Title: Enemy of My Enemy
Author: Kawaii_Momo
Email: Tsukino.Usagi@stargate-command.zzn.com
Rating: PG-13 (nothing explicit, but rating may increase)
Pairing: Endymion/Serenity
Summary: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Or perhaps...more than a friend?
Standard disclaimers apply. Nothing in the original story of Sailor moon belongs to me. All other plots and storylines I gladly claim right to.
Author's Notes: Ok, peeps, this is my first fic. The idea has been hanging around in my mind for aaages, but I finally sorted it out and got it down on paper.
Please note: There are no senshi, and though the princesses of the other planets are mentioned, they are NOT guardians of the princess. They have power and status in their own right. This story is mainly centered around the romance of Endymion and Serenity, just not the way the original Sailor moon was written. There is a Silver Alliance which Queen Serenity rules, but the other princesses do not 'serve' in her court. They may help out because of the Alliance, but this is more like the relationships and treaties that the countries nowadays have. If this story seems a little too political, blame it on the fact that I'm studying Constitutional (Public) and European Union Law. ^v^~
Chapter 1
--*On Earth*--
A man rushed through the halls of the royal palace. At the age of forty, his steps would normally be stately and dignified, as befitted his role as an Advisor in the Royal Council. Yet today, he rushed through the halls bumping into and apologizing to the startled ladies and offended lords, and ignored the trail of whispers and gossips he left in his wake. He opened a door to the room at the end of the corridor and bowed deeply. "Your Highness! We have gathered reports that Beryl is assembling an army to attack us!"
His Highness sat at a dark brown, mahogany table. The rich colour of the wood contrasted deeply with the finely embroidered clothing that clothed him; all proclaiming him to be rich and powerful. And indeed he was. Not only was he well-trained in the arts of battle and swordsmanship, but also in the ways of ruling a planet, as befitted his status of being the Prince Endymion of Earth. At the age of a full nineteen seasons, he had grown into a handsome young man, with locks of ebony black hair and a tall, muscular frame. Piercing, midnight blue eyes glanced up sharply from a well-defined, regal face. "Are you sure?"
"Indeed, your Highness. Chaos and riots run rampant throughout the smaller, more distant cities; no doubt due to her evil influence. We have long suspected that she would attack us, and today a captured rioter has confirmed it!"
"What did he say?"
"He said that her Majesty, the revered Queen Beryl has been wrongfully spurned by your Highness, and that revenge must be taken to right that wrong. I quote his words, 'in one year from now, the rule of this undeserving Prince Endymion will be overthrown and the Earth will be her Majesty's as it should have been!' " the Advisor bowed again. "Apologies, your Highness. I meant you no insult."
The Prince waved it away. "No matter, you were merely quoting the man." He tapped the table before him, pondering.
"Your Highness, my advice would be to call a Council meeting. We needst to be discussing this matter urgently. A year may seem a long time, but the gathering of an army and careful planning is needed to deal with one such as Beryl; the more time we have the better."
"True.Very well, schedule a Council meeting for this afternoon." He raised his eyebrows amusedly. "No doubt, by rushing here as you have, the halls would be set afire with curiosity."
The Advisor flushed slightly. "It was an important matter, your Highness. I thought only of informing you to the quick, indeed I must have offended a few ladies and lords on the way." He gave a slightly sheepish smile.
Endymion chuckled. "Do not disturb yourself over such a small matter. If they were offended then they think far too importantly of themselves- it does them some good to be brought down to level." Then his gaze turned serious. "However, gossip travels faster than lightning through these corridors; try to keep the matter of Beryl as quiet as possible. There is no use in alarming the public on a matter we have not even discussed yet."
"As you wish, your Highness." The man bowed once more, then retreated away, leaving Endymion to think on the matter of Beryl.
--*flashback*--
The court ball had just started, and Endymion had been bored out of his wits. The flirting ladies made him wonder if some sort of strange affliction had befallen them; causing endless fluttering lashes accompanied with side symptoms of inane high-pitched giggling. He'd have opted out of attending, but Queen Beryl -ruler of the distant planet Nemesis- had been invited, and since she was royalty, the royalty of this planet had to attend as well, or risk incurring the wrath of her planet. Not that he cared; Beryl was known to be a calculative and mean person, cruel to her own subjects and careless to their well-being, but she was powerful, and war between Earth and Nemesis would have been, and still is, a bad idea. And besides, it was bad manners to invite someone and not turn up yourself.
Not that he'd have invited her, of course. The ball was actually quite a big event, and the Council had suggested that not inviting Beryl might insult her just as much as if he didn't attend, since rather important acquaintances on other planets have been invited as well.
He sighed.
Beryl had marched in with her usual fanfare and self-absorbed importance, framed with long wavy red hair and enveloped in figure-hugging dark purple velvet. Despite her voluminous curves, the courtiers and lords present immediately proffered a hand to the nearest lady beside them and offered to dance. Those who were not fortunate enough to do so immediately excused themselves with a drink to the side of the dance floor claiming profound fatigue. The reason was clear. No one wanted to dance with the young queen. For all her beauty, her face was marred by a false smile that could not quite cover up the cruel, calculating look in her eyes. Even the makeup which had been expertly drawn on her face in the latest fashions to reflect her wealth and knowledge of such matters, merely managed to garishly enhance her features into a dark mask which sent a chill up the spine of anyone who cared to look at her. But no one did, for fear of catching her eyes and being invited to dance.
They needn't have worried. Beryl had her sights set on someone else. Someone who could provide her with far more status and wealth than they ever could.
* * *
Endymion had been toying with the idea of escaping to the royal gardens; the ball was a bore, and really only an excuse for the young ladies and countesses to scout out for prospects of marriage among the promising young lords- and who was more eligible than the High-not to mention incredibly wealthy and powerful- Prince of Earth? Endymion was more than a little irritated, though he was honest enough to admit that he might have found it highly amusing to watch his friends being pestered by the young ladies, if so much of their attentions hadn't been directed at himself. Lord Kunzite, - the childhood friend and the brother he never had- at the very marriageable age of 18, with his snow white hair and, most importantly, high status, seemed especially susceptible to the ladies' coy invitations. Another perusal of the dance floor.hmm.perhaps now would be a good time to slip out. If he went round the sides to the small doors leading to the gardens, walking among the shadows, no one would notice--
His thoughts were interrupted by two breasts thrust rudely into his line of vision, framed by a plunging neckline of dark purple velvet, not ten centimeters from his eyes. He drew back sharply and followed the line of cleavage up to a thick set of lips, which might have been considered sensual, but that was painted a shade too red, then, a high, if somewhat sharp nose that reminded Endymion of a hound, and finally, kohl-lined brown eyes that looked almost black in their greed and slyness.
Beryl.
Hound was right. That nose smelt out power and status like a hound smelt out blood, and even had greedy black eyes to match.
"Your Highness? Oh, it's such a pleasure to finally meet you!"
"Oh, Your Majesty, it's you." He took the hand she proffered between two fingers and barely bent over it before dropping it like a hot stove. "The p- .." The word pleasure stuck in his throat and he couldn't bring himself to say it. He swallowed. "The honor is mine." He lifted the corners of his mouth sarcastically to give a semblance of a smile.
Her voice was sickeningly sweet, grating on his ears. She laughed, a false laughter that echoed cloyingly around the room.
"Please, Your Highness. Call me Beryl." She sat down beside him without invitation and leaned forward, allowing him a clear view of her well- endowed bosom. "There's no need to be so formal. If my memory serves me correctly, it's...Endymion, is it not?"
Endymion gritted his teeth and pressed his lips together, and said tightly, "The court would be most displeased if I were to profane Your Majesty's reputation of chastity with any semblance of intimacy between us. There's no need to bother Your Majesty with such trivialities as my name. You shall address me as 'Your Highness'."
Beryl laughed again. Endymion felt like strangling her.
"Oh, if it pleases you, Your Highness. I know that you care very much for me...-" she brushed against his arm and smiled suggestively, ".and my reputation, but you must call me Beryl. I insist."
Endymion nodded tightly and turned away, dismissing her. But Beryl was not finished yet. She latched on to his arm.
"Well, Your Highness? Aren't you going to offer me a dance?"
"No." He tried to signal to one of the Advisors, or Lords, anyone! to help him detach this power-hungry leech of his arm, but they all avoided his eyes. Traitors.
"Well, I'll offer you one then."
He sighed, irritated, and turned back to Beryl. "I'm tired."
"Oh that's alright then. Since you're tired, perhaps we should retire to your quarters...?" She peered at him under her fluttering eyelashes.
Endymion felt like he was going to be sick. The thought of being in the same room with Beryl, alone-- He shuddered. He glanced round the room again for help, but Kunzite and Jadeite were busy entertaining five young ladies, and the other two lords Nephlite and Zoicite were nowhere to be found. Some friends.
"Endymion?"
Couldn't the woman take a hint? To hell with politeness and 'not insulting the 'too-powerful-to-be-an-enemy-Beryl''. He wrenched his arm out of her grasp.
"Look, Your Majesty, I will be frank with you. I have no feelings for you, and the thought of 'retiring' to my quarters with you only brings on less than pleasant feelings of revulsion. It is not a tempting idea nor ever will be. You were invited to this ball as an act of courtesy, please conduct yourself as such." He brushed past her coldly and strode off.
Then stopped.
"And you shall address me as 'Your Highness'."
--*End Flashback*--
Beryl had been enraged, of course. The lords had, rather unsuccessfully, tried to cover up their smirks while the ladies tittered behind their fans, and Endymion, was feeling very satisfied. It was almost worth the lecture he had received from the Council Advisors later on the 'duties and acceptable behaviors' of a host. They termed it as 'advice', but it was a lecture all the same.
Endymion sighed again. That was two years ago. He had been seventeen then, rash and very much to his own will. A passionate and well-intending ruler, aye, but rash and willful was still a heady combination coupled with the impatience of teenagehood. He'd grown up a lot since then. As was customary after his parents' (Their Majesties King Endymion and Queen Geia) unfortunate demise in a hunting accident, the Council Advisors have taken over the duty of his education, and ever since his 18th name-day celebration his Advisors have been emphasizing on his responsibilities of governing a planet, in preparation for his coronation as King on his 21st name-day. They had done their job well. Under their guiding hand, the Prince was now -still a passionate- but much more subtle ruler, more attuned to the manipulations of court and more apprised of 'veiled information', as he liked to call it, that which may, at first glance seem innocent enough to the passing eye, but actually had many political implications and insinuations, contained in the diplomatic and polite speeches which many of his court loved to give.
The faint ringing of a bell from the kitchens downstairs signaled the arrival of the lunch hour. Endymion decided that he would go down to the dining hall first and save the servant the trip up to inform him. After all, those over-anxious Council Advisors would no doubt have arrived already- he might as well start the meeting early.
* * *
"But, Advisor Wilde...!!--"
"Just, bear with me for a moment, Advisor Erius, I have discussed this with some of the other Advisors, and we have all agreed that this may be the best chance we have to end this matter of Beryl once and for all!"
"But, to join the Silver Alliance now when we have resisted against it for so long! -To be subservient towards the Moon and it's ruler Queen Serenity- the idea is preposterous!" Erius sputtered, setting down his glass of port.
"No one said anything about being subservient. If we can negotiate a treaty, different from the Silver Alliance, one excluding Moon's rule over any planet that joins the Alliance, we do not necessarily have to acknowledge Queen Serenity's superiority over our own planet." Advisor Wilde gestured and said.
Endymion poked at a carrot. "We would have to offer something valuable enough in return if we wish to stand on equal terms with the Moon."
"Earth has many resources; raw materials, jewels, crystals, valuable stones which the other planets lack. Our skills and power in battle are known throughout this galaxy. We are prolific in life forms and plants, with fertile arable vibrant with life energy; things grow well on Earth. We would be able to provide many agricultural benefits as well."
"That has never helped us with the Silver Alliance before." Endymion said.
"With all due respect, Your Highness, that is because we have never wished to join the Alliance before. Indeed, the relationship between our two planets might well have been much better if Earth was not so rich in resources. It is precisely because Earth has never needed to share our resources to gain benefits from the other planets that Queen Serenity is so displeased. Here is a gold mine right next to her which she effectively cannot dig." Wilde chuckled. "As the saying goes, 'so near and yet so far'."
Erius frowned. "As I recall, one of the major problems between the negotiations of our planets was because we refused to acknowledge Queen Serenity as our ultimate ruler, even if only in name. Even with our resources, we could not convince her to grant us equal standing in the Alliance- Why should she do so now?"
Endymion nodded. "Erius has a point, Advisor Wilde."
Wilde shook his head. "Aye, but Your Highness is forgetting something."
"Oh?"
"Princess Rei of Mars has been practicing battle with you since she arrived last year, Your Highness, has she not? From her we have learnt that the Moon is having much trouble with Mars of late, is that not so?" Wilde leaned forward over his half-eaten steak and grinned conspiratorially. "Queen Serenity's throne on the Silver Alliance is not as stable as it once was. We shall offer her assistance against Mars, securing her throne for her, as it is. Surely she cannot protest."
Endymion raised an eyebrow. "That may be well, Advisor, but I believe a major part of the problem was that without being 'subservient', as Advisor Erius puts it, Queen Serenity has no guarantee that we would assist her when the time comes."
"Well...yes, this is the 'alternative' part of the treaty." Wilde and two other advisors glanced hesitantly at each other. "We will give her her guarantee."
Endymion flicked his eyes between the three Advisors.
"I take it this is the part I am not going to like." He said dryly. "Pray tell, how exactly, are we going to give her this.guarantee?"
"Well." Advisor Wilde dithered over his glass of port.
Endymion humphed. "Spit it out, man. We might as well get it over with. We are going to give her this guarantee...how?"
"...By your marriage to her daughter, Princess Serenity of the Moon."
* * *
End Chapter 1
Mwahahaha!! Cliffhanger!! grin well, u know what to do, the more u review, the faster the story gets out! Besides, it's my first fic, comments, criticisms...throw me a bone...!...something, anything!! So come on, pple, a little encouragement here...
Author: Kawaii_Momo
Email: Tsukino.Usagi@stargate-command.zzn.com
Rating: PG-13 (nothing explicit, but rating may increase)
Pairing: Endymion/Serenity
Summary: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Or perhaps...more than a friend?
Standard disclaimers apply. Nothing in the original story of Sailor moon belongs to me. All other plots and storylines I gladly claim right to.
Author's Notes: Ok, peeps, this is my first fic. The idea has been hanging around in my mind for aaages, but I finally sorted it out and got it down on paper.
Please note: There are no senshi, and though the princesses of the other planets are mentioned, they are NOT guardians of the princess. They have power and status in their own right. This story is mainly centered around the romance of Endymion and Serenity, just not the way the original Sailor moon was written. There is a Silver Alliance which Queen Serenity rules, but the other princesses do not 'serve' in her court. They may help out because of the Alliance, but this is more like the relationships and treaties that the countries nowadays have. If this story seems a little too political, blame it on the fact that I'm studying Constitutional (Public) and European Union Law. ^v^~
Chapter 1
--*On Earth*--
A man rushed through the halls of the royal palace. At the age of forty, his steps would normally be stately and dignified, as befitted his role as an Advisor in the Royal Council. Yet today, he rushed through the halls bumping into and apologizing to the startled ladies and offended lords, and ignored the trail of whispers and gossips he left in his wake. He opened a door to the room at the end of the corridor and bowed deeply. "Your Highness! We have gathered reports that Beryl is assembling an army to attack us!"
His Highness sat at a dark brown, mahogany table. The rich colour of the wood contrasted deeply with the finely embroidered clothing that clothed him; all proclaiming him to be rich and powerful. And indeed he was. Not only was he well-trained in the arts of battle and swordsmanship, but also in the ways of ruling a planet, as befitted his status of being the Prince Endymion of Earth. At the age of a full nineteen seasons, he had grown into a handsome young man, with locks of ebony black hair and a tall, muscular frame. Piercing, midnight blue eyes glanced up sharply from a well-defined, regal face. "Are you sure?"
"Indeed, your Highness. Chaos and riots run rampant throughout the smaller, more distant cities; no doubt due to her evil influence. We have long suspected that she would attack us, and today a captured rioter has confirmed it!"
"What did he say?"
"He said that her Majesty, the revered Queen Beryl has been wrongfully spurned by your Highness, and that revenge must be taken to right that wrong. I quote his words, 'in one year from now, the rule of this undeserving Prince Endymion will be overthrown and the Earth will be her Majesty's as it should have been!' " the Advisor bowed again. "Apologies, your Highness. I meant you no insult."
The Prince waved it away. "No matter, you were merely quoting the man." He tapped the table before him, pondering.
"Your Highness, my advice would be to call a Council meeting. We needst to be discussing this matter urgently. A year may seem a long time, but the gathering of an army and careful planning is needed to deal with one such as Beryl; the more time we have the better."
"True.Very well, schedule a Council meeting for this afternoon." He raised his eyebrows amusedly. "No doubt, by rushing here as you have, the halls would be set afire with curiosity."
The Advisor flushed slightly. "It was an important matter, your Highness. I thought only of informing you to the quick, indeed I must have offended a few ladies and lords on the way." He gave a slightly sheepish smile.
Endymion chuckled. "Do not disturb yourself over such a small matter. If they were offended then they think far too importantly of themselves- it does them some good to be brought down to level." Then his gaze turned serious. "However, gossip travels faster than lightning through these corridors; try to keep the matter of Beryl as quiet as possible. There is no use in alarming the public on a matter we have not even discussed yet."
"As you wish, your Highness." The man bowed once more, then retreated away, leaving Endymion to think on the matter of Beryl.
--*flashback*--
The court ball had just started, and Endymion had been bored out of his wits. The flirting ladies made him wonder if some sort of strange affliction had befallen them; causing endless fluttering lashes accompanied with side symptoms of inane high-pitched giggling. He'd have opted out of attending, but Queen Beryl -ruler of the distant planet Nemesis- had been invited, and since she was royalty, the royalty of this planet had to attend as well, or risk incurring the wrath of her planet. Not that he cared; Beryl was known to be a calculative and mean person, cruel to her own subjects and careless to their well-being, but she was powerful, and war between Earth and Nemesis would have been, and still is, a bad idea. And besides, it was bad manners to invite someone and not turn up yourself.
Not that he'd have invited her, of course. The ball was actually quite a big event, and the Council had suggested that not inviting Beryl might insult her just as much as if he didn't attend, since rather important acquaintances on other planets have been invited as well.
He sighed.
Beryl had marched in with her usual fanfare and self-absorbed importance, framed with long wavy red hair and enveloped in figure-hugging dark purple velvet. Despite her voluminous curves, the courtiers and lords present immediately proffered a hand to the nearest lady beside them and offered to dance. Those who were not fortunate enough to do so immediately excused themselves with a drink to the side of the dance floor claiming profound fatigue. The reason was clear. No one wanted to dance with the young queen. For all her beauty, her face was marred by a false smile that could not quite cover up the cruel, calculating look in her eyes. Even the makeup which had been expertly drawn on her face in the latest fashions to reflect her wealth and knowledge of such matters, merely managed to garishly enhance her features into a dark mask which sent a chill up the spine of anyone who cared to look at her. But no one did, for fear of catching her eyes and being invited to dance.
They needn't have worried. Beryl had her sights set on someone else. Someone who could provide her with far more status and wealth than they ever could.
* * *
Endymion had been toying with the idea of escaping to the royal gardens; the ball was a bore, and really only an excuse for the young ladies and countesses to scout out for prospects of marriage among the promising young lords- and who was more eligible than the High-not to mention incredibly wealthy and powerful- Prince of Earth? Endymion was more than a little irritated, though he was honest enough to admit that he might have found it highly amusing to watch his friends being pestered by the young ladies, if so much of their attentions hadn't been directed at himself. Lord Kunzite, - the childhood friend and the brother he never had- at the very marriageable age of 18, with his snow white hair and, most importantly, high status, seemed especially susceptible to the ladies' coy invitations. Another perusal of the dance floor.hmm.perhaps now would be a good time to slip out. If he went round the sides to the small doors leading to the gardens, walking among the shadows, no one would notice--
His thoughts were interrupted by two breasts thrust rudely into his line of vision, framed by a plunging neckline of dark purple velvet, not ten centimeters from his eyes. He drew back sharply and followed the line of cleavage up to a thick set of lips, which might have been considered sensual, but that was painted a shade too red, then, a high, if somewhat sharp nose that reminded Endymion of a hound, and finally, kohl-lined brown eyes that looked almost black in their greed and slyness.
Beryl.
Hound was right. That nose smelt out power and status like a hound smelt out blood, and even had greedy black eyes to match.
"Your Highness? Oh, it's such a pleasure to finally meet you!"
"Oh, Your Majesty, it's you." He took the hand she proffered between two fingers and barely bent over it before dropping it like a hot stove. "The p- .." The word pleasure stuck in his throat and he couldn't bring himself to say it. He swallowed. "The honor is mine." He lifted the corners of his mouth sarcastically to give a semblance of a smile.
Her voice was sickeningly sweet, grating on his ears. She laughed, a false laughter that echoed cloyingly around the room.
"Please, Your Highness. Call me Beryl." She sat down beside him without invitation and leaned forward, allowing him a clear view of her well- endowed bosom. "There's no need to be so formal. If my memory serves me correctly, it's...Endymion, is it not?"
Endymion gritted his teeth and pressed his lips together, and said tightly, "The court would be most displeased if I were to profane Your Majesty's reputation of chastity with any semblance of intimacy between us. There's no need to bother Your Majesty with such trivialities as my name. You shall address me as 'Your Highness'."
Beryl laughed again. Endymion felt like strangling her.
"Oh, if it pleases you, Your Highness. I know that you care very much for me...-" she brushed against his arm and smiled suggestively, ".and my reputation, but you must call me Beryl. I insist."
Endymion nodded tightly and turned away, dismissing her. But Beryl was not finished yet. She latched on to his arm.
"Well, Your Highness? Aren't you going to offer me a dance?"
"No." He tried to signal to one of the Advisors, or Lords, anyone! to help him detach this power-hungry leech of his arm, but they all avoided his eyes. Traitors.
"Well, I'll offer you one then."
He sighed, irritated, and turned back to Beryl. "I'm tired."
"Oh that's alright then. Since you're tired, perhaps we should retire to your quarters...?" She peered at him under her fluttering eyelashes.
Endymion felt like he was going to be sick. The thought of being in the same room with Beryl, alone-- He shuddered. He glanced round the room again for help, but Kunzite and Jadeite were busy entertaining five young ladies, and the other two lords Nephlite and Zoicite were nowhere to be found. Some friends.
"Endymion?"
Couldn't the woman take a hint? To hell with politeness and 'not insulting the 'too-powerful-to-be-an-enemy-Beryl''. He wrenched his arm out of her grasp.
"Look, Your Majesty, I will be frank with you. I have no feelings for you, and the thought of 'retiring' to my quarters with you only brings on less than pleasant feelings of revulsion. It is not a tempting idea nor ever will be. You were invited to this ball as an act of courtesy, please conduct yourself as such." He brushed past her coldly and strode off.
Then stopped.
"And you shall address me as 'Your Highness'."
--*End Flashback*--
Beryl had been enraged, of course. The lords had, rather unsuccessfully, tried to cover up their smirks while the ladies tittered behind their fans, and Endymion, was feeling very satisfied. It was almost worth the lecture he had received from the Council Advisors later on the 'duties and acceptable behaviors' of a host. They termed it as 'advice', but it was a lecture all the same.
Endymion sighed again. That was two years ago. He had been seventeen then, rash and very much to his own will. A passionate and well-intending ruler, aye, but rash and willful was still a heady combination coupled with the impatience of teenagehood. He'd grown up a lot since then. As was customary after his parents' (Their Majesties King Endymion and Queen Geia) unfortunate demise in a hunting accident, the Council Advisors have taken over the duty of his education, and ever since his 18th name-day celebration his Advisors have been emphasizing on his responsibilities of governing a planet, in preparation for his coronation as King on his 21st name-day. They had done their job well. Under their guiding hand, the Prince was now -still a passionate- but much more subtle ruler, more attuned to the manipulations of court and more apprised of 'veiled information', as he liked to call it, that which may, at first glance seem innocent enough to the passing eye, but actually had many political implications and insinuations, contained in the diplomatic and polite speeches which many of his court loved to give.
The faint ringing of a bell from the kitchens downstairs signaled the arrival of the lunch hour. Endymion decided that he would go down to the dining hall first and save the servant the trip up to inform him. After all, those over-anxious Council Advisors would no doubt have arrived already- he might as well start the meeting early.
* * *
"But, Advisor Wilde...!!--"
"Just, bear with me for a moment, Advisor Erius, I have discussed this with some of the other Advisors, and we have all agreed that this may be the best chance we have to end this matter of Beryl once and for all!"
"But, to join the Silver Alliance now when we have resisted against it for so long! -To be subservient towards the Moon and it's ruler Queen Serenity- the idea is preposterous!" Erius sputtered, setting down his glass of port.
"No one said anything about being subservient. If we can negotiate a treaty, different from the Silver Alliance, one excluding Moon's rule over any planet that joins the Alliance, we do not necessarily have to acknowledge Queen Serenity's superiority over our own planet." Advisor Wilde gestured and said.
Endymion poked at a carrot. "We would have to offer something valuable enough in return if we wish to stand on equal terms with the Moon."
"Earth has many resources; raw materials, jewels, crystals, valuable stones which the other planets lack. Our skills and power in battle are known throughout this galaxy. We are prolific in life forms and plants, with fertile arable vibrant with life energy; things grow well on Earth. We would be able to provide many agricultural benefits as well."
"That has never helped us with the Silver Alliance before." Endymion said.
"With all due respect, Your Highness, that is because we have never wished to join the Alliance before. Indeed, the relationship between our two planets might well have been much better if Earth was not so rich in resources. It is precisely because Earth has never needed to share our resources to gain benefits from the other planets that Queen Serenity is so displeased. Here is a gold mine right next to her which she effectively cannot dig." Wilde chuckled. "As the saying goes, 'so near and yet so far'."
Erius frowned. "As I recall, one of the major problems between the negotiations of our planets was because we refused to acknowledge Queen Serenity as our ultimate ruler, even if only in name. Even with our resources, we could not convince her to grant us equal standing in the Alliance- Why should she do so now?"
Endymion nodded. "Erius has a point, Advisor Wilde."
Wilde shook his head. "Aye, but Your Highness is forgetting something."
"Oh?"
"Princess Rei of Mars has been practicing battle with you since she arrived last year, Your Highness, has she not? From her we have learnt that the Moon is having much trouble with Mars of late, is that not so?" Wilde leaned forward over his half-eaten steak and grinned conspiratorially. "Queen Serenity's throne on the Silver Alliance is not as stable as it once was. We shall offer her assistance against Mars, securing her throne for her, as it is. Surely she cannot protest."
Endymion raised an eyebrow. "That may be well, Advisor, but I believe a major part of the problem was that without being 'subservient', as Advisor Erius puts it, Queen Serenity has no guarantee that we would assist her when the time comes."
"Well...yes, this is the 'alternative' part of the treaty." Wilde and two other advisors glanced hesitantly at each other. "We will give her her guarantee."
Endymion flicked his eyes between the three Advisors.
"I take it this is the part I am not going to like." He said dryly. "Pray tell, how exactly, are we going to give her this.guarantee?"
"Well." Advisor Wilde dithered over his glass of port.
Endymion humphed. "Spit it out, man. We might as well get it over with. We are going to give her this guarantee...how?"
"...By your marriage to her daughter, Princess Serenity of the Moon."
* * *
End Chapter 1
Mwahahaha!! Cliffhanger!! grin well, u know what to do, the more u review, the faster the story gets out! Besides, it's my first fic, comments, criticisms...throw me a bone...!...something, anything!! So come on, pple, a little encouragement here...