(A/N): Okay, first of all, thank you for all of your wonderful reviews. I do read every one, though I might not always respond to it. However, if you have a question, it will always be answered unless it is something that I can't really answer at the moment.

Next, I want to inform you guys that I posted up a COWS STORY that defines all of how Bella knew so much about cows...the poor souls...ON MY HOMEPAGE. I didn't think it would go into the fanfiction category and I don't like waiting until the end of this one to post the related stories at the end. Therefore, its under the STORY OUTTAKE section of my homepage. Yeah...the homepage's not really all done yet...but feel free to explore, if you like. btw, my name is Cathy...

Then, in reply to a comment (made long ago) about the time period of this story: The time period is in a pseudo-mideval period. If you've ever seen the movie Ella Enchanted - my time setting is kind of like that.

Disclaimer: I swear I don't own Twilight or New Moon...not that my writings can compare to that of Stephenie Meyer in any way, shape, or form.

Chapter 14

On the day of Lord Newton's ball, the new dresses and gowns that Alice had ordered on our trip arrived. It was hectic, to say the least…more hectic than a herd of stampeding cows charging at you.

The morning was okay. I slept in late and had breakfast in my room with the ever-quiet Sophie. When I asked her what was wrong, she just shook her head, blushed a little, and turned away to do something else. I could swear she's hiding something from me.

Once the clock struck for noon and I finished my lunch, the day really became frantic. Alice brought in a herd of giggly ladies in waiting to undress me, dress me, do my hair, paint my nails, apply make-up, you name it. Half the time, I didn't even know where I was or what they were doing. The only thing good that came from the busy activity was that it helped pass time. When they were finally done, the clock struck for five. Five hours had passed in what seemed like the time for only thirty minutes.

A mirror was brought in front of me, and I felt like the princess at my fifteenth birthday again. My dress, this time, was almost the exact same style, except the color was yellow. The corset was a pure goldenrod that seemed to brighten my eyes. My hair was braided with intricate clips and ribbons here and there – all of which were yellow – to brighten my brown hair. They even brought out some highlights, which surprised me very much.

My pale skin was enhanced by just a hint of blush, some powdered eyeliner, and some type of black stuff that made me seem as if I had extremely long eyelashes. Alice seemed to have kept in mind of my clumsiness when she purchased the shoes. They were low heels that were just tall enough boost for the hem of my dress to brush the floor. I looked very lovely, and I gasped in pleasant surprise at the sight.

When I descended the steps into the entrance hall, Edward looked up and stared. I blushed immediately, concentrating on not falling. His eyes were still on me when I arrived at his side and took his arm. I stared back into his eyes, falling in their smoldering golden pools until Carlisle cleared his throat and mentioned that we should go.

The carriage ride there was, in a way, awkward. Edward just couldn't keep his eyes off of me, and I couldn't stop blushing. When I inquired of this, he just cleared his throat, almost seemed to gulp, looked outside for a moment, and then returned to staring. I barely managed to not fidget and keep my eyes off of him, too.

The Newtons' place was large – a stately mansion that could almost rival the size of the castle. The entrance hall was brightly lit with seven 100-candle chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. When we arrived, Count Newton was eager to invite us in and also eager to introduce his son, Michael Newton to me.

Mike, as he liked to be called, had a cute boy's face and had easy, unaffected manners. Yet, he could, in no way, be compared to Edward. His almost-lusty stare and constant stumbling over his words annoyed me more than fleas to a cow. Soon enough, I just tuned him out, although I knew it was rude to do so, sat myself in a partially hidden spot, and became a watcher of the dancers, again.

I saw as Edward was bombarded with a group of ladies just pleading him to dance with them. I saw as he threw an apologetic look at me before randomly picking one of the girls to dance with. His grace was not matched by his partner, and throughout the whole dance, his pose was rigid and his smile forced. Throughout the whole dance, I felt jealousy nip me with its icy teeth. Mike was chattering to me almost non-stop, until a very beautiful and brave young lady asked him to dance.

When the next dance was over, I decided to grab some refreshments. The lady who asked Mike to dance walked over to me.

"Hello," I said, putting on a cheery smile.

"You must be Her Highness, Princess Isabella of Italy," the lady said without preamble.

"Yes," I nodded, surprised. "And to whom am I addressing?"

"Lady Jessica of Vienna," she replied curtly.

"To what do I owe this pleasure of conversing with you, Lady Jessica?" I asked, using my best manners.

"I just wanted to tell you, Your Highness, that Michael Newton and I are secretly engaged and that it would be your best interest to pursue someone else in Vienna, if that is your goal," she said.

I felt as if a complete stranger just came up to me and slapped me. I was stunned. What had I to do with Mike? He was just being overly friendly (and annoying) as soon as I came in. Besides, even if I could marry, I was already engaged to Edward. I told her so, leaving out the part that included my curse. She blanched for a moment before walking away, leaving me still dazed and confused.

Edward then asked me to a dance, which I accepted. How could I not, when my usually quick thoughts all decelerated to zero faster than you could say 'cow'? Time flied. Before I knew it, we went through a sarabonde, two waltzes, a fox trot, and a stately courant. When he led me off the dance floor, my face flushed from excitement, and I was almost sure that my eyes twinkled with delight. I felt that giddy inside, having just discovered that I could dance…if the lead was very extraordinarily graceful.

Soon enough, the ball ended. I had an excellent time, although I could wish that the Count's son, Mike, could learn how to tell which lady was annoyed and which lady was just waiting for the chance to be with him. I even heard Edward growl several times, which startled me.

I fell asleep on Edward's shoulder on the way home. Home…what a wonderful word…how wonderful it was to know a home away from home. I was in happy bliss. Shortly later, I felt Edward scoop me easily in his arms and carried me inside the castle. I was too tired and too happy to even strike an argument, which I think surprised him.

When I felt the soft mattress meet me, I remembered myself asking for a drink of water. I was very thirsty. I briefly heard someone set the cup on the bedside table before walking away. Thinking that I was supposed to fetch the water myself, I reached over clumsily. The glass was knocked over the table, and shards were cut into my palm. I was dimly aware of the pain in my hand. Then I smelled it – the rusty and salty scent of blood. It made me nauseous and dizzy. These sensations drowned out the hum of pain. My ears rung and then I knew nothing more.

Whoop...a half-cliffie... I think I've found the perfect opportunity for Edward to know the curse...it will probably come up either next chapter or the one after that. Review with your thoughts!!!

P.S. If you can, could you please also read my outtake story on my homepage (homepage, not profile, but you can visit the profile to reach the homepage...) and maybe pm me with your thoughts on that one? I still feel sorry for the cows...