Three episodes in, and The Next Prince continues to prove it knows exactly what kind of show it wants to be: a royal BL fantasy dipped in slow-burn tension, power politics, and enough sideways glances to fuel a thousand fan edits.

Episode 3 picks up the pace with Prince Khanin trying—emphasis on trying—to navigate palace life without tripping over centuries of protocol. His awkward attempts to fit in make for some genuinely charming moments (that group bowing scene? Comedy gold), but the weight of grief looms large. The death of his adoptive father, Thatdanai, hits hard—and you can see the exact moment it all crumbles for him. Credit to NuNew here: the subtle cracks in Khanin’s composure are heartbreaking.

What really shines, though, is the deepening emotional tug-of-war between Khanin and his bodyguard Charan. Charan tries to keep it professional, but Khanin? Not so much. He leans into his new authority a bit too comfortably, almost daring Charan to break that stoic facade. And honestly, it’s working. Whether it’s grief, need, or something more (spoiler: it’s definitely something more), Khanin’s insistence on keeping Charan close is starting to feel less like a prince-guard dynamic and more like a brewing confession waiting to explode.

Meanwhile, the palace intrigue is slowly tightening its grip. The King’s sudden desire to parade Khanin in front of the press instead of handling things privately? Sus. Add to that the manipulation around Thatdanai’s death, and it’s clear the royal court has its own agenda—and Khanin might be more pawn than prince.

Though silly, I did enjoy the new music from NuNew.

This episode was a turning point. The comedy is still there, the romance is brewing, but now we’re getting a peek behind the curtain—and not everyone standing there has our prince’s best interests at heart.