CHAPTER 4
"Please, Prince, put me down!" she ordered. Trunks tossed Pan through a doorway. When he finally dropped her to her feet he announced, "Now, that you're all together." Pan turned quickly and her eyes widened seeing the women standing around her. He continued. "There are separate rooms for each of you, this is the west wing of the palace, and no one comes to this wing except for myself and," he waved a hand around himself, "you all."
"You all?" a woman said. He arched a brow and she stepped from them. She was quite beautiful Pan noted. She was tall, taller than he was with pale green skin and glowing violet eyes. Her hair was a deep evergreen and she said, "I won't stay here. I'll be gone by the second dawn." Trunks arched a brow and nodded. "Very well, do any other of you want to go?" Another stepped forward. Fair skinned and ethereal. She said softly, "I also will leave." Again, he nodded.
"Any others?" His arrogance was irritable and Pan kept her disgust hidden. This was all a game to him. When no other spoke he said, "I'll visit each of you this evening, to get to know your names and what not." She pulled her hands behind herself, clasping them tightly together. He waved a hand. "Go ahead, to your rooms, enjoy your places and expect me later." He clapped, as if to dismiss them but Pan had turned away as soon as he said go ahead. She didn't need to be told twice to be allowed to leave.
She eased into her room, shutting the door tightly behind her while she heard a few murmuring to one another. She assumed, to plan their leaving, or if they were to stay, and surely how to catch Trunks' eyes for the prospect of marriage. She looked around the room, seeing her trunk had been delivered safely and she shook her head with a sigh.
She walked to it and opened it, enjoying the sweet smells from her home. She had made sure to hang her clothes to dry so that the warm sea water could still be scented from the clothes she brought. She'd filled each pocket with a hodgepodge of southern and sea flora. It'd been nearly a decade since she'd traveled away from her home for her time in the army. She closed her eyes and held a wrap to her face, focusing on her mother's smile. She'd been so steady in her pressure to tell Pan to come here and her mother believed Pan could really be the change needed in the cities. She lowered the fabrics and looked longingly to the nearby bed. So clean and tidy in comparison to the cherished and lived-in bedroom she had.
Trunks waited until late in the evening to visit Pan. A soft knock came to her bedroom door and he was unsurprised that she wasn't in bed. She was standing at the far window, watching over the city, she turned to look at him as he entered and said, "Good evening." She arched a brow at him and her eyes seemed to stare deeply at him. "Yes my prince?" she asked. He smiled at her title for him. It wasn't your highness as she was proud enough to call him her prince. He found it amusing that she thought to be so familiar with him.
He shut the door and walked to her, looking over the sights from her window. "Enjoying the view?" he pondered. She nodded and said, "Thank you for allowing the others to leave." If no one else would thank him, she could, after all, she wasn't raised to be ungrateful to the leniency of the royal family. She understood well enough that they controlled the lives of their brethren. "You really think I would keep a woman against her will?" he asked softly as she looked back through the window. "Never," she said, and smartly added, "the military does that enough already."
"How could a female know so much about our military?" he pondered. She tucked her hands behind her, clasping her hands together as she hardened her stance. "Because I served your father's wars," she said somberly. He frowned. "But sons-"
"My father has no sons," she quickly interrupted. Her eyes cut over to him and she saw he was unamused by her interrupting him but he remained collected as she added, "I am an only child to my parents. Therefore, by royal decree, I trained as a child and served upon my fifteenth year." She saw a flicker of confusion but his furrowed brow smoothed over to a smile.
"Then you must feel rather lucky to be here instead of there," he assumed. She laughed. "I would've stayed with my General and our barracks had I not been offered the role of Southern Ambassador." She looked away from him.
They stood quietly before he nodded and turned away. "You're unlike the others," he noted as he made his way to the door. "I won't marry you," she called over her shoulder. He nodded. "I assumed as much. Good thing you'll help me choose one." Her brow furrowed and he smiled. "You never know, you may want to stay." She scoffed and shook her head.
She didn't pay any further attention to him when he left and went to sit at the edge of the bed, looking around at the rather clinical looking room. It was too clean and unused. The harsh white of the walls and the far mirror seemed harsh and uninviting. Nevertheless, it was later in the afternoon and she yawned from her travels. She plopped back onto the bed and tucked her knees up to let her eyes rest as she fell into a light slumber.
Pan peeled out of her room, picking up her skirts and ran down the long hallway. Damn these fine clothes. She didn't need all of the layers and bindings to keep her perfectly coiffed and tucked. She needed freedom and right now she needed it fast. She rounded a corner, tucking the skirts up into her waistband. She'd awoken to an empty wing and no one had thought to wake her, allowing her to sleep in until near mid morning. She hadn't seen Trunks nor his prospects when maids arrived to dress her in the palace's formal wear, even though she'd brought her own. She looked down to tighten her waistband until she slammed into something.
A hard arm caught her around the middle, stopping her dead. Her breath huffed and she whipped her head up to look at who stopped her. Her eyes narrowed seeing the prince before her. "What are you-" His hand caught her chin and he was quick to kiss her. Her eyes went wide and she shoved him off of her. He arched a brow. "Are you not playing hide and seek?" She shook her head. "Of course not!" She paused. "Are-are you really playing that with the others?" she asked. He chuckled. "Of course." She shook her head and pulled herself away from him. "How impish," she insulted.
"Excuse me," she said before she took off once more. His hand though, caught her forearm and pulled her back into the cradle of his chest. He leaned his head to press his nose into her hair. Until his head lowered to bite her shoulder. She stiffened up and pulled quickly away. She cupped her shoulder and had faced him once more. She was blushing madly and his teasing smile broadened. She knew biting was not just a silly game. Biting and kisses and marks were wanton and for possession. She swallowed and calmly said, "Please don't play these games with me." He paused and his face changed. He saw her shock and said, "Have you not taken a man to-"
"That is none of your business!" she said before finally leaving him. "As you said, I'm an advisor, not a suitor," she called over her shoulder. He frowned though and watched as she rounded a corner. He zipped after her. Pan's heart stopped when he suddenly appeared before her. She smacked into his chest once more. She bonked her nose and tears nipped at her eyes from the sudden action.
"This is not game!" she exclaimed, "I don't have time to deal with a spoiled prince." He said, "My mother is requesting I marry before my coronation." Pan's eyes went wide. "Then why are you here?!" she exclaimed and he said, "She finds you to be worthy of becoming my wife, even taking her place." He sneered at her. "There truly is no need for you to come forth as a candidate, or a bride, seeing as you are unwilling to negotiate on even the smallest of matters."
"Becoming your concubine is not a small matter." She seethed as her hands clenched shut. "How dare you assume that I would be honored in becoming your whore?" she added. She shook her head. Before she pushed him away, she also added, "Besides, your sister would be the first candidate for a new queen, not myself," she corrected, "I will merely be labeled a princess, never a queen."
She heard the large plaza bell chime. She stiffened up, looking quickly around. "Now, really, I have to go," she reasoned, "I have a meeting-"
"Why?" he asked. She rolled her eyes. "I'm meeting with the militia court I-ugh, never mind. I've got to go." She rushed past him and he didn't follow. She felt relief when he didn't as she came to the vast court hall and saw the large table with knights and men and women standing around, looking over a vast diorama. She skirted to a hard stop, her face flushed with worry. She straightened herself and wiped her hair back, pinning it in place.
"Son Pan," someone called. She bowed as she rushed towards them. "Yes," she greeted, "I apologize." It wasn't a lie. She had firmly denied him. She looked over the display and said, "What have you discussed?" Vegeta said, "We were just speaking of the South Territory." She nodded. "If you would please discuss this with us." She took the floor to speak of her homelands. "Our territory is mostly farmlands and the city's main supply of fresh produce and crops. If anyone was to attack us you know our family would easily be able to defend the lands," she explained. Then continued, "But with the belligerent militia at hand we lose more crops every day."
"What are you proposing?" Vegeta asked and her gaze hardened. "Have your guards be trained under us. If you don't want to lose valuable lives and crops. They are used to the city, not a water town with common people."
"How dare a woman speak to the king in such a manner," someone stated and Pan's eyes hardened. "If I lose one life to any guard or army I'll change my tone even more," she snapped, "And I will kill whoever harms my people. Without mercy." A smug smile curled Vegeta's lips. She truly was beautiful when her eyes flashed darkly. "And as I recall, this court is only speaking when someone is spoken to, sir, you're out of line." Vegeta felt his smile broaden. Not only from her words but, because he saw his son standing just at the doorway. Trunks crossed his arms, watching closely as Pan spoke further. She said, "Taking the children to train them, to fight in the battles, is breaking down the families there."
"Families are broken to protect everyone," a man murmured. She nodded. "I understand. But, there will not be enough people to protect port towns if they don't return there." She finally said, "What I'm explaining is that the population of the town is failing."
Pan greeted each guest as they took their leave of the called meeting. She bowed and nodded and shook hands and provided the proper greeting as each of them left. She stood just next to Vegeta as Trunks smiled and greeted a few guests before stepping up to his father's side. Pan arched a brow as he murmured, "Was I needed to be here?" Vegeta merely said, "No. Your position here will come with time." His words revealed to Pan that Vegeta wasn't ready for Trunks to take a place at the broad table of trades and war. Her attention shifted though when she felt a hand encase hers. "Son Pan," a warm voice greeted. Her eyes rose and she felt a wry smile curl on her lips. "General Akil," she greeted. He smiled at her and waved a hand. "Seeing as there are not many of us left," he took her hand to graze his forearm. "Could you see me out?" She paused.
"My King and Prince?" she asked properly. Vegeta said, "As you want." Trunks said nothing and her eyes slipped away to look up at Akil. They heard him say, "It has been many moons since I've laid eyes on you." Trunks' brow furrowed and Vegeta said, "He was her General in the battlefronts of Luna del Mar." They watched as she escorted him to the open doors of the hall and looked up at him while he spoke to her.
"There is something more to them than merely a soldier to her General," Trunks murmured. Vegeta murmured, "There has always been a connection between the two of them. Long before their battles together. He was her prospect of marriage before she became an Ambassador." Trunks looked at his father for more information before he turned away. Trunks looked back at the man and woman and watched Akil lean in and press a soft kiss to her forehead. Her hands clasped his forearms sharing a small moment with him before he pulled away and walked away. Pan turned and walked back to the hall. Her eyes rose and saw Trunks watching her closely.
"I noticed you were present for the session," she said. "I appreciate that you attended," she added. He crossed his arms and said, "I didn't attend for you. Or your people." Her eyes widened. She felt a nervous tick in her temple. "My people are your people," she reminded. He said in return, "With how confident you were in protecting them it seems that you don't need our city's protection." Her hands tightened into fists. "Protection? That has nothing to do with what I said!" He calmly said, "You sounded as if you wished to be spoiled by your own decisions. Thinking we would pull our military out of the Southlands is ridiculous." Her voice rose. "I never asked for that! I requested that our children be returned to their families!"
"They're needed for the battles we have," he reminded. She felt tears burn her eyes. "You have no idea what the battles are! You've never once been at the front lines!" He groused at her. "And someone as young as yourself has?!" She threw a flat hand to his face. She stiffened up as she realized what she had done. "Of course, I have," she whispered brokenly. "Just like any other southern child." His wide eyes stared her down and she swallowed nervously. Unsure of what he was going to do in return for her attack. He caught her throat and whispered, "Don't forget who you are. You're a lower-class Saiyan with an unheeded title." His hand tightened but, she remained calm but, unwavering. "I will kill you without another thought if I find you useless to me," he said darkly. She tried to swallow and his fingers, just barely, tightened a bit more before he finally let her free. She blinked back her tears as she collected herself and he said, "Bow to me." Her eyes widened and she slowly, cautiously, bowed at the waist to him. "Lower," he ordered. Her teeth ground together. He watched her, expecting her to take a knee until she took to her knees and bowed to her hands. "I apologize, your highness," she said firmly. She remained where she was until he finally said, "Look at me." Her head rose and he chuckled as he leaned in and caught her chin. "I'll break you, you brazen thing," he forewarned before he finally turned away and walked off. She touched her throat and could feel the skin already bruising.
She shot up and ran. She ran as hard as she could and took off outside. She couldn't breathe inside the palace. No matter how vast it was. Inside was too confining and too suffocating. She ran out to the courtyards and quickly out to the gardens as she did her best to surround herself with the greenness of the plants and vines. She finally felt safe when she made it to the edge of the gardens and looked over the vast countryside. She felt her tears finally fall and she sank to her knees before sitting back on her heels. She stared at the skies and could feel the sun bearing into her as she watched the clouds roll by.
He was terrifying. The Prince. He was maddening and made her skin shudder with terror. She shook her head and merely took in a deep breath before wincing from the tightness of her now tender neck.
"You've now seen he knows no mercy," a voice whispered. Pan stayed as she was while her King stood over her. "The other women have been looking for you," he murmured. She did her best to gather herself and she stood up. He looked her over and pulled her chin to his hand. He eased her face to the side and his head tilted. "I've endured far worse," she reasoned. He said, "You'll allow him to do this again?" Her eyes hardened. "Of course not," she groused. "I attacked him, of course, he would treat me this way." He nodded. "Good. Now go," he growled. "clean your face." She turned away and wiped away her tears, fighting her emotions at bay.
She took her time to walk through the gardens and towards the palace. She heard her name called as she came closer. "Ambassador Son!" Her head rose and she smiled at the ginger-haired woman waving at her. "Come on! We're going to the bathhouse!" She walked up to the women and smiled at them. "The bathhouses hm?" Gigi nodded quickly. "Yes!"