Neck sore, back aching, Darien stomped his way into the dining room. He let out a groan.
"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed." Jadeite joked, only to be elbowed by Nephrite. "Ow, the hell was that for?!"
"It is way too early for all this..." Darien looked around. She wasn't there. No left place settings waiting to be picked up. All unsat in chairs unmoved.
"She didn't come down today..." Zoisite reported. "I checked to see if she maybe came down before us, and servants declined."
Just then a servant came walking in with a pot of coffee. "Morning sire, she greeted."
Darien nodded, and took a seat at the head of the table. He watched as the servant poured his coffee. He then looked up at her. She must have felt his glare, because suddenly her pour became unsteady. the four guards started to chuckle, causing Darien to roll his eyes.
"Tell me servant," The servant stopped pouring, stood up and looked at Darien."Has the princess been eating?"
"Ummm." The servant started.
"You are going to need to speak up." He dropped on sugar cube in his coffee and stirred it."
The servant cleared her throat. "Well, Prince Darien, the servants, and I have found that when we are able to sit with her for a minute, or the guards check in on her, she will eat."
Darien nodded.
"However, on busier times, like the one we had two nights ago, when you had that meeting," The servant looked down at the floor. "Her food was untouched."
Darien looked at his guards, as the just acted like they were eating.
"Thank you," Darien said in dismissive tone.
"Prince..."
He turned to the servant.
"The way the princess is acting, is not unfamiliar to us."
Darien and the guards looked at her confused.
"Every time you get a new servant, or a new soldier or guard we see this." She cupped the coffee pot. "It is almost like they are so lonely and sad, that their body forgets that they need to eat." She shrugged.
"And how long does this last."
"Well..." She started to circle around the table refilling everyone'e coffee. "It is hard to say. Usually they make friends with someone and it changes. How quickly that happens..." She just shrugged.
Darien just sat there bobbing his head.
"May I be excused?" She whispered.
"That is fine." Darien picked up his coffee cup and took a sip. Put his coffee down. "Mal, I need you to call the queen."
"And what would you like me to say to the majesty?" Malachite asked putting his butter knife down.
"Tell her to send down Serena, lady in waiting, ,Malery or Melissa...?"
"Molly?" Nephrite corrected.
"Whatever," Darien responded with a blank stare. "I heard the two were close. Tell the queen I will pay for all the flights, transfers and paperwork, just get her on the next flight down here."
"When she asks how long?" Malachite fished.
"Indefinitely." Darien got up, pushed out his seat, and started to walk away from the table.
"So you want me to call the queen, say 'Good Day Queen, Prince Darien is demanding you send down Molly, one of your servants, to earth for an unknown amount of time, immediately. Sorry if you have things to be done, but he is wanting her down here now'..."Malachite was hoping this statement would cause Darien to second guess his request.
Darien, paused. Looked up the ceiling. Nodded his head. "That works." Darien shrugged and proceeded to exit the dining room.
Malachite groaned.
"You guys know why he is doing this." Jadeite said running his hand over his face.
"Yup. But we cannot get him to just admit it...maybe it would actually do him some good, to put it all out on the table." Zoisite added.
"It would make our lives so much better." Malachite started banging his head with his fist.
"And easier." Nephrite interjected. He just observed his cup, and like a light just flipped on..."I know!" Nephrite said excitedly. Causing the other guards to turn in his direction."What if we give the prince tips."
The all continued too stare.
"We talk to the princess, we can-"
"Cannot get involved." Malachite interrupted.
"Why?" Nephrite note disputed.
"Yeah...? Why not?" The others asked confused.
"Because the prince needs to figure out how win the heart of the princess on his own." Malachite explained.
"Then they will never fall in love." Zoisite teased. "Women constantly flock at him, he never had to try."
"Well, now he will. No interfering! Hints and tips...but that is very fine line." Malachite commanded. "Do not overstep."
The guards sighed and rolled their eyes.
"I really like the princess, though." Jadeite continued. "She can be breath of fresh air sometimes."
"Listen Jed, you had the prince feeling some sort of jealousy the other day, and I am going to say this once-" Malachite started.
Jadeite shot Malachite a disgusted look. "She is not my type. Friend amazing, significant other, her ditziness might-"
"Hey! That is our future queen you are talking about!" Nephrite cut him off.
"If she stays..." Zoisite whispered causing all the men to sink back to their reality.
The next two days went by uneventful. The guards tried to avoid Darien's questions on the servant, they were doing the best they could, while training, and checking up on the princess. There were no galas or events that would pull her out of her found himself walking slower past her room, hoping she would pop out. Unsure what to really say, he just wanted to see her face. Only time he got the chance to even look at her was when she would be out on her balcony at night. The moon with outline silhouette but it was never bright enough to see her face.
The days seemed to blend all together for Serena, she would wake up, get showered and dressed, sit on her balcony, maybe paint, maybe read, maybe cry, until she had to eat or something. Then she would go right back to her seat on the balcony. The sunset different on Earth and the city lights in the distance looked almost like stars. Some nights she would be out there until she eventually fell asleep. A couple times she could have sworn she fell asleep on the balcony only to wake up in her bed, but she could never really remember if it was a dream.
The servants and guards asked her to walk around the castle, but the constant reminder that she was no longer in her castle with people who truly loved her, made it hard for her step out. She tried to call the scouts but they were busy trying to keep the kingdom safe. Darien made no attempt to speak with her, not that she was really surprised.
She started to wonder if it was really worth it for her to get dressed in the morning, it is not like she was going anywhere. She looked at her paintings as the leaned against the walls to dry, they were all of the moon and things she missed most.
The a knock on her door caused her to turn around. She looked at the clock confused. It was too early for lunch service and her untouched breakfast tray was just dropped off. the knock happened again, this time it was a special know. Three slow knocks and fast ones to the beat of a tune. A grin formed on her face as she ran to the door. She pulled it open with everything that she had.
"Molly!" She screamed jumping into her arms. "That knock, am I dreaming? Did Rei somehow get you into my dream?" Tears of joy started to stream down her face.
"No silly girl... I am here for real."
Serena pulled away slightly. "How? When? How long?"
Molly just giggled.
"Oh my god I am so rude, come in, please come in." Serena pulled back, stepped to the side, pushing the door open.
Molly entered, and just right behind her Darien stood. Serena couldn't control her expression, her smile faded.
Darien's heart ached. He took a deep breath. "Molly will be your new lady in waiting. She will be staying in the chamber down the hall. She has been made familiar with the castle."
"Wait what?" Serena turned and looked at Molly confused.
"Surprise! I am staying here!" She opened her arms again.
Serena jumped and screamed. She ran back into her arms. "Oh my god!" She screamed, "Please don't be joking with me." She pulled back with a straight face, "Like the time you said mom was going to let us go on a girls trip and I packed!"
Molly giggled again. "No this is for real. Darien requested that I come here to help you, because the other servants had too much going on and he figured he would have someone you know by your side."
Serena could not help but feel on cloud nine. She turned to Darien, with a smile. It was not a smile as big as the one he saw when the door opened and she saw Molly, but it was a smile just as beautiful. Her eyes twinkled.
"Thank you Prince Darien." She turned back to Molly. "We have so much to catch up on. I need to know what is going on back home."
Molly clicked her tongue, "Who cares about what is going on back home." She walked to Serena's bed and sat down. "Tell me about married life...I saw your wedding photos, you looked amazing. I wish I could have been there."
Forgetting Darien was there..."The photos only tell one side of the story, and marriage is not what I thought it would be."
Molly's eyes widened and Serena realized Darien was still right behind her. She turned back around. His face expressionless, he took a step back.
"I will leave you two to catch up. Lunch will be at noon if you want to join us...or if you just want to stay here like you have been." He saddly bobbed his head and walked out of the room. He closed the door behind him and sighed. Not sure what he really expected, but seeing the smile on Serena's face. He would live that moment over and over again.
Back in the room. Serena turned her attention back on Molly, who's face was no longer happy.
"What?" Serena asked confused walking over to her bed.
"Prince Darien? Serena he is your husband now." Molly explained. "What you said was mean."
"According to him I am only his wife on paper."
Molly's face changed again to a confused, disgusted look.
"Yeah. His words not mine." Serena just shrugged. "He doesn't love me and he never will." She fell back on her bed.
"He is really handsome though..."Molly said falling back as well. The were now head to head with each other.
"I will give you that." Serena sighed. "But that is all I see. The servants say he is a complete womanizer. I have never seen him laugh. He walks around so serious all the time. I don't know. Sometimes I wonder he even agreed to marry me."
"Serena...maybe you don't see it, but there is something there. There has to be. For his marriage to have happened, he had to agree." Molly explained. "I am sure he has had many suitor and he agreed to marry you."
"Maybe because we are a smaller entity to take over, trust me I have thought of every reason in my head." Serena just looked up at the ceiling. "But enough about this." She turned over, propped herself up on her arm. "What is going on on the moon. How is Melvin? Surprised he is okay with you coming here."
"Actually Melvin will be out here shortly. He got into some program out here, I am just not exactly sure where and how far from us, but we will be on the same planet. So that is a plus." Molly went on.
"I am beyond happy for you." Serena smiled.
"Come on." Molly popped up out of the bed. "This castle is so beautiful, let's go outside and see what is out there."
Serena just groaned.
"Stop it! I start work in two days and I want to be able to see the whole palace and I want to go out and see the city." Molly said going around the bed to pull Serena up by her arm.
"Last time I went out to the city..."
"Oh yeah, the scouts told me." Molly interrupted. "Guess the guards are just going to have to come."
Serena patted out all her wrinkles. "No!"
"Yes!" Molly demanded. "Serena, I am your best friend before everything else, and I say you need to be an amazing friend and come explore with me. Just like the time you made me sneak out to Venus with because Mina had an event...hmmm?" She cocked her head to the left. "I almost lost my job you know?"
"Ugh..." Serena slapped her face and ran her hand down her cheek.
"You are going to give yourself a bruise and they will think it is from me. Come on!" She pulled on Serena's arm and guided her to the door.
"Molly... This place isn't like home, I am sure the prince-"
"Your husband." Molly corrected.
"Whatever." Serena rolled her eyes. "He is going to get mad if we make to much noise."
"You know that for a fact?" Molly stopped placed her hand on her ip. "He actually yelled at you?"
"Ugh.."Serena rolled her eyes again."Not exactly."
"Then we are out." She opened the door and pulled Serena out to the hall. "The scouts say they have gorgeous garden, let's go visit it!"
"Hmmm I never saw it." Serena said.
"Well let's go."
"I don't know my way around here..." Serena added.
"Well if we get lost at least we will be together." Molly linked her arm with Serena and softly pulled her along.
Darien watched from down the hall. He heard her giggle, and a small smile formed on his face.
The two girls walked outside, admiring the scenery. Making little comparisons to the scenery on moon. Those little comparisons lead to deeper stories and laughs. Serena started to tear from laughter.
"Oh my god I cannot believe, I let you talk me into doing that..." She cried.
"Me?! You are technically my master, I really cannot say no to you!" Molly tried to defend herself.
"Psh...as if." Serena forced out between laughs. "Me being you master, never stopped you."
"Oh my god, Serena."
Serena paused.
"Look at these beautiful red flowers...they are gorgeous!" Molly gushed running over to a bush.
"Way to change the subject!" Serena shouted chasing after her.
She and Molly stood at the edge of the bushes.
"Wow so many!" Molly admired, then looked around. "Oh my gosh we walked this far and I m just noticing we are surrounded by these things." She did a full 360 and saw that around the path were the bushes. Perfectly trimmed and straight.
"Hmmm I guess I never really noticed them either, but I usually stay in my room." Serena said leaning over to sniff the flower.
"What are they called?" Molly asked.
"Beats me." Serena answered. "The remind me of the white moon flowers we have at home." She touched the petals. "But I doubt they call them moon flowers here.
"They are called roses." Molly and Serena turned to where the voice came from.
"You majesty." Serena curtseyed. Molly bowed. "When did you get in?"
"A few hours ago, just had to come admire these flowers." She too bent over to smell the roses. "And what is this your majesty...hmmm? Here on Earth, we call the mother of our husbands, mother or mom."
Serena just watched as she admired the flowers.
"They add such a nice touch to the castle, don't you think?" The Queen asked Serena.
"Were they not here previously?" Serena asked confused.
The queen smiled. "Well... no. Darien had them planet shortly after your engagement was announced." She queens ran her fingers over the bushes. "You know...the story goes... red roses are symbol of love. It is odd that out of nowhere, he just wanted these added."
"Yeah... a little odd." Serena looked over to Molly who was hanging on to her every word. "It is probably just a coincidence." Serena went down and attempted to pick a flower. "Ouch!" Serena pulled her hand up. "It cut me."
"Yes these ones are thorny." The queen giggled. "Beautiful, but highly over protected. Let me see that cut." She pulled Serena's finger up to her face. "It got you good. Let's get you inside and have someone clean it."
Serena just nodded.
"Here Serena," Molly handed her a small handkerchief.
"Perfect lady in waiting, always prepared." the Queen acknowledged.
Molly just smiled. "Just apply pressure Serena."
The three women walked back to the castle, only to be greeted half way by Darien running over. "Mom what happened?!" He grabbed her hand.
"Honey, she just knicked by a thorn." Her mother explained.
"Where?" He asked looking at her finger. "Why is it taking so long to stop bleeding?"
"It is a pretty deep cut sire." Molly interjected.
"It is not a big deal." Serena tried to calm the situation down.
"This blood says otherwise." Darien glared at her.
"Prince Darien, I am fine and it wasn't Molly's fault. I just wanted a rose for my room."
"Prince Darien?" The queen said surprised.
"Not right now mom, my wife is bleeding and she needs to get this cleaned up as soon as possible, so she does not get infected."
"I am sorry what?" Serena asked. "Is that an Earth thing?"
"Ugh." Darien groaned. "Can't you walk faster?"
"Sorry I have shorter strides than you, and it is not that big of a deal!" Serena argued.
Disregarding everything she said, he swooped her up and started walking.
"This is a tad dramatic, don't you think?" Serena tried to wiggle out. "I hurt my finger, not my foot."
He ignored her.
Molly and the queen observed the two. The queen just grinned from ear to ear, while Molly tried not to giggle. The walked a few steps behind the entire way. Once they arrived to the palace, the servants came to clean up Serena in her room. They had her bathed and changed.
"Will you be joining everyone for lunch?" the servant asked.
Serena paused. Thought about it. Exhaled. "Yeah I think I will."
"Then I will go down and set up your seat, see you shortly." The servant bowed.
Serena adjusted her dress. Ran her fingers through her hair one more time. She opened her door, and just gasped.
"Ummm... you said you wanted some for your room. So I picked you some." Darien handed her vase of roses. "I removed the thorns for you as well."
"Thank...thank you." Serena said taking the vase.
Darien just stood there, watching her smell the roses. She then looked at him, causing him to step back.
"Ummm... I guess I will be heading to lunch...will...will you be there?"
Serena just nodded.
"I guess I will see you then." He hurried away as Serena just chuckled to herself.