Fate II

CCV

"His Royal Majesty King Sinbad and Her Royal Majesty Queen Lucy has arrived!"

Getting off the carriage, Sinbad's long, purple hair and cape flowed behind him, his appearance attracting the eyes and attention of all those that were present. Many other royal families have arrived but none were as prominent as the Kingdom of Sindria which, despite it being a Kingdom, was able to call themselves an Empire if they wished to. Sinbad turned around and smiled, his eyes glowing with affection as he held out his hand. Indeed, there was only one person who he would hold out his hand for and only one person who he would gaze so affectionately at.

"Lucy."

They saw a small, thin hand being extended from the carriage and stepping out, her lashes slowly fluttered open, revealing a pair of large, honey-brown eyes that glowed with a tint of gold. Her long, pale, silky blonde hair flowed behind her alongside her dress and cape, the rukh fluttering happily around her. Sinbad placed an arm around her waist, his gaze reserved only for her.

But, the eyes of others slowly began to shift as Ja'far, Masrur, Masud, Sikandar, Kaede, Tomoyo, Wu Kong, and Kuugen got off the carriage, showing themselves for the first time to those outside of Sindria. However, eyes were still glued to the Royal couple for it had been five years since they last showed their faces to public events and though it has been a few years, the two looked the same as ever: elegant, majestic, dignified, and every bit of a Royal. Above all, Sikandar seemed to also take after them. Despite being just five years old, he held a dignified air befitting of a member of the Royal Family and of the First Royal Prince of Sindria. There was no doubt that he would grow up to be as handsome as Sinbad and a great monarch just like his parents.

"Shall we go, Sikandar?" Lucy smiled softly.

Sikandar's eyes brightened up in delight. "Mn!"

He held Lucy's hand and there was a hint of sadness in her eyes as she gave a quick glance at Masud who stood indifferently by Masrur's side, following Sikandar from behind just as Masrur followed her. Pursing her lips, she forced herself to wear the image of the Royal Queen and turned, her heart heavy with apologies as the three of them entered the Grand Palace of the Reim Empire, home to the Great Priestess and the First Magi.

All those who saw them lowered their heads in respect and reverence, greeting them as they walked past, the servant leading them to the residence that had always been reserved for their use.

"We will pay our respects to the Great Priestess once we have settled down," Sinbad informed the servant.

"I will pass it on," the servant lowered his head. "We will send someone to guide you in two hours' time.

Sinbad nodded his head.

"Then," he lowered his head once more and stepped back towards the door and left, "please excuse this servant."

They were left to themselves with Ja'far and Kuugen taking Sikandar and Masud on a tour around the building which was built just for the sake of housing Sindria's Royal Family given how much Scheherazade adored Lucy and now, Masud as well. Though it was Wu Kong and Tomoyo's first time visiting the Reim Empire as Lucy's entourage, they had a clear layout of the building and the surrounding Palace with much credit given to Kaede who had recreated the entire Palace in his own space, allowing them to freely roam around and memorize its layout for the sake of protecting Lucy.

"You must be tired. Rest for a while," Sinbad sat Lucy down onto the seat in the living room.

Though they used teleportation magic since Lucy's body had become inevitably weaker than before and would not be able to stand long hours of travel like she used to, the one-hour trip still took a toll. Especially since she tried to keep up her energetic appearance for Sikandar's sake.