Carlisle, Jon, and Elsa Cullen had always been loyal servants to the queen and their country. They sacrificed everything for their duty, devoting themselves to mastering the arts of medicine, law, and war. But now they were faced with a choice that would tear their family apart: sell their ancestral land that had been in their bloodline for over 300 years and leave the United Kingdom forever or marry off their beloved sister Elsa to a man old enough to be her grandfather – a man known for beating his previous wives to death.
As the eldest of the triplets, Carlisle was burdened with making the final decision. He stood before Queen Elizabeth, her small smile barely concealing the ruthlessness beneath.
"If we must leave, we will take with us everything of value that belongs to our family," Carlisle declared with determination. "Or we could challenge your son for the throne."
The Queen's smile disappeared as she handed him a stack of papers to review. "I have already obtained signatures from Parliament and myself ensuring that your family will never be called upon again," she said calmly.
But then she added, almost casually, "There are just a few small requirements your sister must fulfill within the next six months."
As Carlisle skimmed through the documents, he came across one that made his heart drop. "She has to get married within six months. Have you lost your mind?" he exclaimed.
Queen Elizabeth's expression grew heavy as she replied, "I know it seems extreme, but Lord York is insistent on marrying your sister."
Fury boiled within Carlisle as he thought of the abusive man who dared to request Elsa's hand in marriage. "That old bastard has lost his damn mind," he spat. "He has been married ten times before, and all his wives have died under suspicious circumstances."
The Queen's eyes flickered with understanding and regret. "I am aware of Lord York's history, but he holds a lot of power in our kingdom. It would be wise not to anger him."
Carlisle clenched his fists in frustration, knowing that their options were limited. But he vowed to protect his sister at all costs, even if it meant going against the crown and risking their lives.
"I am well aware of both his actions and my son's, who is a poor excuse for a man. As I have mentioned before, your family has given enough already - they will give away the first daughter born in over 300 years to that despicable man. I implore you to find a suitable husband for your sister instead. Will you sign?"
"How are we supposed to arrange something like that in such a short amount of time?"
"I would prefer to give them six months, but time is not on our side. I can give them one month at most, but I would like to see her out of here within 2-3 weeks before news spreads."
Reluctantly, Carlisle takes the pen from the desk and signs his name on the paperwork, also stamping it with the family seal. He walks out without a second thought.
"My dear, are we making the right decision?"
"Philip, you know what is at stake here. We have very few options. We must save this young woman from a fate worse than death. But in doing so, we are sacrificing a family that has been loyal to the crown for centuries. Family means everything to them - they will fight until their last breath to keep it intact. And yet, the world will lose such an esteemed and devoted family."
Philip nods knowingly as he watches the young man walk out of the palace.
"William tells me there's a young navy seal who's been pursuing Elsa. Like a wild stallion circling his mare, he seems to think he can claim her as his own. But she's not some helpless damsel; she's a warrior in her own right."
"Just like we were when we were young."
After an hour-long drive, Carlisle pulls up to their ancestral home. As they step out of the car and look over the rolling hills that have belonged to their family for centuries, a sense of dread settles in. This could be the end of everything they've ever known.
With heavy hearts and prayers on their lips, they enter the castle where Jon is waiting for them.
"So what does the queen want now, brother?"
"To exile us and force Elsa to marry within six months."
"What? You need to explain this!"
"It's simple. Our family has been deemed a threat and we are being driven out of our own country. Elsa must find a husband within six months or be forced to marry the man responsible for killing our previous queen."
As they walk through the ancient hallways of their castle, Jon leads them to his office.
"But why? We have land all over America, can't we just move there?"
"That land is meant for farming, not for us to live on. We would have to move our entire herd of 600 horses and 3500 heads of cattle, not to mention all our other livestock. It's either that or sell everything we've worked so hard for." Jon stares out the window with a heavy heart, knowing that their way of life is about to change forever.
(Back in the United States.)
The young man sat hunched over his notepad, fingers delicately scratching at the paper as he sketched out a set of rings. One was a dazzling engagement ring, adorned with a sparkling diamond that caught the light just right. The other was a simple wedding band, meant to accompany and complete the set. Today, he planned to take these designs to the Jewelers and begin putting his plans into motion. Soon, he and his family would be making the long journey down to Texas, where they would have to drive instead of flying due to RIP's fear of planes. But for now, all the young man could focus on were these rings and the future that awaited him and his loved ones.
"Kayce,"
Beth asked, her voice full of curiosity.
"What are you drawing?" she pressed on, her eyes scanning the paper in front of him.
"It's none of your business," Kayce replied curtly, his pencil moving swiftly across the page.
"But why are you drawing rings?" Beth persisted.
"Why are you so nosey?" Kayce shot back, finally looking up at his older sister.
"I'm your Big Sister, it's my job to know what's going on with you. So tell me, what's with the rings?" Beth prodded again.
Kayce let out a heavy sigh and closed his sketchbook. "They're for my future wife," he confessed quietly.
Beth's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, you've been dating someone? Why didn't you tell us?" she exclaimed.
"I didn't think it was necessary to share my personal life with everyone," Kayce shrugged.
"So who is this lucky lady? Is it that farmer's daughter down the street that dad keeps trying to set you up with?" Beth teased.
Kayce rolled his eyes. "No, it's a girl I met when I was serving in the Navy. She was a Marine Special Forces, but she also worked with the SEALs," he explained.
Beth looked impressed. "She must be something special if she caught your eye," she commented.
"She is," Kayce smiled dreamily. "She's sarcastic and smart as hell, but not afraid to get her hands dirty when needed."
"Beth grinned knowingly. "Sounds like someone has found their soul mate," she teased.
Kayce nodded earnestly. "I have. Being with her just feels right."
"OK. That's your hormones talking. You wanna bang her? So why don't you just get it over with and screw her? Get her out of your system. But remember, you don't need to marry the girl for that."
"Not everything's about sex with me, Beth, or with anyone else. It's only with you. Being around her, sex is always on my mind and she wouldn't let me forget it even if I tried. You've made it clear that we should wait until marriage, and I respect that. But it's more than just physical desire, it's deeper than that. Just being in her presence, watching her do the most mundane tasks, is enough to make me forget everything else. She's breathtakingly beautiful inside and out. Even when she's just reading a book, I can't help but think about her. She consumes my thoughts day and night. I dream of a perfect life with her by my side. I even texted her, despite the distance between us. Elsa Cullen...her name is like music to my ears."
"Elsa, huh? And does she have any siblings?"
"Yes, she has two older brothers and two brothers who are the same age as her. Robert and Lucas Institute, the older half-brothers, and Carlyle and John, younger same-aged brothers. And yes, his name is spelled J-O-N."
"So they share the same father?"
"No. Their mother was raped when she was only 18 years old. It happened during a celebration on their reservation in Washington. Apparently, her brother's best friend and some other guys got too drunk and brutally assaulted her. Her brother didn't believe her because he's close friends with one of the leaders in their community. After finding out she was pregnant, she fled to Oxford, England where she had a scholarship opportunity. She gave birth to the twins and got married to their father shortly after. He formally adopted them, but because they're not biologically his, they couldn't inherit any titles or privileges in their family."
"Wait, is she considered a Princess or something?"
"Yes, it's a bit more complicated with Scottish lineage. They are directly related to the Tudor line, even more so than the current royal family. Technically, they could challenge for the throne, but they choose not to in return for payment from the royal family. It's a strange arrangement, but essentially they own a vast ranch in Scotland, similar to how we own land here. They refer to it as a Shire and have been raising livestock there for over 300 years, preserving what remains of their clan. And it's not just cattle - horses, sheep, chickens, ducks, and even dogs for herding and protection."
"So they're like a wealthy aristocratic version of our Scottish heritage? Sounds familiar. That also means they must be incredibly rich."
"And politically connected too. As I mentioned, they could challenge for the throne and have been involved in politics all their lives. They're more like politicians than warriors. Did you know that? The triplets are genius-level intellects with multiple doctorates - one in international law and another in both human and veterinary medicine. They even have licenses with Doctors Without Borders to treat anywhere in the world. And rumor has it that they have a license to kill with immunity granted by certain countries who pay for their services due to their highly trained skills. So yeah, they live a very comfortable life."
"I don't think our father will have any objections to this match. Just be aware, family is everything to them - they would do anything to protect each other," said the older sister, her voice tinged with a protective tone.
"I highly doubt our dad will have any concerns about breeding either. He'll give you the green light on that front," she continued. "Now, what's this sketch you have here?"
The younger brother eagerly pulled out a piece of paper, his hand-drawn design for an engagement ring and wedding band set. "It's for my future bride. I know how much she loves unique things and I've already decided on the color scheme. I've been saving up for it and plan to go to the jewelers in town. The best ones, of course."
He pointed excitedly at the drawing, detailing his vision. "I want it to look like vines growing around the bands, with emeralds as the leaves. And then, for the main stones, I was thinking of having small rose buds and blooming roses made out of different gemstones."
Her brother examined the sketch closely, nodding in approval. "Oh wow, that's very beautiful. I love how you connected the two bands so it looks like one continuous design with leaves wrapping around it. And those gemstone roses are such a unique touch."
"But what about the main stones? Do you think traditional diamonds would work?" asked the younger brother anxiously.
The older sister thought for a moment before suggesting, "I don't think a traditional diamond would do justice to this design. How about an alexandrite stone? It has a stunning color-changing quality and combined with the emeralds, it would be truly breathtaking."
"Ohh, I've never heard of that before but it sounds perfect!" exclaimed the younger brother.
"Just keep in mind that it's a rare gemstone, so it might be hard to find. But sapphires or rubies could also work well. It all depends on the look you want for your bride," advised her sister.
"Perhaps we can go to the jewelry store together and pick out the gemstones?" suggested the older sister with a smile. "I would love to help you create the perfect ring for your future wife."
The sun was just starting to set over the sprawling ranch as John Dutton and his two children, Kayce and Beth, gathered on the porch of their old stone house. The air was filled with the scent of coffee and the sounds of horses whinnying in the distance. Kayce nervously shifted from foot to foot as he spoke to his father about placing an order before they left for Texas.
As they walked back up to the house, a warm breeze carried the sweet aroma of wildflowers through the air. The stone house had been in their family for over a century and it stood tall and proud, a testament to their legacy. John Dutton sat on the porch, sipping his coffee with his weathered cowboy hat pulled low over his eyes. He looked up as his two children approached and couldn't help but smile at the sight of them.
But John's smile faded as he noticed Kayce's nervous demeanor. He could tell something was weighing heavily on his son's mind and he knew that Beth must have been giving him a hard time again. He let out a heavy sigh, knowing that this was a regular occurrence between his two children.
Kayce finally blurted out that he needed to go into town before they left for Texas. John raised an eyebrow, silently questioning why it was so important.
"I need to place an order at the jewelry shop," Kayce explained, shuffling his feet uncomfortably.
John turned to Beth, who was trying not to laugh at her brother's nervousness.
"And who is this lucky girl you're buying jewelry for?" John asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Elsa Cullen," Kayce mumbled, avoiding eye contact with his father.
"I see," John replied, nodding slowly. "And what kind of order are we talking about?"
Kayce took a deep breath before admitting that he wanted to order an engagement ring and wedding band for Elsa. Beth couldn't contain her excitement and let out a small squeal, causing Casey to turn even redder.
John gave his son a stern look before finally giving in and allowing him to go into town. As Kayce hurried off, John couldn't help but wonder about the girl who had captured his son's heart and what their future held.
John sat in stunned silence, his mind reeling with the unexpected news. His youngest son was dating someone and wanted to settle down and get married. The thought of marriage and grandchildren filled him with excitement and pride, but as he processed the information, he realized he didn't even know who this Elsa Cullen was. He made a mental note to look into her later.
"Wow, I can't believe it! We should probably start heading back now. Don't want to keep this important task waiting," John finally spoke up, still in shock. "We can leave tomorrow if needed. This is more important than any other trip we had planned."
As they drove into town, Bath couldn't help but giggle at his little brother's nervousness. But she also couldn't deny her curiosity about this mysterious girl that had captured her brother's heart. She pulled out her phone and quickly searched for Elsa Cullen. The first article that popped up revealed that she was not only accomplished but also extremely wealthy - two things that their father would approve of.
In the photo she found, Elsa looked breathtakingly beautiful, like a princess straight out of a fairy tale. It was no wonder her brother was head over heels in love with her. Bath secretly wished she was younger so she could have a chance with one of Elsa's brothers, but then the idea struck her - maybe she could set up her own sister with one of them? That would definitely bring their families closer together through marriage.
During the drive, Casey listened intently as her brother gushed about Elsa and their relationship. She couldn't help but notice the adoring look on his face, similar to the one their father used to give their mother when she was around. She knew without a doubt that her little brother had found his soulmate.
"Now tell me, what kind of ring are you planning to get for her?" John asked, eager to help out and make sure his future daughter-in-law was taken care of. "I want to contribute too, don't say no. I've saved up some money for this very occasion. I want Elsa to have the best."
Casey's face lit up as her brother pulled out a drawing of the ring he had in mind. It was absolutely stunning.
"That's a beautiful design, son," John praised. "We will make sure that vision comes to life."
As they strolled into the finest jewelry store in town, the bright lights and sparkling displays caught their eye immediately. The owner greeted them warmly, sitting behind a polished wooden counter adorned with intricate designs. He eagerly showed them his collection of hand-drawn jewelry designs, each one uniquely crafted with a touch of perfection. They tried to persuade him to consider a piece that was already being made, but he was determined and unwavering in his vision.
After some time negotiating and discussing with their master craftsman, the plans were finalized and the order was placed. As the sun began to set, the group left the store laughing and joking, Beth playfully teasing her younger brother.
Arriving back at their home, they quickly devoured their dinner and retired to bed as they had an early start for their journey in the morning. Little did he know, when he woke up, there would be a surprise waiting for him upon reaching Texas.
In the late hours of a hot Texas night, the sound of big cargo planes echoed through the airfields. The rumbling engines and flashing lights illuminated the tarmac as they landed, bringing in valuable cargo from far away lands. Horse trailers and cow trucks lined up eagerly, ready to transport their precious passengers - horses, cows, sheep, chickens, and more. Among them was Travis, a seasoned handler who oversaw every detail with precision and care.
As the planes taxied down the runway, Travis watched anxiously, making sure everything was handled correctly. These animals were like royalty, worth more than some people's entire livelihoods. And they were about to touch down on his turf.
Travis gave his team a stern lecture before the arrival. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and they couldn't afford any mistakes. The land had been leased for this event, a rare occurrence that Travis knew they couldn't pass up. When someone asks for a favor from this family, the answer is always yes.
The horses were only the beginning - there were also expensive cows, sheep, chickens, ducks, and more to be transported carefully and safely. Travis had his team of vets on standby just in case any of the animals showed signs of distress. He inspected every inch of where they would be housing the livestock, ensuring there were no snakes or predators that could harm them.
Normally barking orders at shows was a regular occurrence for Travis, but this time he took it to another level. Like a drill sergeant, he directed his team to ensure everything ran smoothly. With so much at stake - valuable animals worth millions of dollars - there was no room for error.
As soon as they arrived at his facility, the horses received top-notch care and attention. And then it was on to the next task - settling in the cows. Travis made sure to move his own cattle to make way for these special guests, and hired extra hands to watch over them. He even designated his best employees to babysit the animals, making sure they were comfortable and well taken care of.
But it wasn't just about the livestock - Travis had to make sure the surrounding areas were safe as well. He cleared away any potential hazards like hawks, coyotes, and snakes. These animals were too valuable to lose.
It was a long night, but by morning everything was settled and in place. The cattle, horses, chickens, ducks, and sheep were all safely housed and being monitored closely. For Travis, it was just another day of work - protecting these precious creatures with every ounce of his being.
As she stepped off the plane, her eyes were immediately drawn to the first round of livestock being unloaded onto the ground. The breathtaking beauty of the surrounding skies only added to the scene. A young woman with long, flowing black hair cascading down her back stood nearby, commanding attention with her striking deep blue eyes that seemed to pierce right into one's soul. Her rose red lips contrasted beautifully with her fair Scottish complexion, giving her a regal and elegant appearance befitting that of a princess.
Her posture exuded grace and confidence as she walked down the gangplank, observing the cows and horses being carefully unloaded by Travis, a man with his back facing the plane as he barked orders to ensure everything was done correctly. He even took care to bark orders at the veterinarians to ensure the health of all the animals. The cowboys around him stood in awe, mouths agape at this stunning woman who looked like she had stepped out of Sports Illustrated.
With a heavy Scottish accent, her angelic voice cut through the noise and Travis' barking orders. "I believe you're in charge. I take it you're Travis?" she asked calmly.
Not realizing his mistake in arrogance, Travis quickly turned around and snapped at her like an angry dog having its food taken away. "What? Who the hell are you?" he demanded.
However, his tone quickly softened when he saw the literal lady from his wet dreams standing before him. His mouth hung open in awe, unable to form words as he stared at her.
"I would check your tone before you end up on your back if I were you," she retorted sharply. "You're Travis, right?"
Travis quickly snapped out of his daze at this sharp-edged angel standing before him. "Yes, ma'am, I am Travis. And who are you?" he asked humbly.
"Elsa Cullen. I'm here to ensure that our livestock and horses are treated with respect, and to find them a permanent home. Where will you be housing them until then?"
Travis couldn't believe his luck at being in charge of such a beautiful and important task. "They'll be staying at the Four Sixes Ranch. We have the best facilities for them. The horses will be kept closer to me, and I've already had the vets check them over. We'll follow all necessary quarantine procedures to keep them healthy."
Elsa nodded approvingly, her sharp features softening slightly. "I trust that you will take good care of them," she said with a small smile before turning to inspect the animals. Travis couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and responsibility wash over him as he watched her work.
As the sun began to set, the ranch hands worked tirelessly through the night, preparing for the arrival of their new guests. The air was filled with the sounds of hooves and snorts as they corralled the cattle, horses, sheep, ducks, and chickens into their designated areas. The ranch owner stood in the midst of it all, her face determined and focused.
"We're not worried about that," she stated confidently. "We'll be at a loss for now, but we'll make it work. You do have their diet recommendations on hand, right? We need to ensure these animals are well-fed."
The ranch manager nodded, "Yes ma'am. Your brother Carlisle made sure we were well-informed. We received their food last night and there's more than enough to last them through the year."
"Good," the owner replied with a satisfied nod. "And what about grooming practices? And medical care?"
"We have it covered," the manager reassured her. "Our veterinarians will be checking on them weekly to make sure they're in top condition."
Satisfied with his response, the owner continued with her questions. "How far did they travel from? I don't want them out on the road for too long."
"They only had to travel 30 minutes," the manager replied. "We have experienced cowboys ready to help herd them in, and our horse handlers will make sure they settle comfortably into their new stalls. We have food and water readily available and freshly cleaned stalls for them to rest in."
"Excellent," the owner smiled. "And what about our smaller guests? The ducks, chickens, and sheep?"
"They have their own designated areas - a barn for the sheep, a coop for the chickens, and a pond for the ducks to swim in," the manager gestured towards each area as he spoke. "And we have a nice fenced-in arena for them to graze and play in."
The owner took a deep breath, feeling relieved that everything was in place for the animals' arrival. "I'm glad to hear it. Thank you for all your hard work."
With that, the ranch team continued their preparations, ensuring that every animal would have a comfortable and safe home on the ranch. By morning, all the animals were settled into their new temporary homes, and from the looks of it, they seemed content and happy.
As they boarded the plane once again, bound for Forks, WA, they couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. Their uncle had requested that they stay with him for a little while, and while they were grateful for the invitation, there was also a sense of uncertainty about what awaited them in this unfamiliar place. They had heard rumors that their uncle's family was quite wealthy, but their own family had always prided themselves on living simply and frugally. Despite this, flying back and forth between Texas and Washington seemed more economical than trying to figure things out from afar.
Charlie couldn't contain his happiness at having most of his family nearby. Even if it was just temporarily, he was grateful that Doctor Cullen's family had offered to take in his nieces and nephews. Doctor Carlisle, in particular, seemed overjoyed at the prospect of having his grandchildren - or rather, his great-great-great grandchildren - under the same roof as him. Esme was equally thrilled to have living family members close by, and she busied herself with making sure everything was prepared and comfortable for their arrival. She hoped that by making them feel at home, they might stay longer than originally planned.
The flight would be arriving early in the morning - or perhaps it would be more accurate to say late in the morning? After all, they had been running on fumes for the past 32-48 hours with very little sleep. But despite their exhaustion, they couldn't wait to finally arrive at their destination. Carlisle Jr. had already begun planning their move from Scotland to the United States; he just needed to find the perfect piece of land to call their new home. He refused to let go of their ancestral home, even though they were forced to give up the land itself.
As everyone buzzed with excitement, Alice Cullen's guide vision took hold of her, causing her to drop something in haste. Frustration boiled within her as she tried to make sense of the vision. Edward sensed her distress but she refused to share it, bolting out of the house with lightning speed. Jasper followed closely behind, leaving everyone else turning to Edward for an explanation.
"She just had a vision of someone who looks like you, Jasper. They were kissing your granddaughter and she had a stunning engagement ring on her finger. But he looks remarkably similar to you, almost like a mirror image. However, I don't believe it is actually you."
"What makes you say that, son?"
"Well, for one, he had facial hair, making it seem like he has 5 o'clock shadow. And the way they interacted seemed off. I just have a feeling it's not actually you."
"Do you think Alice will try to do something about it?"
"I believe she will be unusually hostile towards your granddaughter and do everything in her power to make her uncomfortable. Unfortunately, I fear this may cause tension among your sons as well. They already want to leave this place and I believe Alice's actions will only hasten their departure. She thinks your granddaughter is after Jasper but I don't think that's the case at all. She doesn't want Jasper, there is someone else in her heart. It's possible they are destined soulmates and Alice's interference could destroy that bond. I cannot let that happen."
Carlisle nodded solemnly and turned to his family.
"If this is truly part of God's plan and fate for them, we must not interfere. We must remind Alice that mate bonds are sacred and should not be tampered with."
"Mate bonds may be sacred, Carlisle, but if Alice believes this person posing as Jasper poses a threat to your granddaughter or their plans, she may try to harm her or sabotage their relationship."
Carlisle's brow furrowed in concern as he considered the possible consequences of Alice's actions.
