The Grand Ball Room ~ Castle of the Golden Kingdom ~ One Month Later

All the royal heads had turned toward Lord Aaron Callenforth when he had entered with a red haired beauty on his arm little more than an hour prior. The royals of Earth, who had known the man during his rule, were most interested by the entrance. None had ever seen him with a woman. Most said he was to dedicated to the people of his kingdom to have time for courting. Some whispered harsher gossip about the Lord. Tonight was no different, as whispers followed a single man through court, they now followed him and his companion through the ballroom.

Aaron smiled as he listened in on the next group of gossiping giggling girls. 'It's all the same.'

"What family do you suppose she hails from?"

"I do not know. Its hard to tell if she even really is of blue blood!"

"I know exactly what you mean! Just look at our Queen!"

Another pouted. "And we had such hopes for the High Prince, but we see what he has done! Can you believe gypsies and peasants at an engagement ball?"

"Good evening, Ladies." Lord Callenforth's voice startled the women as he approached from behind. His voice hushed the harsh gossiping. "My I introduce my companion for the evening, Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of the Castle Die Tränen von Leuten."

The group gave nervous glances to each other, each wondering if they had been over heard being so rude towards their highest royalty. Each wondering if the knew stranger shared their view. Aaron continued the introductions, though he knew the woman on his arm knew every face in the room. " Anastasia, may I introduce the Baroness Christiana Mc Millian, Lady Esme La forge, Countess Alaura Prescott, and her twin Countess Ariana Prescott."

They each curtsied as their name was said. Ariana was the first to speak up, "So Anastasia, what do you think of tonight's celebration?"

The auburn haired woman smiled. "The ball room is in fine form, the food was delicious, and the guests seem... eclectic."

"More like scoundrels!" Ariana nudged Alaura in the ribs. "Ow! What was that for?" Alaura turned her attention back to the Duchess, "I am sure that a high ranking woman such as Anastasia here, can filter the pebbles from the gems. And I am sure that she is just as disgusted by the filth being here." Alaura offered her a superior smile.

Anastasia did not return the smile. "You assume much."

Christiana spoke up trying to cover the awkwardness of the moment. "I hear the Prince has been engaged for quite a while. It is a shame we had to postpone the celebrations while he traveled to the Moon."

Anastasia raised an eyebrow. "Yes, it is a shame we had to postpone the celebration while the Lunarian's mourned the loss of their Queen." Christiana blushed. "I must say I was surprised to hear that the Prince had canceled his betrothal to the Princess so soon after the loss of her mother. I suppose that such a marriage could never have lasted, and this is for best. Have any of you heard to whom he is engaged?"

Esme smirked. "No one knows, but any Earthling is better than one of those," her gaze swept over to a group several meters away that included both the Martian and Venusian princesses. " Aliens."

A smirk lit Anastasia's face. "I thought you said no one knows who the mystery girl is? How do you know it is not one of them?"

Ariana smiled confidently. "Rumor has it that they met when he was visiting her home over in the east here on Earth."

Esme gave a short forced laugh, "That last statement being the most important. I suppose she could be one of those pebbles."

Ariana nodded. "It would explain why he invited all these stones."

"In the end does it matter what her station is as long as she is not one of them? After all, Look at our Queen." Esme added confidently.

'Darling.'

"Yes, look at our Queen." Came Anastasia's mumbled response. 'What now Endy? I've almost finished with my fun.'

'And how's that going?'

'Well I wanted an honesty, and I'm getting that.'

'And what does this group have to say?'

'About what the other's did. Your a disappointment cause Molly and Cahir's people are here. Anything is better than an alien, and I think every time I leave a group the might realize exactly whom I've had Aaron introduce me as.'

'Sounds like its all going as well as you expected.'

'Oh, yes! I believe they all love me!'

'Molly and Cahir love you.'

'It's funny. We were once betrothed so these people would willingly unite with my friends, but it seems my assessment of the situation was worse than our parents thought. Not even that could calm their ignorance. It's funny to think how much more level headed Molly, with all her lack of education, is compared to someone like this Alaura- who's ignorance would have her call Molly a pebble!'

'There is much for these people to learn.'

'And my fun is the first lesson!'

Anastasia giggled as she heard Endymion's mental sigh. 'Finish up your lesson quickly? For me?'

'Of course, Love.' She sent a rush of caring and love to him. 'You know I can never deny you. I'll say my good byes and then you can make your announcement.'

"Anastasia did you hear anything I've been saying to you?"

The red head snapped to attention. "I am so sorry, Esme. My thoughts ran away with me. You were saying?"

'Come, Sere. Surely goodbye take no time! I'm still waiting.'

"I am so sorry to rush off Esme, but I believe that is my cue." Anastasia turned heading toward the dais that stood elegantly elevated at the front of the room. 'Have you ever heard that patience is a virtue?'

She felt him smirk. 'Your low morals have rubbed off on me. I haven't any virtues left.'

"Your-"

Aaron shook his head cutting her off. "Do not fret, she had already left your conversation minutes ago." He gave them one final friendly smile before following in the strange Duchess's wake.

"That was-"

A brunette known as Felicity came rushing to the group, "Did you catch her name?"

Esme rolled her eyes. "How could we not? With Lord Callenforth flaunting that she was a Duchess."

Felicity's eyes bulged. "Then it is true! She is to be the Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna?"

Alaura frowned. "Why? Do you find reason to disbelieve her?"

Felicity shook her brown curls. "No. It is only that the last of the Nikolaevna's were killed off nearly two hundred years ago in the Black Crusades. And none has been named Anastasia, since the murders of Duke Nicholas, his wife Alexandra and his daughter Anastasia by the Duke's brother. Several years later the Duke's brother was found murdered in his bed chambers- It is said he was murdered by the ghost of the Anastasia- that she had come once more to drench her home in blood."

Ariana shook her head. "What are you getting at?"

"If that is Anastasia Nikolaevna. That is the Red Lady."

Color drained from their faces as each of the woman searched the crowd for a sign of the dangerous woman.

"Ladies, Gentlemen," Endymion's booming voice rang through the great hall. "And everyone else that fails to fit into those categories!" There was a great uproar from the gypsies and peasants. "Tonight we have come together to celebrate my engagement! Many of you have been asking, whispering, and gossiping about the charming creature that has captured my heart and soul, so I would like to end all of that. May I introduce my wife!"

There was a collective gasp from the Earth royals as the auburn haired woman who had been introduced around the room as Anastasia, and was currently being whispered to be the conniving Red Assassin that their Prince had hunted for years, began a slow saunter up the blazing red runner carpet to the thrones atop the dais. A delicate had slipped up and pulled a large red ribbon from the auburn locks. As the red material slipped to the floor, her dark red for fitting gown faded into a delicate white gossamer dress with an empire waste line; bronze skin glittered with magic as it paled into the soft ivory flesh; red hair twisted and tumbled into silver locks that flowed down her back.

Serenity, Queen of the Silver Millennium, stood to her full height, head held high, locked tightly in her lover's embrace as they faced their tomorrow together.