PhantasyDreamer: I'm back again at last! Sorry for the late update. But I had some major problems with my computer as I said before in my profile. So it caused me to have major setback on my stories. And yes 2 months is a long time. Anyway, I would like to thank you all for all the reviews I enjoyed reading all of them and I'm glad that you like that chapter, it was my favorite too. I went over to 12 pages this time but I think you guys deserve it because of the delay. Well, I don't own Sailor Moon even though it's nice to dream. So on with the story and enjoy!
The Forgotten Princess
Chapter 10: A special guest
Last time: On The Forgotten Princess
'Why do I care if he likes her?' she thought covering her eyes with her hands that let loose tears freely, 'I just feel like Darien and I are suppose to be together,' She kept running and tripped over a large shrub that lay on the grassy ground in front of the palace. She fell hard on the concrete where the carriages would ride frequently across to enter the palace grounds. She knelt down wiping away the long trails of tears that had stained her face. 'I wish I never came to this palace,' she thought grimly, 'it has only caused me grief,' She stood in her kneeling position as she heard a rumbling sound.
'Rumble?' she thought looking up to see a carriage coming full speed in her direction, 'Oh, no!"
The story continues...
Selena stood on her feet as she ushered herself to move. She looked down at her foot to see that it was still stuck right under the shrub.
"Help!" she screamed struggling to pull her foot out of her shoes as the carriage progressed closer towards her body.
Violent wind pushed her blond short hair in her face making it almost impossible to see the up coming carriage. A small lump developed in her throat as she pulled desperately at her old brown shoes, trying to loosen out the laces that were tied tightly. To no avail, the laces were tied so tightly that it was hard to loose them out. She looked up to see the carriage still moving swiftly towards her as if the driver had not seen her in the pathway. She tried to signal to the driver that she was in the way by waving her hands but it was no use he did not see her.
"Selena!" she heard a yell from a distance.
She looked to her right to see Prince Darien running up to her while screaming out her name.
In an instant she turned back to see the carriage only five inches away from her. Her eyes widen as she stood there in shock while it came closer towards her. Without warning she felt her body being pushed rapidly to the grassy ground on the other side of the pavement. She rolled over in the grass as her head bumped slightly against a small rock.
'Ow, that hurt,' she thought rubbing her head violently.
"Selena!" she heard opening her eyes to see the prince hovering over her.
She looked up to see him looking at her with deep concern eyes.
'Why is he looking at me like that?'
He got up and helped her up slowly to her feet. Her feet ached a little from the impact of the push. Letting out a sigh, she stood silently watching her master who couldn't keep his eyes off of her. She wondered why he had rescued her and why he was acting so strangely. She wanted to know why he chased after her if he likes Trista so much. Thoughts were just pouring into her head as she stared at him clueless.
"Selena, are you alright?" he asked touching her shoulders.
"Yes, your highness," she replied softly nodding her head.
"Then, why did you run off and why are you crying?" he asked brushing away some tears from her eyes.
Selena knew the answer to that but she refused to answer it. She was jealous and even though she tried to hide it, she showed it plainly. She turned her head away from him and looked at the carriage that had abruptly stopped in front of the palace. She wondered why the prince was not paying attention to it but mainly to her.
'Why does she have to remind me of Serena so much?' he thought with a small smirk, 'Darien, get a hold of yourself!'
"Darien!" he heard a scream and looked across to see his mother walking towards him.
He took his hands off of Selena's shoulder and turned his attention to his mother.
"What happened here?" she asked questionably.
She walked up closer to him on the grassy ground as he looked at her seriously. She wore a peach short sleeve summer dress that extended to her ankles. It had light pink flower patterns all over it. She also wore white small pearls around her neck and some in her ear. It fitted her perfectly and although it was long she managed to walk gracefully in it. Lifting the lower end of her dress in the air, she walked closer towards her son.
"Selena was caught in a large shrub and your carriage almost killed her." he replied sternly with a little hint of anger.
"Oh my, I'll order the gardener to cut that shrub immediately," she replied looking at Selena thoroughly, "I hope you didn't get hurt."
"No, your highness," Selena replied softly.
She smiled at the both of them while Selena looked at her with a look of fear. The queen was nice to her, at least sometimes. She knew the queen didn't want her to get too close to her son. After all, the prince was stubborn and would nag until he got what he wanted, even if it was Selena.
"Come Darien, I have someone I want you to meet." Queen Adena smiled pulling his hand.
Darien looked back at Selena who was still wiping away traces of tears that were stained on her face. He slowly walked away with his mother. Selena soon followed quickly behind them. When they arrived in front of the carriage, Trista was standing on the opposite side of the grass looking on. Darien proceeded towards her and brought her in front of the carriage where the others stood.
"Who is it mother?" he asked as she stood beside him smiling.
Selena was located right next to Trista who was standing to the right of Prince Darien. They all stood in anticipation as a young lady made her way down the carriage stairs. She wore a light orange short sleeve summer dress that extended to her knees. It had small pleated frills on the end of it. Trumpets blew as she slowly walked down the steps. Slowly her feet touched the hard pavement.
"Presenting, her royal Highness, Princess...!" a soldier yelled.
"Princess Mina!" Selena burst out instantly kneeling to the floor.
Everyone looked at Selena skeptically wondering how she could have known her name after only seeing her for the first time. She smiled back as she made her way back to her feet. She looked at the princess herself wondering how she could have possibly known her name but dismissed the thought.
"How did she know that?" whispered Queen Adena to Darien.
Darien just shrugged, turning his attention back to the carriage area. Mina smiled at the spectators looking at her. She walked up in front of Darien and Queen Adena.
"Mina, great to see you, it's been what, three years?" Darien smiled touching his face with his index finger while looking up at the sky.
"Darien, it's good to see you again as well," she smiled brightly, "come on give me a hug."
She hugged the prince tightly while Selena looked on wondering what was going on. Slowly, Mina let go of the prince trying not to smudge her dress. She had long blond hair that extended to her knees with a red bow pulling back a few strands of her hair. She was happy to see them again after so many years.
'Who is she?' Selena thought frowning.
Mina's blue eyes gazed over at the two girls to the right of Darien, she couldn't help but wonder who the girl was that knew her name, especially since she had never seen her before in her life. She brushed down her dress as she stared at Darien. She couldn't believe how much he had changed over the last three years. He was a few more inches taller than she last remembered and this would make his height now six feet two inches. But what she noticed right away was the smile that was on his face. The last time she saw him he was frowning a lot even when he saw her which made it impossible to talk to him.
"Darien, have you forgot to introduce me?" she asked making Darien blush.
"Oh yeah, I would like you to meet my fiancée, Trista," he laughed a little pointing to Trista, "and my personal maid, Selena."
The two girls bowed at Mina when their names were called. Mina gazed at Selena silently looking at her blue eyes that looked so familiar. She quickly shook her head and looked back at Darien.
'Nah, it can't be.' she thought brushing away the thought.
"Let's get your stuff to your room." Queen Adena stated ushering for them to go up the palace stairs.
"Wait!" Mina yelled walking back to the carriage, "Amy could you hurry up?"
She laughed a little looking at the spectators as they stared her curiously. Out stepped a shy blue hair girl around the same age as Mina. As she reached the bottom of the carriage steps, she held her hands in front of her, holding Mina's small brown luggage. She wore a similar maid suit like Selena except that the skirt was blue instead of black.
"Selena, take Amy to the servants' quarters," the queen replied sternly, "and help her take the remainder of Princess Mina's luggage to her room."
"Yes, your highness." Selena replied as Amy quickly followed her up the steps.
They all headed into the palace coming into the hallway. They were almost to the end of the hall making it to the living room when Trista stopped them. She looked at Darien with a mixture of hurt, confusion and agony. She managed to smile a little as Mina and Adena looked at her.
"Excuse me, your highnesses, but I would be in my room if you need me." Trista replied bowing and heading to her room.
Darien just sighed as she disappeared down the hall heading up the golden stairs.
'I hope I didn't make her angry.' he thought as she disappeared out of sight.
Queen Adena and Mina looked at Darien wondering what was going on but they decided not to pursue it. The three casually walked towards the living room.
LIVING ROOM
King Rudolph sat in a large chair reading a piece of paper. He stared at it seriously taking in every detail of it. Scraping his blond beard he read the content over and over again. The three individuals walked into the living room quietly. When the king realized their presence he quickly slipped the paper into his pants pocket.
"Look who's here father." Darien replied pointing to Mina.
"Oh Mina, how long has it been since I've last seen you?"
"Three years." she smiled giving him a hug.
He smiled as they all sat around comfortable in the chairs. King Rudolph wore a baby blue short sleeve shirt and dark blue dress pants. Queen Adena sat in a chair right next to him while Mina and Darien sat in a long couch next to each other.
"So Mina, what brings you here?" the king asked as a servant brought in some tea.
"Well, I was about to visit my aunt and I thought I should pay you all a visit." she smiled sweetly sipping her tea.
"Actually Rudolph, Mina told me she was coming a few weeks ago and I thought it would be nice for her to spend some time with us." Adena smiled staring at her tea.
He smirked at his wife as he got up from his chair and made his way to the fireplace in front of them. They all stared at him wondering what was happening and why he was acting so strangely. He sighed as he spoke again.
"That's good, well I hope you enjoy your stay," he turned around smiling brightly at her, "Darien, could you do me a favor and show Mina around the palace, much has changed since her last visit."
"Yes father." he replied getting up and leaving the room with Mina.
'I hope everything is alright.' Darien thought looking back at his father while Mina and he headed to the garden.
"Rudolph, my dear what is it?" Adena asked coming close to him by the fireplace.
"It's this," he replied giving her the piece of paper.
Adena read the content of the letter carefully. She frowned as she read it over and over taking in everything. Holding it tightly she went face to face with her husband who was leaning on the fireplace mantle again with his back facing her. She couldn't believe what she read and she wanted answers to her questions.
"Rudolph, what does this mean?" she asked him with confusion in her light brown eyes.
"It means that our kingdom is under attack." he replied looking at her lovingly.
"You mean, like Serenity's kingdom was?" she asked touching his hand that stretched out.
She led him to a chair and he sat down hanging his head low. Most of his flaky blond hair covered his eyes making it impossible for his wife to read the expression he had on his face. She sat next to him waiting for his reply as he sighed softly. She smirked a little realizing where Darien had gotten his domineering and stern qualities from. The two were similar in many ways and she knew that they were the most important people in her life. She smiled touching his face as he looked at her worried with his midnight blue eyes.
"Yes, it's just like that but even worse," he spoke softly with a hint of worry trailing in his voice, "They are waging an all out war against our kingdom and they insist on going through with it unless our son marries his fiancée within six months."
"WHAT? Who are these people?" she asked seeing the look on his face.
"I'm not sure, could be vigilantes," he stared getting up again, "but whoever they are, they won't get away with this!"
He clenched his fist while Adena sat still with a sorrowful look on her face. She knew her son wanted to date Trista for a year but with this threat, he would have to marry her earlier than expected. She sighed heavily as tears welled up in her eyes. The fact of her son being so stubborn and ignorant frightened her since she knew for sure that he would not want to change their arrangement.
'Why is this happening now?' she asked herself clasping her hands on her lap.
Rudolph opened his eyes that were closed for a moment to see his wife sitting in the chair that he was standing next to, sobbing a little. He turned to her, bent down and held her small hands while she looked at him with worry leaning on her face. Her eyes showed how much she was worried for their kingdom. What were they to do? Who would come to help them? How would their son react to this?
Thoughts were just racing through her mind as she looked at her husband. He wiped her tears away as she embraced him in a hug. Pulling her to her feet he looked at her lovingly brushing back a few strands of her shoulder length black hair out of her face.
"Adena," he replied as she stared at his dark eyes, "I wouldn't let anything happen to you or our son."
"What do we tell Darien?" she asked keeping her gaze.
"We don't," he replied sternly, "whoever they are I won't let them destroy my family or my kingdom."
"Oh Rudolph," she sighed as he gave her a passionate kiss on the lips.
Releasing the kiss she buried her head in his chest and hugged him tightly.
IN THE GARDEN
Darien and Mina walked slowly through the beautiful rose garden. Darien had already showed her the new rooms that were added to the palace since her last visit and she was truly amazed at how elegant they were. They journey to the area where he had his picnic with Trista. He let out a heavy sigh as he remembered what happened just moments before Mina's arrival. The way Selena had reacted to his almost kiss with Trista raised questions in his head. And also, his guilty action of running after her made him think twice about what was going on.
He looked at Mina who was smiling a little as if she could read his thoughts. He told her what happened just recently and she was very interested. She had tried to convince him that everything would be alright but he didn't know what to think of his predicament.
"So, this Selena girl must like you, huh?" she asked gazing at him.
"Well, I wouldn't say a thing like that," he smirked looking at the town that looked so small from the view of the castle.
The wind blew silently against his short black hair as he thought of what she said. Did Selena really like him and he did not see it? And did he like Selena? Mina looked at him realizing that he didn't want to discuss the issue. Besides she knew how close a maid could get to their master and she could see in his eyes that he may have some sort of feelings for this maid of his. She sighed brushing her blond hair back.
"I'm sorry to say this Darien, but you shouldn't get too close to your servant." she smirked raising his curiosity.
"Why?" he asked.
"You see, I fell in love with one of my servants a long time ago. He was a farm boy and really sweet. My parents forbid our relationship and I almost ran away with him." she sighed looking at him.
Darien chuckled a little at her statement making Mina raise her eyebrows.
"Mina come on, you know that didn't happen." he shoved his hands in his pants pocket.
"Okay, it didn't," she smirked once again, "but you know it could have. My parents were scared when I told them that I liked him."
Darien thought about it. It could happen and he had to make sure that he followed his agreement to marry Princess Trista. He closed his eyes a little as Mina stood next to him gazing at the scenery of the town. He thought about the incident at the picnic some more, something about Selena's reaction made him think about Serena. The look Selena gave him with her light blue eyes made him remember Serena at that specific moment, which in turn caused him to feel like he betrayed both Selena and Serena.
He rubbed his forehead with his hand trying to prevent himself from getting a headache. He looked down at Mina who remained silent taking in the breathtaking sight. He smiled a little, although Mina's personality was different from her cousin, she always managed to make him laugh.
"I want to give Trista something special," he started changing the subject, "and I thought it would be appropriate to give her this."
He replied showing her a small pink locket. Mina stared at it in his hand.
"But that belonged to Serena." she whispered.
"I know."
Mina looked at him with surprise.
'Is he crazy?' she thought reaching for it, 'He can give Trista her own.'
"But why?" she asked skeptically still clutching it.
"I just want to give her something special," he sighed looking at the locket that held so many memories of his best friend.
Mina couldn't believe what she was hearing. How could he want to give this girl something that held so many precious memories? Not to mention precious memories of his best friend and the girl who was to be his future wife.
"Humph, well, there is no way you're going to give this locket to that princess, that you barely even know!" she screamed holding the locket close to her chest, "Darien, I won't let you take my cousin's memory away!" she yelled running off.
"What? Mina! Mina come back here!" he screamed running after her.
PRINCESS MINA'S ROOM
Amy and Selena had finally finished bringing up the remainder of Mina's luggage to her room. Selena however, had already showed Amy to the servants' quarters and she had packed her stuff away. Selena sat on the bed that was provided for Mina to relax her aching legs. Amy stood still watching her and wondering why she was sitting there.
"What's the matter?" Selena asked wondering why she was watching her strangely.
"Should you be sitting on the bed?"
"No, but I do it regularly." she smiled finally getting up.
Amy chuckled a little at her remark. Selena moved towards the large window within the room that overlooked the garden, in the back of the palace. She stared curiously at the two figures running after each other. She wondered why the two of them were acting like that. They both continued to run around the garden going through the maze like area. However, Darien couldn't keep up with Mina and every time he almost caught her she would easily slip away. Selena took a deep breath at the sight of this.
"Who is Princess Mina?" she asked abruptly catching Amy off guard.
She sighed and looked at her.
"Well, I'm not really supposed to talk to anyone about the princess." Amy frowned clasping her hands.
"Okay," Selena smiled turning around to look at the blue haired girl in front of her, "Can I tell you a secret then?"
Amy looked at her startled.
'What could be her secret?' she thought nodding to her question.
"Here goes then. I've been having dreams about Princess Serena, weird dreams," she started feeling a little sick, "it's like I know her in some sort of way, even though I've never met her. I can't stop these recurring dreams from happening and it all started from the moment I started working here. And that's why I wanted to know who Princess Mina was."
Amy looked at her mystified. She was so shocked that she couldn't speak for a few minutes, as if to let the whole episode sink in. Selena folded her arms still standing close to the window as she bowed her head. Amy's blue eyes shone with compassion as she finally realized what was going on.
"That's why you knew Mina's name," she stated finally speaking and referring to the princess in an informal way.
"I guess."
"So do you think that you may be Princess Serena?"
"I don't know I just want to find out the meaning of these dreams and how I can stop them."
"Okay, I'll tell you something," she moved closer to the window standing next to Selena while looking out of it, "Princess Mina is actually Princess Serena's cousin. They are related by their mothers but Mina is exactly one year older than Serena, or would have been."
"Oh."
Amy patted Selena on her shoulder giving her a warm smile. Selena looked at her with a look of confusion and sadness.
"Cheer up Selena," Amy replied cheerfully as Selena stared at her bewildered, "If you want, I can help you figure out these dreams and maybe I can even get some information for you about Princess Serena. You know, I've met her once before."
"Really?" Selena asked getting all excited.
"Yeah, but you can't tell anyone because I could get in big trouble for this." Amy smiled a little.
"Okay, but I don't think it would be a problem if I tell my two other friends here at the palace." Selena smiled giving her a big hug, "Come on, let's go and meet Lita and Raye!"
"Who?" Amy asked releasing Selena from her tight hug.
"My friends." she smirked pulling her out of the room.
IN THE HALL
Trista walked slowly down the hall heading towards the kitchen which was located on the second floor. She sighed wondering why she had agreed to marry the prince since she didn't like him that much. Even though he was nice, she still cared a great deal for William. She held her head down as she heard loud chatter coming from behind her. Looking back she saw Selena and Amy.
"Princess Trista," they replied simultaneously bowing.
"Hi," she smiled a little.
Following them she made her way into the kitchen. She saw Lita and the two girls talking away. Smirking a little she remembered how she was when she was a young teenager, shy and mysterious. Selena introduced Amy to Lita and they greeted each other but Raye was not in the kitchen. Lita told them that she was with the queen.
Trista reached for a clean apple that was on the table and then exited the kitchen, leaving the three girls to get acquainted. She felt a little sad about what happened earlier this morning. In spite of of that, she proceeded to the third floor of the palace heading towards her room. As soon as she entered the room, she threw herself onto her bed, trying to relax and get her mind off of the incident.
She reached for a small picture under her pillow. She stared seriously at the picture of the young guy she loved so much. She smiled as she kissed the picture of William, a young man with dark brown flaky hair and mysterious green eyes. She smirked remembering his charming personality. If only she could marry him instead of Darien but she knew that would never happen because of the agreement her mother had arranged for her.
Frowning, she got up and decided that she should have a little talk with her mother. She brushed down her blue summer dress and fixed her long hair before leaving the room. Passing a few doors down the decorated hall she stood next to one on her left that overlooked the garden in the back of the palace. She waited by the door for a while as if not wanting to go inside, she sighed as she heard her mother mumble something from inside. The only thing she could make out of what she was saying was: "must go as planned."
'I have to tell my mother the truth," she frowned deeply starting to turn the fancy door knob, 'I can't go on pretending that I can possibly love and marry the prince."
She opened the door quickly, surprising her mother who was staring out the window. She smiled as she turned around. The queen played with her long brown hair that was out of its bun and lying lightly across her mid-back.
"Mother, we have to talk." Trista replied holding the door wide open.
"Whatever about my dear," she smiled stretching out her right hand to her child, "Did you not enjoy your picnic with the prince?"
"Well, yes and no," Trista stated, her voice a little shaky as she closed the door, "I don't think I can marry Prince Darien again. Mother, I don't love him and I don't think I can grow to love him either."
Her mother looked at her with a stern expression on her face. How could her child tell her something like that after all she had done for her? She reached for Trista's hand and tapped it lightly causing her daughter to watch her strangely.
"Trista, Trista, Trista," she sighed lightly, "Marriage is not about love my dear, it's about an obligation, an obligation to be together with a person forever. It has nothing whatsoever to do with love."
"What?" Trista whispered.
"I had an arranged marriage too, you know. I met your father just one week before we were married," she smirked issuing for Trista to sit on the bed with her, "After years went by, I grew to love your father and so did he. We both love each other very much. Don't you see how well we get along?"
"Mother, father left you two years ago." she replied raising an eyebrow.
"Nonsense my dear, he just needs a break," the queen whispered tapping her chin with her index finger, "or more like a vacation. Besides, that's not the point here. You have to do this for your nation, just remember you are not doing this for yourself but for the innocent victims of the war that will strike if you don't go through with it."
Trista turned her head away from her mother. She knew what she was saying was the truth and she had to admit that it was for a good cause. If she didn't get married within a year the most, her whole kingdom would suffer greatly. She rubbed her head slightly, that is a lot of pressure to put on a young lady such as herself. Turning her head back to her mother she sighed heavily, her reddish brown eyes sparkling with admiration of her mother's strong willed spirit.
"You're right mother," she got off of the cream bed sheet, "I have to do what's right for my nation and kingdom, even if it means forgetting about my love for William."
Her mother almost choked when she heard the name William. She didn't like that guy at all but she forced a smiled regardless. Trista gave her mother a hug and then left the room smiling vibrantly. Although she still wasn't happy with the idea of marrying the prince she felt a lot better about it.
Queen Olivia let out a slight laugh when her daughter had finished exiting the room. She smiled, now things would go just the way she wanted it to. She gazed out of the window chuckling softly to herself.
"Now that things are going according to plan, I think it's time to initiate phase one." She whispered cackling a little while holding a small bottle in her hand that read poison.
Okay, that's it for now. Hope I didn't leave you guys in too much suspense. So what do you think? Good, bad, I want to know. Wondering what Queen Olivia is up to? Don't worry it will be revealed in the next chapter, hopefully. I'll like to say something to you, Princess-Cairo. When I read your review I couldn't believe how close you came to guessing what I was going to write. Selena hitting her head and Darien pushing out of the way, I guess I kind of made it obvious. But I was happy to see we were almost thinking alike. I have a lot more exciting scenes coming up in the chapters to come.
Once again, sorry for the late update and reviews are always welcomed. I'll try my best to get the next chapter out as soon as possible. And more fun to come in the upcoming chapters. Oh, yeah before I forget, thanks so much to all of you who reviewed. I really appreciated it. And as always I'll be waiting for your reviews.
PhantasyDreamer