Authors's note: This is a story that is inspired by both sets of my grandparents, and the aunties and sisters I know who have experienced a wedding day where they met their husband for the first time. It's my exploration of it. And I hope to learn as I write.

Disclaimer: DBZ isn't mine.

The gold dripped from her ears as she glared at the mirror in front of her. Her hair pulled back in an intricate coiffure and ornately decorated with jewelry made at the hands of the kingdom's finest goldsmiths. As her chambermaids continued to paint her face befitting for a princess bride, Chichi continued glaring at her reflection and at the same time not seeing it at all.

Chichi was furious.

She was also surprised, for her ire usually acted as a sufficient deterrent to those attempting to impose their will on her. There had never before been a situation she could not flip over to suit her, there had never before been a case that she could not reverse her father around. But her current predicament proved to her where she had inherited her infamous stubbornness from.

"You will marry him, and that's final!" The Ox King mustered said with all the authoritative finality he could, to subdue his daughter's determination and curb into sweet submission. His own emotions were quite worn after the hours debate he had been having with her.

"You can't make me do this dad, I won't do this, I'll never accept it." Replied Chichi characteristically.

"You will, because you care about the kingdom." He paused, not liking his next planned move, "and because you care about me." He could almost see metaphorical steam coming out of her ears, but her took her silenced as a silver lining, she did still care for him, he was proud that she loved him, even if it made him feel a little guilty to corner her this way. Giving himself a mental shake, he reminded himself there was no need for guilt, this was for Chichi's own good after all. "It worked for your mother and I, so there's no reason for it to not work for you and Goku."

It was his name that triggered her, "You're right dad, I do care for the kingdom, and I do care for you, but I will never ever forgive you."

Chichi had turned her back on her dad to run out of the room, and true to her word three weeks ago, she hadn't forgiven her father for forcing her into a marriage to a man she had never seen, or spoken to, or met. In a futile attempt at revenge she refused to see her father, perhaps to wield some sort of power over him while he wielded the rest of her life.

"Ma'am, it's time" the voice of her chambermaid permeated her ire hazed thoughts and brought her back to the present day, and to her present predicament. She nodded her head, knowing she should be kinder to her maid who had been faithful and hard working for several years, but her anger blockaded her to other emotions, and she carried on with no further acknowledgement. With slow, heavy steps she navigated the corridors of the palace of Fire Mountain to reach the great hall, her heavily embroidered skirts weighing her down like the choicelessness of her life.

With a shuddering breath of resentment, she inhaled as the doors were opened for her, and she entered the hall along with her procession. Peripherally she noticed that others noticed her entrance, but she took special care not to glance at her father, or the man that dared be her new husband… she'll show him what kind of woman he married.

Ungraciously, she seated herself where she was supposed to, by the groom, still not acknowledging his presence or the man who was supposed to protect her from all evil. With her seating came a tense silence in the hall, one that was shortly broken by the man next to her.

"Hi! My name is Goku." Not even her ire could shield her from the astonishment at such an introduction at such an event. And against her will, she clapped eyes on the man who she would soon sign her life to. She was shocked again to find that he appeared to be the same age as her, nineteen, maybe twenty, with warm black eyes that held nothing more than earnest curiosity and none of the anxiety you would expect of a man about to be married. His equally dark spiky hair defied gravity, and it appeared that his body had been packed into a navy blue velvet suit that complemented his frame well. If it had been any other circumstances than her wedding day, Chichi may have felt attraction towards him, but for now she could feel no other feeling but resentment and bitterness. What kind of man would so easily marry a woman he'd never met before? He couldn't be very confident or assertive if he let the old men in his world pull strings to arrange his marriage, as though he and by default her too, we're mere puppets in this political spectrum they called their life. "You must be Chichi." Continued the groom, undeterred by her silence. With a frown and popping vein did Chichi turn her gaze away from her groom haughtily to stare instead at the priest performing the appropriate rights. But this too seemed not to disappoint the groom's candor "it's nice to meet you." He finished tidily before motioning his attention to the priest too.

Which left Chichi with one thought, just what kind of guy is this dude?

Authors note: super excited for this fic. I hope it's not too long, maybe about 10 chapters or so. Let me know what you think.