(A/N: This section contains some Japanese words turned into names.
"Kaijin" means 'mysterious person,' "Yumezuishou" means 'dream crystal,'
and "Meisatsu" means 'insight' or 'discernment.' Hope you enjoy the story,
and don't forget to R&R, please! Luv ya, everyone! -LadyAkhana)
After the accumulated court business had been taken care of, Princess Beauty walked through the halls of marble. Her cousin was gone. There was no way to get around the fact she faced as she glided down the corridor that led to her room. Her hand went to the doorknob, and Beauty heard a voice behind her. She turned. "What?" Vincent had called her name and was now hurrying toward her. "Princess Beauty, Queen Meisatsu of Omega has arrived with her son, Prince Kaijin. Your mother wishes for you to be present when they arrive." Beauty didn't hear him. She had a vague impression of being led down the hall as she thought on just what Vincent had said. Prince Kaijin was coming! Oh, how she wanted to see him! They were best friends, but the last time he had come, she had started to feel awkward around him. He didn't seem comfortable either, but that had probably just been her own nerves. That had been shortly after she had turned fifteen. Now, a year later, she was a little anxious about meeting him. She wondered what he was thinking about meeting her; probably the same- "What are you so preoccupied with, child?" Beauty looked up from her reverie, jolted back into the present. "Hm?" "Are you all right, child?" "Yes, Vincent, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" "You seemed a little spaced-out there, Princess." "Oh. I was just letting my mind wander." "I see." He opened a door to a large balcony overlooking the city. It was the largest balcony in the city, called the Grand Balcony because that was where the queen addressed the city. It also served as the guest reception area. A platform set into the balcony floated up to meet the guests levitating down, and they landed on the platform, which was then lowered to the balcony. The Princess and the Steward reached the Queen as the platform began to descend. All eyes were on the people descending on it. A lovely silver-haired woman in a pale green gown stood tall, escorted by a troop of uniformed guards-male and female-and a young man who could only be her son. He, too, had silver hair and wore a blue outfit instead of pale green. His eyes captured Beauty's and held them until he reached the balcony. There he respectfully bowed to the queen. After his mother and hers had exchanged the necessary royal pleasantries, they retired to Queen Beauty's apartment. Vincent went with the queen's guards to show them to the apartment. So Beauty and Kaijin walked among the halls. For a time they were silent. Then Kaijin said, "Beauty, why do you wear black?" She replied softly, "My Aunt Serenity died. Her kingdom is gone." That mention of the event was nearly enough to send her into tears again. "How did she die," he asked as respectfully as he could. Beauty was stunned. He didn't want to hurt her feelings; she could tell that much. But neither did he want to upset her, though he was very curious. She realized that he would probably not ask if she wished it, but she wouldn't deny him a simple answer. Taking a deep breath, she told him. "Her rival from youth, Beryl, led an attack by the Negaverse. They first attacked Earth, then the moon, and destroyed the Capitol. She trapped them in the Crystal she carries, and sent her daughter into hiding with the rest of the population. I don't know where they are.I just wish that-" Her voice caught, and tears welled up in her eyes. Kaijin guided her to a window-seat they had just passed, and they sat down. "You wish you could see them one last time, but they're already gone," he finished for her. She nodded, the drops in her eyes now tracing little paths down her cheeks. He put his arm about her shoulders, just as he had when they were children and she had cried. And as before, she leaned into his comforting side and wept until she felt better. His comforting presence was now more than comforting; he exuded a peace and warmth that was unmatched by any she had felt in his presence before. When her tears were spent, he summoned a kerchief and gave it to her. She dried her green eyes and the marks left on her face from the tears. "Thank you.for just.listening," she told him. "You're welcome. Keep it," he replied when she tried to return the kerchief. She nodded and vanished it. "Are you feeling better? Perhaps you should go wash your face," he suggested delicately. She smiled, briefly turned away from him, and passed a hand in front of her face. When she turned back, it was as if she had never cried at all. Her face looked as if she had just finished making it up for the day, fresh and beautiful. Kaijin's heart stopped momentarily. "Don't need to," she explained. Just then, a loud meow sounded from the other end of the hall. A silver-haired cat's head peeked around the corner, bright green eyes anxious. "Aw," Beauty said. Kaijin took his arm from around Beauty's shoulders. She bent down and clapped her hands together lightly. "Come here, Bastet. Here, kitty kitty." The white animal immediately responded, scooting around the corner and dashing into Beauty's lap. "Good girl," she said as she rubbed its chin. Bastet purred, nudging Beauty's hand. "You're empathetic, you know that," Kaijin said. "Absolutely," she replied, laughing. Together, they fawned over the cat and talked about everything, just as they had done as children. There came a time when, as the Omega-set spilled over their shoulders to illuminate the wall before them, Queen Beauty and Queen Meisatsu found them. As courtesy dictated, Beauty scooped the cat into one arm and curtsied to the two queens. At the same time, Kaijin rose and bowed. With the acknowledgment of their mothers, the two took their seats again. But Beauty was not to sit much longer, as she soon found out. "Beauty, come with us," her mother requested. The princess knew it was not a request, however. She resolutely stood again, put the cat on the floor, and moved to follow her mother and Queen Meisatsu. "You are welcome to come also," the Queen told Kaijin. He stood and joined them. After they had passed through several corridors, he noticed that they were heading to the Queen's chambers. She opened the door, and the two walked in. The Queen, being the last to enter, closed the door. She led them to a round table in the center of the receiving room. On it lay a large mirror engraved with roses, a necklace with a crystal pendant, and a tiny silver crownlet set with sapphires. "Beauty," the queen said, "I want you to know something. I am afraid one of Beryl's two sisters will come after us. She undoubtedly told them of her plan to attack the Moon Kingdom, and those two have grudges against your Aunt Aurora and I just as Beryl did. I don't know why, but they do. This I have seen with my mirror." She indicated the large silver one on the table. "As for me, I shall safeguard our kingdom." Beauty didn't miss that implication. "Our?" The Queen nodded. "Yes, Beauty. As of now, you are the one who must take over my duties." "I thought I already was." "You were, but now you shall sit in court as I handle daily matters. You have learned about the rules, now you must learn to rule. This crownlet is now yours, as a symbol of your assuming the royal duties." She placed the little crown on Beauty's head, nestling it among the silver hair. It was almost lost there, except for the sparkling sapphires. "And the necklace is yours now; it was your grandmother's. She handed it down to me, and I now to you." The princess turned so that her mother could fasten the silver chain about her neck. "The pendant it bears is the jewel of our family, the Yumezuishou, also called the Dream Crystal. It is the symbol of twelve pure traits: joy, loyalty, life, prosperity, peace, destiny, fortune, trust, love, knowledge, har-mony, and dreams. One day, it will be set in your crown, a token of your status as Queen." Beauty touched the Yumezuishou reverently. "Mother." she whispered. Lastly, the queen picked up her magic mirror. Tracing its designs fondly, her eyed misted, and she laid it flat on her hands. "Beauty, you must have this now. Of it, I make a gift. Use it; it can be a great ally in reigning your kingdom someday. You may also glimpse the future, but once seen, it is no longer certain. Take care of it and pass it down to your children." The queen's voice broke, and she turned away as soon as her daughter had taken the mirror. Once she had regained composure, she turned to face them again. Now she spoke to Kaijin and his mother. "This is why I have requested that you attend as well. I wanted someone to validate my passing my powers to my daughter. There is one last thing I, we, have to do." Queen Meisatsu walked over to Queen Beauty, who took her daughter's hand, and then Kaijin's hand. "You are to be married one day. You were betrothed since you were born. I hope you will be happy with one another." She joined their hands. "Yes, your Majesty. We, also." Kaijin answered. Each still holding the other's hand, they made reverence before the pair of queens. "One question, if you please," Princess Beauty said after they rose from their reverences. "Why not do this before the court?" "The court is aware of your betrothal. It was announced at your birth," Queen Meisatsu answered. "Very well." Beauty was not pleased that the court had known before her, nor that her mother would keep this a secret from her. But things could not always please everyone. She wished she could leave. "Are we dismissed, Mother?" Kaijin asked, as though he could read her mind. Queen Meisatsu gave her consent, and they left the two queens alone. When they were safely on a westward-facing balcony, Beauty leaned her elbows on the blue-marble railing. "Thank you," she said. "I thought I'd never get out of there." "Hey," Kaijin said self-deprecatingly, "I hate the tediousness of ceremony, too, even if it is a solemn family thing." He stared out at the now- twilight sky. "Isn't this beautiful," he asked. "Yes," Beauty replied. With the setting of Omega and the sun of this system, the other eight moons of Omega rose one at a time, bathing the ninth in interminable twilight. It was always lovely, especially when a breeze blew off the waveless ocean in the distance, carrying with it a wonderful smell. Any time she could get away from the palace, Beauty went sailing or swimming in the saltless water. Kaijin reached down to the vines growing up the side of the building. He pulled something off it, and leaned back up. He held a pale pink flower in his hand. "For you, my Lady." He presented it to her with an outrageous flourish. Beauty laughed, accepting it with an equally exaggerated curtsy. "Why, thank you, my Lord." He stepped up behind her, and took the flower from her hands. Then he carefully placed it behind her ear, twisting it into the silver strands of her hair. He turned her to him and stepped back, admiring the effect it had on her black dress and silver hair. "Beautiful," he murmured. "Just like your name says you are." He took her hand and brought it to his lips. "Would your Highness mind taking a walk with me?" "My Highness would not," she said, her eyes dancing as she smiled. She took his arm. While he led her through the halls, she wondered where she was being taken. Suddenly, they stopped before the double doors of the grand ballroom. "What-?" The doors swung wide, revealing a ballroom full of people. They burst into applause as the prince escorted the bewildered princess down the wide staircase to the floor, where the queens were waiting. "Happy betrothal, dears," Queen Beauty said as she embraced them in turn. The ballroom floor cleared, and the betrothed couple took their turn on the floor as a solo couple. When the waltz they danced to was over, the nobility of Omega Nine flooded the floor. The ballroom was awash in the colors of the ladies' swirling gowns, undimmed by Beauty's own black. Princess Beauty and Prince Kaijin danced among them, swept away by the merriment of the court. Several dances later, Kaijin escorted Beauty off the floor. They stood off to the side, chatting with the nobility that were not dancing. "Beauty, dear, that's a lovely necklace," a pink-clad lady noted. "Thank you. My mother gave it to me." "What an exquisite tiara." A woman in a green dress curtsied as she commented. "It's a crownlet from my mother." "Good evening, Princess Beauty," was heard many times in passing, drawing as many curtsies as "Good evening, Prince Kaijin." The prince led Beauty to her mother, who was talking with Ambassador Sarta from Omega Three. He was here on a relations mission, and had never been to a royal ball before. So Queen Beauty decided to invite him. "After all, is not a party the best way to welcome a guest," she had said. Beauty curtsied royally before him. "Good evening, Ambassador Sarta." "Good evening, Princess Beauty," he replied with a bow. "You look lovely tonight. While we mourn for your mother's sister, I must say the black does look wonderful with your hair." "Thank you, Ambassador. But black has never been my favorite color. I prefer pastels." "As does the majority of the guests," Sarta pointed out. This was considered the highlight of the ambassador's visit, so everybody who was anybody of the Ninth Omegan Capitol positively had to go. There were the dukes and duchesses of the Capitol, the princess pointed out to him. The duchesses followed every fashion move the princess made, and she never made very many of them. Her decision to wear black to the ball hadn't reached them in time, so they wore pale blue linen, as Beauty herself had done a few weeks ago. The dukes they had come with were nursing wine goblets in attempt to rid themselves of the headache they had gotten while their wives and daughters had given them while trying to find something to wear to the ball. The Lady Amalgra and her daughters were flirting with every man they could find, as usual. The Prince was the exception to their adventures, and they were very sorry of it. All the same, everyone had a marvelous time. "May I have the honor of this dance, Princess," Ambassador Sarta asked. "I think it's only fair that I dance with you after my mother invited you to the ball. What would be the point of coming if not to dance?" She allowed him to lead her to the dance floor, where they participated in a traditional dance of the Omega system along with the other attendees of the ball. The prince met her on the sidelines of the floor. "Would Your Highness honor me with a dance?" "I would." Prince Kaijin, smiling, danced her out to the center of the floor. There they whirled and spun until the music stopped. Applauding with the other guests, Kaijin led the princess back to the sidelines. "Princess, are you feeling all right," he asked. "You look flushed." "I feel a bit light-headed, honestly. May we step out onto the balcony for some air?" "It's not my position to say yea or nay, so I guess we may." She laughed at his rhyming, and he joined her. The balcony overlooked a smallish courtyard edged with a blue-marble wall. The courtyard was more of a garden, really, being filled with all manners of lilacs and hibiscus and orchids. Lovely scents rose up from beneath to give a heady, perfumed quality to the air. Beauty loved this garden. It always smelled so wonderful, like her mother. The queen wore perfume made from the flowers of a pink lilac bush. Princess Beauty's perfume came from a pale purple bush. Beyond the garden wall lay the jungle. All sorts of sounds blew in on the breezes; bird calls, screams of hunted prey, frenzied noises of a hunter after its quarry. But close to the wall there was peace. The palace was protected from wild animals by a peaceful border spell. It had a calming effect on the animals that came near it, erasing their wildness. Some stayed close after encountering the peace, primarily the birds that Beauty called to her every morning. She enjoyed a good conversation with the native peacocks, and awoke each morning to the call of the bright-feathered avila birds. Other animals couldn't wait to get away. They were the ones that thrived on violence, that had to chase and kill their meals. "Marvelous." Though Kaijin had seen this garden before, the colors and scents always took his breath away. Each time he came, it was as if he couldn't wait to come back here. "Isn't it though," Beauty agreed. A chirping from her lilac bush caught her ear. "Listen," she whispered. "What is it," asked Kaijin. "It's Chirpa, one of the avila birds that wake me up every morning." She giggled softly. "He's come to serenade us." "How do you know it's a he? Can you understand it?" "Yes." Her eyes danced. "I probably shouldn't repeat what he's saying, though." She listened some more and blushed. "As a matter of fact, I think I should interrupt him." Beauty called to her avila bird friend with a whistle. A confused chirp answered her. She called back. With a little rush of wings the bird fluttered out of bush and alit on Beauty's outstretched hand. "Hello there," she said in natural speech. "This is my betrothed, Prince Kaijin." "Can he understand you?" At the prince's question, the bird bobbed his head. "Does that answer your question," Beauty replied. Chirpa twittered again, and Beauty nodded. "Go ahead," she told him. He bobbed his head and flew to Kaijin's hand. Kaijin stood absolutely still. Clearly he had never handled a bird before, much less have one alight on his hand. "Stroke his head, Kaijin. He likes that." Beauty moved over to him and lifted her arm. "Like this," she said, demonstrating. She moved her finger lightly over the bird's head, where his little feathered crest was. "Don't rub backward, though. That hurts his feathers." She brought his hand up with her free hand, using his hand as a demonstration. "Now you try." He did, wondering how the young woman standing next to him could be so gentle and graceful when he felt so awkward. He marveled at how Chirpa's feathers felt like silk as his finger moved over the bird's head. It brought a smile to his face to see the small avian looking up at him with such trust. It was almost as if he said, "Any friend of Beauty's is a friend of mine," and all the trust he gave her was shared by all she introduced him to. Gradually he noticed that Beauty had moved away. He turned to her, being careful not to make a sudden move for fear of frightening Chirpa. She was staring at her with her green eyes wide, watching in wonderment. "I've never seen that before," she said cryptically. "What?" "Chirpa.he gave you the gift of knowledge. You can now understand what he says. And you can speak with him in his own language." "How did he...?" "Chirpa must possess some magic that enables him to do that. I knew how to communicate with him because I am the daughter of the Yumezuishou. But you.." Her voice trailed off. She stood still for a few moments, then shook her head. "We should be getting back." "Yes," Kaijin agreed. He held out his hand to the lilac bush, and Chirpa flew away.
That night, Beauty lay awake, unable to sleep. Something or someone kept calling to her, willing her to come. Beauty recognized the voice and traced where it was coming from. She knew that the person who called to her mentally had safeguarded her mind so that she was the only one to hear it. Beauty had not wanted to get up, but this constituted an emergency. And anyway, the avila were out; she could use that as an excuse. The avila were both diurnal and nocturnal, depending upon when they hatched-night hatched chicks were nocturnal, day-hatched chicks were diurnal-and she heard them calling. Chirpa was a nocturnal bird, and he sat in a nearby tree calling for a female. Several others sat with him, and occasionally a fight broke out about who was to sit where. It always ended with a squawking about waking the princess, and then they all settled down on the nearest branch until someone else came. Beauty rose from her bed and went out to the balcony. Chirpa took one look at the others and twittered, "I told you not to wake the princess up." Beauty broke into quiet laughter. "Chirpa," she whistled, "none of you woke me up. I was restless and couldn't fall asleep, so I've been listening to you." She smiled as some of their smiles turned sheepish. "I love you all, you funny little featherbrains." She reached out and rubbed a few of their heads. "Sing me something, please," she asked. Several little heads bobbed as one. Four avila arranged them-selves in a little group, like a quartet, and began to whistle a quiet little piece, almost like a lullaby. Beauty listened with a soft smile, and when they were done she said, "Thanks, guys," and rubbed their heads again. "Now go find someone else's balcony to make noise on," she said good-naturedly. "I need to do something." The birds bobbed their heads in unison in their version of a bow, and flitted away. Beauty turned back to her room. Without a word, she slipped into a dress much like her cousin Serenity's, tying the bow in the back with dexterity. For an instant, she allowed herself to marvel at the way the cool silk felt against her skin, and then she resolutely shook her head. 'Not now,' she thought. Enough time to revel in her fashions later. Beauty pulled her hair up in one smooth move, making a quick ponytail with a piece of blue ribbon that matched her dress. The yumezuishou went about her neck on a silver chain. Soft shoes on her feet made no noise as she did what no princess should have even contemplated: she climbed over the balcony and down the carvings on the side. Hand by hand, cautious step by cautious step, she managed to keep the guards from noticing her. Beauty crept from shadow to shadow, amazed that she, the princess, who should be able to do anything without explaining herself-except to her mother-was forced to slink through the castle grounds like a thief. Just as she rounded a bend in the garden path, she saw the person she was going to meet. The lovely Queen Meisatsu of Omega made no physical attempt to hide her presence, but used her magic to make herself invisible except to her contact. Whisper-soft, the princess stepped into the circle of the Omegan Queen's magic. The moment she came within range, the queen turned her silver head. She regarded the princess as she sat down next to her. "Your Majesty, why did you call me here," Beauty asked. "My daughter," she replied, although Beauty was not due to become her daughter-in-law until she ascended the throne, "I brought you here to talk to you. I am concerned for my son." "Kaijin?" "Yes. My son almost seems to be.unhappy." "Why?" "I don't know if you've noticed, but he's a little nervous around you. You may not have seen it; he's a wonderful diplomat, and can easily keep his feelings hidden. Kaijin feels awkward, though, because he fears his feelings. I've been watching you two, and it seems that there's something neither of you wants the other to know. I think I know what that may be." Meisatsu's eyes told her she would not to tell. "My dear, you have to let him know. I don't care if you are the daughter of the yumezuishou or not, or why you think you're afraid, but if you don't do this, he'll always feel as if you only behave like you do because you're obligated to. Please, Beauty." Meisatsu must have seen the reluctance in Beauty's eyes, for she said, "For Kaijin's sake." Beauty turned to the woman, knowing that a breach of protocol would not be punished. She took the queen's hands in her own. "Oh, Lady Meisatsu! How can I? What if I mess up, if he doesn't-" "Trust me, my dear. Everything will be just fine. I went through the same thing when I was in your situation." Beauty's eyes misted. "Thank you, Lady Meisatsu." She embraced the queen, appreciating the depth of the woman's heart and love for her son. "Thank you," she repeated, and then she rose from the bench and stepped from the circle of magic. With a grateful curtsy, she was gone. "Oh, my dear," Meisatsu whispered in a sudden vision. "Things are coming that you could not possibly imagine."
After the accumulated court business had been taken care of, Princess Beauty walked through the halls of marble. Her cousin was gone. There was no way to get around the fact she faced as she glided down the corridor that led to her room. Her hand went to the doorknob, and Beauty heard a voice behind her. She turned. "What?" Vincent had called her name and was now hurrying toward her. "Princess Beauty, Queen Meisatsu of Omega has arrived with her son, Prince Kaijin. Your mother wishes for you to be present when they arrive." Beauty didn't hear him. She had a vague impression of being led down the hall as she thought on just what Vincent had said. Prince Kaijin was coming! Oh, how she wanted to see him! They were best friends, but the last time he had come, she had started to feel awkward around him. He didn't seem comfortable either, but that had probably just been her own nerves. That had been shortly after she had turned fifteen. Now, a year later, she was a little anxious about meeting him. She wondered what he was thinking about meeting her; probably the same- "What are you so preoccupied with, child?" Beauty looked up from her reverie, jolted back into the present. "Hm?" "Are you all right, child?" "Yes, Vincent, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" "You seemed a little spaced-out there, Princess." "Oh. I was just letting my mind wander." "I see." He opened a door to a large balcony overlooking the city. It was the largest balcony in the city, called the Grand Balcony because that was where the queen addressed the city. It also served as the guest reception area. A platform set into the balcony floated up to meet the guests levitating down, and they landed on the platform, which was then lowered to the balcony. The Princess and the Steward reached the Queen as the platform began to descend. All eyes were on the people descending on it. A lovely silver-haired woman in a pale green gown stood tall, escorted by a troop of uniformed guards-male and female-and a young man who could only be her son. He, too, had silver hair and wore a blue outfit instead of pale green. His eyes captured Beauty's and held them until he reached the balcony. There he respectfully bowed to the queen. After his mother and hers had exchanged the necessary royal pleasantries, they retired to Queen Beauty's apartment. Vincent went with the queen's guards to show them to the apartment. So Beauty and Kaijin walked among the halls. For a time they were silent. Then Kaijin said, "Beauty, why do you wear black?" She replied softly, "My Aunt Serenity died. Her kingdom is gone." That mention of the event was nearly enough to send her into tears again. "How did she die," he asked as respectfully as he could. Beauty was stunned. He didn't want to hurt her feelings; she could tell that much. But neither did he want to upset her, though he was very curious. She realized that he would probably not ask if she wished it, but she wouldn't deny him a simple answer. Taking a deep breath, she told him. "Her rival from youth, Beryl, led an attack by the Negaverse. They first attacked Earth, then the moon, and destroyed the Capitol. She trapped them in the Crystal she carries, and sent her daughter into hiding with the rest of the population. I don't know where they are.I just wish that-" Her voice caught, and tears welled up in her eyes. Kaijin guided her to a window-seat they had just passed, and they sat down. "You wish you could see them one last time, but they're already gone," he finished for her. She nodded, the drops in her eyes now tracing little paths down her cheeks. He put his arm about her shoulders, just as he had when they were children and she had cried. And as before, she leaned into his comforting side and wept until she felt better. His comforting presence was now more than comforting; he exuded a peace and warmth that was unmatched by any she had felt in his presence before. When her tears were spent, he summoned a kerchief and gave it to her. She dried her green eyes and the marks left on her face from the tears. "Thank you.for just.listening," she told him. "You're welcome. Keep it," he replied when she tried to return the kerchief. She nodded and vanished it. "Are you feeling better? Perhaps you should go wash your face," he suggested delicately. She smiled, briefly turned away from him, and passed a hand in front of her face. When she turned back, it was as if she had never cried at all. Her face looked as if she had just finished making it up for the day, fresh and beautiful. Kaijin's heart stopped momentarily. "Don't need to," she explained. Just then, a loud meow sounded from the other end of the hall. A silver-haired cat's head peeked around the corner, bright green eyes anxious. "Aw," Beauty said. Kaijin took his arm from around Beauty's shoulders. She bent down and clapped her hands together lightly. "Come here, Bastet. Here, kitty kitty." The white animal immediately responded, scooting around the corner and dashing into Beauty's lap. "Good girl," she said as she rubbed its chin. Bastet purred, nudging Beauty's hand. "You're empathetic, you know that," Kaijin said. "Absolutely," she replied, laughing. Together, they fawned over the cat and talked about everything, just as they had done as children. There came a time when, as the Omega-set spilled over their shoulders to illuminate the wall before them, Queen Beauty and Queen Meisatsu found them. As courtesy dictated, Beauty scooped the cat into one arm and curtsied to the two queens. At the same time, Kaijin rose and bowed. With the acknowledgment of their mothers, the two took their seats again. But Beauty was not to sit much longer, as she soon found out. "Beauty, come with us," her mother requested. The princess knew it was not a request, however. She resolutely stood again, put the cat on the floor, and moved to follow her mother and Queen Meisatsu. "You are welcome to come also," the Queen told Kaijin. He stood and joined them. After they had passed through several corridors, he noticed that they were heading to the Queen's chambers. She opened the door, and the two walked in. The Queen, being the last to enter, closed the door. She led them to a round table in the center of the receiving room. On it lay a large mirror engraved with roses, a necklace with a crystal pendant, and a tiny silver crownlet set with sapphires. "Beauty," the queen said, "I want you to know something. I am afraid one of Beryl's two sisters will come after us. She undoubtedly told them of her plan to attack the Moon Kingdom, and those two have grudges against your Aunt Aurora and I just as Beryl did. I don't know why, but they do. This I have seen with my mirror." She indicated the large silver one on the table. "As for me, I shall safeguard our kingdom." Beauty didn't miss that implication. "Our?" The Queen nodded. "Yes, Beauty. As of now, you are the one who must take over my duties." "I thought I already was." "You were, but now you shall sit in court as I handle daily matters. You have learned about the rules, now you must learn to rule. This crownlet is now yours, as a symbol of your assuming the royal duties." She placed the little crown on Beauty's head, nestling it among the silver hair. It was almost lost there, except for the sparkling sapphires. "And the necklace is yours now; it was your grandmother's. She handed it down to me, and I now to you." The princess turned so that her mother could fasten the silver chain about her neck. "The pendant it bears is the jewel of our family, the Yumezuishou, also called the Dream Crystal. It is the symbol of twelve pure traits: joy, loyalty, life, prosperity, peace, destiny, fortune, trust, love, knowledge, har-mony, and dreams. One day, it will be set in your crown, a token of your status as Queen." Beauty touched the Yumezuishou reverently. "Mother." she whispered. Lastly, the queen picked up her magic mirror. Tracing its designs fondly, her eyed misted, and she laid it flat on her hands. "Beauty, you must have this now. Of it, I make a gift. Use it; it can be a great ally in reigning your kingdom someday. You may also glimpse the future, but once seen, it is no longer certain. Take care of it and pass it down to your children." The queen's voice broke, and she turned away as soon as her daughter had taken the mirror. Once she had regained composure, she turned to face them again. Now she spoke to Kaijin and his mother. "This is why I have requested that you attend as well. I wanted someone to validate my passing my powers to my daughter. There is one last thing I, we, have to do." Queen Meisatsu walked over to Queen Beauty, who took her daughter's hand, and then Kaijin's hand. "You are to be married one day. You were betrothed since you were born. I hope you will be happy with one another." She joined their hands. "Yes, your Majesty. We, also." Kaijin answered. Each still holding the other's hand, they made reverence before the pair of queens. "One question, if you please," Princess Beauty said after they rose from their reverences. "Why not do this before the court?" "The court is aware of your betrothal. It was announced at your birth," Queen Meisatsu answered. "Very well." Beauty was not pleased that the court had known before her, nor that her mother would keep this a secret from her. But things could not always please everyone. She wished she could leave. "Are we dismissed, Mother?" Kaijin asked, as though he could read her mind. Queen Meisatsu gave her consent, and they left the two queens alone. When they were safely on a westward-facing balcony, Beauty leaned her elbows on the blue-marble railing. "Thank you," she said. "I thought I'd never get out of there." "Hey," Kaijin said self-deprecatingly, "I hate the tediousness of ceremony, too, even if it is a solemn family thing." He stared out at the now- twilight sky. "Isn't this beautiful," he asked. "Yes," Beauty replied. With the setting of Omega and the sun of this system, the other eight moons of Omega rose one at a time, bathing the ninth in interminable twilight. It was always lovely, especially when a breeze blew off the waveless ocean in the distance, carrying with it a wonderful smell. Any time she could get away from the palace, Beauty went sailing or swimming in the saltless water. Kaijin reached down to the vines growing up the side of the building. He pulled something off it, and leaned back up. He held a pale pink flower in his hand. "For you, my Lady." He presented it to her with an outrageous flourish. Beauty laughed, accepting it with an equally exaggerated curtsy. "Why, thank you, my Lord." He stepped up behind her, and took the flower from her hands. Then he carefully placed it behind her ear, twisting it into the silver strands of her hair. He turned her to him and stepped back, admiring the effect it had on her black dress and silver hair. "Beautiful," he murmured. "Just like your name says you are." He took her hand and brought it to his lips. "Would your Highness mind taking a walk with me?" "My Highness would not," she said, her eyes dancing as she smiled. She took his arm. While he led her through the halls, she wondered where she was being taken. Suddenly, they stopped before the double doors of the grand ballroom. "What-?" The doors swung wide, revealing a ballroom full of people. They burst into applause as the prince escorted the bewildered princess down the wide staircase to the floor, where the queens were waiting. "Happy betrothal, dears," Queen Beauty said as she embraced them in turn. The ballroom floor cleared, and the betrothed couple took their turn on the floor as a solo couple. When the waltz they danced to was over, the nobility of Omega Nine flooded the floor. The ballroom was awash in the colors of the ladies' swirling gowns, undimmed by Beauty's own black. Princess Beauty and Prince Kaijin danced among them, swept away by the merriment of the court. Several dances later, Kaijin escorted Beauty off the floor. They stood off to the side, chatting with the nobility that were not dancing. "Beauty, dear, that's a lovely necklace," a pink-clad lady noted. "Thank you. My mother gave it to me." "What an exquisite tiara." A woman in a green dress curtsied as she commented. "It's a crownlet from my mother." "Good evening, Princess Beauty," was heard many times in passing, drawing as many curtsies as "Good evening, Prince Kaijin." The prince led Beauty to her mother, who was talking with Ambassador Sarta from Omega Three. He was here on a relations mission, and had never been to a royal ball before. So Queen Beauty decided to invite him. "After all, is not a party the best way to welcome a guest," she had said. Beauty curtsied royally before him. "Good evening, Ambassador Sarta." "Good evening, Princess Beauty," he replied with a bow. "You look lovely tonight. While we mourn for your mother's sister, I must say the black does look wonderful with your hair." "Thank you, Ambassador. But black has never been my favorite color. I prefer pastels." "As does the majority of the guests," Sarta pointed out. This was considered the highlight of the ambassador's visit, so everybody who was anybody of the Ninth Omegan Capitol positively had to go. There were the dukes and duchesses of the Capitol, the princess pointed out to him. The duchesses followed every fashion move the princess made, and she never made very many of them. Her decision to wear black to the ball hadn't reached them in time, so they wore pale blue linen, as Beauty herself had done a few weeks ago. The dukes they had come with were nursing wine goblets in attempt to rid themselves of the headache they had gotten while their wives and daughters had given them while trying to find something to wear to the ball. The Lady Amalgra and her daughters were flirting with every man they could find, as usual. The Prince was the exception to their adventures, and they were very sorry of it. All the same, everyone had a marvelous time. "May I have the honor of this dance, Princess," Ambassador Sarta asked. "I think it's only fair that I dance with you after my mother invited you to the ball. What would be the point of coming if not to dance?" She allowed him to lead her to the dance floor, where they participated in a traditional dance of the Omega system along with the other attendees of the ball. The prince met her on the sidelines of the floor. "Would Your Highness honor me with a dance?" "I would." Prince Kaijin, smiling, danced her out to the center of the floor. There they whirled and spun until the music stopped. Applauding with the other guests, Kaijin led the princess back to the sidelines. "Princess, are you feeling all right," he asked. "You look flushed." "I feel a bit light-headed, honestly. May we step out onto the balcony for some air?" "It's not my position to say yea or nay, so I guess we may." She laughed at his rhyming, and he joined her. The balcony overlooked a smallish courtyard edged with a blue-marble wall. The courtyard was more of a garden, really, being filled with all manners of lilacs and hibiscus and orchids. Lovely scents rose up from beneath to give a heady, perfumed quality to the air. Beauty loved this garden. It always smelled so wonderful, like her mother. The queen wore perfume made from the flowers of a pink lilac bush. Princess Beauty's perfume came from a pale purple bush. Beyond the garden wall lay the jungle. All sorts of sounds blew in on the breezes; bird calls, screams of hunted prey, frenzied noises of a hunter after its quarry. But close to the wall there was peace. The palace was protected from wild animals by a peaceful border spell. It had a calming effect on the animals that came near it, erasing their wildness. Some stayed close after encountering the peace, primarily the birds that Beauty called to her every morning. She enjoyed a good conversation with the native peacocks, and awoke each morning to the call of the bright-feathered avila birds. Other animals couldn't wait to get away. They were the ones that thrived on violence, that had to chase and kill their meals. "Marvelous." Though Kaijin had seen this garden before, the colors and scents always took his breath away. Each time he came, it was as if he couldn't wait to come back here. "Isn't it though," Beauty agreed. A chirping from her lilac bush caught her ear. "Listen," she whispered. "What is it," asked Kaijin. "It's Chirpa, one of the avila birds that wake me up every morning." She giggled softly. "He's come to serenade us." "How do you know it's a he? Can you understand it?" "Yes." Her eyes danced. "I probably shouldn't repeat what he's saying, though." She listened some more and blushed. "As a matter of fact, I think I should interrupt him." Beauty called to her avila bird friend with a whistle. A confused chirp answered her. She called back. With a little rush of wings the bird fluttered out of bush and alit on Beauty's outstretched hand. "Hello there," she said in natural speech. "This is my betrothed, Prince Kaijin." "Can he understand you?" At the prince's question, the bird bobbed his head. "Does that answer your question," Beauty replied. Chirpa twittered again, and Beauty nodded. "Go ahead," she told him. He bobbed his head and flew to Kaijin's hand. Kaijin stood absolutely still. Clearly he had never handled a bird before, much less have one alight on his hand. "Stroke his head, Kaijin. He likes that." Beauty moved over to him and lifted her arm. "Like this," she said, demonstrating. She moved her finger lightly over the bird's head, where his little feathered crest was. "Don't rub backward, though. That hurts his feathers." She brought his hand up with her free hand, using his hand as a demonstration. "Now you try." He did, wondering how the young woman standing next to him could be so gentle and graceful when he felt so awkward. He marveled at how Chirpa's feathers felt like silk as his finger moved over the bird's head. It brought a smile to his face to see the small avian looking up at him with such trust. It was almost as if he said, "Any friend of Beauty's is a friend of mine," and all the trust he gave her was shared by all she introduced him to. Gradually he noticed that Beauty had moved away. He turned to her, being careful not to make a sudden move for fear of frightening Chirpa. She was staring at her with her green eyes wide, watching in wonderment. "I've never seen that before," she said cryptically. "What?" "Chirpa.he gave you the gift of knowledge. You can now understand what he says. And you can speak with him in his own language." "How did he...?" "Chirpa must possess some magic that enables him to do that. I knew how to communicate with him because I am the daughter of the Yumezuishou. But you.." Her voice trailed off. She stood still for a few moments, then shook her head. "We should be getting back." "Yes," Kaijin agreed. He held out his hand to the lilac bush, and Chirpa flew away.
That night, Beauty lay awake, unable to sleep. Something or someone kept calling to her, willing her to come. Beauty recognized the voice and traced where it was coming from. She knew that the person who called to her mentally had safeguarded her mind so that she was the only one to hear it. Beauty had not wanted to get up, but this constituted an emergency. And anyway, the avila were out; she could use that as an excuse. The avila were both diurnal and nocturnal, depending upon when they hatched-night hatched chicks were nocturnal, day-hatched chicks were diurnal-and she heard them calling. Chirpa was a nocturnal bird, and he sat in a nearby tree calling for a female. Several others sat with him, and occasionally a fight broke out about who was to sit where. It always ended with a squawking about waking the princess, and then they all settled down on the nearest branch until someone else came. Beauty rose from her bed and went out to the balcony. Chirpa took one look at the others and twittered, "I told you not to wake the princess up." Beauty broke into quiet laughter. "Chirpa," she whistled, "none of you woke me up. I was restless and couldn't fall asleep, so I've been listening to you." She smiled as some of their smiles turned sheepish. "I love you all, you funny little featherbrains." She reached out and rubbed a few of their heads. "Sing me something, please," she asked. Several little heads bobbed as one. Four avila arranged them-selves in a little group, like a quartet, and began to whistle a quiet little piece, almost like a lullaby. Beauty listened with a soft smile, and when they were done she said, "Thanks, guys," and rubbed their heads again. "Now go find someone else's balcony to make noise on," she said good-naturedly. "I need to do something." The birds bobbed their heads in unison in their version of a bow, and flitted away. Beauty turned back to her room. Without a word, she slipped into a dress much like her cousin Serenity's, tying the bow in the back with dexterity. For an instant, she allowed herself to marvel at the way the cool silk felt against her skin, and then she resolutely shook her head. 'Not now,' she thought. Enough time to revel in her fashions later. Beauty pulled her hair up in one smooth move, making a quick ponytail with a piece of blue ribbon that matched her dress. The yumezuishou went about her neck on a silver chain. Soft shoes on her feet made no noise as she did what no princess should have even contemplated: she climbed over the balcony and down the carvings on the side. Hand by hand, cautious step by cautious step, she managed to keep the guards from noticing her. Beauty crept from shadow to shadow, amazed that she, the princess, who should be able to do anything without explaining herself-except to her mother-was forced to slink through the castle grounds like a thief. Just as she rounded a bend in the garden path, she saw the person she was going to meet. The lovely Queen Meisatsu of Omega made no physical attempt to hide her presence, but used her magic to make herself invisible except to her contact. Whisper-soft, the princess stepped into the circle of the Omegan Queen's magic. The moment she came within range, the queen turned her silver head. She regarded the princess as she sat down next to her. "Your Majesty, why did you call me here," Beauty asked. "My daughter," she replied, although Beauty was not due to become her daughter-in-law until she ascended the throne, "I brought you here to talk to you. I am concerned for my son." "Kaijin?" "Yes. My son almost seems to be.unhappy." "Why?" "I don't know if you've noticed, but he's a little nervous around you. You may not have seen it; he's a wonderful diplomat, and can easily keep his feelings hidden. Kaijin feels awkward, though, because he fears his feelings. I've been watching you two, and it seems that there's something neither of you wants the other to know. I think I know what that may be." Meisatsu's eyes told her she would not to tell. "My dear, you have to let him know. I don't care if you are the daughter of the yumezuishou or not, or why you think you're afraid, but if you don't do this, he'll always feel as if you only behave like you do because you're obligated to. Please, Beauty." Meisatsu must have seen the reluctance in Beauty's eyes, for she said, "For Kaijin's sake." Beauty turned to the woman, knowing that a breach of protocol would not be punished. She took the queen's hands in her own. "Oh, Lady Meisatsu! How can I? What if I mess up, if he doesn't-" "Trust me, my dear. Everything will be just fine. I went through the same thing when I was in your situation." Beauty's eyes misted. "Thank you, Lady Meisatsu." She embraced the queen, appreciating the depth of the woman's heart and love for her son. "Thank you," she repeated, and then she rose from the bench and stepped from the circle of magic. With a grateful curtsy, she was gone. "Oh, my dear," Meisatsu whispered in a sudden vision. "Things are coming that you could not possibly imagine."