authors note- I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sorry for taking so long. please forgive me.

CinderBella Chapter 4-

compromise

BPOV

We unloaded the carriage and entered the house. Automatically, I took their coats and handbags and hung them on the rack.

"Bella, arrange our accessories in our armours, our coats cleaned, tea made hot with lemon, and stairs cleaned by tomorrow afternoon. Also we need to be woken before noon tomorrow so that we might be able to see the prince play tomorrow," My stepmother instructed.

"The prince is playing tomorrow?" said Tanya.

"Yes my dear, and rumor has it that soon he will have to choose a bride." she stretched the word as if it were the greatest in this world, but her eyes twitched to me as I was staring intently at her. She sat up straight and stared back, looking intently into my eyes, as if telling me off inside my head, but I could not look away.

The truth is I really couldn't see her. I was zoned out, completely dazed. The prince, the one I met today, was absolutely gorgeous, and beautiful, and kind. I could not but dream of his greatness, for I was all but giddy about his soon- proposal, though it was stupid of me to feel this way. I should not have felt so dazzled by this man I met today. For all I knew, he could be one of the other two princes who were already wed. But I could still dream, couldn't I?

no, I answered myself. not in this house.

EPOV

After spending the rest of the afternoon, wondering aimlessly around the dark and wet streets of Volterra, I soon came to realize I was late. So so very late. I stopped in the center of the road, and looked around, making sure that when I ran, and I mean really ran, no one would see me. The street was deserted and I was free to run. I sped off, covering 30 feet with each stride, though my feet were as smooth as when I was striding down the side walk. I arrived at the palace in seconds. Demetri met me at the door.

"You're late," he said, his voice monotone.

"Really?!?" Heavy sarcasm, though he ignored it.

"Where have you been?"

"Does it matter?" I walked through the doors and threw my coat on the ground. I wasn't cold anyways; I was never cold. I crossed the golden halls filled with servents and maids, doorkeepers and dusters, and all other people who feared and hated me, humans, though the person they hated and feared was not the person who walked into the room now, who, although was late, was smiling, gleaming. I was obviously not the same person I was this morning, and that thought scared me. I burst into the dining hall, and smiled. "Carlisle."

"Edward," he said," where have you been?" He asked this softly, caring, but not scornful like Demetri wished I was treated.

"I was enjoying the drowzy day. I know I am late, and I apologize."

"There is nothing to apologize for," he smiled. He clapped his hands and two males came and started to measure me, though I had not grown, for I never grew, nor ate, nor sleep.

"What are they doing?" I asked, wondering why these men where measuring, as if I was recieving a custom-made suit, though that never happened unless. . . un. . .less . . . The silence gave it away.

"ANOTHER BALL!!! WHY!? Please, don't, not another. . ."

Esme smiled softly, "We want you to be happy, and you're not. . . maybe if you found a human you liked enough, that we might be able to change them for you. you might-"

I cut her off, growling. The measurers had rushed off, terriffied. o my gosh... that was scary. . . i thought he was going to kill me. . . they thought. I ignored their thoughts, and focused on hers.

please, we are trying to help you. . . esme thought softly

Edward, son, please, just one ball. . . Carlisle focused.

"Might I make a compromise with you?" I said.

yes oh yes anything. . . her thoughts lightened, excited that i was planning to go along with the ball idea.

"If I find a bride, that's great, but . . ."

but...? her eyes sunk.

"If I don't, I get to spend my life looking for love my way, not balls, no interveening."

aba... u.. she... eeeeandakkka... buuu.... buuu... she babbled, her thoughts scrambled, so carlisle grabbed my attention.

that sounds perfectly fair, yes, the ball will be this friday, invite who you wish... he took esme by the arm and left the room.

and I was free. . .

and lost. . .