Title: A Lifetime with you – The Story of Unlikely Lovers
Chapter 4
Haruka and Serenity were allowed to spend the next day together as they pleased, without supervision. King Haru felt that is was important that Haruka be allowed to be more independent and responsible. Haruka was glad because it gave him a chance to talk with Serenity without the fear of being overheard.
"So where are we going Haruka?" Serenity asked. They had been walking around the castle for a while now and she was getting a bit winded and tired.
"To the towers," He answered shortly.
"What?! All the way up there?! That's too far to walk!" She complained.
"If you're going to be with me all the time, then you has to keep up with me," Haruka said.
"Isn't there a shorter way at least?" Serenity asked.
"Nope," Haruka answered as they continued on their way.
~~~~~~~~~
"There, that wasn't so bad," Haruka said, winded from the long climb. Serenity simply collapsed on the floor.
"Easy for you to say. You're used to this," She moaned out when she was finally able to speak.
"Don't be such a baby. Now come, I have to show you something," He said offering a hand to her. She took it and he led her to the windows in the room.
Serenity was astounded at the spectacular view. From this high up, it was possible to see the entire countryside.
"Wow, it's so pretty up here," she gasped.
"I thought you would like it," He answered.
"Do you come here often?" Serenity asked.
"Only when I need to think. No one comes up here at all. It's pretty much abandoned," Haruka said going to a window and looking out.
Serenity went to him. "Is something the matter Haruka?"
"It's Michiru. She went to the earth," He said.
Serenity was confused. "I know, my mother said so. What's so wrong with that?"
"We here on Uranus and on other parts of the outer solar system don't like anyone associated with the earth. It's a bit complicated to explain, but that's the way it is," Haruka said.
"I understand complicated things. My mother tells me all the time that some things are simply too complicated to explain unless you're there yourself," Serenity said. "But there's something else that's bothering you, isn't there."
"Where did you get an idea like that?" Haruka asked a bit nervous.
"I can feel it," Serenity said. She sat down on the floor and patted a spot next to her. "Come and sit here and tell me."
Haruka sat down next to her after a while. "I spoke to Michiru yesterday. She was going on and on about this wonderful earth prince."
"And you didn't like that."
"Well, no. Michiru is supposed to be more level headed than that. She's been there only three days and already she's best friends with him," Haruka said crossly.
"So you're jealous about Michiru finding a new best friend and forgetting about you, am I right?"
"I guess."
"Don't worry, Michiru has a level head on her shoulders. If she likes him so much then he must be a good person. You're afraid of the unknown and fear of the unknown leads to terrible things," Serenity said.
"You sound like my teacher," Haruka grumbled.
"My mother told me this," Serenity said with a giggle.
"Well you seem like you want to meet the earth prince," Haruka said.
"Actually I really am nervous. I mean, as soon as I go home, I am going to have to meet him," Serenity said.
"Really?"
"Yes. I told you that in our last conversation remember?"
"I probably wasn't paying attention," Haruka said off-handedly. Serenity hit him. "Hey! What was that for?"
"Humph, you don't listen to me? I'm not talking to you anymore," She said turning away.
Haruka rolled his eyes. "I didn't mean it that way. I may have blocked out everything having to do with the earth. I didn't mean to offend you," he said taking her hand.
Serenity looked at him. "All right, apology accepted."
"Now what were you saying about the earth prince?" Haruka asked.
"Well the entire royal community of the Silver Millennium is coming to the moon as soon as we return. Your mother clearly said she wasn't coming and now my mother is going to try to convince her otherwise," Serenity explained.
"Has anyone else refused?" Haruka asked.
"The royal family of Saturn and the ruler Pluto also declined to attend. Mother convinced the queen of Jupiter after 6 hours on the phone with her."
"I'm surprised," Haruka said.
"So was I. I heard that she was very anti-terrain."
"She is. Queen Selenity must be excellent at the art of persuasion," Haruka said.
"I guess," Serenity said. They were silent for a long while. "What are we going to do now Haruka? You promised me that you would show me around your home."
"But you've seen everything," he teased pointing to a window.
"That's not what I mean!"
"Oh alright. I guess I could take you to the stables." He said reluctantly.
"Let's go then! I want to see Uraniun horses," She said getting up. As soon as he got to his feet, she pulled him towards the door.
~~~~~~~~~
"I thought I told you no once before Selenity," Mai said sipping her tea.
"You should know by now that I never take no for an answer. I'm surprised at you Mai," Selenity answered.
"If earthlings are going to be there then we're not going," King Haru said firmly.
"I'm not asking you to be their friends, I am just asking you to tolerate them," Selenity said. "Right now they're going through the motions of being accepted into the Silver Millennium. If we're attacked by any outside invaders, then a united solar system is a plus. If the enemy gets a strong hold on the earth, which is I might add close to the heart of our kingdom, the results could be catastrophic. We need this unity badly if the Silver Millennium is to be safe enough for our children to someday rule when we're gone. You wouldn't want to know that because of us refusing the earth that our life as we know it is totally gone and forgotten would you?" Mai and Haru were silent.
"I guess you're right, Selenity. But only about the last part. I still have a bad feeling about those terrains. Nothing but trouble will come from them, mark my words Selenity," Mai said finally.
"Thank you Mai."
"What about Saturn?" Haru asked.
"I'll talk to Sumi and Korenma in a few days when I go there," Selenity said.
"What about Serenity? You're not taking her to that dark planet are you?" Mai asked.
"She will stay here,if that is approved by you."
"Sure. Haruka needs some kind of distraction now. He's been a bit moody," Haru said.
"It's probably just a phase. I'm positive it will pass," Selenity said.
"I hope so," Mai said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the stables
"Good day Lord Haruka," Michael the stable manager said. He was an old man, about 50 with graying hair and a beard. His clothes were dirty, as is expected when you work with animals.
"Michael," Haruka said nodding.
"And who's this pretty little lady with you?" he asked.
"This is Princess Serenity."
"It's an honor to meet you, your highness," he said bowing.
"Nice to meet you too," She said giving a slight curtsey.
"We came to see the horses," Haruka stated.
"Will you be riding today, my lord?" he asked.
"No, we're just going to see them. Besides, I don't think that Princess Serenity can ride." Haruka said looking at her. She nodded.
"Well then right this way," he said motioning towards the back of the stables.
~~~~~~~~~
"Wow," Serenity breathed. She looked around at all the different horses. There were brown horses, black horses, grey horses, white horses and just about every type of horse. There were even ponies there too. "There're all beautiful."
"They are, aren't they," Haruka said thoughtfully.
"Which one is yours?" Serenity asked.
"That white pony is mine," he said pointing to one. "I'll get a stallion when I'm 14. Father says I'm too young right now for a full horse."
"He's right. A horse is harder to control than a pony," Michael said.
"They're bigger too," Serenity observed.
"Why are all the horses here Michael?" Haruka asked.
"We're getting ready to wash their stalls. And it's a good time to give them full baths and let them exercise. Now why don't you take her majesty out of here? We don't want her pretty dress getting dirty from our cleaning," Michael suggested. Haruka nodded.
"It was nice meeting you Michael," Princess Serenity said.
"Likewise your highness," he said bowing.
Haruka took her hand and they left the stables.
"Where are we going now?" Serenity asked as they walked towards the castle.
"Well since you like flowers I thought you would like to see our gardens," Haruka said.
"I would love that," She said
~~~~~~~~~
"This is simply beautiful," Serenity said looking around. "You have many plants and trees here that are new to me. What's that one called," she asked pointing to a small red, rose shaped flower.
"That is a tiny rose. Young men give it to women that they are in love with as a symbol of their new found love, which starts out small and is slow to grow. It also symbolizes a woman's heart, which is delicate and easily broken and destroyed, that's what mother said," Haruka said thoughtfully.
"Oh," She said looking at it. They were small indeed. And looked as if they would easily die if mistreated.
"And that white one next to it is an ivory rose. Men are supposed to give it to their wives on their wedding day. It marks the beginning of a new life, and the purity of love that is shared between a man and a woman."
"And the blue one?"
"That's for anniversaries. Sapphire roses last the longest. It is supposed to be given on the 100th anniversary to represent how love is eternal and lasts forever. I don't get that one though, since they normally die with a year. Anyway the black one is for funerals. Spouses bury them with their dead loved one. Some women have been known to kill themselves on their husband's grave holding these."
Serenity made a face at that thought.
Haruka saw that. "So you wouldn't kill yourself if your husband died?"
"Not a chance," She said. "What about the pink one?"
"That is a baby rose. As the name suggests, you give it to new born babies. Normally fathers give it to their children when they are born. The number of days it stays alive is crucial. It is very sensitive to a child's spirit, so if it dies before 7 days are over, most likely the child won't live to see its first birthday."
"How horrible!" Serenity exclaimed.
"People have stopped giving these roses altogether. They don't believe in any of the legends associated with them. There was an epidemic centuries ago, a great drought came and almost devastated the entire planet. Many people plants and animals died. Almost all of the rose bushes on the planet disappeared when the rains finally came back, with the help of the queen of the moon kingdom at that time, only a few survived. Since it would have been a shame to see all of them go the king of that time set aside a secret area where they could grow and recover. But no one has ever found that place so this is one of the last places where they can be found."
"That's a shame," Serenity said.
"Yep," Haruka said reclining on the grass behind him.
Serenity turned to look at the flowers, trying to imagine what it must have been like before the drought.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That night, when Selenity went to put her daughter to bed, she found her looking out of the window.
"What's the matter little one?" Selenity asked sitting next to her.
"Prince Haruka was telling me today about the story of the roses. I think it's sad that they're all gone," she sighed.
"Yes it is. But that happened a long time ago and the roses are very difficult to grow. It's almost impossible for them to grow where they used to as the planet has changed since then," Selenity assured her.
"I guess so," she said turning away from the window.
"Don't worry about something that you cannot change. Come now, time for bed," she said, picking Serenity up. She placed her on the bed and covered her up.
"Good night mother," Serenity said.
"Good night Serenity," Queen Selenity responded, turning off the light and leaving.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 4
Haruka and Serenity were allowed to spend the next day together as they pleased, without supervision. King Haru felt that is was important that Haruka be allowed to be more independent and responsible. Haruka was glad because it gave him a chance to talk with Serenity without the fear of being overheard.
"So where are we going Haruka?" Serenity asked. They had been walking around the castle for a while now and she was getting a bit winded and tired.
"To the towers," He answered shortly.
"What?! All the way up there?! That's too far to walk!" She complained.
"If you're going to be with me all the time, then you has to keep up with me," Haruka said.
"Isn't there a shorter way at least?" Serenity asked.
"Nope," Haruka answered as they continued on their way.
~~~~~~~~~
"There, that wasn't so bad," Haruka said, winded from the long climb. Serenity simply collapsed on the floor.
"Easy for you to say. You're used to this," She moaned out when she was finally able to speak.
"Don't be such a baby. Now come, I have to show you something," He said offering a hand to her. She took it and he led her to the windows in the room.
Serenity was astounded at the spectacular view. From this high up, it was possible to see the entire countryside.
"Wow, it's so pretty up here," she gasped.
"I thought you would like it," He answered.
"Do you come here often?" Serenity asked.
"Only when I need to think. No one comes up here at all. It's pretty much abandoned," Haruka said going to a window and looking out.
Serenity went to him. "Is something the matter Haruka?"
"It's Michiru. She went to the earth," He said.
Serenity was confused. "I know, my mother said so. What's so wrong with that?"
"We here on Uranus and on other parts of the outer solar system don't like anyone associated with the earth. It's a bit complicated to explain, but that's the way it is," Haruka said.
"I understand complicated things. My mother tells me all the time that some things are simply too complicated to explain unless you're there yourself," Serenity said. "But there's something else that's bothering you, isn't there."
"Where did you get an idea like that?" Haruka asked a bit nervous.
"I can feel it," Serenity said. She sat down on the floor and patted a spot next to her. "Come and sit here and tell me."
Haruka sat down next to her after a while. "I spoke to Michiru yesterday. She was going on and on about this wonderful earth prince."
"And you didn't like that."
"Well, no. Michiru is supposed to be more level headed than that. She's been there only three days and already she's best friends with him," Haruka said crossly.
"So you're jealous about Michiru finding a new best friend and forgetting about you, am I right?"
"I guess."
"Don't worry, Michiru has a level head on her shoulders. If she likes him so much then he must be a good person. You're afraid of the unknown and fear of the unknown leads to terrible things," Serenity said.
"You sound like my teacher," Haruka grumbled.
"My mother told me this," Serenity said with a giggle.
"Well you seem like you want to meet the earth prince," Haruka said.
"Actually I really am nervous. I mean, as soon as I go home, I am going to have to meet him," Serenity said.
"Really?"
"Yes. I told you that in our last conversation remember?"
"I probably wasn't paying attention," Haruka said off-handedly. Serenity hit him. "Hey! What was that for?"
"Humph, you don't listen to me? I'm not talking to you anymore," She said turning away.
Haruka rolled his eyes. "I didn't mean it that way. I may have blocked out everything having to do with the earth. I didn't mean to offend you," he said taking her hand.
Serenity looked at him. "All right, apology accepted."
"Now what were you saying about the earth prince?" Haruka asked.
"Well the entire royal community of the Silver Millennium is coming to the moon as soon as we return. Your mother clearly said she wasn't coming and now my mother is going to try to convince her otherwise," Serenity explained.
"Has anyone else refused?" Haruka asked.
"The royal family of Saturn and the ruler Pluto also declined to attend. Mother convinced the queen of Jupiter after 6 hours on the phone with her."
"I'm surprised," Haruka said.
"So was I. I heard that she was very anti-terrain."
"She is. Queen Selenity must be excellent at the art of persuasion," Haruka said.
"I guess," Serenity said. They were silent for a long while. "What are we going to do now Haruka? You promised me that you would show me around your home."
"But you've seen everything," he teased pointing to a window.
"That's not what I mean!"
"Oh alright. I guess I could take you to the stables." He said reluctantly.
"Let's go then! I want to see Uraniun horses," She said getting up. As soon as he got to his feet, she pulled him towards the door.
~~~~~~~~~
"I thought I told you no once before Selenity," Mai said sipping her tea.
"You should know by now that I never take no for an answer. I'm surprised at you Mai," Selenity answered.
"If earthlings are going to be there then we're not going," King Haru said firmly.
"I'm not asking you to be their friends, I am just asking you to tolerate them," Selenity said. "Right now they're going through the motions of being accepted into the Silver Millennium. If we're attacked by any outside invaders, then a united solar system is a plus. If the enemy gets a strong hold on the earth, which is I might add close to the heart of our kingdom, the results could be catastrophic. We need this unity badly if the Silver Millennium is to be safe enough for our children to someday rule when we're gone. You wouldn't want to know that because of us refusing the earth that our life as we know it is totally gone and forgotten would you?" Mai and Haru were silent.
"I guess you're right, Selenity. But only about the last part. I still have a bad feeling about those terrains. Nothing but trouble will come from them, mark my words Selenity," Mai said finally.
"Thank you Mai."
"What about Saturn?" Haru asked.
"I'll talk to Sumi and Korenma in a few days when I go there," Selenity said.
"What about Serenity? You're not taking her to that dark planet are you?" Mai asked.
"She will stay here,if that is approved by you."
"Sure. Haruka needs some kind of distraction now. He's been a bit moody," Haru said.
"It's probably just a phase. I'm positive it will pass," Selenity said.
"I hope so," Mai said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the stables
"Good day Lord Haruka," Michael the stable manager said. He was an old man, about 50 with graying hair and a beard. His clothes were dirty, as is expected when you work with animals.
"Michael," Haruka said nodding.
"And who's this pretty little lady with you?" he asked.
"This is Princess Serenity."
"It's an honor to meet you, your highness," he said bowing.
"Nice to meet you too," She said giving a slight curtsey.
"We came to see the horses," Haruka stated.
"Will you be riding today, my lord?" he asked.
"No, we're just going to see them. Besides, I don't think that Princess Serenity can ride." Haruka said looking at her. She nodded.
"Well then right this way," he said motioning towards the back of the stables.
~~~~~~~~~
"Wow," Serenity breathed. She looked around at all the different horses. There were brown horses, black horses, grey horses, white horses and just about every type of horse. There were even ponies there too. "There're all beautiful."
"They are, aren't they," Haruka said thoughtfully.
"Which one is yours?" Serenity asked.
"That white pony is mine," he said pointing to one. "I'll get a stallion when I'm 14. Father says I'm too young right now for a full horse."
"He's right. A horse is harder to control than a pony," Michael said.
"They're bigger too," Serenity observed.
"Why are all the horses here Michael?" Haruka asked.
"We're getting ready to wash their stalls. And it's a good time to give them full baths and let them exercise. Now why don't you take her majesty out of here? We don't want her pretty dress getting dirty from our cleaning," Michael suggested. Haruka nodded.
"It was nice meeting you Michael," Princess Serenity said.
"Likewise your highness," he said bowing.
Haruka took her hand and they left the stables.
"Where are we going now?" Serenity asked as they walked towards the castle.
"Well since you like flowers I thought you would like to see our gardens," Haruka said.
"I would love that," She said
~~~~~~~~~
"This is simply beautiful," Serenity said looking around. "You have many plants and trees here that are new to me. What's that one called," she asked pointing to a small red, rose shaped flower.
"That is a tiny rose. Young men give it to women that they are in love with as a symbol of their new found love, which starts out small and is slow to grow. It also symbolizes a woman's heart, which is delicate and easily broken and destroyed, that's what mother said," Haruka said thoughtfully.
"Oh," She said looking at it. They were small indeed. And looked as if they would easily die if mistreated.
"And that white one next to it is an ivory rose. Men are supposed to give it to their wives on their wedding day. It marks the beginning of a new life, and the purity of love that is shared between a man and a woman."
"And the blue one?"
"That's for anniversaries. Sapphire roses last the longest. It is supposed to be given on the 100th anniversary to represent how love is eternal and lasts forever. I don't get that one though, since they normally die with a year. Anyway the black one is for funerals. Spouses bury them with their dead loved one. Some women have been known to kill themselves on their husband's grave holding these."
Serenity made a face at that thought.
Haruka saw that. "So you wouldn't kill yourself if your husband died?"
"Not a chance," She said. "What about the pink one?"
"That is a baby rose. As the name suggests, you give it to new born babies. Normally fathers give it to their children when they are born. The number of days it stays alive is crucial. It is very sensitive to a child's spirit, so if it dies before 7 days are over, most likely the child won't live to see its first birthday."
"How horrible!" Serenity exclaimed.
"People have stopped giving these roses altogether. They don't believe in any of the legends associated with them. There was an epidemic centuries ago, a great drought came and almost devastated the entire planet. Many people plants and animals died. Almost all of the rose bushes on the planet disappeared when the rains finally came back, with the help of the queen of the moon kingdom at that time, only a few survived. Since it would have been a shame to see all of them go the king of that time set aside a secret area where they could grow and recover. But no one has ever found that place so this is one of the last places where they can be found."
"That's a shame," Serenity said.
"Yep," Haruka said reclining on the grass behind him.
Serenity turned to look at the flowers, trying to imagine what it must have been like before the drought.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That night, when Selenity went to put her daughter to bed, she found her looking out of the window.
"What's the matter little one?" Selenity asked sitting next to her.
"Prince Haruka was telling me today about the story of the roses. I think it's sad that they're all gone," she sighed.
"Yes it is. But that happened a long time ago and the roses are very difficult to grow. It's almost impossible for them to grow where they used to as the planet has changed since then," Selenity assured her.
"I guess so," she said turning away from the window.
"Don't worry about something that you cannot change. Come now, time for bed," she said, picking Serenity up. She placed her on the bed and covered her up.
"Good night mother," Serenity said.
"Good night Serenity," Queen Selenity responded, turning off the light and leaving.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~