February 25, 621

Prince Endymion and his party returned with all the fanfare one would expect for the arrival of the crown. Courtiers gathered in the courtyard and trumpets blared. Palace guards in their sharp, clean uniforms lined the walkway to the palace entrance, the flags of the kingdom held in tight fists, perfectly perpendicular to the ground. As if on queue, the wind flared as the carriage door opened, the flags snapping to attention as Serenity's form emerged from the shadowed doorway.

Minako could see the exhausted look on her cousin's face underneath the forced smile. Courtiers cooed over their new princess and Minako was sure that she had heard one male, muttering to another, some crude statement about a well placed breeze. The blonde shook off the comments and made her way down the walkway trying to resist the urge to rush to her cousin.

Etiquette.

Etiquette.

Always etiquette.

The normally bright girl had emerged from the carriage wearing a navy dress so dark that it appeared almost black. A silk cloak adorned her shoulders, the hood half hung over the back of her hair and held in place by pins.

Serenity looked up at the sight of her cousin, both girls reaching out to grip each other's hands. Any thing more than a kiss to either cheek would have been a breach of public protocol.

"How are you?" Minako asked, her voice low.

"It was Uncle Fredrique."

"What happened to him?"

"The doctor said that he passed in his sleep, that his heart merely gave out. My aunt is devastated. Endymion kept assuring her that she would be provided for, and I know that he will keep his word, but he seemed so bothered by the whole thing. He hasn't spoken to me since we left."

"Did he know your uncle?"

Serenity shook her head, "No. Nephrite seemed bothered by it as well though. They rushed to get us back here. I begged to let me stay for his burial, but they both insisted that we return at once."

"Perhaps because the other generals are away?"

"There's more."

Endymion moved to stand by Serenity, placing his hand against the small of her back. "We have an ambassador meeting that we are already late for."

"I'm not feeling well. I'm sure everyone will understand considering the circumstances."

"It's important that we both be here for this," Endymion insisted.

"Please, Endymion," Serenity sighed, turning her eyes away. "You wouldn't let me stay to say my farewells. At least give me the courtesy of a couple days to mourn."

Minako could see something change in Endymion's eyes. He almost seemed to have flinched against her words.

Endymion looked over his shoulder to where Nephrite was handing over the reins of their horses to the stable master. Their eyes met briefly as Nephrite rushed thanks to the man and moved to cross over to his prince. Neither man said a word to each other, though Minako caught the glance that the dark haired soldier sent Serenity's way. Nephrite offered a nod in silent greeting to Minako and moved to stand next to Endymion.

"Please make sure that Lady Serenity and Lady Minako make it safely back to their suites." He turned his back and moved down the walkway, each lined up soldier clicking their heels and hitting the bottom of their flag staffs against the hard ground as the prince passed by. A man dressed in a black uniform with a red lined cape fell into step with Endymion, the two speaking with their heads close together as they moved.

"Serenity," Nephrite said, his voice deep. Bright blue eyes turned up to look at the tall man.

"What doesn't he want to say?" Serenity asked. "Why wouldn't he let me stay another couple of days? His guard could have stayed with me."

A single horn cut through the air with three short notes. Nephrite briefly looked to the source before returning his attention to Serenity. Minako followed Nephrite's gaze to the side gate, watching as the doors started to part.

"You know why, Serenity. You and I stay together and unfortunately Jadeite isn't here to stay with Endymion. Since I can't be in two places, you have to follow where he leads. I promise that first chance we have, I'll take you back to see your family."

Serenity sighed and shook her head. "We both know it's a promise that you won't be able to keep. Although I do appreciate the sentiment."

"We'll find time..." Nephrite halted mid-sentence as he saw the small group of soldiers that appeared through the gate. "Excuse me," he said curtly as he made his way across the courtyard at a slow jog.

Minako continued to watch him, her hand raising to her forehead as she squinted against the sun, her eyes unable to see who the arriving riders were.

"It won't be Kunzite," Serenity said. "It's only some palace soldiers returning."

"Were they traveling with you?"

"Perhaps. Although I hear that sound so many times a day, it could be anyone." Serenity blocked the sun from her eyes as she saw Nephrite standing with a shorter soldier, the others remaining mounted on their horses. "I think it's Zoicite. He rarely uses his own call when arriving."

"Why?"

Serenity hesitated, shaking her head. "It's...complicated. His arrival often precedes his departure. It's just easier if no one knows it's him." She grabbed her cousin's hand and pulled her along the walkway, turning the conversation away from their current topic to other matters.