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

Previously….

I smiled. Having decided that, the fear was there but I had finally come unto my own. I felt strong and sure. I felt like me. This was who I am. The girl who fight for the right and truth. Not the cowardice I have been displaying.

"I'll come." He stared at me for a second before his eyes widened.

"Serena! You don't …"

"I know I don't have to, but I want to. This is our fight. Not yours alone anymore. I'm sorry for being such a coward and for running away and leaving you to go through all this by yourself. I will come to the meeting. I want to fight for you too Darien. No, it is my time to fight for you as you have been doing for me."

"Oh Serena."

"Help me?"

"Always love, always." That was all I needed to hear. No matter what, we would be together. With this conviction firmly rooted in my heart, I gave myself to him once more. We would worry about tomorrow's battle tomorrow, tonight was for us and nothing was going to change that.

A knock came at the door.

Chapter 16

At first we didn't bother with the door…then the knock came again. Darien and I both groaned at the interruption. He lifted himself off of me and we both looked toward the door for a minute. The knock never came again. Puzzled, that was the reflection on my face.

"Probably left." Darien sai and laid down on me again. As soon as we started our activity, the knock came again. Once again Darien lifted up and the knock never came.

"Is someone playing a trick on us?" I asked. He leaned down and several knocks came on the door. He touched his lips to mine before slowly moving off of me to the side. Soundlessly he stepped on the floor and walked to the door on silent footing. I sat up right and used the blanket to cover myself and enjoyed a great view of his behind. He touched the door knob softly and swiftly opened it, though he hid at the side so only his face was showing outside.

I blinked and so did he. Sitting on the door handle was a wood pecker pecking at the door. I began to laugh. It was so funny, we had suspected to catch some criminals and instead found a wood pecker. Then suddenly we heard a roar. I looked up and saw a lion bounding into the room. I was so terrified that Darien wouldn't be able to close the door in time but he didn't even bother with it. He had on this bemused look on his face. The lion dashed underneath his arms, heading straight toward me and I started screaming. It landed on the bed and sort of crushed on me. The air was knocked out of me, my vision swam and I don't know what happened afterwards.

I sighed as I sat through the night watching her sleep. Our last night together and it had been so rudely interrupted. Raino's surprise appearance and the speed in which he had used to attack Serena had frightened her and his weight had knocked her into unconsciousness. I can understand how happy he was to see her but did he have to ruin our night like this.

After he realized what he had done, he acted sorry and got of the bed. I rushed to Serena's side and felt for a concussion but she had not hit her head on anything. But I could not wake her up. She was passed.

"Raino…." I said warningly. He gave a low moan of an apology and I could not stay mad at him. He took a seat on all four paws by her side of the bed and stared up at the sleeping Serena. Whenever Serena will turn in her sleep, his head will come up only to lay down again when Serena shows no sign of waking.

Eventually I went to sleep but not before I pulled her body to mine and held her tightly against me. At dawn, she woke up. The soft shift of her body woke me up as well. Before she could utter a word and wake the sleeping lion, I placed a finger on her lips, turned her face to mine and kissed her. With each minute the kiss deepened. I pulled the blanket over us and kissed down to her neck, leaving behind little marks made by my teeth. I drew her over me and she positioned herself over me that my erection will enter into her. From then till the sun rose, we gently made love.

Finally I pulled back down the blanket and still Raino slept. I stood up from the bed, waking Raino up in the process. Seeing Serena sitting up in bed, he placed his two front legs on the bed and reached his head towards her. She wrapped her hands around his neck and hugged him tightly.

"Oh Raino, I've missed you so much." He growled a little. I left them to their reunion and went to the restroom to shower. I returned to find Raino fully on the bed with is head resting on her stretched out legs which were covered by the blanket. She was softly petting his fur though the look in her eyes were distance.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked as I sat by her side on the bed. Raino turned his head to me for a brief moment before returning it to where it was resting comfortably. Serena turned her attention to me and smiled.

"You." She answered.

"What about me?" I asked. I leaned forward and kissed her.

"Just how amazing you are." She said and I smiled. I was very happy she thought of me that way.

"No Serena, you are the amazing one." I said and it was the truth. When I gave her the freedom she so wanted, in all honesty I had no faith that she would come back to me. I thought she would take off to a place I may never be able to find her no matter how much I search for her. But she had not gone beyond a hand stretch. Thanks to her, the part of the city that has been ignored for so long was finally getting the attention it deserves. I admit I am ashamed that I had not done anything about it; I have no excuse except that until now I have never wanted to be a king. Until I heard from Lita that she was picking up trash and cleaning the commoner's community, until I heard she was educating the children there. Now I have to become king, the only thing capable of drawing me away from the throne is Serena, but now she no longer wants to leave my side. She was going to stay and fight alongside me so that the both of us will have a future together, so that the both of us can give a future of happiness to every corner of our kingdom. This was one battle I cannot loose.

She was silent for a while, her head bent. I knew something else was on her mind. I lifted her head up to look at me.

"What's wrong?" I asked and she stared at me for a minute, her face worried.

"Will we be ok?" she asked. I stared into her wavering eyes. Right there I wanted to tell her to stay out of the fight, to leave everything to me. But I knew those were not the right words to say to her then. I smiled for her benefit, I didn't know the answer.

"It will always be well when I'm with you. Worry not, we will not lose." I said, putting on all the confidence I could muster so she will have a bit of hope. She smiled and leaned up. I leaned down and met her lips with mine in a soft feathery kiss.

"I'm going to go take a shower now." She said and I nodded.

"Get yourself off of her you big oaf." I said to Raino and locked my hand around his middle trying to move him. He was unmovable. Serena laughed and he growled in laughter along with her.

"Leave him alone." Serena said with a giggle.

"No, you're spoiling him." I said with a grunt as I tried to lift him once more. It continued growling out his laughter and I gave up. He was far too heavy. Raino was not like the ordinary lion, he was twice their size, almost the size of a full grown horse and he was over 400 pounds.

"You're getting too fat." I said plainly to him and his laughter grew louder.

"Forget what he is saying. I think you perfect the way you are Raino." Serena said and he nodded in agreement. There were times Raino could act so human it was insane. Who would have thought the little lonely cub I found on my tenth birthday by accident would grow to be so big?

"But now you need to release my legs so I may go shower." It got up and jumped off the bed.

"Sure, listen to her and not me." I said with a roll of my eyes. It leaned its head up and nuzzled Serena's cheek.

"Oh, you such a sweetheart." Serena crooned at him and I sighed.

Finally she stood up from the bed, my eyes trailing every inch of her body. She was so beautiful, it was breath taking. The first I had seen her body; I thought she had the body of a goddess. But as I stared at her now, I realized how much her body had grown. If before she had had the body of a goddess, her body now far surpassed it.

"How can you stare so much?" she asked as she turned to me, her hands placed on her waist.

"How can I not?" I asked with a smile. She shook her head and walked around the bed to the bathroom, all the while I stared at her.

"She's a magnificent creature isn't she?" I said. I expected a growl of approval but when I turned my attention to Raino, he had on a look that I was pretty sure said I was a perv. I laughed and ruffled his head of fur.

"Someday you will understand." I said to it. I am always hoping that a female lion will win him over but even the lions were afraid of him. It raised one of its brow at what I had said. It turned around and walked out of the room. I followed it to the porche and we stood there for a minute, staring out.

"Wanna go for a run?" I asked it and it bobbed its head. I put on some comfortable shoes and we left the house for some morning exercise.

I came out to find them gone. I blinked, walked to the door but there was no trace of them. I returned inside and thought maybe they had gone for a walk. In the mean time I began preparing breakfast and cleaning up the cottage. We were to leave this afternoon so I wanted things as they were. I set the breakfast on the table and about picking up thrown things and sweeping the floor and moping it. By the time I was done they were still not back. And I was hungry so I went ahead and ate my breakfast. Then I went to the back of the house and sat at the stairs to stare out to the trees and flowers. Looking at them I saw how alive these flowers were compared to flowers in the city. The trees were big and tall and the sunlight pure and untamed. The life in the forest brought in me a peace I so desperately needed in my heart. Ever since I agreed to fight along Darien, I had not been able to put aside the fear that came with such a decision. But looking at this place, the gentle sway of the leaves, feeling the warmth of the sun and the beauty that surrounded me, I felt there was nothing to fear. I had everything to gain by fighting and everything to lose by running away from this fight.

This was a decision I had made by myself and I would see it through to the end.

As I sat there, a song so long buried in me came alive.

"Mmmm…mmmmm…mmmmmmmmm.

There is much more happiness

In knowing you

There is an everlasting joy

In loving you.

The sea is calmed when you smile.

The storm dissolves at your laughter

The day you came into this world

Was when I met my destiny.

Who could have guessed that you and I

So different

Could share a love like we do

Who would have guessed that you and I

From different

World will cross oceans to meet

Who would could have dreamed that a meeting

Between us will spark a change of a life time.

Not you, not I

But somehow it came to be.

Haven known you, there is no going back.

I cannot pretend I don't know love

I cannot pretend I don't know laughter

I cannot pretend things are the same

My world can crumble and still I will not be parted from you.

For you have shown me something real

Something true, how can I go back?

In your arms I belong.

In your arms forever will I stay.

Twirl me around

Hold me close

And know that you never again have to share a tear

Of loneliness

Of pain

Of sadness

Kiss my lips and feel the promise of my heart

And know that together is our destiny

Forever is our fate.

Forever together, in your arms I will always belong."

Long ago, mother had been sick with a fever. She could not eat nor drink and worry clouded our hearts. In the nights as we're going to sleep, I will see father sitting on the bed by mother's side singing this song. I thought it was the most beautiful song I had ever heard. When mother got better, I asked father to teach me the song and he did by singing it to me every night before I went to bed. Singing it now, I felt the truth within the words. It spoke of a message of love and impossibility; of star cross lovers but most importantly it spoke of hope.

"A beautiful song." I heard his voice from behind me before I felt his arms surround my shoulder.

"Father taught it to me." I answered.

"Tell me, when and how your parents passed away?" he asked, laying a kiss on my neck. I recounted to him the events of the fire that had destroyed my world. He was silent afterwards for a long while and I wondered what he was thinking but I didn't ask.

"You're breakfast is getting cold." I told him. He turned me around and kissed me, his lips pressed against mine in a hard kiss. Soon his tongue demanded entrance into my mouth and I gave him access. He wrapped his arm around my waist and used his other hand to hold one side of my face. With my body half turned to him, I wrapped my arms around his neck and returned his passionate kiss.

Some minutes later we broke away for air and he trailed hot and wet kisses down my throat.

"What's that all about?" I asked.

"Why, I need a reason to kiss the daylights out of you?" he asked and I giggled.

"Seriously, your food is going to go very cold." I said and he sighed.

"Kill the mood why don't you." He said and stood up. He offered me his hand and I took it. Firmly but gently, he lifted me up and wrapped one hand around my waist from behind.

"You need all your strength for the battle ahead of us." I answered and we walked inside. I locked the back door behind us.

"My strength is you. You are all I need." He answered.

"You are not normal is all I can say." I said and he laughed loudly. I smiled.

He made to pull out my chair for me but I shook my head no and pulled out his for him.

"I have already breakfasted. Let's see if I can't warm up some of these foods." I picked foods that I could warm up and took it to the microwave.

"Where is Raino?" I asked, realizing that the lion wasn't around.

"He is somewhere in the forest. He will come see us before we leave." He replied. I didn't say anything else until I finished heating all the foods and sat it in front of him. I picked up my chair, drew it closer to him and sat down. I watched him eat.

"I wish this four days we've spent here will last eternity." I said. He looked at me.

"I promise you that I will create for us a future you will not regret leaving this place for." He said, staring into my eyes and willing me to believe him. I smiled, he would and I will by right by his side through it all.

"You've got a host of work ahead of you my dear king." I said.

"Noooooooooo….I want to stay here forever!" he whined and I laughed.

********

Finally it was time to go. By the time Raino showed up, all our bags were packed and placed outside. Darien and I were fully clothed and we rested on the bed. My head rested on his arm as we stared up at the ceiling.

"When all this is over, lets return here." He said.

"I would love that." I replied.

We were quiet for a while.

For two days we would be separated again. Thinking of the upcoming two days filled me with horror. I didn't want to separate from him even if it will be for a short while. In the moment I wanted to beg him for us to stay here in the cottage. For just one more day and I knew he would do it too. Would it have been selfish of me?

"If you grow tired. If you need a moment of peace, if this war becomes too much to handle. Just let me know alright? If you ever feel the need to return to this cottage, tell me right away. Even if I am unable to bring you here myself I will send someone to escort you here." He said. I tilted my head and looked up at him but he was looking upwards. I turned my whole body around until my stomach rested on the bed, slightly lifted by my elbow holding my body up. I carried half my body onto his and touched his face. He looked at me then and we stared at each other. I let him read through my eyes all my insecurities, fears and worries alongside the hope, the love and adoration I had for him.

"We will be fine." I said to him, trying to believe the words myself.

"Yes, we will." He said. He sat up and sat me up as well before wrapping his arms around my waist.

We hugged and held each other until Raino arrived.

It was time to return to reality.

It's past noon and the room is tense with an undeniable tension that was as thick as butter. We had been at each other's throat since early morning, or should I say since I returned to the palace after the four day getaway with Serena. It was a good thing she choose to still stay at the commoners community for the two days before the meeting. Finally the day of the appointed battle had come and we had been in this meeting since before and after breakfast. Serena was scheduled to appear at noon but I suppose fear got to her. It's alright, I rather she doesn't have to deal with this nonsense.

I sighed for the umpteenth time as a battle of words and will once again began between the elders. For someone who hadn't exactly been a favorite or a public figure of this kingdom, I should say I'm really holding my own. I had managed to turn half of the elders to my side; the problem however is that the ones whose decisions mattered the most were still strongly behind Hotaru.

Suddenly a knock came at the door. All talk and actions seized as we all turned to the door. Who would dare disturb the council in a meeting? That was a taboo and if the one disturbing did not have a good reason for doing so, it could end them in prison for the rest if their lives or an immediate execution.

"Enter." I commanded. The door opened slightly and Lita's face popped in. oh lord, she better have a good reason for the disturbance or I'm going to have a hell of a time getting her out of cold water.

"Oh Lita, right on time." I said, trying to fake as if I had expected her. Hotaru's eyes narrowed, I hoped she hadn't caught on.

"Well yes, she is here and wishes to enter." Lita answered. Honestly I was puzzled. Who was she that was here? In any case this she person would be the one in trouble not Lita.

"Please let her in." I answered and stood up, my mind racing as to who this person could be. The double door started opening on all sides and we all watched, waiting for whoever was coming in. the guards stood at attention at the open doors and we waited for a second or two. Then from the right side of the door Lita with Malcolm by her side walked in and two steps behind them was closely followed by Serena. I gasped in delight and shock. She looked absolutely breath taking and I was shocked she had come after all. Lita and Malcolm stopped several inches into the room and parted ways for us to have a better view of Serena. Her hair was curled and let lose around herself, some framing her small heart shaped face. Her lips were a glossy pink and her eyes ever blue. She wore a long lose, rose print dress that swayed with the wind coming from the open window. The dress was decent and modest but when the wind blew and it attached itself to her body, nobody could deny her shapely figure. The only piece of jewelry she had on was a silver chain necklace that held at her neck a golden crescent moon with a red rose sitting on the lower part of the crescent.

But even as modestly dressed as she was, she was beautiful beyond words. She had an air of tranquility and peace about her that surprised me. I had gotten used to Serena the spitfire, Serena the temptress, and Serena the sad broken woman, but this side of her I had yet to witness and I must say, I was indeed impressed. There was nothing about her that said she was scared, though the peace she exuded made her seem so humble. She walked through Lita and Malcolm to us, stopping about two feet away. There she curtsied low and beautifully. My chest swelled with pride and unconditional love.

She did not rise from her bow and I walked to her. I lowered myself on one knee, touched my hands to both sides of her face and lifted her eyes to mind. I smiled, letting all the happiness and pride I felt for her show in my eyes before fully rising up with her. I pulled her into my embrace. At that moment I wanted to be with her anywhere but in the council room. A cough interrupted our embrace and we pulled back. She curtsied again, this time not as low as the first.

"Your Majesty." She said. I did not like it one bit. But I was sure she had debated how best she was to address me in order to make a good appearance.

"Such formalities are behind us love. Darien will do just fine here as it does in the bedroom." I said loudly. She blushed from head to toe as gasps were heard from behind us. Lita tried to hide a giggle and Malcolm looked away with a smile.

"Darien!" she hissed in a whisper and I chuckled.

"Come, sit with me and let's hope today will come to a quick end." I said and took her hand. The table we sat on was a long table with chairs all around it. At the far end of the table Hotaru sat and I sat at the other end which was closer to the door. On both sides of the table sat the elders, ten one each side. I brought Serena to my chair and moved it back for her to sit. She looked at the elders before looking at me, her eyes showing her uncertainty.

"Your…"

"Darien." I reminded her.

"Darien, I do not think it's proper for me to sit when you do not." She said. From the corner of my eyes, I saw one of the elders nod. I hid a secret smile. I knew the other half of the elders would be won over by Serena, that I had no doubt.

"Let me worry about that. Besides, I have been sitting all day, a little exercise is welcomed right now." I answered. She shook her head and stepped back.

"If you choose to stand so will I, if you choose to sit then I will be glad to sit with you. That was the promised made between us, together in all." She answered stubbornly and I chuckled.

"Well, I cannot let my lady stand and a king never breaks a promise freely given, so I will sit so you may as well."

"Thank you." She answered with a little bow of her head. I snapped my hand and a guard came to me.

"Bring a chair of the same height and décor." I ordered.

"Yes My Lord." We waited for a minute and a chair was brought to sit by my chair. I pushed them closer to each other until they were touching, before holding Serena's hand and helping her sit in hers. Then I walked to my side of the chair and sat down.

Lita and Malcolm left the room and the door closed behind us. I looked at the elders who were staring at us before rising to my feet.

"My Lord's, May I present to you all apple of my eye. Lady Serenity Angelia Cyrus." I introduced. Serena stood up and bowed waist down before rising her head back up.

"It is a pleasure to finally be introduced to the Wisemans of our kingdom." She said, her voice cool and calm like the sea at rest. I was dying to ask her what sort of training had prepared her to deal so level headed with these pack of lions waiting to tear her and I apart.

"Yes, well, we've certainly heard quite a lot about you Lady Cyrus." Martial, elder of defense said in his usual sharp voice.

"Please, refrain from calling her a lady. She is nothing more than a servant at the house of Lord Adams. She is a sheep in wolf's clothing." Hotaru said in a disgusted sneer. I was about to make a rather rude comment at her but the look on Serena's face stopped me. She smiled…..literally.

"There is truth in your words My Queen, However I am not my profession. Yes, misfortune and circumstances has landed me in the role of a servant but if there were no one to serve the crown, what power will it have?" Serena countered in a very measured but sincere voice and I was stunned. I had no need to worry about her, she could handle Hotaru no problem!

Her words only brought silence as a response. I had to hide my face by turning my head to the door and pretending to be looking at the time or else I would have burst out laughing. Truly, Hotaru had just met her match.

"Wisely spoken…daughter." This was uttered by Enkor, elder of the treasury department. He was on my side.

"Thank you Lord Enkor. But for familiarities sake, and to make sure I am in my own clothing, I will be very grateful if you refer to me as Serena. Serenity is my formal name but Serena is what I am most familiar with. And no title please." Serena answered. Some of the elders blinked. One surprise after the other, Serena was proving to be a force to be reckoned with. And how had she known his name? I guess she had done her homework.

"Very well Serena. Please sit and let's begin anew this meeting." Enkor said.

"Thank you." Serena said with a bow of her head before sitting down again. I sat too.

"You call me your queen, yet you sit here trying to steal my throne." Hotaru said, glaring at Serena. Serena sighed, shaking her head. Her face took on a sad look and I knew the sadness was not faked but genuine.

"I have no need of your crown My Lady." Serena answered.

"Then why are you here?!" Hotaru demanded.

"For him who holds my heart." She answered and all turned to look at me. I gave a small smile at the comment. "Before two days ago, I would not have taken the crown if you had begged me to take it, but now there are reasons why it is important that I fight for it."

"OH, do enlighten us." Hotaru sneered.

"I have had very little riches and possessions in my life. They have always been enough for me; I would not know what to do with all these if they were given to me. So let me make one thing clear, I am not here seeking materialistic riches and treasures but the treasures of the heart which lies in our king. I am apologetic that the man who holds my treasure is a king but king or no king, he is a man foremost. And he has found in me the same treasure I have found in him. What man will find loads of gold and diamonds with his name written on it and walk away pretending ignorance and blindness? At first I had pretended ignorance to the yearnings of my heart until I was almost made mad by it. But now I come before you as a woman ready to claim her treasure and inheritance. Darien is my inheritance by fate and he is my treasure by love. If it takes your crown for me to claim what is mine, then so be it." Serena said steadily, looking straight at Hotaru. Unblinking, unfaltering. I was surprised at what she had just said but I was very pleased as well. I guess I wasn't the only one surprised by her words.

"You speak with the tongue of water Serena. Tell me, how educated are you?" Minior, Elder of the educational department asked.

"I am self taught My Lord." Serena answered.

"That's quite impressive. You mentioned reasons, so I know there is more to you being here today than just our king. What else do you seek to gain with the throne?" Minior asked.

"What makes a nation great?" Serena asked.

"The king of course." Samson, assistant of defense answered. It seemed that was how the council was divided. All the major position holders were on Hotaru's side save Gideon who was my personal councilor and Ephraim who I wasn't sure his vote was placed on. He was the council leader when the king was not present. The other half of the council, the assistants was on my side with not a single one on Hatoru's side. But still, she held at her back eight of our kingdoms most influential people. And I only had two. Eight of the assistance equaled one of her eight.

"I believe its defense of course that makes the nation great. If it's defense is strong, who will dare challenge them?" Martial answered.

"Wealthy plays a role in a nation's greatness." Enkor said. It seemed everyone was saying the greatness of a nation depended on what job he was in charge of.

"Those are all very well said. Practical answers that are all half true." Serena said before looking straight at Hotaru. "My Lady, can you share your thoughts on the matter? What makes a nation great?" she asked Hotaru, all attention turned to her.

"It's rulers. The well being of its rulers of course." She answered. I nearly winced at that answer.

"Thank you." Serena said before turning to me. "Well my king, what makes a nation great?" Seriously? She was asking me too? I stared at her perplexed, where was she going with this? But there was something in her eyes that was almost a challenge, as if she was testing me. I did not like it one bit. I sighed and thought about it for a second.

"It's people. The greatness of a nation is determined by its people." I answered.

"Oh, why do you say that?" she asked me. Why was she putting me on the spot like that?

"Because without the people there is no nation." I answered. She nodded. Had I passed her testing?

"All the answers you have given do play a part in a nation's greatness but you missed something very important. In fact it is the determining factor of a nation's wealth." She said, looking from one face to another. In each eye she stared half a minute with a look of determination and strength that no one could turn away from it, not even I.

"It's roots." She answered. I blinked and other's jaws dropped.

"It's roots?" Lakon, Elder of Law asked in confusion.

"Ha! Like she knows what she is talking about!" Hotaru scoffed.

"Yes, it's roots." Serena said with a smile.

"Please elaborate for us if you will." Ephraim asked.

"Glad to." Serena said and moved away to stand on my left side, a little distance away so all can see her. I was confused and intrigued and at the same time screaming in my head for Serena to better have a good explanation for all this.

"Imagine a tree…what keeps a tree standing? Is it the branches? The Leaves?" she asked and I finally understood her reasoning. Serena was very smart. And for a self taught woman, that was very impressive. The light of her reasoning began to dawn on the elders faces but Hotaru looked confuse. I saw Ephraim quickly hid a smile but he could not hide his intrigue and pride from his eyes. Serena may yet win him over if she hasn't already.

"The root." Ephraim answered and Serena smiled.

"Correct. Another example is the human figure." She said, pointing to herself from head to toe. "It is my feet that keeps me standing." She said before moving back to her seat, our eyes following her as if she was a movie.

"When hierarchy of importance is made, it is he who is seen as most important that sits on the very top but what will make that person important if there is no one below to keep him at the top?" she asked, looking all around but no one had an answer. Well Hotaru did but she realized at the last minute that whatever answer she had was stupid or will make her look stupid so she shut her mouth.

"What is the root of this kingdom?" she asked and we all thought about it. What was the root of this kingdom?

"For someone to stand tall, something must be short or fall." She said. We all knew the answer but no one wanted to say it. For me, saying it will be admitting to haven neglected my duties as king but for the others, admitting it will make them realize that they are powerless without those we consider below our station giving them power.

"The servants, the commoners, those who tilt the ground because we are too proper by our own standards to do what must be done." Gideon, assistant councilor leader answered finally.

There was a long silence afterwards.

"It's for them that I also fight for today for the crown. For almost seven years, you have sat on the throne. Yet not once did you make to recognize those who feed and clothe and shelter you. Those who really takes care of you. Yet you have continued to build on the riches of those who have more than enough. Look at the other side of this city! It's as if it's a city or a town of its own! They call it the commoners community, is this city not one? When did it part that those of lower class would be discarded into filth?! Yet it is they who dig the gold mines, it is they who drags out the diamonds that makes the jewel on your crown! It is them who tilts the ground and put food on your plate! It is them that purify the water so that you may have something healthy to drink! And what do they get in return? A few pennies you take back every month for taxes!? Homes that are breaking down, children that are denied education, young adults with so very limited possibilities and seniors with no health care! Seven children, seven! Were put in a room meant for only two people at most! Yet having nowhere else to lay their heads, they share the room. You've blot out their cries for help, instead continues to feed your own greed. How long will you ignore them? Until they are dead? Until they are broken and battered and can no longer support you? Do you think if they were to declare independence from you, the nobles and dukes and duchess will rush to fill in their place and do all that they have done for this kingdom? It is the rulers' responsibility to serve their people! Not the other way around. Tell me, does a doctor visit the home of the healthy? Or that which is sick? Yet you pile riches on the nobles whose cups are already over flowing and ignore the commoners who goes to sleep with empty stomachs, who can only hope to get better when they are sick, who don't even have a place to lay their heads. How long will a tree stand if it is not natured in water and sunlight?! You scoff at Commoners because of their filthy clothes and the unfortunate circumstances of their birth, yet without them you can do nothing!" Serena's eyes were ablaze.

She stared from one shamed face to another and even mine. There were few who looked defiant but they could not hold her gaze. She stood up and pushed her chair away from her and walked back.

"It is for them I fight for the crown." She said and walked to the door. She knocked on it and it opened and she walked out leaving behind a big silence.

I was very ashamed for myself and for everyone in the room.

I nearly fainted when the door closed behind me. One of the guards caught me and steadied me.

"My Lady, are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes, thank you. Just a little dizzy." I answered and held on to his hand until I was able to clear my vision and steady my foot.

"Thank you." I said to him and he nodded. Then letting go of his hand I tried to walk as straight as I could. When I rounded the corner, I held onto the wall and slid down on the floor. My heart was racing so fast that I was trying to catch my breath. What had I done?!

"Oh God." I said, holding my head in my arms. Things had not at all gone as I had hoped. I had managed to squander my fears when I had appeared at the council and look as if I was confident. Yet as soon as I was allowed to speak, my mouth ran off with me. I had not helped Darien at all! I had put him on the hot seat just like the elders.

What was I going to do? Should I go back in there and apologize for my impertinence? But in my minds eyes I could not help but see the faces of the commoners I had come to love so much. No, what I said had to be said. These people needed to be heard and if their voices could not be heard from the ghetto then someone here had to speak for them. Problem was why did it have to be me?!

Yet in my heart I felt angry. Righteous indignation for these hard working people who had been ignored for so long. It had been because of them I had found the courage to stand and fight by Darien's side, the least I could do was let their voices be heard. Even if Darien and I were to fail and we will be torn apart, (I was not going to let him give up his throne even if it meant life without me.) I wanted him to consider these people, that the elders will realize the mistake they were making in not helping these people. If something were to happen to me, I needed to sow the seeds of help into them that the commoners would someday be able to reap.

"There you are." Lita said as she stood behind me. I turned my attention to her and she blinked.

"I have been in there for all of twenty minutes and look what I have done." I said with a bit of hysteria.

"Calm down. Your eyes are bugging out and you look so pale. Come, let's get you into your room and then we can talk." She said and took my hand and shoulder and helped me up. She placed her arm around me and led me to Darien's room. After sitting me on the bed and bringing me some tea to calm my nerves, I told her all that had happened.

For a minute she was silent before a slow smile crept on her face. And she started to laugh, fully throat and belly laughter that had me looking at her as if she had gone mad.

"Lita?" I asked worriedly.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She said as she continued laughing and wiping a tear from her eyes. I watched her with wide eyes until she finished laughing and calmed down.

"Oh Rena, you didn't say anything that didn't need to be said. Actually I will bet anything that you made a really good impression on the wise ones among them." She said. I sighed.

"It's alright love. This is just the beginning and I am proud of you for giving voice to the voiceless. It's not everyone who can stand up to the elders as you did and for being a woman, that is something very commendable." Lita said and I looked at her.

"You think so?" I asked, I so wanted an assurance that I had not made a bloody fool of myself.

"Mmmhm. That was very well executed. Now rest for a while. I will bring you food in a little whole." Lita said as she rose up. She helped me under the cover and covered me before leaving.

Soon I was fast asleep.

There really was not much to discuss after Serena left the room. The whole meeting had been to interrogate and investigate her but she had walked out. But she hadn't walked out without leaving us something to consider about. We took a ten minutes break after she went out. I stood by the window considering all that she had said. She was so right and I couldn't have said it better. I was sure that Ephraim liked her and so did Divonae, elder of economic control. As for the others I could not read what was going through their heads. Normally, when a break is given, the nine assistants minus Josieh, Nathaniel's (the queen councilor) assistant, and Andrew would gather on one side and the other 9 minus Ephraim to the other side but today, they all stood apart, their faces reflecting thoughts and concentration. Hotaru still sat at her chair, anger brewing from her very being.

"That bloody bitch!" she had said when Serena walked out.

When the break was over and we sat back down, none of us had the energy to really get into arguments for the day. I stood up.

"I think we all have some thinking to do. And if you care to know the truths of her words, go to the commoner's community and see for yourself. For the past month, Serena have been staying with them. She organized a group composed of children and began cleaning the community. So for the east part of the community it is a little more presentable than the west because she had yet to get to cleaning that part. At the same time she has been trying her best to educate the children there. but she is only one person, she cannot do all that by herself. If there was ever a time to take action, it is now. The meeting will be brought to an end at this hour and rejoin tomorrow at noon. Meeting adjourn." I said and pushed my chair back.

Prime, Andrew's assistant, picked up my folders and papers while the others stood and bowed to me. I and my councilor and assistant councilor, Prime, left the room.

**********

We walked down the hall in silence until we arrived at my studies and Prime placed my papers and folders on top of my desk. My councilors stood in front of my table as I sat at the table behind the table. I looked at them and let a small smile creep on my lips.

"Well? Now you have met her. What are your impressions of her? Is she worth you standing by my side through this battle?" I asked them, watching them carefully.

"Nobody deserve the title of queen more than her this I assure you." Andrew said and I chuckled.

"She spoke with so much passion and conviction and each word was like a knife to my heart." Prime answered.

"That is because she spoke the truth we have been denying for years. I am impressed." Andrew said. Prime sighed.

"Where was she when we sought a real queen for diamond?" Prime said.

"She was waiting for me." I answered.

"She is very intelligent." Andrew commented.

"And she sure doesn't mind speaking her mind." Prime added.

"Yet she is the most humble person you will ever meet." I told them.

"I got that impression from her before she started speaking so passionately." Prime said and I chuckled again.

"She has a passion for justice and defending those who needs to be defended." I informed them.

"If she was a lawyer, she would be a force to reckon with." Andrew said.

"That she would be." I replied. There was a moment of silence.

"Well, I have always been by your side Your Majesty. But if I ever had any doubt who I was loyal to, then that doubt is now completely and utterly gone. I will serve you with all my heart for the rest of my life." Andrew said with a bow, his voice serious and gaze determined.

"Thank you Andrew." I said gratefully.

"The same goes for me. I am yours to command for the entirety of my life." Prime stated with a bow.

"Thank you…my friends." I said. Their eyes lifted to me in shock, surprise and delight. This was the first I had acknowledge a friendship existed between us.

"I must take my leave Your Majesty. There…."

"Darien." I interrupted Andrew's sentence.

"What?" he asked in confusion.

"You may refer to me as Darien." I said again.

"Your Majesty…" prime began.

"Are we not friends?" I asked.

"Yes of course but…"

"Then why do you insist to address me as a stranger?" I asked. For this they had no answer.

"Very well….Darien." Andrew said hesitantly and I smiled at him. "But in public we will address you as everyone else." I sighed.

"If you will be comfortable is such a way then so be it." I said.

"Thank you. Now as I said, I am in a rush to see my wife. She woke ill this morning and I hope to see how she fairs." Andrew said.

"Then swiftly you must ride to her and give her my blessings. If there is anything I can do please feel free to ask of me." I told him.

"I thank you…Darien." He said with a bow and turned on his heels and run out.

"Is there anything you will have me do for you?" Prime asked. I thought about it but shook my head. Anything he had to do would require me being here and I wanted to go see Serena.

"No…not right now. Maybe later tonight if you are free you can come help me." I said to him.

"Very Sire. I should like to take my leave now." He said and I sighed. Prime was a very quiet individual and I knew it would take a while before he would be comfortable in calling me in such familiarity.

"Yes. You may go. Rest well."

"Thank you…Darien." He said and quickly retreated. I chuckled….maybe not that long.

I was almost done putting away all my things when Lita walked in with a tray with hot tea in it.

"Where is Serena?" I asked immediately.

"She sleeps in your room. She has a bit of fever but nothing sleep won't cure." She answered.

"Please take the tea to the room. I will be there shortly." I told her.

"Very well." She said and turned back. She stopped at the door.

"She was frightened she had messed up her chances. Be nice to her." She said and walked out. I sort of pouted. I am always nice to my beloved.

Five minutes later I left the office for my room. I saw that Lita had set the tae down on the other side of the bed where Serena was not occupying. I locked the door and rushed to the bed. I sat by my sleeping angel and ran my fingers over her face. She had very prominent cheek bones.

"You took all of us by surprise and I am proud of you." I said softly, trying not to wake her up. Her lids shifted and opened. I caught my breath and watched as she turned her face to me.

"Darien." She whispered my name and smiled. I leaned down and kissed her passionately. I wound my hands under her and lifted her to sit on my lap all the while kissing her.

We came up for air and as she took in deep breaths, I traced my lips over the exposed skin of her neck and collar bone. Her skin like always, tasted sweet and her fragrance that never failed to fill me with an image of her standing in a bed of flowers in spring, intruded wonderfully in my nostrils.

"Darien?" she said with a gasp as my teeth put a bit of pressure on her sensitive skin.

"Mmm?" I asked, still distracted by her scent and taste.

"I'm sorry." I stopped, she sounded so regretful. I raised my head and turned her face to mine.

"For what?" I asked.

"For acting all high and mighty at the meeting. For acting righteous and ruining our chances," she said, tears gathering in her crystal orbs. I touched her cheeks softly and kissed her. It was a sweet, soft and tender kiss. I smiled at her.

"On the contrary, you spoke with so much passion it's going to be impossible for anyone of us to forget what you have said for a long while to come. And you spoke true and your feelings for the commoners were shown through as well. You displayed intelligence and humbleness that took everyone, including me by surprise. You made a good impression most of them and I know for a fact that Ephraim and Divonae likes you so it's alright. You did not jeopardize our cause; truthfully you've just proven that you can be a better queen than Hotaru." I said to her, which was the truth.

"Really?" she asked, searching my eyes to see if I'm lying to make her feel better.

"Really. And I am so very proud of you for it." I said and kissed her forehead. The worry in her eyes slowly changed and she smiled with utter happiness before throwing her arms around my neck and kissing me with all her might. I pressed her against me and returned the kiss. The fever my body always felt for her awakened and I laid her on the bed before slowly rising over her.

My hands moved up and down her body as I tried to find a hold to take of her dress. I found the zipper at the back and opened it as she arched her back up. I continued to kiss her as I moved her dress down, over her breasts and down her waist. I felt her undo the zippers of pants and the buttons of my shirt.

When all our clothing was cast aside, I slowly eased into her until I filled her entirely. A rush of relief rushed up my body and I moaned, her name escaping my lips in bliss. Together we rode the waves of bliss and ecstasy; drove each other to new horizons and back, explored every corner of our bodies and filled each other with all we had and still we continued to ride the waves. I massaged her breasts and kissed and played with it with my tongue. The pleasure from the taste of her skin combined with the union of our most private parts nearly drove me mad as pure untainted ecstasy and joy filled my heart. I gasped, I moaned, I cried out but no nose was as sweet as her name uttered from my mouth in pleasure.

Finally we crossed the borders that separated us and we became one as we climaxed down into reality. Tired and gasping for breath, I laid on her, her chest and mine rising and falling in tune with each other. If at this point no one understood my need of her, then they would never in their life understand. She was the only one who could make me feel as I do, she was the only one who could break me and still I would seek her. Because there was no me without her. My soul mate.

We laid together naked on the bed with the covers over us to our waist. Her head rested one of my arms as my other held her to me. we had just finished making love just five minutes ago and still I wanted her.

"Hey, Darien?" she said and I looked down at her as she looked up.

"Yeah?"

"I need your help." She said.

"Name it."

"I want to have a little lunch get together three days from now with all the court and noble ladies. Is that alright?" she asked. I looked into her eyes and saw her determination. She was going to fight this battle her way. I smiled.

"Anything you want you can have it. Everything in this palace is yours to use." I said and she smiled.

"Thank you." She said.

"Anything else I can do?" I asked her. She thought about it and her eyes brightened.

"Yes, is it possible for you to make me invitational cards?" she asked and I nodded.

"I will set Prime on it as soon as possible."

"Yes please. I would be very grateful if it's done by the morning. I plan to pay a visit to all the ladies." My eyes widened.

"Serena…"

"I know. But I feel this is what I must do. I promise you I won't do anything that will jeopardize us." She said.

"That's not what I'm worried about. Some of these ladies are very close to Hotaru, I worry for your safety." I said. These people could hurt her.

"That too I know but this is what I want to do. Please support me." she begged with her eyes and how could I refuse?

"Just please go with Malcolm and Lita ok? And Maybe even Prime or Andrew." I said.

"I will go with whomever you choose for me to go. Thank you, my love." She said and leaned up and pecked my lips. For me that was so not enough.

"You think you can twist my arm and not pay a price higher than just a mere peck?" I asked her in a playful threatening voice as I sat up on my knee, my erection hard, showing her what price I was about to claim. On the bed she pretended to be frightened.

"Oh no Sire. I had not meant to offend you. What may I do to make up for my grievous crime?" she said in a small voice.

"Because I am king and a merciful one at that, your punishment will be to give yourself to me for eternity!"

"All of myself Sire?" she asked with wide eyes.

"Yes, all of you. Is there a problem with my decision?" I asked with that same threatening tone.

"Well Sire, that's a bit much." She said.

"Considering that grievous crime of yours?" I asked her. She seems to think about it.

"I suppose it is a just punishment." She said as she sat up. "Then why don't I show you how much fun I can be?"

She touched my crutch and squeezed a little and I closed my eyes in bliss. Then my eyes flashed open as I felt something wet and warm touch me. I looked down and found her tongue playing over my erection.

"Serena!" I gasped and suddenly the wetness was everywhere. I was inside her mouth and her tongue was doing delicious things to me. I held her head and moaned from the back of my throat, my buttocks tightening up as I tried to take in all the pleasure she was giving me. It was like eating a sweet and sour candy. You wanted to continue sucking on it as much as have it out of your mouth. You can neither put it down nor take it out of your mouth for long. That was how I can describe uncontrollable pleasure spread through my body from that small section of me. I groaned and moaned and gasped and screamed out her name and still she would not release me.

Over and over she sucked on me and I released her hair, afraid that my grip on it would pull it out of her head. Instead I grasped the bed sheets and held on for dear life. Finally she released my groin and I could breathe more easily. That had felt so good it was maddening. She held me and we fell back on the bed, me on her. She turned us around and she climbed on me.

"This king does not know what he's gotten himself into." I said and she laughed.

"No, you surely do not." She said and scooted back a little. Then she positioned herself over my erection and slowly sat herself on the full length of m. we both gasped and together we thrust hard and deep into each other.

For the rest of the afternoon, it was just her and me, continuing what we had left off at the cottage.

Sorry for the long wait!

Read and Review....i don't have internet so even when i finish typing a chapter i have to wait until i can go to the library or get internet access so please understand and forgive me!