Chapter 2

It was bound to happen, that I would meet the Prince of all of Earth. After all, I was in his city.

I was introduced to him at a party by Lady Greta, a loud woman who was always covered in jewels. She had taken me under her wing that night, since I came on the arm of her husband's widower friend. I rather wished she hadn't. She was at least twenty-five years my senior and smelled heavily of perfume that rubbed off when she wrapped her arm around me to steer me around the room with the strength of at least three men.

However, she knew everyone. It was through her I was introduced to General Kunzite, one of the Four Kings. I felt no nervousness when I took his hand. I merely smiled, slowly.

"It's a pleasure," I murmured.

"All mine," he returned, politely but dismissively, his eyes barely glancing at me. He was too busy being alert, his gaze on the crowd.

"Forgive his distraction," Greta said, cheerfully. "He's always like that when the Prince is around. Would you like to meet him? If we get through the crowd that is. My husband was an ambassador to the Americas, that's General Nephrite's territory you know, so I am sure I can force Prince Endymion to at least pretend to remember who I am."

I let Greta's words wash over me as she pulled me toward the crowd of people surrounding the ruler of Earth. Kunzite beat us there, and said something quietly to the prince and taking him away from the group by the arm. It didn't stop Greta from catching up with them, and pulling me over by the arm, to the tight and annoyed smiles of the two men.

But of course, I was a young, beautiful woman. And Endymion's smile quickly turned from annoyed to genuine as I introduced myself.

Kunzite, who finally actually deigned to look at me, nodded again. He seemed friendlier this time. But I barely noticed him. I was busy observing the prince.

It was bound to be that I would ache with jealousy toward this person, who was given everything and had endless power and authority over the entire planet, born into privilege I could never imagine. And I did.

As he took my hand in greeting, I realized I coveted everything he had with a heady rush of envy that rocked me. I wanted his position, his power.

When he repeated my name back to me, I knew I should hate him like I hated my half-sister and my father.

Instead, I realized with surprise, I desired him.

Upon reflection, this was not strange, because I usually desired men only for what they could give me – and Endymion could give me everything – everything. But I also was incredibly attracted to his looks, his genuine smile, his warm eyes, the way his dark hair fell into his eyes.

I felt a flush warm my cheeks, and I glanced at Kunzite to see him watching me with amusement evident in his eyes. Instantly I felt rage boil within me. How dare he look at me as if I was just another silly courtier with a crush on Prince Endymion?

Of course, I knew the prince was handsome and many a girl fell over themselves around him. I smirked a little. Even homely royalty would be worth chasing, after all. But I was not an ordinary girl and Kunzite was a fool if he took me for one.

Prince Endymion and Lady Greta began discussing something related to diplomacy and I made sure to listen carefully. My ignorance in matters of state almost gave my true origins away on more than one occasion, but I was a fast learner.

The Prince glanced my way every so often and I made sure to smile at him, in a way I saw my mother smile on more than occasion. It worked. He danced with me twice.

By the end of the night I knew two things about him. Firstly, that the rumors were true. He was a decent man. Through and through. This was unfortunate. I had no idea how to deal with decent men.

Secondly, I sensed he also possessed a magic ability. I also didn't know what to make of this.

By the end of the night, Endymion knew only one thing about me: my name. And even that wasn't even real.

That was the night I realized I wanted it all. And my ambitions sky-rocketed to a laughable level. I wanted to be Endymion's. I wanted to be Queen of Earth. Even I knew that was ridiculous. I put it out of my head – for the time being.

Until it became necessary to act or be acted upon.