"I wish we were home."Ceres said. "I wish we had never left home!"
Malwina and Fayruza looked surprised.
"I thought Your Grace was enjoying the trip."said Malwina, although she sounded exhausted.
"We could be there already! But we have to stop everywhere! And I'm tired!"she told them. "And I will tell Mama and Papa so just this afternoon! And we go so slow! And the coach is so uncomfortable!"
She referred to Aphrodite I's State Coach. It was shaped like a giant apple, and she rode in it with her parents during processions in cities. It was so heavy the horses could only pull it at a walk. Probably the only advantage was that it went slow enough that people could see them when they waved. Riding in it was certainly not the funniest thing at all. At least her coaches back home were comfortable, and one did not bounce around in them. Fortunately, it was only used when they entered the city. For the rest of the time, they travelled in more modern and comfortable coaches, sometimes she was allowed to go on horseback. She had asked if she could be allowed to ride during the processions. No, the royal family in Aphrodite's golden state coach, she was told.
"Her Highness and His Lordship said Your Grace is supposed to rest for the rest of the afternoon."Malwina reminded her.
"Then I don't want to rest!"
"You'll feel better once you do! You're just tired from the journey."Fayruza told her.
The door opened and Minako and Kunzite walked in. Minako carried a music box in her hands.
"My Pearl's favorite music box."Minako said.
"I don't want to hear a music box, and I want to go home!"she said to her parents.
"Sometimes travelling can be a little weary."Minako agreed. "But you feel better once you get some rest. We also have to go to the assigned route as a procession, and there are many here who would like to entertain us, as well."
"But we could be at the Aphrodite Hills already if we didn't keep stopping!"Ceres insisted.
"Shinju!"Kunzite frowned. "Many of the people here and everywhere we go have come a long way just to catch a glimpse at you! You've never left Ceres before, and they would like to see you."
"Think about that. In a few days, when the procession is scheduled, and we are to go to any event the nobility give in our honor, you will not only look but behave your best. You will smile for the people and wave, and you will be glad to see them."Minako told her.
"I won't be glad to see them!"
"Then you will give the impression that you are glad to see them!"Kunzite told her. "Don't forget you have a duty to your future subjects. And regardless of what you think, you will do it."
Minako agreed. She knew how demanding it was to be First Lady at the Court of Venus.
"You are only tired, which is understandable. We will rest for a few days."she said.