Dawn of Arcane Destiny

Chapter Nine

Drayce tipped his head back and groaned. He knew Lady Binster was glaring at him, he could care less he was so done with these lessons.

Caelum kicked him under the table.

Lady Binster continued "Henceforth if you come with a woman to a dance, you are attentive. She is your focus. You are permitted to dance with other young ladies, but no more than three times in a row, otherwise it is seen as a proclamation of betrothal. Since you are already betrothed. You are only to dance with her...

Drayce groaned loudly again.

Lady Binster threw her book down loudly "That's it! You are the most obstinate man I have ever met! You can not be taught. I fear exceedingly for our kingdom's welfare if you are to become king!" She picked up her book and threw it at Drayce. He tried to dodge but was hit in the chest. She stormed out of the library.

When the doors slammed shut. Drayce let out a laugh of triumph. "Blessed Non! That lady was so stuffy." Drayce said.

Caelum stood and shrugged off his uniform coat. Drayce stood as well. "Let's get out of here. I can't stand being here for another moment."

He turned to Caelum just in time to be decked in the face.

Drayce sputtered catching himself on the table. His cheek flared with pain. He stared at Caelum incredulously. "What was that for?"

"Drayce, remember when I told you, you need to know when to stop?" Caelum stood there solemnly.

"Yeah, what about it?" Drayce asked softly prodding his cheekbone.

"This is an excellent example of knowing when to stop. You've learned nothing from these lessons and that woman was trying to help you and you were rude in return."

"She wasn't trying to help me. My Uncle paid her to teach me. I already know all the etiquette."

"Then use that knowledge!" Caelum exclaimed. "It's so easy Drayce."

"No. I'm going to act how I want to; my Uncle can't control that." Drayce retorted.

Caelum went in for another blow. Drayce caught his fist this time. Caelum brought his other fist around and Drayce caught that one too. They struggled locked together.

"It's not all about you and your Uncle, Drayce! I can't believe I see that, and you don't! You're going to be King whether you want to or not. You're going to marry Lillia, whether you want to or not. You can't opt out of this, Drayce."

Caelum twisted his fist out of Drayce's grasp and punched him in the gut. Drayce coughed and twisted Caelum's arm around his back.

"I don't care. I'll find a way. I'm not meant to be King." Drayce said.

Caelum gritted his teeth. "I understand what you're feeling."

"No. you don't." Drayce said shoving Caelum. Who went tumbling into a chair. It fell over with a crash.

"I'm not becoming King. But I'm probably the only one who understands." Caelum said wincing as he stood. "I know you don't want to hear this, but you can't back out of this. I'm actually glad you're going to become king."

Drayce shook his head, folding his arms. "And why on this earth would you ever want me to become king?"

"Because, you don't want to be like your Uncle. You know what not to be. Let's be honest. Calder was just as bad as the King." Caelum responded.

Drayce didn't say anything. He remembered that urge he had gotten when Reginald had told him that he would become king. He had wanted to become better. Be that king that Kamasia needed. Part of him wanted not care, find a way out. But he needed to be in with both feet to do any good.