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.
Edward and Bella were driving through the countryside enjoying the scenery. No words were spoken at the moment. After about an hour of driving, Edward pulled over making a turn onto a dirt road. Driving a little further than this lane they came to a halt. Ahead Bella could see a small clearing that was beautiful. A small stream could be heard not far off, but, in the field, wild flowers in full bloom and multiple colors could be seen. It was nature at its finest.
Edward got out and walked around to open the door for Bella. He popped the trunk to pull out a blanket and a picnic basket. They walked to the center of the clearing then spread the blanket and got comfortable. Their conversation remained light and on general topics for the most part. After a while Bella asked him why he wanted to get away from the palace. What was going on? He looked off across the clearing not answering her question immediately. Looking as if he was deeply in thought.
His head snapped back to look at Bella as he reaches inside the basket to pull out a manila envelope and handed it to her. He motioned for her to look inside and see what he had for her. Bella looks at him a moment longer then takes the envelope and opens it. Pulling the papers out, she glances at them. She looks back up at Edward then back down to the papers and begins to read them more thoroughly. Shaking her head as if to clear her thoughts she begins again. Edward didn't interrupt her during this time, just letting her read until she was ready to ask her questions.
"How did you get this information?"
"I asked my father to check into the first attempt on our lives and to see what he could find and see if we could find out who was behind all of the problems that were being created in Wystonia. We believe that all of it is tied together for some reason and coming from the same group."
"I noticed the name Alec Northsom mentioned in the report and that he has a minor government job, but, living above his proverbial means."
"Yes, but, I'm not sure who he is related that works in the palace."
"I do, Jane Northsom, the second in command of my personal guard."
"We are going to have to keep a very close watch upon her. My father seems to think that this Alec is mixed up in all of this, so it is possible that his sister is also."
"I agree."
They spent the next hour discussing the report and information it contained working to come up with a workable plan that would not alert anyone as to the "they" they now had. With making their decisions they got back into the car and headed back home to the palace.
CHAPTER 14: ARE WE STILL MOVING FORWARD
Every day for two weeks Edward had sat in on each meeting with the Queen's advisors as they discussed with her the financial conditions of the country, any policies that needed to be changed for the better or done away with as they were too old to be of benefit since the conditions they were adopted might no longer exist, suggestions of new ideas, any upcoming trips that might be required including the reason for the trip, the security for the trip and accommodations while traveling, and any and all personnel that may or may not be needed for positions becoming vacant or being created.
He had taken the time to look at the files and reports that Bella had sent to Carmen for him to look over. Until recently each advisor had an outstanding service record. There was no indication to show what might have changed, but, he could clearly understand why Bella was questioning having trust in each of them. For some reason each, at odd times, seems to want to block all of her efforts to institute changes that would make things easier for the country. And, all of the reasons, though varied, made very little sense.
Advisors Amun Franks and Tia Olson were the two legal advisors to the Queen's council, Advisors Victoria Jackson and Laurent Adams were the financial advisors to the Queen's council, and Advisors Eric Jameson and Maria Southland were the advisors connecting the throne to the people's elected representatives. And the two council advisors that he was most distrustful of were Laurent Adams and Maria Southland. They never wanted to agree to anything and always had some flimsy excuse as to why they were against whatever proposal was presented. Those are the two that he was going to request an additional research be done and a closer eye be kept upon their movements and who they contacted.
Edward made a mental note to himself to ask his father to doing some discreet investigating into these two. He knew that his moves were being watched, and he felt like it was coming from two different directions. One was being done still on Isabella's instructions, but, the other was being handled from a threatening party to Isabella and himself. There had to be something he could do to convince Isabella to stop with the watchful eye routine. Surely by now he had proven himself enough for her to know that he wasn't going to hurt her or the country.
After all she had agreed to trying to get to know him personally and for them to try to build a relationship. And, she was allowing him a larger range of duties in regards to the responsibilities she had given him. That all implies trust, so, it was time for the scrutiny to come to a halt.
"Carmen, call the Queen's office and see if you can get me some time to see the Queen." Edward instructed.
"Yes, Your Highness."
It took a while, but, Carmen informed him that Angela had set aside some time for him and the Queen to meeting in about fifteen minutes time. She had a space of free time at that moment. Edward thanked Carmen and prepared to go to the queen's office. "Carmen, no one is allowed into my office while I am gone. If you have to leave for some reason make sure all doors are locked."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Edward left to go to Isabella's office. He wanted to discuss her going out to dinner with him this evening and while they were out he would talk to her about discontinuing the watchfulness that he was under. He also wanted to let her know his impressions of the advisors after reading their background information and studying their behavior for the last two weeks of meetings. It's time to move things a little bit further in developing their relationship and friendship.
As he opens the office door to enter, Angela looks up to see who is coming in. She smiles and motions for Prince Edward to continue on into the office. He smiles to her while continuing to walk toward the Queens office to enter there. Once in he closes the door moving to take a seat across from Isabella. Holding up her hand for him to give her a moment to finish what she is currently working on, he remains quiet until she is done and looks up at him with a smile.
"Well, what can I do for you?" she asked with a smile.
"Not much, but, a whole damn lot." He told her with an answering smile. With that she laughed then called Angela to please bring them some tea. After that she got up from her desk to walk around and seat herself on the sofa behind Edward while he got up and moved to one of the chairs facing her. Angela brought in a tray bearing two cups of tea with a sugar and creamer sitting on the tray along with a dish of finger sandwiches. Placing the tray on the coffee table between them, she asked if they needed anything else before withdrawing.
With the closing of the door the two occupants started to speak both at the same time and stopped at the same time with a chuckle. Edward waited, and then motioned for Bella to go first.
"I was asking why you asked for some time to see me today."
"I wanted to ask you if you would go to dinner with me tonight."
"Yes."
"You do realize that I am talking about us being private and leaving the palace?" he asked.
"Of course, but, we will have to have an escort although they will be held within a distance from us. Will that work for you?"
"Yes, of course. In fact, I am not really happy about it, but, it would probably a good idea to have them along. But, I want us to just be ourselves, relaxing like we did on our drive a couple of weeks ago."
She smiled at the memory and then told him, "We'll have to see how entertaining you can be, huh?"
He laughed while telling her, "Given the chance, I can be damn entertaining. The question is can you handle it?"
She paused to think about his question, taking the time to try to discover and understand any possible hidden meaning he might be trying to convey. Her pause was a little too long, so Edward decided that he needed to get things back to an easier, more relaxed atmosphere.
"Isabella –" he begin when she interrupted him by say, "Bella." He looked at her with puzzlement, not comprehending exactly what she was saying. She saw this, so, she explained that he could call her Bella instead of Isabella when it was just the two of them. That she allowed her close friends to address her in private by that name.
He smiled at that and accepted her correction. "Okay, Bella, I am wanting us to have some alone time to be able to work further on getting to know one another without pressure. And, I did want to talk with you about a couple of business things without the possibility of being overheard by those that we wish to keep in the dark, if you understand my meaning."
She smiled and agreed with the idea. So, they set a time to be ready and to leave. Edward told her that he would make all of the necessary arrangements. That all she had to do was get ready. He left to go back to his office to finish the day so he could get ready for his date with his wife. Carmen looked up and seeing the smile that was lighting up his face, shook her head a little, but, smiled back at him with delight at seeing him happy.
After Edward left, Bella told Angela to get a hold of Ladies Rosalie Hale and Alice Brandon. She wanted to see them in her office immediately. With that done she went back to work until the two friends arrived. Bella had kept them informed of the situation that was coming into existence between Edward and her. Also, they were aware of what his father had discovered concerning Jane Northsom. They were keeping a very close eye on all of those that are around Bella without anyone, hopefully, being the wiser of it.
Bella paused to contemplate all that has transpired over the last year. She was still hesitate about letting Edward get too close, but, at the same time, in all fairness, he has done nothing to contradict any of his statements to show that he might have a dark side. In fact, he had been completely open in all of his dealings with everyone. All that have had any contact with him has had nothing but good things to say about him.
It was at this point in her thoughts that she had a knock on her office door. She called for the person to enter and the door opened to show Rosalie and Alice. Bella motioned for them to come in and to close the door. Once they were in and settled, Bella told them why she had called for them. That Edward had asked for her to go out to dinner this evening with him only wanting limited escort and for them to be in complete privacy with the escort being at a bit of a distance. Explaining that this had her a bit concerned due to everything between them that had happened in the past.
Both women told her that she needed to take the chance unless she felt a total discomfort of being with or around Edward. She nodded at them and they told her not to worry, that they would be with the escort just in case anything arose where they might be needed.
A/N: Do you think Edward will succeed in getting her to drop the watchdog that is keeping an eye on him? Or, is there such a person? How will Bella respond to the idea of King Carlisle investigating some of her advisors? Does Bella still doubt Edward or is she beginning to trust him more?
Please take the time to review and let me know your thoughts and opinions. I will answer back. Thank you.