Chapter 4: hello!

She stood in the transporter room, not that she couldn't transport without it but it put some people at ill ease if one did so. Besides there was a crowd of people besides her self and the other princesses (who were coming for moral support) and her aids and personal attendants (her mother insisted) so it was a rather large party. Her mother entered the room and made her toward Serenity.

"I apologize for not being able to come with you I shall attend your betrothal ceremony but it is best not to leave the moon throne vacant. Serenity I know that you are worried for what your future holds. But I know you shall be able to handle every thing that comes up, I have been handing more and more of my duties to you to give you challenges and you have excelled on all accounts. I'm very proud of you, you have matured so much. You shall make an excellent Queen, I am certain you shall be able to handle everything in your path. Good bye my daughter I shall see you soon. " She kissed her daughters forehead and left. Serenity saw tears standing in her mother's eyes but no one else did.

At Earth palace/castle

Endymion, the Generals, the King and servants stood in the transporter room waiting to receive the Princess and her entourage, Endymion his tapped foot on the ground and hummed a tune which earned him a quelling glance from his father and Endymion shrugged and stopped. Then there was a flash of light and they arrived. There stood five women hidden beneath golden yellow orange, royal blue, crimson, forest green, and white finely stitched and embroidered traveling cloaks and a dozen aids and servants all cloaked in warm grey. They all pulled back their hoods and deferred their eyes ground and bowed (or curtsied as it was a mostly female assemblage). As Serenity raised her eyes her vision halted on Endymion. Endymion and Serenity starred at each other in amazement and curiosity then Serenity broke her gaze blushing lightly and approached them as the servants rushed around to organize and carry off the valises and get her aids and attendants to they're correct rooms.

"I am Princess Serenity of the moon, may I introduce Princess Minako of Venus head guardian of the moon kingdom, Princess Rei of Mars guardian and head priestess of the moon kingdom, Princess Amilia of Mercury guardian and head scholar of the moon kingdom, and Princess Litaña of Jupiter guardian and head of the domestic affairs of the moon kingdom. I am to convey apologies from my mother, Queen Serenity, she will be unable to attend until the betrothal. How do you do?" She said sincerely and curtsied deeply the other princesses curtsied as well.

"Well, thank you. Please permit me to introduce myself I am King Endymion the third and this young man is my son Prince Endymion the 4th, and these his four Generals General Malachite, General Jadeite, General Zoisite, and General Nephrite. I am honored with your presence and that of the other princesses. My household is at your service."

"Pleased to meet you King Endymion, Prince Endymion and Generals." She said and the princesses curtsied again.

"The pleasure is all mine Princess, princesses." The prince said charmingly and bowed with his generals.

" Endymion why don't you get Princess Serenity settled in you can perhaps take a tour of the garden while her room is being set up by her attendants. Generals see that the princesses of Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus are settled as well. There is a ball in your honor at seven o'clock. I hope you shall all attend." (A.N. I suck at intros, it was exceedingly boring wasn't it. I sorry I tried to hurry through it. Well… on with the story)

The king left promptly along with the Generals and Princesses. Serenity and Endymion however stayed and stared at each other for a bit. Endymion gaze swept over her body, her lips thinned. 'At least I'm wearing a cloak.' She thought tiredly. Oh how she hated that look she had got it from most men she had encountered, it was so demeaning. 'On the other hand' she thought ' I just looked him over like that myself I can hardy protest, by the gods he is gorgeous. His hair is so deep black almost as though it is darkness itself; no one on the moon had hair like that. Even Rei's hair can't quite compare. ' And his figure so graceful and fine yet strong. I had imagined someone more burly looking for an earthling king with a note of great military prowess.' Then Endymion's deep voice quite effectively came ripping tracks out from under her train of thoughts.

"Ah would you like to take a walk through the gardens." He said at a loss for what to do. He regained himself a bit and offered his arm.

" Why yes thank you Prince Endymion." She said recovering quickly, and took his arm.

"Please call me just Endymion." He said as they strolled to the gardens.

"If you call me Serenity." She said in a singsong voice.

"Deal." He said smiling. They walked for a bit in silence till she detached herself from him to smell a rose.

"So… you like flowers?" He said, his brain had made a successful departure when he saw her. She had the most beautiful face he'd ever seen and her hair was so long and golden she looked like and angel and her petite frame made her very cute. Her beauty was obviously not earthly. Now he was curious to see if the rumors of intelligence were as true, but for the life of him could not seem to come up with intelligent conversation. 'Dammit I sounded like a dolt ' you like flowers?' My God! I'm a complete idiot.'

"Yes" she said still ignoring him out of nervousness.

" Ummm I heard you are in charge of diplomatic affairs on the moon."

"Yes I am or I was." She said.

"What was it like it must have been a huge job considering the moon kingdoms influence."

" Yes, you would not believe some of the disagreements and cultural difference from planet to planet." She talked at length on this subject and conferred with him for his experiences he was quite amazed at her wealth of knowledge. A servant came out to remind that the ball was now in just an hour.

"Oh! I must go prepare for the ball."

"Please let me escort you to your room Princess. "

" Thank you, I apologize I have spoken to much, I tend to when I'm nervous." 'Gaaah I'm babbling again why did I just imply I was nervous.' He smiled 'he smiled. Good. Now what's that mean? Is he laughing at me? Does he like me!' she blushed and stared down at her shoes.

"Here we are." he said gently. She looked up blushing.

" Thank you, see you at the ball?" she said in a hopeful tone.

" I'll be looking forward to it." He said positively grinning at her.

She entered her room and flopped down on the bed ' Serenity what are you thinking. ' Her mind was being lacking coherence because of her encounter. A vision played across her mind in slide form. 'Yay Serenity meets a prince, a very very hot prince . Yay Serenity speaks to very very hot prince, go Serenity. Serenity babbles incessantly, annoying prince to no- end. Bye bye very very hot prince.' It was complete with little pictures with helpful caption boxes and arrows.' She groaned then thought of the Prince 'he seemed decent and intelligent and I found it very easy to talk to him too easy perhaps.' 'When he spoke he looked into my eyes.' 'I want to get to know him' she thought 'I like him. I think I really really like him I think. I think I really really really really really...' 'This is not good.' 'wait I'll be engaged to him in two days. That's good. I mean this is good, I think,...'

"But does he like me?" She moaned continuing her thoughts out loud and rolled over so that she could breath easy unmuffled by the bed sheets expecting to see the canopy of her bed instead seeing the four faces of her friends.

"Do you think she is okay?" Mina asked.

" She looks rather feverish…" Lita observed

"Do you want to get dressed for the ball Serenity?" Rei said raising her eyebrow innocently.

"How did your meeting with the prince go?" Ami asked.

"Ahh..." Serenity began .

"Hmm for once speechless Serenity." Rei remarked.

"Who is that you were moaning about Serenity?" Lita asked Serenity glared at her friends and then decided it was hopeless to be angry with them.

"The Prince… how can I, what would make him like me better?"

" Princess you are already are nearly perfect, anyone could love you and would love you. Don't worry just be your gorgeous and undeniably adorable self. You'll see soon, he'll love you to. " Minako said and hugged her friend

"In the meantime why don't you bathe and dress for the ball." said Ami checking the time.

"We'll help you get ready but we still have to dress ourselves, now stop worrying princess. You are so exasperating sometimes." Rei sighed

" If he ever makes you unhappy tell us we'll take care of him." Lita said rubbing her fist threateningly. Serenity smiled her friends were so good to her. Ikuko and Molly came into help Serenity while the others girls went to get ready she finished her bath and Molly and Ikuko tried to help her dry her hair quickly using massive amounts of towels then the senshi came in and Ami used her influence on water to draw it from serenity's hair. Mina and Rei picked out her dress and other accessories while Jupiter and mercury helped her fix her nails. Mina and Rei returned with a dress from their journey through her walk in closet. They helped her put on the bodice which was a bit tighter than a second skin and left her gracefully small shoulders bare skirt of the dress was of an white silk.

" Now I know why I always have Ami and Lita choose my clothing." she gasped as her friend tied the slim ribbons of the bodice.

"Ha ha ha. Now stay still we have to do your hair and make up and give you accessories." Rei demanded

"No make up." Serenity said

" A little okay" Mina insisted

"Alright " Serenity it was best to leave them to it. Her friends worked on her hair and make up. The finished she stood up and walked over to a mirror she wore a single pearl on a delicate white gold chain and small single pearls in her triple pierced ears and a pearl ring on her right index finger. Her skin glowed in the dim light and her hair shone her cheeks wore a very little pale blush and her eyelids sparkled with a stingily applied iridescent glitter. She smiled and thanked her friends and they all left for the ball. Serenity's friends were announced before her.

°0oOOo°0

Endymion stood all in black but silver edging on her jacket, positioned near the end of the stairs in the crowd of minglelers waiting impatiently to see serenity.

"Care for a drink, my prince?" a servant asked politely.

"Yes, thank you." he took it in hand and reflected on his impatience. 'I have never waited for a woman, they usually just find me.' One voice said in his mind 'But she shall be my wife.' Another argued in denial of his growing attraction. 'But that isn't the only reason is it?' said the first voice again. 'Besides her being smart, kind, and quite possibly the most beautiful woman ever created, yes.' The voice paused then gushed. 'She looked so beautiful, gods I have never seen a woman like that. Her figure was so petite, and she had such golden hair and fair skin and her eyes so large and brilliant. You might think her an artist idealistic painting or gypsy's myth. But she is real, sharp and witty. No wonder her mother kept her to herself.' He gazed toward the grand staircase with feigned indifference. 'I want her for myself.' This thought floated through his mind, the conclusion startled him, 'I've never really thought this way about anyone. I must charm her, dote on her, befriend her, and seduce her; for I can have no other after her. No other could charm my eye, mind, and heart. I must have her and I must have her love in return. Love? Have I fallen, do I love her? Yes. I never knew…' He heard her being announced as she came out to the top of the stairs.