Princess of Balbadd (Magi x Reader)

Cookies and Courting

AN: Okay, this is a close up of my homemade fudge and not cookies 😅 Please forgive me.

"Maybe we could give it a shot."

~*~

Princess Seren had approached Sinbad with a challenge to duel her in djinn equip. Despite the taunting of the little magi, Judar, Sinbad quelled his curiosity and continued to refuse the offer. Something inside told him he should face her Zepar form, and something nagged on him that he should avoid it. Until recently, it had always been clear what decisions he should make, but since his trip to Parthevia things had become cloudier. He still knew the direction he wanted to steer the world in, but the future he saw was also becoming less appealing.

Not used to being so torn about decisions, he shut himself off of outside demands and focused on the work of the company and helping Barbarossa's party gain favor among the Parthevian people as much as a company abroad could do. Everything else was a distraction. He had to stay focused on his goal.

"You should just attack him with your djinn and then he'd have no choice but to defend himself," quips Judar as he follows Seren away from Sinbad's office.

Seren grasps her hilt. "No...Sin trusts me. I shouldn't use it on him. I think there may be another way I can test Zepar's power..."

~*~

This was aggravating! You are grounded to your room. You're not even allowed to visit the royal library. Father was so angry at you for sneaking away that he'll probably keep you locked up here forever. With anything relatively fun having been stripped away, all you are left to do is lay and ponder. Think over your past choices and how they were wrong.

You are startled when your door opens, as having visitors was currently forbidden. You sit up on your bed and watch as the pink haired princess of Parthevia pokes her head in. She stealthily moves in and slides the door closed behind her. She has a determined look on her face as your eyes meet.

Shocked you ask, "Not that I'm opposed to it, but why are you here? Does my father know?"

"Only a handful of guards that I encountered on my way are aware of my presence. I would not put your farther in the tough position of knowing his country was harboring a fugitive."

"A fugitive? Doesn't your country miss you?"

"Don't be a fool. I fled Parthevia with Barbarossa's brother like a wanted criminal. I would be executed as an example against the monarchy, were I to return. The only reason they keep my brother alive is because he is young and can be controlled." Seren clenches a fist to her chest, abhorring the thought. "I love Parthevia and would do anything for it to prosper. The Sindria Trading Company is going ahead to help the Independent Nationalist Party. That won't get my country back. What did you have in mind? When you said I would need to win the hearts of the people? How do you suggest I overthrow this ridiculous party government?" She rubs a thumb over the djinn symbol on her rapier. "Is there a way I can do so without dirtying my hands?"

"What would make the people fall in love with you?" You think over any examples you have come across in your past studies. "Hmmm...Maybe you could start appearing in port towns, doing good deeds and helping the citizens so they see you as a hero. Then start to work your way inland as word of your benevolence spreads."

"What kind of things would I even do?"

You think for a bit. "Take out bandits? Even with things going good, there's sure to be plenty of bandits around...in fact Parthevia's economic recovery may attract even more of them to come out of the woodwork. If you see anyone suffering or sick, talk to them, get to know them, help them with their problems. Then they'll see you as someone that has their best interest at heart."