Tag: Novel Translation

  • THEWEDDINGPLAN, Chapter 3

    THEWEDDINGPLAN, Chapter 3

       THEWEDDINGPLAN, Chapter 3:

    No manual says it’s wrong to have a crush on the groom-tobe.

       “What’s wrong with you, Nuea?”

    “…”

    For the past few days, everyone in the office had grown used to seeing the company’s handsome organizer staring blankly at the sky, his coffee mug, documents, or anything in his line of sight. They were all baffled about what the hell was going on. This morning, his close senior couldn’t take it anymore and finally spoke up, but… he didn’t respond.    “Nuea!”    Silence.

    “Nuea!!”

    Still silent.    “Nuea, damn it!!!”    Whack!

    “Ow, that hurt!!!”

    Finally, the office’s fierce lady lost her patience, grabbed a nearby folder, and smacked him square on the head. The guy, who’d been staring blankly at the sky in the meeting room, yelped loudly, whipping around to confront her, only to face… an even fiercer expression.

    What’s your deal? I nudge you, you don’t turn. I call you, you don’t answer!” Nuea blinked rapidly, as if snapping back to reality, before flashing a wide grin.

    “Oh, come on, Sis, you’re not a drill sergeant, and this isn’t a military camp. There’s no rule saying I’ll get my pay docked for not turning or responding.”

    “You dare talk back to me?!”

    “What, did you think I was bowing down to you in reverence or something?”

    This time, Sister Eim didn’t snap at him. Instead, she was tapping a folder against her palm, flashing a chilling smile that sent shivers down Namnuea’s spine. Not wanting her to guess what was on his mind, he kept up his cheeky facade, bracing for the pain of the folder smacking him next. But…

    “You don’t have to grovel. Just tell me what’s gotten into you,” Sister Eim said, her voice laced with concern. Namnuea paused, then let out a sigh.

    How do I tell her my heart’s racing for the groom-to-be?    He’d been in this job for years and, honestly, had occasionally found himself eyeing a groom here and there. But that was it— once work started, clients were just clients. He poured his all into creating their dream weddings. This time, though, was different. It felt like he was being teased, flirted with, and his traitorous heart kept fluttering, making him feel inexplicably guilty toward the bride.

    If he admitted this out loud, no amount of heads would be enough to withstand the slaps he’d get.

    “Nothing’s wrong…”

    “Right, nothing’s wrong,” Sister Eim echoed in a tone that mimicked Yiwa’s, sending goosebumps up his arms. Then she started listing his mistakes.

    “Nothing’s wrong, huh? The other day, you ordered the wrong flowers for tomorrow morning’s event, and they had to call me to confirm the quantity. And yesterday, you sent the wrong event draft to a client, who then called to ask why their wedding had red in it when we’d agreed on soft tones. These kinds of mistakes aren’t like you, Nuea.” As she laid out his errors, Namnuea made a show of checking his watch.

    “Oh, look at the time! I’ve got a meeting. Gotta go… Sorry for the mistakes, Sis!” The errors had happened, he’d owned up to them, and he’d already been scolded once. Listening to another lecture would just crush his spirit. So, he rattled off his apology, grabbed his bag, and bolted out of the office like he was running a 4×100 relay, leaving only the sound of his senior shouting after him.

    “Come back here, and you’re done for!”

    Seriously, is she a colleague or my mom?

    Namnuea mused slowly. Truth be told, he could bow down and call Sis Eim “Mom” with full sincerity. She’d mentored him from the start, given him opportunities’ opportunities, and helped him land the job of his dreams.

    Nuea loved weddings. Among the countless events he’d organized, despite the social pressures and the need to keep up appearances, weddings were special. They let him feel the joy

     

    and tender warmth of love between two people. If he had to choose which events to bring to life, he’d pick weddings— moments that would leave lasting memories for decades—over anything else.

    And this one would definitely be unforgettable… because his heart was pounding for the groom.

    “I just want to bang my head against a wall… if I wasn’t afraid it’d hurt,” he muttered. Maybe a good knock would snap me out of it.

    RRRRRrrrrrrrr

    Gasp

    While grumbling to himself in the elevator, his phone rang, and he quickly grabbed it. No surprise who was on the screen.

    “Yes, Khun Lom?”

    [I’m pulling up to the front of the building. Should I park inside or wait out front?]

    “Out front, please. I’m on my way down.”    After hanging up, he couldn’t help but sigh.

    Dress fitting day… another hectic day.

    The pickiness of grooms and brides varied, but the chaos brought by parents and friends was twice as intense.

    Not everyone brought their parents to fittings, but most brides wanted opinions from those around them. So, the person waiting for him downstairs wasn’t just the groom alone—there were bound to be several others for him to handle. Namnuea took a deep breath, summoned his professional demeanor, and plastered on a smile.

    Ding

    His smile froze the moment he saw who was leaning against the sleek car… a glossy black BMW sports car, parked prominently, drawing the eyes of passersby. But that wasn’t the only thing that stopped Nuea in his tracks. It was… the groomto-be himself.

       Today, he was dressed casually in dark jeans that showcased long, lean legs, paired with a relaxed white V-neck tee and a brown jacket that did nothing to hide his good looks. Sunglasses were tucked into the collar of his shirt, his hair left natural rather than slicked back as usual, and his sharp, handsome face was adorned with a… captivating smile.

    Just a change in outfit, and the entire vibe shifted.

    More playful, more fun, more approachable, and his charm… it practically radiated into the air.

    No matter how hot he is, he’s got a fiancée, Namnuea. Not to mention, he’s not even interested in you.

    Nuea took another deep breath, trying to stop his legs from trembling under the man’s devastating charm. He stepped forward, raised his hands to wai in greeting, and what helped him keep his composure was likely the car.

    That selfish car, built for just two people. With the bride and groom already there, he’d have to follow in another car rather than squeeze into a cramped back seat that was clearly not designed for a third or fourth person.

    Time to breathe.

    “Good morning, Khun Nuea. Please, get in.”

    Creak

    “!!!”

    But what Namnuea had anticipated was completely off. When Sailom walked over to open the passenger-side door, he saw that the car… was empty.

    “Where’s Yiwa?”

    “Yiwa didn’t come with me. I’m here to pick you up alone.”    What kind of nonsense is this? Leaving the bride to go on her own and picking up the wedding organizer instead?    Nuea could only stare in confusion, trying not to read too much into it.

    “Is she meeting us at the shop? I sent the list of shops we’re visiting today, and I heard Yiwa knows the designer at the first one.” Perhaps she went ahead.

    “Hmm, Yiwa knows them.”

    “Then there was no need for you to come pick me up, Khun Lom. Honestly, we could’ve just met at the shop. I feel bad that you had to drive all this way,” Namnuea said. The other man let out a soft chuckle before asking,

    “Then make it up to me.”

    Who asked you to pick me up?!

    If he weren’t a client, Namnuea might’ve snapped at him.

    Instead, he asked warily, “Make it up… how?”

    The other man just flashed a wide smile, gesturing toward the passenger seat. Namnuea hurriedly climbed in before anyone could witness the odd sight of a man holding a car door open for another man. Then, the handsome driver slid behind the wheel. “By the way, Khun Nuea, have you had breakfast?” “Huh?!”

    Nuea let out a small yelp, turning to meet the other man’s gaze. That captivating smile was still directed at him, forcing him to look away.

    “I had a little something,” he admitted.

    Why’d you tell the truth, Nuea?

    “Then… how about keeping me company for breakfast?”

    The next sentence left the young organizer utterly speechless.    It felt strange… strange in a way that was hard to describe.    Since the first fitting appointment was at eleven, and the shop was quite far from the office, plus the groom was mindful of being late, the breakfast spot the young man chose was one Namnuea loved most… McDonald’s.

    “What’ll you have?”

    “A Sausage McMuffin combo, please.” If he were alone, he’d order a Double Sausage McMuffin with egg, no question. But with the health-conscious handsome guy beside him, Namnuea felt too self-conscious to reveal his usual eating habits.

    Especially since the other guy ordered the same thing.

    “Lom, here’s my share for the food.”

    “No need.” As Namnuea tried to hand over money for his meal at the drive-thru window, the other shook his head.

    No way, you can’t just treat me like this.

    “It’s fine. I dragged you to grab breakfast with me first. Just one meal—you wouldn’t reject my gesture, right? Besides… I have something I need your help with.” The words made Namnuea feel a twinge of suspicion, his body tensing even more as he sat in the car of this seemingly perfect man.

    In the passenger seat, no less.

    “Help with what?”

    The other just smiled, didn’t answer, and drove to the next window to pick up the food.

    It wasn’t until they got the brown paper bag with the logo that Namnuea realized what the guy needed help with.

    “Could you put cream in my coffee? No sugar, please.”    Since it was a simple task, Namnuea did it without complaint, stirring it well before putting the lid back on and handing it over.

    “Careful, it’s hot.”

    “Then grab me a hash brown, too.” Namnuea set the coffee in the cupholder, pulled out a golden, appetizing hash brown from the bag, and noticed the steam rising from its heat. He carefully wrapped the end with the paper and handed it over.

    “Careful, it’s hot…”

    “Ow!”

    “Hey, Lom!”

    Before he could even finish his warning, the hot hash brown touched Sailom’s large hand, making him flinch. It fell onto his lap, and Namnuea yelped in alarm, quickly picking it up. Seeing the oil stain on the expensive branded pants, he instinctively grabbed a napkin and started wiping it off frantically.

    “I told you to be careful! Does it burn?”

    “It’s fine. My pants are thick—it didn’t reach my skin,” Sailom replied.

    “But it’ll leave an oil stain! We need to wipe it off quickly,” Namnuea said, completely forgetting himself. He scrubbed vigorously at the stain on Sailom’s lap, fully focused, until the mark finally faded. Only then did he realize how… compromising his position was.

    His face, bent down, was mere inches from Sailom’s lap— which meant it was also inches from the crotch of his pants.

    Gasp!

    “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to!” Namnuea jolted upright, backing away and stammering apologies. When he looked up and met those sharp eyes gazing down at him, he thought, God, please help me. If the glass wasn’t tinted enough, anyone outside might think he’d just been… doing something with his mouth and had sat up straight.

    “It’s okay, it’s okay. I understand. I’m the one who should apologize,” Sailom said with a faint smile, seeming unbothered. Namnuea felt a slight relief but kept his hands and belongings as close to himself as possible. What had just happened was making his heart and body tremble uncontrollably.

    Touched him again.

    He quickly bowed his head, trying to focus solely on his food. But then…

    “Can you feed me?”

    “What?!” Namnuea’s voice cracked as he repeated the question.

    “I’m not great with hot food. I might burn my hand again, and we’re almost out of time for the appointment. I won’t have a chance to eat on the way,” Sailom said. The man, who hadn’t shown an ounce of enthusiasm for the wedding planning, was suddenly adamant about being on time. He raised one eyebrow, subtly pressuring him. Namnuea bit his lip slightly.

    “Can’t you hold it yourself?”

    “No,” Sailom insisted firmly.

    What could Namnuea do? He grabbed the hash brown again, holding it up to those perfectly shaped lips. “Just this once, okay?”

    He wasn’t saying it to Sailom—he was telling himself. Just this once, getting this close.

    After the suit fitting, they wouldn’t need to meet one-on-one like this anymore. He’d give himself this one chance, and that was it.

    Though it felt odd to be feeding breakfast to the groom-to-be, Namnuea could only suppress his feelings. His large eyes kept stealing glances at the man’s straight lips, time and again, justifying to himself that it was just looking—what harm could it do? Maybe a tiny bit wrong, but only because he was curious… would this man be a good kisser?

    Would Khun Lom’s kiss make him melt in his arms?

    Gasp!

    Suddenly, Namnuea jolted—not because he’d been caught having impure thoughts, but because he’d zoned out and hadn’t been careful while feeding the last bite. The tip of his finger was lightly nipped by sharp teeth, snapping him back to reality. He turned to the driver, who didn’t seem fazed at all, even though his tongue… had brushed against the fingertip.

    Zing!

    Namnuea hadn’t felt this electric sensation coursing through his body in ages—not since holding hands with his college boyfriend. But now, an electric current was spreading through him, from his shoulders to his toes, his heart pounding wildly as the other man met his gaze and released the nipped finger.

    “Sorry about that,” Sailom said.

    For some reason, Namnuea felt like it was… intentional.    It was just a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity before he regained his senses and pulled his hand back, mumbling that it was fine. The breakfast he usually loved from his regular spot suddenly tasted bland, no matter how much sauce he squeezed onto the muffin. All he could feel was a soft, fluffy sensation in his chest, making him feel inexplicably floaty, like Yiwa herself.    This buoyant feeling, one he wanted to experience again after being single for a year—why did it have to be with this man… the one about to get married?

    It’s not wrong to just feel good, Nuea. It’s just feeling good.    That thought silenced the usually chatty and confident organizer for the entire drive, until the sleek sports car pulled up in front of the famous designer’s shop. Only then did he manage to reclaim his sense of self.

    Grab

    “Wait, Khun Nuea.”

    As Nuea was about to step out of the car, he immediately looked down at his wrist, firmly held by the other man. He looked up, his eyes full of questions, and met… an amused gaze.    The sharp, handsome face with a raised smile was captivating, the sparkling eyes unmistakably playful. His heart, loveless for a year, was sounding alarms that this wasn’t good. But the groomto-be seemed oblivious to this fact, as his large hand reached closer, making the young organizer quickly turn his face away.    “What are you doing?!” Namnuea’s deep voice rose in warning, signaling that this was getting out of hand.

    For whatever reason, this was really not okay.

    But…

    “Just relax, Khun Nuea,” the man in front of him said, gripping his wrist tightly and pulling him to face him. Not only that, but a large hand reached toward his cheek, leaving Namnuea unsure of what to do.

    Is Khun Lom bi?

    That was what he wondered. But whether he was or not, the man was about to get married.

    “You shouldn’t do this,” Namnuea said, his instincts telling him Sailom was interested in him. He wasn’t that full of himself, but he had to say something. Yet, the handsome man merely raised an eyebrow in surprise and then…

    Whoosh

    “I was just going to tell you that half your mouth is covered in sauce. See?” he said, lifting his fingertip, which had swiped across Namnuea’s lips, to show him. His expression was so normal it was impossible to tell what he was thinking. And, of course, the one with the sauce-smeared mouth… was left gaping.

    What?! Sauce on my mouth?!

    “What, it’s on there?!” Namnuea yelped, grabbing a tissue to wipe his mouth vigorously, only to find there was indeed a smear of tomato sauce. Meanwhile, the other man finally let go of his wrist and said in a calm tone, “You looked like you were about to bolt out of the car, so I thought I’d warn you.”    Crash!

    If his face were a mirror, it would’ve shattered into a million pieces by now.

    “Thanks, and, uh, sorry.”    Bang!

    No way was he going to sit there like a clown instead of a dashboard figurine. Namnuea hurriedly stepped out of the car and bolted into the boutique without looking back, completely unaware that the man still in the car was… laughing.

    Sailom laughed loudly at the other man’s endearing reaction, watching his retreating figure until it disappeared. Then, he lifted his sauce-stained fingertip… and licked it.

    “Sweet.”

    The young man uttered just one word, then grinned widely. His heart was itching to taste more and find out if it was really sweet.

    Was it the sauce that was sweet, or was it the sauce-smeared lips that were Yiwa? He really wanted to find out.

    Thinking that, he grabbed the coffee and took another sip, steam still rising from it. He didn’t seem like someone who’d just complained about hot things at all. After finishing the cup, he gathered it up, stepped out of the car, and strolled whistling to toss it in the trash bin outside the shop, in an even better mood than before.

    If he’d known the person handling the wedding would be like this, he would’ve agreed to Ms. Yiwa’s proposal much sooner.    “But it’s not too late.”    Buzz, buzz.

    Sailom pulled out his vibrating phone and glanced at the screen, his sharp, handsome face breaking into an even wider smile.

    A message from his bride-to-be, short and sweet:    Have fun today, Lom.

    ‘Heh, I’m having more fun than you think, Yiwa.’

       “What do you mean the bride isn’t coming? What’s this about her not being able to make it?”

    After taking a moment to compose himself, Namnuea managed to steady his breathing. He greeted the staff at the fitting room, asking if the bride had arrived since it was nearly time for the appointment. But there was no sign of her, and his worry began to outweigh the flutter in his chest. Steeling himself, he went back to ask the groom, who was quietly waiting, only for the response to make the young organizer nearly lose it.

    “I said Ms. Yiwa isn’t coming to try on dresses today. She has an urgent matter. I’ll be trying on my suit alone, and she planned to do her fitting separately anyway.”

    “Then why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

    He wanted to shout the place down but managed only a soft question. The groom raised an eyebrow. Didn’t I tell you this morning?

    Besides biting your finger and licking sauce, making me feel like I’m about to cross a moral line, I didn’t hear a damn thing!    “No, I asked you about the appointment, and you said Ms.

    Yiwa would be here herself because she knows the designer.” That’s what he heard, clear as day. But the guy in front of him kept insisting on his innocence, as if his story held no cracks.    “I only told you that Ms. Yiwa knows the designer here. I never said a word about her coming ahead of time.”

    Okay, maybe Nuea jumped to conclusions, but really? If it was a misunderstanding, just explain it! Don’t come up with some half-assed excuse now that we’re already at the shop.

    Namnuea must’ve shown more on his face than usual, because the man in front of him stood up to his full height. That allknowing demeanor softened, and he spoke directly.

    “I’m sorry.”

    “It’s okay, you don’t have to apologize.”

    “I’m really sorry…” Despite brushing it off, the soft, deep voice made Namnuea’s heart melt. He turned his face away, and Sailom repeated himself.

    “You’re not mad at me, right?”

    What right do you have to be mad at Khun Lom, huh, Nuea?

    It’s not like he ruined the job.

    “No, I’m not mad… But let me confirm again, Yiwa will be coming to try on her dress herself, right?” Namnuea steered the conversation back to work, and the other man nodded.    “Yes, within the next week. She asked me to apologize to you for not being able to come today. No need to reschedule her, though—she’s going to try on dresses with her friends. Plus, she already has a design in mind. You’ll probably see it within the week. As for the engagement outfit, my family will handle it.” So, the man in front of him had known all along that the bride wouldn’t be coming today.

    “Alright, then, would you like to try on your suit now, Khun Lom?” Suppressing his irritation, Namnuea handed over the suit catalog.

    Many might think a groom’s wedding outfit is just another suit, but in reality, grooms have options like suits, tuxedos, or even tailcoats. There’s also a variety of colors—cream, golden cream, white, black—and different trims, like white, black, cream, or rose gold, all tailored to match the unique concept of each wedding.

    “Which one do you think is good?”

    “With your build, Khun Lom, I think you’d look great in any of them.” It wasn’t flattery—he genuinely meant it. Sailom flashed a smile before pointing to two options: a golden brown suit and a golden cream one. “Which color do you like?” “Maybe you should ask Yiwa, Khun Lom,” Namnuea suggested. The bride and groom should match, right? But Sailom just rubbed his chin.

    “I’ll try them on and send pictures to Yiwa later. For now, what do you think?” Since he was asking for his opinion, Namnuea looked him up and down.

    “I like this gray suit with black trim,” Namnuea said, pointing to a different suit outside Sailom’s choices. Sailom laughed and turned to the staff.

    “Let’s start with this one, then.”

    With that, Sailom followed the staff, giving Namnuea a chance to practically collapse onto the sofa with a heavy sigh. If the first shop is this exhausting…

    Usually, taking a bride and groom to try on outfits involves about three shops. Brides are often the pickier ones, still searching for that perfect “click,” while grooms tend to be more easygoing. By the third shop, though, Nuea was used to seeing grooms practically throwing tantrums out of boredom.

    It might be settled at the first shop.

    He thought hopefully, taking on the role of photographer, snapping pictures to send to the bride for her final choice, and printing photos from a portable printer to review side by side. Until the last outfit…

    “What do you think of this one?”

    “It looks amazing! The bride must be so jealous,” the shop assistant said admiringly. Sailom smiled and turned to someone else, as if seeking their opinion more than anyone else’s, making Namnuea want to scratch his head. But he noticed something first.

    The tie knot under the suit vest is a bit crooked.

    He thought as he stepped closer to the groom.

    “May I?” His hands reached for the tie knot, adjusting it slightly left and right. He didn’t notice that the groom had leaned down even closer, his sharp eyes fixed on his profile, before giving a small smile. “There, all sharp and handsome now. You look great in every outfit, Khun Lom,” Namnuea stepped back, looked up, and flashed a smile.

    “So, which one do you like best?”

    “Huh? Me?”

    “Yeah, I want your opinion.” At that, Namnuea walked back to the printed photos laid out in a row.

    “I like all of them. You look good in every outfit, Khun Lom. But if I had to choose… I like this cream-gold suit. The shirt, the vest, the tie—it all comes together perfectly,” Nuea pointed at one of the photos, while the other man stepped up behind him, forcing him to act as normal as possible.

    “I see,” Sailom acknowledged, then met his gaze.

    “So, it’s settled…” The question came before the groom-to-be declared loudly, “I told you I trust your skills, and I trust your taste too.”

    The listener could only stand there, stunned. Hearing words like “trust your skills” and “trust your taste” made someone in his profession feel unexpectedly good. Though it was daunting, it strangely fueled his motivation. Moreover, the look in Sailom’s eyes and the tone of his voice genuinely made him feel that way.

    Sure… despite the groom’s many flaws, there was no denying that Sailom made Nuea’s heart flutter, and he found himself liking this man more and more, in a way he couldn’t quite explain.

    It’s not wrong to secretly admire the groom-to-be, is it? As long as we don’t act on it.

    Nuea could only avert his gaze and tell himself that much.    Meanwhile, he didn’t notice the curious stares from the shop assistants. The dynamic between the two men didn’t seem like a friend helping another pick out clothes or a wedding organizer assisting a groom. The fact that the groom sought his opinion on everything and went along with it all made them unanimously wonder.

       So, is the bride really another woman, or is it actually this man?

           THEWEDDING PLAN CHAPTERS HOME

  • THEWEDDINGPLAN, Chapter 2

    THEWEDDINGPLAN, Chapter 2

       THEWEDDINGPLAN, Chapter 2:

    The customer is king, no matter how absurd they are—kings remain kings, day or night.

    In his five years of working, Namnuea had learned that organizing weddings was a chaotic affair. But no matter how tight the deadlines, the biggest challenge was always… the clients.

    Clients who wanted this, that, and everything their way—he was ready to handle their pickiness. But this time, he’d just met a bride who…

    [I have to apologize, but for wedding details, Khun Nuea, it’s better to ask Phii Lom. I’m giving him full decisionmaking power.]

       A bride who deferred to the groom for every aspect of the wedding planning.

    “And don’t you have any vision for the wedding, Ms. Yiwa? Like the event style? How about I suggest a mix of Chinese banquet tables and cocktails? Chinese tables for the older guests, but we’d also have cocktail service. Since this event will likely have a lot of friends attending, a self-serve style could offer good variety.”

    [That sounds nice, but Khun Nuea, you’ll have to check with Phii Lom to see if he’s okay with it. I’m fully following the groom’s lead.]

       A bride who didn’t even have a dream wedding in mind.    “And what about the event theme, Ms. Yiwa? Do you have any specific theme in mind?”

    [The event theme? That’s tough. Back in university, when My friends asked me to think of a theme for a senior farewell party, I couldn’t come up with anything. Hmm, how about lots of flowers? But Phii Lom probably wouldn’t like that. Khun Nuea, you’d better ask Phii Lom what theme he wants.]

       A bride who hadn’t discussed anything with the groom beforehand.

    “And what about the hotel? I’ve sent a list of five-star hotels with available banquet halls for the dates you mentioned via email. Is there any place you’re particularly interested in, Ms. Yiwa? Or if you want to visit the venues in person, I can arrange for the person in charge to meet us.”

    [I’m interested in the hotels near my place. There were two on the list you sent.]

       This is the first time this conversation has started to make sense.

    “Alright, should I schedule a visit to check out the venues in person?”

    [But I’m not sure if Phii Lom will like them, I said. I’ll send the hotel names to Phii Lom for him to review, and then have Phii Lom contact you. It’s a good thing mine and Phii Lom’s wedding date isn’t during a popular time, or we’d never find a banquet hall in time.]

       The bride probably realized how tight the timeline was. Most people book banquet halls a year in advance, but here they were, three months out, with no venue secured. Still…    “Is it really okay to let the groom decide everything?”    Smack your mouth, Nuea!

    Even the speaker knew his tone carried a slight jab, enough to make Sister Eim whip her head around, giving him a look that made the hairs on his arms stand up. But he was at his limit with these clients who answered every question with “I don’t know,” “Haven’t thought about it,” or “Up to Phii Lom.” Even something as critical as the banquet hall wasn’t on their radar. And most importantly… why was everything dumped on that clueless groom?

    The bride was easy to talk to but offered nothing concrete. The groom was nearly impossible to schedule, and his answer was always “anything goes.”

    Wedding planners aren’t gods who can read the minds of brides and grooms and magically make things happen. It’d be easier to let the parents of the bride and groom get involved at this point.

    Following the bride’s mother’s orders would be simpler than prying anything out of the bride herself.

    Yet, the bride just laughed it off, unbothered.

    [I really have to apologize to you. This wedding seems like it’s going to be quite a hassle for the team, especially for you Khun Nuea, who’s probably more exhausted than anyone.]    There was something… oddly suggestive in the bride’s tone.    Namnuea pushed the thought aside and focused on the matter that needed to be settled today.

    “You mentioned that you have finalized the guest count, right? It’s around five hundred people, correct?” The number of guests was crucial for booking a banquet hall of the right size.

    Although the list of hotels and banquet hall sizes sent to the couple via email had been calculated for about five hundred guests, he needed to confirm for certainty.

    [Oh, I heard Phii Lom has a rough guest list already. His family has finalized their guest count as well. Khun Nuea, you should check with him. Oh, and sorry, Khun Nuea, you have to go now. Please take care of things!]

       And with that, the bride hung up, leaving the listener… hanging.    Crash!

    “Goddamn it!!! Is this wedding even happening or what?!”

    Namnuea prided himself on his patience, but this was too much. He slammed the documents down on the table with a loud thud, rubbing his head vigorously, drawing the stares of Sister Eim and other colleagues.    “What’s your deal, Nuea?”    Flop.

    He buried his face on the table, muttering, “The guest list isn’t finalized, no banquet hall booked, no details for the morning ceremony, the bride and groom haven’t tried on their outfits. If the bride gets picky at the last minute and the dress can’t be tailored in time, what then? No theme in mind either, and neither the bride nor groom is cooperating. Is this even going to work, Sis?” He finally vented to his senior, who sighed and gave a faint smile.

    “Done whining? Ready to quit that attitude?” Her question made Namnuea look up and meet her eyes.

     

    No, alright, fine. Nuea’s done complaining. I’ll call the groom first.” Taking a deep breath, he brushed off the initial stress, grabbed his phone, and dialed the groom-to-be, only to hear…

    (I told you I don’t like discussing important stuff over the phone. Just come see me this evening.)

    No consideration at all. If it weren’t for the groom paying 150,000 for the event slot—300,000 total for morning and evening, not to mention the unlimited wedding budget— Namnuea wouldn’t be putting up with this.

    “Alright, I’ll meet Lom this evening.”

    He agreed, then turned to his close senior, who was casually sipping coffee.

    “He’s making you meet him at the gym, huh?”

    Namnuea had already told her about the other day, and she burst out laughing, patting his shoulder in delight, saying, “It’s a great chance for you to work out, Nuea. You’ve got to get that plan, so even if it means signing up for a gym membership to deal with Lom, you’ve gotta do it.”

    “Are you nuts, Sis?” Who signs up for a gym just to discuss work with a groom? But…

    “Does the company cover the cost?”

    “In your dreams,” Sister Eim shot back. Namnuea pouted. “Why the hell would I spend thousands from my salary on a gym membership for some stranger’s wedding three months from now? Dream on.” He stood firm—he wasn’t working out.

    Between the job and all the stress he faced daily, he was already wiped out. No way he’d waste energy for no reason.    “Dream all you want, but don’t forget to talk to him about trying on the wedding suit. Oh, and don’t forget the pre-wedding photoshoot either!”

    “Yes, yessss!”

    In the end, Namnuea got smacked on the head with a rolled-up paper, as expected, while he was still brainstorming ways to deal with the groom.

    There’s a sofa area outside the gym for discussing work with non-members. I can just wait there.

    It’s almost 8 p.m., you know!

    Namnuea could only grit his teeth. Sailom had scheduled the meeting for 7:30 p.m., and he’d made the effort to arrive early, shamelessly waiting in front of the gym. He’d firmly told the staff he wasn’t a customer but was there to meet someone coming to work out. Yet, despite waiting and waiting—long enough for the staff to start giving him curious glances—the person he was meeting still hadn’t shown up.

    When he called, Sailom said he was stuck in traffic, forcing Namnuea to stay calm and resist the urge to call repeatedly.

    Finally, when the long hand of the clock was inching toward twelve…

    Creak.

    “Khun Lom, hello!”

    The glass door swung open, and the man he’d been waiting for finally appeared, carrying a large gym bag.

    Hello. Sorry for being late. But can you wait for me for about an hour? I’ve got a session with my trainer at 8 p.m.”    “What?!” Namnuea exclaimed, lunging forward to grab him, but the other man was quicker. Sailom swiped his card to pass through the barrier and turned to the staff at the counter.    “Sorry, my friend here wants to try out the gym. Can you give him the form to fill out?”    “Of course, Khun Lom!”

    With that, Sailom strode confidently inside, leaving Namnuea frozen in place. Even as the staff handed him a guest form to fill out, he stood there, dumbfounded. This is straight-up coercion!    A gym? For someone like him who hates working out?!    Nuea had been to gyms before, mostly the kind found in hotels. But a fitness center like this, with zones for different types of workouts and rows of intimidating equipment— especially the weight-training machines—looked downright terrifying.

    And there was Khun Sailom, working out his arms in that scary-looking zone.

    What a freak, Nuea thought.

    No, the young organizer wasn’t referring to the groom-to-be, whose tanned skin was glistening with sweat, looking tantalizingly biteable. It was himself, standing there in fitted jeans and a light-colored shirt, surrounded by health enthusiasts decked out in full workout gear.

     

    Ms. Yiwa sent me to finalize the guest list with you, Khun Lom,” he said, mustering his professional demeanor to engage with the other party.

    After filling out forms, answering a barrage of questions, and declining a trainer’s offer to recommend equipment, Namnuea scanned the room for his target. He spotted him stepping off a treadmill used for warm-ups and heading toward the intimidating zone filled with young men and women in workout clothes, confidently showing off their physiques. All he could do was take a deep breath and march straight toward him.    “Just a sec,” said the tall man in sports pants and a dark tank top that revealed enviable arm muscles, lifting weights that made the food-loving Namnuea flinch just glancing at the load. No wonder they hadn’t talked yet—he seemed focused on controlling his breathing.

    “You’re Khun Nuea, organizing Phii Lom’s wedding, right?” asked Kram, a trainer with a physique not unlike the man lifting weights. Namnuea turned and gave a dry smile.

    “Sorry for barging in here.”

    If he didn’t come to talk face-to-face, that groom wouldn’t even bother discussing anything.

    He didn’t voice the last part to discredit his client, instead offering a smile to the undeniably charismatic man. But… he wasn’t quite as perfect as the groom-to-be.

    Not that this trainer wasn’t handsome, but he didn’t make his heart flutter like that “whatever” guy sweating it out.

    No worries. By the way, Khun Nuea, ever thought about working out here?”

    Here we go, the sales pitch.

    He glanced around, and honestly, the eye candy here was better than at any restaurant. But investing time, effort, and money just to ogle guys? Not his thing. Still, his wandering gaze seemed to lead the young trainer to a different conclusion.    “Anyone can have a great, chiseled body. Building muscle through exercise is better than starving yourself to lose weight.”    Why don’t you just call me fat?!

    The man who was confident in his soft, huggable body cursed inwardly. His smile grew drier, and his confidence plummeted.    Compared to many in this zone, he really couldn’t compete. Soft to the touch everywhere—not rock-hard like Khun Sailom, who seemed built from steel pipes.

    Grumble… “But I think Khun Nuea is fine just the way he is.”    But the man, who Namnuea thought would agree with the harsh words of a personal trainer, said something entirely different. The young man grabbed a small towel to wipe his sweat, set the weights down, and sat with his feet apart. Tilting his sharp, handsome face—glistening with large beads of sweat around his forehead—he looked up. Namnuea admitted bluntly… his heart was racing.

    “You already look good in your own way,” Phii Lom said.

    And just like that, Namnuea was at a loss for words.    Namnuea didn’t care what the muscular trainer was saying, because his round eyes were fixed on the sharp, intense face staring him up and down, making him feel an indescribable shyness.

    Compared to everyone else around, he felt utterly unremarkable.

    But then the man in front of him smiled and said, “This is good enough.”

    Nuea froze, feeling a strange, warm, fuzzy sensation swelling in his chest. For years, his friends—gay, straight, and everyone in between—had told him he’d let himself go, gaining too much weight. They’d even jabbed that as a gay man, he didn’t take care of himself, which is why his ex left him. In truth, it was a lack of time that ended the relationship. So, when a man as perfect as this one said something like that, his heart spun in ways he couldn’t describe.

    If only the guy wasn’t about to marry a slender, beautiful woman.

    “Thanks, Khun Lom. So, about the guest count…” Namnuea almost got carried away but snapped back to reality just in time, picturing the bride’s face. The other man smirked, grabbed his water bottle, took a big gulp, and said casually,

    “I have a rough guest list in my locker. I’ll grab it after I’m done here. The number’s a bit higher than what we discussed before.”

    As expected.

    “And what about the hotel? Yiwa said she sent you a list of hotels she liked for you to decide on. Both venues can

    accommodate the guest count.”

    Which one do you think is better?” the groom asked, starting his third set of weights. Namnuea glanced down at his documents.

    “For me, I’d recommend the first one. It’s not only convenient to travel to, but the hotel’s decor suits various wedding themes. The elevated stage they provide is perfect for setting up the wedding cake arch. Their proposal is also appealing, and I’ve worked with them often without any issues,” Namnuea said earnestly, as the hotel’s offer was quite good. Most importantly… working with them was stress-free.

    Unlike this groom-to-be.    “Then go with your choice.”    What?!

    Namnuea nearly gasped, because Khun Lom didn’t just agree—he said, “Go with your choice.”

    My God, a groom like this actually exists in the world.    “Lom, don’t you want to review the proposals from both venues and the budget first?”    “Nah, I trust you.”    Freeze.

    Namnuea’s words caught in his throat. That knockout line left him rooted to the spot, staring at the man who gave a faint smile, his sharp, handsome face even more striking. Those eyes clearly conveyed the trust behind his words, making Namnuea feel hot and cold all at once, like he had a fever. His fair cheeks burned in a way he couldn’t explain.

    Trust, huh? Why does that word make my heart race like this?

    The planner, who’d been quietly biased against both clients, suddenly felt a surge of motivation. It was rare for a client to express such confidence in his ability to deliver. He couldn’t help but flash a smile.

    A smile that the other man met with a steady gaze.    “Thank you for trusting me. I promise this wedding will be unforgettable,” he assured, wanting to instill confidence. Sailom nodded. “That’s what I thought.”

    Maybe it was just the young organizer’s imagination, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that those razor-sharp eyes held some hidden meaning. That slight smirk at the corner of the groom’s mouth made him uneasy in a way he couldn’t pinpoint. This wedding will definitely be unforgettable.

    Is there something we don’t know?

    Namnuea whispered the question to himself, his gut warning him as he worked. He couldn’t help but think the worst—that this wedding might not end well.

    Come on, you’re overthinking it, Nuea.

    “Oh, I need to try on the suit too, right?” Out of nowhere, the groom—who hadn’t seemed to care much about the wedding— brought up the topic. Namnuea eagerly agreed, following him as he switched to another workout machine, still focusing on arm exercises.

    “Yes, I was just about to discuss that with you. When are you and Ms. Yiwa free? For the bride’s dress, if it’s custom-made, it could take three to six months. But I have connections with

     

    several shops and designers who might be able to rush it. Still, it’s best to try things on within this week.”

    “Sounds like a hassle.”

    Is this groom seriously still thinking a wedding is a piece of cake?

    Namnuea inwardly scoffed, glancing at the man who tilted his head slightly. Sure, he looked good enough to make hearts flutter, but that didn’t erase the fact that this guy was dragging his feet, stalling his own wedding’s progress.

    “You’ll have to take us there, right?”

    “Of course, it’s my job,” Namnuea replied. “Alright, are you free this Saturday at 10 a.m.?”

    “Yes, is it okay to meet at the shop directly?” Namnuea answered eagerly, seeing signs that the job was finally moving forward. But the other man shook his head.

    “I’ll meet you at your office instead, and then you can ride with me.”

    Though Namnuea wasn’t thrilled about the idea—since it meant extra time going from the office to the shop—he didn’t refuse, especially with such good cooperation. They finalized the details, and he slipped away from the area as the gym grew increasingly crowded with people arriving around 8 p.m.    “Wait a sec, Khun Nuea. Kram, give me a few minutes… You wanted to discuss the guest list, right?” Suddenly, the man who’d been difficult this whole time spoke up, addressing his trainer before leading the way toward the locker room. Namnuea hurriedly followed, but his eyes couldn’t help but wander… to the tall, muscular figure walking ahead.

    What would it be like to try just once…?

    His round eyes traced the man’s broad, upright shoulders, thick biceps, and perfectly sculpted body in a tank top that revealed a tapered waist and hips. He swallowed hard.

    That’s a client!

    Namnuea flinched as another voice in his head snapped him back to reality. But he couldn’t stop his gaze from lingering on that toned physique, and before he knew it… his hand started reaching out.

    Can I just sneak a little touch?

    His fingertips were just a fraction away from that tanned skin… just a little closer… almost there…    “Khun Nuea.”    Gasp!

    Thud!

    “Ow!!!”

    Before his fingers could make contact, Namnuea jumped in shock as the man called his name. Too fixated on those gorgeous muscles, the sudden voice startled him beyond reason. He stumbled backward, not noticing someone else walking toward the locker room behind him, and crashed into them with full force.

    Grab!

    “Khun Nuea, are you okay?!”

    Sailom was quick enough to catch Namnuea by the waist as he stumbled back toward him. The person he’d collided with looked visibly startled as well.

    “Are you okay?”

    “Oof… I’m fine,” Namnuea replied, still dazed. Sailom turned to the other person involved in the incident.

    “He seems okay. I apologize on behalf of my friend.”

    “No worries. I wasn’t watching where I was going either. Sorry about that,” the other guy smiled before heading toward the inner locker room. Meanwhile, Namnuea was still reeling, only realizing what was happening when his back felt unusually warm and a soft voice spoke just above his head.

    “Are you hurt anywhere, Khun Nuea?”

    “Uh… no.”

    It was just a shock earlier, but now his heart was about to give out!

    Finally regaining his composure, he could only widen his eyes. His body was enveloped in the embrace of the larger man, his back pressed against the chest he’d fantasized about touching. He could feel an intense heat, more than usual from exertion, radiating and tingling through him. Then there were the strong arms wrapped firmly around his waist, and the scent of cologne mixed with sweat hitting his nose, urging him to inhale deeply.    It wasn’t a sweaty stench—it was a scent that screamed how irresistibly sexy the other man was.    “Uh, Khun Lom, l-let go, please.”

     

    Are you sure you’re okay? Can you stand?” But the groomto-be didn’t release him. On the contrary, he leaned down closer to his cheek, his warm breath grazing pale skin, prompting a hurried nod of confirmation.

    Too close, way too close!

    “I’m fine, please let me go,” he tried to say calmly, but his voice came out noticeably shaky.

    With a firm affirmation, the arms around his waist shifted to touch his arms instead, as if ensuring he was steady. Then the larger man stepped back slightly, though still closer than a normal distance, making Namnuea lower his head in a frenzy because… his cheeks were burning alarmingly.

    He absolutely couldn’t let him know how flustered he was.    “Good to know you’re okay,” the deep voice sounded so close that he had to lower his head further, pretending to check himself for injuries, even though his little heart was trembling harder than before, beating faster than ever. Even without looking up, he could sense the other man… moving closer.    The sharp-featured face drew nearer, and one large hand that had been holding his wrist let go, only to reach closer again as if to touch his cheek, nearly sending the young organizer into cardiac arrest.

    Stop! What are you doing? What are you doing?! You’re about to get married!

    Namnuea screamed internally, but he had no strength to resist the overwhelming charm. His body was already heating up from the closeness just moments ago.

    The hand was getting closer… closer… less than ten centimeters from his cheek.

    “Khun Lom, you’re about to…” get married!

    Click

    Before Namnuea could finish, he heard a faint sound beside his head. He froze, mouth agape, and whipped his head toward the noise. His face flushed even hotter, almost alarmingly so, because…

    The large hand had indeed moved closer, but… it was to unlock the locker behind him.

    “What did you say?” The groom-to-be leaned down, raising an eyebrow in curiosity, completely unaware of how many rollercoaster loops he’d sent the other man’s heart through. Namnuea blinked rapidly, and the moment he regained his composure, an overwhelming wave of embarrassment hit him, making it nearly impossible to meet the man’s gaze.

    Whoosh

    Nuea quickly ducked out of the danger zone, stepping back several paces, muttering in a trembling voice.

    “N-Nothing…” The embarrassment was as intense as his realization. How could you think the groom-to-be was about to kiss you?!

    “You seem kinda off.”

    “You’re overthinking it, Khun Lom,” he said, voice shaky, eyes fixed downward, avoiding the man who was now pulling documents from the locker and holding them out to him.

    Thanks. I’ll head out for today, then. See you Saturday,” Namnuea said, not wanting to linger in this humiliating moment any longer. He grabbed the documents, gave a quick farewell, and practically tripped over his own feet rushing out of the locker room. Unsurprisingly, he bolted out of the gym at the same frantic pace, one hand clutching his chest tightly.

    “This is bad, Nuea. This is really bad.”

    The young man could only mutter that much, because it… was truly bad for his heart.

    Meanwhile, on the other side…

    “Heh,” the groom-to-be chuckled amusedly, watching the figure that had fled far into the distance. He crossed his arms, leaning casually against the locker, thinking about those flushed cheeks that were so striking. He’d wondered before how red that fair skin could get when blushing, and it really was a vibrant glow.

    As he raised his hand to his face, he could still feel the soft skin he’d brushed against.

    Softer than my hard build when you hug it, huh?

    How could Sailom not notice that just moments ago, the other guy was glancing left and right nervously, eyeing the gym-goers with unease? He looked out of place, a stark contrast to his usual confident demeanor. It was too tempting not to tease him a bit.

    But what Sailom said… wasn’t a lie in the slightest.

    “It’s fine like this,” the young man muttered before locking his locker and heading back to his personal trainer, unable to suppress the widening smile.

    Like this is good—soft and warm to hug.

        THEWEDDING PLAN CHAPTERS HOME

  • THEWEDDINGPLAN, Chapter 1

    THEWEDDINGPLAN, Chapter 1

       THEWEDDINGPLAN, Chapter 1:

    The most frustrating thing for service workers is overly picky customers… about anything and everything.

    After coming to terms with the fact that the eye-candy guy he’d been ogling for a full five minutes was soon to be a groom, Namnuea summoned his professionalism, plastered on a business smile, and led the team—along with Sis Eim—into the meeting room. He suppressed his envy toward the lucky bride who managed to snag such a stunning groom in an era when straight men were as rare as a pinky finger.

    “As we discussed over the phone, the wedding is set for three months from now, right, Ms. Yiwa?”

    “Yes,” the bride-to-be replied with a cute smile. No wonder she could win over a handsome guy like that.

    “That’s a pretty tight timeline,” he noted.

    Typically, couples planning a wedding would consult at least five months in advance to ensure everything is perfect. Three months wasn’t too chaotic, though. They’d handled a two-week rush job before… in cases where, well, you know.

    The kid couldn’t wait for their parents to tie the knot, so they forced the issue by getting pregnant first.    “Is it not doable?”     Pause.

    The listener’s brows furrowed instantly as the groom-to-be interjected. Namnuea’s big eyes met his, only to find the guy raising an eyebrow in a… condescending way.

    What, is he all looks and no substance?

       “It’s not that it can’t be done. But preparing in three months means you, Khun Sailom, and Ms. Yiwa will have less time to plan, and the bride and groom will end up the most exhausted.”    “Isn’t that why we’re here? Everyone says your slogan is, ‘You dream it, we make it happen.’ That’s why I agreed to come here—because I expect you to organize the best wedding in three months, something we couldn’t pull off ourselves.”    Oh, he’s picking a fight now. I was just explaining, damn it!    Namnuea felt the corner of his mouth twitch, but having dealt with customers like this before, he managed a soothing smile.    “I didn’t mean it’s impossible. My apologies, Sailom.”    At first, he thought the guy’s name sounded nice, but now he wondered if this jerk was about to blow a gasket.

    “Mmhh.”

    Sailom, the impeccably dressed, sharp-featured man from McDonald’s—the one who said he wouldn’t let go if he caught someone—turned out to be a completely different story. After less than ten minutes of talking, Namnuea wanted to take back his initial impression immediately. This guy seemed more like a troublemaker than his polite appearance suggested.

    “Hehe, Phii Lom, don’t tease Nuea,” Sister Eim said, almost jumping into the conversation. The situation felt tense, but the bride-to-be let out a laugh and playfully poked her groom’s arm with a cute gesture.

    “I didn’t do anything, Wa!” Sailom protested.

    “Everyone saw it! That’s not nice, you know,” she teased.

    Got you there, huh?

    Nuea laughed inwardly, though he kept a straight face, until he froze.

    “Well, I noticed Nuea couldn’t take his eyes off my fiancée, so I just…” Sailom shrugged, making the now-stiff Namnuea widen his eyes slightly.

    “Hey! I didn’t…”

    In this lifetime, he’d never stared at a woman. So why would he be ogling the bride-to-be? Unless…    Oh, right. Earlier.

    “I didn’t mean it like that,” Namnuea clarified. “I was just thinking that Yiwa must look stunning in a wedding dress.” Earlier, when he was staring at the bride, it was purely out of envy—envy that she got to have such a good-looking guy. But now, honestly, that envy had vanished, replaced by irritation at this man’s ridiculous behavior. See, Wa? Where did I go wrong?    Ugh, jealous much? Go take it out on the building’s foundation or something!

    He wanted to snap back, but Sister Eim’s warning glance made him swallow his words and force a dry smile. He looked at the team leader, who skillfully changed the subject.

    “So, about the wedding venue—have you thought about where you’d like to hold it?” Sister Eim asked.

    “Hmm…” The beautiful young woman tilted her head slightly and gave a sweet smile. “I’m fine with whatever Phii Lom decides.”

    Strange. They say brides are usually the ones with endless requests for their wedding—well, maybe second to the bride’s mother. But this bride was fully deferring to the groom.

    “And you, Phii Lom?” Sister Eim turned to him.

    “I haven’t decided yet,” Sailom replied.

    “Hmm, have the elders specified anything? I’m just warning you from personal experience—dealing with relatives is the toughest part,” Sister Eim said. Though her question was likely aimed at getting answers to start planning quickly, her friendly tone and playful, conspiratorial whispering seemed to put the bride and groom at ease, encouraging them to open up.    “I can assure you that our family won’t meddle, because Yiwa has already sworn that if they want Phii Lom and Phii Yiwa to get married quickly, they’re not allowed to interfere, except for handling the guest list.”

    And they agreed to that?

    Namnuea couldn’t help but wonder, because from direct experience, as Sister Eim would say, parents are the real troublemakers. They might not even be planning a wedding for their kids—more like for themselves. This has to be how they want it, that has to be as the mom sees fit. And there really won’t be any issues, as they claim?

    “No need to worry. If I say it’s okay, no matter what the family says, just trust my word,” the groom-to-be interjected, seemingly noticing the questioning look in Namnuea’s eyes. He spoke with a faint smile, as if to reassure.

    A smile that… made his heart skip a beat.

    “And the rough number of guests?”

    “How many, Phii Lom?” Yiwa turned to ask the man beside her, who was quietly thinking. “About five hundred, I guess.”    Better add more to that.

    Namnuea chuckled inwardly, because when the couple says this number, just wait until they talk to the family. Friends of friends of the brother of the aunt of the mom will show up from who-knows-where, along with a long list of family members. The number will definitely balloon if the couple says five hundred already includes friends and relatives…

    Sister Eim knew this too, as she exchanged a knowing glance before steering the conversation to the main point.

    “For this event, have you, Khun Sailom and Ms. Yiwa, set a rough budget yet? We’ll plan everything to stay within budget and ensure it’s at a satisfactory level,” she asked, her question laced with a persuasive pitch. Yiwa turned to the groom-to-be as if posing a question.

    They haven’t discussed anything beforehand, have they?

    Namnuea couldn’t help but be surprised.

    “No limit,” Sailom said.

    Huh!?

    The listeners flinched, looking at him as if to confirm, and the man in front of them stated clearly…

    “There’s no budget limit for this. Just make sure the event turns out the best it can be.”

    Sister Eim’s eyes were sparkling, her smile so sweet it was almost terrifying, while Namnuea couldn’t help but feel a slight shiver… not because of the smile of the man in front of him.    The customer is king, but a customer with a fat wallet is like the creator of the world. So, Nuea could already sense the chaotic fate awaiting him in the next three months.

       “Ugh, are they really getting married or what, Sister Eim?!”    “Don’t complain. The customer is king. Start drafting the plan!”

    Namnuea was on the verge of losing it, thinking back to the soon-to-be bride and groom who seemed perfectly matched, like a golden branch and jade leaf, from yesterday. Since the other party said the budget was unlimited, he thought the job would be easier than expected. No matter how picky they were, money could make anything happen. But, of course, it wasn’t that simple.

    “Do you want a Chinese banquet-style event or a cocktail party?”

    “I’m fine with whatever Phii Lom decides.”

    “I’m good with anything.”

    When asked about the event style, the bride deferred to the groom. And the groom? Even worse—anything goes.

    “Are you set on a specific hotel? Like, does it need to be in the city center, have a certain vibe, or be in a particular area?”

    “I’m fine with whatever Phii Lom wants.”

    “I haven’t thought about it. I’m good with anything. Just suggest something.”

    When asked about the venue, the bride smiled sweetly, and the groom just shrugged. Even when it came to…

    “What about the engagement ceremony? Will it be on the same day, morning and afternoon, or separate days? And roughly how many guests for the engagement?”

    “Uh, the engagement… I haven’t thought about it. Can we skip the engagement and just do the wedding in the evening?

    What do you think, Phii Lom?”

    “I told you, I’m good with anything. It’s all up to you.”    ‘Ughhhhh! If only the phrase ‘anything goes’ didn’t exist in this world!!!’

       Thinking back to yesterday, Namnuea wanted to scream loud enough to shake the earth. Ask the bride anything, and it’s “I don’t know,” “Haven’t thought about it,” “Whatever Phii Lom wants.” And the groom? Even worse—anything goes.

    What does anything goes even look like? Show it to Nuea!

    “Come on, it’s better than them being nitpicky.”

    “I’d rather they be nitpicky. At least then I’d have some idea of what they want. This is a blank slate, Sister Eim. My head’s got nothing to work with. I don’t even know where to start. I’m about to just recycle an old plan and shove it in!” The one tasked with drafting the plan was practically clutching his temples. Meanwhile, the beautiful Sister Eim, sipping her coffee with arms crossed, let out a throaty laugh that sounded oddly chilling.    “I don’t care, you figure out how to make Sailom happy with this plan. I’m going to take the plan and budget and shove it in that curly-haired pot-scrubber’s face to my heart’s content.”

    The “curly-haired pot-scrubber” refers to the curly-haired woman in the finance department who constantly clashes with Sister Eim. That side is all about cutting costs, while this side is determined to satisfy the client to the fullest. Naturally, they’ve butted heads plenty of times. This time, with an unlimited budget, Sister Eim is probably secretly thrilled… or maybe openly thrilled.

    “So what am I supposed to do? I’ve got nothing in my head, Sis,” Namnuea could only sigh deeply, at a loss, while fiddling with the business card he’d just received.

    He knew the guy seemed rich, but to be the manager of a manufacturing company at just twenty-eight? He must be seriously capable.

    “If you’ve got nothing, go find something.”

    “Where?” he echoed, dragging out the word. The listener pointed.

    “In your hand.”    Swish.

    “What, you want me to go talk to Blowhard Sailom, Sis?”    “His name is Sailom. Don’t get used to calling clients weird names, or you’ll get in trouble. And yes, you need to go talk to Sailom. Or what, are you going to talk to Ms. Yiwa, Nuea? He already said to follow Sailom’s lead. Whatever the groom wants, you do. So even if you go to Ms. Yiwa, she’ll just tell you to talk to Sailom. What’s so hard to understand about needing to consult Sailom further?” The listener wanted to argue that the issue wasn’t not knowing to talk to Sailom, but rather—

    “Why does it have to be me? Do you think everyone else is just sitting around?”

    “What about you, Sis?” He pointed right at her.

    “I’m already dealing with a headache from the product launch party. You want to trade with me?” When Sis snapped back about that, the listener cringed, shaking his head. Just thinking about the client for that event… ugh, the pickiness and nonsense were beyond description.

    That job was better left to handling logistics—ordering supplies, talking to the chef, setting up the venue. As for coordinating with the client, Sister Eim was the better fit.

    “I’ll handle the wedding myself,” he finally conceded.    “About time you got it,” Sis said smugly. He playfully stuck out his tongue at her, but…    Smack.

    “Go find Khun Lom and meet him already… Stop slacking off. You’re hired to work, not to sit around breathing all day!” If it weren’t for the fact that the boss lady was the company owner’s girlfriend, Nuea would’ve snapped back by now. But, fearing he’d lose his job and means of survival, he just rubbed his face—where a rolled-up paper had lightly smacked him— grabbed the business card, returned to his desk, and let out a long sigh.

    The boss lady doesn’t get me at all. No matter how much she annoyed him, Nuea still couldn’t help but want a guy like that.

    He sighed heavily again, lost in thought.

    He’s about to be a groom, Nuea. No wonder this groom-to-be is such a mess.

    “I’m not free.”

    “B-But Khun Sailom said I could meet him today!”

    “Sorry, something urgent came up.”    How can he talk so rudely like that?

    Right now, Namnuea was barely holding back the urge to smash the vase on the table over the head of the man in front of him. He’d gone out of his way, traveling from the city center to a factory on the outskirts—almost two hours—just to meet someone who had scheduled this appointment yesterday.

    When he tried to ask for more details over the phone, the response was…

    [“I don’t like discussing important matters over the phone, especially something as big as a wedding. If you have questions, just come meet me.”]

    “Where would be convenient for you, Khun Sailom?”

    “I work on weekdays. Can you come to my office?”]    Though he wanted to scream to the heavens that it was ridiculously far, Namnuea still responded with an enthusiastic tone, even if his face looked like he’d swallowed bitter medicine.

    “Sure, what time works best?”

    [“Tomorrow around noon. I’ll have some time.”]

    That’s what the man said, and Namnuea showed up as agreed,

    only to be greeted with, “I’m not free.”

    Not free? Then why the hell did you make me come all the way out here?!

    At this moment, the service-minded (?) Namnuea had to flash a fake professional smile, grit his teeth, and say with a forced grin—while his eyebrow twitched, “No problem, I understand.

    It’s an urgent matter, right?”

    “Let’s talk another time then,” Khun Sailom replied.

    Ugh.

    Saying he understood was one thing, but the way the other guy stood up, practically shooing him away, was a whole different story.

    Namnuea still clung to Sailom’s desk, his large round eyes looking up to meet his gaze, asking in a professional tone.    “So, when would be convenient for you, Khun Sailom? I can arrange to meet you again.”

    “Well, during work hours isn’t very convenient.”    Then why did you ask me to come here?

    He wanted to ask that, but seeing the handsome groom-to-be with his arms crossed, deep in thought, made his body flush with heat. Especially when his eyes accidentally drifted down to the fitted shirt that showcased a chiseled chest. Honestly, he had to struggle to suppress his baser desires.

    And that face… the closer he looked, the more he noticed the sharp, striking features typical of a Thai man, likely without any Chinese ancestry, and incredibly good-looking. Plus, today there was a faint stubble, the kind from someone who doesn’t shave every day…

    I’m practically drooling, Sister Eim.

    “After work hours would be fine. How about the evening?”    “Wouldn’t that disturb you? After work hours for me is after work hours for you too,” Sailom raised an eyebrow slightly, his sharp eyes glinting with curiosity. The listener flashed a professional smile.

    Oh, please. Before every event, Nuea practically lives at the venue. Talking business after hours? Piece of cake.

    “No problem at all. My work hours are pretty flexible. Just name a time, Khun Sailom…”    “How about 10 p.m.?”    What!?

    Before Nuea could even finish, the handsome man shot back instantly, shattering his professional composure. He could only widen his eyes, staring at the guy who spoke without a shred of courtesy.

    Who schedules a work meeting at 10 p.m., seriously? Are you even thinking straight?!

    “Didn’t you say I could pick any time?”    Tch, that smug grin again!

    The listener wanted to throw a punch. Better yet, he wanted to whip a crocodile tail at that sturdy neck of his.

    As he gaped, the other raised an eyebrow, crossed his arms, leaned his hip against the desk, and spoke in a tone… that sounded way too amused.

    Trying to challenge me, huh? Bring it on!

    He clenched his fist and replied in a firm voice.

    “Ten p.m. works. Where would you like to meet, Khun

    Sailom?”

    The man in front of him paused for a moment before bursting into laughter.

    His laugh made his sharp, handsome face even more captivating. His piercing eyes sparkled, and his perfectly shaped lips curved into a smile, making the young organizer’s heart pound. Namnuea had to mentally chant to himself…    He’s about to have a wife. He’s about to have a wife. He’s about to have… a wife.

    “Just kidding, Khun Nuea.”

    Don’t call my name in that soft voice with that charming smile!

    Namnuea desperately wanted to look away from those sharp eyes, but he forced himself to hold the gaze, noticing they weren’t pure black but more like a tea-colored hue, tempting him to lean in closer.

    Stop it, Nuea! Stop thinking about it, damn it!

    “Don’t tease me like that,” Namnuea said, trying not to let his voice sound whiny. The other man smirked, then steered the conversation back to the topic at hand.

    “But I’m not free today after work. I have somewhere to be.”

    “What about tomorrow?”

    “Same.”

    “The day after?”

    “Hmm, same.”

    Are you even getting married?!

    After a brief moment of being charmed, Namnuea took a deep breath, summoning his professionalism. He’d dealt with all kinds of grooms before, and a lack of cooperation wasn’t going to faze him. “Khun Sailom, I don’t mean to be rude, but this is quite urgent. We only have three months, and we don’t even have a wedding plan yet. If we let time slip away, things will get even more chaotic, especially in the final month. So, I’m asking for just an hour—no, even half an hour would do. Our slogan is ‘You dream it, we make it happen,’ but if you don’t have any dreams to share, how can we make it happen?” He was holding back his frustration as much as he could, wondering if this job might end up with the client canceling on them.

    If the groom got upset and went to another planner, Sister Eim would definitely kill Nuea!

    He could only manage a strained smile, looking at the man who had stopped smiling and was now rubbing his chin thoughtfully. That calm expression made Namnuea wish he could rewind time.

    You said something he didn’t like, didn’t you, Nuea?

    “Uh, I…”

    “What you said makes sense.”    Phew.

    The person about to apologize let out a huge sigh, looking at the one who finally agreed, nodding with a glimmer of hope that the project would move forward.

    “Honestly, for my wedding, I’m fine with anything. Just propose a plan, and I’ll review it later…”

    Goddamn it, he totally didn’t get what I was saying!

    Namnuea nearly snapped back, but the other guy raised a hand to stop him first. “But that’s not ideal, right? You’re genuinely trying to make sure my wedding with Yiwa is the best it can be. I’ve heard that if you want a wedding done right, go to Wiwa Square. You guys don’t do things half-assed. That’s good.” The listener quieted down, taking it as a compliment, unable to help but curve his lips into a smile.

    The young man in front of him nodded to himself again.    “Alright, how about this? Come with me this evening, but…” Sailom started.

    “I’ve got plans this evening, but having two people tag along won’t be an issue,” he said. Namnuea smiled with relief, finally standing up from his seat. “Thank you. What time this evening, then?”

    The other party set a time and place, which the listener confirmed, before saying, “I’ll take my leave then, Sailom. See you this evening.”

    No matter how much his heart was racing, Nuea still kept it professional.

    Proud of himself, he gathered his briefcase filled with wedding details and documents, turned, and started to step out of the room.

    “Oh, one more thing.”

    Please, let me go. My stomach acid’s already working overtime from the stress.

    “Yes?” But he turned to meet the other’s gaze, flashing a smile, only to… feel his vision blur.

    Because the man in front of him was giving a charming smile.

    And not just that—the voice that came out… was so smooth and pleasant.

    “You don’t have to call me Sailom. Just Lom is fine.”    Freeze.

    Using a nickname wasn’t unusual, but hearing him say it like that made it feel… a little closer.    “Alright, Lom.”    Blush.

    Namnuea hadn’t felt his face heat up for anyone in a long time, but the moment he said the nickname, the smile from the other side widened even more. Those sharp eyes sparkled with charm, making his heart pound wildly, sending blood rushing to his cheeks until they burned. All he could do was give a slight nod as a farewell and hurry out of the office before he accidentally said something he shouldn’t.

    It wasn’t until he stepped outside that Namnuea clutched his chest with both hands.

    Oh no, oh no, oh no! He’s getting married, Namnuea. He’s getting married!

    “Don’t you dare, man. You don’t want to be known as the guy crushing on the groom, do you?”

    This job was already a mess, but nothing was scarier than this—figuring out how to finish the job without falling for the ridiculously charming groom.

    What?! What is this place?    “Uh, Khun Lom, this is…”

    “A gym.”

    I know it’s a gym, but why did you bring me to a gym?    The meeting spot the groom-to-be had chosen was a shopping mall. At first, Nuea thought they’d be discussing work at some café or restaurant, but instead, the other man led him upstairs and straight to a place with a familiar logo. People passing by were carrying huge bags, likely stuffed with clothes for changing, leaving the young organizer completely stunned.    “I come to the gym about four or five times a week, except for weekends. If you want to talk about work, this is the place,” Sailom said matter-of-factly. The tall, muscular man—whose fit physique Namnuea now understood—swiped his membership card and started heading inside, leaving the bewildered Namnuea scrambling to catch up.

    “Khun Lom, how am I supposed to get in?!”

    And wait a second—four or five times a week? Doesn’t that mean every weekday?!

    But Sailom merely turned back and raised an eyebrow slightly.

    “That’s your problem. I’ve already wasted enough time.

    Excuse me.”

    “Hey!!!”

    Yelling loudly didn’t make the other man care. The groom-tobe—who, just earlier at noon, had acknowledged how urgent this job was—disappeared inside without a backward glance.

    Namnuea stood frozen in place, itching to throw something after him.

    Give me back the good feelings I had for you at noon!    “Hello, sir. Are you here with Khun Lom?” a staff member at the counter suddenly approached, catching him off guard. He stared at the woman smiling sweetly at him as she launched into her pitch.

    “If you’re with a member, we can let you try out the gym for free. Would you like to give it a go with us?”

    “Uh… no thanks,” Nuea quickly cut off the female employee, likely a salesperson, before she could start pitching services. Giving up on chasing after his client, he hurriedly took long strides to exit the health-conscious environment as fast as possible.

    A food lover like him was allergic to gyms… didn’t they know that?

    “Got played, huh? And you said you understood!”     Nuea could only grumble to himself. He’d gone through the trouble of battling evening traffic to get here, only to come up empty-handed. He reaffirmed to himself:

    If he had to choose between a nitpicky client and one who says “anything goes,” he’d take anyone but that Khun Sailom guy!

        THEWEDDING PLAN CHAPTERS HOME

  • THEWEDDINGPLAN, Chapter 0

    THEWEDDINGPLAN, Chapter 0

       THEWEDDINGPLAN, Chapter 0:

    There are only two types of good men: those who aren’t married… and those who become someone else’s husband.    Inside a famous fast-food restaurant located in a bustling business district, a young man was carrying a tray laden with a massive hamburger, a large Coke, and upsized French fries toward a window-side seat, inhaling the tantalizing aroma of fatty food deep into his lungs.

    “Exhausted like this? Only a double big burger will do!!”    Namnuea, a robust young man with a love for food, muttered to himself as he set the tray down and plopped into the seat. He rubbed his palms together, declaring war on the pile of food, ready to dive into the battle.

    Slurp

    “Wooood!”

    One hand grabbed the Coke and took a big sip.

    Crinkle crinkle

    “Yum!”

    The other hand unwrapped the hamburger, and he took a huge bite without a care for looking cool.

    Then he chewed heartily, savoring the delicious flavors, washing it down with the meal that everyone says… “Want to die from clogged arteries or what?!”

    It was a thought he shrugged off without much concern. Because Namnuea believed he wasn’t fat… just a soft, cuddly guy who’s warm to hug, that’s all.

    Who the hell can quit fast food? It’s quick, easy—you’re in and out of the shop in no time. No need to waste time cooking yourself. In the rush of today’s working world, this hits the spot perfectly.    Chomp.

    Another big bite, not caring that sauce is smearing the corners of the mouth. Just wash it down with a drink, savor the break to the fullest before diving back into the chaos of dealing with picky customers.

    “Today, it sounds like Sis Eim said a big client’s coming in… Ugh, I’m so done with these high-society types,” muttering to oneself while shaking the head, brushing the thought out of an already overloaded mind, and digging back into the food without a care for anyone else.

    Finally, the massive burger is gone, the last fry swept into the mouth, and the Coke slurped dry. The young man with the charming name grabs a tissue to wipe his mouth with a rather appealing gesture…

    It’d be even more appealing if he hadn’t just eaten like he didn’t care about looking cool.

    “Alright, food time’s over.”

    After finishing, a glance at the trusty watch shows there’s still about half an hour of break left. Sitting by the window, he props his chin on his hand and gazes out at the bustling mall outside.

    A moment of calm for Namnuea.

    But if anyone thinks he’s doing this to unwind amid the crowd, casually watching people pass by and guessing where they’re rushing off to, who they’re meeting, or what troubles they’re tangled in—just to reassure himself he’s not the only one grinding away in the capital city—they’d be dead wrong.

    Because Namnuea… is checking out guys.

    That one’s pretty hot, but probably plays for the same team.    His big eyes catch a sharp-dressed guy in a suit, and he chuckles to himself. After all, he’s gay.

    Not bi, not fluid, but full-on gay, through and through.

    That guy’s got a wild vibe, but he’s probably got a wife.

    Namnuea laughs harder at his own thoughts as a bearded guy struts by the glass, only to feel a pang of disappointment when a gorgeous woman clings to his arm.

    After watching people for over fifteen minutes, finding no one particularly interesting or eye-catching enough to make his heart skip a beat, Namnuea stands up. Ever polite, he doesn’t wait for the busy lunchtime staff to clear his table. He takes his tray to the designated spot himself. But just as he’s about to turn and leave the restaurant—    Freeze.

    Oh, damn it, Nuea, you messed up big time!!!

    The thought struck him when he glanced at a corner of the restaurant and saw a man sitting there, looking exactly like his type.

    He’d wasted fifteen minutes staring outside the restaurant, unaware that there was something this fine right behind him all along.

    Nuea mentally scolded himself. He hadn’t expected a handsome, tall, muscular man in a perfectly tailored suit— obviously custom-made—to be chilling in a fast-food joint like this. The more he stole glances, the more he noticed the man’s sharp, striking features: thick eyebrows, a prominent nose, and beautiful lips. Everything about him screamed perfect.    Realizing this, Nuea pretended to walk back to his original table, acting as if he’d forgotten something. He glanced left and right, all while sneaking looks at the man taking a big bite of his hamburger.

    He was seriously Nuea’s type.

    Normally, guys with a build like that wouldn’t touch high-fat foods like this. No, they’d be chugging protein shakes or eating grilled chicken to bulk up their muscles—not sitting here eating junk food for Nuea’s eyes to feast on.

    But that was it.

    Nuea wasn’t the type to walk up and strike a conversation, fake-spill water on him, or brush past to “test his manliness.” He just sighed with regret for not looking inside the restaurant sooner and decided it was time to head back to work. But then— no way, please don’t let it be true—he turned to the front of the restaurant, and his round eyes froze. A stunning, perfect woman was walking in.

    She had a gorgeous figure, flawless features, and was wearing a form-fitting dress with a Hermès bag slung over her shoulder. She stood there, looking left and right, making someone as perceptive as Namnuea mutter under his breath:

    “This way.”

    Had he ever misjudged something, Nuea?

    The eye-candy of a man stood up, called out to the beautiful woman, and made her smile with relief. She walked straight toward him, and their greeting was far too familiar for mere friends. The onlooker let out a quiet sigh of disappointment.    This guy’s definitely taken. But oh well, getting to ogle some prime eye-candy before tackling the afternoon’s work wasn’t bad.

    In the end, the guy lingering in the restaurant decided to leave. Unbeknownst to him, the man he found so perfect watched his retreating figure and gave a faint smile.

    The Wiwa Square was a large catering company, specializing in weddings and offering comprehensive wedding planning services. Its office was located in a high-rise in the business district, operating under the concept of “You dream it, we make it real.” The company was widely renowned as the go-to for anyone needing help with wedding planning, from small beachside ceremonies to lavish five-star hotel events in the heart of the city.

    But it seemed like one of the company’s star employees was feeling particularly down.

    “Nuea, what’s wrong with you? You came back and just slumped onto the desk.”

    “Eim.”

    “Ha, now you dare to call me by my name without adding ‘Sis’ or ‘Ma’am’?” The young organizer could only tilt his head up from the table, looking at his close colleague who was about to smack him with a rolled-up piece of paper, prompting him to clarify.

    “I meant I’m full from eating, not calling the beautiful Sis Eim

    ‘full’ outright, really, I swear!”

    “Go on then,” the stunning, well-built woman in her thirties flashed a sweet smile, making Namnuea flinch slightly.

    He really didn’t dare mess with her. In front of clients, she smiled as sweet as honey, but with others, it was like she’d slit your throat with poison.

    Rustle rustle

    “Nuea, you went to eat at McDonald’s again, didn’t you?”    “Uh, what’s wrong with that, Sis?” And her nose was ridiculously sharp, because now the stylishly dressed, well-built woman was yelling at him.

    “What kind of gay guy are you, huh? You don’t even take care of yourself! Look, your belly’s this soft already!” She didn’t just talk—she grabbed his stomach and pinched it to show the excess fat, forcing him to jump up and step back to escape her redpainted nails, flashing a wide grin.

    It’s soft, nice and cushy when hugged, Sis Eim.

    “Fat or not, you should lose some weight, dude.”

    “Come on, I may not be as slim as you, Sis, but I’ve got guys falling for me all the time… unlike…”

    “Nuea!!!”

    Time to run! Why wait for Sis Eim to grab a chair and throw it at him? He laughed softly but secretly lost a chunk of confidence.

    Pinch

    “I’m not even that fat. Sis Eim, you are just skinny as a board,” the young man pinched his own belly, confident that he was just well-proportioned. He just didn’t like working out, so he didn’t have tight muscles or firm flesh that would make guys of the same type swoon. Working in catering, tasting food for clients, and sneaking bites at events—it just made him a bit heavier than when he started, that’s all.

    But about guys falling for him…

    “It’s been over a year without a boyfriend, Nuea. Just working like this isn’t good for your mental or physical health, seriously,” he grumbled quietly as he walked to the bathroom, unable to stop thinking about the handsome guy he met at the fast-food restaurant.

    If I could get a guy like that, I’d never let him go.

    He thought while washing his hands, glancing at the mirror.    If you ignore the fact that my cheeks are a bit round these days, I’m still pretty handsome, right?

    Namnuea lives up to his name, “Nuea,” with strikingly fair skin—not the yellowish kind. His face has a hint of sweetness, small and delicate, with large eyes and well-maintained, vibrant lips. His soft, cuddly build and average Thai male height don’t make him particularly stand out, but overall, Namnuea is known as a good-looking guy who doesn’t openly reveal his sexual orientation.

    “I can be a bit narcissistic, can’t I? Alright, back to work. I’ve got a client meeting this afternoon,” he said to himself, stepping out of the bathroom and heading toward the office. But then…    No way… It can’t be! The guy from McDonald’s!    A handsome man in a suit, standing with his hands in his pockets as if waiting for someone, made Namnuea’s little heart pound. But it wasn’t because he believed in fated love striking like lightning. Instead…

    “Uh, are you here for something at Wedding Square?”

    Thud

    The man turned to look, pausing briefly before the corner of his undeniably sexy mouth curled into a faint smile.

    Please don’t let it be true, please don’t… Not…

    “Yes, I have an appointment at 1:30.”

    …It’s true.

    If he weren’t a professional, Namnuea would’ve deflated like a punctured floatie right then and there. But with his life motto echoing in his head, he flashed a businesslike smile and asked to confirm.

    “Are you Yiwa?”

    “I’m not Yiwa,” the man replied, giving Namnuea a flicker of hope, until…

    “Yiwa is my bride.”

    Crash

    Even though he was more than half-prepared, hearing that this man—perfectly his type—was about to become a groom felt like the ground collapsing beneath his feet. He silently recited his personal slogan:

    “There are only two types of good men, Nuea: those who aren’t someone’s husband… or those who are. This guy’s just a husband, that’s all.” Ugh, the pain in this little gay heart was real.

          THEWEDDING PLAN CHAPTERS HOME

  • THENEXTPRINCE, Special Chapter 4: Destiny is far away but meet anyway

    THENEXTPRINCE, Special Chapter 4: Destiny is far away but meet anyway

       THENEXTPRINCE, Special Chapter 4: Destiny is far away but meet anyway.

    The weather during the fluttering time of Emmaly country was pleasantly cool, with the scent of lilacs permeating the entire area. Khanin swept his eyes around, observing the workers moving rice bags to various positions in the house, and smiled happily.

    The plan for the new house and the move back to Emmaly that they had discussed about a month ago had come true very quickly. Charan seemed to be very adept at making everything happen.

    However, the truth was that the other side had secretly been preparing this house for a long time, but was waiting for Khanin to agree and to help decorate the interior together.

    Khanin let the person hired by Charan take care of the detailed arrangements in the house. He himself turned left and right to walk and pick up a box of stacked books and hugged them.

    The boy intended to go up to the room on the second floor to store them, but before he could go out, one of the servants that Tarin had sent to help came in abruptly to find him.

    “It’s okay, let me lift it up myself.” Khanin said apologetically, and walked straight up the curved staircase, stopping to look at the view from the window at the staircase landing. His gaze swept out to the river and Daveen Palace in the distance.

    It was a good location… Charan had chosen well.

    As for Tanattai, he also had an old house not far from here. On the first day Khanin invited the other side to come and live with him, but his father refused several times to speak of the matter again. Nevertheless, the other side was persistent in wanting to spend some time together.

    “I think that you might want to spend time together, you wouldn’t want this old man to interfere.”

    “Don’t be embarrassed and pretend to invite others into your love nest.”

    To say that doing something is wrong means being embarrassed to the point of acting improperly. Tanattai still had plenty of soothing words to say without sitting down and having a straightforward conversation with Charan, but he acknowledged that the other party was happy to be that person.

    Tarin is the same, and for the birth father, that person was happiest to learn that he would permanently move back in with Emmaly. It can almost be said that he is always ready to help with everything related, including Chakri the plump butler.

    “Excuse me, Khun Narong. As for tomorrow’s work, people can come to do it in the morning.” Charan’s voice echoed as he walked out of the office while talking to the old butler about the catering for their new home that they will arrive at tomorrow.

    “Got it. My Lord.” The hard working person was heavily burdened, and Narong followed up here to serve. Even though Charan did not return to the old ancestral house, the other party still insists on volunteering to look after the house here occasionally.

    Khanin smiled broadly at the older person, exchanging a few greetings before the other party asked to take leave because he had an appointment with his family.

    “Why lift it up yourself, wait for me.” The tall person with a messy hairstyle confidently used a voice that no one had ever heard before to speak. Charan walked over and took the book box from the small person’s hand before moving toward the edge book room along the aisle.

    “I can lift it.” Although he spoke like that, he was willing to let Charan take care of it. Khanin slightly frowned as he looked at the wide back.

    The older person managed to arrange the books in the box and put them back in order, while Khanin tried to move closer to help, but only managed to compete with someone else and had to do it himself.

    “Hungry yet?” The latest question caused two layered eyes to flash in Khanin’s mind, mainly because they agreed that this was their first night together in such a warm house. Charan will be the one to prepare dinner himself.

    “Ugh, I’m starting to get hungry.” The small slender legs jumped and clung to the older person’s arm.

    Charan brought the young person down from the book room to the lower level once again. Everyone else seemed to have left with Narong. At this time, their small house was quiet.

    Charan and Khanin agreed that they did not want other people to wander around the house and cause confusion, so they needed to rely on their own abilities first. As for cleaning, a housekeeper would come to take care of it regularly.

    Tonight’s dinner is spaghetti cream sauce. The recipe seems straightforward and easy, but it’s hard to describe it fully. Khanin was pulled by a tall figure to wait at the bar counter.

    The open style kitchen allowed Khanin to observe the cooking process in detail. Charan looked agile, performing everything smoothly, like painting a piece of art.

    Small, slender hands rested on the table. Khanin couldn’t take his eyes off Charan. He was like a gift created by the gods.

    The other side appeared impeccable in every way. Even when wearing stains in the kitchen, the beauty remained unchanged.

    Charan’s posture was relaxed, and every move made Khanin enjoy watching him tirelessly. He didn’t know when the other party finished cooking until the dish was served in front of him. Khanin hardly had to move.

    The spaghetti in cream sauce looked so delicious it made Khanin’s stomach growl. The young man blushed with embarrassment. As the chef needed to remove the apron, their eyes briefly met.

    Charan still didn’t care about his own food. He signaled for Khanin to try it before settling down to listen to a compliment from the other high level food critic.

    “Is it delicious?” Because Khanin just gazed, the usually confident Charan began to worry and raised an eyebrow as he waited for the young man to smile.

    “It’s delicious!” The compliment was accompanied by an adorable thumbs up gesture. Khanin clapped his hands in satisfaction, then demonstrated to the chef how much he enjoyed the dish.

    The dinner was finished quickly, and Khanin ate with a grin on his face. Charan was pleased to take care of someone he loved and felt even happier when he saw the other party was happy too.

    “Let me wash the dishes.” Nin said. Khanin pretended to ignore him and stood up. As soon as he saw that Charan was willing to accept it without arguing or forbidding him, he quickly collected the plates onto his arms.

    “Let me help.”

    “No, it’s okay Phii Ran, it’s your turn to rest. Since just then I accepted sitting and watching you cook, it’s my turn to wash the dishes.” With that, Khanin headed towards the dishwashing area.

    He spent some time sweeping and cleaning the kitchen before returning with a hot drink in his hand. He passed it to the tall figure, ending it with a sweet smile.

    “Here you go, specially made by me.” he said. The gray cup contained a rich, dark hot chocolate with a fragrant aroma. The new angle of Nin’s mouth was higher than before, but Khanin understood that it was Nin’s intention.

    “Thank you.”

    “Try it and see if it’s delicious.” Because Charan was the one who made dinner, Khanin wanted to serve. The young man stood eagerly waiting for an answer, and Charan became the drink critic while the young man waited eagerly.

    “I already know it’s delicious.”

    “Try it before you decide. No one has tried it before you except father and me.” The younger one urged the elder while nodding. Charan lifted the cup to his mouth, sipping the sweetness that contained some bitterness at the end.

    “It’s delicious, really delicious. Perhaps because Khanin knows I don’t like overly sweet drinks, foods, or desserts, he made this hot chocolate not overly sweet.”

    “Do you like it? Is it tasty?” The question was asked when someone else remained silent for a long time.

    Charan smiled, lifted the glass in his hand and drank until it was empty, before using his warm tongue to lick around his lips and lowered his head slightly to whisper a few words that Khanin had never heard before.

    “It’s yummy, but…”

    “But…”

    “But Nin… you are even more delicious.”

    Music from loudspeakers created a lively atmosphere in the water side resort garden, where a celebration was underway to congratulate the new home owner and welcome the return of Khanin and Charan.

    Tarin, Tanattai, and Chakri were the first to arrive followed by Vetis and Itti with Miss Mira. Shortly after, Ramil and Petai came together before Evaa and a group of Thawetmetha’s bodyguards arrived.

    “I brought a gift from my father.” A medium sized gift box was sent over to Charan, the young lady smiled at the older man and nephew before sending a smile to those around her. “Congratulations Khun Charan.”

    “Thank you, it’s very kind of you.”

    “Thank you, Evaa. How are you? Let me know if anything’s missing.” Today’s party wasn’t overly big, but the food was adequate and comfortable.

    Charan and Khanin decided to recruit Tarin’s staff to help manage the catering so the owner of the adjacent house didn’t have to worry too much.

    Evaa had left and disappeared into the garden, just as a luxurious convoy pulled over. Khanin turned to look and Charan didn’t have time to ask before the imposing figure of someone appeared.

    Kalavin Li and Jirat, together?

    Khanin frowned slightly at the arrival of these two gentlemen, he had many questions in his mind, unlike Charan who remained calm and composed as before.

    “Long time no see Khun Charan, Young Prince Khanin.”

    “Nice to see you again, Prince Kalavin.” Khanin smiled as a good host, although he grabbed the wrong end of the relationship between the two men.

    “Here’s a cake, congratulations to Young Prince and Khun Charan for the new house.” Jirat said, handing over a cake box, then the staff on Kalavin’s side came to take it and place it on the table along with other snacks from the Homestay.

    “These first two boxes are from Jae. I ordered the rest to be added.” Khanin clarified why there were several boxes of sweets, but what was more surprising was the pseudonym Prince Kalavin had chosen to call Jirat.

    Jae seemed too intimate a name to call someone when uttered by someone who would start a name with a Mister or Khun; these two men were together more often. Interesting.

    “Thank you very much, KhunJae.”

    Jirat smiled more relaxedly when it came to socializing, unlike during their earlier meetings.

    “Nice to meet you.”

    “I’m currently delivering sweets from Niran’s Homestay to the people in the royal family. I happened to arrange to talk to Jae today, so I came here with him.”

    The conversation finally reached a point that Khanin was interested in. The young boy eagerly accepted, before turning his gaze to the person with greenish gray eyes like a baby deer.

    “Prince’s help was very much appreciated, he even promoted the pastries and brought customers to the homestay.” Jirat supplemented with relaxing gestures, the former stage actor’s features softened.

    One reason why his financial status and quality of life had improved by leaps and bounds was due to the assistance from Kalavin.

    Initially, even Jirat did not trust this person much. However, as time passed and proven by actions, Kalavin seemed to not want anything other than to help and support the pastry business.

    “Jae’s pastries were delicious, and the accommodation was peaceful so people didn’t make a fuss. I really liked it.”

    Prince said it that way, and Jirat did not think about it anymore, after Kalavin fled work and chaos, to ‘Nirand Homestay.’ Being there often made it clear that the state itself was chaotic.

    Perhaps it’s true…

    “What do you think?” A question arose after the last important guest arrived at the party.

    Khanin briefly pondered and then replied to Charan.

    “Prince Kalavin is definitely  interested in Jae.” At this point, Khanin reflected on one of his own remarks, combined with the previous actions of this prince from a different country, it became even more evident.

    “…It’s actually worth considering that princes seem to enjoy being sneaky and popping up unexpectedly, so why not become a sponsor to their love. What else would we do if they’re not coming up with ideas? If not with Nin, then with someone else. That’s our team’s way.”

    It’s just like this, isn’t it…

    “But Jae doesn’t know… The job is difficult.” Charan glanced and saw that

    Jirat wasn’t thinking about anything. As for Kalavin, he was sulking. It wasn’t malicious, but what should I do? It is a type of polite and tactful approach, not abrupt but considered skillful.

    The party atmosphere was lively as Nin went there happily. Itti often made jokes and made Tarin and Tanattai laugh. As for Chakri, he made Khanin get up from the table frequently. It is because of his meticulous and caring nature that is deeply ingrained.

    “I’m going to refill it.” At this point, even though it was red faced and drinking, I still wanted to get up and refill the drink for everyone until Khanin reluctantly said something.

    “Butler.”

    “Is there anything I can do for you, Your Highness?” The voice is not firm, telling everyone that the consciousness of the other party has fallen below normal. Chakri leaned closer to Khanin and the younger man rushed to get up from the table to pat the obese person sitting down before he could stand up.

    “Help me act like a party person.” Khanin’s ordinary sentence made everyone laugh knowingly. As for the person who was reprimanded, he sat and frowned.

    “I’m working for Your Highness.”

    “It’s not like that. You don’t have to take care of me so well. Just…”

    “Wow… It’s easy to say, but it’s hard for me to do.” If it weren’t for the alcohol in his bloodstream, Chakri wouldn’t dare to speak up like this.

    Evaa laughed, lifted the drink in her hand to take a sip, then realized it was empty.

    Drinking until losing track of time, Evaa has been showing more interest in reading books to gain knowledge about various types of drinks. Because of this, she often visits fancy bars to interact with a certain person.

    “Are you at the same place this weekend?” Evaa’s eyes left the dining table to invite someone to chat.

    Mira, who is brewing a drink as a gift to the host, pauses to hold a conversation. A younger person quickly raises their hand to avoid interrupting.

    “Young Lady”

    “Don’t worry about formalities. Do you work at the same place this week?” Evaa’s usual habit is to learn about something in great detail when she becomes interested in it. And of course, for someone as renowned as Mira in the field of brewing drinks, she is one of the first people Evaa wants to discuss with.

    “I’ve moved to a place on Saint Street this week.”

    “Oh, I see.”

    Saint Street is famous for being a bustling alley for nighttime tourists. It’s quite chaotic and often leads to arguments between tourists. Certainly, someone as well known as Evaa should avoid getting too close.

    “Young Lady, you shouldn’t go there.” The bartender’s warning is not far from what Evaa expected. In fact, she doesn’t like to drink or go out at night very much.

    Lately, Evaa has spent most of her days off traveling to meet Mira at the high end VIP lounge, observing the mixed crowd and drinks, gaining some knowledge but also not. But she still goes.

    What can I say? Mira is an artist. Just by watching the way the other party prepares drinks, it’s already interesting.

    The most important thing is… the young bartender is hard to pin down. Although Evaa is interested in how she can work at the highest level of luxury bars, she still rotates to work in regular bars in alleys, which can be called diverse and open minded about jobs.

    Thank you… It’s interesting.

    THE NEXT PRINCE CHAPTERS HOME

  • THENEXTPRINCE, Special Chapter 3: Can’t help falling in love

    THENEXTPRINCE, Special Chapter 3: Can’t help falling in love

       THENEXTPRINCE, Special Chapter 3: Can’t help falling in love.

    The image reflected in the large mirror in front of Khanin is himself in a luxurious tuxedo, with a white carnation pinned to his chest.

    His natural hairdo that he used to let loose has been set nicely, and his face is slightly adorned with makeup to look suitable for the important work event in the morning.

    The young man adjusted his small bow tie, even though the angle was already perfect, and then swept his eyes to check his neatness before stepping back to take another look at the overall picture.

    Khanin is now ready for his own wedding, yes… you heard it correctly. Today is his important day, but the young man doesn’t know much about the schedule. Except that… today he has the task of dressing up to look his best, waiting for his father to come and take him to meet his own groom.

    Emmaly’s wedding ceremony was based on international wedding customs, but the person proposing the marriage had to prepare everything themselves, which Charan did without fail.

    So, besides knowing which day they would be getting married, how to dress, where to choose the venue, and who to invite, Khanin doesn’t know anything else. Because Charan doesn’t want to tire him out.

    “It will be an easy and comfortable wedding like what you want… You don’t have to prepare anything, everything is my responsibility.” Charan said this two days before the wedding when they discussed this matter cordially.

    It’s an easy job. Truly because there are no wedding cards, no invitations to people who are not close, and no official announcements, those who will attend this event must be truly important to both sides.

    At first, Khanin was worried that it might become too much of a burden on Charan to manage everything alone, but when he saw him so willing and enthusiastic, he didn’t want to hinder the happiness of his loved one.

    Actually, Khanin had only recently learned about the details of his own wedding, starting from the day he was proposed to. As soon as he put on the ring, he jumped for joy and rushed back home.

    He intended to tell his father, to surprise him that his son would soon be the partner of his beloved person, but where did he end up? He was surprised when he met Tarin, sitting comfortably talking with Tanattai in the house.

    On the table, there was a lot of food arranged as if it was some kind of feast, which actually was the food prepared to celebrate his engagement.

    He recalled that day, both confused and surprised, and even asked some silly questions like, how did dad come and why didn’t anyone say anything, which made the person he asked respond with a joke…

    “I came by plane, and I am happy for Nin.”

    Are you ready to harvest the ginger and place it in front of us?

    “Is the ring beautiful? Charan came to consult with me, who recommended a jeweler to make the ring himself.” Tarin’s father spoke and asked him to show the ring on his left hand to Tanattai, while Charan walked over to the side.

    After the conversation, they all sat and ate the meal that Tanattai had prepared for us until we were almost full. We ended the day separately and went to sleep dreaming beautiful dreams.

    He didn’t know anything, and it was surprising and suspicious that Charan had been planning to propose for a long time.

    With suspicion that night, Khanin washed and scrubbed himself and confirmed that Charan had prepared everything before approaching him. Khanin just found out that Charan was planning to propose in the middle of the night with beautiful decorative lights around the wedding event venue near his home.

    But in the end, it didn’t happen because the appearance of Rachel made Khanin restless. Charan apologized and promised to make amends on the wedding day.

    Khanin’s lover promised that at their wedding, it would be as Khanin liked, and they would discuss and make decisions together.

    The ceremony would be held in a garden, simple, comfortable, not chaotic, with minimal rituals.

    Khanin smiled and looked down at the ring on his left finger with pleasure as he reflected on the events that had passed.

    Lightly colored lips smiled gently as a small heart beat when the sound of a violin began to play a love song passing through the door of the dressing room.

    It was a sign that the wedding ceremony was about to begin soon.

    “Is the groom ready?.”

    “Father.” Khanin’s face lit up when he heard the new arrival, and the young man walked over to Tanattai, who had just opened the door, and pulled his hand. At this time, Khanin’s adoptive father was in an official suit, his mustache trimmed, and he came with Tarin, his birth father who carried a bunch of white roses behind him.

    “Congratulations, son.” Tanattai nodded lightly, his middle aged eyes scanning the little boy’s small frame, smiling with pride that he had the opportunity to be part of the important day that he had taken care of and supported. all along.

    “Thank you.”

    “I’m happy too, son.”

    Khanin smiled broadly, turned to receive the flower bouquet from his father and walked over to embrace the other party. The hugged person paused for a moment before gently hugging back.

    “I am happy. Really happy.” The young man thought that way, looking away from the faded smile on the faces of both fathers, what could be better than having the person he loved accompanying him on such an important day.

    In the past, Khanin had thought that having Tanattai as his father alone would make him happy, but when he met Tarin, he realized that he could be even happier.

    Tears of joy welled up in his eyes, trickling down his clear cheeks. However, his father quickly raised his hand to wipe them away.

    Khanin kissed their faces before hugging both of their strong arms. From now on, the schedule was determined; the father would have to lead the groom to deliver himself to the other groom who was about to begin.

    He was excited, and even more excited when the actual situation arrived…

    “It’s time to go to work, let’s go.”

    The open green garden had been transformed into a beautifully simple wedding venue, adorned with white carnations and pink roses. Chairs made of brown wood were arranged for the guests to sit in.

    A specially commissioned large door stood in the center of the walkway leading from the event to the ceremonial stage. A tall young man in a tuxedo with folded hands stood waiting in front of the booth.

    Sweet violin music played slowly and softly as guests began to take their seats. Charan, the main protagonist of today’s event, wiped the sweat from his palms and looked around nervously until the person next to him greeted him.

    “I’ve never seen him this excited before, give him a napkin to wipe his hands.” Vetis, a friend of the groom, turned to grab a napkin from Itti, another groomsman, and handed it to Charan.

    “You might have never seen it before, but it was love at first sight. He never had a girlfriend before this and all of a sudden he fell in love and is getting married.” Itti, the owner of the napkin, laughed out loud.

    “Try dressing up yourself to see why you are so excited.” Charan began to ignore their snickering and turned his attention elsewhere.

    With his eyes fixed on the white door in front of the event, he waited anxiously for the other groom to enter. Everyone had taken their seats, and the main presiding officer, Prince Chana, stood at the forefront. 

    “Khanin is about to come, and Charan will hand him the flowers that his friend will hold before they kiss and exchange vows.”

    “Your Majesty.” Charan received the words from the elder. His heart was beating fast.

    He wanted to see Khanin’s face when he walked in, curious as to what preparations he had made for this day.

    The venue was a garden with big trees. The white flowers were not identified, but they were a good omen and were given as flower candy. In the small crystal glass, the guests at the event were just a few close friends who had passed through the sword and shield association and the group of people who had spent time together in Emma.

    How happy that kid would be.

    “He has arrived, he is walking in.”

    Whispers from beside him called Charan’s attention, and he looked at his partner walking arm in arm with both of their fathers. 

    At that moment, their eyes met. The image and atmosphere surrounding them made them both emotional. 

    Khanin walked slowly down the aisle, playing a soft and slow melody. The atmosphere was filled with love as they shared a tender gaze. This brought smiles to everyone, making it impossible for them not to join in.

    “Congratulations.”

    “Congratulations…Woops, sorry.”

    “Congratulations to you too, Nin.”

    “Congratulations!”

    “Congratulations, Phii Khanin.”

    “Congratulations, Khana!”

    Khanin walked confidently, with only his father’s hands to hold onto as he trembled slightly. The young man looked around before turning to thank the guests who had come to witness the event.

    The group of friends in London, some of whom were close but hadn’t seen each other in a long time, friends in the fencing association, and the indispensable people from EM, Mali, and Lee who had been together through thick and thin, were mostly members of the fencing team: Chakri, close friend the Butler, Eve, Ramil, and Petai. The only missing person was Prince Kalavin-Li, who was working on important missions, but he sent huge gifts to each other.

    “We the two dads are here to tell you this… Charan, take care of our child.”

    Khanin felt a surge of emotion as he stepped forward to the ceremonial dais where Tanattai was already talking to the groom who was standing and waiting. Meanwhile, Khanin’s husband slowly picked up the flower arrangement from his hands and handed it over to his friend before turning to face and receiving the words.

    “With pleasure.”

    “If you have any problems, talk about them and console each other. If you can’t solve them, we can tell you about it. For now, we all consider ourselves… as your fathers, Charan.” said Tarin, warmly and without any airs of grandeur. Although the end of the sentence wasn’t confident, the couple accepted his words with gratitude.

    After the goodbyes, both dads went back to their seats, and the ceremony started with the groomsmen showing respect to each other. Then, the representative spoke words of love and began to give advice and blessings in their own language.

    “Khalil Gibran said about marriage…

    Love one another, but make not a bond of love,

    Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

    Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.

    Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.

    Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone.

    Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.

    For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.

    And stand together, yet not too near together.

    For the pillars of the temple stand apart,

    And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

    And remember to give more than you receive.

    For love and kindness are the only things that truly last.

    And stand steadfast with each other, yet not too close.

    For the roots of the trees may grow together, but the branches must remain apart.

    When the decision is made, let us honor it together.

    Fill in the missing piece, but don’t get too close to walking on each other’s paths.

    Love and adore the other, always like the day we first fell in love. Then the couple, Charan Phitakthewa and Khanin Atsawathewathin, will be happy forever.”

    “…”

    “The time has come for the two of you to walk together on a new path. Let everyone here witness the love of the two of you, especially Charan Phitakthewa. Will you take Khanin Atsawathewathin to be your husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse?”

    “I will.” Charan replied, his thick hand gently holding the other’s slender one.

    Khanin returned the gesture, trying to hold back his tears as the overwhelming emotion bubbled up within him.

    “Khanin Atsawathewathin, will you take Charan Phitakthewa to be your husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse?”

    “I will.” By this point, Khanin could no longer contain his emotions, and tears silently streamed down his face. Charan himself was visibly moved, doing the same.

    Perhaps both sides knew all too well the countless trials and tribulations they had overcome to get to where they were today, and how lucky they were to have found love in each other.

    “So let everyone here help witness the love of both of you, through thick and thin, whether in hardship or happiness. Charan and Khanin will always be there for each other…and I wish both of you happiness.” The sentence was spoken in English to ensure that Khanin’s friend, who was not fluent in the local language, could understand the joining of both the grooms. At the end, Charan stepped forward and whispered a warm blessing as a gift to both of them.

    “Thank you, Your Majesty / Your Majesty is gracious.”

    Charan and Khanin expressed their gratitude to the people in front of them simultaneously; there were no words better than these. After the wedding ceremony went smoothly, experienced friends acted as representatives to congratulate them.

    “If so, let’s seal it with a kiss.” The declaration of love came with a soft, lingering kiss at the edge of their lips, as Khanin’s hands widely encompassed the broad shoulders of his husband and Charan hugged the slender waist of his young partner.

    “I love you so much, Nin.”

    “I love you the same way, Phii.” The declaration of love in the immediate vicinity came with a light peck on the lips, as Khanin’s hands hugged the broad shoulders of his husband and Charan hugged the slender waist of his young partner.

    Khanin’s wedding wasn’t yet over, but that was just the beginning. After stepping down from the wedding altar, friends came to celebrate with them again. During the evening reception, the grooms barely got to sit still as they walked back and forth between the tables of guests and the tables of elders, family, and friends.

    But the table they spent the most time at seemed to be from Emmaly’s side. Khanin and Charan talked with everyone, listened to the well wishes, and saw the smiles. Despite feeling a bit tired, this was the happiest day of their life.

    Khanin was thankful to himself for not requesting Charan to organize a grander wedding ceremony. Because just this much was almost overwhelming; it was fortunate that they left the wedding early to go on their pre honeymoon, allowing them to catch some rest on the way.

    “Are you tired?… Sit down for a moment.” As soon as they entered the room, Khanin took the hand of the larger person and led them to sit on the sofa without waiting for a response. The young man arranged himself to sit next to his husband before reaching out to remove the bow tie from the other party’s neck, skillfully executing the task.

    From the time they left work until now, it’s almost 3 am. The place where they will be staying tonight is a five star hotel that Charan had booked specifically for this night to use before moving into their dormitory.

    It’s a high end suite, with a clear view of London outside the hotel. 

    “I’m not tired at all. I’m even happier than when I was working.” The person speaking smiled warmly. Charan hugged the little guy tightly and leaned his face against the slender shoulder, his posture showing eagerness to hold on.

    “You’re so good at this. The flower arrangement is beautiful… and you’ve even invited everyone that I wanted, and you also brought candy coated sweets.”

    “Actually, there’s more than candy coated sweets, but I changed it later because there was a problem with storage… Wait a minute. I’ll go get it.” When Charan receives the compliment and realizes it. The young man slipped away from the white figure, got up, and went to the fridge before grabbing something.

    “Orange flavored ice cream?” Khanin’s eyes widened when he saw what was extended in front of him. The young man hurriedly accepted the giant quart of sherbet with joy.

    “Do you like it?”

    “I like it very much. It’s really delicious, how did you know I was hungry?” Khanin did not hesitate to remove the plastic wrap on the container, which Charan, knowledgeable as he is, quickly scooped up a spoon from the ice cream shop and handed it to him.

    “I’ve saved some, in fact there are more things in the fridge that I brought before the morning. I thought you might be hungry late at night.”

    “There are many things, so why did you give the ice cream to me first?” Khanin quickly began scooping the orange sherbet into his mouth, the sweet and sour taste spreading throughout his mouth.

    “Well, because it’s orange flavored.”

    “….”

    “I told you that I’d treat you to orange flavored ice cream this time.” Charan slumped down and sat next to his husband, extending his hand to wipe the sweet traces on his thin lips.

    Khanin’s heart raced. In fact, he thought that the other party had forgotten that he had promised to treat him to ice cream. He had been neglectful, not paying attention, and didn’t think that Charan could remember such little things from before they fell in love.

    “The cutest husband anyone could have… Thank you, I’ll make sure to finish it so that there’s nothing left.” Khanin sat still, not even bothering to change his clothes a bit.

    Charan obviously didn’t plan to stop looking at his little one, enchanted.

    In Charan’s eyes, everything Khanin did was adorable, even spreading ice cream on his cheeks… He’s just too cute.

    “To be honest, I have one more thing to give you… It’s a wedding gift.” said Charan. As soon as he finished speaking, Khanin’s hand, which was scooping ice cream, paused. The young man stopped as if he had just thought of something. Quickly, he placed a round box on the table in front. Before standing up nervously with an excited look on his tall figure’s face.

    “Actually, I have something for you too… It’s a wedding day gift for us.”

    “Sounds good.”

    “Great.”

    Charan’s little son jumped for joy upon hearing the affirmation from the love of his life. Just thinking of exchanging gifts made him so excited that he couldn’t contain himself.

    Khanin hurriedly walked over to open the wardrobe that Charan had prepared for him, where he found some clothing. Meanwhile, the elderly person continued to sit on the old sofa, and the young man only took out a piece of paper from the inside pocket of his outer shirt.

    “I am ready.” The young boy hides something behind him, while refusing to sit down.

    The situation led the tall figure to tilt his head upwards, and when he saw the glimmer in the beautiful eyes, Charan gestured for Khanin to begin.

    “Nin, you start.”

    “Okay… Phii Ran, you will definitely like it because what I will give you is the only thing in the world.” Khanin started the presentation, pulling out a box from the back, a beautifully patterned paper box, tied with a silver ribbon that looked great.

    “brushes?” Charan double checked the name of the gift that Khanin gave him after opening the box, which contained different kinds and sizes of brushes arranged in order. The delicate arrangement made the young man smile.

    “Yes, brushes… I am giving you this because I want Phii Ran to do something he loves. I know that you enjoy drawing and are happy with it. I want you to be with it for a long time. As for me… He wants to open a school that teaches children to use swords. It would be fun if we could make a school that teaches what we love together.”

    The meaning of what the young person gave was enough to make the elder person tear up. Charan took a deep breath before reaching out to embrace the white silhouette that came to sit beside him. 

    Being accepted in something one loves by the person they love is the most beautiful and valuable thing Charan had ever experienced in his life, and it was proven by the gift he received today. 

    “Thank you, I will use it well.”

    “You’re welcome.” Khanin spoke while giving a light kiss and wiping away tears for his loved young man before moving to sit on the sofa, but still snuggled up in Charan’s arms like before.

    “Here is yours.” The person sitting behind handed him a piece of paper, and the young man in his embrace looked up immediately when Charan flipped the paper over to reveal printed letters.

    “Is it a house with land, Phii Ran?” Khanin asked while looking at the face of the elder person in confusion.

    “Yes.”

    “Why?” In Khanin’s mind, there were many questions. In fact, he thought that the other person wanted to leave Emmaly behind, but the gift he received was a house with land. 

    If it came like this… it means that the other person is willing to go back there… right. 

    “Because I think sometimes you may want to go back to visit Prince Tarin, but the Royal Palace and Atsawathewathin’s mansion may not be where you wants to return.”

    “…”

    “I bought the house with my own saved money, not related to Phitakthewa… It has enough space to build a school that teaches sword fighting according to what you want, in case one day you want to go back to Emmaly. You will have your own space.”

    It’s not just looking at each other’s eyes, but Charan also knows well that Khanin does not want to step foot in a place that reminds him of the bad days. The young boy sobbed quietly while sitting for a long time, but was aware that his tears were the overflow of happiness.

    I’m glad to be born.

    I’m glad to meet Charan.

    I’m glad to love this person.

    Khanin feels incredibly lucky because his loved one is always in his thoughts, and any decision he makes is influenced by what he promised to do for them in the future.

    Will there be someone else in this world who is happier than him?

    “It’s okay… If you want to cry, just let it out.” The tall figure spoke soothingly while embracing his beloved. Charan saw Khanin crying, but knew that the other was only crying tears of joy, so he hugged him and created a safe space for his partner.

    “I am crying because I am happy.” Khanin spoke in the voice of a weeping young boy, raising his hand and wiping his tears as he tried to stop crying quickly.

    “I know.”

    “I am happy because I finally have a real home to return to…”

    “…”

    “It’s our home… because we belong to each other.” Khanin turned to Charan and hugged him tightly like a baby monkey hugging its mother. He then softened and looked over at his beloved with a longing in his eyes.

    “Yes, we belong to each other now. Nin, you are mine, and I am yours, Nin.” Charan whispered with a gentle voice, causing the younger boy to blush. They both knew what would happen next after this…

    The groom suddenly lifted the skinny person from the couch and hugged the taller figure tightly, teasingly asking questions while embracing the neck of his lover.

    “ Phii Ran? Where are you going? I haven’t finished eating his ice cream yet.”

    “If you’re hungry, can you eat first… because I can’t take it anymore.” Charan spoke with a direct and passionate voice, causing the person who listened to blush. The young man kissed the edge of his lover’s small lips, his tongue sweeping over the sweetness in his mouth, naturally responding to the one he loves.

    The best man lifted the thin body from the couch and placed his beloved on the soft bed while never parting his lips for one moment, even when the boy gently touched his back.

    “Will you be full after eating? But maybe you will be full, it’s the ice cream thing.” The words of double entendre that spilled out from the red lips made Charan’s body hot and excited.

    The young man gazed deeply into Khanin’s eyes before slowly running his hands down towards the edge of the waistband of his still unremoved clothing, causing the younger boy to smile mischievously.

    It was a smile that he hadn’t seen in ages, and Charan almost forgot that his beloved sometimes had desires that were so intense that he himself couldn’t… resist them.

    The young man stared at Khanin with serious eyes, using both hands to cradle the soft cheeks when the other party showed a clear intention of wanting to collaborate, he moved towards one another in perfect harmony.

    “What do you want to do, Nin?” Charan widened his eyes and asked for the name. He felt the touch of a slender finger sliding towards his tense abdomen. “How about I continue having more ice cream?” Khanin repeatedly moved his lower hand, stopping just at the waistband of Charan’s clothes. The boy shook his hips slightly, showing his clear intentions.

    It was evident that the desire that Khanin had was strong, but Charan didn’t forbid him when the other party clearly expressed what he wanted. The man took off his outer shirt without any hesitation, only leaving the dress shirt and pants for his beloved to take care of.

    “Then enjoy your meal and don’t let it spill.” The slender fingers traced along the corner of the thin lips, as the blood in the body began to heat up upon seeing the joy in the eyes of the loved one.

    “I promise to eat it fully.” Khanin began by using his lips to kiss the abdomen of Charan through his shirt, using the same eyes that had supported him, shedding tears and looking at Charan with a teasing, playful, and provocative manner, making his heart tremble.

    Charan followed the thin lips as they slowly kissed lower, then the white teeth moved and bit down on the zipper of the pants in the middle of his body. Khanin did it slowly, occasionally pulling back. This caused Charan’s zipper to sometimes stay up and sometimes fall down.

    He intentionally aroused and accelerated the hidden cock under the zipper until it almost exploded.

    “Nin… stop teasing.” Charan was not happy, and the young man sighed before softly holding the soft cheek. The sharp eyes conveyed his distress to his loved one.

    “I am not teasing. I want to make…I want to make you excited.” The sentence was not finished yet. Khanin also managed to pull down Charan’s pants again with his mouth.

    This time, the younger one grabbed the older man’s hand and placed it on his own head before rubbing it gently in the middle of his body with his other hand, deliberately teasing with the thick hand on his own head.

    Khanin seemed to be trying to make Charan lose his mind.

    “Oh… Khanin.” Charan groaned softly as the wet tip of his tongue flicked back and forth through the fabric, leaving a moist sensation on the outside of the cloth of the underwear.

    The teenager twisted there for a long time as if he were trying to make each other disappointed before finally releasing him from the anxiety by slowly pulling his pants down.

    “Is it good, Phii Ran?” Khanin blinked sweetly and gently stroked Charan’s vulnerable part, rubbing the warm cock with his roughness. He deliberately lifted his hips and gently moistened the tip in the stiff part, creating a warm, soft sensation that almost overwhelmed Charan.

    “Ouch… Fuck.” Charan accidentally blurted out as the entire world was being controlled by Khanin. The young one looked at him in despair. Moreover, the edges of his lips were scratched up and down professionally, wetting every touch with moisture, causing Charan to start suffocating. The madness of Khanin made the young man unable to withstand it, and he had to pull the sucking man to sit facing him on the pier because he was afraid that the teasing red face swallowing his cock would make him want to grab Khanin head and make him choke on his cock.

    He didn’t want to do it like this.

    I don’t want to ravage Khanin today.

    “Phii Ran… I am not full yet.”

    “Let me eat some more.”

    “Evil, Hmm…” Khanin muttered almost inaudibly. When the older person used his mouth to suck and swallow the red nipples through the fabric, the hot and heavy tip of Charan’s tongue moved back and forth, leaving a moist sensation on the cloth. Charan decided to take off Khanin’s shirt.

    “Hold your horses, babe… Take it slow. I have something to surprise you with.” When Khanin whispered softly with a remaining consciousness, Charan slowly unwrapped the younger person, making it slower than before. Not long after, Khanin’s body was almost naked, with only his shirt tied with a white legged string and dark jock strap underwear that opened on the back, causing Charan to almost faint when he saw it.

    “The shirt stays?”

    “Sure. Phii Ran, do you like it… it’s a wedding gift.” He grinned when he noticed his husband’s interest in the special black shirt that hugged his thighs.

    “I like it… but are you not afraid? Wearing something like this, you won’t be able to sleep.”

    “Not sleeping doesn’t scare me, but sleeping is scarier.”

    Charan looked up to see the person sitting on the deck, his fingers teasing the special white shirt that hugged the smooth thighs of his lover. They laughed and teased each other without speaking, and it was Charan who started the long awaited game tonight.

    His small hips jerked violently towards the person sitting below. Khanin’s big hand squeezed and massaged his whole body. Charan blushed and pouted, feeling the heat rise when his nose brushed against his lover’s stomach. Buttons were unbuttoned, exposing the skin around his waist to a hickey.

    “Phii Ran will… ah!” Khanin moaned as the other person took control, just as he was about to ask something. The gentle love hole was immediately rubbed against a tongue outside.

    Khanin whimpered, and the pain in his balls was worse when he saw the other person trying to get as much of his tongue inside his ass as possible. Charan’s tongue was hot, melting the young man almost instantly, and he was lying down, his ass arched, letting the other person kiss and stuff him with happiness.

    The sensitive area started to move closer together. When the pleasure almost made him unconscious, the lower part felt like it had been hit down to the depths of his passion. Khanin trembled when he felt the coolness of the lubricating gel spread over the love channel, and his heart pounded harder, calling out for something larger that was swirling outside to fill him up inside.

    “Let me do it.” The big body moved up, holding Khanin so that he could lie down with his arms resting on his chest before lifting the young man’s legs, one long, thin leg pointing up into the air.

    Khanin couldn’t find anything outside of burying his face. When he responded to the other person’s fingers, the fingers slipped in slowly.

    The fingers of the person sitting on top rotated back and forth. Charan knew where to stimulate the love of his lover, so he pushed his fingers deeper to stimulate the passion of the person sitting below. When his fingers touched the sensitive part of Khanin’s body, his eyes teared up and he was almost breathless.

    “Can you put it on, Phii Ran?… I swear I can’t take it anymore.”

    “Yes… I can’t take it any longer, just like you.” Because he was stimulated from the beginning, Charan had been feeling a dull pain for a long time, but he didn’t want to do anything at first because he wanted to enjoy the atmosphere of being in bed with Khanin.

    Therefore, when he heard permission, the young man quickly turned his small body to lie on top of his lover, the lower part which was bulkier and started to bear weight, causing Khanin to not feel heavy at all, but rather feel full of the strained hard cock when the lower part pressed tightly against his stomach.

    “Why do this?” The person sitting on top made a face as if he was crying out. When he saw that the young man slipped on a condom, he knew why.

    Charan knew that Khanin had dared to do this from before, but the other person seemed hesitant because he didn’t want him to be exhausted in the first place.

    “I want you on top of me.” Charan replied with a deadpan face, grabbing

    Khanin’s white and smooth thigh cheeks and rubbing them against each other, spinning his fingers inside to make the younger man gnaw on his own lips in desire.

    “If you want me to die, don’t tease me like this.” Khanin spoke that way because Charan kept spinning his fingers inside the warm body, but refused to touch the sexual point that would make the younger person feel good. He intentionally teased back and forth like the other party did at first, because he wanted to see the posture and stubbornness of those above.

    “Alright, I won’t tease… then let me handle it for you Nin.” The young man did as he was told, slowly withdrawing his finger. As he pulled out from the inside, the body of the person he loved hugged tightly as if not wanting to let go. However, the regret only occurred for a moment. When Charan’s finger was pulled out of the lover’s body, he turned to grasp the young man’s cock that was already worn with protective gear first and immediately inserted it into the opening where his finger had just left.

    “Ah… Phii Ran… has your cock gotten bigger, uh?”

    Khanin spoke correctly. Charan himself felt the same way, and the young man leaned his head against the neck ready to lift his hips to let the body penetrate into the warmth and softness again.

    It didn’t take long, his entire cock was swallowed up completely by the person on top.

    Khanin’s face looked tired, both cheeks were red and swollen as if wanting to be kissed. Despite wanting Khanin to ride him, Charan could not help himself. When he saw his lover looked like he couldn’t move anymore, the young man took control of the rhythm of this performance instead.

    “Nin you are so cute… I love you, Nin.”

    “Uh oh. Phii Ran, enough.” Khanin groaned when Charan leaned up in the middle, without having to point to the tip of the other party’s cock, he quickly inserted his cock into the warmth again, again, and again, until the smaller body couldn’t bear it all and had to cling to the big body and vent his emotions by using his own lips to suck on the other person’s neck.

    Both were gasping, groaning, and letting out curses, allowing the sound echoed throughout the room. They didn’t say anything to each other, letting the sound of the weak wall connecting the middle section of the two bodies imprisoned inside resonate. The louder the sound, the more the younger person was almost overwhelmed, and he heard it with a sense of distress.

    Charan accelerated the rhythm even more.

    “Cum with me, baby.” The person who was still conscious whispered to the other person who had lost his mind.

    Khanin paused, tears burst out quietly at the moment of being fucked till his innards shook repeatedly. When Charan’s hand glided up to hold the front of his lover’s coc and jerked Khanin to the same rhythm he was fucking him with.

    Charan kissed the clear cheeks, then slamming his body into him several times, the intense rhythm causing the smaller body to tremble. Khanin, leaning against the bigger man’s chest, before placing his fingers on the back of the other person’s neck, the disappointment causing the younger person to pause again and again, the body occasionally twitching, the eyes not focusing on anything, matching the beat as the other side released every last drop of cum.

    It turned white in his head. Khanin, dazed and confused, almost unaware that he was being held down on the bed again, let the person he was lying next to hug him tightly, kissing all over his body.

    “That’s good.” When consciousness returned at the moment he started to feel himself again. Khanin stuttered in his eyes that were still floating when he returned, still focusing on the face of his lover.

    “If that’s the case, let’s go ahead then… Someone told me that he was afraid to sleep.” The handsome young man who is Khanin’s husband responded before pulling the young one’s hand and giving a light kiss. With a loving smile, the young man looked tenderly at the youthful one who had kept their lips pursed at first.

    “Then come on. I am not afraid, and am very ready…”

    “Are you really ready? If you are, don’t ask for a break. Because I have prepared very well.” Charan meant milk cookies he had prepared for Khanin to eat during the break. The young man had already thought that he would not let the younger one go anywhere easily during these two days of the pre honeymoon.

    “I’m ready… Come on, babe.” Although he was tired, the young one’s words were so kind that they touched his heart. Khanin opened his arms to wait for the one next to him to hug, but the other side did something more than that.

    That is, Charan turned around and took out a new condom, put it on, and then hugged him again, before whispering softly by his ear, a sentence that made his hairs stand on end.

    “If that’s the case, let’s go for a walk then…”

    “…”

    “From here to the bathroom… it’s not far, just about ten steps.”

    THE NEXT PRINCE CHAPTERS HOME

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

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

       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

    THENEXTPRINCE, Special Chapter 1: Charan’s composure

       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

    THENEXTPRINCE, Chapter 46: Across the Sky Beside You

       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

    THENEXTPRINCE, Chapter 45: Love Beyond the Limits

       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.

     

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