Today I am reborn. My husband has died and in his place a new stranger stands. Maybe this is for the greater good. He never wanted me for a wife and I was never able to obtain any affection from him. I sit here trying to convince myself of this, to summon the strength within my heart to move on. How can I numb this breaking heart? Would I wish he was truly dead!

He does not remember me, does not even want to remember me. It was clear to all that I was not beautiful, intelligent or talented enough to tempt him. But the touch of our lips, oh how that aches my soul! I wish this was all a terrifying nightmare so that I can wake up by his side and kiss away this searing in my heart. How I long for him to hold me...

But I can no longer wish for that. He is no longer mine...he was never mine. Memories, just memories. For now I must fight this weakness within me. I guess Endymion was right, love is a weakness for it is making me sick. But I am stronger than this. Already I have endured so much and must keep enduring until the very end. I must find a way to help...but I know I cannot tell him directly. Seiya informed me that, after the serve injures Endymion had sustained and overcome that his fragile memory needed time to heal, to come back to him. If at all. Any traumatic memory from his past, anything at all, could provoke another, more fatal coma. One he may never wake from. Even if I could tell him of our union I am not convinced that he would be pleased with it. He did seem to enjoy the attention from all those pretty young women today.

So I have to find a way for Endymion to remember that he is the King without causing him further harm, or raising suspicion. Seiya says that we are safe, but I am not fully convinced. For now only I know our secret. I must keep it.

What an agonising day! This is torture, utter torture to my mind and soul. To be so close and yet so far from him is unbearable. How I want to beat this desk, this wall to vent my frustration. How I wish I could scream until my lungs burn raw to release this aggravation. And how I wish I could suffocate this beating heart, which aches with every single throb.

Last night I could not stop the tears from coming. I thought after convincing myself that I was strong, that it would be so. Away from these pages, I wear a mask; I can act strong and indifferent. But my pillow at night knows the truth. I am alone. I am full of pain. The life I had imagined for myself and contented with myself is no more. Neither is my past any consolation. I sit here now wondering where and when I begun the journey onto the wrong path. I should try to concentrate on the future and how to get myself out of this looming depression, but I am defeated. In mind and soul I feel like I have nothing to live for. Only to fulfil my duty to restore the rightful king and return to my home. That is all that keeps me from suffocating this heavy heart. Last night was one of a new moon; my new life has begun.

I returned both book and pen to the draw, sliding it silently shut as Seiya knocked the open door behind me. I turned my smiling face to greet his, a wave of contentment settling over my spirit. He had visited me regularly during the day, always asking how I was feeling and asking if I needed anything. I was touched by his concern and sincerity; no one had ever shown this kind of attention before.

He approached me earnestly, gasping my hand in his. Always he would seek to hold my hand, sometimes kissing it tenderly, sometimes stroking it softly with his thumb. He encouraged me to my feet.

'You are feeling better? Enough to begin writing I see' I loved the way his smile illuminated his features, igniting the glint in his eyes and cute dimples. I nodded my reply. At my earnest request, he had provided me with new writing implements. I needed to write, needed an outlet for the aching sorrowing within. A laughed inward; a new book for a new life.

'How can I ever begin to repay your kindness Seiya?'

Silence. Not the response I had expected. Seiya simply turned his eyes from mine, seeming to gaze into the distance. As he lost himself to his thoughts, standing next to me, holding my hand, the silence became uncomfortably thick. What was he thinking?

Without thinking, I abruptly broke the silence whilst shifting my body and hand away from him, 'Although I am grateful for you hospitality I am afraid I must not intrude much longer.'

He snapped, his gaze returned to mine. But not like before. The softness was gone, replaced by a piercing shade of night. In a monotone voice he said 'And where exactly will you go Serenity? You fled from the Prince's castle, travelling and struggling for a very long time. You killed two of Prince Diamond's men. You have no allies Serenity; otherwise you would not have fled so far. And what is a lonely, isolated lady meant to do in times such as these?' I could not blink, or even breathe. Or even think, 'You would turn from the only ally you have, and face the wild reality. Soldiers and mercenaries are everywhere, searching for men, women, children who oppose him. They take pleasure in what they do. Especially young, beautiful women such as yourself Serenity.' I did not know how but he face became very closed to mine, his hands lose at his side, as if afraid to touch them again, 'Please do not turn from me? From the protection I offer you and your friend.'

My head lowered from his. I mumbled 'who said he was my friend'

'Well you dragged him this far, healing his wounds. I thought...Oh! He is more than a friend?' His fists tightened. I sensed his entire body tense and heard the words through gritted teeth. A lump thicken in my throat; I couldn't let him suspect.

'No Seiya. You were right. He is just a friend, a passing acquaintance really. I just could not leave him to die.'

I jerked involuntary as his warm hand cupped my cheek, a comforting gesture. I sighed into his touch, remembering how I had yearned to be touched so. Only by Endymion. Tears welled, threatening to trickle down my cheeks. Seiya lifted my face to his. Or lips were almost touching. His breathing caressed my cheeks. With his thumbs, he brushed my tears away. And brushed away my hopeless thoughts of Prince Endymion.

'You are scared. And I would be too Serenity. Let me protect you. I want to protect you. Stay here. Prince Diamond will never know about those soldiers. Not that they did not deserve it. But he would never have an excuse to take you from here, or to harm you. I want you to stay here...stay here as...' he stuttered over his words. His eyes communicated it all clearly 'as...my wife.'

At that moment I thought he would kiss me, out lips were so close. An icy sweat overcame me. Before I could collect my thoughts and voice any protests, he pressed a slender finger to my lips.

'Before you answer, hear me out. I now I have only know you a few days, and many of hours of those you have been unconscious, recovery from external and internal wounds. But know this Serenity. I feel that I have know you a lifetime. The time I spent with you yesterday was the best I have ever known. You made me laugh and feel like no other. So alive! I guess what I am trying to say, Serenity, is that I love you. I want to get to know you more and work alongside you. I want to love until the day we die. And if you do not return the affections now, I will wait. I really do feel that this could be the beginning of something special. A new life together.' Swiftly he swooped onto one knee, both hands gently holding mine, 'Serenity will you make me the happiest man on Earth by allowing me the honour of becoming my wife?'