Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Twist of Fate: A Parallel Destiny ❯ A Change of Heart ( Chapter 7 )

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Chapter 7 - A Change of HeartSelaria took one last look at herself in the mirror before turning around forSelenity's inspection. She fidgented nervously as she watched the Princess's eyes roamover her gown of sea foam green/blue silk. Finally to break her tension she said, "Well,am I presentable, Selenity?"Giving her one last searching look, Selenity nodded her approval and smiled. "Ithink you look enchanting, Selaria. that color well suits your complexion and matches your eyes of blue and green, to perfection. Now all we must do is go down and presentyou to the Court."At the sudden look of panic that flitted over Selaria's face, Selenity smiled reassuringly and said, "You shall do splendidly, so stop fretting over something that isment to be fun."Selaria nodded as she turned to add one final touch to her costume, a pair ofseemingly mismatched earrings, one of emerald and one of sapphire, that when matchedwith her dress and her eyes, only seemed to enhance the compliment of her uniqueappearance.Wen she turned back to look at Selenity, Selaria saw the distracted look of worry and concern that crossed her face. "Selenity, is.....is something wrong?"As if coming out of a trance, Selenity blinked and looked at her friend. "It isonly....that is it, it is only that I have watched Endymion become more and more distantand distracted here of late. And when that woman, Daphin enters the room it is as if hebecomes animated again. But it would seem that it only lasts as long as she is at aviewable distance. Once she is gone, he becomes distracted and withdrawn even from me. I wonder if.....perhaps I am losing his affections and they are being redirected tothat.......woman."Selaria looked at her would-be sister with compassion. She understood well howEndymion's lust could override everything else in his existence, including his love forSelenity and his dream of taking the throne of the Moon. She sighed as she shook herhead in regret and looked at her friend with pity at being the one to hurt because of herbrother's failings.In an attempt to soothe Selenity's heart, she whispered, "My brother has failings,Selenity and one of them is a pretty face. But that doesn't mean that he has fallen out oflove with you. Be patient with him and I'm sure he will come around." And to herself sheadded, someday I hope.Finally it was time to go down to the grand ballroom for the festivities. And asthey opened Selaria's chamber door, Selenity found herself standing face to face with herrival, Daphlin. With icy civility, she acknowledged her with a quick nod and then turnedwith her friend and walked down the corridor.Daphlin was left dumbstruck by the Princess Selenity's audacity to treat her, theCrown Princess of Eris, like a mere commoner. In fact, she mused, she was sure thePrincess gave warmer greetings to the servants than what she had received.Fuming inwardly, she turned and followed the other two princess down thecorridor to the grand staircase that led to the ballroom. As she walked on, distracted, shedid no notice that someone walked beside her until she heard the distinctly male voice ofEndymion. "you look enchanting, Daphlin. May I escort you down?"She stopped walking and turned to look up at Endymion with questions in hereyes. "Endymion, you gave me a fright." She sighed and went on, "I've just had a ratherunpleasant encounter with Princess Selenity. She greeted me when I ran into her with allof the warmth of an iceberg and I cannot conceive why I was treated thusly."Endymion's eyebrow rose in surprise. "Can't you, Daphlin? Can it be that youdon't know? If so, then I believe Selenity has discovered a truth that you have yet to see, my dear. But I can not believe that you don't know.""Know what?"He smiled knowingly and said softly, "I am in the process of ending my betrothalto Selenity. And am planning, after the required wait, to ask your father's permission tocourt you."Daphlin was flabbergasted, "Surely......surely you speak in jest, Endymion. Youcan not give up the Princess and heir to the Moon Kingdom for.....me. And now I mustask why you are having your fun at my expense?"Endymion laid one hand on her shoulder and allowed the other to touch her cheekin a gentle caress. "I would not jest about something so serious as who I shall take as mybride, Daphlin. Where Selenity is beautiful and high spirited, you are exquisite and downto earth. I want that stability and strength at my side when I take the throne. I want you."Daphlin took two steps back from him and frowned. "I know that the laws differon Earth from the rest of the Solar System, Endymion. I know taht if I wed you, by Earthlaw, you would rule Earth and Eris. I will not forsake the ways of my people by makingthem a possession of the Earth. I will not watch my people become second class, offworld citizens with minimal rights sand heavy taxation."And point in fact, I know your political ambitions do not stop with one smallplanet. That is why you sought the alliance with Selenity in the first place. What haschanged since then?""I met you. And as to my political goals, they can still be achieved one way oranother."Daphlin frowned, "You are speaking of a cu-de-ta, aren't you?" Taking his silenceas affirmation, she went on, "You would overthrow the woman you are promised to, toachieve.......that?"He smiled at how quick she was with her deductions. "With the combine forces ofEarth and Eris, we could quickly overtake the Moon.""Not even the Sage Beryl's forces could do what you suggest, what makesanything different now?""It was my action of killing that saved the Moon, ultimately.""Yes, I heard you were instrumental in the turn of who was victorious. You did itto save Princess Selenity's life. A man who would do something so valiant in defense of awoman is obviously in love with her. Admit it, Endymion. You are attracted to me, butyour heart belongs to her."Endymion, for the first time, fidgeted nervously, "Fine, Daphlin, I was madly inlove with Selenity then, and I reckon I always will be. But Selenity is.......how to sayit.....ethereal and unattainable, while you are very real and substansial. It makes moresense for me to be with you than to attempt to raise myself up to Selenity's level."Shaking her head in confusion, she said, "So instead of trying to be with her, youwill jilt the woman you love because you put her on a pedestal you can't reach. And thenyou would overthrow her, thus assuring her death. Is that the fate you wish to ensure forher, Endymion? If so, then you have an all together strange notion of what love is."Can you not see that she adores you? And if her greeting was any hint, then sheis already hurting. How can you be so callous with one that so obviously loves you?"Endymion shook his head, as if to rid himself of her words that made guilt rise upwithin him. "Selenity doesn't matter. You are the one I want. And if I go to yourparents and arrange it, Daphlin, your approval or disapproval will not signify. You will bemy wife, by choice or by force, one way or the other, you will be mine."Defiance flared up in Daphlin's eyes and her hands twisted into fists at her sides. "I will be made a Sailor Senshi within a couple of days, Endymion. I will serve andprotect the one you plan to hurt so deviously. What makes you think I would betray thattrust?"Endymion smirked as he said, "Because, even your best defense can not deter theknowledge that you have fallen in love with me, my sweet Daphlin. And that is what willbind you to me in the end. Because you want me, as I want you."Daphlin opened her mouth to protest but was stopped by the finger he laid gentlyover her lips. And she shuddered as his finger caressed the outline of her lips.The next thing she knew, she was in Endymion's arms, kissing him. She fairlymelted into him as her mind was bombarded with all of the reasons she had to leave himalone. But she ignored her rising conscious as she let herself go and allowed herself to besupported by Endymion's strong arms.