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.

"Do you love me because I am beautiful, or am I beautiful because you love me?"

Cinderella

Endymion had pushed aside all his work for the day to go shopping with Serena in disguise.

Of course, he found out that she had a love for diamonds and pastel colors, and hugged these discoveries to his heart. When he'd decided to please her, he would take out these discoveries and buy everything that she likes, and she'd be so pleased that she would hug him. Just to think, her hug! He thought, smiling. Then he shook himself mentally. She was growing on him…she was growing on him too fast, too close to his heart…

"Endymion?" she tugged at his hand, and he pushed all the critics that his brain gave him, focusing solely on her. He lifted her hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles, which brought a satisfying blush to her cheeks.

Suddenly, he thought that if every day were like this, he'd give up everything – his crown, his wealth, his reputation, his honor – yes, even his honor. But he shook the idea off, and smiled at the lady beside him on the carriage.

"Are you all right?" she asked, leaning closer.

"I'm fine. Just very tired after a whole day's shopping,"

She grinned. "I warned you to be careful when it comes to shopping with a woman."

"But it's all worth it," he watched her reaction, and was very pleased with himself indeed when he saw those cheeks redden.

This prince had something endearing about him…something that she'd never expected… He was so relaxed and comfortable around her, and she felt a thrill running through her heart that he'd let his guard down on her. She leaned across and embraced him, murmuring, "I'll always be here."

He could feel his body turning to mush; he could feel himself in euphoria. Oh! I can't believe that I'm in her arms…he thought vaguely and hugged her back. "Thank you," he whispered mindlessly to her ear.

She smiled and patted his back.

Endymion sat on his bed, unable to sleep. She had grown on him. And that wasn't the important part, either – she has grown too close to his heart, so close, in fact, that she was right in his heart.

But he told himself that he could care less, and proceeded to think about the day – when she was laughing, smiling, hugging him – that's the best part of his day – telling him jokes, stories, tales, and so on. It was the best day of his life.

And then he fell asleep.

Serena opened her eyes and curled up tighter under her blankets. She had dreamed of him again…it was too much to ask for a prince to love – well, like – her… It was strange…Endymion never had a mistress or anything of the sort, so why was he so situated with her?

It was getting uncomfortable in the servants quarters. Whenever she passed by, they would whisper and point at her, saying that she was Endymion's mistress or something like that… The idea pleased her, of course, but she didn't want to ruin his reputation… But Endy seemed as though he didn't care about any of the rumors, she thought in confusion. Surely, some must've reached his ears by now. But if he doesn't care about rumors, then I shouldn't, either…

There was a knock at the door, and Mina perched up sleepily onto her elbows. "Who is it?"

"It's me, Daphne. Is Serena awake? Can I come in?"

"Come in," Serena told her, and she came in, shutting the door quietly behind her.

Since only Mina and Serena occupy the room, Daphne was free to speak louder than usual.

"Prince Endymion wants to see you, Serena, if you're awake. And he told me that if you're still sleeping, wait by your bed and tell you to see him when you wake up."

"Well, I'm awake," she said, pushing back her blankets.

"Yeah, but the important point is that Prince Endymion said especially that if you are not awake, wait for you. Have you ever heard of a prince waiting on a servant? Isn't it the other way around?" Mina said, raising her eyebrows at her.

"Don't stalk me! I have no idea. If you're curious, go ask Endymion. Daphne, tell him that I'll be there in a moment," she said, Mina helping her with her corset laces.

"Well, I'd rather wait here. You have no idea how impatient he gets when you're not there," Daphne grinned, patting her shoulder.

"Would you please help me with all my petticoats and dresses?" she asked in annoyance.

"All right!" she slipped into her petticoats and the gown that Endymion so insisted for her to wear.

"Wow…you look…simply…amazingly beautiful," Mina admired.

She blushed. "Come on, Mina, this is only a simple gown. Endymion bought it for me yesterday – you won't believe how much insistence he's done for me to wear it today – and you, Mina, up. We're starting the journey soon. Did you pack all your things?"

"Yeah," Mina nodded.

"Are you dressed properly? Yes. What about your hair? Didn't Prince Endymion say that to leave it down?" Daphne pulled Serena after her. "And when did you start calling him with a title?"

She ignored her. "I'm not in the heart of leaving my hair down today."

"Well, we have to do something about that."

She swore that her heart had done a triple flip. Endymion was leaning against the wall – the tapestry – and he was smiling at her.

"Well, what do you plan to do?" she asked, eyeing him in admiration in his clothing. He's never failed to make her blush with just the way he appears in his garments.

"Take the hair band off, of course," he stepped toward her, totally ignoring Daphne, and reached out for her hair band.

She shook her head. "I like my hair the way it is –"

His hand held hers, and she cut herself off abruptly, looking up into his eyes. "Come on. Just do it for me," he whispered hopefully.

She nodded at last, and bowed her head obediently for him to reach the hair band.

"You promised to wear your hair every day like this," Endymion said, shaking her hair free of its constriction. "It's very beautiful. Why don't you like it?"

Serena blushed deeply. "It gets in the way of working," she stated calmly.

"But you won't have to work," he whispered, taking hold of her hand again.

She looked up, astonished. "But I'm a servant –"

"Yes, I'm very pleased that you're aware of that point. Therefore, you will obey my wish of you not working but to talk with me, is that clear?" he said with a grin.

She blushed deeper. "Do you have to do that?" she mumbled as they set off toward the garden, leaving a dumbfounded Daphne behind.

"No, of course I don't have to do that. But it seems the only way to make you agree, doesn't it?"

Serena mounted her horse and took the reins from a stableman. "Thank you, sir," she said, smiling briefly at the man. Then she turned to the prince, who was watching and waiting patiently for her.

"Is Mina in the carriage?" she asked.

"I'm in here," Mina called out, looking out of the window, smiling at her.

"Come on, let's go," Endymion waited for her as she tried the reins.

They set off in the clear and beautiful spring morning.

"Where did you learn to ride a horse like that?" Endymion asked as they dashed away with the carriage and trunks and guards and Counsel members.

"My father is a farmer, and he owned many horses," Serena answered back.

"Do you mail your family often?"

"The last time I mailed them was the morning after I'd gotten the cook job," she replied, frowning a little. "I'd been so busy with everything else that…I'll do that tonight."

He flashed her a smile.

Serena snuggled under the blankets, Mina doing the same on the other bed.

"Prince Endymion favors you, Serena," Mina whispered, blowing out the candle.

"No, he does not," Serena retorted, drawing the blanket up to her chin.

"Of course he does, Serena. Don't you see the way he tolerates you and teases you?"

Serena blushed in the darkness and felt a thrill in her heart. "Okay, so he tolerates me and teases me. So what?"

"So he likes you, duh!" Mina hissed.

Serena felt her heart screeching to a halt, and wondered briefly if it could be true, and more daringly, she wondered what it would feel like to be his wife. But she pushed the thought away and glared at Mina through the darkness. "Mina, I suggest you go to a doctor."

"But do you like him?"

"Mina!"

"All right, all right! Geez, can't even take a joke."

"A prince is no laughing matter!"

"Yeah, and I thought that you didn't call him Prince Endymion but Endymion."

"Mina!"

"Okay, okay! I give up!"

Serena drew the cloak tighter around her shoulders, trying to hide from the rain.

"Do you need another cloak?" Endymion asked worriedly, turning his horse.

"I'm fine," she replied, clutching the reins tightly.

Endymion flickered her a worried glance before setting off in the drizzle, not minding at all of the rain – in fact, he didn't even have a cloak on, which, in turn, worried Serena.

"Are you absolutely positively sure that you'll be all right without a cloak?" she asked as they set their horses to a pace somewhere between a run and a walk.

He smiled at her. "I'll be fine. By the way, breakfast was wonderful," he added.

She blushed, drawing the cloak tighter. It certainly felt like freezing to her. "Thank you."

He grinned, and they fell to a comfortable silence. Mina had decided to hide in the carriage for another day, and Serena highly doubted that she was dozing.

Mina's words hung heavy upon Serena's heart, and she stole a glance at him. He was looking ahead, his ebony hair hanging down his forehead from the rain, his eyes so blue and determined, his hands holding his reins very confidently, and though all his garments were wet, he looked like a prince – a very handsome, dashing, intelligent, young, and determined prince.

Serena drew her gaze to the distant mountains, blushing in her hood. Why had she started to stare at him? It's not like she liked him or anything… But Mina's words puzzled her, as well. Did he favor her? Well, the answer was yes, of course, but in what ways? In a brotherly way? That seemed likely… Her heart protested, giving a very telling reel, but she couldn't catch its meaning. Serena knew that she didn't want him to look at her as a little sister…but as to what she'd wanted him to look at her as, she had no idea… Well, maybe she had a sliver of idea, but she wasn't sure, and was certain that it'd probably lead to nowhere, so squashed the thought and returned to being confused.

Endymion's eyes slid from the mountains and to the lady riding beside him. He knew that he wasn't supposed to be like this, but paid no heed to whatever he was supposed to be. His eyes roved over her forehead, her half-closed eyes, her pert little nose, and her red and sensual lips… He shuddered in longing, and looked away. Shaking himself mentally, he turned to look at her once more. Her cloak – his cloak, technically, since he had given it to her this morning for the rain – hid most of her slender curves, but he could still see her wrists and hands, pale, clutching the reins, and the swell of her breasts where it rose, and the slender curve of her waist where it fell back against her ribs.

She was certainly beautiful…sexy, even…and she was graceful, and she had the very appearance of a princess – a queen, or even a goddess. He felt his heart thudding, and looked away. Something was wrong with him, but he ignored the desperate and inevitable questions.

Some time after lunch, when the drizzle hadn't stopped but began to pour, Endymion was getting really worried. Serena looked like she could just faint on the spot if she were allowed.

"Serena, come on, get on my horse," he told her.

She flashed him a weak smile and shook her head. "I'm fine."

"No, you're not," he said sternly.

"I'm fine!"

He reached out and gripped her waist, much to everyone's shock and confusion. "I'm fine!" she shrieked in laughter as he tickled her. "Cut in out, Endy! I'm fine!"

He grinned, continuing to tickle her. She was ticklish… Then, quite suddenly, he lifted her up from her horse and placed her before him. She was shrieking in surprise, and stopped when she found herself within the warm circle of his arms.

"If I say you're not fine, you're not," he murmured to her, stroking her arm through the cloak.

Serena caught her breath, unable to utter a word. She was sitting sideways on the horse, her head pillowed against his chest, her hands clutching his coat to stop herself from losing her balance. Apparently, Mina had decided to hide out in the carriage again.

"Is there a cloak or cape nearby?" he asked, and one guard hurriedly handed him a black, woolen, warm cloak. He slung it around him, and pulled her closer into his embrace, so that she was completely in his arms. He secured the cloak around the both of them, reaching around her body to the reins. "You'll be fine now. How do you feel?"

"Fine?" she said tentatively, refusing to look up, since her face was so red.

"Good girl," he patted her hip, which wasn't as awkward as one may think, and they set off once more.

Serena felt strangely safe and warm, as though she could trust him with her darkest, deepest secret, and huddled closer against the cold and the rain. He tightened his arms around her comfortingly, murmuring some teasing remarks to her, and she herself blushing and glaring at him through her thick eyelashes. Afterwards, when they fell to a comfortable silence, she pressed her cheek against his chest, and closed her eyes. It was tiring enough for a day's ride on the horse, and she hadn't slept much in the last night, where she spent most of the time thinking about him, of all people.

Well, he is the prince, she thought to herself.

Maybe, but I didn't know that you thought of him when you first arrived in the Palace, some other part of her replied – not retorting, nor encouraging.

Serena sighed. She decided to think about it when she's out of his arms. Right then, she wanted to sleep, and sleep she did.

Endymion felt the precious bundle of joy in his arms and smiled faintly. Oh, she was getting to him, but truth be told, he didn't care very much at that moment. All he cared was that she was there in his arms, so willing, leaning against him, sleeping, trusting.

He slipped his hand underneath her cloak and caressed her waist through her gown and corset, and she squirmed in surprise before getting used to the absent touches and falling back into his arms.

She had started to haunt his night, no matter if he were awake or asleep. She haunts his every dream, and filled his night with restless and urgent needs. As for what these needs were, he hadn't dared to name them – yet.

The journey continued for several days, and Serena, to Endymion's insistence, rode in his arms and on his horse for the rest of the way.

Of course, rumors were beginning to spread among the traveling group, but no one actually dared to mention any of them to the prince – or his lady.

Mina had been supportive and quiet in this matter, which surprised and gratified Serena. She didn't need full-scale questions about her relationship with the prince – not that she has any besides…besides…friendship? Were they friends? Hardly…

When they arrived at Falcon's castle, they were welcomed heartily. Falcon apparently had mistakenly took Serena as Endymion's wife – a mistake that confused Falcon he himself, pleased both Endymion and Serena, made Mina smirk, and left the rest of the company in confusion and uncertainty.

It was evening when they arrived, and they even had a feast. Endymion kept Serena close by him, and they conversed as though they were indeed husband and wife, which further confused Falcon.

Serena had started calling him Endy, since, she declared, Endymion was too long. He was pleased that she had a "nickname" for him, and didn't mind at all. He had considered Bunny as her nickname, but thought better (or worse) of it, and decided to call her Sere for now, which annoyed Serena. Sere meant dry as an adjective, which didn't suit her at all. Endymion thought hard of another nickname, but Bunny kept popping up in his mind, and he decided to try that when they're retired into their own quarters.

Serena had a question for him after they're alone, which would be: are we friends? Of course, that seemed absurd to ask someone like him – a prince – but she needed to know what to call him.

"You're eating little," he murmured to her.

She smiled at him. "Nah. I'm fine. I'm just not hungry – we had lunch around two of the clock, remember?"

Normally, to any other person, he would've answered, "How dare you say remember to me!" But to her, it was as if it were an…endearment, almost… "Well, if you don't feel well, tell Madam Rowland and ask her to give you something, all right?"

She nodded, smiling serenely at him. "Thank you."

He smiled at her and turned back to King Falcon.

Serena stood in the gardens, sitting on the bench, looking up to the starry night.

"Someone certainly seems to be unable to sleep," a deep and gentle voice said, and she looked around.

Endymion was there, walking toward her. She beamed, patting the seat beside her. "Sit," she said – which would've been comical had they thought of how Endymion had told her to sit back in the Palace.

He sat and they both looked up to the sky. "It's beautiful, isn't it, the stars? It looks different from the Palace, too…and from my house…"

"It is beautiful…just not so much in comparison to your beauty," he whispered, looking down to her.

She flinched as though he had hit her and blinked in surprise. A blush stained her cheeks, and she looked down to her hands.

"It is rather rare for a prince to compliment a maid like that, don't you think?" she answered in reply, which surprised Endymion, since her standard answer until now had been a thank you.

"I told you to not look at me as a prince. I could be anyone right now."

"But you are a prince," she repeated softly.

He decided that he'd had enough, and that he should lighten up the mood a little – he couldn't handle questions just now. "Well, pretend that I'm not a prince and that you are not a maid, since we're alone, Bunny."

She nodded and jumped back in surprise. "Bunny?"

"Yes. That's the new name that I came up with for you."

"Bunny?" she squealed in disbelief. "That's nowhere near Serena!"

"Well, nicknames can't all be variations of the names," he cocked his head to the side, smiling seductively at her. "You remind me of a rabbit. Bunny's nice."

"Bunny!" she threw her hands up into the air in disbelief. "Excuse me, sir, but do I look like a bunny to you?"

"Yes," he nodded, and leaned to position his chin upon her shoulder, which shutted her up effectively. "Yes, you're a very small but powerful bunny. And very pretty, too," he added.

She blushed, and flickered him a glance. "Well, I suppose Bunny's all right…it's at least better than Sere," actually, she didn't mind at all of Bunny. Rather, she had made herself overreacting to see what he'd do.

He smiled and drew back, looking at her again. "You couldn't sleep?"

She shook her head. "No, I just decided to take a walk around."

"Well, you weren't walking," he had hid behind a pillar and watched her every movement with hungry eyes.

She shrugged. "I wanted to smell the flowers and kiss their petals."

Endymion had a sudden urge to become a flower and feel her lips upon him. "The negotiation's tomorrow. I hope that it works out."

"Of course it'll work out, or you wouldn't be here," she replied with a small, encouraging smile.

He felt a heavy weight lifted from his shoulders and smiled back.

She looked away and fidgeted with her hands, uncertain. However, she jumped a little and looked back in surprise when he covered them with his own. He was smiling slightly at her.

"Endy…" she began uncertainly, and Endymion felt a thrill that she would call him that; "Endy…I know this is impossible, since you're a prince and I'm only a maid –"

"Bunny."

She stopped and took a deep breath. "Sorry. I just wanted to know…if…you know…" she swallowed thickly and cocked her head to the side. "If we're friends…"

He grinned. "Of course we're friends. Why did you ask?"

She smiled in relief. "You're a prince, and I'm a maid –"

"Bunny."

"Right. Sorry. I just wanted to make sure."

He nodded. The prospect of being friends with her seemed warming and satisfying.

King Falcon was more than confused. He has had encounters with the famous Prince Endymion, but never, not in a million years, had he heard or seen him bringing anyone other than his Counsel members with him to a negotiation – nor did he see him bringing anyone other than his guards and Counsel members on a journey, for that matter.

And there Serena was – Lady Serena, Falcon corrected himself, since Prince Endymion had introduced her as Lady Serena – sitting beside him, frowning at some papers that he had handed her. Who was this lady? Prince Endymion he himself had declared that she was nothing more than a maid – his maid, Falcon corrected himself again.

She did seem intelligent and graceful enough, he concluded. In fact, she was enough to pair with Prince Endymion, and they seemed so…casual with each other, almost like between a husband and a wife. Falcon decided to ask her later, after the negotiation.

Endymion and Serena stood up respectful as Falcon entered, and Endymion shook hands with the king. Serena stood aside quietly, acting all like a maid, yet appearing not much less than a princess – and the wife of the famous Prince Endymion, whose record was so clean that it was unbelievable – never had he had even one mistress for even one day, never had he favored any woman or man with more than appropriate, and never had he smiled in all of Falcon's memory.

Serena listened without a sound as they bargained, and they had almost reached an agreement when lunch came around. The two agreed to talk over lunch, and Serena didn't eat anything. She observed the way the King Falcon's hands were shaking when he handled the ale tankard, or the way his eyes almost shined when her Endy mentioned that he would be willing to lend him financial assistance, or the way that he swallowed a sip of ale carefully to not choke on it when her Endy had mentioned that he didn't want land that much.

"But why?" Falcon cried, startled. "You had always wanted land, Prince Endymion. What has changed your mind in the short time of one week, sir?"

Endymion smiled. "That, my dear King Falcon, will be explained when we reach an agreement. But believe me, I mean no harm and only want to help."

Falcon accepted Endymion's help, eventually, and they signed a peace agreement for evermore after. Endymion also lent him some millions of dollars on the spot, which startled Falcon so much that he nearly jumped up.

"You didn't eat, Bunny," Endymion said as they went back to their quarters.

"Of course I didn't eat," she threw him a glaring glance. "How else am I supposed to eat when there's a negotiation going on that would decide the fates of two countries?"

He smiled. "Do you really care that much?"

"Well, of course!" she replied. "Why else do you think I keep up with politics?"

He grinned and reached out, holding her hand. She grew breathless, and blushed, blinking rapidly to keep herself from fainting of joy.

"Come on. Supper's ready."

They went their separate ways to change and wash up and met at the Dining Hall again. Serena was hungrier than usual, which was expected, since she hardly ate anything at breakfast, and ate nothing at lunch.

King Falcon looked much merrier and relaxed, and toasted them joyously. The Dining Hall was in a cheerful mood, and Counsel members toasted other Counsel members, and Mina toasted Serena, and Serena and Endymion toasted each other.

"So, Prince Endymion, I do think that you owe me an explanation," King Falcon said when they had finished the main course.

Endymion smiled. "Believe it or not, King Falcon, Lady Serena here had changed my mind."

There was a unified choking sound around the Dining Hall, including Mina and all of Endymion's Counsel members, since they knew nothing of this.

King Falcon was so surprised that he merely stared at the smiling Prince Endymion and the blushing Lady Serena.

"I thought you'd wanted to keep it down, Endy," she murmured to him.

He grinned. "Too late. King Falcon already knows."

That only made Serena blush harder, and she clutched at her hands, barely able to raise her head.

"Well, then, may I ask how, Prince Endymion?"

"Certainly," he replied, nodding. "Actually, I asked her opinion of this, when I was undecided."

Endymion and Serena both knew that everyone wanted to know how that came about, but to the perspective of politeness, King Falcon didn't ask, and only nodded with a dazed smile, continuing his supper.

King Falcon, Prince Endymion, Serena, Mina, and some guards went in disguise to the capital's shopping area the next day, where Endymion bought everything that Serena had cared to take a second glance at – which made her blush, of course – and bought everything that Mina had asked Serena to ask him to buy.

Of course, that only confused King Falcon more. When the ladies said that they would buy a drink or two and would be back in a moment, Falcon leaned closer to the smiling Endymion, who, of course, was smiling at the back of Lady Serena, and whispered: "Well, Endymion, I do not mean to interfere, but are you really married?"

Endymion smiled and shook his head. I really wished that we were, he thought to himself. "No, Falcon. We aren't married."

"Well, you certainly do look like in love," Falcon remarked.

Endymion decided to think about it later and not answer that remark.

Falcon knew that that was enough, and changed the subject subtly. "So, tell me, Endymion, how did Lady Serena end up in your favor?"

Endymion smiled at the sweet memory. "She was the Palace's cook, actually, and it was really her food that first caught my attention."

"Really? May I ask her to cook tonight? It might be nice to try your country's food, and since you so rarely compliment on food, it must be very amazing,"

"It is amazing. I'll ask her when she comes back, and she would probably accept – but if she's too tired to do it, then I can't help it."

"Very protective and defensive of this lady, aren't you a little, Endymion?" Falcon raised his eyebrow at him.

Before Endymion could reply, however, Serena and Mina appeared by the corner of the street, where they were speaking to each other.

When they drew closer, Falcon and Endymion realized that Serena was trying to teach Mina to speak Nornian, of all things.

"I didn't know you spoke Nornian," Endymion commented, standing up.

"Of course I don't speak Nornian. I know Nornian, and that doesn't mean I speak it," Serena answered.

"What else languages do you know, Bunny?" he asked her.

Falcon choked on his tea. "Bunny?"

"Yes, Bunny," Serena replied dryly. "My wonderful Endy here has decided that Bunny is the perfect name to describe me, King Falcon."

Falcon just smiled, and told himself that this was a couple that was so obviously in love. His heart grew heavy, however, when his mind turned to the fact that Lady Serena was no more than a maid. Were they meant to be? He asked himself. I shall see.

After a week had passed, Endymion decided to leave, since Serena had said that he really should leave before anything happens back in their own country – kingdom.

Serena was up early the day that they were to leave. The morning was warm, not chilling, so she left her cloak and climbed onto her horse to ride it for some hours before breakfast.

It was a precious memory for her to remember – when she was small, her father would ride alongside her, teaching her how to recognize the clouds in the skies for weather and just race each other in the seemingly endless grass hillsides. Perhaps she should take a vacation and go back home to visit her parents and her little brother, Samuel. Well, he couldn't really be called little, since he was bigger than her, both in age and in physical appearance.

The horse seemed to know what she was thinking, and galloped the distance obediently. Serena was glad to feel the wind flashing on her face, pushing back her hair, which she had left down every day to the request of her Endy. She wasn't really worried about her feelings for him for now. It seemed a tedious thing to think about when she could just enjoy his company and remember all that he had said to her before – such sweet compliments, too!

Endymion followed her with his eyes through the window in the hall, fully dressed. She had haunted his last night, and he couldn't sleep after waking up from a vivid dream of confessing his love to her and she had told him that she loved him, as well. He frowned when he sensed that she had something on her mind, so she stopped every now and then in her gallop, and the way that she handled her horse – she definitely had some troubling things on her mind. He decided to ask her at breakfast.

When breakfast came around, Serena was fully dressed and clean and cheerful once more. Endymion complimented on her horse riding, and she had blushed so hard that her face looked more like a tomato than anything else.

The atmosphere was endearing, almost as though Falcon and everyone was in a family, having a breakfast together. Endymion remarked silently that he had been right in asking for her opinion and listening to her – he liked it much better in friendship than in hostility.

They bade good-byes to each other and Endymion's company set off. Mina had decided to be a little open this time, since the weather was so clear and warm, and rode on a horse behind, conversing with a general named Andrew.

"Endy, I've been thinking…"

"Yes?"

She shrugged and clutched at her reins uncertainly. "Do you think that I could take a vacation? I want to visit my family; I miss them a lot. Do you think that I could possibly have four weeks off?"

He felt his heart stop. Was she leaving him? He then felt his heart squeeze so hard that he was hardly able to breathe. "Do you not like something in the Palace?" he asked, brows furrowed together.

She shook her head quickly. "No, no. I just want to visit my father and mother and brother… I miss them, and they miss me… Will you please let me have four weeks off?"

Endymion shook his head. She couldn't leave him. "No."

"But –"

"If you want a vacation so badly, then take all the time in the world and get some other job!" he spat angrily. Couldn't she understand how dear he held her to his heart?

She stared at him, shocked. "Endy –"

"Don't you dare to call me that!" he said threateningly, and turned, dashing away into the distance. Instantly, several other soldiers and guards galloped after him, only to be reproved by him and returned with puzzled and fearful expressions on their faces.

Never had they seen Prince Endymion so angry – he might've been indifferent and heartless, but he was never threatening anyone unnecessarily, and even thanked others politely when they did him service.

Serena shrank back, hurt. Why did he refuse her to take a vacation? He sounded so threatening and frightening and terrifying… He wasn't at all like the Endy that she had come to care for, even love…he had turned to a monster, almost, and… She consoled herself; not hearing Mina's worried questions and not seeing at all of everyone's terrified and mildly curious glances.

Serena was silent the whole day, eating little and drinking little.

Endymion was in a similar state, frowning and his face set grimly.

Which also meant that the atmosphere was not only awkward, but also disquieting. Mina tried to talk to her friend, but all she could get out of Serena was nothing.

No one knew what had happened, of course, since they – Endymion and Serena – were riding some distance ahead of the company, out of earshot. But they all guessed that they had a very great argument that seemed not mendable at all.

Endymion became impatient while Serena was so silent that it was disturbing. The company spent the night at a lodge, and set off at the crack of dawn after breakfast quietly.

Endymion had stolen more glances at her than he cared to admit – he was starting to regret his overreaction to her request. After all, she had asked him first, which meant that she wanted his opinion on the matter. And besides, if she didn't say that she didn't want the job, then she still wanted to come back. All she wanted was to see her family – and he understood that perfectly. His uncle and aunt, who had brought him up, had died six months ago, and he understood what missing someone could really feel like. That feeling disappeared when she had appeared, but apparently, she must miss the company of her family – it was different the way that she grew up, unlike he himself.

Serena, in the meanwhile, was trying to piece together her broken heart. His reaction had hurt her much more than she'd expected, and she brooded over the memory, even though it was painful. Somehow, she couldn't see why he was so overreacting, and going over the memory of that argument didn't provide any answers at all – instead, all it provided was a much greater pain than she had bore previously.

On the second night that they had that argument – which didn't seem like the second night but rather the night after eternity, for the silence seemed to last much longer than it really did – Endymion decided to apologize. It never occurred to him, however, of how odd it seemed – and how unusual and unlikely – for a prince to apologize to a maid and ask for her forgiveness. It might even seem ridiculous.

Serena, after dinner, went by a creek behind the lodge they were staying in and sat there, staring stupidly at the fish swimming. They seem so carefree and unhurt. I wish I could be like them, she though painfully. She was going over that memory again, even though it hurt more and more as time passed.

"Bunny," someone whispered.

She jumped up, startled, and searched for the source of the voice. She knew who it was before her eyes landed on him, and backed away in fright when she saw him.

He reached out to touch her, but she flinched away, clutching at her gown, blinking rapidly.

His hands fell to his side, and he watched her hopelessly and helplessly. "Bunny, I'm sorry." That was the first time that he has ever said sorry to anyone.

She looked down to her toes, confused, blinking back the sudden oncoming waves of tears.

Endymion took a step closer. "Please, Bunny, forgive me. I know I was being paranoid. I was overreacting. I'm sorry. Please, will you forgive me?"

"Why?" she asked without looking up, and her voice sounded hoarse.

He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out, and he closed it. Shrugging helplessly, he stepped closer to her. "You're…you're a very dear friend, and I don't want to lose you…"

"You won't lose me," she whispered. "You'll never lose me. I'm just going back to my family for some time and I'll be back before you know it."

"I know. But it just…frightened me, I think, to know that you might never come back… I thought of that before I thought of anything else. I'm sorry."

She hid a small smile. "You? Frightened?"

"Yes," he answered uncertainly after a moment.

"You could always do a national criminal catch if I don't come back, though," she said, now smiling widely.

He blinked in surprise. Did that mean that she forgave him?

"And did you notice that you apologized for three times in three minutes?" she looked up, and smiled at him.

Endymion swore that his heart had done a triple lutz followed by a triple flip followed by a triple axel followed by a somersault. He found that he had lost the ability to speak.

She smiled at him again and stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his waist. "You were stupid and cruel and harsh. Don't do it again."

"I promise," he hugged her back, stroking her hair.

She swallowed back joyful tears, just listening to his heartbeat, and sighed.

"So you forgive me?"

She looked up at him, and rewarded him a beautiful smile. Endymion swore that she had the ability the blind men by just smiling. He would swear later on a room full of Bibles. "Of course. I forgive you because you're unfamiliar in the territory of feelings. I promise to help you, though," she added, and smiled at him again.

Endymion swore again at that moment that she could blind men with her smile and deafen men with her sweet voice. He smiled in relief, hugging her closer.

When they went back to the lodge and their quarters, they were talking as if the argument had never happened, and discussing at the notion of Endymion visiting her family with her. Mina choked on her tea – she was drinking tea with Andrew – as the two came into the sitting room of their quarters, calling each other by the nicknames affectionately.

"Really, Serena, I can't handle much more than what you've done," Mina said after coughing so hard that her face was red.

"What?" Serena blinked in innocent surprise.

Mina glared at her, as if in challenge that she didn't know, and blinked in horror – and surprise – when Endymion drew out his sword and stood before Serena, protecting her. Mina slipped behind Andrew, who drew out his sword as well, and for a moment, the ladies thought that they would actually fight.

When they all realized how ridiculous they looked, they shared a laugh and the men put back their swords. Serena scolded wildly at a grinning Endymion, the effect completely spoiled by the loving, "Endy," at the end of her sentence, which had became a habit of hers.

They all shared another laugh, and the Counsel members and some of the guards filed into the relatively small sitting room in curiosity. Of course, they were shocked when they saw Serena jabbing her fingers under Endymion's nose, daring him to do that again – and they were very confused as to what "that" had meant – that she would see to it that he never picks up a sword again.

They were more astonished, however, when Endymion reached up and folded his hands over hers, kissing her knuckles lingeringly. "Apparently, that would seem a little impossible," he murmured to her, his eyes holding laughter.

She rolled her eyes at him for the first time, drawing gasps from several of the Counsel members, who were especially sensitive about how the prince reacts to an insult. "You're impossible, Endy," of course, that was also spoiled by the "Endy" at the end.

"I know," he held her hands and grinned wider. "Come on, let's go to sleep. You need some rest before tomorrow's ride. Do you want to ride with me?"

She blushed and smiled shyly, nodding.

He grinned impossibly wider and squeezed her hands before releasing them. "I'll see you in the morning. Good-night,"

"Good-night," she replied and with a last exchange of glances, left at the two doors on the either side of the sitting room.

"What happened, Andrew?"

"What happened, Mina?"

Well, that's it for this chapter. Feedbacks, please! ^_^

Crystal Selena