Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter. You see, I received a whopping 120 something reviews for this chapter. Most I have ever received for one chapter in all my years of writing. There were some passionate responses- some kind, some not so kind (to Edward) but know I appreciate them all (except maybe the one telling me to kill myself-that was oh so kind). And I let it get to me in that I started to second guess where I wanted to go with this story. But I ultimately decided to stay the course I want to follow in telling my story. It may not be what everyone wants but I do hope you will continue to read anyway.

Thanks to lunaeclipse for looking over this and being a great cheerleader. To all the gals in my FB group, thank you for all the laughs and discussion.

Without further ado…

The American Princess

Chapter 29

Edward

Though the door only clicks softly as she departs, it feels like a prison door slamming. And as I look around somewhat unseeingly, this is my prison. It's always been my sentence- my birthright- and even though my father will recover and go on to rule for many years to come, I am still imprisoned by my own responsibility to the Crown.

I know this. I have always known this and yet I brought her in only to hurt her just like I thought I would.

I look down at the whites of my knuckles still clutching the sides of the window sill as to keep me from running after her, throwing myself at her feet and begging for her forgiveness. After a moment, I unclench them and watch the blood rush back.

I hear the door open and my heart lunges in my chest. I cautiously turn around and it sinks, as do I in my father's chair, as it's only Rosalie, who is looking a little worse for wear herself.

"Did you do it?"

She scoffs as she stares at the wall to the right of her before turning her head to meet my eyes dead on. Our eyes are so similar but hers radiates bitterness while I imagine mine holds only pain. That may be why she melts into her chair across from me.

"Yes." A simple word but she manages to put so much pain into it that I inwardly cringe.

"She needs him Rosalie. I couldn't let her be alone."

She flicks her finger impatiently across her face, almost like she's mad at the teardrop that dare escape.

"What did you tell him?" I ask.

"What did you tell her?" She challenges.

Now it's my turn to look away. "Nothing of any consequence."

"That's where you are wrong. There will be plenty of consequences to this."

"What would you have had me do, Rosalie? Subject her to this life? The press is already taking the piss saying she caused the heart attack and that she will stop at nothing to have me abdicate. Someone has been talking because Father made it very loud and clear his feelings on the subject."

"And you don't think she can handle herself?"

"I know she can. Like she said, I brought her in to this and I had to be the one who took her out of it. So, I lied."

"And she just walked away?"

"No. She tried reasoning with me but decided against it in the end. Emmett?"

"He just shrugged it off and said he wasn't surprised. And then he got a text- I'm guessing from Bella- and left without another word."

"I know that is upsetting for you."

"It is upsetting. But I'm not mad at Emmett. I'm mad at you! You did this! You brought these people into our lives to prove some ignorant point that you should be able to do what you want in your life and while that may be true, you have managed to not only ruin your own life but mine as well. He was the first man to see me for me and not a crown that promises a life of ease if you marry it. He thought I was smart and funny and he didn't even have to. And now I have lost him. Father is in the hospital. You sent away the only woman that made you seem human and selfless but I guess that's not really who you are, is it?" She gets up.

"I'm sorry, Rosalie." I choke out.

"Your apologies are meaningless to me. You should apologize to the woman you sent away. Don't forget to arrange their plane. I'm going to see Mother at the hospital."

Unlike Bella before her, she slams the door.

I rub my temples and pick up the phone, resisting the urge to call Bella's number and instead call the airport, arranging for the plane that will carry Bella out of the UK and back to LA, ignoring the urge to hang up and rush to wherever she was. A look at the clock told me she was probably at the apartment, packing her things along with Emmett.

At least that was one thing I did right even at the expense of my sister. She will need her best friend and contrary to what would be popular belief when this was said and done, I truly have her best interests at heart.

I pulled open the desk drawer that contains the packet of papers that had helped finalize my decision. My father was thorough, I'd give him that. Background checks on her, her father, her mother and Emmett, news articles of her time with me and way before dating back to high school, financials, property assessments, etc. On paper, she looks good with the exception of tabloids putting her with this and that actor and the scandal with James. Her credit is perfect, with a hefty amount sanctioned off for charity. She owns three houses which surprises me; one in LA, one in Forks and one in Florida. Her close circle includes Emmett, Angela, her parents and her stylist. Her relationships consist of a high school boyfriend named Michael Newton and a three-year relationship with an actor named Jacob Black that ended over two years ago. There was even information on here about her tattoo artist, Embry Call.

Absolutely nothing incriminating or useful in bringing her image down but it spoke volumes of my father's desire to stop at nothing to get rid of her as indicated tonight.

My father is well known for his kindness and benevolence to his people. So, for him to lash out so publicly to one seemingly insignificant girl made it glaringly obvious that he would continue to make her miserable until she left of her own accord. The thought of someone purposefully stifling the light she possesses that makes her unique made me absolutely mad.

And yet, isn't that exactly what I did? I watched as those eyes held all her emotions as she begged me to reconsider then watched as they became blank before she calmly walked out of my life.

I bring my fingers up to rub my temples to try to soothe the headache that is slamming into my brain. A chance look at the centuries old grandfather clock tells me it's so very late- or so very early depending on your viewpoint. A chance look at my phone tells me she is on her way home.

I methodically gather up all the papers that proved my father's investigation and threw them violently in the wastebasket next to the desk. Then I think better of it and take them out. I don't want them getting in the wrong hands after all. I arrange them more neatly then take them with me to head towards my apartment, deciding to forego seeing my father at this late hour.

3:20 am, I let myself into my home. The instant her scent hits me, I know I can't stay here for I will surely go mad. I hurry towards our bedroom. My bedroom. I grab my suitcase and some things from my drawers then cross to my closet and toss a few things in. I stop dead in my tracks when I come to my bed. For lying there on her pillow was the sixpence necklace I had presented her with tonight, along with a note written in her loopy handwriting.

"He was both everything I could ever want…

And Nothing I could ever have…"

I was never in love with 'Masen'.

It was always you-

You that I knew I could never have completely,

Without tearing you in two.

Be the man I know you are.

And I will be cheering you on,

From my little corner of the world,

Across the pond.

Stay Charming, Charming.

Love, Bella

"My God, what have I done?" I whisper to the empty apartment. It is all the more apparent that she deserves so much better than me. So, I finish gathering my things up and leave without a backwards glance, but not before pocketing the pendant.

It's better this way, I tell myself.

'I'm going under, and this time, I fear there's no one to save me

This all or nothing really got a way of driving me crazy

I need somebody to heal, somebody to know

Somebody to have, somebody to hold

It's easy to say, but it's never the same

I guess I kinda liked the way you numbed all the pain…'

BPOV

As soon as the pilot announced Los Angeles as its destination, I immediately told them to land in Seattle. Though I was luckier than Edward in him never having been in my home as I had been in his, I wanted the comforts of my childhood home. I offered Emmett the chance to go to LA but he insisted on staying with me, something I was most grateful for.

He offered to talk it out with me, but I needed to internalize all this first before I would be able to put it into words.

That took about five hours into the eleven-hour flight. Neither of us have slept and we were both looking out our respective windows quietly.

"I'm sorry, Emmett."

His head slowly turns and his confused eyes meet my apologetic ones.

"What do you have to be sorry for?"

"I should have left you out of this. I knew how this was going to go so I kind of deserve all this but you don't."

"I don't recall ever saying no."

"You tried talking me out of it."

"Of course, I did. It was a crazy idea and it has backfired magnificently. The fallout will be interesting, that's for sure. I'm afraid to turn my phone on."

"Is this how you say 'I told you so'?"

His lopsided grin makes me stoic veneer crack ever so slightly.

"On a scale of one to ten, how bad is it?"

I grit my teeth. "Eleven, you?"

"About the same."

We're silent for a moment.

"Are you angry?" He asks.

"No. You?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty fucking angry, Bells. At all of them, especially Edward."

"I don't know if I'll ever be angry at him, Em. I know why he did it, why he said those hateful things. He needed me gone. Like you said, the backlash is going to be pretty damn epic and I think this might be his way of protecting me."

"Maybe he's more interested in protecting himself and that god damned family of his."

"No, I don't think so. Did it hurt me to hear all that coming out of his mouth? Fuck, yes. But I don't believe one damn word he said. He once said if he wanted to know what I was feeling all he had to do was look in my eyes. It's the same for him. There was a flicker…"

"A flicker? Really, Bella?"

"You don't know him, Em, not like I do. He loved me. I can handle all that's coming knowing that for a brief amount of time, I've been loved like that."

"And we all see how that worked out."

"I would've been miserable, Em." I whisper though I know he hears me. "I would've had Edward but I wouldn't have had a moments peace. And I think when Carlisle lost it with me, Edward knew it too. And I also think he knew I wouldn't have left on my own."

"I just don't see how you are so rational about this. I'm pissed, Bells! I was falling in love with Rose and she just walked away from me without any hesitation."

"I need you."

His eyes widen at my implication. "She let me go so you could have me."

"I'm sorry."

He reaches over and grasps my hand. "Don't be. I'll always be here for you."

We fall silent once again and both of us nod off only waking once the flight attendant woke us right before landing. We rent a car and drive to Forks. It's just before 7am PST and we have been traveling for roughly 14 hours by this time. We're exhausted but calm. Or so I think.

But once Charlie opens the door with a confused look on his rugged face, I use my last bit of energy to fly into his arms and the last 18 hours seep out of me in the form of tears, drenching his pristine uniform. I feel him left me up and carry me to his couch, me cradled in his lap unable to speak because of all the sobbing as Emmett recalls the events leading up to our arrival.

I calm myself down enough to nix his idea to storm the castle with his rifle and remove myself from his lap. He calls Mark and tells him he is taking the day off and hangs up with no further information. Then he starts pacing his living room.

"I told you he was no good for you. Just like Mike Newton." He says in between a lot of four-letter curse words.

"There is a remarkable difference between Edward, the Prince of England, and Mike Newton, the stock boy." I rebut dryly, my voice hoarse from my crying jag.

"Not to me, there isn't. They both bleed the same."

"Dad, please sit down." I pat the space next to me. He reluctantly does as I ask but he's tense. "You can't fix this for me. I know you want to but you can't."

He sags into the couch and sighs. "How bad is this going to be?"

I look to Emmett who has been on his phone once he made sure I was okay. His grim expression says it all.

"It's gonna be bad, Charlie. I'm the person Carlisle was screaming at before he collapsed from a heart attack. So, obviously it's my fault as it can't possibly be his. He is the King after all. What are they saying Em?"

"It's mixed. Pretty dead even actually. The titled elite blame you but the commoners are mostly on your side. The only thing the palace is commenting on is the King's health which says he will make a full recovery but until then Edward will step up to take his place until further notice, which we expected. There are some tabloids saying the King was sticking it to you and his ticker couldn't take it."

I snort. "God, I hope he doesn't get his hands on that, he'd have another heart attack."

"I hate that people can just say these things about you." Charlie whispers next to me.

"It's unfair but unfortunately it is part of the life I chose for myself. Obviously, I make excellent decisions."

I stand up and both Em and Charlie stand with me. I smile at them both. "I exhausted and I am in dire need a of a shower. I'm gonna head on up and see if I can sleep before I face any more of this. Em, you know where the guest room is. Charlie, you can go to work. I'm afraid I won't be much company today."

"I'm fine right where I am."

I hug him gently and a little longer than usual. "I'm sorry I brought this to your doorstep. If anyone gets wind of where I am…"

"This is your doorstep always, Baby Girl. And I can handle anyone who comes a knocking. You get some rest and I'll be here when you wake up. I love ya, Bella."

I tear up again. "I love you too, Dad."

As I ascend to my childhood bedroom, I decide to let it all go until I can get some rest.

As Scarlett O' Hara once said, 'Tomorrow is another day.'

'I'm going under, and this time, I fear there's no one to turn to

This all or nothing way of loving got me sleeping without you

Now, I need somebody to know, somebody to hear

Somebody to have, just to know how it feels

It's easy to say, but it's never the same

I guess I kinda like the way you help me escape

Now the day bleeds into nightfall

And you're not here to get me through it all

I let my guard down and then you pulled the rug

I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved'

Song is Someone You Loved written and performed by Lewis Capaldi.

We are on the home stretch, y'all. About three to four chapters left.

See you soon-ish.

BitterHarpy Out.