Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight characters. They belong to Stephenie Meyer.

Hi! I've already written all chapters of this story. I need to review them though. I will be releasing one chapter per day. There are 18 chapters total and each are about 1500-2000 words, for a total of 30,000 words approximately. There will be Bella POV and Edward POV.

Please enjoy and review. For those who have read this first chapter a long time ago, I'm so sorry it took so long!

XOX

"Isabella, care to serve breakfast on time?" Mother says. She enjoys ordering me around.

"Sorry, Madam" I say. I put the bread down and bring her the egg she requests.

"Today, you shall be on your best behavior" she reminds me. She takes the salt and sprinkles her breakfast.

"Yes, Madam" I curtsy and leave to the kitchen. I have two more plates to prepare.

"Mother, you cannot mean to have her running around while our guests are here?" Jessica complains when I am back. She's unhappy. So is Lauren.

"Who else will serve tea?" Mother explains. Her tone annoys me. "And honestly you two, in what way is Isabella competition?"

Their smiles return.

"Have you changed the sheets in the rooms?" Mother asks.

"I have" I answer. I set the jar of honey beside Jessica's plate before she complains about the distance.

"I am pleased with your work in the painting room" Mother says, her face deprived of any smile "But very disappointed with the floors. I can barely see the difference" she criticizes.

"I am sorry, Madam. I shall work on them again this instance" I say. My blood is boiling; the floors are shiny.

"No" she objects. "It is too late for that. Help the girls with their gowns" she orders.

"Yes, Madam."

I clear the table and walk up the stairs to Jessica's room. I check the door knob. The ribbon tied to it is purple, so I take out a purple gown and lay it on the bed I have done. I leave a space for Jessica to sit; she will want to watch me work.

"Never mind the ribbon, Bella. I've changed my mind after discussing colors with Lauren" Jessica says as she walks through the door. "The prince now fancies blue. Choose wisely" she orders. She sits on the bed and crosses her legs.

"I suggest this one" I say to the eldest after searching for blue in the cupboard. The dress is stunning, something I could never have.

"No. I've worn it too many times. This is a special occasion, I need to feel special" Jessica complains. My fists are hidden under the fabric. I need to control my anger.

I search for something more suitable. There is none. "I'm sorry Jessica. You have no better blue dress in your collection" I inform her.

"Then we shall go fetch one" she hisses and stares back down at her nails.

"Our guests will be home in a few hours. May I suggest you borrow a dress from Lauren?" I say patiently though I already know the answer to come.

"No! I do not share and neither does she."

A similar circus goes on in Lauren's room. Now both daughters insist that we go buy new attires. Mother approves. Whatever her daughters want, they get.

"You best bring them back on time with something nice" Mother threatens before we leave.

"Yes, Madam" I say. I bow and we leave.

"Are you sure he prefers blue now?" Jessica asks her sister.

"And peach" Is Lauren's reply.

I follow my stepsisters into a fancy shop. Everything sparkles.

"Bella, we don't need you. Go get some roses for the dining table" Jessica says before the pair disappears among the rows of gowns.

I leave to find roses and spot a shop with freshly picked flowers on display. The owner is busy with a gentleman, so I wait. I hear the customer ask for a dozen of red roses. I wonder if it's for love or to pay respect. His voice is smooth and musical. It's different and I want to hear more.

"Thank you" he says while handing the florist a few too many coins. "Keep the change" he adds with a smile. I can only see half of his features but I can tell his smile is attractive.

"Bur Sir, it's more than twice the price!" the florist says, baffled.

"That's how much I love your flowers" the gentleman replies. He turns around to leave but does not see me. He hits me and his bouquet falls. I am horrified.

Quickly, I bow low and ask for forgiveness. My voice shakes and I remember Mother's whip. She never uses it, but that's because she still needs me for work. The man that bumped into me does not need me.

I hear a light chuckle. It confuses me. The man bends and grabs the roses. I notice his hair shines a light bronze color. It looks as soft as silk.

"That's quite alright, Miss." He says. "I'm the one to blame for the incident."

Our eyes meet and I gasp. Green. His eyes are as green as emeralds. He looks surprised as well. I must still have ash on my cheeks. I lower my head, apologize a second time and rush to the man who can sell me flowers. I ask for enough roses to fill the vase. While the man prepares them, I look over my shoulder and the gentleman is gone.

"He's a good boy" the shopkeeper says. "Always finds a way to help my sick wife and makes it so that I can't refuse" he explains with a kind smile. His voice is full of adoration. I wish I knew the gentleman's name.

I thank the man for the flowers and return to the first shop I visited. I look for the twins.

"They have gone" a woman informs me. I'm exasperated. Luckily, I find them in a nearby shop. They are buying ribbons.

"What took you so long?" Lauren asks when I join them. "Here, take it. My arms hurt."

She gives me her gown to hold. Jessica does the same.

"Bella, do I have blue shoes?" Jessica asks. I hold back a sigh.

"You do" I answer. "Three pairs."

"What about me?" Lauren says. "Do I have peach colored slippers?"

"Yes" I reply.

Both girls are satisfied.

"Lauren, let's go find jewellery" Jessica proposes.

"May I suggest we return soon?" I intervene. I try not to sound panicked; there is much work to do before our guests arrive and if the twins find that I am nervous, they will linger on purpose. "It will take much time to prepare the accessories and select the ones that best match your gowns" I remind them. I can only hope that they listen.

"Right" Jessica says in a bored tone. "What do you think, Lauren?" she asks.

"I want to be pretty" is the twin's answer and so we leave for the mansion.

"Excellent" Mother says when we are back. She is pleased with the new dresses. "Go prepare" she tells her daughters and they obey.

Mother turns to me. Her expression would suggest she ate a lemon without sugar.

"Hurry to the kitchen. The meal won't make itself" she says, shooing me away.

The clock chimes one O'clock when the prince's carriage arrives. I've managed to finish my chores and I am exhausted. The servants are puffing.

"Isabella!" Mother exclaims when she sees me. She is furious. "Go change this instant. What have you been doing?" she complains. "And wash that face of yours, quickly!" she panics.

I run up to the attic and reach for my dress. It is pink and timeworn. The prince doesn't appreciate pink and my stepsisters know it. That is why the fabric they gave me to make a dress was of that unblessed color.

I wash my face, quickly brush my hair and rush down the stairs. The prince and another man have already entered. Mother is holding a bouquet of gorgeous roses.

"And this is my stepdaughter, Isabella Marie Swan" Mother introduces me to the important guests. "I apologize for her lack of manners. She is a problematic child indeed" she says and bows to them respectfully. Lauren and Jessica look at me and snicker.

"Isabella, what are you waiting for?" Mother asks "Apologize for your late arrival" she orders and I execute.

When I rise from my bow, I study the prince's features for the first time. He is gorgeous. His blond hair shines like the sun. His eyes are golden brown and his courteous smile is splendid. I feel calmer just looking at him.

"All is forgiven" he says. He then takes my hand and kisses it. "Please to meet you, Miss Isabella" he says and his voice is smooth. It somehow reminds me of the gentleman from the flower shop.

"I introduce myself a second time" The prince speaks. "I am Prince Edward Anthony Masen Cullen and this is my assistant and good friend, Jasper Whitlock" he informs me.

My eyes set on the man he presents to me and I freeze. His eyes are emerald green and his hair is sparkling bronze.

It is the gentleman from the flower shop.