Princess of Balbadd (Magi x Reader)

Entering an Engagement

AN: Are you ready to shake Magi history? I've been so excited for this!

"Hey, Princess. Naughty thoughts again?" he says weakly.

~*~

You stand in the Parthevia Empire Celebration Hall next to your father with mixed feelings about your current situation. The good news is this is your second trip out of the country thanks to a special invitation your father received coupled with some special assignments with your internship that you have the opportunity to experience.

It's a bonus that this trip brings you back to Parthevia where you can attempt to distribute your published scrolls about the Spider Princess. You hope your discreet methods of randomly dropping scrolls out the carriage window or outside of buildings you enter will cause people to randomly pick them up and read them. With any luck word can spread and open a path for Serendine to be welcomed back into her country.

The bad news is you are here to celebrate that sly Barbarossa's victory of becoming president. You find nothing in that matter to celebrate, but you must keep up appearances so no one thinks you detest him only because he beat you at chess. His invitation to King Rashid specifically mentioned that he was looking forward to seeing you again. Whatever that viper was planning, you are determined to meet him with his same level-headedness to build credit for your own stance. You refuse to let him defeat you again!

After listening to Barbarossa's speech and guests start to mingle, you follow your father around as he greets other world leaders that came out to this. Looking around between visits, your heart stops as your eyes fall on a familiar purple ponytail. The same one that would occasionally pop up while interning, accompanied with compliments and gentlemanly gestures. Seeing it here brings you a welcomed feeling until you spot the owner of that hair conversing with Barbarossa.

You keep looking back at them while at your father's side, wondering what the devil they were talking about. When obligatory niceties with other nations are finished, you slip away to go over to them. You catch a bit of their conversation around a map on a table before you greet Sinbad.

Hearing that they are about to leave to check out a potential island for Sinbad's country, you enthuse, "Can I come too? It would be beneficial to my studies."

Sinbad starts, a bit surprised to see you, "Now don't burden yourself on President Barbarossa."

Barbarossa lifts a friendly hand to Sinbad, "I don't mind. The more the merrier."

However, before you can depart with them, Rashid comes up and places a hand on your shoulder. "I'm afraid (y/n) will not be able to join you. If I recall, her internship gave her homework that she must shadow me for."

Barbarossa tilts his head at Rashid as he questions, "Internship?"

Rashid explains, "She's testing out a new program."

"Ah, well then, Princess, I shall see you later when King Rashid and I discuss trade agreements." Barbarossa takes your hand and places a kiss on your knuckles.

With a phony smile, you reply "I look forward to it."

~*~

That night at the hotel, guards are escorting you back to your room from the baths when you see Ja'far push Sinbad into a room shouting at him to get some rest. What a convenient coincidence that not only they were staying at the same hotel, but on the same floor as you too.

You stand still. For a moment, you forget to breathe. When did the mere thought of Sinbad do that to you? Was it his subtle charm? Did the past encounters while interning build up into some sort of bond? The casual compliments. The kisses on your hand. His stunning gaze...those eyes! Those deep, penetrating eyes!