"Politeness is like an air cushion- there may be nothing in it, but it wonderfully eases the joltings on the rough road of life."

H.W Beecher

Instantly, Bella felt a jerk somewhere behind her navel. Her feet had left the ground and suddenly, she and everyone else was spinning, flying in a howl of wind and swirling colour. She couldn't lift the finger that was touching the can. Alice, Rosalie and Esme both shrieked in surprise and Emmett whooped, the stressful situation momentarily forgotten. Even Jasper laughed, the literal and metaphorical gravity of everything having vanquished itself, even for a moment. That is, until their feet slammed onto solid ground.

She almost stumbled for a moment, vampire balance catching her upright where, as a human, she would have undoubtedly fallen. A cold wind blew through her hair and stroked her face. She looked around.

They were standing in some clearing in some dense forest. The thin air fizzled past her lungs, and the whistling wind was cooler than it should've been in June. As a human, she would've undoubtedly been bothered by all this, but as a vampire, she felt nothing. Bella looked at Gabrielle. She didn't seem bothered by it, either. Vaguely, she remembered Gabrielle telling her that she was a hybrid or at least one-quarter Veela, whatever that was. She wondered if that part of Gabrielle had strengthened her natural resistance to the elements or whether she'd cast some magic beforehand.

"Welcome to the Carpathians, in Transylvania," Gabrielle said dryly.

Emmett snorted. "Transylvania? Really?"

"Adsila Sizemore did tell you that every country with a sizeable magical population has its own government," Gabrielle explained. "And our societies officially split apart hundreds of years ago. Some borders don't change, and some countries simply asserted their independence from colonial powers whose magical governments didn't try to fight back: these include Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska and the US itself. Transylvania is one of them, and countries like Luxembourg and Liechtenstein are quite prosperous and powerful within the magical community. Transylvania also holds the heart of vampire civilisation. There's a reason why so many vampire stories feature Transylvania."

"I thought that was because of the Romanians," Carlisle stated suddenly.

Gabrielle's face darkened. "The Romanian coven… well, I've recently been told that they've had dealings with some of the other species."

Their heads shot towards her. Gabrielle nodded darkly. "There's no time to explain, but they may have known about the existence of the Vampire Confederation and the High Council even if the Volturi did not." She shook her head.

"Right now, we have to get to Castle Corvinus." Gabrielle instructed. "Your luggage has been transported directly there to your assigned quarters." Rosalie and Alice's shoulders all slumped in relief. "The castle holds not only the Old-World Coven, but the entrance into the city itself, which is miles underground." She pointed her chin in that direction. "It's that way."

"You've been here before?" Carlisle asked.

"Yes. I am a scientist and a diplomat, although to be honest, I rarely bother getting myself involved in politics," a hint of distaste sounded in Gabrielle's voice. "I don't envy people who do. But you'll be surrounded by politicians, diplomats and news reporters from all over the globe, vampire and wizard." She gave them a warning look. "Don't put yourselves- or Edward and Renesmee- into a situation that's even more difficult than the one everyone is currently in." They all nodded. "And please, be careful of what you say. Some of these vampires are old. Many of them are centuries old, but others… well, I did say that Markus Corvinus was born around six thousand years ago. I doubt many of them will be as old as him, but still. Values, beliefs, ways of thinking and even reasoning change over time. They are remnants of a bygone era, and not everyone will necessarily think as you do. What may be acceptable for someone in your era might not necessarily be acceptable for someone in theirs. And what may be normal in their era might be considered morally questionable in yours."

Bella felt a shiver crawl up her spine. Those words… they'd sounded ominous; somehow too close to home. She wondered if the Cullens had found some things from her era unacceptable when she had seen them as normal. At the same time, she also wondered if they ever did anything unacceptable according to their era.

As they walked through the forest and down a mountainside, it made her remember two things: firstly, what Carlisle had said what Edward had done in breaking into her- Charlie's house (why did she keep thinking it was hers?) was unacceptable and would be considered unacceptable back in Edward's day in the early nineteen-hundreds. It also reminded Bella of when Rosalie told her the story of how she came to be a vampire: how Bella had been amazed and bewildered by the way Rosalie described the world in which she lived as a human. How she'd wondered if Edward's world would seem just as alien if she'd lived in it, and whether he found her world as strange and bewildering. He certainly seemed to be out of place, she admitted, reflecting back on when she first saw him in school. The Cullens' names, the way he spoke, the way he dressed even, according to Charlie (a flinch of pain threatened to overwhelm her. Bella pushed it back). All of them reflected just how out of place Edward was in her world, the world she'd been born and raised in. She'd never questioned it before: the Cullens just seemed to be so comfortable, with their house, their fancy sports cars, the latest fashions- everything. But some things seemed out of place. She didn't know what, but it tugged at her psyche.

Bella's mind flew back to Edward's proposal and his announcement of their impending marriage to Charlie. Would this- would the way he went about it be considered acceptable- hell, even romantic- during his day and age? Charlie certainly didn't think it was- Bella certainly knew that now. And he'd never made his peace with it. Yet she had thought that because it was the modern era that there was no need to ask for permission from Charlie… even for the sake of manners. That Edward asking for his blessing would make things up for it- and the nasty shock of having your eighteen-year-old daughter marry even younger than you and her mother did back in the day. She thought that, maybe, Edward had adapted and gotten with the times.

But somehow, Bella knew that wasn't it. He'd been far stricter with her and their daughter than Charlie. She wondered if this was an old-fashioned thing, like him opening the car door every time she got out. She remembered what Carlisle and Esme said about protocol and how important it was to people during Edward's day. Edward's biological parents would've raised him in that manner too, and judging by the old-fashioned words and phrases he'd still used, along the way, Edward had been a stickler for the rules. He certainly had no qualms imposing them on her or Renesmee. But he hadn't quite followed them himself.

Bella's mouth frowned, twisting at the sudden thought that Edward… seemed like he had double standards. Why did he impose the rules on her and Nessie if he never seemed to follow them in the first place? Bella knew that him taking out her car battery to prevent her from going anywhere and forcing Alice to babysit and guard her from Jacob was due to his jealousy. But somehow, it seemed less understandable now than it was back when he did it.

Maybe that was because they were now having that slapped in their faces, and the urgency of their situation back then didn't seem as dire as it did now. Or maybe it was because Bella had excused Edward on the account that he'd never felt this way for anyone in the hundred-plus years he'd been alive. That he didn't know how to act.

Yes, Bella thought. That must be it.

Yet for some reason, Bella thought that if her heart could still beat, it would be pounding by now. She didn't know why. Maybe because she'd spotted the castle.

Like Alice had described it, it looked like a ruin, long forgotten, abandoned after its destruction at the hands of enemy forces during a medieval battle.

However, as they got closer, Bella could pick out little details that didn't seem quite right. She thought she saw little figures on top of the ruined battlements, but they'd flickered and disappeared. She saw some features, like a turret, that looked perfectly intact one minute, only to reveal itself to be a ruin as she got closer. Bella was confused.

"It's an illusion," Gabrielle murmured. "Just in case."

They kept moving forwards. "The entire castle is surrounded by an illusion that makes it seem like it's a ruin, if you can even spot it. You certainly can't detect it by radar or cameras from above. It has so many layers of enchantments and wards, it would take decades or even centuries to strip the complex of each and every single one of them. Castle Corvinus, built by Alexander and his sons Markus and William, has been reinforced over the years. It was the height of technological and engineering prowess back in its day, especially since Europe was largely in the Stone Age. And it continues to be today, even if you can't see all of it- yet."

As they approached, Bella could see what Gabrielle meant. Suddenly, it seemed as if the lenses had shifted on her eyes, and she'd been given the right prescription glasses. Alice and Esme gasped. Carlisle and Jasper, and even Emmett were speechless as they beheld the wonder before him.

In front of them stood a vast castle built of dark, polished granite. It was magnificent. Carlisle murmured that he had never seen a castle like this before. It was larger than Hogwarts, larger than Ilvermorny or Durmstrang, the castles which contained the schools of magic in Britain, America and the far north, according to Gabrielle. And it should be, because it contained an entire city, the capital of an ancient culture and civilisation full of magic and immortals, largely closed off from the outside world.

"Aro would've killed to have this," Jasper's voice sounded faint with shock and awe. Emmett and Carlisle agreed.

"Aro would've killed or given his right arm to possess any of the secrets the confederation holds," Carlisle murmured, eyes widening as he took in the cold, imposing beauty and grandeur. It made the citadel in Volterra look like a hut by comparison. The Volturi, they reflected, would no doubt know who was in charge when they first saw through the illusion.

Bella wondered how on earth she was able to see the illusion when she couldn't see the images Zafrina projected out for them when they came to Forks. Perhaps this was because these vampires found a way to break through her shield? Bella worried, gnawing her lip. Or maybe because, like Gabrielle said, this place was laden with so much magic, more than she'd seen so far. Either way, before she could worry what this might mean for her, they arrived at the gates.

Gabrielle moved forwards, as they reached the outer gate, what Carlisle remembered was the gatehouse, with its wrought-iron portcullis, and she spoke, even though no one was there. "Je suis Gabrielle Delacour," she called out in French. "J'ai amené la famille Cullen. Le Haut Conseil des Vampires m'attend."

The wrought-iron portcullis pulled itself up with an ominous creaking. Bella blinked. A part of her registered that Gabrielle was French since it sounded that, while she was more fluent in English than any foreigner Bella had ever heard, than even some native English speakers, she sounded most natural speaking this language. Bella supposed she was a fool for not guessing this sooner, but part of her defended herself in that Gabrielle could've been Swiss or Canadian for all she knew.

However, for the most part, Bella was focused on the ominous, sinking feeling she felt as she stepped through the gatehouse with its thick, solid outer wall. It was tall and had lookout points where archers would've been able to defend the castle against an incoming attack. The castle's imposing walls felt like she was being taken to the dungeons. Where, she worried frantically, momentarily forgetting all she'd thought about, and her conversation with Carlisle and Esme, was Edward being held? What was he doing now?

Gabrielle had assured her that he would be treated well, and something told Bella that she'd been telling the truth. But she still felt terrible; sick to the stomach and cold with fear that she couldn't see her husband and didn't know what he was doing. That he wasn't by her side at this moment.

Bella wondered what she would've thought and felt if she and Edward had visited this place, hand-in-hand. And how Renesmee would feel if she saw this. Awed, without a doubt. Impressed and intimidated. Suddenly, the Cullens found themselves in a large stone courtyard. Someone was walking out to meet them: a vampire male with a mop of dark hair and unnaturally blue eyes.

"Mademoiselle Delacour," The vampire smiled. As he did so, Bella almost hissed in surprise to see his teeth, particularly his canines were pointed into fangs. "And this must be the Cullen family. Welcome."

His oily manner made Bella want to snarl and bare her own teeth, never mind that she wouldn't look half as intimidating as he did. Where was Edward?

"My name is Yakov," he smirked. His eerie-looking eyes glanced up at the walls.

Bella was startled to see shadowy figures in black patrolling on top of the battlements: Death Dealers, she assumed.

"Rooms have been prepared for you in the guest wing." Yakov smiled, his fangs more pronounced. They gleamed in the dim light.

"When can I see Edward?" Bella blurted. Yakov frowned as if offended by her lack of tact.

"Forgive her," Carlisle quickly interjected, smoothing things over. "She is… stressed and anxious over current events. And relatively new to our world." He forced a smile.

Bella belatedly remembered what Gabrielle had said: that there were vampires from different eras in time and that what may have been acceptable, or even understandable, in the modern age might not be considered that way in a bygone era. Nerves wracked her gut as she briefly considered whether she may have committed a serious faux pas in the eyes of the first vampire she'd encountered in this coven, or whether it was a general faux pas in the eyes of the Vampire Confederation. If these immortals, as Gabrielle said, had a tendency to hold long grudges and they had their own culture as well as language… Bella bit her lip. She didn't think she'd do herself or Edward any favours if she acted on impulse.

She could've cursed her big mouth. Once again, like when Charlie reminded her of what she said before she ran off to Phoenix and how she'd threatened to choose Edward and move out of their house, right after fleeing the country while he was at his best friend's funeral, Bella wished she could sew her damned mouth shut. Not there for five minutes and she'd already offended somebody by her lack of tact and manners! Esme took and squeezed her hand gently. Alice looked like she wanted to do the same thing, but wondered if Bella would welcome her closeness.

Yakov nodded. "Ah. I see. Well, please follow me."

He led them through the courtyard and to a set of heavy oak doors reinforced and inlaid with brass. They swung open of their own accord, and Bella took a deep breath; she shouldn't be surprised at the signs of any magic from now on. Bella hitched a breath.

Inside the castle itself rich and lustrous oak-panelled walls had been hung with classical oil paintings, priceless originals no doubt, and antique medieval tapestries woven with rich colour, some in gold thread, that took her breath away. The floor was marble all the way to the sweeping staircase which dominated the room and a massive crystal chandelier hung overhead.

"This way," Yakov said. He led them up the stairs. "The older parts of the coven are below the ground, in the original castle complex. We added more throughout the centuries, expanding outwards, but the majority of the city is underground. Still we were told to give you rooms in the old castle itself. Lady Laima claimed that you and your kind will be relatively unused to being below ground and that you would find it easier."

Bella's eyes shot up like rockets at the mention of Lady Laima. But before she could ask any questions, Carlisle beat her to it.

"The lady requested this?" When Yakov nodded, his features relaxed. "Please convey to the Vampire Queen my thanks."

Yakov blinked, a millisecond of surprise registering on his face before his features smoothed over. "Of course," he said, noticeably warmer. Carlisle gave them a warning look.

Bella understood: they had to be respectful and polite here, and it worked wonders if they showed some appreciation and gratitude along with tact. She took a deep breath.

She wanted so desperately to ask about Edward but Yakov spoke.

"Some members of your species are already housed here," he claimed. He led them through a series of rooms. Vaguely, Bella noticed that the Renaissance-style woodwork gradually became replaced by more Gothic stone walls made of the same dark granite as the castle. "Your belongings have already been sent ahead and settled in your respective rooms. I assume you wish to be housed with your respective spouses?" He turned to look briefly at the couples here. They nodded. Bella bit her lip and looked down. "Excellent. There is a family suite. Due to the... serious nature of this situation, the Lady Laima has given her orders that you are to be protected from anyone who may... have misbegotten ideas about vengeance." His voice lowered.

"Signora Adriana Della Rosa, widow of Luciano and mother to the children Vittoria and Beatrice, is here." Despite everything, his demeanour grew more grave, concerned even.

That jolted them. Bella and Esme gave a wince. "She and her family are housed on the opposite end of the castle," Yakov warned. "But she will be present for the trials. There are wizards here as well." He looked at Gabrielle.

"News reporters from all over your world." Gabrielle pursed her lips and nodded.

"We request privacy for each of us." Her worried glance fell upon Bella. "During and after the trials, if that is permissible, for security reasons. While we all understand that everyone is protected under the laws of hospitality for as long as we remain, it is after each of us leave that worries me."

"Of course," Yakov agreed. "The Vampire Queen has warned us in advance that you may." Alice jerked slightly at the mention.

"We will be allowed to set up wards?" Gabrielle continued.

"Provided that this family agrees to use magical inhibitors in order to keep them from accessing their powers during court and does not attempt to interfere with the proceedings of the trials, the later sentencing and all politics, internal or external." Yakov's face and demeanour now became stern. "As does everyone with the exception of the appointed Truthsayer and judges. Of course, we are fully aware and respect that you and yours cannot be forced into such situations, save in the most dire of circumstances, and not by us." Yakov seemed to hesitate. "Therefore... the Great Mother has arranged for a separate viewing room platform for you and they when court is in session."

Gabrielle nodded, as if expecting this.

"The newest Mrs Cullen respectfully requests an audience with the Great Mother," she stated slowly, eyes moving towards Bella and back to Yakov, "the Vampire Queen Lady Laima, to speak on behalf of her husband."

A stunned silence overwhelmed Yakov. As if out of nowhere, a gust of wind, more like a groan or a moan from an ancient mummy, sounded from nowhere, before dying in an instant.

Bella started, as did the Cullens. What- what was that?

Yakov was incredulous. "You- you wish for a- an-"

"Please," Bella begged. She reached out to him, only to pull her hands back as she caught Esme and Carlisle's warning looks. "I- I have to."

Yakov pursed his lips, as if he should've expected this.

"I will pass on the message," he said slowly. "But only the Great Mother herself may grant your request for an audience. We see her rarely. Even for those who have lived in this coven for centuries."

The Cullens all looked at one another. "But... she's here?" Esme asked, astonished.

Yakov nodded. "Yes. She passes on messages to the staff, to the various politicians... to everyone. She speaks to some, but few sees her, and even then only rarely. Well, at least not as often as you may expect for someone who is queen in all but name, and certainly regarded by us as such." He paused. "She Sees with her foresight, although sometimes she may... project herself and appear in another place without physically leaving her rooms." Their eyes widened. "Only during the most important of occasions do we see her: such as these trials and the convening of the Vampire High Council. And of course, the Awakening of her husband, the Vampire Patriarch, the First of the Vampires.

"The First High Elder Markus?" Jasper asked quietly. Yakov nodded. "He is under the earth, yet he sees through her. But soon the Great Father will be awakened. He speaks with her, they speak together, but we do not know their words, what they say, what they wish and what they intend. Not unless they decide to speak to us. And even then, to keep the balance within our species and all the others, Lord Markus does not necessarily interfere with the workings of every species, even the main branch, even whilst he is awake. There is a reason why he does not make himself king over all of us, though he could have." Yakov frowned, thoughtfully.

"It would not have been remiss in his day before the humans came up with the idea of revolution." He paused. "Likely, it is she who warned him."

Bella felt a cold settle from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. She'd never imagined she would have to deal with one of the two most powerful vampires in the world, in all of history, if not both at the same time, to save Edward. But worse, was that it sounded like it was going to have to be very difficult to even speak with her in person.

But for Edward and Nessie; she would do anything. Anything at all, if it means saving them.

"I will pass it onto the regent," Yakov said, hesitantly. "But I myself have never seen the Vampire Queen in person, although I have lived in this coven for over two centuries. But I am certain that she is here. But I can make no promises," he admitted, echoing what Gabrielle had said.

The Cullens all exchanged a look. Rosalie and Alice looked aghast. Carlisle and Esme looked frantic with worry, Emmett groaned, while Jasper opened and clenched his fists. Just how in the world were they supposed to get an audience with a godlike being, a progenitor of vampires, and persuade her to save Edward?

Moreover, a horrifying thought struck Bella: why should she?

What reason would a queen among vampires spare the life of one Edward Cullen?

The separate rooms they were given were spacious and elegantly furnished like in some medieval king's castle. Each bedroom overlooked a common living area where they family could sit. It had a surprisingly modern, but still ornate, coffee table, sofa and armchairs above a Persian rug.

Gabrielle rubbed her eyes. She'd left them to settle in, but after less than thirty minutes, she'd arrived back in.

"The vampires who served as witnesses on both your side and the Volturi's are all here," she warned. "Some of them wish to speak with you in private." She gave them a warning look. "I think they would like to hear your explanations, but the Irish coven will not be among them. This includes Maggie, because she is going to be a part of the trial as the appointed Truthsayer, and because her coven-mates Siobhan and Liam are going to be seeing each other, you are not allowed to interact with them personally until after the trials are done."

Bella nodded, tightly. "And Edward?"

"Edward is in a holding cell, and I've managed to find out where he is." Gabrielle explained, causing Bella's head to shoot up at her. Esme took a deep breath, closed her eyes momentarily and nodded. "You will be allowed to see him before the trial, but not as often as humans on trial will be permitted to see their families, because they don't want all of you to work together and make up stories, not that you can with Maggie and Lady Laima," she admitted. "Nor to cloud your judgement especially during testimony. As I've said, there are no lawyers, no prosecutors, and the trials will be based on cross-examination, evidence-examinations and truths.

She held out her hands. There were seven silver torcs, made of woven silver metal, twisted into shape with dragon heads at each end.

"These are magic inhibitors." Gabrielle warned. "Before you meet with anyone, including Edward, or any other vampire or wizard, you must put these on. Otherwise, they will ask you to leave. They don't want you using your powers to affect the outcome of the trials- or prevent the sentences from being metted out. Every vampire has them until the trials and sentencing are officially complete. If you're going to bathe or sleep, then you may take them off. But these rooms have been warded to prevent you from using or extending your powers to the outside, and you must always wear them before you leave here."

Everyone looked at them hesitantly, afraid of what this might do.

"Does this include me and Rose?" Emmett asked, jerking his thumb between the two of them. "Or Carlisle and Esme? Because none of us four are talented-"

Gabrielle nodded. "I'm afraid so. Otherwise, they will not allow you to witness the trials or see Edward. You will be forced to leave. These do not take away your magical ability- that would be too controversial- but they prevent you from reaching and accessing your powers. On the occasion that you intend to break the law, for example, if you're trying to prevent the sentence from being carried out, or you try to break Edward out of prison, these will react and prevent you."

Bella took a few deep breaths. Fine. Anything for Edward.

She took the collar and wrapped it around her neck, as did the others. The metal felt cold and strangely numb, but strangely weighted. She didn't feel any different. But she had no reason to doubt that it would work.

"Rest assured, every single vampire, no matter their species or individual importance, will be wearing them, with the exception of Maggie and the judges. But even their leaders, like the High Elder Amelia, will be wearing them." Gabrielle assured. If only to prove they would treat every species fairly. "My kind... well, it's a bit more complicated. They have me under a magically-binding contract not to interfere with anything, not just the trials, but the internal affairs of the vampire race, and the other wizards and witches that will be there, including Adriana Della Rosa-" everybody winced "will be permitted the use of our wands and magic, but we are all of us forbidden from interfering unless the treaty is irreparably broken. In fact, we have all signed an agreement to wait until justice has been carried out." She paused, and a tone of finality entered her voice. Bella couldn't help the awful, sinking feeling she had, like a sense of impending doom. She shook her head to snap herself out of it. Now was not the time.

Esme swallowed. "So we'll be seeing Adriana Della Rosa at the trials?"

Gabrielle nodded. "May we speak to her?"

Gabrielle hesitated. "I am not sure..."

Esme closed her eyes. "Please." She pleaded. "I need to- we all need to-" everyone cast understanding and anguished looks at her, Bella's face looked agonised. "I know I can't take her pain away, but I just want to-"

Gabrielle reached out and gently touched her hand. "I will see what I can do. I will ask."

"Thank you," Esme whispered. Bella then remembered how she got there in the first place.

"I need to say I'm sorry too," she whispered. "On behalf of myself and Edward." She closed her eyes in order to prevent the incoming tidal wave of memories, images of that little girl, giggling with ribbons and her hair, her baby sister carried by their father, and her parents.

"And me." Alice piped in, speaking for the first time since the family confronted her in front of Charlie's house. "I saw them as well. But I never thought..."

Gabrielle sighed. "I will speak to her personally, but be prepared: if she refuses..."

"We know." Esme said calmly. "But we need to try, even if we can't succeed, we still need to try to make things right. Even if it took us all eternity."

Bella swallowed and looked to the floor.

"Very well." Gabrielle agreed. "Now, let's go see Edward."

You might wonder why I didn't have this chapter in Bella's POV. Bella's POV is in the first-person but in this story when she does it, she's looking back at this time, telling her story to audiences. Her personal opinions and thought processes will be shown, but not as often as it normally would. I think it's difficult, even for a romantic, to stomach just how diabetics-inducing all her internal monologue about Edward is, even if you understand.

Bella seems to tend to gloss over certain events that bring her pain, even if she does focus on her internal thoughts and feelings when that happens. Both she and Jacob have also never been reliable narrators. Nor Edward, for that matter. Having an Omniscient Third Person POV helps see events without being biased or coloured by the perceptions of a character, while at the same time exploring into their thoughts, feelings and motivations. Like, in this chapter, for instance, Bella sees Yakov as 'oily' and is ready to hate him, before she is reminded of the dire need for manners and diplomacy, as she is under extreme stress but was immediately impatient to see Edward and to save him. Her opinion isn't necessarily accurate.

But having Bella's first-person POV, even if it is in the past tense, helps us see her internal development even more.