Chapter 8: through the ages part 2 (Bella)
A/N: it's sam's turn next!
Bella age 12, just two months after the throne room incident.
A thump and a groan of frustration sounded in the library. Afton at the moment was doing his daily perimeter check.
Currently, all of the masters were out of town, leaving Afton in charge of the day-to-day duties and the running of the guard.
If any vampires had complaints or concerns, they had to submit their problem in writing, with an official form, and turn it into the office.
When the masters and mistresses returned they would go through them and call for an audience.
It was funny because most of the vampire world felt that the Volturi sat in their throne room all day long and did nothing. A rumor that none of them disputed. Let them think what they want. but that was further from the truth. The castle was always busy. Different covens, vistirs. All kinds of people asking for Volturi's help. Not to mention, the outside responsibilities the masters and mistresses had.
Currently, the kings were out handling an unruly coven. They had created an immortal child and the kings didn't think it was something the guard should handle on their own.
The queens were dispersed across the world. Athenodora was doing a nighttime fashion show in New York.
Sculpia was in France, having her art displayed in a French museum and didyme was doing an opera in Austria.
The whole family should return by tomorrow morning. They had only been gone for two weeks.
All except for one.
"Princess? Is everything ok?" he asked as he pooped his head in the library.
About two months ago, Princess Isabella, had walked in on them feeding and it had scared her. however, she had once again, snuck out of the castle. Alistair one of their top guards and just one of four of her adoptive fathers, was able to bring her home.
However, the morning after that, Master Aro and Master Caius were the most angry.
They grounded her for two months. No TV, no cell phone ( not that she had anyone to call) none of her favorite books, and no sweets. Master Marcus and Alistair had been the most sympathetic but agreed to the other two kings' rules nonetheless.
The queens were conflicted on the matter and decided to leave to the kings. It was odd to see one child have seven parents, and yet they all seemed to work out effectively and communicated smoothly. It wasn't ideal but it worked for their strange situation.
A consequence of her grounding was that Princess Isabella had been told to stay home while the queens went out on their travels. She would not be allowed to accompany them this time.
It put her in a foul mood and yet she seemed to understand her punishment. She couldn't just run away whenever she felt like it. it wasn't mature and it was dangerous.
How would she ever rule the vampire world if all she did was run away? At least that is what master caius would tell her. out of all her fathers, master Caius was the harshest. He didn't let her get away with anything, and yet Master Marcus seemed to be the most lenient.
As Afton made his way through the library, he found his princess sitting at her desk, the sunlight beaming on her. A thick history book was sitting in front of her and crumbled paper and a broken quill were on the floor.
"Everything ok?" he asked her.
The guard had been given strict instructions not to allow the princess out of their sight and not to give her any sweets. However, the rumor was running around that the princess might have a gift. It was possible, she was a shield hence why she could leave the castle undetected. She just didn't know it yet.
"noo, I like history but this…this crap is boring! It's the history of paper! Afton! Who cares about the history of paper!" she grumbled.
Afton grinned as he peered over her shoulder.
"I believe your writing assignment isn't supposed to be fun, princess. I believe it is supposed to teach you a lesson. A lesson, that includes not sneaking out of the castle… "
The princess groaned.
"I understand that now! I knew it was wrong! but what else was I supposed to do? You guys were guzzling people down, like a Capri sun!" she yelled.
Afton couldn't help but laugh.
"I admit, your reaction was reasonable but… it was still dangerous. May I remind you that because of your little stunt, you got pneumonia for two weeks. And that scared everyone deeply. You were sick, princess. We desire to see you live a long, human life before you join us.."
After she ran in the cold rain, with no coat a few days later she came down with pneumonia. It had scared the kings deeply. But she was a fighter and got through it.
"yeah yeah, long human life.. yada yada yada! That still doesn't help me learn about the history of paper after!" she fake cried.
Afton broke his professional reverie and said "Princess, it's not for your learning, it's to torture you. your parents knew it would bore you but you have to suffer the consequences. We all do from time to time. just ask Jane. Master Aro often puts her in time out."
"I HEARD THAT!" Jane yelled from somewhere in the castle "AND DON'T GET HER IN MORE TORUBLE THAN SHE ALREADY IS!"
Isabella shook her head and groaned.
"fine. But I gotta pee. I'll finish it in a minute."
"it takes you a minute to pee?" he questioned.
"Afton!"
Afton laughed and shook his head.
No matter what she thought, or how she felt, he hoped that the princess understood that she was loved beyond measure. She brought joy to their lives.
…
A few hours later, Afton, found himself back in the library calling for Isabella.
"princess! Time for lunch. It's in the dining room!" he called out.
No response.
"Princess?" he called again.
"I'm in the bathroom! Um… can you get a female guard for me please.." she called nervously.
"is everything okay?" he asked, concern running through him.
"um… yes? no? I can't tell… I think another female would be helpful.."
"alright princess, give me a second."
Afton was quick to think about which high-ranking female guard was available.
Their ranks were chosen by colors.
red was worn by the royal family.
Black was worn by their most trusted and high-ranking guards, like himself.
Grey was second
White was for those who were either brand-new or were deemed the lowest rank.
It all depended on their loyalty and how they followed orders. Just because someone joined a coven didn't mean they had the purest intentions.
They would have to eliminate a few white coats from time to time.
Renata was with master aro, and Heidi was with one of the queens. Corin was with the queens as well.
That left Jane and his mate Chelsea.
He might as well call them both.
A minute later, both women were in the library, looking confused and concerned.
"Princess Isabella is in the connecting bathroom and needs female assistance." He explained to them.
"oh no, the poor dear," Chelsea said as she knocked on the bathroom door.
"Princess? It is me, Chelsea, and Jane. Can we help you?"
"Can you send Afton away?" the princess asked urgently.
"of course. Afton go away." His wife shooed.
Trusting that they had it, he left them.
As soon, as he was gone, Chelsea spoke.
"he's gone, princess. How can we help you?"
There was shuffling and they could tell Isabella was coming closer to the door.
"um… well, I'm ..um..bleeding.."
Immediately both women were on alert.
"bleeding? Are you harmed?" Jane asked.
"I can't tell…um it's coming from my…uh…private parts."
Both women gasped and their eyes widened.
"im going to run to the queen's chambers! I'll be back!" Jane said in a hurry.
"OK, princess please do not panic. This is completely normal.." Chelsea told her.
"it is? What's wrong with me?"
Chelsea internally groaned. The masters and mistresses were not going to be happy when they found out Isabella started her first period and they were not the ones to help her.
It was a big thing for them. It would show that she was maturing and becoming a woman and yet it was panic-inducing because it meant their little girl was getting older.
They had a whole plan and now they wouldn't be able to see it in fruition. However, Chelsea could hear the guard whispering and words of excitement were spread about.
The princess had started her period.
"nothings wrong at all my dear, you're simply growing up. this is completely normal. Would you like to go to the privacy of your room? maybe take a nice warm bath?" she asked.
"yes, please. But… won't the blood affect you? I don't want to make you uncomfortable.." Isabella told her.
"It's no problem at all. This is a part of life. I remember when this moment happened to me, except we didn't have the same things you have now."
"Really? Oh, that's right you from ancient Greece…oh my gosh you didn't have indoor plumbing!" Isabella panicked.
"your right we didn't, and I am free to tell you while we get your bath together."
"OK… is it too much to ask if-"
"It's not a problem. I'll run you there."
When the princess opened the bathroom door, Chelsea didn't stare. She simply picked the girl up and ran her to her room at top speed.
She was quick, to run a bath and quietly ordered one of the lower guards to clean the library bathroom.
While Isabella, was in the bath, Jane appeared with colorful boxes and clothes.
"the family prepared for this day. They have a kid Tylenol, Midol, pads, and tampons for when she's older. Perfume, lotion, and a heating pad. And get this training bras! plus they have deodorant. We didn't have half this stuff in my period."
"I know! I didn't either." Chelsea told her.
"do think we can let her have the cholate? And maybe tv?" Jane asked curiously.
Chelsea shook her head.
"no, we must respect the master's wishes. At least for now. I texted Afton and told him to reach the queens. The least you and I can do is keep her company if she wants it."
"um..im done with my bath!" Isabella called from the bathroom.
This time, Chelsea allowed Jane to take over, since she and the princess were close.
"Hey! I have some sweatpants for you and a nice T-shirt." She heard Jane say.
"I have some clean underwear too."
"so what do I do?" Isabella asked
It was then Chelsea heard Jane explain and show the princess what to do.
Ten minutes later the princess was blushing and keeping her eyes to the ground.
" don't be embarrassed princess. We all have had our period at one point. Let me tell you a story."
….
It was 1 in the morning the next day when the king and queen burst into the princess's room flickering the light.
"MY BABY GIRL IS GROWING UP!" Aro wailed as he pulled her from the bed.
Isabella was scared out of her mind before she realized her melodramatic father was dry sobbing over her.
"NOOO, ITS TOO EARLY! SHE CAN'T GROW UP ON US!" he told someone nearby.
It was then she was gently taken from her father's embrace and pushed against, cold breast.
"oh, my Isabella! You're a young lady now!" didyme, squealed.
It was then that athenadora snatched her away from didyme, dry crying as well.
"my princess!"
Before she could say anything, papa Caius was looking at her with unshed tears and a somewhat angry face.
"NO BOYS! NO BABIES!" he growled.
"CAIUS!" everyone seemed to shout.
"IT TOO EARLY FOR THAT!" aro scolded.
And once again, she was placed in two pairs of arms.
Papa Marcus and Mama Sculpia were purring above her.
"you get even more beautiful every day daughter," Papa Marcus told her.
"oh, sweetheart. I wish we could have been here. We have so much to talk about." Mama Sculpia told her.
Finally getting her wits about her, Isabella spoke.
"um everyone, as much as I love you. I would like to go back to sleep. It's 1 in the morning.." she told them.
Immediately, the parents were embarrassed about waking their daughter up.
"oh dear, we got a tad bit excited. You go back to sleep and we will cook you a big breakfast in the morning!" mama Sculpia told her.
"that's fine. Good night everyone. I love you. glad you all are home." She yawned.
As she fell back asleep. She felt cold lips on her forehead.
"you will always be our little girl…" was the voice of Papa Caius. " and no boys.."
"Oh, and you're still grounded by the way. At least until tomorrow!" Papa Aro sang.
And then they were gone.
Isabella was grateful for her family.