"Woah..woah Molly," Darien called out putting out his two arms to stop her from bumping into him.
"My deepest apologies sire, I wasn't watching where I was going. I am running so behind." She tried to explain as she went down for a bow.
"No harm done. Is Serena ready?" Darien asked straightening his suit.
"Yes...I finally got that dress to fit."
"Fit? I told the dressmaker her measurements, I paid good money, and it wasn't done correctly?" Darien's ears started to feel hot.
"Well nobody's fault really, sire, Serena must has lost a few pounds, because I have putting in a lot of her clothes, but it is no big deal." She waved her hand around. "I love clothes, always wanted to be a designer..." She went on.
He thought of her already tiny figure, "Has she been dieting?" He asked not sure how to approach that diet comment.
"I don't think so..." Molly said reluctantly looking up at the window. "But I do recall some of the other servants stating she was not eating much...and I kinda noticed that too." Molly shrugged. "Maybe home sick... but I have to go get somethings washed up for tomorrow sire." She bowed again as Darien moved to the side out of her way. "She should be ready and out soon." Her voice faded as she got further and further down the hall.
Darien cleared his throat, adjusted his bow tie and headed in the direction of Serena's room. He was a few steps away, when the door flew open and she made an exit. Darien froze in his path. She was in black fitted silk gown, the top lined with jewels. Her hair up into the perfect bun. She had white gloves that went up to her elbow.
She finally turned in his direction, and locked eyes with him.
"I am sorry I took so long Prince-"
He put his hand up. Shook his head. "It is okay. I too just got here myself."
"Oh well..." She went down for a curtsey.
He rolled his eyes slightly. Leaned forward. "You know you really don't have to do that."
She stood up, did a half smile, shrugged, "I guess it is an old habit." She exhaled. "Ready?"
"Yeah, mother is waiting in the car." He said putting his arm out.
Serena just looked at him. He didn't put his arm down. She took in one breath. Nodded and grabbed his arm. Too say she felt awkward was an understatement. She looked around, avoiding eye contact with all servants. She caught Molly's eye just as they made it to the door. Her smile beaming. Serena just softly shook her head.
Molly approached Serena with a small clutch. "Here is that and here is your shoulder cover, princess." She draped the cover over Serena. Did a small tug on her dress. "You look a-mazing!" Molly sang.
Serena just chuckled.
"Yeah, she does..."Darien whispered under his breath.
Serena turned to him. Straight face. "I am sorry p-"
He glared at her.
She cleared her throat. "I am sorry Darien...did you say something?"
He took a second to admire her crystal blue eyes. Then he shook his head. "No...but umm mom is waiting."
Serena just nodded.
"Have fun tonight!" Molly said clapping her hands.
Serena gave her a forced fake smile.
"Oh stop it, you love being around children!" Molly said light tapping her out the door.
Then she watched as Darien walked a step in front of her, holding her hand so she does not fall. He just kept looking at her up and down. Molly chuckled to herself and closed the door.
Outside, Darien, guided Serena to the car that had its door open for her. He signaled for enter first as she did. Inside Darien's mother was indeed waiting.
"Your majes-" Serena started before she pointed her finger up.
"Serena what did I say the other day..."
Serena took a seat. "Oh... I am sorry...m..m...mother." She finally got out.
The queen chuckled. "It was hard for me to call my mother in law," She paused looked at Serena, "that is what we call the mother of our husbands' here. The in law part implies married family." She explained. "Example, Darien's father is your father in law."
"Mom are you boring her with a little details conversation again?" Darien said with a groan sitting down next to Serena.
Serena tried to keep her face neutral, but with an entire row of seat opened, she could not figure out why he chose to sit next to her.
"I am trying to get her up to speed with everything...you know son..." The queen looked at Darien. "A little conversation is the best preventative to a big dispute."
Serena could not help but turn away to hide her smile. Darien didn't say anything.
"You look beautiful by the way." The queen acknowledged.
"Thanks mom..." This time it was a little easier to say.
"How do you know she wasn't talking about me?" Darien asked with a fake confusion.
"Because I wasn't!" The queen snapped with a smile.
Serena just giggled to herself.
The rest of the ride was just small talk. The queen told Serena little stories she had encountered down town, and Serena expressed to the queen how much she wanted to see the lights at night, as Darien went over his speech, in between taking glances at Serena.
"You know Serena..." The queen started. "The dress looks amazing on you...but black is soo?"
"Basic?" Serena completed.
"Yeah..." the queen nodded.
She looked to Darien...tried to think of the correct words to say. "Though, I do love this dress...I... I didn't actually pick it." She then turned back to queen before she could see Darien full expression.
"You are more of pastel or neon colors to me." The queen said analyzing her daughter in law. She clapped her hand. "I remember the first time I saw you..." She gushed. "You were in this yellow sundress with white low stilettos." The queen looked up at the car roof with a soft smile. Then looked back at Serena. "Yellow is a hard color to pull of, but it worked so well on you."
Serena's smile grew even more.
"Darien you were there..." She looked around Serena to Darien who started to blush. "I think his dad had to tell him to stop staring at least 15 times."
Serena let out an awkward laugh and turned to him. He looked up. "Would you look at that...we are here." Darien put his cards back in his pocket.
"You know Serena, we should definitely have a shopping date before I leave."
Serena just nodded. "Oh but wait..." Serena paused to think. "I am going to need something called money... or a card credit thing?"
"Don't worry, we can use mine..." She then looked at Darien. "Or we can use Darien's."
"And look they are opening the door." Darien said changing the subject and sliding out first.
The two ladies rolled their eyes in unison and followed.
"I actually go first," The queen instructed. "The press will want pictures of you two together, and it just looks awkward if I am sitting in the back waiting to come out."
"Oh." Serena stopped sat down.
"It is okay. You are learning and you will get it." The queen rubbed her leg as she headed out.
The second the queen stepped out the the lights grew brighter, Serena could see flashed through the window. She took a second. Dusted her dress. Adjusted her glove and slid out. Darien waited there with his hand out for her to hold. He slightly pulled her out, causing her to bump into him. She looked up at him gazing at her.
"This is my least favorite part too." He whispered. Serena widened her force smile and the camera again went off. Darien turned around, placed his band on her back and they walked through the crowd. Occasionally they would stop to take a pictures.
Then a little girl caught Serena's attention. She was the only girl that could be seen in the crowd of paparazzi. Serena quickly walked to her, squatted down to her level.
"How are you today little one?" Serena smiled.
"Are you really a princess?" The little girls asked.
Serena just nodded, as Darien came behind her.
"Is he your prince?" Serena's eyes followed as her little finger pointed up at Darien, who too was smiling at the girl.
Serena took a second to process the question, reminding herself in her head to not break her smile, turned to the girl, simply nodded. "I guess he is...?"
"You look pretty, can I have your autograph?" She asked handing her a little heart shaped note book.
Serena looked up to Darien for clarification.
He scratched his brow. "It is your signature. People collect signatures here."
Serena was confused.
"I will tell you more later."
Serena just nodded and signed the girls book. She handed it back to her. "It is a little chilly out here."
"Yeah...dad said we will be leaving soon, and we are going to get hot chocolate!" The little girl beamed.
"That sounds amazing, get extra marshmallows." Serena instructed.
"Duh..." The little girl replied.
"it was nice to meet you." Serena said, Darien put his hand out to help Serena up.
"Nice to meet you too. Princess. I have one more question thought."
Serena looked at the little girl.
"Was he a frog, and then you kissed him into a prince? Will he turn back if you kiss him again?" Her eyes widened.
"I am not sure...maybe I can test that theory." Serena smiled at her and looked at Darien.
"Kiss her!" The crowd started to yell. Darien again started to blush. He slightly leaned down to meet Serena's lips. He placed two pecks on them, just softly.
The little girl squealed, shaking her little fists in front of her face. "He didn't turn into a frog! He is a real prince."
Serena just laughed with the little girl. "Have an amazing night sweet heart."
The two turned to walk up the stairs, into the hall that was connected to the hospital. Most likely a conference room that was over decorated because the royal family. Darien's hand again in the same spot on her back, to help make sure she does not fall.
The rest of the night flew by. Darien gave a speech, thanking a list of people that helped with the event. They then went into some of the kid's rooms to read stories. Everywhere Serena went Darien was there behind her. Watching as her eyes lit up with every hug and every kid joke. One kid challenged Darien to a duel for Serena's heart, and Darien put up a great pretend fight, but eventually gave up. They all laughed. Serena could not help but think for a second how great of a dad he could be, but then that faded when she wondered if this was all for show.
When resting hours started, Serena frowned. She just wanted to stay and play with the kids of the hospital, but they were asked to leave. Darien and Serena left the hospital wing and back through the hall they started in.
"Where is your mom?" Serena asked looking around.
"Oh.." Darien said casually walking. "She went back already. She did some rounds with the kids and then she got tired." He got to the door as the men opened it for them." Darien allowed his wife out first. "I got us another car though."
Serena just nodded. The walked to the edge of the stairs, Darien went first, put out his hand for Serena to grab. She held up one side of her dress. There were a few camera people left. Not as many as the opening group, so the flashes were not as bright. The continued to walk. People calling for Serena and Darien to look their way. The tried to as much they could.
"Princess over here, over here princess!" And just from the corner of Darien's eye he saw Serena fall back words. Guards rushed to get her back up. She was rubbing her wrist.
Another guard had a camera man in his grip.
"What the hell happened?" Darien asked furiously.
"Sire this man grabbed the princess wrist, and pulled her down." The guard explained. "It happened so quickly!"
He turned to Serena, "Are you okay?" He grabbed her hand to look at her wrist, it was still in the glove so he could not see much.
"I am fine... he just broke my bracelet."
"I will get you a new one." He turned to the camera man. Took one step forward. "Nobody lays a hand oh my wife." He scolded. "If you ever come near my wife again... I will ruin you."
"Is that a threat?" The camera man asked trying to reach his camera but the guard pulled it aside.
"It is a promise. Let him go. Take the camera." Demanded Darien as he walked away grabbing Serena's hand to get her away. This time the guards walked close by to Serena.
When they got the car, again Darien let Serena in first, then he got in to close the door.
She removed her glove to take a look at her wrist, but within seconds Darien was there examining it too.
"Any bruising?" Darien asked. "No redness he addressed."
"I think I will live." Serena said pulling her hand back. "You had to take his camera?"
"No I just wanted too." Darien said like it was no big deal. "Why were you so close to the crowd?!"
She just looked at him, folded her arm.
"Sorry..."He said sliding back a little bit. "I hate these events. They are ruthless. We are going to need more guards. I cannot have you getting hurt. The people are different here."
"I don't mind them...well the camera people can go...but the events like this...kids were so cute." Serena folded her arms in her lap, and just smiled to herself.
"They loved you."
Serena just smiled quickly at him and then turned to look out the window. Her face showed nothing but fascination.
"Do you want to stop and take in the lights?" Darien whispered, mentally prepping himself for rejection.
"Huh?" Serena asked turning her attention to him.
"I remember you telling Molly you wanted to go see the lights at night..."
"Are we allowed too?" Serena asked trying to hold back her excitement.
"You do realize we are the Prince and Princess of Earth right? We can kinda do whatever we want." Darien pointed out.
Serena scoffed, rolled her eyes, "That's not what I meant." She adjusted herself. "I meant do we have time...will you have time?"
Darien scooted over to Serena, she leaned back, surprised that he was so close to her. He leaned over and pushed the button to open the center window.
"Driver please stop a look out point." He smirked. "The princess will like to see the night lights."
"As you wish." The driver said.
Darien rolled up the center window.
The drive to the look out point was short. When they arrived Darien helped Serena out of the car, and watched her as she went over to the edge.
"Please don't get too close." He warned walking over as quick as possible, to catch if she slipped.
"I will be fine Darien..."
"Just want to make sure. Here take my jacket it is cold." Before Serena made a peep, a jacket was draped over her shoulder.
"Thank you." She pulled the jacket closed and looked the lights before her. She laughed at herself. "When I was little... I used to look at earth and I thought the planet was the star planet." She turned to Darien, "From up there the lights look like little stars, and there were so many, so I just thought this is where star come from. I would just watch them from my balcony and I would make pictures out of them." She turned back to the city lights. "Even though I know they aren't stars, and they are just lights that come on with a flick of a switch, the view is still so amazing to look at."
"I couldn't agree more." Darien whispered. But he was not looking at the building lights. He was admiring Serena. The different color lights on her face. How calm and relaxed she was.
She must have felt his deep stare, because she looked up. Awkwardly laughed. "Is there something on my face?"
He shook his head. "No, it's perfect."
Serena did an awkward head bob, took in the view one more. "We should get going before it gets too late." She did a single shoulder shrug, and turned to walk to the car. Darien just stood there, watching her go. Again maybe she felt his stare, she turned around. "Are you coming?" She pointed to the car.
All he could do was nod before taking big strides to catch up to her.