Chapter 9: Prince of Mars.
"I have never seen anything quite like it! It is so beautiful!" Princess Serenity said awe and admiration clearly showed on her face as she gazed at the bouquet of red flowers on the table.
"Yes, it is." Molirue agreed as she placed the flowers in a vase. "It is the first time I have seen a flower such as these."
"What's it called?" Asked the Princess eagerly, her attention was on the flowers as if she was drawn to it.
"I don't know, child. Better ask the person who gave it to Ye."
"Who gave this to me?" Serenity looked like she was frowning at the flowers, but she was actually bewildered about the sender.
"Who else, dear? It's the handsome prince, of course." Molirue answered as she tidies the princess's bed that looked more like a thousand stampedes had ran over it.
"What for?" She asked as she reluctantly tore her gaze from the flowers and looked at her maid.
"What kind of a question is that, child? He is your betrothed. Tis' only right for him to court ye. I am glad that he finally did so." Serenity was about to open her mouth to reply when the door of her bedroom burst out open.
"At last, you're finally awake!" The bubbly Princess of Venus exclaimed as she went inside.
"Oh my gosh!" She continued when the flowers on the table caught her attention.
"Is that what I think it is?"
"Do you know what flower is it, Mina?" Serenity asked. She was eager to find out what the flower was called and why did the Prince would give her something that wass so beautiful.
"My mother brought back something like this when she went to Earth." Minako said.
"Your mother went to earth?" Minako nodded.
"Mother was very intrigued by the beauty of these flowers, so she bought thousands of it in different colors."
"You mean it has more than one color?"
"Yes, and each color represent something."
"Wait, what is the flower's name?"
"It's something like Ro-ro... Ugh! I forgot."
"Okay, but what does red means?" Serenity asked, eager to find out what does her flower stands for. Serenity touched the petals of the flower and felt it to be very delicate and smooth as silk. Minako was silent at the moment as she tried to recall the meaning of the red flower.
"Oh. My. God!" The Princess of Venus had finally said. Eyes went big and rounded and mouth agape.
"What? What? What?" Serenity asked impatiently.
"Oh my god! Sere, red means undying love and passion!" Minako stated with a dreamy sigh. She had the look of a love-struck teenager.
"No! It couldn't be. Why would he give me flowers with such meaning? I- I don't understand. It must be a mistake. No no no." Serenity shook her head in denial, but her cheeks colored otherwise.
"Oh Sere, I so much envy you to be given such affection." Minako said dreamily.
"This must be some cruel joke he's been playing."
"Sere, Terran people has high regards for this particular flower. I'm sure he wouldn't be so cruel to ignore such tradition. I heard that they also give flowers when they are courting the woman they like just like you do here at the Moon. I know you love him, Sere. Just give him a chance."
"..."
"Sere?"
"Okay, I will." Serenity replied with a sigh. The truth was, she actually wanted to give the prince a chance, to believe him, but she was scared. She was tired of the pain, tired of acting like everything didn't bother her, but she knew that in her heart she couldn't helped but to hope.
"Is it me or Endymion was acting very strange today?" Jadeite asked as he noticed his prince smiling at the air for no reason.
"He was like that since yesterday. It's weird actually, he was in a sour mood the other day then he was like that the next morning." Nephrite said.
"Do you think he is possessed?" Jadeite asked incredulously.
"Our prince is not stupid to be possessed." Zoicite piped in.
"Endymion, are you feeling alright?" Kunzite asked, standing across where Endymion stood.
"It's such a beautiful day, don't you think so Kunzite?" Endymion said, looking at the horizon.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Do you know that the Moon's atmosphere was always perfect? They don't have storms, heavy rains, earthquakes, typhoons, or even snow?" Endymion continued as a matter-of-factly.
"Okay, there's definitely wrong with him if he's starting to talk like Zoicite. Just who are you and what have you done to our prince?" Jadeite asked when he heard what Endymion said and earned a glare from Zoicite.
"No need to worry, men. I am perfectly fine." Endymion assured his loyal guards with a smile then turned to Nephrite and asked, "Have the roses been delivered?"
"Yes, my prince." Nephrite answered.
"Are you sure she received it?"
"Yes, I delivered the flowers my self."
"Good. Well, gentlemen I bid you good day. I have important things to do." With that, Endymion left his puzzled guardians behind.
"What flowers?" Kunzite asked Nephrite.
"The prince asked me to deliver a dozen red roses to the princess's suite."
"Man oh man! I can't believe our prince is finally in love and acting like one too." Jadeite laughed.
Few hours before eve...
"Mina! Mina!" Serenity called, looking for her cousin.
"Out here!" Minako called from outside. Serenity saw her sitting under a big tree and walked towards her.
"What are you doing here?" Serenity asked.
"Just admiring the view." Minako answered, not looking at her. Serenity giggled as she saw what her cousin had been looking at.
"Minako, really now. What will people say if they saw you watching, no, make that staring at the half naked men of the Moon?"
"They will not say anything, but to be flattered that a princess was admiring their skills in combat." But Serenity could only giggle in reply.
"So why are you looking for me?"
"Oh yeah, the Prince of Mars will be arriving this evening!" Serenity said in agog. She met the Prince through Princess Rei. Princess Rei of Mars had introduced the two when Serenity defeated a man in a bareback riding and had found out that the man was her older brother, Prince Seiya of Mars. Serenity soon found out that the Prince was a fun loving brother and friend. He was very nice to her when she was in their planet. He had taught her archery, took her to picnics, and showed her the unusual, but beautiful sacred places of Mars. Serenity likes Seiya very much, she enjoyed being with him and she felt very comfortable with his company. He never bore her even once. He always tells her jokes and makes her laugh. Serenity was very happy when she found out that he would be visiting her though she knew that he had promised that he would visit her.
"I heard he was quite a ladies man." Minako flipped her hair back when the wind breezed their way.
"Yes, he was very popular among women, but oh, he's a fun loving person. He was very nice to me when I was at the Mars."
"I see, but is he really hot?" Minako asked eagerly.
"Well, he is handsome. He has a long black hair that tide in a low pony tail, dark eyes, very tall, and a nice physique." Serenity answered as she tried to remember Seiya's appearance. She looked at her cousin and laughed at Minako's daydreaming look.
"You MUST introduce me to him, Sere! You will introduce me to him right? Right?" Minako tugged Serenity's arm, stars in her eyes.
"Okay okay, just quit pulling my arms off. I kinda needed it."
Evening...
Endymion was busy looking for a certain silver haired goddess. He wanted to apologize to her and if she forgives him, he would start the courtship. Endymion wanted to show how much he loves her. He ached to touch her, feel her in his arms, and looked in to her beautiful crystalline eyes.
Endymion heard that some royalty from another planet would be arriving some time this evening, he was not sure why, but he never gave a damn about it. His mind was to find his princess and ask for her forgiveness. He heard noises- people talking, their laughter, and footsteps- and thought that the party from the distant planet had arrived. He studied the arriving people and decided to greet them as well for the sake of the Terran reputation, he was suddenly stopped on his tracks when he heard a familiar squeal. A surprised looked was in Endymion's sapphire eyes and a sudden gushed of cold wind enter his whole body and an akin pain pricked his heart.
He just saw his precious Serenity threw her self in another man's awaiting arms.
A/N: Uh-Oh, who is he?