Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Dragonball series or any of their characters and am using them merely for entertainment purposes. I make no money from any of my fanfictions (unfortunately =P).
Author's Note: Whew! Another chapter done! Yeah! O_O To be honest, the main reason it wasn't out sooner was because I couldn't find a bit of info I thought I needed. But just now I realized it didn't matter. .;;;; There's another flashback in this chapter, this time referring to Vejita's career as a mercenary under Freeza. (What kind of guidance counselor did HE get? o_o;) And… my God… I have a warning! O_o
Warning: There is a reference to rape in this chapter, and it will probably reoccur in future chapters. Thank you for shopping Gaia's Discount Fics: I write because I care. =D
Chapter Five: The First Link to the Chain
By eight in the morning all, with the exception of the commonly excluded Paresu and Serive, were in the dining room eating breakfast. Usually the Briefs family ate in the kitchen, but with the sudden additional number of guests, a larger space was needed. Chi-chi, who was understandably miffed at not being notified the night before, had been filled in on the situation. Now as all ate their breakfast, they discussed what to do about the most disliked guest.
"You were good to put her in that room, Bra," Bulma, with a smile, praised her daughter. "At least now we can keep tabs on her, even if only for a little bit."
"Has she done anything suspicious yet?" Bra asked.
Bulma shook her head. "I watched the tape this morning. All she did was sit on her bed for a while just talking to that doll of hers. After an hour she went to sleep."
Bra blinked at the mention of the doll. It was so easy to forget it was there on the woman's shoulder. She hadn't even really noticed it the night before.
"Creepy," Yamcha muttered. "Does she really think that thing is alive?"
"It could be," Tien brought up. "We've seen more bizarre things."
Yamcha nodded in agreement. "You're right about that. Well, anyway, what are we going to do about her?"
"I don't see why a discussion is needed," Vejita grumbled. "The solution is simple: build her a goddamn ship and get her out of here before she does more damage than she's already done."
Marron knew Serive's power well; sleep had not diminished the uneasiness she'd felt after what Serive had forced Trunks to do the night before. Her hand went to her throat, rubbing soothingly, until a hand fell on her shoulder. She looked up from her untouched plate and Trunks was smiling softly at her. She could still see the wanting of forgiveness in his eyes, so she smiled back and leaned into him as a reassurance that she still trusted him. Trunks secured his arm around her shoulders and they returned their attention to the continuing discussion.
"We should be concerned with how to protect those who can't stand against her while she's here," Gohan pointed out. "To do that we need to know everything about her and what she is capable of, and the person who would know the most about that is you, Vejita."
All looked to the prince expectantly. He was not too fond of the attention and scowled in response, but after a moment he spoke.
"Serive is the princess of Wycan, heir to the throne. Wycanians are commonly thought of as what on earth are called witches and warlocks. They are very spiritual and fond of nature." Vejita sneered, implying what he thought of such beliefs. "They even go so far as to control their population so they don't have to damage their planet by creating more cities or gathering immense amounts of food. In addition to basic fighting skills, they protect themselves by the use of 'magic.'"
"But she didn't use any spells to control me," Trunks brought up. He stuck out his tongue. "She used that nasty grainy junk she put in my mouth."
"Pletels," Chaozu remembered.
"Whatever."
"They come from a plant that grows on Wycan," Vejita explained. "Apparently through their spirituality they are connected to the life force of the plants and their seeds." The prince rolled his eyes. "Therefore, when ingested by their victim- when ground the pletels can dissolve quickly and effect the body in a mere moment- the Wycanian can control the person's physical movements. Apparently, since all the people are in touch with nature, no Wycanian has been able to use the substance against one of their own species."
Bra listened attentively. So far she had found that Serive's species was quite interesting. Subjects such as witchcraft had always enticed her. "Can they be used for anything else?"
Vejita nodded. "A great deal of things, although I haven't seen much."
"Like what?"
Vejita paused, raising an eyebrow at his daughter's curiosity. "Well, for instance, if a Wycanian puts them onto an object, he or she will be able to lift it using their mind."
"What else?" Bra urged him on. Her elbows were propped up on the table and her chin supported in her hands. She stared at her father with an expression of pure fascination.
Vejita's eyes narrowed. "Bra," he said sternly, "I expect you to take this seriously."
Bra flushed and sat up straight against the chair. "I just think that the Wycanians seem pretty cool is all." She shrugged.
Something in Vejita prickled. "'Cool'?!" he shouted, and all in the room jumped. "If you find Serive so fucking entertaining why don't you go ask her to make your brother choke Marron again?"
"Vejita!" Bulma barked. "Calm down."
Bra gaped at her father. He had never looked so angry with her. He'd never been angry with her. "I didn't mean-"
"Otousan is right, 'Kaasan," Trunks interrupted. "Bra shouldn't be here if she's going to act like a child."
Marron removed herself from Trunks embrace. "She was only curious!" she argued. She looked at Bra supportively. "You have to admit that Wycanian culture sounds interesting."
"Don't defend her!" Vejita snapped. "If she's more interested in Serive's ridiculous way of life than in protecting her own family she can stop wasting my time!" At the last phrase the prince returned his fiery glare to his daughter, and in the back of his mind he was surprised to find that when Bra shrank back he didn't care. He was not going to tolerate her immaturity in this situation.
Humiliated with how her father was treating her and angry with him for doing so, Bra suddenly choked out an "excuse me" and fled the dining room. Her toppled chair hadn't even hit the floor by the time she had vanished through the doorway. Marron got up to follow, but Bulma sternly held up her hand to stop her.
"Bra will get over it," she said to the blonde girl. "Just leave her be."
Marron hesitated, then sat back down, but she still appeared worried.
It was now, in the awkward silence, that Vejita felt regret for being so harsh. But he merely coughed and muttered, "Anyway, that's all I can tell you."
"Well, we could just kill her," Chi-Chi said frankly.
Everyone looked up at the woman's straight-forward remark, then sweatdropped when they saw her polishing a frying pan.
"Maybe we should've woken her up last night," Tien muttered to Chaozu."
"Okaasan," Goten said slowly, "I think if we can avoid any deaths it would be better. I mean, she's a princess. If she didn't come back, what if they send an army to avenge her?"
"But she said that her government was overthrown," Yamcha reminded everyone. "I doubt there'll be anyone to send for her."
All looked at each other, obvious considering Chi-Chi's methods.
"Whoa, whoa, WHOA!" Bulma stood and held up her hands. "Okay, I'll admit I was never really one to stand in the way of a battle, but I am really not comfortable with murder in my house!"
"We could do it somewhere in the Barren Plains," Trunks suggested. "It'll be like it never happened."
Bulma glared at her son. "Look, I know that you're all very casual with the whole death thing, but please don't treat it as if you're trying to get rid of a disobedient dog."
Bra sulked to herself as she sat in the swing, not moving. She had never meant to imply that she didn't care for everyone's safety. She had just been a bit enamored with Wycan society. It sounded so much more interesting than the life she had. She imagined what it would be like to be one with nature, to use the planet's forces to further her spirituality and to fight for her kind. Here, on Earth, she felt suffocated. Here she was surrounded by technology and taught to think practically and rationally. Here she had no desire to fight because, well, there wasn't really anything to fight for. On this planet people were materialistic and greedy and they had wars over ridiculous things like religion; it didn't really seem like much to save.
"How come you're not in there plotting against me too?"
Bra looked up, and Serive was leaning against the diagonal support bar of the swingset. Curiously, she was no longer in her tight-fitting red and grey garb. Now she wore looser jeans and a black t-shirt. She still wore her boots- Bra wondered if they were uncomfortable to wear under the jeans since they went up to mid-thigh- and her hair was still left to swing freely.
"Where did you get those clothes?" Bra asked.
Serive shrugged, and the movement of her shoulder's brought the girl's eyes to Jinja. "Found them in another room. You people must keep everything."
"There's lots of places to keep things," the girl answered still looking at the stuffed figure. She figured the clothes must have belonged to her mother or grandmother.
"You didn't answer my question."
Bra looked down at the dirt at her feet. "Who says they're 'plotting against' you?"
"It'll be nice and quick," Tien assured the inventor.
"Do you think she'll go with you willingly?" Bulma pointed out.
Serive snorted. "I'm not stupid."
"And may I remind you, as it seems that you've all forgotten, that the dragonballs are gone?" Bulma folded her arms and looked around at them. "What happens if you underestimate her and one of you dies?"
"Why would we underestimate her?" Trunks asked.
"Oh, I don't know…" Bulma shrugged and looked at the ceiling for an answer, then brought her gaze back to those around the table. "Because you always do?"
"But Vejita said she uses mostly magic," Tien countered.
Vejita paused in his eating and raised an eyebrow at the three-eyed man. "When did I say that?" He set down his fork. "I never said one manner of fighting was preferred over the other. Of course, most Wycanians, especially royalty, are masters of the spiritual arts, but I can't be sure about Serive."
"Why is that?"
"They're just… talking." Bra said.
"I'm sure." Serive muttered. "So, have you decided to tell me the story?"
Bra stood up from the swing, but still held onto the chains. She wasn't sure it was a good idea to even be around the woman, but her words from the night before made a point. If no one did anything to provoke Serive- and Bra doubted anyone would- nothing bad would happen. Her father would definitely be even unhappier if he knew that she was alone with the woman who he held an age-old grudge with. Of course, she wasn't very happy with him at the moment.
"It will take some time," Bra said, setting off towards the house. "We should take a walk. I'll get my jacket."
"Because Serive was the only Wycanian to come under Freeza's service," Vejita replied, and took a gulp of his juice.
"Vejita…" Yamcha coughed in his hesitation. "About that… would you mind telling us exactly how you and Serive came to meet?"
The prince met no one's eyes. He set down his juice and continued to eat. "Why?" he asked in between bites of food.
Bulma sat down next to him and set a hand on his shoulder. "Because it's something that we're all curious of."
Vejita swallowed and glanced up at all the expectant expressions. He scowled. "It's none of your goddamn business."
"Well, Vejita-san," Marron said, folding her arms and leaning against them on the table, "I'm sure if you won't tell us, Serive will, and there's no telling what she'll say in her version."
Vejita looked up at the blonde. He stared at her, considering her words. He remembered the things Serive had revealed and exaggerated the night before; he definitely didn't want her to happily bring out more gruesome aspects of his past. But after a few moments, he still said nothing.
Everyone exchanged glances, then went back to their plates to finish their morning meal, when…
"We met when we were young."
Everyone stopped in surprise, some with their mouths open to their forks, others with their mouths full of chewed up food. They looked back to Vejita, who braced his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his clasped hands. He looked at no one.
"We were only a year or so younger than Bra, although our lives were… different than hers."
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
It was a fairly average day on Freeza Planet Number 479, one of the many base planets the tyrant had around the universe. Warriors were being sent off to purge planets of their residing species and perhaps vegetation just as often as the soldiers that had completed their missions were returning from empty spheres. They were launched and received in the east wing of Lord Freeza's main compound, which had been built on the northern most point of the planet. Often the leaders of the ablution groups made their way into the center rooms of the monstrous structure to make their reports on their assignments. Afterwards they joined their subordinates in the mess halls of the southern wing, which also held the storage rooms for edible goods, kitchens, and the living quarters for the base's staff. The other quarters were in the north wing; the mercenaries lived apart from the servants because the warriors often harassed the hired help. It was less aggravating to have them live on opposite sides of the base than to constantly purchase new slaves. While the north, east, and south wings were provided with their own relatively large power centers, most of the compound's electrical functioning was controlled in the western wing. This part of the building also held the communications center and the paperwork created in the center area of the compound.
In one hallway in center of the massive complex, three warriors were on their way to Freeza's meeting chambers.
"Why doesn't Freeza-sama reward us for good work instead of just congratulating us every time?" Nappa asked no one in particular. He was a massive creature, well over six feet tall and ridiculously muscular. Unlike most Saiyajins, he was bald, although he did have a mustache. He wore standard armor of the black variety, which included shoulder guards, and black spandex shorts.
"'Cause he knows you're expecting some sort of reward, you idiot," Radditz muttered. "And he knows that Vejita-sama and I realize it's just to mock us and it aggravates us." Radditz's height just barely reached over the monstrous Saiyajin's shoulder, but the lack of physical stature was made up for in intelligence, although he himself was by no means a genius. In contrast to Nappa, Radditz seemed to have more hair than he knew what to do with; the thick clumps finally thinned out at the backs of his knees. Under his own armor (which was the same as Nappa's) Radditz had on a black leotard.
"I don't see why he would waste his time doing that," Nappa replied. Years ago he would become enraged with Radditz for being so disrespectful to one of the Saiyajin elite, but he had learned to tolerate the first-class warrior's sarcasm. Although he would never admit it, he would never be comfortable destroying one of his own. After all, there was just the three of them now, other than the brother Radditz believed might still be alive on one of the frontier planets.
"He's just a sadistic bastard," Radditz answered. "Either that or he just has nothing else to do besides fuck Zarbon," he added with a snicker.
"Will you two shut-up?" said a commanding voice from in front of them.
The two fell silent immediately, of course. How could they not obey their prince?
At sixteen standard years old, Vejita was disappointingly only about five feet tall, and it was not expected that he would grow much more. He made up for his short stature with arrogance and power, though. Vejita was already one of the most powerful soldiers in Freeza's ranks. His near-black brown hair was swept up about his head like a flame and dipped into his wide forehead in a pronounced widow's peak. His skin was dark and tanned, although you could only tell so by his face. A blue bodysuit and standard white armor concealed his muscled torso, legs, and arms. White gloves were on his hands and ivory gold-tipped boots were on his feet.
Each of the three Saiyajin had a furry brown tail that extended from his lower back to wrap protectively around his waist. The tails were an important feature of their race; they allowed a Saiyajin to transform into an Oozaru- a colossal monkey-like creature- by the light of the full moon. Without a tail, he or she would be unable to do so, and his or her power would also decrease greatly. A tail could also be a source of pain: if it was pulled, spikes of agony would surge through a fighter's body. Back when Vejitasei was still in orbit, elite soldiers (like Nappa) and royalty (like Vejita) were trained to withstand such pain and eventually ignore it. Others (such as Radditz) had only the option of keeping their tails out of the enemy's grasp.
Vejita sighed inwardly. He'd only been back for about two hours and he was already itching to go purge another series of planets. Anything to keep him away from the revolting thing in the room at the end of the hall. His stomach turned a bit at the thought of the events that had unfolded in his last few meetings with Freeza without the company of his only remaining subjects. He hope the Ice-jin would be preoccupied and not feel inclined to bother with him in such a manner that day.
There was a sudden commotion behind them and the three Saiyajins turned to see two fellow soldiers dragging a girl down the hallway towards Freeza's control room. They had to haul her along because she was struggling and screaming with every step.
She seemed to be about Vejita's age. Her skin was pure, unblemished white and her hair was the semblance of lava. Bright aqua eyes with white pupils briefly fell on the three Saiyajins before flashing with ire at the guards. A black unitard hugged her torso and legs, revealing that, although thin, she wasn't very muscular at all, and a red cape fell over her bare shoulders. Her flying fists were covered by gloves that were also black, like her half-calf boots.
"Fuck you, you mindless bastards!" the girl screamed after spitting in one warrior's eye. "I demand you release me-"
The tall humanoid whose eye she'd spit in gave her a good punch in the stomach and silenced her. "Shut up, Wycanian!" He and his shorter partner continued taking their prisoner to the room at the end of the hall, and they passed by the Saiyajins on the way. "You're gonna be here for a long while," he muttered to the now silent girl, "so I suggest you get used to living here."
Vejita saw that they were headed for the same destination, and raised his objection. "We were here first!" he said sternly. "Freeza called to see us personally." The prince refused to wait for the tyrant to deal with some stubborn brat. He wanted to get in, be patronized, and get out.
The guard glanced back with a sneer, but didn't stop. "Well, Saiyajin, Freeza-sama also called us personally so he could see Little Miss Hellcat, and seeing as how you're lagging behind, you'll have to wait until his business with her is done." With that he opened the door to Freeza's chamber, and he and his partner pulled the girl inside.
Vejita seethed inside and resolved to kill the guard the next time he laid eyes on him. At the moment he had to deal with Freeza, so he set aside the thought and led the two other Saiyajins into Freeza's throne room.
The two guards stood before the lizard with the girl on her knees between them. They both stood tall and looked upon the dictator with respect and underlying fear, but the pale girl had her hands tightened into fists and glared at the lord with anger and disgust.
"Lord Freeza, as you requested we have brought you Princess Serive of the planet Wycan, home of the Wycanians," the taller guard announced.
Freeza's red eyes flickered between the guards with disinterest and set upon the girl with amusement at her unvoiced defiance. The tip of his long white tail twitched back and forth as he swirled a glass of red liquid in a black-clawed hand. He was obviously short in stature, but there was always a dangerous air of power about him that unsettled even the most powerful of warriors.
"I demanded to see her half an hour ago," the Ice-jin said. His voice was a bit high, but the tedium in it warned of the rumors that the ivory oppressor would kill warriors just for amusement.
The two guards immediately fell on their knees on either side of their prisoner.
"Our apologies, Freeza-sama," the shorter guard finally spoke. "She was being quite difficult."
The dictator's eye's never left Serive. "Difficult? She looks quite frail."
"Indeed, she does, my lord," the tall soldier agreed immediately, "but she is quite fiesty."
"Hn."
Freeza got up and set his glass on the arm of his dias. He took a few steps across the red carpet and stood before the girl. On her knees she had to tilt her head a bit to look him in the eyes, and when she did so the Ice-jin slapped her across the face. Her head snapped to the side and Vejita saw that her eyes were wide with shock and that blood leaked from her mouth.
"Where is it, girl?" the tyrant hissed, grabbing her by the throat and turning her head so her eyes were forced upon him.
Serive only scowled at him. There was a sudden tightening in her arms, and although the guards were doing their best to restrain her one was free in a swift movement that brought her fist to Freeza's face. A thwack resounded throughout the room, but the white creature did not flinch. Instead his own arm returned the action by striking her in the stomach. Her body flew across the room and she landed only a few feet from where the three Saiyajins waited.
Vejita looked down at her writhing form in disgust. Weakness… The pain evident in her features and cringing movements screamed it. It was making him sick. It would have been a pleasure for him to put her out of her misery right then if Freeza hadn't been on her in the next moment.
The cold despot pulled her up by her arm and held her up on her knees. "No one escapes me!" he declared, digging his dark nails into her flesh. "Where is Wycan?!"
"I'll never tell you!" Serive screeched back. "I'll die first!"
Freeza sneered and with his free hand gripped her hair and pull her up so they were eye to eye. "You Wycanians are so foolish to believe that your magic will conceal your planet forever. The abilities of technology are growing as I speak, my dear, and soon they will make your puny spiritual abilities obsolete. Such a planet as yours, that doesn't rely on technology, is just begging to be destroyed by those who use it to their advantage!"
Serive did not reply in words; she spat in the conqueror's face instead, and received another blow to the gut. She curled up on the floor, trying to defend her vulnerable areas and deal with the pain at the same time.
Freeza brought back his leg to kick her again, but he noticed the trio of Saiyajins standing before him. "What the hell do you want?" he snapped.
Vejita quickly bowed, knowing that his two partners were doing the same behind him. "You called for us, Freeza-sama," the prince replied with the most sincere show of respect he could muster.
Freeza stared blankly at him, then he smiled tauntingly. "Oh, yes. As usual, Vejita," he said, "I just want to congratulate you three once again on the excellent job you are doing for me."
Vejita successfully masked his scowl. Any chance the sick Ice-jin got, he would always remind them of their place. They no longer fought and killed for their own ambitions or pleasure, they did so for him now, so he could expand his empire.
"I would continue," the lizard-like creature spoke, "but I am quite busy with my unexpected guest." He gestured to Serive, who had dealt with enough of her pain to be able to open her eyes and watch them. "Perhaps you should join me later after dinner, Vejita, and we can continue this meeting."
Nappa hesitated- Vejita could hear his slight intake of breath- before asking, "And me and Raditz, Lord Freeza?"
Nappa was so stupid. So goddamn fucking stupid. Vejita was sure that he would kill him one day. For almost a year now Freeza had asked for only the presence of Vejita at the additional meetings, and the massive Saiyajin still couldn't figure out why. Radditz had known for quite some time, partly because of his higher brain capacity and partly because he had heard the rumors going around Freeza's ranks. Nappa was unable to have any abstract thought and- besides Vejita and Radditz- only associated with those as dull-witted and isolated as he.
Vejita's eyes managed to wander to Serive, and he felt an instant need to kill her. He could see that even she knew through the all-knowing, observant look to her eyes as she glanced from him to the tyrant.
"I've no need for you," Freeza replied dismissively. "You two may do whatever you like with your time off."
"Thank you, Freeza-sama," Vejita said in the habitual way. "We shall leave you to your more important matters."
"Why Vejita," the white monster chuckled. "I'm disappointed that you believe I think so little of you." He looked straight into Vejita's eyes, and the prince was instantly reminded of the events that had taken place at their last few private meetings. "Now, don't be tardy like you were last time. You know I hate that." The smirk, if possible, became even more sadistic.
"Yes, Lord Freeza," Vejita replied. He'd become used to keeping his shielded emotions out of his voice long ago, so it was easy to cloak his disgust and loathing.
The three Saiyajins turned and left the room, and Freeza gestured for the two guards to follow. Serive was left alone with the most feared tyrant in the universe.
Later that day, or what could be considered day on Freeza Planet Number 479, since as with most of the other base planets there was no sun to light its surface, Vejita was on his way to the throne room once more. This time, however, he was alone, not only in the unaccompanied sense but with his thoughts as well. Every time he tried to think of how to avoid these occasions, but nothing was promising, short of just running away all together. Even if he'd let go of his pride long enough to do so, it would not work, since whenever any warriors tried to escape, they were found and killed by the DIS: Destruction of Insubordination Squad. As with the Ginyu Force, few were privileged to see the members of the group unless they were one of the defiant soldiers marked for death. Some didn't even think that either crew existed; they believed that they had been made up to discourage disobedience and create fear, and anyone who had claimed to have seen them was in on the plot. There was no way to know. Everyone only knew that alleged renegades' bodies appeared daily by the dozen.
Although, Vejita did know for sure that the Ginyu Force existed. As Freeza's prodigy he'd been granted knowledge about many things. In fact, he'd had quite a few messy encounters with members of the elite warrior group. As for the DIS, he had no idea about that.
"Your room is on the third floor of the North Wing. Meals are provided around the clock in the South Wing. On your view screen in your room- and on your scouter- you'll receive your missions-"
"Missions??"
Vejita had been passing through a hallway juncture in the center of the compound, and on his right he looked up to see Serive and a general service servant. Serive had been dressed in warrior garb, to the prince's surprise: it was just like his own, only the body suit was red. The servant had a scouter in his hand.
"I can't go on missions!" Serive snapped. "I've never purged planets before!"
The attendant looked a bit irked. "I assure you, it's quite simple. You won't be alone. At first you'll probably go with other inexperienced purgers with training groups to the weaker planets. Later you'll be with the regulars on the tougher ones."
"But-"
"If by chance you're ever the head of a group you make your report here in the center wings on any of the first through fourth floors. Training halls are outside the complex to the north. Any questions?"
Serive sneered. "No."
The man sighed. "I'm afraid if you want to get out of this you must tell Lord Freeza what he wants to know."
The princess chortled. "If I did tell him, I'd still be doing this shit." She turned from him. "Just get the fuck out of here."
The slave hid his disdain and did as she ordered, retreating further into the innards of the complex.
Serive only took a few steps before she realized that Vejita was there. "What the fuck are you looking at?"
Vejita scowled at her and his tail twitched in annoyance. "A whining weakling, obviously." He moved to go past her and to Freeza's chambers.
"Really?" Her tone was mocking. "Then why would your precious Lord Freeza assign me to do your disgusting trade alongside you?"
The prince turned around. "Obviously to force you to disclose the information you hold. He knows that one day of eliminating all life and vegetation on various planets is sure to break your weak resolve."
"Wycanians are much stronger than you all make us out to be, Saiyajin," she snarled. "You'll learn that yourself yet."
Vejita laughed. "I'll be sure to watch my back," he patronized with a smirk before turning his back on her once again.
"Enjoy your fuck session."
With tightened, glowing fists and a vicious glare he whirled around to show Serive the power of a Saiyajin. But when he turned- and when he determinedly searched the other halls that came together at the intersection- she had vanished.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Of course, Vejita would never tell them all of this. The true account was watered down; such things like the events in his and Freeza's private meetings, the layout of the compound, and the actual dialogue in the conversations were just recalled in his mind. They were left out in what he told them: the basics. It was really only, if calculated mathematically, twenty percent of the factual circumstances. But it didn't matter that he had not told them everything. It would help neither him nor anyone else to know the exact happenings.
After summarizing the prince and princess' private encounter in the halls by merely saying that they had "exchanged some words that had immediately set a unpleasant tone" to their relationship. But he went no further than that and signified that he wouldn't by resuming his meal.
All took the hint and followed his suit; they would most likely get the rest of the story later on.
"Well, that would be the basics," Serive said quietly to Bra, who stood beside her outside the cracked kitchen door with her coat over her arm.
"But what happened to make him hate you enough to still want to kill you now?" Bra wondered aloud.
Serive smirked. "I may finish that story if you tell me yours." She gestured to a door that led to the front hall. "Let's go."