Hey Guys. I know it's been a loooooong time. I have received many reviews and messages asking for updates. I have written quite a lot on this story in the time I haven't updated and I am going to finish this story! And I want to do it the right way. I can't let you wait any longer and I am desperate to know what you think of this. Still I'll need more time to finish this, but I hope you stick with me through it…

For now enjoy this new chapter!

BPOV

I slept well that night. In fact, it was my best night's sleep in a long time. Waking up in that wonderful bed it was hard to imagine that I wasn't save at home with my loving father, that no maids would soon come to help me get dressed. Still it was too hard to imagine that I was now a servant that I had to obey other persons orders. It had always been the other way around. Back when I had everything I wanted, I took it for granted now I would learn it the hard way what it was like to have to work. I promised myself then that I wouldn't screw this up. I wouldn't give them reason to treat me bad.

The sun was shining through the window when I finally got up. I went to fetch Edward's breakfast. It didn't last long before I found the kitchen. It was the same general direction it had been at home. I was met with a fuming Lauren.

"Took you long enough. I would have already gotten Prince Edward's breakfast. I don't know what he sees in you." I didn't react. I had a feeling that if I did she would be much worse.

Instead I just his already prepared meal and made my way back to where I was already expected of the Prince.

"Good morning Bella." He smiled kindly at me.

"Good morning, my lord." I said as I sat down the tray on the little table. "Is there anything else I can do for you, my lord?" I asked in a low voice keeping my eyes to the floor.

"Actually there is. I want you to sit with me. Let's just talk. I want to know you." He said while sitting down and gesturing to the chair opposite of him. I looked up at him in surprise but sat down none the less.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked after we sat there for a few minutes neither saying a word. I didn't know what he was trying to achieve. Why did the prince eat and talk with a servant? I realized that I hadn't said a word and quickly answered.

"Yes, my lord. The bed is very comfortable. Thank you."

"Nothing to be thankful for." He waved it off with a wink of his hand.

The Prince handed me a toast. I looked at it with wide eyes.

"Eat." He ordered. "You need it." When he looked at me there was friendly smile playing around his lips. I did as he said. While nibbling at my toast I couldn't help but wonder. Why did he do all this? It wasn't like he had to be friendly to me. I was used to people being nice to me because I was royalty. It's not the best feeling in the world, when you know a person is acting nice but in truth they can't stand you. I should be thankful for Prince Edward's honesty and kindness for the time being. I knew that if I did as he said I would be save – while he was around.

"Bella. You seem so deep in thought. Is there something you want to say?" His velvet voice brought me back to reality. I looked up at him once and said the first thing that came to my mind.

"Thank you." I saw he was going to say something, but I had to say this so I interrupted him

"For everything. You have been nothing but nice to me and I don't know why that is. When I came here I thought this would be hell on earth. But you are being so kind and thoughtful and I just wanted to thank you for that. For not judging me like others. For giving me a chance." Until then I hadn't realized I was crying but now I was very conscience of my tears. I frantically tried to wipe them away but was stopped by a gentle hand taking both of my hands.

"Please, Bella. Don't hide from me. Don't hide your feelings from me. I know you lost basically everything apart from your life. It's ok to be sad. It's ok to cry. But it's not good if you keep it all locked down. So please. Don't hide."

I nodded through tearstained eyes at him.

"Thank you, my lord. Again." I smiled a little then and went to gather the dishes. Once again I was stopped.

"Oh, and when we are alone I want you to call me Edward." When he saw my unbelieving face he quickly added with a smile. "I can't stand when people call me my lord all the time. It makes me feel odd."

I smiled at him too "I understand that … Edward." His smile widened and I took that as my sign to continue my work and bring the dishes back to the kitchen.

When I came back I found Edward waiting for me.

"Come with me Bella. My father wants to see us." He turned and walked through the door, clearly expecting me to follow him. So I did.

I was nervous to see King Carlisle again. I had known before that I would have to see him again at some point. I was scared of him. There was just no other way to say it. If Edward hadn't made me his maid I would have been a slave. As for the king I should be one. He clearly hated me. Who could blame him. Once again I cursed Charlie for being so cruel.

Still, he is my father. Was my father. In my eyes the best there could ever be. If only he could have shown this side of him to others as well.

The thought of my father instantly brought back tears in my eyed. Edward who was walking beside me noticed.

"Bella. What's wrong?" He asked kindly as I tried in vain to blink away the tears.

"Nothing." He sighed, stopped and lifted my chin. I looked up into his eyes and when he opened his mouth he spoke with so much force that I almost believed him, that I wanted to believe him.

"I promised to keep you save and I keep my promises. I won't let my father hurt you. Understand?"

I nodded and followed him again to meet his father.

When we entered he was already waiting for Edward. And smiled at him. I went to stand at the door. Clearly the king wanted to speak to his son and I was only allowed here because I was Edward's maid.

"There you are." King Carlisle said with a smile. He didn't look at me once, but I wouldn't complain about that.

"You wanted to see me father." Edward seemed strangely tense and wondered what could be wrong. Maybe I would find out soon enough.

"Yes, yes. I'm afraid I have to borrow your… maid for a day or two." I tried desperately to seem calm and unaffected. It didn't seem to work. Edward shot me a quick glance but turned back to face his father again almost instantly.

"No." He hesitated "I need her." He said in a tight voice

"I understand that, son. But I'm hosting a big ball. Dinner and dance. I invited everybody who can call themselves nobility from all over the country. It will be the biggest thing in history." He seemed very excited. Edward on the other hand just seemed confused.

"Ok but I don't see why you need Bella for that."
"Just let me finish. I want to celebrate our victory over King Charlie's kingdom with this ball. That's where I need Isabella. I want her to serve the dishes with the other maids. I want to show to everybody that I made King Charlie's daughter a mere servant."

I looked down at my feet. It hurt… a lot. First because he talked about me like I wasn't even there and didn't listen to everything he said and second and mainly because this would be the ultimate humiliation. To serve food and wine to people who I once sat at a table with. Who were once under Charlie's control.

Tears. Again and again those damn tears. Why can't I get used to my new life. Why can't I just accept it and take what comes at me. For god's sake I'm not a child any longer. It was strangely quiet and I realized that Edward hadn't talked for a long while. When I looked up I saw that he was looking at the king disbelievingly.

"I never thought you were this cruel." He said with venom in his voice. "Why do you want to do this to her. You are very well aware of the humiliation this would be for her. She is just a child."

"How dare you speak to me like that. I want to show our power. No one will ever want to mess with me after this. And you will do as I say. The ball will be the day after tomorrow. No discussion. You can go." His voice was final leaving no room for arguing. Edward turned abruptly and stalked out of the door me on his heel. I nearly had to run to keep up with him. He stormed through the castle until we were in his room where he sat down at his chair and looked lividly into space. I waited for a while at the door. What was I supposed to do? I watched him for a while. When he didn't relax even after some time I finally approached him.

"Edward?" I asked timidly. No reaction. "Edward?" I tried again. This time I touched his hand carefully. His head whipped up and he stared at me. I had once again crossed a line.

"I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…" I tried to back away but he grabbed my hand.

"Don't go. I am sorry. I was out of it for a moment." Surprised by his apology I only nodded.

His eyes turned softer … and for some reason sad.

"I'm sorry for my father's behavior and" he took a deep breath "I'm afraid you'll have to do as my father says. When he is like that there's no reasoning with him."

He was sad for me?

"Don't worry. I am now a servant after all and the King has every right to command his servants to do what he likes." I looked up at his now angry eyes and continued before he could speak. "Don't worry it will just take some time for me to learn my place. It will be ok." I said more for my reassurance than for his.

"Bella." He said softly. "Don't think of yourself like that. You are still only a girl. You…" He seemed at a loss for words then his expression turned grim "No. He has no right to do that."

There was no denying it. I was touched by how he cared about me. He has done so much for me. He saved me from being a slave, he gave me a secure place to stay and offered me his friendship. This was more than I ever thought I would find in this land.

"Please." He said quietly after a while. "Leave me to think for a while, ok? You are free to do whatever you like."

"Of course." I quickly made my way out of the room and into the big castle.

EPOV

How could he? He has never been this cruel before. Why now? Why with Bella? After all she was only a child. I could see how frightened she was to meet my father. How sad she was for being treated like a thing. What I never expected was that she was giving in to her role, already thinking about herself as a servant without any rights. It shocked me to no end. She was raised to become a Queen and yet she adapted to the role my father wanted to give her this quickly. I didn't know her for a long time, but I never for one second, got the impression she deserved anything that had happened to her.

I knew my father, and when he was like this, there was no arguing with him. The only thing I could do was making sure that Bella was safe and felt comfortable while she was in my room and under my watch.

I hadn't noticed I was pacing through my room until I stopped in front of the huge window. The sun tickled my eye and warmed my face. I loved this part of my room. I had an excellent view over the garden and father into the forest.

There under a tree I could make out a little figure. It was Bella I could identify her even from here. She was leaning back with her head against the tree and catching the sunlight with her face. She looked so peaceful and at ease for once and I decided to give her some privacy. When I turned around I had the sudden wish to play the piano. I hadn't played in a while but now it seemed like I simply had to. So I did and found my own way to a little peace of mind.

I hope you liked it. I am still undecided what exactly I want to happen at the ball... any ideas? I don't know when I'll update next, but I will. Thank you for all tthe kind reviews. They keep me going, so thanks a lot. You are the best!

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