Kinlanture Vol I: The Kingdom of Forgotten Misfits (Completed)

Chapter 17

       The sun sparkled against the golden paved streets of the Star Kingdom. The people started to fill the land, starting their day as they usually would.

Aster stood above them on the balcony of the palace. He leaned against the railing while the people, his people, moved beneath him, seemingly unaware of what was coming.

"Another day, another battle."

Aster stood still, not needing to turn around as the footsteps stopped beside him. Aden rested against the rail beside him, his eyes glancing down at the people as his sword glistened with the sun.

"We better get down there with the people. I mean, they need their prince" Aden said, nudging Aster slightly with a smirk.

"Let's get the others and head down" Aster replied, turning away to enter the palace.

Aden shrugged and followed behind him. Aster had been in a daze since Selina was taken. It had been three days now and still it stung him like it had just happened. Sure, everyone was upset, but Aden saw no sense in dwelling on it. She was either going to be saved or she wasn't.

Adara was already sitting with Claire. They both were sitting in silence. Both focused on the day ahead.

"Shall we?" Aden asked, bowing to the girls sarcastically.

Adara pushed passed him, rolling her eyes as she heard him laugh. Claire followed quietly. Everyone seemed to have so much on their minds it was hard to speak to each other. It was starting to feel like the group was slowly slipping away, maybe the stress of everything finally coming down on them once they found a moment of rest.

The sun hit them, embracing them with warmth as they exited the palace doors. Aster led the way through the kingdom. His people smiled, waved, and bowed gracefully as he walked by. In turn, he bowed back. He never really felt that he was much of a leader, but he was respected and very well liked. No one in his kingdom ever felt he needed to be more and that was something he always appreciated and wanted to be sure they all knew he respected them just as much.

Aster stopped once they reached the centre on the kingdom. He stood up on a large star shaped stone.

"People of the Star Kingdom. I need all of you to please enter the palace. I fear there is a danger coming, and I need all of you to be safe."

His people could be heard muttering, all of them looking to each other. Parents swiftly grabbed their children without question and began heading towards the palace. The others started following suit.

"There is plenty of space and food in the palace. Once I understand the situation better, I will be sure to let you all know" Aster yelled while his people filed into the palace.

"Geez didn't take them much convincing" Aden smirked, watching people pass him by.

Soon, the streets were emptied again and the palace doors were shut. Silence filled the kingdom. The soft breeze danced around them.

"That's what happens when you're a good leader. Your people listen without delay" Adara spoke with a smile as she looked to Aster.

Aster sat himself down, letting out a groan. He always felt stressed when he needed to act as a leader. He never wants his people to think he is leading them blindly, but sometimes he feels like he is. He barely has any control over his life, yet he needs to control an entire kingdom.

Aden drew his sword, carefully sharpening it. Small sparks erupted from the blade with each glide of the stone against it. He was trying to keep silent as everyone around him seemed so aggravated. Maybe it was because he knew he did not have much longer to control his own body that made him feel like it was appropriate to joke around all the time.