The new update, sorry that it took so long for it... Hope, you like this chapter :)

The song is Maze by Kim Na Young (While you were sleeping OST)

*****************************************

The Emperor stood at the end of the bed in the male concubine's chamber, the younger man sleeping safe and soundly while the older man was looking at him, wearing a faint but sweet smile on his lips. Kongpob gave Arthit a soft kiss on his forehead before taking the exit and leaving him behind to sleep more. The servants waiting outside of the flower palace almost didn't recognize their emperor in his casual noble clothes. It was rare to see him not wearing his usual Emperor's clothes with the extravagant golden crest of Siam drawing on it. Even though he wore simple clothes that made him look like a rich noble, he still outshone every nobles wearing the same clothes with his handsome face, his distant and cold charisma and his brawny body that could be used to lure women out. His whole appearance was on another level, even his enemies would admit that he wasn't easy to forget or to take lightly.

The servants bowed down their head, not daring to look up in his handsome face. Even the two strongest fighters who would ensure his safety on this secret trip, didn't dare to raise up their head. He just seemed intimidating whenever he appeared in common people's presence. As soon as a guard approached his horse Ma to hold him while the Emperor would climb on it, the horse neighed, clearly showing that it disliked to be touched by their dirty hands. Even his horse acted like its owner, appearing cold, distant and especially hated to be touched by someone it didn't acknowledge. Till now, only three persons could touch it without it making a tantrum, those were the owner Kongpob, his lover Arthit and his most trusted shadow Aim. Apart from those two Kong trusted, everyone approaching it would meet with its bad temper, resulting in them being bitten badly. Kongpob waved his hand, signalizing the servant that he shouldn't touch Ma so casually. He went to his Ma, caressing its back. Ma seemed calm now, it remained still to let the Emperor climb on his back. Without giving much effort, Kongpob gracefully climbed on the horse's back. Even though his action was gracefull, it still showed his powerful side that intimidated his servants that they lowered their head even more. The 2 guards climbed on their horse, keeping few inches of distance between the ruler and them.

Before he rode on his horse, Kongpob turned his head aside, giving an order to the servants without looking back at them. „Dare to tell him that I left him in the middle of the night and everyone here would lose his head!", it was a clear order and a warning. He didn't joke that he would kill them if they dared to tell Arthit about his secret night trip.

The maids didn't have to ponder who he meant with „him". There were only one person he always protected by keeping some secrets from him. The male concubine! Their heads went so deep down that they almost hitted against the hard ground. They would take this secret to their graves, never allowing the male concubine to find out about this night trip. Kong and his two guards left the palace ground, taking a secret passageway to avoid being seen by soldiers or his enemies. After taking few, slow steps and leaving the passageway, they speeded up and rode their horses in a direction. The fullmoon above them lent them its light, permitting them to see the dark street clearlier. Behind them was his shadow Aim, keeping his presence in the darkness. He would only appear in the scene if he sensed danger ahead.

They left some kilometres of distance behind till they arrived at their destination, they waited in front of a grand mansion its size that could be compared to the flower palace where Arthit was residing. Everyone would fall in awe just looking at the spacious palace like mansion that could be seen as a competition to the flower palace. The owner of this grand mansion must be rich, surely someone close to the Emperor. It was already deep in the night, there were many soldiers guarding the gate. As soon as they recognized three suspiscious men coming toward them, they had their hand close to their weapon, ready to unsheat their sword every time. One of the Emperor's guard approached them, showing them the Emperor's seal. Only few percent of the population ever saw the Emperor's face, commoners like them only could admire him from far away so those five guards weren't sure of his identity. However, the seal holding up to their face, was a proof that he was the ruler of Siam. The five soldiers trembled at the sight of the ruler of their country, they went to the ground to kowtow to him. They kept themselves low till the guard gave them permission to kneel on the ground.

„Where is your master?", the guard asked them.

One of the guards shook in fear, how should he admit that their master was drinking alone in his chamber after having to face such humiliation yesterday in the morning. He stuttered, not sure how to form the sentence so it wouldn't sound as disgrace to the palace.

„The... The master is in his chamber...", the oldest of them managed to answer. He had to reply or they could be punished for holding the Emperor back.

The soldiers crawled aside to let Kongpob and his two trustees enter the mansion without waiting for any permission, Aim remained in the close distance near the mansion, keeping his watch too. The maids went to their knees as soon as they realized the noble man approaching them. The guards took the initiative to shove the curtain of the chamber aside, letting Kong enter first. The elderly man sat on the majestic golden matress on the ground, sipping alcohol down his already sore throat, hiccuping nonstop. His face flushed, his eyes bloody red but he continued gulping down alcohol. His eyes were glued at the young man in front of him, his vision blurry from too much drinking. He shook his head to clear his vision, rubbing his eyes till he could finally see the taller man's face. However, he was too intoxicated to recognize the young Emperor in front of him, he threw the cup in his direction. It barely missed him and smashed against the wall few inches beside Kongpob, the content spilling on his clothes. The guards were ready to draw their swords and teach the older man a lection but Kong ordered them back by holding his hand toward them.

„Who dare to disturb me, the mighty premier minister, in his chamber?", his serious voice echoed in the entire mansion. He searched for another cup but didn't find any whereupon he glared at Kongpob, swearing at him for distracting him at the time of sorrow.

Kong remained his cold demeanour, not saying anything about the former premier minister's pathetic behaviour. Sure, he was demoted from his position but it didn't mean the end of the world. He should be grateful that he let his pathetic life and his beloved daughter alive after betraying the crounty. For Kongpob, betraying him and plotting against Arthit together with the empress dowager meant that they betrayed the country. He was Siam after all!

The taller man hold his head high, looking down at the older man. His peaceful face made the former minister agitated, he stood up abruptly and stomped forward to him.

„Do you kow who's standing before you!", the older man roared. He tried to slap the man's face but his hand remained an inch before Kong's cheek. His eyes widened in shock, finally he recognized the young man. He fell down to his butt, „The... The Emperor...", he went to his knees, kowtowing while begging for mercy.

The Emperor ignored him, taking a seat at the majestic matress instead. According to the rule, the best place in everyone's house, should be given to the Emperor whenever the ruler visited. The former minister crawled back to turn to him, bowing down in respectful manner. He was sober now so he was regretting his decision for attacking the young man eailier. His good luck didn't leave him yet or else the Emperor wouldn't have mercy on him but would slash him on the spot for disrespecting him. Besides, he was a thorn in the Emperor's eyes anyway for plotting against him. Instead of playing the loyal dog, he even made the grave mistake to not recognize him earlier and insulting him too. His whole body was shaking, his lips twitched to say something to make it up for his mistake but he didn't find anything surprising enough that could mend up the Emperor's anger.

„The Emperor visiting me, your lowly servant, at this hour... I feel honoured for having you in my small mansion... How may I help the Emperor", he spoke with much respect, choosing his words carefully to not agitate him further.

„I'm here to discuss an urgent matter with you, premier minister", Kongpob began.

The older man made a confused expression, not understand why Kongpob mentioned his old position he took from him instead of calling him the former premier minister. Did he forget that he demoted me yesterday morning? However, he was too scared to ask him to repeat the reason why he came in this late hour.

„Sit down...", it wasn't an order but Kong's powerful voice was filled with such coldness that it made the proud noble man kneeling down on the ground as if he was ordered to do it. He took a break before continuing discussing about the matter he came here for. „I want you to give me your loyalty!"

The former premier minister finally looked up, his eyes were widened in shock upon hearing the reason for the unexpected visit. He blinked many times, signalising if he heard him wrong. Kongpob repeated his intention with a dangerous smile on his face, telling him that he needed his loyalty. One could say that he visited the older man to have him on his side but the truth was that he wanted him to sell his soul to him, the devil. If the former minister really agreed to helping him against the empress dowager, he would never be able to go against his orders neither plotting against him again if he valued his life and his family. Before he left the flower palace, he thought about it while laying beside Arthit on the bed for many hours. He managed to confied the empress dowager but it wasn't a victory as long as he didn't kill her. She was still alive, meaning that she could arise from death and confront him again anytime. He wasn't scared of her but he feared for Arthit's and their baby's lives. She would never let him free for humiliating her in front of all her loyal dogs. She would come back soon, stronger with more devilish intention. He had to prepare for a counterattack while waiting for her comeback.

„W...Why? I plotted against you and... And my daughter isn't the Empress anymore... I'm losing my power in the palace... Why would you still need me who's falling deeper in hell?"

Oh, silly old man! Why can't you see that you still hold power over some of my ministers. They would rather listen to you instead of me, a young inexperienced ruler they couldn't trust. He didn't plan on telling him the whole truth but only half of it. „I'll make your daughter return to you if you chose to support me to get rid of the dowager. Instead of her dying as a virgin monk, I'll have mercy on her, bring her back to the imperial capital and consider her remarry a noble man if she wants to!", this was the promise he would use to gain his attention. The old man adored his daughter more than his own wife and his countless concubines. She was his whole pride so he was broke down when he announced her punishment yesterday. He would never be able to reject his offer. Even if the confied Empress dowager called for him later to have another compromis with him, he would never trust her again like he did the first time.

Tonight, Kongpob would have this old, powerful man on his side. If he gained his loyalty, he would have his many soldiers and few ministers who listened to him, on his side too. Why he would follow him instead of turning back to the empress dowager? She used his only daughter to save herself, this unexpected event broke their connection and drifted them apart. Now he could use his own weakness against him, just like he predicted a few days ago. He could had accused the dowager for selling Arthit to Ashin Wunna but he choose to play along with her lie and accused the empress instead. If he went against the dowager and decided to chase her out of the palace for punishment, he would fail miserably because of petitions raising against him. But if he punished the empress instead and declared that the dowager only cared for her safety, her reputation would start crumble one by one, resulting in everyone turning their back on her. Like usual, Kongpob always thought about the benefit of an idea before he would put it into action. He never did something without calculating the result beforehand. 

****

After coming back from his trip, Kong didn't return straight to Arthit's side. He had another important task to finish before. Rumours about who would take the Empress's place didn't die down now, it was even at his peak that every servants was murmuring about it the whole day after Kaofang left the palace. The maids were prohibited from causing silly rumours but their chambers were filled with countless whispers about the former Empress's punishment and the new Empress who's identity was kept hidden till now. Many of them were sure that Oon, the male concubine would be the new mother of this country, the minority of them opposed them by saying that one of the first four concubines or another woman that they didn't saw till now woud be the Empress. According to many of the maids, the Emperor loved Oon too much that he would definetely give him the most powerful position in the woman's palace. The few of them explained that the ministers would never allow a man to take the of the woman's palace. It was oustrageous, something that didn't happen till now in the whole world.

Kongpob waited in front of a chamber. After the older woman annouced his name, he entered the room. A young woman was waiting in front of the table, keeping her head low as respect. She raised her head, staring at the tall man. He was her husband that she saw for the first time so clear like today. Ever since she entered the palace as his fourth concubine, she didn't have the opportunity to be so close to him that she could even see his handsome face. She agreed that he was indeed handsome, just like the rumors said.

„Emperor...", she called.

The Emperor nodded slightly, acknowledging her. It was very rare that the arrogant Emperor acknowledged another person's presence who wasn't his male concubine. She was surprised but didn't let it shown on her face. He sat on the chair, a nice fragant laid in the air, it raised in his nose. It smellt sweet like vanilla, apparantly the fragance came from the aromatic oil she made herself. She waited for him to allow her to sit down first. The head of her servants who had the highest ranking in her palace, annouced her entry but waited for her master's order to enter first. As permission was granted, she entered the room with a high ranked maid holding the hot teapot and two clay cups in her hands. Since she didn't expect his visit, she couldn't prepare for small dinner or proper drinks for him. She sat down before him, serving him first.

He came straight to the point, „I want you to be the Empress..."

The young woman was Praepailin. Me, an Empress? Wait, did I listen wrong? She blinked many times, struggling to beg him to repeat the reason why he came here deep in the night.

„You're going to take the title as mother of Siam, the Empress..."

Her eyes were so wide open that they almost popped out of her eye socket. E... Empress? Me, the daughter of a renowned merchant? But why me? Why not the other concubines with more powerful connection such as a father as minister? Why not his beloved male concubine? She had many questions she wanted to have answers to but she was afraid to agitate him and meet his bad temper. Praepailin still valued her life so she kept quiet about her thousand questions. However, it didn't take long for her to make a smal smile. It wasn't a smile out of happiness but a grin filled with doubt and suspiscion. She looked like a charmant lady few seconds ago but her expression changed, now she appeared to be a dangerous also fearless young woman one should be careful with.

„That's your true identity, right?", Kongpob sipped on his ho tea. He never fell in her fake facade that should let her appear like a well reserved, romantic lady. She would never be able to deceive him, him with the face reader ability. The first time he saw her, he already guessed that she wasn't like many think of her. Nothing noble or lady like but rather strong, fierce and fearless. She was even known as the beautiful, fierce lady with her strong swordmanship and acknowledges in matial arts. Just like Maprang! „I don't mind having you act like yourself."

Prae was surprised that he saw through her mask but she decided not to play the brave girl of concubine anymore. It wasn't her style to seat still. Since he gave her permission to show her true face, she would gladly act like herself but wouldn't exaggerate with her behaviour. She sighed then spread her legs apart, sitting like a strong man on high alert. Now Kongpob was pleased, he chuckled.

„You want me to be your Empress...", she repeated.

This time, Kongpob didn't have the intention to repeat his words. He knew that Prae could understand him clearly so it wasn't necessary to tell the same thing over and over again.

„Or should I rather call myself your scapegoat in your male concubine's place...", there was the truth intention hidden in Kongpob's dangerous idea. Even if Prae played the weak and shy woman to prevent everyone's attention on her to have a peaceful life in this corrupt palace but she wasn't dumb. She saw through him but she didn't waver to tell him her opinion about him using her to protect the male concubine instead. So, you just want to use my life to save Oon's, huh?

The Emperor's lips twitched, it seemed that he was pissed off but instead of a cold expression, a small grin appeared. He was smiling, he admitted that he liked the fourth concubine's daring character more than her shy facade that didn't suit her. She resembled Maprang in many ways too much. He never liked weak person or people who feared him so he was having fun talking to her. Since he didn't have to surpress her, he let her be herself in front of him.

„You want me to take his place and let your enemies turn their attention on me instead and plot against me", she gave him a dark smile that shouldn't appear threatening but just to show her disaffection to his idea. „Your enemies would turn their hatred toward me while he could live peacefully... I should always defend him to protect him from your fiends too, right..."

„I'm putting your life in danger by making you the Empress but I know that you'll raise to every challenges. You're not called the fierce lady for jokes. I always search for information about every person entering this palace and I have found some interesting information about you too. You may be the youngest child of the biggest merchant in Siam but your household hold powerful connection. You are not tamed like your oldest siblings but always seeked for adventures, challenges and experiences that's why your parents are ashamed of you. Because of your family's influence, the dowager offered your father to give her his precious daughter, having his support in emergency matters. It was an offer he couldn't decline since he always wanted to have power in the palace too so your father gave you away as my fourth concubine. You were never interested in political matters but couldn't oppose to your father either so you came here empty minded with no ambition but never outshone among the other concubines. You were just hiding in your shell to avoid power struggle, right?"

Prae fell silent, she was staring at the handsome man in front of her. A moment after, she bursted out in laughter. It was the first time she met someone who didn't fall to her lies and exposed her right away. She was both impressed, interested and scared at the same time. She couldn't explain how he found out about her although he spent most of the time in Burma and only met her recently. That young Emperor would do anything for his male concubine, even going far as putting a fake empress on the throne to ensure his lover's safety. With her on the throne who would side with the Emperor and protect the male concubine in the public, few of his enemies would fear him and never dare to oppose him again. Clever! Kongpob was indeed clever, mischievous and always a step ahead of the old hag of dowager. But would he let her fall if he noticed that he didn't need her anymore? She was interested to play his scapegoat till the end and see how the game between the dowager, him and the male concubine would end. However, she would have another plan b to protect herself later in case of a war breaking out between those day nemesis.

Kongpob kept his scary smile the whole time, sipping on the steamed tea. Praepailin would never oppose to him. Why? She didn't plan on playing the powerless and shy concubine for eternity. She was pursuing the power struggle between the Emperor and the dowager to use it for her own favour. She would use her connections to support the winning side to ensure her freedom. If the person she helped won the war, he would let her free so she could continue her old style. This was he plan the whole time. Something she couldn't hid from Kongpob either.

„Is there any worth in this plan for me?"

„You'll be able to use your title as Empress to fulfill your wishes. If I achieved to get rid of the dowager, I'll let you free. You will leave the palace and never come back again", the sly fox gave her an ultimatum she always seeked for. Freedom!

The plan aroused her interest but she was playing hard to get. She didn't want to make it too easy for him. „I'll have this status for a few moments only to have it snatched by your male concubine? I see, I'll have to enjoy my life here before I bid farewell with everyone. She took her cup and drank it half empty, her ladylike demeanour returned. „Did you discuss the matter with concubine Oon before you came here? I really don't want a jealous man fight against me, accusing me of stealing his husband! Your concubine Oon may look frail but he's anything as weak. I don't want him as my enemy either...", she shuddered at the imigination of having a jealous Oon staring at her and threatening her to beat her up. Scary!

„He won't be jealous of you... My Oon isn't interested in but juyt want tob e beside me..."

She almost shuddered in embarrassment for hearing such cheesy line coming out of this evil Emperor's cold lips. It just didn't sound right, romance didn't suit him either. I would doubt my judgement if I was you. Oon shouldn't be taken lightly just because he never showed you his jealous side before, Emperor. She contained herself to not make the mistake by sounding like a scholar teaching the Emperor. „Are you sure that you can trust me? What if I sided with the dowager to keep my position as the Empress?"

Kongpob drank the cup empty then deposed it on the table wihtout making a single noise. He stood up and approached the exit. Only after standing between the door frame, did he reply to her quesiton. „Like I said, you are not interested in me, the throne or politics". He gazed aside to add more to his reply, „You have people dear to you to lose if you ever raised against me. Your parent's and your siblings lives are in your hands", it was the last resolution he would use if she dared to betray him. To protect Arthit and their baby, he was ready for everything.

„I want to put another wish to our deal. I want her..."

Kongpob couldn't hold back the smile, he ended up chuckling then turned back to face her. His bright grin looked like he was mocking her. „Maprang?"

Again, the young woman was petrified. How did he find out that I'm interested in Maprang? Was I too obvious? No, it can't be. I was discreet about my desire for her. She didn't need to ask the question how Kongpob knew about her interest for Maprang since he puzzled face did the question for her already.

„I observed you ever since I met you. Not only weren't you interested in me but you didn't have interest in men. You liked women, especially the type like Maprang. Even if you did it secretly, you couldn't resist her presence and always stole looks at her whenever you met her. It wasn't difficult to realize that you liked her... I think that it was her beauty, her braveness and strength that attracted you to her, right?"

She felt defeated. Her head fell low in embrassment, her face flushed. She felt nacked before that bastard of Emperor because he managed to see through her and read all of her expression. It felt like she stripped herself naked before him so he could see her whole body. There was nothing she could hid from him. If she ever decided to plot against him, he would find it out and kill her before she could even touch him. I should be careful of him from now on. „Will... Will...", she saw up to him, her blushed face glowed in the dim light of the lamps hanging on the wall. „I want you to give her to me...", this was her second request.

„I can't help in this matter. Oon will kill me if I ever think of handing her over to you. She's his most trusted and loyal best friend. It sounds weird that a concubine has a friendship with a servant but he considers her as family. If I don't want him to loath me for the rest of my life then I have to back down in helping you". Kongpob turned back to the exit, „I advise you to approach her yourself. If you manage to make her smile happily and forget her painful past, she could fall in love with you. But one thing is sure, she will never leave his side for you!", it was a fact that everyone was aware of. Even Prae noticed that Maprang was Oon's loyal dog who would never leave his life.

There was another rason why he didn't want to help her make Maprang fall in love with her. He wanted Prae to go through the pain when trying to make someone fall in love with you. It shouldn't be made easy for her or else she would think of Maprang as cheap to have later. If she fought for her then her love for her would raise and she would consider her as someone equal to her. However, he didn't have difficulty in having Arthit. He came to him by himself as if he was blew by the wind in his direction, bringing a sweet smell along with him. Prae should gather experiences on her own without anyone's help.

The third reason why he seeked for her help was that he wanted to bound her to the palace. According to Kongpob, she would change her plan to leave the palace later. If Maprang fell in love with her, she would hesitate to leave her. She would stay in Siam and support him, Arthit and especially Maprang. Kongpob grinned devilish, this was his true intention the whole time. Maprang would make the most powerful merchant daughter Praepailin stay in the palace, she would turn into his biggest ally during and after the war. Their future was secured now.

Kongpob left Prae's palace and finally returned to Arthit's side after resolving this important matter. He had the Emperor's and Prae's loyalty on his side, they would involve their families and allies if the time came to show his trump card against the dowager. It wouldn't be an easy war but he was sure that victory was on his side. He entered Arthit's chamber then changed in his night gown to not look suspiscious if the shorter man woke up and found him wearing his outside clothes. Kong climbed on the warm bed, stroking Arthit's forehead with his fingers. The latter moaned in his sleep, he slowly opened his eyes only to see Kongpob sitting on the bed, looking at him with the sweetest smile on his lips. He gave him a faint smile too, Kong laid next to him, turning to his side then stroked on his womb. He gave him a soft kiss on the forehead, whispering to him that he should sleep. Goodnight, have a sweet dream, my Oon!

****

The Emperor and Arthit were laying on the bed in Arthit's chamber, the taller one furrowned in his sleep after hearing sounds of footsteps. Persons were moving silently in the darkness to avoid beeing noticed but Kongpob could guess that they were two persons coming closer to them. His instinct warned him that new threats were near, maybe not so far like he suggested first. It was Kong's daily habit to sleep with his eyes and ears open too. Thanks to his abilities to sleep but always keeping his suroundings observed, did he prevent countless assassins from killing him. If he didn't want to be die in such young age then he had to be always careful.

He silently and carefully moved his arm under the pillow, searching for something there, the other arm still wrapping around Arthit who was sleeping safe and soundly next to him in his arms. The latter seemed not to sense the uninvited intruders. Kong's hand grabbed at a cold metal, he pulled his sword. He opened his eyes and reacted fast, moving the sword in front of him. There was a clash sound echoing in the air, it was the loud sounds of the metalic part of the swords clashing against each other. Since the lantern spread its dim light in the chamber, the taller man spotted two assassins in their chamber, both wearing complete black and scarfs to cover their faces. One of them had climbed on the bed and almost pierced him on the spot, thanksfully he reacted fast to save them.

„How dare you!", Kong threatened through clenched teeth, he didn't want to scream andwake Arthit up to witness this dangerous mess.

The second assassin ran closer to the sleeping Arthit, he raised his sword high then wanted to pierce through his stomach but Kongpob reacted fast, holding tighter onto Arthit and rolled aside while pulling his man with him. He landed with one knee kneeled on the ground, Arthit still safe in his arms. The rough movement disturbed the shorter one's peacefull sleep, he let out a soft moan. Something was dripping in his face, he furrowned before opening his heavy eyes. He looked amaizngly peaceful like a pure angel when waking up. However, his round eyes widened in shock as soon as he recognized the waterdrop dripping in his face. Blood! Kongpob received a cut on his arm while saving Arthit, his arm was bleeding heavily.

As Arthit averted his attention in the room, he gasped in shock. There were two men, wearing black and hiding their faces with scarfs, in front of them. They had their hands holding tightly onto their sword. Blood was dripping on one of the assassins sword, apparantly Kong's blood. Kongpob was fast but not fast enough to dogde the sword that nearly bored through Arthit's stomach. Because he wrapped his arm around his bump to protect Arthit and the baby, he got hurt in the process. But the small injury didn't matter to him as long as Arthit and their baby were safe. He would risk his own life to protect them.

„Who are you?", the Emperor dared to raise his voice since Arthit was already wide awake now. „Who sent you?", he roared, his fierce voice scaring the assassins but they had to fulfill the task given from their master to them if they didn't want to be punished for running away.

Arthit covered his arms around his bump, hiding and protecting their baby too. Insteaf of striking, the assassins were observing Arthit's every motion from now on. Kongpob noticed that they had their attention on his man the whole time, it wasn't a coincidence that they were staring down there. His bump!

However, the oblivious Arthit was surprised that the guards didn't come to their rescue till now. How come they didn't spot the assassins sneaking in the flower palace? Ah! He finally remembered that they sent the guards and maids outside of the palace to have some privacy. They didn't like to be observed whenever they were doing it so they sent them away. Damn it! It was their own fault that they didn't get help til now.

Kongpob stood up together with Arthit, his arm still around the latter. His expression darkned, he was losing his composure the more silent the assassins got. One of the men charged at him, wanting to slit him but the taller man used his sword to block the attack, he kicked his foot on the man's stomach. The assassin cought blood, he hold strongly onto his stomach and stepped back to avoid another confrontation. Kong pulled Arthit behind him, it was the olace where he would be safe from the assassins. He stepped forward to the two men, swinging his sword at the injured man. Kongpob was busy fighting one assassin, meanwhile the second fiend took the opportunity to attack Arthit. But Kongpob spotted him long ago, he hit his leg against the man's chest when the man ran past him. The latter staggerred back.

As the assasin in front of Kongpob wanted to pierce the sword through his heart, Kong bent backward, the weapon slashed through air. He knocked his ellbow on the opponent's nose then lips, the latter was feeling dizzy and let his sword fallen to the ground. Kong slashed his sword on the enemy's throat, blood splashing out, falling onto his face. His handsome face was dirtied with blood but he didn't care about his appearance right now.

Kongpob turned to face the other assassin, shouting at Arthit to run away. The shorter one didn't resist this time. He knew Kong was strong enough to fight them but he wasn't in the condition to fight. He ran pass the second assassin, coming towards the entrance. The man threw a knife toward Kong, the taller one had to dogde since the dagger could contain poison. When he rolled aside to avoid the sharp knife, the opponent slipped through Kongpob's grip, running after the male concubine. The Emperor chased after them, there was the man he was aiming for. Arthit didn't move far away from them but was only few meters ahead from them, he was staggering forward. Maybe the fear caused too much stress that it weakened his body, he couldn't move freely either.

The assassin pulled another dagger out of his chest, Kong managed to grab at his cloth from his neck then yanked him back. He touched his face then rammed his head against the cold and hard ground. Before he could kill him, he heard a painful moan resounding in the air. He spent too much time with his man to recognize his moan right away. As soon as he averted his attention to the front, his cold blooded expression returned again. There was a third assassin, holding Arthit as his hostage by leaning an arm around his chest, the other hand holding the sword against his throat. There was a small cut on Arthit's neck, it was bleeding slightly.

He stood up, gritting his teeth, „Let him go!", it wasn't a plead but an order. The third man should listen to him while he was friendly to him.

The second assassin under him went straight to his feet, spitting blood on the ground then kicking his foot in the Emperor's stomach and hitting his cheek twice in a row as revenge. The Emperor could overthrow him easily but he couldn't move freely like he wanted since one of them took Arthit as hostage. A single step from him, could cost Arthit's life. He let his sword fall to the ground to surrender. The second assasin hit Kongpob's face till he coughed blood. Arthit wanted to move to Kongpob but the sharp weapon against his neck didn't allow him to move. He felt hurt to see Kongpob being beaten up due to his own carelessness and weakness. If only he was still his old self, he wouldn't waver to overthrow the man behind him. His man was injured, the father of his child was in pain but yet he couldn't save him. If something ever happened to him, how would he survive alone? No, he didn't want to live without his Kongpob. Kong was his strength and his life source, everything he had left.

Arthit clenched his hands, he stepped on the third assassin's foot. The enemey loosened the grip around him whereupon Arthit hit his fist against the man's nose. The fiend's nose broke, the crack sound could be hear in the entire hallway. He hold onto the man's wrist then lifted him up only to throw him over his shoulder to the ground. Kongpob and the second assassin were perplexed, they didn't expect Arthit's frail body to be so strong enough that he was even able to overthrow a man twice his weigh. They mustered Arthit from head to toes to find out where the strength came from all the sudden. Kongpob was more speechless, asking how he could move around while having such big bump weighing him down.

When Arthit was about to take the enemy's sword to kill him, the second opponent took a dagger out, throwing it in Arthit's direction. Kongpob screaming at Arthit to look out, brought the shorter one to step aside while covering his stomach. The fiend ran in his direction, Kong chasing after him. But the man ignored Arthit, he ran past him to the entrance. The Emperor ran after him but waited on the spot after taking few steps away from Arthit.

The third assassin laying on the ground sneaked around to take his sword to hurt Arthit but the latter lifted the weapon up with his foot then threw it high enough only to catch it and pierce it through the man's chest. He died on the spot. Arthit was panting, wipping bead of sweat from his forehead. Kongpob gazed at Arthit, his serious expression intimidating the shorter man. It seemed that he was angry at him for moving around again. Arthit knew that he put himself in danger by moving too much but he just couldn't let them hurt the love of his life like that. The Emperor approached him.

„I'm sorry...", Arthit muttered, fearing Kongpob to reprimand him again. He closed his eyes to escape Kongpob's temper but something else happened.

A rough but yet warm hand touched his cheek, caressing it with his thumb. Actually he was wipping away the little blood stain on his porcelain white skin. Arthit gasped when the warm hand touched him, his eyes opened slowly. Kong just smiled at him, hugging him suddenly.

„I'm glad you're fine...", he mumbled. Because Arthit seemed to be unscathed, his heart could calm down now.

Arthit giggled, „Of course, I won't get hurt so easily. Don't forget that I was Burma's strong prince before", he embraced him in return, „Even if I'm pregnant, I can still fight for you..."

Kongpob would never admit it but he was enjoying the lively Arthit. It reminded him on the old days as he was in Burma and Arthit was still a crown prince and lively as ever. He always made his parents worry about him by acting by himself and running away outside to explore his country. Even if his family died and he had to hid in a foreign country, he didn't lose his smile, his happiness and his playfulness. „I wonder if you can still jump around if the many food you're eating began showing on your body...", the Emperor mumbled.

„Did you say something?", somehow Arthit managed to hear him whisper something.

„No!", he simply denied it. If he didn't want to be hated and sent out of the chamber then he had to swallow the last words he said about him. It was for his own sake to never admit that his man gained more weigh.

Meanwhile the guards and maids came rushing to them, everyone kneeling down, Prem began explaning that they didn't hear the assassins since they were far away from the palace. Kong didn't discuss the matter with them since he was at fault for sending them away to spent time with Arthit alone. Even if they were slow in realizing the new threat, he didn't intend to punish them for their negligence. 

****

The second assassin who managed to escape Arthit and Kongpob, climbed a thick wall only to jump down in a big mansion. He didn't have to run far away since the mastermind of their task was residing in the palace too. The injured man coughed slightly, holding onto his injured stomach before straining himself up. He stepped in the warm chamber, there was light on in the chamber. Someone was sitting around on the chair the table, sipping on the alcohol he just poured himself in a small pot. The assassin kneeled down on the ground to report about their mission. The person looked up, revealing his face. Pitcher!

„...Only you remained, huh...", he said, meaning that he sent 3 men there but only one of them survived. It didn't matter since he knew that they wouldn't succeed anyway to kill the Emperor. He knew his youngest brother much to expect him to kill the assassins he sent to him. The 3 men were just scapegoats to hid his true intention. „And?"

„I ask for the prince to forgive me for returning by myself...", the man began but was cut in his speech.

Pitcher interrupted, „I didn't ask you about that! I want to know the male concubine's first reaction when you attacked him... Where did he touch first?"

„His stomach...", the assassin didn't dare to look him up in the face. „The male concubine protected his stomach the whole time we tried to attack him!"

There it was! The evidence he wanted to gain to finally prove that Arthit, the first male, got really pregnant. A mother expecting a child would always protect his bump first in dangerous situation. It was an instinct a mother would always show naturally. Just like he expected, Oon was really awaiting a child. „Get out of my sight and don't ever set foot in Siam again!", he ordered without gazing at his oppossite's face.

The man left without complaining. Surely, he would had to sneak around and leave the border this night without getting caught by the Emperor's men who were searching for him.

Pitcher grinned as soon as he was alone, caressing at his under lip. The smile grew wider, he mumbled, „That old physician got the crown prince of Burma pregnant, huh? That smart old man achieved his goal!"

*****************************************

Your opinion About this chapter? Prae isn't weak like she always looked like, you'll see more of her strong and protective side toward Maprang :) She will be a powerful ally later ;) And did you understand why Kong choose Prae as the new Empress instead of Arthit? And yes, Picther knew that Arthit is the Crown prince from Burma. He even knew the old physiscian who died back in Burma, the man who did Experiments just like many expected. Pitcher is holding the kew to the whole experiments :D Is he an ally or foe?