A/N- Only doing one author's note this time. Anyways, sorry it's taken me so long to update, but I've had test after test after test to study for so I haven't had time to write. Here's this chapter and the next one should be up sometime Friday or this weekend.
VcChick-Hope you like this one too!
.-.E.m.m.a.s.t.a.r.z.-.-Sorry, but this isn't going to help you suspense. You'll have to wait a little longer for that to be over.
Moon Titan- There's more comedy… at least I think so in this chapter, but nothing like Lita's punching…
Mysterious advisor- I'm not a Diamond fan either, but he is villain in this story so he will have his ass handed to him. Just not in this chapter. Sapphire doesn't like his brother much so Emerald knows he'll help. That's why she went to him when she wanted someone to help her.
Anonymous- What happens next? Read and find out…
eliza-morgan22- You only get to see Emerald and Sapphire's plan here. Serenity's parents will be coming back in two or three chapters though. There is something brewing there though.
raye85- hehe, you'll see! ;)
Alexandria18- It's alright to be a hopeless romantic. You'll understand that better at the end of the chapter. Anyways, sorry, but Serenity did need some company and Alan might be an idiot, but he can get more than one woman from Darien's crew.
Sailor Libra24- Thank you
cosmos serenity- I'll take a look at that website when I can, but that might not be for a while. I'll try to look it up on Sunday though so I might start posting this on there as well if I like it!
Sailorceb- Seiya has done something, but you won't find out what for a couple chapters. Sorry, but the next two chapters aren't focused on Serenity's parents of Seiya and his brothers.
Ffgirlmoonie- If you're talking about Emerald, this chapter explains it all so don't worry about that. Everyone is up to something though.
Dertupio- I have little control over the length of the story right now and don't know when it will end. I have ideas for the end and how to get there, but that won't be for a while still.
Vampirelf- It's all good to read pretty far into my story. I don't really care. If you're reading that deep then you should read "Trust" too. I'll be updating that tomorrow or Friday probably.
Gr33nJ3w3lRain- ya, well… um… just wait and see what happens with that. Like I've said before, that wait will be a little bit longer than usual because it has to take a couple chapters to get there…
LynGreenTea- Sorry this wasn't as soon as I wanted to update. I wanted to update yesterday, but complication arose. Don't worry chapters come up fast in this story.
Usagioverthemoon- Thank you!
Just to let you know this chapter only deals with what's going on around Serenity and the people around her… No Darien and No Seiya…
"Get up you lazy women!" Someone hollered into the storage cabin where Mina, Lita, and Serenity had been sleeping. The sun was blaring in their faces as they opened their eyes. "I said get up!" The same voice yelled again.
"What the hell do you want?" Lita asked sitting up.
"We're about to dock." The gruff voice answered. One of the men from Alan's crew walked into the light so they could see him. "Now turn around and don't try to do anything." The girls did as they told because the second day that they were on the ship they found that these men wouldn't tolerate anything and wouldn't worry about hitting a woman.
The man walked over and tied up each girl's hands behind her back with a rough rope that cut into their skin. Lita hissed when the man tightened her rope because every time someone came in they tied her arms up so she wouldn't hit anyone else.
"Follow me." The man ordered. The girls just kept their heads down and followed the man to the top deck where the crew was finishing docking and getting ready to leave the ship.
"So the three pirate women have decided to be nice now I see." Alan said as he walked up to the girls. He grabbed Serenity's chin and made her look up so that she was staring into his green eyes. "Too bad Diamond wants you. Otherwise I would have made you mine." Alan said with a smile. "O well, when he tires of you I guess I can come get you then."
"You-" Serenity wasn't able to get a reply out because the ship lurched when it finally stopped at the dock. The girls, still not use to the life on the seas, almost fell over. Lita and Mina caught their balance, but Serenity was caught by Alan.
"So glad you agree with me." He laughed. He pushed her back up and signaled for two men behind them to lead them to the dock. "Now, we will be going straight to the castle where…"
"Where I will be seeing you again my Princess." Diamond said as he boarded the ship.
"Prince Diamond." Alan said as he bowed. The rest of the men on the ship bowed, but the girls kept still showing their defiance. When Diamond had boarded the ship Serenity's eyes had widened before they closed to slits glaring at the man she despised.
"Why are their hands bound?" Diamond asked.
"They tend to be a bit… rebellious." Alan explained. "Mainly the tall one."
"In all the time I've known Serenity she has never once been that hostile that one would need to tie her up." Diamond said. He walked behind Serenity and grabbed her arms pulling her back against him. "It's nice to see you again Serenity. You have caused quite a lot of trouble."
"Good." Serenity answered. Diamond just laughed before taking in her scent and untying her wrists. Two crewman untied Lita and Mina and waited for Diamond's next orders.
"Why didn't you get the others?" Diamond asked.
"They were too strong my lord and put up to good of a fight. They killed many of our men." Alan explained.
"I told you I wanted all five girls and the five pirates!" Diamond hollered. "Get out of my sight; I don't want to see your pathetic excuse for a captain right now."
"Yes my lord." Alan said and with another bow he walked off giving orders to them men.
"Now, come Serenity. I want to show you your new home." Diamond said as he took Serenity's arm and led her off the ship. Mina and Lita were pushed to start walking which they did, mainly to get away from the men on the ship. There were two carriages waiting next to the dock when the girls got off the ship. "You two go in that carriage. My brother Sapphire is in there and will be escorting you. I'll take Serenity with me."
"No, I'm going with Serenity!" Lita hollered.
"I said NO! Anyways, there's no king to tell me what to do and since I am king you have to listen to me." Diamond said.
"You aren't king! Your father is king." Serenity said.
"Yes well, father died a couple weeks ago and that has allowed me to become king." Diamond answered. He smiled to the two girls as he led Serenity to their carriage and helped her in. Sapphire got in and helped Lita and Mina into the other carriage.
"You two are Serenity's friends? Lady Mina and Lady Lita correct?" Sapphire asked when the carriages began to move.
"What's it to you?" Lita asked with anger pouring out with every word.
"Lita! Yes we are." Mina said softly.
"Well, then I have good news for you. Not all of us here want Diamond to rule and we know that he will only ruin Serenity and change her into something no woman, especially her, should be." Sapphire said. "There is a woman in the castle who has longed for Diamond ever since she met him five years ago, but Diamond has always wanted Serenity."
"And they met before that five years." Lita said and Sapphire nodded his head.
"Well, anyways, the woman still lives in the castle as a lady of the court. She wants Diamond to herself and was wondering if she could help get rid of Serenity… I mean help you escape." Sapphire said.
"We don't care about your reasons, but please! Please help us!" Mina said with tears brimming in the sides of her eyes.
"The pirates will be coming after you?" Sapphire asked.
"Yes, Malachite and I are lovers. Nephrite loves Lita and Darien loves Serenity." Mina explained.
"Good, when they come we will help you then. I'll be with you and Emerald will meet with the pirates before they get here so she can tell them the plant. Is there something we can give or tell them that would make them believe us?" Sapphire asked.
"Um…" Mina started thinking hard and looking down at the ground.
"Give them this." Lita said unlocking a necklace that had been hiding under some cloth. It was a silver necklace with a pink rose pendant. "Nephrite gave it to me when we were younger and before I left to find work I gave it back to him. When we were reunited Nephrite gave me the necklace back. He made is especially for me so he'll know he can trust you."
"Thank you." Sapphire said. As they rode to the castle Sapphire told the girls the plan and told them to tell Serenity only at the deepest part of the night.
"So Serenity, did you really think you could run from me that easily?" Diamond asked looking over at the timid princess.
"I had hoped so." Serenity said.
"Well, sorry, but I'm going to make you my wife and queen… and that's a promise." Diamond said.
"Is that a promise or a threat?" Serenity asked glaring at him.
"I had hoped it would be a new future for you; one that you would look forward to." Diamond said.
"I would never look forward to anything that involves you! I despise your visits, I burn your notes, and I bathe for days after you leave to get your dirtiness off me!" Serenity spat.
"Such harsh remarks my dear, but those will soon melt." Diamond said with a smile. "Now, you must be tired so why don't you get some sleep? We'll be at the castle before midday."
"You expect me to go to sleep?"
"Yes."
"With you here and no one else?"
"Yes."
"You're joking right?"
"No."
"Too bad, but I'm not sleeping because I know you can't keep those greasy hands to yourself and you'll try to do something while I'm sleeping!" Serenity hollered. She had finally found her voice once more and was ready to battle Diamond with words and the occasional slap.
"I bet you slept with Darien near you." Diamond sneered.
"Yes I did and that was because I trusted him. In face we slept in the same bed." Serenity said with a smile.
"Why you…!" Diamond tried to lunge at Serenity, but she pulled out a small knife from her shoe. "Where did you get that?"
"A trick Derrick showed me before your men killed him! Now sit down and don't pull anything because I won't be responsible for my actions." Serenity said. Diamond grumbled before sitting back down across from Serenity.
For the rest of the ride Serenity watched the land go from a seaside town to green meadows and then to bleak, unlivable land. "How can anything live like this?" Serenity thought when she saw some farmers struggling in their fields. Diamond decided to sit back and switch back and forth from glaring to admiring the girl in front of him.
"We are here." Diamond said right as the carriage came to a stop. Serenity looked up at the dark castle that loomed over them. It was just like she remembered it, dark, dreary, and the castle you saw in nightmares. After Serenity had come here with her parents years ago the place still haunted her along with the prince, now king that ruled it.
"Will I ever go home?" Serenity asked with the last signs of a fading hope.
"Eventually yes, but only to visit for this is your new home." Diamond said as he led her inside. Serenity turned around to see Lita and Mina being helped out by Diamond's younger brother. The girls gave her a reassuring smile and a small wink before following Sapphire.
"What will happen to them?" Serenity asked.
"They will work as servants in the castle, but they will be your servants so you will see them." Diamond said. With that he led her into the throne room where a new chair was sitting next to the one Serenity saw Diamond's father sitting in long ago. "Here you are my sweet." Diamond helped her sit down and then took his chair and looked down at her. "Get used to that chair, for when you are my queen that will be your place everyday, right next to me."
"Diamond, can't I go to my room to freshen up?" Serenity asked pleadingly.
"Of course. Minerva, lead your queen to her room." Diamond ordered. A maid walked over and bowed to Diamond before walking down the halls.
"Is this castle always so confusing?" Serenity asked.
"You get used to it so don't worry." Minerva said.
"Can I ask you something?" Serenity asked.
"Of course my lady." Minerva answered.
"Is my room the same as Diamond's?"
"No. The council would frown upon that and not allow the marriage to continue." Minerva explained. "But you are right next to him. I suggest you bolt the door at night."
"Thank you." Serenity said with a smile. Minerva showed Serenity her room and then left to do other chores. Serenity looked around the room to find dark wooden furniture, black bedding, and other dark items around the room. Unlike Darien's room, which had been dark as well as full of life, this held only death to it. "My death." Serenity thought.
After a while of searching Serenity found a closet, but instead of more black clothes she found brilliant white dresses made of the purest silks. "So he wants me to stand out." Serenity though touching one of the dresses.
(With Mina and Lita)
"I hope she'll be ok." Lita said when they lost sight of Serenity as she walked into the castle.
"She's strong and her love for Darien is true. Don't worry about it. Right now we need to do as we're told." Mina said.
"You two, follow me." Sapphire said, returning to his cold uncaring state that he was forced to show when he was home with his brother. The girls followed Sapphire into the back entrance of the castle where an old fat woman was waiting for them.
"Are these the two new girls?" The woman asked.
"Yes they are. Diamond wants them to be…"
"Kitchen maids, I know." The woman said ushering the girls in.
"No, they are supposed to be Serenity's handmaidens." Sapphire corrected.
"Diamond never mentioned that. These are the girls from the ship correct?"
"Yes Bertha, but Diamond told me they were supposed to be with Serenity."
"Well they're kitchen maids till I hear otherwise. Now leave so I can train them." Bertha said as she closed the door.
"Now ladies, we need to get you trained and working as fast as possible." Bertha said walking over to the girls. "Put these on and hurry." She handed them two maid outfits and showed them the changing rooms.
"You have to be kidding, kitchen maids?" Lita grumbled.
"Maybe you could give the cook some pointers." Mina joked.
"I probably will." Lita shot back.
"How are we going to get to see Serenity?" Mina asked.
"Bring her food of course. You know how hungry she is." Lita said with a smile.
"Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Now help me with this dress." Mina turned around to let Lita lace up the back.
"Are you two done in there?" Bertha shouted. "We need to start!"
"Coming!" They hollered. Mina helped Lita with her lacings and they walked out only to have a lecture start about what to do.
(With Sapphire)
"Great, Diamond has to go and ruin everything. That seems to be the only thing he can ever do." Sapphire thought to himself. He stalked off in search of Emerald so they could decide a plan of action.
"Emerald, where are you?" Sapphire huffed turning yet another corner to a place Emerald liked being.
"Right here. Is there something wrong?" Emerald asked appearing out of the shadows.
"Yes, you know how we planned for all the girls to be together so we could get them out at one time?" Sapphire said.
"Yes, what about it? Diamond said that the girls were going to be Serenity's handmaidens."
"They aren't hand maidens. In fact, they're kitchen maids." Sapphire said.
"Great. Well since there will be at least three of the love sick pirates coming, we can split them up so one group can get the two maids and the other one, I'm presuming Darien, can get Serenity." Emerald said with a smile. "It really isn't that hard Sapphire."
"I know, but I wanted to tell you anyways." Sapphire said rolling his eyes.
"Well we need to talk to Serenity so let's go see her." Emerald said dragging Sapphire behind her. "Princess Serenity, can I come in?" Emerald called through the door as she knocked.
"Who are you?" Serenity asked opening the door a crack.
"Someone who you are going to love. Now I need to come in and talk to you." Emerald said. Serenity just nodded as she opened the door further to let Emerald in and a stumbling.
"Now who are you?"
"My name is Emerald dear. I'm a lady of the court and I have had my eye on Diamond for quite some time. When I get here I find out he's already fallen for another… you." Emerald explained.
"Don't worry, you can have him." Serenity muttered sitting on her bed.
"See, that's what I heard. You don't like him and love another, this Captain Darien." Emerald said. Serenity nodded and waited for her to continue. "Well, I want to help you get out of here. I don't want to see Diamond with another and it might be better if the future queen isn't moping around."
"So what are you going to do?" Serenity asked.
"Well we were planning on just helping the guys in and finding you and your friends, but we've run into some complications." Emerald said.
"Your friends have been placed as kitchen maids." Sapphire said.
"What? Diamond said they would be my personal maids so they could be with me. He's going to…" Serenity's calm blue eyes darkened as she started thinking about Diamond's second mistake so far, the first one being taking her from Darien.
"Look, I know how much you hate my brother, but we've got a plan to get you out." Sapphire said.
"When Darien and his crew gets here we're going to stop them and help them into the castle. We'll lead the two who are going after your friends-" Emerald started.
"Nephrite and Malachite will be those two." Serenity said.
"Yes well, anyways, we'll help them get your friends then we'll help the third, Darien, to you." Emerald finished. "Hopefully it will be an in and out operation so Diamond won't know what hit him."
"Let's hope nothing else goes wrong." Sapphire said.
"Do you know when Darien is supposed to get here?" Serenity asked.
"Probably sometime tomorrow or the next day." Sapphire said.
"O, ok." Serenity said. "Um, one more thing. How are you going to get them to believe you?"
"Lita told us to give Nephrite this." Sapphire said holding up the necklace.
"I see, but they'll think you're holding her for ransom or something." Serenity said. She looked around the room and saw stationary sitting at the desk and got an idea. Serenity wrote a quick note and handed it to Sapphire. "Give that to Darien and everything will be fine." Sapphire nodded as he took the note. He was about to open it when Serenity yelled at him not to and that it was something personal she wished to keep between her and Darien.
Emerald and Sapphire started walking out of Serenity's rooms when Serenity got up and grabbed Emerald's arm. "Thank you for doing this. Though I know it's for selfish reasons, it's not a 100 selfish. Flirt with Diamond all you want while I'm here because I couldn't care less about what he does." Emerald just stared at the girl and nodded her head before following Sapphire out.
"She truly is strange…" Emerald muttered joining Sapphire.
"No she is in love and you have replenished her hope." Sapphire said with a smile.
"Stop being a romantic." Emerald said as she stormed ahead of Sapphire and went in search of someone to occupy her time with.
(later that night)
"Diamond, where were Lita and Mina all today?" Serenity asked.
"I'm sorry dear, were they not there?" Diamond asked.
"No they weren't and I miss them greatly already. There's a rumor though that they are kitchen maids! What a silly rumor though because I know you'd never lie to me." Serenity said.
"Never." Diamond said with a smile.
"Good because I was going to tell Daddy to restore the treaty, but if you had lied to me. I would have burned it myself!" Serenity said with a smile. Diamond gulped thinking about the treaty and what Seamus would do.
For that dinner Serenity acted happier than usual, but dropped hints at if Diamond did this something would happen. Diamond just nodded his head and tried to keep up with Serenity's chatter.
