Update on myself – fair has come and gone and I got Grand Champion again! But sadly I have lost two of my laying chickens, Iris and Pepper to illness since the last update. I didn't make the volleyball team, :( but instead I'm doing girls golf. Also I got a 3 on my AP history test! So both ups and downs this summer.
Ok , my bad, got my names mixed up. Mary and Marie. Anyways sorry sorry sorry.
Chapter 12
Edward's POV
'…overall this report concludes that the 3rd ring of the capital does have poverty and lacks some amenities, but it is a livable, sound, and safe region for the lower class of humans in the capital to resign in.'
Frustration boiled in me as I read this report from two years ago for the condition of the lower class. Every five years a census and a condition report of the capital were filed. The report in my hand and the three before that all reported the same thing, only worded differently. But seeing first hand a glimpse of the lower class validated that all these reports were a lie. The last four reports were made and filed by the same pair of vampires, Mike Newton and Tyler Crowley. After things settled I will personally track down the two vampires and get to the bottom of this.
Looking to my right I spotted my snoozing mate lying on one of the velvet couches in the royal library. The moment I placed her exhausted body on the furniture her face lit up in wonder at the softness of the fabric, and soon fell asleep cuddled into a matching pillow. I would have much rather had her sleeping in our bed but she wished to be near the medical ward and I needed to read through the reports.
It was only yesterday when both Bella's father and Alice were brought back to the palace. Princess Mary's return has been very secretive, only her personal doctors, two trusted guards, and the immediate royal family knew of her where-a-bouts. Not even her mother has been informed yet. At this moment she was in Jasper's personal champers being feed a high fat diet to replenish her malnourished body.
Bella's father, still fighting an infection, was asleep in the medical ward. He has been in and out of consciousness but doctors assured he would survive. It had been a struggle to separate daughter from father but with convincing from the doctors, she allowed me to put her to bed. After Bella woke up this morning the day was spend beside her sleeping father and meals being brought to us. I knew her body was still worn out from the last week of craziness and with less fight I led her to this library. The night has been spent reading and now the sun has risen to begin a new day.
I was broken from my trance with the opening of the door. He stepped through and quickly, but soundlessly closed it behind him. He wore no jewels or priceless fabrics, but a modest, comfortable attire. His golden locks were slightly messy and his face was a mix of emotions.
Carlisle sat across from me. "You wish to speak with me son?"
Instead of answering, I tossed the report so it skidded over to his side of the table.
"What's this?"
"Lies," I stated calmly. "Lies you sign." I reached across the table and pointed at his signature. "You let a team of two vampire, the same two for the last 20 years, evaluate and wright a report on the lower class that basically states the same thing each time! Just good enough were further investigation won't be put into place but not too good were suspicion is raised." I said, just low enough in volume not to disturb my imprint.
Carlisle shifted his gaze between the papers and me. "But I do not understand," he renounced. "What motives would they have to betray the crown?"
"To anger the people against us, for money, to kill, the reason matters little as long as the culprit is stopped. And I will see to it that it is. Father, did you honestly not know the full extent of the lower class, or did you just turned a blind eye for the sake of your peace." I spat
Carlisle leaped from his stool and leered over me, shock, hurt, and anger present on his normally warm face. "How dare you accuse me of endangering and mistreating my subjects! Do you have no faith in me?"
"I try to have faith, but after seeing the hunger, the sickness, the thievery, and the poorness in your capital, breeding under your noise, it's hard to eat your claims of innocence you serve to me!"
Both now standing, I an inch taller, we both glared at each other. Surprisingly, Carlisle shoulders loss there tension and he fell back into his seat, covering his face with his palms to rub his eyes. "Edward, I may be a vampire and your king, but I am still flawed." He lifted his hands to look upon me with sad eyes. "I have been told that I have been one of the few honest and kind kings to rule but failure always looks towards me. My first daughter was violated by savages and Changed, my second lost for years, sending my son on a mad chase, and my heir to the royal throne imprinting on a peasant girl. Not to mention Aro's clan is always lurking in the back of my mind. Time is ticking and my kingship is closing and the worry of whether or not you are ready is stacked on my shoulders. Watching from the outside you underestimate what this position entails, and more times than not I must trust the men and women who work for the crown, for if I not trust them, then why should they trust me to rule their kingdom. And maybe it was foolish to have the same men write the reports and for that I am sorry but as king I had to delegate. There are bound to be holes to the system were people are hurt and it kills me to know that as king some people fall through the cracks but there is little I can do to prevent it!" He slammed his hands onto the table and before I could respond, Carlisle turns and left.
My eyes widen at Carlisle statement and retreat and though I was still frustrated and mad, I could not place full fault upon my adopted father. I slumped back in my chair and tried to calm myself.
With the king's departure the room was eerie silent. The only noise to fill it was Isabella's slow breathing and tempo of her heart. If I fully concentrated, amazingly I could hear her organs and muscles flexing and working. Every soft sound emitted from her body calmed me further.
I stood up and walked over to her slumbering body and kneeled. Just listening to her body work, sustain, live made me appreciate even more how fragile human life was and that now both Bella's life and mine hung from the same splintering string.
Without thinking I lightly touched her pink cheek and her eyelids fluttered open like fairy's wings. In her chocolate orbs still linger rest, but quickly lite with warmth as they met mine. A surge of love assaulted me at knowing she was happy to see me.
"Hi," Bella whispered.
"Did you enjoy your rest angel?" I teasingly asked her.
"Not as much as waking up to see you." My heart swelled with her words and I closed the distance between our lips. Immediately Bella's hands threaded into my hair and pulled. I moaned against her mouth and allowed her to bend my body to her will. After a few moments I reluctantly pulled away to let Bella breath.
"So what do we do now?"
"Well an announcement will have to be made stating that the royal heir has imprinted to the most beautiful maiden in all of the world." I smiled and pecked her lips "and once all this drama is over I will properly woe you Bella."
Bella combed her finger tough my rusted locks and grinned. "That sounds nice."
For a while we just enjoyed each other's company, her laying on the lounge and I sitting on the floor, my back to her. Bella seem to enjoy playing with my hair and every time her digits tugged at my curls a purr escaped me. I couldn't even protest when her hands braided longer strips of my hair. I could imagine the joke Emmitt would throw at me if he found out, but if playing and braiding my hair brought Bella enjoyment, I had no complaints.
"This is still so surreal." Bella whispered.
I bent my head back so I was looking up-side-down at her. I gave her my lopsided smile. Her teeth found her lips and her eyes locked on mine. I could tell she wanted to kiss me but was apprehensive
"Don't be shy angel."
"You already know me so well." And without waiting Bella bent down and kissed my upside-down lips. The kiss was soon interrupted by a rumble, not from my chest but from her empty stomach. She giggled against my lips before sitting up. I followed her lead and stood, helping her off the couch.
With a quick walk we arrived in a private dinning lounge where breakfast was served to use. Bella had toasted biscuit with an assortment of jams while I sipped on a glass of elk. Bella was fascinated with the sweetness and flavors of jams, having several biscuits just to try all the different types. She decided her favorite was boysenberry. Before we left I told the chef serving use to make sure Bella chosen jam was stocked up.
After breakfast we returned to the infirmary. Entering the room Bella's father's eyes opened.
"Daddy!" Bella called and ran over to her father.
Big, fat tears fell down his face. "Oh Bells, I thought I would never see you again." Her father said as they held each other in their arms. "When you didn't return home and Alice told me what you did. How could you be so stupid Bella." He questioned her as he placed each palm on her checks. "To risk yourself your sick ol man." By the end both were crying in each other's embrace.
"It's all over," Bella sobbed. "Our lives are going to be so much better now." Bella glanced over to me. "And I want you to meet someone."
Her father followed her gaze and when it landed on me, he became a mix of anger and panic.
"Vampire!" he spit trying to pull Bella's body behind his own.
I growled.
"Stop it," Bella commanded towards me. And to say I was a bit shocked would be an understatement. This forceful version of my angel was new.
"Dad, this is Edward," pointing to me. "He's taken such good care of me, and he brought the doctors here for you."
"Bells," he whispered, thinking I could not hear him. "You can't trust vampires. We need to leave. Now!"
"He would never hurt me," and slowly she explained everything from here escape to the return to the lower class and finding him and Alice. I watched there interaction closely, the emotions present in each of their faces was fascinating. Anyone could see the love this man held for his daughter and the worry held in his heart with the thought of losing her.
"I can't B-b-believe this. This can't be happening! I won't go near one of those monsters! "
"Father! Edward's not a monster." She stood up and away from him.
At this point I had to intervene. "Come Bella," I rapped my arm around her waist. "He just needs a little time, let's go." She dropped her head but let me pull her to the door.
"Wait, Bells!" Bella's father called after her. I could tell we wanted to stop but she knew I was right.
The moment we were out the door I rapped my arms around her slim frame, knowing she needed my support. I shaky breath left her lips before she completely collapse into my chest.
"That's it. Just let it all go." For a few minutes I just held her. She didn't shed tears, which I was grateful for, but the stress was getting to her. She needed a break to focus on herself.
"Tell me something you want to do, and we'll do it for the rest of the day. You need to relax angel and be happy."
"Well…"
"Don't be shy,"
"Could you read to me? Maybe teach me a few words?"
With a smirk I replied, "Your wish is my command."
In no rush we slowly made our way to the library. Bella's dainty hand placed on the bend of my elbow.
Once there I searched for the perfect book to read. Once I found it my angel nestled into my side. The book was about exotic animals, including lions. As I read my finger kept place so Bella could see where we were. My sweet imprint loved the colorful pictures, especially the birds. I told her I could buy her beautiful song birds, but she refused, the thought of keeping such a free creature in a small cage sadden her.
I wondered if she ever felt like a neglected caged bird before we found each other. Now I would make sure she could fly free, but always keeping her in my sight and in my heart.
I know it's a bunch of fluff but all stories need some, sorry it's short
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