Chapter 1 Mother, I finally found you
Astrid's POV
“My Queen, there's an urgent letter from the war front. We received a letter from the king.” a woman asked, extending a brown letter towards me with her head bowed.
I jerked to my feet, my heart hammering loudly in my ears. “What? The war front?”
The lady immediately fell to her knees. “Forgive me, your highness but I don't know what's going on there.”
My hand shook so badly as I took the paper from her. Inhaling deeply I tore off the binding holding it together. My heart stuttered when I recognized the hand writing.
“Mother,” a small voice called sharply before my mind could register the first word on the letter.
I folded it hurriedly and tucked it into my sleeve, stepping down from my throne.
“Oh my little king, what brings you to mommy?” I asked with a thin smile, squatting to the floor and spreading out my arms.
I could already see the familiar small figure running towards me when a sharp object hit my head followed by a loud, raging voice.
“Astrid! Astrid! Astrid Clark!”
I snapped my eyes open immediately, meeting a raging pair of green eyes.
“Sleeping in class again. Do you think this is a joke?” The voice rolled out.
I lifted my face off the desk. Wait, that wasn't real? Like I was dreaming all along? But I still couldn't shake off the fact that it felt so real. I could still feel that overwhelming emptiness of fear.
“Don't blame her teacher, everyone knows she wasn't born a witch.” A low, mocking voice came from behind.
I clenched my jaw hating how much that voice always gets under my skin. It belonged to no one else but to the only daughter of the primal head of witch, Nalina.
Laughter erupted from the class the next second.
“Quiet you all!” The thin woman in front of me yelled.
“I was just sympathizing with her. Practicing spells had been so hard for her. Why don't we give her a little reward?” Nalina suggested, her voice smooth like velvet. “What about doing the clean up alone?”
“Yes, teacher. She's been the only one failing Enchanter 107 throughout the month.” Another voice chirped in.
“That's so thoughtful of you, Nalina.” I said through gritted teeth, turning around to face her. “I will surely remember to thank you for your little reward.”
Nalina flashed me a smile that barely registered on her face. “Don't mention, Astrid. There will be lots of rewards in stock for you.”
I returned the smile with the same sick energy before turning to face the teacher.
“Teacher, Nalina has been quite thoughtful. What about we give her a little reward too?” I asked, emphasizing on the little reward.
“Don't push your luck, Astrid.” Nalina rasped sharply from behind.
I got to my feet slowly. “Nalina has been an outstanding student. No, the best student of Enchanter 107 class.” I paused, tapping my lips gently like I was thinking about something.
“Get your ass back on your chair, Astrid Clark.” The teacher snapped, disrupting my thoughts.
“What about you grant her a whole lot more beauty spells? Everyone knows she depends on Enchanter 107 class to maintain her beauty and—”
“How dare you, Astrid!” Nalina shrieked, cutting me off sharply.
The loud sound of the bell ringing echoed through the room giving me no chance to reply. I grabbed my bag without a second thought and dashed towards the door.
“I hope you consider my suggestions, teacher.” I yelled over my shoulder, sprinting down the hallway.
I didn't stop running till I got out of the building.
“Susie, I had the dream a—” the rest of the words stuck in my throat as no one was standing at our usual spot.
I slapped myself mentally as realization hit me. Today was Monday and on Mondays Susie, my best friend always had an extra class so I always returned to my dorm alone.
I inhaled deeply before turning towards the direction of my dorm building.
I was already a few meters away from the class building when I saw students rushing towards the cafeteria.
I grabbed the hand of a girl passing by. “What's going on?”
“You don't know? Lord Koen would be at the cafeteria today.” The girl gushed, barely hiding her excitement.
She turned around, giggling like a kid. “Tell me, do I look good? My hair is good. My…”
I shoved her aside, clenching and unclenching my teeth as I continued my journey. That name alone had ruined what was left of my bad day.
It wasn't until I got into the bathtub in my dorm room did that dream cross my mind. This would be the sixth time I'm having a dream where I was called Queen.
And each time, the dreams created more questions and barely answered any. Who was that little boy? Why does it feel normal for him to call me, mother?
A lot of questions spinned through my mind, struggling for answers I knew nothing about.
A knock suddenly came on my door, disrupting my thoughts. A small smile appeared on my face as I quickly stepped out of the bathtub and wrapped a rope around my body.
I hurried out of the bathroom and flung the door open without thinking. “Susie, you don't know how—”
I cut myself off when a little boy of about five years old stood in front of me. His big, green eyes felt like it was boring deep into my soul.
Instead of getting on my nerves, his eyes made me forget all my problems. I squatted to his level and leaned towards him.
“Little guy, are you looking for your parents?”
He nodded, blinking his eyes slowly.
I glanced past him, scanning the empty hallway slowly.
“What's their name? I'll take you to them.” I assured myself, unable to resist the urge to touch his curly hair.
“My mother's name is Astrid Clark and my father—”
“Wait!” I shouted as his words registered in my head. “Astrid Clark? Like me?”
The little boy suddenly threw himself into my arms. “Mother, I finally found you.”
