Here is chapter 22, enjoy it :)

The song ist That man sung by Hyun Bin *.* (Secret Garden OST)

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Kongpob and Arthit were still indulged in their own universe, smiling and laughing at the adventure the taller man had on the way to buy the Klepon for the shorter man. Ko Thiha was waiting behind them at the entrance, smiling at the warm atmosphere around the prince and his guard, the sweet way they treated each other brought a calm atmosphere in the cold night.

The Emperor's physician entered the garden, remained behind the eunuch. Instead of calling to him, the pyhsician touched Ko Thiha on the shoulder so he wouldn't attract the prince's attention. Thiha turned behind only to find the older man standing behind him. He left with the older man, leaving his Highness's side. To avoid being eavesdropped, they went far away from the servants who waited in front of the garden. They discussed about the note the dead prince's physician left. Apparantly he did some experiment on his Highness by brewing unknown western medicine in the medicine he had to drink every morning to stay healthy. It was stated that the medicine should bring wonder: Help men to get pregnant. Out of curiosity he did the experiment on the crown prince since the latter was his target from the beginning. But he died without knowing whether his experiment succeeded or not. Thiha clenched his hands in rage, couldn't believe the quiet physician he respected so much for his acknowlegdes, was so evil that he even used the prince's body as guinea pig. Thiha already suspected a pregnancy but there was the proof he wanted to have to confirm his assumption. Now his Highness was really pregnant. The father of the yet unborn baby was no one less than a man without any status, Ko Chan Tha.

It finally dawned in the younger man's mind. His Highness was carrying the next heir to the throne in his womb! If the higher officials found out about the news, they wouldn't just wish to dethrone him but assassinate him too to prevent his child to take the throne later. Damn it! Chan Tha's at fault for everything. What should I do? My poor prince won't survive this.

Thiha's hands were trembling. He was speechless from the news he didn't expect nor could he be happy about it. To bear a heir for the throne is a joyful occasion for every royal family but not if the one bearing the child could lose his life while wanting to keep and protect his child. The physician felt helpless for the first time too, his experience of many years didn't help him either to come up with an useful plan to protect the crown prince. Something like a male being pregnant never occured during his work before so he was overchallenged with the situation too.

While they were busy thinking about a plan, the Emperor, Arthit's father approached the garden. His servants were closely behind him. There was another young man beside the ruler of the nation. It was his nephew Jay he loved so much as if he was his own eldest son. Thiha was so busy that he forgot to watch for the entrance as Arthit asked him to so nobody would caught Kongpob and him enjoying their togetherness. As the eunuch looked aside, he gasped in shock when he found the Emperor coming closer to the beautiful garden. Maprang who suspected that Chan Tha and his Highness were maybe kissing, trembled in anxiety. She sweated, fearing the possible uproar that would occur soon if the Emperor discovered his only son with another man. Thiha ran to hinder the Emperor from entering the garden but Jay, the wicked man he was, rushed his uncle to come with him in the garden so they could speak alone.

Unfortunately the young eunuch was too late, the Emperor and Jay already stepped in the garden. Before Jay set his foot on the beautiful garden, he threw a smile at Thiha, showing him that the latter wouldn't hold them back anymore. Don't tell me... Thiha finally realized that the prince Jay brought the Emperor here on purpose. Because he knew about Chan Tha's and his Highness's relationship. But how?

The Emperor suddenly froze on the spot by the sight that was offering to him. Meanwhile Jay grinned like a crazy man who lost his senses just for power. Arthit was looking at the oasis, Kongpob behind him, wrapping his strong arms around the shorter man's stomach. He placed a passionate kiss on Arthit's warm cheek. Arthit giggled since the taller man's hair tickled his neck. Before he could complain about Kongpob's sharp hair tickling him, a hand suddenly grabbed at his wrist, yanking him away from Kongpob's embrace. He was about to yell at the person for disturbing them but his eyes widened in shock when he realized his father standing in front of him. Kongpob remained calm but his heart beat fast too, worried about Arthit's safety. Tension raised in the atmosphere, one could see thunder cracking between them, the wind turned stronger, leaves rustled and flew around due to the strong wind. A calm minute went by without them speaking but the tension between them raised even more.

The was many emotions raging in the Emperor's eyes: Anger, shame,  Disappointment and disgust. The older man clenched his hands into fists, his eyes fixed on his son, his blood boiling in anger. Arthit tried to soothe his anger by explaining the reason why they were so close to each other but a loud bang resounded in the air. It was the father's hand that slapped his son across the face. Kongpob, surprised about the Emperor raising his hand at his son, wanted to interfer but Arthit grabbed at his wrist, holding him back from fighting his father. Please, Kongpob... stay back. He's my father... Don't fight him, please.

The ruler's hand left mark in Arthit's face, his cheek red due to the strong hit. Blood rolled down his nose and his mouth due to the heavy impact of the slap. He slowly looked up to his father. „I'm sorry...", was the only words he could mutter for the time being. The shock was too profound, he trembled in agony while apologizing to his father many times.

„How dare you!", his father's roared through the entire place, somehow he couldn't control his rage anymore. The picture of his son being kissed by a man with low birth, made him lose his sanity. He couldn't contain his composure anymore. This time he wouldn't abid to the law that prohibited him to lose his calmness but react according to his own feelings.

Jay remained back, crossing his arms over his chest and enjoying the exciting scenario that never occured before in Burma. The Emperor was too furious, slapping his beloved son, his Highness. The ruler losing his calmness, the hitting sound in the air, Arthit's wincing in pain and Kongpob losing his composure. Everything sounded like beautiful music sung by angels in his ears. He liked it. No, he loved it. He loved the dramatic scenes between father, son and lover. Everything's going just like I calculated it. It was to my advantage that I hide in the darkness as if I never existed before, observe them and only come out in the light after I found Arthit's weakness.

Thiha who couldn't run to the Emperor and hinder him from hitting his pregnant son, stood behind the mastermind Jay. He hissed at the older man for planing such scheme against the crown Prince. Even though he wasn't sure if he should celebrate in joy about the pregnancy but he still prayed that the Emperor wouldn't exaggerate and cause Arthit to lose his baby.

„I'm sorry...", Arthit apologized again. He wanted to stay strong but the pain he felt in his whole body hindered him from speaking. His hand that hold Kongbpob back, was shaking, revealing how much he feared his father's bad temper. Despite his fear for his father, Arthit gathered his courage to explain his love for Kongpob to him. He had to say the truth or he would lose Kongpob. „I know..."

„Shut it!", the ruler of Burma interrupted, didn't even give Arthit the chance to talk to him. He just didn't want to hear any more of his apologies nor any nonsense. „Guards!", his cold voice shout through the entire garden.

Four guards dashed to him, positioning behind the eldest man then went onto one knee, looking down at the ground while waiting for their master's order.

„Take this son of mine out of my sight! Don't let him leave his chamber no matter how hard he fought against you!", was his order to the guards.

The order from the furious ruler was absolute, the soldiers shouldn't let the prince escape or they would lose their heads on the spot. Since the four men valued their lives too, two of them immediately went next to the prince, grabbing at his arms to prevent him from escaping. Their grips that was holding Arthit, was indeed too tight that it even hurted Arthit's arms but the guards couldn't loosen their grip or the latter would manage to run away. Even though hurting a member of the imperial family was seen as a sin that would be punished with death, the soldiers didn't have any choice as hurting the crown prince in this case. Even the Emperor gave them his blessing to take Arthit away by force.

The shorter man struggled in the arms of the soldiers as they tried to bring him out of there but his attempt to free himself was in vain. Arthit's instinct was telling him to stay there or else something bad would happen soon, maybe he would regret it for the rest of his life. Even if Kongpob was a skillful fighter who never knew fear till yet, Arthit was still worried about the taller man's life. Arthit knew his father would never forgive Kongpob nor let him leave unscathed after finding out that he kissed him, his only son. Beside the taller man was a person who wouldn't back down in a fight even if his opponent was an Emperor. His father wasn't a man to be taken lightly either. Since both of them were stubborn but skillful fighter, he feared both of them to clash at each other soon. Arthit was the only one who could prevent a fight between them that threatened to break out.

„Father, please listen to me...", the shorter man pleaded. „Please, don't do anything to him. He's not at fault", his scream echoed in the cold night.

His plead could be heard outside too, the servants outside gasped in shock when they finally realized the dramatic situation going on in the calm garden. Maprang was worried over her precious prince's life. She begged his Highness would back out of the fight or else he would risk to be badly injured since he was a careless man who wouldn't care for his own safety but only about Chan Tha.

Because the guards had difficulty to bring the crown prince outside since he was struggling too much in their grips, they waited for him to calm down first before taking him out of there. The Emperor reached out his hand to a guard whereupon the man quickly raised. Even if the ruler didn't state his wish, the young guard already realized the reason why their master reached out his hand to him. He handed out his sword to him without looking up at the father of the entire nation. Kongpob positioned for a fight, his hand close to his sword he had as reward from the Emperor. Kongpob didn't knew any mercy towards an enemy. Even if the opponent was his lover's father, he wouldn't be as stupid as to go easy on him. But the tears shining in Arthit's eyes, prevented him from drawing out his sword. He felt like numb, his pure love for the innocent prince was killing him inside, blocking him from killing the enemy in front of him.

There was a shadow of another person hiding behind a big tree on their left side. Because the light of the laterne didn't reach that spot, the unknown person could use the darkness to hide his presence. No one seemed to notice him. However Kongpob knew he was there. It was his shadow, one of his loyal fighter who should garanty for his safety during his stay in Burma. He noticed the shadow was about to step out of the darkness to protect him whereupon the taller man secretly opened his hand then closed it into a fist. It was a secret sign that he should stay there no matter the circumstance. Kongpob knew his fighter well enough to describe him as a cold blooded killer who wouldn't resist to assassinate the Emperor of Burma if the latter approached to hurt him. But Arthit would hate him if he caused his father's death so he wanted to take care of the situation himself. He wouldn't risk to lose Arthit nor hurt him.

The shadow remained in his hideout as he was told, gritting his teeth that he would interfer if Kongpob was hurt. The moment the Emperor hurted his master, the shadow wouldn't stay back even if the taller man ordered him to stay put. No, he wouldn't risk his master's life because of his love for the crown prince of Burma. If something happened to Kongpob, he wouldn't dare to return to Siam. His whole family would be killed along with him if he let his master get hurt during the fight. So much did Siam valued Kongpob's life. Why? Because he was the best in his work. He would do his task given to him without failing. Even though he was struggling to betray the crown prince of Burma because of his love for him, he was still the best.

The Emperor was about to slash Kongpob's chest but the taller man bent backwards, the sword swung over him. The eldest man drew back the sword and tried to stab him instead as he bent forward but Kongpob was fast than him. He took a step aside to avoid being pierced by the sharp blade of the sword, he stepped back to let some inches of gape between them. Arthit was screaming during the whole fight but his father refused to listen to his son's plead, more like cry. There was only a thought slumbering in the father's mind: Today he had to tear them apart before their forbidden reationship threatened his son's future.

Something like rock suddenly flew from aside, it hit the head of a guard's who held Arthit. The soldier let go of his Highness, rubbing at their swollen head Arthit took the opportunity to free himself by ramming his fist in the other guard's stomach. When the man's grip loosened, he dashed towards his father to hinder him from hurting Kongpob. The two other guards were about to stop him but another rock flew from aside and hit their head hard. They fell to their knees, wincing in pain. Surely the attack came from aside but Arthit couldn't point out who was hiding there, helping him in the darkness.

Meanwhile the ruler wanted to stab Kongpob again but the taller man drew his sword to block the hit, their sharp blade almost hit Arthit's neck who came between them, opening his arms aside to stop them. He faced his father, his back turning to Kongpob. His father and his lover quickly retired their swords that nearly slashed Arthit's fragile pale neck back. The eldest man glared at the slim, pale body of his son, his ravaging warm breath brushing against the shorter man's face who didn't fail to feel how disappointed his father was at him right now. A minute passed by, a fresh breeze blew over them, leaving chill running down Arthit's spine. He felt how his hairs raised, his body shaking from the cold wind. His nausea didn't stop yet but he fought against his body to not betray him, let him lose his consciousness.

„Take him in his chamber! Now!", the Emperor yelled at the two guards who immdetialy ran to them, grabbing at Arthit and forcing him to walk forwards. „Take him in the dungeon!", he finally decided to let Kongpob live instead of killing him on the spot.

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While Arthit was taken back in his chamber, Kongpob was put in the cold, lifeless dungeon in the basement. It was a familiar place he would never forget since he was taken captive here before. A few months passed by as he was let out of this place thanks to Arthit's effort to save them but now he was here again. Here in this stinking rat hole that always reeked of fresh and blood, human's burnt flesh and dispair. Here was the very place were criminals were groaning in pain and innocent prisoners crying for mercy. Even though his situation was far worse than the latter's, he was more worried about his Arthit than about himself. Arthit was now torn between his love for his father and his love for Kongpob. How will he survive the unexpected situation?

Kongpob leant against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. As the guard of the dungeon left to take a breath outside, the door to the baswment opened again, revealing a tall, firm man standing before them. The young man turned out to be prince's Jay who was never seen before in the bright picture. Kongpob stepped forwards, standing in front of jay who gave him a whicked smile. The bars made out of steels were seperating them.

„You fell in my trap, Chan Tha or should I name you the unknown man who sneaked in Burma's palace for unknown intention instead?"

Kongpob was shaken up by the man's question but he didn't want to see Jay smile in victory for finding out about him not being Chan Tha. He remained calm, hiding the fast that his heart was pounding hard very well. Kong mustered his opposite from head to toes, remembering seeing him once in the banquet as Youn came as an envoy. According to his memory, he was the rumored prince Jay, the Emperor's nephew. Like the rumor described him, he looked like a calm person on the surface but the taller man already saw through him after staring too long at him. Look could be really deceiving sometimes. Jay seemed to fool everyone with his soft appearance but Kongpob knew that his mind was filled with pure evilness.

„It was your doing, right?", Kongpob asked the first question.

„I heard the higher officials praising you that you're a skillful fighter but no matter how much I stare at you, I can't see anything skillful about you", it sounded like a mockery the taller man didn't fail to notice. He walked from to and fro then came back to face the younger man again. „They told me that you prevented every assassinate attempt on Arthit and even found out who the mastermind behind the assassination were. After observing you for weeks now, I realized that the only way to assassinate Arthit was to keep his loyal watch dog away from him. The only thing I need to do was letting the Emperor know about your love for each other. Now I just have to wait for the soldiers to find the surprise I left in your chamber."

„I see...", were the only words Kongpob could mutter. But he raised his eyebrown when he listened to him talking about a surprise he left in his room. What's it? Should I worry now?

„Don't worry. After we succeed on getting rid of your lover, you'll join him soon", Jay said as his parting words, gave him another smile filled with evilness that let the prisoners tremble in recognation for him. He then left the dungeon, slamming the door behind him.

All the sudden Kongpob remembered about the physician's advice he gave him before he died. His words replayed over and over in his head. (Take Arthit out of here if you don't want to lose him. They're plotting something against the royal family). Is it treason? Did it already begon with me being detained here? One last thing: What about the gift my former teacher left for Arthit and me? The surprise that should make me happy?

The silence in the air didn't last long because another young man appeared in the dungeon. The stranger approached them, earning the prisoner's whistles for his handsome look. The young man remained in front of the new prisoner who was brought here a few minutes ago. All the sudden he went to his knees, hitting one fist on the ground, it was a position a servant should held before his master.

„Aim", Kongpob called his shadow who was protecting him in the background. If it's him, he would look after Arthit even if I'm not by his side. „Go protect Arthit instead of me."

„But..."

„Don't worry about me. I'm not their target so they won't do anything to me yet. Arthit's in danger and I want you to protect him. Don't let them touch him!", he ordered him, his face so serious like never before.

Aim, the shadow, accepted his next important task given to him whereupon he walked out of the dungeon as if it was his own chamber he could come in and go out whenever he wanted. The pervert prisoner with special liking to poisons Kongpob met before as he was detained here, mustered the younger man from head to toes. There was a strong presence mixed with dark atmosphere laying around the taller man, showing that he wasn't to be taken lightly nor make as his enemy either. Who's that man? Why do I feel that he's not a simple commoner like he's showing us?

Kongpob fell deep in thought, unknown that there was a big storm coming towards them. Unknown that Arthit was pregnant, expecting his child. It wasn't just a storm but dark cloud darkening their bright future too. Why do I feel so uneasy? He placed a hand over his chest, the exact spot where his heart was beating restlessly. Please Arthit, be safe untill I come back to you.

****

Arthit went from to and fro in his royal chamber, waiting for a chance to escape the guards who were blocking his way. Unfortunately his guards were remplaced with new guards who were loyal to his father than to him. Now they were immune against his sweet plead to let him out since they feared the Emperor's punishment more than everyone. Even his eunuch Thiha and Maprang weren't allowed to visit him either because he was confined again. This unexpected was too much for Arthit, he felt overstressed.

Kongpob's taken away from me, father is angry at me, Thiha and Maprang aren't allowed to beside me. Everyone I love, are taken away one by one from me. I feel alone. He felt suddenly exhausted, his feet trembling and wanting to give in to the weakness but he forced himself to stand straight at his feet. He shouldn't collapse nor or else he would succumb to the exhaustion. His feet refused to listen to him, he sat on the bed, strong headaches tortured him. Why do I feel so tired suddenly? What's wrong with me lately? He touched his forehead that was throbing as if something hard was hammering against his head. The announcer announced the Emperor's visit. Arthit had to gather all of his strength to fight back up, he felt wobbly, his eyes turned blurry but he bit in his lips, fighting against the fatigue. He turned to face his angry father.

The Emperor slapped him across the face as soon as he came before him. „You're my only successor but disgraced me by loving a nobody like him", he yelled at his son, his expression so serious like never before.

It was the second time his father slapped him because of him protecting Kong but instead of giving in to him, Arthit still opposed to him. He went to his knees, „I know that I'm shaming the royal family but I love him. I love that man... I can't control my heart that's beating fast for him, father."

His father was taken aback by his confession. It sounded disgusting to hear that his only son loved a man to the point that he would protect him. Why didn't I notice it sooner that there's something going on between them? No wonder Chan Tha always protected him.

„The man you say that you love... Do you know anything about him?", the ruler of the nation suddenly asked. It was a question Arthit didn't expect to be asked about.

„He's Chan Tha..."

„No, I mean his real identity", the older man interrupted him, didn't let him finish his lie. „I want to know about his real identity and not his fake identity he stole from a mere commoner to participate in the competition."

Arthit finally realized that his father found out about Chan Tha not being Chan Tha from Burma but another person. How did he find out that Kongpob stole a commoner's name to take part in the competition from a few months ago? Now he was forced to reveal the taller man's real identity if he didn't want to lose him. „His name is Kongpob and he comes from Siam."

„Siam also, our enemy country... How much do you know about him?"

„Not much... Only his name, birth place and that that he's an orphan."

„You foolish son of mine. You digged your own grave this time, son. I can't believe you trusted him blindly and never questioned about his identity", he spoke with a calm voice. He shook his head, telling him the truth, „The man you're telling me that you love is a spy sent from Siam's new Emperor."

The shorter man's eyes widened in shock, he shook his head in disbelief. No way would he believe his father's words about Kongpob being a spy sent from Siam's kingdom. Kongpob would never betray me... He would never hurt me because he loves me too much. Arthit was sure that this whole situation was the higher officials's scheming to dethrone him since they claimed before that the taller man was a spy. „He's not a spy... He would never betray me."

„Did he tell you that he's secretly rising carrier pigeons? Did you know that he leaves the palace in the middle of the night to meet with a stranger whom identity we couldn't identify?"

Arthit, shaking his head in denial, slowly stood up. His hands trembling, he was lost for words too. Of course he still couldn't believe that the taller man was a spy sent to betray him but he couldn't find any excuse to explain why the latter would leave the palace in the night without letting him know about it. Beside he couldn't understand why he was rising carrier pigeons that were prohibited in Burma since they could be used to exchange information between spies, meaning they were planing for treason.

Now that he couldn't find any more excuses to denfend his beloved guard, he finally realized that he didn't have much information about the taller man. In fact he knew nothing about him. Only knowing about his real name, birth place and his family background, wasn't enough to defend him that he wasn't a spy. One thought dawned in his mind: If Kongpob didn't hide any secret from me, why did he never tell me more about himself? This thought he couldn't shake off, was trying to destroy his ultimate trust he had in the taller man. No, don't think about it... Kongpob loves me. He's not here to betray me...

„He's...", he wanted to protect his lover, sticking up to the fact that Kongpob loved him but the words wouldn't come out, remaining stuck on his lips.

„He's found guilty of being a spy, Arthit... You can't save him this time", the father turned away from him, „As for you. You're not leaving the crown prince's palace for awhile."

Arthit tried to bane the negative thought about his Kongpob in his mind but they refused to be shaken off no matter how hard he fought against it. Slowly he began to think that Kongpob had secrets he didn't want him to know about. He felt a persistent lump stuck in his throat, it was too hard to swallow, his heart thumped hard, feeling the taste of betrayal laying in the air. The word „betrayal" almost slipped through his lips but he sealed his mouth to not say this word that could make him insecure.

His father left the chamber, he heard him talking to the announcer that nobody should visit him for the time being. Arthit wanted to run behind his father, begging him to let him see Kongpob but a strong pain forming in his stomach, brought him to his knees. He wrapped his arms around his abdomen, writhing in pain. There's something inside of me killing me. Like he expected, there was really something inside him. It wasn't a thing but he didn't know yet that there was a foetus in his womb that would form into a tiny human being later. He wasn't aware of the fact yet that the foetus wasn't killing him but it was the opposite. The stress he was put on, was killing the thing inside of him slowly.

The pain in his abdomen was unbearable, the only word escaping his mouth while being in pain was Kongpob. He needed his Kongpob beside him in this difficult time... Kong... pop

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Arthit's having abdominal pain... What could it be? And Aim is Kong's shadow :D Here the friendly boy isn't nice anymore but fierce and a killer :D

Anyone already guessing how their end will be or what will really happen next? I'm anticpated everyone's opinion or idea about it ;) But the real ending is far away :D