Astrid paced up and down the living room as he pondered what his father meant in his letter "Do I really have to return to that hellish place ?" He sighed why can't his father be straight to the point for once,what did he really want from him ,he already has everything his inheritance from his mother, everything he had was taken away when he was disowned. Astrid took a deep breath as he remembered that day.
Astrid just got home from his training only to find the entire household gathered in the ball room ,he ignored them and walked to his room"Boy come here come here," his father's cold voice called out a chill ran down his spine,he quickly dropped his stuff and entered the hall.
*What did I do for him to gather the entire household,even the gate guards are here*Astrid thought
"Gretttings Father, stepmother" Astrid bowed as he said and caught the sneer in his stepmother's eyes which made him wonder where his halfbrother was,since he would never miss to watch him being punished."Father, why did you call me?" He asked looking at the man seated Infront of him Duke James only ever called him for two reasons,one to punish him and two when he's giving him orders other than that this father-son rarely talked to each other, even new servants often doubt if they are really family.
Mostly because the two looked nothing alike the duke was a muscular man with black hair and hazel coloured eyes while Astrid inherited his mother's looks his aquamarine eyes were mesmerizing to all who looked at them and a lean feminine body coupled with his strawberry red hair which neither of his parents had ,one of the reasons his father hated him."Boy I raised you,fed you and this is how you repay me" Duke James said his face red from anger "what have I done?" He asked tilting his head in confusion "The nerve of you to ask,you tried assaulting a girl and when your brother stopped you you beat him up,now me sweet Alex is lying unconscious "His stepmother Abigail said with a sob
*What girl? since when did I assault a girl bitch I like men*
*When did I hurt Alex we literally go to different schools*Astrid thought to himself saying that out loud would only make things worse for him." Father I....."before he could finish his father raised his hand " Don't bother trying to explain yourself,I know you're jealous of your brother but what you have done is too much, honestly I am tired of all your shenanigans.."Duke James continued to talk but his son wasn't listening*Me jealous of that bastard since when? Father are you really blind*Astrid eyed his father and question what his mother had seen in that man"..So I am disowning you as my son,take all your things and leave , you are not to take anything that belongs here" the duke said and Astrid froze he never thought his own father would one day do this to him,his only living relative.
Young Astrid was thrown out with his meager belongings and walked away from the mansion,life wasn't easy on him outside he got robbed, beaten up and almost raped one day when he was rescued by Arthur who took him in and they feel in love.
Astrid smiled and glanced at the blonde sitting by the window "My father has summoned me back, will you go with me?" He asked walking towards the man with a smile "If you want me to, I'll go with you.Plus it's only proper I ask your father for your hand" Arthur replied kissing his knuckles as he watched the younger man blushing "Stop that Arthur,am still too young for marriage" Astrid said shyly,he was turning 20yrs in a month and just about to start college, marriage was not in his plans at the moment.
Two days later the couple arrived at the dukes doorstep, Astrid gazed at the place he called home for the first 14yrs of his life*it's still as cold and imposing as I remember*he thought Arthur on the other side was shocked the place screamed MONEY "Wow babe I didn't know your family was rich" he exclaimed*why did you never mention your father was the fucking Duke we would have avoided so much struggling *he said mentally while smiling at his partner Astrid was deep in thought he didn't hear him not did he see the shocked look on the servants they came across as the entered the house.
"Hey who's the cute red head that just passed?" a servant asked her friend
"That's the first young master,you weren't here when he still loved here right?" her friend answer
"He's really beautiful,must take after his mother then"
"He doesn't look like first madam that much" "You know there's a rumour that he's not really the masters son...."
Astrid walked towards his father's study Arthur following closely behind him admiring the decorations,he raised his hand and hesitated for a second before knocking "Enter" said a cold voice that he knew very well . Astrid smiled at his lover then entered inside two men were seated "Greetings uncle, father" he bowed and Arthur followed, Duke James frowned seeing the blonde but didn't say anything since the man opposite him nodded at their greetings "Nephew how have you been, you didn't even bother to contact me these past 6yrs" The man said his voice carrying an air of authority "I didn't want to burden imperial uncle with small matters while you're busy with state affairs" Astrid replied with a small smile.
Arthur stood there shocked,he was seeing the Emperor Infront of him and his lover was talking to him just casually "Babe is he your uncle!?" He whispered to him and Astrid nodded and caught the shock in his uncle's face and disgusted look his father gave him "Oh I forgot to introduce my boyfriend, Arthur Times, Arthur my dad and uncle.So why did you call me here?" Astrid asked with a slight smile on his face.
"You're getting married tomorrow" Duke James said his voice colder than before "Father nice seeing you, good bye uncle" Astrid said and turned to leave but couldn't move, Arthur too couldn't move but for a different reason, Astrid just introduced him to them then his father just announces his marriage without considering him does he look like a joke to them."Nephew am really sorry but for the sake of peace we have to do this "The emperor said his eyes filled with sadness" What the fuck does that have to do with me,my cousins are available if not then father has other children that are much better than I. Let them marry ,for goodness sake I have a lover already ok and last I checked I was disowned "Astrid raged he could accept anything but this he already found the one for him and he won't sacrifice that for anything Arthur was the only good thing in his life.
"Astrid please do me this favor and I'll give you whatever you want ok?" Emperor George said with sincerity "And what will you give me to compensate for my future huh? Money!?fame? Power?I want none am happy with Arthur the way we are,so please release us " Astrid replied with a sarcastic tone Arthur on the other hand looked at him as if he was a clown*Wtf are you thinking just accept the marriage, the emperor is willing to give you anything and you refuse what a clown!*he mocked him but his face didn't show a thing .
"Arthur" Duke James called
"Yes sir "
"How much do you want for you to break up with him?" He asked staring at the blonde and he heard a gasp from him son but instead pulled out vines to close his mouth.
In Astoria certain noble families were blessed with divine abilities,the house of James were given the wood affinity, plants was the best buddy,the house of Heron fire,the house of Feria water and lastly the Ziprer house wind.The Royal family was a bit special air was one and the other depended on the individual like George could manipulate shadows. Astrid did not inherit the James ability or any ability.
"Did I hear you right sir?" Arthur asked
"Yes , whatever you want I'll give you but you Breakuo with my son" Richard repeated
Arthur looked at Astrid who's eye were glistening with tears and sighed he wasn't gonna turn that offer down he wasn't that into Astrid in the first place."Babe you know how we've lived so am sorry.A house and money set for life " He said looking away from the redhead."Astrid let's end it here, you're going to marry for the sake of peace for the people of Astoria don't be selfish", Arthur said and felt how te the temperature went down.
George looked at the blonde man feel anger rise in him but he couldn't do anything,at first he was willing to let his own children to marry the 3rd prince of the beast kingdom but changed his mind when the dragon king Long Hua said the person must be male.He only had two sons ,one was the crown prince, the other was just 10yrs old. Taking the matter to court the chose his brother's son Astrid to be the bride since Richard had 2 other sons and it was a well known fact among them the child wasn't particularly treated well.
"Since you have chosen it's ok , Richard go with him I want to talk to the child alone"George said with a sigh his nephew was looking at the young blonde with betrayal in his eyes ,he felt sorry for him but he had no choice he had to sacrifice one man for thousands of lives.Once Astrid was released the first thing he did was throw a punch at Arthur the walked out only for the world to turn black.
"Child you are really easy to read"the emperor said with a sigh looking at his nephew.