Among The Daffodils
Chapter 1: Rubies & Lilacs
AN: I know don't throw tomatoes at me, I had this idea in the slow cooker that's my brain for a few months now (since March!) Depending on how things go, I update this regularly. I already have 3 other WIPs but you all know I crave variety…and with WSC drawing to a close in the next 7-8 chapters, I need something to fill the void. Enjoy my Otome Isekai AU 3
shout out to SonChan bc without her I wouldn't have posted this ;A;
Icy blue eyes tracked the stars as they flitted by, all consuming constellations filled her eyes tracing the silhouettes of shapes that were never really there. Comets zipped right by the spaceship, and a forlorn emotion arose within the blonde princess that sat patiently by the window.
She had seen a scene like this before, she'd swore it. But the taste that was once so palpable had since faded into the subconscious recesses of her mind. Something was brewing within the her as she sat idly by watching the stars barely illuminate her face in that dark chamber.
A voice broke through the silence, as a woman came into view with the same flaxen hair as her. She donned a red dress that hugged her torso like a glove, and flowed seamlessly towards the ground. "Is something the matter?" she asked as she settled beside the girl staring out the window. "What is troubling my sweet angel?"
"Mother…I worry about our safety," she cautiously replied as her gaze was tentatively set towards the red planet right in their trajectory. "Are we sure the Saiyans will not meet us with hostility?"
"Nonsense, Marron," the mother affirmed, squeezing her daughter's hand tightly. "They are by extension, part of our royal court as we are theirs…" It was a truth Marron found hard to believe, earthlings were nothing like those barbarians…from her understanding, Saiyans were ruthless monsters that desired nothing more than to impede on another's territory.
Why they didn't do that with Earth, Marron would never know.
Marron glanced down to the flowing fabric of her gown, her gloved fingers gently grazing against the smooth fabric. "There is nothing to be afraid of," her mother replied softly, a soft reassuring smile on her lips.
"Your Majesty," a brunette woman popped her head in, a gentle smile on her lips as she bowed carefully from the archway. She wore a yellow gown akin to that of the other two royals wore, however far less intricate in detail. "We are set to arrive in Vegeta-Sei in about five minutes"
"Thank you Lady Valese," Lazuli responded coolly as she looked back towards her daughter with a strong grip in her hand, attempting to reassure her once more.
Queen Lazuli stood from her seat, beside her daughter as she flashed the warmest smile possible. Though her daughter hadn't the slightest clue…of just how much her life was about to change when she stepped foot on the red ruby of the Eastern Quadrant of space.
As they arrived, there were sweeping views of the planet, it was far smaller than Earth, with flora and fauna seeming lacking . As they left their ship, Marron felt the thick atmosphere weigh her down. Her frail body wasn't made to withstand such gravity, but it seemed her parents Lazuli and Krillin fared perfectly fine.
One of Marron's knights sped towards her, slipping a bracelet on her wrist that allowed her and some of her ladies in waiting to be able to move more freely. "Your highness, you shouldn't move ahead without me," the female knight insisted. The woman was just a bit older than the princess, her green hair stopping right at her jawline, with a deep scar running along her face.
"Marron, you are not to leave the bedchambers until it is time to meet with the king…make sure of this, will you Shumay?" Lazuli's cool gaze met with her daughter's momentarily as the woman's eyes flicked back up towards the manor, it was not a suggestion but an order from the Queen.
"Yes, you're majesty," the knight responded, a bow of the head as the queen continued forth.
"What a bore…" Marron yawned, as she continued the trek upward towards the manor at the top of the cliff. It was a rather inconvenient place to place such an important building, the gravitational force couldn't possibly withstand such a thing could it? "Can you believe we are subjected to an entire day of this?
"It is best not to speak so rashly about these people, they are quick to spill blood over their Saiyan pride," Shumay said under her breath as she nervously watched the foot guards eyeing the royals cautiously.
"It is still beyond me how the Briefs duchy was dissolved and Duchess Bulma went all the way out to Vegeta-Sei to marry their king," Marron said as she looked at the arching building that swept off the cliff. She presumed gravity, despite being heavy, is not quite the same on Vegeta-Sei.
"I can not believe that– and to think they lost the queen," Valese whispered, her fan covering her face coyly as she leant towards Marron.
The blonde's eyes widened, it was at the very least an opportunity to educate her. "Lady Valese, I'd advise you to not speak of that again whilst we are here…I can't imagine it isn't a sensitive topic for the royals."
"I apologize, your highness, I spoke out of turn."
Marron waved her hand, dismissing the apologetic lady as she entered the building her gaze met with a burly and tall knight whose gaze was like poison to the smaller woman, beside him was a man with an unruly man and dark eyes, it was unsettling to say the least.
"King Krillin and Queen Lazuli of Kame Kingdom, it is an honor to have you here," a raspy voice reverberated through the grand entrance. The halls were lined in marble and extravagant windows, carpets lined with red fabric and…at the top of a balcony stood the flame haired Saiyan King, looking down towards his visitors.
He was having them look up at him? Marron could feel a twitch on her facial muscles as she curtsied behind her parents. What brazen disrespect to show their honored guests. Marron was sure there was something important at hand if her mother didn't point out the disrespectful manner King Vegeta the IV was treating them.
"Allow me to see the princess," the request threw the princess off, as she glanced up at the king.
Marron looked over to her parents and nearly stumbled forward, curtsying in front of the king, a brilliant white light shining where she stood. "King Vegeta the IV, I believe I speak for my parents, King Krillin and Queen Lazuli when I say we appreciate your endless generosity in hosting us in your manor," Marron's voice shook with fervor but she remained steadfast in her reply.
"Yes, that will do," Vegeta's lips smirked, as he spun the chalice in his hand. "Please, allow our royal guards to escort you to your bedchambers."
Marron remained curtsied until Vegeta took a step away, feeling as her heart rattled tremendously in her chest. "Good job, your highness," Valese whispered, "I'm sure that must have been nerve wracking."
"Certainly, it was—" Marron licked her lips, watching as her father gave her a silent nod.
Marron and Valese walked side-by-side carefully inspecting the interior whilst the Saiyan knights showed them to their rooms. The hallways were dark, and rather dreary, with a dark stoned pathway barely lit by the torches that lined the hallway walls.
Such primitive technology, Marron noted as her eyes observed the ancient structure. "Your highness," the long haired Saiyan bowed his head, his hand gesturing towards a heavy wooden door. Well this man at least is treating her a bit more respectfully, however just as he was intimidating he reminded her of someone.
The careful gaze in his onyx eyes told her he knew who she was. Marron paused holding her gaze with his, her brow furrowed slightly at the air of mystery the man had. " Well …go on," Marron said as she watched the man's mane stiffen in its place, much like a hedgehog.
"R-Right…" The man's gaze shifted away from the princess, lowering his head just a bit from the staggering height difference between the two. "My…brother, Kakarot…or…well his earthling name is Son Goku–"
"Ox Prince Consort, Son Goku?" Marron replied quickly.
"Yes, him…I just wish to send him my regards…" The guard was rather shifty in the way he carried himself, Marron was on edge simply by watching him attempt to speak to her.
"Well, I would love to, but–"
"Your highness, I could certainly pass on the message," Valese said as she squeezed herself between the Royal Guard and the blonde princess. "What is your name?"
"Raditz."
"Ah," Marron bowed her head slightly, "very well, thank you Valese for your kind gesture."
The room was filled with white marble and red bed sheets. It was an adequate stay for someone of her caliber, however Marron still wasn't impressed. There was a separate lounging area, fireplace and bathroom for her. The room did, however, have a window with the breathtaking view of the planet from up above the high cliff the manor stood at. Marron walked up to the window, the red sunlight flitting into the room as she stared out into the distance.
As the other two women walked in, Marron flopped down ungracefully into the seat, sighing out heavily as she looked out the window. "How did we end up on this dusty hunk of rock in the first place," she bemoaned watching as people swirled through the ember skies of Vegeta-Sei.
"From my understanding, your highness," Shumay began, "we are working on a new deal with Vegeta-Sei to salvage efforts to find Duchess Bulma."
"Careful with that tongue of yours Shumay, she is a Queen," Valese chided the female knight, with a soft click of the tongue. "We don't know what these barbarians are willing to do to someone who speaks disrespectfully of their queen."
"Enough ladies," Marron began, catching the attention of the two women in the room. "I would like to take a walk."
"Your highness your mother instructed me to keep–"
"Then you will see to it that I simply slipped out," Marron smirked deviously, as she got up from the chaise. "You could pull that, can't you Shumay?"
"Crafty as ever, your highness," Valese held back a smile as she watched the princess straighten her dress out. "And where do you intend to run off to?"
"Just about anywhere in the castle I can get to," Marron smiled gently as she approached the heavy wooden door once more. "Who knows, I may find something interesting," she continued in a sing-song voice, her hands on the knob of the door.
"Like the royal half-breeds?" Shumay questioned, garnering a rather shocked reaction from both Lady Valese and Princess Marron, both women with eyes wide from the response.
"By the gods, do you think they are here?" Marron asked softly, her fingertips ghosting her bottom lip as she watched the two other women for some kind of response.
"Who knows, not a single soul from Kame Kingdom has ever seen them with their own two eyes," Valese jeered, trying to play off Marron's sudden shock.
Marron tried to shake off the small fear that struck through her, but she fastened her resolve. She was their esteemed guest, what would they do? Pummel her to the ground for simply breathing the same air as them? She turned her head towards the door, her nerves still unsettled. "I guess, I shall find out for you," she said half-heartedly as she pushed the door open and slipped right out.
It'd been a rather quiet day, stuck within the confines of the manor for the entire day under his father's orders. Neither him nor his sister were quite fond of the rule, but they followed it as it was his word over theirs in the end. He paced within the library, behind a row of bookshelves.
His father was never much of a savant, he preferred to have people for him for those purposes. The library and its extensive assortment of Earth and Vegeta-Sei books were a result of his mother. A sanctuary of knowledge that his father desperately tried to keep alive, only here did he find closeness to his estranged mother. And in a moment, the sudden shuffle of feet was heard in the empty library.
"Wow," she whispered, loud enough that his ears could pick up.
His dark blue eyes watched a woman carefully as she moved through the manors library. She was like a shining pink diamond surrounded by soot, tar and blood. So blissfully unaware, that only days earlier the very spot she stood in three men were ordered to execute another member of the nobility. The prince was never a fan of brutality, but as he glanced at her…he found himself intrigued in the articles of clothes she wore.
Her gown dragged along the floor, the ends of the fabric a darker pink wrapping around her body like a rose. Gold and pearl chains chained around her arms and waist, cinching her already petite form. And, most interestingly, her golden blonde hair that cascaded into a thick braid of sorts covered in roses and daffodils.
"You earth women certainly dress strangely," a voice reverberated from the interior of the walls of the library. Marron paused, her fingers still on the book tucked inside the shelf as she contemplated how she'd respond. Marron had an air of familiarity in his voice.
There was a gentle surprise as the coquettish doll turned, and faced him. Two dazzling blue eyes met him, so alike him and his sister–yet still so different. His breath hitched at the sight– this was the human female?
As she turned, she glanced up to find a Saiyan unlike one she'd ever seen before. His eyes were not that of a dark onyx color–but a stormy blue with lavender hair and a lavender tail wrapped around his waist.
"Oh," Marron's fingers gently grazed against her lips at the sight. He was very handsome. Not that Saiyan men weren't attractive…but, she'd always been partial to less barbaric appearances. She glanced at the royal crest on the breastplate of his armor and the red cape that flowed towards the ground. Was this…the prince?
"My apologies, Your Highness," she curtsied, a furious heat catching her cheeks as she focused on the ground in front of her. "My name is Marron, Princess of the Kame Kingdom," she announced, her head slightly lowered in shame.
"I had been expecting you," he approached the woman, his gold and white-tipped boots gently meeting the ground. "Just not dressed like a floral arrangement."
Marron's cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Was this disrespectful? She certainly didn't intend to offend him. "This attire is customary in my world…I didn't mean to offend–"
A throaty chuckle emitted from the lavender haired Saiyan as he circled the demure woman, as he approached her the waft of roses had a hold of his senses. He paused in front of her, picking out a rose flower from her blonde locks. "You did no such thing," he insisted.
"You must be–"
"Prince Trunks Vegeta The V," he replied, a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "I certainly didn't expect to meet you before our parents had an opportunity to do so."
Trunks? That was an Earth name. Marron was at a loss for words, she should have just stayed in her bedchamber like her mother had told her to. "I certainly didn't intend on being caught…" she replied, her blue eyes not tearing from the taller man. She swore he towered over her in size and stature.
Granted, she was a rather short woman, a far cry from the typical earthling royal. But she was curious of the Prince–and just why he was obscured from the world till now. His eyes flashed with challenge at her words. "A mischievous princess that cannot follow orders?" He asked with a small chuckle. "That doesn't bode well for me."
Marron quirked a brow, what did he mean with her not boding well for him?
"How have you enjoyed Vegeta-Sei?" He asked, his dark eyes scanning over her as he took a sharp breath in.
"I haven't had much of an opportunity to explore…your lovely red ruby," Marron could hardly hold back the sarcasm in her voice, as she glanced out at the red planet from the overlook in the castle's window. She slowly picked up her dress, ensuring she wouldn't trip over the steps as she approached the window.
Trunks followed closely behind her, curious to know more of her. "It's…very red, and dry…and hot," Marron said as she turned her head towards the prince. The two red dwarf suns emanated a red glow around her staring down at him from the top of the steps.
If it was worth anything, he thought this human princess was beautiful.
He watched as she curtsied, her head bowed slightly. "Your Highness," she said before looking him once more in the eye. "I look forward to our formal introduction tonight."
Marron returned to her room, quickly pressing her back to the door. She felt as though her heart were ready to beat out of her chest from the encounter she had just mere moments ago. Her stomach tying in knots over, and over, and over.
"Well, your highness, did you find what you were looking for?" Valese cheerfully greeted, not looking up from her book at hearing her footsteps and hearing the heavy door shut.
"I–" Marron choked out, unsure if what she felt was panic, or something else. "Why had no one warned me about the Prince?"
Those words made the two women turn their heads towards Marron, who's playing expression was suddenly noted by the two women who quickly stood but rushed towards the princess.
"The prince?" Shumay nearly exclaimed out, but managed to keep her voice under a hushed whisper.
"Yes, he–" she continued to pause, feeling as the clothes she suddenly wore felt far too heavy on her prespirating body, "he looks so human." It was the only thing she could get out, and that statement was true. She'd never seen anyone like him, the ferocity of a Saiyan blended with the gentle warmth of a human.
"Is he handsome?" Valese squealed. Her lady in waiting was only interested in the pure aesthetics of it all, she found it far better to gawk at a handsome gentleman than to tend to her duties at times. "You must tell us what he looks like!"
"H-He," Marron's face burned as she attempted to recall the very moment he spotted her. An enigmatic gaze, he clearly held himself at a regard unlike that of her own. A Saiyan elite, for certain. "He is…very handsome…"
"Well, I'm positive you will get more to gawk at at tonight's dinner with the king, your highness," Shumay announced, her hands on Marron's shoulders, as she tried to steady the noble woman.
"Dinner?" Marron's head turned to the green-haired knight, who nodded with Valese in unison. "I didn't know of any dinner, why wasn't I informed?"
"Well, the notice came from that knight from earlier, he had been searching for you but we insisted you were using the restroom, " Shumay announced, rather bitterly as she and Valese escorted the princess towards the makeshift dressing table.
Marron glanced dubiously at the set up, and turned back to the two women. "Did the Saiyans not provide me with an adequate enough room?"
"It seems as the Saiyans don't seem to partake in earthling society rituals," Shumay replied, "this was the best Lady Valese and I could muster at the moment, however the Lady's Maids we brought along shall take care of the rest."
Marron glanced at the women with a rather wary look in her eyes, watching as they smiled at her bowing their heads as the maids guided her into an intense grooming session, stripping her of her clothes she arrived in to something entirely new.
Marron tremulously stepped towards the dining hall, her flaxen hair flowing freely towards her waist, with gold accessories framing her crown. Her dress was a sheer floral lace, with gold and nude fabric beneath, intricate lace adorning the off the shoulder dress with matching gloves that ran up her arms.
Opulence was necessary in the face of Saiyan Royalty, it was no question to both King Krillin and Queen Lazuli, their empire was far richer—but in sheer power, Saiyans stagnated due to the crushing embargoes by the Freeza Corps. Marron, despite her gilded appearance carried herself with a profound lack of confidence. She hasn't even debuted yet into Earthling society, yet the extravagant lengths the lady's maids went to was surprising to say the least.
As she entered the room behind her parents her eyes caught sight of two familiar faces, King Vegeta, who welcomed them in—uncharacteristically warmly—and Prince Trunks, whose eyes were clinging on to the blonde in what she could only describe as morbid curiosity.
There was a third party in the room. Though Marron has only seen her in pictures, the spitting image of Duchess Bulma stood beside the prince, her azure hair was sleek, just like the prince with brighter…yet sharper blue eyes.
"Thank you for granting us with your presence, Your Majesty," Krillin bowed.
"Let's drop the earthling formalities, shall we?" Vegeta snickered, as he sat at the head of the table. "I never understood the contrived methods you Earthlings choose to communicate in."
"We can certainly try, though, unlike Vegeta-Sei, we are accustomed to such etiquette," Lazuli responded, a slight grit behind her voice catching the attention of King Vegeta. He chose to strategically avoid the Queen's apparent distaste at his choice of words.
But at the end of the day, they were in his domain and no matter what, they needed to abide by his rules. As he motioned the guests to sit down, he glanced over to his children, motioning himself to introduce themselves.
The blue-haired girl went first, bowing her head. "King Krillin and Queen Lazuli, it is an honor to make your acquaintance, my name is Bulla Eschallotte, Princess of Vegeta-Sei, and my brother—"
"Crown Prince Trunks Vegeta the V of Vegeta-Sei," he jutted in, bowing in front of the earthling royals. Marron peeked her head above her mother's shoulder, seeing the hybrid royal meet her eye as he rose. The blonde flickered her eyes to the side, "and you, must be Princess Marron–"
So he was pretending they have never met. Good, at least he minded her integrity before her parents. "Pleased to meet you, Your Highness," Marron curtsied, before meeting his eye once more.
"Let's get down to business, shall we?" Vegeta sat down, flipping his cape behind the table, motioning the rest of the guests to sit down. "We are acutely aware of the grip that the Freeza Corps have had on the Eastern Quadrant as of late—his troops are encroaching on our territory though we have enough manpower to hold them off for now, King Krillin you are aware of Vegeta-sei's precarious position…"
Krillin nodded, his fingers drumming on the wooden table whilst the other hand covered his mustache. "Vegeta-Sei is right at the edge of the milky way…it's not a safe position to be in," Krillin muttered as he stroked his mustache.
"We need access to your technology," Vegeta pressed, "I'm willing to supply troops to Earth, to fend off any stray Freeza Corps members…we all know Earth has a immeasurable amount of wealth that Freeza will do absolutely anything to get his hands on."
Marron's eyes bounced between the formidable Saiyan and the Prince, who listened attentively to the conversation at hand. "And just who will keep the Saiyan troops at bay?" Queen Lazuli responded, "the Ox Princes can only do so much, given they are so enmeshed with Earth."
"Perhaps, but Kakarot has some rapport, given he was once my soldier," Vegeta replied coolly, his arms crossed across his chest.
"We need someone who the Soldiers respect , sire," Krillin pressed further, his finger repeatedly thudding against the table. "A noblesse from the Saiyan Court."
Vegeta turned to his son, finding his gaze was stuck onto the princess. An opportunity to secure the deal. He glanced at Krillin once more, his eyes flickering between the two heirs. "There is an opportunity, in this very room…to secure a union unlike any other," Vegeta licked his teeth.
Yes, this was something he'd thought of. One glance at her was enough for Vegeta to know–the rake of a son he had was going to need an heir…and Saiyan women did not seem to call his attention nearly as much as this delicate, weak human.
The apple didn't seem to fall too far from the tree.
To secure a union with them both in a betrothal of sorts would guarantee Earthling resources for the next few decades. Though, the people could easily look down at the second foreign queen taking the highest position once more…
Krillin's mind was turning gears, it would behoove him to listen to what Vegeta was saying. And yet, something about it didn't seem entirely right. He glanced at his wife, whose eyes were akin to that of daggers drilling into him.
Lazuli was morally opposed to the entire ordeal–at least in the fashion that the king was suggesting. Earth Society had its own procedure courting a lady is the way to go about things…as a love match or not it was absolutely necessary to go through the process of courting a lady.
"Are you suggesting a betrothal, between my daughter and Prince Trunks?" Krillin pressed, his eyes watching as Vegeta's lips turned into a smirk.
"Betrothed?" Marron's mouth went dry as she casted a panicked glance over to her parents who paid no mind to the Princess.
"Yes, child," King Vegeta began, though he didn't find too much promise out of her. "A prosperous union, you can become Queen of the most powerful race of warriors."
She cast a wary glance to the Crown Prince, his eyes unwavering with a sense of panic struck through him. Certainly, Marron felt some kind of physical attraction towards him– it was innate from the moment their eyes met. But, to be away from her home? On this dusty red planet? That simply wasn't something that sat well with her.
Besides, the last Earth royal that got married to the Saiyan race…their supposed Queen was missing–if not dead. What would that mean for Marron? She's heard rumors flitting about of the cruelty of the Saiyans–Marron lived rather sheltered her entire life and to be thrust into a world of peril and bloodshed was a terrifying prospect.
"Father– If I may–"
"Sit boy."
Krillin's firm hand was placed atop Marron's shoulders. "I'm confident this can be a prosperous union for both of our Kingdoms," his grip was a bit tighter than Marron was accustomed to. He too was feeling nervous. But as she cast a worried glance over to her Mother, she found nothing but the cool and confident poker face she tended to use in situations such as these.
"Prince Trunks, we'd love to invite you to visit Earth and come to the Kame kingdom, and properly court our daughter rather than forcing your way in the brutish fashion of Vegeta-Sei" Lazuli began as her hand was placed atop her daughter's shivering hands. "There is much to learn of our land, and the resources that could serve beneficial for your people."
Trunks' head turned toward the Queen, he glanced at the red gown she donned– noticing how similar it was to the Princess' however her's was encrusted and held by gold braces around her arms and breast. "Your Majesty, I would be honored."
AN: the slow cooker that is my mind finally did it, i finally wrote the thing ;A; I HOPE U ENJOY PLS LMK WHAT U THINK I AM SO NERVOUS HWSJHKJSHKJDH