The whispers were getting to be a bit too much. Minako was a patient, understanding woman, but every time she entered the town store the women would stop talking and whisper behind their hands. It had been six months and Minako was showing significantly – she had become the town scandal. Jezibiah wasn't talking to her anymore and she knew, from his strained, haggard appearance, that he was getting the brunt of the blame for her state. She felt sorry for him, but there was nothing she could do.

After all, how could she marry a man she did not love? It was silly of him to even ask.
But Minako plodded cheerfully through the rumors and the dirty looks until the first day of spring when the town was in a furor getting ready to go see the High Prince married.
"Gertrude?" Minako asked one of the younger girls as she stepped into the busy store. "What's going on?"
The girl seemed too excited to care that it was Minako she was speaking to. "High Prince Endymion is marrying the Moon Princess in three weeks! Everyone is going!"
Minako went white, but the girl didn't seem to notice her sudden pallor. Gertrude turned and hurried to join her friends, chattering brightly and endlessly with them as they moved out the door, into the sunlight.
Was that me? Minako thought through her stunned haze. Was I ever that carefree? Was I ever her? Them? Those girls, giggling over men and new dresses and wreaths of flowers? Or was I always responsible, always the leader? Always with the weight of the Inner Planets on my shoulders. Was I ever that innocent? She wavered a bit and felt strong arms wrap around her, steady her.
"Janie, are you all right?" Jezibiah asked her, concerned. He was worried -- had been for a long while -- but too stubborn to admit it. He had been more hurt by her refusal than he was willing to own to. Didn't she know he would do anything for her? Absolutely anything?
She turned a blank gaze to him. The Moon Princess Serenity is getting married without me. That's unlucky – she has to have the Goddess of Love there to bless their union. I have to be there. "I have to go," she whispered.
"Go where, Janie?" He was being gentle with her. So gentle. She regretted not loving him.
"To the wedding. I have to go and bless it." She was quite serious, but his eyes softened in accommodation.
He didn't understand.
That didn't matter. She had to get to the wedding.
She had to get to the wedding.
"I'll make sure you get a spot on the wagon," he said.
"Thank you." Her mind was already in the capital, at the castle, where the wedding preparations were being made. It would be an outdoor ceremony – the entire country was invited. . . .