Chapter I

August 13th, 1510

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I faced my husband-to-be, the wealthy and influential Sir Jacob, the Baron Black of Forks.

I didn't want to marry him…

I earnt myself a smile from my mother when I agreed to marry the Baron.

What was I thinking?

Why didn't I refuse to consent? I should've thought more about my own happiness and future before I made the hasty decision about marrying Sir Jacob. I can't believe I agreed to marry him just to fulfil the wishes of my parents. The match between me and Sir Jacob was suggested by the King, Aro I of Volterra, and his chief advisor, Sir Demetri.

My parents, Sir Charles Swan and Lady Renee had no objections.

My father was a wealthy knight, and I was his sole heir.

I remembered my previous betrothal to Sir Seth Clearwater. He was a couple of years younger than me, but that didn't matter to our parents.

I was only ten at that time.

He was seven.

Now I'm fourteen and about to be a married woman.

The Bishop cleared his throat.

I blinked my eyes and realised everyone was staring at me.

"I'm s-sorry, My L-lord," I stammered..

I heard titters and laughter throughout the guests. Aro I snorted with laughter and his brothers Caius and Marcus couldn't help but smirk with satisfaction. To my horror, Aro I's unsmiling wife, Queen Sulpicia even managed a little smile.

I blushed.

I felt a pair of eyes on me.

I glanced around and saw my mother staring at me, her eyes flashing angrily.

This marriage meant the world to her, and here I am, stuffing up the marriage vows! She probably thought I was doing it on purpose. My father was staring down at his hands. He had been forced to marry my mother (because she was the heiress of the Dwyer fortune) and was in love with another noblewoman, who wasn't as rich as my mother. He didn't care who I marry. He just wanted to be as far away from my mother as possible.

"It feels like a prison," he told me when I was younger. "Staying with your mother."

Sir Jacob said nothing.

He was as silent as a stone.

His father, William, the 4th Earl of Quileute wanted the match.

"May I continue?" asked Bishop Weber.

"Please do," said Aro I, with a smirk. "Before the lady falls asleep during the ceremony! She won't get much sleep during the night, and it won't be a good idea to allow her to sleep before the ceremony is finished. I'd like Mistress Swan and Lord Black to be married before the day is over. I don't want this marriage to be delayed any longer!"

I sniffled quietly.

I had hoped the ceremony would be delayed as much as possible.

I looked up at Sir Jacob (who's a head and shoulder taller than me) for the second time during the ceremony, and someone caught my eye.

Standing near the velvet curtains, behind him, was a tall young man. He donned simple clothes, but he seemed so handsome in them!

His hair was a unique bronze, tousled but in a very attractive way.

He was pale and lanky, but his crooked smile and soulful Emerald eyes caught me off guard, and I nearly staggered back from the impact it had on me. He was the handsomest man I'd ever seen, and I found myself wishing that I was marrying him instead of Sir Jacob.

My mother would be furious if I told her this. I would earn myself five lashes on my back if she ever

heard about my thoughts. She would probably hit me more if I was the second daughter, or if I had other siblings or brothers.

Who was this man?

Why have I never saw him before?

"Seems like Mistress Swan had dozed off again," chuckled Aro I.

I snapped out my thoughts and realised that Bishop Weber had spoken the vows which I was supposed to answer, if I paid attention.

Why can't I stay awake?!

Bishop Weber repeated the vows.

"I do," I whispered, wiping my tears away.

"With the power invested in me," said the Bishop loudly. "By His Majesty, the King of Volterra, I pronounce you man ad wife, Baron and Baroness Black of Forks. Of this union, the Noble Houses of Black and Swan are united forever. May your lives be prosperous and joyous. May your union bear many fruit to continue the Black-Swan lineage."

Jacob stooped down and kissed my cheeks lightly.

The ceremony was over.

I'm now Lady Isabella, Baroness Black of Forks.

I noticed that my mother still had fury burning in her eyes.

Tears prickled in my eyes again.

What can I do to make her happy?

Why does she disapprove and reprimand me for everything I do?

Isn't she pleased that I married the man she wanted me to marry?

Jacob took my head and began leading me out of Forks Castle to the waiting carriage (which'll take us to his country residence, William Manor-named after his father). I glanced back at the velvet curtains and noticed the bronze-haired man was gone.

I wanted to see him again.

Maybe he's my Angel of Mercy that'll make my married life better.

"Walk faster," Jacob muttered. "You walk too slow."

I had been insulted by my mother many times in my youth (and still am), but I had never been insulted so publically before!

Aro I snorted with laughter.

"You are so entertaining, Lady Black," he snorted. "I should hire you as my Royal Fool!"

I walked past him, trying not to cry.

Jacob said nothing to comfort me.

My parents met us at the carriage.

Jacob nodded at them in acknowledgement silently. He was of higher status to them, and it would be humiliating to him if he acknowledges them as an equal. Jacob only regarded them as my father and mother, and nothing else.

Jacob courteously helped me into the carriage.

"Be gentle with her," murmured my father.

"Gentle?" said Jacob coldly. "The Blacks are never gentle. We need to feel pain. We need to know pain. I never heard or saw a weak Black before."

"My Lord, Isabella is only fourteen!"

"Do you honestly think I'll be gentle to her just because of her age?"

"I-"

"Unlike you weak Swans, us Blacks own pain. We control pain. We endure it. We all were taught to stand pain when we were young. In our eyes, Isabella is already a late learner. You do know how we Blacks view honour, pride and tradition, don't you? No? I see that you Swans have already forgotten. If Isabella can't stand pain, she won't be accepted in the Noble House of Black as my true wife. She would be viewed as an outsider.'

"What?"

"Didn't you know? Of course you don't know. Your wife was the one who arranged the marriage

between me and Isabella. In the eyes of the Blacks, wives will only be accepted if they endure and control pain, or if they are fertile and have at least three sons. Not consecutive, of course. If a wife has a son first, it's a good sign. A daughter, divorce will be considered. This will be our last meeting, Sir Charles. This will be the last time you see your daughter."

"I'm sorry? Did you say last?"

"Yes, I did."

"That's not right! She's my daughter!"

"You should've thought before deciding that Isabella should be my bride. Once a woman marries into the House of Black, she belongs to that House. Her past life and family will be forgotten. She'll never see people from her past again."

"Is there anything else I need to know?"

"You Swans are a faithful bunch, aren't you."

"Yes-"

"Male Blacks are encouraged to be unfaithful, and bastards are accepted in the House of Black if they can stand and control pain."

"Excuse me?!"

"You heard me. If women Blacks are found being unfaithful-"

"Let me guess. Their bastards get accepted too?"

"No."

"What is it?"

"Death."

"Women Blacks get killed for being unfaithful?"

"No."

"But you said-"

"Women Blacks who are found to be unfaithful to their husbands get their tongues cut out, their stomachs disembowelled, their feet and hands cut off. This is all when they're alive. After three days of living like that, they get poisoned and buried in the Graveyard of Whores and every living Black spits in her grave before placing the unmarked headstone over the grave. That's been like that for centuries, and there's no chance we'll stop now."

I was terrified.

I had heard every word.

Will my tongue get cut out for thinking about the charming man I saw a few minutes ago?

I can't believe I would never see my father again.

I'm glad I won't ever see my mother, but my father?!

For the third time, tears flowed down my cheeks, and I didn't bother wiping them away. Why did my mother force me to marry into the austere House of Black? I'd prefer to marry into the insignificant Clearwater family, even if Sir Seth is only eleven. Didn't my mother care about my life? Did she only care about ranks and position in society?

I wished I was a peasant.

I wouldn't have to marry against my will.

Jacob climbed into the carriage and sat next to me.

"Drive!" he commanded.

The driver whipped the horses and we were off to William Manor. I looked back and saw my father look sorrowfully away from me.

My mother smiled at me and waved.

She wasn't sorry I'm leaving her forever.

"Stop crying," said Jacob sharply. "You're a Black, now. Crying is viewed as a sign of weakness. You don't want to die of starvation, now do you?"

I gulped and wiped away my tears.

"We'll meet the other Blacks next week," Jacob told me. "You'll need to be prepared to meet them. You need to impress them to be officially recognised as my wife and a member of the House of Black. You'll start your training when we arrive at William Manor. If you don't work hard enough, you'll be severely punished. You might think the training's harsh, but the punishments will be worse. I hope I'll never have to inflict punishment on you. My father will visit us in a couple of days' time, to check on your progress. If you impress him, you'll impress the other Blacks."

I wondered what he meant by training.

I'm a noblewoman! I don't need to train for anything!

Do I?

Jacob is six years my senior, but seemed to be older than me by many years. He seemed to be cold both inside and outside.

The carriage halted.

The footman opened the door and Jacob went out.

He waited until I climbed out.

I looked around the estates of William Manor.

William Manor was built from red bricks, and seemed an ideal country home. The ground was made of lush, green grass, and there were paths made of marbled pebbles on it, leading to different directions of the estates. Surrounding the manor was a forest of tall trees, and I heard birds singing from it. I couldn't wait to into the forest.

The door opened and a young girl with dark brown hair ran out.

She looked about three years old.

Her eyes were green (a little darker than the Emerald eyes of the man I saw during the ceremony) and it was obvious she was related to Jacob.

"Papa!" she squealed.

I had recovered from the initial shock that Jacob already had a daughter before we married, and was uncertain what to do.

The most natural thing was to accept her.

I learnt that she was Jacob's daughter from a brief relationship with a Volterran noblewoman a couple of years ago.

She was disgraced, but the child remained with Jacob.

Apparently, the little girl never cried.

That showed that Jacob was capable of siring children.

"Isabella," said Jacob, entering my chambers.

With him, was his little girl.

"My Lord," I said softly, casting a glance at her.

"This is my daughter, Lady Beatrice Mary Black," said Jacob, fondly ruffling the girl's hair. "Bee, this is your new stepmother. She'll be taking care of you, and maybe you'll have some half-siblings in a year or two. What do you think about that?"

Beatrice nodded enthusiastically.

I felt sick.

Going through labour was the last thing I wanted to do.

Why couldn't Jacob show me the same affection as he showed Beatrice? Is there something about me he doesn't like?

Beatrice hugged Jacob again and ran off.

It's just Jacob and me.

The door opened and I felt a familiar presence at the door.

"Ah, Jacob," said a melodious voice. "You're back! I was wondering when you'll arrive! I see that your little Beatrice is pleased to have you back! You should stay in William Manor more often instead of serving that odious King of Volterra!"

I turned around.

My eyes widened.

Leaning against the door was the bronze-haired, Emerald green-eyed man I saw at the ceremony! He had changed into finer clothes, but his hair remained untidy. He held a bottle of ale in one hand, and a feathered cap with the other. A cocky smile hovered on his lips and there were sparkles in his eyes. There was a ring on his finger.

He was married.

Or was he?

My heart dropped like a stone in a pond.

Here I was, thinking of how handsome he is, when he's already married! Why do I have to have the misfortune of marrying the dark, sullen Jacob?

"Edward," said Jacob tightly.

"Jacob," said the man at the door cheerfully.

"What are you doing here? You have your own estates."

"Mother would want us to see each other once in a while."

"Which we already do on a regular schedule of once a month. Why did you break our regular schedule by visiting me again? How did you get in here? I don't recall the butler or manservant call you in here, and I didn't see your carriage through the window. You know as well as I do, that what you did was against social manners and etiquette. As I told you before, our mother had no idea what she was doing when the both of us were born in different families."

"Admit it, Jacob. You hate me."

"Who said that? Now, how did you get here?"

"That isn't important. You would love to inherit my fortune via proximity of blood when I die. Be aware I do have a younger sister and a daughter."

He has a child?

"Yes," grumbled Jacob. "Renesmee. How can I forget that bastard?"

"Who is this?" I said, before Edward could respond.

I sensed an argument flaring up.

"This is Edward, Viscount Cullen of Forks," said Jacob, glaring at Edward. "My half-brother. Edward, this is my wife, Lady Isabella. If you don't mind, I'd like you to leave. Edward and I have matters to discuss. I mean private matters do discuss."

I curtsied to Jacob and Edward, and left.

I wandered around William Manor, unsure what to do.

Suddenly, I felt someone tugging on my skirt.

I looked down and saw Beatrice tugging it. I was uncertain what to do. This is Jacob's illegitimate daughter, not my child.

"Play with me?" said Beatrice shyly.

I tentatively followed her outside the Manor.

She led me into the forests and into a grove.

"Papa named this after me," she said proudly.

The trees were as green as the other trees, and on a branch of each tree was a hive of bees. The bees buzzed quietly. Under a couple of trees were two wooden seats, and in front of it was small wooden table, all handmade. It seemed a very cosy place. Two trees had hollows in them, and a lantern was placed in each of them for the night.

"Beatrice Grove," I murmured.

"Isabella!"

I turned around and saw an angry Jacob glaring at me.

Edward was with him, a worried look on his face.

"M-my L-l-l-ord," I stammered.

"How dare you come here?!" roared Jacob, grabbing my wrists with one hand.

I winced in pain.

"Answer me!" said Jacob angrily.

"Beatrice wanted me to play!" I said, trying not to cry. "She led me to the grove! I didn't come here by myself! I didn't know I can't go here!"

"Don't you dare blame this on my daughter! This grove is off limits to you! Do you understand?! This grove is for only Beatrice and me! You'll be severely punished when we go back in! I can't have you wandering around my estates for no reason! What will the other Blacks say?! Your place is to stay in the Manor and not wander the estates. You will stay there until you have a son. At this rate, you'll make us Blacks the laughing stock of Volterra!"

"What if I have a girl?"

"You'd better hope you don't have a daughter then."

He looked at me rather unpleasantly.

I glanced at Edward desperately.

"Jacob," said Edward lazily. "Leave your poor wife alone. You've been married for only a couple of hours, and didn't explain your house rules to her. Allow her to settle in and then scream at her. You should relax a little."

"Relax?!" growled Jacob, gripping my wrists tighter.

His nails dug into my wrists and a thin line of blood streamed out.

"She's bleeding-" Edward tried again.

"Her blood will fertilise the soil," snarled Jacob, digging his nails through my skin harder.

"She won't be able to have children with less blood!"

"You'll love that, won't you? Then you'll inherit the Black fortune!"

"Why do you keep saying that?! Only you believe that I'll steal the Black fortune! You know that I don't want your fortune! I have my own! Why are you always treating me like a threat? You have Beatrice, and I have Renesmee! Both our daughters are illegitimate, but heiresses to our fortunes! If mother didn't make us swear to visit each other, I wouldn't bother coming! I respected your wishes in remaining unmarried until you have your own son, why can't you trust me as brothers should?! You never trusted me! Even when we were in the nursery!"

Jacob threw me against the ground and stormed off.

Edward knelt beside me.

"Are you alright?" he said, concerned. "Can you hear me?"

My vision blurred and my thoughts clouded up in my mind. I tried to stand up, but I fell straight back down onto the ground.

I tried to speak, but my mouth could hardly move.

"Edward," was all I could say before darkness elapsed over me.

As usual, I couldn't have pulled off this chapter without the aid of Team Edward Rules All! :) Please review!