Chapter 3: Telepathy and Proposals
The next few days were very relaxed. Charon toured the palace and gardens at her own leisure, usually accompanied by Estrella, who liked to tell the princess everything she had learnt in her daily morning classes with Luna and Artemis. Four days after Charon's arrival Estrella was sat in one of these very classes, which was being taken by Artemis that day. She much preferred having Artemis as a teacher because he didn't get angry and shout at her if she didn't understand something straight away, unlike Luna.
"And so," Artemis concluded. "After the death of her mother our very own Queen Serenity took the throne." He raised a paw to point at Serenity's name on a huge family tree, which hung from the wall of the classroom. "And after her the next queen will be…?" He looked at her hopefully.
"Princess Serena." Estrella announced certainly, and Artemis nodded with satisfaction.
"Very good." He stood up and stretched. "I think that is enough for today."
"Yaay!" Estrella cheered as she leapt to her feet. "What we do now?"
"Well, I need to find Queen Serenity; would you like to come with me?" He inquired and Estrella nodded in reply. As the two cats left the classroom the younger of the pair looked up at her mentor.
"You like Princess Charon?" She asked curiously.
"Why, yes," Artemis replied. "She seems like a very nice girl. Why do you ask?"
"You and Luna no speak her." The kitten remarked.
"Well, that is because we are both very busy at the minute; even though we are not directly involved in this war between Pluto and Palazea, it is affecting the Moon Kingdom as much as it is affecting the rest of the galaxy." Estrella really didn't know what he meant, but nonetheless nodded as if she understood. "If I had a moment free then I would very much like to spend a little more time with all the princesses. You really are very lucky, Estrella, I wish I were your age again."
"I think we all feel like that now and again, Artemis." Queen Serenity spoke up as she joined them. "It is not easy being an adult. I sometimes wish I could have my childhood again." She looked seriously at Estrella. "Do not ever wish your childhood away, little one. It is the most wonderful time of your life."
"Me will not." Estrella promised.
"Good." The queen smiled and picked the kitten up. "Now, it is funny that you should say that you would like to spend some time with the princesses, Artemis, because that is just what I was about to do. I am sure that I do not need to ask you if you would like to accompany me."
"I would love to." The white cat told her.
"Me too!" Estrella added.
"Very good." Serenity remarked. "I believe the girls are in the parlour, so let us go join them." The trio walked along in silence and soon they heard the faint sound of laughter coming from ahead. The laughter grew louder the closer they got to the parlour and as they entered the queen, Estrella still in her arms, and Artemis stopped as their eyes met the scene.
The Princesses of the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter were laughing merrily at Charon, who was stood up with her arms outstretched.
"And so, the oh-so brave and gallant guard looked around the corner, fear in his eyes," she narrated, in a rather exaggerated manner. "Suddenly - there was another crash-" she slammed her hand down on the table. "And I swear I have never seen a grown man jump so high in my life! He turned and looked at me with this expression on his face, which I suppose he thought was a brave one, and announced: 'Do not be afraid, Your Highness. I, one of the High Guards of Charon, will protect you.' and I replied-" she folded her arms across her chest. "'You, protect me? I have seen Seoras braver than you! And you dare to call yourself a High Guard of Charon..?' - He was so embarrassed that the next day he resigned and was never seen again. And at the end of it all, the noise was merely a man mending one of the fountains." She giggled and sat down.
"That was a very funny story." Serena sighed as she wiped her eyes.
"You tell stories almost as well as Princess Venus." Mars remarked.
"Charon, what is a Seora?" Princess Venus inquired.
"A Seora is a nocturnal animal native only to Pluto and its moon. They are said to be extremely shy and not very brave at all. They usually hide themselves from humans and are rarely seen, except for their large, bright pink eyes, which reflect in darkness." Princess Mercury told them.
"Or their extremely long, electric blue tails." Charon continued. "As well as being shy they are also quite stupid at times - they try to hide from predators but they forget to pull their tails in!" She turned to Mercury and smiled. "You know a lot about Seoras, how is this?"
"I have been reading about rare animals of different planets." She held up the book she had resting in her lap. "You have some fascinating animals! However, I was wondering - could you possibly tell me more about the sacred animal of Charon - the Lyanore?" Charon's pale blue eyes suddenly filled with love.
"Oh! The Lyanore!" She breathed with delight. "It would be my absolute pleasure to tell you everything I know of them! Oh, they must be the most beautiful creatures in the entire universe!"
"Then please, tell us!" Princess Serena insisted. Charon sat forward in her chair.
"Well, the Lyanore is the rarest creature on Charon - there is one small dance of them left, consisting of about 10 at last count."
"What has dancing got to do with all of this?!" Venus exclaimed in confusion.
"That is what they call a group of Lyanore - a dance." Mercury explained.
"That is correct - a dance of Lyanore." Charon said. "Mercury, will you describe one?" Mercury stood up.
"Very well. A Lyanore is equine in appearance - they grow to be about the size of an average horse, and are quite graceful and fast. They are pale blue in colour, with lilac markings on their long faces and bodies and lilac feather crests, which grow from their foreheads. Their eyes are black and shiny and it is said you cannot look a Lyanore in the eye unless it totally trusts you. Their tails consist of one thin strand of hair, which splits into three and at the end of each strand hangs a small, blue sphere, which are believed to be made of tightly compacted hair. It is said that when the Lyanore are happy or when perforing their ritual dance these spheres glow brightly with energy and make beautiful sounds when they strike one another."
"Ritual dance?" Mars inquired; Charon smiled and nodded.
"Yes, every twelve years the Lyanore perform a special ritual dance on the Plains of Ayadi, which are where they reside. On the Plains there are stone pillars in the pattern of the Peace Constellation - and every twelve years the stars of the constellation line up exactly with the pillars - these stars are so bright that they reflect off the stones, thus lighting up the Plains. The pillars were placed there by an ancient tribe, known as the Lyanore Guardians, several centuries ago. It is when this line-up occurs that the ritual dance of the Lyanore occurs, to celebrate their peaceful lives and to thank the Lyanore Guardians for watching over them all those years ago and for respecting their lives by never actually interfering in them. Very few people have ever seen the dance - but they know when it is happening because of the eerie lights that emit from the Plains and the strange but beautiful clattering sounds combined with the singing of the Lyanore, which fills the air."
"They sing too?" Princess Serena remarked.
"Yes, they have beautiful voices." Charon's smile widened. "I have actually had the great fortune to see this dance, when I was at the age of eleven Earth years."
"Really?! Oh, how lucky!" Mercury exclaimed delightfully. "What was it like?"
"The most breath-taking and indescribable experience I have ever had. It was like a wonderful dream." Charon sighed. "I shall never forget it."
"I have also seen the Dance of the Lyanore." Queen Serenity suddenly spoke up. The princesses turned to look at her, Estrella and Artemis, who were still stood in the doorway.
"Mother! How long have you been here?" Serena exclaimed.
"Quite a while, I have been enjoying listening about the Lyanore as much as you have." She walked over and sat down on the couch next to her, Estrella in her lap. "Yes, the ritual certainly was an experience. It was when I was quite young. Chara and I slipped out of the palace in order to watch." she smiled to herself. "Your mother and I were quite the rascals when we were younger. But, tell me, Charon - is Vaura still the head of the dance?" The other princesses looked slightly confused. Charon shook her head sadly.
"She was, until three months ago. She was killed; we believe by a group of unknown travellers. Her daughter, Charrenity, is now… wait a moment! Char…renity - Chara and Serenity!" The queen nodded.
"Yes, Vaura called her firstborn after us. We were there at the birth."
"Wait - you know the Lyanore?!" Mercury gasped. Charon grinned and nodded.
"Yes, they are great friends of our family - and it seems Serenity also."
"So, I suppose Chara introduced you?" Serenity inquired. Charon nodded again.
"Of course, it was one of the first things she did when I was born." Artemis, who had taken a place next to Venus, spoke up.
"I have a question to ask - why are the Lyanore so rare?" He asked, and Charon's eyes became downcast.
"There are three main reasons - firstly, as I have said, they are very beautiful, and so women often wanted winter coats made from their thick hide and hats out of their crests. Secondly, at one time Lyanore meat was a delicacy and so they were also hunted down for that. Finally, foolish people believed they could capture and tame them - but Lyanore are not like horses or other such creatures - they are intelligent beings as well as wild spirits - once caught if they are not freed after two days then the Lyanore dies - their spirit frees itself again." Charon explained. "It is rather sad, but fortunately that can no longer occur."
"Why not?" Venus inquired.
"They are very protected by my family and therefore the law, and no one dares go near them because of the influence my mother and father have. If it were not for them the Lyanore would be extinct…"
"Sad." Estrella repeated, leaping off Serenity's lap and into Charon's. "Poor Leenoray." Charon smiled at her.
"You are so sweet, Estrella." She hugged her.
"I am so very happy to see how well you are settling in, Charon." Serenity remarked.
"I miss my family terribly…" Charon answered. "However, I can sincerely say that I am happy to be here."
x x x x x
That afternoon Charon and Estrella were wandering through the palace gardens on what was fast becoming their daily exploration. Estrella had always known that the palace and its grounds were large but she'd never realised just how large. Every day so far they had managed to find something completely new and surprising, and that day would prove to be no exception. Estrella was just telling Charon about her class on the former Inner Moon rulers when they came across a small garden surrounded by high, pale green hedges. The princess stopped, plucked a leaf, inhaled its scent and then let out a small cry of joy.
"Charon!" She exclaimed happily. Estrella looked at her in confusion, and the princess smiled. "Estrella, these hedges are Charonian! I'd recognise their scent and colour anywhere!" She put the leaf under Estrella's pink nose, and she sniffed it. It smelt sweet and reminded Estrella of a day when Princess Serena had slipped a spoonful of a desert under the dining room table for her to eat.
"Smell nice!" She exclaimed, the thought of the delicious desert making her feel hungry. Charon nodded, and looked rather sad.
"They remind me of the hedges in our grounds on Charon. Oh, you would love our gardens, Estrella, they are so beautiful! Mother and I would take a walk around them every day. Each part has a different theme - my favourite is the Blue Garden…" they walked around the hedges, until they came to an opening. The garden was empty - no plants at all, just soil and a white marble bench. "This is a nice-sized garden, it is a shame that there are no flowers here." She sat down on the bench and Estrella leapt up next to her. The kitten sat looking at Charon for a moment, regarding the thoughtful look on her face as the girl thought about the royal gardens of Charon. Estrella looked at how her pale blue eyes sparkled brightly and beautifully, just like all the other princess' eyes. She started to wonder something about the girl, and decided the only way she would find out was by asking.
"Charon?" the kitten said inquisitively. Charon shook the dreamy expression from her face as she looked down at her companion.
"Yes, Estrella?"
"You princess?"
"Of course I am silly! You know that!"
"You princess, then have powers?" Estrella blinked her green eyes and Charon smiled.
"Yes, I do. Would you like to see?" Estrella nodded eagerly. "Very well. Do you think you could you fetch me some seeds, please?" The kitten immediately jumped down from the bench, excited about being the first to see Charon demonstrate her powers, and ran out of the garden. She found Princess Mars sat at a fountain, watching as the water spurted out of the top and flowed down each tier until it reached the bottom. She jumped slightly as Estrella leapt up next to her.
"Estrella, you startled me." She remarked, placing a hand on her chest. "What are you doing here?"
"Me need seeds." Estrella informed her and Mars gave her a puzzled look.
"Whatever for?" She inquired.
"A secret." Estrella said quickly. She didn't want anyone else to know what Princess Charon was going to do - she was determined she was going to be first one in the Moon Kingdom to see her powers - and then she would tell everyone else about them.
"Very well then, I am sure you cannot get into too much trouble with some seeds." Mars remarked, standing up. She walked over to a nearby bush and pulled a seed-pod off one of its branches.
"Thank you!" The kitten said, before taking the pod in her mouth and carrying it back to Charon.
"Here you are!" The princess exclaimed. "I was worried that you had got lost!" Estrella shook her head, jumped onto the bench and dropped the seed pod on Charon's lap. She picked it up, broke it open and tipped the seeds into her palm. "Thank you." She lowered her voice. "Now, watch carefully."
Princess Charon held her seed-filled hand out in front of her, closed her eyes and concentrated. A white aura surrounded her, and her hair lifted from her back and fluttered around her. The seeds rose from her hand and flew around Estrella's head.
"Mrow!" The kitten leapt at the seeds as they flew away again. They danced in the air as the soil in one of the flower beds moved, forming a hole; the seeds fell into it and the soil moved back. The ground where the seeds had been planted glowed as white as the aura surrounding the young princess.
Then, something even more incredible happened.
The soil began to move again, and tiny green shoots began to poke through; the shoots grew and grew, then buds formed on the shoots and leaves sprouted. Finally the buds burst open and gorgeous blue and pink flowers were revealed.
The aura faded, and Charon smiled.
"Pretty!" Estrella gasped, and leapt down to sniff at the flowers. "Charon clever!"
"Incredible." A voice murmured, and Estrella looked up from the plant with annoyance as soon as she heard it - it was Princess Mars. She must have followed her after she gave her the seeds! "I have never seen anything like it!"
"That is only a part of my power." Charon told her. She stared deeply at the flowers and suddenly they moved away from the plant, as if picked by an invisible hand. The pink flower was presented to Estrella and the blue to Mars.
"Telekinesis?" Mars inquired, walking over to the bench and sitting down next to the other girl.
"Yes. I have psychic powers." Charon told her. "I can levitate things, make them move around; do little things like I just did with those seeds; I suppose it is power of suggestion - I simply concentrate on an object; will it to do something and it does!"
"Is that everything?" Mars asked curiously.
"There is one more thing…Estrella, please come over here, I do not want you to get hurt." Confused, the kitten simply did as she was told. Charon stood up and picked up a stone, which she threw high into the air. "Charon Psy-Wave!" she called - and fired a beam of energy from her forehead. It hit the stone and disintegrated it.
"Amazing." Mars said, clearly impressed.
"This only started a few weeks ago - I was angry at my brother because he had decided to fight for Pluto. I was shouting at him when suddenly I felt this warmth in my forehead - and then a vase blew up!" The Charonian princess grinned. "It was so frightening at the time, but now I can control it I am fine with it. And how about you? I am guessing that as you are the Princess of Mars you have some kind of power relating to fire?" Mars nodded.
"Correct. But also, we have something in common."
"What is that?"
"I am psychic too - I have premonitions." The black haired princess confessed. Charon grinned.
"Really? That is very interesting, I do not think I have ever had a vision…" She suddenly looked thoughtful. "What do you think of telepathy?"
"Telepathy?" Mars repeated. "I am not sure…none of the other princesses have psychic powers and so I have never attempted it."
"What telpfee?" Estrella inquired, dropping her flower as she spoke.
"Telepathy, Estrella - talking to each other without speaking - using your mind." Mars explained. Estrella looked puzzled. "I will explain when you are a bit olde- oh!"
Suddenly she froze, her dark eyes wide.
"Whatever is the matter, Mars?" Charon inquired anxiously, putting a hand on Mars's shoulder.
"I…heard something in my mind - your voice." the shocked princess murmured. "You were thinking, you said something about…oh, I feel rather conceited saying this… you said that I seemed like a nice person and you hoped we could become good friends." Charon gasped in amazement and clapped her hands together.
"But Mars, that is exactly what I was thinking! You heard my thoughts!" She fell silent again, a smile spreading across her face. "I can hear you too." She told her. "You are saying to yourself 'Yes, I think we are going to get along very well.'" Charon jumped up and laughed joyfully, pulling Mars up and dancing around. "Can you believe it? We have a telepathic bond!" she laughed out loud, spinning Mars around.
"Please, slow down a little, Charon! You are making me dizzy!!" Mars exclaimed breathlessly. "But, you are right - this is wonderful!" As Mars joined in with Charon's loud and merry laughter Estrella noticed Serenity watching from the archway cut in the hedges. The kitten trotted up.
"Princesses telpfic!" She beamed as she leapt into the queen's arms. Serenity nodded and smiled.
"Indeed. I've never seen Mars so…energetic!" She said to the young cat. "It seems Princess Charon is beginning to have a real effect around here."
x x x x x
It was in that same empty garden a day later that Princess Charon and Estrella had a rather unexpected and unforgettable encounter with two equally unforgettable people.
After the discovery of their telepathic link Mars and Charon had continued to practise their new-found skill and then they had sat and talked in the garden for hours, relating tales of their lives to one another, and as Estrella had watched them with interest she had realised that Charon had found herself another good friend. One thing the Outer Moon Princess had remarked upon as they had talked was how pretty the small garden would be if lots of flowers grew there; and that was when she'd had the idea. That morning she had asked Queen Serenity if she could use the little garden to learn how to grow and tend for different flowers and plants. Serenity had had a word with the head gardener and it was agreed that she could use the garden for as long as she was there, and so now the princess was working away; digging and turning the soil as the gardener had told her to do.
"I am going to make the Moon Kingdom its very own Blue Garden, just like on Charon!" She told Estrella as she dug. "With lots of beautiful Charonian flowers! I do hope it will not be too warm for them here…however, these hedges seem to be growing well despite the climate. On Charon the plants use the energy they let off when growing to keep themselves warm – is that not clever of them?"
"Clever plants!" Estrella agreed. She was keeping herself entertained by chasing a leaf that was blowing across the garden. The leaf seemed to be alive, jumping and skipping across the ground, always managing to avoid Estrella's pounces. Finally the kitten watched as it escaped under one of the hedges. She sighed with disappointment as she lowered her head to look under the hedge, and then pulled it back up again as she saw something that definitely wasn't the leaf – someone was stood on the other side of the hedges! Someone wearing very high-heeled shoes…
Whoever it was soon gave away their presence, as the hedges started to rustle, causing Princess Charon to stand up instantly.
"Who is there?" She inquired.
"Oh, why, hello there!" Estrella felt the hair on her back stand up as soon as she heard the smooth voice, full of mock surprise. "Princess Charon, what an unexpected pleasure!" Duchess Ashral walked into the garden and blinked her overly-made-up eyes at the girl. "What, all alone?" Estrella felt like hissing at the woman for ignoring her, but decided she ought to do as Queen Serenity and try to be nice to the duchess. She eyed the small gardening fork in the girls hand. "And performing a rather dirty task! Is that not better left for the servants to do?"
"On the contrary, I am not alone." Charon responded, and Estrella felt her disgruntlement slip away as the princess indicated her. "Estrella is right here; and I am actually enjoying digging the garden, it is quite relaxing." She then pointed to a sheet which lay across the ground, in front of the area which she had been digging. "And I am sitting on a clean sheet, so as not to spoil my dress."
"It is quite lucky that I have found you, my dear!" Ashral suddenly took the girl by the waist and led her to sit on the bench. Estrella wondered if she had fallen asleep for a moment, because she felt like she had missed part of the conversation as the subject had changed so abruptly. "There is someone who desperately wants to meet you, and I think he may want to ask you something…"
"Oh, is that so?" The princess responded, looking slightly nervous.
"Yes, that is so." Ashral turned her head back towards the bushes. "Renald, you can come now!" Estrella felt like she'd taken a sip of sour milk as she heard the name, and then like she had drunk a whole milk can of it when the young man appeared. She had not seen many young males in her short life, but she had seen enough to understand what 'handsome' meant, and that word did not apply to this one. He was tall and very thin, with yellow hair, which was flat against his head and pale skin. If he were a cat Luna would have cuffed him as soon as she saw him, for he was walking with his back bent and the kitten had no doubt that if he'd had a tail it would not have been raised 'high and proudly, like a flagpole' as Luna had said in her lesson the day after the ball. He looked at his mother, who nodded and gave him a little push forward until he was stood right in front of the uncertain-looking Charon, who had raised from the bench to greet him. He gave a bow, his eyes appraising the girl from top to bottom and back again as he did so.
"Just like in the fairy tale books…" He murmured.
"Your Highness, I would like to introduce you to my son, Renald." Ashral announced. "My son, this is Her Highness. the Outer Moon Princess Charon."
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He said in his oily voice, and took hold of the princess's hand and kissed it.
"The…ummm…pleasure is all mine." Charon responded, an anxious look in her eyes. She looked down at Estrella, who was watching the scene with worry. She desperately wanted to leap at the horrid young man and scratch his face for daring to kiss Charon, but she also didn't want to disappoint Serenity…what could she do?! Ashral stepped closer to the pair, and very obviously nudged her son in the ribs.
"Come now, Renald, don't keep me…I mean, Her Highness, waiting!" She remarked, her eyes eager. Still holding onto Charon's hand, Renald suddenly dropped to one knee.
"Princess Charon, you are so very beautiful. Please, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" Whilst he said this Estrella kept a firm eye on Duchess Ashral, and noticed how she was nodding and mouthing each word along with him. It reminded her of when Princess Serena had taught her the alphabet - as the kitten had recited the letters the princess had done exactly what Ashral was doing now. Ashral suddenly gasped and placed her hand over her mouth.
"How wonderful!" She gushed. "Well, my dear?" She urged the very shocked-looking Charon. "I…ahhh…" the princess stammered, taking back her hand and stepping away. "This is all rather sudden…I do not even know you!"
"Do not worry! The moment I laid eyes on you I just knew that you would make the perfect couple!" Ashral exclaimed, taking a step closer to the girl. "Plus, it is rather fashionable nowadays to have a long engagement…say a few weeks? That is more than enough time to become acquainted!" Estrella stared at Charon, not sure what she should do, when she noticed the concentrated look that had suddenly crossed the princess's face. The kitten felt relieved as soon as she saw the look, for the girl had been making that very face for most of the afternoon before. She knew that she was telepathically communicating with Princess Mars, and that meant help would soon be on the way.
Ashral took another step towards her, an inquistive look on her face.
"I do not know what to say…" Charon murmured. "My parents are responsible for choosing my suitors; I believe you would have to speak to them. However now, of course, is a rather inconvenient time, what with the war."
"We can wait." Ashral responded firmly, and put an arm through one of Charon's. "Just think - it will be such a beautiful occasion!" Her eyes were wide and dreamy. "With lots of very, very important people!"
"Excuse me…" a new voice spoke up from the garden entrance, and everyone turned (some with relief, some with annoyance) to look at Princess Mars. "I am very sorry to disrupt your conversation, however, Queen Serenity wishes to see you, Charon – she said that it is urgent." Charon gasped and removed herself from Ashral's grip.
"Of course, I shall come right now." She said to Mars, taking her arm. She then turned to the duchess and Renald. "I am terribly sorry but as you see I must leave, a good day to you both." She and Mars then began to walk away, with Charon calling "Come, Estrella," over her shoulder. Estrella immediately stood up and trotted off after them.
And now the princesses weren't looking…
She turned her head back towards Duchess Ashral and Renald, the former of which was scowling after the princesses, and stuck her tongue out cheekily.
Some habits were just too hard to break.
x x x x x
"Of course, father is trying desperately to keep things civil between the two tribes, but the chiefs are both so very stubborn and quick-tempered!" Princess Mercury was saying as Mars led Charon and Estrella into the parlour.
"You're back," Jupiter commented, looking at Mars. "Where did you rush off to?"
"I am sorry that I left so suddenly," Mars apologised. "I had received a telepathic message from Charon; Duchess Ashral and her son were up to their usual trick." The princesses immediately turned to look at Charon sympathetically.
"Oh dear, you poor thing." Mercury said, standing up and leading Charon to a chair. "You ought to sit down after such a terrible experience."
"And you should have a cup of strong tea." Venus added, pouring the girl a cup. Estrella walked over to the table where the teapot and cups were laid out, her stomach growling as she saw the jug of milk. She looked up imploringly at Princess Serena, who smiled and picked up a saucer.
"Very well, Estrella," she said, pouring a little milk into it. "But do not tell anyone; you know you are not supposed to have milk between meals." She placed the saucer down before the kitten, who immediately started to lap eagerly at it. It was so cool and creamy and sent tingles of pleasure down her back.
"It was so awful," Charon groaned as she placed her cup on the small table. "They must have been following me around all morning, waiting until I was alone! And they must have been practising the proposal for a while; the duchess was mouthing the words as Roland said them!"
"His name is Renald," Serena pointed out. "I would not be surprised if they had spent the past few days since Ashral met you rehearsing the proposal; it is the way she is."
"I must say, it was very lucky that you and Mars discovered your telepathic bond when you did." Venus remarked.
"Indeed." Charon looked at Mars, who was sat next to her, and they smiled at each other. "So, am I right in thinking that you have all been proposed to as well?"
"Of course." Serena smiled. "I was the first to have the misfortune. It was my tenth birthday, and my mother had organised a party to celebrate. As part of it she had arranged a treasure hunt around the palace for myself, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter and Mars, who were all visiting me, for it was before they came to reside here. I happened to lose my way and also the others, and was making my way through the gallery when the duchess and Renald came across me and straight away Ashral began to talk of engagement. Fortunately my mother found us and told Ashral that I was too young for marriage and to never suggest such a thing to me again."
"I was next!" Venus declared. "I was the first of us to move here! It occurred when Serenity was introducing me to the court – Ashral got Renald to propose to me in front of everyone – it was extremely embarrassing! I actually felt rather sorry for the boy; I believe that Ashral thought that if he asked me to marry him in front of everyone then I could not refuse! And so I simply looked at him, using my wonderful acting skills-"
"They were rather wonderful." Serena commented.
"Why, thank you, Serena!" Venus beamed. "And said 'No, thank you. I already have a suitor – the Prince of Blablah!"
"Blablah?!" Charon exclaimed. "I do not believe I have every heard of a place!"
"That is because it does not exist!" Venus giggled. "I made it up! And they believed me! Even to this day Ashral sometimes asks me about my wedding arrangements!"
"I was so terrified of Ashral's insistence that I almost said yes…" Mercury confessed, her cheeks red. "I had barely been in the Moon Kingdom an hour when Renald proposed. Fortunately my father was accompanying me and saw what was happening. He came over and inquired into Renald's education – he asked him all these complicated questions and Renald was so bewildered by them that he ran away! My father then sent Ashral on her way with his most sternest look."
"I was proposed to at a garden party, which Ashral had organised at her estate and to which we princesses were invited." Mars was the next to relate her tale. "Having been forewarned by Mercury I had already planned how I would let Renald down gently. I informed him that an ancient Martian custom forbade me to marry, as I was the first-born daughter of the King."
"Is that true?!" Charon inquired with astonishment, and Mars smiled and shook her head.
"Not at all." She responded, then looked at Jupiter. "You are next."
"I had a very simple solution to the problem." Jupiter grinned. "You see, my suitor will be chosen through what is called the Tournament of Champions, which will take place on Jupiter on the day I come of age. Only the last man left standing after a series of dangerous and often life-threatening challenges will be deemed worthy of my hand in marriage. I merely disclosed this information to Renald, adding in the fact that at least two men have died in each of the past tournaments, and suddenly he didn't much like the idea of marrying me! I must say that Ashral did ask me what day exactly I would be coming of age and whereabouts on Jupiter the tournament would be taking place, though!"
"So, perhaps if Ashral has not managed to snare a princess before then she will be dragging poor Renald to the tournament!" Charon laughed. "Well, I suppose one has to commend the duchess on her persistence." She remarked, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "I wonder if Renald has ever been forced to propose to Aunt Pluto?"
"I had completely forgotten that she is your aunt!" Mercury exclaimed. "I do not think Ashral would dare!"
"She would probably send them both through the Gates of Time!" Jupiter declared.
"What do you think of Renald as a prospective husband anyhow, Charon?" Venus inquired and Charon smiled.
"I think he is never going to get married whilst he continues to be so mothered." She replied. "I, for one, would never marry someone who needs permission for his mother to do anything! And I am most certain that my mother would very much dislike Duchess Ashral." She looked at the others seriously. "I wish to marry someone who will love and support me, not someone who only wants to be with me because his mother wants to claim me like some sort of trophy!"
"Here, here!" The other princesses agreed, raising their teacups.
"Here, here!" Estrella added, and taking the edge of the saucer into her mouth lifted it a little way from the ground; which caused the princesses to laugh merrily.
