December greeted the school like a wet blanket on a snowy day.
There was a subtle shift in the atmosphere that Rose didn't understand. Despite having a relatively small student body, the school was normally bustling with life, and Rose could always hear students laughing or talking amongst each other during the day.
When December came, however, the noise drifted away.
It didn't become apparent to Rose right away. She wasn't the most observant girl, and simply having a quieter school didn't mean much.
But after a day of dead silence in the cafeteria, she felt something off. The silence was oppressive to the point that the young dragon couldn't find it within herself to break it and ask the simple question of why. Intimidated by it, she solemnly ate her dinner and only dared to glance around a handful of times.
During that dinner, she noticed more of the slight change in atmosphere.
The school's beautiful stained-glass skylights and windows covered nearly every inch of the indoors with gentle, warm, colorful light. When sunset or sunrise came over the school, the colors that washed over everyone made the school truly come alive like some fairytale picture.
Now that light was strained, bleak, and dull. An air of discomfort was palpable.
When the dinner ended, Havi approached Rose and told her that Professor Nigel asked to see her. Confused and disquieted, Rose headed to his office.
Students passed by her, but none spoke. Color itself drained away that evening.
Entering Professor Nigel's office, Rose was immeasurably relieved to find that it didn't have a heavy air.
"Please take a seat, Miss Rose," Professor Nigel said, gesturing towards a seat opposite him. "We need to discuss the Dark Vigil that will be occurring at the end of December."
"Dark Vigil?" Rose repeated to Professor Nigel, obediently taking a seat.
The professor shifted uneasily in his chair. Long, white-gloved fingers fiddled with a porcelain tea cup, causing the dark amber liquid to slosh around. The tall man stared uncomfortably into his tea for several moments before he spoke up once more.
"Yes. Neheburs don't celebrate the traditional human holidays. There are some students raised to do so, but it's not often one associates merriment with this time."
Rose blinked slowly, folding her fingers together in her lap. Her normally soft skirt felt itchy suddenly, and a sinking feeling settled over her heart. She didn't want to voice her assumption, because she honestly didn't want to hear the answer.
"The Dark Vigil is to honor those—those who passed away during the Dark War. Elder Fryst's first attack was devastating. He wiped out several species that rose to defend humanity, including the unicorns," Professor Nigel said softly, tersely. He gently placed the cup on his desk and continued.
"After the war, the Community saw fit to honor what we lost, and so every winter solstice—the darkest and coldest time of whatever world we live in—we keep vigil. It is a somber affair that we take very seriously. Due to how close it is to Christmas and other such holidays, it is unlikely anyone in your kingdom will celebrate such with you."
Devastation hit the girl hard. No Christmas? Rose thought in disbelief.
Christmas was one of the happier memories Rose had of her hometown. After all the Church dinners and events, the town put together one big Christmas tree that the children got to help decorate. There were lots of cookies, cakes, and other such treats. Mother Mara let them stay out and play, and the other children not part of the orphanage let Rose play with them. Mother Mara would even let Mr. Whiskers stay inside and sleep with Rose.
And every year, Rose got a new book that she got to pick out.
Tears pricked at Rose's eyes. She hadn't realized how much she was looking forward to Christmas with her kingmates until being told she couldn't have it. No wonder everyone had been so quiet!
Professor Nigel shifted again and placed a large hand over Rose's head. "I'm sorry, Miss Rose. I—"
"It's fine," Rose managed quickly as she abruptly stood up.
She could feel the tears coming and she absolutely did not want to cry in front of her professor. He was part of the Community and probably had been his whole life. Rose didn't think he would understand.
...🌹...
Things didn't improve after that meeting. Now aware such a somber holiday was taking place, Rose was mindful of some of the students.
She knew many Neheburs lived for thousands of years, so likely, some students could have had parents or grandparents who fought and lost loved ones in the Dark War. It was why the Dark War was the first thing discussed in the Community class because nearly everyone was still affected by it—or so Professor Laye had explained—and it was how the Community was formed.
It was hard to wrap her mind around it, that maybe her grandparents literally fought against some other student's grandparents in a war thousands of years ago.
Still, she tried to be respectful of their tradition. Even if she painfully missed the conversations in the cafeteria and hallway. No one spoke much outside of class, if at all, and even her knight and king were subdued. Lanna was a complete shadow of her old self.
Rose had learned that Lanna's grandmother had died during the Dark War and her grandfather was extremely mournful at this time of year, with she and her parents sharing his grief. It was not only her grandmother, but many of her flock had lost their lives alongside her, marking a grave remembrance for the Dark Vigil.
It was awkward for Rose to try and approach Lanna anymore after that. She simply didn't know what to say.
Rose truly tried to appreciate the tradition and be courteous, but often, she found herself wishing the sorrowful month would hurry up and pass.
The night of the Dark Vigil, December 21st, came upon Rose like a prowling tiger.
Her kingdom had gathered in the common room at eight o'clock that night, everyone dressed in dark clothing and black cloaks. Professor Nigel handed out black candles that lit up with a white flame when touched and without another word spoken, they began their death march.
Rose clutched the black candle close to her chest. The white flames flickered with every step she made down the lifeless halls. Rose continued to follow behind Havi, staring sullenly at the princess's black cloak. Everyone was painfully quiet. Professor Nigel led the Warrior Kingdom through the dark hallways and out into the snow-covered garden.
Rose felt her heart twist upon seeing the mass of students staring somberly. All of them wore dark cloaks and held black candles, and once every student was gathered—not even a hundred—the headmaster spoke up.
It was the first time Rose had ever seen the headmaster, but she remembered he was Chester's older brother, so it was easy to identify him. Even in the dark, Rose could see as clearly as she could in the daylight. He had Chester's dark skin and sunflower-blonde hair, his eyes weren't as green, but seemed closer to blue. They shared the same nose and smile, though.
The headmaster, Rowanoak, spoke loudly, "Good evening, students. It is time that we gather in memory of what has been lost to us. The Dark War took many lives on both sides. And while Elder Fryst was defeated, it can be said with absolute certainty that no one was truly the victor of that war. Queen Nia—"
"Enough!" shouted out a voice.
All eyes flew towards a young man who stood among the Hero Kingdom. His face was contorted in disgust and pale with rage. Rose could see his blue eyes brimming with anger as he looked at her.
"Are we really letting a monster sit vigil with us? It's because of dragons that we've lost so many! She has no right to honor the dead when it was her kind that killed them!"
A frozen knife pierced through Rose's chest, twisting into her heart. She was stiffened, every fiber of her being tensed, as her insides turned to concrete. Her mouth dried, and her eyes widened as she looked at the student with unmasked horror.
"She's a monster!" he spat out. "She doesn't deserve to be here."
"Yeah!" another student from the Hero Kingdom spoke up. "She probably doesn't even care!"
"Kick her out already!"
"Quiet," the headmaster boomed, his voice cracking like thunder. "You will not speak of such prejudice again. Dragons have already endured their punishment. Holding on to such hatred is beneath us."
Rose felt ill, her knees going weak. Despite the headmaster's words, Rose could see the Hero kingmates still glaring at her with undisguised anger. Rose squeezed her candle tightly, trying to draw comfort in the warmth of the flame, but for the first time this winter she felt a cutting cold.
Havi and Lanna had moved to stand on either side of her, and Rose could feel Havi's arm slinking around her shoulders as the princess pulled her in.
"Don't listen to them," the vampire whispered softly to her. "They're idiots if they actually think that."
"No one who has ever met you would honestly think that," Lanna agreed, her voice scratchy.
"Silence from everyone," Rowanoak said loudly. "Our vigil begins now."
Rose closed her eyes so she couldn't see the glares. She squeezed her candle as tightly as she dared, and she tried to focus only on the feel of the flame.
I'm sorry, Rose couldn't help but think. She knew she wasn't there, she didn't fight beside her kind in the war, but she still felt their guilt. I'm sorry.
To all the families that were wiped out: I'm sorry.
The species forced into extinction: I'm sorry.
To the children and friends lost: I'm sorry.
But no matter how many times Rose thought she was sorry on behalf of her kind, their glares never lessened.
...🌹...
When the vigil was over, Rose returned to her room. She hugged her pillows tightly and curled up underneath the blankets. Only her face poked out and she stared at her window-wall. It was of someplace covered in snow, untouched by anything living. There were stars twinkling above the snowy horizon and they glittered like gems from a treasure chest. Rose watched as the wind picked up bits of the snow and made it dance before dropping it back down to the cold ground.
She stared at it, slowly feeling a calm settle over her. She was caught off guard by the seemingly sudden accusations, but now safe in her room, she had better time to reflect.
Their staring makes a bit more sense now, Rose thought to herself, recalling all the times she saw students from Aella's kingdom staring at her. Whenever she made a move to approach or confront them, they always vanished.
Why didn't Aella mention they hated me? Rose thought. Does she hate me, too?
Aella didn't strike Rose as someone who could hate her, but that didn't mean much.
Rose felt sad at that. Again, she found herself doubting her newfound friends. Like when her hands were burned from that note—and Rose suspected now it was someone from the Hero Kingdom—she wasn't sure who to turn to. She wished she could simply put the incident aside, but she had a strong feeling that this wasn't the end.
They believed she was a monster.
Rose closed her eyes as she heard Mother Mara screaming "Devil child!" in her head. She clutched her pillow tighter, breathing in the comforting smell of Mr. Whiskers.
The scene in her window shifted. Her forest, it was her forest back at that town. She would recognize it from anywhere.
Rose sat up, her eyes watering as she stared at the familiar and treasured place. Her little hideaway from everything, her own slice of heaven.
She wished she could go there.
Rose slowly got out of her bed and reached out a hand to touch the window. She didn't realize she was crying until she could hear the plops of tears hit the carpet floor. It felt silly to be crying by seeing her forest, but she couldn't help it. She was happy, sad, and lonely all at once.
I wish…