The Black Rose Curse
By Princess Serena
Chapter 8
Yes! Chapter 8 is here and running! ^_^ I thank you all, once again, for reading my story. Thank you, courtjasnluvr87, TheOne1OnlyDiva, Julie1, and CuziMaGrl for reviewing on fanfiction.net, and thank you Nielluin for e- mailing me, once again, and encouraging me to write the next chapter. And last, but not least, I thank all of you who have not reviewed and/or e- mailed me, but still read my story. Thanks to all who have something to do with my story whatsoever. Without you guys, I wouldn't be encouraged so much to write, and I would've never gotten this far. Thanks again!
To answer your question, Julie1, I dunno what CD it's on because it's a classical piece that I was working on in my voice lessons. Sorry! But the names on the sheet music are: Katherine Pyle, James H. Rogers, and the company is G. Schirmer, Inc. Hope this helps!
Disclaimer: As much as I would like to be, I am NOT Naoko Takeuchi and I do not own the Sailor Moon characters.
***
A sixteen year old blonde ran down the corridors of the castle. Once again, she had gone off day dreaming and forgot about her job as a servant to the castle.
The girl, although, was not happy. In fact, she was choking down her tears as she ran. A couple slipped out and flew behind her, but, luckily, no one noticed. She eventually reached her destination and flung the door open.
A nineteen year old man with dirty blonde hair sat up from his laying position on the bed. He sighed and set the book down on a side table, then looked back up at the girl's bloodshot eyes and tears-stained face.
The girl in the doorway was panting, trying to catch her breath, and at this point in time, the tears were finally streaking down her face.
The man sighed and moved over to make room for the girl to sit down. The girl did not, however. She slammed the door shut and run and hugged him. She sobbed into his shirt. "Oh, Andrew, I can't live like this!" she cried.
The man, who's name was obviously Andrew, had Serena sit down next to him, but she would not let go. Her back shook as the sob escaped her mouth. Andrew, in turn, held her and rocked her back and forth, trying to clam her down. "Serena, it's ok. Don't worry. He'll come around."
Serena pulled back away from him as more tears that filled her eyes and pushed out the old ones. "You've been saying that! But has he? No! He doesn't even know I love him!" She covered her face with her small hands. "I don't know what to do. I've failed him as a friend."
"No, Serena, you haven't." Andrew took her in his embrace again. "You can't help falling in love with someone. It's not your fault. If anyone's, it's his. It's his fault that you fell in love with him. He's the one that was so nice to you and used his charm."
Serena shook her head and pulled away from him once more, looking at him with her eyes full of pain. "No. I fell for him. I fell into his trap. I should've stopped myself, but I was too clumsy and I didn't. I wasn't paying attention." She sighed shakily, and then stood up. "I have to tell him tonight, that I can't be his friend anymore."
Andrew's eyes widened and stood up. He stepped in front of Serena before she could walk out. "Serena, you can't! Do you know how hurt he'd be? He cares about you!"
The stubborn blonde pushed by him. "I don't care!" she shouted, more tears streaming down her face. She turned to face him. "He doesn't love me, and that's enough for it to hurt! And I can't live life knowing I'll only be his friend! I just can't live like this! Do you know how much it hurts? You don't know what it feels like lying in bed every night and crying yourself to sleep. Should I be happy because I'm his friend? Or be sad because I know that's all I'll ever be with him?" She shook her head. Her cheeks were completely wet from crying so much. "I can't live like this, Andrew," she whispered. "I have to do something before I hurt him."
Andrew watched dumbfounded as Serena let out one last sob and left his room. He could hear her crying as she ran away. He hated to see her like this, and it was all because of his best friend.
***
The nineteen year old prince of Earth strutted down the hallway towards Lady Beryl's room. His feet felt as if they each had 100 pound weights tied to his ankles as he dreaded each step made. The weight seemed to get heavier as he saw the mahogany door of Lady Beryl's room.
He sighed. His mother was making him show her around the castle since she just moved in. He hoped that she wouldn't be there. Maybe she'd already had an escort. Surely some man around this palace found her attractive.. maybe.. and decided to show her around the castle.
He gulped and took one last step. He was standing in front of her door. He sighed, ready for a day of torture, then slowly brought his hand up and knocked lightly. After a second, he shrugged and said to himself, "Oh well, guess she's not there. Too bad. I guess I'll have to just-"
He was cut off when someone opened the door. He turned around to find Lady Beryl smiling at him. She curtsied. "Hello, my prince."
He forced a smile on his lips. "Hello, Lady Beryl." He cleared his throat. "My mother instructed me to show you around the castle this afternoon before the ball."
Lady Beryl raised an extremely thin eyebrow. "Did she? Well, let me get on the appropriate clothes and I'll be out in one minute." She gave a flirtatious smile before disappearing into her chambers.
Darien sighed and leaned against the wall opposite of the door. He waited. He glanced down at his watch which read 2:43. He sighed and glanced down the hall. He furrowed his eyebrows when he saw a figure running down the hall toward him. Once he saw it was Serena, he smiled and stepped in front of her as she was running.
He watched as she stopped before looking up at him. His eyes widened when he saw her tear-stained face.
"Darien!" she said surprisingly, then tried to push past him.
The prince grabbed her arm before she could get away. "Serena, what's wrong? What happened?" He looked upon her with concern written all over his handsome features.
Serena didn't make eye-contact with him and kept looking away from him. "Darien," she moaned. "Not now, not here."
"What? What are you talking about, Serena?" He was truly confused.
"Look, I can't tell you. I'll talk to you tonight after the ball, ok? I promise. I just can't talk to you here.." she ended with a whisper.
Darien wouldn't let her go. He wanted to know what was wrong. "Just tell me. Are you going to leave me in worry all day?"
Serena sobbed. "Darien," she moaned again. "You're not making this easy for me. Just let me go.. please."
Darien, once again, refused. But, of course, Lady Beryl had to come out of her room just at that time. She stared back and forth between Serena's tears and Darien's concern. "Ahem.."
Darien snapped his head up and looked at Lady Beryl. He gave one last longing look at the sobbing girl, and then let her go. He watched as she stumbled and took off down the hallway.
Darien sighed and raked his fingers through his dark hair. He gave a slight smile to Lady Beryl. "Please forgive me, Lady Beryl."
Lady Beryl watched him as she closed the door behind her. "What was that? WHO was that?"
Darien sighed and ran his fingers through his raven-colored hair again. "That was just my friend, Serena. She wouldn't tell me what was wrong, so I kinda had to stop her. Unfortunately, she still didn't tell me." He stared past Beryl and at the wall. What was wrong with Serena? Why was she crying? And why wouldn't she tell him?
Lady Beryl just brushed what he had said away. She smiled at him. "So, are you ready?" She grabbed his arm and held onto it like Darien was her escort.
Darien jumped slightly as she clung to his arm. He looked down at her disgustingly, hoping she didn't notice. He cleared his throat and nodded.
They started walking and Darien waited for something worthwhile telling her about in the castle. In the meantime, he still couldn't get Serena off his mind. He had never seen her like that, and it hurt him deeply. And those weren't baby tears, either. They were REAL tears, tears of pain. He didn't like the feeling that someone had hurt her. And if someone did, he'd hurt them equally, if not more. He would never let someone hurt the girl he loved like that again.
***
Serena sat against the door crying. She had been there since she had gotten into her room earlier that day. She had fallen asleep and dreamed about a woman in a dark dress and another woman with silver hair. Then she couldn't see what was going on because darkness surrounded her, but she could hear people screaming. Then she heard Darien's calm voice asking her what was wrong, and then she woke up. She started crying again. She didn't want to go through what she was going to have to tonight. She sighed and stood up.
She looked around wondering where everyone was and realized they were still working. She sighed, knowing she had put off her work again today.
She wiped the tears from her eyes and walked over a chair where her dress for that night lay. She was to sing that night, as she had for every ball since she was about twelve years old. She touched the dark velvet, then picked it up to see how it looked. It was a short sleeve dark blue dress with yellow crescent moons and stars all over the fabric. She smiled weakly, the first smile all day.
She let out a shaky sigh and looked up at the clock above the door. When did the ball start? 6:30? Well, it was 6:00 now, so she decided to get ready. It would take at least half an hour for her eyes to dry up.
She sighed and walked into the bedroom. She changed into the dress and fixed her limp hair. She made her way over to the old mirror and watched the girl stare back at her. She was a mess. She looked tired, and her eyes were bloodshot. Her cheeks were stained with tears.
Serena sighed and turned away from the mirror. She could stand to see her reflection. She looked horrible. Could she really go to the ball looking like this? Could she really go through with what she had to tell Darien?
The desolate servant sat down on her bed and reached underneath to find a small book which she put together. She flipped through the pages and stared at her handwriting. For the past 4 years she had been writing in this book. She started creating it when she was about 13 for all her feelings for Darien. She found that she couldn't keep them bubbled up inside of her like she did, so she wrote them all down.
She gulped and stood up clutching the small book. She dragged herself over to the small counter and opened a drawer pulling out a butcher's knife. She gulped and put the book down. She had to get rid of this book for good. She couldn't let anything remind her of Darien after this. She sucked her breath in, then took the knife and started destroying the book.
When she was done, all that was left of the poor book was paper shreds. She threw the knife back into the drawer and scooped up the shreds of the once meaningful book. She dumped them into the trashcan and gulped back the tears. She couldn't cry, not right before the ball.
Serena glanced up at the clock that read 6:35. She swore under her breath and dashed out the door.
***
Darien stood with Lady Beryl in the ballroom. He found that she had made it a habit to wear dark colors. Tonight, she was wearing a tight black dress that looked like she wanted to show off her figure. Darien stifled a laugh. She looked like she was going to a funeral. But, what funeral would she go to? She most likely had a cold heart.
Darien sighed half listening to her rambling/flirting. His mind was on Serena. He kept his eyes on the door, waiting for her.
The prince glanced down at his watch. It was 6:35 and she wasn't there yet. Would she really leave him in the misery of Lady Beryl? No, she wouldn't. She knew how much he hated her.
"My Prince?"
Darien looked back at Lady Beryl. "Yes?"
"Are you waiting for someone?" she asked. "You keep staring at the door."
Darien nodded, not even bothering to lie. He saw her face fall and he smiled inwardly. "Remember that girl I was talking about? Serena? I'm looking for her." He turned his head back to the door. He was getting impatient, not to mention his discomfort with Lady Beryl hanging on him.
Lady Beryl nodded and stared at the floor. "Well, I guess you're gonna want to go and talk to her," she said coldly and released his arm.
Darien felt relieved that she finally let go of him. He nodded, not realizing the coldness to her voice. At that moment, he saw Serena enter. He turned and bowed to Lady Beryl. "Please excuse me," he said quickly before making a mad dash for the door.
***
Serena took a deep breath and walked in to the dining hall. She looked around at all the people laughing and dancing.
As her eyes wandered, they landed on Darien coming towards her. Serena closed her eyes and gulped, trying to stay calm. When she opened them, she saw Darien standing in front of her looking very concerned.
She put on a fake smile. "Hey, Darien."
"Serena, don't give me that fake cheery voice," he scolded. "I know you're still sad about. about whatever it was you were sad about earlier. And I want to know what it is."
Serena's smile fell. "Darien, please. I'll tell you later. Not now, ok?"
"I wanna know now. I don't like the feeling that you're so unhappy that you don't even want to tell me."
"Darien, you're not making this easy," she replied with pleading eyes. "Just.. please, Darien. I promise I'll tell you, just not right now. Just act happy and I'll be happy, ok?"
The prince sighed and gave in. "I'm only doing this because I care about you, Serena, and I trust you."
Serena's heart skipped a beat. He cared about her. but surely not the way she did. She swallowed and smiled. "Thank you." She hugged him.
He hugged her back. She didn't want to leave him. She wished time would just stop and she could stay like this for the rest of her life. But, unfortunately, that was just her imagination running wild again.
***
Serena nibbled on a piece of bread. She sat at a small table with Darien, Andrew, Jessica, and Lady Beryl. She couldn't help but notice Lady Beryl glaring evilly at her. What had she done?
Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. She slapped her bread down on the table and looked strait to Lady Beryl. "Could I please talk to you in private?" she asked politely.
Lady Beryl snapped her head up and eyed Serena. She stood up and waited.
Serena gave her a quick smile before standing and muttering to the rest of the table to excuse them.
She led Beryl to the side of the hall away from everyone else, and then asked, "Ok. You've been giving me the evil eye all night, and I wanted to know what I did that caused you to dislike me, or at least act like it."
Beryl rolled her eyes. "As if you don't know." Serena gave her a confused look, and Beryl continued. "I know you're trying to steal the prince away from me," she scowled. "Don't even think about trying that again. I can tell that he likes me a lot, and you're just in the way of our relationship blossoming into more than just a friendship. Just stay out of our way, and I won't do anything to you." Beryl's eyes became slits as she glared at Serena harshly.
Serena snorted. Darien? Liking her? This girl really needed to open her eyes and not be so blind. "Yeah, ok, whatever you say."
Beryl took one more hard glare at Serena, the stalked back to the table. The blonde sighed and followed behind.
When she returned to the table, Darien, Andrew, and Jessica gave her a look as if to ask what was going on. Serena just shook her head in response.
Serena stared at the men and women dancing. Oh, how she longed to be out there in Darien's arms and dancing until her feet fell off. But, of course, she could never see that happening. She sighed, dreading the time when she had to sing; it would mean that the ball was almost over and she would have to tell him.
Tears welled up her eyes. She didn't know if she could go through with. But, she swallowed up the tears and urged herself to. She couldn't live the way she was going now. If she didn't do this, she didn't know what would become of her. Would she just be a person with emotions that she could never express? Well, she wouldn't be. She wouldn't let herself become that. She decided not to think about changing her mind anymore.
Serena decided to go over the lyrics of the song in her head.
'Oh, he was a lord of high degree,'
Yes, he was.
'And she was a lass from the low countree.'
Yes, she was.
'But she loved his lordship so tenderly.'
Serena shook her head. She shouldn't think about the song until she actually had to sing it. If she did, she would break down right then and there and run out of the hall totally humiliating herself.
Oh no. She saw the announcer climbing to the platform. She took a deep breath and listened to him announce her. The dance floor cleared and Serena stood up. She walked toward the platform as the people at their seats clapped for her.
She stepped atop the raised floor and turned to face the audience. She stared at Darien, who was smiling at her. She smiled weakly, then listened to the music start. Then, she took a deep breath and let her singing ring through the dining hall.
'Oh, he was a lord of high degree,
And she was a lass from the low countree.
But she loved his lordship so tenderly.
Oh, sorrow! Sing, sorrow!
Now she sleeps in the valley where the wild flowers nod,
And no one knows she loved him but herself, and God.
One morn when the sun was on the mead,
He passed by her door on a milk white steed.
She smiled and she spoke, but he paid no heed.
Oh, sorrow! Sing sorrow!
Now she sleeps in the valley where the wild flowers nod,
And no one knows she loved him but herself, and God.
If you be a lass from the low countree,
Don't love of no lord of high degree.
They h'aint got a heart for sympathy.
Oh, sorrow! Sing sorrow!
Now she sleeps in the valley where the wild flowers nod,
And no one knows she loved but herself, and God.'
It was only then, after the song ended, she realized she was staring at the prince the whole time. She squinted her eyes closed at her stupidity. Then she realized the hall was clapping for her. Tears pressed into her eyes as she kept her head low and curtsied. And this time, instead of going back to her table, she fled from the platform and out the door.
***
Darien was clapping for Serena after she was done singing, but was there a reason she was staring at him during the whole song? He saw her curtsy, but didn't miss that gleam of tears in her eyes.
The prince made sure to comfort her and ask what was wrong the second she got back to the table. But something struck him by surprise. She didn't come back to the table.
He watched the girl flee from the room, and then stood up. He faced everyone at the table and bowed. "Please excuse me," he said, the started to head out of the room to where Serena had exited.
He whipped around when he felt someone on his arm. He met the cold eyes of Lady Beryl. "My prince, why don't you stay here? I'm sure she'll be fine."
"Not, now, Beryl. And I'm going after her." He shook her arm off of his, then exited the hall out the doubles doors as fast as he could.
***
Serena ran and ran as fast as she could away from everyone. The tears were falling freely now and zoomed behind her. She eventually got to a part of the gardens where she loved. The first place she met Darien on purpose before her first ball.
Due to her thick layers of skirts underneath her dress, she tripped and fell right in front of the fountain. Serena sat on her knees and started crying and sobbing right there, letting it all out. She covered her face, ashamed of what she had become. She couldn't face this. She couldn't go through with it.
The sky was a dark blue that matched her dress. Serena shook her head after staring up at it for a while, and then found a pebble very interesting on the ground. A pool of tears was forming in front of her, and it just kept growing larger. She sobbed uncontrollably, thinking about all those years of loving him.
A hand was place on Serena's shoulder and she spun her head around to meet the prince's. Once she saw him, she covered her face and started crying harder.
He helped her up off the ground and held onto both shoulders. "Serena," she heard his gentle voice say. "Please, tell me what is going on."
Serena stepped away from him, keeping a good distance. "My prince, I have to tell you something."
"Dar-"
"No!" she shouted. "No. I do not deserve to call you that."
"Serena, yes you-"
"Please, let me finish." She swallowed. "Look, I've betrayed you as a friend. I can not tell you how or why, but I just know I have. And it's best that we just not talk or see each other anymore."
"What? Serena, you haven't betrayed me," the prince replied calmly.
"Yes, I have!" she screamed. She covered her face, then removed them and stared at the sky. More tears flowed down her pink cheeks. "I knew you wouldn't understand, and I know you never will, unless I tell you." She looked at him again. "But I can't," she ended in a whisper.
"Serena! I care about you too much to let you go! Just tell me what's wrong!"
"I CAN'T!" she screamed and started running past him, but Darien was too quick for her and caught her before she could get passed him.
"I'm not letting you go," he replied quietly.
Serena started sobbing harder and crying more. "Please.."
"No!" he shouted. He was determined.
"Fine! You want me to tell you? Well, I'm gonna, but I just know you're gonna hate me!" She pulled away from his grasp and turned so her back was turned toward him. "I.. I.. I love you!"
Serena stood there crying. There. She had said it. She had told him and destroyed them forever. Nothing would ever come out of what she had told him, and she would be forever more.
But to her surprise, the prince whipped her around and hugged her tightly. "Oh, Serena.."
She sobbed into his shirt. "You-you hate me, don't you?"
"Hate you?" He sounded surprised. "Hate you? How could I hate you? I love you!"
Serena stared up at him with wide eyes. "You. you love me?"
"Oh, Serena." He hugged her tighter. "Yes, I love you. I love you so much it hurts. I think about you all the time. I knew I loved you the second you got down on the platform when you first sung. I loved you since then, and I know I will never stop loving you."
"Oh, Darien." She cried happy tears now and sobbed into his shirt.
"Why are you crying?" he asked confused.
Serena looked up at him smiling. "Because I'm so happy!" she exclaimed and buried herself into his embrace.
Darien smiled as well, and hugged her tightly. He kissed her golden hair and let his head rest atop of hers.
They both smiled widely, and just stood in each other's comfort. They both were happy. They knew that they loved each other, and knew it would never change. They sat in each others arms without a care in the world. Everything was perfect.
Little did they know that a person was watching from the shadows. She sneered. "That little twit stole him from me," she said harshly. "She's gonna pay."
***
THE END! Hah hah. Just kidding. ^_^ Cliffie!!! :D Yes, well, you gotta wait for the next chapter! Oh! And I know this is only a little longer than the last. It's about 15 pages in Word. I'm hoping that the next chapter will be longer. . Yes, I know, I keep saying that, but I do hope that! But every time I finish a chapter, it's always a good place to end it, and I can't help it. -_- I'm very sorry.
Anyway, don't forget to e-mail me at VaillaChick32@yahoo.com and tell me what you think! Please review on fanfiction.net as well!
I do not own the song "Lass From the Low Countree." Just wanted to make that clear. ^_^
One more thanks to everyone who encouraged me to write! Thank you so much! I love each and every one of you! ^_^
Until next time!!
xoxo Sere
Yes! Chapter 8 is here and running! ^_^ I thank you all, once again, for reading my story. Thank you, courtjasnluvr87, TheOne1OnlyDiva, Julie1, and CuziMaGrl for reviewing on fanfiction.net, and thank you Nielluin for e- mailing me, once again, and encouraging me to write the next chapter. And last, but not least, I thank all of you who have not reviewed and/or e- mailed me, but still read my story. Thanks to all who have something to do with my story whatsoever. Without you guys, I wouldn't be encouraged so much to write, and I would've never gotten this far. Thanks again!
To answer your question, Julie1, I dunno what CD it's on because it's a classical piece that I was working on in my voice lessons. Sorry! But the names on the sheet music are: Katherine Pyle, James H. Rogers, and the company is G. Schirmer, Inc. Hope this helps!
Disclaimer: As much as I would like to be, I am NOT Naoko Takeuchi and I do not own the Sailor Moon characters.
***
A sixteen year old blonde ran down the corridors of the castle. Once again, she had gone off day dreaming and forgot about her job as a servant to the castle.
The girl, although, was not happy. In fact, she was choking down her tears as she ran. A couple slipped out and flew behind her, but, luckily, no one noticed. She eventually reached her destination and flung the door open.
A nineteen year old man with dirty blonde hair sat up from his laying position on the bed. He sighed and set the book down on a side table, then looked back up at the girl's bloodshot eyes and tears-stained face.
The girl in the doorway was panting, trying to catch her breath, and at this point in time, the tears were finally streaking down her face.
The man sighed and moved over to make room for the girl to sit down. The girl did not, however. She slammed the door shut and run and hugged him. She sobbed into his shirt. "Oh, Andrew, I can't live like this!" she cried.
The man, who's name was obviously Andrew, had Serena sit down next to him, but she would not let go. Her back shook as the sob escaped her mouth. Andrew, in turn, held her and rocked her back and forth, trying to clam her down. "Serena, it's ok. Don't worry. He'll come around."
Serena pulled back away from him as more tears that filled her eyes and pushed out the old ones. "You've been saying that! But has he? No! He doesn't even know I love him!" She covered her face with her small hands. "I don't know what to do. I've failed him as a friend."
"No, Serena, you haven't." Andrew took her in his embrace again. "You can't help falling in love with someone. It's not your fault. If anyone's, it's his. It's his fault that you fell in love with him. He's the one that was so nice to you and used his charm."
Serena shook her head and pulled away from him once more, looking at him with her eyes full of pain. "No. I fell for him. I fell into his trap. I should've stopped myself, but I was too clumsy and I didn't. I wasn't paying attention." She sighed shakily, and then stood up. "I have to tell him tonight, that I can't be his friend anymore."
Andrew's eyes widened and stood up. He stepped in front of Serena before she could walk out. "Serena, you can't! Do you know how hurt he'd be? He cares about you!"
The stubborn blonde pushed by him. "I don't care!" she shouted, more tears streaming down her face. She turned to face him. "He doesn't love me, and that's enough for it to hurt! And I can't live life knowing I'll only be his friend! I just can't live like this! Do you know how much it hurts? You don't know what it feels like lying in bed every night and crying yourself to sleep. Should I be happy because I'm his friend? Or be sad because I know that's all I'll ever be with him?" She shook her head. Her cheeks were completely wet from crying so much. "I can't live like this, Andrew," she whispered. "I have to do something before I hurt him."
Andrew watched dumbfounded as Serena let out one last sob and left his room. He could hear her crying as she ran away. He hated to see her like this, and it was all because of his best friend.
***
The nineteen year old prince of Earth strutted down the hallway towards Lady Beryl's room. His feet felt as if they each had 100 pound weights tied to his ankles as he dreaded each step made. The weight seemed to get heavier as he saw the mahogany door of Lady Beryl's room.
He sighed. His mother was making him show her around the castle since she just moved in. He hoped that she wouldn't be there. Maybe she'd already had an escort. Surely some man around this palace found her attractive.. maybe.. and decided to show her around the castle.
He gulped and took one last step. He was standing in front of her door. He sighed, ready for a day of torture, then slowly brought his hand up and knocked lightly. After a second, he shrugged and said to himself, "Oh well, guess she's not there. Too bad. I guess I'll have to just-"
He was cut off when someone opened the door. He turned around to find Lady Beryl smiling at him. She curtsied. "Hello, my prince."
He forced a smile on his lips. "Hello, Lady Beryl." He cleared his throat. "My mother instructed me to show you around the castle this afternoon before the ball."
Lady Beryl raised an extremely thin eyebrow. "Did she? Well, let me get on the appropriate clothes and I'll be out in one minute." She gave a flirtatious smile before disappearing into her chambers.
Darien sighed and leaned against the wall opposite of the door. He waited. He glanced down at his watch which read 2:43. He sighed and glanced down the hall. He furrowed his eyebrows when he saw a figure running down the hall toward him. Once he saw it was Serena, he smiled and stepped in front of her as she was running.
He watched as she stopped before looking up at him. His eyes widened when he saw her tear-stained face.
"Darien!" she said surprisingly, then tried to push past him.
The prince grabbed her arm before she could get away. "Serena, what's wrong? What happened?" He looked upon her with concern written all over his handsome features.
Serena didn't make eye-contact with him and kept looking away from him. "Darien," she moaned. "Not now, not here."
"What? What are you talking about, Serena?" He was truly confused.
"Look, I can't tell you. I'll talk to you tonight after the ball, ok? I promise. I just can't talk to you here.." she ended with a whisper.
Darien wouldn't let her go. He wanted to know what was wrong. "Just tell me. Are you going to leave me in worry all day?"
Serena sobbed. "Darien," she moaned again. "You're not making this easy for me. Just let me go.. please."
Darien, once again, refused. But, of course, Lady Beryl had to come out of her room just at that time. She stared back and forth between Serena's tears and Darien's concern. "Ahem.."
Darien snapped his head up and looked at Lady Beryl. He gave one last longing look at the sobbing girl, and then let her go. He watched as she stumbled and took off down the hallway.
Darien sighed and raked his fingers through his dark hair. He gave a slight smile to Lady Beryl. "Please forgive me, Lady Beryl."
Lady Beryl watched him as she closed the door behind her. "What was that? WHO was that?"
Darien sighed and ran his fingers through his raven-colored hair again. "That was just my friend, Serena. She wouldn't tell me what was wrong, so I kinda had to stop her. Unfortunately, she still didn't tell me." He stared past Beryl and at the wall. What was wrong with Serena? Why was she crying? And why wouldn't she tell him?
Lady Beryl just brushed what he had said away. She smiled at him. "So, are you ready?" She grabbed his arm and held onto it like Darien was her escort.
Darien jumped slightly as she clung to his arm. He looked down at her disgustingly, hoping she didn't notice. He cleared his throat and nodded.
They started walking and Darien waited for something worthwhile telling her about in the castle. In the meantime, he still couldn't get Serena off his mind. He had never seen her like that, and it hurt him deeply. And those weren't baby tears, either. They were REAL tears, tears of pain. He didn't like the feeling that someone had hurt her. And if someone did, he'd hurt them equally, if not more. He would never let someone hurt the girl he loved like that again.
***
Serena sat against the door crying. She had been there since she had gotten into her room earlier that day. She had fallen asleep and dreamed about a woman in a dark dress and another woman with silver hair. Then she couldn't see what was going on because darkness surrounded her, but she could hear people screaming. Then she heard Darien's calm voice asking her what was wrong, and then she woke up. She started crying again. She didn't want to go through what she was going to have to tonight. She sighed and stood up.
She looked around wondering where everyone was and realized they were still working. She sighed, knowing she had put off her work again today.
She wiped the tears from her eyes and walked over a chair where her dress for that night lay. She was to sing that night, as she had for every ball since she was about twelve years old. She touched the dark velvet, then picked it up to see how it looked. It was a short sleeve dark blue dress with yellow crescent moons and stars all over the fabric. She smiled weakly, the first smile all day.
She let out a shaky sigh and looked up at the clock above the door. When did the ball start? 6:30? Well, it was 6:00 now, so she decided to get ready. It would take at least half an hour for her eyes to dry up.
She sighed and walked into the bedroom. She changed into the dress and fixed her limp hair. She made her way over to the old mirror and watched the girl stare back at her. She was a mess. She looked tired, and her eyes were bloodshot. Her cheeks were stained with tears.
Serena sighed and turned away from the mirror. She could stand to see her reflection. She looked horrible. Could she really go to the ball looking like this? Could she really go through with what she had to tell Darien?
The desolate servant sat down on her bed and reached underneath to find a small book which she put together. She flipped through the pages and stared at her handwriting. For the past 4 years she had been writing in this book. She started creating it when she was about 13 for all her feelings for Darien. She found that she couldn't keep them bubbled up inside of her like she did, so she wrote them all down.
She gulped and stood up clutching the small book. She dragged herself over to the small counter and opened a drawer pulling out a butcher's knife. She gulped and put the book down. She had to get rid of this book for good. She couldn't let anything remind her of Darien after this. She sucked her breath in, then took the knife and started destroying the book.
When she was done, all that was left of the poor book was paper shreds. She threw the knife back into the drawer and scooped up the shreds of the once meaningful book. She dumped them into the trashcan and gulped back the tears. She couldn't cry, not right before the ball.
Serena glanced up at the clock that read 6:35. She swore under her breath and dashed out the door.
***
Darien stood with Lady Beryl in the ballroom. He found that she had made it a habit to wear dark colors. Tonight, she was wearing a tight black dress that looked like she wanted to show off her figure. Darien stifled a laugh. She looked like she was going to a funeral. But, what funeral would she go to? She most likely had a cold heart.
Darien sighed half listening to her rambling/flirting. His mind was on Serena. He kept his eyes on the door, waiting for her.
The prince glanced down at his watch. It was 6:35 and she wasn't there yet. Would she really leave him in the misery of Lady Beryl? No, she wouldn't. She knew how much he hated her.
"My Prince?"
Darien looked back at Lady Beryl. "Yes?"
"Are you waiting for someone?" she asked. "You keep staring at the door."
Darien nodded, not even bothering to lie. He saw her face fall and he smiled inwardly. "Remember that girl I was talking about? Serena? I'm looking for her." He turned his head back to the door. He was getting impatient, not to mention his discomfort with Lady Beryl hanging on him.
Lady Beryl nodded and stared at the floor. "Well, I guess you're gonna want to go and talk to her," she said coldly and released his arm.
Darien felt relieved that she finally let go of him. He nodded, not realizing the coldness to her voice. At that moment, he saw Serena enter. He turned and bowed to Lady Beryl. "Please excuse me," he said quickly before making a mad dash for the door.
***
Serena took a deep breath and walked in to the dining hall. She looked around at all the people laughing and dancing.
As her eyes wandered, they landed on Darien coming towards her. Serena closed her eyes and gulped, trying to stay calm. When she opened them, she saw Darien standing in front of her looking very concerned.
She put on a fake smile. "Hey, Darien."
"Serena, don't give me that fake cheery voice," he scolded. "I know you're still sad about. about whatever it was you were sad about earlier. And I want to know what it is."
Serena's smile fell. "Darien, please. I'll tell you later. Not now, ok?"
"I wanna know now. I don't like the feeling that you're so unhappy that you don't even want to tell me."
"Darien, you're not making this easy," she replied with pleading eyes. "Just.. please, Darien. I promise I'll tell you, just not right now. Just act happy and I'll be happy, ok?"
The prince sighed and gave in. "I'm only doing this because I care about you, Serena, and I trust you."
Serena's heart skipped a beat. He cared about her. but surely not the way she did. She swallowed and smiled. "Thank you." She hugged him.
He hugged her back. She didn't want to leave him. She wished time would just stop and she could stay like this for the rest of her life. But, unfortunately, that was just her imagination running wild again.
***
Serena nibbled on a piece of bread. She sat at a small table with Darien, Andrew, Jessica, and Lady Beryl. She couldn't help but notice Lady Beryl glaring evilly at her. What had she done?
Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. She slapped her bread down on the table and looked strait to Lady Beryl. "Could I please talk to you in private?" she asked politely.
Lady Beryl snapped her head up and eyed Serena. She stood up and waited.
Serena gave her a quick smile before standing and muttering to the rest of the table to excuse them.
She led Beryl to the side of the hall away from everyone else, and then asked, "Ok. You've been giving me the evil eye all night, and I wanted to know what I did that caused you to dislike me, or at least act like it."
Beryl rolled her eyes. "As if you don't know." Serena gave her a confused look, and Beryl continued. "I know you're trying to steal the prince away from me," she scowled. "Don't even think about trying that again. I can tell that he likes me a lot, and you're just in the way of our relationship blossoming into more than just a friendship. Just stay out of our way, and I won't do anything to you." Beryl's eyes became slits as she glared at Serena harshly.
Serena snorted. Darien? Liking her? This girl really needed to open her eyes and not be so blind. "Yeah, ok, whatever you say."
Beryl took one more hard glare at Serena, the stalked back to the table. The blonde sighed and followed behind.
When she returned to the table, Darien, Andrew, and Jessica gave her a look as if to ask what was going on. Serena just shook her head in response.
Serena stared at the men and women dancing. Oh, how she longed to be out there in Darien's arms and dancing until her feet fell off. But, of course, she could never see that happening. She sighed, dreading the time when she had to sing; it would mean that the ball was almost over and she would have to tell him.
Tears welled up her eyes. She didn't know if she could go through with. But, she swallowed up the tears and urged herself to. She couldn't live the way she was going now. If she didn't do this, she didn't know what would become of her. Would she just be a person with emotions that she could never express? Well, she wouldn't be. She wouldn't let herself become that. She decided not to think about changing her mind anymore.
Serena decided to go over the lyrics of the song in her head.
'Oh, he was a lord of high degree,'
Yes, he was.
'And she was a lass from the low countree.'
Yes, she was.
'But she loved his lordship so tenderly.'
Serena shook her head. She shouldn't think about the song until she actually had to sing it. If she did, she would break down right then and there and run out of the hall totally humiliating herself.
Oh no. She saw the announcer climbing to the platform. She took a deep breath and listened to him announce her. The dance floor cleared and Serena stood up. She walked toward the platform as the people at their seats clapped for her.
She stepped atop the raised floor and turned to face the audience. She stared at Darien, who was smiling at her. She smiled weakly, then listened to the music start. Then, she took a deep breath and let her singing ring through the dining hall.
'Oh, he was a lord of high degree,
And she was a lass from the low countree.
But she loved his lordship so tenderly.
Oh, sorrow! Sing, sorrow!
Now she sleeps in the valley where the wild flowers nod,
And no one knows she loved him but herself, and God.
One morn when the sun was on the mead,
He passed by her door on a milk white steed.
She smiled and she spoke, but he paid no heed.
Oh, sorrow! Sing sorrow!
Now she sleeps in the valley where the wild flowers nod,
And no one knows she loved him but herself, and God.
If you be a lass from the low countree,
Don't love of no lord of high degree.
They h'aint got a heart for sympathy.
Oh, sorrow! Sing sorrow!
Now she sleeps in the valley where the wild flowers nod,
And no one knows she loved but herself, and God.'
It was only then, after the song ended, she realized she was staring at the prince the whole time. She squinted her eyes closed at her stupidity. Then she realized the hall was clapping for her. Tears pressed into her eyes as she kept her head low and curtsied. And this time, instead of going back to her table, she fled from the platform and out the door.
***
Darien was clapping for Serena after she was done singing, but was there a reason she was staring at him during the whole song? He saw her curtsy, but didn't miss that gleam of tears in her eyes.
The prince made sure to comfort her and ask what was wrong the second she got back to the table. But something struck him by surprise. She didn't come back to the table.
He watched the girl flee from the room, and then stood up. He faced everyone at the table and bowed. "Please excuse me," he said, the started to head out of the room to where Serena had exited.
He whipped around when he felt someone on his arm. He met the cold eyes of Lady Beryl. "My prince, why don't you stay here? I'm sure she'll be fine."
"Not, now, Beryl. And I'm going after her." He shook her arm off of his, then exited the hall out the doubles doors as fast as he could.
***
Serena ran and ran as fast as she could away from everyone. The tears were falling freely now and zoomed behind her. She eventually got to a part of the gardens where she loved. The first place she met Darien on purpose before her first ball.
Due to her thick layers of skirts underneath her dress, she tripped and fell right in front of the fountain. Serena sat on her knees and started crying and sobbing right there, letting it all out. She covered her face, ashamed of what she had become. She couldn't face this. She couldn't go through with it.
The sky was a dark blue that matched her dress. Serena shook her head after staring up at it for a while, and then found a pebble very interesting on the ground. A pool of tears was forming in front of her, and it just kept growing larger. She sobbed uncontrollably, thinking about all those years of loving him.
A hand was place on Serena's shoulder and she spun her head around to meet the prince's. Once she saw him, she covered her face and started crying harder.
He helped her up off the ground and held onto both shoulders. "Serena," she heard his gentle voice say. "Please, tell me what is going on."
Serena stepped away from him, keeping a good distance. "My prince, I have to tell you something."
"Dar-"
"No!" she shouted. "No. I do not deserve to call you that."
"Serena, yes you-"
"Please, let me finish." She swallowed. "Look, I've betrayed you as a friend. I can not tell you how or why, but I just know I have. And it's best that we just not talk or see each other anymore."
"What? Serena, you haven't betrayed me," the prince replied calmly.
"Yes, I have!" she screamed. She covered her face, then removed them and stared at the sky. More tears flowed down her pink cheeks. "I knew you wouldn't understand, and I know you never will, unless I tell you." She looked at him again. "But I can't," she ended in a whisper.
"Serena! I care about you too much to let you go! Just tell me what's wrong!"
"I CAN'T!" she screamed and started running past him, but Darien was too quick for her and caught her before she could get passed him.
"I'm not letting you go," he replied quietly.
Serena started sobbing harder and crying more. "Please.."
"No!" he shouted. He was determined.
"Fine! You want me to tell you? Well, I'm gonna, but I just know you're gonna hate me!" She pulled away from his grasp and turned so her back was turned toward him. "I.. I.. I love you!"
Serena stood there crying. There. She had said it. She had told him and destroyed them forever. Nothing would ever come out of what she had told him, and she would be forever more.
But to her surprise, the prince whipped her around and hugged her tightly. "Oh, Serena.."
She sobbed into his shirt. "You-you hate me, don't you?"
"Hate you?" He sounded surprised. "Hate you? How could I hate you? I love you!"
Serena stared up at him with wide eyes. "You. you love me?"
"Oh, Serena." He hugged her tighter. "Yes, I love you. I love you so much it hurts. I think about you all the time. I knew I loved you the second you got down on the platform when you first sung. I loved you since then, and I know I will never stop loving you."
"Oh, Darien." She cried happy tears now and sobbed into his shirt.
"Why are you crying?" he asked confused.
Serena looked up at him smiling. "Because I'm so happy!" she exclaimed and buried herself into his embrace.
Darien smiled as well, and hugged her tightly. He kissed her golden hair and let his head rest atop of hers.
They both smiled widely, and just stood in each other's comfort. They both were happy. They knew that they loved each other, and knew it would never change. They sat in each others arms without a care in the world. Everything was perfect.
Little did they know that a person was watching from the shadows. She sneered. "That little twit stole him from me," she said harshly. "She's gonna pay."
***
THE END! Hah hah. Just kidding. ^_^ Cliffie!!! :D Yes, well, you gotta wait for the next chapter! Oh! And I know this is only a little longer than the last. It's about 15 pages in Word. I'm hoping that the next chapter will be longer. . Yes, I know, I keep saying that, but I do hope that! But every time I finish a chapter, it's always a good place to end it, and I can't help it. -_- I'm very sorry.
Anyway, don't forget to e-mail me at VaillaChick32@yahoo.com and tell me what you think! Please review on fanfiction.net as well!
I do not own the song "Lass From the Low Countree." Just wanted to make that clear. ^_^
One more thanks to everyone who encouraged me to write! Thank you so much! I love each and every one of you! ^_^
Until next time!!
xoxo Sere
