21 Years

Chapter 4

After lunch, Sinbad took Judal into town. They wandered around the Bazaar and of course Sinbad ended up keeping an arm wrapped around Judal's waist protectively. Men would gawk at Judal so Sinbad had to show everyone that the beauty in white attire was his. Judal would try to wander around without his king so Sinbad would pull him close to his body making the magi flustered since they were in public. "Don't leave my side, okay? I don't want some man to try and take you from me~" Judal nodded then his eyes widened as he saw a necklace that was being displayed at a stand. "That's so pretty..."

"You want it?" Judal quickly shook his head. "No! You already gave me this one and I like it!"

"Ah... alright how about we find you some bangles for your ankles?" Judal gasped and nodded quickly. "Yes! I wanna jingle jangle my bangles everywhere." Sinbad laughed then he kissed the top of Judal's head. "Someone seems very happy today."

"Of course I'm happy! I get to walk around with my husband again! Why wouldn't I be happy."

"Fair point, but I would like to apologize for burdening you so much with my problems as soon as you returned..."

"Oh, don't worry about that! We're suppose to be in this together or something like that, right? When there's something bothering me I always tell you so, tell me what's bothering you. I'll always listen no matter how stupid it may be or even if I find it too complicated to wrap my head around it. I'll at least try to understand."

"Who knew you could be so sweet Judal?"

"I try..." Sinbad smiled happily as Judal held his hand and swung their arms back and forth."oh! I see a pretty looking bangle that can fit around my ankles~!"

"You keep rhyming, Judal."

"Not my fault that ankle and bangle sound the same."

"But, there was also the jingle jangle-"

"Sin, stop picking on me, you're being mean to me again."

"What?? Bu- How?!"

"Sshhhh" Judal giggled lightly as he lead him over to the stand. "Ah, I see that even royalty have keen eyes for fine jewelry! The merchant said. "You have your eyes on this beauty, hm?" The merchant picked up two golden ankle bangles that seemed to form into a rose around two rubies on each. "Were these the ones that you wanted?" Sinbad asked.

"Mhm! If you don't mind that is."

"Of course I don't." He paid the merchant and Judal immediately put on the bangles. "Now I'm satisfied~" Judal smiled happily. "I'm glad you're happy." Sinbad thanked the merchant and lead Judal down to the pier and stared out at the horizon. He listened to the sound of waves crashing against the wooden pier. "How come you brought me here Sin?"

"Mn.. I just love the smell of the ocean. Besides, what else do we have to do today besides stay cooped up in the palace?"

"I see. Well don't worry because after we celebrate, we won't be in the palace for a while."

"Where exactly do you plan on having us go?"

"Parthevia."

"Why there?? Don't you hate it there? You hated the sight of the palace..."

"Well I'm still trying to learn to accept my past and I think that it's about time that you do the same. So, why not go on this journey together? Have you noticed that since I came back I've seemed a bit different, Sin?"

"Yes actually... You seem more calm and collected..."

"Yes, it's because I'm relaxed. Once I was finally able to cope with my past or at least the part of my life that I spent in Kou and let the memories be put to rest, I've finally been able to rest properly without memories of abuse of Gyokuen popping into my dreams. I'm not afraid to be around people anymore. I don't constantly think of myself as being a tool. I just want the same thing for you. I want you to be happy and be able to relax. And if we both go to Parthevia one more time I feel as if we may finally be able to lay our past to rest. Maybe I'll finally stop thinking that I'm useless and a failure at life."