Blueeyeddevil06 thank you for being my beta!
Once everyone was seated, the servants placed the food on the table. Serenity beamed and said, "This looks amazing. Please thank everyone for preparing my favorite dishes." All of the servants beamed and headed back to let them eat.
The King said, "Dear, I expected as much after I heard that you saved that boy's life. His mother does work in the kitchen after all."
Serenity blushed and said, "I hardly did it to get any thanks. Who could have stood by and watched as that poor boy suffered?"
"Your stomach is stronger than most. I heard the head groom was throwing up once he saw the bone," Arcas said.
The King said, "Arcas, this is hardly dinner conversation." He turned his focus to Serenity and said, "I'm sorry, my dear."
Serenity just laughed, "You'll hardly put me off my dinner by talking about it. It just happened today. Thank you both for being concerned for me though."
The King smiled and picked up his fork. He was about to eat when he noticed that Serenity hadn't made a move to do the same. "Why aren't you eating? You did say this was one of your favorite meals."
She raised one eyebrow at him and said, "I'm aware that your physician wants you to take that medicine that you're strictly avoiding that's placed near you. Take that, and I will eat."
Endymion was perplexed watching the whole conversation. When she demanded that his father took his medication, he was floored. He knew what was coming next. Anytime they tried to get him to take anything, he fussed and bellowed. He waited for the inevitable, and yet, it didn't come.
He watched, shocked, as his father took his medication. Serenity picked up her fork and began eating. Smiling.
Arcas laughed at Endymion's reaction. "I know. She's always like this. It's become a game to them. They act out this little scene every time at dinner. He's taken his medication every day since she arrived. Father won't admit it, but it's helping. He is getting around with less pain.
The king harrumphed and took another bite. Serenity just smirked.
That night, Endymion admitted two things to himself: dinner was delicious, and Serenity didn't seem impressed with him in the slightest. She hadn't reacted with anger like he had expected. She merely seemed to tolerate his presence.
Serenity stood on the balcony attached to the room she was given at the Castle. She loved it there, but her heart still ached for home and her mother. A single tear slipped down and landed on the railing. She knew it was very likely she had already seen her mother for the very last time.
For the last year, ever since Serenity became old enough to rule, her mother had courted danger and, ultimately, death. She knew her mother's true heart was not with her people or even her daughter, who she did love. It was with the man that she loved with all of her being. Serenity's father was gone, and her mother desperately wanted to join him in death.
Her hand trembled, yet she straightened her posture. She would be strong in the face of her despair and sorrow. She wouldn't let weakness pervade her life or rule her. She desperately loved her mother, but she never wanted to follow in her footsteps. Love shouldn't destroy you. It should lift you up.
She sighed. For her part, she thought it would be nice to be in love. If only she could tell love from, admittedly, very strong desire. She looked down on the Prince and his generals as they spared. Prince Endymion was a gifted swordsman. He was strong and very good looking. Now, if only what came out of his mouth was half so attractive as he was.
A maid joined her out on the balcony and looked down at them sparing below. "See something you like?"
Serenity laughed, "Yes, if only he didn't speak too. Then he would be perfect."
"He was not kind to you?" the maid asked, confused.
Serenity shrugged, "It was more that he told me how unimpressed he is with princesses. That doesn't endear him to me, when he has judged me before he met me."
"He…"
Serenity cut her off. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I'm in a difficult mood right now. He has been everything appropriate to me. I also understand that he's been chased by many women. I'm sure that has given him a skewed view of the fairer sex. I just didn't want any misunderstandings. I'm not after your Crowned Prince. I have my own title."
The maid bowed, "Pardon me. We hoped… you are well liked here."
Serenity turned and beamed at her, "That brings me joy. I have found everyone here to be welcoming and kind. I couldn't ask to be surrounded by better people."
"Thank you, Your Highness. Is there anything else I could be getting for you? I cleaned your room and set up the wood in the fireplace for tonight."
"Thank you, that will be all."
The maid left disappointed. Many among the servants desperately wanted Serenity to marry Endymion. It had become a large subject of gossip for them. No one blamed them or censored them when they were overheard. Of course they would want a wife for him that treated them all well and with respect. It would mean ensuring a good life for them all when they served their rulers.
It was less than one week after he had arrived home, and Endymion was floored by Serenity's ability to handle people. Just yesterday, Lord Ardeth was mid-rant when Serenity came into the room. She walked over and placed her hand on his arm. She then asked him a series of questions. He was able to make his point calmly with her help. It was possibly the first time he had ever heard Lord Ardeth speak without yelling. He didn't manage to hide his shock at that.
Serenity had joined the family for every meal over that week. Endymion was astounded by her grace but mostly by her kindness. She seemed to know the name of every servant in his castle. He could only imagine she knew the names of her own servants too. How did she remember all of that? He was floored.
She also talked with kindness, patience, and even affection of some of the more difficult people who were at court in their castle. He couldn't understand how she had patience for them. It sounded like Lord Ardeth treated her more like a granddaughter than an adversary. Not that he treated his biological granddaughter as well as he did Princess Serenity.
Arcas had taken to keeping a running tally of the times that she did something that shocked Endymion. He would never admit it to his brother, but his tally was a little low. He was glad he was getting better at controlling his emotions.
At dinner one night, his father looked at Serenity and took his medicine without any by play. He huffed and said, "It seems to be working."
Serenity raised one eyebrow at him but said nothing. When dinner was served, she began eating right away. She smiled at Arcas and asked, "So how's your sword practice going?"
Endymion was startled. Arcas never practiced with his sword. He watched and Arcas blushed, shrugging his shoulders. He said, "It's going well. Sir Peters has been very patient with me. He did say I'm improving though."
Serenity beamed at him, "I'm so pleased to hear it. You're quite talented. I'm glad you are practicing."
Arcas huffed, "Yes, well, once you beat me, I wasn't left much choice. Was I?"
Endymion dropped his fork. Arcas smirked and acted like he was writing down another tally mark. Endymion ignored that for now and asked, "You beat my brother sparing?"
Serenity looked puzzled, "Yes, I am a Crowned Princess. Of course I can use a sword."
"And, she's really good. You should've seen how fast the knights stopped laughing at me when I suggested they spar with her." Arcas said, chucking.
The King added, "Why they were surprised, I'll never know. You were trained by Sir Sayers."
Serenity blushed, "Well, he lived in the castle with us. He had been my father's best friend. I always called him uncle. He doted on me and gave me my first sword. My mother demanded, if he wanted me to keep it, he had to teach me how to use it. I think she didn't expect him to actually do it."
Endymion's jaw dropped, "The greatest living swordsman taught you how to use a sword?"
"He passed away last year. However, he did teach me to fight with a sword." she corrected him.
Arcas acted out another tally mark. Endymion had to admit he earned that one.
The next day, he walked out into the courtyard and saw Serenity holding a sword, working with Arcas. He stood back to see how good she actually was. He then watched Sir Peters approach her, and she nodded at him. He turned, bowed to Endymion and they stood in position to spar.
What followed was an incredible display of speed and technique from Serenity. By the time Sir Peters managed to knock the sword out of her hand, they were both sweating and out of breath.
Sir Peters bowed to her and said, "Well done. If it wasn't for the fact that I am stronger than you, you would have beaten me. Even with my height advantage. You are incredibly quick."
Serenity smiled at him, bowed back, and said, "You're very kind. Thank you for sparing with me. I enjoyed that tremendously."
Arcas looked Endymion in the eye from across the courtyard and made another tally mark. Endymion rolled his eyes.