The Rose Prince

Chapter Ten

The trouble with exploration is that is just that: exploration. As such, it is not only feasible that one may find one's self terribly, irreversibly and undeniably lost, but it is mostly and entirely certain that after rounding this many corners and walking down that many corridors...well, one will in fact be, terribly, irreversibly and undeniably lost.

Sere crossed her arms and stopped in the middle of the fiftieth hall she'd been down—it could've been the fifteenth, but as far as she was concerned it mattered little. Lost was lost and she was just that. It occurred to her that she might call out and surely someone would rush to aid her as a guest, but she did not feel secure here, for all its sheer grandeur and even for the fact that it was apparently where Endy spent much of his time. It was in no way hers and she was more than a stranger; it would not have been inaccurate to say in this world, she was an alien. Completely foreign and uncertain of how she ought to conduct herself, Sere maintained the silence as she pushed onward, supposing that maybe this hall only looked the same and was actually a different one that would lead her a different way.

"Serenity," a voice came over her shoulder as a hand landed gently on it and Sere whirled around, donning a perfect deer-in-headlights imitation that quickly dissolved with a relieved sigh.

"Setsuna," she breathed, mentally whapping herself for her ridiculous jumpiness as said woman eyed her a little questioningly.

"You feeling okay?" Setsuna's garnet eyes dared her to lie and Sere was glad she didn't have to since those same eyes, she was certain, could pinpoint said lie to the floor with lots of well-versed nails.

"Mm, yeah! I just got um, lost," the feeble answer brought Sere to looking at her feet and Setsuna rolled her eyes.

"Don't worry about it. I'm lost half the time and I've been here for years. Come on, I'll take you to your prince," Setsuna said, careful to have no edge in her voice. It was not the princess's concern, not the savior's concern, what her personal entrapments were. She stifled a derisive chuckle. They were hardly even her own concern! She paused when she heard no footsteps behind her and looked over her shoulder, quirking an eyebrow. "Problem?" Sere scurried to catch up and shook her head, following in silence.

Her prince? Serenity could only wonder if the rose prince could ever be anyone's at all.

"Setsuna?" Her voice echoed uncomfortably as they continued to walk.

"Yes, Princess?"

"You don't have to call me that," Serenity whispered.

"Would you rather me call you different?" Setsuna inquired, a probing glance sent her way.

"Serenity is fine," she replied and Setsuna nodded her understanding.

"Setsuna?" she asked again.

"Yes Princ...Serenity?" The crimson-eyed guardian corrected herself carefully.

"Thank you," Serenity smiled softly and Setsuna returned it, kinder than she had done so far.

This angel of light certainly made it impossible not to like her, one way or another, the guardian mused gently and gestured for Sere to follow her through a set of gold-gilded doors.

The first impression Sere got was one of immenseness—there was simply no other word for it. This main room of sorts seemed too large for even the castle itself to encompass and the newly dubbed 'hikari no tenshi' found herself gaping at the high and wide alabaster ceilings that contrasted with the ebony marble of the vast, reflective floor. She was very aware of the clicking of Setsuna's heeled boots on the marble as she led her across the way to a very simple but no less regal throne of matching black likeness. On it sat Endy, or Endymion as they called him here.

His chin rested unhappily on his right hand and Sere wondered at the unhappy expression, following his troubled gaze. It landed on another young man, a handsome one admittedly, tanned with what seemed to be platinum blond hair that fell well past his shoulders. He wore almost military-like attire, tailored to his broad shoulders and tapered waist, crisp, clean and very...official looking. Sere noted he looked equally as bothered as Endy and nearly ran into Setsuna who had stopped suddenly for some reason.

"But my liege, you cannot mean it," the unnamed man said, anger evident in his tone but politely checked to not go beyond tone, even as his hard ice eyes flashed. A sigh was audible as Endymion rubbed his temples.

"I've told you General, it's not a choice that is up to me. It so happens that I may regain something of my own in this path, yes, but the path must be walked whether or not I have anything to benefit from it," the bothered prince said patiently with the inflection of one in need and requirement of cooperation. The general frowned still.

"My liege..." he began but did not go beyond that and Sere noticed his hands clench at his sides as if he was fighting a war with himself. When his hands relaxed at last, it was his turn to sigh and as he turned his head, he caught Sere's curious gaze. Embarrassed at being caught staring, she averted her eyes, a soft pink blush knitting across her pale cheeks. The general arched a thoughtful brow and turned back to his prince. "Very well, if it is as you say then, my liege," he bowed and turned to exit on his heel, cape slung over one shoulder flapping with the crispness of his movement.

"General Malachite," Endymion stood from his throne now, one foot one step lower on the dais than the other. The white-haired man turned. "Your cooperation is most appreciated. It will not be forgotten, my friend." Malachite only bowed again in response but on closer inspection, one could detect the slightest upward curve of his lips. On his way to the two gilded doors she and Setsuna had just come in through, Malachite stopped to her right, making Serenity tense just slightly.

"We are grateful to you, tenshi," was all he said before sweeping out of the room like a cool evening wind.

"Sere," Endy's conflicted look dropped from him like a veil as he descended the dais completely to encircle her with his strong arms and she sighed. Maybe everything would be alright. With Endy so near she felt nothing could be quite so bad. Setsuna, for her part, let her eyes wander far from the warm embrace so as to curb the strange and unsettling pull of her own heartstrings. Some things were best left ignored and she with her crimson eyes and black, almost green hair, and knowledge of much more than any one person should have to bear alone, was wise enough to know that much. She did nothing that might disturb the pair's affection as it would have been easy to do; drop a pin, cough, just say something. No, she did none of those things.

She would let the path take its course, just as Endy had said not moments before. It was theirs to walk, and if they did not walk it, it would crush them.

"Endymion, who was that?" Serenity asked, pulling away and Endymion let his arms drop reluctantly back at his sides. He didn't know exactly what had possessed him to act so suddenly; he wasn't the type for nonchalant displays of such obvious affection, not usually. But somehow with her…with Sere...Serenity...it felt right.

"That was my head General and good friend, Malachite," Endy said and Sere nodded 'ah' as he did, noting vaguely how Setsuna seemed to be off in her own world, entirely fixated on the marble swirls in some of the walls. Endy seemed to have noticed too.

"Su?" he placed a hand on her shoulder gently and Setsuna jumped both at the sound of her long unused nickname and the simple sound of his voice being concerned...for her. Sere watched, confused and then realizing it must be a nickname felt something akin to envy sneak up in her, but she quieted it quickly. He had a nickname for her too after all, what was there to be worried about?

The anxiousness in his blue eyes, focused completely on the rose princess gave Sere a hint as to exactly what to be worried about, but she ignored it.

This was silly.

"Apologies, sire," Setsuna said automatically and then, "I forgot myself."

"What troubles you?" he asked and he asked it with such genuine compassion that Setsuna almost told him; what she'd seen, what she knew...what was to come.

But she knew her duty well, as rose princess...and something more that would be revealed in due course.

But not yet.

"I am tired," she lied to him and he did not suspect her in the least of this small treason.

"You may retire if you wish," he suggested and she nodded, slipping out of the room almost imperceptibly, but for a soft click of the two grand doors behind her.

"Endy, what is the purpose of your angel of light?" the soft voice he knew well asked and he did not miss the apprehension in it, indeed, the fear. The prince felt his heart do odd things as he turned to face Sere, his Sere, from so long ago. Not unlike when he'd seen her at her sixteenth year gala, he was dumbstruck by her loveliness—the pearl waves of hair making her moon-pale flesh glow and her eyes were luminous pools of diamond blue.

It was enough to make any man stare...even a prince.

"Endy?" Her prompt broke his trance.

"The angel of light," he began, gesturing for her to follow him as he walked toward his throne, "...is a part of a long-known prophecy. It was until two years ago nothing more than that but lately this world has been crumbling at its edges, chaos masses breaking out in strange ways and it seems that prophecy, long-dormant will yet be manifested," and here he offered her a weak smile that seemed to say 'though I wish almost it wouldn't.' Serenity simply implored him to continue silently, vivid eyes never straying from his form and Endymion found he could not deny her anything, much less what little clarity he himself had. He walked past his throne, which confused Serenity but she followed him just the same with one friendly 'come on' hand motion from her prince. She trusted him. As she followed, she watched as he pulled a candle holder on the wall 180 degrees and an entry to what looked like a passage appeared. She felt her eyes grow wide more than she felt the notion of surprise, and proceeded somewhat dumbly as Endymion gently took her hand in his and pulled her forward, explaining further, "It is said an angel of light from a world not our own will be brought to remedy the strife and I quote: flaxen hair a crystal white, with the hands and heart of a healer, she will come by way of winged time, and your savior will be her."

Serenity stopped, pulling her hand abruptly out his hold and Endymion's brow creased. Had he done something to scare her?

"I cannot do this," she whispered hoarsely and turned to run but the prince, having already assessed her frightened state was ready and softly but effectively held her to him, keeping her from a frantic escape—which would never have worked anyway since Setsuna would surely catch the little princess.

"But Sere," he began. She shook her head wildly and almost thrashed against him, to his secret horror and worry. What had come over her? She'd been fine not long ago, absolutely compliant...so...?

"Endy, I cannot do this. I do not know how, I...I wanted to help but...but..." she broke off here and it was only by her own strength of virtue and plain old stubbornness that she kept from weeping, but she did and settled for a sigh.

"Sere, you don't have to know 'how' I just...we, just need you to try...please? You are our only hope," he said kindly as he could to her, wrapping his arms closer around her to now embrace her rather than just hold her in place.

"I am afraid," she admitted unhappily and he held her tighter, allowing her to rest her head back against the solid warmth of his chest.

"I know, but things will become clear in time, my princess, and I shall be there beside you on your journey, wherever it may take you," he said as comfortingly as he could manage and turned her around to face him. "Understand?" he tilted her chin up so she might meet his gaze.

"I understand," she nodded and then, "Promise?" He felt surprise, despite all the insanity that had been transpiring lately, surprised he could still feel surprise, in fact. Did she doubt him?

"Promise," he smiled down at her and she offered a softer one of her own in return.

"Now come, princess. I still want to show you something," his smile transformed into an unabashed grin and Sere recognized in him the little boy she'd run into in the gardens so long ago. He was rakish suddenly, youthful and mischievous in a good and charming sort of way and her heart was full with him again, having found that which she at first thought was only a memory of him. Taking his hand, she let herself be led forward.

The first hint of familiarity was the trickling of water...steady and gentle, like liquid crystal. The second was the distinct smell of roses—intoxicating, exotic...wild, with a thickness to the scent that was like velvet. Absently she let her hand slip out of Endymion's as she overtook him and hurried ahead and out of the passage to find herself in the garden of her dreams.

And there were roses...so many roses. White, yellow, pink, purple, phoenix-orange and flame-red, vermillion and that dark, bloody crimson...all in what seemed to be their prime, petals partially unfurled though not entirely in bloom. Almost stumbling under the heady mix of the rose scents, Serenity turned slowly to survey her surroundings, edging over to the trickling pool of water, clear as day and still as glass. And already knowing what she would probably see, she brought her tapered fingers to the edge of the fountain's stone ledge, and sat on it, turning her gaze downward to meet her reflection.

She was of course still wearing her gown from the gala...and it was her dream made real, the moon reflected in the upper corner of the pool, full even though she knew it to be day. Vaguely she recalled that in her dream it was also too bright to have been night and wondered why she had not found this an oddity, but brushed it aside as a polite cough rocked her from her reverie. Turning, she met Endymion's inquisitive eyes with an apologetic shrug.

Endymion paused. He did not want to press her...she had just expressed a great and deep fear to him. So, much as he had questions, much as he wished to ask them, he refrained and simply shook his head as if to say, 'okay' and extended his hand to her.

Serenity's breath caught. Here was where she always woke, broke into morning to find herself back in her own bed, covered in her own sheets, windows slightly letting light through as Luna would curl around her feet.

A purring noise made itself known just as that familiar warmth rubbed affectionately against Serenity's leg, making her skirts rub in a tickling manner against her skin. She giggled and looked down to meet Luna's stare, which to her amusement, seemed almost indignant.

"I'm sorry, Luna, dear...I did not forget you. Don't think I did," she buried her face with equal affection against Luna's neck and the feline responded favorably, curling then in her princess's lap, deigning to forgive her, provided the attention did not lag.

Now, Endymion wasn't sure, he had never felt the stirrings of jealousy before. He'd never had a reason to. In the past years it had become apparent that he was a handsome young man, and royalty more than that, so he was never short of admirers, and he never quite returned any of those admirations. It was never an issue. But with Sere...he felt some silly but real part of him frown as the black cat with the crescent on its forehead cuddle with her.

But jealous, of a cat?

He bit back a snort. Surely not.

Instead he opted to sit beside Serenity.

"Do you like it?" he waved at the gardens and she nodded vigorously.

"It is of my dreams," she said and recounted the dream she had told the girls not long before.

"The angel of light...you really are," he said in more of a whisper than he'd intended and found he had to tear his eyes from the crystalline princess beside him, fixing them on the overgrown stone grounds of the garden. His heart was doing strange, strange things and he did not trust himself not to do something stupid.

Part of him was miffed at this; why did years have to make such a difference on his feelings? Why did things change so? He wanted Sere back, the little girl he could make fun of and he wanted himself back, Endy who would make fun of her and then they would traipse around like the companions they were, caring for the roses and telling stories. But no, that wasn't right. She was right there beside him and he was right there beside her and what he wanted...what he hoped one day she might want...

Well...he wasn't sure but it had to do with something about how when he looked at her, she seemed new to him again.

He couldn't put a name to it, but there was something different in the way the light sparkled in her irises and the grace in the curve of her neck had become more apparent with these extra years, the finely chiseled nature of her cheekbones bringing that softly regal look to her that only a princess could command.

No name to it, but it weighed on him strangely and so he looked at the ground rather than at her, which Serenity noticed, even if she did not know his reasons. Politely and tactfully, she did not ask him about his pointed avoidance of her gaze. She trusted he had his reasons, as always.

"Endy, what is the journey you and Setsuna keep speaking of?" she asked.

"I am not certain but I do know it has to do with finding a crystal," Endymion said and it was almost apologetic. He felt he owed her more but truly, he did not know more than that.

"I see," she said slowly, understanding his apology but not quite settled all the same.

"We will be leaving tomorrow morning," he added and she looked up at him, startled. He still wasn't looking at her though, so he did not see her eyes widen as they did.

"Tomorrow?" she echoed, feeling very dumb.

"Tomorrow, I'm sorry it's so soon Sere, but...we should have left today in truth," he said and when she looked as if she'd question him, he held up a hand, still not meeting her stare, "I know, you don't know what to do. But neither do I, Serenity." His use of her full name quieted her sufficiently as she felt her heart ache slightly. "...we don't have time to wait and puzzle it out first though. We must go and hope we can figure it out well enough along the way," he said and then, daring to turn to her, his eyes softened at her frazzled expression. Truly it was a lot to handle...so soon, so fast, so...not what she had asked for.

But it was what prince and princess had received; he a chance to save his parents, long thought lost, and to save his kingdom, slowly dissipating at the corners and edges; she a chance to join the two worlds she lived in—one in her waking hours, one in her dreams.

He blinked as he felt a warmth settle over his hand and his eyes fell to find Serenity's hand gently laying on his own.

"I am still afraid," she said and his heart failed him at causing her so dark an emotion as fear, but then she said also, "But I will do this...I will, Endy."

And his heart felt strengthened once more by her resolve as he found himself wondering how he would ever have done this alone knowing the truth:

He couldn't.

But then there was the other truth he now knew, the truth he knew because of her...because of Serenity...Sere...because of her, he wouldn't have to.

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