blueeyeddevil06 thank you for being my beta on this story. Also, thank you for sitting on the phone with me and working out different ideas. You are so appreciated. It's crazy to think I found such a great friend on this website.
Endymion had been out training with his men for the better part of a month. It had been intense. They had solidified their fighting skills so that they could fight as a single unit. They were a force to be reckoned with. They trusted each other implicitly and were like brothers to him. As they rode their horses home, he smiled when the castle came into view. It was a welcome sight after such a long trip. Soon, they would be able to sleep in their comfortable beds instead of a bed roll on the ground.
General Jadeite slumped in his saddle and said, "Looks like there's a lot of activity at the castle. I wonder who your father is hosting now. I don't really have time for another spoiled lord or lady trying to gain your father's favor or your hand in marriage."
General Zoisite groaned, "Or the women our age trying to get your father to marry them. You think they would have given up by now."
General Kunzite shook his head and chuckled, "You have to give them credit. At least if they marry him, they won't be hoping for his death. How many women tried to get Endymion's attention and hinted that the king was getting old?"
Endymion rolled his eyes, "I can't fathom how they think that endears me to them at all. And as for my father, he would never remarry. His love for my mother has survived her death. They're just wasting their time."
"And then there are the ones that are trying to hint that they will give you a child." General Nephrite said. "They want you to think about sex and want to marry them."
They arrived, dismounted from their horses and handed them over to the stable hands. Endymion made sure to thank them.
The King met Endymion as he arrived at the castle and greeted him warmly. "Son, it's very good to have you home. I trust your training went well?" He embraced Endymion.
Endymion nodded, "Yes, father. It went quite well. I noticed that there must be someone visiting us."
The King nodded and said, "Don't you worry about her. She has settled in quite well here."
"'Her', Father?" he was not looking forward to dodging another wanna-be-Queen.
"Yes, her. She is the Crowned Princess of the neighboring kingdom of Luna. Her mother asked for our protection of her since their kingdom is at war." his father said.
Arcas, Endymion's younger brother, chimed in, "And, she isn't very happy to be sent away. She hates that she was sent here while her people fight to protect her."
"Protect her? Who are they at war with?" Endymion asked.
The King scowled, "King Diamond decided he wanted her as his Queen. Her kingdom refused him, and he declared war on them. Since he can't have her willingly, he wants to take her by force."
Arcas nodded and added, "Her whole kingdom has gone to her defense. They are furious that anyone would try to hurt her. I can understand why too. Everyone here fell in love with her so quickly. I watched one of our guards take an order from her the other day."
Endymion looked appalled, "We can't have our people run by a foreign royal!"
The King replied, "Don't worry. She doesn't tend to step out of bounds. The guard was young and wasn't in position. She just corrected him."
Endymion only felt slightly better about that.
Arcas rolled his eyes, "You'll see. She is just trying to be helpful while she's here." What he didn't say was that he was hoping his brother would fall in love with her. He didn't remember what it ever felt like to have a mother. She had died when he was very young. Yet, when Princess Serenity talked to him, it was his best guess as to what it would feel like to have a mother's care.
"So, when will I meet this Princess Serenity?" Endymion asked, already bored of talking about her.
Arcas bounced on his feet and said, "At dinner."
Shortly after that, Endymion and the Generals headed off to clean up from their trip and rest.
Endymion walked into his room, and Andrei greeted him, "I have your bath ready for you. Would you like to dress for dinner after your bath or in something more casual and then change closer to dinner time?"
Endymion sighed, "I guess I can't get out of dinner tonight. I'm exhausted from the return trip. We pressed hard yesterday to ensure we made it home today."
Andrei smirked and said, "I am sure you will feel refreshed once you sit down to dinner, Sire."
"You're impertinent. You're lucky I like that. What makes you so sure of that though?" Endmyion asked.
"Sire, I take it you haven't actually seen the Princess yet." was the reply.
"You would be right. I have definitely heard about her from my father and my brother though." he said, as Andrei got him ready for his bath. "I will change into something less formal and dress for dinner later. I don't want to be stuck in those confining garments any longer than I have to be today."
"Very well. And, keep an open mind about Princess Serenity. She isn't like your normal spoiled princess. I am sure it helps that she will be Queen in her own right one day. She doesn't need anyone to help her achieve that." Andrei said.
Later, as Endymion was walking through the castle, he paused before he turned the corner and listened to the servants talking. He knew it was incredibly rude, but the topic piqued his interest.
"Yes, Princess Serenity really did that," one said.
The second replied, "Well, knowing her, it shouldn't surprise me, but I wouldn't have expected that of a princess."
"That's what I thought too. Now we are all trying to save this dress for her. She said that it was fine, but her ladies maid had asked for help. It had been a gift from her uncle, and she loved it."
"Have you thought to ask Andrei for help? Prince Endymion and the Generals get blood on themselves all the time. He probably has a better idea on how to get it out of her dress."
"That's a brilliant idea! I'll go to him now."
Endymion stopped the maid as she turned the corner. He was concerned that the Princess had been harmed. He asked, "What happened to Princess Serenity? Is she alright?"
The maid bowed low to him and smiled, "Your Highness, she is fine. It isn't her blood. One of the young stable boys fell and cut his leg wide open. She saw it happen, picked him up, and rushed him to the doctor. It was an incredibly deep cut causing blood to get all over her dress." She showed him the dress with the large blood stain.
"Is the stable boy okay?" He asked.
The maid bowed again and said, "Yes, Your Highness. The doctor said the blood loss could have been disastrous if Princess Serenity hadn't got him to the doctor so quickly. His mother works in the kitchen. She is telling everyone that Princess Serenity saved him from bleeding out."
Endymion excused her and watched her start to head in the direction of his room. She then paused and started to turn. He stopped her by saying "You may go and speak to Andrei. He does get the blood out of my things often." She bowed low and headed off in the direction of his room to speak to him.
Right before going to dinner, Jadeite found Endymion and asked about the Princess. He said, "So, have you seen her yet? I've been hearing stories about her from some of the guards. They seem to be quite impressed."
Endymion rolled his eyes at Jadeite and chuckled, "No, I haven't seen her yet. I am about to head to dinner with my father, brother, and the princess. I'm sure she is pretty enough. They usually are. I just wish I didn't have to spend the dinner being fawned over by this new girl. I hope we don't spend the whole time talking about dresses."
Jadeite laughed at his statement. They both turned quickly when they heard one of the servants gasp. They followed his gaze and turned. Endymion saw the most beautiful woman he had ever beheld. Her hair was so blonde that it almost looked silvery. She had large blue eyes, a delicate figure and a beautiful face.
Jadeite stammered and said, "Ca… can I help you? I would be happy to take you anywhere you need to go." He held out his arm for her to lead her.
She gave him a polite smile and replied, "Thank you, but I know where I am headed. I am on my way to dinner with the King and his sons. Endymion, Jadeite, it's nice to meet you. I am Princess Serenity." She stared at them, waiting for their response.
Jadeite bowed, and Endymion looked taken aback. Jadeite spoke again, saying, "How is it that you already know our names, Your Highness?" He looked impressed.
Serenity managed to hide her exasperation and replied, "There are portraits of you in the castle."
Just then, Arcas came walking up and joined them. He gave Serenity a large smile and offered her his arm, "May I escort you to dinner?"
"I would be honored Prince Arcas," she said. She then took his arm, and he walked her into the dining room.
Jadeite looked at Endymion and asked, "Do you think she heard what you said about her?"
Endymion shrugged, and the servant off to the side scoffed. They both turned to look at him and he shrunk back. "Sorry, Your Highness. I didn't mean to say anything."
Endymion tried to reassure him, "Don't worry about it. It would help if you told us if she heard me."
He bowed and said, "Yes, Your Highness. She heard you."
"Thank you. You're dismissed." Endymion told him. He turned to Jadeite and said, "Well, wish me luck. I will have a very pissed off princess at dinner." He then headed to join his family.