The Adulteress Queen

Chapter 18

Videl was glowing with an aura of youthful beauty as she walked down the aisle on her wedding day. Of course she was. She was sixteen, with her beauty untarnished and virginity intact, most likely. Her beautiful long dark hair, much like mine, I noted bitterly, hung down her back as layers of braids surrounded the crown of her head in an intricate pattern. Her white gown had a fitted bodice with long hanging sleeves, much like the navy blue gown I wore on that day. The skirts of her gown were intricately layered with elegant fabrics, and I had to admit, she looked absolutely perfect.

She must have received her looks from her late mother, because aside from her coloring, she looked nothing like her comely father. She developed into a woman over the past years as well. I could not blame Faustos for smiling back at her as she met him and Lord Satan joined their hands. I imagined if I were a man, I would have found her charms hard to resist. It was no secret that Videl was infatuated with Faustos; she had a girlish fondness for him since the announcement of their engagement years ago. So I could imagine the way she was looking at him at the altar with those big blue eyes of hers, much like the way I looked at him.

"Your Grace, my Queen, lords and ladies, we stand together to join two people in the union of marriage. Lord Bane of House Son and Lady Videl of House Satan…" Piccolo moved on from addressing us all at the congregation to reciting the prayers and vows for the marriage of Faustos and Videl. I felt my eyes burn with tears and forced myself to cease my crying by looking towards Gohan at my side. He was my constant light that helped me through my darkest moments. I could not rely on Faustos, now that he would have to tend to his own family. I looked at Sebastian by my other side, having the fleeting memory of how we were together after Rebekah's marriage. Perhaps my husband would be willing to distract me from my woes again tonight. I'd have to be sure to speak with Lord and Lady Puar while Sebastian was by my side during the reception. Surely seeing them together would put Sebastian in that mood again.

I glanced at said couple, seated a few rows behind us, and reconsidered my idea. Rumors had been circulating about the couple. Rebekah being without child after several years of marriage was highly unusual. Rumors suggested infertility, some said of Rebekah, some said of Yamcha, some said both. I believed Rebekah was not with child yet because she did not want to be. I suspected she was imbibing moon tea, as I was doing.

Either way, the way they stood together now, untouching and never looking towards one another, made it clear that I would not incite Sebastian's jealousy or envy through them. They actually seemed quite angry with one another. I sighed in annoyance. When I set up that marriage, Rebekah seemed to be fawning over Yamcha, and he was stuttering and drooling over her. How they could have those recurring fights so often, I did not understand. Sebastian and I, on the other hand, were made to clash heads with one another. There was no surprise with our constant quarrels.

After I was drawn from the painful stupor caused by witnessing Faustos kiss his bride, my husband and I rode in a carriage to the reception. I sent Gohan home from the ceremony with Erasa. Receptions were not meant for young children, not even the prince. Men and women would be drunk by the end of the reception; some would not wait until then. I could not tolerate my son witnessing such delinquent behavior. Besides, Gohan needed to get ahead on his studying before he would train tomorrow.

"Congratulations, Lord and Lady Son." I greeted Faustos and Videl upon arriving at the reception hall. They made a picturesque couple as they stood with their arms looped together, smiling at the crowd of onlookers. One could hardly tell, now that Videl was grown, that there was an age difference between the pair. Faustos bowed and Videl curtsied in appreciation of my congratulations.

"Thank you, King Sebastian, Queen Katarina." Videl said to us, though Sebastian never bothered to congratulate them. He was too busy staring down Faustos, seemingly having a private conversation with him through their eyes. I rolled my eyes at the behavior. Even on Faustos's wedding day they needed to rival one another, over what, I could not imagine. I had adapted to their strange and mysterious relationship, though I found it highly juvenile. After having enough, I cleared my throat for attention. Faustos immediately shifted his attention to me, smiling brightly as if he just realized I was there and he was happy to see me.

"Queen Katarina! I am so happy you could join us tonight, your Grace." He said charmingly. "And where is our prince?" He looked around the room as if he actually expected to find him there. "Surely you did not send him off to bed already?" He asked with a perplexed expression. Videl and I laughed at the question, while Sebastian gave a snort of amusement at Faustos's bafflement.

"Of course not, Lord Bane." I answered haughtily. "He was sent to his chambers to do his lessons. His hours are limited now by this new training he is doing with Lord Piccolo." Faustos smiled at this, the look of a proud father. I supposed he must have been proud to know that his son was working hard on his lessons and receiving the best possible education, one of the perks of being raised as royalty.

"Yes! I have seen Prince Gohan training!" Faustos said enthusiastically, startling me from my own prideful thoughts. Faustos looked at Sebastian who wore a proud smirk. "He is picking up the techniques quickly, your Grace." Faustos praised as Sebastian's expression became even more arrogant.

"Yes. My son has impressive skills, Bane." Sebastian boasted. "Perhaps when you have a son someday, you will see the difference between the skills of a royal bloodline and...your blood." Sebastian sneered these last words, making Faustos's bloodline sound pitiful. Faustos smirked back at Sebastian knowingly.

"Yes, perhaps. When I have a son someday." Faustos remarked with a smile as Sebastian frowned at his strange response. I caught Videl clasping Faustos's hand tight when he spoke of being a father. I would bet she could not wait to bear children for him. How I wished I could take Faustos from her. Faustos raised his eyebrows in recognition as he sighted someone behind us and I heard footsteps approach me.

"Raditz." Sebastian greeted stoically as Faustos's brother approached. Raditz bowed to me and Sebastian.

"Congratulations, Lord and Lady Son." Raditz snickered as Faustos and Videl frowned at him. Raditz still found it humorous to mock Faustos for being subjected to his parents' arranged marriage. I did not know how Faustos stood there and tolerated it, but I refused to listen to it!

"Lord Raditz," I said, bearing a smirk of my own to match those of the amused Sebastian and Raditz, "I am terribly sorry for you that you have not yet found a wife of your own. Attractive young noblewomen are quickly becoming unavailable around the Harrenhal Kingdom." I frowned theatrically as I gazed around the room as if in search for a decent woman. Raditz, to my humor, followed my gaze. "Well, I am sure your parents will be sure to arrange something for you soon enough. They will be expecting you to put a baby in some respectable woman at some time, unless you'd like your brother's children to be your heirs." Raditz made a face as if he was horrified at the prospect, and Faustos laughed quietly at his brother's disappointment. I smiled smugly at Raditz, knowing just how much he hated the idea of bedding a woman. I expected that to be the last time he would mock Faustos's marriage.

"Enough of this." Sebastian said impatiently, stalking off to our table for dinner without another word. Raditz followed Sebastian dutifully, having no intentions of spending time with his brother or new sister. I looked at Faustos and Videl with a small smile before reluctantly following Sebastian to our table. The king and queen would dine together, as was expected at these types of occasions. I wouldn't want to ruin our fragile veneer over such a simple task, though I wished to stay with Faustos longer. He and Videl soon retreated to their table as well.

As we ate, I noticed Faustos keeping to himself, only engaging in conversation as people approached him while Videl finished her meal and moved to join Lady Maron and Lord and Lady Frate in conversation at their table. Lord Bardock approached Faustos as soon as Videl left, looking quite incensed as he spoke to his son, standing over the newlywed lord and obviously demanding something.

Faustos kept his mouth shut as his father spoke, drinking his wine and keeping his eyes on the dancing couples in front of them rather than his father. Lord Bardock must have said something that bothered Faustos, because he suddenly turned to his father with an angry glare. I could not help feeling alarmed as I witnessed the ferocity with which Lord Bardock responded to Faustos. Their conversation was quiet, as no one around them seemed to react, but that did not limit the fierceness of their attitudes towards one another.

Faustos said something as he shook his head and turned to face the dance floor again, glaring for a moment as Bardock straightened and calmed, looking around the room carefully. I looked away from Bardock's careful gaze and briefly smiled at Sebastian beside me, not wanting Bardock to realize that I had witnessed their confrontation. When I looked back at them, Bardock wore a smug smile as he patted Faustos's cheek and walked away. Faustos grit his teeth before forming a small smile, a forced smile. I knew his smile, the heartwarming look that could make anyone smile, and that was not it. I did not know what Lord Bardock was forcing my Faustos to agree to, but I knew he was, nevertheless. A man of high birth could not deny his father anything, especially not a stern father like Bardock Son, and the Hand of the king.

The musicians began playing a song after supper ended, and Videl joined hands with her father, approaching the dance floor as she cast one last smile to Faustos before she would dance with Lord Satan. Faustos immediately stood from the table as his new wife danced, and approached a standing crowd to watch. His eyes shifted to me, and I nodded in understanding as I stood from my table with a gentle grasp on Sebastian's shoulder before heading to join the group. I stood beside Faustos, who watched Videl for a moment before turning his attention to me.

"Thank you for allowing Gohan to begin training, Katarina." Faustos said quietly and discreetly to me as we watched the dance with the other guests at the reception. "It is the one time I have to be with him, and we are doing something I love." Faustos glanced over his shoulder at me briefly, trying not to draw much attention to us. "I am there all the time, you know. Gohan and I are starting to bond." My mouth dropped in shock. I never would have imagined anything good could come of training such a young prince. But to know that there was finally a way for Gohan to know his father, even if he did not realize who he was, I was happy to finally see something positive from the whole endeavor.

"Doesn't Lord Piccolo train Gohan?" I asked unsurely. Faustos nodded.

"Yes, Gohan looks up to him as well." Faustos paused, and I thought he was done speaking as I focused my attention on the dance finalizing in front of us. "I'm sorry." Faustos said quietly, just before the dancing ended and everyone clapped for the bride and her father. Videl immediately turned her attention to Faustos after finishing the dance. Faustos extended his hand to her as she swiftly glided to his side. I wished I had just a moment longer to speak to him.

What was he apologizing for? Was he sorry for getting married today? Maybe he was apologizing for the entire situation, as if it were his fault. In my moments of anger, I may have hastily blamed him, but I knew it was all out of his control. He was just as much a victim of the situation as I was. I tore away from the group, needing some time alone with my thoughts. Those two words had thrown my world into a temporary whirlwind. I needed a moment to straighten myself out.

I forgot about my protection. The most alone I managed to get was having Tien several feet away from me, keeping a watchful, concerned eye on me as I leaned against a stone wall outside the reception. I did not realize how long I was out there, tolerating the frigid air as it was now winter, when Tien and I were both startled by the approach of footsteps. I heard heels click-clack just around the corner when I saw a woman's silhouette in a silk gown appear. I sighed when I recognized Rebekah. Maybe her finding me alone out there could be a good thing.

"Queen Katarina. I was hoping to find you out here." Rebekah said with a relieved smile. I glanced back at Tien, raising a questioning brow as I realized we must have been away for a while. He nodded in agreement, but kept his distance as Rebekah approached me. "The reception is ending. You missed seeing the bride and groom off, your Grace." Rebekah said as she stood beside me leaning against the wall.

I was surprised that there was no derision in her tone, as usually would be in a situation like this regarding Faustos. After all the hints and taunts she had thrown me over the past years, I knew she had discovered the truth about Faustos and me somehow. I believed Rebekah had at least one spy of her own in the kingdom. She was too clever not to, with the way Piccolo and I were operating. Rebekah smiled a genuine smile, and I smiled back tiredly. I was feeling so tired, tired of it all.

"Is this how you felt the day that Sebastian and I married?" I asked, the most honest and straightforward question I had ever posed to Rebekah. She stared at me wide-eyed as I waited for her shock to wear off. Life was too short for silly games, and Rebekah and I had known each other's secret for too long to keep playing as if we didn't. If anything, we should have been perfect confidantes for one another. I felt Rebekah could relate to my feelings better than anyone. She had not shared her suspicions about me with Sebastian over these past years, I was certain of it. I trusted that she had her own reasons for not doing so. Rebekah read my expression carefully and smirked at me.

"So, we are done pretending, then?" Rebekah asked rhetorically as I nodded. Rebekah smiled into open air, then turned to face me as she leaned closer and wrapped a consoling arm around my arm. I appreciated the amicable gesture, as well as the warmth from her body nestling beside mine. "Do not worry, your Grace. You are strong enough to bear this. I am not sure if you feel the same as I did, but that is a day I will never forget." Rebekah said sadly. I frowned back at her. Neither would I. Though I was not ready to confide so much in Rebekah to admit my reasoning behind my awful memories of that day, which I believed she played part in. Rebekah and I basked in our sober companionship for a while longer, before Tien finally approached us.

"Your Grace? My lady? I believe it is time you head inside." Tien said nervously, glancing around as if expecting an intruder, or perhaps Sebastian to come angrily searching for us and holding him accountable for our whereabouts. I nodded understandingly as Tien led the way and we headed back into the reception, Rebekah and I arm in arm. I had emotionally exhausted myself that night. I would return to my chambers alone. Gohan should have been asleep, Sebastian must have been in no mood to seek me out, and after spending the time I just did with Rebekah, I found it impossible to think along those lines with Sebastian that night.

After that unexpected turn of events at Faustos's wedding, I spent much more time with Rebekah in the following week. She finally confided in me that she indeed had been avoiding pregnancy, though she did not know how much longer she could possibly avoid it. She knew that Yamcha was suspicious of her interference, and he wanted an heir of his own. Rebekah only wanted a child by Sebastian, yet could not stand the idea of mothering Sebastian's child without the child being raised as such.

I understood her concern, though swiftly avoided any admittance as to Gohan's parentage. Despite our improved relationship, Rebekah was still loyal and loving to Sebastian. I was certain she would not hold the truth from him about Gohan not being his, even if it risked mine and Gohan's lives. Even with no ill will, she might think she could find a way to tell him without endangering us.

Rebekah also confided to me that Faustos did indeed already know of her relationship with Sebastian. He was the first and only person to know their secret for quite a while, back when their relationship began. It started when she was fifteen, taking dance lessons in the palace with Sebastian and dining with her parents regularly at the Harrenhal Castle. Her romance was actually a story I rather enjoyed hearing, especially because I found it particularly difficult to imagine Sebastian behaving in ways that she claimed he did when they were alone together. It was strange how I could gossip about my own husband's affairs with his mistress and take an interest in it. Perhaps if there was no Faustos, I would have found it difficult. Of course, now that Faustos was otherwise occupied and married himself, I was beginning to worry about that.

I assured Rebekah that being a mother was such a gift that, regardless of the child's father, she would love being a mother. I encouraged her to let nature take its course, and Rebekah seemed to appreciate the advice. I considered that I might take me own advice. Perhaps another child would suit me well in the face of Faustos's marriage. Rebekah gossiped with me about others in the kingdom, and I was certain then that she did have a spy, to know so much gossip. She even informed me of Lady Maron's secret aim to trap Lord Raditz into marriage by conceiving with him, something of which Korin had not even informed me. I found that ill-planned notion a very amusing story. The woman would never succeed, not with Lord Raditz.

Rebekah also informed me that Lady Frate had a miscarriage recently, and that was why I had not heard much from Lady Lazuli for the past few years. I was surprised Korin had not already informed me of the development, though I suspected I was not hearing from Lazuli because she was wary of my knowing her other secret. I thought to send something or console her in some way for her loss, but it would only upset her more. I was not supposed to know of that information, and it was a private and delicate matter. I decided simply to send her a letter expressing how long it had been since I had seen her and I wished her well. Perhaps the letter would remind her of the debt she owed me as well, in case something arose. I wouldn't want to let my friends forget about me.

Regardless of all of that, my mind was focused on our upcoming royal visit. When the raven arrived a week later to tell us that the royal caravan had entered the kingdom and was approaching the castle, I readied myself for whatever would occur when those visitors would show.