Chapter Text
Two teenage boys crept silently along the empty corridor, weaving in and out of the shadows to hide their presence.
“Sssshhhh…..” The other and larger built one leading the way turned to remind, a finger on his ruby red lips.
“But Phi -“ The younger and delicately built one in the back protests in a soft whine.
“Quiet, Yim!” The older snaps in a hiss. “Here!”
Tutor led the way to the picture gallery hidden in the inner halls of the 3 rd floor of the manor. His playmate from when he was 7 years old, Yim, had requested to see those old paintings of the ancestors past.
At 13, Tutor Panich stands only a head shorter than his father, the duke. He is growing so rapidly everyone is positive that the next Duke Panich will surely be tall, lean and handsome when he succeeds his title.
Yim, 10, is built delicate, soft and beautiful, and destined to be the next mistress of Panich Manor. Right now, he is just a boy who loves to paint. He had begged his phi for months to bring him to see the secret paintings.
Tutor pushed open a heavy door to reveal a long corridor, its end shrouded in total darkness. Turning back, he gave Yim a last chance to leave.
“It’s scary in here.” Tutor promised the bright-eyed boy but the desire to see famous artists’ works easily overcame his fear of the dark. Seeing that Yim is not going to back down now, Tutor led the way in.
As soon as the door closed behind them, the boys are left in relative darkness, barely able to see in the dimness elevated by oil lamps scattered along the length of the gallery. Tutor lit a lamp and brought Yim close to observe the paintings one at a time.
The two boys find themselves staring up at a portrait of an unusual size. While every portrait only contains one person, this one contains two; Duke Zee and Duchess NuNew of Panich.
“This is so beautiful!” Yim squeals excitedly. He squints to read the signature in the corner. “He is a very famous artist!”
“I bet he won’t be able to do such a good job if my Father isn’t so handsome and my Papa isn’t so pretty.” Tutor sniffs indignantly.
Yim turned in a hurry when he realized that Tutor had lost his good humor. He grabbed the older boy’s arm and blinked at him. That sad puppy look never fails to distract Tutor and the older boy is very soon busy humoring his playmate, much to Yim’s secret delight.
“Who’s that?” Yim asks. He had been admiring the large portrait of Tutor’s parents and only now pulls his gaze away to have his eyes land on the smaller portrait by the side, next to the Duke. He points curiously up and caught the other wrinkling his nose instead of answering.
Yim turned back and admired the smaller painting. “He’s beautiful-” Yim mutters absently as he leans closer to squint at the artist’s signature. “It’s a different artist but this one’s famous too!” He squeals.
“Father said he’s a distant relative.” Tutor replied offlandishly. The Duke was very vague at explaining this “relative” to his son and the smart lad got a feeling his father wasn’t too pleased to be reminded.
Yim’s attention had since been diverted to the other paintings down the corridor before Tutor could finish his soliloquy. Soft squeals can be heard coming from the darkness as he recognizes each artist’s work.
Tutor was about to follow when he could hear a very loud call of his name. Instinctively he swallowed the ball of fear lodged in his throat.
“TUTOR! TUTOR PANICH! Where has the boy gone to?” NuNew’s stern voice echoed in the empty stairwells. Tutor cringed. No doubt the servants all heard their mistress yelling for his firstborn, infact they are pretty used to it by now. Their young master was a mischievous boy since he could crawl.
“Yim! Quick! We have to go! Papa is coming!” Tutor hissed loudly into the dark corridor but Yim was so far in he could no longer hear him. “Yim!”
“TUTOR!”
“Yim!”
“TUTOR!” NuNew’s voice is steadily growing louder and more stern.
Tutor swallowed as his little heart raced. Picking up his shaky legs, he dashed forward to search for his little friend.
“Phi!” Yim yelped aloud in shock when someone grabbed his wrist and he finds himself being pulled closer and closer to the exit.
“Papa’s here! We have to flee!” Tutor hissed as he pulled his playmate easily along with him.
“TUTOR!”
Yim shuddered too at the ferocity of that shout. There is no doubt in his young mind that the Duchess is ethereally beautiful but he also has a temper that is out of this world.
Tutor yanked opens the door and promptly fell over the lump on the floor. Yim fell along with him and the boys found themselves tangled in a pile.
“BOYS!” At the same moment NuNew made his appearance at the top of the stairs, Tutor also realised that he had tripped over his younger brother, Thomas, who is gleefully pointing him out to their papa.
“Papa.” Tutor bleated as he glared at his snitching brother.
NuNew struggled up the last step of the mahogany stairs, one hand on his swollen belly and the other on the balustrade pushing himself up.
“What are you boys doing up here?” NuNew questioned firmly.
“We….erm….we….” Tutor made a last ditch effort to save his behind. Yim simply looked down awaiting whatever punishment that will be meted out.
“Have your father not tell you not to come into the gallery unsupervised?” NuNew questions again.
“Y-yes, papa.” Tutor stutters, knowing that he has no other option than to await his punishment too.
“Please, your Grace.” Yim spoke up bravely. NuNew’s stern eyes melted slightly as he directed his attention to his son’s guest. The son of one of Zee’s bosom friends, Lord Max Kornthas. After Lady Kornthas’ passing, father and son had moved into the estate next to Panich Manor. It is simply natural for NuNew to offer the newly minted single father to babysit his young son and offer his own firstborn as playmate.
“I wanted to see the beautiful portrait of your Grace and the Duke, I pestered P’Tutor to bring me to see it. It’s not his fault.”
“Papa!” Thomas called out shrilly, waving his chubby arms around asking to be picked up.
Tutor rushed forward to pick his brother up and rest the active toddler on his hip.
“Thank you for explaining, Yim.” NuNew smiled down at the little boy who smiled gratefully at the adult. “Tutor?”
“Yes, Papa?” Tutor replied dolefully.
“I shall speak to your father when he returns.”
“Ye-“ Tutor swallowed a little easier, between his parents, his father will be kinder.
“What do you wish to speak to me about, dear wife?” Zee’s voice boomed. Heavy boots thumped up the stairs and soon Zee was joining them. He snakes a powerful arm around his wife’s waist and rests his fingers on the side of the rotund belly. “Hello, dear.” He greets and pecks chastely on the cheek NuNew offered him.
“Tutor has something to say, don’t you, Tutor?” NuNew said sternly. He watched silently as his elder son swallowed painfully and fidgeted uncomfortably.
Zee looked on with good humor. “What is it, son? Speak up.”
Tutor winced. How is he supposed to get himself out of a beating now? “Erm…father….”
“Yes, son?”
“I…eh….I….”
“What is it?” Zee asks.
“I….”
“Raise your head, son. Look at me.” Zee instructs in a firm voice.
Tutor struggled with his nerves to raise his head and look his father in the eye. To his surprise, he saw the tender smile on the other’s face, and when Zee gave him a conspiratory wink, he knows he is out of the woods. Forcing down the urge to whoop and cheer, he schools his face into one of remorse and apologized in the most pitiful tone he could conjure up.
“Father, I want to apologise for sneaking my way into the picture gallery even though I was told I shouldn’t.” Tutor says firmly and completes his guilty admission with a humble bow.
“Well.” Zee replied with a gruff cough. A mischievous smile is already tickling the corners of his mouth but then he caught sight of the stern glare his wife is directing at him and he paled. “Well son,” Zee began again with another dry cough. “It’s very gracious of you to admit your misgivings, I’m sure you are thoroughly remorseful.”
Zee paused dramatically and stole a glance at NuNew who is looking less angry and a little more satisfied. So he continues, “I believe it is only fair that we send you to your room without dinner tonight. Right, dear?”
NuNew looked horrified. “Absolutely not! Tutor is a growing child, he shall not skip a meal whimsically!” He protests vehemently.
“Of course, dear. What was I thinking!” Zee declared with theatrical flourish and Tutor had to bite down hard on his tongue to keep from laughing out loud.
NuNew’s brows pulled together tightly as Zee grinned at him. “Very well then, Tutor, you will be subjected to babysitting your brother for the next one month. Heaven knows that is punishment enough.”
“But papa~” Tutor whined as soon as he overcame his shock.
“Thank your papa, son.” Zee advised swiftly. Tutor directs a lost puppy look at his father as a last-ditch effort to save himself from the perils that Thomas will no doubt bestow on him. Meeting the stern, no-nonsense look of his father, he quickly turned and bowed, thanking his papa in the most polite manner.
@
NuNew sighed as he lowered his outrageously rotund body clumsily onto the lounge chair by the picturesque window in the drawing room. Dealing with his firstborn always took the most out of him, he shuddered to imagine what will be required of him when Thomas reaches the precocious age too.
“Hot tea, my love?” Zee asks as he holds out a dainty bone china cup and saucer containing the steaming brown liquid. NuNew accepts it with relief and sighs his appreciation after taking a sip.
Zee was rewarded with a grateful smile and he swirls his brandy happily in response. “How are my two babies feeling today?” He asks and brings his brandy glass to his mouth for a quick sip. The flush blossoming on the other’s face comforts him and he chuckles.
“I’m feeling a little out of breath,” NuNew mutters. “As always when I have to deal with your talent for trouble firstborn –“
Before NuNew could continue his grumbling, Zee jumped onto his feet and leaned forward to kiss him. The words died on those delectable plump lips and Zee felt the pair of slick muscles sucking on his own. Their kiss is wet and sloppy and filled Zee’s ears with tiny mewls and whispery moans; just the way he likes them.
When they finally parted, Zee went back to his chair with a huge sense of accomplishment as he observed how beautifully dazed his wife looks. A chuckle escaped the Duke’s lips as his duchess strokes his burning cheeks self-consciously.
“I-“ The teasing died on Zee’s lips as heavy knockings can be heard on their door. And before he could get out of his chair to answer it, the door yawned open impatiently and Thomas hurries in as fast as his unsteady chubby legs can carry him.
“Master Thomas! Mast-“ The wet nurse hurried in after the boisterous baby with dread on her face. Even though Thomas intruding upon his parents’ chambers had become somewhat of a daily bedtime activity, that doesn’t mean the duke is feeling any more lenient about her disability to contain her charge. “My Lord, Your Grace…” she greets with a cringe while Thomas attempts to climb onto his papa’s lap.
“Pa –“ Thomas articulates with difficulty while Zee stood up swiftly and swoops the hyperactive child into his arms. Thomas was about to burst into tears when he realised that he is in his father’s arms. A big grin broke on his tiny face as his parents came close and plant a soft kiss on each of his cheek. The toddler giggled.
“I’ll put Thomas to bed.” Zee tells NuNew. “Go ahead and get ready for bed, my dear.” Ignoring the nervous wet nurse, he strode out of the room with Thomas playing at the frills of his father’s cavet. Passing the head of the stairs, Zee leaned over to summon Nat to assist his very pregnant wife to bed.
@
“Z-Zee….Zee…..ZEE!” NuNew moaned and groaned and finally resorted to slapping his husband as hard as he could manage.
The duke startled awake and struggled momentarily to orientate himself before realizing that the person lying next to him is thrashing about crying out loudly.
“Darling? My love? Are you in pain?” Zee asks rather out of breath.
“The baby….baby….is coming!!” NuNew growled through gritted teeth.
Having two previous experiences to tap on, Zee’s reflexes can be depended on to react instantly. He jumped out of bed, yanked the bed chambers’ door open and roused the entire household with his shouts for the midwife. When the sounds of disoriented scurrying beneath his feet satisfied him, he ran back into the room and carries his moaning wife to the birthing chair.
“Ngghh ~” NuNew moaned breathlessly as he adjusts his legs over each side of the chair.
A series of hurried footsteps sounded in the corridor and Fae and Sir Perdpiriyawong rushed in looking absolutely worried. “How’s my NuNew?” Sir Perdpiriyawong demanded as he hobbled in on his cane.
“Daddy ~” NuNew whined, holding out a hand weakly which Fae caught and pressed to her bosom.
“You will be all right, my dear.” Fae said with conviction as she wipes the moisture off NuNew’s forehead.
“Nggghhh….” NuNew replied faintly.
Zee held his wife’s free hand and observed silently the other’s pain with worry. After 2 successful births, he is still not yet freed from the claws of horror that he may lose his wife to childbirth.
“Zee~” NuNew bleats to attract his husband’s attention.
“Yes, my love?”
“We’ll be fine.” NuNew reassures the frightened man before his face twisted in pain again from an abrupt contraction.
“WHERE’S THE MIDWIFE!!!” Zee bellowed in the direction of the open door.
“I’m here, my Lord.” The midwife hurried in and took her place at the foot of the birth chair.
With a deep kiss on the back of the cold hand and a last longing look, Zee left the room with his father-in-law and the door clicked shut behind them.
NuNew’s cries of great pain echoed throughout the house periodically. Sir Perdpiriyawong had retired to his room to await news of his new grandchild, leaving Zee sitting at the top of the stairs wringing his hands with worry. His first and second born are blissfully sleeping through the whole fiasco, for which he is grateful.
For some strange reason, Zee felt that this is taking much longer than usual, and NuNew’s cries felt so much worse. His heart palpitated wildly as negative thoughts invaded his mind and wreak havoc in his heart. He could feel his blood running cold in his veins as time passed.
Why can’t I be there? Zee wondered bitterly when the air is suddenly filled with the shrill cries of a newborn.
It’s done! Zee rejoiced as he jumped to his feet and ran towards the closed door, expecting it to open for him as usual.
But the door remained shut and the flurry of activities within did not cease. Zee frowned. What’s happening?
He was contemplating whether to barge into the room when the door opened. The midwife blocked his way but he could still see the rolls of bloodied cloth littered everywhere. NuNew, pale as the whitest linen, eyes closed and leaning heavily against the back of the birthing chair while Fae tends to the newborn baby.
“What’s wrong with my wife?!” Zee demanded brusquely, worry eating into him rapidly. His attempt at trying to enter blocked vehemently by the midwife.
“My Lord, please, my Lord –“
“WHAT?!” Zee snarled and watched the midwife shrinked away with visible distress. “I mean, what is it?” He tried again after struggling with self-composure. “What’s happening in here?”
“Please, my Lord, His Grace has a baby-“ The midwife starts again.
“I know that!” Zee cuts her off impatiently. “Why isn’t he resting yet?”
“My Lord, His Grace has another baby yet born-“
“What?” Zee gasped, eyes widened open with renewed fear.
“His Grace is having twins, my Lord.” The midwife concludes with aplomb.
Zee worked his jaw in silent shock. It occurred to him to feel elated but a glance at how drained NuNew looks leaning immobile against the chair kept him in a constant panic.
“The other baby-“ Zee mutters dazedly.
“His Grace is too exhausted to continue, but we MUST or the child will not survive!” The midwife explains.
“Nhu-“
NuNew stirred at the sound of his name being called. His eyes fluttered open delicately. “Zee~” He mutters weakly. Zee attempts again to go to him but the tiny, stooped woman standing between them managed to make another successful block.
“My love-“ Zee cried out in frustration.
Fae secured the newborn babe in their crib before returning to NuNew’s side. “I want my Zee~” NuNew whimpers at his guardian.
“Darling, you have to start pushing.” Fae said instead, stroking the soaked forehead tenderly.
“I-can’t….” NuNew gasps, his body previously taut with tension sagged in defeat.
“You must, for your baby.” Fae insists a little more firmly.
“Zee!” NuNew cried out.
“He cannot be in here, darling.” Fae explains patiently.
“I want my Zee~” NuNew wailed.
“My love!” Zee fought his own frustrations.
“Zee!” NuNew cried wretchedly.
Fae sighed as she watched the young duchess’s face grew paler from exertion. “Let him come in.”
Zee breathed a sigh of relief as he raced towards his beloved, kneeling by his side and pressing his cold hand to his beating heart. “I’m here, my dear.”
“Zee~” NuNew’s pale lips stretched into a frail smile.
“Now, darling, you must push.” Fae encouraged again after the midwife went back to her place at the foot of the birthing chair.
“I-can’t.” NuNew whimpered.
Zee tightened his grasp. “You must, my love. You promised me that everything will be alright.”
NuNew sighed before he nodded ever so slightly. Pinching his lower lip between his teeth, he began pushing with renewed strength, aided by the warm tight clasps of each of his hands by Zee and Fae.
It wasn’t too long before the rigid air in the room is alive with baby’s cries again. NuNew fell bonelessly against the chair as the midwife held up high the fourth heir of Duke Panich. Zee was busy kissing every inch of his exhausted wife’s beautiful face.
“I am immensely proud of you, my beloved.” Zee whispers to a vaguely conscious NuNew.
As the day dawned upon Duke Panich’s household, Zee stood over the crib watching the 2 newest additions into his life, his twin daughters. Just as the sun’s first rays enter the room, Zee turned to smile at his strong and brave wife sleeping soundly on the bed.
“Thank you, my love.” Zee whispers with a soft smile.
THE END