Prince Tine and the Sister Disaster
"Tine."
Tine was brushing off Charlotte's coat when Pam barged in. Her hair was tied back, and her face was red from excitement.
"Sister," he said awkwardly. He barely talk to his sister. They were never close. Their parents doesn't want to allow Pam to be endangered by rough tumbling. Pam brought her arms around his, and looked at him hopefully.
"Can you take me to town?" she whispered. Tine looked at her in surprised. Pam had never asked him for such tours. She was content with staying inside, and taking a walk in the garden. The only time she has ever been in the village or pastures are for celebratory or official purposes.
Tine looked at her softly. "Do you really want to go?"
She nodded enthusiastically. He smiled. "Then I shall take you."
"Thank you!" she squealed and hugged him. "Sarawat has been telling me about this wonderful bakery he found, and I've been wanting to see it!"
Tine's mood soured. "Is the Prince Sarawat coming with us?"
"Of course," she said enthusiastically. "And Man, Boss and Earn."
Tine had never heard of them, so he assumed that those are Sarawat's companion.
"Then I'll just ask Fong, Phuak and Ohm, I guess."
Pam's face fell. "But they don't like me," she whined. Correction. They don't worship her. His friends had seen him cry enough from being casted aside to be able to harbour any fondness for Pam, especially when some of her acts are a bit too perfectly aligned on further alienating Tine. "Please, Tine."
"Prae then," he huffed. He adores Prae. Prae is his tutor, his childhood crush and his best friend. And she may be biased to Tine's antics, but she is such a sweet creature that even Pam couldn't pull of any issues with her.
"Fine." she huffed. "Meet me at the gate by evening."
Tine grunted in affirmation, and continued cooing to Charlotte.
"Oh, and Tine," Pam called out. "Set a carriage for us, will you?"
It was a nice evening. Tine, realising now more than ever that he's a glorified tour guide, rode at the front. It's a pity, because he actually liked Man, Boss and Earn, but the sight of Sarawat, and Pam cozying up to Sarawat soured his mood. He was glad they were in a carriage. He thinks his patience is severely hanging by a thread. They seemed disappointed that they couldn't ride, but Pam convinced them that it's a carriage weather. Tine had tried to pushed Prae in as well, but Prae gave him an affronted look and came out with a mare, standing right beside him. If only Prae hadn't laughed at his Valentine when he was a child, he would have fallen in love all over again with her.
"Is there something wrong, Tine?" Prae had asked kindly. Tine had smiled and blamed it on Dim and his lessons.
When they finally arrived, he told the coachman to take his break. He could handle the horses, and he didn't want to follow Pam around. She has one lovesick puppy, and that's enough for her. He forced Prae to go with them, enlisting the help of Earn, who was more than happy to accompany Prae.
"Prince Tine!" someone called. The coachman had returned, and he looked excited.
"Out with it, Nadech," he said in amusement.
"They are playing today! The band that you like!" Nadech said exitedly. Tine's eyes widened. He loved the band Scrubb, and they often play at the city centre before. Until recently, since the lead singer is sick. "Go, Tine," the elderly man said kindly. "Go have fun."
It was exhilarating. Tine was singing and dancing. He was having so much fun that he accidentally hit somebody standing behind him.
"Oh shit. I am so so sorry," he turned to apologise.
Sarawat stood behind him, staring wide-eyed.
"Prince Sarawat."
"I..."
"There you are. And hey, you found Tine!" Pam said cheerfully. "Come on, boys. Lets head home."
"My Lady, the band is finishing. If we can just..." Prae said hesitantly. She knew how obsessed Tine is with Scrubb. But Tine couldn't care less about it. He smiled flatly.
"It's fine. Let's go."
"Would any of you like to stay in the coach? I'm itching to ride," Earn announced.
Tine shook his head. Prae doesn't know them well enough, and he didn't want her to feel awkward.
"If you and Prae don't mind," he suggested. "I'm okay with sharing my horse with Prae and you can take her ride."
Prae shrugged. It's not the first time they do that. Once Prae is comfortably seated behind him, he gave a gentle nudge for Charlotte to move along. She had her arms lightly around him as she chatted with Earn. Tine liked Earn. She's fierce and wickedly funny.
"It has been fun," Earn said once they arrived. "Thank you, your highness."
"Tine," he smiled warmly. "Please, just call me Tine."
"Tine, my man," Man and Boss came over. "We plan to go drinking tonight. Come join us!"
"I don't know if that's a good idea..."
"Come on, bro. There's Earn, Dissathat, Mil and Green, and our Sarawat of course."
"But I..."
"We'll bang your room by sunset!" the happy duo walked away. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Sarawat talking to Pam. He had his head leaned over to better hear what Pam said,
He looked jealously.
"Come with us, Tine. And you too, Prae," Earn smiled at Prae. Prae beamed and nodded.
"I'll make sure this one comes along. He could use a break, really."
Tine was in his room, playing his violin. He loved it, but he hasn't played for awhile.
His bedroom door was slammed open.
"What's your deal?!" Pam yelled. Tine stood up and looked at her, bewildered.
"I don't understand..."
"What's your deal with Sarawat?" she grabbed him by the hand. "I saw how you look at him!"
"I just...I..." Tine could have lied. But he was caught by surprise, and he could just look at her.
""You are an asshole, Tine!" she screamed. "Sarawat is mine! It's not fair!"
He staggered and walked back. "Sister...."
"I never wanted to have a brother!" she cried. "I never wanted to be cursed. And you came along, happily living while I have to suffer every single day. And you can't even give me this one thing?"
She stood up and walked towards the door. She turned and looked at him, her eyes filled with hatred. "You are fucking selfish Tine."