Chapter 5

My mother, father and I went for a walk in the gardens. Once my father left, my mother and I sat and talked. "Mother, can we go into Paris to look for fabric tomorrow?"

"By all means, my daughter. You are a princess and look amazing after your honeymoon."

"Thank you, mother. It was all as you and father had told me about. It is quite comfortable and enjoyable, mother. I am so glad you told me about it. Edward, even managed to keep most of the pain away the first time. Thank you for being so free and open with me talking about being with a man."

"I am glad you enjoyed it; I have heard so many stories about young woman being afraid that I wanted to make sure you were prepared. I can tell that it was."

"Mother, I'll see you at 11:00 tomorrow."

I then met with the king's secretary; she was only planning on staying until the end of the month. The king and Prince Edward stopped our work that evening. "My princess, please go have dinner with my son."

Dinner was delicious; and when we returned to our room, we had another delicious interlude. The next morning I was left with a kiss and I heard; "I will see you this evening."

"Good bye, your highness."

As I started dressing myself, my maid said, "Why that dress, your highness?"

"We're going into town today to shop for material."

"Please come and bring Peter with you."

"Yes, your highness."

"I will have Peter order the carriages for us."

"Thank you, Charlotte."

The five of us went down to the stables to get into our two carriages. My mother and I went in one and our staff in the other.

EPOV

The king and I were meeting. When the king said, "We need to see your princess bride; so that she can help plan the Friday dinner with our guard. Send my butler for her."

Ten minutes later, the butler returned saying, "Excuse me your majesty, the princess is gone. Princess Bella, her mother, her mother's assist, Peter and Charlotte all went to Paris to do some shopping."

"Edward you must bring her back for her safety and the monarchy. Take all the guards and bring her back."

"But how father? Just go my son, tell her or do whatever it takes to get her back here. Go! Now!"

Edward was gone to the stables and on his way with twenty-five guards. The two head guards said, "If we go cross country, we should be able to catch the carriages in about thirty minutes." Away they all went racing through the countryside."

"There they are at the top of the hill, your highness," said my chief guard. "We can wait for them at the bottom of the hill." As the two carriages came to a stop to meet the thirty of us on horse, I went to the first carriage and opened the door.

"Princess Bella."

Bella reached out taking my hand, "Yes, your highness."

"I'm sorry to interrupt your journey, but your services are needed back at the castle."

"By all means, your highness."

"My adventuress bride would you ride back to the castle with me on my horse."

"Really, I can your highness."

I helped her down.

BPOV

Once I was on the ground, I noticed the guards had completely surrounded both of us as well as the carriages. "Mrs. Swan, please allow me to escort you back to the other carriage so that you won't be alone," Edward's chief guard said.

"It's okay."

"For security reasons, Mrs. Swan, I would prefer to move you back to the other carriage." My mother was swiftly moved with the assistance of two guards getting her into the other carriage. Then four riders surrounded the first carriage; four surrounded the second carriage.

"Bella, why are you dressed like that?" Edward asked.

"Because I was trying to be inconspicuous. I have always called my dresses like this, traveling dresses. They take up just a little less room underneath and I can move around easier."

Edward smiled at me and said, "I think I like it. Now we have several options in how we ride back to the castle."

"Yes."

"You ride side saddle on my lap, or you ride a man's way in the saddle and I sit behind you, or I sit in the saddle and you ride man style on the back of my horse. I'll lend you my cloak regardless."

"I vote option two."

Edward leaned in and said, "I know you have been wanting to ride your horse this way for a long time. Are you ready? The first lesson is called leg up. Princess Bella get enough of you dress together, so that you can put your knee in my hand." I did then I was gently pushed the rest the way onto the saddle. Next a captain of the guard gave Edward a leg up. Another guard's men handed Edward the reins. As we prepared to leave, I felt my hair being moved away from my ear and I heard at a whisper, "I love you" and my neck was kissed. Then in a firmer whisper voice, "We will talk about your disappearing act back at the castle." As the last guard mounted back up, we were encircled by all the guards. We started out slowly until I was use to the seat and rhythm of the horse. Once Edward saw that I was comfortable; everyone picked up the pace. When we could see the gates ahead, our horse and ten guards took off for the entrance of the castle at a full gallop. It felt amazing to me; I felt like I was flying. As the carriage went by while I was still mounted on Edward's horse, I announced, "Charlotte, I would like a bath ready at 5:30 PM."

"Peter, I would like one, as well."

"Yes, your highness," as the carriage went by.

Edward helped me get off the horse; after he had me standing on the ground, I staggered some with my first steps, but Edward had my arm. "Be careful, Bella, riding a horse uses different muscles on your legs."

As we walked arm and arm towards the king's offices, I said, "That was so much fun. Please tell me that we can do it again someday soon on the horse you got me as a wedding present."

"Yes, my princess. Since I can no longer let you leave the castle grounds, I think you deserve to get to learn how to ride horses."

"What? What are you saying Edward?"

"Shh, you're about to find out."

By then he escorted me into his father's office, "Yes, your royal majesty, Edward said that my assistance is needed." as I finished curtsying to my king.

"Please the both of you sit and be comfortable. Now Princess Bella, what were you going into the city for?"

"Material and to see the city; I miss it. I haven't been in nine weeks."

"Yes, you are right. But for right now we need you stay within the castle grounds because of the revolutionaries; they may try to go after you to get to us."

"I'm sorry; I didn't know."

"Bella, I'm sorry we have to keep you here; but we can get fabric delivered," Edward said holding my hand.

"Your mom will need to stay on the castle grounds, as well."

"Your father has a guard with him every day when he goes to work."

"Do you understand, Bella?"

"Yes, your royal majesty."

"Now, can we discuss the Friday night dinner party?"

"Yes," and we did for an hour.

Before dinner, we each had a bath and Edward joined me in my tub eventually. We didn't even make it back to bed to finish making love that night.

Over the next six weeks, Edward continued teaching me how to use a dagger and swords but now we added horseback riding in as well. My mother modified a few of my dressing gowns so that my legs were covered while I sat on the saddle. I also wore my traveling gowns while riding so I had less layers to deal with. We were hosting a dinner party one night that week and Edward kept asking me if I felt okay during the day. "You look a little flushed."

"Yes, I'm fine, Edward. I'm just a little tired, I guess."

"You've been working hard."

We sat down to dinner with all our guests. After I finished half my plate, I quickly excused myself and barely made it to the gardens to throw up. Edward was soon at my side as well as my maid. "Are you okay?" Edward asked and I threw up a second time.

"That's it, Charlotte get her to bed and keep her there. Stay there until I arrive. I will get there as soon as possible."

"Yes, your highness," Charlotte said. Charlotte and I headed to my suite; I didn't throw up anymore; but I was now drained and tired. Charlotte help me change into my dressing gown and I climbed into bed. Edward arrived about an hour later and came to bed very quickly pulling me in close. I was pretty much asleep; however, I felt my husband pull me in close and whispered to me that he loved me.

The next morning Edward asked, "Could last night be a sign that you are pregnant?"

"Maybe, I haven't had my monthly yet." And right on cue, I threw up again. Charlotte was prepared for this because she had left a bucket by my bed side for me.

"I will get my doctor up here to examine you."

"Fine."

"Stay in bed today and I'll have a simple breakfast sent up for you."

Three hours later it was confirmed I was pregnant. Edward came into our room after lunch and smiled at me and said, "Really, my princess. We are going to have a baby."

"Yes, your highness. I am pregnant with your child."

The king was very excited and came and saw me himself late that afternoon. He thanked me for giving him a grandchild. "Please take care of yourself, princess. No more horse lessons with Edward. Yes, you two can keep having sword fighting and dagger lessons though. Just be careful."

"Your royal majesty, may I please still ride side saddle?"

"Only as long as Edward is leading your horse at a walk."

"Thank you, your royal majesty," and I kissed his cheek.

While we laid in bed together one night, "Edward, I miss being able to go into Paris."

"How about once a month I take you into the underground water tunnel system to go exploring?"

"Really, I have only heard about it. I have heard there is so much history down there."

"Yes, I will take you soon." Edward took me the following Friday night. We didn't go far; however it was just the two of us in a row boat together. We were gone for probably two hours. We settled in together in the bottom of the row boat and just cuddled.

My mother was now working on my maternity dresses for me. I continued planning and organizing all the events at the palace with my staff that somehow respected me even as a seventeen year old.

Three weeks later, Edward came back a day early from a week-long military meeting he had been on with his father. He came into our suite and dismissed the staff.

"Edward, you are very upset. What is it? I think you've been crying."

"Yes. I have bad news."