Andrew looked at Serena and even though her face was streaked with dried tears, he still couldn't believe how beautiful she really was. Grabbing her by the wrist they started to run. Serena just went along with having no idea where they were going. They started to run across the palace grounds to the horse stables. Out of breath, Serena stopped and keeled over.
“Just.....hold....on...a...minute” she said trying to catch her breath.
“What is it?” Andrew said while looking around worriedly.
“Where are we going? And how do you know your way around the palace? And why are we running? And why are--” Serena was cut off abruptly.
“Because I am running from the guards, and now you are too!”
“Wait..wait.. what? Your a THIEF?” Serena wanted to faint.
“Well, yes I am. I do it for the good of our people though I promise.” Andrew tried to make his case.
Andrew couldn't argue anymore, he knew that they needed to get out of there quick. He ran into the stables and a few minutes later came out with two horses. In one hand his chestnut colored horse and in the other hand, her white stallion. Serena was happy to see her horse, at least she would have that. She looked down at her dress and realized she couldn't make an escape in such a tight dress.
“Forgive me Luna....” She said with regret.
Serena grabbed the bottom of her dress to the right and started to pull. Slowly she heard the material ripping. She ripped it all the way up the side to her thigh. Now that her leg was free, she grabbed the reins of her horse and pulled herself onto the large horse. Andrew stood there dumbfounded. Smiling he knew she was definitely one of a kind. He mounted his horse as well and led the way into the forest. Serena followed him not knowing what lay ahead for her, but excitement and adrenaline rushed through her body.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Prince Darien was sitting in the library, his feet up on the crafted wood table. The night's events kept replaying in his head. What did he do to make her run away? At least he had her name. At that very moment, he had his men going into town to find her. And those thieves! They caught him and his palace off guard and that wasn't acceptable. Those damn gypsies always caused him grief and this time he would find them and get rid of them. He stood up and started to make his way into the ballroom. His servants were hastily cleaning up the mess from the events. All the servants watched him curiously, all of them knowing he claimed to have found the one he would marry and then lost her. Darien walked out on the balcony to revisit the memories. Suddenly he stopped, something caught the corner of his eye. Glistening on the floor over near the edge was Serenity's mask. Picking it up, concern filled his mind. This mask looked as if it had been ripped off and if he remembered correctly, she left him with her mask on. He never got to see her face, but he didn't have to. What if he couldn't find her? What would he do?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Serena was becoming so tired, as they had been riding for hours. Andrew started to slow down and she couldn't be more thankful. She could see light flickering in the distance and her curiosity was growing with each second. Making it to the clearing, they rode into a small group of about 100 people where a bunch of little huts had been built and tents were up, camp fires were lit by the plenty. Everyone was laughing, talking, making music, dancing, and drinking. 'Where was she?' wondered Serena. Looking over at Andrew, she raised an eyebrow.
“Are you a... gypsy?”
“Not exactly, I wasn't born a gypsy. I was abandoned as a child though and the group found me and raised me.” he exclaimed with a smile.
Andrew dismounted his horse and tied the reins to a tree and got some water to set down for the horses. Serena followed his lead. She stayed close to Andrew's backside still unsure of her surroundings. He smirked as he liked the feeling of her being so close. His luck was with him tonight, even though he wasn't able to find the royal treasure, he found a different kind of treasure that he figured to much more valuable. Andrew greeted people here and there and introduced Serena. Serena smiled at all of them kind of finding it amusing that here she was a girl in a ripped dress, tossed hair, and a total stranger and all of the gypsies were welcoming her with open arms. Andrew took her to a small hut and opened the door. Serena followed him in there and looked around. It was just a small room with one bed in the corner. She looked over at him with a confused expression.
“You will sleep on the bed Serena and I will sleep on the floor over here okay?” Andrew said.
“Oh no! I couldn't let you do that! I will sleep on the floor. I have no problem with that.” sad Serena.
“Don't worry about it.” He said with a quick smile. “Hold on a second”
Andrew left the hut leaving Serena by herself. He returned shortly holding up a change of clothes. Handing them over to Serena, he left the hut so she could have some privacy. Serena held up the oversized collared shirt and the pants. The pants were small so they must have belonged to a woman. Serena had never worn pants before, it just wasn't lady like, but I guess in the life of a gypsy anything was possible. Slipping out her dress, she changed quickly. The pants were almost too small but fit her figure just perfectly. She almost felt uncomfortable with how revealing they were. The collared shirt was worn out and a button was missing on the top, which exposed her collarbone and top chest area. Running fingers through her blonde locks and taking a deep breath she stepped out of the hut. Andrew turned around to look at Serena. He gasped. Even in rags, she was a beautiful sight and his heart pounded profusely.
“Your beautiful..” he said mistakenly.
“What?” She asked not quite sure what he said.
“N-nothing! How you feeling?” He nervously changed the subject.
“I'm not sure how to feel quite yet, but I do have to say...Thank you for this.”
“For what?”
“For saving me. Taking me somewhere I can be free and alive.”
“Your welcome” He said with a chuckle.
Before either of them could say another word, music started to play and people were adjoining hands and dancing freely. Drinks were flowing and Serena can't help but let out a giggle. She could seriously get used to this. Being courageous, she grabbed a drink and took a swig and followed the others with their creative dance moves. Andrew let out a good hearty laugh as he watched the new beauty in his life become accustom to her new life. He looked at her with longing, and only hoped that maybe she would fall for him as hard as he has fallen for her.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
** 3 weeks later **
A man from the palace approached the large Chateau with exhaustion. For weeks he had been going door to door trying to find a woman who might as well not exist. With three loud knocks, he waited at the door. Luna the household servant opened the door, her eyes filled with sadness. She looked at the man,
“May I help you sir?”
“Yes, can I speak to the lady of the house?”
Nodding she returned inside the house. Beryl with her two daughters appeared quickly at the door. Beryl looked at the man from head to toe with a look of disappointment.
“Yes?” Beryl asked.
“I am ordered by His Majesty to ask every household about a woman named Serenity de la Fayette. She is being ordered by the prince to return to the palace. If you have any information about her whereabouts, I must take you to Prince Darien immedietly.”
Beryl's mind filled rapidly with a plot that would benefit her and her daughters. She had not seen that wretched girl since the night at the ball. With a slight grin she looked over at Rei and Hotaru. Rei would finally get her Prince and they would all live like royalty.
“Yes, actually I do know her...She is my step-daughter.”
~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prince Darien had searched the entire kingdom for his mysterious woman and now was afraid he would never get the chance to ever see her again. Trumpets bellowed out suddenly and he froze. They found her? He started to run down the corridors of his palace. Opening the grand doors to the dining room, he looked for her and disappointment fell upon him when all he saw was that girl Rei and her mother. Confused he approached them.
“Ladies....I'm sorry but I was expecting someone else.” explained Darien.
“Oh we know your highness, and I am here to explain that you are wasting your time.” said Beryl.
“Hold your tongue Madam.” Darien became upset.
“Oh please excuse me your Highness, I meant no insult. What I meant to say was that I know Serenity de la Fayette. She is my step-daughter.” Beryl held back her smirk as he plan was about to play out perfectly.
“Your step-daughter? Why have I not heard of her before? Where is she? Did she come with you?”
“I am afraid I have bad news. You see, Serenity was engaged your Highness. She left weeks ago to Spain.”
Beryl hung her head pretending to display sympathy for the Prince. Darien stepped back in shock. Had he just heard that right, engaged? How could it be true? Replaying the night in his head, he realized that is why she must have run off. His pride had been stabbed, clearing his throat he stood upright and looked over at Beryl and glanced at Rei.
“Would you and your beautiful daughter like to stay for tea?” Darien asked
“Of course your Majesty.” Beryl said with victory in sight.
