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I know it's been a while since I've updated and I'm truly sorry about that! Thank you so much for continuing to read this! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
My Knight In Shining Armor
Chapter 10 - True Feelings
"Tale as old as time, true as it can be. Barely even friends then somebody bends unexpectedly. Just a little change, small to say the least. Both a little scared, neither one prepared . . ." - Beauty and the Beast, Beauty and the Beast
Serenity was in a chapel that was decorated with white ribbons and flowers. Many people from all over the kingdom were there. She looked down at herself and saw she was wearing a huge white dress, complete with flowers and a veil.
"Am I getting married?" she whispered to herself.
She heard the wedding march start, and she began to walk down the aisle. It felt like her legs were moving on their own.
"What's going on? Who am I marrying?" she thought.
Despite her confusion, the beautiful bride kept walking. She got to the altar and the preacher began to say the typical wedding vows, protocol, etc. She looked up at her husband-to-be, only to see the last person she wanted: Diamond.
"No . . ." she whispered.
"Is something the matter, sweetheart?" Diamond asked, an evil smirk spread across his face.
"I can't do this..." Serenity turned to run back the way she came when Diamond grabbed her roughly.
"You're not going anywhere," he hissed.
"Yes I am! Let me go, now!" Serenity yelled, trying to pull out of his grip. But it was no use; he was much stronger than she.
"Serenity, stop trying to leave! You're spending the rest of your life with me. whether you like it or not. Get used to it."
Tears streamed down her face as Serenity realized her fate. She was marrying Diamond, and it was over for her. She felt Diamond start to shake her, but she was numb.
"Stop crying so we can get this over with!"
Serenity couldn't stop the tears that were flowing down her face.
"Serenity!" he yelled, shaking her harder.
"Serenity! Serenity, wake up!" Serenity felt herself being shaken awake by Beryl. She shot up and analyzed her surroundings, suddenly remembering how she had fallen asleep in the library. She wiped her eyes and adjusted herself before looking at Beryl.
"Goodness, you could sleep through anything!" Beryl told her.
"Yes, except you shaking me," Serenity replied coldly as she glared at Beryl.
"I'm sorry, your Highness, but you weren't answering me," Beryl defended.
"That does not mean you have to feel the need to shake me awake, you don't do that to a person!" Serenity said, putting her head in her hands and rubbing her temples.
"Like I said, I'm sorry and I'll remember that next time," Beryl told her, seeming annoyed by Serenity.
"Is there a reason you woke me up?" Serenity asked.
"Your family is looking for you. Your schedule is booked. You have to help Larissa plan the wedding, your father wants you to accompany him to a few meetings, and your mother wants to start designing your new dresses," Beryl explained.
"Is that all?" Serenity said, feeling a weight on her shoulders.
"Yes, your Highness. Would you like me to send breakfast to your room since you missed it?" Beryl asked.
"Yes please," the blonde sighed.
Beryl nodded and bowed before leaving without another word.
Serenity stretched, wincing as her back cracked and legs ached. It was a bad idea to fall asleep in a lounge chair. She slowly and carefully stood up to find she was light headed and had a headache. Shaking her head a few times, Serenity left the large room and headed towards her own.
"Why is my room so far away?" Serenity thought.
She walked in her room to see Luna still asleep on her bed. She couldn't help but smile.
"I assume you slept well last night?" Serenity asked her cat.
Luna started to stir and wake up. Blinking her eyes a few times, Luna responded, "I did actually. Where were you? With Endymion?"
Serenity felt a pang in her heart hearing his name.
"I - uh - I fell asleep in the library," Serenity said, her thoughts distracted and going back to her dream - or nightmare.
"Are you alright?" Luna asked.
"Just a little TIRED is all," Serenity said, smiling. She walked in her bathroom and washed her face. As she got dressed into a sundress and sandals, she found herself thinking about Endymion and the nightmare. What scared her the most was she knew that it would be her reality one day.
"Serenity, if you want to talk you ca-"
A knock was heard on her door.
"Come in," Serenity said. Beryl walked in with a tray of food. She sat it down on the desk in front of her.
"Your father wants you to meet him in the throne room in 25 minutes," Beryl said.
"Okay, thank you," Serenity said.
Beryl bowed and left the room.
"Serenity, did you want to talk?" Luna asked her.
"No, I just want to be alone right now," the distraught princess said.
"Alright, I'm here if you need me," Luna said as she walked out.
Serenity stared at the food in front of her. She didn't have much of an appetite. All she wanted was to be left alone; running errands wasn't the number one thing on her list of priorities. An idea popped into her head: She was going to sneak out. It would be harder this time, but the worst thing that could happen was she would get caught.
She left her room and snuck into the servants' quarters, where she grabbed the first outfit she saw. She walked back to her room, happy everyone was so occupied with the wedding that no one noticed her. She changed outfits, pinning her hair up beneath a maid's bonnet, and walked out of her room.
She walked down a different corridor then the one she used normally to avoid everyone. She turned a corner and saw her father talking to some people.
"No, what is he doing over here?!" Serenity thought.
She ran behind a column and spotted the next one. She ran between them until she was out of the castle. Thankful to have made it out of the castle, she ran the rest of the way to the market in excitement.
When she arrived at the market, the first thing Serenity did was explore. She looked around at all of the different vendors for hours, feeling free and relaxed. She didn't have to worry about Diamond, her father, the wedding or anything else. She was free. Eventually, she grew tired and stopped to rest.
By then, the Sun had set and Serenity had no idea where she was. She was trying to remain calm, but it wasn't working. The streets were mostly empty in her location. Suddenly, she heard voices and walked faster, hoping to find someone that could help her.
"Why did I leave by myself, that wasn't logical . . ." Serenity thought, regretting her actions. She pulled her bonnet farther down her head, in hopes to hiding herself better.
"What's a young girl like you doing out so late?" a deep voice asked her.
She ignored it and walked faster, probably getting herself more lost.
"Hey," someone grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"L-Let me go!" she said in a useless attempt at intimidation.
"Where ya runnin' to dollface?" a second man asked.
"You should let her go, she doesn't like that," a third one said sarcastically.
The scent of ale filled Serenity nose, and she desperately attempted to control her breathing. Her panic prevented her from remembering any self-defense techniques she had been taught.
"Wait, you're the princess!" the second one realized.
"N-No I'm not," Serenity squeaked.
"You would make for good ransom," the first one said.
Serenity did the first thing that came to her mind; she elbowed the first one as hard as she could so he would let go, and ran so the second one wouldn't catch her. She heard footsteps chase her, and she pulled up her skirts so she could run faster. She didn't know where she was running, but hoped the palace was within reach. One of them found a short cut and cut her off, grabbing her.
"That wasn't a good idea," he said menacingly, pulling out a dagger.
Serenity's heart stopped. Closing her eyes, she prayed for a miracle.
"P-Please don't. You don't have to do this, I can get you what you want," she tried bargaining.
"I'm afraid you can't."
"Sorry, your hig-" the man stopped, falling to the ground.
Behind him stood Endymion, sword in hand. He must have hit the man with the flat end, for there wasn't any blood.
"What do you think you're doing?!" one of the men asked as he caught up to them.
Endymion was silent as he stepped towards the man, placing both hands on his chest and shoving him down. The knight was much taller and stronger.
The fury on Endymion's face shocked Serenity; he was always so kind and gentle when he was with her.
"You think harming the Princess doesn't have consequences? Think again," Endymion growled. He took another step forward, raising his sword.
Serenity realized what was happening and ran to Endymion. She wrapped both arms around his waist, pulling him back.
"No, don't! It's not worth it," she said desperately. The last thing she needed was blood on her hands.
Endymion turned to look at her, fury ablaze in his eyes. As soon as his eyes met hers, his gaze softened at the realization of how shaken up she was. With a sigh, he sheathed his sword.
"If you ever even think of coming anywhere near her again, I won't hesitate to bring down my blade," he hissed.
They watched as the man limped away in fear.
Endymion turned to look at Serenity, who looked as though she was about to fall apart.
"Are you okay?" Endymion asked, leaning down so they were eye-to-eye.
Tears threatened to fall from her eyes as Serenity reflected on what could have happened if Endymion hadn't arrived when he did.
Endymion noticed how distressed she was and pulled her into his arms.
"It's going to be okay, you're safe now. No one will hurt you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Serenity couldn't hold herself back anymore, she cried freely into his chest. His warm embrace was just what she needed. She felt safe and protected with him. She felt…happy.
"I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left. If I didn't leave I wouldn't have gotten into this mess. But . . . I'm terrified, Endymion. I'm terrified about being Queen and marrying someone I don't love and I'm terrified about being a disappointment to my family. I don't want to be without you, I can't be without you, it's making me crazy. I . . . I need you," Serenity struggled to say through her tears.
"You don't have to be afraid anymore . . . you're okay now. We should get you home," Endymion said.
Serenity looked up at him in shock.
"Why doesn't he get it . . . I'm in love with him," she thought.
They walked back to the palace in an awkward silence, not talking to one another.
They reached the entrance and Serenity slowed down, not wanting to face her father. No doubt he was worried sick.
"It'll be fine," Endymion encouraged her.
She took a deep breath and walked in, immediately hearing her father's "welcoming" voice.
"Where have you been!?" the King bellowed as the pair walked in.
"F-Father, I know I shouldn't have left b-"
"But what?! What is your excuse this time, Serenity? Enlighten me, please," he said angrily.
"Your highness, it's my fault she left, I-" Endymion got cut off.
"You had nothing to do with it Endymion, don't try to defend her. Please Serenity, tell me why you decided to leave without telling anyone?"
"I just - a lot was going on that I didn't want to stay for and I-"
"Oh, so you just decided to run from your problems like always?"
"No, I just -"
"You can't keep doing that! You're supposed to become Queen in five years! You can't run away just because it's getting stressful! I don't think you're even ready to become Queen! You're acting irresponsible, and I'm sick of this behavior!" Aegean yelled.
"I-I'm sorr-"
"No, don't apologize. You're just going to run away again when it gets hard, so why bother? You have a lot of growing up to do if you think you are going to become Queen." The angered King stormed off, not bothering to look at his daughter.
Serenity stood there quietly with tears glistening in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around herself, as if she was holding herself together.
Endymion wrapped his arms around her comfortingly.
"Serenity, he didn't mean it. He's upset and I-" Endymion got cut off as she pulled away from him.
"He meant it. Thank you for trying to help though. I'm just going to go to bed . . . goodnight," Serenity said, her voice quivering. She wouldn't meet his gaze as she turned away and left the room.
She slowly walked to her bedroom, letting the words her father told her repeat in her mind.
"I don't think you're even ready to become Queen!"
"You have a lot of growing up to do."
She held back a sob and walked into her room, shutting the door behind her.
"Serenity! Are you alright?" Luna asked worriedly.
"I'm fine . . . I'll be okay," Serenity said. She wanted Endymion with her now, but she knew she couldn't have him. She sank on her bed and let everything out.
"Serenity . . . I know it's hard, but it'll be okay," Luna attempted to comfort her.
"I want Endymion, but I can't have him. It isn't fair," she sobbed.
"I know, but that's a price you have to pay," Luna told her.
"I don't deserve the throne. I don't deserve to be royalty," Serenity choked out.
"Yes you do. You're too young to understand. As you get older, you'll get better," Luna said.
There was a knock on her door and Serenity slugged over to open it. Endymion stood before her, and he didn't hesitate to pull her close.
"I love you, and I don't care what the consequences are of us being together. All I care about is you," he said as he cupped her face and kissed her.
Serenity kissed him back, raising on her toes to deepen the kiss. This was what she had been longing for for so long; just the two of them locked in a passionate embrace.
Reluctantly, she pulled away. She knew they couldn't risk being caught. She pulled him in her room so they weren't in the hallway to avoid getting caught.
Endymion cornered her into a wall and kissed her again.
"N-No, the consequences of this aren't w-"
"I'll deal with the consequences. You're worth everything," he said, looking deeply into her blue eyes.
Serenity studied him intently. She pulled him down and their lips connected once more.
"I love you too," she said, falling into their passionate romance once more.
Yay! They finally realized they're crazy about each other! I know this was a short chapter but it'll be continued in the next one. I wanted to end on a happier note since things are actually starting to begin! Again, thank you so much for reading, you all motivate me to write and I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart!
Have an AMAZING day/night.
xx Morgan xx