Hello my lovelies! Another chapter...so soon? Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you.

Enjoy!


BPOV

I was frozen in place. I could only stare at the pretty, scary woman and I noticed that her eyes, as well as mine were wide and confused. I could see her eyes take in my gown that was not covered by the cloak and she took a step back.

"Your clothes...they are from fine silk. Are you a royal?" She almost stammered.

I could finally feel some of my nerves slip away enough for me to form some type of answer. "I..I..am the bride of ...Hades." It wasn't technically a lie. He did say I was to marry him but he hasn't mentioned that to me now. I would hope that my answer would save me from her wrath.

"My apologies!" She squeaked as she quickly fell onto her knees and bowed her head, like the slaves did before Hades. I could feel my face heat up, uncomfortable with the action.

"Please arise young lady. Your apology is not necessary." I rushed out. Not wanting anyone else in the town to see her behavior and copy it.

"I must apologize. I was nothing but rude to you and I must seek your forgiveness." She said determined in her stance.

I waived my hand before her although she couldn't see it. "Yes, you are forgiven. Now please arise." I stammered, my eyes scanning the environment quickly. I let out a deep breath once I realized no one had noticed our interaction.

"I am not worthy of your forgiveness. I will take my leave now." Se said as she arose and turned back towards the town.

"Wait!" I call out and fortunately she does stop but doesn't look at me. "Please do not rush off. I am not angry. Just surprised." I tried to calm her but she refused to look at me. I smiled gently and said, "Please tell me, what is your name?"

"Rosalie."

"That's a beautiful name. I am Isabella." I introduced myself and at that she turned towards me and bowed her head. "It's nice to make your acquaintance. I believe I must apologize to you now." I said as confusion clouded her features. "I did not mean to anger you in any way."

She opened her mouth to respond but closed it again. She did that a couple times before she finally responded. "I had you noticed you for a few days just sitting there looking at the children. I thought you were a man and I was coming here to hopefully frighten him away from the children. I did not notice you were a woman at all. That cloak is very dense and hides your body well."

"I am very sorry for the misunderstanding. I did not mean to come across creep in any sort of way. It is just nice to leave the castle grounds and just see normal people doing every day things." I smiled at her. Admired her for her bravery. She was willing to risk her safety to protect the children from an unknown force. "Will you be my friend?" My question caught her off guard but she quickly composed herself and nodded her head. I looked up and noticed the sun was in the middle of the sky. "I must go but can we please meet again tomorrow morning? We can start our friendship on a fresh note." I hoped with a smile. She again nodded her head and I waived goodbye as I took my leave.


I was practically skipping once inside the castle walls. Laia and Tula stayed close by but for once I didn't mind. I had made a new friend. A friend outside these walls and I couldn't be more thrilled. I noticed Alice a little ways down the hall so I called her name and rushed to her side. I could see she was a bit shocked by my behavior but chose to smile instead of questioning me.

"Alice, would it be a terrible bother to have you come by my room later before dinner so you can help me dress?" I asked as I held her hands. She agreed but after she was finished attending some business. I took a long bath and scrubbed my skin and hair clean. As soon as I returned to my room, Alice was already there with several other slave girls and Carmenia. I was not expecting her presence and felt my nerves come back.

"I know I was not invited but I would love to dress up as well for tonight. I don't do it much." She asked with a hint of nerves in her voice.

I nodded with a smile on my face not wanting her to feel uncomfortable. In all honestly, I had grown quite fond of both Alice and Carmenia. I felt as though Alice was the older sister I never had and Carmenia could be the aunt figure I always wanted. We giggled and joked as we all dressed and did each others hair. Well Alice and Carmenia poked at mine while they did each others. I never learned how to style my hair much and desperately wanted to learn. But there would be another time for that.

We made our way to the dining hall and continued talking as we ate. As Alice and Carmenia began to discuss more political matters I sat back and let my eyes wonder over to his section. He was deep in conversation with Jasper again but did not look my way. I felt my stomach plummet to my feet as I looked back at my food. I felt something soft and warm touch my wrist as I looked over to see Carmenia leaning into me.

"Is something the matter, Isabella?" She whispered to me. I looked to see if Alice was listening in as well but She was on the far side of the table whispering into her husband's ear. "Your aura has darkened. Is there something I could do? Did I say anything out of line?"

I shook my head but refused to look at her and settled on focusing at the table top.

"No, you've done nothing wrong. But have I done something wrong to Hades?" I whispered. I was afraid of anyone else eavesdropping.

"Why would you ever ask such a thing?"

I swallowed and was silent before answering. "He doesn't talk to me much anymore. He hardly looks my way. I know I should hate him for dooming me to such a life but he shouldn't be so rude." I whispered even lower as I glanced his way again.

Before Carmenia could answer Alice plopped herself besides me and winked at her husband. "Did I miss anything interesting girls?" She giggled as she bit into a piece of bread.

"Nothing too interesting." I shook my head and sipped on some water.

"No, everything is fine." Carmenia responded as she patted hand one more time before quickly winking at me. Everything is fine. It certainly doesn't feel like it.


I made sure to be on time with Rosalie. I ate a quick breakfast and guzzled down cups of water so I could be awake and energized to see her. I could see her a few meters off as she left her hair loose while wearing n emerald green dress this time. The color only highlighting her golden curls.

"Hello, Rosalie." I said as I stopped beside her.

"My lady." She said with a soft bow of her head.

I shook my head. Dissatisfied with the greeting. "No formalities. Just Isabella. A normal girl."

I held my arm out towards the town and smiled softly. "Shall we?"

She nodded her head and we overlapped our arms and walked into the town. For a few minutes we walked quietly just looking at the people around us. A few people came up towards her and spoke some words to her. She smiled gently to them and conversed for a few minutes before saying goodbye and walking with me.

"You seem to know so many people. Are the people fond of you?" I asked.

After a minute of being quiet she finally nodded her head. "I know almost everyone here. I've been here for some time and after awhile we all get along. This is such a small town that it's kind of hard to ignore everyone here. I guess I care about everyone. We all care for each other. Which is partially the reason why I approached you so horridly yesterday."

"I am not offended. If anything I am in awe."

"Awe?"

"Yes," I replied as I looked at everyone around us, "You came to me and did not thinking of your own well being. You care about these townsfolk so much that you were willing to put your own life in danger. That is admirable indeed."

She did not look my way nor did her face change. But I did see an emotion pass in the corner of her eye. We were silent again. That is until Rosalie decided to ask me some questions. They weren't too evasive but I was not bothered. Glad she was getting to know me as well. After a few minutes and I felt her shoulders began to soften she asked me a personal question.

"How long have you been in the Underworld, Bella?"

I had to think about it for a couple minutes. It was a bit odd to be asked this question because everyone else knew how long I was there except me. "I believe I might have been her maybe 2 months. But to be honest I am not too sure." I looked at her and swallowed before asking, "How long have you been here?"

Without missing a step she proudly stated, "I have been here nearly twenty-seven years."

"Oh my!" I gasped and finally stopping my steps. "That is a mighty long time to be here. And yet you look not a day over nineteen."

"Why thank you. I pride myself on my looks." She giggled as she tugged my forward and I hesitantly followed. Confused as to why she would just brush off my surprise. "Sometimes I forget how much time flows differently here than on earth. Well not so much time itself but how we age. I am twenty-one and will stay tat way until I am grey and shriveled."

"You do not mind being here so long?" I almost whispered.

She shook her head and smiled at me. "I love being here. I am more happier here than back on earth. I would not change a thing."

"How..how did you come to be here?" I asked. She slowed her steps a bit and I wished I had kept silent.

"One day I will tell you my story ...but not today." She said with a finality in her voice but the smile did not leave her face. I nodded my head and decided to leave the topic. I would not push my new friend.

"So Rosalie...are you married?" I asked trying to find some softer subjects.

She smiled as if she held a secret and shook her head. "No, I am not. I work though."

"Really?" I asked, suddenly excited at meeting a working woman. There were not many people women who worked where I lived and I wished I could be one of them. "What do you do."

Her smile widened as she stopped us and gestured her hands in front of us. "Why Bella...I am a whore."

Shocked by her answer, I turned my eyes to the building in front of me. A two story stone building with a couple girls wearing dresses similar to Rose's leaned against the front and smiled flirtatiously to everyone around them. One woman with more yellow hair and a curvacious figure wore a purple dress. Her hair was in a curly up-do. Her breasts were almost springing out of her dress and she seemed to not care. Her face was slightly covered in make-up and her almond shaped blue eyes were cold although her gestures displayed fun and flirty. The other woman had hair like a blazing fire and was loose but not wild. She had round dark blue eyes She too had a figure but she displayed more of her thighs and legs instead of her breasts. She wore a green dress that really complimented her hair and pale skin.

"Oh." I responded after taking everything in. "I don't mind." I replied as I looked back at Rosalie. She shrugged her shoulders but I could see some tension come off of her. "But I don't understand." I continued and she cocked her head at me. "If this town is so small, why is there a brothel? Surely the wives would know you sleep with their husbands?"

She chuckled as she grasped my hand tighter and smiled at me. "Silly Bella. Not all of the men who come here are married. No, no, no. Most of our customers are warriors in the army."

"Really?" I was confused. "Do they not live in the town with everyone else?"

"No. Once a man devotes his life to the army he lives, sleeps, and eats there. However, they receive a pretty wage and are free to roam the town a few days a week. And most long to seek the company of a woman and divulge in wine." She giggled.

"All except for Emmett." A woman sneered and we both turned towards the woman in purple. Her eyes were not on us and her mouth was in a thin line. "Rosalie will hog him all to herself."

"Jealous much, Tanya?" Rosalie smiled back at her, nothing but pride seeping out of her.

"It's so frustrating when all you do is hog one man's attention and yet you get the largest sum. Victi and I can sleep with three men and still not make as much as you in one night."

"Well that is simple. I know exactly how to please a man and not appear desperate." Rosalie calmly replied as she raised her head higher and her smile deepened.

"Do not use my name in your rant, Tanya." The red haired woman responded, looking bored at her nails. "I am perfectly happy with my clientele."

"Oh stop. You only care that Evik and Tyer always come back to you. Once they realize that I am a better woman they will come crawling back to me!" Tanya yelled as she turned around and stomped inside the open doors.

Rosalie only shook her head as she turned us away from the building and walked back the way we came. I couldn't hold in my questions and asked her left and right. "So Emmett, the army's leader, is your client?"

"Yes, he is."

"Do you seek attention from anyone else?"

"No." The smile left her face and I was afraid I had offended her. "I was be a cold day int he Underworld before he beds another whore who is not me." She stated as she looked me in the eye. "Ever since I came here Emmett has been my client. He has bedded no other whore since I came and I have bedded no other man. He treates me well and I have nothing to complain about. He pays a big sum which helps to pay for my room, the wine, clothing, perfumes, and other trinkets." Her smile began to return the longer she spoke.

"Do you...do you love him?" I whispered almost wishing she hadn't heard me. We stopped abruptly and I knew she had.

"I..I..-" She stumbled with her words as a light pink dawned her upper cheeks. "He is a great client and that is all I will speak about the subject!" She quickly yelled out as she quickly pushed us forward.

I couldn't hold back a giggle but she heard me.

"So Isabella...do you love Hades?" She asked with a smile on her face.

"I...I...no no I don't." I responded but felt my face grow warm and I averted my eyes from her gaze.

"Mmm hmm." I heard her hum as we came to the town edge. It was almost time for me to leave but I was enjoying myself very much. I really hoped that me and Rosalie would have a beautiful friendship.

"Well, it is time for me to go." I sad as I unraveled my arm from hers and took a step forward.

"Yes. I only have a few hours to prepare for the night. I never know when Emmett will need my attention so I must always be ready." Rosalie sighed as she threw a long strand of hair over her shoulder.

"Can we do this again tomorrow?" I asked, like a small child asking for candy.

"Yes. I thoroughly enjoyed myself today Isabella." She replied with a warm smile and I returned it. We waved at each other and I turned to leave until I remembered something that I wanted to ask her.

"Umm...Rosalie?"

She stopped her walk and turned towards me.

"Umm...how do you keep a man's attention. You know...just for conversation purposes?" My words stumbled out as I fiddled with my fingers.

"It is simple. Smile at him and make your purpose known. But be sure to ask things about him. And don't be afraid to lightly touch his hand or arm." She said as she turned around and walked back to her home.


I was so nervous. I had bathed as soon as I came back tot he castle and I was dressed in a dark blue gown and I left my hair loose. I could not stop pacing the room as the time slowed to a snail's pace. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that the sound of a knock sounding throughout the room scared me and I squeaked. I cleared my throat and said to come in.

Hades stood there, freshly cleaned and dressed. My breathe and thoughts were gone in that instant.

"Come, Isabella. It is time for supper." He said as he began to turn around expecting me to follow him.

Give me strength.

I silently prayed as I took in a deep breath and let it out.

"No."

He stopped and turned to look back at me with a quizzical look in his eye.

"I wish to dine with you tonight. Alone."


I wanted this to be so long that it would leave you hungry for more. I surely hope that you all enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing this.

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