Just a quick note from the author: here's chapter 2! As
you know in the last chapter, Princess Serena and Prince
Darien met each other for the first time, and sparks...
well, more than sparks, firecrackers flew. They really
dispise one another! In this chapter the Inner
princeses find out from Serena about the prince, and
the generals of the Earth find out from Darien about
the princess. Later, the couple meets up at the royal
ball celebrating the reunion between the Earth and Moon
kingdoms...and...well, see for yourself!! E-mail
SlrUnico@aol.com to comment!
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"Weaving a Romance"
CHAPTER 2: 'Oh, Was that YOUR Foot I Stepped On?'
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"He's conceited, cocky, arrogant, crude, ill-bred,
nasty, vile, and just plain rude and I hope I never see
him again!"
The princesses let out a collective sigh as Serena
got started up once more on the topic of Prince Darien.
All four had tried over and over to change the subject
since Serena had called them to her room after the
conference, but to no avail. Somehow every topic they
had come up with, from tutoring to the up-coming ball
that would celebrate the reunion of Earth and the Moon,
turned back to him.
"Serena," said Raye in an annoyed tone, "shut up
about it already! We know you hate the guy. No one
said you had to like him or anything. There are more
important things to discuss right now."
"Yeah," added Lita. "Like dresses for the ball!"
"Or the latest gossip around the Moon," chirped
Mina devilishly.
"And the big test the tutor is giving next week,"
quipped Amy. The others sweat-dropped at that last
remark. School was taboo for them.
Serena nodded a little. "I guess I'll stop
talking about him, since he doesn't deserve anymore of
my time."
"Wait a second," Raye stopped her. "You were
going to tell us about the conference. How were the
royals of Earth...and leave the prince out of it."
Serena flushed as she remembered how she had spent
nearly all of the meeting. "Weeeeell...ummm...it's not
really important...they're okay I guess, with the
exception of HIM, and all the stuff they talked about
was rather boring." The image of her mother talking to
her right after she had finished with the king and
queen of Earth flashed through her mind painfully.
"Dear," Serenity had said sternly. "You must try
to get along with the prince from now on, understand?
It would mean alot to me and to Darien's parents that
you two settle your differences at once. The display
you both put on was not amusing in the least and cost
us valuable negotiating time as well as dignity. I can
only imagine what the newspaper's gossip columnist has
been sprouting out about the scene."
Serena winced as she recalled the reprimand. "Yes
Mother. I'm sorry." Very rarely was she ever spoken to
by her mother in that voice. It made her feel like a
silly child. And it was all Darien's fault!
A giggle from Mina brought her back to the present.
The girls were gossiping about their friends Princess
Haruka and Princess Michiru from Uranus and Neptune who
carried on a rather...strange relationship, being that
they were both girls and in love. Though the younger
princesses had nothing but respect for the two, it was
a delightful subject to dwell on.
Serena did not share their enthusiasm, and
preferrrered to remain quiet, lost in her own thoughts
about the prince of the Earth...
"She's childish, immature, petty, spoiled...and about a
thousand other words I can't remember at the moment!"
Darien paused to take a breath. "No one person has
ever annoyed me so much!"
The generals groaned. "Please," begged Neflite.
"No more about the Princess of the Moon, Darien!"
Darien had left the Moon as soon as the council
meeting was over, only to face a serious talk with his
father and mother about his behavior when they were all
back home in the palace on Earth. It had only fueled
his anger toward the princess for her insults and catty
remarks. Couldn't his parents see that it was all her
fault? Apparently not. Now he was in the conversitory
with the four generals of the kingdom who were also his
most loyal friends. But even *they* weren't offering
the sympathy Darien felt he deserved.
"I've heard so much about her," continued Neflite
wearily, "now I don't even care to meet with the girl."
"Yeah," added Malachite. "So you don't like her.
Get over it."
"No one said you had to marry her or anything,"
grunted Jedite.
Zoicite was the only one who remained above it
all, and wasn't really listening. Rather he was
studying an atlas.
Darien frowned. "Really you guys, you haven't met
her! She's...she's...well, pretty awful."
Malachite snickered. "I'd actually enjoy meeting
any young lady who has managed to get you so up tight."
Darien glared at the white haired general. Of all
of the generals for some reason Malachite was the one
who managed to get him the most upset in times of
crisis...and the one he argued with the most. He
assumed that it was because Mal was a little older and
more mature than the other three of their group of
friends. "I know you all think this is some big joke
but it's really a major problem."
Neflite chuckled. "Aren't you taking this a
little too seriously, Dar?"
"Yeah, she's only a simple girl," said Zoicite
looking up from his book.
How, Darien thought, can I explain this to them,
the feelings that she can draw from me. It's impossible
to understand two things in this world. Absolute hatred
and...absolute love toward another. But I'm not sure
suddenly...about alot of things.
Serena spent the following day engrossed in other
activities, preparing for the ball mainly, trying to
find the perfect gown, perfect jewelry, and of course
rehearsing her entrance. But the thought of Darien
never left her mind, not for a minute. Every time she
would think of him and his arrogant ways, she felt mad
all over again. It was becoming hard to hide her
dislike of him from her mother, who was actually
looking forward to the reunion of the Earth and Moon.
The Princesses lost interest in how shaken up by
Darien their friend was, and were also involved in
gowns and jewels. Traitors, Serena thought bitterly.
How dare they have the nerve to be happy about this
cursed ball when I dread it??
No one noticed when Serena would look from her
balcony at the globe of blue, green, and white called
Earth in wonderment, confusion, and anger, which she
did quite often for no reason at all, none that even
she could see.
Finally the night of the ball arrived. Serena
sat in her room, more nervous than she had ever been
in her life. And about Darien, no less!
She was seated at her vanity, applying make up.
Raye had taught her the trick...
"If you put on too much," her friend had said,
"then you'll look like a bad woman, the trashy sort...
and don't blush, you know what I mean! You put on just
enough so that your pretty features are enhanced. The
best make up applications are the ones that look like
you don't have them on. Get it to be just on the line
of natural and beautiful. It's a snap."
Indeed it had been once Serena had gotten used to
it. Carefully she applied a little powder, then rouge
and a bit mascara and eye shadow, followed by a coat of
lipstick that accented her gown.
Serena stood from the vanity, admiring her dress.
She was sure it was the prettiest she had ever owned.
"Too bad it has to be wasted on this night," the
princess muttered to herself as she examined her
reflection in the mirror. It was white, but had
touches of pink shimmer in strategic places so you had
to look closely to get the whole effect. It was low
cut, or at least as low cut as she dared. There were
no sleeves to speak of, light gauze cupped her shoulders
instead. The waist was lined with pearls right above
the skirt, which was billowy and soft.
Around her neck hung a simple and thin gold chain,
with a white rose charm hanging down. Really Serena
preferred red roses, but it wouldn't go nicely with the
gown so the white one would have to do.
"I guess I look all right," she mused as she took
a pair of gold studs from her jewelry box and put them
on her ears. Then as carefully as she could she raised
the diamond tiara from her box and placed it to crown
her two neatly done odangos. The small gems sparkled
in the light of the room and made Serena smile. "I hope
everyone likes the dress, especially Darien."
She gasped at her words. "Why," she said aloud,
"do I want HIM to like it?? It shouldn't bother me if
he hates it...why did I say that? I don't care about
Darien or his opinions on anything!!" But a tiny voice,
the ones that go against our will and are so annoying,
in her said she wanted him to comment on it, say she
was radiant, or beautiful, so she would know he cared.
This conflict in Serena was getting on her nerves
in the worst way when there was a light knock on the
door. "Come in!" she called.
The door opened and one of her attendants, a roly
poly maid, peeped in. "Oh, good Princess, the ball is
about to begin, and your mother has sent word for you
to go downstairs and wait at the front door."
"Okay, thank you very much, Millie."
The woman nodded and left, closing the door behind her.
Serena stood looking at herself for a moment
before she shook her head and went to get her shoes.
"Serena, you're getting vain," she muttered, snatching
her white dancing slippers from the closet. Then she
put them on and walked her most regal walk out the door.
Serena was soon at the ball room, with time to spare.
Nervously she looked around her. The night was
peaceful and silent, only the slightest of sound of
talking and laughing wavered from out of the building.
The sky had what seemed to be a thousand stars, all
twinkling and sparkling, looking like tiny, precious
diamonds like the ones on her tiara, set against a
black velvet backdrop. And as always the Earth lit up
its corner of the universe with radiance, its glow
fascinating Serena.
A noise made her turn suddenly. There was a man
standing behind her, hidden by shadows. For a minute
Serena was startled, but the shock wore into anger when
she saw who it was. "Oh. It's you."
Darien stepped out of the darkness and into the
light where she could see him better. "Scared ya',
didn't I, princess?"
Her hands clenched into identical fists and she
fought the urge to growl. "Stuff it, Darien."
"Oooh, getting nasty. Temper, temper." He
chuckled. "I noticed you were looking at my planet.
Does it excite you or something to see it?"
"It just awes me that a planet so beautiful could
create someone like you. And don't think for a moment
that was a compliment."
His eyes grew darker. "You really don't know when
to quit."
"I never quit until I'm ready."
"It's a habit you should break." Darien stepped
closer to her. "You're messing with something you'll
never understand, princess," he whispered.
Serena was about to shoot out another venom filled
come back when the door opened slightly and the round
face of one of the royal attendants popped out. "Oh
good," he said. "Both of you are here. Her Majesty
Queen Serenity has asked that Prince Darien escort her
daughter into the ballroom when your names are called."
Serena gaped. "But this isn't how we -"
"Tell her Highness I'd be honored," Darien said
smoothly, cutting her off. The attendant nodded and
disappeared back into the room.
"And just WHAT did you do THAT for?"
Darien glared at her. "Do you really want to make
a spectacle of yourself before the entire galaxy,
Serena, by disobeying your mother and walking in
un-escorted?"
The princess was spitting mad at her mother, the
attendant, but most of all, Darien. The plans have been
changed, she thought, enraged. A Moon boy was supposed
to escort me in, not *him*! How could Mother betray me
like this when she KNOWS I can't stand Darien??
Ooooohhh...
But before she could stew any longer the trumpeter
sounded inside and an announcer could be heard speaking.
"And now, I'm honored to present..."
Darien took Serena's arm and she let him with only
a little reluctance. Sighing, she forced a regal
looking smile and stared straight ahead at the door.
"I hope you're enjoying this," the princess snarled
through gritted teeth.
"Not in the least, my dear," replied Darien,
wearing a similar royal look on his face. "But would
you kindly stop clutching at my arm like that...I'm not
a life preserver."
Serena, despite his words, dug her fingernails
into him more deeply. As the doors opened they revealed
a crowd of brightly dressed women and suited men. "I
loathe and detest you," she hissed, desperately trying
to come up with a nasty and vile name to call him. But
before she could the announcer continued.
"Her royal highness, Princess Serena, escorted by
an honored guest of the Moon Kingdom, Prince Darien,
son of King Aaron and Queen Celia of Earth."
The crowd erupted into applause and as the pair
moved down the center to a nearby table the men and
women bowed and curtsied before them. One man handed
Serena a rose and she accepted it with a blush. Darien
was looking oddly at her and the flower but turned his
head abruptly as if a sudden thought had entered his
mind.
At the end of the red carpet there was a table
where Aaron, Celia, and Serenity were seated. Serena
dropped a deep curtsy before the three monarchs and
Darien executed a formal bow. His parents and Serena's
mother smiled and nodded. Then amid the hushed crowd
he looked at Serena and to her surprise kissed her
cheek.
Serena felt a strange and alien feeling and her
cheeks flushed to be a hue as red as the rose she
held. She had forgotten the escort was supposed to
kiss her, and for some reason that had never been her
reaction when the regular boy did. Why, when Darien
had, had she reacted so...well, Serena couldn't figure
out a good adjective to fit the situation. Before she
knew it Darien had moved off into the audience of
people and everyone had gone back to dancing, leaving
Serena alone.
The ball wore on and on. Frankly Darien was utterly
bored, and happy, though very surprised when Jedite
appeared next to him at the punch table. "Hey, Dar,"
his friend said, helping himself to some punch.
"What's up?"
"What are you doing here, Jedite?" asked Darien.
"Are Zoicite, Mal, and Neflite here too?"
"Nope." He took a swallow of the punch and almost
gagged. "Ick, what is this stuff?"
"Some Moon drink I suppose."
Jedite put his cup back on the table and turned to
Darien. "Well it's pretty disgusting. Anyway, the
others aren't with me, they're back home having some
sort of a meeting. Zoicite's little territory...oh,
the name fails me."
"Europe you idiot."
"Yeah, well some of the men there started an
uproar that upset the villagers in Africa, Neflite's
vincity. So they're dueling that out, and Malachite
stayed for the kicks."
Darien was silent for awhile before he spoke.
"Beryl?"
"Looks to be. She's starting trouble everywhere.
It's only a matter of time before..." Jedite's voice
dropped to a low tone. "You don't think full fledged
war is possible, do you?"
"Now that the Moon and Earth have reunited,
anything with that woman is *possible*." Darien's fist
banged the table lightly. "I knew this was a bad idea."
Jedite nodded. "But your parents had to take the
chance. Serenity is a loyal ally, and there's a rumor
that she holds the most powerful weapon against Beryl
here on the Moon."
"It's not a rumor. I heard Father and Mother
discussing it. The Silver Imperium Crystal does exist
and Serenity has agreed that if worst comes to worst
she will use it's powers to stop the invasion. Her
only concern is her daughter, Serena. She wants her
out of the way."
"Hey, that's the princess you're always talking
about, right?"
Darien sighed. "The one and only. I'm starting
to think it might not be such a bad idea if the
Negaverse takes her. She's more than a little annoying.
I don't know why her mother is so worried. If they do
capture Serena I'd feel more sorry for Beryl."
The two laughed. "Anyway," Jedite continued.
"Let's not talk about that. Even if the war is
inevitable it's a long way off and now is a time for
dancing, happiness and women." His eyes swept the
room. "Hey, how old is this Serena anyway?"
"I think about 16, perhaps 15, I'm not good with ages."
Jedite coughed. "What, what, 16??!" Then he
started to laugh. "You're...you're getting riled up by
a mere TEENAGER!!!" His face turned red and the peals
of laughter grew more jovial. "Wait till the guys hear
about THIS!"
Darien's face darkened, an obvious sign he wasn't
amused. "Look, don't get the wrong idea, I can handle
a 16 year old girl."
"Yeah right!" Jedite pointed an accusing finger
at the prince. "Admit it, a little kid is getting
under your craw. Big tough Darien can't take the
pressure. He, God forbid, looses his cool around a
teenager. He's actually mortal!" The general slapped
his palms to his face in mock dis-belief.
"Knock it off," warned Darien.
"Hey, I'm just stating the facts."
"Well go state them somewhere else. I'm trying to
enjoy the ball."
"Yeah right," snorted Jedite. "You really look
like it, too. Congrats on carrying off the appearance
that you're having fun. I don't think I've seen you
crack one smile this whole evening."
"There's nothing to smile about."
"Obviously." Jedite smoothed his hair back.
"So...when do I get to meet this princess of yours
anyhow?" He slicked his hair back. "Since you don't
want her...we could play school...." The general chuckled
deeply. "I know a few things I could teach her...."
Darien felt a rage within him and his hand whipped
out and gripped Jedite's arm. "You lay a hand on her
and I'll...."
"Lemmego!" his friend insisted, tugging himself
loose. "Look, Darien," he said, brushing his tuxedo off
in annoyance. "You obviously aren't interested in her,
so that makes her fair game. Right?? I mean, even if
she bugs you, she might be good for a little fun. I
don't get to be with innocents like her very often."
Darien gritted his teeth together. "Jedite, if I
do or do not want her does not matter. You go near her
and I'll make you regret it. I may hate Serena with a passion,
but not enough to let you loose on her. No chance.
She's not that kind of a girl."
Jedite cringed. He sensed there was more than hate
between Darien and the princess, much much more. But he
did not dare to insinute anything.
Darien sighed. "Look, can we move off the subject?
Don't you have somewhere to dance, some girl to dazzle
with your charm and charisma?"
Jedite shook his head. "It may interest you to
know that my dance card is blank so far. But it
shouldn't stay that way for long, I spy with my little
eye a cute red-head in the corner who's probably dying
for me to take her waltzing." He started in her
general direction when he turned back to face Darien.
"Hey, aren't you going to get out there and dance too?
Or are you just going to play statues the whole night?"
"I'll dance when I find the right girl."
Jedite glanced around the room. "You know, I
think the right girl IS in front of you, maybe right
under your nose. Just something about you...makes me
think you know who you want to dance with, Darien.
Maybe you just haven't realized it yet." And with that
bit of information extended, Jedite left his friend
alone.
Darien sighed deeply and swept his bored gaze
around the many dancers on the floor. Jedite's
prophecy sounded bizarre, the only girl he even knew
at the ball was Serena. And the strange thing was,
after that, as his eyes went from place to place she
never quite left the corner of his eye.
Serena thanked heaven when she saw the four Inner
princesses discreetly enter the ball room nearly an
hour after it had started. She ran to them as best she
could in her wide skirt. "Where were you?" she
demanded. "I've been waiting forever, you guys are
seriously late!"
Raye rolled her eyes. "Now THERE'S the pot
calling the kettle black."
Serena wasn't exactly sure what that comment was
supposed to mean - but judging from the speaker and the
tone she guessed it was an insult. Before she could
say anything back, Raye continued. "I'm sure we didn't
miss anything worth seeing, and we're not that late.
Nothing to worry about."
"Easy for you to say," complained Mina. "I feel
faint every time I think about the cute guys we might
have missed. And all because of SOMEONE who will
remain UN-NAMED."
All eyes turned to Lita who was blushing. "I took
a nap and kind of didn't wake up until I heard Raye
pounding on my door," she explained to Serena in a
mutter. "These three were rushing me so much my dress
never got ironed." She frowned. "It probably looks
awful."
"It doesn't," reassured Amy as everyone gave Lita's
velvet green dress the once over. "Well," she said
reconsidering, "there's a crease down the hind-side
but..."
"Oh great!" cried Lita, backing against the wall.
"It's hardly noticeable!" argued Serena. "Come
on, let's go mingle."
"Yay!" cheered Mina. She spun out in a circle so
her friends could get the full effect of her yellow
gown. "You like?"
Raye stepped out next to her. "What about mine?"
she asked, striking a pose to emphasize her cute red
dress. The girls had all previously agreed it would be
nice to attend the ball in their own colors as Sailor
Scouts.
Mina turned to her. "My dear, it's stunning!" she
complimented in a die-away drawl.
"Oh, you think so?" asked Raye in a airy and
sophisticated voice. "I love yours!"
"This old thing? I just dug it out of the closet
because my others are being washed." Both began to
giggle.
"You'd think they'd never been to a ball before,"
Amy noted, sweat dropping.
Lita gave a grunt as she tried to smooth the back
of her dress by rubbing against the wall. "I might
have to stay here the whole evening," she moaned.
Serena giggled, happy to be with her friends. Her
eyes searched the floor for Darien and found him near
the punch. Maybe I'll just step over there, she
thought, leaving the other girls, making the excuse she
was thirsty.
She held her head high and forced herself not to
see him until she reached the table. He was standing
next to another man, very cute, with blonde hair and
blue eyes a shade lighter than Darien's. Carefully she
reached for the ladle, but was stopped by his companion.
"Allow me, my lady," he said. Bowing and taking it
from her, the man poured her a small cup of punch,
replaced the ladle and handed her the glass.
"Thank you sir," she said flirtatiously.
"Permit me to ask your name," he questioned.
"Princess Serena," Serena answered, enjoying the
way his jaw dropped when she said it.
"You're the..." The man looked at Darien. "She's
the...princess??"
Serena smiled, and then put on a shocked face as
she saw the prince for the "first" time next to the
blonde stranger. "Why Darien, hello! I never saw you
there, how rude of me not to notice! But you just seem
to blend in wherever you go, after all. And shame on
you for not telling your friend who I am, I'm so
embarrassed."
Darien was watching her strangely as the man also
looked at her, and bowed more deeply than before. "My
princess, forgive me, I had no idea of your identity.
I am Jedite, general of the Western provinces of Earth."
Jedite clasped his hand in his and brought it to his
lips, then kissed it gently before dropping it.
Serena blushed. She wasn't sure what the look on
Darien's face was when his friend did that, but it was
dis-heartening in some way. Quickly she recovered.
"It's not your fault, sir," she addressed the general.
"Rather, it's your friend over there. Really Darien,
I'm so embarrassed! Am I so un-important you don't
tell anyone you know me?" She batted her eyelashes.
Jedite turned to his friend. "Yeah, Dar," he
agreed. Then in a lower tone he said something that
sounded like, "So this is the girl...very nice, very
nice...." She wasn't sure though, and left it alone.
"So tell me, General Jedite - "
"Please, just Jedite, your highness."
"Fine, Jedite, how are you enjoying the ball?"
"Very much so, princess, I'm having a splendid
time. Originally I wasn't going to attend, but then I
thought of Darien, all by himself, monopolizing all of
the Moon girls here, and I decided I couldn't let him
do it alone, and he gets all of the, begging your
pardon, princess, 'good' women at home anyway, so I
came." Jedite looked very pleased that he had come up
with such a witty answer to her question.
Serena felt sick to her stomach. What did he
mean, "monopolizing all of the Moon girls", "he gets
all of the good women at home"? Oh, Darien must be
some type of famous playboy...granted he is sort of
good looking, for a cad, and he does seem like he MIGHT
be charming to some air headed Earth women. So
naturally they flock to him. Of course. I'll have to
ask Mina what she knows about this though, she always
has lots of gossip about everyone.
Why did her heart, though, when she thought of
all of the girls Darien must have been with? It
was un-natural, almost as if she were jealous....
Serena shook her head loftily. No, it was not
jealousy. You only had that word when love...and she
most definitly did NOT love Darien. The very idea!
Jedite was talking about the Earth and other
assorted topics. Serena however concentrated more on
keeping her eyes off of Darien's and less on paying
attention to the good looking general. Finally though
Jedite moved off, bowing and making the excuse he had
other matters to attend to. She was sure that meant he
had spotted a girl he wanted to dance with.
This left Serena and Darien alone, and she wasn't
sure she was ready for that sort of a situation at that
time, but there was no way to tactfully leave.
"Well, well, well," quipped Darien in a low voice,
moving closer to her. "That was quite a show, princess,
I am most certainly impressed."
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about."
"Playing the charmer in front of Jedite. Well
I'll have you know he's not the least bit interested in
an innocent little girl's fancies."
Serena was shocked beyond compare. "You vile beast!
You thought was flirting with him?? Putting the moves
on your friend??"
Darien nodded, a dangerous look in his eyes.
"I'm astonished!" Serena said sincerely. "I was
trying to be friendly! What nerve you have, I'll never
understand it! And what is it of your business who I
talk to and in what manner I do? Since when are you so
paranoid??"
He didn't answer her. Was I flirting with the
general?, Serena asked herself, alarmed. Suddenly she
couldn't remember what her intentions were and what
they weren't. She had planned to do something...but
her mind was fogged up and once again Darien's sheer
presence had made it impossible to think straight.
Serena couldn't understand...couldn't believe it.
With a fury she had never known she moved right up
against Darien, looked up into his eyes. "I hate you,
Darien," she hissed. "I hate you with all my heart...
you and your conceited cocky ways. I know you're used
to women everywhere falling head over heels to do what
you ask them, but let me tell you something, I'm not
one of those girls...you can't control me, Darien...
never ever."
"You are such a child," he murmured. "Do you
honestly think I'm interested in you? That's why you're
carrying on?"
Serena could no longer keep her tongue in cheek,
and knew she had to get out of his way before she did
something she might regret later on. Fuming, the
princess of the Moon stalked off in as royal a manner
as she could, hoping he got her message. I DISPISE
you, Darien, she thought. I have never in my life
hated anyone more than you, and I hope you rot in Hell
when you die.
Serena spent the rest of the time with her friends,
avoiding Darien as much as she could. Eventually she
found herself with Raye in one of the corners of the
ball room, sipping punch and eating cookies.
"So..." Raye began during a lull in their
conversation. "When do I get to meet this prince of
yours?"
Serena felt her mood darken and she brought the
cookie she was nibbling on away from her mouth. "Oh,
him. Why did you have to go and make me remember he's
here. I'm trying to forget."
"Is he really that awful?"
"More so. You wouldn't believe it, Raye..."
Serena went on to tell her friend the events the Inner
Princesses has missed - Darien and her's argument on
the lawn, his escorting her into the ball room, and
deserting her on the dance floor as suddenly as he had
showed up outside.
Raye whistled. "Wow, Serena, you really hate the
guy, huh?"
"With a passion," Serena agreed angrily. "He
infuriates me to no end! It's almost like some kind of
spell...all I have to do is LOOK at that man and chills
run down my spine."
"Is he cute?"
"RAYE!!!" Serena cried, outraged. "What do you
mean by that?"
Raye shushed her. "Keep it DOWN, dummy! Do you
want the guests to hear?" Then she shrugged in reply
to her friend's question. "Well, usually whenever you
have that chilly feeling, he's cute and...." She
trailed off seeing the dark look on Serena's face.
"Well, it could happen. So, point him out to me."
Serena nodded and turned her attention back to the
crowd of people in the ball room. After only a matter
of seconds searching she found him talking with a Moon
girl by the punch bowl. "There's the creep now, at the
old watering hole."
Raye was silent as she followed Serena's gaze, and
then she gasped. "Oh my God, Serena...he's the most
breathtaking man I have ever seen in my life!! What a
hunk!"
"Oh. I hadn't noticed."
"How could you not?? I swear, he's the cutest
thing in this room!"
Now Serena was annoyed. "Okay, okay, cut that
out. You think he's cute, fine with me, you can have
the jerk. Marry him for all I care. Now, can't we get
off the subject?"
Raye chose to ignore her. "Why aren't you over
there talking to him?"
"Are you daft? I just told you I dispise him!
Why in the world would I want to be with him??"
"Well, it looks good...the princess of the Moon
talking to the prince of the Earth. And it wouldn't do
your social reputation any harm, he's very handsome."
"Oh, get off it, Raye! My goal this evening is to
avoid the guy completely. I have Lita, Mina and Amy
flanking me from all sides, if he takes a step this way
they're gonna distract him so I don't have to see his
face." Serena looked pleased. "It helps to have
friends at times of crisis."
Raye snorted. "Crisis my foot. The prince isn't
exactly evil or anything. And you have the others out
there on a mission like he is one...keeping the enemy
away. You're blowing this out of proportion. But
actually...if you want my help....distracting him, I
wouldn't mind...."
Serena laughed. "Go on, take Prince Snobbish.
He's yours."
"Thanks but no thanks. He's doesn't look like my
type. He looks too serious for my tastes...and I run
more toward tall, *blonde*, and handsome."
The two princesses stood, watching the other
dancers and talking for a long time afterward, on any
topic at all. Serena was just happy to be rid of the
subject of Darien. Still, she had to admit, she had
felt much better for some reason about him when Raye
remarked she didn't care for his looks altogether...
somehow safer.
Darien's eyes swept over the dance floor idly. Jedite
was back at his side, and was babbling once more on
something Darien couldn't keep his mind on. Instead he
watched everyone dancing and having a good time, his
thoughts back on the Earth, thinking of sleep and how
happy he would be when the ball was over.
Jedite then said something that caught Darien's
attention. "Oh, look," the general remarked, pointing
his fingers at a swaying couple. "There's Princess
Serena, she's finally out there dancing with someone.
I was wondering when one of the boys here would ask her
for a waltz or two. You'd think she was avoiding them."
Darien was surprised to see her there too. He'd
never been able to imagine her in the arms of any guy,
but there she was dancing to a very romantic song with
a young man who looked to be a noble from the Moon.
He himself had had a nice amount of time with the
opposite sex that evening. Girls were flocking to him
as they usually did, though none of them really caught
his attention span for more than a few moments. It was
one of the slower evenings actually compared to those
he had had on the Earth because all of the women at the
ball had brought a date they spent most of their time
with.
Now Darien watched Serena and the boy, he was
whispering something into her ear and she tilted her
head back and laughed gaily. Darien's fist clenched.
She's mocking me, he thought. Trying to see my
reaction to her little performance. Well...I'll show
that girl.
He left Jedite's side and strode over to a group
of girls nearby. They were talking amongst themselves
and occasionally giggling. Darien smiled to himself
and tapped the one who's back was to him on the
shoulder. She spun around to face him, and gave him a
smile in return.
The girl had glittering blue eyes, creamy skin,
and blonde hair, two shades lighter than Serena's.
When she looked closer at him she seemed confused and a
little wary. "Hello, ummm...sir."
Darien bowed. He knew how to deal with shy girls.
"Good evening, I am Prince Darien of the Earth, and I'd
like to request this dance with you."
The girl shot a look at her two companions, who
nodded in return. Then she looked back at him and
smiled again. "All right, I accept." She curtsied.
He took her hand and led her out to the floor.
Then he brought her into his arms and began to dance.
His partner was an experienced dancer, and let him lead
without any interference. "If I may take the liberty
of asking," Darien said after a few moments, "what is
your name?"
"Mina," she responded. "Princess of Venus."
"Ah. So we are both of royal blood then. Have
you heard of me? I have of you."
Mina nodded. "Yes. My friend Serena has talked
about you before."
Darien almost froze in place, but covered his
surprise with a dance step. "Oh really?" She talks of
me? This girl is her friend. Oh, of course, I should
have known, her court is made up of the Inner Planet
princesses.
"Yes, often enough. You tend to get on her nerves."
He laughed at this blunt statement. "I see we
haven't exactly made our feelings for each other
discreet."
Mina giggled. "Serena is one of my best friends...
she's got so many great qualities, it's hard for me to
understand why she would have any enemies."
"I suppose we don't see eye to eye on some matters."
"It would seem so, highness." Mina looked over his
shoulder and her eyes brightened. "There she is now...
dancing with a friend of ours, Charles. He's the son
of one of the dukes here, very nice and gentlemanly."
Darien swiveled his head to see. There was Serena,
dancing a ways behind them with the same boy he'd seen
her with earlier. The two were talking animatedly. As
he watched though Serena seemed to stiffen, and slowly
she turned to face him. Her eyes looked shocked as she
saw Mina and he coupled. Mina was waving, and had
suddenly taken complete control of the dance, leading
Darien over to them.
In a matter of seconds the four were facing each
other. Mina and Charles greeted each other happily,
and Serena stepped back a little. She shot Mina a
quizzical look, and her friend nodded her head at
Darien and told Serena something with her eyes. The
princess of the Moon sighed and crossed her arms.
"Hey," she said. "Charles, Mina, why don't you two go
on and dance...I think I need to sit out a bit." A new
song had begun, and partners were re-grouping.
The two agreed and suddenly Serena and Darien were
alone. He could think of nothing else to do but the
obvious. "May I have this dance, princess?" His voice
was formal but his eyes said he was mocking her.
Serena looked sharply at him, rolled her eyes, and
agreed. "But only because you're the only available
person left and I have nothing better to do," she
replied as he swept her into his arms. They began to
sway to the beat slowly but surely.
At first Serena almost drew back. Feeling herself
in his arms...why was it so different than when she had
danced with Charles or any of the other young men?
Almost...right, in a cosmic sort of way. But it's not,
she told herself. Darien and I can't stand one another.
"I...." she started. "Why are we dancing?"
"There's nothing better to do," Darien replied,
quoting her. "Besides, it's good for our images. The
prince and princess of the negotiating kingdoms. Maybe
this dance will cancel out our performance at the
council meeting several days ago."
"I still say that was your fault."
"My fault?? You fell into me. And then you
started to argue over nothing at all."
"Over nothing at all?? My honor, my pride!"
Darien smiled at her with a degrading look as if
he didn't believe her. "Really. My opinion is you
just like to argue."
Serena could not believe his gall! The nerve of
him! Oh, she would never understand this Earth prince,
not as long as she lived! Did he really have to be so
nasty about everything? It wasn't as if she had done
something to him...why did he seem to hate her so?
"Look Darien," she said with a sigh. "If you'll
just be civil from now on, I swear I'll stay out of
your way if you stay out of mine."
"I usually try to make it a point to stay out of
the way of simple minded children."
Serena gasped. "'Simple minded'...!"
He nodded.
"I did NOT," she sputtered, "come here to be
insulted!!"
"Oh really," he responded in a voice dripping with
sarcasm. "Where do you usually go?"
Serena had absolutely had it with the man! How
DARE he insult her in her own place????? It was
revolting, the sight of him made her want to vomit -
her stomach was turning cartwheels so. Just his voice
made her want to scream with rage and punch him in the
stomach. No one in the galaxy had ever made her so mad,
so starving for revenge. With every insult he threw at
her she wanted to think up dozens more but never had
enough time. Not even Raye could make her so crazy,
make her feel so dumb and stupid, inferior. Something
would have to be done...so she took action immediately
without thinking of the consequences.
In one single movement the princess's foot found
his and mashed it with her heel. She enjoyed his gasp
of shock as he staggered back. Triumphant, she batted
her eyelashes at him, ignoring the onlookers. "Oh, I
am sorry, your highness," she said in a loud, sweet
voice. "But that's what you get for dancing with a
girl like me, you know how simple minded we children
are." The princess tossed her hair over her shoulder
and retreated, head held high. Still she would not let
herself get too excited. After all, she thought. I've
may have won this battle, but not the war...yet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, not exactly the edge-of-your-seat-can't-wait-till
-the-next-chapter ending I was shooting for, but it
will have to do. The chapter was already too long. I
think they will all be like this. Horrors! Look out
for Chapter 3...(should be a little shorter if I want
to end it on the right note) in which Serena meets a
man from long ago...and discovers something horrible...
a promise made long ago at her birth...which could
change the way she looks at things forever, (or at
least in this fic!) E-mail SlrUnico@aol.com to comment! (
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