Sotus: For One Last Time

Conference Pt2: The Announcement

3rd Person POV

Saturday, noon, time of the conference

Despite all of Ple Leekpai's (Knott's sister) insistence to be on time, out of the 150 guests that were invited, two just had to be coming late. And both of them had to be important guests that the meeting couldn't start without, Fatou Bah, a famous terrorist analyst and KongPob Suthiluck, the heir to two of the biggest business man/women in the world today. As her grandma likes to stay, KongPob is like the product that would have happened in her time if Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates got married. Being who they are, the meeting could wait a few minutes for them.

"Are they still not here?' the king, who had just summoned her, whispers.

"The guards informed me that both of them just parked in the second level. They should be here in 2 minutes and 16 seconds" she answers.

Nodding, the king's face tightens in a way many are not used to seeing, and makes those especially close to him restless. "Is this a coincidence?" the queen whispers the question gently to the king.

Placing a hand on her arm rather than answering, the king and queen stare at each other, communicating silently until the queen takes a deep breath and forces herself to relax.

However, as the day keeps on progressing, the Crown Prince of Thailand, Arthit Rojnapat, knows that something was seriously wrong. KongPob hasn't answered his calls since morning, and he's been worried sick about how his confession to his parents about "them" went. More than that, he's not use to Kong not answering his calls or at least sending him reassuring messages, if it wasn't for the fact that Ple just confirmed that Kong was in the building or the fact that Arthit tried to earlier to talk to Kong's parents who were not showing him any particular reaction, Arthit would have already left the building in search of his boyfriend.

Exactly 2 minutes and 16 seconds later and as mostly everyone is seated, a beautiful African woman in a colorful but sophisticated skirt and blouse outfit, one of the only five foreigners invited to the meeting, enters the room followed by KongPob Suthiluck who's in no way inferior in terms of his outfit choice, looking like another prince from another country.

"They're here" Ple informs the king while gesturing for the security to close the double doors behind the two distinguished guests.

Walking down the aisle, with everyone turning around to look at them, Fatou meets each daring eye and holds her head high, a slight smile on her poker face, expecting the same from her secret protégé who's walking behind her. And with the look on the King's face as he comes face to face with KongPob Suthiluck who has catched up to her at the end of the long aisle where they'll be seated as distinguished guests, she internally smiles at the great distraction he will cause while the agency does what needs to be done.

"Kong, I have been so worried" Arthit whispers to Kong as soon as he reaches him even with everyone's eyes on them talking, surprised at their closeness. "What happened with your parents? Are you okay? I tried talking to them earlier but they didn't seem like they knew about us?" Arthit rampled quickly and quietly.

But before Kong could respond, the king has already approached them, "KongPob! It's such a surprise seeing you again. I just now realized that you're KongPob Suthiluck. It's been three years, hasn't it?"

"Your majesty, the honor is all mine" Kong answers with a slight smile touching his lips.

"You two know each other....?" Arthit questions in surprise.

"Yes, but of course. We meet a few years ago in Au-" cutting himself off from the mistake he was about to make

" I met him abroad ... for an event for Thai citizens" the king amends, "But I'm surprised you two know each other"