You're late."
Daphne shut the door harder than necessary. "Again."
I didn't look up. "Good morning to you too."
I remained seated before the dressing mirror, brushing my hair slowly—deliberately.
"It's not morning anymore," Daphne replied. "And if you miss council briefings, they'll start questioning your discipline."
My hands paused for only a moment before continuing. "Since when do you care?"
I smiled faintly at my reflection. "If I'm not mistaken, you sound unusually concerned."
"I sound practical," she snapped, sharper than necessary. "Concern is the last thing I'd ever feel."
She glanced away, and I noticed it—how she smoothed her sleeves, fingers lingering half a second too long before she caught herself.
She always does that.
"You hover like you're guarding something," I said mildly.
"Don't flatter yourself. And keep your eyes off me."
"Then stop acting like anyone who looks at you for too long offends you."
"Don't be absurd. I don't care who looks at me—least of all someone who forgets their position and barges in with Mr. Lovey-Dovey."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what you heard."
I didn't argue. I never did when Daphne was like this.
She always knew where to strike.
Silence settled between us.
"You don't like him… do you?"
Daphne laughed—quick, dismissive. "I dislike inefficiency. And people who disrupt rooms."
"And yet," I said quietly, "you notice when he enters them."
Her jaw tightened. "Someone has to."
I stepped closer, lowering my voice.
"You don't get to manage who I speak to."
"And I don't intend to," Daphne said, standing abruptly. "But you are careless."
"And you're exhausting," I shot back.
She turned away, pretending to adjust her sleeve. "You shouldn't let Guardians get familiar."
"You shouldn't act like it bothers you."
Another silence
Then she was gone.
***†***†***
Baby's POV
The bell rang once.
Its sound rolled through St. Vladimir like a command, seeping into corridors, classrooms, and dormitories alike. Conversations died mid-sentence. Footsteps slowed.
A Gathering.
I stood among the flow of students moving toward the Grand hall.
The Grand Hall was massive, cathedral-like, its ceiling lost in shadow. Long banners draped the walls, each bearing the sigil of an elemental house.
Fire.
Water.
Earth.
Air.
Spirit.
They were seated separately.
The Moroi occupied the raised semicircle at the front, arranged by elemental power — fire closest to the dais, then water, earth, air, and finally spirit, seated apart. Their robes shimmered faintly, magic humming just beneath the surface.
Opposite them, below and to the right, sat the Guardians — dhampirs in dark uniforms, posture rigid, eyes alert. No magic. Only discipline.
The separation was intentional.
It always was.
I took my place among the novice Guardians, the stone bench cold beneath my palms. The air felt… tight. Like the hall itself was holding its breath.
A hush fell.
The Queen entered.
She moved with unhurried grace, her presence bending the room toward silence.
Her crown caught the torchlight — silver threaded with crimson gems that glinted like restrained fire.
When she spoke, her voice carried without effort.
"Children of St. Vladimir " the queen's voice cut through the murmur with calm authority.
"This Gathering was not called out of fear," she said. "Nor is it a warning."
The hall stilled.
"It is a preparation."
She gestured once, deliberately, toward the Moroi seats.
"The Crown Princess will begin her formal path toward the throne sooner than anticipated. In light of this, unity between Moroi and Guardians will be reinforced. Discipline will be expected. Readiness will be required."
No mention of enemies.
No talk of threats.
And yet the weight of her words settled heavily over the hall.
Heads bowed. Whispers died.
The Queen had not left.
She stepped aside.
And someone else moved forward.
At first , I thought it was just another Moroi noble — until I felt it. That pressure again. Not like fear. Not like magic.
Like gravity.
She?
She emerged from behind the queen
She wore no crown, no extravagant jewels, no heavy robes of authority.
Just a simple dark dress.
And yet the room bent toward her.
Moroi with fire affinity straightened unconsciously. Water-users lowered their gazes. Even spirit-wielders went still, eyes wary.
The Queen placed a hand lightly on the girl's shoulder.
"My daughter," she announced. "Crown Princess Sameen Elowen Dragomir."
The name hit the hall like a held breath finally released heart stopped.
Princess.
This can't be happening to me..she of all people had to be the princess.
Sameen 's gaze swept the hall — calm, observant, unsettlingly sharp. When her eyes passed over the Guardians,
Not dismissal.
Assessment.
Then—
Shit
Her eyes locked onto me
Not for long.
Just a second.
But in that second, l felt exposed. As if the princess had looked through me .
Sameen's smiled faintly and turned back to the Queen.
The Queen concluded, "You are dismissed."
The hall erupted in movement — whispers, tension, confusion — but I stayed frozen in place for half a heartbeat longer.
A shockwave of murmurs followed.
I barely heard them.
She's taking the throne soon.
My mind raced.