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Chapter 25

Festivities


James


My hunt had been quite brisk and so I ran back again.

I wanted to be back with her quickly in case she needed me. She would certainly be unhappy when she learned later that my Prince would have to work again tomorrow.

At our compound, I slowed down and enjoyed the afternoon sun on my skin.

If tomorrow the weather would be so good again, I would take her outside. The sun was always good for her. She loved the warmth.

Suddenly the wolf man came towards me.

I was shocked at first. Had he escaped?

But he walked slowly toward the forest and the guards paid no attention to him. He looked at me and I at him.

"You're free to go?", I asked.

"Yes, I can hardly believe it myself, but your friend Isabella let me be pardoned. I had not known that her word already has such value here," he noted.

I nodded.

"Yes, we all love her. She is a very pure being ... in her thoughts and actions," I said.

"I know. I was very surprised that after what I did to her, she let me go. Please tell her again that I am really sorry and that I will abide by the rules," he said.

And I felt that they were sincere words.

"I will. I'm going to see her now," I said.

"You're her personal bodyguard?" he asked.

"Yes, Sir ... and it's the most fantastic assignment I've ever had," I said.

Now he nodded.

"I envy you," he said, and with these words he disappeared into the forest.

I looked after him.

That would certainly not be easy for him at home and I imagined what awaited him there. But I wanted to go to my Princess.

So I turned around and walked further towards the building.

Just before the palace I met Laurent.

"'ello, 'ave you been 'unting?" he asked.

"Yes," I said.

"Do you guyz alwayz do it thiz way now, that the Prince stayz with 'er and she doesn't want me?" he asked in frustration.

"Yes, Laurent, but please don't take it personally. She has nothing against you."

"Yez, you already said that. Merci. She waz just in the dungeon with all three Princes and the King and pardoned that wolf. The King waz blown away by her wordz and must 'ave kissed 'er reverently on the fore'ead."

I laughed.

"Aha ... the latest palace gossip!"

I shook my head.

That was really impossible.

I left him standing there and ran upstairs.

Quietly I entered her room.

She lay in bed and looked at me.

"James," she smiled delightedly.

"Yes, I am back, my Princess. Is there anything I can do for you?" I asked her gently.

She shook her head.

"Thank you, it's all good," she said.

My Prince came out of his room and looked at me briefly. Then he lay down with her.

He had probably picked up a book to read to her.

She listened and looked at him lovingly as he read aloud.

"Isabella, when you look at me like that, I can't concentrate at all," he suddenly said with a laugh, returning her gaze.

I felt it literally spark between them. That was really fascinating.

"You are so beautiful," she whispered, stroking his cheek.

He held her wrist tightly, closed his eyes and kissed it.

She smiled.

"That's what you did the first time we met in the woods," she said.

My Prince opened his eyes and looked at her.

"Yes, I was addicted to you the first moment," he said.

Intensely they looked at each other.

"What do you think?" he whispered.

"I'm not telling you that," she said with a smile. "What do you think?" she asked.

"Sei il mio pensiero preferito", he said. (You are my favorite thought.)

"That's beautiful," she said, "When I think of you, I feel the sky. It's light and beautiful, free and light blue, a gentle breeze of musk. You are my only thought."

He caressed her face and then kissed her tenderly.

She returned the kiss. She snuggled up to him and he continued reading.

Later, he told her that he had to go to the law office tomorrow.

My Princess said nothing.

He leaned forward so he could look at her.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"Yes," she said.

He eyed her critically, but she managed to keep a straight face.

He knew just like I did that she didn't want to let on how sad she was that the good time with him were over again for now.

"I'm going to work as little as possible and only as much as necessary, darling, because I want to be with you as much as possible," he said.

"I know. And I will wait for you every minute. When you step through that door, my heart will shine for you and the sun will shine," she said with a smile.

He kissed her.

"You need to eat," he then said, and she nodded.

I pushed her chair into place.

They spent the evening at the grand piano and harp and the night in his bed.

It happened quite stormily, but she was happy. That was the most important thing.


When he left in the morning, she was still asleep.

"James, bring heaven down to earth for her. Oh God, I love her!" he said, patting me on the shoulder and leaving.

I had to smirk.

I would never have thought that it could once get him like this.

Quietly I crept to my Princess. She lay angelically in bed, with rosy cheeks and breathed evenly. I allowed myself the luxury of staring at her unnoticed and enjoyed every second.

She did not awaken until about half past eight.

"Good morning, James," she said with a smile.

"Good morning, my Princess," I also said with a smile.

"When did he leave?" she asked.

"Already an hour ago, Your Highness."

She sighed.

"I'm hungry. Is breakfast here yet?"

"Yes, it's on your table. Do you want me to bring it here?", I asked.

"No, I'm coming over," she said.

She had breakfast, disappeared briefly in the bathroom and then wanted to go to the Princess bathhouse.

"I feel fit enough!" she said.


Slowly we walked down.

Princess Alice was already there and was happy.

"Ah ... here comes our big-hearted Princess!" she said cheerfully.

"Alice, I beg you," said my Princess indignantly.

"Why, it's true. You are the number one palace talk. You pardoned the bad wolf, the King kissed your feet, the Princes bowed down to the ground before you, and you floated out of the dungeon with regal stride, causing the guards to faint in awe," Alice said.

My Princess handed me her bathrobe and joined her in the water, laughing loudly.

"Is this the latest rumor mill now?" she asked, still chuckling.

"Yep...," Princess Alice said with a laugh.

"I let him go, yes. The King kissed me on the forehead and said he was happy with how wisely I was deciding and that I was family. The Princes and guards didn't do anything and Edward had to carry me out and up because I was dizzy and had no strength left," she set the gossip straight.

"I know," Alice laughed. "Jasper told me everything. But he really admires you. You must have made a very convincing case."

"Thanks for the compliment and now let's change the subject. I don't want to hear any more about wolves," she said.

"One more question. Did you still talk to the mother on the phone?" she asked.

"Yes, I called her briefly. She was very happy that I'm fine and I also had to thank her for the jewelry and the letter and that she will take care of my dad. Of course she asked about Jake and I explained that Edward had pardoned him under certain rules that he had to abide by. She cried with relief - also because of Jake's father, of course. He is his only son after all. Now they are grateful to us, they think they are in Edward's debt, and I think we now have peace, or in an emergency even a pack of wolves on our side," she explained.

"You made a really big-hearted decision there, Bella. I don't know if I could have done it that way. You really are a worthy Princess!" said Alice reverently.

"When are we going to pick up my dress?" my Princess deflected and Alice smiled.

"It'll be ready by the end of the week. I thought we were going next Friday to pick it up?" asked Alice.

"That's good. I'm sure I'll be really resilient again by then," said Your Highness.

So she still feels a little weak, I immediately thought worriedly.

"Well, I'll let Rose know and order us a car, okay?" asked Alice, and my Princess nodded.

They were still talking about the wedding celebration and it was interesting to see how one Princess was absorbed in enthusiasm and the planning, while the other - mine - was rather bored because she was completely indifferent to these externals.

"I'm getting cold Alice, I need to get out of here," she said after a while and I got her a bath towel.

She got out and I wrapped her up.

On the way up, she suddenly breathed "James" and swayed. I quickly took her in my arms.

"I'm sorry, I'm just flagging," she said in frustration.

"That's not so bad, dear Princess, that's what I'm here for. I'm happy to carry you," I said and she nodded gratefully.

I sat her down on her bed and got her a glass of water.

She lay down for a moment.


In this way, another week passed.

She was in the Princess bathhouse, studying on the PC or with a book in the garden, playing music, beaming when our Prince came into the room, who really spent every free minute with her, constantly laying down roses for her, sending messages and spoiling her where he could and she allowed it.

A particularly nice moment was the afternoon when he actually planted her a magnolia tree. Exactly so that she would see it from her room when she looked outside and of course she now checked daily how the little tree was doing.

The Princess was getting better every day and on Friday we left for Olympia to pick up her dress.

She linked arms with me and always stayed close to my side.

The incident with the wolf had scared her, that was clear. She was downright scared compared to usual.

In the designer's store we were served very attentively, but she let only me help close her dress or hold something - and that filled me with pride.

The dress was wonderful and fit perfectly.

She still picked out matching shoes, white ones with higher heels.

The other two ladies had also pre-ordered their dresses, tried them on and admired each other.

"I had a dress made for Grace from the same fabric," Princess Rosalie said.

"I'm sure that's adorable. Can she sprinkle flowers?" asked my Princess.

"I'm sure she loves to do that," Rose said, clearly surprised and pleased.

Princess Isabella repeatedly managed in passing to delight people.

After the ladies had everything together, we had the groceries sent to the car.

The two human Princesses wanted to eat something and so we chose a restaurant. Alice and her guard strolled through more stores in the meantime.

So only the two Princesses and we two guards sat in the restaurant.

That was also not so conspicuous.

The ladies ordered and we also ordered a bit and then watched them eat. They talked happily and got along very well.

"Have you ordered the bridal bouquet yet?" asked Rose.

"No, Edward wants to do that. He'll get the rings, too," said my Princess.

"That's really great. That's not something Emmett would ever think of," said Princess Rosalie.

"He's just not very romantic, but he's lovable in other ways. He has an infectious charm and a dazzling smile," Princess Isabella said with a smile, stroking Rose's hand on the table.

"That's right," Rose said, "he's very lovable in other ways!"

She smiled.

"The food was great. I would have another coffee and you?", Your Highness asked the other.

"I'd love to Bella, otherwise I'll fall asleep in the car on the way back," Rose said.

My Princess laughed.

"That's happened to me, too."

The waiter came and I ordered coffee.

"Excuse me a moment, please," said my Princess, rising.

She looked around briefly and then followed the signs to the restrooms.

I couldn't see her, which made me nervous. Shortly after, I heard voices from the direction where she had disappeared. I had suspected it after all!

"Please let go of me immediately," I heard my Princess say and like lightning I was beside her.

A lady and a gentleman were standing in front of her and the lady was holding her by the upper arms.

She was well dressed, but looked slightly confused right now.

"But you are Bella Swan. That can't be?" the woman asked, irritated.

I intervened.

"Would you please let go of my wife," I said politely and the lady immediately dropped her arms and looked at me with wide eyes in amazement.

My Princess twigged immediately.

"James, darling, she thought I was someone else, but that's not my name," she said, leaning against me.

"Oh … Alice, I thought something had happened," I said to her with a smile. "My wife's name is Alice Volturi - what did you think?", I asked the lady.

"I must have made a mistake," said the latter. "I'm sorry, ma'am," she added, looking at my Princess.

"After all, nothing happened. I'm sorry you didn't meet your acquaintance again," Your Highness said, turning away from her and toward me.

"Alice," I said, holding out my arm to her.

"Thank you, James," she said with a smile and I led her back to our table.

I pushed the chair back for her and she sat down. Slowly I slid next to her and let one arm slide around her shoulders.

"She's watching us, Your Highness," I added quietly, explaining.

"That's okay, James. I'm glad I can lean on you for a moment, because I was very surprised. She's a professor from my university - Mrs. Link - and she was just freshly in love with the professor who fell victim to a Volturi lunch," she said, and she shivered slightly.

I pulled her to me.

Oh dear, this encounter was a bull's eye.

The coffee came and she drank.

"Is she still here?" she then asked.

"Yes. She also sat down so she could watch us," I said.

Princess Rosalie looked worried.

"Shall we go home, dear? You're all pale."

"I don't want to spoil the trip for you guys," said my Princess.

"Oh, come on, we have everything we need. You want to go home?"

My Princess nodded.

Rose pulled out her cell phone, called Alice and asked her one more favor.

Ten minutes later I had paid and Princess Alice's guard entered the restaurant.

"The car for the Volturi family?" he asked loudly into the restaurant.

We rose and went after him. I led my Princess out hand in hand. Outside was our huge limousine with tinted windows. Rose was escorted into the car by her guard and I wanted to help my Princess. I saw the professor standing at the window of the restaurant and my Princess also noticed.

"She doesn't believe us," she whispered, suddenly putting her arms around my neck and kissing me once lovingly and firmly on the mouth.

Then she smiled at me.

"It seems more believable that way," she said softly and I smiled back, kissing her lips once briefly too, and then we got in.

"Oh God," my Princess said in the car, her hands shaking.

Princess Rosalie told Princess Alice what had happened.

"The worst part is that she didn't believe us. I had the feeling that she thought I was being held captive somewhere against my will. Hence the kiss. Sorry James, I think that was convincing because it looked real, right?" she asked me.

"Don't worry, Your Highness, that was okay and I also think that was tactically good," I confirmed.

She sighed and Princess Alice pulled her close.

"Don't get excited, Bella ... hmm ...?"

"It goes again. I was so surprised when she suddenly stood in front of me. I think I'd better stay at the palace. I don't have to have another one of those," Your Highness said in frustration.

"We can go on a shopping spree in New York or L.A. once in a while," Alice suggested, and my Princess laughed in amusement.

"Alice, then I would have to be very bored indeed!" and even Rose laughed along.

"I would find that legitimate," Alice snorted in offense, and my Princess just gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"You're really cute," she said, and Alice laughed along.

The ladies chattered and my Princess calmed down again and leaned on me.

But everything was still spinning inside me.

She had kissed me. Without disgust, without inhibitions. That made me happy. She really liked me very much and trusted me blindly. Also how spontaneously she had gotten involved in my 'she is my wife' game. Ah yes, I already had a tough Princess, I thought proudly. She made a chord in me vibrate, which I had not known before.


When we entered our chambers, our Prince was already waiting in the living room.

My Princess immediately ran to him and fell around his neck. She hugged him tightly.

"Did something happen?" he asked, concerned.

He immediately sensed that she was agitated.

I went closer and thought about what had happened and how she was sitting in the car afterwards.

He nodded gratefully.

She was silent.

"Love?" he asked gently.

"I just missed you so terribly," she said.

He smiled and held her, gently stroking her back.

"I missed you, too. Do you have a beautiful wedding dress?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm sure you'll like it," she sighed contentedly.

He lifted her up with a flourish, walked over to the sofa, sat her crosswise on his lap, and pressed her tenderly against him.

My Princess laid her head on his shoulder and nuzzled her face against his neck.

"Do you have any wishes for the wedding?" he asked softly.

"No," she said.

"Nothing at all? You don't care how it will be?" he asked in amazement.

"Well, it's not that I don't care. But since your family plans everything, it will be nice. I don't care about the trappings, only you are important to me," she said matter-of-factly.

"I want it to be a nice day for you, too," he said anxiously.

"It will, Edward. You will be my husband, there is nothing better," she said smiling.

My Prince also smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Will there be many guests?" she asked.

"Yes," he said, sighing, "unfortunately this can't be avoided because we are Volturis, there are many who want to pay their respects to us. Of course, the relatives from Italy come, plus business people who know us and can be invited without danger, and then emissaries from all sorts of countries who want to pay their respects."

"So a lot of vampires, but also humans?" she asked.

"Yes, my sweet. Both. There are also other beings between the worlds. You know now about us and about the wolves, but there are more. But you need not be afraid. No one will touch you or even attack you, and you need only dance with your closest family members."

"Okay," she said, rubbing her nose tenderly against his neck.

"Are you sad because your parents won't be there?" he asked as his fingers tenderly drew circles on her belly.

"Yes and no ... I don't care about my mother. But not my dad. He was always a good father and tried to compensate for what my mother neglected. But he's not a person of big words, he can't show his feelings like that. My dad loves me very much, I know that. But after my mom left us, he was so devastated that he just didn't have the strength for me anymore. I can understand and yet of course it hurt. However, as Sue said, he has now picked himself up and is living his life again. I'm sure he misses me terribly," she said sadly.

"And you him too?" he asked.

"Yes," she breathed softly.

"I'm so sorry, Bella," he whispered, stroking her tenderly again.

"It's okay, Edward. I love you so much that I'll put up with it. Sue will look out for him and that's why it doesn't hurt quite as much. I wouldn't trade a life with you again for anything in the world!" she said.

"I love you so much," he whispered, turning her and kissing her properly this time, and she returned the kiss fervently.


The days passed.

She studied, played music, read, was happy when my Prince was there and let the wedding preparations pass by rather bored.

The whole palace was in a frenzy, only in our rooms there was calm.

Every once in a while one of the other ladies would try to include my Princess and ask what color the table decorations should be or something similar and my Princess would smile and say, "You decide!"

I could only smile at that.

Such trivialities were unimportant to her, she was preoccupied with more important things. For example, she now brought Princess Grace to us every day, painted and learned with her.


Finally, the big day was approaching.

There would be an official reception tonight.

The guests, most of whom would be staying overnight at the palace, had been arriving since the early hours of the morning.

In our hallway, the guards were reinforced as a precaution.

My Princess decided not to leave the rooms to avoid meeting anyone. Otherwise, she was very quiet, playing the harp and humming happily to herself.

The Prince returned after lunch and she greeted him joyfully.

The two of them cuddled and talked until I pointed out that it was time to get dressed.

The Princess had had the same dress made in pink for the evening as she already had in blue. It looked simply wonderful.

The Prince would wear a black suit.

So the Princess disappeared into the bathroom.

I then helped her put her hair up and put on the tiara.

She looked beautiful.

My Prince bowed to her.

"Well, let's give our guests a chance to greet us, Princess ... hmm ...?"

She smilingly took his arm and we left the chambers and went to the throne room.

Two guards followed us.

"Why are we being followed by guards?" asked my Princess.

"Daddy's afraid for you because there are so many overnight guests. I guess you'll have to put up with that until after the wedding. Bad?" he asked.

"No, they don't go to our rooms with us," she smiled and he kissed her hand.

The doors of the throne room were torn open.

"Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince Edward and Your Royal Highness, Crown Princess Isabella!" we were announced and the two strode through the bowing crowd toward the other side of the room.

This time, on an elevation of five steps, there were actually four velvet-covered armchairs.

The King and Queen were already seated on the left and right.

Your Highnesses greeted the parents kindly. Esmé rose and kissed Isabella. Then the two took their seats, I stood behind my Princess, the guards to the left and right of the chairs, and the King spoke a few general words.

Then began the introduction of individual guests, each of whom slowly walked up to the Prince and Princess, bowed and exchanged a few polite words with the two of them.

"The emissary from Ireland, Sir Liam Scott!"

"Lord Byron and Lady Elizabeth from Wales!"

Your Highnesses rose, greeted every guest who came forward until them, thanked for the greetings, for the gifts, for the visit and the whole thing was rather stiff and dull.

"Sue and Seth Clearwater, emissaries of the Quileute tribe!"

My Princess jerked in surprise and looked at her Prince.

He smiled.

"I thought if you had a bit of family here, you'd be happy," he whispered to her.

"Thank you, Edward," she breathed, touched, and he squeezed her hand tenderly.

Sue and Seth approached, bowed in a friendly manner, and Sue beamed at my Princess.

"I have the great honor to present a gift from our Council of Elders, as well as the warmest congratulations on your marriage," she said politely.

"Dear Sue, dear Seth, I am extremely pleased to have you here. I hope to have a chance to talk with you later. We thank you for this visit," said my Princess and smiled at her.

Sue and Seth left again.

"Police Chief Charles Swan, Port Angeles!" said the court marshal and my Princess swayed with fright.

My Prince held her by the elbow.

She looked at him and he at her.

"Sue initiated him. He knows about the wolves and that there are other beings and we are some of them. He doesn't know exactly what we are, though. He said it was okay with him and he's happy to see you."

"Oh Edward," she breathed, tears streaming down her face.

Her father was almost there, never taking his eyes off her, and she stared back.

"May I go down here?" she asked excitedly, without looking at the Prince.

"Yes," my Prince said approvingly, smiling with understanding.

She gathered up her long dress with her left hand and ran down the stairs toward her father, who was still looking at her unblinkingly, smiling and embracing her.

"Oh daddy," she whispered.

"Bella, that I may experience this. Please forgive me!" he whispered and his eyes also glistened.

"Daddy, I forgive you for everything," she said.

He pulled her shoulders a little away from him and looked at her lovingly. Then he took his handkerchief from his breast pocket and dabbed her tears away.

The guests watched the two touched.

"We'll talk later, okay?" her father asked her quietly.

She nodded and pressed herself against him once more, he gently stroked her back. Then she looked up at him. He kissed her on the forehead and she slowly came back to us.

The Princess stood next to the Prince again and looked at him.

"That you did that ... Thank you, Edward," she whispered and her look was so full of love for him that the Prince embraced her and kissed her briefly.

"I knew that you were longing for it," he whispered and she gratefully squeezed his hand.

More guests arrived and at some point the two were finally released.

In the throne room huge tables were set and the guests took their seats. For the diners there was a buffet and also waiters. In addition, there was a fixed place for each guest with name cards. Therefore, the guests who were eating were seated together and in the middle was a large table with just the family.

The Queen had arranged it so that the Prince and Princess sat at the head of the table and the royal couple at the opposite side. Next to the Princess sat her father and next to them sat Sue and Seth, and Prince Jasper and Princess Alice. Next to the Prince sat Prince Emmett with his two ladies and only then on either side were the relatives from Italy. Thus my Princess had peace from Alec, who still used every opportunity to address her.

I adjusted her chair and stopped behind her.

Her father was already sitting next to her and smiling at her.

"James, I'm freezing. Could you please get my scarf?" she said to me quietly.

"Of course, Your Highness," I said.

He was still lying in the throne chair. I quickly fetched it and carefully placed it around her shoulders.

"Thank you, James," she said gratefully.

They were silent because the King stood up and spoke for everyone again.

Then my Prince rose.

"Dear guests, welcome to our house. We are pleased that you have all accepted the invitation and would like to attend tomorrow as this charming young lady next to me says her yes to me. Since she came into my existence, I have been the happiest man in the world. So tomorrow we will officially declare our love for each other in front of the world. I hope it will be the happiest day of our lives so far. To your health, Isabella."

He held a champagne glass in her direction.

She rose with a smile, picked up her glass, clinked glasses with him, and they took a sip.

He kissed her briefly, the guests applauded and also drank champagne.

Relieved, she sat down again.

Edward took her hand on the table and said, "You've done the worst for today, love!"

"Yes, thank you. It wasn't all bad, after all, and thanks to your surprise gift, this is probably one of the best evenings I'll ever have! Thank you, Edward, for everything!"

"Isabella, I love you!" he said and she smiled.

"So do I you, my Prince."

He tenderly stroked her hand.

Then she turned to her father, who was watching the whole thing with interest.

"You're really happy, little one ... hmm ...? I've rarely seen you so radiant," he noted.

"Yes, Daddy. Edward really loves me and I love him. I don't want to have another life. Although I didn't needed the whole spectacle around it," she said more quietly.

"I believe that," he nodded. "Seeing you in the role of a Princess is a little unusual for me, too, but it suits you damn well. There's always been something dignified about you, little one."

She laughed.

"You don't care about studies?" he then asked with concern.

"No Daddy, but I don't want to leave here right now, at least not without Edward - and he can't leave here for work reasons. So we enrolled me at the correspondence university in New York. I'm continuing to study literature, Spanish, and also Italian now - since my new family is Italian-born."

The Chief nodded in relief.

"That's good. I don't think it's right not to learn a trade. It wouldn't suit you either. What is your profession, Edward?" he then asked my Prince with interest.

"I'm a lawyer. We have a law firm here. My brother works with me, that's Emmett there," he pointed to Emmett.

"The father, that is Carlisle, is a doctor and has a practice along with his other son Jasper," Isabella explained, pointing to Jasper.

The father nodded with interest.

"Well, you seem to be financially secure now," he stated.

The Princess nodded and was visibly embarrassed.

"Everything that is mine is yours," Edward said seriously, looking at her.

"Yes," she said softly.

"She's not good at accepting things," her dad said, and the Prince nodded.

"We've already established that!"

I leaned forward.

"My Princess, you need to eat something. Shall I get you something or will you go yourself?" I asked.

"You're going with me, Daddy. You must be hungry, too?" she asked, also looking promptly at Sue and Seth.

"Yes with pleasure," said the three and I helped my Princess to stand up.

I walked behind her and she took some bread and salad, while her family tuck in a lot.

She took her seat again.

"Why, this is a sparrow's dinner," the Prince observed.

She just smiled.

The waiter came and she ordered some water with it and her family drank wine.

They talked and Sue expressed once again how happy they were about the return of this Jake.

"I still can't believe what he did to you. It's unbelievable. Honestly, I always hoped that you would become a couple, but I have to admit that your husband seems like a good choice here," her dad said.

The Princess was silent.

And I felt that my Prince felt guilty because he had not necessarily been considerate of her in the beginning.

"I forgave him, Dad, let's change the subject, shall we?" she said.

He nodded.

After dinner, the King took the floor again and suggested that dancing was allowed tonight as well.

An orchestra at the end of the hall began to play.

The King nodded to his son and he rose.

"Isabella," he said, looking at her tenderly.

My Princess smiled at him and walked with him to the dance floor.

From the other side came the King with his wife and so the two couples danced alone until the King gave the signal to dance.

I stopped at her father, who was staring in fascination at his daughter, who adored her Edward, and whose love for her so sparkled from his eyes that it was palpable to everyone in the room.

Sue said to him: "I've never seen a couple look at each other so lovingly. That really crackles!"

"Yes, Sue, I'm surprised too. They also look just fantastic together. I hope she'll be happy with him," he sighed.

Then he turned to me and looked at me.

"Sir?", I asked in a friendly manner.

"Are you the bodyguard of them?" he then asked me.

"Yes and no ... I am your daughter's personal guard, Sir. I am always close to her."

"I see," he said, "that's good. I'm grateful to you," he then said.

"I'm the same to you Sir, she's adorable and the most beautiful job I've ever had," I said.

"How long have you lived. Sue said your kind can get very old?" he asked curiously.

"Very long. I don't know exactly, because in the beginning there was no counting. It's several thousand years," I said, and he looked at me in disbelief.

"So how old is the Prince?" he then asked cautiously.

"Just over two hundred years and he's never been married, Sir. Isabella is the first woman he has paid attention to in twenty-eight years, and all the acquaintances he had before were nothing serious," I explained.

"Wow ...!" he said. "He looks good, well, except for the red eyes - he's very rich, educated, he could have had tens of women," the Chief wondered.

"Yes, but none have ever touched his heart - Isabella, however, immediately," I said.

Shortly after, the Prince came back with her.

"Excuse me for a moment, please," she said softly, leaving the hall and I accompanied her.

"Where's the nearest restroom around here, James?" she asked outside.

"For the guests right next door, but the royal family has their own powder rooms on each floor. Please come with me, Your Highness."

I led her to the end of the hall, unlocked the door and led her into the bathroom. She disappeared briefly, washed her hands and then came back.

"My bow in the back has slipped now, would you please ...?" she asked softly.

I fixed her dress and then led her back to the party.

But before she could take her seat, the King stood before her.

"May I dance with you once, little one?" he asked.

"Of course."

She gave him her hand and followed him to the dance floor, where all the couples immediately disappeared to watch.

"Carlisle, I have a request," I heard her say softly.

"Anything that's possible, dear," he said.

"Actually, I thought you'd walk me down the aisle tomorrow, as I didn't have a father here otherwise, but now that mine is ..."

He interrupted her.

"My Princess, this is not a question at all. Of course, your father will take you to Edward. I don't mind," he said cheerfully.

"Would you like to be my best man then?" she asked softly.

"That's what you wish for?" he asked in amazement.

"Yes, Sir, I owe you a lot," she said, and he smiled.

"Thank you, Bella, it will be my honor," he said, kissing her forehead.

They still talked about this and that and then he brought her back.

"Would you give your old man a dance, too?" her father asked her.

"Of course, I'd love to Daddy," she said and he held out his arm to her.

They went to the dance floor, where everyone left again.

"Why are they all fleeing, precious?" he asked her quietly.

"Because I'm the Crown Princess, the future Queen, Dad," she said. "But salvation is coming," she added with a smile, as the prince had asked Sue and led her to the dance floor.

He gave the signal shortly after.

"Dad, will you walk me down the aisle to Edward tomorrow then?" she asked her father.

"Yes, Bella, thank you very much, that would make me very happy. You're my only child," he said with emotion and pressed her close to him.

She smiled.

"Thanks, Dad, that means a lot," she whispered.

After that, they sat at the table again and talked.

Aro took the floor.

"This is the brother of my father-in-law, King Aro. He lives in the family palace in Italy," the Princess explained to her father.

"As I heard, our Princess Isabella plays the harp and my nephew plays the piano excellently, so I thought it would also be in the spirit of the guests if I express the wish that the Prince and Princess play for us once ...," he said.

"He thinks we'll embarrass ourselves," the Prince whispered in his loved one's ear.

She smiled.

"Clair de Lune?" she asked.

He smiled.

"Oui ... Mademoiselle," and led her to the orchestra.

The pianist and the harper left their seats and the two took their seats.

Then music filled the room. They played with great feeling, looking at each other continuously - and it sounded wonderful, as always. The orchestra accompanied them softly, one felt like in the London Symphony.

The guests were touched and enthusiastic.

An encore was requested.

They decided on a Beatles song and it was also very well received.

To rapturous applause, the Prince escorted his Princess back to me.

By now it was after 11:00 pm.

"Edward, I'm a little tired. How long do we have to stay?" the Princess asked quietly.

"If you're tired, let's go, darling. Tomorrow is our big day, so we can slip away early today," he smiled.

She nodded in relief.

"Dad, are you guys sleeping here at the palace?" she asked.

"Yes, little one. What I hope is that we find our rooms again," he said with a laugh.

"Oh ... I'll remedy that," I said, waving Laurent over, who was visibly bored.

"Laurent, this is the Princess's family. Please escort them to their rooms later and perhaps they would like to have breakfast with the Princess in the morning?", I asked, looking at my Princess.

"Oh yes, James, what a lovely idea. Thank you! Dad, then have Laurent bring you to me at 9:00, please!" she said enthusiastically, looking at Laurent inquiringly and kindly.

Laurent nodded and bowed, happy with the Princess' enthusiasm and his task.

"Gladly, Your Royal 'ighness."

"Thank you, Laurent," she said, giving him a smile.

He would have done anything for her, I thought with a grin.

The Prince rose.

"Dear guests, my fiancée is tired and since tomorrow will be an exciting and certainly long day ahead of us, we will retire now. We will see you again at 11:00 for the wedding ceremony. Good night!"

He extended his arm to my Princess and they left the hall.

I opened the doors for them and no sooner had I closed them again than she said, "Edward, thank you again, that was so sweet of you. Now everything is really perfect," and kissed him stormily.

He laughed.

"I'm glad!"

We went back and I helped her out of the dress.

She wore pink silk underwear, pale pink stockings and threw her shoes to the side.

The Prince had started to undress in the next room and she walked over to him. He stood there shirtless and took a deep breath when he saw her. She hugged him tightly and he closed his eyes with pleasure, inhaling her scent.

"You need to sleep, Princess," he whispered.

"Later," she whispered.

"We should save that for tomorrow!" he smiled, gently stroking her hips.

"No, tomorrow we'll just do it again," she whispered lustfully.

"You are insatiable, my sweet," he noted.

"Yes, I'm crazy about you," she breathed, pressing her mouth to his.

At the same time she pressed herself against him and he couldn't help it, carried her into his room and shortly after I heard her moan happily excited.

I put her dress away and prepared some more things for the next day.

Her big day, which would also be beautiful for me. She would be happy and therefore so was I.