Honor or Pleasure?
Serena woke to the sound of her god mother Addie calling her name. She wiped her eyes free from sleep as she got out of her bed. She put on her peasant clothes which was just a simple dress that hung to her and no shoes. She brushed her hair and quickly made her way down the stairs to smile at her mother already busy cooking. She kissed her cheek and waited for her first chore.
"Serena, dear, will you go and get some of the eggs that are newly hatched?" She told her as she put in more flour to the mix that she was stirring. Serena nodded yes as she put on her apron and walked out of the house to the chicken coop. She then whistled to the chickens and dropped food to occupy them as she grabbed the eggs and put then in her apron gently. She then walked back to mother and put the eggs in the ice box.
"Now can you go and pick the strawberries, they should be rip now." She called as Serena was already leaving. As Serena picked the strawberries she sung a soft tune. A tune she leaned from dreams she had. The dreams she had every night. She was so consumed with her picking and singing she didn't notice someone approach.
"Dear maiden where did you learn that tune?" Said a gentle voice. Serena turned around sharply dropping all the strawberries. She came to face a man she could only call magnificent. He had black hair and dark blue eyes that sparkled. He was broad and tan. She was so stunned she couldn't speak.
"Do you need assistance?" He asked her. She shook her head no with her eyes still wide.
"What is your name dear maiden?" He asked with a smile.
"What are you doing here?" She asked as she remembered the rules her mother told her.
"I heard you singing a tune that seemed familiar," He replied shocked at her rudeness. He wasn't use to that, but for some reason liked being treated equal.
"I dreamed of it." She answered. He nodded.
"What is your name?" He asked.
"Serena" She answered him hesitant. He smiled. She picked her strawberries and stood up facing him.
"It's been a pleasure meeting you, your highness." She said smiling at his shock. She turned and walked away.
"If you didn't want to be notice you should dress less fitting" She called over her shoulder chuckling to herself. He smiled at her, she wasn't like any other. He liked that the most. He decided then that he was to meet her here tomorrow. He walked back to his chariot. He rode into the woods and into his kingdom. He smiled as he approached the castle and saw his father already running to and fro in panic, as usual. He jumped off his steed and greeted his father with a nod. His father stopped him.
"Darien, I have splendid news!" He shouted with booming pride.
"What is ti father?" He asked still smiling over his visit with madam Serena.
"In a month your bride will come out of her hiding and you will be wed that day" He said smiling, putting the sun to shame. Darien's face fell.
"I must go father I wearied myself out with my daily run I should now go rest, see you at the feast" He said kissing his fathers cheek and leaving for his chambers. Her fell into a deep sleep and dreamed of the maiden Serena. Her lips a rosy pink and her hair silver blonde that put the stars to shame and her eyes the color of the clear waters of a stream. She must have been the age of sixteen if not months younger. She was a good foot below him but with a body that competed to that of Aphrodite. She was splendor in all it's glory and more. He dreamed of running his fingers in her soft locks as their lips met in a compassionate kiss.
Serena entered her humble abode after her meeting with the prince of the kingdom south of hers. She greeted her mother after she put the strawberries in a basket. She then went to clean the house thinking of her prince. The day came and went fast as she mostly dreamed of him holding her in his arms watching the sun set. She woke to a bright day and yawned as she was a good hour ahead of her mother which was a big surprise. She dressed in her usual and frolicked down the stairs and out the front door. She went in the woods in search of flowers when she heard the gallop of a horse. She smiled as she hid behind a near by tree and peered to see the prince looking at the house looking for her.
"May I help you, your highness?" She asked as she strolled towards him holding a bouquet of sunflowers. He smiled wide at her which made her smile as well.
"You may call me by my first name" He replied. She raised a eyebrow at his openness.
"And what is your first name? I am only familiar with your last." She told him.
"Darien" He told her. She smiled at his kindness.
"Your still haven't stated your purpose here, Darien" She said smirking evily.
"Oh but I though I made it clear" He said shocked and humored.
"Oh but do explain." She said playing along with him.
"I came here to have one of those marvelous strawberries you were picking just yesterday." He said. Her face fell.
"I will get you one if you like." She said trying not to look at him to try and hide her disappointment that must have been plastered on her face. He chuckled.
"No Serena I didn't come to have a strawberry." he said as she turned to leave to her house but stopped at his last statement.
"The what for?" She asked him feeling angered. How dare he come to her and tease her vulnerable heart. He strolled to her and-