Hey guys, sorry this chapter took a couple of days, have been really busy.
Hope you enjoy it.
CHAPTER FIVE
After that I spent my time that day either trying to figure out why my father was talking to Dimitri or listening in on Lissa's meetings.
Even though I spent a lot of time theorising about Dimitri and Abe, I really didn't get very far with it.
I knew that Dimitri didn't like Abe at all, he didn't trust him. So why the hell would he be talking to him now.
As for Abe, well, he was always up to something, always had some scheme going, if I believed Sydney or the rest of my friends from Baia. Or, well, he knew about my relationship with Dimitri so maybe he was having a 'little chat' with him like he had with Adrian.
Yes, I had told him he didn't need to, as I could threaten anyone myself. But at the end of the day he was my dad, and wasn't that what normal Dad's did?
So, with no clue what was going on with those two, I went to Lissa.
She was in a meeting with Princess Evette Ozera, the Ozera council representative, and Tasha Ozera. It was her first meeting of the day.
"So what exactly do you want of me Princess," Lissa asked "I mean, I know what Tasha wants but, you, as Princess are bound to have a different view of this . . . . . . . . Situation."
I was proud of Lissa; she was trying to take in the whole situation. Tasha had just finished a long speech about how much the Moroi, as a whole, could gain if Lissa (and any other spirit user they could find to help) could turn strigoi back to their original state and from there she had gone on to the fact that sending Dhampir children out at 16 to fight was unnecessary if, Moroi would stand up and fight. But the entire time Tasha was talking Evette had just sat there looking at Lissa.
"Actually Princess," Evette said, smiling at Lissa. "I was wondering how, an 18 year old Moroi, who is an orphan, who has spent the bulk of the last week visiting the murderer of the last head of state, and who has control of an unknown and as yet untested magic power, could do and be everything my dear cousin here believes."
Lissa looked at Evette unsure of how to respond. I was fuming, how dear this woman come in here and doubt Lissa.
I could feel Lissa's self doubt coming through the bond. Lissa wasn't mad at what Evette had said, unlike me, in fact all Evette had done was simply voice what Lissa herself had been thinking for quite some time.
Lissa took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment trying to steady herself.
Oh god Rose, I wish you were here. I need you to support me.
Lissa didn't really think I was in her head but, these days she was kind of getting use to the idea that I might be, in fact it was a little comforting to her to think that I might be in there, listening.
Taking another deep breath Lissa opened her eyes and looked at Evette.
"Princess, let me assure you that, while I may only be 18, I have carried the burden of my title and place in Royal Moroi society since the moment I woke in a car wreck two years ago, with, not only my brother dead in front of me, but both of my parents." Lissa took a pause and pushed aside emotions that, even the mention of that horrible event had invoked.
Evette's face had lost its smile and was now a blank mask. So Lissa pushed on in a calm even tone while making sure that her body language stayed open and relaxed, even if that wasn't what she was feeling.
"And as for my seeing my best friend, even though she has been charged with high treason and murder, I would like to remind you and anyone else who is taking an interest in my movements in the court, that Rose has been charged not convicted and instead scrutinizing who I visit perhaps notice that I am obviously loyal to my friends. Which is an amiable quality? Especially in a person, who, they claim to want as their queen."
Lissa hadn't brought up Spirit, Evette was right about the fact that it was untested, and even Lissa herself had no idea of its full capabilities or limitations.
"I see." Evette said after a few moments.
The room was quiet for several moments. Everybody, obviously analysing what Lissa had just said. Evette's face was still blank but Tasha's face shone with pride at Lissa.
Lissa herself was trying to figure out what to say next, she had wondered what people had wanted to meet with her about, now she had her answer.
Lissa decided to speak again.
"I am young, I will give you that. And I hadn't really considered becoming the next queen of our people. And to be honest I'm not entirely sure if it will happen. But, I can assure you, if a time comes about that I am elected by the counsel to become the next ruler I will endeavour to be fair and just monarch."
Lissa was taken by the conviction she heard in her own voice, but the more she spoke out loud the more she wondered if she could indeed be the next queen.
"And what of politics? Ruling isn't just about being fair; people will need to know where you stand on our societies current issues if they are to elect you." The princess asked.
Lissa thought about that for another moment, she had views alright, but she had to phrase them just right.
"My political views are all about what is right for our people. We are at cross-roads. If we, as a ruling class do not make the right decisions our world will fail, yet, make the right ones and we will thrive. But, the line between the right direction and the wrong is thin."
Lissa stopped there. She didn't want to play all her cards at once.
Listening to her thoughts, I was proud. I hadn't before grasped the fact that Lissa really did have the capability to rule, I knew that it was a possibility but being in her head, I could feel that she really did know what was happening in our world. And she knew that being a part of the 'ruling class' wasn't just a birth right, it was an honour, it was a responsibility. It could mean that, thousands of Moroi and even Dhampir lives could be in her hands.
Hearing all this in her head just reinforced to me the fact that I had to get out of here and find her only other living relative, so she could get on the counsel.
Back in the meeting room, a small smile was on Evette's face.
I was use to seeing people come around to Lissa's ideas, but even now it was mind blowing to watch. Lissa had a natural ability to instil faith in the people around her because of spirit, and by the look on Evette's face it was obvious that, that was what was going on here.
"Very well." Evette said with a nod. "You have my support, I will go back to my families counsel inform them of our meeting and give them my opinion."
"Thank you." Lissa replied as all three woman rose from their seats.
When Lissa go to the door Tasha told her cousin that she would meet up with her later and stayed in front of Lissa. Tasha seemed to be contemplating her words.
"Lissa, I want to say something to you as your friend but I don't think you're going to like it."
"Okay." Lissa said a little apprehensively.
"I don't think you should see Rose anymore." Tasha lifted her hands to stop Lissa before she told her were to get off. "Please let me finish. I know that you believe Rose didn't do it, but I have heard whispering amongst the other royal families. They believe that Rose is guilty and you going to see her are saying to them that you support her. . . . . "
"I do support her." Lissa said completely thrown by Tasha's line of conversation.
"I know Lissa I do, but you have to understand what this could do for your chances of becoming queen or even getting on the counsel."
Lissa just stared at Tasha.
"You think I should stop going to see my best friend when she needs me most?" Lissa asked Tasha in utter disbelief. And I have to say I was surprised to. Tasha was usually all for going against the establishment.
"I think that if you want to be queen you need to tread very carefully Lissa."
"I won't stop seeing Rose just because people who don't know her think she's a murderer. Rose has been there for me, every step of the way. She kept me safe when nobody else could, she saved me from Victor Daskov, and she even helps me deal with my spirit. She would give her life for mine, no questions asked. Have you ever had someone who loved you enough to give up every part of their life for you? No Tasha, I will not abandon my best friend, do you understand me?"
Tasha nodded. "I thought I had that. Once." She said under her breath.
"Look I think you should go now." Lissa said in a calmer voice.
Tasha just nodded again and walked away.