Chapter 13
"You're going to do what?" Lita was flabbergasted to say the least. Lita was absolutely amazed that Serena was actually going to go through with what she had just told Lita a few nights later when Endymion had casually mentioned something when they sat out side that night, this time without a fire, but plenty of blankets and Serena and Endymion huddling together while Lita and Haruka sat apart but near each other with blankets below and wrapped around them. All four were on the same little square, looking up at the stars and just talking. Lita waited until Serena was alone at home with her before cornering the girl on it.
"I'm going to the PrimaVerde Gala in a little over a week. We need to get little mice on a roll if we're going to make a dress." Serena was teasing, but Lita was still going gaga over what Serena was saying.
"You do realize that you'll be severely reprimanded once you get home, right? If they don't make a big scene there."
"What can they do? My name is always on the list at these functions just in case I decided to show up since I came out to court. I am a countess and it is my proper place in the world. They'll have to hold their tongue if they don't want to look bad." Serena had heard all about the Prince and Beryl from the flaming redhead, but Serena had rolled her eyes, a little hand touching and kind words did not surprise her one bit, Endymion was a gentle soul and he played his part well. "I will be 18 shortly after and they will not be able to touch me. I will make my case with the Queen, and hopefully she will grant me the house after I move in with Haruka for a few weeks while I wait for the birthday and when Esme throws me out for going around her wishes. I will gladly take the consequences of my actions. It is important for Endymion that I attend and I will for his sake as well as my own. I will need to start making appearances once more and I might as well while I have a house to come back to. I image this place will be burned down to the ground once Esme and her daughters hear of this. I will even make arrangements with Haruka ahead of time and move my stuff over to his place and anything special I want to keep just so they can't get their hands on it."
"Esme will have Haruka's head, knowing its there and freaking out about him stealing it, saying that since you were underage it was not proper to move it over there and that he probably took it himself, as he's only a farmer and she's a baroness."
"We'll just put it someplace that she can't find it, and I won't need much." Serena countered. "I am going to the Gala, I have never been and this time I will be with Endymion."
"You are still underage, even if your name is on there-"
"I will be able to easily get around that." Serena wasn't worried. "I promised Endymion and I intend to keep that promise."
"Esme will say that this house does not belong to you, as you've left it for the weeks prior to your birthday and that's only your 18th birthday, not your 21st, she'll claim that you're still too young. Unless you plan on getting Endymion to-"
"No. I will take the matter directly to the Queen, I don't even plan on Endymion knowing any part of this part of my life unless she says something to him. I don't want him involved, I did not get involved with him so he could settle this matter, I got involved with him only for him and I don't want him thinking otherwise. This is my matter and not his."
Lita sighed and sank down on the table and she looked over at Serena standing tall and erect and much more self-assured than Lita had ever seen her before. "I'm going to have to start calling you something new, Cinder Girl." Lita shook her head, she had always been calling Serena either this name or something playful about how dirty she sometimes got, and not always because she was working. Serena's eyes flashed to Lita at the title, but didn't say anything, waiting for what Lita's new teasing name would be, or if that was already it. "I'm going to have to call you something I haven't in a long time."
"Oh please not that dreaded nickname. I haven't worn my hair in that style in such a long time." Serena was referencing the style where her hair was in two buns and had streamers coming from it, she had worn it that way when she was about six and it ended when she was eight. Lita had called her bunny the entire time and Serena had hated it, which called Lita to call her it longer.
The lengthy brunette laughed at the reminder and she shook her head. "No, not that one. Actually I'm going to have to start calling you Serenity, not because it is your proper name and you'll be once more a countess to all who see you and not just those who know, but because you'll be once more worthy of that name. I have never seen that name fit you as well as it has these last few weeks, Endymion has really raised your self confidence. He's been very good for you in that way."
Serena nodded, he had, and she hadn't even really seen it happening herself until Lita pointed it out. "I don't mind if you still call me Serena."
"Maybe as a playful banter, but the name won't suit you any longer. Endymion was right about that, he could never see you as a Serena, because with him, you never were, you were always Serenity." Lita teared up slightly at that, Serena would still be Serena, the playful, fun-loving girl who she had always known, but also more grown up and at peace with herself and the world around her. That was why it would become Serenity even in her eyes, who had always known the golden-blond as Serena. "Well, maybe there might be some points the previous you shows up, but overall it's going to be Serenity I see, not Serena."
"I'm not a different person." Serena protested, she didn't want to think of herself as Serenity, she always wanted to remain who she had always been.
"You were always Serenity, you were just hiding it." Lita agreed. "You're not different, you're just more of who you have always been."
"That doesn't make much sense." Serena complained, though she understood well enough and Lita only pulled her along to bed. They had a lot to do if they were going to find Serena a gown for the Gala and be ready for it in two weeks.
They couldn't go and buy one, that would raise eyebrows and questions and with what money? So they had to improvise. They couldn't very well use one of the sisters', the dresses would be too large, even with taking in the seams and cinching the strings and then they would have to undo it. Then there was also the problem with the girls wanting to use the dress within the upcoming weeks.
It took them one week to come across an idea and it was Lita that finally came up with it. Her eyes brightened one day as she glanced over at Serena putting a dish away and Lita was reminded of another woman in the kitchen who had just as much trouble with reaching that particular cabinet.
Lita waited until everyone was asleep before leading Serena into her parent's old room. Serena hadn't been in here since the day she had bawled over the King's death and the reminder that nobody would know her anymore after that. She hadn't felt the need to, as shortly later she had met his son and all thoughts of reclaiming this place practically disappeared as she wanted to start life somewhere new and fresh and at the time she had hoped he'd at least join her if nothing else. She had always known that Lita would be along, so it was a different story than if she were running off with him, but he never asked him to, and she never put the idea into his head. Then later, she preferred him to stay and do good, rather than feed his base impulse in running, he had an entire Kingdom looking towards him and so many people would depend on him. If France was without a leader or heir, what would happen to it?
Serena pulled back slightly. "Lita?" Her tone was a little unsure. "What are we doing in here?"
"I have come up with a solution to our problems. All the dresses your sisters have are too plain or too extravagant. I know someone who was simple but always gorgeous. Even if they're so outdated that they're back in style, these dresses are timeless classics and will do the same for you as you do for them."
"They're my mother's dresses. I can't wear them." For starters her mother was a bit taller than her, and they didn't really have the time to do too many alterations.
"They're just gathering dust or waiting to be sold off. These are yours. I know you might feel uncomfortable wearing a dead woman's clothes, and that they're your mother's, but she would have let you wear these all the time if she were alive."
That was true enough, Serena had to reluctantly agree. "However you're missing one crucial thing. My mother was, as you've said, gorgeous. I could never compete with her beauty, and I'll just look out of place in them."
"Serena, if there is one thing I know that you couldn't possibly remember for yourself or see now, is that you are ten times more beautiful than your mother ever was and that is quite a feat. You are almost a replica of her, but you have your father's coloring. It creates a stunning combination." Serena shook her head, she couldn't agree with Lita on this one, there was absolutely no way. Lita huffed in annoyance and pulled Serena's dress off and shoved another one over the girl's head. "Just trust me on this." Then she pulled something down after tightening the strings along Serena's back. Serena turned and saw the sheet covering the painting of her parents just a little older than she was now and she had almost forgotten the exact details of how they looked. They had just become an image in her head, memories that were quite clear, but they had been faded and heightened all at once. Now looking upon them again, she was reminded that her memories were faulty and not as clear as she thought. Her parents were more beautiful than she remembered and made an amazing couple both in personality and looks. Then Lita after allowing Serena to re-memorized their features and straighten out her memories, spun the golden girl towards a mirror, it was the same dress that Isabel had been wearing in the painting and Serena gasped.
"Mother?" She reached out to touch the picture looking back at her, but the hand that rose in the mirror was her own and Serena realized that she was not looking at the woman, the woman had, as Lita had said, different coloring but the face was practically identical. If Serena was being realistic, she would see that hers was more beautiful still, but she didn't think that way. Finally Serena relented and allowed Lita to dress her up like a paper doll, pulling dresses off and then pulling new ones down over her head and body. Lita enjoyed this part of it, wanting to find Serena the perfect dress and she would make all the alterations herself.
Finally Lita settled upon a dress and Serena about had a fit again. "Relax. I won't damage it and if you really want to wear it for your own wedding, I don't think anyone would mind, but I'm sure you'll get an even more decadent dress." Lita was teasing Serena partly, but it was also true. "Also probably one more suited to the current fashion craze, honestly, what's the deal with having a white dress for the bride now? That will never last."
"I was going to store it, I don't know what I would have done with it otherwise. Ok, do what you must." Serena relented, otherwise it would grow faded and broken in a box and break apart, never to be seen or worn by anyone again. Lita smiled gently at Serena and after pulling the fabric in different ways and putting pins on it, gently lifted it off Serena again and laid it on the bed. Serena got dressed as Lita helped put away all the dresses she'd pulled out of the trunk at the foot of the bed. Her father had managed that much, moving all the dresses into it before he sealed off the room. He probably couldn't stand seeing them hanging up in the boudoir, ready to be worn, but never would again.
"I'm actually surprised we didn't think to dress you in those before now when you met up with Endymion. He'd have fallen into a faint the second he'd seen you. Your mother had a flair for picking out dresses that fit her beautifully."
Serena shrugged. "He'd probably have picked me out as a servant the second he saw me instead, knowing how horribly outdated they are, no matter what you say."
Lita opened her mouth to argue, but let it go, she'd found a solution and once all of the other dresses were neatly put back, Lita hung up the wedding dress Serena's mother had worn and put it carefully out of sight from anyone who'd come in. Once everything was done, Serena attacked Lita and held her in a fierce hug. "What's this for?"
"For being such a wonderful friend to help me out through all of this and for coming up with such an amazing solution to the problem and then helping with that as well." Serena felt like she was rambling, but Lita just hugged Serena back just as fiercely.
"Girl, if our years together have taught us anything, it's that together we're stronger than anyone. I will fight for you no matter what, just as I know you'd fight for me." Lita had tears in her eyes as she hugged not only the smaller girl, but younger one. "You're my sister in everything but blood and title."
"Neither of those matter." Serena vowed. "They never will." Lita knew that, knew Serena would stick by that until her death and that's part of the reason Lita loved her so much. Nothing would alter Serena's core goodness and values. Not one damn thing.
–
It was the Spring Luncheon that day on April 11th. It was two nights before the PrimaVerde Gala and Beryl was trying to look her best for the Queen without stepping into over-done or too formal. She was trying on all of her gowns and having a bit of a fit since none of them seemed right to her. She even raided Ann's closet, but nothing was what she wanted, nor really fit. She couldn't have any of her low-cut gowns as the Prince wasn't going to be there and the Queen wouldn't appreciate it.
Esme produced a gown from her own closet and handed it to Beryl. They already had their dresses for the Gala picked out, months previously, so that wasn't a worry. Beryl put it on and sighed with relief and then finally let Serena come forth and do her up and fix her hair. Esme wore a gown similar but not enough to be matching and Beryl couldn't have a fit about, and Esme came in so Serena could do them both at once. Ann wasn't having much more luck in finding a dress, but she wasn't putting as much worry into it and neither of the women really cared. The youngest redhead hadn't really made a positive impression on the Queen or Prince so it wouldn't matter what she looked like as long as she didn't embarrass them.
When Serena had finished they were ready to leave and left quickly. That meant that they all had the afternoon free, except for Lita who had to make sure dinner was ready at the same time as every day. It didn't mean however that things didn't have to get done, it was a different thing when they left for the day rather than the night. Everyone would have the night off in a couple of days so everyone pitched in to make sure that everyone had the time off while the women were gone.
–
The luncheon was going beautifully and there weren't many young women there, only two others that were even remotely near Beryl and the Prince's age. One of which was only there because the mother was very good friends with the Queen and the daughter had been married for a year now.
"I do enjoy your company Baronessa." The Queen confided, she had a bit too much to drink today and it was rather warm so it went straight to her head and she was telling more than she had planned. "I very much like your eldest daughter as well." The Queen smiled at the charming redhead, she had to be if she put up with the Queen. "It is such a shame though." Desideria tsked. "Tomorrow night, Endymion is going to announce who he is going to marry."
"Surely it is a bit premature." Esmeraude tried to sound worried. "He hasn't spoken or gotten to know many of the girls eligible, he cannot make an informed decision that way, not without a guiding hand."
"I have tried." The Queen hiccuped. "I have made arrangements for several women to be my son's wife, these have my blessings. Your daughter is among my chief recommendations as well as a princess from overseas. This other young lady, one of my other friends' daughter is also a viable candidate. I fear however he will choose none of them."
"But who could he choose if it were not for the three you have spoken of?" Esmeraude asked, Beryl was trying her hardest not to show her interest in the conversation as she was speaking with another.
"I have been inquiring about her actually, but no one seems to know who she is. He has spent a lot of time with her. Mostly at night, and then over the last few months every two weeks." The Queen shook her head sadly. "I have not have a meeting with her and I fear she is unscrupulous and is only trying to bait my son for power."
"That's a horrible woman if it were true. It cannot be stand for!" Esmeraude's volume rose a little. "The Prince deserves an upstanding woman of class, not some power hungry gold-digger." Esmeraude was acting well, for that's exactly what she and her daughters were. "What is the name of this woman and I shall see if I cannot find her for you or weed you of this problem."
"Endymion told me her name was Isabel."
"Isabel?" Esmeraude was floored and for a moment she couldn't speak, all she could see was red. "Isabel Kennedy?"
"No, that woman has been dead for many years." Desideria shook her head. "A sad day for all who knew her, she was a fine upstanding woman. However that is the only Isabel I have ever known in this Kingdom and the only one I can track down for a name. Endymion said she was only visiting and had not given me a last name though I am sure he knew it."
Esmeraude swallowed hard, oh she had an idea who this Isabel was and for a moment she had thought a dead woman was coming back to haunt her and to take another man from her family. This time it was not the mother that was at fault, but the one that had just as much powers to bewitch as the dead woman. "Oh, forgive me, I had not realized that my niece had managed to make arrangements to meet the Prince. If I had known I would have come to your servitude a lot sooner."
"You know this Isabel?" Desideria looked confused and had a hard time focusing on Esmeraude's face.
Beryl finally lost track of the game she was playing and turned to look at her mother and the Queen. "Your niece, mother?"
"Yes, on your step-father's side. Don't you remember Isabel D'arte?" Beryl did a far less effective job at hiding her rage at the news, her face twisted into an ugly sneer as the name finally rung a bell and it was only with luck that the Queen was too plastered to pay much attention to Beryl's flare of fury. Beryl nodded, barely hanging on to the last bits of her cool, she wanted to tear the luncheon apart and then take it out on the one she was truly angry with. Esmeraude smiled wickedly as a thought came to her and covered for her daughter's silence. "I am afraid that Isabel is going home tomorrow. She shall not be around for the PrimaVerde Gala. She is sad to miss it, but she must go and face her fiance."
"Fiance?" Ann echoed, she had no idea about this and Emseraude kicked the girl under the table and Ann knew enough to remain quiet.
The Queen though had latched onto that word as well and Esmeraude explained. "Ah yes, it was an arranged marriage, she did not want to see it through, but her parents had arranged it with a man from another country. She fled their home to come to mine and I was kind enough to take her in. I kept trying to get her to come out to court, but she didn't want to be seen by anyone that could recognize her. I have been trying to console her, but in the end, I must send her back to her parents. She will be wed by the end of the month."
"Yes, you must send her to her parents." Beryl agreed, a wickedness that even Esmeraude was afraid of entering her daughter's eyes, but it also pleased her. The words had a very clear meaning to the mother and she had never considered something like that.
"It is such a shame that I could not have met her even once. Isabel D'arte did you say?" A frown plastered the Queen's face. "Wasn't that Charles D'arte's first wife?"
"Her married name yes, but this is his niece's maiden name. Charles' brother named their daughter after Charles' wife shortly after the woman died as she had made such a big impact on his family, as she was such a fine woman." Beryl and Antonia both looked at their mother like she was crazy, she had never spoken highly of their stepfather's dead wife and why would she praise her to the woman that she was trying to destroy the younger's reputation to?
Esmeraude inwardly rolled her eyes at her daughters, they had no clue about politics yet, and Beryl would soon one day be among them. She only hoped her eldest was smart enough and cruel enough to get by, but once she married the Prince, there would be no annulments or divorce. Esmeraude grinned, they were not the English after all.
The Queen nodded. "Endymion will be devastated, he told me that he was finally going to introduce us tomorrow night."
"Oh, she said she was planning on attending the Gala?" Esmeraude lifted a red brow. "Must just be a mistaken promise. I don't think she meant to make him fall for her at all, but even if she knew of his feelings, you cannot blame her, she's about to enter an loveless marriage and was probably hoping that the Prince would be able to end that for her."
The Queen sighed pityingly. "Endymion will just have to announce some other name then. He has declared that the name would at least be known for who he chose. He did not have to do that, but he said he wanted to make a grand gesture not only to her but to his people as well."
"He'll have to make some swift recalculations, for she will not be able to agree if she is not there, and he will not stand to be looked a fool." Esmeraude smiled patiently at the Queen. "I do hope that you'd give one more push in regards to my daughter's name to his ear when you tell him."
"I hope to tell him before tomorrow's party. He'll likely be gone all night tonight as well."
"Oh is he really?" Beryl shook her head. "It might just be best if he stay in tonight."
"I imagine he's already left, if not to her, then to do something else first." Desideria confirmed such with his head guard and the man was a little leery as he looked at the three red heads in front of him. His mother always told him a redhead was dangerous, and his father always said they were the closest to the devil. Was it any wonder that when those warning combined by the pure evil looks on at least two of their faces, that he actually feared for his soul? And for the first time in his life prayed for whoever they had it out for.
–
"Tomorrow's the Gala." Serena breathed helplessly, she was a little light headed at the thought. Endymion had insisted on meeting up tonight as well, and she said that she would try to make it, but could not promise it. She would try to send word though if she could not, but would be there for sure the next night. If she was not there within an hour of his arrival, he should just go home. He said he would wait as long as she had, until the dawn rose the next morning.
Serena had every intention of not making him wait, Lita had already put on soup for tonight and the meat was cooking in the fireplace. One of the servants was helping out, making sure nothing burned. Lita was finishing the touches on Serena's dress and making sure it all fit right, tonight and any last minute altercations could be done during tomorrow's lag between when the Invernos left and when Serena felt it safe to arrive after them. She'd catch a carriage into town.
They thought that they had plenty of time to finish this afternoon after all of the other work was done before the women of the house came home, those luncheons usually lasted a long time. However Serena and Lita heard them calling for her long before they were due home.
With a shared look of panic, Lita and Serena attempted to get her out of the dress and back in her working one and keep it hidden before they found them, but the women were upon them almost instantly. "Think you can go to a ball, do you?" Esme backhanded Lita and the girl growled at her but was unable to reciprocate, she would be beheaded if she dared touch a hair on her ladies' heads.
"What do you think you're doing?" Serena demanded once she saw the ill treatment of her friend. "You are not to touch my staff!"
"YOUR staff?" Esme laughed and pulled Serena's hair out of its upstyle roughly, it had just been there temporarily as they thought of ideas. It pulled and Serena gasped in pain. Beryl was there with her mother and ripped at Serena's dress.
"Your dress?" Beryl hissed. "It's a worthless artifact like your ideas."
"Staff return better results with beatings and whips." Esme continued, pulling on the dress and ripping it as well. Ann held back a little, not getting into this either. Esme tossed a look over her shoulder at her youngest and was angered that she was not joining in. "Count Ali took one glance at her the other day and fell in love with her as well. That is why he has been cooling it with you." Ann dove in and all the women started pulling at Serena's dress and shouting at her and degrading her. Lita tried to intervene, Serena was her mistress and above rank of all these women but too many hands were flying and Serena was trying to fight them off, but they pulled and not one hand touched any of her exposed skin but she was unable to fight them off either. The dress had too many places where it could be grabbed and she did not have enough body to hide it all.
When they were done, Serena was on the ground in shredded rags that had once been her mother's dress. "That is much more suitable to your current status. You do not deserve to wear anything of quality when you are a filthy animal, no, less than that, you are on the same level as a gypsy." Esme grabbed Serena's hair at the scalp and pulled her to her feet. Serena screamed slightly at the pain and Esme laughed. "You have messed up our arrangements for the last time. It is your turn to lose everything you love."
"Walk, Adelita, you are coming with us." Beryl ordered and Lita tried to look into Serena's eyes to assure her that everything would be all right, but Serena was no match for these women physically and Esme was so much taller than Serena that she was practically being dragged along.
Lita was pushed by the other two and her temper was at the highest point, if they touched her one more time, she might not be responsible for her actions. The treatment that they gave their better, and not only in title was disgusting and she was surprised that Serena was holding up so well. Lita was pushed into one of the cellars and the door was locked. She pushed against it, trying to get out, but it was no use. She could see Serena though, through the door and also through a hole in the wall being thrown into hers and scrapping along the ground painfully. She grunted but other than that, she had not spoken or lashed out too much. Her door was slammed shut and locked as well. There was only one key for both of their doors and Esme put it in her pocket.
"To think that you managed to snag a prince, you're filthy, how could he ever see anything passed that? You will never see him again, or if you somehow manage to, you will be nothing in his eyes. He will pick Beryl tomorrow night as his intended bride once his mother tells him the truth about you, or rather, my truth. It'd be a day for burning if you were ever announced as a princess. Then by the time that you are free to cause any problems, it will be over. I will own this house, handed over to me by the Prince himself and you will become nothing. I will have free range to beat you until you cannot stand or eat and I will love it."
Beryl stood by the door and spat at Serena. "I will have you beheaded the second I am crowned and he will never know who he has agreed to punish, as you will only be a servant in his eyes."
"He will never love you." Lita yelled at Beryl. "He loves Serenity and he will always love her. You will have a miserable marriage together and you will be unable to change him. He is too good of a man to be bent to the will as weak as yours."
"You are a servant and know nothing. All men bend, you just have to know where to hit them. If what you say is true, then the guilt will be his greatest weakness." Beryl taunted, but through it all, Serena didn't respond, she remained tough and the two older Invernos left. Ann was about too as well.
"Ann, it's not true." Serena finally spoke and Ann paused by the door, wanting to hear more. "I did see Count Ali one day, but it was after things had already cooled between the two of you. Endymion told me who he was, but we never spoke. Endymion told me later that he had found a girl he liked but was unable to ask her all that he wanted to of her, that he was tied by order of the Queen to wait until Beryl was married first. That meant to Ali that he could not see you as he wanted to, that he had to find a way to put distance between the two of you."
"Why would you ask?" Ann hissed. "He told me he had seen the most beautiful woman in the gardens, we still met frequently after, but in secret."
"I asked because I knew you were in love with him and I wanted to see what I could do to help. You hurt my heart to see you so sad, despite all the pain we've caused each other. Did he say who I was with?"
"Yes, the Prince, I just hadn't realized it was you that he saw until just now. He said he would never have a chance with someone so lovely, but it didn't matter as he had me. I'm just second place goods, having your leavings. Its a pity that you can't see him choose Beryl over you, it would be amazing to see you wither up and die with the same pain that you've caused so many others." Ann was furious and Serena sank back to the ground, saying no more, she had attempted to reason with not the weakest link, but the one that had probably the most compassion and she had failed.
So she was done talking and when Ann left, it was several hours still until Lita heard Serena weeping. Lita tried to stick her hand through the bars separating them but only her fingers were able to go through and Serena linked her fingers with Lita's. Lita didn't know what to say right now, she wished she could go out of here and go get Endymion, he would break down the door, or even Haruka, he'd do the very same.
Neither of them could escape this, the doors were heavy and locked and nobody was allowed into these parts except the family. Nobody would think to look for them there and nobody would come and help them. If they had known, it might be different, but since nobody knew, it was pointless. Serena cried herself to sleep and Lita sat against the brick between them for a long time, it was cold against her back and she knew that if she was cold, Serena had to be freezing. She could even see and feel Serena's fingers quiver slightly where they still touched. How would she get her friend out of this when she was trapped as well? There would be no last minute miracle, no way.
–
Endymion waited all night, but there was no Serenity, there was no Lita or Haruka with news that she was unable to come. Endymion was pacing the ground so much that even his horse snorted his disgust at the movement and walked off a ways so he wouldn't be disturbed in his rest. Endymion knew something was wrong and eventually he settled down and while he waited, the fire lured him to sleep. When he woke again the sun was high in the sky and nobody had woken him up. He was betting it was about midday and he walked to Haruka's to see if there was anything he could do.
The family was out, the entire family, probably to town to buy seeds for the summer crops and he didn't blame them after such a year as the one before. Serenity was probably helping and Lita too, and they had probably all worked hard all night long, crashed and then got up early and left again. Spring through Fall were the hardest parts of the years for the farmers and they would be busy the entire time. He understood that and he wasn't angry as he got back to his horse and rode home slowly, hoping to see one of them while he traveled the road there and then through town.
Even looking into the store windows he could not see the gangly man anywhere nor could he see Serenity or Lita. He did not even see anyone remotely resembling Haruka in any of the children he saw. Maybe they had gone off to do something else or went to a different town to buy more exotic seeds. Endymion didn't know and none of this settled right in his stomach.
He missed the dark blond walking out of a store with a bag of seeds on his shoulder after Endymion passed and be wondered at if he looked familiar or was just an imagination. Endymion shook himself out of his blues, for surely as Serenity had promised, she would be there tonight for the PrimaVerde Gala. She had promised and Serenity was not the type to default on a promise. With that Endymion went about his duties, his mother wanted to speak to him, but he did not have time, he had to over see a lot of the other plans and confirm with the guards that everything was in place.
Then he had to get dressed and by the time he was ready, guests had already started to arrive and he hurried to greet them, with each face arriving, he hoped that one would stick out above the rest. It was a long night of pleasantries and his mother kept looking at him with sad eyes, but guests kept filling in and she could not say what she wanted to.
Finally guests stopped coming, anyone who was going to arrive, already had and he had been amused with Baroness Beryl and bowed low and showed off her ample chest to him, but it was not hers that he fantasized about. Desideria took his arm and as they walked back to the table for dinner, she spoke. "You look disappointed. I am too, I had so hoped to meet this mysterious girl that you've kept hidden from me."
"I think you'll like her. She'll show up eventually."
His mother shook her head sadly. "I spoke to the Invernos the other day, apparently this Isabel had been staying with them. She left this morning to go meet with her fiance."
Endymion stiffened and looked at his mother. "This morning? With her fiance?"
"Yes, apparently her parents arranged the marriage recently and she was opposed to the idea so ran from them to have a bit of freedom here for awhile before being forced back and having to face what was before her."
Was this the real reason that Serenity had been so remorse this month? Not because of the story that she had told him, but because she knew this month she'd have to leave and enter into a loveless marriage? Had everything she said been a lie? The fact that her parents were dead and living with people she didn't like, but instead the people she didn't like were her parents and didn't like them because they forced this upon her? NO. His brain and heart refused to believe it, she had been too good and pure to have made all of this up. But... she was good at weaving a false tale, would it be too far of a stretch for it to be one of her stories? There were too many people who collaborated with her story, far too many people, and he'd had a lot of times where he wondered why something didn't sit well with him. But he was good at sussing out lies. She couldn't be lying to him about everything, too many things had wrung true.
Endymion was too busy thinking of her and going through all of their time spent together that he completely ignored the two women his mother had seated him by, the two that were vying for his attention and getting nothing, neither one of them.
EAN: Originally there had been about 4000 more words following this scene. However, I decided to split it up into two chapters, not one. There is a very specific reason for that. I'm a cruel, cruel person.