AN: Thank you, everyone, for your wonderful reviews!

JungkO - I thought carefully about your suggestion and tried to see if it would work, but it's too out of character for the Serenity in my story. She's totally smitten, and her pure heart wouldn't let her suspect him. But I'm very grateful for your idea. Thank you.

Sailorashes - I never even considered creating extra romances between the Generals and the Senshi! Mwahaha, let's see what happens, shall we? Wink wink.

Chibiangel - You're totally spot on.

For all you other wonderful people out there who commented, I truly appreciate your reviews - it's putting a lot of pressure on me to continue with the story! (That's a good thing, btw.)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Sailor Moon. I do, however, own the tic tac I just found at the bottom of my purse. Take that copyright lawyers!

Chapter Four

The oval table stretched across the entire conference room. It was made from shimmering marble, and now hosted the most important figures of the Moon Court. Queen Serenity sat at the head of the assembly, her hands clasped together in a regal fashion. Every head was turned to her, waiting for her to speak. After carefully collecting her thoughts, she began.

'The Prince of the Earth will be courting Princess Serenity.'

There was a collective gasp around the room, except in the four seats closest to the Queen. Venus, Jupiter, Mercury and Mars waited solemnly for their leader to continue.

'He seems quite captivated by her. She is just as keen. I have arranged for several chaperoned meetings between the pair.'

'But,' the Exalted Judge breathed, 'is it possible that he is her One?'

The Queen nodded. 'Absolutely. However, it is just as possible that he is not.'

'How will we know?' inquired the Royal Advisor. She swung her indigo stare around the room, searching for support. 'Surely this is not something you wish to risk?'

'I would never take the chance,' the Queen assured her. 'For the Silver Crystal's sake, or my daughter's. And, unfortunately, there is another reason to be on alert.' She leant forward. 'He has attempted to kiss her.'

The air stilled. No one moved. The entire room was trying to absorb this startling information. 'He cannot know?' the Exalted Judge choked. 'He cannot have any idea that the Silver Crystal's power is linked to the Princess's innocence… can he?'

'It seems impossible that he could,' the Queen said, 'but I will not disregard it just yet. Please understand that I will not jeopardise the Silver Millennium by blindly trusting my Court. If one of you has leaked information, accidentally or purposefully, I will find out. It is best to come forward now, and explain yourself.'

Silence lay thick, blanketing the room. Court members cast suspicious glances at their neighbours. Eyes twitched nervously.

The Queen exhaled heavily. 'I am not trying to create animosity between us. It is still quite likely that Prince Endymion has taken a genuine interest in my daughter. But for the sake of the Silver Millennium, I beg of you to confess any disclosure right now, to avoid potential catastrophe. If the Prince of the Earth is doing this for his own personal gain – to weaken the Silver Crystal – I must know immediately.'

'But what can he hope to accomplish by weakening the Crystal?' the Royal Advisor asked.

The Queen pursed her lips. 'He is under the impression that we have rejected him from our alliance.'

'But –'

'I know. The Silver Millennium has to do with compatible magic. He does not understand this – the early death of his parents ensured his ignorance. To him, we are accumulating power in order to invade Earth. He even suspected we wanted his district because there is not a female ruler in power there.'

The Exalted Judge snorted. 'Where would he get such a preposterous idea?'

'Where indeed,' the Queen murmured.

'I say we simply cut him off,' the Royal Advisor shrugged. 'Do not allow him access to the Princess, just in case.'

The Queen sighed. 'A tempting thought, but alas, it is simply not possible. Firstly, if he is her One, we would be hindering the power of the Silver Crystal, not helping it. Secondly, if we were to forbid my daughter from seeing him, she may resort to more questionable methods instead of the safer, chaperoned meetings. You all know what young love is like. Nothing will keep them apart – even the wisdom of the Moon Court.'

A groan of understanding rose around the room. Children simply did not listen to reason.

'Very well,' the Exalted Judge grumbled. 'It seems we have no choice. I assume we may trust the chaperone?'

'Chaperones,' the Queen corrected. 'And yes, without a doubt. The Guardian Felines are shrewd and vigilant – they will stop any dubious interaction well before it begins.'

'I still do not see why we are not allowed to chaperone,' Venus muttered.

Mars smirked. 'Nothing spoils the romance like Senshi – especially ones from Venus.'

'I beg your pardon?' Venus demanded.

'STEP AWAY FROM THE PRINCESS!' Mars imitated shrilly.

Venus was affronted. 'I was protecting her!'

'It is a mood-killer,' Mars pointed out. 'Not to mention the fact that you almost blew him up.'

'I would not have had to resort to such measures if the three other Senshi had stuck by their ward!'

'Oh, so you are allowed to dance, and we are not?'

Queen Serenity cleared her throat. Both girls stopped bickering and flushed bright red when they realised they had disturbed an extremely important discussion.

'Forgive us,' they mumbled together.

The Queen continued, as though the interruption had never occurred. 'For those who are concerned about the protection of the Princess, I shall have Messier placed outside her quarters during the meeting. I will employ the Senshi as my own guards during this time.'

Many people in the room exchanged sceptical glances. After the recent display shown by two of the warriors, did they dare leave their Queen in the care of such immature females?

Queen Serenity shook her head. 'It is not my welfare you should be concerning yourselves with. Be watchful – the Prince of the Earth shall be arriving soon.'

X x X x X

Prince Endymion sat on his allocated chair in the meeting room. Ignoring his anxiety, he was rigid and alert, as years of training taught him. He had been led into the quarters a short while ago, left to his own devices while he waited for the Princess. Even though Messier was stationed outside the meeting room, he thought it more than a little strange that there was no security inside. Besides two cats – one black, one white – sunning themselves by the window, he was alone. Were the people of the Moon Kingdom really so trusting? It was sure to be their downfall.

At last, the door opened, and the Princess glided into the room. Endymion stood, feeling the air leave his lungs. By the gods, her beauty certainly had an effect on him. It was all the more easier to act besotted when in part, he already was.

She beamed when she saw him, and he smiled back. 'Highness,' he said, bowing his head.

She bobbed a short curtsey. 'Prince Endymion.'

'You are a vision today,' he murmured, his eyes fixed on her. 'As you are every day, of course.' He so much enjoyed the blush rise on her cheeks.

He waited until she had seated herself on the couch opposite him before returning to his own chair. She smoothed her gown over her lap and cleared her throat awkwardly. Endymion noticed she was rather breathless.

'May I inquire about your health?'

'Hmm?' Serenity asked, flicking her cerulean gaze up to him. 'Oh, I am fine, thank you.'

Endymion was amused. 'You seem a little tense.'

'Do I?' She was blushing again.

It was then that Endymion noticed they were alone. 'I was told this would be chaperoned,' he said, perplexed.

'We are,' Serenity replied, gesturing towards the furry pair in the sun. The white one lifted a lazy head and yawned.

Endymion raised an eyebrow. 'Cats?'

'Lunar felines,' Serenity corrected. To her, this meant intelligent, talking animals.

To Endymion, this meant Earth kittens born on the moon. He was bewildered. The Moon Kingdom sure had peculiar traditions. However, he could definitely use this to his advantage.

'Well,' he smiled, rising. 'Perhaps the good Lunar felines will not mind if I take a seat next to the Princess.'

The black cat hissed. Serenity held out her arms to signal for Endymion to stop. 'There are rules to this meeting. I beg you to abide by them. I would be most distressed if we were not allowed to see each other again.'

'I would still find a way to see you, Highness, make no mistake. Nothing could stop me from courting you.' But he sat down in his allocated chair again to ease her worries.

Serenity exhaled in relief. 'Thank you.'

There was a moment of uncomfortable silence. Endymion was keen to break the ice. 'Tell me about yourself.'

'What would you like to know?'

'Everything.'

And so Serenity spent the entire meeting explaining herself. She spoke with fondness about her mother, her friends, her hobbies, her dreams for a bright future. She tried to swing the conversation over to Endymion, but he was always quick to bounce it back.

The Prince listened, enraptured, during the entire discussion. Serenity couldn't understand why he seemed so interested. Surely she was just like every other regal female he had met? Surely her dreary, sheltered life bored him? Surely her opinions did not mean much to a man who had ruled a planet for years?

But he soaked up every word. And he was clearly disappointed when the sharp knock on the door signalled that their time was up. 'Already?' he frowned as Messier entered.

The bodyguard nodded and waited silently by the exit. Endymion sighed, throwing Serenity an apologetic glance as he got to his feet. 'The time went too quickly.'

'I feel as though I dominated the entire conversation,' Serenity murmured, ashamed.

Endymion smiled. 'Believe me, your voice is an indulgence to my ears. I would listen to it all day if I had the opportunity. And I feel closer than ever to the world of the immortals, now I know my goddess more intimately.'

Serenity flushed. Messier suppressed the urge to roll his eyes.

'Until next time,' Endymion continued, bowing to the Princess. 'I look forward to the day where I may kiss your hand upon parting. Let us hope it is sooner, rather than later.'

X x X x X

The Senshi remained in optimum positions around Queen Serenity as she strolled around the gardens.

'We will see Prince Endymion off,' she said, heading in the direction of the Palace.

'I still wish you had let us chaperone,' Venus said edgily. 'I do not like the thought of that audacious man near the Princess.'

The Queen shot her a sideways glance. 'It is quite likely that our young suitor does not have any idea that Luna and Artemis are intelligent beings. Think of what he might let slip, unaware that he is in the presence of creatures who can report back to me.'

'How devious,' Jupiter grinned.

'How necessary,' the Queen added.

They reached the front entrance, only to find four familiar Generals waiting outside at the top of the steps. The men bowed deeply when they saw the newest arrivals.

'Your Majesty,' the silver-haired General greeted. His eyes flickered over to Venus, who stuck her nose indignantly in their air. 'Ladies, it is a pleasure to see you again.'

Venus sneered. 'Wish I could say the same, Malachite.'

'May I request that you elaborate on such an offence?' Malachite said with the hint of a smile.

'You know exactly what I am talking about,' Venus huffed. 'Do you think I am stupid? Prince Endymion used you in a cheap ploy to get me away from the Princess during the ball. You did not mean any of those words you said that night! I am highly insulted!'

'You are right,' Malachite agreed. 'And you are also wrong. Yes, I was just a distraction. But no, the words I said were completely sincere.'

Venus snorted. 'Sure Malachite. I am not as easily coerced as our dear Prin –'

'Venus,' the Queen warned sharply.

Venus shut her mouth. She had forgotten that the Court of Earth did not know that they suspected any foul play. Luckily, Prince Endymion chose to exit the Palace at that exact moment, wiping her mistake from the Generals' minds.

'Good day,' the handsome man greeted, bowing respectfully to the people on the steps.

'Good day, Prince Endymion,' the Queen said. 'I trust all went well today?'

'Very much so,' Endymion assured her. 'If it is not too forward, I must confess that your daughter has stolen my very soul. It pains me to part from her.'

'Let us hope she returns your sentiments,' the Queen said graciously.

Endymion bowed again. 'I thank you.' He turned to his Generals. 'Come, gentlemen. We have much to do.'

Malachite shot Venus a grin as he passed. 'Perhaps next time, I shall stay for the entire duration of the visit.'

'Humph,' Venus sniffed in reply.

The two groups parted, and Endymion's party hopped in the carriage which would take them back to their shuttle.

'So how did it go?' Malachite asked, settling himself in beside his Prince.

Endymion shrugged, remaining nonchalant. 'I am satisfied.'

'She is quite a beautiful Princess,' Jadeite mused from the opposite seat.

'You would make a stunning couple,' Nephrite agreed.

'But are you actually compatible?' Zoicite inquired. 'That is the big question.'

Endymion was careful with his answer. 'She is… a joyous spirit.'

The Generals exchanged smirks. 'Does this mean you are utterly devoted to her?' Malachite said knowingly.

'I am intrigued,' Endymion admitted.

It was a subtle, precise game he was playing. By acting in character; by being cautiously optimistic about his pursuit; he was giving his men good reason to suspect he was falling in love. Even at the ball, the Generals were simply under the impression that he was keen to speak to Princess Serenity in private, rather than attempting to steal a kiss. Everyone had to believe his affections were true, if he was to pull this off. He could leave no trace of treachery.

High Counsellor Beryl would be pleased with his efforts. He had made a good impression – as far as he knew, no one had questioned his infatuation with the Princess.

But maybe that was because it wasn't all an act.

Ahhhh, budding romance. I'm so jealous of Serenity! ;p Expect an update soon!

Love,
Kaitlyn