CHAPTER NINETEEN
True to their word, my parents allowed Bella and I to spend three days away in their small isolated house by the other side of the lake. Far away from the palace that we couldn't see anything for miles and even better, no one could hear us, which meant, no pillows for Bella's screams.
We were able to be ourselves. Just ourselves. Spending our time very similar to how we spent it at Bella's father's house. I was more turned on seeing the ring upon her hand. Knowing we were one step closer to our happily ever after.
Lying in bed with our bodies tangled with one another, we both watched as the fire danced on the logs a few feet away from us. I nuzzle my nose along the base of her neck and take a deep breath in. I love her scent and it never failed to calm me. She turns her face once more towards mine and her lips reach mine and I am awarded with a kiss.
"I know I should feel guilty. Emmett is only here for another week and I should be there with him, but I don't ever want to leave here," Bella said quietly.
"I know the feeling. When we go home, I will only have a few short days before I report for duty," I replied with a sad sigh.
"You sound as if you will be going back to the kitchen to wash dishes."
"It might be preferable," I muttered.
Bella turns her body to look at me.
"What has you so scared of parliament?" She asked. "I would think you would love to put your debating skills to the challenge. We all know I pose hardly a threat."
I kiss her for the compliment but then look away and think back to the last time I went with my father. I observed the inner workings of our government and remember how impressed I was with my father. I knew I was educated and intelligent, but I understood how ill-prepared I was for the world I would be stepping into. How was I going to be a decent king? How could I hold so many people's fates in my hand and not screw up their lives? The very idea terrified me to the core.
"It's okay Edward. You don't have to tell me about it." Bella sensed the war within. It occurred to me however that unlike the last time, I now had something I didn't have before.
I looked back down at her and ran my hand along her face.
"I was just thinking of how I felt the last time I was there. I remember feeling completely inadequate. My father made it all look so easy. There was a problem and he was wise to find its solution. Something that I would never have come up with. I'm scared of being a failure. I have nearly succeeded at every task I tackled…until I went with him to see how government was run. I felt lost. I decided to make take a trip as far away as I could to get from my future responsibility, so that is when I approached my parents on matriculating to Western Washington University. The funny thing was, I seemed to fail at nearly everything I did while in America…I mean the United States," I corrected myself quickly and Bella laughed.
"Well you didn't fail at everything…in the end you did get the girl," Bella teased.
"Exactly! Having you here is giving me the confidence I didn't have the first time around. You have no idea just how helpful it is to be able to talk to someone about this. Someone who knew me first as a nobody."
"Edward, I don't think it is possible for you to ever be a nobody. You were far too pushy for that. You will have a great deal of challenges ahead that you will face. It's okay to worry about how your decisions will affect the people. It's when you stop worrying, that is when you will truly lose yourself. Remember, you don't have to change the world in a day. You take all the time you need to come to a satisfying conclusion. If someone pushes you for a quick resolution, then you push back. You are the Prince of Caldonia. You will be king and the buck stops here," She said placing her hand on my chest over my heart.
"You have no idea how much I need you," I whispered. "Please don't ever leave me. I don't know how I could ever do this without you."
She rolled her eyes and looked away.
"Oh Edward, me? The embarrassment of the crown? Who can't even leave the palace unless it's under the cloak of night."
"You're not an embarrassment, Bella. There are just…"
"I know. Expectations," She replied solemnly.
It was then I realized how much I had hurt her by keeping to my mother's wishes and hiding her away from the public. Bella had been so amazing with everything we had thrown at her. Even though she didn't know all the rules and proper decorum, she still managed to be respectful and careful of her actions. She had done everything I had asked her. It wasn't fair how I had been treating her.
"Get up!" I ordered.
Bella looked at me confused.
"Get dressed!"
I untangled myself from her and jumped up from the bed. I pulled my boxers back on and went to find a sweater and pants.
"Edward…what are you doing?" Bella asked still laying naked on the bed.
"We're going out," I declared.
"No. We can't. You'll get in trouble. And then I'll get in trouble and somehow even though they are your parents, I'll end up grounded. Possibly to a nearby dungeon this time."
I pick up my phone and fire off a text message to Jasper.
"You have until Jasper gets here to find something to wear or else you will be introduced to the good citizens of Odesa, Caldonia wearing whatever you have on…even if it is nothing."
Bella jumped off the bed and grabbed a sheet to wrap around her.
"Edward, you're losing your mind. Do you want to be known as the mad king? Because I think that title was taken already," Bella said.
I pull at her sheet. "An unusual choice but maybe you can bring it back. People might think you're attempting to pay homage to the Greeks," I teased. "I would put a move on it if I were you. Jasper will be here in ten minutes, less if he takes the meaning of my text message as a threat."
Bella looks around in a panic.
"I don't even know what to wear…I need Angela…." She looks at me and then I see some fire in her eyes, "Dammit Edward! I used to be able to dress myself just fine. Now I have to have a lady's maid in order to make a simple decision."
I go over and grab a dress from the closet and push it at her.
"Gets a little addicting, doesn't it?" I asked rhetorically.
Bella looks at the dress and then looks back at me with a question in her eye.
"This is a really good choice. You sure you're not gay?"
I narrowed my eyes and begin to chase after her until she locks the bathroom door on me. I threaten her to get ready fast but then I back off because knowing Bella, if she is put under simple stress, it will result in an accident of some sort.
There is a knock at the door a few moments later and I go to open it and find a hostile looking Jasper outside.
"You can't go more than a few days without bringing discourse to the palace?" He asked.
"I'm doing the right thing. It is stupid to wait another month and a half before I can do anything outside the gates of the palace with Bella. She is my fiancé. Not my prisoner."
"Oh…I know. I'm the one who tried to get you to understand this nearly a week ago but this…isn't the way to go about it. Her Majesty will be most upset. There is a proper way to introduce a person to the public. If you go out there, Bella's introduction will be an array of tabloid pictures," Jasper said.
"I don't care. I'm tired of doing things the proper way. I think you and I can agree that bringing home an American who is prematurely knocked up is not proper in the eyes of the public. There is proper and then there is good. Bella is good for me. She is the very best part of me and I hope that everyone out there will see that when they look at us. I hope we are in a day in age where my betrothed is not expected to wear a chastity belt until our wedding night or even worse a veil as if she should be hidden away. There will be no consequences. It is time we start doing things my way."
Jasper looked down at his phone and then muttered, "I should have recorded that, so you can remind yourself of it when you finally see your parents."
Bella walked out looking the picture of perfection. Her hair was down, and she had one barrette pulling her bangs to the side. The dress I had picked out was pink and fell to just above the knee. She covered her legs in some thick tights tucked into short black boots.
"I didn't bring heels," Bella says standing awkwardly.
"You look perfect."
"Alice said that royal people always wear heels. I…never wear heels for obvious reasons. Besides the dancing thing, I'm probably most nervous about that part of my training," She replied using air quotes.
I go over and take her hand, "I wouldn't want you in heels. Most of the streets are cobblestone and I have enough trouble keeping you balanced. You look perfect!"
I run my hand over hers and notice her ring isn't there. I give her a questioning look.
"As much as I appreciate your lunacy, I think its best if I keep it off for this excursion," She says.
"I don't. Go get it," I replied.
"Edward," Bella says my name in warning. "Your mother will have a fit if you steel her thunder."
"I have to agree with her," Jasper pipes up.
"Stay out of it!" I demanded. I turn back to Bella, "Please go get the ring."
Bella stood there with an uneasy expression on her face as she bit her lip.
"You're my fiancé. It's time the world knew it!"
Bella turns around and goes toward the bathroom grumbling the whole way.
"I'm so going to be sleeping in the dungeon…DiCaprio. Man in the Iron Mask. Bella in the iron mask…"
I rolled my eyes and look back over to Jasper who seemed to being doing the same.
"She's right you know. Your mother will take this out on her, not you," he advised.
"No, she won't. Please keep your opinions to yourself from here on out."
We drove the short distance into the heart of town. Jasper parked the car and we all got out. I think the time being sequestered at the palace even though it had only been for a short time really influenced Bella. She looked around and seemed to cower, making her body as small as possible so she might not be noticed. I sighed because if I had been a stronger person, I would have told my mom from the beginning how ridiculous her expectation of Bella was a mistake. Bella should have been by my side at the Christmas Eve dinner and she shouldn't be made to feel lessor.
Bella looked at the building around her and began to take in the sights.
"Looking for the nearest bell tower to hide in?" I joked.
"You laugh now but it might be preferable than what is coming."
I groaned and took her by the hand.
"Nothing is going to happen! Trust me that I will take care of you," I huffed.
Her complete lack of faith in me was worrisome. Did she really think that I wouldn't stand up to my parents for her? I did when I told them about her pregnancy. Wasn't that good enough?
We walked toward the cute little city, looking for something I could show her. I could practically feel all her tension in her hand as we walked. Jasper too looked incredibly tense. There was a small street fair going on a block up and I thought it was perfect. What better way to introduce her to the fine people of our country.
As we approached, I began to see people's heads turn in our direction. The shock in their eyes and Bella tried to hide herself behind me but instead I pulled her along and went towards a food cart.
"Over here. You have to try this. It's one of our favorites in our country," I go over and pull out my wallet. "Two hot banana Carmel cremes."
I go to hand my money to the vendor and he holds his hand up.
"Please Your Highness, it would be my pleasure," he says as he hands the bowls over to me.
"Thank you! I appreciate that," I take the bill and place it in the tip jar instead and hand off one of the bowels to Jasper.
"Your Highness?" Jasper questions.
"Blend in, why don't you."
"I thought one of those was for me?" Bella asked interrupting Jasper and my squabble.
"I thought we would share. I know how uneasy your stomach is these days," I replied handing her the treat.
"Share?" Bella grumbled to herself and picked up the spoon to take the first bite. I eagerly waited for her assessment. I see her head begin to bob up and down as she chews and swallows the tasty dessert.
"This could work for me," She finally says.
"I told you it was good," I replied reaching out to take the bowl for my first bite, but she pulls it back.
"You're not taking this away from me!" Bella warned.
I give her an exaggerated sigh and look over to Jasper ready to take it back and he sees me eying the confection and quickly takes his first bite.
"Fine. Be that way," I grumbled.
"Can we go sit over there so I can eat this without getting it everywhere?" Bella asked. "It's sticky."
Jasper and I see a small table and chairs hidden in a corner away from the fair.
"I think that would be a tremendous idea," Jasper agreed quickly.
I looked between the two and stared them down. I knew exactly why Bella picked the hidden little bench to eat her treat. I pulled Bella off to the side of the street and Jasper hurried along. I waited until we were somewhere private before I gave them the speech.
"You both need to stop stressing out about my mother. We are fine. There will be no hiding behind bushes or in small corners. Trying to hold my left hand so you can put your left hand in your pocket. Cozy up to Jasper as to give off the wrong impression or any other shenanigans your twisted minds are attempting to concoct."
Bella and Jasper shared a long look between one another. Bella appraised me before speaking.
"How about…we walk five feet in front of you?" She offered.
"No," I replied.
"Five feet behind you?"
I shook my head.
"A shimmy to the left? A cha cha to the right. Jasper stands between us?"
I kept shaking my head.
"Is there no compromise in you? Honestly, this is not a way to begin a marriage," Bella said.
"I have to agree with her," Jasper added.
I sighed loudly and threw my hands up in the air. I turned around and looked at the busy street of people. All I wanted was to enjoy my outing with Bella, but my own mother was somehow blocking that from me.
"Jasper can walk beside you. We will hold hands," I compromised.
Bella cringed before taking another bite of her banana confection.
"How about a gentle brush of my hand on your back…every five or so minutes and I will even throw in…calling you Edward instead of Your Highness," Bella wagered.
"You will not be calling me Your Highness and if you do, I will take you straight to town center and kiss you in front of everyone. Now we done with this ridiculous compromise. You and I are going to act just as we are. Have I made myself clear?"
Bella and Jasper both looked annoyed. Bella finished up her dessert and tossed it in a nearby trashcan.
"Fine, let's get this over with," She grumbled taking off toward the street fair. I caught up with her easily and took her hand. I gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Bella, please stop worrying about my mother. I would like to think that this relationship is between you and me. I will deal with her. You have nothing to worry about," I said once again.
"Well, I sure hope you're right because I am about one scandal shy of deportation," Bella huffed.
It took a little time but after an hour or so, Bella seemed to relax even if my trusty sidekick hadn't. I could see Jasper checking his phone every few minutes. I was sure that by now someone would have spoken to my mother of our whereabouts.
Bella, after she was able to relax seemed to love the outing. I watched as she danced from booth to booth marveling at the goods that the people had come to sell. She attempted to use her own money, but I was quick to pay for her trinkets. She gave me an annoyed expression but wouldn't fight me on it. The public probably saving me from her condemnation. I'm sure she would say something to me when we arrived back home. Which I was sure would turn into a fight when I finally handed her a card with her name upon it linked to my personal accounts. Bella did love a good compromise so perhaps I needed to find something she wanted and that would be my way to get her to accept the card I had made for her.
"Edward," Jasper said my name in warning. "I believe that your presence is being requested."
"I know. I know," I grumbled. "We're not ready to leave however so you'll have to tell whomever you are communicating with that they need to have patience.
"What's going on?" Bella asked overhearing us.
"It's nothing, my love." I reached out to take the scarf she had in her hands, "Is this the one you would like?"
"Edward," Bella said my name with the same tone Jasper had used. "We have to go, don't we?"
"No…" I began to say.
"Edward, you don't have to prove anything here. I know you love me. I know you aren't ashamed of me, but I think you are here right now for the wrong reasons. You want to push your mother and I don't want to be the reason your relationship is strained. She is your mother. I would hope that this baby wouldn't feel the need to disrespect me someday just to prove something to the person they love. Can we just go?"
I sighed and looked around. I began to think how the fated confrontation would go when I arrived back home. I didn't want to disrespect my mother, but she needed to understand that my life wasn't for her to control. I was a grown man who was living up to the many expectations set before me. But, I didn't want Bella kept stashed away any longer.
I took Bella's hand and headed toward the direction of the car. Jasper following closely behind. No one said a word as I drove back towards the palace. Our little hideaway at my parent's cabin growing farther away as I knew that we would have to go back to being Prince Edward and Isabella once again.
I took Bella's hand and walked through the back door and there was my mother. Obviously alerted to our impeding arrival. Jasper quickly made himself scarce and Bella immediately dropped my hand.
"He did it!" Bella held up her hands in surrender and blamed me without a thought in her head.
I rolled my eyes and gave her a look. "Thank you for the solidarity. You know, I too have the power to throw you in the dungeon."
Bella's mouth dropped in offense.
"Isabella, would you give us a moment?" My mother asked calmly.
Bella went to leave but I reached out and grabbed her hand.
"Whatever you have to say, you can say it to the both of us. We are not going to hide our love any longer. I know we didn't do ask you requested but Bella is my fiancé. Not some hunchback you can shove up in a bell tower. There are a great many expectations that are set for us and we will do them with honor and respect for the crown, but we aren't going to hide who we are."
My mother stood there with a strained expression on her face as she appraised us without a word. Bella stepped forward and released my hand.
"I understand that you are concerned because I have not been properly prepared to act correctly in society. If it pleases you, I will meet with Rosalie first thing tomorrow so that it would bring you some relief. I will work hard if it keeps the peace in the house. I don't want to be the cause for any animosity between you and your son," Bella stated.
My girl, ever the peace maker. My mother seemed to soften a smidge.
"That would be helpful, Isabella. I appreciate it. But please forgive me if you believe that you are the reason for the strain in my relationship with my son. I am sure that this hostility is coming from a different place," My mother replied.
"What do you mean?" I asked furrowing my brow as I had not the foggiest idea what she was talking about.
"I believe you think your father and I are monsters for bequeathing this destiny upon you when I birthed you. You have been fighting it in little ways your whole life and now that you have Isabella here growing your child, the possible next king after you, you find yourself abhorrent at the very idea of bestowing such a hardship upon your unborn child when you yourself aren't entirely sure you would want the honor if given the chance at a different life," my mother said.
I slowly shook my head, "That's…ridiculous."
Bella took my hand and gave it a squeeze.
"I think you and I both know that she is right. Even when you were just Edward and I was just Bella back in Washington, it was something that even I could see. I think for the sake of your relationship with your parents, you need to ultimately decide whether you want to continue with the plan or turn down the crown once and for all and give it to Rosalie. Either way, you know I will support you. But once you make that decision, you can't keep being upset for something your parents had no control over. Embrace your destiny or choose another path but stop using our relationship as a reason to fight your parents."
"Bella…" I began to say but I was at a loss for words. It sounded like she was siding with my mother. What was going on? Did my mother somehow turn Bella against me?
"Bella, would you care to join me for tea?" My mother asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Bella dutifully replied.
I stepped in front of Bella's path.
"I want to speak with you," I demanded.
Bella gave me an odd smirk questioning my tone.
"I think it would be wise if you took a moment for yourself to ponder your life choices. You need to let go of your anger. I don't know why you're being so hostile. I will see you in an hour, Edward."
And with that, Bella walked away with my mother.
Bella said she left me to ponder my life choices but all I could think about was how my mother seemed to have Bella wrapped around her finger. I knew there was something going on. There was no way my mother and father would take to Bella so easily especially when she was carrying a baby. All my life I was told that we were held to a higher standard. I couldn't make a face in public because it would be disrespectful to the people. I couldn't earn a substandard grade because perfection was demanded. I even had to keep my hair to a certain length and face cleanly shaven. Bella was everything that they would hate. An American for starters. A girl who was not properly groomed for society. Pregnant. Middle class. No reputable family to speak of. And since she dropped out of college, she wasn't even highly educated. I knew the list my parents were making of all of Bella's shortcomings. There was no way they would ever approve of her, so they must be up to something. After Bella had her tea, I would get to the bottom of it.
AN: Apologies for the late submission. I've been down with the flu and having to work full time so I'm dying. I know it was wicked for me to end the last chapter on that note. I'm sure you won't know what hit you in the coming chapters. All I can say is that it was the hardest chapters I have ever had to write. Thank you for your loyalty to this story. Till next time...
Disclaimer: STORY IS MINE. CHARACTERS BELONG TO STEPHENIE MEYER.