~7~

At breakfast, every girl was wearing a brown or black pleated skirt, a white collared button-up shirt, a soft sweater or vest, (in any neutral muted earthy color of their liking) under their color-coded cloaks, and black or brown lace-up boots. And every boy was wearing something similar except without the skirt or boots.

Everyone ate in a large dining hall grander than any Ivory had ever seen before. The walls were paneled with beautiful dark wood, and twelve giant cathedral windows bordered the edges of the high ceiling; each sporting a very detailed stained-glass picture of each of Eirians native beasts.

A long rectangular stone hearth lined the walls of the hall, and inside, the flames took on the shapes of tiny dancers.

"That's amazing" said Ivory, as her and the girls from her dorm found free spaces at a long bench table.

"They're performing Swan Lake this morning. Yesterday it was Sleeping Beauty." Said Macaria, as she sat down beside Ivory. "Nice work ladies!" She called to the little figures in the flames. One dancer turned and waved at her before returning to her performance.

"So Ivy," Rowen began suddenly, "can I call you that? Ivy?"

"Er, yeah, I suppose you can."

"Where're you from?"

"Upstate New York" is what Ivory had been about to say. But she knew better. So she Said, "the silver province."

"Fascinating," said Macaria.

"Your family is really rich then huh?" Said Rowen, as she piled warm sausage and egg onto her plate.

"Why does that matter?"

Rowen rolled her eyes. "You rich kids ask the same thing every time. 'why dose it matter? What's money for to do with anything?'--"

"Rowen." Snapped Melinoe.

"What? I'm just trying to learn a bit about the girl." Said Rowen defensively. "Bet it's nice though," Rowen continued. "A sister, both parents, never wanting to anything--"

"Shut up" Said Ivory, her voice no louder than a quiet whisper.

Rowen turned to her, a triumphant look in her dark eyes. "Did I strike a nerve?"

"You don't know anything Rowen so...so just shut up, ok?"

Rowen opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by two obnoxious curly-haired boys who were trying to pull her out of her seat.

"Come on Row," the older-looking one said.

"She's leaving the hall" said the younger one.

"And she's all alone"

"Yeah, we can get her now!"

Rowen craned her neck to see over the heads of the kids at the table in front of them, and so did Ivory, Macaria, Melinoe and Avery.

"Oh, give it a rest Brown. Leave the poor girl alone."

"Whose this little one?" Asked the older boy. He had curly hair and lovely green eyes just like his brother, but his hair was tame and his eyes were a shade darker. unlike his brothers, whose hair was unkempt and stuck up in the back of his head like hair on the back of a scared cat. And whose eyes were almost as grey-green as the ocean.

"This is Ivory Evans. The last Queen."

The boy gave a mock grin, as he bowed so low his forehead hit the end of the table.

Avery couldn't help but giggle, she sounded like a child. The boys cheeks flushed as he straightened up, adjusting the collar on his coffee-colored autumn bombers jacket.

"Ivory," Macaria began, "this is Charlie and Jax Grimm. They are princelings."

"Princelings?"

"It's just a fancy name for 'The Queen's personal slaves." Said Jax, the younger one.

"Speaking of; we have work to do." Said Charlie.

Rowen nodded in agreement as she began to get up from her seat, but Melinoe grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her back down.

"We have more urgent matters to take care of. You're dismissed, boys." Said Melinoe, not looking up at either of them.

"Came on Ward, you can't possibly--"

"She said you are dismissed." Macaria scolded.

The three glared at each other for what seemed like minutes before Charlie gave up and stomped away from them, dragging his brother along with him.

"Are you serious!" Rowen exclaimed.

"I agree with Mel Rowen. We have more pressing matters to deal with. At the moment, we have little time or energy to deal with you childish pranks as well." Said Macaria.

"If Mrs. Josephine heard about what you've been up to--" before Melinoe could finish, Rowen had already started off half way across the hall.

"Um...Ivy, you should really start eating something. You'll need all your strength today."

Ivory nodded and began filling up her plate.

"We have to go meet Mrs. Josephine for lessons. Do you think you can find your way down to the courtyard to meet Mr. Anne?"

Ivory nodded. "I think so."

Malone smiled. "You'll be fine--- Avery, come."

Avery, whom Ivory had forgotten had been sitting with them more then once stood up and followed the Ward's out of the hall. And Ivory was left by herself to finish her breakfast alone.