THE KNIGHTS STOOD
BEFORE THE ROYALS; THEIR HEADS DOWN.IT WAS IMPOLITE TO LOOK A FOREIGN ROYAL
IN THE FACE.THE HOOVES OF HORSES POUNDED THE GROUND, COMING ALL TOO
FAST.FINALLY THE CARRIGE THAT CONTAINED PRINCE DARIEN ARRIVED.
PRINCE DARIEN STEPPED OUT OF THE CARRIAGE.HE DIDN'T LOOK LIKE A PRINCE.HE LOOKED LIKE A SPOILED BRAT.SERENITY LOOKED DARIEN UP AND DOWN.SHE DIDN'T LIKE HIM.HIS APPERANCE WAS HAUGHTY, AND THE WAY HE STOOD YELLED,"I'M BETTER THAN YOU AND I'M GOING TO SHOW IT SO YOU KNOW!"THE CARRIAGE DOOR CLOSED BEHIND DARIEN.HE WALKED BRISKLY TO SERENITY.SHE HELD OUT HER HAND.DARIEN KISSED IT, WHILE SMIRKING. "PRINCE DAIREN, WELCOME TO FRANCE.I HOPE YOUR JOURNEY WAS A SAFE ONE." SAID THE KING."IT WAS.IT WAS MOST PLEASUREABLE. BUT I COULDN'T WAIT TO SEE MY BRIDE."PRINCE DARIEN SAID, KISSING SERENITY'S HAND AGAIN.
HEERO WAS GETTING MAD.NOT ONLY WOULD DARIEN NOT LET GO OF SERENITY'S HAND, HE KEPT KISSING IT.THE WORSE THING TO HEERO WAS THAT SERENITY WAS BLUSHING. HE COULDN'T TELL IF IT WAS A FORCED BLUSH OR REAL.HEERO LOOKED DARIEN OVER.DARIEN HAD BLACK HAIR THAT WAS SLICKED BACK.HE WAS TALL, BUT NOT VERY MUSCULAR.'HE SURE DOES LOOK SPOILED.'HEERO THOUGHT.
DARIEN'S DARK BLUE EYES LOOKED INTO SERENITY'S. SHE TURNED AND LOOKED AT HEERO."WE NEED TO TALK!"HEERO MOUTHED TO SERENITY."LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF.I AM KING JUAQUEZ, THEN MY WIFE, QUEEN MARIANETTE.YOU ALREADY KNOW MY DAUGHTER, SERENITY."PRINCE DARIEN NODDED TO EACH."LAST BUT NOT LEAST, OUR KNIGHTS.AS YOU KNOW, THEY TRANSFERED FROM ENGLAND TO FRANCE.SIR JOHNSON, SIR ELLIOTT, SIR JAMES, SIR BRADLEY,AND SIR HEERO,MY DAUGHTERS PERSONAL KNIGHT."MASON'S EYEBROW RAISED."IT'S BECAUSE HE IS THE YOUNGEST, AND I NEED A PROTECTOR."SERENITY SAID."THEN THERE IS SHA'RIE, SERENITY'S SERVANT."SHA'RIE CURTISIED, NOT TAKING HER EYES OFF OF MASON."I PREPARED LUNCH.IT'S INSIDE."SHA'RIE TURNED AND LEFT, JAMES FOLLOWING BEHIND HER."I NEED TO GET READY FOR LUNCH."SERENITY SAID.HEERO BOWED TO DARIEN BEFORE HE FOLLOWED SERENITY TO THE PALACE.
JAMES BACKED SHA'RIE INTO THE WALL, KISSING HER.HOW LONG HAD IT BEEN SINCE HE LAST KISSED HER? THIS MORNING.IT WAS TOO LONG."WILL YOU COME TO ME TONIGHT?"JAMES ASKED."OF COARSE I WILL.AFTER I TAKE CARE OF SERENITY."JAMES CHUCKLED."HEERO CAN TAKE CARE OF HER."SHA'RIE SMILED."DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE STARTING TO SPEAK PROPER. I'M VERY PROUD."JAMES SAID AS HE KISSED HER.
"PRINCE DARIEN, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" HEERO ASKED.DARIEN LOOKED AT HEERO."I'M GOING TO SEE SERENITY. " DARIEN TRIED TO PUSH THROUGH HEERO."SORRY. SHE'S DRESSING.IF SHE WANTS TO SEE YOU SHE WILL CALL."SERENITY SCREAMED.HEERO TURNED.HE OPENED THE DOOR SLIGHTLY."MA'AM?ARE YOU OKAY?"HEERO ASKED.SERENITY CAME TO THE DOOR."I SAW SOMETHING! COME GET IT!"SERENITY SCREAMED.HEERO WALKED THROUGH THE DOOR.DARIEN TRIED TO FOLLOW BUT HEERO STOPPED HIM."STAY HERE. SHE WILL BE VERY EMBARRASSED IF YOU SEE HER HALF DRESSED."HEERO CLOSED THE DOOR.DARIEN LOOKED AT THE DOOR, SNORTED, THEN LEFT FOR THE DINNING HALL.
HEERO KISSED SERENITY WITH ALL THE PASSION IN THE WORLD.SERENITY RESPONDED WITH JUST AS MUCH PASSION.THEY PULLED AWAY.SERENITY SMILED AT HIM.SHE TURNED AND HELD UP HER HAIR."BUTTON THIS PLEASE."HEERO BUTTONED THE BACK OF SERENITY'S DRESS,SOMETIMES LETTING HIS FINGERTIPS TOUCH HER SKIN."WHERE IS SHA'RIE?"HEERO ASKED."SHE AND JAMES ARE A LITTLE BUSY."SERENITY GIGGLED."DARIEN SEEMED PRETTY MAD THAT I WOULDN'T LET HIM IN.SPEAKING OF DARIEN, WHAT WAS THAT EARLIER?"HEERO ASKED."WHAT WAS WHAT?"HEERO TURNED SERENITY AROUND."WHAT WAS WITH ALL THE BLUSHING?"SERENITY LAUGHED."ARE YOU GETTING JEALOUS,HEERO?"HEERO GLARED AT HER."NO.I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT THAT WAS ALL ABOUT." "WELL,"SERENITY BEGAN,"IT MAKES PRINCES FEEL BETTER TO KNOW THAT A WOMAN BLUSHES A LOT.IT MAKES THEM THINK THAT THEY ARE MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN THEY SEEM.DARIEN IS NOTHING COMPARED TO YOU, DON'T WORRY.""I'LL MAKE SURE HE DOESN'T."HEERO SAID LAYING SERENITY ON THE BED.
SERENITY AND HEERO CAME INTO THE DINNING HALL; THEY WERE LAST.DAIREN WAS SITTING NEXT TO THE KING.WHEN DARIEN SAW SERENITY HE GOT UP INTENT ON PULLING SERENITY'S CHAIR OUT FOR HER.HEERO HAD BEATEN HIM TO IT.HEERO PULLED SERENITY'S CHAIR OUT FOR HER AS SHE SAT DOWN, THEN HE TOOK HIS USUAL SEAT NEXT TO HER."I THOUGHT THE KNIGHTS WERE TO EAT SEPREATLY."THE KING SIGHED."SERENITY MADE A FUSS WHEN I TRIED TO DO THAT.IT WAS SO USED TO US TO HAVE THE KNIGHTS EAT WITH US.OLD HABITS DIE HARD."
"SO PRINCE DARIEN, HOW HAS IT BEEN IN ENGLAND SINCE WE LEFT?"ELLIOTT ASKED."THINGS HAVE BEEN GOING FINE; ALTHOUGH, FATHER HAS BEEN PRESSING THE SUBJECT OF MARRIAGE." HE LOOKED AT SERENITY. "I'M HONORED."SERENITY MUMMBLED.DEEP DOWN, SHE WAS DISGUSTED.SHE DIDN'T LOVE DARIEN, SHE LOVED HEERO."PRINCE DARIEN, A BALL WILL BE HELD IN YOUR HONOR TONIGHT."EVERYONE AROUND THE TABLE GROANED AT WHAT QUEEN MARIANETTE SAID."WHAT?"
"SERENITY WHEN YOU GO TO DANCE, WILL YOU PLEASE DANCE WITH PRINCE DARIEN? "SHA'RIE ASKED."BUT HE DIGUSTS ME.ALWAYS WANTING TO PUT HIS LIPS ON MY SKIN.MY SKIN IS TOO DELICATE."SERENITY SAID.SHA'RIE SIGHED."JUST ONE DANCE? PLEASE? FOR MY SANITY?" SERENITY SIGHED."ALRIGHT."SERENITY BEGAN FIDDLING WITH HER HAIR."DON'T DO THAT!I JUST MADE YOUR HAIR ALL NICE AND PRETTY!"SHA'RIE CRIED."SORRY."SERENITY APOLOGIZED.
"NICE TRICK YOU PULLED."SERENITY TURNED."WHAT?" SHE ASKED."I SAID NICE TRICK.THAT TRICK YOU PULLED ON DARIEN.SAYING SOMETHING WAS IN YOUR ROOM, AND THAT HEERO NEEDED TO GET IT OUT.CLEVERVERY CLEVER."SHA'RIE SAID."THANKS, AND DID YOU KNOW THAT YOUR SPEECH IS GETTING BETTER?"SHA'RIE SMILED."YES, JAMES TOLD ME.I'M GOING TO SEE HIM TONIGHT."SERENITY NODDED."SO YOUR'RE SKIPPING OUT.DON'T MAKE TO MUCH NOISE."SERENITY LAUGHED."I SHOULD SAY THE SAME TO YOU INCASE YOU LEAVE THE BALL WITH HEERO EARLY."SHA'RIE LEFT LAUGHING."THAT WASN'T FUNNY!"SERENITY YELLED AFTER HER.
A KNOCK CAME AT SERENITY'S DOOR."PRINCESS, IT IS I, PRINCE DARIEN.I HAVE COME TO ESCORT YOU TO THE BALL."DAREIN YELLED THROUGH THE DOOR. SERENITY WALKED OUT.DARIEN HELD OUT HIS HAND.SERENITY TOOK IT WITH HESITATION.THEY BEGAN TO WALK DOWN THE HALL WHEN SERENITY STOPPED."WAIT, WHERE IS HEERO?"SHE ASKED."I AM HERE MA'AM, I HAD TO ESCORT THE QUEEN TO THE BALL."DAREIN NODDED."WELL THEN, LET'S GO."
THE BALL WAS A MANAGEABLE ONE.DARIEN HAD ASKED SERENITY TO DANCE OVER FIVE TIMES, AND EACH TIME SHE ACCEPTED.THE KING NOTICED THAT SERENITY AND SIR HEERO WOULD DISAPPEAR, ONLY TO COME BACK IN A HALF HOUR;OR THAT'S WHEN HE WOULD SEE THEM.DARIEN SAT DOWN NEXT TO THE KING."SIRE, THAT SIR HEERO, WHAT IS WITH HIS MORNING CHECKUPS?"DARIEN ASKED."HEERO IS A VERY CAUTIOUS BOY, NO, KNIGHT.HE WILL MAKE SURE THE PRINCESS IS SAFE FROM PRIEING EYES.HE WILL RISK HIS LIFE FOR HER.AS FOR HIS MORNING CHECKUPS, HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE SERENITY IS SAFELY IN BED, AND HAD NOT BEEN SNATCHED DURING THE NIGHT.HE IS VERY OBSERVANT.HE DOESN'T MISS A BEAT."
AFTER THE BALL,EVERYONE HAD LEFT.HEERO WALKED SERENITY TO HER CHAMBERS."THANK YOU."SHE SAID BEFORE ENTERING HER ROOM.HEERO THEN WALKED DARIEN TO HIS CHAMBERS."I DON'T NEED PROTECTION.I'M NOT A CHILD."DARIEN SAID.HEERO BOWED."SIRE, IT IS KING JUAQUEZ'S WISH.HE WANTS ME TO LOOK AFTER YOU.IF YOU WERE HURT, SERENITY WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH HERSELF."HEERO BOWED ONCE MORE, THEN WALKED DOWN THE HALL.HE TOOK HIS PLACE AT SERENITY' DOOR.
SHA'RIE WALKED DOWN THE HALL.SHE WAS LOOKING FOR HEERO,BUT HE WAS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND.SHA'RIE SUDDENLY FELT STUPID.'SERENITY'S!WHERE ELSE WOULD HE BE!"
SHA'RIE STOOD INFRONT OF HEERO."THE QUEEN REQUESTS YOUR PRESENCE,SIR HEERO.MEET HER IN THE LIBRARY.SHE IS WAITING ON YOU.I'LL SEND BRADLEY TO LOOK AFTER SERENITY."HEERO NODDED.HE STARTED ON HIS WAY TO THE LIBRARY.
IT TOOK FIVE MINUTES TO GET TO THE LIBRARY.THATS WAS IF YOU KNEW WHERE YOU WERE GOING.HEERO OPENED THE DOOR,THEN CLOSED IT SILENTLY BEHIND HIM.HE FOUND QUEEN MARIANETTE READING.IT WAS AS IF HE WAS SEEING A MIRROR IMAGE OF SERENITY.HER MOTHER HAD SILVERISH GOLD SUN-SPUN HAIR THAT WAS DONE IN TWO BUNS ATOP HER HEAD.HER DARK MYSTERIOUS LIGHTNING BLUE EYES COULD MAKE YOU WANT TO DIE IF SHE WAS ANGRY;BUT NOW HER EYES LOOKED LIKE A GENTLE SEA OF BLUE.QUEEN MARIANETTE LOOKED UP.SHE SET DOWN HER BOOK ON THE TABLE.SHE MOTIONED FOR HEERO TO SIT.HE SAT ON THE CHAIR OPPOSITE HER.HER FACE WAS GENTLE AND CALM, LIKE THE SEA.SHE SMILED AT HEERO.
"I LOVE THE LIBRARY.NO WONDER SERENITY LOVES THIS PLACE.SO QUIET."SHE SAID.MARIANETTE LOOKED AT HEERO."SIR HEERO,"SHE SAID ADDRESSING HIM,"I HAVE ASKED YOU TO COME TO ME SO WE COULD TALK.I WANT TO KNOW SOMETHING.DON'T LIE TO ME EITHER."SHE SAID,STRESSING THE LIEING PART."DO YOU LOVE MY DAUGHTER?"SHE ASKED CURTLY."YES,VERY MUCH."HEERO ANSWERED."HOW MUCH?"HEERO LOOKED AT THE QUEEN.'IS THIS A TRICK QUESTION?' HEERO THOUGHT."I LOVE HER TOO MUCH TO LET DARIEN HAVE HER.I LOVE HER BECAUSE SHE IS HERSELF AND NO ONE ELSE.SHE IS UNIQUE.SHE HAS BROUGHT THINGS OUT OF ME THAT NO ONE HAS EVER BROUGHT OUT OF ME BEFORE."QUEEN MARIANETTE SMILED. "WONDERFUL.SHE MEANS THAT MUCH TO YOU?" "YES." "WILL YOU DIE FOR HER?" "YES."QUEEN MARIANETTE GOT QUIET."YOU ARE WORHTY OF HER THEN,AS IF I HAD ANY SAY IN IT AT ALL."HEERO LOOKED AT HER STRANGELY."I KNOW THAT YOU GO TO MY DAUGHTERS CHAMBERS.I KNOW THAT YOU FROLICATE WITH HER.I HAVE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME.ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE CARE OF A FAMILY OF YOUR OWN?"HEERO NODDED TO HER."I HAVE A MANSION NOT FAR FROM HERE.I CAN TAKE CARE OF HER. I TOLD HER ALREADY, I AM THERE WHEN SHE WANTS AND NEEDS ME.I WILL NOT LEAVE HER IF SHE HAS MY CHILD.I WILL STAY BY HER SIDE.I STATE MY CHOICE.IF I AM TOBE HANGED FOR LOVE, HANG ME.I WILL NEVER STOP LOVING HER.NEVER." "NOT EVEN IF SHE MARRIES DARIEN?" "DARIEN DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO TIE HIS OWN SHOE PAST HIS OVER-SIZED EGO, LET ALONE TAKE CARE OF FRANCE, ENGLAND AND SERENITY.HE WOULD FORGET ABOUT SERENITY.THAT IS WHEN I STEP IN.I WILL LOVE HER EVEN AFTER SHE IS MARRIED." "HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT SHE WILL STILL LOVE YOU?"THE QUEEN ASKED."I KNOW BECAUSE OUR LOVE IS TRUE.OUR LOVE IS A SHEILD THAT CAN NEVER BE PENITRATED."
THE QUEEN SIGHED WITH RELIEF.SUCH BEAUTIFUL WORDS.WORDS THAT WERE NOT EMPTY IN MEANING.WORDS THAT MEANT SOMETHING.HEERO PLEASED HER."HEERO, THOUGH YOUR LOVE IS TRUE,I HAVE A BAD FEELING INSIDE.I FEEL THAT THE THRONE IS AT STAKE.PROTECT SERENITY IF YOU TRULY IN YOUR HEARTEST OF HEARTS LOVE HER.USE YOUR LOVE AS A WEAPON,IT WILL SERVE YOU WELL LATER.NOW,I THINK I HAVE KEPT YOU LONG ENOUGH.MY DAUGHTER IS WAITING ON YOU."QUEEN MARIANETTE SAID AS SHE LEFT.
HEERO CAME INTO SERENITY'S ROOM THROUGH THE SECRET PASSAGE BEHIND THE BODYLENGHT MIRROR.HE COULD SEE SERENITY'S SILLHOETTE ON THE WALLS.ONE CANDLE LITE THE LARGE ROOM.HE HEARD SOBBING.HE RUSHED TO SERENITY. SERENITY TURNED AND HUGGED HIM."WHY ARE YOU CRYING, DARLING? I'M HERE, NOTHING CAN EVER HARM YOU."HEERO SAID.SERENITY LIFTED HER HEAD."FATHER FOUND OUT, DIDN'T HE? HE'S GOING TO HANG YOU ISN'T HE?"HEERO KISSED AWAY SERENITY'S TEARS."NO HE DIDN'T, BUT YOUR MOTHER DID.NO I'M NOT GOING TO BE HANGED."HEERO SAID, KISSING SERENITY'S LIPS."WHAT DID SHE SAY? IS SHE ALREADY ASKING FOR GRANDCHILDREN?"SERENITY GOT OUT OF THE BED."BECAUSE IF SHE IS, SHE'S JUST GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT NINE MONTHS TILL THEY'RE BORN."HEERO LOOKED AT HER CONFUSED.WHEN HE GOT IT, HE RUSHED TO SERENITY, AND PULLED HER INTO HIS ARMS.HEERO PICKED SERENITY UP AND TWIRLED HER AROUND.HE SET SERENITY BACK ON HER FEET."YOU ARE GOING TO BE A FATHER, HEERO. "HEERO KISSED SERENITY WITH SO MUCH PASSION, THAT THEY FELL ON THE BED, HEERO BETWEEN SERENITY'S LEGS."HEERO, I DON'T WANT TO MARRY MASON.HE'S MEAN AND CRUEL.I DON'T WANT HIM TO BE MY HUSBAND."HEERO PULLED SERENITY TO HER FEET."THEN DON'T MARRY HIM."HEERO SAID.HEERO PUT HIS HAND IN HIS POCKET.HE GOT DOWN ON ONE KNEE,TAKING SERENITY'S HANDS IN HIS OWN."SERENITY ANITA ROUG`ET,WILL YOU DO ME THE HONOR OF BECOMING MY WIFE?" TEARS OF HAPPINESS SLID DOWN SERENITY'S CHEEKS AS HEERO SLIPPED A RING ON HER FINGER.SHE LOOKED AT THE LARGE DIAMOND RING,HER EYES SHINING."YES!YES!ENTERNITY YES!"SERENITY SAID AS SHE FELL TO HER KNEES, EMBRACING HEERO.HEERO PICKED UP SERENITY,SET HER DOWN ON THE BED."I LOVE YOU HEERO YUY."SERENITY SAID."I LOVE YOU SERENITY YUY."HEERO KISSED HER.HEERO TOOK HER.THEY COULDN'T WAIT.IT WAS THEIR OWN PRIVATE CELEBRATION.A CELEBRATION OF THEIR LOVE AND CHILDREN TO BE.
EVERY MORNING WAS THE SAME,HEERO WOULD COME OUT OF SERENITY'S CHAMBERS.HE LOOKED AROUND CAREFULLY.HE BUTTONED THE LAST TWO BUTTONS, STRAIGHTENED HIS HIS CAPE, AND WALKED OUT."HEERO!" DARIEN YELLED.'NO NOT MASON, NOT NOW.PLEASE!'HEERO THOUGHT.DARIEN CAUGHT UP WITH HEERO, WALKING BESIDE HIM. "HEERO, WHERE IS SERENITY?"DARIEN ASKED."SHE IS STILL SLEEPING, SAFELY I MUST ADD." DARIEN NODDED.DAREIN WALKED IN SILENCE.HE LOOKED AT HEERO.HE LOOKED DISHEVELED. "YOU LOOK HORRILBLE." DAREIN SAID TO HEERO."I WOKE LATE, IS ALL.I WAS BUSY ALL NIGHT LONG.I BARELY GOT ANY SLEEP."HEERO MUMMBLED, STRAIGHTING HIS HAIR."YET YOU STILL MANAGE TO CHECK ON THE PRINCESS.HOW LONG DID YOU SLEEP IN?" DARIEN ASKED. 'CAN I JUST KILL HIM WITH MY SWORD? I'LL MAKE IT QUICK.NO, SERENITY WILL BE MAD. 'HEERO THOUGHT."FIVE MINUTES."HE MUTTERED."FIVE MINUTES ISN'T ANYTHING!" DARIEN EXCLAIMED."IT'S LATE TO A KNIGHT."
SERENITY WOKE, STRECHED, AND GOT OUT OF BED,THE SHEET WRAPPED AROUND HER SLINDER BODY. "BATH TIME MISTRESS."SHA'RIE SAID.AS SERENITY LAY IN THE WARM WATER THAT WAS HER BATH, SHE THOUGHT.'I'M HAVING HEERO'S BABY.OUR BABY.I CAN'T WAIT.WAIT, HOW WILL I KEEP THIS A SECRET? SHA'RIE'S STARTING TO GET BIG.AND IT'S VISIBLE! HOW WILL I HIDE IT?' SERENITY THOUGHT PANICKING.SHA'RIE RUBBED SERENITY'S BACK. " SHA'RIE, I'M GOING TO HAVE HEERO'S CHILD. I'M SO HAPPY! BUT HOW WILL I HIDE IT? I MEAN, HOW CAN I HIDE THAT I'M PREGNANT IF I GET BIG!" SHA'RIE PULLED SERENITY BACK AGAINST HER NAKED BODY. " IT'LL WORK OUT. JUST SAY THAT IT'S DARIEN'S BABY." " BUT THAT WOULDN'T BE RIGHT." SHA'RIE SIGHED. " WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU. YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO TELL THEM IN DUE TIME." " TELL THEM! TELL THEM! THEY WILL HANG HEERO! DARIEN WILL BE HAPPY TO HANG HEERO! FATHER WILL HAVE A STROKE THAT I HAVE BEEN GIVING MYSELF TO A KNIGHT! OH SHA'RIE, WHAT AM I TO DO? WHAT AM I TO DO?" SERENITY WALKED BY THE THRONE ROOM, HOPING TO NOT BE SEEN." SERENITY! COME HERE PLEASE! I NEED TO TALK TO YOU!" SERENITY TURNED TO ENTER THE ROOM. HER HANDS QUIVERED AS SHE ENTERED THE ROOM, AFRAID OF WHAT HER FATHER MIGHT SAY TO HER. SERENITY WALKED IN AND STOOD IN FRONT OF HER FATHER. " YES FATHER? WHAT MIGHT I DO FOR YOU?" THE KING SMILED KINDLY. "SERENITY, I HAVE TO TELL YOU THIS AND YOU MUST DO IT. SERENITY, IT IS TRADITION FOR THE BRIDE TO SLEEP WITH HER FUTURE HUSBAND." SERENITY'S MOUTH FELL OPEN. " YOU MUST DO THIS FOR THE ALLIANCE. I KNOW IT'S SOON FOR YOU TO GIVE UP YOUR INNOCENCE BUT YOU MUST. TONIGHT YOU WILL DO IT." SERENITY NODDED, TEARS IN HER EYES. " YES FATHER. YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND."
SERENITY FLOPPED ONTO HER BED CRYING.DARIEN WAS GOING TO FIND OUT.THEN HE WAS GOING TO TELL. WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THEM? TO HER, TO HEERO, TO THEIR CHILD?
" WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?" HEERO ASKED. " I HAVE TO DO IT. I HAVE TO. FOR THE PEACE OF THE TWO COUNRTIES." HEERO STRAIHTENED."YOU HAVE TO? NO! MAKE AN EXCUSE! WHAT IF HE FINDS OUT THAT YOU ARE NOT A VIRGIN?" SERENITY SIGHED. " I'LL HAVE TO TAKE THAT CHANCE. THEY WILL FIND OUT SOONER OR LATER." HEERO STOOD UP, HIS FACE ANGRY. " FINE BE HIS. SCREAM OUT HIS NAME WHEN YOU CLIMAX. BE HIS WHORE. LET HIM CLAIM MY CHILDREN AS HIS.DAMN IT!" " I THOUGHT YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND!" SERENITY SCREAMED. TEARS STREAMED DOWN SERENITY'S CHEEKS. " I HATE YOU!" SHE SCREAMED. HEERO LAUGHED. " YOU KNOW WHAT? I LIED. I DON'T LOVE YOU. I HATE YOU! FIND DARIEN YOURSELF." WITH A GREAT SLAM, HEERO LEFT NOT TO BE SEEN THE REST OF THE DAY.
SERENITY SAT AT HER VANITY. HER MIND WAS A JUMBLE THAT WAS NEVER GOING TO UNSCRAMBLE. HER EMOTIONS WERE HECTIC AND HER APPEARENCE NO BETTER.THE ARGUMENT THAT HAD OCCURED HAD WEAKENED HER; WEAKENED HER MIND, EMOTIONS AS WELL AS HER BODY. WHAT HEERO HAD SAID TO HER HURT. IT HURT LIKE HELL. SHE THOUGHT THAT SHE WAS DOING GOOD FOR HER COUNTRY BUT IT CAME AT A PRICE. A PRICE THAT WOULD COST HER. THE FIGHT HAD HURT. THE WORDS SHARED WERE HARSH AND UNREASONABLE. BEING CALLED A WHORE HAD HURT AND HAD DAMAGED HER HEART. SHE THOUGHT HEERO WOULD HAD UNDERSTOOD BUT SHE WAS WRONG.
HEERO SAT ON HIS BED CROSSLEGGED. THE KNIGHTS AND SHA'RIE SAT AROUND HIM, ALL PUTTING IN THEIR THOUGHTS OF THE SITUATION. " MAYBE IT'S ALL FOR THE BEST. I MEAN, IF SOMEONE FOUND OUT, YOU WOULD HAVE HELL TO PAY WHILE SHE SAT BY AND WATCHED YOU BE HANGED OR YOUR HEAD LOPPED OFF. ALL FOR THE BEST OF YOU." ELLIOTT SAID. " ELLY'S RIGHT. IT'S TOO MUCH FOR A KNIGHT. I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU GOT INVOLVED WITH HER IN THE FIRST PLACE. SHE'S A NICE GIRL AN ALL BUT SHE'S A PRINCESS." JOHNSON SAID. " IS THERE WINE HERE?" BRADLEY ASKED. HEERO GROWLED. " I MEAN, WE COULD TOAST TO YOU BEING SINGLE!" BRADLEY SQUEILED. SHA'RIE SAT UP IN HER CHAIR. " I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU ALL ARE BEING HARSH ON HER.SHE HAS TO DO WHAT SHE HAS TO DO." JAMES SAID. SHA'RIE NODDED. " SHE'S JUST TRYING TO DO THE THINGS FOR THE GOOD OF HER COUNTRY. YOU MEN ARE BEING MEAN AND HATEFUL. SHE HAS A JOB AND HER JOB REQUIRES THAT LOVE GOES LAST AND HER MANNERS GO FIRST!" SHA'RIE SAID. " IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT SHE HAS TO SLEEP WITH MASON. WHAT A BITCH." HEERO GRUMBLED. " WHAT DID YOU SAY?" SHA'RIE ASKED, HER VOICE TENSE. " I SAID BITCH. SHE'S BEING A BITCH." SHA'RIE'S MUSCLES TENSED. " I DARE YOU TO SAY IT AGAIN." HEERO CHUCKLED. " I TAKE THAT CHALLENGE. BITCH BITCH BITCH BITCH BITCH BITCH BITCH." HEERO SMIRKED. " WHY YOU INSENSITIVE LITTLE FUCKING BASTARD! YOU LIFTED HER HEART THEN YOU BREAK IT! YOU SIR ARE A GENUINE FUCK! YOU CALL HER A WHORE! OH YES I HEARD THAT. IF SHE WAS A WHORE, THEN SHE WOULD BE YOUR WHORE OR IN REALISTIC TERMS, YOUR LOVER! SHOULD I INCLUDE FIANCE?" SHA'RIE PUSHED UP FROM HER CHAIR, MAKING IT FALL BACK BEHIND HER. " SO YOU'RE ON HER SIDE. FINE! GO! LEAVE! BE WITH THAT WHORE!" HEERO YELLED. " IF SHA'RIE GOES I GO. I AGREE WITH HER." JAMES SAID. " FINE! GO! TRAITOR!" HEERO YELLED AS JAMES CLOSED THE DOOR.
QUEEN MARIANETTE SAT BEHIND HER DAUGHTER BRUSHING HER HAIR WITH LONG SLOW STROKES. " SERENITY, IT WILL BE ALL RIGHT. WHATEVER HAPPENS, WELL, IT HAPPENS.WE HAVE TO LET THE CHICKENS FALL WERE THEY MAY, SO TO SPEAK." SERENITY STOPPED HER MOTHER'S HAND. " MOTHER, WHAT IF DARIEN FINDS OUT THAT I AM NOT A VIRGIN? WE'LL HE THINK ME WICKED?" QUEEN MARIANETTE SET DOWN THE BRUSH. " I CANNOT SAY WHAT HE IS THINKING, NOR INTERPERET WHAT HE IS THINKING. HIS THOUGHTS ARE HIS OWN JUST AS YOUR LIFE IS YOUR OWN. YOUR FATHER IS PUSHING HIS WILL ONTO YOU. HE WANTS YOU TO BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE. HE WANTS YOU TO UPHOLD THE ROYAL TRADITION." QUEEN MARIANETTE TURNED SERENITY TO HER. " YOU MUST SLEEP WITH DARIEN. DO WHAT YOU MUST."
THE NIGHT CAME ALL TO QUICKLY FOR SERENITY AND HEERO. THE INTERCOURSE RITUAL PROMPTLY BEGAN WHEN THE FIRST STAR APPEARED IN THE SKY. THEFIRST THING TO HAPPEN WAS TO WASH THE FUTURE BRIDE. THEN THE BRIDE WAS DRESSED IN THE FINEST SILK AND JEWELS AND A CHASTY BELT WAS PLACED ON HER.
"SERENITY, ARE YOU READY?" QUEEN MARIANETTE ASKED. " AS READY AS I'LL EVER BE." SERENITY WALKED TO DARIEN'S DOOR AND KNOCKED. DARIEN TOOK HIS TIME TO ANSWER THE DOOR BUT AS SOON AS HE DID, HE USHERED SERENITY IN. AFTER A WHILE OF CONVERSATION AND EATING, DARIEN JUMPED TO THE SUBJECT.
" SO, WHEN DO WE GET TO IT." HE ASKED. SERENITY SIGHED. " I MAY BE YOUR FUTURE WIFE BUT WE WILL TAKE THIS SLOW." DARIEN LAUGHED. HE TOOK SERENITY'S HAND AND PULLED HER OUT OF THE CHAIR, DRAGGING HER ONTO THE FLOOR. SHE SCREAMED. " SHUT UP! YOU WILL BE MINE, NOT THAT KNIGHT'S BUT MINE."
SERENITY STARTED TO PRAY. DARIEN DIDN'T LOVE HER, HE JUST WANTED TO HAVE HER BODY. HE WAS GOING TO RAPE HER AND NO ONE CARED. " HEERO! PLEASE! SOMEBODY HELP ME! HEERO I NEED YOU! PLEASE HELP ME!" SERENITY SCREAMED. HER SCREAM WAS LOUD ENOUGH TO REACH THE END OF THE HALLWAY TO HEERO'S CHAMBERS. HEERO IGNORED WHAT BRADLEY WAS SAYING TO HIM AND LISTENED.
" DO YOU HEAR THAT? SOUNDS LIKE SERENA." HEERO OPENED THE DOOR TO SEE SHA'RIE. " HEERO," SHE BEGAN," SERENITY NEEDS YOU! DARIEN'S TRYING TO RAPE HER. HELP!" SHA'RIE DIDN'T HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING MORE. HEERO SPRINTED DOWN THE HALL, BRADLEY AND SHA'RIE IN CLOSE PURSUIT. " HOW DO I GET IN? NEVER MIND." HEERO USED HIS SHOULDER TO SLAM DOWN THE DOOR. HEERO CONTINUED TO SLAM AT THE DOOR. HE COULD HEAR SERENITY CRYING AND SCREAMING FOR HELP. THAT PUSHED HIM OVER THE EDGE. WITH ONE GREAT SLAM, HEERO BUSTED THE DOOR DOWN. WHAT HE SAW MADE HIM ANGRY. DARIEN WAS SITTING ON A NAKED SERENITY WITH HIS BOXERS AND PANTS DOWN. " DARIEN YOU FUCK!" HEERO YELLED WHEN HE PUNCHED DARIEN. DARIEN FELL TO THE FLOOR; BLOOD SPILLING FROM HIS MOUTH AND NOSE.
HEERO KNEELED DOWN AND GENTLY PICKED UP SERENITY. " HANDLE DARIEN." HEERO COMMANDED AS HE TOOK SERENITY TO HER ROOM. HEERO CLOSED THE DOOR AND LAID SERENITY ON THE BED. HE PULLED HER INTO HIS LAP AND COVERED HER WITH HER SHEETS. HEERO ROCKED HER AND WHISPERED THINGS TO HER SERENITY TO MAKE HER CALM DOWN. " SERENITY, LOVE, I'M SORRY. I HAD NO REASON TO BE MAD AND ANGRY AS I WAS. I REALLY DO LOVE YOU AND I ALWAYS WILL. WHEN YOU CALLED FOR ME, I KNEW THAT I HAD BEEN WRONG AND THAT I NEEDED YOU. FORGIVE ME." HEERO SAID. " YOU ARE FORGIVEN. I COULD NEVER STAY MAD AT YOU. HEERO UNBUTTENED HIS CAPE, AND JACKET, PILEING IT ONTO THE FLOOR. HE POSITIONED SERENITY TO WHERE SHE WAS LAYING ON HIM. " SLEEP." HEERO SAID AS HE BLEW THE CANDLE OUT. SERENITY DID NOT WANT TO LET HEERO'S BRAVERY AND KINDNESS GO UNREWARDED. INSTEAD OF SLEEPING, THEY MADE LOVE. A LOVE THAT WILL SOON NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
DARIEN CRAWLED FROM HIS ROOM; BLOOD TRAILING BEHIND HIM. HE MADE HIS WAY TO THE THRONE ROOM AND CONFRONTED THE KING. " MY KING," DARIEN PAUSED TO COUGH BLOOD, " TONIGHT, I WAS ATTACKED BY A KNIGHT. HE TOOK SERENITY!" DARIEN FELL TO THE FLOOR. " LISTEN CAREFULLY. PRINCESS SERENITY AND KNIGHT HEERO YUY, WERE HAVING A SEXUAL AFFAIR. THINK ABOUT IT. THE EARLY MORNING CHECKS, ALWAYS RELEAVING A KNIGHT TO TAKE HIS PLACE, ESCORTING HER EVERYWERE, MEETINGS, SOMETHING ALWAYS IN HER ROOM THAT HEERO HAS TO GET, SERENITY GETTING BIGGER EVEN THOUGH SHE DOESN'T EAT ALOT RIGHT NOW. ALL OF IT LEADS UP TO AN AFFAIR!" KING JAUQUEZ TURNED TO QUEEN MARIANETTE. " IS THIS TRUE?" THE QUEEN PUT HER HEAD DOWN. " YES. SERENITY IS PREGNANT WITH HEERO'S CHILD." KING JAUQUEZ BECAME FURIOUS. " YOU KNIGHTS, FIND SIR HEERO AND BRING HIM TO ME. TOMMORROW NIGHT, THERE SHALL BE A HANGING!"
DARIEN SMIRKED AN EVIL SMIRK. FINALLY HEERO WILL DIE AND BE OUT OF THE PICTURE AND SERENITY WILL BE HIS TO HAVE. HER BODY WILL FINALLY BELONG TO HIM.
HEERO SAT IN A CHAIR WHILE SERENITY SAT CROSSLEGGED ON HER BED IN A NEW DRESS. THEY TALKED, UNAWARE THAT THIS MIGHT BE THE LAST IME THAT THEY WILL EVER TALK OR BE TOGETHER. AT THE VERY MOMENT, THE FRENCH KNIGHTS BURSTED IN AND CHARGED AT HEERO. HEERO BOLTED UP. THE KNIGHTS FORCED IN ONTO THE GROUND AND TIED HIS HAND WITH A ROPE. " STOP THIS MADNESS! WHAT'S GOING ON HERE!" SERENITY SHOUTED. " PRINCESS SERENITY, THIS MAN IS CHARGED WITH TREASON, REPEATED RAPE,AND IMPREGNATING A ROYAL PRINCESS. HE IS TO BE TAKEN TO THE KING FOR SENTENCING." A KNIGHT SAID.
THE KNIGHTS THREW HEERO IN FRONT OF THE THRONE STEPS. HEERO LOOKED UP INTO THE ANGRY FACE OF THE KING. SERENITY PASSED BY HEERO AND TOOK HER PLACE ON HER THRONE. " I SHALL GET TO THE POINT. SIR HEERO YUY, YOU HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH TREASON, REPEATED RAPE OF A ROYAL, IMPREGNATION OF THE PRINCESS, AND WHAT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION BEATING A ROYAL OF ENGLAND. HOW DO YOU PLEAD?" THE KING ASKED. " INNOCENT OF ALL CHARGES." HEERO REPLIED. DARIEN LAUGHED. " HE LIES! HE'S RAPED HER OVER AND OVER! ASK THE PRINCESS! SHE WILL TELL YOU THE TRUTH." KING JUAQUAZ TURNED TO HIS BELOVED DAUGHTER. " IS IT TRUE?"
SERENITY FELT THE PRESSURE. SHE COULD EITHER TELL THE TRUTH OR LIE AND HAVE THE ONE SHE LOVES KILLED. SHE WANTED TO SCREAM NO, SCREAM THAT HEERO HAD MADE PASSIONATE LOVE TO HER. SHE WANTED TO SCREAM AND CRY BUT SHE STOOD FIRM. " NO. IT IS NOT TRUE. FATHER, DARIEN HAS BEEN THE ONE DECIVING YOU. HE IS THE ONE WHO TRIED TO RAPE ME. IF HEERO HADN'T COME TO MY RESCUE, DARIEN WOULD HAVE SUCCEEDED. I HOPE THAT HE WILL CONFESS." SAID SERENITY WITH ATTITUDE.
" SHE IS COVERING UP FOR HIM! LOOK AT HIM! HE'S A HEATHEN!" DARIEN SAID WITH A SLIGHT HINT OF PANIC. THE KING SAT BACK ON HIS THRONE. HE RUBBED HIS CHIN WITH HIS SLINDER BONY FINGERS. " I STILL THINK HE'S GUILTY. HE'LL HANG AT DAWN. I CAN WAIT A FEW EXTRA HOURS. GIVE HIM HIM NO FOOD OR DRINK. HE DESERVES NOTHING." KING JUAQUEZ SAID WITH ANGER. " BUT FATHER! YOU CAN'T! IT'S BARBARIC!" SERENITY HESITATED. " I LOVE HIM! I AM HAVING HIS CHILD! YOU CAN'T! I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!" KING JUAQUEZ IGNORED HER AND PROCEEDED TO GIVE OUT ORDERS OF THE HANGING. SERENITY, WITH A LOUD SHRIEK, RAN OUT OF THE ROOM,HER HANDS OVER NOW CHERRY FACE. HEERO LOOKED AT THE RAPIDLY RETREATING FORM. HE FELT BAD FOR HER. HE HAD GOTTEN THEM INTO THIS MESS. HEERO JERKED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE KNIGHTS PULLED AT HIS CLOTHES. THE ONLY THING HE KNEW WAS THAT HE NEVER REGRETED HIS ACTIONS.
" BASTARD FATHER! HE STILL SAYS HE IS GUILTY WHEN YOU CAN PLANLY SEE THAT MASON IS LYING. SHA'RIE, WHAT WILL I DO WITHOUT HEERO? I KNOW; I'LL DIE. MY HEART WILL BE BROKEN FOREVER." SERENITY IN TEARS. SHA'RIE LIFTED SERENITY'S FACE TO HERS. " YOU CAN SEE HIM. I CAN GET YOU IN." SHA'RIE SAID. SERENITY LIFTED HER HEAD. " TAKE ME THERE."
" FOOLISH BOY. RAPING A KIND PRINCESS THEN LYING ABOUT IT. FOOLISH." SAID A FRENCH KNIGHT SHAKING HIS HEAD DISAPPROVINGLY. THE BARS RATTLED AS THEY WERE SLAMMED SHUT. HHERO PUT HIS HEAD DOWN. HE WAS ANGRY AT HIMSELF. IF HE HAD A SECOND CHANCE, HE WOULDN'T DO THIS AGAIN YET IT WAS HARD NOT TO FALL HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE WITH THE CHILDLIKE PRINCESS. HE SIGHED. JUST THEN A CLOAKED FIGURE APPEARED IN FRONT OF THE GUARD. " WATER FOR THE YOUNG BOY. COURTESY OF PRINCESS SERENITY." CROAKED AN OLD VOICE. THE GUARD LOOKED THE OLD FIGURE OVER. HE NODDED AND BROUGHT OUT A KEY. " YOU HEAR THAT BOY? THE PRINCESS HAS A SOFT SPOT FOR ALL PEOPLE, EVEN THE ASSHOLE WHO RAPED HER." THE OLD GUARD MUSED AS THE OLD FIGURE LIMPED INSIDE HIS CELL.
HEERO MOVED TO THE BACK OF HIS CELL. HE DIDN'T WANT WATER. THE FIGURE CAME CLOSER UNTIL IT HAD BACKED HIM AGAINST THE HARD STONE WALL. THE FIGURE LIFTED ITS HEAD. THE CLOAK HOOD FELL BACK A FEW INCHES. " SERENA?" HEERO WHISPERED. " QUIET." SERENITY LOOKED AROUND. SHE CLEARED HER THROAT." SON, IAM HERE TO PRAY FOR YOUR CONDEMED SOUL AND GIVE YOU WATER." SERENITY CROAKED. " ON YOUR KNEES AND WE SHALL PRAY." HEERO GOT ON HIS KNEES AND PUT HIS HANDS ON SERENITY'S STOMACH, FEELING HER SLIGHTLY BULGING SPOT. SERENITY GRINNED AS HE DID SO. " LET US PRAY TO THE GOOD LORD TO SAVE YOUR SOUL FROM ETERNAL DAMNATION AND HORROR. GOD ALMIGHTY..." SERENITY TRAILED OFF. HER VOICE BECAME LOW. " I HAD TO SEE YOU." SERENITY WHISPERED. " YOU SHOULDN'T BE HERE." HEERO SAID YET GREATEFUL THAT SHE CARED. " I HAD TO. I COULDN'T WATCH WHILE PEOPLE CROWDED AROUND THE GALLOW." SERENITY STOPPED THEN SAID, " LORD HEAL HIS HEAVY WOUNDS SO HE MAY COME TO YOU IN HEAVEN." SERENITY CLEARED HER THROAT. " ASK FOR FORGIVNESS MY SON." HEERO TOOK SERENITY'S HANDS INSIDE HER CLOAK. " GOD FORGIVE ME." SERENITY SMILED. " I FIGURED," SERENITY WHISPERED," THAT THIS WOULD BE OUR LAST MOMENTS TOGETHER." HEERO SQUEEZED SERENITY'S HAND. SERENITY RELEASED HEERO'S HAND AND BENT DOWN TO GET THE WATER DIPPER. SHE FILLED IT AND SAID, " THE KING WOULD NOT GRANT ME PERMISSION TO USE WINE SO I WILL USE WATER." SHE HELD THE WATER TO HEERO'S MOUTH AS HE SIPPED FROM THE DIPPER. ONCE THE WATER DISAPPEARED SHE BENT DOWN AND GOT MORE. HEERO DIDN'T NOTICE HOW THIRSTY HE WAS UNTIL SERENITY GAVE HIM WATER CUP BY CUP. HE DRANK THE WATER AS IF ALL OF SERENITY'S HOPES AND STRENGTH WAS THE WATER AND HE NEEDED IT.
" HURRY UP OLD MAN." GROANED THE GUARD. " I DON'T HAVE ALL DAY." THE GUARD FIDDLED WITH THE BRONZE KEY THAT WOULD UNLOCK HEERO'S DOOR.
" NEVER RUSH A MAN OF GOD." SERENITY CROAKED AS SHE GAVE HEERO ANOTHER SMALL DIP OF WATER. " MY APOLOGIES." GRUMBLED THE IMPATIENT GUARD. HEERO PUSHED AWAY THE DIPPER AND SAT CROSSLEGGED ON THE FLOOR. " REMEMBER MY SON," SERENITY BEGAN," SOMEONE IS ALWAYS WITH YOU. A GOOD MAN IS NEVER ALONE. A GOOD MAN HAS FRIENDS WHO BELIEVE HIM NO MATTER WHAT THE TROUBLE." SERENITY MOTIONED HEERO TO STAND. SHE PUT HER HAND ON HEERO'S FACE. THEN SHELTERED IT. " CAN YOU TELL SERENITY SOMETHING FOR ME? CAN YOU TELL HER THAT I LOVE HER AND TELL HER TO FORGET ME. TELL HER TO RAISE THE CHILD AS IF I WAS THERE. TELL HER TO NEVER GIVE UP." HEERO SAID. SERENITY'S EYES BEGAN TO WATER. SHE NODDED UNABLE TO SPEAK FOR IF SHE HAD, IT SURELY WOULD HAVE GIVEN HER AWAY. " AMEN."
HOURS AFTER SERENITY HAD SEEN HEERO, SHE HAD FALLEN ASLEEP TO ONLY BE RUDELY AWAKENED BY POUNDING AT HER DOOR. JAMES YELLED AT HER TO GET DRESSED AND COME TO THE THRONE ROOM. THE THRONE ROOM BUSTLED WITH SHOUTING. SERENITY WALKED IN TO FIND HEERO CHAINED TO THE WALL LOOKING AT A CERTAIN COUPLE. SHE TURNED AND CAME FACE TO FACE WITH A WOMAN THAT SORT OF RESEMBLED HEERO. THE MAN THAT WAS ARGUING WITH SERENITY'S FATHER LOOKED MORE LIKE HEERO THAN THE WOMAN. THE MANS BROWN HAIR FELL LAZILY FELL OVER HIS EYES HIDING HIS ANGER. THE WOMAN THAT WAS FACING HER HAD BLACK HAIR THAT WAS IN A TIGHT BUN. HER BLUE EYES BURNED A HOLE INTO SERENITY'S HEART, READING HER LIKE AN OPEN BOOK. THE WOMEN MOTIONED SERENITY OVER TO HER. WHEN SERENITY WAS CLOSE ENOUGH, THE WOMAN WHISPERED TO HER. " SO YOU ARE THE PRINCESS THAT STOLEN MY SON'S HEART." SERENITY PUT HER HEAD DOWN. " PLEASE BLAME ME. GET IT OVER WITH." SERENITY SAID HER VOICE ABOUT TO GIVE WAY. " BLAME YOU? I CAME TO HELP YOU BOTH. SHA'RIE SENT US WORD THAT HEERO HAD BEEN ACCUSED FOR FALSE REASONS. WE CAME AS SOON AS WE GOT HOLD OF THE LETTER." SAID HEERO'S MOTHER. SERENITY SMILED. HEERO'S PARENTS WERE ON THEIR SIDE.
" I'M SORRY PIERRE BUT YOUR SON CAN NOT BE RELEASED. HE HAS RAPED A ROYAL, FOR THAT HE MUST HANG." KING JUAQUEZ SAID IN AN ANGRY MANNER. " HE DID NOTHING BUT LOVE! WHY SHOULD HE BE PUNISHED FOR THAT?" LORD PIERRE ASKED. " MY SON IS AS INNOCENT AS A FLOWER." SAID HEERO'S MOTHER. " STAY OUT OF THIS, AUGUSTA THIS IS NOT THE TIME." AUGUSTA'S FACE BECAME RED. " THIS IS A GOOD TIME AS ANY! THIS BARBARIAN IS HANGING MY SON TILL HE DIES! FOR FALSE REASONS NO LESS!" AUGUSTA YELLED. " DON'T LISTEN." DARIEN WHISPERED TO THE KING. " SHE'S COVERING, KILL HIM!" AUGUSTA CALMED. " HE'S JUST A BOY IN LOVE WITH YOUR DAUGHTER." AUGUSTA SAID. " RAPE IS NOT BEING LOVE." DARIEN COOED. " HE DID NOT RAPE HER!" YELLED PIERRE. " NONETHELESS IT WAS UNSUITABLE BEHAVIOR." SAID KING JUAQUEZ. " DISHONORING BEHAVIOR!" SAID DARIEN. " TREASON TO FRANCE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE." CONTINUED THE KING. " VERY UNACCEPTABLE." ADDED DARIEN. " IMPREGNATION IS ALSO UNACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY AGAINST HER WILL." " NOPE NOT ACCEPTABLE." MASON CHIMED. " NOT A GOOD MAN IS YOUR SON. NOT AT ALL." DARIEN ADDED AGAIN. " DARIEN, SHUT THE HELL UP." SAID AUGUSTA. DAREIN GROWLED. " EXIBITIONIST!" DARIEN SAID TO AUGUSTA. " BASTARD!" AUGUSTA YELLED BACK. " WHORE!" " PENISLESS BASTARD OF HELL!" SHOT AUGUSTA ENDING THE NAMECALLING.
HEERO'S CHAINS RATTLED AS HE MADE AN EFFORT TO LOOK OUTSIDE. HE SUCCEEDED BUT HIS FACE BECAME PALE. THE SUN WAS BEGGINING TO RISE OR WAS THAT THE CANDLES GLOWING. HEERO SIGHED AS HE WATCHED PEOPLE ARGUE ABOUT THE SITUATION. HE LOOKED AT SERENITY. SHE LOOKED BACK AT HIM. HE COULD SEE BAGS UNDER HER EYES FROM THE LACK OF SLEEP AND TEAR STAINS. HEERO RATTLED HIS CHAINS TO GET ATTENTION. THE ARGUING STOPPED AND EVERYONE LOOKED AT HIM. " JUST HANG ME." HE SAID.SERENITY'S EYES BULGED. " DO IT AND SAVE SERENA THE PAIN." HEERO SAID LOOKING AT DARIEN. MASON WAS SHOCKED. DARIEN THEN BEGAN TO SMIRK. HEERO LOOKED OUTSIDE AGAIN. THE SUN WAS ACTUALLY RISING. " TIME FOR ME TO GO." HEERO MOTIONED FOR THE KNIGHTS TO UNCHAIN HIM. THE KING NODDED AND THEY ALL FILED OUT OF THE THRONE ROOM TO THE GALLOWS OUTSIDE.
LADY AUGUSTA CRIED BITTERLY. HER ONLY SON WAS GOING TO BE HUNG. LORD PIERRE'S FACE WAS BLANK YET YOU COULD TELL HE WAS IN PAIN. THE ROYALS SAT AT THEIR RESPECTIVE SPOT. THE PEASENTS CROWDED AROUND THE GALLOW, AWAITING THE MOMENT WHEN THE YOUNG MAN WOULD BE BROUGHT OUT. THE ENGLISH KNIGHTS STOOD AT ATTENTION NEXT TO SERENITY'S SEAT. HEERO WAS FINALLY BROUGHT OUT AND THE CROWDED GROANED. THE TELLER CAME TO THE STAGE OF THE GALLOWS AND UNROLLED A SHEET OF PARCHMENT. " THIS BOY, SIR HEERO YUY, HAS BEEN ACUSSED OF HAINESS CRIMES OF WHICH THAT CAN NOT BE REPEATED. HE PLEADS INNOCENT YET FOUND GUILTY." THE TELLER LOOKED AT HEERO. " THIS IS NOW YOUR TIME TO REPENT AND SPARE YOUR LIFE. REPENT." THE CROWD CHEERED WORDS OF, " REPENT BOY REPENT!" HEERO SHOOK HIS HEAD.
DUN DUN DUN! I love cliffhangers! Hehehehehe! Review for more.
Moon Smurf: I am really sorry that this is in capitals but remember, I wrote this for myself. I think there are 2 more chapters like this. After that, its small letters! Thanx For the review!
Riuka: Thanx a bunch! Flattery will get you everywhere with reviewing!
Eloa Nori (Thalia Poet): You rock too! I totally agree. At least someone who is kind wrote back! Thanx author's note: Sha'rie is not a lesbian or bisexual! In some middle age countries, maids took baths with their mistresses. Some maids were lesbish but not Sha'rie!
PRINCE DARIEN STEPPED OUT OF THE CARRIAGE.HE DIDN'T LOOK LIKE A PRINCE.HE LOOKED LIKE A SPOILED BRAT.SERENITY LOOKED DARIEN UP AND DOWN.SHE DIDN'T LIKE HIM.HIS APPERANCE WAS HAUGHTY, AND THE WAY HE STOOD YELLED,"I'M BETTER THAN YOU AND I'M GOING TO SHOW IT SO YOU KNOW!"THE CARRIAGE DOOR CLOSED BEHIND DARIEN.HE WALKED BRISKLY TO SERENITY.SHE HELD OUT HER HAND.DARIEN KISSED IT, WHILE SMIRKING. "PRINCE DAIREN, WELCOME TO FRANCE.I HOPE YOUR JOURNEY WAS A SAFE ONE." SAID THE KING."IT WAS.IT WAS MOST PLEASUREABLE. BUT I COULDN'T WAIT TO SEE MY BRIDE."PRINCE DARIEN SAID, KISSING SERENITY'S HAND AGAIN.
HEERO WAS GETTING MAD.NOT ONLY WOULD DARIEN NOT LET GO OF SERENITY'S HAND, HE KEPT KISSING IT.THE WORSE THING TO HEERO WAS THAT SERENITY WAS BLUSHING. HE COULDN'T TELL IF IT WAS A FORCED BLUSH OR REAL.HEERO LOOKED DARIEN OVER.DARIEN HAD BLACK HAIR THAT WAS SLICKED BACK.HE WAS TALL, BUT NOT VERY MUSCULAR.'HE SURE DOES LOOK SPOILED.'HEERO THOUGHT.
DARIEN'S DARK BLUE EYES LOOKED INTO SERENITY'S. SHE TURNED AND LOOKED AT HEERO."WE NEED TO TALK!"HEERO MOUTHED TO SERENITY."LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF.I AM KING JUAQUEZ, THEN MY WIFE, QUEEN MARIANETTE.YOU ALREADY KNOW MY DAUGHTER, SERENITY."PRINCE DARIEN NODDED TO EACH."LAST BUT NOT LEAST, OUR KNIGHTS.AS YOU KNOW, THEY TRANSFERED FROM ENGLAND TO FRANCE.SIR JOHNSON, SIR ELLIOTT, SIR JAMES, SIR BRADLEY,AND SIR HEERO,MY DAUGHTERS PERSONAL KNIGHT."MASON'S EYEBROW RAISED."IT'S BECAUSE HE IS THE YOUNGEST, AND I NEED A PROTECTOR."SERENITY SAID."THEN THERE IS SHA'RIE, SERENITY'S SERVANT."SHA'RIE CURTISIED, NOT TAKING HER EYES OFF OF MASON."I PREPARED LUNCH.IT'S INSIDE."SHA'RIE TURNED AND LEFT, JAMES FOLLOWING BEHIND HER."I NEED TO GET READY FOR LUNCH."SERENITY SAID.HEERO BOWED TO DARIEN BEFORE HE FOLLOWED SERENITY TO THE PALACE.
JAMES BACKED SHA'RIE INTO THE WALL, KISSING HER.HOW LONG HAD IT BEEN SINCE HE LAST KISSED HER? THIS MORNING.IT WAS TOO LONG."WILL YOU COME TO ME TONIGHT?"JAMES ASKED."OF COARSE I WILL.AFTER I TAKE CARE OF SERENITY."JAMES CHUCKLED."HEERO CAN TAKE CARE OF HER."SHA'RIE SMILED."DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE STARTING TO SPEAK PROPER. I'M VERY PROUD."JAMES SAID AS HE KISSED HER.
"PRINCE DARIEN, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" HEERO ASKED.DARIEN LOOKED AT HEERO."I'M GOING TO SEE SERENITY. " DARIEN TRIED TO PUSH THROUGH HEERO."SORRY. SHE'S DRESSING.IF SHE WANTS TO SEE YOU SHE WILL CALL."SERENITY SCREAMED.HEERO TURNED.HE OPENED THE DOOR SLIGHTLY."MA'AM?ARE YOU OKAY?"HEERO ASKED.SERENITY CAME TO THE DOOR."I SAW SOMETHING! COME GET IT!"SERENITY SCREAMED.HEERO WALKED THROUGH THE DOOR.DARIEN TRIED TO FOLLOW BUT HEERO STOPPED HIM."STAY HERE. SHE WILL BE VERY EMBARRASSED IF YOU SEE HER HALF DRESSED."HEERO CLOSED THE DOOR.DARIEN LOOKED AT THE DOOR, SNORTED, THEN LEFT FOR THE DINNING HALL.
HEERO KISSED SERENITY WITH ALL THE PASSION IN THE WORLD.SERENITY RESPONDED WITH JUST AS MUCH PASSION.THEY PULLED AWAY.SERENITY SMILED AT HIM.SHE TURNED AND HELD UP HER HAIR."BUTTON THIS PLEASE."HEERO BUTTONED THE BACK OF SERENITY'S DRESS,SOMETIMES LETTING HIS FINGERTIPS TOUCH HER SKIN."WHERE IS SHA'RIE?"HEERO ASKED."SHE AND JAMES ARE A LITTLE BUSY."SERENITY GIGGLED."DARIEN SEEMED PRETTY MAD THAT I WOULDN'T LET HIM IN.SPEAKING OF DARIEN, WHAT WAS THAT EARLIER?"HEERO ASKED."WHAT WAS WHAT?"HEERO TURNED SERENITY AROUND."WHAT WAS WITH ALL THE BLUSHING?"SERENITY LAUGHED."ARE YOU GETTING JEALOUS,HEERO?"HEERO GLARED AT HER."NO.I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT THAT WAS ALL ABOUT." "WELL,"SERENITY BEGAN,"IT MAKES PRINCES FEEL BETTER TO KNOW THAT A WOMAN BLUSHES A LOT.IT MAKES THEM THINK THAT THEY ARE MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN THEY SEEM.DARIEN IS NOTHING COMPARED TO YOU, DON'T WORRY.""I'LL MAKE SURE HE DOESN'T."HEERO SAID LAYING SERENITY ON THE BED.
SERENITY AND HEERO CAME INTO THE DINNING HALL; THEY WERE LAST.DAIREN WAS SITTING NEXT TO THE KING.WHEN DARIEN SAW SERENITY HE GOT UP INTENT ON PULLING SERENITY'S CHAIR OUT FOR HER.HEERO HAD BEATEN HIM TO IT.HEERO PULLED SERENITY'S CHAIR OUT FOR HER AS SHE SAT DOWN, THEN HE TOOK HIS USUAL SEAT NEXT TO HER."I THOUGHT THE KNIGHTS WERE TO EAT SEPREATLY."THE KING SIGHED."SERENITY MADE A FUSS WHEN I TRIED TO DO THAT.IT WAS SO USED TO US TO HAVE THE KNIGHTS EAT WITH US.OLD HABITS DIE HARD."
"SO PRINCE DARIEN, HOW HAS IT BEEN IN ENGLAND SINCE WE LEFT?"ELLIOTT ASKED."THINGS HAVE BEEN GOING FINE; ALTHOUGH, FATHER HAS BEEN PRESSING THE SUBJECT OF MARRIAGE." HE LOOKED AT SERENITY. "I'M HONORED."SERENITY MUMMBLED.DEEP DOWN, SHE WAS DISGUSTED.SHE DIDN'T LOVE DARIEN, SHE LOVED HEERO."PRINCE DARIEN, A BALL WILL BE HELD IN YOUR HONOR TONIGHT."EVERYONE AROUND THE TABLE GROANED AT WHAT QUEEN MARIANETTE SAID."WHAT?"
"SERENITY WHEN YOU GO TO DANCE, WILL YOU PLEASE DANCE WITH PRINCE DARIEN? "SHA'RIE ASKED."BUT HE DIGUSTS ME.ALWAYS WANTING TO PUT HIS LIPS ON MY SKIN.MY SKIN IS TOO DELICATE."SERENITY SAID.SHA'RIE SIGHED."JUST ONE DANCE? PLEASE? FOR MY SANITY?" SERENITY SIGHED."ALRIGHT."SERENITY BEGAN FIDDLING WITH HER HAIR."DON'T DO THAT!I JUST MADE YOUR HAIR ALL NICE AND PRETTY!"SHA'RIE CRIED."SORRY."SERENITY APOLOGIZED.
"NICE TRICK YOU PULLED."SERENITY TURNED."WHAT?" SHE ASKED."I SAID NICE TRICK.THAT TRICK YOU PULLED ON DARIEN.SAYING SOMETHING WAS IN YOUR ROOM, AND THAT HEERO NEEDED TO GET IT OUT.CLEVERVERY CLEVER."SHA'RIE SAID."THANKS, AND DID YOU KNOW THAT YOUR SPEECH IS GETTING BETTER?"SHA'RIE SMILED."YES, JAMES TOLD ME.I'M GOING TO SEE HIM TONIGHT."SERENITY NODDED."SO YOUR'RE SKIPPING OUT.DON'T MAKE TO MUCH NOISE."SERENITY LAUGHED."I SHOULD SAY THE SAME TO YOU INCASE YOU LEAVE THE BALL WITH HEERO EARLY."SHA'RIE LEFT LAUGHING."THAT WASN'T FUNNY!"SERENITY YELLED AFTER HER.
A KNOCK CAME AT SERENITY'S DOOR."PRINCESS, IT IS I, PRINCE DARIEN.I HAVE COME TO ESCORT YOU TO THE BALL."DAREIN YELLED THROUGH THE DOOR. SERENITY WALKED OUT.DARIEN HELD OUT HIS HAND.SERENITY TOOK IT WITH HESITATION.THEY BEGAN TO WALK DOWN THE HALL WHEN SERENITY STOPPED."WAIT, WHERE IS HEERO?"SHE ASKED."I AM HERE MA'AM, I HAD TO ESCORT THE QUEEN TO THE BALL."DAREIN NODDED."WELL THEN, LET'S GO."
THE BALL WAS A MANAGEABLE ONE.DARIEN HAD ASKED SERENITY TO DANCE OVER FIVE TIMES, AND EACH TIME SHE ACCEPTED.THE KING NOTICED THAT SERENITY AND SIR HEERO WOULD DISAPPEAR, ONLY TO COME BACK IN A HALF HOUR;OR THAT'S WHEN HE WOULD SEE THEM.DARIEN SAT DOWN NEXT TO THE KING."SIRE, THAT SIR HEERO, WHAT IS WITH HIS MORNING CHECKUPS?"DARIEN ASKED."HEERO IS A VERY CAUTIOUS BOY, NO, KNIGHT.HE WILL MAKE SURE THE PRINCESS IS SAFE FROM PRIEING EYES.HE WILL RISK HIS LIFE FOR HER.AS FOR HIS MORNING CHECKUPS, HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE SERENITY IS SAFELY IN BED, AND HAD NOT BEEN SNATCHED DURING THE NIGHT.HE IS VERY OBSERVANT.HE DOESN'T MISS A BEAT."
AFTER THE BALL,EVERYONE HAD LEFT.HEERO WALKED SERENITY TO HER CHAMBERS."THANK YOU."SHE SAID BEFORE ENTERING HER ROOM.HEERO THEN WALKED DARIEN TO HIS CHAMBERS."I DON'T NEED PROTECTION.I'M NOT A CHILD."DARIEN SAID.HEERO BOWED."SIRE, IT IS KING JUAQUEZ'S WISH.HE WANTS ME TO LOOK AFTER YOU.IF YOU WERE HURT, SERENITY WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH HERSELF."HEERO BOWED ONCE MORE, THEN WALKED DOWN THE HALL.HE TOOK HIS PLACE AT SERENITY' DOOR.
SHA'RIE WALKED DOWN THE HALL.SHE WAS LOOKING FOR HEERO,BUT HE WAS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND.SHA'RIE SUDDENLY FELT STUPID.'SERENITY'S!WHERE ELSE WOULD HE BE!"
SHA'RIE STOOD INFRONT OF HEERO."THE QUEEN REQUESTS YOUR PRESENCE,SIR HEERO.MEET HER IN THE LIBRARY.SHE IS WAITING ON YOU.I'LL SEND BRADLEY TO LOOK AFTER SERENITY."HEERO NODDED.HE STARTED ON HIS WAY TO THE LIBRARY.
IT TOOK FIVE MINUTES TO GET TO THE LIBRARY.THATS WAS IF YOU KNEW WHERE YOU WERE GOING.HEERO OPENED THE DOOR,THEN CLOSED IT SILENTLY BEHIND HIM.HE FOUND QUEEN MARIANETTE READING.IT WAS AS IF HE WAS SEEING A MIRROR IMAGE OF SERENITY.HER MOTHER HAD SILVERISH GOLD SUN-SPUN HAIR THAT WAS DONE IN TWO BUNS ATOP HER HEAD.HER DARK MYSTERIOUS LIGHTNING BLUE EYES COULD MAKE YOU WANT TO DIE IF SHE WAS ANGRY;BUT NOW HER EYES LOOKED LIKE A GENTLE SEA OF BLUE.QUEEN MARIANETTE LOOKED UP.SHE SET DOWN HER BOOK ON THE TABLE.SHE MOTIONED FOR HEERO TO SIT.HE SAT ON THE CHAIR OPPOSITE HER.HER FACE WAS GENTLE AND CALM, LIKE THE SEA.SHE SMILED AT HEERO.
"I LOVE THE LIBRARY.NO WONDER SERENITY LOVES THIS PLACE.SO QUIET."SHE SAID.MARIANETTE LOOKED AT HEERO."SIR HEERO,"SHE SAID ADDRESSING HIM,"I HAVE ASKED YOU TO COME TO ME SO WE COULD TALK.I WANT TO KNOW SOMETHING.DON'T LIE TO ME EITHER."SHE SAID,STRESSING THE LIEING PART."DO YOU LOVE MY DAUGHTER?"SHE ASKED CURTLY."YES,VERY MUCH."HEERO ANSWERED."HOW MUCH?"HEERO LOOKED AT THE QUEEN.'IS THIS A TRICK QUESTION?' HEERO THOUGHT."I LOVE HER TOO MUCH TO LET DARIEN HAVE HER.I LOVE HER BECAUSE SHE IS HERSELF AND NO ONE ELSE.SHE IS UNIQUE.SHE HAS BROUGHT THINGS OUT OF ME THAT NO ONE HAS EVER BROUGHT OUT OF ME BEFORE."QUEEN MARIANETTE SMILED. "WONDERFUL.SHE MEANS THAT MUCH TO YOU?" "YES." "WILL YOU DIE FOR HER?" "YES."QUEEN MARIANETTE GOT QUIET."YOU ARE WORHTY OF HER THEN,AS IF I HAD ANY SAY IN IT AT ALL."HEERO LOOKED AT HER STRANGELY."I KNOW THAT YOU GO TO MY DAUGHTERS CHAMBERS.I KNOW THAT YOU FROLICATE WITH HER.I HAVE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME.ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE CARE OF A FAMILY OF YOUR OWN?"HEERO NODDED TO HER."I HAVE A MANSION NOT FAR FROM HERE.I CAN TAKE CARE OF HER. I TOLD HER ALREADY, I AM THERE WHEN SHE WANTS AND NEEDS ME.I WILL NOT LEAVE HER IF SHE HAS MY CHILD.I WILL STAY BY HER SIDE.I STATE MY CHOICE.IF I AM TOBE HANGED FOR LOVE, HANG ME.I WILL NEVER STOP LOVING HER.NEVER." "NOT EVEN IF SHE MARRIES DARIEN?" "DARIEN DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO TIE HIS OWN SHOE PAST HIS OVER-SIZED EGO, LET ALONE TAKE CARE OF FRANCE, ENGLAND AND SERENITY.HE WOULD FORGET ABOUT SERENITY.THAT IS WHEN I STEP IN.I WILL LOVE HER EVEN AFTER SHE IS MARRIED." "HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT SHE WILL STILL LOVE YOU?"THE QUEEN ASKED."I KNOW BECAUSE OUR LOVE IS TRUE.OUR LOVE IS A SHEILD THAT CAN NEVER BE PENITRATED."
THE QUEEN SIGHED WITH RELIEF.SUCH BEAUTIFUL WORDS.WORDS THAT WERE NOT EMPTY IN MEANING.WORDS THAT MEANT SOMETHING.HEERO PLEASED HER."HEERO, THOUGH YOUR LOVE IS TRUE,I HAVE A BAD FEELING INSIDE.I FEEL THAT THE THRONE IS AT STAKE.PROTECT SERENITY IF YOU TRULY IN YOUR HEARTEST OF HEARTS LOVE HER.USE YOUR LOVE AS A WEAPON,IT WILL SERVE YOU WELL LATER.NOW,I THINK I HAVE KEPT YOU LONG ENOUGH.MY DAUGHTER IS WAITING ON YOU."QUEEN MARIANETTE SAID AS SHE LEFT.
HEERO CAME INTO SERENITY'S ROOM THROUGH THE SECRET PASSAGE BEHIND THE BODYLENGHT MIRROR.HE COULD SEE SERENITY'S SILLHOETTE ON THE WALLS.ONE CANDLE LITE THE LARGE ROOM.HE HEARD SOBBING.HE RUSHED TO SERENITY. SERENITY TURNED AND HUGGED HIM."WHY ARE YOU CRYING, DARLING? I'M HERE, NOTHING CAN EVER HARM YOU."HEERO SAID.SERENITY LIFTED HER HEAD."FATHER FOUND OUT, DIDN'T HE? HE'S GOING TO HANG YOU ISN'T HE?"HEERO KISSED AWAY SERENITY'S TEARS."NO HE DIDN'T, BUT YOUR MOTHER DID.NO I'M NOT GOING TO BE HANGED."HEERO SAID, KISSING SERENITY'S LIPS."WHAT DID SHE SAY? IS SHE ALREADY ASKING FOR GRANDCHILDREN?"SERENITY GOT OUT OF THE BED."BECAUSE IF SHE IS, SHE'S JUST GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT NINE MONTHS TILL THEY'RE BORN."HEERO LOOKED AT HER CONFUSED.WHEN HE GOT IT, HE RUSHED TO SERENITY, AND PULLED HER INTO HIS ARMS.HEERO PICKED SERENITY UP AND TWIRLED HER AROUND.HE SET SERENITY BACK ON HER FEET."YOU ARE GOING TO BE A FATHER, HEERO. "HEERO KISSED SERENITY WITH SO MUCH PASSION, THAT THEY FELL ON THE BED, HEERO BETWEEN SERENITY'S LEGS."HEERO, I DON'T WANT TO MARRY MASON.HE'S MEAN AND CRUEL.I DON'T WANT HIM TO BE MY HUSBAND."HEERO PULLED SERENITY TO HER FEET."THEN DON'T MARRY HIM."HEERO SAID.HEERO PUT HIS HAND IN HIS POCKET.HE GOT DOWN ON ONE KNEE,TAKING SERENITY'S HANDS IN HIS OWN."SERENITY ANITA ROUG`ET,WILL YOU DO ME THE HONOR OF BECOMING MY WIFE?" TEARS OF HAPPINESS SLID DOWN SERENITY'S CHEEKS AS HEERO SLIPPED A RING ON HER FINGER.SHE LOOKED AT THE LARGE DIAMOND RING,HER EYES SHINING."YES!YES!ENTERNITY YES!"SERENITY SAID AS SHE FELL TO HER KNEES, EMBRACING HEERO.HEERO PICKED UP SERENITY,SET HER DOWN ON THE BED."I LOVE YOU HEERO YUY."SERENITY SAID."I LOVE YOU SERENITY YUY."HEERO KISSED HER.HEERO TOOK HER.THEY COULDN'T WAIT.IT WAS THEIR OWN PRIVATE CELEBRATION.A CELEBRATION OF THEIR LOVE AND CHILDREN TO BE.
EVERY MORNING WAS THE SAME,HEERO WOULD COME OUT OF SERENITY'S CHAMBERS.HE LOOKED AROUND CAREFULLY.HE BUTTONED THE LAST TWO BUTTONS, STRAIGHTENED HIS HIS CAPE, AND WALKED OUT."HEERO!" DARIEN YELLED.'NO NOT MASON, NOT NOW.PLEASE!'HEERO THOUGHT.DARIEN CAUGHT UP WITH HEERO, WALKING BESIDE HIM. "HEERO, WHERE IS SERENITY?"DARIEN ASKED."SHE IS STILL SLEEPING, SAFELY I MUST ADD." DARIEN NODDED.DAREIN WALKED IN SILENCE.HE LOOKED AT HEERO.HE LOOKED DISHEVELED. "YOU LOOK HORRILBLE." DAREIN SAID TO HEERO."I WOKE LATE, IS ALL.I WAS BUSY ALL NIGHT LONG.I BARELY GOT ANY SLEEP."HEERO MUMMBLED, STRAIGHTING HIS HAIR."YET YOU STILL MANAGE TO CHECK ON THE PRINCESS.HOW LONG DID YOU SLEEP IN?" DARIEN ASKED. 'CAN I JUST KILL HIM WITH MY SWORD? I'LL MAKE IT QUICK.NO, SERENITY WILL BE MAD. 'HEERO THOUGHT."FIVE MINUTES."HE MUTTERED."FIVE MINUTES ISN'T ANYTHING!" DARIEN EXCLAIMED."IT'S LATE TO A KNIGHT."
SERENITY WOKE, STRECHED, AND GOT OUT OF BED,THE SHEET WRAPPED AROUND HER SLINDER BODY. "BATH TIME MISTRESS."SHA'RIE SAID.AS SERENITY LAY IN THE WARM WATER THAT WAS HER BATH, SHE THOUGHT.'I'M HAVING HEERO'S BABY.OUR BABY.I CAN'T WAIT.WAIT, HOW WILL I KEEP THIS A SECRET? SHA'RIE'S STARTING TO GET BIG.AND IT'S VISIBLE! HOW WILL I HIDE IT?' SERENITY THOUGHT PANICKING.SHA'RIE RUBBED SERENITY'S BACK. " SHA'RIE, I'M GOING TO HAVE HEERO'S CHILD. I'M SO HAPPY! BUT HOW WILL I HIDE IT? I MEAN, HOW CAN I HIDE THAT I'M PREGNANT IF I GET BIG!" SHA'RIE PULLED SERENITY BACK AGAINST HER NAKED BODY. " IT'LL WORK OUT. JUST SAY THAT IT'S DARIEN'S BABY." " BUT THAT WOULDN'T BE RIGHT." SHA'RIE SIGHED. " WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU. YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO TELL THEM IN DUE TIME." " TELL THEM! TELL THEM! THEY WILL HANG HEERO! DARIEN WILL BE HAPPY TO HANG HEERO! FATHER WILL HAVE A STROKE THAT I HAVE BEEN GIVING MYSELF TO A KNIGHT! OH SHA'RIE, WHAT AM I TO DO? WHAT AM I TO DO?" SERENITY WALKED BY THE THRONE ROOM, HOPING TO NOT BE SEEN." SERENITY! COME HERE PLEASE! I NEED TO TALK TO YOU!" SERENITY TURNED TO ENTER THE ROOM. HER HANDS QUIVERED AS SHE ENTERED THE ROOM, AFRAID OF WHAT HER FATHER MIGHT SAY TO HER. SERENITY WALKED IN AND STOOD IN FRONT OF HER FATHER. " YES FATHER? WHAT MIGHT I DO FOR YOU?" THE KING SMILED KINDLY. "SERENITY, I HAVE TO TELL YOU THIS AND YOU MUST DO IT. SERENITY, IT IS TRADITION FOR THE BRIDE TO SLEEP WITH HER FUTURE HUSBAND." SERENITY'S MOUTH FELL OPEN. " YOU MUST DO THIS FOR THE ALLIANCE. I KNOW IT'S SOON FOR YOU TO GIVE UP YOUR INNOCENCE BUT YOU MUST. TONIGHT YOU WILL DO IT." SERENITY NODDED, TEARS IN HER EYES. " YES FATHER. YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND."
SERENITY FLOPPED ONTO HER BED CRYING.DARIEN WAS GOING TO FIND OUT.THEN HE WAS GOING TO TELL. WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THEM? TO HER, TO HEERO, TO THEIR CHILD?
" WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?" HEERO ASKED. " I HAVE TO DO IT. I HAVE TO. FOR THE PEACE OF THE TWO COUNRTIES." HEERO STRAIHTENED."YOU HAVE TO? NO! MAKE AN EXCUSE! WHAT IF HE FINDS OUT THAT YOU ARE NOT A VIRGIN?" SERENITY SIGHED. " I'LL HAVE TO TAKE THAT CHANCE. THEY WILL FIND OUT SOONER OR LATER." HEERO STOOD UP, HIS FACE ANGRY. " FINE BE HIS. SCREAM OUT HIS NAME WHEN YOU CLIMAX. BE HIS WHORE. LET HIM CLAIM MY CHILDREN AS HIS.DAMN IT!" " I THOUGHT YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND!" SERENITY SCREAMED. TEARS STREAMED DOWN SERENITY'S CHEEKS. " I HATE YOU!" SHE SCREAMED. HEERO LAUGHED. " YOU KNOW WHAT? I LIED. I DON'T LOVE YOU. I HATE YOU! FIND DARIEN YOURSELF." WITH A GREAT SLAM, HEERO LEFT NOT TO BE SEEN THE REST OF THE DAY.
SERENITY SAT AT HER VANITY. HER MIND WAS A JUMBLE THAT WAS NEVER GOING TO UNSCRAMBLE. HER EMOTIONS WERE HECTIC AND HER APPEARENCE NO BETTER.THE ARGUMENT THAT HAD OCCURED HAD WEAKENED HER; WEAKENED HER MIND, EMOTIONS AS WELL AS HER BODY. WHAT HEERO HAD SAID TO HER HURT. IT HURT LIKE HELL. SHE THOUGHT THAT SHE WAS DOING GOOD FOR HER COUNTRY BUT IT CAME AT A PRICE. A PRICE THAT WOULD COST HER. THE FIGHT HAD HURT. THE WORDS SHARED WERE HARSH AND UNREASONABLE. BEING CALLED A WHORE HAD HURT AND HAD DAMAGED HER HEART. SHE THOUGHT HEERO WOULD HAD UNDERSTOOD BUT SHE WAS WRONG.
HEERO SAT ON HIS BED CROSSLEGGED. THE KNIGHTS AND SHA'RIE SAT AROUND HIM, ALL PUTTING IN THEIR THOUGHTS OF THE SITUATION. " MAYBE IT'S ALL FOR THE BEST. I MEAN, IF SOMEONE FOUND OUT, YOU WOULD HAVE HELL TO PAY WHILE SHE SAT BY AND WATCHED YOU BE HANGED OR YOUR HEAD LOPPED OFF. ALL FOR THE BEST OF YOU." ELLIOTT SAID. " ELLY'S RIGHT. IT'S TOO MUCH FOR A KNIGHT. I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU GOT INVOLVED WITH HER IN THE FIRST PLACE. SHE'S A NICE GIRL AN ALL BUT SHE'S A PRINCESS." JOHNSON SAID. " IS THERE WINE HERE?" BRADLEY ASKED. HEERO GROWLED. " I MEAN, WE COULD TOAST TO YOU BEING SINGLE!" BRADLEY SQUEILED. SHA'RIE SAT UP IN HER CHAIR. " I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU ALL ARE BEING HARSH ON HER.SHE HAS TO DO WHAT SHE HAS TO DO." JAMES SAID. SHA'RIE NODDED. " SHE'S JUST TRYING TO DO THE THINGS FOR THE GOOD OF HER COUNTRY. YOU MEN ARE BEING MEAN AND HATEFUL. SHE HAS A JOB AND HER JOB REQUIRES THAT LOVE GOES LAST AND HER MANNERS GO FIRST!" SHA'RIE SAID. " IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT SHE HAS TO SLEEP WITH MASON. WHAT A BITCH." HEERO GRUMBLED. " WHAT DID YOU SAY?" SHA'RIE ASKED, HER VOICE TENSE. " I SAID BITCH. SHE'S BEING A BITCH." SHA'RIE'S MUSCLES TENSED. " I DARE YOU TO SAY IT AGAIN." HEERO CHUCKLED. " I TAKE THAT CHALLENGE. BITCH BITCH BITCH BITCH BITCH BITCH BITCH." HEERO SMIRKED. " WHY YOU INSENSITIVE LITTLE FUCKING BASTARD! YOU LIFTED HER HEART THEN YOU BREAK IT! YOU SIR ARE A GENUINE FUCK! YOU CALL HER A WHORE! OH YES I HEARD THAT. IF SHE WAS A WHORE, THEN SHE WOULD BE YOUR WHORE OR IN REALISTIC TERMS, YOUR LOVER! SHOULD I INCLUDE FIANCE?" SHA'RIE PUSHED UP FROM HER CHAIR, MAKING IT FALL BACK BEHIND HER. " SO YOU'RE ON HER SIDE. FINE! GO! LEAVE! BE WITH THAT WHORE!" HEERO YELLED. " IF SHA'RIE GOES I GO. I AGREE WITH HER." JAMES SAID. " FINE! GO! TRAITOR!" HEERO YELLED AS JAMES CLOSED THE DOOR.
QUEEN MARIANETTE SAT BEHIND HER DAUGHTER BRUSHING HER HAIR WITH LONG SLOW STROKES. " SERENITY, IT WILL BE ALL RIGHT. WHATEVER HAPPENS, WELL, IT HAPPENS.WE HAVE TO LET THE CHICKENS FALL WERE THEY MAY, SO TO SPEAK." SERENITY STOPPED HER MOTHER'S HAND. " MOTHER, WHAT IF DARIEN FINDS OUT THAT I AM NOT A VIRGIN? WE'LL HE THINK ME WICKED?" QUEEN MARIANETTE SET DOWN THE BRUSH. " I CANNOT SAY WHAT HE IS THINKING, NOR INTERPERET WHAT HE IS THINKING. HIS THOUGHTS ARE HIS OWN JUST AS YOUR LIFE IS YOUR OWN. YOUR FATHER IS PUSHING HIS WILL ONTO YOU. HE WANTS YOU TO BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE. HE WANTS YOU TO UPHOLD THE ROYAL TRADITION." QUEEN MARIANETTE TURNED SERENITY TO HER. " YOU MUST SLEEP WITH DARIEN. DO WHAT YOU MUST."
THE NIGHT CAME ALL TO QUICKLY FOR SERENITY AND HEERO. THE INTERCOURSE RITUAL PROMPTLY BEGAN WHEN THE FIRST STAR APPEARED IN THE SKY. THEFIRST THING TO HAPPEN WAS TO WASH THE FUTURE BRIDE. THEN THE BRIDE WAS DRESSED IN THE FINEST SILK AND JEWELS AND A CHASTY BELT WAS PLACED ON HER.
"SERENITY, ARE YOU READY?" QUEEN MARIANETTE ASKED. " AS READY AS I'LL EVER BE." SERENITY WALKED TO DARIEN'S DOOR AND KNOCKED. DARIEN TOOK HIS TIME TO ANSWER THE DOOR BUT AS SOON AS HE DID, HE USHERED SERENITY IN. AFTER A WHILE OF CONVERSATION AND EATING, DARIEN JUMPED TO THE SUBJECT.
" SO, WHEN DO WE GET TO IT." HE ASKED. SERENITY SIGHED. " I MAY BE YOUR FUTURE WIFE BUT WE WILL TAKE THIS SLOW." DARIEN LAUGHED. HE TOOK SERENITY'S HAND AND PULLED HER OUT OF THE CHAIR, DRAGGING HER ONTO THE FLOOR. SHE SCREAMED. " SHUT UP! YOU WILL BE MINE, NOT THAT KNIGHT'S BUT MINE."
SERENITY STARTED TO PRAY. DARIEN DIDN'T LOVE HER, HE JUST WANTED TO HAVE HER BODY. HE WAS GOING TO RAPE HER AND NO ONE CARED. " HEERO! PLEASE! SOMEBODY HELP ME! HEERO I NEED YOU! PLEASE HELP ME!" SERENITY SCREAMED. HER SCREAM WAS LOUD ENOUGH TO REACH THE END OF THE HALLWAY TO HEERO'S CHAMBERS. HEERO IGNORED WHAT BRADLEY WAS SAYING TO HIM AND LISTENED.
" DO YOU HEAR THAT? SOUNDS LIKE SERENA." HEERO OPENED THE DOOR TO SEE SHA'RIE. " HEERO," SHE BEGAN," SERENITY NEEDS YOU! DARIEN'S TRYING TO RAPE HER. HELP!" SHA'RIE DIDN'T HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING MORE. HEERO SPRINTED DOWN THE HALL, BRADLEY AND SHA'RIE IN CLOSE PURSUIT. " HOW DO I GET IN? NEVER MIND." HEERO USED HIS SHOULDER TO SLAM DOWN THE DOOR. HEERO CONTINUED TO SLAM AT THE DOOR. HE COULD HEAR SERENITY CRYING AND SCREAMING FOR HELP. THAT PUSHED HIM OVER THE EDGE. WITH ONE GREAT SLAM, HEERO BUSTED THE DOOR DOWN. WHAT HE SAW MADE HIM ANGRY. DARIEN WAS SITTING ON A NAKED SERENITY WITH HIS BOXERS AND PANTS DOWN. " DARIEN YOU FUCK!" HEERO YELLED WHEN HE PUNCHED DARIEN. DARIEN FELL TO THE FLOOR; BLOOD SPILLING FROM HIS MOUTH AND NOSE.
HEERO KNEELED DOWN AND GENTLY PICKED UP SERENITY. " HANDLE DARIEN." HEERO COMMANDED AS HE TOOK SERENITY TO HER ROOM. HEERO CLOSED THE DOOR AND LAID SERENITY ON THE BED. HE PULLED HER INTO HIS LAP AND COVERED HER WITH HER SHEETS. HEERO ROCKED HER AND WHISPERED THINGS TO HER SERENITY TO MAKE HER CALM DOWN. " SERENITY, LOVE, I'M SORRY. I HAD NO REASON TO BE MAD AND ANGRY AS I WAS. I REALLY DO LOVE YOU AND I ALWAYS WILL. WHEN YOU CALLED FOR ME, I KNEW THAT I HAD BEEN WRONG AND THAT I NEEDED YOU. FORGIVE ME." HEERO SAID. " YOU ARE FORGIVEN. I COULD NEVER STAY MAD AT YOU. HEERO UNBUTTENED HIS CAPE, AND JACKET, PILEING IT ONTO THE FLOOR. HE POSITIONED SERENITY TO WHERE SHE WAS LAYING ON HIM. " SLEEP." HEERO SAID AS HE BLEW THE CANDLE OUT. SERENITY DID NOT WANT TO LET HEERO'S BRAVERY AND KINDNESS GO UNREWARDED. INSTEAD OF SLEEPING, THEY MADE LOVE. A LOVE THAT WILL SOON NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
DARIEN CRAWLED FROM HIS ROOM; BLOOD TRAILING BEHIND HIM. HE MADE HIS WAY TO THE THRONE ROOM AND CONFRONTED THE KING. " MY KING," DARIEN PAUSED TO COUGH BLOOD, " TONIGHT, I WAS ATTACKED BY A KNIGHT. HE TOOK SERENITY!" DARIEN FELL TO THE FLOOR. " LISTEN CAREFULLY. PRINCESS SERENITY AND KNIGHT HEERO YUY, WERE HAVING A SEXUAL AFFAIR. THINK ABOUT IT. THE EARLY MORNING CHECKS, ALWAYS RELEAVING A KNIGHT TO TAKE HIS PLACE, ESCORTING HER EVERYWERE, MEETINGS, SOMETHING ALWAYS IN HER ROOM THAT HEERO HAS TO GET, SERENITY GETTING BIGGER EVEN THOUGH SHE DOESN'T EAT ALOT RIGHT NOW. ALL OF IT LEADS UP TO AN AFFAIR!" KING JAUQUEZ TURNED TO QUEEN MARIANETTE. " IS THIS TRUE?" THE QUEEN PUT HER HEAD DOWN. " YES. SERENITY IS PREGNANT WITH HEERO'S CHILD." KING JAUQUEZ BECAME FURIOUS. " YOU KNIGHTS, FIND SIR HEERO AND BRING HIM TO ME. TOMMORROW NIGHT, THERE SHALL BE A HANGING!"
DARIEN SMIRKED AN EVIL SMIRK. FINALLY HEERO WILL DIE AND BE OUT OF THE PICTURE AND SERENITY WILL BE HIS TO HAVE. HER BODY WILL FINALLY BELONG TO HIM.
HEERO SAT IN A CHAIR WHILE SERENITY SAT CROSSLEGGED ON HER BED IN A NEW DRESS. THEY TALKED, UNAWARE THAT THIS MIGHT BE THE LAST IME THAT THEY WILL EVER TALK OR BE TOGETHER. AT THE VERY MOMENT, THE FRENCH KNIGHTS BURSTED IN AND CHARGED AT HEERO. HEERO BOLTED UP. THE KNIGHTS FORCED IN ONTO THE GROUND AND TIED HIS HAND WITH A ROPE. " STOP THIS MADNESS! WHAT'S GOING ON HERE!" SERENITY SHOUTED. " PRINCESS SERENITY, THIS MAN IS CHARGED WITH TREASON, REPEATED RAPE,AND IMPREGNATING A ROYAL PRINCESS. HE IS TO BE TAKEN TO THE KING FOR SENTENCING." A KNIGHT SAID.
THE KNIGHTS THREW HEERO IN FRONT OF THE THRONE STEPS. HEERO LOOKED UP INTO THE ANGRY FACE OF THE KING. SERENITY PASSED BY HEERO AND TOOK HER PLACE ON HER THRONE. " I SHALL GET TO THE POINT. SIR HEERO YUY, YOU HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH TREASON, REPEATED RAPE OF A ROYAL, IMPREGNATION OF THE PRINCESS, AND WHAT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION BEATING A ROYAL OF ENGLAND. HOW DO YOU PLEAD?" THE KING ASKED. " INNOCENT OF ALL CHARGES." HEERO REPLIED. DARIEN LAUGHED. " HE LIES! HE'S RAPED HER OVER AND OVER! ASK THE PRINCESS! SHE WILL TELL YOU THE TRUTH." KING JUAQUAZ TURNED TO HIS BELOVED DAUGHTER. " IS IT TRUE?"
SERENITY FELT THE PRESSURE. SHE COULD EITHER TELL THE TRUTH OR LIE AND HAVE THE ONE SHE LOVES KILLED. SHE WANTED TO SCREAM NO, SCREAM THAT HEERO HAD MADE PASSIONATE LOVE TO HER. SHE WANTED TO SCREAM AND CRY BUT SHE STOOD FIRM. " NO. IT IS NOT TRUE. FATHER, DARIEN HAS BEEN THE ONE DECIVING YOU. HE IS THE ONE WHO TRIED TO RAPE ME. IF HEERO HADN'T COME TO MY RESCUE, DARIEN WOULD HAVE SUCCEEDED. I HOPE THAT HE WILL CONFESS." SAID SERENITY WITH ATTITUDE.
" SHE IS COVERING UP FOR HIM! LOOK AT HIM! HE'S A HEATHEN!" DARIEN SAID WITH A SLIGHT HINT OF PANIC. THE KING SAT BACK ON HIS THRONE. HE RUBBED HIS CHIN WITH HIS SLINDER BONY FINGERS. " I STILL THINK HE'S GUILTY. HE'LL HANG AT DAWN. I CAN WAIT A FEW EXTRA HOURS. GIVE HIM HIM NO FOOD OR DRINK. HE DESERVES NOTHING." KING JUAQUEZ SAID WITH ANGER. " BUT FATHER! YOU CAN'T! IT'S BARBARIC!" SERENITY HESITATED. " I LOVE HIM! I AM HAVING HIS CHILD! YOU CAN'T! I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!" KING JUAQUEZ IGNORED HER AND PROCEEDED TO GIVE OUT ORDERS OF THE HANGING. SERENITY, WITH A LOUD SHRIEK, RAN OUT OF THE ROOM,HER HANDS OVER NOW CHERRY FACE. HEERO LOOKED AT THE RAPIDLY RETREATING FORM. HE FELT BAD FOR HER. HE HAD GOTTEN THEM INTO THIS MESS. HEERO JERKED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE KNIGHTS PULLED AT HIS CLOTHES. THE ONLY THING HE KNEW WAS THAT HE NEVER REGRETED HIS ACTIONS.
" BASTARD FATHER! HE STILL SAYS HE IS GUILTY WHEN YOU CAN PLANLY SEE THAT MASON IS LYING. SHA'RIE, WHAT WILL I DO WITHOUT HEERO? I KNOW; I'LL DIE. MY HEART WILL BE BROKEN FOREVER." SERENITY IN TEARS. SHA'RIE LIFTED SERENITY'S FACE TO HERS. " YOU CAN SEE HIM. I CAN GET YOU IN." SHA'RIE SAID. SERENITY LIFTED HER HEAD. " TAKE ME THERE."
" FOOLISH BOY. RAPING A KIND PRINCESS THEN LYING ABOUT IT. FOOLISH." SAID A FRENCH KNIGHT SHAKING HIS HEAD DISAPPROVINGLY. THE BARS RATTLED AS THEY WERE SLAMMED SHUT. HHERO PUT HIS HEAD DOWN. HE WAS ANGRY AT HIMSELF. IF HE HAD A SECOND CHANCE, HE WOULDN'T DO THIS AGAIN YET IT WAS HARD NOT TO FALL HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE WITH THE CHILDLIKE PRINCESS. HE SIGHED. JUST THEN A CLOAKED FIGURE APPEARED IN FRONT OF THE GUARD. " WATER FOR THE YOUNG BOY. COURTESY OF PRINCESS SERENITY." CROAKED AN OLD VOICE. THE GUARD LOOKED THE OLD FIGURE OVER. HE NODDED AND BROUGHT OUT A KEY. " YOU HEAR THAT BOY? THE PRINCESS HAS A SOFT SPOT FOR ALL PEOPLE, EVEN THE ASSHOLE WHO RAPED HER." THE OLD GUARD MUSED AS THE OLD FIGURE LIMPED INSIDE HIS CELL.
HEERO MOVED TO THE BACK OF HIS CELL. HE DIDN'T WANT WATER. THE FIGURE CAME CLOSER UNTIL IT HAD BACKED HIM AGAINST THE HARD STONE WALL. THE FIGURE LIFTED ITS HEAD. THE CLOAK HOOD FELL BACK A FEW INCHES. " SERENA?" HEERO WHISPERED. " QUIET." SERENITY LOOKED AROUND. SHE CLEARED HER THROAT." SON, IAM HERE TO PRAY FOR YOUR CONDEMED SOUL AND GIVE YOU WATER." SERENITY CROAKED. " ON YOUR KNEES AND WE SHALL PRAY." HEERO GOT ON HIS KNEES AND PUT HIS HANDS ON SERENITY'S STOMACH, FEELING HER SLIGHTLY BULGING SPOT. SERENITY GRINNED AS HE DID SO. " LET US PRAY TO THE GOOD LORD TO SAVE YOUR SOUL FROM ETERNAL DAMNATION AND HORROR. GOD ALMIGHTY..." SERENITY TRAILED OFF. HER VOICE BECAME LOW. " I HAD TO SEE YOU." SERENITY WHISPERED. " YOU SHOULDN'T BE HERE." HEERO SAID YET GREATEFUL THAT SHE CARED. " I HAD TO. I COULDN'T WATCH WHILE PEOPLE CROWDED AROUND THE GALLOW." SERENITY STOPPED THEN SAID, " LORD HEAL HIS HEAVY WOUNDS SO HE MAY COME TO YOU IN HEAVEN." SERENITY CLEARED HER THROAT. " ASK FOR FORGIVNESS MY SON." HEERO TOOK SERENITY'S HANDS INSIDE HER CLOAK. " GOD FORGIVE ME." SERENITY SMILED. " I FIGURED," SERENITY WHISPERED," THAT THIS WOULD BE OUR LAST MOMENTS TOGETHER." HEERO SQUEEZED SERENITY'S HAND. SERENITY RELEASED HEERO'S HAND AND BENT DOWN TO GET THE WATER DIPPER. SHE FILLED IT AND SAID, " THE KING WOULD NOT GRANT ME PERMISSION TO USE WINE SO I WILL USE WATER." SHE HELD THE WATER TO HEERO'S MOUTH AS HE SIPPED FROM THE DIPPER. ONCE THE WATER DISAPPEARED SHE BENT DOWN AND GOT MORE. HEERO DIDN'T NOTICE HOW THIRSTY HE WAS UNTIL SERENITY GAVE HIM WATER CUP BY CUP. HE DRANK THE WATER AS IF ALL OF SERENITY'S HOPES AND STRENGTH WAS THE WATER AND HE NEEDED IT.
" HURRY UP OLD MAN." GROANED THE GUARD. " I DON'T HAVE ALL DAY." THE GUARD FIDDLED WITH THE BRONZE KEY THAT WOULD UNLOCK HEERO'S DOOR.
" NEVER RUSH A MAN OF GOD." SERENITY CROAKED AS SHE GAVE HEERO ANOTHER SMALL DIP OF WATER. " MY APOLOGIES." GRUMBLED THE IMPATIENT GUARD. HEERO PUSHED AWAY THE DIPPER AND SAT CROSSLEGGED ON THE FLOOR. " REMEMBER MY SON," SERENITY BEGAN," SOMEONE IS ALWAYS WITH YOU. A GOOD MAN IS NEVER ALONE. A GOOD MAN HAS FRIENDS WHO BELIEVE HIM NO MATTER WHAT THE TROUBLE." SERENITY MOTIONED HEERO TO STAND. SHE PUT HER HAND ON HEERO'S FACE. THEN SHELTERED IT. " CAN YOU TELL SERENITY SOMETHING FOR ME? CAN YOU TELL HER THAT I LOVE HER AND TELL HER TO FORGET ME. TELL HER TO RAISE THE CHILD AS IF I WAS THERE. TELL HER TO NEVER GIVE UP." HEERO SAID. SERENITY'S EYES BEGAN TO WATER. SHE NODDED UNABLE TO SPEAK FOR IF SHE HAD, IT SURELY WOULD HAVE GIVEN HER AWAY. " AMEN."
HOURS AFTER SERENITY HAD SEEN HEERO, SHE HAD FALLEN ASLEEP TO ONLY BE RUDELY AWAKENED BY POUNDING AT HER DOOR. JAMES YELLED AT HER TO GET DRESSED AND COME TO THE THRONE ROOM. THE THRONE ROOM BUSTLED WITH SHOUTING. SERENITY WALKED IN TO FIND HEERO CHAINED TO THE WALL LOOKING AT A CERTAIN COUPLE. SHE TURNED AND CAME FACE TO FACE WITH A WOMAN THAT SORT OF RESEMBLED HEERO. THE MAN THAT WAS ARGUING WITH SERENITY'S FATHER LOOKED MORE LIKE HEERO THAN THE WOMAN. THE MANS BROWN HAIR FELL LAZILY FELL OVER HIS EYES HIDING HIS ANGER. THE WOMAN THAT WAS FACING HER HAD BLACK HAIR THAT WAS IN A TIGHT BUN. HER BLUE EYES BURNED A HOLE INTO SERENITY'S HEART, READING HER LIKE AN OPEN BOOK. THE WOMEN MOTIONED SERENITY OVER TO HER. WHEN SERENITY WAS CLOSE ENOUGH, THE WOMAN WHISPERED TO HER. " SO YOU ARE THE PRINCESS THAT STOLEN MY SON'S HEART." SERENITY PUT HER HEAD DOWN. " PLEASE BLAME ME. GET IT OVER WITH." SERENITY SAID HER VOICE ABOUT TO GIVE WAY. " BLAME YOU? I CAME TO HELP YOU BOTH. SHA'RIE SENT US WORD THAT HEERO HAD BEEN ACCUSED FOR FALSE REASONS. WE CAME AS SOON AS WE GOT HOLD OF THE LETTER." SAID HEERO'S MOTHER. SERENITY SMILED. HEERO'S PARENTS WERE ON THEIR SIDE.
" I'M SORRY PIERRE BUT YOUR SON CAN NOT BE RELEASED. HE HAS RAPED A ROYAL, FOR THAT HE MUST HANG." KING JUAQUEZ SAID IN AN ANGRY MANNER. " HE DID NOTHING BUT LOVE! WHY SHOULD HE BE PUNISHED FOR THAT?" LORD PIERRE ASKED. " MY SON IS AS INNOCENT AS A FLOWER." SAID HEERO'S MOTHER. " STAY OUT OF THIS, AUGUSTA THIS IS NOT THE TIME." AUGUSTA'S FACE BECAME RED. " THIS IS A GOOD TIME AS ANY! THIS BARBARIAN IS HANGING MY SON TILL HE DIES! FOR FALSE REASONS NO LESS!" AUGUSTA YELLED. " DON'T LISTEN." DARIEN WHISPERED TO THE KING. " SHE'S COVERING, KILL HIM!" AUGUSTA CALMED. " HE'S JUST A BOY IN LOVE WITH YOUR DAUGHTER." AUGUSTA SAID. " RAPE IS NOT BEING LOVE." DARIEN COOED. " HE DID NOT RAPE HER!" YELLED PIERRE. " NONETHELESS IT WAS UNSUITABLE BEHAVIOR." SAID KING JUAQUEZ. " DISHONORING BEHAVIOR!" SAID DARIEN. " TREASON TO FRANCE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE." CONTINUED THE KING. " VERY UNACCEPTABLE." ADDED DARIEN. " IMPREGNATION IS ALSO UNACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY AGAINST HER WILL." " NOPE NOT ACCEPTABLE." MASON CHIMED. " NOT A GOOD MAN IS YOUR SON. NOT AT ALL." DARIEN ADDED AGAIN. " DARIEN, SHUT THE HELL UP." SAID AUGUSTA. DAREIN GROWLED. " EXIBITIONIST!" DARIEN SAID TO AUGUSTA. " BASTARD!" AUGUSTA YELLED BACK. " WHORE!" " PENISLESS BASTARD OF HELL!" SHOT AUGUSTA ENDING THE NAMECALLING.
HEERO'S CHAINS RATTLED AS HE MADE AN EFFORT TO LOOK OUTSIDE. HE SUCCEEDED BUT HIS FACE BECAME PALE. THE SUN WAS BEGGINING TO RISE OR WAS THAT THE CANDLES GLOWING. HEERO SIGHED AS HE WATCHED PEOPLE ARGUE ABOUT THE SITUATION. HE LOOKED AT SERENITY. SHE LOOKED BACK AT HIM. HE COULD SEE BAGS UNDER HER EYES FROM THE LACK OF SLEEP AND TEAR STAINS. HEERO RATTLED HIS CHAINS TO GET ATTENTION. THE ARGUING STOPPED AND EVERYONE LOOKED AT HIM. " JUST HANG ME." HE SAID.SERENITY'S EYES BULGED. " DO IT AND SAVE SERENA THE PAIN." HEERO SAID LOOKING AT DARIEN. MASON WAS SHOCKED. DARIEN THEN BEGAN TO SMIRK. HEERO LOOKED OUTSIDE AGAIN. THE SUN WAS ACTUALLY RISING. " TIME FOR ME TO GO." HEERO MOTIONED FOR THE KNIGHTS TO UNCHAIN HIM. THE KING NODDED AND THEY ALL FILED OUT OF THE THRONE ROOM TO THE GALLOWS OUTSIDE.
LADY AUGUSTA CRIED BITTERLY. HER ONLY SON WAS GOING TO BE HUNG. LORD PIERRE'S FACE WAS BLANK YET YOU COULD TELL HE WAS IN PAIN. THE ROYALS SAT AT THEIR RESPECTIVE SPOT. THE PEASENTS CROWDED AROUND THE GALLOW, AWAITING THE MOMENT WHEN THE YOUNG MAN WOULD BE BROUGHT OUT. THE ENGLISH KNIGHTS STOOD AT ATTENTION NEXT TO SERENITY'S SEAT. HEERO WAS FINALLY BROUGHT OUT AND THE CROWDED GROANED. THE TELLER CAME TO THE STAGE OF THE GALLOWS AND UNROLLED A SHEET OF PARCHMENT. " THIS BOY, SIR HEERO YUY, HAS BEEN ACUSSED OF HAINESS CRIMES OF WHICH THAT CAN NOT BE REPEATED. HE PLEADS INNOCENT YET FOUND GUILTY." THE TELLER LOOKED AT HEERO. " THIS IS NOW YOUR TIME TO REPENT AND SPARE YOUR LIFE. REPENT." THE CROWD CHEERED WORDS OF, " REPENT BOY REPENT!" HEERO SHOOK HIS HEAD.
DUN DUN DUN! I love cliffhangers! Hehehehehe! Review for more.
Moon Smurf: I am really sorry that this is in capitals but remember, I wrote this for myself. I think there are 2 more chapters like this. After that, its small letters! Thanx For the review!
Riuka: Thanx a bunch! Flattery will get you everywhere with reviewing!
Eloa Nori (Thalia Poet): You rock too! I totally agree. At least someone who is kind wrote back! Thanx author's note: Sha'rie is not a lesbian or bisexual! In some middle age countries, maids took baths with their mistresses. Some maids were lesbish but not Sha'rie!