Once in a Dream Part 3 --- Dressing Up By: Neo-Queen Serenity E-Mail: serenausako@hotmail.com webpage: http://crystaltokyo.cjb.net "Ice beauty?" Darien chuckled at the word. Ken and Darien were on their way to Perth from Leeds. "What’s so funny? She’s very beautiful, valued a great deal by men in England. She’s cold. Though I have no idea when it started. Serena was a naïve girl full of warmth when she was younger. " Ken explained, confused at Darien’s hilarity. "What’s her name again? Seren..." "Lady Serenity, but we all prefer to call her Serena for short." Ken grinned. Darien thought for a moment. "Serenity, is she a close relation to the royal family?" Ken was startled by the question. *A CLOSE relation? she’s the princess herself for your information.* He slowly recovered from shock and explained carefully, "Well, she’s the first cousin to Princess Serenity. Her majesty the Queen is her Aunt..." "Oh, I see. A very pampered fairy-tale beauty then? Her beauty was a charming display and tempted mindless "gentlmen." Perhaps her wealth and title had certain effect as well. I despise that kind of woman, pretty, cold and lack of a brain." He stared ahead of him coldly, "Mostly, their beauty was alluring." "Man Darien, you got to have to change your attitude towards women a bit. You can’t just fool around with them and toying with their innocent hearts. I was confused by how can you just have your fun with them and cast them aside the next second? If that is the case, you will find yourself regret over tears when you meet your real love." "You’re not the only one who told the that, Ken. I am not fooling with women’s heart, if they fell in love with me, that’s their problem, period. Besides, I am not in some gracious mood to stop my partying with some wife." Ken rode a little ahead of Darien as he changed the subject. "Darien, have you ever meet Princess Serenity herself before?" " of course I have seen the Princess before." He seemed disinterested at the topic Ken was leading them. "You have?" Ken was startled by Darien’s answer. "So she was quite a vision to set an eye on, isn’t it?" Darien shook his head and brushed some dark strands out of his eyes. "If I recalled right, I think the last time I ever saw her was at the Queen Serenity’s birthday party. She was a very sweet and charming little girl. I was 10 years old then. I think she was no older than 4 or 5. Time flies, don’t you think? I have not a slightest idea of how she looks right now. May be just as you said, a 17 years old beauty." Ken grinned and looked towards the green country field with a silent relief. SO HE WON’T RECOGNIZE HER ANYWAY, IT WAS 13 YEARS AGO WHEN HE LAST SAW HER. "Yes, that’s very true Darien. The princess has materialized into a very sweet and loving young lady. Queen Serenity was way too protective over her only daughter. But I don’t blame her, she was her only heir to the throne of England. Anyway, if she didn’t, she’d probably found her daughter kidnapped from her arms one day. Since the princess was too desirable and appealing to men’s eyes." "And our dear princess herself was quite spoiled by nobles too . She turned down so many suitors when she was 15 and 16, upsetting her mother so much. Like Sere-" "Just like that Lady Serenity you mentioned before?" Darien eyed Ken and winced. "Er, I am not sure if I grasped your meaning, Darien." Darien looked away and tried to hide a smile. "Well, nothing particular. It’s just the descriptions you gave me of the two were quite similar. I guess it’s probably that they were cousins. But I never thought you could relate to someone by personalities." Ken was greatly relieved. "Er, you’re right." "Chad, Greg! Wasn’t that Darien and Ken?" Charles shouted over his shoulder and pointed to the two approaching figure who slowly came into their view. "Ken, is that you? Greg exclaimed loudly when 5 young men gathered together on their own horse. "Ken was desperate to see his fiancée, he almost jumped out of his horse when we entered Perth!" Ken blushed and gave Darien a hard punch on the shoulder. "What’s that for? I only hope you behave better and don’t treat your future wife like the way you treated me. Lita was pretty hard to mess up with you know that?" He mocked him teasingly. Ken ignored Darien’s mocking laugh and greeted the rest of the party, "Hello Charles, Greg, and Chad. Glad to see you all of you again. At least you guys are better than Darien. He babbled to me all the way here. Call a doctor in the castle for me? My ears hurt." He teased sheepishly. "Where are the ladies?" Charles rolled his eyes and pretended to act mysterious, "The ‘Five Gangs’ were planning a conspiracy against us." ****** Meanwhile Lita, Mina, Rei, Ami, and Serena were gathering in the drawing room chatting and enjoying their late morning tea. Lita sighed desperately and bit slowly on a tea cake. Ami giggled, "Stop that Lita. Ken’s not arriving until late this afternoon. You acted as if you’re morning." "Sorry Ames. Life is so boring without Ken around." Lita rolled her eyes and bite hard on her cake. At the other end of the table, Serena tagged Rei and Mina’s hand. "How about we think up something fun? Our childhood games? Let me see --- How about "The Princess"? You know, once I am home again, mom will just..." She begged. Mina smiled while getting up from her chair beside the fireplace. "Serena, you are always so childish...and cute. But we will play it just for you ok? Since we never get to play much at Serena’s place because Her Majesty Queen Serenity-" She stopped short when everyone in the room burst out laughing. "I will be the princess’s lady in waiting since I always have to play the princess before. Which is no difference to me at all" Serena volunteered for her role. Ami came up to her and smiled, "I wish to the princess then. It’s my dream to become a real princess someday, too bad Greg is not a prince of some sort-" Lita smiled indignantly, "The prince is my role, I am the most daring one. I play a handsome prince well. don’t I?" She strengthened her chest, pretending to be tough with a rugged look on her face. "Well, you girls picked the better parts, I guess I will be the old Queen and Rei could be my king." Mina shrugged her shoulder. "Ok, that’s all set, let’s get dressed first and meet at the rose garden outside around the water fountain, ok?" ******** Serena rounded the rose garden for the second time. She was dressed in one of Molly’s dress. Molly had helped her to braid her blond curls, after finishing it, she went to the servant’s headquarter to help out the dinner preparation. Serena’s hair were braided into a French braid, some red roses crowned around her delicate forehead. Fresh, red rose buds pressed softly against her smooth and silky golden strands. She looked like a cute lady in waiting, may be the most beautiful maid ever existed on Earth. "Where is everyone? Am I the only one wondering around here?" Serena wondered and sat herself on a little white wood bench beside the water fountain. The air was fresh and clean, if a little chill in mid December, and her surroundings are new and peaceful. Serena tipped her tiny nose and inhaled the scent of all red roses in the garden. Still waiting, she recounted her childhood games with Lita and Ami. It was a wonderful time. Laughing, wondering, teasing and everything fun never left her side. Her renewed memories of her friends and their wonderful times had left it’s joyful and wondrous signatures in Serena’s childhood memory. But as a princess of her nature, little Serena was never so quite and obedient. Queen Serenity, her ever so protective and loving mother, who desperately longed for a elegant and beautiful daughter, had never let her little royal princess wear a servant’s dress even though it’s merely a game of children. why would a high titled princess ever want to wear a cheap and plain dress anyway? She’d always tell her daughter that, trying convince her of her responsibility and representation of the royal family. Serena was of royal blood, the only heir to her mother’s throne as Queen of England. She was sure everyone envied her life, it was a fair tale and wonderful dream in the eyes of many noble ladies. Serena knew Mina, Lita, Rei, and Ami all envied her life as a royal princess. She wondered what they will react if they found out her life was not as elegant and beautiful as it appears to be... Serena sighed and got up from her previous sitting position. She looked around, seeing no signs of Mina, Lita, Rei, or Ami, Serena decided to go back to the house. "Since I couldn’t find any of them here, I guess I will just look for them upstairs then. They probably just fooling and chatting the meanwhile I am deserted here." Serena wondered absent minded through the lovely rose garden in the late morning sun. It caressed her golden hair and made it to glitter with soft array of gold. Serena snapped back to reality as she sense someone grabbed her by the wrist. A tall, proud and handsome young man stood in front of her. "Great, finally I grabbed someone. Go to your lady right now and invite her down here as soon as possible." he commanded, his jaw cold with authority and demand. Serena turned around to stare into two deepest pool of ocean blue she could ever imagine in her life. She blushed lightly and noted to herself how tightly his grip was on her thin wrist. *My mistress? What was he talking about? Strange. I’ve never seem him in this house before* Serena wondered doubtfully as she suddenly realize this man must have mistaken her as a servant of some sort since she was wearing Molly’s dress. Serena smiled, "My lady is upstairs with her guests in the meanwhile, I will go and report it to her, my lord." She turned away from him and entered the front gate to the great house as the man r released his grip on her. Serena thought with amusement to herself when she’s on her way up the staircase, "Who was that man, how come I never see him before when I first got in? He can’t be a servant, I can see it from the quality of his cloth..." Darien was left behind dazed outside the entry. Mesmerized by the heart-stopping and expressive smile that servant girl gave him. He pondered uneasily as he wondered if she was really a servant. Because her poise and the way she carried herself gave the air of a royal princess. ****** Serena entered Mina’s chamber as a pillow was thrown at her direction. She turned her head quickly to avoid direct contact with that flying pillow. It flied across her head and landed softly on the carpeted floor, followed by Lita’s loud giggles. " I am sorry Serena, I didn’t mean to hit you, the pillow was meant for Ami!" She clutched her stomach as a sudden gash of hilarity hit her again, when she saw Serena’s frowning face across the room. "What were you guys doing? I thought we suppose to be outside. I stayed there for a good half an hour waiting for all of YOU!" Serena tried to blame her for kept her waiting. "Outside? We totally forgot about it, sorry Serena." Lita tried her hardest to fight the attempt of laughing again. "Hey, that’s Molly’s dress I see, you look like a cute lady in waiting, though much prettier." "Thanks Lita, I am very well aware of the fact that you TOTALLY forgot about the game, and fluttering won’t get you anywhere." Serena found a sit and sarcastically commented at Lita’s obvious praising. Lita stuck out her tongue at Serena and continued with her laughing. "Mina? There is a gentleman downstairs who mistook me as a servant and claim the right to talk to my LADY." Serena retorted, but her bright blue eyes were full of mirth and laughter, never once had she ever been mistaken as a lady-in-waiting. Mina looked up to her friend, "Me? Who was it?" "Serena, you mean that gentleman mistook you as a servant? our poor princess has been mistook as a servant girl." Rei laughed girlishly as if she was a 10 years old young child. Mina stood up from her sitting position beside Ami and smiled, "Seems like we got some guests here. Lita, do you mind coming with me? It might be Ken or some other guests we invited to the ball tonight. Rei, you can help Serena to get dress up, and don’t forget about the mask." With that, the mistress of the castle hurried out the door as Lita followed close to her heels. "Mina, Lita." Charles nodded curtly. "Ken and Darien had arrived 20 minutes ago." Ken gazed tenderly at the tall woman dressed in green who stood on the staircase with Mina and winked. Lita’s eyes widened, "Ken? I thought-" Ken quickly took her into his arms and muffled her startled exclamation with a kiss. Lita felt all warm and safe inside as color crept upon her cheek. "Oh, Ken I missed you. It seems for months even though we only parted for 2 days." Ken grinned, very pleased to hear that she had indeed missed him, and gathered Lita on his chest. He rested his chin on top of her head and gave her another light kiss on the temple. Mina crossed her arm in front of herself and winced at the two loving couple. "If you two are going to stand here forever muttering your little loving words. I think perhaps it’s best for you AND all of us that you ensure your privacy in your own room. Don’t try to embarrass me and Charles, I am blushing already." Ken and Lita took a look at each and parted. Very embarrassed, while Mina and Charles smiled warmly at them. ******** "So Darien is here with you all right?" Lita walked to Ken who was sitting on the edge of her bed. She sat on his lap and hugged him. "That’s quite right. why do you ask that, darling?" Ken gathered her closer in his embrace. "Nothing particular. Did I detect jealousy in your words? Oh, Ken. I am your fiancée... I was just thinking about that Serena and Darien would make a fine match, don’t you think?" Lita turned to look up at him when she noticed a little reluctance in his tone. "I mean Darien is proud all right, but his handsome; Serena is loving, charming, and beautiful. They’re both stubborn by nature but still, they were of the same mind, one way or the other. We just have to make them realize it. I think we might give it a little push." Ken arched his brow at Lita while she blushed lightly. "Actually Lita, I was thinking about the same thing. But we all know his attitude towards woman and his ways of treating them. Of course we don’t want Serena to get hurt if she was to fall in love with Darien." Lita appeared to be thoughtful for a moment, "But he won’t hurt Serena if he’s in love with her himself, he would only think of her and wish for her own good by that time." "I guess it’s time when Darien settled for someone in his life. I just got this feeling that these two are going to fall for each other. If it’s successful, then we leave it all up to them at the Christmas ball. You think that will work?" Lita laughed and nodded her head in agreement. "Rei, Ami, Mina and me thought it would be great if we actually make them get along and spend the night in company of each other without knowing each other’s identity. Mina sent Rei to help Serena to get dressed. By the way, Serena already promised me to dance with Darien during the Christmas Ball. You know, it’s the tradition that single men and single women should wear a mask at the dance any way. When they finally come to enjoy each others company tonight, the revelation around midnight would be the most pleasing scene to witness! I am quite excited and restless pondering about it." Ken held Lita’s hand to his lip kissing her soft knuckles, "Good idea, I am impressed." "You look like a princess Serena, let along you’re one." Rei looked at her friend closely in her stunning evening dress. "Rei, I told you do NOT call me princess, Serena is enough." Serena was slightly furious by the idea why people insist on reminding of her title. "I told you I want a break from all of these. Everyone calls me Princess, Your Highness. Now I’m enjoying my time here and having fun, you just have to spoil it." Rei smiled apologizing. "Ok.. I am sorry Serena, I didn’t mean to make you upset. Come on, look at your dress and stunning reflection, you look extremely beautiful tonight." Rei gently nudged Serena in front of the full-length mirror in the room. Suddenly someone gently knocked on their door. "Come in." Serena cleared her throat. Molly stepped into the room with a basket of red roses and white lilies. She curtsied to the ladies. "Lady Rei, my lady. Lady Mina ordered me to send this basket up to you. She said she picked these roses and lilies with Lady Ami especially for you. She also asked Lady Rei to wave these in your hair if you wish." Serena took the little brown basket from Molly’s outstretched hands. Looking inside it, "Rose? They’re so beautiful. Ami and Mina knew I could never get over my obsession with roses." "My lady? I should be downstairs in the kitchen right now for baking, if my service is not needed here." Rei smiled, "Go ahead Molly, I will attend her ladyship’s pleasure." Molly curtsied again and left the room with a gentle click on the door. "So which one to wear, Serena?" "I’d like the rose, since I am already dressed in white, lilies would be out of place. Rose is always my favorite you know." Rei waved red roses into Serena’s blonde hair and decorated it with petals of white lily. She then pulled Serena from her sitting position on the chair. "Let’s see how you look now." Serena stood up and followed Rei in front of the full-length mirror. She was simply a vision of loveliness. White satin dress enhanced her womanly figure perfectly. Unlike purple or royal blue, white never looked flattering on Serena. Instead, it gave her a sense of innocence and pureness. It’s a white sleeveless satin dress trimmed with white lace and pearl. A low cut of her bodice exposed her curved chin and smooth shoulder. A golden necklace graced her bared creamy neck. Serena’s blonde hair was pinned and combed up by a silver hair set and red, delicate rose waved against her shining golden curls. Some smooth tendril were left to frame her thin, pale, but delicate face. A smile curved on her rosy and sun kissed lips. Two diamond earrings of the shape of two teardrops tipped her white earlobe. And a pair of shining sky blue eyes finished the rest of her face. She looked stunning, tempting, and even more so, irresistible. Rei smiled at her work as she felt satisfied with her handiwork. "Stunning, stunning as always Serena. You have no idea how lovely you appear to be. I am pretty sure you’ll become the major target of all single gentlemen tonight." Rei stepped back with admiration. She pulled out a white mask decorated with white feathers and diamond. "Mina gave me this and told me to make sure that you wear it for tonight’s ball." Serena winked and smiled shyly at Rei and then to the white mask. She took it from Rei and examined it between her long, thin fingers. "A mask? Why on earth do I need a mask?" "it’s the tradition, remember? All single men and women must wear a mask to attend the dances and balls. Remember your last dance at Perth 3 years ago when Lita, Ami, me and you all dressed up as the four fairies? You were the goddess of winter, since you were always the stone hearted one." Serena held her hand to her forehead, "Oh my! Of course I do remember. Since all of you are already married and don’t need one, I will be the only one to have the privilege of wearing it." She commented a little uneasily, if a little sad. Rei laughed at Serena’s upset face. "Don’t worry Serena, I am sure you’re not the only one, there are many guests who will soon arrive tonight. Besides, Mina told me there would be about 20 to 30 of them here. I should go to my room now for my own evening dress up. Just sit here and relax for a while, Mina will come for you in a while. Good luck and I hope you could find your ‘destined’ during the dance." Rei had meant it to be a tease while she sincerely wished that for her friend. She quickly shortened the distance between herself and the door and stepped through it just as quickly with a short laugh to avoid an angry Serena pouting after her. To be continued...