So, this is my new story idea. I started working on it while I was having some writer's block with Piece's of Time. I liked it so much that I decided to keep working on it and posting it. It won't be a very long story, probably not more than 15 chapters, if that. It's a lot of romance and it'll have it's share of Drama. I hope you enjoy. Oh, and just a warning: AH AU OOC

I wanna thank my awesome Beta, MonkeyMojo. She's awesome.

The Guard

"My lady, we need to go," I told her quietly through the door. She had insisted on having a picnic today since it was sunny. I would not argue with the idea, even if I could. I was not paid to give my opinion, simply to guard over her. "Lady Isabella." I knocked on her door. "Is everything well?"

Just as I was about to open the door to her bedroom myself she opened it with a smile. "Edward, you worry too much," she scolded playfully. She walked passed me, her summer blue dress shimmering in the light from the window. It was lighter than the clothing that she normally wore to court but I found this far more appealing on her. It hung slightly off her shoulders, exposing her creamy skin and slender neck to the sun and to myself. I took a deep breath and followed behind like the guard I was.

"Has the kitchen prepared the things I requested?" she asked sweetly, her tiny steps echoing in the stone halls.

"Yes, Princess, I checked on it myself," I told her confidently, having to argue with the evil old crones of the kitchen staff to do so.

"Please, do not call me Princess," she sighed heavily, stopping to look at me. "I may be royalty but I am not your master. Your are my friend," she told me with a smile, her eyes brown eyes sparkling in the light.

"It is my duty as a...," I began but she quickly cut me off by placing her tiny hand on my arm.

"Do you not think of me as your friend?" she asked, the hurt dancing in her eyes.

"My lady, it is not my place to–" She removed her hand quickly from my arm and I instantly missed the contact. She began to stalk towards the kitchen.

"If you do not wish to go, I will go alone," she hissed.

"You know I can not allow you to do so. By order of your Father," I sighed, exasperated. That was not the only reason, but those were things I could not confess.

"Well, by order of the Princess I insist you stay here. I do not wish to put you out." She went to open the door to the kitchen but before she could I grabbed her arm and spun her around.

"Isabella, please. Do not make this difficult. Of course I think of you as my friend. It is simply not proper," I tried to defend myself. I could not stand her being angry with me.

"Edward, when have I ever been interested in being proper?" she whispered.

"You should be worried about it," I growled back. This was an argument we'd had too many times before.

"I am not going to be Queen," she stated as if it were a definite fact.

"Just because your brother will become the king of this nation does not mean your Father will not arrange a marriage for you. There are many a number of countries with young princes looking for beautiful women to become their Queen," I informed her.

Something flashed her in her eyes that I did not understand, and then her face began to glow a soft red. "I am not beautiful, so I do not have to worry."

"You are utterly absurd," I sighed.

"You're the absurd one." She finally pulled out of my grip. "Are you joining me for my picnic or am I going alone?" she asked, her nose slightly in the air to show her annoyance with me.

"You know the answer to that question," I informed her, walking passed to open the door.

"Does not mean I do not wish to hear the answer out loud," she said quietly as she walked by me.

"I wish to join you, your Highness." I took the basket that had been prepared and walked back towards her with a small smile on my face. "As your personal guard, and as your friend."

Her sad expression was erased from her sweet face and was replaced with a light sort of happiness. Her eyes glittered and her lips curled up in a delicious little smile. In that moment she could not look any more lovely.

"Shall we?" I offered her my arm.

We never ventured too far from the castle. It wasn't safe for so many reasons. Luckily for us there was a beautiful field covered in wild flowers only a fifteen minute walk away. As soon as the field came into view she began to run, giggling as she went. I picked up my step but did not run after her.

She stopped suddenly and raised her arms above her head. She began to spin, her luscious brown hair flying through the air. She caught me staring at her, our eyes meeting for the briefest moment before I lifted my gaze towards the heavens. When I looked back, she was gone.

"Isabella?" I called, my stride getting wider and wider as I moved faster. "Princess?"

"I said don't call me that," she said from the ground, her body hidden amongst the flowers. I dropped the basket and went instantly to her side.

"Are you hurt?" I asked quickly, looking her over for injuries. "Did you fall?"

"No, I'm not hurt and yes, I did fall. I am fine. You worry too much," she chided for the second time in less than two hours.

"I cannot help it," I said as I helped her into a sitting position. "Besides, what would happen to me if something happened to you? If there is no princess, there is no need of a guard to protect her."

"Would you protect me even if I weren't a princess?" she asked, her head tilting to the side as she did so.

I was stunned, and I suppose that was my reason for just blurting out the true answer, "Yes." I wanted to slap myself for being so blunt. An unusual blush crawled up my cheeks and I looked away.

She smiled and touched my arm. "That is good to know." She stood carefully. "Will you dine with me?"

"If you wish it so," I replied, going back to the basket.

"I do," she said playfully, her lips curling into that smile again. It looked so perfect on her plump lips.

I started to spread our feast on a small blanket that I had prepared for us. She had asked for bread, cheese, fresh fruits, a bottle of wine and a bottle of champagne, the last surprising me. "What would you like to drink?" I asked.

"The champagne." She pointed at the bottle.

"Are we celebrating something?" I teased as I pulled out the cork.

"Yes, you've been my guard six months today," she said sweetly. I stopped my movements, my jaw slightly slack. "Did you not remember?" she asked.

"I did. I just didn't think that—"

"That I would?" she teased, taking a bit of cheese. "Of course I would."

"I've never met anyone like you. You treat everyone so equally, so kindly. You are a rare and precious gem in a castle full of fakes," I told her as I poured us both a glass of champagne. I handed her the flute carefully.

"To six months, and many more to come." She clinked her glass against mine, taking a small sip. "Drink up," she told me, her sweet brown eyes flicking down my glass. I took a healthy gulp, suddenly feeling nervous.

Some time had passed and so had most of the bottle of the sparkling liquid. Isabella was now laying on her stomach, eating grapes. Her tiny feet were raised, crossed in the air. "So, how did you come to be in the palace? I'm certain you did not wish to be a baby sitter to a spoiled royal brat," she teased, her cheeks slightly red from the liquor.

I finished off the liquid in my glass before pouring her and myself some more. "I was the son of a Judge, a wealthy family, but they became ill right before my seventeenth birthday. I had to do something, so I became a soldier. I retired after the war. Shortly after I was offered this position. And, you are certainly not a brat, little one," I informed her.

"What was your rank?" she asked with curiosity, ignoring my last statement.

"Major."

She lifted to her knees and playfully saluted me. I rolled my eyes. I got up beside her on my knees as well. "You're doing it all wrong," I informed her. "Here..." I took her hand and showed her the proper way.

She giggled and did it again, doing it wrong on purpose that time. I shook my head and sighed at her display. She tried to stand and fell into me, right into my arms. "Oh...," she said with a little huff as she fell into me. Her eyes went large as she peered up at me. Her lips were spread slightly and the sweet smell of the champagne lingered on them.

"You're drunk...," I muttered, my arms gripping her tightly.

"No, I'm not...," she defended herself in the softest of whispers. Her cheeks were flushed and her breathing was slightly heavy. She was magnificent.

I didn't realize that our lips were inching closer and closer until they crashed together. My arms tightened around her for a moment, pressing her tiny body against mine. Her arms wound around my neck, her lips moving against mine.

I pulled away with a gasp, sucking in air greedily. I released her immediately. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have done that." I stood up and turned my back away from her. I looked for something to do. "You must think I am horrible now. If you do not wish me to be your personal guard anymore I understand." I began to pick our meal up and place it back into the basket. "Your father will have my head. I deserve it. I did not mean to take advantage of you princess. I don't know what came over me," I said in a quick rush.

"Edward...," she said. I could tell she was standing up beside me. I half expected her to punch me or something along those lines.

"I am so sorry. You must think I am something foul," I said as I placed the empty bottle of champagne in the basket. Had we really drank that much? I never should have drank with her. She's just so comforting and welcoming, it's so hard to not do what she asks. She was always such a temptation.

"Edward..."

"I am such an idiot. I am so—" I started apologizing again but she cut me off quickly.

"Edward, I command you to turn around!" she nearly shouted.

I was utterly shocked but I did as I was told. "Yes, your highness?" I bent to her will, lowering my head.

She pressed quickly against me, her tiny fingers weaving in my hair. Her lips crashed into mine again, passionate fire flowing through her kisses. She was as sweet as honey and smelled as delicious. I didn't know what came over me. I picked up her tiny body so that she would not have to reach on tip toes.

I don't know how long our kisses lasted but when she could no longer breathe, I moved my lips eagerly to her neck and jaw. Her head fell back, moaning softly at the feeling of my lips on her skin. This is wrong, I thought briefly, but I did not have the will to stop. She tasted too good, too much like heaven, to stop.

"Edward, oh, please...," she mumbled, her eyes closed as her breaths began to get heavier.

"What is it you desire, my lady?" I asked between kisses. I spread them heavily over her bare shoulder and the nape of her slender neck.

"Kiss me," she breathed.

My mouth instantly found hers again, kissing her harder this time. My fingers went to her hair, massaging the back of her scalp. I could feel the flutter of her eyelashes against my skin as I poured my longing for her into my kissing. I wanted to show her what I could not say.

I finally pulled back, breathless and flushed. I gazed into her eyes and saw something that surprised me. I saw her desire swirling in the beautiful brown orbs. They were filled with it and I wondered if mine matched. She began to lean in to reconnect our lips again when I heard a noise behind us.

"Isabella! We must get you ready for the ball tonight!" her cousin cried from the end of the field. I wondered how much she saw and what she would do or say about it. I put the Princess back on her feet and cleared my throat, embarrassed at being caught like this.

She began to walk by me, but before she was out of arms length she placed a hand on my shoulder, commanding my attention. She met my gaze, holding it for a second before speaking. "I love you. I've loved you since I first met you."

With those words she turned and began to run towards her cousin. I swallowed hard and picked up the basket. I slowly turned to look at her. By that time she was standing with her cousin. She took the girl's hand and began to walk back towards the castle. I realized that her own personal guard was with her. Our eyes met for the briefest of seconds. He smiled at me sympathetically and turned to walk back with the young women.

I knew he would understand because he loved her as I loved Isabella. I sped up my pace, not wanting to lag behind. I caught up with him and looked over at my friend. He did not say a word but nodded his head towards the two women.

They were talking excitedly, or at least young Alice was. Isabella was nodding her head, speaking only when needed. She looked back at me and instantly blushed. She quickly turned her attention back to her cousin and friend to hide it.

"What just happened?" Jasper whispered.

"I honestly do not know," was all I could offer.

"You know I will tell no one, and Alice will say nothing either. But, you must be more careful. You must protect her at all times," he reminded me.

"Yes, I know." I looked at the man who had helped me get to this place now. "I must protect her, I love her," I said with a sigh.

He smiled slightly again and patted my shoulder. "Come, we must prepare for the ball tonight as well."

I groaned quietly. I hated these parties. So many things could go wrong. It was hard to protect her at all times. I would have to stick closely by her side, I thought. I grinned to myself. Perhaps the evening would not be all bad.

So, I know the Royality thing has been done before as well as the in the past and the guard. I know it's not really that original but I enjoy it. I like writing in this "tone" If you get what I mean. The chapters will change between Edward's and Bella's POV, just to let you know.

I will be posting this story on Tuesdays and Fridays, just to let you know. That is if you enjoy the story. Let me know! Oh, and if you're wondering why it's rated M, it's because it will become... romantic, sometime in the future. Just letting you know.

Also, a lot of you have asked for my opinion on Breaking Dawn. I will not talk about it on here because some of you haven't read it yet. If you want to know my opinion you can go check it out on my blog. All you have to do is go to my profile and click on my homepage. You should be able to figure out how to get to there after that. I know not all of you will agree with it, but like I said, it's just my opinion.

I'm having a horrible time trying to figure out a title. So, you guys start sending me some ideas and I'll put it up on a poll, let you decide.

So, like? Yes? No?