Episode 3
One Month later
Bulma business was not showing any improvement after that faintly day. Lucky for her, she was visiting one of her few loyal clients and who happens to be her favorite. A rare nice Saiyan noble, daughter of the finance ministers to the king, the few southern members who seem to understand the King and his political agenda. Not that anyone knows that about her father at least.
Bulma was on a house call visit, in preparation for the princess selection. Lady Poti was highly romantic vs her other Saiyan peers, well at least she is the few who doesn't mind admitting to it at least. Lady Poti enjoyed Bulma visits very much, there is always so much to learn from a human inventor such as her. Bulma was equally skilled at making beautiful and strong armor as well as teaching various woman on the art of human make up and fashion. Over the years both culture has intertwined within each other. Although humans are considered inferior to physical strength to Saiyans however tolerance for the race has slowly started to seep into it's culture as many human demonstrated equally admirable qualities about them. Scientist, doctors, inventors, business man and so many more. Bulma was no exception, she knows how to blend colours with clothes to capture men of all races. Why? Because Bulma knows women.
"I'm sorry to hear about your business, Bulma." Said Lady Poti as she looked through her new purchases. "I hope my purchases can keep you in business for a few more months until you find something.' She said as she placed her armor down and looked Bulma in the eye.
"Thank you for your concern Lady Poti. But I will manage, you have been extremely generous with your purchases this month, more then you usually do." Said Bulma looking sincerely at Lady Poti.
"I think I did it for me Bulma-san, I loved your armors and if you really shut down, I wanted to get my hands on everything I can get, regardless of the price." She smiled. "But this is not a normal house call, actually I was meaning to talk to you. Lady Poti said as she grabbed Bulma hands. Bulma on the other hand was caught off guard. But sat up right and looked Lady Poti in the eye.
"I wanted to ask you for a favour?" Lady Poti looked at Bulma with glimmers eyes. "You see, the princess selection is next week and I would like to hire you as my lady in waiting to assists me through the trail." She said fidgeting. "I know I'm not as beautiful as many of the participants but with your help I can be!" "You know the customs well Bulma-san, you learned it." "Can you help me?" she paused
Bulma looked at her with reluctance and Lady Poti noticed it too. Afraid she would say no, Lady Poti quickly added "And in return, I have some insider advice" This caught Bulma by surprise. "You see, my dad is going to commission a new armor maker. He was going have a trail selection for it too. Only 5, and I placed your business in the top 5." Lady Poti smiled.
Bulma couldn't believe her ears. This could actually save her business, it could solve everything. She wouldn't need to reply on her uncle after this. She can fix everything. "Yes, oh thank you Lady Poti." Said Bulma grabbing her hands with excitement. "I knew you'll do it. Oh thank you Bulma-san you have no idea how much better I feel after you said yes." "Don't forget, next week get everything ready" said Lady poti smiling. Bulma nodded and agree.
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As Bulma left the estate, she was feeling extremely lucky and fortunate. the wheels in her head was spinning to come up with the perfect design. While in the business street, it seems lady luck was truly on her side when she spot, GOKU! She could ask Goku to help her, she just need excess to the current military training ground to conduct her experiment and to check on the movement of each Saiyan. Although she was a very good armor maker, she wasn't sure, why they needed to change the current armor battle suit that the Saiyan's have been wearing. She mimic most of her designs to it. Anything extra would need her to further study it. She knew Goku deals with the military, and to her lucky surprise. Goku spotted her too.
"BULMA" waved an overly enthusiastic childhood friend. She smiled happy to see him. "Goku…" before she could speak further, Goku had her in a tight hug. "Goku, put me down." Said Bulma. "Opps, sorry!" Goku smiled rubbing her head. "so what do I owe this pleasure said Goku looking at Bulma with a grin on his face. "I will just get straight to the point, Goku! Can you get me access to military training?" said Bulma with determination.
Caught off guard, "that's a tall order you're asking Bulma. What for?" asked Goku looking at her suspiciously.
"The palace is going to commission new armor makers to the military, with my failing business. this could really save capsule corporation greatly. This might eve be the opportunity to make CC a giant mega corporation my father had dream it to be." Said Bulma with gleamed in her eyes. "it's won' be long Goku, a day would do. I just want to sketch out the designs and movements. Anything that can help me win that contract". Bulma ended, looking fiercely in Goku's eye for help.
Goku process what would happen if Vegeta found out but he could lie about Bulma being a hand maid. "If only for a day? Ok Bulma." On the fortnight, Free?" Goku asked. "YES!" Bulma smiled and hugged him. "Thank you Goku, I'm in your dept."
"Don't be Bulma, you had helped me countless times. It's the least I can do." "Meet me at the south gate entrance, it's a 3 hour ride away from here. So dress appropriately" He said smiling down at her.
With that, Bulma head home to start her preparation for both the princess selection and to her military visit.
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The day of the princess selection was a spectacular day for both the royal palace and its town people. Having a lady chosen from their respective town is an honorable privilege. As ladies were gathering at the main entrance of the palace, Bulma along with Lady Poti stood and marvel the exquisite art of the front palace while eyeing some of their competitions. All the ladies were equally as beautiful and stronger than her lady.
The gates open and the palace head keeper stood and greeted all the nobles into the palace while placing a small round bowl on the floor. The bowl symbolizes elegance and strength. As every potential queen needs to step on the bowl to pay respect and homage to both tradition and culture.
Lady Poti grabbed Bulma by the elbow, "You see that lady over there." Said Lady poti pointing at a slim and beautiful woman at the corner. Bulma nodded. "Many courts ladies will try to gin her favour in this meet as they know she will be the future selected queen." Said lady Poti as she held her arm and walked into the palace together.
Bulma although was aware of her duty as the hand maid of Lady Poti during the duration of her selection. She couldn't hep herself as she started writing down notes of the designs and colors she saw in the palace. It is very rare for the royal family to allow outside guest into the palace and Bulma took on full opportunity to scheme out the design for both females and males along with understanding the designs of the royal guards clothing as well. They headed towards the podium, it was decorated in the finest interior. Everything was placed neatly and accordingly for the noble ladies to use as seen fit. Not long after, the queen greeted the candidates. To Bulma, she was an ordinary looking woman but based on the aura she presented, Bulma figured she has a very strong power level for the people to respect her so strongly. Bulma also noticed that the Royal Blue colour was very apparent on the Queen especially her head piece. She wore a blue jaded hair pin that could easily be removed. A note that Bulma stored away in case she needed it for her designs in the future.
All candidates were guided to the podium as the selection continued. As procedure, all candidates of the princess selection will need to go through various task. One of which will be an elaborated meeting with the queen mother and queen themselves. Most of the princesses are set to dress and ready themselves with the equipment provided. It is compulsory for all candidates to appear barefaced, and in formal non-battled armor.
Bulma and lady Poti group were in line to head in. Coincidently, Lady Poti was in the same group as Lady Sasori. As Bulma was placing the final touches on lady Poti, making sure to add the extra blue bird she noted from the queens earlier, another hand maiden bumped into Bulma and spilling red blush onto Lady's Poti skirt. "Oh, I apologize, I am so sorry Mi' Lady" said the culprit not sincere at all. Bulma noted that the Hand maid looked towards Lady Sasori, smiling. Bulma was aware of candidate sabotage and it was a common practice but as Lady Poti mentioned. Due to the definite expectations of Lady Sasori taking the throne, many hand maidens are already choosing sides.
"Ahh…. What am I to do, or group is next, my skirt is ruined!" said Lady Poti trying to be as soft as possible. "it's ok My Lady, I can make you a new skirt. It isn't very hard to do. Beside they gave us the materials anyways, i'm pretty sure the palace have the same colur laying around." Bulma stood up and head towards the head courts maid. "I'm sorry, but there had been an unfortunate accident. I am required to get a new skirt for my lady. Can I request her group to move back, please?" said Bulma bowing to the head courts maid. "How dare you! This is not just any…" the courts maid was interrupted by Lasy Sasori who saw everything transpire. "I am sure that the palace has the compassion and understanding during an unfortunate event occurred. We are after all very adaptable to any situations. I see no reason why we should not be pushed back to the last group. Most of the ladies now have been more then ready for the meeting ahead." As Lady Sasori said and sat down looking at the courts maid. "very well, you have until your groups turn, any later and you will be forfeited." The courts maid looked away from the candidates and started with other tasks.
Bulma smiled, she heads towards Lady Sasori and gave her a quick bow before heading to Lady Poti. "Don't panic, I'll be back" Bulma got up and started running of to the directions she assumed the materials would be, the laundry wing. Bulma stopped a courts woman to ask for directions. "Do you know where I can get cloth from? This colour to be exact?" "Don't the 2nd wing and to the left" said the courts maid, smiling and heading off. "Thank you" Bulma kept jogging to the 2nd wing. The palace was far larger than she expected.
As Bulma kept jogging to her destination, something reached out and grabbed her by the wrist, turning her body to face the mysterious assailant.
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Vegeta was out trying to get a glimpse of the princess candidates today. Although he did not care much for this selection, it was still irritating him that he had no choice in a mate as he expected. Lucky for him however, he was not required too bond and fully mate with the selected candidate but merely needed to bare an heir with her.
That's when a glimpse of her appeared in his head. Vegeta smiled at his 1st encounter with the blue haired beauty. Thinking to himself, who would have thought I'll meet her again at the silly nobles gathering. "Prince Vegeta? Are you ok?" asked Nappa, his personal Royal body guard and servant. "Have something happened recently, you've been spacing out a lot recently." Asked Nappa looking at the prince concern. Throughout his life that he known the prince, Nappa was sure that Vegeta was as cold hearted as they came however with the recent announcement of the princess selection, his mood became worst until a few months ago.
"Mind your own business, Nappa." Vegeta was about to start walking but as he turned his head towards his intended direction. A flash of Blue covered his vision. For split second, he thought he was still thinking about her in his head but without thinking and due to his super reflexes, Vegeta reached out and grabbed the lady in blues wrist without much thought.
True enough, when the lady in blue turned her head and was facing himself. Vegeta never actually realize how much he missed her. He missed her bright blue eyes. When Bulma was turned towards him, he took in all her glory until it registered. What is she doing here! Nappa on the other head watch with amazement on the exchange that was transpiring. Everything took 30secon for bot party to register each other but what shocked Nappa the most was Vegeta's reaction to seeing his strange blue beauty.
"Head Guard Geta!" Bulma exclaimed Shocking Nappa to his spot. Vegeta glance over to Nappa and gave him a stern glare as nappa noted the silent order.
"Bulma, what are you doing here? Are you a princess candidate?" Vegeta could not help feeling excited to meet Bulma and potentially finding out she is within the potential candidates for his marriage. "No, I'm not." Hit with an immediate disappointment that did not go unnoticed by Nappa. "I am here as a hand maid to a candidate, I'm sorry Geta but would you mind leading me the way to the laundry wing. It is rather urgent, you would be the best person to guide me around the palace since you work here. Please Geta it's urgent!" Said Bulma looking at him with pleading eyes. Clearing his throat, "Nappa lead the way!" said Vegeta standing beside Bulma and between Nappa.
"Right" Nappa jerked "Yes your hi…" Nappa was suddenly hit in the ribs, not enough to cause damage but to hurt. "Offt... I mean yes Head Guard Sir, this way" getting up and rubbing his side. Nappa tried to glance over at the blue beauty but was constantly blocked by Vegeta glaring gaze.
"So what will you do at the laundry wing?" Vegeta asked curious as to why she left the candidate podium. "My lady had an unfortunate accident, I'm heading to the laundry wing to find the same exact material and making her a new skirt. I don't have much time." Bulma looked up at vegeta and smiled. Before she knew it, Nappa announced their arrival to the laundry wing.
Hundreds of coloured cloth were hang to dry. Bulma head to looking for the right colour to make her skirt. She had never seen such wide variation of expansive colours scattered across. It was a beautiful view. Vegeta on the other hand, could not help but marvel at Bulma's beauty as she schemes through the various fabric for the right colour. She looked completely out of this world. Her colouring and the various colouring around her just matched her o well. As Bulma found the right colour for her skirt, she glanced up and saw Geta looking at her. Although she was aware that Geta had been suspiciously around lately, she couldn't help but appreciate the view from where she stood. Geta was handsome, not very tall but builded and lean. He had a very strong face, and while standing in the laundry mass of cloth he gave off an aura that the King himself did not possessed.
Bulma looked away blushing, heading into the laundry room to get to work. Vegeta and Nappa followed Bulma into the laundry room. "Thank you Geta and… I'm sorry I didn't catch your name?" Bulma asked looking at the bulking Siayan standing beside Vegeta. "it's Nappa" he smiled receiving a warm smile from Bulma and a dangerous glare from Vegeta. "Thank you Geta, Nappa. I'm sorry for taking up your time. Please head back o whatever you were previously doing. I only have a few minutes to make this skirt to make it in time." Without even receiving a response from either man. Bulma started on her task, cutting the fabric and arranging it to make her skirt.
As Vegeta started heading out, he couldn't help but appreciate Bulma one last time. The light that poured into the room brought out the extreme beauty of Bulma. She looked like a queen. But reluctantly, Vegeta head out and left Bulma at her task.
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Lady Poti was ecstatic. Everything went well for her. And she cou;n't help but be grateful to Bulma. Praising her after each praise. "Oh Bulma it was marvelous, after you game back with the skirt everything just went perfectly after." Lady Poti said grabbing her hand. "The Queen mothered loved me and the blue bird pin, she even asked me about my face and my freckles. But o remembered what you told me, to enhance my flaws and make it beautiful and not hide it and oh the queen mother loved my answer. She thought I was wise and humble…"
"I'm happy for you My lady" Bulma said smiling. "And for your efforts, I decided to sponsor your efforts in participating in the armor submission." Lady Poti smiled at Bulma while Bulma couldn't express her gratitude. "Thank you, my lady Thank you".
It looks like everything was going to go well for Bulma after her many hardship. And starting the day after, Bulma will be heading to a training camp with Goku to gain extra knowledge in making her dream come true.