Chapter IV
The queen of Neptune scanned the page carefully, running her finger down the list. Books were scattered messily around her desk and some were even sprawled on the floor. Anyone who looked into the room would have believed they had gone mad. The strict and organized ruler of Neptune never would be found in a room with her books messily scattered about. In fact, she would never be found with a single hair out of place.
"What are you doing Neptina?"
A tall man stepped out from the shadows, his black cloak swishing behind him. His eyes sweptover the room but decided to make no comment. His eyes gleamed coldly but his face remained emotionless.
"I'm looking for a nice suitor for Michiru. I can't let her get too close to Haruka," the queen replied, flipping through the book.
"Ah... Yes, we must be cautious," the man slid behind the queen and peered curiously over her shoulder.
"If Michiru and Haruka do..." The queen struggled to find the words. "I won't allow Michiru to take the throne then. I'll kick her out of the royal family myself. I won't allow such a disgraceful thing ruin our family name."
The man considered this frowning slightly.
"You still can't forget Ruby can you?"
Neptina sighed and gently closed the book. "What are you talking about?"
"What do you think?"
Neptina paused to think over his words and weighed her own words before she provided an answer to the man.
"I'm just concerned about Michiru, that's all. This has nothing to do with the grudge I have against Urana," Neptina said after a moment of silence.
"Hm... It has been ten long years since the incident," Malachite noted.
"And your point is?"
"It's not entirely their fault and don't forget Urana lost someone too in that war against the invaders. At least our planet still has a king. We all have to make sacrifices to defend our homes."
The queen turned in her seat to face her advisor.
"It could have ended up differently if Urana had only tried to save her. I do not forgive people that easily."
An eerie silence filled the cold room. Deciding that it was best to change the topic, Neptina asked, "Malachite, do you know any young men suitable for my daughter?"
"She could marry me."
Neptina raised an eyebrow. "You're joking right? You're too old."
Malachite leaned forward until his face was only a few centimeters apart from the queen's.
"Then you could marry me," he whispered.
Neptina looked up with a shocked expression at her advisor. She quickly covered up her emotions. Neptina had known Malachite since the day Michiru had been born. He was an intelligent man and had helped her in many situations.It was only until recently that she had noticed a darker side of her friend. The side that craved for power and wealth. She would need to watch out for him in the future.
"We are only friends! I will remain your queen and you will remain your advisor," Neptina said, forcing her voice to remain cold and indifferent. "Now I command you to leave!"
The ruler of Neptune pointed at the door, making it clear that she wanted him to leave. Her face showed no emotion but Malachite could easily read through the Queen after knowing her for so long. It seemed his words had affected her more than she dared to show
"As you wish your highness."
Malachite smiled and slipped out the door.
Haruka flung herself onto the couch and sighed softly.
I can't believe I'm stuck in this dreary place for the next eight years.
It was true that the princess had been looking forward to leaving home at last and training to defend their home but that had all changed once she had walked into Charon Castle. Small white candles placed in the guest room flickered wearily, barely managing to stay lighted. The wooden floor boards creaked weakly and the walls moaned as the harsh wind slammed against the small castle. The young girl squinted and glanced around the gloomy room, trying to distinguish the room's features.
What is worse is that I have to share this room with another princess. She is probably snobby like all the others. Yes, this was going to be a long and tiring eight years.
Moodily, the princess peeled off a sock and threw it across the room, accidentally knocking over an expensive vase, making it shatter into a hundred little pieces.
Haruka jumped up from the couch and instantly started panicking. She didn't mean to break the vase. What if they found out and decided to send her home? She was joking about wanting to go home. The place wasn't that bad. She actually liked the dark gloomy atmosphere. She can't fail at becoming a sailor senshi! The princess randomly grabbed two pieces of the broken vase and started smashing them together.
Come on!
Footsteps echoed loudly down the hallway of Charon Castle as a young woman guided Michiru to her room. The aqua-haired princess followed quietly, staring at the floor. Her thoughts of the castle didn't show on her face, instead she seemed to be thinking of something else.
"Michiru, I want you to stay away from Haruka."
"Yes, mother. You've told me that already."
"I want you to remember it."
"How do I stay away from her if she is my partner?"
"I doesn't matter, just do it!"
Michiru flinched slightly but didn't say anything else. Michiru looked worriedly at the Queen. Mother seems a little too moody today. It wasn't like her at all. There were dark circles under her eyes and her hair was messy and tangled. Something must be wrong. Hearing footsteps, she turned her head to find her father and Malachite, one of the queen's advisors, beside her.
"Now, now, Neptina," the king said gently to his wife. "You are being irrational."
Turning to his daughter, the king smiled warmly and handed his daughter her luggage bags.
"Now, you go enjoy your trip," he said and pulled her into a tight hug. "We'll miss you while you are away. Your mother and I will be waiting for you."
Over her father's shoulder, Michiru saw Malechite arrive with the rest of Michiru's luggage.
Michiru glanced up at Malachite, her eyes narrowing slightly. There was something about him that she didn't like, but she couldn't grasp what it was. He met her gaze with the cold gleaming eyes of his.
"We'll be wishing for your safe return, princess."
Her hold on the violin case tightened. I don't trust Malachite at all and it also seems that mother is hiding something from me. Haruka... I wonder...
"Your highness, here is your room," the maid said, interrupting Michiru's thoughts. "You will be sharing it with the Princess of Uranus for the next eight years." They stopped in front of a giant door and knocked softly.
When there was no reply, the maid tried the knob, and to her surprise, found that it was open. Leaning forward, Michiru peered curiously inside.
As soon as the blond haired princess heard the door creak open, she nearly dropped the glue. Quickly, she slid in front of the vase, hoping that the messily applied glue would hold. It was very fortunate that she had found some glue in her luggage bag. However, she had no idea why she had glue at all. As a matter of fact, Haruka had barely packed anything because she had wanted to start off fresh. She left behind all the dresses and all the other things that she detested at home and brought only a few articles of clothing to wear before she got a chance to go out and shop for new clothes.
"Ah, Princess Haruka, you must not have heard us knock."
"Uh... Yeah." The princess glanced behind her at the broken vase and saw the pieces were slowly slipping out of the glue's grasp. She slipped her hands behind her, trying to keep everything in one piece.
"Uh-huh," Haruka nodded, pretending to listen to the introductions. Stupid glue! Quick drying indeed! Once I get my hands on those lying-
Before she knew it, the Princess of Neptune had stepped in front of Haruka, holding out her hand.
"Nice to meet you," she greeted. Michiru carefully examined Haruka, trying to find some meaning behind her mother's words. The aqua-haired princess frowned softly. Her cold, calculating eyes could not find any thing particular or threatening about the girl in front of her.
Haruka blinked in surprise. She hadn't noticed her before.
"Right," the taller girl replied and hesitantly pulled a hand away from the vase to shake Michiru's hand. "Nice to meet you too."
Haruka put on a wide smile as she shook hands with the princess. If anything, she didn't feel like smiling at all, but she had to keep from looking suspicious.
"Um." Michiru frowned as she tried to draw her hand away. "You could let go now."
Oh no! What do I do? The glue must have dried! Stupid quick drying glue. Once I'll get my hands on those people who decided to produce such a stupid product-
Haruka smiled nervously. "Yeah, hold on."
She tried desperately -though she didn't show it- tried to pull her hand away but it was stuck firmly together with Michiru's.
"This must mean we'll be close partners."
Michiru raised an eyebrow. Why her mother thought that Haruka might be a threat to her, Michiru had no idea.
"Should I get help?" The maid questioned with concern clearly in her voice.
"No!" shouted Haruka. "I mean, we're fine. Just fine."
Michiru only stared at the other girl as if she had grown two extra heads as Haruka continued to try tearing the hands apart.
"I don't think we are fine," Michiru commented quietly.
"No, no, we're good."
With one final yank, Haruka managed to rip their hands apart but stumbled backwards and knocked over the vase. Again.