Living Royal

Chapter Ten

The private jet landed in London a few hours later. While Bella was totally relaxed all through the flight, she tensed at the thought of meeting Edward's parents. What would they think of her? Would they think she was just some gold-digger out to snare a prince?

She hoped not, but from what Edward had told her about Emmett and Rosalie's story, she was inclined to believe that that would be the case. But she would be fine as long as Edward remained by her side.

Another worry of hers was that she'd do something completely stupid, like using the wrong fork at dinner or falling on her face in those bloody high heels and embarrassing Edward…and herself.

They gathered their bags and descended the steps when the plane landed at the airport. All the while, Edward held Bella's hand and navigated her through the crowds at the arrivals gate.

Thankfully, they made it out of there without any fuss.

London must be used to seeing their prince out and about. It must be nothing new to them.

She found out that she was terribly wrong, however, when as soon as they stepped out of the airport, they were attacked by a horde of paparazzi, clicking away on their cameras, trying to snap the best shot they could of their Prince and his "mystery lady".

Edward held Bella close to protect her from the onslaught of questions and blinding flashes. Bella hid her face in his chest until they finally reached his car.

A formally dressed driver held the door open for them as they both climbed in. The paparazzi continued taking photos and throwing questions at them. Bella couldn't hear a single one because they were all shouting at the same time.

"Welcome back, your royal highness." The driver greeted Edward as he got in.

"Thank you, Taylor. It's good to be back. This is my girlfriend, Bella."

Bella resisted the urge to gape at Edward as he introduced her as his girlfriend. Well, taking her to meet his parents must constitute as officially announcing their relationship to him.

"Great to meet you, ma'am." Tyler spoke.

"Same here, thank you. And just call me Bella."

Taylor simply smiled. Bella guessed that any employees of the royal family were not allowed to address guests by their first names. She'd only been there five minutes and already she made a faux-pas.

"You never told me where you were from." Edward asked, diverting her attention from her previous train of thought.

"Oh, I'm from a little town called Forks a few hundred kilometres south of London."

"I know it. It's a beautiful little town." He smiled. Bella was actually surprised. She'd never heard anyone describing Forks as beautiful before. Small, dull, lifeless...maybe, but beautiful?

"So what made you decide to go all the way to Scotland for school?" He went on to ask.

"At the expense of sounding absolutely corny, I guess I was looking for an adventure. I had never been outside of Forks my whole life, so when I finally got the chance to leave, I grabbed it with both hands."

"Do you miss your parents?" Edward asked softly.

"Yes, all the time. But I know that they support my decision and I go see them every chance I get."

They chatted for a while longer until Bella was rendered speechless by the sight in front of her. They were at the gates leading to Buckingham Palace. To say that Bella was stunned, would be the understatement of the century. She'd only ever seen the Royal Palace in photos or on the internet and she'd always been impressed, but seeing it in real life was a different experience altogether.

"Wait till you see the inside." Edward leaned over and said, noticing Bella gaping.

Bella flushed scarlet.

Edward chuckled, amused, "Don't be embarrassed, this is pretty much the same reaction it's gotten from everyone I've brought over."

Bella's smiled fell.

Everyone he's brought over?

How many were there, exactly?

"I meant friends, Bella. You're the first girl I've ever brought home." Edward said, revealing his uncanny ability to guess what was going through her head, again. If she didn't know any better, she'd think he could read minds.

The car slowed to a stop in front of the main doors. Taylor jumped out and opened Bella's door for her. Bella was a bit uncomfortable with the formality but she guessed that she had to get used to it if she was going to be dating a royal.

Besides, if that was the price she had to pay for dating Edward, she'd deal with it any day.

Edward held Bella's hand as they entered the Palace. The inside was even more magnificent than the outside. The architecture, the furniture, everything spelled elegance and comfort. Servants immediately scurried around them grabbing their bags and taking their coats.

"Welcome home, Your Royal Highness." A stiff-necked man dressed like a butler spoke formally.

"Thank you, James." Edward responded. "Where are my parents?"

"The King and Queen are presently in the White Drawing Room, your Highness. Would you like me to announce your arrival to them, sir?"

"No, no. I'll do it myself. I'd like to surprise them." Edward grinned mischievously. Bella noted that he was quite adorable when he did that…and sexy as hell.

James nodded, but Bella thought he looked annoyed, although he hid it very well.

Edward pulled Bella behind him to, she assumed, the White Drawing Room, but she stopped him.

"Edward, wait. Are you sure it's alright that I meet your parents dressed like this? Shouldn't I put on something more formal? I mean I know they're your parents, but they're my King and Queen."

"No, Bella. It's fine really. They won't mind whatever you're wearing. Besides," He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her back, "you look beautiful no matter what you have on."

"Flattery will get you everywhere, you know." Bella joked.

Edward threw his head back and laughed.

"Well, well. I knew that all that ruckus could only be produced by my eldest son."

Bella started at the soft voice. She turned to see the Queen coming down the Grand Staircase; looking very amused at the position she caught her son in.

Bella blushed furiously and immediately pushed Edward away. He wouldn't let her go very far though, as he pulled her back to his side. He waited until his mother was at the bottom of the stairs before stepping forward and embracing her tightly.

The Queen looked so fragile next to her six foot tall son. But she still had a commanding presence. Seeing them next to each other, Bella could detect similarities in their appearances. Edward seemed to have inherited his mother's bronze hair and her kind, warm smile. He also had her vibrant green eyes.

Edward pulled away after a few moments and looked at her as though to ask if she was alright. Queen Esme nodded slightly. Bella watched the exchange with curiosity but she remained standing quietly in the background, waiting for Edward to introduce her.

She did not have to wait long. Edward turned to her with a huge smile and pulled her forward next to him.

"Mother, I'd like to meet Bella, my girlfriend." Bella would never get tired of hearing him say that.

Bella made a pathetic attempt at curtseying, "Your Highness."

"Oh, there's no need for that, dear." Queen Esme opened her arms wide and pulled Bella in for a hug.

That was not expected at all. Bella wrapped her arms lightly around the Queen.

"Welcome, my dear. Thank you for agreeing to come. I had despaired of my son ever bringing a girl home for us to meet."

"It's a pleasure to be here, Your Highness." Bella all but mumbled.

Queen Esme smiled serenely at them, and her smile grew wider when Edward pulled Bella closer to his side. It was as though he couldn't bear to have her more than two inches away from him. Queen Esme thought she'd never see the day when her eldest son fell in love. She just hoped he realized it too.

"James has been instructed to prepare the Blue Room for you two. I hope that's alright?" The Queen addressed her son.

"It's prefect, thank you mother."

"You two should go rest for a while then. I'm sure you're quite tired. Lunch will be sent up to you so you can simply relax until it's time for the ball."

Edward nodded, "Where is father?" He asked.

"He has some business to discuss with a few of his council members, you know how your father is, dear. Can't tear himself away from work." Queen Esme joked, but Bella sensed bitterness in her words.

King Carlisle and Queen Esme were known around the globe to be a perfect royal match. It's true that their marriage had been arranged for political reasons, but they always seemed to be the perfect royal couple. So in tune and so in love. Bella couldn't imagine that all that was simply a façade to hide the skeletons in their closets.

Bella and Edward bid the Queen a temporary farewell and headed up to their room. Bella had been surprised when they'd been given one room. She had thought that they would be given two separate bedrooms, but it seemed that the royal family were not so traditional or old-fashioned after all. Bella was ecstatic.

The Blue Room was as gorgeous as every other part of the Palace. The furniture was different shades of blue, but somehow they all went together perfectly.

"Bella, I know this might be a bit uncomfortable, so if you want another room, I'll have one prepared for you, right away."

"Do you want me to stay in another room?" Bella asked, hesitantly.

"Honestly? No."

"Then I don't want another one either."

Edward grinned. He looked so boyishly handsome at that moment that Bella couldn't help reaching up and running her fingers through his hair. Then she reached down and cupped his cheek. Edward leaned into her hand and Bella touched her lips to his.

The kiss was so soft and so sweet at first but things quickly heated up as they always did when it came to those two together.

A few minutes later they were both laying horizontally on the king size bed. Bella was on her back while Edward was laying half on top of her. They were still kissing.

A knock suddenly sounded at the door. Bella and Edward immediately broke apart. They got up from the bed and started fixing their clothes and their hair which was a mess, especially Edward's.

"Why is it that every time you and I manage to have some alone time together, we always get interrupted?" Edward chuckled.

Bella laughed, "Karma? I used to do that to Jasper and Alice all the time. Now I know what it feels like, I'll never do it to them again."

The knocking started again. Someone was pretty insistent.

"Come in," Edward called out. The door opened and James came in followed by two servants pushing a food trolley. Lunch was here. The servants laid the food out on the table next to the bed then stood back.

"Anything else, your Highness?" James waited for further instructions.

"No, that will be all, thank you James."

James and the two servants bowed and then left the room.

"Do they do that every time?" Bella felt compelled to ask.

"Do what?" Edward asked as they sat down at the table and started eating.

"The bowing…Do they do that every time you're near?"

"Yes, unfortunately it comes with the territory. I would ask them to stop it altogether, but they would still do it."

"Why? Aren't they supposed to obey your every command?"

"You clearly overestimate my influence, Bella. I'm just the heir, until I'm King only my father's orders count. And he is a stickler to tradition. They all know that."

If Bella had been nervous about meeting the King before, it had now been magnified tenfold.

"Hey, can we not talk about my parents for now? You'll have your fill of them at the ball tonight." Edward smiled.

Bella nodded in acquiescence. They spent the rest of the meal talking about everything else. Edward told her that Rosalie would be at the ball, which made Bella feel infinitely better. At least now she wouldn't be the only commoner there.

After they were done eating, Edward left to speak with his father. He told Bella that she should rest for a while before getting ready. After Edward left, Bella wandered around the room looking around, then she went to stand by one of the large windows looking outside.

She had a lot on her mind. Aside from nervousness, Bella wondered if she would be able to make it in Edward's world. It all stood on what happens at the ball, which in turn reinforced Bella's nervousness.

She decided to lay down for a while. Maybe time could move faster then.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~LR~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Bella? Bella, wake up." Bella felt someone shaking her. She opened her eyes slowly to find a beautiful blonde woman leaning over her.

"Finally, I have a feeling that you could sleep through an earthquake."

Bella got up slowly, "Um, who are you?" She asked cautiously.

"Oh, I'm Rosalie Hale. Emmett's girlfriend? I'm told you've heard of me." She said with an air of confidence. Bella felt that the girl in front of her could definitely hold her own against the royals. She wished she felt the same about herself.

"Oh, yes. I have. It's great to finally meet you."

"Likewise. You must be wondering what I'm doing here." Rosalie went on. "Edward asked me to come up and help you get ready. He knew you'd be nervous, so he wanted you to have another girl with you."

"Oh, you don't have to do that."

Rosalie cut her off, "Oh, come on, you have no idea how relieved I am that I'm no longer alone in this mess."

"Mess? Is it really that bad?"

"Oh yes. You haven't seen anything yet." Rosalie scoffed, the she stilled, "Oh, I'm supposed to make you feel better not worry you even more. Come on; let's just get you ready so we can get this whole night over with."

Oh, well. That was comforting.

They started getting ready, but Bella suddenly became worried that her dress was too short for such a formal occasion.

"Oh trust me; your dress will be among the longest ones there. Formal balls like this are like the 'shortest dress contest' among girls that are our age. Of course they're all trying to catch Edward's attention, but they don't know that he's already been caught." Rosalie grinned mischievously.

Edward came back just as they were adding the final touches to their make-up.

"Wow," He breathed as soon as he caught sight of Bella, "Bella, you look…beautiful."

Bella was stunned herself by how hot Edward looked in a formal tuxedo.

"Thank you. You look amazing too." As those two stared dreamily at each other, Rosalie was momentarily forgotten.

"Sure, sure. Forget about anyone else in the room. Just keep making goo-goo eyes at each other." Rosalie snickered.

"Oh, you look great too, Rose." Edward snapped out of his daze long enough to notice her.

"Gee, thanks. Now, can we get going? I'd like to get this whole thing over with." Rosalie stalked towards the door ahead of them.

Edward extended his arm for Bella and she wrapped one of hers around his. The three of them descended the stairs together and headed for the ballroom.

"Alright, just let me walk in first. You two need to make an entrance so the vultures in there know that Edward's already taken." Rosalie said with a wink as they reached the double doors leading to the ballroom where the ball seemed to have already started.

They both nodded, amused at Rosalie's diabolical planning. She went in leaving Edward and Bella alone together. As soon as she was out of sight, Edward caught Bella in his arms, pushed her against the wall and started heatedly kissing her.

"I've been wanting to do that since I saw you in that dress." He mumbled between kisses.

"Alice picked it out." Bella mumbled back.

"Alice has great taste, but it's you in the dress that makes it so fucking hot."

Bella giggled.

"I love that sound. You should do that more often." Edward whispered in Bella's ear making her shiver.

"Um, we should get in there, Edward. They must be wondering where you are by now."

"Let them wait," Edward had now moved to kissing her neck.

Bella moaned, "Edward,"

"Alright, alright. But you owe me."

Bella kissed him quickly one more time, "I promise we'll continue this tonight."

Edward winked, "I'll hold you to that."

She took his arm again and the doors opened. Bella took a deep breath as they stepped inside.

Here we go.

The music that had been playing immediately stopped as Bella and Edward stepped in. All the couples that had been dancing as well as the people sitting glanced towards the entrance in curiosity.

Bella's face flamed as usual.

"Relax," Edward leaned towards her and whispered, "Remember what I told you. They're not here." He said referring to what he told her he did when the attention became too much.

Bella spotted the King and Queen standing at the opposite side of the room speaking with another couple. They excused themselves and headed towards Edward and Bella.

Edward squeezed Bella's hands, "No matter what he says, don't let my father intimidate you."

King Carlisle embraced his son as soon as he reached them.

"It's good to have you back, Edward." He said.

"Thank you father." Edward replied, flatly. "I'd like you to meet Bella. My girlfriend."

"Oh, so this is the infamous Miss Swan." King Carlisle said as he shook Bella's hand.

Bella smiled weakly. She was trying not to be intimidated, as Edward had told her, but so far, she was failing miserably.

"Come, Edward. You should dance with your mother. I will have this dance with Miss Swan, if it's alright with you."

Bella felt that Edward wanted to protest, but in the end he nodded and led his mother to the dance floor.

King Carlisle extended his hand to Bella and led her to the floor as well. Bella tried not to be too stiff as she danced with the King.

"My son seems to be quite smitten with you." The King said.

"I'm crazy about him as well." Bella admitted, worried about where this conversation was headed.

"However, I fear that he is not making very wise choices at the moment."

Oh, so this is what this is all about.

"I think your son can decide that for himself, sir."

The King frowned at her answer. He probably thought she'd be running for the hills by now. Well, he thought wrong. "You don't know what you're dealing with here, Bella."

"I think you've given me a very good idea, your highness." She relied, tartly.

Before the King could reply, Edward showed up.

"May I cut in?" He smiled tightly at his father.

The king nodded and left to rejoin his wife.

Edward pulled Bella into his arms. Bella sighed in relief.

"Whatever my father said, please disregard it completely."

"Don't worry about it Edward. You're here now, that's what matters."

The ball had started badly, but she really hoped things would get better quickly before she completely fell apart.

(A/N): So, um..yeah, that was a long one :D Hope you liked it! The ball is not over yet. The rest will be in the next chapter.

This chapter was beta'd by the awesome RandomatGedz :)

Bella and Rosalie's dresses can be found on my profile.

Let me know what you think!