Caught by a Butterfly
Rated M for Mature
Serenity was starting to relax. No one had recognized her so far. Her and her friends had split up by now. She could keep an eye on all of them from her table in the corner. They were all dancing and enjoying themselves. Serenity was just thankful that none of them had been recognized by the guests. Especially not by that witch Beryl. Suddenly she felt a strong hand on her shoulder. She slowly turned to see the smiling face of one of the young knights of Endymion's court. She let out a sigh of relief.
"Little Butterfly, will you dance with me?" The knight, Serenity believed his name was Antonio, asked confidently.
Serenity considered refusing to dance with the knight, but if she did she would be able to spy Endymion at a closer angle without seeming to stare. She accepted and the knight was over-joyed.
"It's mighty hard to find any young ladies who want to dance, miss. You see, miss, everyone's here to convince the prince to marry her. And well, miss, there's not much hope for a novice knight like meself to find a dance partner."
Serenity smiled at Antonio. He was a sweet boy. If only he knew that she also had the prince in her heart. As they swept over the ball-room Serenity frequently caught glances of the prince dancing with one lady or laughing with another. Often he was with the princess he had named to Serenity as a possibility for marriage, Ana. She was often laughing at his side. Though, Serenity noticed with a sickening feeling in her stomach, most of the time Beryl was hanging off of him like an overgrown cape.
Ami was wandering around the ball room. She felt a pang of nostalgia and found herself walking quickly down the hallway to the royal library. She quickly assured herself that her mask was securely on her face and walked confidently into the enormous library. She was happy to see the large room completly empty. She lovingly ran her hands over the enormous volumes. She bent down a picked up the largest volume, the bible. Ami heard a footstep behind her. She gasped as she heard the voice she'd been so longing for.
"Ami, 'I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have the faith needed to move mountains-but if I have no love, I am nothing. I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned-but if I have no love, this does me no good.' That's from Corinthians."
Ami stood, slowly removed her mask and turned to show Gregario her tearful face. "I know." She replied. She ran across the room, dropping the bible, and leapt into the young librarian's arms. "I never forgot about you, Gregario. I always wanted to find you, but I never thought that you would remember the little girl you tutored."
Gregario pulled Ami off of him gently. He peered into her blue eyes. "Ami, you could be a princess, a servant or a mermaid. I would never forget about you or fail to recognize your beautiful eyes." With that he lifted the small princess's chin up to meet her lips with his.
Rei was chatting with Minako on the sidelines of the ball. They watched the beautiful couples dancing by with envy. They were anxious to help Serenity, but at the same time their ached to be dancing with their own lovers. From across the ballroom a figure seemed to be advancing towards the couple. Minako jabbed Rei in her sides.
"There's someone coming. Do you think it's one of the generals? Don't look to quickly!" Minako quickly warned Rei in barely more than a whisper. Rei turned slightly just in time to spy a young man with long brown hair and a red tunic quickly approaching her table. She turned around quickly and covered her face with her hands.
"What? Rei, what? Is he a general? Should we run!?" Minako was getting hysterical.
"No, no sit down. That's…"
"Good evening ladies." A voice came from behind Rei. She recognized Chad's vague but manly voice immediately. She could feel her cheeks reddening.
"May I have the pleasure of dancing with one of you fair maidens?" The young knight's voice was wavering slightly. Rei realized that he was nervous. Minako could read Rei's masked face like a book. 'This must be the knight that Rei couldn't stop talking about…' Minako realized.
With a crafty glance at Rei, Minako looked up at the young knight with the most seductive gaze she could muster. "I would be delighted sir, thank you ever so much for asking." Rei's jaw hit the floor. Minako? With Chad!? How could she!? How could he?!
The blond stood and took the knight's offered hand. Rei stood, her mouth still hanging open. Suddenly Minako tripped. Well, it appeared as though she tripped. In fact, as Rei could clearly see from her table, she fell on purpose. Chad, being gallant, was there to catch her. Minako landed cleanly onto his shoulder, their bodies pressed against each other. Rei could see Minako whisper seductively into Chad's ear. Suddenly Chad pulled away and shook his head. He replied to the young blond with a bowed head. Minako smiled, lifted his chin and spoke to him. Suddenly he released the princess and stared at the fiery charcoal-haired beauty at the table. Rei's world moved in slow motion from that moment on. All she could process was Minako's smiling face and Chad's strong, advancing form. Suddenly she felt strong arms around her and her chest being pressed into his.
Chad pulled away. "Is it really you? Are you really the little maid I look forward to seeing everyday? Are you Rei?"
Rei blushed and looked away. "Yes, I am. But I'm not a maid. I am fourth inline to the throne. I am the daughter of Reila of Seville. I am sorry I misled you and I promise I will never lie to you again and I understand if you hate me and-" Rei could no long speak. Her lips were otherwise occupied.
Minako gazed at the young couple embracing. She sighed and thought of the man she wished she was kissing. Suddenly a strong arm linked around hers and she could feel cold leather on her cheek. She froze. She recognized this leather, this whip. " It-it-it-it's-s-s you."
Nephrite laughed quietly. He circled his cape around the shoulders of the princess so no one else could see where his whip was going.
"We're going to have a little fun you little vixen. And if you say one word you will be in a world of pain." Nephrite whispered menacingly in Minako's ear. She felt tears spring to her eyes but she forced them back; no General would see her tears. Nephrite led the squirming princess away into the hallway and then into the closest room he could find. Coincidentally, that was the library. Minako finally let out a scream and tried to pull herself away from the built General.
"Just try you little child. There's no one to help you!" Nephrite pushed the little blond princess onto the cold floor and started to rip her beautiful gown. Mina cried out even more loudly as Nephrite's grimy whip worked it's way around her curvy breasts and down to her navel.
"Please…" Minako whimpered, fear consumed the small princess.
"That's right blondy, beg for me!" Nephrite smirked as his whip traveled lower.
Just as Nephrite was about to rip down the rest of Minako's dress a heavy book made contact with the brunette General's head. With a thump Nephrite was out cold. Minako shrieked and pulled herself away from her abuser. She pulled herself into a tight ball and wept. Suddenly strong arms circled her. The scent was familiar. Minako turned and sobbed into Andres' arms.
"Shh, ma cherie." The French prince whispered. "He'll be locked up darling. He will never hurt you again."
"Oh Andres… I thought he was going to… oh thank you so much… I own you my life, thank you my love!"
With that the prince pulled away a little to look Minako in the face.
"You know my name? Who… who are you ma petite demoiselle?" Andres lifted the mask that was still fastened onto Minako's soft face. Upon lifting the bright yellow parrot mask Andres was staring into the tearful face of his little servant girl he'd grown so fond of. "Minako! Is that really you? I searched the castle for days to try and find you but it was as though you vanished!"
"Andres… I missed you." With that the little princess passed out in the strong Frenchman's arms.
Minako woke up with a start. She was in a strangely familiar room. She heard a sound next to her and quickly turned. Andres was crouched next to her… well his… bed and smiled when he saw that she was awake.
Minako quickly remembered what had happened and whimpered softly. Andres leaped up worriedly.
"Are you hurt? Do you need something?"
"No, no. I'm fine. I was just.. remembering." Minako winced slightly but already the emotional scars seemed to be healing. "How long was I out?"
"Only about 5 minutes. When you fainted I carried you up to my chambers… You do realize this is the second time that bastard has given me an excuse to carry you to my bed."
"And undress me…?" Minako smiled fainted as she noticed that she was only wearing a white bathrobe. Andres looked alarmed.
"Oh no! My maid did that while I was ordering the guards to throw that miscreant into the dungeon. May I add, he has quite the head-ache." Andres flashed Minako his million-dollar smile.
"I suppose you're wondering why a maid was at the royal ball, aren't you." Minako said as she sat up in the prince's bed. She gestured for him to sit next to her. The prince willingly took the offered seat and replied.
"Well, no. Not really. You are Princess Minako, sister of Princess Serenity, daughter of Count Kenji and Countess Ikuko." Andres laughed at Minako's wide eyes and gaping mouth. "No, I didn't know all along. And no, I'm not a psychic. That idiot told us everything in exchange for a rat-free dungeon. Do you know about Beryl?"
"No, tell me everything."
In the next few minutes, as Minako dressed in a gown a maid brought, Andres explained Beryl's entire plan including her threat to murder Mina and forcing Serenity to leave the palace.
"I need to make this right before I have to leave for France!" Andres ended with a helpless expression.
"I agree lets go- wait. France? You're going back?" Mina's face was clouded over.
"Well, yes. That's why I've been searching for you. I wanted to tell you before I left… I wanted to say goodbye."
Mina's heart broke in half. He wanted to say goodbye… but she had bigger things to worry about right now.
"Never mind that. We have a ball to crash!"
Makoto looked around her. Ami was dancing cheek to cheek with Gregario, Rei and Chad were chatting sensuously and Minako was nowhere to be seen. Makoto thought of the man she cared for. Her Olegario. She had only known him for a few days but she had fallen in love with him the second she'd met him. And she just knew he was in danger. Why else would have those damn generals been looking for him? Makoto wrung her hands anxiously. She turned down every knight, count and duke who asked her to dance. She was simply too anxious. Then she saw him. He was wearing a black mask that covered his eyes and has on a black tuxedo and a fedora. Makoto felt her heart jump. He was heading towards her. Makoto's heart was running a marathon. He was getting closer… and closer… The strong princess thought she might actually faint for the first time in her life. He was standing in front of her… and then he passed by. Makoto shook her head.
'Of course you silly girl! You're wearing a mask, he hasn't seen you a month, you only knew him for a few days and that might not even be him!' Suddenly Makoto was jerked sideways. Just as she was about to cry out she realized that she was in the arms of the mysterious masked gentleman.
"Quick, I can't explain but you need to dance with me." His voice in Makoto's ear made goose bumps cover her body. She meekly nodded her consent.
"I'm being followed. There are men here who are trying to kill me. But I had to come."
"Olegario! Why are people trying to kill you? Do you owe someone money? I have plenty of money dear, just tell me! I don't want you to be in trouble, what trouble could a kitchen boy cause?"
The masked man stopped dancing. He peered into Makoto's deep green eyes. His own widened.
"I have to disappear. This won't be the last time you see me."
With that the masked man ran from view, leaving Makoto alone.
Endymion was dancing with Beryl. Again. He was getting tired of her constant gossip. All she seemed to be able to speak of were how fat or ugly or boring the other women were. Endymion knew she was only do so to make him choose her by eliminating the other possibilities. 'If only she knew what my decision is to be…' Beryl suddenly stared coughing. As her hand came up to her mouth Endymion noticed something very sparkly. And beautiful. A ring. Endymion grabbed Beryl's smooth white hand and gazed at the ring on her pinkie finger.
Endymion is three years old. His mother is holding him on her lap. There's another figure in the room but he is fuzzy. Endymion had just been to a gypsy who'd told him his future by reading his palm. Now he was making up stories for his mother using her hand. He looks at the ring on her ring finger on her right hand. "Where did you get this mommy?" Endymion's mother smiles warmly "Your father gave me this ring when you were born. He said that it's a perfect ring to remind me of my perfect boys." Endymion laughs as his mother tickles him and he hears another voice laughing in the room as well.
"This ring… This is my mother's ring!" Beryl's face went pale. She tried to pull her hand away but Endymion grabbed her wrist with surprising force and ripped the ring off her finger.
"Guards!" Endymion shouted, "Guards! Arrest this woman! It was you who stole all of my mothers jewels, wasn't it!? And it was you who led me to believe it was Usagi! Guards throw this despicable wench into the dungeons with the rats, where she belongs!"
It took three guards to haul away the thrashing countess, but finally she was out of sight and Endymion could breathe. He felt so deceived… that meant that Usagi hadn't stolen his mothers jewels… so why had she disappeared?
The clock struck midnight. Trumpets sounded. The time for Endymion to announce his new bride had arrived.
Minako and Andres could hear the clocks chiming around the house as they ran towards the ballroom.
"Will we get there in time?" Minako asked, out of breath.
"If we fly!" Andres replied.
Serenity heard the trumpets and, like everyone else turned her attention towards the stairway where Endymion was standing. The stairway was very wide with a large plateau halfway up where the stairs divided into two different directions. It was really more of a stage than a stairway. The young prince seemed flushed but he was prepared to make his speech. Next to him stood an older gentleman with a disagreeable look on his face. Serenity realized, without question, that this must be his uncle who intended to take over the throne.
"This ball has had a double purpose for me. Firstly, I am to announce who I wish to spend the rest of my life with. The second is to wish my dearest friend, Andres a safe journey to France where he will be reunited with his family after his time in my court. Andres, are you there?" Endymion search the crowd for his beloved friend. Suddenly Andres and a blond woman charged into the ballroom. "There you are! My friend Andres, please come up here." Andres was obviously out of breath but he made his way calmly to where his friend was standing, he kept Minako's hand in his the entire time. "My dear friend," Endymion began, "I wish you nothing but happiness in France and hope that you find a woman to be your queen. I give you my blessing for the rest of your life and I am anticipating my next visit to your court."
"My dear friend, I thank you for your well-wishing, but I have found a woman to be my bride." Andres turned to Minako and bent down on one knee. Minako's heart was racing. "Minako, will you marry me?" From the crowd came many gasps but the loudest ones came from four separate parts of the room. Suddenly four very beautiful girls came shrieking to the stairs. All were masked and they were all fussing over Minako. The little blond princess tried to quiet them down. Finally a very amused Endymion ordered the trumpeters to sounds a few notes. This, finally, quieted down the girls.
"You'll have to excuse my sister and cousins, your highness. They're simply excited because they know my answer is, with any doubt, yes. I will marry you!" With that Andres took Minako in his arms and kissed her with such passion that tears sprang to Serenity's eyes. Suddenly she realized her close proximity to the prince. Her back was to him but really they were only a couple of feet apart. She could turn around and kiss him right now… Serenity, like everyone else, had not failed to notice Beryl being sent to the dungeon. What was stopping her now from claiming what her heart longed for. The Endymion spoke again.
"Well now that my comrade has had a wonderful send off, I'm afraid it's time to announce my plans for marriage. So I will now announce to all you lovely ladies what my choice is. You see, I had 45 beautiful women come to my castle and live with me for the past month. My purpose was to find a woman who would make the perfect queen and a perfect bride. And I succeeded. The lady I fell in love with is charismatic, stubborn, proud, beautiful, and flawless. However, this maiden left me. So I have decided to refuse the crown." Everyone in the room was silent.
"What does this mean?" Came a voice from the crowd. Endymion's uncle wore a wicked smile. He knew exactly what this would mean.
"This means," Endymion said with a breath, "That my next of kin shall inherit the throne and that is…"
"Me!" A voice rang out from the crowd. Suddenly a man in a black mask came running up to the stairs, joining everyone else.
"Who are you!?" Demanded Endymion's uncle, outraged that someone would take away his thunder.
"Don't you recognize me? You were the one who ordered me to be killed!" A gasp rang out from the ballroom. Endymion's uncle looked uncomfortable he was looking around as if plotting his escape.
"Who are you? Remove your mask immediately!" Endymion ordered.
"Very well." With a flourish the mask and hat were thrown off. Beneath the disguise lay the face of the man Makoto was in love with.
"Olegario!" She cried out.
"No, love. I'm afraid that's not my real name. My name is Desiderio. And I am Endymion's twin brother."
Endymion's eyes were wide as saucers and his uncle continued to look uncomfortable.
"I was taken away when I was four years old. This man," Desiderio pointed at his uncle, "kidnapped me and took me to Italy where I was kept hidden. I only managed to escape with the help of a kind friend. I found out that my family was told that I was dead. I learnt of my father and mothers deaths as well. I came here to greet my brother, only to find that my uncle had discovered my escape and positioned generals around the castle to keep me out. I disguised myself as a simple kitchen boy named Olegario. I kept quiet until now. Endymion, please, you remember me don't you? Your little brother?"
Endymion's mind flashed as he remembered that day with his mother… She had said "Your father gave me this ring when you were born. He said that it's a perfect ring to remind me of my perfect boys." Not boy. Boys. Two boys. And that other person's laughter… it had been his… Yes! His brother!
"I have a brother… Desiderio… I remember you! Everyone! I have a brother! I have a brother and-" Endymion turned to his new brother, "you are now king!" Endymion turned and embraced his long lost brother.
"Oh but wait!" The voice of their uncle came from behind the men. "Your father's will still states that his son must find a bride by his birthday to be king! Today is both of your birthdays, and neither of you have chosen a bride!"
"That's where you're wrong sir." Said Makoto stepping forward. She turned to Desiderio, "I promised myself that if I ever had to opportunity to meet you again I would not let it pass. I've loved you since that first day in the kitchen. Desiderio, will you marry me?"
"I thought that was my job." Desiderio teased softly, wrapping his arm around Makoto's waist.
"Is that a yes?" Makoto asked, looking into his eyes.
"Yes. Of course I'll marry you." Olegario leaned forward and kissed his new fiance. "Guards, throw my loving uncle in the dirtiest, most rat-infested cell of our dungeons if you please." Endymion ordered. The entire ballroom cheered.
"Wait! There's still one matter left to be resolved!" It was Minako who spoke. Her arm was around her fiancé, and her face was lined with concern and the little blond butterfly with her back to Endymion was shaking her head. 'Wait… butterfly?' Endymion thought absentmindedly…
"Prince Endymion, I would like to introduce to you my sister. The Princess Serenity." With that the little butterfly turned around and lifted her mask. Endymion's eyes opened wide. His jaw fell slack. "Us-Usagi? Mariposa? Is that… you?"
"My name-" Serenity began, though she was choked with tears, "Is Princess Serenity, daughter of Count Kenji and Countess Ikuko. I came to your household, with my sister and cousins, as maids to learn your secrets and humiliate you. Our plan was to ruin you. But when I got to know you… our plans changed. Then I had to leave, I was threatened. Now, all I can do is ask for your forgiveness and hope that you will consider giving me another chance." Tears were streaming down the princess's face. All eyes were on the prince, wondering what he was going to do.
"I forgave you for your insolence as a maid. I forgave you for your teasing as my aid. And I forgave your status when I wished to have you as my wife. Asking me to forgive your deceit, however, is pushing me too far. Goodbye, princess."
Serenity let out a great sob as she collapsed to the floor. Minako was at her side at once. Endymion simply walked up the stairs to his chambers.
A lot had happened in the past week. Minako and Andres, Desiderio and Makoto, Ami and Gregario and Rei and Chad were all married together in the same chapel. The service was small, only immediate family members were present. Endymion was quick to accept his new brother into his heart and was confident that he could rule Spain justly and fairly. Serenity was staying in the palace, of course, while Minako was preparing for the wedding, though she and Endymion did not speak. Beryl, the generals and Endymion's uncle had been sent off to Australia, a new prison somewhere in the ocean and everyone was happier for it.
It had been exactly seven days since that ball that changed everyone's lives. They were all seated around the large dining room table, Serenity and Endymion at opposite ends of course. Minako suddenly clinked her glass. "I have some news everyone!" The newlywed Dauphine (a princess of France) looked radiant and happier than anyone had ever seen her. "My darling sister, after much persuasion from Andres and myself, has finally decided to accompany us to France! She will live there as a member of the court, isn't that wonderful!"
"No! It's downright appalling!" Rei replied jokingly. "Now I'm losing my two… blondest cousins!"
"You can't both go! Now that we're all married we'll barely see each other! Serenity was going to hold us together!" Makoto objected with a pout.
"Yes. I know I was planning on staying here." Serenity replied quietly. Her eyes did not leave the table. "But after thinking things through, I decided that my sister needed a companion in her new life more than I am needed here. I will write to you all often. And France really isn't that far away."
The three girls, Ami, Makoto and Rei, all jumped up to hug their dear cousin.
Endymion sat silently at his end of the table. 'Serenity's leaving… I won't see her again… ever…' He lost his appetite. Without saying a word he stood and left the table. Andres noticed his departure and frowned. 'What am I going to do with him…?'
Serenity was sitting in her room. She had just finished packing. It wasn't a difficult task, most of her things had already been sent over in trunks last week during Minako's wedding. Only a few gowns needed to be put into another trunk. She was leaving in the morning. There was a knock at the door.
"Come in!"
Endymion entered the room. Serenity froze. Then quickly she stood up and curtsied.
"Your highness, thank you for gracing my chamber with your presence, is there anything you desire?" Serenity's eyes never ventured as high as the prince's face. If they had she would have seen that his eyes were full of hurt.
"Serenity, stop. No formalities. This is me. You know me. Forgive me Serenity. I don't deserve it, but forgive me. I've been an idiot. I should never have refused you at the ball. I was overwhelmed and frustrated and I am sorry. Will you forgive me? Will you stay?"
Serenity's head was swimming. She sat down slowly on her bed. She looked the prince in the eyes for the first time since he'd entered the room.
"No." She replied. "Fate has proven that we are not meant to be. I have had a lot of time to think, your highness. I am leaving in the morning. Buenos Noches."Serenity turned around so her back was to the prince. Endymion felt numb. He left the room. Forever.
The next morning all the trunks were being packed into the carriages. Serenity, Minako and Andres were hugging everyone goodbye. Everybody had come to give their best wishes for the journey: Rei, Ami, Makoto, Desiderio, Gregario, Chad and Endymion.
The three royals stepped into one of the carriage. And they went off. The last glimpse of Serenity Endymion ever had was her hand, waving goodbye.
…For about 2 minutes. Suddenly the carriage stopped. Serenity came running out of it with Minako's smiling head popping out the window Endymion's heart was racing. Serenity jumped on the prince covering his face with kisses which he warmly returned.
"How many times," Serenity asked, out of breath, "Do you think we'll have to mess up before we realize we're meant to be together?"
"No more. Little butterfly, no more."
Epilogue:
Endymion did not take the throne, though it was offered to him. He and Serenity were married in a beautiful cathedral in Madrid. They spend half the year in Spain with Desiderio and Makoto and the other half in France with Minako and Andres.
Ami and Gregario stayed happily married and lived in Desiderio's palacio. Gregario remained head librarian and Ami became a medicine woman for the palace and a frequent visitor of the library. They never had children, they were content just to be together with their books. Ami's parents didn't like the match but there was little they could do. Also, who could complain. They were now the parents of the queen of Spain.
Rei and Chad never settled down. They traveled constantly but were always welcome in Spain and France. They had one little girl and named her Reila after Rei's mother.
Minako and Andres lived very happily in France. They had five children, four girls and one boy. Minako names each of the girls after her sister and cousins and the boy was named Artimis.
Makoto and Olegario lived contentedly in Spain and worked hard at making their citizens happy. They never had children, though they tried very hard.
Serenity and Endymion lived happily with their three children. Two twin girls and one boy. The boy, the eldest, was named Darien while the little girls were Chibiusa and Rini. The little girls were identical and had red hair like their grandmother. Darien was quiet and proud. He was also the next ruler of Spain since the royal family did not produce an offspring. Serenity and Endymion fought constantly but they always found ways of making up and most of their arguments would end with laughter. Everyone looked forward to their family visiting their home for with them they would bring with them laughter and joy.
And, overall, it can be said that everyone lived Happily Ever After.
Okay readers ! That's it! It took a month and a half but that's it. I finally finished. I hope you're happy with it. It took a lot of work. So review and tell me what you thought. This might be my last story ever for fanfiction, but just in case keep an eye out for me.
PS: that was 5000 words long!