Senshi Illusions

Chapter 4: The Engagement

Outside on the balcony, Edward walked Amanda around to the side and looked up at the small planet of Mercury on the horizon. It looked so very small from here but he knew it would be special to her. “Amanda…I brought you out here because there’s something special I want to ask you.” He said softly as he looked down into her beautiful blue eyes. Amanda looked up at him curiously and then gasped as he pulled out the small rose ring box he had made earlier that day and knelt on one knee before her. He held up the ring box, placing it gently in her hands. “Amanda…I love you so very much and I can’t imagine my life without you. I don’t even want to think of life without you in it. I promise I’ll always be there for you, always love you. Nothing can ever pull me away from you and so I ask you now…Will you marry me Amanda?” he said gently as she slowly opened the delicate box to reveal the beautiful ring. She put a hand to her mouth in awe as he reached up and gently pulled the ring from the box and placed the box on the bench beside them. He then took her left hand and gently slid the beautiful ring on her finger…a perfect fit. He looked back up into her eyes to see tears amidst the loving smile on her face. “Y-yes. Yes, Edward I will marry you. I Love you too…so very much!” she replied as she finally found her voice. Edward let out his breath in relief and then stood up quickly, pulling her into his arms for a passionate kiss. Amanda wrapped her arms around him tightly as they kissed and then laughed as he picked her up and twirled her around. They hugged once more before sitting down on the bench beside them. Amanda picked up the small box and looked at it curiously. “Where did you get this? The box and the ring…they look so real…” Amanda asked. Edward chuckled. “Endymion and I have the power to control and manipulate plant life…especially roses. The blue rose is my specialty…I’ve seen it as a sign ever since I first fell for you that we were meant to be together. I can get you a real ring from Earth if you’d like but I wanted to give you this first. Call it the engagement ring and when we get married I’ll have a real bridal ring set for you.” Edward replied quietly. Amanda smiled. “Oh Edward…you don’t have to do that. I love this as it is…. it’s so beautiful…” Amanda replied quietly. “Not as beautiful as you…” Edward replied as he reached up and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Amanda’s eyes closed lightly as she nestled her cheek into his hand. Edward leaned forward and kissed her gently then leaned back to look into her eyes. “Amanda…this isn’t the reason for asking you but I want you to know that I plan to negotiate that alliance between Mercury and Earth through our marriage…Endymion will be the next king…I’ll be relinquishing my right to the throne when I marry you so that we can be together without worrying about having two households and thrones to worry about.” Edward said softly. Amanda blinked softly. “Are you sure Eddie? I mean…Endymion and Serenity…If Endymion is the next king then it’ll be harder for them…” Amanda said softly. Edward nodded slightly. “I know…we talked about it. He said we’d work something out when it comes to that. Right now she’s too young for him to marry. It’ll be two years before she’s old enough and when that time comes we’ll see what we can do about it then…right now though he said for us to go ahead with our future. If needed…well I can go back and forth and we can rule jointly. Honestly I don’t see us needing to take over the kingship anytime soon. Dad’s healthy…he has quite a few years left yet so nothing to worry about there.” Edward replied. Amanda nodded slightly. “I suppose you’re right. And if it comes down to it then I can go back and forth instead of you. I mean Ami does most of it really. I help out and handle a few things but she’s the one that does the bulk of the decision making and with this telepathic link we’ve gained…it should be much easier.” Amanda replied. Edward smiled. “See, it’ll all work out.” Edward said teasingly as he leaned over to kiss her gently. “But we should return to the ball. Besides, I want to announce it so that the whole universe will know that you’re mine now.” Edward said teasingly. Amanda laughed. “Alright. Let’s go then.” She replied quietly as they kissed once more before standing up. Amanda handed him the small box. “Do you have somewhere to keep this until the ball is over? I don’t have any pockets.” Amanda said meekly. Edward chuckled as he took the box and returned it to his pocket. “It’s too bad we’re not on Mercury…” Amanda teased. “Why is that?” Edward asked curiously. Amanda laughed. “There’s an old law in the Mercurian system…if a man and a woman profess that they are or will be married to each other before 2 or more people, then they are legally married at that point. They can still have the big ceremony, but they have full rights to each other as a married couple at the point that they profess to be husband and wife.” Amanda said with a smile. “Hmmm…I just might invoke that rule here.” He said teasingly as he pulled Amanda close to him, kissing her gently on the neck and ear. Amanda groaned. “I’m afraid that rule doesn’t apply here on the moon.” Amanda replied quietly. “We can make it apply if you wanted to.” Edward whispered into her ear. “Mmmm…Maybe. But not right now.” Amanda giggled as she pulled away and ran toward the entrance to the ballroom, looking back and laughing as he ran after her. They stopped just as they reached the door and kissed lightly again before walking back into the ballroom.

They looked around and smiled as they saw Ami waving at them. They waved back and walked over to join the small group that had grown to include the entire group of Serenity’s court and Endymion and Edward’s generals. Amanda smiled as they stopped to chat with the group. “Well?” Ami asked excitedly. Amanda looked around the group at all the excited faces. “Did all of you know about this before I even found out?” she asked curiously. Ami and Serenity blushed. “Uh well we kinda spilled the beans…Endymion and Edward told me and I guess I kinda told everyone else…the Senshi and the generals that is…” Serenity replied meekly. Amanda shook her head and laughed lightly. “I guess I can forgive you Sere. Yes we are engaged.” She said excitedly as she held out her left hand for the others to admire the ring. Serenity squealed and grabbed Amanda’s hand, looking closely at the ring. “Oooohhhhh beautiful.” Serenity whispered as Ami leaned in close. “It’s so pretty! Where did you ever manage to find this Edward…it looks almost real.” Ami said in awe. “I made it…special gift that Endymion and I have.” Edward replied as he smiled around the group and then looked back to Amanda, wrapping his arm around her waist possessively. Soon all the girls were huddled around and Amanda’s hand was being passed from princess to princess as ooohhss and ahhss filled the area the girls were in. “We’re about to go announce it in a little bit. Edward said he wants to make sure everyone knows I’m his.” Amanda said as she looked up at Edward teasingly. The girls laughed as the guys gathered around to slap Edward’s back in congratulations. Ami drew closer to Amanda. “Are you sure you want to do that just yet? You remember the law right?” Ami whispered in her sister’s ear as the girls finally started to calm down. “Yes I’m aware…and yes I’m sure of it.” Amanda replied with a mischievous grin to her sister. Ami rolled her eyes. “Oh boy... well just don’t keep me up all night okay?” Ami replied teasingly. Amanda expressed mock horror and nudged her sister in the side. “It won’t be like THAT!” she whispered, trying to hold back a grin. Ami laughed. “Riiiggghhht” Ami said laughingly before Edward pulled her away. “You ready?” he asked as he smiled down at her. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” She replied, grinning. Edward kissed her again and chuckled. “Come on.” He said quietly as they waved to their friends and made their way up to the dais. They bowed and then walked up to kneel before Queen Serenity. “Queen Serenity, as Amanda’s parents are no longer living, I wanted to ask your permission to marry Queen Amanda of Mercury and make her my wife. I love her very much…she means the world to me. We would like to announce our engagement tonight.” Edward said respectfully as he looked up at Queen Serenity from his kneeling position. Queen Serenity smiled and looked to Amanda. “And will you have this young man, Amanda?” She asked quietly. Amanda nodded. “Yes I will Queen Serenity. I love him as well.” She replied, turning to look into Edward’s eyes lovingly. Queen Serenity smiled. “Then so it shall be. Of course, you realize that by this announcement tonight you will be legally married at that time as we abide by your laws when it comes to anyone of Mercurian background?” Serenity said quietly. Amanda and Edward nodded. “We are aware.” Edward replied as he gazed into Amanda’s eyes. Queen Serenity chuckled. “Very well.” She said and then motioned to the maid standing behind her. She whispered something to the maid who ran off to the orchestra maestro and gave directions. Serenity motioned for the couple to stand and then also stood up as the music came to a graceful stop.

Queen Serenity raised an arm until she had everyone’s attention. “Lords and Ladies, if we could please have your attention.” Serenity called out to the crowd. After a few moments it finally quieted down and Serenity spoke once more. “We have a very exciting announcement to make and I’m sure you’ll all be happy to hear about it.” She said and then turned to Edward and Amanda beside her. Edward cleared his throat as Amanda looked up at him happily. “Lords and Ladies. This evening, I asked for the hand of beautiful Queen Amanda of Mercury in marriage and I would like to announce to you that she has accepted. I now claim Queen Amanda as my fiancé’ and future wife!” he called out to the crowd happily. “I also claim Prince Edward of Earth as my fiancé’ and future husband!” Amanda called out happily, binding the couple together by law. Serenity moved behind the couple and placed a hand over the couple’s hands. “What has been joined, let no man put asunder! I present to you Queen Amanda and Prince Edward. Mercurian law now binds them to each other as husband and wife by their profession of love and commitment to marriage. Although I’m quite sure they’ll still have a rather large ceremony after the appropriate time.” Serenity announced. Amanda chuckled at the Queen’s last statement. “Yes there will be a large ceremony in the future to finalize the bond.” Amanda added as she looked up at Edward lovingly. Edward smiled and pulled her into his arms, kissing her lovingly as the crowd erupted in shouts of happiness and congratulations. They slowly pulled back from each other and turned to face the crowd, bowing slightly to receive everyone’s congratulations. In the back of the room, Amanda caught sight of a dark figure that concerned her though she tried to hide the concern in her eyes and keep a happy look on her face. If she wasn’t mistaken, she had seen Queen Beryl in the very back of the room, hiding in the shadows. She shook her head as Edward led her off the dais and they waded through the crowd of people shaking hands and receiving congratulations. She smiled happily taking her mind off what she had seen and focusing on the engagement.

They finally reached their friends again and were gathered into a circle as the music started up again and dancing continued with a happy, upbeat tune that was a traditional Mercurian wedding dancing tune. Edward and Amanda were in the middle as their group of friends formed a circle around them, holding hands and dancing around them, moving back and forth around in the circle as Amanda and Edward laughed, performing their own part of the dance in the center. * think Irish jig type dance * Once the dance was completed the ball started to wind down and the group moved to the main doors to thank the attendees as they left the palace, heading back to their own homes or lodgings in the city or around to their lodgings in the palace. Finally the room was empty except for royalty, orchestra, and the servants who were running around the room and getting everything cleaned. Princess Serenity yawned as the group walked back toward the dais to say their goodnights. Ami leaned toward Edward and Amanda with a mischievous look on her face. “So…will you two be taking advantage of your rights tonight?” Ami asked teasingly. Amanda blushed beet red. “AMI!” she exclaimed in embarrassment. Ami chuckled. Queen Serenity smiled as she came up to the group, having heard Ami’s question. “It’s a good question though. If you are we need to consolidate your rooms.” Queen Serenity said matter-of-factly. Amanda blushed even more. Edward chuckled. “It’s up to Amanda…I have my preferences…but I won’t force it.” He said as he looked down at Amanda questioningly. Amanda looked up at him for a few moments, as if reading his thoughts. Finally she nodded meekly, trying to hide the blush in her cheeks at discussing this in front of all their friends and Queen Serenity. “How about I move into your room then. I know your responsibility for your sister and Princess Serenity is strong and I don’t have such responsibilities so it would be the better move.” Edward said quietly. Amanda looked over to Ami questioningly. Ami nodded and shrugged. “Fine with me…just like I said, don’t keep me awake.” Ami replied teasingly. Amanda blushed again as Edward chuckled. “Sounds like a plan then.” He replied to Queen Serenity. She nodded and motioned a servant over, giving whispered instructions. The servant bowed and hurried to fulfill his tasks. “It’ll be ready by the time you reach Amanda’s room.” Queen Serenity said as she turned back to Amanda and Edward. “Well, I think it’s time we all went to turn in. I’m exhausted!” Princess Serenity said as she yawned again, stretching slightly as she covered her mouth. Endymion chuckled softly. “I’ll escort you to your room, love.” Endymion said softly as he led her off to the side doorway. The rest of the group bowed and curtsied to the queen before heading off to find their own rooms.

Queen Serenity walked along beside Amanda and Edward as the three chatted softly. “Your parents would be very proud of you, Amanda. I’m sure they’re watching from the skies and very happy for you.” Queen Serenity said quietly. Amanda smiled. “Thank you Queen Serenity…that is very reassuring. I just wish that mother and Aunt Akira could be here to see it in person. I miss them so much.” Amanda replied in almost a whisper as she looked down at the floor while they walked. Serenity nodded slightly. “I definitely understand the feeling. But I will leave you now. It is time for me to find my own rest. Congratulations to the both of you, my dears.” Serenity replied softly, leaning forward to kiss Amanda’s cheek lightly. Amanda smiled and curtsied lightly. “Thank you Serenity. I wish you a good night.” Amanda said softly as they stood and watched the queen walk down the hallway to her own room before Amanda and Edward turned, walking the opposite direction to Amanda’s rooms. Amanda quietly opened the door into the sitting room and they walked in quietly. She showed Edward the door to her bedroom and then stepped across the sitting room and peeped into Ami’s room. “Good night Ami.” She said softly as she saw Ami getting ready for bed. Ami smiled at her sister. “Good night Amanda…sleep well.” Ami replied and waved as Amanda pulled the door closed and walked back over to her room.

Amanda opened and walked through the door opening to her room and closed the door gently behind her before turning to see Edward standing on the balcony and looking out over the moon gardens. Amanda smiled as she walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist. Edward smiled, turning to pull her into his arms gently and kissing the top of her head. “Hello m’love.” He said softly as he held her. She nestled into his arms and rested her head on his chest lovingly. Edward placed a gentle finger on her chin and lifted her chin slightly so he could look into her eyes. "Are you sure you're ready for this? If you'd like we can just sleep..." he said softly, stopping as Amanda reached up and touched his lips. "I love you Edward. We are technically married now and I want to share my love with you. I'm ready." she replied softly. Edward's smile softened as he nodded and leaned down to kiss her tenderly before he lifted her and carried her over to the bed as a sweep of blue lights surrounded them as their bodies intertwined in love.

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Last modified: 2/19/2006