The Prince is my Guardian (part 2)

Wow, just look at those lines and those extensions of mademoiselle Amelia, they are really good. Its like watching an architect draw precise and calculated lines but I feel like something is amiss. I don't know how to put it in words but there is this nagging feeling that's been egging me. Hmmm. . .

A few minutes later we have already learned the basicsteps for our part, all thanks to our choreographer Michael who was once one of the top danseurs of Astoria. You might wonder, if you are just an academic ballet company, why the need for top caliber choreographers? The answer is, Graceland Academy's Ballet Company is not just another academic ballet company. The GABC is actually at par with other high level ballet companies in and outside of Astoria. So being part of GABC is a tremendous honor and pressure, there was one time when the GABC was invited to perform for Queen Elizabeth II. Although it was tainted by controversy as those who were still reeling in from the dethronement of the Astorian Royal Family 13 years ago were against all forms of Monarchy and thought that Astorian people should not venerate any monarch even those who had nothing to do with the tragedy of the poor Astorian people. But the issue had died down when later on the news something was published about how King Charles II of Astoria had already relinquished the throne to his son Prince Gregory as the former King had finally come into terms with all that he had done and also was prepared to face consequences even if it meant exile for King Charle II from his country. But the rebels under a very charismatic leader twisted the dagger inside the bleeding hearts of the people and poisoned their thoughts and instigated what the news called to be a 'royal massacre that rivals that of the Russian Romanovs'. The Astorian people have repented since then when they have learned of the plans of the new King Gregory ,whose rule lasted not more than three days, but were too blinded by their furry and destroyed the hope that the new King was beginning to plant. There were no survivors of the immediate line to the throne and all other succeeding distant heirs have either fled the country or renounced their claim to the throne and are now mere private citizens. It took at least 5 years to proceed with the rehabilitation of Astoria through the accumulated efforts of its citizens and in that 5 years Astoria was governed by the Prime Minister who made sure that the people knew that this growth and change in Astoria happened because the people have learned to fight for themselves and he also did not let anyone forget that this was also part and parcel the plan of the late King Gregory who had nothing but the love for his people.

Astoria's past is indeed a tragic and colorful one that is why the people now are working hard to make sure that the past does not repeat itself. Part of it is an investigation of what really happened to the tragic demise of the royal family of King Gregory. Why you might wonder, well until recently there were claims in the news that some witnesses claim to have seen the heir of King Gregory the Princess survived the tragic fire and is now hiding. Some Astorians had mixed emotions on this matter. Some want the Princess to be found and be able to live the life that was taken from her so violently but some don't care if she is alive. There are those who would like her to be alive and be able to use her and there are those who would want to finish the job and end her once and for all. Who knows where she is and if she is alive really. The important thing is everyone is trying to move forward and if she is alive she would be moving forward as well.

Well that being said, the GABC is not just another ballet company that's why the ballerinas and danseurs try their hardest to continue to bring honor to the country and through the dance of ballet.

The training today was all about getting our roles in the company and doing our part in keeping the legacy going. Before we leave the studio we stretch out even if we were tired although I would not call myself tired from the practice. I don't mean to toot my own horn but this is pretty easy compared to the other choreographies I have had to learn while studying abroad or maybe I was just too accustomed to those difficult and intricate movements that I now find other steps easy. But I can't let anyone know that I am good at this, I shouldn't forget. I must be invisible. While pretending to be tired while stretching, I noticed that Henry was looking at me and he smiled and winked at me. I simply dismissed him and hoped that nobody else saw him do it and thank goodness no one saw him. Really this guy is starting to get on my nerves.

After stretching out and cooling down, we headed to the changing rooms where we showered and changed clothes. I am a very timid person but ballet has somehow gotten me out of that awkward shell but it doesn't necessarily mean that I have already grown into a more outgoing person, being chatty and friendly with everyone, I must say it's a suit of armor I wont be wearing, well not yet at least. Unlike Henry who is always so amiable, I wonder if he ever gets tired from all his pretentiousness? I don't know if I should pity him or despise him. I still don't know him well yet to decide but if I base my opinion of him on his past actions towards me, I would have to say that it doesn't look promising.

I walked with some girls from the GABC 's studio towards the girl's dormitory when I reached the end of the corridor and opened the door to my room, I found it empty. I ran in panic towards the office of the mistress of our dormitory.

"Ma'am, all my things are gone!"

"Oh dear you must've forgotten already, you no longer reside here you will be staying with your guardian at the Archer Manor starting today." She said it rather nonchalantly.

"Uh, is there no other way that I could stay here in the dormitory instead? I wouldn't want to intrude on the Archers."

"Nonsense my child, young Henry Archer already ordered for your things to be brought into the Manor earlier this afternoon. He also instructed that we keep this on the down low. So no on from the acadey knows that he is your guardian. Now off you go to your new home. I hope for your happiness may child."

The mistress of the girl's dormitory is sweet and kind and she has already been fond of me but she has no idea of what kind of a man she is sending me to.

"Where do I go exactly ma'am? I don't know where the Archer manor is."

"Oh silly me, I'll go get a map of the Academy."

She comes back with a map of Graceland Academy, you could see just how big Graceland really is from a top view perspective it looks like a small city all on its own.

"Okay, the Archer Manor is right around here." (Points on the map where there is a forest but no manors or mansions or any building of the sort.)

"But there is nothing there ma'am."

"It's just a way of keeping the Manor secret and private my dear, just remember, go to the Grand Hall and near it you will find a secluded forest go deep into that forest until you see a wall covered in ivy. Look for a door, and here is the key to that door open it and you will be within the Archer's Manor here in Graceland. " She whispered to me.

I was thinking to myself how ironic it was to have met Henry there for the first time in that area when his house was just around there and now I must live with that arrogant and pervert. The coincidence is somehow ironic to me. So with the key in my pocket, I walk quietly, now with the thoughts of Nana and flash backs of my times with her running inside my head. I remember meeting her for the first time when I was three years old. She had a dark green coat on her, black hand gloves, small diamond earrings, a red lipstick and a nice bun of grey hair. She didn't look that old, she's maybe around her 50s already but her elegance was that of a young lady still. She came near me when I stood alone amidst the crowd of people scattering about, screaming and consumed by their emotions watching the great fire as it angrily engulfs our beautiful home. She took my hand and carried me away from that heart wrenching scene and soothed me as I was crying. No one came to us and no one saw us leave. None of the people scattering about paid attention to me and none looked for me when I left with Nana that night. They were all to heartbroken to notice a little girl and from that time on I have been together with her ever since.

I reached the edge of the forest where Henry revealed his true nature to me in an embrace and just like the mistress had said, I kept on going. Even though it was getting dark and only the top of the trees are visible now, I was not afraid. I was not afraid of darkness, Nana had taught me not to fear darkness but the people who can put me in one. I came face to face with that ivy covered wall, the mistress was talking about then I began to scan the wall for any signs of a key hole. This reminds me of that story "The Secret Garden". I wonder if there is a secret garden behind this ivy covered wall. Alas, there it was a key hole, the more I looked at it the more this feels like one of those fairy tales. I didn't know that the Archers were so much into this kind of thing. I put the key in, turned it and opened the ivy covered door and like in those stories where a beautiful garden greeted the characters, I was greeted by the most beautiful garden I have ever seen. From the door an arch of white roses decorated the entrance to a stone pathway and besides the Rose Arch were two tall walls of manicured bushes that looked like giant walls. It was seclusion within seclusion. I entered the arc and beyond the arc and along the path ways were rows and rows of different flowers. I see a row of yellow and pink tulips, some more white roses and a few pink and red ones as well but what caught my attention was the gazebo on its own island by the left side of the garden conspicously placed on top of a small man made pond and with lavenders growing around it. Now, anyone of the posies of the Prince from Graceland would kill to see what I am seeing right now, especially with the somber way everything feels with the night slowly creeping in on the garden. This would match the Prince indeed had I not known him first for his arrogance, rude behavior and diregard of my personal space. Yes! This would be perfect to match his good looks. Wait! what a weird thought to have about that guy. Speaking of where is my so called 'guardian'?