Minako sat on a raised platform, under the canopy of estate, she and her ladies dressed in fine silks and fine jewels.
"Here people must be astounded."said one of her ladies, as she arranged Minako's train around her chair. "Not even the Crown Princess of the Moon can outshine Her Highness of Venus. Our princess outshines them all."
All the Venusian retinue were proud of their princess. She always managed to outdo herself and impress her subjects on Venus, where people were used to pageantry. A prince or princess must always dress in finest clothes and gems to please their subjects.
"I don't think any of your predecessors with the title Lady Kunzite could compete with you, Your Highness."
"Your aiming to make me think too much of myself. It isn't a competition! At least I hope not! Would it be a fair one, even?"
She imagined herself and the other planetary princesses competing. But who would judge? Probably Luna and Artemis.
"Where is Artemis, by the way?"she asked. "I haven't seen him for a good while."
"Just after we got here, he said he had something important to see to."
"Oh, my! I hope everything's all right."
Whatever it was that came up, she was sure Artemis would be able to handle it.
"I hope you're right, though,"Minako returned to the previous topic. "I would so like it for Kunzite to be proud of me."
She was a little nervous, as she had never presided over such an event before.
"How could he be anything else, Your High-um, my Lady."
Minako had insisted that she be address as 'Lady Kunzite', or simply 'Lady', instead of her usual 'Royal Highness', or 'Princess'.
She applauded and looked eagerly at the knights. It seemed like a different type of masque. It was always fun to dress up and at the end, everyone would remove their mask. It seemed a little like the same here.
All the knights looked alike. They were all wearing her colors and she looked for Kunzite among them.
"Oh, I see him! I see him!"
Minako was to hand out the prizes to the knights at the end. One of the other ladies, handed them to her, and she gave them out. For one, however, when she was handed the prize to give to him, instead of taking it from him, she removed his helmet, and kiss him.
"I recognized you at once!"she exclaimed.
"I really shouldn't have thought I could fool you."said Kunzite.
There was a great feast after the tournament. Kunzite was now wearing his uniform, with all his metals on it. Just before it began, however, he asked that everyone step outside. He and Minako led everyone out onto one of the courtyards.
"When I caught you the hare, you asked me about the doves, didn't you?"he reminded her.
"Yes."she said, eagerly.
"This time, I have a gift for my Divine Lady of the Doves."
When he finished his sentence, several white doves were released and were flying from all directions.
"Aren't you going to catch one for me?"
"I guess I set a pretty high standard for myself when I set out to catch that hare!"
When they went back inside, Artemis was announced.
"Artemis! You've missed everything!"said Minako.
"I just had to see to something important while you were busy amusing yourself."he said.
"That's so true."said Kunzite.
Behind Artemis, someone held a heart shaped jewelry box. When she opened it, in one of the compartments she found a lovely comb, mirror and brush set. The box and the set were all engraved with her initials as well as her and Kunzite's combined coat of arms. Even the colors on the coat of arms were done in the precious gems of the same color.
This was definitely one of her most special birthdays ever.
"I have to admit when I saw it, I was quite surprised myself."said Kunzite to Artemis as they prepared to return to Venus.
Artemis nodded.
"I know what you mean. I couldn't believe it, either."
"It was a great idea to have the coat of arms engraved on it, as well as not just the set, but the box, as well. I think that made it more personal, don't you?"
"Yes. That just created a bigger problem, though."said Artemis.
Kunzite frowned.
"Just what do you mean?"
"How are you going to top it all of next year?"
Kunzite realized what he meant.
"I guess I'd better start planning now."he sighed.
