The Birthday Ball and Falling in Love

Mina’s Tale Part 2

Author’s Note: It may seem that at the age of six that Mina’s mental ability was far above her age. Please remember that this tale was written many years in the future of the time presented and her memory might have been enhanced and influenced in the intervening years.

My father told me how beautiful that I looked as I came into the room, naturally I found myself blushing at his compliment. He looked so handsome in his old military uniform that it took me a while to realize that he served as a general for King Seren before he married my mother and was permitted to wear the uniform in honor of his service. My mother wore the gown of a Royal Princess, white with blue trim, since she was of the royal family. All her accessories were simple; I knew that she didn’t want to outshine the Queen on this day of celebration. Mother is really a simple person at heart. She would rather sit by a fire cuddling with my father or me than to attend any public ceremony but when she had to make a public appearance; she was more than ready.

I was entitled to wear the gown of a Royal Princess, mine would be trimmed in orange or gold since those color was determine to be my royal colors when I was born, but I wanted to wear the gown and jacket that Serena and Nova sent me for my birthday. My father kept going over the Kanly greetings for each of the royal family. I never knew that there were so many different greetings that I could use. They were the ones for the Queen and they were extremely respect to her position as the head of a royal family that was related by marriage by who we paid no fealty. Then there are the ones to use for Serena that differs from those used for Nova. Nova being the head of a noble house stood on the same level as my father but since he is also a royal prince, his address can be either one. Father decided that we were using the head of a noble house rather than a royal prince because he was second in line of succession for the throne, after Serena, but he is a Grand Duke of the houses that in same places were a higher honor than a king or queen. There are so many rules of Kanly by my father had insisted that I learned the art of Kanly or the old ways of the original planetary clans. I complained to my mother one day and she simply told me that if it weren’t for Kanly laws, I wouldn’t be here.

“What do you mean, Mother”, I asked in a curious tone.

Mother sat down and relaxed back in her chair, “Even though I loved your father, my grandmother, the old King’s sister, had arranged our marriage to bring House Venus closer to the Moon Kingdom. Grandmother was a strange old goat and my mother always told me that she had some insight into the future being from a family of seers from Mars but I think that old age was getting to her when she decided my fate. House Venus through your father was establishing themselves as generals in the Kingdom’s armed forces. Your father advanced from a junior officer to a general in six short years so the King took notice of the young man. Grandmother saw him as a suitor for her granddaughter and she had the King’s ears.” She sank lower in her chair, “It was arranged that we should wed after your father left the service and started his career that would allow him the skills to rule Venus. I wasn’t unhappy about the arrangement since your father is handsome but I didn’t like the idea of someone telling me what to do. I almost broke of the engagement since my position were higher than his but Serenity told me point blank that she never would talk to me again if I left him at the altar. I’m glad that I listened to her and allow the arranged marriage to take place.”

I looked at her with wondering eyes, “Mom, will you pick my husband for me when the time comes?”

Father must have heard the conservation because I heard the door close behind him, he cleared his throat and in that deep voice of his said, “Mina, I will never put you through the heartache that we went through those first days of marriage. I will fight the Queen herself so that you will choose your husband when you are ready. Your mother and I had to fall in love after we married and I want you to love your husband before you wed. Two people should go into marriage with the deepest love that you can imagine. They should be two souls that want to become one. Whenever you find the right person, you will know in your heart that he is the one that your heart can not be without for the rest of your life.”

I thought about what my father had said while we were waiting in the reception line. Since my mother was related to the royal family, we were the last of the noble houses to be announced and made the long walk down to the end of the line. Barons and Counts for the other houses greeted my father warmly but my mother with an air of coldness but respect. It took me a while to understand but they are projecting their fears and distrust of Prince Nova onto any of the royal family except the Queen and Serena. After we traveled the reception line, the royal family would be announced to the noble houses of the Moon Kingdom. Everyone, who talked to me, complimented on how pretty I looked in my gown and jacket but I could see in their eyes the fears of what Nova’s power can do to a noble house that he could turn against. I almost laugh at these old men scared of a little boy but after what I saw onboard his yacht, I can understand what thoughts were going through their heads.

I heard the fanfare from the far end of the hall, across the hall from the door that we came through, and I could barely make out the Queen with Serena and Nova (they had asked me to drop their titles) as they enter the hallway. My heart soared when I saw them. I thought how beautiful the Queen looked in her finery and Serena … well; she was every inch a Royal Princess. My eyes fell upon Nova as he walked beside Serena behind the Queen; he was so handsome wearing his uniform with a blue cape billowing behind him that it made my heart ache just looking at him even from this distance.

I suddenly realized that Nova was dressed in blue, orange and gold; in fact, if my jacket and gown were masculine, it would be the exactly the same outfit as Nova’s. My heart was torn, why was Nova wearing the same outfit as me, was he making fun of me? I wanted to run away from everyone until I knew the answer but my mother put a hand firmly on my shoulder, leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Honey, don’t cry, you don’t understand the meaning of your clothing. You are wearing the command colors of the High Guard, so everyone in this hall and outside will realize that you are under Nova’s direct protection. As I am talking to you, you have probably have a dozen or more guards assigned to protect you from all harm and so devoted to Nova that they would lay down their lives so you won’t be harmed. That’s how much he think you mean to him.”

I smiled to myself and it traveled to my face. I couldn’t help smiling as my mother’s words sunk into my head. Nova made sure that I wore this outfit to my first function away from Venus because he wanted to give everyone notice that if they harmed me in any way, they would have to answer to him. Father held my hand tightly in his while the royal family approached us and together we bowed to honor the royal family. I saw Nova place a hand on the Queen’s arm and whispered in her ear. I was too far away to hear what he was saying but he pointed to me and then waved his hand down the reception line.

Serena joined the group at Nova’s beckoning and the Queen nodded her head and Nova left her side to approach my father. “Prince Rema, I have noticed a lack of suitable dining companions for my niece and myself in the gathered crowd. It would not be appropriate for us to dine alone on our birthday.” I looked down the reception line and realized that I was the only person, other than Serena and Nova, who was under eighteen. Nova continued, “I am asking your permission for your daughter to join my niece and myself for the evening festivities.”

My father quickly agreed to Nova’s request of myself as his … and Serena’s … dining companion. Serena came to me and grabbed my hand and together we approached Nova. Serena hooked her arm inside Nova’s right arm and, with her encouragement, I settled quietly on his left arm. Arm and arm, the three of us entered the royal dining hall for the birthday feast. I sat quietly at a table with Nova and Serena, just admiring the two of them but I also noticed that we were the center of attention probably because of Nova and Serena’s birthday but maybe also because Nova and I were dressed in similar outfits. I smiled at all those that seem to question my position at the table with the royal children but I had more important things to find out tonight. I wanted to learn all about Serena and Nova’s life but all the two of them wanted to talk about was my life on Venus. We talked as we ate but I noticed that Nova paid close attention to me, while Serena asked most of the questions. They appeared as a well-oiled machine as they questioned me and had success in diverting my questions about their life.

Dinner was marvelous but soon it was over and everyone retired in small groups to the Grand Hall for the major presentation of the evening. We attended a stage play by a system wide touring group, the three of us seated in a private box to the Queen’s and my parents. Halfway during the play something wonderful happened as I felt Nova’s hand slipped over mine. Instinctively, my hand flipped over and caressed his fingers in mine as I leaned closer to him. I didn’t press myself against him even though I wanted to place my head on his shoulder. Our hands were intertwined outside the glance of the nobles below us but I knew that I had to present a more mature bearing when we were in public. I took a quick glance at Nova and saw that he was intently watching the play but he held my fingers tightly. Serena tapped my other arm; I looked at her and smiled. I was contented with the attention that Nova was giving me but my heart starting to tell me that it was melting in the gaze and touch of this small boy. The play continued for another hour but I remember very little of it, my thoughts that day was the warmth that I felt as Nova held my hand.

The evening concluded with a ball in the Grand Hall. Since Serena and I were the only suitable dancing partners for Nova or at least the only ones that didn’t tower over him, we spent most of the night with him on the dance floor with Nova exchanging partners at each dance. Queen Serenity and my mother insisted that Nova dance with them and they were a sight to behold. Both of them towered over Nova but his poise seem to place him as their equal on the dance floor. I would have enjoyed the humor of the situation but my humor was shattered by my father’s insistence of dancing with Serena and myself. After the dances with our much taller partners, Nova was very supportive of the situation and only chuckled slightly once when we danced again but a few well-placed steps on his toes persuaded him against continuing his actions of mirth.

It was the last dance of the evening and Serena insisted that Nova and I danced together while she sat at a table just staring at the two of us. Nova seemed so far advanced for his age because of the upbringing, as did Serena for the same reason. Children of royal and noble families do not have the childhood that you would expect since we do have obligations to fulfill. It was so hard to think of them just turning seven and not as teenagers. Mother had always said that I was advanced for my age, well I guess she was right, I never wanted to play children’s games and was much more interested in books and learning than a child of my age. The last dance of the night was a slow one where the partners would hold each other close with their bodies touching if they wish and right then, I wanted that wish more than anything else in the universe. I always suspected Serena bribed the band to play the song but I could never prove it and I never wanted to prove that she had a hand in that moment. Nova slipped his arms around my waist and I wrapped my arms around his neck and he pulled me close to him, it took all my will power not to stand on my tiptoes and kissed him. I didn’t because I was afraid that I would embarrass Nova in front of the gathered crowd.

When the dance was over, my mother came to me with a broad smile on her face. I believed that she was gathering me to return to our suite for the night. To my utter surprise, she told me that my wardrobe and personal items had been taken to the third bedroom in Serena and Nova’s suite while we were at the dance. My heart soared with the news because while I stayed on the Moon, I would be near my two new friends. I never had any friends my age, in fact, I couldn’t recall playing or being around children my own age but suddenly I had two children that I feel close.

The three of us walked, hand in hand, to our suite, Nova on my right and Serena on my left side. I wanted the evening never to end so I could enjoy my friends but soon we arrived at the suite. Nova kissed my hand and reluctantly retired to his room stating, “I am sorry about my early leaving, Mina but I have some important political and ducal matters to take care of before I can sleep. I’ll see you first thing in the morning”.

I spent the next hours talking with Serena. We had dressed for bed when we came back but we were too excited to get some sleep. I wanted to Serena to tell me everything about Nova, his likes and dislikes, and Serena was more than happy to tell me anything about the young boy that she loved like her own brother. They were close since there were few other children to play with being secluded away by her mother by the threats of the Negaverse. The Queen knew that Nova’s fears were real but she couldn’t do very much to form plans to attack them since she was governed by the Treaty of Tycho that required the noble house’s backing for any war fought in the Kingdom’s name. Nova had circumvented that rule by simply having House Moon, a noble house that didn’t sign the treaty, lead the fight against the Negaverse.

Serena, in turn, wanted to curious to know how I felt when Nova held my hand during the play. I looked dreamingly in Serena’s eyes for a minute before I answered her question, “I don’t know where to start or how to explain the feeling that overcame me, my heart was racing in my chest and I couldn’t think clearly or even formed a response other than to grasp his fingers in mine. I never realize that boys were so warm when you were close to them but that feeling of warmth may have been me”.

Serena moved close to me and gave me a hug, “Mina, you know that you are the most available royal cousin … well, the only royal cousin, or at least the only one that I know. I’m not saying this right, I mean, you are Nova’s cousin and there are no other girl of the noble houses with high enough standing in the Kingdom that are Nova’s age.”

I didn’t understand what she was saying but I wanted to know what her meaning of her last statement, “Serena, what does being Nova’s cousin and the same age have anything to do with him and me?”

Serena looked away, “Mina, I thought you realized what is happening between Nova and you. You are roughly Nova’s age and House Venus is closely related through your mother to the royal family so people wouldn’t think anything was wrong. I mean,” she paused, “this is so hard for me to tell you but you need to know what I think.” Serena took a big breath,” I believe that my mother and your mother are probably trying to get Nova and you together to unite our houses.”

I didn’t know how to react but I knew that my head was spinning trying to absorb the knowledge that my friend just told me. My parents had talked so much, this very afternoon before the ball, about me being able to choose my husband when the time comes and that I would marry him because I love him with all my heart and soul. Now, they were throwing Nova at me and we were still so young. My thoughts began to run that they were, may be, putting us together so we could get to know each other and fall in love in due time. I saw that Serena was still looking at me, so I said, “Serena, I like Nova but I think I need to know him much better before I know if he’s the one for me. Please don’t tell anyone what we talked about tonight.”

Serena hugged me and I returned the hug with all my strength, “I don’t know what to say to you, Serena. My heart is torn apart with so many emotions but I think we are good friends even though I have only met you today. If Nova is the one for me, my destiny, then I need to be with the two of you and see how I feel about him in my heart.”

Serena readily agreed to help me, she loved Nova as her brother and will always protect him but she must have saw something in me that would benefit Nova in the future or maybe she saw that I was falling in love with him. I left her room shortly after midnight and slowly walked the short distance to my bedroom. I felt strange about the evening, my feelings for Nova and my place in the royal family but I knew that the two friends that I care about were close to me in spirit and distance. I can feel the warmth of their love and friendship as I drifted off to sleep.

I had a marvelous night sleep even though I slept only about six hours and woke before the sun arose over the horizon. I heard a stirring; a soft noise like a murmur, from one of the other rooms and I arose from my bed to investigate. I noticed that there was a light under Nova’s door and I slowly crossed the common room until I was in front of Nova’s bedroom door. I gathered up my courage and very tentatively, I knocked on the door.

“One minute”, quickly came the answer from inside the room. In a moment, the door swung opened quietly and Nova appeared in the doorway dressed in his nightclothes. As I looked at him, I realized suddenly that I was standing right in front of Nova dresses in nothing more than my nightgown. I didn’t even have on slippers for my feet.

He smiled at me with a look that would have melt anyone’s heart, “Mina, you’re up early”. Nova stepped aside and held the door open for me. I thought about the situation for a minute, gathered up my courage and I went into his room. His room didn’t appear much different from his suite on his yacht. Bookcases lined the walls with books and scrolls covering every inch of available space in the room. As I entered, I noticed that he didn’t close the door behind me but left it open to the common room. I appreciated his gesture to keep my honor and reputation cleared from all stray comments, “I noticed that you was up so I came to keep you company.”

Nova must have noticed my tentativeness in being in my nightgown because he went to his closet and brought me one of his robes. He placed the robe around my shoulder and I slipped my arms through the holes and tied it around my body. My heart must have been racing at that moment because I could barely think. I was near Nova, right here in the same room and I had him all to myself. I lifted the arm of the robe and caught the smell of Nova in its folds. I had that same smell all around me and I realized that it was Nova’s scent. I wish that I could explain what was happening to my senses that day but even today, writing my memoirs many years removed from the moment, I can’t explain how my heart felt that day and why it always fluttered when I am around Nova.

I noticed a book on the desk and out of curiosity; I sat down at the desk to see what Nova was reading. I could tell that it was written in High Jovian but I could read little of the text. I felt Nova’s hands on my temple and heard him say, “Relax, princess, all will become clear.” I didn’t know it at the time but he spoke directly to my mind. Suddenly, my eyes and mind opened and I began to read the text without a problem. The words came into my mind and formed themselves on my tongue, I was actually speaking High Jovian and I didn’t realize it until years later when I was reading the same book to Serena and she couldn’t understand what I was saying but I thought I was speaking the common language of the kingdom. I didn’t realize how incredible this new knowledge was or how I obtained it in such a short period of time. It was like a curtain being pulled open, I started to read the Jovian Book of the Moon, a treatise on the coming of a group called the Sailor Warriors.

I couldn’t grasp everything the book was trying to tell or understand the message it conveyed to the future. It’s a vague and confusing tale of the future by someone that I think was not playing with all the pieces on the board. As I turned the pages of the tome, I read about the starburst, the crescent lady, and the queen of love, the seer of the flames, the knower of water, and all the others that would form a group that would lead the fight against the great evil. I realize now that this book had an accurate description of the sailor warriors.

The book read more like a romance novel than a work of fiction with the main characters meeting each other while they were young and grew to love each other before the great battle. I was taken by the couple in the book and I asked Nova if I could read more of it later. “Mina, my library is always opened for the curious. I’ll help you with any language that you have trouble learning.” I leaned back in Nova’s chair, wrapped in his robe, and stared at him. As I looked at his slim frame against the doorway, I realized that I was seeing the most powerful person in the solar system but how could I take him seriously with him dressed in his nightclothes. They were draped loosely over his developing body but I could tell that he was going to be tall and handsome when he grew up.

He pulled up a chair opposite me and drew closer to the table. Nova was digging through some reports on his desk but I could see that he was deep in thought. I reached my hand to him and gently touch the back of his right hand. He turned his hand over and my fingers locked with his, “Nova, is everything all right?” Nova looked up at me with those beautiful green eyes, “It’s okay. I’m just pondering over the design of my new warship. Want to see?” I put down the book and went to Nova’s side of the desk. I don’t want to give you the idea that I knew everything about space ships design but I have seen enough of them to realize that this ship was fast, powerful and beautiful in its own right. “It’s beautiful…” was the only words that came from my mouth. Suddenly I said, “What’s its name?”

“Her name, Mina, all ships are addressed as female, it’s been a tradition for many years but I haven’t named her.” Nova thought for a moment and I saw a gleam in his eyes, “I’ll call her the Princess Mina!”

My heart must have skipped a beat; Nova was naming the great warship after me. I thought about the name in my mind and spoke out loud without a thought, “The Princess Mina … no Nova, I wasn’t trying to get you to name it after me.”

Nova picked up a pen from the desk, “Well, it’s a good name for her.” And he penned in the name of his new ship at the bottom of the drawings. “There, it’s official.”

I didn’t realize what I was doing but I had my hands on Nova’s shoulders and my face next to his. I didn’t want to move from that spot but I know that I had reached a turning point in my life. A moment of time that occurs once but you have a clarity concerning what you will do with the rest of your life. Before that single moment of time, I only had a little girl’s daydream about love but then I realized that even at six and one-half years, I had fallen deeply in love. I always believed that I fell in love with Nova at that very moment and my destiny was planned for me to be at an exact location at an exact time. I probably would still be in that position if we haven’t heard a knock for the outer door.

Nova and I answered the door and found my mother on the other side. She was coming to collect me for breakfast. She immediately invited Nova to join my father and he willingly accepted. We separated and went to our rooms to dress for breakfast. Mother came with me and we had a long talk. Yes, it was that talk that young girls receive from their parents but I already knew everything that she was saying to me but I let her continue her speech with a casual nod of my head at the appropriate time to show her that I was listening to her. I know that she was doing this for my own good and trying to protect me but I assured her that Nova was a perfect gentleman and would always protect me from any harm.

At breakfast, Nova told my father that he was reviewing the troops at Trinity Base and extended an invitation as his guest. Father declined the invitation because he was meeting with other houses to discuss matters concerning the negotiation of trade treaties and Mother was spending some time with the Queen. Father asked if Nova could extend his invitation to me and escort me today to give Mother and the Queen some time together. Nova readily agreed to his proposal and formally invited me to join him on his outing. After breakfast, I quickly went to the suite and found Serena. I wanted to ask her advice about getting the proper attire for the outing since I never have reviewed troops before in my life and I really didn’t know the first thing I needed to make the correct expression on Nova’s troops. Serena suggested that I needed a new outfit for the day but I started to protest, telling Serena that House Venus didn’t have a great deal of money with us to buy new clothes for every day. Serena quieted my protest and told me that Nova asked Father’s permission to buy me new clothes the night before because he expected me to go with him on his review of the troops. I don’t know how Nova knew that my father would ask if I could go with him but I couldn’t even hold that single thought when Serena grabbed my hand and she said that she was taking me to the outfitters while Nova arranged the transportation.

Serena took me to her outfitter located in the south wing of the palace where the Imperial clothiers were located, along the way she told me that Nova had granted me a commission in his personal force and I could wear the uniform of a commander so he was expected to purchase my first uniform which I can wear without Father having to spend any money to buy the uniform. Luckily for me, the outfitter was an older lady, and not some gruff old fellow, who took my measurement and said that all she had to do was modify one of the one that she was making for Serena. As she was altering the uniform, I noticed that the uniform of a High Guard commander was remarkably similar to my birthday gown and jacket. The uniform was beautiful, blue and gold with enough pale orange lace and frills to make one realize the wearer was female. Even though I had the curves of a little girl, no one would doubt that the uniform was official.

Serena and I dressed in her room while Nova prepared himself for the trip in his room. Serena made some unkind remarks about my wanting to dress in Nova’s room and after I spoke to her, I realize that she may have been correct. I never realized that a young boy could be handsome, but there was Nova, in his blue and gold uniform, the most wonderful sight that I had ever seen in my young life. Nova adjusted my uniform and placed the same necklace that I wore last night around my neck. He kissed Serena and me on the cheek and extended his arms for us and, together, we walked to our parents’ rooms to show off our outfits.

Nova arranged a skimmer to take us the two hundred miles to Trinity Base. The High Guards that accompanied our group treated us with such high respect that it amazed me. On our way to the base, I asked Serena why the soldiers seemed in awe of Nova.

“He’s … Nova. I know that seems a strange response but the High Guards do not stay with Nova for money but out of what he represents for the future.” I looked at Nova, “Serena, I still don’t understand. I mean… even my father treats Nova like he either belongs in heaven or hell. They don’t know whether he is a savior or a devil dressed in blue.”

Serena looked down at the deck of the skimmer and I could tell that I asked a question that disturbed her but she raised her head slightly, “It has been hard the last few years. Nova almost drove all of us away when he thought that riches were the driving force he needed to fight the Negaverse. It took Mother’s and mine tears to break him from that path but along the way, he amassed a vast fortune but for a while, we stopped talking to him.”

I interrupted Serena, “I keep hearing about the Negaverse. What is it?”

“The Negaverse is a collection of monsters, no … let’s say … entities that are empowered by the dark forces of the universe. Nova formed one force, the High Guards, to combat them but he has told me of a future force, consisting of ten warriors that will cause the Negaverse to cower in fear. Nova calls them the Sailor Warriors and soon you may see the first warrior.”

The rest of the ride was completed in silence as I stared at the back of Nova’s head. It’s hard to imagine, even today, that he is the driving force in the fight of the domination of the solar system. The wind blew through his hair making it a total mess. I always thought he should braid his hair and sometimes he humors me by letting me braid it down his back. His lovely black hair reminds me of the depth of the universe. I’m sorry but I always will think of him as that little boy.

We arrived at Trinity base; it’s very impressive because of its sheer size of the compound where we landed. I have been to a couple of my father’s training camp but I have never had seen the number of barracks and buildings. Father only allowed me to leave the transport to walk to his tent so I never really saw any of the troops that he commanded. In the distance I heard thunder. Serena explained that two legions were training near the center of the crater about 20 miles away and the sound I heard was their weapons. Nova extended his arm and I laid my hand on top of his and helped me up the stairs to the viewing stand. The parade of troops passed before us and it took every bit of my mother’s training not to laugh when the grizzled veterans saluted our group. I then realized that they were saluting me.

My head was spinning with the sights I was walking past the viewing platform. Legion after legion blurred in my mind the seemingly endless formations paraded in tight formation before Nova and us. All the soldiers were saluting and they were pledging their lives to the young prince’s cause without a moment of hesitation. The ships that flew overhead were awe-inspiring in size and weapons as they dwarfed any ship that I had ever seen in my life. Never had such a powerful force been assembled and its only purpose was the defense of the Silver Kingdom. Entire families had joined Nova and pledged their lives, the children lives, and even their grandchildren lives to his cause.

I looked at Nova, what pressure must be on his small shoulders. My heart poured out to him and then I realized that he was looking at me. “Mina, come here. Let my people sees the beauty of Venus.” I went to Nova and he held my hand at his side as we wave at the soldiers. I stood at Nova’s side for twenty minutes until the last soldier past the viewing stand. I realized as I stood there watching the lines of soldiers that my place, in the whole universe, was at Nova’s side. I knew that a relationship between my house and Nova’s would be of great values to my father but I would give up all my family’s titles and lands just to remain by Nova’s side.

I started to visualize plans in my head to win Nova’s affection. I thought that if I denounce my titles and flee to his side, but I gave that up because Nova would not support such a plan, family is very important to him. I finally knew what I should do; I must convince my father that a marriage between Nova and myself would stabilize his hold on Venus and maybe, just maybe one day, I could dedicate my entire life to him.

I came back with Nova and Serena away from the crowds that were gathering, I haven’t realized it but I was still holding Nova’s hand when we went aboard the skimmer a half hour later. Nova kissed my hand as he seated me next to Serena and went forward to pilot the vehicle on our journey back to the palace. Serena sat silently by me looking out the window as the craft lifted from the ground. When we were in flight, she leaned over to me and whispered, “I hope you won’t get mad at me but … do you have feelings for Nova?” Her question took me by complete surprise even though I was thinking the same thoughts just minutes ago, “ I … yes, it’s hard to say what they are but I believe that I’m destined to be at his side in the future.”

Serena’s response was equally surprising as her question; she hugged me and said, “Promise me that you will make him a good wife. He may appear to always be in control but he still needs the love of his family and his future wife.”

Serena and I traded secrets about Nova and his life. I never knew the true story about his and Serena’s birth but rumors about that day that took the former King and his Queen spread around the kingdom. Serena’s eyes watered slightly as she told me the details after I swore that I would never tell another soul. My heart grew sorrowful for my future fiancé when I held the full story and I realized that the Queen and Serena was the only family he had ever knew until Mother and I came along. Maybe that’s why family is so important to Nova; he lost half his immediate family seconds after he was born.

When we returned to the palace, Nova reached towards me and I grabbed his hand and held it in mine as I drew close to his side. The Queen and my mother greeted us on our return with a wink and giggles. Sometimes I can’t understand grownups, carrying on like little kids. Mother and I left the party and went to join my father for supper. He was already at the table reading some papers when he looked up at us. “Well, well, my little commander, what did you learn today?”

For some reason, I’ve never figured out why I blurted out my response but everything in my head came out. I told him that I thought that House Venus and the Silver Kingdom needed to form a strong bond and commitments so I should marry Prince Nova … when we are a suitable age. There was dead silence in the room as my parents stared at each other across the table. The quiet was strange so to break it I said, “Daddy, I like Nova. I know that I love him and I am destined to be at his side forever.” My father looked at me, rose from his chair and held his arms towards me. I ran to him and fell in his arms. As he hugged me he said, “What a daughter you have gave me. She is setting her future and the future of our house at the age of six.” Father held me for a while and then let Mother cradle me in her arms as he left to find the Queen.

My mother drew me close, “Mina, do you realize what you and your father are doing? You are uniting Venus and the Moon together, now and forever. Nova can’t inherit the Silver Kingdom but wed to you, he will have control of House Venus and the Duchy of the Moon. Together, your new house will be the most powerful in the Silver Kingdom … maybe even greater than the Silver Kingdom. I hope that the two of you know what you’re doing.”

I reassured my mother that I realized what the union means to House Venus and I hope that I would make Nova a good wife. When Father returned for dinner in a few minutes he looked at us and said, “Serenity is all for the union but I didn’t know that Nova was not under her guardianship so he will have to sign the documents for the engagement contract. Serenity is drawing up the papers tonight and will talk to Nova about the arrangements in the morning.”

I left my parents and went to my room. I was glad that Nova was not present in the common room because I didn’t know if I could face him after my father’s discovery. I thought that Nova didn’t have to know that the engagement was my idea. I wanted him to believe that his sister and my father entering into a contract would keep my name out of the discussion as the person that presented the idea. My father, now, was duty bound to tell him who proposed the contract if Nova asked him the question. My heart was sinking, by the moment, as I envisioned Nova turning from me as someone just after his money and power but I would face that problem when … or if it happens.

I heard a door creak open behind me as I opened my door. Serena must have seen me enter my room because I soon heard a tiny and tentative knock at my door. Serena entered the room and with no word, came to me and cradled my head on her shoulder. “It’s all right. I heard what your father and my mother talked about after we returned from Trinity Base.”

“Serena, does Nova know that it was me that suggested it?”

Serena stroked my cheek and wiped the tears from my eyes, “Of course, he knows. Mother always tells him everything.”

My small heart shattered as I began to sob again. Serena held me in her arms, “Don’t Cry, Mother told me that Nova has asked her to continue the talks on the contract.” I realized what she was saying and my tears of sadness became tears of joy. Nova didn’t hate me for suggesting the union of our houses; instead he is asking his sister to work out the contract.

I didn’t see Nova the rest of the week while the two families worked out the engagement contract. Nova sent me a letter telling me that according to Kanly laws; he could not see me during the negotiations. He assured me that he would not demand a large dowry but only enough to satisfy anyone who read the contract. He ended his letter by ending it; “I do love you even though we have not known each other long. Yours forever. Prince Nova Nuelin – Grand Duke of the Moon.”

My heart soared as I read the letter and Serena helped a great deal by encouraging and entertaining me whenever I was depressed from the lack of Nova’s presence. I believe that this week was the longest of my life as others were determining my future and I had no control over it even though I was the one that suggested the change in our lives.

My mother has told me that the Kanly contract was completed except for Nova’s signature. She quickly explained that Nova’s generals wanted to review the contract before he signed the document. I knew in my heart that the generals had no hard feelings towards me but they did represent the High Guard that had a large stake in Nova’s life and future. Mother reminded me that I had to dress for the signing ceremony as she left the room.

I knocked on Serena’s door, “Serena are you in?” As the door opened I said, “Serena, you have to help me pick out what to wear to the ceremony.” Serena hurried to her closet and started to sort through her clothes.

She looked at every gown she had and she had a great deal of gowns, “We need to find something that will set you apart from everyone else and accent your figure.”

I looked at myself in the mirror, “I’m afraid that I don’t have the ‘equipment’ that will accent my figure. In fact, I don’t think that I have a figure.”

Serena walked over to me, “I never want to hear you say that again. Mina, you’re a beautiful girl. You have beautiful eyes and face but your long hair accents your personality. I shouldn’t tell you this but Nova told me that he couldn’t tell who was more beautiful at the ball; his niece or his cousin.” Serena called for someone to bring the royal seamstress to the suite.

The seamstress was told of the problem and suggested a simple white gown trimmed in gold and blue lace. After she measured me, she told Serena that the gown would be ready by morning and quickly left the room.

With the problem of my gown solved, Serena turned to jewelry. She insisted that I wear the necklace we took from Nova’s room but she found a pair of star sapphire earrings that she said matched my eyes. I was lucky that I had my ears pierced or I believe that Serena would have had it done for me to wear those earrings.

Serena fussed over me more than my mother. She finally told me why. She liked me and she knew that I would be good for Nova, her uncle, so it was correct for her to find the perfect aunt for herself. I gave Serena a big hug because I knew that I was doing the right thing. My whole future seemed to come into sharp focus. I would be Nova’s wife, the mother of his children, and his most devout supporter in the fight against the Negaverse. I would not be a follower but at his side.

Author’s Note:

So end the second chapter in Mina’s narrative. She stands poise to commit herself to Nova’s side for the rest of her life. More will be told in the next chapter “Kanly Love” including the origin of the Sailor Warrior’s power and the tale of the Dark Queen.