Hey all!

Sorry it took me so long to update...

Well I went on vacation and then needed some motivation to edit this chapter before uploading...

Well, without further wait...here is the next chap

Chapter 9

Theodosia's POV:

Days flew by. We all were well settled in the palace. Groups had already formed. Rowena, Josephine, Melina, Isabella, Zoe, Karma and Shelby would stay together. I would remain with Zoraya, Everly, Lyssa, Adara, Aimee and Roxanne. Rebecca, Belle, Frances, Scarlet, Katlyna, Carlie and Cassidy would be together. The remaining selected would be together. We had daily classes. History, etiquette and whatnot. Rowena and Melina would skip etiquette, but would be present for the rest. Edward was speed dating all, the first Report was around the corner, and we all were nervous.

"Girls, today we will learn how to be on the Report," Rosita announced, entering the room. We all groaned. It was Thursday, report would be tomorrow. I saw Rowena get in a trance. She would often do that. What it is about?

"Rosita, teach the girls. I'll join later," she said, before leaving. She returned 10 minutes later, smiling. She had something in her hands.

"What do you have, Rowena?" Rosita questioned her.

"Something for them. Edward sent these," she replied.

"Don't worry, I wasn't on a date," she assured those who were glaring at her. "He just called me outside."

"When, we never saw a note come in," Katlyna spoke up.

"Who said anything about a note?" she replied.

"I know you all are wondering what's going on?" she said after a break. "Why I go in trances and all that?"

Seeing us nod, she took a deep breath before continuing, "My twin brother is a guard here at the palace. We have the same eye, hair and skin color. Some might have seen him."

Some nodded when she stopped. "Well, we can communicate mentally. Instead of disturbing us by sending a note, Edward asked him to send me the message. That's why I was in a trance. I was focusing on his words."

No wonder she would go in a trance. She stepped ahead and opened the box she was carrying. Before she could say anything, she slipped in a trance. Maybe her brother was communicating something else. She laughed, before continuing on.

"Okay, so this will be your first report. The report etiquette will be taught by Rosita, but something for all of you." She stopped and looked at us.

Lifting her hand, she showed us a bracelet. A charm bracelet. "This box contains one for each of you. Gifted by Edward. This is meant to comfort you all and to calm your nerves."

"I will call you one by one and give it." We nodded.

"Jo." She walked and received her bracelet.

"Adara."

"Shelby." The names continued on.

"Tess." I walked up at my name.

"Meet Edward for dinner, third floor stairs at 8," she said, before giving me mine.

Upon seeing me confused, she clarified, "he had the message sent through my twin before I gave all of you this." This is why she fell in a trance and laughed.

Dinner came and I walked to the third floor stairs. Guards stopped me from entering as the selected couldn't enter. Before I could say anything, Rowena rounded the corner and waved, seeing me. She walked towards the stairs, the guards stopped her.

"I am Lady Rowena, daughter of Lord Lawrence," she said and the guards let her enter.

"Let Lady Theodosia enter, she is with me." She beckoned for me to follow and I walked behind her.

Suddenly, she went in another trance. She laughed, shaking her head and continued walking. She reached another door, guards stopped her. A quick hand movement sent them away. I wondered what it is was

"Go in Tess, Ed's waiting for you," she said, opening the door. I looked inside and saw Edward waiting for me.

"Lady Theodosia," he greeted me.

"Your Highness," I curtsied.

"Please call me Edward."

"Then you have to call me Tess."

"Very well, please sit."

I sat down on one of the four chairs present. Seeing me surprised, Rowe laughed, sitting on one herself. A knock attracted our attention. Edward looked at Rowena and she went in a trance.

"Come in Rob," she said out loud with a laugh. In walked someone who looked like her. It must have been her twin.

"Your Highness," he greeted.

"Officer Russell, glad you could join us," Edward replied. They sit down and I was looking confused. Isn't this supposed to be a date?

"Tess, it is dangerous for dates to be held in the open, like this," Rowe started speaking. "We are in one of the balconies, it will be easy to target Edward."

I was still confused, and Rowena must have seen that. "Rebels still exist, they never ended. Queen Eadlyn wants both, Edward and us, to be safe. That is why she wants a guard around whenever Edward does such a date."

Oh, no wonder her twin was in uniform and so formal with Edward.

"Right now, Robin is on duty. The two of us were planning to eat together today, but this came up. So, even I am here. We won't interfere between the two of you, we will just be keeping an eye out for danger. I know how to defend myself."

I looked relieved. Dinner came, it is delicious and at a point, both Rowena and her twin, left us.

"So Tess, what do you do?" Edward asked me.

"I love to study history, especially pre-Illean history. I love reading."

"Oh, maybe you should go to the libraries here. You will find many books there."

"That will be great."

"Maybe next time I will take you there," he offered

"Hmm."

"In the meantime, if you ever want to go there, ask Rowena for directions. She knows the palace well."

"That she does," I laughed. "What about you?"

"Well, I am usually engrossed in meetings with mom."

"Boring life?"

"Yes, even though it is fun when my cousins come along. Lucky them, they do not have to be King," he laughed

"True."

We talked for some time, before I heard a noise.

"What was that?" I asked him. He looked bewildered. Rowena suddenly ran in. Her twin was following her.

Edward's POV:

I loved talking to Tess. Our date was interrupted by a noise. Rowena and Robin rushed in. They must have been by the door; Robin was on duty after all.

"Hurry, we have to get both of you to the safe room," Rowena said and we got up following her.

The closest entrance to the safe rooms were in my room, but Rowena led us down a different path. She quickly opened a room and told us to get in. She closed the door and locked it. Robin remained outside, ready to fight. She rushed us to a book shelf and she quickly pulled a book and ushered us in. She stepped in a moment later, closing the entrance. We walked ahead until we came to a door. Before I could open it, Rowe was besides us, opening it using finger print recognition. We entered the room and she closed it.

"You must be wondering why I didn't take you to the royal safe room?" she questioned me and I nodded.

"My Lady Russell room was closest and it led to this safe room. Your mother had one built for every diplomat's family," she clarified. I still looked confused.

"My previous room, Ed," she shook her head at me. Of course, she had a room on this floor.

"How will we know when it is safe to exit?" Tess questioned.

"You forget that Robin isn't here. He will let me know," she said.

"It's the southerners that have attacked," Rowe whispered in my ears.

"How do you know?"

"I'll tell you later."

We stayed in the room for ages. Rowe went in trances every few minutes. I had no idea what was going on. Tess was confused, too. Hours later, we finally heard Rowe laugh and I turned to see her getting up.

"Stay here." Her voice was commanding. Why have I never heard this voice from her?

She went and opened the door, surveying the corridor before beckoning us to get up. We followed her out and she locked the room. We followed her back to her old room where Robin is already present.

"Tess, go back to your room," Rowe said before turning to me, a serious expression on her face.

"Come with us," is all that she said.

I walked with her and her twin and we reached mom's office. She knocked twice, before opening. I was surprised at that, because mom never told her to enter. What is going on?

"Ed," mom exclaimed, seeing me enter. She enveloped me in a hug. "I'm glad you're safe."

"Thanks Rowe," she turned to her.

"It was nothing Eadlyn," she replied.

Why does she address mom like that?

"Edward, it is time for you to know something," mom said, all serious. A knock interrupted us and Doctor Russell stepped in. Now, why are all the Russells gathered here?

"You know that there are two rebel groups," Rowe started speaking. "But there is also one group which supports the monarchy. We don't attack, we support and stop attacks." I looked confused.

"There are three groups in Illea," mom started speaking. "Northern Rebels – the easy rebels –, Southern Rebels – deadly ones –, and Northern Rightiers – our supporters."

I looked confused. Why would a group support us?

"We are not rebels," Rosetta said. "The Northern Rightiers aren't."

"We protect the monarchy just like guards," Robin explained. "We are well spread. Many guards and maids here are members and can well defend you."

"And the three of us are the co-founders," Rowe said. "I am their alleged leader and Derek and Sofia are part too. Mom and dad support us and so do many people."

She leads a group? Mom pulled out a folder and showed me something.

"Three years ago, we signed a treaty with them, officially getting their support," she said. I read the paper and saw mom's, Rowe's and the then Prime Minister's signature.

"I signed on behalf of the NR," Rowe clarified. "You should know about us."

"Oh, fine as long as the NR stay loyal to us," I replied.

"Of course, Edward," she said.

"Eadlyn, tell him what I told you earlier," she addressed mom.

Mom told me about the rebel spy. I was surprised at what I heard. I looked at Rowe, and she nodded, confirming what mom told me.

"As long as you are with us and not them, I am fine with it," I said, after hearing mom's agreement with her. No wonder she knew it was southerners and was present during my date with Tess. She nodded in response. It was then that I see a necklace. It had a star pendent.

"The symbol for NR, Edward," she said, noticing me looking at her necklace. I saw Rosetta take her own out and Robin did the same.

"This is how we communicate."

"Oh, how does it work?" I question. She smiles and holds the pendant.

"Rosetta," she says.

LOOK UNTO THE NORTH STAR,

YOUR EVERLASTING GUIDE.

LET TRUTH, HONOR, ALL THAT'S RIGHT,

BE ALWAYS BY YOUR SIDE.

Rosetta's necklace glowed. Rowena said the words again and it stopped.

"These words were used by the former Northern Rebels that existed during your grandfather's time," she explained. "Your grandmother knows them well, seeing her father was a part of them. We have used it in honor of them, as they were loyal to your grandparents, like we are to your parents and you."

"We can communicate to one, two or even all at one time. If more than one, we say their names before those words, if all then just the words," Robin says.

"Oh." I was speechless.

"Today is the report, you both better get ready," mom said to me and Rowe. We left the room, Robin trailing Rowe and I knew mom had all selected trailed for safety.

Hmm...

Please review.. I need to know what you all think

Hopefully next chap will be uploaded soon-no promise

Uptill now I was just getting further with the plot. Now I will add some more chaps from the other's pov..

Let's see

Thanks again Abi for beta-ing

See you soon

Rowena