Hiraedd: The Unobtainable

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Torankusu was quiet as he calmly sipped his drink. Dressed in attire more suited for state functions rather than a welcoming banquet for the Juraian Princess, the Saiyan Prince was eerily calm as he sat in one of the oversized chairs in his personal suite.

Swishing the contents of his glass, Goten merely sat in silence as he continually glanced from Torankusu to the open window and into the dim world beyond. Torankusu had said nothing of Aurelia since he left her to be escorted to her new chambers that lay just below their feet.

Personally, Goten felt the Juraian Princess was little to be concerned with; upon questioning Nappa, it was concluded that the princess did indeed seem to carry certain poise possessed only among tactical commanders, yet her physical capabilities were limited. Her smart mouth and pushy attitude would soon be dealt with no doubt, either by Torankusu himself or another who saw fit to.

With the air clear, both Torankusu and his favorite warrior Goten thought that being a little late to the feast would be nothing of great concern. The princess did seem to take immense pleasure in the company of others; they doubted his or Torankusu’s presence would be missed. However, the hour was growing increasingly late, and despite their wishes, the liquor was doing nothing to satisfy their growing hunger.

“I suppose we should head down to the feasting hall.” Torankusu reluctantly stated, cradling his empty glass in one hand.

“As you wish.” Goten said as he stood and set his own glass down upon the small table between them.

Both Saiyans swept from the room and followed the massive corridors of black and grey marble to the main wing of the palace. Each hall rose to staggering heights with either vaulted or glass ceilings lined with towering columns. The particular location where the banquet was to take place was before a darkly lit rotunda where several groups decided to linger and converse.

Apparently, Torankusu and Goten were not the only ones who were not anxious to attend this Princess’ welcoming feast. Upon inspection however, the majority of the lingering persons were brilliantly clothed and bejeweled Juraians glittering in the low blue lighting. Those who noticed his arrival looked at them with disdain before bowing to the Prince Torankusu. But there was one group in particular who did not salute his presence, due in part to a single person among them.

“Prince Torankusu! Here I thought that only the guest of honor was allowed to be late for their own party, but once again you have proven me wrong.” Torankusu turned to find the Juraian Princess Aurelia dressed in robes of plum silk with silver hair ornaments pulling her pale tresses away from her face.

“Apparently.” Torankusu stated with a scowl, ignoring those around.

“You will do the honor of escorting me in though, no? But first, come and talk with us, I do not believe the festivities have begun yet, everyone is still enjoying their drinks.” She motioned to several of the others standing with her and holding crystal glasses with different colored liquids.

“I’d rather not.” He said, at which Aurelia laughed.

“Eager for the food are you? No matter, I do suppose I can manage being early this one time.” She walked forward and stood face to face with the Saiyan Prince as the hall began to quietly empty. “Between you and I, the reason I prefer to be late is because I bore easily, you will keep me entertained tonight I hope. Perhaps you and I could find time to talk; I would like that very much.”

“I do not think you would not stop until you have gotten your way otherwise.” Torankusu snorted his consensus, at which the princess smiled.

“An astute move, though I do believe you and I may find characteristics in one another that we may find charming.” She took a delicate sip of her berry red drink. “I would hate for our arranged life to be full of spite.”

“So far I am finding nothing ‘charming’ about you.” The Saiyan Prince stated, though he received a reply he did not expect.

“You are not the first to state so, and I do appreciate someone who will speak their mind, but it is wiser to study a person before making assumptions, what you don’t know can surprise you.”

“Surprise me?” Torankusu ‘humph’ ed and processed their conversation thus far, turning to face her fully and fold his arms as he did so. “You’re not Saiyan, in fact, you’re nothing like I have ever experienced, I don’t care about your likes or dislikes, I don’t care about you at all; what I do care about is a female who is overstepping their position by telling me what to do.”

Aurelia’s smile slackened as he stared coldly at her before she leaned in closely and whispered lowly:

“Hear what I say Torankusu, and I shall tell you something that may be useful to you. You may think I and other females are weak and useless, but there are some who are more cunning and treacherous than you think possible.” She smiled as she began to stroke his soft lavender hair. “If you were wise you would never let your guard down or make assumptions around us. I believe you are most vulnerable when around us; with the whores you lay with at night, I imagine it would be but a simple task to stab you in the back after you’ve sought your release and are weak from pleasure and sin.”

“Enough from you witch!” Torankusu slapped her hand away.

“You’re right, I do suppose we should stop, everyone has already gone inside, and we can continue this conversation later.” She sipped from her glass again, taking notice that there was still a considerable amount within it.

“If I ever hear you speaking that way again--”

“Do not tell me that being murdered by a promiscuous woman is something you’ve never thought of before? An enemy or assassin will do anything to see their rival dead, it has happened many a time throughout history, many Kings and Lords have since abandoned the practice of keeping harems and concubines because the whores are far too easy to bribe with the promise of freedom or riches. But do not worry, I would not kill you in such a manner, I think I like you too much.”

Outraged, Torankusu lashed out and grabbed the princess by the throat before thrusting her against the hard marble wall. The glass the she had been holding fell to the ground and shattered, yet no one heard or came near. Digging his gloved fingers into her pale flesh, Torankusu leaned in close so his message would not be taken idly.

“Allow me to tell you something useful, when I tell you to do something, I expect my words to be followed through to my exact specifications or there will be Hell to pay. Now, I am telling you to keep your mouth shut, if you do not, I will break it, do you understand?”

“Do you tell that to all the ladies?” Aurelia replied despite the firm grip on her neck. “You are forgetting my dear Torankusu, I am not one of your subjects to command.”

“The hell you are.” Torankusu lowered his voice. “You honestly think that I will not do it don’t you?”

“No you will not.” She said as she brushed a few stray hairs away from his face that was hovering so close to hers and spoke huskily. “You will not because you do not know what else I can do with my mouth.” Her lips brushed against his chin and then his mouth, lingering a few moments before Torankusu growled deep within his throat.

“A thousand curses upon you!” His hand loosened and fingers somehow slid beneath the silk on her shoulder.

“Only one thousand my lord?” She smiled as her fingers began to gently stroke Torankusu’s strong jaw. “You say you dislike me and that you do not care, yet you tell me the sweetest endearments.” Aurelia bit her lip as she chuckled, while Torankusu’s lingering hand gently clasped her jaw.

“You think you’re smart by changing the subject, a shrew to be sure, but nothing more than an annoyance.”

“You are speaking in riddles now my love, why would I be nothing more than an annoying shrew?” She questioned as the Saiyan Prince gently ran a finger along her exposed collarbone. “I assure you I am much, much more.”

“No doubt you think so.” Torankusu chuckled.

“I know so.” She corrected. “After more than three hundred years, you do not think I would not know what I am and what I am capable of?”

“Three hundred years is long enough for a woman to become haggard and senile.” He rebuked at which Aurelia laughed.

“Perhaps by the standards of your kind, but I happen to think I look very well for my age. But honestly, senile? Mad perhaps, but have you no other kind words for your new wife?” The tone in her voice changed. “Or would you rather show me what you wish of me?”

“If I was drunk perhaps I would accept your offer.” Torankusu stated with a guttural tone, loosening his grip upon her.

“We can arrange for that.” Aurelia replied sardonically, twirling her fingers around a strand of the Prince’s hair.

“Damn you to hell.”

“You are so adorable.”

“Are you quite finished?” He looked her in the eye and before long, she dissolved into fits of laughter.

“Aw, why did you have to stop? I was having fun.” Aurelia continued to smile as Torankusu took a step backward.

“You actually enjoy goading and infuriating me.”

“You are far too easy my dear Torankusu, when did you figure out I was purposely doing it?” She asked, walking around him.

“From the very beginning.” He said, following her circle. “I shall have to learn to avoid your provocations in the future, I do not have the time to play such games all the time.”

“Then I shall have to think up better ones for us to play.” The princess stopped her steps. “Contrary to what you may believe, I was serious when I said do not wish for our life together to be one of petty ill will. I am the result of a loveless marriage, I know its effects, I do not know about you.”

“Well, there is one reason to find something promising about you so our offspring do not become like you.” Torankusu folded his arms and leant against one of the columns. “I admit I am unaccustomed to dissenting females, one such as you should infuriate me beyond measure, yet I admit that though you do indeed irritate me, I find that you’re not quite what I expected.”

“What did you expect?” Aurelia questioned, her tone a bit higher. “Am I not everything my reputation decrees?”

“I expected far worse.” Torankusu freely stated. “A princess with far too much decorum and pride unbefitting of her, yet you are far more cunning than I believed, and though haughty I believe that your reputation now has some merit. We shall be quite a pair.”

“We shall?” Aurelia elongated the words raising an eyebrow. “You do know that if you ever have any questions regarding me you are free to ask, I shall do my best not to lie.”

“You’re specialty is not combat is it? But tactical warfare.” Torankusu pointed with a smile. “Since you’re arrival you have been studying and analyzing everyone you have come in contact with. Whether you have some grand scheme or you’re simply doing it out of habit I have no idea. I already see that I will have to keep an eye on you.”

“Must you be so guarded against me? I shall be completely honest with you right now Torankusu, there is no grand scheme in the works, nor some elaborate backstabbing plot. I am content with my situation, and the challenges facing me are something that shall relieve me of the boredom I have felt for the past three years.”

“Boredom?” Torankusu chuckled.

“Indeed, I do not know why you and your race prefers complacent females, I would dare say you have enjoyed my company thus far, as…untamed as I am.”

Torankusu felt as though the very blood in his veins had begun to flow backwards. Now there was an invitation if he ever saw one. She was daring him to stand against her; she knew he wanted nothing more than to put her into a proper female‘s place, and she was making a game out of it. He almost wondered if the game would be worth playing.

“Make no mistake, from now on you shall be more compliant, I will have no more haughty or sarcastic remarks from you.” Torankusu demanded with a superior tone as the princess seemed to listen with amusement. “And no more games.”

“You wish for me to become something soft and reluctant? I’m so sorry to inform you that I cannot. It is impossible. You shall have to make do with me, as I am.”

The Prince grunted, stepping intimately close to her again, watching the cold light dance in her dark eyes. He hated her, he knew it from the instant he saw her, and he knew it as his gloved fingertips grazed the exposed flesh at her neck, and he felt his hand go cold.

“I shall take my time in making you regret your words.” It was like a caress, his threat, and all Aurelia did was take his face in her hands and kiss him.