Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Live Well ❯ The Cards Dealt ( Chapter 9 )

Live Well

Chapter Nine: The Cards Dealt

“You're joking,” she said, a beat red, with ears growing hotter by the moment. Her brother could only shrug helplessly, embarrassed for her as well.

“Sorry to say it, but ah … I went to check on you in the prince's room, and I guess I should've thought to listen more carefully. You must've been pinned to that spot for hours before I came in, and I saw the lube bottle was empty, so I ran to find a maid to find some more, and then I told the king. That was … almost two weeks ago. You two were in a daze the whole time.” He shrugged, trying a smile out for her, “At least, you got to skip all of that worrying about the war game with the general today.”

Gritting her fangs, she gripped her black petticoats, ready to shred them in her fists, “I lost all of that time to figure out what he meant! I was going to follow you to the library, remember? I needed to learn as much as I could, and see if you remembered anything.”

“Huh?” He raised a bushy brow at her, “Remembered what? And what who meant?”

“Turles,” she whispered, grasping his hand to emphasize the name, watching his pupils shrink. “I think he knew a way to beat the scenario. He said something to me once. That he was going to show me some kind of secret, and that it was in every home, on the streets, and even in the palace. He knew something, Radittsu.”

“That … indecent, over glorified, pompous smuggler? Kaka - Princess, I'm sorry, but you're fucking crazy.” She smacked him upside the head, and started to pace slightly. He growled, and held his head, “What the hell? Your punch is stronger.” Kakarotto paused to scowl at him, but he waved his hand to placate her, “It is! I didn't know you got training when you were here.”

She sighed, and sat down, rubbing her arms, “I haven't been, Radittsu. It's my gowns. They're heavy, and because I have to walk, and dance, and curtsy and do everything in them, I have to adjust. They seem to get heavier everyday too.” When he nodded in understanding, she said, “I'm sorry for hitting you, but I need to figure something out. Even if I don't win, I want to go out with a bang.”

“This will be the first time you'll really be meeting the emperor and empress face-to-face, isn't it?” Nodding, Kakarotto stood again, walking to the mirrors beside her enormous walk-in closet, and looked into the mirror, “Well … I don't remember anything that Turles ever said about that game scenario. Besides, all he ever did was rig the board to make his pieces appear out of nowhere.”

Tilting her head to the side, she watched her hair sway, “Turles did that then too … He said there was something we weren't seeing. Or maybe the secret was something we couldn't see, and he teased Bardock that he was foolish for having to see it for himself rather than just know it was there.”

“So it's something that's definitely real, but it's something you can't see. Maybe it's something you can't see on the board, and that you have to trust it to actually be there.”

“In every home? And even in the palace there's something we can't see on the board.”

Radittsu grinned, and leaned forward to egg the conversation on, “We can see the ground, the homes and the palace.”

“In the air … and the streets are going to be the exact same as the streets had been back then. It will be realistic to every minute detail. But will the game have what we can't see? No it must, or Turles would have never told me any of that.” She thumbed and pinched her lips idly, thinking through before she frowned, “Turles is a smuggler, and smugglers have many secrets.”

“I'd think they would have to, Princess,” he said dryly.

Standing a bit taller, she said quietly, watching Radittsu lean in to hear better, “And smugglers have to have secret compartments, and secret weapons …”

“They have the caverns below the city!” He burst out suddenly, and she gaped incredulously, “He showed them to me once. In his house was an old service chute to the caverns and sewers, and he used them to transport goods to and from other cities and the palace. He knew how to navigate underneath the ground, and when we thought he was making pieces appear out of nowhere, he was really moving the pieces out from underground. They must've crawled out from other service chutes or manholes, and that's how he always surprised me and Dad.”

Kakarotto turned to him, grabbing his hands to shake them with a beaming smile, “They lead straight to the palace, and there's a way down in almost every home of the capital! I can hide my troops underground and let them heal there or stage surprise attacks for the general's army.”

“Screw losing with a bang. You really can win that scenario, Kakarotto. Do it! You'll knock his scouter off when the first piece appears out of nowhere!”

“I don't know the caverns like Turles does though, Radittsu. We still need to go to the library. Could you-?” They both stiffened when the door was knocked upon by someone, and Kakarotto straightened from Radittsu, saying, “Come.”

Her husband strode in, a large bouquet of crimson and sapphire flowers in his arms that he bestowed into her arms before kissing her cheek. He said, “Good morning, Princess. You look radiant.”

She smiled, “I'm still just in my sleeping garments.”

“I know,” he said, and he kissed her other cheek while she petted the flowers in her arms. “I trust that the regen-tank healed any sores I caused.” She felt a warm flush of delight course through her, and Kakarotto tried to convey to Radittsu that he could leave a while - never mind the fact that they'd been at it for the past two weeks. However, Vegeta then stepped back slightly, her shoulders in his hands as he admired her, “Today, you mustn't wear anything too tight across your abdomen, Princess, or any other day after today for a long while since it's not safe yet.”

Kakarotto blinked, slightly confused, and asked, “Lord Husband, what are you talking about? What's not safe for me? My corsets were never too tight for me before.”

He touched her lower abdomen, and her eyes widened abruptly, “Princess, you were in heat for almost two weeks. That's a long enough time for me to create my heir within you. You're in the very tender and early stage of pregnancy, and I can't allow even this tiny flicker of life go out. You will wear looser clothes to not put pressure on your stomach, and keep away from fumes that are dangerous for the infant.”

“I didn't take any test though, sire. How would you know I'm pregnant or not?”

“The regen-tank sensed the anomaly, diagnosed the condition, and told your doctor, who then just now told me. You have a new doctor, by the way.”

She said faintly, “I didn't know that I even had a doctor.”

“You did. Now you have a new one. I killed the old doctor once he told me.” He leaned in to kiss her lips lightly, and she abruptly realized she could smell blood mixed with soap from an attempt to cover the stench, “None but the Royal Family and your bodyguard must know, Princess. Kill any that discover the possible heir's entry into the world.” Kakarotto nodded, laying her bouquet upon her bed as he turned to Radittsu, “I'm sure that you understand the implications as well. Tell even half of a soul, and I'll rip out your spine - tail first.”

“Sire,” he bowed deeply after rising, and waited like that until Vegeta gave him permission to stand straight.

Vegeta nuzzled her hair then, and said, “There's a downside to this if you didn't know. Along with making sure you are well and not putting pressure on your womb, I must stop laying with you until we are certain that this embryo will pull through.”

Smiling, she gently touched his shoulder, saying, “I pray that you don't suffer too much without me, my Lord.” He quirked a brow in amusement, and she smirked in turn, rubbing his biceps and chest, “After all, being without your wonderful wife for an unknown extended period of time must vex you so.”

“On the contrary,” he said, “I think I'll take this opportunity to try on some of your maids. They're new to the palace, and probably have not yet been broken in.” Her mouth slowly fell open, and she glanced at Radittsu who didn't look too surprised. Vegeta frowned, “What? They're clean, Princess. Have no fear of that. We check them persistently. Besides, you can join us anytime, and I'll still touch you however you like.”

She slapped him, murderous and ready to punch him in the gut before he caught her fist and then the next with some difficulty. Snarling, he pushed her easily onto her knees and panted slightly in shock as she said, “Don't you dare! I'm your wife!”

“What you are is ridiculous! Fine, I'll take your slaves instead if you don't want paid help to get what whores get on the street.” At her fiercer scowl, he said, “You can't be serious, Kakarotto. You're not going to be the only woman I'll take to bed. I'm the prince, and still a man. I have my needs.”

“I have my own needs, Lord Husband,” she said.

Vegeta snorted, and said, “I satisfy your needs just fine. I probably exceed them from what I remember of your shrieking.”

“No. I need you to not touch another woman when you're married to me.” When he twitched just slightly, Kakarotto froze, “You haven't been with another since we've been married, right?”

“I've taken several of my maids already,” he said slowly, keeping his eyes level with hers. “I lessened my intake when I started teaching you more on the act, but only to give myself the energy to endure your clumsy pawing. You are not what I want in a wife - I've told you that already. I'm surprised you've forgotten so easily. I try to please you, yes, but you're my wife. A husband is required to dote upon his wife and give flowers and stroke her hair at night and at least be decent to her in their beds.”

Since they were in reach, she grabbed the bouquet on her bed, and slapped it across his face several times, hoping they had thorns. “Then stay out of my bed! And take these hideous things with you! You have no idea how to treat a wife!”

It seemed that the flowers had none, but her words appeared to sting him awfully. Vegeta stood after collecting the heap of flowers she had dumped in front of him. Going to her door, he stopped only long enough to turn, bowing slightly as he said through his fangs, “As you please … Princess.”

He shut the door silently, and she got off her knees to pad to the drawstring, calling her maids and slaves to enter. The women - having heard everything and likely having seen the irate prince - all bundled into her room, and Kakarotto watched through the door as Vegeta paused at the atrium door, a flower in one hand while the rest of the ruined bouquet was cradled in his other arm. She observed as he turned to face her, tilting his head as if expecting her to say something.

Kakarotto realized that she did have something, and said, “If I'm to be a requirement, then I want you to require only me. Should I win the scenario today, would you never take another woman as long as we're married?”

“If you …?” He laughed without mirth, and crushed the flower in his hand, “That's as impossible as winning the scenario. Vegetas never stick with only one woman.”

“I'm only talking to one Vegeta, right now,” she said, and he grimaced. “If the scenario is impossible to beat, then I suppose that you have nothing to lose if we bet on it.” His brows twitched, but he raised his chin up after he nodded an agreement, “If I lose, you can take whoever you please whenever. Myself included, of course. If I win the scenario, then you must do the impossible too, and take only me … in whatever way you please.” Vegeta's eyes widened, and he eyed her up and down slowly, obviously remembering the night they had chosen to forget. When he nodded once more, she said, “That's a small price to pay for keeping me as your only lover.”

“If someone had told me three weeks ago about what you would do to me,” he said, “I'd have laughed in his face, and then killed him, but I accept this little gamble, Princess Kakarotto. We'll see who I'll be taking to bed later tonight.”

---

When she found herself standing beside her husband a few hours later, it all came rushing back to her as the imperial couple entered the room.

Dear gods, I'm pregnant, she suddenly felt slightly elated, and considered running to Radittsu to make him tell their parents, or out to the window and shout it, but instead she gripped Vegeta's arm causing him to jerk in shock. Nausea swept through, and her aching knees - from the twenty black petticoats with their five overcoats of differently layered hues of blue - buckled. Kakarotto wobbled, but her husband tightened his grip to make her catch herself.

She nodded to him in thanks, and glanced at the emperor and empress to see if they had noticed her slip, but they hardly looked willing to pay a First Wife any mind. When she realized Vegeta's eyes were on her, she placed her palm near her lower abdomen to indicate the child, and took a deep breath. Vegeta seemed to understand her gestures that the baby had caused some discomfort, and left it at that while they waited for his grandparents and parents to be seated at the dining table before joining them.

The emperor stood at the head of the table, nodding to them all in turn before he motioned to the servants to leave and lock the doors. Their food had been tested for poison already, and everything was well and good, and - more importantly - already there for them to pick from and eat.

After they had gone, the emperor seemed to relax as only royalty was now in the room, “It's a pleasure to sit with my son and grandson finally after fifteen long years.” He bowed his head to Queen Arba, “My dear.” The man stopped to inspect Kakarotto where she sat at the other end from them and across from the prince, and then nodded to her “It's another pleasure to meet my first granddaughter-in-law.” She attempted a smile, bowing to him from her chair, and wondered if Vegeta had told any of them about the child. He tilted his head slightly, and smirked while glancing at her husband, “And congratulations to you two as well. Though I'm not surprised, grandson, that our lecture went straight over your head.”

“Over it and into the next week,” Vegeta said dryly, obviously considering everything that he had to catch up on in his office.

Chuckling, the man sat down, “Indeed.”

“Little prince,” the empress said, and smiled, “come here. I have something for you.” The prince sighed slightly, and rose with a small smile for his grandmother, standing beside her chair. She held out her hand, and beckoned him to bend down, her fangs flashing bright white as she waited. Vegeta raised a brow, but did as Nogao had asked, and suddenly flushed in embarrassment when she kissed his cheek, “Oh, I've missed my grandson so.” The beautiful woman stood up while Kakarotto's husband changed into several different hues, and she then patted his shoulders before blinking slightly. “You're taller.”

“Of course, I am. I was a boy when you last gave me a `gift' like that.” She seemed to pout when Vegeta rubbed at his cheek, but then with her voluptuous lips it seemed like the empress was always pouting. He sighed, arms crossed over his chest, “Just what are you talking about?”

“I see you on the vid-screens all the time though, and you're taller than before you disappeared to do your” - she glanced over at Kakarotto, the pout forming into a sort of smirk - “duties. You're filling out well too! What kind of training have you been doing?”

“Stop pawing at your grandson, Nogao.” She smiled indulgently at the emperor, and returned to her seat, still shooting slightly confused looks at Vegeta form as he went to his own chair.

Kakarotto knew what the confusion was over, and she was slightly surprised herself. The change hadn't been much, but it was obvious that his new diet had taken almost instant effect, and he was starting to fill in, and had become taller. She admired his physique before going back to her meal, not exactly feeling hungry herself, but she figured that she should eat to keep his heir going. Pausing suddenly, she blinked slowly at the train of thought, His … heir … It … the baby is still my child too though - not just his heir. Gods, I don't know how to care for an infant. Peasants send them off world, and don't usually see them again until they're much older!

“I heard that General Nappa has prepared a spectacle for me,” the emperor said. “Just what is that about now? The nobles seem to be all in a titter about it.” He looked evenly at the king, “I assume that you already know what this is about then?”

“It was the general's daughter's idea,” he said, and he gestured down at Kakarotto. “The general is going to play a war-game match with the prince's First Wife for your entertainment. It will be on history mode, and the scenario is the Talji'Be Rebellion.” When the emperor's eyebrows cocked up a notch, her father-in-law explained, “Princess Kakarotto seems to be a good player. She beat the general's daughter with the rebels - and the rest of the women in her court. He thought that she might like to continue playing as the rebels, so she will be playing their side.”

He cast a sidelong look at her before shaking his head, “That's not very sporting of him, and I've little mind to indulge such a preposterous thing.” Kakarotto sat up straighter, beginning to feel a scowl come over her features, but then Emperor Vegeta said, “I'd like to play her in that scenario.” He smirked at her slightly pale face, “Indeed, and isn't there a multiple player feature with that scenario as well? I would play as the emperor, my son as the king, and my grandson as the prince …”

“That's exceedingly harsh,” Vegeta said, smirking over his fork at Kakarotto, and she considered flipping the table so she could squash him underneath. “Three experts again an amateur that won by a fluke?”

“Even so, it's what I'd like to do,” the emperor said. He nodded to her when he caught her look. “This would be a nice way to know your worth.”

Just as I thought. It seems that carrying the heir doesn't guarantee my life, but if that's true, then what will? She felt the new fan that she was carrying besides the one given to her by the queen, silently thanking her brother a thousand times over. He had worked from the moment Vegeta had left to mere seconds before she had gone to join her in-laws for supper. “I'd be happy to play with you all.” She looked at Vegeta, and said, “And I imagine that this doesn't change our deal.”

The prince sat back with a laugh, “No, it doesn't. Strive to win all you like. It's as impossible to beat as a Vegeta keeping to one woman.”

“As long as I live, yes?”

He blinked, and then smirked to cover it, “Naturally.”

As one, the empress and queen whipped out their fans, the queen starting, What a silly thing this one is. Much sillier than your husband's First Wife.

She's younger than her as well if I remember correctly, Arba said.

The men ate, speaking over the soft flap of fans as if they weren't there. The emperor asked, “Just what is this about then, grandson?”

“We have a bet,” he said, grinning at Kakarotto. “If she wins the scenario, then I must do the impossible as well, and bed only her until the end of our marriage.” The king and emperor laughed, and Vegeta shared a grin with the two, “I know, but not everything you told me went over my head. I remembered your advice to indulge her. She's a sweet thing, really.”

The king asked, “Is that why you smelled like you washed in her flowers this morning?”

His smile disappeared to be replaced by a large grimace, “Actually no. She didn't appreciate the gesture, and slapped me with the lot of them.”

Which accounts for how ridiculous she is then. The empress cast an inquisitive glance at the princess, but Kakarotto deigned not to join, and opted to watch, listen, and eat. This next part seemed to be directed at her this time, however, It won't be long now. While your husband is responsible for protecting the child when it's in the womb, within a week of its birth, you'll be dead no matter what. Seventy percent of all First Wives die in the first week. Only one First Wife survived to four months after giving birth, and no other has lived past that mark.

This war-game is not how my worth can be told then, she smiled at her, causing her long eyes to actually widen a bit. Thank you for telling me that my worth has something to do with the baby. I plan to win … Nogao, Arba. Both this game, and my life back!

---

Tired, tired, tired … One surprise after another with this fic, eh? Eh!? Um … yeah, so I'm moving this Monday, and I'm not sure when I'll be able to start seriously writing this stuff again.

A load off my mind right now though is that Up for Interpretation is finally over. The sequel is still in the works in my head, but for now it's not something I'm going to fret over for quite a few months.

If you can't tell already, next chapter will be the awesome, exciting war-game thing … which will hopefully knock even some of your guys' socks off too. They aren't Royalty because they look pretty, you know … :D And maybe there'll be time for me to write about something else to make people furious, but say `Ooh! I get it now!' as well.

Tired, tired, tired …

---