I don't own Twilight or Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. The truth hurts sometimes :(
BPOV
The limo smoothly left the palace gates and headed toward the winter palace, where the ball was being held. It was more convenient because no one lived there now, since it was just beginning to turn into autumn.
"Are Emmett and Jasper meeting you there?" I asked.
"Yep" answered Alice, "They're going to meet us outside of the ball. After all, a lady can't show up alone" she joked, taking on a fake sophisticated air.
Rosalie laughed along with her. I frowned "But I'm going alone."
"Yes, but you, silly, are the princess. You can do whatever you want. Anyways, I don't think your date would have liked to see you dance with literally every guy at the ball."
I giggled at the thought of that, and relaxed. The winter palace was about an hour away, on the banks of the ocean.
The rest of the ride was cheerful, all of us excited about the ball. Finally, the limo pulled into a stop in front of the palace doors. A servant opened our door, and our names were announced.
"Lady Rosalie Hale, Lady Alice Brandon, and Isabella Marie Swan; Princess of Meine," rang out a booming voice."
"Rose!" came a deep voice, and suddenly a large man with curly brown hair and Alice's blue eyes appeared from the crowd, pulling Rose into a passionate kiss.
"Hey Alice" said Jasper, appearing after Emmett. He was tall and muscular, looking intimidating in his suit, his honey colored hair left in a casual mop and his aqua eyes twinkling. He gave Alice a sweet kiss, and then gave me a smile. "Hello, your majesty" he teased.
"Shut up" I answered, teasing back at him, "You know I hate it when people call me your majesty. It feels too formal."
"I know" he said smugly, "that's what makes it so fun."
Alice trilled a laugh, and I had to chuckle along with her, giving Jasper a light, mocking shove.
By that time, Rose and Emmett had finished up. "Belly!" shouted Emmett, pulling me into a bone-crushing hug.
"Emmett…can't….breath…"I choked out. He chuckled and set me down.
"You ready to go, all powerful princess" joked Emmett, knowing that I hated being called princess, but, like Jasper, he liked to tease me about it.
I rolled my eyes, letting it pass, and straightened up to look like a 'proper princess'.
"Let's go." I said, leading the way. Alice and Jasper followed with linked hands, and Rosalie and Emmett trailed behind, intertwined as much as two people could be when they were walking.
I swear, I feel like they are taking away every innocence of my eyes. We all knew how much they loved each other, but was all this touching necessary? Alice and Jasper were just as in love, but they didn't grope at each other with every chance they got.
I shook off the thoughts, as I walked down the magnificent hall that led to the ball room. I stayed behind once we got to the door, while the others went ahead. I had to make a grand entrance because I was princess.
I hated having to do this, even if it was a normal thing. Having too many people look at me for a 'grand entrance' was most certainly not a good thing, when, chances are, I would trip, fall, and be humiliated forever. It would probably end up on the news: the Princess' Birthday Ball Blunder. Hmm. That was actually kind of catchy, though I hoped it never had to be used.
I stepped into the small room next to the hall to wait for the hall to clear. I sat in the big, cushioned chair, and reached for the book I always kept in the waiting room. Wuthering Heights. I had already read it so many times, but I loved the book, and never missed a chance to read it over and over again.
I opened the worn out copy, and dived into the story. I didn't notice the time go by, and, before I knew it, a servant opened the door.
"It's time to go your highness." He said respectfully.
I got up and swept into the hall, ready to make a 'royal entrance'. By this time, the entrance area was cleared, and I was given the signal to enter the ball. The doors were opened as I heard a ringing voice declare:
"Announcing, Isabella Marie Swan, Princess of Meine."
I stepped forward, concentrating on every step I took to make sure I didn't trip. Everyone bowed when I came into sight. I hated that. It was too formal and unfamiliar, even though I knew just about everyone here. The same guests were always invited, and I had met everyone at one point or another.
My father, Charlie, the current king, stood waiting for me. "Hey, Bells," he said, hugging me. "Sorry I didn't get to see you yesterday. You came home pretty late, and I was really tired. I meant to wait up for you, but as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was totally knocked out."
I smiled, and returned his hug. "No worries, dad" I loved my dad, but he was very busy, being king and all kinds of busy stuff came from that. We tried to see each other at every chance, but we usually didn't get to very much.
"How's Renee?" he asked.
"She's fine," I said, and then assessed his face carefully. "She has a boyfriend, Phil Dwyer" I said cautiously.
He kept his expression completely blank. "Does he seem nice," he asked, trying to be nonchalant about it.
"Yeah, he seemed like a nice guy. He looks like he'd be good for mom."
"Ah, that's….good," he fumbled, seeming at a loss for words. Honestly, so was I when I first met Phil, though I thought he would be good for my mom after I got to know him.
After finishing greetings, I went to find my friends. I walked carefully through the crowd trying not to trip. But I ended up tripping anyway, over thin air, off all things. I bumped into someone, falling right into a body. I stood up immediately, beginning to apologize, but was momentarily speechless when I saw the person I had bumped into.
I had never seen him here before. He was so gorgeous. He had a tall, lean, body, a perfectly angled face, and messy bronze colored hair. But the best part was his eyes. They were an intense, deep emerald green. So deep, I felt I could fall in and fall forever into those emerald depths. My head was swimming, and I didn't realize at the time that it was because I wasn't breathing.
I shook it off; suddenly realizing I had tripped right into the poor guy, and hadn't apologized.
"I'm so sorry. I tripped and I didn't mean to bump into you."
He smiled warmly. I beautiful crooked smile that left me breathless. Good God. How could someone look that good? Was I dreaming, or was he some sort of angel sent down from heaven?
"It's so problem, your highness," he said in a silken voice.
I had to get going before I gave in to the totally inappropriate impulses drawing me toward this angel. Who knew my mind could come up with such dirty images, considering I was still a virgin.
"Excuse me; I have to go find my friend." I said in a breathless voice.
Great, Bella. I scolded myself. Could you be any more obvious? He can probably see how much you're ogling him, and if he can't, he probably knows now because of how breathless your voice sounds.
"Of course, your majesty," he said politely, and moved gracefully from my path.
I quickly walked away, needing to clear my head. I found Alice sitting at a table with Rose, Jasper, and Emmett.
I plopped down in an empty seat.
"Hey" I said.
"Aren't you supposed to be dancing, Bella?" asked Alice.
"Bella, dancing?" Emmett asked, incredulous.
"Of course, you idiot," said Rose, "This is her 21st birthday. It's tradition that she dances with every eligible bachelor."
"Ha" exclaimed Emmett, "Good luck, Bella. Try not to injure the entire male population."
Smack! "OW! What was that for, Rose?" Rosalie had hit Emmett on his head. It sounded like she hit really hard, too
"Why would you say that, Emmett? The poor girl is nervous enough as it is."
"Okay. I'm sorry Bella. Please forgive me." He said in a moping voice, sounding like a 5 year old.
I laughed, saying "of course, Emmett, and try not to get yourself arrested this time."
Everyone laughed, recalling that memorable night. "Hey, how was I supposed to know that you can't dance like that here," protested Emmett.
"Emmett, it's a royal, formal ball. Why would they even have to mention that?" said Jasper, holding back a chuckle.
"Yeah, Emmett, I think it would be common sense to not dance like that. You looked like you about to start stripping, and you were singing 'I'm too Sexy' tonelessly at the top of your lungs." Said Alice, barely getting it out over her laughter.
"It's not my fault I had a bit to drink before the party," pouted Emmett.
That did it. We all burst out laughing, except for Emmett. He looked sulky at the flashback of the night he got arrested. Of course, being princess, I got him out before he got in too far.
"Excuse me, your highness," came a voice, "would you like to dance?"
Oh God. It was time to start. My good mood dissolved. I looked at the person, and felt even more annoyed. It was Mike Newton, the guy that has been going after me since I was 15. He didn't seem to get that persistence was really annoying after a certain point. But today he had a valid excuse. I had to dance with every guy.
I looked at my friends helplessly. They were all looking at me smugly, like they couldn't wait to watch me humiliate myself. Traitors. I took his hand. He led me to the dance floor, and pulled me to him. We began dancing. I was really uncomfortable. It was one thing to have to dance, but another entirely to have to dance with Mike, who still seemed to believe he had any chance with me.
"So, your highness," he said, "how about we sneak out and go to dinner?"
"No, thanks Mike," I said tonelessly. We had been over this at least five thousand times.
"Oh, come on. We can go over to my house later. Maybe get into my bedroom, preferably without clothes." He said suggestively.
"No, Mike." I said firmly, pulling away from him.
"Come on, babe." He persisted, trying to pull be back.
"Do not talk to your princess that way!" I growled.
"Excuse me," came a silky, velvet voice. I recognized it right away, and I looked to the side confirmed it. It was the bronze haired, green eyed god.
"Do you mind if I cut in?" he asked respectfully.
Mike looked like he did mind, but I ignored that and took hold of the man's hand, glad to be away from that pest.
The god-like man drew me close, and began dancing. I loved feeling his hand in mine, and basked in the warmth his presence gave.
"Thank you so much. I can't tell you how glad I am to be away from him."
"No problem, your majesty."
"Bella," I cut in, "I prefer Bella."
"Well, then, Bella, I'm Edward," he said, smiling. A perfect name for the perfect man.
"What was he doing to you to make you seem so annoyed?" asked Edward.
"He was making suggestive remarks about, 'sneaking out' and 'going to his bedroom'" I said, feeling completely disgusted.
Anger flashed in Edward's eyes. "He really had the nerve to say that to his princess" he said, anger and disgust evident in his voice.
"Yes, but don't worry about it. I can handle it, and at least I'm away from him now."
Edward looked like he was about to say something, but another boy, Tyler, cut in and asked for a dance.
Edward gave me one last glance, then stepped back, allowing me to dance with my new partner.
I watched Edward walk away gracefully over Tyler's shoulder, feeling disappointed that our dance was over, and wishing it could have gone on all night.
I finished the required dances, and sat back down with my friends, proud that I hadn't caused any injury while dancing.
"How did it go?" asked Rose.
"Okay," I answered "Except Mike tried to make a move on me by suggesting dirty things."
"He did WHAT?!" boomed Emmett. He was always treating me like his little sister.
"Are you serious?" exclaimed Alice.
"Yeah, he suggested 'going to his bedroom'" I gagged at the very thought of doing anything like that with someone like Mike.
"Ewwww!" squealed Alice and Rosalie.
Emmett and Jasper looked like they were seconds away from jumping up and tracking down Mike for a nice "talk".
"Calm down, guys, it's okay. Our dance was cut by another guy." For some reason, I didn't want to tell them about Edward.
They guys calmed down a little, but still looked like they were going to beat the crap out of Mike the first chance that they got. I actually wouldn't be surprised. They have been itching to have a go at him ever since he first started with his annoying persistence. This really gross suggestiveness must have been the last straw. Alice and Rosalie still looked a little disgusted.
The night was uneventful after that. We stayed sitting, just chatting the time away until the ball was officially over.
I had to wait and say goodbye to everyone like a good little princess. The others waited in the car. They got bored when they had to stay behind with me. Imagine if you had to do it almost every effing day. Boring would be an understatement. I would stick pins in my eyes just to get away from having to deal with it every day of my life.
Finally the last guest left, and I got into the limo, ready to be home. When I was back in my room, I changed out of my dress, hanging it carefully so it wouldn't get wrinkled, washed off my makeup, and pulled my hair loose of its intricate bun, leaving it in a loose ponytail.
I realized, as I climbed into bed and turned off the lamp, that I hadn't seen Edward since our dance. Not anywhere for the rest of the night. But I hoped I would see him again.
Don't think it's all going to work out easily. It's not going to be a perfect love story. I have a lot of drama planned, and most of it isn't from princess diaries, so don't expect to know what's going to happen if you've watched the movie. We still have to get to the big surprise in store for our Bella ;)
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