Chapter 3: Investigation

"Serena, I apologize for bouncing to an assumption," Mina's features displayed a hopefulness of being forgiven. She wore a shirt that matched her eyes with butterflies forming a heart and dark blue bell-bottom jeans.

Alex again chuckled, amused by her jumbling a common phrase. "You have not changed since the Silver Millennium, Wilmina."

Mina's blonde eyebrows drew together as she couldn't place the tall man. "Who are you?"

"Prince Alexandar Matthew Shade, son of Hades and Lady Pandora, older half-brother to Sailor Saturn at your service," Alex bowed dramatically for effect.

Serena laughed at his humor. "You forgot something."

Alex shrugged, but smiled beguilely at her.

Mina frowned. "I don't remember any scout having a sibling."

"That is an issue that needs to be rectified immediately," Serena stated. "It seems that someone intentionally blocked a major part of our Silver Millennium memories. The important question is who would do so and why?"

The trio strolled past the arcade, heading for an exclusive diner.

Mina was upset that someone tampered with her memories. She had mentally made it her agenda to find out why and who.

She traveled to the Command Center to see what she could uncover. She went to the back of the Crown Aracde & Café.

By pressing in a certain brick, a staircase descending down was revealed to Mina who went down.

"Passphrase," a mechanical voice asked for verification.

"Ishtar loves not one, but all," Mina said in a clear voice. She pushed her thumb on the scanner.

"Welcome, Princess Wilmina of Venus," was heard as the metal door slid into the wall.

"What information is available on Alexander Shade?" Mina wanted Intel on this mysterious man.

"Prince Alexander M. Shade has been in cryosleep since the fall of the Moon Kingdom. He leads a squad of fighters called the Shadows. His last mission from Queen Serenity halted his courtship of Princess Serenity Aurora. He was thought to be the suitor that would win her highness' hand in marriage until the Earth Prince spent time on the Moon and Alexander was away. There are conspiracies that the Earth Prince put a potion in Princess Serenity's afternoon tea. Prince Alexander was not aware of this new suitor. His space ship's reentry into the Milky Way alerted her highness and Moon Tablet."

Mina's eyebrows scrunched together at Moon Tablet. She thought only Sailor Mercury had technology from the Silver Millennium.

"How did the Saturn Prince treat her highness as a suitor?"

"She was treated like an equal and with great affection. They were often seen holding hands and hugging. Unlike the Earth Prince, Prince Alexander didn't mock her highness or sought her throne/ power. Their courtship was highly approved by the Council and Queen."

Digital photos flashed on the screen.

~Prince Alexander was escorting her highness through the private gardens of a noble from one of Saturn's moons. They held hands. A purple crystal bracelet encircled her wrist.

~Princess Serenity bidding farewell to the prince as he left to go on this final mission. It was apparent that she was trying not to cry.

~Princess Serenity dancing in Prince Alexander's arms at a royal gala. She wore a purple dress with silver accents.

This photograph caused Mina to have a flashback of her behind the camera to catch the sweet moment between the budding couple.

"How long into their courtship did her highness declare her love for the Earth Prince?"

"After three official meetings, her declaration of love was made at dinner after they shared an afternoon tea, which is how the conspiracy started. Some thought she had a crush on him and it would go away. There wasn't enough time for the investigation to be completed before the fall of the Silver Millennium."

Mina frowned as her brain formed mental connections that created a very bad bigger picture. She didn't like what the Intel was implying.

"The Earth's royal family was corrupt with the threat of being dethroned in the possible future. By marrying her highness, he would gain power and a throne that only came once a generation," Mina thought out-loud. "Darien always insists on Serena drinking tea at his place, not sparkling water. They grow distant when their dates are so far apart. He was not interested in her until she was revealed as the Moon Princess."

"It is highly advised that you see what the Earth Prince is putting in her highness' tea. Tread lightly, Sailor Venus," warned Central Command.

"Will do," Mina answered before taking her leave.

Mina pulled out her iPhone with a red heart on the back of the protective case to call her cousin. "Serena, when was the last time you and Darien had a date at his place?"

"Two weeks ago, I insisted on going to the Art Festival rather than a movie at his place. He was very irritated."
"What tea does he make you?"

"Peach flavored green tea. Why?" Serena wanted to know what all the questions were about.

"I think he was drugging you to comply with his will. He could be after your throne," Mina was honest to her cousin and first true friend.

"Hmm. That is very plausible and explains a lot. Thanks."

The cousins hung up.

Serena started brooding in earnest. "He is lower than Ebola. His misdeeds cannot continue to be overlooked." A wicked gleam entered her sapphire eyes as a plan formed.

"I apologize, but new evidence has come to light."

Alexander smirked, "I take it that Shields is going to get his just desserts."

A swift nod was his answer. Serena placed three quick phone calls on her white iPhone with silver stars decorating the case's back.