PhantasyDreamer: Hey, I'm back. Been a long time since my last update and I'm real sorry. You guys should know that my computer did break down and it took me a while to get it fixed. Anyway, hope you guys like this chapter and don't worry, I will try and update more quickly as long as I don't have too much school work. Before I forget, I don't own Salior Moon only my one of a kind characters. Chao!

The Forgotten Princess

Chapter 8: The Plan

Last time: On The Forgotten Princess

Men with trumpets played in the hallway as the princess walked from her carriage and headed slowly up the stairs. Darien stood anxiously at the end of the hallway waiting to see her face. He imagined to himself that it was Serena who was coming up the stairs but he quickly dismissed that thought. "Well, here goes nothing," he whispered slowly.

"PRESENTING!" a short man made is way in front as he spread a red carpet onto the floor. "HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS TRISTA MAYLO!"

The story continues...

The princess walked up towards the end of the hall, all eyes glaring at her. She had long black hair with green highlights that stretched to her knees and part of it was held in a small donut. She wore a lilac floor length short sleeve dress with white petal designs on the skirt area. She also wore white gloves that came up to her elbows. Her reddish brown eyes shone with excitement as she entered closer towards the prince.

Behind her stood an elderly woman who was her mother. She had dark brown hair that reached her mid back; it was pin up with each piece of her hair overlapping the other while few fell down the sides of her face. She wore a black long sleeve dress that touched her ankle with white pearls on her neck and wrists.

"Your highness, Prince Darien it's a pleasure to finally meet you," Trista smiled bowing while stretching out her hand towards his.

He held her hand and kissed it then replied, "The pleasure is all mine,"

He wore a white long sleeve shirt and black pants. Selena watched cautiously at the two figures in front of her, she couldn't help but feel a little inch of Jealousy. Looking at the way the Prince acted so nicely towards the Princess made her feel sad. Darien sighed trying not to show how nervous he was. I mean he was getting married to this girl and he knew nothing about her. Good thing he had a plan.

The servants led her to the room that they had prepared for her. Selena followed the prince as he went into the garden while the king and queen went to speak to the princess's mother.

"Your highness is everything alright?" Selena asked watching the prince sit on a large bench.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he smirked looking at the small fountain in front of him, "You know if I said I wasn't the least bit nervous when I saw Princess Trista, I would be lying,"

Selena chuckled a little at the Princes' honesty. She stood looking at the foundation that was located in front of him while he gazed at the sky. The garden was filled with red fresh roses; almost everywhere Selena turned she saw roses. It was a sight to observe. She turned her attention back to him and asked, "Your highness, if it is okay with you, could you tell me a little something about Princess Serena?"

She asked a little nervous, wondering if he would answer and not think she was peering into his life. After all he was the prince and the little a servant knew about their master the better. He looked at her wondering why she cared so much about his best friend but he ignored the thought as he decided to just tell her.

"Well, where to start?" he asked rubbing his hand through his black hair, "Well, she was my best friend and future wife to be. She was a very energetic person and someone you would like to be around. Selena you sometimes remind me of her, but not because of the way you look but because you have the exact same blue exciting eyes that she had."

"Oh," she replied touching her cheek that was red from blushing, "so what happened to her?"

"She fell over tragically in a waterfall and went missing for days, we just assumed that she was dead because we couldn't find her body," the prince became grim as memories flooded his head.

"Oh, my" Selena replied crossing her arms around her stomach.

Darien got up and turned to Selena who had a terrible look on her face. "It was my fault for letting her fall, but I know I tried," he smiled weakly trying to brighten up his mood, "I know now not blame myself for what happened"

Selena looked at the prince as if she knew exactly what happened and as if she was right there. Images flood through her mind as she saw water and strong currents, pulling a girl down. She saw the girl fight the currents but failed as she fell over the cliff. She stood still as her vision became blurry and she felt dizzy. Her once crystal blue eyes were now turning gray as she closed her eyes while the earth started to spin around her. Slowly she staggered forward as she fell towards the floor.

Luckily for her the prince saw her strange behavior and caught her before she hit the grassy ground.

"Selena! Selena, wake up!" he shouted but there was no response. He brushed his hand across her face moving three strands of her neck length blond hair out of her face.

Her face had instantly turned pale as a peach. He quickly grabbed her in his arms trying not to injure his arm again and hurried inside of the palace with her.

ONE HOUR LATER

Selena slowly opened her eyes to see that she was in her room. The sun lit up the room brightly. She looked at herself to see a cream blanket covering her towards her chest. Sitting up she turned to her left to see Prince Darien sitting in a chair while leaning on the left side of her bed sheet, asleep.

'Was this a Dream?' she thought asking herself, the Prince was really worried about her that he waited to see if she was alright.

"Prince Darien," she whispered lightly hitting his cheek.

He woke up and grabbed her wrist immediately asking her if she was alright. He looked at her with deep concerned eyes.

"I'm fine," she smiled, "but why are you here?"

"Well, after you fainted I had my doctors check you out to make sure you were okay, and they said that you just needed some rest since you were a little stressed," he explained rubbing his eyes, "so I decided to wait until you woke up, even though it took an hour,"

He chuckle making Selena laugh a little, she felt a lot better but she couldn't understand why she fainted and what happened when she saw visions of a young girl. She smiled more and wondered why she kept feeling like she knew a lot more about the prince even though she had just met him.

"Your highness, why aren't you with the princess?" she asked skeptically rubbing the back of her head.

"I'm not allowed to meet with her yet, not until my parents have finished discussing the terms of our courtship." He replied looking at her seriously.

"Okay," she replied gloomy playing with her hair.

"So do you think you're up to go visiting your parents today?" he asked seeing that her face had instantly brightened up.

"You mean?" she asked unsure.

"Yes," he replied sitting up in his chair.

"Thank you, your highness!" she screamed as she lunge a big hug at him.

Prince Darien blushed deeply as he remembered when he had a huge hug like that from his best friend. Smirking he returned the hug and she immediately let go when she realized what she was doing. Selena explained to him that she would like it if her friends could come along with her and he instantly agreed.

"But you must be home before sun down," he warned getting out of the chair.

"Thank you," she smiled as he left.

Darien closed the door behind him and sighed, the more he tried to forget about Serena. The more Selena made him remember. He walked slowly to the conference room where his parents were speaking with Queen Olivia.

IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM

"So what you're saying to me is that Prince Darien wants to date my daughter for a year?" Queen Olivia asked astonished by what they were thinking.

"Yes, he does," Queen Adena replied sweetly.

"I can't see the possibility of that," the brown hair lady replied grimly.

"Why not?" King Rudolph questioned a little agitated, "I mean these are my son's wishes,"

"You see, it is customary in our kingdom for a couple to date for 1 month and then they would arrange for marriage,"

"Well, our son has request one year and if not he refuses to marry the princess." Queen Adena replied sternly.

Queen Olivia thought about it for a moment. She really wanted her daughter to marry Prince Darien and if he did not, things would not go the way she wanted them to. She had no choice so she did the impossible.

"Okay, I guess I would have to agree with the arrangement, but just one year and no longer," she smiled putting up her index finger to really warn them, "and then the marriage will commence. Agreed?"

"Agreed!" they all replied simultaneously.

OUTSIDE THE PALACE

"I can't believe the prince allowed you to visit your parents today," Lita sighed getting onto a light brown horse, "and he's even nice enough to let us come along,"

The girls were out of their regular maid outfits and wore a jeans pant with a t-shirt.

"Yeah," Raye smiled at Selena, "Selena do you think that the prince might have a soft spot for you?"

Selena stood still looking at the horse in front of her. She was gazing off into the space thinking about the prince. She kept wondering why she felt as if she was a princess, as if this life of living in a palace was one that she was accustomed to, one of fancy dances and thrilling adventure. She smiled as she imagined herself being married to Prince Darien. Wearing a perfect wedding gown, pretty flowers, grand hairstyle and all other things she could deal with.

"Selena…can you hear me?" Raye asked seeing the goofy look on her face.

"SELENA!" Lita yelled.

"Huh, what?" she asked as if just getting back to reality.

"Forget it," Raye replied getting onto her horse.

They all exited the palace gates and headed deeper into the woods. They kept riding until they came to Selena's house. Selena was still puzzled by what the girls were saying but she just ignored it. When they arrived on the grounds she got off her horse and walked up to her cottage home.

"Mom!" she yelled walking slowly with her friends behind her.

"Selena you came back!" her mother asked running up towards her, "and you cut your hair,"

"Yeah, I was required to," she smiled back.

Hugging her mother tightly she sighed. Her mother was so overjoyed that she led them back to their home immediately.

"Ken! Selena's home!" she yelled opening the door wide while pulling her daughter inside.

The house was small and brilliantly clean. Raye and Lita entered it slowly. Sammy was not home since he was going to the school that was provided for the children of the town. Selena smiled as her father entered the house coming from the yard.

"Selena you're back so soon," he replied sitting by the kitchen table, "has the prince let you go?"

"No," she smiled as she hugged him, "he gave me the opportunity to visit my family and I brought along some friends," she stated pointing to Raye and Lita, "Mom, Dad, this is Raye and Lita, they're also servants at the palace."

"Nice to me you two," Lita and Raye replied simultaneously.

Selena's parents greeted the 2 girls warmly into their home. Ilene made some tea and served it to the girls. They all sat around the table.

"So how do you like living in the palace?" Ilene asked brightly sitting down.

"It's so great Mom, I feel like a real princess and the prince and I are real friends," she smiled brightly, "But he always talks about some princess,"

She sighed deeply.

"What's her name?" her father asked skeptically.

"Well, he says her name is Princess Serena," Selena replied with a small smile.

Her father looked at her like he was in a state of shock.

'Princess Serena?' he thought looking grimly at them, 'but I thought she was gone?'

"Dear are you all right?" Ilene asked her husband who stared off into space.

BACK AT THE PALACE

It was now late in the afternoon and Selena had not arrived back home as of yet. Prince Darien was furious that she was not here. He kept grumbling silently to himself as the palace guards stared him curiously. He really didn't care what they thought. All that was bothering him was why his maid had not returned as of yet.

He had managed to stay clear of his parents for the while since the arrival of the princess. He knew he had a decision to make and had to do it soon. He smirk a little as he remembered Selena's fainting incident earlier today. Oh how he wished she was his princess which would make it so easy for him to get married. He was standing on the small balcony staring at the rose garden.

'Where are you Selena?' he asked himself sighing loudly.

He didn't realize Andrew coming up behind him. He hadn't spoken to him since early this morning after arriving to the palace. So he was surprised to see him standing there.

"Andrew," Darien replied softly while turning around.

"I just came to tell you that I'm leaving tomorrow," he started slowly, "I have to return home to my parents, something has come up with my family, it's kind of an emergency."

"Understood," Darien stated deep in thought still gazing at the scenery.

He became silent once again as Andrew stood there wondering what was going on in his best friend's head. He let out a deep sigh.

"You really like her don't you?" Andrew asked teasing him.

"Yeah, I do but I…" he replied getting caught off guard, "Wait, who are we talking about?"

"Selena, you can't fool me," Andrew smirked getting ready to leave, "just remember you have to marry the princess and I'll see you in two weeks."

Darien smiled a little as Andrew drifted out of sight. Andrew sure knew how to get him to speak the truth about something that was bothering him. Darien knew that dinner would be served soon so he waited outside a little longer. He breathe in deeply as he heard his mother raving inside about her personal maid, Raye. She was screaming loudly and looking for her son. Darien stood outside waiting for his mother to find him because he knew that she would be very enraged with him.

"Darien!" she yelled finally finding him on the balcony.

"Mother," he replied miserably without looking behind him.

"Darien, have you seen my maid, Raye, I can't seem to find her anywhere?" she started looking at her son who seemed to be dreaming again, "Darien are you listening to me? Besides where is your maid?"

She wore a light purple long sleeve v-neck wrap dress. The wrap went around her waist and the remainder of the dress flew down to her ankles. He remained silent for a while. Then finally he answered getting ready to take the insults from his mother.

"She went home,"

"WHAT!" his mother screamed at him, "How dare you Darien Shields, send her home without my permission?"

"I-I just-"

"Darien, I know you have a soft spot for your maid but you got to stop treating her like your friend and not as your servant," she stated staring him seriously while touching his face.

"You're right mother," he smiled touching her shoulder and looking down at her, "I will do that as soon as she returns from her home,"

"Good, now come on dinner is ready," she replied heading back inside to the dinning room.

He followed quickly behind her. Darien and his parents sat down waiting for the princess to enter the dinning room. King Rudolph and Queen Adena sat down next to each other. While Darien sat beside his mother. He wore the same suit he was wearing since the morning. A guard stood up and came into the room.

"Now entering, Her Royal Highness Princess Trista Maylo!" the guard yelled as she walked into the room.

Darien smiled a little, she was very pretty but still his thought moved towards Selena.

'Why can't I stop thinking about her?' he questioned himself.

His parents and him stood up as she entered the room with her mother trailing behind. The butler came up to her and pulled out her chair, and as she sat the others sat as well. Dinner started out pretty well as they all devoured their meal that the other cook had prepared since Lita was not there. The room was incredibly silent as they ate no one was speaking not even his father or mother.

"So Darien do you like swimming?" Queen Olivia asked Darien trying to start conversation.

"Um…yes, yes I do," he replied putting his fork down.

"Wow, that's nice, Trista does too, she goes swimming every day back home," she smiled making Trista blush.

She was silent not knowing what to say. Darien gave her a daring smile and she smiled back. Rudolph, Adena and Olivia talked away while the prince and princess remained silence. King Rudolph, after a couple of minutes realized what was going on and decided that the two should spend some time together to get to know each other better.

"Uh...um…" he started scratching his throat and raising his glass, "My dear Adena and Queen Olivia, I think these two would like to spend some time alone together."

"Would you two excuse us," Queen Adena replied winking at her son.

After they were gone Darien and Trista just sat there quietly. Darien thought it was best to try and at least talk to her. After all like Andrew said he really should give the girl a chance.

"So…um… why do you wish to marry me?" he asked blurting out the question randomly.

She looked at him as if surprised.

'Of all the questions to ask,' she thought.

"Well, I want to do what's best for my kingdom," she smiled putting one hand under her chin, "and besides I think you would make a fine companion,"

Darien looked at her, she was really nice and pretty but he didn't want to be with someone for companionship. He wanted to marry for love. He smirked as he realized that as a prince he never really got what he wanted.

"Do you know that once we get married, we will be living here, right?" he asked still sitting down.

"No, I was told that we would move to my kingdom where I would serve as Queen," Trista replied a little shocked by what she was hearing, "so that we could help prevent the war that is about to take place,"

Darien stood up from the dinner table a little frustrated. He walked to the end of the table where his father sat. Not only was this too much for him to deal with at this time. But he couldn't think straight since his mind was on when his maid would return. What made matters worse was that his parents had forced him to spend time with her and they were already having disagreements.

"Prince Darien are you okay?" she asked getting up while looking at his frustrated face.

"I'm fine, I just can't deal with this right now," he sighed as she got up from her seat, "Enjoy the rest of your evening princess, I'll be in my room."

He replied sternly leaving the dinning room and heading up to his bedroom. Trista stood in her position as she watched him disappear.

'I hope I didn't make him angry,' she thought sadly sitting down.

AT SELENA'S HOUSE

Sammy had arrived back home and Selena, Raye and Lita continued to enjoy themselves in Selena's household although Sammy couldn't help annoying Selena. Selena had forgotten all about her promise to return to the palace on time. Her father, Ken however, had left the room for a couple of hours after hearing about Princess Serena. He wondered if this had happened just to haunt him or eat away at his conscious.

'Why me?' he thought sitting outside on a fence while looking at his crops he was growing.

"Ken, are you alright?" Ilene asked breaking him out of his thoughts, "you really scared Selena back there when she was talking about the princess,"

He turned to her and smiled.

"I'm fine, just deep in thought," he smiled as his dark blue hair wife.

"Great," she smiled kissing him on the cheek, "Selena and her friends are going to sleep now, and I'm heading up too,"

"I'll be in a minute," he smiled back at her.

'I won't let them take Selena away from me,' he sighed getting up.

After a few minutes he went into the house, sneaking into his bedroom as he pulled out a medium-sized brown box which held most of his valued possession. He carried it out into the kitchen and pulled out 2 small necklaces. One was a regular gold necklace and the other had a medium sized circle pendant. He blew off some dirt off of it and turned it around.

"The Silver Imperial necklace," he whispered looking at the red and pink design embodied on the pendant and also at the crescent moon on the side of it.

At the corner of the pendant the word, 'Moon Kingdom' was imprinted in small print.

"I can't let anyone know about this," he whispered solemnly.

'Selena, they won't take you away from me, even if you are a real princess,' he smiled grimly clutching the necklace deep in his hand.

He sighed as he put it back into the box getting ready to head back in his room. He left the regular necklace on the table still gazing at it.

"Dad what are you doing and what's with the necklace?" Sammy asked scaring him as he gasped.

"I-I-…" he started looking at his son with fear.

Well, at last I've finished this chapter. Please tell me what you think. And I'm real sorry for the late update; the next chapter will be out as soon as I get to finish it. I hope this chapter make up for it. Well, chao!

PhantasyDreamer