The carriage ride had been uncomfortable. As lovely as the carriage was, the on-and-off rain over the past week had made the roads an absolute mess. The ruts and washed-out portions made the trip uncomfortable.

Serenity wasn't impressed with the status of the King's Road at all. She scowled at the view out the window but spoke to Artemis. "This is the main kingdom road?"

"Yes," he replied quietly. Waiting for what he knew was coming next.

She glances back over her shoulder at him. "Is King Ellis a lazy king or a greedy one?"

He hadn't expected her to go that far. "Hush. You can't say things like that here, but-"

She interrupted him. "I know better than to say anything like that when I get to the palace. I am in a carriage surrounded by people I trust, filled with those closest to me."

He agreed she was safe speaking out against the King. He just had to trust that she would be wise in the palace. "Then I'll answer you, my dear niece. He's arrogant and controlling."

She rocked a bit as she turned back to look out the window. Their progress had just halted due to a wheel getting stuck. She observed as Artemis' men worked to get them moving again. "I can't imagine how the regular citizens make their way on these roads. You have muscled staff to help us when we get stuck. How in the world do farmers bring their food to market?"

"He doesn't care. Good roads increase the population's access, which he believes creates trouble. He wants everyone to stay home and not cause any disturbances."

The wheel was eventually freed with great effort, and they started moving again. Serenity couldn't stomach the condition of the public roads, all governed by a foolish king. The roads in Silford, his Dukedom, had all been done at great expense to Artemis, but it paid off in tax revenue that was generated by the ease of commerce. She had seen how good roads improved the lives of the citizens.

"He's short-sighted," Serenity admonished. "We can make the trip, but it hurts to think how regular citizens wouldn't have access to as much. And it destroys commerce. A drought in one corner of the kingdom would be devastating. There would be no way to get food there efficiently. The cost of transportation alone would cause people to starve to death!"

"And six years ago, that exact thing happened. It's why I work so hard in my Dukedom to fix our roads."

She smiled at her uncle. "You have the best roads in this kingdom." She was proud of him for taking on the expense and effort on his own.

Serenity became lost in her own thoughts. She wondered what Endymion could be like with a father like that. She figured he was either weak and unwilling to fight for the good of the people or cruel, just like she assumed his father to be.

She sat back, resting against the plush upholstery. The carriage contained her and Artemis, as well as Luna, their daughter Diana, and Minako. She smiled at Minako, the woman who was always protecting her. Serenity knew that the scar that Minako had was the only comfort she held onto from that horrid day. It was evidence that she was there instead of the princess she loved, proving she had attempted to save the Queen. It was apparent that what happened afterward still bothered her. It didn't matter how much everyone else told her the Queen's death wasn't her fault. She never listened.

A few hours later, they stopped at an Inn for the night. As the horses were taken off to eat and rest, they entered the Inn to dine. While they did, their luggage was to be delivered to their rooms.

Serenity noticed the place they had stopped at was older than the other Inns, but she was pleased with how well-maintained it was and how all the workers were smiling. She instantly felt at ease there.

Artemis ordered food for them as Luna, Diana, and Serenity found a table. Minako was to go and eat in a side room, as she had been the whole trip, much to Serenity's disappointment. Yet since Minako was pretending to be a lady's maid, it was how things had to be, or people would start asking questions. And Serenity believed that her life and those she loved depended on people not asking questions.