The guardian

The arrangement

„Hello, Rose. May we come inside? We would like to discuss something important with you," Snow White said with a matter a fact tone. Cinderella was thankful, that she had her friend with her. It really broke her heart when she heard her only granddaughter call her by her professional name. Rose stared at the two for a moment. It seemed like she was making up her mind, if she wanted to let them in. Finally she said, „Sure, come in. You can keep your shoes on." Rose stepped to the side, letting the two older women in. When she shut the door, a middle aged man walked in from the kitchen. „So Rose, do you want the chicken or beef?" he asked as he looked up. He saw the two and asked, „Rose, when were you going to mention that we were having guests?" „Actually, Max, I wasn't aware that we were going to have any. In fact I just met these two half an hour ago," Rose explained, then she went on to introductions, „Uncle Max, this is Professor Snow White and Headmistress Cinderella. Headmistress Cinderella and Professor Snow White, this is Max Anderson, my uncle." „Nice to meet you, Mr. Anderson," Snow White greeted politely. „Likewise," Mr. Anderson said, looking stunned, „So you ladies want chicken or beef? There's also duck and tuna, if you're interested." „No, thank you, Mr Anderson, we won't be dining with you," Snow White responded, „We're just here to discuss a proposition with Rose." „Right," Rose said, „Max, you can order beef for me. I'll bring our surprise visitors to the living room. You two can follow me." With Rose lead them to the next room.

„You can seat yourselves on the couch," Rose said, pointing at the large brown couch, „Can I get you guys anything? Tap water, sparkling water, juice, coffee, tea?" „No thanks, Rose. We're fine," Snow White assured, "We just want to speak with you." Rose nodded and sat down on the arm chair opposite to the couch. She drummed her fingers on her knees, while letting her eyes dart between the two women on the couch. "So Rose," Headmistress Cinderella began, "Where are your parents?" "They're not here. They're on a business trip until tomorrow afternoon," Rose answered, before she raised an eyebrow, "Why? You weren't interested in them for the last 20 years, why now?" Headmistress Cinderella bowed her head in shame. Snow White stood up for her friend, "Now that is no way to speak to your grandmother, young lady. Show some respect!" Rose just rolled her eyes, "Just because she is my mother's mother, doesn't mean she's my grandmother. What has she ever done for me, besides making my life hell with all the villains that were banished here." Rose then turned to her grandmother, "You know what, I'm hungry, so hurry up and cut to the chase."

Snow White looked at the blonde in shock. She had never been treated with so little respect by any fairytale teen. Cinderella sighed, but started to explain, "You see, Rose, at Regal Academy we believe evil shouldn't be pasted from generation to generation, so we invite any teen with any connection to the fairytale world to attend our school. We would like to give you this opportunity to join our school and learn more about your heritage, so we..." Cinderella was broken off by the laughter of her granddaughter. Snow White glared at the blonde. She couldn't believe that this disrespectful teenage girl was their last heir to the Cinderella throne.

Rose knew she was being rude, but she couldn't help herself. Her! They wanted her to attend Regal Academy, the school for fairytales. No way! She wasn't a princess. She was a high-school girl, who was juggling a social life, school, schoolwork and defending her planet from certain fairytale villains. She liked to call herself a badass. Finally she was able to contain herself and replied in a calm, steady voice, "No. Thanks, but no." "You can't say no! This is your chance to discover the world, that you always belonged to, but never saw," Cinderella tried. This time Rose let out a short, but spiteful laugh, "The world, that I always belonged to. I've never belonged to the fairytale world. You cut me out of it years before I was born." Rose glared at Cinderella in fury, "I'm not attending to your stupid school. That's final. You may leave now, we're done." Rose got out of her chair and moved towards the door to lead the two fairytale princesses out of her house. Sure Rose had still a lot to say to her grandmother, but now was not the time. She was hungry, tired and needed a shower. "Wait!" Cinderella called, "There's more." Rose faced her again, "More?" Rose raised her eyebrow at the older women. Cinderella nodded, "Yes, we need a Cinderella descendant to sit on the Cinderella throne. The Cinderella family is one of the six great fairytale families. If one throne isn't seated with the correct descendant, the heros will be less powerful against the villains." "Hmm, let me think," Rose said pretending to be thoughtful, "Not my problem, since it's not my world. But here's a solution: get a youth potion, turn yourself young again, remarry, have kids and wala, new Cinderella descendants. By the way, I suggest you have more than one, just in case you wanted to throw another kid away, like you did with Mom. Now as I was saying, the door out is this way." Rose turned back to the door. "We'll give you anything you want, just please attend and graduate Regal Academy with good marks. Only than can you sit on the throne. After graduation you just need to enter six ceremonies ever year and that's it," Cinderella pleaded. This made Rose turn her back to the front door. "You'll give anything?" she repeated. Cinderella nodded. "And by sitting on the throne, you mean all I have to do is show up six times a year in the fairytale world?" Rose went on. Cinderella nodded again. "But first I have to attend Regal Academy for another two and a half years," Rose finished. Cinderella nodded a third time. Rose rubbed her chin for a moment rethinking her options. "I can't promise anything yet, since I need my parents to approve," Rose started and watched Cinderella's eyes widen with surprise, "Under two conditions: From now on you will no longer banish villains to Earth and you'll round up all the villains currently living on Earth and bring them back to the fairytale world. Otherwise I'll never attend Regal Academy."