Chapter 2
A week past since the mask and I hadn't seemed to be able to get enough sleep since. All the alcohol served at the party left a certain lingering taste on my tongue that caused a desire for more during the week but believe me when I say, 'I can stop at anytime'. In truth I can control myself but I prefer not to as I am relishing in the amusement it brings me. It eases the dull reality in my life.
Even before the mask my parents have been hounding me in finding a suitable bride/queen. My father is quite older now, almost fifty one, and I can understand their impatience towards me finding a wife to ensure our blood line and stability in our kingdom. But I am so unsure of so much still.
I have not yet met a young lady that I feel comfortable calling my queen, let alone my wife. No one leaves me with a sense of suprise anymore. All of them are so typical; nothing they do suprises me anymore. And I hate how much they pretend just to interest and entertain me. I use to be able to make friends with the oppisite sex and make real, deep, and meaningful converstaion with them. But since my father has grown older and weaker, women seem to have become more dishonest. I miss the mystery and excitement of getting to know a girl and making friends with one, but all of them would be false to their true character. I've never been a fan of fabrication to one's personality.
Not only do I feel myself struggling to find a proper wife, but I also struggle in facing the enevditable truth, I am to be king. King! Me? I had always anticipated on this happening when I was older...at least twenty three. But in a sense life is unfair at seventeen. I feel nervous thinking about it. I find myself asking questions like; 'What kind of king am I to be?' and 'Will I meet everyone's expectations? or 'Will I ever match to be the great ruler my father has...had become?' I admire him so, my father. I love him as much as any son could love his father, but I am not him. He had accepted and learned to like the life he was given. I wish I could be like him; It hurts me so much to say that, 'I'm nothing like him.' I wanted to be like him when I was younger but now that I am grown my perspective has changed. Now I find myself questioning the world. I am unsatisfied with my life and I don't know what it is I am looking for but I know that if I never find it, I couldn't possibly forgive myself.
Perhaps I yearn for adventure, expierences full of fun and challenges, tales to tell and friends to share it with, something that makes me feel at peace and unexplainable happiness yet...here I am stuck in this castle as I have been for the past seventeen years. I don't know how satisfied I will be if this is to be my life for the next fourty years.
I heard the maid knock at the door and I invited her in. She came running in with a tray full of hard boiled eggs, a side of spinach, warm milk, an apple, and freshly plucked lavender too (but that was merely for decoration). She laid the tray on the side table next to me.
"Here's your breakfast sire and when you are ready I'll send in someone to help assist you in dressing." She said bowing and her face wrinkled as she smiled. Her dark brunette hair had curled out of her cap a bit and I could smell her terrible breath from my bed. But I loved , she was a true treasure. She had taken care of me since I was eight, before my sister was even born. She had gained some pounds over the years but still was as vibrant and full of spirit as ever.
I returned with a smile of gratitude and thanked her before she walked out. I began nibbling on one of the harboiled eggs from the tray laid out for me. As I stuffed my mouth with spinach as well, and chugged it all down with the milk that was given, Kunzite, my swordsmaster, walked in.
"Looking as beautiful as ever I see, Master." He said giving me a nod of fake approval towards my apperience. My dark coal hair was messy and not properly brushed and I was still in my chaft and under the blankets a bit.
"I had just woke and wasn't expecting company so early." I said. He didn't look at me. He had walked around in circles in my room observing the decor. Two katanas hung above the fireplace on my left and and across from that,on the wall towards my right, was a rack of spears and next to that hung on the wall was a glaive. Paintings of my great-whatever-grandfathers hung on my walls too as well as maps of our kingdom, cities surrounding us, and one over top of my bedframe of the world. The walls were white and the floor was white marble with smudged black spots, similar to a dalmation's fur coat.
"Quickly eat your breakfast then get dressed and meet your parents and I in the observatory in the east wing."
"The observatory? Why? Have I done something wrong?"
He walked over to me where I was sitting and eating breakfast. He took the apple from the tray. "Why?" He said then taking a bite of the apple. "Have you?" He asked, mouth full with apple and eyebrow raised.
I was quiet for a minute because I believed I knew what this meant. "Kunzite tell me honestly please, is this something about me becoming king?" I asked.
He was quiet, eyebrow still raised, and took another bite of the apple then pulled it away to oberve it's rouge color. "Just get dressed." He said walking towards the door. "I'll send someone to assist you."
"Kunzite wait!" I called out nervosuly. I opened my mouth to ask another question but then thought better of it as I knew he wouldn't answer any of them. "T-That's my apple." I said trying to come up with something quick.
"And now it's mine." He said taking another bite and exiting the room. I began eating my meal faster, anxious to get whatever lied ahead of me over with.
I had a bad feeling in my gut, maybe from eating too fast, and then again maybe from the angst. I had been dressed in a green coat, white vest with gold trim, tan pants, and black boots and was escorted to the east wing. I had tried to take as little steps as possible but I was urged to quicken my pace.
After climbing the stairs to the top of the tower, leading to the observatory, I was paused by my escort who knocked and waited for an answer before entering. A man of arms met us at the door and put his finger over his lips shushing us, afterwards signaling me to come in.
Having no idea what this all meant, I obeyed and quietly followed my new escort into the circular room. The room was more empty than I thought with a few plants, and nothing but tables covered with books and maps and very few chairs. I noticed my father sitting behind a desk, strongly contemplating his current prediciment (whatever it may be), while stroking his short, coal black beard. My mother was standing by a bookshelf behind him, reading something. Seated across from them, on the other side of the desk, I saw a black hooded figure seated.
My father's head then turned to me as I approached further. "Ah, Endymion! I'm glad you are here. There is someone I would like you to meet." He said standing. The hooded figure also stood up then removed their hood, revealing silver white hair in...her hairstyle. 'Is this the girl?' I thought. The woman then turned around proving not to be, but their faces were so similar and their hairstyle. But wait! Could this woman be her owner?
"Endymion..." My father paused to clear his throat before continuing. He seemed a little nervous introducing me to this beautiful woman who looked only a few years older than me. "Endymion, this is her majesty, Queen Serenity of the silver millennium."
'Queen Serenity? Who is that?' I bowed but the lady stayed still. She had sharp blue eyes that carefully observed me; eyes that could cut sharp through my soul, it made me stiffen.
"Your Majesty, this is my eldest child and only son, Prince Endymion. He is an outstanding hunter and an expert swordsman, if I do say so myself. Kunzite, would you say so?" My father said turing his head from 'Queen Serenity' to Kunzite who brushed past me.
"He is the best I have trained and is almost as good as me...almost." Kunzite said furrowing his eyebrows, squinting in one eye and watching me through the other. Probably to remind me not to get too cocky.
"How proud you must be...That's wonderful and all but will he be able to find her? Being that he is the prince and must be well known throughout your charming kingdom." The queen said. I would've thought that a compliment if it were not for her tone of voice. But who is 'her?'
"Well, that is where we rely on your expertise, majesty. Your kingdom is quite talented in the art of magic. Perhaps there is a spell you can conduct that will disguise him as a peasent or a begger?" My father said still standing and tracing his finger along the map laid out before him.
"I'm sorry but I am confused-" I began but was interuppted.
"We are not witches! We are part of a long line of humans who were born on the moon. It is our duty to watch over the earth and help it prosper but that will be very difficult with the legendary silver crystal out of possesion." Queen Serenity said defensively.
"Understandably so, but if we are to retrive the legendary silver crystal and your daughter then we must rely on my son whom I guarntee will find both and return them for you." My father said struggling keeping his tone calm.
The queen was quiet at first then concluded by saying, "If you think he is up for the task then by all means..." She said glacing over at me speculatively. I cleared my throat but my father began to speak before I could.
"Endymion...Queen Serenity is from what is known here as the Moon Kingdom." He began.
"The Moon Kingdom?" I asked. I have heard in stories as a child of beings who lived on the moon; who had supernatural gifts and how they watched over our earth and protected us from any harm outside of our galaxy. But they were just children's stories. I mean...'humans who were born on the moon' and 'watching over the earth and helping it prosper?' It seems too unbelievable doesn't it? It can't be anything more than a fairytale!?
"I understand that you must be confused right now about all this but I assure you my son, the legends and stories are true. And it is time that you this." He said.
"'Understand?' Do you truly understand what you are asking of me? To believe in some childish fantasy that fairies live on the moon and we are being watched and protected by these creatures." I said.
"Fairies don't only live on the moon they live here on earth too. They just don't reveal themselves in front of humans. They are also not the ones that keep earth protected." Queen Serenity said.
"Oh well this changes everything." I said sarcastically.
"Endymion!" My father said lifting an eyebrow at me. "My son, I know how...improbable this seems but I'm asking you to have trust in me for now and to show your loyalty."
I didn't want to argue with my father too much in front of a stranger or a guest my father valued and if he asked me to worship a cow god I would. I have and always will show loyalty to my father when asked no matter how ridiculous the situation is which is why I was silent and listened.
"Of course father." I said crossing my chest with my hand and bowing my head.
"Thank you. Now, last week at the mask there was a girl with a simliar hairstyle to Queen Serenity's that came to the mask. They say that she was wearing all white and that she was seen dancing with you quite a few times. You two supposedly had talked to each other for a while...what about?" My father said. I said I would be loyal to my father but...I'll tell him my truth.
"Yes...I believe she was a blonde!? Well we had danced at least twice and spoke in private for a bit. She seemed liked a regular guest to me, she threw herself at me like most of the young ladies did that night. We talked about our interests mostly. She showed an interest in swordfighting so I went on to explain to her different techniques I use in practice with Kunzite. She had never seen a rose before which I thought myself to be a gentlemen and show her the early buddings in our garden. But I don't remember much else that was said beside from that. I had many young ladies lining up to share a dance with me so I tried to be fair and give everyone a fair share of my time." I said doing my best to stick to the truth as close as posible but not revealing too much. If this Queen had intended on selling that poor girl like a slave anytime soon I couldn't bare to stand by and watch.
"And that is all you remember of that girl from that night?" My father said as he bent over to observe the map while listening.
"Yes." I replied. He looked up at me with one brow lifted and kept a careful eye on me. He studied my body langueage, face, and anything that could reveal me. I put on as good of a poker face as I could.
"You remeber what she looks like though?" Queen Serenity asked with her fingers interlaced in a prayer style and a hopeful look on her face.
"As good as I can remeber your majesty. She wore a mask that night."
"I have a portrait of her. She burned the last one that was hung in the library but she had no knowledge that I secrety had the painter make a copy. Please bring in my lady in waiting with the portrait." She said turing toward the guard by the door. While the guard had left the room I turned face the queen.
"What does this girl mean to you? Is she of precious value?" I asked her.
"She is my daughter, Princess Serenity of the Silver Millennium." She replied with her face not changing expression and I tried to keep my mouth from dropping. Not long after the guard reappeared at the door a small woman with black coal hair in a bun style like Serenity's followed behind him. It was the woman princess Sereniy ran away from that night.
"Your Majesties." She said bowing to all of us. She was wearing the same blue cloak she wore the night of the mask. I saw her dress underneath for a brief moment. She wore a yellow and black dress that was cut just above the knee which, I'm not sure what the fashion is like on the moon, but here that is condidered to be too improper.
"The portrait please luna!?" Queen Serenity said and Luna handed her a brown rolled up paper about two feet wide. The queen rolled out the paper on the table revealing her offspring.
"So...this is what princess Serenity looks like unmasked!?" My father said. She had her hair in their famous style and was wearing the same white dress with gold trim. She was leaning on a bolder with different colored flowers in her hands and hair and revealed perfect white teeth in her gentle smile. The painting was closely accurate in her bright sky blue eyes but not too accurate on her face shape. They made her cheekbones lower and her chin hang out farther than it did. I couldn't help but assume that this was meant to make her look older because sadly with her full cheeks she looks younger than she is.
"The painter had exagerated a few of her physical features but you will be able to pick her out from this image I'm sure."
"She has a cresent moon naturally on her forehead then?" Dad asked.
"Well...yes. Makes it that much easier to pick her out I imagine."
"I think our Endymion will be able to find her and bring her back in no time."
"I hope so...if it isn't too late." Queen Serenity said looking down at the painting of her daughter, tracing the outline of her face as tears lightly welled up in her eyes.
"We must try! Endymion, my son, I have a task for you. I need you to do your best to track Princess Serenity as soon as possible and bring her back to her mother."
I was unsure how to answer. What suddenly was a mere acquaintance became a damsel in distress and I was to be her rescuer. Not to mention that she was not the woman I thought she was, but a princess! She lied about who she was but still...she confided in me which meant she revealed a bit of the truth. Wait! She mentioned being sold into slavery. What did she mean by that? And by the look in her eyes I could tell she was serious. What is Queen Serenity hiding?
As these thoughts ran through my head, I lifted my head up to see the desperation in my fathers eyes and remembered the sorrow in Queen Serenity's. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself in, but there was a story there that I intened on having revealed.
I bowed to my father and said, "If it is your grace's wish then I shall accept."
My father seemed to be pleased and her majesty Queen Serenity looked suprised, tears still undried from her face.
"Very good! We shall provide you with an escort and horses." He said then turned to Queen Serenity. "He will have to leave here in disguise for his own protection and if he is to find your daughter, so that no one will recognize him. Are you sure that you have..." My father paused to look her over. "-nothing that can help?"
She looked at him expressionless but my father had good reason to be skeptic. After a while of quiet stares she finally produced from her cloak a red ruby attached to a long gold chain.
"This ruby will help disguise him as anything he would like. All he has to do is call out to it how he would like to look. For example, to disguise himself as a begger say to it, into a begger! Seems simple enough. Let's see how he handles it!?" She said handing it to me. I looked down at it for a moment then back up at her. I closed my eyes then and took a deep breath.
"Into a travel merchant." I said opening my eyes, feeling no different but my father's eyes were wide and my mother, whom I had forgotten was there, was covering her mouth with her hands.
"What did you do to my son?" She exclaimed. "This is trechery! Witchcraft!"
"Though he currently looks different he is still the same underneath the disguise." Queen Serenity said.
"You-"
"Calyce, please! Everything will be alright, I promise. Why don't you go and pray for Endymion to have a safe journey and be victorious!? Yes?" My father said holding my mother back behind the desk who looked as though she was ready to punch the queen. My father had my mother escorted out by a guard near the door.
"Well now that that's settled, let's continue on with the plan, shall we?" My father said conducting the best smile he could under the circumstances. I could see by the vain above his brow he was very stressed and tense.
"I hear you are an exellent hunter, is that true?" The queen asked me.
"Y-Yes, your majesty." I said moving closer to the desk. As I did I became in view of the mirror above the stoned fire place that was on my right. I gasped at the image. I wasn't sure what to expect, after all I knew this stone contained some kind of witchcraft, but I suppose some part of me suspected that this was still all made up. Maybe I was having a dream or this was just some prank. But it was neither, this fantasy that I refused to believe in even as a child, is real!?
"Good. Well I've already made it easy for you. Since it would be near impossible for you to track her given it's been a week already and tracks might not still be there, I can place a loater spell on this." She said withdrawing a heart shaped locket from her cloak pocket. "This was her favorite necklace, it was a birthday present given to her when she was young. She use to wear it quite a lot. It still has her sent on it and I'm sure this will help lead you to her."
"How?" I asked. More like shouted with how nervous I felt.
"By following where the light leads you of course." She said in a more calm and amused voice. She laid a compass next to the locket and lightly poured a powder over them both. She whispered something that I couldn't make out though it sounded in a different langueage.
"Here..." she said handing me the compass and locket. "Follow wherever the compass is pointing and it shall lead you to my daughter."
"So...wherever this compass points is where your daughter is?" My father asked.
"Yes, and then we shall know what became of her." Her eyes were sad and I could tell she was holding back tears. I looked down at the compass which was pointing east then noticed it slightly moved further toward north.
"There is no wind yet it is moving!?" I said aloud and confused.
"It has been enchanted. If my daughter shall move, it will point to whereever she is headed."
"Never the less, I shall find her and bring her back to you, in honor of my father, your majesty." I said with a bow.
"I'm proud of you my son, you're finally a grown man who puts duty before one's self." Father said. My father is finally proud of me? Kunzite must of not told him about the drinking.
"I wish you luck, my daughter can be stubborn and enjoys playing hide and seek. Let us hope she doesn't give you too much of a run around." Her highness said while tapping her lip and smirking as if she knew something I did not.
"Glad to hear a more optimistic tone from you, your grace." Father said regards to her earlier negative comments.
"If the compass is in fact moving as he said, then that means she is alive." She said smiling.
"Great! That is exellent news! Endymion we must make haste! Clymenus shall accompany you undercover on your journey and please be as discrete as possible. If anyone finds out you are the prince they'll hide even more information they have so they can harbor in on your riches and due to the purpose of last week's mask...we really cannot afford to spend too much freely as you know."
Clymenus has done more traveling then all of us and know the foriegn lands much more that we do so it would be wise to bring him.
"I understand father. I will do my best and I promise you your majesty, one way or another I will bring your daughter back." I said turning to the queen and bowing before her.
She smiled sweetly and said, "I have no doubt that you will succeed."
"Very well then, I shall summon Clymenus and ready the horses." My father said leaving the room. Now we were in awkward silence making the room feel colder and uncomfortable.
"I suppose I shall be headed out now." I said turning to leave then Serenity grabbed my arm suddenly.
"Endymion!?" She said pulling me in for a hug. At first I thought she meant it as a thank you but then heard her whispering in my ear, probably to keep the guards from hearing.
"My daughter...she is engaged and was suppose to be married the day after she disappeared. I'm not sure what trouble she has gotten herself in, but I know her and she will be stubborn about coming home but she must. She holds with her the legendary silver crystal."
"The...legendary silver crystal...exists?" I whispered back.
"Yes, and it protects our kingdom and keeps earth safe as well. But in the wrong hands...I fear what could happen."
"I understand. I shall return both to you two as soon as I find them."
"I believe that is true." She let go then walked away. Shortly after Clymenus walked in dressed for the occasion with a silly hat on his head. He smiled at me with his cheeky grin.
"Everything is almost packed and ready for travel. Well my friend, are you ready for another adventure?"
