AN: That's for the review, Memory Dragon! I'm still working on it. I hope this chapter is a little better but this is only a lull before the storm.

Remember- feed the author! with comments >.>!


I was working up the nerve to say it. It was a perfect opportunity. How could I mess this up? It had been a week after the engagement party and Morpheus had long gone back to his kingdom to tie up some for his affairs there.

Vivian and Seraphina had gone with him but promise to return so they could be part of the ceremony too.

I honestly- at the time- hoped that he would change his mind too. Though that's not how it worked for royalty. No, your emotions were not needed in this binding of families and countries.

Still… I reigned my horse in a bit so the black animal would walk slowly up to her. Serenity's horse- Marana-was grazing the grass with it's ears flickering around. Serenity herself was lying back in the grass heedless of her pretty lavender dress getting stains. I felt a tightening in my chest just watching her.

She was a vision- exactly what you picture a goddess would look like in human form. I blinked, before dismounting my horse.

"Always laying around aren't you cousin?" I asked watching with pleasure as she jerked up in surprise. "You'll get stains on your dress- again and then Auntie Serene will have to wear your ears out again about being a proper lady."

She laughed- gods I love and hated that laugh of hers; it was so infectious- and sat up with a leaf stuck in her hair. "Well, 'Elenia if we were all proper like you where would the fun in life be?"

I laughed softly and sat next to her picking the leaf from her oh so soft hair before looking up. For a while there surrounded by nature- I was at peace and was happy with her. She was mine in this place.

"Elenia…" her sweet voice broke into my thoughts and I was startled to find I had been looking at her. But sweet Serenity didn't even notice this at all. She had the dreamy smile on her face- one I knew too well.

"Do you think we'll ever be able to do this when we're queens and have our own children?"

Dropping my gaze I twirled the leaf between my pale fingers unable to answer her for a moment. Not too long ago, it would have been a hopeful, ' Yes! We'll rule together…and our kids would look up to us.'.

I knew better now, fairy tales don't exist when you wear a crown.

Still, I smiled softly at her before answering, "Maybe, Sere. I mean, when we become queens of our own realm we'll be busy with duties that moment's like these will be few." I sighed heavily, "They are now as it is and we're just princesses, cousin. Imagine how it will be when we're queens."

She nods gravely at my words and we fell silent for a while before she says cheerfully, " Lunch will be served soon, lets get back to the palace. I'll even race you!"

I grinned, "Okay then, what would happen if you win, cousin?" I asked getting as she went over to her horse first.

She looked thoughtful as she mounted the white steed. I followed suit, though it was a bit hard with all my skirts, but I managed.

"Well, if I win I'll take your last desert." She grins at me as she gets Marana into position to start our race. "And if I lose, what would you get?"

I thought about it for a while, "Well, if I win, I want a favor- anything I ask for." I told her with a sly smile, " Are you up for it, Serenity Celestial?"

The challenge flickered through her eyes as she nods, "Of course I am, Nehelenia Shitsuki. Ready?"

"One"

I gripped the reigns readying myself. I needed to win this. It may be the last time I could do it with a clear conscience.

"Two.."

The horses' feet pawed the ground. I could feel Majesty's muscles tense with the anticipation of being able to run full out at the speed he wanted to be.

"Three!"

Our horses leapt as soon as we spurred them on. The wind whipped around my face and through my hair as I lowered the upper half of my body close to the horse's neck. I could hear his breathing coming fast and deep. The scenery around us became nothing more then blurs as our horses jumped over bushes and over small streams.

Inside my heart pounded loudly enough that it was in my ears and I hear next to nothing. It was the wind; the sound of hoofs beating the ground, and the sound of heavy breathing.

I didn't know where Serenity was then- I almost didn't care, but a feeling made me look over to the side. I could see her; she was a little bit ahead of me. An all white blur too.

Alarmed, I spurred Majesty on faster. I must win! I had to!

My jaws clenched as I spurred him on more, muttering incoherent words under my breath- I think I was encouraging him I wasn't sure.

The Castle- my home- loomed ahead of us with it's spiraling towers and odd dome shaped roofs. We were almost to the finish line. My hands- I am sure the blood had stopped flowing thorough them- held the reigns so tightly that they were paler then normal.

Majesty took one more leap into the air and in that moment, that sterling moment- where everything cease to exist and it seems like it was eternity before his hooves hit the cobblestones with a rather loud 'clank'.

The movement jolted me out of my mind before we trotted up to the stables and turned around. My heart was elated at this sight- such a lovely sight it was- and the implications it meant.

There trotting up, less then a foot, behind me was my lovely and esteemed cousin, Serenity. Her face was flushed a rather flattering rosy color and she was pouting. She had lost the race and I gained a favor.

I don't know what my face showed or revealed to her, but she blushes an even darker red. I wondered what was on her mind.

I didn't ask as I dismounted from my horse, patting his side, " Miguel," I said to the page, " Give him three sugar cubes after his dinner tonight. He deserves a treat."

The page nods and took the reigns of both horses leaving me alone with Serenity. I walked up to her and continued towards the back down that lead to the kitchens.

I could hear her catch up to me before she matched my pace.

We remained silent all the way till we came the floor where we both stayed.

"So," She began quietly, " what is this favor you would have of me cousin?"

I let her stew on it for a moment before heading to the door of my room and turning towards her with a mischievous look on my face.

"Well, cousin, I'll have to think on this favor before I tell you." I leaned close to her, unable to stop myself as I gave her a 'cousinly' kiss on her still slightly rosy cheek. "And you won't forget it."

I left her there to call the maids to draw my bath. Yes, this day had been favorable to me.

I even forgot what I wanted to tell her.