(A/N: Oh my god, guys and gals! I am so sorry. At first, I had stopped writing because I was studying for finals and then summer started and I got a job, and I take piano lessons and I'm always on the run! I'm so sorry for neglecting this story. Chapter 12 will take way less time to write! So, so sorry! This chapter is a little short. Lacking inspiration.)

EPOV

"Mother?" I was shocked that my mother had found us. I hadn't even heard the door open. In all honestly, I was frightened.

"Yes, Edward, I thought you were a charming gentleman. Your betrothed is ill, dying of the black illness and here you are courting another women? Do you know how improper that is?" My mother scolded her green eyes filled with fury.

I was angry though, I was beyond furious that she and father could just tell me whom I was supposed to love. I wanted to tell her but I was raised to never back talk, so I didn't. I sat there and bit back my words as mother approached Isabella and myself.

"Who are you, young lady?" My mother asked Isabella.

Isabella looked frightened of my mother and her eyes became as wide as a doe's in the pursuit of hunt for a fraction of a second before she stood up and curtsied to my mother. I sat there, watching her. She was brave.

"Your Highness, my name is Isabella Swan. I'm Lord Charlie's daughter." Bella said quietly.

Recognition entered my mother's eyes at once and her hostile expression turned into a sweet smile. "Oh, Isabella! How you've grown!" My mother smiled at Bella. "I remember you and my son were both such small children when King Edward, my husband went to your manor. You do realize that your father plays a very high role in the society even though his title is just "Lord?" I told Edward that we should have had our son in an arranged marriage with you but, no." My mother rambled on as if she'd seen an old friend and nearly embarrassed me. She was talking about marriage and I wished at that moment we hadn't gotten caught.

Isabella smiled politely obviously unsure of what to say to my mother but I could tell from the look on her face that she was just as embarrassed as I was.

"Anyway, May I please have a word with you?" My mother turned sharply in my direction and I immediately was sure trouble was coming. I stood and walked with my mother out of Isabella's earshot.

"Yes, Mother?" I asked.

The look that was in her bright green eyes was on the line between amusement and anger. "Edward. I really like Isabella and to be frank, I don't like the woman who you are to wed in mere months. But, Edward. This was not my decision and you have to honor your word. I don't want you seeing Isabella anymore." She looked at me sympathetically. "Say your goodbyes tonight." With that, she turned and walked from the balcony back into the ballroom.

I don't want you seeing Isabella anymore. My mother's words rang through my head, seemingly taunting me. How could I just say goodbye to her and marry some other woman? I couldn't but I had to do as my mother said. I had to do it for my country.

It seemed ridiculous. My country? My country didn't care who I married so why should my mother? It wasn't fair. I walked back to Isabella. I couldn't tell her that I couldn't see her anymore. It would break her heart if she felt even a little bit like I felt.

Tonight, would be the last time I spoke with Isabella. Hopefully, this way she'd be able to forget about me. When I reached Bella, I wrapped my arms around her, tightly.

"Isabella. No matter what I want you to know that I love you very much." I said to her, forcing a genuine smile on my lips so she didn't detect the misery that bubbled beneath the surface.

She snaked her arms around my neck and pressed her face against my chest. "I love you too, Edward and I'm so sorry I caused you trouble."

"Don't worry about it, love." I pressed my lips to her forehead. "Let's go back to the ballroom and dance." My plan was to give Isabella the best night of her life. My own little way of saying goodbye.

BPOV

The ball had by far been the best ball I'd ever went to. Edward had made the evening so special. He was so special.

As it turned out, Jessica the evil hag did end up attending the ball, but left shortly after she saw me in the Prince's arms. She probably couldn't take it. She looked angry and red-faced when she stormed out and it almost made me snicker. That's what she deserved.

Edward and I spun around and around on the dance floor for what seemed like hours. We danced even after people began to leave. It seemed to me that Edward didn't want to let me go any more than I wanted to let him go.

It seemed like a perfect way to re-start our relationship. I was willing to admit that for a while, I wanted nothing more than bad things for Prince Edward. I was so glad that I really got to know him. The real him.

After a while, I noticed the world outside of the little bubble that Edward and I were in. The only two left on the dance floor besides Edward and myself, were Alice and her tall blond man. I half-remembered Angela telling me that she was taking the carriage home. I wasn't sure how I was going to get back to the manor but it wasn't important. All that was important with Edward.

Reluctantly, after some time, I looked up at Edward. "I should probably go back home, Edward." I thought I caught a glimpse of sadness in his eyes but he pushed it away. I simply chalked it up to being sad that we had to end the miraculous evening.

"Yes, you probably should." He said but pulled me tighter seemingly contradicting himself. He bent down and softly pressed his lips to mine. I practically melted into the kiss. His warm lips tasted like heaven. Not even the finest mead could compare. The tightness at which he held me to him wasn't enough. I couldn't get close enough and I'd never ever be sick of the feeling of his lips against mine. He was tender and loving yet forceful at the same time and he conveyed every ounce of love he had though the kiss.

Just as I was thinking that I'd never be able to pull away from him, he took a step back, reaching out to take my hands. I noticed that we were not alone. We stood directly under the candlelight chandelier, and our shadows danced on the wall furthest from us.

He stood motionlessly, and silent for what felt like forever, and I was content just to meet his gaze. I felt a little like something was off but I didn't question it. After what felt like forever he finally spoke. "Isabella Marie Swan. I love you so much. Please don't ever doubt it. I've fallen so hard for you."

I simply smiled at him. The moment was perfect. I didn't need to say anything nor did he. I just let his words linger between us. "Lets go. I'm bringing you home."

He started walking out of the ballroom. The last breath I breathed had probably still been lingering under the chandelier by the time we were outside. He brought me to the horse stables, and got on a tall horse. "This is Chester." He said as he pulled me on to the horse. I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist as we rode off into the moonlight.