It amused the other three of Prince Endymion's guardians to watch as the Venusian princess flirt with Kunzite. They could tell that even though it made him uncomfortable, he seemed to like it. They liked to gamble on whether or not she would succeed in getting his attention, especially Nephrite. He would always bet the highest odds.
Kunzite thought the Lunarians were very frivolous. It was very unlike the atmosphere he was accustomed to on Earth. Or maybe that was because the Moon wasn't war-ridden. The Lunarians dressed in lighter pastels, especially shades of silver, while Terrestrians dressed in darker colors. It was also the first time he'd seen natives of other planets, even planets outside the Solar System. On Earth, he only saw them on official, or diplomatic occasions. The one who stood out the most in his eyes was the head of the Moon Princess's guard, Princess Venus. Although Princess Mars wore a dress of bright red, it was Princess Venus the one who caught his attention.
Perhaps it was because she was so unlike himself. He believed in keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground, and always tended to see the darker, or more realistic side of things. Princess Venus was more imaginative and cheerful. They were just as diverse a group as the four Shitennou. He thought it was impractical to have such an individual as head of the group, although he had to admit, she did amuse him with her ideas. And he had to admit that he did look forward to seeing her, and listening to her chatter.
After they arrived on the Moon, they were greeted by Queen Serenity IV herself, her daughter, and her guardians, who were also the princesses of Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter. Kunzite immediately recognized the princess of Venus, as the same one who had come looking for Princess Serenity on Earth.
It had been agreed that the wedding would take place on the Moon, as Princess Serenity was a Lunarian Princess, and anyway, there was still war on Earth. They had come to the Moon for the preparations, as well.
"Is that the head of Prince Endymion's Shitennou?"Jupiter asked Venus, as the prince and princess opened the ball.
"That's him, all right."Venus answered. "I saw him when I went to look for Princess Serenity."
"You were right about him being so…unsympathetic."she said, eyeing him, from across the room.
They were watching the group of Terrestrians from one end of the ballroom in the Moon Palace .
"It doesn't look like he knows how to enjoy himself at all at a ball. At least, a Lunarian ball. Do you think that's how people are at Terrestrian balls?"
"I don't think so."said Mercury. "See the others? They seem to be enjoying themselves. And the prince doesn't seem to have a problem, either."
"Now, no one else will have a chance to dance with the princess!"said Mars. "She won't dance with anyone else but him, I'm sure. That doesn't seem to go too well with any of the people who came from Earth. They were probably hoping to dance with him."
Venus stood up, opening her fan to its widest.
"Where are you going?"asked Mercury.
"To ask him to dance with me."she simply answered.
"Prince Endymion?"
"No, silly."she giggled, and pointed her fan towards Kunzite. "Him."
"I don't think it's the custom on Earth for women to ask men to dance with them. I think it's a man who asks a woman. That's the way it is on most other planets"Mercury pointed out. "He may find you a bit unladylike."
"We're not on Earth."said Venus, firmly. "And even if we were, I'm not a Terrestrian, I'm a Venusian, and on Venus, and according to what I was taught, it's perfectly normal for a woman to ask a man to dance with her."
"I don't think he'll accept."said Jupiter.
"Oh, I think he will."Venus answered.
The girls watched, interested, as Venus approached the group.
That was the first time Kunzite formally saw Princess Venus at court. And without being aware of it, he began to look forward to her company. Sometimes her forward customs would make him feel awkward, or uncomfortable, and he wouldn't know how to respond, but he enjoyed her attention all the same. He began to think the best thing that could have happened was Prince Endymion's engagement to Princess Serenity.
Princess Venus spend hours walking through the gardens with Kunzite, listening to him tell her about Earth, even though she might have little interest in it. After all, the best way to get someone to think you were interesting was to make them think they were interesting. That was one of the first things one learned on Venus.
Now she wondered if that had even been worth her time. She wondered why Kunzite had asked her to marry him. Was it just because of that? Because she was the only one he found who would listen to him? She had thought, she was sure that there was something Kunzite kept hidden, that there was a side to himself he never showed. That he just never wore his heart on his sleeve. But now, she thought, maybe others had been right. Maybe it was simply because he had no heart.
Artemis found Kunzite.
"I've been looking for you!"he said.
Kunzite straightened and looked up, or rather down, at him.
"Oh?"he asked.
"I don't think Venus is feeling very well. However, I'm sure if you sit down and talk, you'll get everything straightened out, and talk her out of that idea of annulling your marriage. I'd talk to her before she talks to the king and queen, if I were you. She probably didn't mean it, you know how she is. Once she calms down, she'll see reason."he assured.
"Is she insisting on that?"he asked.
"I'm sure you can talk her out of it."Artemis assured him.