'What is wrong!'

Mew is worried sick, staring at Gulf's locked bedroom door. He has seen Mild coming to kitchen and talking to Gulf. His beautiful wife's eyes filled with tears... again and he helplessly watched Mild, dragging Gulf to the bedroom.

It has been too long and Mew does not know what is happening and he is going insane!

Why is his wife crying?! Is he in pain?

Where is Siwat! He should be back from the blacksmith by now with the roofing sheets. Gulf will talk to Siwat and then maybe if he asked the question right, Mew will know too.

Mew takes a deep breath and keeps staring at the closed room again. "What is troubling you, my wifey?"

Gulf stares at the three ampules in his hand. "Mild..."

"You have to start using it. The healer said once in two weeks is enough. So, this will last you for a month." He folds the babies' cloths in neat squares, unlike Gulf who just stores everything in a pile.

"It is so expensive..." Gulf's forehead is pinched in worry.

"So what? You are not producing enough milk."

"Thorn has you now, Mama Mi." Gulf tires to brush that off but Mild is not having it.

"Yes, he has me and I want to give him immi because I am his mama, not because Mama Kana cannot produce milk. I know you feel you are so worthless because you do not have enough... that is not how it is, Gulf. If milk-making made good mothers, then my mae would have been one!"

Gulf's too.

"So, expensive." One silver coin for three ampules. Goddess.

"Siwa has a job now that pays 25 silver coins a month. We can afford it now, Gulf... and it is not about milk too. If it is because of hormonal imbalance, we have to address it or it may affect your overall health in the long run."

"We can use it for San's vaccinations and..." Gulf feels like he should not even hold such a really expensive gift.

"What? My Thorn Baby does not need vaccinations then? He is my child too, Gulf." Mild takes the soothing ointment and applies it around Gulf's cracked nipples to prove his point. "And I will be really mad if you put money in the Kindness Jar! I will not even talk to you, Gulf, I mean it."

Gulf pushes Mild away. "I don't do that! You know it. You are my family... it is just; I think we could have used it for..."

"Your health and it is important to all of us, especially Thorn." Mild slaps his shoulder for pushing and locks the ampules in his drawer. "Maybe even get some, Gulf... People say it is better than a mate licki..."

"MILD!!!" Gulf tries to knock Mild's head but he slips away just in time. He follows his running away best friend with giggles and almost smacks into the Emperor.

Gulf shuffles away quickly from Mew.

What does the man want?!

He is everywhere Gulf goes. It is so annoying and troubling. The man has said he and his faen are still together; Gulf has not brought any bad omen to their everlasting love.

Well, his exact words were, 'No, you have not caused anything bad in our relationship.'

So, why is he here!

Yes, to do some investigation on the Red Murder. Gulf has not known Emperors did that!

Then why is here? Not at the Enforcer Station or... Gulf does not know but he knows following him around will not solve the case.

"IMMMIIIIIII..." Thorn screams right on cue and Gulf winces noticing the time. The healers specifically said the lunch should be one small bowl of pulp and then breastfeeding.

"Thorn... baby..." His son has already started to chew on his nipples through the shirt and Gulf knows there will be tears. "We talked about this remember?"

'No.'

"We have to take a spoonful of yummy powder..."

'Don't care.'

"Then Mama will add, water and tada!!!"

'Tada the immi, mae...' Thorn kicks Gulf's sides and pats his chest to remove the buttons. 'Release the immi, now!!!'

Gulf gives him an apologetic smile before seating him on the kitchen island and Thorn narrows his eyes. 'Suspicious... very very Susp... OH HELL NO!!!'

"WWWWWWAAAAAAAAAHHHHH" He wails.

'Not the white poopie.'

"Thorn, I have not even started to feed you. Stop crying, already! Shame shame! Now villagers will say Mama Kana's boy is afraid of..."

'They do not eat poopie, mae... Someone save my small life. Bad Poopie! Poopie Bad!!!'

"Maybe add black sugar crystals and try..."

'Add crystals and eat the poopie, ugly pale stranger in my home! I am not eating it.' Thorn screams louder, praying Mama Mi will not come holding the scary spoon.

Gulf twists his body, hiding his son. He is angry and he just wants Mew to leave him alone.

How many more days of Mew putting his nose in Gulf's business?

But he hopes that Mew stays till the renovation is finished.

The water had damaged a lot of stuff but mostly just food and some irrelevant papers. Mild saves his important scrolls, documents and money in his metal satchel, thank Goddess for that.

None of them... well excluding the emperor, can afford to build a home that easily. So, they have decided to renovate Gulf's home and add two rooms.

Mew is a huge help; Siwat says it every few moments though the man brushes it away as 'nothing'.

But that is not the only way Mew 'helps'.

That two days, Gulf and Siwat's main duty was washing the wet and soiled clothes. Someone has to be always with the kids and Mild being the mom with more breast milk took that job gladly.

Mew started working on the room extensions.

So, someone please tell Gulf what was that man thinking, when he decided to collect the washed clothes to pin on the cloth lines.

And not Siwat's, mind you. Just the clothes Gulf had washed.

Then that one time the man ran around panicking, seeing a burn mark on Gulf's palm.

Now... he comes and says to add black crystals on the baby food of Gulf's son.

"That is how my wet maids fed me when I was a baby." Mew mumbles and takes the glass bottle from the shelf, placing it in front of Gulf. "I hated the plain taste and used to spit it out... maybe our... your son does too."

Gulf turns around with anger blazing out of his eyes.

"Should our issues affect our... Thorn, Gulf?" Mew stares back and leaves, knowing very well that it is a loaded manipulative question.

But for the sake of all deities!

Mew is desperate.

Every fereking moment is a torture.

Mew does not know how to keep going on like this. His hands already reach out to Gulf whenever the pretty fawn is near.

It is only a matter of time when Gulf finally understands how much Mew is affected.

Oh he is affected.

Affected by pink chest nut lips... that collar bone... the trim waist... the gorgeous shoulder... the long hair that reaches till his chin... the full and succulent buttocks that itches Mew's palm...

He has to see his beautiful wife or he will die, kind of affected.

Mew turns around and his heart leaps when Gulf looks around but not noticing Mew hiding behind the window pane, adds two small spoons of black crystal sugar.

"Love... Gulf... you are killing me!" Mew smacks his head on his fist on the wall.

Thorn screams and is ready to spit out the disgusting white poopie in his mouth when his mae...

'Ooooh... what is...' Thorn cautiously smacks his lip. 'OOOhhh... that is no poopie, mae!'

Gulf giggles at Thorn's cute expressions and gives the baby another small spoonful.

"Mmaaa!" He gulps everything in his mouth and opens for more.

Thorn kicks and Gulf knows a huge problem in his life is solved.

'Me likey!' Thorn cackles and let his mae pick him up to go outside. They watch flowers, birds and farm animals as Gulf feeds his now calm son some more pulp.

Mew on the other hand is bleeding his figurative blood all over his family's feet.

First, that right there, is Gulf accepting Mew as his child's father.

Second, Lineage Riot, who?

He will kill anyone who demands to prove his paternity. 'That child is mine! No one in this whole empire loves Black Crystal Sugar as me and mini me.'

"P'King!!!"

Mew thanks his combat training and quick reflexes, as he rolls to the other side. He stands up and walks to Mild as if he had been on the other side of the home; not staring longingly at his lost family... no, not at all.

"Yes, Nong..." Mild is squirming and Mew is immediately on alert. "What is wrong?!" He pulls Mild to his side and cups his head to look for injuries.

Mild giggles. "Nothing, P'King..."

"Mild! You scared me! Spit it out."

"Hehee... well... Siwa and I are planning to go out today. Today is the Bleeding Twilight and the flower festival together... I know it is not really that special but... it is the first time in our life after our marriage. So... Gulf already knows and..."

Today is the flower festival? Huh! Mew has forgotten.

Mild ducks his head and Mew can see the blush all over his Nong.

"You need money? I have money. As much as..." Mew quickly amends when he sees the surprise on Mild's face. "I mean, not too much but enough... you know..."

Mew has no idea how much money is enough money. He winces but 500 gold coins might be enough, right?

"Siwat can pay me back!" Now that is a good clause, right? Then why is Mild laughing?

"P'King. Siwa has money. I... um... not money... Just... we will be late."

"Huh?!" Mild starts squirming again and then Mew understand what that means. Mew starts blushing too.

Mew never had anyone like Mild in his life before. Not someone who thought he will be this protective and affectionate over.

Ja; he is different. He is like Mew if that makes sense. Even after walking more than once - some on purpose, some not – into that man's sex chambers, Mew never felt anything except annoyance.

Mild is different; maybe it is the womb?

Maybe he is married to Siwa.

If Siwat is there, then it is okay. But when his nong comes to him and says he may make love, Mew just wants to run to hills and be invisible for rest of his life; or punch Siwat for whatever reason.

Well, if Mew can logically analyse his feelings, he will never be in his predicament, will he?

"oh!' Mew's voice is tiny and Mild ends up snorting.

"Oh... Phi! I have a son."

"I do not want to know!!!"

Mild shakes his head and wipes the tears of mirth. "Anyways... Gulf knows and I know he can take care of the babies but... I know San can be..."

"Playful?"

"A trouble maker." Mild rolls his eyes but the affection in his heart is visible on his face. "Will you keep an eye on the kids. If it is too much on Gulf, will you please step up and handle San?"

"That kid is no trouble maker. He loves me so much."

"Yes, you let him get away with anything." Mild hugs him and kisses his cheek. "Oh, be ready for Siwat's speech on 'protection of Gulf'. I even saw him preparing in front of the mirror."

Mew groans and Mild runs away laughing.

Mew drops his face on his left palm with a smile but then he remembers.

Ferek!

He and his beautiful wife alone in this small hut.

Gulp!

Oh... San and Thorn, Daddy's Mew's virtue and life are now in your tiny hands. Mew will most likely end up learning how sharp Gulf's machete is.

Oh Goddess!

What does it tell of Mew when the thought of a painful death does not diminish his not-so-small problem? He looks down at his crotch and then decides a skinny dip in the cold lake is very much warranted.

Yet, when the time comes for the Bloody Twilight rituals, Mew just wants to hug his wife, Gulfie and nothing else.

Mild and Siwat are kneeling in the prayer corner. Mew's eyes search for his wife and he feels nothing but pain when he sees Gulf peeking out behind his bedroom door.

'Not to bring the bad omen in their marriage.'

It is even more heart breaking to Mew that Gulf is truly happy to see Siwa and Mild doing the ritual; as if he knows he is not supposed to have that moments in his own life.

Mew's eyes are fixed on the beautiful fawn but Gulf is only curiously watching the ritual; a ritual Mew was supposed to provide.

Siwat kisses his wife's cheek and places the leaf of Godtree behind the blushing Mild's ear.

"To my beloved wife... who has given me everything I ever wanted."

Mew's heart thrums to see the blush he has been aching to see in Gulf; the blush that makes his tiny adorable ears flame. Mew takes a step towards Gulf unknowingly when the boy goes inside his bedroom not to come out again.

And Mew misses him terribly.

There is a painted picture of Siwat and Mild with a much younger San sitting on Mild's lap on the prayer podium as the couple showers each other with flowers and leaves, saying what the other has given them in their marital life.

For the first time ever, Mew is hearing someone thanking his wife for comfort and embrace while the wife thanks for love and care.

It is always, diamonds, mansions, castles, lands, jewellery in the empire capital.

Siwat takes a cheap fancy hat with feathers from his gift pile and Mild literally leaps to his husband's lap with a squeal.

Then Mild takes a small snack box and Siwat literally guffaws in happiness.

"Only a small one now..."

"Aww... Mymi..." Siwat pecks his wife's gorgeous lips and Mew turns his eyes to Gulf's bedroom.

'Was this what you wanted that day, beloved? The day when you begged me for a portrait and now I am here in flesh but you are not waiting for me anymore.'

Gulf only comes out when Mild calls for him carrying the prayer offerings. Mew almost takes a step closer but Gulf's eyes keep him in check.

Mew is a stranger in this home or so he feels, even when Mild hugs him before saying good bye.

He can only watch when Thorn kisses Siwat's cheek calling him 'pppaaa' just like San.

'I am your Papa, son.'

Mew wants that but he is punished by just being able to stare at his wife and his kids playing. Mew knows Gulf is purposely keeping a distance from him but he is just a man yearning for his wife's love and attention.

"Gulf... can we talk?"

"No."

Mew bites his lower lip and inches closer. "I..."

"King, I do not want to hear what you have to say. Please leave my kitchen. I have work to do."

"You can call me Mew, Gulf. I just want you to listen... Is that a crime?"

"What do I know about crimes and punishments, mighty King? What is even crime? I don't know." If Gulf knew loving someone was a crime, he wouldn't have done that on P'Mew. Yet, it was only when he was punished did he know, how grave his crime was.

"Gulf... stop these cryptic philosophies and listen to me! There is a huge misunderstanding that caused all these..." Mew, a well-known orator of all lands knowing multiple languages, cannot bring up words to describe what he did to the person who once loved him so much. "What will you lose if you listen to me?"

"What will I gain, King?"

"Don't you want to know what happened? Why I..." behaved so cruelly to you? Why you are living here like a poor commoner who struggles to make two ends meet despite being the sole heir of a Late Governor?

Why are Mew's words stuck in his throat?

"No, I don't. I have other priorities in my life. I cannot waste my time on what ifs and whys. I... never blame you, if that is what your visit is about, King. I will never come after you or your faen, demanding anything you are worried about. And so will my son."

"GULF!!! I don't care what you want... you will listen to me!" Mew's hand reach out frustrated to turn his wife around but the fawn jumps just in time. Mew's hand knocks the empty pickle jar and the thing falls down to shatter into pieces on the kitchen floor.

Gulf's anger reminds him so much of his mae and Mew really feels he is two feet tall, hugging her gown, wailing.

"I... did not mean that."

"Meant it or not, the damage is done, King!" Mew wonders if Gulf is talking about the jar. "Please, leave... you are disturbing my work and destroying my utensils."

"I c... can pay for it... or buy you a new one." It might be the stuttering or the way Mew's really looks like a scolded child that makes Gulf sigh but the anger is long forgotten.

"It is okay... just move. The shards are sharp, King. I will get the broom."

He quickly follows his exasperated wife and almost gets smacked by the broom when Gulf turns around without expecting to see Mew right behind him.

"You do not have to add 'King' always. I know I am a King. The jar was just in the way." Mew mumbles with a pout and Gulf does not know what to do.

"We are from two different worlds, King and some positions should not be forgotten by me. Please do not worry about the jar. Mistakes happen. It is okay."

A loud shriek of a baby drops their heart to stomach, only to see Thorn has crawled from the baby mat to them and poked his finger to the broken jar pieces.

"BABY!!!" Gulf quickly jumps to this son, but Mew has already picked him up before Thorn could crawl further.

"Son! Are you hurt?" Mew worriedly checks his son's knees and thighs to look for blood. "Gulfie... I do not know where he is hurt. You! Step away from there!" Mew pulls away Gulf just in time before he mindlessly walks to the mess.

"Thorn!" Gulf frets all over and he cannot find a wound either. "Where are you hurt, baby?"

Thorn starts whimpering with baby sobs and Gulf feels like crying too until he notices a baby forefinger stretched to his face.

"There is nothing there!"

Under the nail, perhaps? No.

The palm? No.

The thumb? No.

All the other fingers? No. Nothing.

Yet, the tiny forefinger remains away from all its brothers and Gulf even takes out a magnifying glass to check thoroughly.

"But there is nothing there, Thorn!"

'You are the one who screamed when I called for you to play in shiny stars on our floor! Mae, you screamed! There must be something. Check!'

"A blee bleeee bleee bla blee blele! Bla!" Thorn pushes the forefinger to Gulf's eyes and his mae looks again.

"Huh? You sure, you are hurt?"

Gulf finally calms down enough to know there is nothing.

So, he takes his baby's chubby cute hand and smacks a kiss. "Oyee... Umpertain... my baby boy is hurt and please please please... take his owie away and be there be no pain because my son is small and cute and..." Gulf roughly rubs his lips on his son's cheek. "just a drama king like his Mama Mi and worries his parents for nothing! Brmm brmm brmmm. All gone now."

Thorn pouts and glares at his palm. Gulf chuckles when those big doe eyes cross to see the fingertip.

'Mae! All gone! Nothing, now mae!'

"AAAh!!!" Thorn cackles at his mae from Mew's chest. 'Aw it is the ugly pale stranger in my home, hey man!'

Mew is still busy staring at his wife who is standing so close to him without any worry.

Dear God, let it be no dream.

Mew is holding his son.

Most likely this is a dream because in there is no way Gulf will allow that.

Gulf jumps away when he notices Mew staring at him in wonder. "Give back my son..." He tries to pick up Thorn who is happily wiggling in Mew's hands.

'Not coming mae.'

"Thorn, come here."

'No!' Thorn turns his face away and Gulf's glare is left unnoticed.

"Fine!" He takes the broom he has dropped and cleans up the mess that has almost hurt his son.

Mew is just happy he can finally hold his son and see the smile that he has gifted Thorn as the father.

"You look just like me, Thorn. Daddy is so happy." He pecks his babbling baby's head but soon Thorn is taken away from him by an angry Gulf before he can have another good look.

He can only watch when Gulf takes Thorn to his bedroom, then comes back and picks up San too. Gulf's bedroom is the only room, Mew, as a guest should not go in.

The message is clear.

'Stay away from my family.'

'I can't Gulf... Your family is mine too.'

Gulf comes out with a too serious face and Mew feels like they have to talk. "The jar..."

"Don't worry about it, King."

"I can pay..."

"No. King, there is nothing too expensive in my home that I cannot buy again."

"That is not right... I broke your jar."

"Not on purpose, King. That is reason enough to let that go."

"I..."

"Please understand one thing. I do not know what you are here to gain but if it includes my son, I will not allow it."

"Gulf... I am not here to..." Mew does not want to hear what Gulf says.

"He doesn't know you, he doesn't know me. To him; every smile is from a friend, every hug is from a relative, every kiss is out of love. He is too young to know about the plans of the plans you have for your plans."

"I will never hurt him, Gulf... Never!"

"I have no reasons to believe that, King. You are a stranger and he is my son."

"HE IS MY SON TOO!"

"NO!" Gulf screams. "He is not."

Mew will not let Gulf say that anymore. Thorn is his son. "Oh really. He smiles just like me and..."

"I don't know King; you have never shown me your smile. A butcher's knife is no match for a King's mage war sword in a fight, but if you touch my son one more time, you will learn both can cut a throat just the same. Either it will be me or it will be you but you will not touch my son on my watch, King or not!"

Gulf turns around like a tornado in sea and walks back to his bedroom with his head held high.

"Ferek, my Empress indeed!" Mew sighs in defeat. "This is just a battle, Gulf. The war will be mine. You and our babies; they belong to me."

Mew knows Gulf means every word he has said. They are no threats but facts.

Well, Emperor Mew is not one to turn away from fear. Yes, Gulf makes him feel like a child but... so did his mae. And he knows how a mother's anger work; Mew just have to be a good boy.

And he is always a good boy to his family.

He sees Gulf coming out of his bedroom later, with the boys, to sit on the chair next to the pond. So, he only slips next to Gulf when the young mother naps with a sleeping Thorn on his chest and a sleeping San on the caddy.

He can now stare all he wants.

Good boy, Emperor! Dear God, is there no one to smack the foolishness out of the Emperor's head!

His son is suckling on his own thump but soon that tiny legs starts to run on Gulf's stomach.

Mew chuckles. "What are you doing in the dream, Thorn?" He whispers. "Better not be running from the battle field. You are my future."

It might be his talks but Baby Thorn blinks open those adorable fawn eyes he got from his mama.

"MMMMAAA!!!" Thorn decides it is time to wake up his mae to play. He is awake, so everyone has to be awake.

He pats his sleeping mae's cheeks but Gulf is knocked out cold.

"Let him sleep, son."

'OOOhhh... the ugly pale stranger! You play?'

"No idea what you are saying but... let mae sleep."

Thorn looks up in wonder and then gives a toothless bite to Gulf's chin. 'UP!'

"Son..."

'Fine... you will do. Give me your finger. I will show you a trick.'

Mew's heart leaps out of his chest when Thorn falls to the side without a care. The hands that is holding Thorn secure or the tunic belt around Thorn's tummy, does not clam Mew down.

What if his son falls down and knocks down his non-existent teeth?

"Your mae will kill me... literally kill me, if he sees me touching you."

'Ohh... you coward... just your finger. Rest you can keep it with you.' Thorn leans in and makes grabby hand at Mew.

"You better tell your mae that I love you or I will be in huge trouble." Mew extends his forefinger and Thorn cackles and hold them tightly. Mew gently shakes that chubby hand and Thorn screams in joy.

'See the trick!!! I can shake your whole hand with my small fist! Me so strong, ugly man!'

Mew melts at Thorn's joy and smiles genuinely to see his son happy. The smile that wipes out clearly when Mew's eyes accidently go to Gulf's face and sees him glaring at Mew already.

"I... not me... he... I just... I did not... see!" Mew does not know why Gulf intimidates him so much. Mew shakes his hand to show Gulf that it is indeed Thorn that is holding his finger, not the other way round.

'Oh you coward! Man up!' Thorn loves this game and he 'shakes' Mew harder.

"He has quite a strong hold." Of course Thorn has. His father is Mew Suppasit and his dad's strong veiny hands are world famous.

"Thorn!" Gulf gently warns and Mew misses his son's grip on his finger instantly.

'MAE! Ugly stranger is so weak! Thorn strong!'

"Why are you up, Thorn? It is your nap time. Sleep!"

Thorn whines but cuddles to his mae's neck with a pout. 'Mae says sleep. So, bye weak ugly stranger. Play later.'

Mew quickly takes San's caddy when Gulf bends down to pick it up with Thorn on his shoulder. "Mild said I can take care of San too!"

He follows behind Gulf, staring at his naughty son who waves his small hand behind his mae's back.

'Prove me that is not my son; I dare you all.' Mew waves his finger as a bye and Mew's tiny bastard squeezes his eyes shut, pretending to nap.

Like Daddy; like son.

If only Mew's Baby is as easily loving... So much tempting anger in those chocolate pools.

He hands over the caddy without stepping inside Gulf's room but as that hand reaches out, he gently places his own hand over that soft one.

Gulf freezes but Mew's heart sings when he does not take it away immediately.

"We know he is mine but I know I have to prove my worth and I will. But, Gulfie... do not separate us if my son loves me. If he does not... I will live on like a failed dad, but I am still a dad; whether you like it or not. I will die for my son. One day you will know and you will proudly say I am your son's father."