Chapter 3
(Venus)
I walked into the Royal Headquarters, where all meetings were held for the most important people in the Galaxy. Mars, Mercury, and Jupiter followed me inside. Queen Selenity, Princess Selenity, and the Kings and Queens of Venus, Mars, Mercury, and Jupiter were already in there. Princess Selenity shot me a sympathetic look; she obviously already knew what was coming.
I curtsied deeply to Queen Selenity, as it is required by law that you must bow to her. I turned to my parents and rolled my eyes. They were dressed very elaborately, as always. I curtsied deeply in front of them, then stood up and looked them in the eye. "I am pleased to see you both, King Eros and Queen Aphrodite," I said, plastering on a huge fake smile.
"And we are pleased to see that you are doing well, Princess Venus," my father said gravely. I glowered at him discreetly. He couldn't care less how I was doing. "We came here to tell you," he continued. "That you have been found a husband."
"A a husband?" I repeated faintly. Surely it was a cruel joke.
My mother nodded. "That is correct," she said. I swallowed and looked at Princess Mars. She looked back, her face full of sympathy. "To to whom?" I said, not wanting to hear the answer.
"Hogoshi Kou, son of Duke Hogoshi, one of the King and Queen of the Sun's most loyal subjects. Since his father is right underneath of the King, you would inherit much power and wealth. He will be a fine suitor for you."
"But but I don't want to marry him! He's so arrogant, and pushy, and, and-"
"And you will do EXACTLY as we tell you. You do not argue with us, Princess Venus, you know that. You will marry him. We are already planning your wedding."
I could only nod meekly, tears brimming in my eyes. I knew better than to argue with King Eros and Queen Aphrodite my parents.
(Mars)
I closed my eyes, wishing not to hear or see the pain I felt in this
room. Jupiter was putting up a bold front, but I could feel the lack of usual
strength in her spirit. Venus and Mercury were both watering, and try to hide
it. And I grew mad... the fiery Martian spirit was burning inside me, and it
demanded justice. Ignoring the pleading look Phobos and Deimos shot me, I
whirled about and faced King Eros and Queen Aphrodite.
I heard Princess Selenity gasp in shock. Not because I had turned to face
them, but because of the intense hatred I knew, without seeing in a mirror,
was there. I opened my mouth to speak, and then realized I didn't need to.
The rage in my eyes spoke for me. I turned those blazing eyes upon the King
of Mercury, and the Queen of Jupiter in turn. I felt the want to recoil, but
the training and dignity of kings and queens held them straight, and enabled
them to look at me as if I were improper.
I am the Sailor Princess of War, my anger is eternal... as is my love for
my friends. Phobos placed a hand on my shoulder, and Deimos smiled
placatingly. The fury of Mars is a gift, given to those of its royal lineage and
rich spirit, but it can burn a person out. And I had my own parents to contend
with.
Neither of them hate me, as at least one of the others' do. But my mother
is frail, sick and weak. She's dying; everyone on Mars knows it. And the
countless duchesses, ladies, and countesses of the Martian Court waste no
time in attracting my father's attention. Worse yet, he allows himself to be entranced.
He treats my mother like she's already dead. He even exchanged more than
friendly courtesies with Duchess Eris in front of my mother! My mother who loves me. My
father treats me like a child without a mother already. As if I was the
offspring of some girl he took to his bed, and managed to worm its way into
the Royal Family of Mars. There are many of them in the palace, he treats me
no differently. He acknowledges me as his child, and that is all.
The others wonder why I can not trust men? Look at my father, friends,
and know the rage that burns in me every time he ignores my mother! Another
reason...
"Princess Mars," King Ares said, bowing stiffly, hardly at all. "I trust
you still have not acquired a suitor." I saw Mother's expression turn
sad, and she gave my father a look that seemed to be begging him to unsay
what he had said. She wasn't upset that I had not found someone I would allow to court me, but
she did dislike how my father continued to antagonize me over it.
Especially where all of my precious friends could hear. I was barely aware of the
concerned gaze of Phobos, Deimos, Mother, and my friends as I clenched my jaw.
(Mercury)
I walked into the room, Venus and Mars were already there and Jupiter followed me. I curtsied to Queen Selenity, following Venus's suit.
"I am pleased to see you both, King Eros and Queen Aphrodite," I heard Venus say, she had a huge smile on her face, it was fake. I glowered at her parents discreetly and then turned to my own. "
"Mercury, dear." my mother said, I love her and she loves me. Thank god at least she loved me as I was growing up. "We have not set up a marriage for you."
"Not that anyone would want you." I heard my father mutter under his breath. My eyes stung and the tears that were in them burned. How could he be so heartless? I'm his daughter... not that he wanted a daughter... he wanted a son. Well, I'm safe here. The image of the young man flashed across my mind. And I wondered again who he was. Then an idea came to me. Would mother let me marry him if I fell in love? That was something to think on. I watched my mother glare at my father. They had never truly gotten along. I often felt bad for my mother and even worse for myself.
My father had once, out of anger I guess, told me that I was a mistake. He told me that I was not his daughter. But my childhood had been happy none the less. Mother and I had spent much time at my grandparent's 'small' palace on the other side of Mercury. I looked back up at my parents, my father's eyes were else where in the room. I followed his gaze and found it rested on Queen Io. My eyes went to Jupiter, she was helping her father. I knew that her father had problems with drinking, but he had always been kind to her.
A small hand slipped into mine and I looked down. My cousin, Tempest, looked up at me. Her small ocean green eyes sparkled.
" 'lo Merkey." I smiled, being only three she still didn't know how to say my name. My mother reached down and picked her up. She was my mother's sister's daughter. My aunt had died two years ago, leaving the child with us. She was so much like a little sister to me.
"Just had to bring the little brat didn't you?" my father demanded of my mother. "And what are we ever gonna do with his one?" my father asked. Pointing to me. "We'll never be able to marry her off. No one wants to marry an ugly princess." Once again the tears bruned hot in my eyes and I turned away from the man I was forced to call father.
(Jupiter)
I slowly walked in, still stinging from my almost fistfight. I curtsied to Queen Selenity, as the ones before me did. I went over to my father and mother, King Zeus and Queen Io. I curtsied to them, also. "Welcome, King and Queen." I said. My father gave a hearty laugh.
"Why call us King and Queen? We're your parents, for god's sake!" he exclaimed, giving me a bear hug. I could smell the alcohol on his breath, bringing tears to my eyes.
"And you will do EXACTLY as we tell you. You do not argue with us, Princess Venus, you know that. You will marry him. We are already planning your wedding." I heard a harsh voice say. I looked for the speaker, and found Venus's father addressing her with a harsh voice and cold eyes. I wish I could have told her it was okay, but we were all trapped here, in this unforgiving room, unable to work together and help each other. I sighed, and my mother addressed me.
"Hello, sweetie!" she said, her eyes supposedly kind. I stood there, reminding myself not to fall for the act. She never cared, and she never will, I thought to myself. If she cared, she would stop my father from doing this to himself. Instead, she manipulates his wealth when he's drunk, and buys herself nice things, putting the entirety of Jupiter in danger. "Your brothers couldn't come, they were busy." she said, voice dripping with false sweetness. I just glared at her, and put my attention to my father. "Brat", I heard her mutter under her breath.
"Father, why don't you come sit down?" I asked, pulling his arm over my shoulder, guiding him to a chair.
"Thank you, sweetheart." he said. I sighed and sat down next to him. My thoughts dwelled back on my archenemy. She should be the princess, I thought, takes a whole lot off my back.
(Venus)
I walked into the Royal Headquarters, where all meetings were held for the most important people in the Galaxy. Mars, Mercury, and Jupiter followed me inside. Queen Selenity, Princess Selenity, and the Kings and Queens of Venus, Mars, Mercury, and Jupiter were already in there. Princess Selenity shot me a sympathetic look; she obviously already knew what was coming.
I curtsied deeply to Queen Selenity, as it is required by law that you must bow to her. I turned to my parents and rolled my eyes. They were dressed very elaborately, as always. I curtsied deeply in front of them, then stood up and looked them in the eye. "I am pleased to see you both, King Eros and Queen Aphrodite," I said, plastering on a huge fake smile.
"And we are pleased to see that you are doing well, Princess Venus," my father said gravely. I glowered at him discreetly. He couldn't care less how I was doing. "We came here to tell you," he continued. "That you have been found a husband."
"A a husband?" I repeated faintly. Surely it was a cruel joke.
My mother nodded. "That is correct," she said. I swallowed and looked at Princess Mars. She looked back, her face full of sympathy. "To to whom?" I said, not wanting to hear the answer.
"Hogoshi Kou, son of Duke Hogoshi, one of the King and Queen of the Sun's most loyal subjects. Since his father is right underneath of the King, you would inherit much power and wealth. He will be a fine suitor for you."
"But but I don't want to marry him! He's so arrogant, and pushy, and, and-"
"And you will do EXACTLY as we tell you. You do not argue with us, Princess Venus, you know that. You will marry him. We are already planning your wedding."
I could only nod meekly, tears brimming in my eyes. I knew better than to argue with King Eros and Queen Aphrodite my parents.
(Mars)
I closed my eyes, wishing not to hear or see the pain I felt in this
room. Jupiter was putting up a bold front, but I could feel the lack of usual
strength in her spirit. Venus and Mercury were both watering, and try to hide
it. And I grew mad... the fiery Martian spirit was burning inside me, and it
demanded justice. Ignoring the pleading look Phobos and Deimos shot me, I
whirled about and faced King Eros and Queen Aphrodite.
I heard Princess Selenity gasp in shock. Not because I had turned to face
them, but because of the intense hatred I knew, without seeing in a mirror,
was there. I opened my mouth to speak, and then realized I didn't need to.
The rage in my eyes spoke for me. I turned those blazing eyes upon the King
of Mercury, and the Queen of Jupiter in turn. I felt the want to recoil, but
the training and dignity of kings and queens held them straight, and enabled
them to look at me as if I were improper.
I am the Sailor Princess of War, my anger is eternal... as is my love for
my friends. Phobos placed a hand on my shoulder, and Deimos smiled
placatingly. The fury of Mars is a gift, given to those of its royal lineage and
rich spirit, but it can burn a person out. And I had my own parents to contend
with.
Neither of them hate me, as at least one of the others' do. But my mother
is frail, sick and weak. She's dying; everyone on Mars knows it. And the
countless duchesses, ladies, and countesses of the Martian Court waste no
time in attracting my father's attention. Worse yet, he allows himself to be entranced.
He treats my mother like she's already dead. He even exchanged more than
friendly courtesies with Duchess Eris in front of my mother! My mother who loves me. My
father treats me like a child without a mother already. As if I was the
offspring of some girl he took to his bed, and managed to worm its way into
the Royal Family of Mars. There are many of them in the palace, he treats me
no differently. He acknowledges me as his child, and that is all.
The others wonder why I can not trust men? Look at my father, friends,
and know the rage that burns in me every time he ignores my mother! Another
reason...
"Princess Mars," King Ares said, bowing stiffly, hardly at all. "I trust
you still have not acquired a suitor." I saw Mother's expression turn
sad, and she gave my father a look that seemed to be begging him to unsay
what he had said. She wasn't upset that I had not found someone I would allow to court me, but
she did dislike how my father continued to antagonize me over it.
Especially where all of my precious friends could hear. I was barely aware of the
concerned gaze of Phobos, Deimos, Mother, and my friends as I clenched my jaw.
(Mercury)
I walked into the room, Venus and Mars were already there and Jupiter followed me. I curtsied to Queen Selenity, following Venus's suit.
"I am pleased to see you both, King Eros and Queen Aphrodite," I heard Venus say, she had a huge smile on her face, it was fake. I glowered at her parents discreetly and then turned to my own. "
"Mercury, dear." my mother said, I love her and she loves me. Thank god at least she loved me as I was growing up. "We have not set up a marriage for you."
"Not that anyone would want you." I heard my father mutter under his breath. My eyes stung and the tears that were in them burned. How could he be so heartless? I'm his daughter... not that he wanted a daughter... he wanted a son. Well, I'm safe here. The image of the young man flashed across my mind. And I wondered again who he was. Then an idea came to me. Would mother let me marry him if I fell in love? That was something to think on. I watched my mother glare at my father. They had never truly gotten along. I often felt bad for my mother and even worse for myself.
My father had once, out of anger I guess, told me that I was a mistake. He told me that I was not his daughter. But my childhood had been happy none the less. Mother and I had spent much time at my grandparent's 'small' palace on the other side of Mercury. I looked back up at my parents, my father's eyes were else where in the room. I followed his gaze and found it rested on Queen Io. My eyes went to Jupiter, she was helping her father. I knew that her father had problems with drinking, but he had always been kind to her.
A small hand slipped into mine and I looked down. My cousin, Tempest, looked up at me. Her small ocean green eyes sparkled.
" 'lo Merkey." I smiled, being only three she still didn't know how to say my name. My mother reached down and picked her up. She was my mother's sister's daughter. My aunt had died two years ago, leaving the child with us. She was so much like a little sister to me.
"Just had to bring the little brat didn't you?" my father demanded of my mother. "And what are we ever gonna do with his one?" my father asked. Pointing to me. "We'll never be able to marry her off. No one wants to marry an ugly princess." Once again the tears bruned hot in my eyes and I turned away from the man I was forced to call father.
(Jupiter)
I slowly walked in, still stinging from my almost fistfight. I curtsied to Queen Selenity, as the ones before me did. I went over to my father and mother, King Zeus and Queen Io. I curtsied to them, also. "Welcome, King and Queen." I said. My father gave a hearty laugh.
"Why call us King and Queen? We're your parents, for god's sake!" he exclaimed, giving me a bear hug. I could smell the alcohol on his breath, bringing tears to my eyes.
"And you will do EXACTLY as we tell you. You do not argue with us, Princess Venus, you know that. You will marry him. We are already planning your wedding." I heard a harsh voice say. I looked for the speaker, and found Venus's father addressing her with a harsh voice and cold eyes. I wish I could have told her it was okay, but we were all trapped here, in this unforgiving room, unable to work together and help each other. I sighed, and my mother addressed me.
"Hello, sweetie!" she said, her eyes supposedly kind. I stood there, reminding myself not to fall for the act. She never cared, and she never will, I thought to myself. If she cared, she would stop my father from doing this to himself. Instead, she manipulates his wealth when he's drunk, and buys herself nice things, putting the entirety of Jupiter in danger. "Your brothers couldn't come, they were busy." she said, voice dripping with false sweetness. I just glared at her, and put my attention to my father. "Brat", I heard her mutter under her breath.
"Father, why don't you come sit down?" I asked, pulling his arm over my shoulder, guiding him to a chair.
"Thank you, sweetheart." he said. I sighed and sat down next to him. My thoughts dwelled back on my archenemy. She should be the princess, I thought, takes a whole lot off my back.
