THENEXTPRINCE, Chapter 37: Concern.
Phitakthewa’s morning was quiet, warm breeze blowing from the north, the servants still working as usual, only Narong, the important butler of Lord Charan, was rushing with a serious look as if not greeting anyone at all.
The middle-aged man’s behavior was strange compared to his usual routine on the long corridor. Narong walked and sometimes ran, holding a brown paper envelope with a restless posture. He arrived at the largest bedroom in the mansion, knocking on the door a few times and then holding his breath as he entered with caution.
Lord Charan was still unaware that someone had opened the door and sat in the innermost part of the bedroom, hugging his knees, with a calm face in his black satin pajamas at the work desk, setting the mobile phone leaning against the stack of books, paying full attention to the person on the screen he was video calling. Only that.
Inside the private room of the Phitakthewa family’s leader, there were sounds of laughter and giggling. However, it was certain that the laughter did not come from Narong’s boss. The tone of the laughter heard was slightly sharp, and it was a sound that has been heard frequently lately, becoming somewhat familiar.
The sound belonged to Young Prince, a young prince of Asawathevarin.
[PrinceKalavin said that he will come to watch the rehearsal tomorrow, that guy always shows up without prior notice. When he arrives, he just sits and watches us rehearse, saying nothing, and I have no idea what he’s thinking.]
Narong walked over and stood behind, avoiding the angle where Young Prince could see him, in order to maintain decorum and not make the room’s owner feel uncomfortable upon seeing him.
“He said what time he will come.”
[Probably around ten o’clock.]
“Why does he have to come so early?”
[I don’t know, maybe he wants to see Nin secretly. I wonder if he has a secret crush on you, Nin.]
The sound from the person on the phone didn’t bother much, but Narong’s face became tense, and the middle-aged man discreetly glanced at the boss’s face. Charan’s expression changed slightly, not saying a word until the person on the phone had to shout.
[Phii Ran… why the long face… is something wrong?]
“No, I’m fine.”
[Certainly, it’s because of that expression. Why? Are you jealous?]
“…”
“….” Narong fell silent again, but this time Charan looked back at the person on the phone before exhaling softly.
[Remaining silent like this doesn’t feel good at all. I’m sorry for saying that he likes me. But it seems plausible, always showing up just to provoke us. Why, if he doesn’t like me, then it must be someone in our team.]
“There’s no need to apologize, if he likes you, Nin, he’s not doing anything wrong. I’m not angry at you, I’m just handling my own feelings.” The tone at the end of the sentence softened slightly.
Narong chose to secretly observe, but the familiar butler thought it wouldn’t be good if he teased or said anything while his boss was showing such vulnerability.
[Why should you handle my own feelings? You shouldn’t, he should be the one handling that idiot. He’s Prince after all. Why, he start to like
me?. It’s provoking, I want him to be provoked a lot… Is that not enough for you, Khun Charan, how provoked are you?]
“Well… actually, I’m… I’m deeply provoked. I like you Nin a lot.”
[Exactly, that’s right, go on Khun Charan, how provoked are you? Just say it.]
“I don’t want him to get close to you. If he says he’ll come, let me know right away. I’ll go and be with you first, I don’t like the two of you being together.”
[Great, thanks for telling me. I will be very pleased… Ah, you are so cute.
You must be tough, not letting him find a way to be near me.]
“…”
My-Lord? The middle-aged butler who has taken care of him since he was young, couldn’t hide his embarrassment, his handsome face turning slightly red. Narong was confident that his eyes were still sharp, despite his advanced age. Although he was very old, his eyes were still good.
[I want to kiss your cheek right now, what should I do?] The Young Prince’s words made Narong feel even more embarrassed, but this time the middle-aged butler saw his young lord blush for once. He then reached out and picked up his phone, holding it in his hand.
“Oh… then come and give me a kiss. Will you come to find me this afternoon?” The person spoke with a smile, a mist of longing clouded for a moment, as if a glimpse of his identity had been revealed, only to dissipate in the sweetness of the Young Prince’s words.
Thinking about it, the middle-aged butler couldn’t help but suppress his smile. Young Prince Khanin has transformed his usually indifferent Lord Charan into this state. It must be the power of love.
Narong chuckled lightly, his trembling hand sought refuge in his tight, brown suit pocket, sometimes the order of importance might not be so necessary. If at this moment the person he had entrusted his good hopes to could find happiness with the one he loved.
Narong would stand quietly in this corner and wait.
[I’m waiting for Chakri to inform me of my father’s schedule. If my father is free, I will ask to study art. Um… earlier, I said I wanted to kiss Charan Phitakthewa right now, not this afternoon.] The voice from the other end started off smooth, before becoming slightly sharper, sounding enchanting at the end.
“Hmm? So, how should I help with that?”
[Just do it as usual when Charan Phitakthewa sends me to bed, bring the phone close to your cheek.] As the person on the other end gave instructions, Narong’s Lord immediately followed.
“Close enough.” The sound faintly whispered like a murmur at first, before becoming slightly sharper. Charan nestled the phone against his own cheek, and at that moment, Narong endured the overwhelming sweetness that connected them both, and seized the opportunity when the two were kissing to sneak away.
Now Narong was debating… should he withdraw and come back later once his Lord had finished talking? It might be better than standing here, waiting like this.
[And also on the other side.] The handsome face smiled widely, Charan Phitakthewa stubbornly brought the phone to his other cheek, and at that moment, Narong couldn’t resist the sweetness that connected them both, so he took the chance while they were kissing to sneak away.
[Of course! You were about to kiss just now… Ah… Khun Narong, hello.]
But just as he was about to sneak away quietly, as soon as the person on the other end greeted him, the owner of the room turned abruptly to look at him, causing Narong to avert his gaze from his lord’s questioning eyes, resuming his composed and serene posture, before apologizing in unison with the person on the other end.
“Uh… I apologize for intruding.”
“Oh… it’s alright. Is there something important?”
“There is.” The butler replied, as he shuffled the paper in his hand, and just that, the leader of the Phitakthewa family knew immediately that something was amiss. Something that Narong held must have been so important that the trusted butler had to hurry into his room.
Following the order to enter and leave Charan’s bedroom if something important or urgent happened, Narong could enter without knocking. So if the door was unlocked, it was an order from the young lord himself, and the loyal butler would fulfill that duty without fail.
As previously instructed, if there was anything important or urgent, Narong could enter Charan’s bedroom. If the door wasn’t locked, it meant it was an order from him. The loyal butler fulfilled this duty flawlessly every time.
[Ah… In that case, you’ll talk to Khun Narong first, and then I will talk to Chakri. Let’s text each other if there’s any progress.] he said, seeming annoyed. Khanin would notice, as the young man paused and glanced at the butler standing nearby, giving him a subtle wink as he usually did when he wanted to convey that everything was fine.
“Very well… Please go ahead and talk to him.” Charan sighed. Although he was disappointed to have to stop the conversation at this point, there were more important matters to attend to.
After Khanin hung up the call, he took a moment to gather himself before turning his chair towards the person standing in front of him, clasping his hands together. His piercing gaze shifted towards the familiar butler, waiting for the other party’s report.
“A letter has arrived for you, My Lord.” he said, handing over an unsealed brown envelope. “I didn’t dare to read it as it might contain important information. I thought it would be best to give it to you to read.” The envelope’s brown color suggested that its contents might be more unsettling than Narong could handle.
As usual, Charan would often allow his own butler to handle everything, so Narong had the right to read the letter freely since it was necessary to deal with various household matters on Charan’s behalf, just like him.
But this time, Narong hesitated and said he wasn’t brave enough to read it.
“You may leave. If anything comes up, I will call for you again.” Charan dismissed him immediately.
Narong walked out of the room as soon as he received the order.
Once the door closed, Charan picked up the problematic letter from the brown envelope and began reading. His eyes scanned the plain font that could be found commonly in Emmaly, and at first, it seemed to contain nothing but curse words and insults, with words crowded and almost illegible.
However, as he read further into the middle of the text, the true importance of its content was revealed, hidden amidst the vile curses. It was something far more sinister.
‘The wealth of Atsawathewathin does not come solely from words but because of the current Sovereign King engaging in vile practices, using his trusted individuals to deceive and manipulate others, diverting highquality goods for personal gain. Dhipabawon takes the goods to sell in other cities, leaving others who are not of the current royal lineage aware of the deception. It wouldn’t be surprising if people were to say that this family is nothing more than a pack of scheming dogs.’
‘If you don’t want to become an accomplice to these treacherous acts, come to the garbage disposal factory in the northern district tonight at half past midnight and prove it for yourself…’
‘Or if the misfortune of other kingdoms and the exposure of
Atsawathewathin’s hidden secrets isn’t motivating enough, then perhaps consider going there to find your own mother’s grave.’
‘The current Sovereign-King is involved in your mother’s death, connected through the secrets he has entangled with others… I hope you still care about your mother, rather than being fooled into forgetting that you are his illegitimate child, not a beloved heir of your Phitakthewa family.’
In the largest bedroom of the Phitakthewa mansion, which once reverberated with laughter, now only silence prevailed. Even the sound of the owner’s breathing seemed to fade away momentarily, as if there were gaps missing.
Charan was left speechless after reading every letter, the throbbing pain surged through his head almost instantly. His left brain felt heavy and sharp, and he had to gently massage it with his fingers to help alleviate the sudden muscle tension.
He remained in that position for almost ten minutes before deciding to lift the receiver and dial a familiar number, the name that appeared on the screen since the beginning, the person he intended to call all along.
Rrrrr, Rrrr.
The loud ringing from the phone startled Charan before he could press the call button. He quickly picked up the call, searching for a familiar number, as the name displayed on the screen made him anxious to answer. It turned out to be the same person he had intended to call from the beginning.
“Vetit, I was about to make a call to you.” The leader of the Phitakthewa family greeted with a loud voice, creating a tense atmosphere all around, much like the other end of the line that responded with a serious tone.
[Oh, look, did you check the email I sent… shouldn’t you be the one calling?]
“Email?”
[Regarding the person I was to investigate, the person who stabbed him with a knife, I received treatment information and sent it in an email… have you not seen it yet?] Sound, the last person on the line listening curiously. When Charan heard that, he quickly opened his notebook to access the information mentioned by the other party.
“I couldn’t find the person to talk to.” The narrowed eyes scanned the information that Vetis sent, but it wasn’t the right time for him to read it in detail. Because there were other important matters to wait for now.
[If that’s the case, what’s the matter?] Vetis replied briefly and posed a question, probably because Charan seemed to prioritize other matters more than the case he had been trying to investigate for weeks.
Charan took a clear sigh, raised his hand to his forehead, before speaking out in short sentences to ask the other party to help analyze what was true or what was deceiving.
“Come to the house… come see for yourself.”
Vetis immediately responded and hung up when he heard that. When the room fell silent again, the confusion rushed in, causing Charan to exhale deeply to ease the heaviness in his heart.
The narrowed eyes shifted to look at the letter on the problem owner’s desk.
It was necessary for someone to come and help think now. Because everything he had learned was too big to analyze alone.
Inside the quiet second-floor office of Phitakthewa, the atmosphere was stifling, even with the sunlight filtering through the curtains. But the warmth was insufficient to soothe the uneasiness in his soul.
Charan handed the letter to Vetis to read immediately upon the arrival of the other party, and the person quickly read it, pausing when reaching a crucial point.
The young detective peeked at his close friend’s face to assess his feelings as he nervously handed back the letter and asked.
“Do you know who sent it or not?” Vetis frowned. The atmosphere around him was no different from when Charan first read this letter.
“Still… I had Khun Narong check the CCTV, see if it’s a teenager lurking around, so I asked someone trustworthy to go and check, but the kid doesn’t know anything, it seemed like he was being hired again.” Charan recounted what he could do shortly after the call with Vetis. Once Narong finished checking, he ordered Narong to investigate who sent the letter, but the result was as he had told his friend.
Now he couldn’t grasp the hand of anyone, the enemy was too close to catch up. Although he tried to extract information from the teenager, he didn’t receive any additional answers, other than that he didn’t know.
Although it seemed real that the person was hired to deliver the letter, the employer never revealed their identity, only using paper and money to communicate at the appointed meeting point.
“Then what should we do next?” Vetis asked.
Guess the other party may have read his expression. Charan could only sigh deeply in circles. Because there was only one thing hanging heavy in his mind that he wanted an answer right now.
“Then I guess I have to go.” He spoke of the garbage disposal plant in the northern direction, which was the rendezvous point mentioned in the letter. It was a place where he could prove whether Asawatewathit, Nat and
Phitakthewa’s people did what they were accused of, and if it was true to some extent, it would help stimulate him to find answers about his mother’s death…
The question that used to linger in his mind popped up again, the soulless apparition of his mother who was eaten by leeches still stuck in his eyes.
The horrific event of that day… Charan still kept his emotions buried, the thunderous sound echoed throughout the entire area, resembling the cries of his own voice screaming for his mother, echoing across the hospital.
Everything remained ingrained in his heart, the memories of the past never faded. Charan, as a child, cried as if he were unconscious, waking up and still trying to believe that everything was just a dream. He prayed for it all to be just a nightmare.
But unfortunately, the misfortune became a reality… His mother became Charan’s only happiness, counting from the day his father passed away from leukemia.
Charan knew that his existence was for his mother after losing his father, but fate played a cruel trick on a helpless human being.
In the end, the Phitakthewa family was no more, everything that happened in his life made him unable to even feel love.
Because of the fear of loss, afraid to even close his eyes on rainy days, afraid that if he sleeps, the nightmares will come back to haunt him, forcing him to wake up and cry again.
“I’ll go with you.” Another person’s voice in the room woke Charan from his dark thoughts, a sincere voice that made Charan feel touched, a friend ready to share sorrow and joy together in any situation.
But because of concern for the safety of the other party, he chose to put on a rejecting face and hand over other responsibilities instead. Knowing his friend’s good nature, he must know that if he insisted, his close friend would not listen.
“No need to go, stay here and keep an eye on Phitakthewa’s people. It’s better to have backup.”
“Alright… You stay here, get ready. I’ll go investigate the matter of that child. No matter what time I get back, I’ll let you know.” The friend spoke and immediately stood up, hugging Charan lightly, then instantly turned to face his concerned friend.
The room fell silent once again, but the brewing turmoil in Charan’s heart was not subdued. Suspicion led him to grab the notebook beside him and quickly search for the meeting place.
But before he could sweep his gaze to read the information, he heard the notification sound from his mobile phone first. It was a message from Khanin, saying that he would come to meet in the afternoon. The other party was on their way here and would arrive in a few minutes.
Charan took a deep breath to calm his agitated body. He concealed everything inside, even though he didn’t want to hide it. But he had no other choice.
Khanin would not know about this… And it’s best that way.
Charan tried to act normal, but his mind wandered in different directions.
Thoughts about the journey tonight, about his mother, and about Khanin.
The young man tried to suppress his stress and not show it. At that moment, Khanin sat on the sofa in the middle of the room, his young eyes fixed on the TV screen, without any special activities or conversations. They were just sitting quietly like any normal couple spending a relaxing time together on a day off.
Khanin told him that Prince Tarin and the Sovereign King came here to learn art, but in reality, the person who clashed in using martial arts used this as a mere excuse.
The purpose of coming here was not to train in martial arts, but to spend time together outside without being watched by anyone.
The splendor of Phitakthewa Palace was not as suffocating as Daveen Royal Palace. The walls had ears and the gates had eyes. A short definition that accurately described the place.
Charan was delighted to see Khanin, but his mind was overwhelmed with the strange letter he had just received. It disrupted his thoughts and revealed various plans for the evening. The Phitakthewa family leader seemed less stable than usual.
“Are you hungry?” A neighboring person asked, causing the taller figure to step away from the palace.
“Huh?” Charan’s hearing wasn’t very sharp, so the young man had to speak louder.
“Are you hungry? I brought some pastries from the palace.” A mediumsized box with beautiful patterns was handed to Charan. Khanin grinned with affection and anticipation before revealing the soft cake slices arranged delicately.
“Marble cake.”
“Oh, do you want some?”
The scent of chocolate wafted into Charan’s nostrils. He glanced at the sweet treat in his hand and Khanin’s face several times before agreeing, recognizing the determined spirit in the younger man.
“Oh.” The young man paused. Then he graciously fed Charan the pastry. Khanin picked up a soft piece of cake and delicately placed it near the older man’s warm lips, leaving Charan sitting there, leisurely savoring the sweet taste.
“Is it delicious?”
“It’s delicious.” Charan said, raising his hand slightly, expressing his satisfaction.
Khanin smiled widely and touched the warm sensation before handing two more pieces to the taller man. After finishing, he closed the box and leaned closer, making the older man chuckle.
“What if… if I sleep here tonight?” The young royal’s question caused
Charan to hesitate. It wasn’t that he wanted to refuse or avoid cuddling together, but he had an important task to attend to, preventing him from accepting what he desired.
“Tonight…”
“But if you’re not comfortable, it’s okay.” Khanin’s smile remained unchanged.
The young man stared into the eyes of the younger figure, searching for any hidden emotions but found nothing beyond sincerity.
Charan sensed that something was amiss from the spiritual aura, yet he couldn’t find a reason. Even when Khanin distanced himself and handed the box of pastries, there was a seemingly ordinary sentence that concealed a deeper meaning for the taller man to ponder.
“Sweets help relieve stress, you know… I’ll leave them for you.”
“….” Another person brought a box of pastries closer. Charan froze, as he realized the reason behind his feeling that Khanin was oddly adorable today.
The younger one seemed aware of his stress but chose not to intrude, maintaining a certain distance to provide comfort and ease.
Khanin is always like this… ever since he found out that he’s afraid of rain. He never wanted to discuss the issue that Sovereign-King called him to talk about, and until now, I’ve never seen him restless, never seen him nervous or restrained to the point of having to speak. Instead, he chooses to stay by my side to make him feel comfortable.
“Then I should go first.”
“Nin… I’m sorry.” His thick hand gently touched the younger man’s back. Charan felt guilty… partly because he didn’t want the younger one to misunderstand that he had secrets or wanted to keep things hidden all the time.
“I’m not angry, Phii.”
“Are you sure?” In the past, Charan was good at hiding emotions, but the truth was even deeper than that. No one around him really cared enough, and the young man chose to keep his problems to himself most of the time.
Because he had grown used to living alone. Charan had become like this.
“I like you. If you don’t care about me, then who should I care for?” The words came from someone whose heart was no different from the cold wind that blew to extinguish heat. Charan was aware that he wasn’t alone anymore, not like in the old days, because he had Khanin who cared and was ready to stand by him. These pairs of eyes assured him that he wouldn’t let him face all the problems alone.
“…”
“It’s okay. If you don’t want to tell me anything now, I will wait.” Khanin lowered his voice to make Charan feel at ease, and because of his actions, all of them, he finally decided to speak about the important matter.
This time, Charan decided to speak because he knew it wouldn’t affect Khanin’s state of mind as much as the choices in his life…
“I received a strange letter related to… the Sovereign King.” Charan didn’t want to hide anymore. He sighed a little before getting up and walking away, only to come back with a letter he had just received in the morning.
“What is it?”
“Try reading it.” The leader of the Phitakthewa family didn’t intend to explain anything further. He knew that if Khanin read the contents of this letter thoroughly, the younger one would be able to understand everything on his own.
Khanin didn’t ask anything else. Two-layered eyes avoided each other and swept across the entire text on the paper he had just received, just before his eyebrows twisted together.
The fact that every human being has both good and evil sides is a truth that Khanin doesn’t argue. But… if all the contents of this letter are true, Dhipabawon will fall into a treacherous and dark abyss.
Both the burdens from other cities and the connections to the secret of Charan’s mother’s death.
Thinking about this point, Khanin felt a strange uneasiness in his chest. He didn’t know Sovereign-King for long, but he appreciated and respected his bloodline. However, for Sor, the level of attachment was so great that it was difficult to explain.
With the person who had been raising him since he was little… it wasn’t strange to have family matters involved anymore.
“Are you okay?” His slender hand gently reached out to hold the warm hand, his worried gaze and speech asked for forgiveness. Khanin knew well that for Charan, the matter of his mother is the most fragile thing in his life, so it is not strange that Charan seems to take it more heavily every time.
“I want to prove it.” The tall figure owner didn’t think he could handle this matter without knowing what Khanin thought. Charan had a tense expression, and at this point, Khanin almost guessed what the person in front of him was going to do next.
“Are you going?” The location was clearly specified like that, so whoever it was shouldn’t be any different.
“Oh.”
“Because of this, I can’t sleep here, right?”
“Yes.”
“Can I come with you?” Khanin does not object to the request because he understands Charan’s feelings well, but he wants to let the other party go alone without reaching out or offering any help. He cannot accept it.
“It’s too dangerous, I…”
“No, I can agree to other things, but on this matter, I will not allow you to go alone completely.”
“No, I’m worried. What will I do if something happens to you, Nin?”
Charan’s voice became more intense, but Khanin himself felt the same way.
“What about me? Do I have no right to be worried about you like that?” The once heavy eyes of the young man welled up. Khanin glanced at Charan, his eyes indicating how much he was both scared and concerned about the person in front of him.
“…”
“If you go without me knowing your movements, would you be able to guess my feelings of waiting without knowing anything?”
“…” Charan couldn’t argue anymore because deep down, the young man understood Khanin’s feelings better than anyone, with his loved one… Concern cannot truly be forced.
“I don’t intend to forbid you, but can I come along? I won’t be a burden to you, I promise…”
“…”
“Consider it my plea. As someone who is deeply concerned about you, it’s okay for me to go.”
The capital city and urban area of Emmaly are larger than Khanin expected, and there are many places he has never visited and never thought he would be here.
The garbage disposal factory has a spacious area that includes a landfill area. Phitsakthewa City told them that Emmaly has three disposal sites, and ordinary townspeople have no reason to come here, and secondly, these places are not easily accessible.
The clock showed a little past midnight, and both Charan and Khanin were dressed in black from head to toe, parking their cars far away. From the designated meeting point, they had to walk in.
Khanin’s body was not weak; the young royal followed Charan closely without making a fuss, maybe because his body had been trained to endure.
“From here, let’s go side by side.” Charan did not know this place was special, but relying on his knowledge of the map and a previous visit long ago, the young man didn’t want to risk danger and chose to use the back door.
“Why is there no one guarding?” The young boy whispered the question as they looked like they could easily enter the open area inside the factory premises, and the tense atmosphere made both of them alert.
“Because it’s abandoned.” The Phitakthewa family leader calculated based on the probability. If the contents of the letter were true, then this incident happened no less than twenty years ago.
Just enough for people to ignore and not pay attention.
“Can we climb up there?” In front of Khanin was a moderately tall building; on the left side of the building was a steel door tightly shut, connected to a broken staircase. Charan used his lock-picking skills to open it.
However, because it was an unused area and not maintained, some sections of the staircase collapsed, requiring them to climb up using the help. According to the planned route, they had to hide on the rooftop in a location not far from the specified position in the letter, waiting until the time for the cargo transfer.
Khanin did not respond, but chose to show instead. Despite not being as skilled or smooth as Charan, a professional, he still did better than expected.
Charan supports and takes care of the young ones. He doesn’t want Khanin to feel burdened or inferior, so he only offers help when necessary.
At this point, the sky is dark. Charan and Khanin are hiding, waiting for a long time, but they haven’t seen any signs of life at this location.
The factory is closed, and there is no one here. The silence around them prevents Khanin from asking questions.
“If no one comes.”
“That would be better.” Yes… because if no one comes, Charan would suspect that all the messages in the letters were lies. And if that’s the case, nothing would be difficult.
The wristwatch shows one o’clock, and in less than thirty minutes, it will be time for their appointment. Charan checks the readiness of the long-range surveillance camera for recording and prepares himself. He also decides to have a final conversation with Narong’s people in case there are any mistakes in the plan.
Charan has a backup safe haven plan. If anything goes wrong, he will have a group of Phitakthewa’s men ready to take Khanin away from here immediately.
“That long-range surveillance camera…”
“It can record both images and videos.” Making it easier for the children to understand.
Khanin hesitates before finally gathering the courage to ask.
“Keep the evidence… and then what should we do?” If Dhipabawon is truly guilty, how will Charan react? Which path will he choose? Even if today reveals the truth, it won’t be easy to handle everything that has been destroyed.
They know exactly what they are facing.
“I… I don’t know yet.” The older one’s voice fades away, but there is no need to worry as seen from the young one’s determined face and wide eyes. However, regardless of the situation, Charan is a composed person with a wellplanned life. But this is the first time he shows hesitation.
“No matter what happens, I will be by your side.” Amidst the dark sky and moon, there is no other guiding light tonight. Khanin intertwines his fingers with the warm, firm hand, assuring him that he won’t go anywhere. The little finger lightly touches the palm, a cute gesture that has an impact on the tall one’s decision to find something.
“Thank you.” The words accompanied by a light touch of the tip of the nose against the darkened cheek of the younger one. They exchange a subtle smile, their hands tightly clasped, conveying warmth and passing on encouragement.
“Really… Uh. This can help.” Khanin seemed to have just come up with something, so he reached into his trousers’ pocket, took out something he liked to carry with him, and handed it to the older person, ending with a gentle smile.
It was caramel candy… Charan remembered that this was Khanin’s favorite brand, and they shared one each, letting the sweet taste help relieve the tension in their hearts.
Just five minutes left until half past one. The atmosphere around, which used to be quiet and intimate, now felt different. Both Charan and Khanin became alert when they heard the sound of a car engine grinding the road. A place that was once devoid of people now revealed a procession of no less than five vehicles entering in a row.
Khanin was shocked by what he had witnessed. It was true that he didn’t have a long-range binocular, but the current situation made it clear that the message in the letter was not a lie.
Several people descended from a medium-sized truck. They tightly secured the cargo and refused to reveal the goods they were carrying. They took turns loading onto the back of each truck.
If Charan’s guess was correct, three out of the five trucks must be transporting pearls, diamonds, and gemstones. The important reason being that the front and rear trucks did not go up to see what was happening like the middle three trucks did.
The delivery didn’t take as long as Charan had anticipated. Everything happened quickly and quietly, as if nothing had ever occurred at this location.
A gust of chilly wind blew against his skin. Khanin stroked his lips, pondering about everything that was on his mind.
‘Turn around.’ Charan put away his long-range binoculars and waited for a moment before signaling to the people beside him, who took an unnecessarily long time to walk back to the old path.
Khanin breathed slightly and used the back of his hand to wipe off the beads of sweat dripping from his forehead as he followed closely behind Charan to clear the way. The young man frowned and glanced sideways, catching sight of a Jeep parked not far away.
They were still within the factory grounds. Charan vividly remembered that there were no parked cars here initially.
If there were cars… there must be people.
The young man ceased his questioning look, but Charan noticed his unusual reaction and understood the situation. The side door was no longer safe; they had to switch to the contingency plan.
‘Can we climb the wall?’ A whispered question filled with concern.
Khanin paused without hesitation. He received some help from Charan at first but soon managed to climb up without leaving any traces.
The highest point of the wall was a reasonable distance from the ground, and the young royal managed to swallow his fear and follow without leaving any visible marks. He knew well what was about to happen.
Climbing up wasn’t so bad, but when he jumped down, that was a problem…
‘I’ll go down and wait. Just jump; don’t be afraid.’ The older one whispered to instill confidence. Then he jumped down first, and the sound of his footsteps resonated heavily as they landed on the grass beside the factory.
Khanin took a deep breath, undeterred and determined to follow the older man, even though it seemed luck wouldn’t favor them much when the things they worried about were about to happen.
‘What was that sound?’ The heavy sound of footsteps approaching from a nearby group indicated that they were getting closer. Khanin made the decision to jump, with Charan waiting below.
The thick hand of a young person reached out cautiously, and they both lowered themselves onto the grass before Charan signaled with a hand motion to let Khanin know that it was now crucial to keep the noise level to a minimum.
Within the tall wall, inside the factory, the sound of two sets of footsteps could be heard coming closer, no more than five meters away from their hiding spot. Soon, within this close range, there would be a small door that could serve as an exit.
If those people passed in time, it would be over…
‘Go check the narrow area.’
Khanin felt a dry throat and pounding in his chest, anxiously awaiting the command from one of the two prominent individuals.
“Understood, sir.” One person has already separated.
Khanin could guess Charan’s thoughts, as the latter pressed him down, not allowing any movement.
At this point, there were only dangers on the open running path. The best option seemed to be to hide and confront if the other side emerged. It appeared to be the best way out.
If there was only one person, Charan could handle it. Khanin was confident in that.
They were hiding behind a pile of wooden debris and old rusty barrels. The feeling of anxiety overwhelmed them, with both sides remaining silent to prepare for the decisive moment.
Khanin and Charan were certain that one of them would have to come out this way. The taller one pulled out the most important weapon, a small black concealed handgun, necessary for self-defense, which Young Royal had to take.
“Only shoot when there’s a clear opportunity, and if it’s not safe, retreat.
Phitakthewa’s men and guards will be waiting to take Nin.”
There’s no time for further deliberation. Khanin contained the turmoil that had disrupted him, making it impossible to dodge. His predictions hadn’t gone awry.
Charan gestured for Khanin to take cover and wait. His tall figure had to fight and go out to face one of the pursuing factory individuals. Flexibility on the lighted path was advantageous. However, the opponent’s skills were not to be underestimated.
Khanin looked at the gun in his hand, taking a moment to make a decision that was well within his capabilities. He had already trained in basic shooting.
The young man stood up, determined to leave his hiding place and help the tall man. He raised the small, concealed black weapon to aim at the adversaries. A flickering light in the factory hit his face, momentarily blinding the senses of Khanin, who seemed to be ignited.
The two-layered eyes retreated in vast horror, a pounding heart causing chest pain, a pale white face suddenly turning faint and bloodless. When he saw the truth, the person he was pointing the gun at right now, was the same person he still held hope for and longed to meet one day.
“Father…”
Tanattai…It’s really Tanattai.
“…”
Shouting echoed in the young, innocent face, while the flickering light hit, almost stopping the breath of onlookers. Tanattai halted with a punch that was about to hit someone else.
In the darkness, he could only see vague silhouettes until he saw the familiar face within arm’s reach. His eyes widened, letting both hands fall to his sides.
“Nin…”
So it’s really Khanin…
Tanattai immediately realized that the person they were fighting against couldn’t be anyone else, apart from the person he had entrusted to take care of Khanin.
“Charan…” The situation had both sides confused and bewildered. Tanattai was one of the few who had some remaining consciousness. He was a middleaged man, looking around, turning his head, obstructing the obscured gaze, and then led the person they had just encountered back to the safe area.
This area was on the side of the factory, surrounded by abandoned heavy machinery that had become trash. Trees with large branches grew around, suitable for hiding.
Tanattai, at one point, sent a message to his younger son, whom he willingly sent to find the intruder, in a different direction. Fortunately, the person trusted and relied on him, so he obeyed the command without any hesitation.
Amidst the silence, the three of them tried to gather their thoughts. Tanattai, and Khanin avoided making eye contact. Tanattai’s throat was dry, and his forehead was almost covered in sweat. Mixed emotions overwhelmed him because of the truth he had suspected from the beginning.
The candy wrapper… It fell by the wall and happened to be the same brand that he liked to buy for his virtuous son to eat. His past instincts assured him that it wouldn’t be sold or found in Emmaly unless ordered.
In his heart, he did not dare to think that Khanin would be the owner of the foil paper. Because if that were true, it would mean that the person he loved like a precious jewel was in a dangerous place.
Yet, deep down inside, he hoped that Khanin would be the owner. Even though he knew that the possibility was close to zero.
But it was because he longed to see his son’s face once again.
The cool breeze blew gently. Charan remained silent, his face filled with thoughtful contemplation, while Khanin breathed heavily, displaying his evident confusion.
“Nin…”
“Is it really you, father, is it?” A trembling whisper sounded beneath the fearful moonlight, revealing the figure of the lone young man trembling.
The eyes that once looked at each other with heartfelt admiration now filled with tears, and Khanin’s face was filled with confusion and numerous questions that needed answers but could only be expressed through sobbing.
“Yes.” Tanattai took a soft breath, easily accepting it after seeing the disappointed, confused, and incomprehensible gaze of his son. He feared that everything would turn into a dream.
“You are still here… Stable… Still safe.” Khanin let out a pitiful sob. Weak limbs slowly approached, reaching out to touch Tanattai’s arm gently, as if afraid that everything would slip away.
“Yes… I am still here… Still safe.” The middle-aged man gently patted the back of the pale hand, tapped gently to prove that he was still alive. He forced a smile onto the face of the young man who stood in front of him, causing the tears held back to fall downward.
The adorable face shed tears like a stream, and the bewildered look in Khanin’s eyes instantly vanished. Tanattai allowed Khanin to cry. As for Charan, who stood at a distance, he seemed to avoid witnessing this overwhelming sorrow.
“If you’re still alive… Then why… Why didn’t you ever contact me all this time?” The words were spoken softly, choked with tears, no different from drops of acid pouring onto the hearts of those who heard it.
“…”
“I… I went to wait for you at the third tree from the beginning. I stood there all night. I didn’t expect anything. I just wanted my father to come back and find me… But in the end, you never returned.”
“…” The middle-aged man swallowed countless words, unsure of how to explain it to the young and innocent listener. In the end, he could only let the other side vent their emotions.
“Father, do you know what I have been through? Father, do you know that I… is here alone? Why didn’t you come to find me? Can you tell me why?”
“…”
“If I hadn’t met his father here, we probably won’t see each other again, right?” Khanin sighed. In the young boy’s eyes, a mixture of sadness, anger, and disappointment was evident.
“I’m sorry, but Nin, you have to go back to your true family. You have a family waiting for you.” Tanattai knew that his words were hurtful, but it was the truth.
Khanin frowned. The person whom Tanattai loved seemed to be pulling his hand away, while Khanin took a step back, causing Tanattai to have to go after him, trying to explain what should have been, but the boy’s face turned away, as if refusing to accept what he said.
“Family? Is it really a true family… Even though I have only had you, father for twenty years, it’s not enough for you to be my father again, is it?”
“…”
“Father, you don’t think you’re important to me at all, do you?”
It’s probably because Tanattai chose to explain painful truths to the young boy rather than to let him hear them. The other party seemed to understand that.
But in reality, the middle-aged man dared not even open his mouth to deny that he was lost, that he didn’t dare speak of love… It was as if he was just someone who took care of the other party… There were many things that Khanin gained from all this.
Despite having no blood ties, no indication that they should stand by this child as a father, no rights in Khanin’s minimal self, the words of love given to him were never a lie.
“Nin you are important… Important to me, but Nin, you have to fulfill his duty, and in the meantime, I couldn’t contact you.”
“Duty… Responsibility? Yes. I joined the competition hoping that if you were still alive, you would see me on television. I thought that if you, father saw, you would quickly contact me, or if you were at least struggling, you would find a way to let me know and put him at ease.”
“…”
“And yet, you… father is still alive, still safe, but you don’t even think about contacting me even a little… Don’t even think about doing anything.”
“…”
“Because this reckless competition is what made you father like this, even though I trusted you all along.” The sentence ended with a whimper that pained the heart.
“I’m sorry…”
“Why do you do this? Don’t you know how much I am hurt? How much I am saddened every time I think of you, father… I was hoping. I was still hoping….” Because of that hope, it made Khanin feel intense pain.
“…” Tanattai was able to avoid eye contact.
Khanin broke down and collapsed, causing Charan to no longer bear watching. The young man stepped forward, reached out and embraced the small trembling hands, trying to soothe the emotions of the young boy little by little.
“Father, it’s like you raised me as a tool for them to advance, you intend to send me back to them already, right? Father intended it to be like this, while we were together. I mean nothing to you, father, right…”
“I’m sorry.” Tanattai repeated his words, echoing softly. The eyes of the middle-aged man glowed with warmth, his heart clenched and ached so much that he couldn’t find words to explain.
“Did you ever love me, father? Didn’t father you love me like Nin loved you, father? Didn’t you see me as your child… didn’t… like I saw you as my father?” Khanin wept as if his heart had been ripped apart. Although his voice was low and hoarse, deep within the flow of his voice, it was filled with overwhelming pain.
Tanattai’s heart was almost breaking apart. What Khanin said was not true.
He never thought of the other side as a tool, not even once…
The one he watched over, this child, every second was filled with love. He once vowed to give his every breath to Atsawathewathin, but when he started taking care of Khanin, it turned out that he was handing over the entirety of his heart to this child without conditions.
Khanin is the person he wants to protect and keep safe.
“Not like that, Nin… Nin, listen to me.” Tanattai wanted to correct the misunderstanding, a middle-aged man extended his hand to him, but Khanin didn’t walk back to him like he used to as a child.
Every time he extended his hand, the child would always run into his open arms. Khanin is a child who is easily understood. Despite being stubborn at times, has there ever been a time when they stayed angry at each other for long? But this time, the child stood still, letting the tears flow, and didn’t come back to him like before.
Oh… ugh.”
“Nin… if I stayed still with you, you wouldn’t be safe. If I had gone to see you, we might not be together anymore.” When the child didn’t come, Tanattai had to fix things by going to see the child himself.
“Not safe? Not safe from what…” Khanin wiped his tears, rejecting the explanation that didn’t seem reasonable.
Tanattai heard that question and his eyes welled up, the concern that he used to only observe the child from a distance since the day he stepped on Emmaly’s soil suddenly washed over his heart, engulfing him in sorrow.
“From someone who wants to kill me…”
“Who?”
“I don’t know, don’t know who holds a grudge against me. I have to be here to see how the situation develops, to keep you safe.”
“Safe… then you believe that if I am not living with you then I will be safe?”
“Yes, and now Nin you are safe.” Tanattai looked at Khanin and smiled with teary eyes. “I have been watching over you all this time, since the day you declared yourself, every news related to you, but I couldn’t make contact.”
“…”
“I am worried, but Nin, you are being taken care of here. If you stay with Atsawathewathin, you will be safe and after the competition. Once the competition is over, I can go see you, Nin.” Tanattai doesn’t really know who wants to kill him without any information in his mind, he is just here to follow orders and wait.
For the safety of Khanin, he must not come face to face. Even though he wants to see him so badly, it’s for the best.
And how can you be confident that I will be safe? Who told you thatI am safe? Who instructed you to wait? Father, you have to tell me, say who he is.” Khanin stopped crying, stifled a sob with his hands wiping away the tears.
Tanattai’s certainty makes Khanin feel that there is something strange, the information that resembles a jigsaw puzzle doesn’t fit together at all.
Even though his brain is not ready for processing, Khanin can see that Tanattai is not lying. He knows that Father is confused, sad, and heartbroken about what has happened, and the other side doesn’t feel any different from him.
In the deep gaze of the father who used to be full of happiness, there is still a hint of fear when talking about the danger that could happen to him. At the same time, Tanattai looks confident that he will be safe under the care of Atsawathewathin.
But who is it that gives Tanattai the confidence? Who is it that says he will be safe if we don’t meet…
“I am trying to take care of myself, so that we can meet one day.” Tanattai is never afraid to die, his past life as a skilled adventurer was full of ups and downs, but now this middle-aged man has changed.
“…”
“Important, I don’t want to burden you Nin, making you more confused, you have to understand…”
“I don’t know who told you that the Young Prince is safe, but what I can tell you is that information is not true.” Charan’s words interrupted Tanattai’s train of thought.
“What does that mean? Are there still people targeting the child? Khun Charan… explain.”
“Not long ago, we were still being targeted. I remember. Because there was someone I dealt with before they came after Nin and entered Emmaly, they showed up at the place of the incident… at Jirat’s house.”
What is it, Phii Ran, what does it mean, those guys? When did they show up?” Now it’s Khanin himself who turned to the person next to him with confusion.
The new information received caused the young man’s mind to connect the beginning and the end, but it did not align well with his chaotic mind, only allowing fleeting images to form in his past.
“I saw a man walking hurriedly. Just by seeing his posture, I remembered, so I asked Vetis to trace him. Besides that, there are many other things that have not been told, I still don’t have clear information, the time I encountered them when we arrived at Emmaly… at the train station, one of them that we apprehended used poison to kill themselves first.”
“Using poison to kill themselves? How did they do it, Khun Charan, by putting it in their teeth or drinking poison in front of you?” Tanattai’s voice filled with sadness, while the story deviated from what he had heard before, the main point being related to Khanin’s safety.
“It was hidden in their teeth. When interrogated, one person grabbed the opportunity to bite the capsule in their tooth.” Charan narrowed his eyes, his concern for Khanin’s matter causing the happiness of the person once known as a legend to disappear, Tanattai’s question clearly pointed out that the other party was familiar with these methods.
“Using poison to kill themselves in this day and age is illegal, but in the past, the state’s guards had customs of using this method to make their lords’ secrets die along with them.”
“…”
“But it hasn’t been used for a long time… almost forty years.”
“…”
“So the culprit must be someone close to a ruler in some city, and it must be an old person.” The conversation ended with Tanattai’s narration, and the surrounding voices seemed to quiet down in an instant, the idea of the culprit
being a ruler of some lineage silently emerged in Charan’s mind, but he still didn’t have clear evidence.
“If that’s the case…”
“Phii Tanattai… Phii! Are you around here?” A loud scream echoed from afar, causing the conversation to pause.
Tanattai turned in the direction of the sound before crouching down, walking cautiously through the grass, revealing one path.
“There’s no time, they’re coming. Both of you take this route about three hundred meters will meet a path that connects to a street. Crouch down. I’ll lure them away.” The middle-aged man hurriedly related to Charan.
Khanin lowered his head as Tanattai pressed his back and walked to meet once again, but he didn’t have time to leave the grass, the young man turned back to look at the person behind him. His two-layered gaze hid a deep sadness.
“Father…” In the blink of an eye, they embraced each other. Tanattai gently stroked the small head, soothingly uttering a few words to make Khanin sob out again, but this time it wasn’t from anguish.
“I love you, Nin, travel safely, take care of yourself, and then I will contact Khun Charan. Son , you need to keep focusing on competing… Once done, I promised to go see you.”
“I will wait… Dad… I love you.” Khanin paused, with a wide smile, leaned back against the warm wall of mist for a moment before. With a heavy heart, he moved away from the embrace of his father, lowering himself and walking towards the twisted grass.
Charan watched the figure of the white-haired man. When he saw that Khanin hid behind a big bush, he turned and respectfully faced Tanattai once again. Despite having many unanswered questions, he chose to keep them to himself.
At this moment, he himself didn’t know who he could trust… There were no true friends or eternal enemies.
For Charan, he trusted no one except Khanin alone.
…
At the magical moment when Phitakthewa’s sky today revealed the stars more clearly than any other day, the night sky was adorned with sparkling constellations, as if precious gems were generously displayed for admiration.
The young royal stood on the balcony, looking out into the open, letting the cool breeze blow against his body as he raised his arms and embraced himself tightly.
His small hands rubbed against his arms lightly, feeling the chilling sensation that reminded him of getting used to Emmaly’s weather. He almost forgot how much he could withstand the cold when he was in London.
“Cover yourself, you might get sick.” The sound of a voice came louder, accompanied by the warmth of a large piece of cloth. Charan sent it to cover the small body, leaned back against it, and gestured for Khanin to divert his gaze from the constellation group.
“Thank you… Umm.” Khanin expressed his gratitude softly before leaning forward and letting the other party come closer to offer a gentle kiss, their lips lightly touching, delicately tasting the edge of the other’s lips, inviting warmth to blossom in their hearts.
The whirlwind of chaos seemed to calm down with a single touch as the young boy turned back to his beloved, his hands embraced around his slender neck, leaning down to offer a sweet kiss in return.
The young royal tilted his head, revealing slightly parted lips, inviting the other party to indulge to their heart’s content. Charan was captivated by the beautiful petals, seductively slipping his tongue in and playfully tasting.
Khanin closed his eyes, even in the moment when he was about to run out of breath, the older one finally relented and pressed a gentle kiss on the young man’s forehead, his tender and caring gaze causing a faint smile to appear on the adorable face.
“Feeling better?”
“What’s good… and suddenly you kiss.”
“I saw you, Nin was sad.”
“So you gave me a comforting kiss?”
“And do you feel better now?”
“Not yet… Still… Phii Ran hugged me a little.” When given the opportunity, they both hugged tightly. Khanin leaned his face against Nin’s wide chest, while the other party was wearing his favorite satin pajamas. So their flushed cheeks pressed against the firm, muscular chest as if nothing else mattered.
“Good boy.” Charan praised with a soft kiss on the young prince’s forehead, a touch that Khanin couldn’t feel. It was a strange gesture of warmth, even though they were close to each other, but it was an affectionate act that brought comfort.
“Today has been really tough…” the young prince sighed. They held each other tightly, letting go of all the exhaustion, exchanging warm breaths.
It was too much for them, both in terms of the matters in the letter and Khanin’s father…
“Are you still angry at him?”
“Angry… Sad, but also glad.” Even without mentioning names, they understood that this conversation was about someone.
Khanin was still angry at Tanattai, angry at his father for not keeping in touch, but when he heard the other party’s words, his anger softened. Because he wanted to preserve their lives until the day they could meet again, regardless of how angry he felt, but beyond that, it was a joy that they still had a chance to see each other…
Think positively. At least Tanattai is alright, still safe until he can meet you, right?” To some extent.
“But the place where father is… Can I really feel at ease there?” Khanin had no idea about his father’s involvement in the matter of transporting goods.
Now they were worried, with many things they wanted to know, thoughts of finding a way to ask the king about it, but their trust was shaken.
They didn’t know what was true, what was a lie, and perhaps everything they’ve been through was just deception. Every time they asked about their father, Sovereign-King would only say that the search was still ongoing.
The other party expressed his condolences for not finding his father, reassuring that he would do their best to bring peace, but when they finally met, his father today his confidence in Sovereign-King’s words shattered in many parts, on one hand, they didn’t want to doubt, but the overwhelming evidence they found shook their trust completely.
However, deep down, Khanin still left a small space to offer explanations to someone who was like family throughout these months; whether Dhipabawon had anything to do with the cargo fraud or not.
Nothing can be believed until there is clear evidence to support it.
“We have to keep this as a secret for now, and shouldn’t let anyone know that we met Tanattai. Do you understand the situation, Nin?”
“I understand…” The young prince let go of the hug. His dual-layered eyes glanced at the worried face of his beloved with no difference in concern.
He knows that Charan is not feeling well about something. Just like knowing that he shouldn’t tell anyone about what he encountered with Tanattai today. Even though there are many doubts swirling in his head, if he were to ask, the secret about Charan and him going to the waste disposal plant would have to be revealed.
Taking risks that are too dangerous in situations where no one can be trusted.
There’s another thing I need to know, Nin…” The tall man lingered for the incomplete sentence, and took a breath while Khanin asked.
“The story about the villain that you told dad while he was at the factory, is it true?”
“At Jae’s house, I noticed a man there, and he thought it must be the same person as the group that followed us to Thailand.”
“From the way he walks.” Khanin is quick-witted enough to follow Charan and keep up with everything that’s going on.
With a tense and serious face as he explains, “Well… I think it’s the same person, and probably the same group we first encountered in Emmaly… They probably haven’t given up.”
“The group from that one who died from poison?”
“Yes, it’s cyanide.” Because of a lingering point, Charan hasn’t let go of the investigation into cyanide yet, he’s still looking for it, persistently, in a place he wouldn’t think of.
“Ah… I have heard it from detective cartoons, I like watching them.” The young prince laughs and exhales when he thinks of his cherished friend, Thong, who loves detective cartoons from Asia wholeheartedly. But for just a moment, his cute face returns to being tense, “It’s a potent poison, probably rare. If someone dares to put it in their mouth like that, they must really love mischief.”
“…”
“But Phii Ran… You do not have anything like that, right?”
“No, as Tanattai said. No one does it anymore in this day and age, also… It’s a secret of the family.”
“Meaning…”
Only those who have cultivated their loyalty to the highest level know, and they must be old guardians.” Charan just thought of this after hearing Tanattai’s words, as if he might have read about these stories in the library of the palace, passed down from generation to generation.
The current leader of the Phitakthewa family is calm and composed. He wasn’t surprised by what Tanattai said. With some knowledge about the sacred ceremonies for those who have devoted themselves as loyal servants.
In the past, a person had to, “do something”, to get close to those in the royal family, to demonstrate virtue, but he didn’t know what that was.
These matters are kept solely for the knights who have devoted themselves as royal guardians. Charan is not privileged to know about these matters, because he only temporarily serves as the leader of the clan.
“If we investigate the trade of poisons… Can we find the source of production?”
“Finding it is not difficult, the issue is verifying the names of the actual buyers. I tried to have my people, including wizards, investigate, but it’s not easy.”
“…”
“The evidence gathered so far is not enough to point to anyone…”
“I think the person who wants to kill Nin is someone from the royal family, right?” The owner of the white-haired house pondered for a long time, and at first, Khanin wasn’t sure, sometimes it could be high-class individuals who wanted to overthrow the authority.
But the information about cyanide seems to narrow it down to a specific group of people. If it’s not the four major families in Emmaly, then these people wouldn’t be working for them.
“Yes… It must be someone who directly benefits from your death.”
“…”
Or it could be someone who would benefit if the Sovereign-King loses power…” Charan exhaled softly as if speaking to himself rather than engaging in a conversation with loved ones, his eyebrows furrowed slightly, and the atmosphere around them became even more tense.
“So, every family is suspicious, but I will pretend. I will watch over those people, no matter what happens, you will be in the notified place.”
“Ugh… I had intended for you to do that already.”
Because Khanin spoke of what he intended to do. Charan felt relieved when he realized that the other party understood and shared the same direction. “While I search for that person, Nin must take good care of himself. Now we know that the enemy is closer than we thought. So, don’t stay far from me, don’t go where I can’t see… I can’t protect you Nin.”
“Alright.”
“In just a few days, the competition will take place. We must be cautious and take good care of ourselves.” Thick hands gently stroked smooth cheeks, a tender gesture that elicits a smile from a loved one.
“Alright, I won’t stay far from your sight, won’t go anywhere… I promise.” Khanin raises his index finger in front of him. While the tension and stress remain evident, the smiles they share seem to be the only good thing amidst these turbulent circumstances.
“I’m very concerned about you, Nin… Do you realize that?” Charan pays no attention to the small outstretched index finger, but instead decides to embrace the whole body of his beloved, hugging him tightly and burying his face in the white neck, allowing the gentle scent of Khanin to soothe some of the restlessness.
“I know, I will take good care of myself.”
“Thank you.” Charan expresses his gratitude because Khanin promised to take good care of himself.
For him, at this moment… Khanin is the most important person in his life, the only person Charan will protect with his life.
Glowing eyes gaze upon a lovely face, and in a few hours, the first light of a new day will arrive, bringing with it many swirling thoughts to ponder.
The issue of the Sovereign-King is kept hidden, as is the case with Tanattai. What about the sinister secrets hidden under the surface, waiting to be revealed by someone willing to break free from Atsawathewathin’s grasp?
And it seems that person may have already succeeded, to a greater or lesser extent…
The disappointment from someone he once respected and admired has left the young man with a heartache akin to being cut by a sharp object. If the rumors were true…
The allegations that the Sovereign-King may be involved in his mother’s death… could also be true.
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