A/N: Hope you are enjoying so far! I am going to start adding different POVS.
Beginning after Bella ran out of the stables:
With a smile on her face, Bella ran out of the stables towards a frantic Clarissa.
Running down the hill, Bella quickly made my way to the secret door near the bushes.
Slowly, Bella opened the latch and crawled through. Before stepping out into the hall, I made sure the hall was clear of guards.
However, the small door shut with a loud groan that echoed through the hall.
Cringing, Bella sighed in relief when no guards came running down.
Bella made her way down the hall, stumbling slightly, while searching for Clarissa. I caught a glimpse of red hair down the hall, and immediately knew it was her.
She turned around with an uneasy expression on her face, and Bella knew immediately something wrong.
"I'm so sorry it took me so long, I should've remembered you were covering for me." Bella said, remorse in her voice.
Clarissa nodded, understanding. "I know you probably lost track of time, I just didn't want you getting in trouble for entering the stables. That's restricted to only the royal family and cleaning staff."
"It didn't look heavily guarded", Bella said, confused. She got in so easy, it was hard to believe there's any security.
Clarissa looked shocked. "That's strange, usually they have guards or cameras watching in the shadow. Those horses are vary valuable to the royal family."
Was that guy a security guard? Maybe the wasn't a random stranger, after all, Bella thought to herself.
"Who makes up the Royal family? I know of King Carlisle and Queen Esme, but do they have any children?" Bella asked, feeling dumb that she had little knowledge of the royals and their palace.
Clarissa laughed at the dumbfounded girl, "Yes, they do, though both are adopted. Queen Esme was never able to bare children of her own, so they decided to adopt."
Continuing her explanation, Clarissa said, "There is still debate over if their eldest son, Edward, should receive the crown since he is not of pure royal blood. Neither is his younger brother, Jacob."
"Interesting, I never knew about that. My village doesn't receive national news often." Bella replied. She never knew of Edward or Jacob, though she wondered if she would ever meet them.
"I think that's enough history lessons for tonight. But if you ever want to know anything about the palace or the royals, I will always be here to help. Now, it's almost midnight! You need to get to bed. Big day tomorrow!" Clarissa advised.
Bella shifted nervously. "You're right, I'll head to bed. Thanks for everything." Bella smiled with gratitude and waved goodbye.
She walked over to the room labeled for her and opened the big doors.
Bella gasped again at the sight of the magnificent room, not sure if she'll ever get used to the beauty it displayed.
She yawned, tired and ready to sleep. Bella set aside the bundle of nerves in her stomach and crawled into her soft bed.
Falling asleep quickly, she entered dreams of the handsome, dark and mysterious stranger she encountered, and when they would meet again.
The following morning, Bella woke up to the sound of a knock at her door.
Groaning, she opened her eyes to soft daylight pouring into her room from her giant windows. She looked at her clock: 8:00 am.
She sleepily lifted her body off her comfy bed and dragged her feet to the door. Just as she opened the door, an energetic Clarissa walked through.
"Bella! Today is an exciting day! Now wake up, and let's get you ready!" Clarissa said excitedly.
Bella yawned and rubbed her eyes. She didn't understand what the fuss was about. "What to do you mean? How's it so important?"
Clarissa bounced up and down. "Today, you will be attending brunch in the courtyard with the royal family and some of their colleagues!"
She stared at Clarissa, already anxious. She was going to meet the royal family? She briefly wondered if her uncle would be there, but then her thoughts went back to what Clarissa said.
"A dinner party?!" Bella almost shouted. She was no where near ready to meet the royals, let alone their friends.
So many thoughts were racing through Bella's mind.
What would she wear? What if she trips and falls and makes a fool out of herself? What if something goes wrong and the royal family hates her?
Bella grimaced at all the worst case scenarios her mind was thinking about.
Clarissa snapped her out of it. "Come! We need to find you a dress! Give you a bath, put on makeup, pick out shoes..."
Bella wasn't paying attention anymore. She grimaced at the thought having to get dressed up. She was never like every other girl. And the thought of wearing heels horrified her.
Clarissa could sense Bella's nervousness. "It's not going to be that bad. You may actually enjoy it!" She said, trying to cheer Bella up.
Bella sighed. "Fine, I'll try this out." She gave in.
Bella knew she would have to look presentable while at the palace.
Clarissa laughed and shook her head. "I've never known someone who hates to get dressed up."
Bella looked at her and held out her hand. "Hi, I'm Bella. Nice to meet you."
Clarissa just rolled her eyes and pushed Bella along to her bathroom.
After a nice lavender bath, Bella was fresh and clean. Clarissa sat her down at Bella's vanity.
Clarissa was thoughtful for a moment, then opened the cabinets to reveal elaborate collections of makeup. Bella cringed.
"Please, please don't make me wear," Bella looked at the makeup in disgust, "that."
Clarissa rolled her eyes. "Don't worry. You are very naturally beautiful."
Bella blushed and stared at her straight brown hair, pale skin, and brown eyes. She never thought of herself as beautiful.
Clarissa bent down and pulled out a simple battle of mascara. "This will make your eyes pop and your eyelashes look long and full." She explained.
Bella appraised the bottle and opened it. She didn't know how to apply this without stabbing her eyes out.
Clarissa could see her confusion. "I'll do it." She grabbed the bottle and quickly applied two coats.
Bella looked in the mirror and smiled. This wasn't bad. Clarissa was right.
"Okay, this looks fine. But I refuse to wear anymore makeup." Bella said.
Clarissa smiled, clearly satisfied. "Fine, that's all you need, really. Let's do something with your hair."
Bella frowned. "What is wrong with my hair?" She liked it this way, straight and long. It was all she's ever known.
"We don't have to completely change it." She took the upper half of her hair and pulled it back, then tied the section into an elegant braid. "That way your hair is out of your face while still down and flowing gracefully."
For the final touch, Clarissa untucked some hair around her ears. She quickly went over to a nearby draw and pulled out a gorgeous sapphire clip.
Bella gasped. Blue always was her favorite color. Clarissa nearly tucked it into the part where the braid started.
Bella stared at her beautiful hair in the mirror next to a proud Clarissa.
"Oh my," Bella was at lost for words. She gingerly touched the braid and clip in the back and ran her fingers through her flowing hair.
"The fun as just begun! Let's go find a dress!" Clarissa clapped. Bella hates wearing anything extravagant, but she knew this was standard dress code for the palace.
She followed Clarissa into her main bedroom and watched her open a different door. Bella's eyes widened in shock.
It was a huge walk in closet full of fancy clothing.
"This is the closet for main events at the palace, or anything important to attend to. The wardrobe you have in your room will suffice for casual days." Clarissa said.
Bella entered and walked around, not knowing where to start. However, she eyed something blue in the corner.
Clarissa knew what she was eyeing, so she walked over and grabbed the blue ball gown. She spotted a pair of simple navy blue flats, small crystals on the tips.
"How about we try this?" She asked Bella, holding up the shoes and dress.
Bella nodded and smiled, taking the dress and shoes, and walked back into the bathroom.
Clarissa waited for her to put it on. When Bella finally opened the door, Clarissa gaped at how stunning she looked.
The dress was a long, navy blue ball gown. The gown flowed from Bella's waist out towards the ground. The dress was strapless, so Bella's shoulders were bare. The neckline dipped in ever so slightly then extended outward to wrap around her arms into sheer sleeves the traveled down her arms. Slightly sparkles were elegantly spread over the sleeves and top of the dress, but then faded at the bust.
Bella thought it was simply beautiful, but not too much.
Clarissa appeared excited as well, but then frowned. "Something's missing." She walked over to the same drawer where she retrieved the sapphire clip.
She pulled out a simple, small sliver necklace that held a matching navy blue sapphire gem. Clarissa moved Bella's hair out of the way and clipped on the necklace.
Bella loved it, though she was concerned. "Everything is absolutely beautiful, but are you sure we aren't overdoing this? It's only brunch." She gestered to her outfit.
Clarissa laughed. "Want to know something? That dress is the least expensive dress in your closet."
"Oh." Bella said, slightly surprised. Maybe things have a way of picking themselves.
Clarissa looked at the clock. "It's 10:30 am. Brunch starts at 11:00. Are you ready to head down to the courtyard?"
Bella gulped. She still had so many questions. But she mustered up the courage to nod her head.
"I'll tell you everything you need to know on the way down." Clarissa said, trying to ease Bella's worries.
Bella smiled gratefully, and they headed out the door.