Mina frowned. She couldn't find any of her friends, no matter where she looked. Dancing is fun, when you have someone to dance with. She looked around for anyone she knew. Over in the corner, she saw two of the guards that had escorted her to the Moon Kingdom.

"Adonis...oh, and Lord Vulcan" She focused on Adonis, and said, "I have a free dance!"

The guard smiled at her "I haven't seen you for these two weeks, Princess...I would be delighted to " Adonis started to say, when Vulcan swooped past him and grabbed Mina's hand. "Ah...Princess I would have asked you to dance, earlier, had you not been foolishly and childishly playing with the High Princess. But let me show you what a dance really is...."

Mina felt her skin crawling at the touch of the slimy hand... he pressed her into a dance, and she felt more than a little uncomfortable..."Please, your holding my hand too tight."

Dejected, she could see Adonis leaving the hall. She wanted to call to her friend and tell him to wait...to maybe cut in on this guy...She winced in pain. Her foot!

She kept her head averted, for this guy's breath was extremely offensive... What had she gotten herself into? Oh no, her foot again!

Someone, save me! She thought..her brain froze as the guy droned on.... suddenly, she felt him jerk to a stop.

"May I exchange with you?" A deep voice said.

Vulcan looked up (he was about Mina's height). "I believe the Lady has no need or desire to change ....excuse me." He tried to maneuver her away.

"No! I'd love to!" Mina answered in violation of protocol....she didn't care who it was...she needed to be free.

"The lady would prefer you leave her..." The voice was pure authority.

"OH! Lord Malachite--I had no idea it was you." bowing profusely, Vulcan moved aside.

"Oh Lord Malachite, thank you...that was most kind of you!" Mina said, very relieved.

"I know him, and I realize that dancing with him wouldn't be pleasant. Why did you?" He asked curious.

"I couldn't hurt his feelings, by turning him down cold." She said. "I may not desire his company, but still..I thought it couldn't be too bad. I was wrong."

Malachite smiled. "I hope I'm a much better dancing partner." He waltzed her around the room. She tried to hide it, but she was wincing. "What's wrong? " he asked.

"It's nothing to do with your dancing, but I must stop dancing. I really need to sit. He stepped on my foot so many times..." She smiled though he could see tears forming in her eyes.

Malachite, surprised yet again, "Of course. I had no idea."

"A princess does not cause scenes at a ball, " She thought of her dancing with Serena "Well, those that indicate pain anyway. Everyone should have a good time, and believe that of everyone else. That is part of my duty."

He admired her resolve..."Come, lets go sit in the hall of fountains." Inside the palace was a room with beautiful hothouse flowers (the kind that grow on Venus), and magical dancing fountains that shot water from one base to another.

The room did not feel sultry, due to the high ceilings and graceful arches that wove overhead.

They sat down on a low slung swinging bench. The torches on the wall provided a warmer light, but the room was still dim, mostly lit by earthlight through the large silvery tinted windows.

Using a spell light, Malachite bent. "Princess, let me look at your foot. You appear to be limping."

She blushed, as she lifted her foot, rolling back the folds of her gown, and he gently looked at the damage. He swore, excused himself, and said "That Lord Vulcan shall have an interesting training session on earth tomorrow.. I'll see to that....and that he never bothers you again."

"Um, part of that is from when * tripped...it really wasn't his fault." Mina was shocked by the vehemence in his voice. "Really, that's okay. I feel much better now. I do."

"You don't need to excuse him" He said. "No one as graceful as you could be responsible for a bruise like that."

Mina blinked. Under her breath she said, "You don't know me very well."

"Let me heal you." He said. He closed his eyes, and spread his hands over her foot. She felt very warm, and light...as his energy spread to her... Slowly she felt the herself being healed...After a minute, he opened his eyes.

"Are you okay?"She said, placing a hand on his chest, as he looked a little weakened.

"I'll be fine. Healing magic is draining...it's a momentary bit of weakness..." He smiled, "But I'm afraid you bring out more than a momentary weakness in me."

"What?" She said, puzzled at his meaning.

"I couldn't stop thinking of you, My Lady. And this feeling I had just now when I felt my essence merge into yours--you must have felt it as well" He leaned forward as if to kiss her....

She was stunned and drew back. "Lord Malachite!" She said...she couldn't help it. She giggled. Her face grew warm at his offended expression "I'm sorry..I don't mean to laugh at what you've said--it's just very surprising, coming from you of all people, that's all. You have a reputation for a stone heart and mind."

"The surprise is you." He smiled. "You are like the Sun...everything brightens in your presence. Is it any wonder I should feel as I do? That smile of yours melts stone, even of heads as hard as mine. " He took her hand, and kissed her palm. "I'm sorry. I overpowered you with this--but I make quick decisions. I shouldn't expect you to feel as sure as I do."

"Sure of what?" She said.

"That I love you." He said, and this time, he succeeded in kissing her.

"I never knew we had so much in common!" Serena said...she'd been walking around the gardens for hours now, with Dar--no, Endymion. She couldn't believe he was actually the Prince of Earth. The one she was forbidden to meet.

"I was curious about the Moon Kingdom, this palace and you... since I was forbidden to come here..."

"And what do you think of it?" She asked hesitantly

"It's wonderful...amazing...and so are you." He colored slightly, and l looked at her with a serious expression. "I have a confession, the reason I teased you so much was that I found you very attractive, and I ...you didn't seem to notice me at all. I'm not used to that."

"I can belie--er, I mean, " she blushed..."I think this is much better, don't you? You're really fun when you're not being obnoxious!" She blushed... Why did she always stick her foot in it?

"That's okay" He laughed..."I deserved that...and I agree.... I never want this to end."

"Does it have to?" She said.

"I have to leave tomorrow with the rest of the guards....and I don't think I'll be able to come back. I was lucky my "disguise' worked this time... but if your mother knew!"

"That stupid legend..I don't understand where that came from really... if she met you she'd know there was no way you could harm me!'

"I'd rather die than harm you."he thought...surprised at himself as he realized he knew that was true. "Let's just make the most of the time I have left here, okay?"

"Great--let me show you the Moon caves!" Grabbing his hand, she pulled him along.

"Ah, I see we are both well and firmly being put to use" Laughed Jaedite as he noticed his friend Neflite ladling punch into a glass. Jaedite's hands were full as well for his own lady. "You know this means you've lost our bet."

"Jaed...I know I never expected to be ...captured." He laughed. "But what of you and our Prince's cousin? Aren't you playing with fire there?"

"More than you know! Though you always tease me about breaking hearts" his friend replied..."I'm the one liable to get my heart, or more broken this time."

"I'm surprised this flirtation of yours has lasted this long without Endymion finding out..I don't think it was wise of you to escort her tonight...though Endymion doesn't seem to be around anyway....but someone is sure to tell him"

"Yes. I'll tell him. This isn't a flirtation. I love her." Jaed said forcefully.

"WHAT?" his friend said, shocked..."You're in love?"

"I asked her to marry me." He smiled. "And she said yes."

A shocked Artemis, who had been looking for Mina crawled out from under the punch table. "Rei? Engaged? I'd better tell Luna" he thought...and he wondered what they meant about Endymion ...they spoke as if he were actually here.. which was impossible, because...he padded away.

The sun was just coming up--the ball's traces were already being cleared away. A very weary Endymion and Serena were walking back, as slowly as they could....

"I just don't *yawn* feel tired when I'm with *yawn* you." Serena said, as she stumbled along. Her feet were really sore, because her party slippers were not really designed for walking through the rough surface of the caves and craters.

"Sure, dumpling--Serena. But right now, I think we've stayed out longer than was good--though the caves were fantastic. Here, let me carry you." He picked her up before her half-hearted protest could even be formed. "I'm really tired myself, and we'll get back much faster this way." He smiled, as she laid her head on his shoulder. It felt so right, he thought.

"Are you sure I'm not too heavy?"her voice whispered in his ear, her breath teasing his skin's surface.

"Your light as a ...moonbeam. Surprising considering how much you eat!" He laughed as she sleepily pushed his shoulder. "I don't eat that much" came the mumbled response.

"Serena...." he said shaking her..."Wake up..." He smiled as he laid her on her bed. She smiled, sleepily --"ooh my bed..." She lazily pulled the pins out of her hair, so that the long blonde strands fell down around her.

"G'night, En'dmn" She said....without taking her dress off, she climbed under the covers....

"Hey!" He said, pushing the strands out of her face...."Don't I get a goodnight kiss?" He leaned forward to kiss her cheek...she moved so he could kiss her forehead, and of course they ended up in a more personal kiss...She could feel the warmth of his body all around her, so welcome after the chill of the lunar night in the caves.

After a minute or two, the princess pulled away "Oh..." She was beet red. Endymion stood up, reluctantly releasing her from his arms...

."I'm sorry..." he said..."I had better go..."He vanished with magic, leaving only a single crimson rose by her on the pillow.

She woke in the morning, wondering if everything, the walk through the caves, the dancing in the garden, hiding from Beryl, had that been a dream? She was surprised to find herself still in her dress....something soft as the kiss she remembered stroked her face. She turned to find a rose on her pillow, next to her face. Attached was a note. "S--forgive me, but don't forget me. I know I'll always remember tonight-- E"

She felt suddenly happy--and then sad, as she realized he was leaving that morning--oh no, she thought! What was the time...had they left already?

A knock on her door, and she stood up, shedding her dress, and grabbing her robe.

"Wai-"she got out, as Luna and Mina entered, leaving Artemis respectfully outside the door.

Mina looked tired, but at the same time exuberant, "Are you ready--we're late and they'll leave. I came to check where you were....I'm sorry I lost you at the ball last night...I got distracted."

"I did too...it's okay. I got back really late...let me change". Almost magically, she got her hair into form, and slipped into a pale blue dress...

"Where were you two! Queen Serenity sent me to get you--" Rei snapped, uncrossing her arms, tapping her feet "what took you so long!?"

"Humph--let's see her change so fast" thought Serena as the three sprinted down the halls...

" So, they're really gone." Lita said dejectedly...."I can't believe It...." She felt too sad to think about the wonderful night she'd had. She might never see him again. It didn't seem fair. "So do you want to practice that maneuver with the lightning fire birds Rei---hey, Rei"

Rei was dreaming and humming...She seemed to be fiddling with the pendant on her necklace... ..

"Hello, Moon Kingdom to Rei" Lita said.

"Oh, sorry." She blushed...."I wasn't listening."

"You've been like that for awhile, what's going on" Ami inquired.

"I have to wait til Serena and Mina get back from eating.and that could take awhile...I was going to tell you all at breakfast, but we all seemed to get up at different times...oh, wait, here they come."

Everyone seemed to be full of talk of the ball.

"Hi everyone, how was the ball"Serena said sleepily...after eating all she wanted to do was take a nap.

"Lord Zoicite and I had the most engaging conversation regarding derivative uses for Freysaria..."Ami said "And the most extraordinary chess match!"

"I danced all night with Neflite" Lita said, happily..

Mina smiled. "I wandered through the hall of fountains with Lord Malachite..."

Everyone was shocked at that "He seems so stern!" Serena said. You can't be serious!"

"He's not...he's very..." She blushed....should she tell them he was in love with her? But she could scarcely believe he meant it...and she wasn't sure how she felt yet. "What about you Rei?" She said changing the subject.

Lita remembered that Rei had something to say. "Yeah, What were you going to tell us?

Rei's eyes shone. "Lord Jaedite asked me to marry him--and I said that I would if Queen Serenity and my Father would consent." She smiled. She held out the necklace so they could see it held a ring with rubies and moonstones.

Everyone was stupefied. "What!?" They said, as their eyes grew large... "Isn't this kind of fast Rei?"Serena demanded.

Rei laughed. "I met him a year ago...when he visited Mars with my cousin Endymion...He says his heart knew he loved me the minute he saw me, but it just took his brain a little longer..."

Suddenly that reminded Serena of her adventures last night---"I Can't believe you didn't tell me" She blurted out. She blushed,as everyone stared at her for the outburst.

"He only proposed last night Dumpling Head!" Rei said, her temper starting to rise.

"No...Oh, I'm really seriously happy about your engagement, of course, though I wish I'd met the guy, you know...I mean, you are part of my inner court even if we've only known each other a couple of weeks....but it seems like longer too.. but what I meant to say was that ....why didn't you tell me "Darien" was really, your cousin Endymion ?"

Rei's face went as red as her dress. Sheepishly she said "Ugh, how did you find that out? Queen Serenity doesn't know does she?" She started to worry. She could get in trouble for this...and not now when she needed the favor of the Queen. She hadn't wanted to go along with his plan, but since as he pointed out, was already in the Moon Kingdom she might as well just keep quiet. Sometimes when he looked at her, she couldn't help but do what he asked...

"Don't worry. He told me...and I haven't told my Mother. " She said..."He..." Her eyes grew dewy and dreamy "He's really nice."

"I thought you didn't like him!" Mina chided.

"Well..so did I ...until last night, when we walked through the gardens and talked all night...I've never met anyone like him..." Her smile crept round the room, except for Rei.

Rei put her hand on Serena's shoulder..."Serena, you know he's engaged? I mean, my cousin is very,er, well, " She blushed..."He tends to tease a lot of women, and I wouldn't want him to hurt you. Actually...." She looked at her friends

"All the Lords do--you should understand that they may not have been serious in their attentions to you last night. " Everyone rounded, a little shocked, at Rei's tactless warning.

Ami seemed to deflate a little. "Neflite wouldn't do that" Lita said, her hands knuckling up defensively.

Mina squeezed Artemis a little tighter (too tight, thought the white cat as he slipped out).

"OH." She said. "I didn't know that." She brightened a little though, after some thought "I guess that's fine...there's lot of seas to fish in right? And I'm too young to have one man tie me down."

"I can't believe it!' Endymion said as his friend and guardian announced his engagement to his cousin Rei...

"When--I had no idea! " Mock angrily he said "How dare you hide this from me!"

"See, that temper of yours is exactly why I didn't tell you!" his friend chuckled out.

"My temper? You might want to reconsider your bride--your BRIDE. I can't believe this! You engaged?"

"You said that already." Jaedite said. "You've been betrothed your whole life-- so why do you find it so odd that I might want to think about my future as well?"

"That doesn't count...but to my cousin--but wait, She's pledged to serve the Princess Serenity--how can she marry you?"

"We'll deal with that problem when we have to. I've asked her father...and he's deliberating. He can't break his vow to Queen Serenity of course, but I think he will consent if she does release Rei from her duties."

"Yes, but they're only supposed to be officially released when the Princess marries or assumes the throne herself, and even then, they will owe her loyalty as lesser rulers within the Millennium Empire. She would one day assume her throne on Mars..."

"Yes my lord and that is why I've come to ask your permission, as well as your blessings..." Jaeidte's tone became serious. "I have served you as an obligation of fealty to my King, upon the betrothal of Beryl to you. I was but a babe then,as were you, and we have out of this duty I think grown a friendship. I will always protect you, as is my duty. I was born to it. Yet I think I was also born to love her--and so, I ask that you release me."

Dryly, Endymion noted that Jaedite must have researched that speech--or Rei had written it for him. Jaedite did not usually go in for casual elegance of that sort.

"Would it help if I begged?" Jaedite added...that was definitely not in his script, thought Endymion. "Is that how you got Rei to accept?" Endymion teased. "But I would be honored-- if anything, it would strengthen the ties between the Kingdom of Earth, and Mars... and considering the Moon Kingdom's stance on me, as the future ruler I will need the all the allies I can get. But I condition this on one thing--"

"What?" Jaedite asked.

"You have to help me see the Moon Princess again." Endymion said.

"That's easily done... Rei and I should be able to think of a way to do that, without, I presume alerting Beryl."

"That goes without saying."

"Of course, now that I have settled on a woman myself, I can't continue to support your reckless ways. Not that I suppose I ever should have supported them--Nominally I probably owe some deference to the B,--but demon's legs, I might be her vassal but I'm your friend and guardian"

"So you'll do it?"

"Sure...just tell me when you'd like to see her.?" Jaedite smiled.

"Tonight." He said..."or sooner if you can arrange it!"

Jaedite's smile vanished, and he hit his head as his prince left. What had he gotten himself into?

Serena was staring dreamily as Rei recounted how Queen Serenity had indeed consented to her engagement. She was listening, but in her mind she kept remembering back to the evening she'd spent with Dar--Endymion. In her mind played a song that they had danced to in the garden. "Da da dah-dah da da daaa duh, duh da dunt da dah da da da dahhh..." she hummed, until Rei started waving her hands in front of her face and almost waspishly asked "were you listening Dumpling-head!"

Serena blushed beat read, but she noticed that she was not the only one of her friends to be distracted and unable to concentrate.

"I'm sorry Rei. I was listening....it's just..." She sighed. She was tired (again) because she couldn't sleep anymore. She just kept staring at the night sky and the lovely light of earth , where her love (did she admit it to herself?) lived.

"I wonder if he even thinks about me..." she said...doodling on a piece of paper. She was sketching a man holding a rose, his long black cape swinging out behind his formal dark clothes.

"It'd be easier to know that he felt...well, if he felt as much as I did. I know its not to be...but..."Her voice faded.

Inside Rei wasn't sure how to react to her friend's predicament.... she was glad that her own love was not forbidden her, but then again, she thought, maybe Serena really just had a crush...she'd just met the guy. What could Serena really know about Rei's cousin?

It was as likely that Lita or Mina or even Ami were in love, if the Princess was... she wondered at the odds of that happening. Regardless...she'd wanted to wait til she revealed her own happy news before she told the princess of Jaedite's secret message. After all, she knew that though Serena was a good friend, she would be terminable distracted once she'd heard the Prince had asked to see her.

"Serena, your mother consented, and my father did as well." She said, as her friend jumped up and swept her in an embrace.

"Oh that's wonderful!! " For the first time since Endymion had left her, Serena seemed completely happy and undistracted. "Of course we'll have the wedding here...."

Surreptitiously checking to make sure that the prying eyes of Luna, or the gossipy ears of Artemis were well and clear of the room, Rei removed the small package that Jaedite had sent to her. Inside,was a smaller package from the Prince to the Princess.

"Serena....I have something for you..." She said simply. She smiled. Serena, confused, reached for the package...her cheeks grew hot as she realized that the small golden packet was decorated with the Earth Kingdom seal....it had to be from Endymion. Inside was a bright red rose, a small locket which played the tune they'd danced to, and a letter.

"Every second until I see you again will be an eternity." The simple message said.

"OH REI!" Serena shouted. "When do I...how do I?" She was back to distracted.

"QUIET" hissed Rei..."We have to keep this a secret from your mother--if she knew! Jaedite and I have a plan so you two can see each other again."

"OH REI! This is the best ...you're the best...oh! Endymion!" She sang.

Rei put out her hands to steady her giddy friend... " Serena, you are my friend, but I'm also your guardian. I couldn't in conscious let you go to see him, unless I warned you of the old curse that he will hurt you...."

"What's this curse?" Serena said...

"I don't know if I should be the one to tell you, now that I think about it. Ask Mina...." Rei frowned.

"Mina...Rei said I should ask you about the curse that made my mother forbid me to see Endymion. "

"OH!" Mina frowned....She whispered ."Well..I suppose , it was my father that made it the way it is."

"What?!" Serena said, surprised. "Why are you whispering?"

"This is a forbidden story....Queen Serenity never mentions your father, right?"

"I've wondered...but when you're growing up like I am, I realize there are many things that are different about me.. I just never asked...well I tried once--but Luna warned me off doing so." Serena's eyes grew wistful...she sat, slowly on the stone bench of the garden where they sat.

Mina put her hand around the smaller girl. "I suppose then that you don't know that we're cousins...our fathers were twin brothers."

She smiled wistfully. "I wish you could meet my Dad...but he's forbidden to come here---Serenity can't stand seeing him. I was actually surprised that she appointed me the leader of your guard!"

"Why not? Doesn't that make sense...we're very close cousins if are fathers were twins right?"

"Like half-sisters, I guess, that's why we look so much alike. Are you sure you want to hear all this...It's an old story...and sometimes, its better to let the sleeping dogs ride...?" Mina said.

Serena nodded "That's lie. No body tells me anything. They're always protecting me...Please?"

"Say, what would a sleeping dog lie about? That he didn't steal a bone or something? And I thought honesty was the rest of the policy. "

"Um, Mina, now?" Serena said, shaking her friend.

"OH yeah. Here goes--Serenity was very sad...she asked that my father never appear here on the moon, and then, no wait, this happened first. To end the fighting of the Earth and Mineral Kingdoms, Queen Serenity used the crystal to...I'm not sure, but then Beryl and Endymion were pledged, and oh, ...are you listening?"

Serena was feeling seriously dizzy. "Um, maybe I should ask Ami to tell me..."

"Wait I love telling stories...don't you want me to help...?"She called after the rapidly departing Princess.

"Ami! You have to help me! " Serena said.

"Princess, what's wrong?

"I need to know, please, why is Endymion forbidden to come here?" She gasped out as she breathed in.

"I'm glad to see your finally taking an interest in politics! However, I think to understand this, I should go over the history with you of your Kingdom--where are you going?'

"I..." she was red in the face..."Someone just tell me!" She screamed in frustration...and the wail took on a life of its own as a beam of pure energy shot forth from the sigil on her brow.

The Sailor Scouts materialized and stared at their princess....

"Tell you what?." The voice was that of a small scout, one they'd never glimpsed before. Her large eyes were glazed, her dark purple hair was short and fringed. She carried a deadly looking glaive..."Everyone's so silent suddenly. I am Princess Holly (Hotaru)....of Saturn. You woke me up...."

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