The Night Before
That flash of golden light was unmistakable as the power of Venus. As it faded, Princess Serenity lay in a swoon in the midst of the royal court. There were gasps and one or two screams from the crowd. Mars, Jupiter, and Mercury thrust themselves forward, forming a triangular barrier between their princess and the rest of the court. Selene started to her feet, her hand reaching for her unconscious daughter without thought. After a moment, it became clear that there was no present threat...but also no sign of Venus herself. Jupiter lifted the sleeping Princess Serenity and carried her from the court room.

Murmurs and confusion filled the room. Gossip and speculation rang from one wall to another as Queen Selene sank back onto her throne. She remained for only a few minutes more, before rising and retreating to her room.

"There is an easy answer, of course," A voice spoke from the dark, covered mirror in a shadowy alcove. "Why not use the Silver Imperium Crystal to scry the answer? Wouldn't it be easy for you to find out what happened to your daughter, where Venus is?"

"Why do you eavesdrop on my court?" Queen Selene asked firmly, her voice censorious. "There is nothing that can possibly interest you there. Doesn't it make it harder on you to hear and not participate?"

"Banishing me will not lift my curse," Nehelenia replied. "And now it comes home to roost."

"Nonsense," Queen Selene moved about the room restlessly, then stopped to look out the window at the Earth far overhead. After several minutes, she stepped back to her dressing table and set the Silver Imperium Crystal on a plain white cushion, staring deeply into it. After a moment or two, she pushed the cushion away from her and rubbed her forehead with a pale hand.

Nehelenia's image appeared in the mirror on her dressing table. "Nothing to see? Or is something blocking you?" She asked, her voice mockingly sympathetic. "Or is it that, oh dear, your powers are fading, my queen?"

Nehelenia laughed then, her voice rich and full. "But I can see what you wish to see. I am in every mirror, and I see everything."

"Begone, wraith," Queen Selene commanded. Nehelenia ignored her.

"Your daughter raped by the man who claims to love her. Rescued by your faithful servant, who is in turn imprisoned when she uses her power to send your daughter home." Nehelenia shook her head with false sorrow. "And however will you rescue Venus without broaching your own treaty...a treaty the Earth has already broken?"

"You lie," Queen Selene snapped.

"No," Nehelenia said. "I speak your worst fears aloud- fears that you believe yourself in the darkness of your soul..."

Queen Selene flipped the silken cover down over her mirror and returned to pacing the room. It couldn't be true. There had to be a reason why Venus would send Serenity home and stay on Earth herself. A perfectly sound, reasonable explanation that didn't involve kidnapping or torture or...

My reign is a reign of peace. I shall not do anything to break this peace. Nothing. Selene thought to herself, but the nagging thought demanded, Even sacrificing your daughter's innocence and the well-being of her best friend...?

It was a long, dark night.