Title: Kingdom of Treason
Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Sailor Moon
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Thank you so much everyone for posting. Here's the next chapter! Hope you like it!
He pictured her there, sitting on the edge of his bed with that beautiful smile on her face all the way down the silent marble hallways. When he thought of her and her sensuous curves and soft skin, it brought a smile to his face. By the time he reached his brothers sitting room, he was almost happy.
"Endymion, sit down," Diamond said in greeting.
Endymion sat down as he was told and waited while his brother continued talking some nonsense to whichever foreign dignitary was sitting across from him. Endymion didn't care. In a few months he knew that he would be looking the man in the face as his army annihilated his, so it was no use getting to know their political situations.
He noticed Raye sitting a short ways away and smiled kindly at her. She looked a little tired, but her fiery smile showed that she was still strong and resilient. Her deep red dress sat around her beautifully and her straight glossy black hair lay around her in perfect precision. His brother was a fool. Any other man would not be able to take his eyes off her, and yet Diamond seemed to care nothing for her. She was a woman with a rare spirit and he could only hope that the King wouldn't beat it out of her. If only she might have a son, she would be safe.
"Endymion," the King said capturing his attention again. He looked over and smiled. "You're looking well today."
He couldn't help but smile.
"I see my present to you actually succeeded in relieving you of some of your stiffness," Diamond said laughing crudely. "It just goes to show that a good and willing woman can cure any mind illness of a man."
Endymion couldn't help but think how crude his brother was. What man talked about bedding a woman while his wife was present?
"I suppose I have to admit that last night your predictions were justified," he said noticing Raye look at him strangely. "I am very thankful for you gift and wish to keep it."
He knew that he was talking about her as an object, but his brother would not hear him any other way. Diamond only saw women like Serenity as one thing, and that was useless objects that were to be used and then thrown away. He wouldn't understand that Endymion actually liked her as a companion.
"Keep her?" Diamond looked surprised and for a moment Endymion thought that he would object, but then his brothers crude smile once again snaked across his face. "She was that good," Diamond said laughing. "Well, if you've found yourself a plaything that satisfies you to such an extent, then of course you may keep her. We'll give her a place with the other ones, and you may call her when you want."
"You are very kind," Endymion said.
"And of course if you've spoken for her she will be off limits to any other man in the palace."
"It would not be my way to share," Endymion agreed.
"Then it is settled. Wife, make his new woman comfortable."
Raye looked startled, and Endymion almost lost himself and rebuked the King, but he was able to hold himself back. It was not the Queens job to make the other women comfortable in their new homes. It was the work of a servant.
But Raye gracefully stood up and bowed.
"As you wish your majesty."
And then she walked gently from the room, glancing back at Endymion only for a second before continuing on her way. He would have to apologize to her.
"I would have sent a servant," Endymion said.
"Nonsense, that woman needs something to do."
"She is your wife."
Diamond looked at him almost bored. "When she produces a son she will be honored as my wife, but until then she is more of a burden."
Endymion wanted more than anything to hit him.
"Besides," Diamond said waving his hand as if swatting a fly, "you and I have bigger things to worry about."
Here it was, the real reason for his call. Endymion was never called by his brother unless there was something happening. Another war. Another fight against people who refused to live under his rule. It was always the same. Endymion watched his brother seriously, looking for a small hint that he was the same man who had protected him as a child. An older brother was supposed to look out for his younger brother. That was just the way it went. They had been so close at one time, laughing and playing as if they were best friends. They had to be friends, there was no one else suitable to be their friend. They were royalty.
But there was nothing. Endymion realized he hardly recognized the man in front of him anymore.
"The party went well last night, but I don't think they'll cooperate."
He wasn't surprised. He wasn't pleased with the party last night.
"So what do you intend to do?"
"I need you to make sure you're ready to move at a moments notice."
Endymion tried to conceal his horror. Their guests had not even left for home and already Diamond was planning to attack them. He was going against his promise of peace while negotiations took place. It was a complete dishonor on the whole Kingdom. He was taking this to far.
"Your army is ready and awaiting your command your majesty."
Endymion knew that Diamond hated when he called him majesty. It said in some way that he thought what he was doing was wrong, but he knew fighting would achieve nothing. It was his way of telling his brother that he was an idiot and everyone knew it. He could see in the way Diamond clenched his jaw that he thought the same thing.
"Good, I'm glad to hear it."
"Is that all you required of me your majesty?"
Diamond seemed to bristle. "Yes, I suppose it is."
"Then I will take my leave," he said standing up.
"You know Endymion, there was a time you actually respected what it is I have to do to run this kingdom."
Endymion stopped. He was baiting him and he knew it, but part of him didn't care. He felt anger boil within him.
"You haven't been running the kingdom in a long time Diamond."
"Oh really? And what is it I'm doing?"
"Your forcing people under your rule."
"I'm expanding," he countered. "Expansion is never bad."
Endymion just looked at him steadily. "If you say so."
"You will lead the army and you will make sure I'm victorious."
Endymion hated orders. "Yes you majesty, I will."
"We will be the greatest nation that there ever was," Diamond said with a smile. "You and I will rule together, as we always have, and have more power than you could ever dream possible."
Diamond knew nothing about his dreams, of that he was sure. They had never ruled together. That was a completely falsehood. Diamond ruled and Endymion followed him, as his brother.
"You are my only living family, and for that I will follow you."
Diamond looked satisfied with that smug grin. His eyes were ablaze with ferocious color, and Endymion saw that the evil of power had taken him. Power had always been a drug for Diamond.
In that moment Endymion knew that Diamond had gone to far. This was not about the Kingdom anymore, this was about him. He wanted. The King wanted and the King got. Diamond was no longer his brother. They were strangers, probably enemies. And it sickened him to realize it. While Diamond was destroying everything that they had worked hard to build, Endymion would have to work in the background, making sure things didn't fall apart.
"Goodbye brother," Endymion said.
He walked out of that room feeling fear and frustration wash over him, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. This was the end. His life would never be easy, of that he was sure, but how far would he have to go to fix whatever it was his brother was about to break. It loomed in front of him, this giant future that he had never wanted. Diamond would have to be stopped before he ruined the kingdom forever.
"Endymion?"
He looked over at Kunzite and he knew his friend could clearly see the complete despair in his eyes.
"What happened?"
"We're going back to war," Endymion said.
Kunzite had the intelligence to look devastated. "Is it for sure?"
"He asked me to ready the army."
"But I thought he was going to try talking to them. That's why he threw your party, to invite them into our kingdom to…."
"Stab them in the back," Endymion finished.
"He can't do that. To do so would be to destroy any form of respect we as a kingdom have ever…."
"I know," Endymion said.
"And without probable cause to start this war against an honored guest would create in him a tyrant."
"I know."
"He can't do this Endymion, it'll end badly."
Endymion just nodded. "I know."
"What did you tell him?"
"I told him what he wanted to hear."
Kunzite looked at him in shock. "You agreed with him?"
Endymion looked around them, knowing that if they were overheard his brother would hear of it and both of them would find themselves in a world of trouble. He pulled him into a small library and closed the door. Then he quickly checked around to make sure nobody else was there. When he finally turned back to Kunzite, his whole demeanor was completely serious.
"Kunzite, we're going to have to take action."
Kunzite looked almost scared. "What do you mean?"
"Tomorrow I'm going to meet with general Jedeite to discuss the upcoming war. I'm going to inform him we're not attacking."
Kunzite just looked at him wide eyed.
"The King will make the order public, and I will send messengers to our new enemy to inform them of my decision. We will make it look like war while entering into discussions about a peace treaty."
"Endymion….." Kunzite breathed out.
"I'm going to need your help Kunzite," Endymion continued. "To accomplish this I'll need the held of a key group of people, and you're one of them. You live within the world of the wealthy, and you're respected as one of our highest lords. I need you to support my decision and try and help the others see as I do."
"You're committing treason," Kunzite said.
Endymion felt his shoulders sag. "I know."
"You can't be serious."
"If this works, our kingdom will not be ruined."
"Then explain that to the King. He's your brother, he'll listen to you."
"He's not my brother," Endymion said softly. "I don't know who he is."
Kunzite seemed frozen to the spot. His usually tanned skin had turned almost deathly pale, and his green eyes were wide and afraid. But Endymion knew that he was thinking about it. They had talked about this before, the Kings ability to bring them all down. He knew something had to be done.
"When did you decide to do this?" Kunzite asked.
"When Diamond told me about the party, I knew that something would go wrong. I knew that he would change his mind and attack while our guests still thought negotiations would be held. At first I didn't know what to do, but last night I managed to sit back and look at it plainly. The only thing that can be done is to not attack, and Diamond will never agree to that. Therefore, I have to make things right without his knowledge."
Kunzite nodded, gulping.
"I know what I ask of you is beyond the claims of a friend and I'm asking you because I know I can trust you."
Kunzite nodded again, but didn't say anything.
"This isn't for my own personal gain," Endymion tried to explain.
Kunzite just looked wide eyed at the floor.
"You know I'm doing this for……"
"Stop," Kunzite said holding up his hand.
Endymion stopped. He stood there staring at his friend, listening to his heart pound and trying to keep his breathing normal. But he was nervous. This was necessary, but he regretted having to get Kunzite involved. If Kunzite refused, Endymion knew he wouldn't tell, but he didn't want to put him in that kind of situation.
It seemed like forever. Kunzite's eyes went from wide to glazed over, and then he crossed his arms, still looking at the floor.
"Alright," he almost whispered.
Endymion wasn't completely sure he had hear him. "Kunzite, I ……."
"I'm doing this because I can see that it's the only course of action. The King cannot be allowed to destroy us, but he's still our King." He seemed to hesitated, as if he were nervous. "You and I have been friends for a long time Endymion, and I trust your judgment above almost everyone else. If you think this is the only thing we can do, and you're willing to follow through no matter what the circumstances, then I'm with you."
Endymion hesitated. He knew what he had to do, but he also knew that the chances of actually succeeding to a safe future was slim to none.
"I'm sure," he finally answered. "I am committed to this."
"Then so am I."
"I know that Jedeite will see it the same. We've spoken many times on the matter while at war and I know he's been waiting for someone to do something. He'll be with us."
"We'll need more then just the three of us."
"I know," Endymion said pacing shortly. "Nephrite is head of the royal guard. We'll need his cooperation if we plan to do anything here in the palace without the Kings knowledge."
"Will he be silent?"
"I think so."
"You better be sure," Kunzite said.
Endymion just nodded.
"What about Zoicite."
"He is the Kings personal adviser."
Kunzite nodded. "I know, but he's on our side."
"How do you know that?"
"He dines with my family once a week and he and I have had numerous conversations about this. He'll be on board, I'm sure of it."
"If you can vouch for him then I trust you."
They were silent for a moment.
Endymion felt the weight of his decisions on him completely and he knew exactly what the consequences would be if he was discovered. Betraying his brother was not something he had ever hoped to do, but if Diamond was allowed to continue then they would all perish. There was no way around it. He either had to sit back and watch, or step up and take the lead.
"Have you thought what might happen if you succeed?" Kunzite asked.
Endymion looked at him confused. "What?"
"If everything works, and you manage to bring peace. What will happen?"
"We'll just continue on, doing what we can to help the kingdom," Endymion said.
"You really think the King will just let it go?"
Endymion sighed. "He'll have no choice."
Kunzite nodded. "I suppose he won't."
"See if you can speak to Zoicite soon and let me know what involvement he wants. We should keep this as closed as possible. Start learning what the higher class thinks of Diamond and find out of they would stand against him if it meant saving the Kingdom. But don't tell them what we're doing. I don't want to have an uprising."
"I'll come and see you tomorrow," Kunzite said. "It's not strange for us to be together."
Endymion nodded.
"What will you do now?" Kunzite asked.
"I'm going to send word to Jedeite. He'll need to be prepared for our meeting tomorrow."
"Good luck Endymion," Kunzite said softly.
Endymion looked at his long time friend. They had been together for so many years that he couldn't even think of living life in the palace without him somewhere near by. He was his link to the outside world. He was everything a brother should be, and it pained him that Diamond was not the same.
They quickly said goodbye and parted.
Serenity stood perfectly still in the middle of the room, waiting for the woman beside her to introduce herself. She was obviously very wealthy, for her silk gown was rich and fine, and she wore gold rings in her hair.
"I have been asked to take you to your rooms," the woman said.
Serenity curtsied gently. "I thank you."
"You don't know who I am do you?" She asked with amusement lacing every word.
Serenity looked at her, feeling her heart flutter with nervousness. The amused look on the fiery girls face was enough to send her running away. It wasn't that she was afraid of her, it was more that she felt as if the woman was looking straight into her.
"I have to say, I wasn't really expecting you to even be here. It's not like my brother in law to accept his brothers offer of women."
Serenity looked at her wide eyed. "Your brother in law?"
Raye laughed. "You're quick."
Serenity immediately dropped to one knee and lowered her head. She had never really seen the Queen like this, up close and in front of her. "I'm sorry your majesty, I did not recognize you."
She waved her hand in dismissal. "Forget it, I'm not insulted. My husband does not allow me much time out of the city walls so our kingdom doesn't yet know my face. Stand up and let me look at you."
Serenity stood up and made her back completely straight.
"Your name is Serenity if I remember."
"Yes your majesty, it is."
"It is a pretty name."
"Thank you your majesty."
"Please don't call me that."
Serenity nodded almost eagerly.
"So tell me, what is it that has our dear prince Endymion so enraptured with you?"
How was one supposed to answer such a question? It could have been a number of things that had happened the night before. The obvious one the Queen would have thought of herself.
"Well, I suppose you should follow me. Your rooms are on the other side of the palace. And you may call me Raye."
Serenity doubted she would ever address the Queen so informally, but she agreed none the less and followed a suitable distance behind the dark haired woman.
"There are quite a few women already there, so you will not be alone. The King himself has his own group, while other lords that sometimes reside in the palace also keep their women here and away from their wives. There are one or two who are not at all pleasant, but I'm sure you'll make friends."
Serenity followed her through the expansive castle, trying not to stare at every new room they entered. It was breathtaking.
"Here we are," Raye said going through a guarded door. Why it was guarded she wanted to know. Was it to keep them in, or keep other people out?
The doors lead to a large, beautiful courtyard that was lush with green grass and fragrant with full-bloomed cherry blossom trees. Grey stone benches lined the area, and women of every color sat around, laughing and gossiping with each other. They all turned to look and quieted down when they came in. None of them knelt to the queen, which Serenity found extremely odd.
"Good morning ladies," Raye said smiling. "Here for you enjoyment is none other than the woman who captured the eye of the man every one of her secretly hopes to please. Endymion has chosen her to be his companion, and I'm sure you will all make her welcome."
At the strange introduction, all the ladies seemed suddenly interested. Some came up to her eager, introducing themselves. Others sat back, staring at her with jealousy lacing their vision. She felt suddenly on display. How unusual was it that Endymion had asked her to stay. She had assumed that she would not be the only one, or perhaps only the next one in a lone line of ones. She was honored, but now she was terrified.
"Has the prince never chosen anyone before?" She asked the Queen.
Raye laughed. "You really are ignorant of the royal family, aren't you?"
"My life was never focused around them."
"You aim low," Raye teased.
"Not at all," she argued. "My aim is quite high. But it seems, as unlikely as it was, I have still managed to overshoot it."
"Endymion is no stranger to the pleasures of women Serenity, but he has never asked anyone to stay in the palace with him. And even stranger still it seems he asked you, instead of ordering it to be done. I have never heard him speak of a woman at all that he liked above any others. You are his first in many ways."
She could only nod as the women around her seemed to agree.
"Is there anything you wish to do while you're here?" Raye asked.
"What do you mean?" Serenity asked.
"My husband does not know, but I like to take care of these ladies. I make sure that a doctor sees them regularly, and anyone is free to come to me with their fears. It is not easy to be a woman of the palace. Most don't have your particular stamp of forbidden fruit. Endymion does not like to share, so you are off limits. For the other ladies, sometimes they are forced into situations that are unpleasant for them."
Serenity looked at the women around her, taking in their varied appearances. "That is very kind of you."
"So I ask again, is there anything you'd like. I will arrange for anything you want. Molly here is learned to read and write."
She looked up in surprise. "You're teaching her to read?"
Raye laughed. "No, but one of our tutors is teaching her. Is that something you are interested in learning?"
"I have already been taught to read and write your majesty. But if I might amuse myself with a few books, perhaps I could learn what I obviously do not know about the royal family."
"Then you shall have it. Molly will take you with her to the library this afternoon, and you shall meet the lady Amy. She is the sweetest girl you might ever meet, and she can show you around the library with ease. You can find whatever you wish there, and before long I'm sure you will know more than us all."
"Thank you."
"Now I will take my leave. The doctor will be in to see you soon. We can't have you being with my dear brother in law if you are in any way unclean."
Serenity nodded.
"You are free within the confines of this courtyard," Raye said. "Be easy enough to show yourself. I assure you that you will not be punished for it."
And with that she swirled around and left, leaving her soft fragrant in her wake.
Serenity watched her go before turning back to the women who were still standing around her curiously. She could see the eagerness in their eyes and realized that she must seem like something of a new toy to them. A shiny knew toy that was more expensive than them.
So she let them bombard her with question and she answered them as clearly and as vaguely as possible as not to betray any confidence the prince might have taken in her. There was about twenty ladies in all, and only a few of them seemed unapproachable.
She started thinking suddenly that her situation was good. In fact, she could have hardly ever hoped for a situation so well even before the terror of finding out she would entertain the King's guests.
By the time the doctor showed up to check her, she was practically giddy with happiness and it wasn't destroyed at all by his invasive tests. She had been checked many times back at her home and she was not ashamed of it. She knew she was clean, and she wasn't worried about what the doctor might find.
When that was done, a short red haired girl who introduced herself as Molly approached her, and they walked together down the long halls to the library.
"This is Amy," Molly said with a giggle, showing just how young a girl she really was. "Amy, Raye asked me to introduce you. Serenity here would like to learn about the royal family, and Raye said she might use the books."
"I am honored to meet you," Serenity said with a courtesy.
Amy was a beautifully petite girl with the purest pale white skin she had ever seen. She had soft blue eyes and dark hair. Her blue silk gown was perfectly tailored for her figure, and she stood with all the grace and poise of a noble. Her smile was sweet and charming, and she seemed quite and refined.
"I can show you the best area to search," Amy said softly. She led her through the tall stacks of books and Serenity couldn't help but marvel at them. "You're the girl Endymion has chosen."
Serenity wondered if the whole castle has heard already. "Yes, I am."
"I'm glad. I was hoping that he might have someone. He spends too much time alone and has more pressures placed on him then anyone else in the kingdom. He hardly takes time for himself, so I'm glad to hear he's found some form of comfort."
She had seen in him almost right away that he was stiff with tension, but when he had allowed her to take control, he had seemed somewhat at peace with the whole situation. How often did he give up control? Was that why he liked her, because he hadn't had to work?
Amy seemed like a kind intelligent woman, so Serenity decided that she might be some sort of confidant.
"Do you know him?" She asked.
Amy nodded. "Yes and no. I do know him. He and I spent some time together as children and I understand a bit what he's thinking, but I do not see much of him anymore."
"Can you……I was wondering if you might give me some insight into his character."
Amy smiled softly as they reached a particular stack of books. "You will find every known fact about him written in these books," she said pulling one out. "This one in particular speaks of him and his brother. And this one traces the lineage of the royal family back hundreds of years. But if you were looking for personal traits, the person to ask would be her majesty the Queen. They are great friends, despite the Kings treatment of her, and she knows him better than almost anyone. Except perhaps Lord Kunzite. He is his closest friend."
Serenity nodded, taking note of every detail she could about him.
"I know that he likes to spend time in quite," Amy continued. "But that does not mean in complete silence. He likes quite and easy conversation, so he does not have to worry about what he might say. He is very involved with the Kings army, and sometimes takes very long rides through the country and trains with the kings guard to ready himself for battle. He cannot bare to be lazy even for a moment."
"Why is he not married?" Serenity asked.
Amy smiled and looked back at her. "You, Serenity, are the only woman he has ever shown any interest in. Unlike the King, he does not have to make a prudent marriage. He is free to marry whoever he may choose, and he is picky with those people he allows to surround him."
"Am I really that unusual?" She asked.
"Yes you are. I can see that you're uncomfortable with this, and I'm sure you never expected to be put into this situation, but you are lucky. You will be treated well here."
"I'm not….." she hesitated. "Amy, I'm not thinking of myself in this situation. I know that I am lucky and I know that there could be no better outcome to my situation. But, why would he choose me? Why, out of every other woman in this kingdom, did he show interest in me? I have been with him only a night and it was due to a cruel joke from the King. He even gave me the chance to leave last night."
"And obviously you didn't."
She shook her head. "I wanted to help him relax. He seemed so…..tired."
"You think of him before yourself?" Amy seemed confused.
"Not exactly. I certainly want to please him as he has been so kind to me, and I actually find myself looking forward to be with him again. But I am not ignorant of my own happiness. I just……I'm a little concerned for him."
Amy pulled out another book and handed it to her. "I would recommend this one. It out lines the history of the palace and it's a fascinating read. If you want, when you're done those I can give you more. I've read practically everything there is to read on our history and I'd be happy to show you the best ones."
"I would like that," Serenity answered.
"I have to begin my lesson with Molly now, but you're welcome to stay in the library to read. Raye says that the courtyard in your new home is absolutely beautiful to relax in, although there are always ladies around gossiping about one thing or another."
"I'll stay here for awhile, and then perhaps I will go to my room."
"Then I will see you again soon," Amy said politely.
Serenity nodded and turned to leave, but then turned back as something occurred to her.
"Oh, actually I had a question."
"Yes?"
"I wanted to write a letter to a friend of mine. Is that possible?"
"Can you write?"
"Yes I can."
"Then write your letter and give it to Molly. She knows how to get it out of the palace. Usually it's not allowed, but most of the ladies living with you now like to write to distant family. There has never been a problem with it, and nobody will read your letters."
"Thank you," Serenity smiled and started walking away again. She would write Mina a letter and tell her that she was alright. Even though her friend would be living her own life, she would still worry. And perhaps she could give her hope. If she could be led into such a situation, then surely Mina deserved the same luck.
End of Chapter Three!
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