Star-Crossed Lovers-Chapter Eight

Darien walked down the long staircase to the dining room where his parents were, waiting for him to join them and Bernice (Michael had refused to be brought down). He was still dressed in his nightwear, a pair of blue cotton pants and a long gray shirt. It was just breakfast, after all. He could go upstairs afterward and change his clothes. He had, however, had the heart to splash water on his face and comb his hair, not to mention straighten the General's pin that he wore on all his clothes. It was probably the most precious item he owned, and he couldn't bear to part with it for one second, no matter how much it annoyed Michael that he wore it.

When he had finally reached the large dining room, the servants were already bringing out the meal. Bernice clapped her hands and smiled widely as soon as the sausage was placed on the table.

"Good morning, Darien," Bianca said as soon as she noticed her eldest entering the room. She was already dressed, wearing a dark red dress with sequins on the collar.

Robert, also dressed for the day in his usual dark blue attire, greeted his son in the same fashion.

Darien sat down at the table next to his young sister, who was trying to grab all the sausage off the platter before her mother had the chance to rebuke her.

They ate breakfast in silence for a while (starting after Bernice's scolding for trying to take all the sausage) until Robert addressed Darien with a rather abrupt and haphazard question.

"How do you feel about your guardians?"

Darien blinked and looked perplexed for a moment, but then his father's words registered. He had three guardian generals who acted as his bodyguards, much like Princess Serena had the Sailors as her guardians. Malachite was the oldest, tallest, and by far the strongest of the three, holding the most power. He was, in fact, the leader of the group. Nephlite was second. He also had great power, but was not as strong as Malachite. Darien also considered him to be the most arrogant of the three. Jadeite was the last, the least strong, and, as much as Darien hated to admit it, the least intelligent. However, regardless of their personal flaws, Darien considered them all to be sufficient bodyguards and great friends. In that sense, there was nothing wrong with them.

"What do you mean, father?" Darien asked, suddenly worried that his father might be thinking about getting rid of one of them. "I find nothing wrong with them."

"Of course not, dear," Bianca cut in, obviously having a part in this plan of her husband's and not wanting Darien to get the wrong impression. "They're very affective warriors. Your father and I were merely thinking of adding a guardian to protect you."

Darien gave his mother another blink. "Why?" he asked. Having grown up with his three guardians, Darien knew them well and considered them to be quite sufficient warriors. He saw no need to add a fourth. It would ruin our circle, he thought. They were a tight-knit group, after all. Adding another would mess everything up.

"We just think it would be fair," Robert tried to explain, taking a moment to scold Bernice for making a mess of her food. "Princess Serenity has four guardians, so we thought you could have one more."

"And extra protection never hurt anyone," Bianca said.

"But, I don't need extra protection!" Darien protested. "I'm a warrior myself. I know how to defend myself. They're enough. They really are."

Robert sighed, looking at Darien with an expression that told his oldest son that he wanted him to understand where he was going with this and begging him not to act as stubborn and rebellious as Michael.

Darien rolled his eyes, thinking it was the dumbest idea ever, but he wanted to make his father happy. "Fine," he said. "I'll get another guardian."

+*+*+

As Darien expected, his three guardians had mixed reactions to the news of there being a new addition to them.

"It's a wonderful idea." Malachite agreed with Robert whole-heartedly.

"Horrible," Nephlite shook his head in disagreement.

It took Jadeite a few moments to respond. "At least now we'll have an even number of generals."

The three of them (and Darien) were standing in the training room, a large chamber on the first floor of the palace. Rumor had it that it was the first room of the palace ever built, but it was just that: a rumor. There was nothing to prove or disprove it as far as Darien knew.

"The Prince could always use more protection." Malachite began to elaborate on his agreement. "A fourth guardian would be all the more safe."

"It would ruin our circle," Nephlite protested, angrily swishing his long brown hair off his shoulders. "I can't believe your father would let this happen after all these years. It's always been the four of us and nothing has ever gone wrong before. Why would he decide to do something now?"

Darien shook his and looked at his feet. "I don't know. Maybe he knows something about the state of the world that we don't."

"Or maybe, he just wants you to be in sinc with Serenity," suggested Nephlite, the angry look still plastered on his handsome face. "She has four guardians. He must want you to compete."

Malachite raised his lovely silver eyebrows at his fellow general. "Compete?" he echoed.

"Yes," Nephlite emphasized. "He's obviously concerned about competition between Serenity and Darien over who has more warriors."

Darien rolled his eyes at the stupidity of this statement. "Somehow, I doubt that."

And it was the truth. Robert would not be concerned about competition between royals. He never cared who had what as long as they were doing their jobs.

"Did he say who he was picking?" asked Jadeite, not looking at any as he spoke. It was a habit that drove Darien and the others crazy.

"No," Darien replied. "I just hope that whoever he picks is a good warrior."

+*+*+

Later that night while Darien was in his room contemplating both the good and bad effects of having a new guardian, a servant knocked on his door.

"You have a letter, sire," the tall dark-haired man said. He held out a small piece of parchment, expensive and delicate.

"Thank you," he responded. The man bowed and left the room.

At his desk, Darien opened the letter to find the most exquisite writing he had ever seen. His heart stopped as he began to read.

Dearest Prince Darien,

I would like you to join me for dinner this Thursday night at eight o'clock at my home. My mother consented to letting you see me and believes it to be a wonderful idea that we get more acquainted. Please come. I cannot wait to see you again.

Serena

Author's Note: Hey guys. This was my first chapter written from my college dorm! I realize that it was a very short chapter, but it's really just a filler/transition for the next chapter, which I am planning to make much longer. It will feature Serena and Darien's "date", the Sailors, more of the ever perception-distorted Michael, and the new guardian. Of course, you know who it's going to be, but can you guess why it's such a big deal? I bet you can without any hints. Please review with lots of analysis!

Merci,

Amélie