The night we met was something out of a storybook. Romances like these rarely happen in real life. I remember every detail from then. The crystal chandeliers, the marble pillars with golden trim in the ballroom, the look of the five layered cake decorated specially for the event, and her white dress with embroidery around the bust. Not that I was paying THAT much attention to it.

The first time I ever saw her face she was wearing a mask that looked embroided with diamonds instead of lace like the other guests. That led me to believing that she was richer than most, like me. Usually I am able to read people right away, but her...she took me by suprise.

I thought she was a snob who had lots of money and certainly didn't mind having the world know it. I also took her for a man-eater as I had seen at least four or five gentlemen approach her and chatted but she eventually ran from all of them. And she wore her hair in the most ridiculous style; one which I had never seen before. She was obviously far from our lands.

But how I misjudged her. She is the only person who has ever left me quite as amazed and baffled as she had. Going back to that night...

~How we met~

That night my family and I decided to throw a charity ball hoping to squeeze out whatever we could from the local aristocrats. We had heard that many farmers had been having a lot of trouble re-growing crops from this winter. Therefore we threw a social event saying we were raising money for the starving families of the lower classes in our kingdom which was only half true. Considering money won't feed the hungry when they don't have any food to buy, the true proceeds were going towards more forgein goods in hope that we might be able to import more food since we were having trouble growing them. But the proceeds are mostly going to benefit the poor.

I got spruced up to please my parents. I was forced to wear this dark blue tailcoat that had gold trim to it. I also wore a white blouse and an embarassing ruffled ascot around my neck. A maid of mine recommened combing my gair back but I declined as politlely as I could have. She however suceeded in doing so. I rushed out of the room as her back was turned hoping to escape her bejeweling me.

I went to visit my sister who was excited as this was her first ball. I met her in the hall since I wasn't allowed in her room. She ran up to me to greet me with a hug. Her coal black hair was pulled back in the front but the back hung down naturally. She wore a cute lavender dress with a floral design around the edges and a pink bow tied in the back.

"Oh Endo, I'm so excited for tonight. Look, I brought you a mask since I heard that most people will probably wearing them tonight." She said looking up at me with those sea deep adorable blue eyes and putting the mask over my face. It was plain white.

"Well they did write that it was going to be a masquerade in the invitations. Most people would die to get into one which makes you lucky. You get to go alive." I said.

"Well of course I do! I'm royalty." She said stomping her foot and sticking her nose the other way.

"Yes you are. And the cutest one that this kingdom knows." I tickled her and she chuckled, giving me a smile big and bright.

"Alright now your majesty Aetolia, we must be heading there now as we are to practice your introduction before the guests arrive." A maid said assisting my joyful sister down the hall. But not before she turned around shouting, "Don't forget to wear the mask!"

I smiled and waved and wrapped it around my head, tying the ribbon in the back. I went to look at my apperence in the nearest mirror. I looked ridiculous. 'It's just one night' I told myself. I stiffened up and walked toward the ballroom.

The room was lit fairly bright. Guests had arrived as early as a half an hour before scheduled time. The orchestra played beautiful melodys the couples began dancing to. It took an hour later till I was able to find a dance partner for myself for the young/single ladies had arrived later with their parents. Eventually I was dancing for fourty minutes straight. Women kept throwing themselves at me and I couldn't seem to find a break. So when I finished up the last dance I excused myself from the dance floor and fled to the nearest gentlemen's only room for some air. Though I didn't catch much. It was croweded and hot and drunks were gambling away. I could've retired to the terrace but I wouldn't have escaped the women crowding me.

"Endymion! We've been wondering where you were." Said a familiar voice. I looked up and seen my friends. Clymenus was care-free, silly, and quite immature. Pausanias on the other hand was sophistocated, calm, and intellegent. They were the unlikliest of friends but had a certain understanding of each other.

"I can see you have already helped yourself to refreshments." I commented on Clymenus' breath as I could smell the reek of alchohal mixed with a distasteful scent of an unknown cheese.

"They are serving port and brie and I will enjoy myself with life's simple pleasures as long as I am alive." He proceeded to cosuming more alcohol. Though I didn't want to seem rude to my guests I wanted to remain seated and get as much rest as I possibly could for I knew it was doubtful I would get much more when I left this room.

"How have you been since we had seen you last?" Pausanias asked.

"I have not done anything of interest lately but if you must pry, I've been practicing combat more these days. The weather has been so nice that Kunzite has had me practice out the fields closer toward the woods these days. It give us great space. However lately I have been feeling like a presence is watching me and it's daunting. I'm getting closer to learning I am right."

"Well that is uncomfortable. Do you think it could be an attacker or assassin?"

"It's probably some animal since you are near the woods! Or...Maybe it's a girl who has a crush on you?" Clymenus teased while awkwardly winking out of his left eye.

"How is it you are already intoxicated?" Pausanias asked Clymenus.

"I am not that drunk yet!" Clymenus insisted.

"Well speaking of drinking I will be needing one before heading back out." I said standing and grabbing a drink from the tray the servent politely offered. I chugged a small glass of port (damn, was it good stuff), tightened my ascot and walked out into the next room. The dancing crowd had increased and I had been spotted by a pretty blonde in a pink dress. I danced with her till the next dance had begun and this time it was an all round trip dance. You see, there are two circles that form, the gentlemen on the outside and the ladies on the inside. The ladies travel clockwise while a the sound of the next note, we gentlemen turn around, greet them, circle each other while palms touch, then bow and turn back around waiting for our next partner to appear.

Everyone, including myself, assumed positions and waited as the music began. My first partner was a plump woman who looked in her thirties. Her brunette hair was tied up in a bun and she greeted me with a warm yet slightly scary smile. I forced myself to smile back politely. By the looks from her bejewled hands she was married to a rich count or duke or something as she wore a wedding ring. You can still she is spoiled. She must eat a lot and spend a lot. I could see the greed in her eyes. We circled and touched palms till it was time to turn and wait for who ever was next.

My next partner was cute. She wore all blue, had long, dark midnight black hair tied in a braid and shyly looked up at me smiling. I smiled warmly at her as we circled and touched palms. She was definately humble, not full of herself like most of the rich. Her self confindence must've been low or she was just nervous around me being royalty and all. She kept looking down at our feet and didn't look me in the eye musch.

Next...I braced myself, already feeling tired and wishing I had't left my seat so early. I turned around and had seen a peculiar young lady.

I couldn't exactly tell her age but knew she was young. Her diamond mask covered her bright water blue eyes. Her long golden blonde hair tied in what looked like what I could only describe as...moss balls? That had pig tails falling down them. And her dress was a beautiful long white embroided gown that even caught my eye. She did not look like the other guests, and her hair!..She must be foriegn! There is no way she could possibly be from here looking like that! She was not dressed in what was condsidered "in-style" and her hair was in the most ridiculous hairstyle I had ever seen.

As we began circling I was mesmerized, puzzled. I could see in her eyes that she was kind. I felt a warm gentle-ness from them.

"Have we met before?" I asked her.

"I believe we are meeting each other for the first time now your highness." She said in a sweet tone as we touched palms. Her hand was warm and soft. And as we touched palms I felt a shiver down my spine. I never get this kind of feeling from anyone no matter who they are.

"Are you from around here? Probably not. No wait, you must be from the west close to the city in Dinthesis correct? Or maybe you come from the north?"

"Um...you are right sire. I am not from here." She said then taking a bow.

"How did you come here? Are you with an escort? What is your name?" I began questioning her.

"Uh..." She looked to her left and my head followed. The other gentlemen had already turned around and the woman who was going to be my next partner "ahemed". I blushed and turned around frustrated. I wanted to learn more about this girl. Who was she? Where was she from? Could she be a spy from one of the distant cities?

I turned and greeted my next guest but eyes had been constantly switching to that girl from before. I had paid attention to all the other ladies while still turning my head toward the peculiar girl I was suspicious of. I watched as she had danced with all the others, getting really into the dance, sometimes a little too much, looking embarassing but still laughing about it and looking like she was having fun. No one I've ever known would be able to embarass themselves publicly and still be brave and sure of themselves enough to laugh at one's self. Though her smile was genuine and true, I couldn't help but smile.

Once the dance had finished I had planned on finding her right away though the crowd had scrambled everywhere and I could hardly reach her. Ladies began throwing themselves at me again but luckily I had seen her not too far away from me. Clymenus was talking to her close by behind a pillar. This was perfect, Clymenus would be able to get answers for me if he befriended her. He might be a bit of an imbecile but he has traveled farther than I and can tell where someone is from in seconds either by their accent or clothes. I may have scared her away but she seemed to have taken a liking to Clymenus I assumed with all her giggling.

I felt a tug on my arm and fell a little towards my left. I turned to find a younger looking blonde dress in red lace pulling my arm and giggling.

"My dear prince, won't you share then next dance with me?" She asked cutely.

"Hey, I was here first!" A burnette that didn't look that much older than me protested. And so the bickering began. I looked around to try to find the closet exit but no such luck for me to be able to sneak out without someone noticing immediately. I did not handle women fighting very well. I continued to look around and then I had seen Clymenus approch from the right. I shuffled in his dierection a little; as much as the crowd would let me.

"Clymenus!" I called.

"Oh no! Don't come to me bragging about your popularity with women." He said.

"That's not even slightly close to what I am thinking. That girl that you were speaking to earlier. The blonde with the strange hair and expensive looking clothes. What did you find out about her?"

"Not that much. We had began talking politics then when I tried asked her about her hair and where the hairstyle was inspired from she somehow was able to sneak away and disappear into the crowd."

So she's avoiding questions, that makes me curious. If she has nothing to hide then why does always run whenever some one asks her a personal question. Yet she is not afraid to talk politics?

"What type of politics did you both talk about?" I asked.

"She believes this ball is to help fund importable goods insted of helping the poor. And she suspects the farm lands are dry from the winter. But that is ridiculous! Our crops have always been healthy and we have some of the best damn farmers you won't find in any near by kingdom. For years so many who weren't from our land tried buying our stock; she makes no sense to me." Clymenus answered.

"That's ridiculous! Next she'll tell us that we'll see snow in the summer." I had tried to make a joke to lighten the mood and seem confident that her words were lies though they were the unavoidable truth. And I was never good at making jokes, though Clymenus did his best to laugh louder than he actually meant to. But how did she know about our plans let alone our crops? They are miles from here, in the city. Nobles very rarely go that far out from the capitol.

"She's probably just saying such things for attention." One girl with dark red hair tied back and matching blue eyes and dress said to my right.

"Exactly. She sounds stupid saying such things. How could she not know what's REALLY going on in the world. Our crops are perfectly healthy and our economy is thriving. Why my father told me the other day that we should have an abundent amount of grapes in our vineyard this year so there will be plenty of wine to go around. He says they are trying to make new recipes this year." Someone said on my far left. The voice sounded familiar so I turned to find Demeter, daughter of Lord Glemenucius, the owner of a Vineyard on the futher east side of Caira, a city apart of our kingdom (which I would say is thirty to fourty miles from here). Quite an appropriate name for his daughter, after the goddess of Agriculture.

"Never the less, tis no need to worry yourself ladies...and Clymenus. We are perfectly well and safe here in Elysion." I assured my audience.

"I always feel so safe with you Prince Endymion." A cheery girl said somwhere in the crowd. I did not see her face. But I had noticed the mysterious blonde whom everyone was talking about escape out the door and onto the patio. I couldn't let her leave! I knew I had to move fast.

"Excuse me ladies but I am feeling a bit ill at the moment. I think I need to take some fresh air outside...alone if you please. But do not worry yourselves, I cannot keep such lovely guests waiting long." I had said sounding as courtious and cordial as I possibly could. Not too many were pleased with me taking my leave but I was determined to find out who and what that mysterious girl was up to. I chased after her onto the patio but she was no where in sight. Only a few people were outside because though we were going into spring it still was quite chilly out.

I headed right towards the rose garden. Perhaps I would be lucky to find the mysterious maiden wondering about. Surely enough her dress had caught my eye as the moonlight shined off it. She was face deep into a rose bush trying to smell one of them. I walked up from behind her.

"They aren't in full bloom yet." I had said startling her and causing her to fall forward. Luckily I garbbed her arms and caught her before she could fall in. We moved back slowly and I removed my hands as she turned. Looking suprised, eyes wide behind that diamond mask, she shyly bowed her head and curtsied without saying a word.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." I said. "Not too many people are out here lately because the roses have yet to be in full bloom."

"Well...I have never seen a rose before so I am not quite sure what they look like in full bloom." She had said.

"Really? Our rose festival is very popular here. Both noblemen and commoner come every year. Even those from the outer cities"

"Well I never come here really."

"Really? Then where are you from, may I ask?"

"Well..." I noticed her gaze turned back towards the patio. I walked in front of her view and crossed my arms.

"Are you here with an escort?" I asked.

"No...I'm...I'm here alone." She said.

"Alone? How come?"

"Because I-I'm not...what I mean to say is..I'm...I'm not suppose to be here."

"You're not suppose to be here..?"

"But please do not make me leave. I only wanted to attend one of your parties here just once. They've always looked so fun and-"

"What do you mean by 'they've always looked so fun?' I thought you had never been here before. And you seem to find the garden quickly enough too." I said. I had her! I can tell she had said more than she wanted. She began to look nervous. She bit her lip and twidled with her thumbs. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath in, preparing to speak.

"I have only ever viewed your castle from afar." She said.

"From afar..?" Now I was confused. 'Is she a spy? No! Spies are not easily vexed. She claims to not be from her yet she had seen the castle from afar...' Then it clicked. 'She must be a servent of a sort that stole her masters clothing to enjoy one evening here.'

"Please...I mean no harm. I only wanted to-"

"Are you a servent in disguise?" I got to the point. She lifted and eyebrow and appeared to contimplate her answer first.

"Yes...I am." She replied. But this couldn't be true. From her facial expression it seemed like a lie.

"I am here because it is my last night of freedom. My...master has sold me you see!?" She said with a disgust expression while turning the other way and trying to stop herself from clenching her fists too much.

Now this was strange. From her body langueage it seemed to me that she was not a servent but she was in fact sold. But how could she be sold if she is not a servent nor peasent of some kind. Her story seemed rather intriguing but I could tell she had enough. Though she looked at the ground full of rage I could see she was fighting back tears. No matter who she was, she was in fact sold and trying to enjoy herself one last evening. How could I deny her that? Without knowing the full truth I became sympathetic towards her. I reached in my coat to grab my handkerchief and handed it to her then removed my coat to place it over her for I had also noticed her shoulder shaking a bit as the wind blew. She seemed confused.

"Your secret is safe with me. There's no need to cry tonight for whatever awaits tomorrow can stay awaiting. Enjoy yourself tonight." I said. She looked up at me smiling then wiping her eyes.

"T-Thank you." She said. After letting a few tears out and taking deep breaths she turned to me. "You should probably return to your guests. There were plenty of beautiful young maidens that have taken an interest in you tonight." She said shedding my coat from her shoulders and handing it to me.

"Ah yes, well, I wish I could say the same."

"You mean to tell me that not one young lady here has taken your eye or peaked your interest?" She said lifting an eyebrow and smirking at me, looking entertained.

"Afraid not. Well...only one." I said winking at her, implying her to be that one. Her expression faded into a suprised one. Then turned the other way sad, looking back at the rose bush.

"Must be nice..." She said.

"What?" I asked now confused to her changed mood.

"To be free to choose..."

"Are you not free to choose...say, a husband?"

"It's just...is any...slave, truly free to do anything?" She asked looking into my eyes. The saddness in hers made my heart skip a beat and I felt such pity and sadness for her. It's rare that anyone can make feel as her. Her smile, her tears, it's as if they are contagious. I look into her eyes and see real, genuine emotion.

"I...I suppose not..." I finally said struggling to find the right words. I have never thought much about peasents or servents and certainly never thought them as slaves...are they? Do they truly have no freedom? No choices in their lives? I could tell she truly knows what it is like to not be free.

"Prince Endymion!" I heard a voice behind us call. I turned to see that same obnoxious blonde with the red laced dress that was fighting over me earlier stood at the corner of the patio calling out to us, seeming anxious. I turned back to her, the more intriguing and beautiful blonde. I would feel guilty just leaving her like that...knowing how upset she was. She smiled though and her tears dried.

"Go...your guests await." She said. I smiled back at her and reached for the rose that was closest bloomed. I picked it with as much force as I could and handed the lightly bloomed rose to her.

"Though a rose may face many harsh winters, it will always bloom in the spring's sunshine." I had said trying to cheer her up. I was taught that poetry can always win over a maiden's heart. I'd hoped that this much would cheer her up and give her some sort of hope. She took it and smiled genuinely at me.

"Thank you!" She said, eyes bright.

"You're welcome. I shall save a dance for you later." I said bowing. She chuckled.

"It would be an honor." She bowed her head and curtsied beautifully. She seemed well practiced. I guess a servent normally is.

I walked back where the annoying young lady greeted me and snuggled up to me. It made it hard to put my tailcoat back on. I sucessfully did so before re-entering the ballroom and being forced back onto the dancefloor. It was only an hour away now till the auction began. I needed to be patient till then...

As the next dance began to play my partner was easy to find. It was now my turn to dance with the maiden from the rose garden before. I heard the music play a passionate piece with violin and flutes. As we joined hands and began walking down the hall and following everyone's lead circling each other and stepping away then back in center, then circle, then reverse, and some creative joining of hands from time to time. After a while I knew that there would be no change of pace so I began to speak to her.

"So how are you enjoying yourself?" I asked her. She smiled up at me.

"Very much so. The dances here are so fun and creative." She said.

"You're not use to dancing I'm sure." I said. Figuring her position and all.

"Well not entirely. I had picked up a few along the way."

"Really? You had? How?"

"Let's just say not all aristocrats in my life were entirely ignorant that they couldn't have taught me a thing or two of simple things such as dancing."

"They must have been very generous I imagine."

"Yes...I do care for them I'll admit. They are...were good friends to me." She said coughing.

"What kind of dances were you taught?"

"Waltzing mostly."

"It shows. Your teacher had taught you well, if I do say so myself."

"Thank you!" She said smiling up at me. "You're not so bad yourself."

"You think so?"

"I've danced with worse." She said. We both chuckled. As the dance stopped she had bowed and tried slipping away but I had grabbbed her by her hand and pulled her close to me.

"Allow me to improve myself to being the best you've ever had." I said teasing. Her face grew bright red more as my other hand slid down her waist and began swaying with her side to side as the music changed. After a while of swaying and spining around in circles I spun her around and dipped her. Later lifting her and continuously pulling her in close. Afterwards I kissed her hand as a sort of 'farewell' yet slightly flirtatious gesture.

"My goodness. You might want to be more careful of your actions since we are being watched." She said lifting an eyebrow and turning towards her left, blushing the whole time. As I stood up I turned my gaze over to what she was staring at. There were so many angered young ladies watching our every move. Some of them looked intimidating. It caused a slight cold shiver down my spine.

"Ah well, I'm sure they'll forgive me. For now at least a few have been taken off my hands." I said trying to lighten the mood and turning back to her. She looked up at me, eyebrow still raised.

"You poor misguided fool. It is not you they are glaring at." She said.

"Oh?"

"Well thank you for the dance." She bowed. "I must admit, I've never been danced with like that before. It was a refreashing change. Though I now have made a few enemies I must watch for." She winked and was about to walk away.

"I'm sorry. I hadn't thought about that. I guess I'm so used to-"

"Having the attention on yourself?" She turned back to me with a raised eyebrow.

"Well...In many words..." I felt embarassed. I hadn't considered the kind of attention I would attract to her. She left me stumbled for words. She was a truly interesting specimen.

"It is alright, your highness. I understand." She bowed. So she does know who I am?

She suddenly look over my shoulder and frowned.

"Well, I'm sad to say that I must leave now. But perhaps we shall meet once again if fate will have it; And I can see that lovely rose garden of yours." She said.

"Now? But why so soon?" I asked. She didn't look at me once. Not even a glance. I turned my head to try and find what or who she was staring at. I noticed a woman with midnight dark hair and a similar moss ball hair style to hers walk in. She wore a navy blue woolen cloak with gold trim and a mask with similar style.

"I apologize, I had merely lost track of time and must be going now. Thank you for the dance and everything else. I've enjoyed every moment. Goodbye." She curtsied and backed away but not before turning to say..."And keep up the good work on your swordsmanship. Lord Kunzite is teaching you well."

"How do you know that?" I asked. She gasped and put her hand over her mouth. She disapeared into the crowd and ran to the doors, leaving the ballroom again. I tried stopping her but I was stopped by a funny looking woman far from my age and began dancing with me, snorting, and saying, "Oh my prince. Excuse me. Haha!"

I left the woman, pushing her aside and running back outside on the patio. I rushed towards the garden again, assuming she ran away there but no such luck. She was gone, out of sight. I had noticed, however, in the grass layed her diamond covered mask. I picked it up to inspect it. Her owner must be wealthy.

I had come to the conclusion that she was the one spying on Kunzite and myself during pratice. "So it was a girl with a crush spying on me." I had said aloud. Clymenus was right.

Regardless I took the mask in and donated it to the charity fund.

Little did I know that night that I had just met Princess Serenity, of the Moon kingdom.