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Chapter 9

Emotional Put Down

Bella

When I woke up, my first glance was at a red rose lying on my bedside table.

"Good morning, Princess Magnolia," James greeted me.

"Good morning," I said.

"Your Prince was here and put down the rose. He was worried about you, Your Highness, and he told me to tell you that he was sorry. He deeply regrets it."

Uh-huh ... did he?

I got up, put the rose to the magnolia and went to take a shower.

The water did good.

After that I got dressed.

Light blue lingerie.

Hmm ... Oh ... there were so beautiful skirts. Actually, I was the jeans and T-shirt type, but with the skirts I was weak.

I took one that reached just above the knee, tight-fitting and dark blue. With it a light blue silk top. It was warm, I did without socks.

Pretty.

James combed my hair and I felt like doing a braid. I did it myself, but he watched attentively.

Guaranteed he would want to try that.

I smirked.

Afterwards I had breakfast and decided to open Edward's letter after all and read it.

First came a poem.

MAGNOLIA

She is a delicate flower
Dressed in white, like a blushing bride
Open wide with possibility,
She is the epitome
Of southern charm
And grace.
Her admirers stand in awe,
Of such a perfect creation.
Her fragrance is intoxicating
Her beauty...
Timeless.

Patricia Neely-Dorsey

Well, that was kind of cute. He seemed to be really thinking about it. I guess he had picked it out and copied it down.

Then there was another card.

On one side a magnolia tree in bloom, beautiful.

The other one said:

Dear Princess Isabella,

I am the biggest fool there ever was. I am terribly sorry.

I don't know how or if I can ever make it up to you, but I will try, because you are close to my heart.

I promise you that will never happen again.

Please give me a chance and forgive me.

Your Edward

Hmm ... Nope, I would let him whine. He'd have to suffer more. Let's see if he kept his promise. I didn't really believe in it.

"Do you think he'll kill me if I turn him down permanently, James?", I asked.

"No, I don't think so. I think he really likes you, Princess. He has never behaved towards a woman the way he did towards you. The feelings or desires of the other women never interested him. They were never allowed into his chambers. He never apologized to them. Well, they were never here for long either."

"Did he kill her?", I asked.

"Sometimes. Or he handed them over to the guards. But it was always different. The women wanted him, they were keen to sleep with him. I don't think he's ever been turned down by a woman. But he has also never appointed one as Princess. You are the first and I think the only one. Princess, when a vampire falls in love, it is much more intense than with humans. He will never be able to break away from you once he has truly fallen in love."

I looked at him in amazement.

"Is that the way it is with his father and mother?", I asked.

"Yes, Princess, even with his two brothers."

"Do they all live here?", I continued to ask.

"Yes, Your Highness. You will definitely meet her."

I was done with breakfast.

"Would you like to go with me to the garden and park, Your Highness?" asked James.

"I'm allowed out?", I asked in amazement.

He nodded.

"I told the Master that you were walking in circles here, breathing and sunning yourself by the window, and he suggested that we go outside to make you feel better, Your Highness."

"Oh ...", I said. "Right away, please."

I beamed at him and he smiled with satisfaction.

I stood up.

Hmm ... I only had my sneakers. That would look funny.

So I put on socks and the white sneakers after all. Then I had to laugh.

"That looks pretty stupid with that classy skirt!"

James smiled.

"No, it's sporty. We really need to buy you shoes, Princess. But for now, let's go to the park ... hmm ...?"

He led me through endless huge corridors. We passed by an eternity of doors. Every now and then I saw a guard standing in front of it, saw a girl running or heard voices. Whenever we met someone, he bowed to me and didn't move on until I had passed.

We descended a wide staircase and stood in a huge hall - with stone columns and a fountain in the middle.

It really was a palace. I felt like I was in a fairy tale movie. Was I still in the 21st century?

James led me across the hall and then outside.

The morning sun was lovely warm and I breathed a sigh of relief.

There was a huge garden area ... beautiful.

I strolled through it, smelled flowers, caressed bushes, enjoyed the air and the sun.

James sauntered up behind me.

I looked at him.

His skin reflected the sunlight - he glistened.

Astonished, I stopped.

He smiled.

"That's the lot of a vampire. We can go outside, but we would be quite conspicuous in public in the sun, Your Highness."

I couldn't help it and stroked his cheek. He held still.

"This is beautiful," I whispered.

He smiled lovingly at me.

Then I continued to walk through the facilities.

There were fountains, ponds, seating areas - just fantastic.

All of a sudden I heard a child laughing. I looked around.

A little further on was a little girl chasing after a butterfly. She was maybe three or four years old, had long blonde curls, a very pretty child.

She saw me and laughed kindly.

"Hello," she said.

I stepped a little closer and said "Hello" too, smiling at her.

Now a woman stepped out of the bushes on the right, also blonde and beautiful, a little older than me maybe, but not much.

She looked at me and I just smiled once in a friendly way.

A man emerged from behind her.

Slowly I was good - I immediately recognized that it was a vampire. Also blond, handsome, around forty years old and golden eyes. He also smiled and bowed to me.

I perceived that James was bowing to the woman.

"Hello, I'm Rosalie and I'm guessing you're Isabella?" she asked kindly.

I nodded.

"That's me."

"Would you like to walk a little further with us?" she asked.

"I'd love to," I said. "Who is the sweet little one?", I asked.

"My daughter ... Grace," Rosalie said.

We were silent, walking through the garden and the child ran ahead of us. In principle, we followed her.

"Go ahead and ask!" said Rosalie with a smile.

"What?", I asked.

"You must have a lot of questions in your head. So get them out," she said.

I smiled.

"Are you a Princess too?", I asked, feeling a little silly.

But Rosalie didn't think it was silly.

"Yes, or else I would have had to bow to you and address you formally," she explained.

I nodded.

We were silent.

"Is that all you want to know?" she laughed.

I smiled.

I didn't mean to be rude.

"Okay, I'll tell you ... hmm ...?" she asked.

I nodded in relief.

"Yes please."

"My husband is Emmett. He's Edward's brother."

"You are married?", I asked.

"Of course," she said.

"Is he ... is he nice to you?", I asked cautiously.

"Yes Isabella, very much. He loves me idolatrously," she said.

"Bella … please," I said softly.

"I'd love to," she said, "I prefer to be called Rose."

"Okay," I smiled.

"Esmé told me what Edward did. In principle, you're lucky. He regrets it, but others don't necessarily do that. With Emmett it took forever until he understood that I also have wishes," she sighed.

I swallowed.

"And you endured that? Oh God!" I said, horrified.

"I loved him from the beginning - I couldn't help it," she said.

"How long have you been here?", I asked.

"Five years. I came here when I was nineteen ... like you. I married him when I was twenty-one, and then I had Grace right away. Now I'm twenty-four. Emmett is twenty-eight and the oldest of the king's sons," she explained.

I pondered.

"Then he is basically the heir to the throne?", I asked.

"No. After Emmett comes Jasper. He's twenty-six - also a vampire, of course. Jasper is married to Alice. She's twenty-two and also a vampire. She was when he found her. After that comes Edward. He is twenty-four and therefore the youngest. But he is the heir to the throne and the first son of the king."

"Why is that?", I asked in amazement.

"Because he is the only biological son of King Carlisle and Queen Esmé. A true Volturi."

"I see," I said. "Tell me more about the Volturis. How many are there?", I asked.

"In Italy, Aro lives. He is the King there. He has a son, Alec - and a daughter, Jane. Jane is with him and has children, too. Alec is living here with us right now. He has no steady wife, is a jerk, and watch out for him, please," she said softly.

I didn't dare ask why.

"Why does Alec live here?", I asked.

"Aro and Carlisle are brothers. But very different. Carlisle is a dear good and fair person, if you can call him that. Aro is an unkind and rough fellow and so is his son. That was also the reason why Carlisle preferred to move here with his sons. We suspect that Aro sent Alec along to spy. He doesn't want to miss anything. Apart from that, there are other vampires living in both royal houses. Guards, servants and also relatives of Aro and Carlisle, who may exercise power differently, depending on their status in the family. But basically, only the two kings and the sons are in charge."

My head was pounding - it sounded like a movie. Only I was in the middle of it.

"Mommy, what kind of butterfly is that?" asked Grace.

"I don't know," Rose said.

"A Red Admiral," I said.

"How do you know that?" asked Grace.

"Hmm ... I bought a book on how you track butterflies and looked up each one," I smiled.

"That's good," the little one said.

She seemed pretty smart for her age.

"There's another one. What kind of one is that?" she asked.

"A Cabbage White Butterfly. It prefers to eat cabbage leaves, that's why it's called that. The Admiral is a wanderer. He doesn't stay in one place, he's always on the move, like an admiral with his ship or his army," I explained, squatting down on the ground with Grace.

She eyed me.

"You are beautiful," she said.

I smiled.

"You are much more beautiful, little Princess," I said.

Now she smiled.

"Thank you."

"I have to go, Bella. Emmett is expecting me. He always joins us at noon. See you tomorrow or something?" asked Rose kindly.

"With pleasure. It was nice to meet you both," I said and watched the two of them run back to the palace along with their servant.

"Is their servant also a eunuch?", I asked James.

James nodded and said, "But a gay one, my Princess."

I looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"That's right," he confirmed again.

"I see ...", I said and continued walking.

A lemon butterfly sat down on my arm. I watched him lovingly.

"There are a lot of butterflies here," I noted.

"Yes, there are also many flowers. The Queen loves the gardens and has deliberately planted a variety of flower and shrub species, Your Highness."

"James?"

"My Princess?"

I wondered if I should really say what I was thinking.

"Please ask. You need never be afraid of me, Your Highness," he urged me patiently.

"Can a vampire impregnate a woman just like that?" I asked.

"A human woman yes, a vampire woman no. In a vampire woman, the birth organs no longer function because they cannot change. With a pregnancy, however, changes are necessary. So Alice, Jasper's wife, will never have a child. Nor will Rosalie, because she had complications during childbirth. She had to have surgery and is now infertile."

"Oh ... that's terrible," I stated.

"What?" asked James. "That she became infertile, or that vampires can impregnate women, Your Highness?"

I pondered.

"I think both," I said.

"A pregnancy of a child by a vampire proceeds differently than a human one. It goes a little faster, the child is stronger and the mother has to take much more care of herself. Besides, the unborn needs blood, it is a half-vampire. Half-vampires feed on blood and normal food. Their heart beats faster, they are full grown at about twenty years old, more intelligent than humans and immortal like vampires," he explained further.

"So Rose had to drink blood?", I asked in disgust.

"Yes, but women who are pregnant with a half-vampire like it and drink it willingly. Of course, royally from the cup and with a straw," James explained.

"I hope I'm not pregnant," I whispered.

"I hope so too, my Princess, because getting pregnant this way is not the most beautiful way, is it?"

"That's right," I said, swallowing down the tears of frustration.

If he does that to me as well - then I would probably rather die, I thought. But one thing became clear to me - he would be pleased. I was the only woman here who could still give the king an heir to the throne. What a gruesome idea.

"I want to go back," I said quietly.

He nodded and followed me.

Just before the house we met a vampire in a black cloak.

I suspected it was a royal family member. I also hoped that it was not Alec.

I slowed down and walked closer to James.

"It's all right. He's not evil, my Princess," James said reassuringly.

The man was very handsome and blond. He smiled at me and held out his hand.

I handed him mine without hesitation. I was suddenly no longer afraid at all. He carefully took my hand and breathed a kiss on it.

"Princess Isabella, I am pleased to finally meet you," he said.

"The pleasure is all mine. With whom do I have the pleasure?", I asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Your Highness, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Jasper." He bowed slightly to me. "Would Your Royal Highness like to return to the palace or would you do me the honor of escorting me through the garden?" he asked.

And it sounded friendly and not at all silly.

James took the answer from me.

"Her Royal Highness has been out for over two hours and should be at lunch now, Your Highness."

Jasper nodded in a friendly manner.

"I hope that on another day, however, you will do me the honor of accompanying you, Princess?" he asked kindly.

"I'd love to," I said, smiling and walking into the palace. "He's very dignified," I whispered to James.

"He is, my Princess, as well as you!"

James opened my room door and held it open for me.

I don't think I could have found my way back here, it was all so huge.

The girl just brought my food.

There was a big box on my table.

I looked inside.

"No," I breathed in amazement.

These were my things. I was totally happy. But how had they gotten here?

I looked at James questioningly.

"My Master was in your student dormitory and thought you would be pleased with your personal belongings, my Princess," he said, smiling.

"I certainly do," I whispered, pulling Mr. Darcy out.

My Teddy.

I gave him a kiss and said to James, "Meet Mr. Darcy - James!"

James laughed in amusement and I laughed with him.

I sat the bear on my bed.

Then I sat down and looked to see what there was to eat. I ate a little bit.

I was really hungry, but somehow I didn't feel like eating. If this went on, I would get sick. Why could I bring down almost nothing at the moment?

I pushed the food away, drank water, and then unpacked the box.

On top of it was a handkerchief.

I took it and felt that it was wrapped around an object. I unwrapped it carefully.

My crystal.

Now the tears were running.

That was really nice of him, I was totally happy. I just imagined him in my shabby little room and how closely he must have looked to see this drop.

Tears dripped onto my hands.

I wonder if that was his handkerchief.

I wiped my face with it.

Yes, it definitely smelled like Edward - very good.

Then I went to the window and checked how I could attach the drop. There was no hook.

"May I do that, Your Highness?" asked James kindly.

I nodded.

"Please at the top of the window itself, on the wood, otherwise I have to take it down every time I open the window."

James disappeared outside for a moment and then was back with a check mark and the hammer.

At that moment Edward came in.

"Hello," he said softly.

"Hello," I said.

He came closer and I stopped, but so did he. He kept a distance of six feet.

"Why are you crying?" he asked, genuinely concerned.

"I was pleased," I said softly. "Thank you," I added.

I handed the drop to James and he made it tight.

It looked beautiful. Immediately he broke the light and threw small rainbows on the wall.

Edward followed my gaze.

"That's very pretty," he said softly.

I nodded.

"I think I just abused your handkerchief," I whispered.

He smiled gently.

"No problem, it's yours," he said.

I went back to the box and looked inside.

My calendar.

"James, would you hang it there, please?" I asked.

"But of course, Princess," he said, and did it immediately.

Then I found my music notes. I put them on the table.

My photo album.

I flipped through it.

The letter in the back of the album was missing. Had it fallen out or had he left it there on purpose?

I put the photo album away in my nightstand.

My books and CDs.

I stacked them on the table. There was an empty shelf on one wall, so I put them there.

Jane Eyre, my favorite book.

I put that by the bed.

What should I listen to the CDs with, I just thought.

"Oh, I see, I ordered you a stereo. It will be delivered," said Edward.

Could he read my mind after all? Hmm ... but now he looked at me normally again.

'Do you love me?,' I thought.

Nothing.

'You are a jerk.'

Nothing.

'I will always hate you.'

Nothing.

'Or love a little?'

Nothing. No reaction.

So it had been a coincidence.

My dreamcatcher.

I looked at Edward again.

He smiled gently.

I hung the dream catcher over my bed.

My letter paper, my pens.

"I ordered you a desk. It will be delivered, too," he said softly.

I put the things to my pad.

My candlestick, I put it in the middle of the table, next to the magnolia.

My diary.

I looked at him.

"I read the last two entries," he said honestly.

"It's okay," I said, and put it with my paperwork.

My perfume.

I took it to the bathroom and used it once.

Hmm ... now I smelled like myself again.

"Thank you, that was very kind of you," I then said.

"I'm glad if it makes you a little happy," he said softly. "I'm so sorry, Isabella."

I nodded and swallowed the tears that were already welling up again.

"Is there anything else you would like? Do you have any wish that would make it a little easier for you here?" he asked kindly.

"That you never make me do anything again," I said softly.

"I won't, Isabella. I'm so sorry. I was so stupid," he said.

And he meant it sincerely, I felt that.

I pondered.

"Would it be too much to ask for a rocking chair?", I asked quietly.

"No, certainly not. Would you come with me to my room, then we'll order you one over the Internet? You can then choose it yourself," he suggested.

I hesitated.

Did I want to go to his room?

"We can do it another time," he said. "Or should I choose one on my own?" he added.

"I'll go with you," I whispered.

He went ahead and I followed behind. James followed us slowly.

Edward fetched a second chair from the table, put it next to his PC for me and sat down on his desk chair. He switched on the computer and it booted up quickly..

'Rocking chairs in the vicinity of Olympia' is what he typed into the search engine.

Olympia? I had thought we had walked to Seattle, but to Olympia? Wow...

"Is there anything you have in mind?" asked Edward.

"Hmm ... preferably wood. Wicker always crunches like that," I said, and he refined the search.

We found three at different furniture stores. I picked one with light wood and cushions that could be tied down so they didn't always slip. He clicked 'buy' without looking at prices and did it quickly.

"Will be delivered in three days," he stated.

"Thank you," I said and was really pleased.

"Gladly. Tell me what you want and you'll get it," he said.

But that's all I wanted.

I rose, wanting to carry the chair away, but it was taken from me at the same time by James and Edward.

I had to smirk.

With a glance at the grand piano, I went back to my room.

"Isabella?" said Edward.

I turned around.

"Please dare to come in here, use the grand piano. Everything that is mine is also yours."

I looked at him in amazement.

He loved me. It couldn't be otherwise, why else did he say that?

"Please, give me a chance," he said softly.

Nope ... you haven't suffered enough, I thought, and went to my room for good.

James followed me. He closed the intermediate door.

I looked at him.

He put his finger to his mouth.

Uh-huh ... I'd better not say anything until Edward was gone.

I nodded.

The rest of the day was quiet.

I sorted the books and CDs onto the shelf. Wrote extensively in my diary. Read, looked outside and felt much better than the day before.

In the evening I took a bath and let James massage me.

It just felt good. I was really fond of him.

We were still talking quietly and he liked that I let Edward fidget.

That made me happy. At least with him I could talk about everything.

Afterwards I went to bed and it was much better than usual because Mr. Darcy smiled at me, my dream catcher spun above me and the crystal tinkled against the glass. I felt a little bit at home.