"Princess!" A tall, muscular man with white hair greeted with a bow.
"Oh my god! Prince Diamond!" Serena ran over with opened arms. "How are you? Why are you here so early? Ball doesn't start for a couple hours. Where is Sapphire and Emerald?" She looked around.
"I hope you do not mind, I am sure you have so much going on. But I was mid travel and-"
"Ehhh, say no more, I understand. Did the servants tell you what room?" Serena questioned.
"Yes I am settled, but I was hoping to see you and catch up." Diamond informed.
"Oh man," Serena looked at the time on the big clock down the hall. "I am due for hair and make up."
"I understand." Diamond's tone dropped.
"But we can of course walk and talk." Serena suggested with a smile, pointing into the direction of her chambers.
Diamond just nodded.
"So how is married life?" Diamond asked with optimism.
She just scoffed, scratched the back her head.
"That great huh?" Diamond insisted.
"No what I thought it would be...? She shrugged. "How is married life for you? How are the kids? Will your wife be joining."
"Oh... no...with baby number 3 on the way." He just shook his head. "And the other two are amazing, Crystal, is just as feisty as her mother, always has to have her way. Jade is just like me...calm, cunning..."
"Wow! Baby number 3 huh?" Her smile beamed thinking of house with three kids. "Still hoping for a son?" Serena looked up Diamond.
"Some days, but I have to say, being blessed with those two girls..."He just smiled and nodded. "I would not mind if I was blessed with one more."
Serena waved both her hands signaling her guards to let the two of them through. They did and returned to their spot.
"A little on edge are they?" Diamond puzzled.
"It is has been a little tense the last few days." Serena stopped and turned around to watch her guards. The looked down at the floor.
"Anything I can help with?" Diamond lifted his hand and softly tilted her chin up.
Serena just forced a smile, sighed. "That is so sweet of you...and honestly I wish." She cleared her throat. "I was stupid, and let my guard down and..." She scratched her forehead to cover the tears that were forming. She took in a big sniff. Looked up. "Now seeing you, and knowing how happy you are, I wonder if I made the wrong choice by rejecting your proposal."
Diamond wiped the tear that rolled down from her cheek.
"I am so, so, so happy for you and your wife. I love seeing the photos, and..." She exhaled, "I know that I would have never loved you as much as she loved her...but.." She just shrugged and looked at him.
His shoulder dropped. "It pains me to see you this way, princess." He softly embraced her cheek. "I owe all my happiness to you. Though it hurt being rejected, it did help me realize I needed to do better, and I did. This brought me to my wife, and now I have you as an amazing friend. Despite how much of a dog I was towards you when I was younger..."
Serena chuckled for a second.
"I know was not the best when I was younger, but you still forgave me, as we all know how forgiving and loving you are. You deserve nothing but the best. I would do anything to help."
The tears started to pool. She covered her face, and quickly wiped her eyes. "Thank you Diamond, it is nice to know that I can always count on you, even in your jerky days." She teased. "It was nice to know I had you."
Diamond pulled Serena into him and wrapped his arms around her. He rested his chin on her head.
"You will be okay, and you are never alone." He ran his hand up and down her back to sooth her.
Unbeknownst to them, Darien and Malachite stood at the end of the hall watching, as the guards blocked them from entering. Darien's balled up hand crushing the rose bouquet he was holding. His breathing intensified. He could feel his heart beating through his chest as the blood rushed to his face.
"Sire..." One of the guards calmly called.
His whole body started to shake.
"Prince Darien, we cannot hear what they are saying..." Malachite tried to calm the prince down, but it did not work.
In a quick move Darien threw the roses at the closest wall and stormed off, as Malachite followed behind.
"Get her flower and apologize you said..." His voice started to raise as he clenched his fist. "It will work you said...she will forgive you said!" Darien slammed his fist into a hallway wall."
"Sire you have no idea if it would have worked or not, you didn't actually give her the flowers."
Darien turned around quickly. "Why Mal? So her and whoever the hell that guy was could both laugh in my face."
"I believe that was Prince Diamond sire," Malachite explained.
"Prince Diamond...Diamond... Why have I heard that name...? Darien looked down at the ground trying to remember. "Who the hell is this guy?"
"He wanted her hand in marriage many, many years ago." Malachite answered reluctantly. "But I hear he is very happily married with kids." Malachite tried to reassure.
"And where did you hear that from?" Darien snapped. "From the all so honest tabloids?!" Darien turned to continue walking.
"Sire, it is most likely nothing, the Princess-"
"Let's face the damn facts, we do not know her like we think, and...ughhhh...she plays this so sweet and innocent...when really she is just a conniving..." He clenched his jaw.
"Prince, with all do respect, I am going to stop you there. She is still our princess and your wife. We do not know what happened in that conversation or what he was really doing there. You cannot jump-"
"But she is allowed to jump to conclusion." He paused. "That is probably why she did it... She probably has someone behind my back! A guilty conscious."
"I feel like we need to get all the facts." Malachite advised.
"No more facts, no more chasing, no more flowers."
"Sire, please do not say or do anything you are going to regret." Malachite pleaded.
"Only thing I regret right now, is marrying her." He angry said under his breath, as he continued to walk to his room.
A few hours later, music could be heard through out the castle. The front door open and closed as guest started to arrive. Laughter and greetings could be heard down the hall. Serena stepped out of her hall and made her way down towards the ballroom. Fidgeting with her bracelet, she listened for Darien and his guards. Nothing. She arrived to the stairs that led down to the ballroom, she looked around, no signs of Darien. She looked at the clock above the hall entrance. He was always on time. This was not like him. She checked the clock and peaked down any hallway for any sign of him. Nothing. She knew she could not wait anymore. She looked at the guard holding the rope and just nodded.
He pulled the curtain apart. Serena scanned the room, and as if he were the only person in the room, she spotted him instantly. He was at the bar. Malachite and the guards on one side and a tall red head on the other. She knew who it was. She scoffed. Forced a smile, as people started to stare at her. She placed her hand her railing as support and slowly made her way down.
Darien turned around to see his wife gracefully moving. He dress was pastel lavender color. It was fitted sweetheart neckline top, and it loosened from the waste down. There was slit that started at her mid thigh. Her jewelry was simple. Diamond bracelet, single diamond necklace, and studded ear rings.
"Hmmmm..."
Darien turned to Beryl, who had her arms crossed.
"Amazing what a little make up could do." She hissed.
Darien turned back to see none other than Prince Diamond meeting her at the ends of the stairs offering her his hand. She smiled as she took it, bowed her head and thanked him, as he guided her off.
"Sire, with all do respect, you are acting a fool." Malachite scolded. "You should have been escorting your wife."
Darien just rolled his eyes and turned back to the bar. Beryl did the same, scooting just a little closer to him.
On the other side of the floor, Serena greeted her scouts.
"You look amazing." Mina complimented giving her a hug.
"Sere, I can easily rip that bun off Red's head if you want." Lita informed.
"And I don't mind helping her." Rei stood up.
"It is fine guys... just...let's get through tonight." She sighed and turned around to Diamond. "Thank you for helping me." Her eyes again started to burn, and started to become glossy.
"We are not going to do that...remember there are some press from Earth here..."
Serena just forced a smile. "I should go greet my mother."
"Want us to go with you?" Ami asked.
Serena just shook her head no. She took a step around Diamond, saw right through the dancing crowd to see Darien, putting on his charm, Beryl throwing her head back laughing as the guards rolled their eyes. She now hand both hands around Darien's arm. She leaned in closer to him, as if he was telling her a secret.
Serena counted to three in her head. Turned to Diamond. Smirked. "Actually Diamond, would you mind dancing, I cannot seem to find my husband, and I am in the mood just to dance." She did not give him a chance to say no. She just dragged him onto the floor.
"Princess..." Diamond started.
"Just, please." Her voice cracked, as she did a long blink.
He nodded, and took position. The two waltz along with the crowd. She plastered on a smile.
"I know what you are doing... This is not how to make a marriage work." Diamond whispered.
"It is not a marriage it is a joke. My husband is over at the bar flirting with one his flings." She said through her smile. "The same fling I caught at the palace right after I left."
He leaned closer. "Maybe it was a misunderstanding." He whispered.
"No misunderstanding." Serena looked around with her fake smile. "He never loved me...he just played a really good game." He spun her around. "I gave him everything that I had...and now I am yesterday's trash."
He spun her around, and dipped her. Causing the crowd to oooo and ahhh, catching Darien attention. He turned around to see the scene before him.
"Sire, please do not do anything irrational. There is nothing going on between those two." Malachite pleased.
His blood boiled. He quickly got up. Grabbed Beryl by the wrist and too headed to the dance floor. He made sure he was in the view of Serena right away. The two locked eyes and he smirked, as Beryl threw both her arms around his neck.
"Are you guys just as frustrated with your prince as we are?" Mina said making her way to the bar with the scouts right behind her. All their faces in absolute disgust.
"Frustrated is an understatement." Nephrite answered.
"Can I blast him?" Lita asked arms folded. The other seven turned to look at her. "What?!"
The eight just stood there, not sure what to do. They hoped anyone would come and cut in.
Serena watched as again Beryl whispered something into Darien's neck. He was still smirking. Not thinking Serena tightened her grip around Diamond's neck.
"Serena please be respectful of my wife back home."
Serena realizing what she was really doing, she took a step back. "I am so sorry Diamond. I don't know what came over me. I am so sorry." She bowed her head.
"Princess, it is fine. I know you are feeling emotions right now."
"I am so sorry. I can't do this. This isn't me, I can't play this game. I am so sorry." She spun around and quickly got off the dance floor.
The scouts glared at the guards and followed after her.
A hard grip on Diamond's arm caused him to turn around.
"The hell did you do to my wife?"
"Why Prince Darien, how kind of you to show any concern for your wife." Diamond pulled his arm out of Darien's grip, fixed the wrinkle on his sleeve. "Careful, your little friend might hear you and get jealous."
The guards all rose to their feet as the two princes hand their standoff.
"Stay the hell away from my wife." Darien warned.
"Or what?" Diamond took a small step forward. "Serena has been my friend for years. She is god mother of my kids. So no, I will not stay away, your highness. But I can see where the insecurity is coming from. Maybe I did love her once. But how could one not fall in love with her? She brings around nothing but joy and happiness, she puts everyone first, including her planet." Diamond saw the guards approaching. "You on the other hand, don't deserve to stand in the same palace as her. Have great night dear Prince, I will be checking on my friend." Diamond condescendingly bowed. "Oh and Ms. Red, maybe you should bow out while you still have some dignity left. Pawning over someone who has their heart set on another...will not end well. Maybe for the night." He just shrugged as he walked away.
Green with jealousy, Beryl approached Darien and grabbed his arm. He looked at her. Her red hair, pasty skin, layers of eye shadow. She grinned from ear to ear looking at him. He looked to his guards, who had no emotion, if he was going to be attacked by Diamond, they had to be there. Not saying he did not deserve it, but they had to be there as a duty.
"Let's go Darien," Beryl pleaded. "We can go somewhere way more fun. Like my private flight." She whispered in his ear seductively.
"That is Prince Darien to you." He shook his arm from her grasp and walked away.
"Prince Darien!" Beryl shouted but slowly dropped her voice because she realized the embarrassment she would have to face if more people knew what was going on.
Malachite was the first to catch up to Darien as he stormed out of the hall. "You literally did opposite of what I told you to do!" He yelled. "I said do not do something you would regret, and here we are."
"I don't need this right now! I don't need any of this!" Darien yelled.
"And neither does Serena."
Darien and his guards stopped, as they crossed the scouts.
"We all wanted to congratulate you Prince Darien." Mina scoffed. "How did you do it? You turned the kindest sweetest person, into someone vengeful and spiteful. Let's be honest, she made a little fool of herself being all over Prince Diamond."
"I wonder what his wife will think when she hears about this." Rei crossed her arms.
"Her image will be completely tarnished, and everyone will forget the fact that you left your wife to escort herself to a ball, while you sat at the bar entertaining your mistress. You really are amazing for making that happened." Mina sarcastically clapped. "The only person to get the worst out Serena. Clap it up for him ladies. He did it."
Ami and Rei both slow and sarcastically clapped.
"Serena is going to both your mothers and asking this arrangement be voided. You win Darien, you get to keep your image of being the prince that tried to save the moon, and our dear Princess will be the bad guy." Mina informed.
"Now do us all a favor, stay away from her." Ami warned.
The four turned to walk down the hall.
"Oh my the way Prince Darien," Mina turned around one more time. "Everyone knows how much Prince Diamond loved her. How he begged her to be with him and she said no...it honestly didn't click you, that if it was going to happen...it would have happened already?"