The way that it should have been

Chapter 35

Because I had seen the way that Janine had hidden over the years and watched Rose when Rose didn't know that she was anywhere around. She hadn't even known that Janine was even on campus.

But Janine would hide and watch Rose train, while she was with her friends, during her classes and even in the cafeteria. And the love for her daughter that I saw in Janine's eyes could not be hidden in any way, not even by her guardian mask.

Finally, after having somewhat managing to get myself back together. And coming to grips with the fact that my oldest friend was truly gone, and the knowledge that my only daughter is a princess, I activated my comms unit.

"This is Guardian Petrova does anyone have a location on Princess Dragomir, Lord Christian Ozera, novices Eddie Castile and Mason Ashford?"

"I just saw the four of them going into the main dining hall with Lord Adrian Ivashkov and Lady Natasha Ozera, Guardian Petrova." A guardian that did not identify himself informed me.

"Thank you, Petrova out." I swiftly responded.

Taking a deep breath, I made my way down to the main dining hall. Once I got there it took me a few moments to locate the table where the teenagers were all sitting together. With two people who were considered adults, but one was reputed to be a spoiled womanizing drunk while the other was a spoiled selfish home wreaker. Or at least she tried to be when she tried to steal Dimitri away from my baby girl. Too bad, for her, that Dimitri loves my daughter just as much as she loves him.

I walked over and cleared my throat getting their attention.

"Oh, hello Guardian Petrova, how are you doing today?" Lissa asked me with her almost ever-present smile on her face.

"Not great I'm afraid princess. I was wondering if I could possibly have a word with yourself, Lord Ozera, Novices Ashford, and Castile in my office?"

"Yes, yes of course. Is there anything wrong?" She asked as the four of them stood up.

"Yes, I am afraid so princess." She went completely ashen and still as a granite statue for a moment.

"Is... is this about Rose?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so."

"Is this about my Dimka?" Tasha insisted as she stood up too.

"I am sorry Lady Ozera, but this is for family only."

"I am Christian's family."

"But you are not, a part of Rose or Guardian Belikov's family. Please, the four of you follow me."

I saw Ivashkov smirk at my words to Tasha, but she just looked pissed when I reminded her that she was not a part of Dimitri's family. Now had she been Rose, then I most certainly would have included her.

Simply because Rose and Dimitri most certainly are family. More so than anyone except for his family, her father, the other academy guardians, Dr. Oldenzki and I knew about. At least for now. I just hoped that these attacks didn't derail their coming out as a fully committed and in love couple when they get back to the academy.

When we walked into my temporary office, here at the ski lodge, I turned to the teenagers and said, "all of you please come in and have a seat."

Then I shut and locked the door behind us not wanting any interruptions right now. And I didn't put it past that obvious bitch Natasha Ozera to try and open the door slightly so that she could eavesdrop on this conversation. Hell, I didn't put anything past that trying to be a man stealing... woman.

Besides, this was going to be hard enough for these kids to deal with because they all love and care about Rose so much. So, they definitely didn't need any gawkers watching them as they tried to deal with it. I knew that this was going to bring up a lot of very painful memories for some of them, especially Lissa and Christian, but it has to be done.