Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Twist of Fate: A Parallel Destiny ❯ A Returning General's Affections ( Chapter 9 )

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Chapter 9 - A Returning General's AffectionsThe news had come the day before the two new princess were to be inducted intothe Sailor Senshi. General Blaine was coming home today, finally. All were excited abouttheir great hero coming home. And Selenity was no different in that respect either.Though it had only been a week since Prince Endymion had called of theirwedding, she could not help but feel a certain level of anticipation at the thought of herfirst love's return to the Moon Kingdom.Blaine had left home to be an emissary of the Queen, an Ambassador to the outerplanets of their neighboring Solar System. The Queen had sent him away to keep thebudding romance between him and her daughter from blossoming. But since Endymion'sbetrayal, she had begun to soften toward the returning General. Perhaps he would indeedmake a suitable companion for her daughter after all.The Princess Selenity stood at the top of the stairs, anxiously awaiting his arrival. Her heart thumped in her chest and her palms were damp. She had been this excited sinceEndymion.......well she hadn't been this excited in a very long time.Finally, she saw him rise to the steps and he gave her a look of such longing thather heart melted right there. And when he reached where she stood waiting, he took herhand and bent over it, placing a tender kiss on her knuckles. Softly, he whispered, "I havemissed you, Selene, more than you can imagine."AS he rose, he was startled to discover that Selenity's eyes were overflowing withtears. He smiled warmly and whispered, "We have much to talk about, you and I. Something about a prince of Earth and promises we made on my departure. But now,obviously is not the time nor the place. Perhaps tonight after dinner we can find a fewmoments to be alone in which to talk."As Selenity wiped the glistening wetness away from her eyes, she smiled in returnand said softly, "I would like that above all else, Blaine."Supper came and went, with the entire court being regaled with stories of Blaine'sadventures, mishaps, and everything else that they could think to ask. After dinner hadconcluded and everyone went into the ballroom to begin the dancing that would last theentire night, Blaine found a moment when he was not being bombarded by questions, towhisk Selenity out into the privacy of the gardens.AS they sat on a bench looking at the Earth above them, BLaine reached up andcaressed Selenity's cheek. She shuddered at first but did not pull away from his touch. He frowned at her response. "You really must have loved this Endymion person to shyaway from my touch. I can remember a time when you longed for my company, Selene."She smiled at his comparison of her to the Moon Goddess. It had been hisnickname for her before he had left. "Your right, Blaine. I do love him very much. Butone of the maids overhead him say that I was an unattainable dream, so he is now courtingthe Princess of Eris. I was told that in comparison to me, she is real and down to Earth."Ironically, Endymion asked me to still allow the Princess Daphlin to join theSenshi, regardless of what has happened. Knowing I could refuse him nothing, Iconceded, so she and Endymion's sister, Selaria, will be inducted tomorrow evening."Putting her hand over her face to hide her tears, she whispered, "I .....I feel soused, Blaine. He has shamed me and now he expects me top accept that shame quietly. He actually wants me to make that strumpet a member of the Senshi."Blaine nodded his understanding and said, "What of his sister? Do you have anyqualms about her entry?""Mmm.....no, not really. She has proven herself worthy numerous times. Andbesides, with the now strained relations with the Earth, she must be accepted, if only tokeep the peace.""Even if you are the victim in all of this?""Even if, for it would not be wise to ostracize the Earth for any reason. They are avery powerful planet and we are only now finding some semblance of the lives we ledbefore the attack by Beryl. We would no survive a full blown attack from the Earth.""So you are going to induct this princess from Eris? If things are as strained as itsounds, why would you want someone associated with him here as a constant reminder,much less as a protector? I'd banish her, if you ask me. She could someday end up as apotential threat if the day comes that the Moon goes to war with the Earth."Smiling up at him, she said, "You make an excellent point. I shall give it somethought. Blaine......" She hesitated, "Blaine, ......I made a commitment to you long ago. Iwant you to know that I still love you and would like to commit myself to you."He smiled and sighed, looking up at the Earth. "Before we move forward, youmust be sure of what you want, Selene. If you are with me, then you must be sure it is meyou want, for I will not be second to any man when it comes to my bride.""I understand, Blaine. I was going to say that before we go anywhere, I wouldneed some time to sort out all that has happened here of late. But all of that will neverchange the fact that I care for you.""I know you do, Selene. I know." He raised his hand to caress her cheek and thistime she did not flinch. Instead she raised her hand to his and held it to her cheek whileshe gently kissed his wrist.Unknown to them, was the fact that Endymon had come out to stroll in the nightair with his new fiancee, Princess Daphlin. they had both stopped and stood in wrappedsilence as they listened to Selenity's conversation with Blaine. Endymion was angry thatshe could so quickly get over him. And Daphlin was outrage by the fact that she mightnot get to become a Sailor Senshi, despite Endymion's promises to the contrary. Theyboth realized that they would have to leave the Moon shortly, it was only a matter of time. And yet, against all her urging Daphlin couldn't convince Endymion to leave. In a lowvoice she said, "Do you not see now, Endymion? Neither of us is welcome here anylonger. Why do you still resist leaving? Once we have departed we can wed. Or isn'tthat what you want anymore?"Endymion patted her hand to reassure her that his affections were fixed on heralone. "I cannot leave until I have seen my sister inducted into the Senshi. And despitewhat she say, I will aslso watch you get brought into their fold tomorrow."Don't fret about it any longer, my dear. I need you to be in the Senshi for noother reason than intelligence."Daphlin became indignant, stomping her foot on the ground, alerting the othercouple to their presence. "I will not spy for you. I am to be your wife soon and besides, Icould be hung if caught.""They won't hand the future Queen of Earth and Eris. They will do anything tokeep peace and avoid war."Just then, Selenity and Blaine stepped out in front of Endymion and Daphlin. Selenity's tears broke Endymion's heart, but still he saw her as unattainable. Finally Blaine stepped forward to crush the silence. "I think it wise for both of youto leave now, before we tell the Queen of this plot, that I gather is to overthrow theMoon's royalty."The look of hurt and abandonment that Selenity gave to Endymion, made his heartlurch. For a moment, he could not believe how cruel he was being to the one woman hetruly loved. But as guilt rose up inside him, he crushed it down again with his renewedambition to rule in Selenity's stead.Looking to Blaine for the first time, he scowled and said, "I don't believe anything wassaid that can be construed as a 'plot', so I would advice you to keep your mouth shut,General."Finally, Selenity looked as if she had had enough. "Endlymion, how dare youspeak to my General that way. How dare you!"I begged my mother to allow your sister to join and to allow you t to stay towitness it. I agreed to let your strumpet join my royal guard, and from your own mouth Iheard the word intelligence."I have had just about all of the humiliation I am going to take. I strongly suggestyou take your whore and leave after the induction, or I will have charge of treasonbrought against all of you. And I would hate to see either of you hung for your ownstupidity."Looking Endymion in the eyes, she stepped forward and said in a commandingvoice, "And if you think you will ever rule in my stead when my mother dies, Endymion,know this, I will gladly sacrifice my life in using the Silver Crystal to blot out all life onboth of your miserable planets."Daphlin gasped and put her hand to her throat, speechless. Endymion fumed, "Isthat a threat of war, Selenity?"Standing up as straight as she could with her hands in fists, she took a deep breathand said, "No Endymion, its not a threat. It is a promise."Daphlin fell to the ground, unconscious. When Endymion looked to the othercouple for help, he saw that they strolled off, ignoring the unconscious woman they hadcaused. And as he watched them depart, his heart lurched when he saw General Blainee place a protective arm around his Selenity. But, he realized with a sharp pain in his heart,she was no longer his and probably never would be again.Gathering up the crumpled form of Daphlin, he picked her up and turned away,thankful that his fiancee could not see the tears he shed for his grave mistake, letting theone woman he loved go, for his ambitions. And settling for a woman he could not bringhimself to do more than like as a friend.