His Royal Highness Prince Sarawat
He took to visiting Maleficent everyday.
Maleficent took the habit of letting him lie on her lap while she brushed his hair. Tine isn’t vain, but he had to admit that they make a wonderful picture if they are really courting.
They never talked about Pam.
It was a fine morning when Tine was informed that a visiting Prince is coming.
It was one of the longest winter in Chiang Mai. The windowsills were decorated with snowflakes, and the chill forced the occupants to be indoors at all times.
But not today. Today the Great Hall was open for everyone’s visits. Bright, colourful decorations were brought out. Queen Preeda looked down, a rare bout of smile on her thin lips. She had been gloomy for a good portion of the year. She wore nothing but gloomy gowns. But today she wore a brilliant gown with a golden hue, and her headdress was removed in favour of a fashionable bun.
The Princess Pam smiled happily at her mother. She walked around, ensuring that everything is perfect. No mistakes are tolerable. Not today.
A Prince is coming.
Tine heard from the cook that there are gossips about a possible matchmaking. The Prince Sarawat is apparently very good-looking. A strategist and a brilliant duellist. A perfect match for Chiang Mai's golden princess.
Tine listened thoughtfully while he devoured the pie in front of him. It's not a bad idea. And Pam does need that Prince Charming's true love kiss. It's a smart move any way that you look at it.
Tine is late.
Dreadfully so.
He ran breathlessly towards the hall. Dim had told him that it's a small delegation. Only five riders, including the Prince Sarawat.
His eyes were scouting the hall. His parents were talking to two people he had never seen before. Maybe Prince Sarawat's man.
Pam was talking animatedly, eyes shining. Tine ran over to her, intending to greet their esteemed guest.
"Sister!" he called. Both Pam and the guest turned.
He looked at the man with Pam, open-mouthed.
Francis.
He would never have forgotten the dark curls, and that stormy brown eyes. Sarawat was looking around, looking lost as Pam dragged him with her. His eyes widened when he sees Tine, and his mouth was open.
“Tine!” his mother called. “There you are! Do welcome Sarawat. You’re the only one that haven’t met him.”
Flashes of bodies melding together and soft moans came over him, and he had to imagine Ohm drunk dancing to stop himself from blushing furiously. With an unexpected strength, Queen Praew dragged him and pushed him to Sarawat’s arm just as a song is starting.
Sarawat’s face was priceless.
“Shut the fuck up you buffoon,” Tine snarled. “Dance with me.”
Sarawat is still goddamn staring, but he moved with the music and brought his hand to Tine's back. “Fucking idiot,” Tine cursed. “Fuck, fuck fuck.”
“I looked for you.”
Tine looked at him, surprised. Of all the things that Sarawat would have said, this was the most unexpected. His dark brown hair covered his eyes and he huffed it away impatiently. Sarawat smiled indulgently. “Yes, I remember my little spitfire.”
“Who are you calling little?” he hissed. “For all its worth, I didn’t know you are a Prince when we…yeah.” He shifted uncomfortably.
He twirled Tine. “For all its worth, I didn’t know who you were also. I understand being a Prince is a major cockblock.”
"You left me."
At least Sarawat had the decency to blush at that. "I was terrified," he murmured. "I was told that I'm to be introduced to the Princess Pam, most possibly my future fiancee." He looked intensely into Tine's eyes, and Tine could feel him gripping Tine's shoulder fiercely. "And that same night, I was enchanted by the most beautiful man I've ever seen."
Tine looked at him coldly, anger radiating from him.
"Don't worry," he brushed Sarawat's hands off his body. Sarawat was looking at him, eyes darting wildly as Tine took some steps back. "Pam is a most fascinating companion. And everyone loves her so, so I assume you wouldn't have any problem doing the same."
He left.
Tine downed his drink and looked at Pam and Sarawat. Children of destinies. He is so angry and hurting. He wanted to lash out to people. Pam, and her golden destiny. His parents for being weak-minded and faithful to the fairies to a fault. Maleficent for being the enabler of the curse. Sarawat for being another thing that Pam has that he will never get.
“I can make him yours.”
Maleficent was stroking his hair as he lied on her lap. He felt tired more than anything else.
“No more, Mal,” he said as sternly as possible. “No more curses and destinies. I just wanna live my own life.”