Add Another Thing
Chapter 12
By:Lady_of_Silver (ExpressoHyper)
I've decided to officially change my name. Lady_of_Silver will
still show up as my author name, because I'm too lazy to get
another one, but I've decided that since my name is taken
at first love, that I might as well change it. From now
on, I wish to be known as ExpressoHyper. Sorry for the confusion,
and thank you for reading this fanfic!
7/15/02
*****************************************************************
Standard Disclaimor Applies! I do NOT own sailor moon or the
characters in it, but this story most definitely came from me!
Ohyeah, and 'The Line' although tacky in the name, meaning the
hanging rope, nuice, came from my unimaginitive mind as well.
So don't hurt me, I tried hard to create a serious name.
****************************************************************
Also.....Sorry for the lack of updates! I tried really really
hard to get this chapter out as soon as possible! I spent only a
day and a half writing this one so i could get it out, and now
fanfiction is having difficulties....again....I swear i'm going
to get too fed up one of these days and give up on that site!
Sorry....but i only have so much patience....especially with
the way my life is going right now.
ReCaP:
"Are you going to tell me what the hell that was about?" she
asked, not bothering to hide her frustration. He nodded, but
made no effort to speak, and she quickly grew impatient. "Well?"
she prodded. She watched as he knitted his brows together and
set his mouth in a firm frown as if he were about to tell her
the news of a sudden and unsuspecked death in the family.
Instead, his response caught her totally offguard.
****************************************************************
"You're not safe here at this time, Serenity. I'm going to
have you stay with my parents for a little while. I'll visit
you often, almost everyother day. I promise." his eyes pleaded
with her to agree and she lowered her head after nodding. She
knew he would force her to move even if she didn't want to.
He was just as stubborn as her if more so at times. Her eyes
began to fill with tears but when his hand cupped her chin
and began to lift her face up, she quickly blinked them back.
'No more crying, Serenity. You're a grown woman, and
stronger than you were before. You'll not cry infront of your
husband, nor will you show any emotion towards him at all.'
the stern voice from inside her mind ordered. She froze her
heart once more, and felt the ice glaze her eyes as well.
Darien retracted his hand when he recieved the old
and familiar cold blue-eyed stare from his wife. That stare
had won her a reputation. It was rumored a few years earlier,
shortly after it's creation, that she could have won a staring
contest against a fish, but everyone knew that fish did not
have eyelids. He grasped her gently by the shoulders and
worriedly searched her eyes, for one sign, when those
sky-blues had been filled with several emotions before.
He found nothing. She was the ice queen again.
"You expect me to live with your parents until, you
get this, 'problem' taken care of?" she asked, her voice sharp
like a knife.
"Serenity, I'm not asking for-"
"You're asking too much I'm affraid." she interrupted
him and shrugged off his offending hands. "I'm going home." she
deadpanned. His jaw fell down at her bold statement.
"Serenity-"
"I've had enough." she interrupted again. "I'm going
home to see my father." she picked up her skirts and began
to ascend the grand staircase.
"But what about your mother?" he called. She paused
and straightend her spine so that she raised to her full 5'8".
"My mother has taken ill. I'm going to care for her
aswell." she replied somewhat softly and proceeded on her way
once more. Darien could not bring himself to argue with her
anymore about the matter. He was angry with her for refusing
the protection he was offering, and yet angry at himself for
somehow letting her regress into her previous state of mind.
He shivered, even though it was about 80ยบ outside. The way
her cold blue eyes had stared straight through him almost
made him take a step back. He sighed and went back to his
study to ponder the information the two men had brought him.
An hour later he heard a horse and carriage slow to
a stop infront of the porch. He rose from his chair and drew
back the dark curtains to see who the visitor was. A tall man
with sandy blonde hair exited the rather large carriage,
followed by another man, who Darien recognized as Serenity's
father. They were both dressed as if they had come from or were
going to a ball. In tuxedos and top hats. He hurried to the
front door to greet them. They looked slightly nervous when
he opened the door.
"To what do I owe this pleasure of your visit?" he
inquired.
"Serenity send a messenger saying that she wished for
us to come see her and escort her to the meeting." her father
spoke in a voice full of stern authority. Darien raised an eye
brow suspicously but stepped back so they could enter. Andrew
looked slightly uncomfortable under his gaze but Darien did
not notice. Suddenly, they heard the sounds that Serenity's
heels made and turned toward the staircase. Darien's eyes
widend and her father clapped softly. Andrew smiled. At the
top of the stairs, stood Serenity, in a long flowing red and
black silk gown. The form-sitting bodice was black while the
skirt was black that was so long it trailed behind her. A red
sash was tied around her waist with the tails of red fringe
hanging to her ankles. Her hair was pulled into a strange style
Darien had never before seen her wear.
"Will they be expecting me?" she inquired as she held
her long skirts and gracefully descended the stairs. Darien
stared, his mouth slightly open as she came closer and closer.
She paused infront of him and raised a hand up to his chin.
She closed his mouth and then turned to take her father's
arm. Andrew went to the coatcloset and retrieved her black
and red cloak. Her father nodded.
"Yes, Serenity. You're being waited on. It's time we
leave for the meeting now." He began to lead her out the door.
"Wait a minute!" Darien's voice thundered through the
halls causing the three to cease their movements. Serenity
turned to him and raised a delicate eyebrow.
"Now Darling, you wouldn't want me to be late for my
meeting, would you?" she practically purred. He smirked.
"I wasn't aware that there was a meeting, sweetheart."
he replied. An icy smile graced her lips.
"Of course there is a meeting. I had to set it up
yesterday. You were busy in town. I do so apoligize for
not telling you about it." she faked sincerity easily,
for it had become second nature to her in the past.
"I don't think it's safe for you to go out tonight."
he stated and sent a glare at Andrew.
"I do believe I will be very safely returned home
tonight." Serenity bit back. She could hardly keep her cool.
She turned to her father and Anderw. "Could you give us a
moment?" she asked, They nodded and went to wait out by the
carriage.
"Serenity, it's not safe for you to be out other than
in the daytime." he said as he grasped her just below her
shoulders. "And even then you must have a guard or an escort."
Her black glove encased hand waved infront of his face.
"Pah-leeze" she seemed nonchalant about his meaning.
"I have two guards thank you very much." with that, she
slipped from his hold and went out the door. "Don't wait up
Darling! I'll be home very late." He watched as her form
disappeared through the door. An unknown feeling swept
through his body as he watched her go. Was it fear? Pain?
Sadness? Guilt? Could it be guilt because he had somehow
made Serenity revert back to her old self? His lips pressed
together tightly and then curled into a frown. Returning to
his study, Darien lit an cigar and poured himself a drink.
He was very frustrated and confused. Holding the cigar in
his hand, he stared at it. He had never smoked a cigar
in his life, because he had always thought them disgusting.
Also, Serenity hadn't permitted him in the bedroom one night
because his clothing reeked of the stench. A slight smile
snuck upon his face as he pictured her sitting in the library,
curled up reading a book in her favorite chair, her reading
glasses hanging down on the bridge of her perfect nose. He
snubbed the cigar after a few drags and downed his scotch
on the rocks. He had always figured she could drive a man
to drink, he had just not really counted on her proving
him correct.
****************************************************************************
**************************************
Serenity felt all eyes on her as she entered the room.
Knowing that everyone was confused to find her without
her 'charming' husband, she allowed a cold smile to
grace her lips as she passed people sitting at the
table, on her way to the head of it. This meeting
had been the first one since her marriage, and everyone
was too curious not to attend. Most were disappointed,
and their disappointment showed on their faces as she
slowly and gracefully strolled to the front, like she
had always done.
Upon reaching her spot, she cleared her throat in
hopes of quieting and eventually silencing the croud as
whispers grew louder. Everyone froze and shifted their eyes
towards her.
"I know all of you are wondering why my husband is
not here by my side." she allowed a few moments for more
whispers and continued when the croud quieted once more.
"He is currently tied up with some business papers and
unfortunately, has informed me that he will not leave his
study for quite some time, or atleast until he gets some
matters resolved." Gazing once more out into the croud,
she noticed that no one was convinced, but felt that her
explanation was sufficient and continued on. "I suggest
the gentlemen quickly exit the room." Making sure to carry
on only after the last man had left, she sat down in her
chair. "I call this meeting of the Black Maidens to order."
her voice resounded through the woman-packed room. No one
dared utter a sound. "Is there any business that someone
would like to present?" she asked after slipping her glasses
on and fixing her skirts so that she was sitting in a
comfortable position. Maria Winston stood and cleared her
throat. She looked toward Serenity for her consent to continue.
Serenity nodded and Maria began, her voice somewhat unsteady.
"A-as you all know, last year my mother and I suffered
a terrible loss. Our house was burnt to the ground and this
terrible event caused my father's tragic death." Her timid
brown eyes glanced around the room before resting upon
Serenity. "My dearest friend Serenity invited us into her
home until we could have a somewhat decent house built.
It has been almost a whole year and yet, still our house
is not rebuilt. It has become difficult to find builders
who will work for women. I find that this is a sexest and
biased time that we live in. I was hoping that some of you
married women would persuade your husbands to hire a builder
for us." she finished and sunk back into her chair. All eyes
turned to Serenity.
"I feel as if this is a pesonal issue. Speak to me in
my office at home tomorrow, Maria." "Anyone else?" she asked.
Another woman stood up. Her tall form encased in an emerald
green dress caught everyone's attention. Dark, chestnut brown
hair was pulled up into a simple yet elegant high ponytail.
Her lively emerald green eyes combed the room for any sign
of protest again her speaking.
"Members of the Black Maidens," she nodded her head,
"Serenity," she adressed the group and her leader, before
continueing."Maria brought up something besides unequality."
"What would that be, Ms. Juno?" questioned a stuffy
looking, rather plump woman with grey-blue hair wearing a
much too tight burgandy dress.
"She mentioned the fireing of her house." the tall
brunette replied sharply, and pushed back her chair so that
she could walk about the room.
"Please get to the point, Lita. We do not want the
meeting's lengthy session to arrouse suspicion." cut in
Raye Franklin, who's raven black head could be spotted
by the door.
"My apologies Raye." Lita nodded.
"The point, please." Serenity's impatient request
caused a blonde sitting beside her to cover her smile with
an orange gloved hand. Both Lita and Serenity sent the blonde
stern looks before Lita continued.
"As you know, three men were found hung then two
mornings later." Lita paused by the opposite end of the table
Serenity sat at. "We all know that the men had to be the ones
who burned the Winstons' house."
"We all know this Lita, but what we don't know is why
you're telling us this." The annoyance and boredem in
Serenity's voice did not go unnoticed by any of the women.
"I mean to present the idea, that there is another
group, not unlike ourselves, who have commited the hangings
as a sort of justice." Lita stated and crossed her arms as
voices overtook the croud.
"Ladies. Ladies!" Serenity silenced the group and
rose from her sitting position, to stand her full height.
She was still not as tall as Lita Juno. "Lita speaks the
truth." a cry of outrage overtook the room and she clapped
her hands to collect their attention. "I have my reasons
for my statement, and mind you, nothing that is ever said
in this room.....need ever leave this room." her cold blue
eyes wandered the croud after focusing briefly on a few
gossipers that were among them. "I'd like Janet Fandan
and Margaret Grawling to please leave the room." the two
women complied with her rewuest without question. When
the large oak doors closed, she continued. "I have seen
them. I've even been to their headquarters, but-"
"How can you not tell us this valueable information,
when it is our lives that are in danger, Serenity?!" Mrs.
Larnen's haughtly voice rang through the air. Serenity's
glare forced her to take her seat once more.
"I was getting to that Mrs. Larnen. With the recent
hanging of one of their own members, I found it necessary
to call this meeting. Remember, ladies, we are the highest
title holding women in this community, and we must look out
for our town's men as if they are our children." she paused
beside Lita. "The group that brings justice with a price is
called The Line. My husband, as well as most of your's or
your fathers and brothers are in it. My husband," she paused
and swallowed the lump that had begun to grow in her throat,
"is the leader." she waited for the chatter to stop before
she continued. "Fellow Black Maidens, I am sorry to tell you
that there is a great danger approaching. The Line mean us
no harm, and are only here to protect us and will continue
to do so until they cannot any longer. My husband has
requested that I stay with his parents and I have refused.
I'm going to my own home to take care of my family. I can
only assuem that there is a traitor among them. I ask of
you all to be very careful and never leave the house
without an escort, wether it be day or not. Stay in
groups when in cafes or attending parties and balls.
Do not leave the less fortunate by themselves either.
Children should not be permitted to leave the yard
after sunset, and absolutely no horseback riding
without an escort." Serenity lectured. She was
unaware that she was giving them the same orders
that Darien had given her. Her right hand tugged at the
wedding band on her other hand and finally the simple
diamond ring left her finger. She held it up for everyone
to see. "I see this not only as a pledge of everlasting
love to my husband, but as a duty that binds me to my fellow
people. I will not rest until this 'traitor' is taken down."
with that said, she slipped the ring back onto her finger.
Her actions had caused quite an amount of shock among the croud.
She returned to her seat and the croud eventually quieted down.
Lita still stood.
"I, as well as the rest of the memebers, are deeply moved
and touched by your words and actions, Serenity. I pledge my
loyalty and undying devotion to our cause. May the traitor
fear us and may our name cause shivers to run down his followers'
backs." a chorus of support followed her pledge. Serenity smiled
slightly.
"Thank you." Serenity rose once more. "If no one has
anything else to present, I think we will call another meeting
in one week, and announce this one closed." she waited for anyone
to stand up. No one moved save for Lita Juno, who had taken her
seat. "Very well, I call this meeting of the Black Maidens
closed! We will meet again in precisely one week." she rose
and exited the room before the other women, as she had always
done.
*****************************************************************
******************************
With a groan of frustration, Darien gave up on sleeping.
'Where was she?! Why wasn't she home yet? What if something
happend to her?' Billions of thoughts raced through his mind.
With one sweeping motion, the covers were away from him instantly
and he stood from the bed. The sound of a carriage and horses
brought him to the window. He almost lept for joy as he saw the
farmiliar form of the Patronal carriage bounce down the road
on it's way toward the large house he (and not his wife) called
home. Racing down the steps, he took a seat in the shadows on
the staircase so he could watch her enter without being noticed.
The distinct sound of her shoes upon the floorboards of the large
porch were a dead giveaway it was Serenity. He noticed that she
was not alone.
"Thankyou for escorting me home, Andrew." He had to grip
the banister to keep from running over, throwing open the door
and pulling her into the house.
"Serenity, please be careful. Darien and I would hate to
have anything happen to you. He loves you very much." Darien
couldn't hear this, for Andrew had whispered it into her ear
after a quick hug.
"Good night Andrew." she called as he descended the
stairs.
"Good night Serena." he called back when he climbed into
the carriage. Serenity sighed and turned the doorhandle. The
house was deathly quiet yet the hairs on the back of her neck
stood on end as she closed the door. Walking to the closet, she
felt a pair of eyes burning into her back. After quickly hanging
up her coat, she heard a floorboard creak and spun around,
slamming the closet door shut.
"H-hello?" she called. Two hands pulled her to a firm
chest, and she resisted the urge to scream. Realizing it was
Darien she stomped on his foot.
"Ouch!" he spray back as a terrible pain shot through his
leg, starting from his foot. "What was that for?"
"For trying to scare me. Go back to bed." She led him
up the stairs and into their room.
"I'm sorry, Serenity. I didn't know you would get that
scared." he apologized as she tucked him in. Catching the faint
odor of cigar smoke, she slutched hiim roughly by the shoulders.
" Darien Endymoin Franklin, I do not want to ever smell
the disguting stench of cigar smoke in this room, ever again!
I can also smell the scotch." she couldn't supress a cold smile.
"I see you had a fun night." with that, she pecked him on the
forehead and left the room quickly, closing the door behind her.
'I have work to do. Darien will just get in the way.'
she told herself as she descended the stairs. Her eyelids
drooped slightly over her tired blue eyes, but she knew
she had to get her work done before tomorrow, when Darien
would be awake and sharp. He wouldn't allow her access to
his study tomorrow, for that she was sure. Pulling a thin
silver ring of keys from her pocket, she unlocked the
study doors and flipped on the light. A satisfied smile
slipped graced her lips as she began to sift through files.
Three hours later found Serenity waist deep in files
and frustrated. With a groan of realization that she would
have to put the files away exactly how she had found them,
she began to do so. Not so much as a single file on The
Line had she found, and she was begining to think that
it was becoming necessary for her to sneak into the
headquarters. Half an hours work of putting everything
back the way she had found it, made Serenity stifle a yawn.
Her eyelids were threatening to claim her eyes and she
knew they were about to surrender. Accidently bumping
into a small statue on a pillar, that stood in the corner
of the large room she gasped when the paneling of the wall
next to her slid open. She was fully awake now as she
looked at the small office that had been concealed so
artfully.
"Must have been here before Darien knew about it."
she noted after she entered. The floor was carpetted
in plush white carpet and she was forced to take off her
shoes. She felt odd in a room that screamed cheerfulness,
when she was wearing all black. There was a single black
chair in the room of white and gold. It was a highbacked
wingless chair with a black autamon to match. Golden
lines of rosed and crescent moons overed the chair. She
walked closer into the room. A large door was on the other
side. She presummed that door led to another room, larger
than their sitting room, for the small office was in a
shape of a very thin rectangle. At one corner of the
office, a white marble fireplace stood, its logs waiting
to be burnt. Discovering that the desk drawers were
unlocked, she sat down in the deskchair and began to
shuffle through documents and papers. Finding nothing
but a sheet ull of names with most crossed off, she
turned her eyes to the fireplace, trying to think.
Something caught her eye. There was a slight crack
where the logs were to burn. She slowly vacated the
chair and went to crouch down by the fireplace. A piece
of marble the size of a brick was loose. Struggling to
pull it out, she tugged and pulled. Falling back when it
gaveway she couldn't hold back a startled squeak. She
laid sprawled on the floor for a good ten minutes before
she was convinced she hadn't woken anyone up. Laying there,
she listened to the noises the house made. It was odd,
that this house held secret rooms and quite possibly traps,
like her family's mansion did. She wondered briefly if she
should explore later and search with more detail than she
had before. Maybe it was built as a trap house, something
to keep you on your toes. She had never been into the east
wing, nor the back part of the west wing. Darien had insisted
on only allowing her in the main parts of the house, as well
as the back part, where the kitchen and pantry were located.
A wine cellar, built under the house, was offlimits to her,
for Darien claimed that it was not proper for her to be among
such beverages without himself as an escort. Once, she had tried
to sneak into it, but had found the doors to it locked. Upon
asking, Franny, a maid, about the locked cellar doors, Franny
had replied that only Darien had the key. Serenity had never
dared ask him about it, for she didn't want him to think she was
as curious about what was down there, as she really was. Now,
pulling out the papers that had been carefullly folded and placed
in the secret compartment, she was stunned to realize these were
house plans. Secret rooms, passage ways, traps, and much more were
all laid out perfectly. 'So that's why Darien always seemed to
appear out of no where.' she thought to herself. Looking at the
floor plans, one of the many sheets of paper, she noticed that
this room that she was now sitting in, was labled-
A quiet almost unaudible click was heard and she froze, only
swinging her eyes to the opening. It was closing. Frantically,
she threw the bricksized chunk of marble back into place and
grabbed the papers before dashing through the small opening just
in time, for a few seconds later, it shut tightly.
With a sigh of relief, she carefully closed the doors to
the study she had so hasitly returned into, and locked them.
Settling into the large deskchair, she unfolded the papers once
more.
"the main conference room." she raised an eyebrow. That large
door in that tiny office led to the 'main conference room'. She
stifled a laugh. "What a cheesey name." she muttered and scanned
the floor plans once more. Dozens of secret rooms that had carefully
and painstakingly hidden, made up most of the entire east wing,
and she gasped, there was even ones leading to and from their bedroom.
Pulling her glasses out of her dress's pocket, she slipped them on
and spotted some words in the lower right hand corner.
******************************************************************
Droplets of water collected in a dark place. Droplets,
ice cold, that melted from the frozen object above,
collected on the floor. Soon, the ice would be fully
melted, and the object would eventually thaw.
******************************************************************
"HeadQuarters for the Line- see cellar door." she whispered
as she read and then mentally smacked herself. 'No way could it be that easy.'
her mind raced with the thought.
'It's obviously a trap.' came the voice that had appeared
when she had hardened her heart. It was the voice of reason.
'But no one was meant to over look these plans but Darien
himself' another voice inside her head argured. Shaking her head
in an effor to make the voices go away, she groaned when they started
to quarrel.
'Hey! This is my mind! Listen up!' she mentally yelled at them,
causing both to stop. 'Good' Flipping over the large piece of paper,
she saw something she never expected.
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
Hehe.....sorry to end it there, but I think this chapter was fairly
longer than the previous ones. Okay....so now I'm going ot go over
a few points. Yes, I know Serena isn't as cold towards him when she
returns home, and yes, the ice is seeming to melt from her heart. Will
she ever find what she is looking for? Is she truly going to move back
to her parents' house instead of moving in with Darien's parents? And
what would happen if she was alone around his mother for days? Would
Martha say anything unkind toward her after the incident with what color
Serenity's wedding dress was going to be? (see the end of chapter 5, 6
Things I Hate About You)
Let me know what you think! Plz R&R!
Ja ne!
~*~ExpressoHyper~*~
(aka Lady_of_Silver on ff.net and Cappuchino_Princezz at Aria's ink)
Chapter 12
By:Lady_of_Silver (ExpressoHyper)
I've decided to officially change my name. Lady_of_Silver will
still show up as my author name, because I'm too lazy to get
another one, but I've decided that since my name is taken
at first love, that I might as well change it. From now
on, I wish to be known as ExpressoHyper. Sorry for the confusion,
and thank you for reading this fanfic!
7/15/02
*****************************************************************
Standard Disclaimor Applies! I do NOT own sailor moon or the
characters in it, but this story most definitely came from me!
Ohyeah, and 'The Line' although tacky in the name, meaning the
hanging rope, nuice, came from my unimaginitive mind as well.
So don't hurt me, I tried hard to create a serious name.
****************************************************************
Also.....Sorry for the lack of updates! I tried really really
hard to get this chapter out as soon as possible! I spent only a
day and a half writing this one so i could get it out, and now
fanfiction is having difficulties....again....I swear i'm going
to get too fed up one of these days and give up on that site!
Sorry....but i only have so much patience....especially with
the way my life is going right now.
ReCaP:
"Are you going to tell me what the hell that was about?" she
asked, not bothering to hide her frustration. He nodded, but
made no effort to speak, and she quickly grew impatient. "Well?"
she prodded. She watched as he knitted his brows together and
set his mouth in a firm frown as if he were about to tell her
the news of a sudden and unsuspecked death in the family.
Instead, his response caught her totally offguard.
****************************************************************
"You're not safe here at this time, Serenity. I'm going to
have you stay with my parents for a little while. I'll visit
you often, almost everyother day. I promise." his eyes pleaded
with her to agree and she lowered her head after nodding. She
knew he would force her to move even if she didn't want to.
He was just as stubborn as her if more so at times. Her eyes
began to fill with tears but when his hand cupped her chin
and began to lift her face up, she quickly blinked them back.
'No more crying, Serenity. You're a grown woman, and
stronger than you were before. You'll not cry infront of your
husband, nor will you show any emotion towards him at all.'
the stern voice from inside her mind ordered. She froze her
heart once more, and felt the ice glaze her eyes as well.
Darien retracted his hand when he recieved the old
and familiar cold blue-eyed stare from his wife. That stare
had won her a reputation. It was rumored a few years earlier,
shortly after it's creation, that she could have won a staring
contest against a fish, but everyone knew that fish did not
have eyelids. He grasped her gently by the shoulders and
worriedly searched her eyes, for one sign, when those
sky-blues had been filled with several emotions before.
He found nothing. She was the ice queen again.
"You expect me to live with your parents until, you
get this, 'problem' taken care of?" she asked, her voice sharp
like a knife.
"Serenity, I'm not asking for-"
"You're asking too much I'm affraid." she interrupted
him and shrugged off his offending hands. "I'm going home." she
deadpanned. His jaw fell down at her bold statement.
"Serenity-"
"I've had enough." she interrupted again. "I'm going
home to see my father." she picked up her skirts and began
to ascend the grand staircase.
"But what about your mother?" he called. She paused
and straightend her spine so that she raised to her full 5'8".
"My mother has taken ill. I'm going to care for her
aswell." she replied somewhat softly and proceeded on her way
once more. Darien could not bring himself to argue with her
anymore about the matter. He was angry with her for refusing
the protection he was offering, and yet angry at himself for
somehow letting her regress into her previous state of mind.
He shivered, even though it was about 80ยบ outside. The way
her cold blue eyes had stared straight through him almost
made him take a step back. He sighed and went back to his
study to ponder the information the two men had brought him.
An hour later he heard a horse and carriage slow to
a stop infront of the porch. He rose from his chair and drew
back the dark curtains to see who the visitor was. A tall man
with sandy blonde hair exited the rather large carriage,
followed by another man, who Darien recognized as Serenity's
father. They were both dressed as if they had come from or were
going to a ball. In tuxedos and top hats. He hurried to the
front door to greet them. They looked slightly nervous when
he opened the door.
"To what do I owe this pleasure of your visit?" he
inquired.
"Serenity send a messenger saying that she wished for
us to come see her and escort her to the meeting." her father
spoke in a voice full of stern authority. Darien raised an eye
brow suspicously but stepped back so they could enter. Andrew
looked slightly uncomfortable under his gaze but Darien did
not notice. Suddenly, they heard the sounds that Serenity's
heels made and turned toward the staircase. Darien's eyes
widend and her father clapped softly. Andrew smiled. At the
top of the stairs, stood Serenity, in a long flowing red and
black silk gown. The form-sitting bodice was black while the
skirt was black that was so long it trailed behind her. A red
sash was tied around her waist with the tails of red fringe
hanging to her ankles. Her hair was pulled into a strange style
Darien had never before seen her wear.
"Will they be expecting me?" she inquired as she held
her long skirts and gracefully descended the stairs. Darien
stared, his mouth slightly open as she came closer and closer.
She paused infront of him and raised a hand up to his chin.
She closed his mouth and then turned to take her father's
arm. Andrew went to the coatcloset and retrieved her black
and red cloak. Her father nodded.
"Yes, Serenity. You're being waited on. It's time we
leave for the meeting now." He began to lead her out the door.
"Wait a minute!" Darien's voice thundered through the
halls causing the three to cease their movements. Serenity
turned to him and raised a delicate eyebrow.
"Now Darling, you wouldn't want me to be late for my
meeting, would you?" she practically purred. He smirked.
"I wasn't aware that there was a meeting, sweetheart."
he replied. An icy smile graced her lips.
"Of course there is a meeting. I had to set it up
yesterday. You were busy in town. I do so apoligize for
not telling you about it." she faked sincerity easily,
for it had become second nature to her in the past.
"I don't think it's safe for you to go out tonight."
he stated and sent a glare at Andrew.
"I do believe I will be very safely returned home
tonight." Serenity bit back. She could hardly keep her cool.
She turned to her father and Anderw. "Could you give us a
moment?" she asked, They nodded and went to wait out by the
carriage.
"Serenity, it's not safe for you to be out other than
in the daytime." he said as he grasped her just below her
shoulders. "And even then you must have a guard or an escort."
Her black glove encased hand waved infront of his face.
"Pah-leeze" she seemed nonchalant about his meaning.
"I have two guards thank you very much." with that, she
slipped from his hold and went out the door. "Don't wait up
Darling! I'll be home very late." He watched as her form
disappeared through the door. An unknown feeling swept
through his body as he watched her go. Was it fear? Pain?
Sadness? Guilt? Could it be guilt because he had somehow
made Serenity revert back to her old self? His lips pressed
together tightly and then curled into a frown. Returning to
his study, Darien lit an cigar and poured himself a drink.
He was very frustrated and confused. Holding the cigar in
his hand, he stared at it. He had never smoked a cigar
in his life, because he had always thought them disgusting.
Also, Serenity hadn't permitted him in the bedroom one night
because his clothing reeked of the stench. A slight smile
snuck upon his face as he pictured her sitting in the library,
curled up reading a book in her favorite chair, her reading
glasses hanging down on the bridge of her perfect nose. He
snubbed the cigar after a few drags and downed his scotch
on the rocks. He had always figured she could drive a man
to drink, he had just not really counted on her proving
him correct.
****************************************************************************
**************************************
Serenity felt all eyes on her as she entered the room.
Knowing that everyone was confused to find her without
her 'charming' husband, she allowed a cold smile to
grace her lips as she passed people sitting at the
table, on her way to the head of it. This meeting
had been the first one since her marriage, and everyone
was too curious not to attend. Most were disappointed,
and their disappointment showed on their faces as she
slowly and gracefully strolled to the front, like she
had always done.
Upon reaching her spot, she cleared her throat in
hopes of quieting and eventually silencing the croud as
whispers grew louder. Everyone froze and shifted their eyes
towards her.
"I know all of you are wondering why my husband is
not here by my side." she allowed a few moments for more
whispers and continued when the croud quieted once more.
"He is currently tied up with some business papers and
unfortunately, has informed me that he will not leave his
study for quite some time, or atleast until he gets some
matters resolved." Gazing once more out into the croud,
she noticed that no one was convinced, but felt that her
explanation was sufficient and continued on. "I suggest
the gentlemen quickly exit the room." Making sure to carry
on only after the last man had left, she sat down in her
chair. "I call this meeting of the Black Maidens to order."
her voice resounded through the woman-packed room. No one
dared utter a sound. "Is there any business that someone
would like to present?" she asked after slipping her glasses
on and fixing her skirts so that she was sitting in a
comfortable position. Maria Winston stood and cleared her
throat. She looked toward Serenity for her consent to continue.
Serenity nodded and Maria began, her voice somewhat unsteady.
"A-as you all know, last year my mother and I suffered
a terrible loss. Our house was burnt to the ground and this
terrible event caused my father's tragic death." Her timid
brown eyes glanced around the room before resting upon
Serenity. "My dearest friend Serenity invited us into her
home until we could have a somewhat decent house built.
It has been almost a whole year and yet, still our house
is not rebuilt. It has become difficult to find builders
who will work for women. I find that this is a sexest and
biased time that we live in. I was hoping that some of you
married women would persuade your husbands to hire a builder
for us." she finished and sunk back into her chair. All eyes
turned to Serenity.
"I feel as if this is a pesonal issue. Speak to me in
my office at home tomorrow, Maria." "Anyone else?" she asked.
Another woman stood up. Her tall form encased in an emerald
green dress caught everyone's attention. Dark, chestnut brown
hair was pulled up into a simple yet elegant high ponytail.
Her lively emerald green eyes combed the room for any sign
of protest again her speaking.
"Members of the Black Maidens," she nodded her head,
"Serenity," she adressed the group and her leader, before
continueing."Maria brought up something besides unequality."
"What would that be, Ms. Juno?" questioned a stuffy
looking, rather plump woman with grey-blue hair wearing a
much too tight burgandy dress.
"She mentioned the fireing of her house." the tall
brunette replied sharply, and pushed back her chair so that
she could walk about the room.
"Please get to the point, Lita. We do not want the
meeting's lengthy session to arrouse suspicion." cut in
Raye Franklin, who's raven black head could be spotted
by the door.
"My apologies Raye." Lita nodded.
"The point, please." Serenity's impatient request
caused a blonde sitting beside her to cover her smile with
an orange gloved hand. Both Lita and Serenity sent the blonde
stern looks before Lita continued.
"As you know, three men were found hung then two
mornings later." Lita paused by the opposite end of the table
Serenity sat at. "We all know that the men had to be the ones
who burned the Winstons' house."
"We all know this Lita, but what we don't know is why
you're telling us this." The annoyance and boredem in
Serenity's voice did not go unnoticed by any of the women.
"I mean to present the idea, that there is another
group, not unlike ourselves, who have commited the hangings
as a sort of justice." Lita stated and crossed her arms as
voices overtook the croud.
"Ladies. Ladies!" Serenity silenced the group and
rose from her sitting position, to stand her full height.
She was still not as tall as Lita Juno. "Lita speaks the
truth." a cry of outrage overtook the room and she clapped
her hands to collect their attention. "I have my reasons
for my statement, and mind you, nothing that is ever said
in this room.....need ever leave this room." her cold blue
eyes wandered the croud after focusing briefly on a few
gossipers that were among them. "I'd like Janet Fandan
and Margaret Grawling to please leave the room." the two
women complied with her rewuest without question. When
the large oak doors closed, she continued. "I have seen
them. I've even been to their headquarters, but-"
"How can you not tell us this valueable information,
when it is our lives that are in danger, Serenity?!" Mrs.
Larnen's haughtly voice rang through the air. Serenity's
glare forced her to take her seat once more.
"I was getting to that Mrs. Larnen. With the recent
hanging of one of their own members, I found it necessary
to call this meeting. Remember, ladies, we are the highest
title holding women in this community, and we must look out
for our town's men as if they are our children." she paused
beside Lita. "The group that brings justice with a price is
called The Line. My husband, as well as most of your's or
your fathers and brothers are in it. My husband," she paused
and swallowed the lump that had begun to grow in her throat,
"is the leader." she waited for the chatter to stop before
she continued. "Fellow Black Maidens, I am sorry to tell you
that there is a great danger approaching. The Line mean us
no harm, and are only here to protect us and will continue
to do so until they cannot any longer. My husband has
requested that I stay with his parents and I have refused.
I'm going to my own home to take care of my family. I can
only assuem that there is a traitor among them. I ask of
you all to be very careful and never leave the house
without an escort, wether it be day or not. Stay in
groups when in cafes or attending parties and balls.
Do not leave the less fortunate by themselves either.
Children should not be permitted to leave the yard
after sunset, and absolutely no horseback riding
without an escort." Serenity lectured. She was
unaware that she was giving them the same orders
that Darien had given her. Her right hand tugged at the
wedding band on her other hand and finally the simple
diamond ring left her finger. She held it up for everyone
to see. "I see this not only as a pledge of everlasting
love to my husband, but as a duty that binds me to my fellow
people. I will not rest until this 'traitor' is taken down."
with that said, she slipped the ring back onto her finger.
Her actions had caused quite an amount of shock among the croud.
She returned to her seat and the croud eventually quieted down.
Lita still stood.
"I, as well as the rest of the memebers, are deeply moved
and touched by your words and actions, Serenity. I pledge my
loyalty and undying devotion to our cause. May the traitor
fear us and may our name cause shivers to run down his followers'
backs." a chorus of support followed her pledge. Serenity smiled
slightly.
"Thank you." Serenity rose once more. "If no one has
anything else to present, I think we will call another meeting
in one week, and announce this one closed." she waited for anyone
to stand up. No one moved save for Lita Juno, who had taken her
seat. "Very well, I call this meeting of the Black Maidens
closed! We will meet again in precisely one week." she rose
and exited the room before the other women, as she had always
done.
*****************************************************************
******************************
With a groan of frustration, Darien gave up on sleeping.
'Where was she?! Why wasn't she home yet? What if something
happend to her?' Billions of thoughts raced through his mind.
With one sweeping motion, the covers were away from him instantly
and he stood from the bed. The sound of a carriage and horses
brought him to the window. He almost lept for joy as he saw the
farmiliar form of the Patronal carriage bounce down the road
on it's way toward the large house he (and not his wife) called
home. Racing down the steps, he took a seat in the shadows on
the staircase so he could watch her enter without being noticed.
The distinct sound of her shoes upon the floorboards of the large
porch were a dead giveaway it was Serenity. He noticed that she
was not alone.
"Thankyou for escorting me home, Andrew." He had to grip
the banister to keep from running over, throwing open the door
and pulling her into the house.
"Serenity, please be careful. Darien and I would hate to
have anything happen to you. He loves you very much." Darien
couldn't hear this, for Andrew had whispered it into her ear
after a quick hug.
"Good night Andrew." she called as he descended the
stairs.
"Good night Serena." he called back when he climbed into
the carriage. Serenity sighed and turned the doorhandle. The
house was deathly quiet yet the hairs on the back of her neck
stood on end as she closed the door. Walking to the closet, she
felt a pair of eyes burning into her back. After quickly hanging
up her coat, she heard a floorboard creak and spun around,
slamming the closet door shut.
"H-hello?" she called. Two hands pulled her to a firm
chest, and she resisted the urge to scream. Realizing it was
Darien she stomped on his foot.
"Ouch!" he spray back as a terrible pain shot through his
leg, starting from his foot. "What was that for?"
"For trying to scare me. Go back to bed." She led him
up the stairs and into their room.
"I'm sorry, Serenity. I didn't know you would get that
scared." he apologized as she tucked him in. Catching the faint
odor of cigar smoke, she slutched hiim roughly by the shoulders.
" Darien Endymoin Franklin, I do not want to ever smell
the disguting stench of cigar smoke in this room, ever again!
I can also smell the scotch." she couldn't supress a cold smile.
"I see you had a fun night." with that, she pecked him on the
forehead and left the room quickly, closing the door behind her.
'I have work to do. Darien will just get in the way.'
she told herself as she descended the stairs. Her eyelids
drooped slightly over her tired blue eyes, but she knew
she had to get her work done before tomorrow, when Darien
would be awake and sharp. He wouldn't allow her access to
his study tomorrow, for that she was sure. Pulling a thin
silver ring of keys from her pocket, she unlocked the
study doors and flipped on the light. A satisfied smile
slipped graced her lips as she began to sift through files.
Three hours later found Serenity waist deep in files
and frustrated. With a groan of realization that she would
have to put the files away exactly how she had found them,
she began to do so. Not so much as a single file on The
Line had she found, and she was begining to think that
it was becoming necessary for her to sneak into the
headquarters. Half an hours work of putting everything
back the way she had found it, made Serenity stifle a yawn.
Her eyelids were threatening to claim her eyes and she
knew they were about to surrender. Accidently bumping
into a small statue on a pillar, that stood in the corner
of the large room she gasped when the paneling of the wall
next to her slid open. She was fully awake now as she
looked at the small office that had been concealed so
artfully.
"Must have been here before Darien knew about it."
she noted after she entered. The floor was carpetted
in plush white carpet and she was forced to take off her
shoes. She felt odd in a room that screamed cheerfulness,
when she was wearing all black. There was a single black
chair in the room of white and gold. It was a highbacked
wingless chair with a black autamon to match. Golden
lines of rosed and crescent moons overed the chair. She
walked closer into the room. A large door was on the other
side. She presummed that door led to another room, larger
than their sitting room, for the small office was in a
shape of a very thin rectangle. At one corner of the
office, a white marble fireplace stood, its logs waiting
to be burnt. Discovering that the desk drawers were
unlocked, she sat down in the deskchair and began to
shuffle through documents and papers. Finding nothing
but a sheet ull of names with most crossed off, she
turned her eyes to the fireplace, trying to think.
Something caught her eye. There was a slight crack
where the logs were to burn. She slowly vacated the
chair and went to crouch down by the fireplace. A piece
of marble the size of a brick was loose. Struggling to
pull it out, she tugged and pulled. Falling back when it
gaveway she couldn't hold back a startled squeak. She
laid sprawled on the floor for a good ten minutes before
she was convinced she hadn't woken anyone up. Laying there,
she listened to the noises the house made. It was odd,
that this house held secret rooms and quite possibly traps,
like her family's mansion did. She wondered briefly if she
should explore later and search with more detail than she
had before. Maybe it was built as a trap house, something
to keep you on your toes. She had never been into the east
wing, nor the back part of the west wing. Darien had insisted
on only allowing her in the main parts of the house, as well
as the back part, where the kitchen and pantry were located.
A wine cellar, built under the house, was offlimits to her,
for Darien claimed that it was not proper for her to be among
such beverages without himself as an escort. Once, she had tried
to sneak into it, but had found the doors to it locked. Upon
asking, Franny, a maid, about the locked cellar doors, Franny
had replied that only Darien had the key. Serenity had never
dared ask him about it, for she didn't want him to think she was
as curious about what was down there, as she really was. Now,
pulling out the papers that had been carefullly folded and placed
in the secret compartment, she was stunned to realize these were
house plans. Secret rooms, passage ways, traps, and much more were
all laid out perfectly. 'So that's why Darien always seemed to
appear out of no where.' she thought to herself. Looking at the
floor plans, one of the many sheets of paper, she noticed that
this room that she was now sitting in, was labled-
A quiet almost unaudible click was heard and she froze, only
swinging her eyes to the opening. It was closing. Frantically,
she threw the bricksized chunk of marble back into place and
grabbed the papers before dashing through the small opening just
in time, for a few seconds later, it shut tightly.
With a sigh of relief, she carefully closed the doors to
the study she had so hasitly returned into, and locked them.
Settling into the large deskchair, she unfolded the papers once
more.
"the main conference room." she raised an eyebrow. That large
door in that tiny office led to the 'main conference room'. She
stifled a laugh. "What a cheesey name." she muttered and scanned
the floor plans once more. Dozens of secret rooms that had carefully
and painstakingly hidden, made up most of the entire east wing,
and she gasped, there was even ones leading to and from their bedroom.
Pulling her glasses out of her dress's pocket, she slipped them on
and spotted some words in the lower right hand corner.
******************************************************************
Droplets of water collected in a dark place. Droplets,
ice cold, that melted from the frozen object above,
collected on the floor. Soon, the ice would be fully
melted, and the object would eventually thaw.
******************************************************************
"HeadQuarters for the Line- see cellar door." she whispered
as she read and then mentally smacked herself. 'No way could it be that easy.'
her mind raced with the thought.
'It's obviously a trap.' came the voice that had appeared
when she had hardened her heart. It was the voice of reason.
'But no one was meant to over look these plans but Darien
himself' another voice inside her head argured. Shaking her head
in an effor to make the voices go away, she groaned when they started
to quarrel.
'Hey! This is my mind! Listen up!' she mentally yelled at them,
causing both to stop. 'Good' Flipping over the large piece of paper,
she saw something she never expected.
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
Hehe.....sorry to end it there, but I think this chapter was fairly
longer than the previous ones. Okay....so now I'm going ot go over
a few points. Yes, I know Serena isn't as cold towards him when she
returns home, and yes, the ice is seeming to melt from her heart. Will
she ever find what she is looking for? Is she truly going to move back
to her parents' house instead of moving in with Darien's parents? And
what would happen if she was alone around his mother for days? Would
Martha say anything unkind toward her after the incident with what color
Serenity's wedding dress was going to be? (see the end of chapter 5, 6
Things I Hate About You)
Let me know what you think! Plz R&R!
Ja ne!
~*~ExpressoHyper~*~
(aka Lady_of_Silver on ff.net and Cappuchino_Princezz at Aria's ink)
