AN: Sorry it's been so long. I got caught up with my other fic. (I can't ignore inspiration.) Anyhoo, thank you for putting up with my nonsense. There will probably be one more chapter after this one. Hopefully, you like what I have in store.
Apollonia poured over her scrolls. Ever since she deciphered portions of the oracle's message, it was apparent that there was a threat aimed at Princess Serenity. Apollonia simply could not pinpoint when she was in the most danger, or from whom. The priestess paused as she heard the door of her chamber creak open.
"Your majesty, you seem troubled." Apollonia turned to face her queen.
"May I sit?"
"Of course your highness."
Queen Serenity sat on Apollonia's bed.
"I take it that this visit is not entirely social." Apollonia was witnessing a rarity. Queen Serenity, the icon of composure, was shaking violently.
"My daughter…I need to know everything there is about the prophecy concerning Serenity," the queen whispered.
Apollonia sighed. She spent the last eleven years trying to decode one portion of the prophecy. Despite her efforts, Apollonia still did not know exactly who was trying to destroy her beloved princess.
"The first part of the prophecy tells of intent. An entity striving for power has targeted the princess because of her beauty, innocence and strength. This being believes that Serenity id what stands between them and greatness.
"The second part reveals vices that will lead to the calamity. Someone's pride will be wounded and a child shall suffer. The desire for the Earth and the desire of the Earth will be the catalyst."
"Serenity has nothing to do with Earthen politics. How does this involve her?"
"Those are not the desires of which I speak." Apollonia cast a revealing glance at her queen.
"Endymion…all this is because of Endymion…"
"Your highness, do not pass judgments hastily. The oracle's message does not indicate that Earth or her prince have ill intentions with regard to Princess Serenity. In fact, the scrolls indicate that the love Endymion feels for your daughter is the purest ever known." Apollonia feverishly searched for the scroll that contained the aforementioned reference. Finally, she found the one for which she was looking. Apollonia handed the document to her queen.
Queen Serenity examined the writings on the scroll carefully. She rolled the scroll and put it back in its case. "You amaze me Apollonia." Queen Serenity returned the case to the young woman. "Only a person blessed by Selene could make sense of such mediocre poetry." Both the queen and the priestess laughed. Their shared joviality was cut short by the realization that the identity of the threat had not been revealed.
"If not Endymion," Queen Serenity began, "Then who?"
Apollonia could see that her queen was mentally compiling a list of who would be so brazen as to attack the heir to the Moon Kingdom. She did not need the divinations of Selene to know that Queen Serenity had no intention of leaving until this had been resolved.
"Your highness, might I suggest that we temporarily abandon this endeavor?"
"But Apollonia, this is Serenity's life --"
Apollonia nodded. "I do appreciate the gravity of this situation. However, the hour has grown late. Perhaps a new day will lend itself to fresh perspectives."
Queen Serenity attempted to rebuff her high priestess when a yawn escaped her lips. Blushing, Queen Serenity conceded to the logic of Apollonia. The two of them would reconvene the next evening. Queen Serenity hugged Apollonia and left.
Queen Serenity walked slowly through the corridors leading to her chambers. The palace was unusually quiet, even for so late. It was a welcome change from the continuous din that occupied Crystal Palace. The cool spring night air revitalized Queen Serenity's mind. She knew that Endymion was an integral part of this. The monarch tried to recall what Apollonia said.
"The desire for the Earth and the desire of the Earth…"
Queen Serenity's body was rendered immobile, as she finally understood what Apollonia was telling her. Now all that was left was to find the person in love with Endymion.
Dyanera sat at her vanity. She seemed frozen in place by her own reflection; she wasn't even blinking. This was the scene Nehelenia entered. She had come seeking advice on what to wear to the upcoming betrothal ball. There were only a couple of weeks before the engagement of her to Endymion would be formally announced. Once and for all, everyone would see that she was better than Serenity.
Nehelenia could not have been any happier with the husband that her father chose. Endymion was a wise choice for any princess. Not only was he tall, dark and extremely handsome, he was wise beyond his years. Endymion had made quite a name for himself in the intergalactic community. His cool-headed rationale had prevented at least three interplanetary wars. Endymion, at the tender age of twenty, was one of the galaxy's best diplomatic mediators. In fact, there was only one blemish on Endymion's record. Despite his abilities, he was unable to resolve Earth's internal conflicts.
Nehelenia sighed softly. She was sure that she couldn't wait until the ball. Nehelenia took another look at her guardian. Her countenance was unsettling. Dyanera's eyes were glassy. Her face was devoid of emotion. Nehelenia walked up behind Dyanera and tapped her on the shoulder. Dyanera was unresponsive. Nehelenia tapped harder. Dyanera realized that someone was attempting to get attention. Her eyes slowly shifted from left to right. She brought herself back from that place deep within. Taking a deep breath, Dyanera turned to face the intruder.
"Oh…Nehelenia. I didn't know you were here."
Nehelenia rolled her eyes. "That's an understatement if I ever heard one." Nehelenia settled herself on Dyanera's bed. "Where were you just now?"
Dyanera laughed nervously. "What do you mean? I've been here the whole time."
"No, you weren't." Nehelenia attempted to look in Dyanera's eyes. The older woman avoided eye contact with the New Moon princess. "You looked as if in a trance. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Dyanera shifted about anxiously. "What was it that you wanted? I know that you didn't come to discuss my meditation technique. Come, tell me what you need."
Nehelenia was still somewhat suspicious. She was sure that something was seriously wrong with Dyanera. Now was not the time to address it. Nehelenia had a ball for which she needed to prepare. Dyanera's psychoses would just have to wait.
"Actually, I wanted your opinion on something. The betrothal ball is coming soon."
"Is it? I hadn't realized."
"This is no time for jokes. The ball is two weeks at Crystal Palace --"
"By the goddess, whose idea was it to hold the betrothal ball there?"
"Dyanera, you know the location is randomly chosen by lottery."
Dyanera exhaled audibly. "Do the Fates perpetually smile on women named Serenity? The ball is supposed to celebrate the union of you and Endymion. I have a feeling that the almighty Queen Serenity is going to make it about her vapid offspring."
"There is nothing to worry about. Neither Serenity nor her mother can interfere this time." Nehelenia walked over to Dyanera's armoire. "And once I am Endymion's wife, the first thing I intend to do is avenge my mother's death."
"Mother, why must I attend? I'm not sure I can watch Endymion and Nehelenia walk out of my life."
"Seren, we've gone over this. It's an issue of diplomacy. Think of how it would look if you did not make an appearance." Serenity busied herself by winding her daughter's silvery locks into two buns.
"Seren, certainly you are capable of doing this yourself?"
"Of course I am mother. I just like it when you do it."
"This is ridiculous. I still don't understand why you are making me do this."
Queen Guinevere adjusted her son's collar. "We've already gone over this." She smoothed the black fabric of his tuxedo. "Endymion, please just trust me. I have your best interests at heart."
Endymion rolled his eyes. It was going to be a long evening.
Dyanera's eyes scanned the grand ballroom. The scene was eerily familiar. Dignitaries from all the planets of the Alliance were in attendance. The grandeur of the betrothal ball could only be eclipsed by the birthday celebration of Princess Serenity.
Princess Serenity. It was eleven years ago that Dyanera set her plan in motion. She saw the golden heart in Queen Guinevere's delicate grasp. Dyanera knew what it represented. Serenity and her daughter would not deny Nehelenia the happiness she deserved, the happiness that Dyanera herself could never have.
Young Serenity had the galaxy at her feet. The rulers of each planet in their solar system pledged their first-born daughters to serve as Princess Serenity's court and her guardians. Where was the loyalty to Nehelenia? It didn't take Nehelenia long to see. As the girls grew older, Dyanera fed Nehelenia's growing resentment of the Moon Kingdom and her rulers.
This was the hour Dyanera swore she'd see. Queen Serenity and her daughter would finally get their comeuppance.
Nehelenia, Serenity and Endymion were seated at a large circular table. They were not the only ones there. The heirs of every planet in their solar system, as well as some form just beyond, were at the table. In all, there were twelve young royals seated. Placed in front of each prince was a small black velvet box. Four of the boxes were empty. The other two held the promise of marriage. In front of each princess was a small empty sterling silver tray. The velvet box that was placed on the tray told not only those at the table, but the entire intergalactic community of the intended couples.
Queen Aphrodite II approached the table. Any questions of the validity of the events about to transpire were quashed. As a direct descendant of the goddess Venus, Queen Aphrodite took the institution of marriage very seriously. These unions would be binding for betrothal ceremonies were intentional. There was a great deal of planning involved. Ultimately, all arrangements had to be approved by Queen Aphrodite.
"When a man finds a wife, he finds a good thing." Queen Aphrodite winked at the young people before her. "Okay, I know you probably don't want to be here doing this."
Murmurs of agreement were heard from all around the table.
"Let me assure you that the choices made here were not accidental. Trust me when I say that none of you shall be disappointed." Queen Aphrodite waved her hand over the young men's heads. The velvet boxes vanished. Queen Aphrodite saw the look of awe in the eyes of the young adults. She never grew tired of the adoration. Queen Aphrodite then walked behind the princesses. As she passed each, Queen Aphrodite tapped their left shoulder. The physical contact caused a black velvet box to become visible on their tray.
"Four of these boxes are empty. So four of you can breathe easy. Two of you are about to embark on one of life's most beautiful journeys."
"Mother, please." Minako was embarrassed. Her mother always went too far at these ceremonies.
Queen Aphrodite nodded at her daughter. The Venusian queen snapped her fingers. The box in front of Princess Rei slowly opened. Rei held her breath until she made certain that it was empty. A second snap was heard. Nehelenia looked down as her box opened. There was neither fear nor anticipation on her face.
"We are going to be so happy together Endy--" Nehelenia looked in her box to see a flawless black jewel. "What is the meaning of this?" Nehelenia exclaimed. "I was told that I was promised to the prince of a trubled planet. I look in the box and I see this -- this…what manner of stone is this?"
"Princess Nehelenia," Queen Aphrodite began, "What you have said is true you have been promised to the prince of a troubled planet…Nemesis."
Endymion and Serenity shot surprised looks at each other.
"The stone before you is a black diamond. It is not only the symbol of Nemesis, but also the namesake of her prince. A handsome young man with shoulder length white hair and piercing blue eyes stood. There was a hint of sadness in his pale blue orbs. No one noticed that his gaze fell upon Princess Serenity. No one but Nehelenia.
"Princess Nehelenia, I pledge my life and my heart to you." Prince Diamond sat down, all the while stealing glances of Princess Serenity.
"If I am promised to Prince Diamond, who is promised to Prince Endymion?" Nehelenia asked.
The four remaining princesses looked at each other warily. Nehelenia, however, was focused on Serenity. Anyone would be more preferable than Serenity. Nehelenia was livid. It wasn't enough that she was betrothed to Prince Diamond; it seemed that her intended was one of the many who fell at the feet of Serenity. By the gods, let it be Hotaru. Let it be Ami. Anyone but Serenity.
"Your highness, I've discovered who is trying to harm Serenity."
Queen Serenity turned quickly to face Apollonia. "Who?" The queen mouthed.
"Princess Nehelenia and her guardian Dyanera."
Queen Serenity's face paled.
AN: There it is. Another chapter on the books. I have half of the ending completed. It should be up in a matter of days…hopefully. Let me know what you think. Read, review and recommend.
Until next time,
The Deadly Diva