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.

Bella studies her computer screen again for a few more minutes before looking up to the three people sitting in front of her. She draws a deep breath and then begins to speak, "From what I am seeing in all of this I feel fully justified in the action I am about to take. From this moment onwards a new ministry is established. It will be up to the three of you to get it operational and to keep it running smoothly.

"Prince Edward, you will have full control of this department and your word will be equal to my own. I give you full authority over this area. It will govern all aspects of our import and export businesses as well as the aid that we administer to other countries in need.

"You shall have controlling interest in all of my personal business interests that fall in this area as a means to give you the leverage you might need to control the Noragian element from taking over.

"You don't have to, but, I would appreciate being kept up to date on all happenings in this area as you see fit. Now, I suggest that as of tomorrow you begin getting started on creating the ministry and finding the appropriate staff. What you have been doing for the past year will fall into this department as well. You may begin discussing the political aspects of different governments to determine what, if anything, we can and will do to render aid in a nonthreatening move and manner. This will also necessitate traveling to other countries to represent us from time to time.

"Finally, I have just one question left that needs to be answered and then we will adjourn to get ready for the celebrations. Do you accept the additional responsibilities?"

Prince Edward looked to his secretary and aide de camp then back over to the Queen. Looking back at the other two again he sees them giving a slight nod. With that he looks Bella in the eyes and answers, "We accept the challenge and the duties."

"Very well, we are finished here. Let's go get ready to party." With that she rose with the others following suit as they walked behind her towards the door to leave.

CHAPTER 10: TO A NEW BEGINNING?

Edward and the Martinez's head back to their office to close up for the day. The bomb that had just been dropped amongst them and its shock effect hadn't worn off yet. As the door closes behind them a collective sigh of release could be heard coming from all three of them.

"I'll be damned. Can anyone tell me what happened back there?" Edward asked while trying to shake off the last shock to his system. Isabella just surprised the hell out of him and his two friends. She actually commended them on a job well done and then expanded their duties tenfold. She was finally starting to trust him. Of course, he realized that he still had a long way to go, but, it was a beginning and that was all he needed for her to understand that he wouldn't hurt her or her country. Now he had a basis to begin to get her to see him in a different light as well.

It's hard to believe that all of the work and tight control he has maintained over himself for the past year is starting to pay off. At some points he was about ready to give up, but, it just wasn't in him to walk away. He was fighting to win a battle that meant his life, his very existence, his future, his happiness and peace of mine. Isabella was all that and more to him. The more he interacted with her over the last year the more he knew this and his love for her expanded daily. His admiration for her loving care of her people and their problems, her attention to detail, her attentiveness to those who approached her with their problems, the giving of her time and herself without conscious thought, had shown him the uniqueness of her inner self that matched the beauty of her outer self. And she was his. He just had to get her to see that and admit it.

This move of hers today gave him hope. She had removed a lot of restrictions that he had been under in conjunction with association with his family in Wystonia. Now, he could reestablish that communication, visit and find out what the hell his dad had been able to come up with in the past year in regards to the assassination attempts. And the fact too, that all of the personal staff that had come with him in the beginning are starting to be accepted. Some steps, perhaps, were being forward steps nonetheless. Just the realization brought a smile to his face and a sparkle into his eyes.

All of the last minute details that have to be dealt with for closing up the office were quickly handled and the office locked for another day. It had been a very stressful day from beginning to end, but, the end had brought about some unexpected and satisfying results for all of their hard work over the past year.

Col. Eleazor and, his wife, Carmen Martinez has been associated with the Wystonian royals for a good number of years. As Prince Edward neared the age of assuming certain royal duties, they had been assigned to aid him while at the same time to help guide and teach him how to deal with his duties. So, it has been this couple that has been there with Edward since his early years helping to groom him and help to prepare him to become king someday.

"Am I to understand, Sir that we are finally accepted and acknowledged as members of the staff?" Eleazor questioned.

"I do believe the saying is 'we have finally arrived'" Prince Edward said with a smile and quiet laugh. Then he told Carmen as they were walking down the hallway to their private quarters, "Schedule an inspection trip to Wystonia tomorrow. I want to leave within two days. We need to make sure that the reports are true as to the past distributions of the aid we have been providing." Edward wasn't about to tell anyone the other reason he needed to go to Wystonia. He needed to talk with his father to see what had been discovered in regards to the underhanded happenings in Noragia. For a year he has had to wait to get this information. For a year he has not been able to have any sort of briefing in reference to the attempts to undermine the goodwill between Wystonia and Vargia, business interests that have existed between Wystonia and other countries for many years, and, the attempts to murder the royal family of Vargia. These are questions that needed answers, but the answers would have to be based on solid provable facts to be accepted as absolute truth.

The Martinez's went to their quarters while Edward entered his. James was waiting to help him get ready for the celebration ball that was due to start in another two hours. He showered, shaved, had his hair groomed and dressed in his ceremonial dress uniform with ribbons and official sash. Most all of the ribbons were from his position and accomplishment in his birth country of Wystonia, but, Isabella had allowed them to be worn saying that just because he was no longer there doesn't take away what he had achieve through his own merit. The only ribbons she declared he shouldn't wear were the ones of his Wystonia birth position. Edward understood her point within reason.

After Edward was ready he dismissed James and the rest of his attendants so they could go enjoy the celebrations as well. The whole country was having one giant party tonight. He smiled and walked towards the Queen's apartments, knocking on the door and waited for it to be opened. It didn't take long for his knock to be answered. Jane, the queen's second in command of her personal guard is the one that admitted him. Every time he was around her he got a shiver down his spine, he couldn't explain it but it was there.

"Is Her Majesty ready yet?" he asked.

Jane motioned for him to take a seat as she walked towards the bedroom door and knocked once. The door opened with Lady Rosalie standing there waiting to know why Jane was knocking. She explained that Edward had inquired of the Queen's progress and she was just checking to let him know. Lady Rosalie stepped further out of the room and saw Prince Edward waiting.

"Her Majesty is just about ready. Give her another ten minutes and then we'll be out."

Edward nodded and attempted to relax during his wait. His thoughts went back over the earlier meeting with Isabella and he felt the same sense of pride that at least he was starting to make some headway with her even if it wasn't exactly where he wanted to be at the moment. But, all things considering it was a step forward and the rest would come with work, time and patience. Of that he was sure.

It was as he reached this point in his thoughts that Bella came out of her bedroom to greet Edward. She was wearing a cream colored gown with an overskirt of gold netting, floor length, and strapless and trailing behind for a ways. Her jewelry was simple pearls at throat, ears and wrist and no ring except for her wedding ring. As she greeted Edward he indicated that he would like to speak with her privately before they went down to the ball. So, without further ado, she dismissed everyone, staff, ladies and personal guard. They were told to wait downstairs for their arrival. After everyone had left with the last person out closing the door quietly, then Bella turned to Edward and waited from him to begin.

"I know we had a rough start-"Edward began then stopped. After a moment he tried again, "Isabella, I would like to start over again. To let you get to know me, to try and get you to see beyond the happenings of a year ago, to try and build a relationship with you even if it is only as a friend for now. Will you think about it and let us try?" he quietly asked of her.

"I am not going to answer you now, but, will do as you request and consider the matter," Was all she would say to him about his request. As she turned away she missed the look of hurt that quickly flashed across his face before disappearing.

"One other thing, if you will. I am going to be leaving in a day or so to go to Wystonia to check on the results this past year has made. And to let you know, I do plan to see my family during that period as well."

She just nodded once and then indicated that they needed to meet up with their escorts to begin the celebration and the ball.

XXXXXXXXXXX

"What have all of our failed attempts achieved over the past year, if I may ask?"

"It has kept the true focus of our actions away from prying eyes, and, has redirected the security in a whole different direction."

"Are we still on schedule?"

"Yes."

A/N: A simply request made. Will Queen Isabella allow Prince Edward to begin to work towards building the foundation of a friendship? Could in the long run it become more? What are her thoughts concerning his upcoming trip to Wystonia and meeting with his family? 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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