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.
Starting to question her about the whole thing and her reasoning behind why, he glanced down to see that she had fallen into a deep relaxing sleep. Edward rose to go clean up and brought a damp cloth back to clean up his wife and she slept on. Gently picking her up in his arms he pulled back the covers and then lowered her into the bed before he got in close to her and pulled the covers back up over them. Then reaching over he gathered her back into his arms, pulling her close while he also fell into a deep cleansing sleep.
The next morning Edward awoke only to find that what he had thought to be only a dream was in fact reality. Bella was still sound asleep snuggled into his side with her head resting upon his chest. He smiled before slowly disentangling himself to go to the bathroom to shower and get ready for the day. Upon his return to his room he found Bella gone. Walking through in to the salon area of the suite he saw that she had retrieved her robe and left, assuming to her own apartment to get ready for the day as well.
Heading towards his office after a hardy breakfast and with a smile on his face, he was greeted by Carmen with the message that he was wanted immediately in the Queen's office. So, he turned and headed down the hallway to Bella's office. Once there Angela escorted him into her office where he was greeted by the sight of Commanders Olsen and Northsom. Along with Grand General of the Military, General Arnold and his aide, Colonel Jameson.
"Prince Edward, I would like for you to tell these people, in your own words, what transpired last night in your apartment concerning Jane Northsom and yourself." Bella requested. This he did after he was seated. After he finished all individuals were silent for a moment.
"I believe I will leave the handling of this matter in your capable hands, Commander Olsen and gentlemen. Needless to say she will no longer be included as part of my personal guard and she is demoted as of last night. Any other action you decide is up to you, but, I am to be informed of your decision. All of you are dismissed." With that Bella looks around to all present as she ups and walks out of her office to disappear from sight.
CHAPTER 22: A QUICK TURN AROUND
Edward was busily getting ready for another day. He would be checking in at the office then heading down to check with Jasper on all the progress that was seemingly being made in conjunction with the Sykes River project. His thoughts kept returning to the night before and of all the nights before that since Bella had first come to his quarters. The night before was the turning point in their personal relationship with each other; the night she had found Jane Northsom in his apartment and reprimanded her actions. Actions that got her demoted, removed from the Queen's personal body guards and confined to quarters for a period of thirty days without pay.
He knew Bella hadn't been happy with that punishment, but, she had to accept it since she had left the choice in the hands of her superiors. She felt that Lt. Northsom had been let off lightly and that it really didn't send a clear enough message to anyone else that might have ideas along the same lines. But, what had been done was finished and everyone moved on from that point.
No more attempts had been made on their lives. Everything was moving along in a peaceful manner. And, two more visits had been made between the Vargian and Wystonian royals. Bella was starting to show signs of slowly relaxing around the Wystonian royals. This pleased Edward immensely as he felt that Bella was accepting a closer relationship to his family.
Since Jasper had taken overseeing the whole Sykes Project he had visited several times. On the first visit he had asked after Lady Alice Brandon who Bella had invited to join us for dinner to even out the numbers. Then on other occasions Emmett would visit as well along with Jasper and Lady Rosalie Hale was invited to even the numbers. Each pair seemed to be enthralled with the other half of the pairing and would space out into their own little worlds. Edward smiled as his thoughts had reached this point. The memories of those two couples and watching made it laughable at times since both ladies remained staunch in their ideas of how a woman of today should be viewed. They were as strong in their believes as was Isabella. They were all strong women in their own right and demanded to be treated with the respect they felt were their due. Being married to one of the trio he knew firsthand that Jasper and Emmett were in for a rude awakening, but, a good one that will make them damn proud at the right time.
As he finished dressing, then eating his breakfast, Edward headed down to his office. As he entered he saw that Carmen was already there and prepared for him. She begins informing him of what is scheduled for today, the reports that need going over for approval or rejection, the meetings for the morning and to review updated information concerning the aid that has been sent to Wystonia as promised.
"We need to quickly get through with all of this stuff, but, efficiently since I do need to meet my cousin down at the project site." Edward informed her.
"Very well, Your Highness." So, they launched into the work with no hesitation.
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"Rosalie and I are getting all of the final plans in place for the ball to celebrate yours and Prince Edward's second wedding anniversary. I know that you really wish that we didn't have to do this, but, it is for the people. They want to celebrate it and wish their beloved Queen and her Prince Consort the best of wishes and happiness. You can't deny them that. You know it and so do I." She tells Bella with a quiet rebuking tone in her voice.
"I'm aware of that Alice, but, it doesn't mean that I like being in the spotlight. Look what seems to happen every time we have had all of the focus aimed at us. More than just attention has come our way not once or twice, but, three times.
"Then look what happened that even brought about our marriage and the loss of my parents due to all of the attention being centered on me again.
"I mean does that really recommend being happy about it?"
"I understand what you are saying, but, you have moved beyond that. Look at where you and Prince Edward are now. Look at the way you are starting to interact with his family. True with caution, and that will probably always be that way to a certain extent, but, still interacting with comfort nonetheless.
"And to top all of that off, Prince Edward has really proven himself in regards to wanting to take care of our people. His duties both for Vargia and Wystonia have caused him to walk a fine line and to do a balancing act without showing any favoritism. In my opinion, he has done a damn fine job."
"I have to agree with Alice. He has done a damn fine job and brought smiles to your face as well. That makes him okay in my opinion also." Lady Rosalie says as she comes completely into the room "I see Alice is bringing you up to date in regards to the celebration plans for our country."
But, before Bella can answer, Angela comes into the room quickly with some paperwork she is carrying. She looks at both Lady Alice and Lady Rosalie in turn before turning to Bella to inform her that she is needed in her office urgently. Being told to return to the office, Angela leaves and Bella quickly follows after telling both of her friends to proceed with their plans for the anniversary celebrations.
Once Bella arrived at her office she found Angela in a highly aggravated state which really puzzled her. "Angela, what is the problem that has you so upset and demanded my being here immediately?" Angela hands her the paperwork that she has with an air about her as if she had been guarding everything. Bella glanced down to see what had been handed off, looked up and then as the first few lines registered, she quickly read through the whole thing quickly while sinking down into a chair.
Angela went over and locked the door so no one could walk in unexpectedly until Bella could get over the shock and get some decisions made. "Shit. Has anyone else seen this or know of its existence?" She asked Angela.
"No, ma'am. The courier brought the regular diplomatic pouch and I found that as I was sorting through everything to create the priority of importance for you to handle."
"Get Prince Edward for me immediately and have him in my office now. I am going to make some calls to find out more about this." Bella instructs Angela as she heads straight into her office and closes the door. Then the door opens again quickly as Bella tells Angela to cancel all of today's appointments and meetings. After that she closes the door again.
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Sitting in the back of the coffee shop in the shadow of a secluded corner is Marcus Cameron, watching for the person he was meeting. This was the second time they had met since asking for help from King Carlisle. They need help to discover and get rid of the internal threat that was happening within Noragia.
Suddenly the door opens and an undistinguished man walked in, hesitates slightly while looking around, and then continues on towards the counter to place his order. After a short wait his order was ready and then paid for. The man walked towards the back and sits down at a table a few distances from the only other lone figure in that area. Both sit quietly for a while at their own individual tables drinking their coffee or eating, watching all of the coming and going of the shop. Finally, the first the person that had entered that area, got up, walked over to the counter to get another coffee, then headed back to his area of the corner, but, at the last moment made a sharp movement to be seated at the table with the other man.
"Well, do we have any further information?"
"I think so, but, you aren't going to be happy with what I know. Marshall Everson has relations with a family member that held a high position in the government and close to the royals of Wystonia that was tried and sentenced to death for treason. He also seems to be involved with an advisor close to the Queen of Vargia. Seems to be a little too convenient if you ask me."
"I agree with you. Who was the family that was involved in with the treason in Wystonia?"
"The Denali's."
"I am not familiar with that name in Noragia, but, I do know Marshall Everson. He comes and goes in and out of the country quite a bit."
"I need to inform you that our Minister of Foreign Trade, Minister of Finance and the Minister of Law have all three shown us information that Vargia is not being quite forthcoming with all of the help that had been promised. We are halting any further work at this moment, closing the borders and have sent a declaration of a pending war between the two countries unless they can prove that the information being given is incorrect."
That is a mistake, my friend. May I ask who these Ministers are and would you allow me to do any background checking on them?"
"Sure. It is Tana Evers, Kay Evers and Ina Evers. They are sisters, but, know their business." Marcus bragged.
"Thanks for this and I will get back with you as soon as I can. But, you need to stop this war nonsense, please, Marcus."
"I will see what I can do, Carlisle."
The two men left a few minutes apart while making sure they were not being observed by another.
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"Well, the plan is falling into place. With the threat of war, all of the evidence can start being put forth to show that her husband is the one that has been behind the entire plot to get rid of her. Then the queen will be on her own and more easily gotten rid of.
"Jane has done well to bring us to this point. I can't say that I am happy with all of her methods in accomplishing it, but, it is coming to a before the bitch can get pregnant."
A/N: Well, Bella has to deal with a real threat against her country of which Edward hasn't been informed about as yet. He is being setup for attempting to kill the queen. Is this the plot that leads them to get rid of both Edward and Bella? Who is really pulling the strings to move things in this direction? Who has the true authority to be able to do it?
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