GoddessMoonLady
Chapter 7
Disclaimers:
GML: Ok! Here's the next one out!
Darien: Just get on with it will you?
GML:rolls eyes: I don't own 'SM', Wish I did, but if Wishes were gold, I'd be rich. :shrugs: Read!
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The Sheilds' house was wondrously decorated as Ladies and Gentleman danced, laughed, and chatted. It was August third, Darien's eighteenth birthday. His mother, Gaia, had decided to throw a rather exuberant costume ball.
Darien stood, drinking punch as he watched his guests. He wasn't too interested in the party itself, but he was hoping to spot a certain beautiful figure amongst them.
He was dressed in a Dark purple Elizabethan jacket, that when buttoned looked very much like a shirt. The front was silk with a deep blue design accented with silver. He wore black breaches and black knee high boots. He looked every bit the royal Prince he was dressed as. The crown on his head finishing off the look.
Ilene swept up to Darien smiling. "Darien! Good evening, This is such a lovely party."
Darien turned and bowed politely, "Mrs. Saunders. I'm glad you approve, Mother will be pleased. Was there something you needed?" He enquired taking in the expression writing it's self over her face.
"As a matter of fact, there is. This is going to sound ridiculous, but, last week I caught Serenity with one of the books you left for Melissa! She had written some absurd letter in it, claiming you had written it and given it to her!" Ilene laughed at the outrageousness of the situation, certain that now it would be dealt with.
Darien raised an eyebrow, "And what book, would this be, Ma'am?" He enquired, trying not to laugh at the woman's stupidity.
Serenity, whom had quietly approached the pair stopped to stand behind her mother listening. "A rather... expensive Charles Dickens' novel. 'David Copperfield', I believe. The little tart refused to relinquish the book back to Melissa when she was caught." Ilene simpered.
"Ah, well, Mrs. Saunders, I believe she didn't relinquish it to Melissa because it Wasn't for Melissa. I did, indeed, give Serenity that book. I knew Melissa would have no use for such a book other then to collect dust upon the shelf and knew Serenity would enjoy it. The message on the inside cover was, indeed, from myself." Darien confirmed politely, though his eyes glittered with cold amusement. He knew from the blush that was creeping up Ilene Saunder's face, that he had just completely embarrassed her in front of the people around them whom had been listening.
"Oh! Well, that was very generous of you, Darien. Oh, dear, I believe I am being called away. Excuse me," Ilene quickly made her excuses and departed in embarrassment.
Darien's eyes followed Ilene with a pleased glint before turning back to spot Serenity in all her splendor the short distance away, giggling quietly. "Miss Serenity! Good evening! I must say, you look exquisite this eve." He greeted with a brilliant smile, stepping forward, taking her hand and kissing it.
"Good evening, Mr. Sheilds. Your home is very lovely." Serenity curtsied gently, her lips twitched up into a small smile.
"Thank you. My Mother's decorating, of course. It is rather extravagant for my tastes, I prefer the simpler beauty of the gardens, myself. Perhaps you would care for a tour?" He asked politely, smiling at her impishly.
"I would be honored, sir." She took the arm he was holding out to her with a small pleased grin. He gently steered them through the crowds and out into the gardens which were painted golden by the setting sun.
Darien escorted Serenity around the garden, smiling at her obvious awe and joy. She looked absolutely gorgeous in the costume his cousin Mina had given her. She looked every bit the Princess in the fairy tale gown.
It was sky-blue silk, with a large layered skirt, and tight bodice. The breast line was decorated in see-through white lace which wrapped around her shoulders and the back of the dress. A blue rose was sown in the center where the lace dipped to reveal the top of her breast. White silk divided the blue in the front of the bodice and continued down to the bottom of the skirt so that when she held it out the skirt looked larger then it was.
"I just can't get over how beautiful this evening is." Serenity quietly commented, smiling that rare, genuine smile.
"Indeed, Miss, but the evening is nothing compared to the company in which it is held." He grinned at her blushing cheeks. It always amazed him how she blushed when complimented. He understood of course. After spending your whole life with people that never told you, you were beautiful, of course it would be embarrassing to hear a gentleman say so.
They wandered around the gardens some more before re-entering the house. They made their way out onto a balcony over looking the garden and continued their conversation.
"Oh! This view is breathtaking!" Serenity breathed as she looked out over the large expanses of lush grass and beautiful flowers.
"Oh my... Melissa! Look!" Ramilda hissed pointing out onto the balcony where Serenity and Darien stood chatting and laughing.
Melissa turned and her eyes narrowed in jealousy. "How Dare she!" Melissa cried in outrage.
"I do declare! That Wench! Trying to steal your Gentleman! The nerve!" Beryl exclaimed.
The three were so wound up, they didn't notice James wandering up to them mischievously. "Good afternoon, Ladies." He smiles and follows their eyes as they glare at the couple on the balcony.
"They really do make an interesting couple." James smirked mentally as he muttered almost speculatively.
"What do you mean? They are not a couple!" Melissa tore her eyes from them to glare at James.
"They aren't?" James raised his eyebrows as though surprised, "I was certain they were after their little rendezvous in the old pavilion during the storm at the picnic... Must have been my mistake." He shrugged innocently, bowing, "Excuse me, Ladies." And wandered off.
Melissa stood there absolutely fuming. 'So that's where they vanished to! They were together! How dare that little Bitch! I'll see about this!'
Her eyes lit up coldly as she formed a plan of how to take Serenity out of the picture so that she could have Darien's attention all to herself. She watches them for a few minutes, waiting for an opening. When Darien left to fetch Serenity a glass of punch, Melissa stepped out onto the balcony behind her sister.
She grinned coldly and slowly approached Serenity whom had her back turned and hadn't noticed her arrival. Serenity turned just as Melissa was close enough to touch her.
Serenity cried out as Melissa grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her backwards against the railing. The momentum of the push sent Serenity reeling over the railing and off the balcony. "Aaaaaaahhhh!" Serenity screamed and grabbed onto the railing.
"Though you would steal him from me did you? You little Bitch! Darien Sheilds is mine! Now I just have to get you out of the way." Melissa forced her fingers to let go causing Serenity to fall. Serenity hit the hard ground with a jarring thud and lay still.
"What was that?"
"I heard screaming!"
"Oh my God!"
People come running to see what happened.
"Serenity! Oh God!" Melissa cried out, faking horror. "I had just come out to speak with my sister. She was leaning too far over the rail and slipped. I tried to stop her but, she fell before I could catch her!" She cried covering her eyes and pretended to cry.
"Darien! Serenity just fell over the balcony railing!" A horrified and worried Mina came rushing up to Darien's side, tears streaking her pretty face.
"What!" Darien threw down the punch and darted outside. He practically flew to her side and dropped to the ground checking her over. She was in pretty bad shape. He looked up as the local doctor joined him and started to inspect her.
"What is all the commotion about?" Ilene asked a woman in a red velvet dress and cat mask nearby, who was peering through the crowd.
"That poor child, Serenity, fell from the balcony!" The woman exclaimed trying to get a better view.
"Serenity! My baby!" Ilene shouted, turning a pasty white. She followed her husband as he started pushing his way through the crowd to get to their eldest child. The second her eyes land on Serenity's broken body she burst into tears.
"Uuuhhg.." Serenity moaned groggily as she came to while the doctor was looking her over.
"Hush, child. Just relax, I need to see how much damage was done, that was quite a fall." The doctor instructed pleasantly, then tells everyone that she'll be fine after a moment of inspection. "The fall broke her left leg, right arm, sprained her right leg, and gave her a concussion. She'll have to be on bed rest for the next month but she'll fully recover." Ilene dropped to her knees crying in relief.
Keneth knelt down and lifted Serenity gently from the ground and carried her to their carriage. Ilene left to retrieve Melissa whom was silently fuming that her plan hadn't worked. In fact it seemed to have the complete opposite effect. Now not only was Darien worried about Serenity but her parents as well!
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GML: I'm kinda trying to get this one finished and out of the way so I can focus on a few of my other fics.
Darien: So you're going to rush this?
GML: No! I'm just going to start typing two chaps at a time instead of one. That doesn't mean I'll post them both at the same time, but at least I don't have to worry about taking too long to Update.
Darien: And that isn't rushing it?
GML: Absolutely not. The Whole story (including each chap) is already completely planned. All I have to do is add the detailing and edit the chaps and... Voila! Done.
Darien: Riiiight.
GML:rolls eyes: Anyways, like it still? Don't? lol, You know what comes next.