The Adulteress Queen

Chapter 15

"Y-your grace!" He stammered, rubbing his head and shifting his feet nervously as Faustos glanced over his shoulder in shocked reaction to the voice above us. "I thought I heard…screaming, or s-something…" the man spluttered with an apologetic expression. Even in the shadows, I could detect the shade of blush on his cheeks. Faustos hurriedly stood, shamelessly facing the guard in his naked skin with a serious expression. With Faustos's body being removed from mine, I swiftly reached for the nearest material from the ground to cover myself, annoyed with Faustos for the lack of warning.

"Sir Tien! You can never speak of this to anyone!" Faustos warned him hurriedly, looking fiercer and more threatening than I had ever seen him.

"No! I-I won't!" Tien answered immediately, to my surprise. I studied him, feeling completely perplexed and speechless. How could he make that decision so quickly? Faustos was scrutinizing him in the same way, all threat suddenly gone from his expression. Tien crossed his arms with a nervous demeanor as he explained himself. "I already had my suspicions." He admitted as I felt the material covering my breasts slide down. Tien's brow raised notably before he hastily turned his back to us out of modesty. I was sure he saw that, and I reached for more material, covering myself frantically even as Tien's back was turned and there was no one to see me anymore. I wished I could bury myself in the fur and materials on the ground and disappear at that moment.

"How?" Faustos asked Tien curiously as he began to dress while Tien's back was turned.

"I may remain quiet, but that hardly means I don't notice things, my lord." Tien answered. He started to look towards me, but quickly turned his head again as he realized how inappropriate that was for the moment. "I apologize, your Grace. But if you wish to keep your head, you should be more careful." Tien warned smartly. I nodded to myself; Tien could not have been more right about that.

"If you suspected, why did you not tell the king?" I asked, suspicious of Tien's motives. Tien shifted uncomfortably, his expression hidden from me as his back was still turned, but I suspected some inner conflict happening.

"I swore an oath to your father to protect you, Queen Katarina. I have no intentions of breaking my word. I serve you." Tien glanced slightly over his other shoulder, towards Faustos, who met his friendly gaze. "I am loyal to the queen, no matter what her business may be." Faustos gave Tien a firm, appreciative nod before slipping his tunic over his head, followed by his vest, and began buttoning and making himself presentable for when he would leave the chamber.

"Besides," Tien added with a new tone, one of haughtiness I did not believe I had ever heard from him before, "I cannot stand King Sebastian. I rather enjoy knowing that his queen has a lover of whom he remains unaware." Faustos laughed loudly at that, until I kicked him in reminder of our sleeping child just feet away. He stopped laughing when he understood, while I frowned bitterly at the mention of Sebastian's name.

"Sebastian cares not for me, and has a lover of his own." I groaned as I propped myself on my elbows, still tied to the floor as I had no clothing. I looked at my gown earlier and Faustos certainly did rip it, to the point that it could not be worn. Faustos c****d his head towards me in wonder.

"You know about that?" Faustos asked with concern lacing his voice. I scoffed at him. I was more surprised that he knew and never bothered to tell me. "Does Sebastian know that you know?" Faustos asked, sounding slightly confused by his own question. I could not help smiling at his demeanor as I shook my head in denial.

"King Sebastian does not know about this." Tien said with a pointed nod towards Faustos and me. "I have been keeping an eye on him for you, your Grace." Tien interjected, surprising me again with that revelation.

"Keeping an eye on Sebastian?" I asked doubtfully. Nappa and Brolly were the only guards Sebastian required; Tien was hardly needed around him. Faustos glanced at me with a frown and walked to the dressers. Finally someone was finding me some clothes.

"Yes, your Grace. I have been discreet…but Launch suspects as well." Tien informed me with a wary frown. I sighed. How careless had we been? We had not seen each other like that for over a year, yet Lady Gine, Lord Bardock, Tien, and Launch all knew what was really going on between me and Faustos. Hopefully, Lady Gine and Lord Bardock were still under the impression that it was over.

I sighed heavily as Faustos returned with a long white nightgown, which I accepted appreciatively, though I would have preferred something slightly more concealing for our conversation. The dress was a bit sheer, but I would have to keep my arms crossed as we spoke. After pulling the dress on, Tien faced me with relief on his face from the tension of standing in front of his naked queen.

"I apologize again for walking in, into this, your Grace." Tien apologized with a fierce blush. I felt the heat in my cheeks, and knew I was blushing vividly as well. How humiliating to have been discovered in the throes of passion by my guard who knew me since I was a child. "Lord Bane." Tien addressed Faustos, to which Faustos waved his hand dismissively.

"Faustos is fine, Tien. I consider you a friend now. I know you will keep our secret safe, as a friend, Sir." Faustos said to Tien with insistence in his eyes that Tien clearly recognized.

"Okay. Faustos, I need to get you out of here where no one will see you, my lord. You need to leave now, because I know people are watching the comings and goings of the castle all through the night." Tien was resolute, and it appeared he really had been looking out for me more than I knew. I would forget any ideas I had of changing my guard. Tien and Launch would have to find a way to work together. Maybe the knowledge of my relationship with Faustos would bind them in secrecy.

"Alright." Faustos readily agreed, seeing Tien's insistence as much as I did. He gave me a kiss, one last kiss goodbye before he would leave. "We'll do this again sometime." He said with a smug smile, and I blushed again as I knew Tien was witnessing that. I smacked Faustos's arm hard, cringing when I realized the noise may have been loud enough to wake Gohan. I tensed as we all turned towards the crib, relieved to see the baby unaffected by our noise.

Faustos stalked up to the cradle slowly, hovering silently over his sleeping son. It almost brought tears to my eyes, seeing them together, and knowing Faustos could never be a father to him. As I was absorbed in fondly watching Faustos admire his son, I noted a choke of disbelief from Tien beside me.

"It can't be! Prince Gohan...he...?" Tien trailed off with a deeply concerned expression as his eyes sought mine for confirmation. I immediately felt my breathing increase as I worried that even Sir Tien would have difficulty protecting that secret, yet I nervously nodded in acknowledgement. I held my breath anxiously as Tien placed his hands on his hips and his face fell into a defeated mien before he looked away, then looked at me again, shaking his head in disbelief for a few moments.

"You really are making this difficult for me, aren't you?" He finally complained irritably with a smirk as I breathed a heavy exhale of relief. I laughed lightly as I turned my gaze back to Faustos and Gohan at the cradle.

Faustos was looking longingly towards Gohan, as if he wanted to reach into the cradle and hold him, but he couldn't. I realized he'd never had the chance to hold him. I wondered if he ever could. Faustos kissed his fingertips and brought them down gently on Gohan's forehead, gently sweeping some stray hairs aside from Gohan's eyes before stepping towards the door. Tien followed and opened the door, peering out for any signs of presence before nodding to Faustos to continue. Faustos glanced at me one last time before stepping out of the room with Tien. I gazed back at Gohan and retreated in the pensive silence as I ended the night, left alone with my sleeping child.

The day after the festivities, I spent the day with my father as he bonded with his grandson. Sebastian even joined us. From a diplomatic angle, it was strategic for him to keep strong relations with my father. I was amazed how, even when dealing with another king, someone he had no rule over, Sebastian remained as arrogant and rude as ever. My father, having a kind disposition, was unperturbed by Sebastian's attitude, however, and the day passed without issue.

The following day, my father left with Gohan. That was a royal battle between me and Sebastian. He demanded that his son stay in his kingdom, but I insisted that he needed to know his grandfather. My father could not stay away from the Starsands Kingdom for long, as he ruled with no queen or heirs to rule in his stead. Only the Hand could take his place, and that man was hardly capable of ruling, in my opinion. Usurpers would jump on the opportunity to declare his kingdom theirs if he did not return quickly enough. If he was to spend any length of time with his grandson, Gohan needed to visit the Starsands Kingdom. To appease Sebastian and get my way in that issue, I had to be extremely persistent, engaging in a screaming match with my furious husband, who nearly drew a hand on me during that verbal battle. But where Gohan was concerned, I never settled for losing an argument.

I found myself restless with Gohan gone. Gohan would not return for two months, and I hoped my father and his servants cared for him well. As soon as Gohan left, I almost wondered why I argued against Sebastian on that issue as I worried about my baby being away from me. I certainly could not complain to Sebastian about my fears; he would not hear it from me. I sent Launch to accompany Gohan, so her presence was enough reassurance to get me through the months. And now that I had no maid of my own at the Harrenhal Castle, I would busy myself finding a nanny for Gohan, and a solution for Lord Krillin. It was about time that Gohan had an attendant of his own.

Lady Rebekah and Lady Lazuli visited the castle shortly after I made that decision, at my request. It was a casual social meeting, which I set up in need to ask them for suggestions as to whom to use as a new handmaiden. Secretly, after receiving information from Korin, I also desired to discuss the situation of Lord Lapis' murder with Lazuli to confirm some newly-formed suspicions.

"I know a handmaiden; she is very good, your Grace." Rebekah immediately suggested as we sat together in a quiet chamber in the Harrenhal Castle, joined by a couple of ready servants. She sipped at her wine as Lazuli, in the seat beside her, neatly folded her hands in her lap, looking on at Rebekah with a demure appearance.

"She has worked in your service?" I asked pointedly as I waved one of the cup bearers over to pour me some more. The servant came from behind me and poured into my out held glass as my gaze remained fixed on Rebekah, who nodded curtly in agreement, her long blue waves of hair delicately flouncing behind her as she did so.

"Yes, your Grace. For many years. She is older now, but-" I immediately cut Rebekah off, shaking my head in disagreement at her comment.

"I have no need for an old servant, my lady. I do not believe I want to wait for the meandering of an elderly woman when I am in a hurry to be assisted." I disagreed before drinking from my wine and meeting Lazuli's gaze, who was nodding in agreement as her demure expression was lost to a scowl. Rebekah frowned deeply at my quick refusal.

"Well, that is my best suggestion, your Grace. You can take it or leave it. She may be old, but she is better than any young servant I have met." Rebekah said stubbornly as she leaned towards the table in front of her and forcefully placed her wine goblet on the surface.

"No." I said with stubborn finality before sipping my wine again and turning to Lazuli for more suggestions.

"I know a better one, your Grace." Lazuli added as she cast a haughty look at Rebekah. "She is young and vigorous, and very thorough. Her name is Fasha, and she worked for my father before he passed." Lazuli paused and wrinkled her lips in displeasure at the mention of her dead father. I saw the opportunity to interject.

"Did she work for Lord Lapis as well, my lady?" I prodded, forcing concern to define my tone and expression as I met Lazuli's eyes.

"No. Lapis removed her from his service when he inherited Red Ribbon, your Grace." Lazuli said before taking a deep breath and squinting her eyes, seemingly suspicious of the servant. "When she left Red Ribbon, she quickly took up employment at Montpaus. I am not sure why she left there, your Grace. But I do know she is looking again, and will be employed quickly with her talents." Something seemed suspicious about Lazuli's recommendation, yet I felt the need to meet with the woman. Even if she would not fill the position, with her past work at Red Ribbon, she may have had information to assist me with my favor to Faustos. I took a large swig from my goblet, emptying my goblet of wine and savoring its sweet taste before speaking.

"Can you send her to the castle for me tomorrow, Lady Lazuli?" I asked as I lazily twirled the empty goblet in my hand.

"Yes, your Grace. I will send her to you." Lazuli answered, seemingly quite pleased with my agreement. I studied Lazuli carefully as I continued absently twirling my goblet. She was keeping something from me.

Seeing that her husband was locked up, awaiting trial for the murder of her brother, her behavior was odd, unless my suspicions were true. Whether over the grief of her family's deaths or her husband's impending doom, I expected her to at least act more upset and perhaps more desperate to help Krillin. She only seemed cold and disconnected as she stared at me with a blank expression. Finally, some life came to her face as she smirked and uttered a warning.

"I suggest if you do hire her, you watch her around your husband. The woman tried to seduce mine during his regular visits at Montpaus, your Grace." Rebekah and I glanced at one another quickly. She was likely thinking the same thing as I. We quietly had a separate laugh to ourselves at Lazuli's warning. Rebekah and I both knew that Sebastian would never cast a second glance at a servant, and it was much too late for me to worry about him being seduced. Lazuli looked at us suspiciously before nodding forcefully with a serious expression.

"I mean it. She offered much more than housekeeping to my father during her time at Red Ribbon." Lazuli warned pointedly as I smirked knowingly at her.

"I suppose that explains Lord Lapis concluding her services at Red Ribbon, my lady." I responded with a small chuckle. I did try to stifle the comment, but the idea of a loose female servant attempting to seduce Lord Raditz's lover was too much to resist. And though Raditz's s****l preferences remained a secret, Lapis' habitual indiscretions with men had hardly been concealed. Rebekah stared at me with a stoic expression while Lazuli looked confused by my remark. I smiled proudly at my secret knowledge. Apparently those two had not been keeping up with whispers around the kingdom as much as some of us had.

"I'm…not sure what you mean, your Grace." Lazuli responded with a bemused expression as she pushed a stray lock of golden hair from her eyes. I smirked briefly at her before turning my attention to Rebekah.

"Lady Rebekah. Would you excuse us? I would like to speak to Lady Lazuli alone." I said as Rebekah nodded and stood swiftly from her chair, seemingly having already anticipated her dismissal as she was completely unsurprised.

"Goodbye, your Grace, my lady. I will see you again soon, I hope." Rebekah said politely as she elegantly curtsied to us and left the room. Sir Brolly readily stepped in the doorway to close the door for her from his post outside, casting me one of his strangely intense looks to which I had become accustomed over the past years at Harrenhal Castle. I frowned after Brolly's disappearance behind the door before I tilted my head at Lazuli in consideration of the woman. She looked surprised by my scrutiny.

"Your Grace? Is something wrong?" She asked as she narrowed her eyes at me warily.

"For me, no. But there is plenty going wrong for you. Isn't there, Lazuli?" Lazuli frowned deeply at my question as I held my goblet high again for the servant to fill it, and Lazuli copied my gesture as the servant silently moved from pouring into my goblet to hers.

"Of course there is, your Grace. My lord husband is currently imprisoned and soon facing trial for murder." Lazuli admitted spitefully before sipping her wine. "But I try not to show that it bothers me, mostly for Marron's sake. She does not understand why her father is gone."

"And does she understand what has become of her uncle?" I asked pointedly, noting Lazuli made no mention of missing her twin, who was gruesomely stabbed in his own home, supposedly by her husband's hand. Lazuli frowned deeply at me; I even detected a hint of a glare coming through. My suspicions brought on by Korin's report were no longer mere coincidence. I knew it when I saw that cold look in her eyes.

"She knows he is dead, your Grace. But she does not know the circumstances." Lazuli answered abruptly.

"It seems most of the kingdom does not." I said deliberately, narrowing my eyes at Lazuli as I swirled the wine in my half-filled goblet. I sipped at it and watched Lazuli carefully as she huffed and set her goblet down with an understanding, piercing gaze. "You are a friend of mine, aren't you, Lazuli?" I asked as Lazuli's icy blue eyes stared at me cautiously.

"Yes, Queen Katarina." She answered through clenched teeth, like a guilty, rebellious child. I nodded as I met her gaze and accepted the understanding I recognized in her eyes. Then I sighed and smiled pleasantly at her.

"Of course we are friends. We will be even better friends in the future." I proclaimed triumphantly. Lazuli frowned at me, knowing I had her, exposed and vulnerable. "Don't worry, Lady Lazuli. I always help my friends." I added in a consoling tone as I set down my wine and stood to walk Lazuli out. I linked my arm with hers as we walked slowly to the door and I continued speaking in a soothing tone. "I am sure Lord Krillin will return home safely after his innocence is proven." I said pointedly as I leaned closely to Lazuli. I tapped on the door and Sir Brolly willingly obliged with opening it from the outside as Lazuli watched my expression with hopeful hesitation. I smiled sweetly at her. "Do say hello to your little angel for me when you return home." Lazuli smiled back at me, though her eyes remained wary.

"Yes, your Grace. I appreciate your kind words, and will extend them to Marron as well." Lazuli said with a deep curtsy before turning to leave with a frown crossing her expression. Now that she had no doubts that I knew her secret, I would have to continue keeping a close eye on Lady Lazuli. It was good that I already had Korin working in her home, on occasion. One servant for another, and I was sure my astute servant would prove more valuable than hers could be to me.

"Queen Katarina, Miss Fasha is here to see you." Tien announced to me the next morning, after knocking on the chamber door of the sitting room where I often received visitors. I bowed my head to him as I placed the book I was reading on the table beside my chaise.

"Bring her in, Sir Tien." I ordered as my mind quickly whirled through the questions I intended to ask her. After all, that woman would be close to me and my Gohan, and I needed to trust her. I would ask her whatever I deemed important, without hesitation.

I heard the door creak open, and looked towards it to see a woman in her late-twenties to early thirties walking in, dressed in the typical simple, shoulder-revealing brown garb that all handmaidens wore, appearing slender and very well-poised for someone of her meager position. She had black piercing eyes and short choppy black hair, a style I found surprising. Something about her seemed vaguely familiar as well. Judging by her appearance, she was the complete opposite of my bubbly, carefree, sometimes oblivious and loyal Launch. I had my doubts about her, but I gestured for her to sit anyways, as she curtsied deeply to me.

"Queen Katarina. So kind of you to consider me, your Grace. I am Fasha." Fasha greeted with a toothy smile. Her words were extremely kind and polite, and she carried herself elegantly. Yet, something about her struck me as…resentful, maybe? I sighed as she sat, already considering who else I may ask for a good replacement. I tapped my finger thoughtfully, not even noticing when Fasha grabbed the empty water glass beside me. She headed to the pitcher on the dresser, filling the glass and returning it to me as she retook her seat. Alright, maybe she was as thorough as Lazuli said. That did not correct her personality issue, though.

"Lady Lazuli tells me you last worked for the Son family. How long were you employed at Montpaus?" I stated questioningly as I accepted the water, sipping it politely as I awaited Fasha's answer.

"Lord Bardock hired me after I left Red Ribbon, yer Grace. I resided at Montpaus for a little over a year." Fasha answered with a smirk. "The Sons have a lovely home and a lovely family. I was truly disappointed to leave there." She continued smirking, and just as before, her polite words did not match her devious tone.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, taking the direct approach with her rather than playing games. It already seemed she was one who liked to play games.

"Just what I said, your Grace." She responded with mock surprise at my question. She was still playing a game, and I had no tolerance for that.

"Leave." I commanded as she stood in indignation and disbelief. "Leave! I have no time for this nonsense." I continued as she remained standing and obviously needed to be told twice. Fasha's gaping mouth closed quickly as she crossed her arms with a sly smile, her posture slackening before me.

"I see." She said as she reclaimed her seat, to my shock and anger. I ordered her to leave. How dare she sit down again! "You want the real answers to your questions." I frowned in confusion at her. Something was not right about that woman.

"Of course I want the real answers to my questions!" I seethed in exasperation.

"Lady Gine ended my employment because I was too interesting, your Grace." Fasha answered openly.

"Too interesting to whom?" I asked carefully, immediately understanding her implication. Lazuli's warning was not unwarranted with this one, it seemed.

"Your Grace, I am not here to gossip; simply applying for a position." Fasha answered coyly as I shook my head in annoyance.

"I understand that, Fasha. But you will not have a position here if you do not answer my questions. I find them necessary in order to employ you." I warned; my final warning before I would dismiss this woman without another chance. It seemed Fasha was clever enough to realize that, and she sighed heavily and looked away before speaking.

"Lord Bardock." Fasha confessed as she smiled wistfully, shifting her gaze to see my reaction to her confession. I was still wary, especially knowing that the woman was claiming to have seduced the head of the Son family.

"What about Lord Bane or Lord Raditz? Why not the younger lords of Montpaus?" I asked suspiciously, wondering what type of response she would concoct. Fasha laughed, and it was not a feigned laughter, she was truly laughing at my question. Maybe she knew about Raditz's secret as I did.

"I would think of all people, you should know the answer to that, your Grace." Fasha answered mysteriously as she composed herself. "After all, Lord Raditz has…unusual preferences." She said with a coy smile as she lowered her chin and looked at me through her lashes. "And Lord Bane would not bother with a lowly servant when he already has his sights set much higher." I studied her smug face as she continued speaking, controlling my expression so it did not betray my feelings to the woman.

"Not for lack of trying." Fasha said with a frown as she pried her eyes free of my gaze and sought the view of the window for a moment before returning her gaze to me. "Like I said, they are a lovely family. Wouldn't you agree, your Grace?" She added with a lecherous smile. I was speechless. For a few minutes, we studied each other, communicating wordlessly. She meant to say exactly what it sounded like she was saying, and she was watching to see how I would react. I did not know how to react.

"Anything else you care to tell me?" I finally asked, relying on the woman's recent audacity in hopes that she would expose herself.

"Lady Gine, before releasing me from her service, had another servant cut my hair off like this." She said with clear disdain as her eyes shifted upwards as if glancing at her own hair. "She did it just to rub it in Bardock's face that she knew about us. That is probably why you do not recognize me, your Grace. I have seen you several times over the past years at Montpaus when you visited with Lady Gine…and Lord Bane." Fasha said with her chin lowered again, yet I could clearly see a wide smirk planted on her face. A servant had no right to speak to her queen that way.

"Are you trying to threaten me?" I hissed furiously through my clenched teeth as I stood, hovering over her. She was unaffected by my show of animosity, angering me even more.

"No, your Grace." She answered calmly as she stood, face to face with me. "Lord Bane has always been kind to me. I wish him no ill will. It is his mother with whom I have a problem, your Grace." I took a step back as I absorbed her words. If she was not threatening me, why did she come forward with what she knew? She read my expression and nodded as she answered.

"His mother knows of your visits as well, which I am sure you are aware of." She explained. I huffed, though she recognized that as acceptance. "She wishes for Lord Bane to keep his distance from you; it seems to be a real problem for her. I only wish the opposite, your Grace." Fasha admitted with a smile and transparently false kindness.

"How do I know that you will not expose us? I see no reason for you to hide anything, especially if you seek to hurt Lady Gine. Exposing us would do just that." I answered stubbornly, feeling extremely distrustful towards the servant. I would have to curse Lazuli for sending her my way. Perhaps the referral was a subconscious attempt at harming me for my own cornering of her.

"I cannot convince you to trust me. But it serves me better that the affair remains private, your Grace." Fasha said as she smiled to herself. "After all, if Lady Gine struggles to hide it and contain it, her suffering will endure much longer than the short time she would suffer if it was exposed to the kingdom. And Lord Bane most likely would die if that happened. I told you, I hold no harsh feelings towards him. I do not wish to be responsible for his death, your Grace." Fasha answered, and though her argument made sense and she seemed genuine, the entire business made me uncomfortable. I needed someone trustworthy in my service. It was a shame that she discovered my secret and could not be trusted. She certainly proved herself insightful, knowing all she did about the Son family. She could have made an excellent spy.

"Fasha, you will need to find some other way to exact revenge on Lady Gine. I will not need your services here." I answered as I led her towards the door. She defiantly placed her hand on the door before I could open it, turning to me for my full attention.

"My queen. I offer you my services and my allegiance today. I will find employment in a lofty position eventually. I may not want to harm Lord Bane, but your connection to him does not shield you from landing on my bad side." She said with a warning glare as I frowned at her, raising a brow in disbelief. "Perhaps I should give you a night to rethink my employment. I will come back tomorrow for your decision. Your Grace." Fasha said with a curtsy, adding 'your grace' pointedly as an afterthought. Her threatening tone made me quietly livid as I narrowed my eyes at her. Fasha left with Tien escorting her as I continued glaring towards the closing chamber door. A peasant should have known better than to threaten the queen, no matter how many secrets she knew. She had no idea with whom she was toying.