A/N

Did you guys like the last chappy? I'm hoping you enjoy this one too (:

Please review! And, I'm in the middle of my GCSE's so it'll be hard to update for about a month but I promise I'll get at least two out!

Ready to meet Edward? ;)

Ellie xx

I gasped and tried to pull it away quickly, but I was too weak to get away from the strong grasp of whoever this was. The other hand pushed the leaves away and the intruders face was revealed. The curly, deep red hair that I loved, the soft features gracing the oval shaped faced. It was Henry. The person I least wanted to see at this moment in time.

"Mistress Isabella," He said kissing my hand.

"Your Majesty." I said, automatically dropping into a curtsey.

"Why are you not finishing the clothes for the poor?"

"I have almost finished, your Majesty." I told him, nervousness taking over.

"Henry, please." He said. This was a bad, bad sign. I didn't like this at all. "So, why are you here." Obviously, I couldn't tell him the only reason. I couldn't say to him 'I came here to panic because you seem to be taking a strong liking to me.' That just wouldn't go down very well at all. What did I say to him? I'm an awful liar. Anyone could tell instantly when I was lying. Apparently my face gave it all away. I didn't want that to happen at all. Maybe I could just say I wanted to... sunbathe? No, I needed space? No, I'll just tell him. How bad can it be? He has a wonderful sense of humour and he was in a particularly good mood today...

"I have been panicking, I guess." I shrugged it off, making it seem like a small matter, nothing the King of England should worry over. Unfortunately, I was quite mistaken. He took me hand and came close to me. So close, I could feel his smelly breath on my face.

"What's wrong Mistress Isabella?" He said, concern spreading across his features.

"Nothing that the King of England should be worried over. I'm fine." I even grinned to prove it. I knew the type of man he was, if I looked like it was nothing serious, he'd drop it.

"As long as you are completely sure Isabella."

"Certain your Majesty." I smiled up at him, rather convincingly if I do say so myself. No trace of lying in my voice. I was very proud of myself. I think this was the first time I have ever been able to do it well.

"Henry, please. I could always have you beheaded." He winked but I was suddenly very scared. I just forced a laugh and a smile. His face went suddenly very serious and the same panic struck me yet again. "You must tell me in the near future then Mistress." I breathed a breath of relief. At least I knew I wouldn't be in any grave danger... yet. Neither would my family... at the moment. I blushed when I realised his eyes were looking into mine. I quickly looked down. I wanted to take a step back, but I couldn't be free of his arms – I couldn't do that to the King. Anyone else, maybe, but I could get into serious trouble if I did this. But his touch didn't make my skin crawl like I thought it would, but it wasn't how I wanted it to be. There was no spark, no connection. I'd had one other spark when I was a young girl. Nowadays, I feel that was make believe, but I still remember it clear as day in my mind.

I was 8 and running through the field of lavender and snowdrops, pretending I was a princess in grave danger being rescued by my prince.

"My darling Isabella. This is Edmond." My father called. I came running toward him, leaving my Prince for a minute. He stood before my looking at a boy to his right side who looked around a year older than I. He had deep bronze hair and although he was my age, he had an angular jaw and sharp, strong features. I fancied him instantly. He smiled at me and bowed slightly. "His name is Edward." My father continued. I curtsied to him. "He'll be with us for the remains of this day. Play with him and be back at the house within 2 hours for dinner." My father Charles (or Charlie as he allows me to call him) smiled and walked back to the house or, as I called it, my castle.

"What were you playing?" He asked me.

"Well you interrupted my Prince from rescuing me."

"From what?"

"A dragon." I said proudly. "You can be the dragon or the Prince if you like." I ran back to the field.

"I'll save you Princess Bella!" He called and ran after me. He captured my hand. That was when I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body. He pulled back and pretended to fight the dragon.

"Prince Edward!" I laughed "The dragon is slain! My hero!" I said, running in a circle around him. He laughed and hugged me.

"Mistress, I am afraid I must leave you. I have important state business to attend to." He said. He kissed my hand and before I knew it was gone. I waited. I didn't know what I was waiting for, but I did. By time I'd come out of my thoughts the sun was setting. I emerged from the tree to see the pink sky and orange sun setting in the far off distance. I smiled as it slowly faded into the sky. I looked towards the direction Henry had gone into to see a carriage pulling away from the doors. I sighed. This must mean the Queen has either left the palace or someone has just arrived. There will be fuss all around the palace. Either making sure that everything that the Queen wanted was with her or making sure the guests or newest additions to the Court were welcomed, fully accommodated and that everything was in perfect order. I didn't like the way everyone tried to impress new people. Sooner or later, they would see what Court is really like. Full of secrets, lies, sex and rumours. Like Mary, I would much rather suit a life in the country, where there would be me and nature. Possibly a home, or a small castle with fields and large grounds where I could raise a family, own some animals or even some farmland and have a husband. A husband by my side to care for and help me. A husband who wanted me to be happy. A husband who loved me and whom I loved greatly in return. I didn't want to be like Mary. Stuck in a loveless marriage. However wonderfully handsome, popular or rich he may be. I wanted to be happy. I'd never been truly happy. My father tried his best but when my mother died.

I was with my Father, by her side. She had been taken ill over a week ago. She was getting progressively worse and worse. Her usual happy glow was gone. The twinkle in her eyes had disappeared completely. Her womanly curves were no longer there. She never looked so terrible. I was 4 and I'd never experienced anything like this. It was a complete shock. However, I still, stupidly, believed she would magically recover. I thought it was only a matter of time before she woke up with her glowing personality sparkling again. Unfortunately, it was the opposite way around. She was pale, gray even. Her eyes were darker than usual with no life behind them. She was so skinny and her lips were purple. Her usual blonde hair had lost its vibrance. She was dull. She looked like death could take her at any given moment. That was the day I realised she wasn't going to make it. I cried by her beside for hours while she was asleep, not wanting her to die seeing me so distraught. She gently opened her eyes one morning and smiled faintly at me. She said something that would never leave my memory. It would be engraved there for the rest of my life.

"My Bella. I want you to lead a happy life. Live it like I've lived mine. Find someone you truly love and make them happy. I will always be here watching over you from above. I love you and Charles. Goodbye." She said as she drifted off into a deep slumber. Me and Charlie watched as slowly and steadily, her breathing slowed and eventually stopped altogether. We knew life would never be the same without my mother's presence. I cried for weeks. I wouldn't let my tutor teach me, I barely ate but one thing I did was pray. I prayed to her every second of every day. I loved her and missed her so much.

Slowly, the pain eased slightly but I would always remain a romantic soul because of my mother. I wanted to find someone whom my mother would approve of. Someone who had the same energy and glow that she had. I knew it was a close to impossible mission but I had to complete it for her and for Charlie. I knew he wanted me to be happy, not just for mother, but for him also. He, much like my mother, was a hopeless romantic. Thats just how I'd been brought up.

I slowly walked through the gardens in the sunset, admiring the pastel colours of the roses and daisies surrounding me. The flowers smelt beautiful. I decided to pick a few of them. I found some white and pale pink roses. I picked them and set them into a small bunch. I took some of the daisies from the ground and added them in too. Suddenly, a figure was running towards me.

"Isabella!" It was Anne who'd just arrived back from France.

"Anne." I greeted her as she came close to me. We embraced quickly and she held the top of my arms as she pulled back.

"There's a ball to celebrate the Cullen's entering! You must come and get ready." She said. Anne was a beautiful but wise woman. She had dark eyes and dark hair that contrasted with her snow white skin. Like my mother, she had a glow that surrounded her. She was sharp-tongued and witty and extremely flirtatious. She had men gazing after her as she walked down the halls of the palace. She dressed in the latest French fashion that all the women in court now wore also. She had curves in all the right places and could out-wit any man given. I sighed inwardly. I wish that I was beautiful. I wish I was like Anne or her sister Mary. The Boleyn girls were both so stunning. No girl in court could match their beauty. Of course, Mary was now married, which must have been difficult for Anne considering she was the younger sister. Anne had told me, George and Mary of her true love though. His name was Henry Percy. His family was very rich and he was high up in Court, a close friend of Henry's. They were constantly at each others side, laughing and making jokes, but you could see the sparkle in both their eyes when they were together. They were perfect for each other.

"So, you need to come and change your gown. Its a masked ball so obviously you need a mask to cover that pretty face of yours," She said slapping gently one of my cheeks, she turned so her back was facing me "And of course you'll need to make sure you are clean so we must bathe you. We need to go... Now?" She made a circular motion with one of her hands and looked very impatient. I groaned.

"I shall come in when I have finished my time in the gardens." I told her, looking down at the roses and daisies in my hands. I plucked one delicate pure white from the bunch, waiting for Annes reply. I was expecting something harsh or witty. Instead I got;

"Fine. Just be up within the hour, or else." She said, for Anne – that was incredibly polite. In one swift movement she turned and walked back towards the doors to the palace. I don't quite understand what just happened what happened there... Was she actually... polite to me? There was something wrong. I was certain. I stood there. Staring like a mad man as the doors shut with a bang. I shook my head and sighed aloud, continuing my stroll around the flowers. I was deep in thought when I realised how dark it had got. The sky was a shade of purple and I knew I had been over the hour that Anne had set me. I quickly picked the last rose and added it to the bunch which now featured lavender. I smiled at it but the smile vanished as I was reminded of what Anne had said.

"...be up within the hour, or else."

I shivered and pulled the hood of my cape onto my head. I made and turned on my heels in the direction of the palace. I kept my head down so that nobody knew that 'Mistress Isabella Swan' was running because she feared a woman who was like an older sister to me. I felt the wind in my hair as I picked up my hood and ran through the lush green grass, the soft feeling brushing against my bare ankles. I ducked my head down just looking at the pathway before me. That was, until I bumped into someone who felt like a brick wall, it hurt. I looked up at him.

This man had a strong angular jaw line, sharp, chiselled features, strange bronze coloured hair pointing in all directions and piercing emerald green eyes. He was so familiar. He held on to the tops of my arms to steady me, a strange electric current passed into my body. We both jumped slightly.

"Excuse me, I didn't see you." I apologised and ran past quickly before he could reply, scared of what Anne would do to me.

A/N

Did you enjoy?

More Edward action in the next chapter! Keep with me.

I'm writing the new chappy right now!

Sneak summary: Its time to go to the ball ;)

Ellie xx