Good Morning, Loves!

Thank you to Mel and Pamela!

Chapter 25

Two weeks pass in a blur of chaos and never-ending tasks.

Emmett and his guards have helped keep order in the manor, but it has truly been Ben who I feel I owe the greatest debt toward.

After my conversation with Edward, I told Ben and Isaac the truth of my sister and the miscommunication between Edward and me. We spoke at length about the possible repercussions of my sister's deception, and fearing that her venom would spread deeper into the kingdom, Ben volunteered to return to the capital and try to persuade the king to halt his attack. He departed at once, and for nearly a week, Isaac and I worried in silent misery, praying that Ben was not caught in the crossfire of war.

But then, on the sixth day after his departure, Ben returns, looking haggard but uninjured.

He meets me in the duke's private study, where I gather with Emmett and Isaac to hear his news.

"The king is dead," he says immediately.

We all gasp, taken aback. "What? How?"

"Slain in battle," Ben explains. "He died the night after my arrival." He closes his eyes and shakes his head. "The capital is torn asunder. It will take months to repair the damages."

My heart aches in my chest. "Is Katherine well? Will she take the throne?"

Ben smiles, leaning back in his chair and nodding. "Aye. She took it over immediately, even threatened one of her father's nobles who tried to challenge her for it." Ben snickers. "She defeated the man in single combat, fully disarmed him but left him alive to live with his shame." He glances at me. "She'll be a strong queen."

I let out a shaking breath, relieved to hear that she is unharmed.

"What of Edward?" I ask, my stomach fluttering again.

Ben's face falls slightly. "He's alive," he says, his voice softer. "He bade me bring this to you." Ben pulls a letter from his pocket and hands it to me. I grip the parchment with shaking fingers, clutching it to my chest.

"What else is there?" Isaac asks, his voice soft as he leans toward Ben.

Ben's eyes squeeze shut. "The princess is negotiating peace," he says. "She's called for a ceasefire and has begun talks with King Stephen." He pauses, his eyes flickering around the room. "She has told me to warn you that she will take your sister back to the capital as a prisoner, and there, judgment shall be brought upon her actions."

I wince then nod. "I understand." I am still mourning for the loss of my sister in so many ways, and though I wish I could save her, I know she is beyond redemption.

The four of us continue to catch up, hearing the tales Ben has collected from his journey, before I am finally excusing myself to my room to read Edward's letter in peace.

As soon as my eyes trace over his now familiar scrawl, tears well in my eyes.

My Dearest Bella,

I cannot express in adequate measure the regret I feel upon reflection of my actions. I have had much time to think—far more than you would suspect in the midst of war—upon your words, and I agree that I have much to atone for.

I have loved you so deeply since the very first moment you stumbled into my life on our wedding day. Your heart is rare, one of true courage and loyalty, and I am constantly in awe of it.

I have in the past, attempted to shield you from the ugliness of war and the truth of my own nature, but I see now that I have only caused more harm than good. You are far more intelligent than I have given you credit for, and you have found me out despite my attempt at deception.

It is one thing I mean for there to be no more of in our marriage: deception. You are my heart, my very reason to keep fighting, and I vow to you now, and will again when I hold you in my arms once more, that in all things, we will be partners. What burdens you carry, I shall help you ease, and likewise, I will open up my wounds to you. I would bare every scar on my mangled soul to you if I thought it would help you forgive and love me once more.

So, in the spirit of honesty, I shall tell you of what has transpired.

This battle has been hard-fought, made harder by the presence of our arrogant king. I know I must not speak ill of the dead, but I have never favored him or his politics, and I can say it is with honest relief that Princess Katherine is here to take his place.

She speaks ever so highly of you.

I have killed many men, most of whom I regret hurting at all. I am certain not all of them could have known a love as I know for you, but now they will never get the chance to find it. It is a difficult truth to swallow sometimes.

By the grace of God, I have survived uninjured. I cannot say the same for all of my men, most of whom I have spent the last two days burying in proper graves. My back is aching from the digging, but I find it to be cathartic work.

I long to hold you in my arms once again. I want to know of our child, hear how you are faring carrying such an incredible burden and miracle all on your own.

I cannot wait to be home.

All my love, always,

Your Edward

I reread his letter so many times I know the words by memory, and yet, I cannot get enough of gazing at the parchment, knowing he put these words down just for me.

A week after Ben's return, a messenger arrives informing us that the capital is clear of soldiers, and that the women and children are free to return home. It has been difficult with so many mouths to feed and not enough resources to go around, but I have spent my days tending to those most in need, and in the process, I have gotten to know a great number of them.

Despite the hardship I fear it will bring us this winter, I would not have chosen another course.

Emmett and his men begin making trips back and forth with groups of women and children, taking numbers of them at a time. There is much damage in the capital, and likely some of the families will not have homes to go back to.

Katherine has assured me in a letter she sent with her messenger that she will be assisting everyone who has suffered because of her father's war.

One of the last groups to leave Levenforth is that which contains Rosalie, now the crown's prisoner. I have kept her locked in her room under strict watch, and despite her screaming and cursing, I have not budged. She has destroyed the room, but that hardly matters to me.

I have spent the last few weeks mourning the loss of my sister, the sister I thought I had always had.

Despite the wickedness in my sister's heart, I cannot stop loving her.

I watch her get loaded into a carriage heading back to the capital, her dress dirty, her hair a tangle and irons around her wrists and ankles. She looks like some deranged wild thing, screaming at the top of her lungs that she will get her revenge.

Even now, I cannot hate her.

It will likely be the last time I see her—I know that in my heart—and though part of me grieves that she will be put to death soon, another part of me is relieved by it. My sister's mind has been plagued with a madness incurable in this life. Perhaps she will finally find peace in the next.

One day after Rosalie departs, the last of the refugees have been brought back home, and Levenforth is quiet once more. It is in shambles after playing host to so many, so my days are filled with helping the staff right everything when I am not busy looking after my niece and nephew.

Without a father or mother around, I am their only family left, and I vow that I will not let them grow up as I did.

A week after my sister's departure for the capital, I hear the herald's call, announcing Edward's approaching return.

I race through the estate, desperate to see him the moment he arrives. There is a flurry of activity as soldiers pour into the courtyard, and for a moment, my heart sinks, thinking I will not be able to find him straightaway.

Then the crowd parts slightly, and my breath catches in my throat as I watch him gallop in on his great stallion. His eyes find me immediately, and it is as if the very winds of the world pause, holding their breath.

He is home. He is safe.

His eyes are burning with intensity, but a moment later, I see him take a deep breath and a smile breaks over his face.

A gasp slips out of my mouth as I draw my own breath, painted with all the feelings of relief and love I have at seeing him again. My knees shake as I feel a force more powerful than any other tug me forward, and before long, I am sprinting across the courtyard, tears in my eyes. Edward dismounts, and the moment he is on the ground, he is moving toward me, closing the distance.

I fly into his arms, tears streaming down my face as he pulls me tight against his chest. I can sense his relief in his embrace as he cradles me to him, and then he is kissing me, and I feel myself falling into place, the pieces of my broken heart coming together and healing once more.

"I love you," he says, breaking our kiss. "I love you more than anything. Everything I do, I do for you."

I smile, reaching up to brush his tears from his cheeks. "I love you," I tell him. "My whole heart loves every part of you. The good and the bad."

I am surprised at the truth of my words, and I can see on Edward's face he is too. He leans down, kissing me once more, and in his joy, he scoops me up, making me laugh.

We are together. We have faced the storm. Now that we are together, we can face anything.

…

There is much to do, but Edward ignores everyone else as he carries me inside.

I stop him as we pass a drawing room, seeing that his intention is a bedroom.

"Edward," I giggle. "I am glad to see you, but we have so much to catch up on," I remind him before he can be tempted to whisk me upstairs.

He sighs but nods and sets me down inside the parlor. He makes sure the door is shut before he turns back to me.

"How are things with Katherine?" I ask, taking a seat near the fire. Edward drags a chair over to sit beside me, clasping my hand in his.

"She will make an incredible queen," he tells me. "She has successfully brokered peace, and she has even started talks about opening up new trade between our kingdoms." He shakes his head. "She is every bit the leader her father was not."

I smile, pleased to hear so. "Did you see Rosalie?"

Edward's face hardens slightly. "I did." He sighs. "My brother Michael was caught trying to release her."

I gasp and Edward shakes his head.

"The fool. He was so in love with her he got himself locked up on her behalf." Edward sighs. "Katherine has promised to seek fair judgment for his crimes, but in my heart, I know she will not be able to do much. He has admitted to his part in Peter's murder."

"Edward," I say, miserable. "I am so sorry."

"Michael has always wanted what is not good for him. I am not surprised he was so easy for her to manipulate and control."

I wince, feeling even more guilty about the person my sister turned out to be.

"When will they be sentenced?" I ask, my breath tight.

Edward shakes his head. "Sometime in the next month. They are a low priority since much of the capital needs to be restored before the winter."

I am anxious to hear about the damages done. "Is there something we can do to help?" I ask.

Edward smiles. "I asked Katherine that before I left. She said she will send word if she needs our aid."

I nod in relief. "Good."

Edward leans back, a memory alighting in his eyes. "I did find this," he says, reaching into his tunic and producing a small bundle of letters. I gasp when I see my handwriting on them. "They were collected in Michael's belongings. It seems that once you made it to the capital, they were determined to keep you there in isolation."

My eyes burn as I look over my letters to Edward and his mother. I can feel his gaze on his mother's name, and I swallow hard. "I did not know who to go to," I confess quietly. "You mother was the only person I felt I could trust with the truth of my feelings."

Edward's hand reaches out for mine again.

"Bella, she is your family as well. You do not need to apologize or explain yourself."

I swallow hard, taking the letter that I had written out of heartbreak and confusion. "I am glad it never reached her," I confess. "It would have wounded her unnecessarily." I reach forward and toss the parchment into the fire. Edward looks at me in surprise and I motion to the letters still in his hand. "Have you read them?" I ask, knowing the rest of the pile are addressed to him.

He shakes his head. "No, I did not know if they were truly mine to read."

I let out a breath. "Go ahead."

Edward hesitates before gently breaking the seal and unfolding the parchment on the first letter.

"Dear Edward," he reads aloud. "It has been nearly a fortnight since we last spoke. I think often of what transpired, and how things might have been different, but for the life of me, I cannot summon a better scenario." He pauses, wincing. "Though I am now less certain of what your true feelings are on the matter, I felt it important to tell you that I am with child. The nursemaid believes it will be a boy, but I think there is no way to know such a thing this early. I will keep our child safe, and I hope that this news will soften your heart enough to speak to me once more." Edward stops, letting out a long breath. "I cannot go on," he says softly. "I am so sorry, Bella. When I think of how I have treated you." His fingers curl into a fist and I reach out, taking his hand in mine again.

"What is the past has passed," I say softly. "We are not those people anymore."

Edward gives me a gentle smile. "You are right," he agrees.

I reach into his lap, taking the pieces of parchment and tossing them into the fire. We both watch as they burn in silence, and it feels almost cleansing to know those words cannot inflict any more wounds.

"What did Katherine say of your title?" I ask once the parchment is nothing but ash. My mind has turned to home, and I wonder if we will ever be able to return to Rowanberry.

Edward sighs. "Since we do not know the parentage of Rosalie's son, Charlotte is the only eligible heir," he says softly. "The duchy will go to her when she is of age."

My mouth opens in surprise. "Really? But I thought it could only go to male heirs."

Edward grins. "Katherine said she will see to it that it is made possible. She seemed quite pleased you told her we would raise the children," he says glancing at me. "She seems to think you will have the right influence over Charlotte to make her a wonderful duchess one day."

I blush. "I am sorry I did not consult you," I say, feeling guilty. "I could not turn them away."

Edward shakes his head before I am even done speaking. "I am glad you decided to raise them," he says. "We will be able to give them a better home than anyone else. We are their only family left."

My heart swells in gratitude toward him.

"Katherine has also requested that we join her in the capital for her coronation," he says softly. I smile, nodding. It is an easy request to fulfill. I cannot wait to see her become queen.

I feel it on the horizon, a new dawn breaking. One of hope, promising a better, brighter future.

…

One Month Later

…

The capital is in so many ways different from the last time I was here. There is new damage still being mended from the war, and with winter on the way, much of the summer plants have died back. For once, I am grateful for our carriage to shield us from the bitter cold winds.

"Are you well?"

I move from the window of the carriage and turn to Edward in surprise. "I am," I tell him, placing a hand on my stomach. I have reached a point in my pregnancy where my bump is unavoidable, and though at times it brings me discomfort, I would not trade it for anything.

After much deliberation, we have decided to leave the children back in Levenforth for this trip. The deciding factor was knowing Rosalie's sentencing had finally taken place.

I would not have them in the city while their mother is executed.

Despite her horrible deeds and unforgivable words, my heart still aches to think of my sister being put to death. Though she might not have loved me as I loved her, my feelings at least were genuine. It is still hard to sort through that loss within myself.

Our carriage navigates the uneven streets of the capital up toward the castle, and outside, I hear a shout. Frowning, I lean forward again, facing the window.

People are shouting and waving to our carriage as we pass, and though my first thought is that they are angry, I quickly spot the smiles on their faces.

"Edward," I breathe, motioning him forward. He peers through the window as I lean back. "They are happy to see us."

Edward smiles. "Not us," he says softly. "It's you, my Love."

I frown and he motions me back to the window. Women and children whom I helped shelter are waving at the carriage, some even throwing flowers toward us. My heart lurches, and I wave back though I am not certain they can even see me through the thick glass.

The carriage drives higher until we are moving through the castle gates. I sit back as we begin to slow, and across the carriage, Edward smiles at me, his hand reaching out and gently squeezing my own.

When we come to a stop, Edward steps out then immediately turns, offering me a hand down. I am awkward and clumsy with the added weight of the baby. I settle myself once my feet are on the ground, squeezing Edward's fingers in silent gratitude for his steady support.

To my surprise, Katherine is there waiting to greet us. The moment I see her, my heart swells. She smiles at me in return, and as soon as we are within range, she pulls me into a fierce hug.

The emotional embrace takes me by surprise, but I waste no time in returning it.

"Thank you," she whispers, her voice near my ear. "For all that you have done for my kingdom."

I smile as we pull apart. "Your queendom," I correct her gently. "Will thrive because of our great leader."

There are tears in her brilliant blue eyes, and she hastily blinks them away. She greets Edward before she ushers us inside. "Take time to rest from your journey," she tells us. "There will be a banquet tonight."

She leaves us to our rooms, and in my exhaustion, I seek out the bed, ready for a long nap.

…

The throne room is full of people by the time we enter. Many eyes turn our way, faces smiling as we make our way to our places. I recognize many of the women, and I try to return each smile.

Katherine is standing in the center of the room dressed in a purple gown that is truly befitting a queen. "Welcome," she calls as the last of her guests enter. "Before tonight's banquet can begin, there is some business to which I must attend." She smiles at the room. "Isabella Cullen, Duchess of Levenforth, please come forward."

I start in surprise as all eyes turn to me. Edward gently nudges me forward, and I take a deep breath, looking at him in panic before turning back to Katherine.

I move in front of her, curtsying as I approach. "Your Majesty."

"Duchess Cullen, this kingdom owes you a debt of gratitude," she says, her voice carrying easily throughout the room. "It is because of your heroic and selfless bravery that many of our women and children were able to survive the assault on our capital." I look up at her in surprise and she smiles. "As such, I would bestow upon you this honor." She smiles at me before motioning for me to kneel. I sink to my knees slowly. "You shall be the first member of a new order, a shining example of all those who would seek to live by virtues of truth, loyalty, and compassion." Someone hands her a saber, and I feel her lightly touch my shoulders. "I dub thee, Duchess Isabella Cullen of Levenforth, Mistress of the Order of the Tiger." In my chest, my heart squeezes, Madre Maria's words coming back to me once more.

One day, you will be a tigress.

Katherine turns to a page who is beside her, holding out a velvet cushion. She reaches for the cushion, picking up a ring and a metal and turning back to me. She reaches down, pinning the metal to my gown before taking my hand and sliding my new seal onto a finger. When I gaze down at it, I am unsurprised to see the tiger on its hind paws, three roses above its head.

"Rise, Duchess Cullen," Katherine says, offering me a hand. I take it, allowing her to aid me as I struggle to get back to my feet. When I am fully righted, Katherine smiles at me. "It is a new dawn," she says softly. "And together, we shall rebuild a world where voices like ours shall be heard."

Her words spark tears in my eyes, and I smile at her. "I should like that."

She squeezes my fingers before letting me go.

The future that Katherine paints will not be easily attained, but knowing that I have a voice, that what I say matters, gives me hope that anything could be possible.

…

It has been a long week, full of coronation festivities and meetings with Katherine. I am thoroughly worn out and looking forward to sleeping in when Edward rises before dawn and gently wakes me.

"What is the matter?" I ask, seeing the dark still outside our window.

"I am going to see Michael," he says quietly.

I sit up, sleep fading from me swiftly. "Do you want me to come with you?" I ask. Today is the day the executions will take place. All week I have been dreading this moment in the back of my mind.

I see Edward hesitate, and I know if he were the old Edward, he would keep me far from his brother.

But we have both grown, and Edward dips his head, letting out a soft breath. "Yes."

His vulnerability moves me. I climb out of bed and wrap my arms around him. My growing stomach sits between us, but even with it, Edward is able to envelop me in his arms.

"Get dressed," he says softly. "We must be swift."

Edward and I both prepare for the day, dressing modestly before we head out of our room.

It is a long journey to the dungeons, full of countless stairs that tire me quickly. Edward offers to carry me twice, but I decline both times.

I can do it.

When we finally arrive at the dungeon, two guards look Edward over once before letting us in without a word. There are several iron-barred cells across the stone room, and I pull my cloak around me, shivering in the cold wet air.

Michael is on a bed of straw in the first cell, his eyes closed.

As we approach, his eyes blink open, and he looks our way, curious. I see a flurry of emotions pass over his face when he sees his brother, and beside me, I can feel Edward's responding tension.

Michael stands, gazing at Edward warily.

For a long moment, no one speaks.

Finally, Edward takes a breath. "I am sorry, Michael," he begins. "Had I known the duchess had set her sights upon you, I would have warned you sooner of her treacherous nature."

Michael scowls. "It is not your job to save everyone," he points out. "I am a man who has made his own decisions."

Edward looks troubled. "I have always wanted peace for you," he says gently.

Michael shakes his head. "I knew peace," he says quietly. "I knew she did not love me. How could she?" He gives a hollow laugh. "But I loved her, and in that, I found my own peace."

Tears burn my eyes. My sister has destroyed so many lives.

Michael's gaze turns toward me. "When I gave you my brother's letter," he says, speaking directly to me. "I thought that it was you who was cold and manipulative. I believed you to be the mastermind of a terrible plot. She told me that you were using my brother." He chokes out a laugh. "She knew exactly what to say to drive me to action."

I wipe at the tears on my cheeks. "I do not blame you for wanting to protect your brother," I say gently. "I am only sorry that you have to pay such a price for loving the wrong person."

Michael shrugs, his eyes going back to his brother. "I know there is no salvaging of my reputation. I have burned my own legacy to the ground," he says with a shake of his head. "But will you make sure that Mam and Pa know I died for love? It will help ease their hearts knowing I have chosen this."

Edward takes a shaking breath. "Yes," he agrees.

Michael nods, relieved. "My only regret is not getting the chance to see our family once more," Michael admits. "In another life, I think I might have tried to go back to them more. I regret how far from home my path has taken me."

I reach out, finding Edward's hand in the dim light of the dungeon. His fingers squeeze around my own, and I wonder if he is thinking the same thing I am.

"M'lord," one of the guards says, interrupting us. "Pardon me, but your time is up. We must prepare the prisoners for execution."

Edward nods, and my eyes flicker down the row of cells where I know Rosalie is being kept. I let go of his hand and move down the cells until I find her. She is sitting on the cold ground, her back to the bars.

She is filthy and far too slight, but I can see her pride and ego in the straightness of her back.

She still has not broken.

"I love you, Rose," I tell her, because even though she has wounded me beyond measure, I am not certain I could ever fully stop loving her.

Rosalie does not turn around, and I let out a breath, walking back to Edward's side. We bid our farewells to Michael before heading back upstairs.

We are silent as we eat breakfast, and then it is time to head to the gallows.

In the light of morning, my sister is even more unrecognizable to me. She is dirty and ragged, and for the first time since I have known her, her outward beauty is unable to shine through the deep snarl on her thin face.

Michael looks no better, though he is much more resigned to his fate.

"I am your queen!" my sister spits and howls. "Bow to me! I am your queen!" Her shrieks echo off the stone walls around us, and I flinch from the wild, desperate cry of her voice. She does not even sound like the woman I once knew.

Edward drops my hand, bringing his arm around my shoulders and tucking me deep against his side. Part of me wants to turn away as they prepare my sister for her execution, but I know that I cannot.

No matter how far she's fallen, she deserves her death to be witnessed.

She fights with the executioner, but her thin body is no match for his strength, and soon enough, she is forced to her knees.

I take a deep breath, trying to chase the tears from my eyes. Her screams are cut off with the sickening thunking sound of the guillotine coming down. I do not flinch, do not look away, even as tears stream down my cheeks.

May she find peace in her next life.

Michael faces his death with more dignity. He is silent, his head held high, not a trace of remorse on his face.

When it is finally over, Edward brings me back up to the castle and straight to our room.

We are both quiet as we sit before the fire.

"Are you well?" Edward asks after a long time has passed.

I look at him. "I am," I say after giving it a moment's consideration. "Are you?"

Edward nods, his hands finding mine. "I am."

We are both quiet again, though I can feel the burdens we've both carried beginning to lift from our shoulders.

"What is next?" I ask, gently rubbing a thumb across his hand. His fingers move across mine, and he pauses when he comes to the tiger signet ring.

"Next," Edward sighs. "We shall return home, and I shall spend the upcoming months catering to my wife's every need. My wife, who is blessing me beyond imagination with a child." His other hand slips away from mine and slides over my belly. "We shall take our well-fought-for peace and simply learn how to be a family—together."

I smile, my heart so full it is near to bursting. "I should like that," I say softly.

Edward's eyes are bright when his gaze meets mine. "We are beginning again, Bella. This time, there shall be nothing that stands between us." His hand gently cups my belly. "This time, we both get to choose this life."

I let out a shaking breath. "I do," I tell him. "I choose this life. I choose you."

Edward's smile is warm and verging on bashful. "I choose you in every life," he says tenderly.

I lean toward him, and as our lips meet, I understand his words. We have fought, far harder and longer than any of us realized. We have fought hard for love, hope, our children, and all of our futures, and we have come away victorious.

Now there is nothing left but to enjoy the solace.

That is it my loves! Tomorrow the epilogue will post!