The Will of Heaven 3/? by Meredith Bronwen Mallory mallorys-girl@cinci.rr.com "Mayumi," Demando's voice seemed toneless, dead even, "It's time. Please come with me." A general murmur of discontent rose from the assembly of girls. "Don't we even get to say goodbye?!" Beruche protested. "You will all get your chance to say goodbye," the guard assured them, "I will let her come back so you can the final results," he tried to smile, but it really didn't work, resulting in something of a hopeless contortion of his lips. "Naru, please meet us down in the dressing chamber. I need to speak with Mayumi for a moment." The red head nodded, hurrying to obey. Hotaru raised coal black eyes, looking somewhat betrayed. "I will come back," Serenity assured the child, and everyone else in the room, before she climbed to her feet and swept from the room. "Is it really tonight?" Serenity asked once they were in the hallway. "Yes, Mayumi," he replied, not meeting her gaze, "The royal family with board the ship in three hours, we need to get you ready." "Three hours!?" Serenity screeched, "Surely it can't take that long to get dressed! I could have had more time with my friends..." Demando hushed her quickly, pressing to fingers to her lips. "Hush, little spitfire," he said, his violet eyes glancing around nervously, "The walls have ears. Besides, we need you on that ship *before* the King arrives to board. I do not want him to see you and... decide to keep the gift for himself." Serenity nodded solemnly, catching the drift. Impulsively, she hugged the guard beside her, catching him off balance. "Gomen for snapping at you like that," she said as she pulled away, "I'm just so scared..." "I know, little one, I know," Demando replied, bitterness underlying his tone. To his relief, she did not notice, and they walked the rest of the way to the dressing chamber in companionable silence. ------- Rumors of the harem wardrobe's splendor paled greatly in comparison to the real thing, Serenity realized with some shock. Gigantic mirrors lined the walls, giving the illusion that the room went on forever. On every rack and every hanger were rows upon rows of royal silks and velvet teddies, some of the most glorious (albeit daring) gowns hanging right next to the some of the most ridiculous lingerie Serenity had ever seen. Along the walls were shelves of jewelry and cosmetics, everything designed to make a woman look her best. Something heavy landed in Serenity's stomach, and the room threatened to make her ill. It was so glittery and beautiful and yet so fake. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Mayumi, Princess of the Harem," a sultry voice sang out from behind the pair. Serenity whirled around to come face to face with the Harem's resident dress maker, Esmerude. No girl dressed to see the King without her stamp of approval on what they were wearing. The other woman stood leaning against one of the mirrors, successfully hiding her injured, useless left arm behind her still voluptuous form. Though still rather young, Esmerude was past her prime. Her long, lime green hair, though streaked with gray, fell down her back in waves, reaching her waist. A perfect eyebrow was cocked in question over a pair of chocolate brown eyes, the crows feet surrounding them giving her an appearance of wisdom in her field. Her red lips were drawn down in a perpetual frown, and her long black robe flowed well past her knees, hiding the weight she'd gained at her thighs. She really must have been quite beautiful once. "Nani?" Serenity asked in confusion. "Oh, I know about you," Esmerude said as she neared, circling the young woman and taking stock of her, as though she was a horse. Serenity almost expected the callus woman to check her teeth! "Everyone talks about you. I suppose you are rather nice looking." "Esmerude," Demando's tone held warning. He did not particularly *like* the other woman, whom he'd known since childhood. They'd even had a 'relationship' once, though now he found her mere presence revolting. She'd been a very sweet young woman once, but harem life had changed her to a cold, calculating witch. She was not it's only victim, it happened to a lot of people. "Well!" Esmerude said, clapping her hands to get attention, "Enough chit chat, let's get started! You," she gestured to Naru, "Come on, girly. Don't just stand there! Help me here!" Without further preamble, Serenity was taken behind a screen and told to change into a long white robe. That done, Esmerude led her along the rows of rogue and eye-shadow, finally deciding on just a little blush. "You're awfully pale," she commented off handedly. Serenity didn't answer, she felt dead inside, like a doll, being dressed and undressed. Some simple diamond earrings were chosen, along with a matching choker, and dainty silver sandals. Only when Esmerude went to take down her odangos did Serenity even protest. "Please, don't," she begged, glancing at her reflection. They were already turning her into someone she did not recognize, "Let me have a little piece of myself." Scoffing at the younger woman's sentimentality, Esmerude glanced back at Demando, who, after all, had the final say on everything. The guard nodded, and the odangos were left alone, a few silver and diamond studded charms stung in her locks, so that they made little bell like noises whenever Serenity moved her head. Finally, Esmerude chose a garment and sent the girl behind the screen once more. In the end, the poor rabbit was staking so badly that Naru had come and help her dress. After what seemed like hours, Serenity tentatively stepped out from behind the screen. Demando felt his jaw drop, and knew he was staring, but somehow, he could not help himself. The innocent angel he was used to seeing had melted away to reveal an enchantress. One that looked distinctly uncomfortable in her new role. The outfit Esmerude had chosen consisted of a sheer pink bodysuit, covered by an equally opaque pink gown that reached to Serenity's ankles, the hem and collar embroidered with crimson ribbons. The waistline was imperial, and the final effect gave a shadowy, tantalizing glimpse of some... unmentionables. "Careful," Esmerude whispered in Demando's ear, "You're drooling." Demando gave her a withering look, relieved to see that Serenity hadn't noticed his sudden lose for words. She was too busy seething. "I'm so cold!" she said in exasperation, "You don't expect me to walk around in this, do you?!" Esmerude laughed at the odango's flushed face, and everyone fought the urge to cover their ears. "Of course not," she said, handing the girl a long robe of dusty rose, "Put this on." Serenity obeyed, looking even more pale than before. "Demando, can we go see the others now?" she asked weakly. The guard nodded, allowing Naru and Serenity proceed him. "You're a fool, Demando," Esmerude whispered as he reached the door. "Am I now?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Yes," the woman replied, "You've fallen in love with her." Esmerude's tone conveyed *her* opinions of the silly, romantic emotion. "So I have," Demando indulged himself with a small smile, "But as long as she's safe, I shall die a happy fool." The dress maker scoffed, but said no more, mostly because Demando was already out the door. ------- Serenity, Naru and Demando walked the short, familiar route to the harem's exit. Word had spread through the harem, as it had it's way of doing. Along every veranda, in the doorway of every room, there was someone, a servant, another concubine, a guard, all of them wishing her goodbye. All the house knew their princess was leaving them. Esmerude's observation had been correct, Serenity was their princess, she ruled over their hearts, not by force of will, but through her kindness, her love of life. There was a flutter of fear, along with excitement as they watched her approach, head held high, not out of pride, but out of necessity, Naru and Hotaru holding the ends of her robe, Demando's arm laced through her own. "Mayumi! Mayumi!" they cried. Many of the younger, new girls wept. They had considered her something of a surrogate mother. "This is from all of us," said Cere, handing Serenity a small, silken bundle that would be easily concealed within her robes. "Thank you," Serenity said through tears. "You're welcome!" they chorused. "Oh, don't go, Mayumi!" "Goodbye! We'll miss you!" "Mayumi! Be happy and blessed!" At the top of the steps leading to the outside world, Serenity stopped, untangling herself from Demando's grasp and, looked out on the faces of everyone she'd come to love. With no premeditation, she folded her arms in a motion of prayer, then stretched them outward towards her friends, embracing them all in the most expressive gesture imaginable. -------- "I can't do this," Serenity whimpered as she and Demando stood alone in the entrance to the docking bay. The smooth, metallic husk of the royal ship glittered in the light of Earth, but it gave the young girl no comfort. "Of course you can," Demando whispered in her ear, placing a hand on the small of her back. This achieved two things at once, it comforted Serenity, but also prevented her from turning to run. "Just walk in there, sit down and don't think about it." "I..I..." the angel hung her head sadly, fumbling with the clasp of her silver bracelet. Demando knew what it was, one of the two things she had retained from her former life, the other being the gold star locket that had belonged to her mother. Removing it from her delicate wrist, Serenity took the piece of jewelry and pressed it to Demando's palm, closing his fingers around it, "So you won't forget me," she said softly. "I could never forget you," the guard replied, honesty burning in his violet eyes, "Serenity." The golden rabbit looked up at him in shock. Demando had never once, not since the first day she'd arrived at the harem, called her by her real name! Her blue eyes widened in confusion, relief, filling with tears. He was perhaps the best friend she had ever had. Her thoughts were cut short, for in a movement so swift she didn't see it, he had covered her lips with his own. Demando could not have told you what was going on at that moment. He knew only that his princess was leaving. That fact, which had hovered over his head for weeks, had finally become tangible and real. And he found he could not bare to let her go without knowing what it felt like... to kiss her. There was no one in the docking bay an hour before the launch, no one to bare witness to the tender scene between the two of them. The kiss was a stiff one, for his movements had surprised her, and she was frozen beneath his touch. He didn't ask for much, just pressed his lips to hers, firmly and long enough that he could register the sensation, before drawing back. She looked at him in shock... was it betrayal he saw in her eyes? He didn't know, didn't want to know. Moving a hand to gentle caress her hair, he ceased the moment of silence as his own. "Aishiteru," he said, and then, in a swirl of purple cape, he was gone. Serenity stood there motionless. Had Demando just kissed her? Impossible. He loved her.. like a little sister, just like she loved him like a brother. Right? RIGHT!? When everything else in her life was changing and becoming strange and frightening, she now found even the simplest thing slipping away from her and turning into something else. Closing her eyes, Serenity let two crystalline tears slip out from underneath her lids. Suddenly, she felt an arm around her supportively, leading her someplace, but the world had passed away, and she barely noticed. "You look like you could use a drink, reimai (little sister)," a soft, feminine voice was saying when reality came back into focus. "Huh?" Serenity asked, opening her eyes to find herself staring into another pair of sky blue orbs. The young woman before her was about her own age, long blond hair pulled back in a faded red ribbon, her plain clothes marking her as a servant. "You looked like you were dead out there," the woman said compassionately, "Thought I'd take you in here, after all, I'm assuming you're Endymion's gift, right?" Serenity nodded, taking the small shot of what looked to be brandy from her new friend. "Where'd you get this?" "Aw, my pal Motoki stole it from the back of the cargo bay. We figure they won't miss a bottle," the girl laughed a little, shaking her locks. Gesturing to a sandy blond behind her, she introduced him as the mischievous Motoki. "And that there is his reimai-chan, Unazaki," a slight, brunette girl waved shyly, "And back there," the woman pointed to a trio of men, "are the rest of the King and Queen's 'gifts', Fish, Tiger and Hawk. Don't mind them, they're weird. Oh, and I'm Minako." "Serenity," the shaking rabbit replied softly, downing the shot of brandy. It burned as it went down, but somehow felt good. "You look like you're gonna keel over any second," Motoki said with pity, reaching over to pat her shoulder. "I'm scared," Serenity admitted. She felt a warmth encase her hand, and looked down to see that Minako had covered it with her own. "Hey," she gave a cocky smile, "if it makes ya feel any better, so am I." ------ Prince Endymion of Earth stifled yet another yawn and returned to the ever popular sport of pushing his food around on his plate. He despised diplomatic receptions and dinners. Actually, he despised anything and everything that dealt with ambassadors and monarchs for far off planets. The Royal Family of the Mineral Kingdom was no exception. In fact, they only increased his annoyance. Princess Beryl kept winking and giggling, apparently trying to be coy, but only failing miserably. Endymion was not amused, especially when King Ulexite announced, with a rather drunken slur, that along with the six servants they had brought as gifts for the King and Queen, they had also brought an 'especially beautiful concubine' for him. The young prince watched as his mother and father visibly blanched, and wondered briefly if he stood a chance at fighting off the oncoming headache. "This simply will not do!" Queen Cassiopeia declared, her dark blue eyes flashing with vexation. King Cepheus laid a hand on his wife's shoulder, looking between the Queen and his son, unsure of which would explode first. "I agree completely!" Prince Endymion said darkly. The topic of discussion was the young concubine currently within Endymion's chambers. The young prince had not been to his rooms yet, and if his mother had anything to say about it, he would not until the feminine creature was removed. "No," the King reiterated, "You will just have to let her stay there, son, at least until the morning If King Ulexite finds out we've scorned his 'gift', it could result in war. A war, I might remind you, which we do not need," taking a pause for breath, the majestic king went on, "I am certainly not asking you to sleep with the girl.." "Cepheus!" Cassiopeia was scandalized "I merely want you to allow her to stay in your chambers," Cepheus went on, ignoring the elbow he received in the stomach from his Queen, "just so it *looks* like we have...accepted the Mineral Kingdom's peace offering." The Prince's shoulders dropped in defeat. Of course he saw the logic in his father's words, but he really didn't want to have to deal with the Mineral Kingdom's pagan views However, seeing as he couldn't't get out of it, Endymion bid his parents goodnight and headed towards his quarters. It would be a long night indeed. ----- Hours later, curled up and weeping in the small shaft of moonlight, Serenity could have really used Minako's bright reassurance Her soft velvet robe had been taken from her, leaving her shivering in the rather airy outfit (if it could called such a thing) that remained on her lithe figure. she prayed to the mysterious woman, Her mother had been a shadowy specter all her life, brought into being only by Luna's reminiscent bedtime stories. And yet now, as the young woman found herself drowning in an unfamiliar land, she groped for something to hold onto. She found comfort in praying to the woman who died giving birth to her, or so Luna had said. Outside, strange droplets of liquid began to fall to the Earth. Having been raised on the moon, Serenity did not know what rain was. All the same, she found it yet another frightening, unfamiliar thing. She could not even return to the familiar in her memories, the odango thought bitterly. For each time she thought of happy memories in the harem, she would see Demando hovering in the shadows. The man she had once considered a brother was now as strange to her as this cold, wet earth. Now the young woman found herself replaying all her times with him, seeing things she hadn't before. A stray comment here, a touch there, it all added up eventually. Why hadn't she seen it before? And why did it make her so uncomfortable. With another, heart wrentching sob, Serenity curled up more tightly and covered her face with her hands. The door had opened. A tall, unfamiliar profile, clothed in armor, stood in the threshold.