DO I REALLY WANT REVENGE?
Disclaimer: The Cullens, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.
All of the chapters of this story has been beta'd by the lovely dowlingnana and the chapters with mistakes are being replaced.
The entire entourage continued down the aisle towards the throne upon which the king stood in front and the young prince was standing down from the dais waiting to receive her for the exchanging of their vows. The prince, just like the king ,wore a dress uniform with sash crossing from shoulder to hip showing his ranking with ribbons marking his different achievements. His back was turned away from her, but, she did see the hair coloring that appeared to be more bronze than any other description could be used.
The princess appeared to have accepted her fate, but, little did anyone know that events were starting to whirl out of control to make a mockery out of all of this. Her chance for revenge was fast approaching and no one would be able to stop it once it arrived.
The wedding proceeded with the vows being exchanged. They turned to be presented to the court as Prince Edward and Princess Isabella when the back chamber doors were thrown open and in walked a gentleman in the royal colors of the Swan kingdom. He came straight to Princess Isabella and bowed at the waist saying, "My Queen."
CHAPTER 2: THE DAWNING OF A NEW ERA
"My Queen," He said while bowing in respect from the waist. Silence reigned supreme in the throne room amongst the entire gathering as these words were uttered. All were aware of how the only way the throne was obtained; through the death of the ruler. The only sound that had been heard at the moment he had said those two words came from Bella as she sucked air into her lungs. The councilor from Vargia was trying to get Queen Bella's attention while still bowed and holding out an envelope. He clears his throat and says, "Your Majesty." Trying to draw attention to what he held in his hand.
Bella blinks a couple of times as if just awakening from a trance, looks at the councilor and receives the envelope from him. She quietly moves away from all close to her to read with some sort of privacy. Prince Edward hesitantly walks over to her as if to be included into the matter. As she caught the movement out of the corner of her eye, she looked directly at him with a freezing glare. "Your presence was not requested so return to your former position." She commands. The sharpness of her tone immediately grates on his nerves, but, for appearances sake he does as requested. At least, that is the way he chooses to look at it. This treatment of a Wystonian royal stunned the entire assemblage. You could all give a gasp as if of one mind. They were shocked.
Bella opened the envelope and saw that the letter was from her father, King Charles. It was only two pages long, but, held everything. She read:
My beloved daughter,
To your mother and me you have always been a ray of sunlight and a joy to behold.
Know that if you are reading this letter then your mother and I are of no more. It will be up to you now, to lead our people towards the future of prosperity, security and stability. They will be looking to you for guidance in all that needs to be done. Decisiveness is the key with hesitation not even being an option. You have been taught well and trained to assume the role of leadership for our people from birth. And, your mother and I tried to balance that strictness by allowing you some freedom of youth as well as for you to experiment the joys of being young within the boundaries of responsibility. That was our way of letting you assume responsibility, to make decisions and to do so based upon finding the facts needed to make your choices.
It tore my heart out when I received word of your mother's abduction. All as a lever to force me to put you up on an auction block to be sold to the murderous villains of Norajia. Even though I knew that it would mean the loss of your mother, I could not force you into that situation since you are the future of our people. Their future happiness, security and stability had to come above my personal feelings, my love for your mother. She and I had discussed many different scenarios over the years to know what the other would want done and what they expected to be done. It sounds cruel, maybe that is what being in our position does. You can never really choose just for yourself, you must always be concerned with what the consequences of any decision will have upon our people.
When King Carlisle and Queen Esme of Wystonia petitioned for a marriage between their son, Prince Edward and you, with the hope of gaining certain privileges through the marriage, I turned them down because the proposal had been done in such a public fashion. This was my way of trying to buy time for a rescue plan to be launched on your mother's behalf. They and their people are decent people and wish for the same rights and to enjoy the same privileges as our people do. And at another time, them petitioning for certain right of rights and exceptions, I probably would have granted them. All persons willing to do honest works have the right to reap the benefits of their labor, and, certain right of ways through our lands would have made that burden more easily obtainable for them.
Since we are situated on the water side to be able to gain more viable access for importing and exporting, shipping and receiving necessary goods and products, to have the advantage of the outside world needed our ports and making use of our shipyards, we have become an important commodity within our own right. And, any other nation should be afforded the same rights within reason that we enjoy as a natural source. So, I like to think that under different circumstances, I would have granted their requests.
That is until they, themselves, tried to force the issue as the Noragia rift raft were doing by taking your mother. They took you and then demanded certain privileges and concessions be assigned to them for your marriage to Prince Edward or to prepare for a declaration of war. I said no.
But, before I could find another course of action I am now facing my last few moments after being informed and shown proof of your mother's demise. A battle has ensued and the enemy has been beaten back, but, my wounds are going to be the death of me.
Child it is now your turn to move our people forward with hope and pride. You are their future and dreams of a better tomorrow. We love you, your mother and I, and shall walk with you in your heart and spirit always.
Your father,
King Charles
Of Vargia
Bella read the letter twice before stiffening her back and shoulders to stand tall. She looked around at all that had assembled for her forced marriage and walked slowly back to the councilor that had brought her the news. She looked at him long and hard before opening her mouth to speak.
"Did you bring a Vargian escort with you?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"Then inform them that I shall be ready to leave within the hour. All is to be in readiness with no excuse for delay. How many ladies do you have present in the escort?"
"There are ten, your majesty."
"And how well do these ten measures up to their male counterparts?"
"Far and above, Ma'am."
"Very well, then, those ten are now promoted to be my personal guard as of now and shall report to me immediately."
"Yes, ma'am," He replies but with a puzzled look reflecting his curious thoughts as he bows once more, turns and leaves to do the Queen's bidding. As he approaches the door he stops and turns to Bella once more to inform her that Ladies Alice and Rosalie are among the company awaiting her command.
"Tell Lady Alice and Lady Rosalie to attend me now in the chambers that have been assigned to me. That Prince Edward will have them shown the proper rooms." And with that she turns to her new husband and says, "Won't you, Prince Edward?" He nods after trying to search out some emotion in her face to guide him for the answers to the questions he and his family want to ask.
"Of course, he replies."
"King Carlisle, I bid you and your family a good day. And, by all means be assured that I have forgotten nothing. And I should do everything within my power to keep the vow I made before the marriage.
"Now, since Prince Edward and I legally married I expect him to join me in Vargia without delay. The coronation shall take place within two weeks. Of course, Prince Edward, being my spouse, will be expected to swear allegiance to me and my people. You and your family are not expected to be in attendance." After saying this she leaves the throne room heading back to the bedchambers to change into her traveling clothes.
Bella makes a straight walk to the chambers holding her head up and looking forwards only as she doesn't wish to speak nor see the shocked and stunned look upon the faces of the Wystonian nobles and servants, alike. She is in a numbed state at the moment due to all that has been transpiring over the last few days especially with the news concerning the fate of her father and mother.
Upon entering the chambers, Ladies Alice and Rosalie are there waiting and rush forward with hugs and sympathy wanting to get her ready for them all to return home. The changing of clothes is accomplished in no time and all three ladies turn at hearing a knock upon the door. Lady Rosalie being the closest answers the door, speaks to the person on the other side, then turns to let Bella know that it is the ten ladies of the guard. Bella instructs her to allow them entrance; so she does
"Majesty, you requested our presence?"
"Yes. I am informed that you ten are better than the men of your unit in your abilities. And, since your unit is considered to be elite, that would make you tops of the guard. So, with that being said you are now all promoted to be my personal guard from this moment forth.
"Ladies Alice and Rosalie are answerable to me so therefore you will give your name, rank and qualifications to them. They will then provide that information to me and I shall make the necessary appointments of command at that time. But, until then your current ranking order will do.
"You will now bring forth the ten top rank males of the guard and they shall be appointed as the personal guard to Prince Edward, but, shall be answerable to me and me only. Is that understood?
"You do realize that these appointments make all twenty of you the elite of the elite? And in accordance, you will conduct yourselves in a proper manner at all times, no exceptions ever.
"Ladies a new era is beginning under my rule and in my personal household. It is the day of WOMAN. And the male species shall learn this quickly." After saying all of this the guards was dismissed, but, not before the appropriate assignment of protection was place outside of the chamber doors.
Bella has word sent to Prince Edward that his escort and vehicle is awaiting for the journey homeward and he is to join all outside immediately. Any goodbyes are to be said now for delays are not going to be tolerated.
After making all parties waiting outside for another thirty minutes, Bella appears with both Alice and Rosalie. They move to the third car back of the convoy and prepare to enter. Prince Edward is standing there waiting as well. When she sees this she motions one of her guard forward with instructions to inform Prince Edward that he would be traveling in the fourth car back with his escort and whichever two personal individuals he is taking.
As he is informed his head jerks up and he could be seen staring at Bella with pressed lips. With a quick nod he moves to the fourth vehicle and enters. All of Wystonia along with the royal family have assembled and aligned the travel route to say goodbye to their beloved prince.
The line of vehicles begins to move and all wave as the cavalcade moves by them.
A/N: Well Bella has certainly taken control and is meaning to keep her vow. What will she do next? Will she keep Edward at arm's length as she has started? Will he continue to take all of this with no response back? How long do you think he will allow it? What action is going to be taken against Noragia? And who is calling all of the shots from that country? And why are they so interested in having all of the control?
Your reviews and comments will be most welcomed and I will answer back.