Twenty Kisses
Rated T
Chapter Title: "Coy Diplomacy"
Setting: Silver Millennium
Genre: Any
"King Terran, Queen Gaia, Prince Endymion... I present to you my daughter, Princess Serenity; heir to the throne of the Silver Millennium."
A dainty hand reached out and was clasped by the three royal Earthlings, who in turn laid chaste kisses onto the soft skin with reverently mumbled greetings.
"How do you do?" the golden-haired goddess fairly purred with demure grace, her heavenly countenance bright as the woman pinned each guest with a sweet smile. Her vivacious blue eyes lingered for just a fraction of a second longer on Prince Endymion, and his lips twitched upward into a barely disguised smirk before the man donned his usual diplomatic mask. Serenity blinked bashfully, face seeking out the floor until she remembered her place. A princess never averted her eyes during important monarchical conversation.
"Shall we retire to the tea room?" Queen Serenity of the Silver Moon suggested, as elegant as her daughter was beautiful. She waved her arm toward the arching doorway leading off the balcony, into the majestically decorated chamber within. A servant appeared by her side almost instantly, asking the visitors if they wished to unload some of their heavy outer garments. While the king and queen politely declined, Endymion shrugged his armor and cape off without a second thought and passed it over to the attendant. Gaia pursed her lips.
"Mother, they aren't planning to attack us," Endymion murmured under his breath, rolling his dark eyes. The distrust between the Earthlings and Lunarians was so fervent it was almost risible, at least to the younger generation. Princess Serenity hastily changed her giggle into a delicate cough, and Endymion's coy grin made a second reappearance. Queen Serenity, pretending to ignore this exchange, thanked the servant and led the group into her private tea room. Or, as her daughter secretly referred to it, the unspoken negotiation room. It was the perfect setting for peaceful mediation- comfortable armchairs, colorful paintings, and an opulent fireplace that constantly emitted pleasant waves of warmth. Of course, it also helped that Queen Serenity consistently maintained a tranquil attitude, even in the face of spite. Her younger namesake never failed to feel a sense of awe while watching her mother interact with alien consuls, wondering if she had the ability to step into that demanding role when the time came. As it was, Princess Serenity dreaded political discourse such as this. She would rather have spent the morning quietly roaming the gardens, but this meeting was too crucial for her to miss. This meeting would determine whether her future shattered into heartbreaking oblivion or was wrapped up neatly in a pretty red bow.
If Terran and Gaia didn't acquiesce...
No. She didn't even want to consider the possibility. Serenity stiffened her shoulders, trying not to let any of the rogue emotions leak onto her features. She followed her silver-haired mother into the tea room, claiming the sofa in front of the Earthlings. Endymion seemed to fidget nervously before finally deciding to stare into the crackling fire, allowing his parents full reign over the conversation. Serenity knew exactly how he felt. She sighed, waiting for the gavel to fall.
"So... it is of your opinion, Highness, that our son should marry your daughter?" Terran began, nodding to Princess Serenity impassively.
"That is correct. I believe an alliance between the earth and the moon would be beneficial to both parties. If I may speak frankly, Terran, I think this animosity has gone on long enough. We need to end the cycle, now, before it is too late. I do not wish for a war to break out," Queen Serenity entreated passionately.
Terran and Gaia shared a look, and both were silent for a few moments until Gaia prompted softly, "Endymion?"
The aforementioned prince started, evicting himself from reverie. He cleared his throat, glancing momentarily at Princess Serenity's intense expression. "The Queen has a valid point, Father. This betrothal has the potential to seal an alliance between our restless nations. If we can sway the people, we can ensure the peace Earth has desired for so long."
"And what of that self-proclaimed sorceress, Endymion? Beryl's cries for revolution, for the overthrow of the Silver Millennium, are not falling on deaf ears. I fear if we allow this marriage, we are paving the way for insurrection."
"And what if Beryl does succeed?" Endymion argued. "You are the king, Father. You have access to legions of militants; to one of the finest bred armies around. Could Beryl and her meager minion of rebels stand up to the power of the monarchy? I think not. If revolution occurred, we would take it in stride. If I may speak boldly, sir, you can't deny how the overwhelming pros far outweigh the cons regarding a union between the earth and moon kingdoms. Earth would do well to proceed with this agreement."
"Your son is wise, Terran," Queen Serenity praised amiably, eying Endymion with a new measure of respect. "He would be a valuable asset to the Silver Millennium as High King."
Terran seemed to relax at this, realizing his only son would, through marriage, rule the most powerful alliance in all the Solar System. For the first time, a brilliant smile lit up his ancient features. "Gaia, I do believe a betrothal celebration is in order."
Queen Serenity grabbed up her daughter's hand, beaming as widely as Terran and Gaia. "Then please, let us host a ball for Serenity and Endymion. Tonight. Won't you honor the Moon Kingdom with your presence?"
oOo
The rest of the day seemed to fly by in a blur for Princess Serenity. As she was escorted from one activity to the next, her feet seemed to float on air and her smile refused to fade. After perhaps the hundredth congratulations, however, the blonde-haired woman began to grow slowly weary. She had yet to catch a moment alone with her future husband, constantly being chaperoned by either her mother or the Senshi guard. The ball was even worse than Serenity's busy afternoon; sitting perched at the decadent feast, rows away from Endymion, she nearly lost it.
Of course, princesses aren't allowed to simply lose it.
And that was why, at a quarter to midnight, Serenity caught Endymion's attention with a drop of her handkerchief. She resurfaced from underneath the table, flushing. Endymion chuckled, following suit as he recognized the sign. Serenity quickly excused herself, claiming a headache. Unbeknownst to everyone else, Endymion took the inattention to slip away himself. Only the ever-observant Sailor Mercury seemed to notice, but Serenity's guardian did little more than shake her head in exasperation. She was surprised they hadn't utilized that ploy sooner.
oOo
Princess Serenity stood alone in her bedroom, staring out the window at the vibrant blue and green gem that would soon be her home. Or... would it? She surmised her mother would probably want her and Endymion to stay close to the moon, but more than anything Serenity wanted to escape. She wanted bubbling brooks and chirping birds; green grass and flowers that grew without needing to be re-planted every season. For as long as the Silver Millennium's heir could remember, Earth had been her dream. But even now, when it seemed the planet was at her fingertips, Serenity felt the suffocating grip of her princessly duties. Sometimes... sometimes, all she wanted was Endymion and the peaceful certitude of a normal life. Sometimes she hated the moon.
"Rose for your thoughts?"
Serenity felt his strong arms encircle her stomach, pulling the blonde into a protective embrace. She giggled when he flicked his hands, and the aforementioned flower suddenly appeared. She loved it when he did that.
Endymion offered the gift up to Serenity, and she gave a great whiff of the saccharine blossom before gently resting it on the windowsill. Then she twisted in Endymion's arms, pressing her body to his. The princess reached up and cradled his perfectly chiseled cheekbones in either of her petite palms. "It's finally happening, Endy. We did it. We won. We're getting married!"
Endymion groaned in pure joy, tangling his fingers in Serenity's gossamer odango. "I was so worried Father wouldn't agree. He seemed so adamant. But by Selene, was that ball dull."
Serenity giggled; a wonderfully tinkling and carrying peal. "And you wondered why I wanted to leave this place..."
Endymion joined in her mirth, squeezing his fiancee close. "Not to mention the agony I had to endure, pretending we were nothing more than acquaintances when all I wanted to do was sweep you into my arms and kiss you senseless..."
Serenity began wiggling out of his grasp with a teasing look on her face. "Oh, would you look at the time! They'll be unveiling the cake any moment-"
"Don't play coy, Sere," Endymion growled, locking her between his sturdy frame and the wall. "I mean it. It's nothing short of torture having to keep up the chaste strangers facade."
Serenity stopped struggling, but her cerulean eyes continued sparkling in mischief. "But Endymion... we don't have to hide anymore. We're getting married. It's okay to broadcast our love for all the planets to see!"
Endymion paused, revelation dawning. He let out a whooshing breath, shoulders freed of tension as the prince laughed aloud. He dragged Serenity out onto her bedroom's balcony. "Then I want all the planets to see this."
And then Prince Endymion proceeded to kiss the golden-haired deity senseless against the railing, easing her higher until the couple was at level with the earth's image superimposed in the sky.
~o~o~o~
A/N: Well isn't that hawwt, in the devastatingly tragic sort of way? Man, this one shot almost makes me wish Sere and Endy really got their happy ending after all... *sniff* OH WAIT. THEY DO. Tee hee. In another lifetime ;P
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AngelMoon Girl
