Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon.

Night, the most tranquil part of each day. The shrouding shadows brought great comfort to Endymion. They provide an escape; a way to stay hidden and shut himself from the rest of the world. Yet there was always that one source which intrudes the night's darkness. Glaring up at the sky, Endymion cursed the moon for its illuminating light. He felt its shine mocked him. Not bright enough to bring him out of the darkness, but not dim enough to leave him to completely embrace the darkness. It infuriates him to no end as the moon's shine seemed to embody his very definition of hope.

'Hope...nothing but lies to keep one going only to bring even greater pain once its deceit is revealed,' Endymion thought as sadness momentarily flashed though his eyes.

It was quickly replaced by his usual cold demeanor when he heard the soft sound of rustling grass. Making sure to stay hidden in the shadows, Endymion quietly looked behind the tree he had been leaning on to see who or what had entered his garden. His eyes went wide when his gaze fell of Princess Serenity. Under the glow of the moonlight, the Lunar Princess looked angelic as her white gown seemed to sparkle from the moonlight. Endymion felt his breath caught in his throat as he watched Serenity held a rose with extreme gentleness. He felt a tug at his heart when she let out a small smile while gazing at the Moon with sad eyes. So mesmerized by the Lunarian Princess, Endymion failed to notice the white male cat treading up to him until Artemis lightly nudged his foot.

"Wha...," Endymion cried out in surprise while instinctively taking a step back.

Startled by the cry and rustling of leaves, Serenity turned toward the source of the noise. Endymion saw her eyes fill with raw fear when she spotted him, but it quickly passed away when a look of recognition dawned on her face.

"Oh, it's only you prince," Serenity said with clear relief before saying with a hint of amusement, "I see Artemis gave you a small fright."

His effort to hide his embarrassment only raised a giggle from the obviously amused princess. To his light frustration, Artemis paid no mind to his disapproving glare. He could have sworn he saw a satisfied smirk on the cat's face.

"I hope you didn't mind that Artemis had been in my company," Serenity said catching his attention, "It seems my cat Luna has grown fond of yours."

"How did you know Artemis belongs to me," Endymion asked as he watched his cat laid down next to Luna who had fallen asleep while curled up on the grass.

"Well, I ran into a girl named Beryl and she told me Artemis belonged to you," Serenity replied.

"I see."

Silence fell on them and Serenity returned her gaze to the shining moon. She felt somewhat unnerved by Endymion's continued silence. The way he observed her with searching eyes only added to her discomfort. It was as if the Earth prince was trying to figure her out.

'It doesn't help that I had momentarily mistaken him for his father,' Serenity thought back to the moment she had saw his shadowy figure.

The image of Orien's murderous expression flashed through her mind reminding her of the fear she had felt that night. Not only that, but the feeling of guilt and uselessness resurfaced as the memory replayed her head.

"Are you afraid of me," Endymion suddenly asked bringing Serenity back to the present.

"Wha---," Serenity had a confused look, unable to comprehend why Endymion would ask such a question.

"Your hands," Endymion said, "They're trembling. Is it because you fear me too?"

Her eyes widened in realization as she heard the inner sadness and loneliness in Endymion's words. Her heart immediately filled with an urge to comfort him making her all but forgotten her own sorrows.

Endymion watched as Serenity slowly approached him with such a softness in her eyes that he unconsciously dropped his guard. Then to his complete surprise, Serenity embraced him before saying in a sincere and gentle voice, "I don't hate or fear you. I know others may blame or hate you for your father's choices, but I don't and you shouldn't either."

Endymion was completely stunned by her words and action. He could feel the iciness of his heart slowly melt away from the warm aura Serenity was irradiating. How could anyone be so kind and forgiving?

Releasing her embrace, Serenity had a sheepish look as she placed her hands behind her back. It had been on an impulse that drew her to embrace him.

"I'm sorry that was uncalled for," Serenity quickly blurted out while avoiding Endymion's gaze, "Anyway, I should be going. I'm probably intruding on your peace. I will just get going now prince."

As she bend down to cradle the sleeping Luna into her arms, she suddenly heard, "Endymion."

"I'm sorry," Serenity asked as she stood up and gave the prince a confused look.

"Endymion," the prince repeated with a slight blush as he averted his eyes from Serenity's questioning look, "Just Endymion...since you had asked me to refer to you only as Serenity."

Understanding dawned on Serenity as a delighted look appeared on her face.

"Hm, I'll see you tomorrow then," Serenity said in a cheerful tone, "Goodnight Endymion."

As he watched the prince's figure disappeared into the dark hall, Endymion couldn't help but let out a light chuckle. All he had done was asked her to refer to him without his title as she had done, yet such a simple request had brought the bubbly princess immense joy.

'That girl's in a class of her own,' Endymion mused as he picked up the sleeping Artemis and began walking toward the entrance of his garden.

Before steeping into the dark hall, he gave the shining moon one last look. The image of Serenity's serene face flashed through his mind and he felt a soothing warmth surround him once again. A rare glint of happiness glowed in his eyes as he headed toward his room void of his usual stonic expression.


"Wow! The ball room sure is beautifully decorated," Beryl watched the excited princess exclaimed to her senshis.

Standing dutifully by her father, Beryl had observed Serenity's awestruck reaction to the brightly decorated palace ball room. It had been four days since the moon princess's arrival and the council had insisted on holding a ball in Serenity's honor. Now many Terran and Lunar nobles were dancing or making small talk after the usual introductions and honors were made. Beryl couldn't help but felt a light smile appear on her face as she watched the princess bring delighted expressions onto the face of every person she talked to. It was like Serenity's joy was contagious.

'She may be childish and naive at times, but she really is kind to all,' Beryl thought as she remembered her few encounters with Serenity the past four days.

However, her smile disappeared when she saw Serenity approach Endymion who had been trying to stay hidden in a corner. She noticed how the prince's disapproving frown became replaced by a relaxed expression. Beryl felt sadness well up in her heart as she recalled how much time the prince had been spending with Serenity the past four days.

'He even allows her to enter his rose garden anytime she wishes.'

Deep down Beryl knew she should be happy for her prince. After all, he finally found someone who could bring a certain brightness to his eyes. On top of that, Serenity had also been restrengthening the ties between Endymion and his council during their meetings. She had heard from the prince how the council was finally hearing his ideas out and actually puts them into consideration. Beryl couldn't remember the last time she had seen her prince so light hearted since the queen's death. All in all, she knew Serenity was a good match with Endymion and yet...

Returning her gaze to the two royals, Beryl saw a young nobleman approach the princess. She watched as Endymion frowned at something the nobleman said to Serenity. The nobleman seemed to be indicated to the dance floor, so she guessed he was asking the princess to a dance. As the nobleman reached for Serenity's hand, Endymion stepped between them and said something in a stonic face before taking Serenity's hand. Beryl watched as Endymion pulled the princess toward the dance floor.

'And yet I can't help but envy her,' Beryl thought as she turned away from the sight of her prince dance with the moon princess.

Quickly excusing herself, Beryl walked out onto a balcony and shut her eyes tightly trying to rid the image of the joy in the prince's eyes when he was dancing with Serenity.

"Why," She asked no one in particular as tears began sliding down her face.

---

Unknown to Beryl, a pair of glowing red eyes watched her from the shadows. An amused smile spread on the man's face as he observed the heartbroken girl.

"Well well, it looks like my son has broken this poor girl's heart by falling for the daughter of that wretched Sol," the man with a scar on his left cheek mused, "Hee it looks like I found myself a perfect pawn."

A/N: Long wait...too much work from school and with finals coming up, well lets just say I don't think there will be an update soon...maybe there will be one when winter break start. Same goes for my other stories. Anyway hopefully this chapter was worth the wait. 'Til next time.