Fit to be Queen [Sinbad x OC]

part fifteen

How much that Sinbad became a comfort system for Iris was quite strange and startling to her, but it didn't make it any less true. When she needed him to be, he was strong, loyal, and respectful. And she trusted him in times like these, so much so that she fell asleep in his arms, again. However, she wasn't influenced by alcohol this time.

Sinbad left her early in the morning, careful not to get caught by her father who would surely think less of him if he found him sneaking from his daughter's room early in the morning or in the middle of the night.

Ja'far had found his King and cornered him, not letting him escape from his own thoughts without behind scrutinized.

"You're scheming again." The bitter Advisor observed.

"I am not scheming anything." Sinbad countered with a grin.

"I know that look, Sin. What are you planning?" He pressed.

"Nothing devious."

"Your words concern me."

"You're always so uptight, Ja'far." The larger man laughed.

"Sin, don't do something you're going to regret." Ja'far sighed heavily. "Don't be so caught up in business and scheming..." He emphasized sarcastically, "that you lose who you are or what you care about." He warned.

"Since when do I do things that I regret?"

"There's always a first time."

The King just laughed him off and went to find Iris.

She spent most of the day getting to know Asriel, her brother that she didn't know existed until the previous day. They played with toys as he made up ridiculous stories to apply to the various contraptions he had. She egged him on, asking for more and more details and creative twists to the childish fantasies that were in his head.

Like any child, he became curious and began to ask her questions. "Daddy said you left us like mommy did." There was a sad, yet naive sound to his voice.

Iris smiled to encourage him, but his words made her heart churn. "I did leave." She explained. "Sometimes, Asri, there are things that we have to do for ourselves. There are times when we have to put ourselves first, above our circumstances and responsibilities we didn't choose for ourselves. That's why I had to leave for myself."

"But you're back now...?"

She shook her head solemnly. "Not for good. This place is not good for me. But you, Asri, can come visit me whenever you want to."

"Where can I visit you?" His silver eyes were wide with wonder and excitement.

"Right now, I am spending time in this beautiful country called Sindria. It's an island, with beaches and markets and dancing and singing and parties." She made it seem like it was a mythical fantasyland that was enticing to a child.

"Do you like it there?"

"I do."

"Will you stay there forever?"

"Well, I like it a lot. I fit in there and it feels like 'home.' So, I'll probably stay there for a long time. That really tall guy with long purple hair -"

"Like a girl's!" Asriel interjected and cackled at his own teasing.

"Yes, like a girl's." Iris laughed with him. "That man is King Sinbad. Have you heard of him?"

The little boy shook his head but was enthralled by his sister's stories.

"King Sinbad is the High King of the Seven Seas and created his own country; he's captured seven Dungeons, which means he's super strong. He might be the strongest man, ever..." So, she began to tell him of who Sinbad was, overdramatizing the events she knew of, making the man seem like some kind of silly, slightly ridiculous superhero. It also made her aware of how much she truly admired and cared about him. He had become her King and friend.