Greeting my reader, thanks for all the supports you gave me. Here is part 8 of Once in a Dream, pretty short as I must warn ya. Well, this is the last update you will ever get until my exams finish. I also re-designed my site’s index page, much better format and better icons and buttons. So if you wish, go see it now!. I will update immediately after my last exams so you guys won’t kiss much. This is the 8th part, still 2 more parts to go in the future. I hope you guys would e-mail me some wonderful ideas of yours so I could write my next fanfic in March Break. I assure you, full credit will be give to you if you come up with a idea that I write. If the idea belongs to me, then, I get the credit of thinking and writing of coures^_^ Thanks much, because it all depends on you guys, the fast you give me a suitable idea of Serena and Darien, the faster you will get a fanfic^_^ Another thing, there is no action in the story, only some emotional torture, so prepare your tissue box for part 9. Once in a Dream Part 8 --- The Sound of Thunder By: Neo-Queen Serenity Editor: Missy Perez Serena sat in a chair in front of her dressing mirror. Her blonde curls pooled around her shoulders as she brushed her smooth soft hair. She was dressed in a white night gown of hers, after retiring to her own bedroom after a night's dancing. Serena looked in the mirror, as it reflected the red glow from the fire hearth. Serena smiled happily at her own reflection as Molly enter the room without knocking. Without turning around, Serena smiled at her lady in waiting through the mirror. Sensing a worried expression spread across Molly's feature, Serena spun around in astonishment. "What happened Molly? You seem so-" "My lady, Her Majesty your mother, has sent a messenger to Perth 2 days earlier to retrieve you. Lady Mina's housekeeper reported that you're here. Her Majesty ordered that you should be back to the royal palace by tomorrow afternoon." Caught greatly surprised, Serena questioned Molly carefully, "Why? Mother she...No, she promised me I could stay at Mina's place until the 10th of January. Why is she-" "But your highness. The Queen ordered you to be back by tomorrow, your luggage at Perth was already sent back to the palace with the carriage. The messenger didn't' say much, to my knowledge, I think it's something really important. Her Majesty's royal summon can not be denied!" Serena leaned her head against her elbow, as thoughts screamed through her head. *What is happening? What would have made mother withdraw her promise? But if I leave for London, what about Darien? How will I this explain to him?* "But Molly, if I must be home by tomorrow, then that means I must be leaving right now! I can't even say good bye to-" "Your highness, Lady Mina and Lord Charles were already aware about your departure. She will inform the others tomorrow. You should hurry my lady." Serena stood up quickly, her mind a mess. "Let me have moment alone to think this over, go and prepare for the departure." Molly curtsied and left the room. Serena listened carefully for Molly's steps to disappear on the carpeted hall way. Once she heard no more she open her bedroom door and hurriedly sneaked out downstairs. Serena hurried down the red carpeted hall way, her mind trying hard to register what is going to happen. Her feet padded lightly on the floor which lead her to a large door. Serena hesitated for a moment but turned the handle silently. The door wasn't locked and it lead to a rather huge bedroom. The room was dark, for its master was already asleep. Serena' heart pounded ferociously in her chest as she stepped into the room she had been numerous times before. Even though Molly didn't say, a feeling in her blood told her it may be a departure....... forever. Yet so in love with Darien, she couldn't leave him, her heart and mind refused to do so. But it's the Queen's order, her mother and superior, she has to obey. Serena moved slowly toward the bed, her body shaking from fear. The dim glow from the fire hearth reflected Darien's handsome face. So peaceful and handsome. Serena slowly placed a shaky finger on his forehead, trembling, she managed to push a few dark bangs out of his closed eyes. Her tears flowed freely down her pale cheeks, though she didn't know why. The dark side of her told her that this might be a farewell forever. Fearing to wake him, Serena turned her face away. She looked around the room, recognizing and memorizing each article that belonged to its master, the man she loved dearly.She thought of all the wonderful and joyous times she spent here, then looked back at Darien's sleeping face. The image printed deeply in her mind. Unable to hold out any longer, Serena turned to leave. Looking back to him once more, Serena stepped out of the room with her face in her hands. The moment she stepped through his door, her whole being broke down, sobbing. Serena felt as if she was going to collapse right in front of Darien's room, yet her mind ordered her to go back to her own room upstairs. She dragged her heavy steps to the staircase and climbed up tiredly. Tears now covered her pale thin face, its pearl like bead disappeared into the red carpet under her feet, some dropped on her white night gown, saturating the white satin with light tap from Serena's sky blue eyes. Serena and Molly sat in their carriage. Mina stood shoulder by shoulder with Charles, waving and sobbing. She hugged Serena earlier and tried to comfort her crying friend but had no success. Serena looked at them dully, her mind elsewhere. The carriage sailed out from Darien's great castle at Leeds into the covering light of early dawn. Serena suddenly turned around, her gaze locked on the grand mansion, as orange rays of the early sun cast its light on its elegance and surroundings. Pieces of white covered the fields and the roof of the house, the sun's orange glow reflected the same color on the whiteness, the sharp whiteness that left a huge blank in Serena's crying mind. It's a new day. Once again, tears blurred Serena's vision. Her heart arched and cried out farewell. Charles hugged his wife silently as they watched Serena's carriage take off. End of Part 8 Preview: Part 9 --- Nightmare Why did Queen Serenity summons her daughter back, why did Molly conclude that something important is going to happen?? What will happen next?? How will Darien react to Serena's departure?? Well, you find out...