Destined to be Together
Chapter 3

Dear Ruth,
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get settled, I've been really busy getting used to life here in Cartel. It hasn't been bad and in fact, it's much better than living with the Walker Trio. The Allen family is great! The entire family is nice, the five daughters aren't even spoiled, I love it here. The servants are nice too, but I think some of them envy me because I'm the girls' personal servant and I get to spend more time doing things with the family. Here, I actually get a weekly allowance that goes to whatever I want. When the family goes on vacations or little get always, I get to go with them. That's usually when the children are going along though. My room is about the size of Laura's room, and we know that's pretty big. Even with all the clothes from my mother, I still wasn't able to fill my closets, I have two! My bed is a little bigger than my one at the Walker's and it's so nice and fluffy I could hardly believe that it was mine on my first night here.
Let me tell you about the girls. The oldest daughter, Helen, is fifteen with dark brown eyes and hair. She's so sweet. Before I came, she would look after her sisters without a fuss and helps me out with them. She taught me who likes what and things like that during my first week here. Next we have Stacie. She's thirteen and has hazel eyes and curly, light brown hair. She's always full of energy and never talks bad about anyone. Next are the twins, Courtney and Connie who are both 10, Courtney being the oldest of the two. They are identical with dark brown eyes and black hair. You can tell them apart by their personalities, Courtney is very friendly and naturally trusts others, while Connie is very protective and isn't quick to trust someone, and that Courtney's favorite color is purple, so she will always have on something purple or mostly purple while Connie loves blue, so she'll always be seen in blue. It's really rare to see them dressed alike, and if they do, they where a ribbon around there wrists that's of their favorite color. The youngest is six year old Jennifer, or Jenny as we call her. She's so adorable. She has black hair, blue eyes and the biggest cheeks I've ever seen. She doesn't like it when people pinch them though.
I hope you are doing well. Tell all the other servants hello for me. Let them know that it isn't bad here and nothing like Ms. Gisselle said it would be. I know you probably will want to hurt me for asking, but how are the Walker Trio doing? Even though they didn't always treat me right, I still wonder about how they are.
Well, I must go now, I miss you! Take care!
Love,
Serenity

"Can you believe that there's going to be a ball for all of the kingdom in two days and everyone's invited?"
"What?! Are you serious? I wonder what it could possibly be for."
"Maybe Prince Darien has finally decided he is going to marry Laura Walker and that's the cause of the ball. You know, to announce it to the kingdom."
"Are servants invited also?"
"That's up to the head of the house. Full details will be sent to all the houses in this kingdom and the next tomorrow."
"Wow, I need to go and find something to wear. I guess I'll even let my servants go, if they want to go."
"That's nice, I wonder how many others will be allowing their servants to go."
"I know that Gisselle Walker most likely won't. Do you know she sent away Serenity?"
"What?! When did she do that?"
"Yeah, about three months ago."
"Why?"
"No one knows why, but people have always had suspicions. Some say that Serenity was jealous of Laura and tried to hurt her, but I know that Serenity would never do anything like that. Others say that Laura was jealous of Serenity and lied on her to get her put away. There's even stories that Serenity left on her own. Either way, she's gone now. I wonder where she sent her to..."
"Oh that's too bad. Well, I need to be going now. See you at the ball!"

"Serenity, have you heard the news from my parents yet?" Helen asked excitedly.
"No, I haven't talked to them all day. Why, is it important?"
"It's very important. It's about something that's happening in two days and it should be a lot of fun!"
"Then they'll let me know soon enough I'm sure." Helen nodded her head.. "It's getting close to dinnertime. I know I have to set the table for dinner and you should be getting ready yourself." Serenity said as she smelled the food.
As Helen disappeared, Serenity tried to think of all the possible fun things that could happen in two days. She was so deep in her thoughts, while setting the table, that she didn't hear the king and queen come in.
The king cleared his throat and spoke a little louder, for Serenity didn't hear his wife the first time she called to her, "Serenity!"
This time she heard him. She turned around and apologized. "Good evening Edward and Alicia, I'm sorry I didn't hear you come in."
Serenity enjoyed how they let her address them by their names and not by their titles or anything. It made her fell more welcome in the family.
"That's ok. We have something important to discuss with you, so stop by Edward's office after dinner. Also, can you tell the girls down to eat?" Alicia said.
Serenity nodded and found the girls. They were in Helen's room doing homework. They had a tutor come in and teach them different languages and several things in math and science. Edward and Alicia felt that their daughters should be educated unlike other princesses from other kingdoms.
After dinner, Serenity quietly knocked on Edward's office door.
"Come in it's open."
"You wanted to see me after dinner."
"Ah yes! Have a seat." Alicia said with a smile. "You can start dear."
Edward nodded. "I don't know if you know or not, but there is going to be a ball held on Friday in Winnorrow, in honor of the Prince. Everyone has been invited to attend, even everyone in our kingdom. Now it's up to the head of the house whether or not a servant can attend. Do you understand me so far?" Edward said.
"Of course she understands Edward! Serenity is a bright young lady aren't you dear?" Alicia said before Serenity could respond.
Serenity smiled and nodded with a giggle.
"We don't know whether you've been to a ball or not, but we are giving you permission to attend. We were going to let you go even if servants weren't allowed to attend because we think of you as one of our daughters. We are all going, but we aren't staying the entire night, only you and Helen are. I don't think the other servants are going. I told them to let me know before dinner tonight, but I got no responses about it."
Serenity's eyes shone with happiness. Thank you so much! I've never been to a ball before and I've always wanted to go to one. I can't wait!"
"We only have one more thing to tell you before we let you go for the night. Tomorrow is going to go by fast because of all the excitement. I'm giving all the servants the next two days off and the girls don't have tutoring either. Get ready for the ball early so that you don't have to rush around on Friday. Hope you have a good night's rest. See you tomorrow." Alicia said.
"Good night." Serenity left the office and went up to her room to get ready for bed. She was so happy and couldn't wait to go to the ball. She would finally be able to see the prince again. She didn't care whether Laura was there with the prince, she was just grateful that she would have a chance to see him again. 'Who knows,' she thought, 'Maybe he'll forget about Laura the moment that I walk in.' With that final thought and pleasant images of the upcoming ball, Serenity fell asleep with a smile on her face.

The next day went by so quickly. Serenity chose her dress, but decided to wait until the next day to show the girls.
"Serenity, mother told me that you were going to go to the ball! I'm so happy." Jenny said excitedly when she saw Serenity walking down the main hall. She ran to her and hugged her legs tightly.
Serenity laughed. "I'm happy too Jenny. Where are your sisters at? Have you all picked out your dresses yet?"
"They are outside on the porch drinking lemonade and talking about tomorrow. We've all picked out our dresses. Have you picked out yours?"
"Yes, I have, but it's a surprise, you'll have to wait until tomorrow. But I would love to yours."
"Ok come on. Let's get everyone else." Jenny squealed as she led Serenity to the porch where the sisters were sitting lazily in the afternoon sun.
"Come on you all! We're going to show Serenity out dresses for tomorrow night!" Jenny screamed out in one breath.
The four girls nodded their heads and jumped up. They ran through the house with excitement. "Stop running girls, you know better." Serenity warned. But even she couldn't control the urge to run and followed them up the steps to Helen's room.
All of their dresses were very pretty and suited each girl well for their age. Jenny was most proud because she picked out her dress and accessories with no help from anyone at all.
"All of your dresses are beautiful, you will all look beautiful tomorrow night." Serenity said nicely.

"Ooooooo!"
"Serenity, your dress is beautiful. Where did you get it from?" Stacie asked.
"My mother left it to me when she died. I was just a little girl when she died, so I never knew her. I can sometimes imagine what she's like when I look at myself in her dresses. Did she look like me? Was her hair long or short? What was her personality like? How did her and my father fall in love? I've always wondered these things." Serenity explained wishfully.
"You're mother was most likely beautiful just like you are!" Helen said.
"Thanks Helen. That's so sweet of you. Let's go girls we have to leave in a few hours so we should get ready."
All of the girls, excluding Serenity, ran to there rooms to get washed.. Serenity went with Jenny to help her out. Normally the girl would put up a fight saying that she could get ready with no help, but today she didn't, it must be from all the excitement. It was her first ball as well as Serenity's. The five girls were ready in an hour and only Serenity was left to get ready. She dressed herself with great care, being sure that her dress was just right on her. She brushed her hair until it was gleaming brightly. She put it up in her traditional hairstyle that Jenny often referred to as meatballs and wrapped small diamonds around each bun. She wore a silver satin dress with a skirt that billowed out and swept the floor. The dress brought out the silver in her eyes. She was glad that she had chosen it over a similar pink one. Serenity wore silver heeled sandals with her dress that could only be seen when she lifted her dress to walk. Around her right ankle was a silver anklet that she found in the jewelry box that her mother left her. She only wore a simple diamond necklace and small diamond earrings. She was surprised when she caught a glimpse of her image in the mirror. She no longer saw the servant Serenity that she saw everyday, but instead a beautiful young lady that looked like she could be apart of some wealthy family. Serenity smiled as she left her room to meet the rest of the family. She gracefully descended the stairs and heard small oooo's and ahhh's escaping from the children's lips. Edward and Alicia smiled and were truly happy for Serenity. They knew she was happy that she could go to the ball and they loved seeing her happy. When Serenity was happy the girls were usually happy.
"Serenity, you look beautiful." Alicia said as Serenity blushed.
"Come on let's go so that we aren't late. Don't forget, this ball isn't here in Cartel, it's in Winnorrow." Edward said as he ushered everyone out of the house.
Alicia noticed Serenity tense up at the mention of Winnorrow. "Don't worry Serenity, you'll have fun, trust me." she encouraged. They left the house and got into the carriage for the ride to Winnorrow.


The ride to Winnorrow wasn't very long and they were at the palace in no time. The walk up to the palace doors was lined with white candles and made the walk look extra beautiful. The main hall leading to the ballroom was also lined with white candles. There were many families already there walking around the ballroom greeting and gossiping. Since the Allen family was the royal family of Cartel, they had a reserved table in the front. Soon as they were seated, two servants told them the two choices for the night's dinner. Alicia and Edward were surprised that this was also a dinner and were glad they hadn't had any food to eat. After their orders were taken, Stacie took Courtney and Connie to walk around the ballroom and talk with the other kids there. Serenity went with Helen who wanted to find some boys her age. Edward went to go talk with King Darius and Alicia took Jenny with her as she went to talk with Queen Celeste.
"Isn't it just beautiful here Serenity?" Helen asked while looking around the room with bright eyes. "I wish I could have a ball."
"Yes, it is beautiful, almost magical. Maybe this evening will be magical...." Serenity said more to herself than to Helen. "You'll probably have a ball for your sixteenth birthday, you know that is a special birthday for a girl right?"
"Yeah I know Serenity, it's just that mother and father may be too busy to have a ball in my honor." Helen said sadly.
"Hey don't worry about that, they are probably planning on behind your back. You know how much your parents love you and wouldn't put their work and the kingdom before you. Now cheer up, this is going to be a fun night ok?"
Helen nodded her head as the two walked over to the punch table. The king and queen decided to serve some punch before dinner knowing some of their guests may be thirsty.
"So when do you plan on looking for some boys Helen?" Serenity asked as she poured the cups of punch for them.
Helen slightly blushed. "What do you mean Serenity, I just wanted to walk around the ballroom and see what it's like before everyone arrives."
"Sure, I was your age once, and even though I was a servant, I still had boys on my mind. Now look over there, those two look pretty handsome don't you think?" Serenity said as she gestured over to two boys of about fifteen and eighteen. They both had blond hair, fair skin, and green eyes and obviously looked like brothers.
The older boy caught Helen's glance, nudged his brother in the arm, and whispered something in his ear. The younger one looked up and the two walked over to the girls.
"Hello ladies. How do you do?" The older one said politely.
"We're fine and you?" Serenity said for Helen, who suddenly got shy.
"We're the same. So, have you been enjoying yourselves so far this evening?"
"What's there to enjoy? The band hasn't started playing yet, so there's no dancing, there's no food to eat yet, only punch, and no one is really here yet." Helen replied suddenly over coming her shyness.
The younger boy laughed. "I know what you mean. I don't understand why we have to be here so early anyway. It's not like our parents are helping to plan this thing."
"Oh be quiet Simon, you know mother and father had to talk with the king and queen." the older boy said to his brother before turning to Serenity, "My name's Thomas Buckley, this is my younger brother Simon."
"I'm Serenity Tsukino and this is Helen Allen." she said as she pulled Helen next to her. "Pleased to meet you."
"Tsukino, I've heard that name before, but from where?" Thomas said racking his brain.
Serenity was not prepared for someone to recognize her name nor did she feel like explaining what she knew, she had to think of something quick..
"Oh no! I don't believe I could be so careless." Serenity cried out. "Excuse me, but I've spilled some punch on my dress and I need to get it out before it settles. Helen, you can stay here with Thomas and Simon. I'll try to hurry." Serenity said rushing out of the room. As Serenity rushed out she didn't notice three familiar faces as they entered the room.

"Did you just see who walked out of here?" Jessica said to Laura.
"Hmm? No, who?"
"I'm not sure if it was her, cuz I didn't see her face to clearly, but the woman that just walked past us looked similar to Serenity."
"No way! Serenity would never be allowed to come to a ball even if Darien said that servants were invited. One, the Allen family can't possibly be that stupid, and two, Serenity doesn't own anything nice enough to be seen outside of the marketplace." Laura said giggling. "Poor child is probably at the Allen palace playing dress up with Queen Alicia's clothes."
"Oh Laura you're so mean!" Jessica giggled.
"Girls, what's so funny?" Gisselle questioned unconsciously.
"Oh nothing mother, just a little joke from earlier." Laura lied.
"Hmm.. ok, well let's go, dinner is about to start."

Serenity walked around the castle looking for the bathroom and not finding it nor anyone to tell her where it was. Serenity didn't even realize she was no longer in an area lit by candles. She walked through the dark halls wishing she could just be back in the ballroom. She stopped walking as she heard hard footsteps not too far behind her and looked back to see the faint glow of a moving candle. She walked faster, her heels making loud, echoing clicks as they hit the floor.
"Who's there?" a deep voice yelled. Serenity didn't know what to do, but she once again stopped walking and said nothing.
"I said, who's there?"
This time Serenity spoke up, her voice was extremely soft and her eyes were closed, "I was just looking for the bathroom and I got lost. There was no one to direct me to the bathroom so I kept walking hoping to find my way back to the ballroom."
"I didn't ask you for an explanation. I asked who you were." the voice said.
"S.. Serenity."
"Serenity. I've heard that name before." The voice was coming closer and closer. Serenity opened her eyes to find that the candle was right in front of her face. She looked up into the most beautiful eyes she had even seen, but she had seen them before. Those were the eyes of-


That's chapter three, let me know how you liked it. or