Lekha Kompul Sne: The Forbidden Love of a Khmer Prince
The story of Lekha Kompul Sne begins with Prince Vibol, a noble and dutiful son of King Suryavarman II, one of the greatest rulers of the Khmer Empire. Prince Vibol had everything a young prince could want: wealth, power, and the respect of his people.
The Letters of Love
Knowing that they could not be seen together, Prince Vibol and Sovanara exchanged love letters, which became the heart of their relationship. These letters, written in poetic Khmer script, expressed the depth of their emotions, revealing their dreams, fears, and desires. They wrote to each other about their future, imagining a life where love could triumph over the obstacles placed before them.
Prince Vibol, torn between his love for Sovanara and his duty to his father and kingdom, tried to resist. But the pressures of royal life were relentless. When he refused to end the relationship, the king took matters into his own hands. Sovanara was arrested and banished from the kingdom, her family disgraced and her future uncertain.
The Final Letter
As time passed, the situation grew increasingly dire. With the political pressures mounting, King Suryavarman II could not afford any further scandal. Sovanara, now living in exile, received Vibol’s final letter, in which he poured out his sorrow and love for her.
Legacy of Love
Upon learning of Sovanara’s death, Prince Vibol was devastated. Though he fulfilled his royal duties and married the princess, his heart was never the same. He lived the rest of his life in quiet sorrow, never speaking of the love that had once filled his heart. It is said that on the night of his death, a mysterious letter was found on his pillow—one written by Sovanara that had somehow returned to him after all these years.
