Chapter 9

The carriage came to a halt at the town square right before the beautiful fountain and before long there was a crowd of people around. ChiChi always loved to see the town and despite her unwanted company she would do just that on her first time out in ten years. The carriage door opened and Launch was the first to step out into the blazing sun, Absalom followed. ChiChi lingered for a moment at the carriage door taking in the rows of faces that stood in awe at the royal carriage and now her.

Goku's hand of help took her from her daze and she took his hand, he helped her down. Everyone was bowing now, she never let go of Goku's hand. She had worn a simple white toga that flowed to the ground her long ebony hair in spiral curls. It felt odd to be out with the people after so long being locked away for safety's sake.

"I'm nervous," she whispered.

"You will do fine," Goku answered. "I'm here with you."

ChiChi wasn't sure if it was his answer or the tone of his voice but she found comfort. Absalom seemed preoccupied soaking up the attention that the town's people were giving. She followed behind him Launch shortly a head of her and Goku at her side.

"I'm honor to see the town of my new kingdom," Absalom shouted. ChiChi shuttered at his word and the thought of soon being married away to him. She had no desire to be his wife or to hand her people over to him, but she had no say.

Demetrius scurried the crowd away and back to their normal activities after Absalom's declaration then took his place by his side. ChiChi found no pleasure in the older man there was something wicked about him; she couldn't place her finger on it though.

"Where did you live?" ChiChi asked the silent guard.

He smiled with a boyish charm that sent ChiChi's stomach fluttering. She was certainly attracted to her guard, that fact didn't scare her but the longing to know more of him did. It wasn't unusually to have an affair with the help for she had heard many married women say it. However; what she longed for wasn't a simple affair something inside of her wanted to know everything about him. She was intrigued by him and would hang on his every word. It seemed the more time she spent with him the more that thirst grew.

She knew she wasn't as the other women that spoke of sleeping with the help and going to bed with her husband. She only wanted one husband, that freighting thing was she longed for it to be…Goku.

"In a farm outside of town," Goku answered.

"Oh that is right you were telling me that, but did you ever come here?" She cautiously glanced in Absalom's direction and was overjoyed when she noticed he was busy speaking with Demetrius. She would soak in every minute she could with Goku.

"Sometimes, when we got our weeks' pay me and my brothers would come," he replied. "I like the candy shop…even though in a way I don't think they liked me much. The first time I went I thought everything was free because it was just out in the open so I eat everything I seen. Long story short I eat ALL the candy that wasn't behind the register and only had a few oxens to pay. It took a while of explaining from my Grand to realize what I did wrong."

Demetrius looked over his shoulder at the giggling princess and her guard that had a baffled looked on his face. He looked over to Absalom who was talking to a shop owner, when he parted with the shop keeper he rushed to Absalom. "Do you neglect that your princess is behind you and flirting away openly with her guard. Do you wish to be name a fool in front of people you will soon have rule over?"

Absalom brows hooked together, he frowned at Demetrius. It seemed he was always keen on everything negative but the laughter he now heard from behind caught his attention. The princess was giggling away with her guard brushing her hand against his arm. The tall massive guard had a perplexed look on his face like a deer before the bullet connects. He was furious, and for the first time there was no defense for the brat princess. "Fetch her, and have a slave bring shade."

Demetrius hurried to the princess side, waving to a slave that walked shortly behind her to bring the parasol. "Princess the Prince request you report to his side," he informed.

"I'm talking he will wait," she answered. She turned her attention back to Goku who looked to the troubled man.

"ChiChi I think you should go to him," Advised Goku.

"Not you too," sighing she turned to Demetrius again. "Fine."

Demetrius turned on heel a devilish smile upon his lips, the princess might win a few battles but not the war. He didn't like the fact that Absalom was even second guessing the legacy his father had left him and had acquired for their kingdom for the sake of people. He had seen many Princesses beautiful and rich as ChiChi before; he couldn't understand why Absalom chose her. "She is coming…I would look like to let you know it wasn't by any will of her own. She only agreed when her guard insisted that she should listen she is certainly taken by him."

"Do you look to paint out the obvious? It doesn't matter how taken she is with him her hand was already promised to me!" Absalom ran his hand through his hair, the large umbrella soon hovering over him and ChiChi at his side. He looked to the small princess who stood pouting at his side, and Goku two step behind them. "Do you intend to embarrass me with that face?"

"Of course not! I didn't know everything I did had to include you," she replied in anguish. Two townspeople turned in their direction at the stern voice of the princess watching in wonder.

Absalom was aware of the watching eyes and furious at the scene she was causing, he hooked his arm through hers. He quickly clasped it close to his side before she could pull free, and with a smile on his lips and the gently wave of his hand tried to masquerade the heated scene. "If you continue I will have your guard sanction elsewhere. You know very well your father has already given your hand to me, and I can make your life terrible! Fix your face and your attitude or else you won't like my bite!" he whispered in her ear his words laced with venom.

She stiffened and he looked down at her it was as if she was still processing everything he had said and he was pleased by the look of distress on her face. It sent a triumphant jolt of pride through his body that was swiftly wind as he noticed her eyes shifted to her tall guard. He growled inwardly at her actions it was as if she was only worried for the barbaric guard of hers. "Fine," she breathed.

"Wonderful darling," he said.

ChiChi forced a smile to her lips and tried to ease the anger that bubbled inside her as she walked silently along his side. Their guide brought them from store to store and introduced them to different townspeople speaking of some of their legends and it was all very interesting but the man at her side dampened everything. It seemed liked months but had only been a few short hours that they were viewing the town and before long they were on their way to the castle.

The ride back was silent and ChiChi kept her eyes peering out the window. She felt more trapped then she had in all her life and there was no escape. She was the heir to her kingdom and the promise of security to it through marriage. She wanted to cry, she wanted to scream from the top of her lungs- but she knew better.

"How did you like that town, Sire?" Launch interjected into the uncomfortable silence.

"It was eventful at home the city is much larger, but that is something that will happen here with the joining kingdoms." ChiChi could feel every word he spoke was meant to hurt her, and it certainly was. Was her father so blind? Did he want her married away so fast?

Clap! ChiChi's eyes shifted to Goku who was swatting away at some unseen bug and she couldn't help but giggle. He flashed her a brilliant smile once he noticed she was laughing at his expense. He was charming, and he always knew how to make her day feel light. Why couldn't she be mar… the carriage came to a halt pulling her from thoughts. The carriage door opened and ChiChi was the first to exit being helped by Goku, then Absalom and last Launch.

"ChiChi," Absalom called. ChiChi was nearly to the front step when Absalom called to her and reluctantly she turned around. Grinding her teeth she made her way back over to the arrogant prince mustering the best smile she could.

"Yes?"

"You're dismissed; you may retire to your bedroom chambers for the night. However I do want to spend some time with Launch she will be there shortly, ok," he informed.

"Great," she answered. She quickly turned back around cursing under her breath at the cruel prince's torments. When she and Goku disappeared down the castle hall she exhaled a large breath of air and with it pent up tears and frustration. "You took his side! He thinks he owns me, and what happened to you? I thought you said it was good for me to make my choices! I should just let him move you from being my guard!"

Goku stood uncertain of what to do as the tiny princess was pounding her fist against his chest. She was hysterical something he never seen before from her and her cheeks were a dark shade of red and tears streaking her face. He wanted to make her smile to make her feel better, he didn't like to see her hurt but he didn't know how to help. So he stood taking all her poundings as they came until her attacks lessen and then she fell against him. He caught her in his arms as she buried her face into his chest tears still falling she was wailing.

He rubbed the smalls of her back with one hand remembering that was something his Grand's had done when he got hurt and it comforted him. He used his other hand to support her and keep her from falling and most of all from losing the warmth of her body against his. He enjoyed the feel of her against him even with the throbbing pain of her punches. "I'm sorry," he whispered, "I'm sorry."

"So I'm certain you might have an inkling of why I've requested time with you," Said Absalom. He took a seat in the library Launch before him and the door closed.

"I think I might, but please ask and I will help you with whatever I can." Launch kept her head bent not looking into the Prince's eyes a show of respect.

"You spoke of the Princess taking walks? Is it with that guard of hers? And what do you know of their relationship?" He leaned into the comfort of the chair his eyes fixed on the blue hair vixen.

"Well I want nothing but to help my kingdom and the new king," informed Launch. "I'll tell you all I know…"

"Good, go ahead then." Launch nodded and told the curious Prince all she could of ChiChi and the guard. With every detailed Absalom became angry and injected with a dose of rage towards not only the princess…but Goku. He would have to first destroy the guard and then he would have the bratty Princess on her knees, and he would do just that.

A/N: Well I know it took me a while to update! Thanks for all the lovely reviews I enjoy them, so please do keep them coming. It doesn't take much time out of your day to write me your thoughts so please do!