The Guarded Princess

XI

Sinbad looked at Lucy in the eye for a good long minute before softening his gaze and breaking out into a soft smile. He let go of Lucy's hair and straightened himself, his long purple ponytail swaying behind him. The four of them were taken by surprise by his sudden appearance. That is, all except for Lucy.

"It seems that our little princess has noticed my appearance since a while ago."

Lucy chuckled as she didn't bother looking up at him. "You're thinking a bit too much, King Sinbad," she said with a calm tone. "I only happened to notice the presence of your rukh when you entered the garden just a second ago."

"Hmm," he stared at her with a playful grin before dropping it. "If that's what our little princess says."

Lucy nodded her head and they dropped the subject. It was true that she had noticed his rukh's presence but she didn't bother calling out to him for she wasn't yet sure as to why he stood there observing them. But, regardless of what had just happened, this was the first time that she had met him around the castle without Kouen by her side. Seeing him in person, she noted to herself that he was indeed handsome and well-built but most of all, it was the look in his eyes that she noticed the most. This was the second time she looked at them and seeing them, she smiled. It was the same as Kouen's; an expression befitting that of a king vessel.

"So what brings King Sinbad here?" she questioned.

"Just Sinbad is fine," he remarked. "After all, in terms of title relationship, we're practically family."

Lucy sighed. "But even so, you are still the King."

"But you, Lucy Heartfilia, is the First Royal Princess of Sindria," he smirked. "Our title is on an equal level regardless of what you think. So, there's no need for formalities, princess."

She stared at him before letting out a small sigh. "If that's what you wish for," she smiled. "Sinbad."

Sinbad widened his eyes upon hearing her say his name. The way she pronounced his name had a special feeling to it that he just couldn't describe and it pulled him in. He smiled and let out a wide grin, crossing his arms over his chest as he did so.

"Yup! Now that's what you call a proper address!"

"Stop acting so grinny-grinny just because Lucy-nee called you by your name, idiot," Kouha looked at him in disgust.

Morgiana nodded her head in agreement.

"What?!" Sinbad let out an exasperated yell. "It's been a long time since we last talked with one another and this is how you treat me? I'm King Sinbad, the High King of the Seven Seas! Don't you miss me? Right, Masrur?"

Masur averted his gaze from him, throwing Sinbad into complete oblivion.

"In just a day, I can't believe Masrur completely switched loyalty," Sinbad cried. "You're really something, little princess," he looked over to Lucy. "To completely win over Masrur within just the span of a day."

Lucy smiled. "I did nothing," she said, chuckling. "It's more like Masrur won me over."

"Masrur?" he blinked his eyes. "That quiet Masrur?"

"Yup!" she grinned happily, her hand still in his as Masrur watched over her with a soft yet protecting gaze.

Sinbad saw the gaze that Masrur held for Lucy and it was the first time that he had such a look. In normal times, he would've teased him but he just couldn't. Seeing Masrur actually hold someone so dear was a first to him and seeing that he had found someone truly important to him, Sinbad smiled softly. Looking over at Lucy, he couldn't help but be in awe at how such little girl could just captivate and change someone. Though, he himself wasn't an exception.