Chapter 7

Serenity always loved the gardens. As little girls, her and her friends would play hide-and-seek in them all the time. They were so large that someone was bound to get lost in them, especially children. Serenity could remember with a smile when all of them had gotten lost at some point and cried, thinking that they would be stuck in the gardens forever.

The gardens were surrounded by a grey stone wall, indicating the ancient people that had lived here long ago. They were cleverly hidden by bushes and vines; her mother wanted them hidden because it was one of the only quiet getaways for them.

A secret opening allowed passage; it was part of the stone wall and had a latch at the side which allowed it to open. Serenity glanced around before moving aside the vines and pulling up the latch. The heavy stone door made a rumbling sound as it moved and Serenity quickly slipped inside. She didn't have to worry about closing it because the mechanism allowed it to close automatically, after it had opened the entire way.

She breathed a sigh of relief as she came into the gardens. Looking down at her hand, she realized that she was tightly clutching the necklace. She examined it for a minute and frowned, turning it around as it glistened in the light. It was so strange…She shook herself and continued on.

The stone pathway weaved in different directions, bordered by the shrubs and flowers. The garden was a colorful one with carnations, lilacs, orchids, snapdragons, larkspur and peonies. Some flowers like lilac and larkspur were native to the Moon while others were imported and grown here.

Ahead of Serenity was the round stone fountain with its spiraled ornament and gurgling water. Vibrant orange fish swam underneath the glassy surface and Serenity dipped her hand in as she passed.

She walked through the gardens some more, turning and finally coming to the seating area. A long wooden table covered by a white linen cloth was situated by the stone wall. Odette and Thaddeus sat with the stone wall behind them and her mother sat beside Odette, at one end of the table.

Her mother noticed her and gestured to her. "Serenity, darling!" she greeted lovingly. Serenity smiled warmly at her mother and curtsied to her. Queen Serenity surveyed her dress. "That's a lovely dress, Serenity. Come sit while we wait for Diamond and Endymion. It seems they're running late…" There were three empty seats. When she thought of her betrothed, his rough kisses came to mind and she grimaced. He was rough in his physical affection but otherwise she thought him well-mannered and charming.

Serenity sat down beside her mother and greeted the Terran King and Queen. The Queen smiled at her. She looked down at her hand and placed the necklace neatly on her lap.

"I don't know why my son is late, he isn't usually late. However, I think he has become so comfortable here that he loses track of time!" The Queen laughed jovially and Queen Serenity smiled.

"I'm glad he's comfortable here," Queen Serenity replied. "I would much rather that we be close friends than strangers."

At that moment, heavy footsteps were heard and everyone turned toward the entrance. Endymion entered, wearing a forest green jacket and loose, black trousers with black boots.

"Endymion!" his father greeted loudly.

His blue eyes met his father's. "Hello father," he replied solemnly. "Mother…Queen Serenity…Princess Serenity…"

She met his gaze evenly. "Hello Prince Endymion," she greeted. "How are you?"

Endymion moved to take a seat at the other end of the table and Serenity wished that she had taken the empty seat beside her instead. He shrugged. "Tired but well. Training the knights is taking more energy out of me than I thought it would." He addressed this last sentence to his father.

"Yes, well that's to be expected son. How are the knights doing? Are they improving?" Thaddeus asked Endymion.

The dark-haired prince nodded. "They're doing well. They are as you say; loyal and dedicated. They are quick to learn and eager to learn. Another thing I like is that they show me respect, something my four generals at home do not do."

Everyone at the table, including Serenity erupted into laughter. As the laughter subsided, Odette spoke.

"His generals are more like his friends than his guardians…" she told them with amusement in her voice. "They've grown up together, all of them and they can nearly read each other's minds!"

"That sounds like me and my friends!" Serenity put in, smiling. "We've all grown up together and we can sense what the other is thinking," She paused and looked over at Endymion, giving him a warm smile. To her disappointment, his eyes darkened and a slight frown marred his face as he met her gaze. She continued on nonetheless. "It's a nice thing to have friends like that. They're there to support you in the best and worst of times."

"Perhaps we should get our friends together, they sound alike." he commented with an amused smile. Serenity felt herself go weak at that smile but she knew the smile wasn't really for her. It was just a smile of amusement, as he thought of the likeness of their friends.

Serenity sighed and turned to the Terran royals and her mother. They were engaged in a conversation about trade and then laughing about the idiocy of aristocrats they knew. For a moment she glanced over at Endymion, who was also listening intently to their conversation.

After a few more minutes went by, Odette asked aloud: "Where in the world is your betrothed Serenity?"

"I imagine he is still cleaning up from hunting. Princess Rei said he mentioned that he was going hunting today." Serenity told her.

Endymion clicked his tongue and this caused Serenity to turn to him. She noticed that his eyes were dark and troubled. "Mhmm. He doesn't seem like the type to go hunting…"

"You've met him before?" Serenity asked with surprise.

Endymion shook his head. "No, no. I just saw him this morning while I was taking the soldiers through their drills…" His brow was furrowed. "Someone pointed him out to me."

That is strange, Serenity thought. When she came to think of it, she could never imagine Diamond wearing loose clothing, riding on a horse with a bow and arrow. The image brought a smile to her face and she shook her head, wondering how she ever did come up with that picture in her head.

"Well, perhaps he is a bit late from the hunting trip…" Queen Serenity replied.

As if on cue, Diamond walked into the sitting area. He was clad in a black jacket and white trousers with heeled boots. His gaze first fell on Serenity and then he bowed low to the party.

"I am sorry. Please excuse my lateness. I have just returned from a hunting party and we had some trouble catching game."

"I'd like to see the game you caught…I am a hunter myself and enjoy competition." Endymion told him as he crossed his arms over his chest and looked steadily at Diamond. For a millisecond, Diamond narrowed his eyes at Prince Endymion but he swiftly covered it up with a smile.

"Of course and you are…?" Prince Diamond questioned arrogantly.

"Prince Endymion of the Terran Kingdom." Endymion answered, his tone sharp.

"Ah, that's a big kingdom to govern. As a matter of fact, I heard that you are having some troubles there…" Prince Diamond said as he walked toward the table to join them.

"Yes, we are," Thaddeus answered. "We are dealing with a rebellion and we haven't had one in years…"

"Ah, well rebellions are bound to happen. People are always complaining about something!" he vented, waving a hand. He stopped behind Serenity's chair and gave a happy smile as he placed his hands upon the back of it. "That's why I'm marrying Serenity here!" He took her hand and laid a long kiss on it. It was long enough to make Serenity feel uncomfortable and she cleared her throat. Down the table from her, Endymion eyed the scene coldly. "She will be the bridge that joins the Moon Kingdom to the Nemesian Kingdom. And my people and I won't have to worry about conflict. The solution to conflict is simple… marriage!" Diamond chuckled as did the table, all except for Serenity and Endymion.

"In fact, why don't you marry your son, Endymion off to someone? Perhaps for a ceasefire?" suggested Diamond to Thaddeus as Diamond sat down. "There must be plenty of eligible young women on the Earth..."

Serenity stiffened at this remark and Endymion glared at Diamond. Marriage was the last thing he wanted. All he wanted was to go back home and forget Serenity. "Well…" King Thaddeus sighed as he stroked his mustache. "I don't think Endymion would completely agree to that. He's got a mind of his own," At this King Thaddeus laughed. "There's a stubborn streak to him."

Endymion smiled but it faded as he addressed Diamond. "Yes, I think that I would refuse a marriage proposal as well," he told Diamond. His black eyebrows lowered over his eyes. "And I don't believe that marriage solves conflict in countries because trouble is always going to brew up somewhere, despite your best efforts to please people."

"Well-spoken, Prince Endymion." Serenity said softly as she gazed longingly at him. Prince Diamond turned to give her a perturbed look, angry at the tone of voice she used and the way in which she was looking at the Terran prince.

The prince cleared his throat and looked away, frowning. "Thank you…" he answered gruffly.

Serenity was hurt by his tone and the way he had casually accepted her words. Her lower lip trembled and she felt her eyes water. Talk at the table resumed and it centered on politics. Looking around, it seemed that no one had noticed. She bit her lip to keep from crying and when she saw Odette's curious, sympathetic eyes question her from across the table; she smiled brightly, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Odette's face wrinkled with worry but then the queen forced a smile that was somehow full of warmth.

The food finally arrived and it was a delicious meal. There was bread and meat. Then pastries and fruit were elegantly arranged with cold milk, croissants and a sweet honey mixture for a topping.

Serenity had to force herself to eat slowly; it was only polite but she felt like she was starving. The food looked so good and she wanted to devour it. She watched the men enviously; they ate their food quickly and were already moving onto seconds.

As Diamond placed a succulent piece of ham onto his plate, Serenity watched with hungry eyes. His hands paused and she looked up at him, embarrassed. He was smiling at her, looking very amused. He put his fork down and leaned in close to her.

"I know all about your fetish and love for food…" he said, chuckling. She blushed and he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. Serenity was shocked and even flattered by this. She smiled shyly and looked down at her plate.

Diamond stroked her burning cheek with a finger. "You look beautiful today, Serenity…If I could, I would marry you now."

Serenity turned to look at him and smiled. "Thank you…" she said, feeling very flustered. Looking down, she realized that she still had the necklace. "Oh, Diamond," she began. He turned to look at her expectantly and she lifted the necklace off her lap. "I almost forgot! Artemis ran into me and said that you dropped this…He said you'd like it back."

Diamond's eyebrows rose and his eyes widened as he reached out to take it. "Artemis?" he repeated, sounding nervous for some reason. She nodded quickly and he shook his head. "Oh, yes! Thank you…" he said and grinned at her.

"You sound very enthusiastic about the marriage." Odette commented, smiling.

"It's a good match." Thaddeus remarked, shaking his head firmly.

"It's going to be in a few months…" Prince Diamond told them. She moved her gaze away from him and it landed on Endymion. What she saw on his face made her breath hitch and her stomach tighten.

He was watching her and his eyes blazed. His eyes slowly passed over her form and then his gaze snapped over to Diamond and he looked really angry. He finally tore his blazing eyes away from Prince Diamond and looked away. Serenity watched him with concern. He seemed to be thinking deeply and she knew that he must have been thinking about her marriage to Diamond. She could tell that Endymion didn't like him.

After the meal was done, Queen Serenity suggested that the party go for a walk through the gardens. They agreed and Odette was especially enthusiastic to see the gardens.

Everyone got up and the servants began clearing the table. King Thaddeus groaned and stretched. "Oh!! I feel bloated as a stuffed pig at the dinner table!" he groaned.

Serenity couldn't help but laugh at that. The King smiled at her and continued on.

"Your mother feeds us far too well here, Serenity."

"You should walk it off, Father…" Endymion suggested, walking by and lightly punching his father's slightly plump stomach. Serenity laughed once again and started to walk when Diamond took her hand, leading her out of the sitting area.

"You two are too funny…" she laughed. Thaddeus smiled at her as they walked into the walking area. Endymion was not that far ahead of them but the two queens were already walking steadily away, chatting nonstop.

"So, your mother and I have discussed the details of the wedding and our marriage…" Prince Diamond began, turning to look at Serenity by his side.

Serenity's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Oh?"

"And," he continued, placing his hands on her shoulders. "You will be glad to know that our wedding will happen here at the Moon Palace and we will spend our honeymoon on Venus, I hear it's the perfect place for couples that are newly married. Then, after our honeymoon…we will return to my home, Nemesis for a while so that I can sort out a few problems there."

When he finished, waiting for her to speak, Serenity started and forced a smile. "That sounds perfect." she lied. She hated the fact that her life was being planned out for her and after marrying him, the last thing she wanted to do was travel.

"So you have problems of your own, do you?" Thaddeus said, raising an eyebrow. "Tell me, what's happening on your planet? I know about the war with Pluto but I don't know all the other details…"

Diamond was more than happy to talk about his planet and he turned to Thaddeus, talking about all the conflicts. Thaddeus listened with obvious interest. Meanwhile, Serenity still stood beside him and Endymion remained where he was.

Serenity turned to look at Endymion, her blue eyes piercing his. He moved away from his standing spot and never breaking their gaze, made his way to the fountain. As he passed by, Serenity reached out and gently touched his hand. Her eyes softened when she looked into his eyes and he looked down at their hands. Endymion didn't look at her or move his hand out of hers. However, he slowly pulled his hand away after a few moments. It stung Serenity deeply. Endymion walked to the fountain without taking a look back at her. He took a seat on its edge and she turned toward Diamond and Thaddeus, swallowing a lump in her throat. She chanced a glance at Endymion and their eyes met. She quickly turned away from him and a sad, faraway look came into her eyes as she looked at the gardens. Serenity felt so distant from him, even when he wasn't far away.

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