"Now I'm going to be forced to marry you," says Alibaba, almost in the saddest tone possible.
"Actually," I say in a soft tone, "you will be marrying my sister. I had a mirror spell on when I kissed you." Alibaba rolls his head back, almost on the verge of tears.
"I would have preferred it if it was you," he says, "you have messed me up completely."
Guilt washes over me, seeing the pain in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Alibaba. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just wanted to protect Flora and our kingdom."
He takes a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "You put me in a difficult position, Daniella. Your actions have consequences for everyone involved."
"I know," I say, "but also know you will love my sister, please understand."
He looks at me and then back to the ceiling. He lies there for a minute before getting up and walking to a table with a clock. He grabs the clock and comes back to sit down. The clock looks beaten up and overworked.
"This clock can turn back time," he says. "The only drawback is that it can only turn back time as far as your mana can go."
I look at him, confused. He continues, "The holder of the clock is the one who can remember what happened," he says as he hands me the clock. "Discuss with me your plan and see what solution I give."
"Alibaba," I call to him, "you are going to marry my sister.''
"And I'm guessing that's what Prince Malo has on you too," he says. I look up at him in shock.
"You know?" I ask.
"It is none of my business," he says as he rises and gives me his hand to help me up. He slowly turns the clock's hands and hands it to me. "Press the button at the bottom to go back in time," he says. "Then give it back to me when you see me."
I look up at him and smile. At that moment, I realize he is the owner of the antique domain "I will remember this place. Are you okay with that?" I ask him.
"I don't mind," he says. He looks at me, his mother was right—this guy has no bad in his bones, he's just so pure and sweet. Alibaba closes the distance between us and gives me a gentle kiss on the forehead.
I take a deep breath and press the button at the bottom of the clock. The world around me blurs and spins, and I feel a strange sensation, as if I'm being pulled backward through time. When the spinning stops, I find myself back in the palace gardens, just before the moment I had kissed Alibaba.
I see him walking towards me, a look of concern on his face. I quickly approach him and take his hand. "Alibaba, we need to talk," I say urgently.
He looks at me, confused but attentive. "What's going on, Daniella?"
Grabbing hold of Alibaba's hand, I head to the garden. I stop immediately, realizing it worked. I look back at Alibaba and hand him the clock. He smiles at me, the clock vanishing into thin air, likely back to his arsenal of collections. "Guess you got in some trouble," he says.
"I did something terrible, but in the future you gave me a second chance," I say, shying away from his gaze.
"Is it got to do with your kingdom being dissolved?" he asks. "It's not that bad to be dissolved, look at it on the bright side."
"What bright side?" I ask, almost in an irritated tone. He looks down at me, knowing the problems will be greater than the benefits. "It's not fair," I whisper, my voice hoarse from crying. "I just want to protect Flora and our kingdom. He stays silent as if unsure of how to respond. But I have a more burning question.
"Future you had said you knew what happened between Malo and me," I ask him. His face becomes more serious. "How did you find out?" I ask.
He looks down and back at me. "Both your body languages betray you.'' We were really not trying to hide it well after all.
We sit there in silence for a moment until he breaks it. "Princess Daniella," he calls out, "don't worry, your secret is safe with me."
"I know, Alibaba," I say as I smile at him. "I know."
"So what are you gonna do in order not to be dissolved, or are you gonna let it happen?" he asks.
"Your Majesty," I say, smiling at him, "that land is way too valuable for me to just give up like that. For now, I will let Flora's wedding proceed."
"And you and Prince Malo?" he asks.
I look up and smile at him. "He can't marry someone already married."
"So I see you're taking up Sinbad's offer," he says, his face a bit sad but still trying to be supportive. These royal men have more gossip in the meeting than official matters, "don't you love Prince Malo.''
His question hung in the air the answer could be a simple no but I hesitate to say it, "I don't know,'' I say. Shifting to something more formal "So far, I only know two sides of the discussion. Most are voting for us to be dissolved, so I can't trust Sinbad either," I say.
"Yet you trust me," he asks. "Why? You barely know me."
I meet his gaze for a moment and smile at him. "Someone routed for you plus I think we have met before maybe in another life, " I say, more smoothly than I expected.
He looks at me momentarily lost in thought then he smiles. "Funny thing with me," he says. "I felt like I had met you somewhere before."
We sit there, letting the night envelop us, the fireflies glowing softly around us. It's a moment of peace amidst the chaos, and I savour it, knowing that tomorrow brings new challenges.
"So, are you gonna tell me how much trouble you were in, in the future?" he asks with a cocky smile. My face becomes hot all of a sudden, but I maintain my composure.
"Only if you tell me how many of those domains, or whatever you call them, you have."
He pretends to think. "Only four," he says as if it's nothing. "I think they're improved versions of dungeons, but instead of defeating the dungeon and getting a reward, the domain is the reward."
"So they really have no name?" I ask, a bit disappointed.
"If it helps, I call mine forts," he says with a smile. "The guardians aren't very helpful with the history."
"I know, right?" I say with a smile.
"So what trouble did you get in?" he asks, grinning at me. "A secret for a secret."
I get up from the bench. "Look at the time," I say as I start to walk. "It's getting late; I need to go back to the sleepover for night chat."
"That's not fair, Princess," he says, getting up and following right behind me.
I laugh softly, enjoying the playful banter. "Life isn't always fair, Alibaba," I tease, glancing back at him.
As we walk back towards the palace, the weight of the day's events begins to settle on me again. "You know," I say, slowing my pace, "I appreciate you being here. It's been a crazy day, and you being here, it helps."
He smiles, a warm, genuine smile. "I'm glad I can help, even if just a little. But remember, Daniella, you're not alone in this. You have allies."
I nod, feeling a bit lighter. "Thanks, Alibaba."
I nod again, looking at him. "Good night, Alibaba."
"Good night, Daniella," he says softly, watching as I turn to head back to the sleepover.