Title : Lady Serenity
Chapter : One
Author : Crystal Selena
Stalk Her? : «email» Crystal_Selena@yahoo.com
Rating : PG13
Summary : The fate of the crown Prince of England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, the Grand Duke Endymion and future Great Britain is in the hands of a tiny and breathtakingly beautiful girl named Serenity.
* = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * =



Author’s Note and Background Information: The disclaimer of “This story is a work of fiction…” is actually copied from this book that I’ve read hundreds of times. It’s a standard form of disclaimer in novels of historical fiction. This is inspired by the curiosity of the Court of England. You know, the chivalry and all that? All right, you don’t have to read the background information if you don’t want to. I’d explain it a little, just so that you wouldn’t be confused, in AN’s in the story. Okay, now, here we go with the background info.
The setting is The Golden Ages of Elizabethan England.
Queen Elizabeth Tudor, called “The Virgin Queen”, because she’d never married, was born on Sep. 7, 1533 in Greenwich Palace and died on March 24, 1603, in Richmond Palace. Lord Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, at that time, was her lover, although they never married. But in this story, let’s just pretend they’re married and they had many children, all right?
I’d rather not explain the government system, since you’re all here for the story and not history. Elizabeth I was the daughter of King Henry VIII (the Eighth) and a lady-in-waiting, Anne Boleyn. At that time of England, a girl was considered of marriageable age at and from 12. During Elizabeth’s reign, England transformed from an impoverished country torn apart by religious squabbles to one of the most powerful and prosperous countries in the world. And by the way, North and South America, the New Land, was just discovered at that time so only adventurers and explorers go there. I’m getting a little sidetracked here toward history; let’s get back to the story.
“I will have here but one mistress and no master.” –Queen Elizabeth I, to Lord Robert

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The handsome, tall, and dark man with ebony hair turned to look to the crowd. His handsome and princely features were marked with those of coldness, though not of disapproval. ’Twas not a surprise that he was indifferent and formal. The crowd cheered and cried their voices of delight and satisfaction.
Aye, he was cold and distant, but he was princely and bright.
“Sir, look out!” a soft, bell-like female voice cried out from the crowd and stepped up the stairs.
The man looked to see a lady coming his way. Then, suddenly, a flash of metal caught his eyes, and he gasped as the lady blocked the dagger for him. The dagger bit into the lady’s left upper arm, a startled cry of pain from the lady. ’Twas when the lady had pulled the dagger from her arm and whipped it back to the man who’d triggered it, whipping it straight to the man’s shoulder, did the handsome man realize the circumstance.
He shook the lady, now unconscious, in his arms. “Lady, Lady!” he called out persistently.
The guards protected the handsome man as he swept the Lady into his arms and turned around, heading into the Richmond Palace.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The Lady opened her eyes and winced in pain at the wound in her left arm.
“Lady?” a deep, rich male voice asked.
She managed to turn her head sideways to see the dark and handsome man by her side. “Y-your Grace,” she winced again.
“You should move not, my lady,” the dark man spoke instantly.
“Was the assassin taken to prison?” she asked, her face pale.
“Yes, thank you very much.”
A bright smile spread across the Lady’s face and she nodded, wincing still in pain. “I need to get back to my home, Your Grace. My maids do not know of my whereabouts,”
“I will send my men there, Lady,” the man answered. “ ’Tis of import for you to rest.”
She nodded slowly, uncertainty written across her lovely features. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
The dark man waved a hand to a guard and the guard went off to do the task his master had requested him to do.
“Perhaps, my lady, you would be kind enough to stay within this Palace for the time being you will be healing?”
“Why, sir, that’d be of trouble to you,” the Lady looked startled. “
’Twould please me to know that you are safe and well,” he smiled at her.
The Lady hesitated for a split moment before nodding. “Thank you very much, Your Grace.”
The dark man nodded. “What name should I call you, my lady?”
“Serenity, sir,” the Lady answered, still uncertain.
“Serenity…?”
The Lady bit her lip and sighed. “I have not of a family name, Your Grace. I know naught of my father, nor any of my mother.”
The man looked surprised. “Why is that so, Lady Serenity?”
The Lady shook her head. “Please, Your Grace. I am of no lady.”
“But you are, Lady Serenity,” the princely man said sternly. “I will grant you the title of lady.”
The girl named Serenity seemed to hesitate. “Thank you, sir. That’s very kind of you.”
“Why do you know naught of your relatives and family, Lady?”
“I do not know, Your Grace,” she whispered softly, staring at the painted ceiling of Grecian design. “My maid tells me only that of my mother. She died of my birth and I was brought up by a trustworthy nurse.” Suddenly, she flinched, her right hand rising to the wound.
“You have need of your rest, Lady Serenity,” the dark man said almost immediately. “I will come and see you afterwards.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Serenity answered, still wincing and gritting her teeth. “I should expect that I troubles you not?”
“Why, of course no,” the dark man said and smiled at her before turning to take his leave.
Serenity winced in pain. A doctor came in, carrying a tray of medicine, and motioned for her left arm. She watched as the doctor took off the bandage to expose the deep cut and her swollen flesh.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The man called Your Grace kept his word. No more than two days after, he was once again in the chamber of Lady Serenity.
The Lady was reading a thick book.
“What is it that you are of reading, Lady Serenity?” he asked.
“I’m terribly sorry, Prince Endymion!” she exclaimed, her face paler than usual. “I did not see your coming. I was, perhaps, too absorbed into the book…”
Prince Endymion waved her apologies away. “Dismissed.”
“I’m reading Master William Shakespeare’s play, my Prince,” she smiled a little. “I’ve taken a like in him.”
“Now that ’tis a trend for families to educate their daughters as well as their sons,” the prince sat down into a chair beside her bed. “Of how have you acquired reading?”
She smiled a little. “I know naught of my family, Your Grace, but, oddly enough, the maid who takes care of me has managed the account from my mother’s dowry to settle for a comfortable life that included an education.”
The Prince nodded his understanding. “Of which one are you reading, my lady?”
To that question, a bright smile drifted across her lovely face. “The latest one, my Prince. The *Renaissance*,” (AN: the title “Renaissance” should be in italics instead of those star things, I know, but it’s hard to read italics on the Internet so I’m using the star things. Oh, and, the name of the play Renaissance is purely fictitious. If William Shakespeare had written one, it’s coincidental.)
“Ah,” the Prince smiled at her.
The Lady blushed at the approving tone he spoke. “My Prince, have you just realized that you have smiled at me for several times already in this day?”
Endymion lifted his eyebrow. “Is that very unusual, Lady Serenity?”
She laughed a soft and light laugh. “Why, yes. ’Tis *very* unusual.”
“Why do you speak that, my lady?” the Prince asked curiously.
“I have heard that, my Prince, you are very cold and distant, never to smile to anyone, including your mother, Queen Elizabeth, and your father, King Robert, of England. The books I’ve read have spun tales and theories to that of your coldness, although, personally, I have never seen your face nor heard your voice, so I cannot judge of you. Though, I must say, I am very surprised to find you friendly–” she gasped and put a hand to her mouth. “I-I am *very* sorry, Your Grace. I did not mean to…to…” she trailed off as she realized that he was still smiling.
“Why, was it the very first time you have seen me on the veranda, Lady Serenity?”
She blushed, nodding.
“Then why have you sacrificed yourself in order to save me? You’ve never known me and, perhaps, you did not even take a like in things I did, things such as ordering more roads to be built and things such as opening schools.”
She hesitated for a moment. “I do not know, Your Grace. ’Tis my feet who carried me to see your safety, not my head.”
The Prince was amused. “You said that you find me friendly,” he stated. “Why?”
She blushed deeper, tearing her eyes from his. “I-I… have this feeling, my Prince. ’Tis most wondrous of you to bid your personal doctor to nurse my wound. You have not been cold and distant, rather, friendly and generous to me and I-I am most grateful.”
“How have you of knowing ’twas my personal doctor?”
She blushed. “I read of this book that had described and portrayed your personal doctor, Your Grace.”
The Prince was amused and curious. “ ’Tis amazing of how you have managed to read the book about my personal doctor, Lady Serenity. And please, call me Endymion,”
Her face paled and her head snapped up. “B-but, my Prince, you’re…”
“I’m…?” “You’re the crown Prince and the Grand Duke of England…” she trailed off, staring blankly at the man before her.
“And?” “And…I’m just an ordinary peasant girl,” she said, her face paler.
“I doubt the name of a peasant girl,” Endymion tilted his head to the side. “After all, your mother’s dowry had allowed you for an impressive education, you should not be of the daughter of a peasant. I would not be surprised if you were a countess.”
“B-but, my Prince…”
“No more buts, Lady Serenity. Call me by my name, ’twould please me.”
The Lady nodded slowly. “Aye, if that’d please you, Your Grace – Endymion,” his name felt oddly familiar to her tongue. She frowned a little. The Prince was not at all she’d imagined. In fact, he was the friendliest person she had ever met. The world knows that he was the most handsome and princely of all, and she agreed readily. His dark-blue eyes set off his dark skin and sleek black hair, and he himself dressed in dark-blue garbs that, even more, made him handsome.
He was at the age of eighteen, and at such young age, he had won such popularity and awe, loved by his people and feared by his enemies. He was, after all, the brightest one in the Royal Family.
“And how of your wound, Lady Serenity?” he asked.
She smiled a little. “ ’Tis my honor to have asked by you, Endymion. The wound is better by the day and does not hurt that much. ’Tis healing very fast, and I’d like to thank Dr. Clement for that.”
Endymion lifted his eyebrow. So the lady knew of the name of his personal doctor. “ ’Tis a pleasure to hear of you well,”
The Lady smiled shyly at him and nodded. “I thought you were to be heading back to Greenwich Palace before…?”
“I delayed it so that you should be fit for travel,” Endymion answered, still smiling at the breathtakingly beautiful lady. The lady was, in fact, intriguing, honest, and, most of all, brave. Had she not stood before him, saving him from the dagger? Had she not fought her tears with the burning pain days and nights? She was beautiful beyond description. Her sky- blue eyes set off her blond, golden hair. Her figure was mature and slender. Her hair seemed like spun silk of gold and he had the most unholy urge to touch it. He knew not of her height. She had been in her bed for days to nurse the wound.
“Fit for travel, Endymion?” she questioned confusedly.
“I’ve decided for you to come along with me back to Greenwich Palace,” he explained. “I’d like father and mother to see you.”
She looked horrified. “B-but, Endymion, I’m just of an ordinary girl and ’twould be very…*unusual* for Queen Elizabeth and King Robert to see me,” she protested. “ ’Twould only start tales of unnecessary troubles and rumors that would, ultimately, destroy the Royal Family’s popularity and reputation!”
Endymion was staring at the girl in disbelief. She knew all of that? “Lady Serenity, this education that you have received, who is your teacher?”
“Why, Master William Barthowham, sir,” she replied.
“Please, Serenity. No sir’s,” he smiled at her. “No wonder you have acquired such knowledge. Master William has taught me when I was small.”
She nodded, not surprised. “But I cannot be meeting the King and Queen of England! ’Twould bring disasters!”
Endymion chuckled. “Have you forgotten, Serenity, that you have saved me?”
She blinked. Then she blushed crimson. “Aye, I have forgotten that part, Endymion,” she whispered in shame.
He smiled again. The Lady thought of those she did not even know before herself. “ ’Twould please me if you came to Greenwich Palace, Lady Serenity.”
The girl hesitated. “There is a request upon which I ask,” she said softly, looking at her hands.
“And what would that be, my lady?”
“My maid,” she answered. “I’d like her to come along. She had not only been my maid but also my dear friend. I’d like her to accompany me to the Palace, if ’tis possible.”
“Why, ’twould serve you someone to talk to,” he nodded.
“Of course.” A smile drifted across her lovely features.
“Thank you very much,” He smiled back.
The Lady was intriguing, all right. “I should think that ’twould please you for you to go back to your household and tell your maids?”
She nodded ecstatically. “Aye. They would be worried,”
“Fine. We will begin our journey tomorrow at dawn. I will send for you in your household,” seeing her delighted nod, he smiled and turned to leave.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

In fact, the Prince had sent for her himself. He was beside his favorite dark-brown horse Zel, watching, entranced, as the two ladies curtsied to him. Her maid was a blonde, also. But her eyes and hair was a lot lighter than that of Lady Serenity’s and she was, respectively, not as intriguing. (AN: just by the way, I’m using American spellings, not the English ones.)
Endymion helped the two ladies into the carriage and mounted his horse, signaling for the group of guards to go. He saw the Lady through the window of the carriage, frowning and saying something to her companion.
’Twas a long way to Greenwich Palace, where his father and mother now lived and governed. They stopped for meals upon the way and, to his concern, every time as Lady Serenity stepped down the carriage, she was pale and unsteady. He bothered not to ask. ’Twas, after all, her wound. As he went to see the Lady to inform her that they were to go after a short break, his breath caught in his throat. He had never seen a more beautiful sight. There, the Lady sat on the grass, her dainty feet in the stream, and on her lap, there was a white wild cat. Her face was turned upward, bathing in the almost setting sun, her fingers stroking the creature’s fur.
“Serenity?” he said huskily.
She started and the cat meowed, jumping up from her lap and went away. “I apologize, my lady. I did not mean to startle you,”
She nodded, relief spreading across her face.
“ ’Tis time to go, Endymion?” He nodded.
She smiled, “I should be in the carriage in no more than a few moments. Is Mina still there?” Mina, he assumed, was the Lady’s maid and companion.
“Yes.” She smiled again. “I should be there in a few moments, sir.” He nodded and left the Lady alone.
The Lady was, it seemed, an enigma to him. ’Thad surprised him of how fast her wound had healed and how optimistic she was toward the world. Her innocence was sweet. Reading, he assumed, was one of her habits. The Lady kept her word. No more than a few minutes, they were rolling along, entering the city, crowds gathered to cheer. But the Prince was too deep in thought of the Lady. Soon, they arrived at the Palace and he dismounted, helping the ladies out of the carriage. As he led the way into the Palace, he heard appreciative gasps and smiled. So the ladies were amused and pleased. His mother and father were waiting in the office.
“Good evening, my son,” his father greeted. “I see that was the lady you have been babbling on and on about in your letters.” He shot his father a glare.
“Come here, Serenity,” his mother called to the shy girl behind her son.
The Lady lifted her gown, walking gracefully and, surprisingly, bravely to the king and queen, curtsying. “Good evening, my lady, my lord. ’Tis of pleasure to have met you,” The two seemed to be studying her.
But she returned the gaze confidently, without a trail of uneasiness. “You have been the lady Endymion gabbed on and on about, Serenity, do you know that?” the Queen finally said. Endymion, from behind the Lady, shot his mother a glare.
Serenity blushed and smiled a little. “Why, my lady, ’tis of honor to be the center stage of His Grace’s letters.” The King and Queen looked at her a moment longer before bursting into laughter. Even Endymion smiled at her joke. The Lady was amazing. She was not unnerving and had a way of lessen the intense atmosphere. “Please, Lady Serenity, would you care to join us for supper? ’Twould be a great pleasure to introduce you to the Royal Family,” the King offered. Serenity smiled to the King. “ ’Twould seem to me, my lord, that I have little choice in the matter of supper, and so, with the greatest respect, I thank you and I accept.” The couple smiled, amused. “A maid will show you to you and your maid’s chambers immediately. Supper will begin at eight, Lady Serenity,” King Robert smiled. “Thank you, my lord, my lady,” Serenity curtsied again before turning around and came in face to face with the smiling Prince.
Her breath caught. “My Prince, Your Grace,” she curtsied to him and grasped fistful of her gown in her hands, starting for the maid at the doorway, and gestured for Mina to follow her.
“ ’Tis a very interesting way you have put her, Endymion,” the Queen said after the Lady was gone. “ ‘I was amused and intrigued by the way Lady Serenity had described of my impression to the world. Perhaps, Father and Mother, I might as well have been smiling the most in my days.’ ”
The King chuckled. “ ’Tis a wonder how she had managed herself so gracefully and confidently.” Endymion looked to his parents.
“Perhaps I should suggest that Lady Serenity is not to hear of my letters to you?”
“Why, ’twould be interesting for the beauty to respond,” the Queen smiled as the two stared at her. She never described as any as beauty. ’Twas a word of which she used rather *rarely*. “Ah, now, come along, my dears. I know a beauty when I see one.” Serenity stared at the gowns made of fancy and jewels a maid was holding for her.
“ ’Tis for you, my lady,” the maid said.
“You should choose one to garb this eve.”
“Is Mina to come, too?” Serenity asked suddenly.
“I’m afraid not, my lady. She would be staying with me in the maids’ quarter. But, I would suppose, that you should see each other often,” the maid answered.
“My name is Agnes, my lady.” Serenity smiled to her friend. “I’m sorry, Mina,” she said softly, hugging her friend. The girl named Mina beamed. “I’m just honored to be here in the Greenwich Palace. Wish you the best luck of all, Serenity. Take care.” The Lady nodded and smiled at Agnes. “I should think I would wear the pale-blue one, Agnes.” “I will prepare your bath, my lady,” Agnes nodded and gestured for Mina to follow. “I should think that Mina should learn of this, too.” “Aye,” Mina went with Agnes. It took no longer than thirty minutes for the Lady to dress. She was wearing pale-blue slippers (AN: slippers aren’t what you think of today as slippers. Back in Elizabethan England, slippers are like shoes. You know, the ones that woman wear?).
A tight bodice, laced at her back, clung to her curves and the skirt arced gently to whisper against the carpeted or marbled floors and slashed at the front to reveal a golden-colored underskirt. Her curly hair that had reached the back of her knees was pulled up into a crown, with gleaming sapphires and gold to decorate it. She wore a bracelet, a necklace, and a pair of earrings, all made of gold and sapphires. She had no rouge on, to her protest to Agnes, and the two maids admired their mistress. Serenity blushed and waved their compliments away.
“I’m not beautiful,” The two maids looked as if to protest when a knock came from the door. Agnes, quietly, went to the door and Mina followed, smiling at her friend before disappearing with Agnes outside the door. The Prince entered. He stared at her for a moment before smiling. “You are very beautiful, my lady,” he complimented, walking toward her. She blushed. “Why, thank you very much, Endymion.” She put her hand into his offering one and blushed again as he swept her hand into the crook of his elbow. “I should think that you would be surprised to see the Royal Family,” Endymion chuckled. “I look forward to this wonderful evening,” Serenity smiled up to him, her delicate features glowing with pride and delight. “I thank you for–” “No need to thank me, Serenity,” he cut her off with a smile. “ ’Tis I who should thank you for saving me.”
She blushed and smiled up at him. “ ’Twas my honor, sir.” Just then, they reached the end of the corridor, where two servants held the door open for the two to enter. “Thank you,” Serenity said to the servants before entering the dining room. The room was silent. Princes and Princesses stared as the Lady Serenity curtsied gracefully, a smile of calmness over her face. “ ’Tis a great pleasure to introduce, formally, my eldest son, Prince and Grand Duke Endymion, Lady Serenity,” the King introduced, smiling. Endymion, smiling, startling his whole family, bowed over her tiny hand. “ ’Tis my pleasure to meet you, my lady,” he said huskily. She blushed and smiled.
“The pleasure, Your Grace, is all mine,” she curtsied politely. “Prince Louis, Endymion’s distant cousin and crown Prince of France,” the King began his role of introducing. (AN: there was a time when the relationship between England and France was not good, but at the end, they have reached the common goal of defending themselves against the mighty Spain, so the two countries were at peace and no war.) “Princess Elizabeth, Princess Victoria, Prince Edward, my second and youngest son, and Princess Charlotte.” Lady Serenity was delighted. She curtsied politely and they proceeded supper, although she had no stomach for it. Her wound was healing nicely, but something in her heart was stirring in response to a certain someone in that room…

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The Lady Serenity had delighted and thrilled the Royal Family. Not was she only a beauty and intriguing, she had the wits and humor that few could match and a gracefulness, dignity, and confidence even Queen Elizabeth herself admitted to amaze her. Prince Louis, the distant cousin of Endymion and the crown Prince of France, was twenty-years-old, two years older than the Grand Duke himself. The young Prince Edward was a mere age of fifteen, one year older than Serenity herself. Princess Elizabeth and Princess Victoria were at the age of fourteen and Princess Charlotte was of ten. None of them were married. Endymion was fascinated by the Lady who had saved him. The assassin, proven to be from King Philip II of Spain (AN: King Philip the second of Spain, the son of King Charles of Spain, Governor of Netherlands, and the Holy Roman Emperor), was on trial and executed. “Lady Serenity!” Agnes called out to the girl sitting on the grass, roses of all colors around her. But the Lady was too absorbed into her sketch. The Prince gestured for Agnes to stay and the maid obeyed instantly. Prince Endymion stepped from the shadows, awed by the appearance of the Lady, and looked from her back to see the sketch of the river, bridge, gazebo, and roses. As his shadow threw across her paper, she started and looked over her shoulders.
“Y-your Grace! I apologize for my oblivion, my Prince,” He waved her apologies away.
“ ’Tis a very interesting sketch, indeed,” he commented, smiling at her.
She blushed. “Why, thank you very much, my Prince,” The Prince kept on smiling. “Master William must have been teaching you art, my lady,”
“Aye, he had,” she answered softly, running her fingers across the paper.
The Prince suddenly had the urge to make the Lady touch him like that. The soft answer, the slender fingers…
He sat down onto the grass beside her, smiling still. “Agnes had said you were uncomfortable with your gowns,”
“ ’Tis very fancy and the jewels are very brilliant and expensive,” the Lady replied, smiling a little to the man beside her.
“I am not one of fancy, my Prince,” He looked at her delicate features for a moment before responding.
“ ’Tis of the way of the Palace, Lady Serenity.” “I have here now third of tens gowns,” she cast a sideway glance to him. “ ’Tis unnecessary, my Prince.” The Prince smiled at her innocence and concern. “ ’Twould please me if you kept and worn them,” finally, he said. The Lady seemed to hesitate. Then she nodded, smiling brightly. “ ’Twould please me to please you, my Prince.” Endymion wondered silently of the Lady’s bloodline. “Father and Mother were thrilled of you, Lady,” he spoke gently. “My brother and sisters and cousin were as well.”
She smiled shyly. “ ’Tis my honor, Your Grace.” “How of your wound, my lady?” She flashed a bright, bright smile at him.
“ ’Tis healed already with no marks left,” He smiled back. “In a fortnight?” (AN: a fortnight is two weeks. And, in Elizabethan England, people don’t speak like this. I’ve made it simple enough to understand and hard enough to be of Royal language. ^.^)
“Aye, sir,” she smiled shyly. “ ’Tis of the herbs Dr. Clement has gathered.” “My lady,” the Grand Duke began and paused for a moment before continuing. “ ’Twould please me very much if you stayed in Greenwich Palace two fortnights.” “I will be of trouble, my Prince,” the Lady looked startled.
“Palaces are of not my household and ’tis of trouble of me to stay.” The smile on the Grand Duke’s face was making him more handsome and the Lady’s heart fluttered. “You would be of no trouble at all, my lady. ’Twould be a pleasure for you to stay for the Royal Family,”
“If ’twould please you, Your Royal Highness,” the Lady answered finally. “Prince Endymion!” a soldier looking man rushed forward to the two. Endymion stood up, offering the Lady a hand, and was stunned, again, by her lightness. “What of import?”
“Sir,” he bowed and was about to begin when he cast the Lady a glance. “Go on. Lady Serenity here will be of no hurdle,” the Prince instructed. “Aye, sir,” the man took a deep breath. “King Robert and Queen Elizabeth ask of you. Riot has broke out in Hertfordshire of starvation and so far, the riot has been unstoppable.” “Have King Robert and Queen Elizabeth known of this?” Endymion asked, sweeping the Lady’s hand into the crook of his elbow before hurrying back to the corridor. Serenity had to hurry two steps to match the handsome man’s one step.
She cast a glance to Agnes and gestured for her to leave, and the maid nodded, curtsying before turning around and leaving. “Aye, Your Royal Highness. King Robert and Queen Elizabeth are considering of this,” the man rushed on. “The rest of the Royal Family, too.” Endymion nodded to the man as he held the door open for the two. “Where is of this riot, Father?” he asked his father. Serenity was panting. Keeping up her steps with the Prince wasn’t easy. She was almost running. The whole Family’s gazes were on this mysterious Lady.
Endymion turned to her and was surprised. “Why, I must apologize, my lady,” he held a chair for her. “I did not mean to rush you. Perhaps you would like a drink?” Serenity smiled gratefully and sat down into the chair. “ ’Twould be most kind of you, sir, but I will be of right in a moment,” she answered, breathing heavily. Endymion nodded and turned his attention back to his family. “ ’Tis in Hatfield, my son,” the Queen spoke after a moment of looking at Serenity. “The place of your childhood, Mother?” Endymion looked startled. “Aye, ’tis right,” the Queen sighed heavily. “The famine there had been especially disastrous, though I can say nothing more than of no rain.” “Perhaps, my lady,” Serenity suddenly cut in. “ ’Tis time for a change in the method of grain growth. As for the riots, ’tis food they want and food we shall deliver to them to subdue the uprising. To ensure that our people love us instead of believing us as powerless, I should suggest that, assumedly, Grand Duke Endymion should appear before public and pass out some of the food with many guards.
Furthermore, the famine in Hertfordshire that has been for five years may be challenging to reduce and so I might suggest that to express the concerns of the Royal Family and to bid the whole country in prayers for rain from, respectively, God.” She looked up as she finished and her face paled suddenly. “I am terribly sorry! I did not mean to – to…” “To…?” Endymion encouraged her. Only then did she realize that they were all smiling. She blushed. “To…interfere with the affairs of England,” she finished in a whisper. Endymion smiled to her. “Perhaps, my lady, you would be kind enough to join me for a walk in the Royal Rose Garden?” Serenity stared blankly at the man before her, who was offering her an arm.
“A walk?”
“Aye, that would be right,” he nodded, smiling in admiration of the beauty before him.
She tilted her head to the side. “Forgive me, my lord, but ’tis time enough for the resolution of the riots should they intensify. The walk, perhaps, should be later resolved?” He smiled at her then. “Why, Father and Mother would be taking care that of the riots while we take a walk. Come, my lady,” with that, he pulled her to her feet and headed out the door. She was uncertain and puzzled as she left with the crown Prince.
“My Prince, sir, of why have you taken me here?” she asked as they arrived at the Rose Garden. And she started when she saw his smiling face. “Where have you learned of such knowledge, Serenity?” he asked gently, brushing his fingers across her cheek. (AN: nowadays if a boy touches a girl’s cheek, you’ll go like “Okay…?” and shrug it off. But in the Elizabethan England, it’s very unnatural and was considered as seduction…well, not *that* intense but… yeah. Yeah, you know what I’m talking about.) She blushed, looking down to her hands.
“ ’Tis Master William, sir. He made me to think and speak for myself. He had often spoken of how reckless and uncontrolled I am. ’Tis my habit to speak before think and, I see now, ’tis, apparently, a bad habit.” Honesty was a rare trait in woman, indeed. Endymion valued this child-woman before him. She had honesty and often, at times, chose it over pride. “ ’Tis, perhaps, at times,” he answered gently, putting his hand to her bare shoulder. “But I should say that this time, you had saved us from going through of troubles unimaginable and unspeakable.”
She slowly met his gaze. “Aye?”
“Aye,” he nodded, smiling still.
“ ’Tis my honor to have been saved by you, Serenity. You are very bright and intelligent. Your father and mother must have passed some of their wits onto you, but you have talents of which amazes me.” She blushed. “T-thank you, my lord. ’Tis most kind of you to speak of matters you’ve spoken.” He smiled again. “ ’Twould seem to me, my lady, that you have the need to prepare yourself for the public appearance before your people.”
She looked puzzled. “Sir?”
“You are to come and pass out the food to the riots with me, my lady. ’Tis a good first impression for the lady who has saved the people’s Grand Duke,” he said to her. “I will send for you.” Overhead, the clouds were gathering. “Aye, thank you, my lord. ’Twould seem to me, sir,” she hesitated for a second and Endymion saw a flicker of uncertainty crossing her bright blue eyes. “That rain should be expected soon and I would like to see Your Grace dressed fit to the weather.” She blushed crimson but was still smiling. “ ’Tis no concern of mine, that I understand, Your Grace. But…” suddenly, she trailed off, blushing more, and looked away. “But?” he questioned, leaning closer to the Lady.
Her light perfume of soft roses invaded his senses as he did so. “But I-I…have come to consider Your Grace very much as the Grand Duke and Prince of my people,” she breathed lightly, fidgeting with her hands. His smile was mixed with those of admiration and tenderness. He lifted her tiny hand, marveling at her creamy flesh, and brushed his lips across her knuckles. “Why, that is an honor, indeed, to have the Lady Serenity taking a like to the people’s Prince and Grand Duke.” She blushed another thousand shades of red and smiled shyly.
“Go on now and prepare yourself, Serenity,” he whispered to her. “Thank you, Endymion,” she answered and left hurriedly. She doubted if she could blush even more as her traitorous feet stopped at the bailey and her hand waved to him. “Uncontrolled,” she murmured to herself and hurried along the corridors, waving the maids’ and guards’ bows or curtsies away. The Prince watched as the Lady made her way to the bailey. His heart fluttered as she turned back and waved to him, smiling brightly, before hurrying back to her chamber.
Lately, it seemed, he was beginning to feel something else for this breathtakingly beautiful lady. He had, without his realization, fallen prey to her beauty, innocence, and wits. Sighing and straightening himself, the Grand Duke made his way back to his Father and Mother’s office, deciding as not to tell them about the brief interlude that had passed between he and the Lady.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

By the time Lady Serenity had retired to her chambers after the public appearance, she was exhausted beyond all. Prince Endymion had suggested, several times, for her to retire, but she refused, saying that if he were there, she would be there, too. Her prediction was accurate. The thundershower damped the whole Palace and she snuggled into bed, blocking her ears. She had a natural dislike toward thunders and, right at that moment, she was unable to exhaust herself to sleep as the thunders rolled and rolled. Squeezing her eyes shut, Serenity’s thoughts wandered to a certain Prince and she prayed, unconsciously, for him to come to her rescue.

She had begun to feel, from awe and admiration, to a sea of tenderness for the Grand Duke. “Oh, I give up,” she murmured to herself and sat up, taking on her heavy gowns. “Perhaps ’tis time enough for reading.” As she donned her velvet gown and left her hair down, a sudden thunder cracked upon the stormy night and she cried out in start. The heavy oaken door to her chamber was pushed open roughly; a very concerned Prince came rushing in. The Lady Serenity wrapped her arms around herself as the Grand Duke rushed to her, tears in her eyes. She had, after all, taken a dislike in thunders. The Prince was worried. Uncertain of matters at hand, he put a hand to the Lady’s bare shoulder, trying to comfort her, in some way or other. “Serenity,” he called out. She looked up to the Prince, her lips trembling. “I loathe of thunders, my lord,” she whispered tightly.
“Especially of loud and light ones,” just then, another thunder cracked its way to the night sky. Serenity, without another thought, jumped into the Prince’s arms, sobbing and clinging to him. Endymion slid his arms around the tiny beauty and was amazed, once again, at how tiny the Lady was. She was of moderate height, but in comparison to the tall, dark, strong, and muscled Prince, she was as tiny and light as feather. Her small hands clutched at the fabric of his garb, her frame shaking wildly, and her face was covered into the folds of his tunic at the chest.
“ ’Tis all right, Serenity,” he tried to soothe the girl in his arms. In response, the Lady only clung tighter to him. The Lady, at the other hand, was frightened that she did not realize her posture. “I have a loathing from my birth to thunders, sir,” she sobbed, her body shaking badly. “ ’Tis scary at times, indeed, my lady,” he whispered to her ear, unable to resist the urge to make the Lady smile again. “ ’Twould be best for a drink to you, Serenity.” “N-no, Endymion,” she shook her head and let go of him all of a sudden.
Her face was pale in the dim light of the night. “I-I apologize, my Prince. I did not mean of my rude behavior, sir. I am terribly sorry.” He gritted his teeth. The simple innocence in her had made his heart flutter. The fragile frame had made his determination of protecting her.
His arms were still about the Lady’s waist and to that issue, he refused to let go. “ ’Tis all right,” he assured, leading her across the room to the chairs in front of the fireplace. “Perhaps, my lady, you would like a drink? Champagne? Wine?” She shook her head firmly.
“N-no, my lord. I am all but of trouble, sir. I am terribly sorry to have awakened you and to have…” she trailed off, staring at the circles of wetness in front of the Prince’s tunic. “ ’Tis all right, Serenity,” he assured her again, gesturing for her to sit down on the chair. “I would see to that the Lady is well.” She blushed crimson in the soft light of the fireplace. “ ’Twould seem very childish and… *ridiculous* of me to be of fright to thunders, Endymion,” she said unevenly, staring down to her hands. “I must apologize for awakening you.” He chuckled and shook his head. “No, no, Serenity. ’Tis not you who awakened me. In fact, I have not yet retired and I came to bid you good-night and of the Court tomorrow evening. Mina told me that you have not answered the door for several moments, and I heard your cry. I’m sorry, Serenity. ’Twas rude of me to burst into your chamber.”
She shook her head. “ ’Tis most kind of you, Endymion. I-I’m glad that you did what you have done.” The Prince waved his hand to the maid at the door and she nodded, closing the door lightly. “Serenity, of whom are you?” he asked suddenly, sitting down into the chair beside the Lady. She tilted her head to the side. “I’m but Serenity, Endymion,” she answered confusedly.
“You are an enigma, do you know, Serenity?” he reached out, brushing his fingers across her cheek. She blushed and felt, oddly, at ease with the Prince. To be alone, with a man, at late night, was of matters a lady should worry about, not to feel ease to. But she knew that the Grand Duke would not do such shameful matter. “I am an enigma to myself at times, sir. I know naught of my bloodline and family,” she laughed a soft laugh. “I meant not of your blood, Serenity,” he whispered huskily. “I meant of yourself.” “Myself?” she frowned confusedly. “Aye,” he nodded.
“ ’Tis rare and extraordinary of your beauty and, especially, your wits, confidence, grace, and dignity.” She blushed anew, drawing her gaze from his dark-blue eyes to the fire to her left. “Please, Endymion. I am none of those. I might consider of fine looking, given that many lustful men have come to me, but a beauty? And rare? I think not, my lord.” He laughed gently. His laugh was always of pleasantness and of deep and rich. “You are, Serenity. You are of *very* rare beauty, intelligence, and dignity,” he drew his hands away from her cheek. “But lustful men?”
She smiled shyly to him. “Aye. ’Tis of the very reason my maids keep me within the household. Once, in the marketplace, a very shameful man has stepped in my path. Although, thanks to my guard, he had not had the chance to touch even my sleeve. From then, I was kept within the household.”
“You slipped out the day you saved me?” Endymion raised his eyebrow. “Aye,” she blushed again, flickering him a shy glance before looking out the windows. “ ’Tis normally the rain I love, my lord.” “My lady, I wish to inform you that the eve on the morrow, there will be of a Court held in this Palace,” he smiled at her. “ ’Twould please me to bring you into the public light.” She hesitated. “ ’Tis of the very reason that I saved the Grand Duke and crown Prince of England that I stays within the walls of Greenwich Palace. For me to appear in Courts, Endymion, would seem unreasonable.” “ ’Tis very considerate and intelligent of you,” he admitted, smiling widely now. “But the public have long expected your appearance and, perhaps, you should enjoy your stay in the Palace.” “If ’twould please you, my lord,” she smiled softly to him. “I recall from Prince Louis and Prince Edward that you have little of articles of garbs,” He raised his eyebrow. “Louis and Edward?”
“Aye,” she nodded, blushing.
“ ’Tis most rude of me to bring up such topic, my lord. Please forgive me.” He smiled again. The Lady was, to say the least, amazing. “You have spoken to Louis and Edward?” a flicker of jealousy crossed his heart. She nodded.
“ ’Twas at the time when you went to take care of the affairs of the country. Prince Louis and Prince Edward were of polite and very amiable, indeed.” Another pang of jealousy danced across his heart. The Lady had never spoken of him so greatly. He was silent for a while, trying to recover to his composure, and glanced at the Lady. His heart fluttered again as his gaze met her smiling face. “ ’Twould appear to me that you, my lady, would rest for the night?” he questioned. She blushed and nodded. “Thank you for everything, Endymion.”
He stood up, offering her a hand. “ ’Tis pleasant of your company, my lady,” he pulled her to her feet and kissed her knuckles. “I should expect you to break your fast on the morn?” (AN: that means “I should expect you tomorrow morning at breakfast?”)
She nodded. “Aye, sir.”
“Goodnight, Serenity,” he bid her and smiled before leaving. The flutters in her heart and stomach were barely repressible. The Prince had been so very kind and friendly to her and yet, he was still a mystery. A mystery not to be solved by her, of certainty. She sighed and straightened herself as the door closed behind the handsome man. ’Tis time enough for rest. The thunders and rain have died away during their brief talk. The Prince was trying his best to ignore the jealousy within his heart. He had no idea that the Lady had the effect on him. In fact, every time in her company, he seemed to be smiling and laughing as if he had meant to do so. He sighed and looked out his windows without any attention.
“Serenity,” he whispered gently. He had been doing the matter for hours and days. ’Twas a word he repeated to himself from morn to eve. The Lady invaded his dreams, even. His family was startled and shocked by the first time he smiled and laughed. ’Twas the first time he had done the matter. The public was awed and startled when they saw the display of brilliance in his smiles and laughter with the Lady Serenity.
“Serenity,” he repeated again. ’Twas a wondrous name. Her name spoke of her inner calmness and dignity. With a start, he suddenly realized that he had fallen for the Lady. “Serenity.” He loved her. The crown Prince and Grand Duke of England loved the daughter of a lord of rare beauty, wits, and dignity. He smiled. ’Twas of no surprise. “Serenity,” he repeated the name again. He had to win her hand from his cousin Louis and his brother Edward. But, to her unknown identity, she would be of the daughter of a peasant. He brushed the questions aside. ’Twas time to win her heart first, not considering of the bloodline. There would be time for that later.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Serenity was smiling brightly on the morn as she dressed and prepared for to break the fast. She had come to a rather important realization the night before. She had, unaware of the matter, whispering his name day in and day out, from the moment she awoken to the moment she fell asleep. He haunted her dreams, even. She had come to the recognition that she, the daughter of a peasant, fell in love with the crown Prince and Grand Duke of England. It was a very unlikely match and, after all, he was a prince and she was a peasant. But she was content enough to see the Prince. “Something the matter, my lady?” Mina asked. Serenity smiled and shook her head. “Nay.”
Mina looked at her for a moment longer before continuing with the task of combing her golden hair. “I will do this myself, Mina,” she said suddenly, smiling to her maid. “You are excused.” The maid frowned but smiled at her mistress. “I will go to Agnes. Her company is delightful, Serenity. Thank you,” she curtsied and left for the door. The Lady glanced at her hair and began to comb.
Her mind, however, was on a certain someone and she stared off into space, not the mirror. “Your hair is of marvel, indeed,” a sudden deep and rich male voice started her. She seemed to be started every time the Prince is near. She smiled at the man through her mirror, blushing. “Why, thank you, my lord. ’Tis most kind of you. My mother had the same hue.”
“Your dame?” Endymion stopped behind the Lady. “Aye,” she smiled again. “ ’Tis my nurse who often spoke of how much I looked of my dame.” “You have been combing at the same place for several moments, my lady,” he reminded her. She blushed crimson. “I was too deep of thoughts, my lord. Please forgive me.” Endymion touched his fingers to her golden shiny hair without considering the wisdom of it. “Silk,” he murmured. ’Twas the first of word to come to his mind. Her hair was spread out to the floor from her sitting position, and her curly locks stumbled. “Is your hair of natural curls?” without thinking, he asked. “Please forgive me, my lady. ’Tis very rude of me to bring up such topic.” (AN: I’m sure you can all imagine the inappropriateness between man and woman. It’s not appropriate, even, for Endymion to enter a lady’s chamber day in and day out. But, let’s just say that he’s delighted of Serenity and the rest of the Royal Family let that one slip.) She flashed a smile at him.
“ ’Tis of natural curls, my lord.” The light of hope burned brightly within the man’s heart. Perhaps, he concluded, he had a chance of winning the angel’s heart, after all. The Lady was twirling her golden locks into a twist at the back of her head. “ ’Twould seem to me, my lord, that you have awaken very early of this morn.” “Indeed, I have,” he answered, smiling as the Lady decorated her hair using but one hair band.
She stood up and turned around, smiling brightly. “My nurse spoke often of how great my father was. I knew naught else of him otherwise. ’Tis enough for the household to ensure, not to mention certain mischievous maids of sorts.” He offered the Lady his arm and led her across the room to the door. “Then, of a certainty, you are a very good mistress.” She flickered a shy glance to him. “ ’Tis most wondrous of you to speak of such praise, Your Grace.”
He grinned at her as they went through the corridors. “ ’Tis most extraordinary of you to be of such talents.” She flashed a blushing smile his way. “Then, I am certain, Endymion, that you have a talent of speech.” He looked her way for a moment longer before chuckling. “ ’Tis not easy to gain a praise of Lady Serenity,” he grinned at her. She flashed him a shy smile.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The Lady was glamorous. As she appeared beside the Grand Duke and Prince Endymion at the court, everyone could help not but to stare at her beauty, grace, and dignity. ’Twas a while before they discovered of her wits and intelligence. Sir William Cecil (AN: he’s real. He was Queen Elizabeth's Secretary of State) asked the Lady of the dance and she, without hesitation, accepted. Then the people learned of the Lady’s grace and dancing skill, as well. Halfway through the Court, after a dozen of dances with Lords, Earls, Counts, and others, the Lady picked up a lute and the virginal, playing songs of expertise that stunned even Queen Elizabeth herself. Lady Serenity had not wanted to be the center of attention for the Court.
But of her fortnights without music, she had grown an urge to touch the instrument. Once she touched, ’twas not her will to leave, either. The beautiful song rang throughout the halls and she began to sing. Her bell-like voice stunned Prince Endymion. He knew of her soft and musical voice from the moment she had spoken, but none of such beautiful voice. He felt, suddenly, helpless. S
he was an angel. The task of winning her heart, it seemed, impossible. She was, after all, an angel. The Lady had excused herself from the instruments. Now that she was conversing with Sir Francis Walsingham, (AN: also a real person. Of the same rank of Sir William Cecil, of the same senior advisor, and he was the one that discovered the plot of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, which, ultimately, led to Mary’s execution,) she excused herself from dances, speaking of the exhaustion she felt. She even refused, to everyone in the Court’s start, Prince Louis and Prince Edward. No doubt then that the Lady was brave and confident. She knew of such politics. She knew even the most of the secretive of England.
The Royal Family had often asked of her opinion (AN: I know it’s impossible, but let’s just pretend it is, okay?) and even appointed some affairs to her so that the King, Queen, and Grand Duke would be burdened not. The Lady, now sipping onto some wine, was smiling brightly to Countess Garth, exchanging with her ideas of the newest fashion trend. “Lady Serenity,” a deep and rich male voice made the Lady’s heart flutter. She caught her breath and turned around, coming face to face with the Prince. “How may I of service of you, Endymion?” she asked softly, smiling. He grinned, for the first time of that eve. “Perhaps you would be so kind as to grant me a dance of yours, my lady?” Everyone doubted the chance.
The Lady Serenity had refused Prince Louis, Prince Edward, Sir Francis Walsingham, and Lord Henry, why not of Prince Endymion, then? But Serenity smiled brightly and excused herself from Countess Garth. “If ’twould please you, sir,” she answered, putting her hand to his. “ ’Tis an honor of mine, Serenity,” he smiled again and led her to the dancing floor. The crowd was awed. The Lady Serenity, after refusing, perhaps, the most powerful lords beside the King, Queen, and the rest of the Royal Family, accepted the hand of the crown Prince and Grand Duke. They called each other of first names, which were of no uncommonness of Prince Endymion, but the Lady called the Grand Duke by first name…and he had not minded at all.
In fact, he seemed to be delighted. “I’m glad you have not refused me, Serenity,” the Prince whispered to the girl as they waltzed across the floor.
She smiled up shyly to him. “Why, you’re the Prince Endymion and the Grand Duke.” “And speaking of Edward and Louis?” the Grand Duke, to say the least, was delighted.
The Lady had refused of his younger brother and distant cousin, but not he himself. She smiled more brightly then. “I was exhausted, my lord.” “And you are of not at the moment?” he raised his eyebrow, trying to hear of his like. She smiled shyly up to him. “Aye, I am. But, it seems, my lord, that ’tis not my will to refuse a dance from you, either.” He grinned then. So the Lady Serenity had a way of defiance.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The Grand Duke was to go to Richmond Palace and issue matters with the new method of grain growth. He was leaving on the morrow, and it saddened the Lady. She looked out her window without any particular attention. ’Twas raining again. This time, ’twas drizzle and not thundershower. She wrapped the fur mantle about her shoulders more tightly, lost in thoughts of the Grand Duke.
The oaken door to her chamber opened and Serenity turned around, a sad smile upon her face as the Grand Duke made his way toward her. “I thought ’twas time for your gathering,” she said softly. He smiled a little to her. “I came to bid you good- bye,” he answered. “We wouldn’t see each other for the rest of the day.” “Including meals?” she questioned, startled.
He shook his head. “I’m afraid this is the only time I can say good-bye.” “But you will be back in a sennight?” (AN: a sennight is a week.) “Aye, Serenity.” She looked away for a moment. “ ’Twould please me to know that you are well,” finally, she said. He nodded and watched as the Lady crossed the floor toward him, sadness in her eyes. “Thank you for your concern,” She laid her tiny hand to his forearm and looked up to him.
“Please be careful. I doubt if King Philip is any braver than he was, trying to assassinate you, and it worsened the relationship between England and Spain. But there are others, as well. The rebellious Scots might have wanted their revenge of Mary Stuart, too. Be careful and bring strong and alert guards with you anywhere you go. ’Twould, at least, give me some comfort to know that you are protected.”
He smiled down to the Lady. “I’m honored to be of concern of you,” he whispered huskily.
She nodded, dropping her gaze to her hands one more. “I’ll be waiting,” she said softly.
He brushed a curly lock from her cheek and kissed her knuckles. “Thank you, Serenity.”
She suddenly straightened herself and turned her back to him, unable to bear the sadness of his leaving any longer. “I wish to retire, Endymion.”
It saddened the Prince so to leave his Lady, but then again, ’twas no reason to miss the important political issues. “Good day to you, my lady,” he answered and turned to leave. Serenity sighed and pulled the mantle more tightly about her, although ’twas due more to his departure than of the coldness.
The Prince, it seemed, to be quite of concern of her. But it meant nothing. He was a prince and the Grand Duke, and she was but the daughter of a peasant. Straightening herself once more, the Lady left her solar (AN: solar is sort of like a suite. You know, with the bedroom, what-we-call a living room, bathroom, and closet,) and walked along the corridors. “Lady Serenity!” another female voice called out.
The Lady turned around and saw Princess Victoria hurrying toward her. (AN: by the way, before Queen Victoria of the Victoria England, Victoria was considered a rather plain name and not a royal name. But I just decided to use the name Victoria, and so, go along with it. Ah, the power of authors. *SIGH*) “Why, Princess Victoria,” Serenity curtsied. “How may I of service, my lady?” Victoria smiled at the girl before her. “Father and Mother ask of you, Serenity,” she answered. “They are in the office.”
Serenity curtsied again. “Thank you, my lady,” with that, she turned around and left for the King and Queen’s office hurriedly. “My lord, my lady, you wished to see me?” Serenity curtsied to the couple. “Ah, Serenity,” the Queen smiled at the girl before her fondly. “ ’Tis of delight of your company for the last fortnights.” “Why, ’tis my honor, my lady,” the Lady answered, puzzled. “Prince and Grand Duke Endymion, our son, have been babbling of you from morn to eve,” King Robert glanced at his wife before returning his attention to the Lady once more.
“And ’tis, very apparent, that you two have a bond of friendship.” Serenity repressed the urge to blush and bowed her head slightly. “ ’Tis to my honor and delight, my lord,” she was confused. “ ’Tis,” the Queen corrected earnestly, “of the honor of this family.” She blushed and curtsied. “Why, I thank you, my lady.” “But Endymion has been gabbing of you from early morn to night,” the King emphasized. “He, it seemed, to be spending every waking moment thinking of you and every possible moment in your company, Lady Serenity.” The Lady blushed anew and tipped her head to the side in confusion. “Why, I am certain that Endymion, His Grace, has more matters of import at his hands. ’Tis all but my honor to be of concern of him.”
“Have you known that he, as the Grand Duke and crown Prince of England, insisted on sending Lord Walsingham to take care of such matters as a change in the method of food growth?” the Queen raised her eyebrow in question. (AN: I know it’s not important of such things as growing food but let’s pretend it is, shall we?) “Why, I am certain there are reasons behind Endymion’s insist,” Serenity answered, perplexed of where this conversation was leading. “Aye, you speak aright,” the King nodded, smiling. “There is a reason which, to my surprise, he explained in the wake of Queen Elizabeth and me.”
“Am I to ask of that reason, my lord?” she frowned in confusion. “The very reason is of you, Serenity,” Queen Elizabeth leaned forward in her chair. “He wished to remain in your delightful company.” Serenity blushed but frowned anew. “I am certain, my lady, that Prince Endymion had more important matters on his mind than that of my company,” “Nay,” the King shook his head. “ ’Tis the only reason he wished to send Lord Walsingham in his name.”
“Why, I-I am f-flattered and honored, my lord, my lady,” Serenity answered breathlessly. The King and Queen looked at her long and intense before nodding. “You are of excused, Lady Serenity,” Queen Elizabeth said at last.
“Good-day to you, my lord, my lady,” Serenity breathed airily before turning around, heading for the door. In fact, she was of walking so fast that she was *hurrying* toward the door. She needed a moment to be alone. She needed a moment to breathe. “My lady?” Mina asked as she closed the door behind her. “Nothing of import, Mina,” Serenity said and accepted the goblet of champagne offered to her. “I should think we are to be of no company for the rest of the afternoon?”
“None, my lady,” Mina answered. “I should think that you wish to work on your embroidery?” Serenity nodded and calmed down again. Nothing was of import of what the King and Queen of England had told her, she was certain. The maid took the goblet away. “My lady, the Grand Duke Endymion is departing.” Serenity, as she was heading into her inner chamber, stopped short in her track.
“*What*?” “Prince Endymion is leaving,” Mina repeated. “He is at the stable, arranging his saddle, at this very moment.” “I thought he were to leave tomorrow!” the Lady exclaimed, her face pale. “Agnes said that ’twas urgent,” the maid shrugged. “He’d bid me farewell only moments before!” the Lady turned and headed for a chest in the chamber. “Did the King and Queen informed Endymion of this right after his farewell?”
“I know naught, my lady,” Mina said again. “ ’Tis of cold and damp weather for the sennight,” Serenity hurried and opened the lid of the chest, gathering up a cape made of the deep color of chestnut velvet lined with cream satin. “Stay here, Mina. I will be back in a few moments.” With that, the Lady turned and headed toward the door. “But, my lady, where are you going?” the maid asked worriedly. “The stable,” the Lady called out before rushing from the door down the gallery. Why of this urgency? How she loathed the departure of the Prince, even if ’twas but one sennight. She gathered fistfuls of her embroidered full skirt, hurrying down the stairs and the corridor. Her solar was, to say the least, far from the stable. Her solar was at one end of the Palace while the stable was at the other end! ’Twas drizzling lightly, the skies gray as if in response to the Lady’s saddened mood.
She stepped through the portal to the courtyard and called out to the almost-departing group of guards, horses, and flags. “Wait!” The Prince’s head whipped to the direction of the call and the party drew to a halt. The voice was familiarly soft and musical, and ’twould only belong to a certain lady. He was not disappointed. Serenity barely minded the rest of the Royal Family that bade their young Prince farewell. In her rush to the stable, she wore not even mantle to shelter against the rain and the moment she stepped outside, the rain splashed against her bare shoulders and arms. The Lady shivered with the coldness of the drizzle. Endymion watched, mesmerized, as the beauty hurried toward him, the embroidered hem of her full skirt snatching up mud and rain drizzled on her slim figure. Her hair was immediately dampened, but they shined brilliantly in the gray air, adding a ray of color to the grayness.
The Prince, it appeared, to be of wearing no cloak or cape whatsoever to shield him against the drizzling rain and his garbs clung to his muscled body like a second skin. His sleek ebony hair fell across his forehead, making the Lady’s fingers itch with the urge to smooth it back. Serenity drew to a stop beside his mount Zel, and smiled a little. “The weather would be of cold and damp for the sennight and so I brought this new cloak to you,” she explained.
“ ’Tis warm.” He looked at her thoughtfully and took the cloak from her outstretched hand. Their fingers brushed in the process and a slow smile appeared on the Prince’s face. “You have my thanks, Serenity. I only knew of this urgency after bidding you farewell,” he suddenly had the urge to explain everything to the Lady, as so that she would not be angered with him.
She smiled up to him. “I know,” she nodded. “Where have you gotten this cape?” he asked quizzically, tossing the garb around his shoulders and tied the strings at his neck. She blushed. “I made it,” she admitted softly. His hands toward the rein ceased abruptly and he looked down to her upward face. “You *made* it?” when the Lady nodded, he smiled again. “ ’Tis of my size.” She blushed anew. “I asked the seamstress,” He smiled.
The Lady was amazing and extraordinary. She had, he realized, fine skills of embroidery, as well. “You have my thanks, my lady,” he repeated. She smiled brightly at him. “Be careful, Endymion.” He nodded as the Lady stepped back. “Good-day to you, Serenity.” He said and looked into her eyes for another second before turning, the party moved forward again, and they proceeded toward the gateway. Serenity smiled at the figure that was now retreating and disappearing. ’Twould be but one sennight, and she had doubt if she would be of the able to make it through.