Chapter One

I was trying very hard not to slip on my way up the grand staircase to Princess Alice's suite.

I kept my eye on the breakfast tray in my hands with a wary eye as if it would fall of its own accord.

Then again, I tried to keep an eye on my feet as well, as to be certain there was nothing in my way to slip up on.

Multitasking was not one of my strengths.

Being so, try as I may, I managed to lose my balance as I reached the top step.

Legs flailing, I began to slide backwards, only to have two strong hands grasp my shoulders and steady me.

Blushing furiously, I looked up to thank my rescuer, only to meet the most beautiful pair of green eyes I had ever seen.

It was Prince Edward, Miss Alice's brother.

I lost the feeling in both my legs as I stared into the brilliant eyes I had loved since I had first come to Castle de Forks with my stepmother and stepsisters, Lauren and Jessica. I had then been forced to as Miss Alice's handmaid while my family enjoyed all the luxuries of living in court. Not that I minded working for Miss Alice; she was the kindest, and truest friend I could ask for. However I lost my train of thought at this point because Edward smiled.

"Are you alright, Miss Swan?" he asked, his voice dripping with honey. "Yes," I stuttered, "Thank you. But please, sir, just Bella."

"Alright, Just Bella," he beamed. "Then I'll be just Edward. Is that Alice's breakfast?" he questioned. "Yes, sir, I was just heading to her room now to give it to her."

"It would be my honor to escort you, Bella, if I may be so bold. I was just heading to her room as well to retrieve my book, and besides," he grinned and made my heart melt, "we wouldn't want you to fall again."

The blood rushed my cheeks as I realized just how foolish I must have looked. I mentally cursed the gene which made me so clumsy to the fiery pits of Hades.

We walked side by side, his hand at the crook in my elbow the entire time. I had never been so aware of someone in my entire life.

He raised his hand to rap at the door just as Alice threw the door open. "Bells!" she squeaked. "And Edward!" She exclaimed. Her eyes flickered to where Edward's hand remained under my arm.

"I need my book, Alice." Edward explained. "I was just on my way to give it to you. Here." She shoved a large text into his chest. She then pulled me into the room and spun around to shut the door.

In the brief second before the blasted piece of wood blocked my view of his perfection, I summed up all my courage, smiled, and mouthed 'Thank you.' He smiled back and bowed, and then the door slammed shut, and I could no longer see him.

Alice yanked the tray I had worked so hard to protect out of my hands and threw it on the table. She then took my hands and danced about the spacious room with me trying to keep up and not trip.

Again, the multitasking did not wave in my favor. I collapsed in a chair as Alice flung herself next to me and squealed. "What happened, tell me everything!" she demanded.

Alice was the only one I had ever opened up to about my love for Edward.

"Miss Alice," I stopped quickly as she glared; she hated being 'Miss' Alice. "Alice, it was nothing, truly. I slipped and he caught me." I mumbled. She groaned. "Bells, you klutz! If you want to impress my brother you had best get your balance right!"

"You say that like it's possible, and Edward could never love me like I do him." I sighed. "You mean right now," she contradicted. My brows furrowed as I looked at her in confusion. She beamed.

"There is to be a ball tomorrow fortnight; a masquerade ball. I intend to make you the most ravishing beauty this palace has ever been graced with."

I opened my mouth to argue, but Alice cut me off. "Don't quarrel with me Bells. I will make you stunning, and Edward will have to fall in love with you, servant or not."

I sighed, alas in defeat, and Alice chortled. "Come now, Bella, help me dress so that we may go to the market. You shall need a whole new wardrobe if this is meant to be."

"This being 'meant to be' has nothing to do with it, Alice," I said exasperatedly.

"You will do anything; sell your soul to the devil and more, for the chance to shop." Alice, unrepentant, simply nodded and danced off, leaving me there to think over what had passed.

His green eyes………………………