A Rose by another Name
Chapter 1: Royce
Rochester, New York,
February, 1934:
BPOV:
I happily sat at my ivory vanity, with its large gold framed mirror, starring into my reflection. I always loved starring into my reflection, I had since I was a little girl. Though back then I was more fascinated with my reflection through a body of water – like the pond outback our property in Rochester. I brushed my long curly/wavy white-gold hair with my golden hair brush and sighed happily. Life was going exactly as I wanted it, I was the most beautiful girl in Rochester – and no one had any qualms about letting me know this – and I was engaged to be married to the most sought after bachelor and wealthy family in the city – Royce King.
I had first seen Royce at my father's work, at the bank. I had not noticed him until the he sent me a bunch of red roses – my favorite flower – and imagine my shock when it turned out to be from Royce Samuel King. I had almost jumped for joy, but of course my mother was in the room and jumping for joy was not lady like. No, not at all. I may have been raised in the thirty's and born mid nineteen hundreds but my mother was twenty-five when she had me, and born in 1890 – needless to say she had high expectations. Even my cloths were closer to early nineteen hundred, lte eighteen hundreds style then the now flapper style dresses of the early thirties.
I loved the clothing. Not because it was beautiful – though this was part of the reason – but because everyone said the older style dressed complemented my beauty and made me seem more...innocent in a way. I did not understand what men saw attractive in a girl innocence but I was happy to play the part if Royce liked it. I held no strong love for the man – he was handsome, with his darker brown hair and deep slate gray eyes but I was not in love with him. I would have liked to marry for love, but I wanted to begin my dreams soon, I needed a husband to do this, I wanted my happy ever after. Most of all, I wanted a child.
It may seem odd for a eighteen year old to want to have a child, but I was always more mature then most. My mother was a bit on the flighty side, not much but it was what drew my father to her. No one could say Lillian and Charles Hale where not the perfect pair. I was their oldest child, the one they dotted on and bragged about. My mother and father had always loved to show me off, since I was twelve my father and mother had been taking me to more functions showing me off to possible suitors. I found it a bit taxing at first but slowly, not to slowly I became more and more vain and shallow. I am not saying I wasn't always vain and shallow, but I used to be a child, happy and loving who wished to please people. I was still vain and shallow but once I hit puberty it really began showing and I lost every friend I had. Well, except for Vera. I loved Vera like a sister, she was also married now, she had what I wanted. I envied her, but soon enough I'd have everything and more.
Soon I'd be Mrs. Royce King. He'd be King, my King and he'd make me Queen. I smiled, putting down my brush after the hundredth stroke and then began the process of placing it on top my head in an articulate bun with hair pins. I was beautiful, my mother once called me the incarnation of beauty, and I was all to happy to agree. No one could outshine me, not even Vera and her dark hair, fair skin, petite body, and bright green eyes made her a close second for most beautiful girl in Rochester – but I out shown her by a landslide. In this respect I pitied her. Her husband was very handsome and seemed to love her and their newborn son, but he was only a carpenter, not a lot of money from this.
Oh, but their little Henry. Little Henry was simply the cutest baby in the world. I had fallen for his dark curls, bright eyes, chubby cheeks and dimples the moment I held him and he smiled at me. Thomas – Vera's husband – had tried to pass it off as gas, but I was adamant that Henry had smiled and Vera of course believed me over her husband. Thomas was a easy going guy, brown hair and blue eyes, just like Henry's, he could easily brush his wife siding with me over him off and laugh about it. I knew some people who were not that laid back. Hell my own father was one of those men, if my mother did not side with him she was stepping outside her bounds. I didn't agree with this but I was a woman, we didn't have many rights in this day and age. I guess I should be thankful, when my mother was born they had even less rights.
My mother was of course beautiful, before me she was considered to be a rare beauty. Her skin like my own was a fair, with a natural blush, and blemish free. She stood at 5'7, a inch or two shorter then myself, but she was said to be all leg. For being in her forties she looked no older then thirty. She like me had white-gold hair, in waves and beautiful light blue/violet eyes. Mine were a bite brighter then hers, maybe a tad darker but they were still a stunning violet color. I loved my eyes, I was the only person besides my mother to have them in this city. It only added to my beauty, and anything that added to my beauty was welcome in my mind.
I applied a light coating coating of silver and peach eyeshadow as I thought over my soon to be wedding. Taking time to apply a liberal amount of mascara, and bronze like lipstick which pulled my look and skin together. I almost looked like a porcelain doll. As I stood up to retrieve my light blue dress, to put on over my white corset – a downside to having a mother who was all about tradition, though I had worn them since childhood and almost felt naked without one – I got lost in my thoughts. My father was of course giving me away at the wedding, which was set for May 1st, not long before Royce's twenty-second birthday. I had my white dress already picked out and custom made, expense was of no issue, my father had gotten a big promotion when Royce proposed.
My siblings would be involved as well. My two younger brothers – the twins, Richard and Robert – would be the best men in a way, standing at the side with Royce's cousin, John. Vera would be at my side along with my cousins, Violet and Pearl. My sister, would be the flower girl, which she was all to happy about. Then again, what seven year old girl doesn't love tossing flowers around? Rose Lillian Hale was my littlest sister, she was an angel. When I had my daughter, I planed to name her after Rose, and my self as vain as that sounded. My little girl would look and be just like Rose, I hoped anyways. I'd love my daughter either way, I just couldn't wait until I could hold children of my own. I helped raise my siblings but they were just that, my siblings. Richard and Robert were now much older then they used to be, having just turned thirteen in January.
I thought Rose looked the most like mother and I but she did have fathers brown curls and hazel eyes, just like the twins. I slipped on my heels as I did a twirl in front of my full length gold mirror and smiled, happy at my finished look. I pursed my lip as I noticed something seem missing and I walked over to my large closet and pulled out a small blue hat, and placed it on my head, lodging a pin in it to keep it on my head. It pulled the look and dress together and I happily walked out my room and down the stairs, almost skipping as I went.
"Isabella? Your up early," Mother said from arranging a bouquet of flowers on our round furor table. I smiled, walking forward and picking up a stray freesia and inhaling its sweet citrus scent. Mother watched me with wise violet eyes and chuckled, plucking the flower out of my hands and then walking over to another long table which lined up against the stair case. She sat down the freesia and picked up a elegantly decorated case of flowers – Roses, violets and babies breath. I smiled, instantly knowing who they were from.
"These came fro you this morning. A gift from Royce I presume?" Mother asked, a sly smile on her face. I chuckled and blushing and nodding.
"Yes, he knows I love Roses and violets." Truth be told I never cared much for violets until he started sending them to me, saying how they reminded him of my beautiful enchanting eyes. I'd never noticed how true that statement was until I really took a look at the color of a violet flower.
"Are you ready to go to the market today? Royce is supposed to meet us there. There is also supposed to be a family moving into the old house on mulberry street," Mother told me, as she finished her flower arraignment. I gaped at her, no one had lived in the house on Mulberry street since Mrs. Hanson died when I was barely eight years old. It was a huge house, bigger then even mine. Almost as big as the King estate.
"Really, a family has enough money to buy that place?" I asked, generally interested. I wondered what they looked like, of course they could be nowhere near as beautiful as me. Mother nodded, dusting off her hands and walking over to get her coat. I followed her as to get mine, a light brown one which Royce had gotten me, it had beautiful gold brass buttons and a was made of soft wool outside and silk inside, it was more of a trench coat then anything. It would look stunning with my dress and makeup.
"They say the family is even more beautiful then you, but I don't believe it. No one could be more beautiful then my little Bella." I smiled, though it almost appeared like a grimace. More beautiful then me? It had to be a gross exaggeration. Mother's words confronted me though and we set out together down the streets. It was cold out, usually so for February but then again it was only seven...I was usually allowed to sleep until nine on weekends.
We visit flee markets, but bought little to nothing. Mother found a china set which was up to her standards and I found a lovely topaz locket. I had decided to slip it on right away, it pulled together the outfit, the blue, and browns. After this we went to a small cafe and got lunch, mother had taken almost three hours in the flee shop just trying to find something up to her standards, but then again I wasn't much better. It was around this time we ran into Royce, in the jewelry shop. I saw him and smiled, and pulled him to into a swift kiss. I was happy he had returned it, but kissing him always felt odd. Almost like a forced reaction.
"Bells," he greeted once we pulled apart. Mother smiled, happy as some people stopped to stare at our beauty. Everyone said we were the most beautiful couple and anyone who was anyone was stopping to watch us when we were together.
"Hi Royce, did you have a good morning at work?" I asked. He smiled, nodding, though the smile did not seem real and he did not have a gleam in his eyes. I had seen the gleam in Thomas' eyes when he looked at Vera, even in my father and mothers eyes when they looked at each other. I had the gleam but I was not fooled into believing I was in love with Royce, no I was in love with the idea of Royce and what he could and would give me. I trusted him though, he was charming like that. He could probably charm a nun out of her habit.
"It was fine, Hell Lillian," Royce said, nodding to my mother, who nodded back happily. After some small talk and browsing we left the jewelery shop and began walking to the market, for groceries.
"Maria is out sick this week, a bad flu bug. I told her not to even try coming in less she passes it on to one of the children or god forbid, Bella." Mother shook her head, as if disgusted.
"I decided we would take care of the groceries today, and I heard a rumor from Mary that the new family was supposed to be in today to pick up a order," Mother said, smiling as we continued on, Royce had his arm loosely around my waist.
"Mother!" I scolded teasingly. She chuckled and shrugged.
"I just want to show them my beautiful daughter – no matter what they look like you'll always be the most beautiful girl in the world," Mother gushed and I smiled, my heart warming. Royce smiled as well, gave my waist a squeeze and we continued on. Eventually we entered the store, it was almost instantly we encountered the new family. It was almost to easy to spot them, almost everyone knew everyone around Rochester. These three people were people I had never once seen in my eighteen years.
"You must be the Doctor and his family! Cullen is it?" Mother asked as she tried to act surprised to see them in here. I smiled and looked up at Royce who returned a small smile, though it looked more like a grimace, I sighed and turned back to see the family as they turned. I instantly narrowed my eyes, they were beautiful. More beautiful then me...instantly I detested them!
There was two males and a female. I instantly hated the female most, though the other two were not far behind. The older male, was tall, taller then Royce's 6'0, standing at 6'3. He had neat golden blond hair, sort of like my own but if I was at honest with myself it was shiner, more vibrant then mine could ever hope to be, and I felt the resentment swell up more inside me. His face and features were angular and perfect, more so then my own, and their eyes! Their eyes were the most unique shade of topaz, a golden color. Their skin was pale, by far paler then mine, and I was considered pretty pale. Beside him was one of the most attractive women I had ever seen. She was rather tall, 5'6, and had a rounded figure but this made her more appealing if anything. Her curves out did my own and I glared, but knowing Mother would not have any of that I put up a facade of kindness so as to not upset the woman and my mother. The womens hair curled a bit and was a full bouncy caramel color, with red highlights, making it appear almost auburn in the light. Her skin was just as pale, which struck me as odd, but the weirdest yet was her eyes were the exact same shade of gold as the older male.
Finally I moved on to the younger male, no older then Royce or I. He was tall as well, 6'2 at least, and he had the oldest shade of hair. It was a bronze color, a mix or gold, brown, and red, and the most beautiful hair I had ever seen. Not even my unique white-gold hair met up to it. I felt very jealous about this, and as I trailed my eyes over his body, up his face, his beautiful sculpted face, like a golden Adonis. Speaking of gold, his eyes where also the exact same shade of gold as his family, they had to be related some how. The same beautiful features, gold eyes and pale and snow skin, it didn't add up but I pushed this aside. Focusing on their beauty made me feel hate, inadequate and jealousy. Three emotions I hated with a passion.
"Hello, I'm Carlisle Cullen. This is my wife, Esme and her younger brother, Edward Platt," the older blonde said, motioning to each as he pointed them out. I saw my smile, though forcibly and knew she had noticed their inhuman beauty as well. She shook Carlisle's hand and then Esme's.
"I'm Lillian Hale, this is my daughter, Isabella," mother said, as she pulled me closer to her and as a result closer to the Cullens. I fought to roll my eyes at her hidden agenda as to why she introduced me as she did. Royce chuckled and walked froward, taking in each Cullen, though I noticed he lingered on Esme a bit longer then appropriate or necessary and I swore I saw Edward narrow his eyes and hiss. I shook it off, the fact I was soon to be married was clouding up my brain.
"Hello," I replied, smiling kindly. I gave them my best award winning smile, I saw my mother smile as well, especially when the light hit my blonde hair and made it almost glow. It was more of a mesmerizing feat in the sunlight but in this time of year we were hardly ever graced with the sun. possibly in July or August but even then we were lucky to see it longer then a day or half a day. I smiled wider at the fact the older man's eyes widened, I knew it was because of my beauty but I was steel in a fury about them outshining me. Esme was looking at me with wide eyes as well, and I swore I heard her gasp, this made me feel a bit better. Thought the fact the bronze god was starring at me in what appeared to be disgust, or maybe unimpressed satisfaction made me angry, with not only him but myself. It also hurt, like he was rejecting me, no one had ever rejected me!
"Hello as well, my name is Royce King, I'm Bella's fiance," Royce said, grinning and shaking Carlisle's hands. I saw him flinch some and wondered why, mother had not but then again mother was wearing gloves. Was Dr. Cullen's hands clammy or something?
"It's wonderful to meet you all, but I am afraid Esme and I have to return home, I assume Edward is returning with us?" the last part came out as a question as the blond Doctor looked to his brother-in-law. Edward nodded, and nodded at my mother, and myself and Royce though I did not think he cared much for me at all. That was fine, I wasn't particularly liking him either.
"They were nice," mother said. I looked at her, frowning. Royce noticed and kissed my cheek.
"Don't worry Bell, your still the most beautiful woman in the world." I smiled, he knew exactly how to cheer me up.
A/N: Well here is chapter two. I hope you notice I described Bella as having Rosalie's description, mostly anyways. Bella looks like she always does in the movie except blonde. I have two pictures edited to shadow this, one as a human with her blue/violet eyes and one as a vampire. I will post them on my profile so keep a look out. I am trying to make a trailer but my movie maker is not cooperating. Does anyone know a good movie maker program that is not windows movie maker? Bella is still Bella in a way, but with more of Rosalie's personality. Rosalie will be in the story, but I have plans for her - she will be in the sequel or this one I am not sure yet. I'll have chapter three up by tomorrow and it will be in Edward's POV.
As for Bella's power, she will have two in a way - I have no decided how I am going to pull that off but I'm going to try to figure it out in a way that is original and satisfying.