Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Trials and Tribulations of Being Royalty ❯ Count Down ( Chapter 21 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball/Z/GT or its characters. I do not own any other licensed products that may appear throughout this fan fiction piece.

AN: Sorry it took so long, and this chapter really isn't edited. If you see anything wrong, please let me know. I was simply in a rush to update before I went out of town. Enjoy and please, REVIEW!!!

~*~

Chapter 20: Count Down

Leaning her head upon the cool windowpane, Chi-Chi let out a sigh, her warm breath slightly fogging the glass. After a week of newspaper articles tearing her life apart in print, as well as the lives of her parents, Vegeta, and his family, even her friends, the Earthen Princess found herself exhausted. Today had been the day that her father officially announced the engagement at a major press conference, introducing the Saiyan Prince to the world via television. Now, just hours later, the phones had not ceased to ring, the constant stream of reporters setting up interviews, asking questions, was unending.

As much as she was against the marriage in the first place, she was even more disagreeable than ever. Despite her feelings, Chi-Chi was forced to remain as calm and poised as ever in every interview, acting as if she were the blushing bride preparing for her fantasy wedding. Instead, she was screaming inside, cursing everyone around her, constantly hiding the pain. Not a single person seemed to see the anguish outside of her friends.

School, the one place she believed would be her savior. The place where she thought she could relax and spend time with Goku, plotting on ways to get out of the marriage, was now yet another stage. She was forced to hang onto Vegeta's arm, remain by his side, acting every bit the loving fiancé. Her classmates had become the constant source of information for the press, their drastic tales of love gone wrong and love affairs published in headlines everywhere.

Her pleasant private life had been stripped from her, trading it for a very public role, constantly surrounded by microphones and cameras.

Much to everyone's dismay, Chi-Chi had succumbed, playing the roles she was asked, putting on her façade for the world to see. Bitterly, Chi-Chi reflected on the times that she had dressed up in her mother's clothes, putting on her mother's crown, proclaiming she was queen. And now she wanted nothing more than to break the crown that had caused her so much pain.

Inside, the Princess was shattered. She was clueless as of ways to get out of the arrangements her father had made, unsure of herself and her relationships with her friends. Little over a month was left until her wedding day, the day that was supposed to be the most amazing day of her life. The day little girls dreamed of and planned for within the safety of their fantasies.

Her fantasy had been destroyed, the fragile glass of her world turned to mere fragments that sliced at her very soul. Unlike the little girls around the world who took their dolls and dressed them up in beautiful dresses and acted out the lives of true bliss, the fabric that fairy tales were weaved from, this was real life. One where the blushing bride was forced to walk down the aisle by her father's ambition, the groom there only by duty to an extinct race and one who was no longer King. The friends there would carry smiles, hiding their own disappointment. The best friend of the bride would grimace, knowing that the bride should be her and the groom's royal guard would close his eyes to the world, never showing how his soul had shattered.

Instead of the happiest day, she was facing her worst nightmare.

Reluctantly, the teenage princess turned her gaze away from the window, allowing it to rest instead upon the pile of binders and books before her, each one holding everything from fabric samples and colors to dress designs to order forms for everything she could think of. Her father had assaulted her with countless books, forcing her to take them to her room and bring down some selections that night.

Flipping through the glossy pages of models dressed in yards of white silk, tulle, chiffon, satin and lace, tears began to prick at the corners of Chi-Chi's obsidian orbs. Each picture displayed smiles that reached their eyes . . . something that was nothing but a dream. Forcing negative thoughts from her mind, she flopped down on her stomach upon the bed, black permanent marker in hand. With each picture, a large X appeared . . .

Just like her options, crossed out.

~*~

Yawning, Chi-Chi seated herself on one of the many leather couches in the main room of the mansion. One glance out the window allowed her to see the news vans that had been located outside of the two mansions for the past week. Running a hand through her long ebony hair that hung loosely down her back in soft curls, a soft sigh escaped her lips. Brushing the lint off of her white high necked sweater, the soft material interlaced with sparkling silver thread, the Princess nervously awaited the arrival of her father.

After much argument and many hours of attempted persuasion, King Maou had finally put his foot down, demanding her to be ready to meet her wedding advisor and wedding planner. Today, Chi-Chi would be forced to begin wedding shopping and planning. The King had insisted that she be involved in the planning of the ceremony, telling her that her own mother had completely planned their wedding. All that could be done with books, magazines, telephone, and internet had been completed, leaving only the events that she would have to go out into public to complete.

With the mass amount of publicity they were receiving in light of the paper's harsh words, Chi-Chi knew that every appearance in the public had to be carefully done. Her more suggestive wardrobe had been canceled out for the time being, instead forcing the Princess to wear more formal and conservative dress. The same was said to be for Vegeta, yet his options were still broader than her own. Both had been forbidden to go to clubs, the pictures that were still circulated from their dance firmly in their fathers' hands. Instead, the two were merely allowed to attend school, returning to their homes almost immediately.

Obsidian eyes drifted, gazing out the window at the newly turned winter atmosphere. Being contained to the mansion was slowly eating at her free spirit, threatening to consume her. Part of Chi-Chi was elated at today's outing, knowing that she would be free of her father's oppressive presence and the bland walls of the mansion. Yet, the knowledge of what she was going out to do overrode the joy of the shortly won freedom. Of course, her imprisonment was a result of the upcoming marriage, so if the marriage had never been dreamed of, she would have been free to do as she like.

Her eyes slowly glazed over as she lost herself in her personal dreamscape of what her life would currently be like had the marriage to the Saiyan Prince never come to haunt her. Perhaps she would be cuddled up by the fire with Goku, or off preparing for a date with him that night. Maybe the two would be off Christmas shopping for their friends with him trying to be discreet as he found the perfect gift her for, and herself acting as if she did not see what he was planning for that special day. The thoughts of Vegeta and Chi-Chi as a couple would not touch them, the greed of the Kings not casting shadows upon their happiness and the love they had found within each other.

But dreaming was merely an escape from the reality she would have to make a bitter reentry to. Those thoughts of being with Goku were slowly being banned from her mind, those dreams merely taunting her. She was forced with the knowledge of what she wanted, she could not have. Just as it was for Vegeta and Bulma. Tightly closing her eyes, her fists clenched in the smooth black material of her boot cut suit pants, Chi-Chi forced her thoughts from her head.

Granted an intrusion at that moment, the process was far easier than it had been for the past few weeks, watching her true love from a distance. Glancing up, her dark eyes met with vibrant green. Before her stood a large woman, dressed in an array of bright colors varying from orange to an electric blue. Her makeup was generously distributed, her face framed by large bright red curls. Blinking a few times, Chi-Chi quickly noticed a young, frail male behind her, midnight blue eyes blinking rapidly against the assault of abstract colors before him. He stood rather tall, his lean slender figure displayed by a pair of loose black dress pants and a half buttoned midnight blue silk dress shirt. His golden blonde hair glinted in the morning sunlight, gleaming just as radiant.

Smiling, Chi-Chi stood to greet them. The characters before her were nothing like she would have expected from her father's selection, especially the robust woman before her, but she held back her judgment until she could see just what the two could offer. First impressions were something she could never take for granted; knowing that what hid behind the face presented to her at the moment would be the deciding factor in anyone. That had been one thing her Saiyan friends had taught her, something she would never forget.

The woman quickly curtseyed, her head bowed before the Princess of her homeland. "Mendori Saetairo, your highness." [1]

The man promptly bowed, his right arm crossed over his heart in respect as he did so. "Kaben Sunago, your majesty." [2]

"I am please to know you both. Please, have a seat." Chi-Chi said diplomatically as she gestured to the numerous chairs and couches within the room. However, before any of them could sit down, King Maou spoke.

"Perhaps it is best if you were on your way. Prince Vegeta will not be happy if he is kept waiting. Besides, these two will be taking care of the wedding arrangements, no arguments."

"Vegeta? What do you mean he's waiting?"

"Pardon me, Princess Chi-Chi, but I believe your father is referring to your fiancé waiting in the limousine. He is coming along with us on our excursion. After all, he is needed for his fitting, as well as his opinion. It is his wedding as well, is it not?"

Chi-Chi's darkened eyes narrowed at her father. "He is, is he?"

"Yes, daughter. Now, you must not keep him waiting. I went with your mother at certain times to plan our wedding, so it is only fair that Vegeta joins you. You had better get going."

With a last cold look, Chi-Chi stalked out the door, her long suit coat flaring out behind her dramatically as she turned. The two wedding planners quickly followed, backing out of the room after bowing to the King. Richard merely glanced at his royal figurehead before turning his back and exiting the room, uncaring of the disrespective gesture he had initiated.

Hesitantly, Chi-Chi walked to the waiting car, the tinted windows unyielding to her wish to see just who was waiting behind the glass. The driver quickly opened the door as he gave a small bow, reaching out to assist her into the vehicle. Once seated on the plush leather seat, she glanced up, her eyes meeting with the burning obsidian eyes of her fiancé. Beside him, Goku's familiar eyes remained downward, as if captivated by the carpeting of the automobile.

The tense blanket of silence was broken as the door opened once more, the odd couple entering the vehicle. Mendori began regaling other weddings, speaking extensively over the plans she had in mind, filling the vehicle with loud boisterous talk, never realizing the situation she was working with. Kaben, however, communicated his knowledge with the Princess as their eyes locked. Chi-Chi could easily see that he had full understanding over what was happening with the wedding.

"I knew her." A soft voice broke through the temporary silence provided while Mendori took in a deep breath, planning on continuing her speech.

Chi-Chi, who had been adamantly staring out the window, blocking out the constant ramblings of the woman beside her, looked up sharply. "Who?"

"Your mother." A small smile played upon Kaben's lips as he caught the Princess's attention, as well as the attention of the Prince and his guard.

Intrigued, Chi-Chi imparted her attention upon the male. "How would you know have known my mother?"

"Your mother was an amazing woman, Princess. She used to come to the orphanages of the kingdom, giving us her attention, providing us with another means of support. You probably don't remember when she used to bring you along after you were old enough. I living in one of those orphanages, exposed to the Queen every week. After her death, it was like a shadow fell upon the kingdom, sorrow was the only thing we knew to express at the passing of your mother. You see, Princess, your mother was the light of the kingdom. She never saw her position as something to be held above us, but as something she could use to help us. She was truly a remarkable woman, someone I am proud to have known."

Chi-Chi sat back in her seat, slowly digesting his words, a small smile upon her face. It was always a joy for her to hear such meaningful and kind words to the woman she could barely remember. "Thank you." She said softly, acknowledging his words, unable to show just how much she had truly valued them.

Her mood was dampened as the limousine pulled up to the prominent wedding boutique. Stepping out of the vehicle, Chi-Chi avoided all eye contact with both Saiyans. No viable plan had ever been discovered between friends, nothing known would work. Steeling herself, she moved towards the door, fully unprepared for the task before her, but ready to tackle it, not for her, her father, or even her kingdom's sake, but for her mothers.

~*~

Sitting upon her bed, Chi-Chi watched as the final servant exited the room. The count down was at one week.

One week until she would marry the Prince of the Saiyans.

One week until she would loose everything she had ever wanted, gaining everything she had ever expected.

One week until her life, so precariously balanced upon the edge, would shatter as she was promised to a life without choice.

Picking up the cream colored envelope addressed to her personally, she slipped the small ornate dagger through the seal. Leaning back upon her bed post, she ignored the overwhelming presence of her father as he appeared at her door. Withdrawing a single piece of parchment from its containment, she gazed upon the elegant script of sapphire blue before allowing it to flutter, landing onto the thick Oriental rug silently.

Shaking, Chi-Chi stood, exiting the room, moving past her father without word. King Maou followed her down the stairwell, out into the car that waited to take them to the airport and from there to their castle for the wedding that would occur so soon.

As their limousine disappeared around the corner, a silent shadow slipped into the room, moving towards the fallen parchment. Carefully, the paper was lifted unto the bed, dark eyes scanning over the words. Hands clinched into fists at the side as anger flowed through the figures veins. Sighing, hands dropped in defeat before slipping out of the room, leaving no trace of the sudden appearance other than the shift in location of the letter.

Amidst the silken comforter of the Princess's bed, a single sheet of yellowed parchment stood out, the words so elegantly written, dripping with venom, stating:

`Princess:

Should you decide to continue with this charade of marrying your cold hearted Prince, I must remind you, once again, of the grevious consequences that will come. One of such beauty should not be locked away by the brutal nature of your alien love. He has not realized just what a gift he being bestowed.

I implore you, do not continue with this marriage, lest I be forced to take action. You are mine, Princess. You are mind just as you always have been. Should you marry him, you will find his blood stained upon your hands. For my actions rest with you, my love.

With all that I possess, you are mine.

Your Love.'

~*~

[1] I have a fondness for having the name mean something. Mendori is Japanese for a female bird or hen. Saetairo means bright color.

[2] Kaben means flower petal. Sunago means sand; gold or silver dust.