It had become an habit of hers by now, and she knew that her visits have ceased to be a secret within royalty. But it could not stop her intense longing to fly away, away from their satellite and to this living, breathing home.
Serenity was never a discontent princess. Since her young age she had been aware of the world, the forces of good and evil and her place amongst all that. She knew her legacy, her duty to inherit the silver crystal and use its power to maintain peace. She had been taught all that.
She also knew, it would mean loneliness.
Sure, she had her guardians, who loved and supported her, and she valued each equally. But Serenity knew, they were not equals.
As years went by, the guardians were all sent to missions that she was not allowed to join. She has been told it was for her safety, but night after night she could not help feeling empty. There had been days where she slept with the girls, and she especially liked it when they would just hug her all night. Venus did that a lot. Before.
The emptiness filled her at nights, and she would just stare at the blue planet afar. It almost called to her with a musical tone, a secret melody no one else could hear. It filled her insides with warmth, and she longed.
One night she wished for it, and in the blink of an eye she was transported.
A goddess' heart would accept her wish immediately, if it was not forbidden by destiny. And it is often not, because the goddess heart usually longs for something pure.
She was just standing there, with her long white dress, and behind her was a tree. She blinked. She touched it, and it bloomed silver flowers.
She thought she heard someone gasp, and she turned around.
And there he was.
He shined with a beauty that surpassed his outward appearance, which was already sublime. He had been wandering at the forest, and Serenity could tell he was sleep deprived. And his face when he saw her.. was clearly surprised, but not just that. Was he sad? Was he happy? Serenity could not tell.
The prince of the earth approached. Was he sleepwalking? Or in a trance?
Only then she realized the agony in his soul.
ENDYMION
Endymion was never a discontent prince. From a young age he had been responsible, aware of his duties and position as the prince and future king.
He had excelled in almost everything, be it fighting or leadership, and he had comrades, each of equal value to him.
Though lately, the four generals have been distant, and Endymion had been too busy with hectic duties to wonder why. For the first time in his life, he felt his responsibilities crushing him.
The night time had been the only time he could be with himself, and listen to his own soul. It was at night when he saw the moon, he felt an unknown discontent in his heart, and a longing... to be elsewhere. At night, his rational mind would leave him and his heart would explode,
he would want to take off, somewhere unfamiliar. He dreamed of something else.
But lately, his nights were also stolen. By Beryl. The woman he is supposed to marry. Because that is what their parents decided. It is for the country.
It is his duty.
His fiancee had visited again, and Endymion had to accept her. He just had to, he told himself. But being with her, it felt so wrong that all the cells in his body would cry out. It had made him feel so unclean. Because he knew that person. He knew the insides of her heart.
It was as pleasant as a cave covered with spider webs.
That night, longing for the fresh air and the smell of grass, he had left the palace and wandered. At one point, he had shivered.
Something had shifted in the air. It was a feeling you would get when you feel the first raindrop after a drought.
He turned around, and there she was.
The silver light was blinding, but not painful, only blissful. She had a confused, almost shy look on her face. Her eyes were like beams of glass. She looked so transparant, as if not there. The tree beside her had bloomed, most unnaturally, but it was the rightest thing to happen somehow.
She is... a goddess. He thought. He almost could not there to approach her.
After a long silence, he spoke. "Your light... you are shining. Who are you"
Oddest words ever, why would he say that? What was he doing?
But what else could he say?
She smiled, her cheeks turning soft pink.
"I am Serenity.. from the moon."
Only then they realized the sun slowly coming out, and a sudden sadness flashed in her eyes.
"I need to leave.."
"Right now?"
Endymion could not hide his fear, to lose something he only had a glimpse of, to lose this dream forever.
"Your light is also beautiful.. i will surely wish for it again..."
Just like that, she disappeared. Endymion could swear she had a small tear in her eye.
She waits at their usual place. She kind of has a bad premonition, but would forget it now, and let herself go at the arms that are familiar now.
They had been her home for a long time.
Endymion arrived, and Serenity could feel her anxiety rise. He looked really... tired.
Without saying a word, he hugged her tightly, and placed a warm kiss on her lips.
"Endymion.. please tell me. What burdens your heart right now? Can you share it with me?"
He clenched his fists, eyes fixed on somewhere far away.
"I am betrayed, Serenity. The ones I trusted with my life, and that woman... I thought at first it was her revenge for me ending the engagement,
but there might be something more sinister behind it. I honestly don't know what to do. "
He looked so lost, sad and broken. His ocean blue eyes filled with despair, hint of guilt and anger. Serenity felt it all. She could feel his heart in its entirety, and take it in her soul, as if they were one single entity.
"Whatever happens, you will be as you are.." Serenity said, hands around his wet cheeks. "You will be that gentle, warm prince I saw years ago. Whatever happens, you will not lose yourself. Even when everbody else has..."
She leaned on and kissed him. That was the best she could do, to make him feel at peace, and she could see it was working. His heartbeat turned normal, and his muscles relaxed. They could have this night, before more problems would arrive after sunset. They were allowed to have this.
They did not know how many days they had left.
"You will always be most precious to me..."