*Craving Souls* (Spiritshipping)

Part 22

Jaden had left the Dark Castle without much words to the two afterwards. Or rather he didn't hear any of the things they said or may say . That would have been just added salt to the already open wound and that hurt . Really hurt.

He hurt.

After all , nothing breaks like a heart.

Ignorance was the best solution.

The young mourning heir took his road between kingdoms . Diving from one place in another. His mind reassured that his father would be able to handle the kingdom ,their empire, until he returned with a clearer mind.

Although nothing prepared the poor still hurting soul for the news of war towards his own home. Jaden knew his father didn't make a mistake in leading. The old ruler has been keeping the kingdom under a peaceful pace and knew how to keep war at bay.

Still it seemed that war was unpredictable. Unavoidable. Even with his trust upon his father,his General and co-general he was needed back in the castle, if only to reassure his people that he still cared for them.

And Jaden truly did . Even if everything placed on his shoulders was nothing he asked for , still it was his duty to protect those under him . To make them feel safe and sure ,when he himself didn't.

So he returned to his castle and in the wide open arms of his own father. No question were asked about his whereabouts after his return. And the twenty years old was sure the old ruler has his say in that.

Rumours were made . Yes. But nothing that he should care about,even if said rumours often caught the name of a certain teal haired male.

In the other hand there were many that didn't like his return. His father told him how many times the councilmen have requested for the young heir to be banished, for the sole reason of leaving his kingdom's grounds.

Ridiculous as it may sound, it was the truth.

And that only added more fuel to Jaden's original idea.

The councilmen and women were just a bug . A bug that created more trouble that it fixed. A bug that he will be putting under his shoe as soon as he soon  as takes the reins of his kingdom.

In the end there was no need to hear those tight-head thoughts. They only sought more for their own ,and never had reached to help the kingdom.
So the kingdom would be better without them.

Jaden was going to be the king-emperor after all. There was no need to hear such real peasants as them. He could very well lead the kingdom on his own.

For one thing he was grateful to them though. For bringing the gem in his life. One that made his heart beat again, with just a simple smile. One that held more of his trust than he held in himself.

Yes the time they were together was short . Many would say he was exaggerating, but Jesse , the Crystal Prince really held his title wherever he went.

With him he felt that their first encounter wasn't exactly their first.
Like Jaden had known the emerald eyed beauty way before that .

And Jesse's personality was what tugged him in with the other . The little red tint that seemed permanent on those soft cheeks with his teasing, the way the reddened cheeks looked on the other was perfect. Then ....then came that dominant side , gosh , that morning only looking at those green orbs ,staring down af him with such intensity sent shivers up Jaden's spine.

Although Jaden had to admit, he wasn't the best in showing his feelings anymore. Things changed. But the sudden change Jesse brought in his character and feelings caught him off guard. That was why many of their encounters ended up with those emerald gems watered with tears.

At those moments Jaden hated himself. At those moments Jaden's  wanted just to keep the other in his arms. Protect him from the evil , Jaden knew, the outside world beared.

And yet he didn't nothing to lessen the teal haired man's tears. In the end Jaden needed a strong companion along the way of leading their new empire.

He needed an equal ,as much as he needed a lover , someone that could pull him up , someone that could counter him when others wouldn't even dare. The, now , king knew that Jesse held those capabilities.

Although the fear still resides within him ,from the betrayals of the past, he trusted himself to another one once more. Trusted himself to Jesse.

Jaden sighed, the memories going thru his head, along with his thoughts, were becoming a pain. His body was tired , having traveled all day and night to do the road of three days to the camp .

"Glad to see ,you made it safe .Your Majesty. " Aster mockingly bowed, using Jaden's title to tease him , as the later got off his horse.

"Glad to see you still got that sharp tongue, my friend. " Jaden teases back ,handing the horse's reins to one of his soldiers and patting his back grateful.

Aster let out a low exhale , standing back up. "I have to ,or otherwise no one would listen. I may be co- General, but I still don't hold any power like a real General."

Jaden walked close to his cousin, and nodded to the direction of his tent. "Now that you mention it ,where is  General Zane ?"

Aster kept walking alongside him ,his hands behind his back. "Zane is on the north front, the enemy's troops are lesser there , but still we need to be cautious. That King has a thing about being unpredictable. "

Jaden nodded in approval at the other's statement, as the soldiers opened the tent for him and Aster to enter. "Good choice."

"Thank you, my king." Aster said standing near the table in the middle of the tent ,observing the map on it. He desired anything but war , but looks like his life was linked to it .

Jaden sighed finally taking a comfortable seat, after travelling for so long , massaging his sore muscles. Chocolate brown eyes went back up to meet with dark blue. " What about my General, Aster?"

"He's currently headed towards the castle as per request of the former king.  In his words, even if he trusts King Jesse , your husband is still in need of protection. "

The young king nodded in acceptance,  pushing away a bad feeling he got for everything that was happening lately.
"I hope he does his work right. "

{ Hello everyone!! This is the update!

Hope you enjoyed it and thank you for reading!

Stay tuned 'cause many things will happen in the upcoming chapters!!!

Till then ! See ya!!}