Chapter 5
The bastard! How dare he. The bastard! It was an ongoing mantra marching through her head as she stormed down the hall towards the dining room.
After a long sleepless night of tossing and turning, Serenity awoke grumpy and unprepared for the day to come.
Once she had crawled to bed, she desperately attempted to ignore what had happened only minutes earlier and sleep. Unfortunately her attempts were all in vain. The taste and feel of him was so staggeringly clear and real, there was nothing else she could think about. It annoyed and frustrated her to no end. Whatever made him think he could just kiss her like that? Was he mad?
It appeared so.
Yet what was worse, she responded. And not just responded, but released all her pent up emotions and threw them into the kiss as well.
A great heat washed through her just at the memory.
She flushed with anger. The nerve of the man! To think he could just come into her room and demand her affections was completely preposterous. He was obviously playing with her. Mina had told her all about his reputation with women. About his seemingly "love 'em and leave 'em" rule. Apparently it was well known throughout the land.
So it was obvious this was all some dalliance on his part, some fun activity to pass the time while he was here. Yes, seduce the clueless princess; make her fall in love with him and then leave her broken-hearted. Or otherwise, make the princess fall in love with him, marry her and then overtake her kingdom. Just like with every other prince she had encountered.
Well, not this time, sorry.
She refused to fall for him: his magnetic charm and seductive facade. She refused to be taken for a fool.
"Good Morning, daughter. So good of you to join us." Her mother stated sarcastically to the angry young princess.
Serenity halted in the doorway, taking in both families sitting at the table. Of course Endymion just had to look simply delicious in his navy blue suit, sitting there with his hair fashioned in a 'just-got-out-of-bed' style, looking particularly gorgeous. The morning light seemed to agree with him but not as much as the darkness. In the daylight, he was the Sun God, Apollo, there to be noticed, to command and be obeyed. But in the darkness, he was the night's serpent, withdrawing into the shadows, and stalking within the moonlight. Hidden. Dangerous.
Her lips tingled in remembrance of his kiss and her breathing grew short. She then gritted her teeth in annoyance. The bastard! How dare he.
"No problem." She said, taking her place next to Mina and across from Endymion.
She looked everywhere but at the prince. Had she seen his smirking face, she might have been tempted to dump her breakfast over his head. It was safer for all parties present if no eye contact was made between the two heirs.
As was planned the night before, Serenity was to show the prince around the palace immediately after breakfast.
Subtle or what?
So, Serenity made it her official duty to chew and swallow as slowly as possible.
"Where have you been? Your mother looked about ready to explode." Mina whispered behind her glass.
Serenity shrugged in answer, scooping more of her breakfast into her mouth. She planned to ignore any questions that might make her snap and express her true feelings.
"I heard about your tryst last night." Mina stated, causing the young princess to choke on her food, catching the attention of the entire table.
Serenity gulped for breath, while a helpful hand across the table offered a glass of juice that she happily accepted, consuming the contents greedily searching for a way to breathe.
"WHAT?" She coughed out rather incredulously. How could she possibly know? Did he tell somebody? Why the hell would he do that? Her wide eyes made their way across the table, staring at the amused face of the young prince.
"Daughter, are you alright?" Her mother asked, looking rather concerned over Serenity's short choking fit. The whole table had their heads turned in her direction wearing worried features. A large flush tinted her entire face. How completely mortifying!
"I'm fine. Thank you." She smiled rather unsteadily, and sipped at her drink once more, only to realize her cup was in front of her, sitting beside her plate. She stared at the juice in her hand and then looked up at the prince whose eyes were focused entirely on her juice-covered lips. She licked them and his eyes shot up to hers in what looked like anger. No wait.. hunger? They stared for what seemed like hours but could only have been seconds, their gazes locked in an unknown desire. She broke eye contact and looked down. She then inhaled slowly and plastered on a fake smile handing his drink back to him.
"Thank you." She said quietly, avoiding his stare and his hands.
"Anytime." He answered in an, unless she was mistaken, rather husky tone, taking back his drink.
At the head of the table, the Queen stared uncertainly at her daughter, and then blinking away her unease, continued her conversation with the King.
"Are you alright, Serenity?" Mina asked once everyone else had seemingly forgotten about the small incident.
"I'm fine. What did you mean by 'my tryst'? Who told you?" Serenity whispered back, disbelief painting her features.
"About Ferinx?" Mina's eyebrows dipped in puzzlement, "Serenity, practically the entire kingdom knows. Well, the workers at least. It is not as if it is private information that you hate where she is. And with our visitors here? Very you."
"Well I can tell you now that it is complete-..huh? Ferinx? Wait, what?" Serenity was by now, absolutely confused. What did Ferinx have anything to do her and Endymion?
"Serenity, I understand we can not talk about this here, at the table, but you do not have to lie to me. We both know you did it." Mina whispered rather angrily, turning away. She was rather hurt that her friend would feel the need to hide information from her.
"Wait, Mina. I do not know-" Her sentence was interrupted by her mother.
"Daughter, where will you be taking Endymion first?"
Serenity blinked in astute bewilderment. Everything was going just a little too fast for her. "I-ah-."
"The gardens? You two might want to tour the gardens before the frost sets in. You know how it is this time of the year." The Queen stated, apparently oblivious to the spluttering princess.
"Well, I think -"
"The Gardens would be excellent, your majesty." Like a knight in shining armour, Endymion came to her speechlessness rescue.
"Selene. Please call me Selene, Endymion. I very much so dislike titles." She explained kindly.
"As you wish." He replied while staring somewhat smugly over at a smirking Kunzite. That stare said a thousand things, though none too definable for any nearby spectators, while across from him, Serenity sat in her chair seething.
Not only did her mother absolutely ignore her, but also this arrogant bastard answered for her to which her mother happily agreed. Not to mention that her best friend was mad at her for god knows what reason.
Add these factors together and what do you get? One miserable princess.
She reluctantly looked over at the Prince, expecting to see a smug satisfied look on his annoying face, only to find his finely chiseled features entirely unreadable. She narrowed her eyes in fury. How can he be so emotionless while I am sitting here a complete wreck? He was completely arrogant and crude and egotistical and self-centered and.and. God dammit, why the bloody hell did he kiss her anyway?
Meanwhile, in another realm of confusion was Mina. She could simply not comprehend her feelings for Kunzite. Not anymore.
Yesterday she could have said quite confidently that she held not an iota of emotion for him, but today would have made her a liar. Once she laid eyes on him, all her past memories came flooding back creating turmoil of mixed desires. Each image of their time together seemed so raw and so disturbingly vivid, that it took her breath away.
And he had not changed. Not one bit. He was still as he ever was. He still carried around the same aura of unbelievable sexiness, which evidently, was his predominant destiny. He was the exact embodiment of female desirability and that much lustful equipment, wrapped up in one package, was hard for a royal Venusian to ignore.
No matter how hard she tried.
~Flashback~
"So you're the Moon chick, huh?"
"And you, must be the observant Earth.ling."
"I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult."
"How about you try to impress me and we will decide later on what is complimentary, and what is.not."
~End flashback~
Mina blinked away the memory. She frowned in anger. It was the past. She was supposed to be over it. She was supposed to be professionally capable in situations such as these. It was her duty. She was supposed to have put it all behind her and act as if nothing ever happened.
Basically, she was just kidding herself.
'Oh Kunzite.why did you do it?'
"Endymion."
After breakfast, it was decided that as a start, the prince would accompany the princess on her daily feedings of her treasured animals. As angry as Serenity was, she appeared quite content with being surrounded by her loving pets than being alone with him as was primarily anticipated. So while she was left to talk with her mother, Endymion was left alone with his own parent.
"Father." King Damius came to a stop in front of him, keeping watch for any eavesdroppers.
"I hope you realize, now is your chance to win the princess over."
Endymion shook his head in amusement. Nothing ever changed. "Spoken like a true king."
King Damius glanced sharply at his son. "I am serious."
"Yes I know you are, father. That is what makes this all so funny."
The king ignored him and continued. "If there was ever a chance to claim this contract, it is now. You are to woo her - "
Endymion let out a humorless bark of laughter. "Woo her father? How about we hog tie her, hold a sword to her pretty little neck and force her to marry me. Lord knows, it would probably be much easier than me.wooing.her." The prince chuckled to himself and walked away, leaving his father glowering behind him. His amusement soon faded to mischievous interest when he noticed the blonde beauty standing ahead of him. Alone.
His eyes traveled down her slim form, taking in the curvy shape of her hips, right up to the golden glow of her hair. He stalked slowly up beside her and stopping just behind her, purred, "Hello Mina."
"Serenity I want you to behave yourself." The princess rolled her eyes and sighed as her mother continued. "When you two return, I want to see Endymion happy." The Queen stopped, thought and then said, "And in one piece."
Serenity smiled at seeing Endymion with one arm or one leg or any other part of his anatomy missing. To the average person this might be a morbid thought, but hell, it was funny to her.
"I want you both to return here together, smiling and I want him to at least have partial knowledge of the kingdom."
"Hey, what if he is mentally challenged?" Which I'm pretty sure he is. "I will not be able to help it if he has the memory span of a gold fish." She stated, crossing her arms over her chest defensively.
"Daughter, I did not mean literally. Just.I would like you to give him a proper tour of the castle. Not just draw him a map and leave." Damn it! Well, there goes that plan. "Do you understand?"
Serenity sighed in disappointment. "I guess."
"Good. Have fun." The princess snorted at this and walked out the door.
At her departure, she observed Mina and Endymion deep in discussion. Or so it looked. Endymion was, awfully close. Close enough to be.
Flirting with her.
Serenity stopped short, watched, and then laughed.
Of course! Of course. She thought, shaking her head in realization. Why the hell would I be the only one?
There was no ball of jealousy, which welled up in the bottom of her stomach. How could she be jealous of something that came to the prince so naturally as breathing? She thanked him and her lucky stars for being able to return back to the knowledge that this was a prince, trying to win a princess. Nothing more. Nothing less. And it was best she remember that.
She turned away deciding to let them have their little interplay. Mina was welcome to him. She was sensible enough to know that he was just there for the lust of it all, so Serenity left her to take care of it. Mina was better than her when put in these positions; kinder.subtle.physically painless.
From the corner of her eye, she noticed Kunzite, glaring in the direction of the two lovebirds. She quickly turned to leave, to have nothing to do with this situation, but then stopped. Why I get myself into these things, I do not know. She thought to herself, shaking her head in bemusement.
She sighed painfully and then walked over to him. "General Kunzite. Are you okay?" She asked kindly, settling herself beside him.
He seemed startled at her sudden appearance, shaking himself from his gloom and putting on a smile. "Of course, princess. And yourself?"
Serenity raised an eyebrow at this. "I'm fine. But then again, I was not the one wishing to kill two birds with one stone."
"I'm sorry?" He asked confused.
She gestured towards the flirting couple. "The lovebirds. If looks could kill, I am sure we would sooner be celebrating a funeral, rather than a wedding."
Kunzite smiled meekly at this. "I apologize princess. Nobody was supposed to see that. I am afraid I shall have to kill you now." He joked.
"Well I am afraid you are going to have to do better than that, for I am very observant."
All at once, pain etched its way into the general's features. It seemed as if the blood drained from his face too.
"Kunzite, are you alright?" She looked worried over his wan expression. Bloody hell, what is with this guy? She settled her hand on his upper arm, when he did not answer right away, to shake him out of his reverie.
"I am sorry Serenity. You just.I mean.I just remembered another time is all." He stated by way of apology. Putting up a brave front. Ashamed that he should let go of his emotions so publicly and in front of someone who was so close to his. initial problem.
Serenity blinked confusingly in reply. Ooo...kay. So, she just smiled, reassuring him and herself that he was not crazy, and quickly changed the subject.
"Are you sure you do not wish to join Endymion and I on our tour, Kunzite?" She asked, somewhat hopeful. It was weird, their uses of first names, as if they were old friends. For the first time, Serenity actually felt at ease with a member of the opposite sex. Probably because it was so astoundingly obvious that he held feelings for her best friend. Or because the relief she received from him not being a male trying to bed her. Not to mention, win her kingdom.
"As much as I am sure I would enjoy it, princess, I can not. I am afraid there are other duties I must attend to." He said warmly. He clearly returned her good-natured feelings. He looked up to find Mina staring at them. Something jackhammered his heart. He could not read her eyes. Perhaps he did not want to. But God, she was so beautiful. "Now, if you will please excuse me."
"Of course." Serenity smiled. He turned and left around about the same time she noticed that Endymion was left alone, and Mina was nowhere in sight.
Strange...
Kunzite walked straight towards his prince. He stopped as Endymion turned towards him. "So what was all that about?" He asked, practically seething, though keeping his anger in check.
Endymion smirked, genuinely amused. "Settle down Kunzite, somebody might think you were jealous. Besides, I could ask you the same."
"What the hell are you talking abo - Oh what? You mean the princess and I?" Endymion just stared darkly. He did not even know what he was thinking anymore. He most definitely was NOT jealous. It is just that, when he saw the princess smiling sincerely at his friend, he felt the overwhelming urge to break something.someone. He did not know what disturbed him more: The fact that he had these foreign feelings, or the sight of her slender hand on his general's damned arm. Nobody was supposed to touch her but him. "Endymion, you know where my heart is." Kunzite stated quietly.
"Well, I was just warming up my prize, as I seem to recall a certain bet in play." He retorted evenly. Inwardly, he was wondering what the hell was happening to him.
Kunzite looked down in defeat. Yes, there was that. He then glanced at Serenity who was waiting bored by the side. "You have not won yet."
Endymion also stared in her direction. His eyes darkened a shade as he stared at her luscious form. Dressed in a modest gown of lavender, she was the epitome of elegance. The sun shone behind her, giving her an ethereal glow, which finally made him understand why she was given her name. She looked absolutely angelic, as if she was not supposed to be seen by mere mortals. Forbidden. And that thought made him hungry for her. "Give me time."
As if she could sense the simultaneous stares at her she looked up. "Hey, take your time. I can wait. It is not as if I have anything better to do." She called sarcastically and then turned away in impatience.
Endymion frowned, as her statement seemed to contradict his thoughts and his own words. Kunzite chuckled cheerfully as his heart recovered slightly and then slapped his friend on the back. "Happy hunting."
The bastard! How dare he. The bastard! It was an ongoing mantra marching through her head as she stormed down the hall towards the dining room.
After a long sleepless night of tossing and turning, Serenity awoke grumpy and unprepared for the day to come.
Once she had crawled to bed, she desperately attempted to ignore what had happened only minutes earlier and sleep. Unfortunately her attempts were all in vain. The taste and feel of him was so staggeringly clear and real, there was nothing else she could think about. It annoyed and frustrated her to no end. Whatever made him think he could just kiss her like that? Was he mad?
It appeared so.
Yet what was worse, she responded. And not just responded, but released all her pent up emotions and threw them into the kiss as well.
A great heat washed through her just at the memory.
She flushed with anger. The nerve of the man! To think he could just come into her room and demand her affections was completely preposterous. He was obviously playing with her. Mina had told her all about his reputation with women. About his seemingly "love 'em and leave 'em" rule. Apparently it was well known throughout the land.
So it was obvious this was all some dalliance on his part, some fun activity to pass the time while he was here. Yes, seduce the clueless princess; make her fall in love with him and then leave her broken-hearted. Or otherwise, make the princess fall in love with him, marry her and then overtake her kingdom. Just like with every other prince she had encountered.
Well, not this time, sorry.
She refused to fall for him: his magnetic charm and seductive facade. She refused to be taken for a fool.
"Good Morning, daughter. So good of you to join us." Her mother stated sarcastically to the angry young princess.
Serenity halted in the doorway, taking in both families sitting at the table. Of course Endymion just had to look simply delicious in his navy blue suit, sitting there with his hair fashioned in a 'just-got-out-of-bed' style, looking particularly gorgeous. The morning light seemed to agree with him but not as much as the darkness. In the daylight, he was the Sun God, Apollo, there to be noticed, to command and be obeyed. But in the darkness, he was the night's serpent, withdrawing into the shadows, and stalking within the moonlight. Hidden. Dangerous.
Her lips tingled in remembrance of his kiss and her breathing grew short. She then gritted her teeth in annoyance. The bastard! How dare he.
"No problem." She said, taking her place next to Mina and across from Endymion.
She looked everywhere but at the prince. Had she seen his smirking face, she might have been tempted to dump her breakfast over his head. It was safer for all parties present if no eye contact was made between the two heirs.
As was planned the night before, Serenity was to show the prince around the palace immediately after breakfast.
Subtle or what?
So, Serenity made it her official duty to chew and swallow as slowly as possible.
"Where have you been? Your mother looked about ready to explode." Mina whispered behind her glass.
Serenity shrugged in answer, scooping more of her breakfast into her mouth. She planned to ignore any questions that might make her snap and express her true feelings.
"I heard about your tryst last night." Mina stated, causing the young princess to choke on her food, catching the attention of the entire table.
Serenity gulped for breath, while a helpful hand across the table offered a glass of juice that she happily accepted, consuming the contents greedily searching for a way to breathe.
"WHAT?" She coughed out rather incredulously. How could she possibly know? Did he tell somebody? Why the hell would he do that? Her wide eyes made their way across the table, staring at the amused face of the young prince.
"Daughter, are you alright?" Her mother asked, looking rather concerned over Serenity's short choking fit. The whole table had their heads turned in her direction wearing worried features. A large flush tinted her entire face. How completely mortifying!
"I'm fine. Thank you." She smiled rather unsteadily, and sipped at her drink once more, only to realize her cup was in front of her, sitting beside her plate. She stared at the juice in her hand and then looked up at the prince whose eyes were focused entirely on her juice-covered lips. She licked them and his eyes shot up to hers in what looked like anger. No wait.. hunger? They stared for what seemed like hours but could only have been seconds, their gazes locked in an unknown desire. She broke eye contact and looked down. She then inhaled slowly and plastered on a fake smile handing his drink back to him.
"Thank you." She said quietly, avoiding his stare and his hands.
"Anytime." He answered in an, unless she was mistaken, rather husky tone, taking back his drink.
At the head of the table, the Queen stared uncertainly at her daughter, and then blinking away her unease, continued her conversation with the King.
"Are you alright, Serenity?" Mina asked once everyone else had seemingly forgotten about the small incident.
"I'm fine. What did you mean by 'my tryst'? Who told you?" Serenity whispered back, disbelief painting her features.
"About Ferinx?" Mina's eyebrows dipped in puzzlement, "Serenity, practically the entire kingdom knows. Well, the workers at least. It is not as if it is private information that you hate where she is. And with our visitors here? Very you."
"Well I can tell you now that it is complete-..huh? Ferinx? Wait, what?" Serenity was by now, absolutely confused. What did Ferinx have anything to do her and Endymion?
"Serenity, I understand we can not talk about this here, at the table, but you do not have to lie to me. We both know you did it." Mina whispered rather angrily, turning away. She was rather hurt that her friend would feel the need to hide information from her.
"Wait, Mina. I do not know-" Her sentence was interrupted by her mother.
"Daughter, where will you be taking Endymion first?"
Serenity blinked in astute bewilderment. Everything was going just a little too fast for her. "I-ah-."
"The gardens? You two might want to tour the gardens before the frost sets in. You know how it is this time of the year." The Queen stated, apparently oblivious to the spluttering princess.
"Well, I think -"
"The Gardens would be excellent, your majesty." Like a knight in shining armour, Endymion came to her speechlessness rescue.
"Selene. Please call me Selene, Endymion. I very much so dislike titles." She explained kindly.
"As you wish." He replied while staring somewhat smugly over at a smirking Kunzite. That stare said a thousand things, though none too definable for any nearby spectators, while across from him, Serenity sat in her chair seething.
Not only did her mother absolutely ignore her, but also this arrogant bastard answered for her to which her mother happily agreed. Not to mention that her best friend was mad at her for god knows what reason.
Add these factors together and what do you get? One miserable princess.
She reluctantly looked over at the Prince, expecting to see a smug satisfied look on his annoying face, only to find his finely chiseled features entirely unreadable. She narrowed her eyes in fury. How can he be so emotionless while I am sitting here a complete wreck? He was completely arrogant and crude and egotistical and self-centered and.and. God dammit, why the bloody hell did he kiss her anyway?
Meanwhile, in another realm of confusion was Mina. She could simply not comprehend her feelings for Kunzite. Not anymore.
Yesterday she could have said quite confidently that she held not an iota of emotion for him, but today would have made her a liar. Once she laid eyes on him, all her past memories came flooding back creating turmoil of mixed desires. Each image of their time together seemed so raw and so disturbingly vivid, that it took her breath away.
And he had not changed. Not one bit. He was still as he ever was. He still carried around the same aura of unbelievable sexiness, which evidently, was his predominant destiny. He was the exact embodiment of female desirability and that much lustful equipment, wrapped up in one package, was hard for a royal Venusian to ignore.
No matter how hard she tried.
~Flashback~
"So you're the Moon chick, huh?"
"And you, must be the observant Earth.ling."
"I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult."
"How about you try to impress me and we will decide later on what is complimentary, and what is.not."
~End flashback~
Mina blinked away the memory. She frowned in anger. It was the past. She was supposed to be over it. She was supposed to be professionally capable in situations such as these. It was her duty. She was supposed to have put it all behind her and act as if nothing ever happened.
Basically, she was just kidding herself.
'Oh Kunzite.why did you do it?'
"Endymion."
After breakfast, it was decided that as a start, the prince would accompany the princess on her daily feedings of her treasured animals. As angry as Serenity was, she appeared quite content with being surrounded by her loving pets than being alone with him as was primarily anticipated. So while she was left to talk with her mother, Endymion was left alone with his own parent.
"Father." King Damius came to a stop in front of him, keeping watch for any eavesdroppers.
"I hope you realize, now is your chance to win the princess over."
Endymion shook his head in amusement. Nothing ever changed. "Spoken like a true king."
King Damius glanced sharply at his son. "I am serious."
"Yes I know you are, father. That is what makes this all so funny."
The king ignored him and continued. "If there was ever a chance to claim this contract, it is now. You are to woo her - "
Endymion let out a humorless bark of laughter. "Woo her father? How about we hog tie her, hold a sword to her pretty little neck and force her to marry me. Lord knows, it would probably be much easier than me.wooing.her." The prince chuckled to himself and walked away, leaving his father glowering behind him. His amusement soon faded to mischievous interest when he noticed the blonde beauty standing ahead of him. Alone.
His eyes traveled down her slim form, taking in the curvy shape of her hips, right up to the golden glow of her hair. He stalked slowly up beside her and stopping just behind her, purred, "Hello Mina."
"Serenity I want you to behave yourself." The princess rolled her eyes and sighed as her mother continued. "When you two return, I want to see Endymion happy." The Queen stopped, thought and then said, "And in one piece."
Serenity smiled at seeing Endymion with one arm or one leg or any other part of his anatomy missing. To the average person this might be a morbid thought, but hell, it was funny to her.
"I want you both to return here together, smiling and I want him to at least have partial knowledge of the kingdom."
"Hey, what if he is mentally challenged?" Which I'm pretty sure he is. "I will not be able to help it if he has the memory span of a gold fish." She stated, crossing her arms over her chest defensively.
"Daughter, I did not mean literally. Just.I would like you to give him a proper tour of the castle. Not just draw him a map and leave." Damn it! Well, there goes that plan. "Do you understand?"
Serenity sighed in disappointment. "I guess."
"Good. Have fun." The princess snorted at this and walked out the door.
At her departure, she observed Mina and Endymion deep in discussion. Or so it looked. Endymion was, awfully close. Close enough to be.
Flirting with her.
Serenity stopped short, watched, and then laughed.
Of course! Of course. She thought, shaking her head in realization. Why the hell would I be the only one?
There was no ball of jealousy, which welled up in the bottom of her stomach. How could she be jealous of something that came to the prince so naturally as breathing? She thanked him and her lucky stars for being able to return back to the knowledge that this was a prince, trying to win a princess. Nothing more. Nothing less. And it was best she remember that.
She turned away deciding to let them have their little interplay. Mina was welcome to him. She was sensible enough to know that he was just there for the lust of it all, so Serenity left her to take care of it. Mina was better than her when put in these positions; kinder.subtle.physically painless.
From the corner of her eye, she noticed Kunzite, glaring in the direction of the two lovebirds. She quickly turned to leave, to have nothing to do with this situation, but then stopped. Why I get myself into these things, I do not know. She thought to herself, shaking her head in bemusement.
She sighed painfully and then walked over to him. "General Kunzite. Are you okay?" She asked kindly, settling herself beside him.
He seemed startled at her sudden appearance, shaking himself from his gloom and putting on a smile. "Of course, princess. And yourself?"
Serenity raised an eyebrow at this. "I'm fine. But then again, I was not the one wishing to kill two birds with one stone."
"I'm sorry?" He asked confused.
She gestured towards the flirting couple. "The lovebirds. If looks could kill, I am sure we would sooner be celebrating a funeral, rather than a wedding."
Kunzite smiled meekly at this. "I apologize princess. Nobody was supposed to see that. I am afraid I shall have to kill you now." He joked.
"Well I am afraid you are going to have to do better than that, for I am very observant."
All at once, pain etched its way into the general's features. It seemed as if the blood drained from his face too.
"Kunzite, are you alright?" She looked worried over his wan expression. Bloody hell, what is with this guy? She settled her hand on his upper arm, when he did not answer right away, to shake him out of his reverie.
"I am sorry Serenity. You just.I mean.I just remembered another time is all." He stated by way of apology. Putting up a brave front. Ashamed that he should let go of his emotions so publicly and in front of someone who was so close to his. initial problem.
Serenity blinked confusingly in reply. Ooo...kay. So, she just smiled, reassuring him and herself that he was not crazy, and quickly changed the subject.
"Are you sure you do not wish to join Endymion and I on our tour, Kunzite?" She asked, somewhat hopeful. It was weird, their uses of first names, as if they were old friends. For the first time, Serenity actually felt at ease with a member of the opposite sex. Probably because it was so astoundingly obvious that he held feelings for her best friend. Or because the relief she received from him not being a male trying to bed her. Not to mention, win her kingdom.
"As much as I am sure I would enjoy it, princess, I can not. I am afraid there are other duties I must attend to." He said warmly. He clearly returned her good-natured feelings. He looked up to find Mina staring at them. Something jackhammered his heart. He could not read her eyes. Perhaps he did not want to. But God, she was so beautiful. "Now, if you will please excuse me."
"Of course." Serenity smiled. He turned and left around about the same time she noticed that Endymion was left alone, and Mina was nowhere in sight.
Strange...
Kunzite walked straight towards his prince. He stopped as Endymion turned towards him. "So what was all that about?" He asked, practically seething, though keeping his anger in check.
Endymion smirked, genuinely amused. "Settle down Kunzite, somebody might think you were jealous. Besides, I could ask you the same."
"What the hell are you talking abo - Oh what? You mean the princess and I?" Endymion just stared darkly. He did not even know what he was thinking anymore. He most definitely was NOT jealous. It is just that, when he saw the princess smiling sincerely at his friend, he felt the overwhelming urge to break something.someone. He did not know what disturbed him more: The fact that he had these foreign feelings, or the sight of her slender hand on his general's damned arm. Nobody was supposed to touch her but him. "Endymion, you know where my heart is." Kunzite stated quietly.
"Well, I was just warming up my prize, as I seem to recall a certain bet in play." He retorted evenly. Inwardly, he was wondering what the hell was happening to him.
Kunzite looked down in defeat. Yes, there was that. He then glanced at Serenity who was waiting bored by the side. "You have not won yet."
Endymion also stared in her direction. His eyes darkened a shade as he stared at her luscious form. Dressed in a modest gown of lavender, she was the epitome of elegance. The sun shone behind her, giving her an ethereal glow, which finally made him understand why she was given her name. She looked absolutely angelic, as if she was not supposed to be seen by mere mortals. Forbidden. And that thought made him hungry for her. "Give me time."
As if she could sense the simultaneous stares at her she looked up. "Hey, take your time. I can wait. It is not as if I have anything better to do." She called sarcastically and then turned away in impatience.
Endymion frowned, as her statement seemed to contradict his thoughts and his own words. Kunzite chuckled cheerfully as his heart recovered slightly and then slapped his friend on the back. "Happy hunting."