The dawn arrived as it usually did, but for Serena it held a new hope that she just might be able to be happy for the rest of her life. The sun crept slowly up the horizon and Serena had been there to greet it. She had slept for a short time after Mina had come in but she was unable to sleep through the whole night. So she just sat outside on her balcony staring at the moon and stars.
The birds seemed to waken as the first rays of the sun began to touch the trees. Hearing Mina roll over and groan Serena stood up and walked back into the bedroom. "Good morning sleepy. I take it because you've stayed up most of the night your still tired?" Serena asked as she began to pull clothing out of Mina's closet.
Mina groaned again and answered, "Didn't you get any sleep last night?"
"I slept just fine last night until you came blundering in the room with your friend…"
Serena was cut off. "With whom you weren't so nice to." Mina pointed out as she took the clothes offered to her by Serena.
"Yes, well you should have known better than to come up the stairs like that. What if father had seen you? You do know what trouble you would have been in." Serena said as she began to pour water into the basin to wash her face.
Mina dropped her clothes and walked over to Serena. "Oh no you don't. You are going to take a real bath. Your hair needs to be washed and you smell like a sweating pig in the summer." Mina grabbed the jug out of Serena's hand and began to push her toward the washroom.
"Oh well then I guess I should tell you the brutal truth to uhh. You smell like you've been in the wine cellars all night. Hahah!!!" Serena laughed as Mina tickled her.
"Well then I will fill up both baths and we shall tell each other everything that has come to pass as of last night. How does that suite you?" Mina began to pour the water that had been set aside the night before last. "Damn its cold. Serena do you think you can do anything about this?" Mina asked as she poured the last of the water.
Serena concentrated for a moment before she began to glow with warmth. Putting a finger in each bath for nothing but a split second the water began to steam. "There we are nice and warm." Before Serena could add more, Mina began to climb in fast. Just as she got a foot in she speedily took it out again. "Slowly so you won't burn yourself." Serena finished and began to climb in herself.
"You could have warned me." Mina stated harshly.
"Well you're the whose in a hurry, not me. I wonder why, could it be because you want to see . . . what's his name again?" Serena asked as she finally made it all the way into the tub.
"Malachite, you nit wit." Mina teased. "Yes, I admit I do think that he is quite handsome and charming. But there is something about him that I just can't name. As if I had known him before. Oh Serena, I don't know what to do."
"Well then tell me what kept you both together all night and all that rubbish and I shall try to give you advice." Serena sank under the water before Mina began.
"Well, after you and your father left the table I was upset so I left. But this castle being as big as it is I got lost very easily. I ended up in the east wing of the castle whilst we are in the west." Serena laughed at her mistake. "Oh shut up you. When I turned again I walked straight into Malachite. At first he thought I was an intruder and grabbed me by the arm with a dagger at my back. I explained that I was your lady maid he apologized and asked if I knew where I was. Of course I said no.
"He said that he would walk me to my room, instead he led us both to the wine cellar first. Hence the smell, he picked up two bottles and then we both left. He asked if I would like to sit and talk for a bit. I did. Between us both we drank the wine. We eventually ended up on the floor in the room because of you." Mina finished smugly.
"Why are you smiling?" Serena turned to grab the soap off the table in between them.
"He was asking me when he would see me again when you threw the door open." Mina took the soap handed to her.
"Yes, I say that you should see him again and tell him that you'll see him most often in about a month." Serena took the soap and tried to wash her hair.
"What do you mean, I'll see him in a month?" Mina questioned Serena.
"That wine must have gone to your head last night. I told you the Queen requested me to be her new lady-in-waiting." Upon seeing the frightened look in her face again, Serena explained everything that had happened the night before. "So you see we will finally be away from my father and have no worries." She smiled and stepped out of the bath. Picking up her robe along with Mina's she toweled off and waited for Mina.
As Mina and Serena finished dressing there was a knock on the door. Serena was brushing herself off as she opened the door, she looked up when she heard a gasp from the other side of the door. "Molly, is that you?" She asked.
"Serena, oh my lord how you've grown. Her majesty told me I was to deliver breakfast to a young lady and then escort her to the gardens, but she never told me it would be you." Molly walked in and set the try down before she hugged Serena. "And who is this beauty? Look she's got your mother's eyes. A cousin perhaps?" Molly asked as she turned to look at Mina who blushed then looked away.
"Molly this is Mina my lady maid. She was hired on a little after you left. She's been my best friend ever since." Serena began to set out the breakfast before she even registered what Molly had said. "What do you mean cousin?" She turned and looked at Molly. "Mother's sister had died at birth."
Molly said nothing to Serena so she turned to Mina. "Do you know anything about this Mina?" Serena questioned.
"Now Serena I didn't mean to upset you. I just thought that Mina had told you. You see when your mother was born her father was disappointed that he had not conceived a son. After his second daughter he was enraged. Your grandmother, in fear of her newest daughter's life left her at the palace doors. Her Majesty in her mercy knew of the situation and took her in and named her Eva. Your aunt worked for her Majesty as her personal maid until the day she died giving birth to her daughter Mina. Eighteen years ago." Molly stopped and looked over at Serena.
"Mina is my family. I have more than my father for family." Serena whispered to herself. "Does my father know this?" Serena asked aloud.
"No," Mina answered. "I was sent by the Queen to spy on him and look after you. You see as soon as my mother died her Majesty began to suspect that your father was up to no good. She decided that I was the perfect candidate to send in to investigate. At the age of five I was sent to the village just outside of your father's manner where Alan trained me. When Molly had been cast out I knew that it was my chance and I took it. I did know that I was your cousin but I couldn't tell you or any one else for your safety."
"So then, now I know all there is to know. Promise that you both will never keep secrets from me again. That you will trust me in dangerous times no matter the coast." Serena stated calmly.
"Promises don't come easy for one who was taught to deceive but I shall try and honor it as best as I can. I will trust you with my life if need be. For you were the first real person to be honest and truthful to me from the very beginning." Mina swore as she put her hand over her chest in pledge.
"I never meant to lie to you, but I to promise to tell you everything from this moment forward." Molly did the same.
The gardens were the most beautiful thing Serena had ever seen. Since the incident in her room this morning she had been walking with Mina and Molly around the gardens. Mina had run off to tell Malachite the good news and Molly to check up on the kitchen staff and to inform all the staff members that there would soon be a new lady-in-waiting to the queen.
Serena continued walking through the gardens until she happened to cross upon another entry. She walked through and soon discovered that it was the entrance to a maze, surprised and curious she decided to try and walk through the whole thing.
She had been walking for a long time until she came upon the center of the maze, only to discover her father talking with one of his guards. "I don't like this one bit. That bitch of a queen thinks she can out smart me by taking my whore of a daughter in as a lady-in-waiting. Keep a close eye on them both, I don't trust the queen for one minute. My daughter on the other hand is so afraid of me that I need not worry about her." Lord Stephen sneered.
"Yes my lord. About your daughter the arrangements have been made. Is there anything else that you require of me?" The guard asked.
"No but make sure nothing happens to Serena or her lady maid until they are back at this castle. You may go." He said as he and the guard left the maze in separate directions.
Serena stood stock still where she was to be sure that she wasn't caught. Slowly she crept out into the open and walked to the gazebo. She sat and began to think of what to do. Nothing mattered about her, the only thing that did matter was that the Queen was in danger, which also meant that her son Darien was also in danger. She soon decided to tell the Queen everything that she had over heard when a noise came from the bushes. Afraid that it may be her father she ducked to hide under one of the benches.
"You there spread the cloth evenly, and you make sure the pillows are fluffed." Bellowed a servant.
Serena no longer afraid climbed out of her awkward position. "Blasted corsets and skirts…" she whispered as she backed up, only to find herself bumping into a pair of legs.
"And what is a lady of your standard doing crawling around on the ground may I ask?" Darien said as he held out a hand for Serena.
Taking hold of his hand she pulled herself up. "Making sure that your garden attendants don't slack of and leave dirt in unlikely places." Serena answered with a smile. "I know that this may look unlady like but I do have a explanation for what I was doing." She looked serious.
Something is bothering her. I can see it in her eyes and the way her brow is slightly frowned. "Something's wrong isn't it?" He asked. "You can trust me, please Serena what's wrong? I can see it in your eyes, something is bothering you." Darien began to worry that she would never tell him.
"Tell them to leave and check the surrounding area yourself, then and only then will I tell you what has come to pass." Serena said as she pointed to the servants.
Darien looked around puzzled then turned to Serena. He nodded and turned, asked the servants to leave and then left to search the area around them. When Darien came strolling back he noticed that Serena was still look nervous.
"Was any one near here when you searched around?" She asked while walking up to him.
"Not a soul was to be seen or heard." He answered as he took Serena's hand and led her to the cloth and pillows. "I was just about to search for you after this was set up. It was supposed to be a surprise. The food is still in the basket there." He chuckled as he pointed behind her.
Serena smiled and mouthed thank you. There was a long silence until Darien took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "I asked you to search because I have dire news for you." She began and then stopped.
"You can trust me." He said as he lifted her chin.
Serena looked into Darien's ocean blue eyes for the second time in her life and suddenly knew that she could trust Darien with everything. Including her life. "My father is plotting against the queen and I fear that he is planning on having me killed after my return to the castle."
"Are you sure?" Darien asked her calmly.
"Yes. He had been speaking with a guard from our manner. He told him to watch the queen and myself. That is why I was under the bench in the gazebo and why I asked you to look around for any one. My father like I have said before has eyes and ears everywhere. No place is safe." Serena still on her guard began to wobble a little before she surged with an energy force. The next minute she was unconscious on the blanket with her head in Darien's lap.
"Serena," He whispered. "Serena, can you hear me?"
A moan escaped her lips. Still in a daze she tried to sit up but was so nauseated that she fell back into the prince's lap. "Are you all right?" He asked.
"My powers have a mind of their own. If I am frightened enough they will wipe away the memories of those whom are around me of the past few moments. Do you remember what I just told you before it happened?" Serena asked. The Prince nodded yes. Strange how he can remember when others do not. "The power of it also drains my strength. It is normal for me to become unconscious." She now sat up slowly. "May I have a bit of water?" Serena asked as the prince still stared at her.
It took a moment to register what she had asked for but he then stood walked over to the basket producing a goblet. With the goblet in hand he walked to the fountain on the other side of the gazebo and filled it.
"Here," He held it out to her and she drank it all in one breath. "I must tell mother about your father." Darien turned to leave but was stopped by Serena's voice.
"Please let me come with you. I will be able to help keep prying eyes and ears away for you and your mother's conversation." She saw Darien shake his head no as he still stood with his back to her. "If my father learns that your mother knows anything about what is to come. I will surely be dead by morning. Your Highness you asked me to trust you, now I am asking the same. Trust me, I know my father better than any and I know what he can do." Serena pleaded as she stood.
Darien turned to see her barley standing on her own. "I would trust you with my life if need be. But I will not allow you to endanger yourself."
"I have the power to stop any who dare to attack me. It is within my birthright. Ask your guard Malachite he can tell you. Weather I be attacked physically or magically I can defend myself." She walked over to him.
"I will go and ask Malachite. If he says that you can defend yourself we will both tell my mother. Meet me here at five o'clock." Darien then left Serena alone in the maze.
Serena rushed to through the maze after dinner to meet Darien at its center. Once there she stopped to breath and then began to pace. Worried that something may have happened she turned to leave in the opposite direction in which she had entered, when she heard footsteps. She stopped and turned around only to meet the torso of a man. Serena afraid that the man was her father's guard reacted the only way she knew how. She kicked the man in the shin pulled out her dagger prepared to defend herself.
"Ow!! What did you do that for?!" Darien questioned while rubbing his shin. Then Darien looked up and saw that Serena was still in a defense stance but she wore a look of shock and horror. "Well at least now I know that Malachite wasn't joking when he said that you could defend yourself."
Serena blushed deeply and slowly stood properly again. "Sorry your highness, you just caught me by surprise." She slipped her dagger back beneath her bodice.
"Its quite alright. I was coming to tell you that mother is waiting for us in her sitting room. That is of you are still willing to . ." He saw Serena shake her head. A warning that speaking here might not be safe. Darien took the hint and changed the subject. "Yes, well come along lots to do." Darien held out his arm and Serena took it gently.
"You're very bad at changing conversation on the spot you know." Serena said as they walked. She looked up when Darien chuckled. "Why do you laugh, good sir?"
"Because my mother has said that to me time and again." Darien grinned and they both walked on in silence.