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.

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 for them and to be in complete privacy with the escort being at a bit of a distance. She was 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 and then they told her not to worry, that they would be with the escort just in case anything arose where they might be needed.

CHAPTER 15: MY FEELINGS ARE CRAZY

Bella sat deep in thought. She was finding it hard to sleep, so, she had tried going over some reports that needed to be finalized in the morning, but, had been unable to concentrate on the words. Next, she tried reading for relaxation, but, her mind still kept wandering to Edward. Edward! She was finding out that he wasn't anything like her preconceived ideas of him. Of course, those were based on his actions surrounding her kidnapping over a year ago. Things since then have gone differently than what she had envisioned.

He was kind, considerate, caring, protective, smart and handled business in a professional manner, had a wicked sense of humor, loyal to a fault and putting others before him. She knew that he stayed in the know about what was happening in Wystonia since he was their crown prince, but, he dealt with Vargia in the same manner as he did his birth country without taking sides. That was a position hard to maintain, but, he managed admirably.

Reaching this point in her thoughts she begins to drift back to when she had agreed to try forming a solid relationship with him. A period of getting to know him, the real him, as it were. Each time they came together she was shocked over and over again at what he presented. There seemed to be no pretense of falseness about him. He put himself up front each and every time, leaving himself open for whatever she might throw at him, but, not backing away from anything.

For a period of six weeks now they have been going out, taking drives into the countryside, picnics and just informal dinners together in one of their apartments when no entertaining was required or, no pressing engagements were needed by them either individually or together. They had shared their backgrounds, thoughts, desires, and both joys and sorrows with each other. The new experiences they were having together created good memories of time being shared and the laughter they enjoyed as a couple.

The first time they went to dinner with the escort seated away from them to afford them privacy, she had listened to the 'business side of their dinner date'. His thoughts and ideas of things were informative, well thought through and presented. She had no problem neither following his line of logic nor agreeing to what he asked or presented.

She hadn't told him that Laurent Adams and Maria Southland were the two that she thought to be suspicious. Listening to his reasoning and points made, his arguments were sound and logical. But, what to do about the situation was something that had not been decided as yet. At this time they were pains in the ass, but, nothing more. However, as Edward had mentioned, if she acted too quickly they might never find out who was behind all the attempts. So, at this point there were three people close to the crown that were in a position to do serious harm if not contained. And, she did agree to allow outside sources to investigate quietly into the activities and associations of these two.

His second point that night was to ask her to stop keeping a watchful eye on him as a request. As he pointed out, after this length of time if she felt she couldn't trust him why expand his duties as she had done. So, she said she was withdrawing the watchdogs and then smiled at him.

Then tonight was a turning point which had her so uptight that she was having a hard time getting to sleep. There had been dinner and dancing in his quarters. Nothing fancy, but, relaxed and enjoyable; they had laughed and shared a very enjoyable evening. Then as the song they had been dancing to ended, they slowed with her raising her head from his shoulder to look up at him. The look on his face was that of tenderness, longing and lust. He slowly bent down to touch her lips a bit hesitantly as if waiting to see if she would allow it. Closing her eyes he deepened the kiss while reaching around her with both arms to pull her closer to his body. It was then that she felt just how affected he was. She could the feel the hard length of him pressed against her stomach and downwards.

Raising up on her tiptoes and putting her arms around his neck to pull her closer still, he moaned as did she with the desire they were feeling in the moment. As his hold tightened and then she felt him reaching for the zipper on the back of her dress, she stilled instantly. Edward was too caught up in the moment to realize that the tide had changed. He was nibbling on her neck; kissing and rubbing his nose up and down, moving lower and lower as her dress begin to fall from her shoulders.

She tried to step back, but, was unable to move, he had her pulled in too close to his body. Next, she tried to wiggle out, to put some space between them, but, still was unable to move, but, she did feel his hold to begin to loosen a little. Finally she was able to bring her arms down from around his neck, planting a hand on each of his shoulders and then pushed. It finally registered that she was struggling to get loose. He quickly let go and took a step back all at one time which caught her by surprise and she almost fell backwards until he caught her preventing any harm.

Looking at him for a moment or so longer, she fled, pulling the door open and running down the hallway to her rooms, inside and closing the door swiftly with the sound of the lock turning into place. Edward wanted to go after her, but, didn't know what to say or do. He realized that he must have been moving too fast, but, damn he needed her. He loved her and wanted them to have a real marriage, but, he moved too fast for her to have time to catch up to his level of commitment. There has been a longer period of time that he knew she was his all or nothing, but, she has just gotten beyond their turbulent start with her being kidnapped and married to him. Gaining her trust has been a slow, but, steady process and now with this stupid move he has blown all of that to hell. He walked over, closing the door and refused to go after her no matter how much he wanted to. Now was not the time. She needed space and he would give it to her.

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Far away in Noragia a certain group is laying the final touches to a well thought out plan that, if all goes well, with a little bit of patience, they will have accomplished all they have been working towards.

Isabella was starting to trust her husband more and more so this made it easy to get things in place for his removal legally when the time came. But, it would have to be done before any chance existed of her getting pregnant by him.

Two birds with one single plan and the path would be clear for assuming the throne and being crowned ruler of Vargia. That would put everything in the proper place to bring down Wystonia and still control Noragia as well.

So far, there have been no indications that the people they have bought are suspected of treason. Even the people they have in Wystonia are still in the clear.

A trip was made by Marcus not long ago, but, it was to meet with the woman he sees on the side every so often to have a bit a fun. Why he isn't more in the open about it is unknown, but, he has been doing this for years. And as long as it doesn't interfere with what they have who gives a damn.

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King Carlisle was busy looking over a report that had just been placed in his hands. The information he had been waiting for came to light, but, he had to be careful in how this information was relayed to his son. It was everything Edward had been hoping for and more. This was going to take careful thought and planning so no one was the wiser.

It would also, give certain other parties that were seeking answers some useful information as well.

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With no sleep for the past few days and refusing to allow Prince Edward any time in her schedule, Bella arrived early into her office and stayed late. She wanted to be alone, but, busy so she didn't have to think about how things existed between her and Edward. It wasn't that she didn't want to be with him, but, the idea of allowing it caused her to have second thoughts. What sort of repercussions could that have upon her country and her personally? So many questions were running around in her head that she had to find a way to escape for a while.

She really did need to talk with Alice and Rosalie about this. They might be able to shed some light upon her mixed up feelings. Give her a different view of looking at things to finally be able to make a rational decision about all of it.

As she walked in this morning Angela gave her a frown, but, said not a word. She knew Angela was aware of what she had been doing, even though; she wouldn't let Angela stay late.

Angela followed her through to her office with a stack of papers, a listing of her appointments for the day and any requests that needed to be dealt with as well. After going over all of the details, Angela paused a moment, not sure how to approach the next subject. This hesitation caused Bella to look up at her secretary with a raised eyebrow in question.

"There is a problem?"

"Not really, Majesty, just not sure how you are going to handle the next and final request."

"Well, there is really only one way to know. Tell me what it is."

"The King and Queen of Wystonia have formally requested the honor of a visit from Vargia's Queen Isabella and Prince Consort Edward. The purpose is to hold discussions as to how to better improve relations between the two countries."

"When are they requesting our presence?"

"The beginning of next week."

"Has Prince Edward mentioned anything about this purposed visit?"

"No, ma'am, I'm not sure if he knows yet."

"Check with his secretary to see. If she is unaware then bring her up to date and inquire as to whether his schedule will permit it and let me know. At the same time follow through with my schedule for the same purpose."

With that being decided, Angela returned to her office to begin the day's work schedule.

A/N: Has King Carlisle found a way to inform Edward of his findings? Will Bella stay away from Edward from now on or allow their relationship to continue along a natural course?

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