Chapter one
Duty Calls
tap tap tap
"Enter." Princess Serena called out. A shy maid entered. What was with all the maids these days?
"You mother wishes to speak to you, majesty." She said quietly.
"I'm on my way." Serena frowned when the door closed. It was late at night. Why does she want me now? She threw a robe over her night gown and went to her mother's study.
Her mother stood by a large window overlooking the royal gardens. She seemed to be in deep thought. Wonder what she's thinking? Serena studied her mother's wistful expression but then decided to make her presence known.
"Mother?" Serena asked.
The Queen sharply looked up. Serena saw a rather irritated expression on her face. "Ah, Serena, please sit." Said Queen Serenity and motioned for a chair across her desk.
It always amazed Serena on how much she looked like her mother. They were both tall and slender with the traditional bun and ponytail style. While her mother's hair was light lavender, Serena had golden hair. Queen Serenity's eyes were deep blue and held mysterious secrets.
"Is something a matter mother?"
Serenity smiled and shook her head. "I have been meaning to tell you that Earth's royalty is being invited to the ball. I have spoken with the King and Queen, as well as the Alliance Council, and we have all decided it would be best if we include Earth in the alliance. Therefore, to do so, you and the Prince of Earth are to be married." She quickly went on when Serena began to protest. "Now Serena, you know as well as I that you are at marriageable age. An alliance with Earth would benefit us all."
"But mother....." Serena began.
"No buts Serena. The council has decided. You have to think about the others and not about yourself. That's what being Queen means. I think you should give this Prince a chance."
"But mother! I want a husband that I love! Shouldn't love be a factor of marriage?"
Serenity sighed. "Of course darling. Love is always important. But duty is also. I know it's hard to be royalty, but we can't change just because we want to. People count on us to do the right thing, even if it means giving up our own dreams." She said softly.
"Did you love my father?" Serena blurted out.
Serenity blinked in surprise. She never told Serena about her father.
"What do you know about your father?" She asked.
Serena looked away in guilt. "A while ago, Ami and I were looking through the library when we came across a hidden chamber in the old section. We found papers of the past royalties marriages and births. I saw a small book of the royalties-uh- affairs and read about you and my father. It said his name was Tristan, and he was from some distant galaxy. He came to warn the alliance about a force coming called the Negaverse. It said you met him when you were already Queen and that you became-uh-lovers." Serena paused and saw her mother blush. "When he left, you found out that you were pregnant with me. The alliance accepted me because, although you and my father never married, I was still the child of high royalty." Serena finished in a rush.
Serenity was quiet, lost in her own memories.
"I guess I should have told you about your father a while ago." She admitted.
"Is he still alive?"
Serenity shook her head slowly. "I don't know. We never talked after that, I doubt he even knows of you existence. But to answer your first question, I don't really think your father and I were ever in love. It was more physical attraction than anything else."
Serena blushed lightly.
"It's late. You should get some rest. Your court will be here in the morning. Please, Serena, think about this marriage. It's really important."
Serena nodded numbly and left her mother's study.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Serena." Came a soft smoky female voice.
"Not now Luna. Five more minutes." Serena mumbled and buried her head under her pillow.
The voice laughed. "Serena, I'm not Luna. Please wake up."
Serena fluttered her eyes open and then sighed. "Can we talk later?"
"It's about your engagement." The voice taunted.
Serena bolted up, half asleep.
"Huh? My engagement? Can you prevent it? Who are you? Did my mother send you?"
"Calm down princess. First, look at me. I mean really look at me."
Serena narrowed her eyes at the voice across her while marbled floors. There was a light shimmering and the more Serena looked at it the more solidified it became. Then, there was an image of a beautiful woman with dark purple hair and silver eyes.
"Who are you?" Serena asked cautiously.
"I am the Goddess Fate. Perhaps you heard of me?"
"The Goddess of Fate huh?" Serena asked suspiciously, eyeing the figure.
"You are right to be wary of me princess, but for now, you must believe what I will you. This engagement wasn't something that your mother and the Earth royalty just came up with. It was foreordained in the stars. You and the prince of Earth are soul bonded and therefore and invaluable asset to the planetary alignment. I know what you are feeling little princess, but you have to go through with this marriage. You may not understand now, but once you let your guard down, you will find that you and the prince have much in common. Please give this marriage a chance. You might not like him now, but maybe you'll learn to love him later." She shimmered away.
"Wait!" Serena called out but she was already gone. Darkness of sleep pulled her down, and before she knew it she was out like a light.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Hey you guys! I'm so glad you're here!" Serena squealed and hugged each one of her friends.
"We were just here three days ago meatball head." Raye, princess of Mars said. Ah, Raye, the fiery princess was Serena's closest friend. She had raven black hair, and the most expressive amethyst eyes Serena ever saw. She had a flaming red dress on, the traditional color of her planet.
"Hey Serena, I brought you some of your favorite cookies." Lita, princess of Jupiter said holding out a colorful paper bag. Lita was the tallest of the group with shiny brown hair pulled up into a ponytail and an athletic body. She had a simple green dress on that matched her forest green eyes. It was also the traditional color of her planet.
"Mmm, I can smell them. Thanks Lita." Serena said smiling fondly at her overprotective friend.
"Oh you guys, I just met the cutest guy the other day. He is sooooo sweet and funny and has a body to die for. Not to mention that he is the most amazing kisser. Ah, I think I'm in love." Mina, princess of Venus said. Mina came from the planet of love and beauty. She and Serena looked a lot alike. She was the bubbly one of the group who always had a smile on her face. She had long, thick blonde hair with an orange bow. She had on a somewhat reveling orange dress on that clung to her mature figure.
"I just finished the most interesting book. It was about the rise and fall of Earth's greatest generals. Oh, and I brought a book over for you too Serena. You know, you should really pay more attention to your studies. Your mother asked me to tutor you." Ami, princess of Mercury said. Ami was the brains of the group. She had blue hair and matching deep blue eyes. She was small and petite and she always had her head in a book. She had her traditional planet color on, which was, duh, blue.
"But Ami! You should have seen my test last week! I got a B+ on it." Serena protested.
"And what of your recent test?"
Serena blushed and stuttered to make an excuse.
"Come on Ami. We're on a brake. There is to be no talk of school." Mina said and linked arms with her.
"Lets go get some lunch." Serena said.
"You're always hungry meatball head." Raye muttered and grinned when Serena playfully punched her in the arm.
The princesses took there meals in The Princesses Stay room. It was a room that all the princesses stayed in when they visited the moon. There were five beds each with the princesses' signature colors.
"Hey! Who was on my bed?" Raye asked smoothing her red comforter.
"Not me." Serena said and continued to dig into her food.
"So we heard the unfortunate news about your engagement." Mina said.
Serena moaned, suddenly loosing her appetite.
"Poor thing. Did you talk to your mother about it?" Lita asked rubbing Serena's back.
"Yes, but I still have to go through with it."
"It's so unfair." Ami said.
"I know. I just don't know what to do." Serena sighed.
"Well there is no way that you can prevent it from happening. But you have a right to fight it every step of the way." Raye said mysteriously.
They all turned to her. "What are you saying Raye?" Mina asked a spark of mischief in her blue eyes.
Raye shrugged than began to grin. "It might sound a bit childish, but what if we gave the prince a hard time about this marriage. It would be like some kind of revenge."
"Ah." Serena realized and smiled too.
"How come I get the feeling that it's all going to end up bad?" Ami said.
"Come on Ami! It will be fun."
"What have you got in mind?" Lita asked warming up to the idea.
Duty Calls
tap tap tap
"Enter." Princess Serena called out. A shy maid entered. What was with all the maids these days?
"You mother wishes to speak to you, majesty." She said quietly.
"I'm on my way." Serena frowned when the door closed. It was late at night. Why does she want me now? She threw a robe over her night gown and went to her mother's study.
Her mother stood by a large window overlooking the royal gardens. She seemed to be in deep thought. Wonder what she's thinking? Serena studied her mother's wistful expression but then decided to make her presence known.
"Mother?" Serena asked.
The Queen sharply looked up. Serena saw a rather irritated expression on her face. "Ah, Serena, please sit." Said Queen Serenity and motioned for a chair across her desk.
It always amazed Serena on how much she looked like her mother. They were both tall and slender with the traditional bun and ponytail style. While her mother's hair was light lavender, Serena had golden hair. Queen Serenity's eyes were deep blue and held mysterious secrets.
"Is something a matter mother?"
Serenity smiled and shook her head. "I have been meaning to tell you that Earth's royalty is being invited to the ball. I have spoken with the King and Queen, as well as the Alliance Council, and we have all decided it would be best if we include Earth in the alliance. Therefore, to do so, you and the Prince of Earth are to be married." She quickly went on when Serena began to protest. "Now Serena, you know as well as I that you are at marriageable age. An alliance with Earth would benefit us all."
"But mother....." Serena began.
"No buts Serena. The council has decided. You have to think about the others and not about yourself. That's what being Queen means. I think you should give this Prince a chance."
"But mother! I want a husband that I love! Shouldn't love be a factor of marriage?"
Serenity sighed. "Of course darling. Love is always important. But duty is also. I know it's hard to be royalty, but we can't change just because we want to. People count on us to do the right thing, even if it means giving up our own dreams." She said softly.
"Did you love my father?" Serena blurted out.
Serenity blinked in surprise. She never told Serena about her father.
"What do you know about your father?" She asked.
Serena looked away in guilt. "A while ago, Ami and I were looking through the library when we came across a hidden chamber in the old section. We found papers of the past royalties marriages and births. I saw a small book of the royalties-uh- affairs and read about you and my father. It said his name was Tristan, and he was from some distant galaxy. He came to warn the alliance about a force coming called the Negaverse. It said you met him when you were already Queen and that you became-uh-lovers." Serena paused and saw her mother blush. "When he left, you found out that you were pregnant with me. The alliance accepted me because, although you and my father never married, I was still the child of high royalty." Serena finished in a rush.
Serenity was quiet, lost in her own memories.
"I guess I should have told you about your father a while ago." She admitted.
"Is he still alive?"
Serenity shook her head slowly. "I don't know. We never talked after that, I doubt he even knows of you existence. But to answer your first question, I don't really think your father and I were ever in love. It was more physical attraction than anything else."
Serena blushed lightly.
"It's late. You should get some rest. Your court will be here in the morning. Please, Serena, think about this marriage. It's really important."
Serena nodded numbly and left her mother's study.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Serena." Came a soft smoky female voice.
"Not now Luna. Five more minutes." Serena mumbled and buried her head under her pillow.
The voice laughed. "Serena, I'm not Luna. Please wake up."
Serena fluttered her eyes open and then sighed. "Can we talk later?"
"It's about your engagement." The voice taunted.
Serena bolted up, half asleep.
"Huh? My engagement? Can you prevent it? Who are you? Did my mother send you?"
"Calm down princess. First, look at me. I mean really look at me."
Serena narrowed her eyes at the voice across her while marbled floors. There was a light shimmering and the more Serena looked at it the more solidified it became. Then, there was an image of a beautiful woman with dark purple hair and silver eyes.
"Who are you?" Serena asked cautiously.
"I am the Goddess Fate. Perhaps you heard of me?"
"The Goddess of Fate huh?" Serena asked suspiciously, eyeing the figure.
"You are right to be wary of me princess, but for now, you must believe what I will you. This engagement wasn't something that your mother and the Earth royalty just came up with. It was foreordained in the stars. You and the prince of Earth are soul bonded and therefore and invaluable asset to the planetary alignment. I know what you are feeling little princess, but you have to go through with this marriage. You may not understand now, but once you let your guard down, you will find that you and the prince have much in common. Please give this marriage a chance. You might not like him now, but maybe you'll learn to love him later." She shimmered away.
"Wait!" Serena called out but she was already gone. Darkness of sleep pulled her down, and before she knew it she was out like a light.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Hey you guys! I'm so glad you're here!" Serena squealed and hugged each one of her friends.
"We were just here three days ago meatball head." Raye, princess of Mars said. Ah, Raye, the fiery princess was Serena's closest friend. She had raven black hair, and the most expressive amethyst eyes Serena ever saw. She had a flaming red dress on, the traditional color of her planet.
"Hey Serena, I brought you some of your favorite cookies." Lita, princess of Jupiter said holding out a colorful paper bag. Lita was the tallest of the group with shiny brown hair pulled up into a ponytail and an athletic body. She had a simple green dress on that matched her forest green eyes. It was also the traditional color of her planet.
"Mmm, I can smell them. Thanks Lita." Serena said smiling fondly at her overprotective friend.
"Oh you guys, I just met the cutest guy the other day. He is sooooo sweet and funny and has a body to die for. Not to mention that he is the most amazing kisser. Ah, I think I'm in love." Mina, princess of Venus said. Mina came from the planet of love and beauty. She and Serena looked a lot alike. She was the bubbly one of the group who always had a smile on her face. She had long, thick blonde hair with an orange bow. She had on a somewhat reveling orange dress on that clung to her mature figure.
"I just finished the most interesting book. It was about the rise and fall of Earth's greatest generals. Oh, and I brought a book over for you too Serena. You know, you should really pay more attention to your studies. Your mother asked me to tutor you." Ami, princess of Mercury said. Ami was the brains of the group. She had blue hair and matching deep blue eyes. She was small and petite and she always had her head in a book. She had her traditional planet color on, which was, duh, blue.
"But Ami! You should have seen my test last week! I got a B+ on it." Serena protested.
"And what of your recent test?"
Serena blushed and stuttered to make an excuse.
"Come on Ami. We're on a brake. There is to be no talk of school." Mina said and linked arms with her.
"Lets go get some lunch." Serena said.
"You're always hungry meatball head." Raye muttered and grinned when Serena playfully punched her in the arm.
The princesses took there meals in The Princesses Stay room. It was a room that all the princesses stayed in when they visited the moon. There were five beds each with the princesses' signature colors.
"Hey! Who was on my bed?" Raye asked smoothing her red comforter.
"Not me." Serena said and continued to dig into her food.
"So we heard the unfortunate news about your engagement." Mina said.
Serena moaned, suddenly loosing her appetite.
"Poor thing. Did you talk to your mother about it?" Lita asked rubbing Serena's back.
"Yes, but I still have to go through with it."
"It's so unfair." Ami said.
"I know. I just don't know what to do." Serena sighed.
"Well there is no way that you can prevent it from happening. But you have a right to fight it every step of the way." Raye said mysteriously.
They all turned to her. "What are you saying Raye?" Mina asked a spark of mischief in her blue eyes.
Raye shrugged than began to grin. "It might sound a bit childish, but what if we gave the prince a hard time about this marriage. It would be like some kind of revenge."
"Ah." Serena realized and smiled too.
"How come I get the feeling that it's all going to end up bad?" Ami said.
"Come on Ami! It will be fun."
"What have you got in mind?" Lita asked warming up to the idea.