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Dynamics of a Princess
We don't own Sailor Moon

Serena woke in her room at the inn fully dressed and with a pain in her head. "Oh… my head hurts." She breathed and looked around the room focusing on the one other person in the room, Darien. "Darien… wha… what happened? I only remember the field and…"

"Shhh…" He hushed her and placed his hand on her forehead feeling the heat coming from her body. "You frightened us all." His deep blue eyes registered concern. "I am thankful you are well, you rose from the ground and floated in the air. It was astounding Serena. I've never seen such power!" Darien smiled then grew serious. "May I ask what you were thinking when Trista asked you to concentrate?"

"I… was, thinking of my friend Mary and then… someone we know… began to hurt her." Tears immediately filled her eyes and began to run down her cheeks. Making Darien's eyes widen and reach out for her pulling her into an embrace and surprising her but she soon felt comforted and put her arms around his torso crying into his chest. "I left her there… I left her with him and I think… I think he is violent. Now that I look at it… he must be."

"Who? Who is violent? Is someone hurting your friend Serena? If this is true then… we will find her after we defeat the King and… please stop crying." Darien breathed pet her long golden hair trying to calm her. "Please, stop crying. I do not like seeing women cry."

"I will stop crying. I… thank you." She pulled away from his embrace embarrassed by how she had let him console her. It was indecent to be in a room alone with a man, especially a bedroom chamber and then, to let him touch her, even to try and calm her. It was wrong and she was promised to another man… a man she was no longer sure if she wanted. Darien sat on the bed and looked at her with shock in his eyes. "Thank you for your kindness and concern Prince Darien however I am feeling well, only a small head pain." She moved away from him and turned so her crimson face would not be discovered by the handsome prince as she spoke. "I should like to be alone now… I will be down soon."

"Why do you suddenly shy away from me Serena? Have I done something not to your liking?" He asked feeling her sudden coldness. He reflected briefly over his actions and found nothing objectionable. She did not answer and remained turned from him looking out the window. "Will you not answer me?"

"It's just that I… you are a man and I am not but an innocent woman. It is indecent for us to be alone, even more indecent for us to be alone in a bed chamber. You should know this being of royal blood. Can you not see this?" She asked suddenly turning to him her eyes searching his for the answer.

"No, I cannot for I am not a man who sees women as property. You are just as valuable as any man I may converse with and I do not see your hesitation in being alone with me. I will not do anything indecent and I should hope that you know this of me." Darien stood then looked at her. "Oh, and I do believe that it is indecent for a man to be alone with a woman only if he does not intend on marrying her, is this not correct?"

"You and I are not intended to marry. Therefore this is indecent for you to be in my private chambers alone with me." She said gazing into his eyes more deeply not understanding his inquiry.

"What is the law if a man, alone with a woman, intends on asking for her hand in marriage?" His face registered no emotion but his eyes sparkled with hope making her realize he was asking her to marry him.

"Are you meaning to ask… for my hand?" She gulped as he nodded taking hold of her clasped hands. "I… I cannot say yes." She watched as his eyes turned cloudy with sadness, his frame falling a bit as his heart broke. "I mean to say, I cannot say yes because I do not know you well enough to agree to such a thing.

"I understand. Then, will you allow my chivalry? I would like to be a suitor for your heart." He smiled not releasing her hands hoping that she would accept his request. She hesitantly looked at him, thinking of her father, Diamond, Mary, and her mother. What would they say if she agreed to such a thing even though she was promised to Diamond? Worst yet, what would Diamond do if he discovered it?

"I shall accept you as a suitor Darien." She nodded her mouth betraying her mind and siding with her heart. In the last moments of her trance, when he had reached out for her, her mind cleared and his face appeared in her mind suddenly making her heart lighter. She knew that it was not Diamond who owned her heart, it was this man, a man she'd only known for a week. It was astounding and impossible at the same time but she knew… she loved him.

"You have made my heart sing and I promise you that I shall reveal to you my entire being so you will feel comfortable in accepting my proposal." Darien smiled and turned to the door. "Would you like to go with me into market? I would like to show you the gardens, they are beautiful."

"Yes, I would. Thank you Darien." She nodded and waited for him to leave her to herself. After the door had latched she buried her face in her hands in despair. What was she to do? In accepting his chivalry she had doomed herself to beheading if her betrothed so chose if he discovered her romance with this man.

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"The town is so beautiful this time of the year " Serena smiled at Darien as she looked around the marketplace watching all of the people barter for various items they wanted. One woman held out a crimson rose hoping that Darien would oblige and purchase it.

"You really have never been in town before have you?" He smiled at her longing eyes as they gazed at the rose. She was so beautiful that the rose was not suited for her, however he wanted her to long for nothing.

"Never." She blushed as he reached for the rose handing the woman six pence which she stared at with wonder.

"May I ask why ?" Darien asked handing her the rose and waiting as she inhaled it's sweet scent. It's perfume filling her nose and making her think of him. When she realized that he had asked a question she blushed and continued walking through the square thinking of her response.

"My father never allowed it, he worried that I would be hurt."Please, do not ask any further questions Darien, I do not wish to lie to you. I cannot let you know that I have lied about my origin. She contemplated and silently breathed.

"Hurt? Hurt from what?" Darien knit his brow not understanding how any person would harm such a wonderful woman, especially not understanding a father's thoughts.

Tell him Serena… you have to stop this lie, tell him that you are a princess and your father believes that you would be harmed because of your beauty. TELL HIM! Her heart screamed but her mind silenced it. "Father's worry about their daughters in such fashion. It is their want to protect them… surely you understand this?"

"I fear I do not. Perhaps someday I will understand when I have my own daughter to care for." Darien took hold of her hand leading her towards the path to the gardens by the large lake. They walked along the English maze near the lake's edge watching the children play in the waters. "Come, let us go and sit over there." Darien slyly smiled and lead her to another section of the garden by the blooming roses.

"Oh… I think this is some other person's place. See the quilt and basket?" She asked gazing at the sight before her. How romantic someone must be to have a meal by the lake amongst the roses.

"No, this is our place. I thought it nice to dine by the lake… do you not approve?" He frowned lightly and looked over the scene.

Serena smiled and gave him a hug "I have never dined outdoors before… what of the beasts running around?" She watched the squirrels rush up and down the neighboring trees chattering about their latest findings and wondered if they would attack them for whatever meal was in the basket.

"Do not worry about the animals Serena. They are not so bold as to take food from us." He smiled and lead her by the hands to the quilt and stood as she knelt down spreading her skirt out so her ankles did not show.

"How were you able to arrange this? You surely did not place the basket here." She waited as he knelt down then sat near her opening the basket as a squirrel jumped out surprising them. The two laughed a bit then Darien quieted and reached into the basket for a loaf of bread and some of the left over beef Andrew had made the night before.

"I asked Mina to bring this out for us. She was hesitant but did a wonderful job." He smiled and reached in for the goblets and wine.

"Very mischievous of you my prince. How did you know I would appreciate such actions?" She asked curious as to what he was thinking when he asked Mina to bring the basket. Was he so very smitten with her that he wished to dine alone away from the group? By the lake no less. He shrugged his shoulders lightly and began to slice the bread and meat placing a large piece of the meat between the pieces of bread. "Curious way of preparing a morsel…" She tilted her head at the small piece of art he had just put together.

"It is an easy way to dine when you are travelling on foot… So tell me Serena do you have any siblings?" Darien changed the subject not wanting to remind her that she was in fact a traveler and would most likely leave if he did not capture her affections.

"I am alone I fear. My father wished not for other children and he was disappointed that I was not a boy." She looked over at the lake her eyes watering slightly from the various memories of her father shunning her from his sight because she was not a boy.

"Why did he not have other children? I am taken aback. It is rare to find only one child… was he an elderly father?" Darien wondered what the reason was. Unless her mother perished in child birth. Suddenly he felt guilty about asking, it could be a difficult thing to talk about.

He did not want many children fighting for his kingdom. Serena thought. "He said that one child was enough to worry about. I should like to have many children. I think that many children is a symbol of how much love one possesses in their heart." Serena smiled warmly and brought her meal to her lips.

"How many children would you like?" Darien asked hoping it was not too forward of him. She paused and looked at the blue sky wondering just how many children she thought sufficient.

"I should think five… perhaps more. I suppose it would depend on how bountiful my husband's earnings were… and how much he would love me." She looked down at the quilt wondering how many children Diamond would force her to bare should they marry.

"I have always thought a large family was best as well. I had many siblings… though… none of them survived the attack." He fell silent recalling all of his memories and wishing that he had not lost so many people near to him. Serena watched his eyes cloud and reached for his hand, her touch bringing him back to her. "I am sorry to burden you with my sad tale Serena. I want nothing but happiness for you because there is too much sadness in the world."

"I should like to hear your tale… if you would share it with me?" Her eyes shown with sympathy making him feel at ease. She truly was an angel. Her own feelings cast aside so she could feel his.

"I have shared most of my tale with you Serena, the rest is a small trifle. I had eight siblings, myself being the youngest, my sister Elizabeth the eldest of us all. We lived in a grand castle, there were many rooms and the grounds were large… I… I would prefer to not talk about my past, only the present and the future." He finished his meal and lay on his back on the quilt looking at the puffy white clouds in the sky silent.

"I did not mean to upset you Darien… I am sorry." She nibbled on her food then sat looking around hoping that this afternoon would not turn into a gloomy and sad affair. She wanted so badly to impress him and yet, at the same time she did not want to completely take him over.

"You there! Have you seen the princess?" A sudden voice sounded on the other side of the rose bushes and though unfamiliar made her panic. Darien slowly sat up looking towards the voice and seeing Serena's fear. One of the palace guards stepped into the area the two were in and glared fiercely marching towards them. "Have either of you seen the princess?" The man's eyes scanned her carefully a slight smile pulling at the corners of his lips. "Have you?" He repeated and unsheathed his sword pointing it at. "Answer me wench!" The man smirked as he saw Darien's enraged face, and his tensed muscles. The man continued to inch the sword to Serena's face until the sharp tip lightly touched the underside of her chin. Darien leapt into action unsheathing his sword and holding it fully to the guard's neck.

"Leave her be or I will cut you down here and now." He growled angrily and glared at the man. Serena closed her eyes hoping that Diamond was not there. "Lower your sword sir!" Darien shouted and pressed the sword into the man more. The guard smiled, lowering his sword on top of Serena's bosom making her whimper and Darien even angrier.

"Joseph! Joseph!" Another guard called riding his horse into the garden. Serena paled as she saw Mary, her wrists bound by a rope that was then fastened to the saddle of the other guard's horse. "What is happening here?" He asked looking between Serena, the guard and Darien. Mary's eyes widened as she looked at the scene shocked to see her mistress.

"This woman will not answer my questions and this… man is accosting me for questioning her." The guard named Joseph answered. "She is of the right age and description, maybe she is the princess."

"She is not." Mary said firmly the two guards looking at her. "I am certain she is not the princess. My mistress has a different style to her and she would not be dining in the openness of the day."

"Very well." Joseph sheathed his sword and looked at Darien. "I have done as you requested. Sir." Darien lowered his sword and watched as the guards left towing Mary behind them.

"They treat a royal chambermaid in such a way? Disgraceful." Darien sneered and knelt in front of Serena. "Are you harmed in any way?" He asked concerned that she was gazing at the ground and not him. "Serena?" He asked once more and placed his right hand gently on the side of her face tilting it up to him to see tears streaming down her face. "I apologize… darling I am so sorry he frightened you in such a manner." He held her close to him patting the back of her head and glaring in the direction the guards had gone.

"I wish to go back to the inn please Darien." She sobbed lightly and pulled away from him now very sure of Diamond's nature. He had condemned Mary to search for her and Mary had not betrayed her. How could she ever thank her dear friend and maid she wasn't sure but she wanted to. "Please?" She asked once more and stood.

"Of course Serena… are you well? You look pale." He knitted his brow and wiped the tears from her face. He quickly picked up the quilt and the basket then offered her his arm. Instead of taking it she walked ahead of him trying to reach the safety of the inn's walls as soon as possible.

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"Is she ill Darien? Since your day in the park she has not come from her chambers… what surpassed?" Amy asked curious about the woman upstairs. The door had been locked for two days and not one of the members of the group had seen her come out.

"We were approached in the gardens by one of the palace guards searching for the princess… he held his sword to her, demanding that she answer his questioning… she was so frightened by the threat of her life she could not speak." He breathed and looked up at the ceiling wishing she would come out of her chambers so he could look into her eyes again. "I shall go up and speak with her, perhaps she will come down now." He sighed and walked up the stairs to her chamber doors and rapped lightly. "Serena? Will you not come out? Please?" He leaned his forehead against the door and closed his eyes hoping that she would open it.

She heard him on the other side of the door pleading with her to open the door and come out of her sanctuary. She felt guilty about her lies, felt even worse about Mary. She wanted to open the door and throw her arms around him, let him comfort her and hold her close for she loved him. Her two days in her chambers had made her love him even more. Slowly she rose and unlatched the door, her cheeks tearstained and her eyes puffy from crying many long hours. Slowly she opened the door looking at the ground not wanting him to see how plain she was. "I will not come down to the parlor… I would like… to talk to you though. I must tell you something important and…"

"Please, say nothing more. I know what you would like to say." She looked at him with surprise in her eyes. How had he found out that she was the princess? Had Mary come looking for her? "You are beautiful Serena, and I understand that you do not always feel so beautiful but you are. As for that guard… if I ever see him again I shall make him pay for frightening you so badly. Please… come down and talk with us?" Serena sighed. He did not know anything and clearly felt so guilty about the gardens that he would not hear her news with open ears.

"Very well… I shall be down after I dress more appropriately." She then stepped back and closed the door leaning against it feeling even more terrible about everything that had surpassed.

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Mina frowned as she watched Serena and Darien talk with such ease and carelessness as two people deep in love. She had wanted Darien to see her with admiration… to talk to her so sweetly since the day she first saw him and now… Serena, the new girl had won him over. The rest of the group loved her, even Amarah was fond of the other blonde now. It made Mina furious yet thankful at the same time, for with Darien's attention taken she had noticed Andrew looking at her with lovers' eyes.

"Mina, have you nothing to say?" Raye laughed and elbowed her friend in the arm. "You were not listening to any of us were you?" The raven haired priestess frowned and looked in the direction Mina had been fixed on and smiled. "If you fancy Andrew then let him know. He is clearly interested." The blonde blushed and looked back at the group who were all laughing at her expense.

"Laugh at me! I am not a jester!" She stood and marched up to her chambers the group surprised at her actions. Darien sighed and stood to go up and talk to her so she would know they were not being ill willed.

"There she goes and our fearless leader risks his backside to go and bring the immature one back to us." Amarah rolled her eyes. "She really perplexes me. If it were not for her skills with men we would not keep her." Amarah eyed Serena proudly. "I believe that you could bewilder men far more easily. Capturing Darien's affections… that is a skill that Mina wished she possessed."

"What do you mean Amarah? I have not done anything to capture Darien's affections…" Serena frowned and looked at the table. "He has pursued me." Amarah nodded and looked at her fellow group mates.

"That is what I mean. You did nothing to enrapture him and yet he is smitten with you. Mina has tried to win his affections for years and never succeeded. You have done something we thought to be impossible." Amarah smiled and wrapped her arm around Michelle's shoulder. "I thought it impossible to capture this one's affections. I was incorrect of course." Serena blushed as Amarah leaned to Michelle and briefly kissed her on the lips.

"Why do you do couples do that?" Serena wondered aloud making everyone turn to her in surprise. She then realized that she had said that aloud and looked down embarrassed.

"You're serious?" Seiya perked his eyebrow and tilted his head to the side. "You truly are as chaste as you seem. How is it possible that such a beautiful woman has never kissed before?" She looked away from their questioning eyes and towards Darien who was returning with an irritated look on his face. Serena had been with the group a month now and this was the second time Mina had run to her chambers and Darien had chased after her.

"She is so difficult and poisoned sometimes!" Darien sat at the table and looked at Raye. "Do not aggravate her again. Andrew!" He looked to the blonde innkeeper. "She is in love with you will you go and talk some sense into her head? I cannot and I will not tolerate her behavior any longer." Serena looked at him in surprise, thankful for the fact that the conversation had moved away from her.

"On a lighter note… Serena has never been kissed!" Amarah mused playfully. Darien looked plainly at Amarah as Serena turned bright red and covered her face. He had thought as much due to the way she acted when they were alone so the news was not surprising.

"Amarah! Do not share such things about me! I am such trivial news that we must evoke scandal and tell the world?" Serena had not wanted Darien to know she was that chaste and now that wish was lost. "Why would you sacrifice my feelings in this way?" She asked angrily and then quieted.

"I am only giving you a jest Serena. Do not be so temperate about it." Amarah laughed and looked around the table as the rest of the group looked at Serena with hesitant eyes. She slowly gazed back at the blonde and realized that she had grown very silent and was looking at her with her crystal blue eyes devoid of their normal glitter. "If you are so very sore about it then I apologize." Amarah smiled but Serena only stood and pushed in her chair.

"I should like to take a walk alone so I may gather my thoughts." She stiffly walked out the door leaving the parlor in an eerie silence.

"Follow her Hotaru, please. I do not want anyone to bother her, I fear she's angry." Darien nodded at Hotaru who quickly went after the princess. Walking after the beautiful blonde she bit her lip wondering if she should reveal to Serena that the group knew her secret. Serena was clearly the princess that had vanished from the castle walls. When Darien had taken her to the lake the French Prince had come to the inn demanding to know if the group had seen the Princess Serena and had examined Mina carefully. The incident had revealed to them all that Serena was no French traveler but the English Princess, the daughter of the very King Darien sought to kill.

She followed the girl into the large English maze in the gardens and silently watched as the princess sat on a bench and proceeded to cry, her face hidden in her delicate hands. "Serena… why are you crying?" Hotaru being the youngest of the group was a close age to Serena and knew how to approach such matters.

"Why is it of your concern Hotaru? You cannot begin to imagine my thoughts." Serena sobbed and turned away from the easterner.

"I know a great deal more than you lend merit to princess…" Serena turned to her in shock and fear of her discovery. How could Hotaru have found her out? Did the others know? "We all know, save for Darien. I understand that you have hidden yourself from Prince Diamond and that you do not wish to marry him any longer for Darien hast captured your heart. I caution you though princess, he is likely to be sore when he learns of your deceit." Tears streamed down Serena's face once again.

"That is why I am crying Hotaru. I do not wish to deceive him any longer… I love him and I want nothing but to be his wife and queen… how may I ask… how will he forgive me for telling such a falsehood?"

"He's kind enough it may not matter to him. I suppose though, that only time will tell." She smiled and sat next to Serena and put an arm around her. "We all love you though, and you are by far the most worthy woman for Darien that we have ever met."