Crimson Threads ♡Sinbad X Oc♡

Chapter nine: Golden moonlight

Standing on the stairway was Yunalesca.
Her smooth honey-oak hair was cut short at the shoulder, and she was wearing a stunning soft lavender dress, fastened along the upper arms with golden bangles. A small golden corset like band, fastend around her wais, held the fabric in place, bringing the whole outfit together.

Completely transfixed, Sinbad stares at Yunalesca as she walks toward his table. He could barely recognise her in the new dress. "How do I look?" Yunalesca asks hesitantly, her heart beating wildly against her chest. "You look absolutely wonderful." Harun answers bedazzled by the girl in front of him.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yunalesca bowd her head, embarrassed.
Turning to Sinbad, Yunalesca fidgets nervously.

"What do you think, Sinbad?" Yunalesca's voice betrayed her lack of confidence, as she nervously avoided eye contact with him. A sudden nudge from Harun yanks Sinbad out of his daze. He didn't even realise he was staring at Yunalesca. "It suits you. You look stunning." Sinbad says, unable to tear his eyes off of Yunalesca. "I barely recognised her..." Sinbad thinks to himself, his eyes following Yunalesca's every movement as she sits down next to him.
"You think she's single?". "A girl like that? Nahh.". "Not that you'd stand a chance anyway." A group of guys snicker, catching Sinbads' attention. Turning to look at the men, Sinbad notices the number of eyes on his table.
"She'll fetch a really nice price." The words sent a jolt through Sinbad. Jumping from his seat, Sinbad looks around frantically, trying to find the person who said it.

"Sin? Are you ok? You look pale." Yunalesca places a worried hand on Sinbads forearm. "Did she hear?" A bead of sweat rolls off of Sinbads temple.
"I think he needs some air. How about you two take a walk outside." Harun suggests, biting into his meat skewer.
"Yeah. Come on, Yuna, let's go." Sinbad takes Yunalescas' hand, leading her out of the inn. Glancing over his shoulder, Sinbad nodded to Harun, grateful for his friends help.

                           ~~~~~~~
Walking down the lantern lit path, Yunalesca scans through the night market stalls filled with all kinds of merchandise. "See anything you like?" Sinbad asks, peeking over her shoulder as she stops to admire an intricate gold bangle.
"Oh, no, I'm just looking." Yunalesca smiles awkwardly as she keeps walking, Sinbad trailing close behind her. "He's acting strange." Yunalesca glances over her shoulder at Sinbad. He was walking unusually close to her, his hand on the hilt of his sword as if he were on guard. "Should I say something.." Yunalesca wonders, biting her bottom lip.
"Something wrong, Yuna? You seem distracted." Sinbad places his hand on her shoulder, stopping her. Glancing around, Yunalesca noticed that they had walked to the edge of the markets and were standing under a banner of lanterns serving as an entryway to the night markets. There weren't many people, a few stragglers passing by on their way to join the masses at the centre of the night life.

"No, nothing's wrong, per say.." Yunalesca trails off as she looks into Sinbads eyes. "You're just acting weird."
Taken aback by Yunalescas words, a playful smile tugs at Sinbads lips as he leans in closer to her, trying to hide the uncertainty swirling within him. "What makes you say that?"
"Don't try and hide behind that charming smile of yours!" Yunalescas tone was unintentionally sharp, surprising Sinbad. Looking away, Yunalesca bit her lip. She hated it when he used his charms to get his way, and she hated that it worked on her. With frustration brewing inside of her, Yunalesca looked back at Sinbad. His face, a mix of surprise and confusion.

Seeing him that way made all of Yunalescas frustration fade away. "If you're acting like this because of what the people said at the inn.." Seeing Sinbads' expression change Yunalesca stopped talking.
"So you head that?" Sinbad sounded strangely conflicted. "Yeah." Was all that Yunalesca could manage. Sinbads expression looked so sad, yet anger burned in his eyes.
"Hey, Sin.." Yunalesca muttered his nickname so quietly he almost couldn't hear it, her confidence faltering with each breath.
"I didn't want you to hear that. I wanted to protect you from going through that again."  Sinbad blurts out, scratching the back of his head.

As the lanterns flickered in the cool night breeze,  Yunalesca noticed a deep redness seep into Sinbads ears. "He looks so...boyish." She thought, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.
"Don't laugh at me!" Sinbad exclaimed, his face now adopting the same colour as his ears.
"I'm not." Yunalesca giggles. "It's just.. I'm really grateful that you wanted to protect me." She smiles softly, the moonlight dancing in her eyes. "Of course I'd protect you! You're one of my dearest friends." Sinbad says earnestly, his embbaressment fading away.
Dazed for a moment by Sinbads words,  Yunalesca felt the heat on her cheeks intensify.
"I really appreciate it, Sin, but you don't have to worry about me going through that again." Yunalescas eyes softened as she reached out to touch Sinbads cheek.
"Because I know you'll always protect me. I trust you, Sin."

Yunalescas words echoed in Sinbads head as he stared into her eyes, her hand still on his cheek. Feeling heat return to his face, Sinbad quickly looked away from Yunalesca, pulling away from her hand.
"Well, now that that's cleared up. How about we go back to the inn." Sinbad says as he clears his throat.
Glancing back at Yunalesca, he could see her suppressing a slight chuckle, trying to hide it behind her slightly bent index finger. He couldn't quite place it, but his chest felt strangely warm and full, the sight of her suppressed laughter filling him with happiness.
With a cheerful smile, Yunalesca nodded. "We can't keep the king waiting." She said as she turned back toward the market, a slight bounce in her step.
Letting out a tiny huff of amusement, Sinbad runs to catch up to her, his cheeks warm from the bustling moonlit market.