Author Notes:

I would like to thank the people who have reviewed the latest chapter. It was lovely to see such positive feedback. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to post the next chapter, I knew what was going to happen as one reviewer said in they would love to see a marriage in there. That was how I had already planned it to go, but don't worry. I promise there will be lots more action and explanation as to why this is all happening! Now I've got into it, I know I want it to be incredibly complex and detailed. I don't want to rush it, so expect many more chapters to be coming! I promise that I will develop the characters and add more in over time! Thank you to all the people who have decided to follow this story. Also, I would like to reply to just the one review this time:

HHS13: I would like to thank you for the in depth review. I plan on expanding Endymion's character from now on. I've shown slight hints of him being capable of showing another side but want it to be released in small parts. I wanted him to be a bit closed off, a bit like the Serenity I have gone for in this fan fiction. I am starting to think maybe doing it from one perspective doesn't quite show what is going on behind Endymion's hard exterior.. So I might have an experiment from now on with adding his perspective in as well. I have been thinking about it for a while but no one seems to have agreed or disagreed, so I did not have any idea if it was a good idea. So please tell me if you would like this or not. :)

Thank you so much for all of the lovely reviews! Enjoy the next instalment of "Feigning Innocence"

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or story lines within Sailor Moon.

Chapter Seven – Duty.

After hearing those words Serenity felt numb, she did not hear the King order the guards to take her back to the guest suite. Her mind was going round in circles; this was not the outcome she had expected. She was going to be stuck in this palace for god knows how long. The guards pushed her through the door and slammed it shut behind her. This situation had long been on her mind and she had never decided if death or losing her freedom was worse. But when she looked out of the window and saw the trees swaying in the summer breeze. Serenity began to feel the pangs of longing fill her body. There was nothing she wanted more than to be on the back of Midnight, galloping through the forests surrounding her palace. But instead she stared around the bedroom. Yes, it was grand and beautiful but she knew that there was no way out for her. She had been caged and there was nothing she could do about it.

There was a gentle rapping at her door, which made Serenity turn as a young maid with shoulder length auburn hair and kind blue eyes came through the door.

"Would you like me to run you a bath Princess?" She seemed so nervous, Serenity knew the girl was told to keep conversation with her to a minimum and she respected this.

"If you would be so kind." Serenity smiled slightly and went to sit by the window. She respected the maid's privacy while she was setting up the bath.

"Would you like me to stay and help?" The maid said timidly not taking her eyes off the floor.

"No it's fine. Thank you for doing this for me. Can I ask your name?" Serenity asked in a gentle tone. She found it strange seeing someone so terrified of talking to her.

"My name is Molly. Is that everything Princess?"

"Yes, that's everything and please… Call me Serenity." She smiled widely as Molly finally looked her in the eye.

"Goodbye Prin- Sorry, Serenity." Molly smiled back at her as she curtsied and left the room.

Serenity hoped that she might be able to eventually have a conversation with the girl. She missed all of her friends and maids terribly… This thought seemed to overtake her mind as she wandered across to the large bathtub, which had been placed in front of the lit fire. Serenity began to undress with this thought running through her mind. Would she ever see her friends again?

Once her undergarments were placed gently on the floor, she dipped her toe into the water. It was the perfect temperature to keep her warm without scalding her skin. She slipped into the large bathtub, the water coming up to her neck. The scent of roses filled the warm air surrounding her as she began to wash herself. This was one thing she hated having a servant in the room for, she hated people to see the scars that coated her body. It was a sacrifice she had made when she had taken up her role as Spiritus Raptor. There were marks of various sizes all over her skin and she could remember how each and every one had occurred.

Serenity stared into the flickering flames of the fireplace, she did not want to leave the warm confines of this bathtub until the water was finally cold. Her eyes gently closed as she finally managed to relax herself and take her mind off the dreadful thoughts that filled them. Her long blonde hair gently moving in the water; as a sigh escaped her lips. It was only then she heard the door open and footsteps behind her.

"Molly would it be possible for me to stay in here for a while longer?" Serenity spoke softly, her voice relaxed and content.

Silence filled the room; no reply was uttered. It was at this moment Serenity opened her eyes and turned her head. That she saw him stood in front of her with a look of shock imprinted on his face; Prince Endymion.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN HERE?!" Serenity screamed. She was absolutely mortified to be lying naked while he was stood there gawping at her.

"I- I didn't realize. I just came to discuss something with you." Endymion looked as embarrassed as she was.

"Oh... Right. Well, I'd better get dressed then. Could you-" She was shocked with this statement, her entire body was turning red at the thought of him seeing her in this state.

"Of course." He turned round before she had even finished her question.

"Thank you." Serenity was in a state of shock, he was being polite to her and wanted to talk to her… What was going on?

She stepped gently out of the water and pulled the towel around her body quickly. He stood as still as a statue, his hands clenched hard at his side. Serenity moved to her drawers, which were thank goodness nowhere near him and pulled out some clothes. As she dressed, there was a stony silence filling the room. But that wasn't all Serenity could feel, a tension was building up inside her body yet again. Why did this infuriating man instill these physical feelings inside her?

"You can turn round now. So, why have you come to see me?"

Endymion turned round frowning at her; she stared into those beautiful dark stormy eyes.

"I wanted to discuss with you what would happen now. I felt it was the least you are owed and I- I wanted to show you something." He was stuttering, something she had never seen the hot-tempered prince do. Before she could reply, he walked towards the door and gestured for her to follow him. Where on earth was he taking her?

Yet again they walked in silence through the corridors until they reached a large oak door. He didn't utter a word and opened it. Serenity couldn't hide her excitement at what was hidden behind the door. The door was huge with shelves that reached the very tops of the high ceilings and every inch of these shelves were covered in thousands of beautifully bound books. A ladder was placed by one of the walls so access was available to the top shelves. The fire crackled in the corner of the room with large leather chairs surrounding it. Her excitement was doubled when she noticed a sleek black piano in the corner. She let out a slight scream of glee.

"Its beautiful! There must be thousands of books in here. It would take a lifetime to read them all." Her eyes widened in awe as she assessed the rest of the room, which was adorned in the Tarel Royal colours. She never really liked dark colours until she had seen how majestic it looked in this palace.

"After seeing you surrounded by all the books in your room, I thought maybe you would like to come here." He walked over to the chairs and beckoned her to sit in the one opposite him.

She obliged and sunk into the beautiful black leather chair with a loud sigh.

"Thank you… This place is incredible. What was it you wanted to discuss with me?"

"When you left, we had a letter from your father."

"What did it say?" She smiled widely.

"He refused to form any kind of negotiation… I'm sorry Princess."

The numbness she felt earlier hit her like she had been thrown in ice-cold water. It took over her entire body. She should have known this would happen; one individual was not worth losing the war for even if it was his only daughter. Her face went blank of expression. She would not let him know how terrified and hurt she truly was…

"What will happen now?"

"You will be kept a prisoner in the palace."

"I am never going to leave here am I?"

"Unless the war ends; No."

"I would like to be left alone." She snapped angrily at him. He had been nice to her, but she couldn't bring herself to forget who he was… She was meant to hate everything about him.

He didn't get up or move from the chair.

"Did you not hear what I said?" She snarled under her breath.

"Of course I did."

"Why aren't you leaving?"

"We have not finished talking yet."

"Yes we have Prince."

"My father has proposed another option…"

"Oh and what's that?"

"A marriage."

Her eyes widened as she looked up at him. His hands were clenched together so tight his knuckles were going a deathly white.

"Oh you have got to be kidding… Me and you?!" She leapt up from her chair.

"The king thinks-"

"I DON'T CARE WHAT THE KING THINKS. HE DOES NOT OWN ME. YOU PATHETIC TAREL SCUM-"

It was at this point Prince Endymion leapt up from his seat and grabbed her shoulders.

"You will learn to watch what you say you foolish girl. Unfortunately for you, your father has relinquished any responsibility of you by refusing any negotiation. It has been decided by my father and trust me when I say I hate the idea just as much as you. I must do what is asked of me, just as you would do for your father. Duty over anything else."

She frowned up at him and as much as Serenity hated it… She realized in this moment how similar they really were. The horrific sense of duty that filled them both; she would do the same if she felt it was for the good of her people.

"I respect your sense of duty to your people Prince. But I will never marry you, you will have to drag me up that altar."

"That can be arranged."

She sighed angrily up at him, it was only now that she realized how closely they were stood. His grip on her shoulders became gentler as all conversation stopped. They stared deeply into each other's eyes, behind this hatred of each other. There was something else… Something she could not pin point. Her body seemed to yearn to be close to his, her mind was running in circles trying to decode these feelings.

"I'm sorry Serenity." He sighed taking his hands off her shoulders and turning away from her.

She looked in shock at the back of his figure. He had never said her name without the title in front of it. It was almost said with slight care in his voice. Serenity frowned and placed a hand on his shoulder turning him round.

"I know this is not what you want either. But I do not see why this must happen. Surely it will not solve a thing?"

"My father will not tell me why it must be done, only that is has to happen."

"What will happen if I refuse?"

"If you refuse, my father has said you will be executed."

"So it's death or marrying a man who hates me?"

She felt tears sting the sides of her eyes and quickly turned round. Serenity refused to allow him to see her pain. This was not how she imagined her life would plan out when she was younger… The fairy tail dream was shattered beyond compare now. She sighed gently wiping a stray tear that fell down her cheek and turned.

"Unfortunately for you Prince, I am not yet ready to die."