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	   	      Written by Avanla Mireille


Book Two, Chapter Six - "Diamonds are an Empress' Best Friend"
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	King Endymion and Serena rode through the fields of Alvediaca
together, while a dozen guards watched from afar.

	"Common Endymion, don't tell me your masculine stallion cannot
outrun my pretty mare!" Serena called as she looked behind her to see
Endymion kicking his black stallion. He rode up beside her, flashing a
charming grin.

	"We'll see!" He said. "Race you to the top!" And with a laugh
they sped up the hill.

	They rested under the shade of a small oak tree, enjoying the
relaxation of a picnic. Serena laughed as she watched Endymion try to
balance a grape on his nose. After failing numerous times, he finally
just popped it into his mouth. He was dressed in a black shirt with
brown riding pants, and long leather boots, which reached his calves.

	Serena was dressed comfortable in a thin short sleeve, forest
green dress, with swirls of silver running through it. Her hair was
pulled back in dredlocks, with strings of silver weaved through them.

	"Ah, it is a beautiful day, is it not?" Endymion said, turning
to her with a childish grin. 

	"It is." Serena agreed, taking a sip of her drink. "It's a good
day when I don't have to worry about where and when I'm going to be
attacked next, and who is going to get hurt. Oh, I just with this would end,
and Rubeus would just disappear!"

	"Tsk, tsk. But it is never that easy I'm afraid." Endymion 
shook his head. "There's always something." Serena looked at him, 
shaking her own head.

	"Can't you just lie to me?" She asked, and he looked over to
her, smiling sadly. He picked up a strawberry from the basket, and held
it in front of her mouth. Serena smiled, taking a bit out of it.

	"Well, you see," He said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"It just gets easier as you get older. You can always trust people, they
never lead you astray. You'll never get hurt, you'll never feel pain.
Life is just one easy moment after another." Serena looked up into his
eyes, and smirked disapprovingly.

	"Liar." Endymion chuckled, patting her shoulder. They looked
over the Golden Bridge, which joined their two countries together.

	"You wouldn't ever betray me would you, Endymion?" Serena
asked. Endymion looked down at her, and then back over the landscape.
Serena sighed.

	"Lie to me, Endymion."

	"No, I would never betray you Serena." He said.

	"Nor would I."

	"Are you lying?"

	"I guess you'll just have to find out."

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

	Three weeks later there was no activity from the Besuntans,
and all movement from their side seemed to stop. In a letter Diamond
had written Serena, he wished her to come to Portrai to marvel at its
glory. Needless to say, she accepted. Of course, not without objections
from her court. 

	"It's too dangerous right now, your majesty!" Broc argued.

	"I take it as an opportunity to show Rubeus that I am not the
least scared of his little antics. We're going."

	And with that, it was settled. Serena arrived at the Portrian
capital in the mist of a quiet sunny day. She was assisted out of the 
carriage by her love, Diamond, while Sapphire helped her ladies out. 
Serena smiled up at Diamond shyly and he bent down and kissed her.

	"Hm, it's been too long." He sighed. Serena giggled as he kissed
her hands. They walked up the steps together, and Diamond turned her
around at the top.

	"Welcome to Portrai, also known as paradise." He waved his
hand over his land and Serena admired it silently. The town sat below
them, painted beige in the sun's light. Beyond city gates was a 
huge forest area, for most of Portrai was tropical, and to its left
were painted cliffs, the colors of pink, purple and gold. Beautiful palm
trees shaded the path leading up to the palace. Serena gasped, smiling
up at him.

	"It's very beautiful." She said. He grabbed her hands 
excitedly, and turned to enter the palace.

	"That's just half it, let me show you the palace!" And with
a laugh they disappeared into the palace.

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

	Serena's ladies hurried about getting ready for the
ball hosted in Serena's honor, which was a half an hour away. Serena
sat at the vanity, staring blandly at her reflection. Mina took a
section of her hair and began to braid it. Detachedly Serena looked
up at Mina's reflected, and her eyes suddenly widened. Quickly she
caught Mina's hand, causing the latter to jump.

	"What?" Mina said startled.

	"Mina," Serena turned around to face her. "I need you to do
something for me. I-I feel something, in the pit of my stomach, something
awful. Would you really give your life for me?"

	"Serena-"

	"Would you?" Serena pressed. Mina looked down at her and
sighed. 

	"In an instant, Serena." Mina answered and Serena sighed. 
Quickly she got out of the chair and pushed Mina down upon it. "What, 
what are you doing?"

	"Ladies!" Serena called, and they came to her at once. "Mina
is going to be empress for tonight."

	"What!" Mina was to her feet, turned to face Serena with 
surprise. 

	"You said you'd give your life for me right?" Serena said.
"Then prove it. I want you to act as me. You fit the part, same hair
same features. With a little make-up and coverings no one will notice.
Most of them have never seen me before."

	"But what about Diamond, are you going to tell him?" Mina 
asked, and after a moment of thought Serena shook her head.

	"No."

	"But, surely he'll notice!" Mina exclaimed. "Why wouldn't you
tell him anyways?"

	"Just-just stay away from Diamond and the others as much as
possible. Say you wish to mingle with others, be cold, I don't care
what you do. Just don't embarrass me alright?"

	"Serena I-" Mina sighed, shaking her head. "Alright, I'll 
be you."

	"And I'll be you. Ladies, get her ready, make her look as
much like me as possible." Serena said and went to get Mina's wardrobe.
She shuffled through her things until she came across a suitable 
outfit with a hood to cover her hair. Serena sighed and stopped her
movements, trying to relax.

	'What's wrong with me?' She thought, looking out the open
French doors which led to a small terrace. The warm wind came through,
whispering soft voices in her ear. Serena smiled ruefully, and began
to change.

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

	Ami walked down the hall quickly, returning to her mistress'
room with a note and a present from Diamond. She cornered the bend,
but stopped at the sound of familiar voices.

	"Here's the crossbow Sapphire, make sure you destroy it when
you've finished the job." Emerald's commanding voice resounded from
inside the closed room. Ami stepped back and listened quietly.

	"Wouldn't a gun be more sufficient?" Inside Sapphire moved
to take the crossbow from his sister's hand. "It would create more
of a disturbance in the crowd." Emerald smiled sinisterly, running her 
slim finger down Sapphire's jaw. 

	"You have such a cunning mind." She said, but shook her head.
"As good as a plan that is, the guards would be upon you in an instant.
It's harder to find where an arrow came from, the smoke from the gun 
would pin point you out. Just shoot the damn woman and make sure you
take a secret passage outside."

	"And then Alvediaca will be ours?" Sapphire smirked, and 
Emerald nodded.

	"All ours, my love." Emerald purred, kissing him lightly on
the lips. Ami gasped quietly, raising a hand to her mouth.

	'They're going to try and kill Empress Serena! I must tell
her!' Suddenly the door was wretched open, and Ami almost fell to the
floor. She looked up to find Emerald standing there, leaning her arm
on the threshold. 

	"Well, it looks like we have a spy." Emerald shook her head.
"Poor Ami, I don't want to do this but, Empress Serena mustn't know
of her demise till its time." Quickly she grabbed Ami and swung her into
Sapphire arms. "Kill her swiftly, and take her down to the dungeons so
no-one finds her. I'll stall for you." Without even time for Ami to
scream, Sapphire cleanly cut her throat and she immediately became
limp in his arms. Emerald looked back and shook her head, making a
clicking noise with her tongue.

	"Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
She said and walked away, leaving Sapphire to finish the job.

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

	"Love." Serena and Mina turn around to see Diamond approaching
their position outside the banquet hall. Mina snuck Serena a nervous
glance, who smiled reassuringly. 

	'Common Mina, ham it up like you usually do.' Serena thought.
Mina sucked in a breath and approached him.

	"Hello Diamond." Mina said, holding out her hands. Diamond
took them and kissed her knuckles, causing Mina to feel like she was
going to laugh and pass out at the same time.

	"But what is this? Where is the necklace I sent for you to
wear?" Diamond asked. Mina turned around and received a shrug from Serena.

	"I never received anything from you." Mina replied.

	"I sent a note and a ruby necklace with Ami to deliver to you."
He said.

	"That's strange, Ami has seem to vanish." Mina said, shaking 
her head. "I wonder where she could be?"

	"Oh well, I'll send some guards to see if they can locate Lady
Ami. But we have a banquet to attend." Diamond smiled and held out his
arm. Mina smiled up at him and took his arm. "Love, I should say your
voice sounds a little different today."

	"Oh um-I think I'm catching something." Mina coughed as they
walked in. 

	Serena followed behind humbly, watching every crook and cranny
of the room for something...yet she didn't know what. 'What do you
expect to happen, Serena? What's going on?'


	The evening wore on with no sign of danger. Mina did her best
at being empress for a day, seemingly having everyone convinced, even
Diamond. Which made Serena kind of upset.

	'He doesn't even know what I look like? Hmpf, I've memorized
every inch of his face, but he can't even see that she has freckles
and I don't!' Serena mused to herself. She heard Mina's twinkling
laugh, which sounded nothing like her own and looked at her warningly.
Mina smiled at her, shrugging her shoulders. 

	Suddenly the smile faded however, as an arrow went into her
side. The room stood still and quiet for a mere moment, as everything
spun into place. With a sudden burst of sound the room erupted into
shouts and knocking down of chairs. Diamond's voice rose above all the
rest.

	"Serena!" He caught Mina's falling form and rested her gently
on the floor. Serena immediately was at Mina's side, touching the girl's
forearm. 

	"Mina! Mina are you alright?" Diamond shot his head up, looking
between the two. He finally rested his eyes on Serena and crinkled his
brow in confusion.

	"Serena?" He said uncertainly.

	"Yes, it's me." Serena said annoyed. "I felt a premonition,
and obviously I was right. Oh Mina I'm sorry, I shouldn't have made you
do this."

	"Serena, I-I, the baby." Mina said quickly. "I don't want to
loose it!"

	"Baby, what baby?" Now it was Serena's time to be confused.
	
	"I-I-" Mina gulped, averting her eyes away from Serena. "I'm
sorry Serena, but-but I'm pregnant."

	"How far!?" Serena shocked voice asked.

	"Two months." Mina responded, shifting in pain.

	"Two months..." Serena shook her head. "You betrayed me..."
	
	"Serena, I'm sorry but-"

	"We'll talk about this later." Serena dismissed it, as the
doctor came. "Make sure she lives so I can kill her later." Serena
refused to meet Mina's gaze as they lifted her away.

	"Serena, please come. We must get you to safety." Diamond said
and pulled her arm. They ended up in his quarters, and Diamond turned
around and bolted the door. Dazedly Serena walked up to the desk where
a large mirror was located on the wall behind it. She stared up at her
reflection, not sure what to say. She saw Diamond come up as a blur in
her vision, and she felt him take his place beside her.

	"How-how did you know something was going to happen tonight?"
Diamond asked.

	"I don't know." Serena replied distantly. "I just felt it-inside.
I can't explain it."

	"I'm so sorry Serena, this is all my fault. If I would've had
tighter security..." Diamond trailed off, sighing. Serena turned to him,
but he looked away, pain in his eyes.

	"It's alright Diamond, this happened for a reason." Serena
said. "Mina...she's pregnant..."

	"Yes, I hope the baby survives." Diamond added. He could tell
Serena was out of her mind, by the way her eyes were fogged over with
confusion and hurt.

	"She did betray me after all." Serena shook her head, and 
Diamond cringed. "Diamond-look at me." Slowly he did what he was told,
looking down in her deep blue eyes. "Are you a part of this? Please
tell me, I can't stand to be lied to anymore. Just please, tell me!"

	Diamond stared at her a moment, before cautiously running his
fingers down her cheek. He sighed, shaking his head.

	"No Serena, I swear to you on my life and kingdom. I'm on your
side. I don't know who could've done this but-but sadly I think I have
some ideas." He said. "But no Serena, I love you, I would never hurt
you. You MUST believe me!" After a moment of contemplation, Serena
smiled sadly up at him.

	"Alright." She said. "I believe you."

	"Good, because I could not imagine a life without you." Diamond
said. He cupped both her cheeks, softly running his thumb over her 
lips. A sigh escaped her mouth as she shut her eyes.

	"Kiss me Diamond, show me that you love me." She whispered.
With a slight hesitation Diamond consented, eagerly covering her lips.
His hands traveled to her chest and undid the ornate cap around her
shoulders, letting it fall down to the floor in waves.

	"I promise Serena, I'll never betray you, ever." He whispered
against her lips. "I love you." Serena moaned as he kissed down her jaw
and neck, running back up to devour her lips again. Slowly he turned her
around, making her walk towards the bed. His hands found their way to 
her waist, while hers were quickly unbuttoning his shirt. She slid it 
off his shoulders just as he lowered her onto the bed. He pulled away,
just to stare into her glistening blue eyes, before covering her lips 
once again.

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

	Emerald slammed her brother against the wall, holding him by
the collar.

	"What was that? Talk about bad aim! You're supposed to kill her,
not injure her! There wasn't even that much blood!" She yelled, but
then looked around. Lowering her voice she said, "What happened?"

	"It's wasn't her, it wasn't the empress." Sapphire shook his
head, and she lightened her grip on him.

	"What do you mean, it wasn't her?" She asked confused.

	"I-I think it was Lady Mina, but it was definitely not her. 
When I was about to shoot she was smiling at someone and I looked over
to see who it was. And from my angle I could see her face as plan as
day! They must have switched places. I fired wrong because I was 
surprised. They figured us out!" He explained, and Emerald shook her
head.

	"But how could Serena possibly know that something was going
to happen tonight?" She said. 

	"I don't know, maybe Diamon-"

	"No, I didn't tell Diamond." Emerald waved her head. "Well,
speaking of him, I'm sure he'll first suspect us. We're going to have
to cover up, if we wish to keep him on our side. He still thinks he's
going to marry her. Ha. Come little brother, we have work to do."

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	Told you it was a little dark and daring! Well, stay tuned!
                                     
					_Avanla Mireille_