to me, moths," Soe jested, his arms outstretched.
Kyaw flicked various leave litter picked from the ground at his friend.
Soe retaliated by flinging sticks back, then running behind Bayin to hide.
"What are you two like!"
Bayin sighed, crossing her arms. She gave them one of her stern looks then her eyes flicked to General Min once more.
This time he was fully clothed. He was chatting to Htoo and Cetan but his attention was on her as if he was evidently drawn to her glowing lantern.
Why were they pretending not to know each other when it was so obvious they did? Who was playing whom? And who would own up first?
Shortly after the campfire was burning hot, there was a burst of excitement as Denpa and the two men caught three large river fish.
Their comrades praised them, clapping their backs and reminiscing about eating fish soup, like the ones found at the capital's food stalls.
Denpa went through their supplies and called out, "We've got most of the ingredients to make it. But we only have rice. No noodles."
"Hell, I don't care what we eat it with," Cetan said, arms folded. "I just want a taste of home so don't go ruining it by adding bitter gourd."
He stood in front of the fire, keeping a close eye on it, until the heat was sufficient for cooking.
"Why not? We can have fish soup with rice. And noted, no bitter gourd," Denpa remarked, with a shrug.
He took out a sturdy cooking pot and rummaged through a bag to find a stirring bamboo stick.
Hearing this, Bayin realised they were talking about the dish that Maiah had taught her to cook.
It was the only thing she knew how to make, so when she spotted wild garlic and lemongrass growing among the grasslands, she decided to offer her services.
She asked Soe if he knew what these herbs looked like, when he nodded, she sent him off to gather some.
Denpa was uncertain whether Bayin was being serious.
Nevertheless, he graciously stepped aside and said, "Our camp kitchen is all yours."
He proceeded to gather the ingredients, arranging them neatly for Bayin.
When Bayin started peeling the onions, General Min was curious to see her by the cooking area and approached her.
"Are you cooking by any chance?" he enquired.
"I am," Bayin said, picking up the knife and started chopping the onions, her movements smooth and precise.
She tilted her head slightly, her lashes fluttering as her gaze locked onto his, while her hands continued to work, so familiar with the movements that she no longer needed to see it.
Then with a demure smile, she asked, "Would you like to have me? Make dinner?"
She deliberately broke up her sentence, which made him raise an eyebrow.
It was her attempt to unsettle him, a small repayment for baring his chest earlier and leaving her flustered.
The glint in her eyes gave her away. He recognised that look.
"I know how to make fish soup very well," she continued, "just like the one from the northern district of the capital. I'm very fond of it."
A hint at their night out together.
"Absolutely, I'd very much like to have you. Make fish soup," General Min countered nonchalantly, using her style of breaking up sentences. "This dish brings back rather fond memories for me as well. I must admit, I wasn't aware you have a talent for cooking."
"It's not a talent," Bayin responded with a radiant smile. "But a result of months of practice. I learnt how to cook this dish because the memories attached to it are somewhat special. It would be my pleasure to cook for you."
"Perhaps you would allow me to assist in some way," General Min offered, rolling up his shirt sleeves.
Htoo and Denpa hearing this stared at each other in astonishment.
General Min moved closer and continued in a serious tone, "If there's anything I can do for you, anything at all, you need only say the word. I'm at your service entirely."
At this, Htoo shook his head silently and grumbled to Denpa, "I'll go scout for… something."
When Bayin hesitated, considering how to handle the situation, General Min met her eyes.
"Truly, I will do anything for you," he insisted.
"Would you prepare the fish?" Bayin asked, delegating her least favourite task.
She'd completed chopping the onions and handed him the knife. General Min having never handled raw fish in his life, seized the challenge.
He took one and was about to hack away haphazardly.
"General, perhaps best to de-scale the fish first," Denpa suggested, holding back a grimace.
"I see," General Min acknowledged.
He held the knife, more like a sword than a tool, and attempted long, sweeping strokes over the fish.
While a few scales fell away, so did uneven strips of skin, his efforts leaving the fish more mangled than descaled.
Bayin's eyes widened as it dawned on her that he had absolutely no idea what he was doing.
Of course, he's the Crown Prince, she thought. I doubt he's ever even set foot in a kitchen before.
Nevertheless the sight was oddly endearing.
She couldn't help but admire his willingness to help with something as decidedly low brow as this.
Denpa on the other hand couldn't watch anymore. He feared that, at this rate, nothing edible would remain of the precious catch.
All the while Kyaw had been sitting nearby, silently observing the scene until he could hold his tongue no longer.
He approached the general and said, "Sir, lemme help you with that. I'm familiar with preparing fish."
"Much appreciated," General Min said and went to wash his hands by the water's edge.
When he returned to the cooking area, he asked Bayin, "What would you have me do now?"
"Whatever you wish."
Bayin gave her best innocent smile, repressing her delight.
"As I've said, I'm in your service. I'll do whatever you ask of me," General Min offered again.
He maintained a stern composure, his brow furrowed just enough to appear serious, but the glint in his eye spoke volumes of his real intent.
"Would you stir the onions then? It must cook until it caramelises which takes a little time. But it's worth the trouble. It requires a close eye to avoid burning it."
Bayin thought it best to give him precise directions. It was the way Maiah had patiently guided her.
General Min nodded and took the bamboo stick and stirred as instructed.
"I must admit, I'm rather fond of onions when they're sweet and caramelised," he commented, carefully turning the onions in the oil.
"That sweetness adds another layer of flavour to the soup," Bayin said, trying to keep the conversation flowing.
She watched him, a playful smile curling on her lips.
"You're surprisingly good at this. Maybe the kitchen's where you really win hearts," she added.
"Well, I do try to be accommodating, especially when the company makes it so easy."
"I didn't realise charm school was part of the General's training."
"Naturally charm school is essential before the battlefield. Victory often hinges on a well-timed smile as much as a well-placed strike."
"It seems you may be winning."
The general's face lit up with a wide, charming smile, and it was impossible not to mirror it.
As they held each other's gaze, the onions sizzled softly, turning a rich golden brown, their sweet, caramelised aroma filling the air between them.
At that moment, Kyaw approached with caution, feeling like a third wheel.
Clearing his throat, he announced, "Um… Bayin. Here's the fish."
He'd filleted the fish beautifully, having removed the skin as well.
"Perfect, much appreciated."
Bayin took the plate, though her eyes lingered on General Min.
Kyaw sensing his intrusion, scurried off.
They were left by themselves as the other men filtered away, sensing a weird atmosphere they couldn't fathom.
Soe returned with a handful of wild garlic and three lemongrass stalks which he presented to Bayin.
"Much appreciated," Bayin acknowledged, taking the herbs from Soe.
He sat by the camp fire feeling pleased with his contribution, only to notice Kyaw waving to him.
He got up and left.
Bayin bashed the lemongrass stalks with the flat side of the knife, releasing its refreshing zesty notes. She threw them into the onion paste.
One by one she added all the other ingredients, while the General patiently stirred the mixture.
"Now you can pour this in," Bayin instructed, and the General emptied the container of water, left for them by Denpa, into the pot.
They let the soup simmer for a while, the rich and comforting aroma wafting into the air.
"There's a saying, satisfy a man's stomach to secure his heart," General Min began, observing Bayin closely. "Which is very true. At least for me."
Bayin met his eyes, wondering what he was implying.
After a brief pause, she remarked, "That's interesting to know. I imagine it's true for some ladies too, especially those who appreciate good food."
"Good food and good company, it's a winning combination. Though, I must say, the company can be rather distracting from the meal."
The General's pale eyes caught the light of the campfire, gleaming like the finest jade, vibrant and luminous.
Bayin flicked a sidelong glance and said, "Well, some distractions are harder to ignore than others, even in the kitchen."
"It would seem so," General Min said, unable to repress his grin. "Tell me, what would you say is the way to a woman's affection?" He quickly added, "I ask purely for academic purposes, of course entirely theoretical."
"I'm no expert, but it's true what they say; the surest way to win a woman's affection is to truly listen. To make her feel seen, heard, and wholly understood."
"That's also true to a man's heart, I'd say. In the end, isn't that what we're all after? Someone who understands and accepts who we really are."
Bayin wasn't prepared for the way his attention suddenly zeroed in on her.
She noticed his gaze flickering between her lips and her eyes, drawing her to lean in closer.
The sparks between them were so intense, the threat of a wildfire was imminent.
The unspoken tension hung in the air, until Bayin regained her senses and refocused on the cooking.
Surely, their open display of mutual attraction wouldn't go unnoticed.
Worried how others might perceive it, her face which had been open and playful, became clouded with a reserved expression.
Once the flaked fish had fully broken apart, creating a thick broth, it was ready to serve.
Bayin tasted the soup and adjusted the seasoning, then praised the General.
"You're a quick learner. It tastes fantastic."
"Well, that's only because you were guiding me. Don't you think we make a perfect pair?"
"…"
Bayin hesitated, not sure what to say.
Before she could gather her words, General Min said, "Shall we serve supper?"
They worked side by side, their conversation flowing naturally while they filled bowls with rice and the broth until every person had been served.
The men couldn't help but express their genuine amazement at how delicious the soup tasted.
"Well cooked, Bayin and General," Cetan shouted from opposite the campfire. "Who would've thought it? General, you're quite a dab hand in the kitchen. You're after my heart, it seems."
"Absolutely," General Min replied with a grin. "I'll slip in some bitter gourd next time just for you."
"Oh general, you wound me with that thought."
Cetan pressed a hand to his chest in exaggerated injury, earning a round of laughter from the men.
"Really, I'm grateful to the two of you," Cetan continued more sincerely. "A break from the endless bitter gourd is a blessing, and you've brought us the taste of home."
Several others echoed the sentiment, grateful for the comforting, robust flavour of the dish, especially since most of the men in this group were from the capital.
A gentle hush settled over them as they tucked into their supper, broken only by the occasional murmur of appreciation.
The campfire mellowed as the embers burned low, casting a soft glow across their faces.
"Ah… that was good," Kyaw spoke up after finishing his meal. "It reminds me of a soup my mother cooks. Her version is a lot more sour. She adds tamarind to it. But this is good stuff."
Denpa who was seated next to him smiled and remarked, "I'm surprised how well it's turned out. I thought we'd be eating nothing but burnt soup."
"The General's never cooked in his life before, has he?" Kyaw asked in a hushed tone.
"That's right and I didn't think Bayin has either but it seems she… he knows what he's doing."
As the men chatted around them, General Min, seated beside Bayin, turned his attention to her.
"Cooking from the heart carries the taste of love," he said. "Wouldn't you agree?"
Bayin smiled, knowing the soup, despite its missing ingredients and the rustic setting, was somehow the most delicious she'd ever made.
Perhaps it was because she'd poured something far deeper into it, something she did not dare admit to herself.
And now, gazing into the general's pale eyes, she felt conflicted playing the part of Bayin and longed to tell him who she truly was.
But the words dissolved as he spoke again.
"You have captured the hearts of these men, including my own. And I must say, I'm genuinely impressed. It tasted better than anything I've had in the capital! You are truly remarkable. Cook. Bayin."
The soft glow of firelight caught the faint colour rising in her cheeks.
Hearing General Min use one of her broken-up-sentence tricks, Bayin responded, "It wouldn't have been possible without you. We do make a perfect pair."
At that, the general smiled, but his attention was quickly drawn by a signal from Htoo.
To Bayin, it looked as though one of the scouts had returned and was already speaking with Cetan.
She strained to catch a fragment of their conversation, curious about the sudden shift in mood.
Before she could make out a word, General Min rose to his feet and excused himself.
He crossed the fire lit space to join them, and the three men moved away from the group, well out of Bayin's earshot.
With satisfied stomachs, the men who weren't patrolling the camp's perimeter rested near the fire.
Seated cross-legged, they recounted fond memories of childhood games.
"Do you know how to play stick 'n' stones?" Kyaw asked and only Soe nodded. "We can play it now. Don't need nothing but being outdoors."
A few of the men seemed willing to oblige, and two young lads whom Bayin suspected were of Northern Hills origin stepped forward with interest.
At Kyaw's direction they went off to search the surrounding area. They returned moments later with an assortment of stones in varying sizes and one sturdy stick.
Dragged into helping set up, Bayin positioned the stones across a designated playing area, under the careful direction of Kyaw.
"Who's gonna be on my winning team?" Soe asked, trying to recruit the most rugged looking of the men.
"Bayin, ignore him. Be on my side if you wanna win," Kyaw winked at her. Then in a low voice, he added, "It's about accuracy, aim and agility. Not brut strength."
After much cajoling and persuading, there were two teams of five participants. Each player took turns throwing a stick towards the stones, aiming to hit one.
The points were awarded depending on the size of the stone and how far it was from the player. Smaller stones or those placed further away earned more points, while larger, closer stones yielded fewer points.
Denpa was roped into keeping scores, ensuring no one cheated.
"What on earth are they doing? Have they all reverted back to their youths?" Htoo grumbled when he saw the game unfolding.
"It's just a bit of fun, Htoo. Allow them to enjoy this evening. It's doing wonders for the men's morale," General Min responded and stood up to relieve him but Htoo waved a hand and said, "Why don't you remain, Sir. I would rather not watch. I shall continue to patrol."
Kyaw's team was the first to score a hundred points. Their victory was celebrated with chants and joyous shouts until someone reprimanded them with, "Stop yelling! You're disturbing the wildlife and you'll announce our location to any enemy close by."
"Well done, old man. Ya got lucky," Soe said, trying to be a gracious loser.
"Luck's got nothing to do with it, dummy." Kyaw smirked, waving his hands up. "I'm just better at aiming than you, let's face it."
"Your aim's as good as a fly flying with… with a blindfold," Soe retaliated.
"If that's the case then your aim's about as good as a lizard with a broken tongue."
"What on earth are you guys talking about?" Bayin asked, overhearing their banter.
"I'm telling old man, he's just lucky," Soe said.
"And I'm telling dummy, it's all about skill."
"Re-match," Soe demanded but no one was interested anymore.
When the campfire was burning low, the men settled down to welcome sleep.
Bayin found an area a little away from the earshot of the group and carefully cleared the ground of debris, smoothing the area.
Then she lay the blanket General Min had put on her that first night. She used her power, fluffing the fibres of the material until they softened, transforming the spread into a plush, cushioned bedding without any visual changes.
As expected, General Min approached her after speaking with Cetan and Htoo.
"Sir, I've cleared this area and made a bed for you," Bayin spoke up. "I hope it's to your liking."
General Min was taken aback by her gesture and responded at once, "It's very kind of you. Much appreciated."
He dipped his head in a brief bow before settling onto the blanket. Finding it surprisingly comfortable, he gave the spot beside him a light pat.
"It would feel rather selfish enjoying all this comfort alone. Perhaps you'd care to share it. I trust you wouldn't object to sleeping beside me?"
Bayin knew that look in his eyes. He obviously thought she wouldn't dare, so naturally she accepted.
She lay down next to him, wiggling purposely a little closer into his personal space.
However it didn't seem to faze him. She heard his calm steady breathing next to her ears.
Having dared to play with fire, the sparks of desire threatened to blaze out of control.
They both felt it, the quiet heat smouldering within.
Before the flames could consume him, the general cast Bayin a brief, steady glance and murmured, "Good night."
With deliberate resolve, he turned onto his side, facing away from her.
"Good night, Ze… Zir," Bayin mumbled before turning quickly, her back a silent shield.
She lay awake all night, listening to the lull of the water tumbling into the pool.
Why was it so difficult to tell him who she was?
Why was it impossible to tell him her true feelings, even now?
Perhaps there was always a doubt wedged in her mind.
How could the Crown Prince return my feelings? Surely, he's just teasing me.
It was a wild ride trying to navigate their relationship. Hot and cold.
Light and dark.
As she lay there, Bayin felt a sudden coolness against her skin. Her fingers rose instinctively to the pendant resting beneath her shirt, tracing its familiar shape.
It was the necklace Zeya had given her; a birthday present she kept tucked out of sight yet never removed.
She wondered, as she often did in sleepless moments such as this, if there was any significance behind his gift.
What was he trying to say?