Of Two Hearts
Chapter 19: A Persistent Heart
There were relationships formed and destroyed, forgotten and renewed in the course of two years. Hate, jealousy and bitterness clutched the hearts of the deceived, perishing their souls into the oblivion they created. There was love and war under the cherry blossoms.
The seasons change, and hearts changed. All hearts except for one had changed.
The Ox-King had been adamant in his thoughts: he would do anything to keep his daughter away from the vile youth, Son Goku. In this, he did not change. He had his own reasons before and after he had fallen under the influence of Piccolo's mind control.
He was even more stubborn in not giving his daughter away to the one man she really cared for. Yesterday's events were the situations he hoped would pull this through once and for all.
Flashback
The shogun Tachihama Hyuki stormed across the fields and down the hallways of the Ox-King's castle, ready to present himself and his story to the emperor. He humbly stood at the doorway of the Throne Room, his head bowed.
Soon enough, the Ox-King caught sight of him. "What's the matter?"
Hyuki stepped towards him and then knelt before him. "I apologize for intruding, but I have news that I think will interest you." The Ox-King nodded at him as a sign to proceed. Hyuki looked up at him, solemn.
"I have word of an affair between your daughter and the boy you despise, Son Goku. My youngest child, Talim, has witnessed this and I believe her. This affair is despicable, my lord. Your daughter belongs to another man and she is sharing intimacy with a lowly being, who I am sure you will exterminate."
The Ox-King's hands clutched the armrests of his throne tightly, and his face grew red with anger. He knew the samurai don't lie, due to bushido, and hearing this news enraged him even further. What did he have to do to make Goku understand that he wanted him nowhere near his daughter?
"If what you say is true," the Ox-King started, slow and solemn. "I want you to gather some of the samurai, and have Goku brought to me immediately."
Hyuki bowed quickly and then rushed to the quarters, pounding on two doors, urging the samurai to come out. When they were told of the Ox-King's order, the samurai became serious and grabbed their swords, unsheathing them as they were on their way to Chi-Chi's tower.
But they didn't make it there. They saw Goku stepping off the Nimbus on the ground, below Chi-Chi's tower. Apparently, he had already ended his visit with Chi-Chi and was off to go somewhere else. However, the samurai had different plans for him.
"Halt, you criminal!" one shouted at Goku, stopping him in his tracks.
Confused, Goku stood where he was and watched the angry samurai run to him. What had he done now? The samurai stopped in front of Goku, forming a circle around him so he couldn't get away. One samurai unsheathed his sword and aimed its sharp tip at Goku's throat.
"Don't make this hard," he said. "Just don't say anything and come with us. The emperor wants a word with you and I hope he tells you more than your atrocity, you horrible criminal."
Still confused, Goku raised his hands in surrender and one samurai tied Goku's hands together with a thick cord. He left some dangling so he could grab it and pull Goku along. Another samurai behind Goku still held the sword at his neck, and he wouldn't hesitate to drive through if Goku stopped walking.
Goku glanced behind him, seeing the bright gleam of the sword, and he had to suppress a chuckle, even a smile. Didn't they know he could defeat them in one hit?
However, he still walked with them to the Ox-King, seeing what he wanted now.
It did not sound good.
When they all came before the Ox-King, the same samurai put his sword away, and the samurai without his sword yanked the cord to make Goku fall on his knees. "He is here, Sire," he said venomously.
The Ox-King snorted and then snapped, "Look at me, boy!"
Goku lifted his head up, and his confused eyes met the furious eyes of the Ox-King. His entire face showed his extreme anger, and his grip on the armrests tightened even more. "You thought you could get away, didn't you?" he hissed at Goku.
"Get away with what?" Goku asked.
Suddenly, he flinched as he felt the sharp sting of a slap. The samurai who held him down pulled his open hand away from Goku's cheek and clenched it into a fist. "Next time, it'll be a punch! Show some respect to His Highness!"
Goku glanced up at the samurai's face, covered with superiority and sternness. Then he looked back at the Ox-King. "I'm sincerely lost, sir. I have no idea what I've done to make everyone so upset."
"Oh, you don't, do you?" the Ox-King said sarcastically. "You're completely lost? Doesn't intimate relations with my daughter ring a bell?" Goku's confusion was replaced with thoughtfulness. "Chi-Chi? What do you mean by that? I was trying to do what you told me to."
The Ox-King growled. "You fool! I asked you to find the cure for her illness! Instead, I hear you've been getting intimate with my daughter, as if you were allowed to be in the same room as her! What in the devil's name did you think you were doing?!"
Goku just stared back in confusion.
"What a despicable being he is, Great One," the samurai said. "Such a vile creature should be executed at once."
"Hmph," the Ox-King snorted, disappointed. "I would, but if I killed Goku, he would not find the cure for my Chi-Chi, and she will die. And if she dies, I will definitely kill Goku."
He glared at Goku now. "You hear that? I'm not going to kill you. But you are sentenced to spend the rest of your life in the dungeon. You will only emerge from the cell when I ask for you."
Goku shook his head. "Sir, could you explain to me what I did exactly to deserve this? I was only trying to-"
The weaponless samurai who held him down punched the back of his head. "What did I tell you? Shut up!" He looked up at the Ox-King and nodded. "To the dungeon I will take him, Great One."
He yanked Goku to his feet and began to walk down the hallways to the dungeon, but Goku resisted, struggling. "Wait a minute! Nothing's making sense! Tell me what I did!"
"Oh, shut up!" the second samurai cried, swinging at the back of Goku's head with his sword's sheath and hilt, with all his strength. He frowned when he saw Goku's body go limp.
"Oops… I only meant to stun him. Oh well."
The first samurai sighed, scooped up Goku, and slung him over his shoulder. "Just come with me."
Flashback Ends
The silver moon was shining in the midnight sky when Goku awoke. His eyes were still closed, but he grimaced at the cold, cement pavement pressed against his cheek. He groaned as he slowly opened his eyes, expecting bright sunlight. Instead, silver paths of moonlight lit up the spacious area he had yet to recognize.
Sitting up, and then groaning loudly at his throbbing headache, he wearily looked around. His eyes squinted in suspicion.
The dungeon was extremely large, dark, and cold, but it wasn't lonely. Goku could see shadows and sleeping forms of other prisoners. He could hear the scratching and squeaking of scurrying rats. The dungeon also never appeared to have been cleaned, as dust accumulated on the floors, and the wooden beams above serving as windows, were decrepit. The whole dungeon was a big hole in the ground.
The entrance/exit was high above, and was a row of steel bars, like a vent. The only way to get out was to be tossed a rope from above. Goku guessed he had passed out from being thrown from high above.
Then he checked his body for any bruises or broken bones. No, just a massive headache.
Goku leaned against the stone wall, and sighed. How'd I end up in this mess? He thought. The last thing he remembered was telling Chi-Chi goodbye, and then there were some angry men, but…
Goku grimaced again, rubbing his temples. It hurt to think about it. It hurt to even be awake. Alone in his corner, cold and lonesome, Goku curled into a ball and rested his head against the floor.
He resumed his position and closed his eyes, trying to get some sleep. He hoped the other prisoners wouldn't rob him and that the rats would not come.
Rays of the morning sun awoke Chi-Chi from her pleasant dream of Goku. She turned over and stretched her limbs before opening her eyes to the golden shine of the sun. However, before she opened her eyes, she heard a voice speak to her.
"Good morning, my love," it said soothingly.
My love?!
Chi-Chi bolted upright in bed, and she saw a young man smiling at her, standing at her bedside. He looked to be a rich visitor of importance, with his fancy clothes. But Chi-Chi didn't care about that. A stranger was in her room!
"OTOUSAN!!"
The young man was surprised to hear Chi-Chi scream, and he covered his ears. He shook his head at Chi-Chi and tried to hush her, but she called for the Ox-King several more times before she stopped screaming. She brought her blanket up to her chest and backed away from the stranger as far as possible.
"Who are you? What in Kami's name are you doing here?" she spat.
Before the young man could answer, the Ox-King burst through the door, alert and cautious. "What is it? Did you… Oh, it's only you, Lee."
The young man nodded at the mention of his name, but Chi-Chi was even more shocked. "Only Lee? Excuse me, but explain what's happening!"
The Ox-King smiled cheerfully and was about to speak, but Lee shook his head at him, telling him he would speak instead. He looked at Chi-Chi apologetically. "I'm afraid we've come across on bad terms, Chi-Chi. I'll introduce myself."
"Yes, please," Chi-Chi shot back, looking at the too-happy faces of her father and the young man.
The young man continued, "I'm Lee Hwang Jo, Prince of Korea. I've received a letter from your father, saying the time for his lovely daughter to be wed was now, and that a suitable prince was needed. And he's right. You are lovely."
Chi-Chi crossed her arms, unimpressed.
Lee continued, "So I've come to take the tests so I may have your hand. If you'll be patient for a little while longer, and allow me to train, I'll be your husband."
"No, you won't," Chi-Chi protested. "You wasted your time coming here. I'm already taken."
Lee's eyes had a curious hint to them. "You mean you love someone else? But your father-"
"He doesn't care about my happiness," Chi-Chi cut him off. "All he wants is a grandson and money. If he ever-"
"Chi-Chi!" the Ox-King interrupted angrily. "You won't have another say in this!"
He turned toward Lee. "I apologize for my daughter's behavior. It appears she and I have a few more issues to work out," he said, glaring at Chi-Chi. He sighed. "If you'll wait downstairs, Lee, I'll meet you there in a few minutes."
Lee bowed and left, and once the coast was clear, the Ox-King glared at Chi-Chi again.
"What?" she shot back, giving him the same amount of disapproval, though she voiced hers.
The Ox-King sighed sharply. "Chi-Chi, what is the matter with you? Do you want to make us look bad? I'm doing my best to provide you a good husband, and here you are already booting him out the door!"
Chi-Chi looked at him, annoyed. "You know why. I don't love him, just like every other suitor."
The Ox-King growled. Why was his daughter acting like such a rebellious, stubborn teenager? Well, technically, she is; she would turn twenty this year, but the Ox-King thought the terrible years of adolescence were over.
"Look, Chi-Chi. Lee is a good boy, only a year older than you. He's an intelligent, rich prince, and he traveled all the way from Korea to see you, to try to start his life with you. You of all girls in the world. He picked you over all the beautiful girls who loved him back in Korea. He is good looking, you know."
"I don't care," Chi-Chi replied. "First of all, you didn't ask me how I felt, although you never do. Secondly, I really don't think waking up to a stranger saying, 'my love' is a good impression on a girl."
The Ox-King sweatdropped. "Well, I warned him not to come upstairs until you had come downstairs, but he was too eager to see his bride. But you see? He's willing to try to live life alongside you. He has a good heart."
"So what?" Chi-Chi said, annoyed. "And I'm not his bride."
This time the Ox-King was annoyed too. "Hush your mouth, girl. That tongue will get you into worse trouble someday. Now wash up. You must watch for the prince's hand."
He left and Chi-Chi sighed, lifting her head up and closing her eyes. "Damn," she whispered. Here it goes again. Now she must prepare herself to look her best, watch her suitor take his tests and if the results were satisfactory, she would give her consent on marriage.
Of course, both Chi-Chi and the Ox-King knew the answer was going to be no. But the Ox-King thought if he could bring just one prince that would appeal to Chi-Chi in the slightest, she would give up on Goku.
Morning came once again, this time it was much better than the last. Goku still awoke to the sturdy, cement floor of the dungeon, and he felt a glow of warmth on his body from the sun. He sat up, yawning, and then immediately, his stomach growled loudly.
He placed a hand on it, hoping to calm it down. The other prisoners heard the growl and felt the slight rumble. Goku knew the chances of him getting some food were slim and he knew if he wanted some food, he would have to get out of here.
Goku looked around, and saw the windows. The wooden beams in the stone cutaway would be easy to smash, if one could get up there. Goku certainly could, but a flying man didn't look right…
Goku sighed, wishing the other prisoners were asleep. He knew that the windows were his only escapes. He could see blades of grass swaying by the windows, and knew that this prison was underground.
If it weren't for his abilities and unknown Saiyan instincts, he would be as hopeless as the other prisoners, who had probably been here for years.
Suddenly, the sound of squeaking iron gates echoed through the dungeon. From above, a guard was holding a scrap of meat, a wicked smile on his face. "Good morning, maggots. Hoping for a lick of this here meat, huh? Well, there are seven of you and-"
He looked at the piece of meat in his hands, watching the juices drip off it and fall into the dungeon, where several men fought for the juice.
"One piece of meat… Who will get it? Whoever doesn't die trying," the guard finished and then laughed. He dropped it in the dungeon and closed the gates. "Enjoy, maggots." He walked away.
Goku did not fight for the meat. Watching the other men hurt each other for it disgusted him, and he would not take part in that. Instead, he turned and looked up at the window.
Even if he could smash the wooden beams, the cutaway was only big enough for a small child to slide through. He would have to use an energy attack to make the cutaway bigger.
Then again, that wasn't normal either.
Even so, Goku had plans to escape. He wasn't going to let some stupid sentence determine his fate. No way was he going to spend the rest of his life in this dumb prison. There was so much to do in the outside world, and that was where Chi-Chi was.
She was his sole reason for escaping. Nothing else.
There were difficult times in the Ox-King's kingdom. He had written letters to kings of other countries, asking their sons to see if they would like to marry Chi-Chi. Ruling a large country, wealth and a beautiful girl appealed to many princes and they replied to the letters, which disgusted Chi-Chi.
She felt degraded, as if she were nothing more than someone to sleep with. She did not voice these thoughts directly to her father, but she had revenge in her own way. Every prince that came for her hand faced Chi-Chi's rejection.
Good, handsome princes from many countries like Germany, Russia, Spain, France, and Italy all came for Chi-Chi, but she was not flattered. She cast them all away.
This upset the Ox-King, and he would ask why Chi-Chi would be so cruel to the princes. She refused to talk to them, even look them in the eye, and became isolate during their visits.
She watched them take their tests, and frown at their results, even if they were enough to make a good record. The suitable princes still were of no interest to Chi-Chi. If her determination didn't warn them off, her rejection drove them away.
Months and months and months continued on like this, and soon the Ox-King saw the reason behind Chi-Chi's actions. She still had a tight grip on Goku, not physically, but in her heart, she was his and he was hers.
The Ox-King remembered one night very well when she had emphasized this.
Flashback
Chi-Chi sat in her bedchamber, in front of the reflective, metal bowl that was hoisted on a wicker stand. She was brushing her hair, and was clad in her night kimono. She was humming a quiet tune to herself before she glanced at the bowl to see someone standing in her doorway.
'Kami, what now?' she thought, and sighed, turning around to greet her visitor.
It was one of the weary princes. "What is it, Miyato?" she said. "Can't you see I'm busy?"
Miyato bowed slightly, apologetically. "I'm sorry to interrupt you, madam, but I'd like to have a word with you."
"I'm listening," Chi-Chi said, turning back around and resumed brushing her hair.
But Miyato mused lowly, "Uhh… I meant outside, where we could be alone."
'Of course,' Chi-Chi thought sarcastically, and stood up. "You have five minutes."
She walked past him and passed the large form of the Ox-King in the hallway. "Don't act this way. This is for your own good. Miyato will have something good to say."
Chi-Chi ignored this and walked out to the main entrance of the castle, Miyato following closely behind. He stopped behind Chi-Chi when she stopped in the garden. Sitting on the bench, she looked up at him. "Talk."
Miyato clasped his hands together and breathed slowly, trying to contain his happiness. "Well, I have some good news for you, Chi-Chi. From my visit here, and from my results from the test, I've passed and well…"
He smiled at her. "If you'll say yes, I will take you as my bride."
Chi-Chi feigned surprise as she raised her eyebrows. "Really now?" she asked and sighed. "It's such a shame you've come all this way, and now I'm going to have let you down."
Miyato frowned. "What does that mean?"
"There's another man," Chi-Chi said, picking a buttercup from the garden and twirling the stem in her fingers. "There's another man I've been promised to have."
Miyato frowned again, displeased. "What? No one ever told me that! Is it true?"
Chi-Chi nodded. "He's the only one my heart longs for. I often dream of him and fantasize of the day I will become his."
Miyato looked away, and Chi-Chi knew he was concerned. "Well, this is new," he said, frustrated. "I didn't know it was like that."
"Well, you've never loved anyone so deeply, not even me," Chi-Chi explained. "It's somehow different for me. A lot of things happen when you have deep feelings for someone."
Miyato gulped. "Deep?"
Chi-Chi resisted a glance at his worrisome face. "Yes… I can't explain it very well, but all I know is the man that has been promised to me is the only one who can make me feel this way. It's a strange state… To be truly, madly and deeply in love with a man…"
"That's it!" Miyato sighed, exasperated. "I slaved my tail off for nothing. There's no point in trying to have your hand when you're obviously another man's! Why did I have to get lied to? Sheesh."
He stormed away from the garden and got out his horse that was sleeping in the fields. He slapped it on the rump. "Wake up! We're going home!" The horse gave an unappreciative groan as it was mounted and forced to travel through the night.
Chi-Chi didn't see Miyato ride off into the distance, as she stood up and began to walk back to her bedchamber. She passed the Ox-King in the hallway again, and it was apparent he was waiting for her.
"Where is Miyato?" he growled, noticing the calm look on her face.
She did not answer, and the Ox-King sighed. "Not again! You warned him off! Why do you do this to every prince I send for you? Do you enjoy tormenting me?"
Chi-Chi smiled an artificial smile, full of empathy. "Interesting you should ask that. Do you see how I feel everyday?"
The Ox-King seemed baffled for a moment. "No, you didn't plan this, did you?"
Chi-Chi shook her head. "No. I'm just glad you finally understand how I feel. Sympathy can never grasp empathy's meaning. I already told you why I don't want these princes."
The Ox-King snorted. "Why don't you ever take the good things that come to you? Do you know how many girls would die to be in your place, to become one of these princes' wives?"
"I don't care," Chi-Chi said quickly. "You always say that, but I don't care. I'm not like them. They aren't like me."
"You mean, they're not as stubborn as you are when it comes to that brat, Goku."
Chi-Chi sighed, annoyed. "Why do you hate him? Good Kami, he hasn't done anything. I don't know why he's your enemy, but this is all so stupid. You know that I love him, yet you torment me in many ways by hurting him."
She looked into his eyes, determined now. "You can do whatever you want, if you enjoy bringing pain to me. You can keep Goku in prison for life, exile him, lock me up, and force me to marry a damned prince. Whatever you want…
"But as long as I live, you will never destroy the love I have for him in my heart. That's the one thing you cannot take away from me. That's the one thing I fight for, and will die for, and if you must kill me to obtain YOUR happiness, then do it."
The Ox-King was about to speak, but Chi-Chi went into her bedchamber and shut the door behind her. She left the Ox-King with some new things to think about…
Flashback Ends
The Ox-King had many restless nights after that one. All he could think about was what Chi-Chi had said to him. Like a persistent ghost, her words continued to haunt him. Why would she say for him to kill her for his happiness? Was he really being selfish?
The Ox-King shook his head fiercely. No way. This was for her own good, he kept telling her. It was only lawful that a princess should marry and bear an heir to the throne. It was natural. Why would she try to stop it?
The Ox-King was confused. Couldn't she just settle for one of the many appealing princes? Why, oh why did it have to be Goku? He still didn't get why Chi-Chi loved him. He sighed.
He couldn't believe he was in a war with and against his own daughter. He told her once before that fighting would be pointless, but she did not listen. Therefore, the Ox-King was going to have to reinforce some hard rules to get her to see that he was the victor.
The old year had passed away, and the new year had come. The worries and cares of the troubled people had left them as they made the annual visits to the shrines to pray. The civilians prayed for the gods' blessings for their lives in the new year.
In the Ox-King's palace, there were preparations for a celebration. Two of the largest rooms were emptied to hold the party.
The Ox-King had to force his way through the crowd of working servants. He was leaving to go find Chi-Chi. He had told her to draw the water from the spring outside to warm it up for the sake that was to be drunk.
Just as the Ox-King reached for the handle of the door leading out back, the door opened and Chi-Chi came in with two buckets filled to the brim with the spring's clear, fresh water.
She glanced up at him, and the Ox-King took the buckets from her, smiling. "Thank you. Why don't you go off to your chamber now?" Chi-Chi shrugged and found the flight of stairs leading to the upper floors. She had a feeling that her father was hiding something…
Chi-Chi opened the door to her bedchamber and glanced around quickly. Why did Ox-King want her to be here? Suddenly, Chi-Chi's eyes widened as her eyes caught sight of something lying on her bed. She walked over to it, and gasped softly with delight.
There was a beautiful dress lying on the bed, its satin material draping off the end of it. There was a pair of silver heels on the floor, and white ballroom gloves by the arms of the dress. Above it, there was a billowy, white flower to be worn in the hair.
Chi-Chi stared at it in awe. She had never seen anything like it.
"You like it, huh?" a new voice asked. "I knew you would."
Chi-Chi turned to see the Ox-King standing at her doorway, smiling. "Put it on and meet me downstairs," he told her and then shut the door. Speechless, all Chi-Chi could do was obey. She took off her kimono, tabi, and zori and picked up the dress, holding it against her.
She was sure the dress was the right size, and the delicate shade of blue with white floral designs sewn into the dress, was perfect. She put it on slowly, feeling the soft satin material slide over her skin.
It felt strange, but it was so pretty. She thought something was wrong when the dress had an open front, but it only showed her shoulders and nothing else. Next, Chi-Chi reached for the silver heels and examined them carefully.
They seemed strange too, but Chi-Chi put them on and stood up, only to wobble and grab the bed for support. Okay, this was weird. This was nothing like the flat, straw zori she wore and the soft tabi. Still, walking in heels wouldn't be so bad…
Chi-Chi took the ballroom gloves and wore them, looking over them. They, too, were very soft, much like the white flower she reached for next. Chi-Chi tucked it behind her ear, and thought the bright color of the flower would look good against her dark hair.
Lastly, she took the silk ribbon out of her hair, letting it down. She wished she could see how she looked. She didn't know how she looked in foreign attire. She knew for sure that none of what she was wearing was Japanese. It was nothing like the silk kimonos and things she would usually wear.
Chi-Chi wondered where in the world the could have ever obtained such expensive clothes and accessories. Well, she was going downstairs to meet him, and she planned to ask him then. Going down the stairs, she could hear the commotion of a happy crowd, and knew that the New Year's party had begun.
When she arrived downstairs, Chi-Chi was surprised at how many people had come to the party. The room was almost nearly crowded, which is why there were two rooms. Bright light from a glowing chandelier above splashed onto the room. Lively music was being played from musicians in the corners. The people laughed and talked happily.
Chi-Chi looked around for the Ox-King, but she didn't spot him or hear his voice. She passed through the crowd in search of him, but the people were restless and not very careful, sending Chi-Chi out of her path and pinned against the wall.
Chi-Chi turned away from a drunken man wobbling her way, and she slid down farther on the wall, only to be encountered by another man.
"Heh, you can barely move, huh? I'm surprised there's breathing room," he chuckled.
Chi-Chi glanced up at him, nodding, and then noticed he was smiling at her a little too happily. A strange aura came from this person, and Chi-Chi became uncomfortable, suddenly. She found an open space in between the crowd and scooted in, still in search of her father.
Still, it was no luck. Chi-Chi could not find the Ox-King. She was about to give up before she heard a recognizable laugh. She spun around, but her heart sank as she saw it was just an ordinary man and his friends, laughing with the suspicious stranger.
Chi-Chi raised an eyebrow, confused. It wasn't just a few men crowded around the stranger. Lots of people were huddling close to him. Hmm, that's strange, Chi-Chi thought, absentmindedly. I wonder why I never noticed such a popular person before…whoever he is.
The popular stranger looked up from laughing with his friends suddenly, and his eyes met Chi-Chi's. He saw her turn away quickly, and he smiled wistfully. Why was the pretty girl so far away? He slipped away from the people surrounding him, but Chi-Chi didn't notice.
She had left to get a drink at the table nearest the entrance of the room. She ignored the sake and settled for just a glass of water. She began to drink slowly, but she stopped for a moment. She had the chills, and it wasn't because of the icy water…
Chi-Chi looked to her left, and nearly recoiled, startled. There was the popular stranger, pouring himself some sake!
Okay, this was getting weird.
Chi-Chi finished off the water, and was retreating quickly, but a voice stopped her.
"Wait a minute, Chi-Chi," it said to her. Oh, so now he knew her too. Chi-Chi turned around slowly, looking at the stranger, concerned. "W-What?" she said. "How do you know my name?"
The stranger smiled. "Everybody knows the name of the beautiful princess. I couldn't help but notice you seemed lost. Can I help you? I'm Chang, by the way."
Chi-Chi shook her head. "Thanks, but I don't need your help. I can find my father by myself."
"Are you sure?"
Chi-Chi stopped herself from rolling her eyes. Hadn't she been clear? She nodded at him and then turned to leave, but Chang stopped her again. Chi-Chi spun around, her annoyed face changing into a polite face. "Yes?"
Chang put down his cup of sake and extended his hand, just as the music changed from a lively song to a slow one. "May I have the honors of dancing with Her Majesty?"
Chi-Chi didn't groan or sigh. It was considered an honor to dance and being a princess, she had to be polite and kind at all times. Chi-Chi placed her hand in his, and smiled, but it was a fake smile. She just wanted to get this over with.
Many couples were dancing in the middle of the room, surrounded by spectators. Chang took Chi-Chi to the middle of the room also, and began to dance nicely, not noticing that Chi-Chi didn't get very close to him or look at him.
Chi-Chi wasn't concentrating on talking or dancing with Chang, not even the song that was playing. Her mind was elsewhere, and she wondered where her father was. She glanced up at Chang. For being a guy who gave her the chills, he wasn't bad looking up close.
Still, maybe it was herself. Maybe she made up the atmosphere that made him seem suspicious to her.
At the end of the song, a new voice spoke, and Chi-Chi recognized it was the Ox-King's. She looked up at him as he smiled happily at the people.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for attending our party celebrating the New Year. But there is also another reason to celebrate," he said, pointing to Chang and Chi-Chi on the dance floor. "Many of you know Xi Chang, a dashing prince from Beijing, China. He is currently with my daughter, and now would be the perfect time to announce their betrothal."
The crowd began to cheer, but it was all faint to Chi-Chi. She froze in Chang's arms, and she was sure she was trembling with shock. She glanced up at him, and he smiled, satisfied, but it seemed like a very evil smile to Chi-Chi. She pulled away from him and shook her head, placing her hand on her forehead.
Oh, Kami, I can't be hearing this right, Chi-Chi thought. I just danced with… No! I'm not his bride. Why must it continue like this?
She turned away, feeling very sick suddenly. Chang stepped next to her. "Are you all right? Are you ill?" Chi-Chi waved a hand at him. "I… I need to be alone. I'm just getting some fresh air."
Chang nodded and stood where he was, watching Chi-Chi step outside.
Once alone, Chi-Chi leaned against the stone wall, and sank to her knees. It was in the dark and quiet that she noticed how her heart pounded at the thoughts in her mind. This couldn't be true! Chi-Chi felt she could've kicked herself for not noticing before.
She didn't notice how Chang was dressed. Just like a wealthy prince… He was charming and happy, because he knew of the betrothal, which shouldn't have occurred.
The Ox-King had obviously changed the rules of courtship around, and made his daughter Chang's fiancée, regardless of her consent or not. This was not fair. He wasn't one to break customs, but today he did.
Chi-Chi tried to embrace herself to calm her trembling body and the nauseous feelings in her stomach. Now she had no choice but to marry Chang, and that sickened her.
Kami, help me, she thought desperately. He did this on purpose, and now the whole kingdom knows about Chang and me. He sealed my fate. My own father…
To be continued…
Chapter Twenty: Birth of Sentiment