Chapter 8

Absalom

With a hard push the angry solider entered Goku's room uninvited. He had been completely humiliated and it was well overdue for Goku to know exactly how it felt. His hands balled into a fist at his side, and his eyes shooting daggers at the unbeknownst Goku.

"I think you know exactly why I'm here!" he lashed, now grinding his right fist in the palm of his left hand. "And I know there is no one here to save you from me."

With no further words the angry solider threw his fist forward. Goku brought his arms up as quickly as he could his eyes closed with anticipation of the blow, but when none came he opened them again. Laughter filled the room as the once angry solider stood watching Goku's reaction. "The look on your face is priceless little brother," Radditz kid.

"What is your problem?" Goku said. He had been perplexed since the moment he had seen Radditz, and he wasn't in the mood for one of his game.

"My problem? Well let's just say if you weren't my brother, and if I didn't get the offer I did I would have killed you. You stole the prize position I wanted to claim, and you knew it all along," he informed. Radditz crossed his arms over his chest and glanced around his brother's nearly neat room.

"I don't know what you are talking about?" Goku admitted the confusion still evident in his face.

"So you mean to tell me you didn't know you were guarding the true princess the entire time?" questioned Radditz.

Sighing Goku took a seat on his bed and ran his hand through his messy hair. "No I didn't the night before was the first time that I knew."

"Well she is very cunning isn't she," interjected Radditz. "I tell you I knew that it was her the first day, because everything they spoke of the princess she held. She also had a grace to her that her fake counterpart didn't hold. I was furious when I realized the night of the feast that I was being fooled to care for a lowly slave."

"I don't think she intended to make anyone angry," Goku said in defense.

Radditz took a seat in the arm chair by the bed, taking in the countenance of his brother he frowned. He caught sight of the black book resting on the polished stand, and he remembered the day Goku had fought for the pitiful little book. Their Grams had taking out a small box that was filled with many different items belonging to their father and mother. She told them of how they'd visit them, and how they were kind enough to give them gifts from their town shop. Their father was not only a brilliant warrior but he made beautiful pottery, and his mother painted.

She agreed to give them each one item from the box and he and Turles went for the ones of higher price, and Goku had wanted the dusty book. His Grams had tried to sway him to pick something more useful but his mind was set on the book, and what secrets it held inside, to be talked out of keeping it.

"Word of advice little brother do not fall for the princess it isn't a good feeling to have a broken heart," Radditz said. He sunk into the curve of the small arm chair, and he could see the guilty look on his brother's face. He could tell that Goku already had feelings for the beautiful princess; he only hoped they weren't too deep.

"Why do you say that?" he asked.

"She is the princess and you her guard," tersely Radditz replied. "I've heard that she enjoys flirting with men, but she doesn't fall for any. She is very shallow they say, and I know a broken heart is all you will get from any love of hers. "

Goku frowned, and looked to the window. Radditz didn't know ChiChi; he didn't know the kindness she held inside. It was true he was just a warrior but she had chosen him, beside he wasn't looking for love. He was here to guard her and she was a wonderful friend who baked him treats, and she did care!

"I know that I'm her guard, and that is all I hope to be," informed Goku. However; his inside twisted at the word friend it didn't appease him when he spoke of her. Why did he feel so defeated when he said that?

"I can see it in your eyes," Radditz said. "You like her and I don't think it wise. She isn't the sweet princess that the town thinks her to be, and you aren't the best with love. She will turn you inside out and then spit you out and you will have no say. You aren't royalty brother, and I don't say this out of jealousy but love. Grams would want me to protect you."

"What was the offer you received?" Goku asked in hopes of shifting the conversation.

"You're looking at the second general in command," Radditz boasted.

"Congratulations!" Chimed Goku.

"Thank you," he said. "I wanted to let you know before I head out, we are leaving today to meet with the King of Augustine. They want peace and I will be one of the honored guest of the king can you imagine that?"

"So you're bringing peace to them? Wouldn't it be spoiled when you get there?" Curiously Goku asked.

Radditz burst into laughter at his foolish brother till Goku glared in anger. "Why are you laughing?"

"Grams dropped you to many times," Kid Radditz. "Peace isn't food it's an action of coming together. You spent too much time in the sun brother."

"Well I hope it goes well," Goku said. "When do you leave?"

"In an hour I'm going to visit Grams before I do," he informed. "I'll see you when I return, maybe then you will have that bloody book figured out!"

He stood to leave, and before leaving meet his brother eye to eye in a silent understanding of respect. He loved his brothers and cared for both his brothers dearly since they were the only blood relations he had left. However, he would never say the words out loud they both knew.

"She is going to marry the Terioken prince remember that," he added before slipping out the door.

Absalom growled at the entrance of the tall slender woman that entered the throne room. He was nearly certain that she had come to bear news of the princess' persistent illness that kept her locked away in her room. It had been acceptable the first two days, but with the seventh day nearly approaching and no sight of his future bride he was becoming impatient.

"If you've come to tell me she is sick I tell you now it is better you leave my sight without a word! I will return home and withdrawal my proposal if she insults me with any more lies!" He spat.

The blonde hair woman bowed gracefully and waited till he granted her permission to speak. "She is well today sire and wishes to meet you for a tour of the country," she informed.

Absalom sat up straight his anger vanished and he signal for her to leave. He had waited too long to have time with her, and to sway her of his true purpose to marry her. With each day she had refused to see him with the futile excuse of sickness he had grown wary, and his right hand had try to tell him she was promiscuous. He remembered the previous day's conversation after yet another refusal.

"She is insulting your grace," said Demetrius. He was tall slender man with hooded eyes, and a large nose and mustache. He had been Absalom's help since he was but a child, and his old aged shown with every crease.

"She thinks I'm like my father," Said Absalom.

"She judges you from the past, and spits in your face when you try and secure her future. She should be grateful that you have chosen her to be your queen any other woman would be," he informed. He motioned for a slave nearby to pour out a fresh cup of tea for the two.

"I don't blame her for what she says though," he answered. "My father was cruel, and murdered without cause."

"There was cause," said Demetrius in defense. "He had given each ample time to worship him, and lay down all other powers to your kingdom. Those who didn't listen received the punishment that he promised. A man is only a man by his word."

"A man's word should be just, and my father's wasn't."

"I'd never think different, they killed your mother. The nations he brought these promises to killed your mother. This woman she has eyes on all other men but you," added Demetrius.

"Why do you say that?" he inquired.

"I see her flirting eyes, and have heard one to many stories. I promise you that you will not find her fickle ways promising and it will be the end of you. Everything your father fought for will be pointless; do you not remember it was for your mother he did his work?" Demetrius roused.

"I know very well, but she wouldn't have wanted so many to die," he countered. "I just don't want to make the same mistakes my father had."

"Your father's blood runs through your veins, and he is very much alive in you. Let no one tell you that you aren't you father's son."

Absalom could hear those words echoing in his mind, and as much as he'd like to think differently it was becoming a battle lately to deny it. The beautiful princess wasn't making it any easier on him to try and sway from the anger that boiled in his veins, and the lust of affliction that danced in his mind.

"Demetrius let us go," he informed, triumphal. "The princess has final found her health."

Impatiently Absalom tapped his foot, his arms crossed over his chest and anger evident in his eyes. He had been awaiting her presence for three hours and his patience was quickly dying with every passing minute. "That girl must have lied to you, surely she had to sway her to come," Demetrius interjected.

He was enraged at the words, and all the patience he had left had deserted him. He surely would walk out on this princess. He would sever ties with the kingdom and if they were lucky he'd leave raiment of them. "She insults me continuously," he huffed.

"As I should," voiced the beautiful princess who walked through the large castle doors. She had the worse timing and heard his angry protest, and that made him kick himself mental.

"Do you look to make me angry," he seethed.

"No I look to make you furious," she answered, simply. "I think we can all agree it was accomplished."

"I won't be brought into your trivial games, and it seems that your health has found itself swiftly," he added.

"I rather agree," she answered, faking a smile "We must wait for my guard."

"Why? We have plenty here already and time has certainly lapse since your expected arrival," he informed. He raked his hand through his hair in a heated swift motion trying to calm the rage that burned inside.

"I so choose," she answered. "Also I never gave a time of my arrival."

Swiftly he moved to stand before her his frame towering her, he glared down at her his fist clenched at his side. He was heated, and he wanted to take his anger out on the smiling princess before him. It took everything in him to try desperately to calm the rage that pounded, and the desire to shake the little princess to death.

"Princess," the distraught voice of Goku claimed both of the two angry royalties' attention. He quickly made his way to her side ready to fight the enrage prince, but the subtle touch of the princess calmed him.

All the worry that had once been embedded on his face had faded away and he soften at the feel of her small hands against his massive arm. He had just made his way out of the castle when he saw her betrothed glaring at her with his fist ready to fight. He needed to protect her!

"Don't worry Goku he is making empty threats," she soothed. The care that reflected in her eyes at the tall warrior was not only evident to Absalom but Demetrius who stood by in joy.

"We will leave now," demanded Absalom, as he pointed to the carriage. "He will ride alongside the carriage."

"He will do no such thing," informed ChiChi.

"Do you rather him walk then?" he threaten.

"Fine, don't think for a moment that you will be in command of my life. My father is the only reason that I even take this ride with you today," she informed. She pushed passed him, and with Goku's help she got into the carriage. She was beyond outrage, and she had no desire to ride with the angry prince. He after all symbolized the epitome of a life long struggle of dominance that was placed over her life. She was a caged bird, the only time she had ever felt free was when her mother was alive and with… Goku.

Brushing the crease of his shirt, and with a deep breath of air he got into the carriage. He sat across from the wounded princess who had her face pressed towards the narrow window gazing out at the view before her. She was very beautiful and that was one of the reason he agreed to marry her. The other was his hope to make vanish the cruelties his father had done to many innocent lives.

Launch had entered the carriage and sat next to the princess, a frown upon her face. She had been disgusted by the princess' defiance and her need to rival a man of Absalom's standard. He would help the kingdom to rise again, and would take the worry from the king's mind on the stand of his kingdom and daughter. She was even more disgusted with the princess feelings for the lowly guard she had chosen.

At first she had thought she only had a small crush on him, and it might have been that way for the princess in the beginning. However, she seen the way the princess had rushed to her distressed guard and it wasn't a friendly gesture. She was growing feelings for him, and that would be the death of her father.

"The first place we will go to is the town square it has a beautiful fountain," interjected Launch. She had hoped it would calm the tension in the small carriage and get the stubborn princess to talk. However she sat with her eyes glued out the window never once looking to either her or Absalom.

It would be a quiet ride if she had any say in it. She would never allow Absalom to have any satisfaction in hurting her, and he had truly hurt her. He reminded her that she was just a girl and she had many limitations. She had no rights to make her own decisions they were all given to her father and then her husband.

So she sat fighting the tears from spilling, and fighting thoughts of her pending doom. The only sound she could hear was the frighten pound of her heart. She could hear the subtle conversation Launch had carried with the fiery prince and it held no interest to her. It had felt like hours, but only had been minutes. Her mind caught away from her as she remembered a few nights before, and how Goku had held her.

He had made her feel so alive. He had made her feel like she had a choice, and she loved how that felt. The sounds of hooves drew her from memory, and only a few feet away from her was Goku. It looked as if he was caught away in thought too and she wondered if he was remembering the same thing. Did he think of her like all the others? Did he think her a possession or was she more than that? Did he think it was right for her to make choices? Did he think…Did he think of her as the man who made the she shook the thought away before it came. It was a silly thing to think of.

"The fountains in Teriok double this in size and beauty," Absalom boasted.

"Maybe in size, but not in beauty," voiced ChiChi. "That fountain was made with love by a simple man with a heart greater than someone of your statue!"

"Must you always speak to me in such irritation?" said Absalom.

"Only when you speak without thinking," she answered. "Which seems to be-"

"Reframe your words princess or your father won't be appeased to know your nightly walk," Launch interjected.

ChiChi looked to the older woman and just as she was about to speak she grasped the meaning of her words. Launch knew. She tensed, and with an unsteady breath she exhaled and tried to steady her anger. How had she found out that she left her chambers? She was certain Launch retired for the night. Had the snake eyed woman been so distrusting in her to watch and wait for her to leave.

"Why don't you be kind and tell the prince of the fountain," she added.

"I…" she cursed herself silently for being so foolish and not taking better precautions. Why did Launch hate her so much? With a silent nod from Launch she complied with a forged smile she told the tale as Goku had.

Absalom sat unmoved at her story, and with a greater curiosity of her nightly walk. "It is a foolish tale and foolish man to build a fountain for a woman that never cared enough to choose him. It takes a man to get what he needs."

Absalom smiled inwardly at ChiChi's disapproving look. He had decided somewhere between his long wait for the princess and her goggling eyes on her solider, he would conquer her. He would bring her to her knees, and make her know that he was the one to be in charge. He would marry her and her only joy would be found in him. She would be as a puppy listening to his every command. She would be his.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews and patience. We all have times that make us choose a path, and Absalom has chosen his. The plot thickens!