PhantasyDreamer: Hey guys! I'm back. Well, school's finally closed and I have some free time to finish my stories. Yay! I took a whole month to write this and I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it. There may be a few errors but since I thought you guys have waited long enough, I decided to ignore that and fix them later. Oh yeah, I don't own Sailor Moon again just my characters. I'm getting a little tired of saying this. Do I really have to say this all the time? I guess so. Well, I think I've talked enough please enjoy and seasons greeting to everyone. .
The Forgotten Princess
Chapter 12: Royal Proposal
Last time: On The Forgotten Princess
He let out a heavy sigh. What was he doing? Did he really want to kill the king after he had been so nice to him? Did he really want to throw his life away? He closed his eyes as if trying to block what was about to take place. He opened it again still glaring at the glass not knowing whether to move or to just look on.
He frowned as King Rudolph's hand reached slowly towards the glass, picking it up and getting ready to drink it.
'I hope they can forgive me.'
The story continues...
Selena stood still in her standing position with her back pressed against the tree. She was sure she had heard a clinging sound but she wondered if she had been hurt or not. Slowly she opened her blue eyes to see Andrew above her blocking the silencer's blade with his sword. She gasped crawling from under the blades.
"Sir Andrew, w-what are you doing here?" she asked looking at him skeptically.
"Stand back, I'll explain later!" he spoke with determination as he began to fight the man.
Selena watched in amazement as Andrew tackled the man meeting him every inch with his sword while using some other techniques as well. She turned her head to the left to see Sugar still being chased by the other man. She clenched her fists tightly. How dare he try to hurt her horse? She wanted to do something but did not know what. She immediately smiled vibrantly when she saw her horse knock the man away and started running towards her.
"Sugar." she smiled as the horse came closer towards her.
She patted him and leaned a little on his head.
Looking up she saw Andrew still fighting as determined as ever. He had somehow managed to get the silencer on the grassy floor pinned down with his sword. He was in such a rage as if on the verge of killing someone. Selena couldn't believe her eyes but by the looks of things, Andrew was about to kill this guy. He raised his hand with his sword ready to strike the man at any second. Selena looked at him in shock, he was about to kill the guy. Although he had tried to hurt her, she didn't wish for him to die. In an instant Andrew's sword made its way towards the silencer's throat.
"NO!" she screamed desperately running to him, he stopped and turned around towards her still holding the man firmly in his grasp, "Please Andrew…don't do it!"
Andrew looked at the young girl who was a few feet away from him and wondered why she even cared about this man who had tried to kill her. He loosened his grip on the man but was not prepared for what was to happen next. In a quick motion the silencer used the blunt end of his sword and knocked him in the face with it before he was able to protect himself. He fell to the floor as the silencer stood up staggering a little. He gave Selena a hard glare causing her to gasp as he picked up his bag off the grassy ground.
"Don't think you're off the hook yet, Selena!" he yelled angrily giving Andrew a slight kick in the stomach. Andrew moaned in pain as he turned on his left side, "I will be back!"
The ponytail man known as the silencer gave a loud whistle to his partner and then ran off into the bushes. The brunette man followed him looking rather distraught with his white shirt barely hanging onto his body. As soon as they were out of sight, Selena ran towards Andrew who was still lying on the ground. She knelt down on her knees beside him helping him to sit up as he rubbed his head and stomach that ached terribly. Lucky for him, there was no cut but a small bruise that was forming and beginning to swell.
She rubbed her hand on the back of his head raking his short blond flaky hair in the process. She didn't know why she did it but she was grateful that he saved her life. He slowly reached his hand to her face slightly brushing her short neck blond hair out of her face. He didn't know why he did that either but he was just grateful that she had stopped him from making a terrible mistake.
'What am I doing?' he thought giving her a warm smile, 'She's like a sister to me.'
"Thanks." he smirked a little still sitting down, "Thanks a lot, I've never lost control like that before. I don't know what came over me. I guess it was because you were in danger."
She smirked a little at his statement. How nice he was to care for her so. Even though she didn't know him long she knew he was a good person with a good spirit. Andrew wore a dark purple short sleeve shirt and a black dress pants with dark black shoes. He stood still looking at her and wondering why she was out of the palace at such a dangerous time like this. The sun had already set and the place was almost dark. He returned her smirk, perhaps she was just looking for someone. Maybe a friend?
"I realize now that your outburst saved my life, he spared me because of it." he let out a deep sigh.
"What?"
"He used the blunt side of his sword and struck me with it," he started slightly rubbing his knees, "a bounty hunter like him could have killed me at any second but he spared me."
"…because I asked you to spare him." she sighed taking her hand from behind his head.
He nodded agreeing with her. The two stood there in utter silence not knowing what to say or do. Selena however, decided that they should at least get out of the woods before the men came back. She didn't want to have to go through what almost happened again.
"Andrew." she replied helping him onto his feet as he gave her a warm smile.
"Selena…" he started gazing at her with his green eyes as she slowly loosed her grip on him, "What were you doing out here by yourself?"
She sighed as if not wanting to tell him that she came into the woods to spend some time alone and then almost got herself killed. Would she get in trouble if the queen and king found out or worse the prince? They would be so furious with her that she might even lose her job. She played with her nails nervously trying to find a way to tell him as Sugar walked up behind her startling her a little. Brushing down her uniform, she looked at him.
"I wanted some time alone, I didn't know this would happen." she replied sadly breaking down in tears. Andrew gave her a hug as she cried in his shirt, "Do you think the king and queen would be furious?"
She looked up at him pleadingly with her light blue eyes.
"Maybe." he gave her a mysterious smirk making her smile a little, "It's a good thing I was coming back to the palace otherwise who knows what would have happened."
"I don't even want to think about that." she sighed receiving a pat on the back from him as she proceeded to hop onto Sugar's back.
Andrew did the same climbing onto his horse as well. They both rode back to the palace side by side in silence. Selena thought more about what had just happened and the danger she was in. What puzzled her most was how the silencer had known her name and she had only seen him once before. She couldn't remember if the prince had called her name at the time of their first attack but it still seemed strange to her.
"Do you think someone sent that guy after me?" she asked the blond guy who gave her a puzzled looked, breaking the silence.
"I don't know Selena but there is a possibility."
'She reminds me so much of my sister.' he thought looking at her seriously.
She sighed holding the bridle tightly. Finally they entered the palace gates which were opened by a few guards. They proceeded to the stables and left the horses in their cages. Selena put Sugar back in its cage and tried to place the lock back on. But it was no use; the lock had been so badly damaged that it could not fit anymore. She looked to her left and saw a large rope sitting in the pile of hay, picking it up she placed it around the cage door and tied it tightly. Hopefully, it should be able to hold him. At the same time Andrew was just looking at her in shock. He knew for sure that Sugar was not supposed to be loosed but he decided not to say anything.
"Andrew, can I ask you something?" she asked walking out of the stables with him.
"Yeah." he replied placing a hand in his right pocket.
"Um…could you teach me how to fight like you did today?" she smiled feeling a little embarrassed, "I just want to know so that I can defend myself in case someone is really after me."
"No problem, I would be pleased to do so." he chuckled a little making her laugh.
"Thanks you're such a nice person." she smiled giving him a big hug.
"I know." he returned the hug rubbing her hair lightly.
DINNING ROOM
Gregory stared silently at the glass cup that made its way closer to the king's lips. He couldn't take it anymore he just had to do something before it was too late. He couldn't let the king die for such an insufficient reason. The king didn't do anything wrong and he decided anything was better than being blackmailed by Queen Olivia.
"Your highness." he replied hastily causing the king to stop his glass only a few inches from his mouth, "I don't think that wine is fresh enough for you."
King Rudolph immediately placed the glass back on the table as everyone eyes glared at both men wondering what was going on. Adena was sitting on the other end of the table, looking on skeptically. Darien sat to the left of his father's view, right next to Trista and Mina who were close to the end of the table by his mother. Queen Olivia sat next to Adena on the right side of the table in the king's view.
'What's going on?' Queen Adenathought looking at Gregory who kept a straight face.
"What do you mean?" King Rudolph asked staring him curiously.
"The texture and taste is too coarse for your likings your highness." he forced a smile trying his best not to show how guilty he was.
He knew that he was the one who placed the poison in the glass and he couldn't hide how bad he felt now about his decision. Queen Olivia looked at Gregory who was ignoring her effortlessly. She couldn't believe he was trying to save the king at his own expensive, knowing what she would do to him. He seemed not to care about it anymore. She was determined not to allow him to ruin her plan. She wanted to find a way not to make herself look like a complete suspected. She decided she should at least make up a lie to make him drink it and then fake a shocking appearance when he collapses on the floor.
'This better work before that idiot Gregory spoils my plans.' she thought raising her fork to speak.
'What's going on, this isn't like Gregory?' Darien thought looking at his father who had a weird look on his face.
"Let me do a quick taste for you, your highness." Gregory replied taking the glass from the table and into his hand.
The king was about to protest when he saw his butler reached for the glass before he could. Gregory drank the content of the glass in one gulp and then placed it back of the table. Everyone stared at him. A few seconds passed by and immediately the color on his face changed. Queen Olivia could see that the poison was taking effect as quickly as she had expected, except it was affecting the wrong person. She smiled a little trying not to make it obvious of the fact that she knew what was going on. Gregory staggered back a little feeling a sense of dizziness take over him. He reached for the table but fell backwards pulling a few crystal glasses and plates to the floor. A loud shattering of silver platters could be heard throughout the palace. Holding his chest firmly he rolled over and over on the floor in pain.
King Rudolph rushed to his side, looking at the man who was his faithful butler. He lifted his head and looked seriously at Gregory. Everyone got up from the table looking on to see what was happening. The color from Gregory's face was slowly turning to a pale like purplish color as he breathe heavily trying to take in as much air as possible.
"Gregory, who did this!" the king yelled in anger, "Who put you up to this? Who is after me! Tell me!"
He screamed shaking the man lightly. Gregory was barely holding on to dear life and he couldn't help but smile. He gazed at Queen Olivia who gave him an evil look that said Tell and I will surely kill you myself. He wanted to tell him who was the culprit but he was too weak to say anything. He turned his attention back to the king as he felt the life from his body being drained away with ever passing second.
"Get my doctor in here immediately!" the king yelled desperately to one of the soldiers' that stood close by, "I want to know what was in that wine!"
"I-I" he started coughing loudly, "I'm sorry your highness…I…I never meant to hurt you." he replied as his eyes rolled back in his head and his body fell limp against the king's arms.
The king looked up at the eyes that were gazing in shock at him as he replied, "H-He's dead."
Silence engulfed the room as the once loyal butler lay on the floor lifeless. King Rudolph couldn't believe his ears or eyes. He didn't know who would go to all that trouble of trying to kill him. He got up and stood still in utter shock as his wife rushed towards him. She led him silently out of the room while placing her left arm around his waist.
Immediately the soldiers came into the room and took the limp body of the butler away. Everyone stood still astonished. Trista looked at Darien while he gazed at the scene that just occurred. He was shocked to say the least and didn't know what to do. Princess Mina stood next to Darien trying to comfort him by placing a hand on his arm; he just looked at her and smiled a little. At the same time Queen Olivia held a mysterious smirk on her face as she looked upon the scene. Everything had turned out the way she had planned it except that the king was still alive.
'Hmm…that stupid insolent fool almost blew my cover.' she thought frowning while brushing down her dress, 'Well at least phase two is finished and Prince Darien's maid is finally dead.'
She gloated as she gazed at the prince. Her smirk immediately turned into a frown when she saw Andrew and Selena walk into the room.
'What!' she thought almost falling to the floor as she looked at his maid who held a happy smirk, 'They always say when you want something down right you have to do it yourself!'
"Trista, I think we should head to our rooms now." she forced a smile bowing at the prince and then proceeding to leave the dinning room, "Excuse us."
She slowly disappeared down the hall with her daughter. Trista waved a goodbye to her prince and left with her mother. Darien looked up to see his maid with Andrew. Although he was a bit worried about her, he wasn't expecting to see her with Andrew. He wondered what had happened but he tried to suppress his emotions. The two came closer towards him and Mina.
"Andrew, you're back so soon," the prince replied still stunned by the incident as he went to hug his best friend, "I wasn't expecting you till next week."
Andrew chuckled releasing the hug.
"Well, I got the family problem solved earlier than expected," he smiled, "so I decided to come back. Plus, I'm glad I did otherwise you might have lost your maid."
Andrew looked at Selena who held a bewildered look on her face. He didn't mean to let the prince know that she was out of the palace but he just thought the prince should at least know and besides that he knew Darien wouldn't be too hard on her. Selena immediately hid behind Andrew since she could feel Prince Darien's eyes glaring on her. She clutched his shirt tightly hoping the prince would forgive her.
"What!" he yelled pulling her from behind Andrew by the arm, taking both Mina and Andrew by surprise, "Are you crazy! Selena I don't want you to leave the grounds again without my permission, do you hear me!"
"Yes, your highness," she bowed her head in shame as he touched her shoulders, "but you need not worry, my horse Sugar took good care of me and so did Andrew."
"Sugar?" he echoed.
'How could she get a hold of that horse?' he thought staring at her curiously as he felt a heavy headache drawing in on him, "Sugar doesn't even like me much less anyone in particular.'
He let out a sigh and turned his attention to Mina and Andrew to find them arguing. Prince Mina was in front of Andrew glaring at him seriously as they continued their verbal battle. The two had known each other for a very long time. But ever since the day they met they would argue all the time as if they had a special hatred for each other. Darien couldn't understand why they would argue but it was such a regular thing that he got used to it.
"Why are you here, don't you see you're not welcome here?" Princess Mina teased looking at him with a mocking glare.
"I am more welcome than you are, you brat!" he yelled back at her.
"Hey, hey you two, calm down." Darien replied leaving Selena alone to break up the two.
They glared at him and sighed as he went between them separating them from each other.
"I have to go to my parents now so I'll speak to you later Selena." he replied sternly heading to the exit.
"I'm coming Darien, I don't want to be left alone with that brat." Andrew muttered walking away.
The room was silent as soon as the two boys left the room. Selena looked at Mina who was staring at her angrily. She didn't know why but something about this girl felt so familiar. Mina had calmed down immediately after Andrew had left but when she saw Selena she got angry again.
"Your highness, I will be leaving now." Selena bowed as she headed to the exit.
"Wait," the blond princess replied stopping her dead in her tracks, "I have to say something to you Selena."
Selena looked up frightened. For some reason she just knew that this princess didn't like her. And something told her that something bad was about to happen.
'Oh I can see she hates me so bad.' she thought dryly.
"Yes your highness?"
"I'm only going to say this once…keep away from Prince Darien…I'd advise you not to get too close to him…" she paused flipping her blond hair behind her back, "I know you're after him and I can see it in your eyes. But he is getting married and as a servant, it is none of your concern. So just stay away."
Selena looked at her astonish to the fact that she was accusing her of something that was not true. After all, the prince seemed to like her and showed it plainly. Coming close to her and mistaking her for a princess he knew when he was younger. It wasn't her fault that he acted that way and she didn't want to be blamed for something like that.
"But I'm not after him." Selena pleaded her eyes becoming teary.
"Look I don't want to be rude but Darien is my friend and I will do whatever is possible to make him happy." she replied hastily placing her hand on her hips.
Selena smirked a little, "Then you should know that I would never go after him. I'm just trying to find my place in life, good night your highness."
She said sadly bowing as she walked out of the room leaving a guilty looking princess behind.
'Oh my, what have I done?' Mina thought sadly, 'she sounded so hurt but it's the truth. I just know it.'
3 MONTHS LATER
Selena stood in a large room where Darien and Andrew would usually practice their swordsmanship. Darien and she were together practicing some techniques that he had taught her for the past three months. She had been training for a long time and her skills were improving rapidly. At that very moment, Andrew had his left arm around her neck gripping her tightly making sure there was no possible way of escape. She gripped his arm unwaveringly giving herself some space to breathe.
"If an attacker catches you like this, what do you do?" he asked holding his grip firmly on her.
"I do this!" she yelled hitting him in the stomach with her elbow, she then stomped on his foot and hit him in the nose with her wrist.
Andrew loosed his grip on her and held his stomach in pain. As much as he didn't want to admit it, Selena really did hit him hard. He smiled a little backing back. He wore a silver long sleeve shirt and a navy blue pants. Selena noticed his gesture and hurried to aid him. His nose was bleeding a little and she couldn't help but feel guilty.
"I'm so sorry Andrew," she replied touching his nose that was hurting him terribly, "I really didn't mean it, I didn't know I would hit you so hard."
"It's okay your skills are improving greatly but you just have to take it easy." he smiled waving slightly but Selena ignored him, "Okay then that's it for today."
The two were standing close to each other as Selena tried to stop his nose from bleeding. Successfully it stopped within a few minutes and she proceeded to packing away her stuff. Someone from the corner of the room gave a slight cough. They both looked around to see Prince Darien watching them mysteriously. He folded his arms across his chest as he walked further into the room trying his best not to show the jealous feeling that was creeping up inside of him. He was now in front of Andrew gazing at him with a look that could kill.
Andrew realized what was going on in his best friend's head and decided to take their conversation outside. He waved to Selena and walked out of the room as Darien followed slowly behind barely acknowledging Selena's presence. The prince leaned his tall frame on the wall outside of the room looking rather angry. He couldn't help it, Selena was his maid and Andrew was training her to fight. If anything, he should be the one to train her not his best friend. He couldn't shake the feeling it was just unbearable. At that very moment Andrew just stared at him suspiciously.
"W-What are you doing?" Darien asked, anger rising in his voice.
"I was just teaching your maid swordsmanship. Is there a problem?" he looked at his friend who just shrugged at his question. He didn't know what he had done wrong but the prince was obviously jealous, "I've been doing it for the last three months."
"I don't think you should get too close to her." he replied sternly in a warning tone.
"What do you mean are you jealous?" Andrew asked taking him by surprise.
Darien turned his head the other way refusing to answer the question. His black bangs covered his eyes completely making it difficult for Andrew to read his expression. Jealous? That could not be the issue. He was angry yea, but jealous no way. At least that's what he thought.
"No, it's just that I-"
"You don't have to pretend. I know you like her," he started rubbing his nose lightly while interrupting him, "just remember you have to get married to the princess. Besides that I don't like Selena that way she's like a sister to me."
The prince let out a grunt clearly not believing his friend. He gave him the hardest glare he could muster with his dark blue eyes. Andrew smiled at him. He couldn't believe his eyes but the prince was clearly in love with the girl. She was just his maid but he was acting otherwise and after all a maid is just a maid. At least that's the way it should be.
"As a matter of fact the only girl I'm interested in is that bratty Princess Mina." he replied almost in a whisper as Darien looked up at him in shock.
He couldn't believe his ears. He liked Mina?
'No wonder they would argue all the time.' he thought staring at him as he held his usual smirk, "Well, I came to tell you that my parents would like to have a word with you. They are in the living room awaiting your arrival."
He replied quickly changing the subject. Andrew nodded in response before bowing as he turned to leave. He chuckle a little waving slightly to his friend.
"Okay, your highness just remember what I said." he smiled walking away with striding steps.
As soon as his friend's figure disappeared out of sight Darien turned his attention into the room where his young maid stood. She was packing away some equipment into a small bag and looking as determined as ever. She wore a simple white dress that extended to her knees, it had short sleeves and the neckline of the dress was a little low showing off a portion of her collar bone. A fancy broad like gold chain swung lazily around her waist.
He slowly walked into the room and she seemed to barely recognize his presence. He coughed a little and she looked at him startled, her blue eyes staring at him curiously.
"Y-Your highness, I was just finishing up. I'm going to do my other chores now." she replied sweetly.
"It's no problem. However, I see that Andrew has been giving you some swordsmanship lessons." he replied with a smirk while walking closer to her, "How about a duel with me to see how well he's trained you?"
"Well, I uh…" she looked at him strangely.
'I wonder why he cares all of a sudden?' she thought still staring at him astonished.
Why did he even want to duel with her now after ignoring her countless times during the last couple of months? She couldn't help but feel sad at his attitude towards her then but slowly she began to ignore him as well and did her chores as usual. He was more busy with his courtship with his princess to even know that Andrew was giving her lessons, although they had been training every afternoon. She frowned giving him a serious glare.
"Well..." he replied raking his short black hair, waiting for an answer.
"Okay then, just as long as your mother doesn't get angry with me." she smiled putting down the bag that she had swung over her shoulder.
"She won't. Okay we'll duel on two conditions," he replied with a smirk, picking up a sword nearby from a small rounded table that had many swords sticking face down, out of it, "You can use any techniques available to beat me and you must refer to me by my first name."
"Uh…"
She gazed at him speechless looking at the trendy outfit he wore. A white silky long sleeve shirt plastered itself above on his upper body while a dark black dress pants lingered below showcasing his tall slim figure. The shirt was neatly tucked into his pants allowing his flat washboard stomach to be seen. It looked as if he had known about her training with Andrew today because he had dressed for the occasion.
"Alright then." she smirked pulling a sword out as well, "Let's begin."
"I trust you haven't left the palace with my horse again have you?" he asked with hint of sarcasm in his voice, bowing with his two hands at his side. Selena did the same as well trying to hide her smile.
"No, your high-Darien, I haven't taken my horse." she glared at him, still wondering why he wanted to fight her.
"Your horse?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yes my horse, he likes me so therefore he's mine." she gave him a taunting smirk as she raised her sword to her face.
He frowned. For a minute he thought she was about to say that she was Princess Serena and that she remembers everything from her past. How glad he would be if she was his princess but unfortunately that was not the case. Sighing he ignored his feelings and got ready to fight.
They placed their swords together initiating the start of the battle. The two swords knocked against each other causing a clinging echo sound to be heard throughout the large room. The brown marble tile on the floor cause the room to brighten a little around them as the heavy rays of the sun peeked through the three big windows that linger there. Selena swished her sword three times and knocked the sword out of the prince's hand. He looked across the room astonished to the fact that she had succeeded to knocking his sword out of his grasp.
He smirked as she gazed at him with a mysterious gloating smirk. Prince Darien flipped on one hand and ran after his sword that was positioned to the farther part of the room. As soon as he was almost there he turned around to see Selena charging after him with her sword high in the air. He picked his sword up immediately blocking her attack while kneeling on one foot. Their swords made a cross like figure in the way they were positioned.
"Good, you've been trained well." he smiled raking his black hair slightly while pushing her back, "Using a sneak attack on the enemy, cunning and smart."
She staggered back a little almost falling to the floor. Her knee length black boots could be seen as she spread her legs in karate stance holding her sword in front of her face. Although Andrew had taught her that attacking an opponent from the back was not the honorable way to fight, she just wanted to see if he prince was as good as he said he was. Darien got up to face her clutching his sword tightly. He brushed his clothes slightly as he frowned at her. She was even better than he thought.
"Thanks, I learned only from the best. Andrew's a really good teacher."
"I'm sure he is," he muttered taking his eyes off of her and trying not to show his jealousy, "but I'm still a better fighter than he is."
"Okay, then show me." she taunted as they hit their swords together.
It formed an x format this time as they both pressed their weight on the sword. Being as strong Darien was he was having the upper hand but Selena was putting up a good fight as well. Before they knew it both swords slipped out of their hands and slid horizontally to the western side of the room. Darien looked at Selena giving her an evil smirk, she did the same. Darien did a front flip three times, one summersault and a high jump in the air landing right in front of his sword. When he looked up to his left he stood in shock to see that Selena was right next to her sword. He couldn't believe that she had mimicked one of his signature moves.
She chuckled a little making him frown, "Andrew taught me that, very impressive huh?"
He let out an exasperated sigh, picking up his sword while she did the same.
He was furious. How dare Andrew teach her one of his moves? He couldn't believe that she had perfected it as if it was her own. He yelled in battle cry as he rushed after her with his sword, she retaliated hitting back his sword with one hand. She smirked as he swung his sword at her legs, she jumped and did a back flip on one hand. He came closer to her feeling very angry with her. She just taunted him with her smile as she swung her sword and cut piece of his white shirt, exposing the scar on his left arm that the silencer had left. He winced a little looking at her in shock. He took a deep breath before speaking.
"It's a shame, I haven't seen you fight before," he smiled putting his hand through the small hold that she had made, "but I've been so busy with the preparation for my wedding."
"Is that so?" she asked hitting his sword back, "Aren't you getting married next year?"
"Yeah but we have to do some planning before then." he replied sadly, "Do you know I'm going to propose to her today?"
She stared at him in silence refusing to answer her question. She didn't care about that and she clearly didn't want to know about his proposal. Thinking about it just made her angry and sad. Why did he have to marry the princess when she felt like she had known him all her life? It was just unfair. Since she refused to answer his question he just brushed it off. He didn't know if the fact of him marrying Trista bothered her but she didn't seem happy as he had expected when he talked about it.
'If only I was your princess.' she thought sadly looking at the floor.
'I really don't get this girl.' he thought seriously.
He rushed after her taking her by surprise, since she had her head down. She ducked from the swish of his sword. She was fortunate that the blade missed her face but very unfortunately when it slid across a beaded clip that held her hair up in a bun. Immediately the clip burst and fell to the floor, allowing her hair that was now mid-back to stretch out around her shoulders. She gasped in shock when she realized that he had cut a small portion of her hair.
"My hair…you just cut my hair." she replied angrily.
"A small price to pay for mastering my signature move."
He looked at her and knocked her sword out of her hand. Shock and bewildered she walked backwards realizing that she had been defeated. She bumped into the wall behind her, now only understanding that this was apart of his plan.
"I win."
"Yes you have your highness." she stated sarcastically.
She frowned as he cornered her into the wall with his sword. The tip of the sword was pressed lightly to her neck making it impossible for her to move. She couldn't understand why he was standing next to her in the way that he did. But he held a weird goofy look on his face.
"Serena." he whispered starting at her seriously.
"Um…yea." she sighed deciding to play along.
"I know you may not be happy that I'm getting married and I'm not too thrilled either. But sometimes I wish you could remember me. Remember our past together, the fun we had we were children. The many adventures we had." he sighed turning his attention away from her and then back at her. He could see her light blue eyes staring at him in shock but he didn't care, through Selena's eyes he saw Serena and he just thought he had to tell his best friend how he felt, "You don't know how much Selena reminds me of you. It's so hard because no matter how many times I try to forget about you, Selena makes me remember. It makes me wish things could go back to the way it was before."
He brushed her blond hair lightly leaning in closer towards her. She was surprised that he was acting this way, as if he was in a trance or something. He was just gazing at her lovingly, speaking weird as if he was speaking to another person. He saw Selena as his best friend and at that very moment he thought he was speaking to his princess.
"Um…"
Slowly he closed his eyes as he gradually leaned in closer to kiss her. She could feel his breath on her lips as she watched at him in astonishment. Selena was so surprised that she didn't know what to do. His lips were just inches away from hers when she made her decision. Before anything happened she stopped him. She didn't want to lose her job when it was obvious that the prince was delusional, thinking she was Princess Serena again. She placed her finger on his lips breaking him out of his trance. Prince Darien looked at his maid confused.
"What?" he let out.
"Your highness, what are you doing?" she asked him as he stopped moving and noticed that her finger was on his lips.
"I-I…was...I…" he stuttered.
He backed away from her when he realized what he was doing. Selena took the opportunity to defeat him once and for all. She bent down and pick up her sword that wasn't too far away from her as he staggered back falling to the floor. Pointing her sword at his chin, he looked up desperately as he realized that he had clearly lost control of the battle.
"Now I win." she smirked.
He frowned refusing to accept his defeat. He knocked her slightly on her knee with his hand causing her to fall on her knees. As soon as she fell down he got to his feet and rushed for his sword. He picked it up immediately to see that she was already on her feet winching a little in pain. She glared at him seriously as if not believing that he did what he did. The two were a few inches away from each other as they both clutched their sword tightly.
"Heeyah!" Darien yelled as he twisted his sword sideways.
They both charged after each other like a ranging bull. They ran fast with their swords outstretched gathering strength with every step. As soon as they reached close to each other both of their bodies collided causing them to hit the floor with a loud thump. They lay on the floor adjacent to each other, their faces facing the opposite direction and their swords lying by their sides.
"I win." Selena smirk as she looked over at the prince who frowned immediately.
"No, I win, you hit the floor before me." he turned his head to the left looking at her left cheek.
She groaned at his statement. It was just like him to say something like that. She ignored him and came up with an idea to finish this battle that they had started so long ago.
"I have an idea," she said as she looked over to see the prince breathing heavily, he was obviously tired, "whoever gets onto their feet first wins. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
He replied immediately and in an instant was on his feet. Before Selena realized what was going on, she found herself stiff in her kneeling position with a sword close to her throat. He raised his sword making her move upwards to a standing position. He smirked tauntingly as he lowered the sword.
"Now, I win."
She nodded as he got ready to exit the room.
"You've been trained very well, Selena," he smirked as he stood right next to her gazing down at her, "I'm leaving for town now with Trista to do some sight seeing…but I won't need your services today, so take the day off."
He smiled generously as he left the room not waiting for a response from her. She looked at the empty hallway speechless. He did not need her services? She wondered what that meant. Thinking hard she realized what he really meant. And it was not something she was prepared for.
'Do you know I'm going to propose to her today?' she thought remembering what he had said before.
LIVING ROOM
Darien walked slowly down the hallway as he made his way to his friend, Andrew. He still couldn't believe what he had almost done when he was fighting Selena. He was still shock as if in a trance or something. He just knew he had to keep his cool. Brushing down his white shirt and fixing his slightly messed hair, he made his way into the living room where Andrew and his mother were speaking. As soon as he entered the room, his mother smiled at him.
"Oh Darien, you're finally here, I was wondering where you went."
"I was just practicing some swordsmanship." he shrugged trying not to show his blushed cheeks.
"At this time?" she questioned looking at him suspiciously.
He nodded and she decided not to press the issue.
"Well, you two have fun with your sight seeing." she paused as she walked up to him and gave her son a small peck on the cheek, "Good luck with your proposal, I know this is an arrange marriage, but her answer may not be yes. So be prepared for anything."
"I know." he sighed pretending to care.
He didn't care for sure if she said yes because he realized that he was starting to see a certain someone in a new light. Something that should not happen to a prince but all because he thinks she is someone else.
"I'm going to my room now, I'm not feeling too well." she sighed as she lifted her light peach dress from the floor giving herself space to walk, as she proceeded to leave the room.
"Have a good rest until I get back mother." he smirked waving to her as she disappeared out of sight.
He turned back to his best friend who was just standing still looking at the scene. Andrew could read Darien's expression and he could see that the boy looked confused. He was the same age as Darien but a little more mature in some ways, however he could see that something was bothering his friend. Darien sighed as he took a deep breath, he still felt tired since he was fighting Selena for thirty minutes straight, and it was something he hadn't done in a while without a break. He looked at Andrew who gave him a quizzical look.
"What were you doing to be so tired?"
"I-I was just having a duel with Selena."
"Looks more like you were having an all out war." he replied pointing at the hole in his shirt that had gotten bigger.
Darien gave a sarcastic chuckle trying to hide his blush with his black bangs.
"Darien, you didn't do anything else did you?" he inquired staring his friend suspiciously.
"Well no…um…I just…" he paused a little in a soft whisper as Andrew leaned in closer to hear what he had to say, "I just almost kissed her."
"What!" Andrew yelled shaking his friend lightly, "What possessed you to almost do that?"
"I don't know, I can't remember much of what was said but I think I thought she was Serena." he sighed bowing his head.
"I know she looks a little like the girl in your picture, but Darien you got to control yourself." he spoke seriously to his friend who looked so pitiful, "Darien just listen to me, you will marry Princess Trista and don't you forget it."
He looked up at his friend with a sadden expression as if not knowing what to say. But before he could say anything Princess Trista and Mina entered the room. They wore simple dresses for the occasion as they got ready for their day out. The two boys decided to finish their conversation later and led the ladies out of the palace and into the carriage that was waiting for them. Once aboard the carriage they headed straight towards the town square where the sweet smell of the summer was vibrant in the air.
The carriage made a stop by a small oak tree that leaned across to a nearby bridge. Darien and Trista got out of the carriage leaving Mina and Andrew inside. They made their way to the small bridge as a gentle breeze surrounds them. Darien looked at the hole in his shirt, it had not become much bigger but the scar on his arm was clearly visible. He fixed his shirt and looked over at the princess that stood to his right. He took a deep breath as he took her hand in his. She gazed at him weirdly wondering what was going on in his head. He just gave a sheepish smile as he made his way to his knees.
"Trista we've spent a wonderful three months getting to know each other better," he replied sighing, "and I know we have a long way to go but…"
She looked at him skeptically wanting him to get to the point. He reached into his back pocket and took out a small black box. Opening it slowly he recited the magic words.
"Will you marry me?"
Okay that's it. I can't believe I went over again. 16 pages this time. Well I hope you love this chapter as much as I do. I love the battle scene with Darien and Selena, that's the best part in this story, to me and not because I wrote it. I was so inspired to write that piece when I watched the Mask of Zorro. Anyway, tell me what you think and I'll try my best to finish the story soon. I don't know when the next update will be but I'll try and make it soon. Don't forget to review so I can know what you think.
Ciao
PhantasyDreamer