As they entered the palace and headed towards the dining hall, all the girls could do was watch their friend; as Serenity smiled all the way their just looking at the sparkling gift Gabriel had given her.

"That necklace he gave you is gorgeous Serenity," Venus said with a smile.

"I bet he didn't make it at all, just took credit for it," Mars said crossing her arms as she walked.

"Mars, not everyone has evil intentions," Serenity said giving her a glace of pure annoyance. "Maybe he did it because he likes me."

"She's right Mars, be positive about a person for once," Mercury said.

"Fine, I will on one condition," Mars said. "Where could he have gotten the stuff to make it?"

"He's in the military Mars, different planets have different things some more prominent than others."

"Yeah, well something isn't right about him, and I'm going to find out what it is," Mars said with authority.

"If you doubt my intentions…," Gabriel said making all the girls jump. "Sorry didn't mean to scare you"

"Yeah, well if you do that again I'll kill you," Mars said in an angry tone.

"Like I said I'm sorry," Gabriel said apologetically. "But I'll tell you the exact same thing I told Luna and Artemis. All you have to ask and I'll be honest with you, my integrity is one of the most important things in this world and I have no intention of ruining it.

"Well, I'm starving so let's go in and eat," Jupiter said with a smile with an attempt to lighten the mood.

They all walked in and sat down. Queen Serenity was sitting at the end of the table, Gabriel next to her on the right and Princess Serenity on her left. Next to Gabriel were Venus and Mercury, while Mars and Jupiter were next to Serenity.

As the food was brought out, Queen Serenity spotted Serenity's necklace and quickly acknowledged it, "Serenity, that necklace is beautiful, where did you get it?" Queen Serenity said already had an idea who though.

"Gabriel, gave it to me," Serenity said, smiling, with no hesitation as she turned to stare into Gabriel's russet brown eyes. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"It is indeed, that was very kind of you Gabriel," she said in her natural gentle voice.

"Well, I figured she might like it, so I made it for her," he said smiling not taking her eyes off Serenity's sapphire ones.

"Honey, I wanted to let you know Prince Diamond will be coming to stay with us for a few weeks to get to know you." Queen Serenity said, which resulted on Serenity to turn towards her mother. "I know what you are going to say Serenity 'I have one year before I get married, why they are pressuring me so hard?'"

"Yes, exactly it's just another suitor for me to reject," Serenity said crossing her arms.

"Serenity, how can you reject him when you haven't even met him?"

"Because I can, I told you I plan on marrying for love and I intend to even if it takes me 100 years." She said before glancing at Gabriel and uncrossing her arms. "I'm sorry Gabriel you must think me to be stubborn and a brat."

"Not at all Princess if my parents did that to me I would have reacted the same way;" he said with a strong supportive, but calm voice, "I feel that if you don't marry for love, you won't be truly happy."

"I can understand where both of your ideals lay," Queen Serenity said with a melancholy look on her face; "but remember the Senate does have a say in thing, especially in this situation."

"This is ridiculous mother, why are they pushing so hard I can't handle it." Serenity said nearly on the verge of tears.

"I know, at least try to give him a chance for the Senates sake."

"Excuse me I'm not hungry anymore," she said before bolting out of the dining hall.

"SERENITY?!" he stopped and looked at Queen Serenity, "do you mind if I….?" Gabriel started to speak before Queen Serenity gave him an interruptive nod, he bowed and quickly left.

"Queen Serenity, would it have been best if we went after her instead of him?" Mars asked curiously.

"Not this time, let Gabriel handle it, ok?" Queen Serenity said in a soft tone.

"As you wish Queen Serenity," Mars said nodding along with the others.

Gabriel ran through the palace, searching for Serenity without even stopping to care how loud he was. He finally spotted her by one of the fountains balling her eyes out, he knew it was her because of the pure white, puff balled shoulder gown.

He slowly walked up behind her, "Serenity, are you ok?" he asked before she got up and ran towards him, burying her face in his shirt. "Oh Serenity, it'll be ok you'll see" he said stroking her back.

"Why do they do this? I have one year and they are pushing harder and harder every day." Serenity said muffled in his shirt. "I'm only 15."

He pulled her face away from his shirt and lifted her chin to wipe the tears away, "I wish I had an answer to that question," he said looking into her sapphire, blue eyes. "God, I hate seeing you like this you don't deserve it, not a single moment of it."

"I just want a guy to love me unconditionally for whom I am," she said tears running down her face. "The only reason they are wanting to court me is to be king."

"Your right, but there are some who don't."

"Like who? Who do you know that is like that? Tell me and I'll believe you."

Gabriel looked down at the white bricked walk way leading to the palace, then back at Serenity. "I wish I could tell you who, but he can't tell you just yet."

"SERENITY!" Venus said the Scouts running up. "Are you alright?"

"She's fine," Gabriel said walking always letting the darkness hide his emotions. 'But I'm not,' he thought to himself.

"Thanks for finding her Gabriel," Mercury said.

"No problem," he said continuing to walk away, not even stopping to turn around.

"What's his problem?" Jupiter said slightly concerned yet annoyed.

"I don't know, but right now at least Serenity is ok," Venus said. "Come on let's get Serenity to bed."

Gabriel arrived at his room and flopped back on the bed, he tried for hours to get to sleep with little avail. After all his attempts and no success, he got and walked out onto the balcony.

"What am I doing? I should just tell her;" he said to himself, "that could have been my only real chance."

"That won't be your only opportunity," a feline voice said. "I can assure you there will be others."

"Are you sure, Luna?" Gabriel said, just as the two cats jumped on the railing.

"Gabriel, you love Serenity don't you?" Artemis asked with a smile.

"More than anything, but after seeing her reaction tonight, there is no chance of her not hating me, no matter when I tell her."

"That's not necessarily true; she doesn't want to be forced to marry someone that she doesn't love." Luna said.

"I can assure you, you're off to a great start," Artemis added.

"I hope you're right, I'd give up everything for her; I'd even sacrifice my life to be with her." Gabriel said.

"That's obvious, but get some sleep after all Diamond's arriving tomorrow," Artemis said.

"I'll try," he said as the cats smiled and bowed before heading to the door. "Luna, Artemis…" they stopped and turned around.

"Yes, Gabriel?" they said in unison.

"Thanks for helping me relax, your real friends, despite us meeting just today," Gabriel said with a smile.

"Anytime," said bowing before walking out the door, with Gabriel locking the door behind them.

He changed into his sleeping attire, got into bed and felling straight to sleep.