Chapter 12: The proposal.
"Endymion?" Serenity asked, confused by his reaction.
"You love me?" Endymion asked in disbelief. He wanted to be sure that he heard her right. That she loves him back.
"Yes." And Endymion couldn't be happier to hear one sweet word.
"I love you and I won't stop loving you." He said as he nuzzled her neck again and hugged her more tightly.
"I love you too, since the day you saved me from those children." She said as she hugged him back. For an hour, they just laid there holding each other. Endymion started kissing her again as if there was no tomorrow, just the two of them in the whole universe. Serenity giggled as he kissed her mouth to cheeks to throat then followed the path down to her shoulders.
"Ahem." No response. "I said, Ahem!" A young woman's voice interrupted. Endymion and Serenity abruptly broke apart. Serenity, who was now sitting on her bed, frantically buttoning her slightly, opened top and Endymion who was now standing beside the bed, panting.
"Mi-mina, Wha-what are you doing here?" Serenity stammered breathlessly (Of course, after that long passionate kiss, who wouldn't?) She blushed in embarrassment at being caught in an uncompromising position. She looked at her lover and saw that he feels the same way she did.
"I was looking for you, duh. Anyway, if I only knew that you were doing something 'important' I should have not bothered looking all over the palace for you." Minako's eyes were twinkling in mischief.
"I-um... We-uh... Endymion..." Serenity looked at Endymion for help.
"Serenity and I... Um... We were just resting... Yeah, that's right!" Endymion said, kicking himself mentally for saying something stupid.
'Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! As if she's going to fall for that! Stupid!' He thought.
'Nice thinking, Scholar.' Serenity slapped her forehead with the palm of her hand.
"Ah, what a rest it must have been. I trust that you two enjoyed your... um... 'Rest' considering what I just... ah... witness." Minako said teasingly. She bit her lip to stop herself from laughing at the two tomato face lovers.
"I see that you two have settled your differences."
"Yes, we do." Endymion answered. He looked calm now and he had stop blushing, but he was still embarrassed for the fact that he was caught kissing and licking Serenity's cleavage, ah, what such delicious morsel it was.
"I guess I shouldn't have interrupted your... um... 'Rest'." A giggle escaped from the blonde princess.
"Yes, you shouldn't have interrupted us." He agreed and Serenity blushed deeply.
"But I am glad you did. I just remember something that I needed to be doing. If you'll excuse me, princesses, I shall leave you two now." He gave a gentlemanly bowed. He turned to Serenity, gripped her shoulders and kissed her fervently on the lips. Serenity was startled, but that didn't keep her from responding to his assault. Minako giggled, she was happy seeing her cousin in love and happy at last.
"I will see you at lunch, love." He whispered to her ear after the kiss he so deliciously given her and she nodded. Endymion gave one last peck on her now swollen wet lips, stood up, and left the room.
"Wow! He must be a very good kisser if he left you looking like a THAT!" Mina whistled. "Mind if I borrow him for awhile?" She grinned.
"Mina!"
"Hey, I was only going to borrow your delicious of a fiancée. I just wanted to make sure if he can make me look like you." She teased.
"Minako!" The flushed face Serenity threw a pillow at her laughing cousin.
Endymion knows that nothing could wipe away the smile on his face. He was too damn happy to think or to be bothered by anything or anyone right now. He felt like he was walking on air. Endymion couldn't believe his luck, Serenity loved him. She loves him! He wanted to shout to the whole world that the woman he loved and will only love loves him back. He knows that there was only one thing to do and that was to talk to his mother.
After lunch…
"Can I talk you?" Endymion asked.
"Sure." Seiya said, motioning him to sit down.
"Thanks. I'll just cut to the chase. I wanted to apologize from what happened at the lawn that time."
"No problem. I can understand why you did it. I can't blame you though if I was in your place I would have done the same thing."
"I'm glad you understand. I hope we can be friends. If, that's fine with you."
"Of course." Seiya smiled and took Endymion's offered hand.
"I trust that everything's fine between the two of you?"
"Yes, I was scared for a moment, but I'm glad it's over."
"What do you plan to do now?" Seiya asked then smile as Endymion pulled out a red rose from his pocket and said, "Good luck, my friend."
"En-chan!" Serenity called as she threw herself at Endymion. Endymion laughed at the bundle of silver head joy in his arms.
"Hello my little rabbit." He said, smiling.
"Don't call me that!" Serenity pouted, but her eyes shone in happiness.
"Ah, but you are a rabbit.'My' angel rabbit." He said in a deep husky voice and Serenity giggled. She buried her blushing face on Endymion's chest, smiling as she inhaled his wonderful earthy scent.
'He smells like a rose and forest. Pleasant and sweet.' She thought. Endymion held her tightly to him.
"What do you want to do, love?" He asked pulling himself away from their tight embrace, but still held her within his arms.
"I just wanted to be with you." She replied, resting her hands on his chest.
"Mmm. I was thinking to introduce my guardians to you."
"Okay, but I want Mina to be there too. Besides, she's to be my guardian once I took the throne." She smiled.
"The infamous Princess Serenity, It is such an honor to be able to meet you personally, your highness." Jadeite said and kissed Serenity's hand. He was the last one to introduce him self.
"Pleasure to meet you too." Serenity giggled at the guardian's antics.
"Am I late?" Minako asked as soon as her head popped out from the door.
"No, Mina, you are just in time. Gentlemen, I would like you to meet my cousin, heir to the throne of Venus, guardian of love and beauty, and future guardian to the next ruler of the system, Princess Minako Aino." Serenity introduced.
"Zoicite, fourth general of the prince. Guardian of his sire's knowledge and earth guardian of ice." Zoicite bowed.
"Jadeite, third general of the prince. Guardian of his sire's emotions and earth guardian of fire." Jadeite bowed.
"Nephrite, second general of the prince. Guardian of his sire's strength and earth guardian of the sky." Nephrite bowed.
"Kunzite is my name, your highness. Leader of the prince's army. Guardian of his sire's well-being and earth guardian of light (Eh, I just made it all up.)" Kunzite said as he bowed in respect then took Minako's hand and kissed it.
"It's nice meeting all of you. It's a pleasure to actually meet a Terran guardian." Minako said, but her eyes were locked with Kunzite's dark silver eyes. Minako blushed as Kunzite still held her hand. Serenity noticed this and nudged her elbow on Endymion's stomach. Endymion looked at her and then followed his fiancée's gazed. He smiled at what he saw.
"I hope you wouldn't mind me asking, Princess, but how come we haven't seen you around?" Kunzite asked as he reluctantly let go of her hand.
"I arrived here along with my cousin. You probably didn't notice me since my cousin stole the show when we came." Minako answered, tucking her hand in her shawl.
"Yes, I think I remember now. I know you are pretty when I first saw you, but I guess I was wrong." Kunzite said.
"Are you saying I'm ugly?" She raised one delicate eyebrow.
"No!" He clears his throat to take the uneasiness away. Never had he been affected this way by a woman before. "Forgive my outburst, princess. Heaven's forbid, I didn't mean it that way. As I was saying, I was wrong you are not pretty, but beautiful." He said, smiling.
"Th-thank you." She murmured, blushing.
"I think our friend has it." Nephrite said as the rest of them watched the two people who seemed too preoccupied with each other's company to even notice that they were still in the same room. Endymion whispered something to Serenity's ear and she nodded.
"Sorry to interrupt you, Mina, but we have to go." Serenity said.
"Can't we stay for a few minutes?" Minako asked.
"You know I can't leave you alone unchapperoned, especially with these good looking gentlemen." Serenity winked at the blushing guardians.
"Very well." Minako sighed. "It's nice meeting all of you again. I'll see all of you around." The three guardians bowed.
"It's an honor meeting you, Princess." Kunzite bowed and kissed her hand.
"Don't take too long, okay?" Serenity said to Endymion and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"I won't." He answered.
"Okay, Mina, lets go. See you men around." Serenity pulled the reluctant Minako from the gazing contest with the guardian of light and left the room.
Minako sighed dreamily. "Isn't he dreamy?" Stars were in her eyes.
"Uh-huh, but he isn't as handsome as 'My' Endymion, of course." Serenity nodded a matter-of-factly.
"Shut up. I just never thought that there are handsome Terran men. I thought they were a bunch of egotistical barbarians." Minako confessed.
"I think I'm in love." She sighed.
"Isn't that obvious? You can't even let go of his hand."
"Excuse me, but HE held MY hand and not the other way around." Minako inched her nose higher.
"Bleh! You're not even complaining."
"I-I just doesn't want to be rude, is all." She replied, blushing.
"Whatever." Serenity rolled her eyes.
"Hey, don't be like that. Just because you have your man that doesn't mean you're an expert on love." Serenity sticks out her tongue.
"Yeah, I have my man and I love him, but what I am trying to say is, it is useless to deny whatever feelings you have for him. You call yourself the guardian of love?"
"Of course! Stop being so mean. Fine, I think I have proved to myself that there is love at first sight. Anyway, cousin, ol'pal, ol'buddy, Oh sweet sweet Sere, you got to help me!"
"Okay, what do you want me to do?"
"Time."
"Huh? Will you make it clear, so I can understand you?"
"I just need some time alone with him."
"That's difficult. I can't leave you alone with a man. It's the rule of the system, except of course, if you're betrothed to the man."
"Don't you think I don't know that? That's why I'm asking you for your help. Please!" She gave Serenity the sad puppy eyed look.
"Okay okay! Just stop doing that." Serenity laughed.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
"What is it?" Zoicite asked.
"I need you men to do something for me." Endymion said seriously.
"Is there something wrong, your highness?" Kunzite asked.
"No, everything's fine. I just need you men to do something important for me."
"Anything, Prince." Nephrite said.
"I want you all to keep other people away from the garden tonight."
"Huh? If you don't mind me asking, Endymion, but what for?" Nephrite asked.
"For this." Endymion showed them the same red rose he showed to Seiya a while ago.
"Is that what I think it is?" Jadeite asked while looking at the flower on Endymion's hand.
"Yes."
"We will do everything we can, your highness." The four guardians said in unison.
"Good. Here is my plan..."
"How come it is so dark out here? This place wasn't like this before. Where are the lights?" Serenity asked as she blindly walked the path to the garden. She tripped on something and luckily; her companion had a hold of her hand before she completely falls down.
"I don't know, Princess, but you don't need to worry. I'll guide you. I won't let you fall flat on your face." Jadeite said as he held Serenity's hand.
"That's comforting." She muttered as she tripped once again.
"Damn." She murmured and Jadeite laughed.
"I'm sorry, Princess, but be more careful."
'Or else Endymion will have my head on a platter.' He added to himself.
"We're here." Jadeite finally said when he received a telepathic message.
"Here? Where is here? How can you know if we're here? Jadeite? Where are you?" She asked when she felt that he was no longer holding her hand.
"Ok, this is not funny." Serenity started to get scared. She couldn't see anything or feel anything, because it was too dark.
"Don't be afraid, Angel." A soft voice said.
"Who-Endymion? Endymion is that you?" She asked, startled when someone spoke in the dark.
"Yes, it's me."
"Oh Endymion, I'm scared. How come it's so dark out here?" She asked as she tried finding him.
"Shh... I'm here now. There's nothing to be afraid of. I told you once that I will always protect you and so I will." Serenity sighed in relief when Endymion hugged her from behind.
"It's still so dark. I want to see you."
"Your wish is my command." After he said these words, one by one, the light came out. Serenity gasped at what she was witnessing. The first light came from the flying fireflies. Next, the flowers glowed a beautiful light as it blooms, then the stars shines more brightly in the sky.
"It's so beautiful." She breathed out in awe.
"Yes, it is beautiful." Serenity felt that he was not looking at the scene around them, but her. She blushed. He turned her around so they were facing each other. Serenity held her breath and closed her eyes as Endymion started to lean his face towards her. Their lips met in a soft kiss that turned passionately. Endymion snakes his right arm around her tiny waist and his other hand was on the back of her neck. Serenity clasped her hands and arms around Endymion's neck, enjoying the feel of him against her.
"Endymion." She whispered, opening her eyes slowly.
"Serenity, My Serenity." He murmured against her now swollen lips before he completely pulled himself away from her.
"Endymion?" What's wrong?" She asked, confused when he backed a few steps away from her.
"I brought you here to ask you something, Serenity." He said, taking a deep breath.
"What are you doing?" She gasped in surprised when Endymion got down in one knee, holding a single red rose in front of her.
"Serenity, I know I never actually got the chance to court you, because time wasn't in our hands, but at least let me propose to you as a man and not a prince marrying for duty, but for love. I love you, Serenity. I love you with all my heart and soul (To cliché, huh? But it's still effective). I will protect you and die for you if I must. I promise to make you happy. Serenity, I love you. Will... Will you marry me?" Serenity shook her head slowly, tears already rolling down her pink cheeks. Endymion's heart was dangling on a string and felt his life shattered and blackens before him when he heard her say...
"No..."
A/N: HoHoHoHoHoHo! (Smiles evilly). C'est la vie. Till then.