Raye proudly with triumph told Serenity the verdict.
Baby Hannah patted Serenity's cheek shortly before the shield encountered an atomic bomb which was reprogrammed by the shield to go back to its sender, who nearly shit himself until he realized it was deactivated and the toxins were neutralized. He was fined six thousand a day later for having outlawed weapons of mass destruction. The bomb squad raided the bomb facility while his residence was ransacked. The public through CNN was informed of his attempt.
The other colonies were moved back to the planets that were being repopulated.
Earth was nearly barren of human life, giving it a chance to replenish. Trash was rolled beneath the crust to become rich soil. Trees grew like wild fire as they exchanged carbon for oxygen. The water and air was cleansed while toxins were changed into depleted minerals. The ozone was no longer full of holes like Swiss cheese. Darien helped speed up the process. He also took up a political position to gain the people's trust to eventually accept him as monarch.
Serenity and Quatre started to date until he got the courage to propose to an empress. "I know you have your choice of suitors, but will you do me the honor of becoming my wife."
Quatre proposed at sunset on the Sea of Serenity beach, behind the palace. As he knelt in front of the apple of his eye, he saw himself doing the same thing a lifetime ago.
Serenity realized he remembered loving her in his last life. She fell into his arms in relief, sobbing earnestly at having her love back.
"I'll never leave you again, my sweet empress," he held her face between his palms as his passionately kissed her ruby lips with his built-up emotions.
"We need to set a date."
"Of course, but what about arrangements? The ambassadors and other leaders will want to be there." pointed out a merged Quatre and Orion.
"That has been planned for six years."
Quatre was now six feet and two inches high with telepathy and a man's features.
Quatre changed his name a tiny bit to accommodate his past, since he originally had no middle name, he put Orion as his middle name.
Quatre and Serenity were found often near one another. They met with several wedding planners, looking for the one that suited their tastes.
One had to be removed from the premises after insulting her majesty. "I've seen a pig with better taste," Abigail Holtz's comment earned her a slap from Pluto who had Uranus and Major Hall remove Abigail. Ms. Holtz spit on the palace gate after it firmly closed behind her. (Later, Ms. Holtz' business went under foreclosure due to no payment on her mortgage since she had no customers.)
Venus was willing to help, but the empress knew her guardian had enough on her plate.
Empress Serenity knew that some traditions had to be upheld. The palace chapel was the designated location with a priestess residing over the ceremony. Knights would stand at the entrance of the pews. She added a cape attachment to her self-designed wedding gown.
The cloth was white silk that slid over the body like creme. A strip of polyester formed half an oval across her chest. It was form-fitting until mid-thigh.
Serenity contacted Quatre's royal parents along with his 28 sisters. However, she let him tell his sisters their romance story and what was about the occur.
"Tell us about this woman, who you mysteriously pick as your bride," his sisters cornered him.
"Um... I have known her for longer than you can imagine. We let our love blossom away from the public eye. Sere's rise to celebrity has allowed us a chance to commit our love before vultures come after her," Quatre explained.
"Vultures?" the younger generations were not aware of social terms.
"Men after women who have money, fame, and/ or power," answered Ginger.
"How do you know she is the one," asked a romantic.
"Our hearts beat as one, we see the universe in each other's eyes, and our souls compliment one another." Quatre smiled in remembrance. His eyes had a far off look to them.
At that time, two maids- Annette and Ashley- showed up. "We are to show you to your assigned rooms."
"Can we have a tour?"
"Her majesty suggested as much on the way to your rooms," replied the twin with a violet scarf- Annette.
"The Ancestral Hall has photos of each ruling royal with their family. The most current photo is Empress Serenity as a child with the Sun and Moon King and Empress. The very first portrait is Selene with Galen and their five children: Selenity- next-in-line, Mitchell, Stephanie with her twin, Stephan, and Elizabeth," Ashley pointed each person out as she said their name. She wore an indigo scarf.
"Stephan and his twin became royal diplomats as per their request. Mitchell had no interest in royal life so he enrolled in the military and steadily rose to General. Elizabeth married the heir to another royal family, by choice," Annette informed them.
"Selene let Selenity take over the throne once her beloved Galen passed on. Selene had no reason to stay on," Serenity finished off the first family's history. She walked with them until the library.
The Royal Library was two floors with a ladder going up to the second floor as the only entrance. The walls on the second floor were covered with shelves filled with books. The books were arranged by topic then author. A double sided shelf jetted out from the middle of each wall minus the entrance. A circle of couches surrounded a low-laying table. Each wall had either two windows on each side of the shelf or a sliding balcony door. A skylight let in even more natural lighting. The woodwork and shelves were a dark cherry. Burgundy curtains were tied back by black ropes.
"Next is the Grand Ballroom attached to the Imperial Throne room of the Moon. All public affairs take place in those two rooms. The ballroom can open up into the throne room, fitting 3 thousand comfortably," Ashley waved her hand in the air towards the wide open room.
"Great minds come to meet and speak to her majesty in the Conference Room. Scientists see her majesty twice a month to keep her up to date."
"Once a month, her top generals meet with her excellence on how the military is doing. Diplomats come once a month along with allies. The Moon's vice Roy's come once a week to talk about public relations.
"Empress Serenity blesses her people with her presence twice a week to make sure her vice roys are telling the truth. She does not cower or look down her nose at those that trust her judgement. She knows the people are the body of her land. Her people consider her the heart and soul of the kingdom."
