KongArt Week Stories

The Emperor's Secret - Part Six

Arthit peered out the window, admiring the sights of the bustling market around them. So this was the famous Capital. Indeed, compared to the rest of the other towns they had been in, this was of a different level. Even the common folk wore clothings that were clearly above the rest in terms of grade and quality.

"Where do you live, Kong?" Arthit asked, as they passed by yet another row of houses. Just how big was the city? They had been in the carriage for quite some time now and they were still riding inwards. Any further and they would reach..

Kong kept mum, eying the other keenly, letting Arthit come to his own conclusion.

"Kong? Are you the son of an official? Is that why you stay this close to the palace?"

Or not.

Kong couldn't help but let out a bark of laughter. Well, he was an official alright, but probably not the one that Arthit would have ever imagined him to be.

"What's so funny?" Arthit pouted, frowning at the laughing man.

"You're too cute sometimes," Kong sighed, pulling the other close.

Arthit smacked at the pair of hands that had found his waist but shifted nevertheless when Kong tugged against him, landing on the seat by his side. The other man seemed to have problems keeping his hands to himself these days, much to his embarrassment. Kong's hand remained on his waist, stroking gently as he leaned his chin upon his shoulder.

"You still haven't answered the question," he grumbled.

"You have two more guesses."

Arthit cocked an eyebrow at the other. It was strange for Kong to not be forthcoming, He had always answered any answers that Arthit had.

"Then.. Are you an imperial guard? I don't know where the guards live though? In the palace?"

Kong smiled, shaking his head. How was he supposed to explain this to Arthit? None of his guesses were even coming close to the truth.

"Alright, I have no idea. I don't even know much about the Capital, the people and their way of life. You could be the Crown Prince for all I know and I would have no damn idea of it." Arthit shook his head chuckling, unaware that Kong had suddenly frozen with his words.

"So are you-" Arthit stopped midway, now aware of the silence that had descended upon them. "Kong?"

"And what if I am?" Kong asked, his hands now gripping onto Arthit painfully, as though he was afraid that the other would slip through his finger if he didn't hold onto him tightly enough.

"If you were what?"

"The Crown Prince?"

Arthit stared gaping at Kong who kept his eyes steeled upon him, waiting for his reaction. Was Kong for real? He wanted to laugh it off as a joke, but the unwavering look from the other made him feel as if he would truly get hurt if he had done so.

But before he could think of an appropriate answer, the carriage came to a stop and they could hear Oak having a conversation with someone outside.

"Do you have your pass?"

"Here."

"And inside?"

"How dare you! Don't you know-"

"Oak, it is fine. Open the door."

Oak begrudgingly inched the door open, only for the guards to fall on bended knee upon seeing Kong's face. Arthit could only look between the guards outside and Kong who remained impassive, no longer looking his way.