This chapter don't continue after the assassination of Arthit's maids but some days before. It will beginn with the royal wedding of Kongpob and Praepailin that I left out in the previous chapter. This chapter is too long so I made part 1 and 2 out of it... Feel free if you have any question... 

No Kpop today :) The song is Time after Time by Boyce Avenue ft. Megan Davies & Jaclyn Davies (Cover of Cindy Lauper)

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

Five days later, the day of the long awaited imperial wedding between the Emperor and the Empress-soon-to-be Praepailin would finally take place in a few moments. Kongpob, wearing extravagant long, red imperial gown and his golden crown, walked down the beautifully and neatly docorated aisle with his royal guards also maids behind him. The court officials, Prae's family also important guests like some Emperors and envoys from other neighbour countries which Emperors couldn't be present on the wedding day were there to congratulate the rulers of Siam. The guests were on both sides of the grand courtyard where the imperial wedding usually took place, everyone faced the aisle and kowtowed as the young, handsome Emperor walked in front of them. Even the invited neighbouring countries Emperors who respected Kongpob's strength and acknowledges had lowered their guards down to not appear arrogant to provoke one of the strongest country that was their ally.

The different rank of the concubines were obvious, they maintained the order on the wedding to follow the laws. The Emperor's throne was on top of the steps, neatly decorated that most guests were envious of the Emperor's great reputation and accomplishment all over Siam and other countries. On the left side of Kong's throne, was the throne of the Empress. Two steps down from them were three smaller seats on Kongpob's right side, they too were beautifully decorated but not too extravagant just like the Emperor's and Empress's ones. Those were the three consorts' places, the three were jealous of Praepailin's luck but they didn't let it shown in their faces to not be punished for showing jealousy in the imperial's harem.

Since the last concubine had the lowest rank among the wives of the Emperor, his seat was further down on the steps. This lonely place was occupied by the male concubine Oon. Even though the three consorts were jealous of Prapailin's luck, they felt more lucky than Oon. At least they were granted the titles as consort. Although the Emperor seemed to favour the male concubine during the last few months, he didn't give him any rank. It meant for everyone that Oon had fallen out of the great Emperor's genorisity and favour. Many were betting that the Emperor would name concubine Oon as his Empress but Kongpob showed them otherwise. They were surprised at the sudden and unexpected decision for appointing Praepailin as his Empress but they were still content that Kongpob didn't favour Oon anymore. To them, not choosing his loved one as the Empress signified that Kong was bored of him. If he preferred Praepailin over Oon then it clearly meant that he finally came to his senses and acknowledged woman's ability to be capable of bearing his children to secure his throne. Besides, according to the consorts, their Emperor grew tired of the male concubine after having his fun with him already and was searching for a new toy which he found in the merchant's daughter.

Arthit knew the looks everyone was giving him very well, he didn't fail to notice jealousy, pity and even hatred in many guests' faces. Most of the guests who were Kongpob's enemies were glad that Oon wasn't the Emperor's favourite anymore so they were mocking him. They would want to punish him for humiliating and confronting the Empress dowager with his rude behaviour before but they saved their punishment for later. Even Prae's merchant family were giving Oon faces like he shouldn't behave cocky toward them anymore since he was only the Emperor's plaything. One could read the death glares they were giving Arthit, meaning that the latter should learn his place because at the end, Kongpob grew tired of him and it was one of their family who was chosen as the powerful mother of Siam. According to them, Arthit should learn to accept the fact that the Emperor didn't favour him anymore and should bow down to them since they were one of the most powerful family in Siam and had power over him now. Later, they would find him and teach him lesson for humiliating their daughter by daring to have the Emperor for himself in the last few months.

However, not everyone in the merchant's family was content with the royal wedding. Some in the family were even jealous of Praepailin's fortune. Her oldest sisters only wedded rich men but none of them were lucky enough to have an Emperor as husband. Because of their hatred and jealousy toward her, they wished her unhappiness and misfortunes to fell upon her.

Meanwhile Arthit ignored everyone's glares and was concentrated on his handsome Emperor. For him, Kongpob looked handsome, strong, charmant, dazzling and even cute. Only positive thoughts were swirling in his mind as the Emperor approached him. In that moment, he only had his man in his eyes. Kong arrived in front of him. Before passing by him, he gave Arthit a quick but sweet faint smile. The guests failed to notice the sweet charming little smile on the Emperor's lips that brightened his face for a brief moment, except one person with his sharp eyes. Pitcher! He rolled his eyes, irritated that Kongpob couldn't even walk past Oon without sharing some sweet moments with him. Deep in thought, Pitcher couldn't listen to the court officials' hate comments anymore and almost blurted out that they should just shut up about their assumption that Kong didn't love his male concubine anymore. He couldn't believe that they were such old fools to not see the lovely sparkling between Kongpob and Oon. How can't you see that Kongpob is just protecting Oon by not giving him the Empress throne too soon? Bunch of blind and brainless idtiots! No wonder, he could fool you!

Actually, Pitcher never liked grand celebrations but he didn't want to miss his only chance to see his cute Oon. Even his two useless of younger brothers were present, they took seat beside him on the left side of the big steps near the Empress's throne. The three sons of the Empress dowager were parcitipating on the grand ceremony instead of being there for their mother to comfort her. According to the three sons, their mother brought the punishment upon herself so they didn't mind her to stay there confined to reflect on herself. Just like she raised them, they didn't care much about her health. Besides, they knew their fierce mother very well. She was the evil witch who gave birth to them in this cruel world and raised them with such tiny bit of love so they knew that she would never bow down to this Emperor and let him have his way. She would never stay calm and watch how the Emperor was cutting off all of her allies who were like her strength and supporting legs.

Arthit flashed a sweet, dimpled smile full of grace, passion and love toward Kongpob as the Emperor walked past him and waited in front of his throne. This time, the guests noticed the smile on Oon's porcelain white face. Even though Arthit wasn't the bride nor the Empress, he was still the center of everyone's attraction. The higher officials despised his braveness and known-it-all-attitude that let him dwell in his delusion that the Emperor still loved him. They were so concentrated on him that they almost missed Praepailin entrance on the aisle in front of them. The woman who should be today's center of everyone's attention, was even almost forgotten but she didn't care about them. Her father nodded, already anticipating his new role as the minister of left in the powerful country Siam. Soon he would rise his rank and be the premier minister. It was his aim and he would achieve his dream. Meanwhile, his wife had some tears in her eyes, signalising that she was just happy to witness the most wonderful day in her life. Her maid gave her a handkerchief to wipe off her tears immediately. Apparantly, shedding tears meant weakness and showing any weakness in front of the Emperor was just disgraceful. She should maintain her dignity if she didn't want to embarass her family. She looked more friendly than her greedy husband but she would turn into a tyran soon, slapping every servant that disrepected her by not giving her the honour she expected from everyone.

Standing in front of his throne and waiting for his Empress, Kongpob emitted a strong aura, intimidating and signalizing everyone not to mess with him if they valued their lives. The guests continued to kowtow, chanting the congratulation's words that the emperor should live for 1000 more years. Kongpob remained calm but was in high alert, his eyes facing the front but his concentration on Arthit the whole time. He was cautious so he wouldn't let his guard down to give the Empress the opportunity to sabotage the wedding or try to harm his Arthit. It was just strange that the Empress Dowager didn't give any living sign of her till now despite her knowing that today was concubine Praepailin's enthronement. He was slightly worried that she didn't do anything till now. Maybe it was the calm before the storm.

Prae, supported by her two maids in honor to walk over the aisle in her heavy, extravagant red gown with the royalty pattern drawn on the dress, could read the greed in her family's eyes. It was embarassing for her since she knew too well that this throne didn't belong to her anyway. This throne everyone wanted, belonged to the Emperor's beloved Oon. She was just a pawn, a substitute who would have to protect the throne and the male concubine with her power so no one would dare to touch them. However, she didn't support him without any benefit either. In return for helping him, Kongpob would grant her family honorable title and reward. The most benefit she was more excited about was the permission to pursuit Maprang secretly and be romantically involved with her behind everyone's back. It was a deal she, a smart merchant's daughter couldn't decline because she would never have any romantic relation with Maprang without Kongpob's support.

As Prae approached Oon, she spotted the maid Maprang behind him. Today Maprang didn't have the position as the concubine's guard but as the maid that allowed her to be present on the wedding.

Maprang was shoting sharp daggers toward the new Empress, actually the maids of „Arthit's protective maids gang" were secretly glaring at her, hating her for stealing their masters place. Praepailin, ignoring everyone else, just had her eyes for Maprang. She chuckled at Maprang's sweet reaction. Even though her glares were malicious, they were lovely in Prae's eyes. Arthit was surprised at the Empress's odd behaviour, he realized that only his best friend Maprang existed in her eyes, as if she didn't even care about the other humans' existence. That look! It was a look of a person madly in love, just like Kongpob always looked with so much love and passion at him. He looked upstairs, the taller man had a faint devilish smirk on his face. This smirk! Arthit had spent too much time with his Kong to read all of his faces. It meant that he was planing something evil, a plot that he wouldn't like. All the sudden, Arthit looked behind him at Maprang then back at Prae and at Kongpob. Slowly, he began to understand the reason behind Kong's smirk. Don't tell me... She likes my Maprang? If Kongpob knew that he just mentioned to Maprang as „His", he would frown, show his possessive side and try to punish Maprang for stealing his man's attention away from him. Arthit shot warning glares toward Kong. That handsome bastard of mine is trying to give my Maprang away to her... It wasn't an assumption but a fact that he just realized after thinking for a while.

Kongpob suddenly felt deadly glares sent toward him, signlising that someone was pissed off and he would regret his decision soon. When he saw aside, he finally met Arthit's warning stares. Oh, oh... He found out about it... Kongpob sighed inwardly. No intercourse for me for a while, huh... That's your punishment for acting behind his back, you idiot.

As Prae bowed down respectfully in front of the Emperor, the actual ceremony finally began. The well respected Bhikkhu, the buddhist monk, held the ceremony, praying to the gods of the nature that the Emperor and Empress should be granted with fortunes and children. As he chanted about the successor that they should be strong and wise just like their father, Arthit had a bright smile on his lips and caressed his womb. They are talking about you, my love... Even if they didn't mention about his child since nobody knew about its existence, he still saw their baby as Kongpob's successor, the right successor who should claim his title as the crown prince and lead the country in the future.

Oddly, Kongpob just wished the same when the Bhikkhu talked about his children. I will give you everything the moment you're born, my child. I will give your mother and you the whole world!

****

The ceremony ended without any complication. It went smooth just like Kongpob wished. The wedding and Praepailin's enthronement wasn't pompous just like Khaofang's one but the guests and the merchant family were still content. Why? Because unlike Khaofang's wedding and enthronement, the Emperor was present and accompanied his Empress through the whole celebration. It was more than enough that Kongpob appeared during the cerenomy, meaning that he really valued Praepailin.

Now was the time for the banquet everyone anticipated. It was still held grand, everyone was busy eating while enjoying the dances of the beautiful female dancers. Even the sword fights of the guards were joyable and entertaining. Meanwhile the Emperor and Empress sat down on their golden thrown, eating their delicious food while enjoying the happy atmosphere of the celebration. Arthit didn't even give the newly wed any attention, somehow he didn't like to see Kongpob being so close to someone else besides him. He lied to himself that he wasn't jealous over their closeness because Kong was his man and Prae his substitute after all but he still felt his heart tighten whenever he glanced over to them. Although they were just holding this ceremory for his sake, it still hurted to see them tying the knot with the blessing of most of the people in Siam. Sadly, he wouldn't be accepted just like Khaofang or Prae. Not because he was a man but because of his identity. If they ever learnt of Burma royal blood in him, they would confront Kongpob and try to dethrone him for hiding that fact from them.

Arthit just decided to ignore his feelings and eat his food peacefully. It wouldn't do him any good to be jealous of Praepailin. Actually, he already ate 2 plate of sweets but was still at his third go. The plate was filled with sweets only. Today, he craved for sweets more than usual, maybe because he felt bitter, he needed something sweet to clear his mind. Oddly, Kongpob noticed the sad look in his Arthit's eyes. He would like to embrace and comfort him but he shouldn't leave Prae's side to avoid suspicion. Arthit gazed around at the guests while stuffing his mouth with sweets. The Emperor, Empress and servants with higher rank were on the top of the steps, the rulers sitting on their thrones. The higher officials and important guests were sitting on their left side at the bottom of the steps some meters away from the newly wed. The three consorts and the male concubine were sitting on their small seat on the right side at the bottom of the steps. Arthit felt hot gazes boring a hole in his face. He noticed Pitcher sitting on the opposite side in front of him, having his sharp eyes filled with lust on him. The shorter man grunted then turned his attention back to his food.

A maid suddenly kneeled down before Arthit, holding a small alcohol jar in her hand and was about to pour alcohol in his bowl.

The male concubine stopped her intent by covering the alcohol bowl with his hand. „What do you think you're doing?"

Although Oon was the Emperor's concubine, she didn't value his existence anyway. Because everyone believed that he fell out of the Emperor's favour and was just a concubine, a much lower rank than her master, she didn't bower to look at him. „Consort Achara sent me here to you...", she answered. Achara was the first consort who was now the leader of the other two concubines since she was the first concubine to enter the Emperor's harem in the palace.

Consort Achara smiled at Oon, „Please, accept my kindness toward you concubine Oon", she emphasized the word „concubine". Apparantly, she wanted to humiliate him by showing him that their Emperor didn't care about him anymore and he was just a meaningless concubine.

Arthit, the lower ranked concubine, would be disrespectful toward a consort with higher rank if he refused the kind offer but Arthit didn't care about his punishment. He didn't want to put his child's life in danger by drinking alcohol during his pregnancy just because he wanted to avoid punishment. If he feared such rough treatment, he would never follow Kong till now. Right now, he only wanted to protect his the little life forming in his womb. Arthit glanced at the maid from the corner of his eyes, his hand still on the bowl. The guests were absorbed in the dancing girls that they missed the interesting show between the consort and the concubine. Meanwhile the two other consorts were smirking, they were clearly on Achara's side because she would likely be the royal consort soon and they needed to be on her good side. Kongpob looked like he had his eyes on the dancers but his attention was on Arthit and the consorts the whole time. He was boiling in anger that they were provoking his man, his hands clenched in fists. All the sudden, he was emitting an intimidating aura that only the servants next to him had noticed. The servants were trembling in fear, trying to find the cause of his bad mood.

„Please Emperor, I your humble Empress just want to remind you that you should refrain from shooting deadly glares toward the consort", a soft voice mumbled from the side.

Kongpob knew were the voice came from so he didn't try to have his attention on the person next to him. It came from Praepailin. She had kept her calm demeanour but she was actually whispering to the Emperor without anyone realizing it. Still, Kong didn't care of her warning. He only wanted to take his Arthit far away from them then murder them brutally one by one.

A sigh echoed from Kongpob's left side. Praepilin just sighed, asking herself how a man like the Emperor could fall so much in love with that he couldn't even see his man shed a single tear or a drop of blood. Even if concubine Oon looked fragile like a easily breakable treasure, she believed that he was a man who's appearance was deceiving. She was a martial art fighter to know if someone was weak or not. In her eyes, Oon was more than capable as he always gave of himself. She wanted Kongpob to believe in his concubine's ability and let him fight for himself. If he always appeared to rescue his man, Oon would never grew stronger than yet. For her, experiencing the worst would make you mature and stronger. She always believed in that saying. „They will suspect you if you show concern toward him. I thought you wanted to deceive everyone that you don't love him so your enemies wouldn't use him to threaten your life anymore?". Although she shouldn't lecture the Emperor according to the law, she still refused to give up if the Emperor didn't calm down. One would think that she already grew fond on her new role, „Do you want to make them hate and threaten him again?"

Kongpob knew that Praepailin was right. If he wanted to protect Arthit, he shouldn't meddle in their meaningless quarrel. The new Empress may guess it right that Kongpob loved Oon so much but she was wrong in one aspect. The problem wasn't that Kongpob didn't trust Krist's strength but he didn't trust those cunning witches. Arthit was pregnant but could control his emotions so far but he was changing again for an unknwon reason. He was more vulnerable than usual. Few days ago, Kongpob noticed that Arthit was more sensitive, would caress his womb as if he was in pain and even ate less every day. He was worried but didn't talk to him about the matter to not alert him. Now that Arthit was craving for food today, he was glad that he regained his appetite even if he only ate sweets and not decent dishes. However, seeing the consorts provoking him again, the Emperor almost exploded in rage. Before he could charge at the consort, a strong hand suddenly snatched the maid's wrist who was about to forcefully pour alcohol in Arthit's cup. The maid, Arthit and the consorts looked from the maid's hand up to the person holding her. Pitcher! He snatched the alcohol out of her grip, let her go then gulped down the alcohol in one go.

Kongpob's body tensed up, Arthit was surprised at Picther's odd behaviour. Even the three consorts were shocked to see the always well mannered Pitcher who never supported anyone before, appearing in front of them to help the male concubine. The three consorts were boiling in anger, asking themselves how the hell a man could sntach everyone's attention away from them, the obvious beautiful and well educated ones. Even if Oon was beautiful, he was still a man who have the same thing between his legs just like the other males. How could the most handsome and powerful men appreciate him over them who were germs?

Pitcher gave the maid the empty small jar back, smiling at her. His smile made him look more charmant, she fell in his charm and quickly disappeared behind consort Achara while blushing in embarrassment. Consort Achara didn't have enough of her game yet. Upon seeing prince Pitcher even appearing to Oon's rescue to drink the alcohol meant for him, she concluded that the male concubine shouldn't drink any alcohol. She ordered her maid to bring back another jar for the concubine. This time, Arthit didn't let Pitcher help him. He simply didn't want to be in the debt of that bastard. The maid intended to pour another alcohol in his bowl but Arthit just slapped the maid's hand away, causing the content of the jar to spill on his table. He just glared at consort Achara before she could even mutter a word then he gracefully stood up and left the banquet.

Pitcher, not giving up on Arthit, took the opportunity to chase after Arthit and be alone with him. He could sense Kongpob glaring at him from behind so he turned to face the Emperor, slightly bowing down to him and showing him a provoking smirk. He followed Arthit but he didn't get anywhere far as four beautiful women surrounded him, hugging him while pushing their bodies close to him to let him feel their big breasts the gods gifted them with. The four young women were the daughters of court officials whom he played with whenever he visited his mother in the palace. They used high pitched voice to sound cute, every one of them trying to be too close to him. Pitcher begged them to let him go, promising them that he would come later to play with them but they refused. As if someone ordered them not to let him go, they just dragged him somewhere else. Pitcher reached out his hand in the direction Arthit went to but he couldn't have him within his graps anymore. The girls took him far away. Pitcher just cursed in his head that he would get back at Kongpob for sending those girls to him to prevent him from chasing after Arthit. As if he felt that his plan succeeded, Kongpob was calmer now next to Praepailin. She sighed again, his love for Arthit was strong but it made him more blind also dangerous and cunning. 

****

Arthit arrived in the flower garden, there weren't any light but small sparkles were shining in the dark garden. Those were countless fireflies flying around or just sitting on the flower as if they were admiring them. It was a wonderful and soothing view, he finally calmed down. The lights of the fireflies let him see his path clearly. Arthit followed one of the flying fireflie, this one caught his attention because it was the tiniest one but it strangly shone more brighter than the others. Arthit was fond of this small insect, it was smaller but it clearly had more strength and endurance than the others, representing Arthit's own life. He didn't have any parents nor a high title but he still shone brighter than the others. Because he had Kong and this child in his life, he would find his strength to keep fighting and never cease climb higher to his goal.

The tiniest firefly arrived in front of a red rose, as if suggesting Arthit that he should touch this flower. The young man squatted down despite his growing womb, enjoying the scenerio the fireflie was giving him. His lips curved up, a bright smile appeared on his face. His cheek was plastered with a sweet dimple. He reached his pointer toward the fireflie but the animal didn't fly away. When he wanted to touch it, something rough kicked on his back and pushed him forward. He fell down, destroying the beautiful flower with his weigh. Since he fell in the front, he landed flat on his womb. A soft whimp escaped his mouth, he immediately wrapped his arm around his womb to protect his baby. All the fireflies flew away, now the only lights were given by the lamps the persons behind him were carrying.

Arthit abruptly turned to face the person who just kicked him. Consort Achara was in front of him, smirking at her victory. She intended to kick his face but she froze on the spot when Oon glared at her with such hatred that she couldn't continue with her intention. Concubine Oon was known for his braveness and his ability to confront those with higher ranks as him but it was the first time that consort Achara had faced him directly. This impudent concubine's eyes dared to look at her with eyes filled with daggers, rage and hatred that she felt all the hair on her body rising up in fear. She trembled in fear for a second but she regained her old, fierce composure. Arthit didn't try to run away because he knew that it was pointless. Achara didn't come alone, she had two maids and four female guards blocking his escaping route. Besides, Arthit didn't want to flee from her. He didn't fear her nor was she a capable opponent to him. Comparing to Khaofang and the Empress Dowager, Achara was only a small fly that wasn't worth his time and attention.

„You impudent bitch!", she insulted him through clenched teeth. „How dare you disrespect me in front of my servants!". She clenched her hands in fists, „Don't think that I won't hurt you because you was once the Emperor's favourite toy. Now that he's bored of you, he tossed you away like trash. You're nothing to him anymore!"

„Really?", Arthit asked nonchalant. He had a blank expression on his face. A second later, he showed her one of his beautiful smile to provoke her. Since he wanted her to see that he didn't care about her assumption, he just laughed.

She was so angry that her blue veins showed on her head, reflecting on the eyes of the fireflies that came back to watch the show. She spat on the ground, „You should try to win my favour because I'm going to be the royal consort soon!", she was confident in her ability to foresee her future.

Now Arthit just let out loud laughter, clearly laughing at her silly ambition. Achara wanted to grab his hair and yank him forward but Arthit was faster. Slap! Arthit slapped his left cheek, making Achara and her servants gasp in shock. Slap! Another slap echoed in the air, he had just slapped his right cheek. His chubby cheeks didn't have the usual pale skin anymore but were rather red. They were swollen already due to the force he used in the slaps.

Arthit suddenly hold onto his belly and moaned in pain dramatically. „Why did you have to kick my stomach? Why did you have to slap me twice?", Arthit's loud voice resounded in the quiet, dark garden. He did his role so well that everyone were doubting their reasoning if the consort really slapped him or not even though they were present during his drama.

Achara and her servants were flabbergasted at his lie. They clearly witnessed him slapping himself but why was he lying that the consort hurted him? However, Arthit didn't finish with her yet. He began gasping for air. Achara couldn't understand why Oon was behaving like a lunatic but she wanted to teach him another lesson. She intended to yank his hair forward but a strong hand grabbed at her wrist, the person used so much force in the grip that he almost broke her wrist.

She screamed in pain, „How dare yo...", she raised her voice while turning to face the bastard who dared to touch her who was the Emperor's treasure.

However, she didn't get to finish her sentence and swallowed the last words as she noticed the person staring bitterly at her. The Emperor! Kongpob hold firmly onto her frail wrist, using more force to teach her some pain. She whimpered like a wounded, scared puppy whereupon she fell to her knees. Her servants were shocked upon seeing the Emperor's arrival that they failed to feel sooner. They were sure that Kongpob was celebrating his wedding and wouldn't leave his own ceremony but Kongpob proved them wrong. He really left the new Empress's side to rush to Arthit's side. Even though Prae warned him not to concern himself with Arthit for the time being or act rashly for Arthit's own sake, he couldn't let his love be devoured by those devils in his vulnerable state. However, he encountered an unexpected situation when he entered the garden to approach Arthit. He witnessed Arthit holding onto his womb, trembling in pain while being cornered by a nobody like Achara. How dare she touched his germ? How dare she hurt his husband and his baby? He would make her pay more than with her life!

Out of anger, Kongpob tossed Achara aside just like trash. She fell hard on her left side, her face hit strongly onto the ground, it hurted and bleeded. Kongpob went to his knees before Arthit and helped him to sit up properly. His eyes wandered over Oon's face, his attention fell on the bruises on his cheeks. He caressed the shorter one's cheek but Arthit moaned in pain, looking overly hurt and sad at Kong. Only now did Achara realize the true intention of Oon. He slapped himself to make himself appear hurt as if someone bullied him just now. It was all a show to make her look like the big bad bully while he would be the innocent victim. How could she let herself be played around by him?

„Bring her in the dungeon and give her 30 canings! Throw her not so gently outside of the palace afterward!", Kongpob's stern voice resounded in the duster atmosphere of the chilly night. It was her punishment for touching and hurting his precious treasure.

The witnesses and Achara's eyes widened in shock upon hearing the Emperor's command. To punish someone with caning was a cruel punishment that many feared in the palace. Besides, she would barely survive 30 canings of punishment. Even if she barely survived, she would be left crippled for many years if she was unlucky. She was a consort and not a criminal to be treated harshly but the servants could understand the Emperor's wrath. Even if he didn't care about the male concubine anymore, it was still against the royal law to tarnish the Emperor's women who should maintain their cleanness for the Emperor. Since he would sleep with them someday, nobody should dirty his concubines but Achara dared to toss Oon around like she pleased. It was worse that she slapped him without any particular reason, it showed that she was jealous of him. Jealousy was prohibited in the palace so she should just brave her destiny.

The Emperor's servants pitied her but they wanted her to accept her punishment. Only Achara and her own maids knew what actually happened between Oon and her. She was innocent but nobody would believe her. They felt more for the pitiful looking Arthit. They were just stupid to let themselves be played by Oon.

Achara kneeled down to beg the Emperor for mercy, „I didn't hurt him! He did it to himself, Emperor... Please believe your humble consort!", she desperately begged with a loud voice.

According to the servants, consort Achara deserved such punishment but the servants were reluctant to carry out the order. Kongpob ignored the pleading Achara and only cared about his injured Arthit. Because Kongpob never repeated his command for a second time, two of his royal guards hold onto Achara and rudely yanked her up. They dragged her away while she screamed for the Emperor mercy. Meanwhile Kongpob lifted Arthit up, carried him safely in his arms and went in the opposite direction. Achara looked behind, struggling against the two guards to free herself out of their grip. Arthit had his eyes on Achara then smirked at her, revealing that he won the war. Like he already predicted, she wasn't any opponent against his smart, evil brain. He didn't even feel pity toward her so he just enjoyed his closeness with his Kongpob.

„You evil man of mine... It's sly of you to play her like that...", Kongpob mentioned in the way to the flower palace. While asking this question, he admitted that he knew about Arthit's plan to get rid of her but he didn't sabotage his plan.

Arthit shrugged, didn't care that Kongpob knew that he lied about the matter with the consort Achara. „She deserves it... I won't forgive anyone for trying to harm me". He played with his fingers against Kongpob's chest, tugging sweetly into his red gown to make a way to his hard chest. „You knew that I lied but you still played along and end up punishing her...". Actually, Arthit knew that Kongpob would chase after him upon seeing him leaving the celebration so he just waited for the right opportunity to bring out his trump card. In the right moment as his man entered the garden, he played the drama queen who was injured by the big bully.

„Nobody would be safe after provoking my sun...", Kongpob mentioned softly.

Despite them punishing Achara for something she didn't do, they didn't feel any pity toward her since she deserved it. Achara pushed Arthit against the hard ground, causing him to fall on his womb. She hurted their baby so she must pay for her crime. She was just unlucky to have the slightly irritated Arthit as her opponent. It would be a lesson for the other consort that they shouldn't mess with the Emperor's male concubine. Even if Kongpob didn't give Arthit any title yet, he wouldn't let anyone touch and hurt him! 

****

The night where the Emperor and the Empress would spent their first time together arrived, the maids already prepared the Empress's chamber for the highly anticipated first night. The merchant family hoped that their daughter would get pregnant by the first night and would bear the future successor for the country Siam. After drinking the alcohol the Empress served him, the Emperor took his wife to the kingsize bed, both of them sat opposite to each other. He came closer to her then kissed her passionately on her lips. He pulled her aside, both of them fell sideway on the bed. The ruler began to undress her from her gown, tossing them gently aside. Sweet sounds came from the chamber. The maids outside of the entrance were blushing, chuckling at the sweet sounds both the Emperor and the Empress were making in the room.

Meanwhile a taller man just sneaked in Arthit's chamber. The male concubine sat on his bed and read some poem in the script, his back was leaned against the board of the bed. He looked forward, his lips curved up into a soft smile. Kongpob smiled back at him then walked over to him and sat beside him on the egde of the bed. He caressed over Arthit's growing bump, his touch was gentle and comforting. His head leaned on the bump, he felt and listened to their child's beating heart in his mother's womb. Arthit loved it when Kong caressed his bump, it always make the three of them feel closer to each other and it soothed him. While Kongpob was listening to their child's heartbeat, the shorter one caressed his hair, raking his fingers through the taller one's soft hair. He placed a tender kiss on Kongpob's head. The three of them were in their own world, enjoying their togetherness.

At the same moment, a woman approached the flower palace. She sneaked near the chamber of Arthit's maids where the servants were residing at the night. Luck was on her side since no one was guarding the entrance that time. Apparantly, all the maids were in their chamber and prepared themselves for the night. The female stranger leaned her back against the cold wall, feeling herself closer to the one she had in her heart. She could hear few faint murmur coming out of the room. It wasn't her beloved one's voice but she was more than happy to be so close to her. Praepailin had a faint smile on her lips, her heat skipped a beat at the mere thought that her love was just a few inches away from her behind that cold wall. Her smile was filled with various emotions. The feelings were happiness that she was getting a step closer to Maprang but also sadness that she couldn't have more than that. She woud like to be beside her, touch her and feel her body just like Kongpob was doing with Oon but she wasn't fortunate like the Emperor. Right now, she had to be satisfied with their current situation. Someday, she would get her Maprang and be able to touch, kiss and make love to her.

It was truth that a woman and a man were having their first intercourse in the Empress's room but those two persons weren't the persons everyone thought they were. The Emperor and the Empress sneaked out of the chamber while disguised themselves as a guard and a maid as the night deepened. They were remplaced by the maid and guard which uniform they took for the disguise without anyone suspecting them. Since the maid and the guard were in love but due to the law prohibiting the servants to have a romantic relationship in the imperial palace, they were meeting secretly untill one of Kongpob's most trusted guard caught them. Kong didn't care about any law and gave them his blessing since they were madly in love just like Arthit and him. However, he made a deal with them that they could take their places and have the most memorable night in their lives under a romantic atmosphere without the need to hid their love. It was an offer that was tempting enough, something they wouldn't get again for the rest of their lives so both servant and maid gladly accepted the offer. They helped each other to reach their goal by swapping their identity. Everyone was beside their beloved ones, everyone was happy that night.

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

I have part 2 of this chapter but I will wait and update the other story first then I'll update this one :) Part 2 continue with the precious chapter's end where Kongpob was injured... Feel free to leave comments about this chapter :)

Caning is a synonym of spanking...