CHAPTER THREE

LEANDRÈ'S P.O.V

I wake up from the strangest and yet just the best dream I've ever heard. ASTERIN.

I been dreaming about her but never as it felt so real. I pat my pants and they seem to be wet. It was a dream, right. I move to the mirror and look at myself. My lips are swollen and bruised. How?

Was it not a dream then. I'm even in the same clothes.

Hell, she's driving me insane. I slowly take of my shirt but a strange smell draws my attention. I bring it to my nose and sniff it and all I smell is lavender. Just like she smelt.

Hell, this wasn't a dream... it happened. BUT HOW?

Stella!

She will know how. The last thing she told me was she is out there and alive. My little delicate flower. ASTERIN. That my soul is bound to hers.

I slowly head to the bathroom and sink into the warm bathe, the memories from last night replaying in my mind.

The kiss. The sparks. The feel is her body. Her little precious moans. Her scream filling the entire hallway. The flames she set.

'I need her. I want her.'

Heck, she doesn't even know who I am.

Suddenly someone barges into the bathroom.

I turn and spot Antonia standing there looking as beautiful as usual.

ANTONIA.

Might be the lady I hate the most. Her blonde hair falling to her shoulders. She's in a red dress holding tightly to her curvy body.

"Hello Leandrè."

"What do you want?"

"I came to see you," she says walking across the room.

"Well, I have no interest in seeing you."

"Really?" She says pushing her hand into the water. I know what she's up to.I quickly pull her hand away, "You should leave."

"Why are you doing this?" she's now angry, "we used to do more than just talk. Don't you remember?"

"I do. You were giving yourself to everyman your eyes fell on and spilling secrets to Arthur, your so called lover."

"Arthur used me but I came back to you. See, I'm here."

"Well, that was four years ago and you're too late. I have someone else. There was something four years ago but it was just benefits."

"You mean that girl you haven't even found yet is You need a woman like me, not a girl." How does she know?

"GET OUT!" I yell. She looks at me shocked before angrily leaving.

I don't he . Asterin is mine and this time, I will wait until I get her.

I head out out of the bathroom after a wash and the maids help me dress.

ARTHUR.

He has been planning on attacking my Kingdom and today, he'll tell me why.

I make my way done the hall to the meeting room. Where all meetings take place and find Arthur seated on the table.

"Arthur!" I yell out his name but he's unfazed.

"Oh, if it isn't Leandrè, my old friend."

I walk over and take my seat at the head,"We were never friends."

"Oh but we were. We even shared some things together."

"Things like what?" I ask and he can definitely hear the hate in my voice.

"Antonia, don't you remember."

"Why you bastard! What do you want?"

"Well, they say there isn't smoke without fire. I want what you have. YOUR KINGDOMS."

At first I think he's joking but this moron is serious.

"My answer is no. Now you can leave. You can rain war down on us, a war you'll lose of course."

"Really? I've got allies, you know."

"Allies who are leaving one after the another due to the wars you're losing."

"I-i don't -"

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue."

He glares at me before heading for the door , getting out and slamming it .

Well, if that's done, all I have left is Stella.

I make my way to her where u find her seated at the table writing in her notebook.

"Stella," I say after clearing my throat to get her attention.

"Your Highness, good morning."

"Morning, may i?" gesturing to the seat aside her.

"Of course, but what brings you here."

"I need to talk to you about the dreams."

"Like I said, the both–"

"Yes, I remember but this time it felt real." I brush my hands on my lips remembering the taste of her lips. Had she perhaps eaten strawberries before bed.

"You were intimate with her? In this dream?"

"Yes, and it felt real. Even that familiar scent of hers was on me when i woke up."

"So you slept with-"

"No, we didn't go that far," but maybe some other day. I smile at my silly thought.

"I don't have a explanation. That I haven't heard. I'm sorry Your Highness."

"It's okay," I say and quickly head for the door.

I have work to do.

★*★*★*★*★

AYLIN'S P.O.V

We've reached Astoria. Rose wanted to come along but her parents refused. I might have also accidentally, intentionally willingly told the King about Belton and Rose's relationship and I'm more than sure the next te she sees me, I'm dead.

The Kingdom is just in sight and I'm getting sweaty palms. I'm in my red flowery dress falling to my feet. My hair is held up in a ponytail as usual but adorned with some ornaments along with beautiful ear cuffs and my lips are painted red as well. As soon as the carriage stops, I hop out both excited and nervous.

The door swings open and a little girl comes running out and jumping right on me.

"Astwin." WOW, she called me Astwin.

She lets go of me and looks up at me. She has almost reddish brown

hair and beautiful chocolate eyes. She reminds me of mom.

I slowly lift her up in my arms, "What's your name?"

"Reina."

"Okay Reina, where is everyone?"

"Shh, it's a surpwise."

"A surprise." I correct and she nods.

"Where?"

"Inside."

Is this how I spoke as a kid?

We head in to the castle as Reina keeps giggling. It's oddly quiet and no one is around. I head to the main garden and that's where I find everyone quietly standing.

"Asterin?" A familiar voice...asks?

I turn around and spot her. Her reddish brown hair longer than it was. It now falls to her waist. She's in a black gown and her eyes are filled with tears.

"Momma," Reina says and jumps out of my hands. Momma? My mom had a child. Really? But I'm the baby, the last.

She walks up to me wrapping in a tight embrace.

"I missed you so much dear. I really missed you."

"Let me hold her too." Rebecca, my father's first wife says to pulling me into a hug. We are a large family but at least there's love.

Betty, the second walks over as well. Then Julia, the third, Esther, the fourth, Diana, the fifth. Yes, my mother, Cassandra, is the sixth but where's is the seventh. My eyes roam the area until I spot her. She's seated awkwardly glancing at me here and then. I slowly walk towards her taking a seat in front of her.

"Hi," I say and she lifts her head up. She has beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes eyes.

"Hi, you must be Asterin. Your mother told me lot about you."

"Yes, and you are my father's wife but I Don't your name."

"Lydia."

"Okay, mother dearest."

She looks at me smiling.

"I'm just about eight years older than you. But I love that you think of me that way."

She pulls me into a hug.

We all spend the afternoon in the garden and father joins us at lunch. Reina has refused to let go of me. Her Astwin. It's funny how she speaks but when I try to make fun of her, mother tells I was even worse.