Here is chapter 5 of the historical story... It's long again :D since I shouldn't take any therapy right now, I shall kep writing long chapters :D

The song is Divine Intervention by Kim Ju Na  (Hwarang: The Beginning OST)

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Kongpob and Arthit decided to take a stroll in the Emperor's palace garden after they ate luch together in the big Emperor's dining room. Because Kongpob needed to leave the palace for a very important mission in a few minutes, he wanted to spend some time with his lover before leaving for the meeting. They were walking side by side on the long bright path of the garden that was embellished with many beautiful flowers. Soft breeze blew above them, leaves and blossoms blowing and dancing around them. Their servants and guards were keeping many meters distance away from them since the taller man ordered them to give them some privacy instead of crowding them. Actually Arthit shouldn't walk around and endanger himself also the baby according to the physician but since fresh air did good for him and the baby, he had to leave his chamber from time to time to catch some air.

Arthit faced Kongpob, showing him a sweet smile he always used whenever he wanted to ask for a favour, his dimples revealing. „I want to explore Siam more... Can I..."

The shorter man didn't even have to finish his sentence as Kongpob interrupted, making a serious expression Arthit didn't miss to understand the meaning behind it. „No!", it was a clear rejection the young crown prince couldn't accept so easily. Kongpob didn't want to explain him the reason for him to reject his request because Arthit was aware of it already.

„Why not? I'm feeling suffocated in the palace. I need to know Siam if you want me to stay here with you, Kongp...", Arthit almost called him by his name in front of his servants. If he didn't want to raise more suspiscion about their relationship and hate from the Empress and the dowager, he should follow the law, bow down to the Emperor , show him his respect and never call him by his real name. He called Kongpob with honorific, showing his humble side only to him, „Emperor, please give me the permission to leave the palace...", it was a begging he didn't want to sound too commanding.

„My decision would be NO even if you ask me for the ninth time. Oon, I'm not going to put you in danger by allowing to leave for outsite and have some fun in your state", he whispered to him to not let his servants hear him, „I have many fiends watching my and your steps. They know about you being my weakness, Arthit. Something dangerous always happens whenever I lose you out of my sight. Like I said just now, I won't let you leave my side!", his voice was so firm while ordering him not to step out of his chamber but his eyes were anything as fierce. They were filled with emotions: worries and fear to love both Arthit and their unborn baby. He promised himself not to make the same mistakes he did before by allowing Arthit to put himself in danger by acting his own way.

„I know you're scared for our lives but I need to go out and live or else I would suffocate in this place. I lost my family and need some distraction to not think about them everyday. I'll be careful, I promise... Nobody will recognize me as your...", he wanted to call himself his weakness but he closed his mouth tightly, stopping on the track all the sudden.

Arthit took Kongpob's hand to wait with him for a while. Both facing each other, the shorter man touching the latter's neck, caressing on his smooth skin. The servants immediately turned away to give them some privacy in their intime moment. Arthit used a soft voice to convince him to let him out for a few hours.

„Are you trying to concince me by seducing me again?", Kongpob put a little smile on, waiting for Arthit's move to seduce him with his body and cute acting.

His Highness leaned his lips at Kongpob's, coming closer to him to close every inches of gape between them, tilting his head slightly aside and parting his lips slightly from each other. He kissed him, it a was slow, brief but tender kiss. He broke the kiss a moment after to read the taller man's his eyes. „And did it help? ...I promise you to come back unscathed after..."

The Emperor smiled, clearly enjoyed the kiss and felt satisfied but a mere kiss wouldn't be enough to change his opinion. „Your advance won't help you this time, Arthit. Why can't you understand my feelings?", the taller man rejected him again, holding his hand that was resting on his neck, gently as possible to not hurt him. „A No is a No!"

„Fine... Then apologize my rudeness to go ahead and leave you standing here!", he turned his head away from him like a wife who was angry at her husband and didn't want to see nor talk to him for the time being.

Great! He's sulking now. If my man is sulking then it'll be difficult to make it up to him. Maybe I should buy many sweets on the way back.

Arthit stomped ahead from him, walking faster and stomping his feet on the ground to show him that he was angry at him and didn't appreciate his decision to lock him up in the palace. However Arthit exaggerated with his sulking and tripped over his own foot, losing his balance and stumbled down but he managed to save himself from falling, touching on the ground to steady his position. Kongpob couldn't take him serious when he was acting clumsy like that. He chuckled at his sweet reaction that made him actually look like a weak fool but Kongpob knew his Arthit was anything else than weak or a fool. He was a strongheaded man whom he would never cease to worry about. Most of people who witnessed the crown prince tripping over his own foot, would laugh at him but Kongpob didn't laugh. He would find anything about Arthit sweet and funny enough to love him even more. Kongpob loved his flaws and his clumsiness. Arthit wasn't perfect for most pople but he was perfect for him. Perfect to be his man. Perfect to be his future Empress.

However Kongpob's cute thought about his man, didn't reach Arthit yet. He was still fuming, mumbling about Kongpob being a sadist for keeping him here and he was feeling like a bird caught in a cage and never allowed to fly freely. What the hell? I'm a free man and it's my right to demand for my freedom. I won't accept this kind of treatment, even if my man is the Emperor who's order are absolute.

Meanwhile Maprang and the servants caught up to Arthit, his best friend keeping up to him but holding one meter distance behind him. She tried to talk sense to him to make him listen to his man but he suddenly froze on the spot, clenching his hands.

„What did he say? Something dangerous always happen whenever I leave his side?", he angrily turned to face her, his cheeks red from too much sulking. „Is he my guardin angel or something like that?", he asked but continued speaking before Maprang could come to words, didn't give her the chance to explain Kongpob's words to him. „It's not like I can't protect myself. I don't need his protection!", Arthit was sure that he never got help from Kongpob who was his guard once in Burma. His comment made him receive a side look from Maprang as she remembered the past and counted the many times he was in danger and needed to be saved by Kongpob. Only because of Kongpob did he survive many assassination attempt. Either he didn't want to acknowledge to need the taller man it or he had problem with his memories.

Maprang scratched at her forehead, mumbling so faintly so he wouldn't hear her. „It's not like he saved you many times..."

Finally he decided to hear Maprang's opinion about Kongpob's comment. „Huh? Did you say something?"

She shook her head hard, denying the fact of having said anything the whole time. Arthit entered his flower palace but didn't go as far as he wanted since the rest of the maids were gathered in the courtyard, gossiping about the royal family. He was curious and wanted to listen to more of their stories. After they talked about the Empress, they changed the topic, talking the Emperor being a man of few words. His emotionless face, dark expression, his eyes that always reflected danger and the mysterious aura around him were making him handsome but also scary too. According to them, Kongpob didn't even knew what love and fun meant, they were also asking how Oon and him met and fell in love. They were talking behind his back without knowing that Arthit was behind them, crossing his arms and listening to their little stories.

„I ask myself the same question too... How the hell did he manage to make the friendly and handsome Ai'Oon to fall in love with him?", he grabbed at his chin, falling deep in thought, thinking the same as the maids and trying to find answer to his doubt.

„That's what we want to know too. I mean both are complete different species. The Emperor is mean and scary but calm while concubine Oon is lively and such an ang...", she said while turning around to the source where the manly voice came from but fell quiet when she turned around and noticed Arthit standing behind them, mingling in their crowd as if he was one of them.

The servants gasped, went in shock, looking at each other, fearing for their lives for being rude and disrespectful towards the most powerful man in Siam. They kneeled down on the ground, keeping their heads down on the ground, didn't dare to look ip in his eyes. However Arthit didn't care about his servants being scared of him. He was gossiping even though the girls ceased with badmouthing the imperial family.

Arthit went from to and fro while his servants were trembling, „I can't explain myself the reason why I fell in love with him. I mean he may be handsome but looks isn't everything. He doesn't have any manners towards me, wants to controll me and lock me here like a slave. It doesn't make sense that I'm still here next to him. Why does my heart beat fast whenever I see him? Do you think he put a spell on me?", he was dead serious with his question.

The girls were giggling as they recognized that he wasn't evil like the Empress to punish them. Some were whispering that love could make everyone blind. During the whole time as Arthit was talking bad about Kongpob behind the latter's back, the taller man was just behind him, listening to him doubting his feelings for him because he didn't allow him to leave for outside. Kongpob crossed his arms over his chest, silent and calm like an assassin and curious about Arthit's thought about him. Maprang came beside him, bowing down her head, looking red as tomato since she was ashamed of the crown prince's childish behaviour. However it didn't matter to Kongpob as long as Arthit was having fun. He was worried about him and came after him to see whether he was fine but seeing him badmouthing him, meant that he wasn't badly hurt by his fierce words.

„I'm not mad because I know he still loves me madly even if he's badmouthing me!", there was a no trace of insecurity in Kongpob's voice, telling how confident he was about Arthit's feeling for him.

She didn't have to doubt the crown prince's feeling for Kongpob either because she knew how much the latter meant for his Highness. He loved him more than anything else. Both loved each other so much that they would even give up their power and lives to save the other. Kong chuckled at the maids waiving to Arthit, suggesting him that the Emperor was behind him and he shouldn't disrespect him like that or he would lose his tongue as punishment. However Arthit was so much into his speech that he didn't listen to them.

„I want you to look after him while I'm gone", Kongpob said, gazing at Maprang, showing her his sincere expression. „Don't leave his side and don't let him set foot out this palace!", it sounded like an order but also a begging he asked from the bottom of his heart. Arthit was the most important person in his life, he didn't want anyone to harm him while he was gone or he would regret it for the rest of his life.

She nodded, bowing her head as accepting his order. Kongpob gave her a little smile that made her blush for a brief moment but she controlled her feeling to not be too obvious that she liked Kongpob's smiles that was rare. She changed her opinion about his smiles being rare but it was meant only for Arthit. Whenever the Emperor was smiling or laughing then it meant that he just thougth about his man. It was the first time Kongpob smiled to her so she was happy for the rare occassion that made her heart beat faster. It meant he considered her enough to trust his beloved Arthit in her hands. She shouldn't disappoint him no matter the circumstance.

Kongpob left the flower palace after bidding farewell with Maprang, calling to one of his best and strongest guard, Prem. As the taller man kneeled in front of him, he gave him the order to stay behind and protect his concubine Oon instead. Since his shadow would follow him to the mission, someone as strong and quick like Aim had to protect Arthit on the shadow. Although Prem didn't like his order, he promised him to not let any harm come to Oon. Somehow he seemed not to be found of Oon since he couldn't find anything special about him. For a strong man like himself, Oon was too weak for a man so he couldn't take him as a real man anyway. He always asked himself why the Emperor loved him so much that he would risk his power for him but it wasn't his place to be curious and question his master's decision or love life.

Before Kongpob left, he warned Prem to be careful and to never take his eyes from Arthit. He shouldn't take him lightly either because he looked frail but was strong and mischievous that he could slip out of his hands without him even having the chance to hold him back from his plans to run away. Even though Prem doubted such a girly man with silky fine skin and frail bodyfigure like a woman could ever succeed to deceive him but he promised to devote his life to protect concubine Oon. Kong took his way to the grand palace to change into his fighting clothes for the challenge he was about to fight in a few hours. On his way back, he met his substitute Dew running from aside to him. They entered the Emperor's chamber, exchanging some information about their plan while the substitute helped him to change in another light clothes.

„We placed many soldiers ahead in every corner of the meeting place... They'll protect you when the man appeared to be dangerous", actually Dew knew that the Emperor didn't need any protection since he was stronger than the soldiers they sent there but it was an absolute must to provide many soldiers for the Emperor's protection in case that something unexpected happened.

Of course he would never let Arthit know about his plan but the reaosn why he needed to leave the palace was because of their pictures and the fact that someone was searching for them. Today he planed to meet the person who put their wanting pictures on the market. One of his man disguised as a whistleblower and managed to make contact with the mysterious person by lying that he knew them. Fortunately no commoners ever saw Arthit's and his face since the Emperor's seldom appear in front of his people so no one would interfer with their plan. He was curious to find out why the person was searching for them. If it was an enemy than the person should be killed immediately to prevent further problems.

****

Arthit was in one of the many rooms of his palace, there were two beautiful long dress, one was pink and the second one dark green, laying on the bed. Maprang was beside him, arms crossed over her stomach, wondering why there were those two dresses on the bed. What was the crown prince intention again? She was curious but bit tightly on her lips to not be rude and disrespectful by asking too much question. Arthit couldn't hold back his mischievous smile, was grining the whole time, raising Maprang's curiosity more the longer he was laughing like an evil schemer. Maprang loved Arthit as a special best friend and master she would always serve and protect but sometimes Arthit's mischievous side was scaring the hell out of her. Whenever he was smiling like that then it didn't mean nothing good.

„I apologize for questioning his Highness but why are we in this chamber? Why those two dancers' dresses?", she dared to disrespect him once by asking him the question dweling in her head the whole time.

„I invited dancers in the palace for entertainment purpose..."

„Ah I see...", she answered without thinking too much into it. Her eyes widened in shock when she finally realized the meaning behind his intention, thinking of the consequence that could obscure by inviting them in the palace. „Do you mean the Emperor's private dancers meant for banquet or dancers from outside?"

He smiled, „Dancers from outside of course!", he was proud of himself for managing to collect some dancers from outside who were more than willingly to perform their special dances in front of the Emperor's concubine.

„No, no! I'm not content with your intention, crown prince. Did you think of the possibilities of assassins mingling among them to hurt you?"

„I thougth about every danger that's why I told them that only women could enter the palace's ground."

„Don't look down on women's strength, your Highness..."

„I don't look down on them. I just don't trust those fragile women to be dangerous."

She gulped hard, „I beg you, don't be too careless around women. Did you know that one of your maids wanted to poison you on Princess's Youn's banquet?", it was time to tell him the truth Kongpob kept hidden from him for his own sake. „Only the Emperor and Princess Youn knew about it. Both saved you from her!"

He didn't knew that. Kongpob never told him about his servant trying to poison him once in Burma. He was shocked to know that his servant joined his enemies and wanted him dead but he played it well off as if he didn't care anymore about the past he tried so hard to forget. He was hurt that his man hide this important information from him but he choose to let it slide for now. Is there anything else you're hiding from me, Kongpob? He shrugged to show how that the information he just hear about didn't matter to him anymore. „Trust me, I'm not careless neither fearless. I'm aware of the fact that there are many assassins waiting to assassinate me and Kong... and the Emperor but", he turned to the dresses he left on the kingsized bed. „I made sure to let only dancers in the palace. There won't be any assassins but only persons disguised as dancers", the last words were so faint that Maprang almost missed it.

„What do you mean with persons disguised as dancers?"

Arthit looked at himself then at Maprang and at the dresses. She was too naive to understand the meaning behind his look. He pointed to himself, her then at the dresses. She gasped when she finally grasped the situation. Arthit was talking about about them to disguise as dancers to mingle among them. But what would he do afterwards?

„We're going to leave the palace and have fun outside", he was calm as if there weren't any worries or insecurities in his plan.

„No... No", she rejected his offer to leave with her. „Even if you don't listen to me, there's still Prem blocking your way", she let him know without knowing that he already planed how to take care of the strong guard.

„Don't worry, Maprang. I already have plan for him. We'll return before the Emperor will be back from the mission", he was so confident about his plan and so sure about not failing today with his escaping plan.

„I can't allow you to leave the palace... The Emperor trusted your life in my hand and I won't betray him by allowing you to leave for outside!", this time she was stubborn to not change her opinion. It was the first time she reacted serious towards his Highness and rejected his intention. Not only didn't she want to disappoint Kongpob but she was afraid at the latter's reaction when finding out about her allowing Arthit to leave the safe ground. She couldn't play with the crown prince's life.

Arthit was surprised by her unusual tone she just used towards him but he didn't feel insulted. He just chuckled at her behaviour, found her reaction too cute to not tease her. He approached her, touching and patting her head. Since Kongpob wasn't here anyway to throw him a jealous look, he could play with her like best friends always did. He hoped to change her opinion by acting sweet and pitiful in front of her but she kept stubborn, refusing to let him leave while the Emperor was absent. Arthit fell deep in thought, wondering since when she was immune against his charm. Strange! My charm didn't help either against Kongpob this morning. Did I lose the effectiveness of my charm? He sighed. If his charm couldn't help him in this situation then there was only one option to use against her.

He strolled in the chamber, arms crossed behind his back, „I heard there will be a ship for sightseeing in the proximity of the market", he finally used his last trump card to win her on his side.

Maprang's eyes widened in surprise as soon as she heard the word ship. She loved ships but never saw one in her short entire life. Her dream was to see a big ship from outside and inside and cruising with it on the ocean before dying. Now that she was close to her dream but she had to sacrifice Arthit's safety for her wish. No, never would she endanger the crown prince for her amusement. His Highness saved her from famine and death, she shouldn't just put him in danger because of a simple wish.

He realized her wavering thanks to his genius idea to went for a sightseeing in a ship. He went to her, touching her on shoulders, not using too much strength to press down the frail body of her. Maprang was strong but she was too small too. Because of her small bodybuilt, not many did take her as serious as opponent, something they would regret after making acquaintance with her strength. She stuttered, thinking whether it would be a fatale mistake if they leave the palace for a few hours. Of course Arthit didn't let this chance slip away.

„I know you're worried about me but you don't have to be. I can protect myself", he nodded to her to assure her that he would survive any attack on him since he didn't have to protect himself but two other persons too. His man Kongpob and their unborn child. He grabbed at her hand, pulling him towards the entrance, „Come on there are already here. The ship won't wait long for us..."

Arthit and Maprang arrived the moment thirteen female dancers entered the palace ground. He choose many dancers to not let Prem and his eunuch notice them slip away. The beautiful young women bowed down in front of the concubine to show their respect, asking him if he had a special dance he would like them to perform. Arthit invited his guard and his eunuch to join him but the always serious Prem declined his offer, fearing to be on the Emperor's bad side if he experienced him having a banquet with his man. However Arthit didn't accept a no as answer, not giving him the chance to escape his plan by giving him the order to join him. Prem sat down a few meters beside him, accepting the strong alcoholic drink the concubine offered him. Even Toota couldn't reject an offer from Oon. Arthit explained them not to feel well enough to drink alcohol, beside Kongpob would be angry if he find out about him drinking in his absence.

After their first drink, he poured them another cup of alcohol. The alcohol began to kick in, their blood system pumping more than before from the strong alcoholic drink. Their body were feeling hot but it tasted good since it was an expensive wine from abroad. While they were drinking, the dancers made sure to entertain them, dancing beautifully in front of them. Prem's vision's blurred after some minutes, he was staggering from his seat. It didn't take long for Toota, the light drinker he was, to lose his consciouness. Arthit waved at the dancers to take care of his men. As soon as the women surrounded Prem and Toota, playing with them, he pulled Maprang to follow him in the second chamber. He forced her to change into one of the dress while he went in his chamber to give her some privacy, wearing his dress there. Because of his feature, he could disguise himself as a woman without any problem.

Both stepped carefully out of the chambers. The maids were allowed to have fun with the dancers so they weren't aware of their master slipping away from them. Maprang looked dazzling in the pink dress but she was shy to wear such beautiful dress that was meant for talented dancers. Her cheek was pink from embarrassment, almost going under in her dress colour. Arthit wrapped his arm around her, approaching the big gate. She hard to ask the guards to open the door for them to leave since her friend didn't fell well. It was necessary that he shouldn't speak or else his voice that was too deep for a woman would betrayed them. He had his hand covered his mouth the whole time to play a shy, helpless girl. The four heavy armed guards mustered them, their outfit given them that they were one of the dancers concubine Oon just invited in his palace.

The guards opened the heavy gate for them, Arthit almost celebrated his freedom but had to hold it back for now. They left the safe palace's ground, walking like normal civilians on the way to their home. As the gate was closed behind them, Arthit went aside then undressed himself from his dress, hiding it somewhere in the bush. He wore a dark pants and Shirt to disguise himself as a normal looking husband with no connection to the imperial family. Maprang was surprised that he even thought of wearing a changing clothes under the dress.

„What about me? Don't I have to change my cloths too?"

„You don't have to change into another clothes... You look more like my wife in that dress", his lips curved up into a sweet smile.

Maprang blushed heavily, blinking her eyes many times. She begged him to repeat his words but Arthit just smiled at her, wrapping his arm around her and telling her that she would play his wife for now. His stupid question whether she would like to play the man, made her blush even more. Together with his wife, he took the way to the big market on the broad daylight.

****

Kongpob finally arrived at the destination, entering the shack he was supposed to meet the mysterious person. Apparantly the person wasn't a man on time since he waited for more than twenty minutes but the person didn't appear till now. He walked over in the shack, having his eyes at his surrounding to react quick in case of being attacked. His man were everywhere but he had to be careful and protect himself too.

The taller man felt a dangerous presence behind him but it was too late to react right now. The danger was already behind him, a person drawing his sword at him, laying it around his neck and wrapping his around around the latter's chest. The Emperor couldn't move anymore, he was captured in a trap. His soldiers immediately entered the hut, drawing their swords, aiming at the threat behind their master. They were ready to eliminate the danger threatening their Emperor. The guards slowly stepped towards them, the person stepping backwards, pulling Kongpob back with him.

„Tell your men to disappear or I'll slit your throat!", the person threatened him, his firm voice letting him know that he was dead serious. He would make his threat true if he didn't listen to him.

That voice! Kongpob did hear it before in Burma. But how come that person is still alive? He couldn't believe that man to be still alive but he couldn't believe his ear ability to deceive him either. Even if the person had a mask covering his face and was speaking through the mask, he still recognized that strong voice he made acquaintance with in Burma's palace.

„Listen to him and step back!", Kongpob commanded his men.

The many soldiers wavered at first, didn't want to endanger the most powerful man in Siam by listening to his order. They would be marked as assassins and punished to death if they failed to protect the Emperor. Kongpob screaming at them not to defy his orders, forced them to step back slowly. However the younger man grabbed at the opportunity when the person was distracted, sensing another soldier hiding somewhere outside, aiming his bow at him to shot him anytime. He hit his ellbow in the stranger's stomach to escape his grip. As the person wanted to slay him on the chest, Kongpob reacted faster this time, drawing out his sword and parrying the attack with his golden sword with the Emperor's dragon drawn on it. The two swords clashed against each other but they were strong, no one bowed out in the fight. The stranger looked deep in Kongpob's eyes, finally recognizing Kongpob.

The stranger stepped back. „You?", he was surprised to find him here in Siam. Although he hoped to meet him here and prepared himself to kill him if he meet him, he was shocked to found his assumption about him residing here to be true. He was really in Siam, hidden in his mother country.

Kongpob remained calm since he already realized the man behind the disguise. He clenched against his gold sword, ready to fight the enemy in front of him. How did that man survive? How did he find me? Why is he searching for us? For revenge?

****

Arthit and Maprang were strolling around in Siam's capital market, there were many event going on on the crowded market. The young man ate many sweets and delicious food that took his interest, he even bought more for later in the palace. He even played a game with some salesmen who turned out to be con men. They wanted to make money from him but now he was quarreling with them as he noticed their unfair trick that made him lose the game the whole time. There were many spectators surrounding them, the four strong conmen standing up and facing him, denying of having using unfair trick aainst him in the game. Arthit who stood beside the bench, yelled at them to give him back his money. Although Maprang begged him to leave the matter alone, he refused to waste money on such bad people, explaining her that money was hard to earn and he shouldn't be too naive in wasting them. He remembered the first day he escaped his palace in Burma and was conned by some saleswomen. It was Kongpob who helped him to get his money back and he would never forget his lecture about him being naive enough to be played by them. From that time on he learned his lection and would never let any conman play him again.

The bulkiest of the four came too close to him, grabbing at his collar, squeezing on his collar and threatening him with his scary face. He wanted to scare him with the long scar across his cheek and the petch covering his left eye but Arthit didn't let him intimidate him. The shorter man grabbed at the latter's hand, taking his hand away from his neck. He hit his knee down between the man's crotch, the latter screaming a cry of pain, stepping back from him while grabbing at his balls that was hurting like hell.

„Give me my money back or I'll call the soldiers to capture you for stealing from me!", he threatened them with his serious face, his hot breath brushing against the oldest, probably the boss of the gang. „I'll count to five to give you time to give me my money back", he said as they ignored his request. „One... two... three... four", his voice raised to have the many soldier's attention on him.

As he wanted to count five, the boss wavered and quickly gave him back his money, begging him not to deliver them to the soldiers. Apparantly they were afraid of going to prison too for conning people. Arthit was satisfied to have his money back but was chased away to never visit their stall again. He took his shy wife's hand, exploring the market to eat more sweets. His eyes were set on another stall, he went there, his mouth drooling already while looking at the delicious dessert. When the saleswomen explained him about the making of the Khao Tom Mud, a sweet sticky rise wrapped in Banana leaf, and the ingredients who were coconut milk, sweet black beans and sugar, he decided to buy many of them. He took six of them for first, tasting it. His mouth almost melted under the delicious sweet taste whereupon he hold another one in front of Maprang, telling her „Aah" to feed her. She shook her head, rejecting to be feed by him. If she didn't want to be killed by Kongpob later then she shouldn't let him give her food. But Arthit was persistent, refusing to give her the food to eat by herself, still holding his hand in front of her.

„My arm is hurting, my love", he teased her, chuckling at her shy and bushed face.

She wanted to end the damn embarrassing play quickly so she accepted the food, opening her mouth to be feed by Arthit. The middle aged saleswoman couldn't take her shining eyes from the young couple, she remembered about her young days as her husband feed her in her past too but now that he died, she missed such days with him. It was hard to accept being old and old now but it was even harder to age in dignity without having any worry.

„Are you already married?", she asked with so much regret in her eyes.

„Yes", Arthit intrerruped when Maprang wanted to deny the lie. He intertwined their hands together, holding them up to show it to the old woman. „Newly married", he continued with his lies. Apparantly he was having fun to tease her and play a couple before the people.

„Oh... Congratulation... And do you have children already?"

He looked at her belly, giving her a friendly smile. „Not yet but soon. She's in her 3 months of pregnancy", this time the lie was half true. She wasn't pregnant but he awaited a child. He was in his 3 months already. Time really flies, huh?

Arthit and Maprang continued their way, finally arriving in front of a big ship that was put for an exhibition. She was looking around herself, feeling impressive about such object to cruise on water. The short man paid for the entry, both entering the ship many people were going in and out to experience the inside of the ship. Maprang already let go of Arthit as soon as they set foot in the ship, she was touching on every walls and cabine, her eyes shining like a little child who never had a toy before but got the chance to buy one. It was the first time he saw her acting according to her age. Finally she acted like a young girl interested in something for girls her age. Even if ships were meant for boy this day, he was glad that she found something to arouse her interest, showing that she didn't shut herself in the palace's world.

Although her duty was to protect Arthit, the latter let her have fun while he remained behind her, smiling all ears at her childish but rare behaviour. He felt like a proud mother in this kind of situation. Even if he came her to have fun himself, he really wanted to grant her this one wish. Maprang did many deeds for him, saving him many times. She survived the treason on the royal family and came back to his side. If it wasn't for her help, he would never found out about his pregnancy. He wanted to thank her by bringing her here to have fun. It was the least he could do for her loyalty towards him.

Maprang was so much into her dream coming true that she forgot his Highess behind her, going in a room to learn more about ship's cabine. Arthit decided to let her alone, taking his own direction to explore more of Siam's salesmen ship. Because he bent in too many corners that seemed like a labyrinth, he lost his way. Now there was only a path in front of him, it lead him down in the basement, he went the few stairs down, coming in front of a door. The room was far away from the main rooms, almost hidden here to not be seen. Although there was a sign that it was only for staff, he was curious, approaching the door to open it. All the sudden the door got open, a man taller than him revealing in front of him. The man had blood on his hand that was swollen too, maybe he hit against something hard. Arthit heard faint screams coming from the room, he could take a glimpse in the room. There were many young women sitting on the ground, their feet and hands tied together with thick ropes, their mouth covered with silk to prevent them from screaming for help. He even recognized a young woman he just met at the entrance of the ship as she paid for the sightseeing. It was a big mistake to set foot in the ship. It seemed like a normal vendor's ship but something else happened inside.

The stranger came closer to him, „What are you doing her?", he said with threatening voice, taking out his sword to slash on Arthit's chest.

Arthit stepped back to avoid the sword, he brought out the small gold dagger with Siam Emperor's dragon drawn on it. It was the dagger Kongpob gave him to protect himself after taking his dagger with Burma's seal away to prevent him from being recognized while using the dagger. As the man was about to slash his neck, he immediately went down, crouching on the ground then stabing on the man's foot. The taller man shrieked, falling down on his butt. Arthit hit his foot on the man's face, the latter hit his head against the wall, fell uncouncious. The women were trying to scream for help through the cover on their mouths. He dashed to them, the beautiful young women yelling for help, begging him to save them first.

„I'll hold you out but please be quiet. More men will come soon if you're not quiet", he tried to calm them down.

They finally calmed down, Arthit began cutting the ropes one by one, freeing the captured helpless women. Some were urging him to be quick with his attempt to save them. It took him more than five minutes to cut every rope since they were more than twenty girls they captured for a purpose. Some didn't even cooperate with him to be quiet. One of the girl explained him that the ship was a disguise to allure young women and catch them for only a purpose. It was a slave ship. Suddenly there was a noise echoing in the room, murmurs raising among the girls. Some were in panic, screaming to be let out. It seemed that the ship already boarded, they were leaving the capital city of Siam. But where was their destination?

Arthit was worried. Not only about them arriving too late at home and meet Kongpob's bad temper but he was worried about Maprang too. She was gone for awhile and he didn't knew where she was. Maybe they managed to capture her too. Actually he wanted to leave them alone to search for Maprang but he didn't have the heart to leave helpless women on their own. They were in pitiful state, some of them were beaten up badly, some scared to death that they couldn't move since they were tembling too much. A few of them even urinated in their pants. It would be inappropriate to let them to fight their way out. Maprang was strong and could protect herself too, in the contrary to these women here. He would search for her later after bringing them in safety. They needed to leave from here since they were already on sea. He explained them to quietly but quickly follow him.

Together with the many girls, Arthit sneaked around in the ship, bending around in many corners of the labyrinth, searching for the entrance with them. There was another man before him, he threw his dagger at the stranger, it pierced through the latter's heart. Another man was behind the girls, they screamed, going aside to hide, pressing hard against as if they wanted to disappear through the thick wall. The shorter man pulled his dagger out of the dead guard's chest, turning to face the third oppenent. Since he moved too much around, his belly hurted again whereupon he waited on his spot, wrapping his arm around his belly to protect his child. He clenched on his belly to ease the pain but the pain grew more.

Actually he should be in his chamber, lay down and take a rest for the baby's sake instead of moving so much but the fight against the enemies were too much for his current condition. He wasn't strong like before. He wouldn't last long with his weak staminy due to the pregnancy. The baby took most of his energy, he needed to be careful or he would lose many lives during this trip. Maprang, the girls, the baby and his own life.

The fiend came running to him but Arthit waved his dagger, slashing the man's face. The oppenent wanted to step on his stomach but the shorter man reacted fast, turning aside so the foot would only hit his back. He was hurled forwards, falling down on the ground, pucking blood from the heavy blow on his back. The man went over him, grabbing at his hair and yanking on it. As he was about to stab him on the neck, a brave girl lifted up Arthit's dagger, coming closer to the man. She was trembling but she yanked the weapon on the man's back. The opponent fell down, she let the dagger fallen down to the ground, trembling in fear for ending a human's life without batting her eyes, gazing at her bloody hands. They helped Arthit to stand at his feet, he lifted up his weapon to hide it in his sleeves. He touched on his saviour's shoulder, thanking her for saving him, comforting her by exchanging his experience with her. According to himself he would never forget the first time he killed a person. The man he was supposed to kill, was a bad man who stole goods from higher officials. He did it to save two important persons who were on death row so he didn't regret his action. Since she did it to save him too, she shouldn't hate herself too much for it. She ended a bad man's life to save a good person. Him! It was a good encouraging speech that helped her to overcome her grief.

Arthit was panting, tired from moving for too long. He realized his capacity, never would he be able to save them under this condition. „Listen to me, I have to search for my friend too. You have to scather around or else they would catch us faster if we're together. Go in every room with windows, break them and jump for outside. Swim as fast as you can to the capital city..."

„But... But we're already on the sea...", a few were stuttering, afraid of water instead of the men who captured them and were going to sell them as slave.

„I ... Ican't swim", another one stated. Two other agreed with her that they couldn't swin either and were scared to perish in the deep ocean.

„Are you going to follow them without fighting for your freedom?", he asked them, hoping he could change their opinion with his speech.

There was a silent among them, it seemed like they finally grasped the situation they were in. Arthit was their only hope to be rescued.

„I know you're scared but fight for your own life and don't always expect someone else to do it for you. To jump out and swim is better than follow them to be sold as slave. Do you know how they treat slave? You won't survive such harsh treatment so go confront your fear to survive", the speech was coming from his heart, showing his leadership.

There was another murmur raising among them but this time they were encouraging each other to help each other out. Even if 3 couldn't swim, there were good swimmers among them to support them. They built teams, ran in different directions, one good swimmer was in every team to give support. There were sounds of broken windows followed with splashing sounds, signalizing that some managed to jump out in water.

Arthit walked around, staggering due to his fatigue, touching on the wall to keep his balance, looking out for his best friend. It seems like we'll be late for home. I fear my man's temper. He'll punish everyone for letting me escape. He heaved a heavy sight, ready to take the blame upon himself and to accept the consequences. He came across a room that was open, there she was. Maprang was in the room but she was frozen in shock, pale like never before, bead of sweat forming on her forehead. There was a man in front of her. The man seemed to be in his end sixty, he was grining the whole time while she was trembling in fear. Somehow they seemed to be acquaintance. Did she knew him?

Arthit went to her, touching her on the shoulder to have her attention. but she was too much in shock that she didn't notice him. „Maprang?", his soft voice called her, it finally reached her.

She turned to face him, tears running down her face. It was the first time Arthit saw her crying in front of him. There was something wrong with her. Did something happen? The meeting with that man awoke bad memories she wanted to seal forever.

****

It was already night, darkness covering the sky. Kongpob and his soldiers were riding the way back to the palace. The stranger he met in the hut and fought with a few hours ago was next to him, riding on one of Kong's soldiers horse. There was another person sitting behind the man, wrapping his arms around the taller man, mumbling something about May. He sleeptalked, saying that she was indeed beautiful. The man in front of him rolled his eyes, finding it too typical of him. However Kongpob didn't care about them, he only wanted to arrive at the palace on time and embrace his beloved man. Somehow his instinct was warning him about something unexpected that happened in his absence. He had to be by Arthit and make sure that the latter was unscathed.

They finally arrived in front of the palace's gate. The guards opened the big door for their Emperor. The two strangers were surprised, they still couldn't believe that Kong was Siam's Emperor. As soon as he stepped in the palace and jumped from his horse Ma, Prem, eunuch Toota and some high servants bowed down to him, they didn't dare to rise up and look him in the eyes. There was an uporaor in the grand palace, many maids were searching for someone but they went down to their knees when realizing the Emperor.

„What happened?", Kongpob asked, he tried to be calm although he was afraid that something bad happened.

Prem dared to raise his head, he was trembling from head to toes. „Con... Concubine Oon disappeared..."

„What did you say?", Kongpob asked him to repeat his words.

Prem was dead scared, he knew he would lose his life this night. He wanted to repeat his words but he was interferred by a women who just entered the palace, staggering to them. She was dead pale, exhausted and weak for an unknown reason. Everyone turned to her. She came in front of Kongpob, her knees given up whereupon she fell to her knees. Kongpob went to her, touching on her shoulders to help her keep her balance.

„Maprang...", his eyes wandered around her. She was soaked in water, trembling due to the cold, more importantly she was reeking from salt water mixed with blood. The taller man was in high alert. „What happened?"

„Ship... Ship...", she was too weak to give answer or a sentence that could make a sense. Tears keeping rolling down nonstop.

„Where is Arthit?", Kongpob already sensed that something bad happened to his lovely man. Chill ran down his spine when thinking that his man could be laying somewhere, having pain and calling his name. He shook her hard on the shoulders when she couldn't answer him and was crying nonstop. „Where is Arthit?", his voice raised.

„He... They took him away... The slave ship", it was her last answer before she gave in to her exhaustion, her eyes blinking many times. They closed slowly, she fell unconscious in the taller man's arms.

Kongpob was left in the dark, not sure of what happened to Arthit. Not sure whether he was badly hurt. He clenched his hands into fist, his expression darkening, his eyes reflecting his anger. There was one thing he was sure of. Arthit was alive... And he would take him back. Not only would he bring back his man but he would kill every single person who hurted the love of his life.

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

So what do you think of this story? Maprang seems to know the man but who is he? Where is Arthit and what happened that only Maprang came back? Who are the strangers Kongpob brought back from the trip? You'll know more in the next chapters. Many things will happen next and you'll be clear about it ;) 

This story about the slave ship is really long, maybe there will be 3 or 4 chapters about since it concerned many persons: Maprang, Arthit, Kongpob, Prem, the strangers and Kongpob's family