Princess, your father has called for you." The servant, a husky old woman, knocked on the door to the princess's chambers. The young woman looked up from her sewing and said, "Please tell him that I will be there shortly"
"Yes, my Princess." The old woman left and the princess sighed. Setting the tapestry, on which she was working, down upon her four poster bed, she tugged at her hair. Her hair was long and slick, like a pane of glass, and black as pitch, though it strangely glinted of green in their moon, Charon. Her father probably just wanted to introduce her to yet another suitor, so she might as well freshen up a bit. She rummaged through her closet, until she found exactly what she wanted.
The gown was as red as pigeon's blood, and constructed of delicate satin. The front was modestly tied like a halter, while the back was seductively open. She finished it by placing a brooch at the neckline. The brooch was shaped like a rose and carved out of the jade stone.
She daintily stepped from her bedchamber and watched in silent delight, as the hemline of her gown dragged behind her. Who would this new suitor be? And what would he look like? Would Father reject another nameless hopeful, trying to be the future King of Pluto? Being the planet Pluto's princess had both its ups and downs. Her father would choose her future husband carefully, since the responsibility of the planet was the Gateway of Time. Protecting time from evil that would want to alter the future, or anything else was no small matter. This assured the princess that she would not get handed over to the highest bidder, like poor Princess Venus.
The downside, however, was that duty came before love. Princess Pluto often found it annoying how the Moon Princess, and Princess Jupiter could let their hearts rule their romantic decisions. Of course, their heritage didn't place such a burden on them.
She arrived in the throne room of Charon Castle, and saw her Father sitting on his throne. King Pluto was alone. If it wasn't a suitor, then what was it? She walked over to her father, and bowed to him.
"Setsuna, my daughter." he said. The princess looked up at him, and he continued. "Do you know why I called for you?"
"I thought you had brought another suitor my lord. I believe I was mistaken."
"Setsuna, you are 24. If I had wanted you to have a husband, you would have been married by now." His daughter was clearly shocked. Her jaw opened with a dumbfounded look.
"What?" The king chuckled at her reaction.
"All those suitors were just a test." He said. "I wanted to be positive that you had no romantic emotions towards anyone. Otherwise, you will have a difficult 50 years." Setsuna tilted her head confused. She said, "I don't understand, Father. What do you mean by difficult 50 years?" He smiled at his only daughter and patiently explained. Occasionally, he stopped between sentences to watch her nod.