Ainako: I should keep in mind that Sentences Are Not Minivans.

Fans of Prince Dimande, I must apologize. I might had multiplied his creep-factor to the hundredth percent in his scene.

Another man in deep blue suit seemed to appear out of nowhere and produced a set of identical porcelain cup to the Prince's with matching saucer. Serena was about to gesture to him like she would to a servant of how many dollops of honey she'd like in her tea but she retrieved her hands very quickly when she saw a particular mark he wore on his forehead; a mark of an upside down black crescent. Only certain members of the House of Black Moon wore that mark and never a lowly servant.

"I don't believe you've met my brother, Safir. Safir, this is the Princess Serenity, in the flesh."

Even without having that mark, or even having been introduced as his brother, Serena could tell there's a blood connection between the two men. Safir shared the same cold eyes as Dimande. But unlike Dimande's, there was disgust in Safir's. Unlike Dimande's that made her skin crawl in fear, Safir froze her in suppressed anger. Settling the butterflies in her middle, she made an effort to introduce herself to him despite the fact that Dimande had already taken the honor to on her behalf. Safir turned away and distanced himself from them before she could speak. Dimande followed him to the corners of eyes, but he flashed an apologetic smile to her.

"Please excuse my brother. He's too… occupied to remember his manners."

Safir indeed seemed to have something in his mind, sitting on a large couch provided in the guest room, with scrolls and papers scattered on a nearby table. He studied them intently, with a hand cupping his chin. He glared at her when he suddenly turned and met his eyes. She had never met anyone this angry all her life, especially someone who was very angry towards her. That can't be true, she whispered in her heart, I've never done anything to him. Gods, I'm being paranoid!

"I… see."

Serena twiddled her fingers on the cup's handle and hesitated to lift it up to her lips. What are the odds they wouldn't try to put things in her drink? She could feel Dimande's gaze reading her mind. They wouldn't dare, she told herself, not when they're in my Lady Mother's castle. The tea should have a hint of blueberry judging from the smell but to her tongue it's as bland as paper. Serena was too nervous to enjoy it, but it did clear her mind. Dimande's smile was pleased, or was it amusement? She couldn't tell. Gods, please tell me he didn't poison me.

"We haven't had the chance to properly get to know each other. You were gone too soon last night. It was very disappointing."

The way he pressed on 'very' was strange. From the tone of his voice, Serena would have thought he expected an apology for her lack of manners. She would have if she had not been taught that she had no reason to apologize to anyone her equals, especially for someone who she had not determined to be her ally or enemy yet. Serena took another sip of her tea to avoid replying. He must have seen her intention and carried on.

"I had so much to say to you, along with the presence of the Queen, regarding the importance of our Houses joining together. I'd say it's better if the wedding take place as soon as the Gods willing."

Serena almost choked on her tea. Nervously, she put down her cup and pressed a silk napkin to the sides of her lips.

"W-What makes you think I'd agree of our marriage?"

Her voice was shaking but she made her expression firm. Be the steel, she could hear the Queen saying to her in her brain, be the steel that will not bent on demand. Let them try their hardest and see you will not be prodded for anyone's sake and you will not bend. Sparks will fly by each hard stroke of a hammer and they will only make a little dent on you. You are the steel that balance the fate of the kingdom. Bent, and they will all fall. I wish Mother was here…

"Because…" He grinned at her, as if he was to explain something really simple to a child. "I'm the current head of my House." Just that.

Serena paused and steadily met his eyes. He was only stating the obvious but also the absolute truth. The joining of the two Houses would help the nation immensely. The White Moon would get powerful ally and the Black Moon would get a bride worthy of their name. Not to mention the two families that had been separated for a thousand years united once again, it's almost a flawless decision to be made. Or was it that simple? Are they really not planning on anything else? Perhaps…

Almost instinctively, she fingered the long necklace she was wearing on her neck. She didn't remember putting it on earlier; it must have been from last night. Almost in a flood, the previously faint memory came back to her.

"You summoned for me, Majesty."

The quiet ladies in waiting dispersed and stood near the walls of the large chamber from whatever they were doing to the Queen's dress. Serenity the First, sitting on a chair in front of a large mirror, wore an almost similar shade of silver as Serena but finer and more exquisite on the details. The Queen needed to look her best tonight. The whole kingdom was watching her intently, waiting for her fall all the time but they will have to wait a little while longer. Serena couldn't imagine her doing any mistake in any aspect. The Queen was a creature of perfection, only a step below the Gods themselves to Serena's eyes.

"'Summons' are for services, and I did not ask you to be here in service. I simply want to see you before the banquet began. Leave."

The last was for anyone else that was in the room. Silently, they curtsied and left the chamber, closing the door behind them. Serena couldn't remember the last time she was alone with her mother like this. Usually there would be at least one guard standing by, or even a servant, but never alone. Her mother gestured her to come nearer and got up from her seat. Serena only obeyed when she asked her to take her seat and faced the mirror.

"Look at you. You're sixteen already. You're much more a woman each time I saw you."

There was warmth in the Queen's voice – a very unfamiliar one at that – but Serena kept her mouth shut when it tried to correct her. It's been six months since she was sixteen; it's technically more precise to say she's seventeen instead. She stared into her own reflection and glanced at her mother's. One would say the resemblance was uncanny but to Serena's eyes, she couldn't see them at all. Her mother was much more in a woman for her daughter to inherit. You could not inherit strength and determination to your child, and the Queen was the iron that held the people together.

"One day you will be what I am."

The older woman's eyes were looking straight to Serena's in the mirror.

"I know, mother."

Acceptance, she already made the vow. She will be the future leader of this land and her choices today will only be in benefit of that future. Something, somewhere deep in her heart was a voice wishing the possibilities of what ifs. What if she was not a Princess? What if she was just a farmer's daughter? What if she could run away from all of these responsibilities and be whatever she wanted to be? What if she could deny her destiny? Those voices, she mute them, pushing them back into the abyss of her thoughts.

Her mother walked away from her then and went to her dressing drawers, making small tinkling sounds as she seems to be looking for something. She came back later with a wooden box, intricately ornate with gold and silver carvings. She let Serena opened it.

"A chain necklace, mother? A very long one, at that."

Her mother only smiled and walked away again, this time to a large glass display shelves at the other side of the room. She took out a long staff with a crescent moon perched on top – the Royal Staff of the Queen of the Moon Kingdom. She hadn't been using that too often of late. It was only for a really important ritual. Serena had thought she would bring the staff back to Serena but instead she worked her hands at the top of the staff and dislodging a jewel nested at the base of the crescent. That she gave to Serena.

Fingering the diamond shaped jewel, she felt its every edges and even lifted it to her eye and see through the transparent matter. It glittered softly in silver under the candle lights.

"That is the Silver Crystal, an heirloom of the House of Moon. And it is now yours."

Serena was so surprised she almost dropped the jewel to the floor. The thought of damaging the mythical Silver Crystal consumed her. Cupping it in her palms, she shoved it back to her mother's hand.

"I can't take this, mother. It's too precious."

"Don't be silly. If I can't give something of mine to my own daughter, what sense does it makes? Here."

The Queen took the long silver chain that was previously in the box and attached the jewel to a clasp and made it a pendant. Serena was still hesitating on taking it as her mother gently placed it around her neck. Lifting the crystal and let it dangle in front of her breasts, she studied its seemingly plain exterior.

"But isn't this the Silver Crystal that has magical powers as strong as the Gods? I had thought it will be glowing with magic or something."

There was no reply from her mother. Instead she ran her hands on her daughter's hair – the way she used to do when Serena was younger. Her mother's display of affection was rare nowadays, and it made her blush for some reason. There was even a faint smile etched on the Queen's face but vanished as soon as it appeared. The hand patting her hair stopped and went back to her sides.

"Tonight, there will be the Prince of the Black Moon as my guest."

The Black Moon. Serena had been thoroughly tutored on history among other subject she was taught – though admittedly not being very good at it – but she understood entirely the delicate matters of that particular House. The White Moon and the Black Moon was once a whole kingdom of Lunaria almost a thousand years ago, but a civil war resulted in the split of the Royal family. Nothing in the extensive ancient scrolls and books of the Royal Library ever described the few hundred years following the split was, and even vaguer on what originally caused it.

"Do you mean me to marry him then, mother?"

"I believe you're already at the age that you can decide things for yourself, Serenity."

"The last time I decide for myself, you said I'm shaming my image as a Princess."

"That was a decision not made with the future of the kingdom in mind. That was just pure foolishness and no care for your own safety."

That came out as sharp as the pain of the backhanded slap she received the other day. Schooling her tongue not to say any more embarrassment and she remembered to keep her mouth shut. The Queen carried on instead.

"Marrying the Prince would bring much blessing to the kingdom. We are struggling to feed the nation due to droughts in the west of the land and the Black Moon's empire had grown so much in the last few years in their conquest. If the two families were joined in holy matrimony, that would not pose to be a problem anymore. Trade deals would be approved much easily, as well as the military advantages. And furthermore the two separated families shall be united at last after a thousand years. It's a win-win situation…"

"Mother?"

"When the two families were split our ancestors were accused of thievery and the item in question being the Silver Crystal. It was purely false accusation, of course. The Silver Crystal was an heirloom inherited within the maternal line and Queen Athena, our ancestor, had written vows regarding it."

"Was that the reason for the wars that came afterwards?"

"It was indeed. It was only quelled when the second Silver Crystal was found... Gods only know where it came from, but the war ended and the divided families never contacted one another for any reason."

Serena noticed she shared the same puzzled look as her mother. There should never be another Silver Crystal – it was one of a kind. She had read this part of the ancient history herself too, and the claim saying the Silver Crystal was supposedly a larger stone but cut in half when a twin princess were born to the throne. There was indeed a twin a few hundred years prior to the split but never in the official records stated that the crystal was cut in two. The historian theorized that the claim was just a distraction and they shall attempt to attain the crystal again when everything was forgotten. Would they do such a thing – to wait for so many years just to get hold of this seemingly plain looking jewel?

The Queen didn't share her thoughts on Serena's doubts that night. Still holding the stare of the Prince of the Black Moon, she dared to voice her curiosity.

"The Black Moon hadn't been in reach of my House for a centuries and I had to ask, why now?"

Dimande's grin was purely amusement but his eyes were not smiling. He leaned forward and nearer, and Serena struggled to fight over the impulse need to keep her distance. Was he leaning to have a better look at her, or was it to eye the jeweled necklace she was wearing? Her heart was thumping so hard inside her breast, she would bet Dimande could even hear it this close.

"Simple, actually. My predecessor, that was my late father, was an only child. Heirs to the crown traditionally would be wed to their cousins and with that out of the question, I chose to marry a distant cousin of mine instead. I don't want to be the one who breaks the bloodline and I certainly don't want to marry my own sister just because. Believe it or not, I had been persuaded strongly to take the second choice."

There was a quick glance shot towards Safir who was still studying his papers at the other side of the room when he mentioned the persuasion he received but they rested back to her. Leaning back to his chair, he showed her a smile. It was quite honest and warm. Could that be the full truth? The rest of the afternoon was carried on with trivial talks about the weather and her activities in the day. Dimande listened quite intently and showed genuine interest in her talks about feminine hobbies, it almost made her dropped her cautions against him. She took leave when her cup of tea was finished and he bid her gratitude for sharing her time. His kiss to her fingers still sends chills to her spine however and Safir was completely ignoring her when she politely nodded to him. She breathed as deep as one would when finally out of the water and escaped drowning when the doors clicked shut behind her, and let it go slowly. Her heart still raced unnerved.

"That was quick. What did he say to you?"

It was not surprising to see her four friends still waiting outside the room. They were concerned of course, the Princess was in a room of someone the Royal family hadn't declared trustworthy or not. If anything happened, they would be the first to be questioned and punished. Quick? She realized it only had been half an hour had passed but it sure felt as if it had been hours. Serena forced a smile to them and tried to tell them it went well. They didn't buy it of course, but they let it go.

"You know, you could have easily asked us to find this Lord Alex and not doing something as stupid as this."

Raye held nothing back to call her stupid in public. She must have been worried to her toes to be forgetting her manners this badly. The raven haired woman shook her head apologetically when Amy commented on her use of words.

"I know… I guess I'm still drunk from last night, I couldn't think straight."

"Then you must return to your chambers and sober up, Serena. Thank the Gods Her Majesty was not in the castle. I wouldn't dare to imagine what she would do if she was here."

Serena gave the same thanks to the Gods as Lita's. She, too, wouldn't dare to picture such scene herself. Another war was the last thing the kingdom could afford and if anything could start a war, this will.

"Do you still desire to meet your young Lord or Windia, Serena? I had been asking around when you were keeping the Prince's company. Lord Alex is in the Royal stables this hour."

She stopped in her steps and closed her eyes for a moment to think on Amy's suggestion. Should she, after so much that had happened today, go look for this Lord Alex? Mina repeated that she insisted the Princess to return to her room and rest but Serena had to turn down her advice. She had to finish this today and only then she shall rest.

"I'll be heading to the stables then."

Gods, but she was tired.

Only after the heavy gilded door clicked shut behind the Princess Serenity did Safir rose from his seat at the far corners of the room and walked towards his brother. Dimande was still staring into the door frame, as if he could still see the pretty Princess through it. She was delightfully innocent but he could wage his entire fortune she was not as naïve as he expected her to be. Certainly she should have been informed of the ancient history of their Houses and undoubtedly knew about the Silver Crystal. Would he have his way, he wouldn't give a damn about neither – he just wants the Princess to his own. He would put her on a pedestal, decorate her with precious silks and gems, and he would worship her every minute of the day. He wanted those clear blue eyes to be stared at whenever he desired to. Clenching his fist tightly, he cursed the perfect timing to hold her delicate face in his hand and claimed that rosebud for a lip. He had to let that one go. His palm burned with utter anger.

"I do not like this, brother."

Safir was still prodding him like a goat despite how many times Dimande ordered him to stop. He would have anyone else to the gallows for that but Safir was not anyone else. Besides, that was just how Safir really is. He wouldn't back down to anything.

"You do not like my choice in women? Or are you still bitter that I refuse your suggestion to marry my own blood – our dear sister?"

His brother's eyes should be flaring with anger instead of silently meeting his gaze. Safir was like a sheathed assassin's dagger most of the time – you never know when it will be drawn out and when you do it would be all too late. If the stabbing didn't kill you instantly, the dripping poison will. He's the only person in the world that could compete with Dimande's fury, and he was also the fiercest supporter to his brother's every cause. Many of what Dimande had in control were resulted from Safir's aid.

"Now. What of Rubeus and Esmeraulde?"

"The will arrive approximately noon tomorrow. They're having problems with their task at the borders but they had sent it should not be a thing to worry about. Everything shall be as planned."

Soon, all his scheme will fit through and all will be happening in his favor. He could almost taste the victory already.

"I hate her, brother. She does not deserve you."

Dimande only chuckled at that. Safir had voiced his dislike of Princess Serenity much too often but he never asked why such hatred on such a beauty. Whatever his reasons they meant nothing to him. Dimande will have everything his way, the Gods be damned if he didn't. Grinning to himself, he could almost touch the milky pale skin of Princess Serenity at the edge of his fingertips with those seductive eyes drowned in tears, wetting her rosy cheeks, as she begged in her melodic voice for his mercy to spare her life. Yes. He would have her pleading every single time he worship her, with her soft wails reverberate in his skull every single night he went to bed like a lullaby. She shall be his own private Goddess and no one shall be in between them. The world can burn to ash for all he cared so long Princess Serenity be his.