Emmett's POV

England

An hour later


I felt ridiculous, wishing I was able to laugh at myself but I couldn't. Rosalie being in love with me was like winning the lottery. It was entirely impossible for her to feel the same way.

Embarrassment crossed over me, regretting for confessing my feelings for her. I didn't confess formally but it was well enough for her to understand. It amazed me that she didn't catch anything I did for her over the years of knowing her.

I sat on my bed in my room that was next to the kitchen. It was smaller than the master bedrooms the Hales slept in but it wasn't something worth complaining about. I was lucky enough to have shelter rather than beg for the streets for money.

I couldn't lie that I hated Royce. He never did a good deed in his life so I never knew why people considered him a decent man. It was amazing that his reputation wasn't jeopardized yet despite the things he had done to other women that weren't worth mentioning.

I got up from my bed, stretching my arms from the tension that was built on them. I walked over to my closet, pulling out my suit I had to wear for tonight. I had to serve the Hales the meals tonight for the kings because they are having a private engagement party in their dinning room. They didn't want to overwhelm the happily engaged couple so the parents decided just to celebrate among themselves.

I couldn't believe that Rosalie was engaged to him. I knew by the way she looked at me when I mentioned his name she wasn't enthused by the idea of Royce for the rest of her life and I couldn't entirely blame her.

I wondered how she reacted but I walked away to avoid the disappointment I was going to receive. Even though she may not want to see me again, I was always going to be there for her. I couldn't leave her because there wasn't another woman that could replace her. I've known and loved her since I met and it was impossible to replace that amount of time.

My suit fitted perfectly on me along with the pantaloons Rosalie's father gave to me last year for Christmas. I fixed my tie, wrapping it around my neck and tying it. I looked at myself in the mirror, observing my short brown hair that was going to disappear months ahead of time.

I lied to Rosalie, which wasn't the easiest thing I have ever done. Instead of going to college, I was forced to join the army in a few months. Rosalie's father talked to me the other day and told me the best thing to do to support our country was to join the army. Our country could use more men and since there wasn't anything to stop me, I volunteered to take part of it.

Regardless of the conditions I lived in, I considered the Hales to be my family and in some ways, I loved them. Of course it wasn't the passionate love I felt for Rosalie but it was the tenderly love that the world is made of. Of course I didn't expect the Hales to ever place affection on me, but in several ways, they showed it through times very unexpected.

I frowned, realizing that I may not be there for Rosalie as much as I wanted. I might die in a year and never get to see her grow old or see her have her first child. The only thing I'll ever get to see that's treasurable is the wedding. The wedding I was only participating as a servant.

I placed my feet into my fancy shoes that were also a Christmas present from Rosalie's father. I looked at the mirror my face to see if there were any markings from gardening all day. I looked decent so I walked away from it and exited out of the door.

I walked to the kitchen, seeing my friend Paul, the chef, cooking intensely. I bit my lip, walking quickly towards him. "Paul, do you need help?"

"No I'll be alright, my friend. I've tackled huge orders before so there's nothing to be afraid of," he chuckled, swirling his pan that was filled with vegetables. "Could you bring me those plates, though?"

I grabbed the stack of plates off the kitchen table, walking towards him carefully. I placed them on the counter gently next to him. "What are you going to cook for the Hales and Kings tonight?"

"Their favorites, of course. They'll start with a salad and then they'll be served with the filet mignon and seasoned chicken breast. They'll have a side of mash potatoes and onion soup," he smiled, obviously excited about his task.

I raised my eyebrows. "Sounds delicious."

"It should be if I don't mess up like last time. Boy Royce did not like that soup," he rolled his eyes disgusted, "No one ever complains about my food before until he shows up."

"Well I'm sure they'll love it tonight. I'll leave so I won't distract you," I walked away from me as he mouthed, "thank you" for helping out.

I reached the dinning room but I heard someone coming down the stairs. I turned around, looking at the staircase. I immediately smiled to see whom it was walking down.

Rosalie was walking down with a silky red dress that draped down to the floor to touch her feet. Her hand was gliding down the handrail elegantly, looking like she was part of the royal family. Her earrings were diamonds that were brightened from the light in the house. Her hair was tied into a bun but there were few braids on each side. Her lips were very dark red but it was a promiscuous color on her, making it hard not to resist her.

She finally made down from the stairs and approached me with a smile. "Hello Emmett."

I reached for her hand and gently kissed it. "Hello Miss Hale."

"Now Emmett you don't have to continue to call me 'Miss Hale'. We're not strangers," she told me, giving me my favorite smile.

"Yes…Rosalie, my apologies," I gave her a slight smile. She looked disappointed with my answer, giving me a slight frown that ached me. She walked away from me towards the door, not looking back at me. I sighed heavily, feeling like I made a fool out of myself.

The Kings arrived, being greeted by the Hales by the door. There were several hugs and kisses but that was normal hospitality so I wasn't offended when Rosalie kissed Royce on the cheek. Royce wore the same tuxedo but he didn't wear a tie on his white shirt.

They sat down in the dinning room, gossiping like chickens to get into each other's business. It was only the six of them in the dining room and yet it sounded like there were hundreds. I gave them their appetizer with the salads and the soup. There was a swinging door that entered from the dining room to the kitchen. I pressed my ear against the door to try to make out the conversation.

Paul laughed. "Curiosity can kill the cat, you know."

I waved my hand to tell him to be quiet. "I don't see any cats." I pressed my ear a little harder onto the door.

"So I was thinking on inviting the Walters to the wedding," I heard Mrs. Hale told the entire table. "They have been extremely generous with Charles and me over the years."

"I think that would be lovely," Mrs. King replied, hearing Mr. King reply with a grunt. "Royce is bringing all his friends and our neighbors, of course. How could we manage to get our flawless bouquets without Mrs. Chambers' garden, after all."

"Did anyone get a hold of the orchestra?" Mr. Hale asked the table in his bass voice, sounding like a tuba. Mr. Hale loved music, especially violinist. He would always open the windows so he would be able to hear the birds singing in the morning. He would hum when he was paying taxes or writing letters to the government.

"Yes the conductor said his band will arrive on time without any delays," Mrs. King assured him. "So Paul is going to cook, we have twenty-five servants and 500 gusts. This is going to be a memorable party."

I stuck out my tongue in disgust. Oh it'll defiantly be a memorable party all right...once Royce burns the house down.

"Emmett, the chicken is done. I already cut slices for them on the plates. Go ahead and put them out for everyone to eat," Paul instructed me. I walked over to the counter, grabbing the tray carefully. I walked with it slowly, pushing the door with my foot.

I walked into the dinning room, hearing everyone applaud in excitement. Trying not to show that I was struggling, I quickly placed the plate in front of everyone. I approached Rosalie last, getting a long glance at her. I inhaled her perfume she sprayed on her neck, longing to kiss it but I was well aware where I was. I picked up her bowl she ate out of and walked around the table to gather all the utensils.

I walked back into the kitchen with my hands full, trying so hard not to drop them. Paul saw me struggling and ran over to help me dump the dishes into the sink. After I got rid of my load of dishes, I gave out a heavy sigh. I couldn't help it but to beam, feeling lucky that I had the privilege to get a glance at her.

I went back to the swinging door to hear their conversations about the wedding. I held the door still so it wouldn't revel me spying on them.

Hearing the endless conversations, I gave up listening so I decided to help Paul out. I walked to the counter again, seeing the fillet mignon completely burnt to the crisp. I frowned at Paul, expecting that he would be burying his face into his hat. Instead, he shook his head, looking like he predicted that it would happen. "I'm sorry, Paul."

"Don't be. I'll feed it to the dogs on the streets."

"At least they got chicken."

Paul nodded in agreement. "Luckily or else I would have been fired tonight."

I shrugged. "Do you have the deserts ready?"

"The chocolate soufflés are cooking, hopefully nothing will happen to them," He walked over to the sink to rinse his hands. I saw many scars on his arms, remembering the times he earned them.

The oven buzzed on perfect timing. Paul took them out, admired by the way they looked. He placed them gently on the counter, hoping they weren't ruined by seeing the anxiety on his face. He looked over at me. "Okay, can I trust you to get the soufflés perfectly on the table?"

I bit my lip. "You can trust me. I better go clear off the table before I bring them."

I entered into the kitchen, seeing the Hales and the Kings engaged into their conversations about the wedding. Rosalie remained silent in her chair, dismay with her eye glued onto her clear plate. A pang of sadness came over me to see her displeased with the events reoccurring at the moment. I picked up the dishes one by one without distracting any of the conversations. I picked up Rosalie's plate last as I usually do, hoping no one noticed the reason behind it. I picked up Rosalie's dish but I noticed a folded piece of paper on the messy plate.

I entered into the kitchen, interested into knowing what was inside the folded paper. I placed the plates in the sink and placed the folded piece of paper next to the sink. I picked up the piece of paper, unfolding it quickly.

Emmett,

Meet me in my room after desert.

~Rosalie

I exhaled, stuffing the note in my pocket. I wanted to send her a message in approval but how could I do it without being caught? I looked around me for a piece of paper, but there wasn't any. Why would there be paper in the kitchen?

Then it hit me. The soufflé.

I saw that Paul already took out the soufflés and placed on the plates. I picked one out to carry out the message on, inspecting it to see if there were available space for me to write something on the plate. I saw that there was a left over batter of the soufflé in a bowl. I chuckled mischievously, grabbing a knife out of the cupboard to scoop a little batter out of the bowl. I scooped a little out and started to outlined little letters next to the soufflé. I wrote Yes Miss Hale despite her wanting me to call her by her first name.

I carried all the soufflés prudently through the swinging doors, balancing three soufflés on each side of my arms. The families applauded when I entered, impressed with my ability to balance a great deal of soufflés. I gave Rosalie her soufflé first so I wouldn't accidentally give it to the wrong person. I swiftly walked away from the table to enter into the kitchen. I heard numerous of hums as a signal of the satisfaction they were feeling.

I walked out of the kitchen, feeling anxious about meeting Rosalie. What was she going to talk to me about? She was probably going to say something in the lines of never see me again or thank you for telling me but you know it can never happen. I couldn't possibly believe that she was in love with me too. Could I?