"Some pray to marry the man they love,

My prayer will somewhat vary;

I humbly pray to heaven above

That I love the man I marry."

Rose Pastor Stokes,

My Prayer

The Man I Marry

Chapter Thirteen

"Well, it seemed it was too much of her to expect that he'd have the decency to stop popping up, period."

He seemed to be charming everyone. Rae thought dourly as she watched General Jadeite mingle among the guests on the terrace. Was it an act, a game? He seemed to be adept at saying exactly what a woman needed to hear, and make it seem completely heartfelt. But Rae knew his type. And she was not so easily fooled. Why, for all she knew, he had simply been looking for a way to pass the time while stuck in a boring evening ball that night. She was not sure why he had singled her out then, and wasn't sure if it even mattered to him at all. He may have simply found pestering her highly entertaining. Rae's brow furrowed and she turned away with an irritable huff. Why was she wasting her time thinking about him anyway! She leaned upon the veranda's marble railing instead, shifting her attention to the open scenery.

Below, the Tranquil Sea lay nestled in mountain velvet. Rae had always been mesmerized by the sight of it. She came from a planet of endless grass plains, scorching deserts and towering red rock peaks. There were various oases, yes, and precious mountain lakes as well. But until her first arrival on the White Moon, she had never to her knowledge beheld the sea, had never before watched the enchanting play of colors across such a vast expanse of rippling water. She had not thought there were half so many shades of blue and green in all the world. The Tranquil Sea had as many colors in them as Jadeite's eyes did, or even more, and all endlessly changing.

Basildon lay at the heart of the Western Highlands, all mountainside cliffs and heather. The white stone castle manor with its twin turrets glimmered in contrast to the dark evergreen setting. Tiered gardens climbed up alongside the estate walls, with fountain pools flowing down from level to level. The gardens lacked their blooming colors, however, with winter already well under way. The mottled bushes and stark trees raised their branches to a milky winter sky while the ever-present Lunarian mists enveloped the landscape like a translucent shroud.

Rae felt a pang of longing as she once again realized how different everything was from her home planet, with its brilliant summer sunsets and inky desert nights. There was the scorching heat in the wind off the Marsian deserts during the day, the bitter cold at night, and the prickle of ever moving sand against your skin. The air was always full of pungent and exotic smells: bitter herbs, sweet wine and clouds of incense.

Rae shuddered as the cold winter wind nipped at her and she withdrew further into her cloak. The wind caught at her hair, and she frowned, impatiently tucking the tousled locks behind her ears. She should have been keeping an eye out for the Baroness Dirce but the lady of Basildon was nowhere on the veranda, that much Rae was sure of, and she wondered whether any of the other Senshi had better luck. The only person she recognized out here was Jadeite --- much to her dismay. They have not talked since the Welcoming Ball, and Rae had cherished the fervent hope that they'd never have to do so again. And surely after two weeks have passed, he'd also have the decency to stop popping up in her dreams.

"You know, you frown too much for your own good and health."

The familiar voice behind her made her blink in surprise. Well, it seemed it was too much of her to expect that he'd have the decency to stop popping up, period. She took one deep steadying breath and turned to face General Jadeite.

And sure enough, there he was, standing in that easy relaxed way of his, a quirk of a smile always on his lips. He came nearer, standing beside her against the railing. "Would you mind if I stayed here with you? Just to keep the womanizers and maniacs away, of course."

Rae managed to smile sweetly. "Oh, you mean others of your kind?"

He chuckled softly. "Princess, as much as I love these charming rebuttals of yours, didn't we both agree it's about time you gave up on your irrational dislike of me?"

The said Princess turned away casually. "Why, I can't remember a time when we've ever agreed on anything, General."

"Which is exactly why I've come here to remind you." Jadeite knowingly replied.

Rae was by now completely exasperated. Was this guy never going to give up? But Rae already knew the answer to that. General Jadeite looked like the type that was never really good at giving up. Although she had already explicitly expressed her absolute lack of interest, Jadeite was still persistent… most likely seeing her a challenge, some sort of man's trophy to be won. Rae's face tightened, now clearly seeing his train of thought a mile down the track.

Well, if directness wasn't going to work, there were other ways to get rid of the man. And one was already walking straight towards them. To Rae, it was like an epiphany. The very solution to her dilemma was actually slowly making its way toward them, moving in a slinky gait that had every man salivating. The dark haired voluptuous woman was nearly spilling forth from the cups of her tightly laced bodice. Her lips were painted a perfect red, her green eyes lined in black. And she was eyeing Jadeite like a predator, with hungry intent.

"Lady Eris!" Rae greeted cheerfully. "How good of you to come and join us! Have you met Lord Jadeite? He is one of Prince Endymion's commanding generals." She then turned to Jadeite smartly, deciding there was no time to lose making the introductions. "Lady Eris is also from Mars. Part of the Dangari delegation."

By the time Rae had finished her sentence, Eris had already sashayed to Jadeite's side and wrapped a lithe arm around his own. "Shame on you, Princess, keeping such a handsome catch all to yourself." Eris pouted teasingly, her voice deep and liquid.

Jadeite waggled an eyebrow at Rae at the word 'handsome' and grinned roguishly as he remarked. "I was more than willing to be caught by Her Highness, actually."

"Oh, I was simply waiting for the perfect time to introduce him to you, Lady Eris." Rae ground out through a brittle smile, ignoring Jadeite completely. You're more than welcome to him, woman. She dryly added, biting her tongue. Eris let out a husky laugh, but somehow to Rae it was like nails on a blackboard. As the conversation drifted on, Rae did not let herself be a part of it, she just nodded knowledgeably, making monosyllabic comments at times. She watched as Eris slowly, surely reeled Jadeite in. Jadeite, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind, most likely far too distracted by Eris' sultry laugh, lush eyes, and other... ample attributes.

Rae gave out a mental sigh ---of relief, of course----and patted herself on the back for a job well done. There. Problem solved. In any case, good riddance! Eris would keep him far to busy that Rae was certain he won't ever pester her again. The raven-haired princess smiled brightly as she spotted Mina and Amy a few feet away. She quickly excused herself and for a slight moment, Rae thought she saw a tiny frown crossing Jadeite's face. But it was gone before she could even decide if she imagined it or not. Tossing the silly idea aside, she hurried over to the two Senshi, letting Eris deal more fulsomely with her "handsome catch." Rae couldn't help but snicker at that thought. However, her smug triumph came to a puzzled halt when she faced Mina's incredulous look.

"What in the name of the Star Goddess were you thinking?!"

Rae was bewildered. "What do you mean?"

"Rae!" Mina admonished, both hands at her hips. "There are lots of fish in the sea, sure. But you don't have to throw them all back!"

The Marsian Senshi groaned. It seems that she hasn't heard the last of it just yet. "He is a disaster waiting to happen."

"So you matched him up with Lady Eris?" Amy joined in, aquamarine eyes filled with consternation.

"Well, actually, it was more of Eris matching herself up. I was just there to facilitate." Rae joked wryly.

"And that's the real disaster right there!" Mina pointed out in a low voice. "You should have staked your claim and stood your ground!"

"First of all, I have no desire to 'stake' any 'claims' whatsoever. Second, stood my ground?! I have no intention of sticking around to watch her paw at him, if that's what you mean."

"Well, it does make a twisted sort of sense." Amy rationalized, addressing Mina. "Rae's afraid of dealing with him because she might actually find herself liking him. So she passes him on to Eris, ---who seems fully capable of dealing with any man, to tell you the truth."

'Well, I just hope she doesn't regret it." Mina answered with concern.

"Will you two stop psychoanalyzing me like I'm not here?!" Rae demanded testily with a toss of her dark head. "I'm not afraid of dealing with anything. He and I are completely not suited for each other. And I am perfectly happy to see him matched up with someone else if it means getting him out of my hair. And I'm certainly not going to regret it because despite what you may think, I'm glad to be rid of the man!"

"Rae, you have to be careful with such things," Mina counseled, throwing a dusky gold arm over Rae's shoulders. "Men are pretty dense, you know. There might come a time when he'll actually believe you when you say that."

Rae moaned in frustration but let the comment pass by with no further argument. She determinedly crumpled the image of Eris wrapped around Jadeite's arm, tossing it out of her head with a certain feeling of finality. Then she forcefully changed the subject of the conversation. "So where's Lyta?"

"She's in the middle of something right now. She said she'll meet us later." Mina vaguely reported with a small dimpled smile.

"In the middle of what?" Rae and Amy asked in unison.

"Uh…" Mina waved her hand dismissively. "Long story. More important business at hand, remember?"

"Well, what happened? Did Serenity talk to... you-know-who?" Rae prodded, dragging them over to a more secluded part of the spacious garden terrace.

"It was too late. Our plan bombed. The enemy came out of nowhere and intercepted the you-know-what." Mina informed Rae. "It's time for Plan B."

"We have a Plan B?" Amy asked, surprised.

"Yes, it's think of a Plan C."

Amy and Rae chuckled. "Well then, where's Serenity? She's the mastermind, after all." Rae looked around, searching for the Moon Princess' signature hair buns.

"Well... Luna got to her first." Amy said, biting her lip. "She's now getting further acquainted with her future husband."

"I, for one, think it's about time." Mina told them honestly, folding her arms across her chest. "They're to be married. They can't keep avoiding the issue forever."

Rae barely heard the comment for even though she did not find a sign of Serenity, she did manage to catch another unsettling look at Eris entangling herself around Jadeite's arm like an enamored giant octopus. Was throwing him back to the sea such a good idea? Then she saw Jadeite turn and give Eris one of his lopsided grins, and she could help but raise an eyebrow. Well. It looks like he was having fun being thrown back after all.

Rae sighed resolutely and turned her mind back to the things that should really be dwelt upon. "So, about this Plan C..."

"Aren't you two being just a little too childish?" Luna asked irritably.

Neither Serenity nor Endymion answered. Several minutes had already passed since they were forced to sit themselves down beside each other and yet not one word has been spoken between them. Serenity waved at and greeted practically everyone who passed by, ignoring Endymion as if he was a statue. And he did look like one, just staring stonily ahead as he did.

"You can't ignore each other forever."

Nothing. Serenity cheerfully ignored the Prince while he, on the other hand, just looked bored.

"This sort of behavior is not making things any easier."

You're the one who's making things harder. Luna could see it clearly being said in Endymion's dark glare, the way Serenity stuck out her chin. Luna rolled her eyes and flicked her tail irritably. She opened her mouth to say more but saw something distracting at the corner of her eye. At the far side of the banquet hall, a small crowd had formed. And who would be at the center of it but… Lyta? Luna frowned. What in the seven Heavens is going on? Serenity had also taken an interest in heightened activity at the other side of the hall and couldn't help but lean forward in her seat, craning her neck. Not having Luna's cat eyes or ears though, she couldn't make out anything at all. "You two, stay right here." Luna said, already beginning to make her way across the room.

"Not a chance!" Serenity exclaimed and began getting out of her seat. This was her opportunity to free herself from this torture and find Mina and the others.

"Unless you want to spend the whole way back to the Palace stuck with each other, I suggest you two stick your butts right there." The guardian cat retorted warningly.

Serenity glared. "You wouldn't."

"Try me." Luna glared back. Then with a toss of her head, Luna abandoned them to a hideous silence.

Serenity sat herself back down with a huff. Endymion, on the other hand, maintained his stoic calm. It seemed that there was some sort of commotion at the other end of the hall that Luna was compelled to investigate. With a mental shrug, he decided it was none of his concern and turned his attention to studying his surroundings.

The Great Hall of Basildon was a huge vaulted chamber with sculpted buttresses soaring upward along the walls. A long row of tall windows rose between the buttresses, looking out to the tiered estate gardens and beyond that, the sparkling Tranquil Sea. The walls were paneled with mosaics of enamel and mother-of-pearl while the floor was polished Lunarian marble. With the luncheon now over, guests tended to mill around or talk in small groups ---except for the growing crowd at the other side of the hall that Luna was so curious about. Snatches of conversation and the tinkle of wine glasses drifted with the soft music from strings and flutes playing in the background. He could see the guests chat and laugh seeming to be quite amused. Rolling his eyes, Endymion heaved a quiet sigh. In contrast to them, in such occasions his favorite activities were, more or less, eating and leaving.

Taking a sidelong glance at Serenity, he found her frowning at something at the corner of the hall. He couldn't help but smile a little at seeing her so determinedly serious. Following her gaze, he saw the Lady Ariadne tragically trapped between a rather mean looking spinster and a soundly snoring dowager. Serenity was quite concerned about the girl, it seems. Before he knew it, the question just came out. "So is she a good friend of yours then?"

Serenity started. She looked at Ariadne and back at him with wide surprised eyes. After staggering over the initial shock of him actually beginning the conversation, she managed to answer his query cautiously. "Yes... You can say that."

Serenity paused, and then became doubly confused. What, no snide follow up comment? No implied insult that he usually somehow manages to throw in? This is sounding like the start of an actual decent conversation! She thought wonderingly. Then she was suddenly filled with awkwardness. If they were really going to lower their swords this time, she honestly didn't know how to behave. She crossed her arms and hastily turned away from him. She didn't even notice the folded piece of parchment that slipped from her sleeve and floated down to the floor. But Endymion did. And he bent down to pick it up. "What's this?"

Serenity turned to throw him a tart remark but froze when she recognized what he was holding in his hand. "That's mine." She curtly stated and immediately grabbed it from him.

"So what is it?" He asked, and then raised an eyebrow. "Or do you just like keeping pieces of paper up your sleeves?"

"It's nothing." She insisted, though a deep red blush was already creeping up her neck, rushing to her cheeks. Endymion can always leave her so flustered, but she managed to rally her composure enough to say something that she really wanted to get across. "And it's clearly none of your business."

"I know." He said simply. Endymion couldn't help but notice how furtive she was being about the piece of parchment and on the spirit of pure curiosity, he probed some more. "But if it's really nothing then why are you hiding it?"

"I'm not hiding anything." She denied. "It's-it's just there for safekeeping." She said with as much aplomb as she could. She then attempted to tuck the letter back in her sleeve when Endymion plucked it out of her fingers, ignoring her indignant gasp. For a moment forgetting to try and maintain a semblance of royal decorum, Serenity expelled her breath in a furious hiss and made a desperate lunge for the piece of paper. "How dare you! Give that back to me!" But with her lack of inches, it was a maneuver the Prince easily avoided. He quickly unfolded the parchment, leaning closer to the window and holding it up to the light. The parchment was decorated with exquisitely drawn floral sprays, the message itself printed in delicate, careful calligraphy. He frowned slightly as he read the written message.

By this time, Serenity has given up over snatching the paper back. She sat with arms folded, simmering. "As you can see, it's only a simple little poem, that's all. Now are you quite satisfied?"

"Did you intend this for me?" He asked in cool humor. "What a handsome gesture on your part. Finally letting bygones be bygones. Not worth half as much as the ring I gave you but I appreciate the sentiment."

Serenity was even redder than before, but her blue eyes flashed silver fire. "It is most decidedly not intended for you! You will return that to me at once!"

Could it be possible that she has a suitor or a lover? A great deal of effort was obviously expended to construct this note, and all his teasing aside, Endymion was damn sure it wasn't for him. "The message is touching, really, but the poetry... it's pretty horrid."

Amy was the one who engineered the secret code and carefully wrote the message upon the parchment. She and the girls had debated back and forth, finally deciding to sacrifice the poem's lyrical composition and appeal to give way to the message that was underneath. After all, Amy had argued, they do need to make sure that the Baroness overlooks this particular letter-just in case she happens to discover it, or wrests it away from Ariadne. Let Lady Dirce disregard it, think it some worthless sappy drivel from an ardent yet poetically challenged suitor. They had all agreed, but Serenity still winced as Endymion now read the poem out loud.

"Beneath the cloak of night so blue
Awaits a hero, brave and true..."

"Hmmm. I get the feeling this wasn't intended for me after all." He lowered the letter with a mock sigh.

Serenity decided to restrain her caustic comments on his conclusion, remembering that he still held the little parchment in his hand. Giving over to her anger may mean she might never get it back. "I'm glad you finally got that figured out." She extended one palm, trembling with suppressed rage. "Now if you're quite finished, sir."

But he still held the letter out of her reach. "If this isn't mine, then you surely must have meant to give this to some other suitor. I am deeply hurt."

"Please. Don't be ridiculous! Just give it back!"

"But if you were to ask me nicely..."

"I just said please."

"Strange. It sounded more like "Off with his head!"

"You're being difficult." She grew tired, resting back on her chair, a frown still creasing her ivory brow.

Yes, Endymion knew that too, and he couldn't really explain why. He couldn't help wondering what simpering fellow she'd be giving that little note to. And more than that, he wondered why he cared. Not wanting to dwell on that though, he relieves the parchment. "I'm sorry." He said, and yet, he just had to know one thing. He could never tolerate a mystery, he told himself. "But I do have reason to be concerned, after all, it looks like my intended is having a secret love affair with some other gentleman."

Serenity did not think it was even physically possible for her face to be as red as it was now. He most probably wasn't concerned at all, he just liked watching her fidget in her seat with embarrassment. So she tried to laugh it off. "No, of course not! It is not for some gentleman. It's for Lady Ariadne." She then stopped. Perhaps she shouldn't have said that.

It was unaccountable, the stab of relief he felt. "Ariadne?"

"Y-yes. A token of friendship. She and I are both fond of 'heroes, brave and true'." Serenity reasoned vaguely.

Ah yes, Endymion scoffed inwardly, most likely stemming from all the tales they've stuffed their heads with, romances that dwelt fulsomely with impossibly splendid knights and sighing ladies perpetually on the verge of disaster. "So you've found someone as sappy as yourself."

"Well, if I'm sappy then you're a cynic." She replied with lofty superiority.

He shook his head. "No, Your Highness, I'm a realist. And in reality, Lady Ariadne will be marrying that rich pompous sea-faring bloke no matter how many encouraging little notes you sent out."

We'll just see about that. Serenity thought to herself fiercely. And then she had another brilliant idea. Perhaps the key to her next plan of attack was staring her in the face all along! Endymion. Her smile was slow and brilliant. "Then you wouldn't mind helping me send this one, would you?"

"What do you mean?" He asked suspiciously.

"How ungracious. You should have said 'Anything you desire, milady.' "

"I know full well some of the things you believe a gentleman should do to honor a lady." Like jumping out in front of a renegade horse, whisking away the damsel in distress and then kneeling in the middle of the damn bloody field professing eternal love instead of lecturing her on the dangers of letting her horse wander around with no direction whatsoever---with her on top of it, no less. Or something of that sort.

"I'm not asking you to wrestle chimeras or journey to the Underworld." She replied in exasperation. "...It's just that I was prevented from delivering this letter to Ariadne earlier. I was wondering if you could carry it for me now."

"Well, why don't you just walk over there now and deliver the letter to her yourself?" Endymion demanded logically.

Serenity licked her lips nervously and fussed with the fine silken cloth of her gown. "That---that might be a little awkward."

"And why is that?"

"You see, the Baroness Dirce is a very strict and sometimes cruel guardian, not permitting Ariadne to have any friends."

It sounded innocent enough. And yet, why did he feel like she was not telling him the whole story? "Well, you must be really desperate to be telling me about this. How inconvenient that none of those brave, true heroes you speak of are here to help."

"Not to worry, I'm going to find one for her." She announced proudly, and then stopped. Perhaps she shouldn't have said that either.

Endymion looked a little confused. "I don't think she needs any help with that. If you'll notice, she's already paired off. With valiant Lord Dionysus, the Mighty Earl of the Galleon Trade."

"Most unhappily so. Such marriage becomes slavery if it is not formed by love."

He did not like where this conversation was going. "Say what you will but still, it's none of your affair. Baroness Dirce is her legal guardian. You'd best leave Ariadne to sort out her own problems."

"What heroic advice." She snapped.

"It's practical advice. From what I've heard so far, the Baroness is a formidable woman, with a cursed temper when anyone annoys her. And she doesn't seem to like you a lot." He reminded her, remembering the Lady Dirce's icy looks and her tone of voice. He was marshalling further arguments when Serenity suddenly disarmed him with a smile.

"Despite what you may think, I'm not an idiot. Of course, I know what a bully she can be. But Ariadne is so isolated, so terrified of the prospect of being shipped off to marry some earl she's never met. I've simply been trying to offer her a bit of comfort, be a friend to her. Is that so bad?" Well, it was the truth. She just decided to keep some tiny little details out.

"No. …If that's as far as it goes."

"You've seen the letter for yourself. It's just a little bit of dreadful sappy poetry."

That it was. A particularly dreadful bit of sappy poetry, he must say. But why deliver it now, of all times? And why ask him, of all people? It might be a pledge, a plea. Or a trick.

Nevertheless, if he was looking for a truce, here it was. He supposed that if he went along with being a messenger, it would be a step towards all of them having an easier time with the whole wedding… predicament.

"It would take no effort at all for you to slip Lady Ariadne this little note." Serenity leaned forward, making him aware of the subtle lily scent of her perfume, the way the light caught the silken silver highlights of her hair, her skin all roses and milk.

Looking away, Endymion cleared his suddenly dry throat. Actually agree to play messenger boy? Was this such a good idea? Bloody hell, he couldn't believe that he was even considering it. He frowned and irritably rubbed his temple, feeling the beginning of a headache. He had a funny feeling about this whole situation, what with the strangeness of the sudden request and all. But he would be the first to admit that women were strange creatures indeed and other than that little nagging feeling, he could find no logical reason to be suspicious. He could refuse, of course. But for what reason? They already weren't in the best of terms. She already thinks of him as stony and insensitive and cruel and such. He didn't think it would go over well if he refused just for the sake of being consistent. This was most probably the first conversation in a long time where they didn't end up throwing insults at each other and she was even willing to entrust her little note to him. If she was at least making an effort, then shouldn't he?

Sighing reluctantly, Endymion held out his hand. "Give me the blasted thing."

Serenity gave a glad cry and flashed him a dazzling smile.

Looking quickly away again, he accepted the little piece of parchment from Serenity with a mental shrug. It's just a nutty little poem. What's the worst that could happen?

Later that day, it proved to be an easy enough errand. The Baroness herself was dancing, and Ariadne had been left amid a cluster of clucking matrons. Easily culling Ariadne out of the herd, Endymion soon had her to one side and was slipping the piece of parchment into her hands.

She turned bright pink and stammered. "Oh, Y-your Highness, I – I-"

"I believe it's something you've been expecting from a dear friend."

"But I had no idea it would be you. I thought ---" She heaved a tremulous breath. "Thank you, Your Highness. And don't worry. I now remember the code."

Endymion froze. "Code?" he echoed.

But Ariadne was already skittering away from him. She only paused long enough to cast another adoring glance back at him, as though he were her long awaited knight in shining armor.

"Just some dreadful sappy drivel. A little token of friendship." Endymion muttered under his breath. "That little sneak."

He glanced towards the sneaky little princess. Serenity chanced to be twirling past, dancing with some young moon faced clod whose hand rested too intimately at Serenity's waist, as Endymion saw it. Yet she didn't appear to mind and as they passed, she shot Endymion a brilliant smile.

He though of her as one of the most transparent women he'd ever known. He never thought she could be that devious. Coded dreadful poetry! If he had been feeling the beginning of a headache before, he was having a hell of a migraine now. What the devil is Serenity up to?

Author's Notes:

SURPRISE!!! Are you absolutely shocked? Yeah, me too. Even I can't believe I've actually finished this chapter.

1. Tranquil Sea – inspired by the Sea of Tranquility or Mare Tranquillitatis, which is a dark spot visible in the northern hemisphere of the moon, most famous as the landing site of Apollo 11. Mare Serenitatis (Sea of Serenity) connects with Mare Tranquillitatis to the southeast. As you know, Mare Serenitatis, according to Sailor Moon fact, was the former location of the Moon Kingdom, and in this particular fanfic, the White Moon kingdom capital of Galashiel. Thought I'd make the Sea of Tranquility an actual sea, while the Sea of Serenity was a wide valley.

2. Galashiel - This is the name I decided to call the Lunarian capital. I found the name in a history book somewhere… Anyway, I liked it, thought it was very… well, Lunarian. : )

3. Eris - the Greek goddess of discord and strife. She is Ares' constant companion and follows him everywhere. Eris is sinister and mean, and her greatest joy is to make trouble. She has a golden apple that is so bright and shiny everybody wants to have it. In Greek mythology, Eris and her golden Apple of Discord was what brought about the whole Trojan War thing.

Well, I hoped you guys liked this chapter! Please let me know what you think. Don't forget to send a review!

---kethry---