The Adulteress Queen

Chapter 7

CapsuleHall was quite a ride from the castle. It was obvious why, though, once we approached it and their sprawling lands were revealed. It was fitting for the wealthiest family in the kingdom. The castle was not as elaborate as the Harrenhal Castle, but it was expansive. We passed right through the walls and past the stables, immediately being shown inside as the dinner had already begun. When Sebastian and I entered with Sir Nappa by our side, an extremely tall, large man with a red tuft of hair adorning his head named Juroque greeted us and escorted us to the dining room. Sebastian and I exchanged a glance at the monotonous greeting the servant gave us. He had no personality. I stifled a giggle as the man stopped his walk and turned stiffly, bowing to us and gesturing into the doorway ahead of us.

"The Towngrin certainly hire strange help." Sebastian muttered under his breath as we passed Juroque, and I had to agree. I was just grateful that the encounter with the odd man had somewhat dissipated the tension between me and Sebastian. The long carriage ride over was unbearable. We did not say one word to each other, and I hardly glanced at Sebastian. Now we were here, walking into the massive dining room as everyone present stood and bowed deeply upon seeing us.

"Be seated." Sebastian ordered them. I would need to get used to this. I had not been around many people since being crowned queen. The respect I received now was nothing like being a princess. It was much greater. Rebekah's servant escorted us to our seats as everyone else retook theirs, and I sat as Juroque pushed in my chair and Sebastian joined me, sitting by my side. I surveyed the table visually and my heart skipped a beat when I saw Faustos's face at the other end of the table. How I wished he was not sitting all the way down there. He was deeply involved in conversation with Lord Krillin and two finely-dressed, handsome, black-haired men I had never seen before.

As I received my wine and sipped at it, I waited for Faustos to acknowledge me with a glance, a gesture, something. He did not even seem to notice I was there. I growled under my breath, and noticed Sebastian fidget next to me in reaction. I looked at him to see he was watching me warily. He looked much more concerned than I would have expected him to be. Was he worried about my well-being? Was he worried I would tell everyone what he did to me? Not that anyone would dare to question the king, no matter what he did to his queen. No one except maybe Faustos, or maybe Rebekah. Maybe he was just scared I would lash out at him and find a way to retaliate. I smirked at that thought with my eyes on Sebastian. He frowned deeply with a look of consternation. I placed my hand on his, which was currently rested on the table.

"Don't worry, Sebastian. I'll be on my best behavior tonight." I said with a smile, and he seemed to relax a little. I felt like laughing. This was too good. I had power over the king. Just about anything I wanted, I could make happen tonight. "That is, as long as the night goes my way." I added pointedly while grabbing my fork, poking it demonstratively into the meat on my plate. I put the meat to my mouth and watched Sebastian carefully as he studied my expression. Maybe he thought I was bluffing. I really didn't know how I would retaliate tonight, but the fear of the possibilities was power enough. I decided to test my influence. "I would like Lord Bane and this newcomer, Yamcha Puar to sit at our end of the table, Sebastian." He looked at me incredulously.

"Why?" He asked with guarded confusion.

"Because, Lord Bane promised to be at our wedding, while he, his brother, and his father have been missing for months. I would like an explanation as to where they have been that was so important they could not attend our wedding." Sebastian shrugged, though he seemed irritated with the idea. "And Yamcha Puar is new here; we should get to know him." I smiled as I said so. There was more to it than that, but that was for Sebastian to discover later.

"I have no desire to get to know anyone, woman." Sebastian growled at me. "As for Bane, I don't care whether he was at our wedding, neither should you." Sebastian gave me a threatening look, as if that was his final decision. Ha!

"That sounds wonderful, Sebastian!" I stood and raised my voice so the guests all heard me. "Lord Bane, Lord Yamcha! Your King requests that you to join us!" I called to the other end of the table, finally getting Faustos's attention. I looked down at the two people occupying the seats nearest to us, Lord and Lady Towngrin. "Move." I ordered them bluntly. They startled and looked at each other in confusion, but did not move. "Move!" I yelled, and they hastily nodded to each other as they removed themselves from their seats, moving down to the other end of the table. I sat back down as Faustos and Lord Yamcha made their way to us, looking uncomfortable and a bit embarrassed. I looked at Sebastian who was glaring daggers at me.

"What the hell was that?!" He hissed harshly under his breath.

"What? I'm queen, I can do what I want." I said as I picked up my utensils again and resumed eating. "Besides, I did tell you I'd behave if I got my way." I looked pointedly at him to indicate that I indeed had not. He squeezed my thigh very hard under the table so no one could see. I winced in pain, though I tried to mask my expression so no one at the table noticed.

"I told you before we married that you don't give me orders. Don't think you can start telling me what to do. It will end very badly for you." He warned me, releasing my leg as Faustos and Yamcha finally took their seats with polite bows and smiles. "Lord Bane, Lord Yamcha. Good of you to join us." Sebastian remarked facetiously as he looked to me to carry on the conversation.

I smiled at Lord Yamcha. I was not ready to address Faustos yet, though his questioning gaze burned into me, which I tried to ignore. If he could leave me waiting two months to see him again, I hoped the suspense of waiting tortured him. "I am Katarina. It is nice to meet you. Lady Rebekah has told me so much about you." I said purposely, smiling wryly at Sebastian's discontent with my statement. He certainly seemed surprised. Maybe there was more to Rebekah's interest in Yamcha than I initially thought.

Tonight I would definitely make Sebastian sorry he ever put his hands on me. Yamcha smiled shyly at the attention. He was handsome, though not as handsome as Faustos or Sebastian, in my opinion. His face was marred by a large scar, and his hair was very long and shaggy. His facial contours were nice and he had a nice smile. "What do you think of Lady Rebekah?" I asked interestedly, resting my chin on the back of my hand as I waited for an answer.

"L-lady Rebekah, your Grace?" Yamcha blushed as he spoke, and I could tell his feelings towards her were mutual to what she portrayed to me ealier. "Uh…she is lovely. Very beautiful, and sweet, your Grace." Yamcha answered.

"How sweet?" Sebastian asked disdainfully under his breath, though the three of us all heard him. Yamcha looked taken aback, and I exchanged a look with Faustos. He was looking at me questioningly, and I smirked at him. I knew what I was doing.

"What was that, your Grace?" Yamcha asked Sebastian as if he did not hear clearly.

"Describe how Lady Rebekah is sweet." Sebastian stated as he dropped his fork to his plate dramatically and crossed his arms. "You've only just met the Towngrin, haven't you?" Sebastian's eyes were piercing into Yamcha and I knew by his tone and the question that Rebekah had withheld from Sebastian anything about Lord Yamcha.

"I just came into the Harrenhal kingdom this week, your Grace." Yamcha answered calmly, not letting Sebastian's ferocity intimidate him. "The Towngrin family was kind enough to assist with my move, and show me the way around the markets. Now they are having this dinner to help introduce me to society. I am grateful that I was fortunate enough to be honored by the presence of royalty. I did not expect the king and queen to attend tonight." Yamcha finished his explanation reverently and respectfully.

Sebastian scoffed, his arms remaining crossed as he continued glaring at Yamcha. But it seemed his arguments were dropped for now. Yamcha's explanation was too kind and straightforward to continue the confrontation. I cleared my throat, glancing at Rebekah who I noticed warily eyeing our conversation from the other end of the table.

"We came tonight because Lady Rebekah is a close personal friend of ours. Isn't that right, Sebastian?" I asked, raising my eyebrows pointedly at my husband. He turned his attention from Yamcha, now frowning back at me.

"You may be, woman. I am no friend of hers." Sebastian denied, his tone sounding as if Rebekah were a bug not worth squashing. How did she put up with him? I only did it because I had to, but she actually chose to be close to this man. I wondered what she would do if she heard him speaking of her in that way.

"Speaking of close personal friends," I said, turning to finally give Faustos my attention as my impatience won over my spiteful desires to keep him waiting, "how is it that you and Lady Rebekah know each other, Lord Bane? I notice you two seem close." There was accusation in my voice, and I felt no need to hide my jealousy. I hadn't seen him since he took my virginity and left me at the castle. He had been missing for months, and I felt my initial suspicions about his womanizing were correct. As far as any onlookers, Yamcha had no idea what was going on, and Sebastian would attribute my jealous tone to my issues with Rebekah. I only hoped Faustos was attentive enough to catch on to my jealous implication. He seemed more interested in his meal at the moment.

"I've known Lady Rebekah since we were children, your Grace." Faustos said after swallowing his food, dabbing his messy face with a napkin. "She is a close personal friend." He repeated my words with a flippant attitude, smirking at me. I glared at him. How could he talk to me like he had done nothing wrong? Had he forgotten all about us? I guessed I didn't mean as much to him as I thought. I caught Faustos exchanging a look with Sebastian. There seemed to be a subtle animosity between them. I still needed to find out more about that. I determined to question him later on that issue.

"Where have you been, anyways?" Sebastian asked Faustos demandingly. I smiled secretly at his question. I wondered how I would go about questioning Faustos on that without arousing suspicions. My initial interest in his whereabouts might be understandable, but pursuing the question too hastily might have aroused some suspicions about our relationship. Sebastian's issues with Faustos just played well for me. But I still wanted Faustos to know I was angry with him for disappearing.

"You did not show for our wedding." I added angrily to Sebastian's question, masking the hurt I felt the best I could. Faustos raised his brows and gestured towards the unfamiliar man he had been speaking to at the other end of the table.

"Raditz had an excellent idea when we returned home after dinner at the royal castle that night, your Grace." Faustos paused and met my eyes meaningfully for a moment after mentioning 'that night'. I smiled hesitantly, knowing he was telling me that he remembered that night between us. It did mean something to him. He smiled and continued. "He suggested we go on a hunting trip. We hadn't been hunting in a while, and I had been itching to get away, do something exciting. We couldn't wait, so we had the horses prepared that night and left early the next morning. We just got back yesterday." He said this light heartedly, having not a care in the world about forgetting me. Hunting? He just decided to leave the next morning and miss my wedding for a hunting trip that could have waited? I glared at him angrily, but my attitude seemed to go unnoticed.

"Who went with you, Bane?" Sebastian asked interestedly as he cut into his potatoes.

"Just my father, Raditz and I, your Grace." Faustos answered indifferently.

"I'm surprised you didn't invite your king along. I have not been hunting in some time, either." Sebastian complained bitterly.

"You were getting married, your Grace." Faustos retorted with a smile. "We couldn't possibly take you away from your wedding."

"Still, it is rude to leave on the day of the royal wedding when you were invited, and promised the queen you would attend." Sebastian goaded Faustos, solely using me, as I knew he did not care about my disappointment. Faustos frowned remorsefully at Sebastian for only a moment, then his lips turned up in a carefree smile.

"If it bothers you, Sebastian, you'll have to take that up with Raditz. He is your friend, after all, isn't he?" Faustos said smugly. "And it was his idea to leave first thing in the morning. My father went along with it as well, your Grace. He is the Hand now, or so he tells us." Faustos pursed his lips in distaste at that comment before continuing. "Surely his whereabouts are more important than mine." He added as he smiled at Sebastian before playfully tossing a cherry tomato into his mouth with a satisfied grin. Sebastian glowered at Faustos, and I was certain he would be punished for his boldness. How did he have the audacity to speak to his king like that? Didn't he know of Sebastian's temper? To my surprise, there was no reprimand or punishment from Sebastian. Sebastian simply huffed and crossed his arms before he addressed Faustos again.

"I will speak to Lord Raditz and Lord Bardock. Make sure you inform me before the next hunting trip. Do you understand, Bane?" Sebastian said threateningly. Faustos smiled back at him, looking completely relaxed as he simply nodded in acknowledgement. Sebastian shook his head, clearly annoyed with Faustos's behavior, but tolerating it, to my disbelief.

"My queen." Faustos said as I turned my astounded attention from Sebastian to look at him. "May I offer you a gift as an apology for missing your wedding day?" I looked to Sebastian warily, who seemed completely indifferent and uninterested in this new turn in the conversation. Faustos had not given me an adequate apology. I deserved one after pulling a stunt like that meaningless disappearance. I didn't want a gift; I wanted a real apology.

"No." I said stubbornly, crossing my arms tightly, much like my husband. Faustos looked shocked. Good.

"Please? Something I came across on my hunting trip. It is really special. I have it in my father's castle. I can come by the Harrenhal Castle to bring it to you tomorrow, your Grace." I frowned at him as I considered his plea. He was hard to say no to with that innocent look on his face. "I can't leave my queen feeling that I have slighted her. My king may never forgive me if I don't make it up to you." Faustos added as he cast a sardonic look at Sebastian. He must have realized how little Sebastian cared for me as Sebastian glared back at the ridicule. I frowned stubbornly at Faustos. Did he expect me to be so desperate for affection that I would come crawling back to him no matter how neglectful he was being?

Damn it. I wanted him. I would crawl back to him in a heartbeat, even if he was a neglectful, unapologetic fool. I shrugged and waved my hand dismissively, indicating I would accept the gift. I did not say so; I still felt too stubborn to give in that much. But Faustos seemed happy with my nonverbal answer. I turned my attention back to Lord Yamcha, who had been absorbing our interactions with interest. He was certainly learning much about our kingdom during this one dinner.

"Lord Yamcha, I hope this does not put you on the spot too much. It may seem sudden, but I am concerned about our friend Lady Rebekah, and I think you can help." I said elegantly, noticing Sebastian immediately drawn back into the conversation at the mention of Rebekah's name.

"Is she alright, your Grace?" Yamcha asked naively. I laughed. "I mean, I would do whatever you need to help her."

"She is healthy, and beautiful, and wealthy." I said with a bright smile, taking joy in Sebastian's discomfort at the direction this conversation was taking. Though I was surprised that Faustos seemed to disapprove as well. "But she expressed concern to me earlier of another matter. It seems her parents haven't had the sense to find her a husband in a timely manner." I said with a heavy sigh. Sebastian turned to me with a look of ire, but I ignored him and continued. "She confided in me that she fancies you. Do you fancy her, Lord Yamcha?" I asked, biting my lip giddily.

"Yes. She-she would be a wonderful wife." Yamcha answered, somewhat surprised but smiling brightly.

"So you will do it?" I asked resolutely.

"I will?" He asked, looking confusedly between Faustos and Sebastian. I was sure both of their expressions were making him doubt whether this was really a good idea, despite how openly I was approving it.

"Why don't you ask her?" I asked, waving over Rebekah's humorless servant. I asked Juroque to send Lady Rebekah down for a word, and he hurriedly ran to the end of the table to retrieve Rebekah.

"Queen Katarina…" Faustos protested and stopped as I turned to him, glaring daggers. I would not let him ruin my plans. I could not understand why he had a problem with it. He met Sebastian's eyes, and they were both frowning at each other.

"Katarina, didn't I warn you earlier?" Sebastian asked me in a low, extremely threatening tone. I looked at him defiantly, then smiled.

"You warned me against making Rebekah happy, Sebastian?" I asked him sweetly in a hushed voice. "Sebastian, is there any reason you would have an objection to Rebekah being happily married? I thought you cared for her." I said, then gasped as if I just remembered something. "Oh, that's right. You are no friend of hers. This should not matter to you then." I said as I lightly patted his hand on the table with mine. Sebastian growled with frustration at my use of his own words against him. Rebekah approached the head of the table, beautiful and elegant as always as she smiled all the way to us. Sebastian's countenance lightened hesitantly as she approached, as if just the sight of her could take away that hard edge he directed at everyone else. She looked questioningly at Yamcha, who was smiling brilliantly at her.

"You sent for me, your Grace?" Rebekah asked me, taking position standing between Yamcha and Sebastian with a curtsy. I smiled widely at Rebekah.

"Yes, my lady. But we aren't the ones who have something to say to you." I said, nodding meaningfully towards Lord Yamcha. Rebekah's gaze shifted from me to Yamcha, and Yamcha seemed to freeze self-consciously. "Lord Yamcha, didn't you have something to ask Lady Rebekah?" I pushed him, knowing he was not getting the question out without a little help.

"Maybe he doesn't have anything to ask, woman!" Sebastian growled at me in annoyance. "Maybe the only reason he agreed to anything is because he was following the queen's orders." Sebastian pointed out, looking at Rebekah as he revealed to her with that statement that I was up to something.

"No! That's not it, your Grace." Yamcha answered suddenly. I smiled at Sebastian, feeling the win of another battle. I knew our war would be a long one and he would win many battles, but that was all the more reason for me to enjoy this instance. Yamcha stood, looking deeply into Rebekah's eyes as he took her hands into his. "I want to do this." Rebekah looked at Yamcha with confusion, then looked at Sebastian, Faustos and I for some idea of what was going on here. Yamcha bent down on one knee, and her expression was priceless as the realization settled, and the others in the room noticed and stared on attentively at Yamcha's meaningful posturing. For just a moment, before Yamcha opened his mouth to speak, Rebekah glared at me with a look that could rival Sebastian's most furious expression. I smiled back at her as Yamcha spoke.

"Lady Rebekah, I know we have just met, and this may seem sudden. But I feel connected to you ever since arriving here. I need to marry, form a family of my own. Will you do that with me, my lady? Will you be my bride?" Rebekah's eyes brimmed with tears, and she did not speak for a while as the air became tense around us. Faustos was on edge as was I, and Sebastian was a whole other level of tension. If it was possible to rip the arms off the dining room chair with your bare hands, I think he would have done it. Rebekah's expression was unreadable and Yamcha began to look worried. I bit my lips nervously, unsure if this would work.

"Yes." Rebekah finally answered in a breathy reply. Yamcha stood and kissed Rebekah lightly on the lips as cheers and yells of congratulations erupted from Rebekah's parents and friends. Sebastian rose abruptly from his seat, slamming his chair against the table as he stormed off wordlessly. Rebekah broke the kiss as she heard the commotion of Sebastian storming off. She looked worriedly after his retreating form. Maybe I should have offered to go after him. No, that was certainly not a good idea. To my surprise, Faustos stood from the table. I looked up at him in confusion.

"Don't worry." Faustos said assuringly, addressing Rebekah's fears. "I'll go talk to him." He turned and followed Sebastian's path. I wondered what Faustos could possibly say that would comfort Sebastian. Did he know about Sebastian and Rebekah? I studied Rebekah's expression as Yamcha was whispering happily to her, probably making promises of children and a blissful future. She shifted her gaze to me, and it was obvious that she was furious with me. Well, she did not have to say yes. I frowned uncaringly and returned to my meal, now surrounded by empty chairs. At least Faustos would be visiting the castle tomorrow with his gift. And I managed to upset Sebastian. It was a good reentry to society.