NaraSeth: A Historic Romance (MxM)

Who Are You?

ความโกรธเป็นดังสนิมศัสตราในโลก
Anger is like the corroding rust of a weapon

"Who did this? Mother...mother", The young King cried as he hugged his mother's body.

"Uncle, do something. Uncle.." he whimpered as he saw Thasit enter the room and stand by the pillar close to the entrance. He knelt down beside the boy and patted his back. His mind although, wandered back to the ceremonial hall and the scintillating view of golden bangles and the hands that donned them. Through the mask, the narrow eyes that would slyly peep through the veil above. The recollection of something that was important cut his thoughts short. He immediately got up, moving closer to Subana Hongthep, the Minister of Civil Affairs, one of the highest positions in the kingdom. 

"Are you still in touch with the secret guards from the civil division?" Thasit leaned close to Subana and whispered. Subana nodded in response.

"I need a favour", he said looking ahead at the wailing King. 

...

The room was a cluttered mess and the soldiers were not done yet. They pushed aside cosmetics, ornaments, masks and headdresses. The troupe stood shocked at the discourtesy given to the ceremonial objects. 

"This is unacceptable. The objects are sacred", Dainath said to the soldier in command but was ignored. The chaos continued until Ketmani Sinwiset, the Minister of Palatial Affairs walked in. 

"Halt", the commanding soldier ordered and the rest stood aside dropping what they were doing. 

"Dainath, you can join the other nobles in the throne hall", Ketmani announced and watched as Dainath followed two soldiers out the door. 

"The rest of you will present your identity tabs to the soldiers and return to the palace quarters allotted to you for the time being", he ordered and turned around, after glancing in Narathip's way for a second. He broke out in a cold sweat at the mention of the identity tabs.

...

"He is only 16 afterall. How do we expect him to hold back and be composed?" Thasit heard one of the nobles speak as he stepped into the throne hall. The King had been taken to his resting quarters as his health deteriorated. The ministers had assembled in the throne hall to discuss preparations for the funeral.

"His Highness Samuha Kalahom has entered the hall", the soldier standing guard below the King's throne room announced. Everyone stood up, folded hands, bowing to Thasit who had just entered. He knelt down, sitting on his hind legs on a cushion upon a golden structure. The ministers followed suit and settled down on cushions on either side of the aisle. 

"The Burmese have provided arms to a small rebellion along the borders of Tennaserim mountains, Your Highness", Nakayama Keiji, the Japanese mercenary and Commander in Charge of the Royal Army spoke. 

"Whenever any loss has befallen the kingdom, our enemies have taken advantage. This time wont be any different", Ramanathi Pethin, the Minister of Religious Affairs informed the gathering. 

"If in such a state, the King is unable to take a firm stand, the Kingdom might-", Thasit cut short the speech of Lokanath Philoth, the Minister of Treasury.

"The King is no more", everyone stood shook at the words uttered by Thasit. Murmurs spread across the room and the guards stood bewildered but in silence.

"..will be the first words you will hear tomorrow morning. I'm expecting audience with the King of Mua in a matter of hours", half a dozen ministers close to Thasit who were aware of the plan drew blank expressions but the rest were perplexed.