Chapter Number Four
My hair waves softly down my back in a half down half up style. With my mother's jewels, and my tiara I soon looked just like I should. I just don't feel all too confident.
My dress flows to the floor around my ankles, like a cascading waterfall from my waist. It's a deep sapphire gown, with cuffed sleeves. The corset is tied tight but comfortable, projecting my feminine figure.
"You look incredible, Princess," Marlo beams, "the Prince will be completely drawn to you. Hopefully, he finds you with your mask on."
He won't be looking for a brunette.
I have Marlo help me tie up my white, laced mask behind my head. The ribbon flows into my hair.
"Done," he smiles.
"Will you be attending?" I ask.
"Dear gracious no! I will be heading to bed early. We need to be up early tomorrow. You are scheduled for a morning tea with Princess Alice, the Queen and some of the other notable women in the court. I don't want you late," he lectures.
I roll my eyes once he turns away.
"Oh and Bella. I will hear if you dance with a certain somebody," he warns.
I want to admit he isn't going to be there. But I stop myself just in time. Rightly so. I don't need him hounding me for the simplicity of having that depressing piece of information. Once Marlo bores of me, he lets me go. I find Rosalie in her own rooms finishing off the last of her look. She attaches the back of her earring and stands from her dresser taking a large, deep breath. As if she'd been holding it for hours.
"You look sensational. I cannot believe you are my best friend," I smile amazed
Truly she looked like she was the princess in the room. The ruby red frock fit her perfectly. The corset cinched at her waist and flowed to the floor in a perfect train. The sleeves had an intricate pattern across the elbow length sleeves which made her look all the more intriguing.
"I think I might lead Emmett right to you and cut to the chase," I say, "there's no way he'll be able to stay away from you. You look absolutely beautiful, Rosalie."
She tuts, walking closer to me.
"You are certainly one to talk. That colour against your skin is incredible. I do hope there's an eligible suitor your father will approve of somewhere in that crowd tonight. One that you approve of also," she says taking my hand.
Squeezing her hand in mine I smile slightly sad.
"Even if there's not at least I can say I've represented myself to the best of my ability," I shrug, "we can always have fun too. Dancing with you will bring me just as much joy."
The ballroom is loud, eccentric. A band plays classical music, the horns and violins harmonise. Some people dance in the centre of the room in perfect unison. To choreography, they've known their entire lives. To the sides of the room are tables as well as small groups of guests mingling. When I arrive they begin to bow and curtsey as I pass as a sign of respect. A long table stretches one side of the ball room.
I approach the King at the table and curtsey before him.
"You shall sit with us tonight as a guest of honour. Dinner shall be served shortly. Then we will dance," he smiles, "You look beautiful."
"Thank you, your highness. It is such a beautiful ball. It's spectacular," I smile.
"I think I'll go sit with those women over there and try to make some non-royal friends," Rose nudges beside me.
I nod urging her to do so. Once I'm alone I find my seat beside Emmett and smile as he pours me some wine.
"Do you often have balls like this here?" I ask politely.
"Sometimes. More so when there is something to celebrate. My father requested we have one when he heard you were coming," he explains, "perhaps a way to show off our solidarity."
"My father thinks very highly of you. He spoke of your time serving your kingdom bravely and he also said you have a great bond with your mother. I must say that's very sweet," I say.
"Why thank you," he smiles, "My father gave me a great deal of information about you too."
"I hope all good," I bite my lip.
"Of course," he laughs, "Oh I was actually meaning to ask you. Did you bring your lady? I was hoping you'd help me cheat a little. Uncover which mask she might be behind."
"I could give you a clue I guess," I nod.
"Do so and I will owe you whatever favour you require," he nods.
"She's wearing red this evening," I say.
His eyes instantly begin to search the crowd before him. Each blonde in red he studies. Then he finds her because his eyes lock, refusing to search anywhere else.
"She looks incredible," he mutters.
"You should ask her to dance later," I say, "I think she'd say yes. Although she wasn't lying yesterday when she said she could teach you a thing or two."
"I found that out for myself," he smirks.
I quirked an eyebrow. So that's where she went last night. After dinner, she had disappeared for an hour. She must have taken up on his offer from yesterday when he showed us to our rooms. I figured she'd been exploring. I just hope she wasn't being too stupid.
"She is a kind girl. Funny too," I smile.
He doesn't reply, instead, he just watches Rosalie fondly. Unfortunately, he is my main company for the night. Alice sits with her fiancé, a blonde man I am yet to meet, on the opposite side of Carlisle and Esme. The royal couple is sat in the centre.
"Does Edward always avoid these things then?" I ask.
"Yeah. He tends to stay clear. People whisper about it and it irritates him," Emmett shrugs.
"We shouldn't be bothered by what others might think," I say.
"I mean that's easy enough for us to say I suppose," Emmett nods, "it's been tough for him. He's my brother but also my best friend. I've hated watching the hurt he's been put through by people at court who think he's less of a person. He has the blood I have it's just he was born too early."
To that I just ponder. He was right. Edward must have had it difficult growing up. No matter what people looked. It was a knee jerk reaction to people in court. In fact, no one had really looked over and paid attention to the empty seat beside me. Where he should be seated.
Through the meal, I take several glances at his empty seat. I wonder if this ball would be any different if he were seated beside me. Would people murmur? Would people stare? I barely eat but I'm not hungry.
"Excuse me," I say suddenly standing.
Huffing I move toward the exit with a hurried pace. As I leave I grab up two wine glasses and a plate from a waiter.
"Thanks," I smile, "You're serving has been spectacular."
He has no time to respond because I'm out of range in moments. I find his room quicker than I thought I would. Balancing the wine glasses in one hand and the plate in another I knock on the door with my foot awkwardly.
Edward opens the door looking half asleep. He wears a button-down white shirt, but the top three are undone. I can see part of his muscled chest. It takes everything to look away. His bronze hair is messy, green eyes curious.
"Shouldn't you be kissing the prince or something by now?" he croaks out.
"He prefers my friend," I smile.
"That's not how the fairytale goes," he looks down at the plate and glasses in my hand, "the princess doesn't run away to find the bastard son."
"Perhaps I'm in the middle of writing my own fairytale. The one where the Princess gets the say," I say, "let me in. I know you didn't want to go to the ball and I think I get why. So I brought the ball to you. These potatoes were too delicious for me to not share. Besides I have a feeling it might be more fun here."
He takes the plate from my hand and one of the wine glasses.
"Fine. But we gotta get you home by midnight or the fairy godmother, seven dwarves and the talking candlestick will come hunting you down," he stands back for me.
I laugh moving past him.
"Or worse… Marlo, "I say.
"It is a scandal. A princess visiting my quarters at this time of night carrying nothing by wine and a plate of food," he walks toward a couch by the floor to ceiling windows.
His rooms were spacious. He had a large sitting area with a roaring fireplace. Books line the walls and piled on top of tables. Through an archway behind the lounge room was his bedroom. The bed was giant with four posters and canopies draping from the deep dark wood. Rich red rugs covered the floorboards and the walls were exposed brick. It was a male sanctuary. I move to sit on a couch by the fireplace to keep warm. The size of the room made it slightly cold.
"You look beautiful," Edward says suddenly sitting across from me.
"Oh. It's okay. I don't think those dresses are my style," I shrug.
"I strongly disagree with you," he takes a bite of meat.
Leaning back into the seat I watch him eat. I am unable to hold it in. My mouth is simply throwing out the words before I can keep them from escaping.
"What letters?" I demand.
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