Betrothed Chapter 7
Rating: PG-13 (A strong PG-13, just to warn you all)
Author: Patch
E-mail: patchkhan1@hotmail.com

	"Princess Serenity, where do these arrangements go?"
	"Over by that table."
	"Your Highness, how does this look?"
	"Perfect, you can put it over there by the windows."
	"Shouldn't you be resting?"
	Serena swiveled around to face Darien and smiled
sweetly, a little too sweetly, "No, then who would be in charge
of making this ballroom look perfect for the evening?"
	"You could always put one of the Scouts in charge."
	"They're all busy with other things, therefore that only
leaves me. Shouldn't you be doing something also?"
	"I should, but I came to check on you and when I
didn't find you in our room I had to ask one of the servants where
you were. And here I find you on your feet when you should be in
bed."
	Her eyes softened as he spoke. "You came looking for
me?"
	He looked uncomfortable all of a sudden and looked
away. "Of course I did," he said gruffly, "you are my wife and I
can't have people thinking I'm an uncaring husband can I?"
	"No, I guess not," she said quietly and watched the
servants run around. "Well, as you can see, I am doing quite well
and I don't need people to hover around me, like you are doing
right now."
	"Fine then. I will be escorting you down this evening,
just to let you know."
	"I know."
	She watched him turn around and walk away. She
stared at him a bit and then shook her head and turned back to
her work.

	"It's a strange game they play," she said as she felt
strong arms encircle her waist.
	"How so?" a voice whispered at her ear.
	"They love each other but they are too dense too
realize it and circle each other warily instead. I wish someone would
just hit them over the head so that they would finally realize their true
feelings."
	"Oh I have a feeling everything will come out into the
open soon enough. Just be patient love, I assure you, you won't have
to call upon your powers of love and beauty just yet. They'll open
their eyes soon enough."

	"This feels oddly familiar," Serena said sarcastically.
	"Oh hush," Raye said.
	"I'm right you know.  The first time, I was waiting for
someone to escort me to the altar, now I'm waiting for someone to
escort me to the ballroom. Strange, don't you think?"
	"Serena, you are hopeless," Raye said, putting the last
curl of Serena's hair into place.
	"And you are fussing way too much. My hair will all be
out of place by the time this night is done."
	"At least you'll look good for the first half of it."
	"Speak for yourself," Serena said. The two glared at
each other for a moment, then burst out laughing.
	"You laughed first!"
	"No, you did!"
	"Oh, I can't wait for Darien to see you, he'll fall in love
with you at first glance."
	Serena stiffened, the words too familiar for comfort. "He
won't, you know. He can't stand me, I always do something he
doesn't like."
	"How can you say that? The man loves you! I may not
be Mina, Scout of Love and whatever but it's obvious to anyone
that he has fallen hard for you."
	"Do you really think so?"
	Serena's voice held such a wistful undertone that Raye
gave her a quick hug. "Serena, I don't think, I know. And I can see
that you love him too, just as much."
	Having the words said out loud was like a blow to
Serena. Raye laughed at her expression.
	"Don't look so shocked, Serena, it's perfectly natural to
love someone. Just because you're some great warrior of the Moon,
doesn't mean you'll evade the elusive powers of Aphrodite."
	"Aphro who?"
	"Never mind," Raye said, shaking her head.
	"Can we come in?" it was Jadeite and when Raye replied
yes, he walked in, Darien following him. The two talked as they
entered and it must have been something funny for they were both
grinning. However Darien stopped smiling when his gaze fell on
Serena and instead, his eyes widened a bit.
	The conversation having been stopped, Jadeite grinned
even wider and winked at Raye who walked up to him and gave
him a light kiss on the lips. He smiled and they watched Darien
walk up to Serena.
	"This night, I think, will be perfect for those two," Raye
whispered, "I can feel it."
	Meanwhile Serena stood up shakily as Darien walked
towards her.
	"Do I look alright?" she asked nervously, her hands
smoothing out her gown.
	For a moment he was speechless. She looked better than
just alright. "You look beautiful," he replied quietly, his eyes boring into
hers.
	She blushed and looked down, afraid to interpret the
intensity of his gaze.
	She gasped lightly when he placed a kiss on her hair. "Come,
I believe we have guests awaiting us downstairs."
	The couples went downstairs where they met King Terrence
and Queen Augusta.
	"Finally, you all arrive, we've been waiting and thought you
would never come," the King scolded lightly, but there was warmth in
his eyes.
	"Do be quiet Terrence. Jadeite, you may take Raye in
where the others are waiting. We will be announced as we come in."
	"Right," Jadeite said, and then turned to Raye, "Well Lady
Raye, shall we mingle?"
	"We shall," she replied playfully and the two went in.
	The Queen turned to Serena and kissed her on the cheek,
"Serenity, you look absolutely marvelous. You will amaze everyone
tonight. Well, are we all ready?"
	"I believe so. Darien, have Alfred (^_^) announce us."
	When Darien came back he held out his arm once more
and Serena took it, feeling a bout of nervousness. I am not nervous, I
am not nervous, she told herself. I can't believe it, I am nervous, she
thought, and looked up at Darien.
	He bent down to her, a lock of his hair falling forward.
"Just take a deep breath and smile," he whispered, his breath against
her ear causing her to shiver.
	"May I present to you, their Royal Majesties, Rulers of the
planet Earth, King Terrence and Queen Augusta."
	"May I also present to you, their Royal Highnesses, Prince
Endymion, heir to the Earth, and his wife, Princess Serenity, heiress to
the Moon Kingdom."
	This is it, Serena thought and did as Darien told her. She
took a deep breath and smiled widely as they walked forward. For
an instant she was almost blinded by the shininess from all the bright
dresses but she composed herself and kept walking forward. Stares
and absolute silence met the couple as they walked through the crowd,
the men bowing and the woman curtsying.
	When they reached the dais (AN: it's like a platform of
sorts), King Terrence turned around and announced, "Let the dancing
begin!"
	The noise level went back up as people began to talk and
the musicians began their songs.
	The Generals and Scouts met the royal family at the foot of
the dais.
	"Everything is running smoothly, Your Highnesses," Kunzite
said.
	"Good, no unwanted guests or anything of that sort?"
Terrence asked.
	"None whatsoever. We have guards posted everywhere
and if everything goes as plan, this night will be quite uneventful." 
Kunzite
replied confidently.
	"Are we expecting any problems?" Serena asked, confused.
	"None you have to worry about, sweet," Darien replied,
bending to brush his lips across hers. In a lower voice he said, "You
won't have to show your sword fighting skills this night."
	She narrowed her eyes at him but then smiled. "Are you
deliberately trying to provoke me?"
	"Of course not Dearest, I would never do such a thing."
	Serena giggled, surprising everyone in the group.
	"Can you believe it, they were actually able to talk civilly
to one another," Amy said, turning to Zoicite.
	"This is a night for miracles, love, definitely a night for
miracles."

	She was tired. Her feet were killing her and she hadn't
even danced yet. Her smile was hurting her and her husband was
off talking to some ruler of some nation. The Scouts were off
'mingling' and she was bored out of her mind.
	"You must be the stunning new Princess everyone is
talking about. Princess Serenity I presume? Or may I call you
Serena?"
	Serena did not like the tone of this new voice and when
she turned around to face the owner, she knew she wouldn't like
the person either.
	She came face to face with startling green eyes. Long
silver hair framed the woman's face and a shimmering green dress
hugged her body.
	Serena smiled and replied, "Only my friends may call
me that. And you would be...?"
	"Lady Carissa. I am quite pleased to make your
acquaintance, Your Highness."
	Serena didn't like the snide undertone in the woman's
voice and could only reply, "Likewise." She made to turn around
but Lady Carissa's voice stopped her.
	"I wouldn't do that if I were you. I don't like being
ignored and I won't be ignored by a petty, make-believe Princess
like yourself."
	"Excuse me?" She couldn't believe what she was
hearing from this woman's mouth.
	"You heard me. Don't think you're all high and mighty
just because you've married Endy."
	"Endy?" This woman called Darien Endy? She almost
snorted in amusement. But then she frowned. Was this woman that
close to Darien that he let her call him Endy? What a depressing
thought.
	Meanwhile, across the huge room, Darien stood with
Nephrite, watching the guests.
	"So when will you tell her you love her?"
	Darien almost choked on his drink, but managed to
swallow it quickly. He looked over at his friend, who only grinned
mischievously. "What are you talking about?"
	"Don't tell me you haven't told her!"
	"Told her what?"
	"Don't be so dense Darien. That you love her of course,
what do you think? And please, wipe that stunned expression of
your face."
	"I...I..."
	"Uh-oh, I see trouble. It cannot be good when a former
flirtation of yours meets your wife."
	"What?!"
	"Look, over there," Nephrite motioned with his glass,
"isn't that Carissa talking to Serena?"
	Darien's mouth tightened. This could not be good.
	"No doubt she's probably cutting down Serena as much
as possible. She was one of the more vicious of your 'women'
wasn't she? Quite possessive, if I recall correctly."
	 "I have to go stop her," Darien said leaving Nephrite
with his glass. However before he could go any further he saw
Kunzite reach the two women.

	"And I've heard how you practice swords. How
unladylike if you ask me."
	"I didn't ask you Lady Carissa," Serena said sharply.
She had had enough of this woman. She was about to say
something more when Kunzite joined them.
	"Princess, are things going well so far?"
	She smiled up to him gratefully and answered,
"Kunzite, I'm glad to see you. Except for a few irritations, the
night has been quite wonderful."
	"Kunzite? Princess Serenity, I never knew you were
on a first name basis with Endy's top guard," Carissa commented,
a malicious light in her eyes.
	"But of course Lady Carissa," Kunzite replied
smoothly, "Unlike *some* women, Serenity is like a sister to us,
it's only natural that she not be formal with us."
	"I see," her tone implied that they were lying and
Serena was struck with the incredible urge to slap the woman.
"Well, I'll be leaving you two now, I haven't been able to greet
the Queen," and with that she left.
	"Thank you Kunzite."
	"No need to thank me Serena, Carissa is a woman
who is worth no more than dust in my opinion. I don't know
why Dar-" he broke off abrubtly.
	"It's okay Kunzite," Serena said quietly, "the two
were lovers weren't they?"
	"Serena..."
	"It's alright, I understand you know. I know Darien
holds no more feelings for her, at least I hope so..."
	"Serena, he-"
	"I'm going to go find Mina, would you happen to
know where she is?"
	"She was by the tables, the last time I saw her,"
Kunzite replied.
	"Thank you."
	He watched her walk off and felt pure frustration.
	"What happened?"
	He turned around to face his friend. "Finally you
show up. Where were you? I really don't understand how you
could leave Serena with the likes of Carissa."
	"I did not leave her," Darien replied defensively, "I
was across the room when I saw them together and I was
coming here when I saw you reach Serena first."
	"You could have still stepped in."
	"Where is she?"
	"Off to find Mina, if you know what's right, you'll
go after her and talk to her."

	Serena tried to find Mina, but couldn't see her
anywhere. Finding that she could take no more she slipped out
into the gardens and walked away from the light of the ballroom.
She knew the gardens by heart now, having visited them so
many times and she went in search of her favorite place, not
realizing someone was following her.
	She pushed through some bushes until she finally
came upon it.  A gazebo sitting right in the center of the rose
gardens.  The place looked so beautiful that night, with the
moon shining down upon it, bathing the whole area in its soft
light.
	The Moon.
	Mentally shaking herself, she walked slowly and
cautiously up to the gazebo and went inside. Leaning against
the railing she took a deep breath and inhaled the sweet scent
of the roses.  How utterly romantic, she thought and then she
did what she had wanted to do for so long but hadn't gotten a
chance to do; she danced.
	She pretended she had a partner, holding one hand
up and curving the other, and she began to sway to the strains of
music that could be heard from the ballroom.  If only he would
join her right now and prove her wrong.
	"If only," she whispered, closing her eyes and moving
in tune with a waltz heard from far away.
	All of a sudden a warm hand enclosed hers and an
arm encircled her waist.
End.
Muhahahahaha, did you think that was the end? Hell no, I
wouldn't leave you guys hanging like that. Keep reading. Sorry,
someone dared me to do that and I had to comply.

	Startled, she gasped and looked into piercing blue
eyes.
	"Darien?"
	"I have that honor," he said softly.
	"Darien, I-"
	"Shh..." he whispered and brought her closer to him
and moved with her in time with the music.
	She thought she was in a dream, so magical was the
moment.  She sighed happily and rested her head against his chest
as they continued to dance.  He kissed her hair causing her to
look up, a question in her eyes.
	"Serena, I..." he began, but he did not finish.  Instead
he faltered and then captured her lips for a heated kiss instead.
She gasped in surprise and pleasure and found herself returning it.
She tilted her head against his shoulder to give him better access
and they continued to dance slowly.
	Soon, they had stopped dancing, however their
tongues continued with their dance, the outside world having
disappeared leaving only them and their sweet kisses.
	He moved her up against a corner of the gazebo and
continued to explore her mouth as his hands roved over her body.
She made no move to resist him, she was so caught up in passion.
He broke away and began kissing his way down her neck as she
sucked in her breath and sifted her fingers through his jet-black
hair, "Darien," she whispered.
	He stilled suddenly and then flung himself away from
her and walked to the other side where he rested his forehead
against the opposite column.  She came up behind him and put
her hand on his back.  He shuddered once and then looked at
her.  What she saw in his eyes, the emotion, the intensity, made
her gasp.
	"I have to go," he whispered and then walked away,
back towards the palace.
	"No! Darien, please, don't go!" she called after him,
but he made no move to stop and continued walking.  She hated
sounding so weak but she was confused and hurt by his actions.
"No," she whispered brokenly and slid to the floor, tears falling
from her eyes.

	Later that night, as she lay in their bed, gazing at the
canopy cover, she thought of what had happened in the gazebo.
She could not deny her feelings for him any longer.
	"I love him," she whispered.  Maybe I've loved him
for a long time, she thought. But did he love her?  She squeezed
her eyes shut as tears once more escaped.  It hurt her to think of
the answer and she wiped her face of the tears.  She focused on
her newly discovered feelings instead.  I won't pressure him, she
decided, he'll never have to know, it'll only cause more problems.
Yes, that's what I'll have to do.
	She heard footsteps approaching the door and she
quickly turned over and shut her eyes, pretending to sleep.  She
could hear him come over to her side and she felt the bed give
as he sat down next to her.  She opened one eye slightly to see
him gazing out towards the balcony, his expression unreadable.
He turned his head slowly back towards her and she quickly
closed her eye.
	A moment later she could feel his breath just a
millimeter away from her face and she began to panic.  What
was he doing?
	"Serenity..." he whispered, and then she felt his lips
upon hers.  It was meant to be a light kiss, however when he
moved away she followed him and refused to break apart.  She
leaned up on one elbow and his hands found themselves in her
hair, sifting and stroking through it.
	"Serena..." this time, he said her name on a moan
and she smiled lightly, surprised that she could have this kind
of effect on him.
	He broke away from her and they stared at each
other. After an awkward moment of silence she asked, "Darien,
can I ask you a question?"
	"What is it?" he asked cautiously.
	"What happened at the gazebo?  Why did you act
the way you did?"
	"You are my wife and I think I have the rights to
kiss you." he replied, looking straight at her.
	"That was not the answer I was looking for, and you
know it," she said quietly and crossed her arms.
	"Always the blunt aren't you?" he asked chuckling.
	"No, that's Lita.  Now, I'd like to hear the answer
please."
	He sighed and moved away from her to walk out onto
the balcony.  Oh no you don't, she thought, and quickly scrambled
off the bed to follow him.
	He leaned his hands against the railing and looked up
at the stars.  She stood next to him and waited patiently for him to
begin, knowing he would talk soon.  She was not disappointed.
	"I'm afraid."
	"Afraid?" she echoed.
	"Yes.  You see, I have these feelings for this woman
and I have no idea what to do.  I'm afraid, I might do something
wrong to push her away.  Maybe you can help me?"
	"Oh," she said, hurt rushing to her heart at his words.
Well, you knew it was going to happen, a voice told her, this was
an arranged marriage, naturally he probably already had someone
for him before you came along and snatched him up.  Must be that
Carissa woman, she thought resentfully.
	"I don't know how she feels about me, maybe she feels
the same way, maybe she doesn't, I'm not sure yet, but I do know
of my feelings and I'm wondering..."
	"Wondering what?" she asked, fearful of what he
would say.
	"Should I tell her how I feel?  Should I be open, true
and honest with her?  What should I do, Serena?"
	"You should," she paused as her throat became heavy
with unshed tears, "you should tell her how you feel, it would be the
right thing to do," there she had said it.  It had broken her heart, but
if he cared for another, than who was she to stop love?
	She kept her head bowed and was surprised when his
fingers tilted her chin up.  Her eyes were closed but tears seeped
from them and when he kissed those tears, she gave a choked sob,
not knowing how much longer she could take it.
	"I love you, my princess," he whispered, "please don't
cry."
	She couldn't have heard right.  She opened her eyes
and looked at him through a watery world.  "Y-You love me?"
she asked.
	"I do, ever since the first day I saw you, when you
gave me that dirty look that said you wanted nothing to do with
me.  My heart has been yours ever since that moment."
	She couldn't believe her ears!  He loved her! She
stepped into his arms and he held her tight as she wet his shirt
with her tears.  He continued to hold her patiently as she cried,
stroking her hair and whispering "I love you" over and over.
	When her tears had finally subsided, she rubbed her
face against his shirt and looked up.  His smile was so tender and
loving, she thought it a miracle for someone like her to have him
as her love.
	"I am so sorry for pushing you away like I did.  I wasn't
used to these feelings, and it was something that scared me.  I've
always been calm and collected, but whenever you were around I
felt myself spinning out of control and I didn't like not being in
control of my emotions.  But now," and he brushed some strands
away from her face, "but now, I wouldn't mind losing control at all,
if it meant being with you."
	"I'm sorry too, Darien, for being so stubborn with you
in the beginning.  I just couldn't believe that my mother had done
this, not telling me, keeping me in the dark for so long, I was just
so upset, you understand don't you?"
	"I do, for I felt the same way.  Although I knew about
our arrangement for longer, I still didn't like the idea of marrying a
complete stranger, but now I'm quite glad our parents did this,
because I can't be more happier than I am with you."
	"You sound so romantic," she giggled, "Will you sweep
me off my feet and carry me over the threshold also?"
	"Your wish is my command, princess," and he literally
swept her off her feet, causing her to squeak his name in surprise
and carried her to the bed.  His lips sought hers and just before
they tumbled into bed, he whispered, "I love you," once more.

	The sun's rays found the two lovers sleeping in bed
the next morning as a slight breeze passed through the curtains
of the canopied bed, causing the prince to stir from his sleep.
He slowly opened his eyes and looked down to see his sleeping
goddess still dozing, her arms wrapped around him, a slight
smile on her lips.
	Another breeze passed, causing the curtains to flap
slightly and Serena to shiver.  He tightened his arm around her
and brought her closer to him as he lay a kiss on her blond head.
	"I love you, my prince, only...you," she mumbled in
her sleep and rubbed her nose as his heart expanded at her
words.  To have this beauty's love, it was the greatest gift in the
world to him.  For too long he had been searching for someone
to fulfill the other half of his soul and then she had been literally
dropped onto him and his heart had told him he was complete.
Seeing her last night, dancing alone with such a wistful
expression on her face had done it for him. Things might have
been rocky at first, but that was all in the past, and it was the
present and their future that now counted. A shadow crossed
his face as he thought of what would happen if she found out the
truth.  She won't, he thought, not now, not ever.
	A light kiss on his chest caused him to look down to
see her blue eyes staring back at him, a soft smile on her lips.
	"Good morning sleepyhead, I think you've been
sleeping long enough."
	"Well it's to be expected when you hardly let me
sleep a wink last night," she retorted.
	"Mm, but you enjoyed being kept awake didn't
you?" he asked, bringing her face closer to him.
	"Maybe I did," she replied, her lips brushing his,
"just a little."
	He arched an eyebrow at her, "A little? Oh, thank
you for that great boost of self-esteem."
	"Maybe this will help you," and she pushed herself
up and kissed him full on the mouth.  Someone knocked on the
door at that moment and both their eyes shot open.
	A second later, it was opened and Kunzite,
followed by Nephrite walked in causing Serena to squeak as
she shot down, leaving Darien scrambling to pull the sheets up.
	"Hey Darien, where have you been..." Too late
Nephrite noticed the two and when he realized what they had
interrupted he had the gall to grin causing Darien to shoot him
an angry glare.
	 Kunzite, who was blushing furiously, focused his
eyes on a point somewhere above Darien's head and said, "Your
Highnesses, we are deeply sorry to interrupt you at this time,
we express our regrets for having coming in unannounced and
hope you will pardon us for our mistake."
	"Aww, Kunz, you're never this formal with Darien,
why start now?" Nephrite drawled.
	"Because unlike some people, he knows when to act
a certain way at a certain time." Darien growled.
	"But Darien you should've warned us if you and the
Princess were going to-"
	"Nephrite!" Both Darien and Kunzite yelled, both
ready to choke their friend.
	All of a sudden a giggling sound was heard and
Darien turned back towards Serena who was struggling to
cover up her laughter. However she was failing miserably and
she hiccuped with laughter as she sat up, pulling the sheets
around her.
	"Lady wife, do you actually find all this amusing?"
Darien asked, raising an eyebrow.
	"I do! You all remind me so much of the Scouts and I.
We act like this all the time, it's no wonder we were all meant to
be together."
	Nephrite and Kunzite blushed at that while Darien
looked at his wife tenderly. "You're right about that, love. We
were meant to be," he lowered his face to hers, "Together
forever,"
	"And ever," she finished softly closing her eyes,
expecting his kiss. However a coughing noise made her open
her eyes once more and she gave the two Generals a harassed
look. "Don't you two have somewhere else to be?"
	"We do, but we also have a purpose for coming
here," Nephrite said.
	"The King is asking us about our plans to return to
the Moon," Kunzite said.
	"Tell Father that I plan to leave day after tomorrow
if he has no problems. Actually, I do have to talk with him, so I'll
go myself. Tell him that I'll meet with him in about an hour."
	"Right."
	"An hour, Darien?" Nephrite asked, grinning, "It usually
takes you only five minutes to get dressed, why would you need
an-oof!"
	Serena began to laugh once more at Nephrite's pained
expression after being hit by a pillow. Kunzite only shook his head
and then dragged the other General out of the room, closing the
door behind him.
	Darien turned back to Serena, leaning over her. "Now
where were we?"
	"I believe I was going to heal your wounded pride," she
replied mischievously, tracing a pattern on his chest.
	"Oh yes, of course."

	2 hours later, Serena was given one last lingering kiss
from Darien before she watched him leave their room. When the
door closed she fell back against the pillows and stretched
luxuriously just like a feline.
	Her dreams had finally come true and she couldn't be
happier. She had everything she wanted, friends, family, maybe a
child? She smiled at the thought and rubbed her stomach. A
beautiful and healthy child, with midnight black hair, passionate
blue eyes...she sighed happily and got up.
	Life was perfect, she thought, and it was going to
stay perfect too.

	"So she doesn't know?" a female voice asks.
	"I'm afraid not."
	"Oh God," the first voice whispers, "We have to tell
her! It is our duty!"
	A hand grabs her wrist before she can run away.
	"Raye, please don't. It will only cause a lot of pain and
sorrow. It is for the best that she not know."
	"But we are lying to her by not telling her!" she yells,
tears coming to her eyes.
	"It is for the best," he whispers as he holds her and
kisses the tears that fall.
End. (I'm not kidding this time ^_^)