Proposal

Zoicite walked into the library. Of course, the library in Io Castle wasn't as big, or as lavish, as the one on the Moon Palace. That seemed to make no different to Princess Mercury, however, she seemed just as comfortable there as at the Moon Palace library. Zoicite stood next to the trimensional viewer, when Mercury looked up.

"Oh, I had no idea you had wanted to view me. No one announced your call."she looked around, confused.

Zoicite shrugged.

"Maybe that's why it just…received it."

"I suppose so…"she answered. "Was there something you wanted to talk to me about?"she asked. "Or perhaps you were trying to reach someone else, and accidentally reached the wrong combination? I could probably look up the right one for you."she said helpfully.

"Uh, no, actually, I'm pretty sure this is the right combination."

"Oh. But there's no one here."she said. "Except for the librarians. Or did you need them to send you books on a certain subject?"

Zoicite didn't know whether to throw his hands up in frustration, or laugh. She didn't seem to notice that he was actually in the library, not just his image. Really, he hadn't counted on this.

"Well, what subject are you reading about?"he asked her.

"Nothing, really. I'm just looking at some history, really. Perhaps something that might be helpful for Jupiter and Nephrite's wedding, I guess, a theme, partly because I might find something she might like, and partly just because…just for fun."

He crossed his arms. Maybe this was his chance.

"Are wedding really that exciting?"he asked.

She looked uncertain.

"Well, perhaps the history might be. You see, all over the Galaxy, they're celebrated in different ways, of course. Most Jovian brides wear their color, green, of course, and-"

"I never knew all that."interrupted Zoicite, noticing that she was probably going to go on and on forever on small details in the huge pile of books in front of her. "But…what about you?"

"What about me?"she asked, taken aback by his interruption.

"What do you imagine your wedding like?"

She looked confused. She mumbled something in Mercurian. He cursed himself for not having been smart enough to consult a dictionary, or at least learn some Mercurian before speaking to her. Perhaps it would be different if he could have proposed to her in Mercurian. After all, he knew that all over the Galaxy people were always pleased when you knew their speech.

"What?"he asked.

"Nothing."she said quickly. "Why do you ask?"she asked in a small voice.

"Because…"now he really wished he'd have been like her and have consulted a book before actually making a move, but this was it, he decided. "Wouldyoumarryme?"he asked.

"Pardon me?"she asked.

"Um, would you marry me?"he said more slowly.

She stared at him, and let out an expletive in Mercurian once more.

"Uh, I don't understand Mercurian."he said. "But I can certainly learn! I love to learn different things, and you can teach me!"he added quickly.

She looked at him as though she could not quite believe her eyes.

"But you're asking to marry me?!"she said. "I think you do have the wrong combination."she told him. "You had better ask your technician to direct you to the right one."she turned back to her book, blushing.

"But I don't have a technician."he said, stepping up to her.

She realized they hadn't been viewing after all.

"You were here all the time?"she asked.

He nodded.

"And I've answered quite a few of your questions. So, will you answer mine?"he asked.

"I-I don't know what to answer. Besides,"she added sternly, "I think we are only here for Princess Jupiter's benefit, even Princess Serenity. Once that is done with, I believe the Princess shall return to the Moon Palace, and depending, us with her, or I will be allowed to return for some time to Marina Castle."

"You just have to give me a yes or no answer. Although if you answer no, I'll just have to wait and ask you again some other time until you make it yes."

Her eyes grew wide.

"You are mad. Leave."

"Uh, yes, I am mad."Zoicite admitted, taking her hand before she could pull it away. "Everyone will agree with you on that. After all, wouldn't it be fun to marry a madman?"

"I don't know what you're talking about!"Mercury said in a small voice.

Just who had taken it upon themselves to have planted such ideas in this man's head? Probably Venus, no doubt. No, that would be impossible. After all, Zoicite only made her uncomfortable. She had always been shy, and had never thought she'd be proposed to, much less married. And yet, it was rather flattering, even if it was this oddball. She would just have to say no. She would offer no explanation. She did have the right to refuse, after all, didn't she? Having made up her mind, she cleared her throat.

"Um, well, I must say, I accept."she froze. That wasn't what she meant to say, was it?