Once in a Dream Part 1 --- A Break for Serena By: Neo-Queen Serenity E-mail: serenausako@hotmail.com webpage: http://crystaltokyo.cjb.net "Where are we now, Molly?" Serena asked her most close and trusted maid who's also her lady in waiting. "We are now entering Perth my lady." Molly gazed outside to identify their geographical location. Serena sat back on the couch of her carriage and sighed. "I just can't wait to see Mina and Charles. I missed them so much, and this is the first time mother ever agreed to let me to go somewhere alone." She accounted eagerly. Molly smiled, "But my lady, adventure is always interesting. Besides, the country view of Perth is absolutely beautiful, isn't it?" Serena nodded and held her gaze outside. It was a beautiful sunny day outside the carriage. Soft sunlight, beautiful wild flowers, tickling scent of green grass, and even the air hovering above their head was full of cheerfulness and excitement. The passing scenes outside the carriage was beautiful and moody, though not as stunning as the mistress of the carriage herself. Serena was leaning against the carriage rail and looking at the green fields that filled her vision. She was dressed in an ice blue dress, her sky blue eyes stared silently as everything outside moved quickly backwards. Flowers and grasses speeding away, forming a somewhat straight line of green. Her blonde hair pooled around her shoulder and few cute candy curls framed her delicate forehead. Her skin was soft and creamy, her cheek rosy, looking ever so lovely. Serena's hands were resting on her lap, two pearl earrings graced her earlobe. She was simply a stunning vision of ice blue. Sitting across from her lady on the couch, Molly was her lady's 20-years-old lady in waiting. She was Serena's most trusted maid and friend, because she started to serve Serena when she was only 12. Their small indifference of age gave the lady and her made a even deeper bond than mere friendship. Molly was dressed in a plain but very pretty yellow outfit, it fitted her quite nicely and her straight brown hair brushed against her pale face as the carriage moved on. The carriage rider called to a stop as they stopped in front of a great front gate. The gate was made of firm iron, and a wide stone path led the carriage to a magnificent but elegant castle. "Oh Serena, thank god you're finally here! I thought I would have to stand by the gate until midnight." Lady Mina walked up the carriage and helped her friend as Serena stepped off the carriage. Molly helped her lady and followed suit as Serena greeted her Lady friend. "Mina, how are you? I haven't seen you for 2 years since that Christmasball my mother held. You looked much prettier than you were before. Where's Charles?" She began. "He's as fine and energetic as ever, my cousin." Lord Charles kissed her on the cheek. "Come on, let's get in, it's cold out here. besides Serena must be really tired from London." Lady Mina took her hand and walked her towards the front steps of the house as her husband dismissed the carriage. ******** Serena now sat in a comfortable cushion chair with her purple evening dress elegantly spread on her lap. It suited her very well, giving her an air of royalty and elegance. The velvet purple dress was decorated with white laces and ribbons. A beautiful white collar with pearls gracefully hugged her shoulder and two pretty ribbons tied in butterfly bows at either sides of her arms. The puffy purple skirt fell flowingly from her hip and covered her small feet with artful white trimmings. it barely covered her feet, which were encased in a pair of petite silver slippers. Serena's hair was pined up on top of her head with the help of a golden comb which gave her a sophisticated effect. She gazed into the burning flame in the hearth which located at the eastern end of her room. Mina had led Serena to the guestroom, which was already cleaned up earlier awaiting for her arrival. Molly's little bedroom was right next door to her lady's. Mina had showed Serena her room and went down stairs so Serena could have sometime to rest and get dress up for dinner. She continued to gaze at the fire and appeared to be deep in thought as she came back again. "How's everything Serena, still tired?" Serena looked up and smiled cheerfully at Mina "Not really, I am just sitting for a while." "You look well, Serena. And absolutely breath taking, your dress is lovely." Mina noted as she smiled at Serena. "Thank you. It's very nice of you to let me have this room. Your place is beautiful and I could see the water fountain and rose garden down from here." She blushed, feeling very much flattered when her friend complimented her on her beauty. "Don't mention it. I knew you love rose, I am here to tell you that dinner will begin in 10 minutes." "I think I am ready." Mina pulled a chair and sat down. "you don't look too happy, found any one yet? Perhaps it's time for you to find your prince and get settled." She tried to tease her. Up on hearing this Serena looked away for Mina and back at the hearth. She sighed tiredly, "Romance is not for me... I am not saying that love does not exist. If love doesn't exist, you won't gaze at Charles that way even after you married to him for almost 7 years right? Those loving gaze, I wished there is someone holding that for me. I am just saying that love is not there for me...I-why would love me anyway?" Mina shook her head and took Serena's hand into her own. "You shouldn't think this way Serena. You are still young, sweet and beautiful. Fresh and youthful 17. I married to Charles when I was 19. Eventually you will find someone who loves you as much as Charles loves me. May be more. Besides you are a true beauty, like a blooming rose. What a man wouldn't give to be by your side?" She spoke the truth. Everyone who set their eyes onSerena had thought her breathtakingly beautiful. Serena groaned, "Enough of that. I am tired of those endless courtship. That's why I needed sometimes to be alone, away from my mother, my duty... you know what Mina? You sound a lot like my mother. 'But honey, I am worried about you.' 'it's time you should get married.' So on and so forth." Serena commented sarcastically. Both of them burst out laughing. "Well, then let's go down and meet Charles at the table, shall we?" Serena got up and followed Mina to the great circular staircase. ******** The formal dinning room was richly decorated with silver and gold. Elegant tapestries and many exquisite crystal dishes dazzled one's eyes. Charles was already awaiting beside the table. He got up as Serena and his wife enter the dinning room. "Mina, aren't you feeling lonely in such a grand house?" Serena asked softly, her eyes wondered this new surrounding. Mina and Charles were a little surprised by the seriousness in her tone, they exchanged glance and Mina spoke up, "What made you say that Serena? Of course we're not lonely. this house is quite large... but I've got Charles, Mary and Jane. Besides, there are also many servants around the house." Serena was silent for a moment. Charles looked at his cousin and broke the silence, "So, what made you come to visit us Serena? I'd been wondering for days about your charming method you sued to convince your mother to let you have a holiday on your own." "I rebelled against her majesty." Serena smiled at his humor glittering eyes then up at the huge but luxurious light on the ceiling as the servants started to serve dinner. The dinner was delicious, and comforting. it cheered Serena up a bit and she enjoyed it to her heart's content. Being silent for quite a long time, Serena decided to have some conversation with Mina and Charles. "Where is Mary and Jane? I haven't seen them since I got in the house." She took a sip from her wineglasses. "We sent them to finishing school two years ago, perhaps it's time to give them their education We hope to have them both lady-like, they complained that they couldn't see their fair and kind aunt Serena when she's here. But hopefully they will be back around Christmas and enjoy their time with you. Happy?" "Don't worry about your nieces, they would miss you as much as you will miss then. Remember your last visit here?" "Of course I do Charles. It was such a pleasant time... I was with mother, and nobody even guessed who we really were!" Serena smiled cheerfully. "Of course they don't know who you are, you two were both in disguise." He chuckled at her naivete. Mina put down her silver fork and smiled, "Now it's early December, Christmas is only two weeks away. Oh, how could I forget, Ami, Grey, Rei, Chad, Lita and Ken will join us tomorrow. I know you haven't seen them for 4 years!" Serena's eyes brightened up at this remark, "Oh really, Mina! I am so glad, I am so glad! Ami, Lita and Rei are coming, I miss all of them. If I remembered right, Ami and Rei were already married right?" "Of course they did, thank you for remembering it right now." Charles teased. "You're the only one who'd without a husband right now my dear." Mina frowned at her husband and signaled to him not to say so. "It's ok Mina, I think I can take care of myself without a hateful "husband". I don't need any one at all, I got everything I ever wanted." Serena smiled weakly. Mina sighed. "Ken purposed to Lita last month, they are planning their wedding the following May. she wanted you to be her Maid of Honor. That's if you're willing to, of course." "Really? I am so happy for her." Serena beamed with a dreamy look on her face. "Don't worry Serena, they will be tons of fine gentlemen fall in front of your beautiful hem at the Christmas ball for sure. Just be careful don't use your famous "icy" tone to freeze them up." Charles said with a mocked her with a shudder as he stood up and retreated from Serena's anger flashed face. Mina smiled at the pair who had been fighting with each other ever since childhood. ******** The guestroom was comfortable and warm, Serena tiredly noted to herself that this was a pleasant night as she fell asleep peacefully. To be continued...