Spirits: The Tragedy of Mars

Victorious

It had been a couple months since the incident. Over many nights, I heard sobbing, screaming into pillows, broken items. I smelled Twizzleberries and the disgusting stench of body odor more than ever before. Jupiter refused to leave his room. Poor Uranus had to bring him food to his room every meal. He couldn't face any of us. Gaia would often talk to him through the door, but more often than not, would receive minimal responses from him. Every time Gaia would talk to him, she'd fall to her knees and leaned her head on the door. Sometimes, she'd sing and I overheard her and I'd fall more and more in love with her. My father ended up purchasing a ring, matching the amulet she always wore. It was a gold ring with miniature diamonds around it, but a giant jade stone in the middle. I don't know where that ring went after everything happened, but it was the most beautiful ring, and it cost my father a fortune.

I knew that after months of working up the courage, sneaking around to get the permission of her brother, my father, that it was time to ask the big question. My only concern was how I was to do it. Gaia was never easily impressed, as she was a woman with high standards, her nature helped motivate me to strive to be the best partner for her; including bestowing her the best gifts on special occasions, always listening to her, and allowing her to be herself. So, no pressure, just proposing to the absolute best person on the planet. I had stressed about it day and night, and I knew that she noticed.

"Sweetheart," she started while we were gazing at the stars on the balcony, drinking glasses of wine. I slowly turned my head while still looking up with my eyes before dashing my eyes into her eyes' warm embrace. "Something's been troubling you, I can tell. Oh sweetie! You're shedding!" She played with my hair, some had fallen out with just a simple hand going through it.

"Well... I... I've got a lot on my mind." My eyes traced her body, then looked back up at her.

"Like what?" She queried, eyes locked on mine, she'd totally got me under her spell, I can't break free. I can't tell her yet though, the ring is in my room, and this is nowhere near as special as I planned.

"I...I'll be right back." I quickly got up from the ground and rushed into the castle and took some deep breaths and paced for a few seconds. "I can't do this now, I'm not even in my suit! What do I do, what do I do, what do I do, what do--" I was stopped mid sentence by Gaia kissing my lips. She let her lips slightly let go of the embrace they had with mine, she whispered to me,

"If there's anything I've learned in life, Prince Mars, I've learned to just do life as it gives me opportunities to do great things. So, just do, my charming baby." We swayed to and fro as she said this to me, I took a deep breath and nodded my head.

"Wait outside, I'll rejoin in a moment." Our eyes lit up in excitement, though a slight anxiety in mine. She pranced outside. I went into my quarters, simply grabbed the ring, and humbly stumbled outside in nothing but a very casual outfit, not even my crown. She drank more wine, then looked back at me with jubilance, a smirk grew on her face, I was pretty sure she could tell what I was doing.

"Come on, you've got it!" She playfully chuckled. I combed my hands through my hair, and just went for it.

"Gaia, ever since we met as children, I was captured by your stunning beauty. From you hanging upside down in trees, to making mistake after mistake with you, to trusting each other with our lives, our sanity, and our happiness, I've enjoyed every single moment on this Vivace with you. I cannot imagine my life without you in it, and I want to ensure that I provide for you and be your guide and be yours for as long as I shall live. I want to grow, and learn, and cry, and laugh, and just be with you, Gaia. We are perfect, nothing and no one can tear apart this union between us. If we've managed to survive this long together and stay in one piece, I'm certain that a stronger connection between us will leave this world completely unprepared for the power of love we share. Duchess Gaia of Tenor, will you do me the honor and privilege of being my sacred wife, til the day you pass on?" I bent down on one knee and bowed, as I bestowed the jade ring and with my top eyes, gaze at her.

"Of course I would, you buffoon!" She tackled me as she began laughing out of pure joy. "I swear, Mars, you psych yourself out too much. Even if you didn't give me a ring, I would've said yes! My, Mars, it's beautiful!" She grasped the ring box and admired the crystal inside.

"May I put it on, dear?" She nodded her head while beaming as she laid out her left hand, I put it on her middle finger. We smiled and nuzzled our heads together as we slept outside with our gallons of wine.

The next morning, I gathered my father, Jupiter, Uranus, and Nebula out into the parlor to announce my betrothal to Gaia. My father, looking a little more sickly than before, sat down in his throne with a soft groan from his joints. Jupiter slouched and crossed his legs, wondering why we woke him so early in the morning, despite it being mid afternoon. Uranus sat upright, sipped his tea, attentive and alert. Nebula, drunk as usual, also kind of slouched but one of his eyes was looking around above me, while the rest were focused.

"Attention! Gaia and I have some very exciting news! We are officially getting married!" Uranus spat out his tea, and began slightly applauding.

"My Word, Prince Mars! Congratulations!" He came up and gave the two of us a hug, one of my eyes peered directly over to Jupiter, who seemed disappointed that this was all we woke him up for. He gave me a thumbs up with a slight smirk though, rather respectful for his standards, but I could tell that there was a part of him that was jealous of the fact that he recently had gotten rejected by a female, and hasn't been active with a romantic or sexual life at all since then, while I was preparing my own wedding. He got up, patted me on the back while in Uranus' embrace, and slithered away. My father gave a warm cheerful smile, but was too weak to get up on his own. We went over to him and gave him a hug.

"I knew you could do it, my boy! And Gaia, it will be great to have you officially join our family!"

"It's an honor, your Majesty." She smiled and bowed her head.

"No need to bow to me, Miss Kawkab!" He winked at her.

"This is so exciting!" Nebula exclaimed as he grabbed a bottle of champagne from the kitchen and ran back. "A toast to the happy couple!" He began messily pouring out drinks, and eventually raised his own glass and we all cheered and had a merry day.

That day was full of announcing the same thing over and over again, first to the people of Alto, then to the people of Tenor, then to the tabloids which would then spread to the entire planet. So many questions were asked that neither Gaia nor I could answer with certainty, such as: when is the wedding happening, what will become of Alto and Tenor, what does my father think, what does Mercury think, etcetera. When we finally were able to relax, Gaia invited me into her quarters for the night. We laid on each other and sighed.

"Who knew announcing our marriage would be so exhausting?" I exhaled deeply.

"Such is the life of a prince, darling. So what does that make me, a princess now?" She jokingly punched my arm and snuggled with me further.

"Yes, sweetheart. However, once my father passes away, that would make you queen." I pet her head.

"A queen?!" With a new found energy, she leapt out of bed and bounced all over the room.

"Yes dear! And I will be your dutiful king, m'lady." I winked and chuckled at her, and she leapt on top of me and kissed me passionately.

"Well, King Mars, I certainly am lucky I said yes, aren't I?"

"Indeed, Queen Gaia."