The marble window sill is cool to the touch of my thighs as I sit with a heavy text in the glow of a lantern. Somewhere in the palace courtyards, the giggles of the Princess and of Venus can be heard. I am quite certain they are blathering on about the Prince and the General again.

I brush off the cover of my book, one I found in a deep corner of the royal library. It took me years to find, and to my hopes, the time was spent well. The title reads, in an old script, "Earth". That's all. Simple, direct. Yet the book is so large, and I know not even volumes of books this size could contain everything.

As kind as our Queen Serenity is, and as loving as Princess Serenity is, the people thirst for more. Perhaps no one has noticed, aside from me. The only other person here that may feel something is wrong is Mars. She, however, is preoccupied with other concerns. She doesn't think I've noticed, but she has spent more time locked up in her room in meditation.

I turn the page to a rough contents list. Most of the text is about the landmasses and its inhabitants, with the seas largely unexplored in depth.

For centuries, we guardian scouts have looked after the Princess and the Queen, who in turn care for the Earth. Before that, the Queen herself solely took responsibility.

No one questioned her rule over the Earth until it formed its own kingdoms. Now, they wish for independence from us, but equality in power. The people here on the Moon do not understand those on the Earth, so political tension was birthed. This is largely unprecedented, and I have been silently assigned with the task to learn about the people of Earth from a fully objective stand point.

The Queen has asked me not to worry the others, so I have not uttered a word of my task. I do realize my intentions are misinterpreted as a fascination to Jupiter, who regards me to be as hopelessly enthralled by the Earth as our Princess and Venus.

I see a few strands of blue in front of my eyes, and tuck them up behind my tiara.

Through the window, beyond the lanterns, you can see the Earth rise on our cratered horizon. It is a beautiful gem with a large splay of shapes and colors...each moment it is different. Always changing, from moment to moment and century to century. I can say with certainty that there are mountains where there didn't used to be, and the peeking of new islands through the ocean's surface.

Just like the land, the people are always changing…sometimes for the better, often for the worst. Just as the mountains have appeared, so has their wars.

I am not permitted to visit Earth myself, as it would raise suspicion. That doesn't mean I don't want to.

Princess Serenity once brought back a flower from the Prince's gardens. I have since pressed it in this book as a tangible reminder that there is another world, and that this text does not describe it in a just manner.

I am saddened by the thought that I may never see Earth personally, as it does not take deep thought to realize we are dancing on the brink of a war. Perhaps my research is ultimately in vain. I cannot let my resolve waver, for this is all I have to contribute.

I will do my best to learn about our possible friend or enemy thriving on that beautiful blue gem. I will report to the Queen as planned, with all I know, in the hopes that a stable peace may be attained. I will digest this book, inside and out, and more if I find them.

I will not let the future of my Princess fall apart due to a lack of intelligence.

I have a part to play in the lanterns glow in the palace library, cast away from the others in silence.

I will contribute my mind to the protection of this peace and the longevity of the Princess.

This is the oath I take, sworn by my planet, Mercury.