The Guarded Princess

XIV

The sun began making its way downhill, giving way to the stars and the moon once again. The spring wind had become slightly chilled and the lamps outside the castle had been lighted. Most of the servants and soldiers had returned back to their lodgings, switching shifts with the people who were on night duty. Word had gotten around that their King had actually taken care of all the paperwork and that it was all thanks to the Royal Princess. No one dared to bother the two Highnesses who continued to be confined to their office, knowing that it must have taken quite the effort to complete those mountainous piles.

The tinkling of jewels sounded faintly in the room and Sinbad squinted his eyes, beginning to wake up from his long nap. He opened his eyes slowly and the view that laid before him immediately caused his eyes to widen.

Lucy?!

Lucy breathed evenly as her eyes continued to remain closed. She slept soundly, her head nodding every now and then, causing her long blonde hair to sway gently along. Seeing her sleep for the first time, Sinbad continued watching her, mesmerized by how perfect she looked even when she was so defenseless. Unconsciously, he reached out his hand but stopped himself before he could touch her. He laid back down and chuckled to himself, wondering how he had become like this.

"Mnnn," a small moan escaped from Lucy's lips.

Her eyes began to move under her eyelids and soon, she slowly opened her eyes, revealing those large chocolate brown orbs that drew him in. She met eyes with him and blinked her eyes in question but soon realized where she was.

"Good morning, Princess," he grinned up at her.

She stared at him and couldn't help but think just how brilliant his expression was. The ends of her lips tugged upwards as she smiled in return.

"Shouldn't it be 'good evening'?" she laughed.

"Quite true," he softened his eyes and smiled. "I'm glad to see that you slept well."

"The same goes for you."

He chuckled. "Maybe."

In truth, he did sleep well. In fact, it was the first time in years since the moment he set out on his adventure that he had ever slept so peacefully with no worry in his mind. With just her presence, she was able to erase all traces of anxiety from his mind. Even now, his body and mind felt so much lighter than it usually was.

"There's still several days before they come back," Sinbad started. "For the rest of these days, what do you plan to do?"

"What do you want me to do?" she asked.

He widened his eyes and chuckled. "I guess you already knew."

"I'd be more than willing to accompany you, Sinbad," she smiled. "Anything's better than spending the next few days alone in the greenhouse. Moreover, being with you has been kind of fun."

"You're quite the weird one, little princess," he said. "One wouldn't typically identify doing paperwork with 'fun'."

She chuckled lightly, her laughter like the chiming of bells. "You're right."

Sinbad smiled softly, glad to see her laughing despite the fact that the Ren siblings were currently gone from the castle. His eyes softened as he stared at her, his expression blank, thinking about how she was dealing with their absence.

"Do you miss them?" he asked.

She looked down at him before looking away, a soft smile perched on her lips. She turned her attention towards the window with a distant yet affectionate look in them. "I do."