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Chapter Seven

I examined myself in the mirror one last time, deciding I was passable. I had on usual guardian attire-black and white. I made sure my hair was pretty much as secure in its holder as it could be, and set out, wondering what would happen tonight.

I walked into the hall, and admired all of the black and white pictures that must hae cost a fortune. The table full of food had been aranged perfectly, and I knew that any moment the queen would speak. So I stood against the wall in guardian form, and stared at nothing and everything while I did my best not to think of Rose.

And that was really hard when she was prancing around the room in a tight black knit sweater, that was dressy but I suspected comfortable. She had on jeans tucked into some boots. I wondered why she had to dress so...well I was at a loss for words, because anything she would have wore would have drove me crazy. In my defense, that wasn't all that I was interested in either. Altough I definately was interested in what she wore, I was more interested in how she tallked, her laugh, her sarcasm, her smile, her eyes, her personality, her hair...

I was brought out of my thoughts, thankfully, when the royals started to enter. I bowed respectfully, and once the queen herself entered, all small talk ended.

That is, until she said the name that I had sworn to protect.

"Valissa Dragimor."

I was both curious and kind of afraid of what she was going to say. Would she really embaress the princess infront of every? And what about Rose? No, of course not.

"We heard you had returned. We are glad to have the Dragimors back, even though your the only one that remains. We deeply regret the loss of your parents and your brother; they were amoung the finest or the morio, their deaths are truly a tragedy."

Nothing out of the usaul, just showing some respect. I relaxed mostly.

"You have an intersting name. Many heroines in Russian fairy tales are named Valissa. Valissa the brave, Valissa the beautiful. They are different young women, all having the same name and the same excellent qualities: strength, inteligence, discipline, and virtue. All acomplish great things, triumphing over their adversaries."

It was true, although I wasn't one for fairy tales, I loved them when I was young. My mother had told me some to get me to sleep some nights. I wanted to smile at those memories...But the queen continued.

"Likewise, the Dragimors name commands it's own respect. Dragimor kings and queens have ruled wisely and justily in our histor. They have used their powers for miraculous ends. They have slain strigoi, fighting right alongside the guardians. They are royal for a reason."

The queen paused, and I could practically see joy radiating from Lissa, and surprise from Rose. i couldn't really believe the queen was giving this muh praise either. But that ended quickly.

"Yes, you are doubly named with power. Your name represents the finest qualities people have to offer and hearken back in time to deeds of greatness and valor. But, as you have demonstrated, names to not make people, nor do they have any bearing on how a person turns out."

The queen turned and continued greeting every one. I had to make sure my mouth hadn't opened in shock, then remembered Rose. I prayed to God and anyone else that she wouldn't jump the queen, or anyone else. I looked at her. She was extremly pissed as the princess was embaressed, but she remained.

I did to, and until Lissa walked out the door with Rose on her tail, I didn't pay much mnd to them. My thoughts were on Queen Tatiana's words.

She had mortilized the princess infront of every one. Not only would that kill her royal status, but she would have some major gossip to deal with tommorow. I knew from Rose and the other guardians and teachers there was something going on between Rose, lissa, and another student. Rinaldi. I was pretty sure I was going to have to drag Rose away by the hair tommorow from keeping her from breaking the girl.

I wanted to follow them both, to make sure they stayed out of trouble. To make sure Rose did, I wasn't worried much about Valissa.

So I snuck out, and stayed safely out of sight. They were talking, but I couldn't hear. natalie, Victors daughter, was walking away, so I guessed they had just talked to her.

I noticed some figures walking close to them, and Rose immediately snapped up. I could only catch a few words and still stay out of sight.

"Just...Queen..." and thn giggles. I recongnized that as the Renaldi girl. I knew I was going to have to step in so I got closer, not worrying about being seen. Rose was to focused. i could cath a littl emore now.

"Your...to close. more than i can say about your wannabe royal act...parents." Rose came back. I took a few steps closer.

"At least i see my parents. God only knows who your father is...your mother...couldn't care less about you either..she never even noticed."

i could see pain in Roses eyes, but that didn't stop her. Once again, I took a step closer. Then another.

"Yeah, well atleast she's famous. She really does advise royals and nobles. She doesn't clean up after them."

Mia, I think, opened her mouth, but then she popped up a little and said,

"It was you. Some one told me Jesse started it, but her couldn't have known anything about me. He got it from you. When you slept with him." She hissed. I almost flinched at that one. Now that would be spread around, and poor Rose would be in the exact situation I warned her about. Mia continued to tell them off, and I finnaly decided to walk in. Just in time to, because Rose took a step forward and said

"Yeah? Try and touch her and find out." I could see the hate flicker in her eyes, then she noticed me. I walked up, and sai,

"Everything alright?" like I hadn't known what was happeneing. Rose turned and smiled a beautiful, but otherwise wicked smile at me.

Sure thing, Guardian Belikov. We were just swapping family stories. Ever heard of Mia's? Its facinating." I wanted to scold Rose then and there, but I knew that would embarass her. So I decided no scolding.

"I'm supposed t otake you back to your dorm. You weren't about to start a fight, were you?" Of course she was. And really, i wass using that as an exuse to get her away from everyone for now.

"Of course not. I don't start fights where people can seen them." I repressed a sigh. Lissa just let hers out.

"Let's go. Good night princess."

I llet them talk for a moment more, and the She reluctantly followed me. I spoke to her, smiling in my mind but sounding cold in reality,"We may need to add an extra training on self control."

"I have plenty of self contr-Hey!"

At first I thought she was speaking to me, but then i noticed Christian Ozera walking the way we just came. I knew his Aunt Tasha, a good friend of mine. And his family history. Scary, but he posed as no threat to Rose, or me, and I was hoping she wouldn't snap him, either. She lowered her voice a bit, but I knew it was about Lissa.

I didn't even try to listen this time but I did pick up one line that mad me a little worried.

"she thinks your a freak, but she's too nice to say anything."

After a few moments, we kept walking back to her dorm, all the while I was wondering what could have had her hurt the boys feelings so much. He had went back to the morio dorms, and that was the last I seen of him. i wanted to ask Rose, but I didn't want to fight right now. So we walking in silence, and once we reached her dorm she mutter, "Night Dimitri." then shut the door. I mutterd,"Goodnight, Roza" low enought for my hears and my ears only.

I was calling her Roza now? That was her name in Russain. But really? I did not need to have some romantic nickname for her, because that would only encourge things. i chastisized myself all the way back to my room, and even aas I was climbing in bed.

You know you shouldn't even thing about her other that at practice. You know its wrong. Dimitri, I don't know what you think your doing, but quit it. Now. Forget your feelings for Roza...ROSE, and get on with your life. She's your student, your her teacheer.

And on I went, telling myself all sorts of things like that. And when I recieved a phone call saying.

"One of your students wants you. She says its an emergency."

I nodded, although she couldn't see me. "Yeah, send her up."

I wonder what Rose needed. I knew it was her, because who else? So I dressed and was full alert when she knocked on the door.

Panick was all over her face.

"Lissa." I said.

And she nodded.