My Enemy, My Love

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔗𝔥𝔯𝔢𝔢

Prince Ray [Pond]

The King's voice filled the great hall, his words echoing off the high arched ceiling. He spoke with his chest, addressing the assembled guests below in slow, deliberate sentences. I tapped my foot at odd rhythms on the marble floor; my patience had begun to wear thin, but I effortlessly continued to feign interest for the sake of keeping Mama happy. I felt her eyes bore into my skull, her presence next to me like a curse tying me down; disappointment and embarrassment polluted the air, but I did not care.

It was always the same with her. 

I watched as Luka stood beside the King, his expression pulled tight, different somehow. His face was solemn, eyes darker than usual, and I could see he was taking all of this more seriously than he'd ever admit. But even beneath that stillness, he had that fire, that defiance that seemed unquenchable no matter what life threw at him. It was a quiet defiance now, smoothed over by the night's ritual. Still, something about him seemed irrevocably changed.

I began to search the crowd with a rising urgency. I knew what I was supposed to be doing: mingling, talking to the Ladies, gauging my prospects for marriage, hoping to finally push aside any lingering doubts and bring myself a step closer to fulfilling my family's expectations. That was what Mama had hoped for all night.  

But it was no use. My mind kept straying to him. I could still feel the weight of Anurak's letter lingering in my thoughts, saying everything and nothing at once. Every sentence had felt so restrained, so held back, and yet each word had left an imprint, like the press of his hand against my skin. What did he mean by it? Why, even in his writing, did he seem so close yet so far?

The King continued, his voice rising as he wrapped up his speech. "And so, to my son and his future husband, we extend all the blessings of our people and this land. May you build a future together that brings pride to Bangkok and Chonburi alike."

Applause filled the hall, and I clapped along with everyone else, but I felt a hollow pang beneath my ribs. A life already half-settled was unfolding before me, yet none of it felt right. I'd spotted Anurak now, his head turned toward the doors at the far end of the hall, away from the crowd. He'd slipped out quietly, unnoticed.

The applause was tapering off as I pushed through the crowd, weaving around nobles and courtiers, toward the shadows and the long, narrow corridor where I'd seen him disappear. I spotted his figure moving through the dim corridor and quickened my pace, reaching out to grab his wrist before he could escape again.

He froze and spun, his eyes widening. "Ray? What are you—"

Before he could finish, I pulled him close, capturing his mouth in mine. All the questions, all the worry melted away as his lips met mine, and I lost myself in that warmth, in the closeness I'd spent so long trying to ignore. His mouth softened under mine, his hands finding their way to my shoulders. I didn't want to stop—I didn't want anything else, just this one, unbroken moment.

Finally, he pulled back, his breath warm against my face, his eyes filled with a mix of caution and something else. "What are you doing?" he whispered, his voice low.

"I don't know," I replied, breathless. "But I can't stop thinking about you. About that letter. About everything. Us."

He looked down, a shadow of guilt crossing his face. "Ray, I..."

I stopped him. I refused to hear his excuses. "Don't." I tried to keep my voice light, but there was an ache to it, a fear I couldn't quite shake. I ran my thumb gently across his cheek, desperately trying to meet his gaze. "You can't tell me you don't feel it, too."

Anurak met my gaze, and for a moment, his eyes softened. "Of course I feel it, Ray. But look at us. Look where we are. We can't just... act on this."

I was about to reply when a sound stopped us cold: the distinct click of heels against marble. We broke apart in an instant, and both turned, only to find Meili standing a few feet away, her arms crossed, staring at us with a mix of shock, disappointment, and something else I couldn't quite place.

"What... exactly is going on here?" Her voice was a quiet thunder, piercing through the silence. I swallowed, realizing how completely screwed we both were.

+--------+

omg, it has been a MINUTE guys 

i am so sorry for this EXTREMELY late update ---- i'm sorry if it's rushed, i'm just trying to recollect my ideas on this story because i've lost my train of thoughts for the plot over the last month 

i was debating whether or not i should continue this story because i have NO CLUE where to go with it!!!

i'm considering writing a new jimmysea fanfic as i push through the rest of this one because I've had some thoughts but i just need to pen them down on paper haha

let me know what you think - comments are more than welcome!

i will update as soon as i can again

you guys are truly amazing and thank you for the patience! 

love, 

me <3