The Hidden Princess 9

“Are you doing alright?” Bella asked Rosalie as they were standing off to the side of the queen’s thrones in the throne room waiting for the rest of the Cullens and Jessica to be brought before the queens for questioning. Alice, Emmett and both of their mates had already been questioned and were waiting in front of the queens. Bella hadn’t really known what her mothers thought of the whole situation but was hoping that with what they learned from the four already questioned that at least they would be saved. She had little hope for the coven leader and the mind reader though.

“I’m fine.” Rosalie replied. She just like Bella was hoping that Alice, Jasper, Emmett and Simone would be spared but she to had little hope for Carlisle and Edward. What would happen to their mates was something she couldn’t even guess but figured it would depend on how they acted and what answers they gave to the queens.

“You can leave the room if you want.” Bella didn’t want her mate to be uncomfortable and knew her mothers wouldn’t mind if Rosalie left the room.

Although tempting Rosalie wasn’t going to do that. Not only would Bella not be coming with her but Rosalie wanted to make a statement. Standing beside her mate on the side of the royals would show her entire coven whose side she chose. “My place is by your side.”

“Thank you.” Bella said. Before she could make further comment the throne room doors opened and Carlisle, his mate, Edward and the human were escorted in. Bella tensed seeing the obvious defiance the boy was showing.

“Your majesties I have brought you Carlisle, Esme and Edward Cullen.” A guard said as he led the three vampires and the human in to the room.

“And Jessica Stanley.” Edward growled when the guard purposely ignored his mate.

Rosalie had to hold back a laugh at the way the guard simply ignored Edward and moved to the side of the throne room next to Alec. Rosalie was confused by the vampires in the room. Jane was once again not there neither was Renata but now knowing Bella’s gift she understood why. What didn’t make sense to her was Heidi’s presence. Rosalie didn’t understand how Heidi would be useful if it came to a fight although after seeing her take care of the newborns she could admit the woman was formable. Rosalie just thought she was used for other things. She also didn’t like the way that Heidi interacted with Bella. The obvious fondness she had for Bella made Rosalie uncomfortable and made her wonder what type of relationship the pair had. Even though Bella said she had been saving herself for her mate that didn’t mean something wasn’t going on between the two. Sulpicia speaking pulled Rosalie out of her thoughts.

“Welcome Carlisle. We have already met and spoken to the other members of your coven so it is off great interest to us to hear what you have to say.” Sulpicia didn’t waste time on pleasantries. It was well known the mutual dislike Carlisle and the queens had for each other and Sulpicia wanted this taken care of so she could spend time with her daughter and her mate finally.

“There isn’t much to say your majesty. We had a problem that you for no reason interfered with.” Carlisle wasn’t going to be polite to the queens. He would tread carefully though. Now that he was in the throne room and had seen his family there he felt like they had a better chance of fighting. As Edward had predicted Jane wasn’t there and he only recognized Alec and Heidi. The princess would be a problem but even though Rosalie wasn’t standing near them he knew he could convince her to side with the family. That would put the princess on their side and they could easily take care of the queens and whatever guards were left.

Athenodora smirked. “Are you saying you had the problem under control then?”

“Of course we did.” Edward snapped.

“No one is speaking to you boy.” Sulpicia said. “Keep your mouth closed unless you are asked to open it.”

Carlisle put a hand on Edward’s shoulder to stop his reply. “I am saying that we would have been able to easily defeat the newborn army without your help.”

“Was that with or without the mind reader hiding in the woods?” Didyme asked. She also wanted this over quickly. Like her mate she wanted to spend time with her daughter and Athenodora. Her instincts were still running high as she hadn’t had a chance to be with her child after finding out she had been in danger. Even with the reassurance that Bella was alright Didyme needed to have her close and make sure for herself.

Edward growled.“I wasn’t hiding I was protecting my mate.”

“Alec if you would.” Sulpicia motioned to Edward.

“Of course my queen.” Alec replied focusing his gift on Edward.

“What are you doing?!” Carlisle demanded as he rushed forward to catch Edward before he fell to the floor.

“He was warned.” Sulpicia dismissed the boy and focused back on Carlisle. “Now then regardless of what you believe, why were we not informed of the newborn army being created in your territory?”

Carlisle held back a growl as he cradled Edward in his arms. Not only was he pissed that the queens dare hurt his son but without Edward his plan to fight wouldn’t work as well. “You weren’t informed because it wasn’t necessary.”

“We have clear laws. One of those laws is to report such events to us immediately. From what I have gathered you knew well before the army got big enough to do so much damage to the humans. So since you claim you could handle it yourselves let me rephrase my question. Why did you decided to break the law and not report a newborn army being created in your territory?” Sulpicia asked.

“We didn’t know about the army until very recently. We had no idea of the destruction they had been doing.” Carlisle denied.

“So five of your coven members are lying?” Athenodora wanted to see how deep Carlisle’s loyalty to his so called children would run. She doubted very far.

“They aren’t only lying they are doing it on purpose.” Carlisle replied proving Athenodora right.

“Calm.” Bella whispered to Rosalie as she placed a hand on her shoulder when she heard Rosalie growl. Rosalie wasn’t the only one who did however, the four other Cullens who had been brought in before Carlisle all did as well.

Sulpicia had a hard time holding in a laugh. Athenodora on the other hand didn’t hold back at all.The man had given up his coven quicker than they had all thought. Didyme had won the bet between the three queens and Sulpicia was looking forward to giving her her prize. “And why would the five of them lie to us?”

“As it is seems Rosalie had decided to side with you she would lie just to make you happy.” Carlisle said like it was obvious. “The other four had proclaimed their want to leave the coven right before they were brought before you for questioning. They no doubt are trying to get revenge against me.”

“That makes perfect sense then.” Sulpicia told him.

“I knew you would see it my way.” Carlisle couldn’t believe how gullible the queens were. He knew all he had to do was keep a clear head and they would bend to his will.

“Oh I wasn’t referring to what you said.”Sulpicia liked the way Carlisle’s bright smile dimmed.

“What were you referring to then?” Carlisle asked cautiously.

“I was referring to the fact that we were told by not only the members of your former coven what type of man you were but by other vampires as well. Now that you have essentially sold out the rest of your so called family all the things we were told about you being a spineless selfish man who would step on anyone or anything to save yourself makes sense.” Sulpicia explained.

Carlisle growled.“I am no such thing.”

“I believe you are right.” Athenodora agreed. “You are far far worse.”

“I am bored with this.” Didyme proclaimed. Carlisle was always going to be the same arrogant man he had always been and nothing they could do or say would change that. “Talking in circles is annoying because the man is obviously to stupid to see that he has no leg to stand on.”

Bella erected a shield in front of her mothers as she watched Carlisle make a move to attack. She wasn’t sure what his plan was but it seemed just rushing towards them was all he had in mind. When he was thrown back violently from the shield Bella smiled at Rosalie as she laughed at her former coven leader’s predicament.

Athenodora gave her daughter a smile. “Thank you Isabella.”

“Of course your majesty.” Bella said bowing her head.

“Now that that unpleasantness is out of the way let’s get on with this.” Sulpicia watched two guards pulled Carlisle out of a wall noticing his body was covered in cracks and if she wasn’t mistaken he was missing a finger. She figured Bella must have pushed her shield out when he ran at them to make sure he was dealt more damage than if she had just made it immobile.

“Indeed.” Athenodora agreed. “We have decided that Alice, Emmett, Jasper and Simone formally of the Cullen coven are pardoned from their crimes. It is beyond apparent that each had voiced their displeasure and wanted to do the right thing but were overruled by their coven leader.Their youth and lack of knowledge on how to deal with the world outside of what Carlisle had shown them put them at a handicap. That handicap was the only reason we are forgiving this crime. If you break any laws in the future that excuse will no longer be valid and you will be held to the highest degree of punishment.”

“Thank you your majesties.” Alice said feeling relieved. She knew she would have to speak to Rosalie later to thank her sister because she had no doubt that even if Rosalie wasn’t directly involved it was because of her that the four of them were getting let go.

“Thank you.” Rosalie whispered to Bella. Receiving a small smile in reply Rosalie confirmed it was Bella who influenced her mothers’ decision. Rosalie had wondered what she had been talking to her mothers about when they walked into the throne room but now knew that Bella was pleading for some of her family to be saved.

“Alec release him.” Sulpicia wanted Edward to be awake to know his fate.

Edward lurched to his feet as soon as he felt his awareness come back to him. He looked around trying to figure out what had happened when he was out but couldn’t. His sibling were all smiling, his mother and his mate looked scared but it was as he looked at Carlisle he became enraged. Rushing forward he was immediately restrained by two guards. Their minds were a blank space so he had no way of fighting them off. “Let go of me. Carlisle what did they do to you?”

“Are you going to be a good boy and calm down or do I need Alec to put you in time out again?” Athenodora asked Edward.

Edward growled and fought harder against the guards. “You won’t get away with this. I won’t let you.”

“Because you are in such a position that you can defeat us? Is this where you enact your grand plan of being crowned King? If so then please let me know so I can have the proper clothing made so I can attend your coronation.” Athenodora taunted.

Edward hated the fact that he had told his family his plan. Eyeing the so called princess he sneered when he saw Rosalie standing closely beside her. He had always known she was a traitor. “If you let the me go I will prove to you who is more worthy of being a ruler.”

“Are you saying you wish to fight me?”Athenodora asked.

“I don’t need to fight you.” Edward was now rethinking his idea. If he couldn’t use his gift then he didn’t think he would be able to defeat the warrior queen.

“Ah the coward buries his head in the sand yet again.” Athenodora wasn’t surprised the boy wouldn’t want to fight her. It would have been fun beating on him though.

“Although I would love to see you in action my dear I want to get this over with.” Sulpicia said. “Now as for the sentence of Carlisle, Edward and Esme Cullen. You are all found guilty of not only failing to kill the mate of a man you killed leaving the poor woman in such a state of despair she created a newborn army to kill you, you are also found guilty of hiding the knowledge of the newborn army and the existence of the shifters from us.”

“Although Esme didn’t make the decision to not tell us she is being found guilty because as the mate of the coven leader she should have spoken up and instead went along with everything Carlisle and to a lesser degree Edward said. That is why she is also being held responsible for your crimes.” Didyme explained.

“It is because the three of you are being held as equally responsible we sentence the three of you to death.” Sulpicia expected the outburst of everyone in the throne room.

“You can’t do this.” Carlisle shouted.

“We committed no crimes.” Edward said at the same time.

“No!!” Alice called out. Only to be held back by her mate.

Rosalie let herself be pulled into Bella’s arms. She shouldn’t have been shocked by the outcome but it still hurt knowing that Esme was going to be put to death as well. Esme had always been a kind person but the queen was right she never spoke up about anything. It seemed her blind devotion to Carlisle was her final downfall.

“Enough.” Athenodora demanded. She motioned to the three vampires.” Take them to the dungeon.”

“Jessica.” Edward struggled to reach his mate but there was no way he was going to be able to fight off the guards holding him. Especially since his gift didn’t work.

“Edward no!!” When Jessica made a move towards Edward she suddenly found herself being held by Simone.

“Be still and control yourself.” Simone hissed. She may have liked Jessica but she wasn’t going to let the human act stupid when it hadn’t been said what was going to happen to her. The girl didn’t need to push the queens farther then they already had.

“What will happen to Jessica?” Alice asked. She would have time to mourn Esme later but right now she needed to be aware enough to hopefully save the human.

“The human will be let go.” Didyme said. “However she will be spending some time with Heidi who will alter her memories and make her believe that vampires don’t exist.”

“What about her feelings for Edward?” Simone asked.

“As she is human she doesn’t feel the mate bond as strongly. That means she can get over it with the proper mental nudge.” Sulpicia explained.

“But Edward.” Jessica mumbled.

“This is the best option for you.” Simone told her. Turning her attention back to the queens Simone spoke. “Thank you your majesties.”

“Of course. Now say your goodbyes to the human as Heidi will be taking her immediately and then she will be sent home.” Didyme said.

“Everything will be fine I promise.” Alice didn’t know if it would but she wanted Jessica to at least feel some hope it would be.

“Thank you Alice.” Jessica said hugging Alice. She gave Simone a hug as well and waved goodbye to the others.

“I thought she would be more emotional.” Emmett mumbled.

“She’s in shock.” Simone told him.

“Alright with all that finished you are all free to leave. As you are Rosalie’s coven mates and I believe she has some fondness for you I offer you an invitation to spend some time here at the castle if you wish.” Sulpicia offered. She was also making it very clear that Rosalie wasn’t going to be leaving the castle anytime soon. The queen wasn’t going to allow it until they talked to Bella. Sulpicia and her mates didn’t want their daughter leaving so they needed some time to come up with a plan to entice Rosalie into staying.

“Please.” Rosalie pleaded. She understood the queen’s unspoken message clearly and wanted to have her family with her for at least a few days.

Simone looked to the other three and received nods of agreement. “We wouldn’t mind staying for a little while.”

“Thank you.” Rosalie said.

“Good why don’t we have a guard take you back to the room you were staying in before and Rosalie will spend time with you. Isabella we would like to speak with you alone.” Didyme told her.

Bella bowed her head. “Of course your majesty.”

“Will I see you soon?” Rosalie didn’t want to be away from her mate but did want to talk to her siblings.

“She will be with you as soon as she is able.” Sulpicia answered for her daughter. “Isabella lets go.”

Bella gave Rosalie a kiss on the forehead. “If you have any problems let the guards know and they will find me.”

“Ok.” Rosalie said as she watched the queens and Bella leave through a side door of the throne room she figured led to the royal wing. She already missed Bella and hoped that whatever her mothers wanted to speak to her about would be quick so they would be reunited as soon as possible. Looking at her siblings Rosalie wished she could do something to ease their concerned looks. She wasn’t in the position to do so though.She would be asking Bella about it when they saw each other again. Rosalie was sure her mate would be able to tell them exactly what was going on.