The prince's shadow

**Chapter One - Stubborn prince**

Everyone knew the Night Kingdom.

They just didn’t know where it was.

Hidden behind glass towers and neon streets, the Night Kingdom existed like a beautiful contradiction royal bloodlines thriving quietly in a modern world that no longer believed in crowns. No castles with moats, no horses or armor. Just power passed down through generations, guarded by influence, money, and secrets whispered after midnight.

And at the center of it all

Prince Khaotung.

At twenty, he was everything a future king should not be.

He hated formal events, despised early mornings, and treated royal etiquette like a personal enemy. He preferred nightlife to meetings, silk shirts to ceremonial uniforms, and parties that ended at sunrise to lessons about ruling.

Tonight was no exception.

The private club sat on the highest floor of a restricted tower exclusive, expensive, and completely off-limits to anyone without clearance. Blue and violet lights washed over the room, music pulsing like a living thing.

Khaotung lounged on a velvet sofa, one leg crossed lazily over the other, a drink balanced between his fingers. He laughed easily, head tilted back, attention stolen by anyone who amused him for more than a minute.

“Khun nu,” a voice said calmly, just behind him, “you’ve been here for two hours.”

Khaotung didn’t turn.
“So?” he replied. “Time moves faster when I’m having fun.”

That voice belonged to **First Kanaphan** his personal bodyguard.

At thirty, First was composed where the prince was chaos. Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, he stood just far enough to be respectful but close enough to react if anything went wrong. An earpiece curved discreetly behind his ear, eyes always scanning, posture always alert.

He had been assigned to the prince three years ago.

Three very long years.

“Your parents expect you back before midnight,” First continued.

Khaotung finally looked at him, eyes sharp with mischief.
“Do they?” he asked. “Or do *you*?”

First didn’t answer.

That silence was familiar. Khaotung smiled.

“You worry too much,” the prince said lightly, lifting his glass. “Relax. You look like you’re guarding a criminal, not royalty.”

“I’m guarding a responsibility,” First replied.

“Ugh.” Khaotung made a face. “You always talk like that. No wonder you never smile.”

“I smile,” First said flatly.

“You do not.”

First glanced away. Khaotung noticed.

That was the thing Khaotung always noticed him.

The way First moved before he was called. The way he appeared the moment Khaotung’s glass emptied. The way his expression tightened whenever someone stood too close, laughed too loud, touched too casually.

The prince leaned back, studying him openly now.

“You know,” Khaotung said, voice playful, “if you keep hovering like that, people will think you’re jealous.”

“I am not,” First replied instantly.

Khaotung grinned.
“See? That was fast. Definitely jealous.”