OF PEACE AND LOVE: BOOK ONE
by Serene Midnight
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"A story that focuses on the two kingdoms, how Princess Serenity met Endymion and how peace between Moon and Earth was established. Action takes place during the Silver Millenium. Happy reading!"
Chapter Four: Ball
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While Serenity seemed to forget and not to care about her royal life, four soldiers had been searching for the her in each and every corner of the palace.
"Princess, where have you been?"
"Like I told you, I needed to have some time by myself."
"Are you sure you're alright?"
Having no liberty was the thing that Serenity hated the most in being a princess.
"Stop it.", she protested, "Is it so weird to go outside the palace for a walk?"
"Oh, come on, girls, she's right. You're being pushy.", Minako replied, "The princess needs to rest, so please leave her alone."
Minako was one of the few persons that understood Serenity's feelings. However, she felt that Serenity was lying.
Now that they were all alone and the girls had gone, she wanted to find out the truth.
"Thanks, Minako.", the Princess sighed.
"No problem. Now tell me,", her voice becoming serious, "where have you truly been?"
"What do you mean?"
"Don't lie to me. You did not sleep last night."
Silence. The princess couldn't lie one of her only friends. She couldn't tell her the whole truth, either.
"Princess, you know you can trust me.", Minako assured her.
The blonde soldier turned her head to Serenity's nightstand.
"What's with these flowers in this vase?"
'Oh, no, the roses!'
She forgot to hide them.
"I've been to Earth.", she confessed.
Minako remained surprised, not knowing what to say.
"Will you tell my mother?"
She refused to give an answer... but she couldn't betray her. Princess Serenity had always been a good help and a trustful friend.
"No. I won't.", she promised, "I'm your friend."
"Thanks, Minako."
"Princess...", leaving the room, "You shouldn't do that again. Good night."
Serenity was now alone. It was getting dark and she remembered about the ball. Despite her qualms of conscience, she decided to take the risk and go to the Earth for the second time.
What was so forbidden about the Earth Kindgom?
Opening her wardrobe, the princess chose a nice, blue dress with short sleeves.
'Fitting for a ball.", she thought.
***
It was the second night of ball. The first one had been a fiasco. The Queen had invited only girls from the upper rank. However, all of them had acted snobbishly, so Elana decided to invite now all girls from all lands, no matter they were poor or rich.
The Queen and the King were standing at the entrance of the ballroom, careful to make everybody feel good and greeting the guests.
Standing in a quiet corner, their son was talking with his friend, Motoki, and constantly searching with his eyes for the fair-haired girl he had met yesterday.
"So, how did last night go? Found someone?"
No answer.
"Endymion, who are you waiting for?", Motoki insisted.
"What makes you feel I am waiting for someone?"
"This is the third time I'm asking you the same question."
Endymion was absent minded and his friend realised that.
"What question?", raising his eyebrows in confusion.
"Did you find... a girl... nevermind! I'm glad to be here. This place is full of good looking ladies.", laughing, "I wonder how you've managed to resist the temptation."
"Oh, come on, Motoki. They all want nothing but my title. You should know that."
"Sure, sure, I understand you.", smirking.
Endymion became somehow irritated by the conversation. The young prince excused himself that he needed some fresh air and went outside, in the front gardens of the castle, the only place where he could be alone.
Serenity also reached the front gardens and was wondering if it would be better if she had not entered the castle. She was wandering around, when she saw the figure of a tall man leaving the castle and looming in front of her eyes. She reckoned that it was the young man she had met. He was wearing a black tuxedo.
'Such formal clothes!', she thought.
At a first glance, she didn't even recognized him. Startling, she hid behind a tall bush.
Endymion was lost in his own thoughts as he slowly walked. All of a sudden, the deep silence had been broken by a rustle coming from the bush Serenity was hiding behind. As Endymion mended his way to the place the noise was coming from, Serenity felt her cheeks turning into a bright red and her body trembling when the silence had broke.
"Hey there...", with a wide smile on his face, "I'm glad you're here."
Serenity felt like no word would want to escape her lips.
"Have I scared you?"
Embarrassed, she shooked her head.
"Come on, I want to show you something.", smiling.
He took the young girl on a tour of the gardens, guiding her through the maze of flowers. The castle was huge. So was the outside of it. At the end of the path, Endymion showed her the flowers that she liked so much.
"Roses... am I right?", inhaling the sweet scent.
"Yes."
Endymion couldn't throw away this chance of finding out more about the misterious girl.
"Tell me about you, Serenity. Where are you from?"
"Moon Kingdom."
The girl began to describe her kingdom giving details on the weather, the lands and the main differences between their kingdoms, careful not to reveal her real identity. He was captivated by both the place she was describing and her beauty.
After long hours of talking, they both discovered that they had a lot in common. Both of them longed for freedom and needed someone to share their feelings with. Even though they knew so little about each other, in fact, they felt that they had known each other for years.
Author's Note: And here's the end of this chapter. Thanks for reading!
I do not own Sailor Moon, characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi.