"I'm not wearing these."

Endymion winced. Over the past week, he had come to know that tone well. It was the one Serenity used when she was displeased with something, and it meant he'd have a battle ahead convincing her to change her mind.

"Serenity, you can't just refuse them. It's a wedding gift from my council. You can't insult them by refusing," Endymion said coaxingly.

Serenity's disgust was written all over her face, and Endymion regretted his choice of words.

"I don't want a gift that was likely purchased with money stolen from those who can ill afford to lose it," Serenity's tone was firm. Endymion recognized that he was losing the battle, and sighed.

"Wear them once, then you may do what you please with them," he heard himself saying against his better judgment.

"Anything I like?" Her tone was carefully neutral.

"Anything you like," Endymion said, drawing her close to kiss her forehead, "wear them to the ball this evening, and then you may do as you please with my blessing."

Serenity gifted him with the brilliant smile that he'd come to love. It was worth the havoc she would undoubtedly cause just to see that smile light her lovely face.

"I will wear them. They truly are beautiful. It is a shame. They are real, aren't they," Serenity asked, looking up at Endymion.

"Of course they're real. It would be an insult to you to give you anything but the best." Endymion watched as Serenity reached into the gold chest before her and withdrew a handful of gleaming pearl beads. All were a sparkling, flawless white. They were heavy and beautiful, and they surely had cost a fortune. She let them slip through her fingers to fall back into the chest, rolling against each other in a soft rhythm. She turned to face Endymion.

"I've summoned a maid to help me prepare, so I must ask you to leave while I change. It might take a few hours," Serenity said, removing the pins that held her masses of hair up in a loose bun. It came down in a tumble of shiny strands, and Endymion had to stop himself from reaching out to touch it.

"What will you wear?" Endymion asked. Serenity's eyes lit with pleasure.

"A gown Luna and Diana designed. It's quite lovely." Serenity fairly glowed. Endymion made a note to have some more gowns ordered for her. Serenity, however much she might deny it, did indeed have a love of pretty things.

"Diana helped design it? She can't be more than five or six years old," Endymion said doubtfully.

"Diana is a child, with a child's imagination. She knows better than any how a princess should look," Serenity replied.

Endymion laughed at her answer. He should have known she would defend the child even now. He reached out to tug on a silvery lock of hair, drawing her close to him.

"I look forward to seeing this gown," he murmured. A faint blush caressed her cheeks and she turned away in embarrassment. He had a maddening ability to fluster her, and he exercised it often. And what was worse, he knew exactly how he made her react. She stamped her foot petulantly when she heard his low chuckle behind her. His hands were suddenly on her hips, pulling her back against him gently.

"Don't be angry with me, sweetheart. It's only that you look so beautiful when you've lost your temper." His voice was husky and seductive at her ear. Serenity shivered.

"I never lose my temper." Serenity prided herself on the steadiness of her voice, but Endymion noticed only the way her body trembled against him.

A knock sounded at the door, and Serenity tore away from Endymion, gasping.

"En-enter," she called weakly. A maid entered the room, curtseying to them both. Serenity pointed towards the open door.

"Out," She ordered, glaring at Endymion. He quirked a brow. She was beginning to grow attached to that action.

"You order me about in my own castle?" Endymion struggled not to laugh. Serenity raised her chin. He was beginning to grow attached to that action.

"It's my castle, as well," she informed him primly, "I married into it. And I am ordering you to leave while I prepare for your blasted ball."

Endymion caught her in his arms and dropped a kiss on her open mouth.

"Don't say 'blasted', darling," he laughed.

"Get the hell out of here!" Serenity replied.

"Don't say 'hell', sweetheart," Endymion snickered from the doorway. A cushion hit the wall very near his head with a heavy thud. His laughter echoed down the hallway.

---

She looked like an angel. It was all Endymion could think as he watched her glide down the marble staircase into the ballroom. As soon as she'd been announced, the entire court had turned to catch a glimpse of their new Princess and queen-to-be.

The gown was lovely. It had to have cost a small fortune, but it suited her completely. Serenity had been right; the gown Luna and her daughter had designed made her look every inch the princess she was.

The skirt was layer upon layer of a sheer, billowy fabric that Endymion could not name. It fair floated around her, whispering over the steps as though it were alive. The bodice was an empire waist, cut low enough to expose an ample amount of smooth, fair skin. Four strands of pearls supported the fabric over each shoulder.

String after string of pearls was draped around her neck, all of different lengths. One closely encircled her throat, while another dipped nearly to her stomach. They brushed against each other with a sound like water rushing over pebbles.

Her hair was piled atop her head, meticulously curled ringlets threaded through with peals, then tumbling down her back. She looked like a goddess risen from the sea; a mermaid princess wearing her treasure.

She'd made good use of the pearls. His council would approve.

She moved gracefully across the floor, smiling that mysterious, beautiful smile, and stopped in front of Endymion. She curtseyed low, a perfect, practiced movement. Rising, she looked straight into Endymion's eyes. He thought he saw a glimmer of triumph in hers.

"Good evening, Endymion," She said softly.

"You look beautiful, Serenity." Endymion's voice was just a little huskier than what was appropriate. He took her hand and led her to the dais at the front of the ballroom. They ascended the steps together, her small hand still grasped tightly in his, and turned to face the silent court, so all could look upon the face of their new princess.

"I would present to you my wife and your princess, the Crown Princess Serenity." His announcement was met with a thunderous applause. His people were pleased with the lovely, graceful woman he'd married. He wondered how it was possible when this was the woman who, until a few short days ago, had terrorized his nobles with her thievery.

"I thank you for your welcome," Serenity said when the applause had died away, and swept another graceful curtsey towards the mass of people. When she rose, she looked up at Endymion. "Shall we dance, then?" She held her hand out to Endymion expectantly. He took it, motioning for the performers to play, and led her back onto the floor.

She danced as gracefully as a fairy. No one could mistake this woman for anything other than a princess. Her upbringing was apparent in everything she did, every word she said.

In the end, Endymion was forced to relinquish Serenity into the waiting arms of the noblemen who were eager to dance with their new princess. He saw her only briefly thereafter, a flash of brilliant white floating across the dance floor. He knew the lords and ladies of his court were already gossiping about how Endymion's eyes were fixed only on Serenity, but he couldn't bring himself to care about the rampant speculation.

Endymion caught sight of Serenity once again, on the arm of the elderly Duke of Ainsworth, being led towards the refreshment table. She was smiling as she handed the Duke a crystal flute of champagne. Endymion slipped through the crowd towards them.

"That was a priceless vase, m'dear. And those paintings! I do hope they're in a gallery, at least. They were extremely valuable. Is that all you took from me, though? I would've thought you'd take more." The duke patted Serenity's hand fondly.

"I did," Serenity informed him, smiling sweetly. "I took two tapestries and another vase. They fetched quite a price, your Grace. Why, the paintings alone were enough to feed and cloth a peasant family on the southeast edge of the Kingdom. As far as I know, they are still reaping the benefits. Now they've livestock and a small plot of land to work. You've made an immeasurable difference in their lives, your Grace. I am sure they would thank you if they could."

"You are certainly a treasure, m'dear. And look, here's your husband come to claim a dance with his lovely bride, I'll wager." The duke bowed to Endymion, and handed Serenity over. "You certainly know how to pick a woman, Your Majesty. Your bride is a charming, thoughtful young woman. I do look forward to speaking with you again, Princess."

"And I with you, your Grace." Serenity curtsied to the duke, and turned to Endymion with a disarming smile. "Shall we dance, Endymion?" she queried. Endymion took the champagne glass from her, passed it to a servant nearby, and led Serenity back onto the ballroom floor. They made a few circles around the room before Endymion finally spoke.

"How on Earth did you do it?" He could not keep the awe from his voice.

"How on Earth did I do what?" Serenity was genuinely puzzled.

"You won them over. You made it seem an honor to have you steal from them. Just a few minutes ago, Duke Ainsworth was fawning over you even though you'd stolen his most prized possessions. He was happy that you'd stolen them. He was genuinely pleased. Look at him over there, boasting to his comrades. You've almost convinced him it was his idea in the first place." Endymion nodded to where the duke was laughing with a few older gentlemen.

"Oh, that," Serenity shrugged as if it did not concern her. "Men are all very much alike, Endymion. It suits my purposes for them to like me, and so I set out to win them over. If I convince them that they are doing good deeds and are well-liked for it, perhaps they will not be averse to any plans I have for the future. It is in my best interests not to make enemies of the people that should rightly be my enemies already. If I charm them and let them think what it pleases them to think about me, perhaps I shall be the better off."

Endymion snorted. "You don't mean to suggest that all men are so easily led, do you? Surely there are a few who cannot be swayed by charm alone."

"Oh, surely there are some. But for those I will have no need to win over by charm. Those I can win over with wit and will. Those who cannot respect me because I am princess will respect me because I care for the welfare of the people. I will change what I see as wrong. Therefore you will grant me a position upon your council, Endymion." Serenity smiled that heart-stopping smile again, and Endymion cursed himself for nearly falling victim to that beautiful face.

"I shall do what I can, Serenity, though I doubt you will need my permission after tonight, judging by how my court has taken so well to you. Nevertheless, if my council agrees, you do have my permission to take part," Endymion replied. Serenity was breathless with delight.

"Oh, Endymion! I'm so happy, I could kiss you!" Her cheeks flushed prettily, and Endymion held her a little tighter.

"Would you?" His voice deepened, and Serenity's flush darkened, her gaze dancing away from his. The fingers of one hand caught her chin, gently forcing her eyes back to his. His gaze was too intense for her, and yet she couldn't seem to look away. Suddenly she was trembling and her thoughts were clouding.

"Serenity." His voice was low, seductive. She was certain that the courtiers around them were staring. They were no longer moving. Instead, they were stationary in the middle of the ballroom floor, people whirling about them. He moved closer, his cheek against hers.

"Serenity, would you want to kiss me? I want very much to kiss you." His voice was near her ear, meant for her ears alone, sending shivers down her spine. Her fingers clutched at the fabric covering his arms, grateful that his arms supported her.

"I…I…" Serenity's voice was the barest of whispers. His fingers stroked her cheek as he looked into her eyes, awaiting her response. "Not here," she whispered, panicked, face flaming.

Endymion chuckled, leaning down to touch his forehead to hers. "No, not here, sweetheart," he murmured, brushing a kiss across her cheek. "You continually surprise me. One moment I think how worldly you are, how well you play your part, and then next I think how innocent you are, how completely unsuited to this life. Who are you really, Serenity?" His fingers toyed with a wayward curl, brushing it back behind her ear. "Some how I don't think we'll be staying through the entire ball, do you?"

"No," Serenity breathed, "I don't."

"Go out the back way, when you've a mind to leave. There's a door just at the side of the staircase, there. It's where the servants enter and exit. You can make it through there unnoticed, and you'll not have to make some sort of explanatory speech. I've done it countless times," Endymion advised softly.

"Without you?" Serenity asked.

"Together we'd be missed too quickly. I'll be along a half an hour after you," Endymion replied. Serenity nodded her assent.

"Come, we'll get something to drink. You look as though you need it," he teased gently. She laughed with him and allowed him to pull her off the ballroom floor towards the refreshment table. He lifted a crystal flute towards her, clinking their glasses together in a silent toast. Serenity sipped hers slowly. When she was half done, her eyes met Endymion's over the rim of her glass. Slowly, she set her glass down, turned, and made her way towards the servant's exit. Just before she slipped through the door, she looked over her shoulder. Endymion was standing right where she'd left him, staring after her.

Endymion glanced at his pocket watch and noted the time. Surely, the next half an hour would be the longest of his life.

---

Serenity entered their bedchamber and rang for a maid to draw her a hot bath. After divesting herself of the ball gown, she spent the next fifteen minutes soaking in the steaming water, pulling the pearl beads from her hair. The water was soothing. It was the perfect temperature, scented with rose oil, and filled with light, frothy bubbles. It was delightful, but the slickness of the oil and bubbles made it difficult for her to remove the pearls from her hair.

A pair of hands fell on her shoulders, eliciting a shocked cry from her, and she heard a masculine laugh from behind her.

"Will you cease to startle me!"

"Will you cease to be startled?" He returned, still laughing. His warm hands gently massaged her shoulders. "Relax, I've come to help you get those beads out of your hair. You'll only tangle it."

"Thank you," Serenity sighed as his fingers soothed her aching muscles.

"You're most welcome. Perhaps you will do the same for me someday." Endymion mused.

"Remove pearl beads from your hair?" Serenity asked skeptically. Endymion dunked her under the water. Serenity came up gasping and spluttering. She recouped by sending a small tidal wave of rose scented water hurtling over the edge onto Endymion. Laughing, Endymion pulled off his drenched jacket and shirt, ruffling his damp hair. His eyes drifted over her hungrily, and Serenity looked down to find what he was looking at. The bubbles had drifted or popped with the wave of water she'd pushed at Endymion, and her bare body was visible beneath the surface of the water. She gasped and jerked into a sitting position, arms wrapped around her knees, covering her assets.

"Serenity." One of Endymion's hands slid down her bare back, and the other sifted through her wet hair, pearls still glimmering between damp silken strands. He tilted her face up to receive his kiss, then slid his arm beneath her knees, pulling her small form from the water to cradle her against him. Water sloshed over the side of the tub, soaking Endymion's pants and shoes, coating the tile floor. Serenity's arms slid around his neck, her heavy mane of hair dripping torrents of water. Endymion supported her slight weight on one arm to open the door leading into their bedchamber. Pearls clattered noisily to the floor, loosed from Serenity's hair.

Endymion strode across the floor quickly and easily, as though carrying Serenity didn't slow him down at all. He leaned over to blow out the lamp, plunging the room into darkness.