"I was just leaving." I got up.

"She was just visiting with an old man, son." I smiled. "Please come see me again, Bella."

"As you wish, sire." I left the Prince to be with his father. "He misses you so much, Elizabeth."

"I know, I miss him dearly as well." She replied.

"I wish I could ease his pain."

"You already have. Don't worry about him."

I sighed and went to bed. The next morning, I got up early. I ate and started my archery. I had finished by the time Emmett approached me.

"I see you've finished your task. We will now spar with these wooden swords."

I grabbed one and a shield to defend myself with. Emmett showed me some moves and I repeated them until I was sure I knew the forms well enough to fight against him. We were circling each other, he faked a lunge at me. I swung my sword only to be met with his shield. He attacked me and I dodged. Our swords thudded against one another. I was caught off guard and Emmett went in for the kill. He stabbed me victoriously.

"You are decent at sword fighting, Swan."

"Thanks."

"You are free to leave."

"I think I'll stay and work on it a little more." He nodded and left to brush Bear. I thrusted my sword at my imaginary opponent. I watched my footwork and tried to figure out the best way to improve my skills. It was nightfall before I collapsed to the ground.

EMPOV

This Bella Swan is quite a character. I was so jealous of her and acted indifferently when she succeeded in her training. How could a girl like her defend Rosalie like that? I was amazed at her determination. She woke up early to complete her thirty bull's eyes that I had asked her to. She even stayed late to practice with her sword. This girl was special. I carried her back inside.

"Is she hurt?" Edward asked.

"No, she wore herself out."

"She is definitely strange, this one."

"Yes, but I'm glad she's here."

"Let her rest."

"Yes, my lord."

BPOV

When I came to, I found myself in my room. How did I get here?

"Emmett carried you back here, last night after you exhausted yourself." Elizabeth explained.

"That big softie. I'll have to thank him later." I got dressed in the pants Alice had found for me in my size. I ate and got to practice. I shot my arrows and fought imaginary opponents with my sword.

"Today will consist of horseback riding." Emmett announced.

"Thanks for last night, Sir McCarty."

"I wasn't going to just leave you out here."

"Which horse do I get to ride?"

He led me to a dark brown horse. "Chocolate." He called him.

"Let me guess, he likes chocolate?"

"Yes." I laughed.

"Hey there Chocolate." He whinnied a response. Emmett taught me how to brush and put on the saddle and bridle. I learned how to get on and what each tug of the reins meant. I used vocal cues to guide my horse, and before I knew it, I was riding like a professional. I didn't fall off once, not even when Chocolate jumped over a log.

"He likes you." Emmett said as he got off Bear.

"I like him too." We fed our horses and raked in new straw for the stables.

"You have the day off tomorrow." He told me.

"Can I leave the castle grounds?"

"What for?"

"I want to visit the family I was staying with and I wanted to buy a few things."

"May I come with you?"

"Sure!"

The next day, I was about to head out, when Alice came through my doors. "Bella, where are you going?"

"I'm going to the town to pick up a few things and visit some friends of mine."

"Shopping?! May I join you?"

"Do you think that's a good idea?"

"I'm so tired of being cooped up in this fortress. Besides, you'll be there to protect me if anything bad happens, right?"

"I guess. Fine, but you can't wear those clothes."

"What's wrong with my dress?"

"Do you want everyone to know that their beloved princess is grunging it up with the common folk?"

"No, I suppose not. What do you suggest then?"

"Where peasant clothes and a cloak."

She went to change and met me at the stables.

"What is the princess doing?"

"She's coming with."

"Why?"

"Because she wanted to and because she's a devious little pixie."

Alice got on her white horse, Crystal, and trotted on my left, while Emmett galloped ahead of us.

"Why is he hurrying for?" Alice asked.

"Beats me."

We arrived in Forks Shire shortly and tied our horses near a trough. I wanted to get my shopping done before I saw the Hales.

"Swan, come with me." Emmett said as he pulled me towards a blacksmith.

"What are we doing here?"

"We need to commission you a long sword."

"Oh."

He talked to the blacksmith as I perused the swords on display. A short dagger with a sapphire gem on the hilt caught my eye.

"That was used in a great battle against a mighty beast and a mortal man." A boy my age said.

"It's beautiful."

"Would you like to purchase it?" he asked.

"You'll need it, Bella." Elizabeth chimed in.

"Okay, how much is it?"

"500 shillings, but for you, I'll make it 450."

"That's a little high don't you think?"

"It is a very important dirk with a legendary owner."

"Crowley, are you trying to lose business?" Emmett asked.

"No, sir."

"Then don't cheat her. She's a member of the guard."

Crowley's eyes widened. "I'm so sorry, miss. Please don't ruin me."

I bit back a smile. "How about I pay you 225 for the dagger?"

"That is the perfect price." He removed the dagger from the case and handed it to me. I gave him a few gold coins and the three of us made our way to another shop. I found what I was looking for in an old caravan like kiosk. In the corner was what I hoped would be an ancestor to the piano. I was in luck, there were two. I paid the shopkeeper a reasonable price and asked him to have one delivered to the castle.

"Bella what was that device and why did you need to buy two of them?"

"It's an instrument. I wanted to buy a gift for the people who took me in and the other is for your father."

"My father?"

"Yes, he told me he liked hearing music, so I decided I wanted to play for him, since my voice is atrocious."

"I'm sure that's not possible, but thank you for thinking of my father."

I bought some food before heading to the tavern. I pulled my cloak over my face and went inside. It wasn't open yet, so no one was there. Emmett helped me set up the piano in the corner where he usually sat.

"What do you think you are doing?" Rosalie asked when she came over.

I didn't respond and started playing "Heart and Soul".

"Excuse me!" She pulled off my hood and her annoyance faded into glee. "Bella?!" She crushed her body to mine in an embrace.

I laughed and Alice joined in. "Hi to you too, Rose."

Her family came in hearing our commotion. "You're back!" Jasper shouted as he dropped whatever he was holding to rush over to kiss me on the forehead.

"Just for today."

"We've miss you, dear." Esme said maternally.

"Did you think that I would forget my favorite family?"

"Of course not. We thought that you would be too busy with your adventures to come visit us." Carlisle said.

"You're making great progress, Bella." Elizabeth included.

"I want to introduce you to some people." I said.

Alice and Emmett removed their hoods and the Hales gasped.

"This is my boss, Sir Emmett McCarty and this of course, is the person whom I am in charge of protecting, Princess Alice Masen."

"Guys, this is Carlisle, Esme, Jasper, and Rosalie Hale."

They all paid their respects to Alice who shook it off with a smile. "You guys talk, while I cook."

The Hales laughed. "You know how to cook?" Alice asked.

"Yes. Sit back and relax." She started a conversation with Jasper as Emmett spoke with Rosalie. I made some burgers and awed everyone again as they ate it up hungrily.

"I've missed your cooking, Bella." Jasper commented.

"You have to cook when we get back." Alice said.

"Bella, what is that machine you brought in earlier?" Carlisle asked.

"Oh, it's called a piano. I thought that if there was some music, business would be better for you."

"That's very thoughtful of you, honey. But none of us know how to use it." Esme said.

"I can teach you."

Rosalie wanted to give it a try. I sat her down next to me as she placed her fingers over my own. After a few tries, she could play a few notes and chords.

"It doesn't have to be complicated. There are millions of combinations of notes, so just keep practicing. Soon, people will line out the door to come hear you play!"

Rosalie smiled and I saw Emmett look at her adoringly. When it was time to open, we had to take our leave. I didn't want to expose Alice. After promising I'd be in touch, I hugged my family goodbye. Jasper kissed Alice on her hand, lingering longer than he should have. Emmet gave Rosalie one last look before we rode off back to the castle.

"You have a crush on Rosalie." I said bluntly.

"What?!" Emmett retorted.

"Don't play dumb, I saw the way you looked at her."

"Yes, Emmett, it was quite obvious how much you like Rose." Alice said.

He was flabbergasted. "Well, it seems you've attained an admirer also, Princess."

"Who are you referring to?" Alice asked.

"Jasper was chatting you up, girl, and he isn't usually very talkative." I said.

She huffed and went to her room. Emmett did the same, leaving me alone in the hall. The piano had arrived before we got home. I brought it into the biggest room I could find. I wanted the music to echo through the whole castle. I played a few simple melodies before finishing with the Elizabeth's lullaby.

"That was beautiful." I heard a familiar voice say.

I gasped when I saw Edward standing next to the piano. "I'm sorry, did I disturb you? I didn't mean to wake you or anything."

"No, it's fine. Where did you hear that last song?"

"A friend of mine sung it to me once."

"Really? The only people that know that song are my sister and father. Not even Emmett has heard of it."

"I just wanted to appease your father with some music. I hoped he could hear me."

"I'm sure he is very grateful towards you. Thank you. May I?"

I scooted over on the bench. He sat down and his fingers flew over the keys. I sat in awe. "Wow. You're very talented."

"It was nothing. I like it when you played." I blushed and smiled. "I'm sorry for yelling at you the other night."

"You had every right to."

"No. I jumped to conclusions and I shouldn't have."

"You're forgiven, my prince."

"Please call me Edward."

"Okay, good night, Edward." I stood up and started to go back to my room when I was stopped. Edward had gotten a hold of my shirt.

"Wait. Please don't leave."

"What's wrong?"

"I'm having trouble sleeping. Would you come to my bed chamber and stay with me tonight?"

"I uh I don't think um…"

"I only request your company in sleep, not any duties of a mistress." He clarified.

I looked at him for a long time. He shifted uncomfortably. I nodded, knowing my voice would betray me. He removed his hand from the hem of my shirt to hold my hand. We walked in silence to his room. He removed his shirt to reveal a very muscular body. He looked like a statue. I took a deep breath and removed my pants, my shirt was long enough to cover what I didn't want him to see. We awkwardly climbed into bed together and laid side by side.

"Would it be alright if we were closer?" He asked politely.

"That would be fine." I said as I snuggled into his chest and he placed his hand over my stomach. I listened to the rhythmic beats of his hearts as he traced patterns on my hip.

"Thank you for agreeing to this." He whispered.

"No problem, Edward."

"Awww!" I heard Elizabeth coo.

I ignored her and closed my eyes.

*AN: I do not own Twilight. Leave me your thoughts!