Chapter Two: The Ball
For the next two days until the ball, Usagi wandered around the palace with her head in the clouds. The princesses from the other nine surrounding planets came to try and get Usagi's mind off of the handsome stranger that she saw in the streets. "How could you be in love with him, Usagi-baka?" asked Princess Rei, of Mars while they were having tea. "You don't even know his name." "At least it's not a peasant that she's in love with," pointed out Ami. "It's not?" asked Princess Minako, of Venus. "No. He's from Nemesis," said Ami. "Well that's even worse," said Princess Haruka, growing defensive for Mamoru. "You're betrothed to Mamoru. His enemy is Demando!" "Demando?" asked Usagi dazed. "Who's Demando?" "The prince from Nemesis, duh!" said Haruka, shaking her head. "Oh," Usagi continued in her dazed voice. "That's his name?" The other princesses looked at each other and no one answered that question. "So," said Minako in a cheery voice, "What is everyone wearing to tomorrow's ball?" she asked, bringing up her favorite topic, fashion. "I'm wearing what I usually wear," said Ami. "A light blue, ankle length dress with puffy short sleeves." "How boring," commented Minako. "I'm wearing a spaghetti strapped floor length dress that's orange and has sparkles all over the dress. I'm also putting some sparkles in my hair to match. "That's awesome!" said Michiru. "Mine's aqua, as usual, with short puffy sleeves and it kind of resembles Usagi's normal dress, only aqua. "I'm not coming," said Setsuna quietly. "What?" asked Usagi, speaking for the first time in a while. "I'm not coming. I can't. My parents are forbidding me, since I know what's going to happen, they think that it's pointless to go." "Mama," said Hotaru, hurrying over and hugging Setsuna. Hotaru was two years older than when she had last visited, a week ago. "Did she just refer to you as her mother?" asked Rei. "Yes. Her father was killed in an explosion on Pluto. She's also Sailor Saturn, the soldier of destruction. She's one of us, so I adopted her. My parents aren't happy, as I'm just nineteen and I already have a child, but I don't mind. Hotaru is my pride and joy," she said beaming. "Mama, why can't we go to the ball?" six-year-old Hotaru asked. "Because, sweetie. Grandma and Grandpa want us to stay home. We're going to play dollies instead." "I want to get all dressed up in a frilly dress and come to the ball," Hotaru insisted. The rest of the princesses laughed at the young girl trying to order her mother about. A servant knocked on the door and curtsied. "Princess Serenity, Prince Endymion is here." Usagi rolled her eyes and said with her back to the servant, "Send him in." "What was that for?" asked Makoto. "He's too overprotective of me. Mother told him that Ami-chan and I had gone into the market and now he's come every day since, trying to get our wedding date moved to sooner." Mamoru walked in, carrying flowers. "Here," he said, gently placing then in Usagi's lap. "Thank you," she said quietly. Mamoru scooted her over and sat next to her on the couch, putting an arm around her shoulder. Usagi made no move to move away from him. She handed the flowers to a servant who hurried away to arrange them into a vase. "Mamoru, are you coming to the ball tomorrow night?" asked Michiru. "Why would I miss it?" he asked, smiling at Usagi. She gave him a slight smile in return and went back to staring out the window. The next night, Usagi sat in her room, dressing for the ball. She put on a strapless long white gown that resembled her usual dress, without the sleeves. (AN: They don't know about Neo-Queen Serenity yet, so her dress can't resemble hers, can it now?) She redid her hair, replacing it in the royal odangoes and placed a golden crown between the odangoes. She slipped into a pair of glass shoes and as a last thought pulled two strands of hair from her odangoes and let them sit on her shoulders. The white moon symbol glowed brightly on her forehead for a moment and then returned to its normal golden color. Hmm, thought Serenity. I wonder what that was all about? She shrugged it off and continued down the stairs. She reached the French double doors leading to the ballroom and paused, waiting for her introduction. "Her royal highness," boomed a voice. "Princess Serenity." She pushed open the doors and entered, walking down the stairs into the room. She paused at the bottom of the stairs and allowed Endymion to take her hand and help her off of the last stair and through the parted crowd. He helped her up the two stairs that led to the line of royal chairs and helped her into the one in the center, bedecked in white and gold fabric. She sat down and watched her people happily continue their dancing. The princesses from Mercury, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter each brought forward a gift and curtsied to their princess. "Serenity," began Ami, using her royal name. "Happy Birthday!" Usagi stood regally from the chair and was swept into a group hug by her four friends. Endymion bowed to Serenity and asked, "May I have this dance?" She nodded silently and allowed herself to be led to the dance floor. The crowd cleared, leaving the floor open for the prince and princess to have their one dance. Demando stood in a corner and watched them dance. Something is on her mind, he thought, looking at her troubled expression and watching her look around. She's looking for something too. Usagi looked around and not seeing whom she wanted, and being only five foot nine, reluctantly laid her head on Endymion's chest, letting him lead the remainder of the dance. He leaned down and whispered, "After tonight, we begin the wedding preparations. And then, you're all mine!" he said, giving her a cocky grin. She smiled in return and said, "There are a few people that I know won't be on the guest list, but I'd like to invite them anyway." The song ended and Endymion swept into a bow, "Your wish is my command, Majesty." He led her to the doors adjoining the courtyard and went outside with her. "I love you, you do know that, right?" he asked. "How could I forget?" He leaned down and kissed her. He pulled away, noticing that she hadn't moved from her other position. "What's wrong?" he asked. "I'm not feeling well," she lied. "Then let's go back inside. Maybe some punch will make you feel better." "Maybe." They went back inside the palace and once again, Usagi looked for someone. Mamoru left her in the care of the other princesses, and went to get some punch for the two of them. "I know who you're looking for," said Ami. "He's right there," she pointed to a corner of the room. "I don't see him," said Usagi. "Who me?" asked a voice from behind them. Usagi turned around and her face broke into a huge smile when she saw Demando behind her. "May I have this dance?" he asked. "Of course," she beamed. She knew that Mamoru was watching, so she triumphantly kept her head up high. "We never were properly introduced the other day, Princess," he said. "I am Prince Demando. I'm from Nemesis." "My mother told me. I really appreciate that you came back here to warn my mother." "It was nothing. I am hoping that somehow, when you become queen, that we can find a way to unite the Moon and Earth Kingdoms with Nemesis, as allies." "It would be an honor. Convincing Endymion is a different story," she grinned. The song ended and Demando brought her back to Endymion. "Thank you for allowing me the pleasure of dancing with your princess," he bowed. "You're very welcome," said Mamoru, handing Usagi a glass of punch. "She's an absolute doll, isn't she?" "Yes," replied Demando, pressing something into Usagi's hand. "An absolute doll." He walked away. She hid the piece of paper that Demando had pressed into her hand in the bust of her dress so that Mamoru wouldn't see it and she could look at it later. "Hello, Usagi, darling," said a woman's voice, pressing Usagi against her chest in what was supposed to be a hug. It was Queen Lucinda, accompanied by King Jeremiah coming to wish Usagi a happy birthday. "Happy birthday, future daughter in law," said Jeremiah. "Dad," hissed Mamoru. "Stop." "Oh yeah. I forgot. It's too embarrassing to be seen with your old parents anymore. Come along, Lucinda, we have to say hello to Serenity as well." Usagi rolled her eyes. They always referred to her as either Usagi or Mini Serenity, and her mother as Serenity. She was glad that they had used her nickname this time. "Come on," said Rei, pulling Usagi's hand. "Makoto, grab the presents and go." The four princesses pulled Usagi up to her room and shut the door. "Okay," commanded the Princess of Love. "Note first, presents and cake later. Read it, Usagi." "What note?" "The one that Demando gave you, duh!" "Oh, that note." Usagi pulled out the piece of paper. Meet me in the market tomorrow at noon. Come alone; bring one Sailor Senshi for protection if absolutely necessary. "Sailor Senshi?" asked Usagi. "We were going to tell you, Usagi. We four are Sailor Senshi, your guardians. If anything goes wrong for any reason at all, we must protect you. That's what he means," said Ami. "Oh. Well, I'm going by myself. I'm going to sneak out again. Minako, I need you to pose as me." "All right, Usagi-chan," said Minako, giving her a thumbs up. "Come over around eleven. Just say that you left when I go, okay?" "Sure." "Can we open presents now?" asked Michiru, poking her head in the door. She came in with Haruka following her. "Sure!" Usagi tore open Ami's present. "Awesome! A new computer game with the senshi in it! Thanks Ami-chan!" she said, hugging her. "I programmed it myself," said Ami. She tore open Rei's present next. "A new red vase to match my room! Cool!" She got up and took the flowers that Mamoru had given her yesterday out of the clear vase they were in. She put fresh water in Rei's vase and put the flowers back in her new one. "It reminded me of the roses that Mamo-chan always gives you. It matches too," said Rei. Then came Makoto's present. "A cookbook so I can cook like Makoto!" she exclaimed. "Yeah, like that will ever happen," said Haruka. "Haruka!" exclaimed Michiru. She elbowed her. "This is awesome Mako-chan! Now I can try and cook like you do!" "Yep! I expect you to cater for my birthday," laughed Makoto. Minako handed Usagi her gift and Usagi eagerly opened it. It was a new gown, in Usagi's favorite color, pink. It had spaghetti straps that crisscrossed across her otherwise bare back. It fell to her ankles, and Usagi dug deeper in the box to find a pair of sandals with three-inch heels that had thin straps the same color as her dress. She picked up the dress and held it up to herself. "Minako-chan! I love it!" she shrieked with joy, looking in the mirror. Minako pushed Usagi into the bathroom and said, "Try it on! Hurry!" Usagi came out five minutes later with her odangoes let down. Her hair fell past her thighs and covered the back of her dress. "Sit," commanded Minako, and Usagi sat on a cushioned stool and allowed Minako to brush her hair into a bun, leaving parts of her hair out. Minako curled the hair that was left out of the bun and wrapped it around the outside of the bun. She left Usagi's touch on the hairdo, the two strands of hair hanging at the sides. Usagi slid her feet into the sandals and adjusted the straps. She wobbled a little at first as she tried walking, but adjusted to being up to high and sat down as Haruka handed her another gift. "This one is from Michiru and I," she said. Usagi opened the rather large box and took out the contents, one at a time. There were nine dolls inside, one of each Sailor Senshi. "Michiru picked them out," grumbled Haruka. "I told her that you'd prefer a racing bike, but she insisted." "I love them!" she said, taking them all out and setting them on an empty shelf. "I saw them on Neptune. That's where they were first brought out. I don't think that you can get them here yet. They didn't have a Sailor Moon one for some odd reason." "Maybe because there isn't one?" asked Ami. "Why wouldn't there be, though?" asked Makoto. "There should be, but maybe we have to find her," pointed out Rei. "What about me? What if I'm the missing senshi?" asked Usagi. "That's impossible. You're destined to be the ruler of the Silver Millennium, the whole galaxy. You can't be a senshi too," protested Haruka. "That reminds me, Haruka," began Michiru. "Usagi, this is from your mother. She wanted me to give it to you," Michiru pressed a small box into the princess's hands. Usagi opened it and saw a pink and gold brooch sitting on a pink cushion, with the Imperium Crystal nestled in the middle of the brooch. "You are a senshi, Usagi," said Michiru. "Sailor Moon, our leader." "Usagi-baka? Our leader?" laughed Rei. "It's true," said Haruka. Usagi said the words that were on the tip of her tongue. "Moon Crystal Power, Make Up!" She transformed into a Sailor Senshi with a blue skirt, two red bows, and a tiara to match. "Ha! Rei!" laughed Usagi triumphantly. "I can fight for myself, thank you very much." Rei mumbled something that sounded like, "She always gets everything." Usagi hugged everyone and thanked them, then de-transformed and dashed for the ballroom. She ran right into Mamoru on her way there, and wobbled and fell to the ground. "Usako!" he exclaimed, helping her up. "I was just coming to look for you. It's the final dance, and we're supposed to have it. Shouldn't you have on something a little more appropriate?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "No. This is fine," she insisted. "Minako gave it to me for my birthday." "Okay. Come on." They made it to the dance floor and the crowd drew in their breath at the sight of the beautiful princess. Her hair was done perfectly and her cheeks were slightly flushed from the run to the ballroom. She looked wonderful. After the dance had finished, Queen Serenity thanked everyone for coming and walked right over to her daughter. "Usagi! What are you wearing?" she demanded. "Minako gave me the dress and shoes for my birthday. I wanted to wear them. I love the outfit!" she grinned. "I do too. Minako has great taste, but don't you think that it was inappropriate for the ball, and especially your seventeenth birthday?" "Mother, it was my last birthday as an unmarried princess. I wanted to make it special," protested Usagi. "You're right," agreed Serenity, hugging her daughter. "Now hurry up. It's late, and you've had a long day. Get to bed," she commanded her daughter. Usagi gave her mother one last hug and ran back up the stairs to her room.
For the next two days until the ball, Usagi wandered around the palace with her head in the clouds. The princesses from the other nine surrounding planets came to try and get Usagi's mind off of the handsome stranger that she saw in the streets. "How could you be in love with him, Usagi-baka?" asked Princess Rei, of Mars while they were having tea. "You don't even know his name." "At least it's not a peasant that she's in love with," pointed out Ami. "It's not?" asked Princess Minako, of Venus. "No. He's from Nemesis," said Ami. "Well that's even worse," said Princess Haruka, growing defensive for Mamoru. "You're betrothed to Mamoru. His enemy is Demando!" "Demando?" asked Usagi dazed. "Who's Demando?" "The prince from Nemesis, duh!" said Haruka, shaking her head. "Oh," Usagi continued in her dazed voice. "That's his name?" The other princesses looked at each other and no one answered that question. "So," said Minako in a cheery voice, "What is everyone wearing to tomorrow's ball?" she asked, bringing up her favorite topic, fashion. "I'm wearing what I usually wear," said Ami. "A light blue, ankle length dress with puffy short sleeves." "How boring," commented Minako. "I'm wearing a spaghetti strapped floor length dress that's orange and has sparkles all over the dress. I'm also putting some sparkles in my hair to match. "That's awesome!" said Michiru. "Mine's aqua, as usual, with short puffy sleeves and it kind of resembles Usagi's normal dress, only aqua. "I'm not coming," said Setsuna quietly. "What?" asked Usagi, speaking for the first time in a while. "I'm not coming. I can't. My parents are forbidding me, since I know what's going to happen, they think that it's pointless to go." "Mama," said Hotaru, hurrying over and hugging Setsuna. Hotaru was two years older than when she had last visited, a week ago. "Did she just refer to you as her mother?" asked Rei. "Yes. Her father was killed in an explosion on Pluto. She's also Sailor Saturn, the soldier of destruction. She's one of us, so I adopted her. My parents aren't happy, as I'm just nineteen and I already have a child, but I don't mind. Hotaru is my pride and joy," she said beaming. "Mama, why can't we go to the ball?" six-year-old Hotaru asked. "Because, sweetie. Grandma and Grandpa want us to stay home. We're going to play dollies instead." "I want to get all dressed up in a frilly dress and come to the ball," Hotaru insisted. The rest of the princesses laughed at the young girl trying to order her mother about. A servant knocked on the door and curtsied. "Princess Serenity, Prince Endymion is here." Usagi rolled her eyes and said with her back to the servant, "Send him in." "What was that for?" asked Makoto. "He's too overprotective of me. Mother told him that Ami-chan and I had gone into the market and now he's come every day since, trying to get our wedding date moved to sooner." Mamoru walked in, carrying flowers. "Here," he said, gently placing then in Usagi's lap. "Thank you," she said quietly. Mamoru scooted her over and sat next to her on the couch, putting an arm around her shoulder. Usagi made no move to move away from him. She handed the flowers to a servant who hurried away to arrange them into a vase. "Mamoru, are you coming to the ball tomorrow night?" asked Michiru. "Why would I miss it?" he asked, smiling at Usagi. She gave him a slight smile in return and went back to staring out the window. The next night, Usagi sat in her room, dressing for the ball. She put on a strapless long white gown that resembled her usual dress, without the sleeves. (AN: They don't know about Neo-Queen Serenity yet, so her dress can't resemble hers, can it now?) She redid her hair, replacing it in the royal odangoes and placed a golden crown between the odangoes. She slipped into a pair of glass shoes and as a last thought pulled two strands of hair from her odangoes and let them sit on her shoulders. The white moon symbol glowed brightly on her forehead for a moment and then returned to its normal golden color. Hmm, thought Serenity. I wonder what that was all about? She shrugged it off and continued down the stairs. She reached the French double doors leading to the ballroom and paused, waiting for her introduction. "Her royal highness," boomed a voice. "Princess Serenity." She pushed open the doors and entered, walking down the stairs into the room. She paused at the bottom of the stairs and allowed Endymion to take her hand and help her off of the last stair and through the parted crowd. He helped her up the two stairs that led to the line of royal chairs and helped her into the one in the center, bedecked in white and gold fabric. She sat down and watched her people happily continue their dancing. The princesses from Mercury, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter each brought forward a gift and curtsied to their princess. "Serenity," began Ami, using her royal name. "Happy Birthday!" Usagi stood regally from the chair and was swept into a group hug by her four friends. Endymion bowed to Serenity and asked, "May I have this dance?" She nodded silently and allowed herself to be led to the dance floor. The crowd cleared, leaving the floor open for the prince and princess to have their one dance. Demando stood in a corner and watched them dance. Something is on her mind, he thought, looking at her troubled expression and watching her look around. She's looking for something too. Usagi looked around and not seeing whom she wanted, and being only five foot nine, reluctantly laid her head on Endymion's chest, letting him lead the remainder of the dance. He leaned down and whispered, "After tonight, we begin the wedding preparations. And then, you're all mine!" he said, giving her a cocky grin. She smiled in return and said, "There are a few people that I know won't be on the guest list, but I'd like to invite them anyway." The song ended and Endymion swept into a bow, "Your wish is my command, Majesty." He led her to the doors adjoining the courtyard and went outside with her. "I love you, you do know that, right?" he asked. "How could I forget?" He leaned down and kissed her. He pulled away, noticing that she hadn't moved from her other position. "What's wrong?" he asked. "I'm not feeling well," she lied. "Then let's go back inside. Maybe some punch will make you feel better." "Maybe." They went back inside the palace and once again, Usagi looked for someone. Mamoru left her in the care of the other princesses, and went to get some punch for the two of them. "I know who you're looking for," said Ami. "He's right there," she pointed to a corner of the room. "I don't see him," said Usagi. "Who me?" asked a voice from behind them. Usagi turned around and her face broke into a huge smile when she saw Demando behind her. "May I have this dance?" he asked. "Of course," she beamed. She knew that Mamoru was watching, so she triumphantly kept her head up high. "We never were properly introduced the other day, Princess," he said. "I am Prince Demando. I'm from Nemesis." "My mother told me. I really appreciate that you came back here to warn my mother." "It was nothing. I am hoping that somehow, when you become queen, that we can find a way to unite the Moon and Earth Kingdoms with Nemesis, as allies." "It would be an honor. Convincing Endymion is a different story," she grinned. The song ended and Demando brought her back to Endymion. "Thank you for allowing me the pleasure of dancing with your princess," he bowed. "You're very welcome," said Mamoru, handing Usagi a glass of punch. "She's an absolute doll, isn't she?" "Yes," replied Demando, pressing something into Usagi's hand. "An absolute doll." He walked away. She hid the piece of paper that Demando had pressed into her hand in the bust of her dress so that Mamoru wouldn't see it and she could look at it later. "Hello, Usagi, darling," said a woman's voice, pressing Usagi against her chest in what was supposed to be a hug. It was Queen Lucinda, accompanied by King Jeremiah coming to wish Usagi a happy birthday. "Happy birthday, future daughter in law," said Jeremiah. "Dad," hissed Mamoru. "Stop." "Oh yeah. I forgot. It's too embarrassing to be seen with your old parents anymore. Come along, Lucinda, we have to say hello to Serenity as well." Usagi rolled her eyes. They always referred to her as either Usagi or Mini Serenity, and her mother as Serenity. She was glad that they had used her nickname this time. "Come on," said Rei, pulling Usagi's hand. "Makoto, grab the presents and go." The four princesses pulled Usagi up to her room and shut the door. "Okay," commanded the Princess of Love. "Note first, presents and cake later. Read it, Usagi." "What note?" "The one that Demando gave you, duh!" "Oh, that note." Usagi pulled out the piece of paper. Meet me in the market tomorrow at noon. Come alone; bring one Sailor Senshi for protection if absolutely necessary. "Sailor Senshi?" asked Usagi. "We were going to tell you, Usagi. We four are Sailor Senshi, your guardians. If anything goes wrong for any reason at all, we must protect you. That's what he means," said Ami. "Oh. Well, I'm going by myself. I'm going to sneak out again. Minako, I need you to pose as me." "All right, Usagi-chan," said Minako, giving her a thumbs up. "Come over around eleven. Just say that you left when I go, okay?" "Sure." "Can we open presents now?" asked Michiru, poking her head in the door. She came in with Haruka following her. "Sure!" Usagi tore open Ami's present. "Awesome! A new computer game with the senshi in it! Thanks Ami-chan!" she said, hugging her. "I programmed it myself," said Ami. She tore open Rei's present next. "A new red vase to match my room! Cool!" She got up and took the flowers that Mamoru had given her yesterday out of the clear vase they were in. She put fresh water in Rei's vase and put the flowers back in her new one. "It reminded me of the roses that Mamo-chan always gives you. It matches too," said Rei. Then came Makoto's present. "A cookbook so I can cook like Makoto!" she exclaimed. "Yeah, like that will ever happen," said Haruka. "Haruka!" exclaimed Michiru. She elbowed her. "This is awesome Mako-chan! Now I can try and cook like you do!" "Yep! I expect you to cater for my birthday," laughed Makoto. Minako handed Usagi her gift and Usagi eagerly opened it. It was a new gown, in Usagi's favorite color, pink. It had spaghetti straps that crisscrossed across her otherwise bare back. It fell to her ankles, and Usagi dug deeper in the box to find a pair of sandals with three-inch heels that had thin straps the same color as her dress. She picked up the dress and held it up to herself. "Minako-chan! I love it!" she shrieked with joy, looking in the mirror. Minako pushed Usagi into the bathroom and said, "Try it on! Hurry!" Usagi came out five minutes later with her odangoes let down. Her hair fell past her thighs and covered the back of her dress. "Sit," commanded Minako, and Usagi sat on a cushioned stool and allowed Minako to brush her hair into a bun, leaving parts of her hair out. Minako curled the hair that was left out of the bun and wrapped it around the outside of the bun. She left Usagi's touch on the hairdo, the two strands of hair hanging at the sides. Usagi slid her feet into the sandals and adjusted the straps. She wobbled a little at first as she tried walking, but adjusted to being up to high and sat down as Haruka handed her another gift. "This one is from Michiru and I," she said. Usagi opened the rather large box and took out the contents, one at a time. There were nine dolls inside, one of each Sailor Senshi. "Michiru picked them out," grumbled Haruka. "I told her that you'd prefer a racing bike, but she insisted." "I love them!" she said, taking them all out and setting them on an empty shelf. "I saw them on Neptune. That's where they were first brought out. I don't think that you can get them here yet. They didn't have a Sailor Moon one for some odd reason." "Maybe because there isn't one?" asked Ami. "Why wouldn't there be, though?" asked Makoto. "There should be, but maybe we have to find her," pointed out Rei. "What about me? What if I'm the missing senshi?" asked Usagi. "That's impossible. You're destined to be the ruler of the Silver Millennium, the whole galaxy. You can't be a senshi too," protested Haruka. "That reminds me, Haruka," began Michiru. "Usagi, this is from your mother. She wanted me to give it to you," Michiru pressed a small box into the princess's hands. Usagi opened it and saw a pink and gold brooch sitting on a pink cushion, with the Imperium Crystal nestled in the middle of the brooch. "You are a senshi, Usagi," said Michiru. "Sailor Moon, our leader." "Usagi-baka? Our leader?" laughed Rei. "It's true," said Haruka. Usagi said the words that were on the tip of her tongue. "Moon Crystal Power, Make Up!" She transformed into a Sailor Senshi with a blue skirt, two red bows, and a tiara to match. "Ha! Rei!" laughed Usagi triumphantly. "I can fight for myself, thank you very much." Rei mumbled something that sounded like, "She always gets everything." Usagi hugged everyone and thanked them, then de-transformed and dashed for the ballroom. She ran right into Mamoru on her way there, and wobbled and fell to the ground. "Usako!" he exclaimed, helping her up. "I was just coming to look for you. It's the final dance, and we're supposed to have it. Shouldn't you have on something a little more appropriate?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "No. This is fine," she insisted. "Minako gave it to me for my birthday." "Okay. Come on." They made it to the dance floor and the crowd drew in their breath at the sight of the beautiful princess. Her hair was done perfectly and her cheeks were slightly flushed from the run to the ballroom. She looked wonderful. After the dance had finished, Queen Serenity thanked everyone for coming and walked right over to her daughter. "Usagi! What are you wearing?" she demanded. "Minako gave me the dress and shoes for my birthday. I wanted to wear them. I love the outfit!" she grinned. "I do too. Minako has great taste, but don't you think that it was inappropriate for the ball, and especially your seventeenth birthday?" "Mother, it was my last birthday as an unmarried princess. I wanted to make it special," protested Usagi. "You're right," agreed Serenity, hugging her daughter. "Now hurry up. It's late, and you've had a long day. Get to bed," she commanded her daughter. Usagi gave her mother one last hug and ran back up the stairs to her room.
