The Adulteress Queen

Chapter 9

The week following the death of the senior Sebastian was spent in mourning. Sebastian, his mother and I restrained from any socializing or activities. I had no worry of anyone else noticing the bruising on my cheek thanks to the isolation. The funeral was heartbreaking, of course. Sebastian was stoic and quiet as his father was buried, but beneath his strong front I sensed some true sadness. It made me feel guilty for the fight we had on the morning we discovered his father's death. I was wrong to assume that Sebastian felt nothing.

After our mourning period ended, Sebastian and I seemed to be back on good terms. For us, that meant we tolerated each other and behaved civilly. That was the best I ever expected our relationship to be. I thought of Faustos all the time, to the point where he was becoming my obsession. I tried not to, but my mind always wandered back to thoughts of him. I needed a distraction, and the following week I set out on a mission to find another purpose.

Tien and I spent a week venturing out each day to different areas of the kingdom with Sir Nappa, then Lord Piccolo, then Lady Rebekah. If Rebekah remained bitter after the night I pushed the engagement on her, she hid it well. She never confronted me on the issue. We behaved amicably towards one another, though I completely distrusted her, and she hardly had any reason to trust me. I simply chose to socialize with her because she, as well as the others I chose, knew their way around the areas I was observing, and told me what I needed to know in order to understand my kingdom better.

Nappa informed me of some social activities and sports throughout the kingdom. He briefly showed me how the guards were chosen for the kingsguard and the training they underwent. I could not help catching sight of Faustos during one of these excursions. He was sword fighting with the same long-haired, tall and handsome man he had been conversing with at the Towngrin' dinner a few weeks ago, his brother. Brolly stood aside with his arms rigid by his sides, glaring at the fight before him and intently focused on Faustos. I could not help marveling as I watched Faustos and Raditz wield their swords. Faustos was amazingly talented, and I commented on this as I leaned my elbows on the railing overlooking the training grounds. Nappa chuckled and agreed with me, but insisted that Sebastian was even better. I wondered if that was Nappa's partiality speaking or truth. I smiled proudly towards Nappa with the secret thought of how surprised the guard would be to learn that I, too, could swing a sword. My father taught me since childhood, though we kept my training to ourselves. Women wearing armor would be improper. Nevertheless, I knew it would not be wise to become involved in something where Sebastian and Faustos would both frequently be present.

Piccolo showed me the churches, missions, and impoverished areas of the kingdom. These were places he frequented, and he truly believed in the virtue of the work he did under the names of the Gods. I understood his drive and respected him for it. But it was not a cause for which I could feel any passion.

Rebekah addressed with me a variety of concerns in the kingdom, things to which I could relate more readily. Amongst all the endeavors I perused, I finally settled on one for which I felt passionate. When Rebekah introduced me to a group of peasants in the kingdom, I was struck by their lack of knowledge. The nobility hired private educators who gave lessons in the home, but the peasants could not afford to pay for this service. The poor children were strikingly stunted in their knowledge, solely learning their parents' trades as they grew, and I determined to do something to change that. I finally found my distraction from Faustos.

As queen, I had the power to make an impact, and with the help of Piccolo and Sebastian I would make sure all children in the Harrenhal Kingdom received an education. Piccolo readily complied with offers to help, though his idea of educating the children was much more abrasive than what I would intend for them. Sebastian resisted completely. He did not believe in the importance of spending the crown's money on educating low class scum, as he called them. Knowing I would never convince him to see it my way, I ended up proposing an arrangement with him. For his very limited support in my pet project, I would avoid entangling myself in political matters of the small council. Though there was no official way for me to involve myself in matters of the small council, I could find ways around that, an issue of which I was sure Sebastian was well aware. Our arrangement was agreeable to us both. I just hoped Sebastian and Lord Bardock, along with the rest of the council members, did not decide to impose highly disagreeable policies, or lead us into war anytime soon.

Once the support I needed was secured, I set to work to build an educational system that would surpass any all the kingdoms had seen in their history. In between my educational campaign, I spent time with Rebekah, Lazuli, Maron, and even young Videl at social occasions and more outdoor luncheons. Rebekah planned her wedding to Lord Yamcha and I assisted her in the preparations to pass the time. Sebastian did not lay a hand on me again, violently or sexually, and I was glad for it. I heard whispers amongst servants, guards and the nobility who frequented the castle about our lack of affection for one another. I knew my husband would lay with me soon, whether he wanted to or not.

A true born heir was an obvious expectation of the queen, and I knew Sebastian wanted one as well. It was especially expected by Kenya, who now frequently delivered passive aggressive attacks at me for the lack of a pregnancy. She was certainly impatient. Even if Sebastian was sleeping with me, four months into the marriage would be early for a pregnancy. To my surprise, my thoughts were interrupted as the man on my mind barged into my chambers and I lowered the book I had been reading onto my lap as I looked at him in surprise.

"Negou Gero has died." Sebastian said bluntly without a greeting or even a smile to precede his announcement.

"Is that so?" I asked disinterestedly as I returned my book in front of my eyes, finding the place I left off as I grumbled into the pages, recalling all the times I'd seen the wiry, wrinkled, elderly man. "That's not surprising news. The old man looked like a crumbling building since the day I met him." Sebastian approached me brusquely, pushing my book down and forcing me to meet his eyes.

"Let's go." He ordered me impatiently as I frowned incredulously back at him.

"Go where? To that old man's wake?" I asked dubiously as Sebastian frowned deeply and nodded his head in agreement. "I have no interest in attending, Sebastian." I said as I shook my head in refusal, before looking at Sebastian suspiciously. "I'm surprised you plan to go."

"We are going. The King and Queen always attend the wakes of the nobility. You should know that. Doesn't King Starsands do the same?" Sebastian crossed his arms and studied me curiously as I shrugged indifferently. I honestly didn't remember such an expectation. Perhaps it was a Harrenhal tradition.

"No matter. If we really must attend, I will get ready to leave." I said dismissively as I stood from my seat, dropping my book on my chair. Sebastian nodded tersely before departing my room as Launch filed in, passing him before setting to work in finding me something suitable to wear. She chose a deep green gown with long hanging sleeves and silk embroidery of vines along the shoulders, which I wore over a tightly bound corset. We departed shortly after I dressed, the carriage taking us to the sect in which we had just recently attended the wake of Sebastian's father. It was where all the noble wakes were held in the kingdom. Lord Piccolo was there beside the body, which was laid out in plain sight in the center of the congregation. Lords Frate and Gero and Lady Frate stood together over the body of their father and father-in-law, speaking quietly to one another as Lazuli's handmaiden sat in a chair beside a sleeping Marron nearby the Frates.

As we entered the room, Brolly and Nappa escorted us, calling attention to our presence as everyone turned and bowed. The sight of mourners in long, hooded robes carrying lit candles towards the seven alters surrounding the sect, while a few servants of the Gods carried incense through the room, was familiar after so recently having attended the funeral of the ex-king. Sebastian waved for all the bowing nobility to be seated. As everyone returned to their seats in the sect, Sir Brolly pulled up a chair for me and I seated myself, sniffing in dissatisfaction at the pungent fragrance of death already filling the stuffy room. Sebastian sat beside me, and we huffed impatiently as we awaited the beginning of the ceremony. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to find Lord and Lady Son directly behind us, with Faustos and Raditz taking the seats next to them.

"Lord and Lady Son." I greeted quietly with a nod of my head as the group seated themselves.

"Lord Bardock, I expect to see you after this wake. It is time we held another small council meeting." Sebastian ordered, staring intently at Lord Bardock as the older man smiled slightly in return and nodded obediently.

"Yes, your Grace." He responded reverently. Sebastian glanced back at the others, smirking in greeting at Raditz and Faustos, who did the same in return. Faustos continued smirking as Sebastian glared at Faustos and then turned around while I was busy addressing Lady Gine. As I forced myself to give Lady Gine's niceties my attention, I couldn't help catching Faustos's amusement at Sebastian's hostility towards him. The Frates then approached us, taking seats rather close to us, to my surprise, just in front of Faustos and Raditz. One would assume a loving child would want to be close to their loved ones. Only Lord Gero sat close to the body of his deceased father. Krillin Frate gave us a respectful nod and I nodded in return, noting with a scoff that Sebastian only glared at the poor man.

"Queen Katarina, I have heard of your plans to educate the common people." Lady Gine spoke quietly into my ear with a glance towards her husband while the assembly continued gathering. "I am very interested in learning more about what you have planned. I am an adamant supporter of education, your Grace." Lady Gine said compassionately, surprising me.

"Education for the lower class." Lord Bardock scoffed resentfully as he crossed his arms and shook his head, ignoring his glaring wife. He quickly turned his anger towards his sons, who were leaning forward and animatedly conversing with Krillin in front of them. "Raditz! Bane! We are at a wake." Lord Bardock scolded in quiet annoyance, glaring angrily at Faustos, who turned his attention from the timidly forward-spinning Krillin to face his father with a smug smile.

"Yes, Father. That's why we were consoling poor Krillin. He is beside himself with grief over the loss of his father-in-law." Faustos responded smartly as Raditz and Krillin immediately chuckled, while Lazuli glanced over her shoulder, glaring in annoyance at Faustos.

"Lord Krillin, Bane." Lord Bardock scolded through his teeth. "I don't care if he is your friend; you are speaking amongst the King and Queen now." Bardock gestured towards us as Faustos smiled, obviously assuming neither I nor Sebastian cared about his formality.

"Right, my lord father." Faustos responded with a grin and facetious bow of the head before returning his attention to Raditz and Krillin.

"As I was saying, your Grace." Lady Gine interrupted, giving a warning look to her husband as he heatedly watched Raditz, Faustos and Krillin resuming their conversation more discreetly than before. "Please come visit me at Montpaus sometime. I taught my boys myself when they were younger. I am very education-minded, and I believe I could help the less fortunate. It is a very good cause." Lady Gine whispered, patting me on the shoulder encouragingly as she leaned back in her chair.

"Thank you, Lady Gine. I may take you up on that invitation sometime." I said with a sly smile, meeting Faustos's eyes as they quickly darted towards me for a moment in understanding. I sighed in relief as everyone was seated and Piccolo's sermon finally began. My mind drifted into thoughts of planning for the building of a schoolhouse and ways to educate the children as I ignored Piccolo's pleas to the Gods to accept the soul of Lord Negou Gero, feigning a subdued interest in his speech with my gaze.

"It's not fair." I perked a brow at the somber voice of Lady Lazuli, who sat beside her husband, holding his hand. Lord Krillin shushed her and squeezed her hand soothingly, looking around anxiously as his eyes fell uneasily on my watchful gaze. He smiled kindly and nodded at me. Something told me that Lazuli's gripe had nothing to do with the loss of life. The words she spoke next, as Piccolo concluded his prayer and gestured towards a rising Lord Lapis Gero, confirmed my suspicion. "I'm older by ten minutes. Yet he gets everything, just because he has a c**k and I don't." Lazuli crossed her arms and scowled as she spoke quietly, and I stifled a chuckle at her remark.

"Lazuli!" Krillin scolded, his eyes widening in disbelief. The pitiable man was sweating nervously as he caught my eye. His eyes darted around the room quickly, and I suspected that I was not the only one who noted Lazuli's comment.

"I have every right to complain, Krillin. He was my father, too. And the old geezer never did anything for me." Lazuli spat through her teeth. I grinned to myself, turning my gaze to face the dead man's body in amusement. Lord Lapis stood next to Piccolo and began reciting his eulogy for his father, which had to be the coldest one I'd ever heard. I wondered who hated their father more, Lapis or Lazuli? Either way, Lazuli was right. Lord Gero would be inheriting his father's home and fortune now. Lazuli was still well off, though. House Frate was a relatively wealthy family and Krillin was the last remaining member of his house, before his daughter.

"...and now he is in a better place." Lord Lapis Gero concluded his eulogy, placing two painted coins on the eyes of his dead father before finally allowing us to depart the room. It was about time. I didn't know if I could stand the stench any longer. I linked my arm with Sebastian's as we made it through the doors first and stood outside to offer our royal sympathies as we met with the grieving family members. Grieving, my ass. I rolled my eyes as Lazuli left the building, holding Krillin's hand and dabbing her waterlogged eyes theatrically. Sebastian scoffed and I was sure he was thinking exactly what I was.

"Your Grace, my queen. Thank you so much for being here." Lazuli said as she approached us with a kindly bow of her head, as Krillin did the same by her side, followed by Lapis Gero, who maintained a safe distance from the couple.

"Yes, yes." Sebastian said dully, waving his hand as if indicating for her to rise. Not that she hadn't already. "We're sorry for your loss, Lady Frate, Lord Gero." Sebastian added in boredom as he stifled a yawn and Krillin frowned at the King's lack of sincerity. I could tell by Lazuli and Lapis' expressions that they could care less. But I sighed heavily as I prepared to play my part.

"Yes, so deeply sorry." I said as I placed a hand on Lazuli's shoulder in a consoling gesture. "It is so very hard to lose a parent, my lord, my lady." I said, nodding respectively to the brother and sister. "I will never forget the day my own mother passed." I placed my palm against my chest as I spoke with sincerity and looked at Lazuli with a gaze of somber intensity, to which she nodded in appreciation and formed more fake tears.

"Thank you, your Grace." The twins responded as they bowed their heads again and began to walk away with Krillin right behind Lazuli.

"Yes. Thank you, your Grace." Krillin said genuinely to me as he copied Lazuli's motions and the two departed with their handmaiden and Marron walking behind them. I knew I could play the diplomatic part much better than Sebastian. He should have been leaving public relations in my hands. Sebastian and I breathed a sigh of relief as we returned to our carriage. We could return to the royal castle now. Me to my educational planning, and Sebastian to...whatever he was planning to do today. Maybe the small council meeting he mentioned, maybe Lady Rebekah. I caught him watching her and Yamcha sitting together across the room during that wake. I suspected Sebastian was somehow managing to continue his relationship with her in spite of Rebekah's engagement. We sat in the carriage which would take us for the short ride through the city, and I was surprised by Sebastian's somber demeanor. Was he actually upset about Lord Gero's passing? Impossible. But I wasn't going to question him as we began the ride in silence.

"Is that why you cannot tolerate my mother?" Sebastian asked me out of the blue. I looked at him in confusion, which he quickly recognized. "Because you're bitter over the loss of your own mother." He prompted further, quite rudely. I smiled, shook my head, and laughed.

"I cannot tolerate your mother because she is a cold and hateful woman." I clarified disdainfully, enjoying the way Sebastian clenched his teeth and glared at my insult. He rumbled a slow reply with his glare remaining fixed on me.

"But your mother-"

"Died in childbirth." I admitted wistfully as I glanced out the window of the carriage. "It is a shame I never did know her." I added with a sluggish shrug before turning to Sebastian's disbelieving visage. I could not help smirking at the expression on his face.

"You really are a better liar than I took you for." Sebastian said, sounding impressed, though his disbelieving expression turned into an accusatory glare as he spoke.

"Of course." I admitted proudly. "I have to be to convince the people that I enjoy being married to you."

"Are there any secrets you're keeping from me that I should know about?" Sebastian asked accusingly as he moved closer to me in the seat of the carriage. I instinctively attempted to back away from him in the confined space. Perhaps it was a mistake to gloat. The last thing I needed was Sebastian being suspicious of me.

"N-no! Don't be silly, Sebastian." I said, forcing a dismissive laugh and looking out the window again so he could not see my nervous expression. I felt Sebastian's fingers clench my chin, forcing my head to turn towards him. I frowned in surprise as my eyes met the extremely close prStarsandsimity of his suspicious face. He moved in even closer, as if he was going to kiss me, but his lips swept past mine and met my ear.

"Good. Because if you deceive me, I will find out." Sebastian whispered threateningly before he pulled back slightly and I felt the warmth of his breath brush against my cheek. He pulled back to meet my gaze, his eyes burning into mine as he continued holding my chin while he studied me carefully. I sighed angrily and glared right back at him. He had no room to talk about deceiving one another.

Of course, there was a threat behind Sebastian finding out that went beyond simple knowledge. I feared the action he would take if he knew my secret. But I had no intentions of letting him know. I needed protection from any possible exposure. I would have to employ someone secretly to be my eyes in places I could not be myself, who could inform me of any whispers about me, any suspicions that might get out so I could squash them before a problem arose. He slowly released his hold on me and we continued the ride to the castle in calm silence. I decided before reaching the castle that I would need to set out on finding a spy right away, pushing the educational planning aside for the day.

The pursuit of a spy did not go well that day, yet in the meantime, the plans for the schoolhouse were turning out better than I expected. It would be a new addition to the kingdom, brought on by my campaign for improved education. I hired some mediocre educators who worked with the nobility to do most of the work with the peasants. Despite my deep feelings for the cause and my own ability to educate, I detested the filth of some of those children. I had no intentions of being hands-on with them.

However, it was the very filth in which they lived that led me to discover the perfect spy. I often noticed the quiet, curious nature of a spry old dwarf with a gnarled wooden cane who accepted the position of cleaning the schoolhouse once it was built. I thought nothing of him at first, with his squinty eyes, white hair and beard until I learned that he often worked in the sept, the stables, the castle dining room, and several other locations where I realized he may overhear valuable conversations of the nobility. After a few attempts at vaguely questioning him, I realized he knew more than I would expect a commoner to know about the social lives of the nobility. I had a discreet conversation with the man, offering to pay him well to report to me everything he overheard, especially pertaining to me. Korin was more than willing to cooperate, seeing that he could never make the amount of money I offered elsewhere.

Korin discreetly met with Launch every week to deliver my information and Tien delivered his payment to him once the information proved true. I found great pleasure in knowing more secrets about others than they knew about me. I knew that Lord Gero enjoyed lording over Red Ribbon in the wake of his father's death. He often invited squires into his home, who were known to dabble beneath the sheets with other men. I knew that Lady Maron hoped to win a proposal from Lord Raditz. Being of moderate wealth and lacking a land inheritance, she was unlikely to catch Lord and Lady Son's interest for an arrangement. Lord Raditz was seen often frequenting the w***e houses and brothels, a rumor I was happy to hear did not apply to his brother. I learned that Lord Piccolo had an elaborate network of his own spies throughout the kingdom, which I did not find surprising. I learned that Lord Satan had no intentions of ever remarrying. He easily could remarry; though he was hardly desirable, his fortune and estate were. But I suspected he was avoiding another marriage so Videl could inherit everything. If she ever had a brother, that would not be the case. And he clearly loved his daughter, though it was an unusual choice, choosing to allow the family name to end for the sake of love for one's child. I knew that Yamcha and Rebekah were often seen together, sometimes with the Towngrin, sometimes alone. Surprisingly, Korin made no mention of Rebekah and Sebastian's relationship. I wondered who else knew that little secret besides myself. Perhaps Korin knew, but avoided telling me for fear of any retaliation I might make out of anger. I hoped that was not the case, or he would be a useless spy.

I constantly reminded Korin that he was to report on everything he knew to me. He reported no mention of my own secret. So, with the security of being well-informed against any possible enemies, I decided to accept Gine Son's invitation and ride to Montpaus. The castle was known to be a beautiful one, full of fertile fields and winding trees, as well as sprawling gardens, and I looked forward to seeing it. The meeting with Lady Gine was necessary. I felt she would be a valuable asset to my educational agenda, and she was a woman I would like to keep a close eye on personally. It would be worth the trip just to see Faustos in his home. Too much time had passed since the last time I was alone with him.