Title: M Title: Memories
Author: Sere G If you write, put 'Fanfic'
in the subject, please. This will prevent it from being sorted into the junk.
Fandom: Sailor Moon
Chapter: Six – Who is the Groom?
"You are now engaged to be married!"
The next thing Princess Serena knew, she was being fanned by one of the Queen's aides and another one of the aides was holding smelling salts under her nose to revive her. As the aide holding the smelling salts retreated, the other one stayed, supporting Princess Serena as she tried to sit up, looking around. "Ugh… what happened?" She thought she remembered her mother saying something, but… no… that had to have been a bad dream.
Her mother smiled at her. "I told you that you were engaged to be married, and you passed out from happiness!"
Oh, no. It hadn't been a bad dream.
All of a sudden, Princess Serena found that it seemed like it was getting hard for her to breathe. Her throat constricted as she tried to fight off the wave of anxiety and nausea that followed her mother's news. She swallowed, and spoke, trying to make her voice sound normal.
"And… and may I ask who my groom is to be, Mother?"
Her mother's smile grew broader, if that was even possible. "But of course, my dear. It is perfectly understandable that you wish to know the name of your future husband. King Zeus of Jupiter came to me this morning, and he requested of me your hand in marriage. After much discussion, I agreed. You are to be married in a month's time!"
This was too much. She sat on the edge of her mother's bed, and placed her hand to her forehead as her brow furrowed. "But… but Mother, is King Zeus not around your age? And I am only fourteen, I have barely just started becoming a woman!"
Her mother nodded. "Yes, he is. It is quite common, these days, for kings to take young brides. I mean, there is twenty years' difference between King Arutha and I. It is not uncommon for one to be married off so young, either." Finally, the queen noticed her daughter's expression. "What is the matter, my daughter? I would think you would be happy. This is a great opportunity for you, and a great opportunity for our kingdom to strengthen its alliances!"
Princess Serena sat there, staring at her pale hands. How was she to explain to her mother that she loved Rhys, and no other? She knew her mother would hear nothing of it. She would say that he was nothing more than a commoner, and was below her, and that she would never allow it. "It is just… as I said, I am so young. I do not yet feel ready to bear the full burden of womanhood. And even when I do feel ready, Mother… I would prefer to pick my own groom. I wish to marry someone I love."
The expression on her mother's face changed, so that it didn't quite reach her eyes. "My child, you need to realize that it is time to grow up. You are a princess, and with that title comes not only great power and privileges but also great responsibility. Choose your own groom? That is preposterous. You are far too young to make such an important choice on your own. Marrying for love… unless you are a peasant, it simply is not done. I promise you, though, that if you give him a chance, you will eventually grow to love Zeus."
Now, Princess Serena could feel the tears threatening, and she did not know how much longer she could hold them back. She could feel them burning in her eyes even now. "As you wish, your Highness. May I please be excused?"
"You may. Tonight, at dinner, your fiancé shall be there. Be sure and be properly attired."
As soon as she was out of the room, she could feel the tears falling freely, and she ran towards her chambers, not knowing what to do…
QS: Oh, that's great…
SG: She's getting married to someone old enough to be her father!
QS: Yes, I know. I'm still worried on how to continue…
SG: I still think her mother's a… is cut off by a hand muffling her mouth. QS offers everyone a sheepish glance as she muffles SG and drags the cursing alter-ego from the room