Disclaimer:
Sailor Moon copyrights February/March 1999 and all its characters are the rightful property of Naoko
Takeuchi, Toei Animation, Kodansha Ltd., Bandai. English adaptation copyrights 1995 DIC Corporations.
Author's Note:
Enjoy…I guess… No, I'm just kidding. Definitely enjoy!
"Love is friendship set on fire."
Jeremy Taylor
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
There was a woman – a child-woman – standing at the back door of the Palace. She was fair – more than fair, in fact. Even though her hair was pulled back and wet due to the rain, it still shone in the dark night. Without her cloak and her thick coats, she would've been quite the hourglass figure that men tend to love. The hood shadowed her face, but she had brilliant cerulean eyes, a perk little nose, and a pair of the most sensual and beautiful lips that always brought laughter and smiles.
But not now. She was clutching a traveling bag tightly, standing in front of a small wooden door, undecided. Then the door suddenly opened, and a plump woman stared at the girl.
"What are you doing here?"
"Ma'am – I'm seeking for a job – I heard that the Palace needed a cook…" she stumbled upon her words, but made her point quite clear.
The woman looked at the pitiful figure that stood in the rain for a moment longer. "Come in first. We'll discuss about the cook later, right now, you need some warm clothes and a cup of tea."
As the plump, kindly woman let her in, she smiled gratefully – and her smile was quite enough for any man to fall in love with. The woman smiled back and closed the wooden door behind her.
It was the kitchen in the Palace. It was very big – huge, almost – and very warm. The woman swept down a wide space between some pans and fireplaces, and indicated that the rain-soaked girl should follow.
The fair girl followed without a noise, and was led into a small but cozy room.
"I'll get you a clean change of clothing. There's tea on that tray, you're welcome to have as much as you want. I'll just be a moment,"
"Thank you, ma'am." Her voice, no longer trembling and stumbling, was quite beautiful and had a bell-like quality to it. She would make a good singer if she'd ever tried.
"My name's Geraldine. What's yours?"
"Serena, ma'am. Serena."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A handsome man with dark ebony hair and ocean-deep blue eyes threw down the papers onto the desk and leaned back in his chair. Of course, all handsome men tend to be the cruel and heartless type, and he isn't an exception, either. Well, everyone in the Palace and on this face of Earth seems to think so. It's a pity that he doesn't smile or laugh, because both were quite beautiful enough to match his looks. His figure was strong, muscular, but not overly so.
Presently, he tapped his long fingers on the desk, deep in thought.
"Prince Endymion –" yes, of course he's a prince "– the crown is yours, sir. You should proceed with the coronation as soon as possible."
"Funeral first," Endymion replied coolly. "The king and the queen were perished in a battle. My aunt and uncle brought me up in this Palace and taught me how to govern a kingdom. Now that they have passed away, I should think that six months of mourning is only proper."
"But the six months have already passed, Your Lordship," the man said.
"I will inform you, Archbishop, when I am ready for the coronation." That indicated the end of a conversation, so the Archbishop bid his prince goodnight and bowed before leaving.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Well, we do lack a good cook," Geraldine said after Serena had changed.
"I can cook really well," the fair girl said eagerly.
The plump woman was quiet. She looked at the girl for a moment longer before saying, "I don't mean to offend you, Serena, but how can you be such a good cook when you're so young?"
Apparently, that wasn't a question that Serena had expected.
"But since we need a cook so much, I will give the job to you. But if Prince Endymion doesn't like it, then you're fired."
Serena nodded eagerly. "I'll do my best, ma'am."
"Your weekly wage will be a hundred dollars. It is very high, indeed, but the condition is that you will provide food for Prince Endymion whenever he wants it. You will be living in the servant's quarters, and you don't have to pay for the rent – there is no rent whatsoever – and you will get up every morning at five to cook breakfast and never sleep before midnight, especially on feasting days. Do you understand?"
"Yes, ma'am," Serena answered, nodding solemnly. Obviously, she has been through this kind of work.
"Well, it's two in the morning. Allow me to show you your room, and I'd get some sleep before five if I were you."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Prince Endymion slipped on his doublet with the help of a maid.
"There is a new cook, Your Highness," the maid said with a small smile.
"New cook? And why are you smiling?"
The maid tried to smother the smile off her face, but she found that she couldn't. "Yes, a new cook. I think she's quite the one, Your Highness. She knows exactly what she's doing and she's very, very kind. I'm beginning to like her already."
Of course, it's quite natural for Prince Endymion's mind to wander down the path about the coronation. He isn't interested in what the new cook's doing, anyway. As long as he – well, she, in this case – cooks fine food, he doesn't really pay much attention to them.
"Mina," Prince Endymion said as the maid stepped back as she finished helping him dress.
"Yes, My Lordship?"
He turned around, raising his eyebrow at her. "It's rather interesting, isn't it, for you to like a cook? You have always despised them, no matter how you praise their food."
The maid flushed. "She's different, Your Highness. For one, she's fourteen. For another, she's very highly educated – from history to biology and to the Royal Family Tree – and for third, she cooks exceptional and fabulous food."
"That interesting, is she?" the prince tossed the comment over his shoulder carelessly.
"Yes."
The prince opened the door and left, leaving Mina alone in the chamber. It was quite natural and usual, of course.
Prince Endymion settled down at the top chair of the Dining Hall with his Counsel and began to discuss some current political turmoil in a neighboring country. He picked up his fork, eating and thinking. When he noticed that no one's mind was on business, rather on the food, he was surprised.
It was then that he had begun to taste how delicious the food was.
For the rest of the breakfast, no one's mind was on business.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Serena went up the stairs, trying to find Mina. After all, she had been the only close friend she had until now.
She was heading for a deserted corridor and reading the Daily Newspaper at the same time, which was a bad combination when the master of this palace is doing the same thing and heading for her.
Unsurprisingly, they bumped into each other. Serena jumped back in surprise, the papers on the floor. "I'm sorry," she apologized. She didn't know it was Prince Endymion, since she hasn't paid very much attention to the paintings on the walls. But she could very well guess that this was Prince Endymion – just look at how he moves and dresses! "I'm terribly sorry, Your Highness," she apologized again. This wasn't a situation that she wanted to get into, that's for sure.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" as seen, Prince Endymion is alert on his guards very waking moment – and probably sleeping moments, as well.
Serena opened her mouth, but no sound came, so she tried it again. "I'm the new cook, and I was just trying…to find…Mina…" she trailed off nervously, staring at the marble floor. It was rather beautiful, wasn't it, the marble stones?
"The new cook?" the prince was surprised to see such a young girl – and a very beautiful one at that – as a cook.
She nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."
"I liked your food," he answered promptly, which surprised both of them.
"You did?" she looked up, delighted.
He nodded. "And so did my Counsel. I intended to discuss business when I found that no one really cared at the moment. They were –" he searched for a word "– devouring your food."
Serena blushed, but she was smiling widely. "Oh, that's wonderful! Thank you, Your Lordship," she said breezily and curtseyed.
He smiled – a rare sight, indeed – there was no living memory of the indifferent Prince Endymion smiling. And it was quite a handsome smile, too. "If I may kindly inform you, Mina is in the gardens right now."
Serena nodded happily. "Thank you, Your Lordship," she replied and curtseyed again, standing aside.
The prince took up the fallen papers from the floor and handed her hers.
"Thank you, Your Highness," said the cook breathlessly, smiling. "Good-day to you, sir,"
The prince nodded in acceptance and left.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Serena was quite taken with the garden. Before she could further enjoy the sight, however, Mina came rushing toward her.
"We have to get back and prepare lunch," Mina said, dragging the surprised cook after her.
"Mina – Mina, I met Prince Endymion," Serena whispered breathlessly, blushing.
"Yeah, okay, good for you – what?" Mina stopped, staring at the breathless and blushing girl.
"I met Prince Endymion," Serena repeated, fidgeting with the lace of her sleeve.
"We will discuss this tonight in bed. Right now, we need to get to the kitchen before we're fired," the two girls left for the kitchen again, one smiling widely, one blushing and breathless.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Prince Endymion sat on the couch in his outer chamber, frowning at some paper before him, sipping onto some warm tea.
There was a knock on the door, and when there was a "Come in," from inside, Serena entered. She stood quite helpless after closing the door, not knowing what to do.
"Mina, it's getting late. You can go back to your chamber. I'll take care of myself," Prince Endymion said without turning.
"Your Highness, Mina's –" the prince turned, surprised at the soft voice. Mina's voice was more…firm and practical. This voice was soft, caring, soothing… "– Sick." Serena finished, staring at her toes – they were hidden by the layers of petticoats and dresses and skirts, of course.
Prince Endymion stared at her for a moment, just as Geraldine had done the night before. "Come here," he said quietly.
The cook walked toward the couch from the door with a grace that was too much for a cook and stood before the inspecting prince. "Tell me about yourself," the papers had fallen from his hand, but he could care less.
Serena was surprised, and blinked in surprise. "About myself, sir?"
He suddenly slung his arm – both of his arms – around her waist and put his forehead against her stomach. The action had startled them both, but Endymion didn't care. He'll ask himself questions later. Right now, he needed someone to hold him. He hasn't been held for a very, very, very long time, ever since he was a little boy… And he had wanted a maid to hold him…definitely strange…and it's not Mina, either. Strictly speaking, Mina knows him better and he knew her better – at least compared to this cook.
He sighed. He had longed for someone to be willing to do this for him for a very long time. Serena's shaking hands raised themselves, and she put it to his shoulder, not pushing him away, but to hold him closer and comfort him.
He drew away a little, looking up at her. Her face held a million emotions, yet he could only name one: surprise. He felt a pang of loss close to his heart, but squashed the questions. "Sit," he commanded her with a gentle voice.
She sat down beside him, and he could tell another emotion: fear. This time, the pang hit his heart. Something was wrong with him… He touched her cheek with a finger, and she flinched in surprise. "What would you do if your parents had passed away?"
She blinked in surprise, but then sobered quickly. She considered her answer for a while, cocking her head to the side. Then, without another word, she leaned closer to him and fastened her arms around his shoulders. "I would need a hug," she whispered to him.
A curious thrill ran down both of their spines, but they crushed the questions and saved it for later. Prince Endymion didn't know how well she could read him. He felt like a bare man, stripped to the core, standing there for her inspection. She would touch him with a smile and then walk away. And he didn't want that to happen. He wanted her there; he needed her to tell him what to do. "I'm sorry –"
"Don't be," she cut him off. "Everyone needs someone, and you're no exception. I'm here. You can tell me anything, and I swear on a stack of Bibles that I won't tell a single soul. But right now, you just need someone to hold you with no explanation whatsoever. That's why I'm here…Your Highness," she added.
He smiled. She knew his soul. She was reading it like an open book. "Thank you," he whispered.
There was a moment of silence, and Prince Endymion was almost sure that she'd pull away and leave. But no. She tightened her arms around him. "A prince thanking a cook? Why do I see something wrong in this picture?"
He smiled. She knew how to cheer him up. "I don't see you as a cook, so don't see me as a prince," he murmured to her, joyous that this mass of softness and understanding was there in his arms, his to command. But he didn't want to command her. He wanted to follow her. She would surely lead him to Paradise, and all he needed was to go there just for a moment, to savor her sweet, sweet embrace.
Serena smiled. Why did everyone say that he was heartless and indifferent when obviously he was hurt and wanted someone to comfort him? "But only for a while. I can't not see you as the master of this palace more than once in one day."
That was enough. All he needed was her sweet embrace for one moment in one day, and that's all he needed.
For now.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When Endymion woke up, the girl was still in his arms, her arms still around him, his arms still tangled around her, in her hair. She was asleep, and he felt his heart lighter than ever. She looked so much like a kitten, curled up in his arms, sleeping quietly.
Quite suddenly, her eyes opened, the dreams still flashing across her eyes. Then she proceeded to show him very thoroughly that she had remembered last night. A dread grew in his heart as he saw she had finished remembering and was thinking what she should do at that moment.
She smiled up to him and hugged him again before drawing away. She looked around, searching for something, and jumped up when she saw the time. "I'm late – oh, I'm so late – I have to go down to the kitchen right now – I was supposed to be there at five thirty – it's already six – I'm so late –" she rambled on as she smoothed out her dress and was shaking her hair free of the hair band. "I am so late! Geraldine would never forgive me – oh and Mina! She has to do all the work! I must go, Endymion – Prince Endymion –" as she finished her hair and smoothing out her dress, she stood in the middle of the room.
She was scooping up the fallen and lost papers from the floor and handing it to him. "Were you supposed to make a very important decision last night?"
He nodded quietly. He didn't like her when she's standing away from him. He wanted her embrace again.
"Okay. I'm doomed, and you're getting near there every moment. Go on and make your decision and I have to go downstairs to the kitchen ASAP." She stood there undecided for a moment longer, quiet, and then suddenly, bent down and hugged him again.
He swore that she could read minds. He would swear upon a room full of Bibles that she could read minds. And he would swear upon a room full of Bibles that he wasn't falling for her. Uh-huh.
"I'll always be here," she whispered and drew away, smiling a little.
Then she rushed toward the door, muttering to herself something that sounded distinctively like, "I am so late. I hope Mina and Geraldine wouldn't be angry with me."
"Wait," Endymion called out just as her hand touched the door handle.
She turned back, surprised as he walked toward her with confident strides. Without another word, he took out a small dagger, encrusted with rubies, diamonds, and so on, on the hilt and the sheath. "Take this. Tell Geraldine and Mina that you weren't sleeping in and that you were with me last night."
She smiled blushingly and took it.
"What's your name?" he asked.
The blush staining her cheeks reddened even more. "Serena, Your Highness."
"Serena," he rolled the name on his tongue. It sounded like Heavens to him. "That's a very beautiful name,"
She smiled more blushingly, curtseying. "Thank you, sir."
He grinned and opened the door for her. She fled away, the dagger clutched tightly in her hands.
"Serena," he whispered to himself and closed the door. The name was wonderful, just like herself. He went back to his papers, smiling at the number of dead soldiers from the last war, and chuckling at the number of beheaded spies in the last year.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Breakfast was more wondrous than the day before. Endymion was frowning. He missed her sweet embrace already.
"Have you reached a decision, Your Highness?"
Endymion frowned deeper. No. He didn't come to any decision in the hours after Serena was gone. In fact, he kept smiling at the number of dead soldiers and chuckling at the number of beheaded spies.
"Your Highness?"
"No, not yet. Give me another day." He answered coolly, paying too much attention to the soup to be called health inspection.
He pushed his chair back and left without another word. Prince Endymion headed for the garden, followed closely by bodyguards and servants.
If she doesn't show up, he would wait for her. Not that she had said she'd show up, of course, nor did he ask her to. But once he had something special, he wanted more.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Leave me," he said to all the bodyguards and servants.
Of course, they were quite surprised, but left without another sound. This was the heartless and indifferent Prince Endymion commanding.
Endymion saw Mina walking amongst some flowers, and stood up to talk to her.
"Good-morning, Your Highness," she greeted, but he could see that her heart wasn't on whatever conversation that they were about to have.
So he cut to the point. "Where is Serena?"
Mina nearly stumbled in surprise. "Serena?"
"Yes, Serena, the cook," Endymion replied, frowning.
"She's – she's in solitude – starving –"
His heart tightened. Starving? "Why is she starving? What's wrong?"
Mina shrugged. "Governess Geraldine wouldn't believe that she had been with you last night. She said that Serena was lying, and that she had stolen your dagger, Your Highness."
"I gave that to her!" Endymion said impatiently. "Where is she?"
"In the dungeons with some other men that's captured –"
"Oh, no! They're dirty and cannot be called gentlemen at all," with that, Endymion hurried toward the dungeons, Mina closely at his heels.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Serena curled up tighter against the chilling cold of the dungeons. Geraldine had taken away the dagger. She needed that dagger! It was from Endymion! And she was cold, chilling to the bones, and hungry.
"Serena!"
She jumped up. It was too much to hope for…was Endymion there to see her…?
Without an explanation for the guard and not minding at all the guard struggling to stand up straight and salute, he took the keys and began to try every single one of them on the door.
"Endymion!" she cried without another thought.
The door opened with a snap and Prince Endymion himself stood there, his eyes fierce. "Are you okay? Come on, I'll get you some warm soup," he took off his outer coat without another thought and wrapped her into it. "Come on, Serena," he whispered gently, wrapping one arm around her shoulders.
Serena, trembling, holding the hand of Endymion and Mina, began to leave the dark and cold dungeons.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Serena snuggled into her bed, shaking, and accepted the bowl of soup that Endymion handed to her.
"Leave us, Mina," Endymion commanded.
Mina curtseyed, glancing worriedly at Serena, and left.
Endymion looked closely at the cook, whose hands were shaking so much that the soup was nearly spilling out. He reached out and covered her hands with his own. Her eyes danced to meet his, and he swore that he'd protect her. She looked so delicate, so fragile. He sat closer and began to feed her with the spoon. She blushed, but didn't protest, and drank the warm liquid thankfully.
"I'm sorry that I got you into so many troubles," he whispered, brushing his fingers against her cheek after feeding her a spoonful of the soup.
She blushed, and looked down to her hands. "Don't be sorry. You've done nothing wrong. And don't be angry with Geraldine. She did what she was supposed to do – I wasn't supposed to be late, and a cook staying in the chambers of the prince seemed nigh impossible."
Endymion wondered how she could forgive people so easily. "Don't go anywhere today, just stay in bed," he said softly. "Don't go anywhere today. Promise me that."
"But the meals –"
"I think everyone can go through a day without meals. There are enough snacks," he said sternly.
She blushed and nodded. "I promise."
Endymion put the bowl and the spoon away. "Come to my chambers tonight. I need to ask you a few things."
She nodded obediently.
"Do you still want that dagger?" he asked after a moment of comfortable silence.
She nodded quickly, eagerly, her eyes sparkling again.
He smiled. "I'll give it to you when you come to my chambers tonight. Promise you'll be there,"
She nodded eagerly. "Of course. I'll be there."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Endymion couldn't make that decision. He needed to know what she thought, and she's not there yet. The minutes seemed to drag on as hours, and the hours seemed to drag on as days.
When at last after a not-so-delicious dinner, probably told orally by Serena for Mina and the others to cook, Endymion returned to his chambers eagerly. Serena was already there, waiting by the door, reading a book. She jumped up in delight when she saw him, and stuffed the book away.
"Come on in," he held the door for her, and she slipped inside, a smile upon her beautiful face.
She inspected his bookshelves, and pulled out several books. She stared at the feather pens and parchment papers, and even raised it to the light to inspect the tip of the feather pen.
"You have a very impressive book collection," she said after she'd finished inspecting. "And I like that eagle feather pen. It's very well made. The Munds made it, isn't it?"
Endymion was glad that she was impressed, and that she'd recognized that pens from the companies that made it. "Yes, it's from The Munds. You can have it if you want,"
She looked up abruptly. "Really? I can have it?"
"Of course," he grinned, seeing her delighted reaction.
She put in on the table, and smiled up to him. "Thank you. I'll get it when I leave."
He nodded and sat down, patting the seat next to him. "I need to consult your professional opinion on something."
She looked up to him, confused. "My current profession is cooking, Your Highness. Did you want to know some recipes?"
He grinned. "No. I wanted to know what you think about politics. Do you know Falcons?"
"King of Norn? I read about him in several books. What about him?" she blinked at him, her blue eyes curious and sparkling.
He felt his heart giving a slight lurch, but ignored it. "And you know that Norn's been having some political turmoil lately, right?"
Serena nodded.
"The Counsel suggested that we invade Norn while it's weak, so that we could expand," he paused here slightly. "They're asking for a decision. What would you do?"
Serena bit her lip uncertainly. "I'm afraid that if I answer truthfully, you'll be…" she swallowed. "Angry with me."
He smiled. "No, I won't. Tell me what you think."
She brooded over her decision for a moment longer, and then said in a firm voice, "First of all, I have absolutely no idea why you're trying to expand the country. I see that it's perfectly fine – strong, fairly sized, very prosperous and wealthy. Second of all, I would take full advantage of Norn's weak position, but not in the ways of invading. I would negotiate with him, him giving me his land in return for a peace agreement. If he's unwilling to give out his land, then I think a peace agreement for evermore after should do it. And since that we're so wealthy and prosperous, I would offer Falcon some loan on money and men so that he could rebuild Norn again. Norn would be in debt of you – and this country – and wouldn't ever think of invading. That further reinforces the peace agreement. Friendship is always better than enmity. And besides – what if we fall into the hands of dark political turmoil some day? It's highly unlikely, of course, but you can't rule out the possibility of that." She paused here, her eyes holding a faraway and thinking look. As she returned to herself, she added hastily: "Your Highness."
"That's a good plan," Endymion remarked, smiling at her blushing face.
"Thank you, Your Lordship," she whispered, looking down to her hands again.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Serena!" Endymion called out to the girl.
She turned and gave him a blinding smile. "Endymion! What are you doing here? I thought you were at the feast."
He grinned and stopped in front of her. "I think I have a bigger feast waiting for me," he whispered, touching her cheek.
She blushed, but didn't look away. Endymion could feel the magnet drawing him closer…and he was so helpless again it… Leaning down, he touched his lips to her cheek, and saw her smile. Growing bolder, he bent down and pecked her lips. She was blushing, but didn't make him stop.
He felt the joy drowning his heart, and pressed his lips to hers –
Endymion bolted up, breathing heavily. What was wrong with him? Why is he dreaming of her? Last night, she was the only thing that he could think about…dream of…she was starting to haunt his dreams… The prince shook himself sharply.
"She's a maid," he reminded himself. "And you're a prince."
But somehow, that didn't seem to make too much difference except smacking himself mentally. So what if she was a servant and he was a prince? Did it matter? Love doesn't care who you are or what you are…
"You're not falling for her. She's just very interesting," he told himself. "You cannot fall for her." That was a command.
Not that it helped much in the matter of love, of course.
There was a light knock at the door, and Mina, along with Serena – his heart jumped – came in. His eyes flew to the cook, who was frowning and holding the feather pen that he had given her.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Mina looked nervous, and was shaking and fidgeting. Serena was frowning, however. "This pen is broken."
Broken? "Oh?"
"Did you know it was broken and gave it to me?"
That hurt. That really, really hurt. "No. No – I didn't know it was broken. I haven't used it in a while, and it's highly possible that the attendants broke it on accident. If I knew it was broken, I would've given you another one," he added softly.
She stared into his eyes, almost drowning in them.
Mina cleared her throat. "I'll just…umm…leave, Your Highness," she curtseyed.
"Mina, bring me some whiskey, will you?"
"Uh – um, yes, sir," Mina curtseyed again and shuffled out of the room.
Serena was blushing, and she clutched the feather tightly. "Sorry. I didn't mean to – er – come intruding into your inner chamber, sir," she curtseyed, growing nervous.
Why is she doing this? He wondered with a feeling of loss. "That's fine."
It was awkward. Serena was hurriedly dressed, and her petticoat wasn't properly worn, it was dragging a little on the floor. Her corset laces weren't tight, either. It was rather sloppy and some hung on its confines. Her hair was down for the first time, and it looked luxurious and beautiful, enough to capture any man's heart, even a god. Endymion didn't look anywhere better. His doublet, pants, socks, and coats were all hung on a chair. All he was wearing was a thin underlinen and (AN: I have the urge to put down pantyhose, but that's so not a fashion, so,) a pair of slacks.
"Did you come just because the pen was broken?" he asked gently.
She nodded, too embarrassed to say anything.
"And you were using it four in the morning?"
She blushed deeper, but nodded.
"For what?"
She bit her lip and blushed even redder, staring at her toes. "I was writing my journal," she whispered. "I was trying the pen out, so…"
He smiled. She was fierce at times, definitely. The door opened, and Mina slipped in with some whiskey. Serena wrinkled her nose as Mina passed her.
"Do you drink that stuff?"
"No. This is my first time," Endymion replied. He needed to get his mind off her. She was beginning to grow on him.
"Then don't," Serena shook her head. "It's not good for your health. Mina, take that away. It smells."
"Serena, this is Prince Endymion here," Mina whispered warningly.
"So? It's rare for a servant to even remind him whiskey isn't good. I don't see any harm in that – I see very good intention in that, in fact," Serena shrugged. "Even if he's the prince," her eyes briefly met his, and she smiled before turning back to Mina. "Take that away and get some rose fragrance in here."
Mina stood there, undecided, looking from Serena to Endymion.
Endymion chuckled. "You can take that away, Mina. I think Serena means for me to drink tea and water from now on."
Mina nodded and curtseyed before leaving. "I am going to the kitchen and cook the breakfast," Serena announced, turning around as well.
"Serena, has anyone mentioned that your hair is very beautiful?"
She stopped dead in her track to the door. Mina was smirking at her, even though the prince couldn't see.
"Uh – no, why?" her whisper was faint, but it had carried to the prince.
He grinned. "It's very beautiful. Will you wear your hair every day like that?"
"Gladly, Your Highness."
"Oh, and, come to the Dining Hall when you've finished cooking. Be sure to make the tea yourself, all right?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Mina smirked. "It's the first time that Prince Endymion hasn't punished someone who so obviously offended him. He would've taken your little broken pen as an insult, Serena."
Serena squeezed out a smile, her heart doing flip-flops. "Really?"
"Yeah. Prince Endymion's acting so strange lately, like that decision of not attacking Norn."
So Endymion decided not to tell anyone about it. Very well, Serena thought. "Yeah, that seemed a bit strange."
"Come on, you had better hurry up to dress properly. What's your best dress? If you're going to be seen at breakfast, you have to dress in your best dress."
"I know that, Mina," Serena grumbled as they descended the stairs.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Prince Endymion was impatient. Serena still hasn't shown up by the time that they had begun their breakfast. He was starting to get worried – something that he preferred not to think about too closely.
"The messenger should be here any minute," one of the Counselors said.
Endymion nodded quietly. Where is she? He thought impatiently. He looked around the table, and there was no tea. "Where is the tea?"
Everyone looked up. The prince was known to dislike tea. He liked sweet orange juice the best.
"Tea's here," Serena appeared by the door, a tray in her hands.
"You're late," Endymion said, raising his eyebrow at her.
"You have to forgive me, Your Highness, since Geraldine forgot to tell a maid to get some tealeaves, which resulted in this hurried boiling of water and lateness," she replied, smiling at him.
To this day, Endymion still wondered whether or not his Counselors had pneumonia that day. They had choked on their drinks, or food. They were clearly surprised at this behavior, which had been rude to the prince and was punished before.
Endymion grinned back. "All right. You're forgiven. Did you boil the water for long enough, though?"
Serena smiled wider. "Of course. I'm known for the quality of my food and drinks, even if they may be late," she blushed a little, pouring tea into a cup for him.
"Looks like normal tea to me," he inspected the liquid.
"It is normal tea, Prince Endymion."
He flickered her an amused glance and sipped onto the liquid. "Too much sugar," he concluded, putting the cup down.
"Well, I haven't added any sugar, even though there's a flavor of sweetness in it," Serena cocked her head to the side, thinking. "You must've had something sour or salty. Mina probably served mustard on some dish –" her eyes caught onto a plate, and she sighed. "Sorry. I forgot to tell her that she didn't need mustard on that dish."
Endymion smiled at her. "It's all right. The tea's rather better than I thought it'd be. It's worth it than whiskey and brandy, after all."
"Definitely," Serena beamed, serving around the tea, since everyone grew suddenly interested in the tea. "And thank you, Prince Endymion."
He smiled, nodding. Just then, a messenger came in, and announced that Falcon will negotiate. Endymion dismissed the messenger for a message for the minister who was in Norn, to tell him that he will be on his way tomorrow to Norn. "Do you think that's good, Serena?" Endymion turned, asking her, who was standing behind him.
"You would want to take a small company with you, though," she replied calmly. "It is dangerous in the country, after all, and besides, if you had too large a company, you'll be too conspicuous. Bring some good guards and soldiers with you, and I think that would be enough for protection."
"All right," Endymion turned back to the messenger and told him exactly what Serena had told he himself. "And this lady here will accompany us, gentlemen," the prince added as the messenger left.
Serena's eye grew wide. "But I'm just a servant –"
"Yes, I'm glad that you're aware of that point, therefore, you will obey my wishes and accompany me to Norn," Endymion said, smiling at her.
Serena blushed and smiled back. "Let's be practical, though – who's going to cook while I'm gone? Who will remind Geraldine what the kitchen's lacking while I'm gone?"
"Let Mina handle the job. It'd be a pity to leave such a wonderful cook here back in the Palace while the master's gone," Endymion replied, grinning.
"Do you think that Mina could come, as well?" Serena asked tentatively.
He nodded. "Of course. Then leave the job to Geraldine."
Serena nodded and settled back, satisfied.
"Well, there you have of our plan. Gentlemen, I will see you at dinner. Good-day." Chairs clashed and squeaked as men stood up and filed away. "I asked you to wear your hair down every day, why did you pull it back?" they all heard him asking the lady, and exchanged amused and confused glances.
Endymion looked at the beautiful lady, smiling a little. "You're a very good cook," he complimented.
She blushed, but smiled nevertheless. "Thank you, sir."
He looked at her for a moment longer, and uttered something that he had considered for so long: "If I offered you to become my attendant, would you take it?"
Serena stared at him in surprise.
"Naturally, your wage would go up –"
"I don't care about money," she interrupted. "My family has enough. Though…like Mina?"
He nodded.
She grinned. "I'd love to!"
He smiled. "Wonderful! Now come on, you haven't had anything to eat. Just eat what you've cooked yourself. We're going to buy you some dresses after this."
"I have enough dresses," she retorted, looking deeply disapproving.
"Gowns," he emphasized. "Really, Serena, I'm suspicious that you're a princess."
She flickered him a surprised and blushing glance. "If you mean – and I know that you mean – that by I'm my father's precious princess, then yes."
He smiled. "You need gowns and jewelries."
"I don't need any of that," Serena insisted, sipping onto her tea.
"Of course you don't need any of that. You're beautiful enough," he grinned. "But you'll tolerate me enough to buy you some, won't you?"
She blushed. "Yes."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hiya! So did you like this? I certainly hope so. That's it for now, folks! Stay tuned for the next chapter! And feedbacks, please!
Crystal Selena