I'm back! I really hope you enjoy this chapter, as I got hardly any reviews for the last chapter. Please enjoy!
"How'd it go? Was he terrified?" Ian asked excitedly, as I walked into the meeting room.
Master Gregori had called another meeting immediately after our decision, and I was dreading telling everyone the news. Ian and Seth had come to meet me, and Ian's enthusiasm was not improving my mood.
"Leave her alone, Ian." Seth said, putting an arm around my shoulders. "Are you okay? You look terrible." I smiled wearily at him.
"I'm not feeling great." I told him truthfully. "Things didn't go exactly as I expected them to."
"What happened?" Ian asked concerned. "What went wrong?"
"I knew him. I knew the male Dhampir they brought in. He was one of my best friends, and I… I couldn't do it. I couldn't pretend to be that person. He already thought so poorly of me. I just couldn't." Seth rubbed my arm soothingly and I rested my head on his shoulder, exhausted from the events of today.
"That's fine." Seth told me.
"Don't worry about it, I'm sure you did the right thing." Ian told me.
"On another note. Where's Jade?" Seth asked. "And Ivy?"
"Jade's looking after Ivy, I've already told her about this meeting, so she said she'd skip it for me and look after Ivy." I told them.
"Why can't Ivy come?" Ian asked, confused.
"Because… Because the representatives from Court can't know I have a child." I told them.
"Why?" Ian asked.
"They just can't." I snapped, my temper getting the better of me.
"Calm down Rose." Seth told me. "Why would the Court reps even be here?"
I was about to respond, when the doors to the room swung open and in entered Master Gregori, along with Eddie and the lady who I presumed was Lady Taurus. The whole room seemed to freeze as they stared at the two visitors. Eddie and Lady Taurus just stared back, seeming stunned by our numbers.
I shook off my bad mood and went to greet them, Seth and Ian following. Seth's arm was still around me, as he could tell I wasn't quite ready to face them alone.
"This is Edison Castile, and Lady Taurus." I told them. "And this is Ian and Seth." I said pointing at them both in turn.
"And who are you?" Lady Taurus asked haughtily.
"She's Rose Ha-" Eddie started.
"I'm Rose Bell." I told her. "I'm sorry I didn't get to talk to you earlier." She sniffed, but deemed my apology sufficient enough to nod at.
"What are they doing here?" Ian asked.
"They are here to talk to us all." Master Gregori answered.
Ian grunted and let it go, still keeping a wary eye on both of our visitors.
Eddie was just stared at our huge crowd of Dhampirs, and at me and Seth. Eventually he snapped out of his daze and started questioning me.
"So, Rose, who are all these people?"
"These are all members of the complex." Seth answered.
"And how many are there?" Eddie asked.
"That's none of your business." Seth hissed.
"I see you just have all the answers." Eddie said, giving Seth a dirty look.
"Do you have a problem with me?" Seth asked.
"No. I'm just wondering who you are." Eddie answered. I couldn't believe this. They were acting like they were still in high school, both leaning towards each other with their arms crossed. I expected one of them to stomp their foot any second. I understood Eddie's anger, it was just misplaced anger at me, but Seth's aggression was ridiculous. He was going to end up starting a fight.
"I'm Seth, but I think I remember Rose already telling you that. Or do you just not remember?" Seth answered.
"I remember all right. But I still don't get why you have any right to answer for Rose. I mean you don't even know her real name, let alone who she is."
"Eddie." I warned.
"Oh really, considering I've been by her side almost constantly over the last four years, and this is the first time you've seen her in four years, I think I have the upper hand. Especially when I do kn-"
"Enough." I barked. "Both of you shut up! Especially you Seth. These are our guests, and this is my good friend you're harassing."
"Was your good friend." Eddie corrected. Before I had time to respond Seth took a step forward and shoved Eddie in the shoulder.
"You asshole. " He hissed. "Do you have any idea what Rose has gone through."
Eddie shoved Seth in response. "I indeed have no idea, since Rose has not contacted me for the last 4 years, even though I spent nearly a year looking for her."
"You did?" I asked.
"Of course I did." Eddie answered. "I still thought we were best friends at that point. I guess I was wrong."
"Quiet." Master Gregori hissed. "You are causing a commotion. Seth and Ian go sit down, and Rose please take our guests to the front of the room, and make sure no one bothers them."
"I'm a bodyguard now am I?" I asked.
"Don't be tiresome Rose." Master Gregori said.
"Sorry." I said chirpily and took them to sit in the front row, with Lady Taurus wiping the seat with her handkerchief before sitting down.
"What's going to happen now?" Asked Lady Taurus.
"We're holding a meeting to see how we're going to kill and eat you."
Lady Taurus' eyes bulged.
"She's joking." Eddie told her. "This is just a meeting informing them on Court's situation."
I smiled at her angelically, and flicked my hair behind me.
"I was joking." I told her. "I forgot that Lords and Ladies' don't have a sense of humour."
Lady Taurus gasped, and only Master Gregori stepping up to the podium stopped her from yelling at me. He went on to quickly inform every one of Court's position, and his decision to move back there for 3 months. The crowd remained silent throughout his speech, and only started talking when he paused to allow them time to think.
"I would like to tell you, that there will be no judgment given, whatever your decision but just know that we as a group, can do this and prove that we don't need them to prosper and flourish. " He told them. "Please feel free to discuss this amongst yourselves."
Ten minutes later and conversation was still going on, groups forming all over the room. I just stayed silent, trying to ignore Eddie's angry stares, not participating in anyone's discussion, though several people tried to involve me, interested in my opinion.
After half an hour, Master Gregori called everyone to attention.
"I hope you've all come to a decision, and that we can now take a vote. Those of you who approve of my plan please stand, so I can see who will be joining me." He asked.
At first no one moved but slowly, one by one, people started to stand. Soon most of the crowd was standing, and there were only a few people still sitting down, me included. I noticed most of those sitting down were staring at me, and sighed deeply. I knew that they were waiting for me to make a decision. Slowly I raised myself off my chair and stood. The remainder all stood as well.
"It's unanimous." Master Gregori claimed. "We're going back to Court."
Two days later, and we were only minutes away from Court. The past few days had been filled with frantic planning and packing, as we locked up the complex and prepared the grounds for our absence. Eddie had telephoned Court and they had sent 6 coaches to pick us up. I was in the second coach, with Jade, Seth, Ian and of course Ivy, sitting in the first compartment. Eddie had travelled with Master Gregori in the first coach, not having talked to me since our altercation.
"Do you remember what you have to do when we first get to Court?" I asked Ivy.
"Yes Mummy, I have to stay with Auntie Jade and not leave her side, even if you're near me."
"That's my good girl." I told her, hugging her tightly. "It won't be for long, just this first meeting since I have to stay with Master Gregori."
"Do you think I'll meet the Queen?" She asked. "Cos soon I'll be a big girl, and I'll be a Queen like her. Right Aunty Jade?"
"Right Princess." Jade assured her.
"Maybe honey. But I think I want you to stay my little girl for a very long time. You're not allowed to grow up. You have to stay a Princess. "I told her, smoothing her hair back.
"But Mum-" She whined.
"We're here," Ian interrupted with a shout.
We all turned to look out the windows, and I held very firmly onto Ivy, afraid if I let go of her, I'd let go of all the memories and emotions swirling in my head. She was my anchor to my new life, and I was scared to let go and let back in all my time at the academy. The beautifully manicured gardens greeted me, and in them I saw the replacements of the statues that Abe had blown up for my escape. A smile passed my lips, and seeing that, Ivy hoisted herself up higher to peer through the window as well.
We parked in a large courtyard, and I could see guardians coming to escort us inside. I hesitantly pressed a kiss to Ivy's forehead, and passed her to Jade.
"Stay with Aunty Jade." I told her. "I love you."
"We love you too." Ian said jokingly.
"Good luck Rose." Jade told me, giving my hand a light squeeze.
"Knock 'em dead." Seth told me, staring into my eyes seeing my hesitation.
"Very helpful, but I've already been arrested once for murder. Doesn't need to happen again." I muttered. Seth stared at me in disbelief, and I brushed past him, and jumped out of the coach.
I collided with a male guardian who was standing outside the coach. He turned around and a very stunned face greeted me. "Rose?"
"Mikhail! Hi, I've got to go, nice to see you, talk to you later, bye." I told him walking swiftly past, not wanting another reunion that would go so disastrously wrong. Mikhail stared after me in astonishment, not bothering to hide his shock. I blocked out all my emotions and tried to pretend I hadn't completely snubbed someone who had helped me so much, during my time at Court. I was a real coward.I joined Eddie and Master Gregori who were standing near the entrance to the foyer, Master Gregori giving me a doubtful look as I tried to ignore Mikhail.
"We're going to all meet with the Queen, and then they'll show us to our rooms." Master Gregori told me.
"Okay. Lead the way Guardian Castile." I said, hoping my false bravado covered up my fear.
"Certainly." He pivoted sharply and led us through the various halls, which I had once called home. We landed in a large meeting room decorated with the Dragomir seal.
Master Gregori and I stood together at the front, while the remainder of the complex filed in behind us, Ivy standing next to Jade, holding her hand tightly.
A chair was sitting on a small podium at the front of the room, obviously meant for the Queen. We waited for about five minutes when I heard movements coming from the outer door, soon the doors were pulled open, and Lissa entered surrounded by guardians.
She looked so beautiful, wearing a pale blue suit, with a white blouse, and a small golden tiara seated on top of her head. She looked like a true Queen, and I had to stop myself from running to her and embracing her. She moved to the front of the room, and I noticed with relief, that no one I knew was within her party, especially not Dimitri.
Christian walked in a few seconds afterwards, moving to stand beside Lissa. They both looked very serious and had yet to notice me.
"The entirety of the Court welcomes all of you to our home, and we hope your stay here is pleasant. We are so thankful for your-" A loud gasp from Christian broke Lissa out of her welcome speech. He had spotted me. Lissa looked concerned and followed Christian's gaze. Her eyes landed on me, and I could see the confusion in her eyes. Her emotions flickered through her eyes, and I saw her pain and anger and absolute disbelief.
It was like I had never left, and I still had the bond, the emotions were so clear. I wiped all emotion off my face, and stared straight ahead, not meeting her eyes. Her eyes hardened, and she kept talking her voice only wavering slightly. "We are so thankful for your assistance, and sincerely hope our collaboration is mutually beneficial. We will all benefit from your knowledge and assistance and I hope you will all make many new friends and experience the best Court has to offer."
"Thank you, your Highness. My name is Master Gregori and I am the head of the complex." Master Gregori said, moving forward and sticking out his hand. His other hand lingered on my arm, where he had tugged me forward.
"We hope that Court can really benefit from our visit." He said, emphasing the word visit.
"I hope so too, Master Gregori." Lissa said, shaking his hand lightly.
"And this is my Second-in-Command, Rose Bell. She has arranged most of this." After a nudge in the ribs from Master Gregori, I stuck out my hand. "Your Majesty." I said, bowing my head.
"Ms.…. Bell." Lissa said, shaking my hand, and dropping it like it had burned her.
"Well our staff will take you to your accommodations now. I hope you have a pleasant stay." Lissa said, staring straight through me.
"Thank you." Master Gregori told her.
"Actually, before you all leave, I would like to talk to Rosemarie Hathaway." I stiffened but remained silent.
"I'm sorry, but we don't have a Rosemarie Hathaway within our ranks."
Lissa scoffed but elaborated. "The woman with brown hair, standing next to you. Her name is Rosemarie Hathaway, and I want to talk to her."
A wave of shock spread through the complex, but they all held strong and refrained from looking at me, instead maintaining their gaze straight in front of them.
There went my hopes of remaining anonymous. I took a deep breath, and shoved my nerves about talking to her again and the overwhelming drive I had to hug her, to the deepest corner of my mind.
The Complex members began to file out, and I used that time to compose myself. I wasn't going to apologize or be nice. I was going to show Lissa I was a completely changed person, who didn't ever want to be her friend again. I needed her not to feel any sympathy for me, and if I had to be a bitch to achieve that I would. The door closed behind the last of the Complex members, and I took a deep breath. Time to put my acting skills to the test.
"Okay, your Highness." I told her, stepping forward. "Hold your shit together, I'll talk to you." Lissa's guardians and advisors gasped in shock, while Christian maintained a steely glare in my direction.
"Manners." Lady Taurus snapped.
"Sorry I don't know how to act in the presence of royalty. I'm only a humble peasant." I said simpering, before rolling my eyes, and crossing my arms over my chest.
"Well." I said impatiently. "What is it?"
Lissa glared at me, seeing straight through my tough act.
Lissa was about to answer, when the door opened suddenly. I turned to look at the intruder, and my breath caught in my throat.
Dimitri had walked in the door.
Hope you enjoyed! If you want me to update soon, please review. I write much faster when I know your support is behind me. What do you think is going to happen next?
