Hey everyone! New writer in the neighbourhood. This is the first fic that I
have been brave enough to post (Mostly because I can't finish the others).
But I assure you, this one is in for the long haul so reguardless if I get
one or one hundred reviews, I will finish this story. It annoys me when
writers don't finish stories. Grr .... anyway, this story is my baby and I
plan to put a LOT of effort into it. I am definately open to criticism and
suggestions. If you want a character gone, consider him/her eaten by a
three-headed shark. Ok, I'm done talking. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own SM. Yes, let's all have a cry.
Chapter One - A Lady's duty
"Don't let them see you cry, don't let them see you cry, don't let them see you cry.." The words repeated through Lady Serenity's head like a mantra. Tree after tree in the forest whirled by as she increased the pace of her horse. Spotting a clearing up ahead, she slowed the speed of her horse, eventually stopping and dismounting. Her long silver hair had long ago fallen out it's traditional buns making her look like a wild creature, her large blue eyes darting across the clearing searching for any signs of life. Satisfied that she was alone, she collapsed exhausted on the grass and stared up at the sky blankly.
She thought back to just this morning when her so called 'mother' slapped on the proverbial ball and chain.
* * * * * "Serenity!"
Lady Gabrielle stormed down the bedchamber corridor for the fifth time that day. A tall Earthian woman with dark brown eyes and brown hair, she was the kind of person much accustomed to rigid dicipline and ruled the Lunarian palace with a firm and strict hand. Lady Gabrielle spied a maid with shockingly curly red hair scurrying past rather urgently in the opposite direction and stopped her.
"You! Err..girl."
The lady did not catch the look of hurt on the young girl's face. After three years of faithful service, the lady had not even learnt her name. But that was noblewomen for you. The girl bowed respectively in the typical Lunarian bow, with her palms placed on her thighs and looked down at her toes.
"Ummm.It's Molly ma'am." Lady Gabrielle waved the comment away.
"Where is my step-daughter?" She demanded.
Molly's eyes darted around the corridor nervously. "Umm.I believe she's in the stables tending her.um.horse."
"Bring her forth to me." Gabrielle commanded.
"Yes ma'am." Molly replied meekly. She bowed again, then scurried off to the stables to do her bidding.
When Molly finally make it to the stables, she spied Lady Serenity in the far stable booth grooming her horse, Pearl. Molly went over and leaned against the stable door.
"Mornin' Serenity. Nice day ain't it?" Lady Serenity whirled around and smiled.
"I believe it will be. Pearl has been restless all morning so we are going to go for a bit of a ride. Aren't we Pearl?" Serenity stroked her mane and Pearl stomped her front hoof in response.
"Hate to be the bearer of bad news but your ride will have to be delayed. Lady Gabr..I mean, your mother has called for you." Serenity rolled her eyes.
"She's not my mother she's..." Serenity took on a hunched position, bunched up her fingers like knarled tree branches against her chest and closed one of her eyes.
".a wicked witch who has put a curse upon my father and clouded his vision."
She hobbled over to Molly and whispered in her ear. "Some nights, I happen to spy her sitting at her spinning wheel muttering something incoherent. In fact, I believe she is casting spells upon the cotton so it will forever be itchy. I believe that blue dress she insists I wear is made of such material."
Molly laughed at her antics. It never ceased to amaze her how Serenity could be so light-hearted, despite having such a stiff, upper-collar stepmother like Lady Gabrielle and still be able to joke about it. Molly, eyes filled with mirth, attempted to take on a serious expression. "But how will you be rid of her?" she asked.
Serenity searched the stable and found a bucket of water. She ran over to it and picked it up. "With this holy water, I shall pour over her. Then she will melt into the ground and I'll be rid of her forever."
Serenity grabbed Molly and the danced around while Serenity sang 'ding dong the witch is dead'. Finally, they both collapsed on the stable floor laughing and panting.
"Won't you be scared?" Molly asked.
"Not me!" Serenity exclaimed and got to her feet. She grabbed the 'holy' bucket and stood facing the open stable, her feet planted firmly on the ground.
She pointed an accusing finger at an imaginary villain and exclaimed. "Wench! You are hereby stricken of the title Lady Gabrielle and are punished for the crimes committed against the beautiful, fair and just Lady Serenity.."
Molly raised an eyebrow and Serenity turned to her and smirked. "I am allowed to dream am I not?" Then she turned back to the door.
"I hereby sentence you to a melting. And may Selene have mercy on your soul you heartless wench!" With that, Serenity threw the bucket of water towards the stable door.
As ill luck had it, the very person, Lady Gabrielle, happened to walk through the stable door and into the path of the water. Lady Serenity's hand flew up to her mouth in horror.
"Oh dear."
The water hit Lady Gabrielle with a satisfying slap. After the initial shock, Gabrielle went rant, yelling and swearing like a drunken sailor and even surprising Serenity with a few words that she didn't know was even possible to come out of such a refined lady's mouth. Despite all the horrible things she's done to her in the past, this was undoubtedly the maddest Lady Gabrielle had ever gotten and Serenity knew she was going to regret it later.
"GET UP TO YOU BEDCHAMBER RIGHT NOW AND CHANGE OUT OF THOSE RAGS!"
Serenity looked down at the tunic and breeches she had worn to go riding. She had bought them a week ago and was yet to use them.
"Don't give me that look! I have tried time and time again to get you to wear dresses and I'll be damned if you don't wear them! It's bad enough that you gallivant around the country like common street urchin on that nag you call a horse."
Serenity was at a lost for words so she just stared at the floor and scowled. "I am truly disappointed in you Serenity. You are a great disappointment to this family. Don't you want to bring glory and honour upon the family? Don't you want to make your father proud? How are you ever supposed to get a husband? You seem persistent in continuing these pointless lessons in sword fighting and sparring. A woman, let alone a noble, has no need to learn these things. This is men's work! For Elequim's sake, you've even started developing unsightly muscles. You're starting to look more and more like a man and less of a lady every time I see you. Who wants a wife with brawny muscles I tell you?" Lady Gabrielle sighed miserably.
Serenity felt tears well up in her eyes. "Go get changed now before I bring out the stick and punish you like a ten year old, you seen to enjoy acting like one."
Lady Gabrielle started to walk out of the stables as dignified as she could, considering that she was drenched in water, when she stopped and turned around. "By the way servant, for your tardiness, you now have chamber pot duty for a month. Be thankful I did not lay you off instead."
As soon as Gabrielle was gone, Molly made a face of disgust. Chamber pot duty was the most hated of all the duties and to have it for a whole month was pure torture.
Serenity, tears now streaming down her face, murmured, "So, she still has the power to make me cry. She hasn't done that to me in ages."
* * * * *
After cleaning herself up, she put on the only dress her father had ever given her. It was a long, white dress made of expensive silk. The design of the dress was of Earthian style, not the Lunarian kimonos like the rest of her dresses. With long sleves and a skirt that pooled at her feet, the entire dress was also stitched together with fine silver thread which made the dress shimmer like dew drops in the morning.
Her father gave her the dress on her seventeenth birthday that he brought from his trip to Earth. When she put it on, his eyes sparkled with rare light and he declared that she was a beautiful woman. It was the only time anyone had ever said she was beautiful and it made her heart flutter with joy. When Lady Gabrielle happened to spy her in the dress, Serenity could've sworn she saw jealousy spark in her eyes therefore Serenity made a resolution to wear the dress as often as possible.
Even Motoki, the stable boy and her only true friend, said that she could almost pass for a lady when she was in that dress if it wasn't for her pig nose and the ragged state of her hair and the fact that she was putting on weight as well. In retaliation for that comment, she beat him three times in a row in a game of swords play. Andrew was graciously humbled and pledged allegiance to Queen Serenity of the swords.
She put her long, silver hair, that reached the small of her back, into their traditional buns at the top of her head and attaching a single white rose in each bun. She took one look in the mirror, mildly satisfied with what she saw, and then departed the room.
At the end of bedchamber corridor there was a set of sliding rice paper and wood door that led into the main dining room. Through an adjoining door at the other end of the dining room, there was another large room filled with tea tables, throw rugs and earthian chairs centred around a roaring fire. It was through there that Serenity walked to meet her father, Lord Yokohama, Lady Gabrielle and the last person Serenity wanted to see, aside Lady Gabrielle of course.
Lord Diamond strode confidently over to Lady Serenity from the tea table he was sitting at and offered a flourishing bow. Serenity bowed stiffly in response. She offered her hand as curtesy dictated (Lady Gabrielle introduced the Earth code of curtesy into the Lunarian court and Serenity was forced to comply) and Diamond took it. He planted a long, soft kiss on it that made Serenity's skin crawl with disgust. Diamond was the very image of handsome, despite his arrogance and lack of curtesy towards the fairer sex. It was understandable that most women would sigh when they spied his light silver hair, crystal blue eyes and muscular build as a result of vigorous training throughout his life. But when it came to his personally, it brought light to the expression 'beauty is only skin deep".
"How are we today my dear Serenity?"
She nodded. "Very well thank you. And how are you?" Serenity attempted to stay calm and devoid of emotion. Law one of the samurai code: Never let the enemy see what you are thinking.
Diamond gave her one of his smirks that only she could see. "My, at the sight of your radiant glory how could anyone feel but happy."
"Indeed you flatter me Lord." She inwardly kicked herself for saying something so shallow.
Diamond's crystal blue eyes sparkled with mirth and mischief and Serenity could not help but wonder if some perverted thought be whirling around his head. Her hypothesis was proven by his next comment.
"My, that is a lovely dress your wearing. It is very becoming of you." Serenity inwardly rolled her eyes and murmured a thank you.
"Of course."
Diamond brought his mouth up to her ear. His hot breath rolled down her neck unleashing another set of shivers. ".I'd much rather see you without the dress."
Then to further her distress, he started to nibble lightly on her ear. Of course, Serenity's parents could not see or hear any of this, both engaged in their own conversation. Serenity turned her head away from them perchance they should see the look of mortification plainly written on her face. So much for lack of emotion.
She shoved him firmly in the ribs so he would stop and whispered back harshly, "I swear, Selene as my witness, one day I will have my revenge on you for these degrading and unholy remarks. Have you no shame?"
Diamond's smirk turned into a rather evil looking grin and he retorted, "I must say, I love it when you hurt me. It make me lust after you more. And soon enough, I'll be able to do and say what I want to you and we can finally drop this curtesy visage."
Serenity's enraged glare tore into him. "Surely sir, I know not what you mean. Explain yourself!"
Diamond's cold, scornful glare stared back equally as intense. Suddenly he turned towards Serenity's parents who had now ceased talking.
"Lord Yokohama and Lady Gabrielle of South Luna await us." He grabbed her hand and they walked towards the pair, both Serenity and Diamond plastering on a fake smile. But no matter how hard Serenity tried, she could not tear her hand out of his.
Both Lord and Lady were kneeling together on a cushion on one side of the small, square table. Diamond opted the other side of the table opposite them and Serenity was obligated to sit next to him. During the whole conversation thereafter, Diamond's hand did not stray from her thigh but over time, it would inch higher and higher until Serenity would eventually slap it away. Then the process would start again.
Lord Yokohama, Lady Gabrielle and Diamond were talking about such things as the province's economy, politics and such. Serenity was not interested in such topics so was not apart of the conversation, being too busy keeping Diamond's hand at bay. As far back as she could remember, Diamond has made her life a misery. Thousands of years ago, back in the days of disorientation when the people of Titan migrated across from the land of darkness, each colony had decided to branch off and find a piece of land that suited their likings. These lands, or provinces decided to be governed under the rule of the most powerful province, Earth, and the Royal family of Earth. Serenity's ancestors, the Lunarian colony decided to take a small piece of land next to the Earth province because of it's fertile land, deep valleys and mysterious forests where the trees grew like giant statues out of the soil. The Luna Province was also rumoured to be home of some of the rarest mythical creatures such as unicorns, rainbow sprites and faeries, to name a few. This suited the Lunarian people just fine, being a mysterious and puzzling race themselves.
Several years after the migration, a dispute arose among the Lunarians over the rule of the province. As a consequence, some people moved up north to set up their own city under their own rule while most stayed where they were and built the great city of Thera where Serenity now dwelt, in the Southern Palace. She was the sole heir of South Luna and it's future ruler. As for Diamond, he lived in the Northern Palace and was the sole heir of North Luna, thus the root of Serenity's dilemma. It was in the best interest of the province if Serenity and Diamond were to become good friends and improve the chances of a peaceful future for the country. So, it was arranged that once every four months, Diamond made the six-day trip to Thera and spent two weeks in the company of Serenity. She dreaded every waking moment spent with him.
Ever since the first meeting when she was ten, he had succeeded in either making her cry or beating her up into a bloody pulp. In most cases he succeeded in both. In a way Diamond was responsible for Serenity becoming as tough as she was today. The very day Serenity managed to beat Diamond into a bloody pulp (She was twelve and a half), was the day he changed tactics. Instead of beating her up, he started to abuse her sexually. Nothing big at first, a suggestive comment here, a kiss on the cheek there, but then it slowly progressed to nasty sexual insult and if he felt cofident, a rough kiss when no one was looking. Lately, Diamond had been trying to get her to bed with him. If it wasn't for her rather impressive strength or Motoki, he probably would have gotten his way by now.
Motoki was the only person who stuck up for her when she got in trouble with Diamond or anyone else for that matter. Due to the fact that either he didn't know or didn't want to know, Serenity's father did nothing to stop the abuse. But Serenity knew that one day, Motoki would not be around to help, and when that day came, she would have to face him by herself.
Serenity was brought out of her revere by a sharp pain in her leg. She jumped in surprise and realised that three pairs of eyes were staring at her, one filled with mirth. She glowered within. Diamond had pinched her, hard. He wasn't going to get away with that.
"Have you listened to a word I've said so far Serenity?" Lady Gabrielle asked sternly.
"Pardon?"
Gabrielle sighed and rubbed her temples. "I have the most exciting news for you regarding your future and all you can say is pardon. I do wish you would pay closer attention Serenity."
A look of pure confusion crossed her face. "Pardon?"
Gabrielle placed her hands on the table and looked Serenity straight in the eye. "Your betrothal to Lord Diamond. Your father and I have decided that in the best interest of Luna, you and Diamond are to get married."
Serenity stood up abruptly. "Pardon?!!! You are surely kidding are you not? I am not to marry Lord Diamond am I?"
The look in Lady Gabrielle told of her disappointment of Serenity whereas Diamond's eyes only portrayed mirth.
"Soon enough, I'll be able to do and say what I want to you."
Serenity knew the meaning of those words now. She tore her eyes from his crystal blue ones to look at the deep blue of her father's.
"Surely not you too father? Do you not care for what I want?" Serenity pleaded.
But once again, she was betrayed and she felt as though her heart was breaking in two. Lord Yokohama looked away lest he see the sadness evident in his daughter's eyes.
"But."
Serenity took a few steps back from the table almost tripping over her upturned chair. ".what if I do not wish to marry Lord Diamond? You cannot make me do something I do not want to do."
Lady Gabrielle produces a parchment and laid it on the table. "Au contreiu. But we can. It's official." Serenity snatched the parchment and unrolled it. It was a contract declaring the betrothal of Lord Diamond and Lady Serenity. Under it was the signatures of both Lords and Ladies of Luna as well as Diamond's signature and even the King and Queen of Titan's signature. There was one space left next to Diamond's signature. Lady Gabrielle held out a quill.
"Do not try to resist Serenity. The King and Queen of Titan have already approved. We do not need you signature for this to go ahead but we would like your consent. For once, just do as we say."
Despite her resolution to never cry in front of the enemy, she started to feel tears well up in her eyes. Serenity turned to her father one more time in a desperate plea.
"Please father! Stop this! Do you not care for me at all?"
Lord Yokohama, unable to look at her, replied quietly, "Just sign it Serenity."
Serenity, completely heartbroken, gathered all the dignity she had left, and walked out of the room, silent tears coursing down her face.
"Do not let them see you cry, Do not let them see you cry, Do not let them see you cry.."
* * * * *
Pearl gently nuzzled her ear making Serenity giggle softly as she wiped away the fresh tears streaming down her face. After the scene in the Palace, Serenity went straight to her chambers stopping only for a few loaves of bread, some fruit, two flasks of water and one flask of wine from the kitchen. Then in her chambers, she packed a small bag with the food, a few tunics and breeches, two pairs of strong boots, a water-proof hooded cloak and a few other necessities such as her Katana, a couple of daggers and her magics box. Then she quickly and quietly made her way towards the stables using lots of secret passages and rarely used corridors. There was only one person she encountered during the whole escape, and that was Motoki.
* * * * * She was in the stables, putting the finishing touches on Pearl's saddle when Motoki entered carrying a bale of hay.
"Good morning Serenity. I hope you're not going riding in that dress are you?"
Serenity whirled around in surprise and Andrew instantly noticed the look of distress in her eyes.
"Are you ok Usagi-chan." Bunny. Serenity winced with anguish when he used her nickname. She did not want to leave Motoki behind but she knew she had to.
"I. I. can't stand it! I have to leave this place Motoki."
"Leave?" She noted the panic in his voice and almost cried because of it.
"Where are you going?"
Serenity sighed and lowered her head, turning back to adjusting the saddle. "They want me to marry Lord Diamond but I don't want to. Motoki, if I don't leave, they will drive me insane. I need to get out. Please understand!"
Serenity started to sob again but felt a pair of comforting hands on her shoulders. "I understand Usagi."
She turned around and embraced him tightly. "You know, you have been the brother I have always wanted." Motoki smiled.
"And you are the best sister I could possibly ever have."
Before Serenity could unleash another wave of tears, she jumped onto Pearl and was out the stable door in a flash. As she was galloping away towards the forest she chanced to look once more at the castle. It was the same big, looming house she grew up in but from that point on, it was no longer her home.
* * * * * Dispair threatened to overwhelm her again but she held it in and looked around her familiar surroundings. As a girl she came to this clearing often to be alone, and would pretend she was a Lady samurai battling a mighty fire-breathing dragon, slaying it, and saving a noble King or Queen from a foreign land.
"Oh to be a child again and not worry about such things as a woman's duty."
Serenity was never one to lose sight of a goal when she found one, even if that meant learning how to fight. Her father, whom after months of Serenity's pestering, decided to teach his young daughter to wield a Katana, a Lunarain sword. He would declare every time she threw him and took his Katana, which was often, that she should have been born male. Because not only was she a competent swordsman but also a brilliant rider and apparently, not such a bad right hook according to Motoki. She had even grown accustomed to wearing tunics and breeches.
But her dear stepmother, the Lady Gabriella, did not approve in the least of her stepdaughter's tomboyish ways. She mostly put the blame on her husband for 'letting the child run around like a wild creature' ever since Serenity's mother died when she was three. Lady Gabriella insisted that she wear kimonos, stop gallivanting about and start attending noblewomen classes to become a proper Lunarian lady.
As custom dictated in Luna, every noble woman took special lessons in the art of being a good hostess and wife. This included learning how to cook, sow, greeting people in the proper way, planning and hosting balls and gatherings, memorising the ancient manuscript of serenity and kindness, learning correct posture, grace and manners, reading and writing, the proper procedure for tea parties and the ancient ceremonies in worshiping the goddess Selene. However, becoming a good hostess and wife was not on Serenity's high list of priorities, despite the fact that she was the heir to Luna. And apart from the lessons of worship, reading and writing and lessons in Mythology and Geography that were conducted every Friday (which was her father's idea, not Lady Gabrielle's), Serenity didn't pay much attention to the lessons. The were boring, tedious and frankly, the kimonos she had to wear were hard to move in and also cut off any notion of breathing while in them. But this did not deter Lady Gabrielle from her seemingly impossible goal to make Serenity into a lady.
But of course, Serenity retaliated this goal by, at every waking opportunity, finding a nice, muddy puddle to splash in whenever she had to wear those impractical gowns. But that game quickly soured for all her stepmother would do is shake her head disapprovingly and send her to the baths. Eventually Serenity thought it easier to grin and bare her lessons and stop creating trouble. Her stepmother may be able to stamp out her wild behaviour for the time being, she could never stamp out her spirit. Serenity sighed inwardly.
At the time her father married Lady Gabriella, she was nine and now, at the young age of eighteen, Serenity already felt like her life was over before it started. By running away, she had now forsaken not only her family and friends, but her heritage and the sacred right of her father's choice in a husband, even if the husband was a chauvanistic fool.
Sighing, she closed her eyes and listened to the whispering wind. It told of adventure and excitement in far away lands. If she listened hard enough, she could almost hear the sea, beckoning her to see it's clear skies and foaming, white waves. Ever since she was a child, she longed to see the ocean and stories told to her at bedtime were not enough quench her thirst. It was her life long dream to see the sea, so that was where she was going to go. She was going to make her fortune and bring honour to herself, her family and her Province. Without that, she vowed not to return to the place of her birth.
* * * * *
Author's notes: Elequim - In Greek Mythology, Elequim was a place good people and soldiers who died in battle went when they died. Kind of like Greek heaven. I don't know if I spelt it right though. Little rough on my Mythology.
Katana - It's Japanese for sword (Auron in FF10 has one). In case nobody guessed, Luna is based on Ancient Japan. In fact, I have done the same thing for all the provinces.
~ Oreka
Disclaimer: I don't own SM. Yes, let's all have a cry.
Chapter One - A Lady's duty
"Don't let them see you cry, don't let them see you cry, don't let them see you cry.." The words repeated through Lady Serenity's head like a mantra. Tree after tree in the forest whirled by as she increased the pace of her horse. Spotting a clearing up ahead, she slowed the speed of her horse, eventually stopping and dismounting. Her long silver hair had long ago fallen out it's traditional buns making her look like a wild creature, her large blue eyes darting across the clearing searching for any signs of life. Satisfied that she was alone, she collapsed exhausted on the grass and stared up at the sky blankly.
She thought back to just this morning when her so called 'mother' slapped on the proverbial ball and chain.
* * * * * "Serenity!"
Lady Gabrielle stormed down the bedchamber corridor for the fifth time that day. A tall Earthian woman with dark brown eyes and brown hair, she was the kind of person much accustomed to rigid dicipline and ruled the Lunarian palace with a firm and strict hand. Lady Gabrielle spied a maid with shockingly curly red hair scurrying past rather urgently in the opposite direction and stopped her.
"You! Err..girl."
The lady did not catch the look of hurt on the young girl's face. After three years of faithful service, the lady had not even learnt her name. But that was noblewomen for you. The girl bowed respectively in the typical Lunarian bow, with her palms placed on her thighs and looked down at her toes.
"Ummm.It's Molly ma'am." Lady Gabrielle waved the comment away.
"Where is my step-daughter?" She demanded.
Molly's eyes darted around the corridor nervously. "Umm.I believe she's in the stables tending her.um.horse."
"Bring her forth to me." Gabrielle commanded.
"Yes ma'am." Molly replied meekly. She bowed again, then scurried off to the stables to do her bidding.
When Molly finally make it to the stables, she spied Lady Serenity in the far stable booth grooming her horse, Pearl. Molly went over and leaned against the stable door.
"Mornin' Serenity. Nice day ain't it?" Lady Serenity whirled around and smiled.
"I believe it will be. Pearl has been restless all morning so we are going to go for a bit of a ride. Aren't we Pearl?" Serenity stroked her mane and Pearl stomped her front hoof in response.
"Hate to be the bearer of bad news but your ride will have to be delayed. Lady Gabr..I mean, your mother has called for you." Serenity rolled her eyes.
"She's not my mother she's..." Serenity took on a hunched position, bunched up her fingers like knarled tree branches against her chest and closed one of her eyes.
".a wicked witch who has put a curse upon my father and clouded his vision."
She hobbled over to Molly and whispered in her ear. "Some nights, I happen to spy her sitting at her spinning wheel muttering something incoherent. In fact, I believe she is casting spells upon the cotton so it will forever be itchy. I believe that blue dress she insists I wear is made of such material."
Molly laughed at her antics. It never ceased to amaze her how Serenity could be so light-hearted, despite having such a stiff, upper-collar stepmother like Lady Gabrielle and still be able to joke about it. Molly, eyes filled with mirth, attempted to take on a serious expression. "But how will you be rid of her?" she asked.
Serenity searched the stable and found a bucket of water. She ran over to it and picked it up. "With this holy water, I shall pour over her. Then she will melt into the ground and I'll be rid of her forever."
Serenity grabbed Molly and the danced around while Serenity sang 'ding dong the witch is dead'. Finally, they both collapsed on the stable floor laughing and panting.
"Won't you be scared?" Molly asked.
"Not me!" Serenity exclaimed and got to her feet. She grabbed the 'holy' bucket and stood facing the open stable, her feet planted firmly on the ground.
She pointed an accusing finger at an imaginary villain and exclaimed. "Wench! You are hereby stricken of the title Lady Gabrielle and are punished for the crimes committed against the beautiful, fair and just Lady Serenity.."
Molly raised an eyebrow and Serenity turned to her and smirked. "I am allowed to dream am I not?" Then she turned back to the door.
"I hereby sentence you to a melting. And may Selene have mercy on your soul you heartless wench!" With that, Serenity threw the bucket of water towards the stable door.
As ill luck had it, the very person, Lady Gabrielle, happened to walk through the stable door and into the path of the water. Lady Serenity's hand flew up to her mouth in horror.
"Oh dear."
The water hit Lady Gabrielle with a satisfying slap. After the initial shock, Gabrielle went rant, yelling and swearing like a drunken sailor and even surprising Serenity with a few words that she didn't know was even possible to come out of such a refined lady's mouth. Despite all the horrible things she's done to her in the past, this was undoubtedly the maddest Lady Gabrielle had ever gotten and Serenity knew she was going to regret it later.
"GET UP TO YOU BEDCHAMBER RIGHT NOW AND CHANGE OUT OF THOSE RAGS!"
Serenity looked down at the tunic and breeches she had worn to go riding. She had bought them a week ago and was yet to use them.
"Don't give me that look! I have tried time and time again to get you to wear dresses and I'll be damned if you don't wear them! It's bad enough that you gallivant around the country like common street urchin on that nag you call a horse."
Serenity was at a lost for words so she just stared at the floor and scowled. "I am truly disappointed in you Serenity. You are a great disappointment to this family. Don't you want to bring glory and honour upon the family? Don't you want to make your father proud? How are you ever supposed to get a husband? You seem persistent in continuing these pointless lessons in sword fighting and sparring. A woman, let alone a noble, has no need to learn these things. This is men's work! For Elequim's sake, you've even started developing unsightly muscles. You're starting to look more and more like a man and less of a lady every time I see you. Who wants a wife with brawny muscles I tell you?" Lady Gabrielle sighed miserably.
Serenity felt tears well up in her eyes. "Go get changed now before I bring out the stick and punish you like a ten year old, you seen to enjoy acting like one."
Lady Gabrielle started to walk out of the stables as dignified as she could, considering that she was drenched in water, when she stopped and turned around. "By the way servant, for your tardiness, you now have chamber pot duty for a month. Be thankful I did not lay you off instead."
As soon as Gabrielle was gone, Molly made a face of disgust. Chamber pot duty was the most hated of all the duties and to have it for a whole month was pure torture.
Serenity, tears now streaming down her face, murmured, "So, she still has the power to make me cry. She hasn't done that to me in ages."
* * * * *
After cleaning herself up, she put on the only dress her father had ever given her. It was a long, white dress made of expensive silk. The design of the dress was of Earthian style, not the Lunarian kimonos like the rest of her dresses. With long sleves and a skirt that pooled at her feet, the entire dress was also stitched together with fine silver thread which made the dress shimmer like dew drops in the morning.
Her father gave her the dress on her seventeenth birthday that he brought from his trip to Earth. When she put it on, his eyes sparkled with rare light and he declared that she was a beautiful woman. It was the only time anyone had ever said she was beautiful and it made her heart flutter with joy. When Lady Gabrielle happened to spy her in the dress, Serenity could've sworn she saw jealousy spark in her eyes therefore Serenity made a resolution to wear the dress as often as possible.
Even Motoki, the stable boy and her only true friend, said that she could almost pass for a lady when she was in that dress if it wasn't for her pig nose and the ragged state of her hair and the fact that she was putting on weight as well. In retaliation for that comment, she beat him three times in a row in a game of swords play. Andrew was graciously humbled and pledged allegiance to Queen Serenity of the swords.
She put her long, silver hair, that reached the small of her back, into their traditional buns at the top of her head and attaching a single white rose in each bun. She took one look in the mirror, mildly satisfied with what she saw, and then departed the room.
At the end of bedchamber corridor there was a set of sliding rice paper and wood door that led into the main dining room. Through an adjoining door at the other end of the dining room, there was another large room filled with tea tables, throw rugs and earthian chairs centred around a roaring fire. It was through there that Serenity walked to meet her father, Lord Yokohama, Lady Gabrielle and the last person Serenity wanted to see, aside Lady Gabrielle of course.
Lord Diamond strode confidently over to Lady Serenity from the tea table he was sitting at and offered a flourishing bow. Serenity bowed stiffly in response. She offered her hand as curtesy dictated (Lady Gabrielle introduced the Earth code of curtesy into the Lunarian court and Serenity was forced to comply) and Diamond took it. He planted a long, soft kiss on it that made Serenity's skin crawl with disgust. Diamond was the very image of handsome, despite his arrogance and lack of curtesy towards the fairer sex. It was understandable that most women would sigh when they spied his light silver hair, crystal blue eyes and muscular build as a result of vigorous training throughout his life. But when it came to his personally, it brought light to the expression 'beauty is only skin deep".
"How are we today my dear Serenity?"
She nodded. "Very well thank you. And how are you?" Serenity attempted to stay calm and devoid of emotion. Law one of the samurai code: Never let the enemy see what you are thinking.
Diamond gave her one of his smirks that only she could see. "My, at the sight of your radiant glory how could anyone feel but happy."
"Indeed you flatter me Lord." She inwardly kicked herself for saying something so shallow.
Diamond's crystal blue eyes sparkled with mirth and mischief and Serenity could not help but wonder if some perverted thought be whirling around his head. Her hypothesis was proven by his next comment.
"My, that is a lovely dress your wearing. It is very becoming of you." Serenity inwardly rolled her eyes and murmured a thank you.
"Of course."
Diamond brought his mouth up to her ear. His hot breath rolled down her neck unleashing another set of shivers. ".I'd much rather see you without the dress."
Then to further her distress, he started to nibble lightly on her ear. Of course, Serenity's parents could not see or hear any of this, both engaged in their own conversation. Serenity turned her head away from them perchance they should see the look of mortification plainly written on her face. So much for lack of emotion.
She shoved him firmly in the ribs so he would stop and whispered back harshly, "I swear, Selene as my witness, one day I will have my revenge on you for these degrading and unholy remarks. Have you no shame?"
Diamond's smirk turned into a rather evil looking grin and he retorted, "I must say, I love it when you hurt me. It make me lust after you more. And soon enough, I'll be able to do and say what I want to you and we can finally drop this curtesy visage."
Serenity's enraged glare tore into him. "Surely sir, I know not what you mean. Explain yourself!"
Diamond's cold, scornful glare stared back equally as intense. Suddenly he turned towards Serenity's parents who had now ceased talking.
"Lord Yokohama and Lady Gabrielle of South Luna await us." He grabbed her hand and they walked towards the pair, both Serenity and Diamond plastering on a fake smile. But no matter how hard Serenity tried, she could not tear her hand out of his.
Both Lord and Lady were kneeling together on a cushion on one side of the small, square table. Diamond opted the other side of the table opposite them and Serenity was obligated to sit next to him. During the whole conversation thereafter, Diamond's hand did not stray from her thigh but over time, it would inch higher and higher until Serenity would eventually slap it away. Then the process would start again.
Lord Yokohama, Lady Gabrielle and Diamond were talking about such things as the province's economy, politics and such. Serenity was not interested in such topics so was not apart of the conversation, being too busy keeping Diamond's hand at bay. As far back as she could remember, Diamond has made her life a misery. Thousands of years ago, back in the days of disorientation when the people of Titan migrated across from the land of darkness, each colony had decided to branch off and find a piece of land that suited their likings. These lands, or provinces decided to be governed under the rule of the most powerful province, Earth, and the Royal family of Earth. Serenity's ancestors, the Lunarian colony decided to take a small piece of land next to the Earth province because of it's fertile land, deep valleys and mysterious forests where the trees grew like giant statues out of the soil. The Luna Province was also rumoured to be home of some of the rarest mythical creatures such as unicorns, rainbow sprites and faeries, to name a few. This suited the Lunarian people just fine, being a mysterious and puzzling race themselves.
Several years after the migration, a dispute arose among the Lunarians over the rule of the province. As a consequence, some people moved up north to set up their own city under their own rule while most stayed where they were and built the great city of Thera where Serenity now dwelt, in the Southern Palace. She was the sole heir of South Luna and it's future ruler. As for Diamond, he lived in the Northern Palace and was the sole heir of North Luna, thus the root of Serenity's dilemma. It was in the best interest of the province if Serenity and Diamond were to become good friends and improve the chances of a peaceful future for the country. So, it was arranged that once every four months, Diamond made the six-day trip to Thera and spent two weeks in the company of Serenity. She dreaded every waking moment spent with him.
Ever since the first meeting when she was ten, he had succeeded in either making her cry or beating her up into a bloody pulp. In most cases he succeeded in both. In a way Diamond was responsible for Serenity becoming as tough as she was today. The very day Serenity managed to beat Diamond into a bloody pulp (She was twelve and a half), was the day he changed tactics. Instead of beating her up, he started to abuse her sexually. Nothing big at first, a suggestive comment here, a kiss on the cheek there, but then it slowly progressed to nasty sexual insult and if he felt cofident, a rough kiss when no one was looking. Lately, Diamond had been trying to get her to bed with him. If it wasn't for her rather impressive strength or Motoki, he probably would have gotten his way by now.
Motoki was the only person who stuck up for her when she got in trouble with Diamond or anyone else for that matter. Due to the fact that either he didn't know or didn't want to know, Serenity's father did nothing to stop the abuse. But Serenity knew that one day, Motoki would not be around to help, and when that day came, she would have to face him by herself.
Serenity was brought out of her revere by a sharp pain in her leg. She jumped in surprise and realised that three pairs of eyes were staring at her, one filled with mirth. She glowered within. Diamond had pinched her, hard. He wasn't going to get away with that.
"Have you listened to a word I've said so far Serenity?" Lady Gabrielle asked sternly.
"Pardon?"
Gabrielle sighed and rubbed her temples. "I have the most exciting news for you regarding your future and all you can say is pardon. I do wish you would pay closer attention Serenity."
A look of pure confusion crossed her face. "Pardon?"
Gabrielle placed her hands on the table and looked Serenity straight in the eye. "Your betrothal to Lord Diamond. Your father and I have decided that in the best interest of Luna, you and Diamond are to get married."
Serenity stood up abruptly. "Pardon?!!! You are surely kidding are you not? I am not to marry Lord Diamond am I?"
The look in Lady Gabrielle told of her disappointment of Serenity whereas Diamond's eyes only portrayed mirth.
"Soon enough, I'll be able to do and say what I want to you."
Serenity knew the meaning of those words now. She tore her eyes from his crystal blue ones to look at the deep blue of her father's.
"Surely not you too father? Do you not care for what I want?" Serenity pleaded.
But once again, she was betrayed and she felt as though her heart was breaking in two. Lord Yokohama looked away lest he see the sadness evident in his daughter's eyes.
"But."
Serenity took a few steps back from the table almost tripping over her upturned chair. ".what if I do not wish to marry Lord Diamond? You cannot make me do something I do not want to do."
Lady Gabrielle produces a parchment and laid it on the table. "Au contreiu. But we can. It's official." Serenity snatched the parchment and unrolled it. It was a contract declaring the betrothal of Lord Diamond and Lady Serenity. Under it was the signatures of both Lords and Ladies of Luna as well as Diamond's signature and even the King and Queen of Titan's signature. There was one space left next to Diamond's signature. Lady Gabrielle held out a quill.
"Do not try to resist Serenity. The King and Queen of Titan have already approved. We do not need you signature for this to go ahead but we would like your consent. For once, just do as we say."
Despite her resolution to never cry in front of the enemy, she started to feel tears well up in her eyes. Serenity turned to her father one more time in a desperate plea.
"Please father! Stop this! Do you not care for me at all?"
Lord Yokohama, unable to look at her, replied quietly, "Just sign it Serenity."
Serenity, completely heartbroken, gathered all the dignity she had left, and walked out of the room, silent tears coursing down her face.
"Do not let them see you cry, Do not let them see you cry, Do not let them see you cry.."
* * * * *
Pearl gently nuzzled her ear making Serenity giggle softly as she wiped away the fresh tears streaming down her face. After the scene in the Palace, Serenity went straight to her chambers stopping only for a few loaves of bread, some fruit, two flasks of water and one flask of wine from the kitchen. Then in her chambers, she packed a small bag with the food, a few tunics and breeches, two pairs of strong boots, a water-proof hooded cloak and a few other necessities such as her Katana, a couple of daggers and her magics box. Then she quickly and quietly made her way towards the stables using lots of secret passages and rarely used corridors. There was only one person she encountered during the whole escape, and that was Motoki.
* * * * * She was in the stables, putting the finishing touches on Pearl's saddle when Motoki entered carrying a bale of hay.
"Good morning Serenity. I hope you're not going riding in that dress are you?"
Serenity whirled around in surprise and Andrew instantly noticed the look of distress in her eyes.
"Are you ok Usagi-chan." Bunny. Serenity winced with anguish when he used her nickname. She did not want to leave Motoki behind but she knew she had to.
"I. I. can't stand it! I have to leave this place Motoki."
"Leave?" She noted the panic in his voice and almost cried because of it.
"Where are you going?"
Serenity sighed and lowered her head, turning back to adjusting the saddle. "They want me to marry Lord Diamond but I don't want to. Motoki, if I don't leave, they will drive me insane. I need to get out. Please understand!"
Serenity started to sob again but felt a pair of comforting hands on her shoulders. "I understand Usagi."
She turned around and embraced him tightly. "You know, you have been the brother I have always wanted." Motoki smiled.
"And you are the best sister I could possibly ever have."
Before Serenity could unleash another wave of tears, she jumped onto Pearl and was out the stable door in a flash. As she was galloping away towards the forest she chanced to look once more at the castle. It was the same big, looming house she grew up in but from that point on, it was no longer her home.
* * * * * Dispair threatened to overwhelm her again but she held it in and looked around her familiar surroundings. As a girl she came to this clearing often to be alone, and would pretend she was a Lady samurai battling a mighty fire-breathing dragon, slaying it, and saving a noble King or Queen from a foreign land.
"Oh to be a child again and not worry about such things as a woman's duty."
Serenity was never one to lose sight of a goal when she found one, even if that meant learning how to fight. Her father, whom after months of Serenity's pestering, decided to teach his young daughter to wield a Katana, a Lunarain sword. He would declare every time she threw him and took his Katana, which was often, that she should have been born male. Because not only was she a competent swordsman but also a brilliant rider and apparently, not such a bad right hook according to Motoki. She had even grown accustomed to wearing tunics and breeches.
But her dear stepmother, the Lady Gabriella, did not approve in the least of her stepdaughter's tomboyish ways. She mostly put the blame on her husband for 'letting the child run around like a wild creature' ever since Serenity's mother died when she was three. Lady Gabriella insisted that she wear kimonos, stop gallivanting about and start attending noblewomen classes to become a proper Lunarian lady.
As custom dictated in Luna, every noble woman took special lessons in the art of being a good hostess and wife. This included learning how to cook, sow, greeting people in the proper way, planning and hosting balls and gatherings, memorising the ancient manuscript of serenity and kindness, learning correct posture, grace and manners, reading and writing, the proper procedure for tea parties and the ancient ceremonies in worshiping the goddess Selene. However, becoming a good hostess and wife was not on Serenity's high list of priorities, despite the fact that she was the heir to Luna. And apart from the lessons of worship, reading and writing and lessons in Mythology and Geography that were conducted every Friday (which was her father's idea, not Lady Gabrielle's), Serenity didn't pay much attention to the lessons. The were boring, tedious and frankly, the kimonos she had to wear were hard to move in and also cut off any notion of breathing while in them. But this did not deter Lady Gabrielle from her seemingly impossible goal to make Serenity into a lady.
But of course, Serenity retaliated this goal by, at every waking opportunity, finding a nice, muddy puddle to splash in whenever she had to wear those impractical gowns. But that game quickly soured for all her stepmother would do is shake her head disapprovingly and send her to the baths. Eventually Serenity thought it easier to grin and bare her lessons and stop creating trouble. Her stepmother may be able to stamp out her wild behaviour for the time being, she could never stamp out her spirit. Serenity sighed inwardly.
At the time her father married Lady Gabriella, she was nine and now, at the young age of eighteen, Serenity already felt like her life was over before it started. By running away, she had now forsaken not only her family and friends, but her heritage and the sacred right of her father's choice in a husband, even if the husband was a chauvanistic fool.
Sighing, she closed her eyes and listened to the whispering wind. It told of adventure and excitement in far away lands. If she listened hard enough, she could almost hear the sea, beckoning her to see it's clear skies and foaming, white waves. Ever since she was a child, she longed to see the ocean and stories told to her at bedtime were not enough quench her thirst. It was her life long dream to see the sea, so that was where she was going to go. She was going to make her fortune and bring honour to herself, her family and her Province. Without that, she vowed not to return to the place of her birth.
* * * * *
Author's notes: Elequim - In Greek Mythology, Elequim was a place good people and soldiers who died in battle went when they died. Kind of like Greek heaven. I don't know if I spelt it right though. Little rough on my Mythology.
Katana - It's Japanese for sword (Auron in FF10 has one). In case nobody guessed, Luna is based on Ancient Japan. In fact, I have done the same thing for all the provinces.
~ Oreka