Author's Note: Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Chapter 21

"I am stepping down, son."

Edward was distracted from his thoughts when his father spoke those unexpected words. He studied his father with surprise.

Carlisle looked as though he had aged ten years in the past few weeks. Though he had tried his best not to show it, Edward realized that Bella's disappearance had affected him more than he had thought. He was not pleased with his current daughter-in-law, and he was disappointed with the lack of news about his true daughter.

"I'm not sure...if I heard you correctly," Edward said slowly.

Carlisle smiled ruefully. "Oh, I'm sure you did. After all, you are much younger than I, and heaven knows it's time for me to retire. This incident has reminded me more than any other case has, Edward. I am tired of never ending political schemes and cunning people that lurk within every corner of the Palace. I think you are much more fitting than I am to go against our enemies. You have always been more confident, more bold, while war has never been in my nature. I am stepping down from the throne, Edward. It is now the dawn of your era."

His words frightened Edward. He had always known that the throne would be his someday, but he hadn't expected it to be so soon. He wasn't ready.

He opened his mouth to protest, but Carlisle knew exactly what he was thinking. "You are ready, Edward. I know that. You simply have to have confidence, and just be yourself. If anyone can go up against our enemies, it is you. I trust you, Edward. I have faith in you."

Edward stared at his father, his fists balling up to stop the trembling. For the first time in weeks, all thoughts of Bella that had haunted his mind had been driven out. At the moment, he was fearful that he would not be enough to rule over the kingdom.

"Esme and I will retire to the north building of the Palace," Carlisle said, sighing wearily. "It is far away from the commotion of all things, and most of all, it is secure and quiet." He smiled vaguely. "I'd like that. I haven't been able to spend much time with her ever since I took the throne. We'll simply be husband and wife – no more of this royal business."

Edward felt a pang of envy. He should've aged like his parents. He should've married a woman he loved, and he should've been able to retire quietly with her when he grew old. Now, he would never be able to do that. Now, he was stuck in his youth. Now, he would have to take a huge step forward and become the King of Gardenia.

"But both of you are still quite healthy," he murmured. "Must you do this?" Loneliness was beginning to creep upon him. For the first time since Bella had left, the loneliness felt real. It had become his only companion.

"Son, you know that I'm putty in your mother's hands," Carlisle said with a silly grin on his face. "She was the one who suggested that I leave everything up to you. And I'm not dumb enough to cross her."

"Of course," Edward said, an amused smile flitting across his handsome features. "You wouldn't dare disobey her."

Carlisle's grin fell slightly. "I've called for a council meeting today to discuss my retirement and your coronation. I'm positive that they won't disagree; after all, why should they, when their puppet crown princess would become queen? In fact, they'll be quite cooperative...and they wouldn't dare make another attempt on your life while you don't have an heir. You should be safer on the throne...ironically."

Edward closed his eyes, imagining her beautiful, smiling face. She should've been the first one to know about his coronation. She would've congratulated him with a proud smile on her face, not thinking about the power that she would wield as his queen, but about how she would assist him in getting used to the new, higher position. Because that's the kind of person she was.

But she was gone.

Jacob wore a disgusted look on his face as he sat on the porch of his family's house. How his cousin could live with himself, with Bella's disappearance on his conscience, he had no idea.

But even he had to admit that Edward seemed to be berating himself. Everyone knew that he hadn't touched his new bride. He had to give his cousin credit for that. He knew how to look at a single woman, the one that mattered the most, to love her even when she was not around.

He was a good man, Jacob grudgingly agreed. A loyal man. But that didn't mean that he had to like him.

Edward and Tanya's coronation would take place exactly a week from now. As part of the royal family, Jacob had been forced to attend their wedding, and he would be forced to attend this ceremony too. It was hard, being part of the extended royal family.

Where was Bella? Jacob hated that she had become the crown princess, but he would willingly accept that she would never be his if she'd just return safely. There was nothing more that mattered.

"Please, Bella," Jacob murmured as he stared up at the night sky. "Edward needs you."

When Bella had first been introduced to the public as the King's new adviser, the entire kingdom had been stunned. This well-known lady that had come from Gardenia was now settling in Gladiolus, her sister kingdom. To Bella's relief, every person seemed to have vowed not to say a word about her presence in the kingdom. Her location would remain a secret.

But she couldn't hide her bright intelligence. Almost immediately, she caught the attention of the ministers of the King's cabinet, dazzling them with her brilliance and wit. Wherever she went, she shined like the brightest star in the sky. Under her watch, the kingdom seemed to be thriving at its best. And King Carson was pleased.

"You are our jewel," he'd informed her once ecstatically. "I'm so glad you've come here, Bella."

Bella's opinion was always insisted upon, and everything usually went according to her plans. One word from her, and the deed was done. She had gained so much power in such little time.

It feared her. Would it have been so easy back in Gardenia? She would've gained the attention of all those who had power, surely, but her enemies would've done their best to hold her back. Here, she had no enemies. There were political enemies, those who disagreed as opposite factions, but they all agreed when it came to one person: Bella.

She buried herself in her work, practiced sword-fighting with the Royal Army that she commanded as the Chief, and discussed state matters with the King. She found that time flew faster when she wasn't thinking about Edward.

But she would slip up once in a while. She would remain buried under the shadow of his name for some time before someone distracted her with a new topic. And she would again do her best not to slip up again.

But he was inevitable. He was the Crown Prince of Gardenia, a very important figure inside or outside of the kingdom.

Carson summoned her one evening, and she sat next to him, curious about the contents of the letter he held in his hand.

"You called for me, my lord?" she inquired.

Seth remained hidden in the background, always in the shadows. His eyes darted once to the pair before facing the front blankly.

"Yes," Carson said, holding up the letter. "A letter from my stepbrother has just arrived..." He frowned, watching for her reaction. "It seems as though he has decided to step down from the throne."

Bella blinked at the unexpected news. "Step...down?" The words sounded strange to her. She had known Carlisle for years, and he was still young, still healthy. Why would he step down? Was he, perhaps, sick?

"He's fine," Carson objected, interpreting her troubled expression correctly. "He's simply tired of all the drama, and he's decided to retire quietly with Esme. They'll still remain in the Palace, but they'll take their hands off of state matters."

Bella was quiet as she thought. She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat before she said in a wavering voice, "But then, that means..."

Carson smiled apologetically. "Yes, indeed. Young Edward will be stepping up as the new King of Gardenia."

At the confirmation, Bella felt a mixture of pride and sadness flood through her. She knew better than anyone that Edward was more than capable of becoming a sage king. She was just sad that she wouldn't be able to see him being crowned, to be standing by his side, being crowned with him.

"Are you okay, Bella?" Carson asked softly. "I know it must be hard, hearing this."

She would've been queen, he thought with conviction. And a fine one she would've made too.

Even now, as he stared at her, with the evening candle flame casting red shadows on her beautiful face, he saw the charismatic princess that he'd become familiar with. There was no doubt about it: Isabella Swan had been born to become a princess. And yet, here she was, a guest of an unfamiliar kingdom that was not home to her, attending state matters when she should've been preparing to become the queen.

She was lonely. He could see that clearly. She tried to cover it up, shrug it off by immersing herself into work and training with the palace guards and her own bodyguard, but she could not fool him.

"You will be sending in your blessing, I assume?" Bella murmured.

"Of course," Carson replied. "I'm proud that my nephew is finally becoming king. I'm simply happy that I get to see it happening while I'm still alive."

Bella chuckled ruefully. "Don't say that. You're just as young as King Carlisle is."

He shrugged. "Don't worry. My son is not as mature as Edward is – Evan will simply have to wait until I'm dead to assume the throne."

Bella looked at him disapprovingly while he barked out a laughter. "I don't think that's very funny."

Carson studied her briefly with a small smile on his face. "You have met Crown Prince Evan Hale of Gladiolus, Bella. What do you think of him? I know that he is quite taken with you."

Bella blushed lightly at the compliment. "I think he is a very able young man. I see a lot of potential in him. I believe that he will make a fine king one day."

Carson snorted. "Yes, indeed. I just wish he wouldn't play around so much. He must have been with a hundred women since his fifteenth birthday. He is eighteen now, the same age as you, and yet, I do not understand how he can act like such a child."

Bella smiled. "It is only a show, I believe. I have had the honor to encounter his serious side, and he is merely having fun, fooling everyone in the Palace before he has to become a grown man. I wouldn't worry too much, my lord – he is a very responsible and capable young man."

"I should find a bride for him or something," Carson muttered. "Maybe that would stop his womanizing ways."

Bella doubted it, but she agreed for the sake of her friend. "Perhaps, my lord."

"Actually, I brought up the subject of Evan because I wanted to see your reactions toward my children," Carson continued. "You have encountered my son, but you have not yet met Rosalie, my daughter."

Bella was surprised at the topic. Slowly, she said, "I have heard a few things about the princess, indeed, my lord. But is there something that bothers you?"

"No," Carson said lightly. "I was simply wondering if you would not visit her frequently, keeping her company. I know that she is lonely, ever since the queen has passed a few years ago, and I know that you must get lonely too. It would be wonderful if you would keep each other company. You are of similar age, after all."

Bella blinked at him. He thought of everything, indeed.

Hesitantly, Bella approached the west building of the princess's quarters. She heard an indignant voice ring throughout the courtyard of the building, and she and Seth approached curiously.

They spotted a tall, blonde young woman in a red dress, her beautiful wavy hair pinned up in a loose, yet elegant bun. She was beautiful, almost a perfect replica of her younger brother.

"...told you that I want to learn!" Rosalie was snapping at her archery mentor. "Why does it matter that I don't seem to have the aptitude? That's what you're here for! You're supposed to be teaching me!"

Her mentor was a middle-aged man who looked helpless in front of the young princess. Bella had no doubts about his skills, but he had no idea how to handle the incorrigible young woman.

"Forgive me, my princess, but I do not understand why you insist upon learning-"

"I want to learn!" Rosalie snapped. "Don't give me that you're-a-woman-Your-Highness thing again, or I'll lock you up! Lady Swan does it well. I was walking past the training arena last week, and she was flinging three arrows at once! She didn't miss her target at all. I want you to train me so that I could be just as good as she is!"

"But Your Highness," the man stuttered. "You simply do not have the patience to-"

Rosalie huffed and stamped her foot, causing her lady-in-waiting to gasp in shock at the unladylike behavior. "Don't make me fire you!"

Bella was amused at how the princess seemed to regard her. She hadn't known that Rosalie had paid her a little visit. If she was so eager to learn archery, why hadn't she visited her personally?

"You're such a bad teacher," Rosalie continued. "I don't know why I'm paying you two hundred coins per lesson. I don't get better at all!"

"Then how about training with me instead, Your Highness?" Bella spoke up.

Startled, Rosalie whirled around, her blue eyes blinking rapidly. Her eyes widened when she recognized her father's adviser and her bodyguard strolling toward her.

Bella and Seth bowed. Flustered, Rosalie, too, bowed slightly in response. "Lady Swan."

"Princess Rosalie," Bella replied. She glanced at the bow in her hands in amusement. "I didn't know that you were interested in archery."

Rosalie flushed. "It's a recent thing. I, uh, saw you doing it the other day, and I thought that I could try it too. But I'm so bad that I've merely been spending my lessons blaming my teacher."

Her mentor blinked at her. He frowned in confusion at the change of her words. Chuckling, Bella dismissed the man, and he skipped away, looking positively delighted at the prospect of never having to teach the princess again.

"Anyone can learn archery," Bella said gently. "You simply have to have patience."

Rosalie wrinkled her nose. "That's what my teacher said."

Bella laughed. "Because it's true. You can't get better overnight. It takes time and effort. If you are truly certain about learning archery, you must be determined...and willing to be sore for the first couple of days," she added teasingly.

Rosalie's face brightened. "Of course I am. I want to learn how to fight like you do!"

Bella shook her head. "Fighting is not for a woman."

"You do it."

"And there are times when I regret taking up the sword. I believe that if a woman must take up a sword, it must be for a hobby, not for a living. It is dangerous, as I've learned the hard way. If you must learn archery, simply do it as a fun pastime, my lady."

Rosalie nodded thoughtfully. "I will. So will you teach me?"

Bella smiled. "Yes. I can teach you, if you promise to be patient."

Rosalie grinned, and Bella realized that this beautiful woman was no pushover. She was strong and independent, ladylike when she wanted to be, and tenacious. She liked that about the princess.

"I promise," Rosalie insisted. "Now teach me, Lady Swan. I want to be just as good as you are."

"I will, on one condition," Bella said. Pursing her lips to suppress an amused smile, she said, "Please call me Bella."

Rosalie laughed, and Bella admired the bell-like sound. "If only you would call me Rosalie. I insist," she added when Bella began to protest. "We are both of equal status, and I'd like us to become friends."

"Equal status?"

"I am not unaware, Bella," Rosalie said. "I feign indifference, but I'm always listening. I know that you are the true Crown Princess of Gardenia, and that you should be preparing to become the queen. You don't deserve to be stuck here, as my father's adviser. He recognizes you as the true queen, and so do I. So you must oblige me this, Bella."

After a ton of persuasion, Bella finally agreed. And Rosalie happily listened to her new friend's tips on how to shoot an arrow. She shrieked with pleasure when one arrow flew out of the bow and stuck on the white part of the target board.

At least she had hit something, which had been her goal.

AN: And...Rosalie is finally introduced. And Edward becomes the King of Gardenia. What do you think? Review!

A: An echo.

Q: What English word retains the same pronunciation, even after you take away four of its five letters?

I do not own these riddles. No cheating!