The Moon's Forbidden Heir

Chapter 1 The Kingdom of Sukhothai had a secret. A secret buried beneath centuries of golden temples, royal bloodlines and forgotten prayers. According to an ancient legend, the moon was once a goddess who fell in love with a mortal king. Their love was forbidden. When the gods discovered their relationship, they separated the lovers and cursed their descendants. The goddess disappeared into the heavens, leaving behind one promise. One day, her blood will return. And when it did, the kingdom would either find salvation or face its destruction. Nobody believed the story anymore. Nobody except the royal family. And on the night of the full moon, the legend began again. ### Somewhere in the village of Ban Mae "NARIN!" A loud voice echoed through the narrow streets. Narin Rattanakosin turned around, holding a basket of fresh flowers. "What?" Mali hurried towards him, almost dropping the small bag in her hands. "Are you deaf? I've been calling you for five minutes!" Narin laughed. "Maybe you should stop shouting like you're trying to wake the dead." "Very funny." Mali folded her arms. "Anyway, have you forgotten what day it is?" Narin looked at the sky. "Wednesday?" Mali stared at him. "The full moon festival!" "Oh." "OH?" she repeated. "That's all you have to say?" Narin smiled. "What do you want me to do? Dance?" "Actually, yes. But first, help me carry these." She handed him two bags. Narin sighed dramatically. "One day, I'm going to charge you for using me as your personal servant." "One day, I'll find you a husband who can pay you." Narin nearly dropped the basket. "MALI!" She burst into laughter. "What? You're twenty-four. You should start thinking about marriage." "I'd rather marry a tree." "At least the tree would be patient with you." They laughed as they walked towards the village market. Narin was an ordinary young man, or at least that was what he believed. He lived with an old woman named Grandmother Chaba, who had raised him since he was a baby. He had no memories of his parents. Whenever he asked about them, Chaba gave him the same answer. "They loved you very much." But she never told him where they had gone. And she never explained the strange silver mark on his chest. ### The Royal Palace of Sukhothai "Your Highness." Prince Kawin didn't look up. "Speak." His personal guard, Phayu, entered the royal chamber. "The village elders have reported something unusual." Kawin slowly closed the document he was reading. "What kind of unusual?" "A young man. Apparently, he healed a dying lotus flower simply by touching it." Kawin raised an eyebrow. "People believe everything they see during festival season." "There's more." Phayu placed an old scroll on the table. "The royal astrologer discovered a disturbance in the moon's energy last night." Kawin looked at him. "Explain." "The ancient seal beneath the northern temple has weakened." For a moment, silence filled the room. Then Kawin stood. "That is impossible." "Your Highness, the astrologer believes the Moon's Heir has awakened." Kawin's expression changed. He walked towards the large palace window. Outside, golden rooftops reflected the afternoon sunlight. "The Moon's Heir is a fairy tale." "Then why does the royal seal react every time the full moon rises?" Kawin said nothing. He remembered the forbidden stories his mother used to tell him when he was a child. Stories about a goddess. A curse. And a child who would one day return to claim a throne that did not belong to him. "Find the boy," Kawin ordered. "Alive?" Kawin turned. "Obviously. I want to know what he is before anyone decides to kill him." ### The Full Moon Festival The village was alive with music, lanterns and laughter. Children ran through the streets carrying paper flowers. Couples released floating lanterns into the river, whispering wishes to the moon. Narin stood beside the water, watching the reflections dance. "You're unusually quiet," Mali said. "I'm thinking." "That's dangerous." He laughed. She nudged his shoulder. "Come on. Let's make a wish." Narin shook his head. "I don't believe in wishes." "Then make one for me." "Fine. I wish Mali would learn to stop talking." Mali gasped. "You're horrible!" Before Narin could answer, a strange sound came from the river. A soft whisper. His smile disappeared. "Did you hear that?" "Hear what?" Narin stared at the water. Something was glowing beneath the surface. Silver. Beautiful. Almost alive. "Narin?" Mali touched his arm. He stepped closer to the river. The glow grew brighter. Then he heard a voice. My child. Narin froze. His heart began beating painfully. Come home. "Narin, stop!" But he couldn't move. A silver light suddenly burst from the water. The entire village went silent. Lanterns stopped floating. The music disappeared. And every person turned towards the river. Narin looked down at his chest. The small birthmark he had carried since childhood was glowing. A silver crescent moon. Mali's face turned pale. "No..." Narin looked at her. "Mali? What's happening to me?" She stepped backwards. "Narin, listen to me. Whatever happens, don't let them take you." "Who?" Before she could answer, the sky darkened. A powerful wind swept through the village. The water rose into the air, forming a magnificent spiral around Narin. People screamed and ran. Narin tried to escape, but his feet refused to move. Then a deep voice cut through the chaos. "SEIZE HIM!" ### The arrival of the Crown Prince Black horses entered the village. Soldiers dressed in royal armour surrounded the river. At their centre stood a tall man wearing a black traditional royal robe embroidered with silver dragons. His expression was cold. His eyes were darker than the night. Prince Kawin Theeraphat. He dismounted and walked towards the glowing river. The moment his eyes met Narin's, something strange happened. The prince's shadow moved independently of his body. It stretched towards Narin. Kawin stopped. For the first time in years, he looked genuinely surprised. Narin stared at him. "Who are you?" Kawin ignored the question. "What's your name?" "Why should I tell you?" A few soldiers exchanged uncomfortable glances. Nobody spoke to the Crown Prince like that. Kawin stepped closer. "I asked you a question." "And I asked you one too." Phayu covered his mouth, trying not to smile. Kawin shot him a warning look. Then he turned back to Narin. "You're coming with me." Narin laughed nervously. "Excuse me?" "You heard me." "I don't know who you think you are, but I'm not going anywhere with you." Kawin's eyes narrowed. "Do you understand what you've just awakened?" "No! That's why I'm asking!" The prince reached for his wrist. The moment their skin touched, a powerful explosion of silver and black light erupted between them. Both men were thrown backwards. The soldiers fell to their knees. The river returned to its normal position. And above them, the full moon suddenly turned blood red. Kawin slowly lifted his head. He looked at Narin. Narin looked back. Neither understood what had happened. But both felt it. A strange warmth spread through their chests. And for one brief moment, they heard the same whisper. The two destined hearts have finally met. ### The royal secret Later that night, inside the palace, Queen Sirilak stood before an ancient painting. It depicted a beautiful woman wearing a silver crown. Beside her stood a man dressed in royal gold. Their hands were joined. The queen held an old letter. Her fingers trembled as she read its final sentence. When the Moon's Heir meets the Shadow Prince, the forbidden love will awaken the ancient curse. The queen closed her eyes. "No..." The palace doors opened. Kawin entered. "Mother." She quickly hid the letter. "You're back." "Who is he?" The queen looked at her son. "Who?" "The boy from the village. His name is Narin." Her face lost its colour. Kawin noticed. "You know him?" The queen walked towards him. "Listen carefully. You must stay away from that boy." Kawin frowned. "Why?" "Because he is dangerous." "He doesn't look dangerous." "That's what makes him dangerous!" The prince stared at his mother. For years, she had taught him never to fear anyone. Yet now she looked terrified of a boy who didn't even know how to control his own magic. Kawin turned towards the door. "He's staying in the palace until I understand what happened." "NO!" He stopped. The queen's voice softened. "Kawin... if you fall in love with him, this kingdom will burn." The prince slowly turned around. For several seconds, he said nothing. Then he gave a cold smile. "Don't worry, Mother." He opened the door. "I would never fall in love with someone like him." But deep inside his chest, the strange warmth returned. And somewhere in the palace, a silver crescent began glowing beneath Narin's skin. END OF CHAPTER 1 To be continued,,,