Lucrin's Heart

Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ, just my original characters.

Prince Vegeta walked proudly through the palace halls, his new red cape flowing behind him elegantly. At his side strolled the two year old Lirie, the only daughter of his father's advisor. She was chattering on and on about the up-coming ball, celebrating the tenth year of the king's reign. The prince rolled his large black eyes, her over-enthusiasm was getting on his nerves. "Shut up, Lirie." He ordered, coldly. The girl pouted, "why are you always so mean to me, Veggie?" He glared at her, "My name is Prince Vegeta! I am the Prince of all Saiyans!" Lirie cocked her head to the side, "Well I'm gonna be queen someday."

Vegeta had nothing to say to that. They continued walking down the hall, in silence, till they reached the garden doors. The prince punched in his secret code, for the doors to slide open. They did, and he and Lirie entered the wondrous grounds of the palace garden.

Even as he entered, he could hear his mother's melodic voice, humming a happy tune. He followed the sound to the large tree in the middle of the garden. They found his mother the queen, sitting on the grass, her white dress spread out around her as she twirled a flower in her fingertips.

Sherona heard the light footsteps of the children approaching. She raised her head to smile at her young son. "Hello dear." She greeted. A big grin passed over her son's face. It had been a while since he had been able to visit her. "Hi mother." They hugged each other tightly. Then the queen sat Vegeta next to her on the grass, still holding his small body close to her side. She handed him a flower, and he sniffed at it, taking in the pleasant scent.

"How is your training going?" she asked, her throat tightening. Vegeta threw the flower away. "Fine. I'm getting really strong. Father's never been prouder of me." Sherona brushed his flaming hair with her fingers, "I've noticed." She laughed slightly. There was a long pause, "Are you happy, Vegeta?" Sherona asked hesitantly. The boy prince shot her a confused look, "I like training Mom. It's fun." Sherona sighed, "I know. It's just that I don't get to see you as much as I used to. Each time I see you, you seem less and less like my baby and more and more like your father." She scowled.

Prince Vegeta knew that his father and mother hadn't been on good terms with each other lately. They had even taken to sleeping in separate parts of the palace. Neither his father nor his mother was as happy as they pretended to be. Prince Vegeta was smarter than they thought.

"I miss you too, Mama, but you know, I'm not a baby anymore. I'm growing up. Soon I'll be the one on the thrown, and I want to be the strongest king ever!" Sherona suddenly took her son into her arms and held him as tightly as she could, "No matter how old you get, no matter how powerful you become, you will always be my baby." She whispered in his ear, tears choking her voice.

It was then that they heard the king's booming voice, "Vegeta!" he called. The price tore away from his mother's grasp and ran to salute his father. "You are late for training!" Vegeta bowed deeper, "I'm sorry father." The angry king pointed towards the door, "Go!" he shouted. Prince Vegeta ran swiftly out of the garden to his training session.

"You shouldn't be so cold towards him." Stated the queen, calmly. King Vegeta glared at his wife, "You stay out of this. He's my son. I'll treat him any way I like!" Sherona's eyes narrowed, her lips pressed together in a sad line. The king turned to leave, his cape whirling with his movement. "He's my son too you know." Muttered the queen. "Or have you forgotten?" she added, sadly.

He turned, his cold black eyes warming at the sight of her. She was so beautiful in her silent strength. "What happened Vegeta? Why do we act this way towards one-another?" She asked him, sadly, stepping towards him. He tore his gaze away, "I don't know." The king growled. He felt the queen's warm hand tough his arm, "I think you do."

King Vegeta turned back to her and took her by the wrists, "I hurt you, Sherona!" there was pain in the proud king's eyes as he said it. "Is that what this was about? Vegeta, I was a fighter. A slap in the face doesn't bother me much. What bothers me is when it comes from someone I love." She pulled her wrists away from his grasp.

"Love…" he scoffed. "Love is weak." Sherona slapped the king hard across the face, "Love is not weak!" she shouted.

Without another word King Vegeta turned his back on his wife and excited the garden.

Sherona growled in frustration, her eyes narrowing and her hands balling up into fists. She stomped her foot on the ground, angrily. "Ugh, that man!" she shouted, crossing her arms over her chest and turning her back to the door. "He's so damn stubborn!"

Her eyes shot up, when she heard Lucrin's distinct laughter. He was leaning against a far tree, with his arms crossed in front of him. She had no patience for his insolent humor today, She glared black daggers at him, and he abruptly stopped laughing.

He gave a fake cough, "excuse me your grace." Sherona touched her forehead with her fingertips, Lucrin had noticed that she looked tired and frustrated, lines were beginning to form under her eyes. "I'm so sick of this." She said. "I'm done." Her eyes were narrowed as she said this. She paced towards the door.

Lucrin stopped her as she passed, "What are you saying?" he asked his eyes locked with hers. "I'm leaving King Vegeta." She muttered in a shaky voice, tears beginning to appear in the dark depths of her eyes.

Lucrin's jaw dropped. Never in a million years had he suspected that things had gotten that bad between the king and queen. He reached out a gloved hand to stop her.

Sherona shrugged her shoulder away from his touch, "I'm tired, Lucrin. So tired. I was never meant to be a queen. I'm an expendable soldier and that's all I'll ever be. I was a fool to think that I may have been made for a greater purpose than that." She started again for the door, but Lucrin caught her by the hand, "You don't know how wrong you are." He whispered lowly at her ear. His words, so full of meaning, made Sherona swallow hard. She pulled away her hand and headed for the door. Lucrin stood unmoving, listening to the swish of the door and the rustling of Sherona's dress on the grass as she passed through. "Damn you King Vegeta!" he growled beneath his breath.

Sherona made her way towards the king's private chamber, along the way, she stopped outside the training room. Through the window she could see Prince Vegeta fighting several sibamen. The boy was fast, moving in an instant behind a sibamen and blasting him away.

A proud smile came across Sherona's lips. It was true, her boy was growing up. He was only four now but he carried himself like a king, despite his small stature, and he spoke with the wisdom of a grown man. "My beautiful child." She whispered.

It was then that Sherona made up her mind. She could not simply walk away, for the sake of her son. She could not leave him behind, no matter how unhappy she was. She would just have to try to work things out with her husband. It would be no easy task she knew.

Midnight Lucrin's Apartment:

Lucrin tossed and turned in his bed, trapped in a restless sleep. His eyes shot open, giving up. He stared up at the ceiling and ran his fingers through his tangled hair. It was no use. Every time he closed his eyes he would see her there, his queen, her beautiful face illuminated by moonlight. And as he stared at her, she would turn to call to him in a strained voice. He would run to her and she would seem to drift farther and farther away until finally he reached her. He'd find her lying still on the floor, blood pouring from the wounds covering her battle gear clad body.

Lucrin had had this dream many times in the last few years that Sherona had ruled by King Vegeta's side. What did it mean?

Knowing that he would never get to sleep again, Lucrin got up and headed out to the viewing room, to watch the soldiers being sent to purge foreign planets take off.

However, when he reached the room, he found that Sherona was already there. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. As the ships rushed past the viewing window, the light from them flashed across her face.

Lucrin swallowed hard then began his approach. "Your highness?" he whispered. She didn't turn to face him, but kept staring out the window. "Hello Lucrin. Are you having trouble sleeping as well?"

Lucrin chuckled, "Bad dreams. You?" he asked, leaning against the railing. "Yes" answered Sherona. He looked down at her hands, they were clinched tightly around the railing. "Sherona, are you well?" Lucrin could not hide his worry.

Sherona looked at him for the first time. He could clearly see the tears beginning to form in her dark eyes. She was fighting them. "I-I'm afraid, Lucrin." Despite his rank, Lucrin took her into his arms and held her close. Sherona began to sob. After a moment, she shoved him away, "Something horrible is about to happen, I know it." Lucrin touched her shoulder, to try to calm her. "What?" he asked, keeping his voice low. "I don't know yet, I just have this horrible feeling." She turned her head to look out the window again.

"Can you promise me something?" asked Sherona in a whisper that only Lucrin could hear. He touched her shoulder comfortingly, "Of course." Sherona took a deep breath, "Promise me that no matter what happeneds you'll keep Prince Vegeta out of Frieza's grasp. I don't trust him. I'm certain that he has something to do with whatever terrible thing that is about to happen to us. Promise me."

Lucrin squeezed her shoulder tighter, "I promise you, my queen." A thankful smile curved Sherona's lips and warmth lighted her tired eyes. "Thank you Lucrin. She then reached up and gave Lucrin a quick kiss. "I don't know how I'd make it without you." With that, Sherona walked swiftly away, leaving Lucrin speechless.

The following day was the celebration of the tenth year of King Vegeta's reign. There was a festival in the streets and a tournament held in his honor. The biggest event was the grand ball that would take place later that night.

In the palace, the servants rushed around trying to get everything prepared. All training for the day, much to the young prince's disapproval, were canceled. The royal family would need the entire day to rest and prepare.

The king spent the entire day hunting with some old friends, while Sherona sat sunning herself in the garden. Prince Vegeta sparred, in secret, with Raditz.

At mid-day. The prince and queen ate lunch together in the garden, Lucrin and Lirie too joined them.

After eating the royal family began getting ready for the ball. Sherona bathed in exquisite oils imported from all across the empire, and her servants dressed her in a elegant royal blue gown whose collar ran along her shoulders and whose skirt flared out around her. She wore a silver circlet around her head and her long black hair was left down for it flowed beautifully with her movements. She wore very little makeup, she had no need for the stuff. Her natural beauty was enough to make men stop in their tracks to stare.

The young Vegeta was less fussed over. He refused to let others dress him, preferring to do it himself. He wore his royal armor, it was gold and white, with a red royal insignia on the right breast plate. His cape was red, and had to be hemmed so he wouldn't trip over it.

King Vegeta was dressed in his royal armor as well, his was red and white and his cape was the royal blue of Sherona's gown. Around his throat he whore the royal amulet.

As the ball commenced, the royal family waited until everyone else had arrived. When the time came Lucrin, now dressed in his own blue ceremonial armor, went out to announce the royal family's arrival. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I , Sir Lucrin, royal advisor to the king and Queen am honored to welcome you to this grand ball, celebrating the tenth year of our noble king's reign. King Vegeta , Qeen Sherona, and Prince Vegeta have arrived." He announced stepping out of the way as the royal family entered.

King Vegeta as always stalked to his thrown, his stature and general attitude exuding royalty. His son was becoming a little miniature of him. Sherona, was different, she carried herself like a queen, but her attitude was much softer. She sat gently down in her thrown, throwing a smile Lucrin's way. Lucrin felt his bones liquefy.

The ball went underway without a hitch. The music played and dancers danced away, nearly oblivious that the royal family was watching them. Lucrin was dancing with his little daughter, her feet on top of his. She giggled sweetly the entire time. Poor girl, she had no idea her father wasn't really paying much attention to her. His eyes were solely on the queen.

If didn't know any better he would've sward she was starring at him.

Sherona watched Lucrin dancing with little Lirie. Lucrin was indeed a marvelous father. Realizing that he was staring back at her, she moved her eyes away. She looked over at her small son, slumped down in his thrown with boredom written all over his face. She leaned down to whisperer in his ear, "I believe Raditz is over at the buffet table, go ahead." A big grin spread across the prince's face and he hopped off his big thrown and ran towards Bardock's son.

Taking a deep breath, she got up from her thrown and went before the king. "Dance with me." She said taking him by the hand and pulling him towards the dance floor. The big king followed like a child.

They began to dance, Sherona was surprised at how well her husband could dance, he was always such a brute, she would never have guessed he was light on his feet. "I'm sorry." Whispered the king, Sherona's eyes darted to his face. Had she heard him correctly. "I'm sorry I hit you, I'm sorry I've been so cold towards you, I'm sorry I've been a royal ass the past year. I'm sorry." Sherona's eyes narrowed, "What brought this on?" she asked, keeping her voice low. "I heard you talking with Lucrin. You told him you were going to leave me." He placed one of his big hands on her cheek, "Please Sherona, I don't want to lose you. Forgive me for being such a fool." A sly smirk appeared on Sherona' face, "I will if you'll admit what I already know." He leaned down, kissing Sherona's cheek, "I love you." He whispered in his low rough voice. She placed her hands behind his head and crushed his lips against hers. They kissed for a long moment before realizing that people were starring.

They separated and Sherona let out a happy giggle. The two continued to dance throughout the night.

Once the party whined down and the guests began to leave, the royal family began to relax. The children were to put to bed and the king and queen went out onto one of the balconies to have a drink. Lucrin of course followed them.

King Vegeta and Sherona were once again speaking with each other as if they had never been pulled apart. They quickly drained the wine, Vegeta had brought and he excused himself to get more, leaving Sherona to wait on the balcony.

Now was his chance, Lucrin finally had the queen alone, would he be able to find the courage to tell her how he felt. It was now or never.

He came to stand beside her, leaning against the railing. "Beautiful night, isn't it?" asked Sherona, her eyes bright with happiness. "Uh…Sherona…there's something I've been wanting to tell you for a long time." She turned towards him with a smile, "spit it out." She said. Lucrin took a deep breath, "I love you!" he confessed. Sherona's eyes widened and she took a step back in shock, "w-what?" It still didn't feel like enough, he needed to let it all out, "Sherona, I'm in love with you. I need you, like the air I breathe, I thirst for you. And I am certain that if I could just take one sip from you..." He placed his hands on either side of her face, drawing her closer to him, "I'd never thirst again." He leaned down and kissed her, releasing the built up torrent of passion he'd kept hidden for so long.

Sherona was paralyzed, he was kissing her, she knew it was wrong, she wanted to push him away and yell at him for being such a love sick fool but another part of her wanted to give in.

Unfortunately for them, King Vegeta had just entered the room.

What will happen now? Find out next time on "Sherona"

Sorry it took so long with this one, I was struck down with the horrid writers block. I'll try to do better with the next installments.