The Sugilite Prince

The first thing that greeted Jimon upon opening his eyes was the brilliant sunshine warming his face. His eyes stung in the bright morning light as he stretched from the fetal position in which he had finally given in to sleep. His whole body ached from the hard ground he had slept on and he lamented his foolish jealous heart that had driven him to leave his lovely prince, the prettiest boy he had ever seen in his life.

′Why am I like this?′

He looked around stretching his limbs wondering where he actually is. What a difference from yesterday when he sat in his fancy clothes at a table adorned with flowers and lovely things to eat. Then he remembered his face and the words telling him he wanted to know everything about him with the kindest, softest, cutest voice he ever heard.

‘What shall I do?’ He thought. It had been almost two years since Jimon lost his family and his home. Where had the time gone? Wandering from here to there, Jimon had nowhere to go and he didn’t want to go back to the little village where he had lost it all. And now he is lost again, all those sweet words and gentle glances that made him feel special and loved but in the end was told to leave. The worst part was the promising kiss, so hungry and full of the sweetest ecstasy he had ever felt. He didn’t even notice the tears that flowed down his face. All he could feel was the longing to go back. Back to the loveliest violet eyes that only he could see.

Jimon looked up to the sky, and prayed, “God, please let him be okay.”

He stops in his tracks that were leading him to the edge of a field planted with wheat. The golden stalks swayed in the wind as if they were beckoning him to come closer. Jimon turned and looked over his shoulder. Suddenly, the idea popped in his head that maybe Sugi was running around the forest looking for him. In his mind, he could almost hear his call. The thought had his chest feeling tight and his brows knitted together in worry. With a deep sigh, he turned himself around and headed back to the place he was so intent on leaving behind.

‘I just want to know if he’s okay. Then I will leave for real.’

Jimon kept walking though his legs ached and his stomach grumbled in protest. Deeper and deeper into the woods he ventured and when he couldn’t see the sky anymore under the canopy of green, he hoped he wasn’t getting himself lost for good.

But his feet somehow found the path again and he followed it eagerly looking here and there for the pretty prince. It took him most of the morning and well past noon by the time he could see something of the palace up ahead. When he approached, he could tell there was some kind of commotion going on. The prince’s personal guard, Jeon, looked out with a worried expression on his face.

‘Oh, no!’ Jimon thought as his steps quickened. Jeon noticed him and hurried towards him.

Before he could even greet him, Jeon asked, “Is Sugi with you?”

Jimon’s face fell. This was the confirmation of his worried thoughts. “No!”

“He’s been gone since last night. I think he went looking for you, and he hasn’t come back. If only he had asked for my help.”

Jimon’s worried face was all the answer Jeon needed, he turned to his guards and sent them out to continue looking for the prince. Jimon followed them. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to find Sugi.