Hello, here is the chapter 4 I promised! In this part, Darien and Serena finally meet face to face! What will happen? Well, I am not going to tell you right now, you find out! Some fans mailed me and asked me if my parts could be a little longer, yeap, I am working on to write longer parts, but probably not for this fanfic, I will try to improve it on the other ones!! Special thanks to my fans who mailed me and encouraged me keep up the writing (I got about 20 mails from people just about my fanfic^_^). Thanks you guys, I will continue through out the whole fanfic. Wait a minute, I have something to say!!! Some of you asked me about where is Perth or Leed??? Perth and Leed are both cities of England, and I used them because my story happen there, and some asked me about why is my fanfic called "Once in A Dream"... Well, it’s not really obvious now, but it will be explained later in the story. Now right on to the story! And I am glad you guys liked my web page! (Don’t forget to sign my guestbook!!!) Again, e-mail serenausako@hotmail.com and web page: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Shrine/6436 please visit me or write me with your comment!^_^ Special notice!!! November 28 is my friend Johan Fitie’s 20th birthday!!! So this part is written in honor of him, Happy Birthday Johan!! Johan always write me long and comforting e-mails and cheer me up when I was put down by something in life, he’s also a great pal!!! I am so fortunate to have someone as nice as him to be my friend!! Happy reading for now. Chapter 4 --- Who are you? By: Neo-Queen Serenity Serena sat in her chair beside the fireplace. She was all dressed up and ready to go. Her thin hands are encased in a pair of white lace opera gloves matching up the rest of her dress. She stood in a pair of white velvet dance shoes. A fan stitched with strands of silver and gold rested on her lap. Serena turned around to look at her own reflection in the full-length mirror. She leaned her head on her elbow as she feel satisfied with her charming appearance. A gentle knock came and the door to her room open slightly. "Serena?" Mina walked in with her evening dress on. Mina was dressed in a long sleeved orange dress and looking as pretty as always. A large V shaped cut decorated her graceful bare neck. The orange material fitted tightly against her pale, white skin. Her hair was pinned up on top of her head and tied with a orange scarf. Two shining hearts shaped earrings made of pure gold tipped her earlobe. Serena looked up with admiration and smiled warmly at Mina. "Oh Mina, you look beautiful, I think Charles will be very proud of you tonight." Mina stepped closer and made a full turn in front of Serena, a circle of orange whirling around her delicate figure. "Charles Charles, Charles..." She looked at her left hand lovingly. On her fourth finger, a diamond wedding band represented her marriage to Charles for seven years rested on it. Mina picked up the white mask resting on top of Serena’s dressing table and held it out to her friend. "Come on Serena, put on your mask now. The dance will start in just 10 minutes, Charles asked me to escort down the queen of the night and his fair cousin..." Serena giggled and put on her mask. After checking her appearance in the mirror once more, she followed Mina and stepped out of her room. Darien stood with Charles and Ken by a grand dinning table. He sipped some red wine from the crystal glass that he held by his gloved hand and smiled to two of his friends beside him and the chatting crowd around him. The Wales and Hudson family had arrived during early evening. Few relatives of Charles and Mina were also present at the party. About 30 guests filled the grand ballroom. Darien himself appeared to be the prince of the dance. Every lady’s eyes were focused on him, unable to tear away from that handsome face. Young and naïve girls looked at him with stars in their eyes and great longing. Few attempted to invite him for a short dance or try to start a conversation with him but all got turned down coldly by their stonehearted "prince". Some ladies’ companions and partners at the dance looked at Darien with draggers in their eyes, for they knew they’re nothing compared to his handsome feature. Darien was dressed in a black tuxedo and a shirt made of flowing white silk. A pair of polished black dress shoes covered his feet, and a black bow tie closed the space at his top two buttons on his shirt. A white silk cloth folded neatly in shape of triangle and placed neatly in the pocket of his black tuxedo. His midnight dark hair was combed neatly, few strands of silky black that fell from his forehead brushed against his deep ocean blue eyes and make him even more handsome and mystery. He’s wearing a plain white mask due to the tradition. His lips pressed firmly together and curved into a mischief smirk. A straight and shapely nose finished the rest of his facial structure. Darien stood there straight and proud, his whole appearance made his feature more irritating and irresistible. Ken tapped Darien lightly on the shoulder and teased, "Darien? In case you didn’t notice, every lady in the room seems to agree you’re the prince of the night. But your odd attitude seems not interested in any of them. What’s the matter with you tonight? Who are you waiting for pal?" Ken finished up and eyes Charles with a chuckle. Both knowing, because Mina and Lita had already told them about their plans for Serena and Darien tonight. Unnoticed to Darien, he looked at him and shrugged his broad shoulder. "Don’t know, it’s not any of my concern." He then picked up a red rose from the crystal vase on the table. Inhaling its sweet scent lightly and placed it neatly in his tuxedo pocket beside the white cloth. Darien suddenly felt Ken poked him on the elbow. He rolled his eyes to look at the direction Ken was pointing and was greatly amazed as an image of two fairies walking down the steps of the great circular stairs jumped into his eyes. Two beautiful young woman held hand by hand walked gracefully down, one covered in orange, one in pure white silk. Smiles and tenderness were all that was displayed on those youthful face. Ken eyed Darien with a grin across his face, "What a beautiful princess, I say you should go and gain a favor from her. Or else I suppose you are too late since you’re not the only man here." Ken smiled secretly at Darien’s surprised facial expression and looked around him to see other men in the room were greatly impressed by Serena’s beauty as well. Serena sat on a chair beside the dinning table, a glass half filled with red wine in her gloved hand. Her eyes wondered around the ballroom while sipping her wine slowly. Mina had gone off to greet Charles; Ami and Rei are dancing with Greg and Chad; Lita smile contently in Ken’s deep embrace, his lips pressing against her soft temple in a lover’s fashion, sending sweet and loving words to her delicate ears which cause Lita to blush and giggle; and Molly is nowhere to be seen. Serena smiled at the whirling happy couples around the ballroom, sharing their happiness and joy. Unexpected, a woman dressed in lavender silk walked up to her. "Your Highness-" she blurted, but was quickly cut off by Serena. "No, Alice, not here!! Not everyone here knows who I am." "But-" "No buts, Alice." "Why wouldn’t people ever leave me alone! Your highness, your highness, and your highness! I am not yours and not high anything!! I am Serena, S-e-r-e-n-a!" Serena ordered impatiently. Alice is a countess of England, her father used to be a great hunting companion to Serena’s own father. All have changed after his sudden death when Serena was no more than 10 years old. Alice herself was a childhood friend of Serena, cheerful, happy, and always understanding. She is 2 years older than Serena and was engaged to a Spanish Count last month. It’s a marriage of happiness and wealth, Serena was happy for her dear friend. Again, unexpected, a hand tapped her shoulder gently. Startled by it again, Serena jerked around and instantly found herself starring into a pair of mysterious deep ocean blue eyes, the deepest pair she ever starred into through her entire life. Her white dress whirled with her turning body, making a vision of white lace and silk. Her lips parted lightly, startled by its beauty. A hue of rosy pink raised upon her cheek as Serena gazed at the stranger who tapped her shoulder. A tall handsome young man stood at 6 feet offered Serena his hand. "My lady, would you give me the pleasure and honor of dancing with you?" Serena blushed. Unable to tear herself from the spell of those piercing blue eyes, she whispered softly, "I would love to, sir..." The man led her to the dance floor and they whirled together with other couples around on the marble floor. Serena looked around, envious eyes filled with jealousy focused on the finest couple in the crowd. Men starred with envy at the beauty dancing in Darien’s arms, young ladies looked on with great longing at Serena’s handsome dance partner. 8 pair of smiling and friendly eyes settled on them from different parts of the room. Smiling, Ken gave Lita a deep kiss on the forehead. "It seems they made it...I can see there is a chance for both of them, they already fond of each other and actually enjoyed each other’s company..." Lita sunk deeper into her fiancée’s protective embrace, smiling and wishing her cousin good luck. Darien and Serena were having a wonderful time in the presence of each other. They were enjoying everyone else’s attention in the room and others’ longing stares. Both unaware of who each other really is and their vows of despising and disgust. He tried to guess who she is but failed miserably. She did the same but with no success. Serena and Darien stood in front of each other’s very own eyes, unknowing that he or she is actually the person they vowed to hate and despise. It didn’t matter to any of them, the company of the other was the most wonderful experience in the whole world. Serena was experiencing the greatest feeling she ever had since birth. This mysterious stranger made her feel light and full, her heart dancing with her moving pace, her body whirling under his lead. He was a good dancer, Serena concluded when she let out couple of her steps, she had been a good dancer in the palace, but she haven’t seen anyone as good and as fun as he is. When she whirled and danced in his arms, she felt protected and loved. Problems, complains, curses and sadness were all thrown to the back of her mind, completely forgotten and vanished, only happiness and tenderness existed at that moment. It’s a weird feeling, she doesn’t even know who the guy under his white mask really is, but some how her heart told her this handsome young man is special, very special, as if she has some kind of bond connected to him. As for Darien, time seems flying when you enjoy it to your heart’s content. He was greatly amazed by this beautiful and charming girl in front of him. *Young, beautiful, interesting, and full of energy, the perfect girl every man ever wanted and wished to have.* As midnight approaches, the dance draws to an end. Revelation must once take place... Charles and Mina announced the end of the ball and asked all single men and women to take of their dance partner’s mask. Mina threw Charles a knowing smile and nodded toward the place where Darien and Serena stood. Darien took the red rose he had placed in his suit pocket earlier and placed it gently in Serena’s blonde hair, waved with other delicate red petals. He scooped her face tenderly between his warm fingers and leaned down to gave her a smooth kiss on the lip. Serena was greatly surprised, it’s her FIRST kiss! It’s the most wonderful feeling in the world, Serena thought silently as she felt she’s going to melt under his kiss and its warmness devoured her whole being. His lips tasted like wine and honey, she could be drank with its sweetness for all eternity. Darien slowly removed Serena’s white mask as she did the same to his. At the same time, Mina, Charles, Ami, Greg, Rei, Chad, Lita, and Ken gathered around the two and teasing smiles spread across 8 upturned faces. "So, what are you two up to? Serena? Darien? We thought you two..." Startled, Serena looked up to see Darien’s blue eyes filled with that same surprise and astonishment. "You are..." they both gasped. End of Part 4 Preview of Part 5 --- Astonishment. What will Serena and Darien react after they found out who each other really is? Will they hate each other, or will they like each other? It will be out soon. Author’s Note: So how did you guys like the story????? Mail me with your comments and suggestions. I also would like to ask you guys about some ideas for the next fanfic I am going to write, I want to hear how you guys want me to write, because I am not sure about what to write next. (note, it’s another fanfic, not Once in a Dream) And I need to ask you guys something, do you wish me to write longer stories each parts with less parts and slower updates or shorter story each part with many parts and faster updates? It’s your choice, I am going to follow the popular demand, so send me your e-mail!! (this won’t make much difference because the fanfic is still the same length anyway, just the update sequence.) If there is popular demands for the new parts I might as well post it faster or it will have to go with my regular two week for one part schedule! Again, if you want to see new parts coming up, then you have to visit my web page, the URL is listed above, there you can find the most new parts. Because I will put it on my own web page once it’s finished with editing and typing, if you are reading at fanfic archive that I sent my stories to, then you will read the late ones^_^. Don’t be offended, I am just trying to promote my web site. Ja ne!