"Mother, will you please explain why I must marry a-a..." Serena fa Matthers stuttered, unable to find any suitable words describing her fiance. She finally sat down with a thump.
"Serena, how many times must we go through this?" Her mother, Irene fa Matthers sighed. "You must marry Darien de Vaughn, it is your duty. You have been betrothed ever since you were a child. So what if you haven't met him? I didn't meet your dad until the night we were married, for Heaven's Sake!" She walked out of the room, but not before muttering, "Mina, girls, please coax Serena into complying. Her father was not at all pleased with her relationship with Seiya Andrews."
"Yes, your grace," was their answer.
Serena fa Matthers was a born royal. The only Princess of France, her mother was Queen, her father King. Serena's dad, Ken fa Matthers, had decided years ago, before his death, that Darien was the perfect man for Serena, but no one else supported that thought.
"Serena, maybe it won't be that bad," Amy Anderson sympathized. "You will be able to travel all around the world with Darien- after all, he is a duke."
"Amy's right, Serena," Lita Renolds added. "You know, I hear that he is the hunkiest man ALIVE! All the Queen's ladies-in-waiting want to snatch him!"
"But you guys don't understand!" Serena whined, getting up from her seat. "He goes through women like he does clothes! And he is so arrogant! Why should I marry someone like him? I am completely satisfied with the way things are going with Seiya."
"Serena, you know as well as I do that Seiya is not of high rank. The daughter of a duke should not be stuck with a...peasant!" Raye Hino said the last word so ferociously that Serena opened her mouth again, but before insults could fly Mina Anio stepped in.
"Sere, if you don't consent to this marriage for your future, do it for your parents. They have raised you to this age with many problems and complications in their lives. Be happy that you have someone to marry...the four of us will probably die before we meet our destined one..." Mina whispered the last part so softly that Serena had to strain to hear her. Mina, Lita, Raye, and Amy were bound by their own lives to the daughter of the duke. They couldn't marry unless she was married first, and not until they had Serena's approval.
"You're right, minna, even if I don't do this for myself I should do it for my parents..." Serena whispered.
"Shall I tell your mother about your consent?" Amy asked.
"Yes, go ahead."
As Amy walked off, Raye tried to console Serena. "Serena, don't feel too bad. After all, once you're married to His Grace, we will come with you to your new home. You won't be lonely. And I hear that His Grace isn't as bad as you think."
"Raye's right," Lita added. "We'll be there for you, just like when we were young."
"How could we think of leaving you, Serena?" Mina teased. "Anyways, you'll be the envy of ALL the court! His Grace is famous for his looks. Did you see that portrait of him that they had ordered for you? That hair, smile, EYES!!!!!!! (A.N. EXACTLY!!!)
Suddenly, Amy came rushing in.
"Guys, did you hear?"
"Hear what?" Lita asked.
"L-Lord Darien is coming!!!" Amy stuttered, her face a deathly pale.
"He is?" Raye asked, the colour draining out of her face. "When?"
"Tomorrow!"
"What am I going to DO?!" Serena wailed. "WHO was the stupid person who ACTUALLY invited that...that jerk to my home?!"
"Umm, Miss. Serena, your friends, Amara, Michelle, Hotaru, and Trista are here to see you," came a small voice from the doorway.
"Thanks, Molly. Have them come in," Serena said happily.
Once the girl was gone, Lita said excitedly, "Good! They're here!"
"I'm sure they'll know what to do," Amy said.
"I haven't seen them in the longest time!" Serena gushed.
"Haven't seen who in the longest time?" a voice asked. It was Amara.
"It's nice to make your acquaintance, Your Highness," Trista said, curtsying. Everyone followed her example and dipped a low curtsey.
"Oh, don't even BOTHER with formalities. I REALLY hate them." Serena said, making a face.
"Ah, but Princess Serena, you will be married soon and it's not proper to address you otherwise." Michelle said.
"Serena!!!" Hotaru said, jumping up and down. Younger than all the others and since she was only 6, she was so very excited to meet her friend again. Serena rushed to her and gave her a hug.
"Hey, Hotaru! Did you miss me?" Serena asked.
"Oh, yes, yes!!!"
Everyone laughed at how anxious Hotaru was to meet Serena again. Mina, Lita, Raye, and Amy came over to give their guests a hug each. After making themselves comfortable, they started talking about everything and anything.
"So, Serena, how do you feel about this...umm...marriage?" Amara wanted to know.
"Sere's getting married?" Hotaru said with a confused look. "How come I can't get married?"
"Oh, Hotaru, you're too young," Raye giggled.
"Yes, you are, Hotaru." Serena agreed. Seeing the hurt look in Hotaru's eyes, she decided to add, "But don't worry...you'll be old enough REALLY soon!"
"YA!!"
"Well, Serena, do you want to get married to this Duke?" Michelle brought them all back to where the conversation was. "You know, getting married isn't as bad as you would think. Amara, Trista, and I are all married to men we love and cherish."
"Yeah, but you have married men that you LOVE! How can I marry someone that I haven't met ONCE?!" Serena wailed. "He'll probably lock me up and not let me out until I produce his heirs...and THEN he'll be off, looking for younger, prettier women!!"
"Oh, Serena, you've been reading too much romance novels," Trista assured her. "Darien won't lock you in. And, besides we'll all be with you! Even if Amara, Michelle, Hotaru, and I can only stay with you for a month, we have to get back to our husbands, but Mina and the girls will surely be by your side."
"Yeah, if Darien locks you inside, I'll break open the door and rescue you!" Lita and Amara said at the exact same time. They were always the ones for action.
"My heroes!" Serena laughed, and everyone else joined in.
"Serena, Serena!!!" Raye whispered.
"What? It's only...AHHHH! It's almost time for breakfast, Darien'll be here, and I'm not even DRESSED!" Serena screamed, looking into the faces to seven very worried and nervous faces.
Don't worry...we've got Mina, remember?" Amara joked.
And so, with all of her friend's help, except Hotaru's, within 15 min, Serena was dressed, clean, and tidy, with all the finishing touches of her make-up oh.
"Thank you SOOOO much!" Serena gushed, then without a backward glance, she was off to the breakfast table.
"Will that girl EVER change?" Raye asked.
"No..." Michelle said.
"But then, if Serena wasn't like this, then she wouldn't be our Serena," Amy said.
"No she wouldn't" Trista said softly.
"Off! Hey, watch it!" Serena said as she bumped into someone. "Serena looked up to gaze into the bluest eyes she had ever laid her eyes on. 'Ohmigod! He is SOOO hot!'
"'Watch it'? Is that ALL you say? No apology? And what kind of hair do you have? It looks like meatballs! I know! Your name MUST be Meatball Head!"
"yeah, what? You want me to get on my knees and BEG? Oh, Mr. Nobody, I am sorry!" Serena yelled. And without another word, or even asking him for his name, she started to walk to her destination.
"Humph! People these days don't know any manners!" Darien said. "Bumping into me, not even saying sorry, and then just walking off!"
*But you have to agree, the girl was beautiful...*
*No, she was snobby. The girl of some royal judging from her clothes. Definitely not a maid.*
And with that he, too, went straight for the breakfast table.
"Serena! You're late!" Irene scolded.
"Yes, mother. I know and I'm terribly sorry, but Darien isn't here yet is he? So, technically, I'm not late," Serena stated.
"Just be glad that Darien didn't arrive before you," her mother said calmly. Then, suddenly, she stood up with a big smile on her face. "Good morning, Darien. Did you have a good night's of sleep?"
Serena turned around to see who the guy she was going to marry. She almost fainted looking into the same deep blue eyes the person she had bumped into just a minute ago.
"Serena, this is Darien de Vaughn, your fiancé. Darien, this is my daughter Serena fa Matthers," Irene introduced. *Hmmm...judging on the looks on their faces, they have met already.*
"Good morning, Serena," Darien said with a smile. His smile fell a bit when he saw who she was. Bowing, he kissed her hand. "How was your morning?" *Uh oh...it's the girl that bumped into me!*
"Very well, thank you," was Serena's reply. When he looked up confused, her look was totally Don't-you-dare-tell-my-mom-about-what-happened-this-morning-or-else-you'll-regret-it! Darien had no choice to comply.
"Please sit, Darien," Irene said. "And enjoy your breakfast."
The conversation was strained at the breakfast table until Darien announced that he had to check on his companions.
When he disappeared around the corner, Serena's mother sighed. "Serena, maybe you should give the man a chance." Then, a sparkle came into her eyes. "I have ANOTHER reason for you to marry Darien."
Serena was surprised at her mother's mischievous tone of voice. "Really?"
"Yep! Well, as you know, Darien went to check on his friends..."
"Yeah...so?"
"Well, don't you think that YOUR friends are a bit...lonely these days...?" Irene asked with a hidden meaning underneath it all. She knew that her daughter knew that she loved playing matchmaker.
"AHHH! I see...so if I marry Darien and move to his home and the girls come with me and see Darien's friends, they will...maybe...fall in love?" Serena guessed.
"Yes! That's exactly what I mean!!"
"That'll be SO exciting! I know that my friends would never think of falling in love and leaving me, but they won't be leaving me if they marry Darien's friends!! Thank you so much, mother! I'm going to investigate right now," Serena giggled happily floating out of the room.
*Ahh, but don't forget the hardest part. They have to truly be in love with their destined one to break the bond they have created with you, my daughter. And most of all, their princess must meet HER destined one first and fall in love. That love will not be broken, ever. If one dies, the other will too. It is a pity that Serena doesn't know that she already has met her destined one. All she has to do is fall in love now...* Irene thought.
*Darien, you are in BIG trouble. You insulted your own fiancée! How could you have done that? And even if she WASN'T your fiancée, you have no right to insult someone's hair!! What has gotten into your mind?!* Darien mentally scolded himself.
*Only the most beautiful girl you have ever met or dreamed about!* His self conscious mind fought back. Suddenly, a voice brought him out of his mental arguments.
"Hi, Darien!" Serena said with her biggest smile.
"What do you want, Meatball Head?" Darien said without even noticing what he just called her.
"My name is NOT Meatball Head!!! It's SERENA!! Repeat after me! SEREEENA!!" Serena shouted, obviously hurt.
"MEATBALL HEAD," Darien joked.
"Not funny! ANYWAYS, I came to ask you if I could meet your friends."
"Why?" Darien was confused.
"Oh, you'll see," was her answer.
"Malachite, meet my fiancée, Princess Serena. Serena, Malachite is first in command of my army and...almost everything in my palace." Darien introduced.
Malachite bowed, his white shoulder length hair falling over his eyes, and kissed Serena's hand without saying a word.
*Mina would like him a lot... just the right build, tall, and handsome.*
"Ok, Jedite, meet Serena. Jedite, Serena. Jedite is second in command." Darien explained.
"I'm very delighted to meet you, Princess." Jedite said with a twinkle in his eye. He pushed a hand through his sandy blonde hair.
"And I you." Serena answered, glad that he wasn't like Malachite. "But please, don't bother with formalities everyone." Serena looked around at the five men. "Just call me Serena" she smiled a 1000 watt smile. In her heart, though she was thinking *Jedite, eh? He'll be perfect for Raye...*
Darien saw her smile and was instantly boiling with rage. *How DARE she?! She was HIS fiancée, not Jedite's!!!*
"Serena, meet Nephlite, third in command of my palace. Nephlite, this is Princess Serena." Darien said stiffly.
"Nice to meet you, Princess." Nephlite followed Malachite's lead and kissed Serena's hand.
"Likewise," Serena replied with a smile. *He is MADE for Lita!*
"Serena, this is Zoicite, fourth in command of my army. Also the head doctor of my palace. Zoicite, this is Princess Serena." Darien said.
Zoicite kissed Serena's hand as well. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Serena." He said quietly.
*Hmm...he acts just like Amy would...yes, he'd go well with her.* "Yes, it's nice meeting you, Zoicite." Serena said with a huge smile.
"Well, now that I have met you all, how would you like to meet my friends? I'm supposed to be meeting them in the rose garden in... half an hour."
"Of course we would." Jedite replied for all of them.
"Men, this is Mina, Raye, Lita, Amy, Hotaru, Michelle, Amara, and Trista." Serena introduced a while later.
The men went around, kissing each girl's hand. But Serena's eye picked up that Malachite held Mina's hand longer then anyone else's, Jedite smiled lit up when he looked into Raye's eyes, Nephlite whispered something in Lita's ear that actually made her blush, and Zoicite and Amy both looked deep into one another's eyes.
*Ahhh! So that was what that was all about!* Darien exclaimed. *She was playing matchmaker for her friends! And it's worked!*
"Well, since this is your first time here," Serena said picking up Hotaru and putting the girl on her lap, "I think that we should give tours."
"Very regretful, Serena, but your mother needs to see us soon for some plans, and we will not be able to help our guests..." Trista spoke for Amara, Hotaru, and Michelle, too.
"That's OK," Serena said with a smile.
"I think that Mina should go with Malachite, Raye with Jedite, Lita why don't you go with Nephlite, and Amy, you could go with Zoicite." Serena said happy that her plan worked.
"Sure," Mina said. "What do you want to see, My Lord Malachite?"
"Malachite is fine, and I would happily go where ever you wish." was his reply.
Mina blushed. "Well, then, how would you like to visit the gym with me?"
"Gladly."
And with that, the two of them walked away from the group of people. Before long, all that was left was Princess Serena and Duke Darien.
"Well, my lord, where would YOU want to go?" Serena asked.
"Do you have a skating rink?" Darien inquired.
"Yes. Would you like to go?"
"Please."
"Do you have skates?"
"Yes, I do."
"Well, how about I go get changed out of this. That way, you'll have time to get your skates. I'll meet you back here in half an hour." Without waiting for his answer, she walked out of the rose garden towards her rooms.
*Ohmigod! Is she wearing THAT skating?!* Darien openly stared as he looked at Serena's outfit. It was a short skirt VERY short, and a tight t-shirt with a red bow in the middle. On her feet were a pair of red boots and she also wore white gloves that reached to her elbow. The skirt accented her long legs, and Darien didn't care that he was staring at them.
"What?" Serena didn't like the way her fiancé was looking at her.
"Are you wearing THAT skating?" He asked.
"Yeah. You got a problem?" She asked a bit too sweetly.
"NO, no," Darien answered quickly.
"Good. Come on! The rink is this way," Serena said as she ran off.
Darien clapped as he arrived just in time to see Serena do a perfect triple loop duble toe (A.N. Hey, I watch enough skating to know that there is something...related to what i just named. I have NO idea if it's spelt right, though) on the frozen lake.
"You're good, Meatball Head!"
"Because you complemented me first, I'll let that 'Meatball Head' slide, but if I were you, I wouldn't call me that again!!" Serena warned.
"Whatever." Darien stood up with his skates on. "I'll race you to the other end of the ice!!"
As he and Serena sped off to the other side, an ear splitting scream shattered the calm paradise.
It took a while for Serena to realize that the scream was coming from her, and that she was under water. *Oh no! I don't want to die! I'm too young!!! What'll I do?! I have to get out...but how? The sinking to the bottom seems easier-* Her thoughts were interrupted when she registered that someone was pulling her up. After that, everything went black.
"Ohmigod! That was Serena's scream!" Raye said, jumping out of her seat.
Jedite looked at her, worried. "Why don't we go and check on her?" he suggested.
And with that, the two of them raced out of the room.
(A.N. Hey, i know that it may seem a bit...impossible for them to hear her scream from outside, but just play along, ok?)
"Did you hear that, Malachite?" Mina asked, coming out of the girls restroom.
"You bet I did." was his reply.
"It was Serena!" Mina told him, her eyes wide with fright for their princess.
"Come on, lets go!" he said running towards where the scream came from, Mina right behind him.
"Yes, and that is all you really need to know about the history of-" Amy was cut off by an ear piercing scream. "SERENA!"
"That was SERENA?!" Zoicite gasped.
"Yes, it was. God, I hope she's alright... Come on, lets go!" Amy ran out of the room before Zoicite could even reply.
"Ha! I beat you again! Now what do you say about women being weaker then men?" Lita taunted Nephlite, who was on the ground, nursing his wounds.
"I'm terribly sorry, as long as you don't do that to me again!"
"Right," Lita said laughing in mirth. But her happiness was cut short when someone's scream pierced the air.
"Oh no..." Nephlite said, casting a glance at Lita.
"That was...Serena!!!" They both got up and ran for the door, running in the direction of the scream.
"Well, now that that matter's settled, you three may join Serena and her friends now," Irene stated, ending the meeting.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Trista, Michelle, and Amara chorused, but Hotaru was preoccupied with something she had just heard.
"Your Royal Highness," Hotaru spoke up.
"What is it, Hotaru?" Irene asked, worried as she had not seen the child so unfocused.
"Did any of you just hear Serena scream? It came from THAT direction," Hotaru pointed.
"What?!" the three older girls shouted, and before anything else was said they took off.
"Come along, Hotaru," The Queen said, getting up from her throne. "We must go see what's wrong."
"Serena! Serena!" Darien shook his fiancée, trying to wake her up.
"Serena!!!!!" seven girls shouted.
Darien had to back away to avoid getting trampled by seven very worried, fretful, distressed, and anxious young women.
"Let me check her pulse," Amy and Zoicite said at the same time, then each of them grabbed a different wrist.
"She needs to be someplace warm," Amy said.
"And she needs it fast," Zoicite confirmed looking at the Princess's blue tinted skin.
"Serena, SERENA!!" Hotaru wailed, grabbing on to the hem of Serena's skirt. "She's DEAD!!!"
"Come now, Hotaru. She won't die IF you keep out of everyone's way," Michelle said, picking up the young girl.
"She won't?" Hotaru asked, bewildered.
"Nope! Now, what d'you say we go inside for some hot chocolate?"
"Yeah!" Hotaru's gleeful shout faded away as the two of them walked away from the distressed group of people.
Well, what do you think is wrong with Serena? I need some suggestions...something BAD has to happen to her (no, she is NOT going to die, so don't send me mail suggestiong that!) that can be used in a good way. I was thinking...well, you'll see!!!
TA TA 4 now! REMEMBER: FEEDBACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! e-m me at: Crystalline_Lily@hotmail.com
Luv Ya!!! ^_~
