Adventures of Sinbad and Layla

Goals

Sinbad was going about his daily duties as king, reading through petitions, signing them off, attending meetings and so on. All he wanted was for the day to draw to a close so he could spend precious time with his wife. When the minutes finally ticked away, he leapt and bound out of his office and skipped towards the garden where he knew Layla would be. But before he could make it there, he was apprehended by Jafar.

"Oh, Lord Sin, there you are," he called.
Sinbad sighed. "Yes?"
"Omar requests an audience with yourself and Layla."
"What for?" he asked, a little confused. "Why doesn't he just come and talk to us?"
Jafar shrugged. "He wishes only to speak to you and the queen about it."
"Okay, well, how about this evening at 7?"
"Perfect. I will arrange it for after dinner."

Jafar left and Sinbad was finally free to find Layla. He made his way to the garden where he knew she was going to be. For a woman who was going to be turning 50 the next day, she looked amazing. It was no wonder even people in their 20s were aspiring to be like her.

She was reading a book as usual and he just loved the view. She was the most beautiful rose in the garden of flowers. Making his way over, he took a seat beside her, placing his elbow on the table and his chin in his hand before proceeding to simply stare at her.

She glanced up from her book. "Do I have something on my face?"
"Yes," he smiled dreamily.
"What?"
"Beauty."

She laughed, blushing softly which was simply music to his ears. Closing her book, she mirrored the way he was sitting.

"I love you," she said with a bright smile.
"And I love you, too."

He got up out of his seat before holding her face, leaning down and pressing his lips to hers. He kissed her deeply as she closed her eyes, her breath completely being taken away by the slow, passionate movement of his lips. A few moments later, they parted and he gazed down at her face, brushing his thumb across her lips.

"I wish I could just look at you forever," he spoke softly.
"You can," she smiled. "You'll see me get wrinkles, a full head of white hair, walking around with a walking stick. It'll be great."
He laughed. "I'll never see that. You will always look like this to me."
"You're just saying that," she said bashfully.
"I mean it." He pressed a kiss to her forehead and stood up straight. "Oh, there was something I needed to tell you but I became distracted by your beauty."
Her smile simply grew. "Go on."
"Omar's put in an official request for an audience with us."
She raised a brow. "Why?"
"I don't know. Jafar didn't know either. I've held it for this evening at 7. Is that alright?"
She seethed as she squinted her eyes. "Ooh, I don't think I can."
He blinked in confusion. "Why not?"
"I'm meeting my secret boyfriend," she said seriously.
"Huh-" he looked at her nervously.
She began laughing at his reaction. "I'm kidding you big baby."
"Oh..." He rubbed the back of his head. "I knew that."
"You're such an idiot," she said in amusement before standing up and wrapping her arms around his neck. "The meeting at 7 is fine."
He smiled. "Perfect."

***

That evening after dinner, Sinbad and Layla sat in the throne room and awaited Omar's arrival. The doors opened at exactly 7pm and the young guard entered the room. He stopped in front of them and bowed. Even though Layla had told him it wasn't necessary for him to be so formal with them, he always felt disrespectful whenever he didn't.

"Good evening, King Sinbad and Queen Layla," he spoke before rising again. "Thank you for arranging this so quickly."
Sinbad smiled. "Not at all. Although both Layla and I are a little confused. You know that you can speak to us whenever you wish."
"Of course," Omar said. "However, the matter I want to discuss with you is of great importance."
"What is it?" Layla asked.
The guard gulped nervously. "I am here to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage."