A/N: I personally love this chapter... i still don;t know why but i do. I wasn't going to post today since i don't have too many backup chapters at the moment but i don't know...i felt motivated. I have a ridiculous amount of work to do this whole week which i hope it will settle down pretty soon...(i need some vacations!) Oh well, i hope you enjoy this chapter as much as i did when i was writing it. Have a nice day you guys and i will be waiting for your reviews, 'kay?
ps. Oh yes, and we ARE getting closer... muahaha!
Divinity: A question of Honor
Chapter fifty four
Aurea walked in to Endymion's chambers and gasped in surprise, bringing a hand to her chest she sighed "You scared me!" Endymion raised his face at her and arched a brow giving the woman a quizzical look "Why?"
"Because you are up" Aurea walked into his bedroom only to be back seconds after to the living room "You need to stop doing that" she said slowly. Endymion looked up from his book again and frowned "What?"
"You made your bed again" Aurea crossed her arms, Endymion arched his brow again "Yes, so?"
"So…that is my job dear" Aurea said dryly. The terran prince chuckled and looked down at the book in his hands again "That is not your job"
Aurea smiled at him "Is not?"
"Mmm…no" Endymion kept reading his book.
"Then what is my job?" the woman asked.
Endymion turned to look at her and smiled "When you are member of a family you don't have a job"
Aurea smiled at him and went to hug him tightly "You, are adorable"
Endymion chuckled "Only with you and Mater" he directed his attention back to the book. Aurea sat next to him and caressed his cheek "Since when you became so handsome hmm?"
"Don't start…" he said blushing, the brunette started laughing "Don't make your bed…" she said softly.
Endymion laughed "I made my bed for so many years that I'm used to do it" Aurea looked at her hands and chuckled "I remember when you didn't want to wake up early"
The prince chuckled "Those days are over. I am officially a morning person"
"I can see that, it's been two months since you came back and you are still as stoic as the first day. What happened to you?" Aurea turned to look at him, Endymion frowned "What do you mean?" he raised his face to look at her.
"You used to be very playful…what happened to you?" Aurea asked sadly. The raven haired prince sighed "War happened to me Nana, war…" he turned to look at the window "The memory of fear, of that desire to live…of every fallen soldier…it changes your life"
Aurea pursed her lips and placed a hand on his shoulder "I'm sorry dear…I'm so sorry you had to go through all that"
Endymion shook his head and turned to look at his nana "It was my choice and that was a lesson I needed to learn"
"You really amaze me…" Aurea breathed.
"Me? Why?" Endymion asked curious.
"You are a prince charming…the girl who gets to capture your heart will be very lucky" the brunette said in a dreamy tone making Endymion chuckle "Thank you Nana, but I'm not interested in those things…"
Aurea frowned "Well you will have to start getting interested because you know your grandmother organized a lunch with all the court families and they are all expecting for you to show up"
Endymion sighed and closed his eyes; closing his book he rubbed the bridge of his nose "Oh no…"
"I know…but your grandmother is very excited, you know how much she loves all those social meetings and well, now she has a bigger reason to do them"
Endymion arched a brow "Yes? Which one?"
"You" Aurea said happily "She is very proud of you and wants to presume you to all the people in the court as many times she can…"
"Is Mater going to be present?" Endymion asked.
"I believe so, she feels alright today…do not worry, His Majesty will be there with her. Cheer up! It's only for a couple of hours" Aurea patted his back.
"Yes…It's not like I have another choice" the prince said in an annoyed tone. Aurea chuckled "That's the spirit! Well…not exactly but, I am glad you are doing this for your grandmother" she stood up and walked towards the door "You are too adorable, that is why we all love you so much…"
Endymion chuckled and shook his head no; opening his book he began reading again.
Oooooooooooo
Serenity was sitting in the garden like every other day. Her mother's words echoed in her mind, it hurt her to know he wasn't sure to be prepared to ask for her hand in marriage. The night before the girls went to her chambers with excitement and asked her if he had asked her hand; but to them she couldn't hold her tears, she fought the urge of crying at dinner with her mother and has been trying to avoid the topic as much as she could.
When she woke up that morning she found Venus asleep in one of the chairs and imagined that she heard her crying at night and watched her sleep. Venus never expected Athamas' behavior; she was positive he would ask for her hand and that she would live a happy life next to him for the rest of her life. Mars on the other hand, tried to maintain her cool character at bay; she always said things were going too fast and that he might be concentrated in other things rather than being married. Mars was always at Venus's opposite direction but Serenity always thought it was a good thing, she was grateful for Mars's honest character.
Looking at the pale grass, Serenity picked a small white flower "What is the purpose of being beautiful little flower?" sighing she looked at the sky and marveled the blue planet "I need to find a way to go there…"
"Go where?"
Serenity turned her face to her side and watched Venus standing there in a pale orange dress, her hair was down and gracious big curls framed her face "Where do you want to go?" the venusian beauty asked curious.
Serenity sighed and closed his eyes for a moment; she couldn't lie to her friend. Venus was her guardian yes, but also her confident and in all the time knowing each other they have grown to be very close; opening her blue eyes she looked at the venusian princess who was still standing next to her and pointed the blue planet in the sky "There"
Venus' eyes followed her princess' index finger and widened her eyes in shock "What?" she turned to look at her princess again in shock. Serenity sighed again "I knew you were going to say that…" she said softly.
"You can't go there! You can't even think of going there!" Venus raised her voice. Serenity stayed silent for a couple of minutes and watched at her friend go frantic "Why not?" she simply asked.
"Because it is forbidden" Venus said.
"Why?" Serenity asked again.
Venus pursed her lips and turned her face away from her princess' sight "We live under rules Your Highness…and that is one of those rules, we are not allowed to even think to go to that planet"
Serenity stood up and frowned "What is wrong with Earth?"
Venus closed her eyes "Serenity…" Venus was the only one who could address at her princess by her name, Mars did it from time to time but she didn't feel too comfortable when doing so.
"What is it Venus, you know about something I don't know about Earth? Tell me, what is it?" Serenity said it more like a command and not much of a question. Venus sighed and turned to see her princess "There is a legend…"
"Legend?" Serenity's blue eyes widened. Venus nodded and lowered her gaze "An evil and dangerous being with a huge amount of power lives in the blue planet"
Serenity frowned "What kind of being? A monster?"
Venus shrugged her shoulders "I never met that 'famous being' but the Higher Gods keep a close eye on it…they say that if that 'being' crosses to this realm it could cause destruction…"
"How can something so evil can live in such a beautiful planet?" Serenity asked, looking at the blue sphere.
"I do not know, there is a myth… but I am not too sure about it, Mother never talks about it, actually nobody talks about it… it's like… if that planet never existed in this realm" Venus said softly.
"I see…" Serenity breathed. Venus turned to look at her princess "Please Serenity…promise me you will never try to go there, please"
Serenity lowered her gaze "Venus…"
"Please…it doesn't matter if you can, it doesn't matter if you want to, please…don't go there. It is too dangerous" Venus held Serenity's hands. The princess lowered her face and sighed in defeat "I won't go Venus…"
"Promise…me?" Venus whispered.
Serenity looked at her friend and guardian "I promise Venus…"
The blonde guardian smiled "When I was on my way here…Luna told me you were going to have a visitor…"
Serenity sighed again "Another suitor, perhaps?"
Venus pursed her lips "You haven't heard anything from him?"
Serenity shook her head softly "No…he is probably too busy…"
Venus gave her friend a warm smile "Do not worry, he will come back and you two will live happily ever after"
Serenity faked a smile and nodded "Thank you, Venus"
"Anytime" Venus nodded "I will go to see where the girls are, we will see you in a bit" the blonde beauty left the garden leaving Serenity alone. Closing her eyes she sighed and fought the tears that threatened to form in her eyes "No…no more suitors…I need to go to a place where nobody can find me, where nobody knows me" she turned to the blue planet "I don't care if it's not allowed, if I am careful, nothing will happen"
Placing her hands together, she closed her eyes "I'm sorry Venus…"
Ooooooooooooooooooooo
"Here they come!" a woman said with excitement.
Queen Gaia entered the room with a beautiful dark blue gown with golden embroidery, a delicate golden tiara shone in her head; King Eros was wearing his usual dark green uniform with his rank insignias. Queen Narella walked behind them by the arm with her grandson wearing his dark blue military attire.
"I am so glad to see you all today" Queen Narella said happily. She was wearing a deep burgundy velvet gown that contrasted with her light skin; her now silver hair was styled in a braided bun with a rubies encrusted hairpiece.
"Your Majesties" everybody in the room bowed before the four royals in respect. Endymion looked at all the guests carefully and sighed. Turning to see his comrades and shitennou he made a frown which Kunzite understood right away, chuckling softly Zoicite turned to look at the white haired man and gave him a quizzical look "What?" he whispered.
"He is uncomfortable…" Kunzite responded back.
Nephrite pursed his lips "All eyes are on him right now and he is out of his comfort zone"
Every court family tried to address to the young and handsome prince. The fact of him being the new polemarchos gave him even more charm to the ladies, just to think he was the charming prince that could give them richness, protection and beautiful children captivated their minds.
The three kings of the stronger points of Earth were present with their respective wives, being close friends to the royal family they had no problem to address at them as long time friends. King Isra kissed Gaia's hand in respect "Gaia, it is always a pleasure to see you doing well"
Gaia smiled warmly at the now older man "King Isra, what a pleasure to salute you as well. How are you doing?"
"Fine, fine" King Isra waved his hand "I finally get to see your brave son"
Gaia chuckled and turned to look at her son walked towards them and gave his arm for his mother to take "King Isra, it is good to see you" Endymion said.
Isra smiled "I was telling your mother how I finally get to see you after all this time, how does it feels to be back at home?"
Endymion chuckled "Strange…I know I have been here for almost two months but, it is still hard for me to adjust to certain things"
King Bernard joined them with Queen Camila "You have excellent guardians and advisors for what I see"
"I do, may I introduce to you the shitennou" Endymion turned to look at the four men next to him "This is Jadeite, Commander of the Far Eastern Division and fourth in command" Jadeite smiled slightly, Endymion continued "Nephrite is Commander of the North Division and third in command" Nephrite nodded his head.
"As Commander of the European Division and second in command, Zoicite" the blonde raised his hand and smiled slightly, Endymion smiled at Kunzite and then turned back to see King Bernard and company "And as Head of the Middle Eastern Division and first in command, Kunzite" the man with white hair nodded his head and kept a serious expression.
"You have very good advisors then Your Highness" King Urmanus said.
Endymion smiled softly and nodded his head "The best"
Queen Camila giggled "You are under the eye of everybody right now; the girls are after your lovely bones…"
The five men gulped nervously and blushed "Oh…" Nephrite muttered shyly.
oooooooooooooooo
A dark carriage arrived at the Palace; one of the men at the entrance walked to open the door for the guests. A woman with a dark blue gown stepped out of the carriage first; her pale blonde hair was tied up in a low bun with blue and green feathers on its side as decoration.
Looking at the golden palace she smiled to herself and turned her face to the carriage and waited for the next person to come out. The man took a gloved hand in his and helped another woman step out of the vehicle; her dark green gown embraced her body like a glove, the wide skirt had a small trail with flowers attached.
She raised her face and the sun illuminated her pale skin, her green eyes widened in shock to see the magnificence in front of her and gasped softly. Her red hair was down in luscious curls down her back, a small tiara with a purple stone on its center resting proudly on her forehead; her lips had a pale gloss and her cheeks a slight pink blush. Taking a few steps forward she stopped next to the blonde woman "So beautiful…" she breathed.
Charmindy chuckled "You think this is beautiful?"
Beryl turned her innocent face at the blonde woman "It is… like a dream"
"If you do exactly as I say, all this could be yours…" Charmindy said.
Beryl turned her face again and looked at the magnificent palace in front of her "I've heard so many things about the Queen, of how beautiful she is…"
Charmindy gritted her teeth, the redhead was right. Queen Gaia was beautiful and a very much loved queen "If you think the Queen is beautiful, wait to meet the Prince"
Beryl blushed "The Prince is here?"
"Of course he is here stupid girl, this is where he lives! This social meeting is in his honor…" Charmindy said.
Beryl pursed her lips and fidgeted a little, Charmindy noticed and frowned "Stop moving like if you had worms…remember what I taught you, remember it well" both women started walking towards the entrance and were waited to be guided to one of the gardens where lunch was taking place.
Beryl took in all the beauty of the palace, she was mesmerized to see the wooden and gold walls, the fabrics, the paintings, everything. They turned right and started walking through the hall that would guide them to the garden; two guards opened the large smithy doors making Beryl gasp once more.
The most influential and powerful people of the kingdom were reunited here and Beryl couldn't believe she was with them, la crème de la crème as Charmindy would say. The blonde woman walked like a fish in the water in this place, Beryl noticed it and how much she enjoyed being surrounded by this people; she acted so different from how she really is.
Smiling she turned to look at Beryl and frowned slightly "This is it, follow me and don't blow this away otherwise I will put you back on the streets where you belong"
Beryl lowered her gaze and fought the urge to cry. She had carried a hard life, her family died in a fire cause by somebody she never knew. She lost everything and had no other choice but to live on the streets and sell whatever she could to survive; Beryl's beauty was a blank for all men and put her in danger many times for all what they wanted was to take advantage of her; until one day a blonde woman stepped out of her carriage and looked at her sitting near the plaza's fountain.
flashback
"You are beautiful… exactly what she is looking for" a blonde woman said dryly.
Beryl frowned and blinked a couple of times "Excuse me?"
Felimina saw the redheaded girl had a piece of bread in her hands with disgust and waved her hand contemptuously "How old are you?"
"Twenty one…" Beryl answered, confused.
"What are you doing here all by yourself? Where is your family?" Felimina asked dryly.
Beryl pursed her lips and lowered her green gaze "I don't have a family…they all died in an accident"
Felimina smiled devilishly "Perfect"
"What?" Beryl raised her face and looked at the blonde woman.
Felimina walked closer and smiled at her "Would you like to be rich, to be respected and admired?"
"I do not understand" Beryl said.
"Do you want to waste your beautiful face, or do you prefer to live a decent life?" the blonde woman asked.
Beryl frowned "Why are you so interested in helping me, a homeless peasant?"
"So I believe you prefer to keep starving here on the streets, very well… I will leave you to keep eating your lame piece of bread" Felimina started walking back to the carriage, Beryl looked at her hands and closed her eyes "Wait…" she called out.
Felimina smiled and turned to see the woman sitting near the fountain "Yes?"
Beryl opened her eyes and sighed "What do I have to do?"
End of flashback
"Are you listening to me?" Charmindy brought her back to reality startling her with her high pitched voice.
Beryl cleared her throat "Y-Yes…" she said softly. She followed Charmindy and watched how she walked her way towards a parted group of people, unaware of who they were she started to feel nervous and pursed her lips.
"Good afternoon" Charmindy said in a sweet and soft tone of voice.
Beryl frowned slightly "Is she is always like this?" she thought.
King Eros stiffed in his place and turned to look at Leonidas. The group of people stayed silent for a couple of minutes until King Urmanus decided to break the uncomfortable silence "Good afternoon…"
Charmindy chuckled "Your Majesties… it is an honor to see you doing well" she curtsied before them. Beryl felt Charmindy's hand tug the skirt of her dress as a signal to bow before these people as well "Your…Majesties?" Beryl breathed wide eyed.
"Your face looks familiar to me…" Queen Eloisa said softly.
"Lady Charmindy is from the House of Amington" King Eros commented.
"King Eros, as always is a pleasure to see you and of course Her Majesty. I am glad you decided to join us" Charmindy said.
Queen Gaia arched a brow "Thank you, Lady Charmindy…"
The blonde woman turned her face to the person next to the queen and blushed again "Forgive me Your Highness I did not see you…" she bowed again.
Endymion arched a brow, unconsciously mimicking his mother's same expression "Its fine, Lady Charmindy"
Queen Camila noticed the young woman standing next to Charmindy "Who is that with you?"
Charmindy chuckled "Oh" she turned to look at Beryl and pushed her to stand before the royals "This is Lady Beryl" Queen Camila smiled at the young woman "You are beautiful…"
Charmindy turned to look at Beryl and smiled kindly "You probably know His Majesty King Eros and Her Majesty Queen Gaia" Beryl nodded her head "Your Majesties" she said softly.
Charmindy moved her hand towards the three kings and their respective wives "King Bernard Head of the Western point of Earth and his wife, Queen Camila" Beryl nodded and smiled.
"King Urmanus and his wife Queen Eloisa, Head of the Eastern point of Earth"
Beryl did the same curtsy.
"King Isra, Head of the Southern point of Earth"
Beryl smiled.
Charmindy smiled and turned to look at Endymion "And lastly but not less important, His Highness Prince Endymion"
Beryl turned to look at the prince and couldn't help herself blush; she was mesmerized by the perfection of the man standing in front of her, her heart started to pound faster and stronger. She heard from Charmindy many times that the Crown Prince of Earth was attractive, beautiful and that seemed to be carved by the hands of the own Gods but she never could put a face to her words, specially Charmindy's words. Now that she have seemed what the blonde woman was talking about she couldn't help but to look at him with amusement.
"Lady Beryl, a pleasure to meet you…" Endymion said, his warm voice sent shivers down her spine and made her knees feel weak. Slowly she curtsied before him "Your Highness…the pleasure is mine" she said softly. Charmindy smiled, knowing this girl's beauty would catch the prince's attention.
The four shitennou were looking the scene wide eyed, Jadeite gulped and turned to look at Nephrite with a strange face "Is it only me or there is a huge sexual tension right now?" he whispered. Nephrite blushed and lowered his gaze "I believe you are not the only one having this feeling" he whispered back.
Endymion didn't break eye contact with the red headed woman; Beryl looked at him with a dreamy face but seconds later Endymion cleared his throat "It was nice meeting you, Lady Beryl" he turned to look at Charmindy "Lady Charmindy" with that, he gave them a cue to leave. Queen Gaia was shock by his attitude but somehow she knew he felt she was uncomfortable to have Charmindy near her.
Beryl blinked a couple of times; the prince's sudden attitude startled her. She was almost positive he felt the same spark as her but out of the blue he acted cold towards them and wasn't sure why. Charmindy's eyes widened, Endymion's defiant character made her nervous, he was nothing like his father and that could difficult her plan.
"Y-Yes…" Charmindy stuttered "Your Majesties, Your Highness…" she bowed and turned to leave, Beryl did the same and followed in silence. Walking towards the wine table, she gritted her teeth and placed her hands on the cloth covered surface of the long buffet table "This is going to be harder than I thought…" she took a deep breath.
Beryl turned to the prince's direction and blushed slightly "Your Highness…" she breathed softly. She felt she didn't need to meet any other man in the world, she was declared a woman in love of a man that was obviously out of her league.
I do not own sm, just this plot and some of the characters. Thank you.
