That night, when Edward got back to the palace, his father and mother made him go to bed early to get ready for tomorrow. He was confused, but did as his parents instructed, instantly falling asleep.

When the sun peeked over the hills Edward was forced to get up by his parents despite his protests.

"Come on, it's time to get up. We told you to get enough sleep," Esme chided her son gently, prodding him slightly to get up.

"Ok, ok," Edward muttered in annoyance and agreement, getting up from the all too comfortable bed.

Servants quickly made their way toward his room as he got up. He had been doing everything himself these days that all the servants made him feel aggravated. Finally after dismissing over half of them, he was left with two. The other servants were curious as to why they had been dismissed but didn't question his orders as they bowed low and walked out of the room. The two left with him helped to draw him a bath and cleaned him thoroughly. They shaved his head and face, and applied the finest scented oils the palace had. Then, as he got out of his bath, he saw a fresh kilt that was perfectly pleated and some jewelry nearby.

Edward was no fool but he was horrified that it took him this long to figure it out. His parents were going to arrange a marriage! The part that was the worse was it was not going to be with Bella.

"Sweet Isis, Why? I have to talk with her immediately," he thought, worried she might get the wrong impression.

…

the next day as the people gathered In the streets . Carlisle appeared on the balcony of the palace.

"Attention my people! I have most grand news!" Carlisle called out the next day to a crowd of people in the town square. "Edward, my youngest son, will be wed to a beautiful young princess named at moonrise tonight!"

Everyone cheered and clapped for joy, but Bella stood in shock, not believing what she had just heard. She looked at Edward and saw his voice was void of any emotion. Midway through the clapping she ran toward the public garden, and sat in the corner on her legs. She cried with her head on her legs, curled up, eventually laying completely on the ground. Her tears fell and she could taste the saltiness on her lips.

"He's getting married! When on earth was this decided? Why didn't he tell me? Did he know about this? We could have run if he knew. Will I ever see him again? If I do, will he be the same as when I first met him? Or will he somehow be able to not let it all go to his head again and not be selfish?"

These thoughts and so many others were racing through her mind, screaming at her, like a pounding drum. Her tears streamed along her cheeks and dripped off her face. Suddenly she felt arms wrap around her shaking body.

"Shh. It's okay. It's okay," a voice whispered hugging her as she cried.

"Oh Angela! What will I do now? I love him s-so much!" Bella choked through her sobs as she brought herself up only to collapse completely in her arms.

"I know you do. For now, go home and clean yourself up. Then you'll look nice for him when he comes. Trust me, he will," Angela assured her friend when she looked up at her.

Bella got up with Angela's help and walked toward her house. "I hope there will be no more surprises today," She thought as she splashed water on her face from the water basin, and took a few deep breaths to calm herself. The cool water felt wonderful on her face.

She walked back downstairs and was about to race off, when she saw her whole family sitting in the dining room, smiling. "This can't be good," she thought.

"Uh, hello everyone."

"Hello Bella," they all greeted in return.

'How is it possible they all said exactly that, at the same time?'

"Bella, we have grand news. Come sit down," Charlie requested, patting the seat nearby.

She walked over to the seat and sat down worriedly.

"Bella, you are of marrying age now and after quite some time spent searching, we have found a great young man we think would be right for you," Renee started out. Suddenly a figure appeared around the corner, and came into the room. The smile on the familiar young man's face practically spelled out evil in front of her. "I believe you know Jake already or at least of him. Am I correct?"

"Yes that's right," Bella responded in a low strangled whisper. She couldn't believe her father had done this! He had promised when the time came she could chose the man she was to wed. He had lied. It figured, as he had lied so much to her in her life. Her blood had drained from her face and her pupils had dilated considerably. She knew every single rumor about him, and the worse thing was, she knew the "rumors" were all true. The flyer she had read months back was true as well, he looked nothing like his picture. He had curlier hair, what little there was of it. His skin was paler, but somehow looked realistic, his clothes were completely different, and it looked as though he tried to completely change his facial features. "Father, mother, I'm going to freshen up. Is that all right?"

"Of course daughter. I see no trouble with that, though, didn't you just freshen up?" Charlie questioned her.

"Yes but not that well."

"I see no harm in her washing up again dear. Go on daughter and freshen up once more."

Bella walked toward the washbowl in the next room, but as soon as she entered the room, she ran toward the window and climbed outside. She sped past the many houses and shops, and as she neared her destination, she looked around. Seeing Edward in the garden though, she kept running.

"Edward!" she called breathlessly.

Edward turned around and waited until Bella caught her breath.

"We have to get out of here!" she cried desperately.

"Yeah, I know. My wedding is only in a few more hours," Edward commented.

"No. Not just that. My parents have planned an arranged marriage with the worse person in the city," Bella expressed.

Edward looked puzzled at this point, obviously not sure who she was talking about.

"It's Jake."

"That guy you were talking about in a past conversation? The one who gets married to upper or middle-class girls, then steals the family's money and moves on?"

"The very same. The grown-ups don't know about it though, somehow. Also, Edward did you know about the marriage with Tanya?" Bella asked in a whisper, afraid that he had known and he just didn't tell her because he didn't want to be with her.

"Do- do you want to marry her?"

Edward looked at Bella, shocked. "No Bella, I never wanted to be married to her. My parents just told me today I would be married. Besides, it was an arranged marriage. Now, we need to get out of here."

"That's fine, but where shall we go? I hope you have a destination in mind."

"I do. I learned from my teachers that there are oases all over the desert. If we could find one by using the stars, then we could live there for a while. When we think it's safe to return, then we will. Don't worry, we will find a way to be united," Edward explained his plan.

"All right. Let's go," Bella agreed.

Here's another chapter. I think it's longer. I made some changes... I hope you like them...