Magi: The Goddess of Hope [DISCONTINUED]

💮 Scene Three: Lucid Dreams

Ashante and Zayd Saluja were well-loved, well-raised and good mannered, loving children. They were, as Lady Amira said, 'little cutie pies'. Or as Governess Leyla said 'adorable hellions.'

They were well-loved by the servants, and the children who came in at times to play with Ashante after his studies.

Zayd, on the other hand, despite his young age of seven, already had a certain amount of admirers; both from the commoners and royals alike. Sadly, the eldest prince merely seemed to ignore the affections of potential suitors given to him, and was currently happily betrothed to his scrolls and records of historic events, fantasy stories, and other paraphernalia.

Respectful they may be, but upon seeing their favorite uncle (Kouen) walk in with a stunning girl in his strong arms, followed by other uncles and aunts, with their mother and father swiftly disappearing after, calling orders to prepare a room...

Well, even princes did have curiosities.

Ashante, spitting the image of his father with a portion of his hair braided to one side, gasped audibly, large red eyes widening. The boy tugged on his elder brother's sleeve, causing the impassive Zayd, who looked like a miniature blonde Kouen, when he was younger (and didn't have that terrible goatee) to look up and uncharacteristically raise an eyebrow.

The two princes trotted along their family, and eventually caught up with Kōen.

"Hello, Uncle Kouen. Is she your wife?" Zayd, the ever-blunt of the two princes asked Kouen directly, as he paused to look at his nephews.

"No." The flame emperor replied back just as bluntly, with a subtle smirk. "She's a...friend. Of sorts."

"Wow, she's so pretty!" Ashante cried out joyously as he tiptoed and jumped as he ran, to see a glimpse of the strange girl's face. "Brother, can you lift me up? I want to see her properly!"

With a grunt, Zayd paused and hoisted his younger brother up onto his shoulders.

Ashante craned his neck to look at her face. The second Prince laughed innocently and cooed at the beauty of the sleeping girl before him. "Hello, pretty lady! Why are you asleep?"

Sinbad laughed. "He's going to be a charmer one day!" he whispered and elbowed Ja'far.

"Hopefully not like you, Sin." Ja'far muttered back under his breath.

The vizier walked up to the young boys and put on his 'Stern' face. "It would be okay to flirt around, but don't copy Lord Sinbad over here, okay? No other things aside kissing and hugging unless you want to marry the woman!" Ja'far lectured the princes who had varying reactions. Ashante looked vaguely confused and Zayd scoffed, muttering something like 'I would marry my books if I could, Uncle Ja'far.'

Sinbad flinched and made a strangled sound at the back of his throat, looking utterly betrayed. Kōen and Kōmei rolled their eyes.

Kōen smirked at Sindria's Royal Adviser. It was clear he was the mother hen in their group of ragtag Generals. At least there were some sane souls in Sindria.

"Ah! There you are, Kouen-ojisan!" Aladdin exclaimed as he made his way over to Kouen and Sinbad, who paused in their walking, along with their other entourage.

The Magi eyed Ja'far who seemed to be actively lecturing the two Balbadd princes on something. "Err...what happened?"

"It's about the bees and birds. That's all you need to know." Kouen snorted behind his hand. "And lifetime relationship fidelity." he muttered to Aladdin.