Chapter 2

You're Not Alone

"My Lady," Motoki declared as he gave Serenity a deep bow, "it is an honor to be able to greet your Grace on this humble planet."

I watched as Serenity curtsied, all the while keeping her eyes glued to Motoki. "I thank you for your kind greeting," she replied gently. Even though she looked calm I could hear the heightened pitch of her voice and see her signs of discomfort. Had I really known her for only a few short weeks? It didn't seem like it, since I could read her every motion, every look, every tone of her voice...it almost scared me.

"I trust that the planet did not fall apart while we were gone," my father said from beside me.

Motoki took his gaze off Serenity and looked at father. "Everything is well, your Majesty. There were a few letters that arrived that will need your attention as soon as possible but otherwise there is nothing serious to report."

"It's nice to see that you can keep things running smoothly, Motoki," mother said with a smile as she took her place beside father, looping her arm through his. My fathers hand immediately went to cover hers, which was now resting on his forearm. I couldn't help but smile. She loved my father deeply, and he loved her in return. She loved Motoki too, that was something I knew and was very grateful for. Even though he had not been born a Prince, mother had more or less adopted him when he was very young. He had been like a brother to me over the years. Our relationship was strong, and I knew I could trust Motoki with anything.

"There is an informal lunch that has been prepared to take place in about two hours, to introduce the Princess to the intimate court of the castle, and tomorrow night a ball has been organized as a welcome from the whole court, to act as in introduction for Princess Serenity into society here on Earth." Motoki looked back at Serenity as he said this.

"Thank you, Motoki," father said, clearly pleased that things were taken care of as per his instructions that he and I had sent before coming home. Father turned his gaze to mother. "Come now, my dear, we should go freshen up before I have to go and see to these letters." He turned to me then. "Endymion, can you manage things on your own until lunch, can't you?"

I nodded, grinning. "I believe so."

"Good, we will see you at lunch. Serenity, Endymion, Motoki, until later," he said as he gave a bow of his head. He then led my mother to the doors leading into the palace, followed by a few guards and what seemed like an entire flock of twittering ladies.

I turned to look at Serenity. She was toying nervously with the wedding band on her finger as she kept staring at Motoki, who was watching my parents leave. I was suddenly very grateful for the private dock we had at the palace, since it meant that we had arrived without anyone noticing and without Serenity having to go through the experience of being greeted by all the people of the city.

"Would your highness like to go to her room to freshen up as well before lunch?" Motoki asked as he smiled warmly at my wife.

"Yes, thank you," Serenity said quietly and dropped her hands, putting a halt to her fidgeting. She looked at me as though making sure it was ok she had said yes and I smiled as I gestured to the doors. I was tempted to offer her my arm as we started to follow Motoki towards the doors my parents had used as their exit only minutes before, but once again I resisted the urge. I was starting to get good at fighting all the etiquettes and protocols that had been hammered into my head over the years.

I was pleased to see that the guards that followed us kept a suitable distance from Serenity, as did Motoki. Luna had emerged from the ship as well and followed us. I was always tempted to call her a chaperon but that was not the correct term anymore. Still, I was glad to see she had someone she was comfortable with and who would keep an eye on her. I would have to find a way to gain Luna's trust so that she could help me slowly break down Serenity's barriers.

As we strolled down the halls, Serenity kept gazing at the paintings and tapestries that clothed the walls. I could see her delight in some of the works and that pleased me. "That is Queen Astrud," I commented as her step faltered by a particular painting. She topped walking and looked at me, as though my words had startled her. I stopped next to her.

"I beg your pardon?" she asked, blinking in surprise.

Everyone else came to a halt as well and now they watched as we had our small discussion. I didn't care. I couldn't help but smile at her innocent perplexion. "I said that's Queen Astrud," I repeated as her face lost its surprised look. "She is my great grandmother. She was a good, wise ruler, and the people loved her."

"I love the painting," Serenity stated as she looked back at the portrait. I had to agree with her. "The artist did a remarkable job."

"He did," I replied. "Astrud ruled for twenty eight years, sixteen before the death of her husband and twelve after his death." I wanted her to know everything about the planet. I had a deep-rooted pride of the Earth and it's history, and I wanted to share as much of it as possible with Serenity, since that history was a part of me. Perhaps if she understood me, she would not fear me so.

Serenity looked back at me, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Yes," she said, "That is a long ruling period." She moved as though she was about to start walking, then stopped and cast another glance at the painting. "It does not, however, compare to the thirty six years of her daughter, Amalie, and daughter's husband, Maras de Nuit, who spent the whole thirty six years together before perishing in a ship wreck. Granted, your grandmother and grandfather had a long rule, but Astrud's father, King Octavian II, was on the throne even longer, almost forty two years. His wife outlived him by a couple of years, but she didn't keep the crown after the death of her husband, instead opting to hand it to Astrud's brother, Lionel, who passed away after only five years on the throne." She paused and looked at me, noting that my mouth was hanging open slightly and that now I was the one who had the shocked look on my face. She took a few steps, stopped, turned around, and looked at me with a smile. "He passed away from a fever. Or am I wrong?"

I think that everyone around us had a hard time to keep from laughing. Motoki looked like he was holding his breath and counting backwards from one hundred, Luna seemed intensely interested in the hem of her skirt, and the three guards that had followed us had white knuckles from gripping their sword hilts so hard.

Finally, I was the one who broke first. Laughter bubbled forth from me as I took my place at Serenity's side and we began walking again. "I see that I have no need to tell you about the history of my people. It was silly of me to think your education on the Moon didn't provide you with a history on the other planets."

My laughter seemed to break down everyone else's barriers and the whole group started to laugh, chuckle, or simply smirk. "It looks like Princess Serenity knows her history better than you do, Endymion," Motoki said as he laughed.

Luna hid her smile behind her hand. "It's the only planet I could ever get her to listen to me about," she muttered with a chuckle.

I noticed Serenity roll her eyes as she grinned. "It was the only interesting one," she replied.

I chuckled. Secretly, it pleased me that Serenity had an interest in the history of the Earth, and that she seemed to know it quite well already.

Serenity looked at me as we walked. "I do know a lot but there is more I don't know. I am really fascinated with your people, and I want to learn more, if I can."

"You may do anything you want, Serenity," I assured her, happy to see her smile once again.

We reached a grouping of doors at the end of one of the hallways that snaked through the palace. After dismissing the guards, I turned to Serenity, who was once again toying nervously with her wedding band, her smile completely gone. I frowned at this, disappointed that she felt uneasy already. However, I quickly removed the frown so she would not think I was upset with her. "That is your room," I said, gesturing towards one of the doors. "And that room there is mine." The two doors were right next to each other, just as I had instructed. "That room will be Lady Luna's," I continued, motioning to the door on the other side of Serenity's. "That way she will be close to you whenever you need her. That door is Motoki's."

I personally loved this particular wing of the castle. One side of the hall was all windows, and it seemed almost like the entire wall was made of glass, glass which ended when the wall reached the perimeter of my room. Outside of the glass was a private balcony which overlooked the gardens. It was a spectacular view at night time. Opposite the windows were the doors to the various rooms, except my door which was perpendicular to the others.

Serenity looked at her door, glanced at mine, and then looked back to her own. "Thank you for providing me with my own private room." There was relief in her voice, and I would be lying if I said it didn't sting a little.

"Your things have already been brought up, your grace. If you would like to relax a while from your journey before lunch, we will leave you in peace." I felt like elbowing Motoki as he said this since I had been hoping to take Serenity on a tour of the castle but the fact that she was already nodding to Motoki's suggestion made me rethink any objections I had.

"We'll come and get you shortly before lunch," I said and then gestured towards my door. "We'll most likely be in there if you need anything."

Serenity nodded, after which Motoki opened the door and allowed the two ladies to enter the spacious living quarters. Luna shut the door behind them, leaving Motoki and me standing in the hallway alone. I looked at Motoki and jerked my head at my room, motioning for him to follow me. I knew he would have many questions for me, as well as many accusations, jokes, and comments.

As soon as the door to my room shut, I walked over to the table on the veranda and sat down, enjoying the view of the gardens. A flagon of some liquid sat on the table, which Motoki poured into two goblets before taking a seat as well.

"Well?" he began, handing me the cool drink.

I took a sip from the goblet. "Well what?" I looked at Motoki with an amused expression on my face. I could see it in his eyes, a flood of words waiting to spill out.

"Well what? Aren't you going to tell me exactly what happened? You leave the Earth hoping to find a woman who you can begin courtship with and then I receive a letter from you saying that not only did you find her, but you're already married to her and one your way home. I'm surprised you didn't arrive with children and maybe a grandchild or two in tow."

I couldn't help but smile. I guess that was true, that is what had happened. "I explained much of what happened in the letter," I said calmly, enjoying watching Motoki squirm.

"You were fast and vague in your letter, Endymion. I know that Diamond had something to do with it and that the Princess is now scared of any male contact but now you need to explain everything to me."

"Diamond tried to rape Serenity, that's what happened," I stated bluntly, the smile sliding from my face. "I came by just when he was trying to do so fortunately, so I was able to stop him but he had gone far enough to emotionally scar Serenity."

"He tired to rape her?" Motoki asked, his voice unbelieving. "What was he thinking?"

"He got into the wine a little too much but that's still not an excuse for what he did. He's still on the Moon right now. Queen Selenity is not allowing him to leave yet, not until she deals with him properly. He is confined to his chambers and I doubt that the Queen is going to go easy on him. He really scared Serenity."

"So why did you marry her so suddenly?"

"Serenity needs to be married by the time she turns twenty one but it would be hard for her to find a husband that would not try to force himself on her. No, not force, that'ss the wrong word, but rather one who would be patient with her."

"And you are just the man to be patient with her, correct?" Motoki grinned slyly.

"Of course," I answered. "She needs me, whether she knows it or not. I don't know why, but I need to protect her, Motoki. I have to protect her, from her fears, from those who wish to harm her, from myself even. That's why I know I can do this."

Motoki nodded, a thoughtful look filtering across his face. "You've taken on quite a challenge. I could see the way she was looking at me, as though I was going to jump out and bite her at any moment and how she refused to touch even you when we were walking here. She really fears you, doesn't she?"

I nodded slowly, his words painful to me. "Yes," I said quietly. "She does." We were quiet for a few moments and then Motoki smiled.

"I think you'll do it," he said cheerfully. "Even though she fears your touch, you can see that she likes you and that you get along fairly well. That was rather obvious earlier when we stopped at Queen Astrud's painting." I smiled, glad that he had said that. It made me feel a little better, knowing that someone else had seen that she liked me at least a little.

"I only hope that it becomes more and more apparent," I replied.

"Do you love her?" Motoki suddenly asked.

The question took me back a little, since it was a question that I had been mulling over in my mind since I rescued Serenity from Diamond. Did I love her? No. Not love in a romantic sense that is. I knew that now, after many hours of contemplation on the trip to earth. In a way I felt guilty about it, since I had more or less forced Serenity into a loveless marriage. I was confident that I could grow to love her though. I just didn't know her.

"You don't have to answer," Motoki offered gently, reading all my emotions through my eyes probably. I nodded my head and returned my gaze to the gardens. "I guess we have a big job ahead of us," Motoki added.

I glanced back at him. "We?"

Motoki smiled and looked out into the gardens as well. "Yes, we. I'm sure that Lady Luna will be more than happy to assist us as well. I have met her before when she and Lord Artemis came to earth as ambassadors, and she loves her mistress dearly. She wants her to be happy, and making her happy will mean helping you. And I certainly hope you didn't think that I'd keep my fingers out of this. So yes, we. You're not alone."

I smiled and looked out too. Things seemed like they had just became easier all of a sudden.