Over the next few weeks, despite the fact that the threat was over, Minako
could tell that Kunzite was still disturbed. It had taken a few days for all of
them to calm down and, though Psyche seemed fine, she had been checked by both
Sailor Mercury's computer and Princess Serenity's crystal. During this process,
Endymion had been very distraught, worrying about how using the crystal might
affect Serenity's pregnant state, but nothing seemed to have come of the action.
Minako knew that Kunzite was worried about who Psyche's father was. She
could see it in his eyes when he took her outside and watched her play. She felt
it in his tone when he spoke to the child, and read it in the lines creasing his
brow. He smiled less, pondered more, and stared absently at Psyche, looking for
clues.
Finally, she had had enough. In the deep of the night, when Kunzite was in a
dead sleep, Minako slipped her robe on over her nightgown and went to the
communications room. The message she sent to the moon was simple and direct.
Ringing for one of the servants, she informed him to wait in the transportation
room for the visitor which would appear sometime within the next day. She told
him to take the visitor to a particular room and then inform her immediately and
set up tea as the guest waited for Minako to appear.
The servant nodded and hurried off. Minako went back to bed with a lighter
heart, glad that things were set well in motion.
"Where were you?" Kunzite murmured as she slipped back into bed, not
bothering to move or open his eyes.
Minako flushed and whispered, "I needed a glass of water."
"Mm," he grunted, reaching out to pull her close and tuck her head under his
chin. "Love you," he breathed.
"I love you too," she whispered, but he was already asleep.
In the morning, the servant came to get Minako. "Your visitor is here,
m'lady," he said.
"Thank you," she replied and watched him leave before she began to get
dressed. Kunzite was already gone out horse-riding with Zoicite and the Prince,
so he wasn't there to distract her.
Soon, she stepped into the yellow parlor and sat down at a round table of
birch wood draped in a fine silk tablecloth.
The man across from her put down his tea and stood to bow. "Princess," he
greeted respectfully.
"Artemis," she replied, allowing the servant to pour her a cup of tea, then
dismissing him. She wanted to talk to Artemis alone.
"You wished my attendance, your majesty?" He was being careful, she noted.
Not looking her in the eye. It was a wonder how much he had aged! He was
beginning to wrinkle. . . . Minako had never imagined that he could
wrinkle.
"Yes," she replied, sipping her tea and putting it down to fold her hands in
her lap. "Before a few months ago, I had no doubt who the father of my child
was. Unfortunately, there were recent circumstances that have shaken my husbands
belief in his own sireship of my daughter, and I wish you to help us solve this
problem."
Artemis was quiet for a long time before he spoke. "I would do anything to
aide your majesty in anything she desires. But . . . I do wonder if there is
more that your grace wishes of me."
It was Minako's turn to pause. "I admit that I would like to clear the air
between us."
Artemis nodded and gave an almost-smile. "Then it shall be done."
It seemed that Artemis was married to Luna, who had helped the Queen nurse
him back to full mental health with the help of the Silver Imperium Crystal.
During that time, he had fallen in love with Luna, her gentleness and wisdom,
and the support she gave him to deal with his terrible guilt. They were, at that
very moment, with child.