That Is How
Of course the first thing they did was push Sarawat into Tine's room.
It was unnerving, but Sarawat didn't hesitate as he brushed his lips against Tine.
He didn't even stir.
Type pushed him aside and rocked Tine gently. "Tine," he said softly. "Tine, wake up." His eyes were glassy, and he sat by the bed. "Wake up."
But Tine slept soundly. It was a particularly heartbreaking sight, and even Sarawat looked away.
Type was sitting with Tine when the Queen came.
"My Lady," Type stood up and bowed. The Queen said nothing. She walked over and stood beside the bed, watching over her son.
She sat beside the bed and brushed his forehead aback, kissing his forehead chastely.
"I'm sorry," Type said quietly.
"Why?" she said, her eyes empty. "I didn't expect anything. I...I left him too long I think."
"You were afraid."
"I wasn't, not really." She smiled, and Type could see Pam's delicate feature in her face. "But when I found about Henry and Maleficent...it hurts, Type," her eyes were watery. "It hurts so bad. I spent the rest of my life from there thinking why he did that. We were engaged."
"It's not Tine's fault. Or Pam's." He frowned.
"It doesn't matter," she stood up and walked out. "They were there."
When Type finally had to be dragged away, screaming and yelling to attend to a meeting, Tine's friends managed to steal some time.
"You are such an idiot," Fong yelled. They had brought in beers. Prae and Green were there too, and Prae was brushing Tine's hair. "You slept with Sarawat and run around with Maleficent? God, Tine, how dumb can you be?"
But Fong was crying, and Phuak and Ohm pulled him back. Green sat quietly, not saying anything.
Prae laid beside Tine and mumbled. "Wake up already, you big dummy."
On the seventh day, by some miracle, Sarawat managed to get to Tine's room alone.
Or so he thought.
Maleficent, in all her glory, was staring at Tine.
"That is disappointing."
Sarawat looked at her. "Don't act high and mighty," he snarled. "You said you loved him. And you did this to him."
"I HAVE NO CHOICE!" she screamed. "And if any of you loved him more, you would have known what to do!"
It feels like a punch in the gut. "What can I do?"
"Tine is the only noble thing this castle has," she sighed. It was then, Sarawat knows.
"Oh God," he stood up. "Take me. Give me to the Old Magic."