The Adulteress Queen

Chapter 3

The rest of the week passed pleasantly. I had minimal contact with Sebastian, no fighting involved. I made plans for a gorgeous deep purple taffeta ball gown with the dressmaker, made arrangements with stylists for my hair and makeup to be done to perfection, and gave my input on preferences for the ballroom decorations and music selections. Rebekah joined me for most of these excursions, and her and I quickly became friendly. I still did not trust her, especially in regards to Sebastian, but it was nice to have a friend joining me for these excursions aside from Launch, who would only follow me around like an obedient puppy.

On the evening of the ball, I was exhilarated. I could not wait to show myself off, because I was certain that I looked gorgeous; Rebekah even agreed. Of course, she insisted she was more gorgeous, and we argued for a while, but she finally bowed down. I knew, however, she only did so because this was my ball. I could not wait to meet all of the people I had heard so much about. In all the time I spent with Rebekah over the past week, she shared with me the latest gossip and personal details she knew on some of the notable people who would be attending the ball.

She began with rumors of Sebastian, which I did not care for; I spent more time with the man than I cared to already. Rebekah's stories about him only increased my apprehension about the marriage. He was certainly known to be cruel to the peasants. The things they chanted upon my arrival made perfect sense now. Then she spoke of Sebastian's childhood friend, a handsome but crude man named Raditz, who was Lord and Lady Son's heir. Being the heir to the Son fortune, he was quite the catch for any lady who might catch his attention and receive a marriage proposal. Rebekah also told me all about Lord Krillin Frate, Lazuli's husband. She admitted he annoyed her at times, but he and Lazuli made a wonderful couple, and she considered him to be genuinely a good man. She mentioned that Lazuli had a twin, Lord Lapis Gerou, who was rebellious to their father and would most likely not attend the ball. Then there was Lord Hercule Satan, Videl's incredibly wealthy father. He was a widower, and it was only he and his daughter now. She warned me to avoid conversation with him, as the man had a penchant for bragging and exaggerating his stories.

Long after Rebekah departed my room, I arrived at the ball. I stepped out onto the grand staircase after hearing the King announce my name and title. The large flight of stairs descended straight down the middle of the room. At the top of the stairs stood King Sebastian and Queen Kenya arm in arm, and Sebastian waiting expectantly as I met them. The landing was surrounded by a crowd of a hundred or so people, including finely attired lords and ladies and unrefined servants as well, all wearing excited and curious expressions as they looked upon me and raised their hands together, most seeing me for the first time. I looked down at the vast crowd of admiring, clapping and cheering people filling the ballroom. The people must have felt some relief to have me at Sebastian's side. After all, from what I've heard, I would not want Sebastian ruling over me if I were them. I could not help feeling inspired by the sight of so many eyes fixed on me, looking at me with a need, a longing for my help. Though a queen does not have much stake in politics, as the king's wife, I would find my own ways to influence the king's decisions. I raised my chin as I gazed upon my people with a smug smile, feeling like a true princess as I linked my arm with Sebastian's. No, not a princess, but a queen. Not some good for trading, but a person who could be respected by her people. I would be queen, and I would rule well, whether Sebastian wanted anything to do with me or not.

It was at that moment that I decided I would shift my focus to my power as queen, rather than making this marriage work. As long as it appeared to work to outsiders, the marriage mattered not to me. I smiled at Sebastian as I made this decision and he glanced back at me. He doubled back in surprise at the expression he caught on my face at that passing glance, as he seemingly recognized my newfound determination. I chuckled lightly to myself as I felt I won some small battle between us that night. After all, thus far, his greatest power over me had been centered around my one-sided efforts in making the best of our arrangement. Now, what did he have?

I descended the stairs towards the crowd, making my way with greetings to all the familiar faces I already met, anxious to meet some I had never seen. I found a familiar face amongst the crowd with whom I wanted to converse, and grabbing a glass of wine from a server's tray along the way, made my way to her.

"Hello, Lady Lazuli." I said as I greeted my blonde acquaintance I had not seen since our first meeting, who now wore her hair swept to the side and looked lovely in a deep burgundy silk gown.

"Princess Katarina." She greeted with a cold, formal smile and curtsy. "This is my husband, Lord Krillin Frate." She gestured to a short, bald man next to her, who appeared a few years older than her. He smiled amicably with his hands resting behind his back. I raised a brow in amusement at his short stature as I tilted my head down to meet his eyes.

"Nice to meet you, Lord Krillin." I curtsied.

"And you, Princess Katarina." He responded with a bow. "Would you care to dance?" He asked me, offering his elbow as Lazuli immediately reacted to his question by nudging him in the side. "Or...oh, my apologies." He stuttered meekly as he retracted his arm and glanced warily at Lazuli, who now appeared content and guiltless of having influenced her husband as she sipped her wine. "I already promised the next dance to Lazuli, my Princess. Maybe next time?" He suggested kindly, though by the look Lazuli gave earlier, I was sure there would be no dancing with Lord Krillin at any time. I certainly wasn't being denied anything special. I did not understand why Lazuli was acting so protective of her husband.

"Of course, next time, my lord." I responded to Krillin with a smile. Oh, sometimes I despised social etiquette. "Lazuli, you look lovely this evening." I complimented, knowing compliments always warmed people into my good graces. She responded with a conceited smile.

"Thank you. You are gorgeous tonight as well, Princess Katarina." The song that was playing ended, and the musicians began playing another, to which Lazuli hastily responded by placing down her wine glass on the tray of a passing server and grabbing Krillin's hand. "Here is our dance. We will see you again, Katarina. Enjoy your ball, my Princess." She said quickly as she dragged a kindly nodding Krillin onto the dance floor. I discarded my wine glass with the server as well, and as my gaze followed Krillin and Lazuli, I was surprised by a warm hand grasping my arm none too gently. I spun around in alarm to see who it was. Sebastian was there, looking at me with a forced smile, just like his mother's.

"Dance with me." He said. I bit my tongue as an angry retort threatened to emerge, because I knew by his expression and tone that this was not a request, but an order. One he did not want to issue, most likely his father's or mother's idea to keep up appearances. I simply kept my eyes ahead of me, rather than on him as I allowed him to guide me by the hand onto the dance floor with him. The song was a basic waltz, a dance I could have performed in my sleep. I noticed as we danced that all eyes seemed to be on us. We danced silently for a few minutes under the scrutinizing, curious gazes before an idea struck me. I suddenly felt the need to put on a performance for our audience as the song was nearing its end.

"If this is the way we will be, we need to improve our acting skills for the people, don't you agree?" I asked Sebastian quietly as we danced. His eyes met mine, and he seemed to study me thoughtfully before responding.

"I suppose." He finally answered, resentfully.

"Good. Then know that is all this is." I warned as the song ended and I kissed his cheek. He seemed surprised as I pulled back, then smiled at me as he took my hand and led me off the dance floor.

"You are a good actress." He acceded once we were alone. It was the first compliment he gave me. I would not hold my breath waiting for the second.

"So you think they actually believe that I do not detest you?" I whispered skeptically, narrowing my eyes at Sebastian astutely. I could tell he was struggling to not glare at me while under the gaze of our captivated audience.

"Enjoy your evening, Katarina. You will not see me for the rest of it." Sebastian answered tersely as he gave me a stiff bow and turned his back to me, hurriedly escaping off to who-knows-where. Good riddance. That was perhaps the best gift Sebastian could give me for the evening, even if he was trying to offend me. I happily set off to meet more people, grabbing a new glass of wine and nibbling a few appetizers along the way.

I caught sight of Rebekah leaving the ballroom through the doors at the west side of the room, feeling disappointed that I did not spend time with her yet. I hoped she would return soon. I saw Krillin and Lazuli dancing happily, and had no intentions of interrupting the enraptured couple. They probably did not have nights like this often, having a young daughter in the household. At least, for some, my ball was turning out to be the amazing event I had hoped it would.

"Princess Katarina." I startled at the prStarsandsimity of the unfamiliar voice, and turned to see a middle-aged man with curly black hair, dressed in a gold-embroidered red coat and pants, which were quite flashy and expensive looking. "I believe you met my daughter, Videl already. I am Hercule Satan." He said, twisting his moustache between his fingers as he bowed with a toothy grin. I quickly greeted him politely as his name came to my memory as the name of the man that Rebekah warned me not to speak to for long. I desperately hoped for an interruption to come along before Lord Satan delved into a lengthy conversation that I could not escape. To my horror, he did speak, and for quite a while. Just as I felt my social decorum slipping with the need to insult the obnStarsandsious rambling nobleman, I was fortunately approached by Piccolo.

"Princess Katarina, may I have a word with you alone?" Piccolo asked politely during a pause in Lord Satan's monologue.

"Yes, of course, Lord Piccolo." I said with a thankful smile. "It was nice to meet you, Lord Satan. Please excuse me." I said to Lord Satan before following Piccolo to another area of the ballroom. "What do you need, my lord?" I asked when we were a good distance from Hercule Satan.

"Only to assist you, my Princess." He answered slyly. I looked at him, puzzled. He laughed at the sight of my expression. "I simply thought you would like being rescued from Satan's running mouth. I can avoid interrupting you in the future, if that's what you prefer." He said teasingly, to which I quickly reacted.

"No! No! Thank you, my lord." I said hastily as I shook my head. "I would appreciate you assisting me again in the future." I replied with a relieved smile.

"Then enjoy your ball, my Princess." Piccolo said as he laughed and departed with a bow. After my encounter with Piccolo, I met a few more people whose names I could not remember, and even danced a couple more dances with some polite noblemen. It was getting late, and Rebekah still had not reappeared at the ball. Sebastian was gone as well, just as promised. King Sebastian approached me with Lord Gero, and we indulged each other in some small talk before the elder man quickly excused himself to speak with his daughter, Lady Lazuli. I could not help noticing as the old man walked away, that he was not looking healthy. Not that he looked healthy when I first met him, but by his appearance tonight, I would be surprised if King Sebastian died first. After Lord Gero parted from us, King Sebastian asked me for a dance, and I gladly complied. It was the first dance that felt comfortable for me, and I regretted that the King was ill. He was much more welcoming to me than his wife or son. We discussed wedding plans and prospects for future heirs as we danced, which I could not fathom at the moment, but I obliged the king kindly in his wishes to discuss the topic. When the dance ended, I was feeling the need for a break and some fresh air.

I headed outside the ballroom through the double wooden doors to the balcony, with the intentions of viewing the beautiful gardens under the moonlight. I was surprised to find I was not the first with the idea, as a man already stood at the balcony with his back to me, his unique silhouette of spiked black hair telling to his identity.

"Lord Bardock Son." I greeted kindly in recognition as I approached. He turned to look at me, and I was startled when I realized my mistake. This man did closely resemble Bardock, but was young, and incredibly handsome. He smiled at me, and I felt my breath hitch as his gorgeous face became even more beautiful with that expression. "I-I am sorry." I apologized, blushing and feeling utterly foolish for my mistake.

"Don't worry. I get that all the time." He answered warmly and kindly. Even the sound of his voice was lovely to my ears. "After all, he is my father, and we do look alike."

"Oh." I answered dumbly. That did make sense as I recalled Rebekah's earlier gossip. Bardock's son, Lord Raditz. "I hope you don't mind a little company out here, my lord. I was hoping to escape the ballroom for a while." I explained in the hopes that this man would allow my company and I did not drive him away from his retreat.

"Not at all. Please join me, my lady." He said with a gesture to the nearby balcony railing. He turned back to the view he was admiring before I interrupted. "The moon is gorgeous tonight. So are the gardens." He said invitingly, clearly captivated by the view. I was captivated by the view as well, though he did not realize that he was included in my admiration. I stepped up to the balcony, shyly standing next to him as I followed his gaze. The moon was full and lighting the sky almost as if it was day. The leaves and flowers in the garden were illuminated in the moonlight, even more beautiful than they were by daylight. I smiled in contentment as a cool breeze blew lightly against my face. This tranquility was more enjoyable than the entirety of the ball. I looked back up to Bardock's son, surprised to catch him staring at me. He quickly looked away as I caught a blush on his cheeks. He looked at me again, this time studying my face with curiosity.

"If you would rather be out here than in there, you must have as much distaste for formal occasions as I do." He remarked with a displeased expression as he referred to the ball.

"No woman in her right mind would avoid a formal affair such as this ball!" I huffed indignantly, surprising the man as he slightly withdrew from me at my abrupt tone. "I just wanted a break, and I do enjoy the gardens." I paused as I turned to face him in disbelief. "You really find no excitement in the ball, my lord?" I asked calmly. After all, this was my ball, and I expected everyone in attendance to love it after all the planning I put into it.

"I guess I can't complain, my lady." He replied as he relaxed against the balcony, his alarmed expression from my earlier outburst quickly melting into a small smile. "If not for the ball, I would not be enjoying this beautiful view, or speaking with you tonight." I felt my cheeks heat in response to his wonderful compliment. Was he flirting with me? He had no idea who I was, I realized. No man would speak to their prince's intended in that way. Selfishly, I decided against informing him. I was enjoying this too much, and it would be ruined once he knew who I was. I cleared my throat nervously, knowing he saw me blush and he seemed to be getting cocky now. He slid his resting hand across the balcony railing, landing it right against mine. I tingled at the minute contact, wishing for more if it were only appropriate.

"How do you know my father?" He asked me, drawing me from my puerile stupor caused by that simple touch.

"Oh, I met him at dinner in the castle last week." I answered absently as my eyes were drawn back to our touching hands. I slowly drew my fingers over his, wondering if he would notice.

"You mean the dinner where my parents met Prince Sebastian's bride?" He asked me, sounding surprised and deeply interested in my answer.

"Yes, my lord." I replied curtly, not wanting to provide details as I did not want to lie or give myself away yet. He nodded with a thoughtful frown.

"I hear they do not like one another." He mentioned pointedly. He seemed to be implying more than he was saying now. I was shocked to hear it. That dinner did not go well, but I thought we were doing well with creating the illusion for the kingdom of getting along. It must have been Lady Son's supposition. I knew the woman would be too insightful.

"You heard that from your mother, didn't you?" I asked boldly as I looked into his eyes. He looked astonished, as if I read his mind. I felt quite proud of myself.

"You are surprising." He commented cryptically. He gazed at the moon again, and I mulled over his last comment as I wondered what he was really thinking about me. I stared into the gardens as I thought, focusing on the many petals of a beautiful hydrangea and its lovely coloring under the moonlight, then startling when he stepped closer to me. I felt my hand move from the balcony railing with his and realized our fingers had interlaced without me even noticing when this happened. I looked at his face to see that he was looking at me with intensity. Keeping my eyes locked on his beautiful black eyes, I was considering stepping back from him when he did something I was secretly hoping for and against at the same time. He leaned forward and kissed me. I felt his soft, warm lips against mine as I closed my eyes and enjoyed the sensation.

I kissed a boy once in my castle. When we were caught, my father sent him to work where I would never see him again. That kiss was wet and odd, that was how I remembered it. This, this was much different. I wanted more. I pushed my lips hard against his, and he responded by licking my bottom lip. I willingly parted my lips, allowing his slick tongue into my mouth as our kiss deepened and it felt like an eternity before we pulled apart for lack of air. I smiled at him, blushing profusely as he smiled his gorgeous smile again. Then, as suddenly as a candle being snuffed, reality came crashing down. I trembled in realization of what a mistake this was. I doubted I would ever have a kiss like that from Sebastian, and I could not put this man in danger for my own selfish desires.

"I'm sorry, Lord Raditz!" I exclaimed as I clapped a hand to my mouth in horror. He looked completely shocked, even offended by my exclamation.

"Raditz? I am Bane, not Raditz." He responded brusquely. "And why are you sorry? That was wonderful."

"Bane?" I retorted, my forehead creasing in deep confusion. I did not know Lord Bardock had another son. How did Rebekah fail to mention him?

"I know; it's a terrible name. You can call me Faustos. All of my friends do." He explained charismatically with a warm smile as my mind whirred through a million thoughts and feelings at once.

"No. I'm sorry, but this can't happen again. You see, I'm Katarina." I said as I met his eyes seriously, identifying myself with my hand on my chest. He did not react, and I wondered if he had any idea what the occasion of this ball was. "Princess Katarina, Sebastian's betrothed." I explained, hoping my point was clear to him. Again, he seemed unsurprised and I huffed in frustration.

"I know." He said flatly as he turned his face to the gardens again with a frown. He knew? How could he? And if he did, why would he...? "I knew once you told me about dinner at the castle. The only young woman at that dinner was the princess." He explained distantly.

"If you know who I am, why-" I began hastily and loudly until he shushed me, indicating with a glance a few people passing near the ajar balcony doors, who may have been able to overhear my question.

"Because I felt like it. I don't care who you are. Isn't that the same reason you did it?" He asked me challengingly. At that, I felt angry.

"I didn't do it! You kissed me!" I yelled, quickly grimacing over my shoulder when I realized that was stupidly careless. Fortunately, there was no one nearby to hear my outburst.

"And you encouraged me and returned the kiss." He reminded me smoothly. He was so cocky at that moment, he almost reminded me of Sebastian's arrogance. I turned from him hurriedly as I scoffed in disgust at his behavior, before he surprisingly grabbed me by the shoulders and forcefully kissed me again. I tried to pull away for only a moment before I gave up my pointless inner struggle and surrendered completely for a kiss that amazingly seemed even better than the first.

"See?" He said as soon as we pulled apart and he dropped his hands by his sides, smiling proudly. I stared at him, astounded as my mouth hung open speechlessly for a while. I was about to speak when I heard footsteps behind me.

"Bane, I've been looking all over for you. How long have you been out here?" I heard the scolding tone of an older woman's voice and turned to see Lady Gine standing behind me. "Your majesty." She greeted me with a curtsy and smile as she recognized me.

"Hello, Lady Son."

"Mother, I was speaking with Princess Katarina." Faustos explained smoothly, not sounding or looking at all as shaken as I felt.

"Well, it's about time you get in there and socialize, Bane. After all, you can't keep the guest of honor to yourself all night." Lady Gine said firmly. I could tell by her tone and Faustos's reaction that there was a warning in her words. I only hoped it was nothing more than motherly strictness. I couldn't stand the thought of her knowing about our kiss, and I would hate to think that Faustos did this often. It felt special to me, but he seemed to handle himself well with that charm of his. Maybe he made a practice of this; though it was hard to believe he would take such a risk, toying with his future queen. Faustos nodded angrily at his mother, not bothering to hide his feelings from her or myself. I frowned as I watched him walk to meet her, and I followed as Lady Son eyed me expectantly. We headed back inside, and I enjoyed the rest of the ball as much as possible, though my thoughts remained on Faustos for the rest of the night. I realized just before retiring to bed that I never did see Rebekah after she left the ball early; I would have to make a point to see her again soon.