•The•Two•Kingdoms

[BlaqueCatt]

Raven's eyes narrowed further and he wrenched free of the others' grip, scowling at the other with distaste clear in his expression. "Do not touch me," he snapped, moving his horse to the side so that there was more distance between the two of them. "I do not have a 'problem' other than the fact that I am stuck traveling with you two," he retorted, keeping his icy gaze locked on Strauss', refusing to back down. His pale face, framed by his black hair, made him appear even more dark and mysterious, especially with the displeased look he was holding. "You are the one who continues to bother me. This would go much smoother if you left me alone. I do not need you, nor do I want you. I can do this on my own." Next to him, Edmund winced at his tone, knowing that the tension was only going to rise. But his attempt to dissipate said tension was dissuaded when the youngest prince started moving again. "The sooner we finish this, the sooner we can all go home. Then you will not have to deal with me and my unbearable attitude."

[Teesie]

Strauss sighed, gritting his teeth before once again slowly moving behind the dark haired teen. The words that the other said had hurt the red head more than he thought it would, but that's only because his mind decided to take it in another way. Playing a scenario of when he asked the boy out and Raven would reject him with saying 'I don't need you, nor do I want you.' In a way, it was answered unconsciously. It wasn't what the petit male was talking of, but it sure meant the same thing. "Fine, if that is what you want. I won't say another word to you the entire trip to my kingdom."

 

This was not how he hoped the traveling would go. The Zelphia prince whad envisioned something more lively. Something more talkative.

[BlaqueCatt]

Raven responded with a soft grunt of recognition but said nothing else, more than willing to go through with that plan. He continued to lead the way, Edmund falling a bit behind Strauss as they rode in silence. In order to break the awkwardness hanging in the air, the blonde cleared his throat and tried to start a conversation. "So...uh, what's your kingdom like?" The black-haired prince rolled his eyes and nudged his horse, making her pull farther ahead until he was out of earshot, not wanting to hear the rest of their petty conversation. Instead he pulled out the paper and leaned forward so he was resting his stomach against the horse's neck, riding more casually than thought possible, his chin on his hands as the held the paper in place and began reading it again. A small smile appeared on his face and the humming resumed; every so often he would unconsciously throw in a word or two.

[Teesie]

Strauss had heard Edmund's question, but his mind was more focused on Raven. There were many crazy, yet ignorant, thoughts running along his head; and to be honest, the Zelphia prince wanted to follow through with one. Sparing a glance at the blond prince he opened his mouth to speak. "Yeah, it's really good and whatnot. Um...the garden is the most divine." Speaking quickly, voice getting much louder so that the dark haired teen could hear him. "Although, I do have a soon-to-be wife. I wasn't planning on denying the marriage until I fell in love with Raven!"

 

Strauss wanted to see how the said person would react. Would there be any reaction at all? Any menacing and hurtful words; or would the dark haired teen speak of love also, return the feelings. Out of the situation he would like to hear the latter, but that was a long shot. Struass, as he admits, was a fool and had started to care for the boy after a little of no time together. How could one be so captivating in mere moments. This is what seemed to frustrate the red head prince.

[BlaqueCatt]

Raven's humming came to an abrupt stop, the words not even trailing off as his mouth snapped shut immediately. His body tensed and his icy blue eyes widened; he straightened on the horse's back, wanting to turn around and stare at the red-head but for some reason he was frozen in place. A multitude of emotions flickered across the young man's pale face; first shock, then confusion, doubt, disbelief, and...for a split second, hope. Then it was all crushed by anger, an intense anger spurred on by fear and rejection of himself and his own feelings. He's lying. There's no way he could love me. He barely knows me, we're not related, and I'm a man! That lying bastard, toying with me whenever he can! The black-haired prince turned his horse around and the mare walked back towards the other two princes, going slowly, as if expecting an argument. Raven stared hard at Strauss for a moment, his expression blank and unreadable. Then he responded, his voice tight with barely controlled anger, his eyes professionally masking his true emotions, "Well, I am very sorry, but I do not return those feelings. In fact, I believe that I hate you." Edmund was torn between attacking Strauss in an act of protection towards his brother or trying to separate the two of them. He was unable to speak, however, as Raven gave him no room. "You are a despicable man," he continued. "Throwing 'love' around like it was any other common word. I do not think you understand just how precious the word 'love' is. Nor how destructive it it can be." He was struggling to control his breathing, betrayal heaving in his tone; he was remembering his parents. "Love is one of the most primal human emotions, as is hatred. If you are willing to use either one of those without thinking, then you obviously care for no one but yourself and your childish games of trying to hurt others. You are a liar, and I hate liars." He shot his brother a deadly look--eyes narrowed, mouth set in a straight line, jaw clenched, obviously extremely pissed off--and brought his horse into a full canter, speeding away from them. He didn't believe Strauss. He didn't believe that anyone could love him. So, logically, anyone who said they loved him had to be lying. Or so he thought.

[Teesie]

The words that Raven spoke pierced through his heart like a sword. The emerald eyes couldn't leave the sight of the one he loved when the other continued to talk. The statements that flew from the dark haired teen's lips, hurt way more than Struass could even believe. Hate, as Raven had explained, was a strong word that shouldn't be used lightly; albeit the teen had just used it against him. The Zelphia sire couldn't say anything as he watched the petit prince prance away once again. Strauss was unable to find himself after such a cruel interaction. There was not even a will to continue to move along to his kingdom. Slumping into the horse, the red head stayed motionless, not moving one inch and neither was the horse.

[BlaqueCatt]

Raven shuddered as soon as he was far enough away, only a black dot to the others, and brought a shaking hand to his lips, covering his mouth as he closed his blue eyes and tried to focus on breathing. He swallowed the sick feeling that had welled up in his throat, not understanding why he was feeling this way. It was as if he had just told a member of his family to go and die. But he wasn't close to Strauss. So why did these confusing emotions continue to plague him? The red-head had been in the wrong, not him. But then why did he feel so guilty? Why did he want to turn around and apologize? I just want him to leave me alone! he cried out in his head, feeling the tears start to return. This is all his fault. All of this. If I had never met him I would not be feeling this way! He shook his head, clenching his hands around the horse's mane, wishing he could just feel nothing. However, he could feel, and he felt more than most. He just didn't know how to express these feelings. Perhaps if Strauss read his songs, the older prince would understand him...and then, maybe Raven would open up and try to understand Strauss.

[Teesie]

The path leading ahead opened up to a small village. It was a area in which the red head prince was relying on to get some much needed rest. Refreshments were essential for such a lengthy trip to his kingdoms, which would most likely take two to three days if all complications were resolved. Even though the Zelphia prince didn't give any action for the horse to move, it started to prance on its own when sensing the other's locomotion. Strauss was still slumped on the back of the Stallion, hiding his face from the prying eyes of the blond. He couldn't be seen like this, especially after feeling so broken by the one he actually developed feeling for. Who would have known rejection could be so malicious and cruel.

 

Upon noticng the movement of royalty traveling, a woman of the village bowed slightly. "Welcome prince. May you all stay for a beverage or two?"

[BlaqueCatt]

The black-haired prince said nothing, not even acknowledging her presence, and his horse only came to a stop because the woman was blocking their path. He kept his icy blue eyes off to the side, not looking down--he did not want to appear weak--but not meeting anyone's gaze either, unwilling to let his emotions be noticed when he was having trouble keeping himself guarded. Edmund, realizing that neither Raven or Strauss was going to speak to the woman, pulled to the front of the group and smiled down at her, trying to be as charming as possible despite the tension in the air around the small group. "We would be honored to," he said politely, shooting the other two a worried glare before getting down from his horse. He kept the smile on his face as he looked at the woman. "Is there some place we could put the horses?"

[Teesie]

The woman could feel the agitation that was surrounding the three men. It wasn't concealed in the least, leaving the woman a bit edgy. With a smile to the blond, who had come forth to speak to her, she nodded to the question, finger pointing to a small stable. "Yes sire. There is a small stable just pass me." She announced, giving a anxious look to the two who were still upon their horse.

 

Strauss glanced to the woman, sorrow clearly engraved in the emerald colored orbs. Giving and small smile, although it didn't reach his eyes, the naturally red head male pranced pass her to set his horse into the stable. He wanted rest as soon as possible. It could possibly take the ache away from his heart, even if it was just for a second.

[BlaqueCatt]

Hesitantly, as if the world was moving in slow-motion, Raven climbed off of his horse and dropped to the ground next to her. His blue eyes stared at the ground for a moment, one hand resting against the mare's neck. Eventually the horse became impatient and gently nudged him, the touch bringing him out of his thoughts and forcing him to stumble back a few steps. He was unsteady, the ill feeling still lingering in his stomach and chest. He felt terribly guilty, but he had no idea of why that was. He had done nothing wrong; it was all Strauss' fault. Or so he continued to tell himself. Logically, it made sense. But he knew in his heart that what he had said to the older man was cruel and heartless. They were both in the wrong, in one way or another, even though neither of them had meant to offend the other; it was lack of communication, lack of understanding, and their relationship would not progress unless that was rectified. Being one who had no idea of how to express his emotions, however, he did not know what to do about it. So he kept silent, obviously distracted, leading his horse to the stable with a blank look in his eyes. He supposed he could always write...

[Teesie]

Emerald green eyes set onto the figure infiltrating the stable. Upon the familiar stature, sorrow heavily weighed on the red head's heart. The other's presence was not what the Zelphia prince needed at the moment. With heavy steps, trying his best to engross his mind into another subject, Strauss took leave. A simple meal would set better with his despondency than an empty stomach.

 

Vision darting around for an inn of some sort, the only son of the Codiquíle family instead blankly stared to Edmund. The man was of good conversation, and he was sure that the blond could quench his plea to having Raven off his mind. Approaching the man, the lightly muscled male just stood, not a word slipping past his slightly parted lips.

 

"May I interest you two in a place to eat? A woman asked, also greeting the princes with a bow. Having a nod from the now dark haired prince, she looked to Edmund for an answer as well. The lady wondered should she wait for the small, petit sire who seemed to be in his own world.

[BlaqueCatt]

Edmund's smile, which was practiced and diplomatic, stayed perfectly in place. "Yes, please. Thank you very much." His eyes slid to the side and he gave Strauss a critical look. He was unsure of how to act around the red-head after hearing him confess to loving his brother. It was wrong in so many ways. They were both men, first of all, which went against his religious teachings; and the two barely knew each other, not to mention they were from opposing kingdoms. And if the way Raven had reacted was anything to go by, the feelings were not returned. It was all very confusing, but he knew it would be best to keep things apart until the two cooled off and sorted out their feelings. He followed the woman to the inn, calling back to Raven. The black-haired man responded after a moment, turning around and walking slowly after them, his expression still blank. His hands were burning with the need to write.

[Teesie]

The red head prince was patently aware of the blond's condemnatory toward his desire for his brother; albeit the Zelphia prince could not control his passion for another being, just as with anyone else. Choosing any place to sit, Strauss covered his face as he waited to have something simple for a meal. The male did not want to spend a lot of time around the one that had so cruelly rejected him.

 

"Ah, prince. Hello I am here to welcome you all. My name is Ezal and I am here to serve you. Is there...anything in particular that you all would like to eat?" The man asked nicely. He could tell by the attire, that the three were wearing, was that of royalty. Although, he knew of sire Strauss but was not yet acquainted with the other two. What struck more surprise was that the men was of an opposing kingdom.

 

"I would just like a simple dish. Maybe just rice." Strauss answered, vocals barely audible.

[BlaqueCatt]

Edmund restrained himself from smacking the both of them upside the head; even though he himself was not as courteous as Daniel, he knew when to be polite. And so far Strauss and Raven were being quite rude. Royalty had to know when to put aside their own personal problems and act as though everything was well in order to please the people; it was part of being a good ruler, that much even Edmund knew. He took a breath though his nose to calm himself and sat next to his brother, unconsciously putting distance between the youngest man and the red-head; even though he was irritated with his brother, he still cared and was still quite protective of him. "I'll have whatever you recommend," he said, looking over at Raven, waiting for him to answer. The black-haired man had his hands in his lap, clasping them tightly together and breaking the skin of his palms with his nails.

 

"I am not hungry," he said softly, keeping his eyes down and off to the side. He was not one to eat much normally, but when upset he lost all of his appetite; part of the reason why he was so small and thin. His foreign genetics were not responsible for everything.

[Teesie]

Strauss briefly glanced, setting his eyes on the dark haired prince. Having the other not eat during the travel could become a problem. Of course the red head was broken to pieces at this point, but he cared enough for the other to speak his mind. "I....don't think that's safe. You can't travel and not expect to eat." Green orbs averted, not looking to Raven as he spoke. The Zelphia prince knew that this could cause more a conflict between the three, seeing as Edmund was quite protective of Raven, but Strauss did not care. He doubted that anything else could crush him more than the rejection of words.

 

The man stood before the three prince again, wondering would the dark haired one decide to eat. There was a cautious gleam in his eyes, not wanted to be berated for listening to one prince while the other didn't speak up himself. Just to seem more genuine, the male bowed, giving a smile. "Will that be all my princes."

 

 

[BlaqueCatt]

"Yes, that's all," Edmund said quickly, speaking before Raven could even open his mouth; he had seen the younger man tense when Strauss gave his opinion. Once the waiter was gone, the blonde sighed outwardly and looked at both of his companions, his blue eyes very serious. "Listen...I have absolutely no idea of what's going on between you two. But it's affecting our roles as princes. Our job is to keep the people feeling safe, and we can't do that when we're too concerned with our own personal problems. So, I suggest you two talk--maybe not now, but soon--and sort this out. I don't care if you become friends, enemies, or just acquaintances." He purposefully left out 'lovers'. "You'll have to figure this out before we reach the castle. If you two aren't thinking straight, we'll never stop this war." Raven was completely shocked when his brother finished speaking; it was the most intelligent thing Edmund had ever said, and Raven knew he was right. He would need time to come to term with his feelings, however; and he had no idea of how to do that. He hoped that he would manage to figure that out in time.

[Teesie]

Strauss dimly lit eyes glanced up the the blond, engrossing himself in the words flowing from the male's mouth. Edmund was being utterly truthful with the both of them, yet the man was unaware of the conflict that the two was harvesting in their heart or mind. Deciding to instead keep his mouth closed, Strauss steered his eyes onto the floor once more. Eating a meal and going into a comfortable slumber was the ideal thought for the red head. Although not matter how hard he tried; he just couldn't get the dark haired teen off his mind. Raven was one to take his feelings seriously, and the Zelphia prince felt that he should give the teen time. Confronting their feelings too soon could result in further injury, and that was not what Strauss wanted.

[BlaqueCatt]

Raven stayed silent as well, pressing back against the seat and resting his head against the wall they were sitting next to. His blue eyes were cloudy, showing that his focus was inward, and he had wrapped both arms around his middle. His nails scratched unconsciously at his sleeves, leaving bright red welts on his skin, hidden by the cloth. Edmund put a hand to his temple and closed his eyes tiredly; this was going to grate on his nerves, and who knew how long it would take the two of them to fix whatever had happened. The blonde man began to mentally prepare himself for the oncoming storm that was bound to happen; hopefully a storm that would lead to a pleasant calm afterwards. The rest of the night was spent in silence, and no other customers entered for the entire time that they were eating.

[Teesie]

Strauss was done with his meal, resting his elbow onto the table and gawking to the one that he loved. The red head was utterly weary of the silence between the three of them; albeit was more than worried about Raven. The Zelphia prince knew that the other would possible become more distressed, fraught an apprehensive; but the elder male was ready and willing to communicate.

 

"Raven, I do apologize about not considering your feelings. I apologize for making you feel uncomfortable and awkward, but j won't apologize for my words. I meant every word I said, and I should have kept it to myself."

[BlaqueCatt]

Raven was silent, his body not even moving an inch. He continued to stare blankly at the wooden table, his expression blank. Wisely, Edmund got up from his chair and walked out of the room, going to check on the horses until the two of them were done talking. He still had no idea of what the problem was, exactly, but he would be fine with any result if this tension broke. As long as his younger brother was safe, of course.

 

"Why?" the black-haired prince asked finally, his voice quiet, showing no emotion; he was trying his hardest to keep it all hidden inside. "Why would you say something like that?" Now he looked at the older man, and the ice that covered his eyes was cracked. "You do not know me. I have an undesirable personality. And I am a man. You are also engaged." His gaze slid to the side, an his grip on his hands tightened. He let out a soft sigh, lowering his head so that his hair blocked his face. "You should not focus your attentions on one such as me. It would be best for you to marry that woman and have children. That way you will be able to rule your kingdom without enemies in the court. And neither of our families would allow us to be together, even if you were telling the truth." He still did not believe that Strauss was in love with him; he saw nothing in himself worthy of love. But he did not openly reject the red-head again either. He wanted companionship, but he was scared.

[Teesie]

Strauss was amazed that the small, petit figure had responded to him. For a moment, the red head was feeling rejected once again*as Raven ignored him. It would have been quite the scene; the red head was planning on having the mysterious prince to talk to him whether it was in argument or a conversation.

 

"Is that really a question to ask? I have no idea how I love you as you don't. It is true that we haven't known each other long, but my heart beats faster everytime I glance at you. It must be your mysterious ways. The way you push others away and not let them into your small, corrupted world. I want to be that person to help you. That person you can rely on at any moment. I love you and I can't help it. I know that this is confusing to you, and that we ate both male; but....if you accept me I don't mind giving up my place as the next king to be with you." The older male spoke honestly, trying to stare into the blue eyes to let the other know he was serious.*

[BlaqueCatt]

"You are an idiot," Raven said softly, shaking his head. "No one in their right mind would give up their throne for someone they have only just met. And you are your father's only son. Your kingdom and your family would collapse without you there to help them. I believe that their happiness is more important than mine." He closed his eyes, knowing that Strauss could not see his face, and took a breath. "How do you know that what you feel is love? It is more likely that what you feel for me is pity. It is as you said; my world, myself in general...I am not right. There is something wrong with me, and there always has been. There always will be." He felt the tears well up again and bit his tongue hard enough to make it bleed. "Your help...and your compassion...should not be wasted on me. I can figure this out on my own. I have been dealing with this alone for eighteen years."

[Teesie]

Strauss smiled slightly to the dark haired teen, pursing his lips. The prince knew that what he was feeling for the other wasn't anything close to pity; nor was the emotion of lust. The naturally red head sire just wished that the other wouldn't take what he said the wrong way. Sure Strauss was worried for Raven; albeit it wasn't keen to anything but caring.

 

"No, I'm sure that what I feel for you is nothing more than love. You are more important than any title, and I have no other choice but to place that under caring. I didn't expect for you to have as much of an impact on my life either, but I can't help my feelings for you. I do not pity you, it's just that I care for you. Also, I don't want you to have to deal with these problems on your own. I just want to help you. Help you because I care." The elder teen spoke, smiling slightly to the other as he averted his attention to the table.

[BlaqueCatt]

The younger prince was silent for a long time. Several minutes passed before he spoke again. His right index finger was tracing random shapes on the wooden table, and he had shifted positions so that his elbow was resting on the table with the side of his head on his left hand. He was staring across the room, but his eyes were unfocused. "I do not understand," he whispered, thankful that they were completely alone. "How can you have such deep feelings for me? I have only known you for little more than a day. It does not make sense." His nails dug into the wood, scraping against it and causing small scratch marks; the tips of his fingers turned red. "I...I do not understand these emotions." Once again he sounded lost. "There is no book written about this...and no one had been willing to teach me." He wrinkled his nose, trying to keep from sniffling. "It is all very confusing...I know what I feel, but...I do not understand it."