CHAPTER 4 : "I am Gabrielle Yvonne Miaskvosky"
Eiji was walking along the corridor when he noticed there's a commotion going on the left side of his room. He eagerly rushed up and checked out what's going on.
"What's the hullabaloo?" he asked as he made way to the thick crowd
"What the-? Pffffttt! Tezuka!!! What in the world?" Eiji asked laughing his but out
The new girl, I mean Gabrielle was somehow having a slight conversation with Tezuka. Not actually a 'conversation' but a mere contest of staring. They're by the window doing nothing but stare at each other. Cold, really cold stare.
"Oi!! Cut it out you two! If I didn't know you Tezuka I'd say you're falling for this lovely lady in front of me! Geez!" Eiji said in enthusiasm as he put his left hand across Tezuka's left shoulder… "What are you up to?" he asked maliciously as he poke Tezuka in the arm.
"She can't quite understand Japanese." Tezuka answered
"So?"
"We can't have an ideal conversation" Tezuka said avoiding Gabrielle's eyes this time
"Pft. Like that matters! Aww come on. You could have told me if you wanted to kiss her. I'd gladly do it for you!" Eiji said in his mocking tone.
Tezuka glared.
"Okay! I'm just kidding!..... Fine, fine! I'm leaving!!"
As soon as Eiji left, Tezuka caught Gabrielle's very cold gaze. He shivered. He remembered that Gabrielle can also understand English and was very fluent in speaking it. He decided to talk to her in English then.
"Do you want me to show you your next class, I – I'm in it too." He stuttered as he met her gaze again. He never stuttered before. There's something with Gabrielle that makes him uneasy. "Oh fuck, why is she staring like that? Did I say something stupid?" he thought as he avoid her gaze
"I guess so. I don't know much people here and I'd rather stick with you than get in trouble for misunderstanding your language. . ." she wryly said as she thought of the bathroom incident she had 2 days ago.
Gabrielle blushed as she turned away from Tezuka "Damn it." she nervously thought
They went inside the room only to find out that the teacher arrived earlier than Tezuka had expected.
When he opened the door, he was surprised to find out that all eyes are fixed upon them
"I'm sorry teacher, were a bit late. This is Ms. Miaskovsky our transfer student from Russia – " he explained
"France." Gabrielle corrected him
"Ms. Miaskovsky!" the teacher said as he motioned his hands towards them, his voice sounds cocky and shaky, he led her in front so everybody can see her and Tezuka went on his regular seat. Third row from the left by the window.
"Everybody, this is Ms. Miaskovsky, she's going to be here for quite a while." The teacher said proudly as he placed his hands behind Gabrielle's shoulders. She could feel it shaking but decided not to shrug it off because she knows its rude
"I'm Gabrielle Yvonne Miaskovsky." She was a bit shy as she gave a nod. Her accent was a combination of French, British and Russian. They all looked at her as if there's something wrong. Their teacher too was surprised.
"I – is there something wrong? I- I'm sorry I don't quite understand Japanese" she said apologetically. Surprisingly a boy stood up
"On behalf of the class, I would like to say that you're very much welcome here in our school. I'm Takayanagi. Nice to meet you." He said as he gave a bow. Gabrielle smiled and gave him a nod. Everybody sweatdropped except for Tezuka and gave Gabrielle a look of mischief.
"Ms. Miakovsky, um. . . I suggest that you should also gave a bow in return." The teacher told her
"I don't give a bow. In Europe, ladies do curtsy like this. . . " she demonstrated it to her teacher but her head was still held high. "I'm ordered to give a curtsy with my head held low only to those who are superior than I, like to my father, my mother and my grand father." They all stared at her "I- I'm sorry it's a British thing, you won't understand."
"Ah. I see. It's what like royals do. But you – " the teacher said, Gabrielle's face was shock and somehow turned bitter
"Excuse me, she only meant that its their custom in Britain so I guess we should respect that." Tezuka stood up and spoke for Gabrielle. Murmurs filled the room.
"I was ordered to stop any personal questions by the school principal. My apologies Ms. Miaskovsky." He said as he lowered his head in respect.
She knew what he just did back then was for respect, because she was a royal. He was facing the heir to the Russian monarchy, if there is anymore. But he still showed respect for her because that's how it ought to be.
Somehow inside her, she's still royal, he thought.
"Ok, I guess that's enough greetings. Ms. Miaskovsky I think it should be best if I place you third row from the left, beside Tezuka Kunimitsu. You already know each other don't you?" he smiled as he gestured his hand towards the vacant seat beside Tezuka.
"Yes. We have met." She walked gracefully towards the empty desk, everyone watched. As she reached the desk she faced Tezuka who seem to have looked away when she was approaching.
"Gabrielle." She said, the class listening eagerly. Tezuka faced her.
"Huh? I beg your pardon?" he looked up
"Please call me Gabrielle, not Ms. Miaskovsky." She said as she sat down and fixed her skirt. Everyone was gawking. Tezuka felt a bit awkward beside her. "Thanks." She muttered under her breathe
"It's alright." Tezuka silently said as he watched the teacher wrote something on the board.
He understood what Gabrielle was thanking him for. He had saved her from humiliation, from exposing her worst secret ever.
That she was somehow part royal. He noticed that when the principal told him who she was:
"Gabrielle Yvonne Miaskovsky, the great, great grand daughter of the Grand Duchess Alexandra from the house of royal Windsor. Particularly one of the next line to the royal family. She is the one and only daughter of Viktor Miaskovsky and Louise whose mother is of course the Grand Duchess Alexandra. If Russia would still have dynasties they would probably hold the crown."
He remembered seeing her looking away as the principal had said who she really was. He understood perfectly well that this girl hated attention. Unlike any girl would gush everything about her being royal, but Gabrielle seemed different. Very different, he thought as he tried to focus on the lesson.
