Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Branded ❯ Chapter 9

“Prince Vegeta! Where have you been? And just look at your clothes! What have you been doing?”

Vegeta ignored the servant’s questions and strode passed him, heading toward his bedroom to change. After such a perfect day, the last thing he wanted was a confrontation with his father’s valet. The older man jogged to keep up with him.

“King Vegeta has been looking for you all day!” he panted. “You are to go to his chambers immediately! It’s very important!”

“I’m sure it is,” Vegeta sighed, “but I’m going to change now. He can at least wait that long, can’t he?”

“It had better be quick,” he warned. “King Vegeta is in a foul mood and having to wait for your return has not helped it!”

Vegeta rolled his eyes, but changed faster than he normally would have. King Vegeta was a strict ruler at best, a veritable tyrant when provoked. The strongest warrior on the planet, he had won many battles to be able to claim his crown. His father wanted the best for his son and expected him to become the strongest Saiyan in history by pushing him as hard as possible.

“So where is he?!” King Vegeta’s voice echoed off the stone and glass of his royal chambers.

Despite his usual cocky attitude toward his father, Vegeta winced. Looking back, he thought maybe he shouldn’t have dallied so long with Beli.

“You called, Your Highness?” Vegeta asked with a formal bow.

“I called a long time ago!” King Vegeta shouted. “Where have you been?! Oh, never mind. I don’t really care. Come with me.”

Vegeta followed the king into a small, private room. He waited patiently while his father paced back and forth in irritation.

“Frieza has contacted us,” King Vegeta began. “He plans to be here soon and expects everything to be ready for him.”

“Everything will be ready,” Vegeta reassured him. “We have the strongest warriors in the universe.”

“And it’s our responsibility to keep it that way!” the king said. “It is your duty as a prince to honor your race.”

Vegeta looked confused. “Of course, Your Highness. I would do anything for the Saiyan people.”

“Good!” King Vegeta smiled and clapped his son on the shoulder. “Because your seed has already been purchased.”

“My seed? Purchased?” Vegeta struggled to comprehend exactly what his father was telling him.

“Yes! And by the family of an excellent warrior, too! The ceremony will begin immediately,” he announced and headed for the door.

“Ceremony? Wait!” Vegeta called. The king paused and turned to his son. “You’re not talking about the Procreation Ceremony, are you?”

“That’s right,” he agreed. “The family paid well for your seed. You should consider it an honor and a privilege to be chosen so young.”

“I do,” Vegeta said. “But can’t this wait? Why does it have to be right now?”

“The fee has already been paid," King Vegeta said.

"So who is this woman?" Vegeta asked. He wanted to flat out refuse, but couldn't risk dishonoring his father, the King of Saiyans.

"Ruga."

"Ruga?!" Vegeta sputtered. "The First Class Ruga?!"

"Is there another one?" The King flung open the door and led the way down the long hallway.

"But she's over twice my age!" he protested, reluctantly following.

"There is no age requirement for the Procreation Ceremony," the king reminded him. "You are the youngest to undergo the ceremony, but you have seen two full moons already. I assume you know what is expected of you."

"Yes, but ..."

King Vegeta spun furiously on his son. "Are you refusing this task?! Are you refusing a direct order from your king?!"

"No, sire," Vegeta answered, hanging his head in defeat. He followed his father the rest of the way down the hall toward the preparation chamber. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. "Your highness, I was so busy training that I did not get a chance to eat. Give me time to go down to the kitchens so I will be better able to perform my duties."

"I will send for something while you are being cleansed," the king said dissuasively.

Vegeta suppressed a sigh. He hadn't really expected his excuse to work. Beli would probably hear of the ceremony through the servant grapevine soon anyway. He just hoped she would understand that he had no choice in this matter and that he would be able to make it up to her.

Servants stripped the prince and washed him with sacred oils while the priest circled him, chanting the prayer of fertility. When finished, Vegeta was covered in a robe of plush fabric and fed special foods for stamina. All this in preparation of breeding the strongest Saiyan warriors.

Vegeta was led to the Procreation Chamber between rows of his fellow warriors. He paused at the door and took a deep breath.

"Don't worry, my prince," a voice whispered from his right. "I'll take care of any ... tasks ... while you are occupied."

"Whatever you say, Raditz," Vegeta mumbled, having no idea what the Third Class soldier meant. His mind was too busy warring over his feelings for Beli and his duty to king and race.

Resolving to finish as quickly as possible, Vegeta stepped across the threshold and into the chamber.

The door slid closed behind him, the lock falling securely into place. There was no turning back now.