Title: Chronicles of the Moon: Life of the Late Queen Serenity – chapter 3

By: semper_fi

Rated: TVPG

Email: Goodnight_Spoon@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon; and no, she is not for sale on eBay. ^^

Author's Notes:

Okay, the story begins to get started in this chapter. This chapter will be kind of an intro, so that what happens in chapter four will make sense. Anyway, sorry for the slow beginning!

Before you go to the story, I want to thank NeoTori for emailing me. Your comments were very encouraging, and I enjoyed reading you fanfic, Now and Forever.

~~

Spend all your time waitin'

For that second chance

For a break that would make it okay

There's always some reason

To feel not good enough

And it's hard at the end of the day

~~

Serenity retired to her room early that night. Her head throbbed, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes burned. The lace on her dress felt itchy, and Serenity longed to take it off and climb into bed. She reached for the bell by her bedside, which would summon her personal servant, Annie, but then drew her hand back slowly.

Walking to her wardrobe, which was long and built into the wall, Serenity flung the doors open. Gown after gown, skirt after skirt, and blouse after blouse hung in neat rows. They were all white. Serenity went through the clothes quickly, then selected an airy, almost gauzy nightgown. Now came the hard part.

Setting her hands to her collar, Serenity tried to undress herself. She fumbled with the buttons on her blouse, popping three off, and couldn't get her choker off. Her skirt wouldn't slide down her hips, and her belt was tied too tight.

Serenity took a deep breath, then stared at her belt. The tassels at the end were tied together in a bow and had, over the night, become too tight. Serenity worked her fingers into the grooves between individual ribbons, and wriggled them, loosening the bonds. When they were loose enough, she pulled on them both and the belt came off. Quite pleased with herself, Serenity let the belt fall.

Reaching her hands up to her choker, Serenity fingered it for a moment, until she found the knot. Then she tugged at it, and the knot came undone. Next she tackled her blouse—it came off easily, what with the three buttons she had ripped off—and that left only her skirt and petticoats.

After five minutes of frustration, Serenity ripped the skirt off. The petticoats came off easily after that, and she sat down on her bed to undo her sandals. They proved to be simple, once she had untied them, and her veils came off quickly.

Serenity shivered in the sudden cold, and snatched her nightgown from where it lay on the floor. She slipped it over her head, put her arms through the sleeves, then turned, ready to go to bed. Her bed looked strange, she decided, and after a moment decided that she would just have to pull the covers back herself. She did so, and then climbed underneath them.

There was a knocking at the door.

"Enter," Serenity called, and hoped that it was not her parents, come to discuss wedding plans around her instead of with her. Luck, as it happens, was on Serenity's side that night.

"Good evening, Princess." Annie said cheerily. "Quite a party there was tonight; and you, the center of honor! What a privilege. Say," her brow crinkled. "Who got you ready for bed, Princess? I would've come had you bid me to do so."

"I got myself ready," Serenity replied, trying to keep pride from her voice.

"All by yourself, Princess?"

"Indeed," Serenity replied, and jumped from her bed. "Behold!" she spun in a circle, and Annie giggled.

"Oh, I don't doubt that, Princess; you've done put it on backwards."

Serenity stopped, offended, but then began to laugh along with Annie. "Have I?" she asked. "Might you show me the proper way to dress myself?"

Annie continued to laugh. "Oh, Princess, you need not trouble yourself with such trivialities!"

Annie's words distressed Serenity, and her smile faded. "Why not?" she asked quietly.

"Well," Annie paused, thinking of an answer, for it was never good to insult royalty by replying with the obvious: slovenliness. "It's a waste of your precious time, Princess."

Serenity sighed. "I was born to be a ruler; the supreme ruler of the Moon, with no one to rival my power, save my husband. I am to make important decisions, see to the stability of the Moon's economy, and the relations we are to have with our neighboring planets. How, though, am I to perform these tasks, and indeed many more, if I cannot lace my own sandals? Or mount my own horse? What kind of a leader am I then? I need to be setting an example for my subjects, and I do not want them to think of me as some delicate thing made of glass, which would break should I have to brush my own hair."

Serenity took a breath. "My life has been written out for me in golden ink since my first breath, Annie, and until now I questioned nothing, believing that should something be wrong my predecessors would have seen to it. But that is no way to think. I want to do great things, for my people and for my planet, and I do not see how I can do those things and stay within the cage of gold I have been forced into. It is time that I break free, and begin the actions that will help me to slide into my position of High Queen with ease; otherwise it will all be shambles, and I will have no one to blame but predecessors who do not listen to my prayers."

Annie was silent for a long moment, then asked softly, "What is it that you wish to do, Princess?"

"Everything." Serenity replied. "There are things that need changing, and I intend to change them. The first, however, is slavery."

"Slavery, Princess?"

Serenity nodded. "Why should they be kept as animals are? Why should they tolerate that?"

"Slaves," Annie started, "Do not tolerate anything, because they are stripped of the right. Those who still believe themselves humans are usually killed off, what with the beatings and rapes. I do not wish to speak so bluntly, Princess, but…"

"Please," Serenity broke in; "I would appreciate it if you were blunt. I weary so of having issues danced around, as they grow larger. Your honesty and openness will not be punished."

"You honor me, Princess," Annie said quietly. Then she continued, her eyes determined, although they were not permitted to meet Serenity's. "Slavery is a dirty, soulless business, but it pays well because the slaves are all undernourished, unless they are bred to work in the field or the pit."

"The pit?" Serenity asked.

Annie nodded knowingly. "The arena. As gladiators. A disgusting form of entertainment, but a popular one. Some slavers specialize in gladiators, bragging that their breeders come of the best stock, and are sure to whelp the century's greatest champion the pit has seen in years."

"These slavers," Serenity began, "They are so many that some specialize in whatnot?"

"Aye," Annie was still nodding. "Some sell studs and dams—breeders, that is. Others claim the harem as their domain, and keep only beautiful females, with the occasional, equally beautiful stud, to keep the business alive. Many think that harems are better than some other forms of slavery, because the women are mostly kept intact—their virginity, that is—until they are bought. They fetch a higher price that way, and coin is what this whole dirty business is about."

"Coin," Serenity said bitterly. Having had much of it her entire life, the young princess had never much realized that most everyone else had to earn theirs, and many were too lazy to work hard, so they turned to the slavery business for some quick money. "This is what it's all about. Coin."

"Not wholly, Princess." Annie cut in. "Some think that it is a perverse sort of dominance."

Serenity had jumped to her feet. "This must be stopped," she whispered, eyes distant. "How can I put an end to this?"

Annie sighed. She looked about to say something, then closed her mouth. She spoke a moment later. "Would that I could know the answer, but I don't."

Serenity nodded. "I need to help them, Annie. They are people, just like the rest of us, not beasts. We do not treat animals like this! I will find a way to help slaves, Annie, I will."

Annie got a determined look on her face, and it was obvious that whatever decision she had been struggling with, she had decided upon now. "I may know a way, Princess."

Serenity dropped to her knees on the bed, so that she was looking Annie in the eye. Annie tried to flinch away, but was drawn back to the quiet urgency in her Princess' eyes. "What is it, Annie?" Serenity coaxed. "Our words will be kept private, I swear it."

Annie nodded, never having doubted her Princess' integrity. "I know a young lass, Princess. A kitchen maid but a year or so younger than you. She seemed uncomfortable, what with her being new to the staff, so we invited her to stay late in the kitchen and have a drink with us.

"Well, Princess, from the way she handled spirits, you'd think she'd never had wine before in her life. The poor thing was dancing about, and then started warbling like a bird of how her brother was involved with some covert plan, in which they liberated slaves. No wonder, either, being that her cousin was kidnapped, and taken as one.

"Anyway, you need not fear that the kitchen maids would speak what they know; as much as they love gossip, they have come to love that girl more. What I've been thinking, Princess, is that if you are really serious about this—"

"I am," Serenity assured her.

Annie nodded, taking the interruption in stride, as if expecting it. "Very well, Princess. I was thinking, though, that should we be able to track down her brother and this operation of his, you may be able to offer your support in any way that they deem useful."

Serenity nodded slowly. She was silent for a moment, then met Annie's eyes again, unblinking, "When do I speak to her?"

The next day Serenity was given no time to herself at all, and servants flanked her when she attempted to find some solitude. This, she suspected, was the doing of her royal parents, who, for as much as they loved her, did not act as parents, but as King and Queen. And as such, their first priority was the success of their empire, which, at this point in time, was hinged upon her marriage to Crown-Prince Raphael of Constance.

From the moment she had opened her eyes this morning Serenity had not had a moment of rest, let alone inactivity. There were fittings, rehearsals, and luncheons to promote the wedding, as well as increase her popularity as their newly appointed Crown-Princess. And that night the feasting would continue in honor of her fifteenth birthday; she must be present for that, of course.

At this moment she was in-between activities. She had just been fitted—for the third time that day—for her wedding dress. She was not allowed to put it on until her wedding day, however; not even for the fittings. It was considered bad luck for her to do so before the wedding day.

"Good evening, Princess." Annie popped up beside her. "I have your schedule for the day. Would you like me to read it to you?"

"Yes, please." Serenity answered, pleased to see a familiar face.

"You are to head up to your chambers now, Princess, to be dressed for tonight's ball, and then, provided that you finish quickly, you will have thirty minutes before you are to make your entrance." By now they had reached Serenity's chambers, and as she opened the door for her Princess, Annie lowered her voice. "I have spoken to the girl, Princess, and she has agreed to speak with you on the condition that you not harm her or her brother."

Serenity nodded. "She has my word that I shall not."

"I anticipated your reaction as such, Princess," Annie replied, no longer afraid of being presumptuous. "And as such, I have dismissed the other servants and asked her to your chambers, so that you might discuss your plans with her as you dress."

Serenity stopped walking and looked at Annie full-on, then smiled widely. "Thank you, Annie."

"It is an honor to serve you, Princess." Annie replied.

They had barely closed the door when there came a knocking, hardly loud enough to be heard. Annie hurried over to the door and opened it just enough for a thin, tall girl to slip in. She appeared to be thirteen or fourteen years of age, but her hair was not the mousy brown that most servants—and, indeed most everyone not of noble or royal blood—sported, but was an eccentric orange, close to blonde.

"Greetings," Serenity began, then almost winced at how formal she sounded. "I'm glad that you've come," she continued, hoping to put the girl at ease.

"It's," the girl swallowed visibly, "An honor, Your Highness."

Serenity took the greeting in stride, used to servants fearing her. When the girl added nothing more, Serenity prompted, "What is your name?"

"Marie, Your Grace."

"Well, Marie, I would like to start off by assuring you that our words will remain private, and asking that you not speak of this meeting to anyone; would that I could keep my plans a secret from my royal parents, at least for a bit."

Marie nodded. "I swear, Sire, no word that is spoken in this room shall be repeated without your consent."

"Thank you." Serenity said, and Annie started to undress her. "What I wish," Serenity continued, trying not to intimidate Marie too much, "Is word of your brother's organization. What do they do? Who are members? And the like; I do not plan to harm him or anyone else, and want you to know that." Serenity was becoming excited, and had been talking quicker than was proper, but she paid this no heed.

Marie swallowed again, still standing next to the door. There was a moment of silence, then she looked up, tears in her eyes. "I promised that I wouldn't tell," she whispered. "That I blurted all in a drunken stupor frightens me; what if I have spoken of such in front of those who would use this information, and kill Le?"

"I intend to kill no one," Serenity said, disturbed. She wished to comfort Marie, but knew not how.

"Oh," Marie fluttered a hand. "I would never accuse you, Highness; I am but worrying. I do not remember ever having given away his secret, and that frightens me more. I may have spoken it a thousand times, and I do not know when, or in whose company. I have failed, and betrayed him."

"You haven't," Serenity used her sweetest voice. "In fact, you may have done him a kindness, in speaking when you did. Should this organization be as I believe it to be, I wish to aid it in any way that I can."

Marie's head shot up, and her eyes were as wide as the coin blood was spilled for. "You, Princess? This is not a pretty work."

"I care not that it is unattractive." Serenity replied. "I will not tolerate the treatment of slaves in the Moon Kingdom. I will not tolerate slaves in the Moon Kingdom. This evil treatment of our fellow beings has gone on too long, and I intend to put it to an end."

Marie's tears had dried, but she looked frightened. "I will tell you," she said, after a moment.

"Thank you."

Marie shook her head. "Thank you." She paused, so as not to cheapen her reply, then took a deep breath. "Not all those kept were born into the life. My cousin, Richard, was stolen from us one night when he was off a'hunting. He is a big lad, Richard, although he is but sixteen, and they intended to use him in the pits. When my family protested, 'accidents' began to befall them, until only me, my brother, and my grandmother still lived.

"My brother disappeared next, stolen as well. He, however, broke free, and now lives in the underground, for he has already been implanted with a Seal, marking him as kept. Should he venture out where he can be seen, even should his whiplashes not be noticed, a guard could stop him at any time and check him with their Trackers…"

"Seal?" Serenity interrupted.

Marie nodded. "A small, microchip-like device is placed into the wrists, or the back of the neck in slaves. They are forced to bare them at any time or place, so that they can be identified.

"As I was saying, my brother escaped, and he now lives in the underground. The leader there has it in mind to liberate the slaves—he was probably one himself—and they have been plotting and scheming for the last few years, freeing slaves whenever they can. I rarely see my brother anymore, what with the work he must do and the danger it would put us both in, but from what I understand of what he tells me, there is unrest in the underground.

"A woman tries to influence the leader's decisions. She does not want to merely free those enslaved, but to kill those who enslave. She has made no open move to oppose him, but people talk, Princess, and that is never a good thing in societies such as this one."

Serenity nodded slowly, taking this all in. She was dressed by now, and Annie was standing by her side, enraptured by Marie's words. Finally, Serenity spoke.

"I wish to be of help. Take me to your brother, I beg of you."

Marie looked taken aback. "I cannot, Princess, though I would if I could. He has never told me the way to the underground, just that it is a secured base no one would think of searching. And that he is safe there."

Serenity frowned, stymied. Time was not on her side, as she was expected to be in the ballroom in a matter of minutes, and there would be talk should she invite a kitchen maiden to her room on more than one occasion. "When do you plan to see your brother again, Marie?" Serenity asked.

Marie paused, then decided that she could trust Serenity. "He shall be here for your royal wedding, Princess. Dressed as a servant or squire, no doubt, but he'll be here. We're expecting him tomorrow night, well after dark, though I know not how he plans to breach the castle's security."

Serenity nodded thoughtfully. "When he comes here, please explain to him my intentions, and that I wish to speak with him in private. He can choose our meeting spot, so long as it casts suspicion on neither of us. Then wait upon me during the ball that night, after he has given you his response, and relay to me all he says. Does this sound like something you could do, Marie?"

Marie thought for a moment, head cocking to the side slightly, then gave a quick, efficient nod. "I will do as you have bade me, Princess." She curtsied. "And now, if you will forgive me my hurriedness, I must be on my way; I am needed in the kitchen, no doubt."

"You may leave," Serenity replied.

"Thank you, Princess." Marie headed for the door, hesitated, then cast one last, thankful look at Serenity. And then she hurried out the door, her sandals making a clipping sound on the marble.

Serenity turned and looked at Annie. "Well," she said. "Well. That's that."

"Aye, Princess."

The next morning Serenity woke up early, but stayed in bed. It was the day before her wedding, and it was sure to be filled to the brim. She had not seen Crown-Prince Raphael last night, besides dining at the grand table together. He was polite and courteous, and she had been the same, knowing that to cast disfavor upon herself would not be in the best interest of her planet; and doing so in front of her parents would not be in the best interest of her wellbeing.

"Tomorrow," Serenity whispered, "I will be meeting with Le." She sat upright in bed, thinking about what that meant. After a moment, Serenity slid off he side of the bed and padded over to her wardrobe. She selected an outfit, then set to dressing herself. Halfway through there came a knock at the door.

"Enter," Serenity called.

Annie scurried into he room, stopped when she saw Serenity half-clothed with her skirt on backward, then hurried over to her princess. "Good morning, Princess," Annie greeted.

"Good morning, Annie."

"I thought I'd come by early this morning and see if you needed help dressing."

Serenity nodded gratefully. "I cannot seem to get this on right," she said in exasperation.

"I could instruct you, Princess," Annie offered, and Serenity agreed.

When she was dressed, Serenity let out a moan, "Oh!" she cried in frustration. "I have not yet bathed! What was I thinking?"

Annie did not smile, although she longed to, and it was another forty minutes before Serenity was ready to leave her room. As she did so, Annie trotted beside her, reading the day's schedule.

"You've got another fitting to go through, then breakfast in the Women's Gardens. Crown-Prince Raphael of Constance will be breakfasting in the grand hall, and you are not to be anywhere near there, as it would be bad luck on your marriage. After that you're to go to another rehearsal, this one in the courtyard, as you are not to set foot in the throne room today; bad luck, you know. When that is finished there is another fitting, and then the midday meal, which shall be served a great deal later than usual, I'll wager. Your studies come after that, interspersed with fittings, and then the ball tonight. You alone are to go out, without the aid of your parents, and to mingle with the nobles," Annie rolled her eyes, although Serenity did not notice. "You are to spend precisely two hours in the ballroom, or however long it takes for you to reacquaint yourself with everyone of import, and thank them all for attending your wedding. Then you retire to bed, early if you can, and try to get a good sleep. 'Tis your wedding day, tomorrow."

Serenity slept fitfully that night, but somehow ended up oversleeping the next morning. It was forbidden to awaken a royal unless they had requested it the night before, so servants were rushing about Serenity's room, making as much noise as they could without angering her. They did not intend to be punished for a fault not their own, such as the bride's tardiness on her own wedding day.

"Good morning, Princess." Annie chirped.

"Good morning, Annie," Serenity managed. A lump of self-pity was forming in her throat, but she swallowed it and asked, "What's first?"

"Your bath, Princess," Annie spoke in a brusque voice, but her underlying tone was gentle and sympathetic. She sorrowed for her princess.

Serenity didn't move, and her thoughts seemed to stop. After a moment she realized this, and slid from her bed. She walked carefully into her grooming room, which was adjoined to her chambers, and found that a hot bath had already been drawn. Without waiting for Annie to do so, Serenity reached behind her shoulders and undid the clasps to her nightgown. It slid to the floor, and she held out her hand. A servant grasped it, and steadied the princess as she stepped into the bath water.

Serenity seemed in a daze, and noted dully how her hair floated to the top of the water, almost hiding her. Not quite, she thought sadistically. They can still find you, dolt.

Servants were surrounding her now, and she reclined slightly, lifting first one leg into the air to be scrubbed, and then the other. Flower petals and exotic shampoos were rubbed into her skin, and quite a lather was building up. Serenity could feel her hair being carefully washed—by Annie, she supposed—and longed to shut her eyes against the burning light of the torches, secured in decorative brackets along her wall.

Serenity dunked her head beneath the water, forgetting to take a breath, and ended up wheezing and hacking. As soon as the servants realized she was not in any danger, and had finished fussing over her, Serenity was allowed to exit the washing tub. Now she must stand stock still in the grooming room, without benefit of a towel; the bath scents—which would bring her good luck on her wedding night—were said to last longer when not "toweled away". And so she shivered.

When she was as dry as could be expected she was dressed. Ceremonial robes, skirts and blouses were draped upon her; complete with their bracelets, chokers and belts. Today she must not only wear a short veil to cover the lower half of her face, but one to cover her hair in the back, too. This one was heavy and made of white gold, braided into small moons of all shapes and sizes, and Serenity could almost feel it tangling with her freshly brushed and still-wet hair.

More servants flooded into the room now, as Serenity sat on a stool, and began with her make up. Serenity had rarely worn make up of any kind before, and now felt clogged and suffocated with its presence, not to mention stiff.

They started with her eyes, illuminating them until they appeared larger than usual. Swirls of lilac, silver and white danced across her face, becoming slightly darker at the base of her hair and darker still as the tendrils reached her neck. Here they became small moons, all dancing and giddy as they snaked down her arms. Serenity's wrists had not yet been unclosed with bracelets, and two full moons were drawn onto their underside with the same paintbrush that had been used on Serenity's face.

As they worked, Serenity thought. Her wedding would be in mere hours. Up until now she had been able to pretend that this would not happen, that she would not have to go through with this. Perhaps it was all some extraordinary dream? Yes! That would mean that she could wake up then, right? Wake up and see that there is no marriage, no slaves, no turmoil among the planets. But what would that mean? Did she really want to revert back to the naive girl she had been but a week ago? She thought not.

You weren't born to think, princess, Serenity thought bitterly. That's what servants are for. On any other day such an absurd thought would have brought laughter to her eyes, but at this moment they burned like coals.

It had been hours, and the make up was still being woken. It was intricate and barely visible, but shimmered grandly. Serenity had always looked forward to her wedding day as a child, but had never envisioned it like this.

A single tear began to slide down her motionless face, and Serenity allowed herself that one act of defiance, while servants cried out in horror at their handiwork being ruined. One grabbed a bit of paper and held it up to the tear, catching it, while others held Serenity's head back, lest more tears follow the first. When none did, they all breathed a sigh of relief, not a few covering their glares by turning backs on the miserable bride-to-be.

~~

Well, I hope that you all liked that! I'd like to thank all of you who have emailed me or written reviews. I'd really like some constructive criticism, though. Not that I don't appreciate kind words, but it helps me to better this fic when I know what you guys wanna read more of, or less of.

semper_fi