Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon.

Key

"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

(AN: Author's notes)

Chapter 18

Princess Serenity found herself staring up into the twinkling light blue eyes of Artemis. The man was powerful in the kingdom, being the Captain of the Royal Guard. On strict business, he was quite serious, a no-nonsense type of person. But outside of meetings and public affairs, he could very well be the goofiest grown man one had ever met, especially when it came to a certain raven-haired advisor of the queen. Much to her annoyance, of course. Luna was more of the all-around serious type, but did have a soft spot.

"If you're so interested, princess, then perhaps we should go inside," he said quietly, so as not to alert the two conversing women inside the room that they were about to have company. Still startled by the man's unexpected appearance, the little girl nodded mutely. Artemis squeezed her shoulder lightly, and then opened the door.

"Look at who I found," he announced, steering the little eavesdropper into the room. The two women looked at the new arrivals, and the angry look melted from the ruler's face.

"Serenity, darling. Whatever are you doing out of bed at this hour?" she asked, holding out her arms for her daughter. The little princess darted into her mother's arms, sniffling as the woman lifted her onto her lap.

"Mama, I had a bad dream. The whole kingdom… There was darkness everywhere… And people were screaming and running around…"

Something flashed in the Queen's eyes at that moment, something that the small child had never seen before. She couldn't place the foreign emotion, couldn't name it; all she knew was that it scared her. No one should ever feel that, she decided. It was too scary to be dealt with.

"'Twas only a dream, darling. Nothing more. The Moon Kingdom is the safest place to be. We have no enemies," her mother soothed. A lie was woven into her words there, but her daughter need not know that. At least, not for several more years.

Princess Serenity nodded slowly. Her mother was right. Her mother was always right.

"Now, off to bed with you, dear. It's late," the Queen said, setting her child down on the ground. Serenity turned her sky blue eyes upwards to meet the adults' gaze.

"What were you talkin' about?" she asked innocently. Luna froze for a moment, and Selenity (AN: I'm tired of typing our princess and queen; mother is now Selenity, daughter is Serenity, kapeesh?) stiffened. Artemis rose a silver brow, observing at the women's reactions to the question. It was quite apparent that the topic was serious; they wouldn't have reacted so oddly if it hadn't been.

"Nothing, my daughter. Off to bed for you, now," Selenity said. There was something sharp in her voice, barely recognizable, but still there. Serenity shrank back slightly, hearing the difference in the tone her mother used with her and not liking it at all. Obediently, however, she curtsied and left the room for bed, Luna following close behind her after shooting Selenity a look.

When the door closed behind them, Artemis decided to speak.

"What was that all about? You and Luna seemed to be having quite the interesting discussion." All formalities dropped, Artemis raised an eyebrow at Selenity, who studiously avoided his gaze.

"Just a little argument, and nothing more," she said, studying the marble floor as if it had somehow changed in the past decades.

"Little?" Artemis emitted a snort. "That's a lie, and you know it. What's wrong, Sele? I've never heard Luna so angry before." That was indeed saying something; between Serenity and Artemis himself, it was a wonder Luna still had a voice after yelling so often.

"… It's Apollo, Artemis," Selenity said softly. Artemis stiffened a bit at the name. His eyes narrowed slightly, and Selenity finally looked at him.

"Not you too, Artemis. You were his best friend," Selenity half said, half begged. Glistening, unshed tears formed in the young woman's eyes; that was something that hadn't happened in a long time.

"I was," Artemis said simply, the lightest of emphasis on the past tense of the statement. Selenity's eyes narrow slightly, anger beginning to boil in her heart once again.

"It wasn't his fault!" Selenity snapped, although a sob escaped her throat at the end of the sentence. She covered her face with her hands, her sadness overwhelming her anger once more. The man's eyes softened, and he turned his head. He should not look at his queen during a moment of weakness, friendship or no friendship.

"It wasn't his fault…" she whispered again, ignorant of how the atmosphere had changed. Artemis shifted slightly, suddenly feeling awkward.

"My queen…" He trailed off, gaze still directed to the side. The formality was suddenly returned, and Selenity righted herself, wiping tears off her face. Artemis turned back to her, relieved to find no more tears in her eyes.

"Do you truly wish to know what Luna and I were… Discussing?" Selenity's eyes were well guarded and betrayed no emotion.

"Yes, my queen," Artemis said, hiding his eagerness with a professional mask.

"Very well then," she said. She lifted her hand and placed it on her abdomen. For a moment, it was silent in the room. Then, she spoke in a regal tone.

"I am with child.

Author's Notes

Don't worry, readers (if there are any of you left). I'm alive and still writing. I'm wrestling with writers' block, but that is slowly passing. I'll have the next chapter up by Thursday at the latest; by the time you're reading this, I'll already have the next chapter partially done. I'm not closing word for another hour, and I will be working on Sincere Darkness or Bathtime until that hour is up.