What's Done In The Dark: The King's Concubine

Dear Diary 7

The days following were filled with laughter and most often love making. So deeply in love with each other that the world disappeared and all they could see was each other. Of course there were days Darien had to leave for the capital but he always returned as soon as was possible into Serena's open heart.

Anticipation for the future made Serena aware of what she lacked. She had not been raised a lady though her blood was noble so she had asked Darien to teach her and train her in the ways of a lady. He had hated that idea. Convinced that being a lady is lying behind a smiling face. Of course Serena begged and pleaded and promised him to not act like a lady when alone with but their sake, she needed some sort of education. Darien understood the wisdom in her words and so began teaching her what he knew.

Lita the cook seeing Serena's efforts also decided to help her. Mina joined in on the training; both had served many ladies and knew the act of being a lady. Yet with each new revelation of how a lady should be, should act in certain situations, Serena became more aware of the fact that she was better off not being a lady. Yet she still continued her lessons, from dancing to knowing which spoon to eat what with. From appropriate dressing to managing servants. Darien, very unhappy with the education also gave her an education of his own. He thought her how to read, how to write, math and science. They all found out Serena was a quick learner, which progressed their training. Two weeks later she could do much as a lady does, write and read light books. Math and science proved hard but she had a basic foundation of it.

And she kept her promise to Darien, to not be a lady when with him. What most impressed Darien was her management of the servants. She worked with them and gave them breaks in the afternoon to relax. She insisted they eat the same food as her and Darien, not the leftovers. Darien noticed an ease had fallen into the house, he saw more smiles than he'd ever seen and laughter seemed to be the theme. The servants took to Serena as moth to a flame; individually they opened up their heart. Servants were not to be seen or heard but Serena allowed them to have a voice of their own and a presence so they weren't shadows.

She made sure that their pays were increased or got bonus for anyone who went extra mile, she allowed them to sent foods from the field they grew their food on to their families. And when they needed to go to the field and weed, she went with them along with Darien whenever he was home. Darien was completely mesmerized by her, in only two weeks; she had managed to accomplish something impossible. He wondered if it was because she had been a servant herself and knew how it felt. Whatever the case was, he knew he wasn't the only one fascinated and in love with her. His house guards were not at all subtle about their feelings and when the door opened for them to speak and joke with Darien as if he was their friend and not their king; they teased him about taking Serena away. Even though he knew they were just playing, he was still very unsettled about it.

Serena belonged to him! And he wanted a way to make her completely his so that no other guy could ever amount anything to her. He had to find a way to mark her as his but how could he do that? He thought and thought until finally an idea formed in his head. He didn't like his plan but he felt it was the only way so he immediately put it in action.

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"My Queen, we have another from her." A gentle female voice said from the door way to the queen's private quarters.

"Michelle, come in please." Hotaru said. She had been in discussion with Trista and another girl who looked more like a man. She had short blond hair and preferred to wear men clothing as she found them more comfortable. Michelle, the name of the woman who had spoken walked into the room, gently closing the door behind her,

"When did this come?" the short haired girl asked.

"Just about thirty minutes ago." Michelle answered, giving to Hotaru a packaged.

"Well then, let's see what's in it." She opened the package and found several papers and a portrait. She stared at the painted picture, and read what was underneath it. The picture was of Serena standing under a cherry tree with flowers floating around her. Her face was tilted a little to the viewer though she stood sideways and on her outstretch had sat a dove. She had a light smile on her lips and her eyes shone a little. Beneath it was written: The fairest maiden.

She handed the photograph to Trista and from her to Michelle and the last female.

"Is this Serena?" the unidentified female asked.

"I think so. Look at the back, who is the artist?" Hotaru answered.

"Someone name Fiore."

"Do we know any Fiore? The portrait is beautiful, it couldn't have been done by an amateur, it had to be done by a professional but what professional do we know by then name Fiore?" Trista asked.

"Lets look at the documents we have, it might answer some questions." Hotaru said and opened up the letter on top of everything.

She read aloud.

"To her majesty, I hope this letter finds you well. I have some good news as well as some bad news. Good news being that the girl has origins from the small town of Titans and lived as a servant under a duke named Adams. She has a sibling and she lost her parents in a fire. I had her researched but all I found out does no good to us. She is well loved by the people of the town and she is known to them as the story teller. None would speak of who her parents are and no threat or bribe made anyone spill anything about her other than that she was their angle. I still know not her surname. The bad news is that she and the king grows closer and more intimate with each passing day. I fear this is not going to be like all the other girls the king had wooed, I believe she will be around for a while. From my observation of her, even I have to admit that she is a good and honest person and she does worry about you. She spoke to me once, told me of her guilt in hurting you by being with your husband. Her pain was sincere. She is well received hear in the forest and her arrival has brought more happiness and activities to this place. I will not lie in telling you that the king is completely and utterly infatuated with her. Yet at the same time, these past 3 days has been very tense. He seems to avoid her yet when he thinks she is not looking, he stares at her with his heart in his eyes. I do not know what to make of it. She is very troubled by his actions as well. I do not know what the king plots yet I do know Serena is different from all the other girls before and I doubt he will be willing to let her go.

I am sorry to have to report such sad news to you my queen. I hope you find comfort in your caretakers and in the fact that you have the whole kingdom behind you in this upcoming war.

Yours Truly,

Her."

After reading the letter, the queen folded it and put it aside, her expression void. The rest of the papers were other portraits of Serena drawn by professionals and amateurs alike. What both professional and amateur all had in common was that each title of a picture described Serena with words of beauty.

"What do we do now?"Michelle asked.

"Go to the forest!" the unnamed women said angrily, she had a murderous intent in her eyes. Hotaru sat for a long time unmoving with a blank expression. Yet words could not express the anger she felt and the hate she had for Serena.

I will not let you take him away from me! He was mine first! Inwardly she growled the words. After being married to Diamond, she had come to realize how much happier she had been with Darien. Diamond hadn't loved her, he hadn't even cared! He had abused her both emotionally and physically. Most times he had her sit and watched as he had sex with other women and barely touched her. Whenever he made love to her, it was brutal. Pushed himself through her like hammer repeatedly striking a rock. It had been painful. One day, she had been aroused so much by him as he made love to another woman, that she had ran away to the temple only to find the priest there. In other to relieve her need, she had seduced the priest who wasn't allowed to touch a woman. She had had sex with him and from then a secret affair developed between the two. Whenever she needed to have sex, she would go to him though he sincerely loved her. Soon she was pregnant and she knew it wasn't by Diamond. Yet she would rather die than reveal that truth and she made sure the priest wouldn't reveal it either. When Diamond died and she heard Darien would be coming back to be with her, she had been so happy. Finally she had the chance to make right and live a happy love life. She had immediately broken off the affair and the priest was heart broken. She once again seduced Darien when he came back but after half a year, he suddenly distanced himself and nothing she had done had ever brought him back. Yet she believed she was the one best suited for Darien and no woman out there would ever take him away, no one!

Certainly not a stupid maid!

"What we do is call the media but first, I need to talk to the elders and make my way to the forest." She said. Michelle and the unidentified women were in agreement with her but Trista was torn. From the beginning she had been in love with Darien but she had put her feelings aside. She had watched Hotaru hurt Darien over and over, could she stand to watch her destroy him totally? Her duties were to Hotaru but her heart was to Darien. Which was more important? Her heart or her duty? Soon she would need to make up her mind.

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Serena was not happy at all. In fact she was very depressed and her depression was felt by all. For three days, Darien had refused to touch her! Even when she tries to kiss him he would tilt his head so her kiss landed on his cheek instead! She didn't know what she had done wrong but she did not like being avoided! On the fourth night, she had laid in bed naked thinking that would do some good but he just walked into the room, went to his side of the bed and covered himself with the blanket. She had played with is hair, kissed around his check and neck but he had not responded to her. He had told her that she should stop and that he was tired.

"Why is he doing this?" she complained to Raino. "He was fine before he left for the capital but after he came back….after he came back…" her eyes grew big! What could have happened there that had changed his attitude towards.

"Do you think…that…maybe…just maybe…he wants back with her?" She asked nervously to the lion, tears building in her eyes. The lion made a noise in his throat that reflected his shock that she would even consider that option!

"What else could make him distance himself from me? I knew it, I knew this might happen." She said and brought her knees to chest as she cried.

Why was I such a fool? To think that he'd really chosen me over her. I'm such a fool mom, a real fool! Insecurities she had tried to ignore crept back into her system, making her see all the worst possibilities. She compared herself to the vibrant queen and wondered again why she had thought a guy would choose her over such a beautiful gentle queen. Had he just lied to her about the queen to get her to sleep with him? was that all he had wanted? And naively, she had given it to him. Now he was tired of her, to him she was no different than all the other ladies he had bedded. What a fool to have thought she had found in a place so out of her league.

Seeing her misery, the cat king got up and walked away in search of its master. He found Darien in his room and he growled at him.

"What's the matter with you Raino?!" Darien asked in alarm. He could tell the lion was upset. Raino tossed his head, a sign for him to follow it. Darien got up and followed the lion to the window. He looked down and his heart broke, sitting so forlornly on the grass was Serena. From behind he could see the shaking of her shoulders. He turned away from the sight.

"Grrrrrrrrroooowl."

"I can't Raino, it has to be this way." He said miserable as he sat on the ground. He had decided this course of action and he had known what the affect will be on him but he had never considered how Serena would take it. If he goes and mess up the plan now, then all the six days of hard work and self control in ignoring her would be for nothing and in the end would gain nothing. He was doing this for both their sake. Raino just shook his head at the pathetic man and walked away. Humans were too complicated he decided.

A few hours later as Darien was in his office looking over some documents, Mina entered the office.

"Yes?"

"There is a letter for you my lord."

"From?"

"The palace."

"Set it on the table." Mina moved forward and put the letter on the table. She stood back staring at Darien.

"Something wrong?" She fidgeted for a minute and lowered her gaze.

"Mistress Serena seems dishearten lately. We just wondered if she was ok." She said nervously.

"Why not ask her?" Darien asked.

"Well we did but she always says she is fine but she doesn't look fine." Mina said, staring at Darien with a look he couldn't comprehend. "She barely eats now and her smile is somewhat said or forced. She seems to take long walks and I've seen her cry before."

Darien sighed; of course they'd be worried. Serena had befriended the servants. He looked up to tell Mina nothing was wrong and she would be ok soon but their gaze locked and it seems none could look away.

She almost has Serena's eyes though hers is a bit paler. Come to think of it, she looks very much like Serena, they could be sisters! He thought as he stared at her.

"Well Sire, I must be on my way." Mina said and turned around, her heart beating so fast. His gaze, the look that had made her open her legs to him before still disturbed her. As she walked away, she tripped and fell. Darien was by her side soon enough.

"Are you alright?" he asked as he extended his hand to her. She took the offered hand while blushing madly. To make a fool of herself before a man who still held a greater part of her heart!

"Thank you."

"I thought Serena told you to look into a persons face when you talk to them." Darien said teasingly. She looked up in surprise and there was a playful smirk on his face. She lost it then. Unable to control herself and her reactions around him anymore, she quickly stood on her toes, wrapped her hands around his neck and kissed him.

He was a bit surprised by her action but did not push her back. Besides, it was his fault she was still attached to him. During his time sleeping around with one blond after another, Mina he had often bedded. She was good in bed but she had not been Serena and like everyone else, she could not relieve his longing. He knew she had fallen hard for him, had it been cruel of him to bring Serena to the forest where it was so obvious that Serena had accomplished what she couldn't?

Mina finally pulled back and stared into his eyes. Her own eyes pleading.

"Please, just one last time, let me feel your touch." She begged, so strong was her desire for him that she had forgotten her place.

"Do you know what you ask of me?" Darien asked, worried for the girl and for what it could do to Serena.

"Please, just one last time and I promise it won't happen again. Serena will never have to know." She said, her eyes wild. He recognize her eyes, it was his eyes before he had gotten Serena. It was his eyes when he longed so much for Serena and couldn't have her. He knew the torture within Mina and knew nothing and no one but he could cure her of the want and the need. Only the cause can cure. Yet would curing her be a betrayal to Serena? He thought about what she had said, Serena needs never to know.

Against his better judgment, he kissed her and as she wanted, pushed her to the floor.

Serena who had finally decided to confront Darien and get answers to her questions barged into the office and just as quickly retreated.

"Serena!" Darien who had jolted at someone barging in called her name but she was out. He tried to get up but Mina held tightly onto him.

"I need you." she said. Serena had come into the office to see them having sex on the floor. If he stayed or go after her, the situation would still not change. He might as well just end one problem. With worry for Serena, he returned to Mina's side.

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Serena ran, she didn't know where to go. It was too late at night and too dark to go the forest. And she knew servants, if she went to any of them they would gossip about it. Who could she talk to at a time like this? No one, all her friends were left back in Titan.

Wanting a private place to just cry, she went into the kitchen and by the window and started pouring her eyes out. The betrayal, it was so deep, so pure. She had thought that Mina was her friend. Suddenly she remembered the bitterness with which Mina had used to say "Good luck" at their first encounter. From the start, had Mina ever been a friend?

And Darien, after all his promise, of love, of protection, of security and of forever, how could he bluntedly hurt her so badly? He had ignored her for six days only to sleep with others? Where was the logic in it? Why was the world and people so cruel? She had given him her heart, her future and he had destroyed it all in the cruelest way possible. If he didn't want her anymore, why hadn't he just let her go? Why did he have to hurt her so much?

Lost in her misery, she didn't see a person come in and out until a blanket was thrown over her shoulders. She turned around to stare into Lita's bright green eyes.

"It's cold here. Come on, you can stay with me for tonight but tomorrow you have to decide what you want in life." Lita said and wrapped her arms around the sobbing girl. Gently she led her to her room.

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Mina triumphantly walked her way back to her room. She had played her cards right and gotten Darien to sleep with her. For the first time since Serena came, she was happy. She knew Darien was kind and could not ignore a damsel in distress so. She had not faked her desire for him; she had just taken it to an extra mile. And if he could still stay with her instead of run after Serena when she found them out, then it meant he wasn't completely out of her hands.

She had worked hard to be noticed by him, if she played her cards right all the way she would have him completely to herself. She just had to be careful that her secret wouldn't get out.

"Oh Darien you will be all mine." She laughed.

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It wasn't until he walked into his room to find Serena not present did everything he'd done crashed down on him.

I am such a fool!

He had ignored her for six days! Six days with stupid excuses that it was for both of them! It hadn't been for her but for himself! Only to loose his morals and sleep with Mina. While it may have seen he had done it for Mina's sake, the truth couldn't be more hurtful. He h ad wanted to sleep with Mina. 6 days of restraining himself from Serena had driven him to the edge that when any ass was presented, he'd just taken it. How could he face Serena now? It was impossible for him to think she would forgive him yet a part of him hoped greatly for forgiveness.

He'd hurt her, he had seen it in her eyes when she ran out. She had shed tears and how often had it been because of him that she cried? He had done to her what Hotaru had done to him.

"I'm so sorry Serena. I'm so sorry." And for this to happen at a time like this? Hotaru was coming to the forest in just three days! He had long ago thought that if Hotaru came to the forest before they were ready to present Serena to the media, he would send Serena back to Titans for protection. But now, if he sent her back she would only think he was trying to get rid of her. And if she stayed what good would it do her when she had probably lost the will to be with him?

He should have listened to the Lion earlier, and then none of this would have happened. He cried, cried knowing he had just probably lost the best thing to have ever happened to him and it had been his own fault.

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Morning found Serena standing in front of Darien's door. Through the night as she cried, she had told Lita everything that happened. Lita had comforted her but had told her she was in a relationship that wasn't healthy. Darien was known to sleep with many women, how could she be sure something like that wouldn't happen again? In the end, it was all up to her what she wanted to do.

By morning she had made up her mind, being with Darien was out of the question. After waking up and thanking Lita, she walked back to Darien to end everything. She knocked once, twice, three times before she heard a grunt from inside.

"Who is it?!" He barked. Instead of answering, she pushed the door gently open. His eyes widened when his eyes fell on her. She looked disheveled, her eyes were red from crying and she looked tired. He fared no better as he hadn't been able to sleep that night at all.

Serena walked into the room and stood at the end of the bed, looking everywhere but at him. He tried to talk, to apologize but words would not leave her mouth.

"I want to go, back to where I came from. Back to where I belong." She finally said, so quietly. He gulped and tears suddenly build in his eyes.

No no no no noooooo! We can fix this! Please, just one more chance! His mind screamed but his lips could not move.

"There once was a little girl who lost everything. The only thing she had any claim on was her brother but even he didn't know her. She lived everyday of her life wishing for God to bring her some kind of fortune. One that wouldn't disappear or parish with time. God told her to listen to her conscious and do right by all and her wish would be granted. If not, she would live in misery for the rest of her life. But she didn't listen. She fell in love with someone she wasn't supposed to be with. She had an affair with the man who was already married. Then the man broke her heart and she remembered God's words. She went on her knees and prayed, begging for forgiveness. God told her He would give her a second chance to redeem herself. So she took God's offered second chance and left the man so she could make up for the sin she had committed against the man's wife. Was the girl wrong to leave the man? Was she wrong to accept God's second chance? One thing the girl learned from it all was that God was always right and unlike people, he never disappoints." She finished her story, tears washing down her face.

"Please let me go." She begged. Darien cried with her. He lowered his head.

"There once was a man who seemed to have everything but in reality, he had nothing. He was hurt and betrayed that he ran away. But he was forced back to his home to marry a woman he shouldn't have married. A woman as wicked as the devil himself. So he prayed that God would change his life and give him happiness. God showed the man many flowers and told him, one of these flowers is yours, find which one it is and when you do, take good care of it or you will loose your happiness. Flowers needed to be waters, bathed in sun, protected from disaster and embraced in gentle love. God said if you do all this and not look at another flower, this tiny will blossom to many years of happiness. But the man did not listen. He forcefully plucked the flower from someone else's garden. He tried to force it to swallow more water than it should, did not take really good care of the flower. Worse he looked at another flower and ignored his flower. By the time he came to check on his flower, it was dying and all it asked of him was for him to say a prayer for it so its beautiful fragrance would not be forgotten. The man didn't want that. He wanted the flower by his side. He realized his foolishness, he realized how much he loved the flower and what life would be without its sweet aroma, its beautiful petals and its purity of color. Should the man let it go so it could be happy spreading it fragrance n the whole world or keep it to himself knowing it was going to die?" The two stared at each other for a long time, their eyes searching for something they did not know themselves.

"Let it go Darien. Let me go." Serena said. Darien covered his eyes with one hand as more tears fell.

"If that's what you want." He said finally. She sat at the edge of the bed and stared out of the window.

"The more we try to make it work, the more we hurt each other. You will find the flower meant for you and I pray to find some I can love like I do you. I know it might be hard but I will find happiness with another and I pray you do too." She said and stood up to look at him one last time. The look on his face was frightening. His eyes had gone jet black and a sinister smirk twisted his face.

He was scary; the air around him was filled with dark intentions. Her heart pounded in her heart and fear gripped her. She backed away. The look on his face was that of a madman.

"You will find someone to love will you?" he said, his voice mocking and cold. It cut through her like blades. It had been the wrong words to say to him. That she would be with another. His mind snapped at the picture her words produced in his brain and he seemed to loose his humanity. What he had never revealed to anyone was that he was a madman. While in the US, he had slipped in and out of insanity. When he becomes possessive of something he becomes a madman and the only cure is for him to have what he wants. He wanted Serena but he would have let her go. She just had to go and mention being with someone else. The idea maddened him and with a click in his head like a light turned on, his insanity awakened.

"D…D…Da…rien?" Serena said hastily. She was frightened out of her mind. She wanted to run away but her legs would move anymore. She trembled at the sight of him as if he was her worst nightmare come to reality.

"Do you think I brought you here only to give you to someone else? No sweetheart. You can never be anyone else's pet. You are mine alone." There was lust and madness mixed in his eyes and his lips kept turning from one insane smile to another. He got up and with one slow step after another, he approached her. Her fear was plainly written on her face. She looked like a deer caught in a headlight. Chuckling darkly, he drew his finger down her checks to her chin and down to her neck. He stood behind her and brought his lips against the flesh on her neck. Her body shock as if cold. He kissed her at her neck, biting there to leave a mark. There were a few drops of blood which he licked.

"Do you know what I'm going to do?" he asked in a sing song voice. Serena didn't say a word.

"TALK, DO YOU!!?" He yelled at her and she screamed "NO!" as dropped to the ground, fresh tears washing down the dried old ones. He looked at her down the floor and bent down. He put a finger down her chin and lifted her face to stare into his mad eyes.

"Aww…Don't' be afraid. I will tell you what I'm about to do. I will make love to you over and over and over again for three days straight. I will imprint myself on every inch of your body, I will make you hate and love me so much so that no one else will ever be able to touch you. You will not be able to go on without my touch. You will crave me like a mad woman wherever you go. You will go mad if any man other than myself touches you. I will be all you need and you will never be able to escape my hold. That is what I will do." He said darkly, and then suddenly his eyes brightened like a child. "Isn't this going to be fun?"

And all Serena could do was sit as the terror of what he just said consumed her. He picked her up and dropped her on the bed. His silk robes came off followed by his dark silk pajama pants. His boxes were the next to come on and he stood before Serena completely nude with a crazy smile.

He bent to remove her clothing but she flinched away. She jumped to her feet and sprint for the door. He was quicker. As soon as her hand touched the door knob, he pushed her flat against the door and crossed her hands, pressing it with one of his own hands against the door. Quickly he lifted up her rob, tore apart her lacy panties and thrust himself so hard and deep into her core she screamed!

The days of madness had begun.

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I know this chapter was a little dark, please bare with me