The ridiculously extravagant room was commandeered by the Earthling's military infantry. It was used to have the men clean up and plan for their return home.
They had just rescued the Moon Princess from being kidnapped by the rebel forces of Bravian. It was a hostile planet with countrymen who came to beg the Moon Queen for her crystal's power in hopes to aid them against an attack from a neighboring solar system. Their plan was to hold the princess for ransom, in the form of demanding the Queen's help for her return. Instead, the Queen enlisted the Earthian court's formidable regiment to extricate her.
An ask which was completely unnecessary, for Crowned Prince Endymion would do anything for Princess Serenity, and the Queen knew as much. They were betrothed to one another, though Serenity believed him only interested in her bearing an heir for him when they married and nothing more. He surely didn't express any heartwarming feelings towards her during their chaperoned visits.
If only she knew. Endymion considered him the luckiest man in the universe to be attached to the pulchritudinous princess. He already had the most difficulty of times restraining himself from touching her in any sense of the word. And simply being around her with her alluring voice, sounding pleasant and indescribably beautiful, luring him in like a siren, unable to resist her. Not to mention her floral notes of scent, another male olfactive must-have, instantly boosting his blood flow and creating extreme interest. It was a game of seduction thanks to its aphrodisiac-like qualities that captured his attention, and she was none the wiser.
Endymion was emerging from the washroom, having needed to bathe himself of the blood he sustained from killing the rebels. Their blood, not his. He walked out into the room with a large cotton fabric around his waist for modesty purposes, though his men had seen all of him in varying situations with their beloved prince. Mainly with pretty ladies of various courts in his early days.
Using another cotton fabric to dry his hair, he made his way to sit on the oversized bed when he heard a commotion coming from the guardroom where security personnel provided protection for their lordship. In this case, they were protecting the Prince of Earth here, even if they were borrowing the apartments of these rebels.
His men drew their swords, preparing for the intruder. Confusion dawned on their faces because they knew the guards were exceptionally capable of keeping anyone out and away from their Sovereign.
"My lady! I really must insist you not enter His Royal Highness's quarters!"
Understanding crossed their faces when they saw why the guardsman had much difficulty. The men sheathed their swords and snickered to Endymion. Princess Serenity seemed exceptionally annoyed.
"Sir, my apologies, I sincerely tried to keep her–"
Endymion still sat, simply waving him off. "You may all leave." He commanded of them all. Kunzite lingered for a minute longer. Serenity was capable of causing harm to Endymion, though he doubted it would be through her power's source and more of her womanly wiles.
"Sire, our ship departs in an hour."
Not taking his eyes off of Serenity, he replied, "I'm aware. Prepare yourselves."
Kunzite nodded in his peripheral vision and stepped out of the door, leaving a soft click at its closing.
"I see you've awakened, My Princess. How do you fare?"
Upon his question, she couldn't help but drop her bravado, and instead wither, dropping to the floor in a heap.
"Serenity!" Endymion jumped up and rushed to her side, looking her over for any grievances he could observe himself. "Zoisite, he said he looked you over for injuries and found none! Did he miss any? Are you all right?!"
She reached for him and hugged him. "I was so scared, Endy."
He understood her reaction to her plight, and allowed her to hold onto him. Returning the act worried him. What if he couldn't prevent himself from getting carried away with her? Would she think of him in a negative manner, taking advantage of her after such a horrendous situation?
"I'm sorry this happened to you. We came as soon as we could." Endymion tried to reassure her with soothing words. "I thought we made it before–" He swallowed a lump in his throat, causing her to pull back to look at him. "...before anything could happen. Did something happen to you?" She could see the pain and worry in his eyes.
Shaking her head and pulling him in again for a tighter embrace, she confirmed, "No, nothing happened. Thank you for coming for me."
This time he wrapped his arms loosely around her shoulders, awkwardly, giving her some comfort, but making sure he didn't do anything inappropriate.
Serenity was frustrated. Why did he come all of this way to save her if he could care less about her? She decided to act on as if he really did want her. Starting at his earlobe, she began to suckle there like Mina had advised her. Terrified she wouldn't know what to do on her wedding night, she asked Mina to review some key points with her so she would be able to give her husband, Endymion, pleasure on their first night as a married couple. She knew he had experiences with other women, whereas she had had none with anyone.
Trailing his jawline now, Endymion froze, baffled at her gesture. He pulled away from her, breathing in short breaths, "What are you doing, Seren?"
Her eyes danced between his as she fiddled with the hairs at the nape of his neck. His questioning scared her, but she wouldn't give up. "I want to thank you for saving me."
He pulled away from her and stood up. Running his fingers through his hair and then down his face, he sat back down on the bed. "You already have. Verbally. You needn't repay me anymore than that. Not that that was even needed. I will always be here and willing to save you."
Serenity pouted and whined, "But why? Because you need an heir for Earth? Is that all I am good for to you?" She stood and began undressing herself. Luckily she chose the new Venusian lingerie to wear that morning. Hoping it gave her more confidence in his presence.
Endymion was shocked at her words. He stood up quickly to avert his eyes and demanded she stop. "Serenity, cease this, now!"
"Do you not find me attractive, Endymion?" She asked as she continued, allowing the dress to pool at her feet. "Am I not woman enough for you? Experienced enough?" Tears fell from her eyes as she asked.
Standing there, she began to question her motives. Did he really dislike her that much? She heard of some men desiring any woman, especially in the nude. What was so different about her that he couldn't stand to even look at her?
"Serenity, please! Dress yourself immediately! We need to get you back to the Moon."
"Not until you tell me why!" She challenged him instead. Anguish, anger, and hurt jumbled her heart and mind.
He would not turn to look at her, so instead she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him from behind, placing her barely-there lace-clad body to his bare back. He stiffened, then tried to remove her from him without using much force or hurting her in the process.
"Even before we were betrothed, you were the only man I ever wanted. The only man I'll ever want." She whispered in confession. He could feel her tears running down his back, halting his movements. "What can I do to make you want me, Endymion?"
A knock came at the door, prompting Endymion to spin around so that Serenity was behind him in case anyone actually opened the door without being permitted and seeing any part of her wondrous body. He viewed only a dress on the floor. For that reason, it led him to believe her undergarments should probably still be covering her more intimate parts.
"The Queen is calling, sire."
Partly, Endymion was thankful for the interruption, however he was very concerned with Serenity's distress and thoughts on his view of her. Now was not the time to discuss this with her. Perhaps he could ask the Queen for a moment of Serenity's time when they returned.
Hollering, he acknowledged the guardsman's words. "We'll be right there." He felt Serenity depart him and walk around him to retrieve her discarded dress. Endymion tried to think of something to say as she shimmied back into her dress, and pulling her long tresses from the confines of the dress, all without glancing at him.
Before he could even dress, Serenity left the room without another word. Sighing heavily, Endymion dressed in an extra of his combat uniform, sans his armor.
When he appeared in the room with the large screen showcasing the Queen's face, Serenity was being wished safe travels by her mother and reminding her how loved she was.
As the Queen noticed Endymion, she greeted him. "Prince Endymion, I cannot thank you and your men enough for finding my daughter and keeping her safe. You will all be greatly rewarded."
"My Queen, as my reward, I wish to accelerate my marriage to Princess Serenity." He could see how the princess spun on her heels to scowl at him. "If this situation has taught me anything, it's that you never know what could happen and I don't wish to spend any more days without her at my side, as my wife."
Serenity couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was this a joke to further torture her? Was it solely for her dowry? Did she even have a dowry he would gain?
The Queen was wary of his reasoning. Did he feel as though she were unsafe living on the Moon? That he could better protect her on Earth? She wasn't ready to be away from her daughter just yet. "I see. I wish to confer about this with my daughter when she returns."
Bowing, he accepted her terms. "Of course."
"Well then, I'll see you both soon. Godspeed."
When the screen went blank, Serenity insisted he explain himself. "Why, Endymion?" She stifled a cry. "Why do you wish to marry me if you can't stand the sight of me?" Wrapping her arms around herself, she tried to comfort herself.
Another knock interrupted them.
"We can start loading the ship, if you're ready, Your Highnesses." The guardsman spoke, unaware of the tension building between the two royals.
No longer able to tolerate Endymion ignoring her and refusing her, she brushed past him, adding under her breath, "The sooner we leave, the sooner you'll be free of me."
Hearing her, he quickly grabbed her arm to discontinue her efforts to leave.
"Give us a minute," He ordered. Serenity pulled her arm from his grasp, walking to the other side of the room. When the guardsman left, Endymion spoke up.
"I apologize profusely if I gave you any kind of indication that I do not care for you." She folded her arms across her chest and kept her back to him. "The truth is…"
Endymion sighed, raking his hair, needing to explain his thoughts to quell any lingering doubts about his love for her. "Your beauty outshines the brightest star. Your voice is a serenade to me. Your scent drives me wild with desire. The urge to kiss you… touch you, is constant and unyielding."
Serenity unfolded her arms and turned slightly to him, gauging the truth in his words.
"You have no idea the enchantment you've put on me… the temptation you bring about…"
She turned to him fully, holding her chest, delirious from his admission.
"The sooner you become my wife, the sooner I can give in to your seductions. The sooner I can bring you pleasure beyond your wildest dreams, Seren."
Biting her bottom lip, his words affecting her more than she'd care to admit. The blush coloring her cheeks gave her away.
"I had to thwart your advances, as painful as it was for me. To deny your glorious body took every ounce of willpower…"
"To answer your questions from earlier… yes, I want an heir from you–multiple in fact, as I wish to worship your body over and over again… but that is not all I want from you."
He walked to her, closing the distance between them. Bringing his hand up, he caressed her face softly.
"I find you more attractive than any other woman in the universe. You are very much all woman and I cannot wait to explore your curves."
His fingertips brushed her plump lips, parting them, provoking him. A low moan escaped his throat.
"We will experience everything together. Whatever you wish, you will have."
Bending his head, his lips inched closer to hers. She closed her eyes in anticipation.
"There is nothing you need to do because I already want you so immensely, Seren. There is nothing more I have ever yearned for than I have for you."
In a soft, chaste kiss, his lips brushed hers.
"I, too, have wanted you before our betrothal. Elation couldn't describe my joy when you were deemed to be mine and mine alone."
He kissed her again, this time lingering longer.
"Serenity, you mean absolutely everything to me."
He pulled away, licking his lips. Framing her face with his large calloused hands, he continued, "The fear I felt when you were taken…" He shook his head and closed his eyes, trying to rid the thoughts and images that played in his mind's eye. "I would destroy the galaxy, and everyone in it if necessary, in my quest to find you."
She placed her finger to his lips, silencing him. "Shh, it's okay. You found me and everything turned out okay."
Scooping her up into his arms, he squeezed her to him, reassuring himself that what she was saying was indeed true. How close he could have been to losing her…
"Marry me?"
Smiling and laughing joyfully, she nodded her head, indicating yes. "Of course! Tomorrow even, if you'll have me."
"I'll have you – now, forever, and always."
"Kiss me?"
He grinned, pulling her in. "Gladly."
This time he traced her lip with his tongue, slipping in to taste her when she granted him access. He was gentle in his exploration of her mouth. Sucking in her lip with his left her giddy, shooting tingles down her spine.
Hard knocks sounded, breaking them apart.
"Come, let's get you home so you can tell your mother how much you want to marry me."
Giggling, Serenity curled into him as he led her out the door.
"I care for you, as well, Endymion. The same as you so eloquently expressed."
Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her in for another lasting kiss.
Endymion's Generals watched them board the ship, wondering what the hell transpired to get them so lovey dovey with each other.