Sorry this one took so long, but I've been battling it a bit. But this extended time at home has given me the chance to put words down everyday and that makes me so happy. Hope you enjoy this one. Also, for updates on what I'm working on, you can head over to my FB group, Agoodwitch Writes. And finally, Wander No More is nominated for Top 10 Completed Fics for March at TwiFanfictionRecs. You can vote daily until the 26th, so please help me out there!

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 26

It was just after midnight on Tuesday morning and Rosalie and I were still hard at work after a full day of decision making.

We'd chosen the fabric to hang on the walls of the Great Hall, hoping to brighten up the room. Our clothing and jewelry had been selected, the menu created, and we'd worked with a language coach to learn some basic Italian phrases we would need. I had the advantage of being fluent in Spanish and singing in Italian, so I helped Rosalie with her pronunciation. I also agreed to make the welcome announcement at the party in Italian while Rosalie repeated it in English.

I should have been tired but Edward's words haunted me. I was of two minds about it, part of me desperately wanting to know when and how they had gotten so close, but the other part of me was afraid of the answer. Edward still had the potential to break me. Even after pulling away after the caning, I wasn't ready to let him go.

My feelings about all of this fell into four categories: my feelings for Edward, Edward's feelings for me, my fading feelings for Jacob, and my feelings about being a princess and future queen.

We finally retired to our rooms and I climbed into bed with Aro Volturi's diary, wanting to read his words as he hadn't been born into this world either. Those words were no help, he wrote about how he wanted to be seen as the people's best hope and not a usurper, so he needed to follow the rules, even if he didn't like it.

With no comfort coming from the diary, I put it away and wrote to my father, hoping for his wisdom.

Tuesday was another day full of decisions and before I knew it, Wednesday afternoon was upon us and Rosalie and I were about to enter the reception for the German Federation.

"What should we do?"

I looked to Rosalie with a smile. "Be polite, but don't offer help. Watch the queen and Esme for clues on how they're doing. We need to pay attention to everything so we can spend the next twenty-four hours making our reception better."

Rosalie agreed and we entered the room, getting there right on time because punctuality was important to the Germans. From the moment we were inside the room I saw the disaster that was about to occur.

Tanya looked ridiculous in her dress. Where the others were in darker tones that were accepted, Tanya was wearing a white revealing dress, like a fashion plate in a bridal magazine. The amount of skin on display was only made worse by the full sleeves and high necklines the German women wore.

Charlotte had picked lillies as the flowers, which were traditionally used for funerals. We figured that out when we saw Esme ushering in staff to remove them all.

We tried to speak to the German women but the language barrier made it difficult. Thankfully, they were pleasant.

Watching Esme, Rosalie and I leaned in to whisper that our greatest goal had to be pleasing her as she was taking notes, her eyes catching everything. The queen might be gracious, but Esme had to love the reception.

The next morning, Rosalie and her maids arrived at my room to get ready. It was fun having so many girls together as we dressed according to our plan. We had decided to dress similarly so we could be identified as hosts, but not look silly in identical dresses.

Once we were ready, we made our way to the Hall so we could oversee the last minute details.

We'd decided not to do a seating arrangement, instead letting the guests mingle and sit where they like. The band began to set up and I adjusted Rosalie's necklace as we recited the italian phrases we had been practicing.

"Thank you, Bella, for all your hard work. I'd worried that after Alice you might give up."

"It is hard to be here without her, but you've made it easier. And at least we didn't have to work with Tanya."

"Are you still competing? Do you still want Edward?"

I paused for a moment, shocked she'd asked me outright, then answered. "Yes."

"It's nearly time for the party to begin," Esme said from behind us.

I turned to see her and the queen approaching. Once they were in front of us, Rosalie spoke. "We only have a few final details, one of which requires your help."

"Well what you've done so far looks truly marvelous," Queen Elizabeth commented.

This made me happy, because the color scheme of light blue with gold accents had been my idea, making the room festive without being flashy or gaudy. The intrigued look on Esme's face was what had Rosalie reaching into her purse to retrieve our surprise.

"Bella and I had the idea to wear matching necklaces as a subtle way to identify ourselves as hosts of this party."

"What a lovely idea," Esme said.

"We're glad you think so, because we have one for each of you. Even though we were responsible for the planning of this party, you're our co-hosts."

The queen told us how touched she was as Esme stood there speechless. We helped them put on the necklaces, and I wondered if anyone ever gave Esme the recognition she deserved. She could be intense at times, but it was for our benefit. And I'd seen her compassion more than the others might have had the chance to. I made a vow in that moment to appreciate her more.

A butler approached to tell us guests were beginning to congregate outside the door. I signaled to the band and they started to play. As soon as they began, the maids floated around the room with trays of food and drink. Rosalie and I fell into position and the doors opened.

I was a bit surprised to see the other girls arrive on time and come right up to us. It was clear in Angela and Tanya's eyes that they were jealous of our choices, while Charlotte seemed genuinely pleased and told us as much.

When Tanya made a comment about how the flowers made it smell like a funeral home, I cut her off, asking them to sit at different tables, since the Italians were here to make friends.

Before she could respond, the Italian women entered. They were gorgeous, elegant and gracious as they each took an offered glass of wine. Their tan skin glowed in the light of the room, but more than that, they seemed to glow from within. It was as if their souls were suns casting off a light on those around them.

This was the first time that the new monarchy of Italy, younger even than Volterra's, had been amenable to any diplomacy. So we had to foster this fledgling relationship to aid Edward and his father in building an alliance.

The women approached, kissing us on both cheeks and linking their arms with ours. We spoke in Italian for a few moments, me better than Rosalie, but even when errors were made they politely helped us before switching the conversation to English.

Our attempt at a good first impression was a success and I spent most of the party seated with Valentina and Bianca, the cousins of the Italian princess. It was with them that I had my first drink since the Halloween Ball, not wanting to be rude, and I was pleased that our wine choice was rich and nothing like the overly effervescent champagne I'd last drank.

These nobles were nothing like I expected them to be, in the best possible way. Between asking about how to join the Collection so they could steal Edward, after confirming that he was an excellent kisser, to debating who I should stay with when I come to visit them in Italy, these women were a trip. It had been a long time since I'd laughed this much. It was fun being around women when they were genuine and not catty. I wouldn't mind doing this more often.

Needing a break from their inquisition, I got some water and a few bites of food and then joined the band to play a few of their native songs on my violin. I was happy to see Esme nodding her head to the beat and in one of the corners, Queen Elizabeth and the Italian queen were talking and smiling together.

Rosalie joined me and proposed a toast to Esme and Queen Elizabeth for their help and guidance with this party. The room joined the toast and when I raised my glass to Valentina and Bianca, they cheered and then drank their wine before smashing their glasses on the floor.

Rosalie and I looked at each other before mimicking their gesture.

Maids scurried around to clean up the broken glasses. I was so focused on the movement around me as the band started to play again, that Angela scared the hell out of me as she came up from behind me.

"You guys had a much better party. It was like you'd had ages to work on in, not just a few days."

"You really think we won this?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Well, for what it's worth, it was obvious you did the heavy lifting for your group. I think Edward should know that."

"Listen, Isabella, outside of this competition I think we could be great friends. But this is a competition and I can't do anything to help you out at my own expense. I wouldn't sabotage you, I'm not like Tanya, but you need to be more selfish."

My smile fell at her words, but there wasn't time to speak further because Princess Domenica approached.

"Excuse me, may I borrow the hostess?"

"Of course," Angela curtseyed and left us.

"I apologize for not speaking to you more this afternoon."

"No no, my cousins can be very demanding of people's time," the princess said.

"They're lovely, and very animated."

"Si, and they adore you. They are already picking out noblemen for you to meet if this Edward doesn't see the gem in front of him."

"That is very kind, Princess Domenica, but I think it is premature to be finding an alternative. I'm still a part of the Collection."

"Yes. Your country is more restricted than ours, it is why we've been so reluctant to reach out."

"Restricted, Your Highness?"

"Please, call me Nica. That is what my family and close friends call me. I would like to think of you as a close friend in the future, regardless of how things with your prince end. And I'm speaking of personal liberties. The castes, they are still in place, yes?"

"Yes, they are, Nica. And you may call me Bella. That is what I'm called by people close to me."

"We would like to grow a relationship with Volterra, but we see things. Not much, your press is controlled, but the warring between these rebels, and the incident with the little pixie girl."

"Alice," I supplied. "She was my best friend."

"We saw a little of that day. We saw you try to right a wrong. That is who we wish to ally ourselves with. If you are ever in need, there is help to be found."

"I'm not sure I'm the one you should be discussing this with. My place isn't assured here."

"Italy is willing to help you with that, in an unofficial capacity. If you are ever in need, reach out to me." Princess Nica grabbed my hand in a friendly manner, but the paper I felt pressed into my palm told another story.

Once I had it in my grip, she turned and called out something, drawing attention to her as she walked towards the women who had traveled with her. I slipped the note into my bra as I subtly adjusted my strap on my dress, it was the only place I could hide it.

The party kept going, our guests enjoying themselves so much that there was no way we would call an end to it. And while there were moments that were so clear to me, the rest passed in nothing more than a pleasant whirlwind.

When we did return to our rooms once the reception ended, I told my maids not to worry about dinner as I was full from the afternoon of hors d'oeuvres. All I really wanted to do was rest, but as I kicked off my shoes, I noticed an envelope on my desk.

I snatched it up, seeing my father's handwriting on the outside, and opened it immediately to see what he had to tell me.

Dear Bella,

Your letter was a bit of a shock, but I will answer you with the same honesty I've always shown you. Yes, I had a conversation with Edward while we were at the palace. He was very clear about his feelings for you and from what I saw, it was the truth. If he wasn't bound by the rules of the Collection and his father, I think you would already be his choice. I can also sense that you're being cautious and that is stalling things between you.

I don't care if you live in a palace or a shack, as long as you are happy with the life you're living and the person you're sharing that life with.

As for the other thing, my answer is absolutely. You've never seen yourself clearly, despite our efforts to bolster your confidence. You weren't sure of your talent until you were booked out for weeks at a time, never seeing your calendar empty. And it wasn't until the day your image appeared on the television that you saw yourself as beautiful.

The job of Volterra's next princess is yours to lose, because you are equal to it in both work ethic and compassion. You are the princess our people need, but if that is too much weight to carry, I understand. There is always a home here for you. So go for what you want, and know we're here to rally behind you.

Please write to your sister, she was very upset to learn that you'd written a secret letter to me.

I love you to the stars,

Dad

Tears filled my eyes as I folded the letter and walked into my closet to hide it away in my backpack in a pocket no one knew existed. He believed in me. It was nice to have someone feel that way. But it wasn't one someone, there were two people. Domenica! While still in my closet, I pulled out the note from Nica and saw it was a phone number. This was a huge show of faith for her, and likely a risk as well. I put the scrap of paper in the bottom of my trinket box. There wasn't a name on it, so it wouldn't be easily identifiable if found. But it would be the last place someone would look, amid ribbons and painted stones from home.

I couldn't think about things like a magazine's opinion of me, or Jacob's assurances that I wasn't cut out for this. I remembered the confusing promise from Edward and the faith of people who thought highly of me. Could I think that highly of myself? Could I be a princess?