DBZ X-Readers, Vol. 2

King Cold x Reader Pt. 2 'Midnight Oil'

It was...strange, being in the palace gallery. As often as you had seen Cold all those years ago, you had never once set foot in the palace--true, you had done paintings of the outside of it, but going in? It was unthinkable. At least, until yesterday, anyway...

Today, you'd come in early and set up your supplies near the first painting of Saint Frost.

He was a cartographer, the first to chart the entirety of Arcosia--landwise, anyway. He'd been the first to learn to fly, and had decided to use his abilities for the betterment of his people the only way a map-maker could.

The painting was at least a thousand years old if not more, and you were being as careful as you possibly could. You'd spent a few hours the day before being sure of which shades of various colors you needed, and--

"So they're finally doing it, then?"

It was a changeling nobleman you'd never met before, and you turned and bowed as best you could considering you were holding a palette. "Yes, the King thought it best to start restoring them."

"How many are you going to be working on?"

"This one, the one of St. Frost with his wife, and the one of him in his map room."

"Ah, only three, then. A pity, really." He left at that, and you shook your head. As the day went by, you found that various noble Arcosians kept entering and leaving the room, the servants besides. Not that you paid them much mind, of course, you were far too busy with your work.

"Ms. (y/n)?"

You glanced back. "What? I was just getting started on the background."

It was a servant, of course. "It's time for the evening meal."

You sighed, and took off the apron you were wearing and put your things aside--being careful to lock them away in a case you'd requested to be there. It was best not to tempt any of the more capricious young people.

"It looks wonderful, by the way," the servant said, "I can see why the King chose you for the job."

"Thank you," you replied as you followed him back to the guest quarters you'd been given, where you cleaned up before turning to follow him again.

You shook your head as you passed a few other paintings here and there down the hallway, one of the late Queen. She looked every bit her rank, and you could only think that Cold must have loved her, or at least liked her, with all the gold and gemstones coating her general person and dress. She looked pleased with herself in the portrait, so you thought that along with beauty, she was likely--

"Ms. (y/n)?"

"Oh--I'm sorry. What did you ask?"

"Are you enjoying your time here so far?"

"Of course. But my work's consumed things, so..."

_____________________________________________________

At first, you were allowed to eat alone in peace, in a little alcove near the kitchens, a spot outfitted with a table, and you were getting up to go back when you saw a familiar shadow at the end of the hallway.

Great. It wasn't that you were trying to avoid him, it was just that...there was just something about seeing him in the palace that didn't feel right. Maybe it was your having gotten used to the idea that you didn't belong there...

You were unable to do it this time, though, and Cold approached you with what looked like genial confidence. "Well, it appears I have been caught."

"What, sneaking to the kitchens for a snack before you've even had dinner?"

"I wasn't particularly anxious to sit around and converse with a bunch of nobles at a table," he replied, "It looks like you've already eaten, though?"

"Yes...I was just going to get back to work."

"As I said before, there is no hurry."

"I simply want to be out of everyone's way as soon as I can," you said. You walked on down the hall and found to your mild irritation that Cold was following you, along with his three or four guards.

"You are in no one's way."

"You say that now, but I bet you're going to have complaints from some of the ladies about 'that girl tending the paintings.'" You laughed. "I remember being bothered by some of them the second time I painted a view of the castle from the north side, as if I had no right to do it."

"There will always be people like that. Unfortunately, the more traditional group will always have a problem with something."

"It's best to appease them," You said, shrugging, "It causes less trouble that way."

"A bit of trouble can be easily handled. You've not been hassled, have you?"

"No. A few curious questions, but no one has said anything untoward."

You'd walked somewhat quickly to get back to the gallery, and felt more than a little uncomfortable when he stayed to watch.

It reminded you a little too much of the last time he'd done it.

That was the day...

No. You were not here to start thinking about the past, and in any case you had work to do.

He stayed for half an hour or so before leaving wordlessly. Maybe he'd remembered as well...no, you thought. If you'd mentioned it, he probably wouldn't have a clue what you were talking about.

A few hours went by and you were sure it was well past midnight when you packed your supplies into the case and headed back to your quarters.

"Ow!"

You stumbled back. "I'm sorry, I was working late on the--"

"No, no, it's me, I couldn't sleep anyway."

You looked up. "Oh, Lord Cooler." So this was Cold's elder son...he looked every bit as strait-laced as the news portrayed him to be. Good heavens, he walked like he had a steel rod for a spine, his posture was that rigid.

"Hardly."

"My condolences for your mother's death, by the way. It was only recent--"

"Don't even mention that," he said quickly.

"I'm sorry, I only thought--"

"Well, don't, alright? I don't care what anyone else here tells you, she wasn't worth mourning unless you were a jeweler..." And in a lower voice that you suspect he thought you couldn't hear, he added, "...they should've burned the bitch instead of freezing her after she died."

How much sleep was he not getting, talking like this?

"I...ah..."

He sighed, rubbing his . "Go, just...just go."

Well. That was...

You rushed off and as you got back to your quarters found yourself wondering about what Cooler had let fall. His mother wasn't worth mourning? He'd even gone so far as to call her...

There wasn't room for you to be satisfied that the woman was as unpleasant as you had heard. That wouldn't do anyone any good, and besides, it was bad for the karma to take pleasure in such things.

You'd be out of here soon anyway. The first portrait was nearly done, and there were only two more to go.

The past was past, and you left it there for a reason.