He was sure that laughter would follow, but instead, Queen Serenity said, "What happened James? What has Serena done?" "She's done nothing. She informed me that she is not in love with me anymore. It seems that Serena and Endymion are in love with each other, so naturally I called off the engagement."

Queen Serenity turned to Endymion. "Endymion," she said. "Do you want to marry my daughter? This is a difficult time for Serena with her Sailor Scout training and all, I don't want anybody toying with her heart. So, this requires a yes or no answer. Do you love my Serena?" Endymion didn't even need time to think. He said, "Queen Serenity, I always know when to follow my instincts. True, it wasn't love at first sight for Serena and I, but we discovered it. I know that I love Serena because I would gladly give my life for her and protect her. So, your highness, the answer is yes, I do love your daughter very much. I ask your permission to take her hand in marriage."

Queen Serenity, impressed by Endymion's speech, said to James, "James, my dear James, are you all right with this?" "No," he replied. "But you cannot stop true love." James smiled and put a hand on Endymion's shoulder. "Well then," said Queen Serenity. "All things considered, I give you permission to ask my daughter for her hand in marriage." James and Endymion looked at each other, both perplexed at this answer. "I can ask her permission? I thought it was you who must say yes your highness." "Usually it is," said Queen Serenity. "But because this bond was not approved by the Imperial Moon Senate and because I do not want to get the Senate involved, you must ask her yourself." With those words, the boys were excused and they went back in their room.

When Endymion and James got back to their room, they found on James' desk Serena's engagement ring with a note attached to it. The note said,

Dear James,
I am most
sorry that this had to happen, but I must
follow my heart. I don't know what I'll do now, I
don't think Endymion would ever marry me. I'm sorry
that I caused you pain, and I hope that we
can someday be friends again. I love you as a
sister loves her older brother, but I could
never be in love with you. If I try to make myself
believe that I love you, I will be deceiving my own
heart which has been so kind to me. Please understand!
Oh, by the way, I would like to thank you for ending
the engagement. I returned the ring to you, thank you for
giving it to me, it is very
beautiful. I can't thank you enough for being
so kind to me all these years. Good luck
James! I love you my brother!

Love Always,
Serena

"Well," said James. "I must say that I am glad that she is happy. She said that she must follow her heart, and you my brother must follow yours. Go Endymion, ask her to marry you. I believe that she will be glad to marry you and you two will be very happy." "Wait!" said Endymion. "What about you? Who will you be marrying?" "I am engaged to Princess Hotaru of Saturn." "Your engaged so soon James?" "Yes, I had to be."

With that, Endymion took the ring that Serena returned and brought it to the palace jeweler. He made some adjustments on the ring and Endymion went to find Serena. When he went outside, he found her. She looked beautiful! Her hair was let down and it flowed in golden ringlets to the ground. Her face was slightly tanned from the summer sun and it was the same on her arms. She was sitting on her knees in the rose garden and smelling one of the red roses in front of her face. She picked a bunch of them and walked away. Endymion followed her.

Serena walked through the brisk sunshine and opened the black iron gate that surrounded the most sacred place in all of the Moon Kingdom. Endymion saw Serena sit down in front of her father's grave and place the roses there. Endymion had forgotten, that day marked the fourteenth anniversary of King Eternity's death.

Suddenly, Endymion felt a hand on his shoulder and he whipped around to see General Tinugio's face. "Hello Prince Endymion. I heard the news of your engagement to Princess Serenity. Obviously you haven't asked her yet, or she wouldn't be crying as she is now. I'm sure you know what day it is today." Endymion nodded his head. "Yes, General Tinugio. Her father died on this day, didn't he?" "Yes Endymion. If you'll excuse me your highness, I must pay my respects." General Tinugio walked into the enclosed area where King Eternity was laid to rest.

Serena looked up and saw a face that she knew would always offer a warm smile, and the way things had been going, she needed one every now and then. "Hello Uncle Tinugio." Serena said as she gave her uncle a hug. "Hello my darling Serena, are you feeling well?" "No Uncle Tinugio. My whole life is ruined!" Serena broke down in tears. "Why is it ruined Serena?" "My engagement with James is off, and I'm worried that Endymion will not want to marry me." Serena and General Tinugio heard a rustling sound in the bushes and suddenly appeared Endymion. He walked in the enclosed area of King Eternity's grave and turned to the tombstone with one of Serena's tiny hands in his.

"King Eternity, I come to you to ask your permission of something. You see, I fell in love with this wonderful princess, they call her Serenity." said Endymion. Serena began to cry tears of joy. "I wanted to know if it would be all right if I asked her to marry me because I went to her mother, another beautiful woman named Serenity, and she said that if Serena is ok with it than I could ask her. But, I thought it would be appropriate of me to ask you as well, you being her father and all. So, now that I have your permission, I'm going to ask her."

Endymion turned to Serena and got down on one knee. He pulled out a ring box and opened it slowly to reveal a diamond ring in the shape of a rose. Serena's eyes grew wide with delight and Endymion said, "Serena, I love you. I've loved you for years, and I will love you until the day I die. Would you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?" Serena looked at him with nothing but the deepest love in her eyes and said, "Yes Endymion, I will marry you!" Endymion picked her up and twirled around. When he put her down, their lips met in a passionate kiss.

"I know what I will do," said Serena. "I will announce my love for you in front of the entire galaxy at my mother's ball. She says it will be in a few years because it will take so long to plan, so it will be the most beautiful party ever! And at that glorious party my darling Endymion, we will find our happily ever after!"

Well, this story is going
a little bit longer than I thought,
but at least it's good! ^_^ E-mail me
at NeoTori7688@aol.com and tell me
what you think. Thanks!

~Neo Queen Tori~