AN: Hello dears! Thank you so much for your reviews and patience! I can't tell you how much it means to me to have so much amazing feedback on this story 33
My eternal thanks, as always, to FloraOne, my fantastic, stupendous, wonderfully amazing beta. She always makes the time for me, even when dealing with 16 hour days, and I love her so, SO much.
Hope you enjoy this chapter, and please let me know what you think!
oOo
"You're thinking awfully hard, Endymion," Aethlius said with a chuckle, atop a glorious white stallion.
Endymion, riding next to his father at the front of a caravan of nearly fifty men, snapped his head to the side, startled at being addressed.
They were currently enroute to the deep forests that sat a days ride from the palace for their annual hunt. It was an event Endymion always looked forward to. An escape from the rigors of court life and a wonderful excuse to enjoy the beauty his planet offered.
But this particular trip couldn't have come at a less ideal time. Namely, one where he was trying to figure out how he'd managed to fall in love with his wife, especially when he'd devoted so much time to willing himself not to. And what about Beryl? What did he feel for her, now?
It was all immensely confusing.
"I'm sorry, father. I suppose, I'm just...distracted, today."
The king laughed deeply at Endymion's statement. "Distracted is an understatement, I believe. And there is only one thing that can cause a man to think as much as you have been for the past few hours. Is there trouble between you and Serenity?"
Endymion smiled wryly at how easily his father was able to guess what was on his mind. "I can't hide anything from you, can I?"
"And why should you?" Aethlius scoffed good-naturedly. "What is the trouble, Endymion?"
Endymion faced back towards the road before them, sighing deeply. "It's not so much trouble, as it is confusion."
"Explain."
"I'm just not sure what to make of Serenity," Endymion replied wistfully, and he was surprised when he heard his father's booming laugh in response.
"Did I not tell you on your wedding day, you'd come to love her?" he asked his son, a brilliant grin on his face.
Endymion furrowed his brow. "I didn't say I loved her, father. I do enjoy her, and she certainly isn't without her charms," he lied, unable to confess just how deeply he felt about Serenity.
"No, she isn't," Aethlius replied, "She's brought a life back to the palace, I wasn't sure we would ever experience again."
Endymion couldn't help but smile at the thought. In her short time on Earth, she had managed to become even more beloved by his people than he was, and the knowledge didn't fill him with jealousy as he knew it once would have, but instead, with an immense pride.
"Are you doing your best to make this marriage work, Endymion?"
The prince snapped his head towards his father, once more, taken aback by the bluntness of his father's question. "Father-" he began, but Aethlius quickly interrupted.
"I have no doubt you're kind to her, Endymion. You have too much of your mother in you to be otherwise. But are you really doing all you can to make this union fruitful?"
Endymion blushed brightly. "Father, you know Serenity and I are trying to-"
"I don't mean bearing children, son," Aethlius chuckled at his son's assumption. "Though I would be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to having a little one running the halls, again."
Endymion rolled his eyes affectionately. "Then what did you mean, father?"
"You and Serenity have many, many years ahead of you. I know you're aware of how long the moon's people live. And I have no doubt that the Silver Crystal will take you under its protection, as well," the wise king began, "But you must realize, Endymion, that you both have a chance to do such good with your marriage, both for your people and each other."
Aethlius paused, looking towards his son, who was, once again, lost in thought, before continuing on, "Even if your union does not result in love, though I have never doubted it will, you must be as invested in Serenity as she is in you. Your marriage will reflect in the Earth, Endymion. If it does not prosper, our people will not either."
Endymion frowned, nodding to his father, and Aethlius smiled gently in return.
"Just think about it, son," he said low, so only Endymion could hear, before holding up his hand to halt the party behind him. "We'll camp here for the night."
And Endymion's thoughts were lost in the shuffle of horses and men.
oOo
Serenity stood at the large windows inside her bedchamber, enjoying the warmth from the last rays of sunlight.
Standing here, basking in the sunset, she could almost pretend that everything was alright. She could almost forget the near overwhelming sadness that ruled her days and overtook her nightly dreams.
But reality had a way of always crashing down around her, and when the knock came at her door, Serenity sighed heavily, before calling out a breathy, "Come in."
Her sweet Naru opened the door, bowing low, as she always did, though Serenity had insisted she cease to do so, they were friends. "Your grace, there's a visitor here for you. I've been told they're waiting for you in your study."
Serenity smiled sadly. "Thank you, Naru. I'll be along shortly."
Naru smiled brightly back, bowing again, and leaving the princess alone once more.
Serenity took one last, longing glance at the setting sun, before she turned and walked calmly out the door of her bedchamber and into the long corridor that stretched to her study.
She marveled at how heavy her limbs felt, at how difficult it could be to place one foot in front of the other, to keep walking. But she had to, it was her duty to keep going, even when the world felt as if it were falling apart.
Ever since that night where Endymion had come to her rescue for the storm outside, her thoughts had been consumed by finding this woman he loved. Who she was, where she went, what she looked like...they were all things Serenity needed to know.
And not only for her own morbid curiosity, but for Endymion, as well.
She had managed to wrestle some information out of Kunzite, but he was, first and foremost, loyal to Endymion, and the prince had sworn his general to secrecy. Endymion had actually taken the time to make Kunzite promise he wouldn't reveal who his lover was to Serenity. And the thought irritated her greatly.
But it simply wouldn't do to dwell on such minor things, and Kunzite had given her enough information to go on. To find out that the woman she sought was named Beryl, the daughter of a prominent Lord who lived nearly a days ride from the palace.
It was to that home Beryl had fled some two months prior. Shortly after Serenity and Endymion's engagement was announced from what she could deduce.
Serenity had thought of going there, of seeking out this Beryl, but of course that wouldn't do. She was a princess. The heir to the entire Silver Millenium. The most high born woman in the
entire galaxy. And seeking out the scorned lover of her husband was simply something she could not do.
But nothing seemed to squelch her desire to meet this woman, and it was an absurd notion, she knew.
When she reached the door that led to her study, Serenity took in a deep breath, brushed off her skirts and straightened herself as she had seen her mother do countless times before meeting with important officials, holding her head high. And with a gentle push, the wooden door opened.
Meeting Beryl was a silly notion, indeed, but one she just couldn't shy away from.
The sight of her in the room caused Serenity's eyes to widen, and her breath to catch. This woman was beautiful. With long auburn hair, and eyes of emerald green. Her curves were accentuated by the gown she wore, and Serenity felt like a child compared to the display before her. But she squared her shoulders and straightened her back, determined to not let her intimidation show.
For there she was, bowing deeply before Serenity. The Lady Beryl. The one who Endymion loved. The answer she'd been looking for.
And the answer was simple, really, she could not leave the situation alone. Endymion was hurting. Her husband was in pain, longing for the one he had rightly loved before Serenity had come along, and ruined it all.
And the princess knew she was the only one with power and means to fix it.
When Serenity cleared her throat, Beryl rose from the her bowed stance, and their eyes met for the first time. As much as Serenity had wanted to dislike the woman who was the cause of her sadness, she could not.
Beryl's eyes were nervous, but kind, and none of the contempt Serenity had feared would be there, was present. Instead, Beryl seemed genuinely curious about her presence there, and the princess couldn't help but notice how the striking woman's gaze kept darting to the door, as if she were expecting someone else to come through.
Serenity never dreamed she'd be grateful for Endymion's absence, but when he and Aethlius had left two days prior for their annual hunting excursion, Serenity was relieved for the time she'd been given to think, and plan, and act without word getting back to her husband.
Not that she relished the idea of keeping secrets from him, but she knew Endymion was a kind man, and although he didn't love her, Serenity knew he would try to stop her from bearing any more pain than she already had to.
When she noticed Beryl begin to wring her hands nervously, Serenity moved around the chair in front of her, sitting, and gesturing for Beryl to do the same.
Serenity spoke first.
"Do you know why you are here, Lady Beryl?" she asked, her voice sounding much more akin to her mother's than her own in that moment, but Serenity did her best to keep her face soft.
Beryl's eyes darted to hers. "No, your grace. I must admit I do not."
"Were you expecting someone else to meet you?"
Beryl sighed, and looked down at her lap. "You are aware of my relationship with Endymion."
Serenity couldn't help the wry smile that lifted the corners of her lips. "Indeed."
"I can assure you, I have not contacted him since he told me of the engagement, nor has he attempted to contact me" Beryl defended.
"You think me a jealous woman, Lady Beryl?" Serenity asked, a twinge of hurt edging into her tone. And when Beryl failed to answer, Serenity went on. "I can assure you this meeting is not about jealousy. I know my husband well enough to not question his fidelity."
Beryl looked at her with confusion. "If I may be so bold, your grace-"
"Of course, in the spirit of full disclosure, I would be lying if I said I wasn't jealous of you," Serenity interrupted. "You are the woman who holds my husband's love and affection, and for that I will always be deeply jealous of what you share. But that does not give me an excuse to ignore what is right."
"What is right?"
"Yes," it was Serenity's turn to look down at her lap, trying desperately to keep her emotions steady. "I am here to offer you what you and my husband want most. Each other."
The red-haired woman's brows furrowed, and her face reflected a fear Serenity had been expecting might show itself.
"I can assure you, this isn't a trap, Lady Beryl. I did not bring you here to ensnare you, or to bring about your ruin," Serenity did her best to soothe, "You are here because I wish for my husband's happiness. And as much as I wish I could give that to him, I cannot."
Beryl's demeanor changed then, her face softening into a look that Serenity knew all too well. Pity.
"How long have you known?" she asked Serenity.
"Known what?" the princess replied, the hair on the back of her neck bristled at the look Beryl was giving her.
"That you're in love with Endymion."
Serenity felt all the air escape from her. How had this woman she'd only known for a few moments been able to read her so easily? How had she known what Serenity had only been able to acknowledge to herself for a few days?
It was unnerving.
Serenity took a deep breath in to steady herself, and tried her best to rid her cheeks of their traitorous blush. When she finally found her voice again, she tried her best to speak with the same authority her mother always did.
"I've known long enough to realize that I am not, nor will I ever be, what he wants."
A heavy silence hung between them after her confession, and Serenity was surprised at her own ability to hold Beryl's gaze, especially when she felt as if the smallest thing could shatter her at any moment.
Serenity was relieved when Beryl spoke again. "Pardon my bluntness, your grace, but...what exactly are you saying?"
Although Serenity had been preparing herself to answer that exact question for days, hearing it spoken out loud, was like a strike to the gut, and when she felt tears beginning to well up in her eyes, she knew the words needed to be said, before the dam burst.
"I am offering for you to come back to the palace, to live at court and to become Endymion's mistress."
Beryl had little reaction, except for the tiniest intake of breath, that Serenity would have missed completely if she hadn't had her gaze glued to the woman in front of her.
Beryl was silent for a moment, before she asked, her face somber, "Why would you request such a thing of me?"
Serenity let out a small, bitter laugh. "I have asked myself the same thing numerous times in recent days, Lady Beryl. And while I wish it was more complicated, more complex, the answer comes down to one, single thing. Love."
She paused, watching as Beryl blinked slowly. "I love my husband. So much, I can't sleep at night. And I would give anything to make him happy. Even at the expense of my own happiness."
Beryl did not speak, and Serenity watched with mild amusement, as she opened her mouth several times, and yet no sound came.
Serenity smiled. "I have shocked you, and I am truly sorry for that. But before we go any further, I must inform you that becoming Endymion's mistress is not without personal cost to yourself."
"You have conditions, I presume?" Beryl asked quietly, meeting Serenity's eyes with a look Serenity was certain contained a hint of admiration mixed with fear.
"I do. But I promise you, Lady Beryl, I will not attempt to make your life miserable. This is for Endymion's sake only. I only wish to make him happy."
Beryl nodded her head in understanding, her hair moving in gentle waves with her. "May I hear your conditions?"
"Of course," Serenity replied, "They're very simple, but integral for this to work for all of us. First, you are never to come to his bed. If he wishes to lie with you, or you with him, Endymion must come to your chambers."
"That's more than fair," Beryl said, "I can certainly agree to that."
"Good," the princess offered with a small smile. "Secondly, you are under no circumstances to conceive a child. It matters not to me how you prevent it from happening, but I cannot and will not tolerate any bastard children possibly harming the peace we have fought so long and hard for."
At this, Beryl's eyes left Serenity's and the princess could almost feel the overwhelming sadness emanating from the woman before her.
"I know this must be difficult for you to hear, but I couldn't allow you to come and take on this role, without you fully understanding what you must sacrifice in return," Serenity went on, compassion flooding through her for Beryl and the beautiful children who would never be.
"I can completely understand if you wish to hate me for the rest of your days," Serenity continued, when Beryl did not speak, "But I also pray you will come to understand my position in all of this. My duty, first and foremost is to the people of our kingdoms, and if anything that threatens the peace comes from what will undoubtedly be your, strong and earned, influence over Endymion, our deal will be for naught."
"I understand."
"And just as I have had to come to terms with the fact that Endymion's heart will never fully belong to me, can you come to terms with the fact that he will never be fully yours either? That you will have to share him with me for the remainder of your days with him?"
Beryl sighed, turning her head to look out the window of Serenity's study, staring at the moon rising steadily in the sky.
She was silent for a few, long moments, but when she turned back, Serenity was surprised by the sad, yet compassionate smile on her face.
"Even to have one more day with Endymion is more than I ever dared to dream, and it is certainly better than nothing."
Serenity felt something she could have sworn was affection at the woman before her surge through her veins. Yes, Beryl was the cause of her misery, but at the heart of the matter, they weren't so different from each other at all.
"Then it is here we find our common ground, Lady Beryl," Serenity said, feeling somewhat lighter in the strangest of ways, as she stood to move towards the door.
"I have just one more request of you," she said, turning back towards Beryl once she'd reached the door.
"Anything, your grace," Beryl replied, standing and bowing to Serenity, once more.
"Please do everything in your power to make sure I never see you and Endymion together," Serenity quietly pleaded. "I am certain I cannot bear it."
Beryl sighed, cocking her head to the side, and Serenity saw a deep sadness reflected in her eyes. Sadness not for Beryl's predicament, but for her.
"I promise you," she said, and Serenity nodded, turning back towards the door.
"And Princess Serenity?"
The future queen of the moon paused, and replied without facing her guest, "Yes?"
"Thank you."
oOo
Endymion gracefully dismounted his horse, in one, fluid movement, handing the reins to the stable hand who was waiting to lead the steed away.
His heart was lighter than it had been in months, and after the conversation he'd had with his father just days before, the prince was determined to find a way to explain to Serenity how he felt.
That he wanted to try and make their marriage work as best as it possibly could.
After all, they had promised to always be honest with one another, and this was certainly something that would not do to keep bottled up inside him.
Of course, there was a certain fear of rejection, but Endymion knew Serenity to be of the sweetest nature, and he also knew she would never turn him away completely.
The young royal walked briskly into the palace, past numerous workers, not even pausing when he greeted them all by name. And when his eyes fell upon the one person he knew would be aware of Serenity's whereabouts, Endymion called out, and nearly jogged in his haste to get to her.
"Naru! Do you know where she is? I desperately need to see her," he asked with an uncharacteristic excitedness.
Endymion was confused, when Naru looked at him with contempt, and her curt reply came as a dismissal. "She's in your sitting room," she said, bowing quickly and walking away in the direction from whence he'd come.
But he decided to put Naru's treatment of him out of his mind, for there were much greater things to worry about at the moment.
And he found himself breaking into a sprint in his eagerness to reach Serenity, grateful for the empty corridor that led to the large door containing his and Serenity's chambers.
Endymion stopped, his hand reaching out to rest on the door handle, as he let the gravity of what he was about to do wash over him.
He wanted this. Wanted her. And though he knew it might not be the easiest road, he was willing to walk it, together, with her.
Smiling to himself, and taking in a deep breath, Endymion pushed the door open.
"Ren, I-"
But the sight that greeted him was not that of endless blonde hair, pale skin and blue eyes.
Instead, a voice like honey met his ears, familiar and foreign all at once, and his vision blurred in a sea of red.
"Hello, Endymion."
