Chapter 2

EPOV

When I returned to the palace that night after the ball, James, my brother, thanked me for leaving all the single ladies to him, but wanted to know about my beautiful date. I told him all about Bella. I talked about her constantly while we were gone for the month. You would have thought I had known her my whole life. Well, technically, I had known her, her whole life; but that one night just kept coming back to me. I was so excited to be returning to our palace just outside of the Paris. I sent Peter to her parent's home to find out if I could escort her on a picnic in the Paris Viscount's gardens on Friday. When Peter returned with my response, I snatched the envelope from him and ripped it open.

The response was simple –

I would love to Your Highness

Bella

I was very excited when I read her note; but I was going to have to remind her of my preference to being called Edward.

A few days later, I was preparing for my date with Bella; Peter came to my room and said, "Your father needs you in his sitting room."

I went running to his sitting room, my father came out and I said, "Yes, father."

"Edward, I need to send you into hiding."

"Why, father?"

"The monarchy has been threatened."

"Why not send James?

"Because though you are the same age, you're the older one. Unfortunately, as you see it, your five minute lead at birth means you will be the next King."

"Where am I to go?"

"You will leave via the underground city. Demetri will be your guard contact here; plus my secret guards will be meeting you in the underground city to take you to their post. You will have fifty guards at your disposal to help in defending our country against any attack. James will be taking over the role of you. Everyone will be told James has been sent away for military training."

"How long?"

"Six months, at most."

"Six months. When do I leave, father?"

"As soon as possible."

"But my date?"

"Let me tell Bella goodbye."

"I'm sorry, Edward; I can't let you. It is too big of a risk. You have an hour to pack. Here take my journals and this crown to remember me. I am truly sorry; I wish this could be different. James is waiting for you in your room."

James came in after I had been packing for forty-five minutes. "James, please go tell Bella, I am so sorry that we cannot go on our date; but our father has sent me on a mission."

"Okay, but you owe me one," James said.

"Sure when I get back."

"I'll remember it."

"Be nice to her and treat her well. I thought she might be my choice. Take care of our father for me."

"I will."

"You be careful yourself."

Edward picked up his bags; Peter met him and together they left.

J/EPOV

James went to see his father. "Yes, father."

"Are you ready to become Edward for a few months while we squash this revolution?"

"Yes, father. Edward asked me to go to Bella and tell her Edward was sent on a mission."

"No, go and pretend to be Edward."

"But, father."

"Everyone needs to think you are him."

"Fine."

"I believe he arranged a picnic to take her on in our gardens."

"We will announce James's departure tomorrow. Be nice to Bella."

"Yes, father."

BPOV

I heard the carriage arrive at my parent's house. My parents met Edward at the door where he was invited into the parlor. I was standing at the top of the stairs listening; then I came down the stairs into the parlor in a dusty blue dress and white ruffle layers in the front. James had fortunately absorbed all of Edward's information about me and my family because he was able to say, "Mrs. Swan, did you make this dress as well?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"The dress is beautiful and it matches your stunning daughter and her even more stunning brown eyes."

"Thank you, Your Highness," I said as I blushed at Edward's comment.

My mother also said, "Thank you. So you two are going on a picnic?"

"Yes in one of the Viscount's gardens around here; I will return Bella around 6 pm if that is acceptable?"

"Sounds lovely, enjoy yourselves." Edward then offered me his arm and out to his carriage we went.

After he helped me get into the carriage and we were settled in together, I said "Thank you, Your Highness," and away we went to the gardens. Thirty minutes later, we sat down at a table for our picnic lunch – beef, cheese, wine, bread and fruit. We talked about his trip to the South of France and my last month in the city. He leaned over once with a napkin and dusted crumbs off my face. Edward offered to take me for a walk in the gardens.

"Of course, Your Highness." When we entered the rose garden, I was enjoying smelling all of them. "They smell so beautiful."

"Pick one."

"I couldn't. They are all so beautiful."

"Bella, you are more beautiful than all these roses put together." He leaned in and gently kissed my cheek. Once he pulled back, "Now, since you are more beautiful than all these roses." Edward made me a bouquet of them with one of every color in them.

"Thank you so much your highness."

We finally made our way back to the carriage and as we climbed abroad, Edward said, "I think I need to be returning you to your family now, but may I call upon you again."

"I would like that very much Your Highness."

As we got close to my house, Edward leaned in and kissed my cheek then asked, "How about you come to the castle on Tuesday for dinner?"

"That would be an honor."

"I will come and pick you up at 6:30."

"Sounds lovely," I said.

Edward walked me back to my parent's front door. Edward said, "It was a pleasure being with you today."

J/EPOV

As I rode in the carriage back to the castle, I could see what Edward saw in Bella. She was smart, all natural and incredibly beautiful. I was excited that I was going to get to keep seeing her since my father told me to be Edward and Bella wanted to see Edward. So what was I to do? I had to keep up the charade.

BPOV

My parents both liked him. I saw Edward about three times a week. He always talked about James after he had been sent to military school. "You love him and miss him, don't you?"

"Of course."

"You know so much more about his life than I thought you would."

"Well, of course, we've spent our entire lives together." Edward even invited my parents and myself to the castle to celebrate my birthday while the king was away. We had so much fun wandering the grounds together. Edward had asked my mother to make me a special dress that night for dinner. We sat in the formal dining room with candles glowing everywhere and danced. The king was dealing with the revolutions on the East and the South sides of France. For my birthday, Edward gave me midnight sapphire jeweled combs for my hair. We shared a couple dances in the gazebo by the gardens where he finally kissed me good night.

J/EPOV

After two months of us dating, I asked to meet with my father over breakfast. "Yes, Edward what is it? You look so nervous."

"Father, how soon are you bringing James back?"

"I am not sure. Edward these rebellions are not going very well." My father had taken to always calling me Edward and my brother James because it was easier and we didn't have to worry about any slip ups. "They are more frequent and more dangerous, even though they haven't moved any closer to Paris or the castle. So he may be gone another year. Why son?"

"Father, I have fallen in love with Bella; she is my everything. I love her and want to keep her protected and have her be the mother of my children. I want to marry her."

"Go ahead son and ask her."

"But what about when James returns."

"He'll just have to understand that you fell in love with her. Go ahead and ask her!"

A/N

Well what do you think of this?