Disclaimer: This is an RP archive. I own Rose, and only Rose, and anything not from her perspective was not written by me. Backstory based on Swan Lake.


"Now, Rose," the old King said, pressing a small square package to his granddaughter's hands. "Remember that you are a future Queen. Don't let anyone walk over you. This will help you to keep track of things and, hopefully, to sort out your thoughts."

"I know, Grandfather," Rose replied stiffly. "I will do my best to represent our Kingdom in a good light. Thank you for the gift."

Another girl would have hugged her grandfather, or at least asked what was in the package. Not Rose. The old King watched Odette and her husband, Siegfried, embrace their daughter, though she did not even blink. Once the princess was comfortably settled in the carriage, he approached the window.

"This Academy is a big opportunity for you, Rose. It's important that you learn how to rule, but it's also important that you make memories. Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught."


oOo

Rose put the last book on the shelf and sighed. This whole school thing was turning out to be a bit more exhausting than she had anticipated. She turned around and her eyes swept the dorm room again, only to rest on her bed, where the square package her grandfather had given her just before she left still laid unopened. Sliding onto the sheets, she gently peeled the wrapping paper off.

Inside was a blue leather-bound journal, with a silver swan in the middle. Blue like a lake. Rose shivered at the thought. When she flipped it open, a small note fell from between the pages. She immediately recognized her grandfather's handwriting.

For your new memories. Make sure they are good ones.

Rose closed the journal and leaned back on the pillows. Make memories. What did that even mean? She didn't know what he wanted from her. Her grandfather had always been a bit baffling. When he visited Oloria he often brought her presents, but each time she opened one and thanked him politely, as her books on etiquette and her tutors had told her she should, he always got this strange, almost sad expression on his face. Her parents never seemed to make a big deal out of it, but her grandfather made her feel like she was failing some sort of test. Like she wasn't graceful enough, didn't say the right things, didn't hold herself with enough dignity. Yet no matter how hard she tried, she could never live up to his standards, whatever they were. Where was she going wrong?

She held up the note, and her eyes went over it again. He told her when they parted that the things worth knowing couldn't be taught. So then why did he convince her parents to send her to this school? If not learn, what did he want her to do here?

Rose sighed again and got up, walking over to the large window. She drew the curtains back and peeked outside. People were walking down below, talking and going about their day, and her gaze followed a few of them. She had never met other royals her age, but the ones she observed here were so different than what she thought they would be. They were so... relaxed. So casual. She didn't know what to think of it, had no idea how to react to such informal behavior. They broke all sorts of decorum rules and didn't even seem to worry or even care about the future that awaited them.

That must be nice, Rose thought wistfully and stepped away from the window. She still had a bit of unpacking to do.