Title: To Brave the Darkness
Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Sailor Moon
Authors Notes: Alright everyone, here's one more chapter before the weekend. Hope you all have a great couple of days!
The next morning, Raye woke Serenity up early, having already sent a man to put them on the list to see the King.
"We should go now," Raye said. "If we're lucky, as you said, he'll grant us access earlier than we'd hoped. We want to be close in case that happens."
Serenity dressed quickly, letting a maid do her hair. She was nervous; both about seeing the King and that he might not help her. She didn't know anything about the man, other than he was around Endymion's age. Perhaps he wasn't as kind as Raye seemed to think he was.
She put on one of the nicer dresses Raye had insisted on buying her. Still, she didn't know what to expect from the royal court. Would she be under dressed? She didn't want the King to look down on her because she wasn't from a noble family.
Well, technically she was, but she hardly counted her stepfather as family anymore. Her title was gladly given up to be rid of him.
Andrew was waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs.
Serenity felt immediately warmed by his kind and easy smile. She couldn't quite picture him being friends with the dark Endymion. But then again, she hadn't seen Endymion around any friends other than Raye. And that aside, she had never really witnessed a truly dark side of Endymion. She had seen him charming and flirtatious as well as angry or upset. But she would never consider him evil in any way.
"I came to wish you luck," Andrew said, taking Raye's hand and kissing it gently. "Endymion told me most of the story and I really do hope the King will hear you out. I'm sure, as soon as he does, you won't have to worry about going back to that man."
Serenity smiled, feeling immediately affectionate towards him. "Thank you," she said softly. "I hope so as well."
"Will you return here tonight?" He asked Raye.
"We wouldn't wish to intrude."
Andrew shook his head. "My father would have it no other way. He was so unspeakably excited to have you here at last, after all these years of worrying for your safety, that he wouldn't hear of you staying anywhere else."
Raye blushed. "I am sorry I stayed away. In honesty, I wasn't sure I would be welcomed without my father."
"My mother wished to write to you before now, but we wanted you to come to us without feeling obligated to do so. Perhaps, next time Endymion comes, we can expect you as well?"
"I would be honored," Raye said, genuinely pleased.
"And of course, Serenity, you too are always welcome to come and stay with us."
There was a meaning behind his kind green eyes that confused Serenity, but she smiled and nodded her consent. Was Andrew implying that he thought she would come? Did he assume she would come with Raye?
"Is Endymion here?" Raye asked.
"He left quite early this morning," Andrew said. "He said something about business."
Serenity had learned to hate that word. Business meant that he was somewhere else, possibly with someone else. Was this what happened every time he didn't get what he wanted? He went and got it somewhere else?
"Would you like me to escort you to the palace?" Andrew asked.
Raye smiled. "That would be wonderful. Are you sure you're not too busy?"
Serenity tried to stay cheerful around this absolutely charming young man who was being the most gracious host she had ever met. He offered the open carriage because it was such a lovely day, and talked constantly of funny stories from his youth, making them both laugh. He was everything a young man should be, but Serenity was having a hard time giving him her full attention.
Luckily, Raye was doing that enough for the both of them, and she didn't have to worry about hurting his feelings or being rude.
All she could think about was Endymion.
Serenity wanted so badly to believe that he loved her. Surely he had proven it. He had done everything she had ever asked him to. He had saved her from her stepfather, even taking it one step further and bringing her to stay with his best friend. He had given her space when she needed it while still checking on her. He had tried to convince her to stay as free as possible for as long as possible instead of marrying someone she hardly knew just for the sake of safety. And he had made her feel welcome whenever he was around, except the fateful night of Raye's birthday dinner.
She sighed to herself, wishing he were there now so she could just see him. Maybe it would be enough to be one of his many mistresses. Maybe she could be happy sharing him, as long as she had a little piece.
But she wanted to feel like she deserved more than that. She wanted him to herself, selfishly, without sharing a single part of him. Of course, that might never happen. He was as free as she was caged. They simply didn't move in the same worlds. As hard as it was, she tried to force herself to be resigned to the idea that Endymion would never be who she needed him to be.
The palace was exquisite. It took quite a while to get to it, but when they did, Serenity was in awe of the place. She had never seen anything so large or so intricately built. It was almost completely white, made of the purest clean marble and stone. It seemed to glimmer in the bright sunlight of the beautiful day. Everywhere she looked, richly dressed people walked about, laughing and talking as if this were an every day occurrence.
"What do you think?" Andrew asked as he smiled at her reaction.
"I didn't know it was possible to build such a thing," Serenity breathed.
"It really is a site to behold. This is the center of our great kingdom. It takes days to travel from one end to the other, but the palace can be seen from almost every part. The glimmering peaks stretch higher into the sky by at least ten times every other building."
It was almost miraculous that such a place could exist. Serenity thought she had seen a lot of the kingdom's beauty just by being at Endymion's manor. His place, although extremely splendid, was nothing compared to this.
She was suddenly intensely nervous, and had half a mind to turn around and forget the whole thing.
Andrew helped them from the carriage, taking Raye's hand into his arm and leading them both up the gradual and beautiful white stairs towards the front entrance.
Serenity could never have imagined what the inside would look like. They walked immediately into a beautifully gardened courtyard, stretching a long ways through the middle of the palace. Ladies in beautiful gowns walked slowly around, followed closely by very richly dressed men.
It was so strange that people were just here. Nobody seemed to be working or arguing. They were just standing here, smiling and talking, like it was the most peaceful place in the world.
And some of the men were looking at her.
Serenity blushed at the admiration she saw in some of the stares she received. She was intensely aware of being noticed, but she didn't recognize a single person here.
Finally, after walking a distance across the stone walkway, Andrew led them towards a very intricate and large door, closed and not allowing the public through. Guards stood at the ready, and a man was sitting in a booth, looking extremely dignified and in charge as he wrote something down in a book.
Andrew led them right up to the man, who hardly acknowledged their presence.
"The King is not seeing anyone today," he said dismissively.
Serenity felt her heart sink.
"He usually sees people on the list for a few hours a day," Andrew said cheerfully. "Or he'll allow them to speak to his advisers."
"He has said that today he is not seeing anyone," the man said again, still not looking at them.
Raye stood up to him, demanding his attention. She smiled sweetly. "Perhaps you can check your list. Our names are Lady Serenity and Lady Raye."
The man seemed surprised at this, and didn't even glance at his list to check. "I'm sorry," he said, stepping out of the booth and giving them a quick bow. "I did not realize who you were. The King has asked that you be permitted immediately."
Raye only smiled while Serenity looked on in surprise.
Andrew smiled, bowing gently to them. "Here is where I leave you ladies. I hope you will return in time for dinner, but if not then I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."
Serenity hardly had time to watch him go before Raye had grabbed her hand and they were led through a smaller door in the large gates, and into the inner courtyard of the palace.
All at once, there was hardly anyone around. A few servants, well dressed and proper, but no nobles of any sort.
She felt very exposed.
"The King asked that you be led to him the moment you arrived," the man said, leading them quickly into a long hallway that smelled faintly of cherry blossoms.
Serenity looked at Raye, who just smiled softly without saying a thing. She had never really believed they would be granted permission to see the King, especially if he wasn't seeing anyone else. Why wasn't he seeing anyone else?
She felt a little overwhelmed as she hurried with them, not able to prepare herself properly for meeting the King before they were shown into another room and announced.
Serenity stood there stunned, staring at the man who rose from the table and smiled at them, looking every bit a King.
"It is a pleasure to meet you ladies," he said in a smooth, deep voice that seemed to rumble through her. "I hope you were not kept waiting long."
Serenity was too stunned to answer, but Raye wasn't.
"Of course not your majesty," she said curtsying, pulling Serenity down with her. "We are honored that you would see us."
His laugh was warm, like milk and honey just before bed, and he seemed genuinely pleased with whatever the situation was.
"Please, come and take a seat," he said indicating the two chairs across from him.
Serenity and Raye sat quickly. Serenity tried desperately to hide the fact that her hands were shaking. She was sitting in front of the King. He was the most powerful man in the Kingdom. His comforting green eyes held her gaze without wavering, proving that he was a man who was not afraid or bashful of anything.
He was handsome, almost to a fault. His tall frame was well formed and his skin was tanned a golden color and his face was very pleasing to look upon.
"Now," he said, getting himself comfortable and waving away the few people in the room so they were alone. "I understand you would like to explain to me the side to your story."
Serenity was startled. "I do," she said, almost choking on the words.
He nodded. "You fiancé contacted me nearly a month ago…"
"He's not my fiancé, he's my stepfather."
The King looked surprised. "Indeed? Well, he contacted me and informed me that you had been taken away from him by Lord Endymion. I assumed the matter closed and agreed to give him men to look for you. But then I received this letter late last night," he said holding up a folded note with very elegant black writing on it, "from a man who I haven't seen in many years."
Serenity knew it was from Endymion without any other explanation. Her insides seemed to melt and she felt herself softening then. Endymion had helped her. He still cared enough to help her.
"So," the king continued. "Why don't you tell me your story, and we'll make a decision."
"My mother married my stepfather when I was young, and died only a few years later. I have lived with him since then. He has kept me a prisoner in my own home, using me for his own financial gain by having me persuade prominent young businessmen that they might have a chance at my hand in marriage if they worked with him. He has made some success. I tired of being trapped in my own home, and started to act out against him. The night Endymion came to talk business with him, I angered him to the point of fury. He told me then that he had never intended for me to ever be with anyone, and was simply waiting for me to be old enough to take me himself. The only way I could see him letting me go, was to disgrace myself."
The King nodded, smiling softly. "And Endymion was already in your house, willing and ready to disgrace you."
She blushed at his teasing tone. "Yes, he was. He was very kind to me, and although we fought the next day because he didn't want to tell anyone, he ended up helping me as I wished him to. Then, when my stepfather was so angry he cast me out, Endymion helped me once again by taking me to his close friend, Lady Raye. I have been living with Raye since it happened, trying to live a life I was never allowed."
"And you continued seeing Endymion?"
Serenity swallowed, clenching her sweaty hands together. "In a way, yes I did."
"In a way?" He asked with curious eyes.
"I have not been in his bed since I was last at my stepfather's house if that's what you're asking. He has been very kind, making sure that I am safe within my new freedom."
The King nodded, looking at Raye. "Can you confirm this story?"
"I can your majesty. Endymion brought her to me the very morning after her departure from her stepfather's home. She has been with me ever since, and I can personally account for everything that's happened since then."
He thought to himself for a moment, his eyes calm and intense. He held himself with such poise that Serenity wondered if he was stiff at the end of the day.
"I will have to look into this matter myself," the King said seriously. "I have heard both your side of the story and that of your stepfather. But I cannot take one word over the other without proof."
Serenity nodded. "Of course your majesty. I will provide whatever proof I can offer, but I'm not sure what you might need."
"I have men who will find the proof needed without your involvement," he said. "For now, I will have to ask that you stay here in the palace until this matter is resolved. If your story turns out to be true, we will find a way to remedy this. He is your guardian and he is entitled to certain actions. Marriage to his stepdaughter is perhaps a little outside those boundaries, but we will see. If his story is true, you are to return to him and be given his punishment without complaint."
Serenity swallowed hard, afraid. "Yes your majesty."
"Lady Raye, I hoped you would wish to stay with you friend."
"I would," she said. "But may we be permitted to write the family we're visiting now so they don't worry about us?"
He nodded. "You will be given everything you need."
Serenity and Raye found themselves suddenly standing up, being hurried away from the King. But Serenity desperately wanted to know something and she couldn't leave without asking.
So she turned boldly towards the King, who watched her with amused eyes.
"I'm sorry," she said with a curtsy. "The letter that Endymion wrote you…"
"You may say you have not been with him since you left your home," the King said amused, "but it seems you've been together long enough for my old friend to seem intent on changing his ways. I would not have helped him at all if he had not confessed to being in love with you."
Serenity looked at him shocked. "In love with me?"
"The last I had heard from Endymion was when he and I had a falling out so many years ago. I am happy to hear him putting his efforts towards something less hazardous to everyone's reputation. I have answered him and asked him to join me tonight for a discussion of our past. Perhaps you would like to see him?"
Serenity nodded, not thinking about it.
"Then if he arrives, I will send him to you."
Raye took her hand then, pulling her away from the King and out of the room.
It took her a full minute to piece things together. Endymion had told the King that he loved her. He had used that as a means to help her. He had sent the King his letter professing his feelings, without even telling her that he wished to help her. It was almost absurd. Why wouldn't he simply make it obvious he was doing something to win favor with her?
Raye was watching her carefully, her eyes both concerned and excited.
"I'm not sure what to think," Serenity said finally, answering the unspoken question of her friend.
Raye nodded. "I understand your confusion."
"I'm struggling every single moment to fight my feelings for him. I want is to be free. But it's not all I want. I don't even care about living on my own or choosing my own life. Part of me just wants to believe him."
"All my life I have never known him to care this much about someone. You are my friend and I wouldn't wish to put you in harm's way. But I believe, with my whole heart, that he has changed. Since you've been around, he's been only with Lady Anne and that he did because he was trying to convince himself that he could get on without you."
"But he's been on several business trips."
"He does actually conduct business sometimes," Raye teased. "There is a reason he's so wealthy. Even his father's riches would have dwindled at some point, but his estate is wealthier than ever."
Serenity thought about this. Of course he worked. She had seen him that day, writing at his desk, completely concentrated on the task in front of him. She had just assumed that he didn't leave his home to work.
She wondered if he had meant to do business with her stepfather at all the first time they had met. She had assumed that he had found a way to tag along to get to her, but she might have been a happy coincidence. Her stepfather would go to great lengths to be in business with someone of Endymion's title and class. Even through his reputation, Serenity had learned that he was one of the wealthiest people in the Kingdom. It was the reason people continued to let him in. Perhaps he would marry one of their daughters. Any woman who married him would inherit a great deal of wealth.
They were shown to their own bedrooms and given things to refresh themselves. They had their own sitting room to use, filled with fresh fruit and open to the beautiful sun. All the windows looked over another beautiful courtyard filled with fully bloomed cherry blossoms. The fragrant smell drifted over them.
Thinking wasn't doing Serenity any good, so she decided that she had to keep her mind occupied until something happened. She found Raye waiting for her in the sitting room.
"I don't believe you," she said.
Raye looked surprised. "About what?"
"You say Endymion wasn't with anyone else other than Lady Anne since I came to stay with you. He teased me about it himself, making it clear he was doing exactly what I thought he might be doing."
"I don't know what to tell you Serenity. I know for a fact he didn't. He intended too once or twice, but changed his mind in the end."
"Did he tell you?"
"No," Raye said. "He has been strangely secretive of his feelings for you. I know them because I know him, but he woudn't speak of them openly. I know because I asked his men where he'd been. I always do. Endymion always makes sure they know where he is. It's the only way he can remain safe while doing what he does. The first business trip he went on was to a family I've known my whole life. There are no daughters there. The second had a daughter, but I was told by a reliable source that Endymion didn't even try to be with her. I found that strange, so I kept up my enquiries. He hasn't been with anyone else."
Serenity shook her head. "And why wouldn't he just tell me that?"
"How was he supposed to do that? 'By the way I haven't slept with anyone knew in awhile. I love you.' come on Serenity. He was afraid of his own feelings."
She sighed, sitting down. "And now he tells the king he loves me. I'm more confused than ever before."
Raye sat beside her softly, taking a deep breath. "Okay, I'm going to ask you a few questions, and you have to answer honestly."
Serenity nodded.
"Do you love him?"
She hesitated, not completely comfortable with saying it out loud. But Raye glared at her.
"Yes," she finally said.
"Do you love him enough to forget about his past?"
"Yes," she said again, with less hesitation.
"Do you believe he loves you as well?"
"Yes," she answered again.
"If you love him, and he loves you, then where is the problem Serenity?"
"Trust," Serenity said.
"When has he ever given you any reason not to trust him. He saved you from your stepfather. He brought you into his life. He found a safe place for you. He's agreed to speak to the king on your behalf even though they haven't spoken in years. The king could get angry with him and decide to punish him. He's risking everything for you. What more does he need to do to convince you his love for you is stronger than any other passion he's ever had."
Serenity felt tears prick her eyes at her friends words. Raye was right. He had done so much for her.
"I don't want you to feel guilty and give him a chance because you think he deserves it. I want you to give him a chance because you can see just how much he loves you."
"I'm afraid," Serenity admited.
"Of what?"
"The only thing I ever wanted growing up was the chance to live my own life. I always assumed that if I got that chance, I would just spend my days figuring out how to live. I might get a job and work for my income or find some family I never knew I had. I never, not once, thought about falling in love. It was never part of my future, no matter what happened. I'm afraid that I don't know anything of life, so I don't have the knowledge needed to make this kind of decision."
Raye nodded, thinking about that. "You don't need knowledge to act on instinct Serenity. What does your heart tell you."
She closed her eyes, trying to let go of all her worries. It was easy. Her mind was telling her to be careful, but her heart was pulsing with love.
"I just want to be with him," she confessed slowly.
Raye smiled. "Then aren't you lucky that the only thing he wants is to be with you."
She couldn't help but laugh at that. She felt better, letting her worries go for a moment.
"Just think about it," Raye said. "Think about him and what he's done. Ask yourself if he'd do what he's done if there was no possiblity that he'd be faithful too you."
Serenity nodded, feeling suddenly exhausted. She had been through so much in the last couple of days. All she needed was some time, and maybe some sleep, and a nice walk in the sunshine outside.
But she was sure about one thing. She loved him. If he loved her back as much as he seemed too, then that would be enough for her.
End Chapter Eleven. Please review!
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