Much Better Summary: Bella is left heartbroken when her secret love, Edward, must return to his home. She is about to get the surpise of her life when she attends a common placed Masquerade. As the story progresses, Bella has decisions to make, and hearts to break. She'll find new friends, and gain new family. And when tragedy strikes, what will Bella do? Who will she turn to?
All pairs are canon, and the rest of the cast will be revealed later.
Where do I go from here? I was alone, again. My family didn't even know it. I was heartbroken, and I couldn't tell anyone. Edward was gone. His country needed him, and his country was more important than me. I couldnt blame him, really. I was incredibly plain. Brown hair, brown eyes. Nothing special. There were so many women, much better for him than me. I would probably bring his radiance down a notch anyway. That still didn't help the crippling nothing I felt inside. I was gone inside. I wanted to be loved again, but more importantly, I wanted to be loved by him. I would give anything to have him back, though by now I was sure he had moved on. Hehad cried with me though. Maybe it wasn't so easy.
It left me ashamed really. I would have given up everything and everyone for him, did that mean I was betraying my country? No, I was just hopelessly in love. And nothing, I feared, would ever change that. This heart of mine was shattered, and there was no way to repair it. Only Edward himself could do that. ANd he wouldn't because, unlike me, he was good in heart. He cared about the people in England. He loved them, even though it was not his responisibility to do so.
"Bella, you must get ready. The ball is soon to begin!"
I loved my mother, she always spoke her mind, although she was more reserved in public as one had to be. In high society, if you were outspoken, you were trash. Only the meek were ever viewed as proper.
"Do I really have to go? I don't feel very well," I said. It was not a total lie. I did feel immensely horrible, though it was no illness.
"Yes, Bella, I'm sorry. You have to go. It is your time shine darling. And what better way than at the King's Masquerade?"
I sighed. It was always something new with the King. Either a dinner, a visiting ambassador, or a masquerade. Any excuse for the men to get drunk and the women to gossip.
"What is the reason for this one? Is there new tapestries the King would like to show off, something completely ridiculous that I could easily continue on with my life without knowing?"
I could hear my mother's exasperated sigh from behind my thick wooden door. Renee hated my lack of enthusiasm, but she was never rude to me. She loved me like a mother loves her daughter.
"Some political figure is visiting. Besides, Bella, perhaps you'll meet your match there."
That struck a nerve. I had met my other half, that was why I was torn in two. Of course, my mother knew nothing about the relationship Edward and I had carried out for the past year. Meeting in secret hadn't been easy, but it was necessary until we were ready to reveal ourselves to the public. Although, that future was long gone now. Edward was back in his precious England, and I couldn't be more miserable.
"Bella you are going to the Masquerade. Open the door so I can get you ready," said Renee, more irritated than before. I scowled.
Opening the door, I looked at my mother. She stood with two of our maids behind her, holding what I supposed was my costume for the event. All I could see thus far was that it was red and black. I could tell it would probably be painful to wear. Sure enough, I saw one of our maids, Lauren, bring out a corset. To be perfectly clear, a corset is man's invention to bring further pain to women. We didn't have our hands full enough, what with having to give birth and such. A corset evened our two species out. Damn the man who created the corset.
"No, no Lauren. Bella won't be needing the corset. I had this specifically made so she wouldn't have use for it."
Thank God. I breathed out in relief.
Once I was fully dressed, my mother shooed out our maids and sat me down in front of my vanity mirror. Picking up a brush, she began to work wonders with my unkempt hair. She pulled the bristles through my dark curls. She began to pin it up, in a half way up, half way down sort of style. I never felt more pretty than when my mother did my hair. Once she was finished, she said,
"There. How's that?"
I nodded. I loved it.
"Thank you," I whispered.
I still had no desire to go to this dance, especially if Renee had hopes of me finding a future husband. The thought alone tore the hole in my heart wider.
Renee handed me something. A mask. It was very simple, and it matched the dress perfectly. If I had to go, at least I was going as close to myself as I could. I hated extravagance. Masquerades were no exception. Everyone there would be dressed in silvers and gold, with large ornate masks. My family knew endlessly of my hatred to anything having to do with standing out, thus the simple gown and mask.
Soon enough, I was waiting in our parlor to depart. My mother fumbled with my father, Charlie. He was having difficulty walking in his costume. I was so much like my father. We both were very uncoordinated, we both disliked being the center of attention, and we were both very quiet people. Like my father, I hid my feelings. Fortunately, we had Renee for the times of silence.
We were in the carriage when my sister, Rosalie, said something unsettling.
"Bella, where has your joy gone? You're cheeks have lost their blush. Are you not happy?"
Oh no. Rose could be so insightful sometimes; it made me sick to my stomach. It didn't help that I was the world's worst liar either.
"I'm fine. I couldn't be better."
I made sure to not make eye contact with anyone. I just stared out of the window and watched as we drove through our town, and then the village. Soon, we exited and began our descent into the palace.
"Exhausting. This night is going to be so tiring," I sighed.
Rosalie was only excited. She loved these affairs. Rosalie was my complete opposite. Tall, blonde hair, and extremely beautiful. She had a violet tint to her eyes and she knew just what to say to someone to make her smile. She had several suitors, though she wasn't interested in any of them. Rose was looking forward to meeting whoever this political figure was. She kept hoping she would meet her very own prince charming one day. Maybe tonight was her night. It certainly wouldn't be mine.
"Ladies Isabella, Rosalie, and Renee Swan, escorted by Lord Charles Swan, owner of Washington Forks Manor."
After we were announced, we were led to our seats. We were only one table away from the guest of honor, and so we were obliged to introduce ourselves personally. All I wanted to do was to go home and cry myself ot sleep. The last time I had seen Edward was in this very room. This was where I had had to watch him leave, and I could show no emotions to how I felt.
Edward had to go home. We were outside, hidden from the crowds when he told me. Under the moonlight, in what I once would have believed to be a very romantic atmosphere, my heart shattered. With tears in his own eyes, Edward told me England was in need of his assistance. I cared about nothing else except that Edward was leaving. The love of my life, which I was prepared to marry at the drop of a hat, was leaving forever, never to be seen again. I cried when he held me for the final time. When he kissed me one last time, I sobbed. And when he left, his back to the room, I made no sound whatsoever. I watched him go, hardly able to hold myself together.
"Come Bella. We must meet the ambassador."
I knew it.
"Ambassador of what," I asked. There was no reason to go make a fool of myself because I did not know to whom I spoke.
"England," hissed Rosalie.
England? I loathed England. I envied England. They had my Edward. The night he left flashed through my memories over and over again as walked to the table. My father, after cordially introducing us as the Swan family, went down our list of names. I looked over the small group. The man was quite large. I overheard his name was Emmett. And he was completely captivated with Rosalie. Although he was wearing a mask, Rosalie seemed to be just as taken with him. I internally rolled my eyes. He stood and bowed, removing his mask. My sister and I hadn't put ours on yet. Emmett introduced us to his party, and he tapped one of them on the back of the shoulder.
His head was turned, scanning the dancing crowds. Before I could see his face, he put his mask on. When he looked at my family, he stared. He didn't stop staring either. At first I thought it was Rosalie who caught his attention, but then I realized his gaze was lingering on me. Oh no.
Emmett never got to say who this man's name was, because he stood up and excused himself before given the chance. Before he left, he whispered something to Emmett. Emmett seemed surprised, though he said nothing in response. After a few more minutes of light conversation, Emmett, to no one's surprise, asked Rosalie to dance with him. However, to everyone's surprise, she accepted. Rosalie never danced with anyone.
As amazed as I was, I was still hating this night. When the opportunity arose, I sat myself down at our table. My parents made their way to the dance floor. I giggled to myself when I saw some of the other costumes people were wearing. The Black family caught my attention. Each of them were elegantly bound, with a delicate looking wolf mask on. It was the only coded family. All of the others wore differentiating costumes where there's matched in one way or another. Looking away, I was surprised when my vision was obscured by a newcomer.
"May I have this dance Lady Isabella?"
I looked at who it was. It was the man with Emmett. I was a clumsy dancer, and I knew nothing of my pursuer.
"I'm sorry sir, but I'm no accomplished dancer to say the least," I said, praying he would let me be excused.
He smiled, and I was struck with familiarity. His smile reminded me so much of Edward's. I felt the tear in my heart worsen.
"It's all in the leading."
Trying not to look displeased, I nodded. He extended his hand, helping me to my feet. Dreading the dance, I made my way to the dance floor.
"So Bella, why is it you don't like to dance?"
I frowned. It wasn't that I didn't like to, it was that I couldn't. But that wasn't the cause of displeasure.
"My name. How did you know my name?"
Though he had his mask on too, I could see the confusion set in his jaw. He stammered over a response.
"I-I-I heard your family refer to you as Bella, so I assumed it was your preference."
It was indeed, but to the public I was known as Isabella. I was surprised my parents had referred to me under my casual family name. Only they and Edward knew of my preferred name.
"It is. Not many people are aware of that though," I whispered.
"Then I ask again, why do you not like to dance Lady Bella?"
"Well you've forced me to admit to my weakness. Balance is a problem for me. The two of us do not get along. Dancing is a challenge for me. I have to pay more attention to my movement, than to my partner," I answered. I subtly hinted at that I may not be a good conversationalist with him either.
He nodded. I looked at the colors in his mask. They were silver and gold, intricately entwining with the other. There was a music symbol on the center of it.
"Sir, do you enjoy music then?"
He nodded, and smiled once again. My breath was taken away.
"I love it. Although, my skills are limited to that of the piano, I enjoy all types of music."
Yes, he reminded me very much of Edward. I had to sit down.
"I believe I am finished for now," I whispered, trying desperately to conceal my anguish. I failed.
"Are you alright?"
I shook my head.
"Come with me then. Take a breath of fresh air," he said.
I nodded, too eager to escape the room before anyone noticed my distress. Although, I wanted to escape this man even more, I needed to breathe again. He led me outside, and to my dismay, it was the same garden where Edward broke me. I inhaled sharply.
"Anywhere but this place, I beg of you. Choose any garden, any room, just not this one."
Once again, he nodded. I was a little surprised he didn't question me as to why. We moved, and I was thrilled to be rid of the place. Both of our masks were still on, and before I could untie mine, he asked me,
"Lady Bella, what is it that has you so distraught?"
"Please, no formalities, they are enough to drive away what little sanity I have left."
"Bella then."
I smiled politely and struggled over an answer. He was very observant. He was also a foreigner, so a measure of honesty would do me no harm.
"A broken heart is all. I suppose that seems silly."
He shook his head.
"Not at all. I've had a broken heart. I have a broken heart actually. It's the worst feeling imaginable. To never see their face again. To never hear their voice. To never see their smile. It freezes you inside, while burning you at the same time. It's an incredible force of pain, I know. It is a difficult task to hide such a burden. Why do it?"
I had tears in my eyes. He described exactly what I felt, but to hear it, made me want to curl into a ball and die. Especially since even his voice sounded like Edward.
"It is indeed a heavy burden. I'm constantly having to alter myself to what everyone around wants me to be. All I want is for my life to go back to the way it was, to be the girl I was. I never had to hide anything before my own personal tragedy struck. I miss being myself. I always have to change who I am to better fit those around me. But when I can't even manage to rid myself of heartache, being myself is an even greater challenge. After this kind of loss, how do you ever breathe again?"
I was looking down when I asked that, and when I brought my gaze back up, he was standing just in front of me. He lifted my chin up and wiped the tears away. I hadn't realized they spilt over.
"Don't cry Bella. I'm so sorry."
I was astonished. What in the world did he have to be sorry over? And what was his name? He still had not told it to me.
"What is your name?"
He reached back and removed his mask. My breath came out in a whoosh. My world began to spin and I struggled to form the words that tumbled around in my mind. I settled for the only one I could comprehend fully.
"Edward."
Author's Note: Ok, this is a first for me. One, this is an intentional AU story, clearly. Two, it's my first chapter story for Twilight. Three, I actually have some links for you to take a look at on my profile. I have Bella's costume and mask, Edward's mask, and the Black family's masks. Anyway, please, don't forget to review! If you have any ideas you want for this story, don't hesitate to let me know either.