Chapter Nine

The Cost of Recklessness

Universe actually smiled as she entered the garden that morning - she couldn't have explained the reason why to anyone because the truth was she actually had no idea what it was all about herself but even though it felt baffling to her she knew one thing for sure. She was feeling good today - it was strange since as far as she knew she had no reason to feel this way. Ever since she'd woken up the day after she'd first arrived in the Moon Kingdom all she'd felt about the days that lay ahead had been an unpleasant expectation of dread, boredom and listlessness…however when she'd opened her eyes a couple of hours ago she hadn't felt a single one of these things.

Far from it…her feeling of resentment at being stuck in this one place and forced to act like a 'lady' as well as the boredom of waiting for absolutely nothing were both gone. She just couldn't understand WHY…

As she strode forth marvelling at her new nice disposal towards her new life Universe noticed how her gown flowed behind her for the first time and something about it gave her a feeling of whimsical amusement. Before she could stop herself she stopped and turned around in a sweeping full-circle, raising her arms high and spreading them wide as she mimicked Charon's dancing. Unfortunately her actual talent in dancing didn't match up to her burst of sudden enthusiasm and as the heel of her shoe caught her skirt she lost balance and staggered forward but she was laughing as she stumbled because she was in such a good mood that nothing could possi…

The hands that brought her to a stop as they grasped her by the shoulders came as a complete surprise. "Oops! Don't worry, I have caught you my dear!" cooed the voice of an elderly woman.

Disorientated with shock by this unexpected happening Universe stared up at the face of the person who had grabbed her without even bothering to right her footing - the lady she found herself gazing at was surprisingly handsome and about twenty years ago she'd probably been outstandingly beautiful. Her most notable feature was the strip of green dye that was streaked in a thick tuft on the right side of her dark and slightly greying mane of hair. There was a supercilious smile on her face as she held onto Universe's shoulders almost covetously and her green eyes appraised her like a cunning old magpie as she inspected her catch.

"Who are YOU?" Universe demanded as she stepped out of the woman's hands - she needed to really squirm in order to free herself from the helping hands. "These gardens are supposed to be private ya know."

The woman actually looked flustered by Universe's blunt and direct manner and by the loss of her contact with her. "I am here on a social visit my dear." She replied, Universe noticed that she seemed to be trying to make her voice sound sweet but that it instead came out as a lazy drawl especially when she said 'my dear'. "I must apologize for my little liberty…but this is a VERY nice little garden isn't it?"

Universe choked back her instinctive response which WOULD have been 'No problem - now feel free to get outta here!' "I'd call it more than 'little'!" she snapped folding her arms. "It's the best in the whole universe…"

"…well I suppose that you would be the one to know all about that hmm?" the woman interrupted with a little laugh which was too quick to sound natural but false-sounding enough for Universe's keen senses to figure out that she wasn't really interested in the topic of Princess Charon's garden and was trying to steer this unprovoked conversation in another direction.

Universe narrowed her eyes slightly as she watched the woman's face - for some reason she looked like she was trying to take in as much of her as she possibly could without actually walking around her to look at every inch of her body...that was discomforting enough but for some strange reason this attention felt somehow familiar. "Tell me…are you not her Highness, Princess Universe?"

"Actually I AM…but I can tell you the names of a lot of other people I'm not." Universe replied sassily.

The woman looked puzzled by this response and then after a whole minute had elapsed she finally understood the play on words and gave another quick dismissive laugh. "Oh how witty your Highness." She exclaimed smiling. "Well…now that I know your name I shall introduce myself since we haven't met before now which is not very surprising as I haven't been present at Court since…" she trailed off and then coughed in embarrassment at some memory, "But never mind that, my dear! As I was saying, I am Nerina Ashral, Duchess of my estate in this Kingdom. You have probably heard my name…"

"Nah." Universe said scowling as she wondered what the woman wanted from her and not really caring.

"…OH." The Duchess said clearly disappointed but then she smiled in that sugary sweet way and went so far as to lay her hand gently on the purple-haired girl's wrist. "WELL…then let us become acquainted! People generally call me 'your Grace' but you may simply call me Nerina." She said it as though Universe should have felt incredibly flattered or something. "Well now…if you don't mind my asking of course, where exactly is your home Universe? Is your Kingdom a very large place?"

Universe noted the gleam in the woman's eyes and smirked. "Ohhh yes." She said slyly. "It's VERY big."

It was true enough…

The Duchess smiled looking pleased by this reply and inclined her head as if to look at Universe from a different angle - she looked like she would have liked to tell the purple-haired girl to tilt her chin but refrained for reasons of etiquette. "My, my…lucky you." She crooned as she narrowed her eyes just a touch and thought hard, tapping her fore-finger on Universe's wrist. "You are most pretty my dear…now tell me honestly, are you engaged yet?"

Universe stared at her - the question had hit her like a bolt out of the blue. "Huh?" she asked blankly - Universe's sharp wits had just gotten to grips with the realisation that Ashral had been the noblewoman who had shown her so much rapt attention on the night she had been introduced to the Royal Court and also that she must have been tailing her during the party that had followed but now she was dazed by the unexpected question.

The Duchess smiled. "I would like very much for you to meet my son." She said with emphasis.

As if on cue a young man slouched his way from out of the cover of a Charonian tree and walked right up to Universe who gawped unfavourably at him - his hair was blonde and greasily matted down and his face wore the same supercilious expression as his mother as he openly eyed her up and down, taking in her body and face. "Mmm….your eyes shine like stars!" he remarked.

That effect was actually caused by the scent that he'd splashed over his hair in preparation for this moment - Universe blinked as her eyes watered but since the Duchess still had her subtle yet significant hold on her wrist she couldn't back away. "Uh…" she floundered as her irritated eyes continued to sparkle.

"Your Highness, please meet my son Renald." The Duchess cooed as she used her hold on Universe's wrist to manoeuvre the flummoxed Princess into standing right up close to her openly leering son. "My son you have the pleasure of Princess Universe's charming and NOBLE company."

If Universe hadn't been gagging at being this close to the abominable scent of Renald's hair she would have noticed the way in which his mother stressed the subject of her 'nobility' to him…

"The pleasure is all mine your Highness." Renald crooned as he looked slowly at every inch of her body ending with her face. "My, my…"

The Duchess smiled in agreement and looked down at Universe's waist…and then reached down and pinched her waist-line.

Universe jumped with a distressed little yelp. "What the hell do you think you're doin'?!!" she would have barked if her eyes hadn't been stinging too badly for her to form the words properly but as it happened her protest emerged as an indiscernible gasp.

"Hmm…VERY nice bone structure." Murmured the Duchess more to herself than to Universe. "Just the right age too…and she's obviously born to have children." She glanced over to her son and gave him a 'Hurry up or I'll do it for you' frown.

Renald caught the look and actually looked flustered as he cleared his throat. "Erm…your Highness, I know that we haven't known each other for a very long time but I have a suggestion…"

"PROPOSAL." His mother murmured anxiously and then smiled quickly at Universe who was too disorientated to notice.

"…a PROPOSAL - thank you mother - for you." Renald amended. "Why don't you and I…become betrothed?"

Universe gave a watery blink. "Huh?" that word meant nothing to her…

"What my son is suggesting Universe my dear, is that the two of you become engaged to be married." The Duchess put in patiently.

Universe's head was swimming as she stared at her but now it had nothing to do with the scent…one thing that she was able to grasp was that the Duchess had now dropped 'Princess' and 'Your Highness' and that she was now calling her by her name alone like they were close friends or something but the rest was too mind-boggling for her. "…what?" she gasped disbelievingly.

For a moment the Duchess looked like she was going to pout but if she had been going to then she managed to stop herself at the last minute - clearly this girl was rather slow-witted but what did that matter since she was very pretty, probably fertile and a Princess? Besides it might even help… "Married my dear." She explained kindly and slowly for her benefit. "Oh you would both need a little time to get to know each other first of course - that would be the reason for you to be engaged first but after a while, perhaps a week or two…"

Sudden realisation slammed into Universe like a brick wall. "Are you nuts?!!" she roared. "Comin' here an' just askin' me right out like this when I don't even know either of you…who do you think you are?!!"

The Duchess pursed her lips at this 'stubborn resistance' as she would have described it - obviously Universe was used to getting her own way but nevertheless she was confident that, THAT wouldn't last very long after the wedding. "Why don't you think about it for a little while?" she suggested mildly. "You know I once suggested this very same arrangement to Queen Serenity when her daughter was a little younger…" she furrowed her brow and knitted her eyebrows as she recalled the Queen's reaction to her proposal of marriage between her son and the Moon princess and then added hastily, "Oh but there is no particular reason for you to mention this to her Majesty, Universe my dear! It is your own choice to make after all and I am certain that once you have had time to get used to the idea you will find the prospect of this marriage quite to your liking."

My ass I will! Universe was tempted to snarl…

"And after all…" the Duchess continued and then paused and laughed as if she was about to make a teasing joke. "…I would be quite please to have a Princess and perhaps one day even a QUEEN for a daughter-in-law."

"AND to have free run of my 'Kingdom'." Universe growled narrowing her eyes.

Good job that she didn't actually HAVE a Kingdom of her own since nobody, no matter how powerful could ever hope to rule the entire Universe which had always been her home during her travelling days…

The Duchess gave an embarrassed little laugh as she blushed slightly - perhaps Universe wasn't quite so slow after all. "Well then…Renald?" she prompted her son as she remembered something that she had gone over with him while they had been preparing for this.

"Oh yes." Renald turned back to Universe. "Please let me kiss your hand your Highness."

Universe stared as he reached down to her wrist that wasn't being held in his mothers hand and brought it u, evidently to kiss it…but to her surprise he reached up with his other hand and slipped his fingers into the top of her glove. "In our district we prefer to kiss the skin of the girl's hand Universe." He explained and she noticed that he too had abandoned mentioning her title.

It seemed that their marriage was a foregone conclusion to himself and his mother…

But Universe wasn't even listening as he began to slowly slip the crème material of her glove down her arm, intent on removing it altogether - as she felt his fingers sliding against the skin of her upper arm her entire body stiffened and slowly but surely her blood began to boil as she started to breathe pure rage…

Universe tensed herself - the Duchess was holding her wrist to keep her there until they were done with her and her son was holding her other wrist…

Suddenly Renald blinked as the wrist and arm were both torn from his hands and the Duchess stared as the tense wrist was torn from her firm fingers. Universe stood back and then with a ferocious snarl she pulled back her arm, her glove pulled half-way down it, clenched her fist and…

Later that day…

"Well Universe?" Queen Serenity prompted coolly. "What have you to say for yourself?"

Universe licked her lips, taking her time to get every last inch…it wasn't that they were in any need of being moisturised at all…well actually they WERE but she hadn't even noticed but the actual reason that she did it was to stall the awful moment when she answered.

Queen Serenity stood opposite her in the small hallway she had only just firmly led her into and her expression while not positively angry nor even frosty was stern and unpromising enough to reduce Universe to a state of subdued nervousness. The purple-haired girl hadn't been at all surprised when the Duchess had become incoherent with outrage after she'd hit her son earlier that day. Neither had she been any more surprised when the Duchess had gone straight to Queen Serenity dragging her dazed son along behind her, his nose bleeding profusely and made a severe complaint about the princess's outbreak of 'unprovoked violence'. Apparently she called Universe a 'brazen little hussy' as well as a 'hellion' and thrown in 'young harlot' for good measure.

Universe hadn't been sent for until quite a long while later since Serenity had been busily engaged in calming the infuriated woman but when she had inevitably received her request to see her at once she had been taken totally by surprise by the fact that the Lunarian woman hadn't taken her side…indeed she seemed to be totally against what she had done.

As if reading her thoughts Queen Serenity frowned deeply at the sullen and resentful-faced Universe. "I am waiting Universe." She said grimly in a way that made it crystal clear that she expected to be answered at once.

"Umm…he deserved it." Universe said lamely. "He…touched me."

Serenity stared at her. "You struck him across the face because he TOUCHED you?" she exclaimed with something close to scorn in her voice - whatever it might have been it made Universe feel smaller than she had ever felt in her entire life. "Do you regard that as a reason for what you did Universe?"

Universe felt a tinge inside - Serenity had never looked at or spoke to her like this and now that she was the purple-haired girl felt so awful that she wished that she could just sink beneath the floor…she even found herself kind of wishing that she'd clenched her teeth and let Renald get away with what he'd tried to do. "If he doesn't keep his hands to himself he can take what's coming to him." She muttered sullenly. "Why should I be held responsible for something that was his own fault…and his frickin' mothers?"

Serenity set her lips and now she looked angry. "Firstly Universe I do not care for your choice in language but at the moment that is not the subject under discussion." She said and now the anger she suppressed was clear to be heard in her voice. "The reason you are in trouble is that you have acted violently towards a visitor of mine…"

"Like I told you he touched me without permission!" Universe snapped as she felt her own anger rising. "So you care more about his rights than mine? Is your visitor more important than that? Don't you care that he groped my arm?"

Serenity stared at her and her brow relaxed slightly though her anger did not decrease. "Universe you are my guest and my home is your home…but that does not give you the right to act discourteously towards visitors. Anyway…why did the Duchess Ashral approach you in the first place?"

"That old goat was trying to get me to agree to marry her weasel of a son." Universe said triumphantly.

To her surprise Queen Serenity didn't look shocked or indignant on her behalf but instead she looked as though she had expected that very response. "I thought as much." She murmured in an exasperated voice that sounded more like its source was the Duchess rather than Universe - then she smiled grimly. "Well…at the very least I should say that she has been dissuaded from that extremely remote possibility." She then looked at Universe again in deep thought as she considered the situation. "But whatever the reason for your actions your behaviour has been shameful Universe." Her voice was cold and curt and it gave the purple-haired girl an odd feeling that like her cheeriness that morning she couldn't explain but felt very deeply. "Until today I have made allowances for your often erratic behaviour because I know that despite it you are a good-natured girl…but I am afraid that I cannot overlook this. Universe…I am very disappointed in you but I am sorry as well. I know that inside you there is a girl who is just as appalled by what you did as I am and so I shall not give up on you."

Universe stared bitterly - she couldn't miss the fact that the Lunarian was angry with her but to her surprise she realised that her bitterness was caused by the fact that she felt bothered by this. All her life she'd never really cared about what people had thought about her, even when she'd put Steel-Eye's nose out of joint she'd shrugged and thought 'He'll get over it' and HE'D been the only person she'd ever looked up to. But as Serenity looked at her like this, sadly and angrily she felt an inward stab much worse than the one she'd felt when Luna had accused her of theft and she'd worried that the Queen might believe her…much, much worse.

"And what are you so sorry about?" Universe asked bitterly in the end - even flummoxed she was still defiant.

After all she HAD been in the right…hadn't she?

Serenity looked sorrowful as she gazed at her but her eyes were firm and unyielding. "Because I have no choice but to punish you for what you did Universe." She said quietly and then paused for a moment as she gave Universe a chance to realise what she was saying to her and then as a blank look covered the purple-haired girls face she added, "Unless of course you offer your apologies to the Duchess and her son."

Universe stood as still as a statue - she could feel fire flowing through her veins but this was overcome by the feeling that she was about to be sick. "WHAT?" she whispered, dazed by what she'd just been told.

"If you agree to meet them again and express your regret then I shall not punish you." Serenity told her, her tones flat - saying this to Universe was hurting her because she understood how the girl must be feeling but she also knew that she had to be stern…she had to discipline Universe. "Universe…I have no choice. This is a lesson that you have to learn…she who would command must first learn to obey. Now will you do it or not?"

Universe felt her skin prickling as she realised that Serenity was serious. "No way." She whispered, her voice husky with emotion as she turned her back on the Lunarian woman. "Screw that. Never. So…what are you gonna do? Have me locked up until I do what you say?"

Serenity gazed at her blankly - she had been about to tell Universe that she was acting childishly but now her expression was peculiar as though her disappointment and anger were put aside for the time being as she realised what the purple-haired girl had just said to her.

As she received nothing but silence in reply Universe glanced back over her shoulder and her eyes were like those of a wounded animal. "Well all I can say is go ahead…do it. I won't try to stop you." She went on, her voice still thick and trembling. "But even if you have me chained at the neck don't expect me to say I'm worry about what I did…cuz I'm not."

Serenity was at a complete loss for words. Universe's voice sounded like she was on the verge of tears but her eyes though they were hurt were also defiant as she stared over her shoulder at her in a hunted way. "Universe how can you say that?" she asked softly, her severity giving way to the kindness and affection that she had always felt towards this girl no matter how exasperated she was with her at the moment. "How can you even think that?"

Universe turned away from her again, unable to meet her eyes as she fought to control her confused emotions.

For a moment the Queen of the Moon stood in silence biting her lip as she debated with herself about what she SHOULD do and what she WISHED to do…and then she decided to follow her heart rather than her head. "Listen to me Universe…I know how you feel."

"No you don't! How can you?" Universe cried as she closed her eyes. "You barely know me at all…"

As she felt Serenity's hand touch her shoulder gently she turned around sharply - the smile that greeted her filled her with surging relief leaving her almost numb as she looked at the Lunarian. "Of course I do Universe - and that is how I know why this has upset you so much." She replied, her voice now wry and teasing. "You are afraid."

Universe's mouth fell open and then slowly she shook her head. "No…" she muttered but the half-formed smile on her face began to tug at the corners of her mouth because she knew that she couldn't deny that the Queen was absolutely right.

Serenity smiled back at her and her eyes were filled with understanding. "I do understand Universe…only too well in fact." She shook her head and sighed. "Please listen to me. What you did was wrong but I want you to know that I do not blame you for an instant…however much I disapprove of it."

Universe felt a weight lift from her in an instant. "You don't?" she said, her relieved whisper emerging almost as a sob.

"No…not at all." Serenity assured her, smiling warmly. "And however badly you put it I have to admit that you are right - the Duchess Ashral is always trying to advance herself and trying to gain status for herself by arranging for her son to marry a Princess is a tactic that she has attempted several times…each time without success."

Universe's eyes narrowed in sudden suspicion. "HOW many times?" she demanded.

"Nine times exactly…including yourself Universe." Serenity answered ruefully. "I am sorry to say that it was YOUR turn today."

As she put two and two together Universe widened her eyes. "She tried it with everyone else didn't she?" she exclaimed. "Mercury…Mars…Venus…Charon…your daughter and even Jupiter! She did, didn't she?!!"

Serenity couldn't help but laugh at the expression on her face. "Indeed - you weren't at all special in her eyes I am afraid. Does that bother you at all Universe?"

"No way!" Universe spluttered with indignation. "Why would I…it's just that I…"

Queen Serenity simply waved aside her effort to defend herself. "I know Universe, I know…I was merely teasing you. But there is your biggest problem - you take so many things far more seriously than you ought to, too seriously indeed. That is not right for a girl of your age."

Universe opened her mouth to reply tartly that she'd HAD to grow up quickly to survive while living her way of life but she realised that life here in the Moon Kingdom didn't have anything to do with that. "What did THEY do…when she tried it with them?" she asked quietly.

Serenity gave her an intent look. "Well they were of course all quite embarrassed and annoyed by the awkward position that the Duchess placed them in…but they all showed great restraint and dignity that made me deeply proud of them all." She said and Universe couldn't possibly miss the note of gentle criticism in her voice.

Blushing she lowered her head unhappily - knowing that she'd let Serenity down didn't make her miserable anymore but she still wished desperately that she had acted the same as her fellow princesses had done in that awful situation. "I'm…I'm sorry." She said quietly…then she raised her eyes and smiling reluctantly she added, "Queen Serenity…I'll apologize to her and her creep of a son. I…want to."

Serenity was surprised by the purple-haired girls sudden change of heart. "May I ask why?" she inquired mildly yet with curiosity.

"Because…because I want to be as best a princess I can be for you." Universe said simply, feeling confused but finding that the words came easier when she spoke her mind rather than trying to hide what was going on in it. "A lot of stuff makes no sense to me…I think most of it's stupid but if you'll give me another chance then I'll try."

Serenity smiled and placed her hands on Universe's shoulder as her eyes shone radiantly. "Universe - I am already proud of you for following your heart in ever decision that you make. Dignity and restraint are things that you still have to learn but your eyes tell me that you truly wish to try and make to the effort - and I know that you shall succeed in doing so. I want you to know that you have lost none of my respect but that have instead enhanced my estimation for you by having the courage to admit that you made a mistake and having a willingness to try and make amends for it. I shall speak to the Duchess again in an hour or two and arrange for you to speak with her again - I know that you will do your best to make peace with her."

Universe tried to imagine the interview that now loomed ahead of her and sighed - but a mischievous grin flitted across her face. "Sooo…did she try her little social-ladder-climbing game on with Princess Pluto?" she asked with a snigger that she couldn't suppress at the thought of Ashral trying to overawe the tall and noble Guardian of Time with her insanely patronizing expression and irritatingly over-familiar manner.

Serenity smiled and shook her crème-haired head. "Of course she did not Universe. Though to be honest I must say that I expected her to do so on the first occasion she was at court while Princess Pluto was visiting us."

Universe smirked and suddenly her upcoming chat with Ashral didn't seem as bad as it had been a short while ago. "You said that she tried it with nine Princesses…so who were the other two?"

A peculiar look crossed Serenity's face. "Princess Neptune and Princess Uranus - they were both polite enough when faced with the proposals but made it quite plain that neither of them were interested at all."

"Tell me about them." Universe insisted as she wondered why the Queen seemed so reticent about the two of them.

"Well…they are a couple of years older than I would estimate you to be Universe and they are also Princesses from the outer edge of our galaxy just as you are. Perhaps you shall meet them someday." Serenity said - her eyes however seemed to contain the slightest reflection of worry as she thought about Universe meeting Neptune and Uranus though whatever was going on in her mind she kept there. "Someday…in the future."

Universe nodded her head very slowly - she was feeling a little wistful as she was reminded that she did not know exactly how old she was. Until now she'd never really been bothered by it but being with people who all knew their ages made her feel somehow incomplete. "The outer edge huh…" she repeated quietly remembering how Pluto had said the same thing about her.

"Indeed…you are an Outer-Princess, Universe."

Universe wasn't really listening anymore as she averted her eyes. "Mmm…"

"Are you feeling sad Universe?" Serenity asked in sudden concern. "About not knowing very much at all about yourself before…Steel-Eye? You know…if you wish then I could make an attempt to discover the truth Universe. I could make an enquiry - if it is successful then it would be possible to discover who your parents were, whether or not they are still alive…and which world you are the Princess OF." These questions had been bothering her ever since she had first met Universe. "Would you like that?"

Universe's eyes had widened as she thought about it but suddenly they narrowed again and a scowl darkened her face. "No…it really doesn't matter." She said levelly.

"But why ever not?" Serenity exclaimed, astonished by her reply. "For the first time in your life you might know where your home is and the name of your mother…"

"And you think I should care about that?" Universe said bitterly. "I don't care…SHE doesn't give a damn about me Queen Serenity, even if she IS somewhere out there. Neither of them could have wanted me or they wouldn't have let me go…I think I'm better off without either of them ever coming into my life after they abandoned or lost me or whatever you think happened. Personally I never really have…" it was a lie and she knew it. "So forget about them…I did a long time ago and I've done finely enough ever since. I don't need them."

Queen Serenity gazed sadly at her and then with an affectionate smile she decided to drop the matter…for the time being at least. "I suppose that this is your pride again." She remarked wryly.

"It's how I feel." Universe responded stubbornly as she folded her arms.

"Well…as long as you are happy Universe then there can be nothing wrong for any decision that you make can only be the right one."