The Royal Guard
by little brown sumo
AN: I don't own Sailor Moon
Chapter 2: The Moon Princess
"My King, a document has arrived from the Earth Kingdom's Royal Court" a young man said while bowing to the Moon King.
"Thank you Shingo." King Crisium broke the deep blue seal and began reading through the parchment. An accomplished smile graced his pale face. He briefly stared, unbelieving, at King Sapphire's heavy signature placed at the end of the large proposal. "Call for my sister immediately" the King said.
*****
"Queen Juno was King Lo's sixth wife; she was executed three years after the marriage for adultery and plots against the king. Although, it is believed King Lo would find excuses to remarry when a women was unable to provide a male heir within the first 2 to 3 years of marriage." Ami noticed her pupil's eyes drooping shut. "Usagi are you listening!"
Usagi whipped her drowsy head up "Yes! I'm listening."
"What was I saying?"
"King Lo wanted a son...like every other king in history" Usagi muttered.
"Which planet did he rule?" Ami asked with barely concealed irritation.
"Mars?" Usagi replied, her voice unsure and fingers crossed under her desk. 'Please let that be right' she thought.
"Jupiter! Usagi, you need to pay attention. The history of royalty is essential to your future. Understanding the past is the only way to understand our present situations. To create a better future."
Usagi completely toned her out, it was the umpteenth time she had heard this lecture 'you will have the power to better society, build on the success of past leaders, blah blah blah.' Ami would be completely impossible today, this was the third day in a row she had fallen asleep during lessons. But she couldn't help it, history was so boring and repetitive. 'Please God save me from this crazy blue haired librarian!' Usagi thought. Just then Shingo entered her study room delivering the King's request for her immediate audience. Before Ami could even respond Usagi jumped out of the stiff chair and rushed to the throne room, her golden locks whipping around her. 'God really is listening' she thought as the saw her brother sitting in the center of the lavish marble room.
"Ahh Usagi, the woman of the hour. I have wonderful news. The Earth King has accepted our proposal, you shall be married within the fortnight" King Crisium said with joy.
The blood drained from Usagi's face. "What?" she whispered, her mind was in whirl, her breathing becoming difficult. Her brother went on about the marriage, but she couldn't hear him. 'How did this happen?' she thought. 'Why did he agree?' Anxiety was pumping through her veins causing a brief tremble. She didn't see her brother's smiling face melt into a worried stare, she was lost in her own thoughts.
It was about a month ago when Crisium had proposed the idea of a union between the Moon Princess and the Earth King, as expected High Queen Amber of Earth had jumped at the opportunity. At the time Usagi had agreed simply to avoid confrontation. Everyone knew King Sapphire was never going to marry. He had rejected countless offers. Usagi, assuming she was no different, signed the documents without a second thought. She had always considered herself lucky; all of the other Princes in this solar system were much younger than her and King Sapphire a proclaimed bachelor. She had been foolish enough to think she would experience a great romance, marry for love, and spend her life in her beloved kingdom. Her gaze fell to the parchment next to her brother's throne. She saw her elegant signature next to Sapphire's heavy script. She felt each fantasy break and crack.
Crisium shook his sister back into awareness. "Usagi are you alright?" he asked.
Usagi focused on his concerned face. He had always taken care of her, worried for her, loved her. She barely remembered her parents, it was only Cris' face etched in her memories of family and home. She knew how much the Moon Kingdom would benefit from this union. The tax reduction on Earth's goods alone would save the Kingdom thousands of pounds in gold and silver each year. Money that could be used to build schools and hospitals, provide better armor and weapons for their military. Not to mention the political support gained by the most heavily populated planet. She noticed for the first time how much stress her brother faced, his young face already marked his small wrinkles. Gathering her wits she said "Yes, yes, I'm fine. Just bewildered I guess. I didn't expect the King to want me."
Her brother smiled "How could he not want you? Has there ever been a princess more beautiful? King Sapphire has sent his Royal Guards to escort you to your new home, they will be here within a four days."
"So soon?" she asked in a small voice.
"I know this seems fast Usa, but this is a great opportunity, you should be excited, you are the future Queen of Earth! King Sapphire is a kind man he will love and care for you just as I have."
"No one will love me as you have…I don't want to leave you" she said. Tears in her eyes, she held her elder brother in a tight hug.
"Hey, no tears, we'll still see each other. You won't be alone, I'm sending Rei and Ami with you. I'm sure Ami can teach you all the traditions of Earth and with Rei around Court will never boring" Cris said with a smile. "Go on, you have much to do before the Guards arrive." Hugging her brother once more Usagi walked off to her room. She watched her servants began packing her belongings and reality slowly began to set in.
The next few days went by in a blur. Usagi visited all of her friends, took several rides on her horse, and took every meal with her brother. She would miss the Moon, the silver landscape the crisp air. She knew she would still visit but it would never be the same, her youth was ending she would be a Queen soon. Before she knew it the Earth Guards had arrived and she would be leaving the next morning.
As she lay in her bed insecurity racked through her. Abruptly she pushed herself out grabbing her robe she headed to the gardens. As she sat on her favorite bench gazing at the earth she wondered about the planet, the king, and the palace. Deep laughter and stumbling interrupted her thoughts. Peaking through the bushes she saw her chambermaid clinging and kissing a handsome young man. His body was tall and strong, his features well defined and practically regal. The chambermaid ran clumsy fingers through his dark hair, pulling him closer as he pushed her against a large tree. Usagi watched the women wrap her legs around his waist, heard her moan as he slipped into her. She knew she shouldn't watch, but her curiosity was overwhelming. Usagi's eyes became wide as she saw him thrust into the maid. When he began to grunt Usagi sharply turned around, heading back to her chambers. She felt a rush of guilt for watching them. As she lay in her bed Usagi wonder if King Sapphire would lust after her, if he was ugly, if she would even want the attention of such an old man. Her thoughts circled around the different possibilities of her new life and soon sleep overtook the young girl.
Breakfast was quiet the next morning. Usagi barely ate, dread and apprehension settled heavily in her stomach. All her belongings had been packed and loaded onto the ship, her last few moments as the Moon Princess were slipping away faster than she ever thought possible. She looked up as five men entered the dining hall.
"Ahh, gentlemen please allow me to introduce Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom" Crisium said. "And Princess these are Royal Guards of the Earth Kingdom: Mamoru, Kunzite, Nephrite, Jadeite, and Zoicite. They will be escorts and ensure safe passage to Earth." Each man bowed toward the Princess. Usagi's gaze lingered on Mamoru a second longer, blushing as she remembered his activities from the garden. Each guard held a commanding presence and she wondered how simple guards came into such power.
"Your Majesty, we are ready for departure. The luggage has been loaded and our ship stocked" Zoicite said.
"Naru, inform Lady Rei and Ami the ship is ready. Gentlemen we will join you at the docks soon" Crisium said.
"Yes, your majesty" the guards replied.
Usagi held her brother's hand in a tight grip as they made there way to the Earth ship, small tears slipping down her pale cheeks. Crisium cupped his hands around her soft face. "I will miss you Usa. Remember you are becoming a part of the Earth Kingdom now. The safety and happiness of that nation alone is your concern. All the decisions you make must be for the Earth people, I'll take care of our Moon Kingdom. Okay?" Usagi nodded. "I'm so proud of you" he whispered.
"I love you" Usagi whispered back.
"I love you too, goodbye" Crisium said as Usagi, Rei, and Ami walked into the ship. As the ship took off into space Usagi stared at her brother through the window till he became a tiny speck. Breathing a heavy sigh she slumped into a cushy chair in her resting quarters. Ami and Rei were in the neighboring rooms. It took three days to reach the Palace, three days of utter boredom. 'I bet Ami has some stupid lessons planned' Usagi thought. 'I better find something to do before she comes in here with books and charts.' Leaving her room she made her way through the ship, as she came closer to the navigation room she heard the muffled voices of the guards.
"The Princess is quite a beauty. It seems our King simply waited for the best to come his way."
"She is beautiful, but so young. It'll be strange to see them as a couple, and the pressures of the Earth Court will far exceed the Moon's. I hope she can handle it."
"Oh come off it Zoi, every Queen is young till she's old."
"Amazingly wise statement Jadeite."
"You know what I mean, I've never heard of a King marrying an older women. Queen's are always young. She'll be fine, let's focus on more important things. Do any of you know if Lady Rei is single?" Usagi stifled a laugh.
"You know some people would think eavesdropping is a sign of poor breeding." Gasping Usagi whirled around to find Mamoru two steps behind her, a condescending smirk on his face. Some thing about him just made her want to retaliate.
"And some people would think coupling in the Royal Gardens is a sign of completely animal behavior" Usagi replied in a even tone.
"So you eavesdrop and you're a voyeur. King Sapphire is in for quite surprise" he said with an arrogant smile.
Usagi flushed with anger "you are unbelievably inappropriate." Snapping her heels and turned away, her pale green dress swishing around her as she made her way back to her room. When she reentered her chambers Ami was setting up a makeshift board and several books were scattered across her bed. The next three days was spent learning about the Provinces and Nobleman of Earth. Usagi began to feel a bit better about her future, Makoto, the ship's chef, was quickly becoming a good friend and the Guards were very amiable, with the exception of Mamoru.
*****
"Are they here yet?" High Queen Amber said, her head bobbing in and out of castle windows. "I saw the ship land, how long does it take to get here from the docks?" King Sapphire simply rolled his eyes, his mother had been ridiculously hyper all day.
"Majesties, Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom, her cousin Lady Rei, and Ami Mizuno have arrived."
"Well show them in Henry, immediately" High Queen Amber said, her eyes lighting up as she saw the Moon Princess. "Welcome to Earth Serenity" she said warmly pulling her in for hug.
"Thank you, High Queen Amber, please call me Usagi" the Princess said.
"As long as you start calling me Mother. Usagi this is my son Sapphire" Amber gestured toward the King. Usagi was pleasantly surprised, she had been expecting a fat, balding man, but King Sapphire was quite handsome. The Princess curtsied and greeted her future husband.
"It is good to have you with us Usagi. I'm sure the three of you are exhausted. Minako please take them to their chambers. I will see all of you at dinner" King Sapphire said. Minako led the girls as requested.
Usagi's chambers were large are beautiful, the pale pink bedding and light floral décor gave it a cozy appearance. She had barely sat down when Rei came bursting in. "So, what do you think of him?" Rei demanded.
"Think of who?" Usagi replied.
"Don't be irritating, King Sapphire…He's pretty handsome for an old man. To bad you weren't born 20 years earlier, I'm sure girls must have been lining up to get into his bedroom."
"Rei!"
"What, you know its true. Anyway Minako told me your Wedding and Coronation is in two days. There's going to be a celebration ball afterward."
"Yipee" Usagi said while she looked out into the garden.
"Are you okay with all this Usa? You don't have to do this you know" Rei said while placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Yes I do. Every Princess is destined to be a Queen, this is the only place I can be a Queen. I'll be alright, I'm sure this is all for the best."
Within a blink it was time for the wedding. It was a small ceremony in a temple just outside the castle. Usagi and Sapphire greeted a massive public after the Coronation, all seemed happy and joyous. Usagi danced with her husband and several leaders of the Earth during the Ball. After a while she sneaked out of the glittering ballroom into the gardens. She tried to calm her heart, breathing in the crisp night air. Looking up at the moon she thought of Crisium, of her friends, of her old home. "I'm married" she whispered. As she walked back to the ballroom she heard her name along with soft whispers. Following the sounds she saw three men gathered under a tree. Creeping closer she bent down to hear them all the while scolding her own curious behavior.
"I don't want to be a part of this Diamond. Your plans were fine while he was unmarried. But the game has changed. He will have an heir. I am not a traitor, I will do everything in my power to ensure their son sits on the throne."
"King Sapphire may not even be able to produce an heir. Then what? Will you stand by me? Or would you have this Moon girl rule?"
"That is complete speculation Diamond, we can only act once it is clear they will not have a child. We must be patient and see the New Queen's persona. I am with Rubeus, if a Prince is born I will follow King Sapphire."
Usagi rushed back into the ball. Suddenly everything was clear. Sapphire had married her simply for children, to avoid any type of upheaval. Still she hoped to find love with her husband.
*****
Thanks for all the reviews everyone! I love reading them
