BPOV
I woke up to a pair of glimmering green eyes. Edward brushed my hair from my face and I returned the favor.
"How did you sleep?" I asked.
"Much better with you in my arms." He replied.
"I'm glad I could be of service."
"Edward, are you still asleep?" Alice said as she opened the door. "Bella?!" She gasped.
"Hey Alice."
"Hay is for horse, not for people, so don't you hey me. What are you doing in bed with my brother?" She walked in with her hands on her hips.
"We were just sleeping." I shrugged, knowing how this must look to an outsider.
She raised one eyebrow and looked at Edward, who was still shirtless. "It's true and don't you know how to knock?" He said.
I stifled a giggle. "Nothing happened, Alice. Your brother just needed a cuddle buddy."
Edward nodded as Alice still stared at the two of us in disbelief. "Uh huh," she said slowly, not dropping the subject.
"I think I better go train." I said as I hopped off the bed and pulled on my pants. "See you guys later!" I winked at Edward, causing him to blush and smile a crooked smile.
EPOV
"Ah hah!" Alice exclaimed once Bella left.
"What?" I said, pulling on a shirt.
"You two are acting very suspicious…what was with that wink and that smile?!"
I laughed and ruffled her hair. "You and your romantic fantasies. Bella and I did not bed each other last night, we merely rested in the same bed."
"How am I supposed to know that?"
"Did you hear any sounds coming from my room last night?"
"No, all I heard was the piano music. You two could've been quiet."
I rolled my eyes, shook my head, and sighed at the same time. "Are you done, sister?"
She narrowed her eyes at me, then smiled. "For now." She skipped out of my room.
Last night had to be one of the best nights of my life. Not only did I rest well, I was touching the more than fair, Bella. I had feelings towards her that I had never felt towards a woman. None of the princesses, countesses, or ladies-in-waiting could compare to Bella. Her presence was captivating. I had to find a way to get closer to her.
BPOV
"You two were cute last night." Elizabeth commented.
"Oh, shut up."
"It's good that you are getting close to him. He trusts you now and that trust will only grow stronger."
"So my quest is moving forward?"
"Yes. Keep it up, Bella." Elizabeth commended.
"I will." I was now very good at archery. I could even shoot an arrow while riding Chocolate. I sparred with Emmett and won a few times. He may be bigger and stronger than I am, but I was faster and smarter.
"I believe you are well equipped to be a member of the guard. You have displayed cunning wit, agility, battle skills, and a protective nature. If you weren't a female, I would have you knighted."
I beamed. "Thanks for such a high compliment."
"You're first defensive duty will be at the grand ball."
"A ball? Like poofy dresses and line dances?"
"Yes. You will accompany the Prince and Princess."
"What about you?"
"This is your mission to accomplish, not mine. I will be waiting in the wings, watching you."
"I will do you proud, Sir McCarty."
"Now that you are officially a guard, you may call me Emmett."
"Thanks, Emmett!" I hugged him.
APOV
"Just because I'm going, doesn't mean I have to wear that thing!" Bella said as she pointed to the corset on my bed.
"It's the latest thing in London." I said.
"Well, women in London must've learnt not to breathe." She gasped out as I tightened the strings on her back.
"You have to wear a ball gown, Bella. You'll look marvelous, trust me."
"Alice! How am I supposed to protect you if I'm hindered by this 20 ton dress?"
"Don't be absurd. It certainly does not weigh that much. Besides, don't you want to look beautiful for Edward?"
Her breath hitched. "Why should I care what he thinks?"
"I know there's something going on between you two."
"For the last time, nothing happened! We haven't even kissed."
"So you want him to kiss you!"
She groaned. "Alice, stop jumping to conclusions and twisting my words!"
I finally forced her into the dress. I pulled her hair up into an updo pinning all the curls on top of her head. I stringed some ribbon throughout, adding an element that made her hair more interesting. She was already naturally pretty, so I strayed away fro the heavy makeup. I made her spin for me so I could take it all in. She was more beautiful than I thought. No one would look at me tonight, all eyes would be on Bella.
BPOV
I took in my appearance when Alice was done torturing me. My dress was a deep, hyacinth blue. My shoulders were bare and my breasts would be popping out if not for the tight corset. The gown was floor length and had intricate beading on the bust. Alice had somehow convinced me to wear a pair of strapless deathtraps. How was I supposed to guard her if I was in 5 inch heels? This was going to be a challenge.
Alice was radiant tonight. She had a yellow poofy dress with straps. Her hair was curled, framing her face. It only took her half the time it took me to get ready.
"Count to 15 before you descend the staircase." Alice told me as she herself went down the staircase.
I watched her walk ever so slowly done the grand staircase. Edward smiled at his sister and now it was my turn to attempt to walk down without tripping. I made it down the first five steps without stumbling, but my foot caught on my dress on the sixth step. I caught myself on the railing and decided to go down my own way. I sat on the railing, steadying myself before sliding down the rest of the way. Edward's arms were waiting to catch me.
"Very nice." He said laughing.
"I knew I couldn't make it down without falling, so I thought on my feet."
"You look stunning tonight, Isabella." He said as he put me down.
"Thank you, my prince. You look very handsome yourself." I said with a curtsy.
"Let us depart." Alice said.
We boarded the carriage and rode to the ball. It was magnificent inside. Everything seemed to sparkle. From the chandeliers to the wine glasses and the floor, even the people. I was overwhelmed. Edward escorted Alice and I around the floor, stopping every once in a while to make small talk when people he knew.
"Would you give me the pleasure of dancing with you?" Edward asked.
"I can't dance."
"It's all in the leading."
We waltzed, or should I say Edward waltzed and I stood on his feet, to the tempo of the orchestra. He spun me around and dipped me at the end. We received light applause before returning to Alice's side.
"I forgot to ask, what is the point of attending this ball?" I whispered to Alice.
"This ball is held annually to celebrate the treaty between this lord's lands and our lands."
I nodded. I glanced around the room and saw a shadow dart behind the columns. "Where's Emmett?"
"He's over there." She pointed to the doors.
If he was over there, than who was lurking in the shadows? "What's wrong, Bella?" Edward asked.
"I thought I saw someone. It was probably just my imagination." My shoulders were still tensed. Something was up. My stomach was in knots.
"Trust your instincts, Bella." Elizabeth warned.
I took a deep breath and made sure to be hyper aware of everything. I heard every clink of wineglasses and every detail of gossip. I saw every time someone looked at Edward or Alice for too long. Before I could gleam any information, dinner was served.
There was a feast laid out on the long stretch of the grandiose dining table. It all smelled delicious. I quickly took a bite and spat it out.
"What's wrong, Bella?" Edward asked.
"The food tastes strange." I murmured. "Don't eat anything." I told him and Alice.
They immediately dropped their forks and didn't touch their food. "Don't drink anything either."
I have to figure out what is going on here. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food. Hopefully no once noticed that our small group weren't consuming anything. I looked for Emmett and saw him with a concerned look on his face. I can't rely on him. Tonight is all on me. When I turned back to the table, I saw that dark figure again. I excused myself and followed it.
I quickly pulled a dagger from my garter belt and lurked around the hall. I heard a man cackling as he walked swiftly through the kitchen area and out to the courtyard. I tried to move as quietly as I could, but the ruffle of my dress and the clacking of my heels alerted him. He spun around and attacked me. I quickly dodged and put the dagger between us. We walked in circles, never taking our eyes off one another. He lunged and caught my knife with his abdomen.
Blood spurted from his wound and he gasped for breath. "Who are you?" I whispered fiercely.
He spat in my face and pulled the dagger out. "I should be asking you that, girl." He snarled.
"Are you the one poisoning my company's food?"
"Figure that out, did you?"
"It's not hard. Why did you do that?"
"I don't have to tell you anything." There was a loud commotion inside and I turned for a split second, giving the man the perfect chance to escape.
Crap! Do I go after him or go back inside? Edward and Alice might need me, but Emmet's there. I don't know. I was hesitating too long. I finally ran back inside to check things out.
The lord, who the party was for, had collapsed. "What happened?" I asked no one in particular.
"He choked on his food or something!" A woman replied.
I check his airways, but there was nothing lodged in there. I listened for his heart, and it was slow and erratic. "He's been poisoned. Get a doctor immediately!" I barked.
Servants scurried around us and some of the stronger men, moved their lord into his chambers. Everyone was murmuring around me.
"How did you know he was poisoned?" A man accused.
"My food tasted bad earlier, so I assumed that someone wanted certain people to be ill."
"How do we know it wasn't you who did the act?"
"Why would I make myself and my prince and princess sick?"
"No one else knew about this. Everyone else's food was fine."
"You obviously weren't the target!" I growled back.
"I think it's time to retire for the night." Edward stepped in.
People were ushered out. "Bella, what's that stain on your dress?!" Alice exclaimed.
I looked down to see the bottom on my skirt with drops of blood. "I'll tell you later. Let's get going."
We looked in on the lord, to see that he was being taken care of. The doctor promised to let us know of his condition, if anything changed. I hoped he would be okay. There was nothing we could do for him, so we waited
"Alice, you and Edward should go home and be with your father."
"No! We're not leaving you here alone." She cried out.
"It's not safe here. Someone is out for blood. Emmett can protect you at home."
"I'm staying." Edward said with resolve.
"I can take care of myself."
Alice eventually conceded and left with Emmett, but I couldn't convince Edward to leave.
"Bella, where did you go during dinner?"
"I was following a man's shadow. He looked suspicious. We fought, but he ran away when we heard the loud noise."
"What did he look like?"
"I can't recall any of his features. It was dark. He was very tall and had long hair, that was pulled back."
"That could be anyone."
"Was anybody else missing from the table?"
"I'm not sure. People kept moving in and out of their seats to speak with others."
"I don't know what's going to happen, but I think it's going to escalate if we don't stop it soon."
Edward sighed and I locked the doors and went to bed.
*AN: Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or that quote I borrowed from Pirates of the Carribbean! Review if you like or love or want more or whatever.