(A/N) I have to admit that this chapter did not go as I had wished, but I think it must be done to set up for something I wanted to do later on. I do promise a fluff chapter either the next one or the one after that, because I'm itching to write something fluffy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or New Moon (cries).

Chapter 7

I woke up on my bed with the sun shining brightly into my room. I heard someone call out my name under my window. Jacob was there. "Come down, Your Highness," he called.

I waved before pulling on a light summer dress and skipped down the stairs. The air felt odd, as if it was unreal. My feet felt light as they seemed to glide over the steps. I was moving very quickly, yet I did not trip. Outside, Jacob was waiting for me with a beautiful white pony at his side.

"Ride," he said, almost commanding me. I pulled myself effortlessly onto the sidesaddle and rode, to my surprise, with amazing grace and skill. He hopped onto a sleek black stallion and we were off.

He led me to the meadow some ways away from the palace, his face suddenly very serious. "I don't want you to go, Bella," he said, a faint blush appearing on his cheeks. "Don't leave with the von Cullens."

"Why not?" I asked, confused.

"Because they are evil people. Have you noticed how they seemed to be disgusted at the food they ate? Have you noticed that they are cold all the time? Do you know if they have a heart beat?"

"I know that they are usually cold, but that may just be nervousness," I answered, wondering what he was getting at.

"They are not human, Bella," he said, looking into my eyes. I knew he never called me by my name unless he was desperate, and he seemed very desperate right now. "Do some research in the library…the story about who they are should be in one of the old tomes in the second floor's old records section…"

Without warning, the air was whooshed out of me as I felt something hit me really hard. I no longer seemed to be in the meadow with my pony, but in a dark dreary forest. Across from me was a giant wolf, baring teeth that were about the size of my hand. Beside me, hands clenched in fury, was Edward, his eyes coal black and flashing. His jaw seemed to be strained; his pose rigid.

The wolf growled again, leaping at me. Edward, in one swift movement, blocked the wolf, but was thrown aside. The wolf lunged again as I fell on the ground with a soft thud. I could feel myself bleeding, but I was not in pain. The usual nausea that came with so much blood was not there either. Numbly, I watched as Edward and the wolf fought, cutting gashes into one another, though Edward never really bled. When Edward sunk his teeth into the wolf, it howled for a long moment before crumbling to the ground, seemingly dead.

Edward was breathing hard, but his wounds seemed to heal before my eyes. He looked at me, almost horrified at the amount of blood gushing from me. The next moment, he was at my side.

"Bella! Bella! Can you hear me? Don't die, please, don't die. Wake up. Wake up," he muttered over and over again as my vision shrank into a black tunnel before turning black.

"Princess! Bella! Wake up…" I heard a familiar voice say. I sluggishly opened my eyes, realizing that that was just a dream. At the sight of my stirring, Sophie sighed. "Dear God, I swear, Princess, if this happens again, I'll call a true nurse to be your waker."

"Why? What time is it?" I asked.

"What time is it!? She asks what time is it!! For the love of God, dear Highness, it is after noon!" Sophie exclaimed, throwing a look of desperation on her face.

That got me alert at once. I missed breakfast and lunch. To heck with whatever the dream meant, I'll worry about that later. I practically bounded from my bed, tripping on my bed sheets and hitting my head on the headboard in the process. I had always wanted to know why it was named a headboard…

Sophie had already laid out my dress for the day. The weather was still warm – early September. I wore a light summer dress that was not too warm, nor too indecent. Sophie brought me a light meal of milk, fruits, and bread before leaving me to wander on myself.

When I inquired the whereabouts of the Cullens, the guards told me that the princes went out hunting today and the princesses were out horseback riding in the fields. They wanted to enjoy their last few days here. The guards also thought it odd that the princes were wearing darker clothing and a thick cloak when the weather was so nice.

Sighing, I tread my way to the library, where I usually spent my time. The palace library was big, taking up most of the north wing's first, second, and third floor as well as the north tower. The tower was an observatory at one point, but now became a place where many unused books were stacked and piled. Old record books that dated way back when the palace was built over a seven hundred years ago were discarded there. It was told that there was once a book-keeper living in the tower, but he had died long ago.

But, my visit was not to see the tower. Its only entrance was shut off long ago, and I have yet to find where it was hidden. I remembered my dreams. One of them was a happy dream of Edward in which I no longer recall other than that I was happy. The other one was burned into my mind as vividly as if it was real. Jacob had told me that the Cullens were not human and that I could find out by reading one of the record books in the library on the second floor.

Though I knew it was probably some random thing my mind made up, I found myself in the records section, nonetheless. Here, rows upon rows of large volumes were placed, a thin layer of dust covered and protected them. I was in the oldest section, with volumes dating way back to four hundred years ago. Every step I made caused a swirl of dust to fly, causing me to wheeze.

A little later, as I gradually made my way into the newer section, I had an uncomfortable feeling of being watched. "Who's there?" I called out. Nothing answered. I twirled and came face to face with a gnarled-looking man who was dirty and gray with age. His hair was all white, his eyes a clear but cloudy blue that hinted at possible blindness, his skin so wrinkled and clear that his bones and veins could be traced.

"Forgive me," he said in a deep voice, unmarred by his age. "I am a book keeper. Do you need help?"

"D-Do you k-know where the records about t-the Austrian royal family are k-kept?" I stuttered, my heart racing with fear. Men like this one were not usually allowed in the palace at all, much less in the records of the library.

"I guess you must be Her Highness, Princess Isabella," he said, confidence showing. "I have heard of your story and been told of your future. I see something else changing, though. You might not meet your first fate, but you may meet a second fate. The book you seek is laid on the desk over there." He pointed to an old desk before walking away, muttering about love and fate.

I walked over to the book. It was dated to two hundred years ago. I randomly flipped open a page and started reading.

The von Cullens are a creature of the darkest kind, though they themselves are the brightest of the darkest. Normal people know them as Vampires, though they are not the normal kind. Vampires exist around the world, leaving one place for another as they try to escape notice by the common people. Normal vampires exist on human blood, as it holds a lure that they cannot escape. The von Cullens are the only known vampires that broke this tradition by living on animals instead. They continue to hold the Austrian throne after two hundred years and will continue to do so for times to come. Vampires are immortal. To others, it will seem that the von Cullens have an everlasting line.

The von Cullen family is only composed of King Carlisle Cullen, his wife Esme Cullen, and their "son" Edward Cullen. However, I foresee two more couples joining the family in the years to come.

I stopped. I do not know what to think, what to do. The old bookkeeper had disappeared. I was alone. I needed to think. However, a part of me knew that it does not matter. Nothing matters. Although I only met him a two days ago, a part of me knew that I would never like anyone else the way I like Edward. No, I do not think I love him yet, but I certainly like him much more than was reasonable.

Review! I know that the time is a little bit off, but I believe that I am allowed to manipulate some time stuff to fit my needs.

I am debating whether I want Bella to spend the summer in Austria or the winter. Her birthday is in early September. Review with your thoughts! I hope this doesn't sound too commanding or anything, but I want at least 5 reviews, if possible. Reviews help me write better as well as give me motivation, not to say that I'll update faster, too. Anyways, review!