This is dedicated to all those people who inspired me to write a second fanfic because the first left a lot of questions unanswered, both past and future.
Chapter 1
Endymion and Serenity sat at the dining room table silently. It had been like this for months. Neither of them ever really had much to say to each other lately. Their minds usually wondered to other things while they had time together. Usually, one of them would try to break the silence with the latest news.
"Well, I see that our Lost Princess has actually returned," Serenity said disdainfully. She had known all along why their marriage was failing. As always, it was because of dear, little sister. Serenity couldn't stand being second best to her because she had always loved Endymion with all her heart, and all she got in return was what was left after India was done with him.
"Ah, yes," Endymion replied a little squirmish. "I was there to prove it was her. You would have been there had you notified anyone of where you were." Endymion sipped a little of his coffee. His mind wonder back to the night before. That kiss had reawakened any feelings for India that hadn't been quite there before, but she soon turned away from him.
*India turned her back on Darien. "This is not right. What will happen when you go back to the palace after so much time later? You should leave now before any questions are asked of why you have been here so much. You should only be here long enough to confirm that I am the real princess."
Endymion thought about that for a moment, knowing she was right. "Well, let's see if you are the real thing," He said a little facetiously. He knew it was her in his heart, but if he didn't have solid evidence for everyone, then questions would be asked. "What was your name a thousand years ago?"
"My name was India Present," India responded with her eyes low again.
"What is your current age?"
"My age is 1,004 years."
"Who is your guardian?"
"My guardian's name is Freya Present."
There was only one question left to ask. If any one every got passed those questions, this was the one to prove them false. The information in this question was only known to the Sailor Scouts. "Whom was your love and what happened to your relationship?" This question usually brought back unpleasant memories for Endymion. Sometimes it would be Serenity who asked the questions to prove the fakes false with pleasure. She was always glad that the real Princess Neo had never been found because her relationship with Endymion would only worsen.
"My love was Darien Shields," India said after hesitating, still keeping her eyes to the floor. "I cut our relationship off and left him in a restaurant on a rainy day."
She had been proven. That was all that needed to be done. Endymion looked at India, she was still staring at the floor.
Endymion made India look at him once more. "Do not be ashamed of what you feel. It only makes you feel worse." With that, Endymion turned and slowly walked out of the room.
*"So she answered all of the questions correctly?" Serenity asked with a glimmer of hope. Maybe all the rumors were false. Maybe she could have more time to make Endymion forget about the past.
"Yes," Endymion answered. "Why do we have to talk about this now?"
"Why do you care?" Serenity asked.
"I care because I know this will only get you upset."
"We will have to see just how true that statement is." Serenity said to herself. "Endymion, you know that I love you with all of my heart, right?"
"Yes, Serenity," Endymion answered ruefully. "I love you, too."
"Endymion, I'm trying to be serious," Serenity said. "No matter how much trouble we are going through, or will go through, I will always love you from the bottom of my heart. Do not desert me."
Endymion looked up from his plate and at his wife. "Serenity," he began, "I do love you, and I know you are being serious. No matter what happens just remember that. I love you." Endymion became sad for a moment and talked softly. " Love dies hard, very hard. You can never stop your feelings because they were meant to be."
Serenity stood up from her place at the table and walked to Endymion. "Look at me and tell me you love me."
Endymion looked up at his wife. Does she care if it is not as strong as the love for someone else? He thought to himself. Does she care if I'm not talking about the same love she feels for me?
Serenity put her hand on his cheek. "Tell me you love me," she said tearfully.
"Serenity, we have been over this many times in the past few years. I would not still be here if it were not for my love for you."
"How do I truly know that? What about all the terrible things that could happen if the royal family was broken up? What about that? Or maybe you are only staying because of the promise that you made to her all those years ago."
Endymion had thought about that for nights on end. What was it really that kept him here all these years? Why hadn't he left Serenity years ago? Was it because of the kingdom? Or worst of all, was it because of the promise he had made and tried to keep? Was it because of how much Serenity reminded him of India? Questions raced through his head a mile a minute every free chance they had.
"I love you, Serenity, I love you."
"I love you, too," Serenity said as she leaned down and kissed Endymion softly on the lips. She put her arms around Endymion grateful that he was hers.
A servant walked into the dining room. "Excuse me, your highnesses, but you have guest" He announced.
"Please show them in," Endymion replied.
India walked into the dining room. She looked at the couple at the table. For a moment, she felt a slight pang of jealousy and sadness. "I thought I would come and have breakfast with you."
"Please," Serenity said sadly because of the interruption on a private moment, "sit."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. What, may I ask, is your reason for joining us today?"
"Business."
"What kind of business?" Endymion asked.
"As it is painfully obvious that I have returned, we should announce it to the kingdom," India answered.
"Is that all?" Serenity said a little sarcastic, having other things in mind. "I have already begun the preparations. You have manage to come back just in time for the Christmas ball. I have decided to join that ball with your own homecoming. It saves time and money. This way there is less the fuss, if that is all right with you?"
"It is fine," India said.
"It will be a week from now, on December 25."
"Thank you very much, Serenity," India thanked. "I was not expecting anything very big."
"It is quite inevitable. I mean, the Lost Princess has returned. Who would not want to be in the presence of our legendary princess? A regular announcement would not be enough."
"Would this not be an honor for someone more worthy? I do not see why they have put me so high. All of that attention is very embarrassing."
"Were you not practically born into the royal family?" Serenity asked with disdain. "You should be quite use to things like this by now."
"Just try to relax and everything will be fine," Endymion said daring to say something caring in front of Serenity.
"Thank you, Endymion," India replied. "Thank you both."
"There is no reason to thank us," Serenity said with a note of happiness. "We are just doing what needs to be done." She put extra emphasis on "needs" when replying. Endymion and India picked up on it, but decided to ignore it instead.
"Besides," Endymion said trying to cut the tension, "would you not love getting all of the gifts from your adoring fans?"
"It is just being in the spot light has always made me nervous," India explained. "Having so many people watch you is so unnerving, and quite too much pressure. I can never get used to that."
"I am surprised someone so strong could be so weak," Serenity said under her breath. "Nonsense. I am quite sure, given enough time, that you will become used to the attention you will get. Everyone will be here to help you, India, like all the Scouts."'
"Besides," Endymion said, "everyone will be too involved with their own problems and affairs to barely even notice you at the ball."
"Do not get me wrong, I do appreciate everything both of you are doing for me," India said more so for Serenity's sake than Endymion's.
"We know that, just make sure you remember it," Serenity said almost as if threatening her.
"How about leaving all this business for later and just eating breakfast?" Endymion asked before anything really hurtful was said.
"I would love to," India quickly replied.
The three ate breakfast together. They did light talking on what had happened throughout the years. Of course, it would take more than just a breakfast to catch up on so much lost time. Each person tip-toped around each other careful not to say too much to cause worry or suspicion. Serenity stressed how happy her and Endymion had been over the years and flaunted her wedding bands in front of India, just to give the hint. Finally, the breakfast was over and not too soon at all. Endymion left immediately after to go look after a few things.
"Serenity, I will come back later to go over the decorations for the ball with you, if that is alright," India said.
"Of course," Serenity answered. "How about three o'clock? I have an opening there."
"I will be here," India said. "Besides viewing the kingdom, I have little to do." With that, India turned and walked out of the dining room.
India was not used to the palace yet so she ended up getting lost. It seemed everyone had left, and the castle was suspended in space with only India having the ability to move. She wondered through the castle for a few minutes. Somehow, she found her way to a door that led out side. It led to the rose garden at the back of the palace. It was much bigger than the one at her residence, which seemed a miniature replica of it. It held roses of all different colors of red, yellow, pink, white, purple, peach, and a solemn patch of black hidden away in the rear. The garden had been decorated with statues and arches everywhere. It was a beautiful sight to behold, indeed. Every so often, you would come to a patio or a bench where you could sit and relax. Off to the side of the garden, was a maze that had roses entwined in and out of the tall hedges. This seemed to be a small taste of what paradise really was, surely it was their own private Elysian field.
India sat down at one of the benches. It was a beautiful marble one that had bloomed roses engraved on it. She sat there enjoying the soft breeze and serenity of the scene. There she closed her eyes and let the sweet smell of the roses come to her.
"Do you love the view, or should I say the smell of the roses?"
India opened her eyes to see Endymion smiling, holding a red rose to her. India took the roses slowly. Endymion sat next to her on the beach.
"I like both," India replied smiling. "I thought you had to do something important."
"I did, and I did it," Endymion responded. "I usually come here to get away from it all, to calm down, and to think about you." He cautiously added the last part fearing he should run away, and a little embarrassed from his sudden show of affection. So quickly had he went to her on the day she arrived proclaiming his love, which seemed a little much at the time.
India looked up surprised at the comment. She knew Endymion was glad that she was back, but she had no idea. The way Serenity had described their marriage it hardly seemed like he had time to be alone or even think about her, even though he said how much he had missed her.
"You seem surprised," Endymion said amused. "I can tell what you are thinking. Everything that Serenity told you about our marriage was true. At least, for a while it was. When all of the fakes started showing up, I started to remember all the things it took years to forget. Slowly, our relationship started to get bad, and we drifted further and further apart. I guess the saying old love die hard is true."
"Sometimes it is good for old loves to die," India said softly. "I can tell from the way Serenity acts that she still loves you very, very much."
"Sometimes this is the way things happen. It is something that is certain. Our fates were written long before this. One thing I know for sure is that I still love you with all my heart."
India laid her head on Endymion's shoulder. "As much as I would hate to say this because of Serenity, but I still love you with all my heart. I just sometimes wonder if that is right."
Endymion kissed India gently. "I do, too. I do, too." Endymion got up and left India thinking of the conversation that just took place.