"No!" shouted Kai. "Why does she have to come here?!"

"Queen Levana has requested you have an audience with Princess Selene in person. She wants you to show her Earth and get to know her," Torin scowled at the Prince's childishness. He knew he dreaded the thought of the princess coming. Mainly because Levana had been trying to form a marriage alliance between Luna and Earth since Selene had turned eight.

Kai was now on the edge of his bed. Head in his hands and mumbling to himself. "She's going to try and use her glamour on me. She's going to try to make me want her."

"Only if you let her, Your Highness." Kai looked up at Torin with confusion written all over his face. "I am told that the Princess does not have full control over her bio-electric manipulation yet. You may be able to resist her if she attempts to control you."

"That's fantastic!" He jumped from the mattress to his feet. Relief washed over his face, which was then followed by, "Wait. Levana could also try to glamour me," he practically whined. "I'm going to be emperor in a little less than two weeks. Can we postpone the trip until after that?"

"Sadly not, Your Majesty."

Kai was more upset than he thought humanly possible. His father die no more than three days ago and Levana was already trying to marry him off. "Well, I guess there's no getting around it then." He felt defeated. He knew sooner or later, something would jam him into a situation where the only way out would be to marry Selene. "Start arranging for their arrival."

.................

"Why aren't you happy about this, Selene?" Levana squawked.

"Because it's wrong," Selene was brushing out her hair as she half listened to Levana rant on and on about her plans. "It's wrong to make people feel that way about you. Also, the poor prince's father just died!"

"That was days ago. I'm sure he's over it," she waved her hand around to dismiss the objection. "Besides, you're going to do it anyway. You know what will happen to your, 'beloved cousin', if you refuse."

Yes, that. Levana made a deal with Selene yesterday. Actually, it was more like blackmail. Levana's plan was to go to Earth and make the prince fall in love with Selene. This would lead to Selene becoming a puppet for Levana to control the Eastern Commonwealth. If Selene denied participation, Levana would kill Winter, her step-daughter, and Winter's guard, to punish Selene. "Yes, Aunt Levana."

Her aunt exited the room to prepare for their trip to the planet. Selene did not want to meet the prince. She didn't want to glamour the innocent man into loving her. But to save her cousin, she would do anything. To save the man her cousin cared for deeply, she would go to great length. For they were the only people in the entire universe that truly cared for her. The "Freak" Princess.

In an "accident", Selene lost a hand, a foot, and managed to severely damage most of her body. She survived, but in the process, became a cyborg. A despised, loathed, repulsive cyborg. All Lunars thought of them as disgusting creatures that had no right to live among them. Selene had to glamour herself around the courts to please her aunt. The aunt she knew was the cause for these deformities.

Selene was already packed to leave before Levana came in with the announcement that they were to go to Earth in an hour. She had been packed since the death of Emperor Rikan. She did not approve of the idea of becoming empress. Selene was already losing her freedom to Luna anyway. Why did she have to lose it to two kingdoms now?

But still, she knew that she had to go through with it. Either that or all of Luna would suffer for her defiance. Especially Jacin and Winter. And if she went to Earth and became empress, Earth and Prince Kaito would pay dearly. Selene new it was a lose-lose situation, and found herself regretting allowing her aunt to stay on the throne for an extra five years, again. There was no point in looking back now though. She must try to ..... That's it!

Her brain began to craft a master plan to save both planets. If Levana still thinks that her glamour is "poorly controlled", she may be able to convince the queen that she wasn't strong enough to do it. If she can keep up that charade until after the prince's coronation, then Levana won't be able to get what she wants. And it won't, to the queen's knowledge, be Selene's fault. It will be the queen's. For thinking that she could handle a task such as this.

There was only one factor that had to be taken into account. If the prince fell in love with her of his own accord. But she immediately dismissed the thought. There was no way on Earth, or any planet, that someone would fall for her. The fact saddened her greatly, but at least that fact would save millions upon millions of lives.

...................

The ship was to arrive in less than an hour. Kai was teetering on his heels due to his fear and anxiety towards Luna's queen and princess coming to stay at the palace, for two weeks. How would he survive? He knew that at least one of them would try to coax him into loving the princess. He also knew that if her proposed or married before he was crowned emperor, the guardian of his choice would have a place the decisions of the E.C. He refused to let that happen. But he had no idea if he could withstand Selene's glamour. If she was as weak as the rumors said, then he could stand a chance. If not, he was in trouble. He was interrupted by Torin's clearing of his throat.

"Your highness," He began. "They'll be here in less than ten minutes. I'd advise you to go to the platform, immediately."

How had that much time past? "Oh, yes. Of course." He started on his walk to greet the Luna crowd. His feet were tied to blocks of cement. His back lifted the wait of a thousand tons. He would rather die than go see the people he hated more than anything. He had never met Selene, but he doubted that she would be any different from her despicable aunt.

He made it to the platform just as the ship descended onto the planet. He took his stance to welcome the two royals to his country.

The ship landed and the hanger doors pulled away to reveal two figures side by side. He recognized the queen's glamoured body anywhere. He also knew her by the veil that covered her face. The very sight of her made him want to gag. But the women to her side was, to his surprise, appealing. Not in the fake kind of way. But in a way of simplistic charm. Her hair stood in a regular high pony tail and her face was a mask of who knows what emotions.

"A pleasure to see you again, Prince Kaito." Levana spoke in a bitter sweet tone. She curtsied before him and he matched with a bow. "May I present to you, Princess Selene." The queen gestured to her niece and she too lowered her head before him. She was about to extend her and when her aunt coughed and glared. The princess was wearing a pair of white gloves, and she was hesitant to remove one. She gave him her hand and he lightly brushed his lips to it. Her skin was so sweet and soft ... Wait, What?!

He pulled back at the thought that intruded his mind. Must be the glamour. "The pleasure is all mine to finally meet you in person, Your Highness." As the queen ranted, he couldn't help but look back to the princess. She was very pretty, but it was likely a lunar trick. She had been quick to put her glove back on, which was odd. Once the queen finally shut it, Kai spoke up. "Yes, of course. For the time being, I'll have Torin escort you to your rooms." He turned tail and left, before anyone could object.

As soon as he reached his room, he ran his hands ragged through his hair. What was he going to do. He bit his lip, and an absolutely disgusting taste rubbed his tongue. "What the?!" He ran to his bathroom sink and threw water onto his lips. He saw a black liquid drip off. His first thought was that he had been poisoned. He wiped off his face and called for an android. "What is this substance?"

"Engine grease, Your Highness," the robot replied dryly.

"Okay? You're dismissed." The android vacated and Kai fell to his bed. "When did I get engine grease on my face?"

..................

Shit, shit, shit! Selene forgot to wash off her hands before landing. She still had engine grease on her hand from when she was toying with one of the palace hovers. All she could hope for, was that no one saw when his lips lifted from her hand. She was quick to disguise the flaw, but someone may have seen.

The royal adviser had brought her to her room and left her moments ago. Now, all she had to do was stay away from the prince as much as possible, and act like she was trying to glamour him. Her thought led back to the prince. His copper eyes, his winning smile, the way he kissed her hand and how it sent shivers down her spine. Snap out of it, Selene! She had to focus. If she lost track of anything on this trip, she would be doomed.

It was just about time to go to sleep. Tomorrow, the queen would undoubtedly attempt to get her and the prince to spend some time together. Which would be unbearable in every way. She stripped off her dress and replaced it with a white nightdress. She kept on her gloves and socks, to hide her metal parts. She crawled into her earthern bed, which was nice and soft. Her dreams had long since abandoned her. All she had left were either blank slates or horrific nightmares.

................

She was in front of a large crowd. Her eyes trained on a cage, and the people inside. NO! Winter and Jacin were locked in a metal cage dangling high above a vat of various chemicals. Selene turned to face her aunt. "This what you get for disobeying me, girl." The cruel woman turned to a lever and yanked down with a single hand. The cage's floor came off and the two inside fell into the vat. Their screams and cries were deafening. "Now you see. You're nothing more than a shred of the former princess. A fragment. A Cinder."

Selene shot up and shrieked. The vision sent her wrapping her arms around her person for protection. If she could cry, her eyes would be fountains. And thank the stars she had the inability to sweat also. She began to whimper and cower. She shrank back to the head of her head and drew in her legs. She knew that her nightmare was a warning, telling her not to fail in her plans. Actually glamouring the prince would be a last resort, and only a last resort.

After what seemed like hours of trying to force herself into slumber, Selene knew there was no way for her to go back to sleep. She leaped from her bed and trotted out of her room. She pulled up a blueprint of the palace on her head portscreen. There were several areas to go, but the most secluded and relaxing place seemed to be the gardens. It took her less than a few minutes to find her way there and plant herself in a seat. She examined the sky, the same and yet so different from that of Luna's. The flowers and exotic plant that decorated the garden were awe inspiring.

Selene jumped when a sound came from behind her. She spun around and hid her face with her downed hair. Damn it! It just had to be the prince. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's fine," she began to back into the shadows. "I'll just ... be on my way now."

"Oh, no. You don't have to leave." He walked over to her with a smile. He froze once he realized who she was. "I'm sorry, Your Highness. I had no intention of frightening you."

"Please don't call me that," Selene responded. "Call me anything else but Your Highness, or Princess."

"Then what do I call you?"

Her mind race to think of a suitable answer. But all she could think about was the nightmare she just had. The words still rung out in her head. 'You're nothing more than a shred of the former princess. A fragment. A Cinder...'

"Cinder," she blurted out. "Please, call me Cinder."

"Okay ... then please, call me Kai."

"Of course." He started back on his way to her, still her plan was to be executed. She ran along the walls of the gardens to evade the prince. He chased after her to no avail. She made it to her room and slammed her door shut. Too close. That was too close.

Selene, now Cinder, dropped to her bed in exhaustion. Her slumber would never come, so she store up at the ceiling for a comfort that Selene knew she would never feel.

.................

Kai had no idea what he was doing. He had just chased the princess out of the gardens to her room. She slammed the door in him face, signaling that she wished to be alone. Why had he chased her? Why did he even want to see her?! This had to be a glamour trick. He was not in his right mind by a long shot.

He strolled back to his chambers and flopped into his bed. The reason he woke was because he heard a dreadful scream. He thought it was his imagination, but couldn't go back to rest. He tried to ease himself by checking on the princess, but she was not in her room. He went to the gardens to clear his head, and saw a girl had come before him. He neared and alerted her of his presents, not knowing it was the princess.

He slumped over in his bed. This women was going to be the death of him. Kai could already tell that she was manipulating him to her will. But what he'd felt when Levana had taken control or him, and it wasn't at all the same. Could he actually be doing this of his own free will?

NO! This was all a trick. A cruel, sick, twisted trick. There was no way he could ever like the princess, or any lunar for that matter.

He slid onto his back under his covers. Tomorrow would present a new challenge. One that he wanted to overcome as quickly as possible. And he knew that if he didn't get any rest, it would seem like the longest day of his life.

..................

Kai awoke to and alarm from his portscreen. He swooshed his fingertips across the screen to silence the dreadful thing. He rolled to lie on his back once more. Hoping that if he stayed there just a little longer, he may be able to sleep through the day. His second alarm waltzed into his room with vast amounts of disappointment. Torin glared at the tired prince and tried to force him up with discouragement. "Prince Kaito, stop acting like a child. For stars sake, you're going to be emperor in a few days!"

"I'll be up in a minute, Torin," he lied. "Just please leave me be for a moment."

"I'm sorry Your Highness, but I've known you long enough to know that is not true. Now get up! Their Majesties are waiting in the dining hall, FOR YOU!"

Kai groaned, but obeyed. He was going to have to see the two sooner or later. He might as well get the greeting part out of the way. He sat up and rubbed the grogginess from his eyes. He put on a dress shirt and pants to match. He also combed out his hair for a suitable appearance. Within minutes, he arrived at the dining hall to see both of the lunar royals seated, waiting for their breakfast.

"Good morning, Prince Kaito." Levana tried to act surprised. "Won't you join us?"

"Of course, Queen Levana." He dared to glance Selene ... Cinder ... who was hanging her head and avoiding his gaze. He sat in his usual spot, which happened to be right across from the princess. She wore a light yellow sundress and her hair was once again in a simple ponytail. Her gloves still coated her hands for an unknown reason. She lifted her head and met his gaze for a moment before turning away. Her eyes were a deep brown that was more pure than molten chocolate. She didn't blush, but Kai could feel the heat creeping up to his ears.

The servants came in with their meal to break the awkwardness. For the duration of the time it took the three to eat their food, Levana talked about Kai and Sel... Cinder getting to know each other. "Selene has not been to the gardens. I'm sure she'd love to see the earthern plants there." Levana turned to her niece who only nodded. Kai knew that she had been to the garden, but Levana probably had no idea that she went in the middle of the night.

"I'd love to show her around, Your majesty." Right after their meal was finished, Kai was on his way to the gardens with Cinder. They marched in silence down the halls and in the gardens. She looked nervous and upset. Kai had the sudden urge to comfort her, to help her. "You okay?"

"Uh .. yeah. I'm fine." She didn't once look up to face him.

"You seem a bit distraught." (#Robin)

"No offense, but I'm not that crazy about my aunt wanting to marry me off to someone I just met yesterday."

"For the record, neither am I."

"Well that's a relief." She let out a small laugh. The melodic sound echoed in Kai's ears for who knows how long. "At least I'm not the only one who thinks that."

The two just toured the gardens before they were overcome by boredom. Kai wanted to keep her occupied to please the queen, but was out of ideas. He had to stay with her, for the good of the Eastern Commonwealth ... Perfect! "Cinder."

"Yes?"

"Would you like to see the Commonwealth with me?"

She was slow to respond. "I'd love to." With that, they went back to their rooms, changed, and met back at the gates. He was astonished at the fact she didn't just pull up her glamour for a disguise. She wore a cloak, tank top, and cargo pants. Kai wondered why she had such clothing with her, but held his tongue, for two reasons. One, he didn't want to disrespect the princess and make her angry. Two, the outfit gave her an even more natural vibe and brightened her features. Her white gloves had been substituted by ones composed of leather.

They left the palace of lies behind to a crowded city and marketplace. They shifted with the currents of people from booth to booth. Kai stopped and turned to realize that Cinder was no longer behind him. OH SHIT!