Magnate's Blood Crown

Thirty Eight

Chalerm's return to Narathiwat was as silent as it was swift, but the silence between him and Joss was deafening. The tension hung heavy in the air, unspoken yet undeniable. As they arrived at the gates of Chalerm's home, the omega felt a deep, aching pain in his chest. It wasn't just the exhaustion from his journey; it was the wound left by Joss's choices—choices that, despite Joss's power and influence, had failed to protect their nation when it needed him most.

Chalerm slipped away without a word, his heart conflicted but his mind resolute. He couldn't bear to look back, to see the man he loved standing there with the weight of unspoken apologies in his eyes. Joss, true to his promise, didn't utter a single word. He stood there, watching Chalerm disappear into the shadows of the house, his own heart heavy with guilt. He knew he had let Chalerm down, but the words to ask for forgiveness eluded him, leaving him feeling hollow and powerless.

Joss's eyes lingered on the door Chalerm had passed through, the silence between them echoing louder than any words could have. With a heavy sigh, he turned and quietly left, each step away from Chalerm feeling like a step deeper into his own regret.

Inside the house, Chalerm was immediately enveloped in warmth and love. Fah and Noi rushed to him, their eyes filled with tears of relief and joy.

"Chalerm!" Fah cried, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Oh, my dear, we were so worried about you!"

Noi joined in, her voice choked with emotion. "We've been praying for your safe return every day. Thank the heavens you're home!"

Chalerm, overwhelmed by the flood of emotions, could only nod as tears welled up in his own eyes. The love and concern in their voices broke through the walls he had built to protect himself from the pain. He held onto them tightly, feeling both the comfort of their embrace and the weight of everything he had been through.

Anol, who had accompanied Chalerm to the door, stepped forward gently. "Madam Fah, Lady Noi," he said with a respectful bow, "Third Master Chalerm has had a long and difficult journey. His Supreme Majesty has asked that you let him rest and not ask too many questions right away. Please, consider it a request from the throne."

Fah wiped her tears, her heart still racing with relief. "Of course, of course," she murmured, smoothing Chalerm's hair as she led him inside. "We'll let you rest, my dear. There will be time to talk later."

Noi nodded, her eyes still shining with unshed tears. "Yes, we're just so happy you're safe."

Chalerm allowed himself to be guided inside, the warmth of his home and the love of his family wrapping around him like a protective shield. But even as he felt the comfort of being home, the pain of his separation from Joss lingered, a reminder of the unspoken words and unresolved emotions between them.

As he lay down to rest, Chalerm's thoughts drifted back to Joss—his heart aching with the knowledge that the man he loved had chosen a path that set them apart. The silence between them was filled with too much—too much pain, too much regret, and too much left unsaid.

Outside, Anol stood watch for a moment longer, his thoughts with both Chalerm and Joss. He hoped that in time, the wounds between them could heal. But for now, all he could do was ensure that Chalerm had the peace and rest he so desperately needed.

Meanwhile, far from Narathiwat, in the small town of Suri, the atmosphere was tense with anticipation. The villagers had been on high alert ever since word spread that Emperor Mongkut's forces were closing in. Mongkut, frustrated by his inability to defeat Ohm on the borders, had resorted to a desperate and cruel tactic: find and threaten Nanon, the person Ohm held most dear. His twisted hope was that by endangering Nanon, he could break Ohm's focus, shatter his resolve, and finally turn the tide of the war in his favor.