The Necromancers

Chapter nineteen

Drystan's POV

There's not much that I like or look forward to in life. My life has always been mundane and no matter how much I try to chase the high I never get that feeling. It began bothering me at first but now I feel like it doesn't matter. I am the prince and the future king of Angus and although it feels like such a glorified task filled with thrill and adventure, to me it has always seemed like nothing. I know people would kill and die for this position but I couldn't bring myself to care much for it.

But ever since I heard Astoria laugh, I felt something shift inside me and click into place. Like the part of me that had been unsettled for long, it just suddenly settled. Like if there was one thing that I would devote my life to, it would be her laugh.

I wanted to talk to her and ask her how she was and just let her talk while I listened to every word she spoke, but when I reached her bedroom door, I heard her unfiltered pure laughter and I stayed there listening to her laugh like it was my salvation. Not having the heart to break her happy moment, I stayed outside her door and listened to her laugh until I realized that I was becoming creepy day by day.

I slept last night with her laughter still ringing in my head. It was a blissful sleep and I woke up contented.

Strangely I began looking forward to the ball and knew I was just becoming whipped. Not sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing because I saw what it did to my father. He is a lost cause when it comes to mamma. Although when I was born and as I grew up I would often fight for my mamma's attention.

She has been close to me ever since my growing days. My relationship with my papa was not very strong, but I took the initiative on one of the kingdom tours and amended the relationship between us. It didn't take much at all. Papa wanted me closer to him too and when we two returned, talking like we had never before, mamma was reduced to tears. Papa fake glared at me as if blaming me for her tears. I just shook my head at them and left to give them privacy so they could reunite properly after two months of being away from each other.

"Do you miss her papa?" I asked him as we walked through the shops of the local market in the extreme south. The sand and salt were in the wind but everything was peaceful. I came to love moments like these. Just me and my family, not the crown, not the matchmaking moms, not the young ladies seducing me for sex or my crown, not the people playing dirty politics and so much more. It was a kind of calm that I craved.

"Yes. Every second." He smiled fondly. I felt like he was exaggerating. How could he miss someone every second? "I crave to be next to her. I crave to hold her in my arms. Sometimes it feels like I am sinking and she is the only one who keeps me afloat. I love your mamma and you. You both are the biggest treasures of my heart." He confessed with a pat on my back.

It felt ridiculous at that time but now if I think about it, I just feel like my father was right. For the last month, I missed Astoria every second. I didn't know it was possible until it just happened. I don't love her, but I just know that I missed Astoria every second and was counting the days until I could finally see her. Something inside me was itching to see her as soon as I can and perhaps that was the reason for me standing in the ballroom and looking at the entrance for her to arrive.

Taking a wild guess, I dressed in a brown suit that I had specially tailored for this occasion. I knew it was her favorite color and hoped that she would wear a brown gown to the ball.

Everyone else was present but only Astoria was missing. Maybe the commissioner's family was also missing, maybe the Khan's had also not arrived, maybe my mother was still getting ready but it didn't matter. These people didn't matter. I was here to see Astoria and I would not be deterred by anyone else this time.

I had the wildest urge to escort her to this room myself but I suppressed my urges and stayed put. The last thing I wanted was for her to feel uncomfortable. Although for now, I was uncomfortable with the lady beside me. She had stuck by my side ever since I had arrived. I tried my best to free myself from her but her steel grip wouldn't let me leave. I was getting irritated and nauseous with the way her breasts were rubbing onto my arm.

"Prince Drystan, meet her, she is my cousin Eldora. My family took her in after her parents died in a car crash. We believe in charity and she is nice. I was so happy to finally have a little sister." The lady beside me said.

I looked at Eldora and scanned her from head to toe. She was not a charity case and the way this lady put it, made it sound like she was degrading Eldora. Eldora looked scared and timid. She didn't strike me as a shy girl. She was just scared of this lady and possibly her family. She didn't look at me once throughout the introduction. I briefly glanced at the door and when I saw no one coming I let out a disappointed sigh.

"Hello Eldora. How are you?" I forwarded my hand and she looked at the lady beside me before shaking my hand. Right then I realized what was wrong and what prince would I be if I don't help my people.

"I'm fine your highness."

"No. Please call me Drystan." The lady gasped at that. I hadn't spoken a word to her and here I was telling her cousin that she could call me by my first name.

"But Drystan you-"

"Prince Drystan to you." I cut her off sharply and forcefully pulled my arm away from her. I now had a reason to show her fucking place and I wouldn't want to waste another second over her stupid brain. "Eldora, you are going to be staying at the palace from now onwards, am I clear?"

"But you cant-"

"I was not talking to you." I said calmly still keeping my eyes on Eldora. She nodded and I saw small, satisfied smile blood upon her face. "Also I would like to have a private conference with you and your family tomorrow in my office," I said to the lady and turned around. Signaled one of the guards to keep an eye on Eldora and returned to watch the door sulkily.

Thinking she wasn't going to show up, I began making my way to the door to go find her. Just then I saw a heap of brown walking toward me. My heart began thrumming loudly and there was this feeling inside me that I couldn't explain. Like a little boy, I was excited to see her. At that moment I was beyond caring about how stupid I looked. I didn't care as long as I was just stupid for her. My steps didn't falter as they took me closer to her and I saw everyone making way for me to reach her.

The moment felt cliché and ethereal. Like the universe wanted us to be together. Like everyone was urging me to gather her in my arms and never let go. And I swear to all the gods, I wanted to do that. The noises faded in the background when her face came into view. Holy Beathan, she is gorgeous. The most beautiful woman in this room.

My heart skipped a fucking beat and I couldn't feel my throat dry up.

When her eyes met mine I would have undone in that moment. Her violet eyes were shining under the lights. Her pale creamy skin was glowing. And those soft silky hair of hers were floating behind her in rough waves. Astoria was a beautifully carved out of stone by the world's best artist and I was all in to take after this masterpiece.

Her eyes widened slightly when she saw me approach, I didn't stop walking towards her until I was close enough to get a whiff of her perfume. A mixture of fruits and flowers. Something so sweet and I knew then, it suited her. The smell was made for her.

"Prince Drystan." She exclaimed surprised. Then she looked at me from head to toe allowing me to do the same. And dear heavens she looked like a god in that brown gown of hers. "You look good. And hey, we are matching!" She smiled broadly at me.

She has stopped hating me?

"Yes we are Astoria."