The Adulteress Queen

Chapter 20

A war began. I anxiously awaited word on my father's condition, though we received no ravens regarding anything but war orders and reports from the battlefields. The Ice Kingdom took us by surprise with that initial attack, though we had foreseen this years ago. It was the reason for our forced marital union. Sebastian and his council were preparing every day since he became king for the inevitable attack. We just never suspected the ruse of a diplomatic visit while my father's kingdom was the one being targeted. Somehow, they had enough foresight to know that the Harrenhal Kingdom was too well-protected for an attack. Piccolo and Bardock insisted that Frieza had spies within our kingdom, and Sebastian seemed to agree with their assertion. It was the most reasonable explanation for their careful planning. But we had no way of drawing out those spies.

So while men from the Starsands and Harrenhal kingdoms expediently marched into the north together, some who would be returning and some who would be dying on the fields of battle, we remained within the safe walls of the kingdom. I feared for the day Frieza would bring the war to us. It was not my safety I feared for, as I knew the guards were there to protect us, and I could defend myself if it were necessary. It was the violence, the chaos, the anarchy that would ensue and burn into my child's eyes. I feared for Gohan's innocence. I could protect his flesh, but his soul would be forever stained when he saw what men could do when their limitations were removed.

I was content to know that the men I cared about were not on the front lines of the war, at least not for now. That comfort proved ironic as I received news from Korin on a personal front that I hated to hear. I had my spy reporting to me daily at that time, and he had been very busy with reports of war plans and preparations, though his main commissioned task was drawing out any of Frieza's possible spies. He was no help in that matter, and I almost removed him from my service spitefully after the hurtful news he did deliver. They do say not to kill the messenger though, so I just barely restrained myself. It was only a few months since the beginning of the war and Faustos's wedding, a few meager months later, when Korin delivered the news that Lady Videl was pregnant with Faustos's child.

Out of a need to vent my anger to someone, I shared that information later with Rebekah, whose sympathetic reaction caused my emotions to surface. She hugged me tightly as I stubbornly covered my true emotions with anger. I struggled free from her grasp and yelled about how much I hated Faustos. After that, Rebekah confided in me that she reacted almost the exact same way when she heard that I was pregnant. I almost confessed to her that Gohan was not Sebastian's child in that instant, wishing someone could tell me the same. But Rebekah must have long moved on from those feelings by then, and it would have still endangered Gohan. I would never do anything to put Gohan at risk.

Rebekah and I continued on like that for months, gossiping and consoling each other through difficulties and confessions that no one else could hear while the men were busy planning and training for war. Videl's pregnancy was announced publicly during that time, and when Faustos was not training, he remained at his new residency in Satan Castle. He occasionally made excursions to Harrenhal Castle for training with Sebastian, Gohan and the guards, though I could not bear to see him during that time. I was pleased, however, to hear Gohan speaking highly of Faustos whenever he told me about his training.

Gohan was growing up so fast, and I was so proud of my little prince. Piccolo truly took Gohan under his wing, and I found they complemented each other well. I had never seen anyone tolerate Piccolo's personality like Gohan did, and Piccolo had amazing patience with Gohan. As long as his lessons were not disturbed, and he was not fed nasty rumors of what happened on the battlefields, I was content to let them be as the months passed routinely in that way. One day, I realized that I had lost track of the passing of time by a disturbing surprise.

"You mean…now?" I asked Piccolo, completely confounded by the reason he gave for dismissing Gohan to me and excusing himself from our presence.

"Yes, your Grace." Piccolo huffed with an annoyed scowl. There was no way that it could be possible. Had it even been a year since their wedding? Since the war began? "She will be blessed, as all Sons have been for decades. I really must be going, your Grace." Piccolo said again hurriedly as he glanced at the time. I waved a dismissive hand absently, and then wrapped an arm around Gohan, pulling him to me.

"Mother? Can we see the baby?" Gohan asked curiously. I pulled away from him and gazed down into his innocent face. I smiled at him, and decide that was a good idea. We could use the distraction from war, which had been the constant subject of chatter around the castle as King Frieza's men had just recently taken one of our sieges. I may not have been ready, but if it was happening now, there was no way to stop it. I might as well have taken the chance to see him. I had not seen Faustos, aside from passing glances and on the training grounds, since his wedding.

"Yes, Gohan. Change your clothes first. You need to wear something more appropriate for the sect." I reprimanded as Gohan headed to the door, Erasa meeting him outside my chambers and receiving instruction from him as to what we were doing now. He was getting too old now to be tended by a maid. I would need to hire someone new for him. I would do away with Erasa easily. I never found her to be satisfactory company anyways.

In the sect, there was quite a crowd. It may have even matched the numbers that showed for Gohan's blessing, to my surprise. Maybe it was not that surprising. Faustos and Videl were from powerful families, and both kind and well-liked in the community. They had many friends and few enemies, all who would like to see their first child. Faustos stood over the cradle, staring fondly down at the baby. The look on his face immediately reminded me of the night I saw him gazing upon Gohan as a sleeping infant. He was going to be such a loving father to that baby.

Videl was by his side, looking perfectly content, even as wails erupted from the cradle and she needed to lift the baby and soothe her. Piccolo covered his ears in annoyance at the sound as he attempted to continue the ceremony, which I found highly amusing. Gohan was amused as well, as I heard him giggle beside me. I slapped him lightly in reprimand and he immediately stopped, though it was hard for me to contain myself as well.

It was nice to attend an occasion like that, just the two of us. Usually those formal occasions required Sebastian's presence. Given our current war conditions, his presence was more importantly required at the emergency small council meeting being held at the same time. Gohan and I simply elected to be there, and I joined hands with my son as the ceremony ended.

We approached the happy family after many others said their congratulations, and Faustos looked up at me, past the others to whom he had been speaking, surprised and wary to see me in the sect. He smiled at Gohan, then returned and fixed his gaze on me as Lord and Lady Frate bid farewell and left, making room for Gohan and I to say hello. Faustos did not realize he was staring, and I realized after a moment that he was not only wary of my presence, but admiring. I blushed as I saw that he was truly looking at me, much like he did on the night we met.

"Queen Katarina!" Videl exclaimed with a note of contempt hidden beneath a veneer of happiness. She must have seen the way we looked at each other. I glanced down at Gohan, who was gazing back and forth between me and Faustos with a look of confusion. Was it that obvious? I frowned before replying to Videl.

"Congratulations, Lady Videl. Your daughter is a beauty." I said as I leaned forward and gazed at the child in her arms. That was painful. It was so hard to admit, but true. The girl's thick, ebony, silky hair, was gorgeous. Her tiny nose, big black eyes and alabaster baby skin were lovely; I never had any doubt that the child would be beautiful; any child of Faustos's would be. Videl leaned down so Gohan could see her as well.

"Prince Gohan, do you approve as well?" Videl asked coyly to my son, who smiled adoringly upon the child he did not realize was his half-sister. He would most likely never know that she was related to him, just like his father.

"Yes. She's pretty, my lady." Gohan answered in amazement. He looked up from the baby to meet Videl's eyes. "What is her name?" Videl smiled back at Gohan as she rose again to stand by Faustos's side.

"Pan, Pan of House Son." Videl answered brightly. Faustos smiled at Videl's beautiful expression, then the baby. He looked at me again, a look of guilt. I felt terrible that he should feel guilty on such a special day. Perhaps I should not have come. I suddenly felt like an i***t for being there. I grabbed Gohan's hand tightly and curtsied to the couple.

"I am sorry, but we must go. We wanted to see the baby and wish you congratulations." I hesitated awkwardly, feeling like there must have been more to be said, but when I realized I had nothing else, hurriedly headed outside, dragging Gohan all the way down the aisle with me.

That night, Sebastian informed me over dinner that the small council had formed a plan of attack to hopefully end the war. He had discovered a weak spot in King Frieza's forces and intended to take advantage and snuff out the strongest portion of his men. I smiled at the thought. I had recently received a raven that my father was finally recovering from his attack of nearly a year ago, though he might have been permanently crippled by a severe injury to his right hand. The news of my father's recovery and King Frieza's impending doom only added to the relief I felt over seeing Faustos again after so long.

A few months later, we were having guests for supper at the castle, as we often did when I first arrived at the kingdom. We felt that Kenya might have reached her last months; her mental state was rapidly deteriorating, a cause of her illness. She always relished those dinners, so Sebastian insisted on having them often to appease his ailing mother. I could not complain. I enjoyed any chance I could get to show off Gohan to the nobility, and many of them were excellent company. That night, though, a couple was in attendance who did not regularly join us. I was disappointed to find they would take the attention away from Gohan.

"Isn't she adorable!" Lady Briefs cooed exuberantly over the table. Lord Satan, Lord and Lady Briefs, Lord and Lady Puar, and all the Sons sat at that far end of the table, and I could hear them all the way down at my end. I could not believe the fuss the ladies made over a baby. Was it like that when Gohan was born? I could not recall. Gohan glanced curiously down at the end of the table as Sebastian ate in silence. Kenya glanced occasionally down there, curious about the baby, though she had no intention of showing it. I was not ready to see that baby again. She was adorable, and beautiful, and Faustos's. But not mine. I sighed as I ignored the commotion and continued eating. I glanced up from my plate to see Gohan had not touched his food, too intently focused on the production being carried on by Lady Gine over her granddaughter.

"Gohan. Eat." I ordered, raising a stern eyebrow at him as he obediently shook his head and followed orders. I smiled proudly, enjoying the results of strict parenting. I smirked at Sebastian with that in mind, and he smiled smugly in return. Apparently I had managed to impress him. We had s*x a few days ago, just once after many weeks of a dry spell. It was not earth shattering, but amicable enough to last us for a while. And our relationship usually seemed so much nicer for the days following that activity. He gave me one swift nod as he returned his attention to his wine goblet. He had quite a few already. He had been drinking more since the war began, I recently noticed.

"Sebastian, that is your fifth for tonight already, I believe." I prodded, knowing that would carry my message across swiftly. Sebastian only grunted at me in annoyance and blatantly swallowed the remainder of the contents from the goblet. Fine. I saw our relationship was already headed back the downhill slope. "Enough, Sebastian." I growled angrily, demanding to be heard. Sebastian waved me off dismissively, but he turned to eating again, not requesting a refill of his goblet.

"It seems young Lady Pan has drawn quite a crowd tonight, your Grace, my Queen." Piccolo said, breaking the silence that followed my reprimands towards my family. I glanced up at him, as did Sebastian, while his mother and Gohan glanced towards the child in question again.

"Yes, it seems she has, Piccolo." Sebastian agreed wryly.

"What of it, Lord Piccolo?" I asked, knowing Piccolo's methods. He was getting at something about the girl, and I worried as he looked adoringly towards Gohan. He had taken quite a parental role in Gohan's life, like a second father, or maybe a third, given Gohan's situation.

"I know my occupation well, your Grace." He answered me with a small smile as he glanced towards the uproar as Pan must have just done something adorable, like smile. Didn't we all do that? "I can see a match in the making." My posture straightened and I looked incredulously towards Piccolo. He could not be suggesting what I thought he was, could he?

"A match, Lord Piccolo?" Sebastian asked dubiously, matching my sentiments.

"Of course, they are both still very young, your Grace. But a prince needs to find the right bride early. A queen must be chosen carefully, and all the best are taken quickly these days." Piccolo answered knowingly. As much as I understood his advice, that suggestion was just out of the question! If Piccolo really suspected as much about me as he implied, why on Earth would he suggest that match? "The girl comes from good parentage, a wealthy family, and most likely will grow to be quite attractive." Piccolo continued smugly. "She will be loyal to Prince Gohan's throne when he becomes king. I cannot see any reason to object, your Grace."

"Absolutely not!" I yelled in outrage, as everyone stared at me, stricken by my outburst. Even the ones at the other end of the table were distracted from their baby ogling. I cleared my throat nervously as I realized all eyes were on me, and Sebastian and Gohan looked upon me as if I had said something crazy. It was not crazy, it was completely reasonable. To me.

"Katarina…" Sebastian trailed off, narrowing his eyes at me warningly over my emotional reaction.

"Is everything alright down there, your Grace?" I heard Yamcha ask nervously. Rebekah held his hand and leaned towards us, almost having a protective air as she focused on Sebastian. Most of the faces at that end of the table remained shocked and blank, but Faustos was studying me intently. He knew me. He must have known something was happening down here that was important.

"Yes, of course it is!" Sebastian bellowed back in annoyance.

"We were just discussing something, when the queen strongly objected to my suggestion." Piccolo explained humbly to the group of onlookers. They glanced at each other, their curiosity piqued. Oh, how Piccolo irked me sometimes. Now he was aiming to outnumber me on the matter.

"What did you suggest, Piccolo?" Faustos asked with open curiosity. Piccolo balked at Faustos's informal address before carrying on with his answer.

"I suggested a betrothal for Prince Gohan, my lord." Piccolo answered smugly, avoiding eye contact with me as a few gasps were heard at the end of the table and looks were exchanged. I glared at Piccolo. If I could burn him to the ground with my looks, I would have. How did he dare? Piccolo met my eyes finally, and I smiled proudly after seeing him cringe nervously in response to my glare. Had he forgotten what happened to people who crossed me? Like Lord Dodoria. Like that loose peasant, Fasha. Like Brolly, if his spies were astute enough to know the truth of that encounter. He should have thought more clearly before he decided to work against me. He must have been attempting to force my hand, draw the truth from me. That was the only reasonable explanation I could deduce from his insane suggestion.

"You don't mean…" Lady Gine asked, placing a hand to her mouth as she gaped at us.

"My Pan?" Videl asked with a smile brimming with pride. She held that look for a moment before her eyes landed on me. Her face dropped and she looked extremely disappointed once she realized that was the cause of my strong opposition. To my surprise, she huffed and looked determined as she stood irately and began to address me.

"My Queen! For what reason do you protest against my daughter? She would be a perfect match for your son!" Videl yelled angrily to me as Faustos grabbed her arm and tried to restrain and calm her. Faustos was probably feeling incredibly sorry that he was married to that difficult woman.

"Your daughter is lovely, I am sure. She is just not suitable for my son, Lady Videl! I will hear no more of this nonsense!" I yelled boldly to her before staring down Piccolo as I drank from my goblet and attempted resuming dinner.

"Woman, what the hell is wrong with you tonight?" Sebastian growled at me. "We need to match the boy sometime. Piccolo is right. Tell me one thing that is not right about that girl." Sebastian crossed his arms and stared at me, and I knew everyone else was listening intently to us. I slowly lowered my utensils as I faced Sebastian's smug, expectant gaze.

"She's…she's…." his sister! She was his sister! I faltered; I could not think of any reason that I could speak of. My eyes carefully searched the table as Faustos opened his mouth to speak, and then I caught sight of Sebastian scowling at him. Ah ha! It may not have been my reason, but it would get Sebastian on my side.

"She's Lord Bane's daughter, Sebastian." I said quietly, narrowing my eyes at Sebastian. Sebastian frowned back at me in understanding. "Do you really want to share your grandchildren with him?" I added smugly as I crossed my arms. Sebastian growled in annoyance as Faustos finally spoke.

"Forgive my wife's rudeness, your Grace. Surely Queen Katarina understands a mother's strong feelings for defending her child." Faustos said appeasingly as he rubbed Videl's shoulders soothingly. He might have been apologizing, but she was still fuming angrily. I really did not like that woman. She was so much more pleasant when I met her as a little girl. Sebastian smirked maliciously at Faustos and I relaxed, knowing I had him on my side now. Why I needed to wait for Sebastian, I had no idea. Faustos should have been attempting to stop that arrangement just as much as I was.

"We can forgive Lady Videl's behavior, Bane. But this will not work for our son. We can make no match with a girl who is bred for such tempers as that." Sebastian said nastily as he narrowed his eyes at Videl. I felt the urge to congratulate him. That was well handled, and he managed to underhandedly insult the woman who had angered me.

"My daughter has not been bred for temper, your Grace." Faustos argued with a smart smile after subduing Videl's ready attempt at retort with a soothing gesture. "Besides, you cannot argue that your son does not fit that description of breeding himself." Faustos's cocky, disrespectful remark made me so angry. Was he just insulting me, Sebastian, or both of us? If he wasn't the man I loved…

"Gohan does not have a temper!" I yelled hastily before thinking through my actions. "Gohan is a good, well-mannered boy!" I yelled as I gestured to the boy who was blushing and remaining quietly in his seat.

"No need to be offended, your Grace." Faustos said, smiling apologetically towards me. "I know Prince Gohan is a good boy. I simply make my point that my daughter will be well-mannered as well." Faustos answered with a casual tone as Videl visibly relaxed and Sebastian continued scrunching his face into an angry scowl towards Faustos. Faustos did not insult Gohan, but he did insult us. If I were Sebastian, I would have been furious as well. I was angry enough to give him a piece of my mind myself, but I would likely lose control and say something I shouldn't, so I reluctantly held my tongue.

"We will think on the matter." Sebastian conceded finally, nodding to Piccolo who accepted that answer for the time being. "Sir Tien, show Gohan to bed." I wrinkled my brows in confusion as I met my husband's eyes. It was curious for him to make such an order, unless he was preparing to discuss something with me that was not for Gohan's ears. I knew that was not happening that night, not with all of our company surrounding us. On nights with company, I was always the one sending Gohan to bed. I watched as Gohan bowed and bid goodnight to everyone, and then he and Tien left the dining room. I raised my brow curiously to Sebastian, who was already gesturing for Nappa to approach his side.

"Sir Nappa." Sebastian called coolly while keeping his gaze fixed on the table and clutching his utensils tightly in his hand. "You know what is expected of you and your men for the upcoming attack." He grumbled with a scowl as the guard approached to stand behind his king and wait dutifully. Nappa contorted his brows in confusion at Sebastian's out of place suggestion, as the war was never discussed over dinner, especially when we had guests.

"Yes, your Grace." Sir Nappa answered obediently with a bemused expression. Sebastian smirked cruelly and my eyes widened in shock as he suddenly stood and plunged his dinner knife into the side of the guard's thick neck in one swift movement.

The ladies screamed and I glanced down the table to see Videl clutching her baby protectively as the men stared at Sebastian in shock. I turned back to Sebastian with a deep gasp as Nappa's eyes widened in shock and agony as he began bleeding out beside him. Sebastian harshly removed the knife with a spray of blood as he glared furiously at the falling guard who had loyally protected him for so many years.

"Sebastian! What are you doing?!" I exclaimed as I stood and blinked rapidly in bewilderment at the scene played out before me. Sebastian ignored me as he continued glaring at Nappa, speaking to the dying guard who rapidly lost color as his eyes glazed over.

"Not only did you know what was expected of you, but you talk about it too much." Sebastian said as Nappa's body finally collapsed, face-first on the ground. Sebastian spat on the body contemptuously before he waved violently towards the other guards. "Get him out of my sight!" Sebastian yelled to them as they bowed to Sebastian and quickly did as he ordered. Aside from the clinking and screeching of metal armor as the guards worked to hastily drag the body from the room and Nappa's armor slid along the hard floors of the dining room, not a single sound could be gleaned from the room full of people. Not even the baby, who seemed to absorb the tension emanating from the adults in the room.

"Wise decision, your Grace." Piccolo broke the silence with his quiet appraisal as I turned my gaze to him in disbelief. Piccolo, and Lord Bardock beside him, smiled slyly at Sebastian, who huffed proudly at his handiwork as he retook his seat at the table. I shook my head in disbelief as I met Bardock's and Piccolo's eyes, then Sebastian's. They all had an air of victory about them, though I had no idea what was so great about killing your most loyal and trustworthy guard.

"Mind sharing what was so wise about that?" I asked Piccolo scathingly as the others listened intently for his answer.

"With all his talking, Nappa shared our perfect attack strategy with Frieza's spies. They know our plan, just when we could have ended and won this whole thing." Sebastian seethed through his teeth. He suddenly pounded his fist on the table violently, and I could have sworn the wood splintered from the force. "Dammit!" Sebastian yelled. "If I could kill that i***t again, I would." I cringed at Sebastian's ferocity. I could understand his fury if that was the case, though I doubted Nappa would have divulged that information to the enemy intentionally.

After a long and tense silence, I sighed heavily as I lost my appetite and decided to leave the table. I did not say my farewells to anyone as I departed the dining room after that riveting dinner, speechless and trembling with shock. Sebastian truly scared me that night. Perhaps the war was changing him. Perhaps I would have to take greater measures to protect my secret from him. If he turned on Nappa so easily, what would he do if he discovered my betrayal?