Here's chapter 10 of this story, it's a little bit long too but I hope you'll like it. Under the chapter, I wrote an explaination about chapter 9 to clear some confusion

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The sun was rising up as Arthit and his eleven companions arrived back in the town, a golden ray of lights was shining in the horizont, lightening their path to the palace. Arthit and Knock took their way back to the royal capital in amarapura while the six remaining fighters returned back to their families. Arthit waited in front of the high gate, didn't want to enter this hell but had to force himself to the court, just for Chan Tha's and Thura's sake.

He sighed, took a long breath before speaking loud to the guards inside the palace, yelling his name to introduce himself. Knock laid the leader of the bandits on the ground then hide in a dark corner. As Arthit mentioned his status as the Crown Prince, a general confirmed his identity then quickly opened the gate for him. They bowed down on the ground, didn't dare to look him up in the face. When Knock made sure his master and the leader got safely in the palace, he took another direction, trying to take care of the payment of the fighters.

As soon as His Highness set foot in the palace, his eunuch Ko Thiha ran to him, feeling happy he came back unscathed. But before the Prince could let out a sigh of relief, the eunuch had to break off his short break, stating him the sad news that occured a hour ago. Because the Empress was worried about the Crown Prince, she sent for a maid to look for him in the night. Unfortunately the maid entered his chamber and found out about his disappearance. There was a big commotion about his unknown whereabout, everyone was on high alert, fearing their life while searching for him. An emergency meeting was called from the Emperor, every higher officials had to call a search action throughout the entire nation. The guards he put to sleep with the sleeping medicine already regained their counsciouness but were emprisoned because of their negligence.

It was the brief handover about the event happening in his absence. Arthit knew he was in deep trouble but he gathered his courage to enter the imperial court. Back in the room, the higher officials were on the right and left side from the Emperor, waiting for his decision. The ruler of burma itself sat on his golden throne, eagerly waiting for his son's return. The entrance got opened, everyone turned to see if his Highness really came back uninjured. His father sighed in relief, his heart calmed down after seeing his son alive but he couldn't controll his anger towards him. Again his son disobeyed his order.

The Emperor clenched his hands into fists, trying his best to remain calmn, gritting his teeth at the Crown Prince. Arthit noticed the anger burning in his father's eyes but he still approached the court officials, standing in front of his father. A shocked gasp echoed in the room when they saw the shabby black clothes he wore instead of his imperial gown for the court. Murmur raised amoung them as they noticed the stain on his black clothes being blood. Arthit ignored the murmur for the time being, he bowed down trice as respect towards the Emperor then kneeled down on one of his knee.

„I came back from my mission, Emperor", was the first words he said to the ruler.

The Emperor almost roared in anger but everyone's eyes on him, forced him to maintain his calmness for the time being. Surely, his Highness's disappearance would have an after effect later.

„Your mission? Isn't it more like a fun trip for you?", he raised his voice, hitting his fist on his armrest of the throne, „Because I don't remember giving you a mission."

„You're wrong, Emperor. It wasn't a fun trip like everyone of you're thinking. While you're sitting here in the court, discussing about the appropriate punishment for me, I lead eleven men to evade the Greatest bandits of burma", he answered with a serious voice.

At first the ministers were shocked at his disrespectfull insult towards them but the moment they heard about his mission, their eyes widened in shock. The minister of the left who lost many fortunes due to those group, came forward to ask for the ruler's permission to speak.

„Did you get him?", he was too curious, waiting eagerly for the reply.

„...I did", was his short answer.

Another gasp resounded in the meeting court. The Crown Prince took a last glance from his father before walking away to show them the captured criminal he left outside since the court was prohibited for criminals or servants with lowly status. The Emperor was curious to know about his accomplishment so he too descended from his throne and went outside, closely followed by his officials. The criminal was laying on his ground, meanwhile he regained his consciouness. He feared for his life as soon as he realized he was brought inside the palace.

„Yeah, it's him", the minister of the left recognized him.

The angry minister ran with his heavy bodyweight to the man, kicking him on the chest while cursing him to die a thousand painful death. Arthit signed to some soldiers to hold the official back, they pulled him back. He cursed at the guards too for touching him, a higher official of the court, with their dirty hands.

„It was him who stole my fortunes", he yelled angrily to his the other ministers. A smile appeared on his face while he complimented Arthit, „His Highness did great by capturing him". He nodded his head, admiring him, „This lowly life spread fear over Burma for the last 2 years. Many soldiers were set out to search for him but they failed to capture him."

Arthit ignored him, waited between the criminal and the ministers, his look directed to the Emperor. „The reward for his head was great money or a wish. It was stated every man with or without title was allowed to capture him. I capture him and now want my reward that's set on his head", again he spoke in a serious voice.

Now everyone finally realized the reason for Arthit to chase after those bandits, endagering his own life to capture him. He did it for the second reward: The wish. He could use this one wish to save his two companions in the dungeon.

A faint smile, everyone failed to notice, cracked on the Emperor's face, somehow he was proud of his son for achieving such a great task every soldiers failed to accomplish. Ever since Arthit was born, he alreaday realzed that he would be smart someday but never did he expect him to think of such mischievous plan to surprise the court and save two namenless prisoners. His Highness was always a kind man, fighting for the poor but never did he expect him to use another human for the sake of those two. Finally he admitted it: His son did grow up.

While admiring his son, he fell deep in thought, reminiscing of the past. Arthit, the young boy he held in his arms on his birth day grew up into a fine young man without him even noticing it. His little boy was now a strong man he didn't need to protect anymore because he managed to stand up to those cunny officials. Fortunately they wouldn't oppose to his one wish since he brought their beloved fortunes back to them. What a great plan! According to him, the Crown Prince would achieve more in the future.

But where light existed, there was darkness too. His son did great today but him capturing the leader they never expected from him to be capable of, would made the ministers hate him more than before for his braveness. His father looked at every ministers surrounding him, they were faking a smile as if they were proud of him. But the Emperor with his many experience he gathered in his 20 years of regime, noticed them being unhappy towards Arthit.

Most of them whispered to each other, cursing Arthit's braveness but the Emperor heard every words they were murmuring. They were stating about Arthit changing everything if he ascended to the throne so they should be careful with him. Some of them said they feared their fortunes since his Highness cared for the people more than for his officials. They were sure, he would get rid of their corrupt system to give more money and food to the people. Anger raised amoung the officials. There it was! The bad omen his father feared to happen to his son after his death. He was sure they would try to dethrone him just for their own sake. He couldn't let such abomination happen to his beloved son. It was clear, Arthit would be in danger soon. Just because he showed them his skills as a great leader, as a wise ruler too.

„State your wish!", the Emperor ordered him.

„I want you to set the two prisoners Ko Chan Tha and Thura free."

„You know the girl breached the law by taking part in the tournament although it was clearly stated for women to not disguise as a man to participate."

„I know but she did for an important reason."

„I see... You named your wish but I'll talk with the court officials about that matter. But let me tell you, the last decision lay in my hands", the ruler of the nation turned his back on him.

„What?", Arthit was shocked. The Emperor telling him to wait for his decision, meant he could decline his wish. It was a hard blow to swallow. He was sure, the officials who hated him, would decline his offer but never did he expect his father to oppose him too. His father never listened to him but he was sure, he would fulfill his wish after his great accomplishment

A simple head movement from the Emperor was enough for his royal guards to understand him. Two soldiers quickly grabbed at the his Highness, preventing him to run after the ruler.

„Emperor... No, Father, you can't do this to me", Arthit screamed, begging his father to turn back to him and listen to his wish.

The latter refused to look him in the eyes, something that made the ministers content. They were satisfied to see the Emperor scolding his own son, punishing him for his mistake. He screamed for his father's attention but the older man just distanced himself from him. The two guards brought Arthit back in his Crown Prince palace, followed by his eunuch and his servants. As he arrived in his chamber, they left him there then positioned in front of the entrance.

Arthit wanted to escape again but his eunuch Thiha begged him to think for his own safety for once. According to him, his Highness should remain calm, rest for a moment then collect himself. He tried his best to save them but for now he should wait for the Emperor's decision. Arthit listened to him, sat down on his bed, looked down at the ground while covering his hands on his tired-looking eyes, hiding the sadness written in his face. Ko Thiha kneeled down in front of him, feelings his sadness right now. But again he couldn't do anything as being there for him.

At this moment he wished for the Crown Prince to have someone who could cry with him and share his thought with. A person who could understand him and calm him down whenever he was feeling pain. Someone who could touch him unlike him who had to maintain his distance from him. It should be someone loyal who could be there for him for the eternity. But where could he find such loyal person who would want to stay by him without expecting anything from him in return? This person didn't exist because everyone was working for him for their own sake, awaiting a reward for supporting him.

Life wasn't fair for the young Arthit. Everything he did till now, was crumbling right under his very eyes, everything he did seemed to be futile right now. The four brave fighters also died in a vain. He would never find happiness with this much guilty feelings inside him. Why was he so unlucky? Every courage he had ever since he was determined to be strong and change the nation, was fading away. And he couldn't do anything against it.

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It was already breakfast time but the Crown Prince refused to eat the food offered to him. He choose to starve till his father heard him out. Beside he couldn't swallow any food down his throat while knowing two innocents people would be beheaded soon. Even the effort of his mother, trying to calm him down so he could eat, failed too.

Ever since Arthit returned in his large chamber, he didn't move from his position. He was still sitting on his kingsize bed, his eyes directing on the ground. Every glimpes of hope seemed to fade away the more the punishment time for Chan Tha and Thura approached. They only have twenty minutes untill the soldiers carried out their sentence, killing them in the market.

„The Emperor's here", the Crown Prince's annoucer spoke from outside.

His eunuch quickly kneeled down, hoping to disappear soon to escape the dispute between Father and son that could emerge anytime. Arthit stood up, felt weak, was staggering but he managed to stand straight at his feet without anyone's help. As soon as the Emperor entered his chamber, Thiha quickly made his move to leave them alone. An awkward raised between them, none of them wanting to break the silence. The older man looked at his Crown Prince from head to toes, noticing how much he was fighting to stay counscious. It hurted to see his beloved son feeling hurt but he tried to ignore that matter.

Arthit decided to use the last chance from his sleeve, kneeling down in front of the older man. He wanted to speak to his father and not to the Emperor because before he was the ruler of their nation, he was his father, the man who gave life to him, first.

„Father, I beg you. Have mercy on the two prisoners."

„Why should I listen to you when you never listen to me?", this time it was the ruler who spoke to him instead of his family.

„I know, I wasn't the best example for the people but I promise to change for the better."

„Why are you trying so hard to save them?"

Only now did he dare to look up to him in the face, „Because everything was my fault. She wanted to meet me and sneaked in the tournament... Chan Tha saved me 4 years ago as I left the palace for the first time. I searched for him for a long time, hoping to meet him again."

„I'm not going to let them live. Confining you wasn't the real punishment I planed for you but I sentenced those two to death to punish you instead. During the tournament, I realized those two were important to you so I took them as prisoners and put them on the death sentence to punish you for disrespecting me. Their death should be a lesson for you to never oppose to me again", was his last words to him.

As he was about to leave, Arthit crawled on the ground, grabbing at his foot while bowing down, hitting his head on the hard ground. The Emperor waited for him to state the reason he hold on to him. It seemed he purposely refused to let Chan Tha and Thura free because he was trying to bargain with his own child. Arthit begging him with everyhing he got, was like a victory he always wanted to witness. Finally he was controlling him, just like he wanted to do a long time ago but couldn't since the latter was too stubborn. His lips curved up into a little mischievous smile, it was a great feeling to have his stubborn son where he wanted him to be. Recognizing he had more power over him. To succumb to him completely.

The servants outside the chamber heard everything happening in the Crown Prince's chamber, they were pitying his Highness right now. For them the kind Prince didn't deserve this kind of harsh treatment. He was a young man everyone wanted to protect from the evilness of this world but what could they do if the evil man right now was his own father, the Emperor of their nation? Nothing. They had no other choice as to accept the fact that the young Prince had to endure the harshness of life.

Only a man amoung the servants could understand the Emperor. The ruler's eunuch, also the head of the eunuchs. Since he worked over a decades for him, he knew how his master was feeling. He was acting harsh towards Arthit but he had a reason for doing so. It hurted him to treat his son harshly but he had to show the higher officials he had controll over him. Or else they would try to assassinate him. Everything he was doing, was for the sake of Arthit.

„Please punish me instead of them. I promise, I'll never disrespect you again, father", he was almost in tears but he swallowed hard to hold back the tears that threatened to escape his eyes. Never should he dare to cry in front of the Emperor or else he would aggravate the problem. Either his father would see him as a weak man and punish him harder so he would grew up into a fine strong man who could controll his motion. Just a single mistake of him was enough to end Chan Tha's and Thura's life. „I'll do everything you want me to do", his voice quavered at the end.

His emperor raised one eyebrown, „Really?"

„Yes, I'll do everything", at that moment he realized he lost the fight since his father had him where he wanted him to. He knew he would regret it later but right now he had no other choise as to play to his finger, satisfying him.

„Fine, I'll release them but..."

Arthit almost stood up from happiness but the „but" his father mentioned, forced him back onto his knees. A „but" meant bad news after the good news. He braved himself for the bad informations.

„From today on, you're prohibited to leave the palace without my permission nor oppose to any of my decision in the future", was the ultimatum he set for him for letting Chan Tha and Thura alive. If he choose to save them instead, it would mean goodbye to his little freedom he loved so much.

His Highness froze on the spot, his eyes were filled with tears. His heart thumped hard against his chest, he fest a sharp pain torturing his whole body. He couldn't believe his father trying to confine him forever in the palace. Now he felt backstabed by him. Yeah he was angry, he felt disappointed but since he was in the lower status, he had to obey him. From today on, he was prohibited to leave the palace for his own fun trip. The image of the laughing children he played with in the town, replayed in his head. The children were smiling at him, the delicious food smelt over the whole market. He closed his eyes, deleting the peaceful picture forever.

The shorter man being quiet, meant he agreed to his ultimatum. The Emperor felt content at his little victory against Arthit, he smiled. However Arthit succumbed to him but he refused to back down completely and be the loser in their agreement. He had to win something for himself too.

„I want them to work for me as my royal guards", the younger man wished.

„The court officials wouldn't let such lowly life like them be your royal guards."

Arthit didn't even blink his eyes, refusing to back down with his decision. If his father wanted him to only leave the palace for work matters, he wished him to give him what he wished for too. Although his father treated him harshly, he was still proud at him for fighting him back but he shouldn't let him have everything he wanted.

„I'll let you have the man but she'll work as a maid in the women's palace."

„No", he raised his voice. When he noticed his father being mad at him for raising his voice, he calmed down. „She won't survive as a maid in the place filled with so much jealousy. I beg you, let her be by my side instead."

„Fine... But not as a royal guard but as something else."

He expected him to decline his offer to name her as a royal bodyguard. Since no woman ever worked as an Emperor's or a Crown Prince's royal guard, he won't let such abomination happen. Thura was stronger than any of his guards outside, she could work as a bodyguard in the women's palace but he wanted to have her by his side too. She came specially for him.

The older man approached the entrance but before he exited the room, he hold on and looked from the corner of his eyes to him. „You won't never oppose to me again! If you decline any of my decision, I'll kill them without batting my eyes", was his last words before he left him.

Arthit finally broke down, staring at the ground. Finally he realized what he lost by saving Chan Tha. His freedom! Never would he decide anything concerning his life anymore. He would be his slave now, the slave with no right to state his own mind. When he looked up, his eyes widened in shock. Thiha stood in front of him but two familiar persons were behind him. He slowly stood up as he recognized them. Chan Tha and Thura!

Thura smiled at him, bowed trice as respect then kneeled down in front of him. She broke down in tears, crying tears of joy just like four years ago when he gave her food to eat. Meanwhile Chan Tha refused to bow down to him. The imperial bodyguards and the eunuch Thiha gasped in shock, couldn't believe his braveness to disrespect his Highness. Although it was against the law to stand equally to the Crown Prince, Arthit still felt grateful towards the taller man. His title as the Crown Prince was a huge burden he could never escape for the rest of his life. Chan Tha refusing to succumb to him although he had a lower status than him, gave him the feelings he was a normal humand being too. A young man without any royal blood or status. Just like he always wished for.

Chan Tha went on one of his knees, gazing at the ground as if thanking him for saving them. A moment after, he slowly looked up to him. His lips curved up into a little smile. His little smile took Arthit's sorrows and his fears right away, something nobody managed till now. He gave up his freedom to rescue them but he didn't regret it. It was worth Chan Tha's smile.

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The Emperor seems evil but he's doing it for Arthit's sake since the higher officials were ploting against him. He needed to controll his stubborn son or else they would assassinate him, get rid of him to protect their fortunes.

A note about Chapter 9: Since some didn't understand why he had to fight the bandits, I want to explain it. Like I said in chapter 10, Arthit fought against the bandits because of the reward, more like the wish as the bounty set on the leader's head. It was the only chance he had to save Chan Tha and Thura. I didn't write about him planing the whole coup since it wasn't necessary or would take longer to reveal Chan Tha's identity but I stated about in the middle of chapter 9 why he had to search for the bandtis. He sent Ko Knock to follow the leader to his hideout after he robbed out the minister of the left. Arthit never wanted to use a human for his own benefit but he captured the leader, using his lavish way to spent out the stolen juwelry to fight against him. I hope it cleared the confusion/mistunderstanding.