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

Dear Diary 12

It's been a month since I escaped Darien's clutches. Ever since then, the entire kingdom had been searching for me as there was a price of a life time of fortune for who ever find me.

We succeeded, Hotaru and I, but why am I regretting my decision?

That night after returning to the room, Darien made passionate love to me, reminding my body again its necessity for him. It was almost as if he suspected something would happen. All through the night he rode me over and over until my body melted against him and I could no longer tell which flesh was mine and which was his. Excited about the freedom which I would enjoy if our plan worked, I threw myself into the love making, taking as much as giving. That night I knew Darien enjoyed the power of our intimacy more than ever and I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it. So much so that I almost changed my mind about running away. But a moment of bliss was not enough compensation for a lifetime of freedom. I allowed him to do all that he wanted with me, exploring other parts of my body that even I wasn't aware could feel. Bringing me into one climax after another. I didn't want it to stop, I wanted us to stay in the bed forever but the morning came all too soon and I found myself unable to tears my lust filled lips from his. We made love until our separation was no longer inevitable and the rest of the day I spent in bed, recovering from the night of passion and day dreaming of his hard strong body glistering with salty sweat. It was hard to think clear the whole day but towards the beginning of night, my brain returned to reality. I had fallen asleep and wake up to the sun at its final brightness.

"Awake now?" Lita's gentle voice probed me to sit up and look at the older, not by much, woman. She had a sly smile on her face though I was sure my look was a perfect mirror of confusion.

"I have never known a person could be so thoroughly satisfied it takes a full day before they come to their senses." She said with a chuckle. I looked down at myself realizing for the first time I was naked. I blushed crimson in seeing all the kiss and hand marks on my body, a reminder of me and Darien's rhapsody.

"What time is it?" I asked trying to cover my embarrassment and pulling the blanket more fully over my body.

"Time for the ball to start of course." I looked up at her and blinked.

"Ball?"

"The queen felt a sudden need to lighten the mood inside the palace so she is throwing a last minute sort of ball. Dinner and dancing actually. She invited you but you've been too busy sleeping."

"She invited?" the surprise in my voice was strong. Why would the woman who wanted me dead inviting me to her ball?

"Shocking isn't it? But she did invite you. Though the king said to let you sleep if you don't want to get up." Lita explained. Hotaru invited me to her ball, but why? I tried to think of any reason she would have to invite me. was it so that she could humiliate me in front of so many people that I did not have the manner of a lady because I was a servant? I know there was a reason why I was being invited but my mind was too murky that I could not think why.

"Serena?" Lita asked.

"Yeah?"

"Am I to assume you don't want to go?" there was something in her voice, a relief sentiment I think.

"Of course not. What if this is her way of trying to make peace?"

"No such thing! That queen is as ruthless as they come." She answered immediately.

"Even so, we do not know her purpose and it will be foolish to turn her down when she has extended first a hand of friendship." I answered, standing up in all my glorious nudity. She sighed.

"Lita, what's wrong?" I asked, concerned. I knew Lita had a history with the queen and she knew the queen more than I ever will. She was probably right that this was some sort of trap by the queen but I had this unknown reason why I had to attend the ball pulsing in me and no amount of worry was going to make me stay back.

"I'm just worried. Not knowing her motive could jeopardize you and put us in a very bad situation." She said and I smiled at her. She was always worrying about me. I touched her cheek gently.

"I thank you for your worry for me. I do not trust the queen and neither do you but if we are to fight her eventually, I want to know what she is capable of pulling in all sorts of situations. I want to go." I said seriously and she nodded.

"I thought you might say that. Anyway, I had your dress prepare for you so go ahead and shower. We will not make it to dinner but we will make it to the dancing. I will have some late night snack brought into the room by the time the ball is over." Lita said.

"Yes, thank you." and so I went and took a shower and Lita helped me dressed. It was a simple dress really as Lita had said the queen meant for the occasion to be informal. However the simplicity of the dress did not undermine my beauty or so Lita said.

"We need to make sure that she doesn't back stab you. You know you appearing all simple yet everyone is elegantly dress." The dress had a simple cut and bodice, none of those many lacy ruffles. It was black, simple black dress yet on me it wasn't that simple. The dress hugged me tight, my breasts standing. Against the dark dress my skin was pale and my eyes, with my hair pulled back in a bun, stood out magnificently. My lips were the gloss of shimmering diamond. Lita had gone a step further in giving me short heals though thankfully it was covered by the dress. She explained that in the condition I had been in all day, she thought it was better to wear something that was decent and was least likely to trip me. I thanked her for that. I knew I looked stunning.

"Lita you have the magic touch." I said appreciatively.

"No, I just have a good model." She said graciously. A knock came at the door.

"Enter." The door opened and I feasted my eyes almost hungrily on the royally dressed king at the door. It seemed he was equally stunned by me for we stared speechless at each other. Feeling the mood, Lita stepped out of the room to give us some privacy. I reminded myself that I didn't dress up for the dress to be taken off; I had to for my mind was rather restless with images best left to the imagination or for a time I can entertain it without interruption.

"I've never seen you so royally dress…it becomes you." I said to him. I was seeing how handsome he was all over again. The first time I met him was during a festival in Titan. It was the night time and I was running errands for Sir Adams. On my last errand which Lord Adams had sent me to his wife, I tripped on a log and if it wasn't for a strong pair of hands, I would have landed painfully on my face. When I righted my position, I looked into the most mysterious ocean eyes I've ever seen in my whole lips. His voice shook my very being as he uttered, "Are you alright." His warm touch as he helped me to my feet and held my waist to study me branded me as his way before he knew it or me. I had seen him though not up close as he had been dancing and playing with the kids. It was no wonder that it didn't register in my mind that he was the king. Kings don't dance and laugh with commoners. So often I had heard Mr. Adams say.

That night I was telling stories to the town's people as I often did and from the corner of my eyes I saw him. His face was enraptured just like the kids in the story I was telling. He applauded along with them and smiled for me, such a beautiful smile I had never seen before.

"Who is that?" I asked reflexively.

"Probably one of the King's men." Molly had answered then. And that was how it began. I would often sneak looks at him; I noticed how kind and respectful he treated everyone, even servants. As the days turned to weeks and months, I knew he had captured my heart.

And after everything that had happened since then, that night I stood in front of him not even aware that I was about to betray him, leave him to his demons that were only calm when I was around.

"You're as beautiful as ever." He said huskily as he approached me. His hands crossed at my back as his body pressed against mine, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that started out gentle and turned into devouring of mouth and lips. It seemed our passion from the night before was no where near at end. I was unaware when my feet lifted of the ground. All I felt was him and the need for more of him. All thoughts left my head as his hand sneaked under the dress and through my bra to caress my breast. I threw my head back as he squeezed it, I felt him ridged against my thighs. He had lifted the dress up to expose my legs and rear encased in a very clear pantyhose. I felt my back against the soft cushion of the bed as he leaned over me, my hands locked around his neck and my lisp hungrily tasting his mouth which did taste of strawberries.

A knock came at the door and we both stopped to listen.

"Do not even think about ruining that dress or looking anything less than I made you look!" Lita's stern voice not only broke our lust but it cleared my muddy mind to remind me that tonight, I make my escape and to do that, I needed to get to the ball! The ball was just a distraction. I giggled and tried to sit up, leaning on my elbows to pull me up. He stepped back and watched me with a sort of guarded expression. I could not stare into his eyes for long, I felt the weight of what I was about to do press down on me. I sat up, trying to restore order to my dress which luckily had not wrinkled up. He took my hands suddenly in his large ones as he knelt, kissing one hand then the other. He looked up at me with a smile and I felt the rope of guilt tighten around my neck.

"Thank you for making me human again. I love you Serena, with all my heart I adore you. Just a little more and we can be together always, I promise. He said, looking into my eyes. His sincerity, seriousness burnt my throat with tears and all I could do was nod. He stood up and brought me to my feet.

"Shall we go my lady?" he asked with a graceful bow, one hand extended to me. I laughed but it came out squeaky as if nervous and took his hand. I coughed and smiled, working hard to banish all thoughts of escape and freedom from my head. I could give nothing away.

"We shall." With my arm in his, we walked to the door, out and to the ball. As Lita had said, the ball was already in full swing, thanks to that I didn't have to make any grand entry. Though seeing me with the king, many heads were turned. At the end of the ballroom, I could see Hotaru's eyes tightened into anger but on her lips a triumphant, bitter smile rested.

"Oh my dear Serena. Welcome." She said loudly for everyone to hear. If Darien was shocked he did not show it. I was shocked though I really should have expected it. Nonetheless, my shook was perfect because it left no room in Darien's mind for suspicion. Before Hotaru, I let go of Darien's hand and curtsied to the floor.

"My Queen." I said simply.

"Now rise child and come sit by me. We have much to discuss." I stood up and gave Darien a look as if asking if it was alright. He nodded his head.

"Enjoy yourselves ladies." He said and turned around, leaving me with Hotaru. I took the hand Hotaru offered me and she pulled me up, to everyone one else it was a loving gesture but her grip on my hand was bruising. She led me to where she was sitting, an area of soft blankets and pillows and sitting around her were all the ladies of the court. Her troupes, her army that she would have used against me if our plan had not come into existence.

"My friends, meet Serena. Daughter to a dear friend of my husband." Hotaru said.

"Well Lady Serena, you are quiet stunning. Your beauty is to be admired." One of the ladies said. I received host of compliments but I noticed five particular ladies giving me a rather unfriendly looks. I knew those ladies knew my real relationship to Darien and they were making it plain whose side they were on.

As the ball dragged on, I tried to answer some of the ladies questions as honestly as I could, all the while trying to keep time in check and Darien in my sight of vision. I could not leave while Darien was almost always staring at me; I needed his attention to be totally diverted.

"Go through the curtains behind me. You will find a door; take that door all the way to the end. You will meet someone there, he will do the rest." Hotaru whispered in my ears. I nodded with a smile as if we were whispering gossips. I made sure to dance with some of the men, Darien's eyes always on me until the dance was over and the man was a foot away. Darien and I danced a waltz and two other dances before the king and queen dance came up. This was my chance, Hotaru would distract him and I would leave. She got up, gazed a little down at me before stepping out to take Darien's hand for the dance. Before they turned to face the crowd, Darien gave me a look, one that said please don't take this personally, it means nothing to me. I understood that it didn't but all the same I felt a wave of jealousy and anger. I berated myself for feeling that way when I was about to crush his heart.

But every time the waltz will turn my direction, his eyes sought mine. When Hotaru's face landed on me, I gave her a panicked look, hoping she could interpret it to mean she wasn't doing a good job of distracting him. I could see she was trying, giving him coy smiles, talking and flirting but none of that was getting to him. I had to hand it to him; he was rather the faithful lover. I caught Hotaru's eyes and pointed to the mouth. She understood. With her hand locked behind his neck and with his back to me, she kissed him. The sudden silence in the room gave me the time to get up and make my escape. I went through the curtain as Hotaru had instructed, found the door and out the back I ran. I could not help but have a mental image of Darien chasing me. Picking up the dress, I continue to ran, looking back only once. It felt like I will never get to where I was going but then I finally emerged and collided with someone. I landed on my behind with closed eyes. When my lids lifted, I saw a hand stretched to me, a hand connected to a familiar face.

"Fiore!" I nearly yelled, covering my mouth.

"Lets go before we are found." He said as he took my hand. Using the shadows, we sneaked through the palace until we exited at the back of the kitchen. Taking the servants path, we walked through the small door on the palace gate and outside, two black horses waited for us. I turned to him.

"Fiore, what are you doing here?" I asked. Fiore had been a friend since I was a child. He was an artist, growing up I was always his inspiration. He could draw me in any setting and make me look so beautiful, it was unreal. At one point in time, he had loved me as a man but when I turned his offer of marriage down, he disappeared a week after. And now he was here, ready to give me my freedom.

"Well truth be told, I don't rightly know. The queen called me to her, and said she you needed help. She explained that you were being kept against your will and that if I didn't help get you out of here, you will be force to become someone's mistress and not a legal one at that." He explained. For once I was thankful that Hotaru hadn't gone in full details.

"So is my service needed?" he asked gently, he hadn't changed one bit. His gentle side that is.

"Very much so, thank you." he smiled at me and lifted me onto the horse I would ride. I was a bit surprised, when had he gotten so strong? The Fiore from the past was not strong, I know for he had tried before to lift me and the result was a heap on the floor with our clothes tangled together.

"Fiore, how did the queen get in touch with you?" I asked him.

"She saw one of the paintings I did of you and sought me out."

"Oh." I watched him climb up the other horse which I realized was taller and broader than my own. I watched, fascinated as his muscles moved with his every movement. When had he filled out or had he always been like this? He looked back and caught the look on my face. He raised his brow.

"What?" he asked. I shook my head.

"You've change since I last saw you is all." I said nervously. He smiled.

"Is that bad?"

"Yeah, if you want me to keep my hands off of you." I joked and he laughed.

"Same old Serena." The two of us laughed and through the night we raced off to our destination.

Arriving at the place which I may have to stay for the rest of my life, I didn't mind. Hotaru's family house in the country was beautiful, a four story building painted in white and purple with the family banner besides the silver and gold flag of our kingdom. the house was surrounded by growths of flowers shaped and styled in the shapes of animals in action. It was breathtaking. My arrival to the house was rather unexpected but Fiore was well prepared for it. He handed a letter given to him by Hotaru to the family and after they read it, they reluctantly let me stay in the house though they made sure I knew I was unwelcome. Hotaru sure had a big family, four brothers and one sister.

As the days dragged on, I took to cooking and housework which seemed to please Hotaru's mother. Finally she sat me down and told me to tell her what really happened. She confessed to haven known Hotaru's love affair with the priest but had never suspected that the child was not the real blood of the throne. She bade me keep it a secret from Hotaru's siblings and I did. She became a friend of a sort but what she really liked was my cooking and my hair. She was fascinated that I had been able to keep it so long especially under the condition I grew up in, so long and beautiful and strong. She told me that when Hotaru was young, she had hair up to her ankle but when Diamond had one afternoon thoughtlessly commented on liking shorter hair on ladies, she had caught it. This might have happened either during or before she went out with Darien. Whatever the case was, I wondered which Darien would have preferred. The long haired Hotaru or the short. I would never know would I?

Hotaru's mother, Lady Heather helped me dye my hair to crimson red and also my eye brows. It took me a while to get use to my new appearance but I liked it, the crimson made me look…exotic. I wished then Fiore had stayed but he left the next day after our arrival. I didn't venture out of the compound of the house and when company was around I often hid unless needed. Three days after my arrival, I was bored out of my mind and decided to explore the house. But as I approached the living room, beautiful notes of piano dragged me to the room where Hotaru's brother, Kunzite was playing it. I ventured deeper into the room and sat at the window, right in front of the piano. He didn't even look up at me. I just sat and listened quietly as he played and drifted off to sleep. I woke up to find a blanket on me. it was a beginning of a tentative friendship. After that day when I wasn't busy, I often went to listen to him play. I think he was appreciative of someone taking interest in his songs. For me, it helped rest my anxiety. I wasn't stupid enough to think that Darien would give up on me, it was a matter of finding out news of what was happening that was the problem. We were so far up in the mountains. Seeing his brother seeming to get along with me instead of how they ignored me normally, Zoisite, the younger brother though certainly older than Hotaru made an attempt to befriend me as well. Once I found a book of fairy tales in my room. I felt Nostalgia as I thought of how often I read by fire light to the audience in Titan. That night as the family sat in the room somehow managing to mind their own business while conversing with each other, I began to read, unaware that I was reading out loud. When the book finally ended, I sighed and got up to go to my room only to notice the many pairs of eyes staring at me. Even some of the servants had stopped short to listen.

"Wow, I've read that story many times but never had I been captivated by it as I was now." Kakyuu, Hotaru's younger sister said. Zoicite nodded.

"I'm sorry to have disturbed you." I said blushing.

"Oh no, I we knew you were this good a story teller or reader as is the case, we would have had you read to us from the moment you got here." Nephrite said, second oldest son.

"Oh no, it's nothing special. I…On nights the air was warm, we would build a bonfire and dance and have fun. I often told stories then." I said, thinking of the small town I may never see again this side of the grave.

"I see." Hotaru mother said a silence fell, it was an odd silence. Not uncomfortable but neither was it comfortable.

"Oh yes, Serena the servants tells me you made that meat pie. Is that true?" Nephrite asked.

"Oh yes."

"Excellent! You have got to teach me how you made it!" he said as he rubbed his hands together.

"I had never seen anything like it, it was shaped like a shell and the inside filled with meat, I could not stop eating it." Hotaru's mother said.

"Does the filling only have to be meat? Can it be filled with something else? How did you get it in that shape?" Nephrite asked on.

I blinked at him and Kakyuu laughed.

"He likes to cook and tries all sorts of recipe." She informed. So that was why he was often in the kitchen, I just thought he was there to eat…often.

"The idea for the pie is to be filled with meat. Which is why it's called meat pie. But it can be filled with other things like vegetables and or fruits like peach, apple, cherries or any kind of edible berries. It's really much easy to make though harder to explain. Tell you what, whenever you need me to make some, just let me know and Nephrite can watch then ok?" I said.

"Tomorrow!" they all answered, I blinked and laughed. They were good people, hard to believe Hotaru was related to them.

"You used beef for the filling, what other kind of meat can you use?" Nephrite asked.

"Well my personal favorite is beef or chicken. You can use any kind of meat really, even fish or eggs. The problem is with fish or egg, it is very difficult for an untrained cook to make, if you are not careful by the time the pie will finish baking it will smell very bad. You can use pork and other sorts of meat but I don't eat pork though I will make it if you want it."

"What are the ingredients?"

"Flour, any normal flour though for a beginner you might want to use ALL PURPOSE FLOUR until you learn to master the art and add your own signature flavor to it. Flour, Margarine/Butter, Milk and preference of salt. Yolk of egg, oil and the meat and that is all. The flour, milk, Margarine/Butter (preference of salt) all goes into making the dough, the oil for the baking pan, the yolk of egg to give it the golden brown color and the meat inside the dough. That is all." I explained which was simple enough but the wrong measurement could totally ruin the entire pie.

"Woe, that doesn't sound hard to make." Nephrite said, his eyes taking on a lost look as if imagining himself already making it.

"It isn't really all that hard, just the measurement must be accurate or you will have a problem on your hands. Mother taught me a lot of things and the meat pie was one of them. She said it was a recipe only known by our family and even if someone learn the recipe, if someone from our family did not teach it to them, they could never make it to be as great as ours."

"Your mother, where is she now?" Lady Heather asked. I looked out through the window to the shinning moon. What would mother think of me running away? When someone needed me most, afraid for my self I run away. Selfish, that's what I am but I am only human.

"Mother and Father died in a strange fire when I was very young."

"Strange?" Kunzite asked.

"Yes, strange. It was at night as we sat in the living room playing games. If a fire was to start, wouldn't it be from the kitchen or anyplace with flammable objects? But we had no stove on anyway. But the fire started, from the strangest place of all, my little brother's room. A room that had never been used before because mom couldn't part with her little bundle of joy so he used to sleep in my parents room. I was the first to smell the fire and I rushed there. There was a blur and from behind us the fire flame to life. We were trapped in the circle." I could imagine that my eyes had taken on a distance look, as if relieving the nightmare. That night as we huddled together, trying to find our way out, I thought I saw a shadow move but I blamed it on the fire. Now I was sure someone had dileberately set the fire. To get me and Seiya to safety, father picked me up and run through the fire. The smoke hand entered my eyes and nose that I could barely see and all I could smell was smoke and my own fear. when my vision cleared, I opened my eyes to the calm face of my parents. Me and my brother were at the other side of the fire while mom and dad were trapped inside. But both of them looked at me with a smile even though I knew they feared the worst.

"No matter what happens, remember that we love you and Seiya and we want you to grow up happy and free but most of all, as a good person. One whose heart will always be open to others and embrace them." Mother said as if already knowing the last chapter to her story, to her end. Before I could reply, the roof broke down and the roared out alive. They were gone, along with everything. I rushed out of the fire infested house to outside where the townspeople stood in shock and disbelief and together we watched the remnant of the fire die with the last wood of the house. I lost my everything. No I didn't, I still had my brother and mom's last words echoed in my head. Free and happy, I would make it happen.

I think it was after I told them the story of the fire that we truly opened up to each other and they welcomed me in their family.

A week after my arrival, Jadeite, the third son took me to explore the mountains. It was very beautiful with streams of water, a waterfall, really green grasslands and caves so beautiful that I didn't want to return to the house. But as the day dawn night, we returned to the grim faces of the rest of the family.

"What's up with all the grim faces?" Jed, as I have taken to calling him asked. They avoided our eyes except for the mother.

"Serena child, come sit." I went to her as she patted a spot near her and sat down.

"What's wrong?" I asked softly.

"The king." The words felt like poison coming out of her mouth.

"What…what about him?" I asked nervously.

"He wants you back." Nephrite said.

"Yeah, I sort of figured he would try to get me back." I said with a sigh.

"It's not that. It's just…" Lady Heather began and stopped.

"He has offered a two lifetime of fortunes for whomever will deliver your whereabouts to him." the color drained from my face. No, they wouldn't! The wouldn't sell me out would they!? I looked from one face to another but I could not read their thoughts, I stood up shakily.

"We figured its best if you do not go outside for a while. He has a painting of you so now everyone knows how you look like and even with the dye, it's better and safer to stay indoors until things have calmed down a little." Kunzite said and I slid to the floor in a heap of tears.

"You…you wont…turn me in?" I asked shakily with surprised. They all looked at me.

"Don't be stupid! We have no intention of giving you to that bastard! And besides, Hotaru will kill us if we do." Jed said and I breathed a sigh of relief. They were my heroes.

"But for the time being, you must understand that you cannot be seen by anybody. Agreed?" Lady Heather said and I nodded.

As much as I missed the freedom of the outside world and the taste of the mountain air where Jed had taken me too, I rationalized that my safety must come first so I sheltered myself in the house, keeping out of people's eyes and finding things to do to keep me occupied. One week turned to two, then three. A full month had passed since I came to Hotaru's house. We heard stories, the love affair between me and Darien had gone to the public. There were debates, anger, shock and on Darien still wage his war, the only war he had ever fought in. His right to marry me, if he could find me that is. We heard as he went through the code of arms, the law book that governed our kingdom to find something, anything that will win his case. My mind prayed that he would find nothing but my heart betrayed my very soul. It yearned for him, called out for him. I woke up in sweats many nights, longing with my body demanding to see hi, to touch him, to feel his strong groin inside me, his lips on my, his hands massaging my breasts. Oh God, it was torture! It got so bad that I had to often pleasure myself which really didn't help much but it was all I could do. I would cry tears of frustration, of need, a need so strong it was driving me insane. The family thought that my restlessness was because I had been inside the house for too long. Today, they others thought it was ok for me to go out just for a walk though I made sure to cover myself well. They thought a walk would help restore me back to life as I looked half dead, smudges under my eyes, my skin paler than normal and my eyes wide as if frightened. If only they knew. Darien had done his homework well. He may not have succeeded in controlling my mind but my heart and body was his completely and I was finally feeling the true power of the bind he held at my neck. Fear gripped me, would I have to suffer like this all my life without him? I needed to outing more than they knew, I hoped that it would clear my mind and release me of his hold.

I went with one of the servants, Ann, who had become a rather close friend of mine. She took me to her favorite places and we had a great time enjoying the naturality of the mountain. If only I had known, I would never have returned to the house.

Talking and laughing, we headed to the living room where the family might be waiting. They were waiting alright but not alone. They were all tied up and gagged, surrounded by guards in the imperial uniforms. I didn't need to be informed of who was behind this. I turned to ran and collided in a hard, warm and familiar body. I did not fall back as the all too familiar hands locked at my back like iron cages. I looked up into dark ocean blue eyes, eyes that promised so many things and held so many things.

"Well, aren't you the personification of fire." He breathed out and I stiffened.

He had found me and caught me.

Again.

But this time, I knew there would be no escape.

God Help me!

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Read and Review!^^

I know some of you were much disappointed in Serena, but you have to understand that she is only human. There are some burdens people are just not strong enough in carrying up on their shoulders. Anyway, i hope you enjoy this chapter and don't please don't stop reading.

I think my writers block is slowly but surely fading away^^

xD