Chapter 9: Amilyn's Nightmare… Realised!

Mercury Palace—That Evening

Amilyn was sitting there, waiting for Mizuki to show up. I wonder where Zuki-chan is. She's usually pretty good about showing up on time. Mizuki walked in. "Hi, sis," she said.

"Hi. I have someone I want you to meet," Mizuki said, pointing to a guy that was standing in the corner. "Amilyn, this is Urawa. He's in training to become a Mercury Knight. Urawa, meet Crown Princess Amilyn of the planet Mercury."

Urawa stared at Amilyn. God, she's beautiful. He shook himself. She's the Crown Princess, anata baka! Even if there is a remote chance of me winning her heart, we could never be together. I'm only in training to be a Knight! He bowed. "Pleased to meet you, Your Highness."

Amilyn looked at Urawa. Why was he staring at me like that? "Hello, Urawa-san. Nice to meet you." To Mizuki she said, "Why did you bring him here? I told you just the two of us!"

"He's going to tell you my news. After that, he's going to leave."

"Well, you go first."

"Okay."

Mizuki motioned to Urawa, who stood up. "Princess, your sister wanted me to come because this is news that she doesn't know how to say, so if you'll bear with me for a moment, this will be done."

Come on, get this over with! Amilyn thought. I don't have all day, you know!

"It's about your mother."

"Okaasan? What about her?"

"She was attacked late last night. I'm sorry," said Urawa.

Amilyn felt her world shrink to nothing. "Da me. Not okaasan. DA ME!!!" She fainted.

"Amilyn? AMILYN!!!" Mizuki rushed to her, Urawa at her heels.

Moon Star Palace—Fifteen Minutes Later

Usagi and Seira were walking in the gardens when a page ran up to them. "Your Highnesses, onegai, come quickly! The Queen wants to see you immediately!"

"What is it?"

"She wouldn't tell me. She only told me to get you and bring you to her. She said it was urgent!"

"All right! Come on, Seira!"

"Coming!"

They both ran in, towards the throne room. When they got there, they saw their okaasan in tears.

"Okaasan?" they said simultaneously.

She looked up. "Moon Star Princesses, we have a grave time indeed before us."

"What is it?"

"The Mercurian Queen Alara was attacked by Jadeite yesterday, as my sources tell me. Amilyn is in a dreadful condition at the hospital in Mercury. She wants you to come as quickly as possible."

"We're on our way now, okaasan."

"I'm coming with you. I need to know if Amilyn will be alright."

"Hai, okaasan," they chorused.

Mercury Hospital

Ami woke up groggily. She opened her eyes. There's Usagi, Seira, Queen Selenity, Zuki, Rei, Rae, Mars Queen Naomi, Mars King Lionel, Mako, Tohru, Misha, Jovian Queen Jennifer, Jovian King Leonard, Mamoru, Draco, Queen Beryl, Princess Aladastra, and… Urawa? The Mercurian Knight? What is he doing here? Oh well, it doesn't matter now. She sat up. "Zuki-chan, where is okaasan?"

Mizuki looked sorrowful. "Ami, okaasan… isn't here anymore. She's gone." Mizuki turned and cried on Seira, who patted her back.

"Okaasan—gone? Da me," Ami whispered.

Urawa sat down. "Amilyn, gomen nasai."

"What for? It wasn't your fault!"

"I feel responsible though."

"Why should you feel responsible?"

"Umm… personal reasons. Don't worry about them now. Go back to sleep."

"I think I'll take you up on that. Oya suminasai, minna."

"Oya suminasai," everyone said. Ami went to sleep.

The doctor walked in. "Well, Princess Amilyn will be fine, but Queen Alara… there's nothing we could do. I'm sorry."

Mizuki cried all over again.

Oh, boy. Let's see… counts fingers there are 20 chapters left, plus the epilogue, so there's at least 21 more weeks until the story is finished for good!

– Lyn