Chapter One
Princess Serenity was nervous. She glanced at the mirror and smoothed out a few strands of loose blonde hair from the two buns on her head. She adjusted the collar on her soft pink gown.
"When did mother say they would be here?" asked Princess Serenity to her maid. Her maid was named Molly. She was a spunky red-haired girl with bright green eyes.
Molly was adjusting the pillows on Princess Serenity's bed just-so.
"Queen Serenity said that they will be here in an hour," said Molly. "Do you wish to go to the receiving room early?"
"No," said Princess Serenity. She glanced out the window. It was a bright and a beautiful day. The sky was a clear and a crystal blue. There were fluffy white clouds that floated serenely in the calm sky. "I think I will visit the garden for some time. Come and get me when it's almost time for our guests to be here."
Molly bowed.
Serenity picked up her skirts and swept out of the room gracefully.
The garden was one of Princess Serenity's favorite places to visit. There were delicate and brightly colored flowers throughout the whole garden. There were soft blue baby's breath. There were bright yellow daffodils. And, of course, there were red-blood roses, pale pink roses, and stark white roses.
Roses were Princess Serenity's favorite flower. She bent to pick up a white rose. She took care to pick one without any visible thorns.
"I wonder if I have time to get the maid to gather a bouquet for our guests," murmured Princess Serenity to herself.
"No need, Princess Serenity," said a familiar voice. "I'm here."
Princess Serenity turned to face the person that spoke. It was a beautiful blonde girl. She was tall and thin. She looked almost identical to Princess Serenity.
Princess Serenity dropped the rose and raced toward her old friend. "Mina!" she exclaimed. The Princess stopped just short of the blonde girl that looked almost identical to her. She wished she could throw her arms around her. However, decorum always came first.
"Hello, Princess," said the Princess of Venus. Her name was Mina. She was Serenity's cousin. "It has been some time since we last saw each other."
"Yes," said Serenity. "I know. It still seems like yesterday. I remember that we used to chase each other in this garden. We played the Knight and the Mermaid."
"I never understood why the Mermaid could walk on land," said Mina thoughtfully.
"I never understood why I always had to be the mermaid," finished Serenity.
Mina giggled. Serenity smiled.
"I'm disturbed that the other princesses have faced such difficulties… so-much-so that they could not arrive here at the decided time," said Queen Serenity. Queen Serenity was Princess Serenity's mother. She looked like Princess Serenity. However, her hair was a pale silver color. She had fine lines across her eyes and mouth. She was the final say on all political issues in the Moon Kingdom.
"Yes," said Mina. "I'm afraid there is some strange dark force that has restricted their travel."
Serenity frowned. "Mina has told me that the other princesses will not arrive here for a month or so, Mother. However, I know that they will be here when they are able. The four other princesses know that there will be a huge strain in our Kingdom's relationships with one another if they do not attend my coronation. They are, after all, representatives of each of their own planets which is ruled by our Kingdom, the Moon."
Queen Serenity sighed. "I agree," she said simply. "Well, I suppose we can only wait. That is our only option. At least Mina is here. You two will be able to train together."
"I'm looking forward to it," said Serenity with a grin.