Storms Upon the Heart
Chapter Eleven
Dermius sighed as he glanced at the wall clock. "Alright, we cannot wait any longer. Serenity will just have to be introduced without Endymion present. I'll send out guards to look for him, but as for all of us, we need to be in the ballroom…" He noticed that no one around him moved from their places on the sofas, and a small vein began to throb in his head. "…NOW!"
Serenity, Melodine, and Cassandra all jumped up, a squeak escaping Serenity's mouth by mistake. She blushed and covered her mouth with her hand, mumbling an apology.
Cassandra sighed and shook her head, taking each of the ladies' arms. "Dermius, really. That temper of yours is going to be the death of me. Come, girls, I suppose we should go in now."
Dermius escaped the room to speak with the guards. Cassandra led the Fellotinhan ladies to the grand ballroom doors, which were opened by servants dutifully. They all strode in, and instantly, Serenity was overcome with glee at the splendor.
The three were greeted by awed stares as they all descended the marble staircase. Serenity gulped, noting that all eyes were upon her.
As they reached the bottom step, Cassandra was instantly summoned by a servant to inspect all the food preparations. She whispered to the other two that she was needed and left them, kissing each one's cheek before going.
A royally dressed couple approached the Fellotinhan queen and princess, and they bowed in respect. The woman had a gentle smile as she greeted them. Her eyes were green and her hair, swept up high in an intricate design, was a dark ash blonde, with only a few graying strands. Her billowing dress was a dark blue, and the sleeves puffed out to hide the thinness of her arms. The man held a very respectful look, with stern brown eyes and hair, and a tall, thin frame, clad in the same color as his wife.
"Queen Melodine, Princess Serenity, how very good it is to see you both!" The woman exclaimed.
Melodine reached out and took the woman's hands, smiling. "Queen Annaliese, it is wonderful to see you as well. How are your daughters?"
Serenity's eyes finally took on a note of recognition when she heard the name. Queen Annaliese and King Charles of Neurtuneus, the parents of Haruka and Michiru stood before them. She was relieved to know that maybe, some of her close friends might be attending the ball.
"Oh, they are both very well. They should be flitting around here somewhere." Annaliese laughed gaily, her voice light and soft, matching her tiny form.
Serenity smiled. "I cannot wait to see them both again… they were in Fellotinhan just days ago, but every time I have the opportunity to be with my good friends is a true blessing."
Charles nodded at the princess. "I wish you well in your marriage, princess. Tell me, where is Endymion?"
Serenity bit her lip and looked at her mother, who looked as helpless as she. "Well, it seems that he has… been delayed. I am sure he will appear soon."
"Good. I hope to meet with him, as there is a matter of urgency for us to discuss."
"Oh, Charles, must you always think of business? It's a ball, dear, not a conference!" Annaliese pouted angrily.
Serenity turned to gaze about the rest of room, only partly listening to the conversation she was supposed to be engaged in. She listened a little as her mother went into detail with the Neurtuneus royalty about the marriage plans in days to come, but soon her eyes were too overcome with everything around her to notice anything else. She watched the many swirling couples on the dance floor for several minutes, noticing her good friends Rei and Ami among them. Smiling, she looked and saw Minako sitting with a couple, eating cake and drinking punch. Squinting her eyes, she tried to see who the couple was. Her eyes lit up as she recognized her brother and new sister.
She gasped excitedly. "Pardon, but will you please excuse me?" She turned back to the others she stood with, unaware that she was interrupting her mother. She rambled on. "I have just spotted someone I need to speak with. It has been very good to see you both." She bowed quickly and rushed away, picking up her swirling, glittery skirts and dashing around the room as fast as she could. Standing behind the chair her brother sat in, she stopped and hugged him from behind, kissing his cheek.
Motoki looked up in surprise, turning to see his sister looking at him happily. "My dear Sere!" He stood and scooped her into his arms, hugging her close. "You look beautiful!"
Serenity giggled and hugged him back. "Motoki, I've missed you."
"It's only been a few days, little sister!"
"I know! What shall I ever do with you in Fellotinhan and me living here? I will have to visit very often so I do not die from withdrawal of my dear brother… or you shall have to come to my rescue when I need you!"
Motoki laughed and kissed her forehead. "I will keep that in mind." He looked around and frowned. "Where is your fiancé? He is usually not but two steps behind you."
She sighed unhappily, pulling away and staring down at her dress. "I do not know. He's disappeared, as have his generals, but King Dermius made us come to the ball. He sent guards to look for Endymion, but…"
Motoki put an arm around her shoulder. "I'm sure they'll find him soon, Sere. Don't worry. Come on, let's dance, alright? I'm sure that Endymion would give consent to a brother wanting a dance with his baby sister."
"If he didn't, I'd kill him." Serenity smiled slightly.
Motoki laughed and looked at his wife, who was busily trying to scrub a punch stain out of Minako's dress. "Mako… is everything alright?"
Makato looked up and smiled quickly before turning back to her work. "It will be as soon as Mina learns to drink punch without spilling it. Serenity, please, do take the time to teach this silly girl her manners." She looked up angrily at a shame-faced Minako.
Serenity left her brother's side and went to stand with them, leaning down to kiss the top of both of their heads. "She gets excited and doesn't think, Mako. Just be patient with her."
Makato blushed and stopped scrubbing. "Oh, you're right… she's just a girl yet, after all." She looked at Minako sadly. "I'm sorry, dear. First I made you wear green and now I scold you like I'm your mother."
Minako bit her lip, fingering the stain in her bright yellow dress. "I don't mind, Mako… it's…" She looked down. "It's actually really nice to have someone act like that sometimes... even if it's scolding…"
Serenity squeezed Minako's shoulder. "My dear, you're a lucky one… you have not one, but at least three loving mothers who are there if you need us… Mako, Mother, and I are always here if you need us…"
Minako nodded, looking up with a smile. "I know. I am lucky."
"Mina… there is something I'd like to know." Motoki said. "Are you going to stay in Fellotinhan with myself and Makato, or will you come here with Serenity?"
Minako looked from Serenity to Makato, and then to Motoki. "Moto…I don't know right now. Fellotinhan is home, but… Sere…" She bit her lip. "I'll have to think."
Motoki smiled and pulled Serenity away from them. "Alright. You have a few days to decide. Come on, now, Sere, let's dance, yes?"
Serenity nodded, smiling. "I'd like to."
They went to the dance floor, stepping in tune with the waltz taking place.
Makato sat with a beaming smile. "Motoki and Sere are very close, aren't they?"
"Always have been. I always wished for a brother like Moto. But he's like my brother anyways." Minako stuffed a pastry into her mouth, licking her fingers.
Makato rolled her eyes playfully at the girl and looked out at the dance floor.
A few minutes into watching the dance, someone behind her cleared their throat. Makato blinked and turned, noticing that Minako had disappeared. She looked up to have her eyes met by piercing, beautiful blue ones and shoulder length white hair in a stern, handsome face.
"Queen Makato, may I have the pleasure of a dance?" The man asked, his voice silky. He extended his hand to take hers.
She blinked and stood up, reaching her hand out to place it in his before reaching back. She raised an eyebrow. "With whom am I to accept?"
"Demando, Prince of Perusia. I have seen that your husband is occupied, and I am obliged to make sure no lady of great honor is left without a dancing partner." He smiled at her, his white teeth flashing becomingly in a sparkling smile.
Makato smiled in return. "How very gracious of you. I would very much enjoy a dance."
He took her arm and led her to the dance floor. They swirled in time with the other dancers for several dances; at one point, they met in the middle of the dance floor with Serenity and Motoki.
As the music died down and others around them stood applauding, awaiting the next dance, Demando turned with a charming smile to Motoki.
"Your majesty, I have deprived you of your beautiful wife for long enough. Shall I exchange partners with you for the next dance?"
Motoki raised an eyebrow, but turned to Serenity, who shrugged and nodded her consent. "Yes… thank you."
Serenity placed her hand in Demando's outstretched one as Motoki and Makato whirled away with the rest of the dance floor. She looked up at the stranger, a puzzled look on her face. "I don't know you, do I?"
"I'm afraid not, Princess. My name is Demando. Perhaps, though, we will be better acquainted in the future." He grinned down at her, twirling her around.
Serenity bit her lip. "Yes… I suppose."
"Where is your fiancé, Princess?"
She jumped slightly. "Oh… he is… he is called away to business. He should appear soon. You are a good dancer, Demando." She commented, quick to change the subject before he questioned her more of Endymion's lack of appearance.
"Thank you. I may comment the same to you."
Endymion and Kunzite galloped through the Hershim fields as fast as possible, the wind hitting them both like a knife.
"Oh, god, Serenity… be safe. Please be safe." Endymion muttered, seeing the palace finally looming into view. "I'm coming. Be there. Be waiting for me."
Demando turned to Serenity with a becomingly smile. "Would you like to step outside for a breath of fresh air, Princess? It is a lovely night, and the moon is shining nearly as brightly as your eyes."
Serenity had to force herself not to roll her eyes. "Err… yes, of course. It is rather stifling in here."
Demando took her arm and led her outside. He looked behind him as they went, noticing that the only eyes watching them were those of Minako, who stood behind a white column, staring at him with distaste in her bright, livid blue eyes. He sneered at her and led Serenity out of the wide glass doors, shutting them behind them.
Minako narrowed her eyes. "Something's wrong with that guy. He's fishy."
She looked out at the ballroom. Motoki and Makato were still swirling about in a dance, both smiling and laughing. She looked around and saw Melodine and Cassadra standing with several other royally dressed women, talking. Dermius and several men were nearby, also deep in conversation.
Minako bit her lip. "Where is Endymion!" She muttered, searching for him. "Still he hasn't arrived…."
She walked around the ballroom for several minutes. Turning and walking back to the column where she had previously stood, she glanced out at the balcony. She paled. Serenity and the white haired man were gone.
She ran to the door and looked out, searching the entire balcony. All color drained from her face as she realized why Demando had looked at her so evilly. He had planned to take Serenity away. Away from her. Away from Motoki. Away from… Endymion. Minako gasped. "He took Sere!"
Just then, the wide doors at the top of the marble staircase burst open. Endymion and Kunzite ran in, both breathless, and looking rather haggard.
All music stopped and everyone turned to look up the staircase at them.
"Endymion!" Cassandra yelled, dropping the wine glass in her hand.
"Where is Serenity!" He bellowed, looking out among all the faces.
"ENDYMION!" Minako screamed, rushing forward and pointing out towards the balcony. "He took her! HE TOOK SERENITY!"
End Chapter Eleven