Disclaimer: I own nothing.

I know it's been a while since I've updated but thank you for sticking with my story! The story is going to start speeding up in the next chapter so don't worry! You'll see a certain someone soon, I just had to introduce everyone! Thank you again for reading and reviewing! I hope you enjoy the story!

My Knight In Shining Armor

Chapter 3 - The "Perfect" Man

Serenity woke up the next morning trying to put herself in good spirits. The only thing she thought of was meeting the guy her father chose for her. She put on a simple white dress and did her hair like she always did. As she walked to breakfast, she thought of Beryl. What happened to her? Wasn't a lady in waiting supposed to wake her up and help her to get ready? Serenity shrugged the thought off and went to the dining room, only to find it almost empty. Her father was standing by the table.

"Good morning, sweetheart!" her father said, clearly excited.

"Good morning. What's going on? Aren't we supposed to have breakfast?" she said, confused.

"Oh, we are. I just thought that it'd be nice to eat outside since your suitor is here," he said casually.

"What?! Already!? Dad! I can't meet anyone like this! I'm going to change," Serenity turned around, but her father grabbed her wrist.

"Serenity, you look beautiful, as always. Now, let's go to the terrace," he said, trying to calm her down.

The two of them walked down the long hallway to the throne room. "Serenity, I'm sure you'll get along with him just fine. His name is Diamond, and he's the Duke of Grimaldi," the King said.

"Dad, why can't I choose who I want to marry? I honestly don't think it's fair. What if I completely hate the one you chose?" Serenity assumed.

"You would make a fine pair with him." The King avoided her last statement and walked through the doors of the throne room. Serenity looked up and saw a boy with white-blonde hair and bright grey eyes. He was tall and lanky; attractive too. "Diamond, how are you?" her father graciously asked. Diamond got up from the conversation he was having with Queen Serenity and shook the King's hand. He looked at Serenity with lust rather than love in his eyes.

'Ugh he already seems like a pig...' Serenity thought.

"I'm great, your Highness," Diamond stated.

"That's fantastic!" the King replied, "I want you to meet my daughter, Serenity."

Diamond walked over to the blonde Princess and grabbed her hand, kissing it as he bowed to her. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Princess," Diamond said as his eyes roamed over her body. Serenity was disgusted. The King hoped that the two would make a connection right now. Serenity yanked her hand away.

"You as well," she curtly replied. She felt disgusted. He just checked her out! She had a bad feeling about him. She didn't even want to get to know him. He held her chair out and Serenity sat down. Food was placed in front of her but she didn't have much of an appetite. She listened to stories about how he "courageously" helped his people. Serenity's parents were buying into his whole game. However, Serenity could see right through him. It didn't take long for her to zone out of the conversation.

"So, what do you think Serenity?" Diamond asked her.

"What?" she replied, feeling lost.

"Would you like to show me around your kingdom later on today?" he asked hopefully.

"Oh, um…I can't actually. I have to meet with my friends today. In a few minutes, actually. I should be going. It was nice to meet you, Diamond." Serenity got up and bowed before quickly leaving. She wasn't lying, she really was supposed to meet with her friends today. Thank goodness for that because she wanted to be nowhere near that pompous man. She went to the gardens and found her friends sitting there waiting for her. They all were gorgeous and Serenity was jealous.

Raye's long, black, flowing hair and her passion for everything she did was mesmerizing to Serenity. Amy was smart and the sweetest girl you could ever meet. Mina was fun and outgoing, lighting up the room wherever she went. Lita was tall, gorgeous, and she was a fantastic cook. They all had these special traits that Serenity was jealous of.

Serenity walked up to the garden and they immediately greeted her. They started asking questions about Diamond.

"He's horrible! He has such a big ego, and he's a pig! I can't marry him, I won't. I refuse to!" Serenity exclaimed.

"Serenity, darling, have you seen him? He's breathtaking!" Mina said.

"Mina, looks aren't the only thing that matters, you know. Sure, he's very attractive, but him being a jerk won't make up for it!" Lita said.

"But Lita, he's a good leader. That's why the King paired her with him. It doesn't matter if he's a jerk," Raye retorted.

"Yeah, but what if I don't want to get married to a jerk? I really don't want to marry him. I mean yeah, I'll give him more time but I just- I'm not feeling anything right now," Serenity said.

"Serenity, your father only wants the best for you. I'm sure there was something wrong with how you interpreted him. He has to be a nice guy. Plus, if it's the one your father chose, you have no choice but to marry him," Amy said softly.

Serenity knew Amy was right. She just had to figure out a way to talk her father into letting her choose who she wanted to marry.

"I know…I just have to figure out how to tell my father that I don't like him. I will, of course, give Diamond more time, but I don't know. He just seemed off. Nothing happened between us, like I didn't have butterflies or feel fireworks." Serenity said.

Serenity and her friends talked more before they decided to part ways. Everyone was busy and they had different things to do.

Serenity found her sister. She walked over to her and Larissa immediately smiled. "Help me make the guest list! Please?" Larissa practically begged.

"Of course!" Serenity smiled. They found a nice shady area in the garden. Serenity started writing down names she thought Larissa would want to be at her wedding. She then got to one where she had no idea. "Larissa?" She asked.

"Hmm?" Larissa said, not looking up from what she was writing.

"What about Caliban?" Serenity asked. Larissa looked at her, a pained expression on her face.

"I would love for him to come. But father wouldn't allow it," Larissa said, obviously planning. "We'll invite him. But we can't tell dad. Besides, it's not like he'll kick him out. Just don't put his name on the guest list," Larissa stated. Serenity smiled knowing she might see her brother soon.

They finished the guest list and Larissa had to finish some other things so they separated. Serenity walked into the castle to find her father so she could talk to him about Diamond. She was looking down when she ran into someone. "I'm sor-" she started to say before she looked up and saw Diamond.

"Hello your highness, it's not your fault. Are you alright?" Diamond asked.

"I'm fine. I'm just looking for my father," she said as she started to walk away.

"Wait, I believe we got off on the wrong foot. I just wanted to apologize for anything I might have done to offend you. I really would like to see your kingdom though," he said.

Serenity still had a bad feeling about him. She didn't want to be alone with him. However, she could be wrong and he could be a great person. She decided to give him a chance.

"Alright. Meet me at the carriage in 5 minutes," she said, smiling politely as she walked away. She turned a corner and gave herself a small pep talk. She was going to be okay, and Diamond wouldn't freak her out anymore. She took a deep breath and walked to the carriage. Diamond was already there. They both got in and carriage started to leave the palace.

Serenity realized she couldn't show him the entire kingdom since the entire kingdom was the solar system. Instead, she decided to show him her favorite place.

"I can't show you everything, but I will show you my favorite place," Serenity said. They made awkward small talk until they arrived. It was sunset so it would look even more beautiful. The location was a garden with at least 100 different flowers. It had a fountain in the center, and you could see Earth on the horizon. It was called Eternia. She named it that because that's how it felt when she went there. Serenity loved it there. She thought that by bringing him here, it'll lead to less awkwardness and they would connect. Diamond, however, wasn't as amazed as she was.

"That's it?" he said. Serenity looked at him shocked. "I mean…I just thought there would be more to it," he tried to save himself, but Serenity was upset.

'That's it. I'm done. I don't like him.' Serenity thought. "If you don't like it then we should just go, I would not want to bore the great Diamond," she said sarcastically.

Serenity started to walk back towards the carriage but Diamond grabbed her waist.

"I'm sorry. I keep saying things I don't mean." He said.

'Honestly, how many times is he going to apologize?' Serenity thought.

"We really should go. It's late. We'll come back another time." Serenity said, avoiding his apology. She got in the carriage and Diamond followed. The ride back to the palace was silent and awkward. The palace was in view when Diamond spoke up.

"I really am sorry about today. I hope you can give me another chance," he said as the carriage stopped. He helped her out of the carriage. "I really want to get to know you better. I think your father was right putting us together." He held her hand and kissed it.

Serenity removed her hand from his grasp and didn't say anything. She was frustrated and just wanted to go to sleep. "It's late. I'll see you in the morning. Good night." Serenity walked inside and to her room. She opened the door and saw Beryl.

"How was Diamond? Is he as great as everyone says he is?" Beryl questioned her.

'So now she want's to talk!?' Serenity thought.

She was done with everything today. "I'm tired. If you don't mind, I would love to go to bed right now," she said.

"Do you need help with anything?" Beryl asked, obviously wanting to ask her more about Diamond.

"No thank you. Good night." She said. Beryl walked out of her room without another word.

Serenity sighed heavily and started to massage her temples, a habit she formed when she was frustrated. She quickly got ready for bed and lied there for a while. She hopedthat she could talk her father out of her marrying Diamond. She couldn't see her future with him getting any better. She hoped her father would understand. She hoped she wouldn't mess the entire kingdom up when she became Queen. She hoped Diamond wasn't in her future and someone else was.

Have an AMAZING day/night.

xx Morgan xx