Magi: The Goddess of Hope [DISCONTINUED]

💮Scene One: Sand Dreams

As the winds of the sea continued to propel the ship onward, some newly minted sailors looked sick and retched over the ship's sides. Others stood awkwardly on the deck, yet to gain their sea legs.

The sun was high, and the salty waves crashed over the ship's hull.

Ren Kouha stood at the deck, with Jin-jin, Rei-rei, and Jun-jun behind him, red hair floating like a banner in the sea wind.

"Kouha-sama! Please get inside the ship!" Jin-jin told her diminiutive master with worry. "Your hair will get messed up!"

"Don't worry too much." Kouha replied nonchalantly. "It's just a few minutes of sea air. It won't hurt."

The three women swooned at the smile their lord sent them. Ren Kouha was on his monthly visit to his sister, Kougyoku. Even though she was in a politically arranged marriage with Alibaba, she was more energetic than ever before.

Maybe it was because she had also been married to the man she adored so much.

Kouha had to smile at that thought. Maybe it was still possible for her to find a happy ending...

"Kouha-sama, we will be arriving shortly at the ports of Balbadd." A servant curtly announced with a bow. "Shall I send a message to Lord Alibaba?"

"No need." Kouha assured the servant with a nod. " He knows that I visit during this time of the year, Kunlun."

The servant named Kunlun was seemingly suprised at having his name remembered. "Understood, milord. And Lord Kouen also sends a message."

Kouha motioned for Kunlun to continue.

"He will be coming as well to discuss things with Magi Aladdin along with Lord Koumei and the Oracle." Kunlun intoned with hushed reverence.

"Thank you. You may return to your post, Kunlun."

Kunlun bowed to Kouha and his three female attendants who smiled in motherly ways at the respectful boy as he hurried away.

"So En-nii is coming over?" Kouha smirked. "I guess Judal told them about Aladdin's discovery too."

As Ren Kouha looked out into the great blue sea, searching for land, somewhere, a pair of red eyes shined with a fang-toothed grin.

This boy might have her blessing. But. Oh. It was too early to tell.

... Shame. A storm was brewing though.

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"Kougyoku! There's no need for you to come with me..."

"It's okay, Alibaba-chan!" The queen laughed merrily. "And this child would love to see her Uncle Kouha as well!"

Alibaba looked on affectionately at his red-haired wife, who patted her swollen belly. Just a few more months and she would be giving birth to his- no, their child.

Ren Kougyoku had been married to him years ago and had already bore him two wonderful children. Sadly, none of them had red hair, much to Kouen's immediate disappointment, but he would still sneak them snacks when they were kids.

Maybe that's why Kouen was their favorite uncle. Along with Sinbad, of course, who seemed to had made it his task to compete with Kouen for the title of "Best Uncle".

Heh. It was hilarious seeing them bicker on whose name did their eldest son say first, when it was obviously "Mama".

"Okay dear." Alibaba breathed out with a sigh. "Just stay by me, alright?"