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Chapter 2 – Resolute

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BPOV

I had set eyes on him before. Watching in secret as he performed chores around the palace. He never said much, except for a "yes, Mistress" or "no, Mistress" here or there. It was rather strange. Each time I had spotted him, I felt like I should speak with him. Or hug him. Something to remove the constant gloominess from his features. Though I did not even know his name. Not that that would have stopped me…

I found that I liked watching this strange boy. He was so pretty. With pale skin, and brown-red hair—like rich copper—that stood in many directions at once. What really stood out were the color of his eyes; they were a deep, emerald green, which seemed to shimmer despite the grief shown in his features. He always seemed sad, and I got curiouser and curiouser about why that might be.

Each day I would think of how I could approach him. Finally, I decided that I would just say hello and let myself figure out the rest later. I spotted him in the main sitting room, sweeping ashes from the hearth of the great fireplace that was far across the room. Mrs. Newton was overseeing his work, and apparently, it was not good enough. Though, no one seemed to be up to her standard, as she horribly detested any amount of dirt or disorder. I silently made plans for her and then looked back at the boy. He was covered from head to toe in ashes and soot. I wish I was allowed to get good and dirty like that.

"Be careful, you little fool. Do not get any more filth in this room, or I shall flog you."

"Yes, Mistress," he replied in a small voice. It made me sad.

As Mrs. Newton was moving toward the door to leave, I decided that this was my opportunity. She was nearly out of the room before she saw me. "Isabella?" She said sweetly. "Why, whatever are you doing here, Your Highness?" I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could, she said, "I am sorry, but we are going to be freshening up the room for the rest of the morning." She smiled condescendingly at me, as if I could not see right through her.

"There is no problem, Mrs. Newton. I wish to talk with that boy there, so I do not mind." There was a horrified gasp that came from her, and then a cold, hard hand grasped my shoulder from behind. I turned and saw that Mrs. Stanley was as equally astonished as Mrs. Newton—I guess she had heard me—but she collected her expression quickly before dismissing Mrs. Newton.

"That will be all, Karen. Please continue your appointments."

"Yes, ma'am." And with that parting, Mrs. Newton disappeared. I did not understand what was going on before I, too, was made to leave the room. I looked over before I lost sight of him and saw the boy watching us before he quickly moved to focus on his chore once again.

"Isabella, Your Highness, you do not converse with servants. It is quite improper."

"I am conversing with you right now."

"Well, that is different, my dear." She thought she could pull the wool over my eyes, too.

"I do not see the difference." Why was he any different than her?

She began to explain about status and what the respectful behavior of someone like me should be, but I was done listening. I could see that she was using her patient voice, which meant that what ever this had to do with, it was something I would 'understand fully' when I was grown… blah, blah, blah. The logic she attempted to feed me was completely infuriating at times. Specifically now. Though I was not deterred. I would merely have to speak to him in secret, and I knew just how to get to him without anyone else bothering us. I smiled, thinking about it.

I went about my lessons as I waited to carry out my secret appointment and they seemed to be even more tiresome than usual. Today, I had dance and piano before literature. I sighed. I grew wary of learning the waltz—having no coordination did not assist me, either—and though I adored playing the beautiful pianoforte in my bedchamber, I did not feel as confident in the parlor where my overall lack of dexterity was on display. Especially when playing Liszt. It was mortifying. Yet, the day was not a complete misuse of time as I was given new literary works to analyze and sharpen my mind through various tales and accounts.

Being born a princess, I should have been pretty, graceful, charming... which were all the characteristics of princesses in my stories and from what my mother said. Often enough though, I could see some disappointment from my father and mother. They encouraged me properly and spoke of patience, but no amount of speech would make me into the supposed royalty that I am. It seemed more of a jest than actuality. I buried my nose in the tattered pages of my favorite novels, dreaming I had been ransomed into a world that was not my own.

Finally, it was supper. I entered the dining hall, greeting Mother and Father with our usual affections, and took my place on the left side of Father. It was a quiet affair, as usual, though Mother attempted to inquire about my instruction. "Isabella, your tutors seemed quite concerned with your performance today. What have you to say about this?" She asked sternly.

"Forgive me, Mother, but I do not believe they should be unhappy with my learning," I said, pondering for the best excuse I could give for my lack of focus. "I was merely, um, unable to concentrate."

"Due to what distraction?" She queried.

"Um, well…" Drat. I seemed to have no fortune this day…

"Isabella, you must pay attention to your studies. How can you expect to behave properly and learn to govern, if your head is in lost in the clouds all day?" I could tell she expected an answer, so I merely agreed with her, and the subject was dispersed. Father seemed lost in thought as I gazed at his face. Worn with the strains of running a kingdom, he seemed to grow troubled more each day.

I withheld my frown, wishing that I had someone I could speak freely to. Someone who would not think ill of me. I longed for a sibling, or even a friend, to share my thoughts with. But, I did not have anyone such as that. Yet.

Having finished my meal, I retired to my chamber, feeling the depletion of a day's duties. I became quite restless as I quickly dressed for bed before dashing to the secret place next to my bed. I opened the wall and entered the labyrinth hidden beyond. Though I had explored little in this place, I did know the general direction of where the boy's chamber would be. I moved as quickly as possible and peered through the crack in the wall that looked out to the hall before the servants' quarters. I moved to open the wall and discover the boy's room, but stopped, as I heard the sound of foot falls approaching quickly. It was none other that Mrs. Newton and the boy I sought out. His arm was tightly in her grasp as she heaved him through the hall. I saw what appeared to be blood on his back and moved to follow the sound of her voice through the wall as she scolded him while pulling him along.

I waited by the secret door to his chamber, waiting for his Mistress' steps to be gone.

Once I could be sure she would not return, I moved the wall as silently as possible and stepped into the poorly lit room. He was lying on a small cot, soiled and stiff-looking, whimpering into his single pillow. I moved closer to where he lay. "Hey!" I whispered, and suddenly, his soft cries stopped. "What is the matter?" Though, it was clear that he must be in pain, I still could not figure out anything better to say.

He looked at me then, wide-eyed, as if in shock. "Are you all right?" I queried again, since he had not spoken yet. I waited a long moment before he nodded and wiped away the leftover tears from his cheeks. He looked even more sad than I had seen him before, and I turned away to focus on the room so that I would not be rude by just staring at him. It seemed that he had no belongings of any kind, no kinds of diversion or even a cozy place to sit and gather one's thoughts. It was very cold, too. How strange.

"Is this cot your only furnishings? Where are your toys and clothes and things?" He had yet to speak to me, though I was doing my best to converse with him. Did he not know how rude his silence was? "Why don't you say something? Can't you speak?" I asked, knowing that he could. He nodded, but I did not seek him out to only hear silence. "Why won't you answer me properly, then?"

Something in his face changed as he looked at me, and then, in almost barely a whisper, he said, "I'm not allowed."

Though I was told this, I did not think that he would be fearful of my attempts to speak with him. Perhaps he feared I would tell Mrs. Newton? I tried to think of a way I could make him believe me. Then I had an idea. "Well, we can keep it a secret! Our very own secret!" I giggled, there was no one I could have secrets with before… Maybe this boy could be that one. "What's your name?"

He smiled then for some reason and quietly answered, "Edward."

Edward.

It was a nice name. It suited him. Deciding not to waste anymore time, I moved to take his hand in mine and led him back to my room, where we could both be at ease.

I led Edward through the labyrinth back to my chamber and quickly moved to extinguished the lights to make sure that no one knew I had a guest.

Edward seemed to be frozen in place. I moved back over to him and led him to the tent I had made after reading a story about travelers. He sat reluctantly and did not seem to feel safe yet, so I tried to get him speaking again. It seemed asking questions was the way to proceed, but then he called me Princess, and I did not like that he was trying to be like the rest of them. "Don't call me Princess. We're friends now. Just call me Bella." He hesitated, but eventually did call me by my name.

Remembering that he must still be hurting from whatever had made his back red with blood, I realized I could not expect him to play adventurer with wounds such as these, now could I? I moved to get the washing bowl from the hearth, and managed to have him lay inside the tent. I cleaned his wounds then, trying to be gentle as his body shook now and then. I began speaking again, wondering if maybe telling him about me would make him want to speak. Though it did work a little, I could tell that he was tired.

It is late, I thought, and I will have studies in the morning…

As I finished clearing away the smudges from Edward's back, I decided it was best to rest now, and play later. I lay next to him, feeling like I finally had someone who could be my true friend, and put my arm around his shoulders.

I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. Maybe Edward did not know it yet, but we were going to be great friends for a long time. I just knew it.

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A/N: Wow I'm really excited for the few of you who have reviewed and/or put this in favorites/alerts. It means so much that you think my story is worth your time! So thank you!

I know it's pretty slow right now—Even I'm telling myself to hurry up and get going—but I'm just establishing a few things, so please have patience. Also, there WILL be a time jump (or two) in the near future (it will most likely be the 4th chapter), so don't worry; we will definitely see them in more mature stages.

Oh… and before you go, would you mind leaving me a review? Please? ;)