Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight characters. They belong to Stephenie Meyer.
Hey all! I had time to revise a second chapter today! This is exciting for me :D
About the story, you may notice that some names or situations resemble those of the movie Ever After. Some names are completely random though. Most names are from Twilight.
It this chapter, Bella's showing her brains even before you realize it ;)
Previously in Chapter 3:
The dress is beautiful but old. To restore it is a project of mine.
After caressing the fabric, I hide my treasures under the bed and prepare for a restful night.
The next day, Sir Whitlock manages to make another appearance.
It is a warm sunny day. I am at the market selling vegetables with the servants. I love spending time with them. They are closer to family than Mother and the twins will ever be.
Nicole is one of the servants. I watch her greet our next customer. It is a man and he looks quite suspicious. Despite the heat, he is covered from head to toe with a long dark cloak.
The man nods in response to Nicole's greeting and angles his body in my direction.
"Good morning, Isabella" he says. I recognize his voice instantly.
"How odd to see you again so soon, Sir Whitlock" I reply with a genuine smile. I realize I should not be happy. He will certainly inquire about the jewel again.
"Please, this is our fourth meeting; I think it is safe for us to make use of our given names."
From his count, I confirm that he remembers our encounter at the flower shop. I feel genuine delight.
"Is it really the convention?" I ask with a smirk.
He nods in response to my question.
"Then what should I call you?" I ask him. I cast a brief glance at the servants Nicole and Beatrice. They appear worried, yet curious about our exchange.
"Call me Edward" he tells me. I frown at the name. It should be Jasper. I tell him so.
"Yes but my middle name is Edward and that is how people address me" he explains.
"Edward…just like Prince Edward" I point out. He simply grins and nods. I find it odd but I let it go, for now.
"Well then, Edward. Any vegetables for you or are you here for the jewel?" I ask. I am slightly amused by his reappearance. I should be irritated.
The cloak still covers the man's head but I can see his lips. The assistant's grin is wider now.
"No. No vegetables for me today" he replies. "I was taking a stroll in town and saw you. Perhaps you have time for me today?"
I take the time to doubt the man's words. Somehow, he knew where I was. This is not a coincidence.
"Yes. I suppose I do. Nicole, Beatrice, will you be alright on your own? I won't be long I suppose?"
I gaze back at the man as my last words address him.
"I should hope not" he provides. "But I wouldn't worry; these lovely ladies seem more than capable of managing the stand" the assistant says with his crooked grin.
The servants look flustered and I cannot blame them. The man's smile is wonderful.
I follow him through town. The assistant receives curious glances for his odd choice of attire. He ignores them. I walk quietly by his side and he hums a soft tune. The melody is appeasing. I wonder briefly if the man ever sings. With his musical voice, surely the sound would be outstanding.
Soon, we arrive in a more quiet part of town. The area has a fountain and the assistant sits by it. His hand quietly beckons me to join him and I do.
"You seem less irritated to see me today. I'm glad" he says.
I try not to blush. "Indeed and I do not know why" I respond honestly.
I turn my head and study his hood. I feel like removing it. I kill the urge and begin a plan.
"I wish to make a deal with you" I tell Edward. His grin falters.
A moment passes. I am worried now. Perhaps I have offended him. I open my mouth to apologize but a smirk stretches his lips and he speaks.
"I wish I could read you better" he says with a longing in his voice. His words are mysterious and unsettling.
"What do you mean?" I ask. "Were you trained in the art of spying?" It wouldn't surprise me.
The man chuckles softly. "No. I am quite frankly a natural at interpreting body language and analyzing words" he explains. "However, for some reason, my gift, if we may call it so, does not extend to our conversations."
" I prefer it that way" I confess. "Not that I'm hiding anything."
"I'm not quite convinced about that yet" he murmurs.
I do not comment on his words. Although I am not hiding anything, there is information I feel reluctant to give him. And he has the right to be distrustful, especially when I distrust him myself. He feels safe though and that is counterintuitive.
"What is this deal you speak of?" the assistant asks.
"I too have questions for you. Two of them in fact" I begin explaining. "And I wish for you to answer them truthfully. I swear that I shall do the same for your questions, however many you may have" I finish.
The man thinks it through. He is being careful and therefore I am further convinced that he hides something.
"Deal" he finally agrees and I smile victoriously.
"Right then…why are you seeking the Godmother Jewel? I feel that the prince's answer at dinner wasn't quite accurate" I say boldly.
"Are you suggesting that he was lying?" Edward asks. Thankfully, his tone is playful.
I decide that honesty is safe around him.
"Yes, I believe I do" I admit.
"The prince lies a lot these days" the assistant utters with a mysterious smirk.
Odd…his words do not surprise me. I patiently wait for his answer.
The man sighs. "Do you believe in magic?" he asks me.
I raise a brow. "Are you avoiding my question?"
"No."
His answer is too curt but I decide to humor him.
"What kind of magic?" I ask.
"Well…flying objects maybe? Or granted wishes?"
Now I know what the assistant really wants to know.
"I do not think the Godmother Jewel grants wishes, no" I tell him and my words have him gasp.
"So you do know about the rumor!" Edward says with enthusiasm.
His head is raised and I can see the tip of his straight nose now. I really wish he would uncover himself. I hope to see the green eyes.
"Yes, I do. The Godmother Jewel was my favorite tale as a child" I reveal. "Father would tell me a lot about it."
"And what did he say about its magical properties?"
"That they were most likely invented to increase the jewel's appeal. Father was convinced that the jewel is merely a collector's item that was carved after the tale of the frozen woman. There is no reason for it to be magical" I explain.
Edward's excitement collapses.
"I…have heard of many strange things" he tells me.
His voice is but a whisper, almost lost to the noises of the fountain but I dare not miss a word. He sounds broken.
He forces a laugh. "And I convinced myself that they were related to magic. I wasn't the only one, mind you."
A sad smile now adorns his lips. "One day, I was travelling and met a man sitting by the road. He was selling old trinkets. I noticed a worn book, its pages held with a dark red ribbon. I bought it out of curiosity."
"My father's book…that is how you got the drawing" I guess and he nods to confirm.
"It was stolen many years ago, during a trip, by a group of gypsies" I inform him. "If you have read the content, then I'm afraid you already know everything."
"Perhaps not" the assistant says. "There were no opinions about the legend and rumors. It was purely descriptive. What you just told me, albeit being disheartening, was very informative."
Silence befalls. I know that Edward is thinking about my revelations. I wonder if Prince Cullen would be as disappointed as his assistant appears to be.
"Will you tell me why the prince wants the jewel?" I ask the man again.
"Doesn't everyone have wishes?" He forces a laugh.
"Yes, but you seem a little desperate" I point out. The man remains silent.
I decide to give him a chance to escape.
"Is this something the prince forbade you to speak of?"
The assistant does not take the chance.
"No, not exactly…why do you need to know?" He asks. "Are you deciding whether or not to hand the jewel? Will my answer influence your decision?"
I ignore his questions.
"Do you still want it despite what I just told you? The jewel isn't magic. Magic doesn't exist" I say.
If it did, the world would know it. The world would have seen it. And I would use it to free myself.
"Is that your second question?"
"No" I say quickly. He replies anyways.
"Yes, I'm sure the prince still wants it" he tells me.
I sigh. "I'm sorry, but we honestly don't have it" I tell him. "I'll keep searching, but I can't remember ever seeing it, really."
The man nods solemnly.
The sound of hooves distracts me. A group of guards are nearby, mounted on their black horses. There are slightly more than usual for a simple surveillance.
"I must get going" Edward says. "I'm afraid I cannot say more about the prince's intentions yet. I shall see you soon, at the planned dinner."
"Wait!" I say. The assistant is already up on his feet.
"Take off your hood" I ask of him. He tenses.
"I want to see your face" I say blatantly.
"I cannot."
His words are strained.
"Then, before you go, at least answer my second question" I plead.
"Alright" he agrees reluctantly. He seems on edge. Something to do with the guards I presume.
I gather up some courage. What I want to ask is potentially rude, but the man has been lenient so I take my chances.
"In the village, I often hear rumors about the prince: what he likes…and what he looks like" I begin. "You…your eyes are green, your hair is bronze and you go by the name Edward. You are hiding under a cloak in the blazing heat. Sir, I am tempted to believe Whitlock is your friend's borrowed identity. You are Prince Cullen, are you not?"