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	   	      Written by Avanla Mireille

Book Two, Chapter Four - "More Complications"
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	My birthday was two months after that, I turned seventeen. But
really I felt seventy! We'll start again a year after my seventeenth 
birthday, so now I would've be eighteen. Don't think nothing happened 
in my seventeenth year, though. Alvediaca became powerful, more powerful
than I had ever expected. We now had indoor plumbing and running water, 
schooling systems(thanks to Maxxel and Artemis), and a banking system 
which has turned out to be glorious. Also we signed many treaties with
countries, and neglected to sign treaties with some. I love my people, 
they are so kindhearted and loving. And happy. Which makes me very happy.
My ladies have become my rock, my best friends. I tell them everything,
and trust them like my own sisters. 

	But I'm rambling, I'm sorry. I'm sure you want to get back to
the story.....I sure don't. But, nevertheless...

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

	
	Serena sat in her blooming gardens, accompanied by Mina and
Lady. The gardens were treacherous to anyone who didn't know them,
for they were like a maze, and almost the size of the palace. But to
Serena, even after being gone so long, it was like the back of her
hand. She even knew secret passages in the shrubs and walls that led 
back to the palace. Serena looked up into the clear blue sky and 
smiled happily.

	"It's such a beautiful day." She said, and the big cat purred
in reply.

	"That it is." Mina agreed.

	"Empress Serena!" Artemis' familiar voice rang nearby. "Empress!"

	"Artemis!" Serena yelled back, and they began to follow his
voice. "Stay still!"

	"Please do hurry, it's important!" Artemis yelled.

	"Yes, yes." Serena rolled her eyes. "You should've sent 
someone that knows their-...way." Serena stopped mid sentence because
the five most gorgeous men stood in front of her. Oh-and Artemis too.

	Serena immediately recognized two of them from the Alliance-
King Endymion and one of his generals.

	"King Endymion." She extended her hand and he kissed it. By
now she was used to this ritual, but she felt herself flush at his
touch.

	"It's amazing," Endymion began. "How we are neighbors and have
never talked to each other before."

	"Yes well, I've been meaning to get around to it, but I've
been busy." Serena explained and Endymion nodded. 

	"I know you have." He said. "But someone else has been as well."

	"Oh?" Serena said. "Who?" They walked a little ways away from
the group before remaining conversation.

	"Our neighbor Lord Rubeus." Endymion answered, and Serena's 
eyes immediately became cold. "I've come here to warn you. He's up to
something, moving his army close to our borders. We intercepted one of
his messengers, he had this." Endymion held out a rolled piece of long
paper, and unraveled it.

	"Why, it's a plan of my palace." Serena shook her head and
looked up at him. "Where could he have gotten this?"

	"My guess is an inside man, your highness." Endymion replied.
Serena looked off into the distance, casting a glance at Artemis from
the corner of her eye. "Have you any guesses?"
	
	"Yes," Serena cleared her throat. "Unfortunately. Thank you
ever so much King Endymion, this is greatly appreciated."

	"I'm glad to help. After seeing your performance at the Alliance-
we need more rulers like you." He complimented and Serena laughed
nervously. She heard Mina laugh and looked back at her and a white
haired general talking. "What is his name?"

	"Oh, beg your pardon." Endymion shook his head, leading her
back to the group. "Where are my manners. This is High General Kunzite
Rochetia, my first in command."

	"Good afternoon your highness." The white haired man bowed. He
was older than Endymion, who himself had to be twenty-three or twenty-
four.

	"And this is Nephlite Dublar, Jedeite and Zoycite Rumeron." 
Endymion introduced the rest, Nephlite being the one who she had seen
at the Alliance.

	"A pleasure to meet you all." Serena smiled. "And thank you
once again. Will you not stay for dinner?" Endymion looked around at 
his men and nodded in consent.

	"We'd be delighted. I've always wanted to see this rumored
world wonder." He answered.

	"Oh, but they're no rumors." Serena smiled, and began to lead
the group back to the palace. 

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


	"Amazing." Endymion said as Serena and he walked down the west
wing. "Simply amazing."

	"Why thank you, your highness." Serena smiled.

	"Please, call my Endymion." He asked, and Serena nodded.

	"Alright, Endymion." She said. "So do tell me, when did you
acquire the throne? I hardly know anything about you."

	"My father died nine years ago, and so I took his place. The
usual heir thing, nothing fancy like you I'm afraid."

	"Is there a queen of Ielaque?" Serena asked.

	"Yes, there is." Endymion said and Serena frowned inside, 
although she didn't know why. Endymion looked at her and smiled. "My
mother." Serena snapped her head up and smirked, laughing. 

	"I see." She smiled and in that moment Rei came bustling up to
them in a resounding thunder of silk. She had come off as pushy and
arrogant to Serena the first time they met, but Serena learned that she
was just afraid, as most distant people are. Rei just, took some time
getting used to. Artemis and Maxxel stood behind her, all three of them
wearing troubled faces.

	"What is it?" Serena asked, beginning to feel worried herself.

	"It's Rubeus." Maxxel answered. "He's struck one of our 
villages at the border." The sharpness in Serena's eyes returned, and 
all laughter flew out of them.

	"Where's Broc-"

	"I've already sent him." Maxxel finished, and Serena began to
quickly walk down the hall, the crowd following.

	"You went over my crown again!" Serena yelled, more worried
than mad. 

	"I thought it necessary to get them out there as soon as 
possible, your majesty." He replied.

	"Yes, yes." Serena groaned, rounding the corner. With quickened
steps Serena barged into the parlor, finding her ladies and the
generals talking quietly on the couches while Mina and Kunzite stood
off to the side by the bar. They immediately stopped talking when Serena
came in a looked upon her with concern.

	"We're under attack by Besunta. Follow me ladies." Serena said,
and turned to Endymion. "I'm sorry to cut our tour so short, and the 
fact that dinner might not at all be possible."

	"I understand." Endymion smiled. Serena smirked ruefully and
turned to Artemis and Maxxel.

	"Let's go." She said, and the three, plus her ladies, filed out
the door. Endymion turned to his generals and shook his head.

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

	Serena plopped down on her throne, burrowing her head in her
hands. It had been a long day for everyone, but the longest for her.

	"Are you sure he's gone?" Serena asked, massaging the bridge
of her nose.

	"Yes, your highness." Broc answered. "At sight of our men they
just ran back across the border and into the trees." Serena sighed,
looking out the window.

	"Why would he do such a stupid thing? Doesn't he know my army
is five times as large as his? What does he expect to accomplish? Ah!"
Serena stood up quickly and slammed her foot down in irritation.
"Did King Endymion and his generals leave?"

	"Yes they did, about two hours ago. King Endymion told me 
he would be back." Artemis said and Serena smirked. 

	"Did he now?" She said.

	"Oh-and here's a letter from King Diamond." Maxxel took an
envelope from his pocket and handed it to her. "I thought it best to
give it to you after this ordeal." Serena took the envelope with a 
large grin, and began to open it. She stopped and looked up at them and
raised an eyebrow.

	"Right." Broc cleared his throat and walked out the doors with
Artemis. However, Maxxel stayed behind.

	"Empress, I must ask you a question." Maxxel said and Serena
looked up at him, sitting down on her throne in the process.

	"Alright, what is it?" Serena asked, placing the envelope on
her lap.

	"I don't mean to be nosy, but...What exactly is your 
relationship with the king?" Maxxel asked, and Serena blushed.

	"Well, I love him Maxxel." Serena answered truthfully.

	"And do you plan on marrying him?" Maxxel asked next.

	"I do, someday." She said. 

	"And do you forget who you are?" Maxxel raised his voice
slightly, walking up to her. "You're Imperial Empress Serena de la 
Teratariarc, supreme ruler of Alvediaca. Do you realize if you marry
him, HE will become the emperor? He'll have power over you, and all
of Alvediaca. Do you trust him that much? I say this because I love
you, and I love Alvediaca, not because I want to make your life hard.
Do you trust him that much?" Serena stared at him a long cold moment,
before shaking her head.

	"Yes, I do."

	"Alright." Maxxel shook his head. Without another word he
walked out the door, leaving Serena alone with new thoughts.
	
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

	In the middle of a forest sat a little cottage, hidden from
anyone's sight. Two horses stood outside the door grazing, while inside
their masters were indulged in a heated activity.
	
	A loud shout escaped from a beautiful maiden's lips as she
collapsed on her lover. They lay there for a moment, both catching 
their quick breaths. The maiden propped herself up on crossed arms 
across his chests and kissed him lightly. 

	"I've missed you so, my love." He said, bringing his hand 
behind her head and bringing her close for another kiss. She giggled,
pulling away. 

	"As have I, my sweet." She smiled. She shook her hair out of
her eyes, causing the man to shiver as it tickled against his bare
sides. "I'm guessing everything is going as planned?"

	"Good as gold." He confirmed. "We managed to surprise the
empress, now it's up to you."

	"Good." She sat up, her wavy hair cascading over her shoulders.
She smiled, making circled paterns across his chest with her fingers. 
"If this all works out, you and I shall be the rulers of all this whole 
continent within a month."

	"What about the others?" He asked, propping himself upon his
elbows.

	"What about them?" She shrugged. "They're easily manipulated.
I've been doing it for years. Diamond, and especially Sapphire, will 
do whatever I tell them to do."

	"And how do I know that you won't betray me, if you so
willingly betray your brothers?" He asked. Emerald smiled, cupping his
face between her hands. She kissed his mouth passionately, running her
nails down his chest.

	"You don't." She smirked wickedly. "Now that we're done with
business, I'd like to get back to the pleasure, my dear Rubeus."

	Rubeus smiled and kissed her, bringing her back down upon him.

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