Jupiter

"What's all this?"

I jumped in shock at the sudden voice behind me, dropping the hot tray of rolls onto the ground.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Ms. Jupiter…"

I turned to find General Nephrite there, quickly running over to help me pick them up.

"I didn't know that Princess Serenity's prettiest Senshi was so into cooking," he winked at me and gazed at the huge counters full of assorted baked goods.

I ignored his attempt at being charming. "It's just… what I do when I'm stressed."

"I know what you mean," he sighed heavily. "I'm really sorry that we've dragged you all into this."

"Don't be sorry," I said, throwing out the dirty rolls. "It's what we're here for. What kind of ambassadors would we be for our Queen and our mission if we refused to help our friends in need, even if it was scary for us?"

"Well, you would be human," he smiled kindly at me. "But you make an excellent point. I guess you could say that no one ever promised us easy lives."

I didn't realize the awkward amount of time I was just gazing into his eyes before saying anything. It looked like there was a whole galaxy full of stars in his eyes.

"So," I shook myself out of that trance. "What brings you here anyway?"

"There haven't been any battles today, so I accompanied my prince here. Sometimes it's just nice to get away from all of that negative energy on Earth, you know?"

"Yeah. I do."

He walked over to the counter and picked up a lemon bar. "How long have you been working on all this?"

"All day. I just needed to focus my mind on something else to calm myself down."

He took a bite, eyes widening drastically. I was almost concerned.

"Are you… okay?"

"Okay? I've NEVER been better! This is the most phenomenal thing I've ever tasted!"

"Well, I'm glad you like it," I laughed in amusement at his dramatic reaction.

He started trying all the other things scattered around the counters, equally enthused with every bite. I'd never seen anyone so amazed by my food before. Not even the princess.

"Ms. Jupiter, you have a gift. I hope you realize how talented you are."

"Oh, it's no big deal. I've just had lots of practice."

"You don't have to be so modest, my dear. Can I be honest? …If the circumstances were different and we didn't have warfare to attend to, I would have loved to spend all day here, enjoying your creations and more importantly, your company."

I felt a mild blush start to appear my cheeks, which quickly turned into more of a burning sensation beyond control. "Yeah. I would've liked that too."

The charming look in his starry eyes turned to sorrow. "Well, I'd best be getting back to training. I'll see you later, dear Jupiter."

"See you…"

I watched him walk out the door before finding myself running after him and yelling, "WAIT!"

He turned his head. "Is something wrong?"

"Maybe we could do something. Something small anyway. I mean, if you're not too busy training tomorrow… would you want to come back here and have a picnic under the gazebo in the garden? We all have to eat, right?"

He moved towards me again, grinning. "Right. I would love that."

"Cool. I'll make us something good."

He kissed my cheek, leaving me frozen. "Until tomorrow then."

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

The Soldier

I had written a letter to my daughter long ago, telling her about the time I met the queen on Earth. She was not in any official position of royal power like Endymion, but on her side of the world, she was known for acting as a dictator and running her city. Her name was Beryl. Despite her controlling behavior, people idolized her because of how gorgeous she was and her gift of speaking beautifully.

When I was young, at the age of fifteen, I visited Earth and attended one of her "royal" events. I had felt something missing in me, and before I really came to know Queen Serenity, I thought this famous earthly queen could help fulfill me. Beryl was going to give a speech to the public that day and address their concerns (which usually meant shooting them down but making the people believe it was for the best). A massive audience was attracted. We all parted to the sides to make way for her, as she was slowly riding up in a star-shaped carriage, smiling and waving to them as she made her way to the podium. There were carvings in the wood at the bottom of her carriage, shaped like waves in the sea. I joined everyone else in lifting my hands to her and cheering.

The star carriage stopped briefly and for a moment, she looked at me. I managed to speak up, saying, "Good queen… it is an honor. We have lifted our hands up to you, and I just respectfully ask… will you hear us out today and lift us up too?"

The look in her eyes said it all. They screamed "Never!" and without speaking a word, she rode away and up to her pedestal.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

After fighting in this war for a few months, and thanks to Sailor Mercury's research and technology, we discovered that this Queen Beryl was the main commander leading the Dark Kingdom, like I presumed, and that she was the one who started it to begin with by influencing people with her lies and wicked ways. She had allowed jealousy and evil to corrupt her even more than before and let a demon take her over, and as a result, even her outer beauty was destroyed. But she was still a master of manipulation.

I knew she was no good from that day at her rally all those years ago. I should have done something to fight against her power before it got out of hand. All we can do now is fight against her and her demons. And I refuse to give guilt and shame a stronghold over me, for I know that I am forgiven.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Today I finally heard back from my daughter. Her letter was so sad. She said she no longer believed in love and was thinking of joining the Dark Kingdom. She wrote, "Down here, love wasn't meant to be for me. All is vanity underneath the sun."

Feeling defeated, I prayed and wept bitterly for what felt like hours. I cried out, "Why am I here fighting to bring love to the world, when my own daughter doesn't believe in it anymore?"

Afterwards, I was comforted to remember that everyone who seeks the Truth with all their heart will find it. Love is true. My daughter will know love. All IS vanity underneath the sun. Everything and everyone on earth will leave us empty and unfulfilled, because there is only one love. She was already finding truth in her searching.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

I was staying at Queen Serenity's palace again. It was 3:45 a.m. and I couldn't sleep. I came down to the kitchen and found various desserts on the counters, but my appetite was gone.

I heard some footsteps and turned my head to find Sailor Mars, looking restless as well.

"Good evening, Princess Mars," I bowed respectfully. "What brings you here so late?"

"My insomnia is acting up again. What's your excuse?"

"Tonight I just can't seem to get my daughter's words out of my head... 'All is vanity underneath the sun...'"