Hey guys,

I know it's been forever (literally) but I'm still there :). I have a bit more written on this story and planned on only updating when I have finally finished but I felt like I had to give you something (at least those of you who are still with me). I can at least hope you like this chapter and it makes up for the loooong wait...

ENJOY!


BPOV

I decided to head down to the garden, for more than one reason. I knew the way, I probably wouldn't meet someone I should avoid and it seemed like a day that shouldn't be spend inside.

As soon as I left the castle and stepped into the sunlight I began to I relaxed. I hadn't even noticed how tense I was always. My shoulders fell and my feet moved more lightly. It was like I stepped into another world, a world where I could be myself.

I sat down under a tree and lay back. Closing my eyes I felt like I was home again. I was sitting in my garden, under my tree, protected and at ease. I felt myself drifting into a dream, when I heard an all too familiar voice.

"Enjoying the sun now, are we?" James. The moment was ruined and I quickly got to my feet. I would face what he had in store for me with my head held high. He approached me slowly and step by step.

"I promised, I would make your life hell and I intend to keep that promise. Little Prince Edward won't always be there to protect you sorry excuse for a human." He was standing in front of me now. He opened his mouth to say more but was interrupted by another voice.

"Hey. What's going on here?" It was Emmett. Thank god. James glared at me then turned to Emmett with a fake smile on his face.

"I was just asking Isabella how she was doing, my Prince." He bowed slightly "Now I have to tend to my duties again. If you'll excuse me." Without another word he made his way back to the castle.

Emmett shook his head.

"Weird guy." Then he turned to me. "He wasn't bothering you, was he?"

I shook my head. "Good." Then his eyes lost their seriousness. "How are you?" He asked now with a bright smile.

"Ehmm, fine?" Surprised by his sudden mood change, my answer came out as a question. He sat down under the tree I've been sitting under before.

"Well don't just stand there. Sit down." I blushed and tried to sit down as gracefully as I could. Why did I even try. I fell on my butt earning a booming laughter from Emmett. After a moment I laughed as well. When we caught ourselves I realized that this had been my first real laugh for ages. It felt good. Emmett watched me.

"I think you need to laugh more, Isabella."

"Bella." I corrected him automatically. "It seems that way though there hasn't been much for me to laugh about lately." I looked at the ground. Why did I say this? Surely he wouldn't care how much a servant laughed. Emmett didn't say anything for a while. We just sat there in a comfortable silence and enjoyed the beautiful day. I felt myself relax again and the silence was so peaceful I nearly fell asleep. I hadn't noticed how late it was until the sky slowly turned a beautiful shade of red. Emmett saw it as well.

"Well, seems like we have to go in again." I nodded and followed him towards the castle.

"I'll go with you. I haven't spoken to Edward in a while." Emmett said happily.

"Oh." Was my brilliant answer "Then I should leave you to talk to him alone."

"Nonsense. I can't let you wander on your own. You seem to attract danger like a magnet. I wouldn't want James to cross your way again." I shuddered. "That's what I thought"

We arrived at Edward's room. I was just about to knock but Emmett was faster than me. He threw open the door and boomed. "Where is my favorite brother?"

Edward, who was playing his piano, looked up annoyed. "You only have one." He then answered with a smile. "You simply can't behave like a normal person, can you?" He asked his brother lightly.

"No, and you wouldn't want me to." He said while he went to sit in a chair near the window.

"So, did you hear about the ball coming up?" he asked. There goes the fake peace of the day.

"Yes." Edward answered in a tight voice, though Emmett didn't seem to notice.

"Rose is coming." I had never seen this look on Emmett's face before. He looked like he was in a daze. Edward noticed.

"Snap out of it." He chuckled. "So? When will you ask her to marry you?"

Emmett hesitated. "I don't know. Whenever she's around I don't remember what I wanted to say just a second ago." "Hard to imagine" Edward said too low for Emmett's ears but not for mine. I couldn't help but chuckle. He shot me a surprised look but then smiled at me a beautiful crooked smile. "Maybe I just have to propose to her in a letter."

"Yeah, right." I saw the brightest grin on Edward's face. I could tell he was trying very hard not to laugh in his brother's face. "A woman as Rosalie won't marry somebody who can't even ask her to her face."

I didn't listen to their conversation then. It was nice watching Edward and Emmett. They were close I could tell. I felt suddenly sad that I never had a sibling. I never missed one until now.

Sometime later after getting a few more proposal tips from Edward, Emmett left to think about it and form a plan. Edward looked at the closed door and chuckled again.

"Sorry about that." He said turning to me. "What can I say it's… just… Emmett." He laughed again. "He is a bit… "

"I know" I said quickly. "But he has been really nice to me."

"I'm glad." Again with this smiling…

There was a knock at the door and I jumped a little.

"Come in." Edward called. Lauren entered with I assumed to be Edward's dinner. She glared at me and for once she was right. I am Edward's maid. I should have been the one to get his dinner but all I did was sitting under a tree. Damn.

"Here is your dinner, my Lord." Lauren said sweetly while setting the tray down in what I assumed she thought would be a sexy way. "I got it for you since your maid was nowhere in sight."

Her tone didn't go unnoticed by neither Edward nor me. He frowned at her as she left the room.

"Don't listen to her." Edward said as soon as the door was closed. "I told you to do whatever you liked. Besides I already ate. I actually ordered this for you. Eat."

"YOU got ME dinner?" I asked skeptically.

"Yes." He stated simply. "Is something wrong with that?"

"No." I answered quickly "but shouldn't it be the other way around? Me bringing you dinner?"

He just rolled his eyes and gestured for me to start eating. I did and suddenly noticed how hungry I was. Edward sat opposite of me and watched me. For some reason it didn't make me feel uncomfortable somehow I was always at ease with Edward around.

"So? What did you do today?" He asked casually.

"Not much." I answered honestly in between bites. "Actually I spent almost the whole day sitting under a tree enjoying the nice day."

"And you've met Emmett?"

"Yes. He saved me from James and then…" I was cut off by Edward.

"Wait. Why did he have to save you from James? What did he do?" Edward seemed on edge suddenly. I noticed this happened a lot lately. He shouldn't be this concerned for me.

"Nothing much." I hesitated and added so low that I hoped Edward didn't hear me "Nothing I wouldn't expect."

He heard… of course. "Why do you keep doing this?" He asked, anger clear in his voice. I looked at him confused. What did he mean? He sighed

"Don't play dumb. Why do you keep expecting the worst? Why do you seem not to care? Why do you act like all of this was normal? Why do you keep degrading yourself?" He finally stopped to breath. I took this as my chance to speak.

"I have seen my father dead at James' feet. I know how it feels when everything is taken from you. One moment everything is right and the next it isn't." I sighed and it took a moment for me to compose myself. Edward didn't interrupt and simply took my hand that was lying in a tight fist on the table. I gladly accepted his touch for his comfort was the only thing I was holding on to. I looked at our hands for a moment longer and then continued.

"On my way here James kept telling me how I would be a slave and how he would take revenge for his family. And I understood him. My father was a cruel king but to me he was the best father in the world. I expected the worst when I arrived here. I didn't expect your kindness but I still kept telling myself to not let down my guard." I looked up at him and he put on a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Edward, I need to expect the worst or else I would be too vulnerable. I want to take everything your father or James throw at me and to be able to come back to you and feel save again. I don't want them to be able to crush me." I finished and noticed that I had started to cry.

"I won't let them and I'm glad you feel comfortable in my company. I just don't want you to feel threatened at all but I also understand where you're coming from. I can only hope that someday you can feel safe here."

"Thank you." I smiled.

"Do you want to go to bed?" He asked me and I suddenly felt very tired after my little break down.

"Yes please." I stood up and went to the door before I closed it behind me I turned around.

"Good night Edward."

EPOV

Oh Bella. I wish I could take all the pain away from her. Never before had she talked like this with me. Never before had she let me look in that pretty little head of hers. I understood that she couldn't let her guard down just like this. At least she trusted me. I stared out of the window for a little while but it didn't take long until I heard her. She seemed to have a nightmare. I went to her door and pressed my ear against it. Yes, she was definitely having a nightmare. I carefully opened the door and rushed to her side.

"No! Dad! Help me please." She sounded so sad and it broke my heart to see this little girl in so much pain. I pulled her in my arms and whispered soothing words in her ears. Soon she fell into a peaceful sleep and I hoped I had scared away the nightmares. I reluctantly released her from my hold and went back to go to bed myself. Before I was out the door I heard her again.

"Edward." I turned around quickly. Was she awake?

"Yes?" I tried. No response. Was she dreaming about me? At least it didn't seem to be a nightmare again. Before the door was fully closed she said my name once more.

I lay in bed for a long time that night not able to find sleep. My mind kept drifting back to Bella. Why was I so attracted to her?

Finally I fell asleep.


So that's it for now. As I said I have more written already and will eventually finish this story.

Thanks again for your support. You are great.

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