Fate II

CCIV

With one order from Sinbad, the officials, guards, and servants heeded his words as they all carried out their respective duties in his absence. The officials would continue their administrative work under Drakon, who would temporarily take over Sinbad's position as Head of State. The guards and servants continuously patrolled around the Royal Palace as the servants were ordered to diligently deliver food to Dahlia Hall by placing it inside at the front of the gate. As much as they may dislike her, they carried out their duties with professionalism and pride, seeing no meaning in tempering with the food or stealing it. Kougyoku collapsed onto her knees as she heard the order and was soon confined to the Dahlia Hall where not even Lucy wished to speak up in her defense. Had she not been so malicious in her deeds, perhaps she would've been able to accompany them and, for the first time since her arrival, leave the Royal Palace.

"Reflect upon your actions while you're in there," Sinbad said coldly as he looked towards the servants. "Take care of her and don't let anything happen to her."

Kougyoku glanced up at him, her heart skipping a beat, hoping that perhaps he cared for her and was worried for her. But, her face fell as she saw the coldness in his eyes.

"Even if she's the Royal Concubine, she still used to be the Eighth Imperial Princess of the Kou Empire. It'd be troublesome if she died during our absence and the Kou Empire finds out," he said, knowing how cunning Kouen could be. "It's fine if you want to die but, I won't let you die now. It's too easy to let you die just like that," he grinned. "So," he placed out his hand and cast a high-tier spell on her that she couldn't break no matter how much she tried, "I'll make sure you're still alive. No matter how much you're in pain or how much you want to kill yourself, you'll force yourself to survive."

Her face paled and her body trembled upon seeing the dark, sinister aura which emanated from him. His amber eyes glowed a soft, sinister hue under the shadows of his bangs and she could only collapse down in defeat, unable to fight against him.

"Until then," Sinbad turned, his guards and servants following him.

"We wish Your Royal Majesty a safe trip," the rest of the servants bowed before returning back to their duties, leaving Kougyoku in the sad, pitiful mess she was.

Soleil Palace~

Contrary to its usual serene state, the Soleil Palace was bustling about as the servants went about cleaning every nook and cranny of the Royal Palace before Sinbad and Lucy's departure, making sure that nothing was out of place before their leave and upon their return. Kaede and Lucy were busy organizing Sinbad, Lucy, and Sikandar's closets, deciding what to bring and what not to bring. Masrur and Masud had packed their closet beforehand but, Kaede and Tomoyo had put a stop to it as they decided to organize the two's closets themselves given Masrur's lack of fashion sense. Even Masud was appalled at his father's lack of style despite his handsome face and well-built, toned, muscular body that was every man's dream.

"Have you finished packing everything?"

Sikandar turned to Lucy who sat there on the couch, her dress and shawl flowing to the side in a train, patting Kuugen who sat on her lap curled up into a ball. His warm, winter fur provided a sense of comfort to her hand which had become slightly cold despite the summer heat. Kuugen glanced at her worriedly, aware of the worried glances that Kaede, Tomoyo, and Wu Kong would flash her way, but, seeing her delighted face, Kuugen smiled hopelessly as he returned back to rest in Lucy's lap and warming her body.

"Mn!" Sikandar ran happily over to his mom but, stopped at her side instead of throwing his arms around her for he knew his mother's health was not as well as it used to be.