Strongly worded Author's Note –
I will not be held responsible for any reader's mental, emotional or physical well-being if he/she reads this story without first reading my "Crystal Flaws" series. This story is definitely meant to be read after reading "Crystal Flaws".
If you already read, "Crystal Flaws" then you can laugh with me as we read the flame reviews left by the people who didn't read "Crystal Flaws" first.
Chapter 8 -
The next morning, Zoisite met King Fredrick with a purpose and confidence in his stride. He greeted the King and without a hint of diffidence stated, "I need to request a half a day off either today or tomorrow."
King Fredrick hesitated as he tried to make sense of Zoisite's sudden request. Zoisite was waiting so Fredrick asked, "Do you have a reason for needing the time off?"
Zoisite tried very hard not to think of his reason why as he evenly answered, "Yes. Personal reasons."
"Oh," King Fredrick responded, somewhat nonplused by Zoisite's behavior, but not unhappy with the change. Finally, Fredrick clapped him on the shoulder and laughed, "That's a good enough reason for me. You may take the rest of today off."
The king walked away and Zoisite slowly shook his head as he turned and headed for the stables. He decided he would never understand this man that he hoped would soon be his father-in-law.
Zoisite then sighed. There was actually a reason he had only asked for half a day. He was beginning to feel uncomfortably frustrated and it didn't help that he kept thinking about Beryl. He had actually been looking forward to a good workout to take his mind off those thoughts and to expend some of his extra energy. He decided he'd run his errand then workout some on his own. Zoisite knew he had to do something or else dinner that evening was going to be torture for him. In the past he had no problem keeping his feelings for Beryl secret but now they just seemed too big to be neatly tucked back inside his heart.
The next few weeks passed at an agonizingly slow pace for Zoisite. He knew Beryl was avoiding him. There was no way her mother was keeping her so busy that she hadn't had even one evening to spend with him. The only time he had seen her was at the dinner table and he couldn't very well try to talk to her there.
Zoisite had also realized Beryl was probably feeling awkward and a bit embarrassed about what they had done. He knew he was. However, there was another part of him that didn't care about how he felt. With a single mindedness that almost drove Zoisite insane it insisted that all he needed to do was hold her and make love to her again and everything would be fine.
A good thing was that his training had been going very well with King Fredrick the last few weeks. The King had started to talk with him about leadership techniques and Zoisite was enjoying the talks. It really surprised Zoisite when King Fredrick put him in charge of training the officers in a weeklong espionage strategies and techniques class. It was a subject Zoisite had always excelled in and he enjoyed teaching it.
It was now the end of August and Zoisite was to move to King Anir's palace in a week. Zoisite entered his room to get ready for dinner and was relieved to finally see a small package that was sealed with his family's crest, waiting for him on the bed. Breaking the seal, Zoisite carefully lifted a diamond and ruby ring from the box. The diamond was large and the blood red rubies that surrounded it glowed with fiery highlights. The ring was a family heirloom and Zoisite knew it would be perfect for Beryl.
Zoisite carefully put the ring down and whistled to himself as he cleaned up and got dressed for dinner. Pocketing the ring, Zoisite turned towards the door. He paused to take a deep breath then left his room with an excited and determined expression.
When dinner was almost finished, Beryl started to excuse herself. Zoisite surprised everyone by boldly asking, "Beryl, please give me the honor of escorting you for a walk in the garden."
Beryl looked up startled. She blushed and quickly looked away from Zoisite as she stuttered, "I-I'm um...not feeling up t-to a walk this evening. Maybe another time..." As Beryl quickly stood to flee, Zoisite also stood. In what was probably the most assertive tone he had ever used, Zoisite insisted, "Beryl, walk with me."
She turned back to look at Zoisite and realized by his expression that he wouldn't let it go. The last thing Beryl wanted was for her parents, who were quietly observing all of this, to start asking questions. Beryl glanced out the window then smiled as she casually answered, "It is a nice evening. Maybe a walk in the garden is what I need after all."
Smiling back, Zoisite held his arm out to her and companionably agreed, "I'm certain the fresh air will do you good."
Queen Lydia and King Fredrick watched them leave then returned to their dinners. They knew on occasion Beryl and Zoisite would spend the evening together playing chess or walking in the garden, but they didn't think much of it. Long ago they had decided Zoisite wasn't Beryl's type and they didn't think he had it in him to prove otherwise.
As they walked, Zoisite placed his hand over Beryl's hand, which rested on his arm. It was partly just to hold her hand and partly to be sure she wouldn't try to run away. If she did run he wasn't entirely certain he could catch her.
They walked silently until they reached the fountain. Zoisite gestured for Beryl to sit then he knelt in front of her. Lifting her hand from her lap, he gave it a gentle kiss. Zoisite then reached out to tilt her chin up and make her look at him. When Zoisite looked in her eyes he got lost in the desire to kiss her. He leaned forward to do so and Beryl turned her face away from him.
Zoisite sighed then hesitated. He didn't know how to start this conversation so he finally just blurted it out. "Beryl, will you marry me?"
Beryl looked back at him with shock and immediately exclaimed, "No!" Zoisite's hopeful expression fell and Beryl felt like she had just kicked a puppy in the teeth. She stood and began to nervously pace in front of the fountain, wringing her hands.
Zoisite moved to sit down on the fountain's edge as he desperately tried to think of what he could do or say to change her mind.
Finally, Beryl stopped in front of Zoisite and attempted to explain. "I...um...what...we did. It was a mistake...we shouldn't have done it. I was sad and...and you were so nice...but now I wish we hadn't."
Zoisite sat silent as every word she said tore a chunk out of his heart. When he didn't answer her, Beryl added, "I...I have plans, Zoisite. I-I'm sorry."
At that moment Zoisite learned that "love" and "pride" don't even live on the same continent. He nervously twirled a lock of his hair in his fingers as he quietly asked, "Plans? Are they plans that can't include me?"
Shaking her head, Beryl admitted, "My plans don't include you."
Zoisite looked up. He wanted to ask what her plans were, but Beryl's guarded expression made it clear she'd never say. Finally, he implored, "I could make you happy, Beryl!" Gesturing to her parent's palace, he continued, "I'll take you away from all this and I promise to give you everything you could ever want. Please...just come with me!"
Beryl shook her head no then turned to leave. Zoisite used the last card he had in his hand as he pointed out, "You could be pregnant."
Turning back to him she vehemently shook her head no and stated, "I'm not."
Zoisite questioned, "Are you certain?"
"A woman's body lets her know these things and I know I'm definitely not!" Beryl stated with annoyance.
Zoisite didn't hide his disappointed expression quickly enough and Beryl saw it. She was perplexed for a moment then incredulously whispered, "You wanted me to be pregnant!" Anger filled her voice as she accused, "You were trying to trap me!"
Shaking his head he quietly explained, "No, but I would have been happy if you were." He looked up at her. With sad resignation he added, "Beryl, I do love you. If you change your mind or your plans don't work out, please let me know."
Beryl nodded then quickly turned and ran back to the palace.
Zoisite sat a moment then reached into his pocket to pull the ring out. With a sad expression he watched it sparkle and flash in the sunset tinted light until it became a blur. Standing up, Zoisite tossed it into the fountain's spray then slowly turned and walked away. As the ring fell, it glimmered one more time then sank into the plants and silt on the bottom of the pool.
Continued...
Thank you for reading my story. I hope you are enjoying it. If you did like my story, or if you have any (kind and gently worded) suggestions/comments about my story, please let me know. I truly appreciate feedback. You can email me at ndeblock at att dot net .
This story was edited and enhanced by the great minds and imaginations of my three wonderful betas, Sophia Prester, Yumeko & Loki. Their help and ideas have been of great value to me! Each is also a fabulous Sailor Moon fanfic author. Sophia Prester's and Yumeko's stories can be found on fanfiction dot net with an author's name search. Loki's work is on AriasInk dot com I highly recommend reading all of their stories.
Bye, Luna Hope
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, her lover, her friends, her family and her enemies all don't belong to me. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi. I just borrowed them for a little bit of fun. All original characters in this story do belong to me.
