Dinner and a Show!

A/N: I just wanted to let all my readers know I started a forum to discuss what you guys would like to see in my stories and different ideas for new stories. I also added a poll to my profile. I would also like to apologize for the delay in posting this chapter. The Christmas holiday was busy. Oh and one more thing I would LOVE some reviews. Reviews inspire me to write more and make cookies LOL!!

King Terrance rose to his feet and cleared his throat to offer his formal welcome speech as the girls entered the room. The crowd which had gathered together in the ladies honor gasped as the foreign beauties entered the room.

King Terrence spoke, "Today we come together to welcome our very special guests. These ladies before you represent the future of our planet. Our safety rests in the alliance being formed between Earth and the planets our friends call home. We are honored to have the Princesses of the Silver Alliance with us. The women before you are royalty and will be addressed with the same respect you would one of Earth's royals. Anyone who disobeys by my rule shall face bitter consequences. Now without further delay, let the feast begin." King Terrance gestured with his arm towards the doors leading into the main dining hall, and two soldiers stepped forward to open them. The princesses' eyes lit up and their faces were in complete shock at the sheer amount of food. The chef's had gathered an array of dishes from all over Earth in honor of this special occasion. In the center of the room a peacock was placed on the main table roasted with vegetables and honey. It was displayed in a sitting position with the tail feathers placed back in for decoration. Next to it set a pig's head and torso with an apple in its mouth. Roasted peacock and pork were the finest of meals for any of earth's royals, and throw in the extra tender racks of a lamb that had been slow cooking for the entire day, and you had a feast unlike any other. The tables of meat were surrounded by vegetables, fruits, and the sweetest wines found in all the Earth. This would be the celebration to surpass all celebrations, and with so much riding on the line, no expense would be too great. While the entourage of servants entered the room, the royal couples found themselves engaging in much wine and conversation. Serenity and Andrew picked up where they left off and were discussing the annual hunt as well as the rest of the week's events that were to follow. The two were cozy and laughed a lot, stirring jealousy in the hearts and minds of a few onlookers. Ami and Sandre decided their battle of wits could wait until morning as they talked like old friends about their past. The two even discussed plans for the future of their two kingdoms. Lita and Rei were having trouble getting past their obvious distaste for Jaden and Nephlyte. The couples could be heard making snide remarks to one another even by the Kings and Queens. Mina and Darien, however, forced conversation between themselves, as they tried find some spark of common interest, but the more they tried to think of something to say, the more their thoughts shifted onto someone else all together.

"Andrew is so handsome. Serena seems to be having a really great time with him. I wish we hadn't followed her into this mess. What am I going to do? Right now I am forced to have this conversation with someone that dislikes me almost as much as I dislike him. Hmmm… I wonder if Darien is thinking the same thing? He hasn't taken his eyes off of Serena for the past ten minutes. I think I'll watch him more closely around her." Mina watched Darien closely indeed finding him gazing towards Serena as each opportunity presented itself.

Darien remained oblivious to the truth of the girls' plans and to the thoughts of the blonde minx sitting next to him. He was too busy being tripped up and confused by his own contemplations.

"I wonder how our parents could have misjudged these girls so badly. Lita seems to be better suited with Jaden and Rei with Nephlyte. Serenity is wonderfully sweet and very beautiful, but Mina is truly exquisite. The only problem is that Andrew seems to think the same thing. I will have the bride of my choice or I will not marry. Wait!!! Where are you going with this Darien? She is the same as any other woman, an anchor! Yes, but what a dangerously beautiful anchor she is." Darien shook his head to clear the threatening thoughts. Further down the table he noticed a familiar redheaded conversing with her King and Queen.

"Your Majesties, It has been brought to my attention that our visiting monarchs have not brought their ladies in waiting with them. I hope I am not overstepping my boundaries my Lord, but don't you think the presence of their ladies would help them to better fit in with our society? I would love to propose a wonderful idea to your Majesties." Beryl cooed.

"Beryl, I think the princesses will manage to do just fine." King Terrance spat knowing this woman all too well.

"Well your highness, I just thought that the presence of six ladies for each girl would be perfect. One lady from each planet of the Silver Alliance and one lady from the region of the prince they will marry. Think of how we all could benefit from this. We would get to see some of their customs, and they would learn some of the duties expected of them." Beryl answered with more force.

"She does have a point" Queen Gia conceded unwillingly.

"Fine, I will speak with the princesses, but you Beryl should do well to stay away from places where you do not belong." King Terrance ordered.

Beryl bowed and began to take her leave of the royals.

During the course of dinner, spirits were lifted as the nobles drank their fill of the wines. Jaden in particular indulged himself with the cherry brandy that had been selected from his homelands. Suddenly a loud commotion came from the couples' tables. King Terrance turned just in time to see Lita furiously stand from her seat and assault Jaden with a fierce right cross, causing him to fly backwards out of his seat into several gawking nobles. Lita strode over to Jaden and lifted him by his collar.

"You try something like that ever again you insolent ass and I promise that a few feet is the very least you will fly!" Lita let go of Jaden and the dazed prince's head slammed onto the floor below. The whole room sat very still with their mouths agape for a short while and then the whispers began.

"How dare she?"

"Is she even a princess?"

"What a ruffian!"

King Terrance tried very hard to quiet the laugh that was threatening to escape him and motioned for Lita to approach him.

"Princess Reianne, may I ask what your reasoning was for hitting Prince Jaden?"

"Well, your highness the jerk tried to pinch my behind!" Lita exclaimed

"Oh I see, well I think he will consider the consequences more seriously next time." King Terrance giggled as he excused Lita. When Lita made it back to her seat King Terrance motioned for the musicians to continue with their instruments hoping all would return to normal. About that time Nephlyte, his eyes alight with the devilish effects of drunkenness, reached over and slung his arm indignantly around Rei.

"What say you and I take the night elsewhere Princesses?"

"Why, Nephlyte that would be the most atrocious thing I could ever imagine!" Rei replied as she stood and slowly poured the contents of her wine glass over his head. The tension around the room was thick as the couples realized they had had enough of their companions. Even Serenity and Andrew began to squabble with each other as they could sense the mood of the room falling apart. Realizing their opportunity, Mina and Darien moved in to capitalize on the fall out. Mina quickly scooped up Andrew and diverted his attention away from Serenity and onto herself. Darien, seeing Serenity alone at last, advanced his attentions towards the Venusian Princess. He swiftly moved through the crowd toward the object of his attention.

"Princess, could we take a stroll through the gardens?" Darien whispered softly in her ear.

"AHH" Serena squealed and turned around to find Darien there. She glanced towards an occupied Andrew "Do I have a choice?" Serena questioned sourly.

"Not really." Darien stated bluntly

"Well I guess that will have to be fine."

Darien gave his arm to Serenity and began to escort her out to the gardens, but as they walked by Andrew and Mina, Darien's eye met Andrew's. There was no doubt Andrew's gaze was not a pleasant one.

"Darien, where do you think you are taking my date?" Andrew bit out.

"For a walk in the gardens, I am sure that the Moon Princess will keep you in good company until we return." Darien nodded knowingly towards Mina.

"Yes Andrew, why don't we find somewhere a bit more quiet where we can talk Prince Andrew?" Mina purred flirtingly.

"If my lady consents," Andrew spoke looking deeply into Serena's eyes.

"I am willing to give it a try." Serena admitted

Andrew visibly tensed as Darien nodded his head and began towards his most beloved place.

"What does Darien think he is doing? I can't believe that he would go behind me like that! I guess he may have political matters on his mind, but I doubt it!" Andrew steamed as he allowed Mina to take his arm. The two couples exited the dining hall about the time a loud crash was heard from Lita and Rei turning their table over on top of Nephlyte and Jaden.

Darien and Serena finally made it to the gardens.

"So Prince Darien, why exactly did you request my company?"

"The alliance depends on interplanetary corporation," Darien bullshitted.

"Oh please! Can't you be a bit more sincere? I'll have you know it takes much more than false interest in peace to pull the wool over the eyes of the Princess of the Moon!"

Darien stared at the woman in front of him.

"Who do you think you are Princess? I don't think you realize how things are done around here. You see, I am High Prince of Earth and no one, I mean NO ONE has ever spoken to me this…" Darien's words were cut short by the sudden realization of Serenity's mistake.

"I thought you were the Princess Minuette of Venus, or am I mistaken?"

Serena's heart stopped momentarily as her stomach entered her throat. She tried to think of a way out of her mistake, but Darien was quick to call her bluff. Not knowing what else to say Serena turned on her heel and ran unknowingly into the rose maze. Darien smirked knowing what the princess did not and followed her slowly. Serena ran through the maze until she finally found the stunning center. She stopped, breathing heavily and took in the serene picture. There was a marble fountain of two lovers wrapped in each other's arm in the center with roses dripping from the bushes surrounding it. This was truly the most wonderful place she had ever seen. Still breath taken by the garden scene, Serenity was caught off guard by Darien as he strolled silently into the heart of the maze and quite possibly into her own heart as well.