bless the child
It was a holy day. Young princess Minako held tightly to her nurse's hand. Her gown was fancier even than those she often wore for her appearances before court, and she admired the gold fabric with gleaming eyes. She was quiet, watching all that transpired with wide blue eyes, perhaps too intelligent for the shining young princess. Her nurse waited patiently for the princess to be called forward.
The King and Queen of Venus sat beside the King and Queen of Earth. This moment was monumental. A peace treaty between the twin planets was something long coveted, but only possible following the overarching peace between Earth and the Moon. Today's proceedings were a joyous occasion.
“Presenting Her Highness, Princess Minako of Venus, and the Most Honourable, Kunzite, Marquess of the Eastern Kingdoms of Earth.” The herald called out. Minako's nurse tugged on the girl's hand and led her forward. They entered the royal tent alongside an older boy. Minako was six years old, and small for her age. The boy who walked alongside her, that she stole glances at out of the corners of her eyes, was easily ten or eleven. His long pale hair was pulled back from his face in a low ponytail; Minako decided it was fashionable on Earth to wear one's hair in such a way. The King of Earth wore a similar style. He was a solemn boy, and did not steal a glance at her.
They were presented to the royal table, and Minako curtsied very politely as she had been taught. Her father smiled with great pride, and her mother nodded encouragment. She turned and repeated the curtsy to the marquess, as he bowed to her.
“Princess Minako,” he greeted.
“Marquess Kunzite,” she replied. She had been taught his title and name very specifically. On Earth he was a prince, but by the standards of the allied planets, he was lesser than herself in rank.
“Your Highness, Your Highborn, of Venus and Earth, do you so swear to uphold vows to one another of chastity and honor, as befitting a vow of engagement between you both?” The Venusian priest stood between the two kings, standing before the children with solemn eyes. Minako did not quite understand what it was that was going on, but knew the answer she was supposed to give. One did not deny the priest when he spoke such.
Kunzite spoke first. He bowed his head. “I so swear.” he turned to Minako and went to one knee, taking her hand. It was all very grand, and Minako gave him a strange look, but said nothing. “To you, Princess Minako, I vow to be honorable and true.”
She did not know what to do, and looked to her nurse for guidance. She motioned Minako to turn back.
“Thank you,” she replied, oddly shy for her. He straightened and released her hand. She wiped her own against her dress and wrinkled her nose, turning back to face the priest. The chuckling of the nobles and royalty met her ears, but she didn't know why. So she settled for a polite smile as she waited for the priest to speak.
“Do you swear the same, Princess Minako?” the priest prompted.
“Yes.” she said simply. More laughter.
She didn't really see the marquess much. Her nurse led her away before the dancing and feasting began. She was settled back into the nursery, and did not think on the marquess for many years after. That holy day did not really imprint itself on her mind.
The King and Queen of Venus sat beside the King and Queen of Earth. This moment was monumental. A peace treaty between the twin planets was something long coveted, but only possible following the overarching peace between Earth and the Moon. Today's proceedings were a joyous occasion.
“Presenting Her Highness, Princess Minako of Venus, and the Most Honourable, Kunzite, Marquess of the Eastern Kingdoms of Earth.” The herald called out. Minako's nurse tugged on the girl's hand and led her forward. They entered the royal tent alongside an older boy. Minako was six years old, and small for her age. The boy who walked alongside her, that she stole glances at out of the corners of her eyes, was easily ten or eleven. His long pale hair was pulled back from his face in a low ponytail; Minako decided it was fashionable on Earth to wear one's hair in such a way. The King of Earth wore a similar style. He was a solemn boy, and did not steal a glance at her.
They were presented to the royal table, and Minako curtsied very politely as she had been taught. Her father smiled with great pride, and her mother nodded encouragment. She turned and repeated the curtsy to the marquess, as he bowed to her.
“Princess Minako,” he greeted.
“Marquess Kunzite,” she replied. She had been taught his title and name very specifically. On Earth he was a prince, but by the standards of the allied planets, he was lesser than herself in rank.
“Your Highness, Your Highborn, of Venus and Earth, do you so swear to uphold vows to one another of chastity and honor, as befitting a vow of engagement between you both?” The Venusian priest stood between the two kings, standing before the children with solemn eyes. Minako did not quite understand what it was that was going on, but knew the answer she was supposed to give. One did not deny the priest when he spoke such.
Kunzite spoke first. He bowed his head. “I so swear.” he turned to Minako and went to one knee, taking her hand. It was all very grand, and Minako gave him a strange look, but said nothing. “To you, Princess Minako, I vow to be honorable and true.”
She did not know what to do, and looked to her nurse for guidance. She motioned Minako to turn back.
“Thank you,” she replied, oddly shy for her. He straightened and released her hand. She wiped her own against her dress and wrinkled her nose, turning back to face the priest. The chuckling of the nobles and royalty met her ears, but she didn't know why. So she settled for a polite smile as she waited for the priest to speak.
“Do you swear the same, Princess Minako?” the priest prompted.
“Yes.” she said simply. More laughter.
She didn't really see the marquess much. Her nurse led her away before the dancing and feasting began. She was settled back into the nursery, and did not think on the marquess for many years after. That holy day did not really imprint itself on her mind.