The Guarded Princess

XV

"You're kidding!" Ja'far exclaimed with a petrified look. "Sinbad, even if you might think that dungeons are fun, they're no place to bring Lucy-sama!"

"That's right, that's right!" Pisti said, her childlike demeanor now gone.

"King Sinbad," Spartos narrowed his eyes. "Do you have any idea what kind of proposition are you giving?"

"Sinbad, a dungeon is no place to bring Lucy to," Hinahoho's eyes darkened. "There's a possibility that she might die in there."

Aladdin nodded his head. "Uncle Sinbad, a dungeon's way too dangerous."

"I agree," Morgiana said.

By now, everyone had stopped eating and the air in the room was tense and filled with dread. They all eyed Sinbad with a stern view as they waited for him to respond. However, Sinbad continued to look straight at Lucy with a smile on his face. Lucy stared back at him with a blank expression.

"You can't be serious!" Ja'far slammed his hands down on the table. "Sin!"

"The princess decides," Sinbad said with calmness. "As you've probably seen their expressions by now, a dungeon is a violent and dangerous place and thousands of people have entered it only to die in there. But, it's a place where great power resides and it's a place of adventure."

"Sinbad!" Hinahoho yelled, rising from his seat.

"Would you like to go, little princess?" he stretched a hand out towards her.

Lucy remained silent. She pulled her lips into a tight line and looked down at the floor, her bangs covering her eyes. "I want to be with everyone," she said. "That's what I had decided when I met everyone here."

Sinbad smiled.

She breathed in and raised her head, her eyes reflecting her decision. Giving a grin, she reached her hand out and took Sinbad's hand. "I'll go," she said. "I want to go."

"Lucy-sama?!" Ja'far widened his eyes.

"Lucy-neesan, do you know what you're saying?" Aladdin looked at her, a bead of sweat rolling down his face. "No matter how much magic you carry, it's a dungeon, you know? Even for me, a Magi, a dungeon was rather difficult."

Morgiana nodded her head, her red eyes filled with worry.

"I'm prepared," Lucy faced them, her eyes holding not a hint of hesitation in them. "I want to go on an adventure with everyone and if it would be the last thing I do, I have no regrets," she smiled, nothing but joy written on her face.

"Lucy-chan..." Pisti looked at her before pulling her lips upward into a smile. "I knew it! That expression suits you the best!"

"If Lucy-neesan wishes to go," Aladdin said. "I won't stop you. That's why," he grinned. "We'll protect you to the best of our ability! Right, Morg-san?"

Morgiana gave a resolute nod.

Lucy smiled. "Thank you, Aladdin. Morgiana."

Spartos, Hinahoho, and Ja'far looked a bit hesitant as they eyed Lucy. Lucy noticed their gazes and turned to them, a smile on her face.

"I'll try not to hold everyone back," she said. "I'm fully capable of protecting myself, too."

Hinahoho sighed and scratched his head. "I'm fond of your strong will and in fact, I like strong-willed people but," he clicked his tongue. "We just don't want to put you in any danger," he placed a hand on her head. "For me, I'm just worried that I won't be able to protect you."