I make Edward leave my room eventually, but only with a promise from Emmet that he would be stationed outside my room the entire night. I wanted him to stay here with me but there was always the chance that someone other than Angela or Emmet would come by and see us here, like one of the maids or even Jasper. And no doubt if that happened, word would quickly get back to my father.

I didn't sleep a wink, tossing and turning all night. Every time I closed my eyes, I would see Jacob, or remember the feeling of him holding me down.

Eventually, though, I must have fallen asleep, because I wake up to knocking on my door. I doubted it was Angela, there was nothing on the agenda today and on those days, I would often be left alone. Still, I wrap my blanket around me and shuffle to my door, opening it just enough to catch a peek of whoever was on the other side. I don't try to hide my shoulder sagging in relief when I see that it's Edward.

"Good morning, Princess," he greets, his eyes lighting in amusement when he sees my teddy bear blanket covering his view of my nightgown. I wouldn't be making that mistake again, although I don't think either of us would mind as much this time. "No nightgown today?" He teases.

I roll my eyes which only makes his smile better. I think he's just glad I'm feeling better. And I was starting too. Knowing Jacob is far away for now let me push those problems to the back of my mind. "Why? Miss the view?" I don't know where the confidence to tease him back is coming from, but I know I wouldn't be able to do this with anyone other than him.

"Very much so," he nods, struggling to hold a poker face. "But this is cute too." He pokes one of the bears on my blanket and I blush, no longer able to hold up any sort of confident facade.

I clear my throat, looking down at the ground. "You're here early."

"I thought you might want to spend the day together. Anything you want to do, I am at your service," he offers, and it dawns on me exactly what he's trying to do. He's trying to cheer me up, and I wasn't about to pass up this opportunity. To hell with staying away from him.

"Although by the look in your eyes, I might regret saying that," he says, not letting up on his smile for even a second. I don't think I've seen him smile so much, and it makes him look younger, carefree, significantly more boyish.

I think for a moment, and I decide I could use some time away from here. "Can we go to the waterfall? Maybe a picnic?" I haven't had a picnic out there is a while and I know I would enjoy it if Edward was with me.

"Whatever the princess' heart desires," he says with an over-the-top bow. His silliness is making me giddy and I laugh.

"I can ask the chef to pack me a basket," I tell him. "Everyone should still be busy with Maria and the council so there won't be anyone at the stables. Emmet can come along."

Edward nods. "It looks to be a bit chilly outside so dress warm," he tells me, kissing my forehead. Such a simple gesture, and yet it never fails to spread that familiar warmth through my body.

"Good morning, your highness!" Emmet waves from all the way down the hall, jumping to get my attention even though there's nobody else here.

"Hello, Emmet." His boisterous attitude brings a smile to my face. "Would you mind escorting Edward to the stables? I'll meet you there."

"You got it," he salutes me.

I get dressed as quickly as I can, wanting to spend as much time with Edward as possible. He did say it was chilly outside, and while I'm tempted to just throw on my favorite pair of leggings, this was the first time I would get to go somewhere outside of the castle with Edward, besides the first time I found him in these same woods. Even if he didn't consider it one, I could almost make myself believe this is something akin to a date. Not that I would know what to wear for one.

This is another one of those times that I wish my mother was here, although I don't think she would approve of me going on a date with another man when I'm going to be marrying Jacob in a few weeks.

I settle on a dark blue cotton dress that stops at my ankles, with long sleeves. The fabric was soft and thick enough that I shouldn't need a jacket as long as it didn't get any colder. I leave my hair down, not knowing what I should do with it, and head to the kitchen to prepare a basket.

The chef is eager to help with a task as simple as this after the large feast he had prepared for our guest's arrival, and helps me put together a nice picnic that I hoped Edward would enjoy, making sure to pack enough for Emmet as well.

I'm on high alert as I make my way through the castle to the door closest to the stables. It wasn't out of the ordinary for me to take a picnic during my ride, but it may raise some questions with this much food, especially since Jasper is aware of my secret guest and warned me to keep my distance.

I'm so worried about running into either my father or Jasper that I barrel straight into Maria who is coming around the opposite corner.

"Oof," she doubles over, my basket having hit her square in the stomach.

"Oh, I am so sorry!" I tell her, grabbing her arm to steady her.

She gives me a smile, and quickly steps away. "That's quite alright," she says, eyeing me up and down. "Going somewhere?"

"Just for a ride. The sun is out. Where are you headed?" I ask, just to be polite.

"Jasper invited me to join him and his father in his office," she says, gesturing to the door to our right. "So if you'll excuse me…"

"Of course," I quickly step to the side, letting her pass. I catch a glimpse of my father at his desk and Jasper's blonde hair peeking from the side as she enters, closing the door behind her.

I all but sprint towards the stables, wanting to put as much distance between me and that office and I'm out of breath when I reach Edward and Emmet.

"Are you alright?" Edward asks, checking me over and taking the basket from me.

"Yes. Can we go?"

Edward chuckles at my enthusiasm and helps me up on my horse. When I offer to let him ride with me, or to bring out one of the other horses, he refuses, saying that he wants to be ready to protect me from any dangers.

"But Emmet is with us," I point out.

"But two is better than one," he says, kissing my wrist.

While I would have loved to have Edward up here with me and have an excuse to wrap my arms around him, I can't complain when he decides he needs to stay close, walking alongside me, placing his hand on my knee. I tell him that I'll at least hold the basket, but again, he shakes his head, saying that his mother raised him to be a gentleman and to treat a lady with respect. I didn't realize that extended to picnic baskets but his declaration still makes me blush.

Edward and I make small talk on the way to the waterfall, and he listens with a smile as I list my favorite books and authors.

"Sorry," I feel my face heat up when I realize I've been talking for minutes. "I didn't mean to ramble."

He shakes his head, rubbing his thumb along my knee. "I like hearing you talk, Princess. I always want to know what you think."

"Sometimes I think you're the only one," I joke with a smile to show him I don't take it too seriously. But the air between us feels thick and all I can focus on is his hand that hasn't left my knee.

"What's your favorite book, Emmet?" I blurt, trying to bring the attention away from me.

Emmet puts a hand to his chin, seeming to think long and hard. "The ones with pictures in them," he says, with a straight face.

I burst out laughing and Edward does the same, all while Emmet tries to figure out what's so funny.

We reach the waterfall and Edward helps me down. Emmet, as usual, takes the reins to lead the horse to take a drink.

"Oh! This is for you," I tell Emmet before he can get too far, I hand him the large cloth wrapped bundle from inside the basket.

"Thank you, your highness," Emmet beams, not taking his eyes off the food. "Please don't wander too far." Well, at least it didn't distract him enough to forgo my reminder.

I lead Edward to the other side of the waterfall where the wildflowers are and I sit down. He joins me and glances around, taking in our surroundings.

"That's where I found you," I tell him, pointing to a nearby tree. The large branch that had fallen on him was still on the ground. "The border isn't too far. You most likely came from over there."

Edward frowns, looking in the direction of the border. I hadn't pointed in its direction.

"What's wrong?" I ask him. "Do you remember?"

He shuts his eyes, rubbing between his brows. I reach out to lightly touch his shoulder. "Don't hurt yourself. It's okay if you don't."

When he opens his eyes to look at me again, I know he remembers something, but he's decided not to tell me. Selfishly, I'm okay with that. The longer he forgets, the longer I get to keep him.

"What do you like about being royalty?" He suddenly asks.

I'm a bit taken aback by the question, not sure where he was coming from. "What do you mean?"

"If you were given the chance to still be a princess, without your father, without all the bad, would you take it?" He clarifies.

"I don't know," I answered honestly. I've never thought of that kind of outcome before. I always knew that if by some miracle I was able to escape my father, that would mean giving up my crown.

"Maybe," I amend after a moment's thought. "If I had a little more power. A little more say, I think I would."

"You enjoy the power?" Edward looks like he doesn't believe me. "That doesn't sound like you."

"No," I shake my head. "It's not that I would enjoy the power. I think…I think it would be necessary. The easiest way for me to create positive change in my kingdom."

"And you don't think anyone else could do it?"

"Not like me," I say, looking right at him. His green eyes hold curiosity, waiting for me to elaborate. "These are my people. I know them, I've talked to them. It is my responsibility to care for them. And I do. I care. So much." I don't falter as I say these words. The ones I know to be true, even after everything that has happened. The one thing I can claim with absolute confidence. "Everything I do would be for them."

I don't want to think about this anymore. I hated this feeling of helplessness. I knew our kingdom wasn't in terrible shape, but I also knew it could be better. But it's not like my father would ever listen to anything I had to say, and I doubted Jacob would either.

"Hungry?" I open the picnic basket, hoping my answer satisfied Edward. I hand him a sandwich and a thermos with tea, grabbing my own from the basket and closing the lid.

Edward takes a bite, his eyes lighting up. "This is great, Princess."

"Don't get too excited," I laugh. "I didn't make it. But I do adore our chef's food. I made the tea though," I add with a cheeky grin.

Edward makes a show of taking a big gulp, smacking his lips. "Hm."

"What?" I ask, taking a sip of my own. I couldn't possibly have messed up making tea, could I? It was just soaking the leaves in the water. Mine tasted perfectly fine. Was his somehow foul?

"I consider myself quite an avid tea drinker," Edward says, taking another contemplative sip.

"And…?" I prompt, getting a little impatient.

"I believe this is the best tea I've ever had," he finishes with a nod, struggling to keep a straight face.

"You scared me!" I gasp, lightly smacking his arm. "I thought I had somehow messed up tea!"

"How would you mess up tea?"

"I don't know! But if anyone was going to, of course it would be me!" I flop myself down on the grass, exasperated.

"Bella?" Edward's voice floats from beside me.

I fold my arms over my chest. "What?"

"You do know you didn't actually mess up the tea right?"

"Yes."

"Then why are you upset?"

"I-I don't know!"

Edward seems to find the whole situation ridiculous because he bursts out laughing, falling onto the grass next to me. It only takes seconds for me to join in and we're both a giggling mess on the forest floor.

"I love your laugh," he says, when we've both started to calm down. "I wish I could listen to it forever." All I offer him is a blush as I look down, focusing back on my food.

When we've both finished eating, we lie down again. The sun is high in the sky now, and provides warmth from the constant breeze that rustles the leaves around us.

"Princess?" Edward props himself up on his elbow, angling his body to face me.

I mirror his position. "Yes, Edward?"

"Tell me your perfect day."

His request is simple. And so is my answer. "This is my perfect day."

He shakes his head with a smile. "Seriously, Princess. If you could have a perfect day where you could do anything in the entire world, what would you want?"

"Well," I start, considering his question. If there was no restraint on anything what would I want to do? "I would want to start by not having to get dressed in any sort of stuffy clothes. Although I would love if my mother could braid my hair the way she used to. She would do this intricate braid around my entire head that I've never been able to recreate, but I suppose I would have to skip that. And then I think I would like to cook breakfast."

"You want to cook your own breakfast?"

I nod. "I'm not really allowed to mess with the chef's meals in the kitchen, so I've never had the opportunity."

"What would you make?" Edward asks, grabbing my free hand with his.

"A cake. But that's probably more fit for later in the day, so maybe pancakes with those chocolate bits in them," I decide. "With all the whipped cream I want."

"And then what?"

"I would like to go outside in the rain, and dance and be completely drenched, and not have anyone say anything about it."

"With me?" He asks, hopefully.

"Of course," I tell him, running my finger across his cheek. His eyes fall closed with a smile. "You make a wonderful dance partner. But of course, we'll be cold from the rain so I think a bath would be nice."

Edward's eyes pop open, his cheeks turning pink. "T-together?"

I feel my own blush creeping up. "I think this one will have to be on my own. For now," I wink.

He clears his throat, his voice slightly shaky. "And then?"

"And then I'd probably want something comforting for lunch. My mother used to ask the chefs to make this toasted bread with cheese in the middle with soup. I don't remember what it was called but father hated it so we never had it again. After that, I'd like to go out into town and meet the people who are out, hear about them, perhaps deliver some presents to the children's shelter."

"Even on a day all for you, you want to do something for others," Edward comments.

"Yes, I would. And then I'd like to read in the library, and you'd be there too, of course."

"Of course."

"And then…" I hesitate.

"And then…?"

"I don't want you to judge me." I tell him.

"I would never, Princess."

"I'd like dessert for dinner."

"I think we've all wanted to do that at some point," Edward chuckles.

I shake my head. "No, not that part. After that, I'd like to fall asleep in front of the fireplace. With you," I look down, my face most definitely red.

Edward interlocks out fingers, pulling on my hand until I look up at him. "I would love nothing more, Princess."

"What's your perfect day?" I ask him, now curious.

"Being saved in the forest by a beautiful princess who takes care of me in her castle," he says.

"Edward," I groan, hiding my face in my hands. He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me towards him and I melt into his embrace. "Your actual perfect day."

"Well it would be hard to beat that one," he says, kissing my hair. "I think I would like to wake up with you, and spend the entire day with you and my whole family. I would like to play the piano for you at some point. And then fall asleep with you in my arms." I don't fail to notice how every bit of his perfect day involves me somehow.

"That seems peaceful," I comment, leaning my head on his shoulder.

"You would think. But you haven't met my family."

"After you told me about them. I feel like I know them."

"They would love you. My mom especially," he says.

"Mmm. I wish I could meet them," I mumble, feeling my eyelids droop.

"You will. One day," he says, and I want so badly to believe him. "Are you getting tired, Princess?"

"No," I lie.

"Maybe we should start heading back," he suggests.

"I don't want to," I snuggle into him deeper. I wanted to prolong our time out here together. I could forget the outside world and just be with him.

"Come on, Princess," Edward says, scooping me up into his arms and standing up.

I wiggle in his grasp, wanting to be let down. "I can walk on my own. Promise."

I was a lot more tired than I expected, and even with Edward holding my hand, I still wasn't as steady on my feet.

I should have been paying more attention because right as we turn the corner of the pond, I trip over a root, sending me straight into the water.