Hello. I'm sorry for the delay in the publishing of this chapter but there
was a whole bunch of things that contributed to that.
If after reading this you happen to have any questions, comments, or suggestions for anything that could have made the third chapter of this Silver Millennium -Sailor Moon story better, you can e-mail me at AlysonGrant@yahoo.com and I'll reply as soon as possible. With me it's usually sooner then later so feel free to e-mail. You can also say what you feel in form of a review for:
In A Era of Innocence
by
Alyson Grant
Living in a world of lies and deceit a woman falls prey to love. A son, who is heir to the throne lives in this world as he ascends into adulthood without a mothers gentle hand. It takes the fates of misfortune and distress to realize love is a path to be taken. In the aftermath of death, true love can either be found or denied. This is the early saga of a family whose trials and tribulations will forever live infamy.
Chapter Three:
From a young age Endymoin was always protective of his little sister. Sure, like all children they had their fair share of arguments but they would always, always be there for each other. In time it's always been my deepest regret that they had to be there for each other in the kind of ways that my siblings and I had to be there for each other. If there was anything I could have done to avoid it I would have but there was nothing. It all seemed so bleak and hard. Could we have possibly avoided this?
At first there were just rumors of affairs. Rumors. Nothing more and nothing less. Then slowly it was becoming more and more likely that what was being said was true. Caroline's name was mentioned and they were seen together more than a few times. True, they had been childhood friends and most likely lovers as adults but I never thought that they would have continued this madness. When they were younger it was thought that they would be married but they didn't.
It's true that on that night when I first saw him after so many years Caroline was his date and he her beau at the time. Now all those little things add up. Those cufflinks, the receipt for the flowers and they even went to royal functions together when I was pregnant with Endymoin and then Alexandria. Now I think I understand the reason for Caroline's reaction to my not riding. She's an avid sportswoman and since I didn't ride it would be one thing she could continue to do with him. Yes I now see that seemingly innocent question for what it really was, a malicious and calculating tactic from a woman who wanted to keep what she should have never had.
My husband and I are now estranged. We fight over the silliest things and some of the most serious. He doesn't believe what I believe and that irks me. He never tries to understand my point of view. I feel that hunting should be against the law. He doesn't agree. He says that it's all in fun. I say to consider this: "What if you were in that animal's position? How would you feel?"
He laughs and says it's hardly the same thing. I say it is! Has he no compassion? No heart? What happened to the man who was so sensitive? When he's away on business for a extended period of time on peace negotiations don't I have a right to know why? Don't I also have the same right as Queen and his wife to want to know who he keeps company with? I feel horrible feeling the way I do. It's like nothing I do is good enough and just about everything is wrong. All wrong. My life wasn't supposed to be this way. It was never supposed to be this way. I can't help but feel suspicious about my worst nightmare come true. I feel sick at the very idea. Oh, I can't bear to say it. Or think it. Yet it's too late because deep in my heart I already know it's true.
"Just leave me alone!" I said as I walked quickly down the stairs.
"Don't walk away from me! This was entirely your fault. How could you protest the hunts with your committee?" His angry voice was closely following my steps down the grand staircase.
With one hand lightly touching the polished surface of the banister and I ignored his command and continued on my way. Suddenly when I reached the bottom I felt the harsh touch of his hand on my shoulder. He forced me to turn around and look at him and so I did.
"Well are you going to explain to me what this is all about?" He asked.
"You don't understand my views. You don't even try!" I was young, smart, headstrong and defiant. Looking back I was able to see what I hadn't been able to see then.
Although I was a mother of two I was young at times, thought love was enough to conquer all and very much naive to the ways of the world. I was proud though. I had my pride. I had both my beliefs and values on my side. It was there when love was not.
He gave me a short laugh as he walked away from me. He may have walked away but he held me a helpless captive as his stare held me in place and I felt frozen as if I were afraid to move. I felt both annoyed and angry as he stood under a portrait of the two of us dressed in formal attire on the day of out first anniversary and with glowing smiles. It was a stark contrast to the moment we shared now. It was one filled with tension and anger that vibrated and tossed and turned around the room in sparkling spirals that hurt and made me want to cry out in frustration with all the animosity that existed between us that day.
I watched him as he walked in a small circle and heard like a bomb ticking until finally the explosion came, his shoes as it made a redundant sound on the white marble floor. He breathed in and breathed out. Closed his eyes. Opened them. He said slowly in an effort to be calm, "If I don't understand your views then the entire world doesn't understand them either." The effort was in vain.
With my eyes narrowing with anger I said heatedly, "I told you how I felt about it. Yet you still continue to go on those awful hunts. What happened to the man I married? Think of the animals whose lives are wasted because of this game you choose to play!"
He said nothing to my words but I continued to say something as his eyes began to darken with fury. "You are gambling with lives here, yet because they aren't human lives you choose to ignore them as if they don't matter. It's practically a sin. It's disgusting and immoral. It makes me sick to think of it."
"You make a valid point," He admitted and I started to relax slightly. I could feel the tension and agitation ingrained in my very bones slowly starting to diminish. Was he really about to step down and admit that he was in the wrong while I was surely in the right?
I thought happy thoughts all too soon. "But I can't accept it. It's tradition!" He said instead to my immense disappointment.
"It's one that should be abolished!" I said evenly. I looked away from him in frustration and as my gaze drew me upward I saw the glistening chandelier that was directly overhead.
"How could you go against my wishes with your committee and do this?"
"Your wishes? Your wishes? Don't talk to me about your wishes! I don't care about them right now!" The fury was shown in my face and heard in my voice at his words. He spoke as if I were expected to always agree with his ruling and commands. He had some nerve to speak of his wishes to me. "You knew how I felt about this. You knew my reasons. Yet you are against me? I don't understand you at all!"
"I'm tired of this. I don't want to talk about this anymore! Just leave me alone!" I reached the very bottom with him right behind me.
"You deliberately defied my wishes! The hunt's are a tradition. You know this! Yet you are against it?" His eyes were wild and angry. The only question I read in his eyes was `You dare to defy me?' and the only emotion wasn't what I was hoping to see.
" I defied your wishes?" With my voice getting louder and my eyes blazing with the anger I felt deep inside, I repeated what I couldn't believe I had just heard. "Don't talk to me about defying your wishes! I really don't care about them right now! You know how I feel about that stupid tradition. Yet you went on the hunt! Don't you realize how wrong it is? Don't you realize how wrong it was to me?"
"You don't understand this. It's a tradition!"
"It's one that should be abolished."
"The Queen of Earth just rebelled against one of the oldest traditions in our monarchy. The media must be having a field day with this. This is a disgrace!" He shook his head in disgust.
"You don't understand. I've told you my opinion on the matter. It's you who doesn't understand!"
"Fine. Fine." He held his hands up and shook his head again. "I don't care to discuss this with you anymore."
"So I see we are finally agreeing on something!"
With his eyes blazing at what I just said without a second thought, he shook the newspaper he held in his hands fury. In a sudden burst of anger he thrust it harshly in my direction and said to me. "Here! Read this. This is your doing. The Queen of Earth doesn't agree with the hunt. The very idea of it is pure rubbish. Preposterous!" As I refused to take the newspaper his eyes glittered with rage at my defiance. "The media will have a field day over this. I have to go quickly and make some phone calls before this gets completely out of control. I'll see how much damage I can rectify before this gets out of hand."
With those cruel and awful resounding words he turned away from me and walked up the staircase without another word. Leaving me behind without so much as a glance, he did. He left me standing at the bottom of the staircase without another glance in my direction and with my face crumbling I slowly sank to the ground with my skirts flaring around me.
With my head in my hands I wept and continued to do so until I could compose myself. Even then I felt dead and terrible inside. I felt as chastised as a child would feel but as a woman I felt humbled and simply broken in my mind, body, and spirit. I sank down to the floor with my lavender dress spreading out on the marble floor. I bowed my head while covering my ears with my hands and wondered when did things get to be so wrong.
I feel horrible feeling the way I do. It's like nothing I do is good enough and just about everything is wrong. All wrong. My life wasn't supposed to be this way. It was never supposed to be this way. I can't help but feel suspicious about my worst nightmare come true. I feel sick at the very idea. Oh, I can't bear to say it. Or think it. Yet it's too late because deep in my heart I already know it's true.
Just about the only joy I've in my life is my children. My sweet, sweet, children. Remembering how it was when I was growing up I was determined not to have to much of a use for a nanny. I would love and care for my children on my own without much extra help. They would know me and love me and never forget me. They would trust me in such a way and have a certain closeness that I never had a chance to have with my mother. I would be determined to make everything different and better for them and my only reason would be because I love them.
The children and I made frequent trips to other planets for business, for ensuring the future, and also as a way to learn about how different governments ruled. Most importantly we went to where a close friend of mine lived. The Moon.
"Serenity!" I said with my arms out.
"Gia, it's been to long! You look wonderful!" She hugged me tightly and when we pulled back she gave me a searching look.
"Thank you. Much to long!" I held her at arms length. "You look wonderful as always."
"You do too." She said again with a gracious smile. "And who are these two children?" She winked at me as she teased.
"Hello Queen Serenity." Endymoin said.
"Endymoin! You've grown!" He smiled bashfully and discreetly rolled his eyes toward me. I smiled at the helpless gesture. "Endymoin. You look charming. Truly charming."
"And who is this little beauty?"
"Hello Queen Serenity!" Alexandria said a little shyly peeking out from behind me.
"Won't you come out?" My friend asked with a voice as gentle as anything. Serenity bent down and her skirts spread around her as she beckoned to her.
"Sure!" Alexandria burst out giggling as the average toddler does with pure happiness and joy. I smiled as she ran forward with the energy only a young child can have.
After Serenity finished coddling Alexandria I curiously asked looking round with raised eyebrows. "Where is Princess Serenity?"
"Last I checked she was sleeping. I didn't want to wake her up just yet." She turned to Endymoin. "Do me a favor and wake my daughter. Then would you please escort her to the dining hall?"
"But-"
"No buts! Just go!" she said firmly. "Dinner is in less then five minutes and I need to speak with your mother in private."
"Okay." He turned to leave the throne room.
"You are such a good boy. Run along now!"
As soon as he left Serenity turned to one of the guards who was near the doors and said, "Please take Princess Alexandria to the dining hall. We'll be joining her shortly." As we watched him leave with Alexandria in tow we smiled at how tiny she seemed and in all actuality was, compared to him.
"We have to talk." Serenity gave me a look. "You have to tell me what's been going on. You look sad, tired, and very unlike yourself. I see it in your eyes Gia. You can't hide it from me."
I started to protest her words but she gave me a knowing look. So I told her all she needed to know. I felt relieved to confide in someone.
Endymoin entered Serenity's bedroom where she was sleeping and then gingerly woke her up.
"Hey Meatball Head."
"What are you doing here?" She asked with narrowed eyes as the sleep wore off and she realized who was in her room.
"Your mother sent me up."
"I don't mean here!" She gestured to her room. "I mean on this planet. Why are you here?"
"Don't act enthusiastic on my account. Please."
" You are so annoying!"
"So are you!"
"Get out of my room Endymoin! I hate you!"
"The feelings mutual. Believe me. I want to! This wasn't my idea. It was your mothers. Maybe if you weren't so lazy I wouldn't have to be waking you up at almost six in the afternoon!"
"I'm not lazy! I happen to be the Princess of the Moon. You had better treat me with respect! Don't call me Meatball Head either. You know my name. Why don't you stop being so stupid and use it!" With that she brushed past him out of her room with childlike dignity.
"Hey wait! I'm supposed to escort you to the dining hall." Endymoin said hurrying after her.
"I don't care! I can go by myself! I don't need a escort!"
If after reading this you happen to have any questions, comments, or suggestions for anything that could have made the third chapter of this Silver Millennium -Sailor Moon story better, you can e-mail me at AlysonGrant@yahoo.com and I'll reply as soon as possible. With me it's usually sooner then later so feel free to e-mail. You can also say what you feel in form of a review for:
In A Era of Innocence
by
Alyson Grant
Living in a world of lies and deceit a woman falls prey to love. A son, who is heir to the throne lives in this world as he ascends into adulthood without a mothers gentle hand. It takes the fates of misfortune and distress to realize love is a path to be taken. In the aftermath of death, true love can either be found or denied. This is the early saga of a family whose trials and tribulations will forever live infamy.
Chapter Three:
From a young age Endymoin was always protective of his little sister. Sure, like all children they had their fair share of arguments but they would always, always be there for each other. In time it's always been my deepest regret that they had to be there for each other in the kind of ways that my siblings and I had to be there for each other. If there was anything I could have done to avoid it I would have but there was nothing. It all seemed so bleak and hard. Could we have possibly avoided this?
At first there were just rumors of affairs. Rumors. Nothing more and nothing less. Then slowly it was becoming more and more likely that what was being said was true. Caroline's name was mentioned and they were seen together more than a few times. True, they had been childhood friends and most likely lovers as adults but I never thought that they would have continued this madness. When they were younger it was thought that they would be married but they didn't.
It's true that on that night when I first saw him after so many years Caroline was his date and he her beau at the time. Now all those little things add up. Those cufflinks, the receipt for the flowers and they even went to royal functions together when I was pregnant with Endymoin and then Alexandria. Now I think I understand the reason for Caroline's reaction to my not riding. She's an avid sportswoman and since I didn't ride it would be one thing she could continue to do with him. Yes I now see that seemingly innocent question for what it really was, a malicious and calculating tactic from a woman who wanted to keep what she should have never had.
My husband and I are now estranged. We fight over the silliest things and some of the most serious. He doesn't believe what I believe and that irks me. He never tries to understand my point of view. I feel that hunting should be against the law. He doesn't agree. He says that it's all in fun. I say to consider this: "What if you were in that animal's position? How would you feel?"
He laughs and says it's hardly the same thing. I say it is! Has he no compassion? No heart? What happened to the man who was so sensitive? When he's away on business for a extended period of time on peace negotiations don't I have a right to know why? Don't I also have the same right as Queen and his wife to want to know who he keeps company with? I feel horrible feeling the way I do. It's like nothing I do is good enough and just about everything is wrong. All wrong. My life wasn't supposed to be this way. It was never supposed to be this way. I can't help but feel suspicious about my worst nightmare come true. I feel sick at the very idea. Oh, I can't bear to say it. Or think it. Yet it's too late because deep in my heart I already know it's true.
"Just leave me alone!" I said as I walked quickly down the stairs.
"Don't walk away from me! This was entirely your fault. How could you protest the hunts with your committee?" His angry voice was closely following my steps down the grand staircase.
With one hand lightly touching the polished surface of the banister and I ignored his command and continued on my way. Suddenly when I reached the bottom I felt the harsh touch of his hand on my shoulder. He forced me to turn around and look at him and so I did.
"Well are you going to explain to me what this is all about?" He asked.
"You don't understand my views. You don't even try!" I was young, smart, headstrong and defiant. Looking back I was able to see what I hadn't been able to see then.
Although I was a mother of two I was young at times, thought love was enough to conquer all and very much naive to the ways of the world. I was proud though. I had my pride. I had both my beliefs and values on my side. It was there when love was not.
He gave me a short laugh as he walked away from me. He may have walked away but he held me a helpless captive as his stare held me in place and I felt frozen as if I were afraid to move. I felt both annoyed and angry as he stood under a portrait of the two of us dressed in formal attire on the day of out first anniversary and with glowing smiles. It was a stark contrast to the moment we shared now. It was one filled with tension and anger that vibrated and tossed and turned around the room in sparkling spirals that hurt and made me want to cry out in frustration with all the animosity that existed between us that day.
I watched him as he walked in a small circle and heard like a bomb ticking until finally the explosion came, his shoes as it made a redundant sound on the white marble floor. He breathed in and breathed out. Closed his eyes. Opened them. He said slowly in an effort to be calm, "If I don't understand your views then the entire world doesn't understand them either." The effort was in vain.
With my eyes narrowing with anger I said heatedly, "I told you how I felt about it. Yet you still continue to go on those awful hunts. What happened to the man I married? Think of the animals whose lives are wasted because of this game you choose to play!"
He said nothing to my words but I continued to say something as his eyes began to darken with fury. "You are gambling with lives here, yet because they aren't human lives you choose to ignore them as if they don't matter. It's practically a sin. It's disgusting and immoral. It makes me sick to think of it."
"You make a valid point," He admitted and I started to relax slightly. I could feel the tension and agitation ingrained in my very bones slowly starting to diminish. Was he really about to step down and admit that he was in the wrong while I was surely in the right?
I thought happy thoughts all too soon. "But I can't accept it. It's tradition!" He said instead to my immense disappointment.
"It's one that should be abolished!" I said evenly. I looked away from him in frustration and as my gaze drew me upward I saw the glistening chandelier that was directly overhead.
"How could you go against my wishes with your committee and do this?"
"Your wishes? Your wishes? Don't talk to me about your wishes! I don't care about them right now!" The fury was shown in my face and heard in my voice at his words. He spoke as if I were expected to always agree with his ruling and commands. He had some nerve to speak of his wishes to me. "You knew how I felt about this. You knew my reasons. Yet you are against me? I don't understand you at all!"
"I'm tired of this. I don't want to talk about this anymore! Just leave me alone!" I reached the very bottom with him right behind me.
"You deliberately defied my wishes! The hunt's are a tradition. You know this! Yet you are against it?" His eyes were wild and angry. The only question I read in his eyes was `You dare to defy me?' and the only emotion wasn't what I was hoping to see.
" I defied your wishes?" With my voice getting louder and my eyes blazing with the anger I felt deep inside, I repeated what I couldn't believe I had just heard. "Don't talk to me about defying your wishes! I really don't care about them right now! You know how I feel about that stupid tradition. Yet you went on the hunt! Don't you realize how wrong it is? Don't you realize how wrong it was to me?"
"You don't understand this. It's a tradition!"
"It's one that should be abolished."
"The Queen of Earth just rebelled against one of the oldest traditions in our monarchy. The media must be having a field day with this. This is a disgrace!" He shook his head in disgust.
"You don't understand. I've told you my opinion on the matter. It's you who doesn't understand!"
"Fine. Fine." He held his hands up and shook his head again. "I don't care to discuss this with you anymore."
"So I see we are finally agreeing on something!"
With his eyes blazing at what I just said without a second thought, he shook the newspaper he held in his hands fury. In a sudden burst of anger he thrust it harshly in my direction and said to me. "Here! Read this. This is your doing. The Queen of Earth doesn't agree with the hunt. The very idea of it is pure rubbish. Preposterous!" As I refused to take the newspaper his eyes glittered with rage at my defiance. "The media will have a field day over this. I have to go quickly and make some phone calls before this gets completely out of control. I'll see how much damage I can rectify before this gets out of hand."
With those cruel and awful resounding words he turned away from me and walked up the staircase without another word. Leaving me behind without so much as a glance, he did. He left me standing at the bottom of the staircase without another glance in my direction and with my face crumbling I slowly sank to the ground with my skirts flaring around me.
With my head in my hands I wept and continued to do so until I could compose myself. Even then I felt dead and terrible inside. I felt as chastised as a child would feel but as a woman I felt humbled and simply broken in my mind, body, and spirit. I sank down to the floor with my lavender dress spreading out on the marble floor. I bowed my head while covering my ears with my hands and wondered when did things get to be so wrong.
I feel horrible feeling the way I do. It's like nothing I do is good enough and just about everything is wrong. All wrong. My life wasn't supposed to be this way. It was never supposed to be this way. I can't help but feel suspicious about my worst nightmare come true. I feel sick at the very idea. Oh, I can't bear to say it. Or think it. Yet it's too late because deep in my heart I already know it's true.
Just about the only joy I've in my life is my children. My sweet, sweet, children. Remembering how it was when I was growing up I was determined not to have to much of a use for a nanny. I would love and care for my children on my own without much extra help. They would know me and love me and never forget me. They would trust me in such a way and have a certain closeness that I never had a chance to have with my mother. I would be determined to make everything different and better for them and my only reason would be because I love them.
The children and I made frequent trips to other planets for business, for ensuring the future, and also as a way to learn about how different governments ruled. Most importantly we went to where a close friend of mine lived. The Moon.
"Serenity!" I said with my arms out.
"Gia, it's been to long! You look wonderful!" She hugged me tightly and when we pulled back she gave me a searching look.
"Thank you. Much to long!" I held her at arms length. "You look wonderful as always."
"You do too." She said again with a gracious smile. "And who are these two children?" She winked at me as she teased.
"Hello Queen Serenity." Endymoin said.
"Endymoin! You've grown!" He smiled bashfully and discreetly rolled his eyes toward me. I smiled at the helpless gesture. "Endymoin. You look charming. Truly charming."
"And who is this little beauty?"
"Hello Queen Serenity!" Alexandria said a little shyly peeking out from behind me.
"Won't you come out?" My friend asked with a voice as gentle as anything. Serenity bent down and her skirts spread around her as she beckoned to her.
"Sure!" Alexandria burst out giggling as the average toddler does with pure happiness and joy. I smiled as she ran forward with the energy only a young child can have.
After Serenity finished coddling Alexandria I curiously asked looking round with raised eyebrows. "Where is Princess Serenity?"
"Last I checked she was sleeping. I didn't want to wake her up just yet." She turned to Endymoin. "Do me a favor and wake my daughter. Then would you please escort her to the dining hall?"
"But-"
"No buts! Just go!" she said firmly. "Dinner is in less then five minutes and I need to speak with your mother in private."
"Okay." He turned to leave the throne room.
"You are such a good boy. Run along now!"
As soon as he left Serenity turned to one of the guards who was near the doors and said, "Please take Princess Alexandria to the dining hall. We'll be joining her shortly." As we watched him leave with Alexandria in tow we smiled at how tiny she seemed and in all actuality was, compared to him.
"We have to talk." Serenity gave me a look. "You have to tell me what's been going on. You look sad, tired, and very unlike yourself. I see it in your eyes Gia. You can't hide it from me."
I started to protest her words but she gave me a knowing look. So I told her all she needed to know. I felt relieved to confide in someone.
Endymoin entered Serenity's bedroom where she was sleeping and then gingerly woke her up.
"Hey Meatball Head."
"What are you doing here?" She asked with narrowed eyes as the sleep wore off and she realized who was in her room.
"Your mother sent me up."
"I don't mean here!" She gestured to her room. "I mean on this planet. Why are you here?"
"Don't act enthusiastic on my account. Please."
" You are so annoying!"
"So are you!"
"Get out of my room Endymoin! I hate you!"
"The feelings mutual. Believe me. I want to! This wasn't my idea. It was your mothers. Maybe if you weren't so lazy I wouldn't have to be waking you up at almost six in the afternoon!"
"I'm not lazy! I happen to be the Princess of the Moon. You had better treat me with respect! Don't call me Meatball Head either. You know my name. Why don't you stop being so stupid and use it!" With that she brushed past him out of her room with childlike dignity.
"Hey wait! I'm supposed to escort you to the dining hall." Endymoin said hurrying after her.
"I don't care! I can go by myself! I don't need a escort!"