I pace around Flora's chambers, my mind racing with worry and fear. What if she's been kidnapped? What if she's hurt? I can't shake the terrible scenarios from my thoughts.
Suddenly, Flavia approaches me and taps my shoulder. "Daniella," she says firmly, "if you don't sit down and relax, I will punch you."
I look up at her and manage a small smile at her bluntness. "You wouldn't, even if you tried."
"Flora will be fine," she says, straightening my dress with a reassuring touch. "Go eat breakfast. You look like you need it."
Her calm demeanor helps soothe some of my nerves. I take a deep breath and nod. "You're right. I can't help Flora if I'm falling apart."
"Exactly," Flavia says, guiding me out of the room. "Let's get you something to eat."
We head towards the dining hall, and as we walk, I try to push my worries aside. Flavia is right; I need to take care of myself if I want to be of any use in finding Flora.
In the dining hall, the atmosphere is tense. Everyone is talking in hushed tones, casting worried glances at one another. The fire last night and Flora's disappearance have put everyone on edge. I spot a few familiar faces, including some of the guards who were searching the grounds earlier.
Flavia and I sit down at a table, and a maid quickly brings us plates of food. I pick at my breakfast, my appetite nearly nonexistent. Flavia, on the other hand, starts eating with determination, as if willing me to follow her example.
"You need to eat, Daniella," she says between bites. "You won't be any good to Flora if you're fainting from hunger."
I nod and force myself to take a few bites. The food tastes bland, my anxiety dulling my senses, but I know Flavia is right.
"Do you think someone could have taken her?" I ask quietly.
Flavia looks around to make sure no one is listening too closely. "It's possible," she admits. "But we can't jump to conclusions. We need to gather information and stay calm."
We continue eating in silence for a few minutes. Gradually, the food helps to settle my nerves a bit. I start to feel slightly more in control.
"We'll find her," Flavia says firmly, as if reading my thoughts. "And we'll get to the bottom of this."
I nod, drawing strength from her confidence. "Thank you, Flavia."
"We're in this together," she replies with a smile. "Now, finish your breakfast. We have a lot of work to do."
Sinbad walks over to our table, and I can't help but notice Flavia quickly fixing her hair. It's odd, considering she's a married woman. Sinbad asks to join us for breakfast, and I can't help but notice a bruise peeking out from under his robe.
"What happened to your hand?" I ask, my curiosity piqued. Sinbad looks down at me with a serious expression, and for a moment, my heart feels trapped in my throat.
"Nothing to worry about," he says with a smile. "Hot tea splashed on me this morning." There's something about Sinbad that I can't quite put my finger on.
"I would like to have an audience with you, Princess Daniella," Sinbad says. I glance at Flavia, and she nods in approval. I walk with Sinbad quietly along the corridor until we reach a long, empty hallway. He stops and looks down at me, smiling. The suspense is almost unbearable.
He sits down on a chair facing the garden, and I take it as a sign to sit too. He grasps my hands and places them in his. I try to remain calm despite the unexpected intimacy. His hands are soft and warm. I meet his gaze for a moment. The silence between us is almost deafening.
"How do you feel?" he asks, snapping me out of my thoughts. I realize my body is calm and less tense.
"Much better," I say, still looking at him, searching for answers. He gently places my hand back on my lap and turns to face the garden.
"If you think with emotions, it becomes hard to reason," he says, crossing his arms. I look at the garden he's facing.
"Are you really grooming me now?" I ask, feeling a bit frustrated. He simply looks at me and then back at the garden.
"You catch on quickly," he says. I'm irritated by this situation and want to leave, but something is holding me back.
"Your Majesty," I say, trying to sound as formal as possible, "our courtship hasn't started."
Sinbad turns his gaze back to me, his expression serious yet calm. "Daniella, I need you to understand something. The events unfolding around us are not mere coincidences. There are forces at play here that require careful thought and measured actions."
I feel a mix of irritation and curiosity. "What exactly are you implying, Sinbad?"
He sighs, leaning back in his chair. "The fire last night, Flora's disappearance, even the political tensions—they're all interconnected. Our kingdoms are on the brink of significant change, and we need to be prepared."
My frustration ebbs slightly, replaced by a sense of urgency. "Do you think Flora's disappearance is part of a larger scheme?"
"I suspect so," he says, his voice steady. "And I believe your kingdom's dissolution is more than just a political manoeuvre. Someone stands to gain a great deal from this chaos."
I take a deep breath, trying to process his words. "So, what do you suggest we do?"
"First, we need to find Flora and ensure her safety. Then, we need to uncover the true intentions behind these events," Sinbad says. "But we can't act rashly. We need to be strategic and calm."
His words make sense, and I find myself nodding in agreement. "Alright, Sinbad. I'll put some faith in you. But know this—I won't stand by and let my kingdom fall without a fight."
He smiles, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. "That's the spirit."
"Sinbad," I call out, my voice firm. "What do you stand to gain if you help my kingdom?" His gaze meets mine, and he rises from the chair, looking out into the garden.
"If you don't tell me, you have no deal," I say, my tone resolute. He looks down at me and smiles.
"Do you know how the northern territories have retained their power?" he asks.
"No," I reply sheepishly.
"Go do your research," he says. "The hint is in their leaders. But my help doesn't come for free."
"Sinbad, I have no brain capacity to be thinking now," I yell out at him, frustration boiling over.
"A good leader must think under pressure," he says, poking my head gently. "That's lesson two for today."
"I didn't know you were giving lessons," I yell back, exasperated.
He laughs softly, a sound that somehow irritates and reassures me at the same time. "Knowledge is the greatest weapon, Daniella. Use it wisely. I will help you, but you must also help yourself."
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. "Fine. But I need more than cryptic hints right now. Flora is missing, and my kingdom is on the brink of dissolution."
He turns to fully face me, his expression serious once more. "I understand the urgency, but part of being a leader is understanding the broader context. Find out what you can about the northern territories and their leaders. It will give you the insight you need."
As frustrating as his vagueness is, I nod. "Alright, I'll do some research. But Sinbad, if you're going to help, I need to know I can trust you."
"You have my word," he says, his tone solemn. "I want stability as much as you do. Our interests align, Daniella. For now, trust that I'm on your side."
With that, he turns and walks away, leaving me with more questions than answers. I know he's right; I need to think strategically and gather as much information as possible. But the weight of everything happening is almost too much to bear.
I take a deep breath and head back to my chambers. If I'm going to get to the bottom of this, I need to start with the northern territories. I recall the books and records in the palace library that might hold the answers I seek. As much as I despise the idea of more research, I know it's necessary.