"So tell me, how was breakfast?" Molly insisted as she helped Serena unclasp the neck portion of her dress.
"Ugh..." Serena groaned going behind a white fold out and throwing her dress over the top.
"Here are your clothes." Molly said hand the clothes over the top as she carefully pulled the dress off the top. She walked over to the bed, inserted the hanger, dusted off some lint.
"I am so over these breakfasts, brunches, and dinners." Serena said finally coming around. "There are so boring." Serena said slipping on her black flats. "I would rather sit in the dinner room and watch Prince Darien read a newspaper."
"Oh Serena..." Molly giggled. "You are too silly. I am sure it wasn't that bad." Molly said picking up any stray clothes. "How was the food?"
"The food was okay." Serena paused thinking about the meal she just had. "What is odd, is most the girls just ate the fruit. And they barely picked at it."
"Hmm that is weird." Molly said standing there with the pile clothes. "I checked the schedule and you do not have any dinner plans as of yet."
"As of yet is the key phrase." Serena went to her bed and fell back on it. "I can't believe I used to complain about going to these events on the moon. There did not happen as often and they were-"
"Different?" Molly completed.
"Yeah." She suddenly sat up. "And another thing, every time I speak it is like I am not supposed to. Most the wives just stand there and smile or giggle, but they never say much."
"Earth is different from the moon." Molly justified. "I am sure this is all an adjustment."
Serena ran her hand over her face, disregarding any make up she had on. "I don't think i can ever get adjusted to this amount of boredom. They have all these amenities in this palace and nobody ever uses them."
Molly just smiled. "Then why don't you use them?"
"And get the daggering stares from the servants and the guards? I don't think so."
"You are crazy, the staff love you Serena." Molly reassured. "I have to start the afternoon chores and get these to cleaning."
"Everyone is so busy..." Serena again threw herself back.
"I will be back to help you get ready for dinner." Molly said with a bow.
"If I don't die from boredom first." Serena rolled on to her stomach and just looked out the window. She was not tired. She didn't feel like painting. She just sighed. "Maybe I will just go for another walk." She forced herself out of bed and headed out of her room.
"Princess!" Darien's deep voice called causing her to turn around."I am sorry to shout, but I wanted to make sure to get to you before you went about your afternoon." He quickly caught his breath. "I know we did not have any events tonight...but.."
"Who do we have dinner with now?" Serena asked with a deep sigh.
"The Bentons." Darien answered quickly, as annoyance flushed Serena's face. "I know... I know they-'
"No he. He is hard to deal with." Serena turned her back to Darien and started to walk towards the the outside as Darien followed. "She doesn't even talk, so it is hard to pass judgment."
"He isn't terrible." Darien tried to justify.
Serena stopped mid step and glared at him. "Yeah...because you two are so much a like."
Darien took a second to allow that comment to process. "What is that supposed to mean?" He asked confused following behind her.
"All you guys ever talk about is business and money." Serena pointed her finger up. "It is like you two are just trying to one up each other."
"We do not!"
"Whatever you say." Serena just kept walking.
"Where are you going, I wanted to touch bases on topics to discuss."
"No!No!" Serena paused mid stride, looked at Darien, and shook her head. "After the mind melting breakfast, I refuse."
"Come on Serena..."
"No! All anyone does here is work or prep for the next appearance! And pretend they are so happy!" Serena said, trying to keep herself from going over the top. "I cannot do this all day. I need a break."
Darien just watched as Serena hands started to twitch.
"You can go over whatever you want to go over on your own, and brief me on the car ride. But I cannot." She just licked her lips. "I don't even want to go to this dinner!" She finally blurted out. "I am sorry these people are boring, the food is subpar and Lord Benton is mess!" She took a step back. "But you already agreed, so it is what it is." Serena said complete defeated. "I just need to go for a walk. I need to get out this."
She turned around.
"I will go with you!" Darien insisted.
"No!" Serena denied him. "Not if you talk about any dinners, breakfasts, contracts!"
"I won't! I promise. I just don't want you walking around upset."
"I am not going to run from the palace..." She took a step out the door and acknowledged the door man.
"I didn't say you were...but I still want to make sure you are okay." He nodded at the doorman.
"Whatever.. this is your palace after all."
"It is yours too." Darien added.
Serena didn't bother to reply. They just walked. Darien watched as she looked around. She was tensely rubbing her hands together, weaving her fingers in and out of each other, scratching her palms. Darien observed as they started changing from light pink to red. Worried she would start to break skin he grabbed one of her hands.
"What are you doing?" Serena tried to pull her hand back.
"You are going to start bruising, you are rubbing your hands so hard!" Darien stated displaying her hands.
Serena pulled her hand back, "No I am not!" Without even realizing she started to wring her hands again as she walked away.
"If you don't want to go to this dinner we won't go! I am not going to force you to do something you do not want to do!"
"We already know what I want doesn't matter. You already agreed to go! So we have to go now, because the last thing I want is for you to ruin your appearance." Serena said throwing her hands up in the air surrendering. She got a glimpse of the moon in the sky and her heart sunk. "What I would give to be back on that moon." Serena whispered to herself, as she started to softly bang her forehead.
"I get it the moon is so much better. Compared to it, Earth is nothing but dirt and water!" Darien spat.
"I never said that you did!" Serena whipped around.
"You didn't have too, your actions say enough!" He crossed his arms over his chest. "The only time I ever heard you say anything positive was in regards to the city lights at night and the children's hospital. Other than that it has been nothing but judgement."
"Well sorry this place is miserable! You have all these things to do here and nobody does them! Do you even know how to laugh?" Serena too crossed her arms. "Half the time I am sitting in my room."
"Because that is what you are choosing to do!" Darien justified. "You choose to never come out of your room. This whole palace is yours to do whatever you want and yet you choose to stay in your damn room, that is not on anyone else."
"Right... because doing these activities on my own is going to be so much fun."
"You could have asked me if you really wanted company! I am not going to go out of my way, especially if all I am getting is death stares and the silent treatment from you!"
"So I am supposed to say 'Prince Darien, I know you just married me to have some arm candy at these stupid dinner that you keep dragging me too...but by any chance you want to go do something fun, have an adventure?'" She shook her head and started to walk away from him. Arms still crossed. "I don't want to talk about this anymore. You already said we will go, so we will go. You can go figure out what you want to discuss at dinner." Her steps turned into a drag, and she turned her head away so Darien could no longer see any part of her face.
Darien just watched as she moved. She wasn't moving very fast. Little rocks being kicked up as she went along. He looked down the path and suddenly he went running grabbing Serena's hand and dragging her along.
"What the hell do you think you are doing?!" Serena screamed trying to focus on her strides. He must have forgotten that she was so much shorter than him, because his strides were wide and his speed seemed to pick up. She was terrified she was going trip on something. "Let me go!" She yelled trying to pull her hand from his sweaty grip, but he just squeezed tighter.
She was becoming fatigued, her feet started to hurt running over the little rocks of the semi-paved path. She started to analyze at this speed, how bad would it really hurt if she fell to the ground on purpose. She figured any wound she endures would be less painful than the feeling she has on her feet. She took a breath and was about to collapse when Darien finally stopped, and she slammed into him.
He turned to face her as she pulled her hand out of his. She desperately tried to catch her breath. She leaned forward into a tripod position. Labored breath after labored breath.
"I hate you." She finally forced out. Gasping again for a good breath.
"It will be worth it." He said calmly trying to hide the fact he needed to catch his breath too.
Serena took a step forward. "Where are we?"
"The stables."
Serena looked around, there was small fenced off area, and in the middle was a large wooden building.
"Come on." Darien said reaching his hand out.
Serena looked at him, then the stable. "Is this where you have me beheaded?"
"I am not going to respond to such an accusation. Let's go." He took his hand back and started walking towards the stable.
"I have walked this premise many times, how have I not noticed this building?" Serena asked walking hesitantly. The grass was tall and she could tell it was recently watered. "Ugh... my shoes."
Darien rolled his eyes, turned around, walked over to her, and lifted her bridal style. "It only gets muddier from here." He explained.
Serena did not say anything. Darien's body was tense, and his face was completely stoic as he walked forward into the the stable.
"Oh my god..." Serena said as Darien slowly placed her down. "They are so beautiful." Serena took a step forward, admiring the three horses in front of her. One let out a loud neigh, scaring Serena into stopping. She turned around. "Can I touch one?"
Darien just shrugged. "The white one is supposed to be yours."
"What?!"
"It is supposedly gently. I have only ridden her a few times." Darien said walking over to the white horse. Her nose met his hand half way. "She doesn't have a name, I figured you would pick one out."
"You bought me a horse? When? I didn't even know this building was here..." Serena said taking a tiny step forward.
"Building has been here, maybe you didn't walk far out enough or never really noticed, considering how much you hate this place." He continued to stroke the horse. "But they are here."
"She really likes you." Serena said with an awkward smirk.
"I'm sure she will grow to like you." Darien said opening the gate to her area. Serena took a quick step back, worried that she was going to run out and attack her. "Don't do sudden movements like that it will scare the horses." Scolded in a low tone.
"I am sorry." Serena said with head down tucking her hair behind her ear. "I am not used to being this close."
"What? No horses on the moon?" Darien asked condescendingly.
Serena didn't answer just turned her focus to another horse. Darien could see the fear all over her face. Her forehead was glistening.
"I wouldn't bring you in here if they were dangerous."
"I...I never..."Serena was not sure what to say, there was frustration in Darien's tone, one she could not understand why.
"Again your body language says it all." Darien started to brush the horse as Serena just watched. "Did you maybe want to come in here and try?"
Serena just looked at the ground and scratched the back of her neck.
"As I said she was supposed to be yours, but if you are to scared, I-"
"I don't want you to return her!" Serena shouted abruptly.
"I never said I was going too... I was going to say I can keep her and her to my riding rotation. It is not a big deal."
"All these horses are yours?" Serena asked amazed.
"Who else would the belong too?"
She chuckled and embarrassedly turned away.
"So did you want to brush her or no?" Darien held out the brush.
Serena just looked at the brush, then the horse, then Darien, and then back at the brush again.
"Ummm."
"She isn't going to snap at you." He explained.
Serena just nodded, took two steps forward. The horse turned to look at her, causing her to step back.
"You keep acting scared of her, she will not respect you." Darien informed. "You need to be confident."
Serena could do nothing but nod again. She took in a deep breath and took a big steps forward until she reached Darien. His hand still out holding the brush. She grabbed the grabbed the brush and started brushing the horse as Darien stood behind her.
The horse started to shake its head and started blowing air out of her nose. Serena got tense.
"She is going to feel you being tense." He put his hand over hers. "She likes to be brushed at this pressure. Not too hard, but not too soft." He grabbed her other hand and placed it in front of the brush. She also likes the feeling of your hand petting her.
Serena watched as the horse calmed down, and she smiled.
"She is a little particular, kind of like you."
Serena looked up at Darien from the corner of her eye. "Really?"
"Keep brushing her." Darien demanded. "She doesn't like her brushing to be cut short. Unless you are going to ride her, which we can go for a ride if you want."
Serena stopped mid-brush. Her face became warm.
Darien sighed. "Don't worry I would ride with you, until I knew you were ready."
"Like on the same horse?" Serena asked reluctantly.
"What else would I mean?"
A rush of relief washed over her body.
"So do you wanna take her out or not?"
"Yeah." Serena whispered completing the last stroke and stepping to the side for Darien to prep the horse for a ride. The horse stood so still for Darien, it was almost like they were in sync.
"So you can either ride in front and hold the reigns and I can assist you, or I can ride up front and you can just hold on to me." He said taking a step stool close to the horse. "I think the first option is better so you can get a feel of the reigns and see how each of your tugs affects the horse."
"If you think that is safe."
"Again, I would not let you do something that can hurt you." He turned to Serena put his hand out. "Just trust me would you?"
She stepped forward, put her hand in his as she took a step onto stool.
"Now loop this leg here in the foot rest."
She did as instructed.
"Now as hard as you can, lift yourself up and swing your leg over."
Serena took in a breath.
"Come on, you are the great Sailor Moon, I am sure you have done scarier things."
He was right. She exhaled one more time, and did as instructed.
"There was that so hard?"
Serena finally opened her eyes, and saw how far above ground she was. "This...this...too high."
"Relax, she is going to get anxious."
"Just get up here." Serena said with nothing but fear in her voice.
Darien did as requested, got on the horse. He scooted himself as close to Serena as he could. Wrapped his hands around hers as she gripped the reigns.
"You are holding them too tight. Just relax." He said as calmly. "We will not go very fast, and when you want me to take over I will."
"Okay."
"Now let go." He tapped the back of his heal on her, and clicked his tongue and the were off.
It was not easy and it was not quick for Serena to get comfortable. Darien tried to give her advice along the way. But it still took sometime for her to become less tense and actually enjoy the scenery.
"See not so bad..." Darien said smiling.
"I don't know, she is beautiful, but..."
"You will get used to it." He interrupted her doubt.
She looked around.
"Is this all the palace grounds."
"Yes, otherwise we would trespassing." Darien said sarcastically.
She didn't comment on that second part. "I have never been to this side before."
"It is a long walk and one wrong turn and you could be easily lost."
"I am pretty bad with my way around." Serena said with confirming shrug.
"You will get used to this area too. Here pull this side just a bit." He instructed.
Serena did as she was told.
"We are going to go to one of my favorite spots over there," he pointed. "Don't worry I don't plan to kill you."
Serena just did an awkward chuckle. The ride continued with Darien's tips and him telling her little stories of the land. There was a bit of a breeze, but his body heat helped chill become more bearable. They rode up a hill and Darien controlled the reigns because Serena was so scared she would cause them to fall back. At one point she must have closed her eyes, because before she knew it, Darien had told her to open them.
She looked out to see the see the opened land before here.
"My parents used to take here me here all the time." Darien explained.
"Did they tell you everything the light touches is yours?" Serena laughed to herself. "Sorry I couldn't help it."
Darien just smiled to himself. "No, they would just come up with me and we would talk about life and everything. This was my safe zone. Just me and my parents."
"When was the last time you came here?" Serena asked eyes still soaking in everything in front of her.
"It's been awhile." Darien adjusted himself on the horse. "The guards and I came up once, it is not the same. We just drank up here and just acted a fool." Darien sighed almost ashamed. "My dad almost had my ass for riding home drunk. Almost fired all my guards for letting me."
Serena looked over her shoulder catching Darien's eyes.
"I know, I know not my best time." He said forcing a smile. "I am sorry."
Serena turned away and looked at the scene again. "Don't apologize, it shows you are real. You made mistakes and you learned from them." She shrugged. "I kind of like it." She leaned back against him. The back of head rested on his shoulder. She could feel his chin lightly rested on a part of her head. She could feel his heart beating against her back. His palms started to become clammy . "Am I making the great Prince Darien nervous." Serena popped up from her position. She must have moved too quickly because the horse started to whip her head around, causing Serena to get scared.
"You cannot move like that...it's okay..."He started to run his hand over the horse's mane. "It is okay, no need to be scared." The horse started to slowly calm down.
Serena listened as Darien repeated himself over and over. She knew he was talking to the horse, but it comforted her too.
"Are you okay?" He finally asked rubbing her hand. "We can go if you want."
"What time is it...don't we have to go to dinner."
"I said we weren't going."
Serena leaned to the side to get a better view of him.
"I am not going to force you to go somewhere you do not want to go...even though I kind of just dragged you the stables to see the horses."
Serena readjusted herself. "That's different, I would be okay with you dragging me out here anytime." She positioned herself against him.
"So you wanna stay a little longer?"
She just nodded her head. "Thanks for taking me here. I really needed this."
So caught in the moment Darien released the reigns and wrapped his arm around Serena. "Anytime you want to come out here, I will stop everything to come with you." He whispered in her ear, then kissed the side of her neck. She didn't pull away or ask what he was doing. She just made herself comfortable leaning against him.