I actually started thinking about this question while brain storming for a fanfic/possible comic. Given that the Shitenou are Prince Endymion's generals and close confidants, not to mention their name means the Four Heavenly Kings, I'd assume they'd have some sort of honorary title when people addressed them. But what would commoners and people have addressed them as is the thing I'm not sure about. Not being a royal watcher I'm really out of my depth with this sort of thing, so I'm wondering what you guys think.

Endymion would've been addressed as "your highness", since during the Silver Millinium Endymion was a prince. But I'm not so sure what people would address the Shitenou as. If we are to assume they presided over certain areas of the Earth, then locally the Shitenou might also be royalty, and would also be addressed as "your highness". But to me that doesn't sound quite right, not to mention it would confuse things within the royal court of the Golden Kingdom. I personally think "my lord" would work nicely, but that title is reserved for somewhat lower ranked nobles. But "your grace", the address for a duke, sound too weird and doesn't seem to fit the Shitenou's image.

And even more difficult: how would people address Helios? I suppose people could simply address him as "Priest Helios", but that to me seems to lack an air of authority. Given the close relationship between Helios and the heirs of the Golden Kingdom I'd think people would address him in a way that reflects their respect for his position. If we are to keep going by the British forms of address, then for a high ranking clergy Helios might also be addressed as "your grace", a title which I think sounds more fitting for Helios' character than it does for the Shitenou.

I actually think that the four generals were less traditional royalty and more managers of a militarized area. They weren't born to lead, they were chosen by the Earth Kingdom's rulers. I'd either stick with General or make them honorary Princes who still take orders from Endymion.
And as for Helios, I think being a priest sets him apart from traditional ranks, and his title doesn't necessarily need to sound impressive by those standards. You should look up religious leader titles and just see what sounds good to you.

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Style_(manner_of_address)

Helios being a high priest could go by "Your Eminence" 

"[Your] Excellency", "[Your] Grace", "Honorable [restoftitle]", or  "[Your] Lorship" " would work for the Four Kings

I was also thinking "Your eminence" for Helios.

Also, I like "My lord" for the Shitenou.  It works for addressing them as (sort of) royalty and also as military leaders

Mmm, okay, so it seems like "your eminence" for Helios and "my lord" for the Shitenou are good choices. But how about when the Shitenou address Helios? I think the Shitenou would out rank Helios (though I can't really explain why), so Helios would, for example, address Kunzite as "my lord Kunzite", but how would Kunzite address Helios?

They would probably say your grace still. He is a priest after all and I'm pretty sure a king would address a priest that way as well.

i personally think they would refer to each other by their names. i mean, they are kinda on the same level, to me anyway. they all guard something important, the Generals guarding the King, and Helios guarding the Golden Crystal and Elysion.

but in formal settings with other people...i can see the Shitenou being called "Lord". Helios is more difficult...especially cause i kinda can't see him in formal settings considering he doesn't really leave Elysion...and i don't think he will until he can marry Chibiusa and get a replacement priest.

mangaka-chan wrote:

Mmm, okay, so it seems like "your eminence" for Helios and "my lord" for the Shitenou are good choices. But how about when the Shitenou address Helios? I think the Shitenou would out rank Helios (though I can't really explain why), so Helios would, for example, address Kunzite as "my lord Kunzite", but how would Kunzite address Helios?

^^ They'd still go by "[Your] Eminence" in public, just as Helios would still call them "[Your] Grace", "[Your] Lordship" or "[Your] Excellency"; I'm pretty sure only the King can drop honorifics?

Crystalsetsuna wrote:

i personally think they would refer to each other by their names. i mean, they are kinda on the same level, to me anyway. they all guard something important, the Generals guarding the King, and Helios guarding the Golden Crystal and Elysion.

but in formal settings with other people...i can see the Shitenou being called "Lord". Helios is more difficult...especially cause i kinda can't see him in formal settings considering he doesn't really leave Elysion...and i don't think he will until he can marry Chibiusa and get a replacement priest.

I did wonder if it wouldn't be easier just to simplify things and have Helios address Kunzite as "Kunzite-sama" and Kunzite addres Helios as "Helios-sama". XD But that just sounds really odd, because that honorific seem somewhat pointless between two people of equal status.

I think it might make more sense for Kunzite to address Helios as "Priest Helios", while everyone else address him with as "Your Grace" or "Your Eminence". The story I'm thinking about is set in the manga-verse, so Helios wouldn't have the Golden Crystal with him. But regardless of that, he is still the priest and, in my headcanon, steward of the king, since he's holding onto the king's scepter that the Golden Crystal is fitted to. As such, the Shitenou will treat Helios very respectfully, as someone who is so close spiritually to the king, even if in terms of real physical power and military/political influence though, the Shitenou are higher up on the ladder. Helios recognizes this, as well as the fact that the Shitenou are trusted companions of the prince, so I think Helios would address them with "my lord" out of deference, but in strict terms the priest only answers to the king or heir of the kingdom.

Sailor Uranus wrote:

mangaka-chan wrote:

Mmm, okay, so it seems like "your eminence" for Helios and "my lord" for the Shitenou are good choices. But how about when the Shitenou address Helios? I think the Shitenou would out rank Helios (though I can't really explain why), so Helios would, for example, address Kunzite as "my lord Kunzite", but how would Kunzite address Helios?

^^ They'd still go by "[Your] Eminence" in public, just as Helios would still call them "[Your] Grace", "[Your] Lordship" or "[Your] Excellency"; I'm pretty sure only the King can drop honorifics?

Yeah, I really got into this whole titles thing after reading some British novels about the English aristocracy. XD;; But I think "Priest Helios" still sounds quite respectful, kinda like someone addressing a doctor as Doctor Such-and-such, or Professor So-and-so.

That works too! Depending on the personal relationships and the setting I think any thing could work.

Also, we don't technically know what their culture was like so really as long as it all makes sense to you I'm sure it will sound right to readers