𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐀

The sun was burning, the air heavy with heat. Sweat dripped down everyone's necks, but none of them dared complain. Not when Nani Hirunkit stood in the middle of the highway, leaning against his gleaming white Porsche as though the scorching asphalt belonged to him.

He looked out of place, impossibly pristine against the dusty stretch of road, his loose silk shirt clinging faintly to his skin. A lock of dark hair stuck to his temple, and still he looked untouchable-like the heat dared not to touch him.

Traffic was cut off completely. His father's men, scattered in expensive cars around him, shared nervous glances but didn't dare move. Nani's patience was dangerous-sharp, reckless. He had ordered them here with the kind of authority that couldn't be questioned, and now they sat in silence, shifting in their seats, pretending not to watch him.

But Nani wasn't paying them any attention. His arms were crossed, nails digging lightly into his skin, his chest tight with the kind of stubborn ache only one person could cause.

SKY.

Every minute that ticked by without him made Nani's jaw tighten further. He could hear his own heartbeat thudding in his ears, part anger, part anticipation. He hated waiting. He hated the sun. He hated that he had reduced himself to something this childish just to get Sky to stop for him.

And yet... he wouldn't move. He couldn't. If Sky didn't see him-if Sky didn't look at him-then none of it mattered.

Finally, the familiar black Mercedes-Benz appeared in the distance, flanked by cars that slid around it like shadows. The convoy slowed, the sleek Benz halting a few feet away.

Nani didn't move. His role skin flushed pink under the sun, but heid his ground, eyes locked famThe door opened.

And then, there he was.

Sky.

In fitted slacks and a crisp shirt, sunglasses hiding his eyes but not the sharp curve of his smirk. He walked toward Nani with unhurried grace, the faint trace of his cologne already cutting through the thick air. That scent alone could calm Nani, but today he refused to give in. He wanted to be angry. He wanted Sky to suffer the sun, to feel his impatience.

Sky stopped just before him, tilting his head slightly. That smirk deepened, lips Nani knew too well.

"What crime have I committed," Sky murmured, voice smooth as silk, "for you to block my way like this, la mia regina?"(𝘔𝘺 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯)

That nickname.

Nani's face flared hotter than the sun. He wanted to strangle him. Or kiss him until he couldn't breathe.

"The kind of crime that won't leave you unpunished," Nani replied, his voice laced with honey and poison.

Sky's smirk deepened. Without a word, he lifted his hand in a lazy signal. Amol, quick as ever, stepped forward and handed him an umbrella. Sky flicked it open and held it casually above them, shading Nani as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

"I already told you," Sky said, his tone maddeningly calm, "you should take my men with you. At least they have common sense. Look at these idiots-you're standing under the sun, and not one of them thought to bring you an umbrella.

"Nani's eyes narrowed, his voice cutting through the thick heat. "Don't try to change the subject, Sky. And about your men-don't act like you don't send people to watch over me when you're out of the city."

For a moment, Sky only looked at him, his sunglasses hiding his eyes but not the smirk tugging at his lips. Then he leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice so it coiled directly around Nani's heart.

"That's my la mia regina," Sky murmured."Knows me too well."

Nani's throat tightened, heat rising that had nothing to do with the sun. He had messaged Sky all morning, each one left unanswered, and the silence had gnawed at him until he snapped. Sky's absence felt like punishment in itself, and now that he was here, Nani wanted to scream, kiss, and claw at him all at once.

"You think you can vanish, ignore me, and then calm me down with an umbrella and some cheeky nickname?" Nani snapped, his eyes glittering with sharpness, though the pout forming on his lips betrayed him.

Sky tilted his head, the smirk never leaving. "Why not? It works every time."

"You're insufferable," Nani muttered, shifting his weight against the Porsche with all the grace of a prince pretending he wasn't melting under Sky's presence.

"And you love me for it," Sky replied smoothly, adjusting the umbrella so the shade covered Nani perfectly.

"Unfortunately," Nani huffed, but his heart fluttered at the casual care. He bit his lip before blurting, "Come with me. Now."

Sky paused, amused at how Nani phrased it like a royal decree rather than a request. "As much as my regina commands," he drawled, "I have something urgent to handle. I can't leave it waiting."

The glare Nani shot him could've made lesser men crumble. "Urgent?" he repeated, venom dripping from the single word. "More urgent than me?"

Sky chuckled low, unbothered by the storm brewing in front of him. "Don't kill me just yet. Go home," he said, leaning closer so only Nani could hear. "I've already prepared an apology gift. Accept it, and forgive me for my crime."

Nani's lips twitched, caught between wanting to stay angry and curious about what Sky had planned. "You'd better hope it's good enough," he murmured, his spoiled tone softening into something far more dangerous-love tangled with obsession.

Sky grinned. "You'll like it. You always do."

The Hirunkit mansion stood tall, grand as ever, its gates opening wide for their young master's return. It took nearly five minutes just to reach the main house from the front gate, but today, the path was transformed.

A carpet of petals stretched endlessly, soft and fragrant underfoot, while towering bouquets of orchids and lilies-Nani's favorites-lined the way like a royal procession. The air was heavy with their perfume, delicate yet intoxicating.

Nani's lips curved into a full smile. For once, his irritation melted away. In this moment, it was hard to decide which was more breathtaking-the flowers themselves, or the man standing at the end of the path with a smile so effortless it turned heads without him even trying.

"Had fun troubling that poor guy?" came a teasing voice from the side.

Papa Book approached, his presence warm, his eyes crinkling with gentle amusement.

Nani didn't turn to look at him, his gaze fixed stubbornly ahead. "He did a crime. He had to apologize."

Book chuckled. "And the crime was... not replying to your message? Nani, maybe he was busy."

"Nothing should be more important than me," Nani stated without hesitation, his voice calm but absolute, as if declaring a universal truth.

Book shook his head fondly, a sigh escaping."You really are spoiled'

"Blame him. He made me this way," Nani said, eyes still fixed on the man waiting at the end of the flower-strewn path.

Before Book could reply, the sound of wet hair being ruffled by a towel interrupted them. Est strolled in, fresh from his evening swim practice, water still dripping from his hair onto his loose shirt.

"Well, well," Est drawled, his grin sharp as he took in the flower-lined walkway. "So the rumors were true. You really shut down an entire highway this afternoon just because Sky didn't text you back."

Book pinched the bridge of his nose. "Don't remind me. Half the city knows already. I don't even know how I'm supposed to face the governor at the next curity dinner."

Est laughed, dropping an arm casually over Nani's shoulders, unbothered by the water seeping onto Nani's expensive shirt. "Don't pout, little prince. Honestly, I think it's iconic. Who else has the guts to stop traffic just to throw a tantrum? Only my brother."

Nani tilted his chin proudly, leaning into Est's hold. "It wasn't a tantrum. It was a statement."

Book groaned. "A statement of madness."

Est ignored him, tightening his grip around Nani's shoulder. "Don't listen to him. I'll always have your back-even when your ideas are ridiculous." He winked, lowering his voice just enough for Nani to hear. "Besides, Sky's the one who spoils you, so why should you stop?"

Nani's lips curved, the earlier pout morphing back into that smile Book swore could start wars. "Exactly."

Book looked between the two of them, finally throwing his hands up in defeat. "I give up. One son is a tyrant, the other is his accomplice. What sins did I commit in my past life?"