Rak Nakara is a story chronicling the tale of two half-sisters, Man Muang and Ming La.
The story itself takes place in the historical era where all kingdoms in the region are busy keeping foreign invasion at bay. Protecting their people, kingdoms and the country is the utmost priority.
It is during these troubled times that a royal by the name of Jao Noi Sukkawong pays a visit to the sisters' kingdom as an ambassador to pay respect to their uncle who had passed away only recently.
When Sukkawong meets Man Muang, he's completely smitten by her. On the other hand, Ming La falls for the handsome and well-read Sukkawong too, but unfortunately for her, her family arranges her marriage to another kingdom's ruler.
Making her refusal clear, Ming La confronts Sukkawong and asks him to kidnap her since without Sukkawong, she has no reason to live on. Soon the plot is entangled in politics which invariably ends up in Man Muang marrying Sukkawong.
Sukkawong is over the moon, fate had reunited him with his love yet for some reason their marriage is clouded with misunderstandings. Sukkawong believes that Man Muang was only with him since she was duty bound while Man Muang thinks that Sukkawong loves her half-sister, Ming La who's now married into that very kingdom where she was originally supposed to leave for.
To avoid getting hurt, Man Muang begins distancing herself from their marriage. Soon she is faced with making a choice between her love for her husband, and her duty towards her country.
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Rak Nakara is a very heartwarming novel that I'd be more than glad to revisit in future despite the fact that it made me ugly cry for an hour straight. Yeah, it's gonna be a while before I'm over this one.
After all those sweet moments between Man Muang & Sukkawong I was crushed that it ended the way it did. But the tale was so wonderful that I'm willing to let go of the 'tragedy' part. Recommended!