It was first time in a week that Guss decided to have breakfast with everyone at the table. Even though, his father and the healer repeated that he hallucinated out of fear. Guss was sure there was a mature alpha wolf who tried to take swipe at him.

But the scent of wolf was unfamiliar, and he was no where to be seen a second later. Like he disappeared in to thin air.

" Guss...sit " Luna welcomed her son on the dinner table.

Guss looked at the new chubby kid sitting beside Arthit. " Who is he ? " Guss asked.

" My charge. Por made me Ai Kongpob's Khun Arak." Arthit said beaming.

" But who is he ? " Guss asked, looking at Kong from head to toe.

" He is uncle Kiet's son." Arthit provided, smiling.

Guss's nostrils flared, he glared at Arthit
" You are a prince, you should know how to conduct yourself. "

Arthit knitted his brows " But, I am sitting properly. "

" With a servant's son ? " Guss hissed.

Luna glared at his ten year old " apologize, now "

Guss lowered his eyes at the command.
" Sorry, he mumbled. "

Arthit looked at his brother " Phi if Moon goddess would have decided to not make you a prince, would you have not felt sad hearing those words you said? " Arthit asked.
Kongpob looked proudly at Arthit.
" But, moon goddess made me a prince, that means I am special. " Guss hissed in low voice.

" That means she gave you more responsibility. The King is just a guardian of the country, Princes are helping guardians " Arthit said.

" Don't take that nonsemse they teach in class..We are born to rule, brother" Guss said

" Guss, enough " Luna warned " I see you need extra lessons on respect, manners and etiquette and responsibilities. "

Guss shut up.
The breakfast was quickly turning in to a morose affair, until...

" Mae ! " Arthit made a disgusted face " You know , I don't like peas or bitter gourd, any gourd, or cabbage, carrot, radish, garlic— "

" Is there any vegetable you like oon ? " His mother asked , chuckling.

" They are yuck, mae" Arthit whined.

" Nomyen is yummy , no ? " Kong , who sat beside Arthit asked.

Arthit grinned. " Do you like Nomyen too ? "

Kong smiled while taking Arthit's glass of pinkmilk " You will only get this when you eat all that in your plate..." Kong pointed at the discarded vegetables.

" But, I don't like them..."

" They make a wolf strong ..."

" I don't like it ! " Arthit iterated , stubborn.

" And I don't like having a weak Khun Arak"

Arthit sighed, shoulder sagged in defeat
" Being Khun Arak is so hard mae."

His mother nodded in sympathy while beaming at Kongpob. " Nong Kongpob , eats all his vegetables na .."

Kong nodded solemnly, " It's because,  I am good kid. I don't want to make my por worry about me. " Luna ruffled Kongpob's hairs. Guss just angrily stared at the undeserving servant spawn trying to sit equivalent to a prince.

Arthit pouted at his mother " I am a good kid too ..." chuckling, Luna ruffled his hair too " Yes, my baby.." she said ," You are very good kid."

.........

The days passed like this. Arthit started doing all that he whined about earlier, without complain. Kong was always beside him, keeping him in line.

The King had assigned Kong too, to royal tutors. " Prepare the boy to be the advisor on diplomatic relations and warfare strategy. " he had said to the tutors.

Arthit was just happy to have Kong in almost all his lessons. Except royal etiquette lessons, they took all lessons together.

Arthit proved to have a natural talent for sword wielding and Kong was a voluntary and hard working partner, though not as adept as Arthit at the skill.
.....

Age 7

Kongpob was practicing the moves of basic self defense when he suddenly stopped punching the air and turned to Arthit.

" Arthit"

Arthit turned, grinned at Kong and replied in same pamting voice "Yes, Kongphob..."

Kong glared " Don't annoy me "

Arthit laughed out loud .

Kong sighed " You are annoying . I am changing my partner.."

" Hey! " Arthit ran and hugged Kongpob's waist " Sorry na ..." 

Kong shook his head " I don't even need to ask you ... I know what you will become when you grow up. "

" What ? "

" A tall, stupid alpha "

" You always keep calling me stupid. "

Kong didn't even turn back " Because, you always keep doing stupid stuff."

..............

Evening

Royal Gardens.

Kong stood at a corner, watching gardeners work their magic on the plants.

Arthit who had just finished his private session with tutor, ran straight towards Kong.

" What are you doing ? " Arthit asked.
" Watching them work."

" Why ? "

" I want to learn how they do it."

" You want to become a Gardner? " ARTHIT asked.

" No. I want to become a butler "

" Butler... i thought you wanted to become healer like my mae."

" No..." Kong shook his head, his jaws clenched " I will not ever become a healer "

Arthit knitted his brows, Kong was good at herbs and medicine but he has unknown problem with applying his skill
" Okay, Don't get angry. why butler ? " He asked.

" When anything goes amiss in palace , who do people go to ? "

" Uncle Kiet..." Arthit answered shrugging.

" That is what I want. People may not notice my por's presence but they definitely note his absence. I like taking care of people."

" Hmm..." Arthit nodded thoughtfully, three seconds later he clapped his hands excitedly " Hey, why wait until you grow up?  you can become butler right now."

" How? "

"Take care of me... become my butler"

" No, you are too much work. Besides, how will you pay me ? You don't have money. "

" I will sneak you ice cream and I will ask kitchen to make meat balls for you everyday. "

" Not enough."

Arthit's shoulder sagged " I will give you my own meatballs too and i will even share my nomyen with you."

Kong scrunched his nose " Nomyen is too sweet. I don't like it."

"I will pay you real money when i grow up. But i really want you to be my butler."

" Butler is for a house not a person. "

" Whose Butler is your por? "

" High Alpha Rojanapat's."

" See..." Arthit clapped " Butler is for a person. Your por is my por's butler, you become mine. Then we will be together forever and uncle kiet will not have to leave palace when he retires."

Kong nodded thoughtfully " I have some conditions.."

" Okay, i agree. "

Kong narrowed his eyes " I am not being your butler if you are like this. I don't want a stupid master."

" You keep calling me stupid. I told you not call me stupid."

" And I told you, I will stop calling you stupid when you stop being stupid. Who agrees before even listening to conditions ? "

" you are too smart..you become my advisor too.." Arthit retorted.

" You can't afford me even as a butler, so shut up."

" Fine...tell me your conditions.. "

" You will wake up every morning without whining. Eat all your vegetables without complaining .  You will keep all your toys at their place. You will hang your clothes neatly. Do all your assigned work— "

" Then what will you do ? "

" Tell you if you have done proper job or not. Am I your butler or maid ?"

" But, butlers are supposed to take care of everything, while being invisible —"

Kong raised a brow " They do all that for high alpha and luna because they have other duties. What duty do you have ? To eat tons of sugar and sleep like a sloth ?"

" And when I grow up and I have to do princely duties. Then, you will do my chores for me? ."

Kong pursed his lips " I will see on that day. Talk about present ."

"It feels like you are being my boss more than Butler ..."

Kong folded his hands on his chest and looked squarely at Arthit " I am that kind of Butler."

" But, Uncle Kiet — "

"   Do you want me as a butler or not ?"

" Fine... but you cannot go back and say you don't want to be my butler anymore."

" Okay. " Kong nodded.

.......

( Next day )
King's morning court.

Arthit dragged a reluctant Kongpob infront of the King.

" Your majesty " Arthit bowed deeply. Kong imitated, stumbling a little.

" Rise Prince Arthit, Nong Kongpob." King commanded.

The courtiers sat straight, eyes trained at the two pups infront of the King. They didn't know from where does their Prince learn these etiquette. He bowed from waist deep, like ancient times. Now a days, people only bent their neck a little as a bow to the royals.

Arthit stood straight, chest out, eyes levelled at his father, their King " I have an announcement to make, high alpha."

" What is it ? "

" Kongpob is my butler from today onwards — "

" Arthit! " High Alpha Rojanapat chided. " You can't force Nong Kongpob to do your chores, go to your classes — "

" Your majesty, Arthit " Kong bit his lips " Prince Arthit has not forced me. I want to become a butler when I grow up . So, Prince Arthit asked for my services as a way for me to hone my skills. "

" Yeah..." Arthit beamed " Kong agreed and I want to pay Kong salary, so I want a job too.."

" What job do you think you can do Prince Arthit ?." The king asked amused.

Arthit bit his lips, he hasn't thought that far. He looked helplessly at Kongpob.

"Khun Arthit likes and also excels in art of strategy making and warfare, he can help in the training of the younger pups, sire " Kong provided.

" Do you understand that he will not get paid until he learns the actual work and successfully wins the challenge for the rank of trainer, Nong Kongpob ? " King asked " It can take years for him to become a trainer. He cannot pay you for your services until then."

Kong nodded " The Prince has agreed to pay me with meatballs till then. He will give me his share of ice cream and meatballs until he can pay me in money."

" I said, I would sneak out extra for you — " Arthit whisper yelled.

" Do you think , I will eat stolen food , master Arthit ? " Kong glared.

Arthit bit his lips , " Fine. I will give you my food."

The courtiers giggled. It was a surprise that a wolf, an alpha at that, was ready to share his food with other wolf.

Alpha kids were notoriously territorial in childhoods, especially about their space, food and toys. As they grew up and go through teen phase,  they become able to sync between their animalistic instinct and human ethics. So, they learn to control their natural animalistic instincts.

" I have one more request father " Arthit made a face " I want blue and purple uniform for Kongpob with red sashes. Black is boring..."

" But everyone serving royal household wears black —," King commented, just to irk the pups.

Arthit's  eyes flashed yellow " Kongpob is not everyone, High Alpha. He is my charge. My friend. My butler. Kongpob is only  serving me and no one else..." horrified, Kong grabbed Arthit's shoulder, if the King's wolf took it as challenge, that would end up bad for Arthit.

It looked the prince calmed a little by the touch. Grabbing Arthit's nape, Kong bent him forcefully, to show submission.
Kicking Arthit's angle subtly, Kong hissed " Submit..."

"Forgive me father " Arthit uttered, " I want blue and purple for Kong to let people know he was my charge and in my service, under my protection and care. And also to find him easily in crowds. Best of all, because he looks good in that and these are all his favourite colours" by the end of the speech , Arthit calmed, yellow in his eyes receded.

King chuckled " And what if I were to order Kongpob in to my personal team— "

The yellow flared back, more intense
" My charge. My Butler" Arthit growled. " Mine "

The yellow started to seep in King's eyes too, Arthit stood unperturbed. Staring in to King's eyes.

Kongpob fearfully looked between father and son. No one seemed to calm down. The King's posture started stiffening by the seconds Arthit was keeping his aggressive posture, nails transformed to claws, King snarled in warning, his fangs visible.

Kong squeezed Arthit's hand, shaking from head to toe. Arthit's changing claws, dug in to Kongpob's palms, he bit his lips.

" Forgive me, my majesty " Kong showed his neck in submission, unknown to him, a sweet calming scent wafted in the halls, decimating the alpha testosterone permeating the air and soothing the raised hackles.

Before, anyone could understand anything, Kong dragged Arthit by the nape, straight out of the court hall.

Seeing no one was in hallway, grabbed one of Arthit's ears and twisted hard " Is this the way to talk to your King."

" owww...Kongpob ..hurts " Arthit whined, trying to jump away from Kongpob. " Why are you hurting me ? "

" I told you, you are not allowed to do stupid things and you went and challenged the King..."

" Sorry.. i didnt mean to ."

Kong narrowed his eyes at Arthit but started slowly rubbing Arthit's hurting ear to soothe his pain.

" Do you think his wolf will care what you meant when he took it up as challenge. Even you know not to stare aggressively in to an alphas eyes, much alone with wolf gaze. That's the first thing they taught us. you were even starting to transform. You have good control over your wolf. You dont even care when prince Guss's friends tease you for befriending me. So don't even lie, You were intentionally  challenging the King today..."

Arthit fiercely stared in to his friend's eyes " He said, he would take you away from me. "

" So ? " Kong shrugged " I am a servant born and an omega Arthit, I will end up working in some noble household. "

" Mine..." Arthit growled, claws starting to replace the nails in his hands. " You will work for me, in my household."

Kong delivered a sound smack to Arthit's forehead that made Arthit retract his claws  " Don't pull that on me, unless you want me to beat you to a pulp. "

" I can't control it. "

" If you want me to work for you, you will control it. "

" But , what did I even do ? "

" If you turn in to a wolf and then said the same shit, it would have been an alpha command ,stupid face! " Kong yelled " You are a royal, your command would bind me . " (because Arthit has a mature wolf , his command would be as effective as any adult prince, only can be cancelled by ruling alpha)

Arthit scratched his nape, he forgot about his wolf being fully mature " Sorry " he said

Kong turned to Arthit , glaring "The day you alpha command me, I will never see your face again. "

" I am sorry. " Arthit held the lobes of his ears with his fingers and started doing sit ups.

" Stop " Kong glared. " If someone sees you like this. Do you think they will respect you as alpha Prince. "

" Does Alpha not say sorry when they do mistake ?"

" Not all do.."

" I do... I am a good alpha na"

Kong remained silent , then suddenly he hugged Arthit " Do you feel happy now ? " He asked.

Arthit closed his eyes in bliss " Yeah. My anger decreased. I am feeling happy."

Kong hummed " I noticed that."

" How about you hug me everyday, so I will not be angry. And not do stupid thing. "

Kong made a face " I don't like hugging."

" 5 minutes na khrap..."

" Fine..." Kong tightened his arms around Arthit. " only to stop your stupidness "

" I am very stupid . How about half an hour in a day."

" Weren't you complaining that I keep calling you stupid ? "

" Then, I didn't know you would hug me for it." Arthit replied grinning " Your hugs makes me very happy. Now, I accept I am very stupid, most stupid wolf on the earth! "

Kong frowned " Don't be annoying." But he tightened his hug to make the alpha Prince feel more happy.

Sometimes he doesn't understand if he was Arthit's charge or Arthit was his.

....................

A/N : Let the river of comments flow... your comments make me understand my characters more, understand what parts are more realistic and appealing in the story.
Help me understand different perspectives, many a times inspire a mew scene, also motivate me to keep going and write fast ...

So, if you like to comment ... go wild 😜