hmm...i ADORE twilight and i love 1800's sort of stories so i decided to write one! so here goes!
"Isabella stop squirming!"
"But mother, why on earth must I wear something as ridiculous as a corset? I have a figure you know." The princess of England replied.
"You are the princess of all England, the only heir to the throne, getting ready to meet your possible future husband today. You MUST wear a corset! Besides dear, it compliments your figure even more." Her mother replied.
There was a knock on the door. "Your majesty? The prince has arrived!" a voice called. Isabella, or Bella as she preferred to be called, sighed and said
"Mirry, stop. Take off this ridiculous thing. I need to get dressed now. " Bella told her maid.
"But Bella!" Her mother said scandelized. " You must wear it! You are meeting your future husband!"
'Not if i can help it' Bella thought grimly. She was planning on stopping this particular prince at all costs.
"Your Highness! The prince! He is here!" The same voice called, sounding anxious.
"She is coming, leave us in peace!" The Queen said, angry.
Bella finished putting on her dress, (The ugliest one she had, a pale yellow dress with flowers embroidering the bottom hem line, neck line, and the sleeves) with the help of her maid of course. She, princess of all England, had her 17th birthday two weeks ago, and was now officially old enough to recieve suitors for her hand in marriage. She had rejected all who had come forth till now. None were there for her. All just to be a king. 'But' Bella thought. ' What is so exceptional about me anyway? I am not beautiful, extremely smart, or gracious.' In fact, she thought. She was the exact opposite! She wasn't ugly. Oh no. But pretty enough for a princess? No way. With her pale skin, mousy brown hair, and plain eyes, it was obvious that she was't anything above ordinary. And gracious was the last thing she ever was. She couldn't walk down a hall without tripping or ripping a dress. Anyway. She had to leave and try to discourage her current suitor from marrying her. She was really hoping that the horrible dress would put him off even further.
Once her mother took her leave of Bella's room, Bella ran down the stairs and halls, with hopes that no one would see her. With her skirts hitched up almost to the knee, she wasnt a sight for any type of eye, royal or otherwise. She stopped outside the doors to the throne room, catching her breath. Then she calmly walked through the doors ready to terrorize the man behind them. Or not.
"Your highness." A tall man bowed. " I am Prince Micheal. Your current suitor."
He straightened and Bella got a good look at him. He was tall, definetly taller than her measly 5'4. Blond hair, blue eyes, the usual. But she liked him. He had a nice face. Maybe he would be the one. A possibility definetly.
"I am pleased to meet you Prince." She curtseyed.
"Would you like an escort into the Banquet Hall? The King and Queen await our presence for dinner to start." He asked.
"Certainly" Bella smiled, and held out her hand. They entered the hall, and sat down, but not before Bella tripped slightly and fell back wards. She was instantly caught by Micheal, but he leaned closer and closer, almost as if he wished to kiss her. Bella quickly straightened up, throwing a slight glance of disgust at Micheal. During dinner, Micheal kept throwing anxious glances at her, most probably trying to say sorry. Uggh. She shivered. Once again, there was a knock on the door. A young servant, entered in nervously and stood there.
"Well ?" Bella's father the King Charlie asked impatiently. He was also rather tall, slightly balding but still very handsome. It was from him, however, that Bella had inherited her trait of clumsiness.
"Uh. Er. Well. There seems to be another suitor." The servant said, anxious now.
"Yes, well, tell the man's servant his master may have an appointment for next week. That gives her plenty of time to get ready." The king replied, unconcernd.
"Ahem. That is the problem, Your majesty. This suitor...well, he seems to be right out side. In the throne room awaiting your presence." The servant replied.
Suddenly the door burst open, and in strode a tall man, with bronze colored hair. He looked up and Bella gasped. This was the most handsome man she had ever seen! His features were perfect, not a scar marked him, and his face was the most magnificent in the world. And that was forgetting the rest of him. He had muscles, that much was obvious. But these were toned, and strong. Slender, yes, but definetly able to fight a match, and he would probably win it too, Bella reflected.
"I am deeply sorry to have interupted your meal." The man bowed. "I am Prince Edward Cullen, the son of King Carlisle, of your ally, France. But before you speak," Here he held up one long, thin, white finger. " I am no suitor for the Princess Isabella" Here he nodded towards her. "I have come in place of my father, the king, to talk of the coming war, for he is...unwell, and too sick to travel."
"Oh. Well." The king sat down again, momentarily stymied. " I welcome you, and your...escort? Why, where is your escort my boy? You did not come alone I presume? Not when you know of crossing such dangerous places?" The king asked, bemused.
"Yes sir, I am afraid I did come alone." He laughed a quiet laugh, as if he was enjoying a private joke.
"Well, then come. Sit and eat, for you must be hungry." This time it was the Queen who spoke, directing his gaze to the heaping piles of food on the table.
As the Edward moved to sit down by the Queen, she hastily said, "Not here I must beg. I entreat you to sit there." She gestured at a seat next to the King, which was directly in front of Bella.
Edward nodded, and sat down, a movement so gracious it could have as water. But he did not eat. He put things on his platter, yes, but did not eat. Why, Bella wondered, would he do such a thing? He has to be hungry, after the long journey he undertook. That was when she realized that his eyes were on hers, and they were staring at each other. Bella found herself unable to break away. She would be held in his golden gaze until he wished her not to be. He suddenly broke away, answering a question her father had asked. Dazed, she picked up her fork, and stabbed a piece of meat.
"My goodness!" The Queen exclaimed. "It is most definetly getting rather hot in here!" At this she fanned herself, uneknowingly catching Bella in the cold draft as well. Suddenly Edward's face hardened. The easy going look on his face vanished, being replaced by a look of revulsion and hatred. Bella quickly tore her gaze away from him, scared at what ever had happened.
"I must be leaving now.I am quite tired." Edward said, his voice slightly etched with urgency and a tone Bella did not recognize.
" Very well, my boy. SERVANT! James come here!" The king called. "Take the prince up to his rooms, and leave him for his rest."
The boy nodded and took off, only waiting at the door for Edward. As Edward walked out, Bella noticed his hands were clenched into fists, the tendons in his arms strained, as if he were resisting a great need.
"Hmph." A voice from Bella's left said. "I do not see why this Prince Edward, had to come at such an inappropriate time." Micheal said scathingly.
"Well, some are night people, some are day." The king replied easily.
"Yes, I suppose." Micheal said reluctantly. "Well Bella," Her parents looked delighted at the mention of her nickname, " Would you care to take a walk with me down in the gardens?"
"No sir, I am very sorry. I seem to be rather tired today, and if you don't mind, I would like to be excused to my bedchambers. Mother. Father." Bella nodded to each as she practicly flew out the door. She leaned against the wall outside of her door, gasping for breath, as she recalled the look Edward had given her. But why would he hate her so? He didn't even know her!
These thoughts plauged her as her maid helped her undress, and climb into bed. She hoped that he would fade from her mind as she slept, but unfortunetly, the mysterious Edward Cullen, haunted her even in her dreams.
So...what'd you think???? Should I keep going????
Fantafaerie