Just a Pretense

Chapter 7: Moments of Truth

Author's Note: Hm. Yesterday I got a test back for… History. That is History of … my country (haha…). I got pretty bad, but I'm hoping to get better for Elective History. That one is so much more enjoyable. Heh. I like Ancient History better than Modern… not sure you would call medieval Ancient though – I mean, where do you draw the line?
Some questions I thought I would also post for everyone's benefit – Thanks, Rain!

Are Rosalie and Jasper siblings in this story or are they of no relation? and what about Emmett? What is Emmett? Is he actually human or...

Rosalie and Jasper are not siblings. She is a 'lady' (which would also justify her relationship with Emmett. Only nobility can become pages, country bumpkins or not, Bella is still the daughter of a noble – pretending to be a son) and Jasper is the horsemaster, which is basically a person in charge of all the horses – but an honourable, authoritive position (what would knights do without horses?!) Emmett is a human perhaps with traces of magical blood to justify his inhuman strength.

Bella is going to be alright!? Right?! Is that what Alice saw- Bella getting hurt? If so, then why wouldn't she warn her? oh! Jasper's gonna find out! hehehe! Does Carlisle know about Bel - like the fact that he is actually a she? And What about Rosalie? Is she going to be in this story more? Again? And this Victoria, she's evil right? Just like in Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse?

When does a main character end up dying? If they do, they somehow return as well, so I would guess that she will be just finnnne… No, Alice did not see Bella getting hurt, otherwise she would warn her. It is something else – Alice doesn't always see everything. Jasper will have a bigger part in this soon. (More below.)

Carlisle doesn't know about Bella yet. Rosalie will appear again later, let's just get all this training stuff aside first, shall we? Victoria – well, I've leave you to figure that out. (How suspicious.) Other Twilight characters will also make their appearance later – and that includes Jacob too.

By the way, I hope you will get the subtle hint in the second paragraph. I didn't want to go right out and say it – that would be weird, especially for me.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Stephenie Meyer's or Tamora Pierce's. (Or anyone else's influences which may appear during the course of the story)

--

Jasper could barely begin to understand the complex emotions which rolled off Edward. He had known Edward for a long time now, and yet the measure of concern, urgency and that other emotion – that he couldn't exactly identify yet – puzzled him. Particularly as it wasn't an emotion which Edward seemed to have particularly often, at least not like this.

It was not exactly that he could not identify it, to be truthful; it was more he could not fathom why it was present and that was what threw him off and puzzled him so completely. It seemed like …love, but he couldn't understand why, not to mention there was always the possibility he was wrong. Of course, if Page Edward had that sort of… preference, it was his own choice, but there seemed something deeper than that. Something he could not explain but made the thought that he had before hilarious.

Alice also, he noticed, she seemed extremely secretive when around the subject of her master. It really seemed as though the trio were hiding something – something important and crucial. He wouldn't press now though. There were more important things to do.

He would find out in time, perhaps.

--

They rode back along the path to the starting point and Jasper, after a quick count to check that no pages had gotten lost somehow, dismissed the pages to the stables to tend to their horses while under the critical eyes of the stablehands. They were more than able of looking over the Pages.

Motioning for Edward to follow him with Page Bel, Jasper handed the reins of his horse to a hostler that came by and Edward did the same, handing his to another and following Jasper with Bella safely in his arms – quite suspicious to Jasper's wary watching eyes.

Together they walked toward the infirmary where no doubt Lord Carlisle Cullen would be there helping as usual. The little known fact was that, not only was he the Training Master, but Carlisle was also the best doctor they had in the Palace. It only took one meaningful look at them as they entered for Carlisle to understand the urgency and came over immediately.

"Take him into the room at the end of the hall." Carlisle knew that Edward would understand perfectly, "I'll be with you in a minute."

Edward gave a simple nod and started down the corridor as Carlisle disappeared to get some supplies. Jasper trailed behind, and while Edward glanced at him warningly, he didn't falter. Instead he returned the look squarely and followed all the way to the examination room, slipping inside behind Edward.

Carlisle came in a minute later scanning over Bella in one piercing look and accessing whatever injuries he could see already before Edward had even laid her down onto the table. Edward tensed ever so slightly as Carlisle made to touch her though, anxious about her secret and what might happen next. The consequences of pretending to be a boy could be major, especially as she was deceiving everyone in order to win her shield. As Training Master, Carlisle would most likely not let it pass.

The door suddenly burst open and in the doorway stood a panting Alice. She looked worried and frustrated, but gathered herself before she came inside and apologised to Carlisle for her sudden entrance. Before waiting for a reply, she turned around, shut the door, and walked up beside Bella who lay on the table.

"Will my… master be alright, your lordship?" her voice was quiet and subdued.

Carlisle looked taken aback slightly and then smiled as warmly as he could at the maid, who always acted so much like the Page's sister.

"I certainly hope so, Miss Alice."

Alice was frowning and Edward's face was carefully composed, although worry flickered in his eyes. Jasper detected the waves of concern leaking from their every pore, but it made no sense to him. Carlisle remained oblivious to any of that however, and made to inspect more carefully of injuries when he caught sight of Edward's suddenly frowning face and stopped abruptly. He turned to Jasper and Alice slowly.

"Could you two please leave us for a while?"

A puzzled expression crossed Jasper's facer, but he nodded without argument. Alice dipped a curtsey and walked over to the door, opening it for Jasper and closing it behind her as they left. She hoped she could trust Edward to make things right. Carlisle turned to Edward as the door clicked shut and sighed.

"Is there something you need to tell me beforehand?" he asked patiently. Something was up with Edward. He didn't usually brood like this.

Edward's jaw tightened slightly. "Perhaps, although you might be able to guess once you've examined him anyway."

Carlisle's eyes flickered to the Page lying on the table silently – even she only lay so still because she had no choice. An idea was beginning to form in his head – Edward could tell, especially with his ability.

"Turn around, Edward, and block off my thoughts. Focus on someone outside if you have to."

Edward obeyed, turning and tuned out Carlisle's thoughts as well as he could while Carlisle carefully began to examine Bella. He decided to focus on Jasper. He had heard Jasper's thoughts earlier and he suspected something. He was now arguing softly with Alice. He knew. Alice was denying as forcefully as she could, but that only made Jasper all the more sure that his theory was correct.

How many others could work it out? That thought scared him – not the easiest thing to do.

Unknown to Edward, Carlisle had taken off Bella's tunic and shirt to examine her better. Although he seemed slightly embarrassed as he undressed her, it was necessary to find where she was injured and as a doctor, he was not unused to this sort of thing. He felt her legs gently as well afterwards to check for breaks, rolling up the bottoms, and covered Bella up with a blanket after he finished.

"Turn around, Edward." He instructed his son.

Edward turned around slowly, concentration suddenly broken from Jasper's thoughts. He glanced at Bella covered in the blanket and at his father. Carlisle knew now, his suspicions about the Page confirmed. Carlisle's thoughts were racing as he thought, so Edward was lucky in that he did not have to see what Carlisle had done.

Carlisle pushed thoughts over that would need to be done aside for the time being as he scrolled down a mental list and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Her injuries are not serious. She'll perhaps have a bump from her head from a hard hit, but shouldn't have concussion. Her left arm is broken and her left shoulder also dislocated as well as her right ankle sprained, but otherwise she is alright. She has quite a few bruises though."

Edward nodded, relieved. It could have been worse – he had seen many bad injuries due to horse accidents. Deaths even. He usually had to leave though; the human blood was a little too much for him at those times. He had to stay away from his horse even, just to refrain himself from doing anything stupid.

Carlisle hesitated for a minute, unsure, but he continued nonetheless. Edward knew what was coming and steeled himself.

"This is serious, Edward." His voice was reprimanding. He was not happy, even as he was concerned. "You know she can't do this. You know what I am supposed to do."

Edward nodded sharply, but did not say anything.

"Then why did you let her do this? You obviously knew, but you did not tell me?" The disapproval was all too obvious – from eyebrows raised to incredulous tone.

Edward bristled. "I only found out a short time ago myself. I also made a promise to her not to tell. A promise for a promise."

He paused for a while, looking at Carlisle meaningfully. Carlisle understood Edward's wish to keep his identity secret. Carlisle frowned himself, did it mean that she had somehow found out? Edward returned to the matter at hand.

"Doesn't she deserve to try though? She can hold her own in a battle, she has potential."

Carlisle closed his eyes and heaved a sigh. "At least tell me her name."

"Bella. Isabella Swan."

Edward waited for Carlisle to make up his mind. Right now it hovered between sending Bella home and letting her stay, though it was definitely swaying towards his favour. Carlisle wavered a minute longer then sighed a second time as he made his decision.

"Fine." He muttered. "I will help you. She can stay." He fixed Edward with a steely eye. "However, you are not to tell her that I know anything about this, understand?"

Edward nodded, only too happy to agree to this condition.

"And you might like to be more careful, other people will notice. They are not stupid."

Edward's lip twitched. Of course, he had had that thought not too long ago. He would need to be more cautious in the future, however he had just been in a state of 'shock' before, it seemed. He would resume his former manner now. He couldn't help but grin wryly. Not even more than a week at the palace as a new page, and she had caused him so much trouble already.

He still liked her though – too much for his own good.

--

Jasper sighed as Alice vehemently denied Bella's true identity once again. From what he could glean, he was sure she was most likely a girl. From Edward's feelings to her very manner, he could determine this and now questioned himself why he hadn't seen it before.

Carlisle stepped out from the room, face composed. Jasper didn't doubt he did not know, however Carlisle made no comment and Jasper did not detect anything from him.

"We are going to move Page Bel now, so you may visit him later."

"Why not now?" Alice asked.

The corner of Carlisle's mouth pulled upwards. "He is not awake for you to come and see him, Alice."

"Oh. I can wait."

Jasper almost rolled his eyes. Alice could be a stubborn little pixie – that was one of the reasons he liked her so though.

"Come on, Alice." Jasper put an arm around her shoulders to lead her away. Alice frowned but went with him reluctantly.

"Oh, Jasper?"

Jasper turned his head back in acknowledgement at the sound of his name and his step slowed a fraction.

"Please tell Page Emmett that his friend is alright. If he wants to visit him, he will be in the infirmary. No doubt he will be in class right now, you will find him on the practice courts. They have staff practise today."

Jasper gave a nod to show he understood and they exited the infirmary.

--

Edward was sitting beside Bella's beside when the door creaked open slightly. His eyes shot towards the door, but he made no sound. It could well be another patient – the room had the capacity to hold numerous people up to about 20 patients.

It was Jasper, however, who entered. He had done his duty and had now returned. Edward remained as he was and the door opened wider. Jasper entered quietly and sauntered over to them as though he had all the time in the world.

"What do you want, horsemaster?" Edward's voice was low.

"So formal." Jasper joked, his voice just as quiet. "I have no doubt you know that I know about Page Bel. She is a girl, am I correct?"

Edward nodded. Another for the list, he supposed. Alice, himself, Carlisle and Jasper. It was getting longer by the day.

"Isabella Swan of Phoenix."

Jasper nodded, storing that information. "Lord Carlisle has approved of this?"

Edward laughed quietly. "Not approved, exactly, however he has decided to let her stay under the condition that Bella does not receive the knowledge that he knows."

"I see."

"What is your motive?" Edward's voice was sharp.

Jasper smiled. "Well I can hardly dob her in myself. Firstly, a higher authority has approved, and one word from you and I would have to obey as well. Not only that though, if Alice is involved in this," he paused, eyes distant. "Well, I would do anything for Alice."

Edward smiled slightly.

"I'll keep your secret as well." Jasper was deadly serious. "I'll be here if you need me." He nodded to Bella. "Let her know as well. Alice will know where to find me."

With a final nod to Edward, Jasper turned and left the infirmary, crossing the floor and closing the door less quietly this time. Bella stirred and Edward turned immediately to her.

"Edward?" She asked, blinking sleepily.

--

Author's Note: Something happened with my writing. It's gone a little weird. I'm not that happy with this chapter, though I think it's not too bad… I can assure you that the events will get more exciting though, so maybe you can forgive this chapter. It will be a bit after this chapter though, more time will have passed!

Tell me if I made a mistake somewhere. It's a bit hard to keep track of all the 'she' and 'he' and 'her' and 'hims' as well as the 'Bel' and 'Bella's. Geh.

I was going to write an alternative though – it wasn't supposed to be like this originally. Also, I might write about how Alice met Jasper later, so if you want to read about that, you can ask.

Review?

More Thanks to: Rainy Day in the Pines for finding mistakes in this document as well as the questions before. :D