They spent the next two weeks in the Kingdom of Masih much to Kani’s chagrin. He might not show it outwardly, prefering to handle the matters in a professional way, but Karel read him rather easily. When already out of public sight, Karel softly patted his back, earning a soft gasp from the man.

  “What… what are you…”

  “Loosen up. In the end, everything went well. For tonight, just rest and we’ll travel again soon.”

  Despite feeling the exhaustion, Kani checked on the account books again after retiring to their temporary lodgings. He didn’t put up a store in Masih due to their demanding taxes and instead became a supplier for several dry goods in the capital city.

  “That can wait, Kani.”

  “I’m nearly finished,” he answered and wrote down some notes before closing it.

  Karel sat down on the nearby divan while drying his hair. “You travel yearly for this?”

  The brunet stretched his arms and limbs, replying, “Yes. I’m always moving.”

  “But, because of the new protocols, we’re kind of stuck here.”

  “There’s that. I usually spend no more than four months in Shimhazril.”

  “I see.” He hummed. “How long do you usually stay in the empire?”

  He rummaged through his luggage and picked some clothes. “My first visit sted for a month. When I went a year ago, I only spent two weeks there.”

  Karel leaned back on his seat. “Do you want to visit again?”

  “Of course! I also want to visit Beiyul and meet my maternal family at least once.”

  Like in the empire, the Elven Kingdom of Beiyul consisted of cns serving their royal family. They also have their own distinguishable features, especially the High Elves.

  “Do you at least know your mother’s cn name? Or have a memento?”

  Kani fiddled with his clothes and pulled out the chain hanging on his neck—a pendant having a shade of blue Karel had never seen before.

  He caressed the pendant. “My mother was from the Akasa cn.”

  “The sky cn?”

  Kani looked up. “You knew?”

  “My aunt visited Beiyul before and studied botany there for years. She became familiar with their social structure and culture as she’s acquainted with the grandaunt of the Elven King.”

  “The grandaunt?” He echoed in disbelief. “She’s a high elf! The royal pureblood!”

  Karel nodded calmly. “Expins why she has ears like that.”

  “But, will you really accompany me?”

  “Of course. I traveled around Ramaya most of the time so I know where to go. Are you up for it?”

  Kani beamed. “Certainly!”

  “The distance to the next city is around… 200 miles?” Karel furrowed his eyebrows at the new information he learned.

  “More or less, yes.”

  From Shirazi, they traveled south to Masih and traversed the longer, safer route to the northeast. They needed to pass by the area owned by the Great Temple of Ena to the northeastern Kingdom of Penzak.

  “Within 20 miles, I sensed no other hostile presence aside from the brewing sandstorm northeast of us.”

  Kani snorted. “Your magic is so convenient.”

  “As magical beings, we were taught to wield magic at a young age. While it’s not a requirement to master all that’s been taught, those who serve the royal family should be an expert in at least five magics.”

  “That’s news to me.” He shifted on his seat. “Does that mean you’re a good fighter?”

  “What do you think?”

  “You’re strong but I don’t know how strong.” Kani smiled.

  “I’m a master when it comes to wielding magic.”

  “Talk about arrogance.” Kani shook his head fondly. “For me, employing you was the right thing to do.”

  Karel huffed then looked forward. “If my retives knew about our arrangement, I’d be a ughingstock. I’m a prominent noble of an empire and here I am employed as a bodyguard of a merchant.”

  Kani couldn’t help but chuckle.

  “It’s not that I ck anything, I can hear them say in my head while my younger cousin will bellow in ughter at me for choosing such instead of traveling alone like I always do.”

  “You surely have a lively family.”

  They turned silent and the brunet stuttered, “Did I say… something wrong?”

  Karel gnced at him then returned his attention to the dunes before them. “I’m just reminded of some things.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be, Kani. Besides, you don’t know what happened.”

  What if I wanted to know?

  Kani held onto the reins tighter, banishing the thought from his mind.

  “At least, you still have a family left. They seem lovely.”

  “Annoying at times.” He huffed. “But we’ve been through harsh times so we’re closer than anyone.”

  Kani hummed, a distant look now on his face.

  “Why’s there no sign of oasis?” Kani compined, now slumping onto the beast’s back he’s riding. “Did they finally run out of water?”

  Karel opened his palm and a jug of water appeared on it. He caught the other man’s attention and tossed it to him. The brunet caught it perfectly, beaming when he realized it contained cold water.

  He inspected the jug thereafter and realized something. “Wait, where did you get this?”

  “My storage?”

  “Storage?”

  “My spatial storage.”

  Something clicked in his mind. “Sometimes I forget that you’re a Ramayan.”

  “Don’t forget it.”

  Kani chuckled. “Ramayans excel in wielding magic and I heard each of you have specialty magic. What’s yours?”

  “The Marles cn specialized in Lightning Magic so I also mastered it.”

  Kani remembered how he burned his grandmother’s letter and scrunched his nose at the memory. “What’s your specialty magic then?”

  “I can create and manipute dimensions.”

  Kani let out a bored oh sound before gaping loudly. “Dimensional magic? That’s rare!”

  He furrowed his eyebrows. “Is it? I thought my powers were quite common though.”

  “No, it isn’t. It’s also not easy to make dimensions. You need to be precise and accurate in pinpointing coordinates and—”

  “You’ve given me an idea on what to make next.” Karel smiled at Kani. “Thank you.”

  “Huh…” His eyes widened in confusion. “Huh?”

  It took them eight days to arrive in a town in the next kingdom. In the sixth month after their arrival in Shimhazril, they remained stuck in the Kingdom of Penzak.

  Karel enjoyed the tour in the desert cities but Kani was already on the verge of losing his temper. If not for those comforting touches and words the blond offered, he could have upturned the royal office.

  “Goddamn it, I just wanted them to stop letting me fill out the forms like I’m some sort of new merchant doing business around these parts.”

  Karel heard his grumbles and wondered if he had procured some tea beforehand.

  Something that can calm nerves?

  He let him continue grumbling and cursing to himself while he rummaged through his spatial storage.

  “We’re not rushing, right?”

  “Yes, but my patience is being tested. I might just run amok at this point.”

  Kani opened their shared room and sat down on a chair exasperatedly. He began stripping his own clothes off while Karel went to fetch drinking water. Instead of boiling it like he usually did, he served the tea cold.

  As he received the cup, Kani gred at him. “A cold tea? Really?”

  “Because Gaikan tea is supposed to be drunk cold.”

  He procured Gaikan tea when he went to the northeastern continent a few centuries ago and often returned to buy it in bulk. Also, as a great contributor to studies and research, he colborated with their schors and craftsmen in making other products ranging from dry goods to food and beverages.

  They created a variation of the said tea which could be served cold. Their testers gave good feedback knowing how bitter the original tea was, especially when served cold.

  Kani drank leisurely and his foul mood and tense muscles eased up. He leaned back on the chair and looked at blond who awaited his reaction.

  “It’s good.”

  “That’s good to hear.” He finally stripped his clothes off. “You should rest when you finish that.”

  “And you’re not?”

  “You always forget who I am.”

  “Who are you then?” Kani challenged, raising an elegant eyebrow at him.

  He sighed. “You always forget what I am.”

  Kani chuckled at his correction. “I actually forget sometimes. Would that mean I’m already comfortable with you?”

  Karel smiled softly and removed the ornaments covering Kani’s ears. The gentle gesture, fingers nearly touching his hair and skin.

  “This is…” He sputtered, trying not to spill the tea in his hold.

  “Much better,” Karel replied. He stood to his stature and went to the other room to take a dip in the tub.

  Kani held onto his flushed ears.

  Ah, this man will be the death of me!

  They followed Karel’s directions and noticed the other travelers had already taken refuge near Kalezahkin Oasis. Scrutinizing gazes lingered on their figures as they erected their small camp.

  Kani sidled up to the blond. “They are staring.”

  The blond spared them a knowing gnce and they turned away. He then urged the other man to attend to his needs. The brunet reluctantly grabbed on the small pail he brought to fetch water and got a towel to wipe himself clean in the privacy of their tent.

  Karel, on the other hand, put down the baggage from the desert beasts and let them rest and drink water. He couldn’t help but stare at the goods he piled up on the side.

  According to Kani, the Kingdom of Piaten valued textiles and fabrics and they only brought a few this time. Despite his concerns about the cking amount of goods, Kani reassured him about the products’ value. Even with only the size of a common table, it definitely cost a fortune.

  The seams of the fabric spilled out from one of the bags and Karel immediately noticed it. He huffed as he remembered something.

  The establishment of Ramaya only came second to the formation of the Heavenly Winged and known to be the oldest monarchy in the mortal realm. While they suffered a lot from wars and internal strife throughout the millennia, they still remained the oldest surviving and most advanced civilization.

  Karel approached the goods and secured them once again.

  How could he even forget about his homend’s progressiveness? His kin spun processed threads and weaved them to beautiful and intricately designed fabrics and even the dyed ones took centuries for their colors to fade. Despite how expensive a piece of it, many sought out such quality products.

  When Kani introduced it to Piaten, he became the sole distributor of the said fabrics. With its limited amount, the said kingdom had no other choice but to consider it a luxury good. Over the years, with Kani’s monopoly over it, Piaten’s capital city became the City of Fashion thanks to his efforts.

  It would have been better if there were Gateways here.

  His mind reminded him of the prominence of Enaryus Religion and how practicing magic in secrecy in these deserts was also considered a crime.

  Softly sighing to himself, he silently watched the desert beasts while lost in thoughts.

  The Great Empire of Ramaya prospered because the Ramayans continued studying whatever piqued their interests and developed technology to ease their lives. With the imperial family leading and funding the studies, they shared knowledge, products and services to the masses in an attempt to make their life easier and comfortable. With the peace treaties signed with the other immortals, they also benefited from the empire’s advancements.

  Why can’t other races have the same mindset? Everyone could have prospered.

  According to Kani, the royals of each kingdom in the deserts valued the opinions of the Great Temple of Ena, hence the ban on certain things. The rebels, they ter on learned their existence, fought for changes and improvement but the temple called them heretics. They fled to wherever in an attempt to save themselves and hide from the government.

  At this point, his dislike for the said religion only worsened.

  Kani emerged from the tent after a few more minutes, now refreshed and wore new clothes.

  The brunet gave him the pail and a clean towel. “You should freshen up a little too.”

  He nodded silently and did the same.

  The night eventually went deeper and contrasted the sweltering weather during the day. He looked at his master, slightly trembling under the thick bnket covering him. At the end of his internal debate, he lit the brazier and put it in the center of their tent.

  “Kani, rest while you can. You can look at those ter.”

  “I’m almost done.”

  He watched him intently and noticed how the tter shivered slightly despite the bnket draped on him.

  Karel asked with a voice ced in concern, “Will you really be fine there?”

  “Uh… I hope so.”

  In the middle of the night, someone tapped on Karel’s arm. He heard a chattering of teeth and nearly incoherent calls of his name. When he opened his eyes, he saw Kani trembling near him. The blond lit another brazier and procured some more bnkets from his space. After letting Kani settle in the space beside him, he covered him with the warm quilt.

  “Come closer or you’ll freeze to death.”

  Kani hesitantly scooted over until he felt the warmth emanating from Karel.

  The blond adjusted his body temperature again to fight the cold and they spent the rest of the evening beside each other.

  Kani woke up slowly the next morning, silently grateful that he survived yet another harsh night while traversing the deserts. The braziers burned near him and blinked his eyes to adjust to the warm light. He slightly moved, grunting when he felt something weighing down on his torso. As he looked at it, he saw an arm instead.

  The sleeping face of Karel greeted him as he turned his head to the side. He couldn’t help but adore his sharp features and fwless skin. Without the frown or mischievous smile on his face, he looked so serene.

  Realizing their distance, he squirmed in panic and faced the other way. He also noticed how he made Karel’s other arm his pillow.

  The arm on his torso slid down to his waist, pulling him closer to the warm body and tightened its hold. Kani didn’t even have the voice to let out a gasp and could only listen to his own heartbeats drumming loudly in his ears.

  “Too early… only past… midnight…” he heard the other man mumble.

  How could he even get back to sleep when the other man held him close like this? His face flushed in embarrassment and shut his eyes close.

  Kani thought of his life choices again. They agreed on the lifetime contract. If either of them died before his lifespan ended, only then their current arrangements would end. Besides, it’s not stated whether they allowed such intimacy or not.

  “Karel…”

  A low, knowing hum came from above his head and shudders ran through his spine as he felt the vibrations on his back. The other man held tighter onto his stiff figure, his firm chest onto the brunet’s back.

  “Sleep, Kani.”

  “I…”

  “You are safe here.”

  Kani’s face flushed into a deeper crimson and held onto his chest, feeling the quick paces of his heart.

  Not this poor heart, please.

  Karel never spent a night with anyone. He felt attraction to both genders, sure, but he never imagined himself in such circumstances. Romance was really out of the question, not even dating anyone in his long life. He refrained from such because he found no interest in it.

  There is always a first, he mumbled to himself as he looked at Kani’s sleeping face. He tucked a stray hair away from his face and gazed at him intently.

  The amber eyes slowly opened, revealing their hazy state. They slowly blinked then turned to Karel. The blond smiled fondly, brushing his fingertip lightly, a feather touch on Kani’s cheek.

  “Wake up. It’s dawn.”

  Kani shot up from his position and his long hair hid his embarrassed face from Karel. The tter stretched his body before getting up.

  “We have a long day ahead of us, Master. We need to prepare now.”

  “Yes,” he choked out with his raspy voice.

  “I’ll cook breakfast in a bit, so check the needed things. Leave the bnket there and I’ll collect them ter.”

  “Karel, I…” he called, making the blond turn around to look at him. “Last night…”

  “Think nothing of it, Kani. I promised to keep you safe after all.”

  He went out and left Kani now with spiraling thoughts.

  As they moved south, Karel began to notice the change of scenery. Beyond the dunes, a rge rainforest stood seemingly out of pce.

  Kani hopped down from the beast’s back and waited for Karel to stand beside him. He smiled a little as he gestured towards the city before them. “Welcome to Piaten, Karel.”

  They entered the city gates after inspection and Kani led him to the nearby royal office. The blond noticed how the men standing at the side observed them with curious eyes. When Kani removed the piece of cloth covering the lower half of his face, everyone’s faces lit up. The officer received the legal papers and smiled at the familiar name written.

  “Kani, it’s been a while.”

  “Yes. We were stuck at Penzak and Masih. The officer said they’re looking for the brigands.”

  “Brigands, yes.” The officer nodded. “They ransacked a town, killed the people and raped the women before killing them too.”

  “How brutal.”

  “That’s why the Great Temple cooperated with the kingdoms in hunting them down. I believe they’re still hiding in these nds.”

  “They won’t be able to survive in the deserts and Piaten had a portion of rainforests—”

  “Shush, my friend. Keep your voice down.”

  Kani turned silent and received the legal papers before exiting. “How about we meet after dinner ter?”

  The officer ughed. “Sure! Same old!”

  They dropped by the store and the manager warmly accommodated them. His excitement affected even the helpers and Karel couldn’t help but smile at the genuine concern he showed to them.

  “It’s really difficult to get by these days, master. It’s a good thing we’re quite stable but we still don’t know what might happen in the future.”

  “That’s also true.”

  “I don’t really know what happened until I’ve heard of it, you know. You shouldn’t linger outside past closing time in the evening, Master.”

  Kani chuckled. “I will keep that in mind.”

  They did inventory and after making sure everything was settled, the two bade their goodbyes. They returned the beasts to the same stable handling them and went to the inn. Now free of luggage, they would travel lightly to the Eastern States ter on.

  “Can I accompany you ter?”

  Kani looked at Karel now sitting on a chair with a frown on his face.

  He smiled a little. “Why don’t you dress up then? I’m also not leaving you here, Karel.”

  They quietly ate dinner in the hall despite the ogling eyes at them. Karel shot the others a gre and Kani smiled at his intimidating expression.

  “If you do that—”

  “So, they won’t approach.”

  He chuckled as he shook his head fondly. “To think my bodyguard is like this.”

  “No take backs, Kani.”

  He smiled at him. “Of course, I’m also a man of words.”

  They arrived at a rowdy bar and Karel slightly winced at the sudden loudness assaulting his ears. He also saw Kani stiffen in his pce for a second before walking ahead.

  A man waved in their direction. “Kal! It’s really great to see you again. It’s been what?”

  He nodded as he sat down. “Three years. I expanded my routes to Stavros and Valerya in the past years and returned to the Ramayan Empire st year.”

  “And you have company! It’s nice seeing you, man! The name’s Alfonso.”

  “I’m—”

  “He’s El, my personal bodyguard,” Kani interrupted and Karel quietly sat down. He ordered a drink for himself and internally thanked the brunet for his interruption.

  Alfonso ughed. “You can’t even part with Cashile before and now you have a new bodyguard.”

  “It somehow happened.”

  “He looks capable. The blond hair stands out though.” He gestured around them and they looked at the newly arrived pair, especially Karel.

  The two old friends continued their conversation while Karel also filtered gossip around. He internally thanked his father for helping him build his alcohol tolerance and downed three cups of strong wine within the hour. The bartender also offered him nuts and nibbled on it from time to time.

  “Have you heard about the sve auction?”

  Karel stopped sipping halfway through his wine when he heard those words.

  Svery was a common practice anywhere and everyone knew of that fact. Even in Ramaya, svery’s prevalence during the past regimes remained unaddressed due to the peerage’s involvement. In the Chen regime, they tried to slowly eradicate it by introducing a new type of service system. However, even with the persecution of ensvers, some still supported it.

  “They said some of them are werebeasts.”

  He slowly sipped on his gss and remembered the Overseer of the Ize Region. If the said overseer knew of this matter, she would be ballistic.

  “How could they even subdue them?”

  “I’m also asking that. The immortals are superior to us, you know.”

  “The Great Temple hates the immortals, right? That must have been the reason. They won’t permit it if they don’t.”

  Humans are truly disgusting.

  Another man butted in the conversation. “Where is the auction held?”

  “In Stavros.”

  “A little bit faraway. I wonder when it will be held?”

  “They have sporadic schedules from what I heard. The bidders often get the schedule ahead of time though.”

  “It must have been nice to have a lot of money.”

  “Who doesn’t like money?”

  The others ughed at the question.

  Karel downed his drink then pondered on what to do. Perhaps, it was a good thing for him to accompany Kani tonight.

  Two hours ter, Alfonso became inebriated but kept his distance from Kani after seeing the warning gres from the blond man. The others also noticed the tipsy brunet—enamored by his beauty too—and they hovered near them in an attempt to talk to him ter.

  Karel slightly leaned towards his master. Kani never noticed his concern until he had spoken. “Master, I think we should go.”

  “Why?”

  “You’re already drunk.”

  “I can actually hold my liquor better than Alfonso here.”

  “I’m,” Alfonso hiccuped, “not drunk.”

  Kani chuckled as Alfonso swayed more on his seat. “Drunk people say that a lot.”

  After a few more urging, Alfonso bade his goodbye rather reluctantly. Even drunk, he knew not to mess with Kani’s bodyguard.

  Just then, another man sat beside Kani. “Are you avail—”

  Kani smiled at him. “I’m afraid not, dear sir. You see—”

  Karel finally stood up and held onto Kani. The brunet chuckled and held onto the hand firmly holding his shoulder. “Someone will bare his fangs if something were to happen to me.”

  The others finally backed away after seeing the grim look on the blond man’s face. The crowd parted for them as they quietly exited the bar.

  “You drank more than you should have. If it weren’t for me, those men could have taken you elsewhere instead.”

  “I can handle them.”

  He clicked his tongue. “Inebriated? I don’t think so.”

  “You’ll come to my rescue.”

  Karel held his shoulder. “What if I’m far away?”

  Kani chuckled. He gnced at him and leaned against him a little bit. “You won’t leave me.”

  Karel squeezed his eyes shut instead, realizing he’s right.

  What have I gotten myself into?

  Next thing Kani knew, it’s already the next morning and scandalized about what happened st night.

  He held onto his aching temple and muttered in disdain, “Shit.”

  “I didn’t know you could curse like that.” A book shut close and Karel sat regally on the upholstered chair which he noticed really seemed out of pce in the room. “Do you remember what happened st night?”

  “I have a high tolerance for alcohol, so yes.”

  “Be careful next time.”

  “I can take care of myself.”

  Karel rolled his eyes. “Sure, you are.”

  Kani ughed at his reaction. “I didn’t know you’re this concerned for me.”

  Silence.

  Kani widened his eyes at the realization and sat frozen on the bed.

  Karel huffed, holding onto Kani’s hair, letting it slide off his palm thereafter.

  “I…” the brunet furiously blushed while gripping tightly onto the sheets.

  The blond stood to his stature. “Go get washed up. I’ll bring breakfast here.”

  When Karel walked out the door, Kani held onto his face, embarrassment and regret consuming him.