Hi hi hi people!!! Welcome to chapter 10!!!! *squeals * lol...I hope you all are really really excited...well those of you who even lasted until this chapter...yeah yeah..i know..the last few haven't been too exciting but what can i do!?!? I'm making all this up as I go so you have to forgive me on the loose plot here but i've created too many stories in here and even I'm getting confused..lol..

Anyway, on to CHAPTER 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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She peered through the opening, trying not to be too obvious about it, and she was barely able to hold in a gasp of wonder. As they rolled through countryside, the bright colors of petunias, daffodils, lillies, and more types of flowers than Serena ever saw sprang out, radiant in the bright sunshine. She wanted to sigh at the sit of a wild herd of horses as they galloped into the horizon. The trees were lush and inviting and the grass had a merry look to it. It was like a scene from a fairy tale. Just as she tried to study the flowers more, she was then shaken from her seat as the coachman lead them through a series of ruts. Unfortunately, it led to her bumping into Darien more than a few times with him seeming not too happy about it either.

When Serena finally managed to regain her balance, she tried to concentrate on the scenery again but then Gaea announced, "We should be close to the palace anytime now."

The rest of the ride went in silence until Darien said, "You can see the palace to the left there, Serena."

Serena at first startled, then looked out and her eyes widened. It was huge. Atleast three times the size of the palace of the Moon. It was made all of marble, the white and gray mixture bringing out the grandeur of its majesty. From the top of the huge pillars hung flags with the royal colors, flying in the breeze. To her it looked like the temple of Zeus, the God of all Greek Gods. Serena managed to whisper,"It's beautiful."

Everyone smiled at her awestruck expression. Darien just shrugged. "You'll get used to it."

She clamped her jaw, realizing that she had just acted like a naive village idiot.

"I suppose so."

~~~~~~

Durmis thought many curses as he scrubbed the dishes. The string of curses went on long and forever. It was too late. The princess left. The marriage was finished. And here he was, stuck with scrubbing the dishes. He snatched the next one handed to him as he wanted to snarl. The maid took a quick step back, annoyed.

"Oi, you better not be getting that attitude around 'ere. Back to work for ya."

Durmis gave a low snarl and started scrubbing vigorously.

"By the by, I 'aven't seen you around here. What's you're name?"
"It is of no importance for you. I'm only here temporarily."

She snapped, "Oi! No reason to get all smart aleck about it."

He had the urge to groan.

~~~~~~

Serena gave a slight nod to the maid, dismissing her. Right after the maid exited, Serena plopped onto the bed. Today was to tiring. First the tour of the palace, which had made Serena awe at every turn in the royal residence. Darien's small sardonic smile didn't help any. Then her chamber. It was beautiful. The pink gauzy curtains gave the room a certain floating sensation and the bed was covered with a variety of flowers. She picked up a red rose and twirled it between her fingers.

Already, she was missing Felix and her friends and her mother. Suddenly, her heart became hollow again. Here, in the grandeur of the palace, she felt miserably alone.

~~~~~~

Rei and the others lingered in Serena's chamber room, not wanting to leave the feel of it, the feel of Serena. Hotaru bounced up and down on the bed, remembering how she and Serena used to try and touch the ceiling, seeing who was taller. A grin appeared. Serena proved to be the shortest princess of them all. While everyone else was above 5' 6'' , Serena alone stood at 5' 4 1/2 ''.

Mina gave cursory glances at the dresser, longing for the times when she and Serena used to apply on everything until they cracked with laughter. It had only been a day and a half but it seemed longer for everyone in the room.

Most of all, for Queen Serenity. She couldn't resist smiling as she saw the princesses looking down with melancholy.

"My dears, do cheer up. I have a surprise for you all ."

Ami tried a smile. "What is it, Aunty?"

"Well Serena doesn't know about it but I think she'll appreciate it very much."

That got everyone's attention. Michelle looked curious while Rei insisted, "Well tell us already!"

Serenity laughed. "Alright Rei. You all get to visit the earth in a fortnight," she said, and while they cheered, she continued, "But remember, be on your guard. Earth is a place where you've never been before. Act wise in your decisions and think before you leap."

Hotaru looked concerned. "Have you told Serena this?"

The queen rolled her eyes and laughed, "She stopped taking my advise as soon as she learned how to talk."

At that, everyone laughed.

~~~~~~

She frowned at the news. They were married? Already? Her mind filled with fury as she blasted the messenger to the floor with a snap of her fingers.

"Don't ever again, never, bring me bad news."

He stuttered. "Y-yes, my Highness." He struggled to get back on his feet

He turned to leave but then an inhuman scream erupted from him as flames licked his whole body into ashes. She grinned. This was only the beginning. Durmis wasn't doing his job. He was to keep an eye on the princess at all times. She summoned the next messenger in line. As he tried to stutter out his information she snapped, "Hold your tongue. I have a task for you. Can you accomplish it? Do NOT nod at me! Answer me!"

"Y-y-yes, your Highness."

"Better. Now here's what I want you to do."

~~~~~~

Darien examined his wine glass, although his thoughts were on the girl he married. Today was her innocence day, he presumed. Even he was almost taken by her naiveté and benevolence. But he knew her. He saw her that night, that infamous night.

Jadeite elbowed him and winked. "Thinking about tonight, Darien?"

".....yes, I am. I'm thinking of what to do with her."

Malachite grinned from across the dinner table, while Zoicite smirked. "Oh no Darien. Are you already running out of interesting sex plays?"

Darien mouthed, "Fuck off."

Malachite almost burst into a laugh but managed to contain it. Jadeite stuffed another spoonful of food into his mouth and noticed that Nephrite was unusually silent.

"What's up with you, pretty boy?"

Nephrite sighed," I think I love her, Jadeite. She's beautiful." Then he added with a grin, "Just a bit untrained though. I'll fix that."

"Who the hell are you talking about?"

"Princess Rei of course."

Jadeite suddenly choked on the chicken and Darien reached over , thumping Jadeite on his back. He gritted, "What did you say Nephrite?"

"You heard me. Princess Rei." His grin grew. "She's absolutely beautiful, her legs never ending, her eyes so enticing -"

"Nephrite, shut it, ok?" Darien said as he held Jadeite from leaping across the table.

Zoicite and Malachite burst with laughter. Nephrite joined in while Darien just allowed a small smile. As Jadeite calmed down, he observed, "You were playing with me Nephrite."

"Took you a while Jadeite. I apologize though. I was actually lusting for Princess Lita."

"Sleep with one eye open, you bastard."

As the blonde-haired general fixed his clothes, Zoicite said, "The same for me and Princess Ami."

"What, the bookworm? Yes, I suppose she's pretty," considered Malachite. "But I'm going for the blonde princess-no Darien, not Serena. Princess Mina."

As his friends continued dreaming for their beauties, Darien plotted against his. He was going to make her regret being a whore. Not one of his friends realized that Darien wasn't joining their conversations.

~~~~~~

Serena nervously shook out her nightgown, sitting delicately in the middle of the rose-scented bed. It was time for the husband to exercise his marital rights upon the wife. She stared at the door, hoping to will Darien not to come, not to notice her, to fall asleep like a log. But then again...Serena clutched at her collar. She felt butterflies in her stomach. Did she want him to come. Serena imagined him coming in with his ebony hair tousled fondly, his eyes dark sapphire. She sighed. Of course, what was she to expect though? She barely talked to her. The doors opened and Darien walked in calmly and the same way he closed them again. Serena twiddled with her fingers, waiting for him to say something. By her furtive glances, she sighed dreamily at how handsome her husband looked in his attire. Her husband. She blushed and concentrated on her fingers again.

Darien took his time to neatly remove his jacket and sword and place them on the dresser, the sword on top of the jacket. He then started unbuttoning his shirt. Serena hummed lightly to herself, scowling at Darien in her mind. While she sat here, dying of anxiety, he was as calm as a rock would be. The butterflies never quit in her stomach. She wondered why he took so long. Maybe he was trying to not scare her. He must know that this would be her first time. Of course, she told herself, that's it. He wants to be kind to me. With that she smiled.

Someone knocked on the door.

Serena stood up to receive it but with one look from her husband, she sat back down. She was confused. He suddenly looked cold and darker than he did a second ago. When he opened the door, it revealed a most beautiful girl with dark, passionate eyes and a porcelain face. Her long, black hair was sleek and smooth, like satin flowing from her head. Her sooty eyelashes fluttered at Darien, beckoning him. Her dress was elegant yet scanty. A dark red hue with golden trimmings, slits all the way up to the top of her thighs.

She leaned in and gave Darien a full hard kiss on the mouth. Serena watched with pain as Darien, instead of resisting, collected the woman into his arms. She saw him trail kisses down heck slender neck and then back up to her lips. Between kisses he said, "As you can see, I'll be busy tonight. I believe that you can find other ways to accommodate yourself. Goodnight."

"But-"

The door creaked shut and Serena could hear a faint giggling fading down the hallway. She turned bleak eyes into the mirror. She noticed her eyes watering. She cracked a smile and said out loud, "Well , Serena, isn't this what you wanted? Why are you crying, you freak. Stop crying." Her voice rose. "What's your problem Serena? Stop crying damnit!!"

She got no response. Trails of tears slid down her cheeks.

Finally, she realized that she wasn't good enough for him. No wonder he hated her, kept her at an arms length all the time. Why is this happening to her? Oh why? Her heart felt like it was shattered into a thousand pieces, completely destroyed and utterly un-fixible. It was as if a knife constantly pierced through her, willing her the most pain she ever experienced. And so she realized that she loved Darien. From the moment they met. And she couldn't bare it. Why him, damn it? She cursed herself and the hopes she had held. A sharp laugh came from her. He wanted to be gentle...how naive, Serena. How stupid, Serena. How cruel, Serena.

Tears streamed down her face, as she tried to not make a sound, stuffing her fist into her mouth. And soon, she fell asleep from exhaustion.