Your Princess is in Another Castle

Chapter Two: The Breaking

The first day of Bella's unwilling imprisonment she spent crying. She grieved for all the things she had lost. Her freedom, her possible future, and her happy marriage to Edward. There was no telling when she would next see him and she dreaded being used as a pawn in some monster's machinations to hurt him.

Once her tears had dried and she felt more at ease, she immediately began to plan a method of escape. Bella was scrappy. She may wear the facade of being a lady but she had grown up climbing trees, and fishing and hunting with her father when her mother had passed away. And she probably would have no idea of how to act like a proper woman if father hadn't hired a governess to pound the virtues and manners into Bella's head in time for her marriageable years.

Bella would not simply sit around and wait for Edward to fall into a trap of the monsters making no matter how easy it would be to do that. She would get out of this situation herself and then report back to her husband to be and together they would combat these monsters away.

She took stock of her surrounding room. It was lavish, with a four poster canopy bed, drawers full of elegant dresses in her size- a horror to even consider how they knew her measurements- along with some feminine products such as makeup that she could use, and her luggage standing in the corner untouched. They certainly had not wanted for anything and it seemed James was true to his word on making her as comfortable here as possible. It was almost strange to see a monster with such manners. If not for the way his fingers had wrapped around her throat, she would think him incapable of hurting anyone for his appearance was deceivingly human as was his body language.

He had also imparted that she was free to explore the castle when the whim struck her. If that was the case than that meant she would be able to understand the layout of the grounds and find weak points from which she could escape without having to worry about being followed. Additionally, she would be able to garner supplies for her hasty escape.

Thus, on the second day of her imprisonment, bolstered and assuaged by her own scheming, she gathered herself and made herself look presentable before she opened up the door of her room. Outside it was much brighter, light filtering in through the slotted windows. The halls were silent and no one was around, so tentatively, Bella exited and began to walk quickly, trying to take in everything at once about her surroundings.

"I see you have finally stopped your wretched crying."

A crystal voice startled Bella, turned her heart into a fleeing rabbit. She swiftly turned on her heel to see the red haired monsteress from before. Victoria, she had been called. She was still wearing those tight pants from before, but the shirt was a different color this time. It was black like sin. That was an adequate term for this woman. Body and face tempting to evil. Bella found herself unable to tear her gaze from her, drinking in her edges and curves. The tears and fears from yesterday had clouded her mind to this woman's beauty but not now. Bella immediately felt self conscious, felt like her reputed beauty among the royalty was faux and even more so knowing her eyes were puffy and nose red from her mourning.

It took a longer time than Bella would hasten to admit to look away from her.

Where had she even come from? The halls had been clear and she had been so silent in her appearance. And good lord, she had heard Bella's crying?

"Tis rude to listen in on a lady's lamentations," Bella stammered out, increasingly nervous in the monster's presence and gangrenous at having her agonies heard cast out to salt stained sheets and thick stone and mortar walls. Victoria's lips stretched out. It seemed she had taken pleasure in Bella's sour mood, at her weeping weakness.

It made Bella irked to see her suffering was amusing yet she would do well to keep her sharp words to herself for now. She was alone with Victoria and she knew from James' lack of full trust in her that she had done something very wrong, something harmful to some past people.

Bella could not trust any of them. They could easily bend her in between their fingers; Bella had seen James' speed and strength first hand and no doubt Victoria had the same abilities tucked inside that lithe body of her's. But she could not trust Victoria most. There was just something about Victoria that made Bella more uneasy than she had felt with James.

He was human for most of his interactions, even if his flesh did stretch oddly against his skin like it was attempting to hold back some ferocity from arising. Victoria was not like that. Even simply being around her made the hairs on the back of Bella's neck stand up, made her uneasy. The red headed woman did not attempt to play at human for Bella's sake. Caged energy radiated off of her, warned those around her to run.

Did she even know what she could do, or what she was doing to Bella?

The other woman strode forward one step and Bella instantly faltered back. The woman's lips grew into a delighted smile at the human's apparent fear and distrust of her. "It is impossible to not listen in when your caterwauling fills the halls and pierces my ear drums so. I hear everything, and I see everything." She took another step forward and Bella's back hit the wall in her struggle to move away. "Where are you off to little one?" Victoria inquired, tilting her head predator like, eyes glimmering hungrily for information and maybe something else.

"James said I would be allowed free roam of the castle." Bella was proud of the way her voice did not waver even as her heart beat like a gazelle racing away from a cheetah.

Yes, that is what Victoria reminded her of. A big cat, straight from the barbarian wilds of the safari. Bella had once seen a cheetah when she was ten. An exotic circus was making way through Europe, carrying all manner of beasts never seen before. Bella had been entranced and scared at the same time. Elephants as tall as houses, giraffes with oddly long but limber necks, hippos as wide and fat as mountains and cheetahs as fast as the wind itself.

Those cats had been the most stunning. Beautiful, regal and proud of the spots that tarnished their coat like stained reminders of the murders they committed in order to eat. And when they had been fed...that had been a spectacle. They had hunted down the poor rabbits one by one, tearing them asunder, blood spraying everywhere. And then fed, they had rested lazily in pools of blood and lifeless flesh.

Victoria was like those cheetahs and Bella those rabbits. Cornered but in trance. Bella's eyes could not resist Victoria's form, those piercing red eyes that targeted her.

No, the monster had to know she had this affect on people. It had to be schooled and perfected. No one, human or not, could exhume such a chilling yet elegant aura.

"That is true, however, you are invited to dinner with him currently. Thus you are not free to explore now." Victoria was speaking, eyes now alight with some other emotion. Bella couldn't read it.

"I am not hungry," Bella insisted even if she was. She was afraid to trust what they put in their food here. For all she knew they could be feeding her human meat.

Victoria shook her head. "There is no debate. You are to sup with him. I know you must be starved too. Do not try to lie to us." She held out a hand with pale slender fingers and Bella gulped but anxiously accepted it for she knew to reject it would only lead to backlash. They may act courteous for now but she knew to anger them purposelessly would bring out their darker nature and she wanted to exit this castle in one piece. Victoria's hand was cold like James' and Bella again wondered what manner of creature they were.

All she knew was that they enjoyed blood, and were pale with red eyes and super speed and strength. Her mind said demon but she knew that not to be true anymore. They had not entered contract with her and every person knew that demons wanted contracts so they could claim the souls of others.

On edge, she traversed the many confusing and winding halls until they reached the dining hall which Bella had occupied two days ago. A place was set for her, James already in his chair, glass of red in his hand.

"Lovely to see you, Lady Isabella. Come. Sit. We have much to discuss." Victoria departed at this, slinking off into the shadows of the dim castle while Bella cautiously sat down. The meal looked delightful and smelled heavenly. But should she chance eating it?

James watched Bella's internal struggle with the food in amusement, his red eyes glittering. "It is not poisoned, you know. What would be the point of killing you when I need you so ardently."

"You stated mere days ago you would kill me if Edward did not suit to your tastes," Bella snapped back. She loathed feeling on edge, like she was balancing precariously on a wire above a high ground and any moment she could tip over if she did not match her movements carefully. She did not like this constant paranoia; it grated on her soul, made her weary and old. She just wanted to be home, in Edward's arms already.

"And we have a lot of time 'til then, so do not hold back. Eat. Only the finest cuts of meat for you." His tone was jovial and light and Bella let out a small sigh. If she was to escape before then, then she needed her strength. She dug into the meal and sighed out in bliss at the taste exploding in her mouth. It was very good but she would never let the monster know that.

He watched her eat with almost a rapt jealousy. "Is eating really that amazing of an experience?" he asked after a short while and she paused in query. "Can you not eat?"

"It has been centuries since I last could. Eating now only causes me discomfort. And it all tastes like ashes on my palette." He sat up at this, leaning forwards toward her. "Do you wonder what it is I am?"

"I do," Bella admitted as she cut delicately into what tasted to be lamb marinated in plum sauce. "But I fear to know at the same time."

"We are creatures of the night. Those who sustain themselves off of the life force of others." He raised his half full glass to her and Bella felt her stomach churn. That was not wine, but blood. Human blood. And he was drinking it right before her. She pushed her plate away, feeling ill once more.

"You take human life," she curled her lips in disgust. "Monsters of the highest caliber."

He gave a laugh at this, so loud and unexpected it startled Bella once more. "Then humans are surely monsters too if that is your definition. For do not humans take life as well?"

Bella bit her tongue because she did not know what to argue upon this point.

His pale features were smug in their victory. Standing up, he began to pace on his side of the room and brown eyes followed him.

"I know you are still in the dark on many matters. So let me have the pleasure of enlightening you." He took a sip here of his drink before he set it down and settled down by the fire place, watching the cold embers there. "Your betrothed Edward and his father the King Carlisle, are leading a secret war against my kind. This war has been going on for Eons and has been passed down from grandfather to father to son to grandson- and it has always been the duty of the Cullen coven to do this, to hunt down my kind. Edward is the youngest of the line and he has been traveling the world with his knights and smoking us out before killing all of us indiscriminately. So far, the majority of us have been able to avoid him and his larger efforts by gathering into this one city and living among humans as a cover. Humans that co-exist with us happily."

Bella was silent as the monster spoke, surprised that her husband to be would do such a thing. He was not a fighter but a lover- but his long absences and trips all over the world did correspond with what James was saying. It lead Bella to wonder...

"I am the King of my people here, a people that seeks to live peacefully. We do not harm and kill humans, but make friends with them. We have a special system we built in order to make amicable relations. We protect the humans from outside wars and use our super strength and senses in helping with their labor. And in exchange, they donate blood to us, or give the blood of their animals. We have a system that works, yet your betrothed does not understand us. He thinks we have corrupted the humans and he will come to siege our lands and kill both us and the people who have protected us, who have called us brothers."

James voice became more emotional, eyes turning dark. "We were once human too. We did not wish for this curse but we must live with it. And your prince Edward," spat mockingly here, "Would not let us. We wish to avoid war and unnecessary bloodshed. We only want peace. And that is where you come in, princess. With you ransom, Edward will have to think twice on my offers now. He will not say no."

While the monster's story is moving, this is not Bella's problem. "I cannot condone your actions. If your species has such an evil reputation to warrant being killed off than certainly it is not false?"

"No, there are exceptions," James conceded. "But my kingdom is not the populace that is vile and feared. We seek reformation in our trust in God and his goodness. Those others are wild and rampant and would seek to give into their base desires. The beast in us can be controlled. But only if one is strong enough."

Bella shook her head here. "I know you are trying to persuade me to your side so I may in turn persuade Edward-"

"And that is where you are erroneous," James cut in. He stepped away from the fireplace and planted his hands on the table next to the princess. His red eyes bored down. "It is only he who needs to be swayed. You are but collateral, though I admit I was hoping we could exchange barbs and witty conversation. The castle does get dull when all your company is dead."

Bella shivered at his words but said nothing more. He leaned back and folded his arms behind his back. "I will see you tomorrow for dinner. Do not be late."

Victoria reappeared and brought Bella back up to her room. The princess was left with nothing to do but think on the monster's words. He had made him and his kind sound human and Edward evil for not wanting to spare this kingdom. Bella's heart was in a twist. She naturally felt for other's pains and worries and this was making her rethink certain things.

She shook her head. No, she would not allow that vile man to make her mind darken towards her loved one. He could be lying for all she knew. She had to strengthen her resolve and continue looking for ways to escape.

The third day of her wrongful imprisonment, Bella woke up early to the morning light and getting dressed, she left her room to continue upon her plan of exploring the castle. She had no idea how many floors there were here, or how many rooms, and so she needed to catalog them and find the perfect place to seek her respite.

But it was slow going. She was wary, felt like a pair of eyes were always on her yet every time she would glance back nothing would be there. So she would rub the back of her neck uncertainly and push away the silly notion that someone or something was following her. Before dinner time arrived, she was able to explore only the west wing of the floor she was on. This area was dusty and had a homely feel to it, like it was a place where one could study and read books by the light of the fireplace as they enjoyed their tea.

There also was a massive library here, one that Bella almost succumbed to. Books were her weakness. Not many knew how to read and to be able to do so was a privilege of being a princess. Bella could understand Latin, French, as well as a bit of Spanish. She would no doubt love to read all the books here, some ancient and moldy and others new with shine, and some she had never heard of before, with others being popular books of their time. There were so many here, shelves reaching the cavernous ceiling, that she doubted she'd ever finish them in her life time.

But the trailing of her fingertips on the spines of the book was ended when Victoria arrived silent as death itself. Bella jumped, pressing a hand to her chest and scowling. She swore Victoria was doing this on purpose.

This time the woman had a vest thrown on top of her cream shirt, the top three buttons undone and revealing a smooth expanse of skin. Bella had to tear her eyes from there, from wondering how her skin was so porcelain clear. Many times Bella's own skin had been called the purest of pure but in comparison to Victoria, it was laughably muddled.

Again Bella was struck with an agonized jealousy and admiration for this terrifying woman. And yet again she was forced to draw herself out of it.

"It is time for supper," Victoria announced, red eyes flicking over Bella's form with interest, especially in the jumping pulse from Bella's still spooked heart.

"Right," Bella nodded her head and picked up her skirts, accepting Victoria's hand. She wondered why Victoria never wore dresses, why she felt the need to garb herself in men's attire. Bella was never good with filtering her words though she had been trained to hold her tongue as it was not lady like. She figured she had nothing to lose here, for what did she care about offending monsters?

"Why trousers and no dresses?" burst from her pink lips and Victoria inclined her head to look on at Bella in consideration.

"Do I offend your tastes by not dressing as the fairer sex?" Victoria inquired, tone slightly defensive.

"No, I was merely curious. I was fond of trousers as well until I had to get married," Bella offered.

Victoria studied her, wondering if the princess's words were sincere before she sighed. "I merely feel more comfortable in such attire. It is not like I am to be married soon like you."

The answer was not full. Bella could tell Victoria was holding information back but Bella did not press more. She felt like a lot had been asked of Victoria to even divulge this.

"Princess Isabella," James greeted once more when she arrived, Victoria departing. He had another glass of red in his hand and she ignored the truth of it. She had to eat to keep up her strength. Today's dish looked scrumptious as well.

"Good afternoon," she responded with, sitting down at the table. "And please, do me the pleasance of addressing me simply as Bella." She despised her full name ever since her mother had passed away.

He gave her an arched brow in response. "Bella. Hmmm, I see. Whatever pleases my lady."

"Leaving here would please me immensely," she retorted without missing a beat as she unfolded her cutlery from her napkin.

"But it's a comfort I cannot provide," he said more calmly. "Really, you are an honored guest here. Many would kill to be treated the way you are."

"By having their freedom shackled and being kept from their loved ones and family? Yes, I can imagine many princesses scrambling for this high honor," Bella mocked, snorting in a decidedly unladylike manner. It might be that she saw James as a lesser treat that she thought she could get away with such behavior. She was quickly amended.

He slammed his hands onto the table top, startling her. "I will not let you mock me. Whether you like it or not, I am your host and as such you will abide by my rules. Do not tip my hand."

His eyes looked feral, flashing blood.

A shiver of fear crawled down her spine but she would not give. She had to keep up her bravery.

"And if I tip your hand?" she questioned, wanting to know to what levels he would stoop to.

"You do not want to find out," he said and swiveled on his heel as he swiftly exited.

It seemed dinner was over. Bella's stomach grumbled in protest at only being able to take three pitiful bites before Victoria's hand descended onto her naked shoulder.

It was cold and unexpected and it made Bella jump in her skin.

"Dinner is over. Best catch your rest," the crystal voice insisted and Bella was guided once more to her room.

The rest of the week fell into a recognizable pattern. Bella would wake up early in the morning, eat the food that had appeared in her room overnight as breakfast, and then be on her way to explore the castle. It was a vast place and empty. Bella never ventured upon another living soul in her time here. Not even a single servant. The only other person Bella had ever seen was Victoria and even she was not to be found until dinner time when she would come to escort Bella to dinner with James.

Dinner was an interesting affair. After James's outburst yesterday, he apologized, saying he was upset by her rude behavior but he should have been better adept at handling it rather than releasing his anger on her.

Bella had accepted his apologies and relented on pushing her topic of freedom, instead engaging with him in intelligent intercourse. The two of them would debate topics such as the mortality of life, of what made good and what made evil, of the secret war between the Cullen's and the monsters. Despite everything, Bella came to enjoy them for James was smart and conversation flowed easily between them like it did with Bella and Edward. Edward, who she dreamed and worried over. Did he know she was missing? Right now would be the time she would be at the castle he owned in Germany, surely word must be getting out about her delinquent carriage.

She was still in disbelief over the war, so James was forced to show her things. He took her out on a stroll through the village in the late afternoon. There, she met townsfolk and monster alike, indeed working together and even laughing together over a pint of mead. She saw how humans donated blood to the monsters and how the monsters ploughed the lands easily in exchange.

It was mind boggling how this could occur in tandem but she had no choice but to believe James now for this easy camaraderie could not be forced through fear or coercion just for her own benefit. These monsters truly were trying to be good, to reverse their cursed nature. That beggared the question then about the Cullen's and their rich monster slaying history.

"I do not think any less of Edward. He is still a good man in my eyes. Surely there was a reason for him keeping this secret from me, just as there is reason he fights these monsters. Perhaps the ones who are not under your rule are vile and must be vanquished but if he were to see what I saw he would reconsider. Because he is a good man." She could not stress that part enough. She was sure he would see reason.

James was skeptical to Edward's character. "A man does not grow up innocent in a household that prides itself on shedding blood. But I do hope he will see the light like you have and that he will leave us alone."

"Then why not let me go?" Bella asked, hopeful. Maybe this time if James saw she was pliant to his and his kinds plight... "If I tell him the truth-"

James laughed richly at this, making Bella's cheeks color in anger at being dismissed. "This is war and in war there must be upperhands and you, dear princess, are my upperhand. I cannot let you go on the good will that Edward will change his mind. I will give you over when peace talks can commence and a treaty has been writ. Not till then."

Bella pouted. She would find a way out of here, and if the easy way would not work, than she would try the harder option and she was ever the closer to getting it. Freedom tickled at her fingertips, licked at her heels. Soon she would be by her love's side. She dreamed of reuniting with him, of seeing that quirked smile when he saw her.

"My Bella," he would say. "My beautiful Bella."

At the end of the week the dinners came to a conclusion for it turned out James was traveling in order to seek Edward. "I will not hurt him, for if I did it would hurt you," he promised Bella. "You are an interesting human. One that I have never seen catch on so quickly in understanding our plight. We need more open minded people like you. Stay inside the castle and fear not for if your prince is as good as you claim him to be he shall be knocking at your door with open arms to embrace you."

Bella nodded her head but said nothing more. Now was her chance. In the morning she would be gone.

She packed a satchel and wrapped herself in a dusty old cloak she had found in one of the abandoned study's in the castle. A lot of the residency was covered in thick layers of dust like it had been forgotten. Bella had explored every nook and crevice and that was how she found a secret exit down one side of the castle. She took it that morning. Tiptoeing and peering over her shoulder every couple of seconds, she was able to at long last flee the stone walls. Her heart swelled in joy and she bravely went over the bridge that separated this castle from the road to town, luckily meeting no opposition.

Walking there took until midday which had Bella tired. Hugging the hood over her face tighter so no one could recognize her from her earlier visit by James side to this village, she bought a horse with the coin the monsters had let her keep. They had not taken anything from her original luggage but just carried it up to her room and so now she had the finances she would need for this trip.

Foolish beasts, she thought. I may feel pity for you and understanding, but I do not wish to be your pawn or at your mercy.

She had not ridden horseback in a while, but it was a discomfort she would bare until she could get to Edward's castle. It would be a three day trip and would most likely entail sleeping in the woods at night and rationing the meager meals she had packed for herself. But nothing could get in the way of love.

The three days of travel dragged on, Bella used to the comforts of a carriage but too desperate and too poor currently to hire one. She was cold, weary, and hungry most of the time. Her horse too looked downtrodden and it lagged, forcing her to take steady breaks until the horse could run a bit longer. She had never been to his castle in Germany, but she had his instructions ingrained into her head. When she got to the crossroads, she took the path less traveled that diverged into two, one more used and the other over grown with shrubs. She took the shrubby path, dress getting snagged on the low branches. She wished she had better attire for this, but all she had were her dresses and heels. Heels she had discarded days ago so she could have better grip riding.

A castle emerged over the crest of a hill and Bella couldn't be happier. She had made it. She had outsmarted the monsters and soon she would be safe in a warm castle full of humans, full of faces that would help her. She urged her tired horse on, and as if sensing her exuberance, the horse speed up, getting her across the long winding stone path up.

When she got to the gate she saw it was already open and there were no guards to greet her. How strange. Where were they?

She dropped off of her horse's back and tied the reins to a nearby fence post before walking up to the castle doors which were slightly ajar. Another strange detail that warranted her caution. Experimentally she pushed the doors further open, ears pricked for any sounds. But the entrance hall was empty.

This was most strange indeed. She felt an eerie shiver creep down her spine. "Hello? Is anyone here?" She walked in a bit farther, steps muffled by thick carpet as her greeting was swallowed up by the vacancy of the halls.

"Were you expecting someone?" a smooth voice came from above her. Bella craned her head up, doe eyes going big as she took in the speakers arrival, one that had them walking from where they had been standing on the wall as casually as one would on the ground. "Well, do not continue to wait. They've all run away when they saw the big bad monster arrive." She snapped her teeth in demonstration and by the lord they were sharp, canines protruding downwards. They were sharp enough to slice open flesh and take the blood underneath.

"V-victoria!" Bella stammered, launching away from her like a frightened rabbit from a trap. "H-how- what?" She stumbled over her own words, back colliding harshly with the stone wall.

"Did you not remember? I hear and see everything," she reminded. "Did you honestly think I didn't know what you were up to?"

Victoria did not look amused. Her eyes were glittering coals, lips tight and eyes narrowed. When her foot touched the ground she blurred over to Bella, hovering over her, barely an inch of space between them. Bella could feel the malice dripping off of her like rainwater from a gargoyle after a vicious storm had passed. "What the sard was going through your puny human mind that you decided to escape the castle?"

Bella gasped at the scalding tone and vulgar language used. "You will mind your tongue," she shot back because she needed to buy herself some time to wrestle her way out of this situation. Victoria slammed the wall behind her so hard stone crumbled, the boom of the impact echoing throughout the hall. That frightened Bella.

"Do not dare speak back to me, queynte. James gives you freedom to roam his castle and this is how you repay him? By running away the moment he steps foot out of his castle?" She brought her face closer and Bella jerked hers away, fearful pants exiting her throat. But even in this dire state she could not help but notice the honeysuckle scent that wafted up from Victoria, something so delicate for someone so fierce.

Bella had to be brave. Brave. She reached for the cross she carried under her dress that hung from around her neck. She needed God's strength right now. "I never wanted to be part of your plan. I never agreed to be stripped of my rights."

"You do not have a choice in the matter. Not when your man slaughters us and torments us for wanting to live humanely. For wanting to have a simple sliver of our humanity back."

"I know you might not be as evil as depicted, but that does not mean I want to be involved in your schemes. And it certainly does not show your good will by keeping me imprisoned." She stuck her chin up, hoping it did not waver, and hoping to look Victoria more evenly in the eye. The woman was a good head taller than her.

"I am not in the mood to listen to your twisted tongue. You are going back with me and that is final." She grabbed Bella roughly by the arm, pulling her out the castle and to where her horse was no longer standing but lying in a dried pool of its own blood.

"My-my steed! You killed him!" she hissed, angered. She tried to pull herself from Victoria's grasp but to no avail.

"I could not risk you running away. And, I was hungry. Traveling this far this quickly made me famished. The least I could do was have a snack on your consent-less behest."

"Who harms a poor defenseless horse!" Bella continued to squirm. "He did nothing to you!"

"Silence!" Victoria growled. "I grow weary of your plaintive cries." She swung Bella into her chest and it felt like falling onto ice, skin radiating pure cold. Bella tripped over her own feet and landed on her. She was just about to push away when she felt an arm swoop under her and lift her up. And then, she was airborne.

It was a disorienting thing, being carried at the speed with which Victoria ran. At first, Bella had no concept of what was occurring. Everything was a blur around her, sound warbled and distorted around her ears. She had never gone this fast before, even on a horse, and she felt weightless and scared, grabbing hold of the only thing steady under her which was Victoria. She was the one constant in this, red hair streaming behind her, eyes intense on their destination.

When the surroundings got too disorienting to Bella, she hid her face within the monster's chest and held on tight to her neck, praying she would get their swiftly and safely.

Eventually the two of them began to slow down, though Victoria relayed no signs of tiredness. It was merely because they had arrived. The trip that had taken Bella three days by horse had taken Victoria half an hour.

Unbelievable.

Remarkable.

Set up on her feet, Bella grew dizzy and rested a hand on Victoria to steady herself. Now she understood how Victoria had gotten to the castle before her. But how had she know when Bella was leaving? Bella had always been alone save for the meals. So how?

She could heartily guess Victoria would not spill her secrets anytime soon.

"As punishment, you are to remain in your room for as long as I deem necessary," Victoria continued. They had arrived in front of Bella's bedchambers.

"You cannot do that to me!" Bella squirmed and protested, fighting in an unladylike manner. "James said I was free to roam the castle grounds as I pleased."

"That was before you decided upon that pitiful escape method," Victoria pushed Bella into the room harshly and slammed it shut, bolting it from the outside.

Infuriated, Bella pounded upon the door until her hands were sore. "I will escape. Mark my words!"

There was no answer from Victoria. She was already gone.

A/N: I used some medieval words in this story to try and make it more authentic to it's time period. As always, leave me your thoughts.

Sard= fuck

Queynte=cunt