Chapter 26

"There is nothing new except what has been forgotten."

~ Queen Marie Antoinette

EDWARD

September 25, 1613

"Sire?"

"Sire?"

Blinking rapidly I turned to my councilmen, all eyes upon me. James held on to his cane as he stood, a wound he had suffered during the war.

"Yes?"

"Sire as we were saying—"

"You believe it is time I take a new wife?" I answered for them.

"The Pope has given his blessing—"

"A blessing I do not remember seeking!" I snapped grabbing the letter, with the seal of the church upon it and tearing it before their very eyes. "How can I take a wife when I already possess one!"

"Brother." Emmett frowned siting up. He opened his mouth to speak but he seemed to struggle for a moment before finally letting out a sigh and meeting my gaze. "Come January it will be six years since anyone has seen her alive. Surely if she lived she would have returned to thee by now does thou not believe so?"

"There is also the matter of the hunters." Jasper added very much aware at how that named angered me.

A week upon my return to the castle after the war a woman bearing the likeness of my wife, and her son were slain just out side the castle walls. Our goal was to keep the matter quite until I could find them but it seemed no one could keep a secret at court for long. The whole city was set in uproar some of it good and some horrid over the revelation that Queen Isabella had given birth to a son and they fled the castle. With the news now out there I had set a reward for anyone who could bring me news of her whereabouts. But it seemed I was not the only one who was searching for her. Whenever we had gotten word, and I had gotten my hopes up once more, we would enter the city only to find the woman either bearing no resemblance to Bella or the woman and her child slain by the hunters. For the past five and a half years it has been a never-ending circle and never have I been so weak.

There were days it felt as if I were falling into nothing but a vast ocean of darkness. It consumed me day in and day out, I could no longer feel the sun I was so deep in it. Was not even sure if I was alive anymore. Food had no taste. The air was no longer sweet. And what was worse was the fact that I felt as though I was forgetting her. I could barely remember anything other then her face. If it were the case for me then had she forgotten me as well? Maybe she did not wish to return…maybe she had found joy and did not wish to come back and suffer within these castle walls once more.

Maybe it is time I let her go? My heart ached at the thought…it was the only time I felt as though I had a heart; when it was pain.

"Brother?"

Emmett called and once again I left my thoughts and focused on them. Sighing I rubbed my eyes leaning into my chair.

"And thus you all must think me mad." I snickered placing my feet upon the table.

"Never that my king. Loyal is the word that comes to mind." Lord Denali replied to the agreement of the rest of the council. "England and all the countries under thou command have flourished. The people have never been so joyful…however even they feel as though they can not truly enjoy the world in which thy has created for them."

"And why is that so? Have I not given my all to them?"

"Thy mourns." Jasper answered leaning back, "maybe it is because thou truly believes she is gone, or maybe it is out of loneliness but thy mourns. No one has seen thee smile, you with thy eyes but do not see… never has anyone seen such darkness in green eyes. How can a country rejoice when its father is so dismayed and its mother is lost to them?"

"Should thy remarry maybe sire thou shall find joy once more." James added carefully. "You are also in need of an heir. One that you and the people can see."

I looked to each of them. They all nodded in agreement as though this was their lives they were deciding over. Before I could reply the doors opened allowing my uncle to enter, in his hands a new letter for a yet another place she may or may not be. Even though I knew it was nothing more then a waste of my time I could not stop my legs from rising or the hope from flooding me. It was the same each time and the pain from disappointment was harsher than any wave crushing in the ocean.

"My privy council, I thank thee for thy concern and I have heard all that which you have said." I replied as Carlisle handed me the letter, "However, I already have a wife and heir until I know for sure what has happened to them I shall not take another. I have given my all for our people; more so than any king before me. However I shalt not give them this. I shalt not ever take another wife and should my reign end with me so be it. I'd rather it so. Good day my lords."

They all stood bowing to me as one by one they all took their leave with the exception of Emmett and Jasper. When we were all alone I glared at them both.

"Did thee truly believe I would agree to such an offer?"

"No, but do not fault us for wishing you joy." Jasper shook his head at me siting back down. "To which far of land are we off to now father?"

"Delhurst." He replied.

"Where?" Emmett asked just as confused as I.

Carlisle placed the map upon the table. "It is a farming village three days ride from here. I've received many a letters from this place."

Over the years with so many letters received regarding Bella's whereabouts I had left Carlisle and Esme in charge of sorting through them all. At first I had done it myself but it had taken over my every waking moment to the point where I no longer wanted to do anything else but follow each promising lead. They all sounded like her and grew attached to them all. Had I stayed focused on it the country would have suffered along with my own sanity.

"It is close enough. Have them prepare the horse I will enjoy the ride." Reminding me of the very first time I had met her; barefoot and wild.

"Brother how long can thee continue in this matter?" Emmett frowned.

Snickering as I took my leave. "Until the day I fall off my horse and die. But even then I'm sure I would search heaven and hell for her."

"Father you need to stop with this. She won't be there and he will be crushed once more." I heard Jasper whisper as I left.

When would they get it? My soul would not rest until I knew what happened to her.

I just needed to know.

EDWARD

September 28, 1613

"Lift it." I whispered to the man who gripped the sheet. The place had not fully smelt of death yet which means the hunters had only beaten us here by a day…but beaten us nonetheless.

When the sheet uncovered her face a wave of relief flooded me only for a moment before the despair. It was not her. She was not dead but she still lost to me.

"It is not her. But my sorrow for the loss of her." I petted the women's head before covering her up as well.

Moving over to the child that laid next to her I lifted the sheet. Yes, the boy had dark copper like hair mine but he was much too young.

Bastards.

"Jasper." I called. He came forward handing me a small bag of silver. Taking it I handed it to the innkeeper. "Please see to it that they are both properly buried and use whatever is left for thyself and family."

"Thank you sire. Very Good." He frowned looking down at them.

"Did you happen to see the men that did this?" Emmett asked him as we walked out side.

"The came dressed in black in the dead of night. They were where so quick. They did not even seem to speak. By the time I awoken but she and the child were dead and my inn destroyed."

It was the same story each and every time. Who could hate me so much?

"Thank you innkeeper."

"May God bless you sire." His wife said as she held on to her daughter at the door. "My son fought in the war and he tells of tales of your greatness from morning to eve."

Nodding to them I moved to my horse when Carlisle touched my shoulder. I looked to him but he seemed frozen, his glaze fixed in the distance.

"Carlisle what's the matter?" I asked trying to pull my shoulder from his grasp.

"Do you see him?" He asked.

Confused I looked out into the crown all of the people trying their best to get a look at me. My guards kept them at bay but I could not see beyond that.

"Carlisle what—"

"Edward look!" He snapped at me pointing further down. Stretching my eyes I saw a lone boy five maybe six years old with the brightest green eyes and a mess of brown hair on his head. He eat his apple joyfully staring at the crowd that circled us in confusion.

"If you see him as well then surely I can not be mad. For a moment I thought I were merely seeing you as boy." He replied.

I could not look away from him. But before either of us could move another taller boy came rushing out grabbing him by the hand and running as an older man yelled after them.

Grabbing the reins of my horse I jumped on rushing through the crowd and down the way in which they went towards the forest. They jumped through the bush running as fast as their little legs could carry them but that was no match for our speed. Within second we had caught up to them. We circled them causing the boys to fall upon the dirt.

"It was only an apple." The older yelled taking it from the younger one. "We're sorry."

They both looked terrified as I jumped down. Taking a step back they both drew daggers to our amusement. I looked back to my party to find them all snickering.

"We shall not harm you." I said to them.

"Will you tell mama?" The younger one asked me.

"I might have to."

"That's the same as harming us." The older said as they both pouted. Shaking his head he looked to me remembering himself. "Well what do you want?"

Raising my eyebrow I looked back to their daggers. "Men can not speak to each other with swords drawn."

They looked to each other for a moment before finally putting them away.

"Don't get any funny ideas. We're are fast." The younger said to me and at this Carlisle finally let out a laugh.

"I'm sure thou are. How about you both tell me thy names? I'm Edward."

The younger looked up as the older one thought again for a moment.

"I'm Seth and this is my brother little Will." He said and I froze for a moment looking at the boy one more time. They did not look a like. Seth had blonde hair and blue eyes while again Will…he looked like me.

That name.

Again I looked back to Emmett, Jasper and Carlisle to find them all with the same expression on my face.

"You said your mother is close by?"

They nodded and Seth smiled. "Oh I get it you want to ask mom to marry you. But she won't. Mom says she only has room in her heart for two boys and that's us."

"Yep." Will agreed, "Can I have my apple back?"

Looking at the half eaten apple I smiled before giving it back to him. He took a big bite.

"What is your mother's name?" I questioned slowly.

The both looked at each for a moment and then me. "It's mom."

Even I couldn't help but laugh.

"Do a lot of men ask your mom for her hand?" Jasper called from his horse.

"Yea every time she goes into town. It makes her mad but Grandpapa Wickham says they can't help themselves since mommy is so pretty." Will replied between bites.

Grandpapa Wickham.

"Will. Seth can you take me to your mother?" I asked them hoping my shaking was not as obvious as it felt.

"She's gona say no but okay." Seth sighed as they walked.

"How about we go by horse?" I asked them.

"Really!" They both yelled in excitement.

Carlisle dropped down helping Seth up while I lifted Will on to the back of my horse. He grinned gripping on to the reins.

"Which way?" I asked.

"North until you get to the clearing." He smiled up at me. Nodding I clicked my heel and we were off.

"Woah!" He yelled as we road.

His excitement seemed to fuel me as I charged further and further through the trees. It had been a long time since I had felt this way….the joy, excitement…I only feared what would happen should everything—

No just keep riding.

All too soon we were at the clearing, at the bottom of the slight hill there stood a charming farm house, two dogs and chicken walking about the front yard.

Jumping down and helping Will down I saw the skirt and hands of a woman hanging sheets on a line right beside the house.

"Mom!" Will yelled at the top of his longs as we walked toward her.

My hand went to my chest trying to calm my rising heart as the woman stopped slowly moving from behind the blowing sheets.

"Bella." The words left my lips the moment I saw her hair. She grinned happily as both Will and Seth ran to her. She hugged them before she seemed to finally notice us. Her brown eyes just as beautiful as I remember…no even more so now.

Her eyes traveled upon all the guards, Jasper, Emmett and Carlisle before finally stopping on me. She blinked a few times brushing her hair back as she walked forward slowly as did I as though it were a dream.

"Thank you returning my sons to me my lords. The Mister and misses of the house are not in yet—"

"Isabella?" I spoke out gently. She seemed to see me but not see me. "Do you not know who I am?"

"I apologize milord I do not. I have only been about the land for little over a year and I have not met any lords."

"Your name is Isabella is it not?" Surely this must be a dream.

She looked at me confused; "Simply Bella, My apologies again milord but does thou know me?"

"Mommy." Will called and she quieted him softly as Seth just held on to her dress.

"This boy." I pointed to Seth, "He is not yours by birth."

She frowned glaring at me slightly and I fought back a smile at the look…I remembered it well. "No he was not born to me but he is very much my son milord."

"Of course milady I did not mean to offend thee."

She nodded.

"And this one."

Again she nodded; "Aye he is mine."

"And you do not remember me?"

"No milord. We maybe poor but we are not liars. Had I known you I would have said as much. But for the life of me I do not remember who you are."

"Mother was attacked." Seth yelled out.

"Seth!" Bella snapped at him grabbing his hand.

"She was hurt and the nuns brought her in. That's where mother found me. That's the story right mom?" Seth looked up at her. "I was a baby too, right?"

She sighed bending down. "Aye it's right but you should not go around telling the story to everyone. You two are the only one that should know of that story."

She frowned looking up at me. "Well with the exception of you now milord and your party."

"You lost your memories."

"Milord I am quite confused? Is it not the mister and misses you seek? Surely you have more pressing matters then to question their servant at such detail." She shifted uncomfortable under my gaze.

"Be patient with me my lady. How long has it been since you left the nunnery?"

"Almost six years now."

I could not help but laughed. I brought my hand to my head and laughed for the first time in years. It felt like all my laughter had been bottled up simply for this one moment.

"Mommy is he well."

"I'm quite unsure." She whispered taking a step back.

"Bella?" An old woman and her husband called as they approached the house in a carriage.

The older couple walked until finally the reached us. They looked upon me with fear and awe.

"Mrs. Wickham he and his party just arrived." Bella replied moving to the side. "I'm quite sorry I did not catch your name milord?"

"It is King Edward." Mrs. Wickham replied with eyes wide. "His Royal highness King Edward Trenton Anthony Cullen III the Lionheart of England."

There was silence as the wind howled ruffling the grass. Bella's eyes widened.

"Bloody hell." She whispered almost dropping William. He shifted uncomfortably in her arms before finally crawling down her body and on to the ground.

"Oh do brace thyself my dear for that pales in comparison to who you are." I said to her.

"Who am I?"

Carlisle, Jasper, and Emmett along with all of our guards stepped down from their horses.

Carlisle stepped forward before saying. "Presenting Her Royal Highness Queen Isabella Marie Swan Cullen and Prince William Edward Trenton Cullen."

"Long may they reign!" They all yelled as they fell to their knees. Her eyes went wide as she her hand covered her mouth.

"Who is that?" Will asked.

"Prince William is you." I said kneeling before him. "You are my son and I've waited a long long time to see you."

I looked up at her. "Both of you.

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O . o So who saw that coming? Oh dear I can only imagine the reviews (And flames) that will come of this. Yes I did force it just a little but I couldn't help myself I'm having fun lol.

Yes this also means Bella has no clue who the traitors are lol. Let Part Two of Reign start now!

Now seriously I will see you guys on the weekend!

With Love

Ruthlessly Yours.

Ps. I've been staring at this chapter for the last 23mins unsure if I should post it...urg