(A/N): *REPOSTED* Beta'd, this time :) Thanks to my awesome Beta RandomatGedz!

Living Royal

Chapter Eight

The sunlight streaming through the curtains woke Bella up the next day. She cracked her eyes open a bit but then quickly closed them again in an attempt to avoid the glaring sunshine. She tried to turn her body the other way to escape it, but she found out that she couldn't move. She had a brief moment of panic before she realized what was happening.

Bella was pressed up against a warm, hard body; Edward's body. And his arm was holding her tightly close to his chest. Her back was against his front. She felt so warm and comfortable that she didn't want to move ever again.

She tried to stay still for as long as she could, but a few minutes later, a pressing need to go to the bathroom became apparent. She started squirming around trying to suppress the need.

"Are you always so restless in the mornings?" Edward mumbled, sleepily.

Bella stilled.

"Sorry," She whispered, "I didn't mean to wake you."

"I don't mind being woken up, if it's by you," He whispered close to her ear.

Bella blushed and turned slowly to see him smiling down at her.

"Um, thanks. I really have to get up though. I- uh- have to use the bathroom."

Could this get any more embarrassing?

"Sure." He released his hold on her and she scrambled up and out of bed and almost ran to the bathroom. As soon as the door was shut, she collapsed against it and covered her face with her hands.

She just had to embarrass herself every step of the way didn't she? What was it about him that got her so flustered and unable to form a coherent sentence?

"You can't keep acting like this. You're a strong, independent woman. Start acting like it, damn it!" She repeated to herself over and over again.

When she found that she had spent more than enough time in the bathroom and she should probably get back there, before he started thinking she had diarrhoea, she opened the door and stepped back into his room.

Edward was still lying back in bed. His hands were folded behind his head and he was staring up at the ceiling. He turned to her when she entered, though.

"Hi." He smiled.

"Uh-hi. I should probably get going. You probably need to get ready for class."

"My first class today is in a few hours, I still have time. Do you want to grab breakfast together?" He offered, as he got out of bed. Bella was fixated, for a moment, on how his muscles moved beneath his shirt.

"Sure, just let me get back to my room so I can change and I'll meet you downstairs in, say…twenty minutes?"

He grinned, "Alright. I'll see you then."

He stopped her as she headed for the door and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. He rested his forehead against hers.

"Don't be too late," He whispered.

"I won't."

Bella almost skipped up and down on her way back to her room. If someone had told her a couple of weeks ago that she would meet a handsome, kind and wonderful prince and that she'd fall for him, she would've laughed her ass off.

Bella stopped in her tracks.

Fall for him?

Where did that thought come from?

She decided to dismiss the thought for now. She needed to get ready. She could think about it later on.

As soon as Bella stepped into her room, she was accosted by Alice.

"Where the hell were you?" Alice screamed.

"Gee, Alice, calm down. What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? What's wrong? What's wrong, Bella is that my best friend decided to disappear in the middle of our double date and I spent the night trying to find her, but she wouldn't even answer her damn phone. Do you realize how worried I have been?"

"Oh God, Alice, I'm so sorry. My phone must've been on silent last night. I didn't mean to worry you, I promise." Bella apologized.

Alice sighed, calming down a bit," It's fine, I'm just glad you're alright. But where were you all night?"

"I-uh-I sort of spent the night with Edward."

Bring on the squeals.

"Oh my God, Bella! You did what? Is that what happened after you guys left? Why didn't you tell me? I'm so happy for you."

"Alice, calm down. It's not exactly what you think." Bella tried to get a word in between Alice's questions.

"What do you mean?"

"I'll tell you while you help me get ready. I'm supposed to meet Edward in ten minutes for breakfast."

So Bella started telling Alice about all her adventures of the day before. From the prev who tried to feel her up, to Edward defending her honour, to their mini-make out session, to him taking her back to his room and sleeping in each other's arms.

By the end of the story, Alice was close to swooning, "Gosh, that is so sweet! I wonder who would play you in the movie."

"What movie?" Bella wondered if Alice had lost her mind.

"You know, every great royal couple have a movie made about them at some point. Kristin Stewart would probably work best. Too bad she's not British, though." Alice rambled on to herself.

Bella threw her head back and laughed, "God, Alice, don't ever change."

"Oh, I won't I promise. Now, scoot. Don't make Prince Charming wait for you longer than necessary. He might change his mind."

Alice's words, innocent as they were, hit a sore spot for Bella.

What if he does change his mind?

Bella shook off that thought and filed it in the 'later' drawer in the back of her mind. She intended to enjoy herself no matter what.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"So, favourite colour?"

Bella was sitting opposite Edward in a quaint restaurant nearby. He had been asking her random questions since she went down to meet him and Bella was having the time of her life. She loved that he wanted to get to know her. She would've thought it was all just in an effort to make small talk, if he didn't always look so interested in her answers. And usually whatever answer she gave sparked a whole new set of questions.

"Hmm, I would have to say Green." She answered after some thought.

"Why?" He asked, wanting to delve deeply into Isabella Swan's psyche.

That wasn't going to happen, if she could help it.

"Um, Pass?"

"Come on, tell me." He leaned forward with his elbows on the table staring deeply into her eyes.

Try. To. Look. Away. Must. Not. Be. Dazzled.

He was too powerful for her.

"Because it's the colour of your eyes." Bella looked down, unwilling to meet his eyes for the moment, scared of what he might think.

"Oh," That was all he said. A second later, he fired on once again, "Favourite movie?"

"That's a tough one. There are too many of them to pick from."

"Alright then, I'll let it go for now," He winked.

"You've been asking questions all day, when will it be my turn?"

"All in good time, sweet Bella. All in good time." He grinned.

They spent the next few minutes bickering back and forth until Edward's phone rang and he excused himself in order to answer it.

"Hello?" Bella heard him answer.

"Yes, father. Yes, I'm not on campus, I'm having breakfast with…a friend. Yes, I know that. Alright, alright. I am a grown-up, you know. I can do whatever the hell I want… Well, I couldn't care less what they think…Yes, fine. I'll talk to you later."

He snapped his phone shut and walked back to their table slowly.

"Sorry about that," He smiled at Bella apologetically.

"No problem." She forced a smile.

He called her a friend? Bella's heart had fallen to her knees as she heard that word.

Well, what did she expect? That he'd fall head over heels in love with her and offer her his undying love and devotion?

Grow up, Bella. This is the freaking real world, not some Disney movie.

"When is your first class today? Shouldn't you get going? I don't want you to be late because of me."

Stop talking, Bella.

"What, are you tired of me, already?" Edward's smile had slipped a little bit.

"No, no. I just don't want you to get into trouble because of me."

"I don't think I'm going to get into trouble, Bella." He gave her his signature crooked smile. She blushed.

Of course, who would dare to reprimand a Royal Prince for coming late to class?

"But you're right, I should probably get going." He went on.

"Oh, alright. Well, I'll see you later, then."

They got up and walked to the door together.

Before they went their separate ways, Edward held on to Bella's hand, holding her back.

"Bella, wait. Is everything alright? With us, I mean."

"Yes, of course, why wouldn't it be?"

He shrugged, "I don't know, you just seem different than you were this morning."

"I'm fine, Edward, I promise." She tried to reassure him.

He regarded her for a second, as though trying to decide whether to believe her or not.

"Alright, I believe you," He finally said, "There's one more thing I need to ask you before you go."

"What is it?"

"My birthday is next week and my parents are throwing a party at the Palace. I'd love it if you could come."

"Really?"

He smiled and reached up to tuck a strand behind her ear.

"I would love to come, but I don't think I'll be able to get a plane ticket in time," She answered pensively. She really wanted to go.

Edward rolled his eyes playfully, "You don't have to worry about that. You'd be coming with me in the jet Bella."

"Oh," She'd be riding in the royal family's private jet? "Well, then I'd love to come."

He grinned, "Great, I'll call you with the details later, alright?"

She nodded.

They said their goodbyes. Edward kissed her on the cheek, and then they went their separate ways.

On her way to her first class of the day, a thought suddenly struck Bella.

She was going to Edward's Birthday party, where his parents will be.

Oh carp, she was going to meet the King and Queen.

She needed Alice, now!

(A/N): Soooo? Excited? Bored out of your minds? Tell me anyway :D

Really sorry that this one took longer than usual. My PC was suffering :(

Thank you for all those who reviewed or added my story to their alerts or favorites! Love you guys!

Feel free to check out my two other stories: Starstruck and Forgotten. :)