I am really sorry guys…it's been months since I updated!...but now I am back with a bang!

Previously on The New Badass

She pulled me up on her bed, and signaled to lie down beside her. She snuggled in my chest, and I knew I was forgiven. Within minutes she fell asleep, and I thanked god for the sleeping beauty in my arms.

Victoria's POV

It had been a long day indeed. Here I am, in a new country, a new place, a new academy. Ironically, I am not feeling lonely at all. And the reason is not Dimitri's presence. He made me feel uncomfortable. It's just that I…. previously, being a guardian was my choice. But now, have to be a guardian. Not for myself, but for my friends. Those poor innocent dhampirs, who were forcibly turned to twisted, evil creatures. I have to free them. After all, it's better to die than be a strigoi.

Dimitri's POV

Lying on the bed, with Roza cuddled up on my side, clinging to me as if her life depended on me, it was definitely a cherished moment, one I wouldn't forget my entire life. However, my mind was on an entirely different track…..Victoria.

Today I realised how much I have neglected her, since I have come to St. Vladimir's. Guardian duties are hectic, but there is no justification for why I hadn't kept in touch with her for a year. Or why I had forgotten her eighteenth birthday. Or why I hadn't apologised her for my mistakes.

Before I came to St. Vladimir's, I was posted at St. Basil's for a month.

"Really Dimka? You will be training me? Awesome bro….. Finally, training with the best! It will be fun." Victoria said.

"Victoria, training is training, and don't even think that I am going to allow any sort of slack, just because you are my sister."

"I know Dimka; I am not a five year old. And as far as training is concerned, I understand its importance. I want to be a guardian, a badass guardian. It's just that finally I get to spend some time with my brother."

"Get all this brother- sister crap out of your head, it's of no use. And from now, it's Guardian Belikov to you. Even when no one is around. Remember it. I don't like repeating myself."

"But Dimka –"

"Guardian Belikov."

"Why? I don't understand. You have changed. A lot."

"Whatever. You are dismissed, novice."

All I wanted is to be a fair mentor. But all she wanted was a brother. Someone she could lean on, a person who could support her, sympathize her, pamper her. And for the first time I failed. Failed to be a good brother.

It was the winter break. Most of the royal and non royal Moroi accompanied with their parents and their respective guardians left for their preferred holiday destinations. Few of the dhampirs stayed back at the academy and Victoria was one of them.
On the first day of the holiday, Guardians were relieved from their duties and given a day off to rejuvenate. I was lying on my bed, reading a western novel, when I heard the door bang and someone barged in. It was Victoria.

"Can we go shopping, please?"Victoria pouted. "It's been ages since I have gone out of this campus. Please?"

"You can go out with your friends the next date set for students' outing. Don't irritate me. It's my day off. Moreover, I think you have everything a novice dhampir requires for proper training. What else do you need?"

"Please Dim-Guardian Belikov….it's holiday time. I promise I will practice hard for the rest of the break. I think a change of scenery will be refreshing, isn't it?"

"And I think a bit of sparring will be beneficial. So grow up, and get done with these childish whims. You are dismissed, novice."

That day I saw a hint of tear in her eyes. Previously I thought it was because didn't fulfill her wish. But I was wrong. And for the second time I failed. Failed to understand her. I wanted Victoria to learn the hard way, understand the graveness of the responsibility of the duty of the guardians. But somehow, I managed to separate her form myself.

A faint creak of bed broke my train of thoughts. Rose stirred awake, and was slowly opening her eyes now, heavy with sleep.

"Comrade?" She said, almost whispering.

"Hmm.." I responded, watching her eyes droop down.

"You still here?" she asked, jerking her head upwards, as if looking at me, but with closed eyes.

"Yes angel, I am here."

She sighed and ran her hand over my chest, as if feeling for me. When assured of my presence, her hand came to a rest. Almost instantly she fell asleep with a sweet smile on her face.

And then, my cell started vibrating violently.

As Dimitri wanted, Victoria is now stoic and hard. But is the new Victoria better than the old one? Will Dimitri win back his sister?

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