THENEXTPRINCE, Chapter 38: Protection.
On Friday afternoon, the members of the royal family from each lineage gather at the Royal Palace, starting with Puchongpisut, Atsawathewathin, Meenakarin, and ending with Thawetmetha.
However, this time their meeting place was not a restaurant like usual, but a spacious dome where royal-descendants arranged seats for the adults to ride horses and enjoy the panoramic view in a unique setting, not a flower garden inside the main building as always.
“It’s good to come out and have tea outside once in a while.” The highestranking official of the country speaks with a dry voice, as Dhipabawon’s condition fluctuates between good and bad, perhaps due to his age and the burden that the scattered crumbs of power have on him, making the country’s leader lack the strength he once had.
“It’s the king’s idea, Your Highness.” Tarin gives credit for the choice of location, while the Meenakarin family leader responds with a gracious bow, and the oldest person expresses his appreciation.
“You understand me, my lord, always.”
“Nephew just wants you, my lord, to come out and breathe some fresh air occasionally, Your Highness.” Waseen interjects, while Rachata seizes the opportunity to speak.
“What are the symptoms like?” This conversation coincided with the time when the princess in the red dress presented vacant offerings to the royal lineage.
The chilled fruit bowl was arranged in position, except for Dhipabawon’s, which was replaced with a bird’s nest cup. Because of his poor physical condition, he couldn’t tolerate cold food.
“Great. It can be considered as treatment according to the symptoms.”
“If there is anything I can assist with, please let me know.” The city leader, who has advanced medical development, expressed gratitude to Dhipabawon as a gesture of appreciation.
“Thank you all very much… Does anyone have anything else to say?” Because the Thawetmetha family leader usually speaks little and refuses to intervene or say anything, and the other side just sits quietly and looks at each other, Emmaly, the highest-ranking member of the Emmaly family, made the decision to ask.
“I think that Uncle shouldn’t take on too much work. If possible, take some time to relax. After all, health is the most important thing.”
“I agree with you, brother. Uncle, you should not overburden yourself with work.” Waseen, the eldest sibling, also joined in to help with the mixing. They wanted Dhipabawon to let go a little. As for Rachata, who saw some opportunity, he quickly interjected and smoothly presented his own demands.
Is this plan acceptable?” Now that the competition is approaching in less than a week, I think we should organize a farewell celebration.
“…”
“At least for reducing stress for the children. Strengthening relationships, and… we will find time to relax.” The family leader of Puchongpisut, spoke by highlighting the advantages for the siblings to listen attentively.
Tarin’s side doesn’t quite agree because he doesn’t want things to get chaotic. As for Waseen, he supports Dhipabawon as the main decision-maker but doesn’t see any harm in organizing the event. Ultimately, the prince who does not express any opinions, as the one with the authority, will make the decision.
“Come on, organizing a farewell party is also good. I will have someone handle it…”
“As Your Highness suggested, would you like me to assist you with the matter, Your Highness?” It is another occasion where Rachata volunteers, and Diphabowon agrees willingly.
“Very well then. Don’t forget to inform the children. That should suffice.” Because he doesn’t want to cause any inconvenience by being elusive, the elderly person grants permission.
Rachata bowed to receive the command before smiling and concluding with a sentence describing the atmosphere in the horse riding field as excellent.
“No need to worry, Your Highness. The children seem to get along well, and they must be delighted to have a social gathering.”
‘Getting along well’ is a subjective definition from someone who observes from afar and may not accurately reflect the actual situation.
Evaa, Ramil, and Khanin separate themselves to participate in activities together. They agree to ride horses and compete in three rounds in the field to determine the winner. After spending a reasonable amount of time riding horses for fun.
In the past, both Evaa and Ramil’s horse riding skills were considered exceptional. However, this competition turned out to be a rare defeat for Evaa.
As for Ramil and Khanin, it is a relatively evenly matched contest.
The royal descendant, Evaa, looked back at the two relatives before taking a breath. Evaa slipped away, her face showing a little bit of what had happened.
She wasn’t particularly happy about gaining victory, but rather felt a sense of tenderness towards the two relatives.
Both Ramil and Khanin were not focused on the competition, as they were more concerned about the sudden disappearance of Petai and Charan, their close companions.
Just look at them. Even someone as carefree as Ramil didn’t seem to care about the competition at all.
“That’s great. We’ve had a great time riding horses together.” said the lone girl, teasingly starting a conversation after they had gradually descended from the stage. Horses, the companions of their hearts.
“Oh, you’re still as skilled as ever.” Ramil handed the reins to someone to take care of the horse, and engaged in conversation with Evaa using the same familiar phrases, but his eyes kept searching for his own close companion, no different from Khanin.
“Thank you. And… Khanin, are you having fun?”
“Oh, yes… I’m having fun… It’s really fun.”
Evaa almost revealed the gesture of the young royal, while the other party seemed emotionally detached from the immediate situation. It was fortunate that she managed to hold back in time. The hawk eyes caught sight of the person in the position of following the close companion of both parties returning, just as Ramil uttered a few words with a hoarse voice.
I am thirsty, let’s go get some water to drink.”
“I’m hungry too. I’ll come with you.” Khanin, who seemed to have just regained consciousness, quickly spoke up.
Evaa saw that both Petai and Charan came back with drinks in their hands. Because of that, the young woman did not think to disturb the desires of the older siblings anymore.
“Go ahead. Evaa asked to separate and have tea with the good adults instead.” People without partners like her decided to escape and join the group on the field.
Ramil took the opportunity to follow closely behind the young woman, intending to catch up with Petai immediately. In the end, he ended up having to walk in the middle of the field, rushing and being close to Khanin.
Khanin frowned in dissatisfaction and glanced sideways. Just as Ramil turned around with words that were not allowed to pass.
“There are many other paths. Let’s go on a different journey.”
“No one wrote their name as the owner of the paths.” Khanin intentionally walked to confront Ramil, but he was unexpectedly pushed back by the bigger person until he almost stumbled.
“Fucking annoying.” Ramil gritted his teeth, but Khanin didn’t care. Now his eyes were only fixed on Charan.
“Stop fighting for now. Look around.” It was a temporary truce.
Ramil turned to look at the provocative gestures of the white man, his face more handsome and arrogant than before.
“What are we going to talk about next? We haven’t separated yet.”
“That’s right.”
Then we have to make them separate… Each person takes care of their own.” The taller person ordered with a low voice. Ramil prepared to take another step when Khanin raised his hand, causing a pause.
“Hey, are you going to run in like that? Acting like a dumb dog-faced man without any artistry at all.”
“Who’s the dog-faced one!” The irritating words caused the young brothers’ nerves to fray. Ramil intended to retaliate with insults, but he was stopped in his tracks by a sentence that affected his emotions.
“Is Petai more important?”
“If you’re so good, then go, go separate your guy.” Ramil muttered under his breath, his frustration building up, as he glanced at Charan and Petai who were still engrossed in conversation. Even though there was a deadly aura emanating from that direction.
“Certainly more skilled.”
“If you’re so skilled, then go handle it, go ahead.” The young royal from the Phuchongpisut lineage wanted to know how Khanin-Atsawathewathin could separate Charan and Petai from each other.
Which way is considered art? For Ramil, it doesn’t have to be anything complicated. Just walk over and separate them, that’s it.
“Make that face, do you think just walking over and separating them will solve everything?” The sarcastic remark from the younger one made the taller one hesitate. The descendant of the royal family, the young man with a snakelike forehead, approached each other.
“And why… why do you believe whatever I say.” With a handsome, stern face, a louder exhale, and a voice that made people like Kani, Nont, read the relationship clearly.
“Are you so confident and yet so restless, or are you worried because you got him just like that…”
Hey, Khanin!” Ramil didn’t let the other side finish speaking, he retorted with anger, his face not betraying any emotions. Khanin had evil thoughts, his enchantment commanded him to stab the heart of someone who was his number one enemy as soon as he saw a weakness.
“That’s right… Did I speak the truth? Stabbing the heart, huh? Obviously, you only like him alone, it’s pitiful one sided love.”
“…”
“Come here, let me teach you, look, like this.” He gestured with his index finger towards Ramil, making him feel even more uneasy, the taller one following behind with a frown, but ultimately deciding to let Khanin take the lead this time.
His narrow eyes looked towards the young brothers who walked away to drink, he walked after them slowly, observing from behind.
The image in front is of a Khanin reaching out to grab the shirt of the person Ramil dislikes, causing a slight twitch to make the other party turn around.
“Phii Ran.”
That annoying voice is called a strategy, huh… Ramil, who was following along, thought in his mind.
“Your-Highness” But it yielded unexpected results…
Ramil noticed that Charan lost interest in conversing with Petai the moment Khanin called out.
“I hurt my hand.”
“Did it hurt a lot?” And just then the older man walked in with a sense of urgency, causing the other side to show signs of abnormality… Looking at this posture, he doesn’t use polite words, the high-ranking class speaks similarly. It can be inferred from the common sentence structure that just came out of the mouth of the leader of the Phitakthewa family.
A lot, the rope that restrained my hands, see.”
Ramil’s eyebrows twitched, he discovered a new strange voice from Khanin, a type that he was quite confident he had never heard the other party use before.
Just now, what came out was firm and winding. With a touch of sweetness, but this time it sounded strange and unfamiliar.
The trick can be used, you dog’s child.
“Is it okay? Should we call the royal doctor, Young Prince?” Petai, who was observing, spoke up, causing the person who was weakly acting in the drama to pay attention.
“It’s okay, just a little. Ah,, KhunPetai, are you free right now? It just so happens… Ramil, he wants to find someone to race horses with outside the field…”
“…”
“What would you like to do? If I were to trouble you to race in my place, my hand hurts and I can’t ride anymore.” Khanin fell into a sad category, but he managed to express it smoothly, his face diminished, looking weak, helpless, pitiful to the point that Charan chose to distance himself from Petai, and then turned to hold the hand of a child to take a closer look. This made Ramil have to look up.
It’s worth it that I decided to not underestimate him… but this time I will accept defeat.
The young prince from the Puchongpisut family stood hugging himself, looking at the big scene in front. Petai glanced, lowered his eyelids slightly, as if wanting to observe, but just for a split second, the other party turned back to respond to the half-request, half-command of that dog’s child, with politeness.
“If it’s the wish of the Young Prince, I can’t refuse it.” In fact, it’s more accurate to say that he has no right to refuse.
If that’s the case, please take care, don’t keep him waiting for too long.” Khanin ended with a sincere smile, the owner of the two-layered eyes hiding a natural wink, the temporary peace agreement from this moment onwards will have an effect.
“If so, Your Highness, please excuse me.” Petai bowed his head before stepping aside, his expression devoid of a smile or any discernible emotion, appearing aloof and detached, much like someone devoid of feelings.
Khanin followed Petai’s gaze until it settled on Ramil. Seeing that the younger ones were acting mischievously, Khanin also adopted a stern expression, following proper decorum.
The hidden eyes glanced at the backs of the two individuals who turned and walked away, waiting until Ramil and Petai rode their horses out of the racetrack together before allowing a smile of satisfaction to escape.
“What are you planning?”
“Me?… Oh, my… my hand is really hurt… I am also feeling hot and don’t want to go out in the open.” Almost answering truthfully, the young man quickly covered his mouth, barely able to retract his words.
Khanin blinked and hastily pretended to inspect his own wrist, but he couldn’t escape the piercing gaze of the older person.
“Is it very painful?”
“At first, yes, but when you asked, it seemed to hurt less, huh.”
Charan burst into laughter in the barn during the negotiation, he smirked before reaching out to examine the fingertips of the young red-handed person, which seemed to be genuinely painful as stated, but not too much, because Khanin, whom he knew, was not a weak person.
“What can I help you with?” After inspecting and being confident that the other party was not much more than a hand injury, Charan fired off a question.
It was apparent that Khanin was displeased to see him with Petai, once a white man had done the same thing, showing signs of jealousy on his face, clearly indicating that he didn’t want anyone to meddle with his own person.
Charan understood because he himself had been in the same situation…
Jealous, envious… not wanting anyone to interfere with his own person.
“Can you give me a piggyback ride to the inner room?”
“Hand hurts but still want me to give you a piggyback ride? Haha.” The response received was slightly beyond expectations, causing a slight chuckle to escape from the throat. His eyes met with the young person in front of him.
Khanin’s eyes flickered with a mischievous glint.
“Is that so…”
“And do you think I would refuse you Nin?”
“Of course not anymore.”
“Then come up.” Following the other’s heart was not a difficult matter for Charan, the young man turned around for Khanin to climb up first before crouching down beside him, one minute, he leaned forward and smiled, the young person walked up naturally.
“So happy… got to ride… with Phii Ran.” The whispered words grew louder in Charan’s ear. He heard it and smiled, the young man stood tall, before tightening his grip on the young boy’s waist even tighter than before.
“Great spacing makes it easier to understand.”
“Yes, I want them to see who I am.”
“Hehe.” The cheerful response made Charan feel even better, the young man believed that Khanin was truly talented as he said, both in acting and…
teasing, so much so that he had to go with the flow.
Playing with the playful words spoken on the bed, and how could he resist?
If I am good, then… Can you reward me with a kiss… I miss it. We haven’t kissed today, just been observing that person and this person.”
Charan paused, his long, slender legs that used to walk confidently suddenly stopped.
Luckily, at this moment, he led Khanin to walk a safe distance away from the racetrack. The path ahead was clear, with no soldiers on guard, so no one heard the dual-sided, ambiguous words spoken by the young lord to his close companion.
“…” Charan understood that feeling of longing. He himself missed the white guy just like everyone else, but the current location was not conducive to answering his questions. He was afraid that someone might overhear and look at Khanin unfavorably.
“Silent… does it mean?”
“If we start kissing now… then there will not be going back to the racetrack.” He spoke with a nonchalant tone, even though he had intended to answer the question, but in the end, he didn’t. The young man hurriedly stepped up, just a little more to reach the inner accommodation. He intended to answer Khanin’s question at that moment.
“No… just a threat. If you kiss me now, I’ll give it back ten times.” As he was being pushed in continuously, the leader of the Phitakthewa family responded loudly. The young man tried to remain calm and carried the young lord small until they reached the front of the room.
However, at the moment when he was about to use his hands to open the door, he suddenly had to pause. When his hands touched the soft and warm lips that pressed gently against the back of his neck.
“Kiss… it’s a threat that is not scary at all.” The other party intentionally made such a loud sound, and the young man who Charan carried and placed beautifully on the floor.
Khanin walked closer and stopped in front. The dark brown eyes that Charan liked to look into now had a flicker of challenge, as if wanting to challenge his threat.
“Being silent like this… Phii Ran, you didn’t like that I kissed you.”
Charan took a deep breath and let out a loud sigh, the young man didn’t say anything but turned to open the door and took advantage of the moment when the lean figure defected, grabbing the small hand to follow him.
His eyes scanned around. When he saw that no one else was inside the room, he managed to lock the door, then wrapped his hand around the waist of the smaller person and approached.
“It’s not that I don’t like it… but I warned you not to do it…” The young man whispered near the thin lips of the teenager, staring at the person in his arms who was smiling happily.
“So a rebellious kid needs to be punished.” Khanin wasn’t afraid of the glare of the other person even in the slightest, still daringly brought his face closer, lightly brushing his foot against Charan’s cheek as if testing his patience… waiting for him to snap.
What kind of punishment does a rebellious kid need?
Charan chuckled in his throat, he didn’t answer the question from the other party, but chose to hug the smaller person into his waist, guided him to a sitting position, taking care and treating him well to satisfy the defiance that the other party intentionally provoked.
…
The wind blew, causing the hair to flutter. Ramil tightly held the reins, following behind the person he considered intimate, intending to possess Petai completely by following the path at high speed, making him have to accelerate.
The owner of the majestic body was always worth admiring in every aspect, Ramil thought that the gods must love Petai so much that they sculpted a face so beautiful and handsome in one person.
Who will have the skills and abilities that can drive the other party, not just an ordinary high-ranking person. Petai has several things that are different, he always tries to find that answer. Until he realized he was constantly looking at this person and it seemed to become familiar.
“Why stop? You still don’t know who wins and who loses.” Because suddenly someone else slows down the speed of the horses and stops abruptly. So Ramil asked, he ordered his red-blooded horse to stop beside his close friend’s light brown-eyed horse.
“Why compete, you don’t really want to compete.” The answer revealed that Petai looked at Khanin and figured out his ploy from the beginning. Just willing to play along with the flowing water. Their hair fluttered in the wind as they rode their horses forward without rushing.
Ramil took a deep breath, his broad shoulders relaxed more when there was no one else here except them, and the young prince sometimes glanced at the sweet face of the person next to him.
He was lost in thought, and at one point, he decided to ask something that had been lingering… something he didn’t know for sure what answer he expected to receive.
“Guess…”
“…”
“….”
“Do you… have a crush on someone?” He almost stopped himself from asking. Ramil could tell that it became silent, so silent that he could even hear the sound of his own breath, which seemed unnatural.
“Why ask?” A big pause before the fair-skinned house owner questioned. Petai commanded his horse to stop still, ceasing its movement as if it required concentration.
“I want to know.” He answered with a sincere punch. Ramil had no better answer than this. Because everything he said was the truth.
The clock hands moved, the wind blew, the trees and grass swayed with the wind, passing through an uneasy moment, longer than some people would be willing to answer each other’s questions.
“I stopped thinking about love a long time ago.”
“….”
“Since I decided to be yours.”
The lump of flesh in Ramil’s left chest that he thought was strong trembled, the young prince hesitated, feeling somewhat similar to being about to be happy… his heart leaped, but it was just a feeling that resembled closeness… just a semblance of similarity.
Ramil asked… If Petai had stopped thinking about love for a very long time.
And what about the past between them… what can it be called?
…
At the pre-competition farewell party, Khanin was dressed in a formal navy suit. Even though it was just an internal gathering with only close relatives from the three main families being invited.
But because Chakri whispered that today’s event would also invite the media to interview all the heirs of the three families, Khanin had to make an extra effort to dress up.
For a memorable and interesting appearance, Butler thought. Khanin took one last look at himself in the mirror before shifting his gaze to the smartphone screen that was securely placed nearby.
The young man took a deep breath and wished he could contact Tanattai. His heart ached because he was prohibited from doing so, leaving him only the option to think. He heard a knocking sound on the door three times, calling for the person inside to hurry and let it out.
Khanin smiled slightly when he saw who it was. Charan was dressed in a dark suit, not much different from him, and because of this youthful look, he couldn’t help but make a sarcastic comment.
“It’s like we dressed up together.”
“Just a coincidence.” Although he answered like that, Charan couldn’t deny that their outfits matched quite well, both in color and style.
“More like hearts matched.” The young prince tried to appear cheerful as usual, ready to take the lead, but because Charan noticed something abnormal, the young man greeted him.
“What’s wrong?”
“Well…”
“Why so nervous? worried about the interview?”
“I… do I look stressed?” He asked with a hint of concern. Khanin thought he had controlled his emotions well, but he didn’t know where Charan had caught him.
“The eyes.” It was Charan who answered with a brightened expression.
Khanin remained silent for a moment before bursting into laughter when he realized that Charan himself wasn’t much different from him. Because they were so concerned, they felt connected… The slight change couldn’t be hidden.
“I miss my father…” Khanin’s voice softened as his eyes looked down, hiding the attempt to appear normal in the first place, gradually dimming the light.
“Be patient. Just a few more days.” Charan referred to the schedule that Tanattai had informed them after the competition ended. Khanin would have a chance to meet his biological father.
“And about that… what will you do next?” Khanin referred to the letter that Charan had received earlier, the young man’s heart still anxious about the reasons why the letter was sent, no different from a lover’s letter.
“After the competition, during that time, the Sovereign King would be busy with the transition of power. I will try to find relevant documents. I think the person who sent the news wants me to do something.”
“…”
“For example, find evidence instead.” It is possible that the anonymous party only has information but cannot access Atsawathewathin’s inner circle as well as he can. Charan doesn’t intend to help anyone, but he only wants to find the truth.
The young man sees this as manipulation. The other party who sent the letter probably wants to use him as a tool to destroy Atsawathewathin, and it is possible that the person behind that is involved in sending someone to harm Khanin.
There is no reason to support the idea that one side has to reveal all the information right now…
If there were genuine intentions, why didn’t they disclose it from the beginning… before there was any news about the relationship between him and Young Prince, the young scion of Atsawathewathin.
The issue of his mother’s death is still waiting for proof, but to reach that point, he needs to seize the opportunity after everyone is preoccupied with the transition of power to search for the truth.
Charan just let it go for now, but because the competition is approaching, they don’t have time to do anything other than prepare to face the most important matter first.
“There is something I can help with, right?”
“There is one thing I would like your help with as well.”
“Really?” The serious tone of the older person affects Khanin more than before. The young man adopts a waiting posture, before finally breaking into a genuine playful smile in response.
“Please be a little less adorable.”
“That’s difficult.”
Both sides burst into laughter. The initially tense atmosphere is diluted by smiles. They exchange smiles before letting the conversation topic fade away when Chakri comes knocking on the door. Khanin asks Charan to double-check everything, and once it’s confirmed, they head to the venue, a banquet held within the Daveen Palace.
The chaos at the banquet makes Khanin realize that the high society individuals may not be very adept at organizing events in a conventional manner.
From what was initially thought to be a small social gathering, this banquet seems to be much more extravagant than Khanin had anticipated. Perhaps it is because Rachata volunteered to take charge.
In addition to receiving assistance from both the Meenakarin and
Thawetmetha families, who stepped in to help with the small details, the people of Atsawathewathin did not have to run around like before.
“Thank you all very much, especially Rachata for taking care of the arrangements.” The powerful voice echoed through the dry and silent hall, expressing gratitude after tapping the golden spoon to capture everyone’s attention at the dining table.
“Your Highness, the honored uncle as long as you are pleased.” The first table in the middle of the stage belongs to the elders, followed by the seats of the three heirs.
Adjacent to it is a slightly smaller table for the high-ranking officials, who have been honored to sit with the appointed individuals, such as Charan and Petai.
“Only three more days until the competition, everyone is enjoying themselves, thinking that today is a day of rest.” Since there was no official opening ceremony, Dhipabawon took this opportunity to give a speech, marking the informal start of the social gathering.
Khanin secretly observed the reactions and gestures of all parties, his gaze wandering around. Until it stopped on Charan’s face.
While he was watching the other side, the leader of the Phitakthewa family also looked towards the Sovereign King.
However, that gaze lacked the usual reverence. Today, Charan’s eyes were filled with suspicion, hidden behind a seemingly calm facade.
After that, the banquet began. The music played softly, the meticulously prepared dishes were gradually served, fresh royal oysters from the sea, and ingredients from the southern highlands, supported primarily by the Meenakarin family.
The atmosphere was lively, but Ramil felt bored. He could only steal glances at Petai’s table and sigh with frustration. In their positions, they had no right to sit together, which was quite annoying in the young royal’s mind.
Khanin himself probably felt no different from him, as evidenced by the fact that his eyes kept avoiding and secretly glancing at Charan… who had no idea which servant arranged for the two of them to sit together.
Just sitting there, he felt the urge to get up and drag everyone out of work and head back home together. Ramil’s determination was in his heart, but because he was learning to adapt during this period, I couldn’t do much more than raise the wine glass in my hand and drink away the heat in my chest.
“Soon, you will goblins from squinting.” When there was nothing else to do, he turned to bother the others sitting at the table. Ramil’s nervous sentence caught Khanin’s attention, who was looking at Charan with a measuring gaze.
“Who are you referring to, yourself?” Both Khanin and I winced in pain, turning our attention to the food right in front of us. The taste was delicious, but the problem was that our hearts weren’t fully focused on eating as much as they should have been.
“Why don’t you get up and bring him over yourself?”
“I wanted to do it myself, so I let someone else do it.”
“That’s both of us.” Evaa, the only young woman, leaned forward and listened attentively to the conversation between the young men.
Khanin hesitated, his hand about to pick up a piece of grade A beef and bring it to his mouth, but Ramil couldn’t speak for a split second.
“You’re good at reading others. What about Evaa, does she not care about anyone?” It took a while for her to regain her composure and respond. Ramil wasn’t particularly surprised by the way the Thawetmetha family’s daughter spoke.
Ramil didn’t intend to hide anything, and he knew well that the other party was intelligent, but they both believed that they wouldn’t interfere in personal matters. So whether Evaa knew or not, it wasn’t a big deal.
“I have just turned twenty.” The young woman’s answer made her eyebrows resemble those of a young royal, and Khanin was about to argue. At that moment, Ramil blurted out something that wasn’t much different from what he was thinking.
“Being twenty doesn’t mean you can’t love anyone.”
“Maybe I haven’t thought about that yet.”
“Well… sometimes love isn’t something you can plan ahead.”
“…”
“Maybe you’ve gotten used to organizing your life, but love doesn’t choose people, doesn’t choose time, doesn’t determine a place. By the time you realize it, you might feel a lot, and more.”
Khanin thought that this might be the first time he agreed with Ramil without any argument. What the tall man said was true in every way, proven by the stories he had encountered and faced himself.
Love is something that comes unexpectedly.
“The news agency has gathered, and they requested to interview Young Princess and the two Young Princes, all three of them are getting ready, with someone organizing the queue.”
A young man placed a non-alcoholic beverage on the table. He prepared to get up and go look for Khanin almost immediately when he noticed that the other party was being invited to get up from his seat, and he walked straight to stand by the big stage to wait for the interview.
“Khun Charan, excuse me for a moment.” A tall young man who was determined to go find his affectionate companion stopped abruptly when a serving lady gestured towards the table in front of the stage, and said a few words that made the Phitakthewa family’s leader have to divert his attention temporarily from Khanin.
“Yes.”
“Prince Rachata gave an order for you to go to the table.” It was an announcement that left no room for refusal.
Charan glanced at Khanin slightly, seeing no difference in his gaze. But because he had no right to refuse, he could only suppress his emotions and walk after the young lady with a determined expression and a fierce hairstyle.
Charan arrived at Rachata’s table, but Petai kept staring, his eyebrows becoming slightly smaller. With surprise at what he heard, he measured his thoughts while sitting down.
Prince Rachata called for a meeting? Is it for that reason…
The royal family or the upper class mostly called for Charan’s help in creating artwork, but Rachata, a person who did not like or care about these matters, had a reason to call for a meeting…
Petai knew well, he had been with this family for a long time. Rachata didn’t like to collect artwork. If it was something valuable or medical equipment, it would be strange…
The conversations of people around were still heard loudly, and on the big stage, the center of attention was Evaa, who had the privilege to be interviewed first. At one corner of the venue, Khanin was hiding, standing and waiting for his turn, not far but not too close, accompanied by the organizers who were queuing for the event.
A journalist from a news agency shot questions at the people on the stage. Ramil sighed boredom because he was told to wait here, so only he was left at the dining table.
The young royal knocked on the table, emptying the wine glass, feeling impatient from one to ten in his heart before finally getting up. When he couldn’t bear waiting for just one more person.
He intended to go stand with Khanin and wait for the interview, to do everything quickly and efficiently so that he could take Petai home afterwards. This party is too boring…
“Where is the Young Prince going?” Sivakorn, who he didn’t know when he got up from his own table, suddenly appeared and stood almost blocking Ramil’s path, causing him to pause.
“Going to wait for an interview.” After saying that, he planned to continue walking, but someone else refused to let him do so. Sivakorn didn’t back down, and he was no different from the previous reporter.
“Wait here, Your-Highness. That area is narrow and not very comfortable.”
“…” Ramil frowned slightly, reluctantly stepped back and sat down, but only for a moment before standing up again.
“Young Prince…”
“Sivakorn, I’m going to the restroom, no need to follow.” The young royal quickly finished his lines and stepped out of the event, while the music continued to play, creating a lively atmosphere.
Khanin exchanged glances with Charan at certain moments, and he subtly shifted his gaze towards Evaa. It seemed like there was no sign of it being close to completion.
“Young Prince Khanin… Your-Highness.”
The original reporter approached with caution. Khanin briefly diverted his gaze from Charan to focus on the conversation in front of him.
“Yes.”
“Apologies, Young Prince, can you stand here and wait. The news agency would like to take a picture of the Young Prince to keep.”
“Yes.” Khanin was slightly surprised because the news agency had more than ten people when it was actually time, but he still maintained a cooperative attitude.
The young royal stepped forward to the designated position, smiling for the camera in front of him, while the flashes from two or three cameras in the hands of the journalists burst in, momentarily blinding his vision.
The sound of journalists’ microphones on the stage interviewing Evaa was loud, while Khanin tried to forget and fight against the overwhelming light. He briefly closed his eyes, and in that moment, his ears seemed to hear a faint, trembling sound.
Khanin frowned, trying to figure out what was wrong, when he heard the voice of Evaa screaming and the crowd around her in chaos. It seemed like a major disturbance had erupted, with the voices of many people blending in.
One of them was… Charan.
“Nin, be careful!” Charan shouted, following his instincts.
Khanin turned left and right, but before he could compose himself, it seemed like time had slipped away. A large decorative pillar, weighing heavily, swayed back and forth before crashing down in the exact spot where Atsawathewathin’s sole heir was standing.
Charan’s eyes widened, his heart pounding as if it had invisible hands squeezing it tightly. He ran ahead, alongside Petai, who was closer, but it seemed like they were running out of time.
“Khanin!”
The pain he felt made him think that the owner of the name was about to receive a powerful impact. His brain commanded him to dodge, but instead, he was paralyzed.
He couldn’t move when the massive pillar collapsed. But the split second he thought he would be struck at a critical point, he miraculously survived, narrowly escaping the impact. It was because of a tremendous force pulling him away from someone.
Thud!
Khanin was pulled down to the ground, surviving the fall but with his right arm in excruciating pain, tears streaming down his face. The chaotic murmurs from the surrounding people continued, and the young man gradually regained his vision before encountering someone unexpected.
Someone he never expected to appear and help each other in such a life-threatening situation.
“Is it really you!”
“Yes… Ramil.”
It was indeed Ramil who helped him.
Leave a Reply