A/N- I love you guys! Thank you to all of you who reviewed!
Sarah Lynn86- Thank you and I tried to update as soon as I could!
Serenity287- Thank you and I'm updating as fast as I can!
SailorSenshi141- Long chapters are coming. I actually don't like short chapters too so I try to write as much as I can in one chapter. Thank you too!
Ffgirlmoonie- Thank you for reviewing! I know, I had the next chapter already forming in my head. I wasn't sure if I should write more for the last chapter or not. So instead I'm writing a lot for this chapter.
So here's the next chapter, I hope you guys like it! Please review again!
All the guests were already in the ballroom waiting for the King, Queen, Princess, and guest of Honor Prince Diamond. "King Seamus and Queen Selene!" One of the servants announced as Seamus and Selene walked in. They smiled and nodded towards people who needed to be welcomed. "Princess Serenity and Prince Diamond!" The servant announced. Serenity was on Diamond's arm as she tried to smile and look happy.
As the night wore on Serenity and Diamond talked with other noble couples as well as danced a little bit. Serenity's parents watched everything from their throne thinking their daughter was happy with the man who was currently twirling her around the dance floor.
"Dinner is ready!" A servant announced from two large oak doors. The doors were opened and the guests found their spots along the room length table. Dishes were already out and ready for the guests along with cups filled with the best wine the castle could fine.
Everyone chatted merrily as they sat down. King Seamus and Queen Selene were seated at the head of the table with Serenity on their right. Diamond was next to Serenity and grasping her hand under the table.
"Diamond, will you please let go of my hand?" Serenity whispered into Diamond's ear. To any other it would look like they were young lovers whispering secrets for only them to know.
"Of course my dear." Diamond said with a smile and he let Serenity's hand go, but not without one last squeeze.
Three giant boars and two turkeys were set down in front of the guests along with various vegetables. As soon as Seamus and Selene had gotten what they wanted everyone else started plating their own food. "Here you are Serenity." Diamond said as he placed a piece of pork onto her plate.
"Thank you, but I would rather have turkey and only a little bit. I'm not all that hungry tonight." Serenity said.
"Are you feeling alright Serenity?" Diamond asked wit concern etched onto his face.
"Fine, just not hungry." Serenity answered as she took a sip of her wine. "I might be feeling fine, but I might die if I have to spend much longer with you." She thought when Diamond looked away.
Everyone had been eating and talking for sometime when King Seamus stood up. The hall instantly died down in respect and waited to hear what the king had to say.
"Welcome to this wonderful feast tonight in honor of Prince Diamond's visit. I'm sorry to say his father could not make it because he was not feeling well enough to make the trip. We are glad to see you made it here well though." King Seamus said holding a glass towards Diamond. Diamond simply nodded his thanks and allowed Seamus to go on.
"Diamond's father and I have been negotiating treaty's for some time now in hopes of merging our two kingdoms. We have the found the best way for it other than a signed piece of paper. It seems that you, Prince Diamond, have been infatuated with our lovely Princess and you two are constantly together as much as possible. So tonight is not only in honor of Prince Diamond's arrival, but the engagement of Prince Diamond and Princess Serenity!" The King announced.
oOoOoOo
In Triste
"So you say you are one of Prince Diamond's stable boys?" Malachite asked the young man who was currently sitting with him at the bar. He had red hair and dark brown eyes that were already glistening over from one too many drinks.
"Yep, came all the way up here so he could get engaged to some Princess Serenity." The boy said.
"Wow, an engagement, that means the two nations with be merging."
"Yep… hiccup… this has been planned for some time now… hiccups… King Luscious (Diamond's dad) and King Seamus have been in deep negotiations for almost a year."
"They have been planning this for that long of a period?"
"King Luscious is too sick to make it. Always going around… hiccup… and coughing. He barely moves at all. Prince Diamond… hiccup… does most of the… hiccup… now a days."
"Is that so? When is Diamond going back to see his father?" Malachite asked ordering the stable hand another drink.
"In four days. He said it was to give the princess enough time to get over the… hiccup… news…" The man said. As soon as he said the last word he passed out on the counter.
"Thank you my friend." Malachite said patting the boys back before getting up. He walked out the door glancing once more over at all the people in the bar. He wanted to return once more to see Mina before trying to find Darien, though he knew it wouldn't be that hard to do.
oOoOoOo
Back at the Castle
"Kill me now Lita. I swear kill me now. It will be much more pleasant than living with that… that… that monster!" Serenity yelled. She fell into her friend's arms as they sat on one of the couches in her friend's room.
Lita was tall with dark brown hair that fell just below her shoulders. She worked as a maid around the castle. She started working with Molly about two years ago and had become with instant friends.
"You mean you never knew this was going to happen?" Lita asked as she stroked Serenity's head.
"If I had I would have never shown up for this damn ball." Serenity said as she slowly stopped crying.
"Serenity, I saw what happened. I can't believe they did that to you!" Amy, one of the Lord's daughters said as she rushed in. Amy was Serenity's only true friend within the court.
"I know!" Serenity said as she started crying again.
Flashback
"…but the engagement of Prince Diamond and Princess Serenity!" The King announced. The entire room erupted in "congratulations" and the roar of clapping. Diamond stood up and shook Seamus's hand as Seamus patted him on the back. Diamond picked up Serenity's hand and stood her up. Her mother immediately engulfed her in a hug and whispered her congratulations in Serenity's ear.
When Selene finally let her daughter go Diamond's arm was instantly around her waste holding her firmly to him. Serenity suppressed a shiver at the thought of being so close to him.
"Why don't we all go back into the ballroom and continue the festivities?" King Seamus suggested.
Everyone re-entered the ballroom where the band started playing once more. Diamond pulled Serenity up close to him. "So what was that offer this afternoon? The one from the rose garden? Ah yes I believe it was you would kiss me when we were engaged." Diamond said with a smile.
"You had this all planned out didn't you? You knew that this was the announcement."
"I am not blind. My father also told me about the plans of this engagement when he first started negotiations with your father. I have been pretty much running my kingdom since my father's illness has grown stronger." Diamond explained. "Now I believe you owe me a kiss."
Serenity was about to protest when Diamond gently tilted her head up and planted his lips onto hers. Serenity instantly squeezed her lips shut so Diamond's kiss couldn't go farther than that. His tongue in her mouth was farther than a kiss in her mind.
"I'm sorry, but I'm feeling a little tired. I think I'll retire right now." Serenity said when she tore her mouth away. Serenity ran off before Diamond could protest. She said good night to her parents, feigned feeling tired, and then left the ballroom.
End Flashback
"I really do feel for you. I swear I do, but you have to put on your mask to seem happy."
"I wish I wasn't a princess. I wouldn't have to do this. I could be able to marry for love!" Serenity said.
"Alright, well, we need to go. Your parents will probably check on you before they go to bed. C'mon, get up." Amy said. "Lita, will you come with us to help get these things out of Serenity's hair?" Amy pointed to all the pins and jewels in Serenity's long golden ponytails.
"Alright, I'll meet you guys there. I need to get some slippers." Lita said rushing to find her slippers."
oOoOoOo
On the Sea Cobra
"I figured I would find you here." Malachite said coming up behind Darien. Malachite had gone to see Mina one more time before coming back to the ship to find Darien studying some map he had probably found on the shelves.
"How is Mina doing?" Darien asked not looking up from his map.
"She's doing well. Still waitressing the Lounge." Malachite said sitting down.
"You found out when Diamond will be leaving?"
"Of course I did. I wouldn't come find you unless I didn't. He'll be leaving the castle in four days which means he'll be in the village in four and half or five days depending on the princess and weather." Malachite said.
"Good job, but why would it depend on the Princess?" Darien asked.
"Eh, princesses can be loud and whinny sometimes. Never know how long she could hold him up for." Malachite answered as he took out his dagger and cleaned off a red liquid.
"Good point, good point. What did you do get into a fight?"
"Some guy tried to take Mina away from me. Just gave him a warning stab, nothing major. Get some rest Darien. You'll need it." Malachite said as he put his dagger away and got up. He walked out of the main cabin and found his own. He laid down and started thinking about things to come. What would happen with this raid on Diamond? Would he get to see Mina again? He knew he should have spent the night with her, but he needed to tell Darien about Diamond.
Darien had disregarded his closest friend's advice and kept looking at the map of Ceinlys. Something bothered him about the place. It was like in the back of his mind he had been there before, but he remembers nothing of the kingdom. Finally, after half an hour more of examining the map he sat down and grabbed a bottle of rum.
oOoOoOo
The next morning at the Castle of Ceinlys.
"Serenity, your parents wish to talk to you." Molly said as she tried to wake up her mistress. "Serenity, do not make me get cold water out."
"You wouldn't" Serena mumbled from under the covers.
"Do you think I am joking? Now get up Serenity or you will get your bath in bed!" Molly yelled.
"I'm up, I'm up." Serenity mumbled. She sat up and looked around her room. The sun had yet to come over the mountains, but the moon still had a steady glow on her balcony.
Molly helped get Serenity dressed even though Serenity was still half asleep. She finally woke up when Lita came in to start her chores. It wasn't Lita's presence that woke her up, but the sweet smelling little bites of food she brought with her.
"I love you Lita!" Serenity exclaimed as she launched herself at the food. Lita just laughed and helped Molly with Serenity's hair as Serenity ate.
"Now Serenity, your parents and fiancé are waiting for you in the throne room." Molly explained. "You are to meet with them as soon as possible so no dawdling through the halls."
"Alright, I'll see you guys later." Serenity said as she wiped her face clear of any crumbs and smoothed out her skirt.
Serenity hummed to herself as she walked through the long halls of the castle. When she reached the throne room she walked in as quietly as she could manage. Unfortunately the large wooden doors slammed shut behind her. Diamond and her father stopped their animated talk and turned to look at her.
Diamond instantly walked forward and took her hands. "Good morning love." He said as he kissed her cheek.
"Good morning. Molly told me you wished to talk about something." Serenity said as she gave a short curtsey to her parents.
"Diamond and I were just discussing when the wedding should be and other arrangements. We have decided that you should go visit Derfail with Diamond before you come back here for the wedding. That way Diamond's father will be here for the wedding as well." King Seamus explained.
"And when do we leave?" Serenity asked in a flat tone. It was all she could do to hide the terror that was racking her body with the thought of being with Diamond that long and in such a close proximity.
"In three days. Then you shall return in two months. The wedding is in two and half months. Do you understand?"
"Yes father. I'll take my leave so I can go back." Serenity said. She turned around and walked out of the throne room. As soon as the doors shut behind her and she was far enough down the hall she started crying again.
Amy found her leaning on the wall, cheeks still wet from tears, and the glow that usually surrounded her gone. Amy called for Lita who came as quickly as she could. They were able to get her back to her room without anyone seeing them. Amy and Lita led Serenity to her bed where the comforted her until she had stopped crying. Unfortunately all the events from the past couple days had taken a toll on Serenity and she fell asleep as soon as she stopped crying.
"Lita, will you come get me when she wakes up?" Amy asked standing up.
"Of course." Lita answered with a nod. Amy walked out of the room and down the hall.
A/N- Wow, I'm updating really fast. I know it's a good thing, but I have some bad news. I might be able to get one or two chapters up the rest of this week because I have a swim meet that's making me leave my computer. I'll be writing though! I promise.
Please keep reviewing!
