Blossoming Romance

A/N: I want to thank everyone for the support. I would like to let you guys know that draught is a game I found while researching for this chapter. I would also like to say that I'm sorry that this chapter was so short but the next chapters will be more sufficient. I'm thinking of holding my following chapters ransom until I start getting more feedback, LOL, not really but it would be wonderful.

Darien surveyed the woman in front of him as if it were his first time to lay eyes on her. The adrenaline pumping through his veins was still fresh enough to heighten his senses such that he could see the small beads of sweat glistening on her forehead. Her cheeks were stained red from the exertion of the chase. His eyes followed her neck line down to her chest still heaving from exhaustion through the corset top she was wearing. Then his eyes drew a small, slow line to hers. He could see so many emotions behind those ice blue orbs. Her eyes were truly the window to her soul. "And so the dance begins but who will lead?"

"Do you see something you like Prince Darien?" Serenity questioned distastefully.

"Actually I do. You see, I find you utterly…well, stunning." Darien answered smoothly as he began to take small even steps her way. Serenity moved in step with him trying to avoid his touch, as if they danced a slow tango around the fountain between them.

"Prince" Serenity began.

"You may call me Darien."

"I think we shall leave things more formal for now Prince. I do not like that we are alone and I am lost in this horrid trap of yours."

"Trap? This is no trap. It's called a garden maze. My great grandmother had it built years ago to amuse the young couples of the court."

"I am not amused!"

"Please allow me to navigate you back through it, Princess."

"I'd rather you inform me of the way out."

"I'll show you."

"Well, seeing as how I am lost and ill informed of your intentions tonight, I'll stay right here until someone else arrives."

"Yes, but what if no one else arrives? How will you find your way out?

Puzzled and frustrated by Darien's questions, Serena conceded within herself that she needed Darien's help almost as much as she needed to catch her breath, which seemed to be coming more rapidly since Darien made his advance.

"Prince Darien, I hardly think this an appropriate situation given my current betrothal to Prince Andrew and your current arrangement with Serenity."

"You may stop the charades Princess Serenity. You no longer have to play your little game with me."

"I have no idea what you are talking about sir."

"Don't insult my intelligence princess! I know you are Princess Serenity and that Princess Minuette is with Prince Andrew. What I don't know is why you would pull such a scheme. Did you not think of the consequences?"

"Of Course we did, but what you are not aware of is that your parents already knew our secret. They have been in on it since our arrival. We went to your parents and explained to them our desire to choose whom we would marry. I realize that betrothal is the traditional way of doing things, but we are not traditional princesses. We deserve the chance for love just as much as anyone. Wouldn't you want the same courtesy?" Serena asked.

"Well actually I, or I should say we, did. After I came to terms with the fact that I couldn't fight my way out of this ridiculous arrangement, I bargained with my parents for the same choice."

The two sat quietly surveying each other neither knowing what they should say. Darien faintly heard the strum of the harp and the lull of the violin calling to them.

"Princess, may I have this dance?" Darien requested.

Before she could answer, Serena found herself romantically swept away in his arms moving to the music. As they danced slowly around the fountain they were intensely unaware that there privacy had been compromised. Beryl walked slowly to the place she knew she could find the prince alone with his thoughts. As she turned the corner, however, she was surprised to see Darien dancing with Andrew's betrothed.

"What is going on here? I thought he never brought anyone else here with him and isn't she supposed to be with Prince Andrew. Oh… this is perfect!" Beryl thought surreptitiously. She quietly left the gardens to return to the palace once again hoping to stir up trouble amongst the budding couples.

Beryl wandered around the dining hall questioning the guests about Prince Andrew's whereabouts. She came across a rather drunk Duke of Risenthbud who gladly informed her that Prince Andrew and his date left the dinner a and headed to the parlors for some quieter conversations. Beryl made her way to the parlors to find the two royals. When she arrived she found Mina laughing at Prince Andrew for being a sore sport. She had just beaten him for the fifth straight time at draughts.

"Oh Prince Andrew you have to quit sulking. I won fare and square. Even if you did lose five straight, you shouldn't let that put a damper on your spirits." Mina laughed

"Well how about one more game, winner takes all."

"All what? We weren't gambling." Mina stated

"All the glory and bragging rights of course." Andrew said.

"Fine, one more go. I'll even let you go first." Mina conceded.

Andrew began to set the board once again but was interrupted by a knock on the parlor wall.

"You may enter." Andrew called

"Your highness" Beryl bowed "I thought I might find you here. I have some interesting developments you should be aware of. Can we speak in private?"

"No, you can say what you must right here. I have a score to settle." Andrew smirked glancing towards Mina.

"You see, I was just taking a walk in the rose gardens and I decided to go through the maze. When I arrived at the center, I saw something very disturbing. I saw Princess Minuette dancing with Prince Darien. They were holding each other very close." Beryl smiled coyly as she saw the anger rising in Andrew. "I am sorry to bother you sir, but I just thought you would like to know what you best friend is up to right now with your date. Please forgive me if I am being intrusive. I'll take my leave now, have a good night."

Beryl turned and rapidly exited the room before either could ask any questions.

"So Darien wants to play ball, well I won't go down without a fight!"

Andrew's thoughts were filled with betrayal by his best friend.

Mina, now convinced that Darien's affections were geared towards Serenity, saw her opportunity to move in more closely to Andrew, but as she reached out her hand, Andrew stormed away angrily in search of his friend.

Now left alone with her thoughts Mina contemplated her situation. She couldn't stand Darien's arrogance and she thought Andrew was so charming and cute, but he left her feeling rejected. She turned her thoughts back to Darien sensing he could be of some service to her. "I knew he had his eyes on Serenity! Now all I have to do is convince him to keep her busy long enough for me to catch Andrew!"

Mina ran out of the room following Andrew. The two went to the place where Darien and Serena could be found. As they entered the center of the maze they stumbled upon a very romantic scene. Darien had just lowered Serena into a dip and was starring deeply into her eyes. As Andrew watched, his anger went through the roof, but Mina simply smiled as she watched the events unfold before her eyes. Just then Mina lost her footing and slipped into the bushes beside her startling Darien and Serena out of their trance.

"Andrew, what are you doing out here?" Darien asked wile trying to straighten him self up.

"I should ask you the same thing." Andrew spat at his friend

"We were dancing Andrew." Darien said bluntly

"Well, I think I'll be escorting Princess Minuette back to her rooms. It looks like you two have had enough fun for one night." Andrew stated curtly.

"Ok Andrew you don't have to be so heated. We were only dancing." Darien bit back defensively.

"It looks like you were about to give her something more than just a dance when we walked up." Andrew said as he grabbed Serena's arm rather forcefully and led her away.

Darien stood there confused by his friend's reaction to the situation.

"We were only dancing, and even if there was something else, he agreed that we would choose who we would marry." Darien thought.

"Prince Darien?" Mina questioned as she entered the garden's core.

"What, are you angry also?" Darien asked irritably

"No, I am actually relieved."

"What?" Darien questioned rather surprised

"I said I was relieved."

"Why?"

"Because I see that you are unmistakably attracted to Princess Minuette."

"Please, not you too. I am fully aware that you are Minuette and she is Serenity. What I haven't figured out is the rest of you."

"I would be more than happy to inform you of all that has taken place, but first you must tell me how you figured it out."

"Princess Serenity messed up while we were talking."

"I see. I am indeed Princess Minuette of Venus and she is Princess Serenity of the Moon. Princess Litanna of Jupiter and Princess Reianne of Mars have also switched places, but Princess Aimee of Mercury decided to remain out of this. This was all Serena's idea. We were just willing to go along for the right of choice. What did you think when you found out?"

"I was intrigued by your schemes. I am impressed that you ladies laid out such an intricate plan to deceive us. Why are you so pleased to think I am attracted to her?"

"Because I am very attracted to Prince Andrew, and I want to see where things could go with him."

"Technically you are his betrothed."

"Yes but he does not know that, and there lies the problem."

"I think you should know something. The other princes and my self made the same agreement with each other shortly after your arrival. We wanted to choose which princess we would marry, and if by chance one of us should choose the same girl, then we would duel for your hand."

"That is absolutely barbaric, but terribly romantic also." Mina smiled

"What is it exactly you want from me Princess?"

"Please, call me Mina. We are going to be good friends very soon."

"Why is that Mina?"

"We are going to help each other get what we want. I want Andrew, and you want Serena. I know Serena and you know Andrew. Do you see the advantage of working together?"

"Yes, but what makes you think I want…wait, did you call her Serena? Is that what her friends call her? I like the sound of her name on my lips."

"I am the Princess of Venus, and we are the planet of LOVE!"

"I see. Well, tomorrow's the hunt and we will be in for a long day. We should turn in for the night to get some rest and leave matters as they are. It looks like we will need all the strength we can get to smooth over this situation."

"Yes, I agree. I have had about all of the drama I can stand over the course of a single night. When the morning comes we shall see what the day will bring us." Mina replied as the two left the gardens talking in low tones about their plans.