A/n: Ah! I'm so sorry about not updating last weekend, it's just that I had a drill meet for ROTC and I wasn't able to get on the computer because I wasn't home. But, here's a chapter so, yeah. Hope you likey!

"…I don't understand why he leaves you alone so much," Jacob said as they munched on an Amapi delicacy, a gooey thing wrapped in some sort of leave. It was made of rice and was sweet, but other than that, Isabella had no idea what was in it. She choked on her food before laughing out loud, sun shining on her pale skin.

"It's not as if your nobles give him a choice Jacob. Everyday they draw him away from me," she sighed as she bit into her food.

"It doesn't matter Bella. I wouldn't allow them to draw me away from you!" His voice revealed a hint of outrage, which amused Bella. "Besides," he added on a lighter, playful note, "Someone might try to steal you away."

"Well, seeing as you are one of their royalty, I don't see them having any reason to draw you away, do you?" Bella popped the last bite into her mouth and chewed as Jacob smiled. She had a point. She had also ignored his comment of someone stealing her away.

"Tell me the tale of the exiled princess again Bella."

"You really do love that story don't you? Why? Princess Apstali only had an affair with a foreign dignitary. What is so amusing about that?" The fact that it can happen is what catches my ear dear Isabella. For I will win you over; if it's the last thing I do.

…

Edward grinned as he walked down the hall towards his rooms, expecting Bella to greet him very warmly indeed. Quickly he opened the door and whipped around, looking for the love of his life.

Except she was nowhere to be found.

…

William of Amapi sighed as he limped with Samuel by his side.

"He seems to be getting annoyed does he not?" Sam inquired of his 'father', a grin on his face.

"This isn't funny Samuel. If he gets any more 'annoyed' we will find ourselves engaged in a war we are not nearly prepared for." Just then Edward pummeled into Sam in his haste to get to some unknown destination.

"Edward?" William cried out in surprise, taking in the appearance of the enraged prince.

"Where is she!"

"Where is who Edward?" Sam had lost his grin, an air of business surrounding him. That just seemed to set Edward off all the more.

"You know damn well of who I ask! Do not play the fool."

Both Amapians looked at each other before whispering, "Isabella."

…

"I think I should be leaving for my quarters Jacob. It was a pleasure, yet again." Bella quickly stood and curtsied, eager to rest in her bed. As of late she hadn't been feeling well, constantly emptying her stomach of anything within it.

"Shall I escort you?"

"No, I shall prove to the world that women are capable of walking a few hundred yards to their rooms," she said playfully with a smile on her face.

Just then the hall doors burst open.

…

Edward seethed as he walked quickly with Bella towards their rooms, his hand heavy on her arm. She often stumbled over her own two feet, but Edward would give her no mercy. When they got into the room he slammed the door shut with his free hand before shoving Bella onto the bed with so much force that her body broke free from its contact with the bed for a few seconds. Her hair was splayed around her and tears were streaking down her cheeks.

"What were you thinking? Don't you realize that they are the reason we are married? We are married to get rid of them, not to be on friendly terms with them! What possessed you-,"

"You weren't here!"

"So you automatically go to the next man like a common whore!"

"I was lonely!"

Edward couldn't believe the audacity of the woman. He was sorely tempted to strike her beautiful face, to knock sense into her. Instead he took a calming breath and tried to control his voice as he said, "What did you two talk about, hm? Or did you even talk at all?"

"Do you really have so little faith in me?"

"Answer the question Isabella!"

"We talked about our countries."

"You. Talked. About. Belliut. To. Him?" His sentence was halting as his rage was feed like a fire is fed kindling.

"Our countries. Belliut is your country. I am from Condre, he is from Amapi, and you are from Belliut. Our focus was each other, to distract me."

Edward calmed at the thought that Bella did not find Belliut her country, but his. He sighed as he realized that the look of hurt on her face was his own doing. He couldn't charge and challenge the person who had offended her because that person was he. So he could do nothing but apologize while being strict with her.

"Bella, I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions. It's just that this will surely get around fast. A royal, married, princess from a rivaling country alone with the younger prince? It is scandalous, and all empires live off of gossip, which you have just given. You must be more careful, more aware of your position as future queen of Belliut. Your reputation is at risk by your own hand Bella."

She nodded silently before getting up from the bed and undressing. Edward came up behind her and lightly put his hands on her shoulders but quickly drew them back when he saw her flinch at his touch. A feeling of dread crept into his heart but he stepped away from her and undressed also before climbing into bed, watching as she settled beside him.

"Bella-,"

"Goodnight."

She turned so her back was to him and listened as his breathing deepened. When she thought it was safe, she rolled over so that she could smoothly climb over him and nestle into his arms since he had put his back to her as well. Her eyes closed but before she fell into oblivion she felt his lips caress her hair and heard him whisper a soft, "I love you."

…

"I refuse to meet with you and your nobles William. I am obliged to spend time with my wife, which is what I plan to do. We will meet on a later date." With that Edward quietly closed the door, much to William's amusement. He shrugged however, and limped away, a plan already concocting in his head.

…

They had already been there for a month before Bella had the courage to pull Edward aside and tell him what she had been guessing at since the day she got caught in the Therian Hall with Jacob.

"Edward, I think I'm pregnant."

A/n: Not the bestest chapter, but whatever.