"Make sure the flowers are there... make it fast! The Master and his Lady will be here soon..."
"There is no time... Khun Aung, don't run!"
The servants and others were busy preparing the celebration for the newlyweds.
Meanwhile, the Lord of the house, Thong- Dee Hiran Asawa, and his First son— the current head of the Hiran Asawa family, Wichit Asawa —were in the main hall overseeing everything to ensure nothing was missing.
Today was the ceremony to welcome Thanat Asawa , the eldest son of Wichit Asawa, and his new bride.
Everyone was busy with their own tasks... until...
"Look! It's Young Master Daeng..."
"How can someone look like that?"
"Did you know? Every high-status family in Vittaburi wants him as their son-in-law..."
"Mmm..." Suddenly, a low voice cracked from the head servant.
"Do you all want to lose your jobs today? If anyone heard you looking at the Young Master like that, even I would lose my job! What are you looking at? Go!"
The head maid was angry at them, but inwardly she was anxious." I wonder what is going to happen now", she thought, clutching her hands together until they were sweating.
The moment Daeng entered, the entire hall fell silent.
" Daeng, come here, son..."
Wichit Asawa quickly went to Daeng and grabbed his hand to lead him toward his grandfather.
"Uncle Wichit, Sawatdee khab..." Daeng greeted him with the utmost respect. Then, he turned to greet his grandfather.
"Sawatdee khab, Grand—" Daeng's voice cracked. ".....My Lord, khrab ".
The hall went awkwardly silent.
"You..." The grandfather looked at Daeng, wanting to scold him.
"My Lord, it is a good day. Let Young Master Daeng call you whatever he wants," someone intervened.
The grandfather calmed down. With a pouting face, he grabbed Daeng's hand and said in a domineering voice, "I want to check outside. Come with me."
"Khab... My Lord."
As both of them walked outside, Uncle Wichit watched them, breathing heavily.
" I hope nothing happens today", he thought.
Nearby, the servants sitting on the floor arranging flowers began to whisper.
"Oh... why are they like this? Isn't the Young Master someone everyone in this house hates?"
The servant next to her hissed, "You don't know the truth. Everyone is captivated by the Young Master..."
"You don't even know why they arranged this ceremony? It's because it is the Young Master's birthday, you fool.The Young Master didn't know, they just wanted to celebrate his birthday."
The first servant was shocked and covered her mouth. "Oh... really? But didn't his mother die on the same day...?"
The other one quickly covered her mouth. "Don't say that! If Master Suchat hears you, you will die!"
They all went silent, gripped by fear.
"Oh... is that why even the flowers are white roses and lotuses? Now I know..."
"Shhh! She is going to get us all killed!" The other servants grabbed her and dragged her out of the hall, throwing her toward the kitchen. "I didn't say anything! Don't!"
While outside, Daeng and his grandfather checked everything one by one.
"Oh... I can't walk. If only someone would help me with all these chores..." the Grandfather said, acting as if he were falling and sick.
"But it was all done by Uncle Wichit, so why...?" Daeng asked, filled with doubt, not understanding the act.
"You! How dare you talk back to your grandfather like that!"
"But... I..." Daeng started to speak, but he was interrupted by someone.
"My Lord... Luk, you are also here..."
It was Suchat Asawa, Daeng's father and the second son of the Hiran Asawa house, who managed the family's trade business.
His hands were full of painting materials for Daeng— expensive and rare items he had imported specifically for his son.
The moment Daeng saw him, he ran inside before his father could even speak to him.
The Grandfather was boiling with rage. "You! Are you really my son? I almost had him coming with me! Don't call me Father anymore! How dare you interrupt my time with my grandson!"
He stomped inside, grumbling angrily.
Suchat stood alone, looking at the gifts he had bought.
" When are you going to forgive me, Daeng?" he thought. First your mother, now you. Everything is my fault. I didn't protect you."
He stood there in deep regret, thinking of the past and the years Daeng had grown up without a father.
"I am welcoming everyone. It is such a pleasure that you are all here. Today, I am concluding this ceremony and welcoming the newlyweds."
The Lord of the family ended the ceremony while all the high-status families of Vittaburi looked on.
Every family presented gifts to the newlyweds. However, the eyes of Thanat Asawa were searching for something...
His wife, Kaew, looked at him and asked, "Phi Thanat, are you looking for someone?" (She called him Khun out of deep respect for his status as her husband).
"No... I was just looking at how much has changed. It's been a year since I was last here," Thanat said, avoiding her gaze, not wanting to give a real answer.
The ceremony ended as night fell. The coldness made the flowers dry, and they began to wither.
Thanat's eyes caught sight of someone.
He began to follow them, ignoring and avoiding everyone—even his wife—disappearing into the dark.
Through the long and dark garden, the scent of jasmine was stronger in the night.
Daeng sat near the pond, playing in the water with his feet until his pants were almost soaked.
Thanat was hiding and peeking from behind.
He watched Daeng and thought to himself, 'Daeng... you and your habits never change.' He smiled as he saw Daeng playing with the water.
While playing Daeng reached out to pluck a lotus, but without realizing it, he slipped.
Thanat, who had been watching from behind, panicked and grabbed Daeng's waist.
He pulled Daeng close—so close that he could smell Daeng's hair.
"Daeng..." Thanat whispered.
Suddenly, Daeng shoved him away, keeping his distance. He was trembling with shock.
"Phi Thanat? Why are you here?" Daeng's voice cracked. His hands were sweating, and he clutched his shirt and damp pants tightly.
"Nong Daeng, why are you talking to me like that? Do you know it's been a year since we last saw each other? I... I've been thinking about you constantly." Thanat slowly approached him, but Daeng moved backward.
"Nong Daeng, don't be scared. I won't come any closer. Can't we just go back to the way we were? At least..." Thanat's voice was full of regret.
"No. It's already too late. You need to go back... we can talk later," Daeng said, trying to leave while avoiding Thanat's eyes.
"Nong... I—"
"Let me be clear," Daeng interrupted, his eyes filling with anger. "I don't like you. I respect you as my brother, so please stop acting like this. I don't like it. Think about your position—you are a husband now. So please, stop it, Phi Thanat."
Daeng didn't wait for a reply. He ran back inside.
"Daeng! Daeng!" Thanat called after him, but Daeng didn't stop.
While Thanat watched Daeng run away, a voice called out to him.
"Thanat..."
"Father? Why are you here?" Thanat was shocked to see him standing there.
"I followed you because I had my doubts. Before you got married, didn't you say you would forget how you felt about Daeng?"
" Think about your wife. " His father was furious. "To the outside world, you are the future head of this house, but everything here is for Daeng. Never forget—you are only alive because of him. If I were in Daeng's position, you would be dead right now."
Wichit's face was twisted with anger.
"Thanat, do not cross the line. Never approach Daeng again. If your grandfather finds out, the last mercy you have will vanish."
His father turned and walked away. As he moved through the garden, he shivered.
" It's cold", he thought, looking into the darkness. He whispered to himself, "It was a cold night just like this when everyone found Bua was pregnant..."
He took a deep breath, filled with the same regret he had felt for years for not doing more for Daeng.
Just as he entered, the head servant approached Wichit.
With a domineering voice, Wichit said to her, 'Watch Thanat. Make sure he does not go to the third mansion. Report every single thing to me.' After he said that, he headed to his room.