The guardian

The meeting

Rose wanted to run. She wanted to get as far away from this woman as possible. Suddenly she felt her body getting sucked out. Before she knew it, she was outside of the mirror and standing before the one and only Cinderella. "Hello, dear, what is your name?" the older woman asked, looking at Rose with warm eyes. Rose felt her throat go dry. What was she supposed to say? Did Cinderella really not know who she was? "My name is Rose Anderson, Ma'am," she blurted out. Rose noticed Travis staring at her, giving her the "are you kidding me" look. Cinderella chuckled oblivious to Travis' actions, "Nice to meet you Rose Anderson. I'm Headmistress Cinderella. I'd like to thank you for your help with finding my glass slippers." "It was no problem, Headmistress Cinderella. Happy to help," Rose said, desperately hoping this would be over soon. "Even though you helped us in a time of need, that is no excuse for attacking my grandson," Snow White chimed in, looking furiously at Rose. Rose turned and glared at the woman who brought here. Before she could snap at the famous Snow White, Hawk admitted, "I was actually the one who fired the first shot, she just provocted me." Rose looked at the blue-haired boy in disbelief. Had he literally just admitted his error in front of his teachers? She had never met a guy with his status, who had admitted his error. „Well, Hawk, I'm very disappointed. You know you should always hold your temper," Snow White said strictly, then looked back at Rose, „My apologies for my false assumptions." „It's fine," Rose assured, still surprised by Hawk's honesty. „Well, it was meeting you, we won't see each other again, so good luck to you guys. I'll leave for the gate," Rose then announced and quickly walked to the door, when Rapunzel suddenly blocked it with her hair. Rose looked surprised at the older purplett. „We're not done yet. We'd first like to know, from which fairytale tale family are you?" Rapunzel asked. Rose felt cold sweat trailing down her back. She quickly debated about telling a lie or the truth. In the end she made her decision. „My mother was a princess who you banished 20 years ago," Rose finally said. First Cinderella looked at her confused, then her eyes widened. „You're Clara's daughter?" Cinderella whispered. Rose nodded. The other teachers mouths dropped open, while Snow White looked at her in disbelief.

Cinderella got out of her chair and walked towards Rose. When she stood in front of Rose, she stretched out her hand to touch Rose's face, probably to check if she was even real. Cinderella felt her eyes water. Clara had a daughter. Before her hand could touch her grand-daughter's cheek, Rose took a step back. „Don't touch me!" Rose commanded. Cinderella pulled her hand away. Her heart broke a little as she noticed Rose's shoulders relax at the movement. „Can I go now?" Rose asked in a monotone voice. Cinderella gulped, then nodded, „Yes, you may go." „Thanks, it was nice meeting you," Rose said quickly, then rushed out of the office. Cinderella turned the others, „You may also go. Travis, could you please make sure Rose gets through the gate. She probably doesn't have key." Travis nodded, then hurried out of the room with LingLing in tow. Rapunzel beckoned Astoria to follow her to her office and the Le Frogs left for a family gathering. The Beasts also left, while Snow White motioned to her grandson that she was staying with the headmistress, but he should leave. And he did. Snow White walked up to her oldest friend and touched her shoulder. She waited until the door closed to speak. When it was shut, Cinderella cracked. „I have a granddaughter. I actually have a teenage granddaughter. My daughter had a child and I didn't know." Tears ran down her cheeks and she lay her face into her hands. „It wasn't your fault. You and Clara haven't been in contact in years," Snow White tried to comfort her. "But that was my fault. I shut my daughter out of my life and now I've lost my granddaughter too," Cinderella sniffed, "She didn't even want me to touch her. She hates me so much." Snow White stroked Cinderella's back. ""You know, maybe she would hate you less, if she got to know you better," Snow White said, as an idea popped into her head. "How could she get to know me better? She lives on Earth," Cinderella asked, while looking up at her friend. Snow White grinned, "I have an idea."