Chapter 2: Hansuke

Kiyoko's mother, Neo Queen Serenity stood in the courtyard, her arms crossed and her face stern, "You will do this Kiyoko. I haven't pressured you in a long time because of that debacle with Lord Rida. But it is time to try your hand at love again."

Exasperated, Kiyoko threw her hands up. She knew she'd never win so she told her mother, "Fine mother, I will see him. But there will be no balls and no more of Minako's dresses!" There was no way she was living through that hell again!

Her mother seemed to understand this point at least. She replied, "Alright. That is understandable. I've invited him to the palace tomorrow. He seems like a very nice young man."

Kiyoko couldn't help herself and the words escaped her mouth as if they had a mind of their own, "That is what you said last time." Her mother didn't say anything, which was worse than when she yelled sometimes. She just walked away. Kiyoko sighed and knew she had to give this Hansuke a fair chance or her mother wouldn't forgive her.

That afternoon Kiyoko was sitting in the castle library, enjoying reading about ancient history. She sat under the skylight at one of the gorgeous white tables. She sensed her father and pulled out the chair next to her for him. Not looking up she said, "Good afternoon father."

Endymion sat down and spoke, never expecting Kiyoko to look away from something she was reading, "Your mother is worried that you're not going to give Hansuke a chance. You know, not all men are like Hansamu."

This actually made Kiyoko look up, "Of course I know that father. You and Helios aren't like that. And even though she isn't technically a man, Haruka isn't like that. I promised mother that I would give him a chance and I will."

Endymion chuckled, "You're afraid she won't forgive you, right?" Kiyoko just nodded and he continued, "You realize your stubbornness comes from her. Now what are you reading?" This was a much more comfortable area of discussion and so she angled the book so that her father could see it better and the two of them spent the rest of the afternoon discussing ancient history.

Early the next morning Kiyoko heard a knock at her door. She was standing in her closet trying to decide what to wear. It was her sister. Kiyoko stuck her head out of the door to her closet and called Serenity in. Serenity came in and found Kiyoko standing there, wearing a robe, and looking so confused. She couldn't help but laugh, "What's wrong Kiyo-chan?"

Kiyoko just stood there, slightly flushed, and said, "I can't figure out what to wear to meet this Hansuke! I promised mother AND father I would give him a fair chance!"

Serenity tried to stop laughing, "Well then, you must be serious. Let's take a look here." She looked through some of Kiyoko's things hanging and picked out a deep purple sleeveless blouse with just a touch of lace and a flaring black skirt that went to her knees and some soft suede black boots. She held them out to Kiyoko and smiled, "There. You'll look beautiful, casual, and yet mysterious." Kiyoko wasn't sure of her sister's assessment, but her choices were better than what Minako would've chosen.

After she'd dressed and such Kiyoko walked to the courtyard where Serenity told her that Hansuke was waiting. He stood when she approached, clearly in awe of her beauty, and introduced himself, "It is an honor to meet you princess. My name is Hansuke Shinsetsu." He bowed graciously.

Kiyoko smiled, allowing her magical senses to spread out, unwilling to take chances after Rida. She got the sense that Hansuke was a genuinely nice young man. She curtseyed and replied, "Thank you. I hope it's alright that I call you Hansuke." He assured her that it was and so they walked through the courtyards of the Crystal Palace. As they walked they discussed many things. Hansuke was as nice as Kiyoko had sensed.

When the sun started to set Kiyoko looked up at the breathtaking view, "The view is breathtaking, isn't it?" Hansuke agreed and tentatively put his hand in hers. It wasn't like she'd expected. She thought that should be some igniting feeling, but it felt exactly like it looked, touching another hand. Remember her parents' lessons about not reading someone else's mind without their permission, Kiyoko resisted the urge to see what Hansuke was thinking.

When the sun had set Kiyoko told Hansuke that she had duties to attend to and they made plans to see one another again the next day. She wasn't sure how romance worked, but she did enjoy his company. Afterward she went to see to the temple duties she'd neglected for the afternoon.

As she tended the roses Helios found her. He smiled at her, "Well at least you seem like you're in a better mood than after the ball."

Kiyoko smiled back and replied, "I am. He is very nice." She pondered a moment and then asked Helios a question, "What is it like when you hold Serenity's hand?" She continued with the roses, unable to look at her brother-in-law.

Helios looked down at his own hands, "Holding her hand? Well, it's like electricity running from Serenity to myself. It's warm and comforting and igniting at the same time. Why do you ask?"

She just shook her head and smiled, "No reason brother. I will make sure all of my duties are tended to and then come to dinner." He agreed to see her at dinner, choosing not to press things.

The next morning Kiyoko wore a navy dress that went to her knee with a pair of matching tights and boots. She met Hansuke at the front gates of the castle. They had planned to go into the city to see the beautiful fountains that lay near the center of the city.

As she reached Hansuke he bowed again, "Good morning princess. You look lovely in this light. Shall we go?" He offered her his hand. She examined it with her eyes for an instant before taking it. It was just like the day before, no electricity, and no ignition.

They walked slowly to the fountain, discussing some of the ancient history Kiyoko had been studying recently. Hansuke found it very interesting. History wasn't his forte. Hansuke was a musician. He was excited to learn that Kiyoko was also, especially to learn that she could sing. He played the flute and had actually brought his with him at his mother's suggestion. Kiyoko laughed, "Your mother sounds a bit like mine." Then they both laughed.

When they reached the fountains the two of them found a bench. Kiyoko sat down, while Hansuke readied his flute to play for her. The melody he played was absolutely beautiful and melancholy. When he finished there were tears in Kiyoko's eyes. Hansuke set down his flute and took her hand. She looked down at their hands together. It wasn't right. That only made Kiyoko sadder because Hansuke was such a nice man.

She looked up at him, poor Hansuke, feeling like she owed him the truth, "Hansuke…. I… I …" She didn't know how to make the words come out… words that would hurt this gentle man.

Hansuke smiled, "I understand princess Kiyoko. You are an amazing creature. You're beautiful, intelligent, talented, dedicated, and very kind. Too kind to tell me that you don't feel anything romantic for me." He wiped a tear from her cheek and then kissed it, "Don't worry. I appreciate your honesty more than you know. Shall we be friends? I'd still like to hear you sing one day." She nodded and Kiyoko was happy that even though this outcome wouldn't make her mother happy, she'd kept her word.