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.
"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 conclusion before the bitch can get pregnant."
CHAPTER 23: PREPARING FOR THE TEARS
While Bella was waiting for Edward to come to her office she made a more complete run through of the declaration and demands that she had received. As she neared the end a knock sounded on the door and she called for them to enter without looking up to see who was there. Only one of two people should be coming into her office at this time and that was either Angela or Prince Edward. No one else was wanted or needed at this moment.
Edward walked in, continuing to move towards her as she held out the papers she had been reading. He took a chair on the front side of her desk as he begins to read what she had handed to him. After a sharply indrawn breath he raised his head to look directly at her. He seemed to be waiting for her to start speaking, but, nothing. Silence ruled during the period they continued to watch each other. But, finally she opened her mouth to say, "Can you give me any information as to what might have brought this situation about?"
"No, but, I had cleared my schedule for this afternoon to meet with the project engineer that is in charge of the whole thing for updates on our progress. I will definitely be looking for answers to see what is out of place, especially from the Noragian-Vargian end of things. We aren't cheating anyone and we are carrying through with all of our agreements to the letter according to all of the information I have to date. There should not be this kind of matter arising." He was emphatically stating.
"I need answers no later than yesterday, but, since that hasn't happened you will have until five this afternoon to give me answers and proof. Is that understood?" she told him in a voice that rang with steel sounding in each syllable. "I will not have the same sort of situation happening again that led to the death of my father. You have my permission to leave." And with that said Bella turned her back upon her husband and walked out of the office.
Edward was stunned, no shocked by what the queen had shown him: A declaration of possible war and the shutdown of work on the project all over an accusation of breach of contractual obligations? He needed to see Jasper immediately and get this resolved before it escalated into a more serious situation. Starting to make plans as he walked back to his office, Edward was formulating how this needed to be handled. Since his office was responsible for this project he knew that he had to have all of his facts for when he called for a meeting with the necessary powers in Noragia to resolve the issue. It never entered his mind that anyone but he would be conducting the resolution, but, in a matter of hours he would find out just how wrong he was. It would be at that time that his whole life was about to be changed for an act of revenge.
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Immediately upon his return from meeting with Marcus Cameron, Carlisle begins his inquiries about the three individual Noragian Ministers. Turning everything over to his investigative team for research, he knew would bring about a prompt reply. He had a feeling that this information had everything to do with all of the problems over the last two to three years. And, that it would start leading to whoever was behind all of the troubles that had been besetting his family and friends. It would start giving answers to many unanswered questions of what was happening in Vargia as well. There was no way he could explain why it seemed to have that kind of importance, but, he had a gut feeling, instinct, if you will, that it did.
The king of Wystonia wanted to call his son to inform him of the threat of a possible war between Noragia and Vargia and the possible reasoning of what was bringing it about. Also, to let Edward know that he felt they were close to finding out the whereabouts of the Denali sisters as he had asked. Why he felt that he had no idea, but, one of those instincts like he was having about the other matter concerning the mysterious ministers.
Reaching for the phone he dialed the cell number for his son. Of course, it continued to ring a few times before going to voicemail. Not satisfied with that happening, he hung up and dialed again. After three efforts he finally got an answer to his call.
"Hey, Dad, what's going on?"
"Quite a bit actually: I needed to inform you about some information that came my way today that concerns the Sykes project." Carlisle told him. Then he continued to relay all of the information he had to his son.
"Dad, I already know and am working on it now. I'm on my way to see Jasper to try finding answers to what has brought all of this about, and, to get the proof that is being asked for that the situation isn't what it appears to be." Edward lets his father know. Then goes on to explain how he had already received the information.
"Okay. It's good that you are acting upon it to handle the circumstances before the matter gets completely out of bounds. But, keep me informed, please." He asks, but, before hanging up, Carlisle does also tell Edward about what he was told and his gut feeling concerning certain information. Upon that Edward asks that his father get back with him immediately upon confirmation. Carlisle agrees and then disconnects the call.
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Meanwhile, Bella had been busily on the phone talking with the three individuals that are the government of Noragia. A meeting had been arranged to take place in two days time at the border of the two countries. It was to be in an effort to iron out whatever problems seem to exist that was causing the problems concerning the project that brought about the shutdown of work and the threat of war.
Bella promised to go herself and to speak directly with Marcus Cameron, Caius Hammond and Aro Stevenson. They would be bringing all of the information they had to present of the whys and wherefore's, the same as she would in regards to prove that such facts they had were invalid. Both sides seemed determined to do all that was possible to avert the threatened war. No one wanted to make any hasty moves that would have long range repercussions and bring harm to their countries.
When the conversation concluded with all in agreement about the meeting and its contents, Bella called Angela to inform her of what was going to happen and what needed to be done; both to get ready for the meeting and where to direct issues when she was gone. Prince Edward would be handling everything and making the necessary decisions on matters that had to be handled promptly. Angela quickly noted all instructions and then left to begin getting all in order.
It was about that time that the Ladies Alice and Rosalie came by to talk with her. Bella let them know that she didn't have time to deal with any issues other than government at the moment. Anything having to do with her anniversary celebration issues would have to be handled by them and them only.
"What happened? I got a call from Prince Jasper cancelling our lunch date because of an emergency that came up." Alice asks with a slight pout on her face as she informs her friends of this.
"I sent Prince Edward to have a meeting with him concerning some issues that have arisen from the Sykes Project on the Noragian side of things. We needed some answers and information immediately and they have to deal with that. So, sorry, Alice, but, that has priority over your personal plans."
"This sounds serious. How bad are these issues?" Rosalie asks. "Are you at liberty to tell us?"
"Not really, even though I know that I can trust you guys."
"Shit, that serious, huh?" comments Alice.
"Yes, I'm afraid so. This could be life and death circumstances for many, if not resolved."
Both women looked at Bella with stunned shock upon their faces. But, they knew not to question her any further. They had an idea of just how serious things were. So, the only question left to ask was, "Okay, when do we have to be ready to leave?"
"I wasn't planning to take anyone other than the guard with me. This isn't going to be a ceremonial meeting, but, a meeting to try to provide damage and the cost of lives. I'm not even taking the Prince Consort. He will remain here as well."
"Nope, we go with or you don't go." Rosalie firmly states with no smile.
"What she said, so live with it." Alice backs Rosalie up.
Bella just laughs and shakes her head. "What about all of the arrangements and decisions that need to be made for the celebration?"
"The planners know what we want and can finish up very nicely without us if we are going to be longer than a few days." Retorts Alice.
"Why aren't you taking Prince Edward?"
"Because one of us needs to be here in case things go wrong so the running of the country can still move forward smoothly."
"Its going to be that hazardous of a trip?" questions both of her friends.
"It could be. Look at all of the attempts that have been made from time to time. And, this trip is for a very serious situation that others might not want a resolution achieved." She explains while looking at each in turn. "Still sure you want to come?"
"Damn straight we do." Both confirm.
"Okay, be ready to leave tomorrow morning at five sharp."
After they leave Bella has a meeting with Commander Olsen to inform her of the coming journey so the necessary preparations can be made. Having a moment to catch her breath, Bella looks at the clock only to realize that it is time she goes to her doctor's appointment. She hadn't informed any one of this appointment and didn't want to until she had her suspicions confirmed. Even then, Edward would be the first to know, if she was that is.
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Certain individuals were scrambling to get some plans made and in place since learning of the upcoming meeting between Noragian officials, Marcus, Caius, Aro and the Vargian Queen to reach a workable agreement about the Sykes Project.
"Damn, bitch is going to be our way to use Edward as our instrument for revenge, finally. No one will be able to prove otherwise with all the evidence we have to place. Give the word to prepare and wait for the final instructions."
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Both Edward and Jasper had spent hours going over again and again all of the paperwork regarding the project at each level, stage and location. They couldn't find anything out of place or to indicate a problem as what had been alleged. There was nothing. Making copies of all that would be needed to prove compliance with all of the agreements, the two cousins parted ways with the understanding that they would meet again tomorrow early to make sure they had missed nothing.
Edward got back to the palace with all of the information he had to offer and went straight to Bella's office. Angela told him that she was waiting for him and to go on in. After he passed her she came into the office right behind him ready to take notes.
At the end of another two hours and all of the paperwork reviewed several times, all felt there was nothing else that could be gained. No breaches of the contracts and agreements could be found. The accounting was in order with everything being accounted for in not just one but three separate places and handled by three separate people.
"Very well, I will be taking all of this with me when I leave in the morning to meet with the governing body of Noragia." Bella says with an exhausted sigh.
"You're going? I thought I would be the one to meet with them since my ministry is in charge of this."
"No, with you being my consort, the issues of running this country for a few days will be left in your care while I am gone. No ministries are meeting to resolve this; it is all with the final word."
"I see."
"Edward, please don't be like that I have no other option. It has to be me. Also, there isn't anyone else that I feel comfortable enough to leave in charge of the welfare of Vargia, but, you."
He looks at her for a moment or so and then nods with a smile playing around his lips and beginning in his eyes. He realized the truth of her statement after looking into her eyes. She truly felt that he was capable of dealing with the issues in her absence.
"Besides, once I get back we will be celebrating more than just our anniversary. We will have to let Alice and Rosalie plan a nursery." She tells him quietly.
Edward becomes absolutely still, and then whips his head around to look at her with sheer surprise. He had become as if a statute.
A/N: Edward sure didn't see that one coming did he? But, things are starting to come to a head. What do the people in Noragia have planned to exact revenge? And why do they want revenge? Also, who is the revenge against?
Please take the time to review and let me know your thoughts and opinions. I will answer back. Thank you.