"What!"

Dios could have sworn that Hell was freezing over right then and there for this to happen. Anthy let out a sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose between her forefinger and thumb.

"Dios, please, let me explain. Pathos is a prince of Greece. His country has many things that we can use, and they're having a revolt. They need supplies. They need an alliance with us. It would be done through a marriage through you and he, Dios. It could benefit all of us."

"And," said Pathos, " I must produce a child to succeed my father to the throne."

Dios raised an eyebrow, turning towards him.

"So...you're here to marry...me?"

He nodded.

"And you expect me to do this, sleep with you, and give you a kid?"

He nodded again.

"Okay...and why exactly would you think that I would go along with this?"

Pathos crossed his arms and smiled.

"Why, it is expected of you, of course. You are only a woman, after all. You are meant for nothing but bearing children and being a dutiful wife. What else is a woman expected to do? Rule a country?"

He barked out a laugh before he saw Utena's eyes flash in anger.

"You will take those words back, sir! Have you any idea to whom you are speaking?"

Pathos looked at Utena and Anthy before scoffing.

"I see a lady in waiting to a tomboy princess and a madwoman who thinks herself a man."

In a flash Dios had her sword out and at his throat.

"Take...that...back."

Utena stood with her fists at her sides.

"Do as she says. My daughter is much better with a sword than I am."

Pathos raised an eyebrow. "Daughter?"

Yuki appeared next to Dios, her own sword in hand.

"You stand before the King, Queen, and Prince of Ohtori. Bow, or the Prince would have your head."

Pathos balled his hands into fists. "Prince! Is she not a woman?

Yuki smirked.

"Man or woman, it doesn't matter. One of strength and nobility is always a prince."

Pathos, with obvious reluctance, went down on one knee and bowed forward. Dios and Yuki put their swords away.

"Now take it back," Dios said in a soft voice.

Pathos ground his teeth before speaking in a calm but loud voice.

"Forgive my tounge. I knew not of what I spoke. I take it back."

Dios nodded. "Thank you. Now you will leave and find someone else to bear your children. I will not marry you. Now go."

Pathos stood and turned, leaving the palace and approaching a big black horse that had saddle bags, a sword, and a bow with a quiver of arrows on it. He mounted and rode off towards the city, most likely to find lodging for the night. Dios turned to Utena and Anthy, and right away, Anthy began to speak.

"I'm so sorry, Dios. I didn't know he was like that. I was only trying to help."

Dios shook her head. "No, mother. You know how I feel about men. I know it's your duty as Queen to take care of our homeland, but you can do that without selling me off to some man. I'm going to see Nozomi; she's sick and I'm worried about her."

She stalked off, grabbing her cloak and riding gloves from the servant holding them out for her. Utena looked over at Anthy, her eyes showing pain.

"Why didn't you tell me that he was here to marry Dios? You know she has her eye on Nozomi. You know she has no interest in men. Why would you try to pair them up against all our will?"

Anthy shook her head. "It's not like that! He said that his country was going through a revolt, remember? I didn't know he was sexist or that he just wanted a child. I'm sorry..."

Utena cupped Anthy's chin and kissed her lips.

"It's all right, m'love. Dios got rid of him. Besides, it's not to me that you should apologize. It's to Dios. Do it when she comes back, all right?"

Anthy nodded a bit and took Utena's hand.

"Let's go get some lunch...I'm starved now."

Utena simly smiled at Anthy before kissing her forehead.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea."

Dios rode into the city, stopping by the florists to buy a bouquet of red roses for Nozomi. She overpayed and left, going at a slow canter so as not to hurt the delicate flowers. As she arrived at the Taneka mansion, the house of Nozomi's father, Dios attempted to fix her hair as a stable boy to Krim around to the back as she knocked on the large oak door. A handmaiden welcomed her inside. Dios had been to the Taneka mansion enough times that Nozomi's brother, Ryo, had cerimoniously given Dios permission to court Nozomi. Since then, they had been practically inseperable.

The handmaiden went into Nozomi's bedchambers first to see if she wanted visitors. She came back out with a small smile. "She'll see you now, if it is to your pleasure, Majesty."

Dios nodded, thanking her and hiding the bouquet behind her back, knocking before going in. Nozomi looked tired, but she seemed happy to see Dios.

"You got my message?" Her voice was soft. Dios nodded.

"I did. I came to see how you were doing."

Nozomi smiled. "Thank you. I feel better now that you're here."

Dios smiled and pulled the roses from behind her back. "I'm glad I'm of good use to you."

Nozomi's eyes widened and she broke into a big grin. She pushed herself up into a sitting position and patted the spot next to her on the bed.

"They're beautiful, Dios...thank you."

Dios sat next to Nozomi and smiled as she got a kiss on the cheek. She entiwned her fingers with Nozomi's and kissed the back of her hand.

"So, how was your restful day?"

"Restful. Boring. I got a lot of reading done, though."

"Well, that's good, isn't it? You're always telling me how much you love books."

Nozomi laughed. "True."

Dios smiled and wetted her lips, nervous now.

"I have something to ask you."

Nozomi looked up at Dios, raising her eyebrows.

"What is it, love?"

Dios took a breath. "Are you happy?"

Nozomi cocked her head. "What do you mean?"

"Are you happy with me? Being with me?"

Nozomi smiled and kissed Dios on the lips.

"Yes. I'm happier than I've ever been. I love you."

Dios' heart leapt.

"I love you, too. I've never felt this way about anyone before in my life...and so..."

She pulled a small velvet box out of her pocket and popped it open.

"And so...I want to ask you..."

Dios got off the bed and went to one knee.

"I want to ask...will you, Nozomi Taneka, take my hand in marriage, and be my wife?"

Nozomi sat in shock a moment before flinging her arms around Dios' neck, toppling over and kissing ehr face.

"Yes, yes! A hundred times, yes!"

Dios laughed and put the rose shaped ruby ring with a platinum band on Nozomi's ring finger.

"I love you. I promise I'll make you the happiest bride the world has ever seen."

Nozomi just smiled and kissed Dios deep on the lips.

"I already am."