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.

But, as they entered, she told Edward to follow her to her chambers; he nodded. Once they were in behind closed doors, Bella fought to control the rage she was feeling. "Did you know that the Wystonian royals were going to be present? No lies, Edward. I want the truth. Did you know?"

"I knew they were talking about being present, but, in the background, as moral support for me. However, I had no idea that they were there, or, what they were planning in regards to the pledge. That is normally given by a representative of the crown but for them to do it they surprised me." Bella looked hard at him for a moment or two before nodding and appeared to relax slightly.

"Very well, I shall accept that. Over the next few days I shall assign your duties to you, but, you will be answerable only to me. Understood?"

"Yes."

"Very well, you may go."

"Isabella, please, will you allow me a question or two?"

"What?"

"Why?"

"Why what"

"Why include me as you did? Why give me a title as you did?"

"For the benefit of my people, for the stability of the country and to where there would be no embarrassment to the crown."

"I see." With that he turned and left to go back to his own quarters to get ready for the evening events.

CHAPTER 7: WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?

Edward headed back to the Heir Apparent chambers so he could begin getting ready for the celebration ball being held. His heart was heavy due to the harsh words that she had acknowledged his status for the good of the country and nothing else. But, somehow, he was still holding on to hope; hope that Bella would learn that he meant her no harm, but quite the opposite. He loved her deeply and for always. Of course, he realized that he hadn't told her how he felt or that he had been in love with her since she was fourteen just from the sight of her in a picture. He knew then that she was his forever, but, with the recent past and how things played out, it wasn't the time to tell her. She probably wouldn't believe him anyway.

His gentleman was helping him to dress for the ball when he heard a knock on the door. James went over to answer, but, was almost knocked backwards as his family, Emmett first, of course, came through the door. His mother rushed over and gathered him into a bone crushing hug wanting to know if he was doing well.

"I'm fine, mother, except for the bones you just crushed." He jokes with her. She laughs and hugs him again. "Mother, please, let me breathe."

"Sir, your jacket," Edward looked around to see James holding out his jacket so he could put it on. That put the final touches to his outfit. After James made sure Edward was fully put together, he dismissed himself and left the room to give his master and his family some privacy. James had attended to Edward ever since he was a youngster of eight and planned to continue doing so until he drew a last breath. He has been nothing, but, proud of the young man that he has become and the accepting of the responsibility that he has had to carry for each and every task he has been given. Of course, the plan to achieve the goal has at times been questionable, but, it all has always worked out in the end.

He knew that his young master was fretting over the current standing of his marriage since he had deep feelings for the young Queen. The events surrounding his marriage caused great grief to the young master and weighed heavily on his mind and heart. James wished many a time that he could find some words or way to help ease the hurt and bring the joy back to him. As he left the room the Cullen family was busy visiting with each other and catching up on all of the news and events taking place since last they saw each other. They too were concerned about the young master and his wife.

"Son, have things gotten better between you and Isabella since last we spoke?" Carlisle asked of his son.

"Dad, at times, it seems like she might be relenting, but, then others she becomes cold again. I can understand what is holding her back, and, I just have to be a bit more patient to let her find firm ground before approaching her about anything new."

"How did she take our being here?"

"Better than I thought she would, but, she was really pissed, if you must know. She wanted to know if I had had forewarning of what you were going to do or whether all of you were going to be here."

"What did you tell her?

"The truth, that I knew there was a possibility of you being here as moral support for me, but, not that you were going to approach her in front of the whole nation" Edward answered his father honestly.

"Edward, I put you in this situation and it is up to me to try and help get you out of it. Hopefully it will help for you and Isabella to find common ground to meet and start working your way beyond the bad circumstances that caused the current strife and tension between you two." Carlisle told his son. The problem was he wasn't quite sure what needed to be done to be able to get the situation rectified. But, before another word could be said there was a knock at the door. Emmett went over to answer it, stepping to one side as he swung the door further due to a party of four entering the suite.

"Sire, her Majesty sent us to see if you would have time to go over designs, colors and furnishings that you would like to have in your royal quarters. Is now a good time?"

"Now is the right time" Answered Esme before anyone else had a chance to speak. So, she left with the designers to see the accommodations in question while the men of her family remained to talk amongst themselves.

XXXXXXXXXXX

"Do we have our people still in place inside the palace?"

"Yes, they are. Very well, have you received word from Jane Northsom as to her position to the new queen?"

"Yes."

"And she is doing what?"

"She is assigned to the queen's personal guard. Second in command, I believe."

"Good. Good. So, we have a way of getting things and people in and out of the palace without being detected."

"This is what we are going to have take place at the celebration ball." The plan was explained to all assembled and it was approved.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Ladies Alice Brandon and Rosalie Hale were present while Bella was changing for the celebration ball. They were letting her know that the Wystonian royals were asking directions to Prince Edward's quarters. Bella looked at them and asked if they had been shown. Lady Rosalie replied that she had shown them herself.

"Have the designers met with Prince Edward to refurbish the royal suite next door as befitting his station?"

"Yes, my queen, they have. In fact, his mother went with the designers to help with the necessary decisions while all of the men stayed behind and talked." Lady Alice informed her.

"Have all of the proper assignments been handed out as to where everyone is to be tonight?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Okay, is his personal guard aware of the changing of quarters?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good. How much longer before we need to be in place for the entrance?"

"Forty five minutes."

"Your Majesty," Lady Alice began shyly.

"Yes Alice."

"Huh, wella, I a -"

Bella got to laughing about her friend having a hard time asking whatever it was that she wanted to ask. "For heaven sakes, Alice, what is it?"

"Do you know who the two young guys are that is in the Wystonia royal party?"

"Describe them to me."

"One looks like a mountain, muscular with a wide smile, brown hair and blue eyes. The other lanky with blonde hair, blue eyes but really quiet."

Bella watched both of the women for a moment or two, curious as to why Alice was asking. Even though, Lady Rosalie was appearing to be busy with other items in the room, Bella realized that she was paying close attention to the answer to Alice's question. "The two you described sound very much like Prince Edward's two cousins, Prince Emmett, the muscular one and Prince Jasper, the lanky one."

All three women sat and talked until it was time to go down to enter the ballroom. Both, Alice and Rosalie were asking all sorts of questions concerning the two cousins. They were like sponges absorbing all the facts that Bella could give them. Finally the knock came for them to go down, so, all three rose to head out of the room.

Lady Rosalie was dressed in a soft rose colored ball gown that fell off the shoulders, forming fitting to the waist and then flaring gracefully outwards to the floor. While Lady Alice was a bit more dramatic with a snug fitting forest green dress falling to the floor with a slit up each side to the knees. And, Queen Isabella was outstanding in a midnight blue strapless gown that appeared to be close fitting in the front, but, gathered into a flowing train behind. Each woman had shoes made from matching material and the jewelry was of matching quality. Rosalie had rubies and diamonds, Lady Alice had emeralds and diamonds while the Queen were diamonds only.

The royal escort followed the walk downstairs to a little room off of the main entrance to the ballroom where they met Prince Edward with his two cousins. Bella raised an eyebrow, but said not a word. She did finally introduce both of her ladies to the two princes who asked if they might have the pleasure of serving as their escorts for the evening. Both Alice and Rosalie answered in the affirmative.

With the party gathered it was time for the grand entrance, so, they all aligned themselves outside the large double doors to the ballroom. The music halted and the royal family was announced as the doors swung open to admit them.

A hush had fallen upon the room as all either bowed or curtsied as the Queen and the Prince Consort passed. With the party getting to about mid point in the room, something drew Edward's attention upwards as at the same time as a shot rang out and both he and Bella fell forward.

A/N: Edward was rather upset by Bella's answer as to why she crowned him Prince Consort, but, she seemed satisfied with his honest answer about why his family was there. All of the proper steps are being taken to recognize his position within the royal court. Even his new quarters are being made more male friendly. Who is responsible for the gun shot being fired at the royals? And which person were they aiming for? Who was hit? Or was anyone shot?

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?

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