I don't know what I'm expecting when I enter the main hall. It doesn't look any different than it normally does, outside of the group of people standing in the middle. There are four extra guards today, none of which I recognize as ours.
"Here she is," my father says, shooting me a sharp glare. "I had hoped you would deem today important enough to be on time but even that is too much to ask for."
I shrink under his scrutiny and approach my father and Jasper, who are standing next to a woman with dark brown hair and bright blue eyes and a much taller man. His dark hair flops over his forehead and his equally dark eyes look me up and down, assessing me, and I almost feel like the cattle at the farmers market.
"Prince Jacob," my father steps forward. "May I present my daughter, Princess Isabella Marie Swan."
I curtsy, dipping lower than usual, the way my father prefers. "Your highness. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Jacob takes my hand, bring it to his lips. "The pleasure is all mine." I hope to feel something, anything as he touches me, but nothing.
"And Princess Maria," Jasper takes the hand of the woman next to him. "May I introduce my sister."
"It's nice to meet you," Maria says politely, although she doesn't smile.
"You as well," I return.
"My king," my father's courtier approaches from the hallway leading to the kitchen. "Brunch is served."
Our meal is more awkward than I thought it would be. At least for me. My father and Prince Jacob got along famously, eagerly discussing the new trade and land opportunities that would come at our kingdom's unions. Jasper was also included in the conversation, leaving Maria and I to eat in silence, listening in on their conversation without looking like we're eavesdropping.
"Isn't that right, Isabella?" My father asks.
"What?" I snap my head to the right where all three men were staring at me and I could feel my cheeks turn red.
"She doesn't listen, I tell you," my father clicks his tongue. "I'm sure you'll figure out how to fix that," he casually comments to Jacob.
Jasper luckily comes to my rescue. "We're just mentioning how you're sufficient in horseback riding."
"Not really," I admit, not wanting to lie to my fiancé. "I mainly just take them out for strolls."
"So then what are you good at?" Jacob asks curiously.
That was the million dollar question, wasn't it? Was there anything I was good at? Being holed up in this castle, you would think I would have had time to pick up a hobby or two but it looks like I'm coming up short.
"I read," I offer, though it's weak and we all know it.
"Hm," Jacob frowns. "Not very interesting, is she?" He's no longer talking to me.
"But I'm sure she'll be useful in providing you with an heir," my father assures him. Jacob nods, satisfied with that.
"Maria is quite the archer," Jasper says, taking the attention off of me. "Aren't you?"
"Yes," Maria nods. "I've been taking lessons since I was ten. I shoot the flaming arrow at our harvest festival every year."
"Now that is quite the talent," my father praises, and I hate the way anger fills my body. I don't want my fathers praise, and yet, seeing how he so easily gave it to this…stranger, makes my blood boil.
"Whoop-dee-doo," I mumble, not even realizing it had slipped out until the table falls silent. I had gotten so used to not having to bite my tongue around Edward that I had forgotten to be extra cautious around everyone else.
"Isabella!" My father slams his hand down on the table making Maria and I flinch. "I did not raise you to be rude to our guests."
You didn't raise me at all, I think but I keep my mouth shut on that one.
"And you will only speak when it's wanted," he warns. "Understood?"
"Yes father," I say, keeping my eyes on my plate.
It didn't pass my notice that neither Jasper nor Jacob seemed to show any sort of surprise at my father's outburst. I wonder how would bode for Jacob and I's relationship.
I've lost my appetite now and for the rest of the meal I push my food around my plate. My father and Jasper have even started to include Maria here and there in conversation, completely ignoring me. But that was fine, I didn't want to say or do anything to set my father off again so it was really safer staying silent.
I had hoped to escape for a bit on my own after brunch when father announces that Jasper and Jacob would be joining him for his weekly council meeting, but they seemed to have other plans.
"Isabella, Maria, you two will be joining us in the council room," my father says.
I can't hide the surprise on my face. I had never in my life been invited to join any sort of council meeting. Was this some kind of test? Maybe a way to prove my worth to Jacob and his kingdom.
I don't know what to expect, but I follow the men into the council room, a large office space on the other side of the castle, complete with a table that runs across the entire length, chairs on either side with one at the head, presumably for my father.
Jacob pulls out my chair for me, and I thank him. He gives me a small smile, sitting down next to me as we wait for everyone else to arrive.
"You look lovely today, Isabella," he says, leaning in. "Although, I don't know if I'm a fan of this color. Perhaps yellow?"
I crinkle my nose before quickly replacing it with a smile. I absolutely hated wearing yellow. It washes me out and makes me feel like one of the flowers in my garden.
"Thank you, your highness," I tell him. "You look great as well." And he did, in his crisp suit and the way his dark hair complimented his eyes, he wasn't bad to look at.
But he was no Edward.
Jacob winks, turning his attention to my father who was waiting for everyone to stop talking.
"I would like to bring this meeting to order by starting off with the introduction of our guests, Prince Jacob Black of Elisor and Princess Maria Montgomery who is to be wed to my son."
There are mumblings from the other members in greeting before my father gets right down to business. I try to listen to what they are discussing, import and export reports, boundary threats, and all of the other judicial concerns of the members. But not once did I hear them mention anything about the people. They said nothing that would personally better their lives.
When they started to move on to the benefits of Jacob and I's marriage to the kingdom of Elisor, I wasn't able to hold it in anymore.
"What about the people?" I spoke up. I felt Jacob squeeze my arm in warning but I ignore him. This was important to me. "What are we doing for them?"
I could see that the other council members in the room didn't approve of me speaking up and I could see my father's face turning red, struggling to keep his composure in this room full of people.
"That is not anything for you to concern yourself about," he says. "Now with-"
"If I am to be their queen then they are certainly my concern," I say, refusing to back down. My father and I are in some kind of staring contest, neither of us willing to back down. I don't know where this confidence is coming from. Normally, I would have backed down by now.
"I think what my fiance is trying to say," Jacob butts in, glancing nervously around the room. "Is that people look to their king and queen for comfort in hard times. And I am sure Isabella's beauty and grace will provide much comfort to our people." He grips my arm tighter, stopping me from saying anything else.
That wasn't anything close to what I was trying to say, but I didn't want to embarrass Jacob so early on. But the words are enough to placate my father who nods in agreement.
"It is not your place to speak up about these things. I expect you to support me and stand by my side," Jacob whispers in my ear.
"Of course," I say, because maybe I did speak out of turn. I didn't have any sort of power as queen. Jacob did, and I would have to support any decision he made. It wouldn't help our people at all if we were divided on any issues.
"Good." Jacob pats my hand.
I look over at Maria who sits there with a smile on her face, looking content to just be here. Is that how I'm supposed to behave? Will that be the role I'll be forced into for the rest of my life?
"Isabella, would you like to show me around the castle?" Jacob asks once the meeting is over. The council members cleared out fairly quickly, with those who had more delicate matters with my father following him to his personal office.
"Yes," I stand, taking the arm he offers me. Angela is waiting for us outside the door to act as our chaperone.
"Princess," she greets me. "Your highness," she curtsies to Jacob. He trails her up and down, in a similar matter to how he had when we first met, and I don't like the way he's looking at her. When he meets her eyes, he winks and she frowns.
"I think we'll be okay without a chaperone," Jacob tells her.
"But-" Angela tries to argue but Jacob holds his hand up to stop her. He pulls me along and I offer Angela a smile as she watches us, still unsure.
As we come towards the wing that has my room and the "Fun Zone" I quickly walk past it. "That's where my room is." I didn't want to draw extra attention there since that was where Edward was staying as well, and I don't think Jacob would take kindly to his presence.
"Aren't you going to show me?" Jacob smirks, raising a brow.
I blush at his suggestive tone. I knew we would eventually be doing…that, but it wasn't anything I wanted to think about right now. "I don't think that would be very proper."
"Neither is wandering alone without a chaperone and we're doing that," he points out.
"That-" I stop myself from saying that was all him and instead change the direction of our conversation. "Let me show you the library."
The library wasn't very big, since father kept most of the books he needed in his own office and my tutors would bring any books I needed for my studies, but I still enjoyed spending time there. Jasper and my father rarely came in here and if they did, they didn't stay very long.
"This is it," I tell Jacob when we enter, giving him the space to assess the room. He plops right down on the couch, patting the spot next to him for me to join. When I do, he scoots closer, so our sides are pressed against each other. It's too close for comfort but I'd feel rude pulling away.
"This is my favorite room," I tell him. "My mother and I would spend time in here together all the time." She would often read to me until I could read myself, and then I would read to her, either in here or the gardens.
"We have a library in my castle," Jacob says. "It's nicer than this one. Bigger. You'll like it."
I knew no matter how big his library was, it wouldn't hold the same memories as this one. But at least I knew there would be at least one room in his castle I would enjoy.
Suddenly, Jacob turns my face towards him and presses his lips to mine, capturing them in an aggressive kiss that is neither sweet nor gentle. I push him away in shock.
"W-what are you doing?"
Jacob raises a brow. "Kissing you. You're my fiance."
"Yeah, but…" What defense did I have? He was my fiance, we would get married, and I would bear his kids. Of course kissing would be involved at some point. But it was like my mind was still holding on to this delusion of Edward and I didn't want Jacob to kiss me.
He leans in again but I scoot backwards. "I'm actually a little tired."
"You haven't done anything today," he rolls his eyes at my excuse.
"I didn't get much sleep last night," I tell him. "I was…excited for your arrival."
He chuckles, finally pulling back. "Understandable." He slaps his hands on his knees and stands up. "Maybe I can get that other girl to entertain me. That uh…chaperone?"
"You mean Angela?" I stand too. "I think she might be busy." And even if she wasn't I highly doubted she wanted to spend her time entertaining Jacob.
He just shrugs. "I'll figure something out." And with those parting words, he confidently strolls out of the library, leaving me alone.
I should just go back to my room, or to the garden, try to process everything that's just happened, but my legs take me to one place I shouldn't go. I need to leave him alone, for both of our sakes. But apparently, I'm too selfish.
I'm in his arms before I even finish knocking. "Are you okay?" He asks. The first words out of his mouth are concern for me and it almost brings tears to my eyes.
"I'm fine," I say, but I press myself to him harder, breathing in his scent. I missed him, even though I just saw him this morning. I don't know what I would do when I had to be away from him forever.
"You don't seem fine," Edward says, rubbing circles on my shoulder. "Did that prince do something to you?"
I shake my head. "No. Jacob is…he's a little cold but he's nice enough, I guess."
Edward pushes my shoulders so I look up at him. "Then that's good. He'll get you out of here."
"What about you?" I would be getting married in three weeks. What happens to Edward after that?
"Don't worry about me. For once in your life, worry about yourself," he says, pressing his lips to my forehead. "Like I said. All I care about is that you're safe."
"I can't not worry about you," I say. "Where will you go? You still don't remember where you came from."
Edward doesn't say anything, but something flickers in his eyes. He cradles my face. "Don't worry about me," he repeats.
"Maybe you can stay here anyway. It's not like anyone ever comes over here and-mmph" Edward cuts off my rambling with a kiss and I instantly melt into him. This is what I was missing with Jacob. This feeling of warmth that explodes throughout my entire body, making my toes curl.
"That's one of the things I love about you, Princess. You're so stubborn."
"Am not!" I retort, before I can even fully process what he's said. Wait, did he just says one of the things he loves? As in…
"You are," he chuckles.
I should tell him how I feel. Before I don't get that chance again.
So, I take a deep breath, mustering up the courage to say the words. "Edward I lo-"
He presses his thumb over my lips to stop the words. "Don't, Princess. Please."
"Why not? I-"
"Because if you say them, I don't think I'll be able to let you go," he confesses.
I understood. Even though I didn't like it, I understood. Because even though Edward hadn't told me he feels the same way, he already had a permanent place in my heart. And if he did tell me he felt the same way I truly would do everything in my power to find some other way to be with him.
"I told Jacob I was tired. He's not expecting me the rest of the day," I tell him.
I had hoped he would invite me to spend the time with him but he doesn't. I can already see he's preparing himself to fully let me go.
"Then you should get some rest," Edward says, taking a step back.
There's nothing left to say between us. We are victims of our circumstances, and there were too many things standing in the way. My father, his lost memories, Jacob, and now, us.
"Goodnight, Edward," I say, doing everything to keep my tears at bay.
"Sweet dream, Princess." He reaches out one last time, but his hand stops before he can reach me and falls limp at his side. He steps back, closing the door, putting up the final barrier between us.
I know so many of you were hoping that the Prince would be Edward. Unfortunately, that's not the case, but don't worry! I will definitely be making up for it and there are so many more surprises in store. This is a Bella x Edward story after all. Thank you all for the reviews, I love reading them.
Also! I wanted to clarify/answer some questions I received, as far as time period, I don't have one set, but I would have to say this leans more towards modern times/dystopian (when it comes to how they speak, dress, phones, etc.) but in a fantasy setting that leans more towards the 1500s - 1800s and dystopian (i.e. the selection) when it comes to the royal aspects of this story. It definitely will not be historically accurate since this is not a historical fiction but I'm hoping you all still enjoy! My main focus is the relationships between the characters so I'm taking elements from both to incorporate that will best support this. Hope this helps!
See you all soon :)