Carlisle POV

I was on my way home from the hospital when I got a text from Esme asking me to hurry. What did the boys do this time? I thought. But when I got home I saw that the house was in perfect condition, as was the surrounding area. And the house was abnormally quiet.

Everyone was gathered around the dining room table. They all shot a glance at me as I entered the room.

"What's going on?" I asked confused.

"We got something in the mail from the Volturi." Rosalie responded.

Esme handed the unopened envelope to me and I began reading out loud.

Carlisle Cullen and Family,

It is our great honor to invite you all to a special ball held by the Volturi on November 25, 2010 at 6 pm. We will be announcing the addition of our new Princess of Volterra. She has been a wonderful addition and has great potential as Princess.

Aro, Marcus and Caius

Well, I cannot recall there ever being a Princess of Volterra. If anything I would have expected it to be Jane.

"Who is it, Alice?" Esme asked.

"I don't know! I can't see anything! This very frustrating. Why can't I see anything?"

"Alice, let's go upstairs." Jasper said, putting a hand on Alice's back and leading her towards the stairs.

"I'll go book the flight tickets." Emmett said.

"The ball is in only three days. We'll have to go shopping." Rose said with a smile on her face. Very quickly, Alice came rushing down the stairs dragging Rosalie and Esme with her, Tanya following close behind.

Edward was dating Tanya Denali now. They have been for about a month and a half now. I was quite surprised that Edward moved on from Bella so quickly. I thought it would take longer than just a few weeks to get over her. I didn't even bother to ask questions.

I wasn't sure why Aro would all of a sudden decide to declare someone Princess of Volterra. There must be something special or significant for this to happen. I would have thought it would be Jane to be announced as Princess, seeing as her and Alec are the Volturi's most prized members. Well, I guess we would just have to wait a few days to see who the Princess is.

Bella POV

"Bella, Aro requests that we go in for a training session. He wants you to have some before the ball." I nodded and followed Demetri to the training room. Felix, Alec and Jane were already there waiting for me.

Felix and Demetri started out, showing me tricks and techniques to use in case of a fight. Alec and Jane trained me in some fighting, but mainly on how to use and control my powers. Heidi and Chelsea came in after their shift was done, doing more fight techniques.

"Bella, never turn your back on the enemy." Felix said as I had turned away from Heidi and was taken down unexpectedly. I reacted quickly by getting my arm around her waist and flipping her onto her back, slamming her into the ground.

The slight burning itch in my throat came again. I scratched at my throat, feeling a slight burn.

"Don't lose focus." Jane came from out of know where. I wasn't expecting her, so she took me off guard.

"Babe, you cant lose your focus. That makes you an easy target."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I got thirsty."

"Do you want to go on hunting break? You'll be able to focus better once the thirst in quenched."

"Yeah." Alec and I walked to the woods outside. I took down a deer and a few rabbits before I decided I wasn't so thirsty anymore. Alec also fed. The hunting trip also gave us a chance to practice my power that I gained from Alec.

"Alec," I said as we walked back to the castle at a human pace, "What is this ball for exactly?"

"Every new member has a ball thrown to introduce them to the other known about covens. The covens get to know you and vice-versa. Plus, you are the Princess. That's never happened. So it's totally new to our world."

"So, what your saying is that all of the attention is going to be focused on me, right?" He gave a slight nod, trying a stifle a laugh, knowing I hated attention. "Fabulous."

"Bella, it's only for one night."

"Do you remember what I told you about what happened the last time all the attention was on me for just one night. I was almost killed by a vampire!"

"Yes, this is true. But look at you now. Now you're a vampire. So there's nothing to worry about." Alec said with a laugh.

"Alec, do you have any idea why it took so long for my transformation to be complete?"

"I talked to Aro. He's not completely sure either, no one is. But Aro thinks that it might be because you have more than one power. And the fact that one power allows you to gain others' powers. Its never been heard of. You're the only vampire that we know of that has more than one power, or even the power to gain another's."

We arrived at the castle. Our shifts started for guard duty. Alec went to the cells and I went to my place in the throne room. The shift was uneventful. Nothing really happened…that is until Felix and Demetri decided to place a bet. Unfortunately, I was involved in this.

"200 says Bella could beat you in an arm wrestling match." Demetri shouted from across the room.

"Oh whatever. I am bigger than her, and therefore I will beat her." Declared Felix.

"She's a newborn. So she still has some of her human blood left in her. She's stronger than you."

"Fine then. We battle it out. Come here, Bella." I sighed and walked over to the table where Felix and Demetri were standing.

"Not again. Felix and Demetri and their stupid bets." I heard Aro groan.

"Ready little sister." Felix taunted as I positioned my arm on the table, taking Felix's hand in mine.

"One, two, three." Demetri started.

I hadn't realized how strong Felix was until now. He was probably about the equivalent of Emmett. After a few minutes of some struggle, I finally won.

"200." Demetri yelled at Felix.

"Humph!" Felix was not happy.

"Oh. Just give it a year or so and we can have a rematch." I said.

"I won't forget that." Felix said and walked back to his position.

Guard duty ended and hour later and I went in for some more training. Really, I just learned the basics of vampire fighting. I would learn more when the time came. At least I would have some training in case something were to happen at the ball.

The ball was only a day and a half away and I was curious as to see what would happen with the Cullen's. Whether Rosalie would still hate me and whether Jasper would still be upset with himself for what happened. If Alice and Emmett would still love me as their little sister, just like Felix and Jane, and if Carlisle and Esme would still love me as another child. And then of course, Edward. I don't what he will think of me being a vampire and having Alec.

After I had perfected my training skills that I had learned so far, Alec and I went to the movies to view a special showing of Romeo and Juliet. I had already seen this movie a ton of times, but I still cried dry tears. With Alec reciting some of Romeo's lines into my ear, though, it was a bit hard to concentrate. His voice made me melt anyway. And saying Romeo's lines only made me fall for him even more, if that were possible.

And then he whispered, "Will you marry me, Isabella Marie Swan?"

I looked at him wide-eyed. He held a small, black velvet box in his hand, open revealing a beautiful diamond ring. He was smiling and so was I. "Of course." I said. He slipped the ring onto my finger and gave me the most passionate kiss yet.

We left the movie early so that we could make our announcement. Gianna was the first to know, as she saw the ring on my finger when we walked into the lobby. She gave us her congratulations and we went to tell the rest of the Volturi.

"We're engaged!" I announced with a smile on my face, as did Alec. Jane, Chelsea and Heidi all squealed, obviously very excited. Aro, Marcus and Caius were all very happy for us. Felix congratulated me in a bear hug and Demetri gave me a congratulating smile. Today was perfect.