Chapter Two
Moon: The Lunar Kingdom, in the Silver Millennium
"I'm-"Serena began. Suddenly, she was cut off b a call from the palace. She started to sprint off in that direction. *Why was I even talking to him?" she wondered. *The nerve of that man, asking me who I was! As if he didn't already know!*
"Hey, wait!"
All her instincts told her to halt. It took all the power of her mind and heart to keep running. *Why* she asked herself. *I don't even know him!*
She reached the palace in a breathless flurry, her pursuer only a few meters behind. And then he disappeared.
Two lunar hours later, Queen Serenity entered her daughter's chambers
"Sere, it's time to mean the rulers of Earth."
Serena's eyes were downcast. She didn't try to plead: her mother, although the kindest woman she knew, was remarkably firm.
"I'm coming, mother," she replied, listlessly pulling on a dress.
"Why don't you wear your princess gown, Sere? You look so lovely in it," the Queen urged gently.
Serena nodded and in a flash of light and ribbons, she transformed into her gown of ivory silk.
"So that's that, I suppose," Queen Serenity said, smiling, as she exited her daughter's room. She couldn't hide the joy that rose up in her chest. The prophecy would soon be fulfilled.
King Richard and Queen Gabrielle entered the throne room in a stately, dignified manner. Richard was well over six feet, with a full head of black hair that was slowly yielding to gray and broad shoulders. Gabrielle was tireless, a slim woman full of energy that never seemed to be released. Blonde hair fell to her ankles, and her eyes were a rich green.
"Introducing King Richard and Queen Gabrielle of the Terrain Kingdom!" a page cried.
"Introducing her royal highnesses Queen Serenity and Princess Serenity of the Lunar Kingdom!" the trumpets sounded the arrival of the royal Moon family as well as the page.
After Serena walked into the throne room, focusing all her concentration on not tripping onto the marble floor, her eyes lit up with joy. All the Scouts-inner and outer, excluding Pluto- were present. She cast a curious glance at her mother, who only smiled back. "Surprise," Queen Serenity mouthed to her daughter.
The inner scouts automatically neared Princess Serenity. Ami and Mina too their places on the left side of Serena, and Rei and Lita took theirs on the right. Hotaru, Michelle, and Amara glanced at the five girls in the center of the court, who were bubbling over with suppressed excitement, and exhaled in relief.
At that moment, the trumpets sounded once more to mark the arrival of Prince Endymion and his royal guard.
Serena and Darien stared at each other in disbelief.
*it's him!* Serena thought angrily.
*it's her!* Darien mentally struck himself. *You should have known, you idiot. What if she tells her scouts, and they tell the guys...I'll never hear the end of it!*
For he had noticed the looks the guards had been giving the scouts, and they definitely were being reciprocated. *Awwww, puppy-dog eyes!* he though sarcastically. *Way to go, Darien ...this is going to be one long day.*
He glimpsed Princess Serenity once more. She has obviously noticed the chemistry between the scouts and the guards. She was puzzled... *And she looks so cute that way...* Darien shook himself. What was he thinking? This was Princess Serenity, most likely a spoiled brat, a little kid with beautiful blue eyes... *STOP IT!* He screamed internally. *No girl is going to get the better of you, especially not Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom.*
Serena stood there, as if frozen in stone. This...this was Prince Endymion? The impudent man who had created a rose out of thin air? For her? Ugh. This was very confusing.
Perhaps she has to straighten out her emotions. Sure, he was very cute- *But remember, Sere, you hate him.* *Why do I hate him?* She asked herself.
*because he told you that you were high and mighty, and he was rude and disrespectful...*
*true, but he's very handsome.*
Hmmm. This was very interesting. Maybe the girls could help her out...hey. What had happened to her scouts? They were giving the royal guards of Endymion some very suggestive looks. *Oh, great. The scouts have fallen in love with the Terrain Guards. Now what am I going to do?*
*Oh well, Serena. You're nearly seventeen, too old to be going to the scouts asking for advice over every little matter anyway. You're just going to have to figure this one out on your own...*
"Um, Mina, could I talk to you?" Serena's voice was plaintive. *I know I promised not to ask the scouts, but Mina is the Sailor Scout of love! How can I help it? Only one little question,* she told herself guiltily.
"Mmm. I don't have much time, though. I'm going for a walk with Kunzite around the palace," Mina answered dreamily. "He thinks Venus is a lovely planet."
*Oh, ick! Mina's farther gone on Kunzite than I though she was!* Serena giggled internally. I'll make it short, then. How much do you know...I mean, have you ever...well, it goes like this. I think I hate someone, but I think I kind of like him, too...so, what do you think?"
Mina was suddenly alert. "I think that's great, Serena!"
"So I don't hate him?"
"Trust me, if you have conflicting feelings, you definitely don't hate him." Mina laughed. *Far from it,* she thought. *Serena's in love!* Mina started to walk away, a smile on her face. "Got to go, Serena!"
"Oh, and one more thing, Mina. Do you know if a red rose symbolizes anything special?" Serena called after Mina.
The scout of Venus suddenly stopped short. "Where'd you hear about roses?" she asked crisply.
"Oh just some book," Serena lied uncomfortably.
"Red roses are the symbol of soul mates," Mina answered, suddenly eager to get away from Serena. "Well, see you later, Sere."
"Bye, Mina."
Mina met Kunzite in the main hall. She looked at him with hearts in her eyes, but she had to tear herself away. For a moment. "Be right back, Kunzite. I just have to tell the Queen something very important. Stay right there, will you?"
"Okay," Kunzite said, puzzled.
"Thanks." Mina gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and blushing at her forwardness, she briskly walked to the Queen's chambers.
Somebody had obviously given Serena a red rose. Just by the look in her face, you could tell, Mina thought. And not just any ordinary rose...a magic one. *Now, who could make magical roses? It sounds so unlikely...*
She stopped at the Queen's door to hastily knock.
"Who is it?" the Queen's voice was heard from within.
"Just Mina."
"'Just Mina'?" Serenity repeated, amused. "Come in, dear."
"You look a little red," the Queen commented as Mina came into her quarters.
"Oh, it's nothing."
Serenity's eyes gleamed. But she didn't continue in that direction. "There must be something very important to get the scout of Venus so on- edge," Serenity teased.
"Somebody gave Serena a red rose!" Mina blurted.
"Red roses? Aren't those the symbols of soul mates?" the Queen asked.
Mina nodded.
"And they only grow on Earth?"
Another affirmative nod from Mina.
"I am very pleased with this, my dear. Do you have any idea who gave her the rose?"
"No."
"I do. It was Prince Endymoin himself," Serenity said, watching Mina's expression turn from puzzled to disbelieving.
"She didn't seem...very happy...at the appearance of the Prince."
"You noticed? You were quite occupied with Kunzite, if I recall," Serenity replied, smiling.
Mina blushed madly. "As a scout, I always keep and eye out for the Princess."
"Well, Mina, as your Queen, I forbid you to tell anyone else of these developments. I know it sounds rather silly, but the Silver Millennium is dependent on the union of these two."
"Yes, Sere." Mina said automatically. She left the room in a daze.
Queen Serenity looked at the ceiling with a perfect look of joy on her face. "Thank Selene," she whispered.
End of Chapter Two
Moon: The Lunar Kingdom, in the Silver Millennium
"I'm-"Serena began. Suddenly, she was cut off b a call from the palace. She started to sprint off in that direction. *Why was I even talking to him?" she wondered. *The nerve of that man, asking me who I was! As if he didn't already know!*
"Hey, wait!"
All her instincts told her to halt. It took all the power of her mind and heart to keep running. *Why* she asked herself. *I don't even know him!*
She reached the palace in a breathless flurry, her pursuer only a few meters behind. And then he disappeared.
Two lunar hours later, Queen Serenity entered her daughter's chambers
"Sere, it's time to mean the rulers of Earth."
Serena's eyes were downcast. She didn't try to plead: her mother, although the kindest woman she knew, was remarkably firm.
"I'm coming, mother," she replied, listlessly pulling on a dress.
"Why don't you wear your princess gown, Sere? You look so lovely in it," the Queen urged gently.
Serena nodded and in a flash of light and ribbons, she transformed into her gown of ivory silk.
"So that's that, I suppose," Queen Serenity said, smiling, as she exited her daughter's room. She couldn't hide the joy that rose up in her chest. The prophecy would soon be fulfilled.
King Richard and Queen Gabrielle entered the throne room in a stately, dignified manner. Richard was well over six feet, with a full head of black hair that was slowly yielding to gray and broad shoulders. Gabrielle was tireless, a slim woman full of energy that never seemed to be released. Blonde hair fell to her ankles, and her eyes were a rich green.
"Introducing King Richard and Queen Gabrielle of the Terrain Kingdom!" a page cried.
"Introducing her royal highnesses Queen Serenity and Princess Serenity of the Lunar Kingdom!" the trumpets sounded the arrival of the royal Moon family as well as the page.
After Serena walked into the throne room, focusing all her concentration on not tripping onto the marble floor, her eyes lit up with joy. All the Scouts-inner and outer, excluding Pluto- were present. She cast a curious glance at her mother, who only smiled back. "Surprise," Queen Serenity mouthed to her daughter.
The inner scouts automatically neared Princess Serenity. Ami and Mina too their places on the left side of Serena, and Rei and Lita took theirs on the right. Hotaru, Michelle, and Amara glanced at the five girls in the center of the court, who were bubbling over with suppressed excitement, and exhaled in relief.
At that moment, the trumpets sounded once more to mark the arrival of Prince Endymion and his royal guard.
Serena and Darien stared at each other in disbelief.
*it's him!* Serena thought angrily.
*it's her!* Darien mentally struck himself. *You should have known, you idiot. What if she tells her scouts, and they tell the guys...I'll never hear the end of it!*
For he had noticed the looks the guards had been giving the scouts, and they definitely were being reciprocated. *Awwww, puppy-dog eyes!* he though sarcastically. *Way to go, Darien ...this is going to be one long day.*
He glimpsed Princess Serenity once more. She has obviously noticed the chemistry between the scouts and the guards. She was puzzled... *And she looks so cute that way...* Darien shook himself. What was he thinking? This was Princess Serenity, most likely a spoiled brat, a little kid with beautiful blue eyes... *STOP IT!* He screamed internally. *No girl is going to get the better of you, especially not Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom.*
Serena stood there, as if frozen in stone. This...this was Prince Endymion? The impudent man who had created a rose out of thin air? For her? Ugh. This was very confusing.
Perhaps she has to straighten out her emotions. Sure, he was very cute- *But remember, Sere, you hate him.* *Why do I hate him?* She asked herself.
*because he told you that you were high and mighty, and he was rude and disrespectful...*
*true, but he's very handsome.*
Hmmm. This was very interesting. Maybe the girls could help her out...hey. What had happened to her scouts? They were giving the royal guards of Endymion some very suggestive looks. *Oh, great. The scouts have fallen in love with the Terrain Guards. Now what am I going to do?*
*Oh well, Serena. You're nearly seventeen, too old to be going to the scouts asking for advice over every little matter anyway. You're just going to have to figure this one out on your own...*
"Um, Mina, could I talk to you?" Serena's voice was plaintive. *I know I promised not to ask the scouts, but Mina is the Sailor Scout of love! How can I help it? Only one little question,* she told herself guiltily.
"Mmm. I don't have much time, though. I'm going for a walk with Kunzite around the palace," Mina answered dreamily. "He thinks Venus is a lovely planet."
*Oh, ick! Mina's farther gone on Kunzite than I though she was!* Serena giggled internally. I'll make it short, then. How much do you know...I mean, have you ever...well, it goes like this. I think I hate someone, but I think I kind of like him, too...so, what do you think?"
Mina was suddenly alert. "I think that's great, Serena!"
"So I don't hate him?"
"Trust me, if you have conflicting feelings, you definitely don't hate him." Mina laughed. *Far from it,* she thought. *Serena's in love!* Mina started to walk away, a smile on her face. "Got to go, Serena!"
"Oh, and one more thing, Mina. Do you know if a red rose symbolizes anything special?" Serena called after Mina.
The scout of Venus suddenly stopped short. "Where'd you hear about roses?" she asked crisply.
"Oh just some book," Serena lied uncomfortably.
"Red roses are the symbol of soul mates," Mina answered, suddenly eager to get away from Serena. "Well, see you later, Sere."
"Bye, Mina."
Mina met Kunzite in the main hall. She looked at him with hearts in her eyes, but she had to tear herself away. For a moment. "Be right back, Kunzite. I just have to tell the Queen something very important. Stay right there, will you?"
"Okay," Kunzite said, puzzled.
"Thanks." Mina gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and blushing at her forwardness, she briskly walked to the Queen's chambers.
Somebody had obviously given Serena a red rose. Just by the look in her face, you could tell, Mina thought. And not just any ordinary rose...a magic one. *Now, who could make magical roses? It sounds so unlikely...*
She stopped at the Queen's door to hastily knock.
"Who is it?" the Queen's voice was heard from within.
"Just Mina."
"'Just Mina'?" Serenity repeated, amused. "Come in, dear."
"You look a little red," the Queen commented as Mina came into her quarters.
"Oh, it's nothing."
Serenity's eyes gleamed. But she didn't continue in that direction. "There must be something very important to get the scout of Venus so on- edge," Serenity teased.
"Somebody gave Serena a red rose!" Mina blurted.
"Red roses? Aren't those the symbols of soul mates?" the Queen asked.
Mina nodded.
"And they only grow on Earth?"
Another affirmative nod from Mina.
"I am very pleased with this, my dear. Do you have any idea who gave her the rose?"
"No."
"I do. It was Prince Endymoin himself," Serenity said, watching Mina's expression turn from puzzled to disbelieving.
"She didn't seem...very happy...at the appearance of the Prince."
"You noticed? You were quite occupied with Kunzite, if I recall," Serenity replied, smiling.
Mina blushed madly. "As a scout, I always keep and eye out for the Princess."
"Well, Mina, as your Queen, I forbid you to tell anyone else of these developments. I know it sounds rather silly, but the Silver Millennium is dependent on the union of these two."
"Yes, Sere." Mina said automatically. She left the room in a daze.
Queen Serenity looked at the ceiling with a perfect look of joy on her face. "Thank Selene," she whispered.
End of Chapter Two