The Past Life

“My father wants to host a ball of sorts,” Master Endymion explained. “He's inviting the families of friends with 'eligible daughters'...”

Master was obviously annoyed by this. It was true that it was rather soon for him to worry about marriage, but His Majesty was only doing what he felt was right for his son. I did my best to explain this to him.

“I will marry, but I will do it on my own time,” he said.

We were alone in the outer room of his chambers, but only for the purposes of talking. Master had come to me immediately after he had been made aware of his father's plans. It was that act that worried me.

“Master... you're not...” I had trouble wording the question. I did not normally question his motives, but as a Tennou, I felt I needed to. “You're not wanting to avoid this because... of us... are you?”

He was a bit surprised, but certainly understood my concern. We both knew going in what this relationship could and could not be. “No. I just don't feel the need to be looking for a wife just yet.” His answer was truthful and relieved me greatly. He continued, “but, I will participate as my father wishes.”

I smiled and nodded, telling him that I would inform the other Tennou of the plans.

Gossip, speculation, and in some circles, small bets were abound when the list of attendees was finalized. The most prominent name on the list was, of course, Kusaka.

Kusaka-san had served as head of the royal guard for years before Master was born. Eventually he too began a family and his eldest, a daughter, was only a year younger than the Master.

As Kusaka-san and Master's father had remained friends, and because their children had already met on several occasions while growing up, Kusaka-san's daughter was considered the front runner.

“Bets are already being placed as to who the future Queen will be,” Nephrite informed our Master. “Kusaka-san is definitely in the lead.”

Master rolled his eyes at this. “We haven't even had the ball yet and already they have me married.”

“I don't think you really need to rush into anything,” Jadeite said quietly.

“And I don't intend to.”

Kunzite handed the list to me silently and I browsed the names, twenty in total. All were the names of past soldiers, advisers, or friends of the King. All except one. “I'm not familiar with this family,” I said, indicating the name on the paper I held.

“Kokuki?” Jadeite read over my shoulder. I looked up at him and then back down at the sheet, studying the characters on the paper. That's not how I would have read it.

“She's the adopted daughter of Tomimori-san, but he died last winter,” Kunzite explained. “His Majesty was not close to him, but invited the daughter out of courtesy.”

“I see,” I said, still looking at the name.

“And the name is not Kokuki,” Kunzite corrected. “It's Kuroki.”

The whole ball was really just a ruse set up by Master's father and Kusaka-san. Most of the young ladies attending and their families probably knew this, but certainly weren't going to turn down the invitation.

It had been set up so that the Kusaka family would be introduced to Master last. After the introductions where finished, Master would be free to mingle and dance with whoever he wished. If all went according to plan, the last few dances would go to Kusaka-san's daughter.

“Don't think that I am going to suffer through this alone,” Master said to us as a couple of servants busied themselves making sure that every hair on his head was in place and every pieces of his uniform was straight. “There are twenty ladies at this dance and I won't be able to dance with each and every one of them. I hate to see them not enjoy themselves...”

“Master...” a note of warning in Kunzite's voice. “We can't keep an eye on you and socialize at the same time.”

“You can do rotating shifts,” Master explained. “It's not as though anyone at this ball is a threat. Besides, my father is the one who suggested it.”

That was enough for Kunzite and the rest of us to accept our fates, although Jadeite had some misgivings. “I don't know how to dance...”

A short silence was followed by a room full of laughter. Even the servants chuckled at this.

“Alright, I suppose a quick lesson will have to be in order. Hatsumi-san, perhaps you could help?”

“Certainly, Prince Endymion-sama,” the younger of the two servants replied.

Kunzite and Nephrite watched with amused looks on their faces while Hatsumi-san started by leading and counting the time out loud. After Jadeite had the basic idea down, they switched so that he could lead. He was stiff, but did catch on quickly.

A knock at the door informed us that we were expected soon. “Not perfect,” Kunzite commented on Jadeite's dancing, “but it will have to do.”

Hatsumi-san bowed politely and left the room, giving Jadeite a few quick words of encouragement. Master checked himself over in the mirror quickly before announcing that he was ready to go.

As we followed Master to the ballroom, Jadeite whispered to me, “how was I really?”

“You're a little tense. Try and relax some more. Don't think to much about what you are doing.”

“Right. Easier said than done.”

When we reached the ballroom doors, Master paused and took a deep breath before nodding to the doormen. We had a few moments before Master's entrance would be announced.

“So,” Nephrite whispered over to Jadeite, “who are you going to dance with first?”

“I barely know anyone here...”

“Nephrite and Zoisite, you two can take the first round of dances. It will give Jadeite a chance to watch and I can help him pick a few dance partners.”

I raised an eyebrow when Kunzite said this and looked at him. He almost sounded like he was planning on having a good time. That was hardly the Kunzite I knew. He caught my look and shrugged. “His Majesty's orders.”

I shook my head, and looked at our Master. He almost seemed oblivious to the joking around him, his face was serious as he studied the closed doors in front of him. “Master?” I asked and, without thinking, placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Really, there should have been nothing wrong with such a gesture, but I could feel the eyes of the other Tennou on me and I withdrew my hand quickly. Too quickly I would realize later.

“I'm fine,” Master replied, “this is all just a little nerve racking.”

The announcement of Master's arrival was heard through the large double doors, which were then opened on cue. Master could act well enough. He put on a smile and did his best to looked relaxed while the eyes of twenty young women followed his every move. He lead the way down the centre of the ballroom while we followed closely behind him, looking over each of the guests.

I was able to recognize most of the families, and those that I didn't I was able to guess well enough. My eyes fell a little longer on the table occupied by a single girl, Kuroki-san I assumed. She wore a plain black dress and her hair was done simply, a sharp contrast to the other girls in the room. If she was aware that she stood out, she didn't show it. She looked at our Master with the same desire that the other girls had, if not more. She was determined.

We passed by the Kusaka family last. They bowed politely like the other guests, but there was an unmistakable pride in Kusaka-san's face. It was as if he knew that his daughter would be the future Queen.

The daughter herself wore a colourful gown that depicted a field of yellow flowers. Bright like the sun, which she was named after. Hina.

Master took his place beside his father and we arranged ourselves behind them. Jadeite stood beside Kunzite in order to hear his advice. Nephrite and I stood to Kunzite's left. We remained silent while Master's father thanked everyone for coming and said a few words regarding the ball itself.

“Once formal introductions are finished,” he continued, “we'll let this ball commence. Now, I understand that I may have gone a little overboard with inviting so many. My son, try as he might, will not be able to dance with all the young ladies here tonight. However, his Shitennou have also volunteered themselves to help make sure that no one is kept off the dance floor.”

“That's one way of putting it...” Kunzite muttered under his breath.

Suddenly much of the attention was focused on us. I suppose that many of the women felt that Master Endymion was well out of reach, but that one of his guardians might not be. Some of the girls were whispering to each other, excited for this new turn of events. I don't believe anyone could have put it better than Nephrite.

“Does anyone else suddenly feel like they're at an auction?”