It took more than three weeks to get permission to enter the palace in Bangkok. That's all because Joong finally said that he was taking the long-lost first son of the Boonprasert family home to the palace.
The two of them lived together in awkward silence while waiting. Dunk just spends his time in Joong's room, looking out the window all day. And Joong would always try to spend his time in his study, even though he had to keep seeing his personal assistant grinning knowingly at him. The two of them only met at night, at bedtime. And although Joong would never admit it, he found himself feeling calm when he saw Dunk's figure lying next to him, his chest rising and falling gently as his owner slept. Dunk was very soft and warm, with his now longer hair hanging down his neck beautifully. Joong sometimes couldn't resist touching the soft strands until he finally nuzzled Dunk's neck, feeling the hair tickle his face. He would fall asleep in that position, breathing in Dunk's scent which he found so relaxing.
They rarely talk. They never even discussed why Joong went back to Pattaya to get Dunk. They also never discussed why Dunk ran away and instead tried to find Joong. Their minds were too focused on the remaining days before Dunk finally returned to his palace. Joong never even tried to tie Dunk up again. The man could freely run around his base now, but he never left Joong's room. He would just sit quietly looking out the window for hours, until day turned into night and Joong went back to his room to sleep.
The day Joong managed to get permission to enter Bangkok was his last day with Dunk, before he finally handed the man over to his family. They both lay quietly on the bed, trying hard to sleep. Joong glanced at Dunk who was lying quietly beside him, and saw that the man was also still awake and looking at him intently. Joong cleared his throat, somehow feeling awkward.
"Hey," said Joong trying to find something to talk about to relieve the tension between them. "Are you sure it's okay for me to come into the palace?"
"Yes," answered Dunk briefly, his voice flat.
"How can I be sure you won't put me in jail? You've even threatened to behead me many times."
Dunk didn't answer anything, making Joong think the man had fallen asleep. He glanced to the side again and saw Dunk's eyes still open and looking at him, his hand under his cheek as he lay on his side facing him.
"You know my family hates me, right?" he whispered softly, and Joong was a little taken aback by the sudden change of topic.
"Hmm, actually I don't think they really hate you, do you-"
"You're right," Dunk cut him off. "A few months ago, when you said things about my family, it was all true. They do hate me. To them I was a stain on their clean reputation. And now look at me, waiting quietly to be returned to them willingly."
Joong didn't know what to answer. "Dunk..."
“It feels so sad growing up in a place like that,” Dunk continued, as if he hadn't heard Joong speak.
"My mother and father died when I was little. My uncle and aunt were the ones who raised me. Even then I almost never saw them, it was the servants and court ladies who accompanied me. For them I was just a political pawn, someone who could strengthen and expand their power. And you do you know that I have been betrothed since I was five years old to the first daughter of the king of Thailand?"
Joong knows, of course. He had known since Pond had been looking for information about the Dunk family background. But he didn't answer anything and remained silent, waiting for Dunk to continue what he was saying.
