The first ball of the season was for the debutantes, girls who were being presented to court for the first time. Minako sat on her throne, under her canopy of estate, along while Artemis read out the names, each of the girls stepped forward when their name was called.
Each of the girls held the train of her dress in her arm before stepping up. All the debutantes wore red dresses. Many wore jewelry belonging to their families, and the embroidery on their dresses was different. Their headdresses had veils, instead of the bow that older, married women on their tiaras. All of them also wore a girdle like Minako's own. The one Minako wore was Aphrodite's own, passed down through generations.
After being presented to Minako, she would reach into a small box on a pedestal next to her, and hand the girl a dance card. After receiving the card, she walked backwards, without turning her back on Minako.
After all the girls had been presented to Minako, she and Kunzite led the way to the huge ball room. After opening the first dance, each of the debutantes danced a waltz with Kunzite, starting with the highest ranking debutante. As Minako's consort, all the debutantes had the privilege of dancing their first dance at court with him.
The ballroom at Magellan was one of the hugest in the galaxy, second only to that of the Moon Palace, and the balls given by the royal Venusian family famous. Everyone in the galaxy loved or wanted to attend at least one ball at the Court of Love, as the Venusian court was known.
At one end of the ballroom, opposite of the great double doors, was the throne where Minako sat, with Kunzite on a smaller throne on her right.
After dancing with all the debutantes, Kunzite danced with Minako again. Although he would always grant any lady a dance if she asked him, he himself didn't ask any of them for one.
"What do you think of the ladies on your dance card?"asked Minako as they danced.
"I haven't looked at it yet."he said.
At all the Venusian balls, the guests were handed dance cards, the women receiving them from Minako, the gentlemen from Kunzite. Everyone was expected to dance at least once with each of the person whose name was on the card.
"And aren't you?"she asked.
"After this dance."
Just as the debutantes delighted in dancing with the consort, the gentlemen who were also presented at court, as well as many others delighted dancing with the princess. It wouldn't be seen well for her to be seen dancing only with Kunzite. The other ladies would also wish for him to dance with him. When not dancing with Minako, Kunzite preferred not to dance.
"But you dance so well."she told him. "I know so few who dance well, with their sword.
"Just because I don't enjoy it doesn't mean I have to be clumsy."
"You don't! I'm offended! No gentleman has ever told me he doesn't enjoy dancing when he dances with me! I should retire right away!"
They both knew that wouldn't be possible. As the opening ball for the season, they were expected to stay for the entire ball.
"I won't inconvenience you asking for another dance, my Lord!"she said, taking her fan from her girdle, and fanning herself, as he handed her a goblet of wine. "You might enjoy dancing with someone else instead."
"I assure you I would enjoy it even less."he shook his head.