Oh goddess! Look at the reviews I've received. I know this may not be much to some authors, but I have over 100 for 'Homicide' and over 90 for this story. After the completion of this chapter, I hope to have around 115 or more. I think you will really enjoy this one. This chapter marks the ¾ completion. There may be about 4 more chapters to go.
Thank you to Hell's Hauntress, Scorpio Night Shadow, Serentias, and Bunnicula 03, for the reviews and emails, of all my fics. I will be updating "Homicide" this week and "Love Lost" is still on hold until I get that romantic inspiration.
Enough gabbing, just READ AND REVIEW!!
{I don't own it, but Ayden, Blake, Ceron, Laribeth and all princess names are mine.}
A Tangent in the Future
By Crystaldove
Chapter 13
"Reeny, I need to talk to you. Open the door."
"What do you want Mr. Chiba?"
"Why are you being so formal with me? Are you upset or something."
"No Mr. Chiba, my mother taught me to respect my elders. I never took her lessons to heart before since I thought she was weak. But now I realize that she is the strongest person I know."
"Uh yeah, that's nice. I need to know what your mother likes…what makes her happy?"
"Shouldn't you know that already? I mean she tells everyone what she likes."
"She does…I mean well I want to see if things have changed in the future."
"No, she likes the same things there as she does here. So you have nothing to worry about…that is unless you paid her as much attention now as you do then."
Darien looked down at her and noticed a small smirk decorating her features. He recognized it as his own smirk that he used when he has bested someone.
"I don't have time for games Reeny! Your future mother is 'dating' our enemy! The enemy that destroyed your home… you have to help me get her back!"
"Why should I help you, you're only going to hurt her again!"
"If I don't get her back, you might not be born!"
"What do you mean?"
"When Serena loves someone it's forever. I have to prove myself to her so you 'will' help me. I only have Serena to lose; on the other hand you can lose…your life. Just fade into nothingness."
"THAT'S NOT TRUE! Puu would never let that happen to me. She watches the timestream. If she knew something that would happen that would cause me to vanish, she would step in!"
"Really? So if there was a problem that would prevent your birth, she would talk to Serena?"
"Yes, preserving the timeline is important to her."
"Ok, I'm going for a walk, will you be ok?"
"Luna's here, I'll be fine."
Darien walked to the nearby park to think. He reflected and analyzed what Pluto told him.
"There is more than one way to go home. The time it takes to get there depends on what direction you proceed in and obstacles can lengthen your journey…"
"Home must be Serena and there are different ways to get her back. It's up to me to figure out how to get her back. And the obstacle must be that Prince Diamond! Yes, he is in the way of getting Serena back. Who knows what lies he's been telling her and the girls aren't helping things either. I need to talk to her alone."
Darien looked at his watch and noticed it was almost 9:00, Serena should have been home for about an hour now. He decided to go visit her and confidently strode towards her home.
"So tell me something about yourself young man?"
After leaving the arcade, Ayden walked Serena home. They were on her front porch talking when the door opened revealing her father. At first he was alarmed, thinking that Darien was with her. Even though he told everyone his problem with Darien was his age, he just didn't trust him. He knew that Serena would have wanted a viable excuse and 'He just looks deceitful' wouldn't have cut it without proof.
He was surprised to see a young man with the lightest blue of hair. Hair that was so light, it appeared to be white. He was holding a conversation with his daughter and she seemed pleased with him. To the surprise of the Tsukino household, he invited him in.
"Well I'm a freshman attending T.U. majoring in Political Science."
"Going into politics son."
"Actually daddy, he is the ruler of a small nation off the coast."
"Ruler? As in a Governor?"
"No sir, I'm the prince. I'm from the small island Delia, which was under the rule of the British and recently gained our independence."
"You're a prince? Well how come you chose to come here for your college education?"
"There aren't many schools of higher education on Delia. The prior 'ruler' wanted to keep my people oppressed. Once we gained our independence, I sent our representatives to other nations to gain ideas to make our nation more productive. And I wanted to be the best I could for my people, so I decided to go away to school and T.U. is one of the best schools in this area of the world."
"Are you here alone Ayden?"
"No ma'am, my younger brother Blake came with me. He's enrolled at Azuba Tech."
"Azuba Tech, that's the best private boy's school in Tokyo! I must say I'm impressed. I'm glad my baby girl has finally found someone worth bringing home. Unlike that Darien character."
"Now Daddy, lets not bring up the unpleasant past. I'm dating Ayden now."
"Well I hope this lasts, you seem to be a very respectable young man Ayden. And you seem to care a great deal for our daughter. I hope you take good care of her."
"Oh I care for Serena a lot Mr. Tsukino. Her happiness is all that matters to me."
"I'm glad to here that."
"Well I must be going, it's getting late and we both have classes tomorrow."
"It was lovely of you to walk Serena home Ayden."
"No ma'am, Serena is the one that's lovely. It was no problem at all."
"Nonsense, you show respect for my daughter, that's all I've ever wanted for her."
"It was nice meeting both of you."
"You too dear, you and your brother must come for dinner one night."
"That's very kind of your Mrs. Tsukino, thank you."
Serena's parents walked the two youngsters to the door. Mr. Tsukino gave Ayden a hardy handshake and led his wife back inside.
"Wow…my daddy was actually nice to a guy!"
"Is that unusual?"
"He tried to kill Darien."
"Can't discount a man for taste. But enough talk about him. I really had a great time tonight."
"Me too, I don't think I've had that much fun in ages. Can I ask you something Ayden?"
"Anything."
"Why Delia?"
"Nemesis isn't a name fit for a kingdom that's no longer against the Silver Alliance. I know that some people worshiped you mother under various names…and that you too were worshiped as well. You were called Delia. So why wouldn't I name my kingdom after you."
"Oh Ayden…that's the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me."
Serena leaned in a kissed him under the light of her home. And the moon was pleased…
Darien watched all of this with the taste of hatred churning within him. How dare this wannabe prince kiss 'his' princess? But for once, he waited until they said their goodnights and Ayden walked away.
"Having fun Serenity?"
Serena turned around to see Tuxedo Mask perched up in a tree.
"What are you doing here?"
He jumped down and reverted back to Darien and strolled to her.
"I could be asking you the same question. Are you quite pleased with yourself? Forsaking your mothers' wish to gallivant with a wannabe prince!"
"Leave my mother out of this! And since when did you care about history or her wishes. I remember what you told me when I tried that angle on you…"
Flash
"Darien, why are you doing this to us? Doesn't my mothers' sacrifice mean anything to you?"
"Hey, I didn't ask to be reborn. I mean I'm glad for the chance to get back the life I was deprived by the Dark Kingdom, but I'm not Endymion anymore…at least the one you remember."
"I'm not the same either, but her wish was for us to be happy…and I'm only happy with you."
"Well sorry, your happiness isn't that important to me. Just let the past stay there; I don't want to be bond to someone as worthless as you!"
End flash
"That was one of numerous times you've hurt me. Now in your own words Darien, let the past stay there!"
"No, I was wrong. I let my pride control my thinking. I threw away everything because I didn't believe in us."
"How could you not believe in us? After all we've endured Darien! I can't believe you have the audacity to say this to me."
"You wanted me to be honest with you Serena, so now I'm telling you the truth."
"You could have told me."
"I know…"
"Serena!"
"Yes Daddy."
"I saw Ayden leave, so why are you still outside?"
"Just thinking about something…I'm coming."
Serena turned back from the house to see that Darien had vanished. She shrugged, noting that conversation was a waste of her time anyway and returned to the house.
'Not only did he walk her home, but he also met her parents! He's poisoning everyone; it's up to me to save her!'
Darien came out of the shadows and quickly retreated to his apartment.
Before Serena went to bed she called Raye and informed her of her relationship with Ayden.
"It's about time. I mean you two were too clingy to be just friends."
"We were 'that' obvious Raye?"
"Yep…just as bad as Mina when she sees Blake."
"Speaking of Mina, have you spoken to her?"
"Do I appear to have a headache? No, she hasn't called. Why do you ask?"
"She's with Blake now…I guess they haven't finished their date."
"Mina and Blake? It's about time she found a man!"
"That's not all Raye."
"What?"
"We both felt another bond form tonight."
"Who?"
"Lita and Ceron."
"Lita and who?"
"Ceron, the guardian formally known as Artemis."
"…"
"Raye?"
"…"
"Hello Raye!"
[THUNK]
Later that night, Luna watched as Darien crept in the apartment. She noticed how dejected he looked. She knew that he must have seen Serena and wished she could speak to him.
'He must have seen Serena with that 'boyfriend' of hers. I can't believe she would hurt him like this.'
Luna thought to herself, but she had to be careful. If she raised her emotions too much, Serena would pick up on what she was thinking. She padded behind Darien and was rewarded when he harshly shut his bedroom door in her face. She assumed that his confrontation with Serena, if he had one, hurt him a great deal and he wanted to be alone.
Behind the closed door of his room, Darien sat and brooded.
"Damn that protective father of hers! He is always putting his nose where it doesn't belong. I know she was coming around to me She will be mine…and 'only' mine!"
Reeny was in her room clutching her Luna P tightly in her hands. For the past few hours she was trying to talk to Sailor Pluto without any success.
"Puu please…I need to know what's going on with my parents! I need to know why I'm feeling funny. I can't tell Darien, he ignores me like daddy. And I can't go to Serena; she hates me. Not that I blame her, I've been really rotten to her."
"That is true Small Lady, but I can't divulge the future to you."
"You have to! My future is at stake!"
"Your mother always taught you to respect others, because you don't know who you need in the future. But instead of treating the one person that but up with you and your selfish, spoiled ways you treat like trash! Because of your fathers unfair deeds, the future is unknown to even me!"
"You don't know the future? No! You're the Guardian of Time and Space, how can you not know the future?"
"That is where the stereotype comes from…people assume that since I guard the gates of time, that I know all that happens in the past, present and future. YOU ARE INCORRECT! I guard the gate between the millenniums. I was born and raised in the Silver Alliance during the Silver Millennium. I was only a few years older than Princess Serenity, as were the rest of the guard. At the end of the Millennium, Queen Serenity placed me at the gate between the 10th and 20th century to guide the passage of her daughter and guard to their Terran host parents. I was in suspended animation like Luna and Artemis. I would awake for a few months at a time at the beginning of each century. Waking at a precise moment allowed me to look through the doors and see into the future to look for the birth of the princess. Once I found her, I returned to stasis and awaited the moment to be revived and to guide the capsules that Luna and Artemis were in to be brought from the moon."
"In all actuality, I am only 21. Since the princess has been born, I have been aware of her activity. I was supposed to awaken for good when she took the throne, but since the gates were breached, I now exist in this time. I used to be able to open the gate to the 30th century, but now I only see a void where the door used to be. I know no more than you about the future. Serena's pain transcends through the stream…her experiences, which have differed from your mother, have passed through the doors. That is the only thing that I don't have control over. Why do you think I never let you go through the gates? I knew your presence would have seriously altered things. The Black Moon would have never come after you, if you didn't take your mothers' crystal!"
Reeny's eyes grew wide. With the fighting ceased, she didn't think about the fact that she was the one that took the Queen's crystal. But that aroused questions in her mind.
"I thought you couldn't see into the future, how did you know?"
"Well you just admitted it…and I am attuned to your mother's energy signature and the silver crystal. I felt its energy passed me when you stole my key."
"I don't have it. I picked it up and it disappeared. That's why I came here, to get Sailor Moon's."
"Listen to yourself child. I find it fascinating that you didn't know that Sailor Moon was your mother. She always told you that only those of royal lunar blood could wield it."
"How…?"
"Once she took the throne, I was able to visit her. She would come to me when she was at a stalemate with her advisors and just to talk. I know what she would tell you about. And goodness, you look just like Serena…same name and hairstyle but you didn't know she was even related to you. I know it was a thousand years but you should have known that she was 'at least' related to you! I thought I knew who you were, but you've fooled me just like your father."
"However you feel about me or my father, you won't let Serena stay with Ayden! You are loyal to the gates, you won't let the future be changed!"
"That's where you and Darien are wrong! I am loyal to my princess and if she finds happiness with Ayden, I will not stand in her way!"
"But I vanishing, what about me? How can you be so cruel?"
"Just look in the mirror child, there you will find my reasons… I don't know what the future holds. Whoever she decides to be with, will be the man that's best for her…not for the timeline, not for future and definitely not for you!"
"I thought you loved me?"
"And I thought you were worthy of my love; I guess we both were wrong."
Pluto ended the transmission with static leaving Reeny to clutch the toy tighter to her frail body. At the gates Pluto was upset…
"That child becomes more like her father everyday! I gave Endymion the same chance that I'm giving Darien and he is doing the same thing. What could I expect, they are the same person afterall. The future as I've seen it is no more. It's just a matter of time before the past catches up with Reeny. Instead of Darien heeding my warning, he uses the child to get information. Someone needs to tell Serenity the truth."
Walking through a silver mist, Pluto appears in Ayden's' bedroom.
"We need to talk."
"By the goddess! Sailor Pluto do you wish to give me a heart attack?"
"I apologize for the intrusion, but it was urgent that I speak to you now."
"What is it? Is there something wrong with Serena?"
"No, but I admire your concern for her. Have you thought about what I told you earlier?"
"In all my lonely moments…but are you sure this is the right thing to do?"
"Endymion has used Small Lady to get information about the future from me. In her mind and the mind of others, I see all that happens in time. I guard the gates…there isn't some mirror or pool I stare into. I have to open the door and enter a century to see what is going on. The last time I was able to open the door, all I could see was a mist. But this time…the door is locked."
"Locked? That can't be possible!"
"This is why I didn't respond to Small Lady. I have been trying everything to open the gates. I've gone to the past several times thinking something was wrong with all gates, but now…I don't know."
"It's my fault. My presence here has altered time so much that you are now being punished for associating with me! I must leave here."
"You can't… Things are unstable in the dimensions…I fear if you leave, you will be lost in the 4th dimension forever."
"But your duty is at stake!"
"My duty is to my princess…so we are back to where we started from. Are you going to tell her the complete truth?"
"I will tell her only when it is necessary. Until then I will keep her in the dark."
"That is al I can ask for. No matter how you feel about this, I think she will find out. I don't need a 'mystical pool' to know that."
Friday started out normal for everyone. Serena and Amy met with the glowing Lita at school. Amy had been clued in to what was going on and she was happy for all involved. Ayden had finished his first class by the time Serena and the others started theirs. Usually he would just attend class and study in the library before meeting Serena outside of her school. This day he wasn't so lucky.
Darien had an early morning meeting with his advisor that didn't go well. His dreams and separation from Serena had left him cranky thus resulted with the decline in his schoolwork. Usually his personal problems wouldn't follow him to the university, but since he found out that his enemy was attending the same university…he was on edge. And he was about to boil…
A college freshman was seen heading towards the student center. He was dressed in gray slacks with a matching jacket and a black shirt underneath. His silvery blue hair hung above his eyes and tapered to his neck. Evidence of a 20th century hair cut (like Darien's just wilder).
As he crossed the courtyard, he was halted by an unnoticed presence.
"If it isn't the root of all evil?"
"You mustn't speak of yourself in that manner 'prince'. It could damage your already pathetic self esteem."
"So you are more than just an pretty face. You got backbone too, how quaint. Serena isn't here to protect you now."
"And I must have a cold, I don't recall smelling a rat before you made your presence known."
Darien was tired of the barbs Ayden was throwing at him…
"Why you white-haired freak…"
Darien dropped his books and picked Ayden up by his collar.
"You never change Endymion…always resulting to violence when you don't get your way!"
Darien was about to punch him when an outside force stopped his fist.
"Darien, what the hell are you doing?"
"Andrew?"
Andrew dragged Darien off to the side while gesturing for Ayden to be on his way.
"Why are you picking on Serena's friend?"
"He doesn't deserve her! He's just manipulating her!"
"Whatever Darien, but you dumped her. So she is free to spend time with whomever she pleases too."
"But he met her father!"
"The same father that chased you with his fists flying? Boy he either really hated you or really likes him."
"He's brainwashing them."
"Uh Darien, this isn't 007…there isn't a need for espionage."
"Just wait till I get my hands on him."
"Just wait until you're off campus."
"Yeah, I can ambush him near his apartment."
" I was just kidding Darien. You should leave him alone."
"Huh I thought you were on my side?"
"I am on your side. And I'm worried about you. This obsession you have is dangerous."
"Obsession? What are you talking about?"
"I've seen you watching Serena and Ayden. You broke up with her, so why are you concerned with who she is dating?"
"I can't explain."
"You're just jealous. And that's not healthy. I got class, I'll see you later."
Andrew left Darien to his brooding and hoped that he would not cause any trouble.
That afternoon Ayden met Serena, Amy and Lita at school. They were going to meet Blake, Mina, Raye and Artemis at the park for a picnic. Ayden cautiously told Serena about his confrontation with Darien. Under the circumstances she took it rather calmly.
"That obnoxious jerk! How dare he confront you on campus? It was bad enough that he was at my house after you left last night…"
"He came to your house?"
Ayden interjected. She didn't tell him about that.
"Yeah, he showed up after we kissed last night. He isn't important, so I didn't tell you. I'm sorry."
"There is no need to apologize. I was concerned with your emotion, as long as he didn't upset you…that's all that matters."
"Oh you…anyway, what happened?"
"He was accusing me of manipulating you and your family. So that's how he knew I met your father. I take it they didn't hit it off?"
"Oh there was hitting off alright…just with daddy's fist. He chased Darien down the block the only time he met him."
Ayden tried to picture the nice Mr, Tsukino chasing Darien down the block while he snickered. He then continued.
"Then Andrew showed up and stopped him from doing something stupid."
"Stupid huh? Well Andrew isn't here to save you now!"
Ayden and the girls turned to see Darien looming behind them. Several feet to the side of him was Luna. She was quite surprised to see Artemis walk up behind Lita and surprise her with a kiss. At this same time, Blake, Mina and Raye showed up.
"What do you want Darien?"
"I want my life back. I want you back in my life."
"Sorry Darien but I already have a life…with Ayden."
"He can't do to you what I can…"
"And what's that…make me cry, lower my self image or aggravate me to no end!"
The others began to snicker quietly while Raye laughed out loud.
"You know what I mean Serena."
"I would ask for enlightenment, but I was never one for history lessons."
"Tell me he was better before the dreams, love."
Darien listened to what came out of Ayden's mouth. His anger began to rise.
"How do you know about my dreams, Serena you actually told your boy-toy about my dreams!"
"First of all don't accuse her of anything. Secondly, she didn't tell me…I told her!"
The others looked bored with this. When Serena came back, she told them all that happened on Nemesis. That was one of the reasons why they approved of her involvement with Ayden.
"What do you mean 'you told her'?"
"I told her because I'm the reason why you had them. I sent those dreams to you!"
"You filthy bastard!"
Darien lunged at Ayden, ready to pummel him but was stopped by an invisible force.
"Calm down miracle grow. I can't have you hurting our princess 'again'!"
Darien was frozen to the spot, like when Raye used her charm to release an evil spirit. The person is frozen while the attack is sent. He rolled his eyes upward and noticed there wasn't the ancient script charm affixed to his head.
"Let me go Raye!"
"Nah-uh, you're as hot as a summer on Mars. Would you prefer being actually frozen? I'm sure Amy would love to do that."
The training the girls had been doing surpassed Artemis's dreams. They were as strong in their civilian forms as they were in their Senshi forms. Now in their Senshi forms, they acquired Planet Power. {AN: in the manga the girls were given planet power by Neo-Queen Serenity at the in of the R season, since this is an AU, I decided that strength training would elevate them to that level.}
"You sent me dreams where Serena would die if she was with me?"
"That's how you perceived them, I just told you to stay away from her. You were the one that broke up with her. The dreams I sent didn't suggest that."
"They didn't? I mean of course they did! All the blood and carnage…I had to break up with her."
"You could have told me why you were breaking up with me Darien. Instead you left me in the dark and treated me like trash!"
"I was confused."
"If you were so confused, then why didn't you talk about it with me. How about Raye or Mina? They are both good at deciphering dreams!"
Lita looked towards Luna, who for most of the conversation was looking at her and Artemis with disdain. Darien looked down for a minute yet never ceased his struggling.
"You're going to wear yourself out Darien; Raye's charm has only been broken by me. So answer me, why didn't you consult someone?"
"He did."
All eyes turned to Lita while she situated herself in Artemis' embrace.
"I always knew that she would reveal her true self in due time…"
"Remember what I told you Serena?"
Serena thought back for a moment. She replayed that night that Lita had told her of her advisor's past. Her eyes widen in realization.
"You knew!"
Everyone watched as Serena ran to the unsuspecting Luna and picked her up by the scruff of her neck.
"Sigil!" She screamed and Luna's crescent appeared on her brow. "You knew about those dreams…didn't you?"
"Yes."
The assembly let out a startled gasp. Luna was the most trusted of them all and she knew why her princess was suffering, and did nothing.
"He confided in you…did you advise him? Giving him advice that would benefit you, like you did with me?"
"…"
"Talk you wretched feline! I've known of your conversations with Ceron…you were never able to keep your thoughts to yourself. I didn't know you hated me that much!"
"It wasn't like that Serena, he told me about the dream and I suggested that…uh…"
"You told him to dump me. You told him to treat me like the scum of the planet. I should have known; he treated me like you did. But in both of my incarnations I would have never guessed you could be malicious. Then again, you joined Ceron's crew to make another man jealous…and he didn't want you. You did all of that for…a…man…you…loved."
A sarcastic smile appeared on Serena's face and she mentally called Artemis and Mina.
"You got Darien to dump me, in the hopes he would fall for you…cause you want him for yourself!"
In the shock that appeared on everyone's face, Raye mistakenly released the charm and freed Darien.
"That's outrageous Serena. I wouldn't chose a cat over you!"
"But I'm not just a cat Darien. I can appear in human form, just like Artemis can. Can't you see? Serena doesn't understand your needs or desires. She isn't capable of pleasing you like I can. She isn't good enough for you!"
"You know Luna, I wouldn't have made those statements while the person you are degrading is holding you by your neck." Mina interjected. "Your speech, however heartless, is a direct violation of the code you swore to. Ceron if you please…"
With the wave of his hand an ancient text appeared in his arms. He looked toward his princess and noticed she was in deep thought. And he noticed that she didn't hear a thing Luna said, if she did, she ignored it.
"There's something else…"
Flash
Luna walks in Serena's room and notice how pensive and unresponsive she is…
"What is the matter with you now Serena?"
"Nothing really. Luna, have you noticed anything funny with Darien?"
"What do you mean? Have you bored him already?"
"I'm serious Luna."
"So am I; what's wrong with him?"
"I can't put my finger on it…something is troubling him and he won't tell me. But he's growing distant, almost cold. Especially since Reeny showed up."
"I told you to leave that child alone, stop blaming all your screw-ups on her. Now I'm sure that if something were wrong, Darien would tell you. Remember you are still just a child to him…uh in age and he isn't good at opening up to people. I'll watch him to see if I notice any changes."
End flash
"After that talk we had, you left for a while Luna and came back with the most happy expression I've ever seen on you face. When I asked you, you said that the person you liked will be yours shortly…because he was ridding himself of a pest."
Serena threw Luna from her grasp and flicked her wrist causing the cat to hover.
"You went to see Darien that day. I was the pest you were talking about. And here I was assuming it was Ceron you were talking about. If I know anything about Darien…I know that he doesn't listen to advice unless it serves 'his' purpose. Why did he listen to you?"
Luna didn't answer, rather she ignored the question and Darien began to walk off. Ayden noticed this and wondered if she was ready for the complete truth. As he completed his thought, he noticed the ghostly outline of Sailor Pluto nodding her head to him.
"Serena, there is something I need to talk to you about; something I've withheld from you."
Darien heard this and saw his opportunity to get Serena back.
"See Serena, he is already lying to you. Why do you want someone like that in your life? At least my deception came from manipulation…that was from his hands."
Serena was confused by this. She thought Ayden had told her everything and in this instance, Darien was right.
"You lied to me about something Ayden?" Tears formed in her eyes and Blake saw the troubled look in his brother's face. He knew the time had come.
"Not lied…just dressed up the situation. I left out the real reason why I was banished by Endymion to Nemesis."
"I banished you in the future? If I had that knowledge now, I would do it again…"
"Serena, please understand you were in no condition to hear what truly happened. You were emotionally scarred enough and I only wanted to save you pain."
"You didn't think I could handle it…you sound like Darien now."
"Please…just listen. If you feel that I've wronged you, then I'll leave you alone. I'll return to Delia to rule my people. I hope you will forgive me."
"Remember how I told you that when I went for my meeting with the Queen, I ran into Endymion first?"
"Yes."
"Something happened before that."
Flash
"So, this Ayden character is meeting with my wife today?"
"Yes Sire, she spoke of it this morning in her chambers."
"Very good. That wife of mine is so stupid. She doesn't know that he cares for her and if she did…she would always remain faithful to me."
"Thank you sire."
"I'm glad you're on my side…"
"I'll go watch out for him."
"You wished to see me Sire?"
"Yes, Albert my boy…tell me has the Prime Minister and his family left the palace yet?"
"No sir, the Queen and his wife are discussing an expansion of the classes for the young ladies in the area. I was told they will conclude their visit by month's end."
"Splendid. So I have time for a little fun afterall."
"Fun your highness?"
"Yes, with the Minister's daughter. She is of age and very beautiful. She's also very frisky."
"How do you know of this?"
"I watched her frolic in the pool. I think it's time for me to have another accident."
"Accident Sire?"
"Oh come on Albert! You are my advisor and know nothing about me! I am known for having bouts of amnesia from time to time."
"Yes, I know of this. Terrible thing really, your highness."
"But what if an accident can be staged that conveniently causes me to lose my memory of being the King and a husband. Serenity will understand if I am attracted to or sleep with other women…since I won't have any recollection of her."
"You can't be serious sire! That can't possibly work! How will you pull it off?"
"I have inside help that will alter my medical records and I will have at least 5 months of exploring the women of my kingdom. Serenity will cry her eyes out and pay no other man any mind because she loves me that much. And when I get my memory back, I won't recall what happened during my amnesia. And everything will be back to normal."
"That sounds solid, but are you sure that would work?"
"Of course it will…I've done it before in the 20th century…"
" I faked amnesia after the battle with the Dark Kingdom."