Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon, whatsoever. (But honestly, what if I did and I was just posing as an amateur? What can they say to me then? Well what then, huh!)
Author Note: This chapter is sort of slow, but you have to read it or else in the next chapter (wishI promise will be better) you'll be sort of lost.
Swish! Light glared behind Serena's eyes.
"Rise and shine Serenity." Said Serena's nanny as she pulled open the drapes.
Serena arose with a yawn from her elegant four-poster bed and blinked in the bright sunlight. The sounds of bubbly laughter floated in through bay windows. Serena smiled as she dreamt about walking along the countryside with someone close, laughing at the jokes he told. Sitting up from under her satin pink sheets she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
"Honestly, Madame Serenity, we have much work to be done! Stretch and stand so we may get you presentable to the kingdom. Honestly, you don't look like any princess after you have slept."
Serena frowned at her nanny but knew it was true. Her long blond hair was matted and dried spit had crusted itself along her cheeks. The nasty dry taste of morning breath ached for toothpaste and water. Her nanny gave Serena a gentle push to her feet and rang a bell for the maids to rush in. Four women came rushing in the room, all dressed in the same short black skirts, similar to the senshi uniform, and frilly white laced tops. Half of the girls raced over to the beds and tossed the sheets into a hamper to be washed, the others ushered Serena to the spacious bathroom.
Elegant and chic, the bathroom was completely covered in white and pink tiles, from floor to ceiling. The bathtub was raised a foot from the floor and the tabs were soft colored pearls. The women dashed over to the tub and began to fill it with warm water and raspberry smelling bubbles. Knowing the drill, the same as it's always been, Serena undressed herself and handed her flowing silk nightgown to the closest woman. No longer feeling stripped of her purity amongst the woman she now knew so well, she did not cover her breast but walked across the bathroom to the awaiting tub, carrying herself with as much dignity a woman with spit on her face can.
The hot steaming water sent shivers up her spine as she sank below the water to her chin. A young girl nervously stumbled over and began vigorously scrubbing her sleek blond hair. Serena's head shook as they scratched and pulled at her head.
"H-hi," stammered the maid, envy hinting in her voice, "my name is Hitomi. I'm sort of new at the job."
The way she was scraping at her head with the raspberry sweet shampoo, it was rather evident. Serena smiled sweetly up at her.
"Hitomi, you seemed more experience than you say, and for your hard work I reward you a day at the spa."
Hitomi's eyes grew with disbelief. She had only begun to work today. All her nerves seemed to be wiped away as her and Serena chatted. The girl became much more gentle and she even laughed at times. Serena felt warm knowing she had made the girl feel better and as the other maid returned she felt like she had befriended the girl.
"Hitomi, tell me, how old are you? You hardly seem old enough to be working. You should be studying and playing."
Hitomi blushed. "I am 16 your majesty. I work to help support my family."
Serena eyes show sympathy for the 16-year old child but Hitomi simply smiled.
"But one day, maybe I could be like you. But until then I'm more content being poor than most would think."
Serena nodded but kept her lips pursed. A girl with wisdom beyond her ages, but yet she wasn't wise enough to see she had the better life. Hitomi left and the other maid, who Serena recognized right away as Ms. Yumi, began to pull out dresses from the walk-in closet. Serena stood in front of the vanity mirror and stroked her hair with the brush. Finally, Ms. Yumi decided on a navy blue velvet long sleeved dress, with a high neck and a sky-blue lace over skirt. Serena placed the dress on as Yumi slipped her feet into a pair of blue glass slippers. Serena felt like an over dressed doll, and longed for the seifuku the debutantes wore as they went to school.
Her nanny entered the room and fawned over Serena's dress, saying she finally looked like the future Neo-queen Serenity. Ms. Yumi pulled Serena's hair into a ponytail and braided it into a rather large bun on the back of her head. Serena's hair was pulled back in a way that she could feel her eyes slant up slightly. Make-up was slathered on her face like paint on a canvas. The blush on her cheeks made her looked more embarrassed than she felt and the silver eye shadow caked her eyelids. Lip-gloss gleamed on her lips so brightly; you'd swear it reflected the sun. And the more her nanny told her she looked pretty, the more ugly she felt.
Grasping her dress in her palms she clicked her heels against the floor, heading for the dining room. As she arrived to the door a guard raced out in front of her, nearly knocking her backwards. He grabbed the knob and threw the door open for her, before taking a step back.
"Baka." Serena mumbled under her breath as she stepped inside. The dining hall glittered with diamond chandeliers. A 10 foot long cherry oak table separated the room in half and silver ware and plates glittered along the surface. As she neared the end of the table her mother sat at she bent to kiss her good morning, but her mother seemed lost in thought. She acknowledged her father at the other end with a nod and took her seat in the middle. Her nanny quickly taught her that princesses never raised their voices. She sat and a platter of eggs and toast was set before her. She greedily downed her breakfast, nearly forgetting her manners. Eating was the only thing that didn't remind her she was alone. After finishing her breakfast and guzzling her orange juice, Serena excused herself from the table and headed off to studies.
Locked in a room for five hours she often gazed out of the window and glance over the kingdom. Children could be seen playing hide and seek and woman scurried along the shops to find an outfit for the night. Tonight was the night of the grand ball, the crowned prince of Earth, Edymion, was coming to their palace for the first time to form an alliance, and his arrival was to be celebrated. How Serena craved to be amongst the shops picking out a formal dress, but their maids took care of this whilst Serena took care of her duties at the Millennium Palace. A knock on the door interrupted Serena's studies. As Serena glanced up from her history book, Hitomi walked in wringing her hands. Serena smiled.
"Hitomi! What brings you here?"
Hitomi looks up into Serena's blue eyes and smirks slightly. Serena is obviously bemused at Hitomi's unexpected entrance.
"Princess, please forgive me but I felt I must tell you."
Serena sat up and listened intently.
"I saw the Earth prince while picking you a lovely ball gown." Hitomi whispered, closing the door behind her.
Serena, relieved, chuckled at Hitomi's mysterious behavior.
"Aw, gossip, do tell Hitomi."
Hitomi, slightly taken aback at Serena's keen interest begins to describe the prince.
"He arrived in a bubble, dressed in the finest fabrics and armor trimmed in gold. His boots gleamed with a flawless shines and matched with his navy blue robes. But, outfits aside, the man is the most handsome I've ever seen. His hair is dark and clean cut and they barely hang low over his deep blue eyes. His face is stern and serious, and his masculinity was easily seen under his clothes. Every body part evenly proportioned with his height and weight. Women were literally passing out at his feet, but he must be so used to it he was oblivious. I wanted to approach him, bring him to the palace, but a gaggle of women shoved me away from him."
Hitomi went on about the prince until she seemed to be able to find nothing else to say. All the while Serena listened, imagining the prince in her mind, wondering what it would be like to make his acquaintance or feel his strong arms grab her around her waist as they danced. Just the thought sent shivers down her spine. As Hitomi continued another knock at the door aroused Serena from her daydreams. It was her nanny.
"Serena, Hitomi, you're needed in your room. It's time to get ready for the ball."
That's it for this chapter. I should update in about a week because I want to focus on other ideas I have for other fan fics. Be sure to check those out too and tell your friends all about me. PLZ! Next chapter is called The Ball. Anyway, arigatou for reading and tune in soon! Plz...