The following months were used for decoration and planning of the wedding of the Prince of Ohtori, and Nozomi Taneka. A sort of buzz of excitement had the whole kingdom in a flurry of emotions ranging from sheer happiness to bitter jealousy, the former from Utena and Anthy, as well as most of the elderly ladies of the kingdom, the latter from the other young women who had wanted the hand of Dios. Now Nozomi could be found being dressed in a navy blue coat with a gold trim along the hem and shoulders. Dios sat in a chair against the wall and watched as the tailors fitted onyx black boots onto Nozomi's feet.

"How does it feel, love?"

She eyed the outfit appreciatively. Ohtori had some of the best tailors and cloths in all the world. Nozomi smiled and smoothed out the white pants before turning on the spot, looking herself over in the mirrors.

"I love it."

Dios smiled and stood, kissing Nozomi on the lips.

"Me too. Do you know what today is?"

Nozomi shook her head, tilting it to the side so red hair fell across her eyes, obscuring the bright green for a moment.

"Today, one year ago, was the day we met at the ball."

Nozomi grinned. "Really? The ball was barely three weeks after your birthday, then?"

"Mmhmm. And I wanted to as you a favor."

Nozomi rose an eyebrow. "Curious, you've never asked a favor before," She said playfully, draping her forearms over Dios' shoulders, clasping her hands behind her neck. "What is it?"

Dios cleared her throat. "I'd like to set the wedding on a specific date."

"And that would be?"

"March 10th. It's Dios' birthday, and I want to honor him by having our wedding on the day of his birth."

Nozomi's face held a puzzled look as she asked who the other Dios was. In answer, Dios pulled free the sword of the old prince and smiled down on it, speaking the very same words her father had spoken 13 years ago.

"Dios, there's someone here who wants to meet you."

The sword shimmered a moment before the ghostly figure of the Prince appeared before them, still dressed in white, still so young. Nozomi gasped at the likeness between the two before her. The only differences that she could see was the fact that their hair was a different color, and her Dios' hair fell differently than this ghost's. The spirit Dios smiled.

"It is good to see you again, daughter of Utena. You have grown to have the spirit of the prince, just as your father has. Who have you brought to meet me, young Prince?"

Dios took Nozomi's hand and brought her forward.

"The woman who would be my Queen, Nozomi Taneka."

Spirit Dios smiled and bowed, his half cape fluttering around his bent form. Nozomi grinned and bowed in return, sweeping her cape back with a flourish of her hand.

"It's an honor to meet you, Prince Dios."

She straightened, smiling, as did he.

"And a great honor to meet you, Nozomi Taneka. I am very glad that you have found someone to continue the line of Princes."

"The line of what?" Nozomi asked.

Spirit Dios smiled. "Utena was a Prince in Spirit, as is my namesake, her daughter. It means she is truly a prince, she could be a pauper, and she would still be a Prince in spirit. There is good chance that your children, one of them, at least, will be a Prince, as you are."

Both girls had the biggest smiles on their faces than either of them could remember.

"Come," Dios said. "I'm sure mother and father would love to see you again."

She grabbed Nozomi's hand, and forgetting that the Spirit Dios was a ghost, grabbed at his too. To her's and Nozomi's surprise, however, she found it solid. They stared a moment before he smiled.

"I can become physical if I so wish it."

"Oh."

Nozomi let out a soft giggle as Dios dragged her and the other Dios away to her parents. They were in the garden, talking to Uncles Miki and Juri, and Aunt Shiori with her's and Juri's son, Yasuo, and Aunt Wakaba with Yuki. They stood at the sight of Dios and Nozomi, but they all stared at seeing a very real and physical Dios Spirt being pulled along by their daughter.

"Everyone, I thought you might like to say hello to Dios. Did you know he can become physical at will?"

They all shook their heads, bewildered smiles on their faces, except for Miki, who began circling Dios like a predator, poking at him every now and then, murmuring "Interesting..." under his breath. Nozomi's brother, Ryo, walked up, smiling.

"Nozomi! You look magnificant."

He stopped as he saw the two Dios'.

"Two of them? I wasn't aware that Dios had a twin, King Utena."

"She doesn't. This is the spirit of Dios, which resides in our daughters sword. He is an old and much beloved friend."

But Spirit Dios wouldn't take his eyes off of Ryo. His teeth were bared, and in an instant, he had pinned Ryo down."

"You! You plot against the Prince!"

Yuki,Yasuo, Utena and Juri sprang forward trying to grab Spirit Dios but he kept becoming insubstantial to their groping hands.

"Tell them the truth! I sense your plotting, and it is of the most fiendish sort!"

Utena fell to her knees beside the spirit, touching his shoulder, which he let her.

"Dios, old friend, what is going on!"

He turned his head towards her, his eyes aflame with malice.

"This boy is going to kill your daughter."