Chapter Fifteen
Serena rejoined Diamond the second she was satisfied that her appearance was acceptable but her appearance was never acceptable to bystanders who watched her as she walked by, instead it was simply amazing. Everyone within the kingdom and Solar System agreed that the Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom was the most exquisite creature to every grace their millennium. She was perfect in every way and everyone agreed that Diamond was a lucky man as he was married to this breathtakingly stunning and kind creature. Serena smiled then as Diamond watched her protectively under his soft but firm gaze and he admired her greatly as she looked like her usual shimmering self. He smiled at Serena then as she took his arm and kissed her lovingly on the lips.
"You alright, now?" he asked looking concerned after they had finished their kiss.
Serena nodded her head elegantly and her hair nodded along with her. Diamond admired the unique way in which her hair bounced as she moved her head and his smile broadened slightly. A smile graced her beautiful features then as she looked meaningfully at Diamond with their hands held together and their gaze never leaving the other. Serena glanced over at Diamond and took in his impeccable style. He was wearing a plain white shirt with black fitted trousers and matching boots. She then raised a delicate hand and passed it through his lovely pale hair. Diamond groaned a little at Serena's sweet touch and then he planted a passion kiss upon her lips as she finished. Diamond placed his arms around her then and brought her sweet lithe body closer to his. He smelt her sweet scent and then released his lips from hers. He looked at her gorgeous features as he finished the kiss and began smoothing her face with his expert fingers. However, he broke the spell that they were both under then as he spoke and he noted a look of disappointment in his wife's eyes as he did.
"I'm sorry, darling," he said apolitically as he looked at his beautiful wife, "as much as I wish to continue, we must go to the ball."
Serena nodded her head and then she gripped onto Diamond's arm tighter afraid that for some reason he might leave her. However, he then escorted her all the way down to the ballroom and they settled quietly into the small room in which people waited before they were announced to the crowd that gathered at the parties held at the palace. Diamond then released his hold on Serena's arm and walked over to a table that had a beautifully decorated dark green waistcoat on it. The waistcoat was expertly crafted in dark green satin encrusted with beautiful Jupitian emeralds and exquisite Moon diamonds. Diamond traced the outline of the waistcoat slowly with his royal finger and then pulled the fine waistcoat on over his clean white shirt. Serena gasped as she saw the waistcoat and she walked over to Diamond as her eyes stayed fixed on the waistcoat. Diamond watched as Serena approached him and placed her fingers on the delicate fabric of the waistcoat. She traced the outline of the waistcoat and then she looked up at Diamond. He was watching her intently as she gazed emotionally at the waistcoat and then he picked up her face with his hands so he could look at her amazing features. He smiled at her as she returned it and then kissed her briefly.
"You want to do up the buttons for me?" Diamond asked as he gazed into Serena's sparkling blue eyes.
Serena looked away from Diamond as she slowly nodded her head and then gradually began buttoning up the satin buttons of the green waistcoat. She buttoned them expertly as if she had done it many times before and he noticed stray tears lingering in her eyes as she completed her task. She finished her task then and elegantly smoothed down the fabric of the waistcoat. She rested her hands on Diamond's chest then and felt the familiar material of the waistcoat as more tears began springing to Serena's eyes.
"Are you okay?" Diamond asked looking worriedly at his wife.
"Just familiar memories," Serena replied sentimentally as she elegantly wiped away her free tears.
Diamond smiled at his young golden-haired wife and Serena returned his wonderful smile.
"I love you, Serenity," Diamond stated as he continued to watch Serena, "and as your husband, if there is anything bothering you, I would want you to tell me, okay. I hate to see you upset and I would like to relieve some of that strain, if I may."
Serena looked at her handsome dotting husband and the tears began to flow a bit more freely this time. Diamond looked concerned and then he pulled Serena into his strong embrace. They stayed like that for a while with Diamond holding Serena within his arms, when Geoffrey, the official royal announcer of the palace, disturbed their intimate moment. He blushed slightly as he looked at the intimacy of the newly wedded royal couple and he turned away from them looking highly embarrassed. Serena and Diamond noticed Geoffrey then and they both left the warmth of their embrace. Both Serena and Diamond turned to face Geoffrey looking like the regal superior rulers they would someday become. Serena looked beautiful and composed as Diamond looked striking and powerful and Geoffrey bowed respectfully to the youthful royalty before him.
"Your highnesses," Geoffrey began politely as he kept his body low to the floor, "it is time that your presence was shown in the Regal Ballroom."
Diamond nodded his response and then gestured to Geoffrey that he could leave their presence. Geoffrey upped and left then and made his way to the ballroom so that he could announce Serena and Diamond's arrival. However, as Geoffrey left, Diamond turned to Serena and gave her his most comforting smile. He kissed her briefly on the forehead then and held her arm protectively in his. He escorted Serena to the entrance of the ballroom and they both entered, when Geoffrey announced them. There was an uproar of applause as usual for the royal couple and Serena beamed her most brilliant smile for her subjects. Everyone gazed intently at the striking pair that descended the regal staircase as they entered the room and both men and women alike wished that they could be either the enchanting Lunarian Prince or Princess. However, they eventually finished their descend then and as accustomed and traditional, Serena and Diamond engaged in their first dance of the evening. As usual, their movements were exquisite and Diamond guided Serena skilfully. They danced for another two and then Queen Serenity wished to make an announcement. She ushered for her daughter and Diamond to join her by the ornamental thrones and already situated near the lovely queen was Bowen and Elena, Diamond's parents looking as subdued but contented as usual, Diamond's siblings, Lucas and Celeste and also Serena's court and their escorts for the evening. Everyone was dressed in extreme finery and Serena quickly caught Xavier's gaze for a second as they reached Queen Serenity and her company. He smiled lovingly at her and Serena returned it. However, she turned away from Xavier's gaze and turned to face her noble subjects with Diamond at her side. They both looked extremely happy and content to be with each other and then Queen Serenity rose from her throne and spoke to the large gathering at the party.
"My lords, ladies and gentlemen," Queen Serenity's gentle but perfect voice began, "nearly two weeks ago, we accepted the Neptunian Royalty and court into the Lunarian family and gave to them our most precious treasure, our beloved Moon Princess, Serenity."
Serena blushed at the choice of her mother's words but she felt Diamond squeeze her hand supportively and she drew comfort from that feeling. However, Queen Serenity's voice continued to echo through the grand hall and state the purpose of her announcement.
"However, my wonderful subjects, with the arrangement between Neptune and the Moon Kingdom complete, the Silver Millennium's unrest can sleep peacefully once more," Queen Serenity smiled to herself uniquely as she thought of how courageous her beloved Serena was by giving up her freedom to marry for the sake of the millennium, "but now our treasured princess must leave our shores for a total of three moon cycles to engage in activities in the kingdom of Neptune and be presented there as a princess of their realm. But as Neptune already has a Crown Prince and a Princess succeeding their throne, Princess Serenity and Prince Diamond will take up residence in the Moon Crystal Palace, once their stay in Neptune is complete and once their time comes, also take upon the duties of rulers of this kingdom and this millennium."
Serenity smiled warmly as she quickly glanced at her daughter and the look of sheer happiness that was clearly shown on her gleaming face. Serenity was deeply amazed at the affection that had bloomed between Diamond and Serena that had eventually grown into love. Serenity thought of her own beloved husband then who had been taken so tragically and brutally from her that she never wished the same to happen to her children. However, Serenity stopped her thoughts then and returned to her announcement.
"We will miss the Prince and Princess, most dearly," Queen Serenity continued, "and we wish both of them, the Neptunian Royalty and the Princess Serenity's court a safe journey to Neptune and we thank Neptune also for coming and participating in the festivities that will surely strengthen the relationship between the Moon Kingdom and Neptune."
There was a large roar of applause then as Queen Serenity finished her speech and then Bowen took over from Serenity.
"Thank you, Queen Serenity," Bowen began as he started his speech, "firstly, Neptune would most graciously like to thank the Moon Kingdom for their hospitality throughout the entire arrangement and rest assured Queen Serenity, that your daughter and son-in-law shall return to you once their stay is complete. We would also like to thank the Moon Kingdom for selecting Neptune as its second in command of the Silver Millennium and we greatly anticipate our next meeting, that shall hopefully be based on happy occasions such as these."
There was another roar of applause then as Serenity rose for a second time after Bowen and announced that the ball could proceed as normal. The music started up again on Serenity's command as quite a number of couples walked onto the dance floor and danced to the delicious melody. The girls from Serena's court also graced the dance floor with their partners, Mina with Xavier, Aimee with Dominic, Lita with Lucas and Raye with someone who looked remarkably like Mark. Serena looked again as she returned her gaze to Raye who looked nothing but beautiful in an exotic red dress that was uniquely cut into quite a provocative style with her long dark raven hair pulled back into a small put stylish bun as the rest of her hair hung down her bare back. She had a look of sheer happiness upon her face, which Serena had not seen since she was with her previous lover and with the death of that lover, had caused Raye and Serena both extreme pain. Raye's previous lover was a very handsome young man indeed with the name of James and he had been the Crown Prince of the Lunarian Kingdom. James had been nearly seventeen when he died and everyone throughout the kingdom mourned his death as they had for his father nearly fifteen years before. James had been conceived out of wedlock and was born into the Lunarian Royal family with open arms, as Queen Serenity had been the only heir to the Moon throne.
However, James' father's name was Lord Theodore Drayvent and he had been the most handsome young lord in the kingdom. Every eligible young noble women in the kingdom dreamed of becoming his wife and Theodore was never short of female admirers. However, Theodore's affections and eyes were only placed on one woman and that had been the beautiful Princess Serenity. Theodore had instantly fallen in love with her, the moment he had seen her, which was at her debutance ball. She had looked extremely beautiful and serene with her long silver hair in its traditional bun style and her grey-blue eyes sparkled with everything that she saw. She had been wearing a pale blue gown that complemented her figure flawlessly and greatly matched her hair and her eyes. However, Serenity had been very confident that night and had danced with many suitors whom her parents thought were suitable. However, once Serenity agreed to dance with Lord Theodore, her whole world was completely changed. She was instantly captivated by him and she greatly admired his thick golden locks and mesmerising blue eyes. He had a well-toned body, which Serenity felt underneath the rich clothing that he wore and her heart fluttered madly as he dared to pull her closer. Both Serenity and Theodore had fallen in love at that moment with each other and from that day forth they never left each other's side. However, Theodore and Serenity had been courting publicly for almost a year, until they dared to become intimate with each other and almost instantly from then, Serenity became pregnant with James. Serenity's parents were furious, when they found out news that their soul heir was pregnant with an illegitimate child and they urged Serenity and Theodore to marry.
However, Serenity was never pressured easily and when James was born, both she and Theodore were still not wed. James had been a beautiful baby with a thick clump of dark raven hair and creamy brown eyes that could melt any soul. He was a very happy baby and he was the light of both Theodore and Serenity's life. Eventually, however, the pressure from Serenity's parents became too much and she and Theodore wed, when James was just over one year old and when James was eighteen months old, Serenity became pregnant for a second time. This time both Serenity and Theodore wanted a girl and they both agreed that if it was then they would name her Serenity, which was the traditional name for direct female royalty on the Moon Kingdom. However, tragedy struck Serenity within three months of each other as she lost both her parents within three weeks of each other and after she and Theodore had been crowned, Theodore had been killed in a fierce battle that had waged for days. Serenity had been heartbroken and four months after Theodore's death, she gave birth to their baby daughter whom she named Serenity.
However, as the years wore on and James and Serena grew into beautiful and talented young people, tragedy was about to strike the family again. Serena, who was only fourteen at the time and who was quite a beauty for her age, was the subject of a proposed violent kidnapping. Serena had been alone in one of the training grounds, perfecting some skills that her brother had taught her, when from out of no-where; a masked man appeared draped in darkness and snatched Serenity into his strong embrace. He scooped up the petite blonde and was about to make his escape, when James appeared with his sword ready to battle with his sister's kidnapper. James and the kidnapper had battled as fiercely as James dared as the kidnapper still clutched his frightened sister within his grasp and James did not want to harm her but then the kidnapper struck a deadly blow and pierced James' skin with his blade. He sunk it deep into James' flesh and was about to make his escape again with Serena, when the entire palace guard arrived and tackled the kidnapper immediately. They quickly swiped the frightened princess from the kidnapper's grasp and killed him instantly. Serena was held then in the arms of a strong palace guard and then she noticed her brother's body lying on the floor, bleeding and looking so broken. Serena rushed to his side screaming and crying and then she stared into her brother's creamy brown eyes.
"I'm sorry, Serena," he whispered painfully as he looked at his beautiful but crying sister, "I'm sorry, I couldn't protect you."
"Shhh," Serena whispered as she smoothed his thick dark hair, "I'm sorry I got you in this mess."
Both Serena and James chuckled slightly then as tears continued to fall from Serena's sparkling blue eyes.
"Tell… tell Raye that I'm sorry and I love her."
Serena nodded at her brother's request as the tears continued to fall and she began smoothing his soft cheek with her delicate fingers.
"And, Serena?"
"Yes."
"I love you too and look after yourself."
"I will and I love you also, James," Serena whispered as James looked satisfied but then he breathed his last breath and left this world for the next.