Among The Daffodils

Chapter 4: The Sun and Lilac

AN: Tbh, Toriyama's passing hit me like a ton of bricks, even now as I write this I still can't process any of it. So sorry for the delay on this. I've also been insanely sick for a minute and delayed my own writing by quite a bit. I typically try to write 2-3 times a week to ensure I get a chapter out a month but my health is just not where I want it to be right now.

Also Song Selection for this chapter: Flower Playing by Anan Ryoko

Trunks' eyes peered over to the blue and green marble, his heart stirred with a profound sense of familiarity. Calloused digits tracing gently along the windows of his cabin as the spaceship broke into the atmosphere.

This was Earth.

Rolling white puffs of clouds grazing over the land as crystalline blue waters shone below them. His eyes tracked over the dozens of artificial lights that demarcated cities and civilization alike. The scale of the planet was far too much for the prince to comprehend. Green pastures, dense forests, and buildings that seemed to graze upon the heavens all compacted into one singular land.

It was dizzying to comprehend the variety that Earth provided. Perhaps it was due to the sheet size of the planet–but Vegeta-Sei's climate was nowhere near as varied. His childhood home was dry, and it was hot. But as the Saiyan Prince arrived in a pastured green field, with a grandiose palace laying in the center of solitude, he was met with a gentle breeze and a distinct scent of fresh air. The grand building had elaborate and intricate designs that triggered his mind to start trying to piece together the sheer beauty of the building.

As he disembarked from the spaceship, the warm and humid air wrapped around him like a glove, the fleeting memory of a bygone era tickled his core. He has felt this air, and this gravity once before…

"Welcome to Earth, your highness," a feminine voice announced behind him. Captivated by the beauty of the planet, he failed to detect the Princess' energy creeping up behind him. Though her voice was delicate in its nature, her face was cold–nearly cutting. The gleam in the Princess' eyes was indication enough to him of her seeming displeasure of his presence.

"It's beautiful," he replied, a smile on his lips as he carefully stepped on the cobblestone pathways that lead to the gilded palace. Grandiose gates lined the path with guards at every entry point. A bit extreme for the most powerful humans, was it not?

"This is the countryside palace," the Queen began, her manicured fingers brushing a strand of flaxen hair behind her ear. The trees were still reeling from the gusts of winds from the spaceship's landing, bending to-and-fro to the gravitational pull of the Earth. "Our more...exorbitant home–the main palace– is in the Western Capital."

Trunks glanced at the appearance of the manor–it was impressive, to say the least. He could begin to see just how far the wealth disparity laid between the two planets. This estate alone was easily double or even triple the size of the Vegeta-sei castle. Trunks' eyes shifted, his eyes glancing toward the king who was still stretching his legs. "I've read that the Kame Kingdom spans through much of the Earth," Trunks commented.

"All aside from the Ox Kingdom, that is," Krillin jeered, the King's disposition was far less intimidating than that of Prince Trunks' father. He seemed to be rather jovial on most occasions, including the very betrothal request that his daughter seems…opposed to at the moment. "Though we have since made treaties with our neighboring kingdoms, we were once at the constant precipice of war."

The Saiyan Prince listened intently to every word the King had to offer, it was most important for him to understand Earthling customs over anything else. If he were to aid in command with the Saiyan forces out here–he required a delicate balancing act. Towing the line between human and Saiyan interest was instrumental in keeping the peace.

"You will be in our finest accommodations during your stay here, the Ox Kingdom is just a short trek from this palace in particular," Krillin announced, his smile unfading, his eyes glanced over to the east. "I'm sure you can detect their ki from here," he continued.

"How convenient," Marron grumbled to herself, hoping no one in particular heard her.

As they stepped closer to the palace, Trunks could see just how grandiose and opulent the earthling kingdoms were. White cobblestone pathways with stairs that led up to the larger than life palace doors. The kings and queens footmen awaiting their command. What was the need for the extravagance of it all?

He felt rather small in comparison, had this been how his mother lived on Earth? In grandiose palaces such as the one he'd been walking towards? Such opulence would be frowned upon in Vegeta-Sei, to be frank. Saiyan warriors need not any of the frivolous extras that these earthling nobles required.

"Garmand," Queen Lazuli's cold gaze met with the portly gentleman that stood off to the side, observing the Saiyan prince and the Kame Kingdom royals. "Fetch me the tailor…let's get our guest into some appropriate Earthling garments, fit for a Prince..."

"Yes, your majesty."

Standing before a mirror, Trunks found himself irritated. It was rather unnerving to the seamstresses present just how violently his tail puffed up and swatted. If he were being perfectly honest, he did not anticipate being poked and prodded at by strange hands within his first hour of arriving on a new planet. He wasn't necessarily a patient man, and the requirement of him being perfectly still certainly wasn't his preference.

He watched the tailor, Jean, as he wrote onto a notepad. The older gentleman had a frail appearance…and graying hair that was tied off into a loose braid. His bespectacled gaze met the Saiyan Prince's with a smile. "Fear not, your highness, I shall have your vestments sent to you before the end of the day," he stated, watching as he relaxed his posture.

Trunks released himself from his previously tense posture, his tail still swatting at a slower rate as he turned to see the seamstresses all stepping back carefully. "It is not the first time I've made clothes for a Royal Saiyan," Jean chuckled, catching the attention of the prince.

"How so?" Trunks asked, as he slipped his gloves and regalia back on.

"Why I designed His Majesty, King Vegeta the IV's earthling attire when he came to Earth…back then I hadn't the faintest idea on what to do with that pesky tail," Jean spoke with traces of memories laced in his voice. "Naturally, I was chosen to tailor your attire as well."

Trunks eyed the man momentarily with a sense of surprise laced behind his cobalt eyes, this frail man managed to have his father in such extravagant clothes? Comfortably? "I see, you must be competent at what you do, then."

"Certainly, your highness, I'm the best there is," Jean bowed politely.

"Well that's grand then," Trunks cleared his throat, his eyes shifting about the room. "Do you require my presence any further?"

Jean smiled, as he shut his notebook, a small grin on his lips. "No, Your Highness, we do not."

Trunks sighed out in a sense of relief, his fist met with his hip as he turned towards the door, waving away the seamstresses who stood in his way. "Fantastic, I'll be looking forward to seeing these vestments promptly."

Trunks stepped out of his room searching for some kind of respite from the excess of attention he had received. He much rather proudly wear his Saiyan regalia than be subjected to overly complex articles of clothing.

But it seemed he had limited choice in the matter and if it aided him in getting to his goal any quicker that would be much better. His tail wrapped back around his waist once more, ashamed of himself that he allowed it to get unfurled for even just a second in front of people who weren't the royal family.

But as he stepped out towards the halls of the palace once more, he followed the beacon of light that shone in through grand windows, and the figure of a certain princess glancing out towards a field of flowers, stretching out as far as his eye could see.

Trunks stilled himself, glancing at the Princess, she wasn't dressed like an overly complicated floral arrangement today, but opted for a looser gown–still vibrant in its lilac hue. As he peered around the corner he noticed he wasn't completely alone–but being watched and observed by the palace workers.

Does the princess not have but a moment of solitude?

"You know," Trunks began, making himself known to the Princess. "My people are not as brash as you make us out to be, Princess," the Saiyan prince said softly as he approached the Princess slowly.

Even from here, she was as radiant as a jewel. That much was obvious to the Saiyan Prince… It was no wonder she was a prized and coveted member of the royal family–despite her at times vexing attitude. Marron's gaze shifted, but her delicate frame dared not turn towards the Saiyan prince who now stood just a few paces behind her.

She truly didn't want to acknowledge the Saiyan Prince as he was disrupting her whilst she was deep in thought. But he continued, pressing on in her moment of feigned solitude. "I understand…your reservations–but we may as well–" The Saiyan Prince began before being cut off.

"Pretend?" she asked rather tersely as she turned her body to face him, her hair shone brightly as the resplendent Earth sun beamed behind her. Her clear blue eyes filled with despair as she tried to look him directly in the eye– the regal sight nearly whisked his breath away.

"If you wish for that," he said softly, trying to hold the conversation as privately as he could. "I can leave you to be, we can hold a marriage of convenience and nothing more–" he sighed, not knowing what else the woman could want at this point. Why else would she hold such a staunch stance on their betrothal?

Trunks knew he couldn't leave without her cooperation, it was an instrumental factor for the inter-spacial political chessboard to have Princess Marron by his side. It happened to be a coincidence that the woman he needed to marry happened to also be rather beautiful as well. Ethereal and soft, the human woman was very different from a Saiyan.

It was no wonder why women of this race were such a hot commodity. They were peculiar, delicate things.

"You do not understand," Marron shook her head as she turned back towards the never ending field of yellow flowers overtaking the palace fields. "I don't wish to leave my home," she said with a longing sigh, her eyes unmoving. "I thought I would have been married off to another Earth Monarch, as most of the royal women are–" she murmured.

Trunks approached her slowly, his hands folded across his chest as if he were restraining himself from daring to even touch the woman. "We can build you a suitable home in Vegeta-sei, with a collection of this flora–surely, it's not an issue–" he began watching as her chest rose and fell with deep breaths.

"Do you know what kind of flowers these are, Prince Trunks?" Marron began, as Trunks watched her descend down the white marble stairs. Her gown dragged gently behind her as she walked onto the tall grassy field of the flowers.

"I can't say I do know," Trunks began, as he followed her down the staircase, standing at the final step and watching as she plunged herself into the field.

"They are daffodils ," Marron gave him a forlorn smile, her fingers grazing the flowers.

He swore he could feel the stilling of his heart, as a swelling sensation overtook the center of his chest. It was such an alien feeling to discover, yet so welcome and pure. "Daffodils," he repeated breathlessly.

Marron found herself struggling to hold back a gentle smile at his childlike wonder with the word. "In Earthling culture, it is believed that Kami and Dende are the true rulers of our domain–and that they gave us the opportunity to revive and reincarnate time and time again," Marron explained as her fingers traced the still blooming yellow and white flowers. "Daffodils are the first flower of the Earthling spring, and with it, the symbol of such a concept."

Trunks tilted his head as he approached the woman in the field. "Your people don't view you as Gods?" There was a genuine curiosity laced in his voice as he watched the woman's eyes grow as he approached her.

"No, we are simply servants of Kami and Dende," Marron replied as her eyes met with his, her voice unwavering.

"Fascinating," he responded with a small smile on his lips, "in Vegeta-sei, we do not follow the same practice– however, we do have our Super Saiyan God, Yamoshi– the royal family descended directly from him and by association…we too, are deities." Trunks replied, as he picked a daffodil and observed it closer.

Marron glanced at him, "is that so?" Her eyes curiously watched him, the golden rays emanating off of his tan skin.

"Yes," he stiffened himself, fidgeting slightly under her watchful gaze. "You do understand, as a future queen to Vegeta-sei, you'd follow suit."

Marron clicked her tongue as she turned back towards the field. "I told you, I do not wish to leave my home– and certainly not to live on that dreadful dry planet."

"Your highness," Trunks began, as he walked towards her. "As a member of the royal court–surely you must understand that we simply do not live our lives for ourselves; we are forever slaves to our duty."

The princess stilled herself, knowing fully that what Prince Trunks spoke was merely fact. But denial had carried her through this far, and since she was unable to see that for as much as she wanted to fight fate–she was completely at the mercy of everyone but her own self.

Marron sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she glanced back out towards the field. "I cannot pretend to know what his majesty, King Vegeta has asked of you that you have become so insistent on a union with me–"

Trunks was quick to cut her off, stepping right beside her. "I have my own interests here on Earth," He replied rather sternly, "you need not worry so much about what my father has asked of me."

Marron squinted at the Saiyan Prince, his words seeming a bit too cloaked for her liking. "So what— it was all a ruse for your father?" She pressed, her brows knitted together quizzically.

Trunks was quick to back track, his eyes widened at the assumption as he held his hands up in a slight flurry of panic. "I-I never said anything like that either—my own interests are of little consequence…"

An air of confusion hung between them, he spoke as clumsily as a lowly baron around her.

Marron sighed, as much as he tried to make himself okay with the situation at hand, he too was likely not thrilled about the position he was put in. A rake is a rake, and being forced to court a woman he may not even want was certainly not what he had in mind for his life either.

"Tell me, did you know we were to be betrothed?"

"I…had heard inklings," Trunks paused, unsure how to proceed from the question, as he added just a bit more context. "but given my father had never seen you in person–I didn't think it to be true."

" Inklings ," Marron asked, her baby blue eyes now fluttering over to the Saiyan Prince. "Is our fate truly held by something as flimsy as that?"

"We are the makers of our own fate," Trunks paused as he glanced back over to her, a gentle smile. "It is now the Princess' choice on what she would wish to do with said fate."

There was an eerie sense of silence underneath that hung between them as they stood beneath sorbet colored skies, standing in the field of yellow daffodils. Trunks wondered what else he could possibly do, the princess was exceedingly stubborn in her own right and the failure of such a quest was certainly not one he wished to report back on.

But what could a mere Saiyan do to conquer a human female? Surely he could tap into some of the latent human instinct within him, perhaps draw out the princess from her mistrust of him. But she felt the gaze of her eyes bore into him, her eyes were filled with a peculiar amount of curiosity.

"Has anyone told you just how exceedingly human you appear?" Marron pointed out as she watched his lavender hair billow in the breeze.

His lips parted momentarily, at a loss at the observation. "Not often–" Trunks held his tongue. To be perfectly honest, he hardly stepped foot outside the castle as did his sister. Saiyans weren't too particularly fond of half breed nobility and that was a known part of his reality for a very long time. Resenting the look of his soft, flat hair and odd coloring.

But in front of Princess Marron and other earthlings, it was the domineering and sheer aura of a Saiyan that intimidated them. "How odd," her eyes glanced at his tail, noticing how it was bound so tightly around his waist. "How was your fitting?" she asked.

Trunks sighed, as his hands laid behind his back. "I believe I'll have some earthling attire by the end of the day today," he replied, his gaze shifting from her.

"And will you be joining us for dinner tonight?" She peered her eye around the corner, noticing the puffing of his tail, despite its secured position.

"But of course, how couldn't I…" His nerves definitely were frayed, this was not the same Prince who so cockily spoke to her the evening prior. He was tense. Marron figured it must have been from the new sensations that he'd been put through,

"Then…I look forward to seeing you then," Marron replied politely. A small smirk tugged on her lips as she turned back towards the castle, "dressed properly."

Marron laid herself against the bed, her eyes glancing up at the white fabric that layered across her room. Her eyes focused on the way the fabric shifted from the breeze that danced into her bedroom from the cracked window.

She thought about what the Saiyan Prince spoke to her about, about them both slaves to duty. Marron scoffed as she turned herself to her side, her eyes steady against the wooden door. What did he know of what Earth, and let alone Kame KIngdom's nobility believed of circumstance, destiny and duty.

Was she foolish to believe that her fate was not tied to the circumstance of her standing at birth. Her mind returned to the words Prince Trunks told her. A marriage of convenience he called it. What could he have possibly implied with that? Marron's brain kept firing off with potential ideas of what those words could have meant.

As she tossed herself in her bed, she could feel as her breathing's pace solidly increased with every fleeting thought. Despite the hostile way she has treated the Saiyan, she would be a fool to deny the fact that she wasn't in the least bit intrigued by him.

Her cheeks lightly burned at the fleeting memories of the previous evening, how quickly she saw two very different sides of her betrothed. A rather cheeky prince and a man with a dominating presence. Recalling the memory of his taller figure towering over her, his soft lips against her bare knuckles.

Could it be she was simply getting riled up internally due to knowing the rumors of his promiscuity? It couldn't be that—it had to be that he was a terrifying Saiyan acting as a gentleman.

Deep within her own flurry of thoughts, Valese gently pushed the door open catching the Princess with her head diving between plush silk covered pillows. The sight was amusing, one mustn't forget the Princess was but just a young lady.

"Your highness," Valese cleared her throat, capturing the attention of Marron whose head craned towards the brunette that stood beside the doorway. "Will you be coming down for dinner?" She asked, the smallest ounce of amusement fluttering in her voice.

Marron's lips parted slightly, a short and shallow breath escaping past her. "But of course, I personally am looking forward to seeing the wolf in sheep's clothing," she mused in delight. "Prince Trunks should have received his new clothing by now right?"

"Your highness, it seems you may be far more excited than the tailor and seamstresses themselves," Valese mused as she watched the woman attempt fix her hair and dress which she managed to not get completely ruined rolling around in her bed.

Quickly a few maids came in, just before the Princess could ruin anything with her own appearance. Expertly fixing her skirt of her lilac silk dress, ensuring no beading was out of place, pulling her long tresses up into an up to, a loose updo. "Isn't it a bit much for dinner?"

"Nonsense, it's the first dinner with your betrothed, your highness!" One maid exclaimed, overly excited.

"He will be absolutely smitten once he sees you dressed like this," another maid concurred.

Marron's blue eyes looked helplessly to Valese who merely smiled at the Princess. "And he is to escort you to the dining room too, your highness," Valese fanned herself clearly implying something to the maids that simply wasn't true.

"Wha–" Marron's words hardly escaped her as she was tugged in all sorts of directions, before a knock came upon her door.

"Sounds like he's here…"

And in a moment, the princess was ousted from her room and stood staring at someone completely new.

Marron's eyes widened at the appearance of the prince, his attire was a far cry different from the man she saw a few hours prior–Prince Trunks' vestments were that of a proper Earthling royal. Marron glanced carefully and the black vest with intricate golden patterns, tailored pants that left far more to the imagination than his previous attire, yet his tail cuffing around his waist once more, nothing could remove that from sight it seemed.

But Marron could feel as her breath nearly drew to a close. He looked human– and had she known nothing else of the man, she would have believed him to be as such. "Does this meet your expectations, your highness?" Trunks asked, his lips curling into a gentle smile.

Marron's lip almost quivered as his hand was held out, almost awaiting for her to take hold. With flushed tips of her ears she grabbed a hold of his hand. "Yes, very much," she responded, holding her head higher as the two walked into the dining hall.

Marron observed just how much bigger his hands were in comparison to hers, it wasn't difficult–Marron was quite small in comparison. As they walked in tandem, Marron observed his more refined appearance. Curious to observe his disposition as his eyes remained steady along the glow of the chandeliers overhead. "I have more questions for you, your highness," Marron began, holding back her lip with her teeth.

Trunks' felt his eyes pull towards her, a curious raised brow following suit."And what might that be?" Trunks replied, "You seem to be practically bursting at the seams with a question."

Marron attempted to ignore his comment, her brow furrowing in the slightest way as she turned her face towards him. "When you said a marriage of convenience…" Marron began, noticing as his arm suddenly tensed up. "What were you implying?"

He was curious why the thought of it all now came to the forefront…had she been considering what he mentioned as an offshoot comment? "Well it's exactly what it sounds like, doesn't it?" Trunks asked, "It's a rather convenient situation."

Marron scoffed as she shook her head. "For you , perhaps…" she pointed out. Marron wasn't one to be fooled so easily, she could see when wool was being pulled over her eyes, "But doesn't that seem like such a bore to you?" She asked, "marrying a woman you don't love for the sake of your people."

"Nothing is a bore when it solidifies my people's standing, as should it be the same for you," Trunks replied back rather pointedly this time. His words cut through her fluff rather clearly.

She quieted down momentarily, her eyes steady on the ground with every step she took. She knew she was being stubborn, and maybe just a bit insistent on things going her way. But could anyone blame her when all she coveted was a normal life?

"The fact Saiyans are a breed of warriors doesn't mean you have one over me, or the people of Earth," the words slipped out of her lips rather quickly, almost like a stream of consciousness in a feeble attempt to get the last word in.

"Do you forget I too am part human?" Trunks smirked, not even looking down towards her.

Marron slowed her pace. "You appear as such but you are a Saiyan…through and through."

Trunks took a moment to analyze Marron, her eyes defiantly glaring at him. He'd grown rather amused at the younger woman's demeanor, so quick to vacillate from meek to defiant–it was rather fascinating. "Does that scare you, Princess?" Trunks asked, his face inching just a bit closer to her's. "Afraid I could devour you with a single glance?"

"I–" Marron's face flushed with heat from slight anger. "You couldn't possibly be asking me if I fear you…" Devour her? Were Saiyans cannibalistic and brutes too?

A cheeky grin remained on his face. "It would be foolish to fear one's future husband, would it not?"

"You keep saying that but–"

Trunks was quick to interrupt, realizing more servants were gathering around, as they arrived closer to the dining hall. "Your highness, why don't we continue this discussion after the dinner with the King and Queen?" He asked, as his eyes scanned about.

"Which discussion…?" Marron's voice hung on the end of the sentence, a look of confusion strewn across her soft features. "We were having one, it felt rather one sided to me?"

Trunks grit his teeth, feeling as the muscles around his eyes involuntarily began to twitch. She was purposefully attempting to provoke him. "Well, what the terms would be in a marriage of convenience, of course," he slipped out as smoothly as he could, managing to silence her before anything else could slip out.

The two paused in front of the wooden doors to find the King and Queen sitting at the long table, a smile on both their faces. It was almost a bit unnerving to see such an appearance, especially from the ice cold temperament of the Queen.

"Announcing, Prince Trunks of Vegeta-Sei and Her Royal Highness Princess Marron of Kame," a footman announced before the two walked in. A rather ceremonial announcement for the two, it seemed a bit too much for Trunks but this was simply a temporary adjustment.

"Welcome! Please have a seat!" King Krillin gestured towards the several seats available, a brilliant grin plastered across his face.

Queen Lazuli smiled, watching her daughter carefully. Though she seemed opposed to the union with the Saiyan, she caught her glances at the Prince, even if for a mere second. Had the Prince been in search of a foreign bride without the need to lock in a betrothal–she would imagine he'd be the most eligible bachelor in the social season.

Saiyan or Earthling, there was a chance to elevate one's social standing with the Briefs Duchy and Vegeta-Sei monarchy. "Prince Trunks, how are you finding your new garments?" Krillin pressed,.

Trunks smiled politely at the king. The truth was, he hated how overly complicated it was to put on. It was beyond him why he needed a Valet to get him dressed, or why he insisted on the clothing choice for a simple meal. "It will take some getting used to," he responded, "but I trust in time it will feel natural to wear your intricate attire, I must acknowledge the craftsmanship from the Royal tailor–"

Lazuli's eyes "He has been servicing the Briefs duchy and Kame kingdom for quite some time."

The Briefs Duchy… Trunks glanced off towards the window. His other family, estranged from birth due to the nature of his mother's disappearance…it was understandable why the locks were wound tight around him and his sister. He wondered what his grandparents were like?

Would they fill the fuzzy gap of memories of his childhood? Of his mother?

"Speaking of the current Duke and Duchess of Briefs, your maternal grandparents were quite thrilled to hear of your arrival," Lazuli pointed out as she sipped on her wine. "Take your time, of course–we still need to ensure you are adjusted to the land before we venture out into the capital."

Marron glanced over to Trunks watching the slightest bit of some forlorn emotion flickering behind his eyes. Could it be joy? Sadness? Perhaps a mixture of both? She'd been rather careless, referring to the Prince as a brute, barbaric and all other things—when he too could very well be the heir apparent of the Briefs Duchy.

After all, he and his sister were the last remaining Briefs, even if they don't have a stake in their claim. A Saiyan Crown Prince and an Earthling Duke, what a complicated mess for the line of inheritance. Marron's eyes glossed over her glass of red liquid as the servants began to bring in plate after plate.

Marron glanced over to the King, who was beginning to cut his steak, but before he could indulge in the bite of food, Marron simply had to ask the searing question on her mind. "How long do we intend to be out on Mount Paozu, father?"

The countryside palace was beautiful, but Marron did wish to visit the capitol, so as to not miss out on the social season. A young lady like herself indulged in frequenting balls, dancing with charming men–even if she was apparently "betrothed" it wouldn't hurt to have more prospects, could it?

Krillin sighed as he glanced up to the Prince. "For as long as we need for Prince Trunks to get ahold of the Vegeta-sei warriors," he stated plainly, "it may take some time, given how…Saiyan pride can be."

The relationship between the Ox Kingdom and Kame Kingdom was a rather intriguing one. They, much like Vegeta-Sei, had a rather symbiotic relationship. However, unlike Vegeta-Sei, the Ox Kingdom was nearly enmeshed with Kame.

Trunks nodded as he dug his fork into his food, "I trust with time they will all follow my command."

"It is quite essential we have that happen sooner rather than later," Lazuli's eyes were still clinging onto Prince Trunks and her daughter.

"It is my understanding that the Freeza Corps inches ever closer to Earth, has anyone attempted to make contact with Earth yet?" Trunks questioned as his hand reached for the stem of his glass.

" No , but without more reinforcements I fear for our people's safety," Krillin replied, a certain wrinkle on his brow. Suddenly, the room drew to an unnerving quiet.

Marron's breath hitched, the energy that hung between the three other's was certainly tense. She'd been made aware that the Freeza Corps were a certain threat that existed, but her father's concern in his voice is leading her to believe there was more than she didn't understand.

"Earth is a massive trading and resource creator—particularly precious metals, textiles and agriculture…and if they are as terrifying as the other planets say…it's only a matter of time before Emperor Freeza manages to take hold of the land for himself," Lazuli's fingernails tapped against the table, drumming rapidly as her expression matched her husband's.

"Has anyone ever…met them?" Marron chimed in, catching the surprise of her mother and father that she engaged in the topic. "Have we measured out just how much of their strength we are up against?"

"My father has," Trunks licked his teeth, with a labored breath, "I believe alongside, his royal knight Kakarot," there was a pause from the prince before he looked up to the King. "The Ox Kingdom…I believe they aided the Kame Kingdom when the Red Ribbon faction attempted to split from Kame, is that correct?"

"Yes," Krillin replied, surprised with just how much Prince Trunks knew of Earthling history. "They have been our allies for many years…"

"I see," Trunks' eyes were filled with focus, trying to ensure he had the facts correct. "Kakarot, he married the Queen, correct?"

"The Prince Consort, Son Goku— yes," Krillin was a bit irked by the usage of his Saiyan name…despite Goku insisting on assimilating to Earth, it'd be difficult to hide his past–especially for someone with the appearance of a Saiyan such as him.

"But he is an alleged third class Saiyan—despite his immense power—" Trunks folded his arms. It was a shame but whilst power meant everything in Vegeta-Sei, your rank in society was assigned at birth.

"No one will take the man seriously due to his social standing in Vegeta-Sei," Krillin sighed, "Which is why we require your assistance in the matter."

A Saiyan who rejected his own past, is not one that Saiyan warriors would come to respect, but the nerves of it all certainly got to Trunks. For as much as he accepted his heritage–his countenance was far more human.

"The Ox Princes, Gohan and Goten are half Saiyan, much like yourself…but without any connection to Vegeta-sei it's been difficult for them too to attempt to rally forces and morale," Krillin pointed out.

Trunks was rather surprised to hear of two more half breed Saiyans though he knew of Son Goku–or rather—Kakarot…he hadn't known of the two other princes. There were more people like him and Bulla? Caught in the crossroads between humanity and the overwhelming lust for blood and battle.

"The Ox Kingdom is rather unique as it has many of the same values of Vegeta-sei, yet so strikingly different," Queen Lazuli commented.

"I believe Lord Goten is about your age," Marron pointed out, her eyes remaining steady on the prince. She analyzed the furrow in his brow as he descended deeper into his own thought…and for a moment she couldn't help but feel a pull in her chest.

That expression…it looked so familiar, yet it was a new sight to her memory. His eyes remained steadily focused on the plate in front of him, as she watched thoughts formulate in the blues of his eyes. His mind seemed like a brewing storm. "I see," the thought of another half-breed Saiyan was certainly a bit thrilling–there weren't many of their kind, and certainly the human mix was even more of a rarity. To hear they were all close in age was certainly fascinating to him. Like a nugget of Saiyan and Human history just tucked away into a corner.

"This just reminded me," Lazuli interrupted the two, "I would like to host a ball. "

Marron paused as she glanced over to her mother with an incredulous expression. "A ball?" she scoffed, "whatever for?"

Lazuli clicked her tongue as she stood up from her seat after leaving her plate empty, her hands landing on the prince's shoulders. "To welcome our esteemed guest, of course!" she replied with an uncharacteristic smile, "The Crown Prince of all Saiyans, and a member of the Duchy of Briefs," she pointed out as her eyes met with her daughters.

Eyes that spoke more than her own words that drew from her lips. They told Marron immediately that she must fall in line. As her eyes traversed from her mother, to Trunks she watched as his eyes didn't tear from her. "We must introduce him to the rest of society, don't you think?"

"Splendid idea!" Krillin announced, "but wouldn't that mean we need to go back to the capitol?"

The whole idea bothered Marron, the prospect of introducing the prince to the rest of society seemed a bit much, did it not? She didn't want to show physical displeasure at the situation…but her face spoke for itself.

"I can't see why we can't return to and fro during the social season, it's not like Marron is in the marriage market," Lazuli commented, making a very pointed glare in her direction. Marron's eyes glanced over to Trunks', his eyes unmoving as she began to fidget in her seat. "It would be the perfect time to begin your public courtship would it not?"

"Then it is settled, we shall make preparations right away," Krillin announced, as he finished his wine. A smile tracing along his aging features.

Marron held her tongue, nodding politely to her father's announcement. Her battle was utterly futile with simple words . Action needed to be taken, and right now–it seemed as if she was utterly cornered. But her mind continued to flit back, to the conversation she had with the Prince earlier about duty and servitude to the people.

And for just a moment–she considered the idea that perhaps marriage with this man really could be what's best for the people.

But it was a quick, fluttering thought disrupted by her parent's exit from the dining room, one which she was far too dazed in her own thoughts to have registered. "A ball, hm?" a raspy voice with a lowered timbre reverberated through the room bringing her back to the present moment.

Despite being lost in her own thoughts, Princess Marron is still ever stubborn, "As if being courted with a man who is staying beneath the same roof as you wasn't embarrassing enough," she cast her gaze aside.

Trunks laid his elbow on the table, resting his chin on his hand, "It's more scandalous than anything, your highness."

" You –" Marron began before getting interrupted once more.

"Not that we are doing anything that should provoke such a reaction, of course," Trunks' lips curled into a smirk. He certainly had a way to provoke a certain king of emotion within her with far too much ease.

Marron stopped herself from retorting back to him in some kind of petty back and forth, and instead reigned in the question that lingered in her mind. "I wanted to ask you something," Marron began, clearing her throat in the process.

Trunks quirked a thick lavender brow, his face slightly tilted "And what might that be?"

"Emperor Freeza…what does he do …" Marron pressed, before deciding to add more to the "to the planets he conquers."

"Do you truly wish to know?" Trunks grimaced. He feared he could scare the Princess far too much by giving too much information. He more than anyone had held ire towards the Freeza Corps, and for good reason–they consistently berated and shamed the entirety of the Saiyan race…even during mercenary missions…if the Freeza Corps was involved it never boded well.

They held strict embargoes eastward of Planet Vegeta, forcing the Planet and many of their subjects to subpar lives for several years. That was until the Duchess of Briefs became the Queen of Vegeta-Sei…

Marron grit her teeth, she wasn't going to be the only person in the room who didn't understand the magnitude of her situation. Just what was happening beyond the cosmos that Marron didn't know? "One cannot understand the situation they are in if they remain blind to the stakes," she replied with her head held high.

Trunks stood up, walking over to the globe of Earth that sat in the corner of the room. "This is Earth, your home, your birth right ," Trunks began, his hand tracing lines along the globe in a forlorn fashion before his fingers began to glow.

Marron watched in utter fascination at the brilliant light that came from his hands. Sure, she has seen Ki manipulation before, but never up close. "Your hands…" Marron whispered as she stood up to get a closer look.

Trunks zapped his finger straight towards the globe, using just a minute amount of ki to bring the globe to ashes. The curiosity in Marron's face turned to frozen terror as she watched the smoke pile into the air from the object that previously stood there. " That is how quickly Emperor Freeza will wipe out your home, at his own whims," Trunks' voice dropped just a bit in volume, his eyes growing dark.

"His own whims?"

"Emperor Freeza…while I personally have never met the man, is a terror in his own right…he does as he pleases, and will stop at nothing to get what he wants," Trunks paused as he set his eyes on Marron.

"If he finds out the scope of Earth's riches…" He watched as she fidgeted with her hands, almost as if she were picking out of the anxiety of the situation, her lips that were rouge from the lipstick grew just a bit more darker as she mashed her teeth against her plump skin.

He should probably stop talking , that much was obvious to him as he reached out to grab hold of her hand, stopping her from continuing to mess with her hands.

Marron's lips hung open slightly at the touch as the realization now finally dawned upon her, quickly pulling away her hands as her cheeks burned slightly from the embarrassment. "How many?" She asked very quietly. The thought not even fully formed as she inched closer to the globe. "How many planets has he taken and plundered ?"

"Too many for you to conceivable count," Trunks whispered back, his gloved hand tracing along the wood of the table as he returned back.

"I see," Marron's voice quieted, her eyes still as she watched the new pile of dust that settled on the ground. Marrying Prince Trunks was not merely a random whim, but instrumental in keeping her and her family safe–guaranteed safety from Emperor Freeza's clutches.

But just how safe could she be when the Queen of Vegeta-Sei was missing in action? How could she trust anything he was telling her? Her head felt as though it were muddled with thousands of new thoughts. Thoughts she hadn't even considered before.

Of duty.

Of sacrifice.

"I want to hear more…" Marron muttered, almost as if she was fighting with her mind and heart, "tell me more of this marriage of convenience."

AN: AHHHHH this one is a chunky chapter 3 I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it :3