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It certainly didn't seem that the 'condition' would be eliminated. The one--and only--good thing about it was that Echo didn't have to do much of anything. She kept asking Zarbon many questions, until he answered one: "He seems to have conned the king into making a new rule that will keep the throne within his reach. This is disgraceful..I may just have to carry out our little plan.." Echo took the piece of paper he had, and trembled as she read it: There is, however, one exception to this rule. Should the parents be betrothed when the child is born, the child would still be considered legitamite. "Oh dear," said Echo, "oh dear..Zarbon..I think I'm going to...faint.." He caught her just as she fell, and woke her up. "Why," Echo began sobbing, "Why is he doing this? Oh, he hated saiyans, did he? Wished they were all dead, did he? But then when he needs one for his own twisted purposes, he saves a few! Oh, he'd like it if I was strong enough to--" "Don't you know why he used to hate saiyans?" asked Zarbon. "No," sniffled Echo, "I don't want to know, but I have a feeling that you're going to tell me anyway." "As a matter of fact," said Zarbon, "I am going to tell you. A long time ago, a few years before he took control of the saiyans, his mother was rumoured to have been seen with one. The king didn't pay any attention to this, he didn't want to think about it when he had more important things to worry about. Then Aunowa (ow-know-uh), the queen, began to disappear more frequently. The king then had her wear some kind of peculiar bracelets--they were normally gold, but turned red if one was unfaithful. Wouldn't you know it, the very day after she'd been instructed to wear them, they were red all over. The saiyan that was supposed to have been with her was never identified, but the queen was executed for treason." Echo felt a tiny smile creep onto her face, "I bet the king isn't too happy right now, is he?" "Well, no," replied Zarbon, "but, as you know, Frieza's obviously his favorite son, and he doesn't want the crown going to Cooler. It just goes to show you how desperate royals can be." "Desperate? You want desperate? Here's desperate," Echo pointed to herself. "Show me a plan to get out of here, I'll follow it." Zarbon looked thoughtful for a moment, smacked his forehead, then said quickly, "Oh, yeah, I just remembered something. You remember that rule about betrothal? It would seem that.." "I know, Zarbon, I know. Please, don't mention that horrible word again." "You would be queen if--" Zarbon said quietly, but he seemed to not be brave enough to finish the sentence, and he trailed off. "Without you? No thanks." Zarbon blushed. "Need I remind you, Echo, if he heard you talking like that--" "He'd have me executed too. Thank you for the speech. Anything else?" Zarbon thought for a moment, then replied, "Yes, he wanted to see you." Echo sighed, "Maybe I shall never escape this." "I assume Zarbon has informed you of everything?" Echo looked down and muttered, "Yes." "It seems your manners have deteriorated. I shall have to teach you some, then! Look at me when I am speaking to you!" Echo forced herself to look at him. "Very good..manners suit a princess. Not that you will remain as such very long.." |