Chapter 3 - Realization

Serenity sat flustered on a couch, her head bent to avoid anyone's gaze. Everyone around her were all engrossed in their own conversations, mostly commenting on the most recent event that had come known to everyone only a few moments ago: Princess Serenity of the Moonlight Manor was betrothed to Prince Endymion of the Terrae Lands.

She finally turned her eyes up to the man sitting across from her. Prince Endymion seemed to be having a very animated conversation with Minako, Kunzite, and Nephrite. Seeing his smile made her blush, and when he turned his eyes onto her, she looked away even more flustered.

Why am I blushing? She looked up at him again. Watching him talk to his audience made her think of their encounter at the cliff's edge and their trifle of words. And their so close encounter when she rode in front of him on his horse...She blushed again. I need to get outside. She glanced around and hoping no one would notice her abrupt exit, quickly dashed out of the sitting room and down the hall.

She made her way around corners and through doors. She was completely lost. Soon though she came out into the empty ballroom. The immense size and space comforted her. She was starting to feel claustrophobic in the halls.

She walked across the great floor. She thought of dancing among people with masks. It only made her think of her newly known betrothal. There will obviously be an engagement ball since the prince has returned. Will my parents arrive in time? Her expression became even more saddening. She thought about the time her parents threw an engagement ball when her cousin Pearl became engaged to the Lord of Imbram. It was a very important wedding, joining the lands of the Royal family with a wealthy and loyal Lord. Her cousin was so happy. Would she be that happy?

She stepped out onto the balcony and looked to the sky. The sun was still setting in the sky, but the moon already hung ominously above. She paused for a few moments, basking in the glory of its presence. The importance of the wedding was obvious to her. It would join the Lunar Lands with the Terrae Lands, the two largest kingdoms on Earth.

She watched the sun as it made it's final descent, leaving the moon to cast the light of the night sky. Why was all of this happening to her? She is forced into an arranged marriage, and her parents are lost somewhere while the Negaverse is destroying the Earth. She realized her freedom was lost, and started to weep. Her sobs could be heard echoed within the cavern of the room. Suddenly, something came down on her shoulder. The contact surprised her and she turned her head in fear to see what had touched her.

Her eyes met with concern in deep pools of ocean blue. She blushed as she realized it was the prince who had come to her rescue from her sorrows. He took his hand off her shoulder and wiped the tears off her cheek.

"Don't cry." he whispered. He pulled her to him and embraced her. Serenity took advantage of her position and started to weep again. He held her and stroked her hair, soothing her. Her quiet sobs started to subside, and all that reminded them of her tears were some-what red eyes and a sniffle or two.

"This marriage is very important, isn't it?" Serenity asked into his chest.

Endymion nodded, "Yes. With it, Earth will stand a greater chance against the Negaverse."

Serenity nodded in understanding. She brought her eyes up to his, and said with much confidence, "Then I will marry you, for the well-being of my people."

Her eyes looked so hopeful. Endymion was captivated by the shine of her unshed tears. His hands moved up her back, and slowly brought them to enclose her face. She brought her hand up and placed it over his. She closed her eyes as his lips fell over one, then the other.

She was sure he could hear her heart, it was beating so fast. She stood, waiting for the inevitable touch of his lips upon hers, but it never came. Instead, his hands fell to her shoulders and she opened her eyes.

"What about your parents?"

Serenity's eyes blurred once again with unshed tears. Were her parents safe? She now regretted being sent ahead of them. She needed them now that she was to be married. They needed to be here for that.

"I want them to be here," she managed to choke out, "I'm trying to be strong for them. But I'm worried."

Endymion started strokeing her arms in comfort, and it got rid of the chill that was creeping over Serenity. They both knew that the marriage would not happen until her parents arrived safely.

"Serenity," Endymion bagan, "I don't want you to marry me just because it's the right thing to do. I want you to marry me because you want to. Because you love me."

Serenity's eyes cleared and she looked up at him.

"I do want to. And I will love you. When I saw you on the cliffs for the first time, I saw something...something that I could fall in love with."

With those last words, Serenity laid her head upon his chest and took his hand in hers. They stood in this embrace for a moment, then Endymion pushed away from her with his hand still in hers, and began to lead her back to the crowded sitting room.