Disclaimer: I do not own any Sailor Moon characters


Chapter 3

Princess Mina walked down a long, dark staircase that was lit with evenly spaced candles along the walls. She could hear clanging of metal the closer and closer she got to the end of the corridor. She finally approached a large wooden door with an intricate gold handle. She turned it slowly and peeked her head inside. Her entrance into the room was coupled with a loud, obnoxious creaking noise from the old door. The disturbance made the room fall silent. She could feel a bright red flush filter through her skin as she stepped inside a bit more. In front of her was Lita, panting away and balancing her weight against a thin sword like a cane. She had been sparring with Kunzite who was just as out of breath as she was. Clearly the two were worthy opponents for one another. Mina wanted to be just like that; tough, strong, and easily shielded from any harm that could come her way.

"What brings you here, my lady?" Nephrite asked. He was standing on the other side of the room, observing the progress between his lover and his fellow general.

"I was … well, I must confess that I'm worried," she said to them.

"Worried about what?" he pressed.

"I don't like the plan that the prince has put forth."

"What plan?" Lita asked.

"He wants to have a ball."

"A ball?" she scoffed. She glanced at her husband and laughed, "My dear, we must be on our best behavior!"

"He wants to have a welcoming ball and invite everyone from across the world to come. He is back in his kingdom after all," Princess Mina continued sheepishly.

Her eyes darted to the ground when Kunzite directed his attention toward her, "And this calls for worriment?"

"I don't like the idea," she said firmly. "I think its rubbish. He's asking for trouble. The whole world knows what he was up to with that damn prophecy! What makes him think that these people won't try to attack us?"

"Well, firstly he has made no formal announcement to the elite that he desires to put this kingdom back to its rightful owner. If anything, these people will just assume he's the true son of Cepheus is all forms – greed, narcissism, and ego – and they will believe he's trying to show off," Kunzite explained. "There is truly nothing to be worried about."

"But—"

"My lady, I think you would be better off in your chambers, picking out a new ball gown than down here in the dungeon where we are informally practicing our swordsmanship," Lita chimed in.

"No, you don't—"

"Go on now!" she yelled.

"NO!" the princess shouted back, clenching her hands into fists. The whole room went quiet. They didn't think she had a backbone to support herself, but it was clearly showing. "I will not go back to my chambers! I am not some pretty little doll to be tossed to the side when matters of state are close to destroying our world!" She took a deep breath and calmed herself, "I found out some interesting information today. Sebastian, the servant boy–"

"The one related to the peasant girl that Endymion is all up in arms about?" Kunzite asked, his brow furrowed with curiosity.

"Yes. Well, Sebastian is having an affair with Lady Elizabeth," she informed them.

Lita flipped her sword and placed it casually onto her shoulder a she leaned on her other foot, "You must be joking."

"No. I'm not. He told me this afternoon."

"Exactly how did you attain this information?" she asked with a sly grin.

Mina blushed profusely, "That's none of your business."

"My lady, I still stand beside what I said before; go back to your chambers. Matters of state or sword are not to be fretted by a delicate woman such as yourself," Lita said.

"I am not delicate!" she roared. "In fact that's why I came down here. I think with the undercurrent of war at hand, it would be in my best interest to learn how to defend myself."

"Are you hearing this Nephrite?" Lita asked, turning back to her husband with a surprised expression plastered over her face. "The princess wants training!"

"With this eminent war, do you really think we have time to train someone like you?" he asked the young blonde.

"If you don't teach me and I come in harms way, I will make sure my people come after you," she replied with a menacing tone.

"Ooh! You are too bold, mistress!" Lita exclaimed.

She was about to approach the princess when Kunzite held out an arm, blocking her, "I'll train her if you two are too busy."

"Kunzite! Don't waste your time!" Nephrite responded.

"No, it's you two who are wasting time. Princess Mina clearly has some intuition about this situation and she knows that there is danger coming our way. It would be in everyone's best interest if she learned how to defend herself. We will not be able to keep our eyes on her at all times when there is a battle," he explained. During this whole discussion, Kunzite hadn't removed his gaze from her. "Princess, I would find it only to benefit you if you asked Lady Ami to find you some more suitable clothing. You cannot fight in a beautiful dress like that."

She nodded silently as he approached her. Lita and Nephrite exchanged glances again and shrugged. The group guided her out of the dueling chambers and back upstairs to the main part of the castle. Kunzite was determined to talk to Endymion and find out just exactly what he was up to, but when they asked the guard outside his den where the prince was, he said he was down at the stables. Mina knew he was down there discussing matters with Sebastian, trying to get more information from him. She was going to try to stop Kunzite as he rushed down the hallway leading to the outside, but he swatted her hand away.

"I can manage on my own," he stated.

She cowered back and looked at the couple beside her. Lita crossed her arms over her chest, "Who do we know around here that has information about what's going down?"

There was a slight pause and then they all said in unison, "Zoisite!'

The group rushed away in the opposite direction of Kunzite and stopped at the very end of the hall where Zoisite had an adjoining room to the prince's den. They barged in and startled the young blonde man who was completely emerged in an old scroll.

"W-what do you want?" he exclaimed. "There is something called knocking! Or finding a page to announce your entrance!"

Nephrite slammed door while the two ladies bombarded him, "What is this grand ball all about?"

He pursed his lips and rolled his eyes, "See, I knew that this would blow up in his face. Nothing can be kept to just one person in this castle with all of these characters around."

"Just answer our question!" Mina demanded.

"His royal highness wishes to have a welcoming back gala and he's invited everyone you can possibly think of," he explained as he leaned back in his chair casually. His eyes were fixated on Mina, "And actually, I believe he wants you to turn that peasant child, Serena, into a beautifully lady. He has claimed her as his date for the night."

"You're not serious!" she gasped.

"I'm completely serious," he answered. "She's in her own specially assigned chambers right now. It's right down the hall from you. I've already sent instruction to Lady Ami. They're waiting for you."

She shook her head in disbelief and then breezed out of the room to find out if what he said was true. Lita and Nephrite stayed behind, staring at the man in front of them. They wanted more information.

"Is this girl really worth all of the trouble we've been going through?" Nephrite asked.

"Only time will tell," Zoisite shrugged.

"What is your humble opinion?" Lita pried.

"My humble opinion means nothing compared to the wants and needs of the prince. He believes she is the answer to our prayers … I believe this is all too real to be just a coincidence," he answered. "It's hard to tell with Endymion whether he is just enamored by this girl or if he really believes that she's the princess that everyone has been searching for."

Silence fell upon them as they all thought about whether or not she was the missing link to the kingdom's revival. As they contemplated this, a page boy came running into the room with several letters in hand. Zoisite flipped through them and sighed.

"Looks like the world is responding to the news of the ball already. Word reaches fast."

"When do you expect to have this ball up and running?" Lita asked.

"Endymion wants it by tomorrow night."

"That's impossible!" Nephrite burst.

"You clearly haven't met me," Zoisite winked. "I can get a banquet hall up and running within minutes of being asked to do so. By tomorrow morning, neither of you will recognize this place. I guarantee it."

"This means I have to get a dress, doesn't it?" Lita asked as they started to walk out of the room together.

They didn't care about the social semantics at all. They knew when they would be needed – when someone's sword was drawn and threatening the life of those they need to protect. As the couple strolled down the hallway, hand in hand, Lita stole glances of Nephrite. She still couldn't believe that she had snagged such a handsome, tall, brooding man, who loved her quirky antics and the fact that she wasn't a real "lady" or feminine at all.

"Do you think she really is the princess?" she whispered.

"Like Zoisite said, only time will tell," he replied honestly. "My father once told me about this prophecy. He said that this woman was supposed to have great power. He didn't think that she would need any of us. This princess is supposed to be so powerful that none of us can touch her."

"So why are we here?" she asked.

"Because she's not a princess yet. She hasn't gained her power … if she is her," he replied.

Lita stopped for a moment and pressed him against the wall of the hallway. She rubbed her palms up and down against his chest, closing in on his mouth. She nipped at his lower lip and whispered to him, "My bleeds have stopped."

"You're pregnant?"

"I have your son in me."

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

He swallowed hard and smiled broadly. She was glad he was reacting this way. But it couldn't have lasted for very long. What if she had a girl and not a boy? Would he leave her? She had been telling him for months that she would conceive him a son. For a long time, it was starting to look like she couldn't get pregnant. She had been considered a social outcast, a pariah to her family in law. During that whole time he had stuck by her, lifted her up, and told her to concentrate on what was important; their grand army. Lita was determined to put the same effort she did into that army they built into this baby they were going to create together.

"You should probably stop training," Nephrite suggested, bringing her out of her daze.

She shook her head, "No! I will not stop fighting just because I am with child!"

"Lita … if something were to happen to you or that baby … I couldn't bear it."

"You have fought with me beside you for years! Why take caution now? Why?" she cried. Tears rolled down her face uncontrollably.

Nephrite gently placed a hand on her stomach and rubbed it, "Because of this. This blessing is going to be the greatest creation in the world. He will be holy. He will be strong. And most of all, he will be ours…. Or she."

"Sh-she?" Lita stammered, her lip quivering slightly. "N-no! No she! It will be a boy!"

"Lita, if it is a girl, she will grow up to be like you," he smiled, "and that would be the greatest gift you could ever give me."

She suddenly collapsed into his arms, sobbing like a blubbering little woman. She felt weak, fragile, exposed, and worst of all vulnerable. Lita wrapped her arms around his neck and let her husband carry her the rest of the way to their room. It would be the only time he would ever do that in their marriage. She was a stubborn woman and prided herself on moving on her own, but at this moment, she was left without any feeling in her body; she was numb with ecstasy for her partner in life.


At the stables…

Endymion strolled down the dewy grass, his eyes narrowed in on the dirty scoundrel that was ruining everything for him. Finding out that Sebastian, Serena's brother by adoption, was having an affair with his father's new wife and even had a bastard child by him was just another kink in his wheel. He closed in the large gap between him and this scrawny stable boy. He pushed him up against a wooden post that was holding up the rickety barn. The man didn't flinch which either meant he was expecting this or he was hiding something. Either way, Endymion didn't like him.

"I want you to end all ties with Lady Elizabeth or I will have you sent off of the premises," he growled.

Sebastian cocked his head to the side, "Is that going to be before or after you use my sister for your best advantage?"

"You don't know what you're talking about," he whispered.

"Yes I do. You want her as your concubine. I won't have it. I've protected that girl for all of her life. She isn't going to throw it away for you!" he spat.

Endymion shook him a final time and backed up from the lower class man, "Your sister is an amazing woman who can take care of herself."

"You don't even know her!"

"Neither do you!" he shouted back. "You're not related! You have no idea where she came from. She is a special part of this world and she has a heavy future ahead of herself."

"What is that supposed to mean?" he asked.

"None of your business," he replied. "Now make your decision. Leave or end your relationship with Lady Elizabeth."

"Fine. I'll end things," he sighed. "But it won't be easy. She'll be at the ball tomorrow night after all. That woman is hard to shake."

"She's a leech. Burn her off of your skin if you have to," the prince ordered as he turned around.

Endymion started to walk back up to the castle, his cape billowing behind him. As he made it to the cobblestone entrance, he was approached by a rather flustered looking Rei. He had never seen this demeanor upon the priestess's face which concerned him greatly.

"What's the matter Mistress Rei?" he asked.

"Can we speak somewhere privately?" she replied with extreme urgency.

He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her into the nearest room. He was about to lock the door behind himself when he realized that they were in chamber that was fully occupied by cleaning maids. He almost didn't recognize the place. The carpets were rid of their dust, sunlight was coming in through the windows, and he could have sworn he could see his reflection in the large old mirror above the fireplace. He clapped his hands and cheered the servants. He knew this was all Zoisite's work; he was the real man he had to applaud.

The prince pulled Rei out of the room and checked all of the quarters down the hallway, finding that that there were dozens of cleaners in every room until they made it to Serena's room. She was already lodging in it, but he didn't see any harm in having a private discussion with Rei in front of her. However, the raven haired priestess did find some trouble in this predicament.

"I can't talk to you about this in front of her!" she exclaimed.

Serena sat up a bit straighter in her bed and put the book she was reading down, "I can leave."

"No," Endymion grinned, his eyes fixated on Rei. "Don't go. Whatever she has to say, she can say it in front of you. I'm sure it's about you, after all."

"I don't mean Serena," she replied, shifting her weight to the other foot and crossing her arms over her chest.

Endymion looked over his shoulder and saw Mina walking out of the closet. She looked a little bit flustered.

"What are you doing here?" he asked her.

"I was going over dance moves with Serena when I realized she hadn't a thing to wear to the ball. I was going to let her borrow one of my gowns and it took me ages to pick something out," she explained. She leaned over a bit and looked at Rei, "Is something wrong? Is this concerning me?"

"Don't stick your nose into business that doesn't concern you," Endymion sighed.

"It doesn't concern her," Rei announced sternly. Her eyes flickered back to Endymion, "You can't have this ball tomorrow night!"

"I can and I will. What's stopping me?"

"Your own demise and stupidity," she growled. "Your father is going to send troops here."

"I know. That's why we have a base camp set up just outside the castle grounds. Lord Nephrite and Lady Lita have already set this up."

"You don't think it will be ambushed?" Serena chimed in quietly. When all eyes turned back to her, she got the distinct feeling like she was a little kid interrupting an adult conversation. She shrugged at them, "I just don't think it's smart to rely solely on one camp that is well known all across the land."

"This girl does have some intuition," Rei smirked before turning back to her confidant. "This ball is going to get ugly."

"Life itself will get ugly, Rei!" Endymion exclaimed suddenly. "I don't care!"

"You do care! And you will be yanked off your high and mighty pedestal once you realize that this girl has the power to destroy us all!" she yelled as she pointed at Serena's aghast face. "If you continue on with this, everyone's lives will be in danger."

"That's a risk I'm willing to take."

"Endy—"

"Don't try to talk me out of this ball. I know everything that goes on in my kingdom. I am fully aware and fully prepared for the consequences that lie ahead. Don't treat me like some child who doesn't know what will happen when he sticks his hand in the cookie jar," he said.

"So I'm a tasty treat for you, is that it?" Serena asked, her face starting to fume as she slowly stood up to her feet.

"N-no, that's not what I—"

"I'm some prize for your side to win? Is that it? Huh? Well I won't have it!" she yelled.

Serena had gotten very flustered and suddenly ran out the door. Without giving it a second thought, Endymion went running after her down the empty, echoing halls and out onto the main property. He yanked his cloak off so he could run faster after her. She was a quick little thing, running in her potato sack looking dress with a pair of what some of the maids called shoes. He didn't know how her feet were able to race over the gravel, the stone pavement, and not slip across the grass.

When they had run for about two minutes, he realized where they were going; out through the village. It was a risk he was willing to take in order to gain her trust again. She was going to be a tricky thing to tame.

"Serena!" he hollered.

"Leave me alone Endymion!" she shouted back.

"Get back here! I order you!"

She didn't respond. If anything, she just picked up the pace until she ended up on a dirt path right outside the grand bazaar. It led up to a tiny single cottage with a cow, a goat, a pig, and a horse kept in a small yard in the back. She was about to barge into the single room home, when Endymion suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist and yanked her around the corner of the house. At that exact moment, someone opened the front door. It was Sebastian, but he wasn't alone. There was a female with him, dressed in a long mustard yellow dress. She had a scarf wrapped around her head and although she was trying to look as inconspicuous as possible, the material she wore gave away that she was of a higher class. Endymion covered Serena's mouth with his large hand as he listened closely to what they were saying.

"So you believe there's going to be a war against my husband?" the female said. It was Lady Elizabeth.

"Yes. Endymion knows about you and me."

"Does he know about that slave girl?"

"My sister?"

"Please. She's not your sister. Not by a long shot. You've been a lucky man to get so close to royalty as you have… twice. Your bastard son will be the new ruler of this whole kingdom, but only if you get me that girl," she instructed. "I trust you will do what's best."

"Elizabeth…"

"Sebastian, don't argue with me. Just get it done. Drug her. Abduct her. Do whatever it takes," she replied, her voice shrill and unpleasant to the ear.

"She's always with the prince!" he exclaimed.

"I don't care. I'm paying you more than you make in a year to do this. Don't let me down dearest," she cooed to him.

With that, a carriage rolled around and picked her up. She climbed in with the help of Sebastian and then was whisked away back to the castle where her husband had holed himself up in. Endymion kept a hold of Serena with an extremely tight grip wrapped around her jaw so that she couldn't even open it to bite his hand. He waited until Sebastian had walked down the path and was out of sight completely. He let go of Serena who immediately sprinted away from him and burst into the shack. She knelt down onto the floor as Endymion casually strolled to the doorway, making sure not to touch anything. He watched as she cracked open a floorboard and pulled out a small purple box with torn up red velvet along the edges.

As she stood up to her feet breathlessly, she brushed a blonde piece of hair out of her glinting eyes, "You thought I was going to flee to my brother, didn't you?"

"Yes, I did. You're a tricky one," he grinned. "What's in the box?"

"My old trinkets from my parents. I have been waiting since you dragged me into this mess to get this. I couldn't ask Sebastian for it. He would have torn into it."

"What's in there?" he asked.

"I'll show you when we get back to the castle," she replied. "Now come on."

He could not get a good grasp on this woman even if he tried. She was acting a certain way one minute and then the next, she was smiling like a mischievous cat. Endymion followed her obligingly and made it back to the castle together.


You all will find out what's in the box in the next chapter! ^_^ Please review!