Teresa: Once again, I'm back for the thankless job of finishing up this fic. Jade would appreciate me more if she had to type all this stuff out, but as it is, she takes out her frustration at the lack of reader response on me. Oh well. I bought her some "Sorcerer Hunters," so the Savage Beast is appeased, for now.
Jade, in the background: Go Carrot!!! Yeah!!!
Teresa: Okay, well I'm guessing her bliss will only last as long as that tape, so let's get this show on the road! Here's part 6. Hmmm…I think this'll just be the last part. It'll be sorta long, but you know.
*****
The Best of Both Worlds
Part 6 (Conclusion)
*****
Vega lay on his bed, hot tears searing a path down his cheeks. What would his father say if he saw him now, sobbing like a baby? Vega didn't care anymore. Today was the day of his arranged mating to the Royal Princess Beruna of Saiya. Today he would become permanently bonded to some snotty, conceited girl he'd never even met instead of the one he loved. Vega knew now for sure that he loved Aperu. Only love could make you hurt inside so bad you wanted to die.
"What am I going to do?" Vega groaned aloud, scrubbing the tears away.
"You should mate Aperu, Vega." Nabana walked over to his bed, handing him a delicate handkerchief. He looked at his younger sister in surprise. For an instant there, he had seen something in her eyes; a wisdom he would never have suspected the girl of possessing. And along with that wisdom, he saw concern. She knew that this was wrong. It didn't take a genius to figure that out. Than what was his excuse? Why was he doing this?
"Nabana? How did you—oh, never mind, I don't want to know." Vega snatched the handkerchief and wiped his eyes furiously, trying to rub out the pain that had stemmed those tears as well as the tears themselves. "I can't mate Aperu, Nabana. You know that. I have to mate someone with power who was born into high blood. I have to mate the Royal Princess Beruna." He reminded her.
"But brother, you don't love her." Nabana protested, the wisdom still in her eyes. "You love Aperu. What will father do if you mate her instead of Beruna? Kill you?" Vega eyed her seriously.
"He might." He replied. Nabana frowned slightly, but then the wisdom melted into a burst of giggles.
"That's the best part, then!" she exclaimed. "It'll be just like a fairy tale, Vega! The handsome prince runs off with a beautiful peasant, defying his evil father's wishes for his true love!" she sighed dreamily, dancing around blissfully.
"Sounds more like one of those trashy romance novels you always read." Vega scoffed. "Besides, you forgot the part where the king hunts the prince down, castrates him, and kills him slowly." Nabana's eyes went wide. "Life isn't just a fairy tale, Nabana."
"That's your opinion, Vega." Nabana and Vega looked up at the handsome young Saiyan male standing casually at Vega's open doorway. "But I always thought life could be whatever you made it." He continued. "Even a fairy tale, or one of Lady Nabana's stories."
"Hello Leturu!" Nabana danced over to him happily. "What are you doing here?"
"Hello Nabana," he grinned at the girl. "I came to see Vega. Do you think I could talk with him alone for a while? He is my brother now, and he's always been my best friend, so I wanted to wish him luck today. Perhaps you want to get dressed for Vega's mate naming ceremony?" Leturu suggested. Nabana's eyes lit up at the thought of dressing up.
"Oh! Thanks, Leturu. I forgot." Nabana smiled brightly as she skipped out of Vega's room, Leturu closing the door behind her.
"So, how long have you been there?" Vega asked once Nabana was gone.
"Long enough to know that in her own quirky way, your sister is right." Leturu walked toward Vega. "Is it true? You're in love with a commoner?"
"Yes." Vega exhaled slowly. "Aperu. She's a wandering orphan from Saiya."
"Sounds like just the type of mate your father would approve of." Leturu commented sarcastically. "So, what are you going to do, Vega?" Vega shook his head miserably.
"I—I just don't know." Vega threw up his hands in defeat.
"Well, I've never had this sort of problem, so I can't speak from experience." Leturu shrugged casually, "But I remember a wise man once told me that love is all that matters. Those were the truest words I've ever known, and I think they apply to this situation as well."
"Leturu, it's more complicated than that!" Vega protested. "I love her so much it hurts. But what good will my forsaking custom be if I can't have her. My father would never give consent, and without his agreement, I cannot mate her."
"Do you really think your father would disown you over your choice in mate after he resorted to an arranged mating just to keep you as his heir?" Leturu asked in a quiet, thoughtful tone. "Some questions have an answer that is so obvious that we overlook it. Don't make the wrong choice because you couldn't see what was right in front of your face."
Vega sat in contemplation for quite some time, letting
Leturu's words sink in before he looked up at his friend. "You're right, Leturu." Vega decided. "I have to be with Aperu, I love her. And if I let her go, I know I'll regret it
for the rest of my life." His voice
wavered with emotion, "I'm running away now. You won't tell on me, will you?"
"I never would." Leturu grinned. "You are my brother now, after all. Plus, I know how you feel. I love Carnada, and our mating is the best thing that ever happened to me. I'd do this and more to help you find that same happiness."
"Thank you so much Leturu." Vega hugged his friend briefly before climbing out his window. "Have fun at my naming." He laughed before disappearing outside.
"Ha!" Leturu laughed to himself. "Go to Vega's mate naming ceremony and watch his father's rage explode when the Royal Prince never shows up? I think I'll just stay home, thank you."
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Beruna scowled in discomfort as a strong lady in waiting cinched the ceremonial red silk gown as tight as she could around the Royal Princess' waist. "Does it need to be this tight?" Beruna gasped. "How am I supposed to breathe, much less speak the ceremonial words in this? I'm afraid I'll burst the seams and rip this thing to shreds."
"Oh, don't do that, Princess Beruna." The lady in waiting advised, eyes wide with horror. "Your mother would likely be furious. This is a very old naming gown. Here, I'll loosen it a bit for you." Beruna nodded, noting the black kanji embroidered around the hem, waist, neck, and on the sleeves. Each was the name of a girl who had worn this gown on the day of her mating. Each represented another piece of her female ancestry. She touched the most recent kanji embroidered on her right sleeve. Her own name, Beruna. On her left sleeve was her mother's name. Though she had never met the majority of the women whose names were on this gown, she could feel their spirits now. She felt the nervousness, the anticipation, even some of the despair that she felt now. All the emotions that were tied to this piece of embroidered silk, this ceremonial garment that was almost as old as the ceremony itself.
This was indeed a special gown, and though she was not eager to mate the Royal Prince Vegeta, Beruna could not help but smile as she saw her own reflection in the large, full-length mirror as her lady in waiting finished re-cinching the waist. How many times, as a much younger girl, had Beruna delicately removed the red silk from it's dark, hardwood box, dreaming as most young girls do about mating a wonderful and handsome male whom she loved? She had often dreamed of wearing the simple, yet elegant gown along with the traditional black silk slippers to her naming ceremony and saying the ceremonial words next to the man she truly wanted to be bonded to.
And now her dream was to come true, except for one detail. It would not be the man she loved standing next to her. It wouldn't even be someone she knew. At least there was no conceivable way she could think of that this Vegeta could be anywhere near as bad as Oniro. That was something good, at least. And although arranged mating was rarely practiced anymore, Beruna knew well that well over half the women who had worn this dress before her had gone through the same antiquated custom as she was now. She wondered how many of them had felt the same pain as she did. She wondered how many had loved a man they knew they would never be mated to. It was depressing, but in a way, it was also heartening. Beruna had their strength behind her. Her family had always felt the weight of power and obligation, and she could feel them sharing it with her. Her burden was theirs as well.
Despite the courage loaned to her from her ancestors, Beruna was nervous as she waited in the hall of the palace for the Royal Prince to arrive so that they might meet for the first time only moments before they would have to walk into the High Council's Meeting Chamber for the naming. Only important mate naming ceremonies came before one of the two Saiyan High Councils (one on Vegeta-sai and one on Saiya), and this was the mating of the Royal Prince of Vegeta-sai to the Royal Princess of Saiya. There could not be a more important combining of powers for the Saiyan race. If Beruna had been mating to anyone of lesser power than a Royal Prince, the naming would have been on Saiya, as she would have been the most powerful of the pair. In fact, there had been some confusion as to where a naming between two heirs to a planet's throne would take place, since it was unprecedented. In the end, they had found a very old law which stated that if two Saiyan nobles of equal rank were to be mated, and they each came from different planets, the ceremony would be held on the home planet of the male Saiyan. Beruna didn't really care one way or the other, though she was secretly glad her parents would be in attendance, as well as her younger sisters. It was somewhat nerve-wracking to stand before eleven old men and await their decision on her fate. But it was unavoidable. All royal family namings took place before a High Council, no matter how important the mate of the royal Saiyan was.
Even if I mated Vega, a peasant, our naming would come before the High Council on Saiya. Only very important aristocrats came before the High Council for their naming if neither was of royal blood. Beruna wondered if Vega would have even known the proper ceremonial protocol for a royal mate naming. But it didn't matter if he did. He wouldn't ever mate her. He didn't want her. Perhaps if he had known who she truly was, of the power he would be given…but would she really want someone to mate her for her title instead of for her? She knew she would have mated Vega even if he only wanted her power, but she would not have ever been happy knowing that he didn't love her, no matter how much she loved him.
Beruna suppressed an ironic smirk. There she was, thinking of how she wanted to mate for love as she stood waiting to mate a man just to get it over and done with. She didn't even care about his power, his title. If Beruna wanted power, she had more than enough of her own, thank you. She just wanted to be done with loving and mating and bonding and all of it. It seemed like a pesky annoyance to her now.
So where was Vegeta? Beruna realized with slight irritation that she had been waiting for Prince Vegeta to meet her for nearly half an hour. For the heir to the throne of Vegeta-sai, this guy wasn't very responsible or prompt. Suddenly, a worried looking woman with the crown of Vegeta-sai on her head exited the High Council Chamber wringing her hands. She cast her worried gaze on Beruna.
"Royal Princess Beruna?" she asked. Beruna curtsied lightly, self consciously touching the elegant circlet she wore to mark her title. "I am Queen Frita of Vegeta-sai, mother of Royal Prince Vegeta."
"Yes My Lady. It is a pleasure to meet you." Beruna spoke sweetly to the kindly seeming queen.
"I'm sure." The queen nodded her head, still wringing her hands worriedly. "Have you seen the Royal Prince Vegeta?"
"Not yet, My Queen. I have been waiting here for quite some time so that we might both appear before the High Council, but it seems that the Royal Prince is having quite a difficulty fitting this ceremony into his schedule." Beruna managed to keep impatience out of her voice. The queen nodded grimly and stopped a passing servant.
"Go and find the Royal Prince at once. Get others to help you." Queen Frita commanded.
"Immediately, Your Highness." The servant bent low in a practiced bow before speeding off.
"Well then, the boy should be here in a matter of minutes now." Queen Frita smiled reassuringly at Beruna, "Hopefully."
"Thank you, my good Queen." Beruna bobbed a gracious curtsy.
"You are well spoken and practiced in etiquette, child." Frita's smile became softer. "You do your parents great honor, and I feel slightly embarrassed that my son chose today, of all days, to disappear. I'm afraid he is a great one for wandering off. Though secretly, I hear that you two have at least that habit in common."
Beruna blushed slightly. She hadn't known the queen would have had time to talk to her own parents about her. "I cannot lie, my Queen." Beruna admitted, "I have a notoriously restless spirit, but I have been trying as of late to take my responsibilities more seriously. It is hard to grow up as royalty, never having some of the simple freedoms of commoners. Perhaps Vegeta and I can help each other remember the value of responsibility."
Frita chuckled softly at that. "To tell you the truth, child, if the King Vegeta would have been late to our naming, I'd have likely gone into a fit. It didn't matter to me how much power he possessed, I would have beat some sense into the man." The Queen smiled fondly, no doubt remembering her own mate naming ceremony. Beruna could not help but giggle lightly at the thought of this kindly woman beating up her mate for not being prompt enough. "Child, why do you intend to mate my son?" Queen Frita asked as Beruna's eyes widened at the unexpected question.
"I…I wish to please my father." Beruna answered, her words barely stumbling over each other.
"What of yourself, child? Have you no wishes of your own? Is there not a man you pine for?" Queen Frita asked in a gentle tone to soften her probing questions. "Do not worry, child. You may speak freely to me."
"There…is a man I wish to mate, my Queen." Beruna bit her lip to hold back tears. It seemed to intensify the pain if she spoke of it, and she didn't really know why she was telling Queen Frita such personal things. "At least, there was. I love him still, but he told me that he does not love me, and that he does not want to be with me."
"Child, we must fight for the things we love." Queen Frita said, "And men may not admit it when they love you. King Vegeta always used to tell me he hated me." The Queen smiled fondly. "Even after I convinced him to name myself as his mate, he claimed that he did not care for me. He said that I was as good as any other female, so he might as well be with me. But I kept with it. I knew that he loved me, no matter what he claimed. And I finally did get him to admit it, but never tell him I told you that." The Queen smiled conspiratorially. "I know this advice may seem like too little, too late, but I don't want you to regret what is to happen today. You can still change your mind, you know. Don't misunderstand me, child. I love my son Vegeta, and he is a wonderful man for any girl to have, but I don't wish unhappiness on anyone, including you."
"My Queen!" a servant ran up to them before Beruna could respond. "The Royal Prince Vegeta is missing."
"Missing?" Queen Frita asked in shock.
"He cannot be found anywhere, My Queen. We have searched the palace and the grounds thoroughly."
"Hmm. Fine time for him to go galavanting about in the market." Queen Frita muttered. She turned to Beruna. "It seems events have been postponed. You may return to your chambers or do as you wish. We will make sure you are informed as soon as the Royal Prince is found, so do not go far." The Queen turned and entered the High Council Chambers as the servant awaited her return. After a few moments of confused silence, Beruna was brought back to reality by the sound of enraged shouting from the High Council Chambers. A rush of Saiyans exited the Chambers quickly just seconds later with frightened looks on their faces.
"Daddy is real mad." One girl informed the now nervous servant. "You should probably leave." The girl was wearing a thin circlet with three gems in the center. That meant she was a Third Princess, then.
"Hello Third Princess." Beruna wished she had taken the time to learn the names of Vegeta-sai's royal family. She was disgusted to realize that her father was right. Studying was important. Somehow, this girl looked vaguely familiar. It was as though Beruna had seen her somewhere before. "I am—"
"Oh, hello Aperu." The lighthearted girl addressed her casually. "Daddy's real mad 'cause Vega is missing, and he's supposed to be here for his naming—" the girl's eyes suddenly went wide. "Wait a second!" Beruna herself was speechless and wide-eyed from what this girl had said, and how she had addressed her.
"How—no, we can't talk here, come with me." Beruna rushed the confused Third Princess down several halls to the guest chambers where she was staying.
"Aperu!" the girl exclaimed once they stopped. "It's me, Nabana!" she smiled brightly.
"Nabana?" Beruna's brow furrowed. Yes, last time she had seen this girl, she had been in shabby street clothes and her hair had been down, but this was definitely the same girl. "Vega's sister? So that's how you know that name—"
"What's going on, Aperu?" Nabana interrupted. "Why are you here, and in that gown like you
are going to mate Vega?"
"Vega? What do you mean?" Beruna cut in. "How is he your brother, he's a peasant."
"No, that's his disguise, so he can spend time with the peasants. Vega's my big brother and he is going to be king someday." Nabana stated proudly.
"But—that means…Vega…is the…Royal Prince…Vegeta?" Beruna's eyes went wide.
"Yeah, we call him Vega for short." Nabana explained. "He's in love with you, you know. But daddy will kill him if he mates a peasant. Plus daddy's on the High Council, so he just wouldn't allow it." She told Beruna solemnly. "I saw him crying today because he has to mate some Princess lady instead. I guess since he's going to be twenty in a week, Daddy said that if Vega couldn't find a mate, he'd find one for him." Nabana paused in her chattering as she again noticed Beruna's circlet. "That…where'd you get that?"
"Nabana, I am the Royal Princess Beruna of the planet Saiya." Beruna curtsied formally as Nabana gaped. "I love to travel, you see. But it is hard to be treated normally when you are a princess. So I've been 'Aperu' for nearly ten years. My likeness aren't very well known, and as you know, I can manage to act and look like a peasant quite well when I want to."
"So…you…and Vega." Nabana's mouth formed an o as Beruna nodded. "Well then, go find him and tell him, silly. And bring him back fast. Daddy won't calm down until he knows where Vega is."
"All right, but I think I'll change first." Beruna chuckled lightly at Nabana's impatient behavior. She was giddy for the first time in days as she changed quickly. Vega loved her! Not only that, no one would oppose their mating. "Except Oniro. Ha!" Beruna breathed before glancing in a mirror and almost running to the market place.
"Guvara!" Beruna screeched to a halt, panting slightly once she had reached the familiar stand. "Vega. Have you seen him?" she managed between gasps for breath.
"Oh, hello Aperu, dear." Guvara leaned forward confidentially. "Now, I'll tell you a secret. I did see him, not two hours ago, looking miserable as can be. He was headed down that way." Guvara pointed.
"Thank you so much Guvara." Beruna smiled brilliantly. "I swear, you are definitely invited to the naming if we ever get to have one." Beruna rushed off.
"That'd be nice Princess." The old woman's face crinkled into a smile as she watched Beruna run off. "You and Prince Vegeta are a lovely couple." Guvara chuckled knowingly. She may be old, but she was still very clever.
----------
Beruna watched Kiwan Rock as she rested on a bench. She had discovered quickly that running was not an effective mode of search. She would get up again soon, and walk. But now she needed some rest.
"Has anyone ever told you the full story of Kiwan Rock?" a familiar voice reached her. She forced herself not to turn around, but shook her head no.
"It's a wonderful story." The voice continued pleasantly. "Many, many years ago, the Royal Prince of Vegeta-sai fell in love with a peasant woman. But his father wouldn't have it. A peasant becoming queen? It was unheard of. But the Prince loved her, so he mated her anyway. Their naming ceremony was done with a High Council member, one of the Prince's closest friends, right on that rock. He wanted to show everyone that she was the one he loved, no matter what they thought. His father was angry, but he did not disown his son. He even allowed the naming ceremony to be done officially before the entire High Council. So when the prince became king, he had the rock surrounded in flowers and he named it after his dear queen, Kiwan." The voice paused. "It reminds others that love overcomes all, and should never be ignored or denied." There was a long pause.
"That is a very sweet story. But not all people can be as brave as the Prince." Beruna commented finally. Her eyes went wide as she heard a stifled sob.
"I'm so sorry Aperu. I never should have lied to you. I do care for you. I love you. But I'm just not that brave—" he stopped as Beruna stood, whirling around to face him.
"Vega, please." She pulled out a handkerchief, pulling him around the bench so he stood right next to her. She dabbed softly at the tears on his face. "Don't cry. I don't want for you to cry. I know who you are and why you did what you did, young Prince. I forgive you, since at least you didn't go so far as to go through with that arranged mating. In the end, it seems we both chose love"
"But…how?" he stammered. Beruna pulled him into a long, loving kiss. When they broke, Beruna brought herself close to his ear.
"Because, dear Prince…" she stood back, curtsying as though meeting him for the first time. "I am Beruna, Royal Princess of Saiya. I am so pleased to meet you." She smiled sweetly.
"You…" his eyes were nearly popping out of their sockets. "But this means…how?"
"Save the questions. I'll explain on the way." Beruna waved her hand dismissively. "I'm in dire need of an escort to the palace. You see, I am to be mated today, and I am dreadfully late." She held out her arm expectantly and finally, Vega took it, gathering himself.
"I will escort you, My Lady." He played along. "You see, I also have business at the palace."
"Oh?" she raised an amused eyebrow. "What a lovely coincidence that is. I will tell you a story of my own on the way."
----------
"Nervous?" Vega asked Beruna a few hours later as they stood together outside the High Council's Meeting Chambers.
"No, just wondering how many times I'll have to get into this gown today." She teased. Vega kissed her cheek and squeezed her hand firmly.
"This will be the last time, I'm almost positive." He chuckled. "Besides, it looks a lot more comfortable than this." He gestured to the ceremonial uniform he wore.
"Maybe, but I think you look handsome." Beruna smiled mischievously.
"And you are always beautiful, dear Ap—Beruna." He laughed at his mistake. "This will take some getting used to."
"We'll have plenty of time. Just don't forget my name when we're in there." Beruna teased.
"Ready?" Vega asked.
"I've been ready all day. Let's go." They opened the doors, entering simultaneously to symbolically show the equality between them. Eyes staring straight ahead, they walked to the platform placed before the High Council. The couple could feel the eyes of their friends and family on them as they stood together in front of Vegeta-sai's High Council.
"Who comes before the High Council?" came King Vegeta's sharp voice. He was obviously still a bit angry about Vega's earlier disappearance.
"I am Vegeta, Royal Prince of Vegeta-sai, first son of Vegeta, King of Vegeta-sai; and Frita, Queen of Vegeta-sai." Vega only looked slightly annoyed at having to tell his father something he obviously already knew.
"I am Beruna, Royal Princess of Saiya, first daughter of Saiya, King of Saiya; and Efuda, Queen of Saiya." Beruna spoke regally.
"We stand together as equals before the High Council." The recited the words together.
"I name Beruna, Royal Princess of Saiya, as my mate. We shall be bonded and live together until death. I will be a strong mate. I will give Beruna many children. I will make sure that each child we share is powerful and well trained. I will be wise as well. I will protect my mate and die for her if need be." Vega spoke the words in a sincere, loving tone. He squeezed Beruna's hand gently when he finished.
"I name Vegeta, Royal Prince of Vegeta-sai, as my mate. We shall be bonded and live together until death. I will be a wise mate. I will bear Vegeta many children. I will make sure that each child we share is wise and well learned. I will be strong as well. I will protect my mate and die for him if need be." Beruna felt tears well up in her eyes as she spoke the words her heart knew so well.
"We will live for each other and one will never abandon the other. We name each other as life mates, to be bonded until death." Beruna and Vega finished simultaneously. There was a long pause as the angry King eyed the couple speculatively.
"Does anyone object to this mating?" King Vegeta finally spoke. Beruna held her breath and prayed to Kami that Oniro was not there.
Silence.
"Does the High Council approve?" King Vegeta asked, still glaring at Vega.
"We approve." Ten voices spoke at the same time.
"Then it is left to me." King Vegeta smirked. Vega began to feel nervous sweat bead up on his forehead. He smiled when Beruna squeezed his had reassuringly. But Vega had a sinking feeling he was in for an interrogation.
"Prince Vegeta, were you not missing earlier today?" King Vegeta asked.
"I was unaccounted for, My King." Vega used all of his willpower not to groan or roll his eyes in irritation. His father raised his eyebrows expectantly. "I was in the marketplace looking for the woman I loved, Your Highness."
"So you did have a mate in mind besides the Princess Beruna." The King nodded knowingly. "Why did you not bring her back here and name her as your mate?"
"I did, Your Majesty." Vega replied.
"Explain." Vegeta demanded.
"You see, I often spend time disguised as a peasant down in the marketplace. One day, I met a lovely peasant girl named Aperu, and I fell in love with her. I knew I could not gain your approval for a mate of common blood, so I tried to simply leave her behind and do what you wanted. Before the ceremony today, I realized what a fool I was, so I went down to the marketplace to search for her. It took me some time to find her, because it turns out that Aperu was Princess Beruna all that time. Once we talked out our problems, we came back here, happy that we could please our parents and be happy ourselves at the same time." Vega explained. "I love the Princess Beruna, Your Highness."
"Hmph." King Vegeta sneered in disgust. "I recall you saying you were strong."
"I did say I was strong, Your Majesty." Vega indignantly faced the King. "I am. And Princess Beruna has not taken from that strength. My love for her has not made me weak. I believe that our love has given me strength I never had before. She does not complete me. I am my own person. Instead, she adds to me. She makes me wish I could one day deserve her love. And that makes me a better man. A stronger man, because I love her." Vega felt a knot in his throat as he saw out of the corner of his eye that silent tears were sliding down Beruna's face. He wanted to hold her, kiss her, and make the crying stop. But he didn't want to cause any more trouble for the two of them, so he settled for squeezing her hand and interweaving his fingers with her own.
"Hmph." King Vegeta grunted. "Very well, I approve. Beruna and Vegeta are now life mates. It has been said and witnessed. This Council is dismissed." King Vegeta rose and went out the back exit. As soon as he was gone, Vega turned and swept Beruna up in his arms. He spun around and kissed her as she wrapped her arms around his neck, laughing happily even as tears streamed down her face. He set her down and brushed the tears away gently with his thumb.
"I meant everything I said, Beruna." He told her, brushing his fingers through her hair.
"So did I. I love you Vega." She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him and he pulled her close, deepening the kiss.
"Wow, how do you breathe?" a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Hello Nabana." Beruna leaned her head against Vega's chest.
"Hi, you two!" Nabana greeted them happily.
"Normally, I'd be upset that you interrupted, but I'm feeling very happy and forgiving right now." Vega laughed.
"You look so happy." Nabana clasped her hands together. "You're finally mated." Nabana suddenly giggled. "Well, you will be. After you…you know." Nabana flushed deep red, turning to leave suddenly as Vega and Beruna laughed.
"So, Vega." Beruna propped her chin on Vega's chest. "Are you ready to, um, finish things up?" Vega blushed as Beruna raised a mischievous eyebrow.
"Sure." He kissed the tip of her nose lightly. "Let's go."
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"Vega, can you hold the baby for a second?" Beruna asked him three years later as they sat next to each other in the High Council's Meeting Chambers. "I need to fix Aperu's circlet, she keeps playing with it."
"No problem." Vega took his second child from his mate. "Hello, Vegeta." He spoke to his chubby son who was barely three months old. "Are you being a good boy for your mommy?" the baby giggled in delight and Vega smiled warmly.
"So," Beruna turned back from fixing their daughter's tiny, bejeweled circlet. "Are you nervous?"
"A little bit. I just didn't think this day would ever come." Vega answered as the doors opened. He handed the baby back to Beruna. "Let's be quiet, it's starting." Just then, two people entered the Chambers at the same time, donning the traditional garb for a mate naming ceremony.
"Who comes before the High Council?" King Vegeta asked, almost gently. It was no secret that he was about to give away his favorite child.
"I am Tomashe, second advisor in the Council of Royal Prince Vegeta of Vegeta-sai, first son of Broccilo, fifth seat on the High Council of Vegeta-sai; and Orangue, first Healer to the royal family of Vegeta-sai." Tomashe answered, obviously delighted with himself.
"I am Nabana, Third Princess of Vegeta-sai, third daughter of Vegeta, King of Vegeta-sai; and Frita, Queen of Vegeta-sai." Nabana was obviously on the verge of nervous giggles.
"We stand together as equals before the High Council." Nabana and Tomashe recited together. As the ceremony continued, Vega could not help but remember his own mate naming ceremony. It was so odd at the time that they had ended up together after all they had gone through. Sometimes Vega wondered if Beruna would have agreed to the arranged mating if they had never met, if she had not been broken-hearted. And if so, would they still love each other as much as they did now? It didn't matter though. They were together now, and he loved her more than anything. He couldn't imagine life without his darling Beruna, not to mention their two babies, Aperu and Vegeta. Vega wondered how long it would be before Beruna would want another. He didn't press the subject, as there was already an heir to at least Vegeta-sai's throne, and they had plenty of time to have more children. Vega's father's sharp voice brought his attention back to the ceremony.
"Are there any objections?" Vegeta asked, glaring at everyone as though daring them to challenge his baby girl's decision. Silence prevailed.
"Does the High Council approve?" King Vegeta asked.
"We approve." Ten voices spoke in unison, and for a moment, Vegeta smiled down at Nabana warmly.
"I also approve." Vegeta nodded, "Nabana and Tomashe are now life mates. It has been said and witnessed. This Council is dismissed." Nabana squealed and Tomashe kissed her lovingly as the King left.
"How do you two breathe?" Vega asked as they stood together. He couldn't resist. Nabana laughed at his teasing.
"That was a lovely ceremony." Beruna joined them, two children in tow. Aperu demanded a hug of her Aunt Nabana.
"Your dress is so so pretty." Aperu told Nabana knowingly.
"I know, but I'm very jealous of yours, Aperu." Nabana giggled in a girlish fashion, kissing her niece's cheek before setting her down. "Now if you'll all excuse us, I believe Tomashe and I have some business to attend to." Tomashe's giggle was almost as girly as his mate's as they left.
"Well, I must say, I never expected my little sister to settle on one guy." Vega admitted as they left. "And Tomashe always seemed a little…oh…never mind." Vega blushed.
"Oh Vega," Beruna smiled at him, "I love you so much. I never dreamt I'd be this happy." She hugged baby Vegeta to her in a maternal fashion.
"You make me happy, Beruna." Vega leaned around the baby to kiss his mate firmly on the lips. It still amazed him every time they kissed, how thick the love felt. How could he have ever considered living without her? She was his whole world, and he wouldn't have it any other way.
*****
***The End***