Chapter Six: Envy and Kindness

Serenity's words settled over them. Endymion found he wasn't surprised; he was sure he failed after the first assignment. But he didn't see what Serena or even Silas had done wrong. Almas was never there for the job in the first place, but he complained the loudest.

"This is outrageous. Did you ever intend to employ anyone? Or was this all some sick rouse?"

Endymion had wondered the same thing many times over. But when Almas asked, it upset him. And he felt defensive. "Luna wouldn't be so calloused. I'm sure there's good cause for why we are being refused. Isn't there?" Serenity was silent, looking over the three men with Serena unmoving behind her. Serena's eyes were locked on Endymion, and as a tear fell down her cheek, Endymion found himself defensive of her more than anything else. "Or is Almas right, and this was all a sick joke? I struggle to find a cause as to why Serena isn't being considered!"

"She should never have been here in the first place," Serenity said coldly.

"Excuse me? She has every right to support herself and her family!"

Serenity held up her hands defensively, "I'm not saying that. I'm saying she doesn't qualify for the position. And she knew this; she was never here for a job either."

"You never said what the position was, to begin with. How could any of us know?!" Silas yelled, anger now swelling from him as well.

The next in line shook her head, "if we told you, then we'd have more like him," Serenity pointed to Almas, "power-hungry fools looking to take over instead of genuinely interested in what Luna has to offer."

Endymion stepped closer, his confusion overthrowing his anger for the moment. "I never cared what the position was, so I didn't ask. But now that it is closed, you should feel free to tell us, what exactly were you searching for?!"

"A husband," Serenity said with a soft smile.

Endymion's eyes danced to Serena, who shivered under his stare. No part of him regretted the missed opportunity, and little of that had to do with Beryl. "You should have mentioned that from the start."

"Forgive me. If you knew that the offer was to marry into the Luna family, we feared the worst. I think you can understand our secrecy."

"How can you expect to find a husband this way?" Silas asked.

Serenity smirked, "isn't getting married just like an interview? You get to know one another, size up your holdings, and then agree to a contract between one another in which you work together until the end of time. Like a job."

"It's not that simple, and you know it," Serena whispered harshly behind the princess.

Serenity looked like she would address the matter, but Almas stopped being quiet. And Endymion was enjoying it so much. "If you're looking for a husband, then look no further! I will be the most devoted man you've ever met, Serenity!"

Serenity laughed bitterly, throwing her head back, and Serena grabbed the woman's arm in a strange display of affection. "You're nothing but a liar! How can you promise devotion when you can't devote yourself to my words!"

"What are you talking about? I would devote my soul to you if you asked!"

"You would devote yourself? Your soul? To who?"

Almas dropped to his knees, and it was just sad. "To you! Serenity, tell me what you want, and I'll give it to you!"

Serenity slowly shook her head, and Almas still didn't rise from the floor. "I never said my name was Serenity." Endymion was confused, more than from the woman's words but at how Serena was pulling on the influential woman like she had a say. "And it's not me that is seeking a husband. That's my sister. The woman you are really looking for is standing right behind me."

Endymion's heart stopped, and Serena dropped her hold on the woman. Almas remained on the floor, but now it was out of shock. Silas was at Endymion's side now, both of them staring in wonder at the woman on the dais. She said nothing, and it was hard to know what was true anymore.

"My name is Mina."

"The younger sister?!" Almas spat.

Mina nodded, happy with the reveal, while Endymion felt punched in the stomach by it. None of it made sense; he'd seen Serena outside…outside of Luna. She said she was late, but she was on time along with him. The hat and gloves she'd lost…there hadn't been a moment of hesitation or upset about them. If it were someone as poor as Serena claimed to be, then she would have raced after the hat. But someone of her stature didn't fret over things like hats or gloves.

Endymion was replaying scenes and words between them from the day. It made his heart race and his body tremble. A strange feeling, but the one he recognized the most was betrayal. "Forgive me for leading you to think otherwise…." Endymion's thoughts screeched to a halt as Serena…Serenity began to speak. "I wanted a say in who I married. My mother put this on against my wishes. I pretended to be here for the job to meet all of you. And I met…." Her eyes landed on Endymion for a moment, and a flush spread on her cheeks. But her smile quickly fell, and another tear fell. "I met disappointment." Lifting a hand, Serenity went around the room of men. "This one," she said, pointing at Almas on the floor, "is only here for the Luna name. He cares nothing about what we hope to accomplish…."

"I want the same as you! I want to increase Luna's fortune; I won't stand in the way!"

Mina silenced Almas with a look, "my sister wants to improve the town's fortune! She's not selfish, and she doesn't yearn for what others have!"

Serenity looked at Endymion again, but it was too fast for him to notice. So she continued, going to Silas next. "This one is a thief and should be well searched before he leaves."

Silas huffed, offended, but still backed up from the accusation. "That's ridiculous!"

Endymion looked back and saw the women from the day surrounded them, Lita and Raye grabbing Silas and holding him captive. Amy reached into his pockets and pulled out a small metal box. "How much did Sapphire offer you to get this for them?"

He was confused again; what did a stone have to do with this? Almas knew everything, which was why he was the most agitated, it would seem. "Sapphire? You would sell out to those crooks?"

"Who's Sapphire?" Endymion asked, tired of the dark.

Raye was kind enough to answer him. "Luna's only competitor. Gail Laxia runs it and has been envious of Luna and Serenity for years now."

Things had settled, so Endymion turned back to Serenity to hear his damning qualities. But she was whispering to her sister, strongly discussing something. Whatever it was, Mina relented by holding up her hands and nodding to her sister's demands. But then, Serenity left. Turning on her heel, she disappeared in his mother's dress.

"Endymion…you cannot be considered for my sister since you're already engaged. However, we would like to offer you a job here. A real one. Serenity is sure you will make a great addition, and the rest of us agree."

He turned to look back, the other women nodding gently. And here he thought that he failed? Endymion supposed it was foolish to look a gift horse in the mouth, and yet, he couldn't stop his need to know. "Why? Why give me a job here? There isn't an opening, not one that was offered? Why would you want me?"

"You want to feed others and not just yourself," Amy answered from behind him.

Lita agreed with Amy with a nod, and Raye waited until he was looking at her to speak. "You have courage, but don't gloat. You chose your battles wisely."

"And Serenity cares about you," Mina added, turning Endymion back around, "a job here would help you with your family and marriage. Won't it?"

Endymion glanced around Mina to spy Serenity, but she was long gone and never coming back. "Yes, my…my family and the woman I want to marry are depending on this job. I need it to get married."

"You said you didn't need a job to afford marriage," Silas stated, trying to catch Endymion in a lie.

"I don't, but…the woman I want to marry will only consider me if I have this job."

There was silence, but Endymion could hear himself. And he didn't like what he heard. Mina grabbed his shoulders. "If you love her, then there's nothing stopping you now." There was more, and she held back. So Endymion waited, watching her face change with her decision of whether to speak or not. "But…that doesn't sound like happiness to me."

Stepping away from her touch, Endymion shook his head at Mina. "Regardless, the job will benefit my family. My mother can stop working, and I can adequately care for my elders." He paused and looked once more around for Serenity, "And I would get to see…."

"No, you won't. Serenity will be away, searching for a husband. Since this failed." The others took the two men away. Endymion wanted to offer his assistance, but they had it very much covered. Mina remained before him, smiling. "Why don't you go home, keep the suit, and tell your loved ones the good news?"

"But…"

"She's not going to come back. So her task for the day is done. And I think she deserves some peace to…recover."

That was it. Endymion had done it. He still felt like a failure, though, his stomach in knots while his heart sat on top of it. He wanted to speak to Serenity at least one more time. To hear her side again and to tell her his. He hadn't done anything wrong, there were no promises, but he still felt guilt.

She had been nothing but kind to him: Endymion, the boy from nothing and the heiress, friends to the end. Yet, they hardly felt like friends by the time the curtain was drawn. He felt something different than friendship, and it seemed as though so much more was revealed to him that day. Endymion should be happy, but he knew he wouldn't feel anything but wrong until he saw Beryl.

Yes, Beryl would be his first stop. And then, he would feel much better.