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	   	      Written by Avanla Mireille

Book Two, Chapter Three - "New Friends, New Enemies?"
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	My story shall continue on four months later, in the cold of
our wet season. But I can't exactly say this is my story anymore. So
many people have and will be introduced, so many new faces...so many 
chances for something to go wrong. 


	Serena sat upon her throne going over some documents from the
ambassador of Deline when the doors were opened. She looked up to see
her announcer and a group of people behind him. Serena's eyes lit up
as they stepped into the room. 
	
	"Your majesty, the rulers of-"

	"Yes, yes, I know who they are!" Serena interrupted her 
announcer, and practically jumped down the steps. She ran down the hall
and into Diamond's awaiting arms, while Sapphire and Emerald exchanged 
amused glances. 
	
	"Why didn't you tell me you were coming to visit?" Serena asked
as she pulled away. 

	"Why, I wanted it to be a surprise." Diamond smiled. "And we
brought you something as well." He turned sideways, holding out his
hand. In between Sapphire and Emerald were a band of ladies. They bowed
politely at seeing her. 

	"These were some of my ladies." Emerald explained. "Now they
are yours. They have showed their loyalty to you by pledging their 
chastity to you." Serena, slightly shocked, smiled, and walked up to them. 

	"Welcome to Alvediaca, rise." Serena said, and they did what
they were told. "Setsuna, please show them to the rooms upstairs."

	"Yes, your majesty." Setsuna replied. Serena had made her
Head of the Household, taking care of all the things Serena hated to.
Serena watched as Setsuna led them upstairs, and smiled back at Diamond.

	"Thank you." She said. "You will stay another two days? I'm
having a party for Maxxel's fiftieth birthday, although he outright
opposes it."
	
	"We'd be delighted." Diamond answered, and the two disappeared
up the secret steps to Serena's private chambers. Sapphire and Emerald
exchanged silent glances and walked out the doors. 


	"So how is everything going?" Diamond asked as they talked
in Serena's study. Serena sat in the chair at her desk, while Diamond
sat on the desk itself. "I haven't seen or heard from you in a couple 
of weeks."

	"Oh everything is fine I guess." Serena sighed, running her
hand through her bangs. "Deline is offering trade, although I don't see
what we need with animal furs here. Or snow, which they have a lot of.
Have you ever seen snow?"

	"Yes I have." Diamond replied. 

	"I haven't. It's something I've always wished to see." She
sighed, standing up and walked in front of him. He wrapped his arms 
around her waist, bringing her closer. She wrapped her arms around his
neck, smiling sweetly at him.

	"It's very beautiful, like the white clouds have been broken 
apart." Diamond explained.

	"And I bet it's as white as your hair." Serena giggled,
wrapping a piece around her finger.

	"And how is it going with Rubeus?" Diamond asked, and her smile
faded. She turned away from him and walked towards the fire place.

	"Oh, who's to say?" She sighed, rubbing her arm. "He's doing
something behind those borders of his. I've sent spies in, as has
Hotaru, but they either come back with nothing, or they don't come 
back at all. I really don't need this right now. Not with the Alliance
on my back for causing some of its members to drop out, and the others
I persuaded from not joining. And the negotiations with Deline...."

	Diamond came up from behind her, wrapping his arms around her
waist. He placed his head on her shoulder, and slowly rocked her back
and forth. Serena closed her eyes and leaned up against his, covering
his hands with hers.

	"Don't worry, you're not alone." He whispered into her ear,
tickling her skin. He kissed her neck softly, running kisses up and
down her jaw. Serena turned around in his embrace and met his lips. He
wrapped his arms around her tightly, while she ran a hand across his
cheek. They pulled away and Diamond smiled dashingly down at her.

	"God, you're beautiful." He said and she blushed.

	"You're not too bad yourself." She said and he mocked like he
was hurt.

	"Not so bad?" He shook his head. "You're going to regret that."

	"Oh?" Serena raised an eyebrow.

	"Oh ya." He said as he began to tickle her. Serena squealed
and jumped away from him. Both of them laughed as Diamond chased her
around the rooms upstairs, acting like the kids they should've been.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
	

	After a meeting the next day, Serena walked into her chambers
to find her new ladies, plus the old as well. They turned and bowed, 
Serena offering a gracious smile. 
	
	"Welcome to Alvediaca, once again." Serena said. "Please, do
tell me your names."

	"As you wish, your majesty." Said a tall brunette. "I'm
Lady Lita Yalitouq, daughter of the royal guardsmen."

	"I'm Lady Rei Buerati, daughter of the royal priestess."
Introduced a raven-haired beauty.

	"And I'm Lady Ami Jiay." Said a quiet voice, which belonged to a
blue haired girl. "Daughter of the royal scholar."

	"It's a pleasure to meet you." Serena smiled. "I'm sure Mina and
Setsuna have introduced themselves?" With a nod from the two she
continued on. "But this is so unnecessary, Diamond out-does himself
sometimes. You needn't give me your service, or your chastity. I wouldn't
ask you of that."

	"Oh but we can't go back." Lita shook her head. "Our parents
will loose their jobs."

	"And for chastity," Rei began. "Priestesses aren't allowed
to get married."

	"But..isn't your mother a priestess?" Setsuna asked, confused.

	"Well, that's why I'm here." Rei looked out the window, 
distantly. "They were going to burn her, even though the people love
my mother very much, it's the law. So Diamond sent me away to here,
where I'd be safe, as well as my mother."

	"And it's an honor to serve you, your majesty. You've only 
been on the throne for almost of year, and already have done
magnificent things." Ami pitched in. 

	"Alright, if this is your wish. Don't say I didn't give you
a chance." Serena winked.

	"Yes, you have no idea what she's like." Mina rolled her eyes.

	"Mina!" Serena giggled as she playfully punched her in the
arm. "One of these days I'm going to whip you." Suddenly there was a
knock at the door, and Serena turned towards it. "Come in."

	A meek guard peeked his head in, and blushed at the sight of so
many beautiful women. He stepped inside and bowed quickly.

	"Your majesty, your um, tiger is rampaging through the palace
again." He announced and Serena sighed. She dismissed herself from
the group and followed him down the halls. She was a room away, and
Serena could hear the screaming already.

	She walked into the council room, to find her white tiger
perched up on her throne. The cat was only six months old, and larger 
than a Great Dane.

	"Lady, what do you think you're doing?" Serena huffed,
putting her hands on her hips. With a jerk of her head, the cat's 
blue eyes focused on Serena, and the ears flopped down dejectedly.

	"Get over here." Serena demanded, and slowly it crawled off the
throne and to her feet. "Bad Lady, bad." Serena scolded, and it
kept its head down submissively. "Oh, you know I only yell at you cause
I don't want you eating the servants and guests."

	Serena bent down and wrapped her arms around Lady's neck.
It purred loudly, rubbing its head up and down her side. Her ladies 
came in and Ami gasped at the large animal.

	"It's..it's a tiger!" She pointed and Serena turned, standing
up.

	"Yes it is, how observant of our scholar." Serena said, and
Ami blushed. "She's only six months old, she'll get a lot bigger."

	"Wow." Lita said impressed. "You tamed a tiger."

	"Serena has many hidden talents." Mina said. "But unfortunately
they have yet to surface."

	"Mina!" Serena yelled, but smiled. "You're positively evil."

	"Yes, I know." Mina smirked.

	"One of these days you'll probably take my throne right from
under me, and no one would notice since you look just like me."
Serena said as they walked back up to her rooms. 

	"Oh, I could never do that." Mina shook her head. "Never."
	
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
	
	"Your highness, the Prime Minister is here to see you." Serena
looked up and smiled to the announcer. 

	"Alright, send him in." The announcer bowed and vanished 
out of the doors. Maxxel was the one to reappear through, with a man
behind him. Serena recognized him from somewhere, but just couldn't 
place it. "Yes Maxxel?"

	"Your highness, I have come to the understanding that soon
or a later, I'm going to be too old to remember my name and what in 
the world I'm even doing in a palace." Maxxel began.

	"Oh," Serena smiled, amused. "I wonder what brought this up.
Really Maxxel, you're only going to be fifty, not a hundred."

	"No matter." Maxxel shook it off. "I thought I should have some
one to replace me when it is my time to go. Someone I trust, and 
someone you know, and maybe will trust as well. So I took under my
care about oh- a month ago, this young man."

	"You did something without consulting me?" Serena raised an
eyebrow.

	"Yes well, I thought it best. You were a little detached and
busy with the Alliance and so forth." Maxxel explained. "But anyways,
I would like you to meet, or should I say meet again, Artemis LaVeal."

	As soon as he spoke the name Serena immediately recognized
the face. He was much taller and more built, but with the same hair
and same eyes, same face. Artemis smiled up at Serena and bowed low.

	"Artemis LaVeal." Serena said amazed and she hopped off the 
throne and down the steps. "I never thought I'd see you again."

	"And I never thought that that little country pumpkin I met long
ago was the heir to the Alvediacian throne." Artemis said as he rose.

	"Now, with your permission I would like to continue to train
Artemis as my apprentice. He has a great mind for politics, and went
to Delanrose, the prestigious school in Vexon."

	"Yes, we should build one of those. Colleges or what not."
Serena said. "There, that shall be your first project together. Start
a schooling system! Get on it!" Maxxel chuckled, and they bowed before
her again.

	"At once, your highness." He said and Serena laughed.

	"It's a pleasure to see you again, Artemis." She said.

	"As it is an honor to even be in your presence." Artemis
flattered, kissing her hand. She pulled back and blushed.

	"Oh please." She rolled her eyes. "I'm just a country pumpkin
remember? Do you have a room in the palace?"

	"No, highness." He answered.

	"Guard, call Lady Setsuna for me." Serena said and he scurried
out the room. The three talked until Sestuna was brought in. Artemis
turned around and smiled dashingly at Sestuna, who blushed and hid
her face in return.

	"Setsuna, please show Lord Artemis to one of the rooms. He's
going to be staying with us awhile, if not indefinitely."

	"Yes, your highness." Setsuna bowed and turned to Artemis.
"Please, follow me."

	"With pleasure." Artemis smirked and they walked out the door.
When they were gone Serena turned to Maxxel and shook her head, still
not believing he didn't council her first on this matter.

	"I can't believe you went over my crown." Serena said.

	"Over your crown?" Maxxel smiled, his eyes crinkling at the
sides. "No, it was more to the side."

	"Oh, Maxxel."

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

	The ballroom was once again alit and full of people, all 
invited to celebrate Prime Minister Maxxel Freccia's fiftieth birthday.
Serena stood with Maxxel, Broc, and Artemis when Diamond and his
family approached them.

	"Excuse me for interrupting." He said and bowed. "But good-
evening.

	"Good evening." They all replied.

	"Beryl?" Lady Beryl looked up at Artemis and gasped.

	"Artemis!" She laughed, giving him a hug. 

	"You two know each other?" Serena asked.

	"Obviously." Diamond shook his head, and when he got a cold
stare added, "Your majesty."

	"Yes, we went to Delanrose together." Beryl answered.

	"I thought women weren't allowed." Serena said.

	"Oh, they're not." She smiled. "But I'm the cousin of a king,
so they thought it an honor."

	"Yes, I pulled some strings. Threw my weight around." Diamond
smirked and patted Beryl's back. "Nothing but the best for this family."

	Beryl and Artemis began to catch up, so Diamond touched
Serena's elbow, getting her attention.

	"Let's go somewhere private." He proposed.

	"Alright." She said and turned back toward the group. "Please
excuse us."

	They ended up in the Empress' private parlor, adjoined to the
back of the public's one. It was designed in crimson red and gold,
contrasting to Serena's pale orange gown and Diamond's outfit. The Jewels
had dressed alike again, like the usual do at parties. Diamond was
dress as a lion, with a tuff of hair for the collar that went around
his head like a mane. His outfit was tan, swirled with brown and gold
designs. Emerald was dressed as a peacock, with a big headdress and
green glistening gown. Sapphire was dressed as a snake, with twisted
armbands and a shirt resembling scales. Serena had to admit they were
a bit dramatic and exquisite, but they made things much more interesting.

	"What is it?" She asked, and with a sigh Diamond sat down on
the crimson couch. 

	"I think I should inform you of this Artemis LaVeal." He said.

	"Artemis?" Serena raised a defined eyebrow. "Why?"

	"Well, Beryl came home with, colorful information. Artemis
was involved in a scandal, causing him a expulsion. He didn't 
official graduate Delanrose. I don't know what he did, but obviously
it wasn't good."

	Serena was surprised by the information, although she had to
admit she didn't know Artemis well. She had just met him once, but he
didn't seem the type. 

	"Okay, I'll take this into consideration." Serena said, and 
Diamond looked at her surprised.

	"You're not going to do anything?" He asked, and Serena shook
her head.

	"I'll keep him monitored. Everyone messes up Diamond, and
everyone deserves a second chance."

	Diamond stared at her a long moment, before shaking his head
and sighing. He got up at kissed her lightly on the forehead.

	"With every passing second I'm with you, you amaze me even
more." He said, and Serena giggled.

	"I do love to keep people on their toes." She said, and tugged
on his arm. "Common, I'm sure all the guests are here, it's time I
made an entrance."



	Serena walked up to Maxxel and bowed before him, causing Maxxel
to smile. 

	"I was hoping that the birthday boy would dance with me?" She
said, and held out her hand. Maxxel chuckled, grabbing her hand and
twisting her into him. Serena gasped, looking up at his sly face.

	"Of course, I have some moves in me still." He said and Serena
laughed. "There is something I have to tell you though." Maxxel said
as they started to dance. 

	"What is it?" Serena asked.

	"It's something Artemis said to me, after he was done talking
to Beryl. He said Beryl has a, a history at Delanrose." Maxxel replied,
and Serena's eyes widened slightly. 

	"A history? How so?"

	"Well, it seems that a month before they were to graduate a 
man was found dead, and Beryl was last seen with him. They didn't have
any clues or anything, but Beryl was released from Delanrose." Maxxel
explained. 

	Serena listened with mute surprise, as Maxxel explained. Now
what was she to do? Believe Maxxel and Artemis, or Diamond?

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

	Serena plopped down on her bed, so tired from the party
tonight. She pulled the pins out of her hair and it came toppling down.
The door opened and Mina walked through. 

	"Have fun?" She asked as she walked towards Serena.

	"Oh.." Serena sighed. Mina grabbed a brush from the vanity
and jumped on the bed behind Serena and began to comb through her long
hair. 

	"Oh? What's 'Oh' supposed to mean?" Mina asked. 

	"I've been told two different stories, and don't know which
one to believe. Both could be dangerous if not pursued, but I don't
want to do anything." She said, as Mina began to pull Serena's hair
in the braid she wore to sleep. 

	"Well," Mina said when she was finished. "I think you should
do whatever your heart tells you."

	"Your heart can be misleading." Serena pointed out. Mina slid
off the bed and kneeled before Serena.

	"But what better way to be misled?" She smiled. "Serena, I-I
want to make the chastity vow like the others."

	"Mina-" Serena whined, but Mina silenced her.

	"You're more than my friend Serena, you're my sister, my
empress. Please, don't deny me." Serena looked down at her and sighed,
suddenly enveloping her in a hug.

	"Alright Mina, if that's what you want. Thank you, you're the
best friend anyone could ask for." She said.

	"I know." Mina smiled and the girls laughed. Mina got up and
bowed. "Now I will leave you to your rest, goodnight empress."

	"Goodnight Mina."

	Serena got undressed and dressed for bed. She lay awake for 
some time, staring out her open balcony doors, as it rained lightly 
outside.

	"Now what am I supposed to Father? Mother?" She sighed, closing
her eyes.


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