THENEXTPRINCE, Special Chapter 2: This is the most special status.

The morning sky of London was particularly gloomy, without any sunshine, unlike in Emmaly, perhaps because it was autumn, and the air was quite cold, to the point where people walking together had to tighten their outerwear to cover their bodies when the cold wind blew, colliding with their bodies.

“Is it cold, do you need to go back and change your shirt at home, and come out again?” Khanin greeted with concern, the young man’s eyebrows seemed to show that he didn’t really like the cold weather, as indicated by the red tip of his nose that had now appeared.

“It’s okay, we won’t make it to the reservation you made, let’s hurry.” Charan replied with a soft voice, grabbing the small hand and placing it into the coat pocket. They’ve been in London together for almost a week now. Today, they met to go on a date according to the plan they had made.

The day’s first goal was to have breakfast at a famous restaurant that Khanin really wanted to go to, and of course, it was a popular restaurant that did not accept reservations in advance. Charan thus decided not to go back to change his shirt, for fear of being late for the appointment.

They arrived in less than twenty minutes, thanks to getting in line early and not having to wait long. This morning, Khanin opted for an avocado toast with tomatoes while Charan stuck with his classic English breakfast.

There was a shared plate of pancakes with whipped cream and maple syrup drizzled on top for snacking. The size of the dish in front of them was rather larger than usual, causing a slight grin to form on the face of the young ones after the server left.

Are you sure you can finish all that?… Sorry for ordering more pancakes.” said Khanin as he took a small breath and started to eat. “I think I might need to roll back home after this, and our plan to take Phii Ran to the fencing association might have to be canceled.”

“No problem, I can finish it for you.”

“Are you sure you can?… Even the pancakes? Phii ran doesn’t really like sweets.” chuckled Khanin before he took a savory bite of his pancake.

“Yeah, I’m not a big fan of sweet foods. They’re just too sweet. But if you’re afraid you won’t finish it, I can help you.” said Charan, who was busy cutting his steak on the plate.

Khanin smiled slightly. As something from his memory came flooding back into his mind.

“Actually, Phii Ran, you don’t like sweet things.”

Whenever we stayed at Emmaly’s, I always received thoughtful care from Charan. Butler Narong often served a variety and generous amount of sweets to go with tea for you to pick from. Meanwhile, Charan only ate Bubble Cake that he enjoyed, which usually came from the Royal Palace.

Phii Ran didn’t touch anything else, even when he ordered different pastries to be prepared at home.

With suspicion creeping in more frequently, Khanin decided to ask butler Narong. The answer he received almost took his breath away and barely whispered a request for more sweets on the plates of their meals at Charan’s home afterward.

“Actually, Khun Charan doesn’t like to eat sweet things…” 

“Then why does he have them on the table every day?” 

“Because they’re Young Prince Khanin’s favorite food”

“And why did he eat all the Bubble Cake just now?” 

 

 

“Uh… that’s probably because you asked me to serve it. Charan agreed to eat until it was finished.” 

The more Khanin thought about it, the more jealous he became of himself. Ever since he realized that Charan has been going along with everything he wants to do, he never complained even once and accepted everything even if it was something he didn’t like, only because he was the one who cooked it.

This was too much to follow his heart. Khanin didn’t mind feeling good, but it was all wrong. He had to figure out what to say. It was fine if they love each other and do what they want to, but it was too much when Charan automatically agreed to something they didn’t want to do.

Just as he thought that, the pancake in his mouth lost its sweetness and only the taste of plainness remained. His brain ordered him not to pay attention to the taste of deliciousness in his mouth and instead fill it with thoughts.

The young man secretly looked at the person he loves hating breakfast across from him and pondered how to manage someone who so stubbornly followed his wants. He wanted Charan to be his own person and do what he wanted and choose what he likes most. It was not necessary to defy one’s mind if they did not truly want something.

The corners of his small mouth pondered just like the thoughts crossing his mind. Khanin didn’t want to judge Charan yet. Therefore, he decided to try approaching the subject of love once more and if he was refused again, he would let it go. But if he was refused again, he would grumble a bit.

“Phii Ran, say aah.” As fast as his thoughts. Khanin chose the cream filled and raisin topped pancake in front of the bigger person. His cute face showed nothing out of the ordinary, in stark contrast to the deep desire inside him wishing that the person in front of him would confidently reject him, whilst the other side just looked up and put the pancake in his mouth, and confessed to him like that.

“What’s up, are you teasing me?” Charan smiled when he saw Khanin raise his hand immediately, the younger person ate the words he had spoken, as well as putting words in his mouth about his elder sibling.

What kind of teasing is this? Nin, not missing out on anything either.

“Not teasing, but I just wondered. If I feed you something, even if it’s something that you don’t like, will you just eat everything?”

“If you feed me, then… yes.” The answer received made Khanin’s thin lips curve down into a bowl shape, the younger person held his breath, before pulling the pancake that used to be in front of Charan to be in front of him alone.

“If you don’t like something, just learn to say no, make it clear whether you like it or not. I will understand, no need to force yourself.” Khanin didn’t want Charan to do something that went against his will anymore, he didn’t want the other to follow his own wishes so much that he lost his personality. Because he was afraid that one day he would accidentally hurt the feelings of the person he loved without realizing it.

He wanted Charan to be his own person, to see Charan in every way, every aspect of his life, not just have to endure being the person who always catered to his wishes.

“I never go against my will.” Charan confirmed, the young man meant it seriously, he never went against anything that Khanin had offered him even once.

“Never go against anything, but it doesn’t mean you like it.”

“Sometimes we have to eat things we don’t like.”

“That’s right. If it’s something beneficial, but this is flour, sugar, fat, it’s really fattening. If you don’t like it, then you don’t have to eat it, what you want should be up to Nin and Phii Ran. Just tell me what you don’t like, just talk straight to me. That way, I will be okay with everything.” Khanin’s voice softened at the end, before he picked up the pancake and put it into his mouth shyly.

The young person’s face trying to defend himself with a simple method of just speaking up about what he didn’t like, to avoid having to force opposing hearts, made Charan think that he wanted to capture a picture of his loved one’s face in front of him, like drawing a picture. 

He watched over Khanin with a smiling face, paying attention to every little thing, just like Khanin meant so much to him. 

“Okay. If I don’t like something, I’ll tell you… alright, don’t worry about it, Babe.” Khanin’s sweet pronoun made them reignite good feelings.

The younger man’s face pouted as he continued, “That’s great, then just speak up according to… just say ‘I don’t like it’ like this. If you don’t like something, just say it, I will accept it all, I promise.” His thin lips dotted with a small smile that invited purity.

“Okay, I promise.” Charan replied, sending his little finger to touch Khanin’s.

“Thank you, okay.” Khanin stored that promise with himself, only then did he begin to eat again with pleasure.

The end result was that Khanin ate more than Charan this time, even though they didn’t roll out of the restaurant as expected, the plan for the date had to be slightly changed. 

Instead of taking the subway to Khanin’s university, they changed their plan to walk aimlessly down the street while talking about random things about their lives until Khanin began to feel better. 

Heading down the pathway, their destination was a small market not far from the breakfast restaurant they had just visited. At this location, they mainly sold odds and ends such as stationery, household items, or small treats like donuts, cupcakes, and chocolate.

“Who said I’m too full to walk? I still want to buy chocolate and eat it.”

Khanin hesitated as he was about to choose the small black piece right in front of him and moved closer to hear what the other person was saying.

“I am full, but this looks so delicious. Another thing is that Nin asked me not to buy and eat here. He wants me to eat at home instead.”

“That’s right, but the chocolate here is not very sweet. It’s dark chocolate, so Nin can eat without worrying too much about gaining weight. Also, it’s been a while since he had it, so he misses it.” Khanin corrected himself with a groan, trying to make a sound of complaint, as the young man hurried to make a careful selection of chocolate, wanting to pass through this area quickly because he did not want to keep Charan waiting.

However, just as he lifted his head again, the tall person did not stand next to him as before. Instead, he went to stand at the cashier to pay.

He talked to the employee and pointed to the chocolate, making gestures as if to buy so much that it seemed like he was going to empty the store of chocolate.

“Hey… no, I have to pay if I eat it.”

Khanin, about to walk to the big guy, suddenly had to retreat automatically after being called back to the original position by someone.

“Hey, Khanin… is that you?”

“Uh… Rachel?” Khanin greeted the person who suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking the way as if by accident. She was an older girl, a tall, black haired boy who hid himself behind eyes with an expression like those of Asians, with a smiling face that looked neat and tidy, and had a distinctive accent.

There was no way he could forget her.

Rachel was Khanin’s ex girlfriend… They had dated a long time ago.

‘How did you appear here?’

“Yes, it’s me. I’m glad to see you.”

“Ah… haha, I’m also glad. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now.” Khanin made a face like a child caught by a ghost in the middle of the day and smiled shyly, before bidding farewell in an indirect way, then turned to leave quickly so as not to keep Charan waiting.

His eyes sneaked a peek at the tall figure. Phii Ran was still fidgeting with the payment to the employee, so the young man smiled wryly at the older girl as a way to say goodbye, then pretended to slip out.

But it looked like she didn’t want to leave him alone. It was evident in the small hand that reached out to hold his own.

“When did you come back? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Khanin tried to withdraw his hand gently, but the grip of the girl was tighter than before.

The tray he was holding became a mess. The young man had to turn to put it down beside him and use his newly freed hand to pry Rachel’s hand open.

“Oh… can I come see you at your home?”

“No, you can’t… I…”

“Do you miss me? Is that why you came here?”

“Huh?”

“You never used to come around this area before. It means you were thinking about me.”

“You misunderstood me, Rachel. I just came to visit.” Khanin looked perplexed, furrowing his eyebrows, struggling to understand how the situation had turned out like this.

Rachel continued telling her story while Charan walked over with a big bag of chocolate. On the other side, a guy walked over and stood next to the girl. He didn’t say anything, nor did he even think about helping the young lady out of Khanin’s grasp.

“Do you know how shocked I was when Samantha told me that you became a Prince? Everyone at the university kept asking me about her all day long.”

“Well…”

“You are interested in me because you remember that I used to be your girlfriend.”

Jesus…

Why are you saying this now?! 

Khanin had a dumbfounded look on his face, trying to gently pry Rachel’s hand off. At the same time, the other saw his eyes widen, still without showing any signs, but making his hair stand on end.

This kind of gaze, Khanin hasn’t seen for a long time. The last time may have been when he suspected that Prince Kalavin liked him.

If that’s the case… this condition really sucks.

Actually, when Phii Ran is jealous, he is happy. But, it’s not like being jealous would be better.

Otherwise, he probably wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight, the punishing sex would almost guarantee to kill  him.

“I’m asking you seriously. Have you forgotten about me?” Maybe because Khanin was too preoccupied, Rachel kept talking in a strange way.

“No, I came with…”

“Okay, let me try again. I understand. I’m different because I can’t forget you. Actually, I’ve tried to contact you several times, but because my old phone broke, I…”

Holy sh*t.

Khanin’s face was as if he had seen a ghost, he didn’t even know what

Rachel was saying. Because the only thing he was focusing on was Charan’s body language: raising his hand, hugging his chest, and looking beautiful, like he was waiting to see how he would fix this situation.

“Rachel, sorry, I’m in love with someone else.” If this were a boxing match, you could say Khanin delivered a knockout punch without any warning.

The young girl remained silent for several seconds before finally finding her voice.

“And…”

“I’ve fallen in love with someone I want to share a future with.”

“Well, at that time when you broke up with me, you said you didn’t like to think about the future, this is not an excuse.” She squinted her eyes. Khanin used to like Rachel’s headstrong personality, but now it doesn’t seem like that anymore.

“So…” The young man tried to find the right words to explain to the person in front of him, but it seems like Charan’s patience has run out. In the end, the older guy cleared his throat, beckoning the young lady to turn and look.

“Oh… You’re with Khanin? Hi, I’m Rachel. I’m Khanin’s ex girlfriend. As for you…” Rachel’s straightforwardness allowed her to speak boldly.

Khanin turned and grabbed his arm, intending to introduce the other party, but hesitated.

“This is Phii Ran, by the way…” The quiet young man searched for words in his head to describe his current status to Charan, without wanting to provoke him into a fight.

Well…they’re not actually a couple yet, nobody has asked anyone out.

“Hello there. I’m Charan, Khanin’s new boyfriend.”

Before he had the chance to properly gather his thoughts, Charan found himself having to introduce himself and quickly ended the conversation with his status.

“Uh…hello, I didn’t know you brought your boyfriend. Sorry for my bad manners.”

“It’s okay, Rachel.” Charan smiled, while to Rachel he seemed to emit a frightening aura…unlike the friendly smile from before.

“Umm…congratulations, Khanin. I didn’t realize you had a date, I have to go now.” Rachel quickly excused herself, her voice breaking as she hastily left the couple behind.

Her instincts warned that it was not OK for her to hang around anymore, she was aware of how much the other party loved and longed for Khanin, so much that even a smile could show the level of love. If she was to do something to make him angry, not even Marmot can make him calm down!

“Phii Ran. There’s nothing going on between me and Rachel. She just happened to bump into me and said hello.” Khanin tried to explain his relationship with the person who had just confronted them upon leaving the chocolate shop.

His explanation ended abruptly. His dark brown eyes scrolled through the person walking beside them, expectant and inquisitive. He knew Phii Ran wasn’t pleased, but he tried to control his emotions because he didn’t want to spoil the atmosphere. 

Even though he smiled politely and amicably, with this person with whom he had been together for so long, why wouldn’t he know what Phii Ran was thinking? 

“Okay.”

“She came to say hi because she thought I was still single. I don’t want to end things badly even after I broke up with her.”

“Okay.”

“But we haven’t seen each other for a long time, and I don’t like her anymore. So there’s nothing to worry about.” Khanin was like a child who made a mistake and wanted attention, he explained in detail because he wanted Charan to understand that now… 

Rachel was just the past. 

At present and in the future, he was Charan. 

Only Charan.

“Oh…This is the person that you told me about, who is his senior and you met at a party.” Khanin had just been talking non stop, but all of a sudden Charan decided to say a different sentence that made Khanin feel awkward and unable to respond appropriately.

Who would have thought that the words he had told the other person when they first met would become the evidence that bound him today, the feeling of jealousy…

“Do you remember?”

“I remember everything about you Nin.”

“Phii Ran.”

“Yes?”

“Jealous?” Khanin asked with a raised eyebrow and a flicker of the spoon in the direction of Charan, hoping that his awkward gestures will help Charan feel better. Khanin did not expect much from his answer, as he guessed Charan might say something ambiguous, but this time seems different.

“Yes… I am jealous.” Charan admitted simply, his brows furrowed as he controlled himself, as if trying to manage his own emotions.

Charan thinks he’s foolish, and the other side is just an ex-girlfriend who unexpectedly appeared. Khanin did not care about anything, but he still could not let his thoughts slip away.

Because there was something wrong, and it made Charan feel restless and dissatisfied.

“…”

“Nin, you told me to speak straight.”

“Yes, Phii knows best! But I no longer like her.” Khanin quickly responded after nearly a minute of silence, unable to contain his smile, mainly because Charan appeared too adorable now.

So cute that it hurts!

“I know.”

“The person I love is you, Phii.”

“Yes, I know well.” Charan seems to be starting to struggle with his thoughts again, and the young man claps his hands a bit to follow him, heading to a large tree in a secluded place. His earnest gaze reminds Khanin of his worries.

“Phii Ran if you know, so why do you still look unhappy?” Khanin took the opportunity to ask, lowering his face to his broad shoulders, his voice sounding whimpering, in an attempt to calm Charan down.

“Because I just… don’t like it you didn’t say what we are.”

The answer he received made Khanin stunned for a moment, the young man opened his mouth and blinked while remaining silent for nearly a minute  “Phii Ran… Does that mean you want me to say we are a couple?”

“Yes.”

“Well, how do I say this, just… Wait. It’s not that I don’t want to say it, but we… we haven’t asked each other to be a couple yet.” His eyes blinked. Looking at the reddened face that kept going up and down, he realized that this was a good opportunity to talk about their relationship. There were many things that had happened before that made them forget that they should make their status clear.

The young man resolutely tightened his hands and was about to speak first, but someone else intervened, a bigger person who knelt down and sat on his knees on the ground, making the younger one confused.

Khanin realized that this was a good opportunity to talk about being a couple, as they had been through so many things that they forgot they should make their status clear.

Firmly determined, the young man began to open his mouth to say that he wanted to be the first to propose to date, but he was interrupted by someone else, a larger person who knelt down and sat on his knees on the ground, which made the young man so confused he stumbled.

Hold on a sec… asking me to be your boyfriend, and why are you kneeling, Phii Ran?

“I don’t want to wait any longer.” With a muffled voice, he reached out and grabbed a red lacquered wooden box with golden lettered branding from his bag and opened it. Charan handed it to him, revealing a simple yet elegant diamond studded ring that shimmered in the afternoon sun.

Charan couldn’t wait any longer. He had waited far too long, crossing oceans to come and find Khanin, and this ring was commissioned at no small price.

He had planned to say these words at the most romantic moment, perhaps under the starry night sky or while holding hands on the balcony and whispering how much he loved Khanin.

It could have been a witness to the stars; however, everything seemed to have gone astray.

Charan realized one thing; the most important thing now wasn’t the place or the fancy words spoken but the love they had for each other, which was unique to them.

“Let’s be together, everything for and with each other, Nin.”

“…”

“I promise to protect, take care, love, and remain faithful to you, Khanin.”

“…”

“Let’s get married, my love.”

“Uh… what is going on, you haven’t even asked me to be your boyfriend yet, and you are already proposing?! [sobbing].” Khanin appeared to be shocked, with tears streaming down his face, but he smiled broadly, looking into each other’s eyes with love.

“Yes, because I want Nin to be able to tell others what kind of relationship we have.” Not just as close friends, a mentor, a guardian, a brother, or just someone whose hearts are aligned in the present.

But from now on, Charan wants to stand by Khanin’s side as someone who will be together until their last breath.

“[sobbing]… Phii Ran.”

“Are you crying with happiness? the ring bearer is waiting.”

“Let’s get married, mmmhpf… definitely, hurry up and put on the ring.”

The atmosphere between them at this moment wasn’t a sweet, romantic scene like the one in Khanin’s romance novel. It was a warmhearted feeling that was difficult to describe.

Charan carefully slid the ring onto Khanin’s left ring finger before pulling the younger boy into an embrace, whispering a few words into his ear, causing him to blush.

“Non? Do you know… I have been yours for a long time.”

“…”

“Since the first time you and I kissed, I belonged to you Nin since then.”

“Phii Ran…” At this point, Khanin burst out laughing, his thin body bouncing, and he took turns kissing this older guy, scolding him for bringing up the past and making him feel embarrassed about being a thief who stole kisses from the other side.

“Nin?”

“Yes, sir.”

“From here on out, our status has changed. Next time someone asks what we are, Nin, how will you answer them?”

“I will say that this man’s name is Charan, currently and in the future, and that he Khanin’s husband, the person that Khanin loves the most in his life.” With that, they both smiled as the chilly breeze passed by.

Even though the place may not be romantic or beautiful, London is a city with great significance for them.

Because it is a place that is like a starting point… and a point where their life paths intersect.

THE NEXT PRINCE CHAPTERS HOME

   THENEXTPRINCE, Special Chapter 1: Charan’s composure.

The light from the bedside lamp provided enough brightness to see the atmosphere in the surrounding bedroom. Khanin blinked and looked at the door as he thought about what had happened all day.

Khanin said that he cried himself to sleep last night. He missed Charan so much that the feeling of pain began to seep in, but when he woke up again, the person in his thoughts was right in front of him.

It is like a dream … even tonight, Khanin still wonders if this is just a dream he thought of himself.

They are back together and the feeling of emptiness that he once felt now seems to be completely gone.

Creek!

The sound of the door opening and Charan’s tall figure in his dark satin pajamas helped Khanin regain consciousness, staring at his lover in the middle of the bed for a long time. Charan asked if it was okay to sleep on the floor. The young man flashed his eyes and quickly turned his face away, motioning to move to sit on the other side, leaving space for someone else.

“Should I just sleep on the floor?” Probably because Khanin just sat still and kept looking at the older guy in the middle of the bed for a long time. Charan finally asked and the boy nodded and quickly moved over, leaving space for someone else.

“Not good though.” Although the bed here is not as large as at the Royal Palace, and it may be a bit crowded for two men to sleep together, Khanin does not see this as a problem at all.

It’s good to be close again.

“So…”

“Sleeping on the same bed as before, which is still empty.” The slender palm slaps down on the position next to the body. Khanin wriggled into the blanket, waiting for just a moment, and the tall figure agreed to step up and lie beside him.

Charan leaned over to turn off the light, leaving the dark atmosphere around them. Khanin could see glimpses of his lover’s handsome face, while the other side leaned his head towards him, sending warm breath close to the skin.

The moonlight shone through the window, illuminating the beautiful face and lines of the eyelashes. Khanin lay there looking at his lover’s face in the dark like that, in the midst of the long silence enough to understand that the other side had probably fallen asleep.

Because Charan just lay still and forced his breath to come and go evenly, the young man began to be restless, wondering if the older man had really fallen asleep or not. In less than ten minutes.

He decided to check by gently moving closer to the sleeping person to investigate, as looking around was not helpful. Khanin had to use touch to help.

The slender finger reached out to feel around the position of the eyelid because the darkness made it difficult to find.

If he couldn’t see it … Khanin moved even closer, the scent of his body, clean, smooth skin, everything became so stimulating, good mood, without the owner of the smell even knowing at all.

Charan held his breath and pretended to be still even though his true feelings were exploding. The boy nibbled, trying hard to control his deep emotions, even though it was difficult.

Being away from your loved one for a long time makes your emotions and desires boil and burst. Charan also never thought that he could control his emotions well, but with Khanin … the other side completely destroyed all beliefs in life.

With Khanin, he never thought it was enough … never enough.

The small thin hand touched the eyeglasses and then moved to the chest panel for a moment, the boy giggled. Charan did not respond, letting the owner of the lovely body enjoy exploring themselves.

He assumed that at this point Khanin is probably starting to have fun, as evidenced by the bursts of laughter that can be heard from afar. The little kittens die of shock, walking into a tiger cave.

Charan allowed the young one to play as he pleased, while he thought of ways to handle the situation to enjoy if asked what he wanted to do the most…

He has no choice but to accept that… Now, he is no different from a sneaky leopard, with one heart wanting to jump into the arms of the victim.

But the other heart wants to embrace his loved one, even if it means lying still to endure. Khanin did nothing wrong, and the little one did not misbehave. The confusion and the spinning were solely his own doing.

Just smelling the soft scent and feeling the warm breath close by. Only that, but the image in his head has wandered off into various fantasies… You’re such a tease, Charan.

“Phii Ran… I missed you.” He thought the little one probably didn’t know that he wasn’t really asleep, while the other side stretched their face and whispered the words in their heart, their body temperature rising, their surroundings getting restless. Charan felt like he was being tested by Khanin’s teasing, and this fact…

He failed… Without any reservations whatsoever.

“Ah…”

The attempted patience was of no use. Charan held Khanin tightly around the waist, forgetting all about composure, the short time of blinking an eye, the one who’s shorter had floated up and changed position to rest on the solid chest, quickly and forcefully enough that the little one didn’t have time to adjust.

“How much do you miss me?”

 

 

Phii… Phii Ran you are still awake.” The sound of the little one’s voice trembled a bit. Khanin twitched slightly, like a kitten caught in the act of playing a prank.

Charan burst into a smile, even if the face wasn’t visible, he knew exactly what expression the other side was making.

The little one might be blushing so hard right now.

“Yes, when my Nin is close to me… Can’t sleep.” The end of the sentence was whispered softly to observe the listener’s reaction.

Khanin stopped twitching and clasped his small hand on the shirt, as if it was a premeditated action to alleviate the discomfort.

“…” The silence was one part that made Charan hear his own heartbeat clearly, it pounded wildly and relentlessly, no different from the lump in Khanin’s left chest.

It’s strange that the feeling suddenly became so intense, the desire for everything easily bubbled up with just one hug… Just one hug.

“What soap do you use, why do you smell so nice…” The more the fingertips sneak in to touch under the shirt, the harder it is to explain the feeling, they both know the future… Both sides know what will happen without the need to talk about it.

It’s not just Charan who wants Khanin. Khanin himself desires Charan as much. 

“Well… the white bottle in the bathroom.” It could be observed from the fact that the little one didn’t have any intention to escape anymore, instead,  the boy chose to lean closer and rub their cheek against the strong chest, and signal their response through subtle body language.

Sometimes using the fingertips to trace the body, at times intentionally slipping the hand down to slide over the abdomen and stop at the edge of the pajamas, teasingly embracing Charan, laughing softly in his ear, playing around with the young one.

“…”

“Oh! What ar-… aaargh.” Khanin opened his eyes wide and automatically lowered his head. Suddenly, being flipped over and pushed down onto the bed by another person, even for a split second. Charan changed his position and moved up slightly, sniffing at the white neck.

“Why is the soap the same…”

“…”

“But Nin, you smell better… you smell really good.” The person who previously appeared calm and collected in front of others, now changed like a different person. Charan breathed in the distinctive scent of Khanin’s body, teasing and tracing warm kisses along the contours of the young man’s white skin, paying no attention to the thin and frail person next to him.

“Uh…” Khanin nibbled at the edge of his lips, the soft touch causing goosebumps to rise on his skin. He raised his small hand to the older man’s arm and almost melted, but quickly spread his legs apart as the person above him asserted himself and pressed his body against him.

“Phii Ran!” The sound of the voice was filled with embarrassment, and

Charan noticed and let out a small laugh at the adorable reaction from Khanin.

The younger one’s body tensed, trying to bring his legs closer together while his body was burning, but he didn’t dare to resist or protest, even though he knew very well that he was being teased, and of course, Charan wouldn’t stop just yet.

“What is it? Does it embarrass you?” The voice asked as the warm tongue licked the small earlobe, making the young man’s body tremble and his mouth quivering.

“Ah… Phii Ran…”

The conversation alone was not enough… Charan focused on every mood, word, and action, playing with the younger one until… he was shaking.

So, what now?”

“Don’t tease me.” The voice that tried to put a lid on his shyness, sounded scary at the same time. Charan felt that Khanin was now even more teasing than before, as he couldn’t resist wanting to tease him even more.

“Who said I was teasing you? I just want to know why we are using the same soap, but you smell better.”

“Oh…” Khanin swallowed a large gulp of saliva under the dark shadow, shuddering as Charan lowered himself after he was done, his thick hand managing to remove the younger boy’s shirt, before nestling warm kisses to his abdomen. 

Hot breaths cut through the body’s temperature, making Khanin’s body tense until he realized that someone had already rapidly arrived and neatly folded his favorite pair of pajamas on the floor. 

“Phii… More, please!”

Charan acted like a book without an epilogue, with no introduction nor ending, while his counterpart lowered his head, biting his own mouth, squeezing his tall body as he widened his legs.

The warm, fiery kiss drew in passion to the white skinned man’s body. Khanin clenched his fists, his heart pounding, his tall body curled up, while his hot fingertips traced the sweet cherry colored lips.

“You smell… sweet.” Charan whispered into the cute ears and licked with his tongue, making the young man’s consciousness go blank, making him utter a shaky voice filled with desire, pleading for him to kiss him.

“Oh… Phii Ran, please… Ah, I beg you.” As Charan hesitated and did everything slowly, his finger was forced into the entrance of love and then pulled out. Khanin was now in dire straits.

He let out a shaky voice, pleading with Charan to come out, his face now totally forgetting about the awkwardness, due to his desire and strong emotions which now overflowed, urging him to plead with Charan for more.

 

 

What can I do for you?”

“Help me…”

“How?”

“Love me a little, love me a little more.” Knowing that if he didn’t take action, he might get hurt, but now Khanin can no longer bear it. The longing and desire are too much to endure.

The young man tentatively asserts himself, awkwardly removing the shirt to reveal the white body to the older lover. The darkness no longer seems like an obstacle. When the soul’s desire reaches its limit.

Charan almost doesn’t say anything else, the young man grasps and kisses the cheek while also slipping the hot fingers into the path of love, causing the thin body to tremble.

“Ah…” The bright lips reveal a faint gasp that steals the air, the eyelids drooping from Charan’s control.

Khanin allowed the older one to explore with his hot tongue and taste the sweetness, while the upper part responded to the love with Charan tongue. As for the lower part… Khanin groaned as his legs spread to follow the hot fingertips moving in and out of him.

The rhythm is sometimes slow and sometimes fast, according to the pace of the seduction… making Charan almost lose consciousness.

The young man bites their lip tightly, struggling with their expression of love, now thinking of withdrawing the words that make them feel confused.

Khanin did not intend to seduce, but it is a natural desire of the other party to melt him without resistance.

“Phii Ran… not there… sensitive.”

“Yes?”

Not with your fingers… Please…” The soft and sweet whisper near the ear makes the heart tremble. Charan can’t speak, and the condition becomes more severe and heavier when he hears the next sentence.

“Nin…”

“I want you… now.”

It’s like the sound of a gong freeing a great lion from captivity. Charan withdraws his fingertips, his big hand unbuttons his garment, revealing the contracted and tempted muscles.

The young man reached out and searched for something under the pillow, before finding an object that made both sides burst into laughter and laugh at each other.

The emergency condom packet that the older one had prepared was taken out, they both knew how to predict a situation like this in advance. Therefore, it’s not surprising that Charan would carry such things.

Though the person doesn’t talk much usually, now acts like a negotiator and seduces each other when in the role of a smiling enchantress. Charan kisses the clear cheek and whispers a few words before handling the protective gear.

When finished, he slowly inserts himself in the warm and soft channel.

“Too naughty… oh.” Khanin raised his hand and pressed the older one’s abdomen for relief of the permeating his shyness, but it’s not easy for someone like Charan.

The handsome face moved closer to rub against the hot lips, while the left fingertips gently played with the nipples of the beautiful breast, diverting the attention for the young one. 

A talented person in both theory and practice never loses their reputation, but the only ache is the tension that once existed, slowly dissipating, instead replaced with an exciting feeling. 

The twitching love hole is calling out. Khanin doesn’t speak, but the reaction stimulates the mood, making Charan almost unable to endure waiting calmly.

One of the big man’s hands lifted a slender white leg onto the bed rail, causing Khanin to collapse on the big back bed, his beautiful body twisted, with tears in his eyes. When another person began to move slowly and cautiously.

“Oh my…”

“Don’t tighten up… Nin.” whispered the person through the white guy’s mouth.

Khanin closed his eyes tightly, just as Charan began to intrude into the warm, soft path.

Charan gritted his teeth, holding his breath and patiently waiting for the sweet passage to relieve the compression. The young man moved rhythmically, before beginning to call out sweet nothings into his lover’s ear.

“Jesus… fuck… again.” Khanin had no idea what Charan was doing to his body, as if he was magically controlling both his body and mind. Khanin tugged at the bedsheet, muffling himself while the older person whispered softly.

“Shh… don’t make a sound, someone might hear.” polite words clashed with cruel actions. Charan did not let up, intensifying the rhythm of love and causing the younger person’s eyes to roll.

Khanin lifted his face, trembling from being pinched from frustration, his thin fingers on his face to hold back sound.

He wanted to argue but he could only hold the blame for the older man in his heart. It was all he could do since there were only Khanin’s moans left… something he couldn’t control

“Hush… uh, ahhh… I can’t stop… ahhh…”

Phii Ran you are so wicked… speaking so softly, giving me such sensation… who could resist.

It felt as if he could read his mind. Charan seemed to slow down, giving Khanin a moment to catch his breath before his waist was locked.

 

 

As someone changed his body movements it caused Khanin to fall into a comatose state.

Khanin’s mind was hazy. He could not deny that Charan knew his body well, or perhaps it was better to say he knew his own body poorly

Where was the point that felt good, where was the point that made him tremble, where was the point that made him twitch… Phii Ran responded accurately to all of them.

“No… I can’t take it, ah…god…fuck me god…”

“Ah…”

“I am gonna cum huh…” Khanin answered, the accumulated emotions piled up at his most sensitive point. Since it’s been so long, it felt more intense than usual. Charan grabbed him, causing him to change positions suddenly, shivering before realizing what was happening.

“Don’t cum yet.”

“Ah! Phii…ugh…” The pearly gates of ejaculation were so close, but so far away. Charan asked him to switch positions for a bit. His body shook, when he came back to knowing what was going on, that whatever he said right now would sound like a fevered moan.

The person who was close to cumming was crying. Khanin screamed softly while the older person raised one hand to support his back and whispered a few words for everyone to hear.

“Your turn.”

The clear cheeks blushed from Charan’s order for Khanin to take control of the game for a bit.

Khanin muttered softly as the older person raised one arm, removing the frameless glasses, his wet hair sticking to his back due to the sweat.

Charan couldn’t help but grin, not looking like a devious man yet making the onlooker feel uneasy and unrecognizable.

Too much… It’s too much. Charan is too dangerous.

Charan didn’t say much. The other person just sent a gaze in the darkness, he simply raised his hips pushing hot cock against the path of love, while forcefully igniting the excitable emotions at the front. One spark at a time, added to the fire.

“Ah…”

“You clever person, will you really give up and lose to me that easily?” Khanin, the game master, was asked in a low voice while considering the words of losing and winning, know-how, and the fact that Charan knew this rule better than anyone else.

Khanin disliked being the loser. His slender body trembled, exhaling deeply, grasping both hands on the firm stomach, before starting to move slightly.

Yes… It’s his turn now. Unless it’s no more from now on. If he let Charan be in control, Khanin would surely be completely defeated.

The slender body contracted violently, starting slowly as Khanin couldn’t find the way. But after getting the final point, the small waist began to turn and undulate slowly, pulling out soft low moans from the tall silhouette under him.

“Ughhh… Ahhh…”

“Oh… My goodness… I.” The beautiful face was sweaty, the palm squeezed into the slim waistband, while Khanin suppressed a smile and clamped his teeth lightly on the finger of the big guy.

The beauty of the tall figure collided with Charan soundly, and he couldn’t take his eyes off. The young man’s low voice made the person who excited him control his body and mind completely.

Call me…” The hot finger was sent to touch the cheerful lips by Charan, who wished it, and Khanin licked his lips to find the person he loved.

“Please say it…” The little cat was touched and rubbed wanting to fight back. Khanin groaned before raising his body until the hot cock almost slipped away from the path of love, causing Charan to quickly press his hips against him.

“Please…” The older guy surrendered without any choice. Charan didn’t hesitate to beg, and it caused Khanin to laugh and bite lightly on Charan’s finger.

Khanin’s eyes met his lover’s when the person above them slowly lowered, swallowing his finger once again, causing Charan to moan heavily and curse roughly.

Suppressing emotions that boiled over with incredible endurance, trying to stay calm, but Charan rose up with some strength, wrapping his arm around his waist on one side, holding the guy firmly in place.

“Stubborn kid.”

“Uh… Phii Ran… Ah, uh…” Moaning with closed eyes, the older boy rocked himself up toward Khanin’s separated buttocks. Charan pressed harder, pushed himself into the narrow path of love, pounding into the sensitive spot causing the Khanin to almost tear up.

Khanin groaned and rubbed his cute face on the thick shoulders, using them as a hiding place to vent his emotions, while his thin hands went into the stiff firmness, feeling the overflow, humming quietly.

“Aahh… Nin.”

 

“I… It’s almost… Uhh…” The slim body shivered and couldn’t hold back anymore. Khanin stepped into the gate of heaven, as suddenly as he didn’t have time to prepare, the good feeling raised him up to the sky, intensely and quickly, causing tears to flow involuntarily.

 

 

Ugh… umm…” Charan didn’t make the younger one wait long. The young man accelerated the pace of his love, rocking his hips a few more times before jerking and tightening up as drops of love spilled into the contraceptive device.

“Ugh…” The flames of love have subsided, but the feeling still lingers. Khanin raised his arms and hugged his older companion, too embarrassed to say anything.

There’s not much to say, he’s still trembling… his legs are still shaking, it’s awkward.

“Good babe.” Along with compliments, a hot kiss was planted on the side of the beautiful and glossy lips. The older one smiled after noticing that the other person was still anxious and just sat trembling quietly. It’s so cute to watch.

“I… did I make you dirty?” It took a while for the younger one to respond. Khanin asked, touching the other person’s face and collarbone.

The drops of Khanin’s cum shots landed on Charan’s face which indicated how much Khanin was feeling and showing at the moment.

“It’s okay.”

“I’ll wipe it off, Phii.”

“It’s okay… it tastes delicious.” He didn’t just speak because Charan licked his lips along with the cum on his lips, a warm feeling spread all over his body like a huge fire burning wildly, bluntly stating how cruel and fierce Charan’s actions were towards his heart.

Khanin tried hard to focus on gathering his mind to fight the eyes, but finally the next sentence and the passionate love from Charan after that, showed how…

“Next time… can you do it properly, please?”

“Wha… what do you want, Phii?”

Cum in my mouth… please…”

A man like Charan Phitakthewa… is not really polite and proper like anyone else in Emmaly says. 

THE NEXT PRINCE CHAPTERS HOME

   THENEXTPRINCE, Chapter 46: Across the Sky Beside You.

The rainstorm at the end of the dry season blew in through the open window, while the sky wasn’t clear and bright with gloomy clouds, and the large drops of rain that fell were no different from the tears of some people.

Someone was lying quietly on the bed, letting time pass by.

Charan lay on the bed, in the satin suit, looking out into the outside world, his voice echoing throughout the sky, but could no longer impact the minds of his listeners.

Charan’s body just responded to everything familiar, conflicting with the inner feelings in his heart. In the young man’s heart, there was no longer any fear of the rain. Because at this moment, the only thing that made him more worried and scared than that was the departure of Khanin…

“If I turn around… Phii Ran, don’t call me Nin… don’t call me by that name.” 

The whispering sound of sadness still echoes in their ears, despite the passing of days. He hasn’t lost touch and is still receiving messages that keep him informed of the young one’s well being. 

Charan knows well that Khanin is now on the other side of the world, but sometimes he feels as if he can still hear the voice of the other person talking quietly beside him. 

In the silence, he hears the sound of a fresh laughter carried by the wind. However, when he turns back, he only finds emptiness, an emptiness that echoes, in this space, Khanin is no longer there. 

The scent of love still lingers everywhere, buried in the clothes left behind. In the pillow that Khanin used to support himself with while they slept together. 

In the good memories that cannot be erased. 

Everything reminds him of the past, making him long for it until it becomes a torment. 

Charan pulls the blanket and hugs it, inhaling the faint scent of the person who has gone so far away. He misses the thin lips that used to smile brightly at him. 

He misses the obstinate person who never yielded to anyone, the unwavering confidence in the eyes that must turn into sorrow just because they want us both to have time for ourselves. Khanin always looked through things like a transparent glass, even when they were young. 

He wants to give him space to deal with the problems that remain, to reflect on the remaining unsettled matters, to release himself from all things. 

To handle the things that have been left unfinished, to remind them of the last thing they still cling to, to unleash his own evolution from everything. 

 

 

Charan didn’t tell anyone where he planned to go. He kept that resolution to himself, began to be quiet like Nin, and waited. 

Waiting to meet the cause of everything… the person who has brought bad luck into his life. 

“My Lord.”

“….”

“My Lord.”

“Yes.” The voice of Narong called the person on the bed to wake up.

Charan listens before slowly getting up and reaching for his glasses to wear.

The young man who leads the Phitakthewa lineage looks to the trusted butler with a hopeful expectation of good news regarding the case that he had requested from the palace assembly several days ago.

“When the palace contacted back, the issue regarding My Lord requested to visit Dhipabawon is considered a special case, and has been approved already by the assembly.” Narong’s statement was straightforward but it immediately caused discomfort in the bedroom of the young lord.

Narong looked at the still and calm face of the person who had been sitting on the bed for several days. His lord couldn’t eat and couldn’t sleep, feeling low and everything that has been plaguing the young man causing his once sturdy physique to wither. His Lord’s eyes that used to be confident now look weary, and as a butler, Narong knows exactly what caused it.

Although Charan had been waiting for this day to come, the young lord of Narong obviously didn’t want to meet the other party. If he had a choice, there probably wouldn’t be anyone willing to become a victim in this unfortunate event.

The heart of a victim needs comforting and there are many ways to help one deal with the stress of going through such a terrible event. As someone who has been by Charan’s side since he was young, Narong thinks that his lord has gone through almost all of it.

All that’s left is facing the things that caused so much pain   head on.

And to those who have had a fiber of relationship and trust… it is difficult to just easily move on without letting go of what’s holding you back.

Therefore, when an order comes directly, Narong quickly tries to handle the matter as fast as he can, but a request sent in must go through multiple inspection processes, and it’s not easy to patiently wait for the outcome.

But ultimately, the destination of waiting has arrived… It is time for Charan to face and confront the burden in his heart.

“If that’s the case… Please prepare a white set for me, Khun Narong.”

Narong paused to receive the order, pondering about the set that the boss will have to wear to visit the convict who was once the most influential one in the country.

At first, the middle aged man intended to meticulously choose the best set for Charan, but the following sentence made Narong change his mind as he instantly understood the intention of the other party.

“Please provide a set that’s not too special.”

“…”

“Because I will only wear it once… and then burn it.”

…

Inside the building for incarcerating convicts, everything is white. The surroundings appear silent, surrounded by a sense of apprehension from humidity and cold temperature due to not having any windows for air circulation.

The first smell defiling the air is a mix of musty odor with a pungent smell of disinfecting alcohol, causing the person walking on the long ramp to have to raise their hand to cover the nose.

Charan halted his footsteps when the guard stopped, the soldiers on duty walked away, before gesturing the welcome hand to step inside. In front of Phitakthewa family’s leader’s lay the deepest prison chamber, a large white door separating people from the outside world and the convicted.

“You only have five minutes for the visit… please go ahead, KhunCharan.”

“Thank you.” Charan expressed his gratitude as the soldier unlocked and opened the door wide. He walked cautiously with bare feet. His eyes scanned around.

Inside this room, everything is white. There is a large area, but there is no device or equipment other than the three foot bed on which an old man is lying still.

Creak!

The sound of closing the door slightly jolted the person lying on the white bed. As soon as he realized someone had come in, seeing a person standing at the end of the bed, his eyes widened in surprise.

“I offer my respects, Your Majesty…” Charan greeted when he saw the awakening gaze of the person lying on the white bed. At this time, Dhipabawon no longer has any capabilities to communicate other than moving his eyes, so the young man had to approach him more closely to convey what he had prepared to say to the other side today.

“…”

“I won’t take long. I came here to answer the question that your Majesty asked me before the competition, about whether I will choose love with Khanin and continue to stay here as a Phitakthewa, or if I will want to be free and leave everything behind.” The young man looked at the person on the bed who blinked frequently in response, indicating that the opposite party still remembers everything.

“…”

“Can you remember, Your Majesty… the question you asked me before the competition, whether to choose between love for Khanin and staying here as Phitakthewa, or to be free and leave everything behind?” The young man looked at the person on the bed, whose blinking eyes indicated that they remembered everything just as well.

Memories went back to the day when they were urgently summoned after admitting their love for Khanin for the first time. Charan also remembered sweating profusely while talking to Dhipabawon. At that time, the anxiety, discomfort, and pressure were so overwhelming that he couldn’t even speak the truth to Khanin.

That was because he feared that the person he loved would worry too much.

“I never intended to force you, but he wanted you to be aware that… Khanin cannot abandon Atsawathewathin. He has to, as the heir to the family… and if that is the case… your decision to stay here also means you cannot abandon Phitakthewa.” 

“…”

“I never wanted to hold you back, but this time I must speak to you frankly. If you choose to be with Khanin, you must stand firm and not leave Phitakthewa behind. But if you choose to leave, you must leave everything here.” 

“…”

“You don’t need to make a decision yet, Charan. We still have plenty of time until the competition is over, but whenever you choose, you must accept the consequences that will follow.”

Love, and freedom.

You cannot maintain both. Because he is Charan Phitakthewa, a loyal dog that everyone has always trusted to protect, take care of, and honestly love and serve Atsawathewathin.

Charan often asked himself why his love for Khanin had to be related to Atsawathewathin. He never understood why Dhipabawon had to try to bind them, even though the other side promised to understand and support him as one of his grandchildren.

The actions of the old man made Charan ask himself whether he had ever had the power to make decisions on his own in various matters. But from everything he learned, the young man was confident that he had never had the power to decide anything.

Everything is just an illusion.

When reality hits, Charan realized that he was just a representative of his mother in the atonement ceremony, so that Dhipabawon did not feel too guilty.

Charan was just a pawn on the board where the other side would use any means to protect the throne. He was just a variable to help keep the power stable, to prevent Khanin from fleeing elsewhere.

Charan Phitakthewa had never really experienced true love and sincerity.

Throughout all the time that has passed, he has never been recognized as a human being in Dhipabawon’s eyes, even for a moment.

“You knew very well that I dare not disobey your order because I had no way of being ungrateful to the person who raised me.”

“…”

“You know very well that the bond between me and Khanin will keep me from going anywhere.”

“…”

“You knew what the answer would be, but you still asked me what to choose. Your Majesty, you used my feelings to your advantage many times.” The old man’s eyes looked at the figure of Charan with a piercing gaze. Although he couldn’t move his body, the gaze of the royal court, which looked back, turned gray.

“Ugh…” The groaning from the person on the bed made Charan feel like there was a lump in his throat, and the tightness felt like something was about to explode. The difficulty in communicating and the sound of strained breaths only brought Charan back to the time of excruciating pain that had passed.

The pain that Khanin had to endure was immeasurable, how much more would that child have to suffer, who would be accused of being the cause of everyone’s death.

In truth… everything was caused by the greed of this single person.

“Therefore, I came here to give Your Majesty an answer… so that there will no longer be any outstanding issues.” said Charan as he took a deep breath, straightened his posture, and looked down at the other person.

“…”

“Today, I have learned what to choose.”

“…”

“What I choose to leave behind… is you, Your Majesty.” Charan was confident that the pain that had haunted him for almost thirty years, the agony that had held him captive in obscurity, would now reach the heart of the other person. The young man conveyed his emotions through his eyes, and a tear fell on his cheek, his face flushed and his lips quivered.

Dhipabawon’s wide red eyes widened, his eyelids expanded, and it took almost a minute for his withered eyes to slowly open and close slowly. His eyelashes were wet with tears even though he couldn’t speak, but just by looking at him Charan knew what he wanted to say.

It was an apology.

A true apology from the person Charan had once respected and revered, the person whom he had given everything to without conditions, the person whom he had idolized before he realized that what he received was just an illusion.

However, Charan did not come here to seek forgiveness from anyone…

He came here to unlock his own emotions, so he could no longer hold onto that apology.

Charan declined Dhipabawon’s apology through sign language and stepped back from the bed. He raised his hand to his left shoulder and bowed his head in respect, according to the tradition of paying homage to Emmaly.

“Time has run out, Your Majesty. I bid them farewell.”

“…”

“May Your Majesty live long and prosper.” said the young man as he followed the protocol of bowing and paying homage before leaving the person of noble birth to stand tall.

Usually, the meaning of those words was straightforward, every time Charan had said it to Dhipabawon, he was hoping that the other party would live a long life under the shade of a tree as a person of gratitude and honor.

This time, however, the meaning of those words was different.

The young man wanted the other party to live a long life.

“…”

“So that you can stay with this misery forever, Your Majesty.”

…

The atmosphere inside the former house where Khanin had lived since childhood was still infused with warmth, just like when Khanin sat down at the dining table and looked up at his father with his messy hair and somewhat lost eyes. Even that person who was absorbed in front of the stove turned to greet him.

The clock on the wall showed that it was already ten o’clock. Khanin woke up late today because he had been in a state of chaos yesterday with cleaning and sorting out things, walking into the dining room and sitting down at the table with his hands on his chin like that. Even the person who was absorbed in front of the stove turned to greet him.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

“Yes. I think it was the best night of sleep I have had in months.” The young man drew a smile on his face, but the words he spoke were a complete lie. 

Khanin couldn’t sleep, he was thinking about Charan, but he couldn’t do anything except let himself dwell on that thought. 

Even though he got up to listen to music, do activities he enjoyed, and kill time, the feeling of missing Charan lingered and never subsided. 

“I too hope my son sleeps well for real.” The middle aged man spoke as if he knew. Tanattai placed an English style breakfast plate in front of them. Before Khanin turned to grab a glass of fresh milk from the fridge to have with it.

“Well it’s your favorite… a simple menu that you like to eat.”

“I missed your cooking skills.”

Biting into bread, speaking without needing to sit together and coordinate words, actually, bread tastes normal, what makes Khanin think back is probably the atmosphere that has been gone for a long time.

“Are you going out today?” A cup of black coffee and a slice of bread is Tanattai’s choice. The middle aged man took off his stained clothes before sitting down at the usual table to drink coffee.

“I am meeting Paul at the park.” It’s been three days since Khanin returned here. Paul was chatting with him every day since the first day he arrived.

But the problem was that he traveled to another city on weekends with his family, just returned to London today, so they made an appointment.

“Good, go out and get some fresh air.” Tanattai asked because he intended to suggest ideas for the boy to go out and do other activities, go out of the house a bit, mainly to hopefully reduce Khanin’s melancholy gaze.

Tanattai looked out, still aware that his son was feeling something. Khanin loved Charan very much. Because he loved so much that he allowed that path to have the freedom to make decisions.

Khanin used the fork to prick the sausage into his mouth, chewing slowly, old memories rushed back into his mind. Before, he used to argue with his dad often about food.

Because Tanattai likes to force him to eat something difficult so even though he is good at eating Western food, his father often lets him practice eating menus that take time to eat, such as Khao-Soi…

The hand that was about to send the last piece of crispy bacon to his mouth stopped, Khao-Soi used to be a menu item that Khanin hated very much, but when he went to Emmaly’s, he tried to find something to eat. The important thing was that it made him think of his dad.

But now, thinking of Khao-Soi, it also led him to think of someone’s face who used to spend time eating Khao-Soi with him at Jirat’s homestay with beef soup…

“What do you want to eat for dinner?” This question arose when Khanin lifted his hot fresh milk for a sip, as fast as his thoughts, faster than his brain’s processing or ordering, the young man blurted out the menu that was stuck in his mind and asked Tanattai to pout.

“Khao-Soi with beef soup.”

“Nin? You usually don’t like Khao-Soi.”

“I want to eat it later… I’ll go first, Dad.” Summarizing the conversation to end it. Khanin knew that his longing was working hard in his mind. He knew everything well but didn’t have any thoughts that would prevent himself even a little.

The young man allowed himself to feel completely. In space that wouldn’t take a step into Charan’s life. 

The cold outside made him clasp his shirt to his body, the person with royal bloodline took steps along the walkway. Khanin typed a reply message to Paul that he was on his way, he would arrive at the public park in a few minutes, while also switching to chat with the person who owns the territory both in mind and heart.

The last message was from Khanin during the evening, reporting where he would go and what he’ll do today. Meanwhile, Charan said that he went to sleep several hours ago.

The warm breath sprayed out into the cool air, causing the slender figure to reach for the mobile phone and put it away. Khanin tucked his hand into his shirt pocket, and strolled through the park amid the cool breeze and bustle of people at noon.

Khanin didn’t rush, he walked leisurely while looking at the surroundings, immersed in the gentle aroma of leaves and grass that wafted along the wind of ordinary life, making him feel a strange tingling in his chest. Khanin smiled as he recalled the events of the past few months.

Having a guardian to take care of the surroundings, holding high ranking positions, and even Charan… everything seemed like a dream.

Khanin felt as if he had fallen asleep with a very long dream, much of which were periods of grief and periods of happiness… but he could never forget.

“Hey!” greeted the person who had been waiting, causing Khanin to turn and look, and a golden head friend walked into his sight, before plunging into an embrace.

“How are you?” Khanin returned the greeting with a hug. Although he didn’t seem to have changed much, perhaps his hairstyle looked a bit strange, but in general, he was still an energy rich person.

“I have to ask you. When I heard the news, I was very surprised. I went to bed, and when I woke up, a friend became a Prince, saying that he was going abroad for a while, and then suddenly became a Heir Apparent.”

“The story is long.”

“You are so mean that you haven’t contacted me.” He cut off his voice, but didn’t really seem to be too serious about anything. He seemed more like he just wanted to complain for others to listen, but how much he really wanted to know was unclear.

“For safety, not mine, but yours.” This may be one of the reasons why Khanin has been able to become friends with Paul for a long time.

The advantage of the other side is that Paul is not the type who likes to be silent about things that he can’t confide in. It seems that this person is more likely to ask questions to show concern.

“Is everything okay now?”

Khanin did not respond in a full voice as they walked and talked along the riverside, chatting about trivial matters before stopping at a brown water bench.

“Hey, and what about that handsome guy? How’s he doing?” After exchanging stories about their lives together, Paul brought up a new topic that made Khanin pause for a moment.

“Just… as handsome as before.”

“Huh. Well, nevermind, what… What kind of person is he? As if he’s not really there.” For a split second, Paul seemed a little confused with the answer, but then burst into laughter and nodded in agreement.

“…”

“…” Khanin smiled lightly, not knowing if he unintentionally revealed his face, but then realized that his friend was getting up, turning to look at each other earnestly.

“Hey, do you want to eat ice cream? Let me buy it for you, consider it as a treat for your back.” He pointed to a nearby ice cream shop.

Khanin looked at the place before answering, “Uh, sure.”

“What kind of ice cream do you want, orange?” Paul’s question made Khanin ponder, his slender frame re emerging with heightened memories of specific moments.

“Orange ice cream?”

“Next time, let’s try the flavored ice cream.”

“Huh?”

“I prefer eating orange flavored ice cream over coffee.”

“I will remember that.”

With a light smile on his lips, it was true that Khanin liked orange flavored ice cream, but in the end, he decided to choose the taste that he missed more than his personal preference.

“I’ll take coffee flavor, thanks.”

Because Khanin hoped that at least these small actions would help alleviate his longing for Charan, whether by a little or by a lot…

…

The warmth from the heater made the atmosphere inside Khanin’s bedroom cozy. It had been several hours since the sun had set and he was getting ready to rest.

From noon until afternoon, Khanin spent most of his time with his close friend Paul, before returning to have dinner with his father.

The beef ball noodle soup recipe by Tanattai tasted good, but it still differed slightly from the homemade cooking of Jirat. During the mealtime, Khanin spent the time talking with his father, calling Tarin, and ending with Chakri, the young butler who always sounded upset whenever he called.

His slender figure laying down on the bed, he stared at the chat screen that still hadn’t received a reply from his crush. Charan had been missing since his last message several hours ago.

It was already 3 a.m. in England. It was evening… Charan should have woken up a while ago, but why hadn’t he messaged yet?

Khanin thought that Charan was probably busy and might be overwhelmed with his workload, but why… couldn’t he spare a little time to reply?

Phii Ran had never disappeared like this before.

His cute face looked sad. Khanin seemed like someone who had both a good and a bad side who were constantly fighting. One side wanted to send a message to his crush, while the other side didn’t think it was necessary.

His slender figure walked back and forth in the bedroom to pass the time. He went in to read the group chat messages containing both Ramil and Evaa, talked, but the two of them weren’t as cheerful as usual. Khanin felt that his physical and mental energy were negative, the atmosphere was even colder outside, despite having a heater that added warmth.

The clock on the headboard showed it was already four o’clock. Khanin took a deep breath before lying down on the bed. He decided to send a message to Charan that he missed him, but in the end, there was no response like before.

Khanin made a sad face, looking at his mobile phone screen before laying it on his chest and staring at the ceiling for a moment. He suddenly shook as he received a call from a video call with a name that he didn’t expect, not the one he had in his heart, but rather a call from the new young leader of the Puchongpisut family.

“What’s up?”

[What is it?] His charming face still looked annoyed and agitated as before.

Khanin raised his eyebrows, while Ramil glanced over suspiciously.

“What?”

[Looking like this, you must miss Charan so much.]

Despite his tough appearance and defiant mouth, Khanin wasn’t in the mood to engage in conversation this time.

“Sigh.” The resigned posture led to another side of the phone falling silent for a moment. Ramil took a deep breath, no longer having fun and instead spoke seriously.

[If you miss him, just call him.]

“…”

[Will you want me to do it for you?]

“How embarrassing.” The younger cousin’s volunteer behavior called for Khanin to turn his gaze back, the fair skinned owner of the house raised his eyebrows before tilting his neck to ask with suspicion.

[Just send someone to fetch him.]

“Did you really use this tactic on him all the time?” The listener frowned and made strange reactions of disgust which created a frustrating reaction from Ramil.

[…]

“Don’t tell me…” Because of the look that Ramil kept glancing at the camera. Khanin could guess that it was his turn to look wrong and retrieve his face back from the other side.

[Shut up, Khana] the voice that was used to teasing him became quieter and clearer.

Khanin narrowed his eyes, imitating the posture of Ramil when the teacher gave an order.

“Let me see behind the camera, Rameng.”

[So troublesome.] Despite all the cursing, he finally acquiesced and turned back to the camera to show the only son of the Minister of Agriculture, who was asleep on the bed of the high ranking young man.

To this extent, even looking from Mars would know that he liked him… It was just that he was too straightforward.

“Should I send someone to fetch him?”

[I’ll go get him myself… Take care of yourself, don’t worry about everything.] The camera turned back to show the sulky appearance of Ramil, and the other side gave a low voice that made Khanin have to take a deep breath.

“Like this, when will he know…”

[Take care of yourself, okay. Did you just call and complain or something?]

“If you just act normal… be careful not to lose him.” Khanin warned from his heart, a moment of seeing a tremble in the sharp eyes of Ramil, but that thing happened just for a split second before it disappeared.

“No need… How about I wait?” Someone insisted on changing the subject.

Ramil volunteered. As for Khanin, he simply ignored the proposal.

“No need… I’ll wait.”

[Just waiting won’t lead to anything. Call him.]

   “No, I don’t want to bother him.” The English speaker’s response made the other side of the phone screen frown. Ramil took a deep breath and cursed before thinking about how to respond.

[You are really complicated, Khana.]

“You litt-…” Khanin was planning to shout back, but something came up, and suddenly Ramil became restless in his seat. Ramil, as he quickly whispered something and Khanin, who was able to connect the dots and figure out the situation for himself.

[Petai will wake up…for now. If there’s anything else you need, just contact me.] Ramil summarized abruptly.

Khanin replied with a throaty  voice in his throat, before the screen and the sound of the cousin faded away, quite certain that he had never heard them use that word with anyone else before.

“…just go to sleep, I am okay.” he said to himself.

The call disconnected, and Khanin’s phone screen returned to Charan’s chat room as usual. This person hadn’t read or responded yet, so finally Khanin mustered the courage to press the phone icon and call out.

The ringing sounded loud, and the handsome young man’s lips trembled as he waited for someone to answer, until the call went silent, and everything around him returned to silence. He looked down at his English lettered bracelet and sighed.

“Destiny is far away but meet anyway.”

Destiny…no matter how far apart on different sides across the sky, they had to meet again.

The more he saw, the more he felt, the more he thought, the more he was tormented.

Khanin wanted to scream, he took himself to sneak under the blanket before letting tears trickle down slowly, both thinking and fearing that if Charan didn’t want to continue with him, what would he do?

Could he really be good at it? Like saying that he would agree to let Charan go, could he really do it?

Tears flowed down, Khanin allowed himself to be overwhelmed by emotions, he cried until his eyes unwittingly closed since he wasn’t sure when.

However, the feeling of someone else’s heavy footsteps in the hallway made Khanin suddenly awaken among the nerve wracking touch he felt in his body.

He listened closely and was quite confident that it was not Tanattai’s footsteps since it was around two o’clock.

Were there other people in this house…?

Blood froze instantly, as fast as thought. Khanin lowered himself down from the wide bed and tiptoed to hide behind the door, like that…

Until someone opened the door with a key. Khanin had been waiting for the opportunity and then jumped in, locking the intruder down, but the other responded quickly.

Khanin was quickly overthrown once again as the world spun, and he tried to wriggle out, but just one sentence from the other side, it was enough to make everything disappear completely.

“Nin…it’s me, okay”.”

Khanin opened his eyes widely, hearing the sound, the scent he was familiar with. His deep brown eyes looked deeply into the charming face of his intruder. The latter didn’t flinch, until it stood still again as the curtain of its eyes closed and sealed the smile that his body longed for.

“Phii Ran? I am not dreaming right?” Some confirmed the truth with a warm touch on the dark side.

Khanin was afraid that this might just be a dream, he was afraid that if he woke up…everything that seemed real right now would be shattered.

“It’s not a dream…I came for you, Nin.” Some confirmed the reality with a warm touch on the dark side.

Khanin released Charan’s hug, and minutes passed before they looked at each other.

Fingers rubbed against warm cheeks, and the disheveled face looked like someone who hadn’t slept for days. Khanin couldn’t help but feel concerned for his loved one.

The warmth of his breath confirmed that this wasn’t a dream.

Phii Ran came here… to find him.

Tears of joy flowed down, and the longing that had been suppressed was expressed through vulnerability. Khanin hugged the person in front of him with all his love, and this time the young man buried his face in the older man’s chest, rubbing it and crying without shame like a child.

“You disappeared…all day, gone to the point where I thought you didn’t want to talk to me anymore…[sobbing].” Khanin never spoke of his fears to anyone, but they brewed in his heart, his small hand firmly clutching the taller man’s shirt showing the need for this person not to disappear again.

“I’m sorry…I’m sorry.” Charan hugged him tightly in response, knowing full well how much Khanin’s life was fraught with such moments of loss.

How would life go on without the sun? 

Without the guiding light, Charan was just a foolish tree waiting for death.

“…”

“The reason I disappeared was that I was on a plane, and also…Tanattai said you were staying with Paul and didn’t want to be disturbed. I wanted you to spend time with your friends, while I hurriedly cleared up everything on my work schedule.” Charan wanted his younger companion to know that he wasn’t at peace and didn’t want to be gone for long.

It may sound exaggerated to say, but the moment Khanin turned away, Charan knew deep down that this wasn’t what he wanted.

But because the issue they faced was heavy and weighed down by duty and family burdens, the young man couldn’t act on his feelings right away.

“At least try to make contact, do you know that I…mmmhpf.” Before he could finish his sentence, the bigger guy managed to pile them both onto the large, soft bed.

His warm hand reached out to hold both of their hands, and then he drew them towards his cheeks and used a gaze that left hearts trembling.

“I wanted to surprise you, Nin.” Charan kissed the small hand. His narrowed eyes met with the younger man’s sensitivity as he spoke, telling him what he felt inside his heart. “I miss you.”

The warm feeling returned to surround both of their bodies again. Khanin no longer needed to resist, as long as they were together. Charan wanted the other to experience the feelings he wanted to feel, to do what he wanted to do, without having to deceive himself or having to do things for anyone else.

Khanin didn’t need to be strong anymore, as long as they were together. Charan wanted his younger companion to feel the way he wanted to, to do what he wanted to do, without fear of deceit or obligation to anyone else.

He just waited… until the other side stopped crying in the midst of London’s thick, eerie air, while the moonlight shone through the window and reflected in their close collaborating eyes.

“I have fixed everything in Emmaly, it won’t disappear anymore.” Charan came out whispering some words not much different from a promise, after letting the loved one express their emotions until the other side’s face brightened up.

“Really?”

“Yes, I won’t go far away from you anymore… I don’t eat much without you, just keep thinking about you.” Charan’s expressions and everything else appeared clear as day.

 

 

I don’t eat much either… I was just thinking about the time we spent together.”

“…”

“Before everything happened… I had a list of places to travel to and eat at. Because I thought you would come with me, Phii Ran.” The end of the sentence shivered with a story. Khanin recalled his newly opened restaurant list, as well as the travel plans they used to talk about, before they had to separate due to a terrible event.

“If that’s the case, let’s go to every restaurant you want, go wherever you want, travel together like we used to talk about, right?”

“Will you have time, Phii Ran?” Khanin asked suspiciously. He thought

Charan still had a lot of work to do, so he didn’t dare to be too happy yet.

“I have time… I’ve resigned from my position as the head of the family. I’m a freelancer now… wherever I want to go, I’ll go. If Nin you are with me.”

“Resigned?” Khanin widened his eyes, accidentally speaking out loud with surprise. He didn’t think what Charan said about fixing everything would end up as him resigning or giving up his position.

“Yes.” The older one smiled before starting to explain for the loved one to understand, “Actually, I didn’t want to be in this position from the beginning. I thought I would only stay for a short time.”

The final task assigned was to bring the young Young Prince of Atsawathewathin back to the base…

“…”

“The Sovereign King promised to let me retire and paint full time if I completed the mission, but once I did, I couldn’t leave… because someone asked me to stay. He said if I wanted him to join the competition I should stick around. I was thinking it would end there, but no, that person needed me to be with him, to be responsible for him… because I brought him to Emmaly.”

At that time, I didn’t have anyone else.” Khanin chuckled, his two layered eyes avoiding contact as he whispered, tucking some soft hair behind his small ear with an affectionate look towards Charan.

“Yes… he said he didn’t have anyone else and that I was the only important person in his life at that time. So, I decided to stay because that person was as important to me as I was to him.”

“…”

“He made me a better person, made me smile more, happier, no more nightmares, not alone when it rains, nothing to be afraid of when he’s there with me… but he’s not there anymore, so there’s no need to stay.” Charan explained at length. He fell silent when he saw the young one’s face looking like he wanted to ask something.

“And what grandfather did… are you not angry?” Khanin avoided talking about it in detail, fidgeting, not even daring to look up at the tall figure.

“Am I angry… disappointed and sad?” Charan’s face reflected reality, with the other person’s eyes dimming sadly when he had to talk about himself, trying to persuade him to forget about it.

“And, do you still want to be with me…?” Khanin asked with a trembling voice, his cute face dropping with his chin almost touching his chest, a mass of sadness spreading, and his demeanor showing heavy concern.

“Listen to me, Nin.”

“…”

“Nin, you are not at fault, you did nothing wrong from the start, I admit that I didn’t handle my own feelings at first, but when we were apart, I realized how much it hurt not having you around, and I asked myself if I still wanted to be with you… and the only answer in my heart was yes, I want to be with you, forever and always.”

“…”

Even though I won’t forgive the person who hurt my mother, I’ve decided that I’ll stay in the present… I don’t want to lose you, Nin.” Charan reviewed and discovered that where one lived in the world was not essential, comparable to having Khanin by his side.

The most important thing in the young man’s life now was not having a good reputation and living for someone else; the only thing he wanted from now on was Khanin, a simple person who was the only one in this world.

“Phii Ran…”

“Nin you are the present and future, everything in my life… I love you, Nin.” Charan met Khanin’s eyes, expressing his heartfelt sentiments, and all of it held back tears.

“I love you too, as much as possible. I… Nin don’t want to lose you Phii either.”

“I am not going anywhere… we’ll be together.”

“Aww, together forever.” Khanin smiled through his tears, the first genuine smile in many days.

“Yes, together forever… I promise.”

…

The swordsmanship association was not as crowded in the evening as it was during the day. Only a few people were practicing in the field, some were watching their friends compete, and some were practicing alone.

Khanin took his loved one to another room, not wanting anyone to interfere with his competition against Charan for this time.

After Charan came to see him last night, the two of them spent time together and chatted to understand each other better, each side taking turns to talk about what they had been doing for the last few days.

 

 

They spent the whole night together in their room before finally deciding to take a walk around. It was Khanin who suggested they come here.

This was the first time they had met at the swordsmanship association.

Charan took Khanin to the same place he used to watch him from when he first came here and talked about the feeling he had at that time of seeing Khanin’s face, and how he felt like Khanin was a quick witted person.

And of course, Khanin felt just as nervous.

Both sides were lost in thought, talking and enjoying watching others play sports until time passed for several hours. They agreed on almost everything, but couldn’t come to a conclusion when it came to dinner.

From being a spectator to becoming a player, the sword game began when both sides refused to offer what they wanted to eat based on their own desires. Khanin suggested that Charan come forward to fight him to sort out a way out for everyone to get a choice based on their desires.

The condition was that each person had to offer a different menu, and the loser had to agree to eat what the winner proposed. However, Charan kept playing poorly on purpose, which isn’t really losing on purpose. What should we call this?

“Eung-Ang… how will you win if you keep playing like this?” Khanin teased, removing his metal mask before walking over to the other side that had just smiled and shouted words.

“I wasn’t planning to win anyway.”

“But that’s not fair… we agreed to eat what the winner wanted. Why are we competing if you’re just going to agree to lose to me?”

“Are you not satisfied that I agreed to lose?” Charan chuckled as he hugged the chest heaving in laughter, removed his metal mask and gloves, then reached out to hold the white hand together, leading the other side to the corner of the room.

“Yes.” Khanin murmured when he heard the young man ask for his beloved’s help with removing his body armor in a gentle and caring manner, which Charan duly obliged with tenderness and care.

“So, how do you feel satisfied?”

The tall figure asked softly after removing the lightweight armor for Khanin, his handsome face smiled and looked amusingly at the person who refused to accept defeat.

“Are we going to compete again?”

“I don’t want to compete anymore, if I do, you’ll just stubbornly lose… I want to take you to eat something that I’m stubbornly craving for more.”

“So you bait me with food then, if I gain weight later, I won’t walk, I’ll just ride on your back going everywhere, and if your back breaks, I’ll take care of it.” Khanin laughed as the younger hugged his chest and turned to hide his face.

“Are you sulking?”

“Yes, I am.”

Charan chuckled when he heard that, looking around confidently thinking there was no one else in the room except for him and Khanin, the young man decided to turn the younger one around to look in his eyes.

Khanin quickly followed his gaze and looked straight ahead. When he saw the other person’s face tense, Charan remembered the first time he clashed lips, the white one was so cute and seemed to… he just can’t help teasing him now.

“I apologize for making you angry, Your Majesty but I flew across the sky with a purpose being you.”

Charan said with words he once used with the other side before, and he remembered specifically that on that day, he spoke because he wanted the other side to think about the role of Young Prince of Atsawathenin.

On that day, Khanin was just as stubborn as he is now.

“…”

“Don’t sulk for too long… the next time, no matter when, I will be willing to give in again. Because I never thought I could defeat you.” But today is not like yesterday anymore. He spoke simply because he wanted to tease someone he loved to be in a good mood and wanted him to understand the main purpose of his coming back to be together, more clearly.”

“…”

“Between us, this is a love story… I hope the prince will understand…”

“Phii Ran…” The younger one put his hands on the older man’s neck, tense and not knowing what to do when he heard Charan’s words, then suddenly burst out laughing. Khanin also laughed out loud. He didn’t expect Charan to play like this right now, it was cute but…

“Why?”

“It’s very cheesy.” the young man whispered teasingly, causing Khanin’s eyes to widen with laughter.

Charan did the same thing, the laughter of the two mingled together.

Charan pulled the smaller person closer and asked back with a chuckle.

“Don’t you like it? I thought you would.”

“Someone like you… I like everything about you.”

The sweet sentence answered back, calling for a smile from the listener. Charan raised his eyebrows and asked himself a question whose answer he already knew.

“Do you just like it?”

“Oh, love, the greatest love of all.” The sweet whisper was not far from the hope that Charan should find something. Khanin is so lovable, so lovable that Charan thinks he should find something.

The young man moved closer to the white person until there was almost no space left for the air to pass through. The surrounding atmosphere was silent after a warm conversation.

The eyes met each other with love, and the chilly air outside filled the space, but it could not make them feel cold anymore.

Because at this moment, their warm breaths were exchanged in harmony, shared from one person to another…

The warm lips moved closer to each other, kissed with passion, the soft touch from Khanin was the only thing that helped ease the journey.

Charan knew he had made the right decision.

Khanin is the only reason for him to continue living.

Previously, Charan had babbled about the cruel fate that took away the people he loved, but now he has made a vow with the person above. 

If the gods chooses not to take his loved one at this time. Charan promised not to think or talk about the terrible past anymore or blame the gods. From now on, he will live to protect, take care of, and love Khanin with all his heart.

He will never let anyone extinguish or destroy his sun.

No more Phitakthewa, no more Atsawathewathin.

Charan will love and accompany Khanin until they cross the sky together.

Across the sky Beside You.

 

END.

 

   THE NEXT PRINCE CHAPTERS HOME

   THENEXTPRINCE, Chapter 45: Love Beyond the Limits.

“Khanin… Are you injured?”

“What’s wrong? Did something happen to you? Khanin, answer!” The crowd swarmed around him, their bodies in confusion.

Khanin sat in silence, letting Evaa, who was standing near him, ask questions with a trembling voice, while Ramil tried to turn Khanin over and made a loud noise. The team members rushed in to take care of and ask about what happened, but there was no response due to the inability to speak.

The violent incident that occurred earlier still lingered. Waseen, the leader of the Meenakarin family, deliberately ended the life of the Sovereign King and himself with the vengeance bullet, causing the breath of the esteemed uncle to stop in front of everyone.

As for Dhipabawon… The faint vital signs remaining caused the field medical team to quickly move the wounded person to the hospital. Khanin was protected and brought out by Charan, and he could not speak. Even now, when the opposing party had to distance themselves.

“Nin, you are safe here.”

Charan did not allow Khanin to follow. As the tall figure moved further away, many people pushed their way into the chaos around him. Amidst the turmoil where Khanin stood, behind him was a medical unit waiting to take some of the injured for treatment with police officers stationed nearby.

Nearby the entrance gate to the palace, reporters from various agencies tried to force their way in, while other officers blocked people outside to prevent any disturbance.

The violent incident was too intense to keep everything away from the eyes of the public. At this time, all members of the royal family were invited to board bullet proof cars to be moved to a safe location. Khanin tried to find Charan, searching frantically for the familiar figure, but he was nowhere to be found.

“Why isn’t Phii Ran coming?” Khanin asked Chakri, who had just closed the door and sat next to the driver’s seat, and the young man then felt the uncertainty of his body, but still struggled to maintain his composure.

“Khun Charan has to stay and command Phitakthewa’s men, Your Highness.” the plump butler replied, before turning to talk with the bodyguard, who had now become the current driver in place of the regular driver.

At this point, Thawetmetha’s state guard unit had come to stand and wait for the car to be escorted. Khanin looked around again before finding someone who was looking for him.

Charan was over there… Finding himself struggling to issue orders to Phitakthewa’s remaining men, it looked like they were slowly being pushed away from each other by the human wall that surrounded them… All the time.

The distance wasn’t so far, but the feeling made him shudder with fear.

“I’ll wait…” Khanin told the driver, making the car of the young royal of the Atsawathewathin family the only one that had not yet moved out like all the other cars.

“Young Prince Khanin, you will wait…”

“I’ll wait for Charan.”

“Let’s go to the hospital first. Son, you need a check up. Charan wants your body to be thoroughly examined. He wants it to be like that.” said Tarin, exhaling before the Atsawathewathin family state’s man signaled the butler to close the door, then reached out to touch the young prince’s head lightly.

“Will you let him come?” Khanin asked in a soft voice, his expression anxious at the prospect of the response he might receive.

“Once my duty is fulfilled, he will follow.” the father replied tersely before turning to instruct the driver to set out. The authoritative tone of the person with more power than the young prince caused the driver to immediately pull out of the palace gates. Those who had been posturing nervously immediately straightened up and turned to face the departure of the car.

“Phii Ran is probably busy, we’ll see each other soon.” Khanin said as a way to console himself.

Khanin tried to reassure himself by diverting the current of his thoughts to Charan who was busy chatting with others, seemingly oblivious to the fact that the car was about to leave the palace gate. The pair’s gaze was filled with confusion and ambivalence, pain seeping out of every pore of the young man’s heart. It was as if a hand that he couldn’t see was squeezing them tightly.

Though the window tinting film made it hard to see inside the car, Khanin was certain that Charan was looking his way. His gaze was filled with confusion and ambivalence, pain seeping out of every pore of the young man’s heart. It was as if a hand that he couldn’t see was squeezing them tightly.

Khanin blinked back tears. He now knew that something was amiss…

If everything was the same, if the feelings were the same, would Charan tolerate or allow him to distance himself? Wasn’t it true that under these circumstances, he wouldn’t be here, standing next to Charan? But why did it have to be like this?

Lips pursed tightly together, Khanin tried to suppress the lump in his throat. He couldn’t bring himself to give an answer, and all he could do was stay frozen in his place, his pale face gazing out the window. His eyes darted away from Chakri’s worried gaze.

“I… to be honest, I used to wonder why I existed. If I hadn’t been born, no one would have to suffer or sacrifice themselves, and you could have lived a life that was truly your own. Father would be living in the palace, living the life everyone wants. I couldn’t answer myself clearly, except to say that it was a good thing that I was still alive. Right?”

“It’s good that we’re still here…”

“…”

“It’s good that we met.” Khanin said, and then fell silent.

Sometimes Charan might have a genuine answer, but… because of that, he might not want to be near him like before.

Khanin rubbed his eyes with the back of his small, slender hand. He heard Tarin’s inquiry, but he couldn’t bring himself to meet it. The only thing he could do, and it was hard, was to let the hot tears fall.

Khanin was in so much pain that he couldn’t do anything right now, not even in his mind. He didn’t dare hope for Charan’s forgiveness, nor to even think about going back to the days when they could stand side by side as lovers.

He knew and realized that even in his thoughts, it wasn’t appropriate. The only thing that remains in his mind is that Charan’s mother had to die to protect him from threats.

Khanin shuddered uncontrollably, and the only thing left of the brave child who had never feared anything was the body, a body that was clung to and hugged by his father for comfort.

Letting the vulnerable child inside him cry out in a pitiful voice. Tarin heard it, but he couldn’t command it to stop. The young boy felt like he had gone back to the days when he had wandered around lost.

He didn’t know what the future held, and he didn’t know anything at all.

All he knew was… no matter how much Charan’s heart changed, he would always love and hold on to the good in him.

As the red cloud covered the entire sky, and the rumbling was heard, signaling an imminent storm, the people gazing at the outside scenery were not fazed.

The fear that the tempestuous weather brought did not distract those who were sitting and looking outside.

Khanin upped the volume of the television in the living room, chasing away the silence without paying any attention to it. He let the silence cover his body and looked out aimlessly without focusing on anything.

The first news agency to publish an analysis of the events in Emmaly was Asia Times, with an analysis discussing the king’s governance.

Public opinion thinks…

The female journalist’s voice floated in one ear and out the other as she reported the news. After spending three days in the safe house for security checks in the Royal Palace, the palace returned to normal.

An immediate meeting to determine the direction of the country was held in the palace. Meanwhile, the leaders of each state held strong discussions with each other. Even the Puchongpisut Rachata, who is currently under investigation for attempted murder, could not avoid it. Because the current leader of the country, Sovereign King Dhipabawon, has become a powerless figure.

Grandfather has become paralyzed…

The bullet that Waseen left as a final appointment rushed straight into the center of the back of the old man, burying itself in the spine. Although it kept his life, the old man could no longer speak or move as he pleased as before.

The dark deeds that were kept under the rug for nearly thirty years were revealed, and old cases were re-tried again by the Parliament in the dynasty.

When they ordered an investigation, they found more evidence.

What Dhipabawon did was not just smuggling. He also tried to prevent other states from having power above him, causing many people to suffer from this loss of power.

Various evidence clearly indicated that Dhipabawon deliberately twisted the treaties between the states and carried out heinous acts for a long time just to maintain power for Aatsawathewathin.

Or maybe he just wanted to keep his own evil deeds hidden.

The old man was immediately released from his position. The Parliament passed a resolution to imprison the former Sovereign King in the most horrific place in Emmaly for two months, allowing no one to visit except for the staff who were taking care of him.

The room Dhipabawon needed to use was determined to be a clean, white room with no odor, sound, windows, or white doors. The appliances were white and the food delivery and nursing staff who came in during the day were all dressed in white.

The light bulbs that were used in the room were neon white to prevent prisoners from seeing themselves, and they were not turned off even for a minute so that the prisoner’s brain could remain alert at all times.

This was a place that Dhipabawon had ordered to be built to torment those who opposed Aatsawathewathin. The draft law was created to allow the use of this horrific place.

This mental atrocity was the beginning of the torment that Dhipabawon would suffer. The previous leader of Emmaly had to endure the feeling of emptiness, languishing, and confusion, constantly going back and forth like that forever.

Emmaly compared their sword to the law. If the sword of power and justice was used intentionally to harm others, then it had no righteousness, and it was simply a tool that was harmful to society. Remember that regardless of whether you are at the highest or lowest point of the country, the value of a person… They measured it based on his actions, reputation, and greatness that he gained without the approval of morality.

The sword…

However, when it falls into the hands of those who abuse their power, it loses its righteousness and just becomes a tool of destruction.

Be aware that as high profile figures, people measure them by their deeds, reputation, and greatness that they gained without the approval of morality.

When the leader of the country became defective, a regent, the important people in the country requested a new Sovereign King to be selected. However, all the state leaders disagreed with the old method, so they decided to govern transparently together to prevent future events that would lead to internal conflicts.

Of course, Khanin and the cousins Evaa and Ramil were present at the meeting, as they recognized the injustice of any state holding power without being reviewed by other states. As in the past, they proposed a new path for Emmaly by offering to upload all information regarding state trade and various budgets that would be used in the country onto an online platform.

This allows everyone to have access to it, including the public.

No one at the meeting objected, so technology leaders like Thawetmetha volunteered to create a platform to upload data, while Atsawathewathin had to pay the penalty imposed on the previous Sovereign King after verifying his assets by allowing the central accounting office to examine them. They also had to agree to return the seized property of others that the old man had previously confiscated and to be the facilitator for all parties without interfering with the central treasury.

On the Puchongpisut side, Rachata finally confessed to his wrongdoing and voluntarily entered prison, relinquishing his title as Prince and apologizing to everyone involved in the case. This led to a newcomer taking over the state government under; Ramil. While the cousin who was bored and with Khanin throughout, became one of the busiest state leaders in Emmaly. In addition to becoming the party to verify the assets and accounts of every state before uploading them on the platform created by Thawetmetha, they also had to transfer all work from the previous father within three days before Rachata entered custody.

As for the leader of Meenakarin… Uncle Waseen died unexpectedly, resulting in only one state in Emmaly lacking a leader. Meanwhile, the assembly selected a new person to take over since Waseen had no heirs to pass on his position.

In the state of Meenakarin, people who were affected had been comforted, and all remaining states provided assistance in every aspect, including food, livelihoods, living conditions, education, medical care, and transportation.

Although it was too late for many families to reconcile, many of them decided to return and settle in this coastal area again.

Emmaly will likely take many more years to fully restore itself to its former glory and heal the large wounds inflicted.

However, Charan’s and Khanin’s feelings… It is unclear how long it will take for them to return to normal.

For several days, Khanin has had a chance to meet Charan, but during their encounter, no one mentioned anything about what happened. Khanin admitted that he was afraid to answer.

Khanin’s eyes hid behind looking at the painting of the Delian flower on a quiet room wall, the inexplicable variety of feelings gnawing at their hearts. Since the significant event that happened that stretched until now, this young man couldn’t manage his own life.

Emmaly’s government and political situation seem to be heading in a better direction after the unanimous vote of approval from all the families. While it is not yet perfect, no one has come forward to oppose or criticize this change.

As a member of the royal bloodline, Khanin thinks that the whole story is slowly reaching a turning point, with all wrongdoers being punished for their actions.

Everything seems to be heading in the right direction, but if there is anything that is not right, it would probably be his relationship with Charan that seems to be distorted.

Since the incident, their relationship seems to have a large gap that cannot be seen with naked eyes, but it is deeply hidden and infiltrated in their minds.

Khanin does not dare to speak about the relationship and decision in the future, and he knows that Charan is the same.

Their love and relationship is not a dead end, but a crossroads that requires decision making. Khanin has been reflecting on it and has given him the path he chooses to take.

It will not be the end of this relationship.

The past stories they learned have brought Khanin those negative emotions. Even though he didn’t want to think about it and tried to forget, he couldn’t change the truth about Charan’s mother’s death.

The realization of the past relationships is much more than what Khanin can handle. Charan does not speak, and the other party continues to act as if nothing had happened, but they both know that it is not the case.

What Waseen and Dhipabawon did created huge wounds for both of them, and it was too difficult to easily overcome like the bad stories in their lives.

Because they care too much. Because they love each other so much that they cannot see past those things easily.

Khanin must fight against the negative emotions within him. He does not want to hate himself, but the words from that day still haunt him, becoming a festering wound in his heart. If left untreated, it will only cause pain.

The young royal is looking for a way to fix this, but Khanin does not want to continue to be stubborn. He does not want to ignore the problem even though he knows in his heart that it’s there.

He loves Charan, and it is a love without any conditions, a pure love that is too overwhelming to contain, even though Charan’s heart is still fragile.

“A cup of lukewarm tea like this can ease the tension.” Because he keeps thinking too much. Khanin did not hear the sound of footsteps behind.

The father sat down on the sofa across, pouring the steamy tea into the abandoned cup.

“Dad…”

“What are you thinking about?” The familiar voice did not calm the chaotic story in his mind, but seeing the face of Tanattai made him feel uneasy and a bit guilty.

He knows that since these past few days, he has caused those around him to worry, but since he cannot stop the feeling of sadness. Khanin does not know what to do. When it comes to Charan, he becomes someone who is not good at expressing his emotions.

“I am thinking about many things.”

“Do you have any idea what to do next?” Tanattai acted as if he were Khanin’s caretaker, because Khanin would not have dared to lie, those eyes that seemed to see through his thoughts in just a moment.

“….”

“Can you tell me what you want?” The gentle sentence and tone made Khanin’s eyes hot, the young man was quiet, pondering the things inside that made him unable to stop, until he finally yielded to express his thoughts to be heard by his conversation partner.

“I want to come back to my home.” It was said, but it was Khanin who felt heartbroken. He glanced at Chakri again, his butler seemed to be in shock.

The small corner of the mouth was curled up to the owner of the house. Khanin knew well that the decision at this time would have a significant impact on many people, but one thing had been true throughout, and had been since the beginning … he didn’t want to be a Prince.

Life as an ordinary person is a different choice.

“So, what is it that makes you worried? Can you tell me?”

The question from Tanattai had an answer in Khanin’s mind with eighteen thousand stories that he didn’t know whether he actually should ditch his title of nobility or not, what his father really felt, and his relationship with Charan.

“I… I am worried about Dad Tarin.” However, in the end, Khanin chose to speak out about only one thing, he lowered his eyes and kept them on the cool tea cup, releasing the mass of overwhelming feelings to expand, while Tanattai smiled slightly.

“If that’s the case …”

 

 

Don’t worry, Khanin.” The third person in this conversation arrived just in time. Tarin sat down at the table. Khanin was summoned to join the conversation.

“…”

“We, two fathers talking together, whatever makes you happy, we won’t interfere. Nin, you can live however you want.”

“Have you talked already?”

“Oh, we the-fathers have talked.” The leader of the Atsawathewathin family nodded his head, it was an agreement among them as the birth father and caretaker father of the child. Tarin understood the bond between Khanin and Tanattai well, so he had no intention of ruining the child’s happiness.

Khanin should no longer be in pain about family or life anymore.

“We want you to live the way you want, and we want you to know that everything that has happened is not your fault.”

“…” Like an important key that unlocked the young Khanin’s heart, tears appeared before the symbols of weakness emerged again.

“Whatever mistakes occurred due to other people’s decisions, it is not your fault, Khanin.” The smiles and gentle tones from both fathers were like a bandage to soothe the wounds in his heart.

“Everyone has suffered, and no one should be blamed for things that were decisions made by others, not by you, Khanin.” Tarin nodded his head slowly as he spoke in a low voice, reassuring Khanin.

Tanattai confirmed this by raising his hand to gently pat the head of his kind and righteous son, drawing a smile and tears in his eyes.

“Thank you.” Those words meant a lot to Khanin. While the problem with Charan was still unresolved, the love from Tanattai and Tarin helped alleviate some of the pain in Khanin’s heart.

“Thank you to us, but why? Your life belongs to you, it has been his since you were born.” Tarin said with a smile, loving Khanin with all his heart, even though he wasn’t the one who raised and took care of him since he was a child, as he should have.

“I am so lucky.” The young ones exclaimed with a smile and sparkle in their eyes while Tarin and Tanattai looked back with slightly raised eyebrows.

“What do you mean, Nin?”

“That I have two cool dads.” That simple sentence wasn’t an exaggeration at all, the soft laughs of the three people in the living room made this place feel warmer than before, after going through a tough time from that day.

Khanin got up from his chair and hugged his biological father, as well as his father who had taken care of him with love, while some people in the corner of the room sniffled and whimpered.

“Why are you Chakri crying?” It was Tarin who turned to ask the plump butler, who pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his eyes, bowed his head with a reddened nose, and whispered softly.

“I’m… I’m happy that the Young Prince is feeling better, Your Majesty, but… I can’t help feeling sad. It just occurred to me that I won’t be able to see him often.” Chakri can’t shake off his heartache. He himself wants the Young Prince to have his own life, but he can’t deny the deep sadness still lingering in his heart that he needs to deal with.

“I will visit everyone frequently and call. I’ll call Father every day. Is it good if I call Khun Chakri too?” The young man asked Chakri, who is his trusted butler, while the latter wiped away tears discreetly. Khanin had just left Tarin and Tanattai to embrace the person standing still with a look of empathy.

“[Sobbing]…”

“I will send a plane ticket so that you, Khun Chakri can fly to see him, right?” The young man questioned Tarin, causing the latter, who is a high ranking statesman, to chuckle softly.

I will allow him a special leave of absence or if he flies… will you go with him?” The permission from the highest authority at the moment, was like holy water that sprinkled into the withering soul of Chakri, helping him to recover.

“Th…thank you, Your Majesty.” Chakri stammered with the person of high rank, while the young butler shed a smile at the gesture.

“Thanks.” Khanin replied.

The freedom to call from Tarin was received, and Khanin walked back to sit at the table. Before the question from his father, that would make him silent.

“You go, no one will say otherwise, let me handle the matter about the people here.” Tarin’s gentle voice, as well as the look of Tanattai, indicated that both men understood the relationship between their son and Charan very well, even though they didn’t mention the other party’s name directly.

“….” Khanin was speechless, but aware of what Tarin tried to convey.

“When there is a problem. If we don’t solve it, we’ll never be able to move forward, Nin.” As his father said, sometimes he had to dig out the pus from the wound, face the pain to avoid the unseen wound from spreading.

…

The rainy season of Emmaly was about to pass, the chilly wind brought in cold air, indicating that winter would soon come. Charan Phitakthewa walked along the long path, his right hand, which was not injured, held two white chrysanthemums attached to his chest.

Both sides of the road were littered with tombs of aristocratic families. Charan’s slender legs moved slowly, not hurrying, bringing his body to stop in front of the grave of his mother, which was next to the father’s. The quietness invited a deep sigh.

The owner of the high ranked house gazed at the characters engraved on the stone plaque. Charan bowed his head and placed both flower baskets on the ground, before stepping back to stand with an unassuming posture.

The surrounding atmosphere was silent and serene, conflicting with the turmoil inside Charan’s heart. After the chaotic event, the young man spent only a few days recovering from the injuries before returning to work hard as before.

Charan valued every minute, as he had many important things to think about.

‘Phitakthewa are servant-dogs.’

   To correct the wrongdoing, Charan must uproot and dispose of the parasitic plants. Anyone who has committed or supported any wrongful acts will be sent to face the full extent of the law.

Managing the internal family system is a heavy task, but even more challenging is managing one’s own emotions within the mind.

Charan wants to move past his past struggles, but it hurts too much to immediately let go and move forward.

The sound of footsteps from behind became louder, destroying the peaceful silence. Charan flinched before pausing when he saw someone waiting outside the gate.

“Nin…” Charan wasn’t surprised or prompted to question how the other knew where he was. Because before this, he was the one who sent the message to report to the other side himself, but what he didn’t expect was Khanin showing up here with a bouquet of white lilies in his hand.

“May I come in?” The questioning sentence received a nod from Charan. He went straight to the gate, unlocked it, and opened it for the young one to step into the family’s territory.

Both smiled slightly at him. Khanin quietly laid the bouquet on the grave of Charan’s parents before stepping back to show his respect.

The young royal counted his steps before standing tall in a composed posture. They allowed time to pass by, and it took several minutes before Khanin finally eased the tension with a few gentle words.

May we talk for a bit?” Their eyes evaded each other’s gaze as they waited for a response. But as soon as Charan replied, the young one’s face gradually relaxed.

They walked aimlessly together. Charan suggested going to the nearby park by the riverside, as it seemed like a suitable place for them to be.

The clock ticked lazily, and the chilly wind brushed against their skin. The sun was a huge ball of fire that slowly disappeared behind the dark clouds.

“How’s your wound, does it still hurt?” Starting the conversation with concern, Khanin had the opportunity to take care of Charan, at least for the first few days. But when the older one insisted on not needing any more time to recover, the young one had no choice but to let go.

“Not anymore… And you, Nin? How’s everything at the palace?”

“The situation there is…”

“Are you tired?” The familiar voice came with a gentle gaze, and Charan’s unchanged look lingered. They both still wished nothing but kindness and love for each other.

“It’s not your fault.” In the middle of the serene sunset, they both seemed to feel the hidden pain.

The pain they hadn’t prepared themselves for.

The oppressive silence was the medium that neither Khanin nor Charan intended to create. The pain that lurked beneath the surface was like an invisible hand that made it difficult for them to answer.

“I’m sorry.” It was strange that Charan didn’t explain or elaborate anything, but Khanin fully understood the apology. The young royal’s eyes were warm, and his small head swayed when he tried to keep his voice from shaking.

“It’s not your fault… It’s not your fault either.”

 

 

It’s… not my fault either.” The thick palm slowly touched the warm cheek. Charan didn’t speak to make Khanin feel better, but in truth, the young one had no choice in his birth, and he didn’t know about anything that happened in the past.

“Nin…” He managed to say only half of his sentence before Khanin had to stop and swallow a lump in his throat. The eggshell colored eyelids tilted towards the warmth of the hand, seeking comfort. Their conversation months ago had been another deception that hurt more than the last.

“…I guess it’s good that I’m still alive now, right?”

“It’s good to still be here…”

“…”

“It’s good that we met each other.”

The words continued to haunt him endlessly… Khanin knew that Charan was good enough to not hold a grudge, but he was still the cause that resulted in Charan losing his mother. That couldn’t be changed.

He knew that Charan understood, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t hurt. Khanin was the same. If it was someone else’s issue, a young man could easily point out what they should let go of.

But when it came to his own problems, he was afraid to even think about it. Khanin wasn’t sure if Charan still thought the same way, but seeing each other was really a good thing. Or, was it?

“Nin, do you want to say something to me?” Charan had opened the opportunity, but the other side always seemed to be able to read his thoughts, and this time probably wouldn’t be any different.

They both knew that giving themselves time… was the most important thing.

I… will go back to England…” The simple sentence that he had thought of saying hundreds or thousands of times had become difficult when he had to face the person who had taken Itti’s place in his heart.

Charan didn’t respond, the tall and dignified owner of the house remaining silent, the feelings inside swirling like a storm. Although he had made up his mind, he had always understood the needs of the young man and knew that he never wanted to be here.

However, when it was time to hear the truth from his mouth, the pain flowed in more than he had imagined.

“Have you made your decision?” The decision was difficult to make among the sounds of the final light slowly dimming from the edge of the sky.

“Yes.” Khanin wanted to invite Charan to go with him, he was sure if there weren’t any trouble that involved them, the young man would have the courage to find something that he really wanted to do.

But with the problem he had realized, it was much harder for him to bravely ask for it. His life… shouldn’t demand anything else from Phitakthewa.

Because everything that had happened before, Khanin had received it all along, from care, protection, honesty… everything, too much to dare to ask for more.

“…”

“I love you, Phii Ran.” It was probably the only thing that Khanin had reconsidered so many times that he should tell him, he didn’t want Charan to misunderstand that he didn’t love him enough that he wanted to escape.

But because he loved him so much… he didn’t want to be the one who caused harm to each other.

“I also… love you, Nin” No one could know the pain inside, they both knew well about the love they had for each other, and because they knew, that’s why they were sad.

Sad that their problem had turned out to be like this…

“I know… I will wait for you Phii.” Khanin did not intend to turn around and acknowledge this relationship. He simply stepped back to give Charan some time for himself.

“…”

“No matter how long it takes, I will wait. But if one day Phii Charan you are sure you don’t want to continue, just come and tell me… I will understand.” Saying that he understands everything, he raised the widest smile, but the image in front of him faded away. The young man tried to control his voice from trembling, but it was difficult and cold.

“Don’t cry.” He said while patting his cheek with a hand that moved up to his warm cheeks.

Khanin locked eyes with Charan, the last light of the day shone on their handsome faces, reflecting tears from the tall man’s eyes that weren’t different from his.

“Phii, don’t cry.”

“I am crying because you, Nin, are crying.”

“[Sobbing]…” Khanin didn’t want to cry, he wanted to be strong for Charan to understand, but he couldn’t control himself. His feelings were sometimes delayed, heavy, sometimes overwhelming, it was difficult to bear. In the end, the young man slipped out with a whimpering voice.

“Hold on…” Charan’s tenderness never changed. He leaned in to kiss the warm wet cheek, the end of his nose dangling, helping to wipe away tears.

The small hand rubbed into his own flesh, even more deeply touched by Charan’s tenderness. Khanin felt guilty that he had become a bad experience in Charan’s life, hoping that he could someday help both of them heal their wounds…

I have something to ask…” The owner of the small body spooned and stared at the taller one. The sulking eyes made his heart ache. Khanin took a deep breath before gathering the remaining strength to respond to the need.

“Sure?”

“If I turn around… Phii Ran, don’t call me Nin… don’t call me by that name.”

Because he might resist and not be able to let Charan go as he should. Khanin didn’t want to worry, didn’t want to guess, he would give himself time until the day he could help them both walk past the emotional trauma. 

The slim figure snuggled into the person in front, closing his eyes to soak up every warm breath, every touch, and keeping this moment in mind, for the first time wishing the sun would stay longer in the sky than ever before… 

Khanin didn’t want to ask for much, he just wanted to hold on to this person as long as possible.

 

THE NEXT PRINCE CHAPTERS HOME

   THENEXTPRINCE, Chapter 44: Broken.

“Because Khanin survived, your mother had to die…this is the truth.”

After the words of the Meenakarin ruler, the whole room fell into silence. Charan raised his eyes and froze, his body was still, and the hand holding the gun was still pointing at the slightly trembling speaker.

The small and thin hands twitched. Khanin thought of screaming at the person who was a respected uncle in the royal family. The boy guessed that this was the plan… It was another way of Waseen’s provocation, but the deep seated questions contradicted him.

When he swept his eyes and saw the horror on the old man’s face mixed with the panic of the person who used to be peaceful in Khanin’s mind, he felt both legs weaken.

The suffocating pressure spread throughout his body. Khanin looked back at Waseen to find a blind spot to support the lie, but the only thing he found was the truth.

The other side had no attitude of someone who was willing to lie just to survive, on the contrary, the person who should have been stable and calm in this situation had an angry tremble on their face.

“Why are you doing this… why?” The old man’s angry voice echoed, since he stepped into this royal palace, Khanin had never heard Dhipabawon speak to anyone with such a tone. This was the first time the boy saw someone who often had a smiling face out of control like this.

“Why am I doing this, because I want to see you all suffer and wither in front of me!” Waseen countered before bursting out into a loud laughter, his face that used to be a sweet smile distorted, and his laughter seemed to be mocking everyone present at this moment.

Khanin couldn’t figure out what he was thinking right now. The story in front of him was even bigger than he could control. Even with Charan… the leader of Meenakarin, he was stunned by the person he trusted the most, grinning and smiling.

The big figure gradually moved forward and stopped near the tip of Charan’s gun as if he was not afraid of being shot.

Khanin believes that if it were a normal time, Charan would have handled it without hesitation, but now… even just breathing is becoming difficult.

“…”

“I want you guys to suffer like my life, there’s nothing left… not even dignity and the person I loved!”

Screeching sound caused Charan to react, the grip on his gun tightening. However, his brain fails to command, contrary to his opponent. Waseen, on the other hand, still points his gun at the Sovereign King who stands not too far, not too close, seemingly undecided.

The warmth that sneaks into Khanin’s hand that slips into his pants amidst all the tension prompts him to take out his phone and call the latest emergency contact… Chakri.

The young man hopes that the other party will answer the call and bring others to join him. The situation ahead is not looking good. Here, Charan is the person he is most concerned with, seemingly the other party is being impacted by Waseen’s words to the extent that their happiness is almost nonexistent.

“Why are you doing this to me, even though I have always been good to you?” The voice of the most prestigious man in Emmaly is filled with anger.  Waseen laughed and made faces as if he had heard a joke?

“You have been doing good to me? It feels like I’m the one doing all the work, picking up after Atsawathewathin and doing everything for everyone, even though they ride my city so hard that there’s nothing left. Is that what it means to be considered good?” The response stung with a sharp retort making Charan unable to aim at Waseen. He couldn’t help but feel like he was there but not there.

“You forgot to ask for help and now it seems like everything is failing because of Atsawathewathin.” The tension continued to escalate until someone who had been silent finally spoke up. Dhipabawon responded with a cool and collected tone, but there was no sign of the previous sense of relief.

“It’s because you tricked Meenakarin that we ended up trapped here! You’re a master manipulator who knows exactly how to make people feel miserable. You only offer help when it benefits you. If you don’t plan on holding every state in your hands, will my life become like this, even though I used to respect you? Love yourself, let yourself be the sun, but you never…” Waseen’s voice trailed off.

Khanin noticed a glint of revengeful resentment in the eyes of the opposite party.

“…”

“You’re the one who killed me, everything about me! Have you ever thought about who your orders hurt, who lost loved ones because of your greed… Have you ever thought to care about anyone but yourself?” At this moment, nobody could stop Waseen, whose explosive temper erupted in the midst of silence, even Dhipabawon himself couldn’t force himself to move.

“…”

The eyes overflowing with tears of someone who was filled with hatred looked towards the person they once considered superior. Waseen swallowed the lump in his throat before turning to look at Khanin, who was standing a little ways away.

“You know what, it’s me. I’m the one who wants to kill you.”

Khanin opens his wide eyes, takes a deep breath, then begins negotiating with the person in front of him with a cool head, with a flicker of vitality left that he has.

“What did I do to upset you? What did I do…we didn’t even know each other before.”

“Yes, you didn’t do anything wrong, but it was your grandfather who made me want to kill you.”

“…”

“He killed my wife.” The sentence that comes with a vengeance sparks the hairs on Khanin’s body. Dhipabawon remained silent, while Waseen vented out the suppression that had been in his heart for decades.

“…”

“Simply because she learned about Atsawathewathin’s smuggling goods from other cities and kept them, she was ordered to be killed… thrown into the muddy water with cement blocks, even though my child was inside her belly.” The heartbreaking words were accompanied by tears.

Khanin raised his hand to cover his mouth, unable to believe that someone he once respected would be so cruel and wicked.

“…”

“I want you to die, to make him feel the loss I have gone through. I thought it would remind him… but no, that cruel person didn’t care at all. He even took you to hide and killed three innocent people, just to reassure himself that

Atsawathewathin’s legacy will continue his evil deeds.”

“Stop talking!” Dhipabawon was about to shout at Waseen like a furious madman, but he was blocked by Waseen laughing heartily.

“Why? You can’t stand it anymore? What do you want me to say? I know everything, I know who you killed to allow your newborn child to survive until now. It’s time for you to know that the person who attacked you worked for me, but before… he was Atsawathewathin’s citizen, love you as much as I did but when his only son born a few months old was taken away and killed and then burned to conceal another child’s corpse, he decided that he would take revenge on all the Atsawathewathins.”

“…” Khanin was stunned by what he had heard before. The more he hears about the cruelty, the more he becomes shocked. He didn’t know what was true or false, but from Waseen’s expression, he could tell that the story was more than half true.

The feeling of despair was something that Khanin couldn’t avoid. The story he had heard made his heart clench, and Waseen’s words clearly stated that many innocent people died because of his existence.

Khanin seemed to be exhausted, and Charan, who was older, didn’t look much different. His chest rose and fell as he struggled to control himself.

“The person who took poison and committed suicide was the brother of the driver who died in that incident. He used to belong to Atsawathewathin, the older brother who worked in palace, but in the end, he was killed by Phitakthewa’s people on the orders of their boss, Phitakthewa, who belonged to Atsawathewathin, is treated like a dog on a leash…” Waseen revealed a sincere smile to all life that had to disappear from their family. From his beloved one.

That smile was sent to Charan, the person who held the gun to himself… it was filled with mockery, humiliation, and contempt.

“You know yourself, that you never want to reveal how capable you are, never want to accept your current Phitakthewa leader position, just want to keep it. Because you don’t want to be under anyone’s authority, don’t want to become like your mother. But now you are no different from us before. Being treated well by Dhipabawon made you feel more important.”

“…”

“Do you really not mind why only your mother was praised for that incident, and why does an old man like the planner Dhipabawon, treat you like a child born in the palace, like a  Young Prince? You think he did it out of goodwill for you, right?” The words pierced the listeners’ hearts and

“Khanin… Charan, I didn’t intend for it to be like this.”

“Not intending for it to be like this means… you did things without intending for them to turn out like this, or you did everything without clear intentions? If you’re going to deny it, please make it clear that these things are not true.” Khanin’s shaky voice and the use of impersonal pronouns showed the distance between them, making Dhipabawon even more agitated.

“I’m sorry, but… but Khanin, you had to survive… I had no other choice.”

“I would rather die… then survive just to find out that I have to be someone’s tool.” Khanin thinks it’s better to let his life go as it should be, rather than realizing that he is the cause of someone’s pain.

The boy’s gaze followed the people affected by Dhipabawon’s actions, from the vengeful eyes of the man with deformed legs, to Waseen’s satisfied look as he exposed all the secrets of his own blood uncle, to Charan’s blank stare…

A vacant look that was so terrifyingly empty, even he might not be able to reach out and touch the heart of the other person.

“If my grandson dies… Atsawathewathin will have to…”

“Stop making excuses! Don’t say that you did it for someone else when you didn’t do it for Atsawathewathin, or for anyone else… the reason you did this is for yourself, and nothing else!” Khanin couldn’t hold back his tears any longer, hot tears streaming down his cheeks.

The true pain that Waseen felt today was palpable, and Khanin had already realized how heavy it was.

Some games take a long time to play if this was a long term game. He himself was just one piece in the board game that was meant for Grandfather to be on top of everyone, and he kept him to cover up his own evil deeds.

Family, loved ones, honor, or even life, nothing that Khanin had was gained by fair means, the happiness that once existed in the short amount of time, the joy of returning home and finding that there were still people in the family who cared for him.

It was nothing but a myth that his grandfather cared and looked after him, nothing was true at all.

Khanin himself had already realized how deep Waseen’s pain was.

The questioning that he had asked himself before, as to why the enemy would strike at this time, had already become clear to Khanin as to why Waseen had taken action now.

Because others would not have the right to come and go freely in the Royal Palace without an important ceremony. This was the only time that the other party could enter and exit without any rules governing them.

Waseen had planned everything, and the leader of Meenakarin wanted everything to end here, without any thought of competing for the throne whatsoever.

The only wanted thing of the other party was to make Dhipabawon suffer and become so desperate that he would want to eliminate them all, at this place, and leave them all dead.

Like a bomb ready to explode at any moment. Waseen did not want anyone to escape from this incident.

No one will be able to survive if they don’t make a decision of what to do right now.

“You think keeping others out of the palace is now necessary for your safety. I need to tell you something about. The bird’s nest I sent you to eat was poisoned, which made you sick and had to hurriedly organize the ceremony for the Sovereign King position. It’s because you trusted someone like me. Mr. Dhipabawon, you are just a stupid person, you are no smarter than anyone else.” Waseen desires satisfaction, and the leader Meenakarin still looks towards the old man who stands still, with Mr. Dhipabawon’s eyes shaking, his hands trembling as they come closer together until his body trembles.

Those who had thought they were smarter than anyone else had actually made a big mistake. Because they overlooked a small piece on the board game.

“Let’s finish this. Dhipabawon…” The words of the leader of the Meenakarin family trailed off as the situation suddenly flipped on its head. It was a split second decision that impacted the fate of four important individuals in the country.

Waseen signaled for the man with the limp who was holding the gun to give it back, while Khanin, gathering his last bit of consciousness, seized an opportunity and lunged at Waseen. He made a sudden decision and tackled Waseen to the ground, ordering Charan to turn the gun away from the man with the gun.

Bang!

The final showdown was imminent. Charan shot the gun out of the hand of the attacker and then aimed his gun at the man who had attacked Khanin. At the same time, several people emerged from their hiding places.

“Stop this, Your Majesty.”

“Father…”

“Hand over your weapon.” Tanattai, who had been waiting for the right moment, raised his gun and aimed it at Waseen.

Until now, the middle aged man had to wait for all of Waseen’s sins to be revealed and feared for Khanin’s safety.

“So you are all on the same page, that’s great. You dogs.” Waseen chuckled, causing him to flinch and appear unconscious. It made Khanin tremble and step back, but it was because he underestimated Waseen too much and missed his mark.”

“Ah!”

“Nin!”

“That’s enough! Drop the gun! If you don’t want Khanin to die!” The crazy man jumped up and unlocked Khanin’s chokehold before aiming a pistol at the boy’s head. Everything happened faster than Tanattai and Charan could react.

Khanin struggled, but Waseen showed no sign of being affected. Being forgotten, a rejected family, made them forget one important thing. However, even though he was underestimated, Waseen was still the ruler of the state, with the ability to fight like no one else could.

“I’m giving you a choice. This is your last chance.Either you will kill Dhipabawon…or I’ll kill Khanin, then you, and finally myself.” The negotiations only led to a heavier burden for Charan. He stood still, but his mind raced with anxiety. However, seeing Waseen holding the gun to the head of his beloved, Charan’s heart burned like being consumed by fire.

“I…will do it.”

There was no other option better than this. It was necessary for Charan to act to keep Khanin alive.

Tanattai’s throat was dry. The gun in his hand was almost useless now. If he dared to counterattack, it meant accepting the risk that could mean Khanin’s life.

“Good…aim at Dhipabawon.” Waseen grinned before issuing a final order that left those with no choice but to comply.

“No, Phii Ran…no, don’t do it!”

“Shut up!” Waseen tightened his grip around Khanin’s neck, but the small man didn’t pay any attention to the gun aimed at his head, and he looked back and forth, sending pleading glances toward his beloved.

He wasn’t worried about Dhipabawon, but he knew that if Charan decided to do what Waseen told him, it would help him survive for this time. After this was over, there was a chance for him to survive. Charan would have no different penalty than a convicted criminal who intentionally killed someone.

Beautiful eyes welled with teardrops. They stared at each other before one unforgettable moment rose clearly and the pain in their hearts expanded like a toxic that had a purpose to endanger life.

“I…have always wondered why I was born. If not for me, others wouldn’t have to struggle and sacrifice themselves. You could have a life of your own, and my father could probably be living in the palace and living a life that everyone wants. I can’t even answer myself as to why I am still alive is a good thing, isn’t it?”

“…”

“It’s good that we’re still here…”

“…”

“It’s good that we met.”

Hot tears streamed down as Khanin winced, too afraid to ask Charan what had happened up until this point. Amidst them, the words “It’s good that we met” were used.

“I’m sorry… there’s nothing that I can do to make amends… everything

Waseen said was true… I apologize.”

No one knew if Dhipabawon’s apology was sincere or not, but the somber tone of his voice made the atmosphere even more tense. Dark eyes scanned those who he had nurtured with trembling hands. 

Relationships, trust, respect, and love… are now shattered beyond repair. Charan gripped the gun in his hand so tightly that the overwhelming feeling in his chest almost made his brain explode. 

“Come on, it’s time to take revenge for your mother, Charan, shoot him.”

Waseen’s words were no different than a poisonous venom in a garden. Charan acknowledged his humanity and wanted to let go of everything, to try following the desires in his heart.

Charan knew very well that he would have to face the consequences for his actions, but then again, is taking revenge really the highest thing in his life?

The tip of his hot finger moved to prepare the gun barrel, the moment of decision making was imminent, but the heartfelt pleas of some people made Charan rethink his actions.

“Phii Ran…”

“Young Prince, you have misunderstood, he will not choose the winning party. Even though by status, he is the guardian of Phitakthewa’s leader, I will not be standing up to any other family again…”

“…”

“Because the sun in my life, at… is only Young Prince Khanin.”

Some of the previously spoken sentences reverberated in his memory.

Charan regained his composure, bending his gaze towards the person who was like the sun in his life, they looked at each other… before the answer to Charan’s true desires was crystal clear.

It is not revenge that is the ultimate goal of life, but rather Charan’s aversion to making Khanin sad.

The image that reminded him of Waseen’s sweet victory in the final moments of Dhipabawon was confusing, allowing Khanin to sneak a peek at Charan, causing him to seize an opportunity to turn the tide.

“Ouch!” Khanin decided to twist the hand of the person behind him, causing Waseen’s pained voice to resonate, before the other side broke free of his grasp and violently turned Khanin away to another direction, causing the young man to break free from the control of the villain.

Bang!

A fleeting moment of chaos ensued as Dhipabawon dodged bullet while Charan reached Khanin, taking the young child and holding him safe, making a split second decision, they both fired their guns to send bullets flying towards the arm of the leader of the Meenakarin family to stop him.

Khanin looked at the red blood seeping out of the arm of the uncle-like figure. Suddenly, gunshots echoed in quick succession as Waseen aimed to shoot back the garden. This caused the leader of Meenakarin to fall to the ground.

Bang!

This time it was not the skill of Tanattai, but rather the skill of one of the new guards who had just entered the room in a hurry. The arrival of the support team led by Chakri and Tarin, the trusted butler and father immediately led to Khanin’s attention.

“Are you hurt anywhere… sorry for being late.”

“No… it’s okay. Just surprised.” Everything happened so quickly that Khanin felt like his brain couldn’t keep up with it. He was flipped over and his body was checked for injuries, but when the newcomer was sure that he was not injured, the faces of both men relaxed.

“Let’s leave this place first.” Prince Tarin spoke and turned to signal the guards to clear the area. One group dealt with the body of the enemy, while the other went to help the Sovereign King, who was sitting in a crouched position.

“Hold a meeting, declare the news in front of all the states, anyone who is associated with Waseen will receive all the punishment.” The Sovereign King’s voice called, causing everyone to turn and look. This time, Dhipabawon looked very angry, but when his gaze met Khanin’s group, he immediately looked away.

Khanin secretly looked at Tarin’s face, he saw his father also looked at the Sovereign King, but the other side’s coldness was only filled with disappointment, and there was no difference in Tanattai’s eyes.

It’s over… everything is over.

Even the feeling of respect and love has decayed without remaining.

Khanin’s eyes turned to Charan, the loved one’s gloomy face was quiet, but the narrowed eyes were full of different vibrations than before.

Charan must have many things to deal with, even himself also with it. Because today’s story is too heavy for anyone to bear, the truth is that Khanin is the cause of many people having to retreat from the person they love and cannot change.

He avoided life to the side, not to mention with the mother of the person he loved the most in his heart…

Khanin wanted to comfort him but couldn’t be brave enough to do what he said… he didn’t know what Charan had in mind.

Can they still love each other like before… Khanin could not know.

“Hey, be careful!” The voice of one of the guards called everyone back to the roots, but before they had time to sort out their thoughts, Waseen, who everyone thought did not have enough strength to stand up, suddenly collected his last bit of energy and lifted the gun he had hidden next to him to aim at the crouched Sovereign King and shot accurately.

Bang!

The crucial bullet flew through the air and hit Dhipabawon’s back precisely. The Sovereign King fell to the ground before he could stand, and the guards nearby rushed to catch him immediately.

“Father!” Tarin shouted while every bullet was aimed towards the leader of the Meenakarin Family.

Waseen smiled calmly. His eyes, filled with resentment and hatred, stared fiercely at the hated enemy.

His trembling hands lifted the gray gun and held it towards his temple, uttering his last words before Waseen decided to do the unexpected.

“…”

“And see you in hell, Your Majesty… Uncle.”

“Bang!”

 

THE NEXT PRINCE CHAPTERS HOME

   THENEXTPRINCE, Chapter 43: The Truth Revealed.

“Protect the Sovereign King!”

At the end of Tarin’s shout, a huge commotion broke out. Khanin was still unable to grasp the situation as Charan ran towards him to grab his arm, while simultaneously removing his mask and throwing it away with agility.

“Keep low!”

Caught in the corner of Khanin’s eye, he saw his cousin Ramil and Petai, rushing towards each other as if ordered. Itti, Mira, and Jae were joined by some of Kalavin’s guards who came to assist in defense.

The majority of the royal guards were also supporting the offense, except for those in the middle of the field. Khanin was still unaware where the gunshot came from, and before he could say anything, he heard another gunshot resonating, followed by several more.

Bang! Bang!

Charan cursed under his breath, acknowledging that being in the open field was the most dangerous thing. Atsawathewathin’s guards immediately joined together, and the leader of the Phitakthewa family took hold of the young royals with her small hand tightly.

“This way, Khun Charan.” One of the guards handed Charan a gun, and he held it just like Khanin did. Their eyes scanned their attackers, who were dressed no differently from the assassins they had once faced.

Those sneaky bastards…

“Divide the force into two groups, lead the way to clear the area with the other group shooting down.” Target, Ra, was to take Khanin out of the dome. He ordered quickly, raising his gun to shoot one of the ill intentioned people, causing him to fall down from the balcony.

“Yes!”

“Don’t stay in one place, stay close to me!” Standing still was not a smart thing to do.

Khanin hesitated for a moment before following Charan. The young royals were separated, and the Shinkansen was the closest way out to the palace.

Khanin analyzed the situation intently in his mind, realizing that something unexpected might happen today. However, what he did not foresee was the extent of the chaos that seemed beyond control.

He had thought that Uncle Waseen would not dare to do anything that would jeopardize the trust of other countries, but he had to think again. Who would have thought that the people in the shadows would dare to cause such chaos in the city? It showed that its purpose was not just limited to the competition, but something much more…

“After the end of the competition, during this time, the Sovereign King would be busy with changing positions. I’ll try to look for relevant documents.

I think whoever sent the news about this must want me to do something.”

“…”

“For example, find evidence instead.”

Are you trying to find evidence like that?

“Phii Ran, documents!” Khanin burst out as soon as they crossed into the palace area. The group of criminals had been shot down and therefore, this area was considered temporarily safe.

“Too risky.” Charan thought the same, but he didn’t want to take Khanin into danger. There were only two main options for now.

One was to take Khanin into hiding from the palace, which Charan was certain Tarin and other members of the royal family not involved would have to do for safety. Option two was to go to the Sovereign King’s workspace.

Dhipabawon was likely to be there.

Sometimes it might include the ones who caused all of this.

If they took Khanin into hiding, they might have to take risks to catch the criminals and find out the truth. But if they chose to face Charan, they had to take him with them. The leader of the Phitakthewa family had already made up his mind. No matter what, he wouldn’t leave his loved one behind.

“Khun Charan, take the Young Prince to hide in the palace first. The left wing exit is still not safe.” One of the guards of Asawatewathins ran breathlessly following their report. The situation forced them to have no other options.

Charan had to take Khanin back into hiding in the palace. They ran along the path. This area may still seem quiet because the group of criminals was blocked outside.

“We will hide at…” Khanin’s question was incomplete when they stumbled upon another group of people rushing from the opposite direction. Ramil was present, exhausted and emotionally unstable. They kept their distance, cautiously looking around with their eyes.

“Is there something wrong?” Ramil asked, his tall figure scanning around. On the other side was a set of white armored suits. Their faces twitched nervously, their complexion looked shriveled and tight. The reason was that Ramil himself had just escaped from the bullet that grazed him.

“Almost died… but survived.” Khanin replied with a joking tone, his hands raised and sweating, but the listeners didn’t think like him. Suddenly, Ramil yelled with anger.

“To sum it up, it’s Uncle Waseen or Uncle Chana… It’s Uncle Chana, right? I didn’t see Uncle Chana around when it happened… Damn, I didn’t think so.” Ramil’s confusion caused the listeners to pause for a moment. Clearly, he didn’t understand what was going on because the other side believed only in what they saw.

But it wasn’t because Uncle Chana was the real culprit.

That’s because…

“The culprit is not Uncle Chana… Uncle Chana disappeared because he left to prepare his manpower to come help here…” What was said caused the newcomers to pause even more. It’s not surprising that Ramil doesn’t understand what’s going on because the other side only believed what they saw.

 

 

It’s not because Evaa couldn’t fight… But Evaa lost because she was defeated by her own people, Ramil.” Khanin revealed, not expecting Ramil to understand immediately. Because the other side didn’t see the competition, they just wanted Ramil to calm down and listen.

“What does that mean?”

“During the competition with Evaa, I and the guys on the team noticed that Meenakarin’s guys intentionally lost one after another. When the race was over, I went to see Evaa.”

“…”

“Evaa was surprised too when things turned out like this, so I told her everything we talked about the day before. Chana happened to come and listen in, so he went out to prepare reinforcements. At first, I thought they wouldn’t do anything too extreme and would handle it after the competition, but I was wrong… I didn’t expect them to take action immediately like this.” Khanin answered all of Ramil’s questions until he had none left. The white man looked unhappy and misunderstood, as if he was lagging one step behind the others.

“Because they thought I would lose… That’s why they did this. If the Sovereign King was still going to be an Atsawathewathin, the mastermind probably wouldn’t agree.” Ramil replied in a soft voice, his demeanor visibly deflating, reluctantly accepting the reality. Although it was always a tie, Khanin was still losing in terms of using its own budget compared to Ramil.

There’s no way Puchongpisut’s side can win…

“Because the mastermind didn’t want Atsawathewathin in power again, so he destroyed everything… Did you mean it like this?” Khanin was taken aback by the words of his younger siblings, the white man looking lost in thought and conjuring up something else in his mind.

“Yes… because if it were me, I would also destroy everything and kill the people I hate.”

Ramil was right, the villain didn’t intentionally harm only Khanin like before, but this time he intended to completely destroy everything, causing everything he had built to collapse like a house of cards.

With two tiered eyes scanning the tense atmosphere that enveloped the people, a majority of which were important figures in the country, most of the crowd remained panicked and swarmed around the area outside the palace.

Some were ordinary people, but still had remaining power in the country. They saw the various guardians, all of them including the leaders themselves, struggling to escape the chase so they were preparing themselves with a lot of help, everyone was still in a state of confusion critical to devising a worthwhile explanation.

However, it seemed difficult to escape from the enclosed area in this situation. Khanin knew that Uncle Waseen was preparing, but he had no support left due to his slow pace, and he was waiting around without having any power to bring to the table.

Khanin blamed himself for underestimating his royal uncle and making everyone fall into this situation. He didn’t expect the leader of the Meenakarin family to be so brave.

However, one point that Khanin may have forgotten was that the definition of a stalled dog can explain the situation best. He hoped that the troops of Uncle Chana could handle this chaos. Because he himself had another important issue to deal with.

“Everyone is safe.” The voice of the third person called both Khanin and Ramil’s attention. Evaa joined in with Prince Kalavin, Jirat, Itti, and lastly Miss Mira, who had the Thawetmetha’s guards to watch over them.

“They’ve closed all the exits, now what are we going to do?” The foreign prince reported on what had happened. Kalavin was caught, but that was expected by the other side, leading them to prepare enough people to protect themselves, everyone was in a state of confusion, more than able to explain something.

I contacted my father just ten minutes ago… My father told me that he is bringing some people with him and asked us to move away to a safe place and wait for him.” The daughter from Thawetmetha suggested something that everyone around here must do. However, it was necessary to find a way to hide and escape with no help.

When some people on their side are still confused about the situation and the enemy knows how to chase, knows the vulnerabilities and intentionally creates a situation for real destruction, fighting face to face is not a smart option.

“Agreed, sitting here together is like being a sitting target, we have to find a way to survive by ourselves.” Looks like Ramil has figured out the direction to exit, the team grabbed the chance, the arm of a close friend, before sending a signal to his guard group to head to the second floor of the palace to find a safe spot.

“Prince Kalavin, please take some of your people with me.” Amid a sad face. Evaa turned to talk to her friends. When it was time to separate, having a lot of guardians like Kalavin is true, but it’s not enough to take care of everyone comprehensively.

“…”

“You better go with me, Mira.”

“But…” The hesitant young bartender reluctantly swallowed her denial as the imposing woman’s stare and tone weighed heavily on her.”

“Trust me, please. You’ve gone with too many people who are too dangerous… Come with me, Thawetmetha will protect you.”

Charan hesitated for a moment before deciding to move under the care of Evaa, causing Itti to quickly interject with a worried look and expression.

“Don’t worry, I’ll go with Prince Kalavin and Jae.” The owner of the famous bar understood the situation well and agreed that staying with Khanin now posed a risk, so they had to temporarily separate for safety reasons.

 

 

Take care.” Khanin turned and bid farewell to Kalavin, before they all dispersed in different directions, with the internal exit of Daveen Palace now inaccessible.

Charan and Khanin therefore saw eye to eye that the only place they should go now… was Dhipabawon’s office.

The north side of the Royal Palace was in a small uproar, the highest official of Emmaly was extremely tense, but tried to keep his composure as he did every time there was a crisis to solve.

Dhipabawon was using his brain to assess the situation, the old man scolded and cursed himself a thousand times in his mind, knowing that he was about to make a huge mistake.

Holding power for so long had made him complacent and underestimated other families, some of whom thought they knew too much unnecessarily. The mistakes made from impulsive behavior because of being above anyone for too long were leading the crisis to the Ashwatthama Rintorn family.

Dhipabawon still didn’t know who the figure lurking in the shadows was this time, but he was quite sure of his intention not just to sabotage the ceremony. This action was of great danger, madness, and fear beyond what the highest official of Emmaly could think and predict.

“This way, Your Majesty.” Virun’s voice rushed more than usual. Tarin had left, he had ordered the guards to take him out of here, but Dhipabawon had more urgent matters to attend to.

There were documents about transactions, and many other documents that should not be left behind when intruders like this occurred. It was too risky.

“Wait, I have to go back to the office.” The announcement from the highest authority in the country created suspicion among the man, but the guards behind them went straight to the safe behind the corner bookcase and carefully moved some of the necessary documents to the lockable bag.

“Wait outside the room.”

Your Majesty.”

The highest official didn’t explain anything to those around him, the old man walked into the office while ordering Virun to keep watch, and those who had been following went straight to the safe hidden behind the bookcase in the corner of the room. They carefully moved some of the necessary documents into a lockable bag.

“Why haven’t you left yet, Grandpa?” Someone’s voice from behind made Dhipabawon pause for a moment, the old man stood still for almost a minute, pondering before turning to face his own blood relative.

“Khanin…”

“What are you doing?”

“Why did you, my grandson, come here… Charan?” At first, Dhipabawon wasn’t sure how Khanin had entered, but seeing Charan following, he could understand. The other side probably had a way of speaking that made Virun comply.

He knew… Charan was the type of person who was good at manipulating people’s emotions, and it was important because he had taught it to his own hands.

“So what are you doing now?” The white bodied house owner gave Dhipabawon no choice, but because of the clear field advantage, the old man was able to combine posture and movement well.

“There are some necessary documents that I have to deal with. Are you and Charan safe?” The tone used still feels familiar.

Charan was silent, realizing one truth, perhaps because he had been raised by Dhipabawon since he was young, he never paid attention to the danger of people, and he was caught off guard by this person.

Never felt suspicious or doubtful, even now. Charan may think that Dhipabawon is still the same person. Without linking all the evidence together, there is no way to trust him.

Is it important to be too close to the point that you cannot escape? Or is it related to documents about trading with other clans?” Khanin is not ready even a little now, the younger person jumped straight to the point, and it made Charan able to observe abnormalities on the face of a person who kept their emotions well.

“These documents… are these documents about you sending products to the warehouse in the garbage removal factory?” Khanin walked more skillfully and calmly than Charan imagined. In the eyes of the Phitakthewa family leader, confronting Dhipabawon in a tense situation should make it clear that what the other party is trying to hide is no longer just a secret.

“Where did you learn about this?” The Sovereign King’s powerful voice was austere, the person who was skilled at keeping a poker face all the time emerged, and he planned many plans in his head to control and maintain the sand dunes that he herself had created, but it seemed difficult to solve.

“It doesn’t matter where I learned it from. What’s important is what the truth is.” Although worried about the outside situation, now Khanin wants to access the final information that is in the hands of the Sovereign King.

It is necessary to understand why his grandfather had to turn behind everyone, why he had to press Meenakarin until Meenakarin went crazy, and turned into this situation.

Only because he wanted to keep everything good.

Or is it because he was too greedy all along…

“The truth is that I want to keep Atsawathewathin safe.” Dhipabawon took a deep breath, “Everything that grandfather did was for the sake of our

Atsawathewathin.”

“Everything for us? Does that mean you had to push others down, stab others in the back like this?” It is because Khanin has seen everything that he can say such things, he just understood the kindness that the other party gave, that trying to keep ‘Atsawathewathin’ safe.

 

 

Everything for Atsawathewathin…

It has nothing to do with him being a grandson…, he himself is probably just a tool for Dhipabawon to keep Atsawathewathin in power.

“It’s something that you, grandfather, had to do. Grandfather, you didn’t want to let my father come to find me. That was probably something that must be done, right?” Khanin took the opportunity to ask what was on his mind all along, he turned to Charan who was standing beside him, the eyes of the tall man were shaking.

It became quiet immediately. Even the sound of exhalation from the Sovereign King was so light that he almost couldn’t hear it. The two pairs’ eyes dodged when facing the elder.

The issue of power struggle, the matter of various forms of coercion, they knew it was wrong, of course the disappointment and sadness it caused would only be heightened for the recent topic that Khanin raised.

He admitted that he did not want the truth of the matter to come out, and deep down, there was still a small piece of him that wanted to trust the person who once told him that they were like family and could rely on each other.

So please… 

Please deny it.

“There may be people who want to divide our Atsawathewathin, I will explain when we leave here.” Besides denying it, the fact that his Grandfather, who is of high rank in the country and in Khanin’s family, chose to avoid eye contact, made it clear that his words were not successful.

Khanin took a deep breath, looking at the person who is like family and a high ranking official in the country with a feeling of overwhelming difficulty to manage.

“You don’t need to explain later… because I’m tired of pretending to be concerned.”

“…”

“It’s not like you, grandfather planned everything, hiding Dad from the beginning, forcing you to lie that you haven’t found me to Dad, just so I can survive and compete for Tarin to keep Atsawathewathin’s Sovereign King position. Is that true?”

“…”

“It’s not like that, right?” Khanin asked softly. Although he knew he should end the conversation as soon as possible, he still hesitated to ask for compensation for everything he did not know clearly.

At first, Khanin thought it might be just a bad plan of the person who intended to harm Dhipabawon, but today everything seems to be…

Since the day he met his father at the factory, Khanin knew that Tanattai’s strange behavior was because he had become the person who controlled the warehouse for the Sovereign King, kept quiet because he was afraid of being harmed…

It’s all to make him believe that he has no one left to depend on so the person he should rely on is therefore the Sovereign-King

It’s just because they wanted to control… they wanted to make him the bird in the cage… that’s why they had to do it like this, right?

The image that looks straight is blurred because the tear curtain that overflowed bombarded. Khanin stumbled forward. Because he didn’t know how to vent this frustration, the more the other side said nothing, the clearer was the answer for the entire story.

Khanin wanted to scream and ask the other side if it was fun to betray like this, but he hadn’t had time to say anything, the door to the room that used to be intimate opened wide, revealing a new person who had a warm smile on his face.

It seems like the other party has heard everything, his clenched fist came closer, knocking on the head pretending to be laughing in a cobra position, making the Sovereign King bite his teeth calling the other party’s name in pain.

“I really was not wrong to fuck everything up, if it was to have a chance to see an impressive image like this.” Heavy footsteps approached. When he got there, the person in official attire with the Meenakarin city emblem on his chest smiled warmly, swept his eyes to greet everyone in this place, making the Sovereign King bite his tongue calling the other party’s name in pain.

“Waseen.” Dhipabawon said the familiar name, the old man’s face that used to be calm and collected, this time showed signs of trembling, making the Meenakarin family leader very pleased.

“Are you surprised, Your Majesty Uncle, how this nephew of yours came in?”

“…”

“Maybe the dog that stayed in front of the room has died? no one knows yet, it’s probably Your Majesty’s habit, right? Leaving everything and protecting your own things has made you tired of it, right, Your Majesty?”

“You…”

“Why didn’t you answer little Khanin, Your Majesty? Saying that you can abandon anyone for yourself, everything that Khanin thinks is true…”

“…”

“Even the death of Charan’s mother… You… the so-called Sovereign King ordered her to be killed by your own court order.”

…

The Royal Palace below was bustling with people, but the large building was quiet, perhaps because the forces of those who did not wish well were spreading their power everywhere, the atmosphere inside was tense, looking out in any direction there were only unfamiliar men in black suits standing guard at the door, the unscratched small wonders guarding the door like normal.

Therefore, some who were walking quietly down the hallway had to be more careful than ever before, a man in battle armor aimed at the man in the black suit closest to him.

That side was turning to look outside the window, unaware as Tanattai hurriedly stepped behind the man, then attacked, aimed at the deadly point, his thick hand suffocated the man’s neck across from him before ordering the man following him to take care of it.

All of this… was the command and assistance from PrinceTarin, a high ranking official who ordered the search for Young Prince and Charan to be the fastest. Tanattai volunteered to do the job himself.

The long, thin legs strode forward towards the long hallway with a silent elegance. His eagle eyes swept along the surrounding area, and he and the forces PrinceTarin had provided were able to deal with more than half of the bad guys, but it seemed that the other side had so many people that they couldn’t choose to face them head on.

The situation was still worrying, as long as it was still unknown who the bad guys were, and Young Prince Khanin and Charan were not found, the area in the palace was not safe enough to do anything rash.

However, Tanattai had noticed something abnormal about Prince Waseen’s behavior, so he decided to secretly follow and observe those who had strange behavior. Hoping to learn something important.

It happened when everyone was running around in chaos. In a crisis situation where everyone is running for their lives, humans tend to run away to survive. However, Prince Waseen’s reaction was calm.

He did not show any fear about the situation, still walking towards the armed group in the area far from the sight of others with a calm face, and it seemed that the person Waseen went to find was the leader of all the chaos.

That’s clear enough then…

The situation was crystal clear. Tanattai quickly withdrew from the area and reported what he had seen to Prince Tarin. Linked what he saw with the information he had in hand. Along with the things Charan had previously recounted.

The man with a limp, that guy who went to hurt Khanin. When they put all the pieces together, the atmosphere inside the palace was both pleading and warning that they should not hesitate any longer.

When they received permission, Tanattai asked for troops from Prince Tarin’s guard unit, and he planned to clear the area comprehensively. Fortunately, the guard unit of the lord was flexible and they were able to take care of everything smoothly in a short time.

Tanattai was able to help almost all of the prisoners, but he could not predict where Khanin and Charan were in the palace at this time, he only knew that the search had to continue.

From experience, the first area Tanattai chose to go to was the central part of the palace… the office of the Sovereign King. He deduced from the whole story, and luckily, he calculated accurately…

At the upper level hallway, where Sovereign King and Prince Waseen’s offices were located, Tanattai followed and witnessed the other side giving orders for their men to handle the close associates and soldiers of Sovereign King, who simply stood there defenseless.

Many people, including Virun, were dragged out from the door of the Sovereign King’ office, leaving only the trembling man and Prince Waseen about to enter the room. It appeared that the other side had prepared well enough to overwhelm them.

Tanattai patiently waited until he was sure that both sides did not notice his presence, then he seized the opportunity to order his men to contact Prince Tarin to identify the enemy, before sneaking into the room quietly.

Inside the large room, it was divided into two zones. Tanattai knew exactly where to hide himself and kept vigilant to observe any person in the room, ready to prepare for possible actions. However, the familiar sound from the interior of the adjacent meeting room caused him to feel uneasy.

“And about what you, grandfather told me, that we still can’t find my father, but in reality you, grandfather deliberately hid him and wouldn’t let him meet me, is that something necessary to do?”

“Someone wants to divide our Atsawathewathin, I will explain it to you when we leave this place.”

“It’s alright to explain it here too… because I’m already tired of this fake concern.”

“…”

“It’s not like you, grandfather planned everything, hiding Dad from the beginning, forcing you to lie that you haven’t found me to Dad, just so I can survive and compete for Tarin to keep Atsawathewathin’s Sovereign King position. Is that true?”

“…”

“It’s not like that, right?”

What he heard shook Tanattai’s heart to an unbearable extent. He tightly held his gun in his hand until it trembled.

Before he could receive an answer from the superior person whom Tanattai admired all his life, someone intervened and interrupted the conversation with a clapping sound.

Followed by Prince Waseen’s speech, which gradually grew into something incomprehensible at the beginning. It took a while for him to regain his composure, and then he had to acknowledge the next sentence that was even more piercing than before.

“Why didn’t you answer your grandson Khanin, Your Majesty? You abandoned everyone who trusted you, everything that Khanin thought was true…”

“Even the death of Charan’s mother… You… the so-called Sovereign King ordered her to be killed by your own court order.”

“…”

“You commanded Tanattai to take Khanin away, then ordered

Phitakthewa’s men to kill the driver and the lady who is his companion. You ordered to kill the father and child who were residents in that area, ordered to burn until not even the face left of the person he loved to remember…”

“…”

“You ordered to set the scene, it was such a good plan, but why didn’t you dare to accept your own masterpiece, Your Majesty?”

Tanattai was stunned, every memory flowed back to the starting point, the picture that took the little child to flee from bullets with a woman. The innocent woman who was as pure as he was, one person was the driver he was familiar with, and the other person was the noble tall lady, the leader of the Phitakthewa family… Chita.

Charan’s own mother…

On that day, he received a message to escape in the middle of the journey, and Phitakthewa’s men received an order to bring him and the Young Prince to escape. Tanattai was given a ticket to immediately travel to England. Although he didn’t want to leave the two friends who shared both happiness and sorrows, he had to accept it in the end.

Because he trusted part of Phitakthewa’s people who said they would go to support Lady Chita and the two drivers, but in the end no one helped anyone.

In the past, Tanattai was suspicious of the ending of Miss Chita’s life, how much dignity she had left, as he had to bring the Young Prince to escape without dignity. Although both had to sacrifice their lives, it was to protect the heir of the royal family who had the right to contend for the throne. Their actions were more dignified than those who acted like mice, hiding and sneaking.

But what he heard was not like that…

If what Prince Waseen said was true, about what was done to him from being told to separate from Khanin, about being ordered to wait without purpose, about the lie that his son was in danger, as well as the driver and Chita, Charan’s mother who someone ordered to die… even though she was one of the few who had a chance to survive like him.

If he wasn’t too foolish like he was all along… he would understand that everyone was used as tools all the same.

The Sovereign King used the goodwill he offered, then turned around and attacked him cold bloodedly.

Is it really like that…?

“Waseen! Close your mouth!” The heavy and threatening voice echoed through the room, destroying the sudden happiness, as fast as thought. The gun barrel from the man following the leader of the Meenakarin family was pointed almost immediately at Dhipabawon.

“That day was it raining, Charan, but even though it rained… even though the car was still burning, why did the people in the car burn so completely, and why did your mother crash into a tree even though she could only have flown to the front mirror, why did Tanattai and Khanin survive, even though the news said both were burned to ashes… this was the question you had been searching for an answer to all along, wasn’t it, Charan?”

Waseen was no longer interested in that scolding from the Sovereign King, but the Meenakarin family leader remained nonchalant despite the tense atmosphere.

The narrow eyes of the Phitakthewa family leader were dry. Charan couldn’t think, he felt like a stupid dog that would soon be eliminated.

The reason Charan could not trust his own family members, the reason he could not accept the leadership position with justice, was because he felt that his mother’s death had only strange traces.

The corner of the mouth of the Phitakthewa family leader was tight. Charan couldn’t hear Dhipabawon’s words anymore, he tried to gather his consciousness, heard the sound of gritted teeth, raised his gun at the conversing couple fearlessly, his handsome face tense but not frightened, unlike Waseen who twitched a corner of his mouth and smiled with satisfaction.

He made a mistake… because he believed the words of the Sovereign King, believed the promises of the person who reached out to help each other during difficult times. In times when there was no one left, these people would lend a hand, support and raise the heroic mother of his…

He stopped digging into the truth behind his mother’s death because he believed only the lies and deceits. Only big scenes and lenses that he had seen, his sharp eyes were shaking, just thinking about what would happen next, his body was shaking all over.

“Charan… I…”

“Prince Waseen, order your man to lower the gun, otherwise, I will shoot you.” Charan didn’t listen to Dhipabawon’s words anymore, he tried to collect himself, the sound of the wind brushing against the grass, raised the gun and pointed it at the couple who were talking fearlessly, his handsome face tense but not frightened, unlike Waseen who simply smirked.

“Are you going to shoot me… why, just because I spoke the truth about your mother? Or maybe because the person who took care of you so well… was the one who killed your mother?”

“Stop…” Charan sensed that Khanin was nearby, but his voice was not as steady as before. His previously strong heart was now unsteady, something was squeezing him, and the hand that held the gun was shaking uncontrollably like never before.

No one in this generation knew what Waseen meant, only Dhipabawon became increasingly shocked when he heard the explanation that came from the mouth of someone he thought he was superior to.

“…”

“Dhipabawon killed your mother simply because he didn’t want anyone to know about Khanin’s existence. Uncle wanted someone as virtuous as your mother to die so that Khanin’s disappearance would become the ultimate reality… It’s just unbearable, isn’t it?”

The Meenakarin Prince smiled slyly, the information that he had been quietly collecting for several months was now being announced, Nont saw the terrifying disappearance ahead, and now the young prince of Atsawathewathin realized that he had been wrong about his opponent for centuries.

“…”

“Finally…  he had to fake caring for the child whose mother he killed…”

“…”

“Because Khanin survived, your mother had to die… this is the truth.”

Yes… Waseen didn’t want to be the Sovereign King, but the passion and pain of everyone involved, on the other hand, is what he really wants…

.

THE NEXT PRINCE CHAPTERS HOME

   THENEXTPRINCE, Chapter 41: Plan/Strategy.

 The sky above the Royal Palace was covered in scattered clouds during the morning, while the outside air was hot and humid, unlike the secretive meeting room with its chilly air conditioning, having two machines. 

Everyone in the room had a tense expression, except for Khanin, who was sitting as the chairman, with a calm and serene face. The reason for everyone’s abrupt gathering today was to strategize for an upcoming event that required their help in analysis. 

Prince Kalavin finally spoke up after silently listening to everything that

Ramil had to say, “If what Young Lord Ramil said is true, then is Puchongpisut just being the scapegoat for someone else, and this competition isn’t just about a regular position for the Sovereign Kingship, but rather it’s now a war within the city.”

Mr-Ramil’s father did not have big plans, but they were interfered with, causing tension in the room. This happened when they realized that everything that was about to happen was bigger than they could handle. A man from a foreign country told a story that explained everything in an easyto-understand way, from beginning to end.

Every member in the room was made fully aware of their current status thanks to Khanin’s analysis. At this point, they were not only just fencers competing for the Sovereign King position for Atsawathewathin, but also a team of defenders protecting against any unforeseen intruders.

Khanin couldn’t predict how everyone would react to the situation, but they all knew that the incident at the recent banquet under the watchful eye of Puchongpisut was just as concerning as a black hole at the center of the city.

It was widely known that Khanin hoped that everyone would understand that this wasn’t just a simple competition, as it could very well escalate into a full blown rebellion.

However, Khanin didn’t want to waste any time and immediately asked, “Can your country provide any assistance if what you said turns out to be true?” The answer was exactly as he had expected.

Kalavin replied with a somber expression, “I’m afraid I can’t help, it’s far too complicated. If anything goes wrong, it’ll affect my position in the country. But also, it would seem like I’m interfering within another country’s internal issues.”

“…”

“If we send someone to help with the preparations, it won’t benefit me regardless of who wins or loses. Plus, it’ll be bad if anything goes wrong if one country knows about another country’s internal affairs. Oh, and as for Phitakthewa’s people, why don’t they lend a hand? They’re an ancient and renowned family, but their leader isn’t very skilled. They probably just talk without any substance.” Ramil questioned Khanin while glaring at the man sitting next to him.

The vulgar language of the Young Prince of the Puchongpisut family caused the tense atmosphere to shift to a moment of laughter, with even the leader of Phitakthewa’s family having to step in to ease the situation. Meanwhile, Khanin briefly smiled before returning to his serious expression.

The way Ramil spoke confirmed that the other party didn’t have a deep understanding of his own team, someone who didn’t care about investigating other people’s stories, saw themselves as the center and dared to accuse their opponent’s father directly of their wrongdoing. Is this person overconfident or falsely trustworthy?

At least there is no trickery, unlike some who appear calm but may secretly gather information on everyone for a future purpose.

There are only two possible cities… Meenakarin and Thawetmetha.

Thawetmetha’s motivation may sometimes come from when the father watched his only daughter not being able to lose and give up. Because Evaa seems to be trying very hard to prove herself as a representative of women, who can achieve anything just like men.

Khanin does not know Chana. Every time they meet, there seem to be no issues, but he cannot trust him now.

As for Meenakarin… if it is really Uncle Waseem, what is the motivation behind this?

“I don’t want anyone from Phitakthewa involved in this, it wouldn’t help.” The older guy was deep in thought alone. The voice of Charan grew louder, causing his nerves to shake. Khanin furrowed his brow as he looked at how his cousin was shepherding the conversation.

“Why is Phitakthewa so useless? Saying that the nation is like the sun of Phitakthewa is just a lie.” Ramil hugged his chest and smiled awkwardly, the atmosphere in the room becoming tense, but no one dared to say anything.

Khanin approached the people around, looking at their faces that still showed fear of him.

He began to recall the words he had heard from Chakri. At first, he didn’t believe it, but the butler had previously stated that he was the “sun” of the other party. Khanin thought that it was just a beautiful word that the other party used to impress him as a boss. However, when the memory overlapped with the encounter with Waseem, he became even more confident. 

At this point, this sentence probably has a significant meaning for the people of Emmaly.

Khanin is now more confident. 

“If Charan is on the team, it will be comforting. He is smart like his mother. He will definitely help the nephew.”

“…”

“Atsawathewathin is also like a sun to Meena Nakharin. Therefore, if there is anything for me to help, I will surely tell even if it is the wrong ruler.”

This is not just an admonition, but it implies that the speaker must be like a sunflower that only looks at himself as the sun and must love and care for the person who lifted him to be the boss.

As a boss, Khanin became Chakri’s sun. It taught him that he needed to take care of his own sunflowers and honorably look after those who sought refuge with him.

But what about Meenakarin? What practices did he have as Atsawathewathin’s sun?

“It’s impossible… Phitakthewa is still a country noble like before, Your

Highness. However, this matter is complex, and Phitakthewa is one of

Emmaly’s training units. Therefore, they will all rise up to protect the Sovereign King, even if the person holding the position is not the right one.” Charan was silent for a moment before revealing what was on his mind.

Simply put, Phitakthewa cannot be involved in internal matters. It is because no one knows who the next Sovereign King will be or how they will come to power, and regardless of the result, Phitakthewa must protect their boss.

What is there to wonder? Phii Ran would prefer not to get involved with his own family if it’s not necessary.

“So it seems like you don’t intend to take sides and only choose to win, right?”

“Young Prince misunderstood, I did not choose a winning side. Although in my position I am the keeper of the leadership of Phitakthewa, I have no claim to any other family…” The corners of his mouth formed an unspoken grimace as he explained.

Charan’s sharp eyes found Khanin and stopped looking, as if to convey the truth he had in mind to give to only one person.

“…”

“Because the sun of Charan… is only Young Prince Khanin, Your Highness.”

Khanin’s eyes widened like quail eggs, the beating lump in his chest now evident. He knew it wasn’t supposed to be a sweet love talk, but his fair face immediately flushed upon hearing it from the person he liked.

The non hurting side of the hand extended to hold hands beneath the table tightly, to show how much he was touched right now. Khanin smiled until his eyes narrowed. Although not responsive, because it is his job and the topic of conversation is serious.

However, Khanin wanted Charan to know the surge of emotion in his heart, the atmosphere seemed to be sweet for a moment, but seconds later it dissipated.

“Where is the tray, butler, bring it here.” In this place, the only person who seemed to have the most trouble was Ramil, the younger cousin, with an indignant face before turning left and right to call for Chakri.

“Why do you need it, Your Highness?” Chakri asked like that, but still took the small leaf garbage bin he had found.

“Hey! It’s going to overflow!”, Ramil took it quickly and looked annoyed, spoke loudly, gestured like the old expression really looked like he was winging it, looking back at Khanin.

Now it’s serious and almost dying, yet they are still playing around.

“Your Highness thinks that Young Prince probably knows about this best, no matter who it belongs to, Phitakthewa or anyone else, it cannot be used. Otherwise, today the Young Prince will probably bring Petai to participate too.” It seems that Charan’s words have commanded everyone’s attention. Ramil kept quiet immediately, his tall figure bowed first and then turned to the other side, apparently admitting defeat in this discussion, and the topic returned to the main issue again.

“We don’t know who the culprit is, we only know that they infiltrated the event, anyway, there is a chance that they are someone inside.” The atmosphere in the room became tense again, but Khanin didn’t intend to release the strong grip of his thick hand even for a moment.

Charan was no different, the older person used his index finger to feel his other hand under the table. Some moments, if the opportunity arises, he will send a gentle smile to subtly tell that they will stay close.

“And Nong Nin, what is the motivation that makes the culprit harm you like that?” Itti asked instead of everyone in the room. That question made Khanin have to breathe out with exhaustion.

“As we discussed, there are two families that are suspected… but as far as I can think, there is only the motive of Thawetmetha city alone.”

“…”

“I think it’s possible that Lord Chana wants to let Evaa win this competition.

Because there was an issue before where Evaa was a woman and initially

would not have the right to compete. Perhaps Your Highness wants Evaa to prove herself.”

“But if Evaa wins. It means that Uncle Chana must ascend to Sovereign King. People like Uncle Chana want to be the Sovereign King.” Ramil really disagreed.

“…”

“It’s too complicated for the liking of a royal uncle who enjoys taking photos with film, spending days in the darkroom, and sometimes he disappears, traveling abroad for months, leaving his wife and children almost forgotten. royal uncle aka Chana, likes technology, is progressive, and doesn’t like to be confined. People who love freedom like this will take themselves to a prison called the royal palace, why?”

Ramil is better at analysis because he knows these people better than Khanin. He briefly shares what information he knows, to lighten the burden of others’ analysis.

“People can always change, and sometimes power can be sweet. Or is it possible that one likes technology so much that they use up their own funds, and might resist quietly when their golden money is taken away if they acquire a country, and might even have a larger budget than this?” Khanin ponders.

The white person intentionally puts bias in their speech, to make others analyze it more naturally.

“It’s impossible, Young Prince Khanin…” That’s right, the real knowledgeable person has arrived. Prince Kalavin Li explains, and as the chairman, Khanin gestures for the other party to speak what they know.

“…”

“I can speak because my country is one of those who hired Thawetmetha to take care of technology for data collection for our country, and my own company is a middleman that distributes airplanes which Thawetmetha created.”

“…”

“So the budget constraint issue could be easily resolved. Even though Thawetmetha’s wealth may not be as much as Atsawathewathin’s at this point, they have received research funding from many countries, they hardly have to use their own funds for research purposes, which leads to Thawetmetha having a reputation as a city that emphasizes research more than government work.” PrinceKalavin Li’s words carried a lot of weight.

Khanin reluctantly looked at Ramil, as many heads nodded in agreement…

It’s true. As Charan said, the Young Royal is grateful to the older man.

If Charan didn’t give the idea for everyone to gather today, they all would have been thinking in different directions from small amounts of information by themselves.

“You don’t know, and that’s not surprising. Because you just arrived here a few months ago, everything is true as PrinceKalavin said. I thought it couldn’t be, but the royal uncle disappeared, and another thing… I’ve told you before, my royal uncle doesn’t get along with my dad, there’s no way he can come and brainstorm ideas with my dad.” Ramil finished with a muffled voice.

The young royal from the snake dynasty has a dangerous glint in his eyes, the thick hands clenching so hard that the nails threaten to cut into the flesh, after raising a fragile topic.

Yes… we should not forget some people who can manipulate the Prince’s mind…

“To be honest, your father didn’t like me at first.” Then Ramil brought up another topic that had led Khanin to think further.

He remembered one day when he had a conversation with Rachata, it was a day he coincidentally met on the way to practice the dance, but the person who was older than him spoke negatively and unfriendly, thinking that he was worthless.

“Yes, my father doesn’t like you. Because he thinks that your family played trickery before, my father thought your family was conspiring together, hiding you, letting you practice in advance to be better than others, and then accelerating to compete for the Sovereign King position, preventing others from getting ready.” What Ramil said wasn’t entirely wrong.

If asked how long Khanin had prepared himself before anyone else had, he would probably say that he had spent almost his entire life in training.

The question that he had always wondered about why he had to train more than others in terms of sword fighting, language, music, and economics.

And all the questions were answered as his feet stepped on the land of the country of Emmaly.

“Just like that… If your father is confident that his child is talented, why would he be afraid of me?” Khanin threw away those thoughts and immediately changed the subject, his cute face calm. His dark brown eyes turned to look at the children, both older and younger ones.

“I don’t know about that. Because at first, I wasn’t afraid of you. I didn’t feel like there was anything to fear, but my father…” Ramil furrowed his small eyebrows, as if pondering something in his heart.

Ramil’s hesitation in his response made Khanin think of something.

“Normally, it’s possible that we may not like some people from the first time we meet them, with various reasons for the ‘dislike’. Either you don’t like them because they are a competitor, you don’t like them because they treated you poorly, you don’t like them because they remind you of something bad, you don’t like them because people around you don’t like them. Your dad may not like me for some reason.”

“…”

“Khun Jae, normally when actors perform, they need to have something that makes them believe that they are that character. They must have imagination, thoughts, feelings, link to that character, to make it believable that they are that character, right?” When Khanin saw that Ramil didn’t respond, he turned to ask a strange question to the only actor in the team.

This action made everyone suspicious, not excluding Charan.

“Environment, Your Highness… the environment helps you to immerse into the character.”

“And if you don’t have that belief in the character at all, what can help?”

In the midst of confusion about the young actor’s words, the representative of the Puchongpisut family spoke firmly.

“Say what you want to say, no need to hesitate.”

“It seems that your father does not like me because my appearance made him inferior. There must be someone who made him feel like that, not just for a short time, but for a long time.” Khanin summed it up, as in the proverb “The falling piece of wood doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“Huh?”

“Just think, is there any reason that a person who holds himself highly and treats himself that high, would hate me so much that he would resort to hurting me? If the people of your household don’t firmly believe in dignity, then you probably won’t have that either.” Khanin shortened his thoughts.

But at first, if Rachata was the type of person who liked to secretly undermine others. Ramil himself might have that personality, but the evidence speaks for everything.

Rachata’s son holds respect and noble status. Rachata himself was probably no different unless there was an environment that made him think that he was inferior, to the point of being afraid of losing prestige and not being able to accept defeat.

To the point of resorting to dirty tricks and of course, this manipulation should not just be for a short period of time…

I guess this idea must have deep roots for a long time.

“Are you going to tell me that someone has been whispering in my father’s ear for a long time, and that person planned to use my father as bait all along?”.

“You are very smart, Ramil… Yes, what I want to say is, even if you, the one who competes with me, aren’t afraid of me, why should someone with as much power as your father have to be afraid of a little child like me?”.

“…”

“Someone like you who has a royal status, Rachata. If we compare me to what Evaa sees in me, then there is no need to lower yourself to do this, right?”.

“…”

“Unless someone whispered in his ear from the beginning… and that person must have permission to say what they wanted to say. So it must be someone with a comparable status.”.

“Uncle Waseen came… it’s impossible, that person… is not smart.” Ramil immediately mentioned a name without having to think, the name of a person that made Khanin burst out laughing.

From the information leaked by the heir of Puchongpisut, Khanin began to feel confident that he and Ramil were thinking in the same direction.

The only person allowed to say anything that comes to mind… that would be Uncle Waseen.

“Who said he’s not smart.” Khanin raised his eyebrows. His two layered gaze turned to Ramil, who seemed confused.

“Dad always says Uncle Waseen is soft hearted.”

“Soft hearted? Then tell me, which soft hearted person can tell someone that their child is stupid to their face.” Khanin brought up yesterday’s conversation, the words that Ramil said to him still lingered in his mind.

“…”

“Which soft hearted person can read the game that I played with you, and still know that you will lose.”

“…”

“You yourself know that a soft hearted person can’t possibly observe the game I was playing and decide who will win or lose.”

“…”

“Or, if he is really soft hearted, it means he must have experienced this before, which means he himself must have participated in this type of game, or maybe Uncle Waseen has never been a soft hearted person, but had to show it to everyone because the environment dictated it…” Khanin lowered his gaze, observing the interesting reactions of the older boys. Ramil seemed to have just remembered something, while the other was still bewildered.

The competition between him and Ramil cannot be decided immediately. Outsiders think he has the right to lose throughout, although the rules emphasize the importance of the budget, the points are only worth thirty percent. 

So why does Uncle Waseen seem so confident that he will defeat Ramil to such an extent… or maybe Uncle doesn’t have any confidence at all. He just wants Rachata and Ramil to think in a different direction. 

“The environment is such that it’s possible… because in the past, Meenakarin was not like this. Dad often speaks of Meenakarin as once a prosperous city. It had both bubble tea and bird nests, and it had a coastal area, another important food source.” After a pause, Khanin revealed new information. In his eyes, there was a growing intensity and danger.

“…”

“But the Meenakarin declined due to natural disasters, and Royal Uncle

Waseen’s poor decision making… When it declined, Grandpa lent a hand by restoring Meenakarin through the government, as well as providing financial aid, not long after, Meenakarin decided to build a high speed train…”

“…”

“At that time, everyone thought Meenakarin would have to join either Atsawathewathin or Thawetmetha, but ultimately Uncle Waseen teamed up with my dad. Meenakarin had problems with Atsawathewathin because Uncle Waseen pushed for it to be created, my dad said that he did it because he wanted his own trade routes, so that he wouldn’t have to rely on Atsawathewathin for transportation, and he could reduce the cost of transporting seafood throughout the country.”

“But in the end, did he do it? Because I didn’t hear the teacher talk about this during class.” Khanin tried to recall, but no matter how much he tried, he couldn’t remember if Emmaly, the high speed train, was ever mentioned, which Ramil replied to.

“Yes, he didn’t. Because Meenakarin didn’t have the money. Before building… the capital required signing an agreement specifying that if he were to build, it had to have five primary cities as both starting and ending points, the country would only allow the construction to be for twenty years, after which it had to become the property of the country… that’s why my dad didn’t want to do it.”

“…”

“And at that time, the Sovereign King himself lent the money to

Meenakarin, not taking interest, but requesting for full repayment within five years…and then where would Meenakarin get the money to repay. If he were to borrow from foreign sources, he would need approval from the central bank first, and where would he get the additional funds to pay for the various lands?…”

“…”

“My father prepared money only to build the road connecting my city to the capital and Meenakarin, and it would be impossible to help Meenakarin pay off his debts as a shareholder.”

“What happened after that?”

“My father had said that in the end, Uncle Waseen went to plead with Prince Tarin about expanding the debt repayment, requesting to be seen again by the Sovereign King, but negotiations seemed to fall through, and you and my mother…were assassinated before anything could be resolved.”

“Ah…” Actually, he had already read about this in old news, but when he heard it from Khanin his heart sank.

People close by can detect emotions, and the grip on Khanin’s arm tightened until he had to turn and whisper softly, “What’s wrong?”

But instead of calming down, his sharp eyes flipped down to observe himself. Khanin noticed the sadness in the glimmer of those pairs of eyes, and the young man left his gaze fixed on the face of Charan. Until Ramil spoke up again.

“That’s it. In the end, we didn’t create…we just let the issue go like that, and my father withdrew from the high speed railway project, uninvolved with this issue.”

“So, did Meenakarin repay the debt to the Sovereign King?” Luckily, he was able to adjust his mood quickly so as to not look too depressed. Khanin pulled his attention away from his sorrow.

“He paid…I think, I don’t know by what means. Because in the end, Meenakarin was able to get his debt all paid but I still don’t see the state’s finances improving.” Ramil answered the question unconcernedly, but that made Khanin connect a few things in his head.

“Maybe they had to impose higher local taxes to repay the debt. If so, it would be difficult for the people in the state…right, Mira?” The young royal turned to the one who had been sitting silently the whole time, the only young woman in this place. She looked back and gave a faint smile as the answer.

“Yes…we have had such a difficult time that we even had to generate our own electricity.”

The young man still had a good memory of the day he invited Mira to join the team.

Before talking to her, he had studied the future prospects of the team and found that this young woman was a little more special than others. Because she came from such a poor city that she couldn’t even play fencing, due to expensive equipment beyond the reach of ordinary people.

People in Meenakarin really had it hard.

If that’s the case, it’s not surprising…nothing is strange about it, it’s all locked up and terrifying.

If Meenakarin saw Atsawathewathin as their own personal sun and Atsawathewathin allowed the state under his control to be in difficulty…habits like pressure and dissatisfaction  would be there.

It’s not surprising that he would rise up to do something big like this.

“So, it means that motivation comes from hardship, it’s easy to think like that. In the end, Uncle Waseen had experienced a similar incident. Uncle was forced to repay the money to the Sovereign King within five years before he even got to building a railway, the agreement seemed unfair. How much money would it take to build the initial roads for five states, if he were to agree? He wouldn’t and just left.”

“…”

“If that’s the case, then it can be understood that the logic royal uncle had in mind was, and the intention was clear from the moment he said he did not want to be pressed by Atsawathewathin… and so he went along with my father.” Khanin felt like he was playing the role of an observant character in a detective series.

He tried to find inspiration. The more he dug, the more it seemed like he found nothing, but deep down there was still something lingering in his mind. Khanin had a suspicion that this matter might be related to the Sovereign King’s warehouse.

But he chose to keep this matter quiet for now. Because if he spoke out, it could have negative effects on himself.

“And if that’s the case, why didn’t he do it from the beginning? Why wait until the competition for Sovereign King… and why do it to my father as well.” Because my father is the best suited to be a shield for that person. He likes to hold himself above others, is confident in himself, and does not think that those beneath him would dare to bite back.

While he was lost in thought, Ramil’s question brought Khanin back to reality, and the young man took a breath. Because that was the matter he had spent all night analyzing and filtering through in order to make it easier for Ramil to understand everything.

“Why do it to your father in this way…”

“…”

“And he was afraid that if he just let your father go, then your father would come and compete for the thing he wanted, so he had to eliminate my father, using him as a tool alone.”

“…”

“As for why he didn’t do it from the beginning, then I ask why did I come to be in The Royal Palace now? It’s because according to the law, no one can enter or leave the palace freely. Except for during the competition for Sovereign King, and the coronation of the new Sovereign King, and even then the funeral ceremony of the previous Sovereign King had to be held back in their hometown.”

“…”

 

 

Only this competition allows everyone in the royal family to come and go freely in the palace. Another thing… Everyone participates together from different places. If it were you, you would have to fight four to one. Would you choose to fight them one by one until everyone else joins in and bites you, or would you gather everyone together and win in one fell swoop?”

“…”

“So the second option is already chosen: eliminate them all, tie them together, borrow the strength of others in areas where you can, and wait for the opportunity. The game is to eliminate enemies. Now everything is as easy as having someone peeling a banana and putting it in your mouth.”

“…” Ramil was quiet, the person who used to be so arrogant that he was trembling, showed clear signs that he agreed with Khanin’s thoughts until he couldn’t argue anymore.”

Inside the meeting room it was quiet again. Khanin’s eyes closed, the more information he analyzed, the clearer it became what game he was playing.

The young man thought back to the day several months ago when he practiced sword fighting with his father, recalling the words the other party spoke to him as a warning that what Tanattai had taught him was only useful at that time.

“My father trained him to be a real swordsman, but sword fighting is a Finite game, the game ends within a specified time. Therefore, the thing his son needs to consider is what.”

“Maintain the rules, defeat the opponent within the designated time.”

“Correct. So if you want to defeat an opponent who is superior within the designated time, but you still have to maintain the rules… what should you do?”

“There are two options. The first path is to practice by reading the opponent and finding weaknesses to exploit. As for the second option… It is to make the opponent violate the rules… and then we will win.” However, we cannot behave in such a way in every sport. Cheating during a competition will only make us dishonest.”

“But outside of the game, it may be possible to do so… right?”

“It is true that we can act appropriately outside of the game… therefore, the player must keep themselves in check, live mindfully, consider pros and cons, see the true intentions of people, who  does what  for whom, why… because in life, we cannot know for certain who will play outside the rules, a slight lack of attention may harm the player.”

“…”

“Do not forget that in every competition, we only want one winner, the player must observe how the game is played, how it unfolds, and do not forget, the truth is that, in this world, humans are inherently diverse and there are many people willing to break the rules to win. Because they believe it is easier than competing fairly.”

What father taught him allowed him to read the situation in a precise manner. At first, he may not understand the intentions of the person who initiated this evil story, but with enough information, it will allow him to understand it better. 

Khanin collected all the relevant information he knew today, analyzed it and presented it for others to see instantly. 

“If Thawetmetha is the one who is behind everything, it means that the side wants to use this opportunity to let Evaa win without any bloodshed. Because the rules state that if an ancestor of any state wins, the father will immediately ascend to the position of Sovereign King.”

“…”

“But if not… if Meenakarin is the one behind everything, It means that Waseen planned everything well, rashly playing every possible method outside of the rules. In the rules…”

“…”

What do you think would happen if the Sovereign King had to step down from his position, without anyone winning… it means, the position of Sovereign King would be temporarily empty, and if anything happened to Khanin, the ruler of Atsawathewathin and Thawetmetha would surely reject the promotion as Sovereign King, as for those who are eager for this position, like Rachata, they will face charges of assaulting members of the ruling family.

Finally, if we eliminate the Atsawathewathin, and no one will want the Puchongpisut leader, and the Thawetmetha has no son, who will this position belong to?”

“…”

“The position became appropriate for the favorite nephew of the previous King: Waseen, who was just and fair, right?” Khanin looked around everyone with his eyes, and they all agreed with what he said without any objection.

“…”

“Even if there is no one running the race, Meenakarin still wants everyone to think that Waseen deserves this position.”

“…”

“It is about becoming Sovereign King in a fair way, right?”

Everything fits perfectly. Both sending people to harm him, pinning the crime on Rachata, making Chana the suspect, was to make the real culprit disappear out of sight of everyone. 

When the time comes… that person will emerge to claim everything he wants. 

Without losing anything himself. 

He will not allow it to turn out that way…

“Therefore, we will not let him have that moral victory. We will compete cleanly, let him know defeat. It would be even better if the results were clear that day… This is our plan of action.”

 

 

“…”

“After this, we will come up with a plan to counterattack and catch the villain.”

As the comfortable atmosphere in Young Prince’s conference room of Atsawathewathin battled the raindrops falling against the windows.

The sky turned crimson, resembling a storm brewing. Lightning flashed sporadically, but this time the weather outside did not cause even the slightest tremble to the people working at the table.

Although the meeting had been going on for hours, Charan still could not stop thinking about Khanin’s conjectures. While waiting for the host to arrive, the young man decided to take out his iPad and check his email.

The information in the iPad made Charan feel more uneasy than before because what was in the email was a recording of a conversation between Vetis and someone in Meenakarin…

Going back to a month ago, after returning home, Jae Jirat had Vetis investigate the case of the attacker with a limp. From the day he brought Khanin back to Emmaly, there had been deaths from poison.

In the meantime, Vetis had been sending interesting information for his close friends to check the nationwide purchase of cyanide, and discovered that three states, Atsawathewathin, Puchongpisut, and Thawetmetha, all used it legally and found out what they used it for.

Only Meenakarin did not purchase this poisonous substance… but even so, Charan could not rest easy and instructed Vetis to keep an eye on them.

Until recently, Vetis’ investigative line was able to infiltrate among the locals, and the other side reported there was new leakage.

The investigation followed from the time when Meenakarin was the only state licensed to open a gold store, before these stores began closing down due to natural disasters affecting the economy of the state. Many shops became empty, but they were still selling poisons, especially cyanide, in large quantities.

This information made Charan feel uneasy.

In truth, it was impossible for the closed gold shops to have enough poison to sell as much as customers required. Some shops closed for years, but still offered the poison for sale in kilograms, including lots to expire in five years’ time.

This meant that Meenakarin might have secretly ordered this poison from abroad, using these gold stores as warehouses… if not, then the poison would have to be old stock, and there should be new stock available all the time.

This further connected with the information learned from Tanattai. Charan was even more confident that there were people trying to create a power base quietly under a very good disguise.

And if everything went according to Khanin’s conjecture on this day, it meant that the person who tried to harm Khanin was one of Prince Waseen’s men…

If this were true, then it would be necessary to be wary of Prince Waseen.

He believed in the sharpness of Khanin’s eyes, even though he was just a child. He was said to be a person who had a sharp gaze, with no prejudice, and the other side would see everything clearly.

There were still many unanswered questions, but it seemed that Khanin’s ideas were bringing him closer to something that had been lingering in his mind that he had never touched upon.

There were a variety of questions that had yet to be answered, but it seemed that Khanin’s thinking was bringing him closer to something that had been lingering in his mind that he had never touched upon.

If the real villain is Prince Waseen, it is highly possible that he was the person who brought the news to him, causing suspicion about the Sovereign King’s involvement in the death of his mother, could be the same person.

If that’s the case… then Waseen must have some motives.

Or maybe he wants Phitakthewa to be on the opposite side of Atsawathewathin.

Are they deliberately trying to confuse him? Charan took a deep breath, closed his eyes and let himself float away with his thoughts for a long time, until he lost track of time and woke up again when he felt someone’s magic scented breath blowing on his cheek.

“Ah, I forgot, I wanted to steal some perfume.”

The sound of a gentle tapping brought the person who had just woken up to a laughing fit. The young man adjusted his mood and gestured to the person in front of him, beckoning him to sit on the stool.

“Now that I am blind, I can still smell.”

“You can’t even act surprised.” The white man complained softly. Khanin, who was still wearing a bathrobe with one arm linked, shrugged and smiled, trembling, causing Charan to carry the person on the stool to the bed, then turned to pick up the remote control for the air conditioner to adjust the temperature to the right level.

“I think it would be cold, it feels good.”

“I like the cold.”

“You may get sick.”

“Getting sick is good, Phii you can take care of me.”

“Do not forget that you have to participate in the competition tomorrow, no matter what happens.” Charan pressed his stubborn nose lightly and recalled the memory of the person who insisted on not delaying the competition.

Still planning step by step for the team to follow, the evil was such that he began to fear that if Khanin had planned more than this, he would certainly become a person who could not forget someone.

“That’s right… but for me it is not that easy to get sick.”

“Even if you’re not easily sick, you still have to take care of yourself. So is it better to sleep more so that my arms can recover quickly?”

“Are you sleeping yet… I want to talk to you, Phii.” Khanin reached out and tapped the elbow of the other person. Charan, who turned to close the lamp, stopped and turned back to talk, frowning, looking at the little boy with suspicion.

“You’ve been talking too much today, aren’t you tired of talking?”

“What does Phii Ran think, do I talk too much?”

“Is it true?”

“Yeah…” Khanin pursed his lips, and the little boy became slightly quiet, wanting to look at each other sweetly. “But… Do you dislike me talking too much?”

The childlike worry made Charan forget the previous stress, and his thick hand gently stroked his head.

“No, I am just afraid that your throat hurts.”

“Oh. It doesn’t hurt that much, I’ve been screaming all night and still not in pain… Ugh, mmmh-mmmh.” Charan realized and closed his tiny lips with his hand. The young man breathed in and out heavily, feeling embarrassed that he reacted to a soft moan like that all over his body.

“What do you even say in situations like this… pervert kid.”

“What gibberish are you spouting now… I am talking seriously.” he chided.

‘This kid.’ he thought to himself, his face emotionless. He pushed the white man onto the bed before covering him with a blanket, starting with his small chest. Then he lay down next to him, gazing at him gently with soft eyes.

Khanin’s lips were pursed, and the cute gesture made Charan move closer to him. He pressed his thick lips onto the smaller one’s, pouring his love into the kiss.

Charan locked eyes with the person lying next to him, as the Young Prince moved closer to cuddle him. It was quiet for a moment before he spoke, his voice laced with longing.

“Aren’t you afraid of the rain, Phii Ran?” The heavier rain outside had made Khanin anxious, and the person cuddling him looked up at him with concerned eyes.

“I still don’t like it, but now that you are here, I don’t feel as bad.” he replied honestly. Having Khanin beside him during the difficult times was better than being alone, he could touch and smell the other person.

He didn’t know when it started to rain. Whenever he looked back at the times when he felt stronger than before, Khanin had always been there. This change was mainly due to the other party.

“Ahh…” The young man moaned softly, slipping his hand to caress the white cheek with a look of infatuation.

“If I didn’t have you…I would probably feel empty…but because I have you, I’ve been able to do everything up until now. I’m still here because of you…” The young man’s soft voice combined with the sentence structure resulted in a faint smile.

He liked having Khanin here, hearing him say that they were lucky to have each other was like a light in the previously dark life.

“Same here.”

“I know this, because I am your ‘sun’.” The other person moved closer, giving off the scent of clean shampoo, their nose tip pointing downwards, buried in the soft bunch of hair behind the younger person’s ear, with a playful expression in the eyes as he uttered the words inviting a heart-to-heart conversation.

“Really?”

“Really? Mr-Charan himself told me.” The speaker’s face showed signs of confusion, gesturing to move slightly away in order to get a clearer view of the older person’s face.

However, Mr-Charan refused to let that happen. As the pale body leaned back, he pulled the younger person’s waist closer, and deliberately used the bridge of his nose to nudge the tip of their nose aside, all the while following his heart’s desire.

“Yes, it’s true. Nin, you are like the sun to me.” Charan whispered. He deliberately looked up at the deep brown eyes that looked back at him, wanting to see the other’s face more clearly.

“Nin made me feel lucky to have him here.”

“So sweet. If Ramil heard this, he would be jealous again.” Khanin laughed softly before pressing his face down onto the hard chest, listening to the heavy beat of his heart.

“Gosh, forget him…”

“Wow. Khun Charan, you leveled up fast. Forget him? That Young Prince

Ramil, Puchongpisut guy.”

“I don’t want to care about anyone else, whoever they may be… right now, I only want to focus on Nin.” Charan thought so as he looked at Khanin’s injured arm, his heart aching. 

Protecting others has always been his duty. But when someone else he wanted to protect for real, he let his guard down and the persona wanted to protect ended up in pain like this. 

He’s just not capable… 

“Don’t make that face, let’s change the subject… Let’s end this tangled mess and go somewhere to relax.” Khanin seemed to understand his feelings, and so he reached out and touched Charan’s face to change the topic.

“Where do you want to go?” Charan whispered while leaning down to kiss the forehead of the person in front of him lovingly, one hand holding onto his thick hair. Khanin, who had become longer and quieter, slightly turned away.

“Shall we go where we first met?”

“England?” A smile spread across his face as memories flooded in like a river. Charan thought back to the time when the person in his arm was arguing until he almost died.

And now, they had sex and tossed and turned like he was trying to test his bed every day.

“Wow, England…” Khanin murmured, his movements captured by Charan’s eyes.

“Are you homesick?”

“I do miss my old life” The white haired person chuckled lightly, and a flicker of the once bright eyes seemed to dim.

“Wherever you want to go, I’ll take you…” Charan spoke honestly, because he thought Khanin might need someone to lean on, and of course, he himself wanted the other person just as much.

“Okay then, let’s sleep, hearing this gives me the encouragement to keep going.” Khanin did a muscle stretch, then returned to his snuggling pose, his small chin resting on the broad chest as he grunted while trying to find a comfortable position. “Phii Ran, you have to help me… you shouldn’t back down now and make others see that I made the right choice by choosing you.”

The contest between the losers and the winners must continue with Nin. Khanin didn’t want to give up his determination, and Charan’s expertise in sword fighting still remained a secret. 

Normally, he wouldn’t want to show it off to anyone. Because he didn’t want to be involved in the fuss of inheriting his family head position. But this time it was different. 

Charan was happy and willing to show it to others. Because of Khanin’s desire. 

“I’ll do it… but you yourself can do it too, if you can’t take it, don’t force it.” Charan looked at the line of freckles on the kid’s arm. His dark brown eyes followed his gaze. Then he turned his face up with a smile.

“Don’t worry. I won’t be stubborn. I have a dead stance.”

“You do, do you?” The mischievous pose of the person around him made Charan burst out laughing. Khanin looked confident that he had a backup plan, so much so that Charan wondered if the other person had a secret strategy that he hadn’t told him yet.

“Come on, give me your face for a kiss and I will whisper it to you.”

 

THE NEXT PRINCE CHAPTERS HOME

   THENEXTPRINCE, Chapter 40: Ingenious

The Royal Palace.

In the areas outside the private quarters of the Prince,  was ablaze with the fire in the heart of the father, the Prince Tarin, who ordered his men to investigate the truth behind this incident, to find out who was behind this. Chaos spread throughout every corner of the palace.

It is important not to believe the words spoken and to wait for the truth, as Rachata’s wide-eyed gaze suggests. In the end, the middle-aged man had to return to his own bedroom with a heavy heart. There was nothing more he could do, more than this.

What happened to Khanin kept Tarin’s eyes wide open. The current leader of the Atsawathewathin family lay motionless with a sense of restraint, unable to think clearly, overwhelmed by anxiety and fear.

The current events have affected Tarin’s past fears that he could not escape… The events from twenty years ago and the image of those memories that he could never forget resurfaced, shaking the middle-aged man’s soul.

At that time, the young boy, Khanin, had just been born. The whole of Emmaly rejoiced and sent gifts from all directions to show their respect to the new member of the royal family. Every minute of Tarin’s life at that time was filled with joy. Until one day, his wife asked to return to visit another town.

Little did Tarin know that it would be the last time we would be together as a family.

Him, Kunita, and Khanin.

“Make sure you don’t go with them.”

Tarin remembers that on that morning, he walked to embrace his beloved wife from behind. Kunita, who had to travel back home with their firstborn son because the maternal side wanted the first grandson to perform the ceremonial gift-receiving ritual according to their tradition.

The schedule coincides with the date of the special meeting with the state of Meenakarin. Tarin, despite his desire, cannot accompany her to the Neenakarin palace. He can only wait to send his wife and child like this.

“Are you sure? You too. Why would you follow me everywhere, not working or anything? Now you’re the ruler. Don’t act like a child.”

I don’t know why. Even though he has been criticized about this a million times, Tarin can still smile. He enjoys it when his wife scolds him for being too attached to her and their child, but that’s because he loves them both so much.

I have no idea how I would live without these two.

“I don’t want to be away from you and our child… Just working for two or three hours a day without seeing your face and our child makes me anxious.

You’ll be back home in three days… How will I sleep?”

“You’re really something, Tarin. I wonder if you would complain to your son.” His wife complains insincerely, with a little laughter, and then takes his hand and leads him to the small children’s room next to their bedroom.

His wife stoops down and picks up their chubby child, and Khanin looks at his father with wide eyes. When he sees his father’s face covered, he bursts into laughter, making a cute and mischievous expression.

“Khanin, look at your father. This stubborn guy refuses to go to work… He wants to come with us, right? Show him your pouty face.” Kita speaks with a playful expression and a smile, and she leans forward to kiss their little son’s big forehead. That’s all it takes for Khanin to raise his face.

“Uh… Uh.”

“What’s wrong, Khanin? Did you read your father’s face… Don’t be mad at your father. I just don’t want to be away from you and your mother. Wait for another day or two. Ask your mother instead.” Tarin turns to his wife, who takes Khanin and holds him close, comforting him.

“No, dear. I’ll be back soon. And besides, it’s not good to keep the adults waiting. You also have an urgent meeting with Waseen. Please do your duties well and don’t forget to help Waseen speak up.”

“….”

“You’re such a compassionate person, Waseen Meenakarin has almost nothing left after the previous high-speed rail bidding. If you don’t help, good people like you, Waseen, will be in short supply.”

“I’ll talk to His Majesty myself… You don’t have to worry.” Tarin understands his wife’s concerns. She is a good person, and he values her greatly. He sympathizes with the people of Meenakarin, who hold her in high regard and rely on her words.

Waseen came to request a meeting with him because it is a very urgent and important matter. Even though his father may have reservations about helping Meenakarin, he still went ahead with it.

“If Waseen hadn’t joined little Rachata’s group, the matter wouldn’t have been resolved like this.”

“It’s better for us to stop talking about others, Kunita…” Tarin gently touched his wife’s cheek with love, assuring her that she doesn’t need to worry in front of their child.

He wants their child to see nothing but the smiles of their parents and doesn’t want Khanin to encounter only the pressures he has faced throughout his life.

The pressure that comes from being a father…

Throughout his life, Tarin has never had the opportunity to choose his own path. Until the day he decided to let Kunita enter his life. Even though his father initially disagreed and tried to find someone else to replace her, when his beloved wife became pregnant with a baby boy, the father finally relented.

“Alright. If we don’t talk, we don’t talk. Ah… it’s almost time, will you take me to the car?”

“Of course, let’s go then.” Tarin hugged his wife, who was holding their child in her arms, and walked her to the waiting procession of cars. He waved goodbye to both the woman he loved and their son, watching as they drove away, without realizing that it would be the last time they would smile at each other.

Kunita and Khanin left in that moment.

Tarin never had the chance to truly enjoy time with both of them…

When he heard the news of the assassination plot, Tarin rushed out of the meeting room without knowing which direction to go. He no longer cared about helping Waseen. Even though he held his wife’s words in his mouth, his mind was not present, only praying to anyone for the news he knew was not true.

But in the end, righteousness did not stand by his side. When Tarin arrived, he was faced with something that shattered his heart.

He found the lifeless body of Kunita, covered in a pool of blood. She had been shot, her vital organs fatally injured, not long before he arrived. At that time, another group of guards, led by Tanattai and the Phitakthewa family, were able to successfully smuggle away the Young Prince.

Tarin immediately followed this lead, ordering all parties to search. After about two hours, the local police called to report that they found a car explosion in the middle of the rain-soaked road, outside the city on a newly constructed highway.

The voice on the phone reported that the car was still engulfed in flames, and the body of Chita, the current leader of the Phitakthewa family, was found outside the car. She seemed to have escaped from the vehicle. Inside, there was the body of a large man, and another infant was burned beyond recognition.

Hearing this, Tarin almost went mad.

The last glimmer of hope was burned to ashes, and he lost everything within a few hours. His beloved wife, his only son, his wife trusted confidant, who even the leader of the Phitakthewa, who had just vowed to love to protect the Atsathewathin.

The grief and sorrow at that moment were overwhelming, and Tarin’s head felt like it was filled with racing flames. He couldn’t move his body, and he couldn’t hear anyone’s voice. Tears blurred his vision.

The last image Tarin saw was his father walking towards him accompanied by his older brother, Waseen, before consciousness faded away. Although he was unconscious for almost three days,  he was fortunate that he woke up in time to bid farewell to his wife and child on their final day.

Since then, Tarin has never cried again. From that moment on, he has lived to find and punish those responsible for such wicked and treacherous acts. Every day, Tarin’s life is dedicated to seeking justice for the one who shattered his heart into pieces.

But it seems that he is always a step behind those people…

Whenever there is a glimmer of hope for those individuals, they often meet their demise before he can even reach them, sometimes within an hour. The report from his bodyguard stated that if those individuals didn’t swallow poison, they often ended up with their throats slit…

This cycle continues endlessly. Until news of a rebellion gathering near Meenakarin’s harbor reached him.

In that event, Waseen himself managed to capture the rebel group with his bare hands, while the individuals in that group were old guards, members of every clan. It could be speculated that the instigator came from that group, but all the evidence and motivations proved that these individuals were the ones who caused him to lose his family.

When he managed to capture the leader of that group, Waseen had to confront them to the point of almost losing his life. But in the end, he was able to order the execution of those individuals before sending the matter back to Sovereign-King.

What Meenakarin did showed his deep love and respect for his father, and as a result, negotiations for financial assistance to support Meenakarin’s upbringing went smoothly.

The matter that had once caused harm between them seemed to have concluded, as no one mentioned the act of riding the train again, for fear that if it became too easily accessible, it would govern with difficulty.

Tarin resided in a state of vengeance, finding that apprehending the wrongdoer did not bring back happiness. Since the loss of his wife and child, this sorrow had led his heart towards evil, causing him to reject anyone who approached.

It was fortunate that even though the Sovereign-King advised the descendants of the great lineage, he did not enforce the necessity of taking a new wife. Since then, the Sovereign-King himself had not mentioned the matter of lineage tracing.

Life without children and a wife would leave no one to care for him other than himself. Tarin therefore decided to be the best son he could be, closing himself off from all sides, to continue to grieve for his loved ones.

He lived in solitude, unaware that his only son still existed, and that they would meet again in twenty years’ time.

Khanin was not dead… Furthermore, his son returned with intellect and a physique akin to a treasure.

The more they met and conversed, the more they longed for the one who had departed. Khanin resembled Kunita in every gesture, from her freshness, charm, audacity, and loveliness.

All of this made Tarin feel both joy and sorrow simultaneously. He was glad that his son had grown up so well, yet at the same time, he mourned the missed opportunity to witness his son’s growth into adulthood.

Therefore, Tarin attempted to compensate by not excessively pressuring

Khanin. In the matter of competition, he himself did not entirely agree or care.

If his son did not wish to compete, how could he, as a father, interfere? However, even though he desired to express himself in such a manner, it took him nearly a month to gather the courage to speak with his only son, whom he had not seen in twenty years. Tarin still needed time to rest.

It was only recently that they began to grow closer. Tarin wanted to spend more time with his son, thinking that as long as Khanin was under the wings of Atsawathewathin, the child would be safe.

Once the competition was over, he intended to take his son on a distant journey, to have more time to learn about his son’s true self. Whether they won the competition or not, it didn’t matter, as long as his son returned to be by his side as a normal father and son, without having to care about anyone else.

But it seemed that everything would not be so easy.

Although he had learned that his son had returned under difficult circumstances due to being targeted by someone, Tarin trusted in the promise of the Sovereign-King to protect his heir and prevent any unsettling incidents for him. Therefore, Tarin did not take any action to intervene.

His Majesty did not want to see him disappear from the palace, as he was engrossed in seeking revenge or finding the culprit, just as he had done before. Despite being given such orders, today’s events made him realize the instability.

What happened to Khanin proved that his beloved son was still in danger, and Khanin’s life was not as safe as he had thought.

That child is still a target for some individuals, possibly the same group as twenty years ago when Emmaly came peacefully without any shadow of suspicion from Atsawathewathin. But this time, Khanin revealed himself again, bringing back those stories.

The existence of Khanin may interfere with the interests of some individuals who are hoping to become the next Sovereign-King.

But who are they…

Rachata… is the number one suspect.

He has been suspicious of this young man since the beginning, but without clear evidence, he couldn’t do much. Rachata’s behavior indicates a person who is elusive in power and clearly shows that he does not want anyone to obstruct the path to the throne, even constantly pressuring his niece, Evaa.

Using gender as an excuse, he does everything to prevent equality, intentionally manipulating his only son, Ramil, to elevate himself to the highest position of power.

But this time will be different. Tarin does not intend to remain silent and let his son be harmed again. That’s why there is an order to secretly search for evidence of Rachata’s wrongdoing.

Tarin is confident that Rachata will not stop at this point…

Time has passed, and when he reminisces about various past events, Tarin cannot close his eyes. By the time he realizes it, the sky outside gradually changes to a pale orange color.

The sun emerges from the horizon, during the same period when Tarin decides not to sleep anymore. The middle-aged man rises from his bed and heads to the bathroom to refresh his mind.

Tarin is lost in thought, even as he is about to step out of the bathroom. His gaze catches a flickering shadow in a dim corner of the room.

Even though it happened in an instant, it forced Tarin to quickly open the bedside drawer and grab a defensive tool to hold onto.

Who… who managed to breach the fortress and reach this area?

Atsawathewathin’s lord released the safety of the gun in his hand before silently stepping towards the shadowy corner of the dressing room.

Tarin took advantage of the moment when the intruder was still motionless, aimed the gun at its head, and pressed the trigger to let it know that he was armed and ready to blow its head off with a single pull.

The lump in his chest throbbed, blood surged through his body, and with a firm grip on the gun, he forced the other party to lower its head even further, only then did his hands, which had been hanging by his side, rise above his head.

“Who are you, who sent you?” Tarin didn’t know the intentions of the intruder, only that the other party showed surprisingly easy consent. Luckily, the light switch was nearby, so he released one hand from the gun and flicked it on, banishing the darkness.

“…”

“I asked who you are!”

“I pay my respects, Your Highness.” The voice of the intruder ceased abruptly in less than a second, and he turned back to face Tarin, still holding both hands up in a submissive gesture. It was a familiar face that hadn’t been seen for twenty years, causing Tarin’s eyes to widen.

“Tanattai… Danai.”

“Your Highness, it’s me, Prince Tarin.”

“How did you come back…” Tarin immediately dropped his gun upon hearing the familiar address and receiving the answer of who dared to invade the inner sanctum.

It was Tanattai, a familiar figure who knew the escape routes in this place very well. He moved closer to examine the person in front of him with joy, his large, muscular body of a former close comrade.

Confusion and joy flooded in, creating a heavy and lingering mix of emotions.

“Your Highness, it’s been a long time, my lord. I came back with the Young

Prince, but I couldn’t come in to report.”

“And what else… Did you go to meet my father? He’s been looking for you all along, but still couldn’t find you.” With joy in having his old friend back, Tarin stumbled over his words, unable to form coherent sentences. However, no matter how happy he was, his eyes could see the change in the other person’s expression.

“Did His Majesty speak like that?” Tanattai asked softly. His eyes narrowed, clearly perceiving the dimming of the other person’s face.

“Yes… His Majesty said you couldn’t be found, or perhaps you had already passed away since helping Khanin.” Noticing the expressions on the other person’s face, Tarin continued speaking with a bit more effort.

Now, he couldn’t even see the delighted gestures of his close friend, while the other side still displayed visible discontent.

It seemed as if there were things in their hearts that couldn’t be spoken.

“Is it really like that?” Tarin lowered his gaze, beginning to notice this peculiar change.

“Why do you wear such expressions, or is there something I should know but still don’t?” Tarin’s face dropped, becoming slightly more serious.

Why hasn’t the former royal guard, who was so capable and fierce, reported back to the person in charge after returning to their homeland? Why does he have to wear such a mournful expression, even though the person in charge has declared a search for him, after returning to his birthplace? Why does he have to wear such an expression, even though the person in charge has declared a search for him, after returning to his birthplace?

“Your Highness, I am not sure how much to say.”

“Is it because you have disappeared, or is there something else I should know, but still don’t?” Tarin squinted, beginning to observe this strange phenomenon.

“That’s right… It’s been twenty years. Now, I have become someone else for you, Danai, haven’t I?” Tarin asked, trying to continue the conversation.

“Don’t say it like that. His Majesty, I have never been anyone else… Your Highness, I show your respect only to you, the one and only person.” Tanattai looked surprised, kneeling down and bowing his head to express his utmost respect through that gesture.

“And why didn’t you ever tell me anything before? Why didn’t you ever send news that you and Khanin were still alive… Why did you let me find out from someone else…”

“…”

“At that time, I had given up hope. Because the bodies I cremated with my own hands were my wife, my children, Chita and you, who was my close friend.

Do you Danai know how tormented I was? How I felt like I was nothing… Nothing at all.” Tarin followed his gaze downwards, seeing the other person’s hidden sorrow no different from his own.

Tanattai must have had to swallow a considerable amount of sadness, and yet, why does he still refuse to reveal what is in his heart to him?

“…”

“Can you tell me how this story came about, how you managed to survive, and why you still couldn’t return to the palace?” He has endured through many seasons of heat and cold. When the conversation reached this point, Tarin began to notice the peculiarity in the familiar person’s sentences.

Knowing that Tanattai is an honest person, this person would not say anything that could cause trouble for their boss. But seeing Khanin’s love for this man, Tarin is confident that if it concerns Khanin, Tanattai would reveal everything that is in his heart.

Because Tanattai himself must love Khanin… as much as he does.

“…”

“If you know something but don’t speak up, our child could be in danger, right? Instead of going to find you his father, he came here… to find me.” When Tanattai remained silent, Tarin pushed further. The person of high rank intentionally used the words ‘our child’ to make the other party aware of their relationship.

“The statement is correct, your father…”

Tarin heard a sigh, just as he had expected. When he heard those words, the expression on the face of the former royal guard softened. In the depths of Tanattai’s eyes, there was a mixture of restraint, and finally, he agreed to reveal everything without holding back.

“…”

“Twenty years ago, during the incident of the assassination, the guard unit was divided into two groups. One group took care of the princess who was shot in secret, injured and unconscious, while the other group kept Young Prince Khanin away from the confrontation.”

“…”

“Your Highness, I received an order to take the Young Prince out in a carriage. In that carriage, there were actually four people… Her Highness Lady

Chita, the leader of Phitakthewa… another royal guard… and the Young Prince.”

“…”

“We managed to escape the pursuit for a while, Her Highness received a call from the Sovereign King privately. The Sovereign King instructed me to take the Young Prince and escape in a different direction. Then, the leader Phitakthewa and that guard continued driving ahead.”

“…”

“When I emerged, I hid in the forest by the roadside until someone came to pick me up. That night, I received documents changing my name and evidence of marriage and one child, along with a plane ticket to England. The subsequent order was to disappear and not make contact until further notice.” “So, it means… Father must have known this from the beginning.” Tarin, a strong and well-known figure, heard the truth clearly. Because someone like Tanattai has no way of lying.

“Oh my…”

“Then why didn’t Father tell us? Why did he make us believe that the body we cremated…” It was the last sentence that Tarin swallowed, he began to doubt how much of what he had known all along was true.

“The Sovereign King may have wanted the Young Prince to be safe, so he planned it that way…” Tanattai still didn’t look good, unlike Tarin who was constantly changing his expression, his demeanor was bitter.

“If that’s the case, you should have told me, instead of letting me cremate bodies without knowing whose they are… There was only Chita who I cremated.” A sigh escaped when thinking back to the past.

The reason everyone is confident that Khanin has passed away is because there is the body of the leader of the Phitakthewa family right there as evidence.

“…” The person in front remained silent, probably because they saw that

Tarin was using his thoughts, so the other party didn’t dare to say anything.

The person who shared the blood and flesh of the current Sovereign King pushed aside the negative feelings from his mind before choosing to ask further about the suspicious matter.

“And why did you come to find me this time?”

“Because I couldn’t meet the Sovereign-King.”

“Why?”

“The Sovereign King has ordered me not to reveal myself…”

“What is it…”

“I survived the assassination attempt with the young lord in London, while

Khun Charan took the young lord back to Emmaly, stating that if I revealed myself, the young lord would not be safe. The Sovereign King assigned me the task of managing the warehouse during that time, with a royal order to wait until the young lord finished competing before I would be allowed to enter the palace.”

“What warehouse?” Tarin was surprised by what he heard. Meanwhile, Tanattai looked startled when he heard this question.

“The warehouse… to store belongings, Your Highness.”

“What kind of belongings?” Tarin continued to ask persistently. Seeing that Tanattai was trying to avoid the question, he became even more suspicious and pressed on at the same spot.

“To store jewels… from another city, Your Highness. I only recently found out, but I cannot avoid this responsibility. Being in that position is the only chance I got to meet the young lord.” Tanattai’s face turned grim as he reluctantly revealed another secret of his master, despite being ordered to keep quiet.

“….” Tarin’s eyes widened after everything was revealed, and his current feeling was like an electric current running through his body, causing sweat to break out on his back.

Various emotions surged in his mind, but the clearest thought seemed to be… he truly didn’t know his own father’s identity, not even a little bit.

What he once thought he knew everything about his father, turned out to be that he didn’t know anything at all.

Storing someone else’s jewels in the warehouse like this. Even the king’s own son doesn’t know… this is not a simple deception.

“I understand it that way, I am trying to endure until the day I can report to the king and get to see the young lord again. But just a few days ago, the young lord went to the warehouse with Khun Charan. I had a chance to enter and talk for a few words, and after that, Young Prince Khanin… was injured.” Tanattai’s words trailed off, and silence fell between the two of them.

One person was drowning in a whirlpool of sadness, while another was drowning in countless questions about what he had known in the past. Tarin felt as if he were drowning, unable to breathe in or out, as if he were trying to kill himself indirectly.

“It’s not your fault, Tanattai… not at all.” Tarin knew what his close friend had been thinking. He reached out and squeezed the big man’s shoulder, his face twitching back and forth. Both he and Tanattai were saddened by what had happened to the young boy. Khanin, who had taken care of Ramil, was also concerned. In this situation, what could Tanattai count on?

It felt as if his heart was about to break.

“But the Young Prince was injured. I came here to find out if he was safe.”

“Khanin is safe. Just a hurt arm. It’s good that Ramil came to help, otherwise it would have been worse.”

“It must be the work of those people, the ones who secretly attempted to kill the  Young Prince when he was just a newborn, and they’re still lurking around.”

“What does it mean?” New information kept flowing in. Despite the headache, Tarin still wanted to hear everything from the mouth of the former guardian.

“When I met the Young Prince that day. Khun Charan told me that there were still enemies, and said that the person who looked like an old guardian was the one who tried to kill himself by biting a poisonous pill.”

“How is that possible…” Tarin pondered, drifting away for a moment before regaining consciousness. His eyes focused on his worried close friend.

“…”

“I probably don’t know… After I left, there was a rebellion. Waseen was the one who defeated us, uprooting the old rebels. Anyone who participated in the event and was on the other side was killed. As for those who didn’t participate, they had to register to have that thing removed from their bodies.

No one could use that method to kill themselves anymore.”

“Is it possible that some of those groups have managed to escape the king’s gaze?” Tanattai grew tense, the pressure building up invisibly, the newly discovered truth causing even more concern for Khanin.

“It’s not possible. Because we investigated everything ourselves, we can’t let those people go. Because they harmed our child.” Tarin was confident that twenty years ago, he had uprooted and eliminated those people completely.

“And if someone helps those boys. If the person who harmed the Young Prince is not completely eliminated, if that’s the case, His Majesty will be most suspicious of who is really an insider.”

When the question was thrown, it was certain that Tarin had the answer in mind, the image of someone begging the Sovereign-King to believe that he did not harm the person who was of noble birth, Khanin, emerged in his mind.

“I wonder about Rachata, I wonder about Puchongpisut.”

“Yes, Your Highness…” Tanattai responded, before bowing down in front of his master, “If that’s the case, may Your Highness grant permission for me to seek the truth about this matter, sir. With just an order, I will uncover the truth and ensure that person receives the appropriate punishment.”

“Granted… I permit it.” Tarin issued the order without needing to reconsider. Then he retreated from that spot, before turning off the light as a signal for the other side to carry out the operation as quietly as possible.

Tanattai disappeared from that spot as soon as he received the order, and followed behind, the owner of the room walked over and sat down on his favorite chair, exhausted from the events of the day beyond what he could handle…

The information he had learned… everything fit together like pieces of a puzzle, making it impossible for him to trust anyone. Tarin understood that. If he were to protect the valuable thing of Kunita still remaining, he would have to move without letting the person who was his father find out.

In the past, even though he seemed indifferent, it didn’t mean he couldn’t see. He knew well that the person who was his father wanted to maintain his power in his hands and did not want to share, but he had just realized clearly why Tanattai had to be separated from Khanin like that.

It must be because he wanted to control Khanin, and it was related to the property in the warehouse that Tanattai had mentioned…

The reason for imposing numerous regulations that prevented each citystate from trading freely was because there were many hidden secrets behind it.

Tarin never thought that his father would be someone with such a calm and calculating mind if everything was true as he had imagined. The reason Sovereign-King concealed the identity of his son for more than twenty years.

In addition to not allowing Khanin to know that Tanattai was still alive nearby, it was probably because he wanted to keep the position of SovereignKing for the Atsawathewathin.

It’s not because he wants our family to be together… as he used to say.

It seems that His Majesty did not think of anyone else. Apart from himself, only the young lord, who is the sole heir of the Sovereign King, comes to mind.

…

This morning at the Royal Palace seems busier than usual. Unexpected events involving the young lord, the only male heir of the Sovereign King, have escalated more than ever before.

The circumstances have led to the mandatory physical examination of the serving ladies and the butlers before entering or leaving, with increased scrutiny.

Regardless of who it is, to pass through the main gate of the palace, it is necessary to report and record, without exception, even for Chakri himself, who is the trusted butler of Young Prince Khanin.

The portly man had to spend a long time in line for the physical examination, almost missing Young Prince’s breakfast time.

“Apologies for being late, Your Highness… Oops” As soon as the grand doors opened, Chakri paused. The image in front of him was not what he had imagined, not even close.

The young butler thought that even if he was late, the Young Prince would still be sleeping as usual, and there was no way the sick person would get up early for training like before, but everything turned out differently than expected.

Young Prince Khanin’s private room is now filled with team members, including Prince Kalavin-Li, who is standing beside Khun Charan.

“I really want some water. Can I have some orange juice, Mister Butler?”

Chakri pushed the food cart closer to the person who requested orange juice. The young butler poured the liquid into a floating glass, realizing a bit too late that he didn’t have a tray. He had to use his less dexterous hand to hand the glass of orange juice back to the butler.

“How did we end up like this?” Chakri received the crystal glass from the master and placed it on the table with familiarity. He swept his gaze over the people sitting on the sofa, wondering why they all came together so comfortably and at what time. How did they manage to gather here in the Royal Palace, still looking prestigious?

“I rode a motorcycle with Vetis, Mira took a taxi to the front of the palace, and the golf cart went to pick up Prince Kalavin along with Jae. As for Charan, he just walked out of the carriage room because he slept here. Khun Chakri, you should know this stuff.” Itti spoke in a sarcastic tone.

 

 

Oh, well. Like this, huh? No, Your Highness, what do you mean by being here? And why did you come so early? I can’t see any reason for you to be here, Your Highness.” At the end of the sentence, Chakri turned to Young Prince with a hint of disappointment, while Young Prince simply chuckled.

Then, he shrugged his shoulders.

“There’s a secret meeting. I called them myself. Last night, I told them to come early so they wouldn’t have to wait in line for a long physical examination… If I had told you earlier, it wouldn’t have been a secret.”

“Oh… Everyone is here, aren’t they? Then, Your Highness, you should excuse yourself first and go prepare drinks for everyone.” Chakri counted on his fingers, thinking whether it would be good to bring some snacks, but as usual, these people didn’t touch any food during meetings or rehearsals.

“Add one more person, Chakri… We might have some additional guests.”

“Guests? Who, Your Highness?”

But before he could even think about the new arrivals, a loud banging sound echoed, as if the person in front of the room wanted to announce to the world that they were on the verge of breaking something with their clenched fists.

Bang, bang, bang!

“Come out and talk now! Khanin! I told you to come out and talk!”

The sound of screaming reverberated through three floors and eight levels, making the hearts of those who heard it tremble. However, the young butler with a pale, worried face was different from the room’s owner, who turned to pick up a glass of orange drink with a relaxed expression.

“…”

Bang, bang, bang!

“Come out and talk now! No matter what, I won’t back down from the competition! Khanin, come out!”

Um… We shouldn’t open the door for Young Prince Ramil or risk letting him scream like that. The sound might disturb the Sovereign King’s tranquility, Your Highness.” Just hearing the sound was enough to remember it. Chakri asked his boss with a worried face.

Knowing that the Sovereign King was sitting at the top of the working room, he felt anxious, but it seemed that Young Prince Ramil wouldn’t be bothered much.

His boss simply turned to Charan sitting next to him, without uttering a word, and the tall figure immediately stood up from the sofa.

Chakri looked at the back of Charan walking away, without saying anything, the tall figure unlocked the door and opened it slowly. Behind the door, there was someone he recognized, standing there with an angry expression.

“What’s going on here? Why are you all gathered like this? And why is everyone so angry?”

“Tell that Khanin to come out and talk to me.” Young Prince Ramil spoke with a strong voice. Although it wasn’t a shout like before, the voice was loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.

“Young Prince Khanin still needs to rest. Today, it’s not convenient to receive guests. Please may I ask Young Prince Ramil to come back later, Your-

Highness.”

Chakri frowned, touched by Charan’s quick thinking in telling the Young Prince of the Puchongpisut family to leave before today.

The worried butler was concerned that the storm of the Young Prince of the Puchongpisut family’s anger would come and destroy everything. On one hand, he didn’t know how to handle it, and on the other hand, he didn’t want Young Prince Ramil to worry. He felt relieved when he saw Charan trying his best to manage everything and make it go smoothly.

“Are you daring to challenge my orders?”

“Your-Highness, please don’t.”

If you won’t step back, then don’t block my way.”

Bang!

The plump butler’s face turned pale, as if the divine power wouldn’t side with Chakri at all. Even Charan himself couldn’t persuade Young Prince Ramil, the young prince of the Puchongpisut family, to leave. He closed the door with a loud bang, causing the building to tremble. Then, he hugged his chest tightly, while Charan finished locking the door with a click.

What is this, Khun Charan? You should keep Young Prince Ramil out of Young Prince Khanin’s room, instead of letting him come in so easily. And close the door, make it tight and flat!

“Oh, ho! Playing big, the fire is really blazing.” Young Prince Khanin himself seemed unfazed, as if he didn’t feel hot or cold. The owner of the house, with his fair complexion, didn’t show any signs of surprise.

Suddenly, he rose from the sofa and used the uninjured hand to strike the back of the hand with the bandaged arm. His charming face, full of enchanting smiles, seemed relieved to see Young Prince Ramil stepping on the honor like this.

“You can do even better than this, try it.”

“Can I do it again? Sure, why not… Let Jae, who plays the hero on stage, see how real I can get.”

Chakri turned his head back and forth, following Young Prince Khanin’s hand, until he became completely confused.

They first looked at Young Prince Ramil’s face, who responded to Young Prince Khanin’s compliment. After a while, they turned to Jae because they heard Young Prince Khanin say something strange.

Jae himself then stood up instead of being surprised and showed respect to the rival Young Prince family.

“Well, can I join in on this?”

What will Young Prince Ramil do, Your Highness?” Chakri turned to Young Prince Ramil, who moved closer to the vase. He was afraid that the Young Prince of the Puchongpisut’s family would actually do as he said.

“Is this vase an antique, Chakri? Is it very expensive?” Young Prince Khanin didn’t sympathize with his butler’s concern. He hugged his chest and asked calmly, as if to say that if this troublesome person, who is like a sibling, were to stand up and distribute, it wouldn’t be a problem if it wasn’t an antique.

“No, Your Highness, it’s just a simple display item, not an antique. It doesn’t cost more than a hundred thousand, Your Highness.” Chakri had to answer helplessly, as he was being pressured.

The young butler took a deep breath, and the people sitting on the sofa. Even Charan, who walked beside Young Prince Khanin, didn’t even try to stop them.

“Haha. In my room, I have stacks of vases worth tens of millions, even hundreds of millions… But in this room, there are only a few, and each one is not worth even a hundred thousand.”

“Say whatever you want, I don’t care about antiques anymore, but if you want to throw something, pay the money up for its worth or I’ll have someone go collect the money later.” Young Prince Khanin responded as if he didn’t care, raising his small shoulder, which was wrapped in a cloth, as if granting permission for the other party to do as they pleased.

“Then I can throw it away.”

“Just throw, what are you waiting for? You are already rich, what is there to be afraid of?”

“Then let’s do it.” Flung-Flung-Flung!

Wow!

And-you-will-throw-vases-why?

 

 

Why can’t people just try talking nicely to each other!!!!!!

The chubby man almost fell to his knees, almost crying as he thought about how each vase was worth less than a hundred thousand and shattered into pieces on the floor. He almost shed tears, but it seemed that both young royals didn’t care at all. As he reached down to sweep away the small pieces of the vases, both Young Princes from royal families started cheering at each other once again.

“Ramil, what are you looking for, crazy person! Ha, are you going crazy again!”

“I’m crazier than this, you can keep watching!”

However, the shouting match did not involve any violent acts, both of them just stood still, hugging their chests, shouting at each other as if they were competing to see who could shout louder, and…

Flung-Flung-Flung!

The vase that was close to Young Prince Ramil was swept off the floor, shattered and scattered, the loud sound echoed throughout, hot to the point where it reached the small hallway in front of the room, so hot that it had to be asked with a burning voice.

“Khun Charan! Khun Charan, how are you doing inside?”

“It’s okay. I can handle it. Young Prince Ramil has calmed down.”

It’s okay, what’s wrong with being crazy! Chakri raised his hand and dropped his head. His eyes under the glasses widened, his whole body trembling with surprise at the events that had occurred.

I wanted to run and open the door to find someone to help, but I was stopped by the close ally of the Phitakthewa family leader. When I turned around, everyone, except for Young Prince, could see the sympathy in their eyes.

“This should be enough, look, butler, his face is as pale as a boiled chicken.” “Oh. That’s enough. It’s hard for someone to come in and sweep up the pity… I’m sorry for scaring you, Chakri.”

The Young Prince turned to speak softly. Then he walked over and hugged Chakri’s shoulders even tighter, making Chakri more confused than before.

“If you can think like this, then you don’t need to plan for me to come in and draw at first.” The person who had just swept the dishes turned to complain to someone of the same rank.

The storm in Young Prince Khanin’s private room seemed to calm down easily. Chakri didn’t know whether to thank Young Prince Ramil or not. When he was the one who spoke rudely instead of being the owner of this room like Young Prince Khanin.

He still doesn’t understand…

The demeanor of Young Prince Ramil appeared genuinely calm, as if a surreal story had just unfolded, never before experienced. The tall figure walked gracefully, stepping over scattered tiles on the floor, and settled down, crossing legs, on the vacant sofa next to PrinceKalavin, as if being an invited guest to this realm. Every action left the atmosphere bewildered, almost rendering speechless.

“If not done this way, people would surely wonder why I came to this room when mine is already full.”

“Time is running short, let’s talk quickly, so I can hurry back. Otherwise, suspicions will arise.”

“Alright, then please proceed.” Young Prince Khanin stood up, along with the team members, everyone’s expressions as if the whole debacle was nothing out of the ordinary. Just then, Young Prince Ramil, who was an adversary, suddenly appeared and disrupted, causing chaos and destruction to the carefully prepared feast.

Khanin made a gesture to walk towards the private meeting room, but the young butler decided to seize the moment and rushed in to inquire, relieving the doubts.

“What is going on, Young Prince Khanin? I seem completely puzzled.”

“Oh… I didn’t mention earlier that we would have another guest.”

Chakri was dumbfounded, but the Young Prince responded with a nonchalant tone.

With a flicker in his eyes, he glanced once, then swiftly shifted his gaze to the others in the room, the aura following behind Charan, calm yet fiery, making the young butler have to keep up with his eyes.

“…”

“Well, there you have it… Ramil, our additional guest.”

What… is this!!

    THE NEXT PRINCE CHAPTERS HOME

   THENEXTPRINCE, Chapter 39: Errors Must Be Corrected.

Ramil remained silent amidst the unfolding events. His narrowed eyes scrutinized the image of his top-ranked adversary, who had mysteriously disappeared amidst the chaos of the banquet. The young man’s strong physique and resonant voice seemed to fade away, but a faint, lingering pain in his arm reminded him to stay alert.

This couldn’t be a mere coincidence… It couldn’t be certain.

The voices in his head grew louder, and a sense of impending danger made Ramil distrustful of everyone. The young royal began to move his feet again after standing still like a statue for a long time. He walked past groups of people who were engrossed in providing information to the police, who had entered the venue to secure the area.

Countless people swarmed around, observing and questioning, but Ramil signaled for everyone to stay away. The young man scanned the crowd, searching for someone… only one person he needed at this moment.

Petai.

“Ramil, are you okay… isn’t it?” Like raindrops falling on parched land, the sound was concerned and gentle. The familiar hand reached out to his strong arm, and the beautiful face revealed genuine anxiety, a stark contrast to the facade presented throughout.

“It’s nothing… really…” Ramil didn’t lose his composure, but he felt confused and in need of support at this moment. He called out the other person’s name and swallowed his words, leaving the rest unspoken.

“What’s wrong? Do you want to find a doctor?” The other person must have noticed his prolonged silence, as they moved closer to examine each other. Petai’s face appeared worried, and that only made the young man struggle to contain his own emotions.

“No, you knew…” the Young Prince spoke only those words, attempting to control his trembling and gripping the other person’s arm to steady himself as they walked together.

Amidst the crowd bustling about, Ramil paid no attention to those attempting to conduct physical examinations. He decided to pull Petai’s hand towards a secluded area, waiting until a significant amount of time had passed before the white-bodied homeowner began to broach the subject.

“Ramil, you…”

“Did you notice anything abnormal at the event before the pole fell onto Khanin? Did you see anything?” Ramil whispered these words with a soft voice, indicating to those in the position of close followers that he was struggling to come up with anything to say.

“…” Petai remained silent, but it was probably because they had known each other for a long time, and he could read almost everything from the facial expressions and glances that reflected the tension of the white-bodied person. Ramil could read almost everything.

The beautiful-faced owner didn’t necessarily have to say anything halfsarcastic that was screaming in Ramil’s heart to be completely confirmed.

“Can you tell me, don’t make me feel more frustrated than this.” At this moment, it was pitch black, and he couldn’t think of anything except begging the person he trusted to confide in what he knew.

“Why speak like that?” Petai looked surprised when he saw Ramil show his vulnerable side, his thin hand tapping his wide shoulder, rubbing lightly.

“I saw you looking at Charan…” His thick hand raised to rub his own face, the image that Petai had looked for Charan still stuck, but that helped him see something abnormal that shouldn’t have happened.

His father called Charan for a meeting, even though normally they never thought of having a good relationship with the leader of the Phitakthewa family, this was too strange.

“I didn’t look at Charan, but I looked at Prince Rachata, I looked because it was strange that your father called for Charan.” Petai probably thought the same, the other side sneaked a glance at the ground, showing a gesture as if there was something heavy on his mind but didn’t want to speak it out.

It had been almost a minute since the beautiful-faced owner remained silent.

Ramil saw the beautiful pair of eyes blink, almost answering every question Petai had asked without the need for the other side to speak or explain anything to confirm.

“You look like… Is it your father who did this?” Ramil didn’t want an answer, the young man understood Petai’s sandpoint well, the other side was spiritual, a person belonging to Puchongpisut, what else could he say.

Even if you know, he was tongue-tied.

“…” Petai stared at Ramil, as if wanting to say something, but in the end chose to remain silent, allowing tension to build up and weigh on Ramil’s mind, to the point where the young prince could barely stand it.

He had no idea what reasons pushed his father to make such a decision.

Rachata will have to face the penalty for attempted murder… his father will be seen as a corrupt person.

Just because he doesn’t believe in his own son that much, right? Because Ramil isn’t skilled, doesn’t have the right tools, isn’t impressive enough, to the point where his father can’t trust him.

His desire with his father is victory, power, and greatness, but what stands in their way is the method of execution…

“If you don’t have to say it, I’ll handle it myself.” Ramil considered that silence as a clear answer, he closed his eyes, letting the vulnerability reveal itself, and with a changed feeling and mood, he forgot to open his eyes again.

No matter what, he won’t allow his father to use such dirty methods.

Victory and power that originated from corruption, deceit. They will never prosper.

As soon as he returned to the palace, Ramil went straight to his father’s private office. The front door had fewer guards than usual, but one of them was still Sivakorn, the honest man, standing with crossed arms as always.

“Young Prince Ramil, don’t rush in right now, Your-Highness” Sivakorn spoke cautiously, raising his hand to hold the door. Worried that Young Prince Ramil’s actions would disturb the lord inside, he tried his best to block him.

“Step the fuck back.” The tense atmosphere filled the evening air. Ramil didn’t intend to listen to Sivakorn anymore, he used all his strength to push the person in front of him away.

“Please, Your Highness…”

“Do you dare to defy your betters? Step back, Sivakorn.”

“Prince Rachata ordered that no one…” Sivakorn himself served the honest man too well. Ramil thought he had remained calm enough. When he saw that Sivakorn had no intention of obeying the command, the emotions he had tried to suppress burst out.

“You’re trying to undermine my authority as your lord, aren’t you!” At this point, the Young Prince no longer cares about maintaining decorum. He shouts loudly.

Intentionally use a powerful command that will leave Sivakorn speechless, emphasizing to everyone that he is a person with delegated power from the ruler.

Whenever the servant challenges the command of his lord, consider it as an act of disrespect towards the Puchongpisut family as well.

“Apologies, Your Highness…” Sivakorn is slightly stunned but quickly understands the message conveyed. Therefore, Prince Rachata’s close aide lowers his hand and steps back, avoiding any further interference.

Ramil wastes no time and swiftly pushes open the door, confidently approaching the person sitting with their back turned on the high-backed chair. When Rachata realizes there is an intruder, he intends to turn back to confront the person who dared to interrupt.

“I told you not to come in! Ramil.” The eyes of the father widen, and his initial shout softens when he calls out the name of his only son.

Rachata’s posture, filled with confusion and worry, cannot escape the piercing gaze of the observing person. Ramil’s face turns red, knowing well why his father is like this… It’s not as cold and distant as usual, indicating that…

Rachata is afraid… of something.

“Why would you do that, Father?” The second-ranking person of the family with power lowers his voice, making the father increasingly unhappy. Even though the other side tries to find a way to defuse the situation, this time Ramil can clearly sense the abnormality.

“What did I do?”

“Today’s matter… Is it what you’re doing?” The person who has been suppressing emotions for a long time clenches their fists, feeling disappointed with their father’s actions, as if being hit by a raging storm.

“Who do you think you are! Coming in without asking me anything, then shouting like a madman. How would others think when they hear it!” The father speaks while turning to look at the door. Seeing that it is still tightly closed, he decides to get up from the chair and walk towards each other at the work desk.

Ramil straightens his face and realizes that his father is trying to use body language to intimidate him, wanting him to stop talking and end the conversation. But at this moment, he no longer has anything to fear.

“Is it anyone’s business? My father does so much, yet he still has to worry about things other than his own desires!”

“Speak nicely, Ramil. What did I do? What did I do?!”

“Father, you know best.”

 

 

How dare you speak to me like this!”

“Father, you think I don’t know anything. I’m not stupid… I may not look like it, but if I hadn’t gone to help Khanin, Father, you might have turned into a murderer…”

Slap!

“…” His handsome face twitched from the impact, and the young man remained still for so long that he could see his father’s toes move slightly before straightening up and looking back without flinching.

“Are you crazy or not… Can you hear me?”

“…”

“Yes! I’m the one who did everything today. I agreed to do everything just for you to win, but you came back and insulted me like this!” Finally, Rachata spoke the truth.

The words hit the face of the only son, causing blood to rise. Shocked from being hit so hard that his face turned. Ramil gradually regained his composure to stand firm for what was right.

“I’ve told you before, don’t get involved in competitions. In the past, Father, you would never interfere with anyone’s life. Because of that I respect and admire you, I want to be as good as you are on my own, I want you to truly accept me. I’ve been asking Father, you all along not to interfere.”

“…”

“And what is this… Father doesn’t tell me anything.” Ramil left his words at that, starting to wonder why everything had turned out like this.

“And have you ever made me trust you? Last time, if I hadn’t secretly bought the athlete, you would have foolishly chased after Khanin endlessly, even though I had taken care of everything for you. But as soon as you found out, you spent all the money to pay him back until I was almost broke, only caring about that stupid justice! Do you want to lose to it, don’t you? Do you want to lose to those Atsawathewathin idiots, right?”

“…”

“You’re an idiot. If I don’t do this, can you take care of what you should take care of yourself? Waseen said you’re stupid and he can see through

Khanin’s game!”

“How did Waseen get involved in this matter?”

“It’s a wake-up call for me. It’s a problem if your financial management is always dependent on what Khanin does. He will turn the tables on you immediately, even though the foolish Meenakarins still sees Khanin as playing a game with you. He lures you into winning, but at a high cost that you still don’t realize. How can I trust you?”

“I can understand not trusting each other, but does it have to come to the point of killing someone? Do you want me to have a murderer for a father?”

“I didn’t go that far. I don’t want it to come to death. I just want to make Khanin struggle and use his legs. My people are the servants in that area. But, I didn’t do this plan to bring down the pole! It’s not my doing!”

“What do you mean?”

“I did it for you. I intended for someone to stumble or collide with Khanin so that he would lose his legs or end up disabled. My people are the waiters in that area. But, this pole falling down was not my doing! It’s not my doing!” Rachata’s voice trembled.

Rachata tried to control his trembling body with his thick hands pounding on the table, causing a loud noise to reverberate throughout the room. The newfound truth left the young prince stunned and shocked.

“So whose skill is it? Father said it was someone.”

“I don’t know. The people from the event have all been taken in for questioning. We’ll find out soon.”

We’ll find out soon? Do you think someone else needs to know? Do you father stupidly think the person behind it will reveal themselves? When they do this, right with your plot that person means it intentionally throws the blame on you,  Father!” The situation was getting worse. What was initially thought to be a game turned into an attempted murder.

Ramil’s mixed feelings were relieved when he learned that his father didn’t intend to harm Khanin to the point of death, but the other half was filled with overwhelming guilt and remorse.

No matter who takes action, that person already knows that everything has to turn out like this.

It has been planned…

It intentionally uses his father as a fall-guy.

“…”

“I will fix the mistake myself. I will withdraw. Puchongpisut will not participate in the Sovereign-King competition this time. We will show that we did not intend for this to happen, and we did not do this for our own victory.” Ramil turns back, both sides trembling unsteadily.

The young prince feels a bit bitter. Even when his father reached out to hold his arm. Ramil still doesn’t feel the warmth from the hands that used to pat his shoulder with affection.

“Stop! I can handle this… Ramil! Don’t do that!”

This Young Prince, the only one of Puchongpisut, slowly turns back to his bewildered father, his face looking as if he has done something wrong in those confused eyes, the wrong direction that used to radiate confidence now wraps him in a wrong posture.

Ramil raises his head, the hand that fell by his side approaches each other tightly, he closes his eyes, letting the tears of anxiety flow, wiping his cheeks before going to commit the sin that he did not cause. Ramil decides to leave the last words for the father to ponder.

It’s all the lingering feelings.

“Don’t do anything more than this… Please… Trust me… Just once.”

“….”

“Don’t make me feel embarrassed with a father like this anymore, please…

Your Majesty.”

…

After the chaotic incident, the interviews and social events had to be immediately canceled. The royal doctor from the hospital, the number one in Daveen, was invited to the Royal Palace. Everyone involved in the event, including the staff hired by the Puchongpisut family, was heavily interrogated.

Tarin and Dhipabawon ordered someone to inspect the location to determine if the whole incident was just a real accident or if someone was behind it.

Ramil himself underwent a detailed physical examination, while Rachata was agitated. The leader of the Puchongpisut family was worried about his son, which created a tense and intense atmosphere.

“Uncle probably didn’t think Rachata would be the one responsible, right? It seems that Ramil was also injured. If it wasn’t just an accident, Puchongpisut would be equally affected.”

Charan didn’t wait to hear anyone’s explanation. As soon as he arrived, he didn’t want to leave Khanin alone. Even the venerable doctor was invited to wait outside.

His handsome face was filled with clear anxiety. Although Khanin kept saying it was nothing, Charan remained in a state of tension, pressure, and concern.

Rumors and speculations started to spread, especially when they saw the young man with his arm in a sling. Charan felt guilty about what had happened.

If he hadn’t let Khanin be alone, this wouldn’t have happened.

The doctor said he had to wear a sling.”

The young man spoke softly, but his cute face still had a smile that seemed to want to comfort each other. Khanin looked at him with a worried gaze, unable to determine who was the injured one.

“I’m sorry.” It took Charan a while to find his own voice. He moved closer to the bed, raised his hand as if he wanted to touch the injured person, but ultimately stopped in mid-air.

Charan was afraid of hurting Khanin, so he couldn’t bring himself to touch him more than this.

“Sorry, I couldn’t find you.”

“I said I would protect you, but…”

“It’s not your fault. It’s an accident. No one wanted this to happen.” It was Khanin himself who moved closer, holding warm hands together, while Charan continued to blame himself.

During that time, the young man had a vivid memory. If it weren’t for Ramil’s help, Khanin might have been more seriously injured.

“But I couldn’t help at all.”

“It’s okay, just a sprain. Just having you here helps me feel less scared…”

“…”

“Give me a hug, please.” Khanin extended his arm to embrace Charan, who didn’t seem to relax much, his face still tense. He felt guilty for not being more concerned about the young royal’s injuries.

“Are you worried?”

Because Charan spoke up and became a companion, Khanin wouldn’t have to sleep alone tonight. Chakri volunteered to arrange an extra bed, before retiring himself.

Charan sat down on the same bed as Khanin, paying little attention to the extra bed provided by Chakri. It wasn’t necessary. They had slept together countless times, so what benefit would separating the beds now bring?

But that’s it. They didn’t want to upset the butler, so they let it be, following this kind gesture.

“Afraid, worried, but not hesitant.” One of Khanin’s strengths was his ability to stay knowledgeable and acknowledge his own feelings without changing. The young royal, who often does not deceive himself with excessive worries, but because he made decisions to face them, he didn’t hesitate or wait for time to pass.

If this event wasn’t just an ordinary accident, it meant that someone intentionally caused harm to the point of forcing him to withdraw from the competition, or it could be a danger beyond control. Khanin thought that he wouldn’t let it go and fall to the desires of those in the shadows.

He would take advantage of this opportunity to let those who lurked in the dark know that all their plans would not succeed. Khanin was uninjured, and the competition would not be interrupted. When the burden of the plan became too heavy, it wouldn’t go as planned, and eventually, he would have to reveal himself. Just waiting for time to press on.

“If you do that, Nin, I’ll support everything.” Charan’s words were like drops of soothing water. Even when Khanin felt uneasy, at least there was someone like this by his side.

“Thank you.” Khanin smiled sincerely. Then he invited his loved one to lie down, lightly tapping the bed to let the other person get up and lie down next to him. But just as Charan was about to lie down, he was stopped from doing so by a knock on the door.

“What is it?” It was Charan who asked the question, while Khanin got up and sat on the edge of the bed, looking towards the door with suspicion.

“Apologies for the intrusion, Young Prince Ramil has arrived, Your

Highness…”

 

 

“Ramil?” The voice from behind the small door ceased, and the young royal turned to face the newcomer, raising an eyebrow in suspicion. There was no shortage of curiosity as to why the other party had to sneak in like this.

It’s not like he has been away from the palace for a long time or anything.

“If you don’t want to meet him, it’s fine. I’ll go and talk to him.” Charan seemed to catch a glimpse of Khanin’s pensive demeanor, being the lowerranking party, tall and poised to step off the bed, only to have his wrist grabbed by the younger one. His cute face swayed slightly before pulling Charan closer and whispering softly.

“He came right after the incident. It must be something important. Can he come in and meet me?”

“Yes.” Charan fell silent, his heart pounding. Then he reluctantly nodded, his tall figure stepping out of the room, disappearing for a while until Khanin was about to follow suit when the waiting person returned first.

“Young Prince Ramil has arrived.” Due to Charan’s refusal to let the outsider follow him, the young man had to take care of everything himself in the absence of a high-ranking, noble figure.

The young royal from Atsawathewathin lowered his gaze, looking at the two men still in their old attire before the incident. The other party approached with a dignified and revealing posture, contrasting with the scattered handsome face.

The usually proud and arrogant eyes now looked downcast and weary, the tip of the nose slightly reddened, bearing faint traces of intense crying.

“I’ve come… to apologize.” Without needing to ask why he was here. Ramil knelt down in front of Khanin, the tall figure that used to stand tall. Confident in himself, he knelt down on one side of the floor, making Khanin feel somewhat startled.

The other party didn’t hesitate at all, indicating that he had thought it through… A high-ranking person who loves himself so much, would he easily bow down to anyone if it weren’t a matter of life and death?

“Apologies for whatever happened? You yourself have been helping me.” Khanin hesitated to ask the other party to stand up. Although this act would be demeaning to the lower-ranking party, and he didn’t want anyone to grovel at his feet, this moment presented a good opportunity to address various doubts in his mind without having to seek answers himself.

He decided to go with the flow.

“I’m sorry because… my father is the one who did it.” The sound of disappointment was completely revealed. Khanin turned to look at Charan almost instantly.

The lump of flesh in his chest beats rapidly and forcefully, almost pounding out. The young man couldn’t even imagine that the answer he was looking for would come running to him, so easily.

The hidden eyes glanced at the person who was still kneeling in front, without even raising his face to look at each other with disdain, a gesture that showed a heartbroken feeling that had been completely shattered.

However, because he didn’t know where the other party would go, the young royal from the current royal family still maintained a calm posture, allowing Ramil to speak what he wanted to express continuously.

“My father is the one who made you suffer… so I will compensate you.”

“…”

“I will give up my rights… Puchongpisut will not participate in the competition for the position of Sovereign King this time.” The heavy sound made Khanin almost squint at Ramil.

“Does it mean that your father wants to kill me?”

“No… my father didn’t intend to do that.”

“Didn’t intend to do that? But I wanted to let the beam fall on me.”

“My father didn’t do it that way, my father planned for you to suffer, but what he planned was to make the person who served as a waiter push you… to make you suffer in your legs, so that you can’t move comfortably during the competition.”

“And how can I believe you?”

“I didn’t come here to ask you to believe, but I came to take responsibility for my father’s actions.”

“Then why should you take responsibility when if your father did only that, he should find someone else to take the blame, why should you give up your rights, especially when you yourself want to win almost to the point of death.” This question arose in Khanin’s mind.

Yes, he didn’t know what kind of person Ramil was, this arrogant fucker who had been arrogant since the first day they met.

When choosing to clash heads with Ramil first, it was because the other party showed a clearly disdainful attitude. Besides being unfriendly, he also showed a domineering posture as if he was at the pinnacle of the chain.

Giving up the competition just because his father did this to him seems a bit strange to Khanin. He thinks that blood must be thicker than water. Ramil also seems to have borrowed a lot from his father.

“The victory that came from cheating is not worthy of me… I have more honor than that.”

However, while thinking negatively, Ramil’s words made Khanin frown.

The young man blinked once. Then he made a face of disbelief and burst out laughing.

“Well, you are a good man after all.”

Ramil’s extremely arrogant words made Khanin feel relieved, even though they were not very familiar with each other. However, the honest display of the other party without any tricks also made the young prince trust him a lot.

At first, he was worried that the person who had once positioned themselves as enemies would come to where, but suddenly he appeared in front of him with all the sins on his face. But when he saw the arrogance displayed despite being on his knees, he said he would end such a competition…

It should be a fair bet that the other party will pick up the heart and put it under his feet as well.

“If that’s the case, there’s nothing left, I’ll… have to prepare a statement about giving up my rights, and then I’ll find the real culprit to punish.” Ramil spoke quickly and got up, while the tall figure was walking towards the door.

Khanin, who was analyzing the guest’s posture, also said something.

“Wait… don’t go yet.”

“…” The face of the person who turned back was not satisfied with being scolded even a little. If you are a person who deliberately comes to take pictures to make the game look good, you probably won’t frown like Ramil.

“Before I go, I have something to ask.”

“What…”

“Swear to answer completely truthfully.” Khanin’s tail looked at Charan, and the other party looked at him the same way.

The young prince believed that the older guy could not guess what he was going to say, and the corners of his thin lips even smiled a little. When he was about to speak to the older and younger siblings who were walking back with a frown.

“Speak up… I don’t have all night.”

“How does the Puchongpisut family take care of people? Why did they allow an assassin who has an injured leg to come to harm someone at the event?” In reality, there was no one with a leg injury at the event. However, Khanin wanted to observe the reaction of the other party, so he fabricated a story about someone who was a disabled committing a crime, causing him to injure his arm today.

It doesn’t help that Charan still has the image of the injured leg incident in his mind, making it difficult for him to believe that Puchongpisut could be the real culprit. So Khanin thinks it’s necessary to find out the truth.

“When can the injured person come and take care of the event… There’s no way, even though it’s an important job, the security unit is in place, we won’t accept anyone with physical disabilities to do any work.” Not just a headache, the sound of a collision echoed. Ramil reached for his mobile phone and opened the updated information about the incident to submit it.

“He might be an old assassin. Khun Charan, please check if there are any people who have encountered him before.” Khanin handed his mobile phone to Charan for inspection. As soon as he heard the voice of someone older, he immediately understood and hurriedly went to check according to the requirements of the injured person.

“If you want to see information about the old assassin, click on the icon at the top.” Ramil spoke briefly and went to find Charan, then stood hugging himself and waited.

“… Khanin remained silent, while waiting for the comrade-in-arms to check the information, he secretly observed the gestures of the younger siblings.

Ramil didn’t show any signs of restlessness. Although he was a bit angry in his tone because he was accused of bringing the injured person to work, the tall man didn’t rush Charan to check anything. There was no smell of someone trying to cover up their own wrongdoing.

It seemed that when he walked and talked, he didn’t do anything wrong.

Calm, straightforward, to the point, to the extent that it was hard to imagine how deceptive they could be.

“Your Highness, I didn’t recognize anyone.” Charan turned around and spoke with a calm expression before returning the mobile phone to its owner, then stepped back and bowed to the young royal from the rival family.

“Are you satisfied or not? If so, I’ll leave…”

“Not yet.” After receiving confirmation from Charan that Puchongpisut did not keep any suspicious individuals and it was possible that he had no involvement in sending someone to assassinate him, Khanin restrained Ramil once again.

Khanin analyzes everything quickly and makes decisions to speak out and play the game again.

“I haven’t thanked you for helping me.”

“…”

“Thank you… thank you for helping me.”

“If I had not helped someone could have gotten hurt, then how can I be a different boss?” As the person with higher status responds. Ramil still has the same personality.

It doesn’t matter to be proud of anyone, but even so, it firmly believes in justice, full of morality, so it’s not surprising that it likes to praise itself.

Probably confident that he hasn’t done anything wrong, whether in front or behind.

Keep such a person as a friend, better than turning them into enemies.

“You’re not like your father. If my uncle were like you, he wouldn’t let anyone lead him by the nose” Khanin means having virtue if a person is a father, having that thing is as good as a child, so there wouldn’t be a situation where Ramil has to kneel in front of him like this.”

“….”

“Think about it. If your father doesn’t play tricks, then we will probably all practice to play for real in a few days.”

“…”

“You’re a talented person, indeed, you’re a scary opponent, and if I were to eliminate someone, I would eliminate someone as scary as you.”

On occasion, he praised along with the fire in Ramil’s chest.

“…”

Khanin knows in his heart that Ramil won’t be able to speak. Because the other party probably thinks the same way.

“If that’s the case, then are you still giving up your rights? But what if the real goal is not me, but you. If that person is actually trying to pull you out of the competition, and you give up your rights, it means he succeeded.”

“What does that mean?”

@: “Well then… think about who would benefit from this if I were hurt, and you relinquish your rights.”

@: Once it was proven that Ramil did not commit any wrongdoing, Khanin used the disappointment of the other party as leverage to bring them in as allies.

@: He intentionally scattered various pieces of information for Ramil to ponder, and someone like Ramil, who has enough integrity, would use that information to eliminate those who have no inclination to engage in malicious activities from the thought system.

@: Therefore, Ramil’s information is trustworthy.

@: “Evaa and Uncle Chona are not like that.”

@: “I haven’t said anything about who they are yet, why would you think of pointing the finger at Evaa instead.” Khanin smiled, not a mocking smile, but a satisfied smile when more information that was closer to the truth emerged.

@: “Because Evaa and Uncle Chona are in a low key struggle with my father, they have different opinions and haven’t talked for a long time, there is no way for them to cooperate.”

@: “So someone who talks to your father frequently is probably not my father.”

@: Ramil fell silent for a moment, his mind filled with thoughts, and after a while, his brows furrowed.

@: “There is someone who has been approaching my father all along, someone who analyzed your game plan, that person told my father that I am foolish, playing your game, doing everything, willing to pay a high price to defeat you, even though it’s not a victory I should be proud of, but if that person is true, there is no motivation for him to do that. Because no matter who wins this game, he doesn’t benefit from it. Because he himself has no son.”

@: “Uncle Waseen?”

@: “Yes.”

@: “And is Uncle Waseen close to Uncle Chona?”

@: “I don’t know about that, I only know that the Meenakarin’s people belonging to Evaa’s team who came to compete account for a half of her team.”

@: Now we’ve come to this point. Khanin seems to have started to understand several things, even though Ramil said that person is not beneficial, but if that side cooperates with Thawetmetha.

Or if no one can win… If no one can guess who can win, then how will the judgment criteria be?

Who will become the next Sovereign-King?

“If that’s the case, Evaa shouldn’t be trusted either…” Khanin commented that way, he won’t stop suspecting until he knows the truth, and now Evaa is the person who is highly suspicious at the beginning.

“What do you want by saying that?” Ramil looked at the other side with a lack of understanding.

“I want you to continue competing, it’s better if we cooperate.”

“But I…”

“Don’t you want to find out who is behind all this?”

Ramil’s gaze changed immediately upon hearing that. Khanin believed that the other side probably didn’t think about it and only realized it after hearing his opinion.

“I do.”

“If that’s the case, you shouldn’t give up your rights. Doing so immediately means that you’re blindly following someone’s game without knowing what it wants…”

“…”

“Think carefully. Even if your father no longer has the right to be the Sovereign-King, he can still live, but if things turn out badly… your father might be assassinated, a life in rebellion. If we can find the real enemy after that person gains power, no matter what, they will have to silence your father.”

“My father wouldn’t do something like that. Even though he wants power, he’s not that evil.”

“That’s the reason… why do you still have to compete.”

“….”

“We have to work together to find evidence that proves your father didn’t intend to kill me. He might have been used as a deception, but he didn’t intend to harm me to the point of death. We need to find out who the real enemy is… and bring them to justice together.”

As someone once said, ‘The enemy of our enemy is our friend.’ Right now, both Khanin and Ramil are in danger. So it’s better if we cooperate.

According to the proverb, killing two birds with one shot.

Khanin tried to exploit the vulnerability of his younger siblings and deceive the other party into becoming their own group, which the other party probably knew as well. However, they agreed to do so in order to protect their own father from being accused of going beyond the limits.

He wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to climb up and find the real enemy who wanted to kill each other…

It seems that this is not just a matter of hurting each other to make the other side lose in the competition. If the thread has been pulled up and the tied knot can really be unraveled, it may reveal something much more significant.

There are many stories waiting to be revealed.

Whether it’s the encounter with the father in the warehouse, the secret of Charan’s death, or the new story of Ramil’s father being suspected as the number one perpetrator…

Khanin believes that everything is interconnected…

Otherwise, the story wouldn’t be so complicated.

When Ramil remained silent, Khanin turned to the Phitakthewa family leader who stood silently beside him. The other party nodded to confirm that everything he said was true in every aspect.

Khanin turned back to look at his younger siblings with full confidence. At this moment, when playing with a hard stick, it is necessary to use a soft stick to show the other party that he is ready to be on the same side, without betraying each other, even though the other party is still suspicious as before.

“Agreed?”

“Agreed.”

“Then let’s do it… Rameng.”

“What is it?”

“Ramil, Ramen… Rameng, let’s join forces.”

“….”

“Why are you dissatisfied? Are you cursing me… curse me right away.” Khanin laughed in his throat, making a face that seemed to stretch his face to prevent the other party from sinking into excessive sadness, and when he saw that, instead of sulking every time. Ramil took a deep breath and exhaled softly.

“Hey… Khana?”

“What did you call me?”

“Khana, why… are you dissatisfied?” Ramil laughed softly, the young man did not sulk back, but smiled with a face as if he was trying to comfort himself.

That smile made Khanin decide to extend his hand forward, while the other party reached out and grabbed his butt, shaking it gently as if this was a temporary truce.

“Dissatisfied, but you can call me whatever you want, let’s just say I’m calling you ‘Ramen’.”

“Call me whatever you want, even if it’s ‘Ramen’, but it’s premium ‘Ramen’.”

“I can be whatever you want, but remember that the competition will not be postponed, no matter what, someone will come and ask about my injured arm, maybe ask for your opinion, let them confirm that I will compete as usual.”

“Okay.”

“If that’s the case, let’s separate and move on, and we’ll contact each other later.”

Ramil separated and left. In the bedroom, only Khanin and Charan remained.

The young prince still looked out the door. As for the close people who used to stand clasping their hands, they walked over and locked the door as if they knew what they were doing.

“I did the right thing, didn’t I?” The question was asked as the other party stepped in and sat down next to each other as before.

“You did the right thing.” Charan spoke and gently brushed his soft hair with his hand.

“Oh. So I will not postpone the competition.”

“I understand.” The young man thought along and could see the needs of the child more clearly.

The plan to deceive the villain so that he will make more plans and hopefully slip… If the other party’s desire is to end the competition, doing this would be an accelerator to make the person in the shadow reveal their identity faster.

Taking a little risk is better than dealing with an unknown danger.

“No matter what happens, as long as Nin is still by my side, winning or losing doesn’t matter.”

“…”

“Let’s finish this game together.”

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