DBZ X-Readers, Vol. 2

King Cold x Reader Pt. 1 'Prologue'

  Author's Note: Have a story full of regrets and lost loves and whatnot. You, the reader, are of course Arcosian/Frost Demon/whatever you want to call them. They have the "Elder Scrolls elves" long lifespans here.

______________________________________________________

*King Cold's POV*

(Y/n) never doubted that I would choose her. Not once.

She was what my father often called "high, but not high enough" because of her having been brought up by working class parents--her current moderate wealth be damned. She was well-educated, she was stunning...and as an artist she made so many beautiful things. Once or twice she even impressed father with her paintings of the palace.

But it wasn't enough for him. When the time came for me to consider marriage, he sat me down and impressed upon me the importance of marrying well. I was to be the second king in this new dynasty and I could not make just any commoner Queen, no matter how far she had risen. I could not disappoint my family that way, and besides, I could always keep her on as a mistress, couldn't I?

...I have regretted it every day since, but I listened to him.

And I will forget neither the look in (y/n)'s eyes when I told her the news, nor the sneer on her face as she made a flat refusal to being anything but my wife.

I got many congratulations from father for "doing the right thing," but...it was obvious, very quickly, that I'd made a terrible decision.

The woman he'd chosen for me was nothing but a socialite, and spent most of her time doing what those kinds of women do best. Our first son, Cooler, grew up with all kinds of attachment issues because she never wanted to be around him. And Frieza...

My little Frieza.

When he was born and I saw his smile, I realized even more of what I'd done wrong. I realized that it was the first time in years that anyone had genuinely smiled at me. I had a wife that could only see a crown when she looked at me, servants and soldiers who were all scared of me, an older son who had trouble getting close to anyone...and then, suddenly, someone who lit up my life again. They say I spoiled him, but anyone in my position would have done the same.

______________________________________________________________
*Your POV*

It had been painful at first, sure. But after a very hard first few weeks, and only a single "I told you so" from your family, you threw yourself into your paintings with a vigor that had dropped virtually to zero during the interruption. Eventually, you met a brash young Arcosian just as much in love with art as you were. There were four children--bitterly, you accepted the praise from your family for "doing your duty for Arcosia"--and once they'd grown you'd started traveling with him again.

...and then he'd died.

But you did what you'd learned to do, and went on, channeling that sorrow into your art.

You found yourself thinking about Cold as you approached the palace. You'd been commissioned to retouch a few ancient paintings in the gallery, and you were trying not to let the memories come back. It had been a hundred years, and he'd likely forgotten you anyway, you kept telling yourself.

Besides, he was supposed to be in mourning for the Queen. You'd heard she wasn't that nice in life, but what Queens were?

You were introduced and lead into a conference room. Cold seemed to almost hesitate to speak.

"The portraits of Saint Frost, I believe?" you asked.

"Oh...yes. Yes, those were it. They've degraded quite a bit in the last few years, you see, and it's a bit disgraceful to allow such a thing. I don't think I need to tell you that you've got to be careful with them."

"If anyone knows how to behave around paint, it's me," you said, smiling briefly. "I'll be sure to be done in time for the Ice Festival, I'm sure the court would love to have them displayed."

"There's no rush," Cold replied quickly, "I know you are capable of working quickly but I would prefer it to be slow and delicate than hastily pushed to completion."

"Don't worry. Now, I believe you've already got things set up for me to start? I'd prefer to get to work...and I'm sure you've got a thousand other things to do."

"Of course."

________________________________________________________________
*King Cold's POV*

(Y/n) is just as beautiful as the day I last saw her a hundred years ago...and funnily enough, my feelings haven't changed at all. Do I even dare to try? She could very easily rebuff me, but if there's even the slightest chance...

I have my heirs. Father is dead.

I have to try.