Just a Pretense

Chapter 1: Arrival

Author's Note: Sorry Alice is the maid. 'Bel' is actually a name. And this is a bit Tortall-y.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or Song of the Lioness. They belong to Stephenie Meyer and Tamora Pierce respectively. (More Twilight that Tortall though, therefore it is in here.)

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Isabella Swan reined in her chestnut mare as she rode through the Palace gates. Her maid, Alice Brandon, rode up by her side on a black horse and glanced up at the castle with an experienced look, sizing it up in a glance.

"I really hope you know what you're doing." Alice muttered to Bella, turning her dark gaze back on the girl next to her.

"I hope so too." Bella grinned nervously at Alice and slid off her horse, handing the reins to a hostler who as waiting patiently.

Alice slid off her own horse, gathered her package, and followed her mistress, mock-humbly. Although Alice served Bella, they had been childhood friends and were very friendly as though they were sisters. Alice was the first person Bella would go to if she had a problem and the one she could trust most – especially in this instance.

Bella stopped when she arrived at the central courtyard, lost, seeing as she hadn't ever been into the city before. She supposed she could be called a country bumpkin. Alice grinned at Bella mischievously – having traveled many times into Central with her family on market days – and pointed the way discreetly. The guards gave them a strange look as the pair entered the Palace.

Inside, a manservant waited and Bella introduced herself to him. He bowed to her once and waved a hand in the direction they were supposed to go, indicating they should follow him. Bella and Alice followed to the Training Master's Office. He told them to wait outside with another polite bow to Bella, then knocked on the Master's door and entered, announcing their arrival.

"He tells you to go inside." He said politely to Bella as he returned. "However the maid must stay outside."

Bella nodded and glanced to Alice, who nodded to show she understood.

"Good luck," She whispered to Bella as the manservant left and Bella started towards the door.

"Thanks, I'll need it."

--

Lord Carlisle Cullen took a stack of papers from the leather satchel he had been handed and surveyed the boy in front of him, with his somewhat long brown hair tied back and closed off brown eyes. He was dressed practically for riding in his cloak, tunic, shirt and breeches. Carlisle nodded in approval.

"Sit down, please." He ordered in a calm, kind voice – one that Bella had not expected.

"Yes, my lord." She replied, pitching her voice a little lower than her normal tone.

She pulled out the chair in front of the Training Master's desk and sat down as naturally as she could. She couldn't let her training to become a lady make her sit like a girl. She kept her head a little bowed, though she still made careful eye contact to be polite.

"What is your full name?"

Bella almost glanced up completely at Carlisle then stopped herself. Glancing up would give herself away. Instead, she kept her head where she had stopped it and pitched her voice a little lower, speaking steadily and understandably.

"My name is Bel Swan of Phoenix."

"And you would like to be a Page?"

"Yes, sir."

"Your father was Baron Charlie Swan and your mother, Lady Renee? Both of Phoenix?"

"That is correct, your lordship." Bella replied as she tried to swallow a lump in her throat.

"You have a maid or servant? You understand that it is your responsibility to look after whatever they need? You also understand that they are not to help you with you page's duties – they must be done by yourself?"

"Yes I do, my lord. My maid's name is Alice Brandon and I understand both requirements, sir."

Carlisle fixed her with a gaze then shuffled the papers in front of him, skimming the pages. He pulled one sheet from a tray on his desk and set it on top of the stack he held, running his finger down the page. He frowned a little, although his voice was still the same tone.

"Can you explain why we have not heard of your birth?"

It sounded almost accusing.

"My father was at war at the time and he thought that he would send me off to receive an education and keep me safe in a different country." Bella replied, trying not to look too shifty. "An allied country." She added quickly.

These occurrences did happen sometimes, either for a son – as she was masquerading to be – to be brought up specially or to protect them as their parents went to war. As it was true that Baron Charlie did go off to war and was a captain in the King's Army, this story was believable. Not to mention that many messages of births and deaths had gotten lost at that time and many were still to be corrected and recorded, even after so many years.

Carlisle nodded, lips twitching a little as though he were about to smile, and set down his papers. "I understand. Your papers seem to be order."

Bella breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed she was in.

She hoped that he would not ask about her family now. There had been a surprise attack on their barony a while ago and Renee had hidden Bella in the basement while she had fought as hard as she could next to her husband. They had both been slaughtered, however. Bella was now trying to become a knight – something unthought-of for girls - but she knew that even her mother had been able to wield a sword powerfully and would not be too displeased.

"I'm very sorry about your family."

She froze a little. "Thank you." Bella hoped he wouldn't mention any more. It was too dangerous a subject and could easily break her cover.

"You will need a 'sponsor' to be with you so they can show you your way about the Palace and show you your classes." He gestured to a figure who now stood at the door. "Edward here volunteered his service."

Bella swallowed her sigh of relief and stood up quickly as the boy came inside the room and inclined her head to him as he inclined his to her, smiling politely.

"Edward Masen of Forks." He introduced himself in a velvet voice, his gold coloured eyes darting to her face.

"Bel – " Bella stopped for a minute, horrified that she had almost told this Edward person that her name was 'Bella', then continued hastily. "Bel Swan of Phoenix."

Edward turned to Carlisle again as he was addressed. "Yes, my lord?"

"Take Swan down to the seamstresses for him to get some new clothing for his training and then show him his room. After that you may show him around the grounds or return to you duties." He gave them a nod to show that they were dismissed and then turned back to his notes.

Edward and Bella both bowed quickly and left, closing the door behind them. Edward, still serene and composed, gave Alice a swift glance and then gestured along the corridor. Bella followed quickly – or at least, tried to. She tripped on the edge of a rug and Edward turned back impatiently to see her on the floor. His eyebrows rose even as he seemed to be struggling with laughter. He gripped her arm and began to pull her upright again.

"You come here to become a knight and you're so clumsy." He finally said, unable to contain his grin.

"Sorry, sir." Bella mumbled as Alice caught up, smiling also and her eyes shining with held back laughter.

Bella sighed as she followed the quick Edward once again. This would be a very long day – she could tell.

--

Bella breathed a sigh of relief as she reached her room finally, arms laden with clothes. She was extremely fortunate that Alice had all her measurements and the seamstress had been able to quickly select items of clothing for her. She didn't want to know what might have happened if the seamstress had thought something was strange about Bella.

Edward handed her a key, arms also laden with her stuff, and she juggled the clothing to get the key in the lock as Alice returned with a basin of hot water. Unlocking the door, she flung it open and entered, dropping the clothes wearily on the narrow bed. Turning around, she took in the whole room from her desk in a corner to a pallet laid out on the floor – for Alice presumably – and her bags which had been deposited in another corner.

Edward seemed to have warmed to her and was more than simply polite now – more comrade-y. He dropped the things in his arms on the bed also and chuckled as he looked at the mess. Alice set the basin of hot water in the washroom where Bella would be able to wash herself and go to the toilet in privacy.

"Do you want a tour or would you prefer to unpack first?" He asked now, as he hovered uncertainly in the room. Bella decided to put him out of his misery.

"I'll unpack. You can show me around later." She smiled at him and he frowned a little as he blinked back, but then nodded.

"Lunch will be in a while. You don't need to dress up, but make sure you're on time." Edward warned as he gave her a wave and opened the door.

"Alright. Thanks."

He nodded once more and left her to unpack, closing the door quietly. Alice peeked around the doorframe of the washroom and grinned at Bella impishly. Bella scowled and swatted at her with one of her new tunics.

"Stop it, Alice!"

"What?" Alice said innocently. "That went well, didn't it?"

"They believed who I was, at least." Bella sighed as she tucked another tunic away.

"He was rather nice too." Alice commented and ducked as Bella threw yet another tunic at her. "How many of those did they give you? I'll be scrubbing my hands raw!"

"You know I'll give you a hand if I have time." Bella said absently, tucking away breeches now.

"Similarly, of course." Alice replied.

"Good."

"You know," Alice began as she folded up the tunic that had been thrown at her, neatly and efficiently, "I wouldn't be surprised if he was faerie."

"Alice."

"Yes?" She asked sweetly, way too innocent. Bella gave her a pointed look.

"You know what he is, don't you? Spit it out." Bella grinned at her maid and friend. "That's an order."

Alice stuck her tongue out at Bella. "I think he's a vampire."

"You think? You know." Bella glared at Alice, still grinning. "There's nothing wrong with that though, anyway. You're half pixie and I'm part elf myself. It's hard to find someone who isn't partially faerie these days."

It was true. The kingdom was now so manifested with mythical creatures, sometimes people wondered whether there were any pure 'humans' left. It wouldn't be surprising if half of the current Pages had abilities too – as was often the case with half-faerie people. Alice herself had an ability, as did Bella. However, that didn't mean people were going to go around seeing half-vampires very soon – it wasn't exactly possible. They were said to be extraordinary, however.

The bell rang somewhere overhead, a loud chime ringing the hour. Alice glanced out the window and then began to bustle Bella out the door.

"What, Alice?"

"It's lunch, silly. You'll be late! You remember what your sponsor said."

"Ah!" Bella pulled off her cloak, handed it Alice quickly, dusted down her clothing and began running towards the lunch hall – or at least where she thought it would be.

Alice sighed as she watched Bella leave. She hoped that her mistre – oops, Master – wouldn't get lost again.

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Author's Note: I wrote about 4 and a half chapters before I decided to stick this up, so if I get some reviews I'll update again. ;D

I've never held chapters hostage before… wow, a first.

Review!