The doors swung open silently as she walked up to where her mother sat. Next to her, on Serenity's left, sat Queen Aileen. Her silken black hair was tied back in modest braid, a few curls hanging out and pleasingly framing her face. Her piercing indigo eyes smiled at her before her slightly pink lips parted into a smile. The violet gown that adorned her petite frame accented all her features, making her glow with beauty. However, Selenity couldn't help but think how she paled in comparison to her mother. Her mother looked like a pearl, everything about her soft and delicate.

Out the corner of her eye Serenity noticed the two young boys standing next to their mother. They wore the traditional armor for the royal family with capes attached at their shoulders. The eldest was no older than ten. His ebony hair fell gracefully into his ocean blue eyes, which stood out against the pale complexion of his skin. The underside of his cape was a brilliant shade of red, signifying his rank. He smiled politely upon noticing that she had acknowledged his presence.

"Ah, there she is. Serenity dear, this is Prince Endymion of Earth." The boy took her hand and gently kissed the back of it as she curtsied. "And this is his younger brother, Prince Duo."

Prince Duo stared at her for a moment before mimicking his brother's actions, excluding the smile. He appeared to be two or so years younger than his brother yet stood nearly as tall as him. His skin was as pale as his mother's with eyes to match as well. Long chestnut hair fell to the small of his back in a neat braid, also much like his mother. His bangs fell carelessly into his eyes, hiding the mischief and curiosity burning within them. The suit of armor he wore was like his brother's, with the underside of his cape a shimmering violet.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintances." Using her childish charm Serenity smiled sweetly before turning and curtsying to the Queen. "And a pleasure to see you again your Majesty." Queen Aileen beamed at her before wrapping her arms around her in a warm embrace.

"My, she's growing up so fast Selenity. Each time I see her she's more beautiful than the last." Serenity blushed as her mother smiled. Her mother was glowing with pride.

"Soon she'll be training with the others. Serenity dear, move your bangs aside so she may see." Doing as she was told she parted her bangs so the Queen could see her forehead. "Another year and the mark will fully appear." Inwardly Serenity groaned. The month before last a golden glow had appeared on her forehead, the first stages of the royal birthmark. Her mother had been raving about it ever since. Personally, she would have rather not have had it.

"Children, why don't you go play for a while? Perhaps if you ask nicely Princess Serenity would show you around her home." Prince Endymion smiled broadly while his brother rolled his eyes. Already the young princess could see they were as different as night and day.

"We would be much obliged if you would grace us with your presence on a tour of your palace, Princess." A faint blush stained her rosy cheeks as she smiled.

"It would be my pleasure." As she walked out of the throne room Endymion fell into step beside her. Duo, however, lagged behind as he swallowed his rebellious comments for the sake of his mother. Once outside the throne room Serenity led them towards the East wing, where most of the main rooms were located.

"I hear you're going to be training to become a senshi soon, is that true?"

"Yes. My mother says it's only proper that I protect the alliance as well. Until my training is complete, Princess Minako is to lead the others." Endymion nodded, an interested look upon his face.

"Aren't you a little young to be a senshi?" Serenity had almost forgotten about Duo as his cocky comment earned a glare from his brother.

"Watch your mouth Duo."

"It's alright. Being Lunarian means I get to age faster. When I reach the age of seven, I age like a normal person would. When I turn eighteen I stop aging altogether." Endymion listened attentively, never having heard this information.

Throughout the morning Serenity was the princes' tour guide. Duo's rudeness never seemed to end as he remarked snidely to almost every word she spoke. Endymion tried his best to keep him quiet yet his efforts seemed in vain. When they were on their way to the banquet hall for lunch Duo finally went too far. They were finishing up the tour as Duo paused in front of a man's portrait.

"Who's that guy?" Serenity stopped in her tracks, not even bothering to look up to see whom he was talking about. She knew every detail of that painting by heart.

"That's my father." Duo laughed outright. The man portrayed was tall with the traditional armor upon his lean frame. He held a silver helmet under his left arm, designed only to cover his eyes and nose. His eyes were like two sapphires behind his silvery white bangs. His hair fell to his waist, neatly pulled back by a chord at the base of his neck.

"Seems kind of girly if you ask me." Endymion frowned deeply at that remark. It was then that he noticed Serenity had lowered her head, her hair hiding her face from view.

"He died sealing Chaos away into the cauldron." Both boys felt their hearts drop as her melodic voice cracked. "He died saving my mother and I."

"Princess…" Before Duo could utter another word Serenity had fled the hall, tears streaming down her cheeks. Duo stared hopelessly after her before his brother slapped him harshly upside the head.

"Smart move you idiot. How could you not have the decency to honor her father? It's only been a year since his passing and it's a very sensitive subject for her. His death devastated the Alliance." Endymion's tone was condemning as he glared at his younger brother.

"I didn't know, honest! Helios hasn't gotten that far in my history lessons yet."

"You should have known it anyway. We were at the man's funeral for Pete's sake." With that he turned and walked briskly in the direction Serenity had fled.

A/N: Yes, for those of you who are GW fans, her father is indeed Milliardo. I couldn't resist, hehe.