A/N: Hi everyone! I apologize for not updating last Sunday. I didn't have the chance to write. I also haven't had much change to write this week too so the ending isn't where I want it to be, but I hope you enjoy. Also, I believe I may have mentioned something in the last chapter about Rose never being to Court, but that was an error. Everything up to the attack on the Academy is canon. The attack never happened. Also, I did a lot of research for this chapter. All of the names in this chapter are actual characters in VA. However, the relationships aren't all canon. I hope you all enjoy and leave a review!

As always, I do not own VA but I do own Katie.

RPOV:

Christian and I walked towards the gym, anxious for the first legislative meeting. The fact that this meeting was being held away from Court still shocked me. As far as I knew, there had never been any kind of legislative meeting held or votes on policies and laws casted outside of Court. With so many past Kings and Queens favoring the security that Court offered, there was never a need to branch away. Queen Tatiana bending the rules to work in her favor was unsurprising. Feeling a warmth in my hand, I looked down to see my hand clasped in Christian's. I smiled. Over the last five years, Christian had learned my quirks and habits. He'd learned to read when I was nervous and for once I was grateful. Taking a deep breath, I focused as the doors to the gym came into view. Pulling the doors open, we immediately saw that the gym had been redesigned to a makeshift Court reminiscent of when Victor Dashkov was on trial. There were six long semi-circular tables that were facing towards the door. Around the tables were 11 chairs. In front of each chair were plaques designating the head of each of the Royal families. Some heads were already seated. Glancing along the lines, I saw the Badica Prince, with a slight smirk on his face, conversing with the Zeklos Prince. In front of the tables were rows of chairs going across and down the gym. It looked like it could seat close to 300 people. Along the back and sides of the chairs stood Guardians though a few were sitting in the back chairs.

"Save me a seat," I asked Christian, spotting Eddie and walking towards him.

"Hey Rose. You ready?" Eddie said, squeezing my arm.

I sighed and shrugged.

"Ready as ever. Do you think they'll reach a decision?"

"I don't know," he said, scratching his head.

"I hope not."

"Unfortunately, I fear that the Queen is so blinded by fear that she will do something that is more detrimental than beneficial," Eddie said, with a sigh.

I nodded in agreement. Fear can make people do crazy things. Fear caused Lissa and I to abandon the Academy in favor of going on the run for two years. More and more people starting filling the gym and more Princes and Princesses were starting to fill their seats. Nodding to Eddie, I made my way back over to Christian. Weaving through people, I noticed more people in attendance at the meeting than at the attendance meeting. He was sitting at the end of a row. Seeing me, he scooted over to an empty chair. Further down the row I could see a few Ozera cousins, if the dark hair and blue eyes were anything to go by. Looking up, I noticed the present Ozera Princess. Catching my eye, she raised an eyebrow but nodded at me as she continued to converse with the Dashkov Princess.

"Your cousin doesn't really like me, does she?" I asked, gesturing forward.

He smiled.

"Evette doesn't really like anybody, if it makes you feel better."

It didn't. With Royals, the oldest member of the family received the title of Prince or Princess. Evette Ozera was the oldest of the Ozera family and so held the title of Princess.

"Evette isn't my cousin. She's my aunt."

I glanced at him, surprised.

"She's always looked out for me. She's how we were able to stay in California undetected, mainly. Sure I have the trust my parents set up for me, but she's the one that funded us for the first couple of years."

"Oh. I always thought you were talking about…"

"Tasha? No. I love my Aunt Tasha. She raised me, but only because Evette had a lot of responsibilities as head of Ozera. You know my dad was Prince before her. I don't think it was a role she ever wanted to take."

Looking back down the row, I saw an older gentleman who could have been an older version of Christian except with blonde hair.

"Who's he? He's kind of cute. In a completely non-creepy old man kind of way."

Christian rolled his eyes.

"That's Esmond, my cousin. He's…well – "

"A moron."

I looked up to see Tasha smiling down at me. I could see, Dimitri standing close behind her.

"Rose. It's so good to see you. I didn't really get the chance to speak to you the other day," Tasha said, pulling me up to hug me.

I wish I could say that I hated Tasha. I wish I could even say that I disliked Tasha. She was just too nice and too good of a person for anyone to feel anything but respect for her. Putting on a smile, albeit a tight one, I hugged her back.

"It is good to see you, Tasha."

Scooting in front of me, she took the seat on the other side of Christian. Dimitri followed and took the seat next to her.

"He really is a moron, you know. Esmond. I'm just thankful he's my cousin and not my brother. The only one I can stand of his siblings is his brother, Ronald. At least he's not a womanizer. Much."

Christian smirked as he put his arm around my chair. Looking back to the front, I saw that all of the Royal heads were seated. Immediately, it became quiet and everyone stood as Queen Tatiana entered the gym. She walked toward the front where the other Royals stood. In between the tables was her throne. Her throne was purple and gold with jewels encrusted along the sides.

"She seriously had the time to bring her throne?" I whispered quietly to Christian.

"Overkill. I think she just wants everyone to know that she's still in control." Christian whispered back.

Queen Tatiana stood before her throne.

"I call this meeting to order," she said, capturing the attention of the room.

With that, she took her seat. As everyone followed, she cleared her throat.

"Before we begin, I will remind everyone that this is not a decision hearing. This meeting will be simply to discuss the proposed decree and to submit any adjustments needed. The result of this meeting will determine the next meeting. But please be reminded that we cannot leave St. Vladimir's until we have come to a decision."

That bitch.

"She knows no one wants to be here. She's effectively encouraging them to agree with her so they can go home," I furiously whispered to Christian.

"We will fight until we get to something we all can agree with. I hope you know that, Rose," Tasha whispered, reaching over and grabbing my hand.

"As I presented at the last meeting, I propose a decree to lower the graduating age of Dhampirs from 18 to 15. The simple thing is, we need more protection. Strigoi were able to penetrate our wards and attack Court. The Guardians that were on duty were not able to save all of the Moroi. While I applaud the valiancy of those Guardians, the simple fact is that there are not enough of them. Therefore, we need to lower the age barrier and get more Guardians out there to protect us," Queen Tatiana said smoothly.

Immediately, murmurs went through the crowd. Some in anger and some in agreement. My body shook in anger. To insinuate that Guardians were unable to do their jobs effectively is one thing, but to treat the whole race as nothing more than cattle is unforgiveable.

"We will take the Royal opinions first, then we will be open for public comment. Please remember that you will only be able to speak during public comment if you signed up," Tatiana spoke.

As each of the Royals spoke, I began to see that more families were for lowering the age barrier than I thought. This can't happen.

"How can we get on that list?" I whispered to Tasha.

"No need. From your reaction at the last meeting, I figured you would want to speak so I signed you up," Tasha said.

I didn't know if I should be happy or suspicious that Tasha had signed me up. I didn't think about it much more. I focused back as Prince Reece Tarus spoke in favor of the age decree.

"There aren't enough Dhampir to protect the Royals. Though I do agree with our delightful…Queen...I propose a revision. I am not sure about all of you, but I wouldn't want a child protecting me. I propose that we should lower the age decree to 16 and that all non-Royal Moroi be stripped of their Guardians," Prince Tarus responded.