A/N: Sorry for the delay! I was gone all day yesterday. Here's the next chapter!

I don't own these characters, but I do own this plot.

To my surprise, going out became a weekly occurrence. Over the next three weeks we went on several more outings. Rosalie and Emmett avoided detection, staying under the radar, and if they had any more secret embraces nobody seemed to know. If the way that Jane still persisted in flirting with Emmett when Edward wasn't around was any indication, nobody even seemed to suspect.

Edward continued to be persistently kind. He still avoided speaking to us all for most of his days – studying whatever it was he was being asked to study in order to prepare to be King. But more often than not I sat between him and Esme at dinner, and he'd ask me questions about my days and what I was learning about London. As they processed their grief, I was learning a bit more about the royal family.

Lord Carlisle, who I'd initially perceived as stern, was actually quite brilliant. He jokingly called himself an "Englishman through and through" but he had traveled quite extensively and loved to speak about everything he'd seen. I also learned that he was a physician. He'd had to let his license expire when Elizabeth named Kate her successor, but before that he'd worked both as a military doctor with the English troops and as a volunteer for Doctors Without Borders.

By contrast Esme was much gentler and warmer than I'd imagined. I understood how Rosalie could cling so closely to her, Esme had something that made you want to be around her. It didn't hurt that she was absolutely stunning – especially for her age. She had a gentleness about her that was so maternal and alluring, it almost felt as though she was everyone's mother.

When we went out, Edward continued to find opportunities to ask me to partner dance with him. While everyone else gyrated and shimmied, Edward samba'd, salsa'd, and even taught me how to do a Brazilian dance called the Zouk that involved me getting closer to a man than I'd ever been in my life. It was very old-fashioned of him in a way that was very endearing. We spoke as we danced – sometimes about English politics, sometimes about Italy. When my mother told me that Father had relented and Jacob and Ines were getting married, he was the fourth person I told after Alice, Rosalie, and Angela.

Emmett, Alice, and even Rosalie asked me about Edward, and I told them that he was becoming a good friend. Alice pointed out that he didn't dance as closely with anyone else, to which I replied that both Tanya and Jane were all over him whenever I wasn't dancing with him. Rosalie told me that I made Edward comfortable, which made sense to me in that I wasn't as overtly sexual or in-your-face as the twins, Jane, or Tanya. I'd seen Emmett and Edward chatting from time to time, but whenever I asked Emmett about it he only told me it was diplomatic business.

Of course, I knew that I was beginning to like Edward. I'd let no man touch me the way he had, and no man had ever taken such a deep interest in me or my life. As the life came back into his eyes he was absolutely beautiful to look at, with green eyes and a wide smile and a strong, aristocratic jawline. He was more soft-spoken than you would expect from looking at him, but at the same time very opinionated. The one time I spoke about him with Angela, she teased me that he was nothing like Jacob, and I realized it was true. And yet, I also knew that he had never pushed a boundary with me that I hadn't experienced before. I'd danced with Jacob, spoken with Jacob, done so many things with him and nobody else because I assumed that we were going to get married. I didn't want to jump from assumption to assumption, especially not with Edward who – I could admit – had a real power to hurt me with his rejection.

Then, one morning I woke up to an announcement that the Royal Family thanked all of their guests for their kindness in joining them during their mourning, but their formal mourning period was now coming to a close – inviting us to join them for one last dinner. The next immediate announcement was from my mother, who told me to do everything in my power to remain in England. It hadn't occurred to me that it was a position I had to earn, and suddenly I wondered if Edward or his family would ask me to stay. Jane made sure to be photographed with Edward entering and leaving every club we'd been to, and I knew that they had conversations without the rest of us as she managed to capture him one on one whenever she could. My Mother was convinced that Jane was putting in the right effort to capture his interest, and that I was not.

After a long day with Mother and Emmett, who had already secured their flight back to Italy and expected me not to be on it, Mirene and Sophie got me dressed for dinner. This time there was no Alice, who had convinced her father to help her hire her own style team. We went overtly bold for dinner – my hair slicked back, my eyes dark, my lips a dark red they'd never put on me before. I was wearing a knee-length blue dress that would have bordered on demure and sweet without the sophisticated makeup, but instead almost looked sexy. I looked like my mother when she was younger, I realized, when she was the bold woman my father had once loved.

At dinner I was seated between Edward and Esme. Edward stared when I walked up, and even I was not so inexperienced as to doubt that he liked what he saw. It was thrilling, the way he looked at me as I walked up to my seat, his full attention on me. Even when I was helped into my seat he sighed, before smiling gently at me.

"You are absolutely stunning, Principessa." He breathed. To his right was Jane, who looked extra petite and feminine in a form-fitting, soft peach dress. She leaned forward, laying a hand on his arm.

"Blue is truly your color, Isabella." She complimented me, before asking Edward a question about his childhood and pulling him into a conversation.

"You really are stunning, Your Highness." Esme had a twinkle in her eye as she addressed me by the honorific.

"Thank you, I appreciate that."

"Edward has told us so much about you, but I feel like you're so quiet at dinner. I hope we haven't made you uncomfortable?"

"Oh no, absolutely not! You've all been so hospitable, and kind. England is absolutely incredible and I'm having an amazing time getting to explore London. I love coming to dinner, but I am sure it must be so overwhelming for your family to be answering questions and having your attention pulled in multiple directions constantly. I wouldn't want to contribute to that." Esme paused, staring at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Isabella that is so...so kind of you and so not your responsibility. You are a guest in our home, it is not your job to make us more comfortable."

I had no idea what to say to that, except to smile.

"Bella is very giving that way." I hadn't even realized that Edward and Jane finished speaking, until Edward spoke up, leaning closer to me to look at his mother.

"Which reminds me, Bella. I know that Italy must be missing their princess, but would you consider staying in England a while longer? If I may, I find that I'm not done getting to know you." I glanced up and Edward was smiling down at me. My breath caught in my throat, even as I smiled back.

"Of course, thank you Edward." My voice came out lighter and softer than I meant it to, and Edward smiled wider.

"Thank you. Now, I know it might be difficult to stay here without any family nearby so if there is anyone you would like to invite to stay with you, be my guest. Jane was just telling me about..."

For the rest of dinner, Edward refused to let Jane edge me out of the conversation, inviting me to speak and showing a genuine interest in what I was saying. After dinner Mother was excited to know that I was staying in England, but to my surprise insisted that Emmett was needed back in Italy. Then, Alice cornered me and begged me to let her be my guest to stay in England, as her mother was insisting that she go to Germany with Jasper and his family rather than going home. So, I bid farewell to Emmett and my mother, and Alice moved into the rooms next to mine.

The next morning, we had the first truly relaxed breakfast we'd had since we arrived. I was served a bowl of yoghurt and granola, and then Alice and I saw our families off. To Alice's chagrin and her mother's delight, Jasper had been invited to stay as well. His sisters were not, and though they were gracious as they bid Alice goodbye I could tell they were affronted. It was clear that neither of them was being considered to be Edward's bride and I knew that couldn't be a good feeling for either of them. I couldn't see a man of Edward's temperament with a woman so much younger than him, but they evidently hadn't seen it that way.

Despite Mother's claims that he was needed in Italy, Emmett had decided to go back to France with Henri, Vera, and Rosalie. To an outsider it would not have been obvious that Emmett and Rosalie were romantically entangled. She practically fell on Edward as she wished him goodbye, kissed Esme and Carlisle farewell, and hardly spoke to Henri let alone Emmett. And yet, there was something in the way they orbited each other that carried a weight – he was always just a step away from her, even when they were in two very separate conversations.

Mother wished me goodbye by reminding me that she'd promised me my Great-Grandmother's diadem as a wedding gift when I was six and that since it belonged to a Queen it would be better that it stayed with a Queen. She also spoke to Mirene and Sophie, who at that point were officially under my employ and no longer employed by Rosalie, and told them to make me unforgettable.

After the hustle and bustle of the last few people leaving, we were left with our final group. Alice and I, Jasper and Edward, Tanya and Jane. Suddenly, Edward's social schedule was completely clear.

On Monday, Edward, Tanya, and Jane went to a charity event for a school in Southern England. On Tuesday, Alice, Jasper, and I accompanied the entire royal family, including Elizabeth, to a tennis tournament.

I didn't mean to leave Alice to her own devices, but Edward seemed to fully come alive at the match. He told me details about all of the players, explained the mechanics of the court, and told me hilarious stories about when he was younger and tennis was his favorite sport. He couldn't cheer on his favorites as it would be a poor show of decorum, so instead every time something happened to one of his favorites he'd tense his muscles in excitement, pressing his thigh in to mine. When his favorite player came from behind to win his match, Edward slid an arm behind my back and hugged me in excitement. Behind us, Elizabeth cleared her throat and he immediately let me go, but hours later I could still feel the warmth of his arm around my body.

On Wednesday, it was Jane and Tanya's turn to attend the women's match. The women came back in high spirits, but the Cullens quickly dissipated. Later I ran into Emse in the hall, who surprised me by pulling me into a hug and thanking me for being "your lovely, genuine self."

On Thursday nobody was invited to anything, and I decided to do some exploring. I'd been brought a book or two from a library, but I was determined to find the library. When I did, however, I also found Edward sitting in a low chair by the window.

"Oh! I am so sorry." It hadn't occurred to me that I might walk into an occupied room. I knew that we were all in a guest wing, and I had no idea where the royal family stayed. I wondered if I'd run into Edward's quarters. When Edward stared at me but didn't speak I turned to leave, and I could hear him step up.

"No, wait. Please, come in, Isabella." I turned slowly and walked back in. Edward stood, and gestured to the armchair next to his.

"What brings you by?" "I hope I'm not intruding." We spoke at the same time and I could feel my face growing warmer. Edward smiled at me, unspeaking, waiting for me to answer him.

"I was looking for a library. But I did not mean to intrude on your space."

"You're not, at all." He smiled, again gesturing to the chair.

"Or, are you looking for something in particular to read?" I shrugged.

"Nothing in particular. I speak English better than I read it, but I've read the classics. Is there anything you would recommend?"

"Yes, but it's not in this library, which is a shame. I'll have to get you a copy. Other than the classics, what do you like to read?"

"I like reading old Italian plays and operas, which I know sounds dull. But they are very full of life, very passionate. It is a cliché but I love Don Giovanni, love re-reading it and seeing it live."

"I remember that score from when I was studying Mozart's compositions."

"You studied music?"

"I have a degree in piano and classical music studies, yes." Edward's eyes twinkled, as he smiled.

"You told us that your degree was in Political Theory and History."

"My first degree was, but I started University when I was seventeen and finished that degree at twenty. Then I studied music."

"Do you play still?"

"For myself, sometimes. Before, well, earlier this year we'd spoken of me doing a benefit concert. Now it's very unlikely that will happen. Why, do you play?"

"Oh no, absolutely not. My Mother put all of us in voice lessons and I was the worst, and we never spent much time with instruments. But I adore listening to the classics and I love the piano. I wish I could play it."

"I could probably teach you, at least the basics."

"Oh, thank you, but I wouldn't expect you to do that Edward."

"Of course I would. We don't have to start right now, though. I'm sure you didn't come in here to play the piano."

"Is there a piano in this library?"

"There are pianos all around. Here, let me help you find a book." Edward stood suddenly, and I stood back up and followed him. Edward showed me around the library, taking care to explain how it was organized so that I could find what I was looking for. We kept getting sidetracked, as Edward would mention one story that led to another, or he'd remind me of something or ask about my time in Italy. By the time we'd passed an hour I was no closer to finding a book but I'd learned even more about Edward's love for music. Mozart was his favorite, but he loved Bach and had composed music while he was in school that he'd never played for anyone. He'd asked several questions about Italy as well, and I ended up going on for much too long about Scaligero and some of our other homes, and how Italian press were much kinder than English press.

Edward ended up having to leave, and I knew that Alice would be looking for me sooner or later, but we both left smiling and laughing. I thought that would be the last time, but the next morning I found myself wandering to the library a few hours after breakfast, and there Edward was again. This time as soon as I sat down he handed me a novel written in Italian.

"A translation, of one of my favorite novels." It was an older-looking novel I'd never heard of, and I wondered how he could possibly have a copy in Italian. But before I could ask, Edward asked me a question about music, and we launched back into conversation. This time it got political, and I wasn't too surprised to learn that we had very similar views. On Edward's insistence I took the book with me when we parted.

Later, Alice hid in my room from fear of being found by Jasper, who apparently was greeting her every morning before breakfast and doing his best to keep her company until dinner. It explained why she hadn't questioned my absence during the day. As she spoke, I started reading the book Edward gave me, and I was immediately hooked. I could tell it was an older book, but though the setting was distinctly English and distinctly historical it was amazing. By the next morning I was almost halfway through the book and the second Alice was occupied I slipped away to the library eager to discuss it.

Edward wasn't there, and it occurred to me that he wasn't guaranteed to be coming. Still, I sat in my seat and continued to read until the door opened and Edward walked in. The second he sat down, I was prepared to launch into conversation but he gave me a long, blank-stared look before asking

"Can, if you don't mind me asking, can you tell me about Jacob?"

"Oh." I wasn't prepared for it, and I wondered where the curiosity had come from. I had expected the question at some point, but even when I'd brought up his sister Edward had never brought up Ines or Jacob.

"Only if you don't mind."

"No, I don't." I paused, unsure where to begin. "What would you like to know?"

"Were you truly, did he, did you know that he was going to marry your sister."

"No. I did not know that Jacob and Ines were romantically involved."

"Were you -"

"Not for a long time. And I never, I wasn't in love with Jacob. He is, was, is, I've always thought of Jacob as one of my best friends. I'm close to him, and to my sister, and it hurt that they felt that way and didn't want to tell me. But...I'm hurt and perhaps I shouldn't be...but I'm not heartbroken."

"Of course you're hurt, he broke your trust." Edward frowned, reaching forward and laying a hand on my knee consolingly. I paused; I had never thought of it that way, but he was right.

"Well, they both did." I said, and that was that. Immediately he changed the subject to the book, and even though it took me time to get as excited as I once was, we'd been speaking for three hours before someone texted him and he had to excuse himself.

I went back to my own room, to find Alice pacing in front of my door. The second she saw me she practically dragged me into my room, locking the door behind her.

"He's lost his mind, Isabella. He has truly, lost his mind. I'm getting married to a lunatic."

"Alice, what happened?"

"Yesterday, while you were off doing whatever it is you're doing when I'm not with you, Jasper cornered me and started asking me about Germany. Do you know, I've been appointed a tutor to help me learn about Germany?"

"Alice, you do realize that very soon you're going to be the Queen of Germany?"

"Yes, and I've been taking the lessons seriously and I've been studying and I've even begun learning ein bisschen Deutsch but yesterday we were speaking about symbols and symbolism and I mentioned that Germany's national flower is actually a beautiful little flower. Bella today there is so much cornflower in my room that you cannot walk a straight line to my bed. What is he thinking?"

"Alice! What exactly is it about Jasper that you do not like?"

"That was insane, and wildly impractical. Frankly, if I was part of the royal family I'd fire whoever gave him access to my room to do it."

"Some people might find that romantic, Alice. You would too, if you weren't so determined to dislike him."

"I would not!" Alice huffed, but we both knew it was a lie.

"Well, you should tell him, then, that it was too much."

"Why don't I tell him that everything is too much while we're at it, and ask him if after we get married, he would mind if I lived in a different home and only saw him once a month when I'm fertile."

"Alice!"

"Princess." We were interrupted by a maid sticking her head in.

"Princess Isabella, Prince Jasper is asking if Princess Maria Alice is here."

"Tell him no." "Let him in." Alice glared at me as the maid did as she was told, and Jasper strolled in. He bowed politely to both of us and then stood by the door. He smiled tentatively at Alice, who immediately frowned.

"Alice, did you get my gift?"

"I did." His voice was warm and hopeful, and Alice was the frostiest I'd ever seen her. Jasper rolled his shoulders back, posture getting stiffer.

"I take it that it was not to your liking. I apologize, I can have the flowers removed. May I ask, what it is you didn't like about them?"

Alice squirmed, which I also hadn't expected. Though she never wants to hurt someone's feelings, Alice usually never shies away from saying what is on her mind. Jasper nodded.

"Alright, may I ask what it is you don't like about me?"

"I can excuse myself." I stepped towards the door, but Jasper shook his head.

"No need, I'm sure you've already heard. Alice, I will not be offended. But we are engaged, and if I have done something to offend you or if my family has done something that bothers you, if you are nervous about moving to Germany or getting married, you can – you must tell me. The rest of our lives is a very, very long time to miscommunicate."

"I don't understand why you care so much." Alice finally spoke, and when Jasper tried to respond she held up a hand and shook her head.

"Jasper the hard part is done. If you want to speak, I'll speak to you. If you don't want to speak I won't. I don't understand why you put so much effort into us spending time together, into following me around. You don't need to try so hard all the time. You've already done the hardest part. We're getting married."

For the first time, I saw Jasper approach anything close to anger. He marched into my room until he was staring right at Alice, frowning. But when he spoke, his tone was not irate but deeply mournful.

"Alice, we have not even begun. I assumed that you knew what was happening when you came to Germany and you must not have, I am realizing this now. But our meeting was not an accident. Alice you are beautiful, and kind, and full of life, and that is what attracted me to you and what possessed my father to reach out to your parents. I knew that we could be getting married, and I am deeply sorry if you did not. But if you believe that the hard part for me is over, then you know me even less than I had hoped. The hardest part, will be getting you to be as excited about marrying me as I am to be marrying you."

Jasper waited a moment for Alice to respond, but she was staring up at him with a glazed look in her eyes. Even I couldn't tell what she was thinking or how she was feeling. He nodded, patted her on the arm, nodded to me, and then excused himself from the room.

"I... I need some time...I need to think..." After a long silence Alice tried and failed to speak to me, and then she, too, excused herself from the room.