Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or associated characters.

Chapter 10: Banquet

He couldn't blame her for thinking the way she did. A girl raised as she had been could never guess at the logistics and time demands her remedy required.

"Could you tell all of that to me again?" he asked faintly, still daunted by the enormity of the task she asked of him.

"Well, I thought you could conquer back my homeland, Hanerog, and I could be Queen. You can come court me then, properly, and then become my King," she bit her lower lip, "Is that too hard?"

"I'm not sure you know what you're asking," he replied, shaking his head.

"I think I do. But if I don't, then tell me!" Her voice took a petulant manner. His mind started racing with the implications as he mentally tallied up everything needed for warfare.

"First, my people would have to be convinced that war was in their favor. Then war funds would need to be raised. Diplomacy must be tried before war is just declared." He voiced raced on, gaining excitement as he waded deeper into his forte. "Spies need to be dispatched. A decision must be made whether to conquer just your lands, or both yours and Okuhin lands. Your government must be set up beforehand to help alleviate possible opportunists slipping in. Your people need to be gauged to see if they want you as their queen."

Taking a breath, he noticed Serenity slumped down, looking completely overwhelmed.

"I never knew that a simple idea would take so much. I just wanted what I might have had!" her cerulean eyes spoke volumes of disappointment.

Endy's rage slipped a little bit out of his control as he growled his response. "And you should! If those thieven' bastards hadn't taken your homeland, then you would've been a happy princess, surrounded by your family and loyal subjects."

His burst of anger didn't faze her. She only looked at him beseechingly, hoping.

"Will you help me take back my kingdom?" she pleaded.

"I can't tell you yes or no, nothing is for certain. I can only promise that I'll try," he voiced strongly. Right after his promise left his lips was when an icy realization hit him. He had just effectively proclaimed war for his father's kingdom.

How in the hell am I supposed to tell him that?

"I think we should get ready for the banquet. We're going to be late as it is, anyhow," he told her, glumly.

She nodded with a bright smile, bouncing off the bed. Her cheerfulness blinded her to the sense of impending doom that had settled around Endymion. He grumbled something about a 'public hanging' on the next day before rolling off the bed as well.

"What?" Serenity demanded, indignantly. This was the third time she had asked him. The other two times, Endy had just sighed and shook his head, dismissing her question. She stamped her foot this time, to add to the seriousness of her demand.

"I'm speechless," was all that was uttered. He had his left arm crossed over his chest with his right arm propped upon it and his chin in his hand. Azure eyes sat trained on her, contemplating. With a fiery huff, she turned her back to him, trying to show her displeasure at his rudeness.

"You are ravishing. I couldn't imagine a more beautiful dress, or a more stunning girl to wear it," he said, softly.

She turned back towards him, the candle light illuminating her blush. Pushing a few strands of stray hair behind her bright red ear, she said, "Please, don't say such untrue things. But you, you are a handsome man, my Prince. Will you escort me to the banquet?"

"I never lie!" he replied, indignantly. "But, yes. I would be so honored to escort your Highness."

Serenity giggled as she stepped over to him and took his arm. "I love you," she whispered as she laid her head against his arm. Endy felt tortured, as he didn't have the reply that she craved, but comforted as well. Her love wrapped him in a warm blanket, easing his worries away.

Another thought brushed his mind. Stories his mother read him when he was small. About princes who fought and saved maidens which whom they loved, or started wars to rescue said maiden. His smile faltered a moment as a newer thought formed.

I'm about to brave my father's wrath and start a war for a woman I claim I don't love? I must have gone mad.

Endy was lost in his thoughts, battling himself over whether or not if he did love Serenity. They had just left his rooms and he was having trouble putting one foot in front of the other, his internal fighting was so severe.

"Are you okay, Endymion?" Serenity's voice cut through his self-doubt like a hot knife through snow.

"Oh. Yes, I'm fine. Just thinking," he replied, cursing himself to pay more attention. Her concern brought something else to mind. He hadn't considered the other aspect of Serenity's love. It made him feel more important, special. It was like no other feeling he had before. Even if he couldn't decide if he returned the feeling, it was very nice to be on the receiving end.

He shifted his focus to her, pulling away from his own confusing thoughts. She was a vision, something so out of place in his life that maybe had hadn't decided if she was real or not. Walking down the corridor with her on his arm made his head swim. Everything seemed so surreal, almost as if he was watching a dream float by. He felt as if he could reach out to any object and his hand would pass right through. A small cough brought him more or less back to reality.

"Do you remember your mother, Endymion?" Serenity asked, looking to the side.

Endy nearly stumbled. "What brings this up?"

"I knew my mother before she died. Not very well, as I was very young. Perhaps three years of age. My only memory of her was her standing up to someone. So beautiful, so poised. I remember my strongest thought back then. I had hoped with all my heart to be like her someday, to be a perfect mix of beauty and bearing. I fear that I have failed in both respects," she shook her head in shame as they continued to walk.

Endy had another sharp slash of rage. Not at Serenity, but at how she seemed to belittle herself so easily. He pulled her to a stop, and then ever so gently, pushed her up against the wall.

"Stop! Just stop. You are by far the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. Being raised the way you were, nobody would expect you to have the self confidence that you want so badly. Just be you and be happy about it!" he ended, growling again.

Serenity worked her mouth, but nothing came out. With such strong emotion flowing through him, Endy had no reason to rely on. Not after knowing something so personal about her. Nothing seemed to bar his lust for her, his need for her.

His lips stopped hers from moving. The brief kiss they shared earlier couldn't compare to the intensity, the raw emotions that seemed to electrify his body. The kiss lost all meaning, now it only served as their contact point. Warmth infused his whole body, bliss was personally introduced to his vocabulary. Time didn't stop, it sped up, throwing him on a wild ride of colors and delightful sensations. His deep set feeling of not really ever belonging was washed away. Now he knew he belonged here, with Serenity. Now he knew that he had been deluding himself. He did love Serenity. Nothing had mattered so much as she mattered to him now. It wasn't sudden, as the kiss had been, but it had been gradually building from the first instant they met. This kiss just confirmed what he had been denying himself in the guise of independence.

A small cough brought him out of the small world the two of them created. Focusing on the now, Endy broke off the kiss to turn a withering glare on whoever had disturbed his paradise. Ami took a step back, surprise showing on her flustered face. The glare faded from his face, realizing that the kiss had to end anyway and Ami was not to blame.

"Your Highnesses will be late if you continue your… conversation… much longer. May I perhaps suggest letting me guide your Highnesses to the Banquet room?" Ami said very formally.

Shit.

"Ami, I'm sorry. I didn't really mean to glare at you like that, it's been a trying day," he said to her.

She gave another formal bow, but the real acceptance of his apology was the slight curving of her lips. "Will my Lord, and his Princess, allow me to show them to the Banquet?"

Endy's eyes bulged a little.

"Did you just say his?" he asked her with disbelief.

"No, my Lord. I said 'my Lord and the Princess," she replied, an insolent smile spreading across her face.

He snorted, but waved her forward to lead on. Serenity did a very lady like move by placing her arm on his in the proper escort, and then ruined it by leaning her head against his shoulder. It bothered him about as much as a cool drink on a hot day. He enjoyed cool drinks on hot days.

Ami took off in the direction they had been heading already. He led Serenity on, following Ami down the corridors, trying to hide his reaction to what he had just done.

He had just gone and fell in love, without permission. Well, actually with his father's wholehearted approval. Although Endy was sure he would try to find a way around his word.

Like a fog suddenly evaporating, revealing a hidden trail, his answer appeared down the corridor. Princess Minako was standing in front of the Banquet Hall double doors with her arm in Motoki's. By the looks of her smile, it seemed that she had been enjoying the attention of the Royal Treasurer. Had been, for as soon as she saw Endymion and Princess Serenity, she jerked her arm away quickly and assumed a more regal posture. A contemplative frown crossed her face when she saw how Serenity had her head on his shoulder.

"Princess Minako," he greeted her, positioning himself and Serenity in front of the double doors. After a princely bow, he turned to Motoki, "And Baron Motoki!" Endy could barely contain himself while the newly appointed Baron's face contorted in a spasm.

Maybe King Kenichi wouldn't mind his daughter marrying a Baron?

"Might I ask a favor of you?" he spoke, giving the new Baron a moment to collect himself. A numb nod and then Endy couldn't resist making a joke, "Could you escort Princess Minako to the banquet? I'm afraid that if I escort two princesses, I might get stabbed for being too pompous." He only had moment to enjoy his little quip before a sharp little elbow and an indignant frown wiped the smile off his face.

Minako gave him a haughty sniff then turned to Motoki. "I didn't know you were a Baron!"

Bait and hook!

Serenity made a small sound of recognition, indicating to Endy that she realized his plan.

"Neither did I! This is as new to me as to anyone," Motoki quirked an eyebrow at Endy.

"Well, if you were to become an ambassador, say to Gonfuto, you would need such a title," Endy said, smiling again. Wickedly.

He knew exactly how Motoki felt, being tossed around by a royal, because he had the same done to him by his father. Unfortunately, this opportunity gave him insight on why his father did the things he did. He felt dirty and wanted a bath.

'Ambassador?' Motoki mouthed, looking lost. "Why… when… but who will look after the Treasury?"

Endy was looking for it, otherwise he would have missed the quick elbow Princess Minako threw into Motoki's side. Endy had lots of personal experience with elbows and knew that if they weren't thrown in a brawl, then that meant the girl really liked you or loved you. Her quick elbow let him know that she really wanted Motoki to be an ambassador to Gonfuto.

"Baron Motoki, would you please lead us into the Banquet?" Endy gestured towards the double doors, looking innocent. He didn't answer the new Baron on account of not knowing the answer and for his personal amusement. Serenity giggled softly.

I think she's getting used to my humor, he thought.

"Shouldn't the birthday boy go first?" Motoki countered. He knew the Prince would ignore any further questioning on the Ambassador matter, so he didn't even bother.

The Prince, for his part, gave a big goofy smile and threw open the doors. The small party was hit with bright lights, merry music, and heavy aromas of delicious food.

"… and that is why we need a new Ambassador," Endy finished and sat back, pleased with his report to his father.

The King muttered to himself for a moment, mulling over what he had just heard. Looking up, he graced his son with a rarely seen pleased smile. "That, my boy, is a masterful stroke of diplomacy. I wouldn't be embarrassed to call it my own idea! Except for the fact that now we don't have a Royal Treasurer."

"This roast duck is exquisite!" Endy quickly shoved a leg into his mouth. He still hadn't figured that part out.

"You'll not pull that on me, boy! I'll agree that Motoki is talented and soon ready for promotion. I'll even agree that the situation warranted early promotion. I don't even care that you haven't thought about a replacement for him. I've already thought of one, by the way. What I care about is why? What is so important that you would conceive this plan of yours?" the King's eyes bored into Endy's, demanding an answer.

The extremely tasty duck turned into ash in his mouth. What he had to say next could quite possibly be his last royal decision. Swallowing the last of the duck meat in his mouth, Endy sat up straighter and looked directly into the King's intense gaze.

"I'm going to declare war on Okuhin." He thought the simplest statement would suffice. A ring of silence rapidly progressed outward from him as the other celebrates near him heard then proceeded to quiet everyone else.

"That's fine, but you know that's not what I meant," the King didn't relaxed his gaze one bit.

That's fine? That's fine! What the fuc… Not what he meant? What else could he mean? At a loss for an answer, he looked at Serenity. Her cheeks had a soft rosy red color to it, making her pale skin even more noticeable. Her eyes were a bit glossy, showing that she really did indulge in wine this time. His heart warmed and he chuckled gently at her condition. When she noticed that he was looking at her, she reached a hand out to him with a slight whimper. He felt bad that he hadn't been giving her any attention the whole time he was speaking with his father and took her hand in his. A smile broke across her face and Endy realized what his father meant.

"I'm going to recover Serenity's lands so she can marry me as a queen," he looked back at his father and stated simply. Guile wouldn't work on the old bastard.

"So you think you can just up and declare war so you can get married? What would our people think of that?" the King barely uttered those last words before a wild cheer rang through the Banquet hall. Endy just quirked an eyebrow at him.

"You're so insufferable when you think you're right. But what you didn't think about is why we would start a war when peace is so prevalent now. 'Don't fix what isn't broken', that's what we're going to do. You can marry Serenity without starting a war," the King spoke with final authority.

The guest's reactions oscillated with the King's speech, growing quiet and despondent with the rejection of the 'war for love', and becoming elated with the proclamation that their Prince could marry anyway. Endy felt like a spectator as he watched his father play the people's emotions like a master conductor. Then the King's words suddenly made sense.

He is right! Why would I start a war when there is no reason. I just got caught up in Serenity's fancy. He shook his head to try and clear away the nonsense that clouded it. He would not be starting a war, not for crimes long really didn't know what came over him. Then Serenity voiced her protest that somewhere, deep down inside, Endy feared as well.

"But I'm not a real princess. How can I marry Endymion?" her voice wavered and tears gathered in her eyes.

"Because you don't need to be a princess to marry a prince," the King said.

"But it's a tradition! It's like a law!" a minor noble voiced.

"It is a tradition, but it is not a law," the King rose his gaze from pleasantly smiling at Serenity to give the rash noble an annoyed look.

"What is tradition, then?" Serenity asked meekly, staring up at Endy with childlike earnestness.

"It's an action that's repeated over and over," Endy started.

"…That shouldn't have started in the first place or that someone didn't think through properly," the King finished, giving Endy a look. Endy rolled his eyes, but gave a nod in understanding anyway.

"So, that means…?" Serenity asked timidly.

"That means because We recognize you as the Princess of Hanerog, none of that mattered anyway. You and Endy will be married after proper arrangements are made," the King said with finality.

"That still leaves the lands of Hanerog! To me, that's unfinished business," Endy pushed his point. He felt sick after he said it though.

"And?" the King asked with a smirk. The King's smirk was a confirmation of sorts, and then the dread washed over him.

"I…" Endy started. He really didn't want to finish. Didn't want to see the answer to the unasked question in his father's eyes. "I want to propose a treaty with Okuhin to annex Hanerog lands."

"I agree. You'll take charge of this endeavor," the King nodded his assent.

Endy was looking for it. Hoping for it. Even wishing for it. But it never came. There was no surprise on the Kings expression at all. It came together from half finished thoughts, feelings, and guesses. His father had planned all of it! Everything! How well Endy did on his campaign, Serenity, the interference from Gonfuto, making Motoki a Baron, and even this!

It's probably been like this my whole life! Endy thought. Astonishment and rage coursed through him.

"YOU PLANNED ALL OF THIS!" Endy roared at the calmly collected King.

AN: If you notice, I started capitalizing King in reference to Endy's father. He wasn't going to be a big character and I was going to kill him off in this chapter. That didn't happen and now he is a bigger character than originally planned. I will go back and edit previous chapters to undo the subconscious belittling of his importance.