The Prince and The Thief

Fifteen

Stepping out of the bathroom after a shower, Arthit frowned not seeing Kongpop in the room. He walked to the half open door to see Kongpop on the phone, walking back and forth, his expression looking serious. "What's wrong?" Arthit asked as soon as Kongpop came in, ending the call. "It was P'Bright. He thinks the reporter is in danger. He happened to find the reporter's wallet somewhere near his friend's cafe," Kongpop explained. Arthit looked at Kongpop blankly, while sincerely hoping that the royals weren't behind this. "Why doesn't he approach the police?" Arthit asked to which Kongpop laughed. "Well P'Bright and the police department have a bad history," he said shaking his head laughing and then raised his head to see Arthit looking at him expressionless. Kongpop could guess what Arthit was thinking as he walked towards the bed and sat next to him. "Don't worry. P'Bright didn't know what to do at first. He said he will meet the reporter's friend tomorrow and figure out a way. Also, we'll be there in two days. Let's sleep now," Kongpop said to which Arthit nodded his head before lying down on the bed. "Sleep on the bed," Arthit said. "Okay," Kongpop replied before switching off the lights and lying on the bed next to Arthit.

Even after several hours, Kongpop was still lying awake on the bed. Though he had said those words earlier to console Arthit, Kongpop himself was feeling worried about the situation. Bright was talking about going around and finding the reporter by himself. But if it is the doing of the royal family, it was risky. That's why he had asked Bright to meet the reporter's friend and wait until he was back. Kongpop felt Arthit's cold fingers intertwine with his, breaking his thoughts. "Weren't you sleeping?" Kongpop asked. "I'm scared. I think it's the royals, the ones who might have done something to the reporter," Arthit said. Kongpop sighed before turning to face Arthit. "We aren't certain as to what happened. It could also be that the reporter lost his wallet on the way. And it's obvious that he has too many enemies in the country. So it can be someone else if at all he's in danger," Kongpop explained. "I don't know," Arthit said, sighing. Kongpop looked at Arthit, whose face was barely visible in the moonlight, feeling worried. He then moved closer to the prince and hugged him, to which Arthit responded by putting his hand around Kongpop and burying his face on Kongpop's neck. Both stayed like that for a while, not saying anything until a question rose in Kongpop's mind. "P'Arthit, who are they? The ones who are trying to harm you?" Kongpop asked, breaking the silence. Arthit relieved himself from the hug to look at Kongpop on hearing the question and took a deep breath. "I think it's my father's younger brother and his son," Arthit replied. "You mean?" Kongpop asked surprised. "Yes, my cousin, the current crown prince. I don't have any evidence, but even when my uncle approached me with his sweet words, I could easily sense his hate for me. My cousin and I grew up playing together, but at some point, he started hating me. He wouldn't show it in front of others but when we were together, he wouldn't leave a chance to hurt me. My father would try to defend them for the love for his sibling, but my mother was always alert around them. May be that's why they..." Arthit gulped, trying his best not to cry. Sensing the change in Arthit's voice, Kongpop pulled him into a hug the next second and gently patted Arthit's head saying,"it's okay" until he could hear soft snores coming from the person who had his head pressed against his chest.

"Eat," San said, putting the tray of food in front of Prem. He watched the reporter silently eat the food without any resistance. On finishing the food, he kept the spoon back on the tray before turning his bruised face towards San. "Were you his dog from the beginning? He might have known that the crown prince liked men, right? Seduce the prince, what a great plan. Didn't you feel the slightest shame doing that to a 14 year old?" Prem asked, his face reflecting disgust. "Stop," San said, gritting his teeth to which Prem scoffed. "What did he offer you? Money? Woah! The levels a person can stoop for money," Prem continued and the next moment felt himself fall on the ground. San grabbed him by the neck before raising his hand to punch Prem but the latter, instead of feeling scared, looked at him with his eyebrows raised. "So did you murder the prince by your own hands or hire someone else?" Prem continued irking San who grabbed him by the collar before screaming, "Stop it, stop. What do you know? I could never harm him. I loved him. I really loved him," San said before he left Prem and sat on the floor, his head lowered. Prem sat up looking at San confused. "Crown prince Thanawut and his father hired me to seduce the prince like you said and they offered me a good amount. I thought it'll end all my struggles. But the boy, he was so innocent," Prem could see San's eyes soften as he mentioned the prince. "I don't know, but I fell for him and tried hard to protect him. We used to meet at night without anyone knowing. Even prince Thanawut wasn't aware of it. But when he found out, he was the one who told the king. I was beaten up and the prince was taken away. The king had ordered to get me killed. But prince Thanawut decided to keep me here as his dog like you said," San said. "But that doesn't make you any less of a bad person. You are equally disgusting," Prem said, disgust reflecting in his voice. "I know," San replied before getting up from where he sat to collect the food tray.

Suddenly the door to the room opened and a tall man entered. "How are you reporter? I thought people would be looking frantically for you when they find you missing. But nobody even cares about your existence. I pity you," the man said. Prem looked at him and scoffed. "But I pity you more Thanawut, even under those expensive clothes, you are still nothing but filth," he said to which the man let out a scream before charging towards Prem. "Do you even know who you are talking to? It's crown prince, crown prince Thanawut," he screamed. "Crown prince? You think I'll call you that? That title belongs to the king's son, and not some one like you," Prem said to which he earned a couple of punches from the tall well built man. "Kill him. Just kill him," prince Thanawut ordered to his henchmen who stood ready. Prem could see the men approach him with iron rods in their hands and murderous streak in their eyes. Maybe this is the end, he thought as he closed his eyes shut. "Stop," the prince's voice suddenly made Prem open his eyes. "Let's wait until the coronation. If he dies now, people will easily suspect us," he said to which the men retreated. Prem sat up as he saw prince Thanawut approach him. "Start counting your days. I won't let you ruin anything," the crown prince warned, to which Prem flinched though he didn't really show it. As he watched the retreating figure of prince Thanawut, Prem was sure that if he ever had a chance to escape from there, he had the most impactful story in his hand to tell the world---the story of greed and deceit and lives sacrificed for selfish needs.