Chapter 43

Once the prison cells were locked and the main dungeon doors, I looked to Sam and Jacob and said, "I would like cameras installed in the dungeons tomorrow."

"We'll get it done, your highness; we'll also give you a full run down on the cameras that are working and not working and any improvements we would recommend."

"Thank you. Carlisle, is that okay?"

"Yes, your highness."

"Alice, what you look ridiculous? What do you want to say?"

"Bella, you're carrying a gun."

"Actually, Alice," and I bent down and pulled out a second one from under my skirt and said, "I'm carrying two. I know how to use them; and they're real."

Jasper then said, "She has become an excellent marksman. Ladies, we need to get you all moving though."

"Rose, is your room still at the end of the hall and not all pink and girly like someone else's is?"

"Yes, Bella."

"Would you mind if we use your sitting room?"

"It would be my pleasure. Let's go."

Ten men were left outside Rose's door. Another five were by each window and the rest of us sat down.

Rose gave me her favorite chair. Carlisle was on one side and Edward on the other. Jasper was behind Alice and Emmett was behind Rose.

I then said, "We did it; the first step is complete. Now all the hard work starts. Carlisle and Edward, what is next?"

"First the three of you ladies, will have a guard with you always. Rose and Alice, I'm sorry; but you'll have to accept that a guard will be staying in the bedroom portion of your suite with you. You'll also have one every night on your balcony and at your bedroom door 24 hours a day and seven days a week. For right now while moving around the castle, you'll each have three guards. Bella, will have at least five. All of these guards will be ours from the US until we can find those here that are loyal to you and the queen. As time progresses, we may reduce the number of guards, but we'll have to wait and see."

"Carlisle, may I interject something here to my darling sisters."

"Sure, your highness."

"Rose and Alice, I have fought these guys all along the way. I lived in the US with 24 hour guards and gotten used to it. I hope we don't have to keep this up very long. However, until I say so, you are to do exactly as they say or as I say. We need to know your schedules; and if we tell you to change schedules, you will. I just got you two back and I want to keep it that way."

Rose and Alice came over and climbed into the chair with me and said, "Yes, my queen," and we're hugging. In each ear I heard, "Can Emmett be my guard?" In the other ear, I heard, "Can Jasper be my guard?"

I giggled and whispered, "I think that can be arranged. Rose and Alice, what rooms do I get here in the castle."

"Unfortunately not your old one, mommie dearest took them over and remodeled them; you would never recognize them."

"What about my father's?"

"I don't know; we haven't been in them since he died. We didn't want to disturb them," Alice said.

Edward said, "Why don't I get Seth to take a few butlers and check it out? And we can plan that is where you'll be staying."

"Okay."

"Carlisle and Edward, I've one request I am hoping you can help me with?"

"What's that, your highness?"

I turned and walked to them behind my chair and we got really close. "If we can find a room with no windows, is there a way my sisters and I can please have a private dinner tonight? I need time with just the three of us. After that, I promise I'll share you and them."

Then Carlisle said, "Of course, your highness."

Then I giggled and said, "I ,already, really hate that phrase. I may have to come up with a new phrase."

Edward smiled and said, "Sorry, your highness. First thing in the morning, we'll start doing checks and interviewing the staff to see how loyal they are to you."

"I'm so going to wish I had a secretary."

Edward stopped even though he was about to say something and looked at Carlisle. Carlisle looked at Edward and smiled, "Okay, what you two?" I asked.

"I know the best person for the job. She can protect herself as well and she'll be 100 percent loyal to you, Bella."

I smiled and said, "Who?"

"Esme."

"Esme, your wife."

"Yes."

"But how?"

"Easy, she's a contract employee for the CIA. She's the best organizer and helped even with your case though she didn't know it. Plus she can protect herself and you."

"Really, she can come?"

"Of course. After the press conference, I'll have to make the call and get the clearance to get her here."

"Alright, we have work to do. Carlisle, please do not tell her why she is coming here if you can avoid it. If you can't, will you please allow me to call and ask her if she'll come and help? I want to hear the surprise in her voice."

"Yes," Carlisle said. "Sam, I need a private secure room for these three sisters to have dinner in. Jake arrange for the dinner for them."

"We'll be back in about ninety minutes for their dinner."

"Gentlemen, thank you for getting me home safely and protecting me and my step sisters."

With Edward back at my side, we headed back to Parliament for the news conference. We were met by Paul, Garret and Riley. Paul then said, "There are rumors spreading that you are back, so we want to bring you in the back door to avoid all the press that has turned up." I was next to Edward and with the change in plans everyone's guns came out including mine.

Paul said, "Shit, our Queen is even armed."

Without even missing a beat, Carlisle said, "Lead the way, gentlemen. Yes, your queen is armed and has been trained to protect herself." My sisters and I were kept in the middle of everyone again.

When we got to the door, Paul and Garret when in to take their seats. Part of my security team went in and checked the room. Then I was allowed in after I put my gun away. My sisters and I stepped up to the podium and our guards slipped right behind us and to the sides. I was seen for the first time and there was a gasp and silence fell across the room and then questions started flying at me.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Yes, I am Queen Isabella Marie Cisne. I have returned to reclaim my country and my crown for Isla Crepusculo Luna. My stepmother, Victoria blackmailed me into leaving. However, some friends of mine figured out who I really was. Between them and the President of the United States showing me what has happened to my country, I decided to come home. That has taken some planning. I'll not deceive you all; I was here a month ago getting the evidence that I needed to prove my innocence and I saw my sisters then. They were told to tell no one that I had been here. Until almost a year ago, I had been keeping a very low profile in the woods of the Northwestern part of the United States. I have always cared and loved my country. I never wanted to desert the citizens of this country and I thought Victoria would take care of the country; however as I said earlier, I was shown I was incorrect and now I am back. I'll make it up to my country and sisters for being gone. I'll put my country back to where it was when my father was ruling it. This is my promise to you on my last name Cisne. Now I hope you all understand until I know who will be loyal to my father's memories and myself; I'll have my own personal guards with me and my sisters. Thank you for coming out this evening. I'll answer questions for ten minutes and then I have dinner plans with my sisters; I hope you'll understand." I answered as many questions as I could and I remained vague on some. I then said, "Last question."

I pointed to a gentleman and he asked, "Queen Isabella, if my calculations are correct, I believe you turn twenty-five next month."

"Yes, I do."

"I don't know if you remember our island history, but the queen is supposed to be married by the time she is twenty-five to keep her crown. Will you be getting married by the end of next month and if so to whom?"

"Yes, I do remember my country's history and my step mother reminded me of that earlier today. Yes, I will be getting married in a month. I haven't gotten married while in the United States. And as to whom I'll let you know who it is when I know who it is."

"Thank you, all and I look forward to spreading good news about our country with you all as I work through the country's needs. Good night all." Parliament then stood and bowed to me as I turned and left through the back door. Once outside in the hallways, my gun was back out and we were on our way. Once we passed back onto castle grounds, we slowly made our way back towards the bedrooms. This time I led everyone to my father's old suites. I found Seth in there with the cleaning crew cleaning it up for me. I then walked to the patio door and as I tried to open the door. Edward stopped me and said, "Just look at the view for now, your highness."

"Fine," so I looked out and saw the ocean that my father and I adventured around in.

I turned and asked, "Carlisle and Edward, will this do?"

"Yes, your highness."

Sam and Jake soon found us. "We have a room for you three and your dinner will be there shortly."

"Where are we having dinner?"

Sam said, "I took the liberty of having your father returned to his casket and there are three chairs and a table being set up there for you. We'll wait right outside the door for you. You can be back with your father, mother and your sisters all at the same time. And your casket has been removed."

"Thank you, Sam, that's perfect," and I hugged him.

"Ladies, let's go, I want to hear all about you." I walked by my father's vanity and saw my reflection and said, "Wait one minute," and I removed my crown and put my hair in a pony tail

Emmett then said, "Our Bella is back."

I turned and smiled and said, "Almost, Emmett, I'm just missing my jeans and a tank."

We went through the entire castle and the staff kept bowing to me and said, "Hello, your highness and welcome back."

Twenty minutes later, we finally arrived at the family's private entrance to the caskets. "Ladies, enjoy your dinner, together. You deserve this, your highnesses; we'll be right outside if you need us," Carlisle said.

"Thank you," I said and I hugged all my guardians. Then I led Rose and Alice into the sanctuary and took my first real deep breath for the first time since we had landed back home. I knew I was safe in this room, I had my sisters back and I was protected just outside the door.

Once we went in, Rose said, "Come here, baby sister," and I walked into her arms and Alice wrapped around me on the other side. "I'm so happy to see you alive and breathing. I can fully touch you and talk to you whenever we want now." Alice just kept sobbing. "Bella, would you do me one favor though, right now?"

"What?"

"Take that damn gun off; hugging you hurts."

I smiled and said, "Of course," and I laid them both down and turned around and said, "I'm home. I didn't know how much I missed you both until I saw you last month."

"Bella, when we figured out, you weren't dead six months after you left. Then another year went by and we still hadn't heard from you, we had our own funeral for you. We thought we would never see you again," Rose said through tears.

"Let's sit and eat. I want to hear all about how you tormented our step mother for all these years."

"Only if you tell us about Edward, Emmett and Jasper," Alice said.

"Deal."

The girls had the chef make some of my old favorite foods. We sat, ate and talked about everything.

Finally, I said, "Has mommy dearest let you two date anyone?"

"Of course," said Rose, "but only until I get into trouble then she would ban us again."

"Alice?"

Rose then said, "No, she's too picky. She never found anyone good enough until Jasper walked in that day."

"Shut up, Rose. What about you, Bella? How are American men?"

"I have met several kinds of American men and yet, until recently, I didn't let any of them get close to me for obvious reasons."

Alice squealed and then Rose said, "Bella, are you telling me that you are still a virgin after being in the US for six years?"

"Yes, is that a problem Rose?"

"No, I'm just very surprised. Some American men can be very aggressive."

"Rose, did you forget that my father taught me karate. Ask Emmett and Edward about that some day."

"Will you two help me run this country?"

"Of course, we will. We can hardly wait," Rose said.

"Now tell us about Emmett and Jasper," and we kept on talking.

Finally, Alice said, "Who are you going to marry Bella?"

Rose said, "Are you hoping Edward will marry you?"

"How did you know Rose?"

"Bella, he's been mere inches from you; every time he's near you. You two gravitate towards each other."

"But Rose we are hot and cold; he won't let me get to close. He told me he loved me back in September at Disneyland, but he has never said it again."

"Bella, what happened that day after he told you he loved you?"

"I tried to walk away because I had never heard that and didn't know what I was feeling. Since then we have kissed and touched one another, but I want more. I have wanted more for awhile. I think he's afraid to get close because when he's done here he'll have to go home. I love him so much I don't want to let him go." I was crying again. Alice and Rose held me until I calmed down.

Alice said, "Tell us about Edward. Especially since I bet that will mean we get to hear more about the other boys." So I did, and eventually, I said, "Rose, this is why I never got involved with an American boy because how was I to explain my elaborate tattoos on my ankles."

Then, we kept on talking.

"Bella, no matter what, the three of us are in this together," Rose said.

"Thank you, guys. It's so good to be back."