Author's note: A plot bunny came to me in a car shop! This has got to be my 2nd favorite couple in Sailor Moon, hands down. Unfortunately not much is written about them, so I followed one of the oldest rules of fanfiction. If you don't see it, write it yourself! I have to admit I was inspired by the show Reign! I'm a serious Mash fan (That's Mary & Bash)! This may not be my best work but I think I did well considering my son is wide awake. I usually write when I'm completely alone with no distractions.

This story is connected to Bittersweet Circumstances & Once upon a dream. You would only have to read Bittersweet Circumstances if you want to know how Rei & Chad got to this point & Once upon a dream has a crucial point to this one that takes place AFTER this story, so it's better to read those fics first before this one.

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Chapter one: A forgetful knight

Rei walked out of the library in a huff. She had spent a good portion of an hour looking for Chad in the Mars Palace this morning & came to the library last hoping he finally made it to his lesson. There was so much to be done even though their wedding is four months away. If Chad is to be King Consort, much needed instruction on royal etiquette, diplomacy & the royal family history had to be taught. It was second nature to Rei because she is Heiress Apparent. Marrying into the royal family is almost a job in itself.

Suddenly Rei had an epiphany & playfully slapped her forehead. "Of course...", she muttered. She twirling around, making her gown fan out slightly & went down the stairs. Going through the servants' entrance, she left the palace crossing the courtyard. She shivered a bit at the cold & hurried her pace. Mars is a naturally warm planet but the winter season was short & brutal. Not many dared to venture out when the frost begins to fall. She entered the horses stable & quickly shut the door behind her to keep what little heat there was inside. Chad was born into a long line of knights, so Rei should have thought to check here first.

Picking up her red riding boots, Rei slipped off her wet silk slippers & stepped into the warm shoes. The obvious sounds of combat, yells & clicks of wooden swords hitting the target, came from the King's stallion pen. Only those who were privileged to work closely with the King could enter there, therefore Rei knew who was there before rounding the corner & walking in the dimly lit area. The large horse stall was empty due to the King out riding for the day entertaining some nobles. Walking inside, Rei saw Chad practicing hitting a target column & doing some dodging exercises. After watching for a few moments, Rei cleared her throat to announce her presence.

Chad spun around, startled at the sudden intrusion but brightened up when he saw Rei. She was standing there with her hands on her hips in a familiar strapless gown. It was a dark gray gown with a red-orange sash & red lace trim. Very informal, so Rei must have had a free day. 'It's much too cold out for that type of dress…', Chad thought. 'She must have left on a whim to find me...oh crap!'.

"Right...I was supposed to be in the library for my class on rules & regulations…an a hour ago?', Chad said with a nervous tone. Seeing Rei nod expectantly, he tried to joke his way out of trouble. "Honestly, we took it in school AND in knight training...it should be illegal to take it a third time!", Chad said with fake anger. As much as Rei wanted to be mad, she smirked a bit at his joke.

"Yes I know, but being that you will be King, it's a different side of the law. You find out what your full powers will be as well as the history behind them. We may be a monarchy but we're very open with the people & non aggressive. Although some think we're too weak to rule…", Rei said with an annoyed tone of voice as her happy face twisted into a scowl thinking about the past.

The King's notorious temper made him a few enemies in his youth due to the fact that he came into power early at the passing of his father. The King's father had become gravely ill & died suddenly leaving his 15 year old son in charge but he has since proven to be a formidable ruler after the Galaxy summit meeting, which helped to prevent an intergalactic war 40 years ago. Some doubters remain & tried to start an uprising but the King's allies helped to stop numerous riots on the planet. These were the reasons he was so tough on Rei growing up but he has lightened up tremendously, though some things such as lessons & formality, still had to be followed.

Chad put a hand on her shoulder to calm her down & felt the velvety skin was icy cold. He immediately took off his shirt & draped it over her shoulders. "You need to get back inside now. You didn't have to look for me. I would have come in before lunch to find you & go to class...a few minutes late", Chad told her feeling bad she risked catching a cold to find him.

Rei shot him a look of mock anger. "Try a few HOURS, Hogasha! Anyway, it can wait. We have to go to the Moon Kingdom today. The Masquerade Ball is in 6 days & I'm not missing this one! It'll be the first time the five of us have been together in almost 8 months. I'm very excited! And it's your first official function!". The excitement in her voice was because she hasn't seen her friends since Chad's medal ceremony a few months ago, which also turned into their engagement party when Chad proposed to her a few hours before hand.

Chad groaned & pretended to try to run away but Rei hold onto his hand firmly. " Oh joy... I get to wear a stiff collared shirt & two sizes too small shoes! Why can't I wear my Knight uniform?!", Chad whined.

"Stop being funny", Rei said hugging his arm. "No it's a costume ball. I picked the unicorn & you're a lion. I think it suits your character. You are very noble & brave".

Chad leaned down & kissed his princess. Since they were engaged, they were free to express their love for each other openly, though they remained formal when in the King's presence. "Why thank you, your highness! Your costume choice suits you as well.

"Oh really,? How so? I look like a horse to you?", she smirked.

Stifling a laugh because he was trying to be serious, he tucked a dark curl of hair behind her ear & looked into her purple eyes. "Such a beautiful & intelligent woman like you can only exist in fairy tales. I'm the most fortunate man in the universe because you agreed to marry me". Chad's cheeks bloomed a reddish-pink hue as he finished; not thinking it would turn out so poetic but he meant every word.

Rei's eyes filled with tears at Chad's declaration. It's been almost a year & he stilled surprised her at times with moments like these. She hoped they would have many more years of this. Since her mother died when she was a child, Rei never had tender moments or strong emotions flow until she & Chad got together. Of course her father loved her & told her, but it was more out of a sense of duty than love. Rei got on her tippy toes & planted a kiss on Chad's lips.

"Oh god, you're going to make me cry again! I'm going to be a blubbering mess on our wedding day", Rei told Chad as she dabbed at her eyes with the end of her sash. "Now let's go! We have to get to the transporter. Our bags were sent ahead & we want some time to talk to the others before dinner!"

A/N: I won't say how many chapters this will be because I say one thing & write another. LOL But I can say this isn't a one shot. I have the next chapter in mind but my almost 1 year old on (THIS MONDAY IS HIS BIRTHDAY!) is wide awake so right now, it's in my head until I can jot it down. I hope you enjoy this chapter though. I have a strong feeling on who will comment first! Heehee!