DO I REALLY WANT REVENGE?
Disclaimer: The Cullens, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.
All of the chapters of this story has been beta'd by the lovely dowlingnana and the chapters with mistakes are being replaced.
"Don't you think you are being a little over reactive about this?"
"No. Edward and I were the ones shot at last night. And lately all association I have had with your family has not been in the light reflecting good intentions. So, no, I don't think that I am over reacting to anything.
"The safety of my people, country and person are very dear to me. I had rather be over cautious than not cautious enough.
"Your time with you son will begin the moment you are together in his current quarters. You shall be notified when time is up and you are to leave. Take this moment and enjoy it while you can. Now, you may all leave."
As the family all gathered in Edward's personal quarters after the door had closed on them, Queen Esme grabbed her son and begins to weep. Edward tried to console her, but, was having a hard time keeping it together himself. Both of his cousins were as if shell shocked.
"Edward, is this how she has been since returning home?" Carlisle asked his son.
"To a certain extent, yes, but, Father, she has had so much to contend with, the way we forced her into marriage, the death of her parents and jumping straight into running a country. Right now, it's hard for her to know who to trust. The only ones she really allows close to her are the Ladies Alice and Rosalie, The two that Jasper and Emmett were with last night.
"There are moments when she isn't quite so harsh, but, she is very withdrawn at the moment and stays strictly to herself. She trusts no one new or that has treated her in an underhanded manner in some way.
"It is very hard to explain, but, she will not harm me. In fact she has gone out of her way to make sure that my position is secured and honored by everyone."
"Son, do not allow you to be harmed, please." Esme pleaded with Edward.
"Mother, I will be fine. Bella will not let harm come to me. Please, all of you trust her, and if you can't her, then me, in this matter."
"Very well, son, but, keep in touch. We will find a way to get all of this resolved. Is there anything we can do to help with any issues at the moment?"
"Yes. Please, find out all you can about who might be pulling the political strings in Noragia and why they want to interfere with the friendly relations between Vargia and Wystonia. That would be of big help. For once I know that I really believe that we will be able to bring about justice and put an end to all of the hostility of the moment.
"That is going to be the key of winning Bella."
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"What do you have to report from Vargia?"
"Although, the young queen didn't believe that the Wystonian royals were involved or the word of the shooter trying to incriminate them, the relationship between the two countries are at a breaking point. It will not take much more to break it all together."
"Good. So, one of the plans is working at the present time."
CHAPTER 9: BABY STEPS LEAD TO BETTER THINGS
Vargia is getting ready to celebrate the first year anniversary of the marriage of their Queen and Prince Consort along with her first year of rule. To say that it has been an easy time for each personally and the country as a whole would be an understatement. Queen Isabella has had to walk a fine line to maintain the stability of Vargia and her personal life. Prince Edward has been battling the underhanded methods of Noragia in regards to how they are trying to cripple Wystonia through their seedy business practices. And then, the overwhelming emotions he has felt at being more or less isolated from his family in Wystonia.
He traveled that day a year ago to the border in a different car to say a final goodbye to his parents and cousins. Watching them walk across the boundary lines with no looking back or hesitating in their step as the Queen had ordered, was one of the hardest things he had had to do or accept. It had been pure chance, or luck, that he had been allowed to go with them for the final goodbye. He had wondered how that reprieve had come about, but, was too damn scared to draw attention to the fact that he was able to go. Lady Alice had asked if he had been able to say the temporary goodbyes that were needed at the border and it was then that he knew Isabella had allowed. What had happened for it to be done he did not question, he was just grateful for that small happening. And, the question Lady Alice had asked was missed.
Of course, over the period of the year three more attempts had been made on the lives of the royal couple. And, each time the individual had been caught, but, maintained that their contact person was from Wystonia. They were not able to provide a name or position of this person as all contact was done through phone conversations from a Wystonian number that was untraceable. The monies were always transferred from a Wystonian bank. No other leads were available. And, Edward hasn't been able to ask his father about any possible leads from that end, either. Isabella had stayed true to the letter of her command; only personal topics were discussed, no political ones and the calls were monitored openly looking for any breach in the agreement.
The one thing Edward could truly say about his wife with absolute certainty was that she stayed true to her word totally. What she told you is what was done without any variations whatsoever. The job she had assigned to him in overseeing that all agreements to aid Wystonia were carried out efficiently and stayed within the true sense of the promise made. But, as Edward saw how Noragia were conducting business by continuing raising prices, causing delays, trying to take over old established contracts of Wystonia and totally isolate the country to try and bend it to what they dictate, was making his job more and more difficult where he was trying to keep from bringing hardship to both Vargia and Wystonia. He hesitated to bring this to the attention of Isabella, afraid that she would be concerned with him being incapable of handling the business she had assigned him. For the one thing he didn't want was for her to think he was whining.
The celebration party is tonight and the whole palace is in an uproar on finalizing all of the decorations, food, and music as well as the guest list. In fact, the whole country is celebrating the two anniversaries together. The day is drawing to a close and Edward is near finishing the last report when he is interrupted by his secretary, Carmen and his aide, Eleazor. They inform him that the Queen has requested all of their presence in her office immediately. He sighs heavily, but, raises and moves to comply with the royal command. Carman and Eleazor follow behind him, but, each wonder why they have been summoned.
As they enter the outer office, Angela, Her Majesty's secretary, stands to admit them immediately into the Queen's office. With a single knock upon the door she opens it and stands to one side for the other three to enter. Bella looks up to see what is causing the interruption then nods as she is satisfied that her command had been attended to without pause.
"Prince Edward, Carmen and Eleazor, please, come and sit down. We have a few things to discuss before calling it a day to get ready for the celebration tonight. It has been a year since you started overseeing our promised obligations to Wystonia and during all of that time I haven't seen a single update concerning the situation or any progress that may have been made. It is now time for a report to be given.
"I want to see the files, figures and the results of what has been accomplished during this annual time period. Do you have those with you now?"
"No, we didn't receive word that you wanted that information tonight." Edward begins, but is stopped as Carmen quietly hands him a disc. He looks at her, his hand and then hands it over to Bella. She nods and puts the disc into her computer drive. "If you have any que-"he is stopped in the middle of his speech as Bella holds up her hand for silence.
The silence hangs heavy in the room while Bella looks over all of the information she had been given. Every so often she would shake her head then continue, but not a word said of either good or bad. Edward felt like he was right on the edge of a cliff and it was about to crumble out from under him. 'Why hasn't she said anything?' he sits asking himself. The quietness continues to stretch to the point that the nerves of three occupants were about to snap.
"Col. Martinez, from what I can see and what His Highness has remarked in your records, you have handled your duties in an exemplary manner. You are to be commended. It couldn't have been easy for you to leave your home in Wystonia and re-establish yourself here under the circumstances that have existed. But, a job has been well done, nonetheless."
After a bit more looking at information on her computer, Bella looks at Carmen Martinez, and compliments her on her excellent work as well. Then she looks at Edward, pauses and asks, "Why?"
"Why what, "Edward asks.
"I see your reports and it tells a story much more applicable than words, and, the story I am reading here is amazing in what you have achieved as well as what Noragia has been doing. It shows how you have gone about trying to maintain the balance while they still try to rock the boat of power. It shows how they have tried to dominate and rule the flow of things while you have been steady in your treatment of each event individually and dealt with the problem.
"So, why haven't you brought any of this to my attention during the last year?"
"You gave me a job to be done and the responsibility to see it through as efficiently as I could and it was up to me to do it without whining to others about the mess that was happening." He stated firmly but quietly, still not sure where she is going with this.
Bella studies her computer screen again for a few more minutes before looking up to the three people sitting in front of her. She draws a deep breath and then begins to speak, "From what I am seeing in all of this I feel fully justified in the action I am about to take. From this moment onwards a new ministry is established. It will be up to the three of you to get it operational and to keep it running smoothly.
"Prince Edward, you will have full control of this department and your word will be as equal to my own. I give you full authority over this area. It will govern all aspects of our import and export businesses as well as the aid that we administer to other countries in need.
"You shall have controlling interest in all of my personal business interests that fall in this area as a means to give you the leverage you might need to control the Noragian element from taking over.
"You don't have to, but, I would appreciate being kept up to date on all happenings in this area as you see fit. Now, I suggest that as of tomorrow you begin getting started on creating the ministry and finding the appropriate staff. What you have been doing for the past year will fall into this department as well. You may begin discussing the political aspects of different governments to determine what, if anything, we can and will do to render aid in a nonthreatening move and manner. This will also necessitate traveling to other countries to represent us from time to time.
"Finally, I have just one question left that needs to be answered and then we will adjourn to get ready for the celebrations. Do you accept the additional responsibilities?"
Prince Edward looked to his secretary and aide de camp then back over to the Queen. Looking back at the other two again he sees them giving a slight nod. With that he looks Bella in the eyes and answers, "We accept the challenge and the duties."
"Very well then, we are finished here. Let's go get ready to party." With that she rose with the others following suit as they walked behind her towards the door to leave.
A/N: A year has passed and it is time for a viewing of Edward's effects in how well he did the duties assigned to him. After looking at his reports, Queen Isabella drops a surprise in the lap of Edward and his staff. Was she justified in relaxing her ruling in regards to Prince Edward? Will Edward take control and have contact with his family? What action is going to be taken against Noragia? And who is calling all of the shots from that country? And why are they so interested in having all of the control?
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