Disclaimer: I own nothing.

I'm so sorry I haven't updated sooner but I'm working on it! School and choir keep me busy but I'll try to update more frequently! Thank you for reading and enjoy the story!

My Knight In Shining Armor

Chapter 8 - For The First Time In Forever

"And I know it is totally crazy to dream I'd find romance but for the first time in forever at least I've got a chance," - Frozen, For The First Time In Forever

"What?" Aegean said, confused by his sons reasoning.

"You have a granddaughter, and I would think you'd want to meet her," Caliban explained.

"You have a child with a pea-"

"Of course we want to meet our granddaughter, Caliban. Bring them in," the Queen said, interrupting her husband.

Caliban gestured for the guards to let his family in. A woman and a small girl who was about 3 years old came in, walking to Caliban's side.

"This is Alexia, my wife and Cressida, my daughter," Caliban said, studying his father's face intently. Alexia slightly curtsied. Cressida hid behind her parents, being shy.

"It's very nice to meet you Alexia," Queen Serenity said kindly.

"It's an honor to meet you, your Highness," Alexia replied, obviously nervous.

Queen Serenity kneeled down and said to Cressida, "Don't be shy, you are welcome here," she told her.

Cressida moved out from behind the safety of her parents and walked towards her grandmother. "See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" the Queen asked. Cressida wrapped her arms around her grandmother.

Serenity smiled and laughed lightly.

"You're welcome to stay at the palace while you're here," Aegean muttered to Caliban. The King looked at Cressida and smiled. He might be upset with Calliban, but he couldn't bring an innocent child into this.

"Really?" Caliban asked, shocked.

"I don't see why not. You might as well come to the ball tonight, also. Will you be attending the ball, Alexia?" Aegean asked her.

Alexia looked up, shocked that she was being spoken to by the King, whom she knew disliked her. "It is up to you, your Majesty," Alexia said, not knowing if she should say yes or no.

"You must come, I'm sure everyone would want to meet the girl who ruined my son's life by taking him away from his family and the throne," Aegean said, an icy tone in his voice.

Everyone in the room grew silent.

Alexia stood there, feeling terrible. She looked down at her daughter, not knowing how to respond to the King's harsh words.

"I-" she started to say.

"Was that necessary?" Caliban said, cutting her off and getting upset.

"I am only speaking the truth," Aegean said, defending himself.

"No, you aren't. You are being rude. My life is not ruined. If anything, it's way better now because of Alexia."

"I don't see how. You gave up a chance for greatness just for a girl; a girl who isn't even a noble."

"I don't care about my status, I care about being with the one I love. There are more important things to life than being married just for political alliances."

"You were destined for greatness, Caliban! And you gave that up."

"It doesn't matter! It's in the past and there is nothing you can do about it! I want nothing to do with being King if it means giving up what I love. Even if I were to take the throne, I would never become a treacherous King like you!"

"Caliban, yo-"

Serenity stood up from her chair. "Stop arguing! Honestly, Father, can't you just be gracious and welcome Caliban and his family? As Caliban said, what's in the past is in the past. Can we leave it there and focus on Larissa's marriage instead?" she spoke for the first time, rubbing her temples in frustration.

Caliban and Aegean stared at each other intensely until they broke apart, neither one apologizing for what they said.

"Alexia, do you or Cressida have a ball gown?" Queen Serenity asked, breaking the silence.

"No, your Majesty," Alexia responded quietly.

"Then we must get you one; come with me," the Queen said as she walked out of the dining room, her daughter-in-law and granddaughter following close behind.

Serenity took that as her cue to get out of the situation. "I have . . . stuff to do," she said, excusing herself from the dining room and walking out. She was glad to be out of there and away from the tension. In reality, she had nothing to do. She decided she could finish her painting she was working on. It was a perfect distraction, if only for awhile.

Luna was lounging on her bed watching Serenity as she focused on her painting.

"Caliban is here, with his wife and daughter," Serenity told her cat.

"How is your father taking it?" Luna asked her.

"He is not happy at all. They're coming to the ball tonight. It'll be int-"

Serenity paused when she heard a knock on her door. Before she could move to open it, Diamond walked into her room.

"Oh, why don't you come in Diamond?" Serenity said, being sarcastic.

Diamond studied her painting and didn't respond to her.

"Is there anything you need?" Serenity asked, annoyed that he came in without saying anything. Endymion would never have done something so disrespectful and invasive.

"Yes. I'm leaving in two days. I have to go back to Grimaldi for about a week," Diamond stated.

"Oh," Serenity said, acting like she was upset. On the inside, however, she was jumping for joy.

"I need to know we've progressed in our relationship," he said.

"I think we have, I don't detest you as much as I did when you arrived," Serenity said with a smirk.

"Well, that's good. Just promise me you'll behave while I'm gone."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean…don't be with other men while I'm gone."

"Why would you even think something like that?"

"I have my reasons. I know there is someone else."

"No there isn't." Serenity was getting nervous, knowing that no one could find out about her growing affection for Endymion.

"You can keep saying that, but I know the truth."

"It's no-"

There was another knock on her door. Diamond went to open it to find Beryl standing there.

"H-Hello, your Grace," Beryl said, seeming starstruck by Diamond.

Diamond took her hand and kissed it. Beryl blushed and smiled. Serenity looked at the spectacle in front of her, eyebrows raised.

"Hello Beryl, I hope you're well today," Diamond said.

"I'm quite fine, thank you for asking," Beryl replied, a slight blush in her cheeks.

Diamond looked back towards Serenity. "I'll see you at the ball tonight," he said before walking off.

"Caliban wants to see you in the gardens," Beryl said, before quickly exiting.

Serenity stared at the spot the two were just in.

"What just happened?" Luna asked her.

"I-I have no idea but it was weird," Serenity responded.

Serenity cleaned the paint off of her and went outside. It was a beautiful day outside, and her mood was lifting up because of it. She saw her brother walking around aimlessly.

"Isn't father just a pocketful of sunshine?" Serenity said, approaching him.

"He's lovely," Caliban remarked. They both laughed.

Serenity threw her arms around her brother and said, "I really missed you."

"I missed you too. How have you been?" he asked her.

"Fine, I guess. Not much has happened that you don't know about. Larissa is engaged, father thinks I'm going crazy so I have a knight and a lady in waiting. The best one is: he already arranged my marriage,"

"To whom?"

"Diamond, Duke of Grimaldi," Serenity flourished, making his name sound grand.

"Interesting. How is everything between you two?"

"He's a pompous, arrogant brat and I just don't care for him at all!"

Caliban laughed. "That's how I felt about the woman Father originally set me up with. I forgot her name, but she just wasn't pleasant. Do you have feelings for anyone at all?"

"What? No, of course not!" Serenity laughed and looked away, not wanting to meet her brother's gaze.

Caliban knew something was up, but decided to drop it.

"Is it worth it?" Serenity asked after a long pause.

"Is what worth it?" Caliban responded, confused.

"Giving everything up just to be with who you love."

"Yes, it is. When you find someone you love and who loves you, you have to hold onto them. Love is the closet thing we have to magic. It doesn't matter what others say; love is love, no matter who it is with."

"Were you scared? Leaving like that?"

"Of course, but being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. I was alright once I knew I could be with Alexia without someone trying to stop it."

"So love is worth it?" Serenity concluded.

"It's worth everything and more. Why do you ask?"

"I'm just curious."

"I'm happy. I'm truly happy with Alexia. She's everything I want and more." The look on his face showed that he was clearly thinking about her.

"Would you give your life for her?" Serenity asked quietly.

"What is the reason behind all of these questions, Serenity?"

Serenity looked down, not knowing how to respond. After a while she said, "I'm not telling you anything now, because I don't know for sure. But I'm honestly just curious and I'm trying to figure out love. Now answer my question; would you give your life for her?"

"If it meant saving hers, of course. I wouldn't think twice about it," Caliban stated boldly. "You sure you're not in love?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I-I don't know..."

Serenity was in her room being fitted for her new dress. Her friends were lounging around her room, waiting for Serenity to be done.

"Beryl, what do think of Diamond?" Serenity bluntly asked.

"Hmm?" Beryl said as she looked up, her face turning red.

"What do you think of Diamond?" Serenity repeated.

"He's . . . nice," Beryl told her, looking back down to focus on her stitches.

"That's all? What do you truly feel about him?"

"He's a gentleman. And I think you're wrong to make him work so hard for your attention," Beryl remarked.

"Excuse me?" Serenity said, shocked. All of her friends stopped what they were doing and stared at the two of them, waiting to see what would happen next.

"You asked and I told, your Highness."

Serenity exchanged a look with her friends and they all stared at Beryl.

"How do you know that he's so right for me?" Serenity asked.

"Well, he's an excellent ruler, a perfect gentleman, he's handsome, kind, and funny," Beryl said.

"You say that like you know him well," Raye piped in.

"From what I can tell," Beryl said quickly, as if to cover something up.

It was silent for the next couple of minutes until Beryl spoke up:

"Okay, your dress is done. Do you need help with your hair or anything?"

"Ye-"

"We'll take it from here, thank you, Beryl," Mina said, standing and approaching the two of them.

Beryl bowed before she quickly left.

"I'm calling it now, there is something going down between Beryl and Diamond," Serenity said.

"That doesn't bother you?" Lita said.

"Nah, she can keep him," Serenity said carelessly.

There was a silence in the room when Mina spoke up:

"How are you and Endymion?"

"We're okay, I guess," Serenity said with a small smile and a blush forming on her cheeks.

"From what Luna said, you both are more than fine," Lita said with a wink.

"What all did Luna say?" Serenity asked.

"You came in at the crack of dawn, exhausted and flustered from a night with him," Amy said. "Is it true?"

"Well, I was tired and flustered. I did come back late but it was all worth it. He's so . . . perfect," Serenity said, beginning to daydream about his gorgeous hair and handsome eyes.

"Did you guys kiss?! Spill!" Mina exclaimed.

Serenity looked out the window and smiled. "Yes, but it wasn't anything special…"

"Not special?! That was your first kiss! Of course it's special!" Raye said, slamming her hands against Serenity's desk.

It was then that Serenity realized Endymion had stolen her first kiss, and she didn't mind at all. "It shouldn't be special. We can't be more than friends. I like him, but I'm just under pressure because I can't ever have him the way that I'd want. The kiss might not have meant anything to him. He's probably kissed other girls, girls prettier than me or smarter than me. It probably meant nothing to him. . ." The realization of that hit Serenity like a brick wall.

"I don't think he would've risked his safety to kiss you if it didn't mean anything to him. Kissing you, the princess, isn't allowed; especially by a commoner," Amy said.

That gave Serenity hope. She cracked a small smile. "It's all so confusing. I've never felt this way before and when I do, it's with a man I can never be with," she said sadly.

"You just have to believe that everything will work out and it will. I have good vibes about this one," Mina said.

"We need to do your hair and make-up," Raye said, changing the subject.

"I don't want to go to a ball; they are always so boring," Serenity whined as, Raye started on her long blonde locks.

"Just remember that it's for your sister," Lita said.

"Of course it is. Everything is for my sister," Serenity said bitterly.

"What do you mean by that?" Amy asked.

"Oh, nothing. I suppose there's an upside to this. Diamond's leaving tomorrow morning, so I won't have to deal with him," Serenity said with a grateful sigh.

"See! Things work out!" Mina said.

Serenity's friends left to go get dressed once they finished helping Serenity. The troubled Princess was in her room putting the finishing touches on her hair and make-up when Larissa walked in.

"Hello," Serenity said, not taking her eyes off of her reflection in the mirror.

"It feels like we haven't talked in ages. Why have you been so distant?" Larissa asked, getting right to the point.

"I'm sorry, a lot has been going on," Serenity replied.

"Care to explain?" Larissa said as she took a seat on her bed.

Serenity sighed, knowing that there was no way out. "Okay, let's start on my day with Diamond. We talked, and he seemed really rude and oboxious. He has no respect for others and he's pompous. On the way back, he tried to kiss me and I told him no. But he kept trying, and he was rushing things by being forceful. The night ended, and that's why I avoided you when I came in. I was upset. The next night, Endymion took me to a pub an-"

"Wait, what?" Larissa cut her off, confused.

"Endymion took me to a pub. It was amazing and fun. I knew I had growing feelings before we even went to the pub. We danced and talked and laughed about everything. Then we came back around dawn and we shared a kiss, making me come to the realization that I do like him, a lot," Serenity said, waiting for her sister's reaction.

Larissa was in shock. She stared at Serentiy for a while before responding:

"Serenity...that's great. It's good you found someone you love, but you have to stop. You shouldn't be around him if you know you're falling for him."

"Larissa, you don't get it. I can't just stay away from him at this point."

"You have to," Larissa got up and walked over to her. "What you and Endymion are doing is against the law and is considered treason."

"Endymion and I aren't doing anything!"

"You kissed, and that's enough. Serenity, you have to stop this now. You can't be with him. Stay away from him."

"I can't, and I won't. I don't want to stay away from him. I know what I'm doing, Larissa."

"If you get caught, it's over…for both of you," Larissa tried to warn her.

"I know. Please, don't tell father," Serenity begged.

"I won't," Larissa reluctantly said.

"Thank you!" Serenity squealed, throwing her arms around her sister.

Later that night, Serenity was walking to the ballroom when she heard Caliban's voice. She looked over and saw him talking to Alexia. She stopped and hid behind a plant to listen.

"I really shouldn't be here, it's very clear that your father detests me," Alexia said, looking upset.

"No Alexia, he won't bother you, I'll make sure of it," Caliban said, wanting to make his wife feel secure.

"How? You can't control what he does or what he says, he's the King!"

"No, I can't. But I can protect you. I don't care what he says; nothing will ever make me leave your side." Alexia looked up at him. Serenity could see the love clear in her eyes.

"I love you," she told him.

"I love you too," Caliban replied sweetly.

They shared a kiss as Serenity walked away. She couldn't deny that she was jealous. She wanted to be in love like they were. Every time he looked at her, there was a sparkle in his eyes. Serenity wanted someone to look at her like that. She tore her thoughts from her brother and his wife and walked into the ballroom.

The ball just started and people were already dancing. Serenity sat in her throne and silently analyzed everyone. It was a much different situation than the bar was. Everyone at the pub was relaxed and was actually having fun, but everyone at the ball were either trying to impress others with wealth or were gossiping. They appeared to be having fun doing that. It made Serenity think: is the upper class truly better off this way?

Diamond walked up to Serenity and bowed. He took her hand and kissed it.

"Shall we dance, your highness?" he asked her.

"Yes," Serenity reluctantly said, taking his hand and walking out onto the dance floor with him.

"You seem upset, are you okay?" Diamond asked.

"No, I'm fine. How are you?"

"Actually, that's a fine point. I'm worried. I'm worried that you're going to run off with another man while I'm gone."

"I won't, Diamond. I don't know where you're getting such a preposterous idea from," she said, refraining from rolling her eyes.

"Serenity, I know there's someone else."

"No, there isn't!" she said, getting annoyed. She knew she was somewhat lying, but it still bothered her that Diamond would say that to her after what was clearly going on between him and Beryl.

"Don't be with other men while I'm gone, Serenity. I mean it," Diamond growled.

"I-I won't," she replied, giving up the argument.

He tightened his hold on her and spoke in hushed tones. "I'm not stupid, Princess. You should be head over heels for me right now. Behave yourself or else," he hissed.

She looked up at him, shocked.

'Did he just threaten me?' she thought, fear approaching her eyes.

"It's a promise, not a threat," he commented, as if he was reading her thoughts.

"Get away from me." Serenity tried to push him away but his hold on her was strong. It was no use.

"Do you understand what I'm saying?" he asked.

She looked away and nodded. What he was saying was very clear to her. Hot tears brimmed her eyes, but she refused to let him see.

He pulled away and bowed to her, kissing her hand. Serenity stood there and watched him walk away, fear and anger bubbling with in her.

"Would you like to dance, your Highness?" Endymion asked, walking up to her.

Serenity couldn't keep herself from sighing in relief when he extended his hand in invitation. She nodded closing her eyes in content when he held her like he did at the pub. However, it wasn't enough to calm her down.

"What's wrong?" he asked, immediately sensing her strange demeanor.

"Nothing, I'm fine," she said, plastering a smile on her face as she looked up at him.

"What did Diamond do?" he said, getting serious and protective.

"Nothing!"

"You're not telling me the truth."

Serenity didn't want to tell him the full truth. But she felt like she couldn't lie to him. It would hurt him somehow, she knew it.

"Diamond warned me to stay away from other men while he's gone. He threatened me..." Serenity said, her voice quivering in fear.

"He threatened you?" Endymion pulled away from her. The fury in his eyes was evident.

"No, don't do anything…it's fine," Serenity said in alarm.

"No, it most certainly is not. He has no right to threaten you."

"I-It's fine, I'm sure he's all bark and no bite."

"How c-"

"Serenity, can I talk to you?" Larissa asked, interrupting their dance and conversation.

"Uh sure," Serenity said, as Larissa pulled her away from Endymion. It took only a few seconds until they were outside on the balcony of the ballroom.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Larissa snapped.

"Dancing. Isn't that what people do at a ball?" Serenity said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You know what I mean. You need to stay away from him!"

"No, I don't! He's the only person I feel safe around, Larissa. So no, I'm not going to stay away from him." Serenity didn't wait for Larissa's response before going back into the ballroom.

She searched for Endymion, in vain. Annoyed, she went and sat back down in her throne. This ball wasn't helping her frustrations. She spotted her friends and started to walk over to them.

On her way she saw Alexia. Nobles were talking to her, and she looked intimidated and nervous. She looked around for Caliban and saw him talking to the King. Serenity decided to save Alexia and walked over to her.

"Alexia!"

Alexia looked at her in shock. "Hello, how are you?" Serenity asked.

"I'm fine, how are you?" Alexia replied, a grateful look in her eyes.

"Quite lovely, actually, I wanted to talk to you. Will you excuse us for just a moment?" Serenity asked the noblemen.

The men nodded and bowed. Serenity walked away with Alexia on her arm.

"Thank you so much, they're so intimidating," Alexia said.

"I know; you just have to get used to it. And it's not a problem at all," Serenity said.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to it. Have you seen Caliban?"

"I saw him earlier but I'll help you look."

They searched for Caliban and finally found him. "There you are! I was looking everywhere for you!" he said as he took Alexia into his arms.

"Well, your sister saved me from your father's wonderful friends," Alexia said with a laugh.

"Thank you, Serenity," Caliban said gratefully.

"It wasn't a big deal, you're welcome," Serenity said, taking that as her cue to leave. She was happy that she helped Alexia.

She wanted to find Endymion now. She searched for a while, and finally found him. She was going to walk over to him, but stopped when she saw him talking to a woman. The woman was a gorgeous brunette. She was flirting with him, and he wasn't stopping her. Serenity's heart sunk to the bottom of her stomach.

"Serenity?" Endymion looked at her, confused.

"Sorry, I have to go," Serenity said.

She ran. She didn't know where she was going, but she ran. She went to a secluded part of the palace and sank down to the ground, holding her knees to her chest. She felt tears run down her face. Her heart was in her stomach, making her feel sick.

"I'm so stupid for falling for him. He doesn't like me... why did I even think he did."

Oh snap! This is an intense cliffhanger but I promise it gets better! Just stay with me! Do any of you watch Reign? it's a lovely show about Queen Mary of Scots. Every time I watch it, it just inspires me to write more for this stroy. You should definately try watching it! Ok that was random but I had to say it.

Have an AMAZING day/night.

xx Morgan xx