The Pest—Chapter 4

Nephlyte waits for the carriage to stop before stepping forward. As he opens the door and extends a hand to help Serenity out he says, "Welcome Your Majesties, my name is Nephlyte and I am your guide and escort today. Please follow me and feel free to ask me any question."

Serenity murmurs her thanks as she waits for Lance and Serena to disembark. Serena stumbles on her way out, but Nephlyte catches her before she can fall and sets her safely on the ground.

"Thank you Mr. Nephlyte. It's so pretty and blue here! Do you live in the castle? Do you know the prince? Is he nice?"

"Serena…" Her mother's gentle reprimand makes Serena lower her head.

"I'm sorry Mother. I promise to be good."

Nephlyte hides a smile and ushers the family down the hall. A minute later, he feels a slight tug on his tunic. Bright blue eyes look up at him and he picks up the little girl without a moment's hesitation.

"Serena!" Lance and Serenity start to take their daughter away from Nephlyte but the guard just smiles at them.

"She's fine if only a little bit excited about all the new sights sounds and experiences she's going to have, aren't you cutie?" As his grey-blue eyes meet her clear blue gaze, Nephlyte's reminded of the innocence of youth and how the young find joy in the simplest of things.

"My name is Serena. What's wrong with the castle?"

They are a few steps ahead of her parents who don't hear her ask the question.

"Why Serena? Do you sense something?" As an astronomer and astrologer Nephlyte is attuned to subtle nuances that others may not notice.

"Not really…I just feel like I'm not wanted here."

Nephlyte hugs her briefly then takes her over to a window. "See that building over there? I'm in that building most of the day or night. If you want, you can come visit me while you're here okay?"

"You mean it? I won't bother you?"

"No Serena you'll be no bother to me. If nothing else, maybe I can show you the stars and what they mean."

"Thank you, I'd like that. I'll have to get Mommy and Daddy's permission to be out after dark, but I'd like to learn more about things here on Earth. Nephlyte? Does this mean that we can be friends?"

Nephlyte is caught off guard by the question. He nods and sets her back on the floor, lightly gripping her hand in his. He wonders where the whining, bratty kid is that everyone else is expecting. This little girl wants nothing more than to find a friend? He has a feeling that Darien may be in for a bit of a shock. Providing the prince takes the time to discover the wonder that is encased in this little one.

Serena tugs at his hand and he looks down at her as she points towards a door. "Is that where we greet Earth's royalty?"

Nephlyte looks at the door and realizes that he's stopped instinctively at the entrance to the throne room. He smiles at her astuteness and says, "Yes it is Serena. Shall we wait here for your parents to catch up to us?"

She nods and tries to hide a yawn, leaning against his leg. He picks her up and holds her close to his chest. "Are you sleepy Serena?"

"Mmm-hmm, it's been a long week…" she yawns again just as Serenity and Lance walk up. Lance offers to take her, but Nephlyte shakes his head.

"Let her rest. I can announce you to the king and queen then take Serena to her chambers. That will give you a chance to visit with Queen Moira and King Edward. Providing you don't mind my taking care of her?"

Serenity watches as Serena slips deeper into slumber land. She smiles as she says, "If she trusts you enough to fall asleep in your arms, you can't be too bad. She'll slightly upset when she wakes up though…she'd wanted to give Queen Moira a present."

Nephlyte points out, "She still can. Maybe not now, but in the days to come."

Nephlyte manages to open the doors without disturbing Serena and announces, "Their Royal Highnesses King Lancelot and Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom. Also present is Princess Serena who shall be re-introduced at a later time."

Queen Moira steps down from the dais and glides over to where Nephlyte is holding Serena. She strokes Serena's cheek before saying, "She's a lovely child Serenity. Nephlyte please take her to the Rose Room."

Nephlyte smiles as her bows and leaves the room. Darien steps forward and presents Serenity with a perfect red rose minus the thorns. "Welcome to Earth Queen Serenity. Mother may I please be excused?"

Moira exchanges wry looks with the other adults in the room as she excuses her son. "Be back here in time for dinner!"

Darien yelps for joy as he leaps out of the room and speeds down the hallway, nearly mowing down Nephlyte and Serena on his way. The boy stops when he sees that Nephlyte is taking Serena to the Rose Room.

"Darien, can you open the door for me please? Thank you."

"Sure thing Neph. See ya later!" Darien speeds down to his room where he throws off the uniform and pulls on riding clothes. He then heads back down the hallway, stopping when he sees the door to the Rose Room still standing open.

Nephlyte lays Serena down on the four poster bed and pulls the hand-crafted quilt from the foot of the bed as a cover. He's wondering why this child has had such an effect on him, touching his soul when no one else has been able to. He's also wondering just how perceptive Serena actually is.

"Hey Neph, you gonna stand there all day, gazing at Sleeping Beauty or would you like to come riding with Zoy, Jed and me?"

"Actually, I need to go consult with the stars. Excuse me Darien." Nephlyte leaves after closing Serena's door and Darien stands in the hallway. A sly smile graces the youth's face as he slowly and silently turns the key in the lock. If the brat can't get out, then she can't pester him. He runs out to the stables, laughing gleefully. He saddles Gladiator and races towards the lake, completely forgetting about riding with Zoy and Jed.

Inside the Rose Room one hour later:

Serena tosses and turns as a nightmare breaks into her beautiful dreams. She sees the prince riding his horse across a meadow of flowers. Suddenly the horse rears, neighing in fright. Darien is tossed backwards and hits his head on a rock, knocking the boy into unconsciousness.

"Nooooo…Mommy! MOMMY!"