Hey guys! I'm really sorry I haven't posted in so long, but I've been having writers block. I've decided not to go with the Princess idea, but it's still going to follow the same plot line, just with Lady Isabella. I know that a lot of people wanted my story to be what they wanted, and I tried to squeeze everything in to please people. This chapter is defiantly not my best work, but it's starting off the plot for this part of my story, like a transitioning chapter. I'm really sorry to say that Edward won't come till later on, but this is without a doubt a BellaxEdward story. Please stay with me! I know this chapter isn't the best but the other chapters coming up soon!

Chapter 7: A Lady

I felt the tears pouring down my face as I flew away. What I feared the most just happened to me. I never intended on Edward finding out about me, I never wanted him to. Part of me wanted so much to fall into his arms but the other part of me was terrified. If he left me again, I knew for sure that I would not be able to survive. And then there was that one part, deep inside of me, that was angry. I was angry that he left me, angry that I was forced to live without him for this long. But most of all I was angry that he didn't know I couldn't survive without him. More tears rolled down my face down. He didn't love me anymore, and I just had to get used to that. Sure he mourned my death and felt guilty, but that didn't change the fact that he didn't want me. He even said it himself that day in the woods. But none of that mattered anymore. I was going to have to be stronger from now on. It was time to start a new chapter in my life, hopefully one that would not involve heartbreak. I need to get my mind off some things; I hope that the missions will still be enough to 'distract' me now... I thought to myself, flying over the clouds below me, leaving the heartbroken Bella Swan, behind me.

It was twilight when I finally got to Italy. The Volturi castle looked like something out of a storybook as I flew down towards it. I started cautiously towards the castle on foot, preparing for Aro's wrath as coming home a failure. Yes, just one more thing to add to my list of mess-ups. I had a job, take out Liz, and I failed, along with giving away my identity.

When I had finally got to the castle, I wiped way any signs of uneasiness and strolled with my chin up high, receiving several bows from the guards. I had every right to be here, as far as any one was concerned. No one needed to know of my failure but Aro.

I strode into the one of the common rooms where the gang usually hung out around this time of day. I saw them before they saw me. They were all sprawled out on the various leather couches surrounding a big stoned fireplace, their backs all turned to me. I stopped by the entrance, mentally preparing myself before walking in, and making myself known by tripping on one of the rugs.

They all spun around, smiles on their faces.

"Bella's back!" Jane exclaimed happily, running toward me to give me a hug. I wasn't afraid of Jane anymore, she never could, nor tried, to hurt me and over the past couple of years she started to feel like my little sister.

"Hey Jane," I replied, hugging her back.

"Hey Bells!" Alec said excitedly and came to join Jane by my side. It was then when I finally looked at them, and my entire new family. Something was different… Then it dawned on me.

"Your eyes!" I exclaimed, shocked and joyful.

All of them had a mixture of red and gold eyes and were smiling happily at me.

"We wanted it to be a surprise, we know how much your against our diet and we've finally decided to all partake in Carlisle's method. It was our gift to you, for the mission, but we didn't expect you home so soon! We've been drinking from animals ever since you left, but it takes a while for the red eye color to disappear," Aro explained, a smile on his face.

"That's great you guys!" I exclaimed, feeling my face swell with joy. "I'm so proud of you! However," I started, feeling my face fall again.

"What's wrong Bella?" Heidi asked.

"I messed up so bad," I said, feeling tears form at my eyes.

"What happened Bells?" Aro asked concerned, no trace of anger in his voice.

"They found out about me, all of them. I got in a fight with Liz and she used her power on me and they found out. Worst of all, they know what my power is and Liz is still alive. I can't go back to finish the job without them getting suspicious now, and I've ruined everything!" I sobbed. "I'm so sorry. And then Edward, he…and I, then Liz…"

Heidi wrapped her arms around me and rubbed my back.

"There, there Bella, it'll be okay, calm down. We shouldn't of put you up to this, I can only imagine how hard it was for you," she said, comforting me while I continued to sob. "Aro you idiot! I told you not to send her!" she scolded from over my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, but what was I supposed to do? Clearly this 'Liz' is a threat and we had to watch her. Bella's power made her the only one able to go without the Cullen's getting suspicious or fearful. You know how they've always disliked us!" Aro protested.

"So you could have sent someone to watch from a distance! Even Gianna! I'm sure they wouldn't recognize her as a vampire! Look at what you've done to poor Bells! The poor thing! Do you even remember why she came here in the first place?"

Aro shifted uncomfortably before finally silently nodding his head.

"I'm so sorry Bells, you remember why I sent you though, from my letter right?" he said, looking at me apologetically.

"Yes, closure right?" I asked him.

He nodded.

"By the way, that reminds me…" I said, pulling myself away from Heidi and recomposing myself. "You are so dead Aro!" I shrieked, chasing after his already fleeting body with a smile on his face.

I sat in my room as always, staring up at the ceiling. What am I going to do with myself? I thought. I wanted to finally get over Edward. I wanted to finally accept that he didn't love me, Bella, anymore, and that I had to stop dwelling on the past. Still, the pain was worse now in my chest, the hole getting larger and larger, tearing me up. Now did I not only have to deal with him leaving me, but with seeing his face again and now missing him more than ever. Hs face, his voice, his smell…everything that I loved about him was engraved into my memory. It was like a fresh cut, forever paining me when I thought about him and how I would never see him again.

I was only vaguely aware of the day rolling on outside of my own little world of pain and confusion. I had a feeling that my missions wouldn't be enough to distract me anymore, and I feared I would have to resort to being what Aro had originally planned. However, I just couldn't live with the fact of being a 'Princess." Too much attention all the time and frivolous dresses and such. I'd much rather be called Lady Isabella even though I really did not want to become a lady but at this point, I was desperate for anyway out of the pain of losing Edward…again. I sighed and left the room to talk to Aro about a Lady.

Aro was alone when I found him. He was in one of his studies in his favorite worn out leather chair with his feet on the chair and eyes focused on a piece of paper in front of him.

"Aro?" I asked, standing in the opening of the door, still hesitating on my decision.

Apparently he didn't know I'd come into his room, and practically jumped out of his seat.

"Oh, Bella! You startled me!" he exclaimed, putting the paper down and smiling at me warmly. "Come in!" he said, noticing my awkward position at the door.

I smiled and sat myself down facing him.

"Now what can I do for you dear?"

"Well…maybe I should just show you," I said, offering my bare hand so that he could touch it. "I won't block you, I just want to ask you if you think my decision would be wise," I explained.

Aro reached out hesitantly at first, being reminded of what I did to him yesterday when I got home.

"Go on, I won't bite this time," I said with a smile. He smiled back and then lightly touched my hand. I let him probe around my mind, trying to find out the reason I had come to him. After about a minute of searching, I saw him smile and pull his hand away.

"Lady Isabella?" he questioned.

"Oh, shut up, you know why I'm doing this," I snapped back at him.

"Okay, okay calm down Bells! But anyways, I don't see a problem in it. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I have to Aro, the hole in me is tearing me apart. I need to do something! I can't just sit around and wait for missions anymore or take the time to carry out one. I need a purpose, otherwise I'll start to think, and that's not good," I explained to him.

"Very well then, I'll see to it. Good night Lady Isabella!" he called after me, but I was already rolling my eyes and out the door. When I got back to my room I collapsed on my bed and cried for Edward for the last time. It was time for me to move on and leave Isabella Marie Swan in the past. It was time for a new Bella.

The next day I was awoken by a very excited looking Jane and a very apologetic looking Gianna.

"Wake up sleepy head!" Jane shouted into my ear.

"Ow! Jane that hurt! Sensitive hearing REMEMBER!" I screamed back in her ear, making her squeal and jump back.

"Sorry Bella, I couldn't control her. Aro told us last night about your decision and-" Gianna started explaining.

"And we are going shopping for a new wardrobe! Being Lady Isabella and all, you have to dress a whole lot differently," Jane squealed. Oh god… another Alice…

"Oh come on!" I whined.

"You wanted distractions remember?" Jane teased me.

I opened my mouth to retaliate but I realized that this is exactly what I wanted.

"Fine, let me wash up and I'll meet you downstairs," I told her. "Now get out of my room!"

Jane laughed and skipped out of the room, dragging Gianna along with her, who smiled sweetly at me and mouthed the word 'sorry,' before disappearing. I smiled, Gianna was always so nice, but she was terribly shy after Aro turned her. Still at least she has manners unlike SOMEONE, JANE! I thought bitterly in my head as I got into the shower and washed my hair with the usual strawberry shampoo. I wonder what my new look and image would be as a lady? I wondered to myself. After I was done washing up and changed into the new dress Jane had bought me I stared at my reflection, wondering what I should change. I finally decided on changing my shoulder length brown hair to mid torso length with big curls and three different tones of brown. I also changed my face so that it wouldn't look cute and innocent anymore but striking and stunning. No one other than the Volturi would recognize me as Bella anymore. I smiled at the new me, but it didn't feel right. Ignoring it I ran down the stairs to begin my new life.

We spent the rest of the day at various designer shops. Most of my new wardrobe consisted of formal wear and dresses that looked like they belonged in another time period. Jane also insisted that I get matching shoes…for each item of clothing I got. All in all, we came back to the castle with numerous gigantic department store boxes, and unfortunately all of which were for me. We put all of our bags in my room and Jane and Gianna sorted through them and arranged them in my huge (never used till now) walk in closet. While they were doing that, I gobbled down a grilled chicken sandwich before collapsing on my bed. Before I knew it, my thoughts had drifted back to Edward. Did I make the right choice in leaving him? A part of me thought. Yes you did! You even did him a favor. You know that he never loved you, now he can clear his conscious of your 'death.' A voice in my head pointed out. I subconsciously nodded, believing the words. But what if he still loved you? Another voice argued. I snorted at this, Edward never really loved me, and never will. That's why I was doing this, to give my life more meaning. To finally move on from Edward. I turned over in my bed, and fell asleep with not one dream in my head the whole entire night.

The next morning I awoke to find a beautiful invitation lying next to me.

Dear Lady Isabella, Lady Heidi and Lord Aro,

You are cordially invited the Duchess of Essex's annual Masquerade ball on February 30th 2008. Masks must be worn until midnight with no exceptions. Please RSVP by February 15th to this address. Bring invitation upon arrival.

The Duchess of Essex,

Carolina Bourke

Lady Heidi? She was in on this too? Oh well…I should of expected this, I mean she is Aro's mate. I turned the note over and found a note from Aro.

We're going. The Duchess of Essex is a pain in the neck and we'd never hear the end of it if we declined. Anyway, I've saved you the trouble, and the torture, of searching for a mask. I put it in your closet. Oh yeah…by the way you have your first party this evening at six. I totally forgot (that seams to be happening a lot lately doesn't it?). Anyways I'm really sorry about the short notice but I'm sure after you're shopping spree yesterday you'll find something to wear.

Aro

A party? Tonight!? Oh crap, what time is it? 11:00 a.m. Seven hours… okay, you still have time. Calm down Bella.

I got out of bed and walked over to my closet. On the floor by the door, was a sliver box. I picked it up and opened it, gasping when doing so. Inside was a beautiful hand painted silver eye mask. There was extraordinary detail on the side and it was engraved with patterns of swirls and sparkled when I turned it. Curious, I put it on and went to examine it by my mirror. It looked amazing and you could barley recognize me if I was wearing it since it covered half of my face. My blue eyes were even more striking than usual against the mask, making them seam as if they were dazzling too. After fully examining it, I put it back in the box and took a shower. When I got out of the shower I found a list from Jane waiting for me on my nightstand.

Bella,

Here's a list of things you need to do before your first night as a 'lady,' wink, wink.

Memorize the list of people that will be at the ball and their backgrounds (List attached)

You need to make a new cover for yourself.

Learn how to 'kiss ass' as some silly humans put it now a days. At the ball there will be a lot a very important people and as a new Lady, you cannot afford to make a bad reputation.

Pick out a dress

Let Heidi and I do your make up, and don't you dare complain about it!

You know you love me!

Jane

I rolled my eyes and laughed at Jane's note, putting it aside, I grabbed the paper behind it. It was an impossibly long list with various names on it, ranging from Dukes, to Countess's. I sat down on my desk, and put my memory to work.

Why is this so hard! I thought angrily to myself. I was expected to be this social butterfly, and being that, I would need to know the dirt on everyone. I had to know everything, from appearances, to years of drama for each person. Finally, at 4 o'clock I had finally memorized it all. With a sigh of relief I put the list down and ventured into my closet. Dresses of all shapes and colors lined the walls, each with matching shoes and accessories. Alice would've died to see this… I thought sadly. I missed my family terribly, but there was nothing I could do about it now. I had chosen my path and I intended to stick with it. I randomly picked out a dress and called for Jane and Heidi to work their magic on me. And all the while, while they were pinning my hair up and doing my make-up, the lines between Bella and Lady Isabella were starting to blur more and more, until it was a mere sliver.

Okay, there it is. As I said before this is a transitioning chapter so it's not my best work, but PLEASE review! More chapters will be coming up soon, once I get over this little bit of writers block I'm having.