The library was silent except for the soft rustle of pages turning. Kit sat at a long table, surrounded by open books and scattered notes. His brow was furrowed in concentration, eyes moving quickly over the ancient texts.

Since Kit had declared his intentions to take the trial as soon as possible, he had been scarce. Except their morning ritual of breakfast, coffee nad then morning ritual, Singto hasn't been able to see Krist for last four-five days.

Every time Singto sent for him, the maid came back with the answer that his grace was reading, in the library and had instructed them not to disturb him.

Singto, perplexed as to what has Kit's such undivided attention visited Kit himself. He entered the library, his footsteps soft on the polished floor.

Kit was hunched over a thick, old ancient tome which Singto realised was a memoir of one of  his ancestors.  Seeing Kit’s engrossed state, he approached, concern etched on his face. “Kit, what are you doing here at this hour?”

Kit barely looked up from his book, his voice tired but resolute. “Just trying to learn more about the curse. I figured it would be better if we knew everything we can before the trial.”

Singto’s expression shifted from concern to frustration. “So you’re trying to find a solution on your own?”

Kit finally looked up, a mix of exhaustion and determination in his eyes. “Yeah. I know you want to completely end the curse, not just control it. Since I was the one to insist we face trial on coming solar eclipse in fifteen days only; it is only fair that I put in the hours needed.  So, I’m doing my best to help us find a way.”

Singto pulled out a chair and sat down, his gaze steady. “Why are you doing this alone, Kit? Don’t you trust me?”

Kit’s face fell slightly, and he sighed. “It’s not about trust. I didn’t want to give you false hope. I didn’t want to make you think we had a chance when we might not.”

Singto’s eyes softened, though his tone remained firm. “Kit, didn't you say, we’re in this together. You don’t have to shoulder this alone. We need to share both the hope and the fear na...”

Kit’s shoulders slumped a bit, frustration mingling with his concern. “I know it’s supposed to be together, but I just didn’t want to be the one who let you down.”

Singto leaned forward, reaching out to touch Kit’s hand. “You’re not going to let me down. We’re facing this trial together, and that means every bit of hope and every moment of fear belongs to both of us. Don’t shut me out.”

Kit met Singto’s gaze, his eyes reflecting both vulnerability and determination. “Alright. I guess it’s just hard not to feel like I’m failing you.”

Singto shook his head, his voice gentle but insistent. “You’re not failing me. We’re in this as a team. This is not just your or mine test,Kit. One of us alone will never be able to pull the trail off. Whatever happens, we face it together.”

Kit gave a small, reluctant smile, leaning against Singto's thigh as he hugged Singto's waist, resting his head against Singto's stomach “ tired na phi Sing. "

Singto ruffled his hairs " serves you right for trying to pull it off alone. Where does it hurt? Do you need a massage? "

Kit nodded against Singto's stomach " My back is in four pieces, phi Sing. "

" Come on ...sit properly on the chair and lean back against the back rest, I will give you a quick massage "

Kit reclined against the chair; Singto started kneading the muscles on Krist's shoulders.
" Ah...quickie is great! " Krist moaned. Singto's fingers halted. " This is not a quickie .."

" massage is when I am lying on bed, and you are in a single rove with tons of oil working your magic...this is a quickie
.."

" Kit! " Singto warned

" Phi Sing! " Kit said in same tone " mate is always right. You should say— yes, my love, it is whatever you say it is."

Singto chuckled, accepting defeat " Yes Ai Oon, it is whatever you say it is."

Kit nodded his approval and relaxed once more...enjoying the royal treatment .
" Phi...Sing "

" Hmm..."

" I am awesome..I am King as my masseuse."

Singto smirked " Yes.. my love, it is whatever you say it is " he said in a sarcastic tine and Kit shoved him playfully " You are a tyrant ..Singto sucks "

" Not yet..." Singto informed " But when I will my love...I assure you It will be out of this world..."

Kit blushed, instantly curling up a little. " But you have had so many intimate encounters. .." Kit said doubtfully .

" I did have so many different people whom I had taken as plus one to formal events but I assure you there was not a single thing more to it. Just dining and going back home. "

" But , I thouht ...they talked about it..."

Singto nodded regretfully " I made sure they did. Especially infront of you...I wanted you to hate me. It was a requirement.

" I wanted to claw their eyes out..." Kit said, murderous.

" I know the feeling. I had same urges for your friend Mike Mimikesri ."

" He and I are just friends..."

" That cuddle — " Singto provided grinding his teeth.

" Aww...Phi Sing are you jealous ..."

" No " Singto looked ahead " It is not the royal way..I commanded his to nit make skin contact with you unless you were in mortal peril or emotionally exhausted. "

" That's creepy..." Kit scrunched his nose.

" some would find it romantic..."

" What? I don't want you but I will not let others have you too? " Kit questioned.

" Wanting you was never a problem Kit. Problem was what me wanting you will put you in. Has put you in..."

"Everything happens for a reason phi... whatever happened happened for good . I'm sure we will over come it.

" This curse is for good? " Singto questioned eyes blazing. " Your life is in mortal peril because I can't face this stupid trail alone...I also have to drag my innocent mate in to it. .it is for good? "

" I think we are in this situation because our moon goddess knows we can do it. We just have to be smart and keep out faith in her phi..or how would I have idea of searching about the curse? "

" It's common sense..." Singto grumbled.

" I had an intuition phi...to go the library and look at the books. And as soon as I did...I was attracted to these tomes. "

" be that as it may...You are banned from accessing these tomes, unless I accompany you.." Singto said gently .

" But you are busy na phi..."

" I will take out time..."

" Okay. I won't work on it alone ... " Kit nodded "We’ll keep searching, and we’ll face whatever comes together.”

Singto bent a little, wrapping his ark aound Kit's shoulder, he kissed his head “That’s the spirit. We’ll get through this. We’re stronger together.”

Kit leaned his head back to rest his on Singto’s shoulder, his voice barely a whisper. “Together.”

They stayed like that for a moment, the silence between them filled with the unspoken promise of support and solidarity. The weight of their shared struggle felt a little lighter, knowing they faced it side by side.

.......

For the upcoming days, with of them spent every free second in library, punching over the memories. But nothing of substance was found.

One such day, two days before the eclipse,  fate finally smiled on them.

Kit and Singto sat huddled over a stack of ancient texts and manuscripts. Hours of relentless research had yielded little until now, when Kit’s eyes caught a glimmer of hope in a worn, leather-bound memoir.

Kit’s fingers trembled as he turned the fragile pages, his heart pounding with anticipation. Singto watched him closely, his expression a mix of hope and apprehension. “What is it, Kit?” he asked softly.

Kit’s voice was breathless as he read aloud from a passage in the memoir. “ I think we found it. This is a memoir from a late king, King Prakrit. It mentions a potential solution to the curse.”

Singto leaned in, trying to make sense of the old script. “What does it say?”

Kit’s eyes were wide with a mix of excitement and disbelief. “It describes a way to break the curse through the mate’s courage and devotion.

The King thinks by offering his soul to the goddess  which rightfully belonged to his mate, King Prachaya had done a disservice to his mate. So the boon while granted him power, took away the mate bliss.

It is said that the soulmates are just one soul in two bodies, when they mate; the soul finds it's other half. But, King Prachaya offered it to the goddess; making his soul unstable thus unable to completely bear the strength of boon.

The boon became the bane and the balance would only be set when the mate will take back what was rightfully his. That is why each pair has to go through this test. He also thinks that every first born in this blood lime is incarnation of Prachaya ; being given a chance by moongoddess to right the wrong so his soul could finally rest in afterlife. "

" and their mates are reincarnation of perawat? Prachaya's mate? " Singto asked.

Kit nodded. " The writer thinks so.
He thinks;  while the  Apparently, the power was given to King Prachaya when he showed unparalleled bravery and dedication to his subjects. To break the curse, the mate must demonstrate the same qualities. He should be ready to pay whatever the price as Prachaya had been to save his subjects. ”

Singto’s eyebrows knitted together in concentration. “And how is this done?”

Kit continued reading, his voice steady despite the gravity of the words. “The memoir describes a specific ritual.
The only loophole through the curse is that—"

" The firstborn must die without siring an alpha. " Singto completed Kit's sentence.

" Yes" Kit told in a trembling voice "To achieve this, a pure silver dagger coated with wolfsbane is required. In the trial, the mate must plunge this dagger into the Alpha’s heart and wait until his light fades and his heartbeat ceases.”

Singto’s heart sank. “That’s... a heavy price.”

Kit nodded, his face pale. “It gets more complicated. After the Alpha’s death, the mate must...." Kit paused, swallowing , he mustered up the courage to speak out the next words "plunge the dagger " Kit couldn't speak out more...he sobbed " kill ...kill his mate then give the mating bite to revive him. The bite is meant to bring the Alpha back to life.”

Singto gathered his distraught mate in his arm " Easy Kit... my love.." he took a deep breath, trying to process the information.

When Krist calmed down a little ; Singto asked the question plaguing his mind.

“Have there been any attempts to use this method before?”

Kit flipped through more pages, his expression troubled. “Yes, there have been attempts. The memoir mentions that one trial failed because the mate was already pregnant with an alpha. The curse passed on to the offspring, and the attempt didn’t work.”

Singto’s jaw tightened. “And what about other attempts?”

Kit’s face grew even more somber. “Another attempt was made by you great-great-grandfather. He tried the ritual, but since they were already mated, when the Alpha died, the mate was overwhelmed by grief. He placed the mating bite too late, and since it wasn’t a new bond forming, the Alpha’s soul couldn’t be pulled back.”

Singto looked at Kit, determination in his eyes. “So what’s the conclusion? How do we make sure this works?”

Kit’s expression was resolute as he closed the book. “It seems it is as I said. All that happened , happaened for good phi. Our age gap. Your reluctance to claim me. All it was for the good. We aren't mated , or with a pup , we have high chances to sail through this."

Singto’s gaze was unwavering. “We need to ensure that the ritual is performed flawlessly. It’s not just about following the steps; it’s about demonstrating the courage and devotion that the curse demands. Looks like I will again have to ask from you, more than ypu can give. Will you perfprm kit, without wavering? ”

Kit's eyes teared up " I don't want to do it if I cannot help it phi. I can't hurt you..even the thought of the dagger is giving me nightmares." Kit wiped his tears with back of his hand " But, I will.  If this is the only way to free you of curse and have my happily ever after story I will do it."

Singto reached out, taking Kit’s hand in his. “I know how hard this is for you my love. Don't keep it bottled up; Talk to me."
That was the last straw because Kit broke down— shattering in Singto's arms —tears flowing like rivers through his eyes.

" If I ever meet the moon goddess ; I will sue her . Mark my words.."

Singto nodded, smiling to tears.

" This is not fair phi" Kit wailed " Why do we have to do this.."

Singto let him sob ugly, soaking his robes with tears " I hate this..."

" Me too, amore" Singto mumbled.

Kit squeezed Singto’s hand, a mix of fear and determination in his eyes. “We will not let the curse win. We will face it and end it."

Singto, though not fully confident, mustered up the courage for his mate " We will. "

The two of them sat in silence for hours. Holding each other tight as if someone will pull them apart right this moment.

They didn't know hoe much time had passed, but they broke apart only when Krist's stomach rumbked, hungry. Singto fixed him a quick meal and they retired to Singto's chamber, together.

For the next two days, Kit slept in Singto's bed, encasing Singto in his arms as if someone will snatch his happiness away. He could only sleep when Singto spooned him, and hummed a lullaby in his ears " Tao (tyrtle) , I am here. " He had to assure Kit again amd again.

.......
The night before the trial dawned and Kit was restless.. he couldn't sit or stand at one place.

Singto pulled him and made him sit on his lap " Weren't you the more confident one of us? " Singto asked " Should we postpone it to next solar eclipse Tao."

Kit shook his head and glared at Singto " You are not the one who has to plunge a silver dagger through his mate's heart."

Singto's eyes softened, understanding dawning upon him " It will work put Tao." Singto snaked an arm to cage him close.

Kit’s gaze was intense, filled with a mix of desire and frustration. “Phi Sing,” he said softly, “make me foreget alm this..please... make love to me phi Sing ...make me forget... I know we can't go all the way , we can't risk pregnancy but make me feel seen phi...make me feel wanted. ”

Singto’s heart sank. He wanted to honor Kit’s wish but also wanted their first night together to be something extraordinarily special. He took Kit’s hand gently, and placed on his heart— galloping as a rabbit in cage  “listen to it...feel it...do you still think desiring you is a problem Kit?"

" Then kiss me..." Krist fisted his hands in Singto's hairs..." off with this " he tugged at his outer robe. "

" Amore...I want our first time together to be perfect, a memory we can both cherish. I want it to be a celebration of us, not just a way to cope with fear.”

Kit’s eyes flared with frustration. “This is just pretty way of telling me to fuck off of you...So what, you don’t want me? Tell me to my face...You think I’m not attractive enough? Is that it?” His voice was edged with hurt.

Singto was taken aback, his heart aching at the misunderstanding. “No, Kit, that’s not it at all. It’s not about not finding you attractive. You’re everything to me, and I’m desperately trying to make our first night together something truly special.”

Kit’s expression hardened, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, I’m not good enough for you to desire tonight?”

“No, Kit, that’s not what I meant,” Singto said, his voice full of earnestness. “Let me show you.” He reached for a drawer in the nightstand and pulled out a small box. Opening it, he revealed a collection of items: a photograph of them laughing together— Kit was ten or eleven here, Kit's modeling portfolio, a dried rose enacts in a clear poly bag. A black paper with little red heart's over it and on it in big bold letter Wad written 'Fuck you Asshole' in kit's handwriting. There was Kit's graduation photo, a collage of all the cuttings of newspapers Kit's name was mentioned in.

A laminated cutting of Kit's first article for Singto Sucks campaign. Kit's picture in shorts, glaring daggers at him.

There was even a 'Singto Sucks' T-Shirt and a piece of Krist's blue gown that he wore recently as lady Barton to trespass royal grounds.

" There's something more..." Singto  took out a black T-shirt with a turtle printed on it in white colour, and below it was written ' #original kittykat . The T-Shirt looked old, worn in, as if it was regularly in use.

Kit’s eyes softened as he looked at the items, but his frustration still lingered. “What’s this supposed to prove?”

" That I am original kitten(krist's fandom name)...or yuyu if you like to call it. "

Kit’s anger began to ebb, replaced by a deep sadness. “What if you don’t come back? What if I never get to have that night with you?”

Singto’s face softened with love and determination. “I promise you, Kit, I will come back. I’m not going anywhere. We will have our night, just as we’ve dreamed. You have my word.”

Kit’s voice was filled with fear but he was too petulant to let it show. “You better come back alive and well, Alpha Singto. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll come back to me whole and ready to fulfill that promise.” he threatened , tip of nose red from all the crying.

Singto chuckled softly, drawing Kit into a tight embrace. “Yes, Your Grace,” he said, his tone gentle and affectionate. “I promise.”

Kit melted into Singto’s arms, his anger giving way to a deep, aching vulnerability. Singto kissed Kit tenderly, pouring all his hopes, fears, and desires into that one kiss. It was a kiss filled with the promise of a future together, the certainty of his love, and the deep longing to be with him completely.

As they held each other close, Kit whispered, “Phi Sing, don't leave me alone."

Singto stroked Kit’s hair, his voice soothing. “Never amoré. You are mine and I am yours ..”

They lay together in the dim light, wrapped in each other’s arms, finding comfort in their shared closeness. The night was filled with whispered reassurances and tender touches, their bond strengthening as they faced the uncertainty of the day to come.

As dawn of trial approached, signaling the beginning of the trial, Singto and Kit remained wrapped in their embrace, their hearts intertwined and their love a beacon of hope in the face of the challenges ahead.