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.
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 Queens 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 a shot rang out and both he and Bella fell forwards.
CHAPTER 8: ABOUT TO SNAP APART
As the sound ricocheted around the room, everyone present were ducking, dropping to the floor, just in general trying to make sure they were not in the line of fire, but, it was utter chaos with all of this mingling with the screams and the shouts going on. The personal royal guards were busily trying to protect the royal couple in case more shots were forthcoming. While others had quickly rushed to the gallery above to try and apprehend the shooter.
As order was being restored it was found that Queen Isabella and Prince Edward were unharmed. If it hadn't have been for the quick reflexes of the young Prince, the Queen would have been killed. He had saved her life. The entire royal party was removed to an outer chamber while an investigation was being conducted within the ballroom.
After a brief moment the chief commander of the personal guard, the Head Chief of Security for Vargia and his two aides all came in to check with Her Majesty and His Royal Highness as to their current conditions. With that done they reported that several arrests concerning the unfortunate incident had been made which included the shooter. Bella nodded then indicated that they would be returning to the ballroom once more and let the celebration continue as if nothing had happened. She told all that she would deal with matters after the ball had concluded.
Right at that moment the main thing she wanted to do was to let her people know that she and her husband were unharmed and were ready to conduct business as usual. Everyone tried to dissuade her, but, to no avail. The ladies rearranged themselves while the gentlemen straightened themselves as well by dusting any dirt off of their attire, straightening coats, pants, shirts and ties. The ladies were actually doing the same in regards to dresses, makeup and hair. Once everyone was in correct form again they gathered to re enter the ballroom. The music announced them once again; the double doors swung open and the royal party entered making way to the thrones sitting upon the raised dais along the back wall of the room.
Along the left wall were French doors that led out onto the patio area and beyond that into the gardens after going down three flights of stairs. To the right was a solid wall where the refreshments had been set up for everyone that wished to eat or drink. Overhead were a multitude of chandeliers giving lighting for the whole room.
As Bella and Edward approached the thrones, he turned to her, held out his hand and asked her to join him in leading the first dance of the evening. She looked at his outstretched hand, up at him and down at the hand again before nodding her consent. The music began as they reached the center of the dance area and they began the first steps. After a short pause, everyone else begins to join them and the celebration returned to normal as much as it could under earlier circumstances. After making a circuit and a half around the dance floor Edward realized that his parents and cousins were missing. He didn't think too much about it as his dad might have decided to retire after all of the excitement and wanted to get his mom and the rest of the family out of the line of fire, sort of speak. Little did he know that the Wystonian party had been arrested and was being held on charges of attempted murder.
About three in the morning the celebration party wore down and all guests had left. Bella and Edward retired to their own quarters to get some rest before greeting the duties and problems of a new day. The biggest topic to deal with was the attempted assassination last night. Bella was expecting a full report waiting for her as she entered her office to begin her day.
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"What was the purpose of your plan? Why only have an attempt made instead of actually killing her? You fool; you might have messed things up."
"I doubt it. The Wystonian royals were arrested and charged with the attempt on the young Queen's life as a means to secure the throne for Prince Edward."
"That just might work in our favor. Even if they do get released it will have caused doubt to spring up into the minds of other countries as to their trustworthiness. Yes, that could very well work in our favor, indeed."
"Keep me informed of all developments. But, what is being done about the shooter?"
"Don't worry about him. Our inside person is seeing to that small detail as we speak."
"Good."
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As Bella was getting ready to start her day, Edward was busily being informed of his family's arrest and incarceration. He nearly went ballistic. That was no indication that Bella was aware of the situation since she hadn't received or seen any reports as yet.
While he was reacting to the news concerning his family there was a knock at the door which James, his gentleman's gentleman, opened and admitted a security team. They informed Prince Edward that due to the current circumstances surrounding the attempt on Her Majesty and him, all of the Wystonian personnel that came with him were being detained and questioned. That from that time forward he would be attended by Vargian personnel only.
Before anything could be said or done, James and the entire staff of attendants were escorted out and the newly appointed ones entered. That was all he could take. The explosion happened and he marched over to the royal apartment demanding for Bella to open the door immediately. Of course, he had no way of knowing that she wasn't in there, but, was instead, already at work down in her office. However, Lady Alice did open the door to speak with him.
"She isn't here, Highness, you might want to check her office."
"Thank you, Lady Alice."
"Sire, am I correct in assuming that you have heard the news concerning your family?"
"Yes."
"I don't believe they had anything to do with what happened last night and I will do what I can to talk with her about it."
Edward looked at her long and hard while he tried to figure out if she was sincere or not. The fact that she appeared to be saddened by the turn of events convinced him that she really wanted to help and believed what she said. "Thank you. But, can you tell me when she found out about this?"
"I and Lady Rosalie only found out about five minutes ago. Her Majesty didn't know at the moment. But, I would imagine she is being informed now."
"I see. Well, I guess I had better get down there and try to get some reasoning back into this situation."
"Sire, that might be difficult at this point. With all the events surrounding your marriage, the loss of her parents resulting from that and then last night, please, don't blame her for what is going to be very trying for the both of you. But, like I said, I don't believe your family is involved in this incident and I am going to try to help you."
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"You have got to be kidding me!" she shouts. "There is no way they would be that stupid."
"But, Majesty, the shooter identified his contact as being from the Wystonian royal household." The security official was trying to explain to her.
"I don't care. That doesn't prove that they knew about any of this. You will release them at once. They and all of the Wystonian staff that journeyed with us will be escorted to the border and released immediately. The only staff that will be allowed to remain will be the personal staff that has attended His Highness for most of his life. Am I understood?"
"Yes, ma'am. Completely understood."
"You will bring the royal family to me before leaving. The rest of the staff will be taken forthwith to the border with no stops along the way. You will observe their crossing until they are completely on the Wystonian side.
"After I have talked with the Wystonian royals they too will be conducted to the border and watched until they are on the other side.
"I would strongly suggest that you get your head out of your ass, sir, and stop looking for the obvious, but, find the truth. Dismissed."
It was at that point that Edward appeared and requested a word with the Queen. Her secretary, Maria, asked for him to hold a moment and she would see if the Queen would speak with him. He thanked her and waited. It was only a pause in time before Maria returned and told him the Queen asked that he wait for a few moments. That she was sure she knew why he was here, but, she was already handling the matter.
As he sat and waited a noise could be heard coming closer from down the hallway. Then suddenly the door opened and in walked his family in handcuffs. Maria rose and motioned for all to enter along with Prince Edward. As they walked into the Queen's office, she looked up, saw the handcuffs and was enraged.
"You will take those damn things off immediately before I have you dealt with." She yelled at the guards. She waited while the handcuffs were removed and the guards took up their places close to the Queen. She sighed, closed her eyes for a moment, and then told them to make themselves useful someplace else other than in her office being in her way. They quickly left, but, remained in the outer office in case they were needed.
Edward looked to his family then over to Bella and back again. Bella was doing the same as well as the Wystonia royals. After the silence seemed to start becoming oppressive, Bella begin to speak, "I don't believe that you had anything to do with the incident of last night. However, I told you not to come, but, you chose to ignore my warning.
"You and your people will be escorted to the border and released. At no time will you look back, hesitate or return. The only persons from Wystonia that are being allowed to remain in Vargia are the ones that have attended Prince Edward for most of his life.
"Certain papers with promises were signed under some duress, but, I told you that I would honor them and I will. Prince Edward will be put in charge of overseeing implementing of this aid and all of the agreements with your country. But, you will not, and I stress this strongly, will not come into Vargia again without personal invitation from me. Not Prince Edward or any other of the household, but, me and me only. Is that clear?"
"Yes, very. I would like to say -"King Carlisle began, but, was stopped as Bella held up her hand.
"I don't wish to hear a thing that you have to say. You may have an hour with His Highness, Prince Edward, and then you will leave. You may have contact with Prince Edward, but, only through monitored channels and communication as long as no political topics are discussed. It is to be only family related issues, but, if those become suspicious, even that line will be closed down."
"Don't you think you are being a little over reactive about this?"
"No. Edward and I were the ones shot at last night. And lately all association I have had with your family has not been in the light reflecting good intentions. So, no, I don't think that I am over reacting to anything.
"The safety of my people, country and person are very dear to me. I had rather be over cautious than not cautious enough.
"Your time with your son will begin the moment you are together in his current quarters. You shall be notified when time is up and you are to leave. Take this moment and enjoy it while you can. Now, you may all leave."
As the family all gathered in Edward's personal quarters after the door had closed on them, Queen Esme grabbed her son and begins to weep. Edward tried to console her, but, was having a hard time keeping it together himself. Both of his cousins were as if shell shocked.
"Edward, is this how she has been since returning home?" Carlisle asked his son.
"To a certain extent, yes. But, Father, she has had so much to contend with, the way we forced her into marriage, the death of her parents and jumping straight into running a country. Right now, it's hard for her to know who to trust. The only ones she really allows close to her are the Ladies Alice and Rosalie. The two that Jasper and Emmett were with last night.
"There are moments when she isn't quite so harsh, but, she is very withdrawn at the moment and stays strictly to herself. She trusts no one new or that has treated her in an underhanded manner in some way.
"It is very hard to explain, but, she will not harm me. In fact she has gone out of her way to make sure that my position is secured and honored by everyone."
"Son, do not allow yourself to be harmed, please." Esme pleaded with Edward.
"Mother, I will be fine. Bella will not let harm come to me. Please, all of you trust her, and if you can't her, then me, in this matter."
"Very well, son, but, keep in touch. We will find a way to get all of this resolved. Is there anything we can do to help with any issues at the moment?"
"Yes. Please, find out all you can about who might be pulling the political strings in Noragia and why they want to interfere with the friendly relations between Vargia and Wystonia. That would be a big help. For once I know that I really believe that we will be able to bring about justice and put an end to all of the hostility of the moment.
"That is going to be the key of winning Bella."
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"What do you have to report from Vargia?"
"Although, the young queen didn't believe that the Wystonian royals were involved or the word of the shooter trying to incriminate them, the relationship between the two countries are at a breaking point. It will not take much more to break it all together."
"Good. So, one of the plans is working at the present time."
A/N: Prince Edward is in a very bad position. He is almost totally separated from his family. It was a big shock to find out that his family had been accused and arrested for the attempted murder of Bella and himself. And then to have the shooter accuse them of being involved was unbelievable. Thank goodness Bella didn't believe, but, the relationship between the two countries is not in good shape. What can Edward do to bring things right? How is he going to be able to reach Bella and soften her position on his family and himself?
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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