"Gulf"
Gulf slightly turn his head as he heard his mother call. He looks in her direction and sees she's standing at the edge of the entrance flower garden. He couldn't help but to smile at his beautiful mother before he stand up, walk towards her while replying her;
"Yes, mae"
"Your pho is home, come greet him together with your brother and his family", said Queen Ampha.
Gulf nods excitedly as he hasn't seen his father in few days. Gulf and his father, King Thanayong is like two peas in a pot whereas his brother the future king, King San closer to his mother.
King Thanayong was away as he had gone to the Cheveevat Empire for a yearly meeting between Kings and Queens of other kingdoms.
With a light step, Gulf runs to his mother who patiently waits for him. Then he walks with his mother hand-in-hand towards the castle. He smiles brightly as soon as he sees his father's car parked in front of the castle. He quickly run inside and saw that his father is sitting in their backyard while talking to his brother.
"Pho" said Gulf, launching himself at his pho.
King Thanayong who is customised to his son's action caught him slightly effortless then hug back and smile.
"My big baby boy Gulf, you need to stop doing that. I'm old my son" said King Thanayong truthfully as they both take their seats.
"Hehe, I'll try next time not to jump on you pho. So how's your trip pho? How's the meeting?" asked Gulf.
His pho let out a warm chuckle before smiling at his son. His beautiful son who sees no wrong in this cruel world. His second son, who's now 25 years old still innocent and pure. He just couldn't reveal to him about the truth of the world.
"Well my son, the trip was great. I get to meet the queens and kings from other kingdoms" said King Thanayong while sipping his tea.
"Pho can you bring me next time? I want to follow you", said a pouty Gulf while sitting next to his pho.
"Nong, wait until you're taller than phi then you can follow pho", said Prince San tease Gulf.
"Phi, I am tall. It's just that you're tall like a tree" said Gulf while laughing.
"But pho seriously, bring me next time."
"Gulf you know that meeting only for the Kings and Queens," said King Thanayong. "How about this, next time you'll follow me but you'll stay at the hotel"
"Yeay! Thank you pho", said Gulf while side hugs his pho.
"Oh yea pho, how's the emperor? Is he still the same? " asked a curious Gulf.
"He's still the same son, not smiling at all. We have tried to make him smile but he is just so stoned hearted"
"I do hope he'll find his love quickly cause living alone at that humongous palace plus with the workload for him to bear alone is just too much"
"You truly are a kind-hearted person, my son, just like your mother" looking lovingly at Queen Ampha.
"Oh Gulf, I do hope you'll find someone that will love you as much as Emperor Thaweesak loved Empress Tao and you got your own happy ever after"
"Oh pho, I don't need anything or anyone in my life except Mae Pho, my annoyingly tall as a tree Phi San, my sister Ice and Princess Tip," said a grinning Gulf.
____
-Meanwhile back at the Emperor Cheveevat Castle-
"My emperor", says Kokliang, one of King Mew's trusted servants.
He has been looking for his emperor in every room that he could think of but in the end, he found the Emperor in his parents' bedroom.
After the late emperor Thaweesak died, Emperor Mew rarely open up to anyone he remains quiet and distant, even with his childhood friends.
It hurts Kokliang a lot to see his Emperor and his childhood friends in this state whenever he's alone. The situation hurt all of them, knowing as his childhood friend he can't help the emperor and the emperor himself can't help that the feeling he's feeling right now is killing him day by day.
"My Emperor, your horse is ready. Let's get some fresh air shall we. Dear friend"
Emperor stands up and responds "Thank You, Kokliang".
He walks to the stable wearing commoner clothes but finer. One of his favourite activities is horse riding. It reminds him of his parents, they often go out as a family while riding a horse across their lands just for fun.
When he was a boy, he'd go on many adventures in the forest with his 3 best friends which is Prince San, Sir Hiter and Sir Kokliang but as he got older, he still rides and explore but less.
Everything changed once the coronation happened and the loss of his parents since then he took the responsibility for his empire and stopped going out for the past 6 years. He became the emperor that his people needed.
Accompanied by his two best friends on the trip. He feels at ease and be one with nature. He missed this, this scene, this carefree, this moment where he is being himself.
No royal duty, no formal attire, no formalities just him and his best friend. After their quick horse ride, Emperor Mew told both of his best friends to meet him at the office.
"Hiter. Kokliang you both have been there for me since I was a child. I didn't know if I've said this but thank you both of you." said Emperor Mew while hugging them both.
"Don't thank us, Mew. We are your best friend that's what best friend does" said Hiter.
"Yes, Mew you're like a brother to me to us. Always remember Mew you have us your brothers here, support you and always care for you" said crying Kokliang.
Hiter then hugged Kokliang soothing his wife down.
"Sorry guys this hormone is killing me right now," said a sobbing Kokliang.
Both Mew and Hiter laugh.
"Oh yea Hiter, this weekend do you want to go out to visit my dad's old friend?" said Mew to Hiter.
"Of course my emperor your word is my command," said Hiter in a jokingly manner.
"Mew, is this a formal visit or casual?"
"Just casual ones"
"Then can Kokliang go too?"
"Sure why not", said Mew.