Chapter 4 - Parental Introductions
by Prince Johnathan of Jupiter

~~BGM Choice: Guardia Castle Theme from Chrono Trigger~~

Sean was nervous as he looked at the royal attire he was gonna be expected to wear. Lita as sitting on the bed looking up at him as he worried about how he was gonna act.

"Lita, this is very weird for me. What if I wig out?"
She looked at him weird. "'Wig out'?"

He got an anime sweat drop. He forgot this was the far past, where his slangs are not known. "Meaning what if I freak, what if I get so nervous I make a mistake?"

She stood and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I'm sure you'll do fine. You know what to say, and what to wear..."

"All I'm missing is a true title. After all, I am not sure your parents would be happy that a 'commoner' beat the princess in singles combat."

She sighed. "You're right. Mother and Father always said that a princess should never face a commoner in combat, that I needed to select from the princes of the other planets, as Prince Darien picked Princess Serena."

Sean looked at her. "What if I came, as a knight, and requested a royal placement as a Prince of the Planet because of my win?"

She looked thoughtful for a moment, considering. "It's possible. When you beat a woman in combat for marriage, if it's royalty, the male does have the right to ask one royal favor."

Sean smiled, thinking, then spoke. "If we say I am already a Knight of Jupiter, and that I challenged you and you lost, I could ask that I be upgraded from Knight to Prince as my favor, keeping with the royal trend."

She smiled. "Prince Sean Storan of Jupiter... doesn't sound right." She frowned. "What did you call yourself when we met?"

"Johnathan Logan. It was the cover name I was issued by Ying before I departed for here."

"Then Sir Johnathan Logan shall become Prince Johnathan Logan. It's perfect. And that other person, the one you're here to see..."

"The Moon Samurai, First Knight of the Kingdom"

"...Shall be your alibi," she said.

He smiled, and leaned over to give Lita a kiss, which she said, "Go on now, love. Be ready for when called for, which I am sure they will to verify your claim."

Sean nodded, and she departed. Sean then went and dressed, adding a green rose in the lapel of the uniform shirt. He was ready.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ About 2 Hours Later ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

King Thomas and Queen Kimberly of Jupiter were holding court in the Main Chamber of the castle. Thomas turned to Kimberly. "Lady, where is our daughter? She usually attends these proceedings."

She turned to her husband. "I have not seen her for days, but I have heard rumors that she and an unknown man entered the Arena of Thunder."

He looked surprised. "She found a man who would marry her, and never even informed us? Why that's...." The king was cut off by a herald.

"My King, Sir Johnathan Logan of our Knighthood wishes an audience with yourself and the Queen."

"Sir Johnathan Logan... I've never heard of him before. Send him in, none the less."

Sean entered wearing the uniform of the Knights of Jupiter, following him the Moon Samurai. Sean and the Moon Samurai bowed before the King and Queen. The King spoke first. "Arise both of you. Sir Ashton," he referred to the Moon Samurai, "It's been a long time since you have graced this chamber. Who is this you bring before me?"

Sir Ashton looked up. "This is Sir Johnathan Logan, a Knight I have been training for some time. He has some news I believe you should hear."

King Thomas turned to Sean. "Speak young man. What news is so urgent?"

Sean took a breath. "For a short time now, I have been meeting with your daughter, sir." This had a gasp come from the queen. Sean continued, "And in that time, I have fallen in love with her, and she with me."

The queen looked furious "And I am guessing YOU were the one she is said to have entered the Arena with?"

He gulped. "Yes Your Highness. Princess Lita challenged me to the Ritual Combat."

She chuckled. "And you love her so much that when you lost to her you came here to challenge me?"

He smiled now, and held out to her a closed fist. "Open your hand, Your Highness."

She did so, looking at him strangely. Sean opened his hand into hers, and the King, Queen, AND Sir Ashton, gasped. In her hand was the earring Lita gave him. The King looked to a runner. "Summon Lita here immediately."

While they waited for Lita, Queen Kimberly stuttered, "What.... this... this is impossible. Where did you steal this!?" She demanded, thinking this was some cheap trick.

Sean stood up straight. "I am insulted that you accuse me of theft, Your Highness. Lita gave me that when I bested her in the combat."

The King looked at his wife. "Remember what her grandmother said?"

The Queen nodded, and looked at Sean. "When Lita's grandmother was dying, she gave Lita these earrings and told her never to give them up, that they had been passed down to every other generation, from my mother's grandmother, and her grandmother before her. Lita never removed them for any reason..."

"Till now." Sean finished.

As he said this, Lita entered with her single earring, and bowed before her parents.

"Lita, darling, do you know this boy?" Queen Kimberly pointed at Sean.

Lita nodded "He's my boyfriend, Mother, now my fiancée, by winning Ritual Combat."

The King was flustered "Maybe she gave it to him because of wanting to marry him."

Lita protested, "I would never give up a family heirloom to just anyone, even if I loved them!"

Sir Ashton stepped forward. "But wouldn't the cameras in the arena show if they fought?"

The King and Queen nodded, and requested the video from the day Sean stated for them be brought forward. And on it, in full color, they saw the combat take place, ending in a loving embrace between Sean and Lita.

King Thomas looked to Queen Kimberly. "Looks like our little girl has finally found herself a husband." Queen Kimberly looked like she might cry. King Thomas turned to Sean. "I am sure you plan to use the one request given you, as victor of the combat."

Sean nodded. "I was hoping you might induct me as Prince of Jupiter, keeping with your custom of princesses marrying princes." Lita smiled at Sean, and he returned her smile.

The King nodded. "So it shall be written, so it shall be done." Sean chuckled a little, hearing that in a movie once. King Thomas took up the Sword of Jupiter, and beckoned Sean forward. Sean ascended and kneeled before the king and queen. The King moved the blade as if he was knighting Sean. "From this day forward, you shall be called Prince Johnathan Logan of the Planet Jupiter, keeper of the Sword of Jupiter, and betrothed of the Princess Lita. Arise, Prince Johnathan." Sean stood, and King Thomas passed the blade to Sean. Lita and Queen Kimberly were softly crying, watching this.

"Your Majesty, I could never accept such a fine weapon as this as my own." Sean begins to return it to the King, when he placed a hand on Sean's arm.

"You have proven your character, Johnathan, and you have proved worthy. When I became engaged to Lita's mother, I was given the blade to pass to the next in line, the Crown Prince. When Lita's mother and I are gone, you and Lita shall rule Jupiter together." King Thomas then leaned down and whispered, "She is my only daughter. You hurt her, and I will hunt you down."

Sean replied in a whisper. "If I ever hurt her, I will LET you hunt me down and let you take my head."

The King nodded approval, and whispered, "Now go and hug her before she goes crazy."

"You don't need to tell me twice," Sean replied, and went and hugged his fiancée. She returned his embrace and kissed his cheek.

"I am so proud of you." Lita said to him.

"And I love you, Lita." Sean replied. "What happens now?"

She looked to her mother. "The Bonding, yes?" Her mother nodded.