Here is the next chapter, hope you'll like it... Sorry for any typos... Have fun reading it

The song is You are my garden by Jung Eun Ji (Strong Woman Do Bong Soo OST)

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Today, Kongpob woke up early in the morning due to an event that would take place soon. As the Emperor he had to always wake up in the morning that he always became accustomated to have a short sleep but long working hours. But today was special. He wasn't angry that he had to woke up earlier neither found today's event as a duty as the Emperor. He was more than excited that the day finally arrived. There was only one reason why he would feel joy in this cold palace filled with his enemies. The reason would always be his warm Arthit. Today was the only free day in the whole year he could spent for himself. A rare occassion. Instead of spending the precious time for himself, he decided to have a memorable day with Arthit. A beautiful memory they would always remember. A beautiful memory to cover up the sadness that overwhelmed Arthit as soon as he arrived in Siam.

Because he confined his man in the palace too and couldn't visit him for days, he planed to surprise him by taking him outside and having fun with him. For this simple surprise, he had to prepare for it for a whole week now. There were some preparation that needed to be done like securing the street, taking care of the local criminals and some half smart enemies who were waiting for an opportunity to kill him.

After listening to the reason why the Emperor visited him in this morning, the young male concubine sprinted in his chamber to change in casual clothes. He didn't need to cosplay as a maid today since he was leaving with the Emperor after all. This time he had to look like a rich noble which sponsor, Kongpob, could provide everything for him. With Maprang's help, he found a fine cloth matching to the ruler's, making him look like a rich noble. Together with the head eunuch, two guards who were Prem and Knott and also Maprang, they left the palace by foot. Maprang, the only woman between them, didn't have to play the role as the guard today but as the gentle maid. With her beside them, they wouldn't look too suspiscious either. Because Kongpob wanted to show Siam to his beloved one, he decided to stroll in the market for a few hours before showing him the other beautiful side of his home.

Of course they didn't come far due to the pregnant man wanting every sweets and delicious looking food he found that took his liking. Kongpob who was known as strict, couldn't reject the beautiful puppy looks Arthit gave him whenever he wanted something from him. Arthit, without having mercy on the Emperor's health, grabbed at the taller one's and pulled him to a food stall. The saleswoman selling steamed buns recognized Arthit. She was the very woman who eagerly wished him the best for his future with Maprang as he left the palace for the first time without Kongpob's knowledge.

She smiled as soon as she saw him running to her side. „If this isn't the cute young man who almost emptied my sweet buns last time...", she laughed. „Where did you go that I didn't hear anything about you again?"

He scratched his nose, feeling embarrassed the moment he remembered the reason why he didn't visit her after a long time. The last time he came here, he brought himself and Maprang in danger by being caught by the slave hunters. Only Kongpob could rescue him that time. It was an experience he learned a lesson from. Ever since then he wasn't allowed to step out of his palace anymore. One could say, he was confined there for his own sake. He looked from the corner of his eyes to the taller man standing next to him. The latter had his attention on him, his eyes hiding the anger residing in him. Apparantly, he didn't forget the fear Arthit teached him by leaving the palace unguarded only to be caught in danger. Even Kong learned his lesson that he shouldn't give too much freedom to his man or he would regret it later.

Arthit, as if he didn't caught the Emperor's gaze on him, faced the saleswoman again. Both of them laughed, reminiscing about their first meeting that took place not long ago. Their sweet laughter filled the air, they were now the attraction some pedestrians and salesmen had their eyes on. Some of the saleswomen were rolling their eyes at the lucky woman who managed to catch such handsome and rich noblemen as clients. Arthit was discussing with the friendly woman, trying to find a believable reply to her question why she didn't see him that day again as if he vanished off the face of the earth. He was busy finding a lie that he forgot Kongpob beside him. The woman mustered at the tall man who was shining so much brightness that she almost lost her eyesight. The aura circling him, meant two things: A mysterious but strong man nobody should mess with. Second, he was a man with much wealth. However, something else caught her attention too. It wasn't just his clothes that made him look rich or the mystery he was sending in every direction but his handsome face. A man of a caliber she never saw before. Wise, strict, perfect and always reasonable. A kind of man hard to approach. But how come such an eye candy like him slipped through her in so many years while working her? How come he let the cute man next to him even thought he hardly let someone approach him?

As she swayed her eyes aside, she recognized Maprang. If she remembered right, she was the woman she saw last time nexto to the young man, his pregnant wife. „...How are you?", she looked down at her tummy but didn't find a bump there. Maybe she wasn't that far with her pregnancy. „How is the baby?"

Arthit froze on the spot upon hearing her asking about the pregnancy. He slowly took his eyes from the food, turning to the saleswoman. He gulped hard, wanting to stop her from making a mistake by stating that Maprang was his wife. Before he could stop her, she already did the mistake.

„Why aren't you beside your husband but standing behind him today?", her smile seemed innocent while asking the question. She was too innocent for Arthit to be angry at her, this was Arthit's thought at the moment.

Maprang gulped hard, her stomach twisting in a wicked way. She felt dizzy, danger forming in front of her. Even if she would deny it, the damage was already done. She managed to fall into the cold Emperor's bad side. How unlucky she could get as that. Kongpob didn't react but was losing his patient, asking himself if he did hear her wrong or not. Even the whole guards gang were in panic, fearing their Emperor to lose his composure soon. They pitied Maprang for ever daring to declare herself as Arthit's wife while knowing that the Emperor wold punish whoever touched the love of his life, either with good or bad intention. Arthit was trembling, the steamed bun he wanted to take a bit of, fell down.

„What are you talking about? I never said that she was my wife...", Arthit had to improvise if he didn't want Maprang to cry later due to her falling to Kongpob's bad side. If he wanted to save himsef too then he had to turn the situation to his favour and explain everything before it was too late. He sighed, even an excuse wouldn't save him anymore, maybe only Maprang would benefit from the explanation. Tonight, he would have to make it up for Kong to calm him down. Again! His butt already hurted upon imagining the punishment he would have to suffer tonight.

As if she was sent by the devil to scare Arthit, the salewoman denied the lie. She swore that he introduced Maprang as his wife who was pregnant with his child. The shorter one had a happy smile on his face, it was a smile filled with anxiety.

Arthit grabbed at Kongpob's hand, intertwining their fingers. „No, you heard me wrong... He's the man I want beside me... The man I love so much", he had to tell the sweet truth to come out clean. To make it even better, he closed the small gap between Kongpob and him, leaning on the taller man's arm, acting all kind of sweet.

The saleswoman was speechless, falling deep in thought, apparantly she didn't understand the story yet. Who is who's man? After thinking for a second, her eyes widened in shock. The cute young wasn't married to the Maprang but to the handsome and fierce looking young man next to him. How... How could it be? Does something like this even exit? She gazed at the 2 men in front of her, couldn't take her eyes from them for a moment. Two... men? How will they do it at night? She was curious to the bone that she wanted to ask them about how they even spent the night together. I mean, how can they have sex? The woman wasn't innocent like Arthit suggested, seeing how interested she was in their private lives. If they didn't seem rich nobles who would punish her for asking such question, she wouldn't hold back with her curiosity.

However, Arthit wanted to run away to save himself from digging deeper into his own grave but he craved for her sweet buns too. He took a few of the foods, gave too much money and didn't even wait for the change before pulling Kongpob forward to leave her. Apparantly he swore to himself not to come here again with Kongpob as his company or it would only make problem for him. Oak patted on Maprang to give her some strength that he would be there for her in such bad situation. Her gloomy but aso scared expression exposed to everyone to see.

„I'll miss you... It was nice to meet you", Knott mumbled away, not wanting her to hear her but failed to achieve his intention.

„It wasn't even my fault... It was his idea in the beginning...", Maprang mumbled, she was depressive about the upcoming dark eyes that would observe her from now on. She hide her face, burrying it in her palms. It was a pitiful state the three men beside her couldn't ignore.

Arthit just played his trump card to run away from the situation but it wasn't easy for him to ignore the dark storm brewing beside him, sending threat in his direction. Kongpob was calm but he was already imagining the various kind of foreplay he would use on Arthit this night. Of course he would use this bad luck of Arthit to take advantage of him and please himself. Even though he wasn't laughing, Arthit could hear his scary sounding evil laughter. It was a disturbing sound, he covered his ears to escape the evil laughter. Kongpob had his attention on his man the whole time, he realized the shorter man having a big issue fighting his own phantasy. It was a cute sight for him, his lips curved upward, revealing a faint smile.

After walking for a while and showing the beautiful and interesting shighseeings of Siam. Some sightseeing were far away and couldn't be reached by foot so they rode there. Now they took the horses to continue their journey, riding somewhere unknown to Arthit. Kongpob was riding on his dark horse Ma, holding one arm tightly around Arthit who sat in front of him on the horse. Since they had to take a turn now, the taller one wrapped his arm strongly onto Arthit's stomach without hurting their unborn baby who was forming there. The other hand was holding on the rope around the horse to steady themselves. As soon as they reached their destination, Arthit's eyes were sparkling in surprise, he couldn't speak in amazement. They were on a wide meadow where the end of the green grasses couldn't be seen either. In the middle, not far away from them, there was a red blanket laid on the ground, it was beautifully decorated with some clay pots with their lids covered over them to hide the content in them. Maybe it was food? The sun shining above them made the place sparkle a special warmth and romantic atmosphere that couldn't be fulfilled in the palace.

Apparantly it was a place only reserved for Kongpob and Arthit. In last time, they had only encountered obstacles like assassins, slave hunters and the Emperor dowager who made their lives into living hell. Besides Arthit nearly died due to the pregnancy. They didn't spent much time with each other either. Because Kongpob wanted to take his fear and sorrows away, he brought Arthit here to rest before returning to the cold palace. It looked like it didn't take him much to prepare the surprise since he, the Emperor, just needed to snap on his finger to order his subordinates to take care of such event for him. On the contrary, he had to be careful about the selection of the subordinates he could use enough to prepare the surprise for him. The only persons he could trust were his close servants, Maprang, Bright, Knott, Prem, Oak, Tew, Aim and Toota. Unfortunately those few persons were the only one who plegded their loyalty to him. He only sent Maprang, Bright, Prem and Aim here to take care of that matter. She was responsible for the food and the guards for securing the safety of this region.

For an Emperor who should be well reserved and never show his emtoion all the time, he nearly racked his brain for such trivial matter since he wanted it to make it perfect for Arthit. According to Kongpob, this place should make him feel like home, a warm and welcomed feeling within a family.

Arthit had his eyes briefly on Kongpob, his eyes were still shining due to the surprise he didn't expect. He returned his gaze on the well decorated place. Kongpob jumped down on the horse, reaching his hand out of his man to grab at him. Arthit, still impressed for the little effort, didn't see the helpful hand yet. For outside world, it would look like a little effort but for Arthit, it was more than that. It was the moment one of his wishes came true. He wanted to spent a calm day with Kongpob, enjoying their togetherness to feel free from all the dangers circulating around them. He wished to be only commoners who could live without fearing for their lives. Today was the day he could get the feeling of freedom again. Tears filled his eyes but he restrained them. Even if they were tears of joy, today was a happy day and he shouldn't lose tears for it. It would be waste of his happiness.

Arthit finally turned to look at Kongpob whereupon he realized the hand stretched out to him. He laid his hand on the taller man's palm, the latter wrapped his hand in his then helped him to get down. Arthit gracefully landed on the ground with the support of his man. Both of them were staring in each other's eyes, impressed about the oppossite, Kong amazed about Arthit's sweetness, gentlessness and pure love that overwhelmed him also sweeten his life every day. Arthit impressed about Kong's strength, braveness, determination and desire to monopolize him. Both of them were sending romantic vibes around them, trying to show off that they were together and nobody would ever tear them apart. They were sending vibes to make their surroundings jealous of their relationship. The guards turned away to avoid their sweet times. Maprang was blushing, the romantic atmosphere was too strong, of course she felt happiness for her beloved prince.

Oak, the guards and Maprang took another direction to give them privacy to spent sweet time together. Meanwhile Kongpob brought Arthit to the special place he preapred for him. They sat on the ground, facing each other. The Emperor took the lids from the pots, revealing the various kind of food they prepared. Arthit was stunned, he recognized the food immediately. They were Burma's delicacy, Lahpet Thoke (Tealeaf salat), dried Naan (flatbread), Samosa (dumplings), Pazun Yao Chao (shrimps curry), Nga Sipyan and not to forget Mohinga, the national dish. The drink was cuppa tea and some fruits like mango and papaya were there to freshen their thirst.

His highness opened his mouth to say something but couldn't find the right words to describe the overwhelming feeling taking over him. Kongpob took the iniative to ask him if he could still eat after munching many sweets in the market earlier but Arthit shut him up by placing his lips on his, suddenly kissing him passionately. Because he wasn't prepared for the kiss, he couldn't involve himself but just kept his eyes open to accept the kiss. Arthit didn't break the kiss yet, he sucked on the Emperor's thin lips, sucking every warmth out of him. He broke the passionate touch after stealing a kiss from the Emperor's lips. It was a gift to thank him for putting much effort to make him happy.

As if reading his mind, Arthit muttered, „It's from my home, Burma... Don't worry, I'll eat everything... Besides", he stroked on his stomach, more like the bump that was getting bigger every day. „Besides, I'm not only feeding myself but two persons", he pointed to their baby that was forming in his bump.

Kongpob touched the bump, caressing it with his thump. The bump is getting bigger as time is passing by... It's already revealing that something is forming down there. I need to eliminate my enemies before they get wind about his pregnancy. Arthit placed his hand on Kong's. Both parents were caressing on the stomach to feel closer to their little baby, assuring him/her that they loved it very much and would protect it from every harm. 

****

After eating much for two persons like he suggested earlier, Arthit fell asleep right away. He didn't have any strength to move around to get rid of the extra weigh he put on ever since the pregnancy. Kongpob sat on the red blanket, Arthit sitting in front of him, facing him with his back, leaning on the latter's chest while falling asleep. A faint snore echoed in the air, it was the sound Arthit was making while being in the dreamland. Kong wrapped his arms tighter around his man's stomach, holding him protectively in his arms so no harm would come at him. He looked around, admiring the setting of the sun. It was going down but left interesting sight while disappearing slowly. A red mixed with orange colour taking over the horizont and letting its light shining beautifully from where they were sitting. It gave a soothing feeling, something he wouldn't feel in the palace. Ever since he was brought in the palace, it was the first time he got the chance to enjoy the twilight. It was calming and beautiful like many said. Arthit, the man he loved more than his own life, was in his arms, it made the whole day more unforgetable and lovely. It was worth it to take a day off.

Another soft moan escaped in the air, it was a sweet and ear catching sound. A faint sound that Kongpob loved too much and would love to hear it every night after waking up. Arthit finally woke up, his eyelid felt heavy but he opened them slowly, revealing his big round eyes to his man. Both Emperor and male concubine exchanged a smile, Arthit showing his dimple. He used the chance to admire the sunset too. Both were staring next to them, the light of the twilight reflecting in their eyes.

„How was your family, Kongpob?", Arthit threw the question in the air, he gazed up, leaning his head against the taller man's shoulder.

„My family?", he answered with a question. He stroked the latter's soft cheek, loving the softness of his body.

„Yeah... I want to know more about you... your mother, the former Emperor and your siblings..."

Actually he never spoke about his family, maybe because he didn't want to reminisce about them or no one ever asked him about them. Everyone feared his temper so they didn't dare to ask him about them. Since he never felt the need to remember his past, he burried information about them deep in his memory, desiring for them to never wake up again. But today Arthit asked about them. He couldn't burry his past forever like he wanted, today was time to wake up the unpleasant memory.

„My mother... She was a courtesan working in the red light disctrict with the sole purpose to entertain people. My grandparents sold her off for money...", the truth came out.

Arthit's eyes widened in shock after listening to the beginning of the story. He didn't expect Kong to be really born from a woman with low birth. Thanks to the rumour spreading among the maids, he already found out that his mother wasn't a noble but he thought that they had some lands that helped them to survive. „...Oh...", it was the only sound he could mutter for now.

„The Empress dowager was a pure noble, she was the daughter of the former prime minister while my mother was just a nobody. A courtesan that had to earn money and pay off her debt after being bought by the madame of the courtesans... I heard that she was popular due to her oustanding beauty and way to serve nobles. She only had rich men to entertain, they said. One day, she listened to a conversation between some nobles and the minister of the Right. They were too drunk to realize that they were revealing the treason they plotted to kill the Emperor, my father. When they found out that she heard them, they hunted her to shut her forever but she managed to escape them", he stared in the sky, „Many said a poor woman with strong will would do everything to survive", there were few star shining in the sky. It was too earlier for them to come out so only a few of them could be seen right now.

„How did she survive?", somehow Arthit was interested in her story. Maybe not particularly in his mother-in-law but more in Kong's past. He wanted to know the man he loved better. Before, Kongpob brushed everything when asking him about his childhood. Now that he was revealing his past voluntary, he would use every mean to find out everything. It was important for him to know about his life since he would tell stories about them to their child. The story he would tell him would begin during the pregnancy, even continue after the birth and only end with his death. Their child should know where he or her came from.

„How did she manage to escape?", Arthit just knew that they weren't able to kill her since she didn't give birth to Kongpob now. Only after the hunt, did she meet the Emperor but he was curious to their first meeting.

„According to my father, my mother wasn't just beautiful but also smart. She gave himself to the Emperor. Meaning she managed to get caught by the Emperor's guards by yelling that she planed an assassination to kill the Emperor."

„Huh?", the shorter man bent up, his curiosity raising the more he listened to the story.

A little smile appeared on Kong's lips, he couldn't resist the curious expression in his man's cute face. His man was too sweet to be real. He wanted to kiss him right now but he contained himself to tell his past properly. „Of course they caught and brought her in the dungeon where the Emperor interrogated her himself by torturing her. However, she informed him about the ministers' plot. Thanks to her, they caught the traitors and killed everyone of them. Due to her beauty and braveness, he fell in love with her. Instead of bringing her in the palace, he hide her till she got pregnant and got him a son, me."

„Why didn't he bring her in the palace? Didn't he love her enough?"

„He loved her deeply but feared the Empress too. That time, the Empress had three sons already. The Emperor had four other concubines but they didn't give birth to the Emperor's children till my father's death. Surely, the Empress poisoned them to miscarried whenever they got pregnant."

Arthit trembled in shock upon hearing the poison used to make her enemies miscarry and infertile. His hand went up to his bump, he hold onto his bump as if protecting his baby from any harm. Kongpob noticed the fear in his eyes whereupon he caressed on his cheek.

„No need to fear her... I won't let her come after you and do the same she did to her rivals years ago", he gave him a sweet smile to assure him, „I know how to deal with her..."

Kongpob's words gave him his strength back, he nodded that he trusted him to protect him and their child. Besides, he would fight everyone who came after him too. Not only was it Kong's duty to protect him but it was his duty to take care of himself too.

„Before I reached the age of five, my father finally brought my mother as the fifth consort and I in the palace. A place where we weren't welcomed due to our low birth. However, they didn't have any choice as to accept me as I had the Emperor's royal blood circulating in my vein... too", Kong stared at his hand, also at his veins that were revaeling slightly. „Only the fifty percent of his blood in me saved me from getting killed easily. Meanwhile the Empress dowager already plotted to get rid of the fifth consort someday. She would had mercy on my mother if I was born a girl but she couldn't forgive her since I was a son, a potential threat to her eldest son's throne."

„Who was the crown prince that time?", actually he already guessed the man who could be the crown prince before Kong's arrival but he wanted to assure himself with Kongpob.

„It was Pitcher... You saw him few days ago visiting the Empress dowager, his mother..."

Arthit gulped hard, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. It was hot suddenly, he already guessed that Pitcher must be the crown prince but the shock was too profound when hearing the words out of Kongpob's mouth. It left his body shudder all the sudden. How did he get entangled in those brother's relationship. Judging from Pitcher's and Kongpob's reaction, it seemed that they didn't have a healthy relationship. Great! Just great! Out of all people, I got to know Kong's eldest brother... His enemy... Arthit was frustrated about the situation but he wouldn't dare explaning his frustration to Kongpob. The latter would only blame him further. Maybe a war could emerge between brothers. If he didn't want to rift them more apart then he had to keep his mouth shut.

However, Kongpob had his attention on Arthit the whole time. Surely, he gradually became suspiscious. After all the last time he saw a glimpse of Pitcher was during his coronation as the Emperor four years ago. Now the first time he saw him again, he was meddling in his love life, touching his man here and there. It didn't take much to notice that they knew each other. Arthit was hiding the fact about their acquaintance from him but he already guessed that they weren't in good term just like Pitcher and him. From that moment on, he swore to himself that he wouldn't let his eldest brother free when he found out the true relationship between them. If Pitcher ever touched his beloved man in the slave hunters' resident, he wouldn't resist to kill him. Yeah, Kongpob, somehow knew long time about his brother's hobby to sleep with slave around. Thanks to Pitcher's dirty hobby, did Kongpob come to the conclusion that Pitcher and Arthit probably met in Ashin Wunna's resident. Nothing could be hidden from him so easily.

Kongpob smiled at Arthit while having another hidden intention behind his smile, wanting to rip Pitcher's skin from his body. Not only did Pitcher loathe his youngest brother for stealing everything from him but Kong also hated him for trying to snatch everything from him.

To prevent himself from thinking too much into Kong's and Pitcher's relationship, he asked his man to continue the story. It wasn't time to waste time with useless matter. „According to the old law, the oldest son of the Emperor should ascend to the throne. Why didn't the crown prince, Pitcher receive the throne?", apparantly he was dtoo deep in this story, falling deep in thought to put the riddle together. „Hm... Did your father favour you that's why he nominated you as his successor?", it was the only solition he came to after thinking for a moment.

A faint chuckle escaped Kongpob's lips. How cute... He couldn't think otherwise about his love's naivity. If other asked him this rude question, questioning his strong ability to gain the Emperor's acknowledge, he would kill them instantly. Now that the question came from his man, he didn't feel insulted. He even fell deeper in love with Arthit's pure and innocent soul. He stole a little kiss from his lips, surprising Arthit when his warm lips touched the latter's. Arthit's lips were tempting, calling him not to resist his lust but let it free. Kongpob couldn't resist the calling and also his desire. It felt like a sweet fruit he craved for years long but only got the chance to eat it just now. But in Arthit's matter, it wasn't the first time he got to taste it. It was his lips he could touch and kiss whenever he wanted.

Arthit smiled at the little passionated touch, caressing at the lips that still felt hot after being sucked for only a second. He blushed, his red face had the similar colour to the twilight still happening next to them. Again, he was drifting away from the real matter. He shook his head to banish the dirty mind.

„Let's be serious now...", he sulked, didn't want Kongpob to wander off the subject again. They needed concentration to exchange information about their childhood.

The taller man raised his arms, admitting defeat and assuring him that he wouldn't run off the topic again. Before he continued the story, he had to get a promise from Arthit that the latter wouldn't act all cute again to allure him. If he didn't want him to lose his concentration, he shouldn't smile neither pout in front of him or else he would take the invitation to play lewd game with him.

„My father loved my mother and me but he didn't put any favour nor difference in his four sons when it came to the throne. My mother gained the Emperor's favour but where there was light, there would be darkness too. The Empress hated my mother for being bold enough to charm the Emperor and give birth to a son. She treated my mother like dirt and searched for every way to punish us every day. The women palace was against us but she didn't learn her lesson til the day she took her last breath. Her greed outgrew her someday. She wanted me to ascend to the throne while I just wanted to survive. The only mistake she did that brought her to her death was her underestimating the Empress. Before the age of fourteen, my mother was accused of plotting against the Empress. She was killed mercilessly in front of me!", there was the truth he wished to hide deep in his memory. No, he wanted to erase the memory of the last day he spent with mother before she died.

Arthit was speechless and shocked, he didn't know how to console his Emperor neither react to the confession. He was blinking many times, his chest ached, the fragile organ in his chest was in pain, screaming in agony for Kongpob. „I'm... I'm sory...", he stuttered.

„Why should you be sorry if you didn't kill her?", a faint but hot smile appeared, he looked more gentle with that kind of smile but there was something more to it. It was a smile to hide the pain he felt ever since he set foot in the palace. He had to survive the daily discrimination and assassination attempt on him. The day his mother died, was the day he closed his emotion forever. Only after meeting Arthit, did the latter revive his emotions. Thanks to Arthit, he felt how true happiness meant and felt. „Besides, it happened 6 years ago to mourn over her..."

Still, Arthit couldn't let go of the hurting feeling he felt for Kongpob. His own parents were killed mercilessly by his cousin Jay but Kong had to fight against his enemies since his birth.

„I wouldn't had been mad if they killed her quickly and silently but she was poisoned. The Empress dowager deliberately gave a small amount of the poison that could kill her slowly. She suffered till her last breath...", he took a deep breath, looking up in the sky again. Even if he played the strong man, it was still painful and traumatized to remember the cruel way his mother met her demise. Because of Arthit reviving his feelings, he could feel the pain again.

Arthit didn't dare to ask him about his mother again, he kept silent. Kongpob ruffled his hair, calling him „silly" for being too sensible.

„Where was your father that time? Why didn't he protect your mother?", Arthit remembered that his soft father would had fought against all odds to protect and save his wife if the same destiny did fall unpon his mother. Like he always did for him whenever the higher officials demanded for punishment for him.

„My father was powerless, more like his hands tied down. The Empress had countless allies behind to support her. They didn't threaten him officially but he could sense danger around him. Because he had to protect himself and the throne, he couldn't prevent her death..."

Coward, was the only word that came into Arthit's mind. The Emperor admitted to love her deeply but didn't save her in the end. It reminded him of the sad drama between his eldest sister and Phillipine's crown prince. The crown prince couldn't save his sister but followed her to death, showing how much he loved her. Even if it was sad, it was still a better love story as the one of Kongpob's father and mother.

Kongpob changed his expression, looking serious. Because of his father's powerlessness, didn't he want to find the love of his life. He feared to lose the person he loved just like his mother so he isolated himself from the outside world. But after meeting and falling in love with Arthit, he learned to protect his man. He wasn't a coward like his father who couldn't even rescue the one he desired much. He would never let the Empress dowager harm the only person he loved. The only person who could give him happiness, freedom and bring him to the right way. As if reading his mind, Arthit grabbed at Kongpob's hand, intertwining their fingers together. The shorter one sat closer to him, leaning against his chest before suggesting him to continue the conversation.

„...At the age of fourteen, my father saw the potential in me since I was different from his other sons. Pitcher was smart and had knowlegdes in medicine. The second son was strong but a tyrant who loved to torture his prey, most likely women. The third son was weak but he memorized every face of his enemies and map of every country. He was the kind of man who could gain people's trust easily but didn't desire the throne, just like me. One could say that he preferred to read stories instead of racking his brain to lead Siam."

„What did your father saw in you?", Arthit had a bright smile on his face, he knew Kong's potential the first time he met him but he was more excited to hear someone else's opinion about him. He revealed his dimple again but stiffened when he realized Kong's lustful eyes staring at him. Right, I shouldn't act excited to arouse him.

Kong chuckled, too bad Arthit stiffened to hide his beautiful dimple. „I don't want to boast but I have all those abilities too. I'm strong in swordmanship, have the ability to dominate the world and also control my enemies too. The only thing I didn't had was love. My father told me once that he saw the potential as the next Emperor in me but my cold heart was the only thing blocking me from being a loved and respected Emperor..."

„I can't deny that... Even I could see your skills and was amazed by them but you couldn't work with someone either. You was always alone, someone not easily to approach. You was nice to me but could be arrogant sometime. Did you realize that my whole guards hated you back then in Burma?"

„It wasn't difficult to see their hatred toward me. How could they blame me if I fell in their beloved crown prince favour? It's not my fault that their Highness fell in love with me...", it was a fact he shouldn't lie about either.

Arthit rolled his eyes, mumbling that he shouldn't act cocky. It was true that he fell in love with him but he himself did fell head over heels in love with him too. Arthit had to admit that Kongpob seemed different today, not laid back neither mysterious as before. He looked more open, happy and delighted. Apparantly, it did him good that he was finally telling about his childhood he hide deep inside, letting go of his sorrows and the past memory. It always felt free to share one's pain with other.

„Then how did you manage to get to win against your brothers?"

„My father gave us assignment to fulfill to ascend to the throne. At first, I wasn't interested in the assignment but my father threatened me to disown me if I rejected the tasks. Actually, I was more than happy to leave the palace but I came across the Empress one day. She was the one who made me accept the task. She insulted my mother to be a whore, a man's eater and various kind of insult I don't need to recall. To get back at her, I thought long about the most painful revenge she would never forget for the rest of her life. There was only one thing she desired: The throne for her son. It would hurt her badly if her sons failed to ascent the throne. I knew I could be a strong opponent against her sons so I participated instead of leaving. At the end of the competition, only pitcher and I remained as competitors but I managed to win against him in tactic and fight", he said proudly of himself.

Arthit almost let out a „yes"to celebrate his victory but he remembered that it happened long ago. Kongpob was already the Emperor for four years, it seemed that he was too much into Kongpob's past. He blushed, feeling embarrassed of his childish behaviour. Sometime it was difficult to act as a respectable crown prince or the Emperor's male concubine.

„Your path was rough just as mine... Here I thought that I was the only one suffering from a painful past". He got up then walked few steps away from Kongpob, „One could say that you made the Empress dowager your enemy by taking the throne away from her. She had it in her grasp only to left it taken away by you...", Arthit remembered one important question, „You had so much enemies, how could you leave the throne for months to reside in Burma?"

„The more enemies I got, the more loyal my allies got. Tew helped me to protect the throne. He may look timid and reserved but he is fierce in political matters. His parents are one of the wealthiest traders in Siam so he had countless connection everywhere. Nobody would dare to mess with such well connected person like him that's why I always leave the throne and politic to him whenever I'm gone..."

„Ah, I see...", Arthit turned back to face the meadow. He walked over to the hill, standing there to get fresh wind.

A soft but excited voice shouted Kongpob's name, calling him. Who would ever think of Kongpob as an Emperor, Siam's skilled ruler, when seeing how Arthit casually called his name that shouldn't come out of ordinary people's mouth so easily. As if Arthit had control over him, Kong moved there to him with a little smile on his lips. They were standing on the hill of the meadow. There was another beautiful sight in front of them, down there were many flowers, Matricaria chamomilla prevailed the other flowers, left beside were some tanacetum vulgare. Somewhere far away from the others were few Lotus corniculatus. The shorter one ran forward, Kongpob chuckling again to his childish behaviour. Arthit suddenly stripped over and fell. The taller man almost ran to him but he slowed down when he listened to the sweet voice laughing, Arthit's laughter filled the air.

Kongpob approached him, bent down and gave him his hand to help him up but Arthit pulled him down when reaching out for his hand. He carefully fell over him, their bodies so close to each other that the last distance between them was closed too. Arthit slowly parted his red lips from each other, closed his eyes then kissed Kong tenderly. Kongpob accepted the invitaion, kissing him back, sucking on his lips, devouring his sweet tasting lips, using his warm tongue to invade the latter's mouth, their tongues intertwining to their heart content. The taller man broke off the kiss, placing many kisses on the shorter man's neck, sucking his delicate skin dry, leaving many hickeys there.

Arthit moaned, „Ah... Kong... Why... did you... come to... Ah... Burma?", he spoke through his moans.

Kongpob stopped but his lips remained close to Arthit's pale neck.

„Did you come there to kill me?"

A hot smile on Kongpob's lips, sending sexual tension. „Arthit, I would've killed you long time ago if I really wanted too... But I didn't do it... Why do you think I didn't touch you?"

His cute smile vanished a second after revealing Arthit's dimple. He ruffled his man's hair, stroking it here and there to satisfy his urge to touch him. „...Because you couldn't resist my charm...", it wasn't a question but a fact he couldn't help but phrase it arrogantly. Apparantly he was sure of himself that he was irresistible in Kongpob's eyes.

That cunning fox... Kong couldn't resist the smile, he grabbed gently at Arthit's chin, „right, I couldn't resist your alluring charm...", he came closer to his ear, his lips slightly touching the latter's sensitive ear, it became red all the sudden due to his soft, passionate touch. His smirk became brighter, mischievous as always, „I couldn't contain myself from falling in love with you...", he whispered to him, lustful, alluring and lovely.

Now it was Arthit's turn to not resist the sinful temptation thrown at him, he gently wrapped his arms around Kongpob's neck, pulling him closer to his body. He was aroused, wanted him to take him. He reached for his lips to kiss him but Kongpob pulled back, teasing him. Arthit furrowned why he avoided his kiss.

„I came to find the secret passageways of your country... And guess what, Arthit? I found every little secrets of your country but never reported them back or used them against you... Because you enchanted me... You make me blind and I love you for that...", he whispered again, sending pleasure through Arthit's body.

Arthit smiled brighter, he trembled due tot he sensation and pleasure vibrating in his body. Kongpob lifted Arthit's delicate leg to put it up, he crawled his hand over his soft skin to tease him. The other hand slided under the shorter one's pants, grabbing at his crotch. Arthit left out a sweet moan. Kong chuckled, he was enjoying the foreplay too much. He took his attention back to Arthit's mouth, he kissed him again while undressing him slowly. 

****

Kongpob and Arthit stepped through the big gate in the palace, many soldiers greeting them as soon as they set their feet on the royal ground. The soldiers went to their knees, admiring their ruler for coming back safely from the trip. The general of the guards was in front, he kept his head down to not disrespect the Emperor by making eye contact with him.

„We captured Ashin Wunna....", it was the first good news he could inform him about. Ever since the head of the slave hunters escaped, they were searching for him desperately. In this night they managed to capture him on the border between Siam and Burma. They sacrificied many good soldiers but they achieved the mission given to them.

Arthit seemed to be surprised about the capture of Ashin Wunna, apparantly he wasn't aware of Kongpob's men still searching for him. Kongpob faced Arthit, ordering his men to take him back to his palace. He turned into the cold blooded Emperor again, warning his guards to punish everyone if Arthit ever stepped out of his palace. The warning wasn't only for his men but also for the shorter man too.

„Don't forget that you're still in confinement...", he said to remember him that he shouldn't act recklessly and endanger his servants by stepping out of the safe palace.

The male concubine didn't have any choice as to listen to his absolute order. Kongpob and he had good time together, his man was gentle to him but now there wasn't any trace of his gentleness anymore. The cold blooded Emperor returned. Arthit nodded then took then took the way to the flower palace like ordered. Meanwhile Kongpob and a few of his men went in the dungeon. Like said, Ashin Wunna was bound on the chair, he was messed up. Not only psychic but also physically too. His hair were a mess, he had scratches and many bruises on his face, there was a long but not so deep cut on his chest, it was bleeding heavily. His mouth was bleeding too, he seemed worn out.

Kong waited in front of him, gazing fiercely at him, rage forming inside him. Wunna looked up, his eyes were red from too much beating. His head moved around carelessly, he was too tired to keep his head high. Kongpob went to the table aside, mustering the different kind of torture weapons in front of him. There was a long but sharp nail, it took his attention. He took it then returned to Ashin, striking the nail in his shoulder. The older man screamed, struggling in the chair. The pain shooting through his body, was irresistible, he coughed blood.

„This was for touching and hurting my man...", Kong explaned why he had to hurt him. He would never forgive him for capturing and torturing Arthit, nearly killing him and their child.

The Emperor reached out his hand toward a high ranking soldier, the older man gave him his sword. Kongpob played the ruthless Emperor to scare him, trying to slash him.

However, Ashin Wunna fell in the trap, screaming that he had important information to give him so he should had mercy on him. Kongpob smirked, telling him that he didn't need any information from him. Of course, he was playing with him around. The sword came closer to his neck, Ashin begged until he revealed a name nobody would had expected to hear.

„...The Empress dowager... She gave me the order to bring him to Burma's Emperor... As gift...", he finally revealed the truth. If he wanted to survive, he would betray the Empress and his own country Burma.

„What did you say?", Kongpob showed his scary, dark expression. He shout, „Repeat what you said right now!"

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This is the end :D Your opinion about it? Kongpob didn't have a sweet childhood either, what do you think of his past? That's why he lied to Arthit that he didn't have any parents. Besides, there is a clue in the chapter about Pitcher, how he came to the conclusion that Arthit must be pregnant ;)