Between Love and Duty.pdf

Between Love and Duty

Chapter 1: Volterra

EPOV

I hated being Prince. I stood in front of the mirror fixing my tie as I awaited my cue to head to

another day full of royal duties. At twenty-five, I was expected to be the perfect Prince. I was the

oldest of two, and would one day be king. Therefore, I had to attend all these functions and

pretend to like them.

Today's agenda wasn't too bad. I had the afternoon off, and I planned on getting some quiet

reading time at the Library, and I did not mean the one in the castle. I needed to get away and

just disconnect myself.

"Come on, Edward. We're late." My younger sibling, Alice, said.

"They won't start without us." I answered her as she rolled her eyes.

"But you know what mom said about being late." She reminded me as I grabbed my phone

following her out of my room. My mom was very particular about us being polite, and that included

being on time to all functions. No matter how early they were.

"I know, I know." I sighed boarding the limo after Alice. Today we were going to be opening a new

Children's Wing in the Volterra National Hospital.

It wasn't that hard, since it only required me to say a few words that had already been written for

me. It's not that I didn't care, I really did. I just didn't have the energy to possibly do everything

that was asked of me. Therefore, delegation became a necessity.

"It's only about two hours." Alice added as I laughed. I knew she was just as anxious for the

function to be over and done with. She was back for the summer with her boyfriend, Jasper, and I

knew she wanted to spend alone time with him.

"Where's Jasper?" I asked noticing his sudden absence. They rarely left the other's side.

"Dad doesn't want us to appear too serious too soon." She answered rolling her eyes. "Apparently

our citizens should only see him from time to time, since I'm so young."

"You're twenty-one." I pointed out as she shrugged.

"It doesn't look good that I have somebody and you don't." She finally admitted as I turned my

attention outside. My love life, or lack thereof, was a big deal for my parents and under constant

scrutiny from the media.

"That is not an issue." I said coolly.

"Apparently it is." She replied as the limo came to stop saving us from a certain fight. My sister and

I were best friends, two peas in a pod, but we disagreed on my love life. I would not let her win,

and I would not involve myself with just anyone.

Our argument could wait until later. Our duty called. I stepped out of the limo offering Alice my

hand before making our way inside the hospital, the whole time smiling politely for the flashing

cameras.

BPOV

We were finally in Europe, and I couldn't be happier. I had always dreamed of coming to Europe,

and for the next three months Rosalie, Emmett, and I were going to be staying in Volterra. The

history was incredible, and I knew Rose couldn't wait to shop.

We had all just graduated college and my dad and stepmother had given us a three-month

getaway to Europe. We were going to discover it all!

"What are your plans for today?" Rosalie asked as she came in looking as flawless as ever.

Rosalie was my stepsister. Her dad had married my mom when we were both five. She was the

complete opposite of me even though she was only two months older than I. She had blonde hair

and hazel eyes, and was extremely tall. She was gorgeous. I, on the other hand, had mousy brown

hair and plain brown eyes. I wasn't tall, and I definitely didn't have a model's body.

"I wanted to see the National Library. I heard it was among the best in the world." I commented. I

loved to read, and I was dying to see it for myself.

"You come to Europe, and you're going to hide yourself in a library." Rosalie stated in disgust. We

were best friends, but there were some stuff where we just didn't see eye to eyes.

"I'm not going shopping." I stated knowing that she was going to be dragging Emmett around all

the stores today.

"But Emmett is not fun to shop with." She whined as I shrugged.

"I'll go with you eventually, but not today." I conceded as she smiled giving me a hug.

"Rose, are you ready?" Emmett asked coming inside the room. Emmett was Rosalie's boyfriend for

almost five years. He was extremely tall, muscular and good-looking. They were a perfect pair.

"Will you be alright by yourself?" Rose asked as I nodded.

"I'll be fine." I assured them with a smile.

"Don't stay in the library all day." Rose warned as I rolled my eyes.

"Go have fun, Rose. Go buy everything you see." I urged as Emmett laughed. Nobody I knew could

shop the way Rose could. She knew what she wanted, and she got it.

"Go sightseeing, Bells. There's a lot of history in this place." Emmett suggested giving me a kiss on

the cheek.

"Have fun!" I called as Rose grabbed her purse and Emmett rolled his eyes. I knew he did not want

to spend the day shopping.

I didn't know how I had gotten out of it. I never could, but I wasn't about to complain. I grabbed

my messenger bag, passport, wallet, and cell phone before heading out. I was going to explore.

I walked out of my hotel studying my map. We had picked a hotel that was near everything and

the Library was just two blocks away. I walked through the streets marveling at the beautiful

architecture. The tall arches and columns made me feel as if history was still alive in Volterra.

I reached the library walking up the steps and through the arches before stepping in to a scene

straight out of my dreams. There were paintings of famous authors and a multitude of dark cherry

wood desk.

Instead of asking for directions I decided to just explore. I walked down the aisles touching the

leather-bound books. It all seemed surreal, as if I had gone to another planet. It was within these

walls that history had happened. It was incredible.

I walked for a long time studying different books before deciding to head back to the hotel. Rose

and Emmett would probably be back, and we would have dinner together. I thought of everything I

wanted to do while I was in Europe, all I wanted to see and experience.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I barely registered where I was going. I felt my body hit a solid

mass causing me to fall back on my behind along with a bunch of books the man had been holding.

"I'm so sorry." I said making my way to pick up his books at the same time he had squatted to

pick them up. Our foreheads bumped and I found myself staring at the most beautiful green eyes I

had ever seen.

"Are you alright?" He asked extending his hand to me. He helped me up, and I felt my hand tingle

where he had touched. Almost as if sparks were flying.

"I'm fine." I managed to say my cheeks burning pink. He was gorgeous. He had green eyes and

bronze hair. He was the man of my dreams.

"Are you sure?" He asked as I nodded.

"I'm sorry." I repeated handing him a few books.

"No need to worry." He answered his eyes staring into mine. I bit my lip taking a deep breath

before walking away. My hand still tingling.

I quickly walked away my face red with embarrassment. I had been in Volterra for less than

twenty-four hours, and I had already made a fool out of myself in front of a gorgeous man.

Chapter 2: Reactions

EPOV

The library was the only place I went where I really got any time to think and just relax. I was a

lucky guy, but I sometimes wished I was normal. I didn't have many friends, just Alice and Jasper.

Everyone else came and went, because I knew they only were around for the money and publicity.

I grabbed a few books out of the literature section before walking towards the back of the library. I

loved escaping into books, they made me forget just how much pressure was on me.

Being the future king came with a lot of pressure. My father had been king since he was twenty-

two years old, and he had done a wonderful job. Volterra had never been more stable or

prosperous as we were now. How could I compete with that?

Besides that obvious pressure, was the not so subtle pressure of marriage. All the royal advisors

and my father agreed that I needed to settle down, I needed to find someone to marry. But as

corny and gay as it sounded, I wanted to find my soul mate. I wanted my Cinderella.

I noticed a beautiful girl with dark brown hair and a gorgeous face walking towards me. I had

never seen anyone that looked like her, she was perfect. I was so entranced by her beauty that I

barely noticed that we were walking straight to each other until we bumped into each other.

I froze in shock barely noticing that my books had hit the floor. The only thing I saw was the

beautiful creature in front of me. She looked dazed almost confused, as if she too were lost in her

own thoughts.

"I'm sorry." I managed to say bending down to pick up my books at the same time she leaned

forward to do the same. Our foreheads bumped and I found myself overcome by her scent.

Strawberries and freesias were my new favorites.

"Are you alright?" I asked giving her my hand and helping her up. I knew right away she wasn't a

local, she didn't recognize me.

"I'm fine." She whispered picking up some of the books. I was mesmerized by her beauty, nobody

could compare to her.

"Are you sure?" I inquired not ready to part company with the angel before my eyes, but I had no

idea what to say.

"I'm sorry." She said nodding shyly. A beautiful blush graced her cheeks making her even more

irresistible.

"No need to worry." I assured her wracking my brain with what else to say. Why did I have to be

so stupid with women?

She stared at me for a few seconds before leaving. My voice caught in my throat. I wanted her to

stay. I wanted to know her name. I wanted to kiss those lips. My eyes drifted to the floor as I

found her dark blue passport on the floor.

"Miss!" I called chasing after. I dropped the books on a table trying to follow her out. I searched

around the main lobby not finding her. I was too late.

I stared at the small booklet in my hand noticing she was American. I opened it smiling at the

name, Isabella Swan. It was a beautiful name for a beautiful lady. I slipped the passport in my suit

pocket grabbing my phone.

There were definite perks to being the Prince. I could get any information I wanted. I would make

sure Isabella got her passport, I would hand deliver it myself. There was something about her. I

didn't know what it was, but I was determined to find out. No woman had ever affected me the

way she had.

BPOV

I took a deep breath as I walked back to the hotel. I couldn't believe I had literally bumped into the

most handsome man in the universe. Why was I such a klutz?

I walked into my hotel room thankful that Rose and Emmett hadn't arrived. We had two separate

rooms that connected, but I had my own bathroom and king-sized bed. My dad and stepmother

had really gone out of the way to make us comfortable.

I turned on the television as I moved around the room. I hadn't unpacked, since I had been

determined to see something before I did. I had so many things I wanted to do and see, and I

couldn't wait to officially get started. This was all a great dream come true.

After unpacking I slipped into the bathroom looking forward to a long warm bath. It felt wonderful

to have nothing to do, after working nonstop for four years, I was thankful to have this break.

I settled into the tub resting my head on the edge and closing my eyes. I tried to think of the

places I wanted to visit, but my mind was occupied by only one person. I had no idea who he was,

but I couldn't get his green eyes and bronze hair out of my head. He was perfect, he was the man

of my dreams.

Every girl dreams of their ideal future. Most never have a real leading man just the general idea of

what they want. Every girl hopes that when they see the right man it would click, and that's the

way I felt. The stranger from the library was the man I dreamed of.

I forced myself out of the tub as the water turned cold. I felt stupid for dreaming the impossible,

and I felt stupid for thinking I would ever see him again. What were the odds? Volterra wasn't very

big, but the chances were still very slim.

I slipped into a fluffy white robe that the hotel had provided wrapping my wet hair in a towel. The

jet lag was really starting to catch up with me, and I wanted to hit the sheets after I ordered room

service.

"We're back!" Rosalie announced walking into my room through our connection door.

"Did you buy all of Volterra?" I joked as Emmett laughed from the other side.

"Just about." He called causing me to giggle.

"Shopping was great. I got you a few outfits, but you must join me next time." Rose answered.

"Why do you look ready for bed?"

"I'm exhausted, Rose. I want to grab some dinner and head to bed." I explained as she pouted.

"But I wanted to check out the nightlife." She complained.

"Not tonight, you go ahead with Emmett if you want." I answered as Emmett came in with at least

five bags of stuff for me.

"No partying for you?" Emmett questioned as I shook my head.

"Not tonight." I repeated as he shrugged. One thing I loved about Emmett was that he just

dropped things. He would tease, but he didn't argue.

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