Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or associated characters.
Chapter 11: I Call Witness!
"Sit down, Endy" his father said, quietly. The warning it his tone was clear.
For his part, Endy realized he was standing over the King as his lungs worked like bellows, trying to cool his rage. Not one to forget a lesson so easily, he sat back into his chair. He was the Prince and his father was the King, he knew his place. No one else seemed to notice his yelling either, as his relationship with the King was also well known by the intimate court.
During the time it took Endy to sit, he decided to switch tactics. Losing his temper towards his father obviously didn't work. Over and over again, it hadn't worked. So he proceeded to pretend like his outburst hadn't happened at all. Indeed, he ignored his father altogether and proceeded to sample the wide array of gourmet fare available. He still felt too skinny from the poisoning and made a promise to himself about remedying it with Makoto's cooking. It wouldn't be an onerous task. Rather like Serenity, a task he could enjoy. Which led to a whole new thought.
"Serenity, you said you have had lessons in cooking? I'd like to try yours someday," he winked at her. So what if his father planned everything. At least he would get more time to know Serenity better. Serenity, for her part, looked a bit wide eyed at him.
"I'm afraid you won't like it. Just because I've had lessons doesn't mean I'm any good at it," her voice was pitched just loud enough for him. Her shyness was still quite evident. Even if her cooking tasted like ash, he'd eat it all and tell her how wonderful it was, he decided. Then make up an excuse as to why princesses shouldn't be cooking. Her chair wasn't as close as it usually was, maybe because he had just jumped up and was screaming at his father, again. He was thinking about scooting her closer, but…
"Jadeite sends his regards!" a fierce whisper directly in his ear said. Instantly, training took over. He quickly grabbed a knife off the table while simultaneously he kicked the table's leg, hard. He raised his unarmed arm to deflect whatever was coming for him as he fell backwards in his chair. It happened very quickly, his chair flew backwards as he raised defense and offense at the same time. The normal looking servant, who had a dagger coming down towards the prince's neck now struck his arm and had a knife shoved into his stomach. Endy landed hard on his back. On the chair. On the would-be assassin.
Rolling off and standing quickly, Endy cursed loudly.
"Son-of-a-BITCH, that hurts!" Holding his injured arm out away from him, so the blood splash on the smooth stones of the Banquet Hall's floor in front of him. He tightened his grip on his arm, inches above the gaping wound. Taking a quick look showed that he had been cut to the bone. Better than the neck, he thought. The bleeding slowed a bit.
Suddenly, he had a fit of laughter. No, it was a gale of laughter. Serenity got up quickly and ran the short distance to him, giving him a queer look before taking his injury into her hands. During his laughter, Endy noted how she started to glow and his pain abated. His wound stitched up right before everyone's eyes. Guards came rushing up and some other nobles who had seen what had happened, started to crowd about Serenity and him.
So, he thought, she doesn't mind using her powers in front of everyone if my life is in danger? It took him a couple more moments before he could control himself and when Serenity was done, he pointed the newly healed arm at his father, who had such a look of fright on his face. He had also stood up and was coming to his son.
"Ha! I bet you didn't plan that!" Endy burst back into laughter, while Serenity giggled beside him. Whether it was the wine or she really did understand his humor, he'd have to find out later. A moment later, he dashed to the would-be assassin, gently pushing people aside, before one of his guards could give the finishing blow. "Wait! Stop!" he commanded sternly. "I have a few questions for our guest before he departs for life." He giggled at his own wit, and Serenity, who had come up behind him, giggled as well. So she does understand me! He felt that was important. One; because it meant there was someone else who liked his dry wit other than himself. Two; because she would have to live with it, for a while, at least. He sat on the edge of the seat that was up, pushing the back top of the chair deeper into the wanna-be assassin's stomach more. An anguished grunt satisfied him.
"Actually, I only have one question, before I kill… Wait. Sorry, I'm not supposed to do that anymore. Before my guard here executes you. You did know that assault on a Royal Person is an instant death penalty, right?" he didn't really care if he knew or not. He was still tickling himself. "One question," he leaned right up to the man's pain filled face and put every ounce of menace he could muster in his voice, "Where is Jadeite?"
It must have been something, cause even his guard took a step back. In fact, everyone who had started to crowd around them did. Not Serenity, though. She just looked surprised.
" Never.. tell…..you," the man squeaked out, his eyes wide and frightened.
Was everyone looking a bit frightened? Well, no. There was Serenity.
And his father. Oh no. Another thing his father knew that he didn't, he felt sure of it.
"You're glowing, Endymion," Serenity whispered to him. Unfortunately, it was very quiet in the banquet room. The only other sound was the labored gasps of a dying man. A lot of people heard her whispered words. Although they could see for themselves. He lifted his hand and saw a strong, dark blue glow encompassing it. He looked up and saw some fear in everyone's eyes around him. By the sound of more whispering, the news was spreading fast. He thought quickly. There had to be a way to defuse the fear and use it to his advantage.
It was Serenity who came to his rescue, doing a shrewd thing then. She came up and put her arm around him. That startled him, making him reappraise her intelligence.
Everyone seemed to have forgotten about her glowing, or maybe people felt silly, fearing a man they loved and adored. But he knew exactly what she did. Although, he enjoyed her proximity despite her plan. While grown men had shied away from the unknown, a small, young woman came right up to him and gave him a hug.
Yes, she would fit right in with this family of cunning Royals, he mused for a second. The he punched the man underneath him hard. In the face.
"Same question," he stated simply.
Serenity's act and his brash action seemed to snap everyone out of their state. The guards moved back closer and held weapons at the ready.
"It's really not a tough one. In fact, I'll have my companion Heal you, and I'll proceed to beat you again until you answer me. We could do it for weeks! Think of all the fond memories we could make!" he giggled again, quietly though. He wouldn't want anyone thinking he was mad.
"Okuhin! He's at the palace in Okuhin!" the man wailed.
"Oh. I guess you don't want to play with me then. That's too bad. I hope the rest of your life is extremely painful," Endy patted his cheek and got off the chair. He had stopped glowing at least. "Take him out of here and kill him. Feed his corpse to wild animals," he ordered the guards.
Looking about, he gauged the atmosphere around the room. His eyes flicked across Baron Motoki and Princess Minako, holding hands. He felt a surge of pleasure as a plan seemingly coming together right before his eyes. The Banquet Hall seemed rather calm after an attempt on his life. Disappointing, really. He could go for some women wailing and men shouting their concern. But his display of glowing had something to do with that.
"May I?" he asked his father, raising an eyebrow. The King suddenly looked very tired, settling back onto his elaborate chair. After a moment, he nodded.
"I call Witness! A subject from Okuhin has attempted to murder my Royal Person at the request of a traitor to Our Kingdom, Jadeite. I call Witness! Another Kingdom has threatened Our land's peace and tranquility. I call Witness! I call to all those who wish to see the demise of Okuhin. In the Name of the Royal Family Chiba, I declare not war, but the destruction of Our enemies," he finished, looking around to gauge his people's reaction. Many seemed confused. Most of the guard and the older nobles have a worried look, though. They knew what had just happened.
"I shall Witness," Rei's father, Duke of Twyn, stood up and bowed to him. That was all that was needed.
"I shall Witness," Motoki, newly appointed Barron and ambassador to Gonfuto was bowing to him. Endy was almost positive that his friend had no idea what he had just done.
More and more people repeated the pledge and bowed to him. The only ones left standing after a few minutes, were royal-blooded. His father, Princess Minako, Princess Serenity, and himself. He wasn't quite sure what to do now. There were so many Witnesses. It was an old oath he had used and he doubted that many of the people bowing understood what they had done.
"Rise. I accept you as Witness," He replied. All straightened from their bow and regarded him with mixed reactions. Fear was thankfully not one of them, nor hatred. "I don't know if most of you understand what you have agreed to. So I will explain," he walked over to where his seat was set back up, "Please, sit. It will take a moment."
"This will partly be a history lesson, so please bear with me. I also know that some of our older guests know what they have done, and I thank you for your devotion," He nodded to the Duke of Twyn in appreciation. If he hadn't answered the Prince's oath, no one else was probably going to. Making the Duke the start of the chain reaction.
"The oath I swore is entirely novel. No other nation can boast such as ours. A long time ago, before my father, my father's father, over hundreds of years before, Forve was not a united Kingdom like it is today. We were a large bunch of City States whom looked after one another. Then, Duke Han Chiba, who was in control of the biggest City State at that time, came under siege by another, smaller kingdom. It was out of pure spite and non-aggravated. Unfortunately, that kingdom was big enough to be a threat to, not only Duke Chiba's territory, but all of our City States if they succeeded. All the City States threw in with Duke Chiba and they quickly overcame that threat. In fact, that small kingdom is no more and is where we currently are now. The home of our great Kingdom, Forve. Duke Chiba became King, and all the City States were united. Now, I expect all of you to know this as history. What I don't expect you to know is that Duke Chiba, at the time, threw himself before all the other dukes and pleaded with them. He knew the danger to all of them, but had to convince them all that his planned course of action was the most prudent. Also, that he was the best man to govern them all afterwards. He swore the 'Witness' oath in front of all of them, with about only a third of the other Dukes accepting. The others supported in a less direct manner. Which bring us to the core of this oath that has only been sworn once before.
I have not declared war upon Okuhin. I swore an oath to annihilate that Kingdom. As this is not a war, I had called for a Witness. A Witness is a person who will see my oath to the very end. The enemies' end or mine. They provide support in any way they can. War funds will not be used for this, so it is the Witnesses role to fund my oath. Our Army will not be used for this, so the Witness provides willing retainers for my use. Our Kingdom will not be used for this, my name will be used. My Witness will do everything I ask of them to help me fulfill my oath. In pure words, I will not use my nation to do this grisly deed. It is I, Endymion Chiba, who will carry out this task, with all my Witnesses. So, if there are any Witnesses who would like to retract, I will willingly let them at this point."
No one stirred. No one raised their hand to pull back after what they had learned. His people were strong. He would have shed a tear if he were more emotional.
"I, Minako Aino, Daughter of Kenichi and Isabella Aino, Royal family of Gonfuto and ambassador to Forve and the Royal family Chiba, shall Witness," Princess Minako bowed to him. He gawked a bit. Until Serenity jabbed him in the ribs. She had just effectively joined Gonfuto to Forve. If that wasn't enough for his father, than nothing would be.
"Rise. I, Endymion Chiba, accept you as Witness," He returned the bow, one monarch to another.
Serenity sniffled beside him. He looked down at her to see what was wrong. "I don't have anything to give you. No support I'm able to promise. I only have my love for you," she said, seemingly upset.
"That, my little angel, is all I could ever want from you," he replied, smiling. He snaked his arms around her, pulling her close. He felt good about that, now. He could now return that love, without reserve, or political marriage getting in the way. Without self-doubt. With real, genuine emotion. She leaned against him wrapping her arms back around him. And he was happy.
"Now, father, please enlighten me about what you know," he gave his father the most fake smile he could muster.
They were in the King's study, quite near midnight. The banquet had ended early, due to the night's events. Just King Ranma, Serenity and him. Family only. Princess Minako was a bit put off by that, but there was no discussion about it. Family matters stayed family. She had tried to say that Serenity wasn't family. He laughed at her then. Not cruelly, but like she missed an important detail that was so obvious.
'She may not be my wife, but she is my heart, and nothing could scream 'family' louder,' he told her as he tapped his chest. She understood, if just barely. He was sure that he saw her leave with Barron Motoki somewhere. Lucky him, just not as lucky as Endy.
"You'll have to be specific, as I know quite a lot," the King rubbed his temples sitting at his desk. He wasn't even looking up, as his gaze seemed like they were trying to burn holes through the top.
Serenity reached for the wine decanter, but before she could reach it, Endy pushed her hand to the juice jug instead.
"Trust me, angel. I couldn't carry you all the way to our rooms from here. I'm still recovering," he tried to put it mildly. She pouted a bit, but took the juice instead.
"How about my mother's place of birth," he parried his father's obtuseness. Shock blossomed on his father's face.
"My, you are my child. Too clever by half," he muttered to himself, but still audible to Endy and Serenity. "That would hit the nail right on the head. Before that, though," the King looked up directly into Endy's eyes. "We shall witness," he said, solemnly.
"Wait, I used the oath specifically to keep Forve's name out of this," Endy retorted, not accepting.
The King's expression changed from serious to surprised anger. "My son's life was threatened again! We will not ignore this a second time. Jadeite will pay for his actions! Okuhin will be destroyed! They have been a nasty boil on Our northern borders for a long time, now. We will be behind you, Son."
Endy could only sigh. He wouldn't be flippant for a change and point out that the King hadn't wanted War earlier. "I accept You as Witness," he said, rolling his eyes. He couldn't just stop being at least a little of a smart ass, cold turkey. "How about mother?"
"What conclusions have you drawn for yourself?" the King asked, instead.
"Do you really want to know what I think?" the Prince asked, a little hysteria in his voice. His control was slipping, he was getting too tired. He needed to end this soon, or he would need to be carried to his rooms. "I think mother was from Hanerog and she had some 'special' ability. I think you knew about Serenity being a Healer. I think you knew I have some sort of ability. I think that once I defeat Okuhin and annex Hanerog, we need to start thinking Empire, rather than Kingdom," the last being a thought he had been lightly toying with for a few hours. He hadn't wanted to talk to his father about it yet, though. Yes, too tired by half.
"Wha… I hadn't even thought of it that way," the King seemed genuinely surprised and thoughtful. "We'll need to sit and talk to the Council about it. As for all your other assumptions, you are mostly correct. Your mother was so special. You know exactly what I'm talking about," he pointedly looked at Serenity who was now holding him up at this point. "She was a Water Lily, able to control water to a point. Yes, I knew Serenity was a Healer. Thank the gods above for that! I would've lost you without her. She is truly Our daughter, if nothing but for that. I once thought that you might have had an ability, but they usually develop around the age of ten or so. I had given up hope that a part of your mother had made it to you, but tonight! I… I am speechless. She has come back to me at a most interesting time. I have no idea what ability you may have though. Usually another with abilities can help tell," he again looked in Serenity's direction. Concern suddenly gripped his face. "Are you not well, my Son?"
His mind was barely moving, just recording the words for later review. Serenity was giving little grunts of exertion, holding him up just barely now. His little rock in the maelstrom of life, he thought.
"So tired," he replied. "Serenity, grab a guard from the hall, please?" he asked her, sloppily dropping into a chair. She nodded while trying her hardest not to let him fall down before he made it to the chair. A moment later, a guard was beside him, bowing deeply to the King and him.
"Please assist me to my rooms?" he asked the man. "Kevin?"
"Yes, sir. Gener… my Prince," Kevin seemed flustered.
"How?" was all Endy could manage.
"Captain Kunzite promoted me to your Home Guard, my Grace," he bowed again, not sure how to act with royalty. Endy saw Lieutenant bars on his uniform and smiled, happy for the man. He'll need some officer training now, he thought to himself. He hadn't spoken with his Captains recently, he needed to fix that. He'll need them when he started on his trip up to Okuhin.
"By your leave, your Majesty?" he heard Kevin ask. He must've been waved away, because the next thing he knew, his arm was thrown over Kevin's shoulders and he was stumbling out of his father's study. "My Lord, I apologize for handling you so roughly," Kevin's voice was strained with worry and unsure of himself. Endy just patted the man on the chest, not having the strength to speak or find a more suitable place to reassure him.
Serenity led them down the halls, looking back often to check on him. Not too worried, though. If she wasn't worried, then he wouldn't be, trusting her judgment.
Light and warmth surprised him when the entered his rooms. Ami and Naru stood in the sitting room, waiting for them. They quickly ushered the three of them to his sleeping chamber. As soon as Kevin helped him sit on his bed, smooth little hands and fingers started to attack his clothing.
"Sir?" Kevin queried, wondering if this was normal.
"It's fine, LT. My servants will assist me now. Thank you, Kevin," he managed to mutter, adding a personal touch at the end to show his gratitude. When Ami's hands reached for his trousers, Serenity pushed both of them off, eyeing them with a certain fierceness.
"I'll do it!" she challenged them.
Ami roared out with laughter, while Naru hid a smile behind a hand.
"If you insist, Princess," Ami got out between fits.
"We'll be just outside if you can't manage," Naru had a shit eating grin, while eyeing the Prince up and down. Both servants left, pulling a confused LT after them.
Serenity finished with his top part and started with his trousers when the door shut. After all the laces and buttons were loosened, she started to pull them off. Including his under trousers.
"Whoa, wait little one. I can keep those on," he said, slightly surprised.
"Sleep naked," she replied, simply. "Better to recover with me," she gave him a knowing look.
His tired mind instantly thought of all the places on her body he'd like to place kisses, some he'd like to lick and generally other things that he shouldn't be thinking about. She must've seen a perverted glean in his eyes as she lightly swatted his shoulder, blushing furiously. "Healing," she muttered, avoiding eye contact.
Oh. Now he felt bad. Stupid men, always thinking about sex, he thought. Now he was nude, having been stripped the rest of the way while contemplating how to deepen their relationship without physical means. He was different than his father after all. Next he was being bodily pushed onto the bed and then he was alone. Managing to get under the covers, he missed Serenity, wondering why she had left him so suddenly. He was too forward. She must've went to go seek another room to sleep in. Damn him and his dirty thoughts and bodily reactions.
A soft knock at the door and then Serenity slipped back in quickly, just in her shift. Ah! She just needed help with her dress. She quickly blew out all of the candles and came to the bed. The fire illuminated her little frame and suddenly became a soft, red glow on her naked skin as she shed her shift. He didn't get much time to admire her curves as she climbed under the covers with him. Then on top of him.
His earlier reaction hadn't quite abated yet and her softness pressed firmly against him, eliciting a soft groan of pleasure from him. She looked surprised, then a bit evil.
Why evil? He thought.
Then he was experiencing a certain bliss as she grinded her hips against him in a steady motion. She was delighted with all the sounds that Endy was making.
"So this is a way of teasing that Ami told me about?," she muttered.
Endy was caught so far off guard, all he could do was stare at her. Definitely needed to have a chat with Ami, he noted to himself. She didn't stop her motions, though. Sexual energy seemed to come from a whole different part of the body, he mused as he seemed to be catching a second wind. His hands engulfed her behind and strengthened the pressure she was applying. Not forcing, but reinforcing her actions. He wasn't actually inside of her, but such good feelings were overcoming him. He noticed her face was flushed and she was slightly panting, not unaffected by her teasing. Her play had turned serious, and now they were enjoying one another's bodies without invading. It went on for quite a bit with whispered affections by both.