(A/N: I didn't get my ten reviews. I mean it this time. If I don't get TEN reviews for this chapter, I will NOT put up the next chapter until I do. So, if you want the chapter up sooner you'll review. I want opinions and such. To those of you who HAVE been reading and reviewing, thank you. You all totally own.

Disclaimer: I'm not Stephenie Meyer. I'll bet you thought I was. XD Kidding. But, I'm not. So, these characters belong to her. I'm just messing with them.)

I sincerely needed to see Isabella, but it was late. Her manor wasn't too close to our palace, but it was at least a half an hour away on horseback.

I knew she would be asleep by the time I got to her manor and I suppose it was just fine. I left my home quietly taking the clumsy horse, Chester praying to god that he wouldn't be noisy on this particular occasion.

I got halfway out of my home hoping it would be a successful escape and Mother or Father wouldn't know about it. I didn't know how I would possibly explain my midnight venture. As I carried my lantern down the longest corridor of the palace that would lead me to the quickest exit a voice made me nearly jump straight out of my skin.

"Going to see her, aren't you Edward?" My sister asked from her bedchamber doorway. It was amazing how perceptive my sister was. She seemed to know everything and I realized there was no point in trying to lie to her.

"Yes, Alice. I am." I smiled sheepishly after my admission.

I was surprised when a large grin crossed her face. "How are you going to get past the guards?"

I hadn't thought that far and I realized that there were a few holes in my plan. I immediately panicked. "I..I'm not sure. I hadn't exactly thought about that." Right after I spoke my sister pulled a gold coin from the pocket in her nightgown.

"You're going to bribe them, that's how." She smiled and I took the coin and kissed the top of her head.

"Thank you, Sister. I am in debt to you now. If you ever need a hand with anything, anything at all just let me know and it will be done." I turned and left the palace, remembering to remain silent.

I got to the stables as a crash of thunder boomed. The horses were scared by it. All except for Chester, who hadn't a care in the world about a single thing. That was yet another reason why I favored Chester. I settled him up as the other horses whinnied, spooked.

Chester and I rode silently to the palace gates and I patted his ears as I jumped off his back to speak with the night guard of the palace, Felix.

"Hello, young Prince Edward. What brings you here so late in the evening?" Felix asked cheerfully. I didn't understand how someone could be so joyous in the situation he was in. He guarded the palace from dusk till dawn and never got a wink of sleep all night. His job was also rather dangerous.

"Well, Felix." I began, taking his hand and putting the coin in it. "I had some business to do tonight, and I would appreciate it if this was just between the two of us? Do we have an understanding?" I smiled hopefully.

"Young Prince, I do not accept bribes. Especially from royalty." My hope seemed lost for a moment until he spoke again. "Your secret is safe with me, Sir. Keep your gold; I will certainly open the gate for you free of toll and if anyone says a thing, you were never here."

He tried to hand it back to me but I simply wouldn't let him. "Thank you, Felix. Please, keep the gold as a token of my gratitude. Go home tomorrow and put a good feast on the table for your family." I got back on Chester as Felix opened the gates and rode into the night.

I arrived at the Swan Manor grateful that they had no guard. I didn't know how I was supposed to get by them if there were guards.

The manor was quiet, all except for a peasant, walking about the front yard of the church, whom was easily avoided. I tied Chester to a tree at the edge of the manor near a gate. Rain still poured but the storm had ceased and I figured the horse would be more than comfortable under the shelter of the tree.

The fact that I hadn't brought my lantern would make this whole task quite a bit harder, but not unmanageable. It was a strong possibility that there were lanterns around the inside of the main house.

As I crept into the main house I realized that what I was doing was very improper and not exactly gentlemanly conduct. My intentions were good but the execution of my plan would be looked down upon if someone were to find out.

I thought I had a fairly good idea about which bedchamber belonged to Isabella so I slowly entered the room.

"Prince Edward?" A surprised voice gasped. That was the moment I'd realized that I had been caught. I recognized Angela as she folded a rather nice magenta gown. "What on earth are you doing here?" She whispered nearly furiously at me.

I walked to her and grabbed her by the shoulders lightly. "Angela, I've come to see Isabella, you must not tell anyone. I thought this was her room."

Her eyes widened. "Are you having an affair with Bella?" She asked, extremely shocked.

"No, no no. That's not it at all. I just. I need to see her. Is she asleep?" I realized that I must have sounded like a madman. I had snuck into the manor and then the main house to see Isabella and I realized what it must have sounded like to Angela.

She stared at me skeptically for a second. "What are you going to do?"

"I actually just wanted to watch her sleep. I know it's not like a proper gentleman, but I need to see Isabella. Angela. I think I love her. There isn't anything I can do about it."

I spoke the three words 'I love her' and a sense of righteousness filled my whole body. I knew it was true. I was in love with Isabella. But, I was being forced into marriage with some woman who simply could never make me happy.

After Angela heard me declare my love for Isabella she smiled. "Come on, follow me."

Before she turned to leave her bedchambers, I gripped her shoulders more tightly. "Wait, you can't tell anyone about this, alright?"

She nodded. "Of course not. I would never do that. Besides, you wouldn't be the only one to get in trouble for this. I'm also in on your plan too."

With that she turned and I let her go. She walked me to Bella's bedchamber and I sat in a rocking chair close to the door. "Thank you, Angela." I whispered as she walked off.

Watching Isabella sleep was the most innocent thing I'd ever witnessed. She was a beauty. Her lips were pursed and her cheek rosy upon the pillow. Her long brown hair hung wildly framing her elegant face and she was dressed in a silky dark blue nightgown.

She must have pushed the covers off as she slept, as they were in a pile at the end of her bed. Her legs were showing and I felt wrong. I felt horrible for watching her sleep, but I knew this was the closest I'd be able to get to her.

I was to wed a woman whom I despised. The strange thing was though, that I didn't despise her until I realized I had to marry her. The thought of marrying Isabella was so much more comforting. But, I knew I must shake the thought.

"Edward." Isabella spoke and her lips turned up into a smile. I became nervous for a moment, before I realized she was still asleep.

Joy filled me up to nearly an exploding point. Was Bella dreaming about me? It was an endearing quirk that she talked in her sleep. She rolled over, away from me and spoke my name another time. I just about burst with joy. I wanted to stand up and shout. Maybe she loved me?

No. I told myself. It had been a mad thought. Isabella was probably just dreaming of the day she and I talked, recreating it in her head. She tossed over again and I knew it was time for me to leave.

I quietly slipped out of Isabella's room and down to the manor kitchen, back to the door where I snuck in. I ran to Chester, giddily.

Seated beside Chester, stroking his mane was Angela. She was waiting for me. "So, Prince Edward. Will you be returning another night?"

"Yes." I said simply.