Chapter 9

WARNING: I'm not sure that this is actually necessary, but better safe than sorry. This chapter is rated an upper end 'T' for a partial sex talk. Actually, this story may end up rated 'M'. If that does happen it won't be until much later, warnings will be posted, and those bits will be skippable. END WARNING

Isabella spent the night thinking over Jacob's proposition. The things he'd spoken of had been confusing to say the least. How long had he had those sort of feelings for her? She couldn't remember ever having noticed his displaying anything other friendliness toward her. She supposed that she could have misinterpreted his intent, it wouldn't be the first time something like that had happened. Still, it was a difficult reality to accept.

The smart thing to do would be for her to accept what he was offering; she did care for him and it was obvious that he cared for her, but she couldn't stop the nagging voice in her head telling her that it wasn't the same thing. She already knew that though; what Jacob had been trying to describe were romantic feelings and she had none of those for him, but things like that often happened in marriages.

It was possible that her emotions regarding him would change as time went on. She might grow to love him as more than a friend. In fact it seemed entirely possible that it should happen, if she spent enough time with him under the correct circumstances that was.

As far as she could see the worst that could happen would be an inability for her to develop amorous feelings for him and in that case she would always care for him as a friend. There were much worse ways to spend one's life.

Of course, there was the wedding night...and the nights afterward. She would be expected to—to do that with Jacob. At this point in time she couldn't fathom participating in the act at all, much less with her closest friend. She didn't even know very much about it! Her mother had never gotten the chance to answer any of her more pointed questions.

I'll have to have a conversation with Alice, she thought. Oh, when did things become so complicated?

She pushed back her blanket and stood from the bed, moving to sit in the simple wooden chair by her lone window. A few stars twinkled in the inky blackness, the only source of light as there was no moon and dark clouds had come in, threatening rain. She stared out at the night and found the darkness to be reassuring. Soon it would be day again, the sky would change from black to red, red to pink and so on just as it did every day. Her eyelids began drooping with drowsiness, and soon she had drifted into unconsciousness.

Night passed into morning and Isabella awoke from her slumber feeling stiff from sleeping in such an unnatural position, as well as a bit chilly. She stretched as she stood, washed and then changed. After a quick breakfast she began her days work. There were fifteen rooms to clean today, and no time for dillydallying.

Such an expert in her field was she that within two and a half hours fourteen of the fifteen rooms were spotless. Presently she was turning down the bed in the last of her assigned guest rooms. Now nearly finished with her work she felt that she deserved a moment to herself and opened one of the windows to let in a bit of fresh air; she then paused to take stock of the day.

A cool breeze blew in smelling of rain drops and roses. The sky had once again cleared as the dark clouds of the night past had been blown away. It looked to be a bright, clear day. She could hear birds chirping in the distance as well as the laughter of the nobles as they wandered about out-of-doors without a care in the world.

Her thoughts drifted as she began her final task of folding and placing already worn clothing in a basket to be laundered, moving to her current conundrum. She had come to understand during the last few hours that, while she didn't know what she wanted, she did know what she didn't want.

She didn't want to marry someone she didn't love and she didn't want to be a chambermaid for the rest of her life. Nor did she want to be forever in the service of the royal Cullen family, because eventually the throne would pass from father to son and she would not work under the direction of Edward.

At this point in time she could not say with certainty that she loved or would be able to love Jacob the way he should be loved in a marriage situation. And so that would have to be her answer to his inquires, at least for now.

That didn't give her a solution to her other problem though; where was she to go when she was ready to move on? She had a little box of money stashed under her mattress filled with whatever she was able to save after buying needles and thread each month. Was that enough to get her a small flat in town? What would she do to earn more?

She also needed to speak with Alice, though she was unsure that she wanted to know the answers to those particular questions.

With a sigh Isabella sat on the large bed, noting that it was much softer than her own, and hunched her shoulders inward. All these questions, all these uncertainties, there were too many unknowns. She took a deep breath before standing again and returning to her work, doing her best to ignore her worries.


On this second day of celebration Prince Edward had been forced by his mother to spend nearly five hours outside mingling with his guests.

"It is quite rude," his mother had said. "To ignore those who have come to see you." She'd patted his cheek and pressed a kiss in the same place before leaving the room so that he could dress.

He sighed internally as he listened to the monologue of King Aro of Volterra. He was an eccentric man, known for his oddities and all-encompassing interest in mythology. Within his palace was an extensive collection of books and art relating to world cultures throughout the ages; he took any opportunity that presented itself to discuss things of that nature.

"...vampires...many contradicting stories....sunlight burning...,"

Needless to say Edward was not the least bit interested in the conversation, but Volterra was an important ally of Washington. They were rich in precious jewels and their military strength was unmatched; the country was also the head of an international peacekeeping society known as the Volturi. So even though listening to the middle-aged man was a trial the prince endured. He nodded at the appropriate times and interjected comments when they were called for.

Edward was a skilled actor, one had to be when one was in a position such as his. Often times it was necessary to pretend one was too tired to continue a discussion, or that one was completely attentive when one was actually bored to tears. He called on all his acting abilities now to get through another ten minutes or so of the nearly one-sided conversation.

He smiled and allowed the middle-aged man to continue in his description of vampires. This, as Edward had learned, was one of Aro's favorite topics upon which to dwell. Immortality was a great interest of his.

Aro's speech broke off suddenly as his icy blue eyes focused on something just over Edward's left shoulder.

"Well, what a pretty servant girl," he said.

The prince turned to see who he was speaking of, only to find his constant source of both amusement and annoyance Isabella Swan. She had been commissioned by Alice earlier in the day to help serve hors d'oeuvres once she was finished with her own work; one of the other women had fallen ill the night before and was unable to participate.

She was wearing the dark blue uniform dress of the servers and he couldn't help but notice the way it contrasted her pale, clear skin. A silver platter holding little cubes of different cheeses and rolled meats was balanced on one hand and she was busily offering them to anyone who held an empty plate.

When Edward turned back to Aro, determined to ignore Isabella, he noticed that the king's plate, which had been sufficiently full only a moment ago, was now empty. A strange feeling of anger began building up in the pit of his stomach, was the king really so unconventional that he would take a servant girl for a wife? Just considering it was...improper.

Edward had never heard of Aro's taking a wife, perhaps none would have him or more likely he'd simply never been interested. Was he interested now? Though this certainly was in line with his strange behavior, would he be so bold as to break one of the oldest held customs of the world's royalty?

King Aro noticed Edward's frown and winked at the boy before calling out to Isabella as she passed. "Excuse me my dear, would you be so kind as to allow me to inquire as to your name?"

She turned and her brown eyes widened as she realized who was speaking to her. After a curtsy she answered, "My name is Isabella, your Majesty." Her face turned scarlet, as it always did when she was embarrassed.

"Isabella then," a wide smile graced his face. "I would like to refill my plate."

"O—of course," she stuttered, holding her tray out to him.

King Aro was actually a very attractive man, he showed no outward appearances of his eccentricity. He wore his long, black hair tied back in what was the style in his country and though he was in his thirties he looked quite young.

In truth Isabella had always been fascinated by his style of ruling. He focused greatly on education and his constant mantra was "Learn from the past or be doomed to repeat it." Isabella found his immense love of knowledge intriguing. Of course she'd heard tell of his strangeness, but that was something she could overlook, especially since she had no cognition of his having the intent of making any real acquaintanceship with her. Really who would, much less a king? She found it difficult to believe that he had even spoken to her.

Edward however was unsure of Aro's design. He could not for the life of him discern whether or not the man was serious about his sudden interest in Miss Swan. He also could not understand why the possibility discomposed him as much as it did.

So, as per usual, he took out the frustration borne of his incomprehension in regard to his emotions pertaining to Isabella on the subject herself.

"Isabella," he said, feeling slightly irritated at having been ignored thus far. "How nice to see you again."

He watched as her eyes narrowed slightly before her face smoothed. She assumed he wouldn't do anything too inappropriate with so many witnesses around.

She curtsied and forced out a fairly polite sounding, "Your Highness."

Aro watched their exchange, noting the minute changes in the expressions of each as they spoke. He was a very detail oriented man and had many years experience with seeing to the root of things; as such he was able to quickly conclude that the two young people shared an intimate relationship. He was unable however, to perceive whether or not it was lasting or stable.

In all actuality it didn't much matter to him whether it was or wasn't. He was quite a selfish man; for the moment he knew what he wanted and he knew how to get it.

He spoke with the servant called Isabella for some time and found her to be an intelligent, if somewhat shy, young women. She listened as he spoke of mythological beliefs, how they varied by culture and how he believed it was possible to apply certain things about them to real life with rapt attention. She even asked a question or two though her voice was very quiet and shook slightly.

Aro observed the prince who had moved only a few feet away after his tense greeting with Isabella; the boy had kept his eye on the ensuing conversation. He did not look at all happy.

The prince's reaction to Isabella's interaction with any male other than himself proved to be very entertaining to King Aro.

"Where have you been?" Alice questioned as soon as she saw Isabella entering the kitchen with an empty tray. "You've been gone some twenty minutes."

Isabella quickly set down her platter and took up another. "I know, I know, but you will forgive me when I tell you what's happened," a small laugh escaped her. "I don't believe you will know what to think. I'm sure that I do not."

She left then and proceeded back into the sea of party guests, offering a drink to anyone without one.

Her mind was not really on her work as it was an easy task to preform. She couldn't wait to tell Alice about all that had happened. It wasn't much really, only a simple conversation, but it was highly unlikely that anything like it would ever take place again. The life of a servant girl could hardly be called exciting and was very predictable; Isabella knew her friend would appreciate hearing about it.

She'd nearly finished with her shift on the grounds when he showed up. It was just like Edward to ruin her good mood.

He hadn't done it on purpose this time, in fact he didn't even know she was there. He was speaking to his mother and they'd wandered in the direction of the palace. He was trying to convince her that he'd spent enough time out-of-doors for the day.

That was his way of politely telling Esme that he'd had enough of what passed for social activity among his wealthy and affluent guests.

"Mother," he sighed. "Tomorrow is the 'big day', may I please be excused from the rest of the festivities tonight?"

"Excuse me your Highnesses," Isabella interrupted quietly, curtsying. "But would you care for refreshments?" There were only two flutes of champagne left upon her tray.

Edward barely nodded at her in acknowledgement while his mother murmured a "Thank you," and sent her son a glare for his discourtesy.

It didn't matter to Isabella one way or the other though. She would have been just as happy to completely be ignored by him. With a parting curtsy she left the mother and son for the indoors where she was met by Alice, who had many questions to ask.

"What were you speaking of earlier? What happened? Why were you gone for such a long time?" The black haired girl was practically bouncing with anticipation.

Isabella smiled and shook her head. "I will tell you all about it, if you'll promise to keep it to yourself," once Alice had nodded she continued. "Let us go to my room; we are less likely to be disturbed there."

The two retreated to the safety of Isabella's bedroom and spoke quietly of the nights events. Alice, under threat of expulsion from the room, was able to sit and listen while her brown eyed friend described her conversation with King Aro; she said it was 'interesting'. Alice couldn't help but notice the way that Isabella left Prince Edward out of most of her description.

"What about the prince?" she asked.

"What about him?" Isabella countered feeling a little putout. Alice always got excited about the wrong things.

With a shrug Alice answered, "Nothing in particular really. I was only wondering if you had noticed anything strange about him while you were conversing with Aro."

"That is of no consequence. Besides," she gave a haughty toss of her hair. "I wasn't paying him any mind," she paused and then sighed. "He didn't seem overly enthused by my interaction with King Aro. But what does it matter?" Isabella flopped backward onto her bed.

Alice rolled her eyes at her friends blindness. It was plain to her, and always had been, what the underlying issue between Bella and Edward was. If only they would not be so stupidly stubborn about it.

"It matters much more than you think it does."

Isabella didn't ask the pixie like girl anything else, subconsciously fearing the direction their conversation would take if she did. She knew of Alice's convictions regarding her non-relationship with Prince Edward Cullen and she never purposefully brought up the subject.

Suffice it to say she did not share Alice's beliefs. Whatever her black haired friend said this was the one subject upon which they completely disagreed. Isabella trusted Alice implicitly in nearly all matters, her judgment was not to bet against, but in this one and only case Isabella was sure that her companion was incorrect.

She and the prince had never gotten along. Never. She couldn't remember a time when they had behaved amiably toward one another. Whenever they were alone and within a ten foot radius an argument was sure to ensue. They could not stand one another.

It disgusted her how often he occupied her mind. Throughout the morning and afternoon she worried about bumping into him, it was inevitable, and then at night she thought about the struggles they'd had. The process would repeat itself the next day.

"So, what else did you want to talk about?" Alice asked, breaking through her thoughts.

She blinked at her companion blankly. "What?"

Alice widened her eyes innocently. "Why Bella, have you forgotten your decision to ask me about that last night?"

Isabella's mouth dropped open. She had completely forgotten about her previous worry and she was no longer as sure of needing the knowledge as she had been.

"It is far too late for that," she said brightly. "It doesn't matter whether you're decided now or not, because I am. This is important and we will have the uninterrupted time to discuss the matter now."

"But, but, Alice!" she was not ready for this. "It is highly inappropriate, and really, how much more can you know than I do?" The gleam in Alice's eye left her immediately regretting her question.

"Oh my dear, sweet Isabella Marie. I am not so prudish as you," she laughed at the scandalized look on Bella's face. "Not only that, but I have long since found the one I will spend my life with."

"Well, yes Alice, but still..." she was slightly mollified. It wasn't so terrible for Alice who had already seen her life with Jasper, however if it had been anyone else she was sure that she should have fainted.

"So! On to the mechanics of it all!" Alice clapped her hands together, far to excited for Isabella's taste. "Well," she began speaking, but stopped suddenly, "Don't interrupt Bella, you will only be making it worse for yourself. As I was saying, in simple terms, insert tab 'A'," she stuck out one finger on her right hand. "Into slot 'B'," and made a circle with the other thumb and forefinger. She then proceeded to place 'A' into 'B'. "I think your mother was able to explain that much to you?"

Her face was hot, very. She felt ill and wished the idea of speaking to Alice had never entered her mind.

"Y—yes," Bella stuttered.

"Let's start here: What do you not know?"

"Um," she was very much out of her element. "She—she explained the...mechanics I suppose."

"But nothing else?"

Bella shook her head feeling very much like a child.

Alice had to fight to keep the smile off her face. "So you know that the penis enters the vagina, but nothing of pleasure?" the horrified look on Isabella's face was more than enough of an answer. "I shan't go in to too much detail just now as it is getting late and I don't want you passing out on us at supper, but believe you me it is far more than whatever your mother told you.

"When you are truly with the one you love," she placed her hands over Bella's. "It is pure magic. I won't lie to you, the first time does hurt, but it is worth it. When the time is right I will tell you more about it, but just now..."

"Alice? Bella?" Jacob knocked on the door, pushing it open a bit. Bella jumped in surprise. "We can eat now," he eyed the two suspiciously. "Why is your face so red?"

"No reason," Isabella managed to squeak.

Alice rolled her eyes and smoothed away the wrinkles in her dress. "Does she really need one? Honestly it does not take much."

Jacob accepted what they told him without argument, something in the back of his mind telling him that he didn't want to be part of whatever that had just taken place.

Isabella was able to sit through dinner without too much trouble, but as soon as she was alone in her room her nerves and embarrassment returned full force. She could only hope that Alice would forget about or become uninterested in the conversation.

Unfortunately she was sure that it was unlikely to happen.

A/N: I bet you can't guess what my favorite sentence in this chapter was! Oh and what do you think Aro wants? Is he planning to help the two along? Does he want Bella to himself? Or something else?