THENEXTPRINCE, Chapter 44: Broken.
“Because Khanin survived, your mother had to die…this is the truth.”
After the words of the Meenakarin ruler, the whole room fell into silence. Charan raised his eyes and froze, his body was still, and the hand holding the gun was still pointing at the slightly trembling speaker.
The small and thin hands twitched. Khanin thought of screaming at the person who was a respected uncle in the royal family. The boy guessed that this was the plan… It was another way of Waseen’s provocation, but the deep seated questions contradicted him.
When he swept his eyes and saw the horror on the old man’s face mixed with the panic of the person who used to be peaceful in Khanin’s mind, he felt both legs weaken.
The suffocating pressure spread throughout his body. Khanin looked back at Waseen to find a blind spot to support the lie, but the only thing he found was the truth.
The other side had no attitude of someone who was willing to lie just to survive, on the contrary, the person who should have been stable and calm in this situation had an angry tremble on their face.
“Why are you doing this… why?” The old man’s angry voice echoed, since he stepped into this royal palace, Khanin had never heard Dhipabawon speak to anyone with such a tone. This was the first time the boy saw someone who often had a smiling face out of control like this.
“Why am I doing this, because I want to see you all suffer and wither in front of me!” Waseen countered before bursting out into a loud laughter, his face that used to be a sweet smile distorted, and his laughter seemed to be mocking everyone present at this moment.
Khanin couldn’t figure out what he was thinking right now. The story in front of him was even bigger than he could control. Even with Charan… the leader of Meenakarin, he was stunned by the person he trusted the most, grinning and smiling.
The big figure gradually moved forward and stopped near the tip of Charan’s gun as if he was not afraid of being shot.
Khanin believes that if it were a normal time, Charan would have handled it without hesitation, but now… even just breathing is becoming difficult.
“…”
“I want you guys to suffer like my life, there’s nothing left… not even dignity and the person I loved!”
Screeching sound caused Charan to react, the grip on his gun tightening. However, his brain fails to command, contrary to his opponent. Waseen, on the other hand, still points his gun at the Sovereign King who stands not too far, not too close, seemingly undecided.
The warmth that sneaks into Khanin’s hand that slips into his pants amidst all the tension prompts him to take out his phone and call the latest emergency contact… Chakri.
The young man hopes that the other party will answer the call and bring others to join him. The situation ahead is not looking good. Here, Charan is the person he is most concerned with, seemingly the other party is being impacted by Waseen’s words to the extent that their happiness is almost nonexistent.
“Why are you doing this to me, even though I have always been good to you?” The voice of the most prestigious man in Emmaly is filled with anger. Waseen laughed and made faces as if he had heard a joke?
“You have been doing good to me? It feels like I’m the one doing all the work, picking up after Atsawathewathin and doing everything for everyone, even though they ride my city so hard that there’s nothing left. Is that what it means to be considered good?” The response stung with a sharp retort making Charan unable to aim at Waseen. He couldn’t help but feel like he was there but not there.
“You forgot to ask for help and now it seems like everything is failing because of Atsawathewathin.” The tension continued to escalate until someone who had been silent finally spoke up. Dhipabawon responded with a cool and collected tone, but there was no sign of the previous sense of relief.
“It’s because you tricked Meenakarin that we ended up trapped here! You’re a master manipulator who knows exactly how to make people feel miserable. You only offer help when it benefits you. If you don’t plan on holding every state in your hands, will my life become like this, even though I used to respect you? Love yourself, let yourself be the sun, but you never…” Waseen’s voice trailed off.
Khanin noticed a glint of revengeful resentment in the eyes of the opposite party.
“…”
“You’re the one who killed me, everything about me! Have you ever thought about who your orders hurt, who lost loved ones because of your greed… Have you ever thought to care about anyone but yourself?” At this moment, nobody could stop Waseen, whose explosive temper erupted in the midst of silence, even Dhipabawon himself couldn’t force himself to move.
“…”
The eyes overflowing with tears of someone who was filled with hatred looked towards the person they once considered superior. Waseen swallowed the lump in his throat before turning to look at Khanin, who was standing a little ways away.
“You know what, it’s me. I’m the one who wants to kill you.”
Khanin opens his wide eyes, takes a deep breath, then begins negotiating with the person in front of him with a cool head, with a flicker of vitality left that he has.
“What did I do to upset you? What did I do…we didn’t even know each other before.”
“Yes, you didn’t do anything wrong, but it was your grandfather who made me want to kill you.”
“…”
“He killed my wife.” The sentence that comes with a vengeance sparks the hairs on Khanin’s body. Dhipabawon remained silent, while Waseen vented out the suppression that had been in his heart for decades.
“…”
“Simply because she learned about Atsawathewathin’s smuggling goods from other cities and kept them, she was ordered to be killed… thrown into the muddy water with cement blocks, even though my child was inside her belly.” The heartbreaking words were accompanied by tears.
Khanin raised his hand to cover his mouth, unable to believe that someone he once respected would be so cruel and wicked.
“…”
“I want you to die, to make him feel the loss I have gone through. I thought it would remind him… but no, that cruel person didn’t care at all. He even took you to hide and killed three innocent people, just to reassure himself that
Atsawathewathin’s legacy will continue his evil deeds.”
“Stop talking!” Dhipabawon was about to shout at Waseen like a furious madman, but he was blocked by Waseen laughing heartily.
“Why? You can’t stand it anymore? What do you want me to say? I know everything, I know who you killed to allow your newborn child to survive until now. It’s time for you to know that the person who attacked you worked for me, but before… he was Atsawathewathin’s citizen, love you as much as I did but when his only son born a few months old was taken away and killed and then burned to conceal another child’s corpse, he decided that he would take revenge on all the Atsawathewathins.”
“…” Khanin was stunned by what he had heard before. The more he hears about the cruelty, the more he becomes shocked. He didn’t know what was true or false, but from Waseen’s expression, he could tell that the story was more than half true.
The feeling of despair was something that Khanin couldn’t avoid. The story he had heard made his heart clench, and Waseen’s words clearly stated that many innocent people died because of his existence.
Khanin seemed to be exhausted, and Charan, who was older, didn’t look much different. His chest rose and fell as he struggled to control himself.
“The person who took poison and committed suicide was the brother of the driver who died in that incident. He used to belong to Atsawathewathin, the older brother who worked in palace, but in the end, he was killed by Phitakthewa’s people on the orders of their boss, Phitakthewa, who belonged to Atsawathewathin, is treated like a dog on a leash…” Waseen revealed a sincere smile to all life that had to disappear from their family. From his beloved one.
That smile was sent to Charan, the person who held the gun to himself… it was filled with mockery, humiliation, and contempt.
“You know yourself, that you never want to reveal how capable you are, never want to accept your current Phitakthewa leader position, just want to keep it. Because you don’t want to be under anyone’s authority, don’t want to become like your mother. But now you are no different from us before. Being treated well by Dhipabawon made you feel more important.”
“…”
“Do you really not mind why only your mother was praised for that incident, and why does an old man like the planner Dhipabawon, treat you like a child born in the palace, like a Young Prince? You think he did it out of goodwill for you, right?” The words pierced the listeners’ hearts and
“Khanin… Charan, I didn’t intend for it to be like this.”
“Not intending for it to be like this means… you did things without intending for them to turn out like this, or you did everything without clear intentions? If you’re going to deny it, please make it clear that these things are not true.” Khanin’s shaky voice and the use of impersonal pronouns showed the distance between them, making Dhipabawon even more agitated.
“I’m sorry, but… but Khanin, you had to survive… I had no other choice.”
“I would rather die… then survive just to find out that I have to be someone’s tool.” Khanin thinks it’s better to let his life go as it should be, rather than realizing that he is the cause of someone’s pain.
The boy’s gaze followed the people affected by Dhipabawon’s actions, from the vengeful eyes of the man with deformed legs, to Waseen’s satisfied look as he exposed all the secrets of his own blood uncle, to Charan’s blank stare…
A vacant look that was so terrifyingly empty, even he might not be able to reach out and touch the heart of the other person.
“If my grandson dies… Atsawathewathin will have to…”
“Stop making excuses! Don’t say that you did it for someone else when you didn’t do it for Atsawathewathin, or for anyone else… the reason you did this is for yourself, and nothing else!” Khanin couldn’t hold back his tears any longer, hot tears streaming down his cheeks.
The true pain that Waseen felt today was palpable, and Khanin had already realized how heavy it was.
Some games take a long time to play if this was a long term game. He himself was just one piece in the board game that was meant for Grandfather to be on top of everyone, and he kept him to cover up his own evil deeds.
Family, loved ones, honor, or even life, nothing that Khanin had was gained by fair means, the happiness that once existed in the short amount of time, the joy of returning home and finding that there were still people in the family who cared for him.
It was nothing but a myth that his grandfather cared and looked after him, nothing was true at all.
Khanin himself had already realized how deep Waseen’s pain was.
The questioning that he had asked himself before, as to why the enemy would strike at this time, had already become clear to Khanin as to why Waseen had taken action now.
Because others would not have the right to come and go freely in the Royal Palace without an important ceremony. This was the only time that the other party could enter and exit without any rules governing them.
Waseen had planned everything, and the leader of Meenakarin wanted everything to end here, without any thought of competing for the throne whatsoever.
The only wanted thing of the other party was to make Dhipabawon suffer and become so desperate that he would want to eliminate them all, at this place, and leave them all dead.
Like a bomb ready to explode at any moment. Waseen did not want anyone to escape from this incident.
No one will be able to survive if they don’t make a decision of what to do right now.
“You think keeping others out of the palace is now necessary for your safety. I need to tell you something about. The bird’s nest I sent you to eat was poisoned, which made you sick and had to hurriedly organize the ceremony for the Sovereign King position. It’s because you trusted someone like me. Mr. Dhipabawon, you are just a stupid person, you are no smarter than anyone else.” Waseen desires satisfaction, and the leader Meenakarin still looks towards the old man who stands still, with Mr. Dhipabawon’s eyes shaking, his hands trembling as they come closer together until his body trembles.
Those who had thought they were smarter than anyone else had actually made a big mistake. Because they overlooked a small piece on the board game.
“Let’s finish this. Dhipabawon…” The words of the leader of the Meenakarin family trailed off as the situation suddenly flipped on its head. It was a split second decision that impacted the fate of four important individuals in the country.
Waseen signaled for the man with the limp who was holding the gun to give it back, while Khanin, gathering his last bit of consciousness, seized an opportunity and lunged at Waseen. He made a sudden decision and tackled Waseen to the ground, ordering Charan to turn the gun away from the man with the gun.
Bang!
The final showdown was imminent. Charan shot the gun out of the hand of the attacker and then aimed his gun at the man who had attacked Khanin. At the same time, several people emerged from their hiding places.
“Stop this, Your Majesty.”
“Father…”
“Hand over your weapon.” Tanattai, who had been waiting for the right moment, raised his gun and aimed it at Waseen.
Until now, the middle aged man had to wait for all of Waseen’s sins to be revealed and feared for Khanin’s safety.
“So you are all on the same page, that’s great. You dogs.” Waseen chuckled, causing him to flinch and appear unconscious. It made Khanin tremble and step back, but it was because he underestimated Waseen too much and missed his mark.”
“Ah!”
“Nin!”
“That’s enough! Drop the gun! If you don’t want Khanin to die!” The crazy man jumped up and unlocked Khanin’s chokehold before aiming a pistol at the boy’s head. Everything happened faster than Tanattai and Charan could react.
Khanin struggled, but Waseen showed no sign of being affected. Being forgotten, a rejected family, made them forget one important thing. However, even though he was underestimated, Waseen was still the ruler of the state, with the ability to fight like no one else could.
“I’m giving you a choice. This is your last chance.Either you will kill Dhipabawon…or I’ll kill Khanin, then you, and finally myself.” The negotiations only led to a heavier burden for Charan. He stood still, but his mind raced with anxiety. However, seeing Waseen holding the gun to the head of his beloved, Charan’s heart burned like being consumed by fire.
“I…will do it.”
There was no other option better than this. It was necessary for Charan to act to keep Khanin alive.
Tanattai’s throat was dry. The gun in his hand was almost useless now. If he dared to counterattack, it meant accepting the risk that could mean Khanin’s life.
“Good…aim at Dhipabawon.” Waseen grinned before issuing a final order that left those with no choice but to comply.
“No, Phii Ran…no, don’t do it!”
“Shut up!” Waseen tightened his grip around Khanin’s neck, but the small man didn’t pay any attention to the gun aimed at his head, and he looked back and forth, sending pleading glances toward his beloved.
He wasn’t worried about Dhipabawon, but he knew that if Charan decided to do what Waseen told him, it would help him survive for this time. After this was over, there was a chance for him to survive. Charan would have no different penalty than a convicted criminal who intentionally killed someone.
Beautiful eyes welled with teardrops. They stared at each other before one unforgettable moment rose clearly and the pain in their hearts expanded like a toxic that had a purpose to endanger life.
“I…have always wondered why I was born. If not for me, others wouldn’t have to struggle and sacrifice themselves. You could have a life of your own, and my father could probably be living in the palace and living a life that everyone wants. I can’t even answer myself as to why I am still alive is a good thing, isn’t it?”
“…”
“It’s good that we’re still here…”
“…”
“It’s good that we met.”
Hot tears streamed down as Khanin winced, too afraid to ask Charan what had happened up until this point. Amidst them, the words “It’s good that we met” were used.
“I’m sorry… there’s nothing that I can do to make amends… everything
Waseen said was true… I apologize.”
No one knew if Dhipabawon’s apology was sincere or not, but the somber tone of his voice made the atmosphere even more tense. Dark eyes scanned those who he had nurtured with trembling hands.
Relationships, trust, respect, and love… are now shattered beyond repair. Charan gripped the gun in his hand so tightly that the overwhelming feeling in his chest almost made his brain explode.
“Come on, it’s time to take revenge for your mother, Charan, shoot him.”
Waseen’s words were no different than a poisonous venom in a garden. Charan acknowledged his humanity and wanted to let go of everything, to try following the desires in his heart.
Charan knew very well that he would have to face the consequences for his actions, but then again, is taking revenge really the highest thing in his life?
The tip of his hot finger moved to prepare the gun barrel, the moment of decision making was imminent, but the heartfelt pleas of some people made Charan rethink his actions.
“Phii Ran…”
“Young Prince, you have misunderstood, he will not choose the winning party. Even though by status, he is the guardian of Phitakthewa’s leader, I will not be standing up to any other family again…”
“…”
“Because the sun in my life, at… is only Young Prince Khanin.”
Some of the previously spoken sentences reverberated in his memory.
Charan regained his composure, bending his gaze towards the person who was like the sun in his life, they looked at each other… before the answer to Charan’s true desires was crystal clear.
It is not revenge that is the ultimate goal of life, but rather Charan’s aversion to making Khanin sad.
The image that reminded him of Waseen’s sweet victory in the final moments of Dhipabawon was confusing, allowing Khanin to sneak a peek at Charan, causing him to seize an opportunity to turn the tide.
“Ouch!” Khanin decided to twist the hand of the person behind him, causing Waseen’s pained voice to resonate, before the other side broke free of his grasp and violently turned Khanin away to another direction, causing the young man to break free from the control of the villain.
Bang!
A fleeting moment of chaos ensued as Dhipabawon dodged bullet while Charan reached Khanin, taking the young child and holding him safe, making a split second decision, they both fired their guns to send bullets flying towards the arm of the leader of the Meenakarin family to stop him.
Khanin looked at the red blood seeping out of the arm of the uncle-like figure. Suddenly, gunshots echoed in quick succession as Waseen aimed to shoot back the garden. This caused the leader of Meenakarin to fall to the ground.
Bang!
This time it was not the skill of Tanattai, but rather the skill of one of the new guards who had just entered the room in a hurry. The arrival of the support team led by Chakri and Tarin, the trusted butler and father immediately led to Khanin’s attention.
“Are you hurt anywhere… sorry for being late.”
“No… it’s okay. Just surprised.” Everything happened so quickly that Khanin felt like his brain couldn’t keep up with it. He was flipped over and his body was checked for injuries, but when the newcomer was sure that he was not injured, the faces of both men relaxed.
“Let’s leave this place first.” Prince Tarin spoke and turned to signal the guards to clear the area. One group dealt with the body of the enemy, while the other went to help the Sovereign King, who was sitting in a crouched position.
“Hold a meeting, declare the news in front of all the states, anyone who is associated with Waseen will receive all the punishment.” The Sovereign King’s voice called, causing everyone to turn and look. This time, Dhipabawon looked very angry, but when his gaze met Khanin’s group, he immediately looked away.
Khanin secretly looked at Tarin’s face, he saw his father also looked at the Sovereign King, but the other side’s coldness was only filled with disappointment, and there was no difference in Tanattai’s eyes.
It’s over… everything is over.
Even the feeling of respect and love has decayed without remaining.
Khanin’s eyes turned to Charan, the loved one’s gloomy face was quiet, but the narrowed eyes were full of different vibrations than before.
Charan must have many things to deal with, even himself also with it. Because today’s story is too heavy for anyone to bear, the truth is that Khanin is the cause of many people having to retreat from the person they love and cannot change.
He avoided life to the side, not to mention with the mother of the person he loved the most in his heart…
Khanin wanted to comfort him but couldn’t be brave enough to do what he said… he didn’t know what Charan had in mind.
Can they still love each other like before… Khanin could not know.
“Hey, be careful!” The voice of one of the guards called everyone back to the roots, but before they had time to sort out their thoughts, Waseen, who everyone thought did not have enough strength to stand up, suddenly collected his last bit of energy and lifted the gun he had hidden next to him to aim at the crouched Sovereign King and shot accurately.
Bang!
The crucial bullet flew through the air and hit Dhipabawon’s back precisely. The Sovereign King fell to the ground before he could stand, and the guards nearby rushed to catch him immediately.
“Father!” Tarin shouted while every bullet was aimed towards the leader of the Meenakarin Family.
Waseen smiled calmly. His eyes, filled with resentment and hatred, stared fiercely at the hated enemy.
His trembling hands lifted the gray gun and held it towards his temple, uttering his last words before Waseen decided to do the unexpected.
“…”
“And see you in hell, Your Majesty… Uncle.”
“Bang!”
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