Prologue the princess' guard
"Rose, Wake up" Mom yelled from downstairs. I startled awake at this, almost falling off the edge of my bed or should i say cot. ''Coming'' I call back groggily as I rush to pull on my clothes. Simple yet easy to move around in, you never know what is going to come at you, not in my world at least. I rush downstairs while pulling my hair in a high ponytail, no time to waste.
My parents were sat in our small kitchen, my dad reading the news, and mom going over the night's reports. Grabbing an oat bar, I leaned against the counter. "Good morning" I said. "The queen wants to see you to day'' Dad said not looking up from his newspaper''. This caught my attention, ''Why would she need to see me, why now?'' I questioned before truly thinking."It's Stella'' mom stated annoyed, "Something happened at Alfea''. I flinched at her tone, of course it would be about her. ''What time?'' I asked standing up straighter. ''at 0900'' dad stated this time looking up shooting me a look. Looking at the clock, I had half an hour to get to the queens office, where she would normally take these meetings. "Do change you clothes though dear, that is no outfit to go in front of the queen'' mom stated than turned to dad, "dear, we have to run through the safety measures for the convoy, one last time''. ''I know'' He answered putting the newspaper down, and picking up the night reports mom had discarded. I tried to sneak a look at them but they now both openly glared at me. Shrinking back I left the room to go change into proper clothes, or well what would be seen as proper for the daughter of the queens guards highest officials.
So keeping my brown hair up in a ponytail, I changed out of the leggings, and hoodie I had pulled on into my combat boots, jeans and cropped combat jacket with compression shirt underneath. Practical, and what is expected of me. I sighed looking at myself in the mirror, my heart pounding. Nope, no panicking now, you have no time, I said to myself, before turning on my heel out of the room.
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I approached the queens' office with ten minutes to spare, never be late, I learned that the hard way. I nodded at the two guards standing at the doors, Jake and Jason, two brothers hand-picked from Alfeas graduating class years ago by my dad. Loyal to a fault, not just to the queen but also him. ''What do you want, squirt'' Jake taunted, laughing with his twin. I roll my eyes,'' Dad said queen Luna requested a meeting with me''. They both started laughing at the ridiculous notion, I know what they think of me. The general and the spymasters' daughter, who did not deserve to be anywhere near here. I stood stiff as a board, letting their jokes and jabs slide. Or well, trying to, as my mind races through all the options. Maybe the usual, just a ball to attend or something. But what if, it's more than that, I tried to keep my composure. The only thing allowing me to keep it was the years of drilling it into me by my parents.
''Miss Lignille, come in" her assistant of the moment announced. They never lasted long, not with her anyway. I lifted my chin, walking into the office, curtsying. ''Your majesty'' I said at the lowest point staying low. ''You may rise, Rose'' Queen Luna said. I rose and stood in position. Legs wide, arms behind my back. The queen, threw the newspaper on the table. "Stella has been causing some issues at Alfea'' She stated, nodding to the paper. I stepped forward picking it up. The headline read "Blinded student at Alfea, accident or on purpose?". "What happened" I asked. "Stella did, she lost control and now her roommate is permanently blind'' The queen explained. "We managed to keep it quiet all summer, but gossip started. We will release a statement today that it was on purpose. Better to have Stella be feared rather than weak,'' I nodded, "So where do I come in?'' "You are to go to Alfea with Stella, her magic has become unreliable at best" The queen stated, ''You are to be near her at all times, following fairy classes, and keeping up your training when Stella has her one on one classes with headmistress Dowling. Your parents have consented, and you are to leave for the college today with Stella''. I nodded, ''Anything else I need to be aware of?" I asked. "No, that will be all, you are dismissed'' The queen stated waving me away. I curtsied before exiting the room, rushing back to our rooms in the guard wing.
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I had packed my duffel bag quickly, not that I had much to pack anyway. ''Rose" Mom yelled. I rush down the stairs. They were both dressed in their guard uniforms. "Let's go, we will brief you on the way to the cars'' Dad said. I slung my duffel bag over my shoulder, following them out of the flat. The only place I had ever called home. ''You will be in the second car, Stella is in the third" Dad started, ''When we get to Alfea you are to stay near her at all times, You will share a room, and classes as Queen Luna already told you. I have prepared a training regime, you have to keep up''. I nodded, ''Yes sir''. I expected nothing else from them. ''Now for the convoy, we don't expect anything to happen, but in case, you are to protect the princess'' Mom cut in, as we walked into the courtyard. Stella spotted me and turned to her mother. ''No Stella, this is not up for discussion. Rose is to stay near you at all times, she is there for your protection" The queen shut her down. Stella shut me a glare, which made me roll my eyes. We used to be close, but evidently not anymore though no since I got appointed as her guard and body double. I nodded to my parents getting into the car, there would be no teary goodbyes not in our family. As we drove away, I had one last glimpse of the palace, as huge of an assignment this is, I was excited. I got to go to Alfea, finally away from them.