Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Love and Lament ❯ Merci 3 ( Chapter 6 )

Love & Lament

 

Chapter Six

 

 

Merci nervously twisted the strap of her gown as she waited for the ceremony to begin. Her father, Lord Egrenon, and her two younger sisters were also in attendance for Lord Hyperion of Jupiter's coronation ceremony. After two long years of political intrigue and family fighting, Hyperion was finally ready to ascend the throne of Jupiter.

 

Those were two long years that Merci had not been able to see the man that she had fallen deeply in love with. Absence had indeed made the heart grow fonder. The young couple used their time apart to exchange letters and tokens of affection. The years gave them an opportunity to get to know each other as much as one could through letters alone.

 

Merci had the letters sent to her sister Tetisu's household. This allowed her to receive and respond to the letters without her father's knowledge. Had Lord Egrenon known of the romantic communication he would have pressed for an immediate marriage between their two households. Not that that wouldn't have thrilled Merci, but she respected Hyperion's need to focus all of his attention on the situation with his brother.

 

Having her letters sent to her sister's household gave Merci a reason to visit Bruuna and Tetisu as often as she pleased. Her father had been angry at first when he learned of how Bruuna had been bought from underneath him, but his ire passed quickly. The fate of one guardsman really did not merit his attention. His daughter's increasing, and longer trips away from his city did raise of few questions. In the end, he decided that if she decided to move in with her sister that just meant one less spinster to drain on his household.

 

Merci was pulled from her musings as a low murmur began to rumble through the Jupiterion court. Unlike the Mecurian ballroom, which was built upon an artificial floating island, The Jupiterion court was built on the side of an enormous tree. The tree was referred to by the natives as the tree of life. It stood eight miles tall and many Jupiterion's revered it as the planet's guardian.

 

Merci's breath caught in her throat as Hyperion and a small entourage entered the court and proceeded toward a humongous, ornately carved throne at the head of the giant hall. Hektor walked to his left, while directly to Hyperion's right was the great, Universal Queen Serenity. Serenity ruled over everyone, and although she was rarely seen outside of her home of Earth's moon, Merci only had eyes for Hyperion.

 

Merci's mouth went dry as she drank in the sight of her love. He seemed taller than she remembered, and if it was even possible, more muscular. Hyperion was dressed to impress in a ceremonial full plate armor which covered his entire body from neck to toes. The armor was carefully crafted from native metals, and was covered by a light sleeveless tunic and a flowing dark green cape. Again he wore his hair in eight tightly woven braids which flowed down his back to pool just a little past his waist.

 

Despite all the troubles and heartache he had to fight through the last two years, his emerald eyes remained vibrant and beautiful. Those eyes found hers the second she came into his line of vision. Merci could see the faint outline of a smile, and knew that it was meant for her alone. It went unnoticed by all save for perhaps Serenity, and the Venusian queen Radiance. Merci covertly blew her love a kiss, giving him a show of her love and support.

 

Once the ceremony began, it proved to be a long and boring process in which the leaders of the remaining populated planets welcomed Hyperion into the elite circle of Kings and Queens. Merci ignored all of them, her eyes never left Hyperion. She waited anxiously for each of the quick smiles or winks he would direct toward her.

 

“My lords and ladies!” As the ceremony came to an end, Hyperion's flowing voice filled the crowded court. Merci nearly stopped breathing and her heart tripled its pace as her beautiful prince, now king, descended the stage of his throne and walked confidently toward her. Once he was by her side, he silently extended his hand to her. Lord Egrenon watched with obvious curiosity and baited breath.

 

“As important as it is for Jupiter to have a king, it is just as important for the king to have a queen.” The entire court was spellbound by the scene unfolding before them.

 

Keeping her face carefully neutral, Merci stepped forward and silently placed her hand into that of the newly crowned king. A low murmur began to sweep through the crowd. Merci was the very picture of youth and vibrant beauty. She was adorned with a brilliant selection of Mecurian jewels which accented her rich blue gown. Her sea-blue skin was radiant and her long blue hair practically shimmered. It was easy to see why the newly crowned king had picked her.

 

Lord Egrenon!” Hyperion spoke in a voice loud enough for the entire court to hear. “To strengthen the link between our worlds and houses, I ask you for your daughter Merci's hand in marriage.”

 

Lord Egrenon nodded, solemnly stepping forward to clasp the joined hands of his daughter and the Jupiterion lord. “My lord Hyperion, it would be my great honor to bless your union to my daughter. May it forever strengthen the bonds between our people, and our families.”

 

A smile threatened to overtake Merci's face, but she knew that she had to appear solemn until the ritual was over. As Lord Egrenon stepped back, Hyperion dropped to one knee before her. Time stilled for Merci as Hyperion reached behind his cape to procure a small ornately carved box. He slowly lifted the lid revealing a golden wedding band.

 

“Lady Merci, fourteenth daughter of the house of Lord Egrenon of Mercury, will you marry me and join the first house of Jupiter?” Hyperion's eyes were locked solely on Merci's neither of them saw or heard anything beyond each other.

 

Merci could not stop a smile from finally overtaking her, as tears of joy trailed down her cheeks. “Yes, yes I will marry you!”

 

Hyperion slipped the simple gold band onto his betrothed's finger. In a sudden burst of movement he rose to his feet, lifting his much smaller bride and pulling her into a breath stealing kiss. Wild applause and congratulatory shouts rippled from throughout the court.

 

“That is enough!” A shrill voice cut through the crowd. Lady Dionees, wife of Jupiter's late lord and mother to its new, sauntered self righteously to stand in front of Hyperion and his nervous fiancée. The tableau interruption shocked the court into an uneasy silence. Only the sounds of several weapons being rustled in answer to this insult could be heard.

 

“You're disgusting!” The former queen spat at her son as she attempted to pry Hyperion away from Merci.

 

“Step away madam.” Hyperion's voice was ice cold and held no room for argument. “You will refrain from touching me or my future wife.” Several guards, of Jupiterion and Mecurian households stepped forward. Lady Dionees might have once been Jupiter's queen, but she was insulting the new lord of the land.

 

Mindful of her position, Lady Dionees took a step back. It seemed as if she was going to back down, but she turned instead to speak to the shocked audience. Merci could feel Hyperion's grip tighten around her hand. She looked at him and was shocked to see the look of obvious contempt he was directing toward his mother.

 

“My lords and ladies.” Dionees spoke loud and clear. She wanted to make sure that everyone heard what she had to say. “I have fought these last two years since my husbands passing to have my son Hektor ascend this throne. Instead you have chosen Hyperion. I reluctantly stood down; I reluctantly gave up my true son's right to the throne.” She paused for dramatic effect, smiling when she realized that the entire court was captivated by her every word.

 

“I have remained quiet about this abominations true nature for too long!” Dionees spoke with venom in her voice as she pointed an accusing finger at Hyperion. “I won't let, my son, pervert our family name by taking a bride.”

 

“Mother what are you saying!” Hektor pushed his way through the crowd to stand between Hyperion and his mother.

 

“What I am saying, is that your “brother” is not what he appears to be. Twenty-five years ago I gave birth and was told that I could bare no more children. Because we had only one child we decided that it was best to raise her as a boy.”

 

A collective gasp sounded across the court. “That's right, Lord Hyperion is a woman!” Lady Dionees practically screeched in triumph. Revealing this was an embarrassment to her family name, but it would also allow for Hektor to take the throne. Women were forbidden to take the throne of Jupiter; it has been that way since recorded history. When she thought she would never have a son, Dionees reluctantly agreed to her husband's idea of deception. Several years later, she was blessed with a true son and no longer had to rely on the “man” her daughter had become. She had become desperate, and the embarrassment of admitting her family's embarrassment didn't seem to matter anymore.

 

“Hyperion… Brother, is this true?” Hektor asked. Disbelief was written clearly across his face.

 

Hyperion was silent as he looked down into the eyes of the azure skinned princess who still grasped tightly to his hand. His strength was bolstered as Merci mouthed the words “I love you” to him.

 

With renewed courage and faith in himself and his love, Hyperion turned to face the crowd. “Despite an accident of birth, I am a man.”

 

“Are you a woman?” Hektor asked again, knowing the answer.

 

“Only in body.” Hyperion admitted. Everything else was drowned out by the sudden roar of the crowd.