Yay I finally finished this chapter!! :D Took me hours to write this as well. I kepy changing what happened :P

Anyway you know the drill... Read and Review :)

xx


Bella POV

During the next week, I fell into a routine. Being woken up by the maid, having a wash then get dressed. Go down for meals and in the meantime just sit next to the window and stare out of it.

Mostly Edward would come and join me in my daze. We didn't speak, he just sat there as though he was being a silent comforter. It didn't make a difference to me whether he was there or not.

But this morning, I noticed that today's routine was going to be out of place. This morning the maid woke me up earlier than usual and she had a slightly harassed look about her.

" Miss. The King requests that you have breakfast with him." She said. Immediately I shot up alarmed. The King was back so soon? It was bad enough meeting Edward, but I wanted nothing to do with the King. Not after what he did and is still doing.

" Tell him thank you but I decline."

The maid opened her mouth and looked even more worried, but before she had a chance to answer the door slammed open and Edward strode in.

Instantly I pulled the covers up around me, even though I was wearing a nightdress.

" It's rude to walk in on people like that!" I said angrily.

" It's my house, I can do whatever I want." He said smugly.

I grumbled away to myself while he again walked over to my wardrobe. " What are you doing?" I asked as he flung open the doors.

" Choosing something for you to wear."

" I don't need anything to wear. I'm going back to sleep." And to prove my point I turned onto my side and wrapped the sheets around me. Out of the corner of my eye I could see the maid exiting the room, shutting the door quietly behind her.

I waited for Edward to take the hint and leave as well. But of course he had other plans. I shut my eyes preparing for sleep, but suddenly the covers flew off me and onto the floor. I sat up shocked.

" You don't have a choice." Edward said nearly laughing at my expression.

" It was a request, I have every right to decline."

" But now it is an order." He stated simply. " From me."

" No one orders me around. Especially arrogant bastards like you." I hissed.

I saw a flicker of hurt in his eyes, but he didn't let it show. " I'm touched you feel like that." He said coldly. " If it isn't an order then, It would be considered rude to decline a request." He said and sat down at the edge of the bed.

" It would also be considered rude to take a young girl from her country and against her will take her to England only being told that she is being set off to marry someone she doesn't even know!"

" That's what my father wanted to talk to you about." He hesitated. " So I suggest that you get dressed unless you want me to force you to." He looked deadly serious about that so I got out of bed and muttered pervert as I went to choose a dress.

I swear I heard Edward chuckle.

I picked out the first dress I saw and then making sure Edward was turned away ( which he was ) I got out of my night gown and into my under wear and then my under dress. Next I got my corset and put it on.

But I came to a dilemma.

I couldn't reach around and tie the strings on my own. I needed somebody else's help. I bit my lip and turned to Edward. This was going to be beyond embarrassing, but I really him at this moment.

" Um. Edward." I said my cheeks flooding with blood.

" Yes?" He replied not turning around to face me.

" Um... Could you help me..." I whispered feeling mortified at the prospect that I had just asked him to help me tie up my corset.

Edwards head shot around and laughed at my embarrassment. I turned around as he proceeded to tie up the strings. His breath tickled the top of my head. " There is nothing to be embarrassed about." He whispered in my ear while he finished. " Is that tight enough?"

" Yes." I paused. " And thank you.. You know.. for helping me." Edward smirked and then sat down back down onto the bed. I finished getting dressed and headed towards the door, pausing once to check that Edward was following me.

We were halfway down one of the many staircases when Edward spoke. " Bella. I need to warn you that my Father is used to getting his way. So please try to keep an open mind. Please." He sounded a little desperate.

" I don't take orders lightly." I replied frowning a little.

" It's in his best interests and yours.." And afterwards I swear I heard him mutter' And mine.' But I didn't think much about it.

We stopped outside two large wooden doors. I had never seen them before, that or I hadn't noticed them, though they were hard to miss. But then again I had spent most of the time in my room.

Edward strode up to them and confidently knocked loudly making me jump a little . The huge oak doors swung open to reveal a long table situated in the middle of a large room with a high ceiling. The table was set for three all the plates at one end. Seated in one of the three places was none other than the King himself.

He smiled up at us as we walked in and then smiled even wider when he saw how close to each other Edward and I were.

" Isabella. It is such a pleasure to meet you." He said and stood up to come and kiss my hand. But I didn't hold it out for him.

" I would say the pleasure is all mine. But that would be lying. And I was bought up never to lie." I said coldly. I heard Edward sigh frustratedly, he must have worked out that I was going to be difficult.

" Ah. You are as charming as Edward said you were. He wasn't over exaggerating." He said just as warmly but also with a hint of intimidation.

" I'm glad I live up to your expectations." I replied icily.

" Why don't you take a seat?" He suggested and I sat down on the one opposite Edward with the King on my right who was seated at the head of the table. Edward was sending me looks silently ordering me not to be difficult. I just smirked back at him.

" Isabella, I am sure you will be pleased to know that you brother will soon be found safely." The King said taking a sip of what looked like to be red wine.

" You won't be able to find him if he doesn't want to be found." I replied lightly making my point clear.

" We will see about that." He said and flashed a smile in my direction. I didn't reply.

It seemed like he had the same charm as Edward did. The only difference was that Edwards worked better.

" Carlisle. I was thinking that Alice and Esme should come down soon. Maybe in time for the ball tonight?" Edward said to Carlisle.

Carlisle frowned. " It might be possible. I will send a messenger to London in a moment."

They began talking about plans for some ball that was supposed to be happening here this evening. I zoned out, I wasn't interested.

" Bella. Bella?" Edwards voice brought me out of my thoughts.

" I'm sorry. What were you saying?"

" I was asking about your views on your future marriage." The King interceded.

" Well Sir.." I began but..

" Please call me Carlisle. "

" Okay, Carlisle then.. I must thank you for the suggestion but I am quite happy enough being by myself."

Carlisle sighed. " I guess Edward didn't explain it properly to you. You don't have a choice. You and Edward will be married in a weeks time."

Those words hit me like sharp knives. " Excuse me?" I managed to choke out. Edward was looking down avoiding both his Fathers and mine glares.

" Surely Edward told you?"

" No." I said then I became more angry. It all made sense why Edward was with me most of the time. How I couldn't get any time left on my own. He was going to be my husband.

I tried to calm myself down but that only made things worse. I could hear Carlisle having a few sharp words with Edward but I was just concentrating on keeping calm.

" I was just trying to make her happy here without that hanging over her head for her stay." Edwards honey like voice cut through the air.

And then I just lost the little control that I had managed to gain.

" I WILL NOT MARRY EDWARD. EVER!" I screamed and jumped from the chair and ran out of the room tears streaming down my face.

I had no idea where I was going but I knew I just had to keep running. I felt footsteps after me and my name being called, but I just blanked out his voice. It was the last thing I wanted to hear.

Someone grabbed my elbow and pull me around so I was facing them.

" Bella. I really am sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I was going to but then you seemed so sad already..." He trailed off. I stared into his eyes and I knew there was no way that he could be faking that amount of guilt. Maybe I could give him a chance. Edwards touch seemed to be reducing the amount of anger inside of me and replacing it with something else. Something I couldn't quite place.

" Do I really have no choice in the matter?" I was a little surprised at how small and sad my voice sounded.

" Yes. Again I'm sorry." I nodded not trusting myself to speak. And then Edward did the last thing I would expect him to do. He pulled me into a warm hug and after hesitating for a moment, I returned the hug and wrapped my arms around him resting my head on his shoulder.

Edwards POV

After Bella had calmed down a little, I invited her to come to the ball tonight with me. After a moment of deliberation she accepted my invitation.

And that was what I was doing now. Bella had spent the last four hours getting ready and here I was at the bottom of the staircase. I knew it would only be any moment that she would descend down those stairs.

I knew that she resented that she was being forced to marry me, but in a way I was kind of glad. It would give Bella a chance to get to know the real me, not the person who took her from her homeland and was forcing her to do a number of things.

Footsteps along the hallway above brought my attention back to present. The footsteps continued until they revealed Bella.

My mouth fell open at her beauty. She was wearing a midnight blue gown which made her pale skin glow. Her hair had been pinned up, a few curls had escaped. The pins were shaped like roses and on her neck she was wearing a heart shaped pendant. I had never seen it before so I assumed that it must be hers. The pendant had sapphire jewels embedded on it.

Her chocolate eyes were sparkling a little bit but I could also sense the sadness behind them and her lips were red and full. She was hardly wearing any make-up which made her seem more like an angel.

By now she had reached the bottom of the stairs and was now standing in front of me. I gave her a smile and received a weak one in return. Then I held out my arm to her.

" Shall we?"

She took my arm and together we walked into the ball room.

Bellas POV

Edward and I were dancing to a slow song. One of his hands was placed lightly on my waist while another one had my hand. We were swirling around to the music.

" You look beautiful tonight." Edward murmured in my ear making me blush.

" Uh.. Thank you?" I said uncertainly. Edward chuckled. When the music ended Edward led me over to the side of the room and only seconds later a group of people approached us.

" Prince Edward! It is lovely to see you again!" Exclaimed a blonde haired women. Edward took her hand and kissed it softly while she giggled. This bothered me a little even though I knew it shouldn't.

Then the blonde turned her attention to me.

" Oh! You must be Isabella Swan? I think it was so brave of you to come over to England on your own to sort out some negotiations." This puzzled me what was she on about?

Edward stiffened besides me and suddenly everything made sense. Both him and his father had told everyone that I had come here on my own will not by force. Well I was going to set everyone straight.

" I'm sure you misunderstood. You see -" But Edward cut me off.

" It was a pleasure seeing you again Tanya, but I see my Father wants to talk to us. Come on Bella." He said and pulled me away from the group towards the other side of the room.

" What was that?" I hissed.

Edward looked uncomfortable. " I'll just.. Uh.. Get us some drinks while you cool off." He said and then all but ran away. I exhaled feeling like a dragon breathing smoke and leant my head against the wall.

A few women from the group who had greeted us earlier was now standing a few feet away from me talking. I caught snippets of their conversation. I needed something to concentrate on to keep my temper.

" I know. I was surprised as well to see her at this ball." Said one women.

" Yes. You would've have thought that the French Princess would never have come to a ball celebrating her Fathers death.." Said another whom I recognised as Tanya. They moved away leaving me in shock.

Edward never told me.

I didn't know which emotion was going to take over first the anger or the grief for my Fathers death. It hadn't properly settled in yet though you would have thought that nearly two weeks would be enough.

But as I looked across the room towards Edward who was walking back towards me, anger took over first.

And so I stomped over to him and did the first thing I could think of.

I slapped him hard across the face.

Emmetts POV

It was pitch black and my men and I were moving stealthily over the border through the mountains. News had reached me a exactly a week ago of what had happened back in my homeland and of course I had returned immediately. We had decided to route through the mountains as it I was positive that if I went through on flat land I would be arrested as soon as I set foot on French soil.

I hoped that my sister was alright. My Father and I had devised an escape plan for her in case everything went wrong. She was supposed to come up to the mountains and find the rebel groups like I was doing now. But I had heard no word from her.

" Sir." Whispered one of my faithful soldiers. In total there was about fifty of us at the moment. We had just come back from a mission of finding allies.

And I was pleased to say we had been successful.

" Yes?" I whispered back.

" I think we are being followed." He replied. Only then did I get the feeling that some one or something was watching and following us.

But I had only taken a few more steps when lit torches erupted around all of us and men holding swords and guns from behind large boulders and rocks. I commanded my men to stop.

" Who are you?" I bellowed.

A tall blonde male stepped out from behind one of the rocks and smiled.

" Men! Stand down!" He commanded and the swords and guns were dropped, then he turned his attention back to me.

" Your majesty." He said and swept a bow. " I have been trying to contact you for a while now. My name is Jasper Whitlock Sir. I have been running rebel groups up here for the past week."

I shook hand with Jasper relieved that they weren't English soldiers.

" Have you head word from my sister? Only she was supposed to come here.." I trailed off when I saw the look in Jaspers face.

" I am sorry Sir. But Bella was captured and taken to England while we where trying to flee the Palace grounds. Her wish was for me to come here and find you. And we have heard no word of her since."

I felt sick. I couldn't handle another family death. All I could do was hope that Bella would be able to hold on until I came to find her.