So its update time, I wrote part of these during a Tropical Storm, so I had a cool breeze blowing and the rain pounding on my rooftop. I hope you guys are enjoying this. Also I hope you guys check out my awesome banner made by MinaRivera. Thank you so much!
P.S. Someone asked me if Edward will be in this. And the answer is yes. Please bear with me, he'll be here soon. He's a very important part of this story.
Please enjoy this week's update.
Chapter 9
BPOV
On our way back, I told Emmett and Rose about everything that Charles and I spoke about. They were very doubtful that he would indeed sent Renee back and I shared their scepticism. If he actually sent her home, I would keep my word and visit him with the intension of getting to know more of him.
I didn't have to wait long, three days later; a loud knock rattled the door, causing Rose to stop singing midway. It was Sunday afternoon; we had recently arrived home from morning mass, and were relaxing after our Sunday lunch.
Emmett stood, peeping out of the window, turning he gave me a look and I knew it was her. I was expecting her, but I was still a little apprehensive. Nodding to Em, he walked over and opened the door.
"Good day Renee, what a pleasant surprise." Emmett was laying his charm on thick, and I could see Rose trying not laugh.
"Emmett, I am here to speak to Bella." He turned and I began approaching them, if I kept her outside, our conversation would be short. Once I reached the door he stepped away to give us some privacy.
"Good day mother, how may I help you?" I was polite and curt, as I smiled at her.
Grabbing my arm, she pulled me from the door way, and I snatched my arm out of her grasp. "Take your hand off of me." She glared at me.
"I know what you are doing Bella, I get that you're upset at me for keeping him a secret for all these years and I understand that I went about all the other things wrong, but what you have done is absolutely underhanded and sneaky."
I shook my head, she did not understand. "I did not do anything for those reasons, I did it because I want so much for you, but if you throw yourself at him, what reasons would he have to marry you and do right by you?" She kept shaking her head.
"You had no right Bella, no right at all. This is my life and I will do as I please." I laughed at her.
"No Renee that is where you are wrong. This is my life that you and Charles decided to play with, what happens now will be decided by me." She balked at my statement.
"The king and I have come to an agreement, I will spend time with him, regaining all the years that we have lost and you will stay here until things have been done in the correct order." I turned and began to walk back to the house, not caring how she took the news, but I stopped and called out to her.
"Renee, don't expect that to be anytime soon." I walked in and closed the door quietly, only to find Rose and Emmett acting suspiciously. Laughing, I realised they were spying on us. I sat back in the chair I was previously occupying and Rose began to sing, picking up where she had left off.
"Tomorrow, I wish to visit the king." They both nodded, as her sweet voice lulled me to sleep.
The next day found me rising before the sun. I snuck out of bed and began doing what chores I could without waking Rose. Before I could begin breakfast, a sleepy Rose walked into the kitchen and found me making the day's bread.
"Bella, goodness what are you doing up so early?" I smiled sheepishly at her and continued to knead the dough.
"Well I thought we could leave early, I do not wish to be travelling back after the sun had set." She saw right through me but never said anything. In reality I was nervous and excited about spending time with… with my father. I had thought about it, while I could never be his heir, maybe I could get to know him, and maybe fill the void he left all those years.
Once dressed for the day, Rose emerged from the room and together we finished the chores that were left. A heavy hand knocked on the door, followed by Em calling out for the little pigs to let him in.
"Emmett McCarthy, what are you doing here? Why are you not at the blacksmith's?" Closing the door, he walked over to the fire.
"You both didn't think I was letting you go alone, did you?" I shook my head, he had just gotten this job, I couldn't in my right mind allow him to put his future in jeopardy.
"Emmett, we'll be safe. You need this job." I tried to talk some sense into him, as Rose stood to his side with a grimace on her face.
"Fret not, when I left yesterday I went to Henry and ask to switch my shift, I actually just left." I smiled at him; he was growing into a good man. Rose would be in good hands. I looked at her and her body drooped as she visibly relaxed.
"Well, come have some breakfast." I sat the both of them down and served our meal. Once we were finished, we wrapped ourselves up, as Emmett attended to his horse. This time the trip would be much quicker.
We were waved through at the gate, but this time there was no carriage waiting, and we made our way down the drive. Arriving at the entrance we met two guards, one of whom quickly opened the door for us. Once inside we met, a young lady in maid attire.
"Good morning. My name is Irina. If you all would please wait here, I will send word of your arrival." She smiled as she pulled a rope. A few minutes later a flash of red flew in our direction, and I recognised Victoria immediately.
"Miss Isabella, a pleasure to see you again." She ignored Irina, who was gaping at her. I smiled at her, glad to see a friendly face.
"Victoria, it is also good to see you again." She nodded and gave her attention to Irina, who whispered something in her ears. With a tight nod, she ran off like a bat out of hell.
"You must please excuse my sister; she's very excitable at times." Irina laughed as she beckoned us to follow her. We walked into a very tastefully decorated sitting room.
"Would you care for a beverage?" We replied no and sat down to wait. A few minutes later, heavy footsteps could be heard descending the grand staircase.
Turning around, I saw the king enter, followed by Lord Clearwater and Bree. We immediately stood and bowed low in greeting, as they did the same.
"Isabella." He whispered in reverence, and I flushed a little. He took slow caution steps and finally stood directly in front of me, as we stared each other in the eyes. It was like looking at a mirror. My eyes were his and I smiled. Taking a cue from me, he smiled and embraced me gently, as I returned his hug. Finally we parted and he looked behind me and smiled widely.
"Ah, the beautiful Rosalie!" He never let go of me, as he walked us over to her. Rose was blushing as the king reached for her hand and gently placed a kiss upon it. Her giggled cause me to smirk at her, and made the king laugh.
He turned to Emmett and placed a rough hand on his shoulder. "Emmett, how do you fare? I hope you are keeping these two lovely ladies safe?" Emmett's chest puffed out and he replied an affirmative.
I looked around us and realised that Irina had left, but Lord Clearwater and Bree stood behind us with a smile on their faces.
That day we learnt so much from each other, I was able to air my fears and what I was hoping to gain from this. He did the same, we also spoke about my mother, but I did not tell him about how she has been behaving towards me as of late. He had a particular view of her in his mind and I did not wish to taint it.
When midday came, we ate the midday meal in the king's private quarters. I did not feel comfortable being in the same room, as the other royals who were either visiting the castle or lived there for extended periods of time.
For some reason as we ventured throughout the castle and the surrounding grounds, we never met any of these royals, it was as if they were avoiding us or were told to do so. Either way I was pleased with the privacy, and pleased at what I found out about him.
It was officially a month since that first day I spent with Charles. Our days consisted with talking about ourselves, playing games, listening to Rose sing and hearing tales of his days in battle. Every day I grew more and more comfortable with him, I felt like I was truly gaining a friend.
But even though all of this, Charles still felt the need to do more. Days that I would not visit him, he would send gifts, not only for me but for my best friends as well. Once Rose and I received rolls of cloth, it was not the fancy type a royal would wear but it was better than any cloth we had ever seen.
We used most of the cloth to make clothes for the young women at the orphanage. When he saw us the next day, wearing our own clothes, his face fell, until we told him what we had done. A couple of days later, a messenger delivered a heavy box with my name written on it. Inside were sacks laden with coins. I was cross, but then I remembered some folks who would need the extra money for the coming winter season.
So dividing some of the money among the three of us, we then went around of village, placing some coins on doorsteps, knocking and hiding before anyone could see us. It was the talk around the village for days. Upon our return the next day, he never enquired of the money, but I told him once we were alone. His smile never faltered and I felt a twinge of pride flow through me.
It was the day of the first snow fall, roughly the middle of November. I was visiting the castle alone, something I had done once or twice in the past. Charles and I sat close to the fire place sipping a hot brew of tea, playing a rousing game of chess.
"Oh, I win again Isabella." Charles exclaimed loudly as I rolled my eyes. This was the fourth game we had played and I had yet to completely understand the game.
"You only win because I allow it." I joked back at him. He bowed his head at me.
"And I thank thee, for doing that for me, Isabella." I winced at him, as he said my full name again. It has been something that has been on my mind for a while. Every time he said my full name, it irritated me to the extreme.
Sighing loudly, I gained his attention. "Is everything alright, Isabella?" He reached over and placed a hand on mine. Looking at our hands, I quickly grasped his in mine.
"Tell me why do you call me Isabella? Everyone else calls me Bella but you." His face relaxed and he smiled a little.
"Everyone that calls you Bella has known you for years or they are your friends. Besides you never told me I could." He was right about me not telling him that he could, but he was wrong on not being my friend.
"Well as my friend, it would honour me if you called me Bella." He quickly hugged me, as he whispered my name, making me smile.
A small knock echoed around the quiet room, and Charles called for the person to enter. Victoria entered quickly and cast me a wide smile which I returned.
"My lord, I was told to bring this to you immediately." She handed him a letter, curtsied and waited for him to address her. Charles did not pay her any attention, but quickly opened the envelope. He scanned the contents of the letter and a smile graced his lips.
"Bella, I have great news." He lowered the paper form his face and looked at me.
"My niece is returning home from her travels." He was joyous, and I could not help but smile at him. He started telling me somewhat about her, but it was hard to focus, because from the moment Victoria heard the news, she had become as pale as a ghost.
So father and daughter seem to be getting along. I wanted to make their relationship strong because I don't have a very strong relationship with my dad. So I've always wanted to write a story that paved the father in a good light. I wonder who his niece is. Any guesses? Thank you for reading, I hoped you enjoyed this.
Cheltivia.
