Chapter 3

My father introduced me once we reached the bottom of the staircase, "Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me please introduce you to my eldest daughter, Sutefanii-oujo (Princess Sephanie)." Everyone applauded, and some cheered. I picked up my dress some and curtseyed. Then my father lead me through people, while they introduced themselves to me. Looking up at my father I asked him, "Father, may I please go speak with Ami?" He smiled and went to rub my head like he normally did, but stopped, "Go have fun, Sephanie." I bowed my head, "Arigatou, Father." "Dou itashi mashite (You're welcome)." he said to me returning with a full bow to me. I smiled and threw my arms around him, "Aishite ru (I love you)." I whispered to him. He returned my hug and his love, before I turned to find Ami.

She was still where I had seen her from the stair case and talking to the same boy. I walked up to them, "Konnichaw Ami-oujo (Princess Ami)." I said bowing my head, with a smile. Ami returned the gesture, "Konnichaw Sutefanii-oujo. This is…" I cut her off before she could continue, "Please Ami, do not call me by that." Ami smiled, "Fine I shall call you Sephanie, as long as you call me Ami." I smiled and nodded, "Agreed." Ami continued where I had interrupted her, "Sephanie this is Sesu-ouji (Prince Seth)." she said motioning with her hand at the boy. He smiled and bowed to me, "Konnichaw Sutefanii-oujo." I couldn't help but smile, "Please just Sephanie." He stood up straight, it was hard to have to many movements in armor, but he managed pretty well. His smile was still on his face as he spoke, "Alright, Sephanie. Then you must call me, Seth."

I stared at his smile for a moment until Ami began to talk, "Sesu-ouji is from a star also, Sephanie." she said and Seth interrupted her with respect. "Please Ami-oujo, just Seth." Ami smiled and continued, "Seth is from a star called the Dark Star." Before I was able to say anything, my father's voice rang out over the entire grand ball room. "Ladies and Gentlemen, please part to let Sutefanii-oujo through to the stand." They all moved, and it was my time to go. I turned to Seth and Ami and bowed my head, "I'll talk to you all later." Seth gave a low bow to me, "Happy birthday, Sephanie. May you have many more and be happy." I bowed my head to him once again, "Thank you Seth." he stood straight and smiled again at me. I smiled and turned with my cheeks holding a slight pink tint to them again.

Ami had been silent, but smiled at us. I will admit I forgot she was there. Anyways I made my way through the people and to the stand, and held my dress up some so I could walk up the stairs. My father held out his hand to me, and I took it. We stood together as he began to speak once again, "Will all the young men here for the ceremony come up here." Several young men came up to the stand, and to my surprise, Seth was one of them. My eyes had followed him as he walked through the people, and came upon the stand. Father looked at me, "Now Sutefanii-oujo, be careful picking a young man. The one you pick will be the one you are stuck with forever." he laughed but meant what he said, "So pick on more than just good looks." I smiled and he let go of my hand and let me walk up to them. Seth was at the end and smiled down at me, I looked away at the boy in front of me, with my cheeks rosy once again.

I asked each one several different questions, none of what I really wanted to hear. Finally I got down to Seth. He bowed to me, and said, "Hello Sutefanii-oujo." I let him slide since this was a ceremony. I hated it, but I curtseyed back, "Hello Sesu-ouji." I said back to him. It wasn't the fact I hated to show him respect, I just hated to curtsey. I hated to act so feminine. I asked him three questions and answered the same way I had answered them in my head. He smiled at me again as he bowed, "Thank you for this honor, Sutefanii-oujo." I smiled and curtseyed, "No, thank you, Sesu-ouji."

I walked back over to my father, and he took my hand, "Have you made your choice?" I looked up at him, and nodded, "Yes father, I have made my choice." He smiled, "Then please announce it to everyone." I took a deep breath, "I have chosen, Sesu-ouji as my protector." I looked down at him as I said his name, and his face lit up. His smile was even more handsome than it had been, and I found myself smiling fully myself. My father motioned for him to come over and dismissed all the other young men from the stand. Seth stood on one side of Father while I stood on the other. He took both our hands and placed my hand in Seth's. We both smiled, and I saw him blush as I did.

"Repeat after me, Sesu-ouji." He said to Seth, "I Sesu-ouji, pledge my life to you Sutefanii-oujo, for your protection, and whatever you wish. If you are to die, I shall take your place so that you may live." Seth repeated it word for word, but somehow said it with more passion. I could see it in his eyes. Once finished, Father told us to go to the floor, and dance. Seth lead me to the floor, both of us silent. We even danced quietly, the song that played was slow. So we danced close together, with our bodies touching. When the music finished Seth whispered to me, "Sephanie will you come with me to the garden." I nodded, "Yes." he took my hand, I liked the feeling of his hand on mine and he lead me to the garden.

We walked into the garden and we stood by the fountain, my favorite place in the whole garden. He smiled at me, and I was smiling back without thinking. "Sephanie…" he said, and then looked at the ground. He still held my hand in his, "Yeah, Seth?" He looked up and kissed my lips for a brief second.