THENEXTPRINCE, Chapter 35: Kiss.
“Young Prince Khanin… Are you asleep, Your Highness? Young Prince… You haven’t had dinner yet… Oh my god.”
The eyes sparkled as Chakri’s calling voice came from behind the halfopened door, gradually separating Khanin’s tall figure from the bed, reluctantly descending from the high posture and retreating with a startled face. At the moment when a thumping sound followed.
Chakri let out an exclamation of surprise, stumbling almost stumbling on his own feet. The young butler was nearby. Once steadied, he shifted to knock on the door, coinciding with the opening of the door from the inside.
“Young Prince… Is something wrong, Your Highness? You look flushed.” Chakri asked immediately upon sensing the abnormality.
Khanin shrugged off the question even though he knew the real reason for his own condition.
“No… Um… It’s just hot in here.”
“Hot… Oh, didn’t see you Khun Charan, thought you had already left.” The inquiry wasn’t complete yet. Chakri stepped into the room just enough to catch a glimpse of Charan and inquired with a hint of curiosity.
The sharp-eyed gaze beneath the glasses looked at the two figures standing apart, their faces turned away as if they had just gone through a peculiar situation together.
Having an argument, huh…
The question arose in the young butler’s mind, but he couldn’t speak his thoughts. Chakri could only manage to smile mischievously.
“I’m about to leave.” Charan responded promptly, rising from his seat, not forgetting to grasp his loose buttoned shirt, body tall, walking to the corner of the room. His sharp gaze turned back to the person on the other side, giving a polite greeting.
“Oh.” Khanin paused, his lips thinning as he approached without looking, one of his hands still holding his unbuttoned shirt tightly.
“Haven’t you had dinner yet, sir? I prepared it for both of us…”
“Not hungry yet / it’s fine.” Chakri replied before he could finish his sentence properly. The moment their voices exchanged across the distance.
The plump-bodied butler frowned and looked at the little Young Prince, who had alternated glances with Charan before realizing that both of them only avoided each other’s gaze.
A strange tension filled the air, the interior of the room seemed suffocating, just before Chakri could open his mouth to speak, the head of the Phitakthewa family bowed respectfully to the young Young Prince, then turned to face, holding back his face, and quickly opened the door, passing by Chakri.
Left with nothing but an empty feeling of suffocation.
What just happened…
…
The rain outside continued to pour relentlessly, the sky dimmed with streaks of rain bending down through the atmosphere, the cold, biting from the cool air helping to reduce the heat that simmered in Charan’s chest.
The sound of shoes hitting the floor echoed through the hallway, as long, slender legs walked briskly without pausing. Despite several noblewomen pulling back their dresses to show respect, their eyes glanced forward, while their feet continued to stride without pause. But their minds couldn’t stay focused on the path ahead, even for a moment.
On the contrary, it only reminded me of a certain individual who had just left…
That certain person who made my heart race like this.
“Khun Charan, I’ll walk you to the door.” Someone greeted Charan as he passed through the last gate, knowing that on rainy days, the young man would never walk out in the pouring rain.
Charan would usually wait until someone from the Phitakthewa clan brought him a large umbrella and escorted him to the car. But today was different from any other day. The leader of the Phitakthewa clan didn’t even stop to wait. Instead, he walked out into the rain without uttering a single word, standing still in the midst of the downpour without seeking any shelter.
It felt like I was falling into a trance, my hands clutching the black earpiece, the first gift from that person. The memory remained vivid in my mind, soft and smooth from the touch, the warmth, and the faint fragrance that lingered.
The image of a white figure sitting, hugging himself, looking at him with unreadable eyes still haunted me. Although they had separated for a while, Charan’s heart still beat fast and painfully whenever he thought of him.
He had done something big, refusing to restrain himself, and he was even brave enough to…
Crack!
The thunderous sound of the sky shook Charan back to reality, before he raised his hand to wipe the wetness off his face, breathing heavily. When he realized that he was now standing in the midst of something he used to fear…
Charan turned to receive an umbrella from a petite figure running after him. The coldness of the raindrops hitting his skin did not penetrate deep into his heart like before, perhaps because today he felt something else in its place.
It was a feeling that surpassed control over his mind… It was anxiety…
Anxiety that what he had done today would have an impact on the trust that Khanin had given him all along, afraid that it would be pressuring the other person because he didn’t know how to restrain himself.
Charan thought he had made a mistake by letting his guard down and letting his heart be swayed. Even though Khanin didn’t show any signs of annoyance, he still hadn’t said anything. He shouldn’t let himself get so upset at a moment like this, he shouldn’t let his heart take over, he really shouldn’t.
…
The gentle sunlight shone through the windows, revealing the sky above the royal palace. As the sun rose, the clear sky without rain clouds, the sound of documentaries, and the morning routine of the main television channel opened in the living area outside, it affected the nerves of the person wearing an outer shirt in the dressing area.
Khanin allowed Chakri to handle the cologne spraying all over his body, while he checked his impeccable appearance according to the daily routine. His round eyes showed interest in the television in the sitting area for a moment, before the next sentence in the documentary made him change his mind from just standing and listening in the dressing area, and walked over to stand in front of the large television instead.
It never really happened… It was such a short time compared to time in the universe. Therefore… throughout Emmaly’s life, he valued the climax the most…
“…”
‘A kiss is an exchange of a covenant to take care of each other for the rest of our lives… A very long commitment that allows lovers to trust in their relationship. Thus, a National Kissing Day was designated…’
Even the documentary on the cable channel followed the deception about kisses. Khanin recalled the time when he had to toss and turn in his sleep because he was thinking about it all night long.
Khanin almost couldn’t sleep all night. Just when he began to feel awake, he saw the sunlight streaming through the curtains, forcing him to get out of bed, even though his brain hadn’t rested much.
He’s been a bit too overwhelmed.
It seems that Charan was feeling vulnerable and impulsively kissed him. He followed the flow, even grabbed the other side’s gun and kissed back passionately, almost losing himself. He didn’t want to imagine what would have happened if Chakri hadn’t interrupted at that moment.
He should have controlled himself better…
Still don’t know whether he liked it or not. Just because we kissed doesn’t necessarily mean we like each other.
Maybe Charan just acted on his impulses…
Oh… and then we both kissed back with intensity. I wish I could just go crazy and die.
Young Royal let out a sigh, turned away and sat on the sofa, staring blankly, unable to focus on Chakri, who walked in holding two pairs of shoes.
Khanin allowed his mind to wander while the loud narration from the TV kept echoing, bigger than the owner of the fair-skinned body could handle, causing his eyes to widen in surprise. When his brain processes the information heard from the documentary a while ago.
“Which color is better, Your Highness… Brown or black? You’ll have breakfast with the Sovereign King, so maybe brown is more suitable. Your Highness…”
“Hey!”
“Hey!” Chakri was startled as Khanin suddenly sprang up from the garden and stood up, the action of someone of royal blood had an effect on the plump-bodied person, who was about to raise his shoes to show off his beauty, but the plump butler quickly turned around and laid the brown and black shoes on the carpet, then turned back bewildered, not understanding.
“Is there something wrong, Your Highness?”
“Umm… what did the documentary say?”
“The documentary… oh, it’s about the legend of the kiss, Your Highness. The documentary says that the people of Emmaly consider kissing very important because it’s like a pledge to take care of each other for the rest of their lives and the future…” Chakri recounted the sentence without any change.
Khanin’s face turned pale for a moment before turning red as his body temperature rose.
“So… when we kissed…”
“Who kissed whom, Your Highness!” Chakri’s eyes widened, unsure.
Khanin was hot and embarrassed for a while before hurriedly denying it.
“No… I didn’t kiss anyone, why would you scream like that, Mister Butler? What’s the matter?” The young royal made a feeble attempt to cover up, while Chakri’s face had turned pale.
“Oh, please, you can’t fool me… In Emmaly, we don’t randomly kiss anyone, Your Highness.”
“…”
“Here, we have a legend about kissing. People in Emmaly believe that a kiss is a declaration of love, a sign that they want a deep relationship with that person, a request to stay together for life.”
“…”
“Specifically, husbands and wives, husbands and husbands, wives and wives are the only ones who can kiss each other, no matter how much they love someone else. So, don’t do it Your Majesty, it’s easy for you to send a letter instead of trying to kiss anyone, Your Highness. If they don’t agree at first, they’ll end up in a situation where they have to be stuck with Your Majesty for life!”
What is this…
Khanin just received new information and it almost knocked him down.
Now he can no longer hear Chakri’s complaints.
“Your Majesty, did you hear what I said… Oh, kissing someone is not easy…
If not, I’ll have to send a letter to him, Your Highness.”
Various complications…
Khanin barely heard Chakri’s murmurs, and his eggshell-like eyelids fluttered.
The information he received made his mind momentarily confused. Before the memories of his first kiss with Charan flooded in.
“Don’t go around randomly kissing people.”
“What is this…”
“It’s clear, no need to repeat.”
“I haven’t randomly kissed anyone, and… just…damn it. That wasn’t a kiss.”
“…”
“It was just a game… Just, game.”
Since the first kiss that arose from the desire to win. It stretched to the point of physically hitting someone in a situation where survival was necessary.
“You. I wonder… why is it that you are so sensitive about kissing… amazing.”
“…”
“Did you hear… why is your ear so red?”
“Your Highness, it’s nothing.”
“Seriously, but it’s really red. Are you allergic to something… let me see a bit.”
“Don’t…”
“You… are you embarrassed?”
Every kiss that has happened so far has come from Khanin’s genuine feelings.
There was only last night’s incident that came from the true emotions of both parties…
It came from both parties… if that’s the case, it means that Charan also…
Does Charan like him too… yes or no?
The turmoil and confusion from last night did not fade away, but the degree of spinning increased several times. Khanin’s breathing became irregular, requiring him to consciously take deep breaths, and the images of last night’s memories replayed in his mind like a repeated movie.
It all started with him leaning near the other party, speaking words of encouragement, until they reached the moment of kissing…
“Your Highness… are you satisfied, Your Highness… Take a break, it’s too much, and it’s bad enough that Your Highness is injured, Your Highness…” Chakri called out and reached out to touch Khanin’s hand, which was massaging his own chest on the left side, and the surprise of the trusted butler caused Khanin to pretend to be asleep, closing his eyes.
My heart feels like it’s bursting out… It’s as if my heart wants to die already.
And in this situation, how can I approach Charan with the same courage as before… I just miss the other side so much, and now Khanin is almost losing himself.
My heart doesn’t belong to him anymore, but it has become entirely Charan’s… Everything that exists…
I must call for the royal doctor… This is the thought that keeps spinning in Chakri’s head since dressing Young Prince for breakfast.
Young Prince Khanin looked a little pale, his face was red, and he had some strange symptoms. When he saw Charan, those two refused to greet each other and just glanced at each other.
Strange pair, or maybe they’re both having a fever… I should call a royal doctor for him too.
The observant person thought deeply while Khanin himself thinks he has control over the situation, in reality, when it comes to the young nobleman, he has no idea how much his behavior deviates from normal.
The encounters with Charan this morning have changed from every time. They don’t have any special conversations, and both sides keep a distance from each other until evening.
Hours of continuous sword training didn’t make the team members weak like before. The important thing is that their bodies are starting to adapt to the training and become more flexible. The level of physical development has made a significant leap.
“That’s all for today.” Charan signaled after looking at the clock and decided it was time.
Itti lazily turned left and right and placed his mask on the corner chair. As for Kalavin, who was allowed to come and watch the training today, he sat up and perked up to grab a pastry from the box.
“I ordered cake, everyone came and had some.” Kalavin’s words grabbed the attention of the team members who needed a sweet boost for their bodies.
Itti and Mira headed straight to the vacant table without waiting to be invited. As for Khanin and Jirat, they slowly removed their equipment and followed suit.
“This cake looks just like the one Jae used to bring.” Itti pointed and asked everyone to look.
Jirat hurriedly stepped closer to make sure he wasn’t mistaken.
The box had a prominent logo with the name ‘Nirand Home Stay.’ Probably not wrong, the message he received from someone said that a kind-hearted customer ordered some pastries, several boxes, and it turned out to be Kalavin himself.
“You… Did you order this?”
“Yeah. I tried it and it’s delicious, so I bought some.”
The simple sentence structure surprised Jirat a bit, but the main reason was because the home-baked cake was really delicious, although he didn’t know it well. Mostly they made it to sell to regular customers or people in the village.
As a former stage actor, he was both surprised and amazed to learn that someone at this level knew about the “Nirand Home Stay” cake.
“Thank you.”
I don’t know how many times I’ve said thank you, but it keeps happening to this person.
Kalavin didn’t respond. The foreign young royal simply took a piece of cake from the box, put it on the ceramic plate, and handed it to the smaller person to take.
Jirat felt apprehensive as he glanced at the distinguished-looking person standing in front of him. Before bowing his head and lowering his gaze to the familiar-tasting cake in his mouth, with its beautifully curved edges and a small smile that invited someone else to take notice…
“That’s a great name. Niran Home Stay.”
“It’s a wordplay on my name.” Because Kalavin initiated the conversation, Jirat responded, “Recently, I’ve been able to lower the barriers with unfamiliar faces in my acting career, so there aren’t as many awkward interactions as before.”
“Huh?”
“My name is Jirat, which means ‘eternal’ or ‘eternity’.”
The new information that Kalavin had just learned brought a pause to the conversation, causing him to consider and let go of the thoughts he had kept in his mind.
“Interesting.” A low murmuring sound was heard.
“…”
Jirat held a dessert spoon still, not knowing why he felt this way.
Throughout the years of growing up, he had received numerous compliments on the meaning behind his name, and his name had never lost its charm. However… no one had ever made his heart beat irregularly like this before.
Kalavin had something different about him, or perhaps it was because of the way the other person looked at him.
“Jirat is a good name, with a beautiful meaning. It suits you.”
“Thank you… thank you.”
“Khun Jae?”
“Yes?” The interrupted conversation from others within the rehearsal room resulted in people paying no attention to anyone else except the person standing directly in front of them. Jirat attentively and intently listened with his eyes fixated on Kalavin, a gesture he hadn’t made to anyone else in a long time.
“If it’s alright, could I have your contact number… just in case I want to order a cake for the next occasion?”
“…”
“I’d like to order some for my father to try, but if it’s not convenient, it’s alright.”
Kalavin’s posture allowed the other party to make a decision based on the distance he had given. Jirat pondered his own feelings and weighed his heart.
If this had been before, he would have felt quite uncomfortable talking to a stranger. However, with Kalavin… Jirat didn’t feel that way.
“Sure, you can contact me through this number. I’d be glad to. I’ll try making something else for you to taste next time.” A small hint of delight emerged. Perhaps it stemmed from the feeling that Kalavin valued his abilities more than his personal background, unlike other people.
“…”
“If… if you like or are interested.”
“Yes, I like it.” A smile-like response came from the conversational partner. From Jirat, they exchanged glances, while Itti and Mira looked at each other.
“Two topics, two extreme emotions.” Itti’s words interrupted the silence as he glanced towards the other couple sitting in the corner of the sofa near the window.
Khanin was sitting, bowing his head, quietly enjoying his cake, while Charan secretly glanced at the other side from afar, not knowing how he managed to draw his attention, maintaining a serene gaze upon each other.
“What’s bothering you?” Mira’s voice softened as she took a bite of the soft and fluffy cake, savoring the taste of the sweet treat from ‘Nirand Home Stay’. She liked it so much that she thought of grabbing another couple of boxes to take home.
“Well, that means we have to stick together, two by two. Anything will be easier that way.” Itti resumed working after speaking, persuading the remaining members to go home immediately. Hoping that this would be a subtle way to help his dear friends.
I don’t know what Charan did to anger Khanin again, but that’s it. It’s best to try to understand the situation.
“I’ll leave now. We can talk more later.” Itti slapped his friend’s back before leading everyone away. Chakri followed, escorting the guests, and inside the room, it became quiet and intimate again, just like before.
Khanin experienced another episode, unable to look anyone in the eye, only rubbing his hands against his knees in a strange posture, prompting others to ask what was going on.
“Is… something wrong?” Charan asked, despite feeling uneasy himself.
People didn’t match in matters of the heart, and the situation became worse.
Charan speculated that last night’s events must have caused Khanin to be like this.
Khanin felt embarrassed and uncomfortable.
“What is it…”
“Why are you avoiding eye contact?”
“No, I just…” the Young Prince’s mouth was flooded with words, barely able to speak them out… looking at Charan’s face made him think about last night, about kissing, about hearts, about confessing and unrequited love.
“…”
“It’s nothing. Just… just tired, want to rest.” Because in that way, he had tried to avoid making eye contact. Khanin kept a distant relationship, maintaining too much distance without realizing that it made someone else worried.
“Tired?” Thick hands were about to touch the soft cheeks, pausing in midair. The main reason was that the young man reluctantly rose to his feet.
“I’m sleepy, so… I’ll go rest first.” Khanin said abruptly, then turned around and walked away quickly. Leaving Charan silent, looking and observing the gestures of someone younger.
Charan worried. Meanwhile, Khanin was still trying to cope with his racing heart.
Warm breath emitted, dispelling the tension. The leader of the Pitakthew clan had a strained face when he couldn’t control anything as before. He wanted to scold and talk, but ended up doing nothing and let Khanin walk away.
The toxicity of last night’s matter had already seeped in, sometimes it might be necessary to give it some time… to allow Khanin to reflect.
Chakri asked Itti to go up to the prepared car to pick up and drop off the remaining members. He then took Mira to the parking lot next to the garden. She didn’t want anyone to pick her up because it would be too complicated and chaotic.
“Thank you so much, Khun Chakri.”
“You’re welcome. And here, I picked up some more for you, seeing that Mira likes it.” Three boxes of cake from ‘Nirand Home Stay’ were sent over, Mira distributing charming smiles and thanking the blushing butler.
“Khun Chakri, you are so cute all the time.”
“It’s been a long time, drive safely.” Chakri’s thick arm went up in a rather embarrassed gesture.
Mira paused and curved her lips again before heading straight towards the black motorcycles, the ones that used water as fuel.
She picked up a helmet, intending to put it on, but had to pause as a procession of someone passed by, it was Young-Lady Evaa from the Thawetmetha family. Mira had heard rumors of her beautiful appearance, and now she had seen for herself that the rumors were true.
“Is it the Atsawathewathin team, right?” The greeting from Chakri-Nikun sent Mira lowering her raised hand as a sign of respect for someone of higher status.
“Your High-.”
“No need to fuss about the ceremony, I just passed by, what’s your name…”
“Mira.” Unable to dodge the bartender girl, Mira had to mention her own name. Mira didn’t show that she was on guard, but it was enough to make Evaa feel it.
“I’m Evaa.” Younger people greeted each other amiably and extended their hands to someone taller as a form of greeting, and they let go immediately, a fleeting moment. Both of their hands touched.
“…”
“I’m glad that Atsawathewathin has female members.” A sincere tone blended with a radiant gaze in the midst of the sunlight, bathing the beautiful face, inviting Mara to enjoy it. The bartender girl was on guard, but she didn’t build too high of a wall in their conversation.
“Times have changed, indeed. There are many talented women.” Mira still maintained her manners while Evaa showed a friendly attitude.
“Like yourself, right?” The bright smile of Chakri-Nikun was a tale, spoken by everyone. In truth, Mira didn’t particularly care about Evaa. Evaa was indeed likable. She represented the new generation of women who were both smart and intelligent, well-mannered, with excellent attitudes and no noticeable flaws. If it were a normal situation, they could have been friendly companions.
“…”
But because they were standing on opposite sides, nothing was easy, like thinking with their hearts.
“Nice to meet you. Hope to see you in the arena.”
…
Khanin woke up with full attention after a night of thinking about Charan. He had come to the conclusion that the most important thing now was to call back the spirit of Khanin, the mastermind.
Last night, the young man didn’t reply to the messages of the tall guy. He was too overwhelmed to hide and ended up quietly hiding, but once he was out of it, he went and found out about the legendary kiss of the girl, Emmaly, and it was…
It was too embarrassing to handle…
He raised his small, slender hand and tapped lightly on his clear cheek, applauding and encouraging himself. Khanin glanced at the carved message he secretly placed on the headboard.
‘Destiny is far away but meet anyway.’
The fate… to allow them to be on opposite sides of the sky, they must meet.
That’s right. Now he should start creating his own destiny. Khanin didn’t plan to abandon the competition, but he would also cultivate a love alongside it. Our lives are not just about one thing, right?
“What is it…” A slender figure prepared and adorned themselves to be absolutely charming today, to the point of lingering. Their beautiful eyes flickered. And at the right moment, Chakri reported something he did not anticipate.
“Khun Charan notified me that he would take a day off today, Your Highness.”
The person he wanted to meet didn’t come. The important thing is he decided to notify Chakri, not to contact him directly.
Confused… perhaps this definition best encompasses Khanin’s feelings.
The determination he had before wavered. The young royal didn’t hesitate to pick up the communication device and call. Looking for the missing person, but there was no response.
“How’s his tone?” Khanin thinks he’s putting up a composed front, but his restless eyes couldn’t hide the turmoil. The young man is worried that his actions last night will affect today’s events.
“Silent and sullen.”
Chakri describes Charan’s voice as normal, but it bothers Khanin’s instincts, sensing that something is amiss.
“…”
While Khanin is contemplating finding a solution, Tarin, who just descended from the second floor of the palace, came to greet him. It caused the young man to quickly brush aside his thoughts.
“No training this morning?” The middle-aged man asked, taking the opportunity to start the conversation himself.
“Yes.”
“Well… shall we have breakfast together?” Using the pronoun to create intimacy and avoid sounding distant. Tarin held back his excitement to hear the answer and fortunately, this time he received a positive response instead of worrying rejection.
Khanin doesn’t have anywhere to be this morning. He needs time to ponder the matter of Charan and, of course, the eagerness to practice has diminished.
“Is it not tasty?” The middle-aged man asked after noticing that the younger one took a big spoonful of pumpkin soup but barely touched the breakfast set.
“No, it’s… it’s… it’s delicious.” He spoke, using the action of scooping soup into his mouth to let Tarin know that the taste is indeed delicious. It’s just that currently, Khanin’s mind is preoccupied with other matters.
“How’s the training going? Are you tired?” Tarin understands that Khanin accumulated stress due to the competition, so he decides to ask, sneakily glancing at the sweet face while waiting for an answer.
“I’m tired, but I think I can manage.”
“Sometimes, we must follow our own desires. If we want to rest, we must rest. If we want to fight, we must fight.” Because he understands that Khanin feels fragile about training. Tarin gives advice, knowing that the sentence of advice may contradict the thoughts currently whirling in the young royal’s mind.
“…”
No one knows our desires better than ourselves.”
That’s true… if I want to fight, then I must fight. I must do what I desire.
Tarin’s words made Khanin ponder while the other side brought a small plate of cookies and gently mentioned some words that reminded the young man of the person who had gone away.
“Sweets can help improve our mood, you know.”
“Thank you…” Khanin had nothing to offer Tarin apart from words of gratitude. He met his real father when the other party reached out to help, giving the once-ambitious person a new path.
“If there’s anything I can do to help you Nin, please let me know, son.” The sincere and supportive gaze in his eyes was hidden.
Khanin took a deep breath, pondered for a moment before deciding to express his own desires.
“I want… to study art.”
“With Charan?”
“Um… yes, Dad, can you help… take me there?” It was an unexpected request that Tarin could almost instantly fulfill, with a very simple exchange: having breakfast right in front of him.
Khanin was given the convenience to leave the palace with the assistance of Tarin after finishing breakfast. He was taken by his father’s staff, ‘Morpheus’.
The young royal begged all the guards to return as promised, stating that he wanted to continue studying art and would have Charan personally escort him. With long, hesitant steps, he followed the corridor after the butler came to fetch him.
Khanin ordered no one to inform Charan about his arrival. He had heard from the butler here that the other party was currently conducting a special one-on-one drawing course. The young royal wanted to see everything with his own eyes.
However, what lay before him surpassed expectations. Khanin paused for a moment, almost frozen in time, upon seeing Petai, the son of the Deputy Minister of Culture, in close proximity with his own party.
Charan glanced at the young artist’s painting. Meanwhile, Petai had a slight smile on his face as they conversed before turning to laugh with each other. It pricked Khanin’s heart, feeling like he was being attacked by a swarm of fiery ants.
Were these two really so close? And did they not go to see him because they were too engrossed with each other?
Yes… Yes, Phii Ran, I will arrange it!
Petai purposefully wiped off the red paint from his fingers onto a color plate, and beside him stood the owner of the ‘Morpheus’ art school. Charan was standing, casually observing the oil painting with a disinterested pose, while the young man contemplated before asking about the piece.
The confrontation on the canvas was completed.
“Is that a camellia flower or…”
“Ah-ah.”
“Why not?” He asked in accordance with the observant nature of an artist.
Petai placed the plate down and revealed a red-stained canvas, which he had just revealed a moment ago. Then he smiled slightly and responded playfully with a soft, pleasant voice, contrasting with the drawn smile.
“I like the meaning, it’s profound.”
“From which perspective?” Charan was familiar with the meaning of the camellia flower, both the Japanese interpretation and the underlying symbolism, as well as the international interpretation.
Why ask? You already know, I guess you’re someone who looks at the world positively, huh?”
Charan couldn’t help but laugh at the straightforward and reciprocating questions from the young man, looking at the unyielding person with scrutinizing eyes.
“Before, maybe I only saw it from a negative perspective, but now perhaps it has changed, right?”
“So boring, really. People who are knowledgeable are so dull.” Petai, feeling a bit frustrated, turned his attention back to the painting and asked reluctantly.
“And why does it have to be this painting?”
“I just like its meaning… both the good and the not-so-good. Camellia Tsubaki.”
“…”
“Warriors shouldn’t plant camellia flowers by their house fences. It brings bad luck. While in the Western culture, presenting this flower to someone signifies bestowing luck upon them, but only to that person.”
In the past, Japanese warriors used to grow camellia flowers around their homes extensively. Because the way the petals of this flower fall is not just a slow scattering of pollen, but a sudden shedding of the entire bud, resembling being beheaded with a single sword. Thus, ancient warriors didn’t particularly admire it, yet at the same time, it had a positive meaning as a parallel to a horizontal line.
“…” Charan stayed silent to reflect. Meanwhile, his gaze turned to the blood-red flowers contrasting against the dark indigo background on the rectangular picture frame.
“The complex meaning has two sides for two angles, just like people, don’t you think?” This time, Petai’s and Ben’s gaze shifted from the painting to the person, who is an esteemed teacher. The serene and peaceful pair of eyes were subtly veiled by something, which Charan could clearly sense.
“I want to say something for sure.” All of this, they did it for that purpose – to discuss their inner selves. They used art as a guise, but deep down, they knew that there was something more important that needed to be communicated.
“You must know in your heart that not speaking doesn’t mean not knowing. That in the past… you’ve given your hands to others all along, haven’t you?” The fair-skinned house owner intentionally entered the topic directly without further evasion. He employed the strategy of speaking ordered words suited for this situation.
If you have any doubts, make them known in advance, hoping that the conversational partners will be willing to reveal the hidden secret, which is a basic method that has proven effective for negotiators through the ages. However, with the Phitakthewa Clan leader, everything seems to be not as easy as before.
“If it is, then so be it. If it’s not, then so be it.” The answer remained veiled as before, but Petai no longer cared. He didn’t need any affirmation, he just came to sympathize and give a warning.
“Guess you won’t give a helping hand, and you won’t care for the relationship with the teacher’s disciples either. In competition, we stand on opposite sides.” The gaze clearly expressed the sentiment.
Charan, however, still had a serene smile on his face, his posture calm and composed, devoid of worry or tension. It was appropriate for a person of a difficult-to-read, uncontrollable nature, surpassing the ability to predict his thoughts.
“Just wanted to tell you this.”
“We all have our responsibilities.” Petai meant the matters that they, being members of each respective clan, were involved in. However, it seemed that Charan, who seemed to know a lot, had changed.
Responsibility or heart?” The voice grew louder as Petai stood up abruptly, the younger man halted for a split second before he could regain his composure and turn back to his seat, feeling a sharp pain.
“Ask yourself first. Why are you doing what you’re doing?”
“Ha ha.” The sentence slipped out of his mouth, catching those around him off-guard.
They just stared at each other. It seemed that they sensed the arrival of a third person. Petai then adjusted his expression to appear calm and smiled.
It felt like they were just having a casual conversation, more ordinary than trying to create a cold war.
“Thank you for sacrificing your time to help teach today.”
Petai’s official words let Charan know that someone else has entered the room. The young man turned towards the door and unexpectedly encountered a person who had appeared here.
Khanin… Who did he come with, and how did he arrive?
“Are you studying art? That sounds fun!” The cheerful and lively greeting from the young prince caused those of lower rank to bow down in respect.
“Young Prince Khanin.”
“Khun Petai, I didn’t expect to meet you here.” This may be the first time they have had a conversation. Khanin’s eyes met with the person who was taller before shifting his gaze towards a framed painting.
“Even Your Highness did not expect to encounter a monk here.”
“I came to find Phii Ran.” The pronouns and words felt natural, as if they were not intentional. However, Petai could sense that someone was making an effort, showing a clear standpoint, and it was quite an interesting behavior for him.
“…”
“I’ve heard that Khun Petai is a student of Phii Ran, and he seems very talented.” Khanin continued to engage in casual conversation while the minister’s son remained reserved as usual.
“Thank you very much.”
“Did I disrupt your rhythm?”
“Your Highness, I am about to leave.” Because Petai somewhat knew Khanin’s intention. He didn’t want to be a hindrance.
Just as he was about to say that, he sensed the improved mood of someone else.
“Is that so?”
“Please take care, Your Highness.” He gracefully bowed, as he had been trained to do all his life. Petai smiled back, but couldn’t resist teasing Charan, who liked to act mischievously.
“…”
“I am leaving, Phii Ran.” The familiar and intimate pronouns that Petai had never used with anyone stirred warm feelings in Khanin’s chest. The minister’s son had left, leaving only Charan and Khanin in the room.
“Why didn’t you call me to tell me earlier?” It was the first sentence after they had let silence cover them for a while.
Khanin clenched his lips, took a deep breath, and silently encouraged himself before responding.
“I called you Phii, you just were not answering.” He intended to be the attacking side. So, this time, Khanin tried to suppress his inner turmoil in order to return to his usual self.
“…”
“I wanted to come to study art. Can you teach me to be as skilled as Khun
Petai?”
In summary, it’s not possible.” The grumbling voice accompanied by a deep sigh, the young royal looked disappointed before placing his elbows on the table.
They moved from ‘Morpheus’ to live-in Charan’s personal art studio on the outskirts of Khanin’s estate. Khanin sat on a chair, in front of him was a framed painting that hardly resembled the definition of beauty.
By his side, a novice artist, the owner of Phitakthewa School, held the position of a close friend and leader of the Phitakthewa clan Charan sat pondering, silently contemplating for a while before responding.
“It’s okay, a good start.” The tall figure walked around and stood behind Khanin, tilting his head to examine the intricate details on the canvas, which had been lightly sketched and painted, indicating that Khanin’s work was somewhat presentable. But in reality…
It was mediocre.
“Not beautiful at all.” Khanin whispered softly, reminiscing about the Camellia painting by Petai. It was true that their skills and appearances differed greatly.
“Beautiful, for the first time… but the colors are dark, rushed, and the heavy application of paint made the paper crumple. It should dry first before applying a new layer of color.” The teacher whispered beside him, causing Khanin to stiffen.
Deep brown eyes secretly glanced at the person who approached, accompanied by a familiar cool fragrance. Charan’s serious expression remained while he focused on blending colors in other areas that he could manage.
On the other hand, Khanin observed Charan’s painting attentively, while the creator of the artwork contemplated other matters.
Khanin knew that Charan was trying to find the hidden merits of the painting that was not evident at first glance, but the more the other party searched, the more the young man became disheartened.
He used to be a rational person, but love had made it possible for him to be like this.
He wanted to be a good person, a talented person in Charan’s eyes. A momentary kindness sparked in his cold heart before being replaced by a relentless determination that led him to this realm.
It was not the time to sit down and draw.
Why did PrinceTarin come here? Did he forget?
The reason for being here today is because he wants to move forward together with Charan, isn’t it?
“Then while I wait for the paper to dry, can I leave the artwork here? Let it dry before applying new colors.” Khanin took a deep breath and gathered his courage to move on to the next step.
The young prince had many thoughts in his mind, but ultimately hesitated to express them due to the piercing questions from the older man.
“Yes… If that’s the case, then I’ll just go back.”
What… Who said Nin would go back? Nin won’t go back. A slight twitch of the thin lips, furrowing brows, revealed that the other party was not completely fine with the ambiguous farewell remark, but now he understood the older man more clearly by looking into their eyes through the window.
Charan stared at the sky as the setting sun turned it a reddish hue, a warning sign that a rainstorm would soon pour down, causing the tall figure to worry.
If…
If they don’t side with themselves too much, Khanin was confident that the concern in the other party’s voice conflicted with the clear sadness evident in their gaze, showcasing the time they spent together, albeit short, that had to be separated.
I still don’t want to go back.” He sighed again, hoping that someone older would understand.
“If you stay here, you’ll have to wait a long time. Because it’s about to rain…”
“It’s okay. I can wait until the rain stops. I… Oops.” Countless words that were intended to be spoken correctly were swallowed. Due to Khanin’s sudden movement to open up the topic, causing his elbow to accidentally bump into the disrespectful plate, causing it to fall to the ground.
Many colors splattered on the tablecloth. Some stained their clothes, and some splashed onto Khanin’s clothes, making the younger one even more agitated.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry…”
“It’s okay.” Charan immediately interrupted without waiting for the other party to apologize. The owner of the place was not angry and didn’t care much. He simply claimed that he could be as messy as he wanted.
The only thing he cared about was the expensive suit that Khanin was wearing.
“That’s right. Nin messed it up completely.” Khanin looked at the water stains on their clothes, the messy wrinkles on the expensive fabric, which seemed to symbolize the scattered confusion in his heart.
It was not only unsightly but also almost destroyed everything between them.
Charan tried to help Khanin without caring about his own damage. His thick hands moved around, wiping off the stains on Khanin’s skin. However, the young royal pulled his hand away with heat.
“It’s alright. You can change…”
Phii Ran…” Nin called out, causing the tall figure to stop all actions and raise his face to meet his eyes. Khanin didn’t want to be idolized to that extent, he just wanted them to be equal as they should be.
It would be good if both of them, Khanin and Charan, could let go of everything, face each other, and only see the true essence inside.
“…”
“If I have to change this outfit… Phii Ran must change too.”