Kenneth d'Eliese smiled knowingly as the royal messenger read the invitation for the upcoming ball of the Spanish Royalty. Of course he would allow Serenity to attend. As much as he didn't like Endymion's reputation, a union between France and Spain would do wonders for their economy and countries. It was a King or Queen's dream to have the two countries united, and though many had tried before them, he had a gut feeling this was the union to surpass them all.
After dismissing the royal court, Kenneth walked over to his wife, a sly grin on his face.
"Kenneth, dear, what are you planning?" Isabella asked, knowing full well what he was scheming. Her husband had many schemes and plans for making his kingdom better, all with good intent though many of them usually floundered. Isabella had always stated her opinion when Kenneth schemed, though he rarely listened to her. It was not that he was a bad husband, no, far from it, it was rather that Kenneth was one of the most stubborn men to ever grace God's wide earth.
She knew full well what Kenneth was planning this time, like she had had previous hunches on many of his other plans. However, unlike his other plans, she was going to stick her foot in this time, making sure Kenneth did not foul anything up when it dealt with her niece, Serenity.
"Oh nothing, my dear," He said as his grin grew wider, "except the joining of two great nations." Isabella nodded slowly. She knew it. He was planning a union between their niece and the prince of Spain. She sighed softly and watched as her husband's cocky grin grew wider. She recalled times when she had swooned for that same grin, but when her eyes fell upon it this time, she simply wanted to slap it off his face. Whether Kenneth liked it or not, she was going to have her say so in this matter, come hell or high water.
"But have you even considered Serenity's feelings on this?" Kenneth stopped his grinning a moment and pondered her question. Isabella smiles thinking Kenneth would perhaps finally give a second thought to one of his ideas before going through with it. How wrong she was.
"No, but she should be joyous! This is the greatest opportunity she could hope for as the future Queen of France." He stated quite assured of himself.
Isabella sighed and frowned at her husband. Men never were too intelligent on the matters of marriage and romance, especially matters like these.
"But Kenneth, dear. Serenity does not even know Prince Endymion, much less douth she have a reason to love and marry him." she paused a moment and stared her husband in the eye. "She will not be happy. With Endymion's reputation at stake, I do not think he will get rid of all his women callers just for his wife, if indeed they agree to this marriage."
Kenneth looked at his wife and smiled softly, nodding as he recalled one of the many reasons he loved her. She was always more intelligent than he was in the ways of love and parenthood. She was such a good mother figure for Serenity, trying to be there for her yet never tried to replace Serenity's real mother. Kenneth wrapped his arm around his wife and kissed her gently on the lips.
"You're right as always, Isabella." At this Isabella laughed, causing Kenneth to raise and eyebrow. "Love?"
"You? Admitting I am right? I never thought I'd live to see the day!" Isabella laughed again softly. Kenneth smirked a bit and winked at her.
"That old love?" Isabella's laughing face immediately turned to an angry one as she removed herself from his embrace and began to walk away. Kenneth laughed softly and caught up with her. "Darling I'm sorry. You look not one day older than the day I proposed and I am an old goat for saying otherwise." When Isabella smiled and kissed his lips he finished his previous thought. "Perhaps you should go inform Serenity of the Spanish ball first and we will worry about marriage propositions when the time occurs." Isabella smiles softly back at her husband.
"I know I worry too much, Kenneth, but Serenity is like a daughter to me. She has grown up so fast and day by day she looks more and more like Marie. I just want to see her happy." Kenneth nodded and smiled lovingly at his wife.
"I know, Bella. I love her like my own as well, but I know she and Endymion were made for each other. She is so much like Marie and look how she changed my brother's life. This will be the best for them both." Isabella laughed and once again kissed her husband.
"Like I was the best for you?" She asked, winking as she turned to leave the room. Kenneth laughed as well before turning and leaving the room as well.
Little did they know that they were being watched the entire time.
As the week drew on, Serenity had agreed, although she would have said she was forced, to go to the Spanish ball. She had been fitted for a new dress and as a special surprise, Kenneth pulled out the family jewels, letting Serenity wear her mother's crown and necklace.
While Isabella and Serenity prepared for the ball, Kenneth sent an acceptance letter to King Phillipe as well as a private letter from himself. He made Phillipe aware of his plans for engagement, which Phillipe agreed to wholeheartedly. He had once loved Marie, her daughter, from rumors around the kingdoms, was her exact likeness in every way, and if his son was anything like himself, he would fall for Serenity on day one.
The day of the ball drew near and Serenity's travel preparations had been made. She would travel with her nurse, Ilene and her personal guard Haruka, daughter of the Tenoh family in France. Her father had been the personal guard of Serenity's parents and the duty had been passed down to her since she was the eldest of three children. Normally the duty was passed to the son, but since their only son had not yet been born at the time of Haruka's knighthood.
Upon arriving in Spain, Serenity, Ilene, and Haruka would stay within the palace for a month, since Serenity's trip was over a great distance and it was customary for monarchs to stay a good deal of time.
She left on a Monday and the ball was on the upcoming Friday, and she arrived in Madrid on Wednesday. Their rooms had been prepared far in advance and their things were sent in a carriage ahead of them to be ready for them when they arrived. As the hour of their arrival in Madrid drew near, servants in the Spanish castle were frantic, bustling about to get everything in order and also to prepare their monarchs for the welcoming reception. Endymion was a wreck. His father had been hinting all week of Serenity's beauty and such and Endymion felt far too much anticipation for her arrival, but not for Serenity herself. The sooner she got here the sooner she left and he would be rid of her. No more silly air-headed girls seeking his bed.
As Serenity's carriage arrived in the palace courtyard, servants and footmen rushed to it's assistance, but Haruka had already let herself down from the front of the carriage and helped Serenity and Ilene out. The servants and footmen gawked and whispered in their native tongue about the 'tall, feminine man who dared do their jobs.' Haruka simply smirked and spoke to the carriage driver in fluent Spanish.
"Muchos gracias, Senor.. Here are 100 extra pesos for the smooth ride." The servants gawked and hushed as she turned back to them.
"Muchos gracis, Senorita!" he called and drove the carriage around to the stables as the servants picked their jaws up off the ground, and pulled their feet from their mouths. Serenity stopped and stared at her in silence, then shook her head. 'Never did care much for other languages.' She thought and turned to Ilene and spoke to her in French.
"Ilene, do you think the royal family is nice? Will I make a good impression on them? WIll they-" Ilene shushed her andturned her attention back to the castle, from which the guards were now preparing to announce her arrival. She straightened her back and lifted her skirts as she began to climb the many steps. No sooner had she reached the top than did the guards announce them to the Spanish court.
"Presenting her royal highness, Princess Serenity d'Eliese... her guard, Senorita Haruka of Tenoh and her personal nurse, Senora Ilene de Notirelle..." Serenity caught her breath unoticeably at the bottom of the steps and wondered what the Spanish man had said. All she understood were their names, and he had said them so fast she barely caught them. She was starting to wish she had learned Spanish instead of English, and she barely knew English at that!
They made their way to the thrones at the end of the large throne room and bowed infront of the monarchs, who stood and bowed after each was announced.
"King Endymion Phillipe Castille II..."
"Queen Elena de Matalia..."
"Prince Endymion Phillipe Castille III..."
A smile smile washed over Serenity's face as she heard the name of the handsome Prince and met his eyes, however she found fear and sorrow suddenly ran over his handsome features. She tried not to frown as she saw Endymion's reaction and barely caught the word mouthed from his lips. 'Elisabeth.'
Endymion quickly shook off his daze and looked at the French princess again. She could definitly pass for a twin of Elisabeth. Serenity looked more like Elisabeth's sister then Beryl did. He sighed as his parents walked down from the throne and began to greet her. They all spoke in Spanish, but he soon learned that Serenity wasn't fairing too well, always turning to her guard for a translation. He sighed and rolled his deep blue eyes. So the chit was an airhead.
"So, Princess Serenity," the Queen began again in Spanish, not noticing her trouble, "How was your journey here? Comfortable I hope?" Serenity caught the word 'trip' and the word 'I' and 'comfortable'. She flustered and tried not to turn to Haruka again for help.
"Uh... Tu es bien... Si... Si.. bien..." she spoke quickly hoping it came out right. Endymion nearly laughed at her words, as well as the rest of the court. She had just told the Queen-'You are good, yes, yes, good.' Elena frowned and then turned to Endymion and introduced him.
"This is my son, Endymion." Serenity smiled. Now that she understood. The Queen had just introduced her son.
"Buenos dias, your highness. It's a pleasure to meet you." She said in near perfect Spanish. Greetings were something she knew in many languages for she said nearly the same to every European deligate that visited the French kingdom. Endymion smirked. 'So the chit thinks she is smart?' He grinned. 'Well I'll show her won't I?' Endymion then bent his head and placed a gentle kiss on her hand.
"Bonjour, Serenity. It's a pleasure to meet you as well." She gasped softly and the Spanish King and Queen looked on in shock. Since when had their son learned French. Not many in the Spanish kingdom knew it, not even themselves., for only recently had Spain and France decided for peace.
"B-Bonjour, your highness. I did not know you knew French, or I would have spoken to you that way." He smirked.
"But then I could not have seen the lovely shocked look on your face..." He grinned. 'The chit doesn't know what she's getting into.'
"Your highness, don't flatter me. I simply tried ot speak in your native tounge because it is customary and proper to speak the language of your hosts. One cannot say I did not try my best." He smirk grew. 'So the chit has some brains.. it gets more interesting every moment.'
"So how do you like my country, your highness?" he laughed at her look.
"Your country?"
"But, of course. I should take you on a tour after the ball." Serenity laughed.
"That you will have to do, I find it grand you should want to show me *your* country, your highness. But, if you could excuse us, we have a ball tomorrow to attend, if you haven't forgotten and I need some rest after my two day journey." Endymion nodded, but then smirked once more and lifted her arm to join his.
"Well then let me escort you, your majesty. And while we are talking of the ball, might I request the honor of being your escort for that also?" Serenity smiled and nodded. "Only if you promise to behave, good sir. I have heard too many rumors and I fear for my safety alone with you." Endymion was about to growl several curse words towards her until he saw the joking grin on her face. "Easily riled, your highness?"
Endymion laughed, "Only when I hear an untruth about myself..." Serenity raised a brow and Endymion sighed. "Alright, it was partly true..." Serenity laughed as Endymion turned and excused themselves from his parents presence. After walking a few yards from the throne room, Endymion noticed the princess's personal guard close behind them. He smirked. 'Damn woman should give her some space...' He smiled down at Serenity and spoke to her again in French. "So, Princess... what is your country like?" At his words Serenity gasped and glared at him.
"My *people's* country is glorius.. and I miss it very much..." She sighed gently with a wistful look in her eyes and looked away. After recieving a icy glare from the guard, Endymion turned to apologize, but a guard of his own run up to him and began speaking rapidly in Spanish. Serenity turned a looked at the little man, with chubby round cheeks anf rowned not understanding a single word he said. Endymion sighed and turned to Serenity.
"Your highness, it seems I have an urgent political matter to attend to. My guard will show you to your room. I hope to see you again before the ball; if not, be well and adieu..." and with those words he bowed, kissed her hand again and left. Serenity smiled softly, a faint blush on her cheeks. The guard soon began to lead her to her room and upon reaching their destination he stopped and bowed like the Prince had just done and kissed her hand. He stood, blushing a bit and Serenity couldn't help but smile. He spoke to her again in fluet Spanish before hurriedly walking off. Haruka started to pull her sword form her sheeth, but Serenity stopped her.
"Haruka! He only kissed my hand. What are you doing?" Serenity asked, shocked at her guards behavior.
"Only kissed your hand?! Serenity! He said you were so sexy he'd like to eat you! I should cut off his tounge!" Serenity immediatly blushed and turned away. Haruka sighed, "Honestly, Serenity... You should have learned Spanish instead of English," and with those words she opened the door to Serenity's room and as she entered a chill ran through her. It seemed so cold in this room and so eerie. 'Almost like... death.'
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