Disclaimer:
I don't own Sailor Moon or anything related to it. Please don't sue.
Thanks to all my reviewers! =]
- Chapter 10 -
"Morning Sunshine." A cheery male voice called out.
"Stop yelling and get the hell out, Shane. And shut the fuckin' blinds."
"Someone had a late night."
"And someone's an idiot and doesn't take an obvious hint."
"Well, someone looks like shit."
"You shouldn't put yourself down like that."
"Go look in the mirror."
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Serena ran up the stairs, past her room—that was too obvious—and into the next closest room. She slumped down against the door, taking in large gulps of air, trying to catch her breath. Looking around she noticed it was a bedroom with a similar layout as hers, except it was colored with darker shades. She crossed the room, towards the balcony, and took in the view. She just stood there, against the railing, looking down at the gardens. The view of the colorful bunches of flowers, professionally placed in a manner that was pleasing to the eye, with a shimmering fountain in the middle had a relaxing effect on her. It almost looked like a painting. She was so wrapped up in the peacefulness of it all that she didn't even hear the door to the room open or see someone slip in.
When she finally did turn back, it was to the sight of a freshly showered Darien, hair damp and slightly tousled, and a black terry cloth towel hung low on his hips. His bare chest was still damp, a few water droplets still glistening. Her mind went blank and her mouth dry at the delicious sight. But then a voice broke through her lusty haze and brought her back to reality, and she began to walk towards him, menacingly, making him back up until his knees hit the edge of the bed.
"You know, this is your fault. If you're injured in any way, I'm not taking responsibility.
"What?" Darien looked completely bewildered.
"I wouldn't have to be hiding if it weren't for you!"
"How is it my fault that you're in hiding?"
"You had to lie to your family and Erent's high society. And know I'm being called upon for balls and meetings and opinions on an engagement ball. Plus I'm scheduled for gown fittings and classes that will teach me to be a proper princess! I don't need classes to teach me to be a princess. They're spreading me too thin. I don't even have time for my business. I don't have time for me! This wasn't our plan."
"Again, how is it my fault?"
Serena growled, and then lunged, having every intention of strangling him. Of course it may not have looked that way from an outsider's point of view. In fact, to an outsider's point of view it looked like they were about to ravish each other, or, in fact, already had; Serena's hair was completely disheveled and Darien was almost completely naked. And that's what it looked like to the servant who was sent to fetch His Highness for a meeting with the Queen. The servant was slightly embarrassed for walking in on such an intimate embrace, and didn't want to interrupt. But she knew she had to, for they were both needed. Staff had been running around all over the palace wondering where the soon-to-be Princess had gone to, and it was her duty, as a member of the palace staff, to let all others know that Miss Serena had been found. She cleared her throat, catching the engrossed occupants' attentions, and causing them to spring apart like two five year olds who had just been caught with their hand in the cookie jar before dinner.
"What is it?" Darien asked.
The servant curtsied before she answered, "Your Highness, Her Majesty, the Queen, would like to have a word with you. She is waiting in her study."
He gave a curt nod. "Thank you."
"And also, Miss Serena, your cousin has called on you. He asks if you would like to go into town and "see the sights" with him and Miss Rei. He awaits you in the tea room."
Serena just nodded, anything to get away.
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"What had you in such a shitty mood this morning?" Evelyn asked, as she lingered around Derek's desk.
"Plan didn't go too well last night." He frowned. "I need to think of something better. Something that will somehow let me get close to her and keep the Prince away from her, at the same time."
"Like a distraction?"
"Yeah, but what would take the Prince's attentions away from Serena?"
"What about Bernice? After all, no man seems to be able to resist her, and she's willing to sleep with anyone. Maybe she can work her magic on the Prince?"
"I think you have something."
Evelyn stood proudly, basking in the glory of just that one, tiny compliment. After all, Derek didn't hand them out to just anyone, on just any day. And she'd been trying to get into Derek's good graces—his pants and bank account too—since the first day she met him. Of course, this put her in a sort of dilemma now, too. If Derek did indeed manage to snag the much highly spoken of bitch, Serena Moon, then where would that put her? She would most likely not be with Derek, unless he decided to keep her on as a mistress. But she didn't know if she'd be happy in that position. Yes, she'd put herself into a dilemma indeed. But if Derek didn't get the Moon bitch, he'd be moody and try again and again until he finally got her, not caring about anyone else. Evelyn growled to herself once she was out of Derek's office. This was definitely a lose-lose situation. Why did he have to be so fucking infatuated? She'd just have to bring out the bigger guns. She'd make Derek hers if it was the last thing she did.
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Serena had just stepped out into the bright sunlight—with no interruption en route—when someone called out her name. She groaned. I knew it was too good to be true. She turned around to see the Queen's personal assistant, Ruth, walking towards her with quick strides.
"The Queen would like to have a word with you, also. I'm afraid Madeline must have forgotten."
Serena sighed, of course. "Right."
She wondered what this would be about now. What would the Queen need to talk to her and Darien about? But she didn't dwell on it long, for the Queen's study wasn't that far. As soon as she entered, she knew, instantly, that something was wrong. Her eyes moved from Darien's grim expression to the Queen's weary face. She wasn't sure if they had actually heard her enter, so she cleared her throat.
"Yes. Serena, dear, have a seat."
As Serena did, she looked into Darien's face, silently asking him for a clue as to what this was about. All he did was shake his head.
"Serena, I'm afraid we've had some surprising news." The queen lifted a manila envelope and handed it to Serena, who opened it and looked through its contents shocked. But how?
"I'm afraid that they were taken of your secret outing." The queen answered, correctly interpreting Serena's expression. "The photographer sent them to us first, before he sent them to a tabloid. He wants us to pay him for his silence, which we are willing to do. However, you and Darien must be married as soon as it can be arranged. Those are the terms your father and I have come to."
"B—But..."
"Yes, I've spoken to your father quite a few many times this morning, Serena. I know it's a shock, and that you probably won't get your dream wedding, but it has to be done. Both of your reputations are at stake. I think three days should be enough."
"But...This is crazy! The photographs can't be that bad!"
Darien coughed.
"Right?"
"Mother, I think Serena's just a little shocked. May I have a word with her alone?"
"Yes, but please be quick. We must start on those arrangements today."
As soon as the queen exited the room, Serena exploded.
"I told you this would blow up in our faces. And do you remember what I said I'd do to you if this exploded in our faces? Right, I'd make your life a living hell! Which I plan to do starting now. I am not going to marry you! We had no intention of marrying. This can't be happening. This just can't."
"Quite finished yet?"
Serena scowled.
"All right. I know all that. But, it's not that bad. I mean, there are worse people to get married to, right?"
Serena huffed. "Right, like who?"
"At least I'm not that Derek guy."
"Yeah I guess."
"Right, and—telephone rings—hold on a moment." Darien spoke in a muffled tone to whoever called. "Right. All right, she's right here." He turned back to Serena. "For you."
"Okay. Hello?"
"Sere? Hey, how you been?"
"Kyle! This is crazy. Please tell me this is all a bad dream."
"Sorry. But what's so crazy about it? You were planning on marrying him anyway, right?"
"Well..."
"Serena? Right?"
"Maybe in the future. But this is too soon! I know...I could just call it all off! The engagement, the wedding, everything!"
"Serena, you can't do that. You're not the only one involved. You have to think about the prince's reputation as well as yours."
She sighed. "Why do you always do that?"
"Do what?"
"Why are you always the voice of reason? Why do you always make me see sense, when no one else can?"
"Because I'm older than you and that's what older brothers do?"
"Sure. You'll be here for the wedding, right?"
"You bet."
Serena hung up and turned around to face Darien.
"Okay, so we better start planning that wedding."
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The next day, a loud screech could be heard from a gloomy looking house that had vines crawling up its walls. It radiated evil and vileness, and within it held one of the most demented people in the world: The person who screeched, also known as Derek, upon hearing the morning news began commanding his staff with a fierceness he'd never revealed before.
"This can't be happening. We'll have to put our plan into action sooner!"
"Brother, calm down. It's not the end of the world."
Derek glared.
"Okaaay...so maybe it is the end of your world. Anyway, Bernice is here."
"Great! Send her in."
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1 day before the wedding
Serena fell in a heap on the floor, glancing tiredly at all the people hustling and bustling, and then at all the decorations and arrangements set up in the middle of the garden. The queen had arranged for her to work with a wedding planner, and, for the past two days, they had planned everything, only stopping for some coffee and food, and maybe an hour or two of sleep. Now, they just had the finishing touches to take care of, but Serena couldn't do it. She was dead tired, and, now that she was down she couldn't get up. Her eyes were beginning to droop too. She couldn't control them; they wouldn't open, no matter how much she willed it. Oh well, just a few minutes. And then she leaned against the grass hedge and fell in a dream-filled sleep.
In her dream, her very own Prince Charming came to rescue her from this insane mess. He took her in his arms and carried her away, far away, and they lived happily ever after.
A/N: Okay, in my opinion this isn't that great of a chapter, and I think I can do better. But thinking and doing are two entirely different things, so this the best I can do. Um..not sure if that made much sense. Anyway, what do you think? Good? Bad? Needs improvement? Please review, and/or leave some constructive criticism. =] Also, going on vacation soon, so there may not be any more chapters for a long while.