CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

My confidence began to wane as my deadline grew closer. After the fireworks went off at midnight and the chimes from the great clock rang throughout, I had one happy kiss and then the next morning, it began to set in. I spent the whole day in my study as I researched and began writing my speech. With Bella off with Rosalie, I was happy that I was distraction free. A couple of times I had to stop myself from going and seeking out my father's advice and help. I needed to do this myself. To know that if I was successful, I would then believe that the path destiny sent me on was possible. If I succeeded with my father's help, I would always wonder if I didn't have what it took to be the next king.

I didn't sleep the night before. I spent it going over and over my points to ensure that if I were to become flustered while in the round, I would be able to find my way back. The round is what we called it. The Upper and Lower houses were set in a round theatre in the Veritas Plaza, modeled after the great Arthur legend. To go to the "round" meant that you would take up a position on the stage surrounded by the whole of parliament to make your case. It was said to help bring transparency. It left a person venerable with the hope that one could not hide if one was being watched on all sides. I myself had never been to the round.

"Can I ask you an honest question?" I said to Bella as she laid in my arms early the morning of my speech.

"Of course," She replied. "I will even disregard that you just asked me an honest question."

I gave her a squeeze and she looked up at me serious.

"Do you hope it's a boy or a girl?" I asked.

Bella shook her head slightly.

"This is what you are wondering about? With…you know on the horizon. Your big speech," she said.

"I need to keep my mind off of it. It's something I have been wondering. I believed it would be the perfect distraction. If anyone could distract me, it would be you," I replied.

She gave a knowing smile and took a breath.

"I guess I kind of hope for a girl. And not because I want to dress her in frilly outfits and braid her hair. I think I would feel better about this whole thing if I wasn't quite possibly carrying the someday King of Caldonia."

That was why I asked for an honest question. It was something I thought about too.

"I don't want you to have to feel you betrayed your country and your people if the heir that would sit on the throne were to be…unfair. We can…try and try and try as many times as it takes to make a boy. I hope that doesn't sound stupid."

I shook my head slightly.

"No, it doesn't. I love you so much for feeling that way. That you would be worried of such a thing but please…if we find out that it is a boy, please know that I will love him and teach him to be the best king he could be. That even the genetic lottery chose right. He will be the fair heir to the throne because destiny has seen to our lives weaving together to allow this to happen. It will be okay, Bella. Please believe that."

"Have faith in you?" She wondered. "How could I not."

It wasn't but a few minutes after that Seth came to help me prepare myself. Bella left to go to her suite and prepare for Rosalie. Who, hadn't said an unkind word according to Bella.

I wanted a shot of something but knew my father would kill me if he smelled alcohol on my breath. When I was dressed in my crisp navy suit and ready to leave, Bella came and gave me one last kiss before my departure.

"Just remember Edward, you don't have to change the world in a day," She told me softly. "I love you."

"I love you."

With one last deep breath in, I went to meet with my father in the car. I slide right into the Mercedes and find my father there. He looks at his watch but can't comment because I am on time so instead he tells the driver to go ahead.

I feel my father's eyes on me so I slowly turn my head to meet his gaze.

"Are you prepared?" He asked.

I pat my upper left chest pocket and reply, "I have my speech right here."

He nods and then sighs.

"If you're not ready, you don't have to talk today. Perhaps it would be better for you to hear the opposition so that you can have a chance to dissect their argument."

"I'm fine, father. I don't need the extra time."

I felt like I was lying. I could feel my nerves take hold but all the extra time in the world would not help. It could be the greatest speech ever delivered but with nerves like these, it would be a sure failure. I try and focus on Bella. Focus on our baby and know that any minute the doctor might call and give us the news that we had been yearning for. Focusing on this was far better than having to stand in front of important politicians.

We arrive at Veritas Plaza. A building I had seen nearly every single day when I was in Caldonia. It was centered in Odesa and birthed a wide plaza for small cafes and fountains which surrounded it. For the first time that I could recall, I analyzed it and appreciated the gothic revival structure. With its symmetrical façade and vast dome that resided in the center, I took in the twenty or so high arched windows and fine stone carving detail. Over the grand entrance were three Latin words etched into the stone that stood there since the year eighteen-o-one.

I followed along after my father and felt an urge to reach out and touch the stone as we walked into the building, hoping it would bring me peace. The large dome was where we were to head. My father continued to greet the lawmakers as he passed. I could only recognize a few myself and tried to do my best playing my role.

We find our seats quickly as we are to sit directly across from the current Prime Minister, Benjamin Cheney. A good guy overall and well liked so I couldn't foresee any problem coming from him. The Prime Minister seemed to have a decent head on his shoulders.

However, when they begin to call in the session, I begin to feel the ever-increasing need to throw up. I now have some empathy for the all-day sickness that Bella was plagued with. I begin to focus on Bella and my mind wanders to thoughts of what she was doing at that moment. I find that even envisioning her sitting with Rosalie manages to calm me so much so that I nearly miss my father's introduction.

"I know that we have all exhausted the subject of finding the right appropriations for funding the vital renovations to this marvelous landmark. Prince Edward has come here today to request the floor. Is that acceptable?" My father asked.

"You may go to the round," The prime minister replied with the wave of his hand.

The theater is silenced as I go to stand from my chair. I can hear every footstep I make echo throughout the room. I slowly walk down the stairs concentrating on my footing. It would be horribly embarrassing if I were to follow in Bella's nature and fly head first into the round. I admonish myself because I know that Bella would do so herself if she were to know my thoughts.

I pull the paper from out of my inner jacket pocket and begin to unfold it attempting to straighten out its creases to help me refer to it easily. I look up and see that all eyes are on me. I slowly turn and capture the enormity of this moment. I appreciate the whole room and take note of all the members. I look back down to my paper and for a moment, I recall Bella's smile and use it to help calm my nerves. I fold the paper back up and place it back inside my pocket.

"This isn't going to help me," I said. I hear my voice echo throughout the theater. You don't have to change the world in a day, I silently say in my head.

"You know, I have been to this building a lot throughout my life. I've walked the halls. I've even been privy to this very room, a humble guest welcomed to observe the leaders of our great country as they devise ways to ensure Caldonia remains prosperous. I took advantage of my birthright and never rightfully earned the respect I was given. As I drove up here today, I looked at this beautiful landmark that you have had the privilege of working in. I was reminded as I gazed upon the inscription what our government was about. Placed outside the main entry door, carved in heavy stone is what we should strive for every time we cross that threshold. Truth. Transparency. Honor. For me to honor this code, I will need to tell you the truth.

A couple of months ago, my father wanted me to begin to take on an active role in this government. I came one day to not sit in the far back of the theater as I once did but to sit beside my father as you discussed the education system and moving forward into a more technological era. It was a simple topic and yet when my father asked me that night to have an opinion, I failed. I chose to run away to the United States for a few months because I felt the great weight of my future and I was scared. How was I to be king one day when I couldn't even fight for a simple opinion on education? How could I ever hope to be a great king, like my father?

I do have a point to which I will get to quickly. It was my time in Washington that helped me come here today and share with you my opinion. This administration wishes to raise the tax rate one or two percent which I know doesn't sound like much of a hike but while I was away in Washington, I took on a common job working for a standard wage and if I hadn't that experience I would never be able to have my conscience guide me when I tell you that a person who works for a standard wage, one percent is a big deal. I was fortunate enough that I only had myself to provide for and that didn't include rent or a mortgage, let alone a family. How can we continue to expect our people to take on the burden of higher taxes before we exhaust every avenue including looking at our own salaries and having an uncomplicated empathy for a person who struggles to even provide food and basic necessities?

In fact, I would rather take this time to not focus on renovations but on a topic that is far greater. Currently, ten percent of our people live below the poverty line which is low when you compare us to other countries but before we pat ourselves on the back, we should strive for better. We can do better. We are a small country, but we have the power to show the world that even a small country can be great by eradicating poverty within our borders. If we give our people more than in return would we not receive more?

Our Founder's Day ball is set to celebrate our two-hundred and twenty-fifth year in March. As a show of good faith, I plan to raise the funds for this ball through utilizing my own private funds and donations so that we can all come together and use the event to jump-start the money we need to begin renovations of this building. In return, I ask that we not waste any more time on this discussion and instead begin to find funds to champion programs to help our citizens. I know that I have no power here. As the crown prince, I am merely a title and nothing more which is fine because I have not yet rightfully earned a seat in this round. However, I too am a concerned citizen, so I find that it is my duty to convince each and every one of you that this is the right use of your time.

We don't have to save the world in a day. But we do owe it to our people to be brave and willing to begin trying. Thank you for your time."

My heart was beating so loud and fast that I can barely make out the sound of the applause. I focus on finding my seat but as I pass a few people hold out their hands for me to shake. I rejoin my father and it is then that I realize that he too is clapping. I give him a small smile and prepare to focus on the next candidate for the round.

After we are adjourned for the day, I walk out the double doors and am greeted by the prime minister.

"That was a great speech, Your Highness. As the son of a working single mother, I can tell you that I would love for you to head up the committee to see your programs to help out our lower income citizens come to fruition. It would be a lot of hard work and dedication. I think you would be the right man to champion the task."

"Thank you, Prime Minister. I would love to be of use in this administration," I replied.

When we are in the car, I feel the need to apologize immediately to my father.

"I know I should have run it past you to use personal funds to pay for this charity ball. I hope you aren't too upset with me," I said.

My father laughed and turned to look at me. The leather seats squeaking under his weight.

"How could I be upset after you have proven yourself to me today. Besides, after all the money I save by cutting you off the past few months, I believe we have the ability to make due."

"Are you sure?" I asked. "I could sell one or two of my cars. That would definitely bring is enough funds to cover the mission."

My father waves his hand at me, "please Edward. Don't embarrass us. Your cars would make a great charity auction item. Wouldn't you say? Especially that Zenvo. That thing always was an eyesore."

My heart contracts. Not my Zenvo. I barely drove it because I didn't want the miles on it. I hadn't even taken Bella for a ride in it.

My father appraises my face which is probably twisted in agony.

"Hurts to do the right thing?" My father says with that all-knowing eye of his.

I sighed and knew I had to agree.

"But I want to take Bella for one ride before I am to hand it over. Knowing that someone will probably bid half of what it is worth, is torture."

My father slaps me on the back.

"I'm proud of you."

I smile halfheartedly and nod my head.

"Just be sure to not mess the car up when you take Bella for your last ride. I would hate to see the value diminish. That car alone could fund probably twenty-five percent of the cost of the renovation," he said.

"Yes, father," I replied with the roll of my eyes.

I run off to search for Bella the moment we arrive home. I can't wait to share with her my day. I approach the Crimson Room where Bella usually met with Rosalie and I can hear their soft chatter as I approach. In my own silly mind, whenever I imagined Rosalie teaching Bella, she would always have this shrill voice as Bella sat straight and proper. Rosalie may have had a ruler she would beat about her hand in a threatening manner. Like I said, silly mind.

I could tell that from their voices however, it seemed as if they were having a civil conversation. Once again, the very idea that Rosalie could be civil was unimaginable to me. I couldn't help myself. I needed to know just what they talked about in these little sessions. Bella had only been at this a few days, but I could already see how much she had learned just from our time at dinners with my parents.

"…its different for you and Edward. You don't understand our customs. Emmett would never be accepted here," Rosalie said.

"You're right. It probably is different. Edward and I are in love. When you love someone, you don't care about anything else. Do you think I would pick Edward from the beginning if I knew about all of this? I mean, I am the kind of person that wants to keep to myself. I would rather spend the rest of my days in some small house, reading books and entertaining…a cat or something. I am so not the person who would want to be in the spotlight and having to remember every single thing you have told me while forgetting myself in the process because, when it comes to it, isn't that what you are asking me to do? Forget Bella. Be Isabella. New and improved. Able to take direction in a single bound. But…I do it. Because I love Edward and this is what he needs and I know when the time comes and I really need something from him…he'll be there for me too."

Again, she mentions how she would not have wanted me if I had been Prince Edward from the beginning. A piece of my heart hurt because I could feel her sadness. I didn't think that this was weighing down on her so much. She never let me see it. She always seemed as if she was handling this life pretty well. I felt guilty because I should let her go. Let her go and find the life that she wanted but, I am too selfish because I don't know how to live in a world where I didn't have her beside me. And there would never be anything I could offer to make up for everything she was giving up. Our scales would forever remain unbalanced.

"You have so much faith. I lost my faith a long time ago…" Rosalie replied.

"Emmett is leaving tomorrow. I guess we will see where your heart lies when he finally isn't here. Maybe you just are caught up in the whirlwind feeling and that will go away once he has left. If it hasn't…then at least you'll have the truth," Bella advised.

Then there was silence as Rosalie seemed to contemplate Bella's words.

"Listen to me get silly over something stupid when you have so much to do. Did you memorize the book I gave you? It has everyone and anyone of consequence in it. If you have their faces and names down, it will make things much easier. Thankfully for you, Edward is pretty high on the list so once you are married, your status will be elevated and there will be very little any person can say or do against you."

"I nearly have them all. There are far too many. This is a small country and your book seems to have practically named all the citizens," Bella replied.

"It is really important that you get them down before the Saint Valentine Ball. They will most definitely be there as well as the Founder's Ball. You will go farther with the royal members if you can at the very least learn their names and titles."

"Founder's Ball?" Bella asked. "Do you guys throw a ball for every and any occasion?"

I could hear Rosalie sigh.

"This Founder's Day Ball will be exceptionally important. It is celebrating two hundred and twenty-five years since we became our own country out from British rule. I'm sure it will be the most important event of the year. If you screw up at the SaintValentine Ball, you can surely redeem yourself at Founder's Day but it will be paramount that you succeed or else it will set the tone for not only your marriage but for Edward's reign."

"Whether or not I refer to some person as a Duchess rather than a Countess is going to sully Edward's rule for all time? I hardly believe that" Bella replied.

"Well, probably not since a Countess is below a Duchess so it would be a compliment. However, if you call Duchess Jane, Countess Jane, she just might try to spear you with her cocktail fork. You think that I act superior about my title, you haven't seen anything yet. You'll find the smaller the title the bigger the ego."

"I see. Don't go near Duchess Jane when she is eating."

"Edward!"

I flip back around at my name and see my mother standing there shaking her head.

"I wasn't spying…I…" I couldn't even finish the lie.

Rosalie hearing the disruption outside the door came to investigate. When she saw me, she rolled her eyes and scoffed.

"Such a child," She muttered under her breath before walking off.

I looked over to see Bella and hoped that she would at least be happy to see me. My mother left, leaving me alone with my intended.

"So…how much did you eavesdrop on this time?" Bella asked.

"Enough," I replied quietly.

She waited for me to continue. Bella crossed her arms and stared me down.

"Fine. I did listen in for a little bit," I replied walking back into the Crimson Room hoping that this conversation would remain private even if I hadn't earned it.

I turned back to Bella to talk about it once and for all.

"Bella…do you really mean it when you say that if you had known I was a prince you would never have given me a chance?"

Bella bit her lip and sighed.

"Yes."

I couldn't stop my body from sagging in disappointment. Bella came over and placed her hand on my cheek.

"But somehow, I don't think that would have stopped you. You were rather persistent."

"I don't know why it bothers me so much," I admitted.

"Well…it shouldn't. I mean of course, I have my doubts about all of this. Heck, you have had all your doubts since you were born apparently. Isn't it fair that I have mine too? You really want the kind of girl who would show up here twirling a tiara on her fingers and singing woohoo, call me Your Majesty all you…common folk!"

"That would be a sight," I teased.

Of course, she was right to have her doubts. I should let it go and hope that her worries wouldn't get the best of her and cause her to want to leave as I had in the past.

"By the way, it is called a private conversation. I am pretty sure you are going to have eons of private conversations in the future that I won't be privy to and that's okay because I understand the meaning of private."

"I was wondering when you would get around to the chastising," I said.

"I have to. You must be properly trained by the time I birth this baby. I don't really want to have to raise two kids just yet."

I lean down and kiss her pulling her towards me.

"Hmm….sounds like I am in need some courses at Bella's charm school," I whisper in her ear.

"You say that as if my lesson plans will include doing dirty and rude things to you," She said looking at me with condescending eyes.

I sighed loudly and replied, "A man can dream."

"Lesson one at Bella's Charm school will be how to speak when a lady is present. I believe this is a necessity since you are about to be outnumbered."

I look confused wondering what she meant. She is smiling warmly at me as she takes another breath in.

"The doctor called while you were out. We're having a girl."

AN: Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Story is mine. Characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.