Hey guys! This is my first story...hey- don't run away! I promise -this will be a long and great story. What I really hate is when people write short chapters (like this one !) or if they leave a story unfinished. I give my word (which I hope I live up to) that I will finish this story and also that I will make it a long one. So for all of you who don't like reading stories which make up 400pages inn a book., this is not for you! And please stick with me...Thanks. And yeah, I want to thank the first two who gave me a review before I updated this chapter. You guys really helped!

Disclaimer: Sigh I wish all these were my characters but they aren't, so don't sue me! Now...ON WITH THE STORY!

"Prince Luke! I have been waiting to see you! I'm sorry I missed the greetings. I wasn't feeling well, you see."

Prince Luke spun around in surprise but he was in for a bigger one. The girl just continued, pretending not to realize the prince's face of slight disgust. "I was down with nausea. My skin complexion always makes me sick. But don't worry, it'll improve in another few years. Then, I'll be looking like a porcelain doll." She giggled and batted her lashes at him.

He was still in shock. The princess screwed up her face in worry and reached out to touch him. The movement seemed to startle him, so the princess thought when he jumped back.

"Ah...Princess. Think nothing of it, " he managed to spill out as he dignified himself again. "It is finally gratifying to see your...umm...beautiful face. I think I need to go inside and talk to my father. I need to tell him how..umm...beautiful you look. Excuse me." And saying that, he scampered off, gracefully, into the palace.

The princess grinned and put up her hood again. She didn't want anyone to see her and it was chilly outside anyway. From a distance, she heard a whisper of a purr calling out to her. Serena grinned and called out, "Felix, it was another huge success!"

She could have sworn that the huge cat chuckled.

A day later

Queen Serenity walked briskly up to the door and knocked rapidly. Some thing was going on. The door slowly opened, revealing the princess, Reiana.

"Hello, Rei. Is Serena there?"

Rei looked over her shoulder and made a face the queen couldn't make out. Rei slowly opened the door to let the queen in.

"Serena, may I have a private word with you?"

The Princess Serenity looked up from the drawing she just completed and put on a puzzled face. "For what mother?"

"I will explain. Just come with me." The queen motioned Serena to follow her and exited the door. The Princess threw off her apron and followed her mother out but not before giving the others a desperate but hopeless glance.

Princess LitaƱa Leaned over and whispered to her companion, "I guess the sixth one got to the Queen."

Princess Minara giggled and replied, "I think Serena is in for a big time."

The girl sitting on the bed rolled her eyes. Princess Amiella knew someday that the Queen would notice. After all, When six princes flee after meeting the princess, something must be going on.

"But mother! I didn't do anything!"

The Queen kept pacing in front of Serena. The room was large, as any Queens private chamber should be. The elegant velvet curtains framed the golden shielded windows and crystal blue furniture decorated the surroundings.

"Then can you tell me why, after I spend so much time looking for these suitable husbands, that they fly off as if Felix was running after them."

"Maybe Felix was, " came the muttered reply.

"Serena, do not get smart with me! For Gods sake, don't get smart with me."

Queen Serenity leaned over her daughter's chair, blocking any escape route. She suddenly looked worried. "Serena, are you afraid to get married?"

Serena looked insulted. "Are you saying that I chased of the suitors?"

Her mother gritted her teeth and replied, "When I asked the ex- suitors why they were fleeing, they refused to tell me and insisted that it was nothing to do with you or how you look. I think that would be a strong hint, don't you." The Queen ended with an annoyed tone.

Serena felt a pang of guilt. Her mother spent so much time looking to make her happy with a loyal husband but she didn't understand what Serena wanted. No matter how much Serena told her mother, she wouldn't come to terms with her. Serena tilted back her head and stared defiantly at her mother. "All right mother, I did it. I scared away the suitors." She winced and closed her eyes, preparing for what was coming next.

Silence. Serena closed her eyes tighter. Her mother was probably building up the steam.

"Huh?" The princess opened her eyes and looked into the worried and disappointed face above her.

"Why? WHY? Mother, I have already told you. I don't love anyone of them. They don't have what I want!"

The queen flung back from the chair and yelled in a restrained voice, "I can't help you with that Serena. Honestly I can't! You have to be married to royal blood. Royal blood. I'm sorry but you need to give me a chance. You need to give those men a chance. Serena, I won't be here forever and I need you to take over my throne...and have a king by your side."

Serena looked guiltily at her mother but she stood her ground. "What about you and father?"

"Your father had royal blood."

"He wasn't one of your matches."

"He was a prince, and in the end, it didn't matter. "

"But mother-"

"No buts Serena. You are going to be married by the next month. By my honor, you will! This time you will not be scaring away your suitor, you hear me?"

No response.

"Answer me Serena."

"It isn't my fault if he runs away from me even if I don't dress up to look ugly."

"That is agreed. But promise me that you wouldn't pull that stunt again."

"Iromis," she spit out.

"I didn't quite catch that."

"I Promise!" Serena gritted through her teeth. The Queen broke into a small smile.

"I knew you would understand. Now, run along and join your friends."

"I'm 17, mother. I just don't 'run along'."

"Well, then walk along. As long as I have your promise, you could even cartwheel your way back."

As Serena twisted the knob, she heard, "I love you, sweetheart."

She sighed back, "I love you too mother. I love you too."

"Well Serena?"

"Don't make us wait in suspense, girl!"

"Damn it, spill it!"

"I told you'd get in trouble didn't I?"

Ami gave a small scowl and settled back onto the bed, her book in front of her nose again. Lita snatched the book and gave a frustrated sigh, "Ami, don't you want to know what happened?"

"Not really-"

"Of course you do. Now come and listen as Serena tells us."

Lita pulled Ami back into the huddle as Serena close the bedroom door and said, "I guess the next suitor is the one I'm going to marry."

"So, the queen forced it on you now, didn't she, "said Mina, in awe.

Serena nodded but there was a gleam in her eye. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to marry easily."

Rei pointed her finger, accusingly, "But you made your mother a promise..."

Serena sighed and admitted, "Yes I did, but- wait a minute- how do you know."

Rei blushed. "Theymademedoit."

Serena tsked. "Eavesdropping on conversations. I'm ashamed of you Rei."

Rei scowled. "I wouldn't e talking if I were you. What about the time when Ami kissed the guard, huh? Who was 'eavesdropping' then?"

Ami gasped and blushed. "You saw that? I didn't mean to. It was just that-"

The four companions grinned and tried to soothe Ami. "It's all right Ami. We all did that once too."

Ami still looked flustered.

Serena continued, 'Before I was rudely interrupted, yes I made a promise but it was to the condition that I don't pull the prank I pulled on the other princes. This time, I need to find a new way to scare this one a way. But I need some time to find out the background about the prince. Ami, I need you to do that for me after I find out who. The rest of you, I will ask when I need your help."

Lita exclaimed, "Since when did you make us your servants."

Serena grinned. "Since now."

Everyone rolled their eyes. Serena would just never give up.