A/N- Wow, I'm so happy all you guys like this story! So here's the next chapter. This was a fast updated and although I wish I could always update this fast, it doesn't always happen. With swimming, school, and trying to have a social life, writing doesn't always get done for a couple of days.
Supersaiyanx- Thank you!
broadwaychick07- Serena is well… not human, lets put it that way. If you can't guess then it will be revealed soon.
Allison- Glad you like it!
s16- Though it was just the first chapter, its good to know it was a good starting so far…
WitchyWiccan- Updated. Thanks for the review!
Brucasforever- I plan on continuing, don't worry about that. I wouldn't think of stopping, especially with all of these reviews.
Coreagurl- Thank you and here's the next chapter!
"So Serena, this will be your room right now." Mina said happily as she showed Serena to her room. Serena had still yet to really talk to anyone and just nodded or shook her head when asked a question. She tended to gravitate to Malachite or Mina and away from Darien and Rei. "Dinner will be served in an hour. Would you like to take a bath and change clothes until then?" Again Serena nodded. "Molly will be in here shortly to help you. Malachite and I will be back to take you to dinner, alright?"
Serena nodded and sat down on the bed. Mina smiled and left the room leaving Serena alone. A few minutes later a knock was heard on the door and Serena walked over and peaked out of it. A woman with red hair was standing in the hall waiting for her to open the door so she could get in. "Hello, my name is Molly. Lady Mina said I was to help you bathe and then get you into something appropriate with dinner."
Molly had drawn up a bath for Serena and started pouring in different scents that made the bathroom smell like roses. Serena slid her clothes off and slid into the tub and let the hot water relax her. Molly had left Serena to go find a dress for her to wear so Serena quickly washed her hair and got out of the tub. Serena re-entered her room to find that Molly was looking over some finalities of the room and a pale blue dress had been laid out for her.
"Come now my lady, we need to get you dressed. Lord Malachite and Lady Mina shall be arriving to take you to dinner soon and you need to be dressed." Molly helped Serena into her dress then ushered her over to the vanity where she brushed Serena's long blonde hair. As Molly was about to tie it back Serena's hand stopped her and Serena shook her head. "Alright then, you can do it." Serena nodded and slowly twisted her hair into the round balls with flowing ponytails that she originally had.
"Molly, is she ready yet?" Mina called after knocking. Molly smiled at the girl in front of her and nodded to herself.
"Aye she is my lady." Molly opened the door and bowed to the general and his wife before moving to the side to show Serena who had just stood.
"You look beautiful!" Mina gushed. "That was the perfect dress Molly. You did a very good job at picking it out." Molly had picked out a pale blue dress that had a bodice knitted with silver lace and a skirt that shimmered as Serena walked.
"My ladies, shall we go to dinner?" Malachite asked. Mina nodded and took Malachite's arm as Serena just walked behind him. Malachite motioned for her to come next to him and offered her his arm, which to his surprise she accepted.
The dinner itself was what seemed like a grand affair to Serena, but simple for the others who lived in the castle. King Darien was seated at the head of the table, watching everything that was going on and only offering his opinion when it was asked of him. The boredom dinners carried usually overpowered the food and made him forget how good the food really was. When the doors opened and Malachite entered with the women the commotion in the room stopped and everyone stared at the new blonde beauty.
"Lady Serena, it is good to see you are doing better." Ami said with a smile. Serena had been seated next to the blue haired woman with Mina on her opposite side. Serena nodded her acknowledgement and picked at her food.
"Darien, are you going to stop arresting people who go into the forest without your permission?" A lord asked. Serenity stopped eating and her eyes looked up at the King, who she found was looking at her.
"I am going to try and be more reasonable, so yes." Darien responded, tearing his eyes away from the newcomer.
"What are you to do about King Diamond's forces? It is rumored that are getting ready to attack." Another man asked.
"As you know Lord Collin, it is just a rumor. We have spies out investigating if it is true and will take actions after that." Darien responded. Soon the men fell into a conversation about the local wars and other nations that never seemed to leave them alone.
"Come Serena, join us outside. We usually sit in the rose garden and talk while the men talk about their wars." Lady Rei said. When Serena accepted and got up from her seat, Rei grabbed her arm and walked with her outside where Ami and Lita were already waiting for them. "Mina must say goodbye to Malachite of course."
"They were just married Rei, you must give them a break." Lita said. Mina and Malachite had recently been married, almost two weeks ago, and they still acted as though it was the day after their wedding.
"Yes well, we all know they are married now, they can keep some of those activities in the bedroom." Rei replied.
"Rei, you sound as though you are jealous! We all know you like Jadeite and yet you refuse to ask your brother for his approval." Ami smiled. "And we all know he would give it as well. He wants you to be happy even if he doesn't always show it."
"Is it that obvious? Jadeite and I try to stay away from each other, but it really is quite hard."
"Do not worry Rei, we're sure Darien has turned his back on the affair. You should reveal your feelings soon though. You know Darien's temper when he finds out things have been hidden from him." Lita said.
"Sorry I'm late…" Mina said scurrying over to the girls.
"Do not worry Mina, come, let us go find the bench in the rose garden." Rei said. Rei kept Serena next to her and the other girls walked behind them. Serena enjoyed looking at the flowers that they passed and didn't mine the quiet that had ensnared the group.
"Lady Serena, we know you talk for you told us your name, but why do you not talk about anything else or answer other questions?" Lita asked. Serena just shrugged her shoulders and walked over to a white Lilly.
"Serena, may we make a compromise?" Ami asked after thinking for a minute. Serena turned her attention to the woman and watched her closely. "You can keep your silence when we are with the men, but when we are alone, as we are now, you talk to us?"
"Yes Serena, please talk to us." Mina said with a big smile.
Serena sighed and nodded. "Alright." She said at a barely audible volume.
"Great! Could you tell us about yourself?" Rei asked.
"There is not much to know." Serena answered.
"Let's play a game. Each person brings up a simple topic like favorite flower, and each person must answer. That way we can get to know you and you can get to know us." Lita said. The group had reached the benches that were surrounded by white and red roses and sat down. "So, favorite flower then. Mine are the lillies."
"I like sunflowers." Mina said.
"My favorite is the cherry blossoms." Ami said with a smile.
"I like any wild flowers." Rei answered.
"Roses, especially Red or white ones." Serena said.
"Next question is about marital status. Married, Engaged, Being Courted, or single." Mina said. Everyone sighed and rolled their eyes. Serena laughed at the display and waited as the group started again. "I'm married!"
"Engaged to Zoicite." Ami said.
"Secretly being courted by Jadeite." Rei said with a smile thinking about Jadeite.
"Single." Serena said simply.
"Married to Nephrite." Lita answered.
"Favorite place." Ami said after thinking about her topic. "Mine is in the library."
"I like being in the stables with the horses." Rei said.
"And Jadeite." Lita said with a smile. It earned her a glare from Rei which she shrugged off.
"I would like to be home with my mother, but that is no longer possible so in the forest, preferably near a stream or lake." Serenity said. The girls looked at her hoping she would explain about her mother and why she couldn't live with her, but Serena simply ignored them.
"I like training with Nephrite after the soldiers have all left." Lita said proudly.
"I like being anywhere my Malachite is, preferably in his arms." Mina sighed. Rei whacked her friends arm and the other girls laughed.
"Favorite memory." Rei said. "Mine is from when I first met Jadeite and we got into a fight because he didn't think I should be out riding in the field behind the castle alone."
"That is because you shouldn't be." Lita said. "Though in that time it was much safer." Every nodded and stayed quiet before looking at Serena expectantly.
"When I was younger I'd sit out in a field all day and just relax next to the river that brought my village water. My mother would not be far off and everything just felt right." Serenity said. The girls knew she would not explain anymore so they did not press the issue.
"My favorite was my wedding day." Mina gushed.
"My favorite would have been my wedding day or when Neph proposed." Lita answered.
"You two sound alike now." Amy laughed. Both girls did not seem to care and just sighed. "Mine would be when I was reading and walking and accidentally ran into Zoi. That moment has led to so many wonderful things." Each girl sighed thinking about their general, except for Serena who looked trouble for she was thinking of her home.
"It's your turn Serena." Rei said.
Before Serena could even think of a topic footsteps were heard and the generals as well as the king walked into the circle. They all bowed, except for King Darien, who simply inclined his head. Serena's mouth which had been open because she had finally thought of a question snapped shut and she turned away from the new members of the group.
"We hope we are not interrupting anything." Jadeite said.
"We were just talking." Rei answered, trying to keep her face void of emotion like her brother had taught her. The men and women started talking about current events that they all could relate to, market gossip and rumors being the most popular. The women would relate what they heard to know if there was any truth or tell their loved ones important news that had happened inside the city walls that had gone undetected for it was not nearly has important as the imposing wars or defense against outside forces.
Soon the groups departed, but before Jadeite could steal Rei away Darien asked to speak to her in private. "Jadeite, escort Lady Serena around the gardens maybe?"
"Of course my King." Jadeite said. He bowed to Darien and Rei before offering his arm to Serena and walking her out of the clearing. "Would you like to walk around the gardens or retire? For you look quite tired, not that I blame you." Serena thought for a second before tapping Jadeite's hand twice with her own hand.
"To your room then." Jadeite said with a smile and Serena nodded. When they reached her doors after a good five minute walk Jadeite turned to the young woman next to him. "Please excuse my behavior today. Andrew and I tend to bicker over trivial things most of the time we are sent out on duty together." Serena just smiled and nodded her head before bowing and entering her room for the night.
Meanwhile Rei had sat back down as Darien inspected one of the roses. "You got her to talk didn't you?"
"Yes we did. We made a compromise, she would talk with us, just the girls and me, and we would not force her to talk when she was around you or any of the generals." Rei explained.
"So you got to know her somewhat?" Darien pried.
"I did. Darien what are you getting at? Do you want me to spy and get information from her to report back to you with?" Darien didn't do anything, but look down at his sister. "I will not spy, but I can tell you this. She is a mystery, even more of one now as we have started to learn about her. It will take time, but it seems she has been scared out of her wits, whether by your generals or by something else I do not know. Now, if you'll excuse me I am going to retire for the night."
"If you were going to retire I expect you in your room, not out with Jadeite." Darien said. Rei gasped and turned around to stare at him. "You are my sister and he is one of my best generals, do you think I would be that blind?"
"Darien, please don't do anything…rash." Rei pleaded.
"I will not do such a thing. I just want to see you happy and it seems that Jadeite has done this. You have my blessing and you can go tell Jadeite that. I expect you both to not act like Mina and Malachite are right now, but you do not have to hide it any longer." Darien said with a smile. Rei returned the smile and gave her brother a hug before running off to fin her love. Darien watched until Rei had disappeared before he returned to his castle and to his room for the night.