Chapter Four:

I jump up out of my seat. "You're what?!"

Riley looks up at me, alarmed at my outburst. I'm never like this, let alone in front of my father.

"Isabella. Sit down. You heard what I said."

"I-I… You can't! I am an adult!" I sputter. This is not what I was expecting!

"I am suggesting this for your own good. Unless you just want to stay inside Kensington for the next six months." He gets up from the chair when I haven't sat down again. "This will be good. You'll get to see a new place -"

"Oh, how exciting! Because a holiday is exactly what I wanted!" I throw my hands up in the air.

"Bella. That is enough." He nods as I sit down heavily on the couch again. "You know that what happened is not good." He holds up a hand when I move to speak. "And I know that this wasn't your fault, but this…" He sighs. "We have not ever dealt with anything like this, and we need to give this time to die down, and I believe that sending you away for a while is the best way to do that."

I look down at my lap. "Where?" Like it even matters, I won't be going outside.

"Pennsylvania. Carlisle is a Senator there."

I know deep down that this is a good thing, and that my dad is right. This is better than spending the next six months inside my apartment, and having to constantly avoid the press. I'm the next in line for the throne, and I will one day be the Queen. I need to do whatever it takes to clear my name, so that I can serve my people to the best of my ability and have them believe in me.

"Okay." I look towards Riley, who smiles at me, and then look towards my father. "I'll go to Pennsylvania." I look back to Riley. "On one condition."

Dad raises his eyebrows. "Which is?"

"That Riley comes with me." I look at Riley as I say this, and his eyebrows also shoot up into his hairline.

I look back to my Dad, who looks skeptical. "He is-" I stop speaking when he holds up his hand. He looks to Riley.

"Is this something you're willing to do?"

Riley stands up from the couch. "Yes, Sir." He looks to me and smiles.

My father looks back to me. "Then that is what we will do." He smiles. "You will leave on Friday."

I think this over for a moment for speaking, and look back into my lap as I speak. "For how long?"

I feel the couch dip beside me as my father sits next me, and hear the door close as Riley leaves. "Bella." He places his hand on my forearm and I look up. "I'm not sending you away forever."

"No, but you're still making me go."

"A few minutes ago, you were agreeing to this." He looks confused.

"I still am agreeing to it. It's just…" I pause. "I don't want to go. I know it is a good idea, but that doesn't mean I want to go." I stand up from the couch and walk over to one of the windows. This used to be one of my favourite places to stand when I was growing up here. You can see right down The Mall, and all of the people wandering around London, tourists waiting for the Changing of the Guard, standing outside the main gates taking pictures and generally enjoying our Capital. It's a perfect people watching spot.

Even if I am only going to America for a short time, I'll miss this place while I'm gone.

My father comes to stand beside me. "Bella. You need to be there for at least one month. When that month is up, if you want to come back, that is fine. I'll still be here, and we will still communicate."

"And I'll have Riley." I smile.

"Yes."

I turn to hug him. "I better start packing, I suppose."

He laughs, but wraps his arms around me. "I want you to know, that I am still proud of you, Bella. You will make an excellent Queen."

Tears prick my eyes. "Thank you, Daddy." I step back and reach up to kiss him on the cheek. "Will I see you before I go?"

He nods. "I'll be over to see you at Kensington on Friday. I will make sure that Riley has all the details."

"See you later then." I turn and walk out of the room.

xoxo

Carlisle being the Senator of Pennsylvania is dedicated to IdealSkeptic. I heart you.