Among The Daffodils

Chapter 3: Dreams and Blue Roses

AN: With my other fic basically over I need to give my brain child some attention 3

The princess had made it back to her room safely after her unchaperoned stroll through the gardens with the prince. Though she still couldn't rest, even more so after their conversation–it seemed to her that the prince was not simply going to bow to whatever her demands would be.

It seemed he was quite incessant, how terribly annoying.

Come the daybreak, the royal family of the Kame Kingdom found themselves sitting across the waiting room. The Princess laid back on the chaise, her gaze steady on the cup of tea the Earthling maids prepared for her from the supplies in the ship.

The morning began with a rather terse energy, Marron behaving rather curtly to her parents after the evening she had. "We understand why you hold reservations towards this–" Krillin began watching as Marron's hands fiddled with her gloves. Her gaze was not daring to meet the eye of either one of her parents.

Lazuli pressed her lips together, as she looked over to her husband with a slight frown. "I certainly don't agree with the terms brought forth–" Lazuli pressed as she watched her daughter's expression shift ever so slightly, "it seems hardly fair for the royal princess to marry off to some prince she only had a brief exchange with once."

Marron's tongue ran along her canines as she glanced up to her mother momentarily. "Thank you mother, at least one of us has the sense to think that–" she harrumphed before her mother's voice cut through.

" Which is why I wanted him to properly court you–no woman in the royal court should be hastily married off like some defiled flower," Lazuli's words cut through the quiet as Krillin watched her with his eyes wide.

" Mother!" the princess gasped, shocked at her choice words.

Lazuli gave the younger woman a knowing glance, her tongue clicked with distaste at the protesting blonde. She of all people would know that it would be disgraceful of the royal family to do such a thing, and atop all of that…her daughter deserved to know more about this suitor. "I'm speaking the truth, Marron–"

Marron glared up at her parents, the ire in her expression intensifying. "I don't want to move halfway across the galaxy to this planet–what of the people of Earth?"

Lazuli shook her head as she sat beside her daughter, her hands combing the ends of her hair. "The people of Earth will know of the noble sacrifice you made, protecting and ensuring we did the absolute best we could to provide aid in a time where Freeza's men are inching closer than ever towards the Milky Way," Lazuli's response struck Marron a certain way.

Was the desperation to marry her off so soon such a serious issue?

"But Vegeta-Sei?" Marron pressed before glancing around the room to see if any astray servants were "What about what happened to… Queen Bulma…" Marron's voice was nearly a hushed whisper at the mention of the missing queen.

"You do not speak of that name in these walls Marron," Krillin lowered his voice, triggering Marron to make herself smaller, "besides, that is completely unrelated, King Vegeta gave me his word–"

There was a small ire bubbling beneath her veins at her father's justification. "Those words that you know mean nothing," she almost hissed out before catching herself once more. Her eyes shut gently as she tried to quell her own nerves.

"My sweet," Lazuli said as her arm wrapped around her in a futile effort to comfort her worried daughter. "You understand, both your father and I have had to make many sacrifices for the sake of our people."

"But you were in a love match," Marron emphasized on that final point. "I don't have the luxury to even fall in love."

"Marron," Krillin began softly, as the soft realization came over him. "we were anything but–"

"We fell in love as time went by, initially–" Lazuli's piercing gaze met with Krillin's brown eyes as he nodded. "Initially I was taken from my father, King Gero of the Red Ribbon…I'd been betrothed to your father then–" Lazuli paused.

She didn't want to get into the specifics of it all with her, out of fear she'd disprove the point she'd attempted to make. "I hated the idea," Lazuli started as her eyes met with her husband's "but as time went on, Krillin's infectious smile…his loving way of seeing the world…"

Marron's eyes peered into her mothers, finding it hard to believe that this part of their history was kept from her. Was this the fate of being at the top of the royal court? Arranged to potentially loveless marriages without even a single iota of care from the rest of society? Marron's crestfallen expression met with her father's, who at the sight of her face held a tight lipped expression.

"It is why I requested for Prince Trunks to formally court you, obviously to avoid scrutiny under the eyes of the rest of the nobility–but it's also for your sake," Lazuli pressed on, her hands tightening its grip around her. "But know, before anything else duty awaits you–your union will tow the line between life and death on Earth…so be open to change ."

Things for her were moving far too quickly, one moment she had been a debutante in high society and now she was essentially being forced to marry for politics. She should have known, she was nothing more than a piece in a bigger game.

"Your majesty, pardon my interruption, King Vegeta is here to–" Lady Valese began before King Vegeta and Prince Trunks entered the waiting room, triggering the princess to quickly sit upright, lest her mother snip at her further.

"No need to introduce me, that's quite fine," King Vegeta said as he kept his eye on the panicked Princess. She certainly was far less covert with her emotions than her mother, Queen Lazuli. "We've loaded the spaceship with the Prince's possessions, however I foresee that he'd likely need more…human regalia…"

Prince Trunks looked down upon his Royal Garb, his brow furrowed as he glanced back up to his father, confusion strewn across his face.

"We shall see to it that his highness has the most befitting accommodations, rest assured, Your Majesty," Lazuli replied coolly.

Trunks watched the older woman with a sense of trepidation. She was nearly robotic, and her voice and eyes were as cold as ice…it was beyond him how the Princess was nearly the total opposite of her.

"I trust he will," Vegeta replied as he glanced over to the princess. "Besides, he has the Princess of Kame to keep him company…"

Marron's eyes were much like a pair of icicles–the warmth that Trunks recalled from their first meeting had transformed into a hardened glance. Her expression was anything but cool–anything but relaxed. She was surely going to be a challenge for him–and what did he know of courting in the first place?

How was he going to do this?

"Your majesty—a word, if you will?" King Krillin asked, his eyes motioning out of the room. Vegeta all but gave a silent consent, as he walked out of the room he watched as his son tensed up further.

Queen Lazuli walked up to the Saiyan Prince, glancing his attire up and down. "Upon boarding, we will fetch you wardrobe befitting nobility of our planet," she said plainly,c "though I must say some alterations may need to be made—"

"That is most kind of you, your Majesty," Trunks replied, as politely as he could. He found the whole thing seemingly vapid. And if his attire were as intricate as King Krillin's that would certainly be quite the irritant. "The only thing I request is that I have my royal crest."

"Certainly, that should be no issue at all," she responded with a small nod, "I will arrange this with our seamstresses–"

Before Lazuli could finish her sentence, a bolt of blue came through the doors. It was Bulla standing at the door with a blue fire crackling under her eyes. "So you are really doing it?" she asked, in a near shout.

The Queen pressed her lips together, it was quite brash of the young Princess to behave in such a manner–but she supposed it was the spunk of Queen Bulma that carried through on within her. The absolute spitting image of her, save for the blue tail that swayed in annoyance.

"Yes," Trunks responded, his eyes flickering down to Bulla's swatting motion. "Wrap your tail back," he replied cautiously. As children, they were always taught to keep their tails close–as it was their biggest vulnerability–emotionally and physically.

"Princess Bulla," Marron began as she paced forward, now standing beside Prince Trunks—much to both Lazuli and Trunks' surprise. "I would love to invite you to come at any time to come visit Earth at any time," her voice was soft but firm with the girl.

Looking at her, she reminded her so much of Lady Pan of Mt. Paozu, perhaps it's the ferocity of Saiyan genetics that stirred within them both–but couldn't imagine how isolating it must have felt. Being the only one of their own kind out there.

"And why should I?"

Marron smiled softly at her, it was rather disarming for the on guard Princess. "Well, I feel there's someone I'd like you to meet," she responded.

Bulla watched Marron carefully for a moment. Princess Marron was certainly afraid of the Saiyan Princess, for good reason too– if Bulla felt so inclined she could end her life in an instant. She had no muscle, but a pathetically frail composition. But she seemed kind, and from what she overheard…they seemed to be sitting on the same boat.

Betrothed to men they hardly knew, it was difficult to not to empathize. "I'll take that into consideration, your highness," Bulla nodded, inwardly smiling. "And brother, do not make a fool of us, will you?"

"I can't–"

"He won't," Vegeta's voice boomed, making the trio nearly jump out of their skin, "Eschalotte didn't I tell you to remain in the east wing?" Vegeta's expression was certainly a frightful one.

But it seemed Marron was not the only one unnerved by his booming voice. The fur on the Prince's tail seemed to have widened in size and was suddenly unwrapped–not heeding his own advice he'd so quickly given his sister. It was a rather amusing sight, as she watched it relax. It reminded her of a feral feline, much like one–it reacted skittishly to anything too sudden.

"We will be boarding shortly," a knight announced, "Prince Trunks' belongings have been fully loaded onto the ship."

Trunks and Bulla's gaze met for just a moment, an unspoken agreement between them. It was clear what the objective was…and Trunks simply couldn't afford to fail.

Trunks walked behind the royal family, observing the two women who clung to Marron's side. One being a burly woman with short, electric green hair and amethyst eyes. Her skin was near porcelain but littered with battle scars. Surely–a woman fit for the average saiyan. She bore brilliant metal armor that shone excessively under Vegeta-Sei's suns.

It seemed she was the Princess' knight, holding close position to her—he could feel her ki spiked at the most sudden movement. She had her guard up high around him–understandably so…Saiyan's seemed to not have the best reputation on Earth it seemed. And despite his mother being the Duchess of Briefs it was still not enough for people to easily accept him.

Beside her stood a woman of similar stature to the princess, a brunette with a delicate frame yet bronzed skin that glistened nearly as much as the metal armor on the burlier woman. She too wore an extravagant dress, though its grandeur was not nearly the same as the Princess.

She'd seemed very acquainted with the formalities of society, and even the way she carried herself reminded him of the near untouchable nature that the Princess carried herself with too. Sure, Saiyan royalty was quite the same—but this was due to their intimidating power over anything else.

Was societal power what reigned supreme?

Trunks observed the Earthling ship carefully as he boarded on, it was a technological marvel and got his gears turning as he observed the intricate details etched into the entryway, there was light woven in through the pathways, with droids zipping past him with refreshments for the royal family. He has seen several ships, though typically partially destroyed.

Never has he seen one that rivaled the technological marvel and beauty of this ship. It seemed grandiose from the outside—encased in a reflective material that seemed to be like glass… it blended perfectly in the sky, with brass frames holding the ship's body at bay.

As he continued to step deeper his eyes glanced over to the end of the hall, with earthling waitstaff waiting for them. He must admit, earthling fashion was certainly strange…overly intricate and contrived however–these people were not forged for battle.

They were connoisseurs of the arts, the softer, more sensible hominid if one will. "Careful, a fly might zip in with how wide you keep your mouth," an amused woman circled around him, as she paced forward to follow him.

"Very funny, your highness," he replied flatly as he glanced to his side to see the princess being tailed by Shumay and Lady Valese. It seemed those two women stuck to the princess like a magnet.

"It will be a day trip to Earth," Queen Lazuli announced from ahead, "I hope the prince does find his accommodations most adequate…" Just a single day? Trunks swore the ships on Vegeta-Sei took far longer to get from one point to another. "This is a state of the art ship, exclusive to the monarchs of Earth."

That would check out–why would Earth provide their top technology with Vegeta-Sei? As Trunks came to a stop, he glanced up at a frosted glass door that slid right into the wall, revealing his sleeping quarters for the evening. As he stepped into his own room, it was a marvelous room for a ship, with its own dressing and bathing quarters. Detailed etching into the walls and expensive, and luxurious fabrics draping above his bed.

It was excessive, surely, but the Earthling Royals were drowning in gold–it was no surprise that everything they did and everything they owned was abundant. "Is everything to the Prince's liking?" King Krillin asked, watching his every move.

"It is quite fine, thank you," he said, glancing over to the clothes prepared for him on the bed.

Queen Lazuli snapped her fingers, as a maid came rushing in. "I will have the seamstresses readjust your clothes to your request, Prince Trunks…" Queen Lazuli replied coolly as she stepped to the side allowing the young woman to rush past them. "As your hosts, please inform us of anything else to make your trip more comfortable."

Trunks, somewhat overwhelmed by the inherent opulence, found himself in awe glancing out towards the sunlit window. Unknowing that his hosts have now left him to his own devices– he wondered just how Earthlings were so technologically advanced–so much so they rivaled The Freeza Corps.

As he laid down on the bed he glanced to his side, closing his eyes as the softness of the bed took over his senses and quickly felt himself slip into sleep.

Surprisingly to Marron, the next few hours were totally unremarkable. Prince Trunks seemed to be holed up in his sleeping quarters–for as chatty as he seemed the evening prior he was rather silent during their time in the waiting room. As if he was attempting to be careful around her parents.

She wondered how he truly felt about the entire situation–had he too not found it frustrating they were being forced into this? The princess strolled alone into the kitchen peering around the corner, donning nothing but her night gown and long hair untouched and loose. Had anyone not known the flaxen haired girl they may have mistaken her for a servant sneaking a snack.

And it seemed that is quite what happened as she picked up her loaf of bread, she heard a raspy voice come through the doorway, "And just what are you doing?" Prince Trunks asked, his body leaning against the doorway watching in amusement.

Marron narrowed her eyes, how was it that he kept finding her at the worst possible moments? "You must have a penchant for searching for unchaperoned ladies," Marron began as she put down her loaf of sweet bread.

It was the first moment he'd been able to catch her alone since their time in the castle, he had been sulking about the ship in quiet marvel but always found that she was with one of her knights or ladies in waiting–and could never quite get a moment to talk just the two of them. He took it that most of the ship rested at this hour. "Not at all, your highness—just you," he smiled, amusement brimming his eyes.

Marron rolled her eyes, and she felt herself shift warily…she'd snuck into the kitchen for some snacks…she certainly hadn't expected the Prince to do the same, but here he was, his towering figure glancing down at her and her piece of sweet bread. "Why didn't you wake one of your maids to bring you something?"

"And disturb them while they are resting?" Marron asked, her voice laced in an incredulous tone. Marron can be spoiled, but she wasn't cruel either. "I am perfectly capable of feeding myself–"

"Well," he said, stepping closer, his hand held out, as if asking for a bite of her food.

Marron eyed him cautiously, sighing as she broke off a piece and handed it to him. He sat in the seat beside her– his eyes continuing to glance at her–even then below the dim light she was still just the same as the first moment he saw her. Save for the extravagant dress. "What is it like?" He asked,

His question confused her—without any context she just glanced at him. Marron paused her eating, "What do you mean?"

"Earth…" Trunks began, a swell in his chest rose. It was as if he was even nervous to ask about the home that was all too foreign to him. "I've…never been."

She took a moment to observe his expression, a soft look graced his hardened features…a forlorn emotion quickly bubbled at the pit of her stomach. "Oh…" she murmured as her eyes met with his. She had previously described them as a stormy blue, perhaps it could have been the terror…or maybe it had been the context in which she looked at him—but in reality, they were as deep and as vibrant as blue roses.

And much like a blue rose, her intrigue bloomed– as to why he has never seen his mother's home world, and other things his sad eyes spelled out to her. "Earth is…" Marron began with a heavy sigh, "it's beautiful—after all, it's the blue jewel of the milky way galaxy,"

Trunks smiled softly at her, glancing down at her gravity bracelet. He knew humans were inherently weaker than the average Saiyan…but she seemed more fragile than that. Her wrists were dainty, and her frame was so small he swore he could harm her by accident. "So by extension you're a jewel."

Marron blinked, her cheeks rouged from embarrassment, he certainly was not holding back any compliments to win her favor. "Well—there is no need for flattery."

Trunks smiled, which later erupted into raucous laughter caught her off guard, Marron watched him surprised to see just how human he truly seemed to her. For as much as Prince Trunks was Saiyan, he too was human . "We can show you all of what Earth has to offer," Marron replied with a gentle smile.

"And will you be my guide?"

"I suppose so," she responded, as she stood up from her seat. Stretching her limbs as much as she could. "Now, I must get to bed–"

Trunks watched as she pulled her long blonde tresses up, fluffing out her own hair in the process. Acting without thinking, he held out his hand, catching her wrist in the process. "Before you go, I do have a question for you Princess," he announced–though as those words spilled out there came in that air of tedious familiarity.

"And what might that be?" Marron pressed.

With a resolute expression he had a feeling he'd known what the pathway to this conversation would be. "Do you intend to put me at arm's length from you?" Trunks asked, it was a rather pointed question but his reason for questioning her held merit.

"Do you intend to court me properly?" Marron asked, her gaze from up above seemed far more intimidating than he previously gave her credit for. There in such a light did she remind him of the Queen.

"Well I–" he didn't expect to start stumbling over his words, but it was as if she'd regained control of the conversation.

"Allow me to let you in on a secret, Prince Trunks," Marron turned to face the man, his body was fully turned towards her and she observed the blue clad spandex he still wore. "Earthling women require more than just lofty declarations, and certainly better fashion," her hands crossed across her chest.

This Princess had a very defiant streak for being so fragile. His mind flitted back to his sister Bulla, and her outright demand for a love match of some kind. "A love match, isn't that what you call it?" He asked, bemused as he stood up as well now, stretching his neck as if it were aching.

Marron piped down quickly, her eyes averting from him. For as gaudy as that spandex suit was, it certainly left nothing to the imagination. "Yes–and must you Saiyans insist on wearing such lewd attire?" She quickly replied as her cheek remained slightly turned from him.

Trunks looked down at his clothing, confusion strung across his face. "Lewd?" He questioned.

" Yes , lewd!" Marron hissed as she snapped her head back towards him, her eyes narrowing down on him.

"I suppose you earthlings prefer form over function."

"If that justifies it for you , then yes–" Marron began, before quickly being cut short.

Trunks nodded as he approached the archway. "Then when I arrive, I'll dress according to your customs…as contrived as they may be," he replied, leaning just a bit closer to her with a somewhat cocky grin upon his lips, "I wouldn't want the princess' reputation tarnished due to my ignorance."

"Mhm…fitting a brutish prince in intricate garments…" Marron grumbled as she chewed on her piece of sweet bread.

"Your words wound me, Princess," he feigned a shot to the heart, his hand splayed across his chest. "Must you be so cruel to your future husband?"

"Bold of you to assume such a thing," Marron turned her nose up at him. Quietly finding a bit of thrill in their banter. "At the very least, escort me to my room—since you decided to offend me."

"And here I thought the Princess was solely independent," Trunks joked, as he held the door for her, and felt her arm hook onto his. It surprised the prince–it wasn't such a common occurrence to escort someone…let alone a woman anywhere on Vegeta-Sei.

However, Marron had taken his arm as if it were a mutual understanding. He seemed quite surprised at the blonde's touch. "Tell me Prince Trunks," she began, "just how many ladies have you courted in the past?"

Trunks raised a brow at that question, had she been trying to gauge some form of illegitimacy? "Your highness, I don't intend to offend you with such a question–" Trunks responded simply. The true answer may not be something she truly wished to hear as Saiyans, as voracious as their blood lust was…it seemed so was their bodily lust.

"Nonsense…you've already proclaimed me as your future wife–I don't think much can offend past that," Marron replied, her voice laced with a sense of annoyance. She simply wanted to gauge more from the Prince…that was all.

Trunks sighed as he straightened himself out. "Well," he responded, "us Saiyans can be insatiable…I'm confident that you would not be disappointed if I'm given the chance, Princess."

Earthling royals tended on the prudish side, he couldn't imagine the Kame Princess was any different. So as he peered down, he found it amusing that she remained quiet for a mere moment. "That's a very thought out answer," Marron replied, beneath the darker hall lights her face was overly flushed. "So the rumors are true…you're a rake."

Trunks' face remained undeterred, as a Saiyan royal unable to get out of the planet so much–philandering was an amusing pass time for the prince. He'd seen plenty of men and women alike from one race to another. But never a human, let alone a Princess. He licked his teeth as they both came to a stop in front of her room.

Glancing down at her under the glow of the ships' artificial pink and blue lights…his mind raced with thoughts about her–he'd become a little too curious about her. To ask such a pointed question, what was her intent? Had it been to rile him up?

He always found pride that he was a gentleman, never forceful–but alas, he was still a man. And for as delicate as the Princess seemed–she had a quality about her he couldn't quite put to words. "I suggest you don't go looking for the skeletons in my closet, you may not like what you find," he murmured and Marron found herself backed up against the door.

Her chest filled with air as her once cool gaze averted from him. "I don't know what your intent is, but I do not play with young ladies just to dispose of them…rake is hardly a good word to describe me," Trunks' voice was a near hushed whisper, as his gloved hand picked up her hand, his warm lips softly pressed against her frigid hand.

"Sleep well, your highness ."

A chin landed right atop Trunks' shoulder; a set of curious eyes observed him tinkering with some kind of robot. His fingers dexterously and tediously put together the piece of machinery with love and care, as if it were a language he had always known and understood. He felt the warmth radiate against his back, as manicured fingernails raked through his scalp,

Blissful.

Though as he turned to face he saw nothing but an amalgamation of light.

This person was calm in the storm, they could quell a thousand fears with the soft hum of their voice, the gentle touch of their hand slowly rubbing on the top of his tense back. He had always come back to this dream–to this foreign land he'd dreamt up time and time again

Though he knew this creature of light spoke to him, he never understood their words. However, this time, as he looked dead on towards the light he felt as his body was engulfed in that comforting golden light and he heard its voice.

" Trunks… "

Trunks awoke in his bed in a cold sweat, his eyes desperately looking around, reaching out to grab something that wasn't there. And a throb of pain unlike anything he'd ever felt took over his nervous system. He stared out towards the domed window on the spacecraft, only the flickering lights of zipping comets and constellations lit his room.

He heard its voice, and though in his waking moment his brain thrashed as he felt the memory of that voice slipping away further from him.

"Just go back to sleep," he whispered as he tossed back around attempting to close his eyes and forget.

AN: WAAAAAAAA twunksy wunksy and mawwon my two idiots...anyway hope yall enjoyed 3 more shumay and valese incoming incase u even cared 3 LOL but seriously! Leave a comment let me know ur thoughts 3 k byeee