BEAUTY IS A SIN

            King Raleigh felt it was better for Ives to stay here. Ives was a mix and a rare beauty. Most Ravenian's had dark black hair with black or grey eyes and they had a pale complexion. Males were much taller than females. And Ives was the total opposite. Although he had a pale complexion which he had gotten from his father, most of his features were probably from his mother's side like his Caribbean eyes and his straight brunette hair. He looked taller than females but in comparison to Ravenian males, he was smaller. Let's not even talk about how slender his body was. Ives was the picture of the body type; neither fat nor too slim. His body was toned with slight muscles without any body fat. He was neither too masculine nor too feminine. King Raleigh could already imagine how thin Ives's waist might be just by seeing the pant hanging around his waist. King Raleigh felt his whole body and face is hot. He drank a sip of jasmine tea to ease his thirst.

        Ives was still looking at him with his big doe eyes. King Raleigh looked at Ives from his face to his body which was now covered with oversized clothes. 

      "I'll apply the paste for you after this."

       "Okay."

Ives said he was going to prepare the paste and left the room. King Raleigh's stiff body slightly relaxed. As he was alone he thoughts began to wander off again. As usual, his head was again full of Ives's thoughts. On one side he was feeling attraction towards Ives and next side Ives's identity was making it difficult for him. He didn't even know if he was attracted to Ives physically or emotionally. He was mesmerized by Ives's face and Ives made him feel feelings he had never felt before. His heart was telling him he liked Ives but his brain was criticizing the idea. How could he fall in love with the person who had southern blood in him? How could he break the rules by being the king of his own kingdom? He started to feel depressed.

      Just imagining Ives body made him feel excited. If he was this excited, he couldn't imagine how others could be. He had never felt this much attraction to anyone before, not even lady Blaine who was the most beautiful woman of the Raven kingdom. Her soft voice didn't make his soul tremble. Her smile didn't make him feel pleasant. Her curvy figure didn't excite him. But Ives managed to feel him everything. Then... was he natural born gay? But why did he never felt any attraction to any males before this? Were they not his ideal type? 

    Of course, handsome me needs a beautiful partner.

King Raleigh prefered Ives to stay hidden from everyone. He loved pure Ives, not tainted and corrupted by worldly desires. The perfect Ives could only be seen by him. Ives was perfect with everything. If Ives was to stay in the city then king Raleigh could imagine Ives being surrounded by suitors. Both men and women wouldn't leave him alone. Who wouldn't want Ives to exclusively belong to them? Some evil persons may even kidnap him and sell him to brothels. He would be bought by those with twisted desires or by nobles who just want a male plaything. He could imagine the whole fuss made by everyone just to get their hands on Ives. Just Ives doe eyes could arouse the man's darkest desires. Indeed too much beauty is a sin.

      Soon Ives came and treated King Raleigh as he did before. King Raleigh's wounds were slowly healing and didn't show any sign of infection. It was a good thing. Ives smiled and said, "Your immune system is strong. It was so badly wounded when I found you and now it's already starting to heal."

    "Mn."

    On the other side, commander Weshly and the other soldiers were searching for their lost king desperately. After they suddenly got separated from their king, they ended up at different places. Fortunately, they were not attacked by the snow leopard and could safely return even in that blizzard. When every one of them arrived at the camp, they found only king Raleigh was missing. They all began to have a bad premonition in their heart. King Raleigh was definitely attacked by the snow leopard. Commander Weshly wanted to immediately go to search for king Raleigh but the blizzard was making it difficult. They could only wait until the weather stabilized. Commander Wesly and everyone just silently prayed for their king to be safe until then. 

      It was only after six hours the weather was finally clear. The top of the mountains was still covered with fog but they had to search for their king, Commander Weshly sent one of the soldiers to return back to the capital and bring more soldiers in case of emergency. Then he immediately rushed up to the mountains in search of the king with other soldiers. Because of the blizzard, there was heavy snow piled up everywhere which made them difficult to climb. The horses were left in the camp as they had no use. Even that white horse who had run away managed to return back, where was king Raleigh?

     And this leads to today where they were still searching for their king but showed no signs of finding. Where had king Raleigh disappeared to? How could they still not find him? Commander Weshly frowned. He was deeply worried. A kingdom without the king was like a child without their parents. It was extremely a bad thing. Anything could happen. Even a slight imbalance of power between the three biggest kingdoms may lead to chaos or even war. It had already been four days today. And there wasn't any improvement. No one had arrived from the capital. This matter should be kept confidential until they find king Raleigh. Who knows how many eyes are lurking in the dark just waiting for one vulnerable moment to attack? This matter shouldn't be leaked.

       Commander Wesly stood up and looked at three soldiers who were extremely tired. 

"I know you guys are exhausted but now it is a crucial time. Help may arrive from the capital anytime soon. Till then we have to preserve and search for our king. For us and our kingdom."

     "For us and our kingdom."

The tired soldiers shouted loudly and started to walk. The maids weren't of much help but they still searched the surrounding areas.

    Ives house was located beyond the mountains. The area was very small being surrounded by large boulders. The land where Ives house was, was a flat land full of snow. The sky was always decorated with auroras. The land was white with few maple trees. The whole scenery was peaceful and majestic. No one could imagine there was a beautiful area just beyond the mountains. Only luck could help commander Wesly and others to find this place. May luck favour them.

         It had already been four days since king Raleigh was staying in Ives's house after he woke up. His wounds were slowly healing with the meticulous care of Ives. He was deeply attached to Ives care for him and his gentle expression. Every morning he drank the jasmine tea prepared by Ives then get his wounds treated. After that breakfast then they would just spend the whole day talking. Later at night, they would enjoy the view in the sky and then have dinner. This had become king Raleigh's daily routine and he was enjoying every moment of it.

      Back in the palace, he never had much free time. He was always busy and exhausted. He should always remain vigilant and aware of his surroundings. Always being surrounded by crafty people made him tired. He was alone all the time. Maybe because of his surroundings and status, he learnt how to close off his feelings and thoughts. He was always looked up to as their god; the perfect existence without any flaws. To whom they all could depend. To whom they could pour up their problems and the one who could make them feel safe. But what about him? Who would listen to his feelings? Who would feel his emotions? Who would he depend on? Who would make him feel safe?

     Everyone who came up to him had ulterior motives. They all looked at his outer appearance and his power. Since childhood, everyone had put hopes on him. He was told he was the future king and behave according to that. Don't expose any emotions. Don't show any weakness. He would be their God; above everyone else. Be proud of that. Be ruthless. And that was the result of how he was to this present time.

      But being here, he felt like he was being free from the shackles that were bounding him. He could explore his emotions. Not to stay on guard every time and just relax. Being treated as a normal human made him feel how lonely he was before. Here he was not that prideful and ruthless king Raleigh. He was just Raleigh who just discovered what freedom felt like. He was not worshipped by anyone here and Ives treated him like a normal person looking on his face, making contact with his eyes.

      Ives made him feel everything he was lacking before. Ives's care made him feel he could depend on him. Ives staying at his bedside till he fell asleep made him feel safe. Ives knowing what he wanted to say just by seeing his facial expression made him feel Ives could feel his emotions and understand his thoughts. King Raleigh even had fewer nightmares and could fall asleep more hours here. He was seeing brand new himself. And it was all because of Ives.

        At this point how could he deny his feelings towards Ives? King Raleigh forgot he was the king, he forgot Ives being mixed and he forgot having a fiance. Only Ives was in his eyes. He just wanted to be around Ives every time. He knew he was falling deeper towards Ives.

      Today also he woke up again to not see Ives in the house again. He could somehow walk some small distance now. He walked outside and sat on the chair basking in the morning sun. He knew Ives had gone out of the mountains again to buy some daily needs and medicines for him. King Raleigh was always worried about Ives going alone and wanted to accompany him but couldn't because of the wounds on his leg. During these times, he cursed being so helpless. But Ives's medicines was making his wounds heal very fast which was a surprise for him. Before this, there were also times when he was gravely injured but he had never recovered this fast. This was all Ives's talent. He was feeling proud. Isn't being proud of Ives's achievement called love? Yes, he was proud of it because he liked Ives.

     King Raleigh was waiting for Ives to return. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Ives returning with large bags. Speak of the devil and here he is. King Raleigh smiled. He saw Ives smiling at him too.

      "Raleighhhhh!!!" Ives said running fastly towards king Raleigh 

 King Raleigh felt content when he heard Ives shouting his name. He had already gotten used to Ives calling by only his name, not any title. King Raleigh stood up and shouted. "Don't run." Ives soon stood in front of him breathing heavily. His cheeks were flushed red and white steams were coming out from his heavy breathing.

     "You woke up early today?" Ives asked.

     "Yeah, I was waiting for you here." King Raleigh replied with his soft tone which was never heard by anyone before. Only Ives was an exception.

     "Are you my wife?" Ives asked sitting on the next chair.

      "Where did that come from?" King Raleigh asked being amused as he sat on the chair.

     "You looked like a wife waiting for her husband to return when I saw you sitting outside from far." Ives answered teasingly.

      "It was because I was bored alone staying outside." King Raleigh immediately countered back. He totally forgot the sentence he had just said before.

       "Reallyyyy?" Ives asked slightly in a low voice extending the word 'y' as he closed up his face near to king Raleigh's face.

       "Yeah." King Raleigh turned away his face when he saw Ives close to him. They were just an inch apart from each other. He could feel Ives's warm breathe on his face. He could easily kiss that plump lips if he moved a little bit. He felt his mouth becoming dry and shifted back. "And just by looking anyone can tell you are the wife and I am the husband."

       "How?" Ives asked jokingly as he saw king Raleigh's flustered expression.

        "I am taller and stronger than you. You can find it just by looking." King Raleigh said as his gaze went to Ives's body. 

        "What? This is not fair." Ives said pouting.

   King Raleigh's heart was beating wildly seeing Ives pouting. Oh... how much he wanted to kiss him.

       "Let's stop this. I want to drink the tea." King Raleigh said as he stood up and carried the bags brought by Ives. He already had the habit of drinking the tea made by Ives.

       "Yes, Yes, husband." Ives said with a teasing tone and patted king Raleigh's shoulder as he walked inside.

     King Raleigh stood outside staring at the door for a while before rushing inside.

      "Husband? It is such a beautiful word."