Crossing Paths

3

Third Person POV
When Dorian awoke, he found himself hunched over a table with his head in a book. He ended up in the royal library after his parting from Maven.

Dorian rubbed his eye with the heel of his hand and shut the novel, instantly memorizing the title and page as he pushed it aside. There was a sense of absence that lingered. He looked around in confusion and noticed his crown on the floor. Surprisingly, it wasn't dented or damaged in any way. He picked it up and placed it on his head, standing.

He almost felt complete, but to be compete without any gaps he needed Chaol at his side, and a certain prince. Or at least that's what it felt like.

Dorian was already attached to the prince and it scared him immensely.

Dorian was never one to have other people pick up for him, so after he put away all the items he'd personally picked to read the night before, he made his way to leave.

He walked out of the library, heading to his rooms as he passed the guards and nodding toward some. Dorian was a little worried that he was running late for his meeting and he didn't know the time.

"Excuse me?" He asked one of the guards. He needed to know the time and there were no clocks around and he was still quite far from his destination.

"Your Highness, can I be of assistance?"

Dorian greeted the man who willingly put his life on the line for him with a smile.

"Do you have the time?"

"It's fifteen past ten, Your Highness."

Dorian had fifteen minutes to shower and to change, not to mention going all the way to the other side of the castle where the meetings were always held.

"Thank you for your assistance," was Dorian's reply. The guard nodded and Dorian raced through the glass castle.

Not before long Dorian entered the meeting seven minutes late despite his best efforts and the fact that he ran.

Running wasn't his forte. He was more of the silent reader type.

He ran his hand through his hair before entering in a long stride. He walked through the center of the room till he got to the long descending table to sit on his father's right side.

"My apologies, father. I hope I haven't delayed for far too long." Dorian said nervously before taking his rightful seat by the King of Adarlan.

"Gentlemen," Dorian nodded toward the rest in apology.

He didn't like the look he received. It was almost as if they expected something like this from him. As if his youth had anything to do with it. And possibly it did, though basing it solely on that fact was absurd. He did have a life outside of his duty as Crown Prince, but perhaps they were too wound up with the growing problems in his kingdom to realize that. Then again, they have always been rather slow in that department. Dorian ripped his attention away from them and focused on his father, waiting for the meeting to commence.

"You are late, Dorian. What kept you from this meeting, Prince?" His father's stern voice echoed throughout the room.

His father was curious and Dorian needed to answer his questions. Despite all the prying eyes watching him-probably waiting for him to get scolded from his father-he needed to give his answer. This was one of the moments where he wished Chaol were with him.

Not for the back up that could be hoped for even though he'll get none due to his position as Captain of the Guard-Dorian knew he couldn't disobey the King even if he wanted to for him-but for the friendly look that Chaol would undoubtedly pass at him. Showing him he was his support because they were brothers and Chaol knew what a stressful position he was in.