Chapter two: My son, My Son, My Stubborn Son.
The man groaned as the light filtered around the heavy dark crimson velvet curtains sat on his eyelids and brow. Two deep cobalt blue eyes shot open and blinked a few times then the man sat up with a lurch and squinted to take in his surroundings. Then fell back to his pillows with a grunt and rolled to the edge and off the bed miraculously not getting tangled in the black silk sheets and landing on his feet, which were bare alike his well toned upper body. He ran a hand through his silky raven black hair. He heard a knock at the door from the hall. He looked toward the door and made no attempt to dress more than the loose pants he wore.
" Yes?" the door creaked open a servant stood. He raised his eyebrows in question.
" Prince, the king would like to see you once you've dressed and eaten." The servant muttered. 'What did he want now' the Prince thought. But decided the point was moot because either way he must go and thus must find out. He sighed.
"Alright." He said and moved to the adjoined room to see if a bath was ready. He quickly took his bath, although the water was not yet heated, and dressed decently and strutted down to breakfast curiosity eating away at him. He all but gobbled down his food and snagged an apple to eat on the way. He finished the fruit just before he reached the throne room and a servant approached him took the core away for the pigs possibly then he strode into the room. As he approached his father he did an extravagant almost mocking bow to his father.
" What is your will my liege." he said his father leaned his elbow on his own thigh and his drooped head into his hand and shook his head.
" Sire?" his son said expectantly with the corners of his lips twitching up.
"My son I see you are in good humour, please rise" the prince stood the king waved away the people in audience or milling about out of the room. " My son Endymion the doctors report I shall not live long. In my confidences with Queen Serenity confirmed this as she did not contradict this assertion and with her advisors Saturn of death and Pluto of time..."
"I…" his son started but was cut off.
"Endymion, do not speak! Listen boy, I want one thing before I resign to death, the security of you and our nation, my son, you must marry!"
"I do not want that, father the all eligible women here either plot evilly to manipulate me for power and wealth or have heads as empty as a starving man's gut." He said with disgust.
" Well aren't you glad I've chosen an eligible lady that not from here." His father smirked at him.
"Whom from where in the seven bloody hells do you speak of dear father?" he growled.
" Hardly hell my dear boy, she is actually more accurately from the heavens." Seeing his son's confusion he chuckled Endymion glared "Queen Serenity's daughter Princess Serenity."
"How you get the Queen to agree to that, I thought they were too proud to consort with Earthlings!" he said bitterly. However he was truly stunned it was well known that the Princess while well educated and said to be extraordinarily beautiful and strong like her mother, had not been allowed out of the space controlled by the moon kingdom alliance. Her mother was said to be fiercely protective of the girl and loved her dearly. He himself had not seen her, not many visitors outside the alliance were allowed on the moon although they hosted numerous political banquets. For the last few years Princess Serenity had been running many of the diplomatic discussion that took place on the Moon as well as mediating disputes between the planets, although her mother still ruled the kingdom.
"It was hard to get her to acknowledge us as anything but barbarians. She was nearly outraged by my request of her daughter's hand for a peace treaty and trade treaty. You know we've been in a bit of a conflict lately that is becoming more heated, boy. I think she agreed about your necessity for a formidable bride. I also asked her as my last request. She seemed to have something in mind besides all this for she paused for a bit to think and the smiled gravely and said she would put the question to her daughter and respond by the end of a Lunarian week. But she said the she would only delegate Serenity or her future children as her heir to the kingdom unless Serenity decide to change that some time to relinquish rule to you, but I do not see that as likely they are a very dominant and proud people. But I am confident of her positive response. She wants peace and well being for her people more than anything and I am sure the princess feels the same way."
"Father…!"
"Endymion! I absolutely insist on this Serenity is absolutely the best what more could a man want from a wife beauty, kindness, strength, intelligence, power, and wealth did I mention charisma. I tire of your stalling, many of the lower princes have married at fifteen you are 24, and I shall die soon and there must be an heir for you, suspend your doubts and just comply for once for your kingdoms sake!" They glared at each other. Endymion's head bowed.
"Fine. I can do anything I have to." He hissed. And then stormed out of the room. The king sighed and slumped a bit people filed back into the room.
" I wonder if Selenity is having this much trouble. Dear gods, you think your helping the boy and what does he do but bite your head off." He muttered quietly and sighed. A servant came up a whispered in his ear. He grunted and stood up with difficulty and ambled to the communications room.
