Chapter 10
"Never trust them, never trust them. They can't be trusted."
~Elizabeth the Queen Mother
BELLA
June 24nd 1607
I step from the bath and I see her. She stands regally with a small tiara adorning her head, dressed in the darkest of lavenders, looking about the books that are scattered upon the writing table. Hearing my movement, she turns and graces me with the most sincere of smiles. The lady maids at my side curtsy upon seeing her, though I ponder who she is.
"Grand Duchess Cullen." They say in unison and it is then do I realize she is Edward's aunt and I curtsy as well.
"It is I who is to be acknowledging your presence Isabella, for you shall be queen in due time. You may call me Esme." She says with a small smile.
I feel horribly improper and cling to the dressing robe wrapped about my person. "My lady, had I known to expect your presence I—"
"I wished to seek you out in such a state." She replies, serving only to confuse me further. She rings a bell and in comes other women who I assume are lady maids, all of them holding rich gowns and jewels.
"I do not comprehend." I whisper, watching as they fill the room with various garments.
She walks to me, taking my free hand that still clutches the robe I wear; "Has Edward told you of why I am at court."
I am shocked to hear her refer to him as such so casually but nod none the less.
"He says he has requested your presence for you to aid me in my immersion."
"He has told us much of you," She says smirking, running her hands over the new garments. "Recently there has not been a letter in which you have not been mentioned. He truly wishes you to be blithe."
"Wherever he may be is where I am truly blissful." I respond.
"That is quite the sentiment, but it is not enough." She frowns.
"Should it not be?"
She stops her perusal, turning to face me; "You are so sweet and so naïve, believe me, I do not wish to insult you, but surely you know there has been a target place upon your head?"
"A target?"
"Edward has rejected a Princess for you, a lady who has never been to court. Every day for the rest of your life you will be watched. Any slip shall be a mark against you and some may even dare to call for your removal."
I take a step back, trying not to seem as shaken as I am. She has taken me by surprise and I feel exposed, in regards to both my physical status as well as my mind.
"Do you mean to frighten me away?"
"No of course not. I truly believe you are the greatest gift that could have ever been given to my dear nephew, but I wish for your eyes to be without blinds, you are about to take on a role in which may prove to be ever cumbersome. My wish for thee is to remain firm in thy integrity when opposition arises, for no doubt it shall."
"Aye, I have heard whispers of the dangers of court, yet that is all I have witnessed; gossip, words of petty women and the scorned, you however portray them as beastly creatures that plague the land."
She frowns; "The mad king took seven wives. The first was his longest of nine years. Rumors of her taking favor upon another cost her head. The second was poisoned. The third was framed as a conjurer of the dark; scrolls of the occult and potions were placed within her chambers. I shall not speak of the others. The demise his queens were not all the mad kings doing, it was clear some men were willing to sacrifice their daughters in hopes of gaining favor. So yes Isabella, it is beastly. You must protect thyself."
Moving across the room, I notice that the maids all took their leave. Rubbing my hands together, I try to breathe but I cannot. What am I doing?
She approaches me and takes my hands in her own; "Isabella breath, you shall not be alone. Edward summoned us to court for as long as you need. My mother relayed this all when I first came to court; I deem it only fair that I shall do the same. In time you shall see and comprehend the inner workings of this game, you shall master it and you yourself shall become a fierce competitor."
"I do not wish to play this game I simply want to be with Edward." I whisper.
"T'is why you shall make a great queen." She snickers turning to take in the chambers; "This is your armor. It may not seem so, but it is important for you to clothe yourself as a queen even now. It shall make your station apparent. You must ne'er emulate another lady's fashion nor be outlandish in your own right."
She helps me as we look through the garments situated around the chamber; "They are all so beautiful."
"Edward has declared a festival be thrown in honor of Jasper and Alice's espousal, you shall be accompany him. Make thy choice, you shall be about in the morn' star as well as throughout court with your king by thy side." She says and I stop before the white and golden gown.
"Beautiful." She rings the bell again and the maids return.
"There are principles you shall keep in the forefront of thy mind for this day and every day forward."
I sigh as the lady maids begin to dress my person; "I am not very fond of rules but I do not wish to embarrass Edward."
She laughs and once again I realize I have spoken without meaning to.
"You shall be grand. Simply remember to ne'er to be lonesome with another gentleman; at all times have a lady with you. None can suggest a lover—"
I gasp loudly turning to her and she grins and continues.
"There will be many who wish to consume your time and mind with their ventures and hopes. Ne'er agree without Edward's counsel first, no matter how small… at least 'til you are no longer new to court. In time you will be able to discern who simply wishes to take from you."
I nod, that does not seem to be difficult.
"You must ne'er forget, you are above them and they despise you for it. Be kind to them, but do not allow them to take advantage. You are not the Lord Jesus and there must be a limit to your generosity."
I am not the Lord Jesus?
Taking a breath, I try to adjust to the corset I wear.
"The only thing worse than a corset is a newly tailored one." I mutter to myself.
"Thee most certainly are amusing, Lady Swan. Never lose thy wit." She states and I flush.
"It remains uncertain if what I possess is wit. Are there other rules I must be knowledgeable of?" I ask as the lady maids finish with my garment preparation leaving only my thick mane to be readied.
"Aye, the following shall be said in private. I shall finish her preparations." The maids nod, curtsying to us both as they turn to take their leave.
"I am in great gratitude for your assistance." I say to them and they look startled as if shocked that I noticed them.
Once more, they curtsy before leaving.
"Being gracious shall surely win the favor of your constituency." She states, sitting me at the vanity looking glass.
"Never has a Grand Duchess helped me in such a way." It sounds even more ridiculous coming from my lips than it did in my mind.
"Think me not a Grand Duchess, for there is nothing grand of me."
"Surely you have been told of the grace you portray. If I could retain a bit of thy stature, perhaps I would not fear the unknown as much as I do now."
"I was once a lady maid Isabella." She says and I gasp, turning to face her.
"A lady maid? Marrying a prince of England?" Ne'er have I heard of such a thing. How had I not known?
"Aye, it was quite the scandal. Carlisle's father had never been so livid. But luckily, Aro partook in wilder activities than my husband's and the courtiers were much too concerned with the future king to heed his brother's follies. The fact however did not prevent attacks upon my name. I could no longer converse with the maids that were once my companions and I could not find a niche within court. Had not been for Edward's mother and Carlisle, I doubt my survival. But I truly believe you will be grand, you are not alone in thy pursuits."
I take a deep breath, looking upon myself in the looking glass. I can bear this load. I will bear this load and I will excel.
"What is it that you wished privacy to relay?"
"Do not allow Edward to take you before thy wedding's eve." She states so forwardly I am not sure what to say, she speaks on sagely.
"I know my nephew. He is possibly the most stubborn man in all of England. Whatever he desires, he will strive for it and he desires you. He wishes to marry you in haste, but does not which for the gossip upheaval that would likely follow. Now he must wait and I believe it to be burdensome on his will."
Pressing my cheeks with my cool hands, I fight to regain composure, for she does know him well.
"I will endeavor to do my best—"
"Nay Isabella, you must do better than such. On thy wedding's eve, expect the taking of thy virgin's blood to be witnessed. Thy sheets will be collected afterwards."
"You jest!" I gasp as she places a small jeweled diadem upon my head.
"I wish it not to be so. Should there be no evidence of your purity, your espousal shall be void."
"How shall I… accomplish such a task with others about the chambers?"
She leans until her face is beside my own; our eyes connect in the reflective glass.
"If Edward accomplishes what he should, believe me you shall remember nothing but him. As it is, you shall not be within their direct sight; a canopy shall enshroud your person." She says and once more my face flushes hotly.
Ne'er shall I forget my first encounter with the Grand Duchess Esme.
EDWARD
June 24nd 1607
"Are you not proud of thyself?" My uncle states, leaning against the wall as he carves an apple.
"T'is that a statement or inquiry? I will not be proud 'til she is my own in accordance with the church." I say in reply, signing the pieces of parchment my advisor hands me. The more hastily I am rid of these, the less time I have to spend away from my Isabella.
"Worried she shall renege her acceptance?"
"I would hope she has realized by now that she can neither fight my advances nor our emotions."
"Then what ails you?"
Sighing I lean in my chair, waving away my advisor. He takes the signed parchments, bowing as he leaves us.
"Princess Geneviève has yet to announce her departure." The longer the French occupy court, the harder it will be for the people to accept my marriage. I expected her to announce her departure that eve' or at least this morn'.
"Does she still believe she can win your favor?"
"I am hardly a prize to be won."
"So you believe." He snickers reminding me of his son. They are both so much alike it is odd to witness at times. Were all fathers and sons as such?
"Well, she has lost."
"She may believe there is still a chance. I doubt her father will be pleased to know of her failure to obtain you."
"The French ambassador has requested an audience with me; he shall make his presence known —"
A timely knock interrupts my statement.
Carlisle sits upright as do I before calling acceptance to his entry. The man dressed in flamboyant blue garb bows to me.
"Ambassador you wish to speak with me." I say.
"Your majesty, I am quite perplexed with the occurrences of recent. I fear we were not clear in our attentions—"
"You speak of King Philip's wish for me to marry your princess?" I reply and he nods.
"Yet you have claimed another."
"Aye, I have." I state. He waits for me to expand but I go no further.
"Your majesty, I do not understand. Is Princess Geneviève not the most fine, chaste, and honorable of young women?"
"Do you claim my intended is not?" I snap sitting forward, "Be careful with you ruminations and words Ambassador, for my intended shall be queen and an insult to her person is an insult to my own."
He nods his head quickly; "Of course Your Majesty, she is all those things, however she is not of royal birth."
"That concerns me not."
"I fear this insult may sit unwell with King Philip who has only sought to keep peace between our nations."
"I do not bloody care!" I rise from my seat. "King Philip holds no power here and simply because he wishes it does not mean it shall come to light. He has offered his daughter and I have rejected her along with the strings that follow. If he wishes for his daughter to marry royal blood then let him seek it out in Spain or Portugal. I do not seek his crown; let him not seek my own."
The man simply bows; "This embarrassment shall not be pardoned."
"Do you threaten me Ambassador? Before thou speaks so carelessly to anger me, you ought to seek counsel with thy king. I wish you and the princess a safe voyage back to thy lands."
Upon his departure, Carlisle applauds slowly with a grin upon his face; "And thus a King is born."
"Let us hope King Philip knows such. I may be young, but I am a king, same as he."
"Now that you have dealt that beast a blow, you must face the ones within your own lands." He says looking out at the festival.
"Let us." I reply rising and exiting my study as we go in search of our women. Excitement fills my bones with each step I take towards her.
BELLA
June 24nd 1607
"Do my eyes deceive me or dare I say I look upon an angel." Edward whispers behind me and I turn as he takes my hands, kissing them both.
"Angel you say, where?" I smile, turning to look about the staircase. Esme and Carlisle are at the bottom, leaving Edward and I a moment before we head outdoors to join the festivities.
He grabs my waist and pulls me closer to him so there is no space separating us. Looking into my eyes, he clarifies; "Here, right here."
Esme coughs and we both frown. I wish to kiss him.
"Later wife." He speaks as though my mind were open for him. Presenting his hand, we walked down the grand stairs in the foyer. The doors open to present the rear of the castle and I gasp at the splendor.
Animals of all kinds, men dancing about with ribbons and scents of the sweetest foods assault my olfactory senses.
"It is beautiful." I whisper.
"Ours shall be grander." He states and I do not know how such a thing can be possible.
I hold on to him dearly and it is so odd experience such a reception. The entirety of court bows down to him… to us.
"It is my hope that Esme was not brash. I requested her presence about the same time I asked for your own at court. She is well versed in life here." He whispers to me as we walk about the luxurious garden.
I smile at him, he truly worries of me; "I am gracious, she was brash enough to get her point across without cruelty. I enjoy her company very much."
He smiles in return but then stiffens slightly as an older man and what appears to be his flock of daughters comes forward, one of them I know to be Lady Denali.
"Your majesty. Milady." He bows to us. "Milady, I have become aware of your recent arrival to court. If you are ever in need of ladies-in-waiting, my daughters have much knowledge of court life and are willing to assist you with your endeavors."
I gaze upon each of them slowly before reaching Lady Denali who keeps her gaze to the ground, not meeting my own.
"I am aware sir, for I met the Lady Denali once before. You have my gratitude for your generosity." I say with a small smile.
Edward leads me from them and only when we are farther in our stroll does he speak.
"You have met Lady Denali?"
"Aye. She came to speak with me after our dance." I say, waving to children who grin at me. He stiffens and I turn to find him gazing upon me intensely.
"What was said?"
"She claims she was once held your personal favor and she wishes to become your mistress. There is more, but nothing of standing." I tell him.
He looks me over carefully; "You are not reacting as I thought you would?"
"How did you expect me to react, sire? For you relayed to me your proclivities while we were in Devonshire."
"And her claim of my mistress?" he asks slowly.
I grin, turning fully so only he can see my face in its entirety; "I am not your wife as of yet, so it is not possible for you to garner a mistress. But once I am, I shall demonstrate the full brunt of my jealousy, and to her, the force of my rage. Until such time, I shall not waste my energy; I have a nuptial rite that requires my attention."
He laughs, he laughs loudly and openly and persons pretending not to have seen us are now openly staring as well the rest of court.
"You have convinced me milady. I shall not take a mistress, for if you can hold such jealousy and rage at bay to be released upon notice, then I do not wish to be at the receiving end of your ire."
"May my king ne'er forget this moment then, for I ne'er shall." I try to remain resolute but laugh as he revels.
He takes my hand and kisses it as we continue our walk. We are soon met by his brother and his wife. My eyes find Alice who turns from Jasper to watch us as if we are the eve's entertainment.
"Brother is it all to your liking." Edward says to Emmett who bows. Rosalie bites her lip before forcing a smile as she curtsies to us both.
"Not so much my own as with our cousin." Emmett snickers before gazing upon me. He takes my free hand and kisses it; "It is a pleasure to see you once more milady."
"As with you." Though I do believe he did not fancy me.
"Lady Rosalie, shall we take a turn about the gardens and leave the brothers to their gossip?" I ask to her surprise.
"Here I thought it was only women who gossip." Edward teases and I know he does not wish to let me go but I wish to speak to Rosalie.
"Do not fret, we shall find you both in time." Rosalie smiles and I take her arm in my own, walking away from the brothers.
We say nothing for a few moments, simply walking and waving to those who seek our attention.
"I plan to remain for as long as the king shall have me Rosalie." I say her name and she turns to me.
"If he is to have his way, and I believe he shall since he is king, then that may be a while yet." Her mouth forms a straight line as though she cannot bear to smile but refuses to go against decorum and frown in my presence.
I nod, stopping us both; "Which is why I wish us not to be enemies."
"Beg your pardon?"
"Your husband is brother to the king. I am to be the king's wife. I do not seek a rival in thee. For at this very moment I can push thee downward as thee tried to push me only weeks before. I can gaze upon thee as an inferior, for by thy standards you so uphold, you are now inferior to me. Yet, I do not wish it. I wish to be cordial if that is all you shall offer. For the sake of the men in our lives, I know there are many ladies such as Lady Denali hiding, waiting to for opportunities I refuse to create. You do not wish for Edward's favor, you wish for respect and I shall give it, however I expect the same in return."
She stares at me wide eyed before nodding in acquiescence.
"Splendid." I state, moving away and towards Alice. I feel Esme beside me as I walk.
"I do not know why any question of your place. For you are natural." She whispers with a smile.
EDWARD
June 24nd 1607
Gone is the brother who foreshadowed doom in my dealings with Isabella and now he stands supportive at my side.
"What has changed brother?" I ask him as I watch Bella laugh alongside Alice, both of them chatting of only God knows.
"What do you mean?"
"Only weeks ago you were forcefully against her, and now?"
"She is here. You asked for advice; I gave it. Now that you have made a choice, I must move forward. Besides, the brother in me is pleased to see you so liberated and content. My only concern now is the French."
"Let us enjoy the blessings before us and not fret over that which has not come to pass." I tell him, when Isabella looks at me again, she smiles coyly before looking away.
I take in the beautiful eve', for now more than ever has a day delighted me as such.
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