Story: Beloved Midnight

Chapter: Prologue

Anime: Sailor Moon

Pairing: Serenity/Endymion

Rated: Teen

Author's Notes: Honestly, I wrote this on a whim. I don't plan on it being long, maybe five chapters. Well, hope you enjoy it.

It has been ten years. Ten years since the man I loved walked out on me. Ten years ago, I was introduced to my betrothal, but the minute he laid eyes on me, he was gone. I watched with tears bubbling in my eyes as he screamed and shouted at his parents. He didn't want me. He didn't want any of the things I offered him, his kingdom or his people. He didn't care if it hurt me or my family. All he cared about was going home, and never coming back.

I, on the other hand, did care. The moment I laid eyes on him, I was hooked. I couldn't stop looking at his perfect face and black hair, perfect body, and perfectly gorgeous deep blue eyes. He was stunning, and I fell in love at first sight. I didn't need to get to know him because I already knew what his personality could hold. I didn't care that he didn't love me. I didn't care that he despised me or my family. All I wanted was for him to stay, to never leave me.

He did. His parents couldn't take all the arguing so they left with him leading the way. I remember watching them, this time with tears flowing down my face in a frenzy, look back at my parents with a disappointed expression on their faces. An expression my parents returned equally as strong. My mother had tried to comfort me, but I was heartbroken. I'd lost him, and I could feel deep in my gut that he was never coming back.

--

Now, twenty years old, I was fast approaching my twenty first birthday. That could only mean that I was soon going to be eligible to take the throne, which meant that the palace was as loopy as could be. Yes, loopy. Everyone was going crazy. Though, the worst of them all was my mother, Queen Serenity.

My mother was a goddess literally and metaphorically. She was the most beautiful woman in the world. She had the longest pale lavender hair that was traditionally tied up into two buns with streams of her hair flowing from them on the sides of her head. She was tall and slim, and she had lavender eyes. My mother was the most graceful, kindhearted person I ever met. To me, she was perfect, though, she had denied that opinion of mine several times, saying no one is perfect.

Everyone I had ever met always told me I was like a carbon copy of my mother. I looked almost exactly like her, except for a few things that set us apart. My hair was also extremely long, reaching my ankles, but unlike her pale lavender color I adored a breathtaking shinny silver. My eyes weren't lavender either; they were a sapphire blue with specks of silver spotted around the edges. Also, I wasn't as tall as my mother. I came to her shoulders. But the most distinctive comparison of all is the fact that I am in no way as graceful as she is. I have had several klutzy moments throughout my life, most being terribly embarrassing. Unlike her, I am also in no way perfect, either, far from perfect to be exact. I think that the only real similarities between us are the common fact that I am her daughter and we share the same first name, Serenity.

There was a knock on my bedroom's door with a voice following it. "Serenity! Isn't it about time you woke up?" I groaned. Of course, it would be Luna. I twisted to the other side of my fluffily soft bed, and glared at the clock. It was seven o'clock in the morning.

"Luna! It's seven!" I said, yelling loud enough that she could hear me, "Have you ever heard of sleeping in?"

"If you want, princess, I can start waking you up at six during the week. Then, during the weekends, I can wake you up at seven, making it sleeping in. Would you prefer that?" Her sarcastic whit flowed strongly from her mouth and through the door, making me twitch in irritation. I groaned loudly, and pulled the covers down, already starting to climb up from the bed.

"Get in here," I said, gritting my teeth from saying anything improper. I enjoyed my rest and hated when it was disturbed. I was already making my way to the bathroom when Luna walked in. She raised her arms above her head in frustration, like she did every morning.

"I don't think I'll ever understand you and your sleeping habits, Serenity. You know that the only time we let you sleep till you can't sleep any more is on your birthday and when you're sick," Luna said, going to my closet to pick out my clothes for the day. She usually prepared my clothes, accessories and anything else pertaining to the day while I took a quick shower. When I was finished, I walked back into my bedroom with a towel wrapped around my body and my hair pilled on top of my head. Luna handed me a pale pink dress with a set of undergarments. I went back into the bathroom to dress.

I came back out. "How's this?"

Luna cocked her head to the side and placed her index finger to the corner of her mouth. Then, she smiled. "I like it."

I rolled my eyes and went to sit down at my vanity. Luna came up behind me, quickly styling my hair traditionally while I put my jewelry and makeup on. The last thing was putting my shoes on. Today, thankfully, was only a pair of matching pink flat bottoms that would be mostly hidden under my dress. I was grateful for that. Finally, we were walking out the door and heading towards the breakfast room.

As usual, my parents were sitting at the opposite ends, waiting for me to make my entrance. My father, King Sol, wasn't always at home. He usually was out traveling the solar system, checking on everything imaginable. My father was a beautiful man. I looked almost nothing like him, except for the eyes. He had blue eyes, but mine were deeper than his. He had pale blonde hair that was always gelled back. He was tanner than my mother and I. We were pale, like our lunarian ancestors. You'd think he would be a very tan, considering he comes from the sun. He was a tall man, but he was barely taller than my mother. I love my father, but sometimes it's hard to tell that we're related.

"Good morning, your highnesses," I said, respectably curtsying before I took my seat. My parents smiled at me, nodding in greeting. Our breakfast was quickly served after the greetings, making the table go quiet with the exception of the scrapping of forks. This was normal at breakfast.

"Serenity," My mother said, slowing her fork's movements, "Your father and I need to talk to you about something important." This was different. They usually waited to spill important things during dinner not in the middle of breakfast.

I glanced at my father who had stopped eating completely. I looked back at my mother. "What is it?"

She placed her fork back on the table, motioning for her plate to be taken away. "Now, we all know that your birthday is in a month." I nodded. "Your coronation is going to take place afterwards as soon as I see that you are ready."

"Mother, I already know this," I said. A servant was about to take my plate, but my glare made them stop and flitter back to the wall.

"Serenity, there are some laws that have to be addressed before you become queen," my father said, looking at the servant that just left to come take my plate. This time my glare didn't stop them.

"Like what?" I paused. "Oh, no. Don't say it, please."

"Serenity, you know it cannot be helped," my mother said. I groaned, falling back into my chair. "Don't slouch, child. You know this was to be expected. Marriage is necessary for a princess before she can become queen. It's an ancient law that can't be overridden."

I rolled my eyes. "Why not? You're king and queen. You make the rules so you can change them just as easily. Please, at least just this once. I've told you that I don't want to marry. Suitors were all I knew during my sixteenth year. I don't want to go through that again."

"I know, dear, I know. This time it's crucial, though."

"What makes you think that meeting all those men again will change my mind this time? I didn't like them the first time. I know I won't the second time. No, no. I refuse," I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Are you saying that you would rather give up the throne than marry?" my mother said seriously.

"No, I don't want to do that."

"Then, you don't have a choice, Serenity." It was my father. "You either marry one of the suitors or you give up your place as the next queen. There is no other option."

I sighed in defeat. "What's going to happen?"

My mother smiled. "We have invited several suitors to stay with us during the next few weeks. There will be a new set each week until you pick your choice. It is your choice, Serenity, but there has to be a choice. Once you two are wedded, you can be crowned."

I nodded, still not liking the idea. I knew that I didn't have a say anymore in the matter. I looked at my parents faces and it was clear. They had already decided this for me, and if I didn't choose a suitor in time, they would do it for me. I was sure that the first set of men were already on their way.

What do you think of the prologue? Was it good? Does it make you want to read more? I hope so! Thanks for reading, and tell me what you think.

REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!

MoonlightMaiden14

P.S. I know I said that my next new story was going to be 'Moonlit Shore', but I plan on making that story longer than this will be. Besides, this story was written on a whim, meaning it wasn't expected. I don't know when MS will be out. I'll probably start it after APNF has been completed.