Hello! I know its been a while, but here is the next chapter.

BTW: Twilight ain't mine

Enjoy!

Chapter 9

The Last Swan

(Pay attention to Edward's dream it will hint for the next chapter)

It was almost the end of October; things were hectic after the announcement of our engagement for a few weeks. Edward and I took it like champs, even the gracious comments coming from James. That man hated my guts and my family very much, I still couldn't believe that we are related, it's a shame.

I had been spending more time with my friend Lady Angela and getting to know Duchess Zafrina of Brazil, she is learning English and Italian with a passion that is remarkable. I am helping her to learn while in return she is teaching me Portuguese since I already know Spanish, I had to learn in order to be able to communicate with prince Emmett when we were younger, it's not that hard actually, just the verb conjugations are a Pain but I handled it.

Lady Zafrina had come from a trip to Brazil for a royal matter she had to attend, and brought me, Edward, and Angela souvenirs they were marvelous.

I have not been feeling well, I've been suffering of heavy headaches, nauseas, and I've felt tired. I went to the infirmary and they said that it was nothing serious and prescribed me something. I've been taking the medicines for the nauseas and headache but the tiredness on my body doesn't go away.

Sometimes during the day I feel clammy and hot, as if I had a fever. Nana cope is worried and I think Edward has noticed too, I haven't been too verbal of my symptoms not wanting to worry them. I will take the medications for the next few weeks then if I don't see any improvement; I will go to a doctor…

TLS

Two weeks later…

Nothing had made me feel better, if not I've felt worse, I woke up and had a lot of trouble getting out of bed, nana Cope wasn't in my room when I looked for her, it was too early for me to be awake yet, she was probably helping in the kitchen supervising the cooking with Edward's butler and the rest of the personal staff, I went back to my room, slowly walking hoisting myself up using the walls for support.

My vision was getting blurry and I was losing my sweaty hold of wall, my foot faltered a step, I felt very dizzy, my head was pounding like crazy, I tried to hold tighter but I couldn't, I lost my footing and fell to the floor, I managed to get to the bathroom where I took the pills that the academy's doctor had given me and sat in the nearest chair.

I missed the first two classes that day, but I soon as I felt better I went on with my day.

Edward

I was asleep, I knew I was I was dreaming of Bella, she was calling me asking me to help her. She didn't look like herself though, she was flustered and sweaty and walking down familiar hallways, I was becoming more and more restless as the dream continued, at some point she faded and I couldn't see her anymore…

I woke up startled, my heart racing in my chest. The dream had been so vivid I could still hear Bella's voice calling me.

I took a deep breath and took her picture from my nightstand, I caressed it "it was all a dream." I whispered, I fell asleep again and all was peaceful.

That night I dreamt of Bella again, it looked like it was the continuation of the dream.

I went to Bella's room my heart on a sleeve as it was against the rules for boys to be in the girl's area it doesn't matter that we are engaged, those were the rules. I crept in as quietly as I could, not wanting to wake anyone, I knocked on Bella's private quarters for a few minutes and no one answered, I called her cellphone and she didn't answer. Last I called to her room phone but her Nana didn't answer. Something was wrong; Bella would have answered the door or phone. I decided to go against all the rules and went into the room, Shelley's bed was made (nana Cope) maybe she was at the kitchens, I knocked on Bella's door and there was again no answer from my girl, the doorknob was unlocked, the bed unmade, her cell phone at the bedside table flashing, one missed call from me.

I kept looking around and called her again, she was not in the closet either, I placed my ear on the door of the bathroom and called her but all I got as reply was silence, her slippers were beside the bed, her robe at the low chair she had in front of her bed, nothing looked out of the ordinary except exactly, that there was no Bella.

Where could she be this early in the morning?

I went out of the room and followed the rest of the hallways of the girl's wing. As I rounded one of the corners that led to the stairs that connect the dormitories with the main corridor of the school I started to hear Bella's voice again, calling for help in slow hard and sharp breathed whispers.

I saw a girl lying of the floor, my heart raced as I got closer, I kneeled and removed the hair out of her face, it was my Bella, I cradled her in my arms and shouted for help, "Isabella, please wakeup" I called her.

"My love, please open your eyes, please"

Bella didn't move, not even an inch. She felt very hot and stiff against me. "Princess please…Bella talk to me, come on baby please open your eyes." I called her again, but she didn't even budge, she was stiff, too stiff.

Her pulse was barely there and she looked like she wasn't breathing.

I kept whispering to her, telling her to wake up but she didn't. The dream faded as dream Bella went completely limp in my arms…

TLS

Isabella

It was my parent's anniversary ball this weekend. It was a black and white theme this year, it was going to have touches of red on the décor but all the guests were required to be dressed in black or white. The tablecloths were black with a pure white short cloth on top while the chairs were covered in white decorated with a black sash.

The tables were numbered and the center pieces where black tree branches with hanging red and white crystals, one of them being the royal family crest. There were also candles on the table and red rose petals. Cloths hanged from the ceiling and bunched up at the top of the grand chandelier in the middle of the room.

There were twenty tables with ten chairs that totaled two hundred guests; the head table was going to be angled on the room while the cake table was on a corner at the back.

The stage for the royal band had been placed; the only thing left was the white carpet that would be rolled down the main staircase. The railings of the stairs were decorated with intertwined black and white cloths with red twinkle lights and two flower arrangements.

I had my dress made for me since I couldn't decide which one of the ones that they had brought for me to choose. Edward was going to be dressed in a white tuxedo, black vest, white shirt, black bowtie and shoes. My mother's dress had been on the making for a month along with my father's tuxedo. Everyone had their choice of dresses according to the color scheme.

The cake was majestic; this ball was going to be amazing!

My parents were celebrating thirty five years of marriage, they had married young my mother was barely fifteen and my father was eighteen, I came to their marriage fourteen years ago as a blessing when they thought that they would never have a baby.

"What are you doing love?" Edward came into my room after lunch. He had gone horse riding with his father and Rosalie.

"I am knitting another blanket for your brother" I stated with a smile.

"He's not even born yet and he's already being spoiled by my soon to be wife… I don't want to know all the stuff you will do for our children" he said kissing my temple removing the yarn and needles of my hands.

His comment made me think of our soon to be future, he sat beside me.

"How many children are you talking about?" I asked him curious. He chuckled, "as many as God sends us love…or as many as you can give me."

He leaned in and kissed me softly, "ti amo Bella"

"I love you too" I replied kissing him again.

"I have to show you something" I told him, "What is that?"

"Come with me" I took his hand and we went out of the castle to the garden, Edward walked beside me no questions asked, I was going to show him the little garden, which only my parents and some of the staff knew of. No one except for us is allowed here.

"What's this?" he asked.

I sighed as I contemplated the five diverse rose bushes and the five angel statues; there was one cement bench and a small fountain, which served as the watering system for the plants. My mother took care of these roses; she has been since the moment they were planted so many years ago.

"These my love are my brothers and sisters" I finally said, he looked at me a bit of sadness in his eyes.

"They are all buried here" Edward stated understanding, I nodded to him.

"Let me tell you more about my family" I told him as I took him to the first rose bush.

"Here lies my oldest brother Charles Salvatore the second, he would have been almost Prince Emmett's age, my mother miscarried him after just twenty weeks…they had just found out that he was a boy…" I said in a half sob.

"Here is my sister Athenodora Renee, she was born but died in my mother's arms when she was just six months old, it was a natural death" I explained to him, Edward grasped my hand tighter.

"Baby you don't have to tell me all this" Edward said as he dried the tears that had spilled on my cheeks.

"I want to Edward, I need you to know all of this, it will help you understand why our relationship is so important not only for the kingdom but for my family. All of this has an explanation, and now that everything is official I think it's time for you to know, I hope that it doesn't change anything because that's not my intention. I love you and now that I met you I don't think I'll ever be able to be with anyone else" I poured it all out.

Edward took me to the bench and we sat, he kept my hand in his but didn't say anything, I took a breath and continued.

"Then came Mauro Salvatore, he was a beautiful baby boy, he had my mother's eyes…he died at eighteen months old, mother didn't tell me of what though. I asked nana Cope and she said that he had been sick for two weeks then he died.

I was born a year and a half later; my mother was about Rosalie's age when she had me, they were both so scared…well my mother more that my crib was in their bedroom, it was there until I was too big to sleep in it, that's when they decided to let me sleep in my own room. They had a baby monitor in every room that was frequently used, mother carried one everywhere she went, and they even had a camera in my room. They removed it six years ago because I begged them to do it; father convinced her that I was too old for being treated like a child and that I deserved more privacy.

My mother often sneaked into my room in the night to check on me, she was very paranoid and she overprotected me, she lost it every time I got sick. I suffered because she was in distress; she stressed me and made me delay on my recovery. The most recent event was two years ago when they removed my appendix, they had to sedate her." I told him

"I don't blame her for wanting to keep you safe love, she may have done it to an extreme and maybe unhealthy level but she was doing it only with you in mind, your parents just want what's best for you" Edward stated as he brought me closer to him.

"You Edward are the best for me"

"Is there more to the story?" he asked, I had calmed down now so I could tell him the rest.

"You know that Lord James is my cousin, right?" I started Edward nodded,

"Well my father has a sister Aunt Arabella Charlotte, she is married to James father, that's why he is eligible for the throne; he is a rightful descendant from the king. They have always resented that I have all the favors from the people of Italy and that they respect me and more so that they want me for their queen, all of it is because I'm a woman and they don't think a woman can rule. And also because James is the only male in the family, it's just me and him, I am the last Swan.

They want me to step down from my duty so they could take my place, they want to steal what's mine from birthright, and I can't let that happen. Italy can't be in the hands of James and his father. He has sisters, they should be seen at the ball since is a family function they come."

"But you didn't mention them at your birthday ball" he pointed out, I sighed, "according to mother Renata was sick so Aunt Arabella and Gianna stayed to tend for her. They did send me a gift and a card." I told him

"My only live grandparents are my mother's parents Nonno Cecile and Nonna Isabella Graciela; I see them from time to time they live in the country side since they retired from their duties years ago, when I was born actually Nonna came here to help my mother with me for three years. My nonno was the prime minister of Italy for eight years, that's where my parents met at one of the functions, it was a dinner where my father went with my Nonno I mean King Salvatore (may he rest in peace) my father was enthralled with my mother's beauty, he said that he felt as if she was calling him with her eyes and he fell for her right there and then, he wanted her. He courted her for six months then when they got married three months after she turned fifteen, and the rest is history" I finished.

"What's family without a little drama?" Edward said with a chuckle.

"Do you understand now why all of this is so important, why all the decisions we make have to be thought out"

"Yes love I get it, but I'm sure your father won't let his brother in law take anything that doesn't belong to him and more so, I won't let them touch a hair of your head. They'll have to get trough me before they even think about it" he said sure of himself, I fanned myself "well there my knight in shining armor" I giggled.

Edward and I went back to the castle, I spent some time with Mary Alice and Elizabeth, we had tea, played with Elizabeth's dolls, and also I combed her hair and then read her a story.

TLS

The ball was almost ready to start, I had been directing the decoration of the room and making sure that everything was done according to what my mother had designed, she placed me in charge… actually I took the stand because I wanted her to be as relaxed as possible today.

After all was ready and to my mother's standards I went to get ready; at six forty five on the dot Edward was at my door waiting to escort me to the ball.

Edward's family was going to enter first, then Edward and I and to open the ball my parents, they had a catholic ceremony with the closest family and friends last week on their real anniversary date, they renewed their vows, I was the maid of honor, it was a much simpler ceremony than their first wedding, I was glad I could be part of it.

Tonight was the reception of sorts.

"And now making her entrance HRH and future queen her Majesty Princess Isabella Marie Charlotte Swan escorted by her fiancé Lord Edward Anthony Cullen Duke of Rome." Edward and I went down the steps, for a moment I got lightheaded and had to lean a bit on Edward, I didn't let everyone else notice, but I knew Edward did see my slip. I knew he had by the way he looked at me. We took or place at the head table and we sat, I took a drink of water "are you okay love?" Edward inquired concern on his tone.

"Yeah, I'm just hungry" I reassured him. I was hungry indeed but, I knew that my dizziness wasn't from hunger.

My parents made their entrance, then they proceeded to dance, I felt well once I finished the water and took a breath, I assured Edward that I was better. I told him I was a bit tired, which wasn't exactly a lie after all. I danced a song with him then I danced with my father.

Father told me that I looked beautiful and that he was proud of me, and that I was his greatest accomplishment, "I love you my dear Isabella" he kissed my cheek, "I love you too father" I said with a bow, then Edward took his place and we danced again.

I looked around the ballroom and saw Rosalie talking to Prince Emmett, I had convinced her to give him a chance, to at least get to know him. She had nothing to lose. I mean he had been sending her small gifts, flowers and letters all month. I have never seen him act like this before (which I actually mentioned to her) I kept talking to her about him until she caved in and replied one letter.

They looked comfortable at least, I smiled.

"What's up?" Edward asked me, "nothing…I was just remembering something" I shrugged. Rosalie didn't want anyone to know just yet.

"My goodness cant she be a bit more conspicuous" I said.

"Who are you talking about?" Edward asked, I got closer to him so I could whisper, "the dark haired girl with the black long gown and the white gloves at the right edge of the dance floor, "the one besides Lady Victoria?" he asked.

"Yes" I hissed, "who is she and why is she making you uncomfortable?"

"Because she is looking at you as if you were a piece of meat"

He looked at me as if I had grown two heads, "she is…I didn't notice" he said.

"Goodness Edward, sometimes you're so biased!" I said, "Who is she?" he asked again.

I sighed, "That's my older cousin Heidi Rochelle, James older sister, Renata and Gianna are my twin younger cousins. They are over there in that table, the woman beside them is my Aunt" I introduced him Edward looked at my aunt "she looks like your father a bit" he pointed out.

"Yeah she does" I agreed.

Heidi was still looking at Edward while whispering with Lady Victoria, it was disrespectful but I shrugged it off and tried to enjoy the night although I wasn't feeling well at all.

Lord Carlisle gave a toast in name of my parents after dinner, then the cake was cut and the band played some songs while it was served. Everyone then went to dance. I noticed that Rosalie and Emmett where nowhere to be seen, and Mary Alice was dancing with Lord Jasper, she was smiling and having fun. If I didn't know I would say that they were crushing on each other, I could see it in the way they looked at each other.

Edwards parents were dancing Lord Carlisle hands rested on Lady Esme's stomach, she was wearing a beautiful white dress, she looked young…well she wasn't that old after all.

I was in the bathroom, when I got out I felt lightheaded again, I grasped the wall for support, I felt hot all the sudden and my neck was itching. I started coughing, I was suffocating, and I couldn't breathe. I managed to open the bathroom door I called for help as everything was spinning.

My foot tangled with the train of my dress, I felt myself falling then everything went black…

So there you have it...what do you think its wrong with Princess Isabella? Visit the blog for the outfits of this chapter.