I pace around the room, all the solutions I come up with aren't very helpful. I attend the royal ladies' sleepover, where everyone is in their best nightgown. I grab a cushion and sit next to Flora, who seems as lost in thought as I am. The party goes on in a haze as the married women talk about the pains of marriage. I decide to go out for a bit of fresh air as the noise inside gets louder.
I find a lady already standing on the balcony smoking, so I excuse myself to head back inside. But before I could turn, she calls out, "Stay, let's talk," says the lady in a soft voice, one that sounds similar to the lady my father introduced me to earlier. She turns and faces me, and I realize she looks exactly like Alibaba. No wonder Alibaba is such a pretty boy. I walk towards the railing and stand next to her. She stretches her hand out, offering me a cigar, but I decline and she keeps smoking. We stand there in silence for a moment.
"I think the Agri Union rules are stupid, don't you think?" she says.
"They are," I reply, my face clearly upset. "As if a bomb landed on me."
"It did," she says, taking a puff of her cigar. I stay silent, not knowing what to say. She takes a deep breath and throws her cigar down into the garden.
"Daniella," she calls out, "that's a lucky name. Your powers from earlier, is that all inborn magic?"
"Yes," I say. "I... think... I'm not sure," I say. I may have grown my magic, but one is already born with a base magic that grows with experience. I have been blessed to be able to do many types of magic though focus on potion and water-based magic.
"I wish you never get married," she says, turning back to face the garden. "It would be a waste of a queen candidate like you." This is the second time I've heard of this queen candidate thing. I thought it only applied to men or that guardian was confused.
"But if you're to marry, I advise you to choose Sinbad or a commoner. They are your best shot at peace."
"Why not your son?" I ask her.
"If it was love you're searching for, Alibaba will give you an ocean of it," she smiles as she says. "My son is caring and so loving. What you need is someone who is ruthless and cunning, a criteria Sinbad will meet, though I won't guarantee love with him."
"Why are you telling me this?" I ask, trying to figure out her angle.
"Because you deserve to know your options," she replies, her voice firm yet gentle. "You're not just a pawn in this political game. You have power, and you need to use it wisely. Marrying Sinbad might not bring you love, but it will bring you security. Marrying Alibaba will bring you love, but perhaps not the strategic advantage you need right now."
I take a deep breath, absorbing her words. "It's not fair," I say quietly. "I just want to leave my life now am in a game of politics.... But anyway my marriage was doomed to get political."
"I know," she says softly. "And that's why you have to be smart. You're a queen candidate, Daniella. That means you have the potential to rule in your own right. Don't let anyone take that away from you."
"Queen candidate... I've heard that before," I muse. "But I thought it only applied to men."
"Tradition says so, but traditions can be broken," she says, a twinkle in her eye. "Remember, true power is not given, it's taken."
I nod, feeling a newfound resolve. "Thank you," I say sincerely. "You've given me a lot to think about."
"Good," she says, smiling. "And remember, whatever you decide, make sure it's your choice, not anyone else's."
"Why didn't you give Princess Flora this advise,'' I ask,'' she may need it more since....''
"She lucks you will power,'' she says straight forward, "maybe a particular pretty boy may help her.''
With that, she turns and walks back into the palace, leaving me alone on the balcony. I look out over the garden, the night air cool against my skin. The weight of my decision still looms, but her words have given me a glimmer of hope and a sense of empowerment. For the first time in the day my mind eases, I feel a spark of clarity. Whatever I choose, it will be my decision, and I will stand by it.
I take a walk to the room were the men are having there sleepover, I think I will need to talk to Alibaba. I arrive at the ballroom where the men are having their sleepover. I walk up to one of the guards and ask him to call out for His Majesty Alibaba. I stand at the far end of the corridor and wait for him to come into sight. I wave in his direction, summoning him. He quickly walks towards me.
"Princess Daniella, is everything alright?" asks Alibaba.
"My kingdom is being threatened to be dissolved. Tell me how I'm supposed to feel," I say, crossing my arms.
"Sorry about that," he says, scratching his head. "Bad news on a good weekend."
"I know," I say, pulling him farther away from the corridor to the gardens.
"If you keep going farther in the dark, people will think wrong of us," he whispers. We reach a spot with some light glowing from the window.
"Your Majesty," I say slowly, placing his hands on his chest and quickly casting a spell to immobilize him. "Forgive me," I say as I kiss him on the lips. To my surprise, he returns the kiss. I break off the kiss and meet his gaze for a moment. I look up and see my father staring right at us. Alibaba looks down at me in confusion, realizing what I had just done to him. He looks rather disappointed.
"Princess," he whispers as I hear the feet of the guards coming towards us, "what have you done?"
"Forgive me," I say, looking at Alibaba. Before the guards could arrive, Alibaba pushes me down. I close my eyes, waiting for the impact of the ground, but nothing happens. I open my eyes and find myself in what looks like an antique shop. I look down at the soft cushion I landed on and then up at Alibaba, who still looks disappointed. He looks down at me, making sure I'm okay, then proceeds to sit next to me.