Minako went through the stack of documents on her desk. Just before stamping the last one, she looked up.
"Artemis, there's something I've got to tell you!"she told Artemis.
"Oh?"
"I am going give my husband a Venusian title, and knight him in the Order of Aphrodite!"
Artemis nodded. It made perfect sense. The Princess of Venus had wed one of the Prince Endymion of Earth's Shittenou, which everyone, including the Empress of the Moon, thought very fitting. After all, Minako, as Princess of Venus was the leader of the Crown Princess of Moon's four guardians, and Sir Kunzite was the leader of the Prince of Earth's guardians.
"It's fine to give him a title, Minako, but I believe His Royal Highness of Earth has already knighted him."he said.
"And just who says anyone can be knighted to only one order?"
"True."
"And haven't all Venusian royal consorts belonged to the Order of Aphrodite? And I am the sovereign of the Order of Aphrodite. Don't I get to choose who's to be a knight or lady of that order?"
"It's only that the Venusian Order of Aphrodite is higher in hierarchy than the Terran Order of Shittenou."
"And the Lunar Order of Selene is higher than the Order of Aphrodite. No one on Venus has ever taken any kind of offense in that I am a Lady of Selene as well as a Lady of Aphrodite. I'm not sure what's gotten into you, Artemis! I'd have thought I'd have your full support."
"You do, I was just testing your knowledge of the subject."
She glared at him.
"I'm too old to be reciting lessons!"
"But putting that aside, you said you also wanted to give him a title. I'll begin to draw up the paperwork immediately. What title did you have in mind?"
"A dukedom, obviously. I think the 'sir' of a knight is just…well, I would like Kunzite to be styled 'lord' of a duke."
"Of course. It really wouldn't be right for him to be any less. I'll have to see what duchy would be adequate."
Minako waved her hand.
"Not necessary. You see, I've already decided. I am going to bestow on my husband the title of Duke of Ishtar. So now let's draw up the necessary paperwork, Artemis! And quickly! I want to perform that ceremony as soon as possible!"
Before Artemis had a chance to say anything, she had already left the room.
Having informed Artemis of her decision, Minako went to find Kunzite.
"Signatures, seals, state duties, all that takes up a lot of time!"she exclaimed.
"Perhaps, but it is what is required of your position."Kunzite answered.
"I know, but-oh, this just isn't something that I can be subtle about! Kunzite, I've decided to knight you in the Order of Aphrodite and to give you a dukedom! I have Artemis preparing everything right now!"
"This is really something I never would have expected, Minako! But are you sure?"he asked. "Or is it just an excuse for you to throw more banquets, balls, and masques?"
Minako pretended to look hurt.
"You think I would use such a thing as an excuse?"
"But of course not. You know I would never think that, although this really is a surprise."
"I forgot, my lord duke, that you only pretend to look so calm and serious."
"I don't think you'd ever have married me if I didn't pretend. Or if I really was."
"Although, you know, Kunzite,"Minako was frowning. "something Artemis mentioned. Why is it that you are styled as only a knight?"
"Because I am a knight."
"I mean shouldn't you styled something higher? You are not only the leader of the Crown Prince's guard, but also you are a crown prince yourself. Of the middle east. On Earth."
"You're a royal highness, not a majesty."he pointed out.
"Venus is a principality, not an empire, or a kingdom for that matter."
"Because I was knighted, I'm addressed as 'sir', obviously, as for crown prince, it's like the principality of Venus, you could say. But Terran or Venusian politics,"he waved his hand, dismissing them. "That's for another time."
"That's something in which I agree."
"There's something we need to discuss, Minako."said Artemis the next day.
"Oh?"
"You can't do this."
Minako looked puzzled.
"You can not give Kunzite the dukedom of Ishtar."he said, sounding firm.
"But of course I can! That duchy belongs to the crown. And I'm bestowing it on Kunzite."
"That dukedom can only be held by members of the Venusian royal family."
"That's not a problem. As my husband Kunzite is a member of the Venusian royal family."
"You know what I mean, Minako! Only those born into the House of Aphrodite, not those who marry into it! There is absolutely no precedent for a consort holding a dukedom such as Ishtar, which has only been held by members born into the Venusian royal family. There might be some who feel that it…is not right."
"I haven't found that written anywhere. And I've looked. It's really only tradition, not an actual law or anything. Besides, there are those who've married into the family who have been duke or duchess of Ishtar."
"Duke or duchess consorts, not holding the title in their own right."
"I've made up my mind."Minako said impatiently. "And don't you dare tell him, or anyone for that matter. I'd like it to be a surprise. I can see you're thinking of telling him to convince me to change my mind. And I forbid you to tell the Empress of the Moon, as well. I will know. You know you can't hide secrets from me."
She was right, Artemis knew. Venusians were well known throughout the galaxy for their adept ability to tell peoples' emotions just from observing their gestures. In some parts of the galaxy, people thought they possessed telepathy.
Of course, those who knew anything about them would know that it was simply observing a person's gestures to guess their emotions. Anything so simple like lowering one's gaze, the way one held one's handkerchief, a rising of the eyebrows, to them could say a lot.
Obviously Minako could tell that Artemis was thinking to find a way to impede her from bestowing this dukedom on Kunzite.
"It'll be a surprise for everyone, Artemis. Everyone will know that he is to be knighted and titled, however, they will not know which title I shall give him. That everyone will know at the actual ceremony. It's a shame only I can be there."
None of the other planetary princesses and certainly not the crown prince and princess or the Empress of the Moon could attend the ceremony. As the reigning sovereign of Venus, the Princess of Venus had to be highest in the order of precedence. The other planetary princesses would be at her level, and the Lunar royal family would certainly outrank her.
"Maybe they could come as the wives of the shitennou, instead of the planetary princesses?"suggested Artemis. "As such, they would be at their husbands' level. Kunzite and yourself would outrank them. Then they could attend as well."
Minako clapped her hands.
"Artemis, you're a genius!"
"Not a genius enough to get you to change your mind on this. Some of your Venusian subjects might not like it."
"Why wouldn't they? It can't be because he's a foreigner, why my father was not Venusian, either! The people were thrilled at my marriage-"
"I know, I know. There is absolutely no reason why you can not knight Kunzite, or give him the dukedom you intend. I just have a very bad feeling about this. I don't know why."
"Oh, and remember to make sure each and every single officer in my army is there. Mmm, I think the ones who have been elevated in rank around this same time should be…given a medal. Like the coins that are given to all the babies born on the same when a Duchess of Ceres is born."
"That makes sense."Artemis nodded. "They would be made of only the rarest Venusian gold. They should be stamped by his seal. Speaking of which."he handed Minako a paper. "That would be more or less what the coat of arms and seal would be."
Minako nodded her head in approval.
"I'll show it to him and see what he thinks."
"I think it looks just fine, Minako."said Kunzite when she showed him the sketch.
"The coat of arms is also quartered both with that of your own kingdom of the Middle East on Earth. Only I'm not sure to use the ducal coronet, or the one you already use. You choose. The motto should go on top of the crown, or coronet."
"I've suggested that your seal also go on all documents along with Minako's own."said Artemis. "You know I've never liked the fact that you carry your royal seal on your ring, Minako. If we have to have two seals, then it would certainly be more…secure. Hopefully, you will have me carry half of it, and you yourself or someone else carry the other half."
"Aphrodite carried the ring, instead of entrusting it to anyone else. Besides, just where could it be safer than on my own person? Are you just upset because you aren't keeping it, like your predecessors did? I'd never have thought that of you, Artemis."
"Artemis is right in that. I don't think it's safe to carry your seal with you. There's a reason why it is broken in half and two different people carry each one."
"My ancestress carried a ring. The only way for anyone to steal it would be to harm me, which isn't very likely, if it is likely at all, is it?"she argued.
"You do have a point there. No one would ever harm you."His right hand went to his sword.
"I was hoping you'd help talk some sense into her."sighed Artemis. "Now it seems you're agreeing with her instead."
Minako's gaze softened.
"Artemis, I know you think of what's best for me, for my planet, for the empire, but I don't know why you're making such a big deal. But I like that both of our seals should be on official documents-"
"Yours preceding."Artemis cut in. "Now just don't get me wrong in all this. I'm just doing what's right."
"You put too much emphasis on hierarchy and precedence."
"It is important. People set a great deal on it. Only think just what happens when someone thinks their place in the order of precedence is lower than it should be."Kunzite pointed out.
"As a consort and a duke of Venus, you will be the first gentleman, but you will still walk one step behind Minako. Speaking of coins and seals, the officers who will be elevated in honor of the occasion will also receive a special medal."
"Not gold."Minako said thoughtfully. "It's too…not special exactly."
While on other planets gold was highly valued because it was rare, on Venus it wasn't exactly common, but it wasn't exactly rare, either, so it wasn't exactly as highly prized as on other planets. Venus was very rich in just about all sort of metals. The only rare metal on Venus was a certain type which only royalty were allowed to wear. The only truly rare metal was selenium, which was found in higher quantities on the Moon.
"Stones! We have a lot of metals, but not too many precious stones or minerals, really. And it should be kunzite. It is you we are honoring, after all."
"Those will probably have to be sent for from Earth. At least I don't think they're found on Venus."said Kunzite, turning to Artemis
"There's plenty in the exchequer."Artemis answered.
"Although there's no need to go through an entire masque, banquet, ball and everything, either. The exchequer may not be empty, but I've never seen the need to empty it so…easily."
"I thought you were a stickler for protocol."Minako told him. "And on these ceremonies, it is custom, and protocol, that demands such a thing."
"Is it also custom to grant a consort a dukedom? A knighthood, yes, but a dukedom?"asked Kunzite.
"There's nothing that says it's against custom. Don't tell me you're siding with Artemis on this! Besides, I'm sure everyone at court, everyone on Venus will be thrilled. It's a good excuse for a celebration,"Minako tried not to smile. "You must know by now that we like to celebrate. And you do, too!"
"I should have known that would be something to deal with when marrying a Venusian."Kunzite smiled. "That you can see right through me."
"And I can tell you aren't as serious as you try to pretend to be. You just like to give that impression. You're just the head of the prince's guards."she sounded thoughtful.
"As you are of the princess's."
"At last! It's taken forever!"exclaimed Minako.
"That's just the problem with any festivities, Your Royal Highness."one of her ladies answered. "Especially one you're so determined should come out so perfect!"
"I'm not only excited for you, for Sir Kunzite, but also for my brother, Adonis."the lady handing her her fan said. "He's going to be given by the new duke himself one of the medals commemorating the occasion. It will be something he will be very proud to wear on his uniform. You should only know how much he admires Your Royal Highness as well."
"Who wouldn't admire or respect their sovereign?"said another lady-in-waiting absentmindedly.
It was definitely one of the grandest occasions Magellan Castle had seen in all its history. Minako sat on her throne, wearing the vestments of the Order of Aphrodite, smiling as she surveyed the court. The entire court must be here! she thought. The crowd certainly looked like it.
"It looks like the entire court is here, Artemis!"she whispered.
"It certainly seems so. I'm not sure I've ever seen so many people assembled for one ceremony in all of my nine lives!"said Artemis, as he began to read the admonitions.
As soon as he finished, he took the first cushion presented him from the Mistress of the Queen's Household, and then offered it to Minako in turn. Minako herself put the mantle over Kunzite's shoulders, and put the sash on his uniform, the spurs on his ankles, and finally the star of the Order of Aphrodite. Finally, Artemis handed her the seal of the Dukedom of Ishtar and sword of state and Kunzite knelt before her.
"I name Your Grace Duke of Istar, and a Knight of the Order of my ancestress, Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love."
Artemis then began to hand the medals to Kunzite as he pinned then on the different officers' coats.
Artemis had been watching everyone assembled closely as Minako said these words. He did see some eyebrows raised, a few people murmured and some of the ladies slightly opened and closed their fans. Still, there were no frowns or anything, just surprise. There were actually even some smiles, and the murmurs didn't sound disapproving, either. Maybe he had exaggerated. Still, it was certainly a relief that no one seemed to disapprove in any way.
And just why would they, thought Artemis. All the Venusians loved their princess, after all. And they were happy to see her happy in her marriage. Venusians never married for duty, not even royalty, only for love. If she had married Kunzite, it was because she was in love with him. They might have a reputation for being promiscuous throughout the galaxy, but when they married, none in the galaxy were more faithful than they.
Adonis stood among the officer watching Kunzite being invested into the highest order on Venus. He stepped up to receive his own medal from Kunzite. However, his attention was not on him, but on the Princess. He had always wanted to see her up close. Right now she stood only a few feet away and looked beautiful in the vestments of the Order of Aphrodite, and sitting on her throne. He was sure she looked even more beautiful than Aphrodite herself.