To Rule the World | A Zodiac Story

A Suprise Wedding Invitation

Actor: Tyrone Smithers

Aries presses his face to the window in sorrow as Pisces and Libra were being taken away to Flammae for a few days. His best friend was gone and now he had to actually work. This was unfair. He'd been bullshitting his way through the entire job so far because he managed to befriend the prince, and now he had no clue what he was doing.

"Excuse me, Aries?" Nebula asked from behind him. "Why the hell do you look like a sad puppy?"

"They took Pisces away," Aries replied, not looking at her. "And Leo, Libra, and the weak general dude."

Nebula shrugged. "Cool. Mom wants you in the throne room."

"Okay, Neb," Aries replied, taking his face off the glass. At least one of his friends remained in the castle. Except she's the one who can see through his bullshit.

Aries walked to the throne room mournfully. What was Andromeda going to have him do? Clean the floor? Do the dishes? Help out Gemini during rush hour? To him, each of those were scary thoughts.

He pushed open the throne room door to see Queen Andromeda sitting there alone. She smiled when she saw him and beckoned him closer. Aries gulped and obliged.

"Aries, would you do me a favor?" Andromeda asked.

"Yes, your majesty," Aries replied, bowing.

"Take me to that bakery you like, please," Andromeda asked. "My mother will be in town for the wedding, and she has incredibly high standards. If this baker is as good as you say she is, it will work out well."

"You've had her treats before, your majesty," reminded Aries.

"Yes, but I'd like to properly meet this girl," Andromeda said, leaning in. "I do believe you once described her as anything but common."

"Well," Aries nodded, "You've got that right."

Aries took Andromeda through the village, pointing out little thins as they went. He was kind of nervous. Imagine what Gemini would say. At least a days notice! Honestly, your timing is so bad. Hey, branch. Yeah, this wouldn't end well.

Aries opened the door to the bakery. It looked as if rush hour had finally ended. Gemini was sitting down, her hair in a messy ponytail and she looked extremely tired. As soon as she heard the bell ring, she stood back up again and plastered a smile on her face, until she saw it was Aries.

"Hey, Branch," Gemini said with a smile.

"Heya, Gem," Aries replied. "I've brought a friend."

"Wow, didn't know you had any," Gemini snorted, before bursting into a giggle fit.

"God, you're tired," Aries muttered, before saying, "This is Queen Andromeda."

Andromeda stepped into the bakery. Gemini blinked twice and immediately started bowing. Aries grabbed her arms and forced her to rise before she could make a fool of herself.

"Your majesty, it's such an honor to have you here," Gemini said brightly.

"It's such a pleasure to meet you again, Gemini," Andromeda replied. "Let's have a seat, shall we?"

Gemini nodded and pulled out a seat for Andromeda. Gemini sat in her own, leaving Aries to fend for himself.

Andromeda smiled at the girl. "Gemini, your baked goods are amazing. I suppose you get your talent from your grandfather?"

"Yes," Gemini replied. "He was the best baker in all of the kingdoms."

"I also heard he was a good man," Andromeda added. "My mother fell in love with him when they were young, but he knew it wouldn't work. He wasn't willing to give up his passion to be royal. Does this story sound familiar?"