The third General rested his elbow on the wall by the window as he surveyed the kingdom below. The Silver Millenium was looking impeccable, as usual, and the same busy scene met his eye. Today, however, that same busy scene was tinged with something more. The people went about their chores with a certain gaiety and pleasure in their work. The bustle was quaintly mixed with merriness and song, as it had never been on other days. It was like watching a musical where everyone played their parts while singing happy songs.

And why shouldn’t they be especially happy today? He turned his back to the window and faced the direction where his bed stood. His general’s uniform had been laid out on the silken sheets, ready for the party that awaited its wearer. He sat on his bed and picked up his cape, smoothing the shiny viridian material. Usually, the cape was not part of his daily attire, but this night was a special night.

His gaze returned to the window. Nightfall was beginning to conquer the light, and in a few minutes later, the dusk had turned into evening. One by one, the lights in each house started to glow, and, as if by magic, the bustle and jostle of the marketplace began to fade, but the merry aura lingered. The General smiled as he looked down at the suddenly empty town square, imagining what could be happening in the people’s households. The children were probably being tucked into bed early and left with their nursemaids, while the parents exchanged their ordinary work clothes for fancy plumage for tonight’s ball. The Queen Serenity had set a masquerade ball for that night, and all her faithful subjects were invited. And if the ordinary townspeople were invited, surely the presence of one of Prince Endymion’s generals was highly expected.

His gaze then drifted from the window to the huge mirror that stood in a corner in his quarters. His reflection looked back at him with a critical eye. He ran his hand through his thick golden blonde hair. You devil. You handsome devil, he thought smugly as he observed his face. "What maiden in her right mind can resist your charms?" he said aloud to the mirror, his hands in a flourish. The mirror had the same conceited expression, as if to say…

Satisfied at that, he headed back to the bed where he began to dress. Tonight. Tonight was going to be fun. An impish smile played on his lips as he at last put the mask on. Knock ‘em dead, Zoicite, the general thought to himself. With or without the mask.

The Princess Mercury was sitting in her room, already dressed in her long sky-blue satin evening gown for the night’s masquerade ball. The Imperial Aqua tiara of her family sat on the dresser, dispersing random beams of rainbow light in every direction. The princess picked it up, admiring the beauty of the tiara as it sparkled in front of her eyes. It was exquisite. The water crystal of the tiara hypnotically held her stare as she got lost in the spectrum of colors it emitted. At the front of the tiara, embossed on an oval of special cornflower-colored jade, was the Mercury imperial seal.

She shook her head and tore her gaze from the tiara. It was too eye-catching. The princess, though always exposed to the townspeople of Mercury and to other kingdoms, had no liking for attracting more attention than what was given to her. The private Princess Mercury was a shy girl. She preferred anonymity as much as she could get it. This was the Princess Mercury, pure and simple.

On the left side of the dresser, however, lay another tiara. The princess picked it up and held it lovingly both in her hands and her gaze. The golden headpiece glinted in the soft light of the candle in her room, and the pure blue gem shone like a pearl, reflecting the color of her eyes. It was her Sailor senshi tiara, and she only wore it when she was Sailormercury, one of the ten warrior princesses of the solar system. She put it aside gently. That tiara was used only for fighting, and shouldn’t be used for anything less sacred, she reasoned.

Princess Mercury bit her lip. She could not decide what to wear in her hair. If she wore the Imperial Aqua Tiara, she would stand out. If she wore nothing in her blue hair, she would also stand out. And she couldn't have that, could she?

Frustrated, she looked around at her room in the Moon Palace. The delicately blue walls looked calming, and pure white curtains of lace set off the window. In the middle of the room, the four poster bed stood, with ice-blue sashes hanging from each post. Beside the bed were two crystal tables. And on top of one table sat a white porcelain vase bursting of white, immaculate lilies-of-the-valley.

Her eyes lit up instantly as a great idea hit her. She rushed toward the table and plucked the bunch of flowers from the vase. It was perfect! The princess perched on the bed, laid the bouquet on the blue sheets, and started to weave a headband systematically. She worked fast and efficiently; she knew where each stem was supposed to go, and how to hold it in place. Finally, she had a simple headband of white blossoms.

Happy with her work, she went back to her dresser. She sat down and opened a dainty box filled with silver hairpins. She began brushing her hair when she heard a knock on the door.

"Ami-chan, may I come in?" A very familiar voice inquired. "Yes, please," she answered brightly, and the Princess Jupiter came in.

The Princess Jupiter was stunningly beautiful in her green gown of satin. Her abundant coffee-colored locks were swept away from her face and were transformed into a thick and wavy ponytail. The thick bangs that set off her face brought out the vivid green of her eyes, and two delicate tendrils of hair cascaded down each side of her head. "Ami-chan," she said softly, with friendly intimacy in her voice. "It’s time to go. Are you ready?" She walked over to the dresser, where the Princess Mercury fixed her hair. She was delighted at the sight of the headband of pure-white blossoms that lay on Mercury’s dresser table.

"Ohh," she cooed as she picked it up. "It’s beautiful!" The Princess Mercury smiled radiantly. "Arigato, Mako-chan. I made it myself." Smiling back and without a word, the other princess grabbed a handful of hairpins from the dainty box and proceeded to fix Mercury’s hair. "Thanks, Mako-chan," the Princess Mercury said once again as Jupiter expertly started to fasten the headband firmly on her friend’s head.

The Princess Jupiter leaned back to examine her work. "It’s absolutely perfect," Mercury said approvingly. "Thank you, Mako-chan!" She hugged her friend tightly. "You’re welcome, Ami-chan. Now come along, we’ll be late!" The Princess Mercury hurriedly smoothed her dress and tucked in any loose strands of short blue hair. "Wait," the Princess Jupiter said as Mercury placed her hand on the knob to open the door. "Don’t forget this," Jupiter said as she unceremoniously threw Mercury what was in her hand. She caught it swiftly.

The Princess Mercury opened her hands. It was a mask of ice blue silk.