Disclaimer: Twilight doesn't belong to me.

Chapter seven

Maud led Prince Edward into the house and took a seat at the kitchen table. The prince sat down as well.

"So who is this guest you have staying?" Edward asked with polite interest. In reality he found most women rather dull and fairly unpleasant. It didn't help their situation that they happened to be throwing themselves at the prince's feet.

"Oh she's a dear friend of mine," Maud replied, "Her mother is ill so she is staying with me so she can attend your gala." She laughed at the uncomfortable look on Edward's face. She knew about the prince's thoughts about women.

"That is quite interesting," Edward said once he had regained his composure. He was starting to think that the gala would more painful than it was worth. He was also mentally kicking himself for agreeing to it in the first place.

"Actually, it took forcing on her mother's and my part," Maud said fondly," She can be so stubborn." Maud smiled serenely.

Edward was surprised that the girl had to be forced to come to his gala, but he wasn't insulted. He was glad that there was a girl who was a little different.

The cook and the prince carried on with a pleasant conversation on light topics such as a recent fair within the city and what the prince was studying.

After a few minutes Maud glanced toward the door and got up to go while muttering something about getting some fresh air. She left the room without another word.

Just as the old woman left, Edward heard a knock on the closed kitchen door.

"Maud?" a voice called through the thick wood.

Prince Edward walked over to the door and pulled it open while looking at his feet. He assumed that a love struck girl gushing about his looks would be standing at the door.

"Is Maud still in there?"

Edward looked up to see a young woman trying to see over his shoulder into the room behind him. She had to stand on her toes to see over him. The girl was rather small and petite, but not frail. She had a certain hardness about her that gave the impression of hidden strength.

She had large brown eyes that held a barely concealed spark of...something unrecognizable. She had long brown hair that looked nearly black in the dim room. It had been braided into a single braid that hung in front of one shoulder and nearly reached her waist. A few strands around her hairline were sticking up in little curls.

As if she had just noticed that she was standing in front of the crown prince, she gasped.

"Your Highness," she greeted as she curtsied gracefully. She stuck her hand out. "Isabella Swan." She introduced herself as she shook his hand. Though she appeared confident and completely at ease, a blush colored her cheeks.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Swan," Edward returned warmly.

"Mrs. Swan," Bella snapped.

Edward was sure that his mouth was hanging open as he heard that.

Bella looked at him for a second before laughing so hard that she had to hold her stomach. "I am so sorry,"she choked out, "it was just that you looked like you were trying to catch flies!"

Edward closed his mouth with an audible snap. As he watched the woman in front of him trying in vain to reign in her laughter, he couldn't help but chuckle.

"No, Mrs. Swan is my mother. I am just Isabella."

In a few minutes Isabella had finally calmed down enough to be polite. "Would you like something to drink? Tea, maybe?" she asked.

"That would be great," Edward said as he followed her into the kitchen. Before, they had just been standing at the doorway.

Bella quickly made a pot of tea and was soon talking with Edward as they sipped their drinks. Maud came in a moment later and Bella got her a cup of tea as well.

After a while Edward finally remembered that this wasn't strictly a social visit.

"Isabella, Maud, do you know anything about a girl who's been seen jumping over this street?" he asked and leaned forward expectantly.

Isabella shrugged and didn't say anything. Maud seemed to ponder the question before telling him that she had heard nothing about it.

"That sounds ridiculous! Are we sure that it is nothing but a rumor?" Maud wondered out loud.

"Why do you ask?" Isabella asked him.

"No reason," Edward said quietly while staring at the table that they were sitting at.

Edward was put out that neither Maud nor Isabella knew about the roof jumper, but he knew that he would find her eventually. For now, Edward just wanted to enjoy the social visit.

Author's Note:

Well then. Revamped. I am getting tired of not getting reviews. I only have 27. Not for one chapter, but the whole story! I don't know if the story is worth completing because so many people don't say anything!!!! Anyway, just review the story. Thanks for reading.