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.
"Well, do you have any further information concerning their travel plans and the security measures that are going to be implemented for their safety?"
"Not yet, but, I am expecting to receive notice any time now. As soon as the information is revealed Jane Northsom will send it on to her brother, Alec."
"Very well, let me know as soon as you hear anything. Now, do we have any information in regards to what the royals of Wystonia are doing, or, what the three brothers here in Noragia are up to do?"
"As we know the royals in Wystonia are awaiting a reply accepting their invitation for a visit along with about four other countries. And, the brothers are the same as always. No changes in that direction, so, we still have a firm control there."
"Good. But, remember things can change quickly before the snap of your fingers. We must stay on top of everything if we are going to get everything we want and deserve."
"It will all come to pass. And to think that Wystonia had played right into our hands, giving us the perfect way to accomplish our revenge against them for what they did. Eventually we will rule it all, we each with our own country to dictate and control." All of this spoken with a smug laughter.
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The work day came to an end with Edward asking Carmen to come into his office for a moment. He had a sense of accomplishment with all that had been done today. The Sykes River project had been accepted and his cousin was going to be the head engineer of the project. After that all will be broken down to three engineers, one from each other involved, being hired to work with that country's people, but, Prince Jasper would be in charge of all and report back to Edward concerning each step.
He had talked with his father and the governing brothers, Aro, Caius and Marcus of Noragia, to explain and gain approval for the project, both giving a resounding yes and support. It didn't take much to show the benefit of such a project to each country.
Hearing the knock upon his door, he told the person to enter. Carmen came in asking what she could do for him. "Get her Majesty on the phone for me, please."
"Yes, sir."
In short order, Carmen buzzed Prince Edward to tell him that Her Majesty was unavailable and probably would be for the rest of the night. She was working late again. Edward thanked her for the information, but, was puzzled as to why she was still upset from the last time they had been together. Sure he had taken things a little further than intended, but, she had given him the impression that that was what she had wanted. How could he get her to move beyond that and get them back on track to begin to move forward again?
These thoughts churned around in his head as he left his office for the day heading for his quarters. But, Bella was still in her office working until she fell asleep at her desk, returning to the dream she had begun earlier in the day. She and Edward are moving towards each other, coming together in a passionate embrace once again.
CHAPTER 18: BUSINESS
The plane touches down, they walk off to be greeted by the diplomats and the cheering crowd gathered at the airport, whisked into awaiting cars and carried away to meet this or that dignity, ruler or state head, listen to a few speeches of welcome and then make speeches of cooperation between countries, attend the planned function, arrive back at the airport waving bye as they board the plane and take off. The next stop is the same thing over and over again, never a change except where a layover is planned and accounted for; ten days of that routine and the endless meetings that were involved to get the Sykes River project moving forward.
Continually smiling until your face ached from maintaining it, your feet hurting from standing so long until everyone decides to sit down, your hand being squeezed until it feels as if one more time would be the one to make it fall off, enduring all of the false and fake smiles, greetings and conversations with people that have no say in anything, but, think that they are the most important to ever be born and the whole time having to maintain a false front of pleasantries and acting as if you are pleased to be where you are or with whom you are with. That is why Bella hated these type of things, but, it was a necessary part of the being the head of her country. But, she was proud of Prince Edward, he had managed to maintain a fine balance of answers concerning his positions between being Prince Consort of Vargia and the Crown Prince of Wystonia. So many people were curious as to how he was managing and keeping an impartial attitude in being fair to both countries.
Commander Olsen had done her job well and chosen the right people to accompany her on this journey. They had been professional, but, kept a strict control of her security. The same could be said for the personal guards that dealt with Prince Edward's safety as well. An excellent job done in both choice and job performance of each detail. The commander of Prince Edward's personal guard, Major Alton, had chosen wisely also. They were both to be commended.
Both Bella and Edward were glad to be home. The tour had been strenuous on all concerned, but, well worth the effort. All of the necessary contacts, meetings, and agreements signed and personnel recommendations made to begin the Sykes Project, plus, business it would promote once it was started and as areas were completed. It looked to be of benefit to more than just the ones that would be working it. Trade would more than double or triple.
Personally, Bella was still a wreck. She hadn't talked with Edward about her feelings as others had advised her to do. One excuse after another kept coming to mind, but, there was no denying that she was becoming more and more confused and her dreams were getting more and more demanding. There had been many times over the last ten days that she had to forcibly keep her attention from straying into one of her erotic daydreams. They were becoming more and more frequent that she was afraid that she would unknowingly start acting on them. Shit! It had her on edge.
After the royal couple had entered the palace they each went to their own apartments. Edward had been worrying about Bella the whole time they had been gone. She seemed to be so withdrawn and on edge about something. Surely, she wasn't still upset about what had almost happened between them nearly a month ago? He had tried several times to approach her with wanting to discuss the situation only to be ignored for one excuse or another. Things seemed to be getting worse and he knew that he had to bring things to a head before it all got too far along that they would be back at the beginning with no trust whatsoever. Edward saw all that had been gained in their relationship slowly sliding away from him. He had to do something really soon.
Edward had watched Bella while they were in Wystonia at the way she was very cautious and slightly stand offish with his family. They had been very welcoming to her, but, understanding at the same time as to why she would be that way. Of course, Edward had expected it as did his parents, so no one was surprised or insulted. She never allowed her behavior to be other than what was seen at any of the other places they had visited. But, the information that his father had gotten for him concerning the two advisors was very interesting. It seems that Laurent Adams and Maria Southland had some unusual friends.
Laurent Adams was intimately involved with Jane Northsom, but, also, a distant relative of the Northsoms. Maria Southland was distantly involved with Marshall Everson who at one time lived in Noragia and was related to the Denali family. Edward wondered if he was the relative that had taken Tanya, Kate and Irina after the death of their parents. It was also a start for him to try to find Tanya to make sure she received her share of the profit from the new project since she had worked on its inception so many years ago.
But, the connection of Laurent Adams and Jane Northsom, he had found most interesting and knew at the first opportunity he needed to inform Bella about this. However, that wouldn't be today. Everyone was too tired from the tight schedule of travel they had been doing. Each needed some down time and time to get their reports ready.
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"Why were we not able to get anyone included into the royal party to be able to do any damage, or, to find out any information to use against them?"
"I am curious about why Jane wasn't included? "
"Yes, so am I, but, nothing can be drawn from the fact that she wasn't since none of the personal guards were included. It was all new details for each of them. So, with that in mind, I don't feel that our connection there is uncovered. More than likely it was just one of those military things that occurs from time to time called rotation."
"Do you really believe that?"
"Yes. With being near royalty before, I do remember how things like that happen. It is a way of controlling outsiders from getting near anyone that has been with the royals for a long period of time. It is a common practice."
"Has this small incident set us back any?"
"No. Everything is moving along as it should. It won't be much longer before Prince Edward will be removed permanently and Queen Isabella will no longer be a problem either since all will be mourning her demise." Everyone present laughed with glee and agreed with that statement.
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The next morning as Edward got into his office he instructed Carmen to get a hold of Angela and schedule time for him to meet with the Queen. She was not to take no for an answer as it was extremely important for him to meet with her. Carmen acknowledged his instructions, gathered her notes and the necessary reports that had piled up due to His Highness's absence and to give him the planned schedule for the day.
She had everything laid out in front of him that was needed to bring him up to date on all that needed to be known, including all that she had handled while he was gone. The situation and what she had done to deal with it. The necessary paperwork that needed his signature and the responses that had been coming in concerning the new Sykes Project. After spending the next thirty minutes going over all of this, she left to contact Angela about getting Prince Edward's appointment scheduled.
The same circumstances were taking place in the Queen's office as what had occurred in the Prince Consort's office. Bella was being brought up to date on all the happening, problems and resolutions during her absence. And as Angela returned to her desk she knew without asking that Bella hadn't taken the time to speak with Prince Edward as yet about what was bothering her. The tension was still there in her posture and could be seen deep within her eyes.
The phone rang and Angela answered, listening to the voice on the other end and then looked at the schedule that was in front of her. She said the Queen would have about fifteen minutes in an hour, but, nothing else was available. She wrote in the name for that space and ended the call.
Carmen reported to the prince that the queen would be able to see him in an hour for about fifteen minutes. He nodded to let her know he had heard, but, continued with what he was looking at.
A/N: Bella hasn't talked with Edward about her emotional situation, but, he is aware of there being a problem. He has some idea of where it stemmed, but, not the exact problem. Do you think that Edward will be able to get her to talk with him concerning the problem and they will be able to move forward from it? She was also very reserved around the Wystonian royals during the visitation. Do you think she should have been or more forthcoming?
What do our friends in Noragia have planned that is going to get rid of both Edward and Bella?
Please take the time to review and let me know your thoughts and opinions. I will answer back. Thank you.