I laughed with King Carlisle as we walked into the palace. We had beaten Emmett and Edward, though I won by a slight margin. The king was pretty good. As soon as we stepped in Angela saw me.

"I'll run your bath" she said and I nodded. I saw Tyler, Emmett's maid –for lack of better term – disappear too. I removed my gloves and my arm guard. I let Jasper take it as I entered the dining room for breakfast.

"Must have been some battle" Marcus commented taking in our slighly dishevled appearance.

"Yeah well we crushed them." I stated firmly then teasingly added "for an old guy, his Majesty has got some smooth moves"

We laughed, even Carlisle. The conversation flowed freely after that. Samantha was serving us this morning. At first, I thought she was looking at me, but it turned out, Rosalie was looking at Emmett. I smirked into my cup. I looked up and saw Edward looking at me again. I blushed for some reason and he smirked at me while I tried to glare at him. He just smiled wider. I rolled my eyes.

I ate breakfast as father talked about his plans with King. I felt Edward kick me under the table. I looked up to meet his pleading green eyes. I sighed and nodded. I would talk to him. his face lit up, and my breakfast wasn't as bad all of a sudden. After my meal, I took my bath and layed in my bed, doing nothing. I heard a knock on my room door

"Mom" I said as she poked her head in

"so he is the one?" she asked. I looked at her for a beat, wondering how to play this. Innocent or confession, how do I play this? She was my mom, I could trust her. So I told her, everything. I knew she would tell Marcus, after all secrets were not welcomed in their relationship. But I told her, meeting Edward, our five months courtship, meeting his family, the argument, not speaking to him for the rest of the time I was in school, and now. She listened, not saying anything.

"...and I just don't want to go through that again mom" I cried into her shoulder as I finihed my tale.

"Bella, Behind my smile is someone that has and been hurt, Behind my laugh is someone that's seen sadness, Behind it all is someone that has made mistakes but is learning from them." She said " we often make mistakes and hurt the one we love. The pressure to do the right thing is in its own frightful. Talk to him, give him a chance to explain. And if I ever get the pleasure of meeting Prince Edward of York, I'll shove my royal foot up his royal obnoxious ass"

I gave a watery laugh at her threat.

"I've got to see the hospitals, wanna come?"

"No, I'll be at the lake today" She strode up and left. I called for Angela, she helped me get ready. Jasper was waiting for me with my horse. I smile as I rode towards the lake. I saw Marcus car leave and I waved at him before going. When I reached I anchored my Annabelle and sat on the green lake my only thought of Edward.

"Bella?"