Chapter 7: The Party
Inside the castle, there was a large party going on celebrating another hundred years of no war in the Moon Kingdom. The Princesses were having fun talking and laughing while the Warriors were standing at the entrances of the castle, looking out for any sort of enemy.
Throughout the night, however, the princesses were catching glances with their Warriors. At one point, however, Seiji glanced at his friends. "I will be back," he told them.
"Where are you going?" Ryo asked.
"I need to speak with, Jupiter," he replied.
The other four Warriors looked at each other before watching their friend disappear into the crowd of guests, searching for his Princess.
It felt like an eternity, but Seiji finally found her by the drinks table trying to enjoy the conversation of a potential "suitor" who was bragging about something. He wasn't quite sure but from what he could see on her face she was completely bored. Making his way over to her, he cleared his throat. "May I help you? We're in the middle of a conversation," the man stated.
"I need to speak with the Princess about something," Seiji answered.
"Of course," Jupiter answered.
She excused herself from the conversation and let out a sigh. "I owe you a debt, Warrior of Halo," she commented. He smirked a little as his arm snaked around her waist.
"I do need to speak with you," he answered.
She frowned before following him out to the gardens.
It was a beautiful night, everything was showing a little brighter as Seiji let her waist go and held her hand. "You look so stunning this evening," he told her as he looked at her, his hand resting on the side of her neck. She smiled softly, her hand reaching up and resting over his. Seiji smiled softly then he leaned forward kissing her tenderly. Jupiter kissed him back, her hand resting on his side as he pulled away. He had her sit down and he sat beside her.
"Won't you get in trouble for being out here with me?" she asked.
"It would be worth it," he replied.
Smiling, she held onto his hand while he kissed her cheek softly. "I love you, Jupiter," he told her softly, "I have met many women in my life, but none of them compare to you in beauty, personality, and gracefulness." She flushed softly, Seiji was the only man that ever made her blush like a little girl.
"Seiji…" she said laughing a little.
Holding her close, he rested his forehead against the side of her head. Turning to look at him, she rested her hands on his cheeks and kissed him lightly. He happily kissed her back, resting his hand in the middle of her back.
Pulling away, he let out a deep breath. "I better do this while I have the nerve," he murmured.
"Do what?" she asked.
Her eyes grew wide when Seiji stood up from the bench, but then he crouched down in front of her on one knee with her hands in his. "Jupiter, as I said I never met a woman like you before. You are unique in every single way. You are the one person who filled the void that I didn't know I had in my life. I cannot imagine my life without you and I hope I won't have to. Jupiter, protector of the Moon Realm, and Princess of Jupiter. Will you do me the honor and the privilege of becoming my wife?" he asked. Jupiter's eyes were wide at what he was asking her. Tears suddenly appeared in her green eyes.
"Yes, of course I will!" she replied, hugging him tight.
Seiji hugged her back, feeling nothing but relief wash over him. "I love you," she told him, wrapping her arms tightly around him, "I love you so much."
"And I you," he answered, resting his forehead against her shoulder.
Pulling back, they held onto each other's arms as they shared another passionate kiss with smiles on their faces.
They walked back inside, Jupiter reluctantly went back to the party while Seiji went back to his post. "Hope being gone that long was worth it," Shu muttered.
"It was," was Seiji's only answer.
Touma looked over at Serenity to see her trying not to fall asleep over what Endymion was saying to her. Their gazes locked and a smile appeared on her face. Suddenly, Mars made her way through the crowd avoiding another potential suitor. "Dance with me," she told Ryo suddenly.
"What?" he asked.
"Dance with me before another one of these rocks with legs asks me," Mars insisted.
"I don't…uh…" he answered.
Mars rolled her eyes, but grabbed his arm. "I will be in your debt forever if you saved me from these people," she insisted.
"As my lady wishes," he answered with a small smile before he pulled her into the crowd of people.
Shu rolled his eyes. "So much for security if we keep disappearing," he commented.
"Come on, Shu, it's not so bad," Shin answered.
"I'm just bored," he muttered.
The other three warriors laughed when they heard Shu's stomach growl. "Well, that would explain a lot," Touma commented laughing.
"Quick, someone get Shu something to eat before he starts to eat a pillar," Shin answered.
Suddenly, a plate of food was placed in front of the hungry warrior. He looked to his right to see Venus standing there with a smile. "I could hear your stomach on the other side of the room," she answered.
"You are a blessing," he told her, kissing her briefly before he started shoveling the food in his mouth.
Venus smiled, kissing his cheek as she pulled his arm. "Where are we going?" he asked after swallowing.
"I am going to show off my man before anyone else thinks I'm still looking for a suitor," she replied.
"I hear that," he told her, his arm around her waist.
Jupiter made her way back to Seiji, grabbing his hand. "Where are we going now?" he asked.
"I want to know if you are as good of a dancer as you told me," she replied.
Seiji smiled as he took her hand, spun her around, and then dipped her down. "Gladly," he told his breathless bride-to-be. They went out to the dance floor with the other guests, he held her hand and then wrapped his arm around her waist as they started gliding along the dance floor together. Jupiter was beaming brightly as she stared into her betrothed's handsome face. They didn't pay attention to the guests who were staring in disbelief as the Princess of Jupiter was dancing with one of the Warriors Queen Serenity had asked to come protect the kingdom.
Shin was leaning against the wall when he looked over to see Mercury standing shyly off to the side. "Excuse me," he told Touma before walking off. Touma watched as Shin walked over to Mercury, who flushed as he stood in front of her. He ended up standing behind her and she leaned back against his chest as his arms went around her waist. She rested her hands over his with a soft smile.
Looking over, he saw Serenity speaking with Endymion, but then their eyes locked onto each other. She smiled softly as she excused herself from the conversation and made her way over to Touma. She held her hand out to him. "Come with me?" she asked. He slipped his hand into hers as she pulled him through the crowd of people.
"Where are we going exactly?" he asked curiously.
"You will see," she replied, holding onto his hand.
Touma stared at her quizzically, but then she led him over to her mother. "My Queen," he greeted as he bowed to her. The Queen smiled softly, seeing her daughter's eyes shine as she stood beside the Warrior.
"Have you spoken with Endymion?" she asked.
"I have," Serenity replied as she wrapped her arms tightly around Touma's arm.
She looked over at Endymion to see the heartbroken look on his face, but he turned and joined the rest of the party. "What exactly is going on?" Touma asked curiously. The Queen looked at the young man in front of her.
"Do you care for my daughter, Warrior of Strata?" she asked.
Looking at Serenity, his arm immediately tightened around her waist. "My Queen, I know it is against all the rules, but my friends and I have come to love every princess that we had sworn to protect. I love your daughter more than anything," he replied truthfully, "That she is worth giving my armor up for." The Queen smiled softly as she looked at the two of them and then at the other four couples who looked so happy and so in love with each other.
"You have no need to worry about losing your armor, Touma," she said softly, "Amadeus sent you here for a reason, he always spoke about how the five of you have great destinies ahead of you. This is it."
Touma's eyes grew wide at what she was saying, he could be with Serenity and keep his armor? He could hardly believe it. He looked at Serenity who was beaming brightly at him. She let out a shriek when Touma wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her up off the floor, and swung her around.
They were both laughing once he stopped swinging her around, the skirt of her dress and her long blond hair swirling around them for a second before he set her down on the floor again. He rested his hand on Serenity's cheek then turned toward the Queen. "Your grace, with your permission, I would like to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage?" he asked. The Moon Queen smiled as she rested her hand on the young man's shoulder.
"You make my daughter so happy, Touma. I haven't seen my daughter smile or laugh so much in all her life," she answered, "You have my blessing."
Touma turned toward Serenity before he got down on one knee. He reached into his jacket, revealing a golden cuff. "This belonged to my mother, the one thing she left for me when she left my father," he told her. Serenity stared at the bracelet with wide eyes. "Serenity, I love you more than life itself. I can't imagine how the rest of my life will go without you in it. Serenity, my love, my princess, and my everything. Will you do me the extreme honor of marrying me?" he asked. Serenity was smiling through the tears in her eyes.
"Yes, I would love to marry you," she answered smiling brightly.
Touma slid the cuff onto her arm and they watched as the symbols of Life and the Crescent Moon appeared on the cuff. Standing up, he pulled her close and kissed her tenderly. Serenity kissed him back, moving her fingers through his hair while the Queen left them alone to celebrate privately before they made the announcement.
The night went on without any sort of problems, all five couples were enjoying themselves. The Warriors knew in the morning they had to go back to their duties as protectors, but for now they were going to enjoy their night with the women they loved.
Touma was dancing with Serenity, the two newly engaged couple were happier than ever as they danced to the music playing. "Everyone, may I please have your attention?" The Queen called out, forcing everyone to look over at her. Queen Serenity as she looked at the crowd of people. "Thank you, everyone for coming here tonight. As you all know, my daughter has become of age to marry. We all know that she had accepted Prince Endymion's marriage proposal, but with some recent events they had called off their engagement," she stated
The guests began to whisper in disbelief, as everyone believed the Prince and Princess would be together. "There will be a wedding, however, Serenity has recently become engaged once more. She had accepted the proposal of a strong, caring man who is fully capable of becoming King of the Moon Kingdom. Please everyone, congratulate my daughter and her husband-to-be, Touma of Strata," she announced. Serenity smiled as she gripped Touma's hand, pulling him up towards the top of the stairs.
The guests all clapped for the newly engaged couple. They could see the other Warriors and Sailor Scouts beaming happily. Serenity smiled brightly as her arms went around Touma's waist and his arms went around her back.
As night fell, Touma was walking through the halls. Ever since the party, his senses were on high alert. "Hey, King-to-be!" Shu called out, forcing him to stop and turn around.
"I thought you would be picking off what was left at the banquet table," Touma quipped.
"Very funny, but on a serious point your presence is needed," Shu answered.
The blue-haired young man stared at his friend curiously. "By who?" he asked.
"That Prince wants to talk to you," Shu answered.
"Where?" he asked.
"The library," Shu replied, "Need some backup?"
"I can handle him," Touma assured him.
He walked by his friend and made his way toward the library.
Walking inside, Touma closed the door behind him. "You asked to see me?" he asked. Endymion turned from the window he was staring out of.
"I can see congratulations are in order," he stated.
"Listen, I didn't come here to take Serenity from you. I was only here to do my job which is protect her," Touma answered.
"I didn't ask you to meet with me to talk about Serenity's personal life. She made her decision, whether I like it or not she made her decision. I asked you to come here to help me take care of her," Endymion answered.
Touma's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"You are a warrior, Touma. You have seen many battles, as small as they were you have seen battles," Endymion answered.
"Unfortunately," Touma agreed.
Endymion rested his hands on the table. "There are spies throughout the kingdom, spies from Earth. The Queen's guards are on edge, that is why you were asked to come here," he explained.
"Why would she ask me to come here when she knows her own guards don't trust people from Earth?" Touma demanded.
"Because she believes me and the Ancient One when we told her that she still has loyal friends on earth, friends that would give their lives for Serenity and the Moon Kingdom," Endymion stated.
"I'd give my life for Serenity," Touma answered.
"That is what I'm here to talk to you about. There is going to be a battle, a large battle where some of us might not make it out alive. I need you to promise me that you will get her out of here. I don't care where you would take Serenity, just get her to leave this place," Endymion explained.
Touma stared at him. "I would have done that without promising you a thing. I will protect Serenity with my life, even if it means giving it up for her," he answered. He clenched his fists at the idea of there being traitorous spies in the kingdom. "Who is this enemy that we are protecting the Moon Kingdom from?" he asked.
"Her name is Beryl, she is an evil witch. She came out of nowhere and just started destroying everything. She's building an army," Endymion explained.
"I'll tell the others about this, they need to know who we are up against," Touma answered.
He looked back at the Prince as he went to leave. "Thank you, Prince Endymion, for this information," he added.
"As long as it keeps Serenity safe," Endymion answered.
Touma nodded before he left the room to tell the others what the Prince had told him.