Chapter 2 Did she just touch Lord Koen casually?
Astrid's POV
I shoved the boy away immediately, getting on my feet. “You are mistaken, little boy. I'm not your mother.”
The boy's face twisted into a frown. “What's wrong, mother? Did I do something bad?”
“Don't call me that kid, I'll help you find your mother so give me their actual name.” I stated, my voice unsteady.
“I've already told you.” The little boy whined. “My mother's name is Astrid Clark.”
“That's not possible, kid. I don't have a son, I'm barely twenty and don't even have a boyfriend.” I uttered in one rushed breath.
The boy shook his head, patting his chest. “Come on, mother. It's your little king, have you forgotten?”
“Little king?” I repeated under my breath. I pinched my nose trying to remember where I had heard that name from but nothing was coming to my mind.
“Mother,” the boy called, his voice trembling. “You don't… you don't remember me again?”
I wanted to yell at him, to tell him off but when I met those green eyes again. All my anger and confusion vanished and the only thing I wanted was to wipe those tears.
My hand moved before my mind could catch up and I scooped the boy into my arms.
“I was so scared just now, mother.” The boy whispered, snuggling into my arm. “I thought you had really forgotten me.”
The sound of footsteps approaching suddenly hit my ear drum. I hurried into my room and slammed the door the next second before I realized what I just did.
Wait! Why did I do that? He isn't my son so I could just tell anyone that sees us that. Why did I have to act like he's my son?
“Mother, I'm hungry.” The boy said, disrupting my thoughts.
I carried the boy towards my bed and placed him on it. “We have to get one face straight. I'm not your mother. You should tell me her real name so I can send you back home.”
Tears welled up the boy's eyes immediately. “Mo-Mother, you aren't joking?”
I turned my back on him. I couldn't fall for his pity face or cute eyes. The academy was a ticking danger and he might just be a trap or bait.
“Who sent you? The elders? Nalina?” I demanded, turning back to face him. “If you don't want to tell me who your mother is, you can at least tell me who sent you.”
“Mother, you're scaring me.” The boy cried, ignoring my questions completely. “Did something happen?”
I clenched my fist. “Don't ignore my questions, kid. Who sent you?”
The boy grabbed my hand. “Please mother, don't do this. I'll be good… I promise I'll be good so please… please don't forget me.”
My heart broke into tiny pieces. His words, his tears, his desperation and fear. Why could I feel them? Why does it make my heart ache?
I pulled him into my arms the next second. Whether he was lying or not, he was just a scared kid.
His stomach suddenly growled loudly, dragging me back to reality. I pulled him away from my arms, searching his face.
“What do you want to eat?”
“Meat, I want to eat meat.” he answered immediately, his face brightening slowly.
I bit my lower lips, hating how much his mood affected mine. Today was Monday so there has to be quite a lot of meat at the cafeteria.
“Wait for me here,” I whispered, adjusting him on the bed. “Don't make any noise or open the door for anyone. Do you understand?”
“Yes mother,” he answered, kicking his legs in the air.
I quickly changed into a dress and hurried out of the door, making sure to lock it after me.
The cafeteria was over crowded when I got there but I didn't even pay any attention to any one. I pushed through the crowd and made it to the food counter in seconds.
“Any kind of meat would do,” I said, placing my hand on top of the counter.
But instead of a response, the cafeteria suddenly fell silent. I glanced around the hall and it was quite unusual that everyone had their eyes on me.
“Is something wrong?” I asked the middle aged woman behind the counter.
I haven’t had Monday lunch in the cafeteria. The strong scent of meat and the pale vampires that filled the hall every Monday made my stomach churn always at the thought of it.
“Miss, you should cue up in that line over there.” The woman said after a while, dragging me back to reality.
I shifted my gaze to the two lines that almost reached the cafeteria door. Is this woman trying to joke with me? Why should I do that when four counters were empty?
I let out a low chuckle. “Come on, ma'am. I have a hungry ki… friend waiting for me back at the dorm.”
“Miss, this—”
“Allow her to place her order.” A deep, cold voice came from behind me.
I turned sharply expecting to see one of the academy's old grey masters but instead a guy stood behind me, I didn't get to see his face but something about his presence made my skin crawl.
I turned around without bothering to take in his features and rolled my eyes. “You should talk like a student.”
But to my surprise the woman's voice rang out. “What's your… What's your order, Miss?”
“Meat, any kind as long as it's edible. Please put an extra extra portion and wrap it up for me.” I said, a small smile appearing at the corner of my lips. “Thank you.”
Seconds later, the woman placed a black plastic bag on the counter. “Here you go, miss.”
I grabbed the bag and turned around, surprised to see the guy still standing there. Most of his face was hidden behind a face cap.
“Thank you,” I mumbled, patting his shoulder. “I owe you one for today.’
I didn't wait another second before brushing past him. I was almost at the cafeteria door when I heard a hushed whisper.
“Did she just touch Lord Koen casually?”
