As you know, Pluto is in charge of the Gateway of Time. To make sure that no one abuses it, there has always been a Guardian of Time. Years ago, it was decided that every lifetime, or 50 years, a new one will replace the old guardian. This allows the guardian, since they don't age while in the gateway, to live an actual life. The guardian is always in a direct family line to the original guardian. Setsuna, you are the next guardian."
Setsuna let the news sink into her like a ton of bricks. Even if she didn't age during her stay, and even if she was capable of living normally afterwards, 50 years was a long time. Her father would definitely have passed on in that amount of time, and with the rightful ruler off playing "guardian" there was sure to be a power struggle. As if reading her mind the king said, "Setsuna, I will always be with you no matter what, if you are lonely you can always view what I am doing, it's one of the guardian's privileges. As for ruler, your cousin Lanaya, will serve as a temporary ruler until your return." Yeah, but what if Lanaya likes being queen. Too much to return it to me, she thought bitterly. "Setsuna, you are so argumentative. Trust me, dear, it will work out." Setsuna looked at him completely perplexed.
"H-h-h-how?!" She stammered. King Pluto just smiled nonchalantly and stated, "I am your father." Before she could question him further, he said, "You are wanted in the Moon Kingdom, Queen Serenity has a gift for you. Go now, an escort is waiting to take you." Hurriedly, Setsuna kissed her father on both cheeks and left for the Moon Kingdom's portal.
Outside the portal an escort was waiting. Ever since King Jupiter began the trend of sending escorts for his daughter, the trend had caught on with the fathers of Princesses Saturn, Neptune, and Pluto. The escort had violet hair, and vibrantly green eyes. He was tall, muscular with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. He had a strange, twinkling beauty from within that drew Setsuna to him. Like a gentleman, he bowed before her. Like a perfectly trained princess, she bowed to him. Unfortunately their heads collided with a thud!
After the initial wail of pain and shock was over, they stumbled out apologies for one another. Setsuna watched him and giggled. He shut up and gave her a confused look. She trapped the laughter inside her, and searched for something to say. She blurted out, "You have beautiful eyes." Looked down and blushed. Angry at herself, she thought, stupid stupid stupid! The escort grinned and responded, "And you've a lovely laugh." Oh my God! She thought. He doesn't think I'm a flakey princess! She thought that she should try to impress him with something witty. Think! She urged herself.
"Flattery will get you nowhere when you use it on a girl who has heard it all her life."
"It's not flattery if it's a fact." Setsuna tried to conceal her blush, to no avail. Her face was as red as her gown. To ease her embarrassment, he introduced himself. "Princess Pluto, may I introduce myself? I am called Lazarus."
She smiled and extended her hand to him. He took it and kissed it gently. She smiled serenely and said, "You may call me Setsuna, if you like."
"Setsuna? That is such an exotic name, like the name of a wild flower." Her cheeks burned crimson, but she gently insisted, "Your kind words will mean nothing if we never reach the Moon Kingdom, Lazarus." He stood up and regained his composure. Offering his arm to her, he pulled out his portal key. She slid her arm through his and they jumped through the portal.