Kao found himself sitting alone in the living room, feeling bored with no plans on that cloudy morning. The thick clouds outside the window indicated a cold weather, dissuading him from venturing outside. With no calls or invitations from his friends, he was left to entertain himself, which only added to his boredom.
He rose from his seat and luxuriously extended his limbs before proceeding determinedly to the kitchen, where he embarked upon meticulously crafting his cherished hot chocolate. As he consumed his beverage sip by sip, the act evoked a cascade of memories, prompting his recollection of the elusive basement library. This precious repository, seldom accessible, had been curated by his sagacious Grandmother, a custodian of profound knowledge in the realm of enchanting fairytales. Her legendary tales would invariably commence with the timeless refrain, "Once upon a time."
Vividly etched in his mind was the recollection of moments gone by, when his beloved Grandmother, still dwelling amongst the living, regaled him with exquisite accounts of a valiant and enigmatic Prince named Vihokratana. Though Kao refrained from outwardly objecting, a quizzical gaze met her storytelling, signifying his lack of engagement with these narratives. To him, such tales existed in a realm far removed from the realm of actuality.
However, an overwhelming curiosity seized Kao, compelling him to unlock the mysteries of the concealed basement and delve into the hidden knowledge housed within the library below. Astonishment consumed him as he unveiled the ethereal occurrence that unfolded every midnight—a mellifluous male voice serenading with a tender love song that gently cradled his weary soul into slumber. Imprinted in his memory was that extraordinary voice, one that resonated deeply within him, akin to a flawlessly nurtured carnation crafted by a skilled gardener, blooming and radiating its captivating beauty without lacking any measure of care.
The enchanting voice ignited a profound sense of curiosity within the innocent and tender heart of young Kao. Following the passing of his beloved grandmother and the solemn burial ceremony that ensued, Kao made the decision to remain within the comforting embrace of his ancestral home. However, he now finds himself plagued by the captivating yet mysterious allure of that hauntingly romantic voice.
With cautious steps, he descended the wooden ladder, his soul enticed by a captivating rhythm and sweet melody that only his inner being could perceive. Initially, he felt the urge to retreat and seal the door behind him, but an invisible force compelled him to venture further. As he reached the bottom, astonishment washed over him, for he beheld a meticulously organized space that had remained untouched for over six long years.
Adorning the wall were hanging plants, their flowers exuding a fragrance akin to that of the King's perfume in a grand castle. The atmosphere of the place was far from gloomy; it pulsated with vibrant life, hinting at the presence of a resident.
Kao directed his steps towards the cozy corner of the library, drawn to the allure of books. His fingertips cautiously grazed the spines of the books, until one caught his attention—an ancient tome, concealed beneath a layer of thick dust.
Kao carefully selected the old book and settled into the nearby chair, despite his reservations about its age and sturdiness. As he wiped away the layers of dust, the title "The Great Prince's" emerged. With curiosity piqued, he began flipping through the pages. Although he couldn't understand the written text, his attention was captivated by the intricate illustrations, particularly a portrait of a man. It seemed as if the man could have hailed from either yesterday or tomorrow, with an air of enigmatic timelessness.
He bears the regal aura of a member from a royal lineage, unmistakably a Prince – exuding qualities of gentleness, attractiveness, honor, and strength. Kao delicately traced his fingers across the picture, feeling the smooth texture as if he were touching the Prince's real face. The image seemed to come alive, as if yearning to exist in the tangible world. Kao couldn't help but conclude that the Prince depicted was extraordinarily handsome.
As Kao gently caressed the other side of the picture, he noticed a rough texture with hundreds of little x marks. Intrigued, Kao hurriedly searched for a pen and paper, eager to reveal the hidden message. Using the pen, he carefully scratched the rough side, and to his disbelief, the markings formed the word "VIHOKARATANA."
"This can't be real," Kao whispered in disbelief as he stared at the picture of the young, attractive Prince. Suddenly, he found himself transported to a dark, eerie forest with dense clouds looming overhead. Fear gripped him, causing his heart to race. As he frantically looked around, he spotted a figure standing just a few meters away.
Kao cautiously approached the man, coming to a halt as he heard him begin to sing a melodic tune. As the enchanting notes filled the air, thousands of fireflies emerged from the darkness, fluttering gracefully above them. The fireflies danced around Kao, casting a shimmering glow that made the tree leaves twinkle like a myriad of stars in the night sky.
"This is truly unbelievable," thought Kao, mesmerized by the romantic scene unfolding before him. With a voice filled with passion, he continued speaking, the scent of his words reminiscent of Athena's beloved flower. The fragrance carried on the air, enveloping Kao's senses and making his spirit feel liberated, as if it could soar through the heavens.
Kao blinked in astonishment, finding himself standing before a magnificent castle that sparkled with a radiant fire. The castle was adorned with countless gems, and its windows shimmered with a majestic silver hue. The man he had encountered earlier remained in front of him, his gaze fixed upon the grandeur of the castle. After a moment, he turned his back to Kao, captivating his attention with an air of mystery.
Kao was on the verge of collapsing as he struggled to comprehend what he was witnessing. The young man before him was none other than Prince Vihokratana, a beloved character from the stories his grandmother used to share. Known as the Prince of Love, he was not a literal cupid, but he possessed a deep understanding of love's true essence. With his fondness for music and his gentle, tender, and romantic nature, Prince Vihokratana embodied the epitome of love.
In a swift motion, he sprang into action, rescuing Kao from the brink of hysteria. Their gazes locked, creating an enchanting connection between mortal and immortal, as if they had invented the language of heart eyes. In that magical moment of love, the young Prince tenderly caressed Kao's cheeks, his fingertips delicately strumming Kao's lower lip like a guitar string. Kao's lips, naturally adorned with a deep red hue, resembled the velvet petal of a crimson rose.
The prince leaned in, bringing his face closer to Kao's trembling form. As their lips drew near, Kao felt a surge of emotions, as if held in place by a magical force. In that moment, belief in fairytales ignited within Kao's heart, as the power of love propelled this mysterious man to visit him frequently in visions. Now, they found themselves in an extraordinary realm, where their encounter remained undefined, yet filled with enchantment.
The prince's soft and tender kiss filled Kao's heart with overwhelming love, prompting Kao to reciprocate the affection. Their lips melded together intimately, as if guided by a magical elixir that fused them into a singular entity. In this union, their hearts synchronized, beating in unison for a common purpose. They shared a language of their own, communicating effortlessly, and harmonized by singing songs they both cherished.
"D-DADDY?" A young woman of twenty years old interrupted Kao's blissful recollection of memories about her father. A tear slipped silently down Kao's cheek, as he struggled to contain the overwhelming sadness welling up within him. His heart felt heavy, gripped by an intense pain that seemed to persist.
Kao, now worn and weathered by time, felt his spirit shattered and fragmented. The memory he spoke of occurred over two decades ago, a real-life event that lacked the enchantment of a fairytale. Now, all that remained for Kao was a solitary memory, clinging to the recesses of his mind.
"D-daddy, why are you crying?" his daughter asked, her voice filled with genuine concern. However, her question was met with silence from her father, who continued to gaze at the book in his hand. The pages displayed a picture that he held onto tightly, lost in a sea of emotions. The daughter, unable to comprehend the depths of her father's sorrow, could only watch, feeling a sense of helplessness.
In the present, Kao is blessed with a loving wife and two beautiful daughters. However, he finds himself haunted by memories from his distant past, entwined with the enigmatic Prince Vihokaratana. These memories from years gone by continue to linger in his thoughts, casting a shadow on his present happiness.
Kao cherished that book as a symbol of their profound love, firmly believing that wherever Prince Vihokratana may be, he would find happiness. Despite his continued disappointment over the past, Kao made it his habit to visit the library and patiently wait, hoping for the return of the enigmatic Prince. However, the Prince remained elusive, vanishing like a star that goes unseen in the daytime sky. Overwhelmed with sorrow, Kao held the book close, embracing it tightly as tears streamed down his face, consumed by his emotions.