Chapter 17

We got to the guards office and met with Jacob. "Let's go talk about a new set of plans. I would like to leave for the castle in a day and a half on horses. I know that will be a long ride; but I am afraid of taking the tunnels because I do not know what Tom told them. Most of our battles have been to the south, so I thought we would head north and then to the castle via the eastern edge of Paris. Jacob, will a carriage be able to traverse this area? Bella's parents and children are coming with us in that carriage."

"Yes, the carriage will make it over that terrain though we'll have to go a little slower. I grew up there I know where we can take cover if necessary."

"How many horses do we have?"

"Fifty."

"Well, we'll need four for the carriage that leaves forty-six horses. Three guards are on the carriage plus one inside if possible. What is my guard count?"

"Including you two, there our fifty-seven of us."

"Edward, I'm just thinking out loud! What if you and I went in the boat in disguise back to the castle with no guards? If we came across anyone, who would bother us?"

"Bella, that is an idea that I thought of; but I can't risk you. I need guards as back up, just in case. Going over land is the best we can do. How long will it take us with a carriage?"

"If we leave at daybreak, we would probably get to the castle by nightfall with only an hour break at most."

"We will put sixteen horses with guardsmen around the carriage and the rest will be with us."

"Do we dare split up?" asked Seth another guardsman sitting in the meeting with us.

Bella stood up and said, "No, we will all stay together. I'm sorry Edward," and I sat back down.

Seth then took my hand and said, "Do not worry about it your majesty. I was also thinking out loud and I meant no disrespect."

"Seth, I accept your apology after you accept mine," then we shook on it and I smiled at him. Then I looked back up at my husband, weird thought, and said, "Then what do we do, once we get to the castle."

"Wait. I am going to lock your family in one of the towers for their safety. Then we'll have two guards on the five watchtowers twenty-four hours a day."

"Five, I only knew of four."

"There is a fifth tower down at the barn and thanks to mirrors and a tube system. It gives us a better look further out."

"Did James know about it?"

"I don't think so."

"Does Tom?"

"I don't believe so. It was something in my father's early journals when he was still a prince at the age of eighteen. Tom didn't work for us yet. My father never mentioned using them in his journals yet because of fact there had been no attacks on the castle or Paris. We will also close both the tunnel entrances into the castle and put heavy enough objects on them that they can't get in the entrances. That will force them to surface at least a ½ mile away, where the guards can watch for them from the towers."

Jacob then said, "Are we just going to let them in the castle?"

"I am sure Caius will know a quiet way into the castle. You and I will be in my suite as planned; we will keep a guard in each dressing room and one behind our door. I'm sorry Queen Bella," Edward said, "for taking away our privacy but I want you around for more than a week."

"That's fine, I understand."

"We will keep a supply of 10 guards in my drawling room that a signal can be sent if we need additional backup or they can keep anyone from getting to us. I believe Caius will send in a small contingent to get to us but bring more up as backup against the rest of our guard so we will have ten more waiting." We talked about more details of the plan for another hour so. "Back to the horses, we will double up on horses. Go through the guards and put together sets of two light men and have the second men carrying additional swords and guns. This will work. I can feel it. Thanks to my wife knowing how to use a sword and dagger." We made it back to our room, "I want you to get ready for bed. I'm going to get your mother and father."

"Edward, please let them get a good night's sleep because it will be a while before any of us gets another one."

"Okay, then you need to come here," and I was pulled close to his arms and body. I could feel my dress getting loose on me and then it fell to the floor.

"I thought we decided we can't and do this."

"We can't. I am hoping you get undressed so that you can put on your robe."

"Your royal highness, what do you think you are doing? I know we are technically married, but you have not seen me naked before. This may start something that we can't finish."

"Beautiful Bella, my wife, I have seen you naked twice," with that my undergarments fell away and then I heard, "three times as my most private undergarments fell to the floor."

"What? How have you seen me naked two times already?" as I collected my robe and wrapped it around me and tied it closed. I then sat in one of the chairs by the fire.

"By the way, you may as well be naked in that robe it shows all of your damn curves." Edward was then leaning over my chair rubbing his arms up and down my arms. "Maybe while I am king, I will forbid you women from wearing all those damn undergarments."

"No, how about I just parade around for you like this in our suite?"

"You would do that for me."

"Yes, Edward, I am just as comfortable in this robe as my formal gown we danced in. Of course, I will only wear just my robe when it is just the two of us in our suite."

"One day will you show me your wedding dress?"

"Of course." He scooped me up and carried me to our bed. Edward hummed me to sleep with my favorite song. It was around midnight when I fell asleep. He held me very close while we slept probably for two reasons. One he didn't want me to disappear, loved me and enjoyed my body and secondly the size the bed kept us very close.