Note: Sorry for the long delay. I'm finally settled into the new house. It's just been really hard to get back to work.
Serenity, Litanya, and Artemis arrived back at the house with no problems. After feeding Artemis he headed back on his way not wasting any extra time. There had been no words from Atalides and Serenity was still regretting not being able to talk to Endymion or to just sit in his presence. Her heart ached for him. She could only remember the wistful look on his face and some emotional display in his eyes. Could it have been love?
She sighed as she soaked into her bath. Why was life being so difficult to her. She had a meeting with her father that day and she was hoping all would go well. Her family was seeing Atalides and some of the war generals over to Sparta for the meeting. She was just hoping that Endymion's men would be ready in case something terrible was going to happen.
She climbed out and dress in a lilac tunic that hugged her curves, and silver colored sandals. Regardless of her wet hair she head out of her room nervously. As she walked into the living room area Ami looked up from her book.
"Serenity, what's the matter?" She asked looking up at her anxious friend.
"Oh, I'm headed to the main house to see Atalides off." She muttered.
"Would you like for me to go with you?"
Serenity smiled weakly.
"No, it's okay. I'll be fine. My brother Andrew has come home so he'll be there. I know Minako will be happy to see him. All that military training has kept him away from us."
Serenity smoothed any imaginary wrinkles from her dress and hand her hands through her slightly damp hair. She walked into her father's study with a smile. Her father stood up from his seat with a warm smile.
"Hello dear! Don't you look wonderful." He greeted.
She smiled up at him and rushed into his arms. He hugged her tightly.
"How have you been?" She asked him
"Pretty good." He said releasing her to pull out a chair for her.
She sat down and watched her father take his seat.
"Where's mother?"
"Out in the gardens some where."
She nodded and didn't say anything for a moment. They sat in a silence for a while.
"Well father, what did you want to talk about."
He was silent for a moment , thinking of what to say.
"It's Atalides dear. It seems that things between you aren't working. I've heard rumors from the servants that you are being abused by him. Is that true?" He asked
Serenity felt a relief flood through her, maybe now her father would free her from such a vile man and she could be free to be with another like Endymion.
"Yes father." She said softly.
"For some reason I don't believe it. He is such a good man." He said
She felt shock register through her.
"What do you mean?" She asked her voice cracking slightly.
"Well, I don't believe that he would abuse you for no reason. What have you been up to? There has to be a reason why he may feel it to be necessary." He said nonchalantly.
She stared at him unbelievingly.
"Don't look at me like that." He said impatiently.
"Why father? Why don't you believe me? Why would you want me to marry him? We have more land than anyone could ask for. Grandfather is the most powerful man alive and so is Uncle who's king." She said angrily.
Her father tuned her out and clapped his hands loudly for a guard to arrive. The guard stepped out of his hiding place.
"Send in Atalides."
The guard simply nodded and did what he was told. Serentiy sat there in fear and shock. Her father didn't believe her. If he didn't, who would save her from that dumb psycho. A few moments later the guard came back with Atalides.
"My prince, Kenji, Lord Atalides." The guard announced stepping back into the shadows.
Atalides smiled at them brightly.
"Hello sir, and to my lovely wife to be." He said smoothly taking Serenity's hand kissing it lightly.
Serenity grimaced at that.
"Sere, Atalides and I talked earlier and he said he had a surprise for you." Her father chirped.
"What is it?" She asked dully.
"You shall get it later." He said
"Now that you two are here, I have more business to take care of. Since our family has been invited to Sparta. Atalides and some of the men are going to make sure it's safe first. If it is then Serenity you will be sent for along with your sister and ladies in waiting. Since Atalides is family, he'll be staying with us if all is safe."
Serenity only nodded wondering what else was going on and why they'd all have to go to Sparta. Before the conversation could continue, a knock came at the door.
"Enter" Kenji called.
A servant scurried in with a parchment. Kenji thanked him and opened it. He skimmed it with a smile.
"Well, Atalides, it seems as thought the men won't have to go over now. You can just come with us when we leave for Sparta. It seems that the King wants to talk about peace treaties and has invited the whole family to a ball.
"When is the ball?" Serenity asked curiously.
"It is this weekend. Go home and get ready. We'll leave in two days. Be prepared, you're always late so be on time for once." Kenji chided.
"May I be excused?" Serenity asked quietly wanting to get away from both men so she could be alone with her thoughts.
She stood and prepared to leave but Atalides grabbed her hand. He gripped it tightly but her father could tell. He pulled her to him and kissed her cheek.
"I'll see you later" He murmured in her ear.
She snatched her hand away and left.
Serentiy hurried to the gardens to find her mother.
"Mother!" she called out.
Serentiy ran to her mother's favorite section of the garden in search of her. The Orchids.
"Over here!" He mother called back.
She saw her mother sitting in the grass on a blanket. Selene looked up at her daughter warmly. Serenity's mother looked like an older version of her and Minako. Her fair hair was the same color as theirs. Her blue eyes were paler like the color of ice. She stood up with an air of grace.
"Hi sweet heart." She said holding her arms out.
"Mom" She whimpered as a small child and hugged her tightly.
"What's the matter?" She asked worriedly as she felt tears hit her bare arm.
They sat down and Selene pushed her daughter's hair back.
"Mom, Atalides abuses me and father doesn't believe me. I don't know what to do."
Her mother began to get angry. She was silent for a moment.
"Well, You know that your father will want proof of the way the acts because as I recall you did tell him that you would find away not to marry Atalides. So you see he probably thinks you are making it up. Bring proof and I'll kill him myself." She said hugging her child.
Serenity knew her mother was right. She couldn't argue so she simply nodded. Her mother smoothed her hair and smiled.
" I'll talk to your father tonight. I'll see you later." She said kissing her forehead as Serenity gathered herself to leave.
"Bye mother." She said holding her head up, walking off.
The girls stared up at the wonderful castle from their carriage. It was bigger and bolder in the daylight.
"Here goes nothing." Serenity murmured halfway to herself as they were helped out of the carriage.
"I can't wait!" Minako exclaimed only thinking of her man.
Servants came out of the castle handing each woman a bouquet of flowers while others gathered luggage from everyone. As they entered the foyer a servant bowed before them.
" Hello everyone. His majesty and his family will greet you. Please follow me. He spoke grandly.
Serenity passed a nervous glance at Minako as Atalides came and took Serenity arm. Ever since she knew she was going to see him again she was a nervous wreck. She was happy to be able to see him again but she was terrified with Atalides and her father being there. She didn't want them to know of her newly discovered feeling about Endymion. Minako discreetly squeezed her sister's free hand.
"It'll be okay." She whispered to her quickly.
Serenity smiled and nodded. Everyone was lead into the throne room after Serenity's and Minako's parents. Then Andrew and Minako, Serenity and Atalides, and everyone else. All of the other girls were just as excited about the ball.
At the time...
Endymion sat by his parents bored. His father said something special was happening today but he could only imagine. Ever since Serenity gave him warning of the Athenians coming he had want to be training preparing to meet Atalides. But no news came from their troops coming. Maybe they thought better of coming or maybe Serenity was just paranoid. Or maybe she just used that as an excuse to see him. He smiled slightly to himself thinking of her and wondering what she was up to. As the doors to the throne room opened many people started to fill the room. At first glance they just seem like boring people but as more filed in he began to recognize some of them. He recognized some of them but then his heart went down into his stomach. He knew Serenity wasn't royalty so it was pointless in thinking every blonde haired woman was her. Serenity was dressed in a pale mint green dress that hugged her. Her long hair cascaded down her back from a high ponytail in curls. A few soft tendrils fell around her heart shaped face. She looked slightly nervous as she played with the flowers in her arms. Endymion barely listened as the court' s names were announced. The servant introduced Serenity's as the King
s niece and he felt his spirits soar until he hear Atalides name. He watched in shocked silence as he watched Atalides bow slightly. Endymion stared coldly at Atalides but Atalides didn't notice. Endymion's mother, Crystaline smiled at them all.
"Well, the servants will take care of everything and go ahead and go to your rooms. I'm sure everyone is exhausted. Now, Serenity, Minako, Ami, Litanya and Rei if you'd like a tour of the gardens my son Endymion would be pleased to show you. Oh, I forgot I'd like to have a small refreshment party later with the ladies." She annoucned regally.
Endymion looked towards his parents in surprise. His mother looked back at him a winked. Some how he knew that she knew what was going on. He smiled gratefully towards his parents and stepped off the throne towards the women. All of the men plus the rest of the court left out of the throne room except the five girls.
Serenity looked at him nervously then looked around to see if her family was watching- which they weren't . He swiftly took Serenity's hand and kissed it softly.
"Nice to meet you." She found herself saying
"Likewise." He said
Rei and Litanya looked at each other with smirks.
"I've missed you" He whispered to her.
Serenity looked down blushing and Minako coughed nervously.
"Endymion, why don't you take the ladies on tour?"
Endymion held his arm out for Minako to take and the other for Serenity.
"Where are the generals?" Minako asked time they were out of hearing range. Endymion chuckled.
"They are in the practice room. I'll take you all to them." He said.
Minako couldn't wait to see Kunzite. She was determined to make him hers even if he acted as though he wasn't interested in her more than a friend. Once they entered the training room, the four men looked shocked and surprised to see them. Each girl slowly went towards the generals. Serenity stole a quick glance towards Endymion. He was looking down on her affectionately. She blushed for being caught.
"Why don't we head to the gardens and then to the lake." He said gently.
He lead the way out of the palace and into the gardens. Serenity noticed many rare flowers all around her. Sometime my mother takes time out her schedule and works in the flower beds here." He said lightly.
"How have you been?" Serenity asked changing the subject.
"Pretty good" He said clasping her hand, fingers entwined.
He kissed her hand gently again.
"I know you belong to another but I can't help myself. I've missed you so much." He murmured.
Serenity just blushed not knowing what to say but just enjoying being there with him. They stopped walking and looked at each other. Endymion tucked a stand of her hair behind her ear.
"You're so beautiful." he said softly.
"Thank you, so are you." She said shyly.
Endymion ran a finger along her jaw line lifting her chin up. Her eye lids fluttered against her soft cheeks. He lowered his head...
"Uh.. excuse me." a voice said
Serenity and Endymion backed away in surprise. Serenity hid behind him. He wore a look of irritation. One of the servants had interrupted them.
"What is it?" He asked annoyed.
" Sorry your highness but Lord Atalides is looking for Lady Serenity. Your mother said you were taking the ladies out ." The servant said quickly bowing.
Serenity's joyful mood was killed.
"I'll send her to him once I find her." Endymion said covering since the servant wouldn't know who Serenity was.
The servant nodded and scurried along.
"I must go." She said sadly.
Endymion gave her hand a squeeze and let it go.
"Will you be able to find your way to the throne room?"
"Yes."
"Alright, I'll see you later." he promised and headed in a different direction.
Reluctantly Serenity headed back down the path in which they came. The servant from earlier appeared out of no where startling Serenity.
"I'm sorry to startle you. I'll lead you back. I promise not to say anything to anyone." The servant said knowingly.
"Thank you." Serenity said not knowing whether to trust this man or not but she really had no choice.
Note: Sorry for the long wait. Hope you enjoyed it. More to come soon!!