Chapter Text
A young woman sat at her window, head propped on one hand as she gazed down at the gardens below. A black cat was curled up in her lap, purring quietly as she stroked its fur. Her blonde hair flowed down her back in soft waves, half up in an elegant bun pinned in place with crystal broaches. A jeweled tiara sat on her head, and a pair of glittering diamond earrings hung from her ears. The elegant evening dress she wore hugged all her soft curves, the many layers of sheer white silk spilling onto the floor like water.
Knock, knock.
The woman barely glanced up at the soft rapping at her door. “You may enter.” She called out, still gazing out the window.
The door opened, and two women entered the room, one with silky hair the color of night and deep indigo eyes, the other with golden locks and eyes like shimmering sapphires. The first woman wore a stunning yet simple off the shoulder gown made of red silk that was cinched at the waist and seemed to wrap around her lithe frame. Her heels clicked against the tile floor as she walked, an elegant choker adorned with a gleaming ruby around her pale neck. Her companion was clothed in a sunshine orange dress with thin straps tied into bows, the long ends left to dangle down her sides. An overskirt of shimmery yellow tulle trailed behind her, paired with a matching silk sash and bow that kept her golden hair pinned up in a stylish ponytail. A beaded chain sat loosely on her hips, the gleaming red orbs and golden accents glinting in the low light. She, too, wore a pair of heels, accentuated by the addition of a simple anklet.
They stopped a few feet away from where the first woman sat, bowing slightly to her before straightening.
The blonde was the first to speak. “Princess. The guests are waiting.” She said, walking over to the young woman at the window. “We’ve been sent to fetch you.”
The princess sighed, propping up her chin on her hand. “Must I, Mina? You know I find these things dull.”
The blonde bowed her head slightly. “I am aware, your highness.” Her lips curled into a tiny smile. “But, no birthday celebration would be complete without the guest of honor.”
Usagi sighed again, as though she knew her fate was inevitable. The cat on her lap jumped off and darted into the shadows as she rose to her feet. “Better to get it over with now, I suppose.” She mused glumly.
The tallest of the three women approached the two, clicking her tongue in disapproval. “Hime-sama, you have cat fur all over your dress.” She snapped briskly, reaching forward to brush the offending fur off Usagi’s dress.
The princess made a face, trying to swat her knight’s hand away. “Ughhh, Rei, leave it!”
Rei scowled, her brow furrowing. “It would be scandalous if you had shown up to your own celebration with cat fur all over your front.” She chided as she continued to brush fur off. “What will the guests think?”
Usagi scowled right back. “Let them think whatever they like.” She retorted, crossing her arms. “I won’t care even if they think I’m a fat pig.”
The ravenette sighed in exasperation as she pulled her hand away. “Usagi, please. You know I am only looking out for you.” She pursed her lips. “And you are no fat pig. I don’t want to hear any of that talk.” Rei bowed, gently taking Usagi’s hand. “You are beautiful and couldn’t look lovelier.” She reassured with a gentle smile, kissing the back of Usagi’s hand.
The other woman flushed pink, placing a hand against her cheek. “You’re too kind, Rei.” She said with a small chuckle.
“No,” Minako interjected as she, too, stepped forward, taking Usagi’s other hand and leaning down to kiss the back of it. “She speaks only the truth, my lady.”
Usagi’s face turned a deep scarlet color. She pulled both her hands free, pressing them to her burning cheeks. “Now look what you’ve done!” She whined petulantly, giving her knights a glare. “I look like a ripe tomato!”
”A very elegant ripe tomato, my lady.” Rei commented with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Minako giggled, hiding her smile behind her hand.
The blonde’s cheeks puffed out in stubborn defiance as she huffed and turned away from both her knights, though they could both see the way her ears were turning red.
“Alright, alright, enough!” Usagi declared, waving her arms around. She straightened her posture and smoothed the front of her dress, before extending both her hands for her knights to take. “Let’s go.” She said, smiling at the two of them.
Minako and Rei returned her smile, each taking one of her hands and following her out of the room.
A trumpet’s fanfare sounded throughout the packed ballroom, causing a hush to fall over the crowd as all eyes turned to a herald standing at the foot of the marble stairs. He looked around at the many guests before clearing his throat and loudly announcing, “Presenting Her Majesty, the Crown Princess to the Silver Millennium, Princess Usagi, and her knights, Lady Rei and Lady Minako!”
Thunderous applause sounded throughout the ballroom as Usagi walked down the marble stairs, escorted on either side by Minako and Rei. She waved politely to the crowd of faces, hundreds of guests whose features blended together into a blur.
They reached the bottom of the stairs, where Usagi was immediately pulled away by her mother, Queen Serenity, to converse with distant relatives. Rei followed to stay near their princess’s side, leaving Minako by herself. However, the blonde didn’t mind this one bit, and wandered off towards a table laden with delicious food and savory sweets.
She was helping herself to some amazing mini-sandwiches when something caught her attention. A group of young men in suits stood near the table, all huddled together and shooting glances at where Usagi was greeting another relative.
Mina assumed they were perhaps sons of some of the nobles present at the banquet, maybe potential suitors looking to win over her lady. She smirked to herself at that. They’ve got no chance.
But then, one of the young men said, “God, why is the princess so fat? Doesn’t she know no man will ever want her when she looks like that?”
Minako froze, her whole body tensing in shock and anger.
Another young man observed, “Looks like her highness needs to lay off the desserts.”
The rest of the group laughed at his remark. A third young man spoke up, snickering. “No, really. What, did they pick up a pig from the stables and put it in a dress?”
They all threw their heads back and laughed again, howling like hyenas. Minako felt her blood pressure spike. How dare they speak of her lady that way. The blonde knight began to march towards the group, but before she could get to them, Rei suddenly appeared behind the gaggle of young men, looking absolutely thunderous.
”Excuse me,” her companion said through gritted teeth, “I couldn’t help but overhear. You know, it’s quite rude to speak about the future Queen of Silver Millennium that way. Especially at her majesty’s own birthday celebration.” Rei’s eyes narrowed into a fierce glare. “I’m Captain of the Guard, you know. I could have you arrested for treason right here.”
All four men visibly paled at her words, clearly panicking. Rei smiled then, but it was a cold, sharp thing. “But, for the sake of my lady’s peace, I won’t cause a scene. Perhaps you’d best move along.” Her purple eyes glinted, razor sharp, like the blade of a katana. “And, for the record, the only ones fit for a barnyard here are you.” Rei waved her hand dismissively at the four men. “Now, shoo.”
All four of them scattered like beetles, and Rei never once looked away until they’d disappeared into the crowd. She turned to Minako then, her expression still a scowl.
Minako stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Rei’s arm. “Good thing you stepped in,” she murmured quietly, making sure other guests couldn’t hear. “Otherwise, I might have kicked their asses.”
Rei blinked at her for a moment, then threw her head back and laughed. “Oh, if only you knew how much I was holding myself back.” She replied with a giggle, wiping a tear from her eye.
Just then, Usagi walked over, looking concerned. “Is everything alright?” She asked, sounding worried. “I saw you speaking with some guests. Was there an issue?”
Minako and Rei exchanged knowing glances before turning back to Usagi with smiles. “Not at all, Hime-sama.” Rei said sweetly, brushing invisible debris off her dress. “Just helping a few confused gentlemen, is all.”
Usagi looked at them, clearly suspicious, but seemed to accept the excuse. “Well… alright then.” Her face broke out into a huge smile. “Oh, I nearly forgot! They’re going to let me cut the cake!” She grabbed both their hands, giddy with excitement. “Come, come! Come watch me!”
Rei and Minako let themselves be led away by their princess, still smiling to themselves.
Usagi shut her door behind her, sighing heavily as she did. The night had been exhausting, constantly talking to near strangers and being forced to make small talk with relatives she barely knew. But, after many hours, it was finally over.
She knew there had been some sort of issue earlier with the way Mina and Rei had been giving each other conspiratorial looks and standing extra close to her all evening, but they hadn’t budged on giving anything away.
Sure, the blonde was a little frustrated that she wasn’t getting any answers, but Usagi knew that if Rei and Minako were keeping something from her, it was surely for a good reason.
Shaking her head to refocus herself, the princess began to get ready for bed. She kicked off her heels, painstakingly removed all her jewelry, and brushed through her hair, all without feeling sleepy. Only once she had changed out of her flowing dress and into a soft cotton nightgown did Usagi feel lethargy beginning to take hold.
Yawning, the blonde stumbled over to her massive bed and collapsed face-first into the sheets, sighing at the soft feel of her blankets against her skin. Usagi crawled under the covers, sighing again as she pulled her warm blankets up to her chin. It was simply too perfect, exactly what she needed after such a long, stressful day.
She closed her eyes and was soon fast asleep.