Epilogue One - Moon “Mother, why must I do this?” I whined as she stood behind me, putting fresh picked flowers in my pigtails. Or, meatballs. Whatever you would call them. I knew this day would come, but I hoped it would be later, rather than sooner. “Darling, how do you expect to get to know him? He’s only here for a week, and I want you to have as much time as possible to spend with him.” My mother said, sighing, and sitting down next to me. “I’m already gonna be spending the rest of my life with him, isn’t that enough?” I asked, folding my arms. I had always loved being a Princess. And being the Moon Princess was even better. But I wasn’t too sold on these “arrangements” that were made before I was born. I was having much to fun a time ogling over the boys now. I’m too young to be tied down, let alone with someone 6 years older than me. “Oh Serena. You know you have to do this. Besides, I’m told he’s quite handsome.” She said, getting up with a sly smile. She smoothed out the material on her dress, and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her. “I don’t care.” I said, scowling. I slouched in the thin wire chair in front of my Vanity. I heard the monstrous clock in the hall chime. Seven O’clock, I thought. Time to go meet the guests. I scurried down the steps, grasping at the railing after losing my balance. I recomposed myself, and bolted down the steps. My mother was already at the entrance, welcoming the early guests. I peered through the crowd, looking for any of my friends. After not seeing any of them, I walked gracefully the rest of the way down. I paused for a moment, gazing on my mother. She was so beautiful. I wanted so much to be like her. She was graceful, smart and extremely beautiful. A lot of people said that I was a lot like her. I figured they were just sucking up to the ruler of the most powerful Kingdom in the Galaxy. “Mother.” I said, bowing before her. “You look wonderful, darling.” She said, smiling. I wore my princess gown, and had the pearls arranged in my hair. I hoped I looked a lot more mature than I felt. “When are they suppose to arrive?” I asked anxiously. “Excited?” She said, raising a suspicious eyebrow. “No!” I answered quickly, frowning. I crossed my arms, and scowled. “I just wanted to know, that’s all.” “Soon, I suspect. King Enydmion didn’t say exactly.” She answered, keeping her eyes up, and smiling at the oncoming guests. I felt a tug at the bottom of my gown, and looked down, to see Luna peering up at me with anxious eyes. “Are they here yet?” She asked. I kneeled down to her level, and opened my mouth, when an ear shattering pierce rang threw the air. “SERENA!!!!” Mina screeched. She ran towards me, grasping at chunks of cloth on her peach gown to keep from tripping on it. Her hair trailed after her, whipping the passing people in the face. “Aren’t you excited? You get to meet your future Husband!” She said, her eyes shining. “I guess.” I said, shrugging. She glared at me with a quizzical look. She appeared about to say something, when Artemis walked by, giving her the evil eye. “I better go. I’ll see you when you’re done here.” She said, over her shoulder. I watched her as she veered through the throngs of guests, until she was swallowed up by the crowd. I sighed. I envied her. She was allowed to marry anyone her heart wanted. Her mother was very lenient, and let her participate in any activity she desired. I was hardly allowed out of the Moon Palace. “Serena, I’d like you to meet someone.” I heard my mother say. I whirled around, right smack dab into the vest of a tuxedo. I gazed upwards towards his face. “Serena, this is Prince Darien.” She said, pausing dramatically, “Your fiance.” I stepped back, to get a good look at him. My hand flew to my chest, and I must have stopped breathing. He was so amazingly good looking. He had dark jet hair, and a strong face, with a square chin. His chest seemed to be heaved out, filling out his Tuxedo extremely well. I stared at his face for what seemed like forever. Our eyes locked, and I held my breath. If he was half as nice as he was good looking.... “Pleased to meet you.” He said, taking my hand in his, and kissing it lightly. My face grew warm, and I moved to cover it. “The pleasure is mine.” I said quietly. “We’ll be back as soon I’ve introduced my son around. Wonderful to have met you, Princess.” King Edymion said, bowing to us. “Yes, wonderful to have met you.” Darien answered back, not taking his eyes off me. I watched as he walked through the crowd, sighing. He glanced back, and my heart skipped a beat. I tilted my head to the side, letting out a little sigh of bliss escape my lips. “He’s good looking, isn’t he?” My mother whispered to me. I blushed and smiled. “Yeah, I guess.” I answered quietly. “I’m almost done here. Why don’t you go find your friends?” She asked me, waving me with her hand. I left towards the ballroom, and into the sea of people. Debutantes, royalty, and well-to-do people surrounded me, most of them, I had no clue who they where. I glanced each way, scanning the outskirts of the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of one of my four friends. I peered around one corner, searching the room carefully, when I felt a gloved hand on my bare shoulder. I let out a little yelp and whirled around. I, again, bumped into the same crisp tuxedo vest. “I’m s..sorry.” I stuttered, looking down, not wanting to get lost in his gaze like before. I did, however, look up, and felt the same overwhelming sensation run through my body. He grasped my hand, and looked into my eyes, causing me to feel faint. “May I have this dance, Princess?” He asked, his eyes never leaving mine. “I’d love to.” I said, plucking my gown up from off the floor. As I left, I finally caught a glimpse of my friends, sitting on a bench, not far from me. I saw Lita point, and they all turned to look at me. Ami giggled and waved. I pretended not to notice I was on the arm of the most handsome man in the room, but I couldn’t conceal the giddiness I felt as he wrapped his arm tightly around my waist, and held my hand in his. We swayed gently to the music, and as we danced, I tried to make conversation, but I wasn’t sure I was succeeding very well. “What’s it like on Earth?” I asked, my forehead wrinkling. “It’s not much different, actually. Except you see the Moon at night, instead of Earth.” He said, chuckling slightly. “There are a lot more populated areas, too. But other than that, they are basically the same.” “Is it...nice?” I asked, struggling to find the right word. I knew that once we were married, I would find myself there many times, and I wanted to know what I was getting myself into. “Very. Much like the Palace here. They are similar in the landscaping.” He answered gazing around. I’m losing his interest, I thought frantically. What kind of a wife will I be if I can’t hold his attention for longer than two minutes? I started breathing hard, and my palms got clammy. “Are you OK?” He asked, looking down at me, his face full of concern. His hand went up to my face, stroking it gently, only causing me to become even more nervous. “I’m OK. Just a little scared.” I said, my face flushing. I must have sounded extremely immature! I wanted to slap myself for saying that such a thing. “I understand. I feel the same way.” He said, smiling kindly. “Meeting your future fiancé for the first time is hard. I didn’t know what to expect.” He whispered sweetly. My heart fluttered, and I knew in my heart he really did understand. “But you shouldn’t be afraid.” He smiled sheepishly, and began again, “When I first....” He was cut short by his father, tapping him on the shoulder. “I need a word with you, Darien. Please excuse us, Princess.” He said, bowing. “I’ll be back shortly, Princess. Please don’t go far.” Prince Darien said, brushing my cheek with a tender kiss. My eyes opened wide, and I was glad his back was turned. I could feel my face flame up, and I scurried through the dance floor to a small room just off the main entrance. I closed the velvet curtains, and sat on the gilded bench, taking long, gasping breaths. I put my hands to my face, feeling the warmth that radiated off my skin. Then, the curtain flew open, and I gasped. Four figures stood in the light, their silhouette cutting the harshness off the light. “Serena! Is that him?” I heard Lita asked anxiously. “Yes...” I answered shortly. “Oh, you lucky girl you! He is so gorgeous! Wow, you get all the good ones!” Mina said shrilly, sitting quickly down besides me. She turned to me excitedly, bursting with questions, I could tell. I waited for her to explode with them, keeping my mouth shut until then. She sat there, her eyes wide, waiting for me to say something. Finally she couldn’t take it anymore, and shot out the questions. “How old is he? Is he nice? Does he have a brother?” Mina asked excitedly. She leaned in closer to me with each question. I sighed. She would ask if he had a brother. She was aloud do marry whomever she chose. I used to envy her, but now.... “He’s 20, I believe, yes he is, and I don’t know. Maybe.” I shrugged, very nonchalantly. Lita blinked at me, obviously surprised at my unenthusiastic reaction. She gazed at me, waiting for a different reaction. Unable to hold it in any longer, I burst out. “I’M IN LOVE!” I shrieked. Lita laughed, more satisfied with my outburst. “He is sooo handsome....” I swooned, leaning back. A little too far, though. I fell rather ungracefully to the ground, my feet sticking just above the bench I was perched on. I pulled myself up, and sat back on the bench, trying to pretend it never happened. Raye was smirking, her mouth tightly closed, and I could tell she was trying to hold her laughter in. I ignored her, and continued with my story. “I can’t wait till the wedding.” I sighed happily. Raye let out a little laugh. “You just met him, don’t you think that’s a little premature?” She asked, smirking. “No, we’re arranged. Whether he likes it or not, we’re getting married.” I answered, my friends laughing at my response. I realized what I had just said, and blushed. “Of course, he does like it. I can tell.” I said quickly. “Well, I hope my husbands’ as wonderful as yours is, Serena.” Ami said. She smoothed her dress out, and stood up straight. “Who are you betrothed to, Ami?” Lita asked. “The eldest son from Pluto.” She answered, blushing. “Oooh, my mother said they have handsome kids.” Mina said. Raye rolled her eyes. “You would know something like that, Mina.” She said. “My mother was good friends with they’re father.” She said, defensively. Raye just smiled. I wondered why Raye could be so mean sometimes. “Who’s you’re fiancé, Raye?” Lita asked. “My mother had originally arranged me to someone from Neptune, but she told me I didn’t have to.” She shrugged. Raye wasn’t much for romance. At least, that’s how she acted. I had a feeling she was more of a romantic than she let on. “It’s not like I’ve met him or anything, so maybe I will end up marrying him.” She added. I opened my mouth to say something, but I noticed something outside the room. “Who’s that talking to your man, Serena?” Raye asked. My eyes flashed, and I jumped up to look. I saw a pretty woman standing close to Prince Darien, and my eyes flashed. “Who does that hussy think she is?” I asked to no one particular. “I don’t know, but she seems to have Dariens complete attention.” Lita noticed. I felt tears come to my eyes, and I started to wail. “She can’t have him! He’s mine!” I sobbed, sitting down on the floor. Lita ran over and covered my mouth. “SSSH! People are starting to look over here!” She whispered harshly. I sniffled and got up, and straightened my dress. I headed out to the dance floor, and walked directly towards the two of them. As I approached, Dariens eyes brightened, and he smiled sweetly. He turned his back on the woman, and put his arm out for me take. He turned towards her again, and introduced us. “Serena, this is Princess Setsuna, from Pluto.” He said, nodding towards her. “Setsuna, this my fiancé, Serena.” Her face fell, and she glanced from me to him. She plastered a smile on her face and excused herself, her face red from embarrassment. “I was looking for you. Where’d you run of to?” He asked as soon as she was out of sight. “I went to find my friends. I didn’t know I was gone so long.” I answered, happy that she had finally left. I glanced at the large brass clock that stood above the gilded entrance way. My eyes widened. Already five to 12? I looked around and noticed for the first time, most of the guest had left. He’ll be leaving soon, I thought. My eyes widened. He assured my last thought as he spoke. “I hate to do this, but my father is telling me it is time we leave.” He said, looking over to his father, who was pointing at a pocket watch, indicating it was time to go. “But we hardly got a chance to get to know each other!” I exclaimed sadly. My eyes began to water, and I hoped to God he didn’t notice. “I’m satisfied with all I know already.” He said quietly. I blushed and looked down. “Thank you.” I said. I looked up, and he put his hand to my chin, and tipped my face upward, bringing my face close to his. I closed my eyes as my lips met his, and for a few blissful seconds the rest of the room disappeared. We were met with a wonderful silence, meant for just the two of us, until the sounds of the clock struck 12. We broke apart, and he bowed to me before he left. “I will return in a few days. Until then, goodbye, my Princess.” He said, and then turned to leave, walking towards his father. My heart was beating three times the normal rate, and I stood there after he left, remembering how it felt to kiss him, to have his arms around me, to be near him. I slowly walked towards the entrance, leaving the last few guests to themselves, and walked to the staircase. I practically flew up the steps, and down the hall to my room. I opened the door and entered, closing it behind me. I flung myself on my bed, smiling broadly. I lay on my back, reviewing the events of the night. I couldn’t believe a few hours ago, I didn’t even want to meet him! I sighed happily as I dressed for bed. I finally climbed in my bed, still relishing the feeling of having his lips on mine. I suddenly knew what it felt like to be in love. To give your heart so completely to another. To have unconditional feelings for someone else. I sighed happily as I closed my eyes. This new emotion that I was over come with, I thought, it was wonderful.