Home is with You
Chapter 7
Hello all! Thank you for your wonderful and generous reviews that encouraged me to update MUCH faster than I usually do.
To the person who thinks that I stole this story, I didn't. Please send me the link of where else you saw this story because they stole it from me. But I think the more likely thing is that you just read this one before I'd added more chapters. But if anyone else sees this same story by another author PLEASE tell me because they stole it from me.
Please enjoy!
-Sailor JossemeThe two women were left staring at each other. Serena, still dazed by her first kiss with Darien, was trembling before the stranger. "I-I'm so sorry, ma'am." Serena stammered.
"Oh no! Don't be silly, I apologize. And look, here I am still standing here gawking. My name is Amy, by the way." The blue-haired women looked truly apologetic and Serena relaxed a little.
"My name is Serena. I'm a maid here and…" Serena trailed off, not knowing what she could possibly say next.
"It's fine, Serena. I understand. The king is very handsome, this isn't the first time I've caught him with a woman, so don't be embarrassed."
"It… it isn't?" Serena knew that Amy meant to be reassuring, but before now Serena hadn't thought of the legions of women that Darien had been with before.
"Oh no, just a couple of months ago I found him having sex with a red headed women behind a bookshelf. Don't worry, this isn't half as embarrassing." Amy smiled at ther blond girl before her.
"I better go…" Serena was crest-fallen. 'Of course,' she thought, 'I'm just another woman to occupy his time. He'll marry Pearl or some other noble woman obviously.
"Oh no, please don't leave!" Amy realized that Serena wasn't looking well, she had gone all pale. "Please, I feel terrible, you don't want to hear about other women, do you? Come on, lets get some hot chocolate."
"Some what?"
Twenty minutes later the two women were chatting in Amy's office in the library sipping hot chocolate. Serena had never heard of chocolate before and she reveled in the discovery. She decided that it was her new favorite food. Amy explained that she was the palace's librarian.
"Does that mean you're noble then?" Serena stiffened, wondering if she would tell others about the incident from before.
"Well, I wasn't born noble." Amy said, smiling shyly. "My father," she continued, "Was a servant here. My mother died when I was three so I started spending all my time with him. He would come to the library every day and clean while I read fairy-tales. One day when I was about eight the queen came in to the library and caught me reading a book on physics. She decided that I needed a proper education and had me tutored with King Darien. He was a couple of years older than me, so we didn't speak much, but we've known each other for a long time. He's always been kind to me and when my father died last year he put me in charge of the library. If he wasn't so kind I would be cleaning windows or begging on the streets."
"He was kind to you, then." Serena said, eyes downcast.
"Yes, but we were never an item, if that's what you're thinking. He treats me more like a distant cousin he will chat with every now and then. We're barely even friends. I am grateful, though. All I need are my books." Amy was smiling softly at Serena. "But please, tell me your story. I have a feeling it's a complicated one."
For the second time that day Serena explained about being abandoned at the orphanage, growing up with Mina and accepting the job at the palace. She also included how she became co-ball planner with Pearl and how frustrated she was with her and how she was falling for Darien.
"And then you found us. I'm glad you did, to be honest. I don't know how far things would have gone if you hadn't." Serena blushed slightly.
"The best thing for you to do, Serena, is to leave him alone. If you fall in love with him and he leaves you, you'll be desolate. I've seen it happen too many times. He'll be choosing a wife in only two weeks now, and you know your name isn't on the list." Amy's hard truth struck Serena. She knew the bluenette was only being kind, but it still hurt.
"You're right. I won't speak to him anymore."
Mina and Leta scampered off during Mina's break from the kitchen to take a walk in the sunshine. It had been cloudy for ages and now finally it was a nice day and the friends weren't going to spend it inside. They laughed together about the ridiculously short guy in the kitchen who'd proposed to Leta.
"I don't think I've even ever spoken to him! We've never even made eye contact."
"That's because he wouldn't be able to reach!" Mina said, sending the girls into another fit of laughter. Just as the two collapsed onto one of the wooden benches, a tall blond man came striding towards them through the rose garden. Right away Leta sat up straight and stopped laughing. Her eyes shot to her hands as Mina looked at her confusedly. The man came closer and Mina could see her friend becoming nervous.
"Madam Leta," he said, bowing, "I'm so glad to have come across you on my first day back!" The tall man was glowing. Leta and Mina rose and curtsied, awkwardly for Mina and nervously for Leta.
"Sir Andrew, I'm pleased to meet you again. We missed you in court these past weeks." Leta was blushing slightly. Mina was shocked, she'd never seen her friend like this before. "This is my friend, Mina. She's new here."
"Pleased to meet you, Madam Mina."
Mina curtsied again in response, she'd never been called 'Madam' before.
"I have a small present for you Madam, if you don't object." Sir Andrew asked, looking almost as nervous as Leta was.
"Of course, how kind of you." Leta's blush was growing. From his sleeve Sir Andrew produced a single long-stemmed red rose.
"I saw you admiring them the last time we were here and…" He trailed off, flustered.
"Thank you for remember, Sir Andrew. You're too kind." Leta's eyes were glazing over.
"Right. Well, I had better go… goodbye!" With that Sir Andrew bowed again and hurried off toward the palace.
'Well,' thought Mina as she watched Leta gazing after Sir Andrew, 'It looks like I have a new project…'
"Mina, please ask Serena to come for dinner. I've missed her!" Rei was pleading at Mina and Serena's door again. For the past week Serena had been avoiding both Rei and Darien at all costs. She continued planning the ever approaching ball with Pearl, sending Pearl to give the daily updates to Darien, taking a little joy in the fact that she knew how much that would annoy him. And of course she missed dinner everyday. She missed speaking with Rei, but she knew that if she spoke to her the subject of Darien would come up, and she wasn't strong enough for that. Rei had come to ask Serena, and even Mina, down to dinner for the past three days. Darien hadn't come. He didn't seek her out or try to give her any message. Serena knew she couldn't be with him, and that this was the best choice for everyone. But still- she was secretly hoping he would fight for her.
"She's not coming out Madam Rei. I apologize." Mina replied softly and closed the door. Serena was sitting on the edge of the bed, in tears again. Mina sat down next to her and rubbed her back. Her best friend had been crying everyday for the past week and there was nothing Mina could do about it. Serena had never told her the full story, but she gathered it had something to do with Darien.
"Don't worry Serena, he can't hurt you with me around." Mina was trying to comfort her, but Serena only cried harder.
"She's not coming down, Dar. I think you should go talk to her." Rei had arrived back at dinner and sat down next to her brother who was at the head of the table. Andrew had just returned from his sea-voyage to find more silver in the southern mines and was also present. Leta was eating with them too, as she always did whenever Andrew came home. Malachite was sitting across from Rei on Darien's other side and looked completely miserable. Pearl was sitting at the far end of the table with a few other nobles with whom Darien did not enjoy speaking with, depressed with her downgrade. Only three weeks ago she was sitting next to the king, now she was in the loser-corner.
Almost everyone at the table felt gloomy. They were used to Serena's bright and cheerful presence. Now it felt like a cloud had passed over the meal. With the ball only a week away, guests would begin to arrive soon. The tension in the palace could be cut with a knife. What would the women arriving do when the man they were trying to win was acting so icy and rash.
"Will you go to her?" Rei asked softly.
"Why would I do that?" Darien asked, his face stone.
"Because you lo-"
"Do not finish that." Darien stood and glared down at her sister. The room fell silent as everyone gawked at the king. Andrew and Leta exchanged nervous looks and Rei and Malachite stared anxiously at Darien. "I'm going to bed." Darien stormed off, not allowing for any objections.
Soon everyone left the dining hall, some in confusion but most with despair. If this wasn't resolved quickly the kingdom would fall to ruins. King Darien can't govern when he's so preoccupied. It's only a matter of time until one of their enemies takes advantage of this.
Rei and Malachite walked down an empty hallway together, the candle light dancing on the walls.
"Rei, with all this happened, when will we ever have a chance to tell him about us?"
"I don't know Malachite." Rei answered, clasping his hand in her own.
"All I want is for him to be married so we can begin our life together."
"I know, I want the same thing, darling."
"Then why do we have to wait? Why can't we ask him now?"
"You know I have to wait for him to settled before I could marry, my love."
"Rei, I've never kept a secret from your brother before in my whole life. I feel terrible."
"I know something to make you feel better." Rei stopped walking and lifted her chin to be kissed. Malachite complied and the two were wrapped in a blissful kiss in the empty hall.
Darien paced his room frantically. It had been seven days since he'd seen his Serena. Since he'd kissed her. Since he'd abandoned her to be ridiculed.
"Stop it Darien, Amy wouldn't ridicule her." He said to himself. But still, he had abandoned her and she must have been horribly embarrassed. That's why she was avoiding him, she was ashamed to have been caught with him. 'She must be angry…' he thought, thoroughly depressed. "But wait," he said out loud, "I'm the King. I should be ashamed to be caught kissing her, not the other way around. How dare she ignore me! How dare she ignore my orders!" Darien became furious and his pacing became more spastic.
Finally he made the decision to go and tell the little vixen exactly what he thought of her. Storming down the hallways to her chamber he went over all of the things he would say to her. When he finally came to her room he opened the door without knocking, feeling the anger and frustration rise in his chest. Before him he say two blond women, both staring at him wide-eyed, one with dry eyes and the other had been crying for a long time. His Serena has been crying. Darien shifted his gaze to the woman he assumed was Mina.
"Leave us." He ordered.
"I- I can't." Mina stammered nervously.
"I order you to leave us alone, or I will force you out."
Mina looked over at Serena who nodded her head slowly. She rose and said "I'll be waiting outside the door." With that she left, her eyes glued to the floor.
"Your majesty-"
"Don't Serena."
"I… did you want something?"
"Serena why are you crying?" Darien sat near her on the bed and tried to put a hand on her back, but she flinched away. The action hurt him, but he wasn't deterred. "Serena, I order you to answer me. Why were you crying?"
"I… can't."
"Is it because of me? I'm so sorry Serena, I didn't mean to leave you there all alone. And then I didn't come and ask after you myself. I was too proud. Serena, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me." Darien looked so sorry and so dismal that Serena had to smile a little at his efforts.
"No, Darien. I was embarrassed but that's not why I haven't been to see you." Serena looked the king in his eyes.
Darien stiffened. "Then why?" He hadn't considered the possibility that she hadn't enjoyed the kiss... was that the cause of all this?
"I… well, I didn't want to be just another girl. I'm sorry your majesty," Serena rose off the bed, "If you had wanted to take me in the library that day, I would have let you. Because I… I care about you." Serena turned her back to the king, "And I know you don't care about me. I'm sorry your majesty. I just don't think I can handle seeing you love another woman after being with me… in... well… sexually I mean." Serena was blushing furiously. She couldn't believe she was saying this out oud. Suddenly she felt arms circle her waist. King Darien rested her chin on her head and rocked with her side to side.
"Darien… I-"
"Shh, don't Serena. I care about you too." Serena turned and gazed up at his eyes.
"Do you mean that?" She asked cautiously.
"Yes." Darien leaned down and captured her lips in his own. 'She's perfect...' Darien thought, her soft lips crushing into his own. Serena was responding to the kiss and sucked gently on Darien's lower lip. The king then placed his hands on the petite blonde's waist and pulled her up so she could wrap her legs around his waist. The kiss was becoming very hot very fast. Darien could feel Serena's breasts against him and he pulled her closer to feel her heavenly pointed nipples more firmly against his skin. Serena moaned into the kiss, signaling Darien to go further. With one hand he eased Serena's dress up around her thighs, slipping his hand under to grab on to her firm ass. Serena squealed but continued kissing her king with even more passion than before. Now with both hands on Serena's ass he ground her into him and finally she broke away from the kiss to groan in appreciation.
'Wait, wait Darien." Serena panted, breathless.
"Serena?" Darien wondered if he'd gone too far.
"I can't marry you, you know that. What are we going to do? I can't see you love another woman." Serena stared into his ocean-blue eyes.
"I will never love another woman. And Serena, you will always be a part of my life. We will work something out, my love."
"Your... love?" Serena asked smiling. Darien kissed her again feircely.
Taking the opportunity, Darien placed Serena down on the bed and pulled her loose servant's dress off. Between the two of them pulling off layers, Serena was undressed in seconds. Laying before him was a goddess. With her tussled hair lying in streams around her and her perfect milky skin she seemed to glow in the dim room. Her breasts were perky and plump, topped with firm, pink nipples. Her stomach was flat and her pubic area had only a little sprinkling of blond hairs. Darien could barely take his eyes away long enough to remove his shirt and trousers with Serena staring appreciatively at his muscular body. With only his underwear left, Darien climbed on the bed next to Serena. He captured her lips again. First softly, then more passionately as he gained access to her mouth with his tongue. With his hands he gently took hold of one of Serena's breast and softly massaged it and flicked it's tip. Serena gasped. She'd never been touched before and the sensations coursing through her body were amazing. She wove her hands through Darien's dark hair and moaned into the kiss.
Suddenly shouts were heard from the hallway. At first Darien was determined to ignore them, but they grew louder. Finally he resigned and broke the kiss with Serena. He got up and started getting dressed.
"You better get dressed, my love. I'm so sorry, but I think something's wrong."
The shouting was getting louder, the couple could almost hear what was being said. Suddenly there was a pounding on the door. "Serena! Your highness! Something's very wrong. You have to get out here now." Mina sounded terrified. Serena was already putting on her coarse dress, forgoing the other layers. In about a minute when they were both ready they opened the door to the sound of bells ringing and cymbals crashing. They heard the words "Intruders!" being shouted from every hall. Stepping into the hallway the couple could see guards running everywhere. Some shot increadulous looks at their king standing with two servent girls, but they kept running down the hallway.
"Stop." Darien ordered one of the guards. He did so and tried to catch his breath "What's going on here?"
"I'm sorry, Sire. I don't know exactly what happened but there are Lunarians in the castle. We don't know how they breached the perameters, Sire. I apologize, but I have to run and catch up with the rest of the guards." With a bow he ran off again.
"Stay here," Darien ordered Serena and Mina, "I need to go fight."
"Be careful." Serena warned quietly. He kissed her quickly and started down the hall when he heard a scream. Imediately he turned around. What he saw shocked him. Mina and Serena were standing gagged by men with swords and bright crescent moons glowing on their foreheads. They were smiling malicious smiles.
"We've got what we came for, Earth-scum. Now we'll be going." In a flash of white light the Lunarians, Mina and Serena all disappeared. Darien sunk to his knees, defeated.
Ba ha! What a cliff-hanger. That update was SO fast for me, so I don't think I'll be sending one out quite as quickly. But you might get one in a week. Especially if I get as many lovely reviews!