A kingdom filled up with light from the sun that rose from its slumber. A kingdom that was filled with peace, tradition, and romance. Far off in the distance, upon a large hill were acres of deep lush green forests. In that forest trickled rivers of clear blue water that sparkled with the early morning sunrise. Standing in a field of high grass and flowers stood a young woman, not much older than eighteen, her petite frame standing tall and free. Her arms outstretched wide as the wind engulfed such a presence. Golden locks that reached to beautiful lengths, danced longingly for freedom. With her eyes closed tightly, Serenity dreamed of far off places and exciting adventures. The sun's light curled its way around Serenity's body and flushed over her face. Slowly she opened her baby blue's and looked with intent onto the kingdom view before her. It was simply gorgeous. A town that was still in slumber and above it all loomed an enormous white castle. It took her breathe away every morning.
With a a shake of her head she released all her wishes and fantasies and turned around, her back to the kingdom. A large Chateau of overgrown weeds brings her back to reality. Inside slept her step mother and two step sisters. Beryl and her two daughters, Rei and Hotaru, both full of such evil beauty. Serenity ran up to the house and rushed through the front doors. Pushing open the door to the kitchen she comes face to face with a tall slender woman with such a boney frame. Her hair made of black silk and skin of porcelain that was brushed with dirt and exhaustion. Luna was like a real mother to Serenity. She was there for her when her father died unexpectedly, when her step mother took over and pushed poor Serenity out of the family, only to become a simply servant in her own household. She couldn't imagine life without her.
"My dear! Where have you been?" cried Luna.
"I'm so sorry Luna. You know how I love to watch the sunrise. I got carried away with my day dreaming this time." Serenity replied.
"Well you better hurry up and put on your apron child, your step mother is waiting on you. She is in one of those horrendous moods today." Luna exclaimed.
Luna rushed Serenity to take the hot tea quickly before it got cold. Serenity just laughed and slipped on a white apron on that had been covered with flour and stains from such kitchen duties, grabbed the tray and headed out the kitchen.
Knock. Knock. Serenity waited for a response outside her step mothers room.
"Come in child," was the icy response she got from her step mother.
Slowly she opened the door, the room smelt of an overpowering perfume. The dark atmosphere gave her the chills.
"Well hurry up Serenity, I would like my tea while its still hot," Beryl exclaimed.
Rushing calmly over to her side, Serenity set the tea down on the cherry wood night stand.
"Pull back the curtains Serena. I need light!" on command Serenity did as her step mother said.
Turning around in now the lighted room, Beryl was staring at her. Her eyes carried their gaze from her scruffy old shoes all the way up her perfect frame to stare straight into those eyes that were always filled with some kind of sadness. Beryl's hatred for this beautiful child ran deep. One day, she shall be rid of her. For now she used her, toyed with her, destroyed her hopes and dreams. It was all delightful in the eyes of Beryl.
"Stop looking so...pitiful Serena. You bring your father shame."
Serenity instantly looked down. "Sorry step mother."
With that, she left the room and closed the doors behind her. Serenity quietly mocked Beryl while making her way down the stairs back to the kitchen. Why doesn't she just leave? She is young and free and could go on all those adventures she dreamed of. Too bad reality was she had no money, no where to go, no one to see. She was alone in the world except for the wonderful Luna and her husband Artemis. She stopped halfway down the grand staircase and looked out the window that beheld a stunning view of the castle. A big sigh exasperated from Serenity and she continued on her way.
~~~
Prince Darien sat in the castle study. His mind was elsewhere as he stressed about the upcoming threats to his kingdom. In the west, Prince Diamond was growing in power and he heard stories of his forceful wrath. Traveled rumors spread that Diamond was heading for their kingdom and Darien wanted to be ready for it in case it was true. The door to the study flew open and his father stood in the doorway with a large grin on his face,
"My boy!" The king said with pure excitement, "Tonight is the masked ball! Tonight will be a good night!"
Darien looked shocked. It totally slipped his mind. Just thinking about all the people and women swooning for his attention gave him an instant headache.
"Must we have the ball?" Darien whimpered.
His father flashed him a disappointed look. With a sigh Darien nodded his head,
"Ok, ok!"
~~~~
"SERENA!" "SERENA!" Hotaru and Rei shouted. The two rushed about their rooms trying to find their ball gowns for the castle event that evening. Serenity rolled her eyes as she approached their room,
"Yes Rei? yes Hotaru?"
The two sisters stopped in their tracks and stared at her, both of their eyes filled with panic and jealousy. They both were aware of the beauty Serenity possessed and with large smirks across their faces they put her to work,
"I need this fixed..." "I need this made..." "I need..." "I need..." just order after order.
All Serenity could do was nod at each request. She so dreamed of going to the masked ball at the castle this evening but her step mother forbid her to go. Its not as though to she wanted to go to meet the prince and live happily ever after, like that would ever happen. She dreamed of that large ball room with crystal chandeliers, wondrous music playing, large tall ceilings that were carved with history and tradition, beautiful people mysteriously dancing behind masks. Oh what a night it would be. Her step sisters were absolutely gorgeous, if anybody were to grab the Princes' attention it most definitely would be them. Rei had large violet eyes that had long thick black lashes to match her ever so long black as night hair. Her hair was always worn long and flowed freely across her back. Rei's skin was piercingly pale with rose colored cheeks that always flushed when her temper got out of hand. And Hotaru, oh little Hotaru. She was the younger sister and was almost a spitting image of Rei. Same violet eyes, same black hair, except hers was no longer than the tops of her shoulders. Hotaru's skin was always pale, but more of a fragile look, as though she would break if you touched her.
Night fell upon the Chateau quickly and the sisters were all ready to depart along with their step mother. Beryl couldn't contain her excitement as though one of her daughters had already won over the prince's hand in marriage. Serenity waited in the foyer to escort her sisters into their carriage. Hearing laughing and snickers, Serenity looked up. Her eyes went wide in awe. They looked beautiful! Rei's dress was a slim fitting corset that was lined with ruby red gems, and the petticoat of her dress was large and expanding, bunched in random places to give the dress texture. Over her eyes was a shiny black mask with extremely large red feathers that extended from one side. Behind her came Hotaru, her dress resembling that of Rei's but on a smaller scale. The bodice and petticoat shimmered colors that reminded you of a male peacock, and her mask was made of peacock feathers.
"Serena! Stop gawking and open those doors. We mustn’t be late girls..."
Beryl scowled at Serenity while beckoning her daughters, and out the door they went. As Rei and Hotaru climbed into the carriage Beryl turned around and looked straight at Serenity. Her eyes pierced as though she won some kind of battle. Looking her up and down she snickered,
"Oh dear Serena... Don't look so sad child. I mean do you honestly believe YOU could have gone to such a ball? Look at you in your filthy rags you call clothes. Your much better off staying here... Goodnight."
With a turn of Beryl's heel, she was in the carriage and they took off. Serenity's eyes filled with tears and slowly sobs started to escape. Before she knew it, she was a full blown water faucet. Her hands covered her face and caught her streaming tears. Hearing footsteps behind her she turned around and tried to wipe away her tears. There stood Artemis, such a kind old man with hair white as snow. He wore an encouraging smile on his face as he extended his arms to her. Serenity ran longingly into his arms. She felt safe whenever wrapped in his arms, as she remembered the same feeling of when her father was alive.
"Serenity my dear, do you want to go to the ball?" Artemis asked with curiosity in the tone of his voice.
Serenity was silent for a moment and then responded with a quick, "Yes..."
"Well then go my dear! go!" said Artemis.
Serenity looked up at him confused, "How could I go? I have no gown, no carriage, no mask. Look at me! How could I ever go to such an event? What if Beryl saw me? She would murder me!"
Oh the excuses that spouted up from her mouth were endless. Artemis just let out a laugh and shook his head. Then turning around he looked at Luna who was standing there with an accomplishing smile. Serenity looked confused,
"I...whats... I dont know whats going on here?"
"Don't worry about it Serenity, you are going to that ball! Now lets get you ready!" Artemis exclaimed with excitement.
About an hour later, Artemis stood in the foyer once again now pacing back and forth. He almost couldn't contain the excitement that swelled within him. His wife Luna had been planning Serenity's dress for this ball for weeks now. Luna felt it was destiny for her to attend and wouldn't let the idea go in her head. So slowly but surely, she designed a dress and a mask to fit Serenity. Finally he heard foot steps, taking his gaze to the top of the staircase he gasped. He died and went to heaven, an angel was standing right before his eyes. There stood Serenity draped in a glamorous white fabric that clung to her stunning body. Gold rings lined the top of the dress with two rows of gold beading underneath. The beading features simple spherical beads,in a gold metallic color. A row appears just below the top banding, and another a few inches below it, forming an empire waistline. The fabric is gathered at the waist. The skirt of the dress was close-fitting and floor-length, with a slender shape that ended in a flourish that trails out in all directions. Extending from out behind her were large fairytale wings. The wings featured a scalloped lower edge and a gently arching top, and are far wider than they are tall. The trailing ribbons form the natural lower half of the wings, resembling a butterfly shape. Both the wing and ribbon fabric is pure white but gave off an extremely light pink color when moving. Her mask concealed her upper face and was dressed with nothing but beautiful crystals. Her golden hair was half pulled up with strands of messy hair peeking out. It gave her the look of a wild and untamed beauty. Serenity made her way down the stairs. Her body was shaking. so much as adrenaline ran through her veins. Reaching the bottom Serenity looked at Artemis through the small slits of her crystal encrusted mask,
"So how do I look?" she asked curiously.
Artemis smiled, "My dear, you look like an angel from heaven."
Luna came to Artemis' side and she nodded in agreement and added, "My angel, you should fly like one."
Opening the door he revealed a heavenly pure white stallion outside. Serenity understood. She didn’t need a carriage that resembled a cage, she needed the wind in her hair and the feeling of being alive. With the help of Artemis, she sat sideways upon the horse. Her small fingers grasping the reins. Serenity looked straight to Luna and Artemis,
"Thank you you two. I don’t know how I will repay you."
Artemis shook his head, "Your father would have wanted it this way."
With one last gleam she took off down the dirt road until only the faint sound of the horses hooves on the ground were heard.
~~~~~
The castle was bustling with the vision of lights, music, people eating, drinking, and being merry. Prince Darien was dressed handsomely in a black and white tuxedo. His white mask just slightly covered his face, but his dark gently eyes still visible. He stood by his throne next to his father greeting the woman as they approached him with flirtatious smiles. Beryl stood behind her two daughters, she pushed Hotaru forward to greet the prince. With a bow, she backed off quickly when the prince had no reaction to her presence. Rei on the other hand approached with force and commanded attention. The prince looked at her and curiosity sparked his attention.
"Your highness." Rei said with coy.
Her eyes were filled with mischief and the Prince acted on his feelings. Darien approached her with his outstretched to take hers. With a sly grin she put her hand in his and let him lead her to the ballroom dance floor.
~~~~
Serenity led the enormous white stallion to the front of the castle where men and women were now staring at her in disbelief. It was unheard of to see a lady riding a horse in such attire, but their minds weren't on the fact of how inappropriate it was, they were asking the question 'Who was this mysterious beautiful angel?'. She was like a ghost. No one knew her, seen her, or could even recognize her. Halting the horse, she looked down only to be met by a man with his hand outstretched towards her, a man with emerald green eyes, hair like the sun, and shoulders broad and strong. He wore a thick black mask that was etched with silver lining. She hesitantly took his hand and with one big motion, the man swept his other hand around her waist and gently put her on the ground. Their bodies now were so close, she could hear the sound of his heart beating. Serenity looked up meeting his eyes. The man eventually made space between them and he bowed to her. Serenity was taken aback, but she returned the gesture none the less. Offering his arm, she took it and they started up the stairs into the castle. Serenity held her breath, she couldn't believe this night was really happening. Not even in her wildest dreams did she envision this. The romance and beauty of the castle was so utmost that her mind raced trying to just take it all in. Serenity quickly reverted back to this mysterious man who was escorting her inside. They approached two huge double doors and Serenity knew beyond them was something better than her wildest dreams. The man stopped. Abruptly she was taken out of her little day dream. He turned to look at her,
"This is where I leave you my lady. You have fulfilled my every need by just being in your presence. Your a vision every man wishes that they would see when the day comes they reach those pearly gates, for such beauty cannot be mortal. Goodnight sweet angel."
His lips gently graced the back of her hand and with that, he turned and off he went. Stunned was an understatement at what she was feeling that very moment. Shaking her head she decided to dismiss it, after all this was a night of wonder and it had barely begun.
Stepping up to those massive double doors, the guards that stood ground stared at her in amazement. They opened the doors to reveal a grand staircase before her and just down those stairs people were dancing and laughing. Dresses of all colors and masks of all kinds were being worn. Not one face could be seen. The mystery in the room gave a sense of adventure. Serenity's adrenaline hit her and all she wanted to do was jump up and down and giggle uncontrollably. Taking deep breaths, Serenity managed to keep her composure as she made her way to the first step. Then she suddenly realized people started to notice her standing there on top of this grand staircase. Whispers and fingers were being pointed. Her beauty surpassed any female in the room and the men made that known as their jaws fell to the floor. Serenity felt almost embarrassed at the attention, but settling her hand upon the rail she started her way down to the ball room floor.
Prince Darien was enjoying his dance with Rei when his concentration was broken with a bountiful of whispers surrounding him. What was all this nonsense about. Stopping the dance with Rei he started to look around. What had everyone buzzing? Then looking up, he saw her. His eyes went wide and his body stopped. Something about her instantly grabbed him. He knew all the beautiful women in his kingdom, so who was this? Watching her make her way down the staircase, he rushed calmly to the bottom stair almost having to fight off plenty of men paralyzed by her beauty. There he stood, waiting for her. Serenity saw him, his jet black hair perfectly set, he deep dark eyes sinking into her, his presence completely dominating the room. Who he was and where did he come from, she did not know, but she couldn't keep her eyes off of him.
