Lost Love in the Moon Palace

What makes you happy?

The music instantly fell silent, and all eyes were on Kinmoku's king, who held the unconscious Serenity in his arms. The festivity had been abruptly interrupted, and concern filled those present. Small Lady, the young princess, rushed to them. "Mom! What's wrong with her?"

Slowly but surely, the other guests awoke from their stupor. Serenity's guardians formed a protective formation around Seiya and Serenity, ready to act immediately. Mars stepped forward and broke the uncomfortable silence. "Take her upstairs to her bed. That's where Mercury can take care of her best and examine her," she said firmly.

The group began to move, but after only a few steps, Seiya was abruptly stopped. King Endymion stood before him, looking determined as he scrutinized Seiya with a piercing gaze. Without further words, he gently took Serenity from Seiya's arms. "Thank you for bringing my wife here. From here on, I'll take over."

Although Seiya would have liked to stay by her side, he nodded. After all, Endymion was her husband.

A moment of silence passed before a hand on his shoulder made Seiya turn to the side. He looked directly into the kind red eyes of his wife. "Would you like to tell me what happened?" she asked calmly.

Seiya hesitated. Of course, there were no secrets between him and Kakyuu. Since the beginning of their arranged marriage, they had always been honest with each other. This openness was one of the most important cornerstones of their partnership. But how could he explain something to Kakyuu that he could barely put into words himself?

"Please excuse me for a moment; I will explain everything, but not now. I need some fresh air first," he said, turning to leave.

He was aware of his duties as a king, and yet he could not ignore how much Serenity's presence and proximity stirred something in him that he had never experienced before. As he wandered through the royal garden, he tried to understand his own feelings. He had always appreciated and respected Kakyuu, and their marriage was built on a deep friendship. But the Queen of the White Moon, Serenity, evoked something in him that was beyond his imagination. It was simply indescribable. When she sat next to him and told him about her suffering, it felt to him as if they had known each other forever. Unimaginable panic had seized him when she suddenly collapsed in front of him. What had happened here? Why did he suddenly feel so different?

While Serenity was being examined by Mercury, Endymion waited on her balcony. His thoughts were restless as he attentively watched the King of Kinmoku in the garden. He did not trust him; his instincts urged him to be cautious.

"Endymion, you can come back in," Jupiter's calm voice reached him as she opened the door. Her words pulled him out of his thoughts, and he entered Serenity's room. "Is she awake again?" he asked with concern as he looked around. "No. But she will hopefully wake up soon," Mercury replied after finishing her examinations.

Serenity lay in her large bed, surrounded by her four friends. Her daughter, Small Lady, was nestled by her side, her face red from tears. Endymion sat down beside his daughter and gently pulled her into his arms. "Everything will be alright," he whispered comforting words to her, stroking her back soothingly. Small Lady sobbed softly in response.

Mars, Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter exchanged worried glances as they silently worried about their friend. At that moment, Luna, the small black cat and Serenity's advisor, rushed into the room, panting.

"We have a problem! The Silver Crystal..." Luna announced breathlessly, her eyes wide with excitement. "It's losing its energy. At first, there were hardly noticeable fluctuations, and I dismissed them as normal processes. But tonight, it has grown significantly darker. Has something happened?"

Everyone looked around in surprise and shook their heads. Only Endymion did not; he kept his gaze on the sleeping face of his wife, and a dark premonition gripped him. "No, everything was as usual. At least, I didn't notice anything. Did any of you?" Jupiter asked the group, and they all shook their heads again.