A/N- Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you guys to know that I'm leaving Tuesday for my championship. I'm supposed to be gone till Saturday, but I probably won't update till the week after just because I'll need to catch up in school.

For now, enjoy this chapter!

chibiangel413- Yup, Diamond's always an issue… but you'll just have to keep reading to find out what happens.

TamoumatheStarWarrior- The chapters are all varying in lengths, but none will be less than 2 pages on Word and there are a few that go over it. I know the busy life. I might not be updating for a bit because we have our championship next week so I'm gone from school all week. When I get back it's going to be me playing catch up with all my homework…

Dertupio- Your welcome, glad you liked it!

Danielle tied the corset tighter than Serena thought possible. The dress was light blue with silver ribbons and pearls laced through the corset. A small, thin jacket was made with the dress, but Serena's father did not get it with the dress. If the chance arose he was hoping Diamond would offer Serena his jacket. "Do you want anything in your hiar Serena?"

"No, just the odangos as usual." Serena's fingers idly went through her jewelry box. Her fingers found a diamond pendant that her mother had given her when Serena had turned thirteen. As Danielle did her hair Serena slipped the necklace around her neck. The jewel feel neatly right above Serena's cleavage.

"Your father should be waiting for you. I believe I heard the carriage pull up a few minutes ago."

"Thank you Danielle." Serena stood up, took a quick look into the mirror and continued her way hand.

"Father, may I see Shadow and tell him goodnight?" Serena asked when she saw her father standing next to the door.

"Be quick, we are almost late." Serena nodded and scurried back to the back porch.

Shadow was sitting on the porch over looking the grounds. He looked like a king watching over his kingdom. "Good evening your highness." Serena said as she scratched his ear. "How are you tonight? Father and I are leaving now and Danielle is leaving to visit her son Michael so you will have the house to yourself tonight. Be good." Serena kissed the top of Shadows head before leaving.

Darien listened as the carriage carrying the Lunae's left and Danielle walked around. It was a half hour before Danielle left the house. Darien quickly transformed into his human form. He found his clothes and quickly changed. Malachite has already come for that night and was probably returning home by now. The walk back to the forest and then to the castle was quick. Darien's father was in court still, with the representatives from all were-animal families. The generals were representatives themselves for their respective families, but members from their home came to bring messages from home and take back news from the meeting. Darien gave a quick update then a plan for the future. The arctic foxes and horses had questions, but that was expected since they had always been the wisest of the animals. When the meeting was over Darien spent time with his father and his generals.

"She called me 'your highness' tonight. She though I looked like a King." Darien laughed.

"You are sure she does not know?" Zoicite asked.

"I'm sure, don't worry."

"Darien, it will soon be time for you to take the thrown. You will need to find a mate soon." Kind Endymion said.

"I know." Darien muttered.

"Don't worry Dare; I'm sure you can find someone." Nephrite said. "You do have all those women throwing themselves at you."

"Shut up." Darien growled. He had always hated the attention women had given him.

"Let's go have dinner; I'm sure Darien wants some real food." King Endymion said. Everyone agreed and headed into the dining room for a real meal.

oOoOoOo

Serena and her father arrived at the Palace. There were guards surrounding the castle as nobles walked in. The footman helped Serena down followed by her father. Ken Lunae led his daughter into the Palace. There were already enough people there that over-flow rooms had been set up. Some couples were dancing while others clung to the side of the room talking.

"Lord Kenneth Lunae and his daughter, Lady Serenity Lunae!" A harold called. Serena groaned at the announcement. Unwanted attention always came with the announcements and they had to use her full name of course.

"Ken!" King Jared exclaimed when the Lunae's approached the throne.

"King Jared, Queen Gertrude, Prince Diamond." Ken bowed. Serena curtsied next to her father.

"Serenity, it has been so long since you last graced these halls. You have grown into a beautiful young woman. How old are you now?"

"I am sixteen, my lord." Serena said quietly. Lord Lunae and King Jared dove right into a deep conversation. Serena stood quietly next to her father and watched the couples who were dancing on the floor.

"My lady, would you care to dance?" Prince Diamond asked. Serena smiled at Diamond and accepted the hand he had given her. Diamond led Serena out to the dance floor. People moved out of their way as they walked toward the center. Diamond spun Serena around so she came to face him. Diamond wrapped a hand around Serena's lower back and held her hand in the other. Serena's right hand was gently lying on Diamond's shoulder. "I heard your mother is pregnant."

"She is. I will have a sibling in a few months." Serena kept her answers short as possible. There was something about this man in front of her that bothered her. Diamond spent most of his younger years in boarding schools and academies so Serena had never met him when she used to come with her father to the castle.

"I must say, you are far more beautiful in person than in the pictures I have seen of you."

"You have seen my pictures?"

"I stayed in your family manor once on my way home. I forgot where you were, but I believe your mother had taken you to see some friends."

"She used to do that often." Diamond spun Serena around the outside of the dance circle. Some of the younger women of the court were glaring at Serena, but oogling at Diamond.

"They make a lovely pair."

"Maybe we'll have a new Princess soon." The older women loved to gossip and Serena guessed she was the new topic.

"Serena, are you alright?"

"Hm? O yes, I think I'm a bit tired. I was helping Danielle pack and played with my new dog today."

"You look quite pale. Why were you helping your maid pack? It is, after all, her job."

"I know, but I like to help. It gives me something to do."

"Would you like to sit down?"

"That would be wonderful."

Diamond led Serena outside to the gardens. He showed her a bench where she could sit down the promptly took off his jacket. He placed his coat around Serena's shoulders and sat down next to her. Serena gazed into the sky, bit was disappointed to find that the castle's light blocked out most of the stars.

"What's wrong?" Diamond asked when he noticed Serena's frown.

"Hm?"

"You look disappointed."

"I'm sorry, I like star gazing, but it seems that will not be possible tonight."

"The castle's lights are blocking them. If you would like, we can go deeper into the garden. Surely more would appear."

"It is alright. I'm perfectly fine here."

The pair talked for a few more minutes, keeping the conversation light, before Serena went inside with Diamond leading her. King Jared and Serena's father were still talking when their children reappeared. Next to them. "How was your walk?" Jared asked.

"We sat and talked mostly. Miss Lunae is a wonderful conversationalist." Diamond said with a smile. "But she is quite tired now and sure to fall asleep on her feet."

"We will be heading home then. Jared, I will see you tomorrow."

"In the afternoon. I do not think I will be up till then my friend. This ball shows no signs of stopping quite yet."

"Of course, I understand. 'Till tomorrow."

"Till tomorrow. Goodnight Serena." Serena lowered her head.

"I will walk you out. There is something I wish to discuss with you Lord Lunae." Diamond said.

"Of course."

Serena walked between the two men silently. Their carriage was coming up in front of the door as they stepped out onto the first top step. The threesome walked down the steps to the carriage. Before Serena or Ken got into the carriage they looked at Diamond, waiting for him to ask what he wanted.

"My lord, I would like to officially court your daughter, but I would like your approval first." Diamond asked.

"I do approve of this courting. This relationship has my blessing." Ken smiled. "You should not be asking me though; you should be asking my daughter."

"Serena, will you give me the honor of being able to court you?" Diamond asked.

"It would be my honor, your highness." Serena bowed her head. Diamond lifted her head up with two of his fingers and smiled at her. His hand dropped to her hand and he brought it to his lips. "Your jacket, my lord." Serena shrugged off the coat, but Diamond stopped her. He pulled the coat back over her shoulders and smiled down at her.

"Think of it as a present." Diamond smiled.

"But it is your birthday, Prince Diamond, you should be receiving the presents, not the guests."

"Aw, but you are a special guest. Just take it please."

"But Prince Diamond-"

"If you will not take it because I simply give it to you, you may borrow it. Think of it as a physical promise that we will see each other soon again." Serena nodded at Diamond and hugged the Jacket closer to her. Diamond helped Serena into the carriage. Ken patted Diamond's back and smiled proudly at him as he joined his daughter inside the carriage.