Title: Masquerade

Author: Lisa

Chapter: Prologue

Rating: PG

Author's Notes:

Hi minna! It's been several months since I finished up "Shipwrecked," so I thought it'd be fun to start a new multi-chapter fic set during the Silver Millennium. I've been toying with this plot for awhile, and there promises to be a fair amount of moving pieces with this one, so I hope you'll enjoy! As always, please do leave a quick review at the end and let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and the others don't belong to me, but this story does.

"Minako-chan, do you ever wonder what's out there? What it's like?"

Sky-blue eyes regarded her protector and close friend with undisguised curiosity. Despite the rather ambiguous questions, Sailor Venus, or more commonly known among her friends as Minako (or even more affectionately, Minako-chan), knew exactly what her beloved princess was really asking. Princess Serenity, for all her unsurpassed beauty and countless charms, was never one for subtlety, if her singular, longing gaze directed toward the looming blue-green planet before them served as any indication. Though Minako had to admit, as she drew in a slow breath before answering, it truly was a breathtaking sight, shimmering in all its glory amid a backdrop of winking stars.

"Sere, if you're referring to Earth, then my answer hasn't changed from the last five times you asked today," Minako replied wryly. It was perhaps no way to speak to the crown princess of the Moon Kingdom and future queen of the Silver Millennium, but years of laughter, whispered confidences and even shared tears could wear down the strongest dictates of royal protocol. In fact, Minako dared to say that she regarded Serenity as more of a sister than her precious charge, who she was destined to protect with her very life.

Instead of taking offence at Sailor Venus' sarcastic response, Serenity merely sighed and continued indulging in her wistful fantasies. "It's such a shame really. Earth being this close, yet we cannot so much as step foot on their soil without apparently inciting planetary outrage."

Serenity had always felt inexplicably drawn to Earth, even as a young girl. As the years passed, her childish fascination had given way to something deeper, more yearning, as if there was an...and here words usually failed her when she tried to describe Earth's pull on her…an...emptiness within her desperately seeking to be filled with increasing urgency. It was equal parts frustration and fear that now kept the princess awake at night, wondering why she couldn't shake away the lure of the strictly forbidden.

"Cheer up, Sere," a new, slightly gruffer voice joined the mix. Serenity lifted her head and was greeted with the welcome sight of the rest of her Inner Court. "In just over a month, you will have princes and lords of countless kingdoms all coming here in the hopes of winning your hand. Can you imagine? Every night there will be balls, and dinners, and dancing and…" Sailor Jupiter trialed off in into a dreamy silence while Serenity merely lifted her eyebrows, clearly unimpressed by the thought of her impending betrothal and all the pomp and circumstance that unfortunately such an event entailed. The princess had always hated being the center of attention, and now she would soon be forced to be main attraction to various eligible men all vying for the ultimate prize—her hand and, of course, her kingdom and the unspeakable power that came with it. Instead of feeling encouraged, Serenity now felt the weight of her birthright come crushing down her slender shoulders. How she could stomach close to a month of lackluster interactions and faked smiles before "choosing" her husband and future king (though she suspected the choice was not as much in her control as her mother may be letting on) was beyond her.

"Mako-chan, if you are so keen on being courted by these men, then perhaps you should be my replacement. It would be a welcome change, I promise you." The princess' tone was light, but she was only half teasing—she would gladly switch places with Makoto or any of the rest of her senshi if given the opportunity.

"Ah, a princess can only dream," Makoto said wistfully. "But really Sere, the thought of all those handsome and powerful men desperate for just one small smile, one quick glance in their direction doesn't appeal to you in the slightest?"

Serenity's next words clung to the crisp evening air. "Perhaps if Prince Endymion were invited…"

The Earth Prince was, by all accounts of the lucky few who have had the rare opportunity to set eyes on him, handsome beyond belief. He was the constant topic of princesses and ladies of the court at balls and other social gatherings, where whispers of his stormy eyes and jet black hair spread viciously like wildfire. Serenity was never one to listen to the gossips much (having frequently been the subject of such gossips herself), yet she couldn't help but drink in their giggling, breathless chatter with a thirst that only grew worse with subsequent conversation. Some ladies claimed to have fainted at the sight of him, which the princess thought a touch melodramatic. Some ladies really did have a flair for hyperbole, in Serenity's opinion. However, even assuming that reality never exceeds—or indeed, rarely even meets—expectations, Prince Endymion must still have been quite handsome to elicit such violent professions of love and adoration. How Serenity longed to lay eyes on the man himself, if only to finally quench the burning in her parched throat.

"Sere, you know that is impossible." A comforting hand rested on her shoulder, and Serenity looked up and into the warm violet eyes of the fiery senshi of Mars. For all of Rei's outwardly feisty temperament, the princess had always found Sailor Mars' presence soothing, and Serenity frequently turned to her for guidance and trusted—if not at times painfully truthful—advice.

"I realize that, Rei-chan," Serenity replied quietly. She let out a breath that she hadn't realized she been holding and lowered her flushed cheeks into her hands. "You must all think I am slowly descending into a dark pit of madness and obsession."

"Well, when you phrase it that way…" Minako drawled, only to receive a quick slap from Rei.

"They say he may be the most handsome man in our entire system," a quiet voice added, to the group's surprise. Sailor Mercury's cheeks immediately turned crimson as four pairs of wide eyes turned their attention to her, but she was determined to finish her speech. Certainly not the most vocal of Serenity's closest companions, it wasn't as if she was blind or deaf herself. "And they say he has just emerged victorious after a months-long internal war on Earth, defeating the various pockets of rebellion that had sprung up after the tragic loss of the king and queen."

Serenity's ears perked at the mention of war, and her mind immediately formulated an image of an apparently heartbreakingly and faint-inducing prince with eyes the color of the oceans, riding high on his stallion with his sword brandished, defeating his enemies with fell swoops of his deadly weapon. The princess' head began to swim at the thought. If he truly was as magnificent as his admirers claimed, then she herself may have some trouble staying upright and conscious.

"You know what they also say about him…" Makoto added slowly, shooting a quick glance toward her princess as she carefully chose her next words. "They don't call him the Ice Prince for no reason."

Serenity felt her head might explode, as the weight of the day's lessons, her impending betrothal, and the enigma that was Prince Endymion trampled her frazzled nerves. Was it…was it possible to be in love with a shadow, a fantasy of a man that she did not—and perhaps would not ever—know?

"Please, Minna-chan, I would like to retire for the evening."

"Of course, Princess." Minako bowed, as if suddenly realizing their differences in station, and the other senshi followed suit. "Get some rest, it has been a long day. We can talk more in the morning if you would like."

As the girls shuffled out of Serenity's bedchambers in quick succession, Sailor Venus turned and gave her princess one final glance, concern etched on her delicate features. There was something…off…about Serenity, she could sense it. All Minako could do was hope that her beloved charge would not do anything rash, given all the pressure she was currently having to endure. That was the last thing the kingdom needed.

With the morning came clarity. Serenity opened her eyes slowly, shading her face from the warm rays of sunlight that pierced through her silk curtains. A gentle breeze wafted in through the partially open window, and Serenity savored the cool fall breeze against her bare skin. She sat up and rubbed the last remnants of a surprisingly dreamless sleep from her eyes, then stretched her tense muscles, rigid from inactivity. Her actions were completed with a calmness and grace befitting her royal birth. She knew what she had to do, once and for all, to end the torment that had plagued her with increasing strength.

She had to go to Earth. She had to see him, even for just one fleeting glance. She had to make her shadow prince a reality, no matter the cost.

A bit of a slow start in setting the scene, but I promise there will be lots of action (and interaction between our favorite couple) to come! Please let me know what you think. Reviews will help encourage me to update faster!

This story was written and posted June 2017.