Chapter 10
The room was large and lavishly decorated. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, catching the light of the full moon that shone through the all glass wall to the east. The carpet was plush, and white. A tall oak wardrobe with golden door knobs sat in the west corner of the room. A king sized four poster bed made of cherry wood dominated the center of the room with a bedspread of dark maroon, many white feather stuffed pillows. It was obscenely comfortable.
Edward was currently lying awake in said bed, unable to sleep. Hours had passed since he'd first gone to his bedroom and still slumber evaded him; his mind simply would not calm. The thoughts that plagued him were ones he'd never thought he'd be thinking, or at least ones he hadn't thought he'd be thinking for a while yet.
Simply put the idea of love was weighing on his mind. He knew that it was real, he witnessed it's power every day of his life between his parents. They were his example. From them he'd learned that love was kind, and patient. He'd heard others say that love meant never having to say "I'm sorry"; he believed otherwise. His father often apologized to his mother and she had always forgiven him for his transgressions. After twenty-five years of marriage they were still very much in love.
And so he knew that it was possible for one to find their better half, however he'd never felt that it was something that would happen for him. He enjoyed his solitude far too much to allow it to be marred by a woman.
His mother was one of a kind, a rare gem. He did not believe that he would ever find one whom he wished to spend his life with the way his father had. He was sure that he was too accustomed to being alone to find happiness in being with someone else. That, and the fact that the only type of women he could imagine being with was a noble, or a royal; one who was familiar with all the rules and regulations of court. Throughout his life he'd met and spoken with nearly all the girls of noble blood within Washington's allied countries and he was not attracted to any of them.
That wasn't to say that they weren't attracted to him; they were, very, and they made no secret of it. That however was one of the main reasons he did not care for them. They knew nothing about him and yet imagined themselves in love with him. Females like that had nothing of substance to offer him, they were blinded by his status and power.
Tanya was a prime example of those sort of women. She clearly knew nothing about his personality and yet presented herself as if she did. Edward wasn't sure that anyone truly knew him and he conceded that it was partially his own fault. He judged people before really getting to know them, and he was far more ready to see the negative than the positive. It was instinctual though, he seemed to have a knack for seeing to the heart of a person's thoughts. He hadn't ever been wrong about someone's intent before.
He was also a bit conceited. It was to be expected, he was the only child of a wealthy royal family and had been doted upon since his birth. That particular trait didn't play much of a role in his choosing of companions though, and it hadn't ever influenced anyone's perspective of him because he was quite good at hiding it. Well, no opinion except for that of Isabella of course. That girl...
He shook his head of the thought before it could cement itself. She never failed to vex him. Be it her annoyingly perceptive nature, or her quick-witted retorts she had a talent for seeing through his barriers and letting him know that she could. Edward wasn't sure that she did it on purpose, but she did it all the same and that was grounds for his scorn.
If Isabella hadn't been so...forceful with him during that first meeting they could have been friends. He could see how it would have worked out, they would have complimented each other. But, she'd ruined any chance of that and now insisted upon keeping it at the forefront of their relationship. She was quiet and yet abrasive, difficult and at the same time gentle. She drove him insane. He didn't know how to handle her and consequently reverted to childish behavior whenever she was within the vicinity.
"Gah!" he exclaimed, pushing himself up onto his elbows. She had successfully planted herself in his mind. Trying not to think of her had led to thinking of her.
That happened more often than he cared to admit.
She was a constant presence in his mind, not an hour went by in which he did not think of her. He wondered where she was, or what she was doing. He thought about the amount of time she spent with the Black boy and pondered what they did together. He wanted to know when he would next see her and he was always wondering what he'd done to so badly offend her that first night.
He'd spoken to Alice about them, Isabella and Jacob, on many occasions, he and she shared a friendly relationship, but she insisted on denying that she had any knowledge of what Isabella did when she was alone with Jacob; an annoying smirk was always present on her face when she did so. Alice also refused to speak of that first meeting, out of loyalty to Isabella. Edward always left Alice feeling that he had more questions than he'd started with.
He didn't know what to do about his preoccupation. It needed to be taken care of for both his sanity and the soon to begin events. It wouldn't do for him to be forever fixated on a girl he cared nothing about.
Swinging his legs off the bed Edward stood and walked over to the window. He undid the latch, and pushed the window out as far as it would go, allowing a breeze to carry in the cool, sweet smelling air of the night. Breathing deeply he took a moment to collect and organize his thoughts.
"So many things to think about," he murmured. "So many things to worry about, and so little time to do it."
So soon he would have even more worries, within a few hours his entire life would change. This wasn't just a birthday, this was as good as a death sentence. Someone was bound to be hurt, most likely more than one someone, and he would be the one delivering each blow. He re-closed the window.
Allowing his head to hit the glass, and ignored the pain that followed the action; he stood there for a long moment. Eventually he dragged himself back into bed and was able to fall to sleep about an hour later.
He awoke the next morning feeling as if he'd had no rest at all. He had duties to attend to though and so he washed and dressed as he did every morning before leaving his room to greet the guests.
On his way downstairs he met King Aro and they walked together to the grand dining hall were another buffet style meal was laid out; fruits of all kinds sat waiting to be sampled. The two stood together and spoke of politics and greeted those who came to them until Aro made a comment of not having seen the servant girl Isabella yet that day.
"She has been relieved of her duties for the time being. She is very clumsy and more of a liability than she is help."
"Ah," Aro chuckled. "Such an endearing quality. She needs protection from herself as much as she does from others. Hmm, one more for the list!"
List? Edward bristled. "King, surely, surely you would not consider...you don't mean to say that...you aren't serious in your perusal of Isabella?"
"Why of course I am dear boy! Why in the world would I not be?" He seemed amused.
"She is a common servant!" he had to fight to keep his voice down. "She is rude, and unable to hold her tongue. She does not know her place, she is constantly tripping over her own feet; she is, she is," he struggled to define just how unfit for marriage Isabella was.
"She can be taught to be graceful," a smile spread across his face. " And to be tactful. I have heard that you are a bit biased when it comes to that particular girl; the two of you share a peculiar relationship. Please do not be offended when I say that I understand your beliefs about her to be yours alone rather than those of the general population."
"But, but she is only seventeen! She is still a child!"
King Aro shook his head. "In many places she would be considered an adult," he handed off his empty plate to a passing member of staff. "I have a few things to attend to Prince, I hope to see you again soon so that we may continue this highly entertaining conversation."
They bowed to each other and Edward was left alone to defend himself against Tanya, who took Aro's place at his side the moment it was vacated.
"I hoped to be the first to offer my congratulations and wish you a happy birthday, Edward," she smiled flirtatiously up at him, batting her lashes.
"Yes, well," he murmured. "Thank you, but I really must seek out my parents. We have...things to discuss," he made his escape and did go to his mother and father.
"Edward trust us, this is best," his mother reassured him once he'd told them of his fears. "Really, it will be difficult at first, but it will all turn out for the better."
His father nodded in agreement. "As your mother says it will not be easy, but in the end you will see that we were right and then you will have to thank us," he laughed.
Edward left them felling no better. They meant well, but for the life of him he could not see how this would work out.
Isabella had slept in, though this was the final day of the celebration she had been relieved of her duties. She was known for her lack of grace and though there was much to be done no one, not even the king or queen, was willing to take the risk. It would be tempting fate to have her around now; she'd done alright the past few days, but it couldn't be expected to last.
When she awoke she simply stayed in bed. She had nowhere to go, nothing to do and no one to see. Alice and Jacob would be quite busy with preparations and she wasn't hungry enough to get up for food, but doing nothing wasn't something she was accustomed to. There was always something to be done and she was sure that any and all help was needed, yet she had been told, very explicitly, to stay far from the brunt of the activity.
She lay quietly, thinking to herself about what she would do with her day off. It was a good chance to go into town, she needed a few little things, and while she was there she could ask about placing an advertisement in the paper. She had quite a few skills and she was sure that she would be able to get a reference from the palace, it couldn't be too difficult to find a new position. Perhaps she could be a governess, she'd been taught to read and write, and she knew a bit of arithmetic. She wasn't very good a piano, but if she practiced she would get better, and the same could be said for drawing.
There were a great many things that she could do and there was no reason for her not to try something new. She needed more life experience, she'd been in one place for far too long and it was time for a change. Of course she would need to speak to Alice for advice on what she should attempt, but she was sure that her friend would be supportive of any actions she decided to take.
Decided on going to town Isabella removed herself from bed, washed, and clothed herself in a corset, slip and her second best dress. It was peach in color, with a cinched waist and narrow skirt; a very in style fashion. She pulled her chestnut colored hair back, twisting some of it up and setting the gold and white comb she had been given so many years ago so that it would hold the hair in place; the rest she let fall about her shoulders. After pinching her cheeks a few times in a vain effort to bring color to her fair complexion she left her room, taking her small clutch purse with her.
She stopped in the kitchen, where she informed Cook of her day's plans and asked that he relay the information to Alice when he next saw her. He agreed and complimented her on her appearance, stating that if he hadn't known he as well as he did, he would have mistaken her for a noble; that brought color to her cheeks. She received many curious glances, as well as a few jesting whistles from her male workmates, but no one questioned her as she left through the servants entrance and walked out into the garden.
The lawn was already littered with the affluent guests of the Cullen family, they milled around discussing the proceedings of the day so far, and speculating about the coming party. None paid her any mind as she wove her way through the small and scattered groups, on one but King Aro that is.
At the moment he was in need of entertainment and when Isabella made to pass him by he called out to her saying, "Dear Isabella, where are you going, dressed as lovely as that?"
The women in question was very surprised that she had been called upon by the King once again, and only a day after their first meeting. It was highly improbable.
"Hello, your majesty," she managed a slightly clumsy curtsy. "I was just on my way to town."
"Well certainly you cannot be expected to travel by foot, dear one! I wouldn't hear of it, nor would anyone else," he smiled at her. "I must offer you use of my carriage."
"I—I couldn't possibly accept that, your highness. I am only a servant after all, and I'm sure that I'll be fine. I've walked to and from the city safely many times before." What was the man thinking?! The scandal it would cause! Perhaps his character was as others painted it; he seemed to have a haughty disregard for commonly practiced tradition. What he was proposing was unheard of, it simply did not happen; servants were never offered such luxuries by a noble, much less a royal, unless something indecent was taking place between the two.
That set off a whole new bought of worries for Isabella. Could he be proposing some such arrangement?
Her face blanched at the thought. Surely he wasn't. She wasn't so pretty as that, and she had displayed no great amount of intelligence. She had nothing to give him that he could not find elsewhere in a less improper relationship. Still though, if he was, how could she refuse him tactfully?
"I simply will not take no for an answer," he took her by the elbow before she could properly protest, leading her toward the stables. He left her standing by the entrance for a moment, during which time he spoke to the stable hand and arranged for his carriage and horses to be made ready. When he reappeared Isabella had managed to gain control of her breathing and her expression appeared controlled. "It will be ready in just a few minutes, and now my dear I take my leave of you, I have a great many things to discuss with the Count of Arizona," he kissed her hand and left.
It was ten minutes before Jasper came out to tell the King that his horse and carriage were ready, only to find Isabella who was still staring toward the palace with her mouth hanging open in a decidedly unattractive way.
"You wouldn't happen to know where King Aro went, would you?"
She shook herself out of her stupor to answer him. "He went to speak to someone and it does not matter because the carriage is not for him, it is for me."
Jasper eyed her suspiciously and with his unusually strong gift of empathy found her to be feeling extremely nervous and embarrassed; neither of which were out of the ordinary for Isabella, but she seemed more out of sorts than usual.
"And why would he lend you the use of his carriage?"
Isabella shook her head slowly. "I'm sure I do not know Jasper. I honestly haven't the slightest idea," suddenly she turned to look at him imploringly. "Couldn't you find something wrong with it? Something that would force me to go on foot? Oh please Jasper, please!"
He offered her a small smile. "No, no good can come from lying, especially if it is a lie one of the most powerful men in the world. I'm sorry Bella," he patted her head. "You will just have to endure it."
She followed after him unhappily and he led her toward the front of the palace where the carriage was now waiting for an occupant. He helped inside and gave one last reassurance. "I can almost certainly promise you that this will not turn out as terribly as you are afraid it will."
As it turned out Jasper was right, but only just. Things didn't go as badly as she'd worried they would, but there were still whispers and staring, and that was more than enough to upset Isabella. Rumors would begin soon, she knew they would, and her resolve to find a new position hardened. Her final stop of the day was the post office at which she inquired as to the price of placing an advertisement, and learned that they charged by the line. It wasn't very much and she would have enough to place one after her next pay in five days time.
She returned to the carriage and to the palace after that, having spent only two hours in town. It was now ten and thirty minutes according to the timepiece of the driver, and that meant that there were still nearly five hours until the Prince's final party began. She had nothing to do until then.
Resolving to deliberate more later she handed off her purchases to the driver who'd offered to have them sent to her room and headed around to the back of the palace toward the servant's entrance. She noted that there were more people out and about than before and she stayed close to the building so as to be out of the way.
As before no one paid her much mind as she edged her way toward the indoors as quickly and quietly as possible. The last thing she needed was to meet with Aro again, she was sure that her nerves would be unable to handle the pressure of holding another conversation with him.
Unfortunately for her she was noticed, not by Aro, but by Edward. He too was attempting to pass by the crowds unnoticed by staying close to the palace and during the few moments that neither of the two were looking in front of them, they collided.
Both stumbled backward, but managed to right themselves before falling.
"I'm so sorry," Isabella began at the same time Prince Edward said, "Forgive me I..."; they abruptly stopped speaking when they realized whom they were speaking to.
Edward was very surprised to see Isabella, he'd been told that she was to be kept away from things for the day. He was also startled to see her dressed the way she was, he couldn't remember ever having seen her in anything other than her working uniform before. The way she looked at the moment, flushed pink with her embarrassment, her fashionably cut dress hanging loosely in some places while hugging closer in others, and her thick, wavy hair only partially pulled up, was more than lovely and he was stunned by the sight of her.
Rather than making him sentimental though, those observations left him feeling cold and hallow. He assumed that she had dressed in such a pleasant way to meet with her lover. The pain was dismissed immediately and he took on his old defense. With a sneer in place he said, "Isabella, have you forgotten your manners? It does not matter to me where you are going, whom you are seeking, or how quickly you feel you need to get there, you must follow protocol."
Isabella had been more affected by the collision than he, as she was smaller and more delicate than he was, and had not therefore registered anything about him other than that he was there; the first thing she noticed about his appearance was his look of contempt. With as fake a smile as anyone had ever seen she curtsied and said, "I am sorry your highness, that impact just now left me feeling a bit woozy. I surely would have addressed you sooner had you not bumped into me." She flashed him a toothy grin and made to pass by.
He blocked her. "Are you insinuating that the collision that just took place was my fault? If you are then I must disagree. You were clearly focused on something, or someone else more than you were your path and bumped into me as a result of your inattention."
Her head was shaking before he'd finished his statement. "I am once again sorry highness, but I must insist that in this instance, and many others," she added in an annoyed mumble. She raised her voice to hearing level as she continued. "You are the one in the wrong."
Edward wasn't much paying attention to what she was saying, he was still focused on taking in her appearance. He had never known her to look as pretty as she did just then; her annoyance with him brought a sparkle to her brown eyes, warming and seemingly melting them into pools of smoldering chocolate. For a moment he was quite taken with her, then of course his eyes found the decoration in her hair and his heart hardened. "I suppose that," he pointed to the comb. "Is a gift from your Jacob," he spoke the name with contempt.
His sudden change of subject surprised Isabella and so she spoke without her usual guard. "No! It isn't any of your concern, but it is not something I got from Jacob. I wouldn't accept anything like this from him."
He snorted. "I'm sure you would not admit to it," his green eyes flashed angrily. "Does anyone know yet? About Jacob's proposal? Have you said yes to him yet?" his asked darkly.
For a moment Isabella stood in shocked silence wondering how Edward had come to know about her dilemma with Jacob and wondering at the way his mind seemed to jump from one thing to another. "I—I don't know how you found out about that, but as I said before, it isn't your concern. Jacob and I are only friends, he may have more...intense feelings than that, but I do not and so..."
In his anger he snapped at and interrupted her, "And so what exactly? You were going to refuse him? A foolhardy choice. What other options do you have? Are you so arrogant as to believe that another will pose a similar offer? Why would they? You are a servant, you have no dowry and nothing to proffer a husband in the way of... entertainment."
Isabella, shocked and dismayed at his words, dropped her head to hide the tears she felt prickling in her eyes, feeling that Edward had confirmed everything she'd worried to herself about. It was too much of a coincidence for the both of them to be thinking along the same lines wasn't it? It was true then; she wouldn't find anything better and there would be no other offers, and why would there be? She wasn't very pretty or intelligent, and she wasn't graceful or discerning; she simply wasn't good enough for anyone else to want. Jacob had known her for so long, it was only natural that he should develop feelings for her. No one else had ever shown any interest in her.
Edward noticed the fat droplets falling from her eyes before she did and as the heat of his anger faded the ache in his chest grew painful. He hadn't meant to make her cry.
"Isabella, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. I just...,"
She looked up him, her expression devastated and held her hand out to stop him. "No, no you're right," she whispered while taking her handkerchief out of her clutch and wiping at her nose. "For once you are correct. I'm not...I don't have anything to offer anyone. You were right," and with that she pivoted around and took a less direct route to the servant door, having just realized what she would do with the rest of her day.
The prince leaned heavily against the wall, why had he reacted in such an abominable fashion? There had been no call for that! None. He'd made a lady weep. If he had only been paying attention he would have seen the purse she held, and he would have known that she'd been dressed for her outing, not for meeting the boy.
"Jealously," a quiet voice seemed to whisper to him. "You were jealous; it seemed that she had chosen one other than yourself and you acted rashly without taking note of all the elements that had been presented to you."
That was easily dismissed. "What reason have I to be jealous?" he scoffed quietly. He ran a hand through his hair, and with an intense look upon his face that made quite a few women stop to stare he too went back indoors.
Isabella spent the remainder of the day in her bedroom. She'd locked her door from the inside so that no one, not even Alice, would be able to disturb her. After her tears had ceased she slept, and when she awoke she lay still on her bed. She was in her dress, but could not bring herself to care about the way it would wrinkle. She was thinking about what Edward had said to her. She firmly believed that he was correct. There was nothing for her, not in her current state at least. If she continued with her life in the palace she would never do anything greater than possibly marrying Jacob. She'd reached as far as she was going to get and that was depressing to realize. Her ambition to find new work had doubled, and she now had a new reason to search, she wanted to prove Edward wrong. She would prove him wrong.
There had to be something else out there for her, maybe she hadn't found it yet because she'd been in one place for such a long time. She would find out what there was and become more than Bella Swan servant girl and then someday she would return and show him that he'd been wrong about her.
Just as she finished her thought a loud series of knocks sounded on her door. "Isabella Marie! You will open this door right this instant! As far as I know you haven't eaten anything all day, and you've been in that room for hours, now get out!" Alice shouted. "You must eat supper quickly and then we are to head outside for the last celebration so move it!"
Isabella pushed herself from her bed, tried to smooth her hair and dress and then opened the door to her small, but frighteningly serious companion. Alice was also wearing a dress that rarely saw the light of day, it was the same style as Isabella's, but in a pastel green. She took one look at her friend and pushed her backward.
"Your dress!" she cried. "The hair I can manage to fix, but this! Oh Bella, why?!"
With a sigh she answered her. "It isn't as bad as all that, only a little wrinkled."
Alice inhaled noisily and proceeded to re-do the hair she'd deemed fixable. She worked quickly and efficiently; it was soon back in place. The dress was her next project; she pulled at it and twisted it around for at least ten minutes before finally managing to make it look presentable.
"Sometimes I just do not know what to do with you, Bella. How can I continue to be your friend when you are constantly making a mess of your clothing? Have a bit of respect!" she tugged at Isabella. "Put your shoes back on. If we hurry you will be able to grab a bite to eat before we are called to the lawn."
The two went to the kitchen were a plate of mutton, rice and gravy had been left for Isabella. She had time to eat most of it before they were called upon.
They filed into their designated section of the grounds and everyone, servant and noble alike, sat in nervous excitement, awaiting the king's speech. There was also a section for commoners who'd been able to procure seating. Though they were separated by roped off areas because of the differences in class, all were speaking of and feeling the same things. Everyone commented on the grand way in which things had been decorated. Paper lanterns hung overhead, red flowers had been tied around the ropes holding them up and a stage of sorts had been constructed upon which there were three thrones; one for each of the royal family. A small orchestra sat quietly to the side awaiting direction. All were in a joyous and celebratory mood.
The only one who seemed genuinely uninterested in the proceedings was Isabella, and though Alice had yet to comment upon anything she had a glint in her eye, suggesting to her closest friend that she already knew what was coming and that there was more to this event then there seemed. Isabella turned her attention from the stage to Alice.
"What is it that you know?"
Alice gave her no answer aloud and simply shook her head.
Isabella's eyes narrowed. "Alice, do not test me. I'm sure you know of the day I've had and,"
Alice cut her off before she could get into a real passion. "Calm down, you'll know just as much as I do, well nearly as much as I do, soon enough." She stopped speaking, because a sentry had called for all to stand.
They did so and the Cullen's entered view. Queen Esme and Prince Edward sat, the price in the far right throne and the queen the far left, while King Carlisle raised his hands, indicating that they were allowed to take their former positions. Once everyone was again seated he began his speech.
"We thank you, honored guests, for your attendance here these past three days. Your company during and enthusiasm for our son's twenty-th birthday has been much appreciated," the king paused until the applause died down. "Today is said birthday and now we would be very gratified of you would join us in singing...?" He gestured to his wife who stood and the cue was given to the orchestra; a familiar tune began playing.
All rose and sang "Happy Birthday" to Edward, nearly all anyway; Isabella didn't even pretend to sing. Applause followed as Edward stood and took his father's place on the stage, Carlisle moved to stand before the middle throne; they waited until the king and queen were seated to sit themselves.
"Guests," he said. "As my father has already stated we are thankful for your attendance here this evening. I wanted to give my personal thanks to you all; to the nobles and the royalty for leaving your homes and many duties to be here, to the staff for their hard work and perseverance in making these last three days as wonderful as they could, and to the people of Washington for their support of my family," he bowed. "Once again, thank you," more applause. "And now," he hesitated and seemed to take a deep breath before continuing. "Now, before we move onto the candle blowing and cake cutting, my mother and father have one last announcement to make."
There was a sudden rush of whispers, no one had heard that there was anything else to this last day of celebration; there hadn't even been any rumors of it. They were all quite interested in learning of it. They spoke amongst themselves in hushed voices, speculating about what the proclamation would be while the king and queen took a moment to gather themselves.
The hushed voices died away as the elder Cullen's took their places. "Today," Queen Esme began. "Is a great day, we celebrate my son and the twenty years he has lived upon this Earth. Today we will also celebrate change and the passing of time."
Her husband took her hand and continued. "We do not wish to call attention away from Edward, this is his day, but a matter of importance must be spoken of," he paused a moment to collect his thoughts and then continued. "In exactly one year I will step down from my position as King of Washington."
A collective gasp came from the crowd. All had been stunned into silence, even Isabella. If she'd had any expectations about that night, they'd all been shattered. This was as unexpected as it could possibly be; no one had any inkling or suspicion of this.
The king raised his hand for silence when surprised chatter broke out. "Please, hold your comments for just a little while longer."
Esme took over then, continuing the speech. "Edward will become king on his twenty-first birthday...provided he can find a wife," another joint gasp. "A year is not much time to find love, we know, and so we have decided to help him in the process." She nodded to a few servants who'd been inconspicuously standing off the side and they began handing out sealed envelopes to all those present. "We will conduct a world wide search for out sons true love. We urge you to tell anyone you know who may be interested in participating in said search. All women are welcome, regardless of race or class."
"Kings!" Carlisle said. "Queens! Announce this to the people of your countries, let them all know of this plan of ours. The more women involved the better chance we have of finding the one our son is meant to be with. Please refer to the papers in the envelopes for further information, there are more explicit details contained therein."
"Now," Esme said with a smile. "Please rise once again as Edward blows out the candles on his cake."
A table was brought upon the stage, as well as the cake, and all stood as they'd been asked, but it must be confessed that none paid much attention to the cake that had taken so much planning and effort to create. It was soon thereafter served and conversation resumed full force. Fireworks followed once the sun had set and after a bit of wandering and settling people began drifting back indoors for bed; the excitement of the day coupled with the news from the king and queen had left them all exhausted.
Once things were cleaned and put away the many of the servants also retired; Isabella meant to as well, but Alice followed her into the bedroom.
After sitting in silence for a few minutes, Isabella began to get antsy and asked, "What do you think Rosalie will do when she hears of this?"
"Probably go into labor," Alice joked.
Rosalie had worked in the palace only six months before she and Emmett became engaged, and barely three months after that they were married. They had relocated to Rosalie's home town and occasionally Jasper received a letter from her. The latest had come just a week ago with news that she was pregnant with their third child.
Isabella pursed her lips, and asked another question. "Where has Jacob been? I've not seen him all day."
"Well you wouldn't have, would you? Locked up in here the way you were," Alice rolled her eyes. "He was sent to the next city over for something, he won't be back for a day or two."
Isabella nodded and waited for Alice to speak again. She folded and unfolded her hands, crossed and uncrossed her ankles and was finally unable to take the quiet. "Alice!" she exclaimed. "What ever it is you're waiting for me to say....just stop. Tell me what you need to tell me!"
A grin stretched across Alice's face. "That's it!" she laughed at the look on Isabella's face, but quickly sobered. "You are not going to like what I have to tell you. In fact, I'm sure you'll put up a fight about it, but here it is," she stood from the wooden chair and moved so that she was standing before her companion. "You will fill out the application in the envelope and you will submit it."
Isabella gaped. "What?! No, I will not Alice! What are you thinking?!"
"Bella, why not?" Alice asked. "What is the worst that could happen, hmm? You realize that you were right to hate him?"
Though she was loath to admit it Isabella knew that her friend was partially correct. "But what is to be gained?" she argued. "Alice, even if I did end up feeling friendly toward him what good would it do me?" she sighed. "I know the queen said that anyone was welcome to try, and I suppose that makes him "open game", but honestly we both know that he'll end up choosing a noble. If I were to learn to care for him and he chose someone else my heart would be broken!"
"Yes, and what if you learn to care for him and he learns to care for you? Isn't that worth the risk, which, by the way, I find minimal? He could be it! He could be the one and your not going to find out because of a silly little thing like a broken heart? 'Tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all," she told her. "Were you not thinking only hours ago that you were looking for a change? For a chance to prove yourself to him? Well here it is, staring you in the face, and you are too afraid to go after it."
Bella sat in silence, thinking over what Alice had said to her and wondering how she knew about her most recent issue; she dismissed that question quickly, Alice was Alice after all and she was right. She had told herself she wanted something new, and this would certainly be new, but was it the new she was looking for? Could she prove herself this way? The possible consequences of taking part in this search were great to be sure. Would she be able to deal with the inevitable rejection?
"Everything about me will be critiqued Alice! My appearance, my personality...everything about me will be observed and noted. I will be under even more surveillance than I am now! How will I be able to deal with that pressure? Not to mention the position this could place my work in! What if I offend him and lose my position as penalty?" she was growing a little hysterical.
"Ah, I have noticed dear Bella that you have begun speaking in a different way. You are no longer questioning what 'would' happen, you have moved on to what 'will' happen. I can see that I have persuaded you to do what I already know is best," she laughed a little. "You've offended him before and you are still here," she sat on the bed beside her. "Please believe me when I tell you that this is what you need to do. I will help you through those inevitably difficult situations as best I can. I won't tell you that any of this will be easy, it most certainly will not, but you can do this. It will be good for you...and for Edward." Alice placed her hands over her friends, hoping that for the moment this would be enough reassurance.
"I don't know Alice," Isabella shook her head.
"Well I do know, so trust me. Have I ever been wrong before?"
A/N (Think stereotypical gangsta' voice): Oh snap! Yo my hommies, you didn't see that coming did you? My brotha' from another motha'! Unless yo a girl, then yo my sista' from another mista'!
Leave me some love so I never leave yo another a/n like dis again. I'm out fools.