FORBIDDEN PASSION
Ishtar: Hey guys! I wrote another fic! I really wrote it for my friends and myself but I figure to put it up To see how it goes. Sorry, there are no Sailor scouts or GW boys except Moon and Yuy. The Only person is Darien ( Bashing). I do own the plot and all the characters except for Moon&Yuy. Also, there may be mistakes so don't be harsh. Heero is out of character. P.S. This is long chapt. Lawyers: Good girl Ishtar.
Ishtar: I know I know.
THE SOUND OF HEELS ECHOED IN THE DARKENED PALACE HALLS; SLOW STEP AFTER SLOW STEP.THE CLICKING STOPPED IN FRONT OF A LARGE WOOD-CARVED OAK DOOR.TWO KNOCKS AND A PUSH MOVED THE HEAVYSET WOOD. THE WALLS WERE SHINING WITH THE MOON WITH IT'S SILVER LIGHT GLINTING OFF METALS.THE HEELS CLICKED AGAIN AS THEY MADE THERE WAY TO A FOUR POSTER BED. A SHAKY HAND ROSE IN THE AIR."COME TO ME." SAID A QUIVERING VOICE. THE HEELS CLICKED AGAIN, STOPPING AT THE SIDE OF THE BED. A SLINDER HAND REACHED OUT TO TOUCH THE BONY ONE."YES, WHAT IS IT. WHAT IS IT YOU NEED, FATHER?" COUGHING RACKED THE SMALL MAN'S BODY. "MY DEAR," THE OLD MAN STARTED,"WILL YOU LOOK AFTER THE KINGDOM WHEN I'M GONE?" THE FIGURE NODDED." OF COARSE.BUT FATHER, YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF IT YOURSELF. YOU WILL GET BETTER, YOU'LL SEE." THE OLD MAN TRIED TO LAUGH.HE ONLY SUCCEEDED IN MORE GUT-WRENCHING COUGHS. THE FIGURE LOOKED ACROSS THE BED AT AN ANOTHER FIGURE. THE FIGURE WAS A DOCTOR.THE DOCTOR LOOKED AT THE FIGURE, AND MOTIONED TO THE DOOR."REST NOW FATHER." THE FIGURE SAID, WHILE PULLING THE COVERS UP TO THE OLD MAN'S HEAD.
THE DOCTOR AND THE FIGURE WALKED OUT, CLOSING THE DOOR BEHIND THEM."WILL HE BE OKAY?" THE FIGURE ASKED WORRIEDLY. "THE KING HAS PHEMONEA.VERY BAD INFACT. MAKE HIM COMFORTABLE, HE MAY NOT LIVE MUCH LONGER." THE FIGURE NODDED SLIGHTLY. THE DOCTOR TURNED AND WALKED DOWN THE HALL, LEAVING THE FIGURE'S SIGHT. THE FIGURE SIGHED HEAVILY. "SERENITY!" YELLED A VOICE. THE FIGURE KNOWN AS SERENITY TURNED. THE QUEEN-ALSO SERENITY'S MOTHER- RUSHED DOWN THE HALL."WELL, IS YOUR FATHER GOING TO BE OK?" SERENITY LOOKED AWAY. THE QUEEN GASPED."HE WANTS US TO BE HAPPY, I KNOW IT."SERENITY TURNED." HE WILL GET WELL.TOMMORROW SHALL GO AS PLANNED. MEET WITH THE FOREIGNERS. WE MUST KEEP THE KINGDOM HAPPY." THE QUEEN NODDED."I KNOW! WE WILL HAVE A BALL, INVITING EVERY ELIGABLE MAN." SERENITY SIGHED. 'NOT ANOTHER BALL,' SHE THOUGHT. SERENITY LOOKED OUTSIDE THE PALACE WINDOWS. THE SUN WAS RISING. IT WAS A NEW DAY IN FRANCE.
AS THE SUN ROSE IN THE SKY, THE KINGDOM AWOKE. FIRST TO WAKE WERE THE CHILDREN; THEN THE MOTHER, BEAKONING THEM TO GO BACK TO SLEEP, AND THE FATHER GRUMBLING HIS MORNING CURSES OF, "I HATE WORK. DAMN THE PERSON WHO INVENTED IT." YES, THE KINGDOM WAS NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY KINGDOM IN THE MORNING.
INSIDE THE PALACE, PRINCESS SERENITY SAT, WAITING ON THE FOREIGN KNIGHTS TO ARRIVE. UNLIKE OTHER PRINCESSES, SERENITY HAD SILVER HAIR AND EYES. HER HAIR WAS IN TWO HEART-SHAPED BUNS ON TOP HER HEAD.UNLIKE OTHER PRINCESSES, SERENITY LOVED TO READ. SHE WOULD OFTEN BE FOUND IN THE LIBRARY, WITH HER NOSE STUCK IN A BOOK. SHE ALSO DID SWORD FIGHTING. THAT WAS SOMETHING A PRINCESS WOULD NEVER DO. ALSO UNLIKE OTHER PRINCESSES, SHE BROKE MANY RULES. RULES LIKE: NEVER RUN IN THE HALLS, ACT LADYLIKE, HAVE YOUR SERVENTES DO EVERYTHING FOR YOU, AND NEVER BE LATE FOR A MEETING WITH A SUITOR. SERENITY HATED SUITORS. THEY WOULD ACT POLITE INFRONT OF YOUR PARENTS, BUT BE CRUEL IN PRIVATE.
SERENITY SIGHED.THE FOREIGNERS WERE LATE.THEN SHE REMEMBERED.MEN ARE MEN, THEY CAN NEVER BE ON TIME.SHE LOOKED AROUND HER.BOOK-FILLED SHELVES SURROUNDED HER. THE LIBRARY WAS A GOOD IDEA. SHE COULD HIDE FROM HER MOTHER'S CONSTANT RANTING ON HOW GREAT THE BALL WILL BE, AND SHE COULD READ IN PRIVACY. THE LIBRARY DOOR OPENED, ALLOWING SERENITY'S MAID-SHA'RIE- IN WITH A CUP OF FRESHLY BREWED TEA, AND HONEY GLAZED BICUITS. "MA'AM, TEA TIME." SHA'RIE SAID, PLACING THE TRAY INFRONT OF SERENITY. "THANK YOU SHA'RIE." SERENITY SAID. AS SERENITY REACHED FOR THE CUP, A BELL WENT OFF. "THE KNIGHTS IS HERE MA'AM. THE QUEEN SAID THAT YOU GONNA TAKE CARE OF IT." SERENITY LOOKED AT HER MAID. "WILL YOU STAY BY MY SIDE, SHA'RIE?" SHA'RIE LOOKED AT SERENITY AS IF SHE WAS CRAZY. "NO MA'AM. I GOTS TO GO YONDER TO THE KITCHEN AND MAKE YA'LLS LUNCH. "SHA'RIE PUSHED SERENITY INFRONT OF HER. "NOW MISTRESS, BE KIND TO THEM MEN," SHA'RIE SAID HURRIDLY. "DON'T TAKE THAT BAD ANGER OF YOURS OUT ON THEM MEN. THEY'S GONNA' CHOP YOU UP IF YOU DO." SHA'RIE LEAD SERENITY TO THE THRONE ROOM."NOW YOU WAIT RIGHT HERE.DON'T GO NO WHERES, YOU HEAR ME OR I'S GONNA' CHOP YOU UP MYSELF."
SHA'RIE LEFT SERENITY IN THE THRONE ROOM. SERENITY STOOD, STRAIGHTENED HER DRESS AND SAT BACK DOWN. SHE HAD NEVER DONE HER PARENT'S JOB BEFORE. SHE WAS GOING TO DO IT SOONER OR LATER. WHY COULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN LATER?
THE KNIGHTS GRUMBLED.THEY HAD JUST CAME TO FRANCE, AND THEY WERE BEING FORCED TO MEET WITH THE ROYALS."HEY WOMAN, WHY CAN'T WE HAVE A FEW MINUTES TO REST, HUH? I MEAN, WE WERE TRAVLING FOR A LONG TIME." SHA'RIE STOPPED. "MY NAME IS SHA'RIE. YOU GOT THAT, SHA'RIE." SHA'RIE TURNED AND WALKED AGAIN. SHE STOPPED AGAIN INFRONT OF THE THRONE ROOM. SHE OPENED THE DOOR. "NOW YOU MEN BE NICE. IF YOU AIN'T, I'LL CHOP YOU UP AND PUT YOU IN THE COOKER." SHA'RIE PUSHED THE MEN THROUGH; THE DOOR SLAMMING SHUT BEHIND THEM.THE MEN MADE A LINE INFRONT OF THE STONE STEPS BEFORE THE THRONE. THEMEN LOOKED AT WHOM THEY WERE GOING TO BOW TO. 'NOT ANOTHER WOMAN,' THEY THOUGHT.
AS THE KNIGHTS BOWED, SERENITY DECIDED TO LOOK EACH ONE OVER.ON THE RIGHT WAS THE OLDEST OF THE GROUP OF FIVE. SHE THEN LOOKED TO THE LEFT. THE LAST KNIGHT WAS OBVISOUSLY THE YOUNGEST. "INTROUCE YOURSELVES, STRANGERS." SERENITY SAID IN A REGAL TONE. "JOHNSON WILLMAN," SAID THE OLDEST BOWING. SERENITY NODDED. "ELLOITT HUNTSMAN." THE MAN BOWED. "BRADLEY MARSHALL." HE ALSO BOWED. "JAMES FARMET." JAMES BOWED SLIGHTLY. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?" SERENITY ASKED. "MY BACK, YOUR HIGHNESS." SERENITY LOOKED AT HIM. "THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU AFTER YOU ARE DISMISSED." SERENITY LOOKED AT THE LAST KNIGHT. "STATE YOUR NAME." THE YOUNGEST KNIGHT RAISED HIS HEAD. "HEERO YUY." THE KNIGHT BOWED, TAKING AFTER THE OTHERS. "YOU ARE AWFULLY YOUNG TO BE A KNIGHT. YOU ARE FRENCH, YES?" HEERO NODDED. "I WAS BORN HERE.I LIVED HERE TILL I WAS TRANSFERED, YOUR MAGISTY." SERENITY SMILED.
"I AM SORRY THAT MY PARENTS ARE NOT HERE TO GREET YOU, BUT MY MOTHER IS PLANNING A BALL IN YOUR HONOR." SERENITY LIED ABOUT THE BALL.IT WAS PLANNED IN HER HONOR NOT THERE'S. "I AM PRINCESS SERENITY. I WILL BE SURVEYING YOUR PROGRESS HERE IN FRANCE." JOHNSON BROKE OUT LAUGHING. "YOU A WOMAN! SURVEYING US MEN! THAT'S A LAUGH ISN'T IT BOYS!" JOHNSON AND THREE OTHER KNIGHTS LAUGHED. "I BROKE A NAIL! SOMEONE HELP ME IM GONNA' DIE!" JOHNSON KEPT LAUGHING.
SERENITY ROSE OUT OF HER THRONE, HER HAIR SREADING OUT IN HER ANGER. SHE HAD SHOWN KINDNESS. SHE HAD RESPECTED THEM, AND THEY INSULT HER? SHE COULD DO ANYTHING A MAN COULD DO. "HOW DARE YOU INSULT A ROYAL! I HAVE THE RIGHT MIND TO HANG YOU FOR DISRESPECT!" SERENITY GLIDED DOWN THE STAIRS.SHE STOOD INFRONT OF EVERY MAN, SLAPPING EACH ONE HARD ENOUGH FOR THEM TO STEP BACK. "YOU FOUR WILL GO TO YOUR CHAMBERS THE REST OF THE DAY! NO FOOD! YOU WILL STAY THERE UNTIL IT IS TIME FOR THE BALL!" "BUT THE DOCTOR MA'AM?" SERENITY LOOKED AT JAMES. "OUT BEFORE I REMOVE YOU FROM MY SIGHT MYSELF!" THE MEN BOWED QUICKLY, THEN SCURRIED OFF.
SERENITY TURNED TO THE SOUL SURVIVOR OF HER ANGER."I'M SORRY YOU HAD TO SEE THAT, STRANGER."SERENITY SAID, STANDING INFRONT OF HEERO.THE DOOR OPENED. "LUNCH IS A READY." SHA'RIE SAID.SHE LOOKED AROUND. "WERE THEM OTHER MEN AT?"SERENITY LOOKED AT SHA'RIE."THEY ARE IN THEIR CHAMBERS.THEY HAVE INSULTED ME, SO IN RETURN, THEY WILL STAY IN THEIR CHAMBERS THE REST OF THE DAY.NO FOOD.NO DOCTORS, AND CERTAINLY NO MAIDS.THEY WILL COME OUT WHEN THE BALL STARTS." SHA'RIE NODDED."THIS WAY PLEASE."
SHA'RIE LEAD SERENITY AND HEERO TO THE DINNING HALL, WHERE LUNCH WAS AWAITING.SERENITY WAS ABOUT TO PULL THE CHAIR OUT SO SHE COULD SIT, BUT HEERO CAME UP BEHIND HER AND PULLED THE CHAIR OUT FOR HER."THANK YOU." SERENITY SAID AFTER HEERO HAD SAT DOWN."HERE YOU GO, MA'AM, SIR."SHA'RIE SAID PLACING A PLATE INFRONT OF EACH.AT THAT MOMENT THE QUEEN CAME IN; TAKING HER RIGHTFULL PLACE NEXT TO SERENITY.HEERO STOOD AND WALKED BEHIND THE QUEEN. HE DID THE SAME THING TO THE QUEEN, THAT HE DID WITH SERENITY.HE SAT DOWN AGAIN."SO POLITE.I WISH THERE WERE MORE MEN LIKE YOU."SAID THE QUEEN.SHE LOOKED AROUND."ARE YOU THE ONLY KNIGHT WHO CAME?"HEERO SHOOK HIS HEAD NO. "THE OTHER KNIGHTS WERE VERY RUDE, MOTHER.THEY INSULTED ME SO I PUNISHED THEM."THE QUEEN GASPED."I'M GOING TO GO HANDLE THIS RUDENESS."THE QUEEN SAID."YOUR DAUGHTER HANDLED IT QUITE WELL, I A SURE YOU."HEERO SAID."GOOD.NO ONE IS RUDE TO MY BABY." THE QUEEN SAID."MOTHER!"SERENITY HISSED.
THE LUNCH WAS WONDERFUL.WINE OF EVERY FLAVOR, CHEESE OF EVERY TYPE, MEATS OF ALL KINDS, VEGETABLES OF ALL SORTS; SHA'RIE HAD REALLY OUT-DONE HERSELF.AS LUNCH PROGRESSED, SERENITY FOUND OUT MANY THINGS ABOUT HEERO.HIS MOTHER AND FATHER ARE GOOD FRIENDS WITH THE ROYAL FAMILY, HE IS EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD, AND HE IS A MASTER SWORDSMAN.SERENITY WAS VERY IMPRESSED.SHE WAS BEGINNING TO LIKE HEERO.SHE BEGAN TO LIKE HIM A LOT.
THE KNIGHTS GRUMBLED.EACH HOLDING THEIR CHEEK, THEY CURSED SERENITY."I'M HUNGRY DAMN IT! I NEED SOME DAMN FOOD!"GROWLED ELLIOTT.ELLIOTT, WITH JET BLACK HAIR WAS A RESONABLE MAN.HE WAS PUGGY YET SKINNY AT THE SAME TIME.THE ONLY THING THAT YOU COULD DO TO GET ON HIS BAD SIDE WAS TO MESS WITH HIS FOOD. "DON'T I KNOW IT.I REALLY NEED A DOCTOR NOW, MY CHEEK FEELS LIKE IT'S ON FIRE."JAMES COMPLAINED.JAMES, WHO'S CHARMING PERSONALITY WAS ONLY HALF OF HIM, HAD BLONDE HAIR THAT COVERED HIS EARS.SKINNY AND ATHLETIC, HIS SMILE COULD WOE ANY GIRL THAT HE WANTED TO SEDUCE."THAT LITTLE WENCH MADE A RED MARK ON ME." BRADLEY SAID LOOKING IN THE MIRROR.BRADLEY, WITH HIS RED HAIR AND FRECKELS, WAS THE SAME AS JAMES.TO HIM, LOOKS WERE EVERYTHING."NO MAIDS! SHE MUST BE TRYING TO KILL ME!" JOHNSON SAID IN ANGER.JOHNSON, THE MOST PERVERTED OF ALL FIVE, LOVED WOMEN.SHABBY BLONDE HAIR COVERED HIS EYES.HE WAS PUGGY AS WELL BUT HE WAS STILL FIT."NO ONE IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WOMEN THAN YOU, WILLY."ELLIOTT SAID.
"THIS IS YOUR CHAMBER."SERENITY SAID TO HEERO."THANK YOU PRINCESS SERENITY."SERENITY SMILED AT HIM."YOU CAN CALL ME SERENA."HEERO NODDED BEFORE ENTERING HIS CHAMBERS.AS HEERO SHUT THE DOOR, HE TOOK A MOMENT TO LOOK AROUND HIS ROOM.HIS ROOM DIDN'T LOOK LIKE THE CUSTOMARY ROOM FOR A KNIGHT.IT WAS SUITED FOR A PRINCE, WHICH HE CERTAINLY WAS NOT.
AS HEERO LAID HIMSELF ON THE SILKLINED BED, HE SMIRKED.HE WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO HADN'T GOTTEN IN TROUBLE.HE HAD TO MAKE SURE THAT HE BRAGGED ABOUT THE LUNCH TO HIS FELLOW KNIGHTS.HE HAD TO BE DETAILED; AFTER ALL, THEY HAD TO BE PUNISHED."SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST."HE MURMURED.THE FOUR KNIGHTS WEREN'T VERY FIT, AND THEY WOULD KILL EACH OTHER FOR FOOD.
SERENITY SLUGGISHLY WALKED TO HER ROOM.AFTER SHE HAD SLIPPED OFF HER SHOES, SHE SAT AT HER VANITY.SHE SLOWLY BRUSHED HER HAIR; SMOOTH STROKE AFTER SMOOTH STROKE.AS SHE BRUSHED HER SILVER HAIR, SHE THOUGHT.ARE ALL FOREIGN KNIGHTS RUDE? SHE WAS CERTAINLY HOPPING NOT. SERENITY SIGHED.SHE DELICATELY SET THE BRUSH DOWN.A DOOR OPENED BESIDE HER. SHA'RIE CAME OUT OF THE SECRET DOOR."SERENA? IS YOU ALRIGHT?"SERENITY NODDED."I'M SANE IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ASKING." SHA'RIE GIGGLED."SO, WHAT DRESS ARE YOU GONNA' WEAR?" SERENA LOOKED UP."I DON'T KNOW.I WAS HOPING I COULD SKIP OUT.I MEAN, DANCING WITH ALL THE ELIGABLE MEN IN FRANCE? MY MOTHER IS NOT RIGHT IN THE HEAD." SHA'RIE LAUGHED, HER BROWN LOCKS BOUNCING. SERENA LOOKED SHA'RIE UP AND DOWN."WHY DON'T YOU GO IN MY STEAD?" SHA'RIE STOPPED LAUGHING.SHA'RIE WAS A SKINNY WOMAN OF TWENTY.SHE HAD A PERFECT FIGURE, BUT SHE WAS A SLAVE.HER SKIN WAS A NICE CARAMEL COLOR.BEUATIFUL BLACK SKIN."YOU KNOW THEY'S WON'T LET ME GO.I'S GONNA COOK WITH THE OTHER COOKS."SERENA FROWNED."THEY WILL LET YOU GO.I DON'T EVEN HAVE ASK.WAIT! I GOT IT NOW.YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO GO! TRAITOR!" SHA'RIE LAUGHED. "NOW, LET'S GET YOU DRESSED.
HEERO SAT ON HIS BED CROSSLEGGED."DO I GO OR DO I STAY?"HE SIGHED.HEERO TURNED TO KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.IN CAME A PLUMP MAID.SHE BOWED. "PRINCESS SERENITY SENT ME TO GET YOU, SIR.THE BALL IS ABOUT TO BEGIN." SHE BOWED AGAIN, THEN LEFT.HEERO STILL SAT ON HIS BED."GO OR STAY?"HEERO ASKED HIMSELF AGAIN. HIS DOOR FLEW OPEN."COME ON BOY! LET'S GO!"JOHNSON PRACTICALLY YELLED TO HEERO. "I'M NOT GOING."HEERO SAID."THERE WILL BE WINE.YOUR FAVORTIE, RED INE."ELLIOTT SAID COAXING HEERO.SILENCE FIILED THE ROOM."WAIT TILL I GET MY CAPE ON."
QUEEN MARIANNETTE SAT ALONE ON HER THONE. EVERY ELIGIBLE BOY AND MAN THAT COULD COME WAS HERE.SHE SORT OF FELT SORRY FOR HER DAUGHTER.THERE WERE SO MANY MEN.HER FEET WOULD HURT AFTER TONIGHT.THE QUEEN LOOKED AT THE TALLER EMPTY THRONE BESIDE HER.SHE FELT BAD THAT HER HUSBAND COULDN'T BE HERE.THE BALL WAS HIS IDEA IN THE FIRST PLACE, IT WAS THAT HE COULN'T DO IT HIMSELF.HORNS SOUNDED, SOUNDING SERENITY'S AND THE NIGHTS' ENTRANCE. PRESENTING THE PRINCESS OF FRANCE, SERENITY, AND THE FOREIGN KNIGHTS."SERENITY CURTISIED WHILE THE KNIGHTS BOWED.SERENITY MADE HER WAY TO THE THRONE.THE BALLROOM WAS SILENT. SERENITY RAISED HER HANDS."LET THE FESTIVITES BEGAN!"SHE YELLED SO THE WHOLE ROOM COULD HEAR.EVERYONE CHEERED.EVERYONE GRABBED A PARTNER, AND BEGAN TO DANCE. "MAY I HAVE THIS DANCE?" A MAN ASKED SERENITY.SERENITY SMILED AT HIM THEN BEGAN TO DANCE HERSELF.
"WINE!"DROOLED BRADLEY."SAVE SOME FOR THE REST OF US, BRADLEY.IF YOU GUZZLE IT ALL, THERE WON'T BE ANYTHNG LEFT."FROWNED JAMES." WHATEVER."BRADLEY SAID BETWEEN GULPES OF WINE.
HEERO LOOKED AROUND WHILE SIPPING SOME RED WINE THAT HE HAD MANAGED TO SNAG BEFORE BRADLEY DRANK THE WHOLE THING.HE SAW DUKES AND DUCHESSES WITH THEIR FANCY JEWLERY AND DRESSES.HE THEN CAUGHT SIGHT OF SERENITY.SHE DIDN'T LOOK LIKE SHE WAS HAVING A GOOD TIME."HEERO? CAN I HAVE YOUR WINE?" ASKED A DRUNK BRADLEY."SURE, KNOCK YOURSELF OUT."HEERO SAID HANDING HIS GLASS TO BRADLEY.BRADLEY LOOKED AT THE CUP THEN PUT IT ALL IN HIS MOUTH. BRADLEY PASSED OUT RIGHT AFTER THAT. HEERO SHOOK HIS HEAD. HE BEGAN TO HEAD TO THE DANCE FLOOR.
SERENA WAS BEING TWIRLED AND PUSHED.SHE WAS GOING TO EACH MAN.'WHY CAN'T MOTHER MAKE AN AGE LIMIT?'SERENITY TWIRLED TILL SHE WAS IN THE ARMS OF SOMEONE NEW.SHE LOOKED UP INTO THE FACE OF HEERO."HEERO."SHE BREATHED LIGHTLY."IT LOOKED LIKE YOU NEEDED A BREAK."HEERO SAID GRUFFLY.SERENITY SMILED.
"LOOK AT HEERO.FIRST HE BRAGS ABOUT LUNCH, KNOWING WERE HUNGRY.THEN HE GOES AND DANCES WITH HER.WHY DOES HE GET SO DAMN LUCKY WITH THE LADIES!" JOHNSON ASKED ANGERLY. "HE NEVER MAKES A MOVE ON THEM."ELLIOTT SAID."HEY WILLY, THEY'RE GOING OUTSIDE!"BRADLEY YELLED AFTER BEING REVIVED. HE POINTING AT THE RETREATING FORMS OF SERENITY AND HEERO. "AFTER THEM!"HE DRUNKENLY YELLED.
SERENITY AND HEERO WALKED TO BALCONY."THANKS HEERO.I REALLY NEEDED A BREAK."SERENITY STOOD AT THE RAIL.HEERO TOOK TIME TO LOOK OVER SERENITY.SHE WAS WEARING A SILVER DRESS THAT HUGGED HER UPPER BODY BUT SLIGHTLY FLARED OUT AT THE BOTTOM.HE LOOKED AWAY."MADAM!"HEERO AND SERENITY TURNED. SHA'RIE RAN DOWN THE HALL."SHA'RIE! YOU DID COME! I KNEW THAT WAS YOU I SAW."SHA'RIE SMILED."YES, WELL I'S GOTTA GET GOIN'. BYE!'SHA'RIE YELLED RUNNING DOWN THE HALL. SOON A MAN RAN UP."EXUSE ME PRINCESS, BUT HAVE YOU SEEN SHA'RIE?" SERENITY SMILED. "SHE RAN DOWN THE HALL.THAT WAY."SERENITY POINTED BEHIND HER.THE MAN THANKED HER THEN RAN DOWN THE HALL HIMSELF.SERENITY TURNED TO TALK TO HEERO, HE WAS GONE.SHE SMILED, SHAKING HER HEAD. "NOTHING HAPPENED.NOTHING AT ALL.NO KISSING, NO HUGGING.WHAT'S HE PLAYING AT?"ASKED BRADLEY."WHAT A WASTE.AND SHE'S SO BEAUTIFUL."SAID JOHNSON.
SERENITY SAT ON HER BED, LOOKING AT THE RISING SUN.LAST NIGHT HAD BEEN WONDERFUL.SHE ATLEAST GOT TO DANCE WITH HEERO."IT WASN'T EVEN A WHOLE SONG. I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M DROOLING OVER HIM." SERENITY DECIDED TO GIVE HER FATHER A VISIT.AS SHE LEFT HER ROOM, SHA'RIE RAN INTO HER."HI."SERENITY SMILED. "HI. YOU HAD FUN LAST NIGHT DIDN'T YOU." IT WAS A STATEMENT, NOT A QUESTION.SHA'RIE BLUSHED."WELL GOTTA' RUN, BYE!" SHA'RIE SAID.SERENITY LAUGHED AS SHE WENT INSIDE HER FATHER'S ROOM. SHE ALMOST CRIED WHEN SHE SAY THAT HER FATHER WAS AWAKE, SITTING UP, AND EATING.KING JUAQUEZ LOOKED AT SERENITY.HE SMILED."HELLO SERENA."SERENA LOOKED TO HER FATHER'S RIGHT SIDE.THERE SAT HEERO WITH A BOWL OF SOUP IN HIS HANDS.HEERO GAVE HER A HALF SMILE.
"YOU SEEM TO KNOW EVERYWHERE I GO OR AM GOING."SERENITY SAID AFTER SHE AND HEERO HAD LEFT THE KING'S ROOM.HEERO LOOKED AT HER."IT'S SIMPLE.I CAN READ YOU LIKE AN OPEN BOOK."SERENITY LAUGHED LIGHTLY."SO ARE YOU TRYING TO OPEN THE SECRETS OF MY HEART? IF YOU ARE, IT WON'T WORK"HEERO LAUGHED A HEART MELTING LAUGH.THE FIRST SERENITY HAD EVER HEARD FROM HIM. "I CAN NEVER OPEN YOUR HEART, PRINCESS.I ONLY WILL IF YOU LET ME.MAYBE EVEN THEN, I STILL WON'T.""NOT EVEN IF I ASKED YOU? PLEADED WITH YOU? BEGGED YOU? "HEERO THOUGHT FOR A SECOND. "MAYBE."
"SECRETS OF THE PRINCESS'S HEART? HOW DID HE MANAGE THAT?"JOHNSON ASKED."LIKE I SAID, HE DOESN'T MAKE A MOVE ON LADIES."ELLIOTT SAID."BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS A MOVE?"BRADLEY SAID CONFUSED."DON'T THINK, BRADLEY, JUST DON'T THINK."JAMES SAID RUBBING HIS TEMPLES.
SERENITY WONDERED AROUND THE PALACE."I'M BORED.WHY DOES THIS PLACE HAVE TO BE SO BORING?"SHE SIGHED."YOU WON'T BE BORED IF YOU COME WITH US."SERENITY TURNED.BEHIND HER STOOD THE OTHER FOUR KNIGHTS."WALK WITH US. PLEASE?"SERENITY SIGHED."ALRIGHT."
AS THEY ALL WALKED THROUGH THE FLOWER GARDENS, THEN MEN KEPT RUNNING OFF AND LATER CAME BACK WITH A FLOWER.SERENITY THANKED EACH ONE GRATEFULLY.SERENITY SAT DOWN ON A BENCH, JOHNSON SITTING NEXT TO HER."SO PRINCESS, DID YOU ENJOY THE BALL LAST NIGHT?" "NOT REALLY. ACTUALLY I HATED IT." SERNITY SAID DISMISSING JOHNSON'S QUESTION.JOHNSON SCOOTED CLOSER TO SERENITY.SHE LOOKED AT HIM AS IF HE WAS CRAZY; SHE SCOOTED FARTHER DOWN THE BENCH.JOHNSON KEPT SCOOTING CLOSER, MAKING SERENITY ANGRY.FINALLY SHE HAD ENOUGH."EXCUSE ME SIR JOHNSON.I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A WALK." "I'LL GO WITH YOU." "NO!"SERENITY SIGHED AGAIN.SHE WALKED OFF. 'ANY PLACE IS BETTER THAN BEING WITH JOHNSON.' SERENITY THOUGHT AS SHE HEADED TO A FAR PART OF THE GARDEN.
HEERO DIDN'T KNOW WHY SHA'RIE HAD ASKED HIM TO HELP HER GET FLOWERS.HE WAS CURRENTLY HOLDING A KNIFE THAT WAS GETTING READY TO CUT THROUGH A ROSE STEM. "WHY DID I LET HER CONVINCE ME TO HELP HER?" HEERO ASKED HIMSELF."HOW ARE YOU DOING HEERO?"SHA'RIE ASKED FROM HER CROUCHED POSITION."FINE SHA'RIE."HEERO LIED.HE DIDN'T HAVE ON FLOWER IN HIS BASKET.HE SIGHED.'KNIGHTS AREN'T MENT TO PICK FLOWERS.WE FIGHT ENEMIES NOT FIGHT ROSE STEMS. 'FOOTSTEPS MADE HIM LOOK UP. "HELLO HEERO.YOU STALKING ME?" HEERO CHUCKLED. "HARDLY.SHA'RIE ASKED ME TO HELP HER.I DON'T KNOW WHAT MADE ME DO IT."SERENITY GIGGLED.HEERO SLICED THE STEM HE HAD BEEN HOLDING."
WHY AREN'T THE OTHERS WITH YOU?"HEERO ASKED."THEY WERE BUT THEY WERE GETTING OUT OF HAND." HEERO SHOOK HIS HEAD."ALWAYS HAVE ONE OF US WITH YOU. SOMEONE MIGHT GRAB YOU WHILE YOU'RE ALONE."HEERO WINCED AS A ROSE THORN PENITRATED HIS FLESH.HE PULLED IT OUT."ARE YOU ALRIGHT? OH, YOU'RE BLEEDING." SERENITY SAID WITH WORRY. "I'M FINE."HEERO SAID."GIVE ME YOUR FINGER, HEERO." SERENITY SAID."WHY?" "I'M GOING TO FIX IT."SERENITY GRABBED HEERO'S HAND.SHE REACHED INTO A SIDE POCKET.SHE TOOK OUT A CLOTH.SHE TORE IT THEN TIED IT AROUND HIS FINGER.AFTER SHE DID THAT, SHE KISSED HIS BANDAGED FINGER."ALL BETTER."SERENITY SAID, PROUD OF HER WORK.HEERO REACHED DOWN AND SLICED A ROSE STEM.HE HANDED IT TO HER."THANKS." HE SAID.
TWO MONTHS HAD GONE BY, AND THE KNIGHTS WERE STILL THERE.THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SERENITY AND THE KNIGHTS GREW TO FRIENDSHIP.BROTHERS SISTER LOVE. EVERYDAY SERENITY'S INNOCENT LOVE GREW STRONGER FOR HEERO.WHAT HEERO WAS SLOWLY REALIZING WAS THAT HE WAS IN LOVE WITH SERENITY.SHE WAS PRECIOUS TO HIM HE HAD TO ADMIT. HE WAS USUALLY EMOTIONLESS BUT THE VERY MOMENT HE ARRIVED AT THE CASTLE, HEERO OPENED UP, WELL, TO SERENITY ANYWAY.
SHA'RIE ROUNDED THE CORNER TO SERENITY'S ROOM.SHE STOPPED WHEN SHE HEARED GIGGLING.'HEERO'S WITH HER.I THINK IT CAN WAIT TO TELL HER.'SHA'RIE WAS ABOUT TO TURN BUT DECIDED TO LISTEN.SHE PUT HER EAR UP TO THE DOOR. SERENITY LAUGHED AS HEERO TOLD HER WHAT HAPPENED OUT IN THE TRAINING AREA."THEN ELLIOTT SLIPPED AND FELL IN THE MUD. JOHNSON TRIED TO GET TO HIM, BUT HE SLIPPED AND FELL, TOO.IT WAS HILARIOUS.IT HAPPENED THIS MORNING, BUT I STILL CAN'T STOP LAUGHING."HEERO SAID WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE.SERENITY LAUGHED AS SHE TRIED TO PAINT HEERO. WHILE SHE WAS PAINTING, SHE TOOK A MOMENT TO LOOK OVER HIM.HEERO HAD MAHOGANOY HAIR, WITH PURSSIAN BLUE EYES.HIS TALL, MUSCULAR BODY WAS SUPPORTED BY THE LITTLE BIT OF ARMOR HE WAS WEARING.'PERFECT. HE'S PERFECT. HE CERTAINLY HAS OPENED UP TO EVERYONE. I'M SO GLAD HE IS WITH ME RIGHT NOW.'
"THIS IS BORING.I'M GONNA GO MAKE DINNER.I CAN TELL HER LATER."SHA'RIE SIGHED
SERENITY PUT DOWN HER PAINTBRUSH.SHE HAD TO TELL HIM.SHE HAD TO TELL HIM WHAT SHE FELT.SHE GOT UP AND WALKED TO HEERO."I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU." SERENITY SAID.HEERO SWITHCHED HIS POSITION ON THE BED FROM LAYING TO SITTING CROSSLEGGED. "I.I.I CAN'T!" HEERO TOOK SERENITY'S FACE IN HIS HANDS. "TELL ME. "SERENITY LOOKED AT HIM. 'THIS IS IT. I HAVE TO TELL HIM.'COURAGE SERENITY, COURAGE!'SERENITY TOOK A DEEP BREATH."I LOVE YOU, HEERO.I HAVE FOR QUITE SOME TIME."SERENITY EXHALED HER BREATH.HEERO LOOKED AT HER."I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU TOO." HEERO SAID. 'REJECTION!' SERENITY THOUGHT. "I LOVE YOU TOO." SERENITY COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT SHE WAS HEARING. "YOU DO?" HEERO NODDED. AT FIRST SHE THOUGHT HEERO WAS LYING TO HER BUT HEERO STARTED SMILING A DAZZALING SMILE AT HER. HEERO SMILED AT SERENITY.THEY LEANED FOREWARD.THEIR LIPS TOUCHED IN A SOFT KISS.THEY PULLED BACK.'MY FIRST KISS!' SERENITY THOUGHT. "I DIDN'T LIKE THAT.LET'S TRY THAT AGAIN." HEERO SAID. THEY KISSED AGAIN, MAKING THIS KISS DEEPER THAN THE FIRST ONE; EXTREMELY DEEPER. HEERO WRAPPED HIS ARMS AROUND HER SLINDER WAIST, PULLING HER MORE INTO THE KISS.THE KISS DEEPENED.SERENITY POURED EVER EMOTION SHE EVER HED INTO THE KISS.AFTER WHAT SEEMED LIKE AN HOUR, THEY LET GO FOR AIR."YOU'RE MINE.NO ONE CAN HAVE YOU."HEERO WHISPERED."THE SAME TO YOU."SERENITY SAID CURRLING UP TO HEERO.
QUEEN MARIANETTE SIGHED."POOR CHLIDREN.YOUR PASSION FOR EACH OTHER IS STRICKLY FORBIDDEN.A KNIGHT AND A PRINCESS CAN NOT BE.I FEEL THE THRONE IS AT STAKE."
SERENITY AND THE KNIGHTS WERE IN THE WOODS.IT WAS THE EASIEST WAY FOR SERENITY TO PRACTICE SWORDFIGHTING WITHOUT BEING CAUGHT HEERO WATCHED SERENITY'S MOVEMENTS; MANY TIMES HE WOULD YELL AT HER TO MAKE HER MOVEMENTS MORE CRISP.HE LEANED ON A TREE.SERENITY WAS FIGHTING JAMES. JAMES WAS GOOD; GOOD BUT NOT A MASTER. HE WAS THE TRUE MASTER.HE WAS TEACHING SERENITY TO BE A MASTER.IN CASE THEY WEREN'T THERE FOR HER, SHE COULD FIGHT. JAMES FELL TO THE GROUND; SERENITY'S SWORD AT HIS THROAT. SERENITY'S FACE WAS SET.SHE WAS ONLY PRACTICING BUT TAKING IT SEREIOSLY."GIVE UP?"JAMES NODDED. "IF YOU CAN BEAT JAMES, THEN YOU MUST BE ABLE TO BEAT ME."HEERO SAID STANDING BEHIND JAMES.JAMES CRAWLED TO THE OTHER KNIGHTS. THIS FIGHT WAS GOING TO BE INTENSE.
HEERO DREW HIS SWORD.SERENITY RASIED HER SWORD; THE BATTLE HAD BEGUN.SWORD CLASHED WITH SWORD; SPARKS FLYING.HEERO SWIPED AT SERENITY, BARELY MISSING HER. SERENITY DARTED AT HEERO.SHE JUMPED AND BROUGHT HER SWORD DOWN.HEERO DODGED IT.THE FIGHTING KEPT GOING, LEAVING THE OTHER KNIGHTS IN AWE.FINALLY A BODY FELL TO THE GROUND, SWORD POINTED AT THE THROAT."GIVE UP?"THE KNIGHTS MOUTHS WERE ON THE GROUND."I'M NOT THE ONE FOR LOSING, SERENA."HEERO SWIPED SERENITY'S LEGS OUT FROM UNDER HER, MAKING HER FALL FULL LENGHT ON HIM."I STILL WON."WHISPERED SERENITY AS SHE KISSED HEERO.
"QUEEN MARIANETTE! I HAVE A MESSAGE FORM ENGLAND!"YELLED SHA'RIE AS SHE RAN IN."SHA'RIE. YOU SHOULDN'T BE RUNNING IN YOUR CONDITION."THE QUEEN SAID.SHA'RIE IGNORED HER AND GAVE HER THE MESSAGE."GIVE ME THE MESSAGE."THE QUEEN TURNED, AND WHEN SHE DID SHE SAW HER HUSBAND.SHE GAVE HIM THE MESSAGE WHILE TRYING TO HIDE HER JOTFUL TEARS.THE KING SAT ON HIS THRONE, READING THE MESSAGE.THE KING GROWLED."WHAT? WHAT IS IT?" THE KING LOOKED AT HIS WIFE."SERENITY HAS TO MARRY THE PRINCE OF ENGLAND TO KEEP OUR ALLIANCE."THE QUEEN GASPED."NOT MY MISTRESS, SIR! SHE'S JUST A YOUNGEN'. A FERLING, A KITTEN, A PUP, A TEENAGER IN LOVE! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO HER!"THE KING LOOKED AT SHA'RIE."WHO IS SHE IN LOVE WITH?"SHA'RIE LOOKED BACK AT THE KING."SIR HEERO YUY, SIRE."THE KING FROWNED."FORBIDDEN! FORBIDDEN! A KNIGHT AND A PRINCESS CAN NEVER BE!" SHA'RIE FROWNED."SHE WANTS TO BE FREE! SHE WANTS TO LOVE AS SHE PLEASES HER! THATS WHY! SHE'S SEVENTEEN NOW! SHE AIN'T A PUP! I MAY HAVE SAID THAT EARLIER, BUT FOR A DIFFERENT REASON. SHE LOVES HIM.YOU AIN'T GONNA' STAND IN THE WAY OF TRUE LOVE! NOT AS LONG AS I'M LIVIN'!"
"THE QUEEN REQUESTES YOUR PRESENCE."SHA'RIE SAID."DO YOU KNOW WHY?" SHA'RIE NODDED."TELL ME."SHA'RIE SIGHED."ENGLAND WANTS YOU TO MARRY ITS PRINCE. IT KEEP WILL KEEP THE ALLIANCE.IT'S THE ONLY WAY."SERENITY STOPPED WALKING."I LOVE HEERO AND NOBODY ELSE!"SHA'RIE SIGHED."SERENA, I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU." "IS IT GOOD NEWS? IF IT'S NOT, I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT." SHA'RIE LAUGHED."IT'S GOOD NEWS.WELL, I'M PREGNANT." SERENITY LOOKED SHA'RIE UP AND DOWN."YOU LIE!" SHA'RIE SMILED."DON'T TELL WHO THE FATHER IS." SHA'RIE WHISPERED THE NAME INTO SERENITY'S EAR."JAMES FARMET!"SHA'RIE COVERED SERENITY'S MOUTH.AFTER A MINUTE SHA'RIE LET GO."SO YOU'RE SAYING YOU AIN'T?"SERENITY BLUSHED."NO I'M NOT."SHA'RIE SMIRKED AN EVIL SMIRK."AT LEAST HAVE SEX."THERE IT WAS AGAIN; SEX.IT SEEMED THAT EVERYONE IN THE KINGDOM WANTED HER TO BE HAPPY SO THEY WOULD MENTION SEX."I'M ONLY SEVENTEEN.I CAN'T DO THAT."SHA'RIE SMILED."COME ON, TIME FOR SEX CLASS!"
HOURS LATER, SHA'RIE AND SERENITY EMRGED FROM SERENITY'S ROOM."I NEVER KNEW." SERENITY MURMMRED."SO MUCH." SHA'RIE LAUGHED."SERENA, IF YOU WANT TO SHOW HEERO YOU LOVE HIM, MAKE LOVE TO HIM.IT MAY BE YOUR LAST CHANCE BEFORE YOU IS MARRIED." SERENITY NODDED. SHA'RIE LEFT SERENITY TO HER THOUGHTS.SERENITY SAT ON HER SOFT BED. PRINCE DARIEN WAS TO ARRIVE IN TWO WEEKS FROM NOW.HIS SHIP JOURNEY HAD BEGUN SIX MONTHS AGO.SERENITY SIGHED.SHE WANTED TO SHOW HEERO HOW MUCH SHE LOVED HIM.DID SHE HAVE TO DO THAT THROUGH SEX? 'IT IS A WAY OF SHOWING HIM HOW MUCH I LOVE HIM. I WOULD RATHER GIVE UP MY INNOCENCE TO HEERO THAN TO PRINCE DARIEN.'
"SO WHERE SHALL WE GO?" HEERO ASKED SERENITY.SHE SHRUGGED."WHATS WRONG. SOMETING IS ON YOUR MIND.TELL ME WHAT IT IS." SERENITY SMILED AT A PEASENT CHILD THAT RAN BY HER.THEY WERE OUTSIDE THE PALACE. SERENITY HAD CONVINCED HER FATHER TO LET HER GO."PRINCE DARIEN.WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER HE AND I ARE MARRIED?" HEERO LOOKED AT HER."I DON'T KNOW, DARLING.I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW.I WISH I COULD SEE THE FUTURE.THEN I COULD STOP ANYTHING THAT WOULD HARM YOU."HEERO SAID PULLING SERENITY CLOSE TO HIM.
SERENITY SAT IN HER ROOM.IT WAS COLD INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.IT WAS RAINING VERY HEAVILY, AND SHE HAD NOT SEEN HEERO ALL DAY LONG.IT WAS LATE NIGHT WHEN SHE HEARD A SOUND IN HER ROOM.SERENITY SAT UP AND LITE A CANDLE.IN THE SHADOWS STOOD HEERO WEILDING A SWORD.SERNITY SQUILED AS SHE RAN TO HEERO.HEERO DROPPED HIS SWORD AND HUGGED SERENITY.SERENITY LOOKED AT HEERO."YOU'RE ALL WET."HEERO CHUCKLED."I CLIMBED IN THROUGH YOUR WINDOW."HEERO SHOWED SERENITY HIS DRIPPING CLOAK AS PROOF. " I FOUND A NEW TOY. IT'S SHARP." HEERO JOKED. " YOU CAN HAVE IT FOR ALL I CARE. TAKE IT. JUST DON'T KILL BRADLEY."
SERENITY SAT ON THE BED, LOOKING AT A SOPPING WET HEERO.HE HAD CAME FROM HIS CHAMBER WINDOW, THOUGH THE RAIN, ALL THE WAY TO HER WINDOW; HE DID ALL THAT JUST TO SEE HER.SHE SAT THERE THINKING.THEN SHE GOT AN IDEA; RING THE BELL.A KNOCK CAME AT HER DOOR.HEERO BACKED INTO THE SHADOWS.SHA'RIE WALKED IN."YES'M? YOU RANG?" HEERO CAME OUT OF THE SHADOWS."AH, GET YOU SOME DRY CLOTHES.I'LL BE RIGHT BACK."SHA'RIE RACED OUT OF THE ROOM."DID YOU KNOW THAT SHA'RIE IS PREGNANT?"HEERO NODDED HIS WET HEAD."JAMES FARMET IS THE FATHER."HEERO SAID.SHA'RIE RAN IN WITH DRY CLOTHES FOR HEERO."THANKS SHA'RIE."HEERO SAID."ANY TIME." SHA'RIE SAID RUSHING OUT OF THE ROOM.
HEERO WENT IN TO SERENITY'S BATHROOM TO CHANGE; LEAVING THE DOOR OPEN A SMIDGEN SO HE COULD HERE WHAT SERENITY WAS SAYING TO HIM.SERENTIY SAT ON HER BED CROSSLEGGED.SHE WAS SILENT FOR THE MOMENT.USUALLY, SHE WOULD BE BABBLING ON ABOUT SOMETHING SHE DID TODAY, BUT SHE DIDN'T FEEL LIKE TALKING.
"ALRIGHT, I'M FINISHED."HEERO SAID AS HE SAT DOWN.SERENITY LOOKED AT HIM WITH SHINING EYES."WHAT'S WRONG?" HEERO ASKED.SERENITY TURNED HER HEAD."SHA'RIE TOLD ME SOMETHING TODAY, AND WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO." HEERO PUT HIS ARMS AROUND SERENITY."LET ME GUESS."HEERO THOUGHT FOR A MINUTE.SHA'RIE TOLD JAMES EVERYTHING, THEN JAMES TOLD HEERO EVERYTHING.HE SHOULD KNOW.THEN HE REMEMBERED.JAMES HAD TOLD HIM THAT SHA'RIE HAD GIVEN SERENITY A SEX LESSON."SHA'RIE'S SEX LESSON." SERENITY LOOKED AWAY ASHAMED.HEERO LIFTED SERENITY'S CHIN.HE BROUGHT HIS LIPS DOWN ON HERS, MAKING A PASSIONATE KISS."SERENITY, IF YOU LOVE ME, SHOW ME. LET ME TAKE YOU.I'LL BE DAMNED IF I LET THAT PRINCE TAKE YOU WHEN HE DOESN'T LOVE YOU." SERENITY LOOKED INTO HEERO'S PURSSIAN BLUE EYES.SHE KISSED HIM TO SHOW THAT SHE WANTED HIM.SHE WANTED HIM AND ONLY HIM. HEERO COLLAPSED ON SERENITY; THEY WERE BOTH BREATHING HARD.HEERO ROLLED TO THE SIDE SO HE WOULD NOT CRUSH SERENITY UNDER HIS WEIGHT.HE PULLED THE COVERS OVER THEM.SERENITY LAID ON HEERO'S CHEST.HEERO MOVED A FEW STRANDS OF SWEATY HAIR AWAY FROM SERENITY'S FACE."I LOVE YOU."HEERO SAID.SERENITY LOOKED AT HIM."I LOVE YOU TOO, HEERO.FOREVER."HEERO LOOK INTO THE EYES OF HIS YOUNG BEAUTIFUL PASSIONATE LOVER.HEERO KISSED SERENITY AS HE WRAPPED HIS ARMS AROUND HER. SERENITY LOOKED UP AT HEERO. SHE WAS SO GLAD THAT HE HAD CHOSEN HER. HE CHOSE HER TO GIVE HIS LOVE TO. JUST AS HEERO CHOSE HER, SERENITY CHOSE HEERO TO GIVE HER INNOCENNCE TO. FORBIDDEN.
EARLY MORNING, A KNOCK CAME AT SERENITY'S DOOR.NO ONE ANSWERED.THE DOOR PUSHED OPEN. SHA'RIE PEAKED HER HEAD IN, AND THEN FOLLOWED BY THE REST OF HER BODY. "MA'AM? ARE YOU IN HERE?"SHA'RIE WHISPERED. SHA'RIE LOOKED AT THE BED.SHE ALMOST SQUILIED IN DELIGHT.SHE RUSHED OUT OF THE ROOM, SILENTLY CLOSING THE DOOR BEHIND HER.
SHA'RIE RUSHED TO JAMES'S ROOM.SHE KNOCKED FIVE TIMES WITHOUT GETTING AN ANSWER.SHE PUSHED THE DOOR OPENED THEN SLAMMED IT BEHIND HER, WAKING JAMES. "WHAT SHA'RIE?"JAMES GRUMBLED."I GOT GREAT NEWS! SERENITY AND HEERO MADE LOVE LAST NIGHT! I WENT IN TO CHECK ON THE PRINCESS AND THEY WERE THERE, SLEEPIN' IN THE SAME BED. NO SHIRT ON EITHER!" JAMES WOKE UP AFTER SHA'RIE SAID THAT."GOOD GOD! YOU AIN'T JOKING! HOLY SHIT! THIS IS SOME NEWS!"JAMES SAID GETTING DRESSED. "LET'S GO! I HAVE TO TELL THE GUYS!"JAMES RUSHED OUT, SHA'RIE BEHIND HIM.
HEERO STIRRED.HE YAWNED, AND OPENED HIS EYES.HE LOOKED AT SERENITY; SHE WAS STILL SLEEP.HE THOUGHT OF THE NIGHT BEFORE.WOULD SERENITY REGRET IT? HE DIDN'T REGRET IT.HEERO FELT SERENITY YAWN.HE LOOKED AT HER.SERENITY WAS LOOKING BACK AT HIM."MORNING DARLING."HEERO SAID KISSING THE TOP OF SERENITY'S HEAD. "MORNING."SHE REPLIED.HEERO SAT UP, BRINGING SERENITY UP ASWELL.HE LOOKED AT HER THEN KISSED HER.AFTER AN HOUR OF JUST HOLDING, HEERO GOT OUT OF BED AND GOT HIS CLOTHES ON."WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"SERENITY ASKED."IF I'M CAUGHT HERE,I'LL BE HANGED. YOU DON'T WANT ME TO HANG DO YOU?" HEERO ASKED WHILE BUTTONING HIS PANTS."I THOUGHT YOU WERE LEAVING ME." HEERO LOOKED AT SERENITY.HE SAT NEXT TO HER."WHY WOULD I LEAVE YOU?"HEERO ASKED."I LOVE YOU,I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU."HEERO KISSED SERENITY."AND IF YOU HAVE MY CHILD I'LL STILL BE HERE TO LOVE YOU AND CARE FOR YOU.I'LL BE HERE WHEN YOU WANT ME.I'LL NEVER LEAVE YOU.I HAVE TO GO BEFORE I'M CAUGHT.SEE YOU AT BREAKFEST." HEERO SAID AS HE PULLED ON HIS SHIRT AND CLOAK.HEERO KISSED SERENITY ONE MORE TIME. HEERO GRABBED HIS SWORD ON HIS WAY OUT.HE TOOK A LAST LOOK A SERENITY THEN CLOSED THE DOOR BEHIND HIM.
SHA'RIE PASSED HEERO IN THE HALL.SHE STOPPED HIM."IS SHE ATLEAST OUT OF THE SHEETS?"HEERO CHUCKLED."FIGURES YOU WOULD BE THE FIRST TO KNOW.NO SHE'S NOT."SHA'RIE LOOKED AT HIM."IS SHE AWAKE?""YES."SHA'RIE RUSHED PAST HEERO WITH A SMILE ON HER FACE.
SHA'RIE SLAMMED THE DOOR, SIGNALING HER PRESENCE."COME ON.I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A BATH. BREAKFEST IS IN TWO HOURS."SERENITY SHRANK UNDER HER COVERS. AFTER SERENITY'S BATH AND DRESSING, SERENITY SAT AT HER VANITY, SHA'RIE BRUSHING HER HAIR."DO YOU FEEL BETTER?" SERENITY NODDED."YOU FORGOT TO SAY THAT IT WOULD HURT IN THE BEGINNING." SHA'RIE LAUGHED."THAT YOU HAD TO FIND OUT ON YOUR OWN."SHA'RIE LOOKED IN THE MIRROR AT SERENITY. "BUT YOU'RE AWFULLY YOUNG. DO YOU THINK YOU CAN HANDLE A CHILD AT YOUR AGE?"SERENITY GLARED AT SHA'RIE."YES."SERENITY SAID SERIOUSLY."HEERO SAID HE'D BE HERE IF I NEEDED HIM, AND HE SAID HE WOULDN'T LEAVE.I TRUST HIM." SHA'RIE SMILED."SO DO I."
SERENITY SAT AT HER USUAL CHAIR FOR BREAKFEST.SHE NOTICED THAT NONE OF THE KNIGHTS WERE AT THE TABLE."THEY WILL NOT BE JOINING US." SAID KING JUAQUEZ.HE NOTICED HIS DAUGHTER WAS LOOKING ANGRY OVER SOMETHING SO SIMPLE. "WHY NOT?"ASKED QUEEN MARIANETTE."THEY WILL HAVE TO GET USE TO NOT EATING WITH US WHEN PRINCE DARIEN ARRIVES." SERENITY'S HOPES OF SEEING HEERO HAD DROPPED.LIFE JUST DIDN'T SEEM FAIR."BUT HE CAN JUST DEAL WITH IT.IT'S IMPOLITE TO CHANGE SOMETHING THAT WE ARE ALL USED TO, TO FIT A FOREIGN PRINCE." SERENITY SAID."AND IT'S IMPOLITE NOT TO. AND IT'S IMPOLITE TO KEEP SOMETHING FROM YOUR FATHER, THE KING." KING JUAQUEZ SAID EYEING SERENITY. SERENITY TURNED AWAY. SERNITY TRIED TO HIDE HER BLUSHES. "I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT FATHER. WHAT WOULD I KEEP FROM YOU?"
SERENITY SAT AT HER VANITY, HER HEAD DOWN.SUDDENLY SHE FELT SOMETHING BRUSH AGAINST HER CHEEK. SHE LOOKED IN THE MIRROR. HEERO STOOD BEHIND HER WITH A ROSE IN HIS HAND. SERENITY GOT UP AND HUGGED HIM. HEERO HELD HER AT ARMS LENGTH. HE GAVE HER THE ROSE. THEY BOTH SAT ON THE BED. HEERO LOOKED DOWN."WHAT'S WRONG?" SERENITY ASKED HEERO."PRINCE DARIEN'S SHIP IS A WEEK EARLY.WE WON'T SEE EACH OTHER AS MUCH AS WE PLANNED."SERENITY SIGHED."I HAVE TO LEAVE.I HAVE TO HELP YOUR MOTHER PREPARE FOR THE PRINCE'S ARRIVAL."HEERO SIGHED."GOOD LUCK,LOVE!"SERENITY YELLED AFTER HEERO. " THANKS. I NEED THAT."
EVER SINCE THAT SPECIAL NIGHT, HEERO ALWAYS LEFT A ROSE WHEN HE HAD SPENT THE NIGHT. HE WOULD ALWAYS HAVE TO LEAVE EARLY SO HE WOULDN'T GET CAUGHT. THEN HE WOULD USUALLY SEE HER IN THE AFTERNOONS. FROM NOW ON, THE KNIGHTS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO EAT WITH THE ROYALS, NONE THE LESS BE SEEN WITH THEM.THE ONLY KNIGHT THAT WAS ALLOWED TO BE SEEN WITH THE ROYALS WAS HEERO.HE WAS SERENITY'S PERSONAL GUARDIAN; AND SECRET LOVER. OF COUARSE SERENITY HAD TO HAVE HER SAY AND WHEN SHE HAS HER SAY, SHE GETS HER WAY OR EVERYONE IS ON HER DEATH LIST. KING JUAQUEZ SAID THAT THE RULE WAS FINAL AND HIS FOOT WAS DOWN. SERENITY MADE SUCH A FUSS THAT THE RULE THAT THE KING HAD SET HAD BEEN LIFTED ONLY AFTER FIVE MINUTES OF BEING IN MOTION. SO LIFE WAS BACK TO NORMAL. KING JUAQUEZ STILL DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY SERENITY WAS MAKING A FUSS ABOUT SOMETHING SO SIMPLE.
THE DAY WHEN PRINCE DARIEN WAS TO ARRIVE WAS VERY HECTIC; PEOPLE BUMPING INTO PEOPLE. WHENEVER KING JUAQUEZ TRIED TO TALK TO SERENITY, SHE WOULD JUST FALL ASLEEP OR ZONE OUT. "IT'S THE STRESS,SIRE. IT IS GETTING TO HER. DON'T WORRY." BUT TO THE KING, IT WAS DIFFERENT.AT NIGHT, HE WOULD SEE KNIGHT HEERO STANDING AT SERENITY'S DOOR EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T HIS SHIFT.HE WOULD BLINK AND HEERO WOULD BE GONE.THEN IN THE MORNING, HE WOULD SEE HEERO COME OUT OF HIS DAUGHTER'S ROOM."IT'S CUSTOMARY PROCEDURE."HEERO EXPLAINED, "THAT I CHECK TO SEE THAT THE PRINCESS IS SAFELY IN HER BED, THAT SHE WASN'T KIDNAPPED DURING THE NIGHT."IT CONFUSED KING JUAQUEZ TO NO END. THE HORNS BLEW, ANNOUNCING THE ARRIVAL OF PRINCE DARIEN. HEERO AND SERENITY WERE IN HEERO'S CHAMDERS.HE WAS READING TO HER WHEN SHA'RIE HAD RAN IN YELLING,"THE PRINCE IS HERE! GET OUT THERE! IF HE SEE YOU IN HERE HE GONNA HANG HEERO!" WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT, HEERO AND SERENITY RAN OUT OF THE ROOM TO THE FRONT GATES. **************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** ******************** WELL, WHAT DO YA TINK? GOOD? HOPE SO. I REALLY WROTE THIS FOR MY FRIENDS AND MYSELF BUT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE COOL IF I POSTED IT. I KNO ITS LONG BUT DEAL WITH IT!( REST OF THE CHAPS ARE THIS LONG TOO. NO BIG. I HAD TO EDIT IT IN ONE PARTICULAR PART.COUGH,COUGH.UM.YOU SHOULD KNO WHERE I EDITED IT. IT IS PG- 13. BUT WHOEVER WANTS THE UM.SPECIAL SIDE STORY, YA KNO WHERE TO REACH ME
Ishtar: Hey guys! I wrote another fic! I really wrote it for my friends and myself but I figure to put it up To see how it goes. Sorry, there are no Sailor scouts or GW boys except Moon and Yuy. The Only person is Darien ( Bashing). I do own the plot and all the characters except for Moon&Yuy. Also, there may be mistakes so don't be harsh. Heero is out of character. P.S. This is long chapt. Lawyers: Good girl Ishtar.
Ishtar: I know I know.
THE SOUND OF HEELS ECHOED IN THE DARKENED PALACE HALLS; SLOW STEP AFTER SLOW STEP.THE CLICKING STOPPED IN FRONT OF A LARGE WOOD-CARVED OAK DOOR.TWO KNOCKS AND A PUSH MOVED THE HEAVYSET WOOD. THE WALLS WERE SHINING WITH THE MOON WITH IT'S SILVER LIGHT GLINTING OFF METALS.THE HEELS CLICKED AGAIN AS THEY MADE THERE WAY TO A FOUR POSTER BED. A SHAKY HAND ROSE IN THE AIR."COME TO ME." SAID A QUIVERING VOICE. THE HEELS CLICKED AGAIN, STOPPING AT THE SIDE OF THE BED. A SLINDER HAND REACHED OUT TO TOUCH THE BONY ONE."YES, WHAT IS IT. WHAT IS IT YOU NEED, FATHER?" COUGHING RACKED THE SMALL MAN'S BODY. "MY DEAR," THE OLD MAN STARTED,"WILL YOU LOOK AFTER THE KINGDOM WHEN I'M GONE?" THE FIGURE NODDED." OF COARSE.BUT FATHER, YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF IT YOURSELF. YOU WILL GET BETTER, YOU'LL SEE." THE OLD MAN TRIED TO LAUGH.HE ONLY SUCCEEDED IN MORE GUT-WRENCHING COUGHS. THE FIGURE LOOKED ACROSS THE BED AT AN ANOTHER FIGURE. THE FIGURE WAS A DOCTOR.THE DOCTOR LOOKED AT THE FIGURE, AND MOTIONED TO THE DOOR."REST NOW FATHER." THE FIGURE SAID, WHILE PULLING THE COVERS UP TO THE OLD MAN'S HEAD.
THE DOCTOR AND THE FIGURE WALKED OUT, CLOSING THE DOOR BEHIND THEM."WILL HE BE OKAY?" THE FIGURE ASKED WORRIEDLY. "THE KING HAS PHEMONEA.VERY BAD INFACT. MAKE HIM COMFORTABLE, HE MAY NOT LIVE MUCH LONGER." THE FIGURE NODDED SLIGHTLY. THE DOCTOR TURNED AND WALKED DOWN THE HALL, LEAVING THE FIGURE'S SIGHT. THE FIGURE SIGHED HEAVILY. "SERENITY!" YELLED A VOICE. THE FIGURE KNOWN AS SERENITY TURNED. THE QUEEN-ALSO SERENITY'S MOTHER- RUSHED DOWN THE HALL."WELL, IS YOUR FATHER GOING TO BE OK?" SERENITY LOOKED AWAY. THE QUEEN GASPED."HE WANTS US TO BE HAPPY, I KNOW IT."SERENITY TURNED." HE WILL GET WELL.TOMMORROW SHALL GO AS PLANNED. MEET WITH THE FOREIGNERS. WE MUST KEEP THE KINGDOM HAPPY." THE QUEEN NODDED."I KNOW! WE WILL HAVE A BALL, INVITING EVERY ELIGABLE MAN." SERENITY SIGHED. 'NOT ANOTHER BALL,' SHE THOUGHT. SERENITY LOOKED OUTSIDE THE PALACE WINDOWS. THE SUN WAS RISING. IT WAS A NEW DAY IN FRANCE.
AS THE SUN ROSE IN THE SKY, THE KINGDOM AWOKE. FIRST TO WAKE WERE THE CHILDREN; THEN THE MOTHER, BEAKONING THEM TO GO BACK TO SLEEP, AND THE FATHER GRUMBLING HIS MORNING CURSES OF, "I HATE WORK. DAMN THE PERSON WHO INVENTED IT." YES, THE KINGDOM WAS NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY KINGDOM IN THE MORNING.
INSIDE THE PALACE, PRINCESS SERENITY SAT, WAITING ON THE FOREIGN KNIGHTS TO ARRIVE. UNLIKE OTHER PRINCESSES, SERENITY HAD SILVER HAIR AND EYES. HER HAIR WAS IN TWO HEART-SHAPED BUNS ON TOP HER HEAD.UNLIKE OTHER PRINCESSES, SERENITY LOVED TO READ. SHE WOULD OFTEN BE FOUND IN THE LIBRARY, WITH HER NOSE STUCK IN A BOOK. SHE ALSO DID SWORD FIGHTING. THAT WAS SOMETHING A PRINCESS WOULD NEVER DO. ALSO UNLIKE OTHER PRINCESSES, SHE BROKE MANY RULES. RULES LIKE: NEVER RUN IN THE HALLS, ACT LADYLIKE, HAVE YOUR SERVENTES DO EVERYTHING FOR YOU, AND NEVER BE LATE FOR A MEETING WITH A SUITOR. SERENITY HATED SUITORS. THEY WOULD ACT POLITE INFRONT OF YOUR PARENTS, BUT BE CRUEL IN PRIVATE.
SERENITY SIGHED.THE FOREIGNERS WERE LATE.THEN SHE REMEMBERED.MEN ARE MEN, THEY CAN NEVER BE ON TIME.SHE LOOKED AROUND HER.BOOK-FILLED SHELVES SURROUNDED HER. THE LIBRARY WAS A GOOD IDEA. SHE COULD HIDE FROM HER MOTHER'S CONSTANT RANTING ON HOW GREAT THE BALL WILL BE, AND SHE COULD READ IN PRIVACY. THE LIBRARY DOOR OPENED, ALLOWING SERENITY'S MAID-SHA'RIE- IN WITH A CUP OF FRESHLY BREWED TEA, AND HONEY GLAZED BICUITS. "MA'AM, TEA TIME." SHA'RIE SAID, PLACING THE TRAY INFRONT OF SERENITY. "THANK YOU SHA'RIE." SERENITY SAID. AS SERENITY REACHED FOR THE CUP, A BELL WENT OFF. "THE KNIGHTS IS HERE MA'AM. THE QUEEN SAID THAT YOU GONNA TAKE CARE OF IT." SERENITY LOOKED AT HER MAID. "WILL YOU STAY BY MY SIDE, SHA'RIE?" SHA'RIE LOOKED AT SERENITY AS IF SHE WAS CRAZY. "NO MA'AM. I GOTS TO GO YONDER TO THE KITCHEN AND MAKE YA'LLS LUNCH. "SHA'RIE PUSHED SERENITY INFRONT OF HER. "NOW MISTRESS, BE KIND TO THEM MEN," SHA'RIE SAID HURRIDLY. "DON'T TAKE THAT BAD ANGER OF YOURS OUT ON THEM MEN. THEY'S GONNA' CHOP YOU UP IF YOU DO." SHA'RIE LEAD SERENITY TO THE THRONE ROOM."NOW YOU WAIT RIGHT HERE.DON'T GO NO WHERES, YOU HEAR ME OR I'S GONNA' CHOP YOU UP MYSELF."
SHA'RIE LEFT SERENITY IN THE THRONE ROOM. SERENITY STOOD, STRAIGHTENED HER DRESS AND SAT BACK DOWN. SHE HAD NEVER DONE HER PARENT'S JOB BEFORE. SHE WAS GOING TO DO IT SOONER OR LATER. WHY COULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN LATER?
THE KNIGHTS GRUMBLED.THEY HAD JUST CAME TO FRANCE, AND THEY WERE BEING FORCED TO MEET WITH THE ROYALS."HEY WOMAN, WHY CAN'T WE HAVE A FEW MINUTES TO REST, HUH? I MEAN, WE WERE TRAVLING FOR A LONG TIME." SHA'RIE STOPPED. "MY NAME IS SHA'RIE. YOU GOT THAT, SHA'RIE." SHA'RIE TURNED AND WALKED AGAIN. SHE STOPPED AGAIN INFRONT OF THE THRONE ROOM. SHE OPENED THE DOOR. "NOW YOU MEN BE NICE. IF YOU AIN'T, I'LL CHOP YOU UP AND PUT YOU IN THE COOKER." SHA'RIE PUSHED THE MEN THROUGH; THE DOOR SLAMMING SHUT BEHIND THEM.THE MEN MADE A LINE INFRONT OF THE STONE STEPS BEFORE THE THRONE. THEMEN LOOKED AT WHOM THEY WERE GOING TO BOW TO. 'NOT ANOTHER WOMAN,' THEY THOUGHT.
AS THE KNIGHTS BOWED, SERENITY DECIDED TO LOOK EACH ONE OVER.ON THE RIGHT WAS THE OLDEST OF THE GROUP OF FIVE. SHE THEN LOOKED TO THE LEFT. THE LAST KNIGHT WAS OBVISOUSLY THE YOUNGEST. "INTROUCE YOURSELVES, STRANGERS." SERENITY SAID IN A REGAL TONE. "JOHNSON WILLMAN," SAID THE OLDEST BOWING. SERENITY NODDED. "ELLOITT HUNTSMAN." THE MAN BOWED. "BRADLEY MARSHALL." HE ALSO BOWED. "JAMES FARMET." JAMES BOWED SLIGHTLY. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?" SERENITY ASKED. "MY BACK, YOUR HIGHNESS." SERENITY LOOKED AT HIM. "THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU AFTER YOU ARE DISMISSED." SERENITY LOOKED AT THE LAST KNIGHT. "STATE YOUR NAME." THE YOUNGEST KNIGHT RAISED HIS HEAD. "HEERO YUY." THE KNIGHT BOWED, TAKING AFTER THE OTHERS. "YOU ARE AWFULLY YOUNG TO BE A KNIGHT. YOU ARE FRENCH, YES?" HEERO NODDED. "I WAS BORN HERE.I LIVED HERE TILL I WAS TRANSFERED, YOUR MAGISTY." SERENITY SMILED.
"I AM SORRY THAT MY PARENTS ARE NOT HERE TO GREET YOU, BUT MY MOTHER IS PLANNING A BALL IN YOUR HONOR." SERENITY LIED ABOUT THE BALL.IT WAS PLANNED IN HER HONOR NOT THERE'S. "I AM PRINCESS SERENITY. I WILL BE SURVEYING YOUR PROGRESS HERE IN FRANCE." JOHNSON BROKE OUT LAUGHING. "YOU A WOMAN! SURVEYING US MEN! THAT'S A LAUGH ISN'T IT BOYS!" JOHNSON AND THREE OTHER KNIGHTS LAUGHED. "I BROKE A NAIL! SOMEONE HELP ME IM GONNA' DIE!" JOHNSON KEPT LAUGHING.
SERENITY ROSE OUT OF HER THRONE, HER HAIR SREADING OUT IN HER ANGER. SHE HAD SHOWN KINDNESS. SHE HAD RESPECTED THEM, AND THEY INSULT HER? SHE COULD DO ANYTHING A MAN COULD DO. "HOW DARE YOU INSULT A ROYAL! I HAVE THE RIGHT MIND TO HANG YOU FOR DISRESPECT!" SERENITY GLIDED DOWN THE STAIRS.SHE STOOD INFRONT OF EVERY MAN, SLAPPING EACH ONE HARD ENOUGH FOR THEM TO STEP BACK. "YOU FOUR WILL GO TO YOUR CHAMBERS THE REST OF THE DAY! NO FOOD! YOU WILL STAY THERE UNTIL IT IS TIME FOR THE BALL!" "BUT THE DOCTOR MA'AM?" SERENITY LOOKED AT JAMES. "OUT BEFORE I REMOVE YOU FROM MY SIGHT MYSELF!" THE MEN BOWED QUICKLY, THEN SCURRIED OFF.
SERENITY TURNED TO THE SOUL SURVIVOR OF HER ANGER."I'M SORRY YOU HAD TO SEE THAT, STRANGER."SERENITY SAID, STANDING INFRONT OF HEERO.THE DOOR OPENED. "LUNCH IS A READY." SHA'RIE SAID.SHE LOOKED AROUND. "WERE THEM OTHER MEN AT?"SERENITY LOOKED AT SHA'RIE."THEY ARE IN THEIR CHAMBERS.THEY HAVE INSULTED ME, SO IN RETURN, THEY WILL STAY IN THEIR CHAMBERS THE REST OF THE DAY.NO FOOD.NO DOCTORS, AND CERTAINLY NO MAIDS.THEY WILL COME OUT WHEN THE BALL STARTS." SHA'RIE NODDED."THIS WAY PLEASE."
SHA'RIE LEAD SERENITY AND HEERO TO THE DINNING HALL, WHERE LUNCH WAS AWAITING.SERENITY WAS ABOUT TO PULL THE CHAIR OUT SO SHE COULD SIT, BUT HEERO CAME UP BEHIND HER AND PULLED THE CHAIR OUT FOR HER."THANK YOU." SERENITY SAID AFTER HEERO HAD SAT DOWN."HERE YOU GO, MA'AM, SIR."SHA'RIE SAID PLACING A PLATE INFRONT OF EACH.AT THAT MOMENT THE QUEEN CAME IN; TAKING HER RIGHTFULL PLACE NEXT TO SERENITY.HEERO STOOD AND WALKED BEHIND THE QUEEN. HE DID THE SAME THING TO THE QUEEN, THAT HE DID WITH SERENITY.HE SAT DOWN AGAIN."SO POLITE.I WISH THERE WERE MORE MEN LIKE YOU."SAID THE QUEEN.SHE LOOKED AROUND."ARE YOU THE ONLY KNIGHT WHO CAME?"HEERO SHOOK HIS HEAD NO. "THE OTHER KNIGHTS WERE VERY RUDE, MOTHER.THEY INSULTED ME SO I PUNISHED THEM."THE QUEEN GASPED."I'M GOING TO GO HANDLE THIS RUDENESS."THE QUEEN SAID."YOUR DAUGHTER HANDLED IT QUITE WELL, I A SURE YOU."HEERO SAID."GOOD.NO ONE IS RUDE TO MY BABY." THE QUEEN SAID."MOTHER!"SERENITY HISSED.
THE LUNCH WAS WONDERFUL.WINE OF EVERY FLAVOR, CHEESE OF EVERY TYPE, MEATS OF ALL KINDS, VEGETABLES OF ALL SORTS; SHA'RIE HAD REALLY OUT-DONE HERSELF.AS LUNCH PROGRESSED, SERENITY FOUND OUT MANY THINGS ABOUT HEERO.HIS MOTHER AND FATHER ARE GOOD FRIENDS WITH THE ROYAL FAMILY, HE IS EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD, AND HE IS A MASTER SWORDSMAN.SERENITY WAS VERY IMPRESSED.SHE WAS BEGINNING TO LIKE HEERO.SHE BEGAN TO LIKE HIM A LOT.
THE KNIGHTS GRUMBLED.EACH HOLDING THEIR CHEEK, THEY CURSED SERENITY."I'M HUNGRY DAMN IT! I NEED SOME DAMN FOOD!"GROWLED ELLIOTT.ELLIOTT, WITH JET BLACK HAIR WAS A RESONABLE MAN.HE WAS PUGGY YET SKINNY AT THE SAME TIME.THE ONLY THING THAT YOU COULD DO TO GET ON HIS BAD SIDE WAS TO MESS WITH HIS FOOD. "DON'T I KNOW IT.I REALLY NEED A DOCTOR NOW, MY CHEEK FEELS LIKE IT'S ON FIRE."JAMES COMPLAINED.JAMES, WHO'S CHARMING PERSONALITY WAS ONLY HALF OF HIM, HAD BLONDE HAIR THAT COVERED HIS EARS.SKINNY AND ATHLETIC, HIS SMILE COULD WOE ANY GIRL THAT HE WANTED TO SEDUCE."THAT LITTLE WENCH MADE A RED MARK ON ME." BRADLEY SAID LOOKING IN THE MIRROR.BRADLEY, WITH HIS RED HAIR AND FRECKELS, WAS THE SAME AS JAMES.TO HIM, LOOKS WERE EVERYTHING."NO MAIDS! SHE MUST BE TRYING TO KILL ME!" JOHNSON SAID IN ANGER.JOHNSON, THE MOST PERVERTED OF ALL FIVE, LOVED WOMEN.SHABBY BLONDE HAIR COVERED HIS EYES.HE WAS PUGGY AS WELL BUT HE WAS STILL FIT."NO ONE IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WOMEN THAN YOU, WILLY."ELLIOTT SAID.
"THIS IS YOUR CHAMBER."SERENITY SAID TO HEERO."THANK YOU PRINCESS SERENITY."SERENITY SMILED AT HIM."YOU CAN CALL ME SERENA."HEERO NODDED BEFORE ENTERING HIS CHAMBERS.AS HEERO SHUT THE DOOR, HE TOOK A MOMENT TO LOOK AROUND HIS ROOM.HIS ROOM DIDN'T LOOK LIKE THE CUSTOMARY ROOM FOR A KNIGHT.IT WAS SUITED FOR A PRINCE, WHICH HE CERTAINLY WAS NOT.
AS HEERO LAID HIMSELF ON THE SILKLINED BED, HE SMIRKED.HE WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO HADN'T GOTTEN IN TROUBLE.HE HAD TO MAKE SURE THAT HE BRAGGED ABOUT THE LUNCH TO HIS FELLOW KNIGHTS.HE HAD TO BE DETAILED; AFTER ALL, THEY HAD TO BE PUNISHED."SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST."HE MURMURED.THE FOUR KNIGHTS WEREN'T VERY FIT, AND THEY WOULD KILL EACH OTHER FOR FOOD.
SERENITY SLUGGISHLY WALKED TO HER ROOM.AFTER SHE HAD SLIPPED OFF HER SHOES, SHE SAT AT HER VANITY.SHE SLOWLY BRUSHED HER HAIR; SMOOTH STROKE AFTER SMOOTH STROKE.AS SHE BRUSHED HER SILVER HAIR, SHE THOUGHT.ARE ALL FOREIGN KNIGHTS RUDE? SHE WAS CERTAINLY HOPPING NOT. SERENITY SIGHED.SHE DELICATELY SET THE BRUSH DOWN.A DOOR OPENED BESIDE HER. SHA'RIE CAME OUT OF THE SECRET DOOR."SERENA? IS YOU ALRIGHT?"SERENITY NODDED."I'M SANE IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ASKING." SHA'RIE GIGGLED."SO, WHAT DRESS ARE YOU GONNA' WEAR?" SERENA LOOKED UP."I DON'T KNOW.I WAS HOPING I COULD SKIP OUT.I MEAN, DANCING WITH ALL THE ELIGABLE MEN IN FRANCE? MY MOTHER IS NOT RIGHT IN THE HEAD." SHA'RIE LAUGHED, HER BROWN LOCKS BOUNCING. SERENA LOOKED SHA'RIE UP AND DOWN."WHY DON'T YOU GO IN MY STEAD?" SHA'RIE STOPPED LAUGHING.SHA'RIE WAS A SKINNY WOMAN OF TWENTY.SHE HAD A PERFECT FIGURE, BUT SHE WAS A SLAVE.HER SKIN WAS A NICE CARAMEL COLOR.BEUATIFUL BLACK SKIN."YOU KNOW THEY'S WON'T LET ME GO.I'S GONNA COOK WITH THE OTHER COOKS."SERENA FROWNED."THEY WILL LET YOU GO.I DON'T EVEN HAVE ASK.WAIT! I GOT IT NOW.YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO GO! TRAITOR!" SHA'RIE LAUGHED. "NOW, LET'S GET YOU DRESSED.
HEERO SAT ON HIS BED CROSSLEGGED."DO I GO OR DO I STAY?"HE SIGHED.HEERO TURNED TO KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.IN CAME A PLUMP MAID.SHE BOWED. "PRINCESS SERENITY SENT ME TO GET YOU, SIR.THE BALL IS ABOUT TO BEGIN." SHE BOWED AGAIN, THEN LEFT.HEERO STILL SAT ON HIS BED."GO OR STAY?"HEERO ASKED HIMSELF AGAIN. HIS DOOR FLEW OPEN."COME ON BOY! LET'S GO!"JOHNSON PRACTICALLY YELLED TO HEERO. "I'M NOT GOING."HEERO SAID."THERE WILL BE WINE.YOUR FAVORTIE, RED INE."ELLIOTT SAID COAXING HEERO.SILENCE FIILED THE ROOM."WAIT TILL I GET MY CAPE ON."
QUEEN MARIANNETTE SAT ALONE ON HER THONE. EVERY ELIGIBLE BOY AND MAN THAT COULD COME WAS HERE.SHE SORT OF FELT SORRY FOR HER DAUGHTER.THERE WERE SO MANY MEN.HER FEET WOULD HURT AFTER TONIGHT.THE QUEEN LOOKED AT THE TALLER EMPTY THRONE BESIDE HER.SHE FELT BAD THAT HER HUSBAND COULDN'T BE HERE.THE BALL WAS HIS IDEA IN THE FIRST PLACE, IT WAS THAT HE COULN'T DO IT HIMSELF.HORNS SOUNDED, SOUNDING SERENITY'S AND THE NIGHTS' ENTRANCE. PRESENTING THE PRINCESS OF FRANCE, SERENITY, AND THE FOREIGN KNIGHTS."SERENITY CURTISIED WHILE THE KNIGHTS BOWED.SERENITY MADE HER WAY TO THE THRONE.THE BALLROOM WAS SILENT. SERENITY RAISED HER HANDS."LET THE FESTIVITES BEGAN!"SHE YELLED SO THE WHOLE ROOM COULD HEAR.EVERYONE CHEERED.EVERYONE GRABBED A PARTNER, AND BEGAN TO DANCE. "MAY I HAVE THIS DANCE?" A MAN ASKED SERENITY.SERENITY SMILED AT HIM THEN BEGAN TO DANCE HERSELF.
"WINE!"DROOLED BRADLEY."SAVE SOME FOR THE REST OF US, BRADLEY.IF YOU GUZZLE IT ALL, THERE WON'T BE ANYTHNG LEFT."FROWNED JAMES." WHATEVER."BRADLEY SAID BETWEEN GULPES OF WINE.
HEERO LOOKED AROUND WHILE SIPPING SOME RED WINE THAT HE HAD MANAGED TO SNAG BEFORE BRADLEY DRANK THE WHOLE THING.HE SAW DUKES AND DUCHESSES WITH THEIR FANCY JEWLERY AND DRESSES.HE THEN CAUGHT SIGHT OF SERENITY.SHE DIDN'T LOOK LIKE SHE WAS HAVING A GOOD TIME."HEERO? CAN I HAVE YOUR WINE?" ASKED A DRUNK BRADLEY."SURE, KNOCK YOURSELF OUT."HEERO SAID HANDING HIS GLASS TO BRADLEY.BRADLEY LOOKED AT THE CUP THEN PUT IT ALL IN HIS MOUTH. BRADLEY PASSED OUT RIGHT AFTER THAT. HEERO SHOOK HIS HEAD. HE BEGAN TO HEAD TO THE DANCE FLOOR.
SERENA WAS BEING TWIRLED AND PUSHED.SHE WAS GOING TO EACH MAN.'WHY CAN'T MOTHER MAKE AN AGE LIMIT?'SERENITY TWIRLED TILL SHE WAS IN THE ARMS OF SOMEONE NEW.SHE LOOKED UP INTO THE FACE OF HEERO."HEERO."SHE BREATHED LIGHTLY."IT LOOKED LIKE YOU NEEDED A BREAK."HEERO SAID GRUFFLY.SERENITY SMILED.
"LOOK AT HEERO.FIRST HE BRAGS ABOUT LUNCH, KNOWING WERE HUNGRY.THEN HE GOES AND DANCES WITH HER.WHY DOES HE GET SO DAMN LUCKY WITH THE LADIES!" JOHNSON ASKED ANGERLY. "HE NEVER MAKES A MOVE ON THEM."ELLIOTT SAID."HEY WILLY, THEY'RE GOING OUTSIDE!"BRADLEY YELLED AFTER BEING REVIVED. HE POINTING AT THE RETREATING FORMS OF SERENITY AND HEERO. "AFTER THEM!"HE DRUNKENLY YELLED.
SERENITY AND HEERO WALKED TO BALCONY."THANKS HEERO.I REALLY NEEDED A BREAK."SERENITY STOOD AT THE RAIL.HEERO TOOK TIME TO LOOK OVER SERENITY.SHE WAS WEARING A SILVER DRESS THAT HUGGED HER UPPER BODY BUT SLIGHTLY FLARED OUT AT THE BOTTOM.HE LOOKED AWAY."MADAM!"HEERO AND SERENITY TURNED. SHA'RIE RAN DOWN THE HALL."SHA'RIE! YOU DID COME! I KNEW THAT WAS YOU I SAW."SHA'RIE SMILED."YES, WELL I'S GOTTA GET GOIN'. BYE!'SHA'RIE YELLED RUNNING DOWN THE HALL. SOON A MAN RAN UP."EXUSE ME PRINCESS, BUT HAVE YOU SEEN SHA'RIE?" SERENITY SMILED. "SHE RAN DOWN THE HALL.THAT WAY."SERENITY POINTED BEHIND HER.THE MAN THANKED HER THEN RAN DOWN THE HALL HIMSELF.SERENITY TURNED TO TALK TO HEERO, HE WAS GONE.SHE SMILED, SHAKING HER HEAD. "NOTHING HAPPENED.NOTHING AT ALL.NO KISSING, NO HUGGING.WHAT'S HE PLAYING AT?"ASKED BRADLEY."WHAT A WASTE.AND SHE'S SO BEAUTIFUL."SAID JOHNSON.
SERENITY SAT ON HER BED, LOOKING AT THE RISING SUN.LAST NIGHT HAD BEEN WONDERFUL.SHE ATLEAST GOT TO DANCE WITH HEERO."IT WASN'T EVEN A WHOLE SONG. I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M DROOLING OVER HIM." SERENITY DECIDED TO GIVE HER FATHER A VISIT.AS SHE LEFT HER ROOM, SHA'RIE RAN INTO HER."HI."SERENITY SMILED. "HI. YOU HAD FUN LAST NIGHT DIDN'T YOU." IT WAS A STATEMENT, NOT A QUESTION.SHA'RIE BLUSHED."WELL GOTTA' RUN, BYE!" SHA'RIE SAID.SERENITY LAUGHED AS SHE WENT INSIDE HER FATHER'S ROOM. SHE ALMOST CRIED WHEN SHE SAY THAT HER FATHER WAS AWAKE, SITTING UP, AND EATING.KING JUAQUEZ LOOKED AT SERENITY.HE SMILED."HELLO SERENA."SERENA LOOKED TO HER FATHER'S RIGHT SIDE.THERE SAT HEERO WITH A BOWL OF SOUP IN HIS HANDS.HEERO GAVE HER A HALF SMILE.
"YOU SEEM TO KNOW EVERYWHERE I GO OR AM GOING."SERENITY SAID AFTER SHE AND HEERO HAD LEFT THE KING'S ROOM.HEERO LOOKED AT HER."IT'S SIMPLE.I CAN READ YOU LIKE AN OPEN BOOK."SERENITY LAUGHED LIGHTLY."SO ARE YOU TRYING TO OPEN THE SECRETS OF MY HEART? IF YOU ARE, IT WON'T WORK"HEERO LAUGHED A HEART MELTING LAUGH.THE FIRST SERENITY HAD EVER HEARD FROM HIM. "I CAN NEVER OPEN YOUR HEART, PRINCESS.I ONLY WILL IF YOU LET ME.MAYBE EVEN THEN, I STILL WON'T.""NOT EVEN IF I ASKED YOU? PLEADED WITH YOU? BEGGED YOU? "HEERO THOUGHT FOR A SECOND. "MAYBE."
"SECRETS OF THE PRINCESS'S HEART? HOW DID HE MANAGE THAT?"JOHNSON ASKED."LIKE I SAID, HE DOESN'T MAKE A MOVE ON LADIES."ELLIOTT SAID."BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS A MOVE?"BRADLEY SAID CONFUSED."DON'T THINK, BRADLEY, JUST DON'T THINK."JAMES SAID RUBBING HIS TEMPLES.
SERENITY WONDERED AROUND THE PALACE."I'M BORED.WHY DOES THIS PLACE HAVE TO BE SO BORING?"SHE SIGHED."YOU WON'T BE BORED IF YOU COME WITH US."SERENITY TURNED.BEHIND HER STOOD THE OTHER FOUR KNIGHTS."WALK WITH US. PLEASE?"SERENITY SIGHED."ALRIGHT."
AS THEY ALL WALKED THROUGH THE FLOWER GARDENS, THEN MEN KEPT RUNNING OFF AND LATER CAME BACK WITH A FLOWER.SERENITY THANKED EACH ONE GRATEFULLY.SERENITY SAT DOWN ON A BENCH, JOHNSON SITTING NEXT TO HER."SO PRINCESS, DID YOU ENJOY THE BALL LAST NIGHT?" "NOT REALLY. ACTUALLY I HATED IT." SERNITY SAID DISMISSING JOHNSON'S QUESTION.JOHNSON SCOOTED CLOSER TO SERENITY.SHE LOOKED AT HIM AS IF HE WAS CRAZY; SHE SCOOTED FARTHER DOWN THE BENCH.JOHNSON KEPT SCOOTING CLOSER, MAKING SERENITY ANGRY.FINALLY SHE HAD ENOUGH."EXCUSE ME SIR JOHNSON.I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A WALK." "I'LL GO WITH YOU." "NO!"SERENITY SIGHED AGAIN.SHE WALKED OFF. 'ANY PLACE IS BETTER THAN BEING WITH JOHNSON.' SERENITY THOUGHT AS SHE HEADED TO A FAR PART OF THE GARDEN.
HEERO DIDN'T KNOW WHY SHA'RIE HAD ASKED HIM TO HELP HER GET FLOWERS.HE WAS CURRENTLY HOLDING A KNIFE THAT WAS GETTING READY TO CUT THROUGH A ROSE STEM. "WHY DID I LET HER CONVINCE ME TO HELP HER?" HEERO ASKED HIMSELF."HOW ARE YOU DOING HEERO?"SHA'RIE ASKED FROM HER CROUCHED POSITION."FINE SHA'RIE."HEERO LIED.HE DIDN'T HAVE ON FLOWER IN HIS BASKET.HE SIGHED.'KNIGHTS AREN'T MENT TO PICK FLOWERS.WE FIGHT ENEMIES NOT FIGHT ROSE STEMS. 'FOOTSTEPS MADE HIM LOOK UP. "HELLO HEERO.YOU STALKING ME?" HEERO CHUCKLED. "HARDLY.SHA'RIE ASKED ME TO HELP HER.I DON'T KNOW WHAT MADE ME DO IT."SERENITY GIGGLED.HEERO SLICED THE STEM HE HAD BEEN HOLDING."
WHY AREN'T THE OTHERS WITH YOU?"HEERO ASKED."THEY WERE BUT THEY WERE GETTING OUT OF HAND." HEERO SHOOK HIS HEAD."ALWAYS HAVE ONE OF US WITH YOU. SOMEONE MIGHT GRAB YOU WHILE YOU'RE ALONE."HEERO WINCED AS A ROSE THORN PENITRATED HIS FLESH.HE PULLED IT OUT."ARE YOU ALRIGHT? OH, YOU'RE BLEEDING." SERENITY SAID WITH WORRY. "I'M FINE."HEERO SAID."GIVE ME YOUR FINGER, HEERO." SERENITY SAID."WHY?" "I'M GOING TO FIX IT."SERENITY GRABBED HEERO'S HAND.SHE REACHED INTO A SIDE POCKET.SHE TOOK OUT A CLOTH.SHE TORE IT THEN TIED IT AROUND HIS FINGER.AFTER SHE DID THAT, SHE KISSED HIS BANDAGED FINGER."ALL BETTER."SERENITY SAID, PROUD OF HER WORK.HEERO REACHED DOWN AND SLICED A ROSE STEM.HE HANDED IT TO HER."THANKS." HE SAID.
TWO MONTHS HAD GONE BY, AND THE KNIGHTS WERE STILL THERE.THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SERENITY AND THE KNIGHTS GREW TO FRIENDSHIP.BROTHERS SISTER LOVE. EVERYDAY SERENITY'S INNOCENT LOVE GREW STRONGER FOR HEERO.WHAT HEERO WAS SLOWLY REALIZING WAS THAT HE WAS IN LOVE WITH SERENITY.SHE WAS PRECIOUS TO HIM HE HAD TO ADMIT. HE WAS USUALLY EMOTIONLESS BUT THE VERY MOMENT HE ARRIVED AT THE CASTLE, HEERO OPENED UP, WELL, TO SERENITY ANYWAY.
SHA'RIE ROUNDED THE CORNER TO SERENITY'S ROOM.SHE STOPPED WHEN SHE HEARED GIGGLING.'HEERO'S WITH HER.I THINK IT CAN WAIT TO TELL HER.'SHA'RIE WAS ABOUT TO TURN BUT DECIDED TO LISTEN.SHE PUT HER EAR UP TO THE DOOR. SERENITY LAUGHED AS HEERO TOLD HER WHAT HAPPENED OUT IN THE TRAINING AREA."THEN ELLIOTT SLIPPED AND FELL IN THE MUD. JOHNSON TRIED TO GET TO HIM, BUT HE SLIPPED AND FELL, TOO.IT WAS HILARIOUS.IT HAPPENED THIS MORNING, BUT I STILL CAN'T STOP LAUGHING."HEERO SAID WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE.SERENITY LAUGHED AS SHE TRIED TO PAINT HEERO. WHILE SHE WAS PAINTING, SHE TOOK A MOMENT TO LOOK OVER HIM.HEERO HAD MAHOGANOY HAIR, WITH PURSSIAN BLUE EYES.HIS TALL, MUSCULAR BODY WAS SUPPORTED BY THE LITTLE BIT OF ARMOR HE WAS WEARING.'PERFECT. HE'S PERFECT. HE CERTAINLY HAS OPENED UP TO EVERYONE. I'M SO GLAD HE IS WITH ME RIGHT NOW.'
"THIS IS BORING.I'M GONNA GO MAKE DINNER.I CAN TELL HER LATER."SHA'RIE SIGHED
SERENITY PUT DOWN HER PAINTBRUSH.SHE HAD TO TELL HIM.SHE HAD TO TELL HIM WHAT SHE FELT.SHE GOT UP AND WALKED TO HEERO."I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU." SERENITY SAID.HEERO SWITHCHED HIS POSITION ON THE BED FROM LAYING TO SITTING CROSSLEGGED. "I.I.I CAN'T!" HEERO TOOK SERENITY'S FACE IN HIS HANDS. "TELL ME. "SERENITY LOOKED AT HIM. 'THIS IS IT. I HAVE TO TELL HIM.'COURAGE SERENITY, COURAGE!'SERENITY TOOK A DEEP BREATH."I LOVE YOU, HEERO.I HAVE FOR QUITE SOME TIME."SERENITY EXHALED HER BREATH.HEERO LOOKED AT HER."I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU TOO." HEERO SAID. 'REJECTION!' SERENITY THOUGHT. "I LOVE YOU TOO." SERENITY COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT SHE WAS HEARING. "YOU DO?" HEERO NODDED. AT FIRST SHE THOUGHT HEERO WAS LYING TO HER BUT HEERO STARTED SMILING A DAZZALING SMILE AT HER. HEERO SMILED AT SERENITY.THEY LEANED FOREWARD.THEIR LIPS TOUCHED IN A SOFT KISS.THEY PULLED BACK.'MY FIRST KISS!' SERENITY THOUGHT. "I DIDN'T LIKE THAT.LET'S TRY THAT AGAIN." HEERO SAID. THEY KISSED AGAIN, MAKING THIS KISS DEEPER THAN THE FIRST ONE; EXTREMELY DEEPER. HEERO WRAPPED HIS ARMS AROUND HER SLINDER WAIST, PULLING HER MORE INTO THE KISS.THE KISS DEEPENED.SERENITY POURED EVER EMOTION SHE EVER HED INTO THE KISS.AFTER WHAT SEEMED LIKE AN HOUR, THEY LET GO FOR AIR."YOU'RE MINE.NO ONE CAN HAVE YOU."HEERO WHISPERED."THE SAME TO YOU."SERENITY SAID CURRLING UP TO HEERO.
QUEEN MARIANETTE SIGHED."POOR CHLIDREN.YOUR PASSION FOR EACH OTHER IS STRICKLY FORBIDDEN.A KNIGHT AND A PRINCESS CAN NOT BE.I FEEL THE THRONE IS AT STAKE."
SERENITY AND THE KNIGHTS WERE IN THE WOODS.IT WAS THE EASIEST WAY FOR SERENITY TO PRACTICE SWORDFIGHTING WITHOUT BEING CAUGHT HEERO WATCHED SERENITY'S MOVEMENTS; MANY TIMES HE WOULD YELL AT HER TO MAKE HER MOVEMENTS MORE CRISP.HE LEANED ON A TREE.SERENITY WAS FIGHTING JAMES. JAMES WAS GOOD; GOOD BUT NOT A MASTER. HE WAS THE TRUE MASTER.HE WAS TEACHING SERENITY TO BE A MASTER.IN CASE THEY WEREN'T THERE FOR HER, SHE COULD FIGHT. JAMES FELL TO THE GROUND; SERENITY'S SWORD AT HIS THROAT. SERENITY'S FACE WAS SET.SHE WAS ONLY PRACTICING BUT TAKING IT SEREIOSLY."GIVE UP?"JAMES NODDED. "IF YOU CAN BEAT JAMES, THEN YOU MUST BE ABLE TO BEAT ME."HEERO SAID STANDING BEHIND JAMES.JAMES CRAWLED TO THE OTHER KNIGHTS. THIS FIGHT WAS GOING TO BE INTENSE.
HEERO DREW HIS SWORD.SERENITY RASIED HER SWORD; THE BATTLE HAD BEGUN.SWORD CLASHED WITH SWORD; SPARKS FLYING.HEERO SWIPED AT SERENITY, BARELY MISSING HER. SERENITY DARTED AT HEERO.SHE JUMPED AND BROUGHT HER SWORD DOWN.HEERO DODGED IT.THE FIGHTING KEPT GOING, LEAVING THE OTHER KNIGHTS IN AWE.FINALLY A BODY FELL TO THE GROUND, SWORD POINTED AT THE THROAT."GIVE UP?"THE KNIGHTS MOUTHS WERE ON THE GROUND."I'M NOT THE ONE FOR LOSING, SERENA."HEERO SWIPED SERENITY'S LEGS OUT FROM UNDER HER, MAKING HER FALL FULL LENGHT ON HIM."I STILL WON."WHISPERED SERENITY AS SHE KISSED HEERO.
"QUEEN MARIANETTE! I HAVE A MESSAGE FORM ENGLAND!"YELLED SHA'RIE AS SHE RAN IN."SHA'RIE. YOU SHOULDN'T BE RUNNING IN YOUR CONDITION."THE QUEEN SAID.SHA'RIE IGNORED HER AND GAVE HER THE MESSAGE."GIVE ME THE MESSAGE."THE QUEEN TURNED, AND WHEN SHE DID SHE SAW HER HUSBAND.SHE GAVE HIM THE MESSAGE WHILE TRYING TO HIDE HER JOTFUL TEARS.THE KING SAT ON HIS THRONE, READING THE MESSAGE.THE KING GROWLED."WHAT? WHAT IS IT?" THE KING LOOKED AT HIS WIFE."SERENITY HAS TO MARRY THE PRINCE OF ENGLAND TO KEEP OUR ALLIANCE."THE QUEEN GASPED."NOT MY MISTRESS, SIR! SHE'S JUST A YOUNGEN'. A FERLING, A KITTEN, A PUP, A TEENAGER IN LOVE! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO HER!"THE KING LOOKED AT SHA'RIE."WHO IS SHE IN LOVE WITH?"SHA'RIE LOOKED BACK AT THE KING."SIR HEERO YUY, SIRE."THE KING FROWNED."FORBIDDEN! FORBIDDEN! A KNIGHT AND A PRINCESS CAN NEVER BE!" SHA'RIE FROWNED."SHE WANTS TO BE FREE! SHE WANTS TO LOVE AS SHE PLEASES HER! THATS WHY! SHE'S SEVENTEEN NOW! SHE AIN'T A PUP! I MAY HAVE SAID THAT EARLIER, BUT FOR A DIFFERENT REASON. SHE LOVES HIM.YOU AIN'T GONNA' STAND IN THE WAY OF TRUE LOVE! NOT AS LONG AS I'M LIVIN'!"
"THE QUEEN REQUESTES YOUR PRESENCE."SHA'RIE SAID."DO YOU KNOW WHY?" SHA'RIE NODDED."TELL ME."SHA'RIE SIGHED."ENGLAND WANTS YOU TO MARRY ITS PRINCE. IT KEEP WILL KEEP THE ALLIANCE.IT'S THE ONLY WAY."SERENITY STOPPED WALKING."I LOVE HEERO AND NOBODY ELSE!"SHA'RIE SIGHED."SERENA, I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU." "IS IT GOOD NEWS? IF IT'S NOT, I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT." SHA'RIE LAUGHED."IT'S GOOD NEWS.WELL, I'M PREGNANT." SERENITY LOOKED SHA'RIE UP AND DOWN."YOU LIE!" SHA'RIE SMILED."DON'T TELL WHO THE FATHER IS." SHA'RIE WHISPERED THE NAME INTO SERENITY'S EAR."JAMES FARMET!"SHA'RIE COVERED SERENITY'S MOUTH.AFTER A MINUTE SHA'RIE LET GO."SO YOU'RE SAYING YOU AIN'T?"SERENITY BLUSHED."NO I'M NOT."SHA'RIE SMIRKED AN EVIL SMIRK."AT LEAST HAVE SEX."THERE IT WAS AGAIN; SEX.IT SEEMED THAT EVERYONE IN THE KINGDOM WANTED HER TO BE HAPPY SO THEY WOULD MENTION SEX."I'M ONLY SEVENTEEN.I CAN'T DO THAT."SHA'RIE SMILED."COME ON, TIME FOR SEX CLASS!"
HOURS LATER, SHA'RIE AND SERENITY EMRGED FROM SERENITY'S ROOM."I NEVER KNEW." SERENITY MURMMRED."SO MUCH." SHA'RIE LAUGHED."SERENA, IF YOU WANT TO SHOW HEERO YOU LOVE HIM, MAKE LOVE TO HIM.IT MAY BE YOUR LAST CHANCE BEFORE YOU IS MARRIED." SERENITY NODDED. SHA'RIE LEFT SERENITY TO HER THOUGHTS.SERENITY SAT ON HER SOFT BED. PRINCE DARIEN WAS TO ARRIVE IN TWO WEEKS FROM NOW.HIS SHIP JOURNEY HAD BEGUN SIX MONTHS AGO.SERENITY SIGHED.SHE WANTED TO SHOW HEERO HOW MUCH SHE LOVED HIM.DID SHE HAVE TO DO THAT THROUGH SEX? 'IT IS A WAY OF SHOWING HIM HOW MUCH I LOVE HIM. I WOULD RATHER GIVE UP MY INNOCENCE TO HEERO THAN TO PRINCE DARIEN.'
"SO WHERE SHALL WE GO?" HEERO ASKED SERENITY.SHE SHRUGGED."WHATS WRONG. SOMETING IS ON YOUR MIND.TELL ME WHAT IT IS." SERENITY SMILED AT A PEASENT CHILD THAT RAN BY HER.THEY WERE OUTSIDE THE PALACE. SERENITY HAD CONVINCED HER FATHER TO LET HER GO."PRINCE DARIEN.WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER HE AND I ARE MARRIED?" HEERO LOOKED AT HER."I DON'T KNOW, DARLING.I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW.I WISH I COULD SEE THE FUTURE.THEN I COULD STOP ANYTHING THAT WOULD HARM YOU."HEERO SAID PULLING SERENITY CLOSE TO HIM.
SERENITY SAT IN HER ROOM.IT WAS COLD INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.IT WAS RAINING VERY HEAVILY, AND SHE HAD NOT SEEN HEERO ALL DAY LONG.IT WAS LATE NIGHT WHEN SHE HEARD A SOUND IN HER ROOM.SERENITY SAT UP AND LITE A CANDLE.IN THE SHADOWS STOOD HEERO WEILDING A SWORD.SERNITY SQUILED AS SHE RAN TO HEERO.HEERO DROPPED HIS SWORD AND HUGGED SERENITY.SERENITY LOOKED AT HEERO."YOU'RE ALL WET."HEERO CHUCKLED."I CLIMBED IN THROUGH YOUR WINDOW."HEERO SHOWED SERENITY HIS DRIPPING CLOAK AS PROOF. " I FOUND A NEW TOY. IT'S SHARP." HEERO JOKED. " YOU CAN HAVE IT FOR ALL I CARE. TAKE IT. JUST DON'T KILL BRADLEY."
SERENITY SAT ON THE BED, LOOKING AT A SOPPING WET HEERO.HE HAD CAME FROM HIS CHAMBER WINDOW, THOUGH THE RAIN, ALL THE WAY TO HER WINDOW; HE DID ALL THAT JUST TO SEE HER.SHE SAT THERE THINKING.THEN SHE GOT AN IDEA; RING THE BELL.A KNOCK CAME AT HER DOOR.HEERO BACKED INTO THE SHADOWS.SHA'RIE WALKED IN."YES'M? YOU RANG?" HEERO CAME OUT OF THE SHADOWS."AH, GET YOU SOME DRY CLOTHES.I'LL BE RIGHT BACK."SHA'RIE RACED OUT OF THE ROOM."DID YOU KNOW THAT SHA'RIE IS PREGNANT?"HEERO NODDED HIS WET HEAD."JAMES FARMET IS THE FATHER."HEERO SAID.SHA'RIE RAN IN WITH DRY CLOTHES FOR HEERO."THANKS SHA'RIE."HEERO SAID."ANY TIME." SHA'RIE SAID RUSHING OUT OF THE ROOM.
HEERO WENT IN TO SERENITY'S BATHROOM TO CHANGE; LEAVING THE DOOR OPEN A SMIDGEN SO HE COULD HERE WHAT SERENITY WAS SAYING TO HIM.SERENTIY SAT ON HER BED CROSSLEGGED.SHE WAS SILENT FOR THE MOMENT.USUALLY, SHE WOULD BE BABBLING ON ABOUT SOMETHING SHE DID TODAY, BUT SHE DIDN'T FEEL LIKE TALKING.
"ALRIGHT, I'M FINISHED."HEERO SAID AS HE SAT DOWN.SERENITY LOOKED AT HIM WITH SHINING EYES."WHAT'S WRONG?" HEERO ASKED.SERENITY TURNED HER HEAD."SHA'RIE TOLD ME SOMETHING TODAY, AND WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO." HEERO PUT HIS ARMS AROUND SERENITY."LET ME GUESS."HEERO THOUGHT FOR A MINUTE.SHA'RIE TOLD JAMES EVERYTHING, THEN JAMES TOLD HEERO EVERYTHING.HE SHOULD KNOW.THEN HE REMEMBERED.JAMES HAD TOLD HIM THAT SHA'RIE HAD GIVEN SERENITY A SEX LESSON."SHA'RIE'S SEX LESSON." SERENITY LOOKED AWAY ASHAMED.HEERO LIFTED SERENITY'S CHIN.HE BROUGHT HIS LIPS DOWN ON HERS, MAKING A PASSIONATE KISS."SERENITY, IF YOU LOVE ME, SHOW ME. LET ME TAKE YOU.I'LL BE DAMNED IF I LET THAT PRINCE TAKE YOU WHEN HE DOESN'T LOVE YOU." SERENITY LOOKED INTO HEERO'S PURSSIAN BLUE EYES.SHE KISSED HIM TO SHOW THAT SHE WANTED HIM.SHE WANTED HIM AND ONLY HIM. HEERO COLLAPSED ON SERENITY; THEY WERE BOTH BREATHING HARD.HEERO ROLLED TO THE SIDE SO HE WOULD NOT CRUSH SERENITY UNDER HIS WEIGHT.HE PULLED THE COVERS OVER THEM.SERENITY LAID ON HEERO'S CHEST.HEERO MOVED A FEW STRANDS OF SWEATY HAIR AWAY FROM SERENITY'S FACE."I LOVE YOU."HEERO SAID.SERENITY LOOKED AT HIM."I LOVE YOU TOO, HEERO.FOREVER."HEERO LOOK INTO THE EYES OF HIS YOUNG BEAUTIFUL PASSIONATE LOVER.HEERO KISSED SERENITY AS HE WRAPPED HIS ARMS AROUND HER. SERENITY LOOKED UP AT HEERO. SHE WAS SO GLAD THAT HE HAD CHOSEN HER. HE CHOSE HER TO GIVE HIS LOVE TO. JUST AS HEERO CHOSE HER, SERENITY CHOSE HEERO TO GIVE HER INNOCENNCE TO. FORBIDDEN.
EARLY MORNING, A KNOCK CAME AT SERENITY'S DOOR.NO ONE ANSWERED.THE DOOR PUSHED OPEN. SHA'RIE PEAKED HER HEAD IN, AND THEN FOLLOWED BY THE REST OF HER BODY. "MA'AM? ARE YOU IN HERE?"SHA'RIE WHISPERED. SHA'RIE LOOKED AT THE BED.SHE ALMOST SQUILIED IN DELIGHT.SHE RUSHED OUT OF THE ROOM, SILENTLY CLOSING THE DOOR BEHIND HER.
SHA'RIE RUSHED TO JAMES'S ROOM.SHE KNOCKED FIVE TIMES WITHOUT GETTING AN ANSWER.SHE PUSHED THE DOOR OPENED THEN SLAMMED IT BEHIND HER, WAKING JAMES. "WHAT SHA'RIE?"JAMES GRUMBLED."I GOT GREAT NEWS! SERENITY AND HEERO MADE LOVE LAST NIGHT! I WENT IN TO CHECK ON THE PRINCESS AND THEY WERE THERE, SLEEPIN' IN THE SAME BED. NO SHIRT ON EITHER!" JAMES WOKE UP AFTER SHA'RIE SAID THAT."GOOD GOD! YOU AIN'T JOKING! HOLY SHIT! THIS IS SOME NEWS!"JAMES SAID GETTING DRESSED. "LET'S GO! I HAVE TO TELL THE GUYS!"JAMES RUSHED OUT, SHA'RIE BEHIND HIM.
HEERO STIRRED.HE YAWNED, AND OPENED HIS EYES.HE LOOKED AT SERENITY; SHE WAS STILL SLEEP.HE THOUGHT OF THE NIGHT BEFORE.WOULD SERENITY REGRET IT? HE DIDN'T REGRET IT.HEERO FELT SERENITY YAWN.HE LOOKED AT HER.SERENITY WAS LOOKING BACK AT HIM."MORNING DARLING."HEERO SAID KISSING THE TOP OF SERENITY'S HEAD. "MORNING."SHE REPLIED.HEERO SAT UP, BRINGING SERENITY UP ASWELL.HE LOOKED AT HER THEN KISSED HER.AFTER AN HOUR OF JUST HOLDING, HEERO GOT OUT OF BED AND GOT HIS CLOTHES ON."WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"SERENITY ASKED."IF I'M CAUGHT HERE,I'LL BE HANGED. YOU DON'T WANT ME TO HANG DO YOU?" HEERO ASKED WHILE BUTTONING HIS PANTS."I THOUGHT YOU WERE LEAVING ME." HEERO LOOKED AT SERENITY.HE SAT NEXT TO HER."WHY WOULD I LEAVE YOU?"HEERO ASKED."I LOVE YOU,I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU."HEERO KISSED SERENITY."AND IF YOU HAVE MY CHILD I'LL STILL BE HERE TO LOVE YOU AND CARE FOR YOU.I'LL BE HERE WHEN YOU WANT ME.I'LL NEVER LEAVE YOU.I HAVE TO GO BEFORE I'M CAUGHT.SEE YOU AT BREAKFEST." HEERO SAID AS HE PULLED ON HIS SHIRT AND CLOAK.HEERO KISSED SERENITY ONE MORE TIME. HEERO GRABBED HIS SWORD ON HIS WAY OUT.HE TOOK A LAST LOOK A SERENITY THEN CLOSED THE DOOR BEHIND HIM.
SHA'RIE PASSED HEERO IN THE HALL.SHE STOPPED HIM."IS SHE ATLEAST OUT OF THE SHEETS?"HEERO CHUCKLED."FIGURES YOU WOULD BE THE FIRST TO KNOW.NO SHE'S NOT."SHA'RIE LOOKED AT HIM."IS SHE AWAKE?""YES."SHA'RIE RUSHED PAST HEERO WITH A SMILE ON HER FACE.
SHA'RIE SLAMMED THE DOOR, SIGNALING HER PRESENCE."COME ON.I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A BATH. BREAKFEST IS IN TWO HOURS."SERENITY SHRANK UNDER HER COVERS. AFTER SERENITY'S BATH AND DRESSING, SERENITY SAT AT HER VANITY, SHA'RIE BRUSHING HER HAIR."DO YOU FEEL BETTER?" SERENITY NODDED."YOU FORGOT TO SAY THAT IT WOULD HURT IN THE BEGINNING." SHA'RIE LAUGHED."THAT YOU HAD TO FIND OUT ON YOUR OWN."SHA'RIE LOOKED IN THE MIRROR AT SERENITY. "BUT YOU'RE AWFULLY YOUNG. DO YOU THINK YOU CAN HANDLE A CHILD AT YOUR AGE?"SERENITY GLARED AT SHA'RIE."YES."SERENITY SAID SERIOUSLY."HEERO SAID HE'D BE HERE IF I NEEDED HIM, AND HE SAID HE WOULDN'T LEAVE.I TRUST HIM." SHA'RIE SMILED."SO DO I."
SERENITY SAT AT HER USUAL CHAIR FOR BREAKFEST.SHE NOTICED THAT NONE OF THE KNIGHTS WERE AT THE TABLE."THEY WILL NOT BE JOINING US." SAID KING JUAQUEZ.HE NOTICED HIS DAUGHTER WAS LOOKING ANGRY OVER SOMETHING SO SIMPLE. "WHY NOT?"ASKED QUEEN MARIANETTE."THEY WILL HAVE TO GET USE TO NOT EATING WITH US WHEN PRINCE DARIEN ARRIVES." SERENITY'S HOPES OF SEEING HEERO HAD DROPPED.LIFE JUST DIDN'T SEEM FAIR."BUT HE CAN JUST DEAL WITH IT.IT'S IMPOLITE TO CHANGE SOMETHING THAT WE ARE ALL USED TO, TO FIT A FOREIGN PRINCE." SERENITY SAID."AND IT'S IMPOLITE NOT TO. AND IT'S IMPOLITE TO KEEP SOMETHING FROM YOUR FATHER, THE KING." KING JUAQUEZ SAID EYEING SERENITY. SERENITY TURNED AWAY. SERNITY TRIED TO HIDE HER BLUSHES. "I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT FATHER. WHAT WOULD I KEEP FROM YOU?"
SERENITY SAT AT HER VANITY, HER HEAD DOWN.SUDDENLY SHE FELT SOMETHING BRUSH AGAINST HER CHEEK. SHE LOOKED IN THE MIRROR. HEERO STOOD BEHIND HER WITH A ROSE IN HIS HAND. SERENITY GOT UP AND HUGGED HIM. HEERO HELD HER AT ARMS LENGTH. HE GAVE HER THE ROSE. THEY BOTH SAT ON THE BED. HEERO LOOKED DOWN."WHAT'S WRONG?" SERENITY ASKED HEERO."PRINCE DARIEN'S SHIP IS A WEEK EARLY.WE WON'T SEE EACH OTHER AS MUCH AS WE PLANNED."SERENITY SIGHED."I HAVE TO LEAVE.I HAVE TO HELP YOUR MOTHER PREPARE FOR THE PRINCE'S ARRIVAL."HEERO SIGHED."GOOD LUCK,LOVE!"SERENITY YELLED AFTER HEERO. " THANKS. I NEED THAT."
EVER SINCE THAT SPECIAL NIGHT, HEERO ALWAYS LEFT A ROSE WHEN HE HAD SPENT THE NIGHT. HE WOULD ALWAYS HAVE TO LEAVE EARLY SO HE WOULDN'T GET CAUGHT. THEN HE WOULD USUALLY SEE HER IN THE AFTERNOONS. FROM NOW ON, THE KNIGHTS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO EAT WITH THE ROYALS, NONE THE LESS BE SEEN WITH THEM.THE ONLY KNIGHT THAT WAS ALLOWED TO BE SEEN WITH THE ROYALS WAS HEERO.HE WAS SERENITY'S PERSONAL GUARDIAN; AND SECRET LOVER. OF COUARSE SERENITY HAD TO HAVE HER SAY AND WHEN SHE HAS HER SAY, SHE GETS HER WAY OR EVERYONE IS ON HER DEATH LIST. KING JUAQUEZ SAID THAT THE RULE WAS FINAL AND HIS FOOT WAS DOWN. SERENITY MADE SUCH A FUSS THAT THE RULE THAT THE KING HAD SET HAD BEEN LIFTED ONLY AFTER FIVE MINUTES OF BEING IN MOTION. SO LIFE WAS BACK TO NORMAL. KING JUAQUEZ STILL DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY SERENITY WAS MAKING A FUSS ABOUT SOMETHING SO SIMPLE.
THE DAY WHEN PRINCE DARIEN WAS TO ARRIVE WAS VERY HECTIC; PEOPLE BUMPING INTO PEOPLE. WHENEVER KING JUAQUEZ TRIED TO TALK TO SERENITY, SHE WOULD JUST FALL ASLEEP OR ZONE OUT. "IT'S THE STRESS,SIRE. IT IS GETTING TO HER. DON'T WORRY." BUT TO THE KING, IT WAS DIFFERENT.AT NIGHT, HE WOULD SEE KNIGHT HEERO STANDING AT SERENITY'S DOOR EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T HIS SHIFT.HE WOULD BLINK AND HEERO WOULD BE GONE.THEN IN THE MORNING, HE WOULD SEE HEERO COME OUT OF HIS DAUGHTER'S ROOM."IT'S CUSTOMARY PROCEDURE."HEERO EXPLAINED, "THAT I CHECK TO SEE THAT THE PRINCESS IS SAFELY IN HER BED, THAT SHE WASN'T KIDNAPPED DURING THE NIGHT."IT CONFUSED KING JUAQUEZ TO NO END. THE HORNS BLEW, ANNOUNCING THE ARRIVAL OF PRINCE DARIEN. HEERO AND SERENITY WERE IN HEERO'S CHAMDERS.HE WAS READING TO HER WHEN SHA'RIE HAD RAN IN YELLING,"THE PRINCE IS HERE! GET OUT THERE! IF HE SEE YOU IN HERE HE GONNA HANG HEERO!" WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT, HEERO AND SERENITY RAN OUT OF THE ROOM TO THE FRONT GATES. **************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** ******************** WELL, WHAT DO YA TINK? GOOD? HOPE SO. I REALLY WROTE THIS FOR MY FRIENDS AND MYSELF BUT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE COOL IF I POSTED IT. I KNO ITS LONG BUT DEAL WITH IT!( REST OF THE CHAPS ARE THIS LONG TOO. NO BIG. I HAD TO EDIT IT IN ONE PARTICULAR PART.COUGH,COUGH.UM.YOU SHOULD KNO WHERE I EDITED IT. IT IS PG- 13. BUT WHOEVER WANTS THE UM.SPECIAL SIDE STORY, YA KNO WHERE TO REACH ME