Title: An Unsuitable Match
Part: 1
Author: W.bymeeh
Rating: PG
E-mail: jhyunl@aol.com
Website: http://members.tripod.com/jayhyun/sm/
*Author's Note: Let me know if you like this series...
please...accckkkkk....
*Disclaimer: These characters aren't mine, so don't sue me!
I have nothing worth suing for anyways. Also, the story in
this form is mine, so please don't take it without
permission! Thanks.
Chapter 1
"Argh! I'm going to be late, and Raye's going to
kill me!" Serena frantically looked through her threadbare
wardrobe for a decent skirt to wear.
"A ha! Got it!" Serena dove for the skirt in the
corner, its edge just barely noticeable in the darkness of
her closet.
Eleanor appeared in the doorframe to smile
affectionately at her daughter, who was frantically
yanking the skirt on in exchange for the patched up
trousers she wore when she was helping her father,
Keith, in the royal gardens.
"Sorry I made such a mess, Mom! I'll clean it up
later! Got to go, love you!" Serena dashed by, giving her
mom a quick kiss on her cheek before rushing out.
Eleanor sighed. Serena was growing up so
fast...twelve years old, already! It seemed like only
yesterday that she had showed up in a wicker basket on
their doorstep, an abandoned child and the answer to
their prayers for a child. And now, she had her own friends,
who were fellow children of servants on the vast royal grounds,
and was rapidly ascending the ladder to adulthood.
Serena was happy, and her parents were delighted that
they had such a precious daughter. However, Eleanor and
Keith both knew that the life of serving in the royal
gardens was not good enough for their daughter. They both
wished they could give her more.
However, at that moment, there was nothing Serena
wanted more than to escape Raye's teasing as she was late
for the billionth time. The others had already gathered by
the stables near the royal garden, and they looked up as
Serena ran frantically into the area, her two blond braids
streaming behind her.
"Look who finally decided to show up! I TOLD you
she'd be late!" Raye's teasing voice rose above the rest,
and her eyes flashed with fire as she tossed her long black
hair over her shoulder The daughter of the woodcutter who
provided firewood for the palace, she had grown up
bickering with Serena.
"Oh, Raye, give it a rest! She had to help her dad
out today with the new expansion in the gardens!" Lita
sent Raye a pleading look, her eyes big in a face framed by
her brown curls. As daughter of the royal cook who loved
to gossip, she heard about all the doings of everyone in
the palace.
"So, shouldn't we map out where we're going to go
today?" Ever practical, the royal governess' daughter,
Amy, changed the subject swiftly and concentrated on their
picnic with a simple toss of her shoulder-length blue hair.
Serena lit up. "I was thinking about this new spot I
found in the royal gardens. It's sheltered from view of
the palace, so no one can see that we're there, but it's
got the most beautiful flowers and a wonderful brook so we
can go wading!"
The other girls squealed with delight at the thought
of being able to dip into cold water in the sweltering
summer heat.
"Are you sure it's okay, Serena? The royal gardens
are only for the enjoyment of the royal family..." Amy
asked in a worried manner.
"Oh psh! Of course it's okay! This place is
deserted anyways; it's been allowed to grow on its own, and
it obviously hasn't been disturbed. No one will care if a
couple of servant's kids are there having some fun! C'mon,
let's go!" Serena bounced up and down in excitement, and
she started to skip on the path toward the gardens.
Laughing, the other young girls followed her. But
unknown to them, they were being followed by a figure in
the shadows of the building behind them, who had been
present for their entire conversation.
"Isn't this something like paradise?" Lita yawned
peacefully underneath the shade of a weeping willow.
"I'd say that your food has got to be the closest
things to that," Serena smiled as she nibbled on the cake
that Lita had smuggled out.
Raye, for once, refrained from teasing Serena about
her eating habits, as she waded through the water in
contented silence, keeping her skirt high above the water.
Amy was reading a book as her toes dangled over the
edge of the brook, and there was a smile of tranquility
over her usually serious face.
The girls had spent the afternoon at Serena's secret
garden, and had enjoyed it throughly. They didn't usually
get time off at the same time, as they always had to help
their families with odd jobs to supplement their income.
None of the girls were well off, having grown up with
families that served the king and queen. Although each
girl longed for something more, they knew that reality
would force them into servitude for a lifetime. However,
on an afternoon like this, they could forget about the
chores waiting for them at home.
Serena was licking her fingers for cake crumbs when
she thought she heard a noise. She looked up, and she saw
a shadowy figure in the trees behind Amy. When the figure
noticed Serena looking toward her, she started to retreat.
"Hey! Who are you? Come on out, we won't bite!",
Serena called out in a friendly voice, trusting her
instinct that this person wasn't here to harm four servant
girls.
The figure hesitantly stopped her retreat, and
stepped forward into the sunlight. Serena had attracted
the attention of the other girls, who now looked in shock
at the young girl who stood before them. A girl their own
age, but so different!
"Princess Mina!" Immediately, the four girls
scrambled to their feet; Amy threw down her book, Lita
jumped up from her lounging, Raye splashed herself in her
haste to get out of the brook, and Serena stepped on the
remainder of the cake nearby.
"Oh, please, don't do that! I just wanted to join
you, seeing as all four of you looked so happy to be here.
And the royal palace can be so lonely...no one my own age
to be with, have picnics with...", Mina spoke, a tremor
running through her voice.
The others looked at each other. It was clear that
the princess was lonely...could they help her? But for
heaven's sake, this was the princess and they were four
servant girls!
Serena decided to make the decision for everyone.
"Okay, Mina, sit right down and have some of Lita's great
cooking! She's the daughter of the palace cook, y'know!
I'm Serena, my dad is the gardener and I love helping him
with the flowers. That's Amy", Serena gestured to the
frozen girl, "who's the smartest one of us all, being the
daughter of your governness. And that's Raye, she's the
daughter of the woodcutter and she has a temper to boot!"
Serena stuck out her tongue at Raye in return to Raye's
annoyed look. "Have some food, we just finished our picnic
but there's plenty of food left. Err...you might not want
the cake though, I think I took care of that!" Serena
lifted her cake-sticky foot as the rest of the girls
stared. And all of a sudden, the girls started to giggle,
which turned into loud, riotous laughter.
Mina laughed happily, as she looked around at her new
friends. Unlike the horribly boring royal gatherings where
she never had anyone to talk to, especially when her
brother Darien was off with his guards planning pranks,
this felt so right and wonderful to be with these people.
Although her parents would not be pleased to find that she
was conversing with servants, she knew that this was what
she wanted to do.
Smiling, the other girls accepted Mina into their
group wholeheartedly...a welcome friend, although the royal
princess was certainly an unusual aquaintence to have.
"Mother, I was wondering...", Mina grasped at her
flailing courage to continue her proposal.
"Yes, dear?" Queen Helen of the Earth looked at her
daughter with an indulgent smile.
"Since I've just turned twelve, I was thinking that
it was about time that I had some ladies-in-waiting."
There. It was out. Mina breathed a sigh of relief,
glad that the hardest part was over. She lifted her eyes
to her mother's. Oops. Not out in the clear yet.
"Do you feel that you're ready to have a court of
your own?", Queen looked hard at her daughter, testing her
to see if she was mature to have her own personal
companions.
"Yes, I feel that I've reached a point where I need
companions of my own, to begin my journey
into...uh...womanhood." Mina choked the last few words
out.
An amused look came into the Queen's eyes. Maybe not
quite a woman yet, but Mina certainly was growing up.
"Mina, you may have your ladies-in-waiting. Did you
have anyone in mind? The Beryl family is coming, and their
daughter is your age. They're accompanied by a great
number of servants, and some might do well as your
companions." The Queen smiled at Mina.
Mina was in shock. Her mother agreed, and so
quickly? However, such an opportunity was not to be
missed. "Well, mother, actually there are a few girls my
own age who would do most admirably..." Mina tried
speaking in her most grown-up manner as her mother
smothered a laugh.
Serena was so excited, she could barely keep the grin
off her face. She whirled around the room, dancing and
spinning in circles.
"Mother, Father, can you believe it? Min- her royal
highness wants me to become one of her ladies-in-waiting.
Can you believe it? I can't!" Serena stopped spinning
around, and smiled at her parents. To her surprise, they
looked sad, although they were smiling.
"What's wrong?"
Eleanor and Keith looked at each other. With an
unspoken glance, they acknowledged that they would let
Serena go with no guilt, no matter how much it would hurt.
"We're just so proud of our little girl. It's
amazing how much you've grown up!" And Serena's parents
hid their grief, as they beamed down at the girl they loved
as their daughter.
Serena's smile reappeared. "I'm so glad that you're
proud of me," she said as she ran to them for a hug.
"Mother, father, I'd like to introduce you to my new
ladies-in-waiting," Mina looked proudly at her friends in
their new gowns. Amy was dressed primly in a gown of light
blue, while Lita looked out of place, tall as she was, in
her dress of forest green. Raye squirmed uncomfortably in
the unfamiliar outfit of red silk, while Serena couldn't
keep still in her dress of white satin. The four of them
looked as if they all wished to be anywhere else wearing
anything but the fine dresses they had been forced into.
The girls were in the palace library, a place lacking
in formality but suitable for the royal couple to meet
their daughter's companions. Present also, was Lady Beryl,
who was a few years older than Mina, and was accompanying
them during their stay. She terrorized Mina's new friends,
especially Amy, who couldn't speak up in her own defense,
and she held herself in an arrogant and proud way. Fitting
to a lady of such royal blood, she was condescending and
snooty to those below her, although to Mina she shot icy
looks while maintaining a polite demeanor in front of the
adults.
"They're very nice dear, I'm sure you'll do well with
these young ladies as your companions...but Mina dear, they
are four girls here. Which three are your ladies-in-
waiting?" The Queen gave Mina a firm but kind look. "I'm
afraid you're only limited to three companions...protocol
demands it so."
Next to the Queen, King Alexander nodded his
agreement.
A look of horror came across Mina's face. She was
shocked at the idea of having to give up even one of her
friends. She stared at them in desperation...she would
have to choose! Which one would she condemn to a life of
servitude? How could she do that? She knew, as they did,
that a life as a lady-in-waiting would be infinitely
preferable to that as a servant. It was part of the reason
that she had seized upon the chance to help her friends.
"Your highness, I believe that I can help Mina out.
I'm in need of a single companion, and my parents were
looking for a suitable one back at home before we left for
the trip to the palace. However, I'd like to take on...Amy
as a lady-in-waiting," Beryl smiled brightly at Mina's
parents.
Serena felt her blood boil at Beryl. She simply
couldn't allow this to happen to Amy. She glanced
surreptiously at her, and saw the tortured look in her
eyes. No, she couldn't let this happen to her best
friend...she would be ripped to shreds by Beryl, who had
ill-concealed her true nature to them in the past few days.
"Your highness, I believe that I'm better suited for
that task. I would love the chance to see different parts
of this planet, and Lady Beryl is a charming person that I
would adore being a lady-in-waiting to." Serena plastered
on a smile as fake as the one that sat on Beryl's face.
The Queen looked at Serena, and admiration sparked in
her gaze at her as she realized what this young girl was
doing. She nodded in aquiescence, and Beryl had no choice
but to accept. The Queen and King then left the girls to
themselves.
Serena turned to look at her friends. Mina looked
guiltily at her, Amy was looking at her begging for
forgiveness, Lita looked sad, and Raye had an outraged
expression on her face. Serena smiled, and held out her
arms. The four rushed to hug her, leaving Beryl to look at
them in disgust and storm out of the room.
"It'll be okay you guys...I'm strong, I can make
it...I'll be able to visit, you know...and travel anywhere
I want," Serena whispered, more to comfort herself as she
felt her heart ache at the idea of leaving her dearest
friends and her family.
Late that night, after much heartfelt confessions of
caring and tears at Serena's impending departure, the girls
went to bed. Serena, however, tossed and turned. She had
already said goodbye to her parents when she had left for
the palace, knowing that they wouldn't be able to see each
other often anyway. There was no need to hurt them further
with the knowledge that she would be farther than the
palace. Was she really strong enough to live apart from her
dearest friends?
Lita, Raye, and Amy had always been there, whenever
times had been rough on them. At age five, Serena had been
crying by herself near the stables because some older
servants had pushed her around, when she discovered Raye,
who comforted her and helped her plot revenge.
Serena bumped her way into Amy, who made her laugh at
the prince and princess' ineptness in history, just like
Serena.
Serena had followed her nose to Lita, who had been
learning how to make a cake. That one had been burnt on
the outside, but Serena alleviated Lita's despair by
swallowing a piece whole and declaring it the best thing
she ever tasted.
And Mina had turned from a princess into a very
dear and treasured friend, ever since she spied on them
at their picnic and revealed how alone she was.
Serena sighed. It hurt too much, but she had to keep
up a brave front for Mina, who felt guilty over forgetting
that she was only allowed three ladies-in-waiting. Mina
had turned out to be a true, loyal friend, completely
lacking in snobishness and was a carefree soul like them.
She stood up, still clad in the white gown she had
worn to meet the King and Queen. Its lines were plain,
with few embellishments, but couldn't hide the grace of her
growing figure that she was still as yet unaware of. It
was chilly out, but she didn't feel the cold night air.
For some unknown reason, Serena knew that none of the
servants were still wandering the halls, and she opened the
door to walk out to her favorite gardens for the very last
time.
Darien, crown prince of the Earth, wandered through
the gardens, restless. At sixteen years old, he was still
unsettled by the crowds of annoying girls who literally
threw themselves at his head. Unfortunately for them, he
felt not a flicker of emotion for any of them.
He sighed. Duty. Honor. Power. These were his
destiny, with the power of the Earth at his fingertips. To
be King of the Earth one day, ruling even more powerfully
than his father before him. This was what the prophecy had
foretold when he was born. And, of course, most
conveniently it had also predicted who his life's mate was
to be.
Darien lifted his head and stared at the moon, the
birthplace of the girl who would have been his soul mate,
his life's guiding light, his wife. Would have been.
His midnight-blue eyes darkened in anger at the moon.
Why was it his fate to live life alone? Ever since he was
a young boy, he had been alone. Disturbed by nightmares
that he could never quite remember when he woke up, he only knew
the feeling of fear of being alone. So much power and
prestige, and yet he didn't give a damn about it when he
knew that his days would forever be spent in ruling a
country sitting in a throne that was next to an empty one.
Oh, he knew there were plenty of women out there.
But none of them could fill the hole in his heart. He felt
as if there was a part of himself missing, a large void
that threatened to take over completely if he hadn't
learned how to push the despairing part of himself down.
There was a need in him, only he didn't know how to fulfill
it.
He saw his parents, so in love with each other. His
sister, Mina, was thrilled with her new ladies-in-waiting.
Of course, she was only 12, but she was still so satisfied
with simply being surrounded by her friends. She was not
alone, nor was she condemned to be. Darien's closest friends,
his bodyguards...even they couldn't understand. None of them
could.
He tried to remember when was the first time he had
felt such despair. He had been only five years old,
happily running amok through the palace halls, when his
parents had called him in. Thrilled that his parents were
making some time for him, he ran eagerly to their chamber.
There, he listened to his parents tell him a story that he
already knew by heart. He had been bethrothed to a girl.
But this was no ordinary girl...she was a princess of the
moon. Darien remember looking up at the moon in awe. He
saw how happy his parents were together, and knew that they
had been betrothed to each other at birth too. The girl he
would one day marry was still a little baby, but he was
happy, because he knew that one day they would be together
and he wouldn't be lonely anymore. A little girl waiting
for him, somewhere out there. That was what made him
happy, even though he had no one to have fun with during
the day at the palace. The royal practioners in the
magical arts foretold that she would be his soul mate. Far
from being resentful at having his future made up, little
Darien was thrilled that he would have someone to love and
take care of. Be taken care of in return. Just like how
Daddy takes care of Mommy, and how she looked after him.
But his little childish dreams had soon been
shattered. By some evil force named Metalia. Darien still
remembered himself at five years old, tears streaming down
his face as his parents told him that Queen Serenity of the
Moon was dead, and her daughter had disappeared during the
attack by Metalia. She was most certainly dead. Darien
knew what that meant. He had often asked the practioners
if there was only one for him, and was it really this girl
on the moon. And they had told him yes. And if she was
gone, then there was no one for him. And he would always
go through life alone. He knew this without anyone telling
it to him. He had accepted it, and locked away his emotions
and his sense of loss in his heart.
This was what tore away at him inside, while he was
going through all the motions and actions of being the
Crown Prince. He angrily stalked through the garden lit by
the hated moon, which served to remind him of all that he
had lost.
After walking off some of anger in a desperate
mission to leave his ghosts, Darien's angry stalking slowed
to a more peaceful walk. He wondered where he was now, and
wondered at himself for wandering around the royal grounds
at such an hour. He saw a clearing up ahead, and he
decided to take a minute to rest. As he walked underneath
the shadows of the trees overhead, he suddenly saw a vision
of loveliness and vulnerability. A woman...no, a girl, he
amended, was standing in the middle of the clearing with
her face lifted to the moon. A single tear had made its
way down her cheek, leaving a shiny trail on her face
reflecting the moonlight. Her sky blue eyes expressed her
deep sadness, and although Darien had never seen her before
in his life, he knew that those eyes could dazzle someone
with their light when she was happy. She was dressed in a
simple white dress with a sky-blue sash tied around her
waist; her body was slender and youthful. Two shining
braids of golden hair trailed down her back. She was as
young as his sister, he realized, and yet how could she be
such a picture of beauty and innocence? He knew at once
that this girl would grow up to be a stunning women as much
as she was a touching child. It was strange, but he had an
unaccountable urge to wipe the tear from her cheek and keep
her close to him in an embrace. All thoughts of his lost
princess flew from his mind as he lost himself staring at
the young girl before him.
Perhaps he had moved, or made some noise in his
throat, because in an instant the girl turned her head
toward him with a look of shock. She made a motion to run,
and Darien panicked. 'Such a child...'
"Wait, I'm sorry to disturb you. Please, I won't
hurt you...I was just wondering if you um...needed someone
to listen to you." Darien could have smacked himself on
the head for saying something so stupid. Here could this
child, most likely no more eleven and twelve years old,
make him feel like a figure of jello?
The young girl smiled, relief etched across her tiny
face, and her enormous blue eyes lit up. It was just as
Darien had thought. He felt dazzled by her life's light.
For once, he didn't think about being lonely or unhappy.
All of his thoughts were focused on the little girl in
front of him, and how to keep her smiling.
"Thank you...I'll be all right. It's just scary
because I've just become a lady-in-waiting to a nobleborn
lady, and I'm worried about doing my job right." Serena
smiled as her gut twisted in turmoil. She didn't like
telling lies, especially when faced with the most handsome
boy she had ever seen. His rumpled black hair fell
charmingly across his forehead, while eyes of the darkest
blue stared at her with such...need it frightened her. "My
name is Serena." Serena gave her best, let's-be-friends
look, touching him with her shining innocence.
"I'm...Darien. Here," he said, pulling out a
handkerchief. He came closer to Serena and gently wiped
away the traces of the tears that had fallen on her cheek.
He then enclosed his kerchief in her hand. He had the
distinct feeling that she wasn't telling him the whole
truth, but he didn't rush her. Don't scare her, he told
himself. He just wanted to help her.
Serena looked down at the handkerchief in her hand,
and lifted her head to stare at Darien, now in such close
proximity to her. She was puzzled. In his presence, her
fears about having to serve Beryl disappeared. She
felt...safe. She smiled, a look of peace coming into her
eyes as she looked at Darien.
Darien smiled hesitantly back, afraid she'd
disappear. This child, girl...she's special. He knew it.
"Do...you want your handkerchief back?", Serena
asked, a question in her luminous blue eyes.
Darien caught his breath. He was losing his mind.
"No, keep it, of course."
Serena frowned. "Well, then I have to give you
something of mine...Hmmm." She untied her sash and grinned
at the thought that came into her head. "Here, you can be
my knight in shining armor...at least, for tonight." She
laughed to let him know that she was kidding, and she
handed her sash over to him. Darien couldn't refuse the
young girl in front of him.
"Thank you, m'lady." He bowed deeply over the hand
that held the sash out to him. And then, in a move that
surprised them both, he turned her hand over and kissed her
palm.
Their faces lifted to look at each other, caught in a
spell woven by the moonlight and the garden. They could
have stood there forever, looking at each other...
A rustling in the tree branches was heard, and an owl
started to hoot, breaking the spell. Serena averted her
gaze and realized how late it really was. It would never
do to start her first day as lady-in-waiting to Beryl by
sleeping in late.
"Thank you for your help Darien...it is good to know
that I have a friend who would listen to me." Serena
smiled endearingly at him before she darted off into the
woods.
In shock, Darien looked as she ran away from him.
"Wait!" He didn't want her to leave him, and he quickly
followed in the direction in which she disappeared.
Damn, he thought. Where could she be?
He held her sash in the garden, looking at the
intricate moon design embroidered on the fabric. For the
first time in a long while, he didn't feel resentment at
seeing the symbol. His thoughts were on Serena. She had
said she was to begin service as a lady-in-waiting to a
high noblewoman...Suddenly, he remember that Mina was
just starting a court of her own. Serena must be one of
them, he realized. The worry that had begun to rise when
he thought that he wouldn't see her again began to subside
when he realized that he could see her everyday...He
decided not to follow the urgent feeling inside of him.
She probably needed some time to herself, and there would
be plenty of opportunities to talk later. He walked back
to the palace, holding her sash, and feeling oddly content.
Serena took a last look at the palace as the horses
pulled the carriage forward. She kept her gaze fixated on
the palace even as Beryl started complaining about their
long trip home. Beryl soon jumped on Serena's lack of
inattentiveness. It was, as Serena was to learn, just the
beginning of many complaints that Serena would have to put
up with. Her eyes started to brim over with tears, but she
dropped her right hand to pocket that held the handkerchief
of the boy she had met last night...and would never see
again. She hadn't been thinking coherently at the time,
obviously, or she would've realized that the only one named
Darien was his royal highness, the Crown Prince. She
must've seemed like an idiot. She gritted her teeth,
determined not to let the tears fall, and turned to Lady
Beryl.
"Mina, who did you say your new ladies-in-waiting
were?", Darien questioned his sister with an urgency that
surprised her.
"My court," Mina paused, "is made up of Lita,
Amy, and Raye. They're such great friends, that I feel
very lucky to have them all with me in the palace." She
smiled at her big brother, and was puzzled when an
expression of pain quickly flashed across his face. She
continued slowly, remembering her friend that wasn't with
her any longer. "I had another friend who was supposed
to become my lady-in-waiting for me, but...she's become
the lady-in-waiting to Lady Beryl instead. You know, part
of the family that just came, except you were too busy
playing hide-and-go-seek with your friends to even
meet them. Mother and Father are not too pleased with you,
which you would also know if you ever came to a single
royal function." Mina spoke casually, not wanting to relay
the guilt she felt at Serena's leaving them.
Frowning, Darien asked, "Mina, who was your fourth
friend?"
Mina's eyes turned sad. "Her name was Serena...she
was the gardener's daughter. I miss her already." She
sniffled and looked down.
Darien turned away, his heart aching. So strange,
that little girl...for one night, he had not thought of
anything but her. He hadn't been afraid of being alone...
and now, all his fears came back and the emptiness in his
heart was as big as ever. But who was he kidding? He had
known, before, that he was destined to be alone...so it made
sense that the young girl he had met last night would not
remain with him. He left the room with determination in
his eyes...he would never lose his heart to anyone...He
had his work as prince to do...enough to make a man forget.
Almost.
******************
To be continued...
w. bymeeh
jhyunl@aol.com
http://members.tripod.com/jayhyun/sm/
(
geocities.com/element_sprite)