The Ladies and Knights of the Order of Aphrodite gathered in the Aphrodite Hall, for the investiture ceremony. The six candidates for investiture stood in front of the dais. Minako sat on her throne, wearing her crown, Aphrodite's girdle, and her coronation ring. She wore the golden sash and the star, or rather, heart of the Order of Aphrodite. The Ladies and Knights were dressed in their habits and insignia.
One by one the admonitions were read by Artemis, as chancellor, and Kunzite, as prelate. The candidates swore their oaths to Minako. After their oaths, Minako would put the golden spurs on the new Knight, and the girdles on the new Ladies of the Order.
Then, led by Minako, the Ladies and Knights, with the new Ladies and Knights, walked out of the Hall, and into the thru the Military Gallery of Magellan. The portraits of all the senshis of Venus hung in a different, special wing of the palace, which was only entered by the princess, her family, and a select few.
"This has got to be my favorite hall in the entire the castle."said Kunzite.
"I'm not sure if it has ever really been mine."
"Of course not. Yours is the White Drawing Room in the north wing."
"I have added a portrait to the Field Marshall's Hall."said Minako.
Everyone was called to attention, towards a frame which was still covered, and she unveiled it. Kunzite recognized a portrait she had asked him to stand for.
"I thought that was supposed to be for the Academy."he said, after the applause.
"Good thinking! I should commission one for that as well! This one is actually intended for the Field Marshal's Hall. We could have a different one commissioned for that, though."
"Sitting for portraits isn't exactly something I enjoy spending my time. You're not commissioning more. It makes one seem vain."
He was almost regretting he had given her ideas. He was, however, pleased that his portrait would hang among such officers, Minako could tell in both galleries.
"Should I take that as a compliment or an insult?"she asked. "Aphrodite commissioned many, and I certainly like to have my portrait painted. I see it as something done more for posterity, than of vanity."
"And you are trying to compete with your ancestress. Your portraits will soon fill an entire wing of the palace."
"Hmm, the Minako Hall. That's not such a bad idea."she joked.
"It isn't."he agreed. "That would be the most handsome gallery in the entire solar system."
"You better not say that on Pluto. If ever Aphrodite crosses the Space Time Door, you would feel your wrath."
"I would only be stating the truth."
They then walked into the Armorial Hall, which led from the Gallery to the banqueting room, where every year, a banquet was held for the Ladies and Knights of the Order of Aphrodite. There, Minako traded her crown for a handsome crescent tiara, fashionable among the ladies at court.
"How am I supposed to eat with such a weight on my head?"she had demanded. "I can barely move my head."
"I think I will arrange a viewing session of these rooms for Shinju."he said, referring to their daughter the Duchess of Ceres.
"Learning everyone in the Military Gallery?! Do you think that could be done with a hologram? The learning, I mean. That she can view the gallery, obviously, she can."
In the schoolroom, at the Palace of Ceres, the news was received with mixed enthusiasm.
"Launcekrona says we are viewing the Military Gallery at Magellan!"exclaimed Ceres.
Malwina groaned.
"Doesn't Your Grace view your parents often?"she asked.
"But I get to view this time, as well. I never get to see Mama and Papa during the season."Ceres told them. "You know viewing isn't the same as seeing, and they're busy with all the events for the season. Today was the investiture ceremony for the new Ladies and Knights of the Order of Aphrodite. When I am princess, you two will be the first I invest in the Order. I wonder when I will get to see an investiture ceremony."
"I thought Your Grace already was a Lady of the Order."said Fayruza.
"She is. She was invested since birth, though."Malwina explained to her. "So she would not remember her own ceremony."
"I am also a Lady of the Order of Dove. I haven't been invested in the Order of Selene, though. Only the Empress of the Moon can perform the ceremony for that Order. And I won't be until I am a senshi. When I am Sailor Ceres."
"I wish to be a court lady, not a scholar."Malwina said gestured to Ceres, as she combed out her hair.
She quickly picked up the combs to clean them when she was done. She knew Ceres would be upset if she saw the combs. She had long hair and lots of it, but would be very upset to see how much ended up on the comb when it was brushed or combed out.
"She is only stating the truth."Ceres explained to Fayruza noticing the surprised look on her face.
It never ceased to amaze her how Venusians were so frank in saying what they not. It was pointless to hide what one thought around them, even about themselves or each other.
Fayruza had noticed that while she did not pay much attention to her studies, Malwina worked especially hard on her embroidery, kept as much up to date on fashions and hairstyles, and attending Ceres. She was actually the best at any needlework in the whole court, and was the only one who sewed or stitched any designs on the duchess's dresses. Many of the cushions and tapestries that decorated a large part of many of the rooms were her own work. She may not like her studies much, but Malwina was clearly ambitious and wished to climb.
"Papa is a scholar and a soldier."Ceres told her. "I will be a soldier, too. A guardian, like Mama. You will view the gallery with with, as well."she turned to Fayruza asked curiously. "Will you be a courtesan? I hope not. I hope you stay here instead. We have no courtesans at our court."
Illegitimate children like her were non-existent on Venus, and they treated her as such an oddity, a curiosity. Many Venusians had affairs before their marriages. It was rare that any reached their marriage bed as virgins. What was 'odd' about her was that she was born before Kunzite was married. Ceres, especially, was fascinated by her, as they were both Kunzite's daughter.
"My mother was not exactly a courtesan, Your Grace."she explained. "That was not her career. Shortly after my-Lord Kunzite was betrothed, he instructed her current husband to marry and look after her. Any myself. His Lordship gave her a handsome dowry. And she also has children by her husband."
"You mean you have brothers like me? Who are your brothers, but not mine. Just like you are Papa's daughter, but not Mama's?"
"Something like that. But Lord Kunzite will also instruct someone to marry me, or he might wish me to continue serving Your Grace."
I've grown very fond of writing for Ceres. So while Kunzite and Minako are at Magellan, I also decided to add what's going on at her court as well.