The Silver Age
Chapter 25
"An oath."
Her words hung in the air between them. Endymion took a hard swallow of the crimson-colored wine and faced Beryl's amber eyes.
"An oath? Surely that's not necessary?"
Beryl gave him a grave look.
"It's absolutely necessary, your highness. They must be purified of any influence the Moon witch may have over them."
Endymion did his best not to flinch at her words. Instead he played with the stem of his glass as he leaned closer to her.
"I see."
Beryl's breath caught in her throat. The prince had never paid her so much attention before. In her heart, she hoped that it meant the Moon princess' influence was wearing away. Perhaps this was the blossoming of true love?
"Your highness," she continued, slightly blushing, "I know that your loyalty to your men and your world knows no bounds. Such loyalty is right and proper, befitting a prince. But, you must understand that I cannot release the charges of treason against your guardians without some kind of solid proof that they will - are obedient to the crown."
Endymion's cold blue eyes grew a degree darker, but his face remained calm.
"I understand. Your sentiments are very right. I can see why my father trusts you so implicitly."
Endymion swirled the wine in the glass. It caught the light of the setting sun streaming through the window of Beryl's audience chamber and caused warm ripples to dance across the stone walls.
"However, I must suggest that I be the one to swear the oath of loyalty. The only one."
His eyes locked with hers as he took a sip of the wine and Beryl almost swooned. She was on the verge of agreeing with him when a soft voice hissed in the back of her mind.
They must all swear loyalty to you.
Beryl felt her spine stiffen.
They must all swear, the voice went on, Otherwise, they will betray you no matter what the prince says. He does not know the depth of their treachery. He is still blinded by her magic.
Beryl closed a hand that trembled slightly on her glass and took a tiny sip.
Endymion's sharp eyes watched her closely, not missing even the smallest shiver.
"I have nothing but the utmost respect for you, my prince," Beryl replied truthfully, "But in order to release the guardians, I must demand that they all swear oaths of loyalty to me."
Endymion's face remained unreadable.
"However," Beryl added, straining against the power that lurked now on the fringes of her conscious mind, "I could never ask my liege for a similar oath. Instead I beg to be allowed to swear an oath of loyalty to you, highness. To demand such a thing of you without being willing to do it myself would be shameful."
Endymion watched her for a long moment. Finally he sighed.
"Lady, you put me in a precarious position. But I understand your scruples and I honor you for them. You were the one who found my three men in a compromising place and time. If the old gateways, as you call them, actually do work and my men have indeed been visiting the Moon kingdom, it is a very serious offense. But believe me, I have known them since childhood, and Kunzite himself vouches for them. I will take their insubordination on my own head. I will command them to swear the oath of loyalty to you. We will forgo any other oaths."
Beryl released her own breath and nodded. Of course she would willingly have sworn any vow that Endymion had asked her to make, but she felt his forbearance indicated that he had some affection for her despite the Moon witch's powers. How she longed to confront him openly about the Moon princess' influence, to tell him that she knew he was being drawn against his will to visit the witch, but she knew that waking him to such a painful reality too quickly would only cause him serious regret. She had for a long time been convinced that the prince not only did not know that he was being manipulated, but that he was possibly unaware that he visited the moon at all. She had observed him closely several times and began to suspect that he did not remember these episodes. It was inconceivable, of course, that he could go to the moon willingly and consort with the Moon spawn.
His men were a different matter. She suspected them all, especially Kunzite, and after being at hand when they all returned through the gateway, she had successfully captured Nephrite, Zoisite, and Jadeite coming out of the gateway still discussing the evening's affair, which had been some kind of festivity. The prince and Kunzite, if they had been with these three, must have exited much earlier. But Beryl had thought that the two were waiting on the three men. This seemed more in keeping with her views on Endymion's complicity.
Kunzite could not be trusted. Oh, no. She was quite aware of the fact. But since no one could verify having seen him exit the portal, she had no choice but to accuse the other three of treason and have them thrown into the prison. Kunzite was still untouchable. But she had plans for his downfall. She had plans for the downfall of the whole Moon kingdom. It all started by winning the loyalty of the Shitennou, one way or another.
And here the first step was nearly accomplished. Tomorrow three of her greatest enemies would swear their loyalty to her. And what they did not know, of course, was that it would be no ordinary oath.
No, indeed.