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Usual disclaimers: Sailor Moon and all its characters and likeliness belongs to Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha/Toei. English translation is made possible by DiC.
My email address: [email protected]
= thoughts
[ ] = author's note
Rated: PG
A little SUMMARY for those who want to have an idea of the story before they decide to read it: See into a world of pompous ignorance where wealth exceeded love, and power was hoarded like gold. This was the world Serenity found herself born into, where betrayal created suspicion and truth placed in doubt. Follow her in her journey to avenge her parents' murder and betrayal, during which she came to experience the kindness that lay deep within the human heart shown by a few. In her quest she came to be taught the meaning of love by a young man whose past was as painful as hers and how she learned to conquer the hatred that resided in her forlorn heart...
Well, enough of my babbling! I hope you'll like this fanfic! Enjoy!
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A Shepherd's Kiss
========================= By Cosmos ==================================
Chapter 1: Pride's Governance
Pride was a form of defense she raised to oppose the onslaught of insults and accusations. It was a formidable wall constructed from anguish and pain to hide possible weaknesses from others, but, unfortunately, she also hid them from herself. Through time, this wall grew to such strength and height that surmounting it seemed a most impossible feat. Yet, the person behind the protective barrier was alone. Though protected from society's pain, her heart was pierced to the very core with the sharp blade of isolation.
Deep in thought, Serenity looked about her wintry surrounding feeling her cold heart beating in tune to the silence all around her. As Princess of the Moon Kingdom, she has all the wealth and power any princess could ever dream of. Though some may fear that such power would lead a heart so young astray, for her it was not the case. Behind the stone mask and reserved nature she always shone on the outside, lay a heart that was pure and true. She was loyal to her kingdom and to her people, but few knew of this warmth beating beneath that coldness. For a princess of such a powerful kingdom, what possible threat could she fear that she must hide behind a stone mask?
Although she was rich with wealth, she was poor without friends. A loving heart residing in solitude hidden among the pompous personalities of others of her social status, Serenity suffered a lonely and unloving life. Much like those of her age, she yearned for loyal companions and an undying love that many have failed to give.
Her cold, reserved nature was her only defense against the assault of an unforgiving society. A society that pounced on any weakness one may harbor. She has learned, since when she was young, that to show warmth and compassion was to reveal to others a weakness that could be used against her; and so to survive in her society was to show no compassion. There was, however, one who knew of her true nature, a kind middle-aged peasant woman named Luna; and so it was this one friendship that Serenity valued most above all the wealth that she has. What bitter irony life has played, to have a powerful Princess attaining only one friend and that of a lowly commoner, but in her eyes, Luna was the wealthy one, rich with kindness and happiness and friends and love. Her wealth consisted of things that Serenity could only dream of attaining.
I pity this lonely Princess draped in fool's gold. Without love and the laughter of honest friends, what happiness could there be? And as time passed by, the dark world around her slowly seeped into her heart, eating away at the kindness that once resided there. If she did not escape this life soon, she too would become what she hated, and her heart would forever be frozen.
"Driver please hurry," Serenity spoke in a cold commanding tone.
"Yes, Princess," the driver's voice flowed to her from the chilled air outside the silver coach, "the horses are going as fast as they can."
Serenity sighed depressingly. Mother will wish to know why I arrive so late, she thought. Her steel blue eyes glanced longingly for the solitude of the dark forest passing by her in a blur of dull gray colors. Beams of earthlight penetrated the crowded canopy to highlight patches of sparkling snow here and there. Her brow knitted in aggravation at the thought of her mother's annual winter ball. It was not the ball itself that she despised, but the people who attended it. All wealthy Princes and Princesses of various regions of the Milky Way and the lords and ladies from within the Moon. Pompous and avaricious people who cared nothing outside of their own wallets. How she despised walking in there feeling cold jealous eyes penetrating into her back, and whispers of unflattering things flowing back and forth inaudible to her ears, but not to her conscious mind. Being the daughter of the most powerful kingdom of this galaxy, she knew how much other Princesses despised her because of their own blinded jealousy, and how many Princes have sought for her heart only to get to her wealth. But they have never succeeded in their conniving ways, none of them. She was a girl of wit and intelligence, someone who could see through all the masquerade of polished boots and velvet capes. Her heart desired only honesty and the comforts of real love. She did not care for the flatteries of empty words and artful gestures of falsehood. She would never fall for such deceitful proclamations of false love and loyalty.
A mournful sigh escaped from between her hard cold lips to be solidified in midair by the chilled wind, held as a warning to any travelers of the loneliness and pains brought on by wheeling this staff of power. Unwillingly, her eyes drifted to the rear of the coach, to the trail it left behind in the soft white snow leading back to the very little hut that she visited only moments before. Luna… she uttered the name with such longing that one could hear the pain in her heart as if it were a sad tune playing in solitude amidst the dark silver forest. I wish I could be with you and Artemis still, she thought sadly. A strong pang of longing rang loudly in her heart. Oh, how she yearned to return to that little hut and to their warm company. She had tried to postpone her departure for the ball to the point that she feared she would never arrive in time before her parents' festivity ended. She knew it would be very inappropriate if she did not attend her own kingdom's ball.
Sighing again, she turned around and gazed ahead of her. And so with every moment, every clatter of the horses' hooves brought her closer to her home and the dreaded encounter with those arrogant simpletons she so despised. Through the snow-covered path leading to a place hidden both by distance and darkness, she knew awaited her palace, and the people she must confront.
Sometimes, she wondered if there exists such things as *true* love or loyalty like those she has read about so much when she was a child. It seemed that the real world held nothing but hatred and greed. For one who dwelt in an age of dreams and hopes, Serenity realized that she has none. Not anymore. She had spent most of her childhood looking for fairies behind mulberry bushes, water nymphs in a nearby stream, angels in the clear blue sky, and a diamond in the rough, but as the age of twenty dawned on her, so did reality. Now if you asked her about the fairies, she would claim that they are only figments of children's active imagination. If you asked her about the water nymphs, she would reply they are mere illusions of light on the rippling surface. Now if you asked her about the diamond, she would say all diamonds are brilliant and sparkling, but all hold a black heart deep inside. Imprisoned in this harsh and hostile part of society where material wealth and power exceeded all else in importance, the hope in her heart slowly dwindled into nothingness.
Her parents were not to blame for the loneliness and inner sufferings she endured. They are kind and considerate parents who cared very much for the well being of their only child, but they alone could not protect her from the cruelty that existed in the noble class. Nonetheless, she knew that if she should ever need them, they were always there with open wings to shield her from the cold biting wind. They provided the only comfort she could ever hope to find.
She was not always like this, cold, reserved, distant from all and any social contact. No one truly knew what brought about the change…no one but she. It was a past guilt that had driven her into exile from the rest of society. It forced her to seek the silence as her only trusting companion. Until she comes to accept this guilt and forgive herself, she would continue to struggle alone in silence and solitude.
For someone that already has so little comfort, she would later find that of what she did have would soon be stripped from her. For following in her parents' shadow lurked a threat so great that it will destroy all she has known and take away all she held dear, including her very blood and soul. And it would add to her the pain and guilt that was already heavy in her heart.
The ride, she soon realized, was far too short for soon the horses began to slow and came to a complete halt in front of a large majestic gate made of slender shining metal alloy rods worked into beautiful ornate designs by the hands of a skilled Moon craftsman. The handsome gate stood as a humble representation of the splendor of what it guarded, for as soon as the guards allowed them to pass, looming into view was a grand palace made of materials foreign to Earth that colored as pale as the very dust of the Moon. Silvery white, it stood as the symbol of the prosperity of this kingdom, and the power that this land held. Turning from the snow covered trail onto a rosy stone laid path, the sharp clicks of the horses' hooves against the hard passageway was muffled only by the soft murmuring of eight tall fountains hovering on either side of the path. Cascades of pristine water flowed down like silk curtains framing a grand window. But through all this majesty that would take away the breath of a common traveler, Serenity saw none of it. Her eyes have darkened to a cold steel blue once they had passed the palace gates. Deep within, her emotions were reigned in with a tight grip as she prepared for another performance for the guests of her kingdom's ball.
Once the carriage stopped directly beneath the smooth stairway with its splendid carpeted face, Serenity plastered on her elegant and attractive smile and strolled casually through the large milky-white doors.
The unimaginable beauty of the decorative hall slammed into her vision. Her sober eyes gathered in the grand crystal chandeliers, of which there were two, occupying the vaulted ceiling with its glass dome that opened to the starry heavens. Another large polished surface of a grand stairway coiled upward directly in front of her like the back of a silver dragon stretching for the sky. It was not toward the stairs that she headed, but it was to a large room hidden behind a thick cherry wood door to her left, from which sounds of laughter and tinkles of wineglasses leaked through the opening between the tall frame. She gave a heavy sigh before she opened the door and stepped through.
The room was a grand ballroom built in the most unusual shape of octahedral. Grand curtains, pale peach in color, drifted down the sides of the white walls, framing the many tall windows opening to various views of the palace surroundings. One window opened to face the starry heavens where the distinct blue and white swirl of the planet Earth occupied a third of its face. Another framed the beauty of the royal garden with its variety of flowers from tiger lilies, maiden's slipper to orchids, but surprisingly no roses.
Her steady gaze quickly caught sight of her parents and their trusted commanding officer, Lieutenant Radon. Her mother looked up and their eyes met, she smiled and motioned her daughter to come to them. Serenity walked in their direction, ignoring the jealous stares and whispers that quickly rose once she passed by. She reached about several feet from her parents' position when a dark shadow quickly stepped into her path. She looked up in surprise and found herself gazing into deep blue eyes reflecting a soul with the strength of an ocean, but the heart of a beautiful blue sky. Imposed against the dark tuxedo he wore and his ebony hair, his eyes shone with an amazing azure color.
He gazed down at her, enchanted by her exceptional beauty, which was further enhanced by her unusual silver hair that flowed like cascades of stars down to her foot, barely sweeping the honey colored floor below. But her dark cold eyes subverted the ethereal picture that the rest of her portrayed. He gazed longer into those steady unmoving blue gems and found, huddling behind it, a soul shrouded in darkness, chained in sorrow and solitude.
"Excuse me," she spoke in a flat tone and quickly swerved around him continuing toward her parents. Her soft silver hair caressed the back of his hand in her passing, while a stray ribbon from her cream colored silk gown brushed across the upper part of his thigh.
She could sense his inquiring gaze following her, piercing into her exposed back as she receded from him. Her eyes hardened further as she thought to herself, Not another pathetic prince. As if there aren't enough of those greedy leaches around here already.
Nonetheless, deep within her mind a certain question lingered, a question that had immediately arisen when she first looked into his eyes, it was a question of his identity. She was all too familiar with the many royal visages that are frequent to attend this ball, and yet she has never seen his face before. She had never missed a single festival held by her parents, no matter how much she disliked it, so it was highly unlikely that she could not have been introduced to this stranger. Could it be possible that she has forgotten this face? But from its occupation in her mind now that was a remote possibility.
Her mother's gentle voice broke into her thoughts, "You have finally arrived Serenity," she commented, her tone hinting for an explanation of her tardiness.
"The condition of the trail was poor, mother," Serenity replied in a steady voice, "it greatly hindered our arrival."
"So I see," her mother said lightly; and Serenity knew that she did not fully accept her partially truthful explanation.
"I hope you were not too cold or uncomfortable during the trip," Lieutenant Radon spoke in a low concerned tone. His pale thin lips lifted into a smile that Serenity observed with wary eyes.
"Not at all," she replied casually, "If you would know, I enjoy the cold scenery and the silence of the forest. It is a cloak that I wear quite comfortably."
"I am please to hear you say so, Princess," the dark forest-green hair Lieutenant replied, his eyes never leaving her face.
Serenity smiled dryly. Deep down she held a great distrust and dislike for this man. His dark sea-green eyes were ones that seem to read directly into your soul, no matter how hard you try to hide it from them. Although he sounded concern for her well being, Serenity sensed that there was always more in his voice, and his intentions, than the gentleness he portrayed.
Lieutenant Radon was the highest-ranking officer of her kingdom's army. All military instruments and soldiers were placed under his willful command. He was not a Moon citizen like her other subjects. His origin could be traced back to Earth, but that was all that was known about him. Her parents found him half-battered at the gates of the palace. He explained that Earth was a lawless planet without order. He was a poor farmer seeking refuge in the Moon in hopes that he could escape the chaos that now ravaged Earth. But to her surprise, and everyone else's, his knowledge of military techniques and his incredible fighting power was beyond that of a common farmer. Thus there was more to him than what he said.
His hidden past and mysterious aura made Serenity weary of this superficial man. She had never trusted him, nor had she ever come to fully except his explanation of being a poor farmer. No common citizen has such power. Unlike her, Serenity's parents suspected no evil from this trusted advisor until the last few hours before their deaths, when it was too late. Even then, it came as a surprise that this officer, who was loyal to the royal family for over seven years, would suddenly turn against them for reasons they will never know.
Suddenly, sweet music began to play and couples slowly waltzed around on the honey colored oak wood floor. The soft melody, like smooth ripples across a still lake, caressed her ears and slightly eased her tense mind. The tunes danced around her, sweeping her up in its rhythmic motions as it wove a spell over her. Serenity's hard eyes slowly softened and a lighter shade of blue appeared in them.
Feeling the enchantment of the song taking over her mind, Serenity unconsciously swayed to its tantalizing rhapsody. So distracted by the magic of the music that she did not realize someone was asking her for a dance; and she gave her permission without knowledge of doing so.
Swirling around and around on the hard well-polished floor, swept away with the current of moving bodies and hypnotizing melody, she was not aware of her partner until a deep voice invaded her mind and blocked the music breaking its enchanted hold on her. Her body suddenly stiffened and her wide azure eyes flickered to the face of this stranger she, unknowingly, agreed to dance with. Like the sky meeting the ocean, her eyes captured cerulean spheres from where her image was reflected. Soon realizing who it was, she took in a sharp breath of surprise that brought about his question, "Are you all right?"
For a brief moment, she did not reply, the surprise of seeing him so near caught her off guard, but that moment was short lived for soon she was back in control, tightening the reigns on her emotions. Her eyes darkened to a cold steel blue once more.
Carefully observing her every action, he quickly noticed the shadow casting over her eyes and the change in her posture, now stiff and unyielding. It seemed as if another soul had completely taken over her body, driving away the dainty young woman he saw in her only moments before. In his mind, he pondered about this strange transformation, from carefree innocence to a guarded reserved nature.
"I am fine," she replied in the same tone he heard her used the first time they met earlier in the ball. Her gaze quickly left his face and landed on some distant object over his right shoulder as her soft crimson lips pressed together in a thin hard line.
Her hostile action ended any further conversations that may have occurred between them. He retracted a question that was on the verge of escaping his lips, and so they continued to dance with their bodies in sync with each other and the slow rhythm of the classical music.
Her brows knitted together in confusion. Why am I dancing with this man? she wondered, Why did I consent to his offer? And why is it that I have no recollection of the reason for doing so? It was almost as if another force had placed them together, made their paths crossed. She lets out an inaudible sigh, I must be getting too tired, she thought, I'm letting my guard down. The next thing I know, I'll probably agree to marry him. I must be cautious, who knows what his intentions are. Her many encounters with deceit have left her wary of the intentions of others. From behind every sweet smile, she suspected hidden was a dark scheme of some sort against her, her parents or her kingdom. She has vowed not to fall for their hidden traps. This was the price she must pay for being born in a position of power. Never was there a moment when she could actually let her emotions free and her dreams to run wild without hesitation and without fear. The Moon Kingdom was a source of great power and wealth, and Serenity knew this attracted a lot of enemies. She loved her homeland and her people, therefore she must be careful in her selection of allies. It was unfortunate that she could not find her childhood fairies or the rare diamond she once looked for so earnestly.
Regardless of what her mind was warning her against, Serenity felt something was different with this stranger, from the gentle way he was holding her, the soft sincere tone in his deep voice, to the warm glow in his curious gaze. Something was definitely different, but she was unsure of what to make of it. Kindness was something she rarely ever encountered, and she was not sure if this was what she saw in this young man.
Pride can also be a blindfold that impairs one's vision of what is right. It prevents one from seeing the honest intentions of the few. It is a false means of defending what little dignity one has to begin with. It was because of pride that made her do what she did next.
Throughout their dance, Serenity could not help but overhear the jeering comments of others. Usually she did not pay any heed to such nonsense, but one particular conversation caught her attention. Another young woman, two years her senior, made comments about her with the intentions of being overheard "Look Princess Storm," she began, "the great Princess Serenity is actually dancing with him. I never thought she would look so low below her."
"What do you mean Princess Lear?" the other younger woman asked, obviously having not the faintest clue to what her companion was alluding to.
"Oh, do you not know?"
"It appears that I do not. If you would be so kind as to inform me of my ignorance, dear Princess."
"I certainly will. That young man, Princess Serenity is dancing with, is a shepherd from Earth," sneered Princess Lear.
"Earth?" her friend cried with faint astonishment, her delicate hand flying automatically to her open mouth. "A commoner from Earth and a shepherd at that. Are you sure, Princess Lear? He does not have a commoner's constitution."
"Oh, I know. He does carry a regal air of royalty, but trust me, dear Storm. I am very sure who he is. His name is Endymion Sheppard."
"Endymion Sheppard? My goodness, dear Lear, even his name fits his employment," and Storm broke out in a quiet fit of giggles.
"Indeed doesn't it?" her friend asked with great amusement, "and to think the great Moon Princess is dancing with him. Oh, but they do make such a great couple don't you agree?"
"Very much so. A shepherd leading his sheep."
The final comment angered Serenity to uncontainable fury. Her eyes burned with hatred against those two women, but her hatred turned into pride that blinded her. Without warning, Serenity pushed Endymion away and quickly stalked off the dance floor, leaving him standing in astonishment until he sensed the stares of multitudes of eyes on him. He glanced quickly around with embarrassment to see others looking at him with disdain. Feeling greatly uneasy, he turned and walked away in the direction where the young woman exited. Once he left the room, talks resumed to new heights, fueled by the delicious event that just occurred.
Stepping out into the cold winter air, he quickly glanced around for her. Mounds of white cotton rose here and there hiding her from his searching eyes. A mournful sigh, like the sound of a gentle breeze blowing through tall brushes of grass, floated to him from behind a mound of snow to his far left. Following the sound with silent lengthy strides, he soon came upon a dark silhouette outlined in silver under the light of the Earth. Her arms were wound around her slim figure in order to shield her body from the slicing blades of the frigid winter wind. He stepped forward while taking off his coat and placed it gently over her shoulders. He noticed her body suddenly stiffen with her mind fully alert and guarded.
"What are you doing here?" her voice drifted to him as chilled as the cold wind.
"What do you mean?" he asked, slightly confused by the oddity of having her ask such a question so suddenly.
"I mean why are you *here*? Why are you at my kingdom's winter ball, renegade?"
"Why do you call me that?" he asked slightly annoyed by the way she was treating him.
"Because that is what you are. You are from the renegade planet Earth. You Earth people have no place here among the Silver Alliances. Have you come to spy on us? Are you seeking to know our weaknesses? You know you are in a very dangerous position right now, renegade. I could simply call the guards and put you in prison."
"Then why don't you?" he challenged her.
She did not reply. His deep voice wound around her like a satin sash. She did not know what to make of her emotions now rampaging in her heart.
"Look, Princess," he cried angrily, grabbing her and twirling her around to face him. "I am not the spy you are accusing me of being. I am not here to discover your secrets, nor am I here for any of your pitiful gold, if that's what you'll accuse next. I came because I wanted to see someone whom I heard others praised. I wanted to see if she is as others said she is."
"Really? And what have you discovered so far?" she questioned.
"That she is far from being the angel they have described," he answered her coldly.
"Why? Is she too ugly for you? Or too common?"
"No, none of that," he whispered in a voice that drew a greater interest from Serenity. "In fact, she is the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on."
"Then why did you just slighted her a moment ago?"
"Because looks only go so far, Princess," he said, "it is unfortunate that her personality does not reflect her appearance."
Serenity looked at him greatly surprised by his response. She found herself astonished that standing before her was a most handsome young man who was capable of charming any woman to his will and yet he spoke of things that other Princes would have scoffed at, and he spoke it with such sincerity. But she quickly hid her shock behind her stone mask. Instead, she said coldly, "To come all this way just to scorn a woman you probably do not even know save from gossips is an extremely foolish action, renegade."
Letting go of her arms, he spoke with an edge in his tone, "It's better to be a fool than an ignorant one. You know nothing about Earth or of what is truly going on over there, and yet here you are condemning us as renegades. Is everyone outside of your little alliance categorized as rogues, little princess?"
Upon the last two words that escaped his lips, he had unknowingly released an explosion of unwanted memories to ravage her mind. She quickly stiffened as his words revitalized the images of a time she had struggled to seal away in the dark recess of her mind...and had hoped would remain their for eternity. But his careless words forced her to relive the pain and guilt again within that split second.
'You are a sentimental fool, little princess,' the words echoed in her mind by another voice.
Her eyes narrowed to mere blue slits as she glared at him with unimaginable hatred. No one dared to call her that…not since after the incident. How dare he to use such words. Her fists clenched tight by her side, but somehow, despite the rage boiling within her, she remained in control of herself. She forced her anger down, refusing to let her fury explode making her do things that she may possibly regret later. Instead, she stood there holding his gaze within her challenging glare.
He made not further remarks, but instead looked deep into her dark blue eyes. Within them he could see a gentle soul trapped beneath all the anger and pains of loneliness she harbored for so many years. He wanted to bring forth this bright soul; he wanted to be able to know who this mysterious Princess truly was. For some strange reasons, he could not see her as the cold-hearted woman she was portraying herself to be. But why would she act this way if it were not in her nature?
She whispered suddenly, her voice cool and biting, "why did you asked me to dance?"
"Because I wanted to."
"They told you to do this didn't they?"
"Who?"
"Don't you dare try to play innocent with me," she said angrily, "They wanted to set me up so that I could be the laughing stock of the kingdom, is that it? They wanted to make a fool out of me, did they? Well, I want you to tell them that the Moon Princess doesn't get tricked that easily."
"I don't know what you are talking about, Princess!" he cried slightly irritated. "I wanted to dance with you because…because I wanted to. No one has asked me to do anything, and I certainly have no intention to trick you or make you look foolish in anyway. Why are you so suspicious of me?"
"Because this wretched world is full of deception, renegade," she hissed, "there is no one to trust and I have trusted no one, so why should I trust you?"
He did not answer her immediately. Then in a low, slightly amused voice, whispered, "Perhaps that is the only thing we may end up agreeing on this night." He sighed dishearteningly as if some inner hope was shattered by her cold personality.
For a moment no words were exchanged between them save stares of distrust from one and discouragement from the other. Finally he whispered in a low husky voice, "I have no proof of my innocence of your accusations save my own words. Whether you believe me or not, whether you will trust me or not, is entirely up to you. I cannot make you see the truth. That is something you would just have to figure out for yourself."
"And who are you to lecture me about truths? You are just a simple Earth shepherd! You have no right to tell *me* what to do!" she cried with such fury and pride that she surprised even herself. W…why did I say that?
His azure eyes darkened with anger and frustration at her arrogance and her ignorance, but he was careful to maintain control. "It seems that they were greatly wrong about you."
"Who?"
"Two people you have greatly fooled."
"What? What in the world are you babbling about?"
"I thought you would be better than this Princess," he said. "I thought you would be different from those egotistical others back there," and he waved his hand toward the ballroom indicating the gentry occupying it. "But it seems that I was fooled as well, fooled into thinking that one of royal blood might see others as her equal, but now I know that can never be. You have conveyed very well tonight that a nobility could never understand the sufferings endured by a commoner, nor should they have any reason to even listen at all." He paused briefly then said, "You were right, Princess. I came to see a woman I now realize I did not know at all, and probably would never know."
She looked at him in astonishment. Unable to reply or defend herself, she simply stood there with wide eyes as his bitter words sliced pass her stubborn pride and sink deep into her soul. He glanced at her one moment longer before turning and headed back to the ballroom. At the doorway he stopped and without looking back said, "But from what you have proven to me tonight, I now see that you are just like the rest of them."
She watched in brooding silence as his tall figure disappeared among the multitudes of glimmering bodies in the room. Soon she could not even see any dark figure behind the bright colors of the room's other occupants. It was as if he has been completely swallowed up by the light of the bright room.
She turned around infuriated by his statement. You have no right to categorize me with those nitwits, rogue, she thought bitterly. Who are you to dare challenge me? Who are you to dare challenge me? Stinging tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them back refusing to shed any tears, refusing to show any weaknesses. The numbing feelings in her fingers told her that she has stayed out in the chilled air too long.
Straightening her back and lifting her head high, she proudly walked back into the ballroom. If she happened to meet him again this night, she intended to show him who he was actually dealing with. She was not a jester to be mocked at. She was the High Princess of the Moon Kingdom.
[Chapter two coming next week! "Where Loyalty Lay..."]
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Copyright (c) 2000, Cosmos.