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.
"I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times, in life after life, in age after age forever."
Rabindranath Tagore
Serena mounted Belle and caught up with Endymion, who was looking ahead, his eyes unfocused. She knew that he had some things on his mind, but didn't dare to ask what they were – after all, she was a maid and he was a prince. He was bound to have things on his mind that concerned the kingdom.
So, gathering up her courage, Serena rode by him and reached out, touching his arm gently.
His attention snapped to her, and she smiled blushingly. "May I ask what you were thinking of?"
Actually, Endymion had been thinking about how he was going to confess and ask for her love – which in itself sounded ridiculous enough – but he wasn't ready to say that yet. "Just thinking about the glade that you're bringing me to. Did you name it?"
She smiled and nodded. "Yes. I named it Open Glade."
"An easy enough name," Endymion grinned.
Serena paused uncertainly. "Endy, I want to thank you alone for what you did yesterday."
He smiled slightly, lightening the mood. "Well, I seem to recollect that you have said that just about a dozen times."
She blushed and giggled softly, nodding vigorously. "I think so. I just really want to thank you… If you weren't there…I daren't think of what would happen if you weren't there…" she swallowed and closed her eyes, trying to rid of the thought.
He reached out and lifted her onto his horse, Belle snorting angrily. Serena laughed, and took the reins. "Sorry, Belle. Looks like Endy wants another cargo on Chandler."
Belle went along without another noise, and Endymion hugged her close. He had gotten through her father, but now, the only and hardest obstacle is she herself – if she could love him or not. Serena's delicate hands rested on his shoulders, and she pressed her face to his chest, smiling slightly.
She wished that they could be like this everyday, happy…well, maybe there was one thing that could be improved, but that seemed impossible to her – for the moment. She wished that he could love her, so that they could get married, and have kids, and…
Serena turned around in circles in the middle of the glade, laughing joyfully, seemingly unaffected by the incident that happened the day before.
Getting dizzy, she stopped and fell – right into his arms. She blushed and nestled there, not willing to draw away, intending to enjoy his embrace as much as she could.
"What did you want to talk about, Endy?" she asked, tilting her head so that she could see his face while he talked.
Which, of course, unnerved Endymion so much that he looked away. But he looked back as soon as he was able, and saw her joyful and confused face. "The talk that Ken and I had," he answered simply, stroking her hair.
"And what would that be?"
"Come on, let's sit before talk," he spread out the blanket and they sat on it, Serena looking at Endymion in confusion and the prince hesitating.
I never thought confessing would be this hard! He thought nervously, and flickered her a glance.
Serena sighed sadly. She could read him pretty well. So she leaned forward and hugged him, comforting him even though she didn't know what he had wanted to talk about. "Tell me."
He sighed and bent down, kissing her hair. "I was asking your father's permission to court you."
She went quite still, her eyes wide, and her heart and breathing stopped.
"And I asked his permission to marry you if ever you're willing."
She could feel all her blood draining away from her face. "Why?"
"Because I love you."
She drew away and stood up, avoiding his gaze. Quite steadily, she smoothed out her dress and took up the basket, fitting it onto Belle. "No, you do not."
"Of course I –" Endymion began in desperation and urgency.
"In fact, I think that you must have a fever. Come on, up you go. We need to get you home as soon as possible," she pulled the blanket from him and folded it, fitting it onto Belle again.
"Bunny!" he called, reaching out.
She avoided his touch and began to untie Belle.
Of course, Endymion would never let her get away without her understanding that he loves her, always did and always will. So, he spun her around and crushed his lips to hers, which was a very efficient way to show what he'd intended, indeed.
Serena felt the ground beneath her disappear and went limp against his assaulting touch. Helplessly, she tried to push him away, but he was too strong for her, and she gave in to the kiss.
It was a reminiscence of the kiss after Henry Cain, except that it was more powerful, more passionate, and more urgent. Tears splashed down her cheeks, and she kissed him back with a fervor that startled even Endymion.
Serena buried her face into her hands and sobbed hard as they drew away from each other. "No…no…" she kept repeating the word, and sank to the ground.
Endymion wrapped his arms around her, desperate, cursing himself wildly for causing her tears, and felt his heart crack. He couldn't stand seeing her so hurt. "Don't cry…don't cry, Bunny…I'll give anything if you won't cry…"
"Then don't love me…don't…"
He hesitated. It wasn't that it wasn't possible; it was just that it was too impossible.
She looked up to him and held his face between her hands, sobbing, yet clinging to him. "God, no, this is too impossible…"
He didn't know how to comfort her. So he hugged her close, stroking her long hair and back. "Bunny, listen to me. I love you."
She drew a shattering breath and closed her eyes, letting his love wash over her like a waterfall. And when she opened her eyes again, they were as clear as they ever were, and she looked at him in the eyes. "Say that again, Endy."
"I love you, Bunny."
She smiled. "I love you, too, Endy."
Endymion and Serena held hands as they walked past the Old Green.
They stopped, and Endymion leaned down to kiss her.
She smiled blushingly as they parted, and they continued on without a word.
"Endy, can I ask you something?" Serena said, tightening her fingers around his.
"Of course. What is it?" he stopped, facing her.
"How are we going to be together? You are a prince, and I'm just a maid. No one would allow this relationship," she sighed sadly.
He reached out and cupped her cheek. "I love you and you love me. That's all that matters. We'll find a way to be together somehow."
She smiled and nodded happily. "Thanks again for saving me from Henry Cain. Did you kiss me then because you wanted to comfort me or was it because you loved me?"
"Both," Endymion grinned and embraced her.
"Do you think we should tell Father about this?" Serena asked as they walked on.
"Well, he already knows that I love you –"
"He knew that I loved you, as well."
"He did? Then why didn't he tell me?" Endymion stopped again, seeking answer on her pretty face.
She smiled and shrugged. "Probably because…because that love has to be found, not told, I guess. He said that, not me."
He smiled and leaned down, kissing her lips lingeringly. "Oh, I love you so much, Buns,"
She smiled shyly. "Me, too. And when did you come up with Buns?"
Endymion entered the kitchen with an empty basket and put it on the counter. "Preparing supper, Irene?"
Mrs. Roberts smiled and nodded. "How was your afternoon?"
"Wonderful," Endymion grinned, and patted the handle of the basket. "Serena's upstairs washing. She'll be down here in a moment."
Irene nodded again. She could tell that this was Endymion's happiest day in his life. And she had a very clear idea of what had happened when they were out alone. "How's Belle? Chandler?"
"Great. Well, maybe Chandler's a little worn. Serena and I rode mostly on him. Belle only took the basket and the blanket," Endymion smiled again. "I'll be right down here in a moment. I'm going up and check on Serena first."
"Certainly," Irene said as the prince left.
Serena was smoothing out her skirt as she exited her room, and bumped into Endymion. Immediately, a lovely smiled unfolded as she leaned up to receive his kiss.
"Did you want to wash up? I think I possibly have to apologize to Belle," she smiled shyly. "I think she's a little angry with me."
He smiled and caressed her cheek. "No, she's not. No one can stay angry with you for long."
She smiled blushingly.
"Sorry to interrupt the romance scene, but," Sam came up the stairs. "You see, supper's ready, and we can't start without you. So quit your – whatever you were doing, and come down here already."
Serena blushed hotly and clutched at his hand.
"Okay. I get the point. I'll tell Mother that you'll be down…late." Sam turned and left.
"He gets it quickly, doesn't he?" Endymion whispered to her, bending down.
She smiled beautifully. "Yes. He does." And then she lifted her face and they kissed.
Endymion pulled out the chair for her, and smiled as she flickered him a bashful yet thankful glance.
"As I was saying, Mother, Endymion and Serena were – how should I call this? – having intimate moments when I went up the stairs," Sam began proudly.
"Goodness, does words travel faster than water here?" Endymion exclaimed.
"It sure does," Mr. Roberts said as he helped himself to some of the hot soup. "Dona – that's the dove that Serena named – has reported quite helpfully that she saw you –"
"We get the point!" Serena and Endymion began at the same time.
Serena blushed and squeezed his hand under the table. "I never should have befriended too many animals. They help at times, but never in this."
He smiled. "Don't be sorry. I love you for your kindness and friendliness."
Mrs. Roberts cleared her throat. "Children, this is supper, not bedroom."
"Sorry," they both apologized and the family fell to an easy conversation.
Endymion looked up to the sky, breathing in the fresh country air.
"I see that you've worked it out," Mr. Roberts said.
"She's wonderful, isn't she?" Endymion replied with a smile.
"What are you going to do, though? It's impossible for you to marry her without a political disaster."
"I know," Endymion sighed heavily. "I love her. Even if it's going to cost me a lot of popularity or support or wealth or even my crown, I'll marry her."
They stayed quiet for a while, the silence broken constantly, though, by owls and nightingales and other nocturnal animals.
"When do you plan to go back to your Palace, Endymion?" Mr. Roberts asked.
"I'm not sure of that yet. Serena seems very happy here, and I want her happy, but rumors are flying out of the Palace – as I'm sure you've seen on the newspapers – and I would detest it to put her under much pressure. She hasn't read any of the newspapers lately, though."
"Well, Endymion, the only pointer that I can give you is that she will only be happy now wherever you may be – she would go through being scandalous if she has to," Mr. Roberts replied gravely.
Endymion didn't seem surprised at all. "I know. She told me. But still, I can't stand it if…"
"Endymion, you are the prince of a kingdom. The kingdom is in need of you, and are you going to abandon it because of a woman – not yet a woman, but a girl?"
Endymion laughed bitterly. "Ken, perhaps I'm as insane as that already…" his knuckles were white where his hands were on the ledge. "Don't you know, Ken? She controls me…and I cannot begin to disobey her wishes. Have you ever loved someone this much?" he whispered hoarsely, and Mr. Roberts would've been quite startled to see the prince's eyes shining if he were not looking up to the stars.
Nevertheless, Ken heard the love and pain in that voice. He stayed quiet and only put his hand to the young man's shoulder.
"Endy! Endy!" Serena rushed toward them from inside the house, and she wasn't wearing any coat – all she had on was her gown.
It seemed to Mr. Roberts that a grave and worrying Endymion had transformed into a carefree and happy Endymion – magically. He brushed past by Serena's father and came to her, wrapping her in his coat.
"It's cold out here. You should be inside," Mr. Roberts heard him saying to Serena.
"I wanted to see you." It was a simple answer, but Mr. Roberts could detect traces and oceans of love in that reply easily.
"See you in the morning, Ken," Endymion said to the man and led his Love back into the house.
"Yes, see you in the morning, Father," Serena replied with a soft giggle.
Endymion watched his Love walking past the stables to the grass beyond deliriously. She had bewitched his eyes so that they were only focused on her, and he could do nothing about that.
They had talked the day before, late into the night, and decided to return to the Palace. He was supposed to pack, but she was right before him, and he no longer had any control of his hungry eyes. She turned and waved to him happily, with a lovely smile on her face. He waved back, and felt in his bones of her deep love for him, and wanted to just die in delirium.
After breakfast, they were made ready to go, and they kissed each other goodbye. Serena and Endymion boarded the carriage, and Henry Cain, who would be imprisoned in the dungeons of the Palace – to no one's protest and no one's surprise – sat at the back in the chilling wind with warmly dressed guards and the doctor.
"Goodbye, Mother! Goodbye, Father! Goodbye, Sam! We will come back whenever we can! We love you!" Serena waved until they were no more than tiny dots against the countryside, and drew back comfortably into his arms.
"Buns?"
"Yes, my Love?" she looked up with a smile, and kissed his cheek.
"I have to tell you this before we go back – it's going to be hard," he tightened his arms around her slender figure.
She smiled. "But you're here with me, and I love you. For now, I'll be the clean Prince Endymion's mistress. It's going to be a turmoil, Endy, but we'll make through it together."
He smiled and bent down to kiss her. "I love you, Buns."
"I love you too. You know, though," she added after a hesitation, "I dreamed of being your mistress when I first met you. It's a wild thought at the beginning, but," she stretched out and kissed him sweetly on the lips, "It feels so much better than I'd thought to be your mistress."
"Mistress, eh?" he grinned, and stroked her golden hair. "I like the sound of it. Prince Endymion's mistress… It doesn't come by easy, you know that, right?"
She laughed softly and held him close. "Of course I know that. I'm the first woman you've ever loved – besides your aunt and mother, of course – and you've told me that yourself. I know that love and trust doesn't come to you naturally, but believe me," she pressed her cheek to his shoulder, "I'm a very good one to fall for, because I love you as much as you love me – perhaps a little more."
"No, I love you more."
"No, I love you more."
"No, I love you more."
"No, I love you more."
"Just shut up and let me kiss you," Endymion whispered, but his lips were already upon hers.
Endymion sat at the high chair around the table, listening to the reports of his Counsel members. But he was getting bored – he needed her kiss and embrace.
It seemed as though that rumors had, indeed, been flying in and out of the Palace during that short while that he was gone. Even the incident of Henry Cain had somehow reached the Counsel members. He was now, of course, in the dungeons, but the Counsel members suggested a trial.
Endymion refused without a second thought – he would never ever make Serena go through that again. His Counsel members had been startled so much that there was utter silence around the room for several moments. He was the prince, and so they all fell silent, though Endymion knew that they had much protest at heart.
There weren't really much news, however. The kingdom was safe and stable from every angle of the view, and no other kingdom yet had had the mind of invading or an economic or political disorder.
Endymion listened to all the news with as much interest as he could find in his heart, and dismissed them as soon as it was over. The Counsel members were equally startled, however, when the prince told them that he would sup privately, to which they all knew was with a certain maid.
Serena was going up the stairs when she saw the Counsel members. She thought that they seemed very gloomy, and therefore intended to cheer them up. She greeted them warmly and politely, and stood aside for them to pass. And so, naturally, it surprised her when they stopped and stood aside for her. Just then, Endymion appeared at the top of the stairs, and he beamed at his lovely lady. She smiled back a little uncertainly, and watched as he swept down, taking her hand, and led her away without even a word to any of the men of his Counsel members.
"Endy?"
"Yes, Buns?" he kissed her sweetly as they cuddled on the sofa.
"Did you see your Counsel members standing aside for me?" she asked uncertainly, pressing her cheek against the material of his coat.
"I did, actually. It seemed like a very awkward situation, so I stepped up as soon as I could to save you from there," he kissed her forehead, touching her hair softly.
"Do you think that they actually think that I'm your mistress?" she asked, worried, and looked up to him.
"Well, isn't that what you are?" he raised an eyebrow at her lovely face, and took in her blush with a delirious feeling in his heart.
She flushed further and nodded modestly. "Yes, but in another sense – they may think that we were married," her eyes held a faraway look, but she snapped it off in a moment's time.
"Let them think what they will. I'm just happy to have you," Endymion smiled and kissed her cheek.
She smiled shyly and nodded in agreement. He was tempted momentarily to cast away all that he had to just have that – just that smile, even though he knew that she would've never agreed.
"What about you? Are the servant's quarters…reasonable?" Endymion murmured against her ear, feeling her delightful shiver.
"Well, actually…" her voice fell to a sad silence, but she continued on: "well, not really. No one really wanted to know what really happened – they were only interested in what the rumors had appeared to be. Even Mina isn't that supportive anymore…well, she's more focused on Andrew, apparently…she even held me guilty for bringing Andrew away from her," Serena added, smiling at the memory.
"If she troubles you any more, I'll make sure that she gets the punishment," he joked.
She smiled. "We'll see."
"Maybe you shouldn't go back to the servant's quarters anymore," he said after a moment of comfortable silence. "And you don't have to cook anymore."
"But that's my job!" said Serena, shocked.
"I'll pay you more to just be here," he declared hastily.
She shook her head. "I don't want you to buy my love. I'll do it without the money."
Endymion felt guilty that she had to endure so many lame accusations and untrue rumors and even without money just for him. He felt at that moment that he didn't deserve her at all – not that he'd ever deserved her. The feeling was just sharper at that moment. "But I'll pay you. Don't you want the money?"
"No, of course not," she drew away from his embrace, and he felt that he had died at that moment.
"Then what do you want?" he asked desperately.
She shrugged and looked away. "I'll be in my room," she said and stood up, walking toward the door as she smoothed out her gown.
Endymion stared after her as she opened the door and left. He felt helpless and despaired now that she seemed to not love him anymore. He shuddered. She had cast an unbreakable spell on him. She was growing on him every day, every moment of the day, of the hour, of the minute. He jumped up and prepared to go after her and apologize. She was evidently very upset that he had offered money for her love and care. It wasn't that he wanted to buy her love or anything, but he was willing to do that if she wanted it that way.
"Prince Endymion, my lord," a soldier came to him at that moment. "Sir, a messenger has arrived, and he said that he has a very important message for you."
Endymion frowned deeply. Couldn't the messenger have chosen a better time? He thought. But then again, she might need a moment to herself, and the message might be very important. "Where is he?" Endymion asked as he came out of the door.
"In your office, sir," the soldier replied.
Endymion cast a glance down the corridor in another direction, where his Love must be. His heart fled to her, but he held himself back – she needed a moment to herself.
"My lord," the messenger bowed low before Prince Endymion.
"You may rise," Endymion replied in his chair. "What message do you have for me? And where is it from?"
"My lord, I have come from the Moon Kingdom, and this message is from Queen Serenity," the messenger said truthfully. "She has written a letter."
Endymion was surprised, but he didn't let it show. Golden Kingdom rarely had encounters with Moon Kingdom. "Please," he reached out, and the messenger put the letter into his hands.
He looked closely at the seal. It looked like the real Seal of Moon enough. He broke it and took out a letter.
In the letter, Queen Serenity has informed him that she plans to visit his kingdom and meet him personally. She did not explain clearly why she wanted to come, but Endymion thought that if he had an ally on the moon, it would really make the Golden Kingdom stronger.
So he wrote an answer on another piece of parchment and sealed the letter in another envelope, handing it to the messenger. "That's my reply. Give it to Queen Serenity. And here," he gave the messenger some gold coins, which surprised and delighted the messenger very much.
"Thank you very much, sir."
"You are dismissed," Endymion waved his hand, and the messenger bowed low before turning around and leaving.
Then, Endymion began pacing his room. Despair ate at his heart. He needed to see her.
Just then, there was a knock at the doors, and Mina came in. "Your Highness," she curtseyed, and gave an envelope to the prince. Endymion recognized the neat and beautiful writing at once – it was Serena's. "It's Serena's. She wished you to only this three days from now, sir."
Obviously, Endymion couldn't ask Mina what it was, for the maid certainly didn't know. He wondered briefly of the reason before dismissing Mina. He stood up and headed for her chamber, preparing to apologize and ask for her forgiveness.
When Endymion knocked on the door of her chambers, it was Mina who opened the door.
"I need to speak to her," the prince declared.
The maid looked uncertain and afraid, but she shook her head. "Serena needs a moment to herself right now. I think she's writing something, but I'm not sure."
"Can you ask her –" he cut himself out. If she wanted to see him, she would send for him. If she wanted to see him, he would feel it in his bones. "Tell her I love her more than anything."
Mina nodded sadly, and tears filled her eyes as the prince turned and left. It was with a heavy heart that she has done what she'd done – not because it was considered illegal and disrespectful, but also because she was helping in the work of separating these soul mates…
She has lied to Prince Endymion.
Endymion's knuckles were white where his fingers clutched the sheets of papers.
She was torturing him, and he couldn't disobey her wishes. She wouldn't see him or even talk to him, and there was a pile of papers waiting to be read. Who does she think she is? He thought painfully. Does she expect me to live and govern this empire without her? I can't do that with only one part of me. She's the other part, and if she doesn't see me soon, I'll have to force her to see me.
It had been but two days, and Endymion was growing weak. It was torment not to see her and talk to her and embrace her and kiss her. The prince threw down the papers with a heavy sigh and left his office. The work was piling up, but for now, he wanted nothing else than to make her understand that he loved her more than anything in this world.
It was Mina who opened the door again. She shook her head heavily and seemed for a moment as though she was mourning. "Serena…well, she says that she wants to be alone for today. I suppose…I suppose that she has written something of use in that letter…"
"Yes, and I will open it tomorrow first thing," Endymion finished for the maid. "Well, tell her that I have came by, and tell her that I love her, and bid goodnight for me, please."
Mina nodded sorrowfully. "I will, my lord."
Endymion turned and left, having been rejected for times that he couldn't count.
The prince Endymion jumped up from bed and dressed properly before picking up her letter from his desk. Swallowing, he opened the letter carefully and spread the paper.
There were only four lines on the letter.
Dear Endy,
I love you, and please forgive me for what I am about to do.
With love,
Buns
He clutched the papers and fled through the door, down the hall, and knocked on her door urgently. Mina opened the door again, but before she could speak, Endymion had pushed her aside and entered her chambers.
She wasn't in the outer chamber. He rushed toward her bedchamber and found it empty as well. Dismayed and afraid, he saw a letter on her bedside table, along with a beautiful red rose.
Respected Prince Endymion, (his heart constricted that she didn't call him Endy and was so formal)
I've never written a letter like this, and I don't know where to begin… So here it goes.
I must say that our love was, is, and will always be perfect and pure. (There was a blotch of tear on the paper.) But you and I are from different worlds; you and I belong to different worlds. It will never work out, Endymion. I have decided that the best course for us is to go our separate ways. It's best for us to just forgive and forget. I am sorry if I have hurt you in anyway…but I don't think you'd care that much by now. (There was another blotch of tear on the paper.)
Sincerely yours,
Serena Roberts
P.S. Please do not be angry with Mina. She is doing what I told her to do.
Endymion felt his soul had died that moment. Grief gripped his heart, and he covered his face with his hands. She was cruel and unreasonable and harsh and merciless, yet he still loved her, and was willing to go through the pain if she would just come back to him.
It was then that Endymion realized something very important: she would never come back to him if he doesn't go after her.
"Yes, I will go after Buns," he whispered to himself in determination and pocketed the two letters very carefully. Then, he turned to Mina, who was cowering at the door. He felt anger rising, but dismissed it. She had asked him to not be angry with the maid, and so he will not be angry with the maid.
"Don't cower, Mina. I forgive you, even if you've played a part in this," Endymion drew a deep breath. "Tell me, Mina, where did she go?"
"S-she didn't say," Mina answered shakily.
"I know she told you," Endymion said fiercely, frightening the maid. "Tell me!"
"S-she wanted…she said she wanted to go home…" Mina swallowed and shrank back.
Endymion tore off without another word toward the stables.
The stableman was more than startled to see Prince Endymion fitting saddles onto his horse, and jumped up to do the work.
"My Lord," the stableman said, bowing his head.
"Have the horse ready in ten minutes' time. I will be back," Endymion ordered the stableman and tore off again, toward his won chamber, to get some money, a map, and a small dark-blue velvet box, encrusted with a ruby, a diamond, a sapphire, and an emerald with a brilliant blue-tinted diamond in the middle, shaped in the design of both a rose and a heart. In the box, there contained something he valued beyond all others, but certainly below his Buns.
Endymion galloped toward the Roberts' farm with all the speed that the horse had. He felt a fire burning within his soul, a fire that controlled and demanded of him.
The men and women and children on the roads saw no more than a blur of him, yet they knew that it was Prince Endymion, for only he had a horse so fast and valiant.
Whispers, again, broke out by the countryside of the Golden Kingdom, and it would reach the Palace before the break of dawn of the next day.
However, Endymion was too busy with dying and loving to care about what was going on in the rest of the world. To him, she was his world. And without her, he could not live. It was that simple; that complicated.
He reached the borders of the farm of the Roberts' at the misty dusk. The leaves, even in the spring, rustled sadly in the breeze, and the prince thought that it sounded more mournful than cheerful.
Irene and Sam were already at the gate when he arrived.
"Where is she?" he asked with hurry.
Irene and Sam glared at him. "That is not within the border of your business, Endymion."
The prince descended his horse and took the reins. "Please. Just a name of a place."
"You have hurt my daughter, Endymion, and you have vowed not to. She will not see you," Irene said severely. "Do not try. Just go away."
"Buns!" he called out desperately in the direction of her room.
"And do not call her that," Sam gnarled. "You will pay dearly for what you did."
Darkness was settling in, replacing the waning dusk. Stars were staring to peep out from the gray-blue sky like the eyes of a shy Princess.
"There is a misunderstanding between us. It is not what you think. It's not what she thinks. I need to explain myself before anything further goes amiss," Endymion said anxiously.
"It's better than Serena has never met you at all," Irene replied, her face stern. "Ever since she'd known you, everything has gone amiss."
Endymion paced the little space in front of the gate, trying to find a way to explain everything while he was dying inside. "She thinks that I'd rather pay for her love. But that's not it. I need her love; that much is true. I will do everything in my power to get it, including money, if it comes down to that. But I would rather have her love me freely, without any boundary or limitation."
"You, a prince, would buy a girl's love?" Sam gnashed.
Endymion looked Sam in the eye. "Yes."
Ken came out at that moment, and to the start of Endymion, he looked ten years older than he had been when the prince was last here. "Vivaldi, my dear," he croaked. "The River Vivaldi. My daughter loves music, and she has told me that she will go there and witness the beauty of that river. She departed two nights ago, but perhaps your resolve will draw you closer to her quicker than need be."
Endymion was at a loss of words. Irene and Sam were surprised, and plainly stared at the man. "Thank you, sir," the prince whispered. "You don't know how much that means to me." He bowed deeply before the man before mounting his horse and dashing off away.
Vivaldi. The River Vivaldi.
Serena pressed her hot face to her pillow and wept painfully. She had never imagined that leaving him would be this painful, this impossible. It felt as though she was tearing her soul and body apart, and she agonized and struggled helplessly, aching for his love, for his comfort, for his touch.
She had regretted many times now of writing those letters and leaving him, but she always came back to the conclusion that she loved him more than she loved herself, and that because of the fact that she loved him, she was willing to go through this pain and do what was best for him – but not for she herself.
A nightingale was singing outside of her room in the inn, and the song was slow and sad, more poignant than a serenade and even a chorale. Serena curled up like a kitten, and drew the blanket closer. It seemed as though she could not get warm ever since she'd left him, no matter how thickly she wore.
She was exhausted, yet she could not go to sleep, and feared sleep. Because in her dreams, he would come and haunt and taunt her, teasing her, kissing her, and everything that she wished for. And the loss at her heart when she woke up was more than she could handle.
Dawn came slow and gray over the inn, and Serena dressed and washed before going down to the lobby and paying for her night. The innkeeper smiled and bid her farewell affectionately, saying that she would be welcome any time she was to come. Serena thanked the innkeeper and stepped down the empty streets, making her way toward the ferry.
But she changed her mind and turned to the east, where she had come from, and headed toward a deserted plain. She would walk about for the day and set off the ferry to the western bank before dusk. She had seen Vivaldi in daylight, and now, she wanted to witness its beauty in the darkness, as well.
Her mind lingered traitorously on him, and every step became a labor to her, until at last, she could not and would not bear it anymore. Throwing down her pack, she fell to her knees in the grass, and panted wildly.
There was a noise nearby…it was the neigh of a horse… But she couldn't register that sound, for her head was swimming and her body felt on fire like her soul.
She was turned by the shoulders roughly, and lips crushed against hers. She knew who he was. Her eyes widened in surprise, and a question formed itself uselessly in her mind: How had he found her? Honey and love was pouring down on her, and she wanted nothing else than to just melt into his strong arms and kiss him back…but she couldn't. She tried to push him away, but her attempts were vain.
After some time, he lifted his lips from hers and drank in her features with hungry eyes. He had not seen her in many days, and his soul had been dying. Now…and now, he didn't think he could stop himself from tying her up and save her for only himself…
"Endy," she whispered shakily, eyes wide with disbelief.
Endymion kissed her again, rough and forceful. He could not have enough of her – he needed more, always… Serena kissed him back feverishly, tangling her hand now in his coat, now in his collar, now his hair, now touching his face… She broke out laughing and crying at the same time, and drooped in his arms, sobbing.
Endymion caressed her sweetly, not saying a word, for words were too small, too insignificant.
He took her hand and mounted his steed, and then he lifted her into his arms, the pack slung across his shoulders. Serena felt that she had to say something, for she felt that binding of souls that all couple sought between them. It was powerful, and she knew that there wasn't a need for words. Yet words seemed like the only way to tell him that she loved him.
But his arms kept her from looking up, and she gave in to his loving embrace.
The innkeeper stared as a tired Prince Endymion came in with a sad lady. The lady was the one that he particularly enjoyed! Was she having troubles?
"I am fine, Mister," Serena said with a small smile, and she risked a look into Endymion's eyes. They were intently focused on her, and she looked away quickly.
The innkeeper led them toward their room, suspicion growing in his heart. What was going on here? Prince Endymion with Lady Serena?
"Thank you, Mister," Endymion said as Serena entered the chamber. "Will you have the breakfast and tea ready when I pull the bell?"
"Yes, of course, Your Highness," the innkeeper bowed.
"Very well. Thank you, sir." Endymion said and turned, and the innkeeper bowed as the prince closed the door.
Serena was blinking at him in wonder. He smiled slightly at her, and walked in confidently strides, bringing her into his arms. Without a word, he bent to kiss her again.
She looked into his eyes with a smile. "How did you find me?"
"I read your letters last morning," Endymion replied, stroking her cheek. "I went by the fastest horse possible to your house, where Mina said that you'd mentioned you wanted to go. Your father told me that you came to Vivaldi, so I followed. The innkeeper told me at my inquest that you left early this morning. So I followed you. I went to the ferry first, but no one has seen you, so I went back along the road. Then I saw the woods and plain in the distance, and knew that you'd made for it – you love grass and trees and nature."
He kissed her again, and she gave in to their love – it was too powerful to not listen to.
"I didn't want to buy your love, Buns," he began to explain. "I want your love freely given and freely received. Our love is pure, and I don't want to taint it with anything else. Yet I'm willing to pay for it if you'd have it no other way. I can't live without your love."
Serena smiled. "I know."
He looked at her, startled.
"I knew from the beginning. But I thought that we didn't belong together…we come from different worlds…but if you've found me and made me submit to your will, then we're destined to be together," she smiled again and reached up, smoothing back the lock of hair that had fallen over his forehead.
He laughed joyfully and embraced her tightly. "You have no idea how happy you've made me, Bunny. I love you."
"I love you too," she raised her head to receive his kiss.
"I'm hungry. I haven't eaten since yesterday morning. Are you?" Endymion kissed her forehead, caressing her sweetly.
"I am. I haven't had the stomach to eat anything since I left…well, the Palace. Let's get some food," she rubbed her cheek against his shoulder, and sighed contentedly.
He kissed her forehead, standing up. "Would you care to ring the bell? I'm afraid I'll have to wash up. I feel like the earth."
She smiled and kissed him, and left without another word toward the sitting room.
"It really hurt," Serena whispered to him in the dark.
Endymion kissed her face, smiling. "I'm sorry."
"No, not that cup of herbs," she lifted herself onto her elbows, looking down upon him in the moonlight and starlight. "I meant when I was trying to leave you…it really hurt. But…but I think it was necessary, because I realized something very important. How about you?"
"Same here."
"I think you know how it felt…" she trailed off, her eyes faraway and misty. "Do you know what happened when…when we were coming back, on your horse?"
Endymion shook his head. "I don't. But I think it's the binding of souls between lovers. Somehow, I'm wondering if we're the first to ever have loved each other enough to do that."
"Hmm." She nestled close to him.
"Bunny?"
"Yes?"
"Care to go out for a night stroll?" he whispered seductively at her ear, and she giggled.
"You didn't have to ask, you know."
In Endymion's eyes, his Princess was beautiful. Her golden hair was down, and the moon and stars shone on it with a soft longing. Even in her silver cloak, he could still see her curves and graceful moves. A smile appeared on his face.
"Endy," she said softly in the night, her eyes shining brilliantly.
He reached out and spun her in circles before him. "You are very beautiful." He brought her into his embrace, and they danced to an unknown and unheard music, a haunting tune.
Her laugh was like the tingle of many bells, and he fell deeper. "Bunny," he kissed her forehead.
She smiled up to him, her eyes glazed and ecstatic, and he knew that she was waiting.
"Marry me, Buns."
There was a moment of silence, without any birds singing, without the haunting music, without dancing, without thoughts.
Then, Serena smiled. "How did you know?"
Tune in for the next chapter and please, feedbacks.
Crystal Selena