Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Dragon Ball Z Characters, but I sure wish I did!
Author's Note: This is an alternate universe. Planet Vegeta still exists and Vegeta is a King. There are also other kingdoms on the planet.
Ages:
Trunks 18
Pan 17
Bra 16
Goten 18
Chapter 1
Trunks squinted his eyes as the sun suddenly invaded his dreams. He held up his arm as he glanced in the direction of the huge floor to ceiling window. One of his many servants turned around with a smile and bowed. "Good morning your highness. The King and Queen have requested your presence at the breakfast table this morning."
Trunks groaned. What had he done now? His parents only wanted to see him when he screwed up. He stood up groggily and the servant began to make his bed as he headed off to the shower.
As the warm water made trails down his body he relaxed into it. "I wonder what they want. I don't think I missed anything. Nothing is supposed to be happening today." His mind continued to wander as he finished his shower.
When he got back to his room his servant was waiting patiently by the bed with his clothes laid out.
He rolled his eyes. "Charles, I told you that you don't have to pick out my clothes. I am perfectly capable of doing it myself."
Charles smiled back at him. "Yes, your highness, but your mother has asked that you look especially nice today."
Trunks looked at him questioningly. "You know what's going on don't you?"
As small chuckle escaped Charles' lips. "It's my job to know what's going on, but what fun would it be if I told you?"
Trunks grinned back. "Alright, alright. Well, you can go now. I can definitely dress myself."
Charles smiled and bowed as he walked out the door.
Trunks stared after him for a moment. He wished Charles would stop calling him your highness and just call him Trunks. He had asked him repeatedly, but he refused. Charles was really more of a friend than a servant. He had been with him since he was little. He could remember many times when he would come in covered in mud after playing and Charles would rush him to his room to change before his parents could find out. He smiled to himself and then went to finish getting ready.
When he arrived at the table his parents were already seated, as well as Bra. "Good morning father, mother." He said as he nodded in their direction.
"Good morning sweetheart." His mother smiled.
"Hmph." His father grunted.
Trunks took his seat next to Bra and looked expectantly at his parents.
They waited for the food to be served before they spoke. As the last servant exited the room Bulma sat up straighter and cleared her throat. "Well, good morning to you both. I hope you slept well. Today we are going to be receiving a visitor and I want you both on your best behavior." She glanced over in Trunks' direction. "That means that you are to remain around the castle. There will be no running off."
Trunks just nodded his head. He hated being confined to the castle. He loved to go flying through the air or exploring the forests. When he was inside he felt trapped.
"Um, exactly who is going to be visiting and when are they arriving?" Bra questioned with a bored tone.
Vegeta glanced up from his food for a moment. "King Phillip and I don't want to hear any complaining!"
Bra and Trunks both exchanged looks of displeasure.
"Now, now. I know he's not the easiest person to get along with, but he is a king. We will show him nothing but courtesy." Bulma chided.
Trunks and Bra nodded their heads reluctantly.
When Trunks got back to his room he plopped down on his bed and stared up at the ceiling. Why did King Phillip have to come? He was the most arrogant, selfish, and inconsiderate person he had ever met! He was only a few years older than Trunks, but that didn't help them get along any better. They had completely opposite points of view on everything!
A couple of miles away a traveling party could be seen. There was a very ornate carriage pulled by four of the largest white horses you've ever seen. Outside the carriage there were rows of guards and then rows of servants carrying bags and supplies. One girl in particular was carrying an extra large load. She had long dark hair and dark eyes to match. She just looked straight ahead as she tried to keep a hold on all the bags she was carrying. Unable to see exactly what was in front of her over the bags she tripped on a stone and the bags scattered. One of the guards came over and pushed her to the ground. "Pick those up you little urchin!"
The girl pushed herself up and slowly began gathering the bags. She was used to this treatment. This was the way it had been for the last five years. She was no longer a free person, but a slave forced into working for an egotistical king. She grabbed the last of the bags and then quickly caught up with the party.
At mid afternoon a trumpet sounded and Trunks groaned. That sound could only mean one thing. King Phillip had arrived! He walked slowly towards the door. As part of the royal family it was his duty to be there to greet the new arrivals and offer their hospitality.
As the large mahogany doors were opened Trunks saw the overly elaborate carriage and the mass of servants and guards. He rolled his eyes. The king always had to show off his wealth wherever he went. As he stepped closer to the carriage the rest of his family arrived and stood with him. As the door opened, they bowed in respect.
King Phillip stepped out with a dramatic sweep of his cape and also bowed. "Your highnesses, Prince, Princess." He nodded in each of their directions. When he glanced at Bra he raised his eyebrows slightly and quickly looked her up and down.
Bra curled her lip in disgust. The knight next to her stepped a little closer and she felt a little wave of relief wash over her. She knew she could trust him to protect her. He had been assigned as her personal bodyguard for the last three years. His name was Goten. At first she had hated the idea of someone following her around, but after meeting him she had quickly changed her mind. He was actually rather charming and she enjoyed him being with her.
Trunks noticed the King's eyes wondering over Bra and he squeezed his fists. That scumbag actually had the nerve to look at a Princess that way! And not just any princess, but his sister! He made a mental note to keep a closer eye on him from now on.
Suddenly a large pile of bags collapsed to the ground. On closer inspection Trunks noticed a young girl right in the middle of it. King Phillip cursed under his breath and then stormed towards the girl. He grabbed her arm and hauled her off the ground.
Trunks' breath caught in his throat. He didn't know why, but for some reason this girl seemed captivating. She was dirty and her clothes were torn, but something about her intrigued him. Something in her eyes.
King Phillip shook the girl roughly. "How dare you throw my things to the ground! I made you carry these things as punishment and now you are defying me! We will just have to come up with a new form of punishment won't we?!" He then tossed the girl back to the ground as if she were a piece of trash.
She glared up at him as he turned around and then pushed herself up. Great! She was in for it now. She hadn't meant to drop everything, she was just too tired. She hadn't had any food all day and had barely slept the night before. She sighed and began to retrieve the bags.
Trunks continued to look on as she proudly stood back up and held her head high. He admired her strength. Even in her situation she was still confident.
Phillip noticed him eyeing the girl and cleared his throat. "Ahem. I'm sorry you had to see that. She's been giving me nothing but trouble lately. Now, how about we head inside so that I may refresh myself? It's been a long day."
Trunks grimaced. Sure it had been a long day. Phillip didn't even stop to consider that his servants had walked the entire way while he'd ridden in a fancy carriage. As they all turned to go inside he pulled Charles aside. "Make sure that his servants are given good meals. I doubt they get much from him." Charles nodded as he went off to see to the arrangements.
Once they were all seated inside Phillip began to talk and talk and talk. Trunks never really listened. All he ever talked about was himself and Trunks already knew everything he needed to know about him. He pretended to listen intently by looking just past Phillip and into the hallway. As he watched he saw the servants begin carrying in the supplies and taking them upstairs to Phillip's room.
Suddenly he saw the girl from earlier carrying in the mass of bags. She couldn't even see where she was going. He watched her struggle as she tried to climb the stairs. He quickly excused himself saying he had forgotten something in his room and ran up the stairs.
When he caught up with the girl she was sitting on the stairs breathing heavily. When she noticed him she immediately paled and jumped to her feet. She grabbed at the bags quickly and began mumbling apologies. Trunks reached down and picked up a few of the bags and looked at her. She gave him a questioning look and he smiled. "Here, I'll help you with these." She began to shake her head, but he held up a finger. "I insist."
He walked quietly next to her until they reached Phillip's room. He opened the door for her and they put the bags inside. Then the girl went to the back of the room and just stood by the wall. She looked pale and worn out, but never the less, she stood tall. He looked at her puzzled. "What are you doing?"
She glanced in his direction and bowed. "Your highness, I thank you for your help, but now I must stay and await my punishment."
His stomach dropped at her statement. She said it so nonchalantly; like it was something she was used to. He stepped nearer to her and looked at her more closely. She looked as though she was probably right around Bra's age. She was well toned and had a nice figure, but she looked rather skinny. He assumed she probably wasn't fed well.
Just then the door swung open and Phillip strode in. "What are you doing in here?" He glared at Trunks.
Trunks swung around and looked at Phillip innocently. "Nothing. She was struggling with the door so I helped her open it."
"Hmph. She struggles with everything." Phillip replied glaring at the girl.
Trunks thought he saw her shrink back a little, but she didn't lower her eyes like most servants would. She still held her head high. "Well, I better go see to the rest of the preparations. I hope you'll find your accommodations suitable. Do you want me to direct this girl to the servant's quarters?"
Phillip laughed. "Who this girl? No, she's staying with me. She hasn't received her punishment yet."
Trunks looked at the girl one last time and then walked out the door. He hated leaving her with that creep, but he didn't have much choice.
That night at dinner, Trunks thought things went rather smoothly considering their present company. He was bored listening to Phillip, but other than that, things went well. He was still slightly concerned with the way that Phillip kept eyeing his sister, like she was a piece of meat.
As soon as dinner was over Trunks found Bra's guard and pulled him aside. "Goten, I know you've probably noticed the way Phillip keeps eyeing Bra and I wanted to ask you to please keep an extra close watch on her while he's here."
Goten nodded. "Of course. I had planned on it from the moment that guy stepped out of the carriage."
Trunks smiled. "Thanks. I knew I could count on you." He slapped him on the back and then headed off. He didn't know why, but he felt like he should go check and make sure that Phillip's servants were alright. They should be at the dining hall right about now.
When he arrived, he was pleased to see that everyone was seated and had a full meal in front of them. They were laughing and talking with his servants. Good. He wanted them to feel like this was a place were they would be treated with kindness. As his eyes continued to scan the mass of people he picked out the girl from earlier that day. She was seated with the others, but she wasn't laughing or talking. She was just eating and staring straight down at her plate. Unknowingly his feet carried him closer to her. The closer he got, the more uneasy his stomach felt. He could tell from her posture that she was in pain. When she shifted her shoulder strap slid down and he could see the beginning of a large welt on her back.
The girl sat quietly and ate. She tried to ignore the pain coursing up and down her back. She had been punished, but that was nothing new. This wasn't the first time that Phillip had used the whip on her. She was proud of herself. She had withstood the entire whipping without letting out a sound. She wouldn't let him see her suffer! She lifted her eyes from her plate and looked to the side. She could feel someone's presence behind her. As she turned around she noticed everyone around her bowing and quickly did the same.
When she had looked up at him for that brief moment Trunks noticed a cut across her cheek as well. He realized he was making a scene now that everyone was bowing. All eyes were on him. He quickly stood straighter and nodded his head at everyone. He looked down at the girl in front of him and despite his better judgment told her to arise. She stood up slowly and everyone looked at her to see what would happen next.
She just stared at him not sure of what to think. Was she in trouble again? Had she done something wrong?
He stepped a little closer to her and spoke quietly. "I need to speak with you outside." He saw her look of shock, but she quickly covered it up and started to follow him.
When they got outside, Trunks led her to one of the garden benches nearby. He motioned for her to sit and she did; never taking her eyes off of him. He sat down next to her and then looked at her face. Something in her eyes just seemed to pull him in. She tilted her head to the side and raised her eyebrows at him. He shook his head realizing that he'd been staring. "Um…well…" he stuttered trying to come up with a reason that he had wanted to talk with her. He decided to just tell her the truth. "I wanted to make sure that you were okay. You were supposed to get punished earlier and I know Phillip can be a jerk."
She just looked at him, not quite sure what to say. Why was the Prince asking about her welfare? Royalty didn't care about commoners and servants. All they cared about were themselves. So why was this guy looking at her like he really cared? "Um…yeah. I'm fine. It's no big deal. I get in trouble all the time." She started to get up, but he gently pulled her back down.
"Are you sure? I can tell by looking at you that you're in pain." Without thinking, Trunks slowly reached up and touched the cut on her cheek. She winced slightly and he quickly pulled back. Why had he touched her? What had come over him?
She gave a small smile and began to rise again. "Don't worry about it. I'll be fine." She started to turn away, but then turned around briefly. "But thank you for your concern, your highness." She bowed slightly and then began to walk away.
Trunks watched her go and then suddenly ran after her. When he caught up to her he gently took her arm and turned her around. "By the way, what's your name?"
She looked at the ground for just a moment and then looked back up into his eyes. "Pan."
Well, that was it for the first chapter. Please let me know what you think!
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