(A/N): Thanks to my awesome beta RandomatGedz!
Disclaimer: Steph Meyer owns all the characters; I just play around with them ;)
Enjoy!
Living Royal
Chapter Twenty Six
"Aren't you going to answer that?" Bella asked Edward. He'd been standing there simply staring at his phone as it rang shrilly.
He looked up at her before answering, "Yeah, I will. Hello?" He answered.
Bella's heart was bearing fast as she watched him pace back and forth whilst speaking to his father. Her mind ran wild with all the possibilities of why he could be calling them now. Did he see the newspapers?
Of course he did. Even if he hadn't he probably heard it through various other sources. News like that tended to travel very fast. It was inevitable.
Oh why did she have to forget about hiding the ring?
So much for a relaxing vacation.
"Yes, Dad. I know." Bella heard Edward speak into the phone. She couldn't tell by his expression if what his father was saying was good or bad. His face was blank so far, which was making her more nervous. "Alright yes, I'll speak to you later."
Edward hung up the phone and looked anxiously at Bella.
"Well, it seems that the news has reached England." He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.
"What did your father say? How bad is it?" Bella asked hesitantly.
"Not as bad as I expected, actually. He seemed surprisingly calm about the whole thing."
"Well, that's good, right?" She asked, not sure why Edward seemed unhappy about that.
"Yes, of course it is. It's just I'm not used to my father being so…understanding." He explained. "Frankly, I expected him to bloody pissed and to start giving me a lecture about appearances and acting appropriately, but he said none of that. He simply wanted to make sure the rumors were true and to ask if we needed more SS agents for extra protection."
"Wow, you're right. That's definitely different. But I think we should enjoy it while it lasts." Bella smiled, hoping to alleviate the situation.
It worked, Edward smiled back, "You're right. How about we go out today? We've been cooped up in here long enough. Not that I didn't enjoy every minute of it, of course." He grinned.
Bella rolled her eyes. "Where are we going?"
He shrugged, "Out."
"Out where?"
"Come on, baby. We're young, we're in love, let's just be spontaneous for once."
"I've never seen you so carefree before." Bella admitted.
"I'm just glad that our secret is out in the open, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my chest." He walked closer to Bella and pulled her into his arms. "Now, I can finally show you off to the world as what you really are."
"What am I?"She asked dazedly, barely focusing like what usually happens whenever Edward touched her.
"Mine." He replied before kissing her hard.
After a very heated make-out session, they both got ready to face the outside world. Right before they walked outside two hours later, Edward stopped Bella in her tracks.
"What is it? Did you change your mind? We can always go back up to our rooms." Bella rambled.
Edward touched her cheek softly, "I haven't changed my mind. I just think we should adjust one thing before going out there.
"What thing?" Bella looked down at her self wondering if anything was out of place.
Edward reached behind her neck and unhooked the necklace. He slid the ring off and held it in the palm of his hand.
"This." He said. "It should go back to where it belongs."
Bella smiled widely at him. "I think so too."
Edward held her hand in his and slid the ring up her ring finger slowly. Bella felt like it was the day her proposed all over again. She felt tears prick her eyes, happy tears, but she held them back. No reason why the mob should see her crying on their first appearance as an engaged couple.
Edward kissed her hand after he was done and then held it tightly in his as they prepared to face the outside world. As soon as they stepped out the doors they were immediately attacked with an onslaught of questions and camera flashes.
Great, now there might be a risk of blindness involved too, Bella thought sarcastically.
"Prince Edward, how long have you two been engaged?"
"Bella, how did the Prince propose? Was it romantic?"
"How long are you two planning on staying in France?"
"Why did you hide your engagement from everyone?"
To Bella and Edward, all these questions sounded like a jumbled mess of shouts. Edward put her arm around her and attempted to steer her in the direction of the car that the hotel arranged for them. For a second it seemed like their road to the car was blocked, but Edward kept pushing through and with the help of hotel security they were able to make it. By the time they got into the car, Bella's hair was a mess and Edward's shirt had a small tear in it.
"That was…" Bella began.
"Insane." Edward finished for her. "It's never been this crazy before."
He started the car and they drive away from the mayhem, hoping that nobody followed them.
"So where are we going?" Bella asked. She realized that she still had no idea where Edward was taking her.
"I know this club close by, it's really amazing and just the place for us to relax."
"Are you sure? Because that's the exact reason why we came to France and look what happened?"
Edward reached across and grabbed her hand. "I'm so sorry."
"Hey, don't apologize. If anyone should do that, it would be me. I was the one who forgot to hide the ring."
"I'm actually glad you didn't." He lifted her arm and kissed her hand again.
"If you didn't want us to hide this then why did you agree to wait?" Bella wondered.
"It was what you wanted." He shrugged.
"Yes, but what about what you wanted?"
"It didn't really matter."
"Yes it does. You should see yourself right now, you're so relaxed. Keeping this secret must've been really weighing you down. You should have told me. We would've announced it right away."
"But you wanted to wait."
"Edward, we need to talk about things like that. You can't just always let me have my way."
"Why not?" Edward pouted comically.
Bella chuckled at his expression, "Because that's what couples do. They talk things out and if they can't decide one way or the other, they find some middle ground."
"There was no middle ground here, Bella. It was either we tell everyone or we don't and I wasn't about to make you deal with something you weren't prepared for yet."
Bella huffed. He was too protective sometimes, but that was one of the things she loved about him.
"Well, do you promise to tell me what you really think next time anything like this happens?"
"I promise." He agreed right away.
They arrived at the club a few minutes later. Bella was awed as she took in the view in front of her. This wasn't just a country club, it was a freaking castle.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Edward said when he noticed Bella's expression. "My parents used to bring me here when I was a kid. I always loved it. Wait till you see the inside." He pulled her to the doors where they were greeted by the staff. It looked like every member of the staff was there to welcome them. It must be standard procedure whenever royalty come to visit.
"Welcome, Your Highness." A tall man who looked a lot like James said. "We are so glad you have chosen to come here with your fiancé. We hope you enjoy your visit." The man looked absolutely ecstatic.
"Thank you, Jean." Edward replied familiarly. "Is everything I asked for ready?"
"Of course, Your Highness. Everything was prepared exactly to your specifications." Jean bowed and spread his hand indicating they should walk in ahead of him.
The inside was even more beautiful than the outside, Bella decided as she glanced around. The rooms were so elegant and cozy at the same time, just like their rooms at the hotel in fact.
"So what do you feel like doing first?" Edward whispered close to her ear so that Jean wouldn't hear. "The spa treatment or golf or…"
"Hold on," Bella cut him off. "There's a spa here?"
"Yes, there is."Edward grinned. "Interested?"
"Hell yes. I mean, I'm not normally a spa going kind of girl, that's Alice's domain, but after the last twenty four hours, I could use some relaxing."
"I know." Edward pulled her close. "So, how about couple's massage?"
"Hm, I'm not sure about letting some other woman touch what is mine."
"I love it when you get possessive." Edward kissed her quickly. "But the kind of massages they offer here is different. We'll actually be the ones massaging each other; they consider it a form of couple's therapy." He winked roguishly.
"Oh, where do I sign up?" Bella exclaimed right away.
Edward threw his head back and laughed loudly. When he was sufficiently recovered he told Jean what they wanted to start with and he led them to a room where they could change.
Edward helped Bella take off her clothes while trailing his fingers along her skin at the same time. He then started kissing her neck while standing behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Edward, cut it out." Bella protested weakly. "Someone could come in any minute."
"No one's coming in here. This place is restricted for couples only, no staff allowed." H continued kissing her.
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"Yes, I am." He said between kisses. He turned her around and started kissing her jaw, then her cheeks and finally moved to her mouth.
They both moaned loudly when their lips touched and Edward's clothes were quickly disposed off as well.
By the time their session was over, Bella and Edward were so relaxed and spent that they could barely move.
"That was the best massage I have ever had in my entire life." Edward panted. He was laying on the massage table with Bella half next to him and half on top of him. They had to stay close or she would fall off. Neither one of them had a problem with that at all.
"Same here." Bella giggled.
"We should probably get dressed. They might send someone to check on us since our session is over." He said.
"I don't think I can move if I tried." Bella groaned.
"Me neither, trust me. But we have to."
"Oka, okay. I'm getting up." Bella moved slowly up and wrapped one of the sheets that were supposed to be laid on the table but were now scattered on the ground, around her. Edward followed and they got dressed quickly.
Edward was attempting to fix his wild hair when Bella stopped him, "Don't bother. You always look like you have sex hair anyway."
"I do, huh? No wonder my mother was always following me around with a brush when I was a teenager."
Bella laughed at the mental picture of Esme trying to force Edward to comb his hair.
"I bet girls just wished they could run their fingers through it." Bella mused as she wrapped her arms around his neck and played with the hair at the back.
"They can all dream on, because you're the only one who's allowed to do that now." He kissed her nose.
"So, how about some golf? Are you up for it?" Edward asked suddenly. "I'm feeling very revitalized right now."
"Oh, I wonder why?" Bella joked, her eyes straying to the table where they'd enjoyed spending the last hour.
Their private moment was interrupted by the shrill ringing of Edward's phone. He fished it out of his pocket.
"It's my father." He announced after glancing at the screen. "Wonder what's wrong now."
"Hello?" He answered. "Really? You're here?"
Bella raised her eyebrows wondering what was going on. Her phone rang interrupting her train of thought. It was Alice. She raved about the how happy she was everything was out in the open and that she could now tell Jazzy.
"Why what's wrong? Are you sure that's necessary?" Bella heard Edward say as she was half listening to Alice. "Alright, we'll be right there." He then hung up.
"Ali, can I call you later? No, you can't go shopping for my wedding dress yet. Because I'm not there! Bye, Ali!" She quickly hung up and turned expectantly to look at Edward.
"My father's here." He told Bella.
"Why?"
"I'm not entirely sure; he says he needed to speak with us in person. He's waiting at the hotel."
"How did he get here so quickly?"
"Apparently, when he heard the news this morning, he had them ready the jet right away. We should go see what's going on."
Bella nodded quickly. They finished dressing and made their way outside. They met Jean in the lobby and thanked him before they left.
The ride back to the hotel was quiet; both of them were wondering why the King thought it imperative that he should be there right now.
They reached the hotel in record time and walked quickly inside as some of the reporters were still waiting outside for them. They went up to their rooms and found the King already there waiting for them.
"Edward!" He walked quickly towards him and pulled him into a hug. "Congratulations, son."
Well, that was…different. Good different, but different nonetheless.
"Uh, thank you, father." Edward said hesitantly, not sure of how to react to the warm welcome.
"Bella," the King turned towards his son's fiancée. "I have to say that Edward couldn't have picked anyone better."
Bella looked at Edward quickly and found him smiling softly, "Oh, thank you, sir."
"I thought we agreed that you'd call me Carlisle."
"Um, yes. Sorry, Carlisle." She stuttered.
"Well, let's sit down then. I believe we need to talk about how to handle this situation." They slowly made their way to the living area and the King sat in the chair closest to the fireplace while Edward and Bella sat on the couch together.
"Dad, I think we can handle it." Edward tried to interject.
"I know you can Edward and I'm sorry that I interrupted your time alone with Bella, but I'm only here to offer my help."
"What kind of help?" Edward wondered.
"First of all, you both need to go back to London."
"No, absolutely not." Edward objected. "We're going on with our vacation as planned. I think we deserve a little time to ourselves don't you? Besides, don't you think it will look suspicious if we run back home now?"
"I had a feeling you would say that. That's why I have asked a couple of reporters to come here tomorrow to interview you both. It'll be just one interview where they can ask you about the engagement and your relationship and it'll help curb the growing enthusiasm that the public seem to have of you both. What do you think?"
Edward looked to Bella, "What do you think? Do you want to do it?"
She shrugged, "If it will help, then I have no problem with it."
Edward sighed and then nodded, "Alright we'll do it."
"Great," The king exclaimed as he stood back up. "Expect them to be here tomorrow at noon. I have to get back now. Nobody knows I'm here. The pilot's on standby to take me back right away. I'll see you two later? Oh, and Edward your mother sends her congratulations to you both. She wanted to come with me but she had obligations that couldn't be missed. She expects you both to come back as soon as possible so she can throw an engagement ball at the Palace."
"We'll be back in three days, father. Try to hold mum back a bit until we get there."
"Will do." The King responded before he hugged them goodbye and left.
"Huh," Bella uttered as soon as the door was closed and it was just the two of them again. "That was interesting."
"Now, that's an understatement." He replied.
(A/N): Thanks so much for all your wonderful reviews! We're so close to hitting 1k reviews! Love you guys!
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