Verbena Academy

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔉𝔬𝔲𝔯

Chapter 4- Yes, Your Highness

My heels clicked on the smooth mahogany hardwood floors. I had to stop for a moment and admire the amazing interior of the school. It was all old stone and pillars. I could feel the age of the room, coming alive as I entered. It reminded me of the days I spent here with my father, my past intertwining with my present. It smelled like linseed oil and sage. The main room had two fireplaces, one on either side of the room. Lavish persian rugs adorned the floors in front of them. Large brown leather couches and loveseats were next to the fireplaces and a mid sized coffee table directly in the center of the couches. A few coasters and classic books adorned the table like Moby Dick, The Lord of the Rings, and a first edition of The Lion, The Witch, And the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis. The other side of the room was almost identical except the black and white picture of a group of kids on the wall. They all had smiles on their faces, and they seemed to be in the courtyard I had just walked through.

All of a sudden, a door just a little ways down from me opened and four kids came out. All four were wearing a navy uniform and all had little ring boxes and the girls also held a jewelry bag. One of the boys came to a stop opening his ring box, he pulled out a black ring shaped like a wolf's skull. The three girls opened their boxes and drew out the same ring. The girls then opened the bag and withdrew a necklace that was also a wolf's skull as a pendant on a black chain. Between them, they all gibbered "Cool!" and "Wow!" until they glanced up and saw me. They all exchanged looks and scurried away whispering to each other. Honestly, I wasn't surprised. Over the years, I've learned I have that effect on people.

Then, through the door that the kids had just come through, a large man followed by a smaller woman came through. They first looked around then their eyes met mine, they both immediately looked down and bowed. The woman then humbly approached me.

"Your majesty, Queen Demitrieva, I'm honored your here. I'm Headmistress Loren." She said in a light voice.

"Please, call me Demi, and the pleasure is all mine." I said in the most polite tone I could.

"Apologies your highness," the man started to speak, "but here at Verbena Academy, we all, even faculty, must refer to royalty with their respected name."

"Well, I haven't been called 'queen' or 'your highness' in over four hundred years, so you must excuse my grief over the subject." I say, my tone growing darker.

"I understand. I'm Victor Manson, vice in charge." he states in an arrogant voice.

"Nice to meet you." I lie through my teeth. I honestly can't stand this guy already. His tone of voice is getting on my nerves, but I keep my composure.

Then Headmistress Loren speaks,"How about we continue this conversation in my office." She motions towards her door with her hand. All three of us then step into her office.

The floor is covered in a lush, red carpet, with a large desk in the center. The walls are paneled oak, polished. Bookshelves in the corner with all of the books about the school and its history. The other books and binders labeled 'attendance', 'truancy', 'campus' and others. My eyes then drifted to the two chairs in front of her desk. Oak like the walls and upholstered with red leather.

"Please, sit down." She said motioning to the chairs. She walks around her desk and sits in her tall chair, like ours, but bigger. Her short figure easily sinking down into the chair. She starts speaking again.

"I was elated when I got your letter back informing us that you will be attending school here. Over the years, Verbena Academy has been known for its..." She paused for a moment. I could almost see the gears turning in her head. "unique student body, I'm so glad you decided to come and share with us such an amazing story." She finished happily.