Chapter 6: Complications
Several Months Prior…
Prince Demande was pleasantly drunk. It had been a long day of meeting with Diplomats, Politicians, and his brother Sapphire. Of late, he had little desire to be involved in the day-to-day operations of governing Nemesis but it was a necessary evil. The fall of Earth, although desired and welcomed, created complications for the ruling entity of Nemesis. A puppet government needed to be installed on Earth, and pockets of rebels neutralized. At the forefront of his ambitions for Earth included finding and destroying his rival for Serenity's heart and those blasted Sailor Senshi. He allowed them to live, in a moment of weakness, calling off his generals' final attack.
Prince Demande had spent much of each evening in solitude, mulling over his victory. Although most events had gone according to design, Demande waited impatiently to hear a daily update from his brother, regarding Serenity's condition. Sailor Moon's retrieval from Earth was a physical success but she had yet to awaken following her exposure to the malefic black crystal. What if she remained in the same blasted state as the Queen in the 30th century?
"Your majesty," the girl eyed him warily. The help was always cautious when Prince Demande was drinking. They knew his inhibitions were lowered and he was likelier to lash out; it was common knowledge amongst the female staff. "The Blue Prince requests an audience."
Prince Demande was in no mood to put up with his brother's epic musings. It had been far too long of a day. Had their two-hour meeting this afternoon not been enough? "Leave me be, I do not wish to be disturbed."
"His serene highness…", the girl nervously looked at Prince Demande, twirling her hair. "He said you might say that."
Demande was annoyed. This girl was ruining his perfectly good Cabernet. "Speak frankly, what is it that my brother desires?"
"He said to inform you that the maiden from the Serpentine outpost is conscious."
"The maiden is awake?" The tightening of Demande's fists as he leaned forward was the only betrayal of emotion.
"Yes or rather she was. The lady is resting now," the maid rushed to explain.
"How are her vitals? Are there any complications?" Demande inquired, attempting to keep up the facade of his lazy attitude.
"Her vitals are steady and she appears to have made a full physical recovery". The girl averted his intent gaze and stared at her feet. "However, her memory appears to be altered. She remembers nothing, majesty. Not even her name."
"Oh, what a pity." Internally smiling Demande relaxed and leaned back on his throne. "We must make arrangements for her to stay at the palace. She can't be sent back to the outpost in this fragile condition." Demande took a long swig from his glass, finishing off the contents. "Ready a suite and notify his serene highness of my intentions."
The girl curtsied and quickly exited the room, scurrying past Rubeus who had taken advantage of the open door. The fiery general stomped into the room, aghast at what he had just overheard.
"Rubeus my friend, have a drink with me. There is much to celebrate tonight." Demande rose from his throne with outstretched arms, a rare smile stretched across his face.
"You wiped her memory and plan to keep her here! Are you insane?!" Rubeus barked, forgetting his place. "After everything we've gone through! You risk too much!"
The pain was still raw from losing Kohn and her three sisters to Sailor Moon and the Sailor Senshi. Rubeus had desperately wanted to kill Sailor Moon to make her pay for his pain. But much to his chagrin, Prince Demande had other plans for the future queen of Crystal Tokyo.
"Silence, Rubeus. I do not have to privy you to my thought process. Have I ever led you astray?" The smile instantly vanished and Demande's eyes turned into dangerous slits. "Keeping Sailor Moon here on Nemesis is part of the greater plan."
"Yes, your majesty." Rubeus bowed, stiffly avoiding Demande's icy glare.
"Do not forget your place, Rubeus." Prince Demande commanded his voice echoing in the expansive space. "I am your sovereign."
"Sailor Moon will be our downfall," Rubeus thought to himself bitterly. One cannot contain the host of silver crystal and expect to avoid repercussions.
*The Present*
Serenity shrieked with the latest crack of thunder. There was nothing she hated more than thunder and lightning. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination or not, but the storm felt like a living, breathing entity, designed to personally torture her. Serenity was confident that this fear was not new with the way her body responded to each successive crash with a deep shudder.
"I may not remember hating storms but I definitely can feel it," she grumbled, looking out the window. Raindrops pelted the glass making a steady ticking noise. It was evening in the capital but with the fierce storm, there would be no sunset to view. The Nemesisian sky was black as obsidian. Going outside during a storm could be fatal, she had been warned by a concerned passerby.
"No chance of that," she thought to herself. "You'd be crazy to try."
Another crack lit the night sky shortly followed by rumbling that shook the palace. "I can't take this anymore!" She shouted, to no one in particular, her voice echoing in the expansive room.
Serenity took off into the palace in search of Sapphire and some much-needed solace.
"I can find my way there. It can't be too hard to find his lab."
After the third pass of the same statue, Serenity began to grow concerned. "I think I may be lost."
A flock of courtiers coming from the opposite direction in the Hall of Victors caught Serenity's attention bringing her back to the moment. The smart click of their heels and chatter of voices could be heard long before their presence was shown. Serenity melted into a column not wanting to be drawn into conversation, in her current state; red eyes and tears were not very fashionable.
"I heard her place was bought," delicately giggled one courtier in a pale-yellow dress.
"She doesn't even have the mark of the dark moon," cackled another with auburn hair.
"Were they talking about me?" Serenity thought. Not every member of the court bore the inverted black crescent moon; however, Serenity found herself in the minority among the elite. She was the only member of Demande's inner circle not to wear the insignia.
"Once the royal family tires of her, she'll be sent back to wherever she came from. She's just his majesty's latest fling." Answered a third, shrill voice.
"Latest fling?!" Serenity's heart sank. They were talking about her. The courtiers were known to be a vicious lot. Serenity had managed to avoid their ire, or so she thought.
"She'll be gone in a month, banished to that backwoods outpost where she belongs. Mark my words," said the first voice. "I don't even know why they bother with her. She has no potential. Did you hear about her latest Faux pas…" The group exited the Hall of Victors around a corner giggling and continuing with their gossip, unaware that Serenity had heard every last stabbing word.
"He is Sovereign. Your king. What makes you think he would desire you? You have nothing to offer," she fought back the tears that threatened to spill over the dam in her mind.
Every fear that she had was laid out before her by these women. She was the only courtier without the mark. Serenity had long decided that not having her past memories was an inconvenience. Sure, she got melancholy about it from time to time but she rarely complained. But the thought of being ripped away from the only life she knew in the capital was downright petrifying.
"You are no one." She chided herself harshly, viewing her reflection in the window. "You're only here because someone took pity on you." Hot tears streamed down her face and she began to cry uncontrollably, the sobs wracking her body. Serenity crumbled to the ground bringing her knees to her chest as she scooted against the nearest wall. Her wails echoed off the marble statues.
"What is that infuriating racket?!" A strong voice bellowed, startling Serenity even further.
Serenity looked up to the source of the sound pathetically with doe-like eyes. "Me," she sniffled, eyes red.
Master Rubeus', one of Demande's generals and closest confidants, leaned over her with rage as intense as the storm. His fiery hair juxtaposed the muted interior of the hall.
"What's the matter with you?" Master Rubeus gestured to Serenity splayed out on the floor.
"I'm... I'm scared." She hung her head, sniffling again.
"Of what? The storm?" He raised his arms in defiance.
Serenity nodded her head vigorously.
Another boom of thunder shook the hallway and Serenity promptly hooked onto Rubeus' trousers. Fresh tears streamed down her face and she burrowed into his pant leg.
"Oh for the love of the Gods you can come to my quarters, just promise me you'll stop these tears," Rubeus glared at Serenity. "You're louder than the thunder."
"I… I don't want you to feel obligated." She whined, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "Demande is gone on a State Visit to Proxima and I can't find Sapphire. I don't want to be alone."
"It's not like anyone can sleep with this storm raging outside." He motioned to Serenity with a huff, "Follow me." Rubeus hoisted Serenity up from the floor and pulled her down the hall.
"I need a map for this place." She grumbled. "I get lost far too often."
"You'll get used to it eventually."
"How long did it take you?" Serenity asked hopefully.
"About two years," Rubeus deadpanned.
The pair arrived at a tall mahogany door that Rubeus promptly waved open with a flick of his hand. Serenity entered Rubeus' quarters and found an inviting den with a fireplace radiating warmth. It wasn't what she expected at all; Rubeus had a reputation for being gruff and she assumed that his quarters would reflect that persona. Serenity sat on the adjacent leather sofa with her hands clasped gracefully. She knew Master Rubeus was friends with Emerald and didn't want a bad report going back.
"You can relax and drop to courtier act. You don't have to try and impress me." Rubeus suggested as he strolled over to a small bar.
"Really?" Her shoulders relaxed slightly as Serenity settled into the soft leather.
"I think the courtier rouse was up when you clung to my leg on the floor." Rubeus surmised as he dropped ice cubes into a heavy glass.
"Good point… And you won't tell Emerald?" She asked cautiously. The last thing Serenity needed was another bad report going to Emerald.
Rubeus burst out laughing, "Please, I take advantage of any chance that I have to undermine her; your poor courtier behavior is safe with me."
Thunder again shook the palace and Serenity hugged herself, trying not to cry. "Are the storms always this bad in the Capital?"
"Sometimes, but you'll get used to it with time. Have a drink. It will help." Rubeus shoved a crystal tumbler into Serenity's shaky hand.
Serenity took a large swig and sputtered; the contents burned and were much stronger than the wine she was accustomed to having at meals with Prince Demande. However, the effects of the alcohol made her feel warm, and soon the thunderstorm was a forgotten afterthought.
"The courtiers are witches," Serenity vowed, her inhibitions relaxed by the drink. "All they do is gossip, scheme, and tell lies."
"Ah the courtiers," Rubeus mused. I'd say that's an accurate statement. They're a vicious lot."
Serenity nodded enthusiastically in agreement, taking another sip from her crystal glass.
"Don't let them get to you. You're a favorite. The last favorite was Emerald so you're in good company." Rubeus shared as he refilled her drink.
"Really?" Her eyes brightened, considerably mulling over this information.
"Do I look like the kind of guy that would say something just to make you feel better?" Rubeus arched his eyebrow as he refilled his beverage.
Serenity burst out giggling. "No, I suppose not."
"Exactly. Take my word for it. Your place is safe. They're just jealous." He shared with a mischievous smirk.
"How did you earn your place?"
"A little bit of this, a little bit of that."
"Don't jest. Not every general has their face memorialized in stone."
He jeered, as he took another swig. "I don't deserve the credit. She does."
"Who's she?" Serenity asked delicately, sitting back up. "Emerald?"
"Gods no." Rubeus laughed bitterly. "Koan… I didn't appreciate her until it was too late. And now she's gone."
The pair sat in awkward silence each drinking their respective libation. Serenity was the first to break the silence.
"What was she like?" Serenity asked gently.
"Beautiful. Elegant." Rubeus drew a long breath, staring at the fire. "I didn't deserve her affection."
"I'm sorry she's gone."
"How can you be?" Rubeus argued. "You didn't even know her."
"You cared for her so she must have been special. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet her."
Rubeus stared at Serenity as if looking for the right words. "Sacrificed for the greater good, I've been reminded."
"May her memory be a blessing." Serenity whispered.
"Indeed." They both raised their glasses to Koan.
The storm continued to seethe outside the palace walls, beating against the windows with jealous rage.
"How could it snow last week and rain this week? The weather here makes no sense." Serenity huffed looking out the window with disdain.
"The irregular orbit of Nemesis causes unique weather patterns not known to other planets in the solar system." They echoed in unison, mimicking Sapphire. The pair promptly burst out laughing.
"I see Sapphire's attempting to educate you." Rubeus chuffed, wiping a tear from his eye.
"Trying and failing miserably. I'm not a good student. This is the only thing I remember." Serenity admitted with a wide grin. "Just ask Emerald!"
"Being studious is not the only path to success here in the capital. There are other ways to impress. Rumor has it you're doing well all on your own."
Serenity blushed. "Thank you." A yawn escaped her lips. "Next time we should have Milkshakes. They're much tastier than liquor."
"Who says there's going to be a next time?" Rubeus ribbed.
Serenity's face dropped.
"I'm only kidding. We can do milkshakes but only if we add liquor," Rubeus winked. "Then you get the best of everything."
"You can do that?" Serenity perked up.
"Oh yes." He laughed. "Demande really needs to expand your culinary palate."
"He talked about trying sweater reds," she yawned again. "But I haven't found any I like yet. I'm not a very good pupil."
"I don't think you're going to find a red wine that you will like." Rubeus teased.
"Why do you say that?" Serenity questioned, giggling.
"You're too sweet. In every sense of the word." Rubeus elaborated with a warm smile.
She nodded in agreement and curled up on the sofa. "Can I stay here tonight? I don't really want to go back to my suite. Even if I could manage to find it on my own."
"I suppose. Just promise me you won't wail again."
"Promise." She flopped over on the sofa with a final yawn. "Goodnight Rubeus." Within seconds she was lightly snoring, her arms clasped tightly around a throw pillow.
"Goodnight sweet Serenity." Rubeus covered her form with a soft blanket. Then he placed a few logs on the dwindling fire ensuring that it would burn vigorously until dawn.
Thank you all for sticking with me on this journey. I find such joy in writing this story and look forward to posting the next chapter in the future. I'm working on sketching out some details that will help fill in the gaps of where I want to take the story next!