A little "breather" Episode before the drama (probably) ramps up again

We first start with seeing the end of last episode again, but form Anin’s POV. Thereafter, Pin reacts less than enthusiastic – not because she isn’t happy, but because of once again being kept out of the loop and not knowing that Anin was in fact graduating a semester early (and thus swamped with work). Then, we proceed with the sexcapades, and they leave the door unlocked. Foreshadowing?

Pin then is slightly jealous for Anin changing her perfume, the leads to a talk about Anin’s various suitors – which Anin doesn’t care about, but Pin warns her she should be truthful. I don’t think Pin has anything to worry here – but she doesn’t know yet of the assault by Lady Aon.

The we meet Pia, Anin’s other personal servant. I gather this character doesn’t exist in the book, I find her superfluous so far.

Anin gets grilled by her brothers what she wants to do next. There Anin hears for the first time the looming threat “Eventually you’ll have to get married.” Anin ignores this for now and spend her time looking a Pin doing work. This is the entitled Anin we know from her childhood. After work they are strolling over the market – and meet Ladies On and Aon, aka the assaulter. Awkward.

Anin and Pin are enjoying the sunset upon some rooftop, where Anin promises that they will stay together forever from now on, never to be parted again. But we have seen the trailers, we know that is way too optimistic.

Anin’s brother and Patt are discussing a welcome party for Anin and whether it should double as a marriage market for the princess. But no, it’s just a party, Anon, assures her – but he reiterates that she will eventually have to get married. They eventually agree on a small, simple garden party. In talks between Pin and Patt, this marriage thing comes up again, and Patt ups the ante by saying they both have to get married (of course not to each other, because we haven’t traveled to 2024). Finally, she pushes Mr. Kuea again – haven’t we dealt with him last time? Anyway, this is the time I gave the episode the unofficial title “marriage looms”.

While the party is being prepared Pin and Anin are sitting dressed is towels inside the Pine Palace and have a pre-game talk about all the suitors to be expected for both ladies. Pin warns her she will get punished if she “acts naughtily”.

At party time, all the Princes surround Lady Pin – but a scares them off by eating a pork knuckle (we German’s would say “Schweinshaxe” to this) with her bare hands. That’s it not how Germans eat a Schweinshaxe – well, except perhaps at Oktoberfest after several litres of beer (though I really can’t say as I don’t drink and am a Northern Germany, this is more of a Southern dish). The men were not a problem, then – the ladies however are another matter entirely, as both Lady Ueangfah and Lady Aon are present. Pin is not happy about this – thus, of course, she gets a visit by Kuea. That’ll cheer her up… Kuea somehow still hasn’t got the message that Pin isn’t interested, and at this party, she reluctantly agrees to sit at a table with him. Anin is not happy, and starts drinking heavily. Pranot and Aon are telling stories about Anin in England, that will certainly make Pin jealous again. Then, Anin dances with Uang and Pin get showered with food by Kuea – and both look decidedly unhappy.

Later they walk - and stumble - through the garden, and they scold each other for their party partners – then the dunk Anin turn this into a makeout session, which Pin cannot resist for long. But they are standing in the middle of the garden, of course, someone sees them. Afterwards, the have a little “post-game dispute”, which ends with some very light BDSM by Pin on Anin.

As the last scene for the episode, we get the reveal who observed Pin and Anin – it was Prince Anon, as if wasn’t obvious by the blurry patch of his red jacket we was earlier.

It was a good episode, even though not all developments were something I wanted see. But it can’t be hugs and rainbows for eight episodes straight – this is a drama, after all. Of course, this episode didn’t reach the highs of eps 4-7 for me. But I liked it nevertheless.

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