Note: Hi everyone thanks so much for reviewing my story. I just love the reviews. Anyway I'm thinking only about five more chapters or so; and I already have another idea for a story, but I won't start it until after this one. Also, sorry this chapter took so long, with school and writers block, I just couldn't seem to sit down and type.

Danielle.

Chapter Seven

Forgiveness of Sins

"Where have you been?" Darien stiffened, thankful that the voice was not the one he had been expecting this morning. Closing the front door quietly he turned and eyed his little sister as she tapped her foot in expectation at him.

"Finishing up some things," he answered, leaving things as vague as possible, mostly he just didn't want her to worry.

Rei signed, eyeing her brother with thinly veiled irritation, "You know she's innocent right? That Sieya came to her that night and she wanted nothing to do with him?"

Darien didn't stop as he walked up the long staircase. He had figured that in the last few stressful weeks that Serena would have found a confidant in Rei.

"Darien."

He stopped and turned to face her at the top of the stairs.

"I decided to wait another season before my come out; mostly I just want to go home."

Darien nodded, leaving his sister to gape at him as he continued to walk down the hallway. Sliding in his own room, he shrugged off his jacket and leaned against the heavy oak door.

Serena was lying in his bed, her small fist tucked underneath her chin, and streaks from her tears marked her pale face. Curled above the covers, and in a thin robe, she looked so vulnerable and small. With her golden hair spread about the covers she looked like a fallen angel. An angel that he had sorely mistreated, the feeling of guilt swelled in his chest. Taking off his shoes, he climbed on to the large master bed, stretched out and examined his wife.

She looked innocent…because she was.

He couldn't stand that he found her guilty with out reason. Part of him had known from the beginning that she had been innocent, but when he had seen her with another man part of him had lost it. All he could remember was his parents, their fights, their anger, the pain that came with the betrayal, and they way it destroyed them both.

Brushing a few strays of her golden hair from her face, he stroked his long dark fingers against her skin. Two bright blue eyes caught his own.

"Darien?" she asked questionably, her vision blurry from her restless sleep.

He brought his lips down on hers, a tender kiss. One filled with love and regret. When he released her; he saw the confusion in her eyes. Silence filled the room, leaving the two to stare at each other with wary eyes. He was the first to break it, "I'm so sorry, please forgive me, Serena," he whispered so low that she had to strain to hear him. Instantly he pulled her to his chest, pressing them to the bed.

She melted in to him, wanting the comfort that he was offering. The past weeks had been hard on her; having grown used to his words, his touch. Then in a short moment it was all taken away from her. Bring her arms around him she held on tight.

"I don't understand, what changed your mind?" she croaked out, the tears in her eyes made her throat thick and sore. He released her some what, a bashful look crossing his face. His hands ran through his black hair, and Serena eyed his scuffed knuckles. Taking his hands in her own, "What happened?" she asked concerned.

"That's part of what changed my mind."

Serena eyed him, a confused look on her beautiful face.

Darien cleared his throat, "Last night after we fought I went out. I found Lord Seiya at one of the clubs." He felt her stiffen at the name, almost sure that the hurting would begin again. "We fought, hence my hands."

"But you won right?" she interrupted.

"I won."

She smiled, "Good he deserved another black eye."

He couldn't but kiss her again, wanting so bad to wash away the hurt he had caused with the love he was sure that he felt for her. "Truthfully it really wasn't that much of a fight since he was poorly drunk, a few punches and the man was confessing everything."

"Confessing?"

"Turns out he was hired to make the scene that I walked in on."

"But who would hire him, that's just a hurtful, evil thing to do." Serena asked, pained that someone would want to destroy their marriage.

"Diamond," Darien hissed, his dark eyes narrowing in anger, "I found out a current mistress that he has been visiting recently." Serena arched a brow, but didn't say a word wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt. "I waited there for a while, until Diamond arrived."

"She just let you stay there?" she asked a little doubtful.

"Turns out that she was angry with him and wasn't opposed that he gets a good beating. Two hours later Diamond and I had a talk and he fully understands to stay away from my family."

Serena nodded, taking it in she bit her lip. She believed him, she had forgiven him, but that wasn't the problem. She found it hard to put her trust in him, terrified that he would break her heart again. She loved him, and if he betrayed her again, finding her guilty with out cause. Well…she wasn't sure she could take that.

"What?" he asked, seeing the hurt and uncertainty in her eyes.

She turned away, almost shamed about what she was going to say, "Darien…I believe you…but it's so hard to trust you. You broke my heart and I don't want that to happen again." Her watery blue eyes met his, hating the pain that crossed his features.

He pulled her back in his arms, "I know. All I can promise is to always put my faith in you. To know that you will never betray me, that when all else fails you'll be there. I promise I'll make you trust me again." He squeezed her, the pain and guilt welling back up in side him. For the past weeks he had treated her so badly, calling her names, ignoring her. He had to show her he was remorseful, that she had his trust…his heart. He just held her, listening to her cry into is shirt. Only able to offer comforting words to sooth her damaged heart.

The fell asleep together, but not before deciding that they wanted to go home. Serena was concerned about Rei's season, but he explained that she wanted to wait until next year. After all, at the manor they could know each other again…and he hoped rebuild the friendship and love that had clearly been tattered the last few weeks. He loved her, and god he wanted nothing more than to have her love him.

)(&$&()&(&(&

"Milady…Milord…please come quick there's a disturbance downstairs." They both bolted up right in the bed, as the pounding had yet to stop. Darien snapped out a reply before donning some pants and heading out the door. Serena wasn't far behind in a nightgown and thick robe that kept the chill of the fall nights at bay. Silently she cursed who ever was downstairs, they weren't home but a week and the outside world had to intrude on them. To be fair she had to admit to herself the scene downstairs wasn't what she had been expecting and thus nearly started laughing at the sight of it.

Darien frowned in her direction, letting her know that he didn't appreciate her humor in this matter. Mostly because he had no idea what was occurring in his entrance way.

"What the hell is going on?" Darien asked, to no one in particular, mostly because it was proving hard to gain anyone's attention. Eyeing the mess he let out a resentful sign before ushering people out the door. Most got drop out on their butts. Serena barely contained her laughter as four suitors tried to gain Rei's attention in the early morning. Professing undying love, as all had followed her from London. Heartbroken that she had left them.

Rei for her part was trying desperately to gain back both hands, as suitors were slobbering kisses and poems about her. When the refused to listen to her soft spoken demands, she finally lost her temper and began screeching that dawn was to early and she wanted nothing to do with any of them. That was Darien's queue to get rid of the monstrous crowd, giving the order to shot them on sight if they so much as stepped foot on the property again.

All four blanched, and took off at a dead run.

Even with most gone, that still left one person. A slightly tearful Mina.

Mina opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by Rei's angry departure. Flouncing up the stairs the ebony haired beauty was muttering and growling about dumb men and their tendencies.

"Mina, what are you doing here?" Serena asked, shocked.

Her cousin blushed greatly, "Running away."

"For the love of god," Darien groaned, marching up the steps to follow his sister. He gave her a look that insisted…your family…your mess. Serena frowned at him, letting him know she didn't appreciate him going back to bed and leaving her with a distraught friend. He merely winked and turned the corner back to their chambers.

A place she would happily love to be.

"Oh…Mina…comes on. Let's get this mess straightened out." Serena said, departing to the parlor, where at least she wouldn't be standing around in her night gown.

Two hours later, six cups of tea, and a hand full of pastries and Serena had the full story. Malachite had proposed, she had accepted. Yet, naturally there was a problem, as her father had accepted Diamond suit. Mina explained that she just couldn't marry a man that she did not love. So she sent a note to Malachite, apprising him of the situation and letting him know where to find her.

Serena groaned hearing that.

"Do you think he will be showing up?" Serena asked, concerned that her cousin's feelings would be injured.

Mina stiffened, "Of course."

"I didn't mean to offend you, I just didn't want to see you hurt," Serena explained, hugging her cousin to her. Serena led her upstairs, to one of the spare bedrooms and instructed the staff to prepare another room. Someone else would soon be showing up.

It seemed they were going to have lots of company; after all it wouldn't be far off until Uncle Elroy came to collect his daughter and demand she fulfill her family duties.

Upstairs, she dressed herself, preparing for a day out. She had a promise to a friend to keep and so shopping to do for a new arrival.

#$&(&$&&(&&

The Dancing Fire set sail that morning in autumn, the two men aboard eager to return to their homes, and hoping it wasn't too late to mend things with their loves.

&(&&

"Milady…"

"Serena, call me Serena," interrupted.

"It's not really proper."

"I'm not really proper."

"But I still don't understand why you're doing this. I'm just a cook, and I don't know any other employers that would do this." Lita said, annoyed that she did not understand the younger girls motives.

Serena smiled, placing the thick material in the basket of items she wanted to purchase, "I'm doing this because you're a good person and because we're friends."

"We are?" Lita asked surprised, she never would have thought that he mistress of the house would consider her a friend. After all it was more than enough that she had allowed her to keep her job. Most employers would have through her out on her ear, and without references.

Touching her swollen stomach, Lita closed her eyes in pain. She was almost seven month gone with a child. Yet she had no husband to show for it. Before her mistress had arrived back at the manor, much of the staff had shunned her. She had expected her employer to do the same. She had been wrong. Not only was Serena letting her keep her job, but she was purchasing items for the baby, and helping get things ready.

"What do you think of green?" Serena asked, holding up a small item. Lita's eyes began to water…sniffing she nodded her head. "Do you have names picked out?"

Lita nodded shyly, "Yes…Jiro if it's a boy, and Mai if it's a girl."

Serena smiled widely, pulling her friend along to look at more items, encouraging her to pick out whatever her heart desired.