The New Life

Chapter Six

06VA Fanfic TNB Sequel_Chapter Six

I didn't know which was more unnerving; the dhampirs staring at me or the walk past the school to where the novices' classes were. Classes were cancelled for the novices, and they were all gathered at the main gym.

Half the school guardians were in the gym as well, mingling with the novices and talking softly to each other. There will be a second session for the other half of the school guardians who were on duties during this first session.

I sat in front of the gym, a makeshift platform I believed to be built by the guardians or novices just a few steps away. Apparently, they assumed there will be a speech from me. Unsurprisingly, I haven't gotten one.

Hence the reason for my nerves. If I had been told to prepare a speech, I wouldn't be panicking here now. What was I supposed to say to them? I don't even know them. The gym was filled up; novices and guardians was here long ago, waiting for my arrival.

"Dawn. How's it going? You're getting up there after this academy's head of guardians addressed them." Chad whispered, leaning towards me. I grimaced. Nothing was in my head that was suitable. To me, at least.

I turned to Chad, giving him full view of my face. My expression told him everything. He returned my grimace with a similar one, except his look more like a smile.

As if on cue, the head of guardians stepped up after Chad's silent "reply" and started talking. Needless to say, I tuned out, the guilty feeling I have in me for tuning out being overruled by the feeling to just space out. 

"Psst." A nudge wrenched me back to the gym. Startled, I looked up and saw Chad. He jerked his head towards the direction of the platform, staring at me pointedly. The head of guardian was eyeing me, waiting for me to get up there with him.

Taking a deep breath, I stood up and walk towards the platform. Eyes followed my every step. Trying to ignore the feeling of violation, I stared ahead, ignoring the eyes. As I stepped up the platform, my nerves disappeared.

I finally know what to say. Why am I worrying? There is no reason for me to pretend that I have important things to say or whatever. As their queen, I should get to know them and vice versa, isn't it?

The crowd knelt before me the moment I got on the platform, and "Rassvet Karalyeva" echoed the room. I took a moment to recover myself from the shock of the huge respect given to me. The last time a crowd had did this was during my crowning, right after when the Jewel burned itself into me.

"Rise." I said, glancing through the crowd. "So I guess you guys know who am I and what is going on. And you guys probably know more about it than me." Laughter past the room at that sentence.

"And... I have nothing to say. It's highly unlikely if you are expecting a speech from me. Things aren't going smoothly right now, but I'll get over it and make it better. Unless any of you have questions, I suppose this is a good time to mingle and just... let us try to get to know about each other." I finished. At the smiles I received from the guardians and novices, I think I've said the correct stuff.

I stepped down the stage, where Uncle Eddie and Chad met me. My parents came to us, the head of guardians following them.

"Dawn, this is Guardian Matthews, the head of guardians for St. Apostle's." Dad introduced.

"Rassvet Karalyeva." Guardian Matthews said, his head bowed low. I fight the urge to not wince at the title.

"Please, Guardian Matthews, just Dawn. It feels weird to be called anything other than my name." I told him.

Guardian Matthews looked up and smiled. "Alright, Dawn. It is very nice to finally meet you, our queen, and you have no idea how glad I am that you are the one. I am very sure that you will do a good job. The Jewel did good, choosing you." He said.