Chapter Six
Princess
Rei looked up as well as Serenity. There in the doorway, with Artemis and Luna
by each leg was Queen Serenity, her jaw in a drop. Rei sat up.
"Impeccable timing, Your Majesty."
The red haired Princess got up and
took her cue to leave. The queen turned to the princess. The girl had sat down,
her hands balled into fists. Luna jumped up and rubbed her back against the
princess's chest. The small girl in reply, stroked the cat's flank and
scratched her behind her ears, which made her purr in ecstasy. This continued
until Queen Serenity spoke out,
"Luna, Artemis, leave us alone."
As soon as the two cats left, the
queen turned to her daughter. She was angry but kept her voice calm.
"Serenity Selene." She stated
slowly, using her daughter's first and middle name. "What was the meaning of
that?"
The princess looked up at her
mother, "I'm sorry Mother. But, I was so tired of being sheltered and left out
of everything because of my age and my status. My temper snapped. I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize to me, Serenity."
The queen stated, as she pulled her daughter up. She pointed out the hall. "Now
go apologize to Princess Rei. I'll discuss your punishment when you come back."
The princess nodded. She left and as
she walked by the queen her mother smacked her backside once. The Princess
walked down into the main hall.
The four princesses were talking.
She walked in.
"Princess Rei-san."
The Princess of Mars turned as her
princess walked in. she was rubbing her backside and then grabbed the elder
princess' hands with her free hand.
"Gomen, Princess Rei-san."
The red haired senshi smiled. "It's
alright, Princess Serenity-chan."
Princess Serenity smiled and
curtsied before she turned and went back to her room. The elder princesses
called her –chan because when they weren't training her, she was good friends
with them. Although, she was a Prime Princess, she was younger than the other
Princesses.
The Princess nodded and walked back
upstairs towards her room. Her mother was waiting.
The small girl clasped her hands
behind her back and lowered her head.
Queen Serenity was calmer and lifted
her daughter's head up. She smiled gently.
"Darling, you've been very angry
lately. I want you to try and get it out. If I was to arrange for Queen Minda
to come here, would you listen to her?"
"Yes, Serenity-sama."
The queen sighed; her daughter spoke
formally to her when she was sad, angry and confused.
"Well, well, aren't we formal?"
The Princess blushed, "Gomen,
Mother. I…I'll try to be better. I didn't know I had that strong an anger."
The queen nodded. "Then it's for the
best that the Queen of Mercury come here as soon as possible."
The Princess nodded. Her mother went
on,
"I'll have Princess Ami's mother
come here tomorrow or the day after, whichever she can arrange."
The Princess nodded simply and said
nothing. The queen knelt to her daughter's level. "Darling, please understand
I'm only trying to help you. You are normally very sweet and sensitive but this
burst of anger worries me that you have some feelings you aren't letting out."
The Princess merely nodded. The
queen's anger was faded, nearly gone when she said,
"However, Serenity, you know I
dislike any fighting, especially with your…" she nearly said protectors but
remembering her daughter's independence, shifted her words. "…friends. I want
you to be able to be friendly with them, you always have before."
The Princess nodded and waited.
"I want you to stay in your room
except for tutoring for today and for the next week I want you in an hour
early, understood?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
The queen left. Serenity laid down
on her bed and her attack on Princess Rei shot through her mind. She grabbed
her pillows and squeezed them tightly in grief and regret. Tears flowed down
her face,
"Gomen, Gomen, Gomen. Ara, Gomen
nasai, Rei-san."
* * *
The next day came early for Princess
Serenity. She had been having gentle and beautiful dreams when a slender finger
caressed her face. She recognized it immediately and moaned,
"Onegai, five more minutes, Momma."
The queen laughed, but shook her
head, "I'm sorry Darling but Queen Minda wants to see you as soon as you're
ready."
The princess sighed deeply. "But I'm
still tired."
The queen smiled and gestured to her
guardian and now her daughter's guardian, Luna. The black cat leapt up and
started to purr and rub against the princess's shoulders and head.
The Princess slowly sat up. She rubbed her eyes and looked at her
mother.
The queen smiled. "Get dressed
sweetie and Queen Minda will be in shortly. Let me know when you're ready."
The princess nodded and her mother
left.
The princess dressed and combed
through her golden curls. She glanced outside and noted the lake of serenity
stirring, the waters moving about. There was no wind. She looked up and saw the
distant sun. Black spots had formed. The small princess narrowed her eyes,
"I may not be Queen Serenity but no
matter what happens, I'll protect those I love." She looked down at Luna and
the cat leapt up into her arms.
"That's a promise.