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Chapter 35
Love and Freedom
James
I was just as excited as my Princess.
"Yes," said my Prince. "Open the envelope!"
She took the envelope in her small slender fingers and opened it. She trembled slightly with excitement.
What emerged was a somewhat thicker, colorfully printed document.
She read it. Then she fell around his neck.
"Thank you, darling. You don't know what this means to me. That was the most beautiful gift I ever received and will ever receive!" she said.
My Prince hugged her and stroked her. Then she rose with the leaf and came to me.
"James, I want to give this to you!" she said, handing me the sheet.
She was still trembling with excitement.
I looked into her eyes, which were shining with joy. Then I took the sheet, but it was hard for me to take my eyes off her and onto the sheet.
I read:
CERTIFICATE
I
Carlisle Volturi
King of the Volturi
hereby certify
that
James Witherdale
is a free man and may move freely within the framework of the Volturi laws.
Any kind of derogatory treatment towards him is to be refrained from and is punishable by law.
Should he continue to perform his work at court, he will be paid a salary in accordance with § 15, Remuneration Ordinance of the VTI Code.
Vacation periods are also regulated in accordance with the VTI Code.
He will receive valid papers.
Date and signature and seal
Dr. Carlisle Volturi
My Prince rose.
"I would like to explain to you guys that 'move within the framework of the Volturi laws' means that, just like for example you Isabella, he must never do anything that would betray us. So, James, should you want to leave us altogether, you would have to clear it with my father, because of course that is only possible under certain conditions. If you want to leave us, let me know and I'll give you a large sum of money to start a new life. What is meant by 'derogatory treatment' is that it is no longer anyone's place to order you around unkindly or to attack you. Besides, you can't just be called by your first name. So if you would like to be addressed by a formal name in future, please let me know. Also, you will be drawing a salary and receiving leave starting today, but I have no idea how that works. You'd have to contact the Volturi personnel office. Do you have any questions about that?"
My Princess and I had listened attentively.
I shook my head. Then I put the certificate on the table, grabbed my Princess and hugged her to me. She returned the hug and stroked my back.
"Thank you, Princess Magnolia, thank you. Now I am a free man!", I whispered in her ear.
She laughed happily.
"Yes James, you are."
Then she pushed out of my arms and I immediately let her go.
She looked at me and I recognized the fear and worry in her eyes as she formulated the next question.
"Are you going to leave me now, James?" she asked softly.
"Of course not, I've already told you that. I would never bring that over the heart. Please let me always be YOUR James?", I asked questioningly.
Now she hugged me.
"Of course, James, what would I do without you!" she sobbed, and now we had to comfort her because she was so overwhelmed by it all.
I got a cloth and wiped her face while my Prince put an arm around her.
"You don't need to address me formally, my Prince, that would be too strange after all these decades," I said to him.
"That's nice, James, it would have been hard for me too," my Master said gratefully.
No, my Prince. I would never call him 'Master' or 'Mylord' again. What a liberating feeling.
"All right, my Princess," I said. "And please don't worry about my vacation. I'll always arrange it with your husband so that he's here then or on vacation too, so you won't be alone, Princess."
"Thank you, James, that's very considerate of you," she said, relieved.
"You're going to make use of the leave?" the Prince asked, sounding surprised.
"Yes, my Prince. There are things I've always wanted to see or do, and if it's compatible with my Princess' wishes, I'll take a vacation now and then. But certainly not anytime soon when she is pregnant, having babies or just not changed yet," I added.
Princess Isabella smiled at me.
"So there are things you'd like to do after all, and now they will eventually come true," she said.
Her look said 'Didn't I know it' and I remembered all the attempts she had made to tease out of me what I would want or what I would like to do.
I smiled back and remained silent.
Delightful.
She now hugged her husband tightly.
"Thanks again, Edward. That was a great gift. I am so happy!" she said.
He also hugged her tightly.
"What would you have done if he had wanted to leave you now?" he asked curiously.
"I would have suffered," she said immediately.
"Never, my Princess. I will never do that to you!" I said and she looked at me again.
"Thank you, James, that's good to know," she said happily.
"What would you like to do now, birthday Princess?" my Prince asked, lifting her up and spinning her around in circles exuberantly.
She laughed.
"Put me down, please, or I'll know what I'm doing - and it'll be in the bathroom above the toilet!"
Now the Prince laughed and carefully put them down.
"We could take a car, drive to the coast somewhere and enjoy the first winds of autumn," she suggested.
He cleared his throat in embarrassment.
"No?" she asked, disappointed.
"No, unfortunately that's not possible. The family has a lot planned for you. After lunch," he then explained carefully and she eyed him slightly horrified.
"A reception?" she asked.
He nodded.
She moaned.
"It could have been such a beautiful day," she sighed sadly.
The Prince pulled her tenderly against him again.
"I couldn't help it, darling, but of course they want to congratulate you and give you a gift. I tried with James to at least get the gift-giving under control, but I couldn't completely avert the party. You know Mom and Alice, don't you?"
She nodded, visibly frustrated.
"Please wait and see, love. Things are guaranteed to come your way that you'll really like," he said, trying to soothe her with small tender kisses.
"Okay," she whispered and let herself be kissed by him with pleasurable sighs.
They then decided to make music and she immediately tried out the new notes. He transcribed them for piano and they quickly played together again. (Hinner - Allegro for harp and piano)
As always, they became absorbed in their music, forgetting everything around them and sinking into the interplay.
At some point, the Princess lowered her hands and said, "That's enough. I no longer have any feeling in my fingers, and I don't like sitting anymore either."
"Would you like to walk around the garden with me some more?" he asked.
"No, if I have to leave later, it's too much. I'd better lie down for a while," she said, and he immediately agreed.
"Yes, it's good that you take care of your body. May I join you and pet the babies?" he asked.
She smiled.
"If it stays with baby petting?"
He smiled back in amusement.
"If that's what you wish, it stays that way," he said.
They cuddled until lunch, talked quietly, and then changed clothes.
I helped my Princess into the dress.
It was a hint of lilac, which caressed her slender body and yet did not hide the beautiful baby bump.
She slipped into purple pumps and pinned her hair up with purple barrettes.
"My Princess?" the Prince asked when she had finished, holding out his arm for her to link arms with.
She smiled, took his arm and we went down to the banquet hall where the celebration had been prepared.
The guards opened the doors for us with a flourish as we approached, and silence suddenly reigned in the room already filled with visitors.
My Prince led her inside and the guests immediately sang her a birthday song, which made her blush delicately.
She hated being the center of attention like that.
The prince held her tightly on his arm, whispered to her to distract her and led her to the head of the banquet table, where two seats were free for the two of them.
The Princess briefly thanked him aloud for the wonderful song and then took her seat.
On the other side of the table, the King rose.
"My dear Isabella, we have taken the liberty of preparing a little party for you on your special day and we hope you will enjoy it. For your new year of life we wish you all the best from our hearts ... and above all healthy children!"
He took a glass and the guests toasted each other, accompanied by shouts of 'To Princess Isabella!'
The Princess had had fizzy water poured into her champagne glass and also took a sip.
"First, there is the traditional birthday cake for the eating guests," Queen Esmé called out, waving to the staff.
Princess let her eyes roam over the guests and breathed, "Daddy!"
Her father sat a little to her right and smiled at her. Sue sat next to him and winked at her happily.
She looked at my Prince and he smirked, "A nice little gift, I thought. I know how much you miss your daddy!"
"Thank you," she breathed, beaming once again at her dad.
Otherwise, the Prince's brothers were there with wives and Grace, Alec, Nanny, and several more couples unknown to me.
My Princess ate some cake, after she hadn't managed to blow out all the candles and needed Grace to reinforce her.
Then the Queen rose to congratulate her personally and bring a gift.
"Please unwrap it right away, dear!" she excitedly urged the Princess.
My Princess carefully opened the wrapping paper and found two music boxes in the shape of cuddly toys.
"These are for the babies," Esmé explained. "You can put them on your tummy right now, and then they'll recognize the melody after they're born. I used the same melody for both of them!"
"That's a lovely idea. Thanks, Mom," my Princess said and hugged her mother-in-law warmly.
"Now me, now me!" cried Princess Alice, and came shooting as fast as etiquette permitted.
Prince Jasper followed her at a moderate pace.
Alice hugged my Princess stormily.
"This is for you!", Alice then said and pressed a package into her hand as well.
The Princess opened it.
"Oh...!" she exclaimed delightedly - it was the latest album from Plain White. She now hugged Alice enthusiastically and whispered in her ear, "Thanks, sweet, that's an awesome gift!" and they both giggled.
Prince Jasper, on the other hand, calmly embraced her and he formally wished her well.
Now Prince Emmett, Princess Rosalie and Grace came forward. Grace handed her a collection of sheets.
"Oh ... this is a book," my Princess said in amazement, looking at the pages stapled together crookedly.
"Yes, Bella. There is a butterfly on each page and I made each one different," said the little Princess proudly.
My Princess knelt on the floor with her and looked at each butterfly.
"This one is painted with watercolor!" she noted, "and this one is with wax drops. Surely that was dangerous?"
Little Grace nodded proudly.
"Daddy was careful not to let my hair fall into the candle!"
My Princess nodded.
"Oh ... and this one is covered with woolen threads. What a job ... and this one is full of colorful snippets, it's beautifully colorful!"
Princess Grace was quite pleased that her gift received so much attention.
"Thank you, Grace," Isabella said, pulling the child into a hug. "This is the most loving gift I've received today. I'm going to look at the book in bed every night now!" she said with a smile.
She rose and put the book on the table with the other gifts.
Princess Rosalie embraced her tenderly.
"All the best, Bella. Most of all, I wish you a beautiful birth. I'm so glad you're here!"
My Princess hugged her tightly and said, "Thank you, I am also happy and special because you are here!"
The two smiled at each other with tears in their eyes.
"Oh, we have a present, too, of course!" said Princess Rosalie and gave her a package, too.
"First I want to smooch her, too," Prince Emmett laughed brazenly, pulling my Princess to his chest with a jerk.
"All the best, I wish you!" he said, kissing her forehead warmly.
"Thank you, Emmett," the Princess said, stroking his arm.
"Now unpack it!" the Prince demanded.
She looked at the package and opened it.
It was a wind chime made of mother-of-pearl shell plates in rainbow colors - beautiful. I knew she liked that - that was her style.
"Oh Rose, Em, this is exactly the kind of thing I've always wanted. It's beautiful, thank you!" she said touched and hugged them both again.
Now Alec actually came to us - and my Princess, who was still standing, immediately pressed herself anxiously - seeking support with her back - against my chest. I soothingly put a hand on her shoulder and my Prince slowly rose and stood next to his wife.
Alec watched the whole thing with a mixture of frustration and joy.
One just couldn't figure out his facial expressions.
When he stood in front of her, he bowed slightly.
"My dear Isabella, happy birthday from me too. I hope you don't believe the bullshit that your husband, his brother and Carlisle claim. I would never think of harming you. You'll just have to take my word for that. I was shocked to learn that you had apparently been slipped a poison. Well, I have a present for you too and wish you a happy new year of age," he said, handing her a parcel.
She took it hesitantly and whispered, "Thank you, Alec!"
"Can I give you a hug too?" he then actually asked.
"No way," the Princess said immediately, and he looked at her reproachfully.
"Then at least unwrap my gift, Your Highness," he said, offended.
With slightly trembling fingers, she unwrapped the gift.
It was a small jewelry box. Out came a gold chain with the letters ISABELLA and on each letter was a small diamond.
"Oh ... that's very beautiful and so delicate," my Princess said in surprise, and then, "Thank you again, Alec!"
He nodded and went back to his seat.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
Nanny came to us and immediately hugged my Princess and she was just relieved that Alec was gone and returned the hug warmly.
"I have something for you, too," Nanny said, handing her a velvet pouch.
The princess looked inside and tilted the contents into her hand.
It was a white angel and a fragrance oil - magnolia tangerine.
"You can put the angel by your bed and drizzle it with the oil every now and then," Nanny said, "and your room will always smell good."
"Thank you, Nanny, this is a nice gift," my Princess said and hugged her again.
"Now we finally want to say congratulations!" her dad said, wrapping her tightly in his arms.
"Thanks, Dad, what a lovely surprise from you!" said the Princess.
"You have your husband to thank for that. He invited us," Charlie said and my Princess threw another "thank you" to her husband.
Sue also gave her a hug and again she got a package.
The Princess opened it.
"An indoor fountain?" she asked in amazement.
"Yes, it is," her dad said.
"Wow ... thanks, Dad, Sue. So ... hmm ... I've never gotten so many nice gifts for my birthday that I really like!" she said, overwhelmed.
"You have your James to thank for that," Sue, that traitor, whispered in her ear.
The Princess wheeled around and looked at me.
"You?"
I nodded, looking innocent.
"Thank you," she said.
He knows exactly what I like, she reflected, I could tell, because she was still eyeing me.
She came to me and hugged me.
"You are my best gift, James," she whispered, "for staying with me," she then said.
"Thank you, Princess Magnolia!", I said softly.
She was so sweet, unbelievable.
Now the King came to us.
"Our Princess had one great wish," he told her, "James freedom."
The Princess nodded.
"Thanks, Dad," she said.
"Gladly," the King said with a smile. "You are so remarkable. I thought long and hard about what I could give you, and I decided to give you this!"
He pulled an envelope out of his jacket.
The Princess took it and looked inside.
They were all 'freedom certificates' for ALL the eunuchs in the palace.
"Oh Dad," Princess Isabella whispered, swaying slightly.
I quickly held her.
But she fell around his neck and sobbed.
"For doing this, thank you, thank you, thank you!" she cried.
The King stroked her back.
Then the Princess backed away and said sheepishly, "Excuse me," but the King just laughed.
"There is nothing to forgive. I'm glad you like my gift," he said. "And now take the certificates and distribute them!"
The Princess first had to free her face from the tears and abused the handkerchief in my jacket pocket for this. I winked at her and she laughed sheepishly. Then she took the certificates and went off to Princess Rosalie's eunuch, to Princess Alice's eunuch, to Princess Esmé's eunuch, and finally to Laurent, who was standing apart and was a little bored as usual.
The men read the papers and could not believe it. They were completely surprised.
The guests whispered among themselves because they didn't understand what was going on.
The King said: "Our Princess has wished that all the guards of the Princesses in this palace be given their freedom. I have granted her this magnanimous wish. I hope, gentlemen, that you will nevertheless remain with us - from now on as free people and against payment with vacation entitlement!"
The guests looked astonished.
There were only initiated persons present, except for the parents of my Princess, and thus they were astonished that the King was in favor of such a step.
After the initial surprise had settled, Prince Jasper began to applaud and everyone joined in. My Princess went to her husband and leaned on him.
Now she was embarrassed again.
Laurent came to us. He gathered all his courage.
"Princess Isabella, 'appy birthday. I am overwhelmed. Merci, Your Royal 'ighnez, merci beaucoup. I will stay and be at your dispozal whenever you need me!"
The Princess gently took his large hand in her small one.
"Thank you very much, Laurent. I will definitely need your help when my children are born. I'm very glad you're staying!"
Laurent was pleased with this statement, kissed her hand and left with a bow.
From the other guests she still received chocolates, flowers and various other trifles.
Then the King rose again.
"Since we know you don't like exuberant parties, and you certainly don't want to dance forever with your adorable baby bump, we've decided to serve you a more sophisticated afternoon program. Please take a seat on the other side in front of the stage!" he said.
The Prince escorted the Princess to the stage in the other part of the hall and they took their seats right in front of it.
Her father sat down next to her and she happily squeezed his hand and held it tightly.
The Royal family placed themselves around the couple and the other guests behind them.
Then followed a wonderful colorful program.
First of all, the Prince got on stage and played on the piano both pieces he had composed for her.
An orchestra of the church of Olympia played a piece, a children's choir of the local school sang a few songs, some students of the music school performed classical pieces, the ballet of the dance school performed a few dances and so the afternoon rippled along and my Princess liked it very much.
Then an elderly lady came on stage. She smiled at the Princess.
"My name is Joan Austen-Leigh. I am a relative of Jane Austen, the author you love. Therefore, I would like to read something of hers to you."
The Princess nodded in surprise and delight and the lady read a piece from Pride and Prejudice.
When she ended, she said, "But now your husband has confessed to me that you are also a great admirer of the Bronté sisters. I now have the honor to read to you from the first edition of the three ladies' Poems, which was still originally published under the pseudonym of the Bell sisters. I have chosen a poem by Charlotte Bronté, who, after all, wrote your favorite book, Jane Eyre."
The Princess smiled delightedly and immediately silence reigned in the room again, everyone listened as the lady began to read again:
"LIFE
by Charlotte Bronté (1816-1855)
Life, believe, is not a dream
So dark as sages say;
Oft a little morning rain
Foretells a pleasant day.
Sometimes there are clouds of gloom,
But these are transient all;
If the shower will make the roses bloom,
O why lament its fall?
Rapidly, merrily,
Life's sunny hours flit by,
Gratefully, cheerily
Enjoy them as they fly!
What though Death at times steps in,
And calls our Best away?
What though sorrow seems to win,
O'er hope, a heavy sway?
Yet Hope again elastic springs,
Unconquered, though she fell;
Still buoyant are her golden wings,
Still strong to bear us well.
Manfully, fearlessly,
The day of trial bear,
For gloriously, victoriously,
Can courage quell despair!
Dear Mrs. Volturi, your family bought this first edition for you at auction. I now have the pleasure of presenting it to you!" said the lady and rose to hand the book to my Princess.
She took it reverently and gently stroked the yellowed cover. She turned around, looked at her family and breathed a touched "Thank you!"
Afterwards, she talked briefly with Mrs. Austen-Leigh and was visibly touched by this encounter.
My Prince stood next to her and listened.
They were talking about Jane Austen's books and the lady asked which one was the Princess's favorite.
"Hmm ... well, I actually love them all. One of my favorites is definitely Emma, a wonderful story where when you first read it yourself you have no idea what will happen and how it will end. Then of course Sence and Sensibility. A fantastic story - not least because the main protagonist is named Edward like my husband," she said with a smile and he smirked. "But my favorite book of hers is definitely Pride and Prejudice. I love Elizabeth's thoughts, her courage, her charm, her outspoken nature. Just always delightful to read."
"My wife forgot to mention that she sleeps with Mr. Darcy at night," my Prince said with a grin, and I saw the Princess blush.
"Edward!" she said indignantly.
Mrs. Austen-Leigh looked puzzled, but smiled along, guessing it was a nice joke.
My Prince enlightened her.
"My wife has a teddy bear and his name is actually Mr. Darcy and I have to share her with him."
The punishing look my Princess gave him was divine.
I had to laugh.
"Edward, sit down again!" his wife now said annoyed and he actually followed this request without objection.
The two ladies chatted briefly and then the guest reader said goodbye.
My Princess sat down again and looked punishingly and slightly sourly into her Prince's eyes.
"I love you," this one said and just kissed her hard and deeply in front of all those people.
He let his hands slide over her body and pulled her close to him.
My Princess returned the kiss.
What else could she do? She could not be angry with him and could not resist.
The Queen suddenly cleared her throat loudly, but our dream couple in love did not react.
"Edward Masen Volturi!" the Queen whispered indignantly, and the two drove apart.
My Princess was a little embarrassed, but my Prince casually asked, "Yes, mom, what can I do for you?"
"Open the dance!" his mother said, shaking her head at her impossible son.
Music filled the room, an orchestra now stood and sat on the stage, and the Prince offered his arm to his wife.
My Princess tucked her arm into his and pressed the book into my hand as she passed: "Would you please put it down for me?"
I nodded and the two began to dance. They looked into each other's eyes and smiled happily. (Leo Sayer - When I need you - slow waltz)
The guests watched with amusement and really everyone felt the bond between the two, the intimacy of their gaze, the harmony they radiated while dancing.
The Prince gave the signal for the guests and other couples joined them.
"Edward MASEN?" the Princess asked him softly.
He nodded.
"My middle name."
She smiled.
"That's funny?" he asked.
She shook her head.
"No, I just had an idea regarding our babies!" she whispered.
He eyed her intensely.
"Sometimes it would be beneficial if I could read your mind too," he sighed.
"Yes, that's true," she admitted. "But I'll tell you later, okay?"
"I certainly hope so," he said, kissing her on the forehead. "I look forward to later, My Highness," he whispered, and it sounded slightly lustful again.
For this he promptly received a punishing look from his mother and a grinning one from his brother Emmett.
"I'm happy too - so much. I'm sorry, Mom," my Princess said, and now Esmé had to smile, too. "Is it allowed for me to ask someone to dance?" she then asked him softly.
"It's not customary, but it's allowed to you as a birthday girl. Who do you want to honor?" he asked softly.
"You'll see. I don't want to say it ... he's listening," she smiled.
Was she talking about me? I thought, startled. But that was not possible. All vampires were listening and that was the majority in the hall.
The song ended and my Princess came up to me.
"Would the free man who is my best friend do me the honor of dancing with me once?" she asked me, smiling encouragingly.
I could literally feel how some people were holding their hands over their mouths in horror.
"Are you sure, my Princess. It is not usual ..."
She interrupted me by placing a finger on my lips.
"I'm absolutely sure," she said firmly.
The woman was my downfall. But I accepted the invitation to dance with my heart as gladly as the delightful lady before me had spoken it.
I handed her my arm and led her back to the dance floor.
I, James, the old abused slave, danced with a Princess at an official party. Unbelievable.
I preferred not to look up and only at her.
I didn't want to register the indignant looks, because I was sure they were all on us.
The dance floor had emptied immediately when we entered it. But now the King and Queen joined them right away, as well as my Prince with Princess Alice, and shortly thereafter the dance floor filled up again.
The King blew past us with his wife and breathed to my Princess, "You are impossible!"
"I know," she said aloud, smiling back at me.
Impossible, but brave. I would never forget this dance. Not only because it was nice to hold her in my arms and lead her, because I liked her so much, but because she treated me - me inferior James - like an equal friend. Not like a servant or employee. She regarded me with respect and appreciation.
"Is it very bad for you, James?" she asked.
"No, it's a gift to be able to dance with you, my Princess," I said.
"I think it's beautiful, too," she said with a smile.
We continued to make our rounds.
When the song was almost over, she breathed, "James, I'm getting dizzy," and leaned against me.
I felt that she could barely stand and unceremoniously lifted her into my arms.
"Prince Edward," I said aloud and looked around for him. He was with us immediately. "She suddenly felt dizzy," I said, and he immediately took her in his arms.
"Open the doors for me, please, James, and we'll take them upstairs!" he said, and immediately we left the hall.
The King and Nanny came behind.
"Jasper, please get my bag and bring it to me!" the Doc shouted to his son, and the latter sprinted off in the other direction.
"Edward, I'm all right now," whispered the Princess.
"I'll carry you up anyway, darling. Let Dad check on you. Maybe that was a little too much after all, hmm ...?" he mused anxiously.
"Yes," she breathed softly.
Gently, he laid her down on her bed when we reached the top. Then he lay down next to her on the other side while his father sat on the edge of the bed, felt her pulse and examined her.
"What do you feel?" he asked her gently.
"I suddenly felt a little dizzy. Everything was spinning and I had to stop and close my eyes for a moment. I feel slightly nauseous now and a little weak," she said softly.
He nodded.
"James, please get her a cup of blood and then a tea with this Sue's remedy."
"You know about that?" she asked, astonished.
"Of course, little one. You won't get anything more to eat or drink here without my blessing. I have analyzed the powder of your wolf-wife. I think it is good. One must not underestimate the knowledge of the old Indians. There is often much we can learn. James said it was visibly good for you, so it's okay."
She smiled.
"Sue would never hurt me," she said.
"I think so too," said the King, taking her hand in his.
He closed his eyes and caressed her.
Two minutes later, Jasper came in with the doctor's bag.
The King opened his eyes and looked at the Princess.
"Thank you," she said, "I feel better already."
I gave her the blood and she drank it immediately, then the tea.
The King listened to her chest.
"What was that feeling of weakness all about, Dad?" my Prince asked anxiously.
"Her circulation is a little crazy. She's too thin, has two kids in her belly that need to be taken care of, plus today's excitement and exertion. I think we need to take it easy on her more," he said.
"Oh no," said the Princess, "I'm all right now!"
"No discussions, my sweet," said the Prince sternly. "You will step back considerably in your activities from now on. I don't want to take any chances!"
"Edward, that's over the top," she said, slightly annoyed.
"No!" he said, and just kissed her firmly on the mouth to quell the next indignant utterance on her part right up front.
She sighed.
The King rose and Nanny took his place.
"May I check on the babies?" she asked with a smile, and the Princess nodded kindly in agreement.
Nanny put her hands on her stomach and concentrated.
The Prince and Princess remained silent and waited devoutly until Nanny spoke again of her own accord.
"They're fine," she then said, and the Prince breathed a sigh of relief.
The Princess just smiled knowingly.
She would not have needed this confirmation.
Now Laurent came in and brought the gifts from the Princess.
"Pardon me, Your Royal 'ighnessez, I'm just bringing the presents. Besidez, the Prinzess's father iz asking 'ow she iz and whether 'e can still see 'er."
"Thank you, Laurent. Please bring my father here!" said the Princess.
"With pleasure, Prinzess," Laurent said, bowing.
The King, Jasper and Nanny said goodbye.
The King still said to me, "If the Princess suffers another attack of weakness like this, please call me immediately, James. Then I must inject her with a circulation-boosting agent!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!", I said and opened the door for him.
When everyone was outside, her father came in and immediately sat down with her, worried. The Princess held his hand and was able to calm him down quickly. They chatted a bit more and then he said goodbye.
Now they probably wouldn't see each other again for another two months, when the babies were born.
Again, my Princess found it hard to say goodbye, but she tried not to show it. After that, she just stayed in bed and looked at the Prince, who lovingly stroked her face.
"Edward Masen," she smiled.
"Yes, that's me. Are you going to tell me your idea now?" he asked.
"Yes!" she said, "Your name is Edward Masen. Masen is a nice first name, but I'd spell it with an 'o' instead of an 'e,' so Mason. My name is Isabella Marie - Marie starts with 'M' just like your middle name. I think it would be nice if they had a name with 'M' at the beginning. But I don't like Marie. We'll change it a bit too - to Myra. Hope Myra Volturi. Do you like that?" she asked.
"Yes, it's beautiful," he said. "But if it's a boy, his name is just Mason? I don't think Mason is that stunning," he noted.
"I was thinking of another first name, if you're okay with that," she sighed.
"If you don't tell it to me, I can't answer?" he said with a smile.
"James Mason Volturi - I'd like that. That sounds regal, doesn't it?" she asked, and I winced.
She wanted to name her child after me? This was getting crazier and crazier here and I was sure that the Prince would not agree.
"James Mason Volturi," he repeated, musing. "Hope Myra Volturi," he then said.
He looked at her and continued to consider. She was very tense under his gaze, but kept silent and gave him the time he wanted to answer.
"James means a lot to you, doesn't he?" he asked.
"Of course, he's my best friend. But Edward, I don't love him the way I love you. That hasn't changed. Him I love only brotherly and he is the most important person in my life after you," she said softly.
"I know. And I think it's good, Bella. He's a very lovable creature and he loves you to death. I'm not jealous," he added at the end, kissing her gently on the nose. "So James?" he said.
She nodded.
"Thank you, I think it's wonderful that way. I think the name is beautiful in general!" she said enthusiastically.
He smiled and looked at me.
"I'm honored and I can hardly believe all this," I said softly.
"You'll get used to it, my dear James," my Princess said with a smile, without turning to me. "We could shorten our son to Jamie. That's nice for a little kid and then we won't confuse the two," said the Princess.
"Okay," said the Prince. "Jamie and Hope. Hmm...I wish they were here already!" he said, tenderly stroking her belly.
"Soon, then they'll be lying here next to us," she said happily.
"What do we do if there are two girls or two boys. We need to find more names as a precaution?" he asked.
But she shook her head.
"There's no need for that, my Prince. It's a couple," she said
"How would you know?" he asked in amazement.
"I know it Edward, just trust me!" and she moved forward to kiss him intimately.
A boy and a girl, then. How nice.
While the two indulged in their intimacies, I withdrew a bit and let my thoughts run free.
That date would go down in my history. I was a free man. I had a good job that I loved and even got paid for. I had a lady friend who would name her child after me. And I was happy. Very happy. Isabella had brought the light back into my life, and the hope. Hope.
The next day my Prince had to work and the Princess looked at her gifts and distributed them around the rooms. We activated the indoor fountain and she actually called her father to enthusiastically play him the splashing of the fountain on the phone.
Then suddenly she hugged me.
"What did I do to deserve this, my Princess?", I asked her laughing.
"For giving such nice tips to my relatives!" she said also laughing. "They were all gifts that I thought were beautiful!" She then looked lovingly at the first edition of the Bronté poems. "James, this is worth over three thousand dollars," she sighed reverently.
"Oh ...", I said in amazement.
She carefully placed it in her nightstand drawer.
Alec's little chain flew into the other drawer to the crest and angel ...
"James, I want to go to the garden now," she said, looking out.
"But it's chilly and windy today, my Princess," I said.
"James, there is no such thing as bad weather, only badly dressed people. I need air and exercise. Now hurry up or it'll be lunchtime and my husband will show up. Who knows if he'll let me out after what happened yesterday!" she said and I smirked.
She put on a pair of jeans, sneakers and a thicker jacket and so we went out.
"Demetri!", I still called quickly and he immediately came after.
She walked briskly through the park toward the forest.
"James, look at them. The trees are already turning colorful and how beautiful the leaves are blowing around!" she exclaimed, starting to walk and spinning around, raining leaves on herself and allowing the wind to ruffle her hair.
I laughed.
She was rarely so cocky. She really had to be doing well.
With a happy heart I watched her and followed her comfortably - as well as Demetri next to me - with a smile on my face.
On the way back, she walked in front of us again, humming to herself. She went up the stairs and entered the palace through the large entrance door of the hall.
Suddenly, she paused just past the door and listened.
Clearly, there was a woman whimpering softly.
The Princess turned to the right and ran.
Oh God, she wanted to help the woman.
We sprinted after them to see what was going on.
The Princess walked toward the huge columns that propped up the hall, to the right into the next large corridor that led to the right wing of the palace, which was usually unoccupied because it only hosted overnight guests at events.
The whimpering had clearly come from there and had now turned into a gasp.
"Princess, please wait," I called anxiously, but by then she had already run around the first columns and stopped, startled.
Now she gasped in horror, "ALEC!"