Hey guys! I know I promised you long chapters, but I never really realized how much work it takes! I congratulate all of you who managed to make novels out of your stories. Alright, this is part 3 of the story-An I just made it longer!!! YAY!!! Anyway, it isn't too long because I ran out of ideas to put in a third chapter and because, unfortunately, I ran out of good words I can use. And thanks for the reviews, especially the ones which were e-mailed to me! They helped me know what I was doing wrong. .. Oh...and by the way, I fixed the second chapter, for those who noticed the repetition. I'm sorry! I didn't know that the chapter was like that (I wasn't trying to trick you..No! Don't throw that tomato!)
IMPORTANT TO READ: TO ALL BELOVED READERS, I MIGHT BE PLANNING TO CHANGE THE RATING TO R BECAUSE I BELIEVE SOME OF THE MATERIAL I WILL ADD MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR PG-13.(Nothing too explicit. Just a few intimate, but vague scenes and maybe violence?...I hate violence.)
AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T READ R RATED STUFF, TRUST ME, IT WON'T BE TOO BAD. THE MATERIAL WILL BE JUST AN ITTY, BITTY OVER PG-13, AND THAT'S IT!!!!!
On, on with the chapter. I hope you enjoy!!!! Chapter four will be up soon...I hope : )
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"So Darien. I hear you're to be married to a beautiful wench, eh?" Jadeite panted out as he narrowly dodged the silver blade. Darien skillfully hopped to the side when Jadeite brought his sword crashing downwards. He narrowed his eyes. "So, I guess everyone knows."
Jadeite, even through his sweat, managed to produce an enchanting grin as he happily rammed his sword into the air where Darien was standing. "I hear many suitors ran away... I wonder why. Do you even know who you're marrying?"
"Somewhat. Jadeite, you still need to train. You're too hot- blooded."
"While you're my complete opposite. Now, what do you know of her. Ah ah ah, You couldn't trick me with that move, you bastard."
Both men were now panting, facing each other, waiting for the move. "I heard she's one of the most gorgeous women in the universe. That's it."
Darien narrowed his eyes and tensed his body. He could see Jadeite planning his move. Jadeite was too readable. Something he needed to get rid of. Jadeite tried to distract Darien and laughed tiredly. "Of course. That would be all you would have heard. What about her wits, my man, what about her age, her popularity."
"You know beauty is everything to me Jadeite. She's probably like the rest of the princesses. Acting the angel, playing the whore."
Then, in a flash of movement, Jadeite made his move he ran for Darien's left side but his challenger was ready. Darien made a swift move to the right, instead of the intended left, and watched as Jadeite landed himself into an ungraceful pile.
"I guess I win those thousand pounds Jadeite," he grinned.
"Oh, go to hell."
~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
They all stood up as the Prince of Earth walked by, attired to his highest potential, neither gaudy nor cheap. His golden ropes looped over the shoulder and crossed the chest to end at the bottom of the pressed shirt. His navy blue outfit complimented his eyes to the fullest and brought out the darkness of his hair. His awards and medals were neatly pinned to the breast pocket, all lined with golden string. His black boots echoed in the hallway as the prince regally made his way down to the transporter. Darien nodded his head as he walked out the doors of the castle and into the surrounding plain. He could see his parent waiting for him, impatiently he assumed. But he still took his time. Next to his parents stood his generals, all attired in the primary gray and silver uniforms.
The queen gave an annoyed glance at Darien as he strode towards the machine. "Darien," she chided, "where were you? Any moment later, and we would be late!"
"I'm sorry mother." He gave a brittle smile as he walked past her and into the machine. "I had something to take care of. I'm sure you understand."
The queen blushed, the king looked infuriated, and Darien could have swore the generals were coughing all of a sudden.
He sighed. He was to marry. His parents wanted him to marry and live in a hellhole the rest of his damned life. He knew his parents weren't as loving as they seemed to be. He always saw through their pretense, and he was disgusted by it. At nights, fights could be heard and everyone would pretend not to notice, and soon, so did Darien. He stared out the window. He didn't want the lives his parents lived. He didn't want the child of a wife always following him, dragging by his side. Darien's eyes pierced into his father's back as his father chose a seat in front of him. His mother sat a few rows ahead, next to the handsome gentleman who seemed to keep her company.
Oh yes. Darien also knew about their so called affairs. They always tried to hide that fact but Darien had found out. He knew his father hated his mother and vise versa. He always noticed when his mother dressed extra special some days, oh yes, and he knew why. He knew from the beginning that a woman couldn't be trusted in a relationship like marriage. They were all weaklings, all their souls the same -whores. His eyes hardened. If he was to marry this future bitch of a wife, he had to prepare to train her well. She won't wander. He wouldn't let her.
~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
"Serena," she hissed into the door. "are you ready?"
"Almost, "was the answer. "Are you?"
Ami sighed." Serena, this is ridiculous. You don't know if he will run away. He might become more determined at the challenge. He seems the type."
From inside she heard a laugh of levity. "Are you crazy Ami. This isn't a challenge. I just want to get out of this marriage and so does he. He'll get the hint soon enough, if he's smart. OK, I', ready."
Serena opened the door and all activity stopped. Rei forgot all about the ball that was flying at her. She even ignored it when it went pop against her head. Mina's jaw slowly dropped and Ami could feel herself turning red, really red. Lita was the only one grinning. "Serena, my dear, you look like a complete slut!"
Serena grinned and turned around. "Really?"
Rei broke out off her stupor and hissed, "Serena, what your mother going to say? Oh how pretty my daughter looks, just like a whore!"
Serena sniffed and replied with all her grace, "If he realizes that I am the type who seems to flirt with anyone, he might find distaste and run away."
"This is the most stupid idea I ever heard in my recent life!"
"I agree with Rei, Serena. That is too-um-cough-indecent."
"Not you too Ami!!"
"I don't know Serena..."
Lita cut between the people and said, "Guys, it's too late to argue. The greetings are to happen in less than a half-hour. We need to move."
Lita grabbed Rei with one hand, Serena with the other and dragged them down the hall, both of them running to keep up. Ami looked at Mina. Mina looked back. Both sweat-dropped and ran, as best they could in their gowns, after the bumbling trio.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
"The plane has landed. You may now remove the rails."
A maid walked over to assist with the unbuckling of the rails and Darien noticed his father viewing the girl's chest as she bent over. He didn't care. Men were given that privilege, women weren't. Darien walked, in strides, out the plane and surveyed the people standings there for the greetings. He assumed the woman in the middle was the queen. She was beautiful but her hair was in an odd style. On one side stood three girls and on the other, two.
Nephrite, who was walking at Darien's front left, leaned in and whispered, "I see her majesty has herself looked after our beds for us."
Darien gave a small grin. As they marched closer to the gates of the palace, the faces of the women became detailed. Darien could almost hear Jadeite think about his upcoming night. "calm yourself Jadeite. I'm sure these are the princesses from the other planets."
"I know."
Darien smirked.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
Serena knew which one was him. Of course, the clothing helped, but still, she would have recognized him immediately. He had the aura of a leader, a man who was used to having orders followed. He overshadowed his generals by miles. His Dark, unruly hair added to his physical attraction, and Serena could have sworn he had stared at her for a long time with those nightingale eyes. A shiver ran through her and she subconsciously chewed her lip. She suddenly doubted herself. Her eyes darted over him and over again. He wasn't like the others. The others didn't have his...appeal. He was somehow different. Was he able to look through her charade? Serena scolded herself and shook her head. Of course he was like the others. He would gladly go away. But how did he unravel her so much?
~~~~~ ~~~~~
He knew it was her, even though she was the only one who looked like a whore out of the group. It wasn't too obvious but Darien had recognized her immediately. She had a radiance around her, a sense of authority. His eyebrows went up slightly. So, this whore was the one he was going to marry, isn't it? She did look pretty but the heavy make-up didn't show much else. What he did observe was that her eyes were beautiful and huge. Like blu crystal. He looked down her body. Very nice. She probably was like his mother. Girls who were pretty knew it and took advantage of it. He saw her scrunch up her face in anger by only for a few moments for she relaxed again. Maybe she caught his glance. Was she acting the innocent? This marriage was going to be hell...
~~~~~ ~~~~~
She stepped forward and gave a lovely smile." Ah, Gaea, Atlas, you have finally come. How are you all? His this your handsome son?"
Darien bent over the queen's hand and brushed his lips against it. "A pleasure to meet you, your majesty."
Gaea smiled back and replied, "We all are doing just fine. How are you and your daughter, Serenity?"
Serena smiled and gave dainty curtsy, unfortunately, revealing more of the chest than she knew she was. Darien's eyebrows quirked up and the queen flustered. "Oh, my. What-cough- an elegant bow. A pleasure to meet you my dear."
Serena was confused. Why was the queen looking at her like that and why was her mother red? She hesitantly returned the smile. The other princesses bowed in order and greeted the royalty warmly but politely. Darien bent over and kissed each of the hands, until he came to Serena's hand. He took her hand and gently caressed it with his thumb. He could feel her tense up. Her eyes widened as he leaned over and kissed her hand for a lingering moment, his lips pressing on the soft skin. Her knees suddenly felt weak as she felt all her strength being sucked out. Darien raised his mocking eyes and looked at her's with a smirk. "a pleasure to meet you princess Serenity."
"A pleasure returned, prince Endymion."
Time seemed to stop for eternity, at least to her.
He let go of her hand and Serena slowly brought it to her side. She turned quickly to face her mother and asked, "Isn't it time that Ami took the royalty to their rooms?"
Queen Serenity smiled at her daughter's eagerness. Maybe she was wrong on her assumption. 'why, you are right. Ami, my dear?"
Ami stepped forward and gave another curtsy and smiled. "Follow me. You will have until quarter past four to rest and dinner with be ready at eight. Between, princess Serenity will be giving you a tour of the palace grounds."
As she led the group into the castle, her chattering could still be heard. Serena frowned. "I thought greeting were longer and more conversational." She was secretly glad that it was over soon. She couldn't stand in front of the man again without the knowledge that he knew what he had done to her. She was infuriated with herself. How could she feel that way?
"I know you were looking forward to it dear but they have journeyed a long way and this is probably only the third time they have traveled as far as the moon. One thing though Serena, I'm glad you are excited about this, although you put too much make-up for it. Please dear, remove it before anyone gets the wrong idea. Thank you Serena."
Serena gave a fake smile and said sweetly, "Mother, I realized how important this is. I will do whatever I can to marry him."
The queen smiled lovingly and glided away to make arrangement for the banquet and the upcoming wedding. The girls remaining stood in silence with Serena, as they all stared at each other. Mina finally opened her mouth. "You know, the general with the pale hair is kinda a cute, more likely handsome, though. But Serena, everyone could see you drooling over the prince. I guess you like him too."
Serena hotly replied, "No I don't. He is an arrogant jerk and I won't marry him even if I was offered the world."
Rei grinned, "Serena, when you gave such a gracious curtsy, you revealed just a bit too much of your body. I hope, for your sake, that you planned that."
Serena's face turned bright red. No wonder! She felt terribly embarrassed. Now she made a bad impression on the queen. No wonder the prince was grinning at her. Her hands with to her chest. What had she done?
The princess smiled sympathetically. Lita tried to soothe her. "I'm sure the queen didn't think much of it. Anyway Serena, did you notice the man with the brown hair. He looks like a hunk!"
Serena, still blushing, rolled her eyes. "Lita, every man in this universe is a hunk to you."
Everyone laughed, including Lita, who at first gave a mocking scowl. What they didn't see was a pair of eyes watching them closely. His eyes glittered when he heard the girls mention him. A hunk, huh?
~~~~~ ~~~~~
Darien lay on his bed; Jadeite, Malachite, and Zoicite sat in the sofas. They was a knock and all of them smiled. The open door revealed Nephrite, who had a huge smile plastered on his face.
"My men. I have found out a very egotistical fact today."
They all leaned forward. Nephrite continued, "Well, Darien, you know how every girl falls for you?"
Darien put on a cold front. "Of course."
"Well this one didn't."
"....."
"......"
"......"
"You bastard." Darien felt like killing that smirking idiot. "The princess Serenity didn't fall for me, you say? Well she is lying."
"Oh stop preening. All but princess Serenity thought you were...uh...a hunk -in their words- but princess Litaña likes me more." He ended triumphantly. Darien didn't really care too much. "That is not the reason why I sent you there, Nephrite. Tell me about the princess."
"Princess Litaña?"
"No."
"Oh. Princess Serenity. Well, she's gorgeous close up. Nice body. Golden hair. Very nice, if I may say, and pretty face."
Darien groaned and gritted his teeth. "I already noticed that. What about her mind?"
Once again, the men went into the depths of silence. Zoicite finally broke it. "Her mind?"
"Yes, her mind."
Jadeite leaned over and asked in Darien's face, "Are you mad?"
Darien didn't let them see his annoyed face. "No. Nephrite?"
The general noticed the edge in Darien's voice and decided not to question him. The prince had never concerned himself with the intelligence of a female, always claiming them all dimwits. Maybe he showed interest because he was to marry the girl. Nephrite decided to go with that reason. Of course, there would be no way Darien would be interested in her...would there?
"Well, she seems to be flustered easily, and she puts up the show that she wants to marry you but when her mother is out of hearing range, she swears that she will never marry you. She seems to think you're scum. She has a pretty laugh."
"That's all?"
"I could stay there too long."
"Why not?"
"I needed to go to the privy."
The generals laughed, but Darien was pissed off. " You dumbass, that was not why I sent you there. Now I have to do all the work myself."
Malachite was confused. "Why are you so interested in her Darien? You will know all you want to know on the marriage bed."
At that, they laughed again. Darien was irritated. "Get out of the room. I need rest."
The men, still laughing, exited the private chamber, oblivious to Darien's frustration. That girl was one his mind from the beginning. It had only been a few moments since he had been in the palace but she invaded his thoughts the minute his eyes had locked with hers. Those eyes. They seemed to control him. Darien shook himself. How pathetic. A woman controlling him. But still, he was curious. What was it about her?
~~~~~ ~~~~~
Serena plopped onto her bed. Her skirts billowed out around her. She stared into the ceiling, her thoughts still on him. He dared to invade her private thoughts! How could he do this to her. No one else had. When she had stared into his eyes, she saw something. When she had looked into the depths of his eyes, she imagined harsh waves fighting to reach shores, the midnight sky without the stars or brightness. The shiver was still there. His eyes also seemed cold, uninviting. Serena felt like smacking herself. 'Stop imagining that he needs you. Remember what your main goal was. For heaven's sake, you just met him' she told herself. But still, she was curious. What was it about him?
~~~~~ ~~~~~
Her eyes stared into the crystal. Her face wrinkled in anger. Were they falling for each other? She could let that happen. Her dreams would be ruined if that happened. Her life would be destroyed. She sent a screech summoning Durmis. He bowed and she nodded in approval. Her sharp teeth glistened as her mouth curved into a smile.
"Yes, "she purred. "You will do fine."
