THENEXTPRINCE, Chapter 30: The Chosen One.
The early morning of the Phitakthewa House today seemed to be somewhat lively, perhaps because there was a large group of Akantugata traveling here together, a group of maidservants was more bustling than usual. Because this place is not often open to visitors.
“Haven’t been back here for a while, but nothing seems to have changed, huh..” Itti, who had just finished his work at his own shop, traveled to the country of Emmaly since yesterday morning. As he walked through the corridor towards the reception room prepared to welcome important guests.
“I agree, this time we must thank the Young Prince. Without him, YourHighness would not have come here. Normally, Khun Charan prefers his personal space more than anything.” The formal pronouns were used to address close friends, and both Itti and the Young Prince knew very well how much Charan cherished his privacy.
“Correct.”
“It’s great to meet everyone here, but it would be even better if you all spoke to me normally, without using those difficult words, okay? I’m not as formal as you think.” In order to dissolve the behavior of those who come on board the same ship. Khanin thought that using hierarchical language was inappropriate and didn’t go well with Charan’s perspective.
“Your-Highness says…” The young royal intended to tell him to think again, but hesitated longer than Itti, the figure exhaled deeply before speaking with a relieved tone.
“That’s great, brother. You seem tense; I thought we might have to practice speaking difficult words together.” The young half-Thai Emmaly man said with a chuckle.
Actually, Itti wasn’t sure how to speak to the royal young man, perhaps because he saw the overly casual attitude of the Young Prince, including the whispered news using initials that referred to an intimate closeness beyond the positions of friends this morning, causing the young man to act as if a mountain had been lifted off his chest.
“Speak as you please.”
“But when facing other people, you can’t speak in a normal way…” Charan remained reserved. He glanced at the Young Prince, thinking of explaining a little more about the inappropriateness, but was blocked by his close friend.
“It’s simple. I just know that the team we’re in includes me, and Vetis… You, too?” Itti changed the topic abruptly. He called for a smile from the youngest person in the room, and the young man pointed to Vetish before turning his gaze to the beautiful owner of the dynasty.
“I have the role of a shadow.” Vetis adjusted himself in response, and turned his attention to Charan. “Shadow?”
“The supporter in the dark.”
“Oh, and you, Master Ran…”
“…”
“Is it Phii Ran?”
It was Khanin who brought Itti’s attention back to himself, using a pronoun to refer to someone who adheres strictly to rules and regulations.
He knew that Charan’s skillfulness was a secret. Therefore, the young man chose to continue hiding it by deciding to play another scene.
Khanin stood up and walked towards the person standing with their arms crossed behind the sofa. Charan continued to look angry, but the young man felt the surprise from the older person.
Everything became clearer as he got closer to the other party. The taller person bent down to meet, without saying anything. The height difference made Khanin raise his face and only he could read Charan’s expression.
Surprised to be called ‘Phii.’
The atmosphere in the room suddenly quieted as the youngest person in the room held the thick hand of the angry person and lightly intertwined their fingers before anyone said anything. Khanin adjusted his long arm to hug and gently rested his face on the broad shoulder.
“This person is intended to warm Nin’s heart, just so-so…”
“Well, that means…” The response made Itti slightly disappointed, as he looked at the position holder and thought, ‘Being intended to warm the heart,’ of the team, hoping to receive some answer, but the other party turned their gaze, face to face.
As he turned to Vetis, the person just shrugged. In the end, his gaze had to return to the young nobleman, who was still hugging the arms of the motionless guy with no way to let go.
“Nin is currently forming the team, Khun Itti. It may take some time, mainly because now there are two of us…” Khanin returned to the point, a slight smile spread across his lips like a little demon.
Seeing that, Itti didn’t bother asking anything about Charan anymore. He quickly changed the subject when he saw his close friend’s ears gradually turning red.
“And what about Miss Mira? I heard you met her yesterday. How did it go?”
The name of the absent person was mentioned, and Vetis raised an eyebrow to draw attention because the girl was the one he chose for Young Prince.
Mira’s talent was recognized to a certain extent, on par with the sharp mind of the young nobleman. Vetis hoped to surround the person the young lord had set his eyes on with a successful team.
“I’m still hoping that she will come…” Khanin revealed what Vetis cared about, a small smile breaking out at the corner of his mouth.
The person of royal bloodline recalled the events of the previous night after playing a grand theatrical performance. As he pretended to fall, Charan carried him out. Khanin arrived at the meeting place immediately.
The rendezvous point was on the second-floor sky deck connected to the back of a shop, an area not often frequented by passersby. Khanin was not in a hurry to talk and negotiated calmly.
Khanin looked towards the bar where the bartender woman was waiting.
The other party turned and looked away, focusing on the scenery of the buildings. At the moment when the royal young nobleman stepped in, he decided to have Charan guard the entrance for thoroughness.
“Nice to see you right here, Mira…” In the midst of the confusion, at that moment, Khanin did not make any attempts to approach the other party. He maintained a distance, roughly. However, it still made the pensive person startled and unsettled.
“Young Prince Khanin…” The young woman turned around in a crouched position, preparing to show respect to the other person, but was intercepted by him beforehand.
“No need to, I’m sorry for startling you…” Khanin quickly spoke to divert attention, raising his hand as a gesture to prevent Mira from observing him with a watchful gaze like a wild animal.
“…”
When he saw that the other party did not say anything, the royal young nobleman shifted his foot to stop and stand beside the conversing pair.
“The night sky here is so beautiful, isn’t it?” Khanin chose to start a casual conversation, averting his gaze to the cityscape ahead.
“Yes.”
“Have you been here long, Khanin?”
“Not long. It’s better if we get to the point, right?” Mira didn’t explain anything further. She chose to throw the conversation into the main topic in order to find out what the main reason was that made someone like Khanin want to talk to her.
“Sure, we’re getting into the topic… Why do you want to be here?”
The unanswered question left Mira still confused, weighing heavily on her heart before she could make a truthful response.
“Because it’s convenient, and if I stay here, there will be more opportunities in my career than elsewhere.”
“And what about Meenakarin…”
“At my home, there isn’t even electricity. If we want to use electricity, we have to generate it ourselves, and it’s only available for limited hours. It’s not great here… But at least, it’s better than where I used to be.” The beautiful pair of eyes of the bartender shimmered as she mentioned the harsh reality, her gaze reaching the flickering lights from the front of the building, the house on the verge, the delicate corners of her mouth. Reminiscing on the difficult times that had passed.
Khanin sneaked a glimpse at the troubled face of the conversation partner, seeing the hidden distress someone else was trying to conceal, prompting questions about the existence of the state and the monarchy… Working together, as well as the differences in places.
Atsawathewathin beamed. While other cities were collapsing. From Mira’s description, it seemed drastically different from the sky and the earth.
It’s true that ever since Khanin set foot here, he had never been anywhere else. But he never expected to come across such neglected spaces.
“Because in this situation, you are trying to escape and settle here, right?”
The question from the young prince reached deep into Mira’s heart, making her remain silent for a moment before reluctantly accepting.
“Yes, I am.”
“Did you come here for family or to pursue a dream?” Many people might come to follow their dreams, but many may not have enough options in life.
Such as this girl from Meenakarin.
“It’s because of my sick mother and my upcoming younger brother, in high school. As for the dream… It’s impossible, I can choose only one thing that matters, which is family. I’ve abandoned everything else.” Mira’s dreams seemed distant and cold in her mind.
She felt pain, but it was the kind of pain that occurred so frequently that it had become wearisome.
“You probably know about the team I’m forming, right?” Amidst the quietness with the distant sound of passing cars on the road, Khanin turned back to the conversation partner, meeting their gaze with sincerity and earnestness.
“…”
“I want you to join the team.”
Mira was caught off guard by the sentence, unable to compose herself, and the unexpectedness caused her to pause.
The young woman processed what she had heard, and with a clear question, she sought assurance.
“What is it?”
“I want you to join the team.”
“Why?” Suspicions filled the expression on her face, Mira looked at Khanin who took a step back, a greater distance than before, before turning her head slightly to avoid each other.
“I apologize for prying into your personal history…” Khanin hurriedly responded, because he didn’t want to lose trust from the other party.
“…”
“I know that your dream is to open a sword-fighting school. You’re talented and outstanding in class…”
Beautifully sparkling eyes met with the truth of the past. Then, Mira glanced down and couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.
“But my life has been far from those dreams for a long time now.”
“You must be wondering why I chose you. Even though I may have many other options.”
“…” Not answering is accepting. Mira didn’t run away. She stood still, waiting to hear an explanation from the person in front of her.
“I want you to know. I myself have only recently arrived here, and there’s no one different from you… I even want to find someone outside, someone who wants to start anew, go together, someone who truly wants to be on the same team as me.”
“…”
“You’re talented, and I believe it would be my good fortune to have you join the team. As for the support for your family’s passport and guaranteeing a relocation. I think I can help you.” When the time came, Khanin delivered his proposal without hesitation, the descendant of the royal family, covering the important points and ending with a straightforward offer.
And certainly, for Mira, Khanin was like a spark that ignited the dormant dreams she had long abandoned, the things that seemed to have faded away suddenly regained their power.
“Young Prince… That’s kind of you. But… I’m a woman. Mira didn’t want to confine her gender, but due to past experiences and encountering various societal events, it made her deeply aware of segregation.
Although many people in the country may be aware of gender equality, sometimes there are deep-rooted issues that they don’t really touch upon.
“I don’t care what gender you are in the workplace. I only care that you’re talented and I want you.”
“…”
“From the bottom of my heart.”
Khanin didn’t rush to give that single answer.
He gave the young woman an opportunity to think, and the rest was just a matter of testing her heart, taking the risk to see how Mira would make her decision…
They had told everyone to wait… hoping that everything would fall into place as they had envisioned.
If they were lucky, they would have a highly skilled team member join them, but it would be even luckier if they could seize the opportunity and offer it to the rightful person.
*Knock, knock.*
The sound of door tapping brought Khanin’s attention back to the present. The person he was conversing with ceased talking as Charan allowed the person behind the wooden door to step inside.
“Mira is here, sir.” The words from the serving girl in her dark-colored skirt elicited a wide smile from the young Rajanikul man.
The young boy let go of the long arm he was hugging. With his dark brown eyes, he looked towards the door with a fresh sparkle.
“Please come in..” Charan commanded.
The lady swiftly responded, disappearing for a moment before returning to the waiting room with everyone.
The figure walked slowly into the room, sweeping her gaze over everyone and pausing the longest to look at Khanin.
“Hello… um, hi.”
“Hello, no need to use formal language here. We agreed not to speak that way..” Khanin greeted Mira in the morning, which seemed quite different from their appearance last night. Perhaps it was because of the less elaborate makeup and attire, but the captivating look remained unchanged.
“Thank you.” Mira replied with a genuine smile that had never been shown at work before.
Now the team of young royals had one more person added to their number.
Coming closer to the truth each time.
“I’m glad you’re here.” Khanin warmly welcomed the new lady in an official manner.
“Thank you, I’m glad I made the decision to come.” A hint of satisfaction appeared in Mira’s slightly blushed cheeks. She was unfamiliar with anyone here, except for the few words she exchanged.
“Allow me to introduce Khun Charan. You met last night. And then there’s Vetis, you might remember. The last one is Itti, one of our team members. Everyone, this is Mira..” Khanin took on the role of a good team leader welcoming the new member, easing the slight tension during the first meeting at the bar.
“Nice to meet you, welcome Mira.” Itti’s friendly gesture helped create a relaxed atmosphere, allowing them to sit down on the available chairs.
“Nice to meet you all, I’m Mira.” Mira replied with a smile as she took a seat offered by Itti.
“So, what’s the next plan, Young Prince?” Vetis brought up a new topic after the simple introduction was over.
Khanin fell into deep thought for a moment, then turned to Charan and spoke.
“The next plan… we need to find the remaining two people and a substitute to comply with Emmaly’s rules.” As everyone knew, the competition rules here had some deviations from international standards. Khanin had to study them in detail.
“Are there any additional candidates from the people I sent?”
“Not yet…” Khanin shared the same concern as Vetis, but he had to choose the best fit for himself, so he had to be thorough in the selection process. “In that case, where should we find the remaining people…”
Knock, knock.
Itti was about to finish his sentence, but had to swallow the remaining words as the sound of knocking interrupted the conversation. Everyone in the room fell silent again.
“Khun Charan.”
Charan raised an eyebrow slightly because this time the person behind the door was not a maid, but it was Narong, the family’s long-serving butler.
“Please come in, is there something you need, Khun Narong?”
“Just a little incident, My Lord.” Narong stepped forward and spoke softly with a somewhat unsettled expression, a middle-aged man blending in with the crowd. Because he didn’t dare say anything in front of important guests.
“You may speak..” Charan gestured his permission. He had no secrets from Khanin, nor from other friends.
“Our people have apprehended a suspicious individual lurking near the front courtyard, but it’s not clear which side they belong to. However, they didn’t escape…”
“…”
“He has informed us that he wishes to meet with you, My Lord. He has something important to discuss with Young Prince Khanin.”
Narong’s narrative caught Khanin’s attention, and the young man turned to look. On the other side, Charan appeared calm and composed, but his narrowed eyes seemed more intense than usual.
“I will go see for myself.”
“I will come along..” Khanin requested to accompany Charan, but before he could reach the door, he was prevented by a taller figure blocking his way, uttering a stern warning.
“No… It’s too dangerous.”
“But…”
“We still don’t know which side they belong to. We can’t afford to be reckless.” The tall man voice grew more serious.
Khanin couldn’t help but make a frustrated face, revealing his tendency to assert dominance.
Although Charan and Young Prince Khanin only exchanged glances, for the onlookers, both Mira and Itti could sense an inexplicable and sweet tension in the air.
While Itti wore a smile of genuine cheerfulness.
“But I want to go.”
“It’s too risky. Nin, you should learn to be afraid of certain things.”
It seemed that neither party was aware of how they used pronouns to represent themselves, but the observing team members, both old and new, silently bore witness to the ambiguous interactions between the two sides.
“I am not afraid…”
“…” Charan’s posture indicated an intention to increase the intensity for the younger person to yield. However, as soon as Khanin showed his deference, the next sentence, and his previously determined resolve, evaporated into thin air.
“You’ve said it yourself, haven’t you? That you would take care of me, no matter what happens, as long as you are close.”
“…”
“And what do I have to be afraid of anymore?”
…
Jae Jirat, was extremely worried. The palms of his small, sweaty hands trembled when he was forced to kneel in the middle of the celestial guardian’s hall. The young boy knew well that what he was doing was quite lifethreatening, but since there was no other option, he had to undertake such a dangerous action.
The heavy footsteps echoed, indicating the arrival of the leader of the Phitakthewa clan. Jae discreetly swallowed his nervousness as he watched Charan, while being held up by the male servant to meet his gaze.
“What do you want?”
“I…” He was speechless, even though I know well that the other party is just an art teacher in a local front of the country, but the scent of coldness and pressure, it tells him that this person has a deeper background than what he used to know.
Charan is more terrifying than just an ordinary art teacher. The atmosphere around this person feels like they can freeze mountains if they say something wrong.
“….”
“I… I want to meet Young Prince Khanin.”
“…”
“I want to request to join the sword-fighting team for the upcoming competition.” Because there is no turning back, Jae decided to express his desires. The young man sitting on the chair, in a dignified posture, made the conversing couple feel even smaller than before.
Charan looked at him with a calm expression, conflicting thoughts in his mind, stating directly that the request made by the unfamiliar person was somewhat different from what he had anticipated.
Coming to you because I want to join the team like that… why?
“Name, last name.”
“I, Jae Jirat, twenty-two years old, used to be a stage actor.” Jae’s statement was immediately verified.
Charan sat quietly for about ten minutes, waiting for the surveillance footage to pass through the closed-circuit cameras with Mira, Itti, and Khanin examining.
Almost ten minutes later, the brief information and background of this unfamiliar person were sent to Charan’s communication device.
Jirat didn’t lie; what the other party initially said was the truth.
“You’re a stage actor, and why…”
“I want a chance, I want to have the spotlight again. Right now, I’m out of work… I need an opportunity. I can wield a sword, you can test… means, let someone else test me too.” Because he heard news that Charan of the Phitakthewa men were not into the swordplay, Jae changed his target.
“I don’t understand how requesting to join the team is related to your job loss, and also… didn’t you hear the news about Young Prince’s intention to buy people from the club?”
“I heard, but because there hasn’t been an official purchase agreement yet, that’s why I’m here. And the reason for wanting to join the team is that I have no other choice. I… can’t go back to the entertainment industry. If you check my records, you will probably know that my reputation… is not good.”
“…”
“But it’s not true, in fact, I’m not fixated on being a part of Atsawathewathin’s team. I’ve tried everywhere, but I can’t enter, can’t approach anyone else. What’s important… right now, only Atsawathewathin hasn’t agreed to lease or officially buy anyone.
Charan didn’t say anything, just silently collecting information, but in his musings, Jirat might have lied to please each other, and the other party should praise Atsawathewathin to make him satisfied, but it’s not like that.
“…”
“Can you please help me? This is truly my last chance in life. I want to meet Young Prince Khanin.” A desperate plea for sympathy.
Charan hesitates for a moment, before deciding to rely more on his rationality than his emotions.
He doesn’t want this situation to get complicated, so he intends to refuse.
Khanin should not encounter any unforeseen risks, but he has yet to offer any assistance. The person who promised him to watch through the surveillance camera has yet to take action.
“If you can meet me, what next…” Khanin gazes at the unfamiliar person. While the person seems to have lost hope, a glimmer of hope rekindles in their eyes.
The unexpected encounter with the royal prince startles Jirat, causing the young actor to react openly.
“Young Prince…” The sudden elation causes Jirat to shift his stance, altering the dynamics that had been established.
The young man steps forward, blocking Khanin’s path, using his presence as a shield. The spirit within him, designed to protect, rises swiftly, but also penetrates deep into the heart of the one it possesses.
“What now?” A small, gentle hand taps lightly on the wide back, revealing their proximity. These gestures cause Charan to soften his vigilant stance.
“Your Highness, I hope that once you’ve settled the matter with Your
Highness, you won’t bother Your Highness again.”
“…”
“Please, you are the only person capable of helping, Your Highness.”
Khanin contemplates, unsure whether it’s the sincerity conveyed in the words or the similarity in gaze to Mira that ultimately convinces him to give another person a chance.
“Alright. If it’s that important, let’s give it a try.” The young boy offers Jirat a glimmer of hope.
The former theatrical performer, with a wide smile, once again paints a picture of his own future, after having been immersed in darkness for so long.
Khanin wastes no time. He requests the use of the rehearsal room in Phitakthewa Mansion as a battleground. And now, Jae Jirat stands ready in white attire, prepared for the swordplay.
His small, agile hands break into a sweat, and a hint of nervousness rises within his chest when facing the final judgment with the last chance of his life.
The royal prince doesn’t waste words. He commences the sword-fighting scene immediately. As soon as the time comes, everything follows the rules of the competition. However, there are certain aspects that both Charan and Khanin find intriguing.
Jae-Jirat was not as easy to defeat as initially thought. Sword competitions, which usually conclude quickly, take a bit longer, but the techniques of swordplay and defenses of this theatrical actor make him quite interesting.
Charan held his hands to his chest, looking at the two individuals in front of him wearing sword-fighting attire. Beside him are Itti and Mira, without uttering a word. Even until the final moments of the competition, the host rises from his seat simultaneously with the announcement of the verdict.
“…” Khanin removed his mask.
Jirat remains silent, adeptly concealing his defeated emotions on his face, but the spark in his captivating eyes certainly doesn’t go unnoticed, particularly by Young Prince.
“You’re amazing…” Khanin truly admires Jirat’s skill. While the outcome of the sword-fighting declares the royal prince as the victor, for someone with talent, he finds Jae incredibly intriguing.
It might be because the other party has skills in acting on stage, and their body movements are smooth. Khanin sees it as a strength. If he were to practice and improve this skill, he would undoubtedly stand out.
“I…”
“…”
I should go as well.” Jirat no longer resists. He takes off his mask, defies a smile, and bows his head respectfully to the person in front of him, including the owner of the place and others who are watching.
The former theater actor falls silent. However, he still maintains the habit of turning his back and walking away, although not quick enough to avoid the observant eyes.
Charan, Khanin, Itti, and Mira all agree that Jae Jirat’s facial expression and demeanor may be true.
…
The afternoon sky in the country of Emmaly is filled with clouds. Ramil stirs slightly as he begins to awaken, having had the most fulfilling sleep of the week.
The young man twists his body, and his warm hands glide over the bed, touching the slim figure of someone who had been entwined in carnal matters with him all night. His thick eyebrows furrow, and his sleepy eyes open, able to perceive the presence of a tall and fit person who cannot be felt by touch alone.
Petai was gone.
“Petai…” Ramil calls out, scanning with searching eyes. Then Ramil sits up, allowing the blanket that covered his body to fall, gathering at his waist, revealing the well-maintained abdominal muscles of a healthy person.
The surroundings are quiet and devoid of any response or even the sound of footsteps from others. Ramil’s eyebrows furrow, feeling a sense of unease as he quickly gets out of bed.
“Petai…” Since there was no response, he called out again. With his thick hands, he grabs a dark bathing robe that is nearby and puts it on before walking towards the door to search for the person he needs to see.
Where did he go?
…
In another corner of the palace’s flower garden, amidst blooming hydrangeas, the pale blue of the petals contrasts with the lush green leaves, creating a beautiful sight to behold.
The sound of pruning shears cutting through branches resounds in the tranquil atmosphere. In front of Rachata is a tall bouquet of hydrangeas. Petai stands still, not showing any expression on his face, except for clasping his hands together calmly.
Petai bows his head, waiting patiently until the leader of the clan raises his gaze from the flowers that hold both benefits and harms. Rachata gazes at the person who holds the position of his son’s closest confidante with eyes that cannot guess his thoughts. “Take this.”
“Thank you, Your Eminence.” One bouquet of hydrangeas is handed over. The truth is, Petai doesn’t want to accept it, but with his lower status, he has no right to refuse, so in the end, he is forced to take it.
“Why did Ramil go to that club tonight?” Rachata takes a moment to breathe before addressing the important matter. Petai knows well in his heart that this is the main reason he was summoned abruptly.
His fingertips tap gently on the book cover not far away. Rachata places his gaze on that book instead of the face of someone who is overwhelmed by the suffocating atmosphere that expands beyond description.
“The Young Prince…” Petai pauses to take a breath. He didn’t plan to find an answer to this question because he knows that lying will not be beneficial.
Rachata knows this truth well.
But if he were to tell the truth about why he went, Petai thinks that the situation might be worse than before.
“Didn’t I tell you to take good care of Ramil?”
Your Highness, please forgive me.” Since he doesn’t know what else to say.
Petai chose to apologize and lowered his head, while Rachata just laughed.
“Sorry… you are sorry again. How many years have you been in this position? How many times have youapologized?”
“…”
“Do you know? If news gets out that Ramil went to such a decadent place, what would happen?”
“…”
“Not only Ramil’s image would be damaged, it could affect the competition for the Sovereign-King position!”
Slap!
The book fell to the grass, the impact not light enough to avoid a slight bruise. Petai closed his eyes, sensing the faint smell of diluted blood. From where, exactly?
“…”
“It’s not just about Ramil’s image having a problem, it could be worse, affecting the quest for the position of Sovereign-King!”
“…”
“Don’t make me feel useless, Petai.”
“Your Highness, I will be more careful.”
Rachata is always like this, calling him to vent his anger that cannot be unleashed on anyone else. Then he will withdraw and disappear from sight.
“Leave.” The command is spoken in a harsh tone, not different from what was expected.
Petai nods respectfully before walking away. He strides along the stone path in the garden, passing hidden corners until he decides to stop walking.
He hides there, concealing his breath with weariness when he touches his hand to his lips and discovers a small wound.
His drooping eyelids slowly lower, the back that used to be upright and graceful now feeling reluctant to stay here any longer. But before he can decide, the heavy footsteps approaching remind him that someone is heading this way.
The owner of the white figure takes a deep breath and looks up at the sky before deciding to step out of the hiding spot, prepared for the arrival of someone unexpected.
“Where have you been? I just woke up.” Ramil’s distinctive voice resonates as soon as he sees Petai’s face.
Petai lowers his head, hesitantly answering with what he thinks is most plausible, taking quick and careful steps away.
“I went for a walk.”
“Went for a walk?”
“Yes… I’m going home soon, oh…” With a sudden jerk, Petai turned to face Ramil, who had grabbed his arm from behind. Their eyes met, and Ramil could sense something abnormal.
“What is it?”
“Nothing, it’s nothing.” He evaded the question subtly, but couldn’t escape Ramil’s keen observation. The beautiful eyes that used to be calm now revealed a glimpse of a scar on the edge of his delicate lips, and even his voice seemed different.
“What happened to your face?”
“…”
“Tell me, is it father?” Fear and anger permeated his tone, as his fingers tingled with warmth and delicately brushed against the hidden wound.
That hurts…” The white figure intended to turn away, but in the end, remained rooted in place. Petai took a deep breath. His beautiful eyes shifted to gaze directly at the person in front of him, and for a fleeting moment, a dark thought demanded something for himself.
“Speak now.”
“If I speak, then what? What can you do?”
…
Inside the luxurious room of Emmaly, Prince Kalavin-Li lay on a large bed, his eyes were focused on a theater video clip, filled with interest.
In truth, Kalavin hadn’t intended to watch it. At first, he had thought of finding some activity to pass the time and alleviate his boredom, as he was forbidden by his father to travel until he found a team to sponsor him. That’s why this Young Prince had come to stay here.
The person in the video suit hesitated, pressing the pause button and scrolling back to watch the beginning again, in order to evaluate one actor who stood out more than the others.
“Is that… Jae? Jae-Jirat, the theater actor.”
“Is he here for this event? How did he get invited?”
“Probably asked some media friends to get him a ticket. The media banners are hanging over there.”
“Even in a scandal wrecking like that, he still managed to find connections to benefit him.”
Light brown hair framing a small face, a thin mouth, a slightly curved nose, and a faint sadness from the night’s banquet flashed briefly in his mind.
Jae-Jirat, had he really fallen like that? How strange… despite his outstanding performance, why did he disappear completely from the scene?
Curiosity prompted Kalavin to try searching for some brief information about this person’s background. Numerous news websites offered negative portrayals, focusing on rumors of love affairs, unfavorable appearances, hot temper, spitefulness, and other scandals that made it understandable why the other party would choose to disappear from the entertainment industry.
Kalavin furrowed his brows slightly, not liking to judge someone based on the media or gazette’s words. So, he asked, what could be so malicious about a person named Jae?
With his slender fingers, he typed a message to contact someone who might work fast enough to help in this matter. He didn’t have to wait long before the requested information about the person he wanted to know more about was forwarded to him.
Jae-Jirat, twenty-two years old, had once shone brightly as a rising star in the theater industry, a beautiful gem that everyone admired.
Within just one year of entering the industry, he was offered a prominent role in a major project, alongside a famous leading actress. Accomplished theater directors also flocked to oversee him.
It can be called a big event that many people have been waiting for. However, during that time, Jae had rumors and scandals that caused him to be removed and his name removed from that important event, as well as other related events.
From an interesting appearance, he caught the attention until the end…
Kalavin rarely pays attention to gossip, so he wouldn’t care. The young prince seemed somewhat lost when encountering something abnormal.
One year before accepting that stage play, Jae had no news or scandals leaked out. But recently, he has been plagued by negative news and, importantly, it is not related to his past but entirely new events.
For Kalavin, it’s suspicious… If that theater actor is not a good person, then why was there no gossip before this?
The wall clock showed that it was past two o’clock. Kalavin got up from his bed and walked to the balcony, looking at the starless sky through the clear glass windows of the luxurious building. The ringing of the phone disrupted the silence.
Kalavin picked up the communication device and found a voice message from his father, sent less than a minute ago. The young man decided to open and listen, recognizing a familiar voice uttering a sentence that sounded like a command, emphasizing that he hadn’t paid attention.
[You brat are not going answer the call from even me? Your father… Kalavin, hurry up and choose your team. I think it’s time to talk to the Young Prince directly…]
The young prince didn’t wait until the end of the sentence to close the screen lock with a sigh. He threw the phone onto the sofa nearby and looked out at the landscape in front of him.
In Kalavin’s mind… he still wanted to buy more time, just to be clear. For him, there was no team that met all the criteria yet…
Leave a Reply