Chapter 11: A Day Apart

EPOV

After I had gotten ready in twenty minutes I was in the black limo being driven to the small restaurant near the coast where my father and the Prime Minister of Genovia where having brunch. I knew my father was going to have my head on a platter.

But even after I knew how angry my father would be, I would not change it. Waking up next to Bella was wonderful. It was what I wanted to do each and every night from now on. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep without her.

"There you are!" Ben said as I got off, thankful that no reporters were present.

"What did I miss?" I asked in a playful tone as my assistant glared at me.

"The King is not happy right now." He warned. "Pretend to be a bit under the weather. That was the excuse he gave the Prime Minister."

"Thanks, Ben." I said with a smile grabbing the leather portfolio he handed me. It was going to be one long afternoon of political talk.

I strolled into the private dining area they were using smiling kindly at the guards of both countries as my father looked up. His face remained neutral, which in him showed that he was disappointed in me.

"Prince Edward!" Sebastian, the Prime Minister, said as he got up to shake my hand.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Prime Minister. I'm sorry for my tardiness. I was a little under the weather this morning." I said flawlessly with a warm smile. I knew he had bought my excuse completely.

"Perfectly, understandable young Edward." He said with a smile.

"Father." I said with a nod as I joined them at the table.

"Mia sends her regards, Edward." He added as I smiled. Princess Mia, or rather Queen Mia, was one of the girls I dated briefly. Our relationship ended, because we were more suited as friends than anything else. There was no chemistry or spark between the two of us.

"Tell her I say hello, as well. I trust she is happy with Nicholas." I replied as he nodded. She had started seeing Nicholas, her true love, not long after our relationship had ended a year before.

"They'll be married next year." He announced.

"Please send our congratulations." My dad added as the Prime Minister nodded.

I drank a bit of coffee nibbling on a few pastries as they discussed the economic connections between the countries. My mind immediately blank out making few remarks here and there, enough to seem like I was really interested.

Reality, was quite different. My thoughts were on Bella, and how it felt to have her in my arms. I knew my father would ask to meet her as soon as possible.

BPOV

I heard a small knock on my door just as I was curling up against the pillow Edward had used. His wonderful warm scent still lingered on it, and I wanted to memorize it. I never wanted to forget it.

"Come in." I said still from the bed as Rose and Emmett came in with breakfast.

"Emmett went over to the corner café." Rose explained handing me a pastry and a glass of milk.

"Thanks, Em." I stated as he winked as they both joined me on the bed.

"So, I saw that he stayed the night. Did anything happened?" Rose probed as Emmett rolled his eyes.

"I don't want details." He warned as I stuck my tongue out at him.

"There are no details. We're together and he stayed the night holding me. Just a few kisses." I admitted turning bright red at the end.

"Is he a good kisser?" Rose asked as I nodded blushing even more.

"Wonderful." I clarified as Emmett covered his ears.

"TMI! Too much information!" He yelled as Rose and I erupted in a fit of giggles.

"Details are over." I assured Emmett as he nodded going back to his breakfast.

"So what are the plans for today?" He asked Rose.

"Well, I wanted to explore the coast. They're supposed to have cute little shops and great restaurants." She explained.

"Sounds like a great idea." I answered getting off of bed.

"What no plans with Mr. Prince?" Emmett questioned as I shook my head.

"Not yet, he had some meeting with a Prime Minister. He told me he would call me when he got out." I explained as I went into the bathroom to get ready for the day.

As I searched through my clothes, I found myself being a lot more picky than usual. I wasn't sure just when Edward will call, and I wanted to be ready for when he did. I picked out a pair of white cargo capris and a lightweight baby tank top, which I layered a yellow one underneath.

I put on minimal makeup styling my hair in a half ponytail. I finished off the outfit with white flip flops since we were headed to the coast, and I wasn't sure if we would walk on the beach. I looked simple, yet put together.

EPOV

The meeting finally ended at two in the afternoon, but I knew I was far from free. I would not be able to call Bella until I spoke to my dad. He had been very short and dry throughout the meeting, and that usually meant he was angry.

We rode in silence all the way back to the castle, and I prayed and hoped that maybe he wouldn't address it. But I knew my luck wasn't that great.

"My study, now." He ordered when we arrived as I dutifully followed him into his study.

"I get it, I was late. I'm sorry, it won't happen again." I said as soon as the double doors closed behind us. My father's guards were standing on the outside.

"Edward, I want to get something straight. I am happy that you found a girl you like, and even more so that she appears to have accepted your status." He started as I nodded. I knew the 'BUT' wasn't far off.

"But you must realize that as the future king you have certain responsibilities that must not suffer." He continued as I nodded. "And on that note, you know the gossip that will spread if they find that you stayed all night in a hotel room with her. Do you know what that looks like? It won't help your case if she is the one?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean if you one day decide to marry this girl or any foreigner for that matter, Parliament has a say in it." He explained as I sighed. Once again my decisions weren't my own. "It's a way of protecting the crown from foreign intrusion or manipulation."

"I'm sure it is." I sighed. I knew the laws pretty well. I was allowed to marry anybody of my choice, regardless of status, but Parliament had to approve. They had the ultimate say. "Are we done?"

"I would like to meet this girl. I believe your mother said her name was Bella." He continued as I nodded.

"Bella is short for Isabella. She prefers Bella." I explained as he nodded.

"I have dinner with the Prime Minister and his wife tonight. So ask her if she will join us for dinner tomorrow night." He said checking his schedule. "I know Esme is dying to meet her as well."

"I'll talk to her today." I stated.

"Good, and Edward if you guys are going to spend the night together make sure its in the castle. I don't want the rumor mill grinding any lies at least for now." He added.

"We didn't do anything!" I protested.

"I know, son. Your mother and I would be disappointed if you did, but we know we taught you better. Just be discreet." He clarified as I nodded leaving the room to go call Bella.

I made it out of the study finding Alice waiting for me on one of the chairs near my dad's office. "So are you guys together?" She asked as I smiled.

"We are." I admitted as she squealed in delight.

"We'll have to double date with Jasper." She started to plan.

"Ali," I said taking her shoulders. "Can I get some alone time with her before you start monopolizing our time?" I asked.

"Sure thing." She replied.

"Invite Jasper for dinner tomorrow. I think Bella would feel more comfortable if there was someone else besides all of us here for dinner." I suggested as Alice nodded grabbing her phone.

"Not a problem. I have a feeling about Bella." She stated with a huge smile. "I know we're going to be the best of friends."

"If you say so, Ali, if you say so." I replied sarcastically making into my room to call my new girlfriend. I was itching to hear her melodic voice.

BPOV

I was sitting on a cement barrier looking out into the Mediterranean Sea. It was quite sunny and peaceful, and I was very relaxed just staring out into paradise. The only thing that was missing was Edward. Yet, I knew we wouldn't be able to sit quite like this in public. People would recognize him right away.

Rose had dragged Emmett into another shop, but I had managed to get out of it to enjoy this. Volterra was really beautiful. The coastline was covered in expensive yatchs each appearing bigger than the other. The mountains bordered one side of the water, and I knew there had to be quite a view from the top.

My observations were brought to a close as my phone began to ring. "Hello," I said happily since it was Edward.

"Hi, Bella." He answered.

"How was your meeting?" I inquired as he sighed in frustration.

"Far too long and boring without you." He replied as I laughed.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't be there." I teased as he chuckled.

"What are you up to?" He questioned.

"Well, I'm by the coast near some designer shops. Dior is the closest to where I am." I explained since I wasn't quite sure my exact location.

"I know where you are, Dior is one of my sisters favorite stores." He added as I laughed. It seemed to me like Rose and Alice would be the best of friends.

"I was wondering if you'd like to join me in the castle maybe go horseback riding." He suggested as my eyes grew wide.

"You have horses?" I asked knowing it was a stupid question. Ofcourse, he had horses he was a Prince.

"We have fifteen to be exact. Do you ride?" He responded.

"I do ride." I cheerfully replied.

"I can send a driver to come pick you up. I would go, but my father wants me to be discreet." He continued.

"Well, we were heading back to the hotel now. I could be ready in an hour or so." I said seeing that Rose and Emmett had stepped out of the shop.

"Perfect, I'll have Ben my assistant pick you up." He finished.

"See you, Edward." I said.

"Until later." He ended as I closed the phone a huge smile on my face.

We were going horseback riding! How much more fairytale like could it get?

A/N: Horseback riding with Edward came to me in a dream. It was one of the first scenes that came to me when I decided to ride this story. Not much fluff in this chapter, but believe me it's going to get so sugary sweet you guys are going to get cavities.

I hope my made up law made sense. It just came to me, and I think it's different and it fits.

On a separate note. My three one shots can now be voted for in Jayeliwood's Sexy Eddie Contest. You can find a link to it on my author page. Please go vote.

Next Chapter: Horseback Riding

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