Friendly reminder, there's a person behind this penname. I've been getting more than my normal flaming and negativity in PMs and reviews. If you're not a fan of my work, I'm fine with that, you can stop reading this fic or any of my others with no hard feelings. But kicking me when I'm down isn't appreciated. Dedicating this chapter to my Gummy. Missing you something fierce this past month, I still can't believe I'll never hear your voice again.

Also, thanks to the crew at StarsLibrary for featuring this fic for the first half of July, really needed the pick me up.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 20

"I would like to make an announcement. In one week I will be holding a Halloween ball for the Elite and their families. I want to host a night of festivities in the midst of the competition and open up the reverie to the nation at large. Your maids were informed this morning, so when you return to your rooms they will be working on costume ideas for you to choose from." Edward beamed as he made the proclamation, but the sneer on his father's face was noticeable.

We returned to our rooms as instructed and my maids were in a tizzy. Maria was cleaning every surface while Vanessa fussed with my hair and makeup. At first I was confused, but then Nettie entered with a portfolio in hand and a photographer in tow.

I was seated at my desk as Nettie laid out several options. I tried to find one that I could focus on but they were all beautiful. The photographer began snapping shots of me pointing out details and weighing my options when Edward arrived.

He stepped in behind me, one hand on my shoulder while he picked up one of the sketches. "These are quite beautiful, am I to assume Nettie that you did these?"

"Yes, Your Highness," she curtseyed.

"Do you have a favorite? I was thinking of the phoenix or the songbird, but they are all stunning."

"Rosalie's dress has a lot of gold, brown, and red on it, and Tanya has also selected a bird costume, just as a heads up," he whispered.

That image was the last one the photographer captured before leaving, thankfully not catching the dejection I felt realizing that he didn't come to see me as much as he was making the rounds.

"I'll find something different then," I murmured.

"My father wasn't particularly pleased with the idea, but he understood there would need to be frivolity during the Collection and even complimented the idea of meeting the families this way. He's eager for this to happen so the next elimination can occur."

"There will be another elimination after the Ball?"

"Yes," he said before kissing my cheek. "I need to move on, but I will see you at dinner."

From that moment the week seemed to speed by.

Sunday featured some taste-testing for the ball. Tanya had left early in the proceedings and returned during the dessert tasting snatching a pastry while telling us that Edward sent his love.

Monday we were in the Women's Room with the queen most of the day greeting dignitaries and extended members of the royal family all while witnessing Rosalie receive a private archery lesson from Edward.

Tuesday and Wednesday Edward was absent from dinner, with Charlotte and Alice each missing one of those meals themselves.

Thursday we finally had one of our dance lessons. For a Five, most of the girls expected me to excel at dance but I struggled at it. My greatest wish was to make it through the ball without injuring someone.

After dinner on Thursday I'd hoped that Edward would visit me, since I knew it would be impossible after the Report the following night, but unfortunately I sat up until I couldn't stay awake another minute. I fell asleep feeling stupid that I'd opened my heart to him only to watch him spend his time with anyone but me.

Friday morning, I had to put on a brave face as we had a dance lesson with all of the women in residence. While Tanya was asked to help Charlotte and I, since we were having a harder time, only Charlotte took the offer. She nearly twisted her ankle in the process. I on the other hand gave myself into the music and got marginally better, bolstered by the instructors proclamation that if our partner could lead, even the worst dancer would look graceful.

That drew the attention of the guards who were in attendance. They had been switching shifts all week, some desperately wanting the night off to be on the arm of a member of the Collection if only for a song, while those who had girlfriends at home offered to work so as not to anger their loves.

Jacob came off the wall and offered to be my partner.

"Are you all right? You've seemed sad lately," he asked.

"Just tired."

"I'm calling bullshit. I thought you were trying to find a way to tell me to quit fighting, but since you haven't said the words, I'm just going to keep dancing."

And that was exactly what we did. We finished the number and then I excused myself for some water. I'd only stepped on Jacob's toes once, but if I didn't want Edward to dismiss me on account of my inability to dance at important functions. I now could say I knew all the steps, I only hoped I missed my partners' feet better on the night of the ball.

As the lesson ended, Jacob came over to the refreshment table to get a drink himself. "If you aren't worried about me, then you have to be worried about Prince Charming." Jacob took one look at my face and grew serious. "Look, I'm not rooting for him or anything, but if he doesn't see what he has in front of him, he's a moron. If he doesn't choose you ..." Jacob sighed and let the sentence die. He knew I understood what was being said without finishing it.

The next morning we were lined up in the Foyer waiting for the arrival of our families. Nervous energy filled me, which I was made aware of when Esme approached.

"Don't bounce around, you need to look presentable in case any members of the Royal family decide to join you to welcome your families to the palace."

I silently wished I could move, because standing in place was making me more anxious. The anticipation was what was killing me. Edward would have diffused the tension if he were here. But then again, with how distant he'd been this week, I wondered if it would actually help.

A servant entered and nodded to Esme, who came to stand before us. "They're here, please be on your best behavior."

The rest of the servants scattered just as the doors opened. The girls attempted to act regal, but the moment Alice and Rosalie's parents entered the room they fell apart.

Alice and Rosalie both ran to their parents, though Rosalie and her parents managed a bit more decorum when they reached one another. The both of them being only children probably made the separation difficult, and it showed in their reunion.

I saw the polished but loving exchange between Tanya and her parents, but missed the rest because Renata's squeal caught my attention.

I called out to her and she turned, running to me with my parents following behind. I caught Ren and we sank to the floor, my parents wrapping their arms around us in a group hug. I tried to hear everything they murmured about how much they'd missed me and how beautiful I looked. It wasn't until I noticed how quiet and still Ren was that I turned to see what held her attention. I was shocked to see Teddy tucked into the side of the staircase.

Once he realized he'd been discovered, Edward approached. My dad stood quickly to formally greet the prince while the rest of us stood more slowly. Edward greeted my parents first before turning to Ren.

"I expected exactly that type of greeting from Lady Isabella's family. And Renata, I never got the opportunity to thank you, so let me do so now."

"Why do you need to thank me, Your Highness?" Ren asked.

"Your emotional fortitude is how I won my first date with your lovely sister, so I'm eternally in your debt. Now, I must make the rounds, but I will be sure to save a dance for you at the ball tomorrow. Please remain in the foyer until I've made my announcement."

"He's even cuter in person," Ren whispered loudly. The shake of Edward's head told me that he heard her comment.

"What was that about him expecting such a reaction from us?" my mother asked. "I hope you aren't still arguing with him like you did at your first meeting."

"On the contrary, Mother, we argue regularly. I also kneed him in the groin once," I whispered the last part.

Ren and my dad smiled, but when Mom hissed about me attacking the prince we all dissolved into laughter. It took a minute for us to recover, and by the time we had, Edward was stepping up onto the bottom step of the staircase to get everyone's attention.

"Thank you all for coming to celebrate this renewed holiday. I apologize that my parents were unable to greet you all, but you will meet them soon. Maids will show you all to your rooms so that you may relax and get ready for this afternoon. The ladies will be joining my mother for tea and the men will have some brandy and cigars with my father and I. It is my most sincere hope that you all enjoy your stay and the ball tomorrow."

Edward departed and the maids approached to escort the families to their rooms.

"I want to stay with Bella," Ren whined.

"I'm sure our room will be just as lovely," my mom tried to tug her along.

Unable to say no to my sister, I sighed. "You can stay with me. It will give the girls something to do."

My dad pulled me in for a hug before they left, whispering, "If Prince Edward likes that you stand up for yourself, then I like him already."

I showed Ren to my room and Mary and Vanessa gushed over her.

Later that morning, before either of us was required to be at our royal gatherings, I walked down the various hallways with my dad.

Looking at him in his suit, he looked made for this, like he should be a One himself. He stood taller and even looked like years had fallen off him. His appetite for knowledge is insatiable as he asked me about Esme's lessons.

"There's been so much, Dad. And Edward has even taught me things, like about what the country was like before the war and how little people had."

"That's why the caste system is a farce. How could people support the country if they couldn't support themselves," my dad hissed.

Desperate to change the subject, I brought it back to Esme's lessons.

"They're teaching us more about ettiquette and diplomacy, so there has to be something coming up for the girls who remain."

"The girls who remain?" my dad asked.

"Edward admitted to me that someone will be sent home after the Halloween ball," I told him.

"Are you worried?" When the only answer I could give was a shrug, my dad pushed. "If he likes you, then you have nothing to be concerned about. And if he doesn't like you, why would you want to stay, Kitten?"

"He says that he likes me, but he's been so distant lately, I'm not sure," I admitted.

"Bells, he's probably busy being a prince and then planning this party." My dad could see that I was nervous, so it was his turn to change the subject. "Has Esme begun to teach you about creating proposals and laws?"

"No, but we've been reading them, so that will probably be coming soon. Esme and Edward have really been working to make sure we understand them."

"Really?"

"Edward wants whoever he marries to feel they can rule beside him," I told him. "Now, there's something I know you'll love, but you have to promise to keep it a secret."

"Of course, Bella. I'll keep any secret you tell me," he promised.

"There's a secret room in the palace, or at least one I know of, and it is filled with books. They even have a computer in there that tells you where to find information. It is how Edward and I found out about Halloween for this party," I spoke barely above a whisper.

I could tell by the look in his eyes that he's in awe of this news. Knowledge is one of my father's greatest loves beyond his family. He would be a wonderful educator if it had been possible.

"If he has trusted you with something this important, then he must care." My dad looks around suspiciously. "Are there other hidden rooms?"

"Yes, they serve all sorts of purposes," I told him. "If you bump into something wrong, you might just fall through the floor," I teased.

"Then I'll have to be very careful returning to my room." He cautiously touched the bannister before turning to me. "This one is safe."

Laughing at his cheekiness, I returned to my room only to hear Vanessa and Ren talking about being in love.

"I was working in the house of a family of Three's with my father, and I fell in love with their son. I dreamed of running away with him, but I couldn't leave my father, and in the end, they found out about our relationship and they sold my father and I to the palace. My mother had already passed on, so we ventured here together."

I was sad for a moment that Renata never asked me about being in love, but she didn't know about Jacob, only Teddy did, but not by name. I walked into the room quietly and saw Ren braiding Vanessa's hair.

"What was it like," Ren asked, "being in love."

"It was wonderful and terrifying. Because you want to hold onto it so badly, but at the same time you fear the moment it is ripped away."

I couldn't help but agree, love was beautiful fear.

I made my presence known by complimenting Vanessa's hair.

"I've found a new doll," Ren exclaimed. "I wasn't able to have dolls as a child, so Bella was mine."

"Renata, we have tea with the queen soon, so we should get ready."

The two of us dressed in a pair of lovely day dresses with Vanessa's help, and once I was dressed, she handed me a letter that had arrived for me.

I was surprised, until I opened it and saw Tyler's handwriting. It was a letter of condemnation. He'd heard about the family being invited and was upset that I hadn't included him. He mentioned hoping it was a snub from our father and not me trying to distance myself from him, as he expects to be included on any future invitations to the palace.

I wanted nothing more than to throw it out, but instead I placed it into my vanity drawer to forget about it.

My other maids entered and our makeup and hair was finished before my mother arrived and as soon as she did, we went down to the Women's Room together. Just before we reached the door, Ren let out a sigh and I turned to her.

"Are you nervous to meet the queen?" I asked.

"No, I'm wondering how I will ever go back to khakis after all this," she said dreamily.

All of the extra people around for tea made the afternoon livelier. Charlotte and her sister Lacey were fun to watch, she was a true mini-me of her sister, while Ren and I were quite different in personality. I wondered if since they were similar in age, if Lacey and Ren would link up at some point.

Queen Elizabeth made her rounds, being so welcoming and sweet. Once the queen moved on from her group, I tried to listen as Angela's mother talked about her family that was still in New Asia, but Ren walked over and tugged on my arm.

I tried to scold her, since the queen was present and Esme would likely swoop in and take her away for an afternoon of private etiquette lessons. But Ren didn't listen to a word I said as she led me over to the window.

Out in the garden, Edward and my dad were having a conversation. My dad was gesturing with his hands, explaining something, while Edward stood with his hands behind his back. Whatever the topic of discussion was, it was intense. Dad finished talking and then Edward spoke with determination, a look I knew well. After a minute, my dad extended his hand to Edward and he eagerly accepted it. Then my dad reached out and slapped Edward on the back before putting an arm around him. Edwaard stiffened for a moment, then relaxed into the embrace.

It was something that my dad did with all his children and it warmed my heart to see. We waited a while to see if Edward returned with any of the other father's, but if there were other conversations, they weren't happening in the garden.