The Adulteress Queen

Chapter 19

"That is Sir Zarbon, a cousin of King Frieza." Sir Tora whispered to me as we stood outside on a cloudy day, lined up to properly receive the arriving caravan of royal visitors from the Ice Kingdom. Sir Tora had been to the Ice Kingdom many times; he knew King Frieza and his men already, which was why he was quietly explaining to me who they were. The man Sir Tora noted stood in his armor aside King Frieza, removing his helmet to reveal his long, emerald green braided hair. He had a handsome face, though his skin showed a strange discoloration.

"And there is Lord Dodoria, Frieza's Hand." Tora added, nodding towards a hefty, balding man with hideous moles, Rosacea and battle scars adorning his skin. He reminded me of a toad, and seemed quite full of himself as he stood proudly next to his king. It was obvious to me who King Frieza was, as everyone but Sebastian and I bowed before the petite, albino man with regal attire, jumping off his horse. He immediately proceeded to greet Sebastian, and stood before us as Sebastian bowed his head politely for a moment. King Frieza smirked at Sebastian as Sebastian frowned back, though his gaze was more respectful than I think it had ever been towards anyone but his late father.

"Sebastian. I would say you've grown, but you honestly are not much taller than I remember." Frieza goaded as I raised my brow in surprise at the rude attitude and familiarity of the arriving king. I could already see why Sebastian claimed to hate that man. Sebastian frowned deeply at the comment, meeting Frieza's eyes daringly.

"You're one to talk, Frieza." Sebastian responded with an arrogant smirk as he pointedly tilted his chin down to gaze at the slightly shorter king. And I thought my father dwarfed the Harrenhal king. He could probably swallow King Frieza whole. I stifled a giggle at my private thoughts as Gohan, standing by my side, leaned curiously forward to get a better look at the other king. I reached a hand down and pushed him back, gently but sternly by the top of his head. His movement caught Frieza's attention, distracting him from smiling at Sebastian's earlier jab. Then Frieza looked at me and Gohan.

"And this is your family?" Frieza asked curiously as he stepped in front of me, appraising my appearance as I forced myself to smile kindly at the other king.

"Lovely to meet you, King Frieza." I said with a curtsy. He smiled back at me sweetly. His smile was obviously not genuine, yet it was sweet. Something about his mien gave me chills. He quickly turned his attention to Gohan, and I cringed with a protective instinct as his icy gaze met my little boy's innocent visage. Gohan bowed politely as Frieza stepped in front of him.

"Yes." Sebastian responded firmly to answer Frieza's earlier question as he fixed his gaze on Sir Zarbon and Lord Dodoria, who seemed to be lurking. "My wife, Queen Katarina, and son, Prince Gohan." Sebastian informed Frieza as the man smiled at Gohan with a perceptive gaze.

"What a beautiful queen. Katarina…I believe I know that name." Frieza said thoughtfully as he narrowed his eyes observantly at me. I smiled my most regal smile at him before speaking.

"My father is King Starsands, from the Starsands Kingdom." I informed him as his eyes lit with understanding. He sighed a pleased tune of realization as he glanced at his men, who smirked mischievously upon hearing my admittance. I felt defensive after seeing that reaction. Something wasn't right.

"Yes, I see." Frieza said with a cunning smirk before turning his attention to Sebastian. "My, my, Sebastian. You've done well." Frieza praised as he waved his hand towards Gohan. "Looks like he's going to be a strong boy." He decided as Gohan smiled brightly at the compliment.

"Thank you, King Frieza." Sebastian said politely as I frowned at Gohan's smiling face. How I wished I could protect him from everyone, all the time. But situations like this one were out of my control. Gohan seemed so open and trusting with that king. I exchanged a worried glance with Sebastian, who looked concerned himself.

"King Frieza, when will we be meeting your family?" I asked as I noted no one emerging from the royal carriage that traveled with the group. The men from the Ice Kingdom all exchanged looks with one another at my question, some somber, some nervous, some fearful. Frieza frowned at me, then pursed his lips in dissatisfaction.

"Sadly, I have no children, Queen Katarina." Frieza informed me as he glanced back at the carriage. "And my wife…is resting. I apologize for her absence." Frieza gave a polite nod of the head and a small devilish smirk as he said that. I was speechless as to how to respond to that, until Sebastian interrupted.

"It is a long journey from the Ice Kingdom. Why don't your men allow mine to show them some hospitality? Sir Tora and Sir Nappa will lead the way to your guest chambers, King Frieza." Sebastian said welcomingly as Frieza nodded in appreciation. Tora placed a gentle hand on my shoulder before nodding to King Frieza and leading him inside along with Nappa. Sebastian leaned close to me as soon as Frieza was out of sight, whispering into my ear.

"Keep Gohan away from Frieza." Sebastian warned me ominously as he grabbed my shoulder with a kind but secure grasp before following the others inside. I looked down at my son with a worried and perplexed expression. I did not know what we would be in for with this king's visit, but I did not like it already.

"Come along, Gohan. You must have your lessons before you bathe and dress for dinner." I ordered my son as I nodded to Erasa to do as I said. As we separated, I walked inside with Launch aside me and sighed heavily in relief. At least the men would keep to themselves for a while, and Gohan would certainly be occupied until dinner.

Dinnertime arrived swiftly, and I retrieved Gohan to walk with me to the dining room together. I excused our maids as Tien escorted us and I nervously rang my hands together as we walked. I did not know how long they were planning to stay here, but I wanted them gone already. Perhaps Sebastian would find a way to tell them to leave at dinner. It seemed he wanted them gone more than I did.

Dinner began as I expected, formal and uncomfortable. Sebastian and Frieza did most of the talking at our end of the table, as the guards and servants gathered together at other tables and conversed more raucously between themselves. At the other end of our table sat the nobility from the Ice kingdom, as well as a few of ours who we invited to attend this night, including Lord Piccolo and Lord Bardock. I was disappointed to learn that Sebastian kept this dinner restricted to a small group. I would have felt some relief to see Faustos again, even if he did have to be accompanied by his new wife. Even Rebekah's company would make the night more tolerable.

But as it was, I was stuck with these strangers from the Ice kingdom, listening to Frieza drawl to Sebastian over the recent slaughters he had committed on the thieves he was capturing throughout his kingdom. I sighed heavily as I listened, needing to bite my tongue several times as I made the best possible effort to be polite and docile, as promised. Frieza sounded quite proud of the way he tortured his people for breaking the laws. It didn't seem to bother Sebastian, listening to it. The worst part was Gohan's exposure to the crude conversation. I watched Gohan shuddering at Frieza's detailed talk of cruel punishments, and decided he had eaten enough for the night. I waved for a guard, and Nappa promptly arrived by my side.

"Sir Nappa, escort Gohan to bed." I whispered discreetly as Frieza continued speaking to Sebastian. Gohan raised his eyebrows in surprise at my request, but smiled appreciatively at me as soon as I gave him a permissive smile. Nappa bowed and pulled Gohan's chair out for him. As Gohan stood, he turned to Frieza with a brave face. I wished he would just go quietly. Unfortunately, I had raised him better than that, and he would not leave without bidding our guests a proper goodnight.

"Goodnight, King Frieza." Gohan said loudly with a polite bow. Frieza was interrupted mid-sentence by Gohan's address. He glowered irately at my son for the interruption. Sebastian also glared at him, then me, for displeasing our guest. I would have never expected what came next. In my defense, I had every right to react the way I did. Beside Gohan sat Lord Dodoria, and as my son frowned apologetically for his interruption, the man drew his hand back and slapped my son across the face.

"Gohan!" I yelled. In utter shock and fury, I pushed Gohan behind me protectively and drew the sword from Sir Nappa's hilt as he stood aside me. I then aimed it at the throat of the wicked man who dared to lay a hand on my son.

"Katarina!" Sebastian yelled reproachfully, rising from his chair in an instant as I glared furiously at the man before me. Lord Dodoria sneered at me, a disrespectful, disdainful look that made me want to drive that sword… "Katarina!" Sebastian yelled again, sounding more panicked upon seeing the intention written across my face. I glanced at my husband, who was glaring at me in warning. How could he possibly pretend to be friendly with these people after that?

"I want this man in the dungeons." I spat through my teeth as I continued aiming the sword at his neck. Lord Dodoria had the audacity to laugh at my anger, but suddenly cringed when Frieza stood slowly and calmly raised a hand by his side.

"Dodoria. What is the penalty for touching royalty?" Frieza asked quietly as he placed both hands behind his back, drawing my surprised gaze as the room drew silent at King Frieza's chilling tone. Lord Dodoria trembled as he looked at his king with a deep frown.

"Y-your Grace?" Lord Dodoria responded warily with a nervous chuckle. King Frieza smiled smugly at Lord Dodoria, then looked at me with a smirk. "Your Grace, please." Lord Dodoria continued with a notable tremble in his voice. "The boy interrupted you. You can't be serious." Lord Dodoria pleaded with a loud gulp. He glanced anxiously between me and King Frieza, then at King Frieza's guards as King Frieza looked towards them with a nod. "I'm the Hand of the king!" Lord Dodoria yelled indignantly.

"Seize him." King Frieza said with a sadistic smile. I slowly lowered Nappa's sword as two of Frieza's guards grabbed Lord Dodoria. Lord Dodoria inhaled sharply and contorted his back in an awkward position before a blade emerged from his bloodied belly. I stepped back from him and gasped in shock at the sudden, shocking occurrence as my eyes widened and Nappa quickly snatched his sword from my hand. I kept Gohan behind me, hoping he did not witness the gruesome sight with his own eyes. The guard behind Lord Dodoria drew his sword from Dodoria's gut and bowed deeply before Frieza with the point of the bloodied sword resting on the ground while Dodoria fell to his knees.

"My apologies, Queen Katarina, Prince Gohan." King Frieza said with a satisfied smile as he watched Lord Dodoria clutch his abdomen and slowly bleed out before us.

"Frieza…" Sebastian breathed in shock as his eyes were planted on Lord Dodoria in a deeply perplexed expression.

"King Sebastian, it seems we have overstayed our welcome. It was highly inappropriate of my companion to strike the prince. We'll leave right away." King Frieza said with a small smile and kind bow as the three guards surrounding Lord Dodoria dragged the dying man out of the room.

"No, King Frieza. You do not have to leave. It seems you have remedied the situation." Sebastian said calculatedly, looking between Frieza and myself. I could tell by the way he spoke that he did not at all want Frieza to take him up on that offer. I would not sleep at all if I knew he and his men were staying.

"How kind of you, Sebastian." King Frieza said as he placed a hand on Sebastian's shoulder and Sebastian stiffened and sneered at the contact. King Frieza took a few minutes to glance among his men, who all looked agitatedly towards their king. I clenched my teeth angrily while I waited for his response. I could not stand by and allow him to stay any longer, even if we were trying to be diplomatic. King Frieza finally removed his hand from Sebastian's shoulder and spoke with a nod to his men.

"But we really must be going." Frieza finally decided as I sighed with relief and Frieza's men retreated from the room. Our servants set to work cleaning the bloody mess that had been left in the dining room as Frieza left, seemingly in a hurry.

"That was fantastic, Katarina." Sebastian growled at me sarcastically once all of Frieza's men were gone. "When will you ever learn to behave yourself as a queen should?" He reprimanded me, like I was a child. I glared furiously at him.

"Me? Perhaps a king should defend his heir." I retorted bitterly. Sebastian bared his teeth at me furiously, but we were interrupted as a servant arrived hurriedly.

"Your Grace! Your Grace!" He called as he approached us with a bow and extended his hand towards us. I looked at the rolled parchment in his hand as he struggled to catch his breath, obviously having run to deliver the message quickly.

"What is it?" Sebastian asked in annoyance, barely acknowledging the man. I curiously reached for the paper as the man released it and stayed down on one knee, almost apologetically. Sebastian noticed the exchange and quickly snatched the note from my hand, though not before I recognized its seal.

"That's from the Starsands Kingdom." I said, deeply concerned by the urgency of the messenger's demeanor.

"Yes, your Grace. The raven just arrived. I knew this was urgent, to be arriving during your diplomatic visit-" the servant sputtered his words hurriedly until Sebastian held up his hand to quiet the man, annoyed with the rambling as he attempted to read the letter. I watched Sebastian's eyes quickly dart side to side as he read the letter and frowned deeply. Then he looked at me with an alarmed expression before suddenly sprinting from the room. I gasped in surprise at Sebastian's wordless reaction as I watched him disappear.

"Your Grace." The servant spoke again, having picked up and read the letter as I watched Sebastian leave. His tone was somber and his voice low. I looked at him to see an apologetic visage. "I'm sorry, your Grace. But it seems the Starsands Kingdom has been attacked by some of King Frieza's men this evening. Parts of the kingdom have been overrun." I gasped in shock at the news.

"My…father?" I asked fearfully as my heart pounded hastily. No! My father! Someone had to tell me he was alright! I stopped breathing as the servant frowned upon me speechlessly. My ears rang as I attempted to grasp the back of the chair by my side. Before I even received a reply, and before I could grasp the support I needed, I found myself falling into darkness.

My eyes twitched as I awoke to the sensation of cool moisture on my forehead. I sighed heavily as I heard a feminine voice beside me crying out, though I still was in too deep of a haze to make out what she was saying.

"…Chi, please! Are you alright, my queen?" I fluttered my eyes open as I recognized the voice as Launch's, and looked up at her worrisome expression as she removed the cloth from my forehead. I sighed as I slowly began to sit up in confusion. She rushed to assist me as I was alarmed by a second, stronger set of hands supporting my back. I inhaled sharply as I quickly turned to see Tien by my other side, smiling reassuringly.

"Queen Katarina. You gave us a scare." Tien said with a small smile as they both removed their hands and I supported myself in sitting upright. I caught the two exchanging a worried glance, and then memories came flooding back to me of where I had been and what happened before I fainted.

"My father!" I exclaimed as I abruptly caught Tien by his armor and tugged him towards me. "Tell me what happened!" I ordered him as I narrowed my eyes earnestly at his reluctant face.

"Your Grace, perhaps you should lie down a little longer…" Launch began from my other side as I hastily shook my head without removing my eyes from Tien.

"Tell me now!" I yelled as I gave Tien a stern shake. He nodded rapidly, looking quite scared by my demands.

"Your father led the defense against the Ice Kingdom's attack, your Grace!" Tien exclaimed as I released him and he calmed slightly. "He was badly injured, but he survived. He is being cared for and protected now. But a portion of the Starsands Kingdom has been taken by King Frieza's men." Tien's speaking slowed as he spoke, and I heard a loud sigh from Launch behind me as we listened. I was relieved to hear he was still alive and being protected. I hoped he would recover from his injuries, and soon. And Frieza…

"King Frieza was here when the attack happened." I said bitterly, staring straight ahead as I grit my teeth with frustration. "Did Sebastian catch him before he left?" I asked hopefully as I looked to Launch, then Tien for an answer. Tien sadly shook his head slowly, and I sighed heavily as I placed my head in my hand, running my fingers through my hair with frustration. I startled as my chamber door slammed open and someone hastily approached. I looked up to see Sebastian and Bardock, Bardock stopping to stand by the door just inside the room, while Sebastian marched right up to my bedside as Launch and Tien respectfully moved aside.

"When that snake deserted the kingdom, the only thing my men were able to catch was the carriage containing his queen's corpse." Sebastian huffed forcefully as he turned his head side to side, anxious to take action. "I told you I hate that inbred bastard! And he does this when I welcome him into my kingdom?!" Sebastian yelled at me as soon as I met his eyes. I growled angrily at him. It was my father who was attacked. He didn't need to tell me. I narrowed my eyes at Sebastian with determination. It was time to test the value of our alliance.

"Tell me." I demanded as I scowled hatefully with the thoughts of what that evil man had done to my father's kingdom. Sebastian's eyes burnt into mine with a rage of his own, before a sadistic smirk crossed his face. I knew, by his expression, I didn't need to ask. I just wanted to hear him say it.

"Lord Bardock, gather the small council." Sebastian ordered, just barely glimpsing over his shoulder as he addressed his Hand. He gave me a slight nod as his eye twitched excitedly and he spoke in a low voice only I could hear. "Frieza just sealed his fate."