The silence in the chamber was suffocating. Kongpob sat alone, his mind a storm of conflicted thoughts and impossible decisions. His uncle's order reverberated in his mind-kill Arthit before the Shifter council arrived. The ultimatum came as clear and brutal as a blade to the heart. But no matter how many scenarios he considered, each path led to one inevitable end: his own death.

Arthit's voice had been calm as he left Kongpob alone, telling him to get some rest, his tone carrying a warmth that Kongpob almost envied. "I'll be just outside," he'd said, standing by the door with an assuring nod. "If you need anything, just call."

Kongpob had nodded, feigning a strength he didn't feel, and watched as the door closed softly behind Arthit. Now, in the dark hours past midnight, Kongpob lay on his back, staring into the blackness of the ceiling, his chest heavy with despair.

The problem was unsolvable. Even if he obeyed his uncle's command and killed Arthit, it would only buy him a moment's safety.

Arthit was beloved by the grizzly warriors. His death would be swiftly avenged, and Kongpob would be ripped apart before the Shifter council could even reach the palace grounds.

And if he somehow managed to escape their wrath, his uncle would likely spread the tale himself, painting Kongpob as the pitiable prince who defended his honor, forced into killing an unworthy Rasina commander. It would spare Kongpob's reputation only in the smallest, most desolate way-and it wouldn't change the outcome. He would still be marked for death, his honor and life collateral in the King's plan.

The King had caught him in Arthit's chambers, he was taking it as direct challenge to his decision to wed Kong to General Reinir. Kong had borrowed breaths left.

He clenched his fists, the futility of it all crashing down on him. This was never about him. His uncle had plotted everything meticulously; Kongpob was just the sacrifice needed to make his larger ambitions come to life. No matter which way Kongpob chose, the result was the same.

An answer whispered in his mind-a terrible, beautiful simplicity. If he took his own life, if he died by his own hand, there would be no satisfaction left for his uncle. His attendants, Tew and Aim, would be spared. Arthit was clever and strong, with enough loyalty from his men to see through his uncle's traps and leave unharmed. With Kongpob dead, his uncle would lose any further reason to target them.

The choice felt both painful and liberating. Kongpob moved quietly, his limbs heavy as he slid from the bed. He crossed to the small desk where Arthit had kept the sheathed weapons, taking out the dagger the commander kept strapped by his side, he eyed the carved beauty.
Its weight was cool and final in his hand. He glanced around, looking for paper, something to leave behind, but found nothing. Desperate, he bit his lip and took a deep breath. He made a shallow cut on his finger, feeling the sting of pain as blood pooled from the small wound.

Slowly, he knelt by the edge of the bed and, with shaky fingers, used his blood to trace the words he wanted them to find, on the stone walls. "I am tired of this life. No one is to be held accountable for my decision to end it . Honour my dying wish - free the Rasina commander and let my attendants and phi Arin (nanny) be the free citizens ( they will not be slaves now but free citizens )..."

The simple act of writing brought a strange calm over him. He took a final, deep breath, and prepared himself, holding the dagger to his throat, the sharp edge biting into his skin. Tears streamed down his face as he steadied himself, his hand trembling.

................

Arthit was trying to sleep , but the bitter , throat clawing stench from omega due to his fear gripped heart ; stole his sleep.

He wanted to go and soothe the omega but seeing the prince; it will further terrify him rather than alleviate his worries. So Arthit had to lay outside, counting for the minutes to morning when it will be proper to enter the bed chamber again.

Hearing the cautious footsteps of the omega, Arthit turned restless. But he understood , the prince must be missing his familiar space- his own room. He wondered, if he should offer Kongpob to smuggle his pillows or any other thing that he want to comfort himself. He had made friends at this palace - the brothers and mother's of those wounded panthara soldiers. He will call a favour if it will help the omega to find comfort in this difficult situation.

Making up his mind, he walked towards the bed chamber.

Outside, Arthit's keen senses caught an unfamiliar scent-the sharp, unmistakable tang of blood. His heart lurched, his instincts screaming at him. Assassin, he thought first, his pulse quickening as he made a mad dash toward the chamber.

He should have thought of this. Fucking useless king of Panthara. If he has sent Assassin's, Arthit would to bloody slit the king's throat in his sleep - no matter how dishonorable it is.

Kicking down the door with all his might, he burst into the room, his eyes scanning wildly.

And there, by the bed, was Kongpob, tears glistening on his face, the dagger held close to his throat, a newly closed wound healing on his fingers.

"prince!" Arthit shouted, his voice hoarse with fear as he rushed forward, reaching out as if his touch alone could pull Kongpob from the brink.

Kongpob's eyes widened, his hand freezing mid-movement, and for a moment, everything hung in the air, balanced on the edge between life and death.

Arthit's heart pounded in his chest as he crouched down before Kongpob, who still held the dagger to his throat. The faint, angry red line marked his skin where the blade had grazed, but Kongpob's hand was frozen, his tear-filled eyes wide with shock.

"Prince Kongpob," Arthit spoke softly, his voice as gentle as the grip he placed on Kongpob's trembling hand. "Put the dagger down. Please. Just look at me."

Kongpob's gaze darted away, shame and fear battling in his expression, but he allowed Arthit to ease the dagger from his hand, lowering his arm until it rested, weak and defeated, in Arthit's grasp.

Arthit took a steadying breath, never once letting go. "What were you thinking, prince Kongpob?" he asked, his tone steady but touched with a deep, quiet pain. "Why would you...? What has brought you to this?"

Kongpob bit his lip, the weight of his despair too heavy to hide. He looked down, his voice barely a whisper, as if admitting it aloud would make it all too real. "There's... there's no other way," he stammered, his words caught between guilt and resolve.

" There is always another way " Arthit said, sheathing the dagger and strapping it."

The frustration twirled in Kongpob's heart like a suppressed volcano , his eyes flared up with unshed tears as he glared at Arthit " It is easy to say that for an alpha... this is my only way."

" Tell me ...what has happened that you think , killing yourself is only way ? " Arthit enquired.

" Please go away alpha... I must do this before I loose my courage. " Kong closed his eyes, partially shifting his hands to claws.

Arthit grabbed the omega's wrist to stop him from hurting himself " I know you don't trust me. But, I have come here for you, Kongpob. I know that it was not you who wrote the letter ; so let me promise you here , right now... I don't know what your problem is...but share with me and I promise to find a solution for you...."

Kong shook his head " I can not tell you" he sobbed, wiping his tear with back of his hand. " Please don't make me.."

" Do you really want to die ? " Arthit asked.

Kong nodded.

" Even if there's another way? " Arthit asked, urging Kong to think rationally. " You promised me to serve me till your life... was it a blank promise you had no intention of keeping? Is this, the value of a Suthiluck's word ? " Arthit blackmailed, kicking himself internally for manipulating the vulnerable omega like this.

Kong clenched his teeth, tears flowing, throat in pain, he stuttered

"My uncle-he ...
he ordered me to kill you before the Shifter council arrives. And if I don't... he'll kill Tew and Aim and my nanny phi Arin. I must save them...and you ."

Arthit's expression hardened, a flash of anger in his eyes. "He would use your attendants as pawns... but even if you did as he ordered, he'd still punish you," he said, piecing together the cruelty of the plan. "He's set this up to destroy you, prince Kongpob. No matter what you do, you're in his trap."

Kongpob's voice broke as he nodded. "If I kill you, the grizzlies will tear me apart. And if I don't, my uncle will find a way to twist it so that I'll be executed for... for failing him." He swallowed hard, tears beginning to stream down his face. "Amd even if all of you are out of harm; I will still be tried for adultery and executed. So I thought... if I took my own life, then maybe he'd lose interest. Maybe Tew and Aim would be spared. Maybe... you would be safe."

A heavy silence fell between them. Arthit tightened his grip on Kongpob's hand, feeling a fierce protectiveness surge within him. He reached out and gently wiped away the tears streaking down Kongpob's face. "You think ending your own life is the answer? That leaving this world would save us all? What if it is not? What if your uncle still wants to kill your attendants? And me? "

Kongpob's lips trembled. "What choice do I have?" he whispered brokenly. "It's not like I can fight like you or strategize like princess Lena. I am useless...atleast If I am gone first, atleast I will not have all your blood on my conscience..."

"No." Arthit's voice was firm, grounding Kongpob back to the present. He took a deep breath and, carefully, pulled Kongpob closer, bringing their foreheads together. "Listen to me, prince Kongpob. You are brave. You take responsibility and try to do your best even within the little resources you possess.
And you are not alone in this. I am not going to let your uncle destroy you, and I'll be damned if I let you throw away your life to spare us all some twisted pain. We can face this, together."

" together ? "

Arthit clasped their fingers together and nodded "together.."

Kongpob felt a glimmer of warmth in Arthit's words, his steady presence a balm to his frayed nerves. He closed his eyes, letting the comfort of Arthit's proximity soothe him. "But... what can we do? The council arrives in two days, and my uncle has laid his trap perfectly. He wants you dead, and he wants to make sure I'm seen as a traitor regardless."

Arthit leaned back just enough to look into Kongpob's eyes, his own gaze fierce yet full of unspoken compassion. "Then we outsmart him. He might be a king, but he isn't invincible. He has a plan, yes, but every plan has a weakness." His fingers brushed against Kongpob's, offering a steady, reassuring hold. "He underestimates you, and that is his mistake."

Kongpob searched Arthit's face, a flicker of hope battling with his lingering fear. "You... you really think we can stop him?"

"I know we can," Arthit replied, his voice strong and certain. "We'll make sure the council hears the truth before he can poison their minds. And as for Tew and Aim, I'll protect them to best of my ability. I will see if I can get them here by your side..."

Kongpob's breath hitched, his pulse quickening as he held onto Arthit's promise, letting it anchor him. The despair that had clawed at him began to recede, replaced by the smallest seed of belief. "You'd... do all that? For me? Even if i decieved you? "

Arthit's hand lingered on Kongpob's cheek, his thumb brushing away another tear. "Yes," he said softly. "Because, this is right thing to do. And about those letters, did you not apologize and accept punishment? "

Kong nodded. 

" Do you intend to serve it? "

He nodded again.

" Then the matter is put to rest. Done and dusted. "

Kongpob's chest swelled, the ache within him giving way to something softer, something he'd almost forgotten was possible-hope. He reached out, gripping Arthit's arm as if it were a lifeline. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice raw but filled with genuine gratitude. "For... for not letting me kill myself. My mother would be so disappointed in me."

Arthit managed a small, reassuring smile. "So would I. The selfless prince I have come to admire, should not waste away his life just because he thinks he has no allies.  From this day on; I am your ally Prince Kongpob. We will face the challenges together.  And when the time comes, we'll show the council who the real traitor is."

Kongpob nodded, feeling a strength he hadn't thought he had. He met Arthit's gaze with newfound determination. They would find a way-together.

...........