The news of the White Prince's return rivaled that of Serena's engagement. So much so that more than just Serena was affected.
But what did this mean for the rest of the SIlver Millennium Kingdom? Prince Dimande and Sapphire were brothers by blood, but the eldest had lived in the shadows on the darkness of Styx. The younger had always been more practical and reserved.
Quite simply, the Queen saw Dimande as a threat and she did not want her daughter tainted by his darkness.
Secretly, Queen Serenity was furious.
Not because the boy lived, but because he clearly had a hold on her daughter. The look on her face at his announcement spoke volumes.
Despite her control, it was only a matter of time before the two saw each other again.
Serenity did not trust her daughter whose heart she knew yearned for a Prince of Nemesis. She did however, trust the discipline ingrained in her daughter's entourage.
So she called a meeting with her daughter's senshi.
The Sailor Senshi stood in front of their Queen.
The Queen greeted them warmly, causing the girls to cursty as customary.
"Your Majesty," they intoned dutifully.
"Senshi, I fear what I have to say you will not like ." SHe motioned to ht lounges in her office. "Please sit."
The girls traded looks before taking their seats.
"Your Majesty," Rei prompted with a look of concern. "Is something wrong?"
The Queen took a deep breath. "I fear Nemesis has not taken the news of Serena's engagement well. Especially the eldest Prince."
The girls traded looks clearly not confused by her statement.
"Prince Dimande was Serena's guard before we became of age. Why would he be unhappy about her engagement."
Serenity sighed. "The Nemesian Prince was sent to us for socialization. His life before the White Moon Kingdom was filled with darkness and strife. He was practically feral when he arrived. But his power was great and my daughter's life was at stake."
"At stake? By who?"
"A former subject of mine…" was the Queen's evasive answer. "Her name and memory were stricken after what she had done." The girls settled down. Everyone knew the story of the Old Queen. Or at least they thought they knew. Serenity continued. "I fear he will torment Serena for her choice to marry as he was obsessed with her while in our care."
Rei looked incensed. "You think he's a threat?"
Serenity nodded her head. "I fear he would sabotage our alliance with Earth in an effort to be in her life again. It sounds farfetched, but Nemesians are known for their instability due to their ties with the Dark Crystal." Serenity stood and walked to her balcony doors staring at the beauty of her kingdom. "I worry for her, being that Serena is all heart. My daughter's kindness and naivete knows no bounds."
Mina finally spoke up after taking in what the Queen spoke about. "What are you asking of us exactly?"
"To aid me in protecting her, even if it's from herself."
"You want us to run interference?" Lita asked unsurely. "Like chaperones?"
"I want you to do your duty as her Senshi." She gave them all meaningful looks. "The Negaverse has always been a place of wild and untamed energy. It's darkness is persuasive and seductive. Nemesis' history is riddled with violence and malintent. Their recent Civil War being the most recent of an ongoing history of coups and revolution. It is truly one of the most unstable governments in our kingdom."
She could tell she had not convinced them yet.
"The Jakikusuihou taints all that it touches." Using her powers she showed them what happened to life when influenced by the Jakikusuihou. An orb of light appeared in her hand. She produced a small shard of Dark Crystal. The decay was slow and absolute. It chased away the warmth and light. "Love becomes obsession, passion becomes cruelty, enlightenment is fueled by selfishness and power becomes a currency to horde and steal." Ami audibly gasped at the display.
The now black orb and shard disappear.
Serenity continued mentally pleased with their reactions of horror and shock. "The royal family was cast out of Earth and made to live on the Dark Moon as punishment. They are directly responsible for the state of Earth as it is now." They had seen the Planet with Serena multiple times. "I will not allow them the pleasure of ruining my daughter, not when she has finally found her way again." Serenity's plea was genuine. "Promise you will protect my daughter and eliminate any that threaten her union with Prince Endymion."
The Senshi stood solemnly.
"We won't let you down, Your Majesty!" Lita vowed.
"We swear to protect our Princess from all hurt and harm." Rei was firm.
"You have our allegiance," Ami stated confidently.
Mina simply nodded.
Once they were dismissed, the group voiced their thoughts.
Only Mina held back.
Her allegiance was to Serena, not her Mother.