A week later and the Queen was on a boat headed back to Alantii. She was accompanied by her personal assistant, Sinbad, Jafar, and Masrur.

Sinbad was leaning against a railing at the tail of the boat, staring at the sea as they got closer to Alantii.

"I hope we're doing the right thing for Alantii. There's no turning back at this point," he sighed.

"Sin, you sound unsure of our collective decision," Jafar approached him. Sinbad smiled at the blonde over his shoulder.

"Not unsure, just worried. I want to make sure we aren't digging their graves with this decision," Sinbad explained.

"I think this will more get them away from the grave rather than digging it. Besides, I'm sure that even a peaceful country like Alantii would rather join forces with us than join the Kou Empire. All you really have to do is speak with Princess Haley and show the Kou Empire that we are truly allies, even though there's no real benefit for us to be allies with them," Jafar said.

"You make it sound so easy," Sinbad chuckled. "But I'm not complaining about that."

"No, you're complaining about giving up your status as bachelor," Masrur said, approaching them. Jafar narrowed his eyes at Sinbad.

"Is that really what this moping is all about? You'd have to get married at some point Sin, this is the best time for it," Jafar said.

"I know, I know. I'm helping out some old friends of mine by marrying their daughter, connecting our countries. And Alantii is a beautiful country and very well off, which is probably why the Kou wants it so badly," Sinbad said.

"Exactly. So while we are in Alantii, we can go to the local markets and see what exactly this country has to offer. After we've finished business that is," Jafar said.

"That sounds like a plan," Sinbad smiled.

Haley sighed as she sat down on the balcony overlooking the training grounds.

"This is so boring. Why won't Mom and Dad teach me to fight? At least then I wouldn't be such a bother and I would be less clumsy," Haley whined.

"You can't be trusted with a sword, that's why," Arum chuckled, leaning on the door to the balcony.

"Arum! When did you get there?" she asked. He went and stood behind her.

"Not for long. How long have those two been practicing today?" he asked, nodding towards Ashley and Allie who were sparring down in the training fields.

"Only for about an hour now. I have to wait here until they are done," Haley said.

"How come?"

"I'll get into some kind of trouble if those two aren't always within sight of me," Haley mocked their Dad's scolding tone. Arum laughed.

"First off that's a horrible impression of Dad. Second, He's got a point. Before those two came, they had some of the guards tail you whenever you went off on your own," Arum said.

"How rude. I'm not that bad," Haley crossed her arms. "Allie's just as bad, maybe even worse than me."

"You've got a point there. But at least she can protect herself. Also, Mom and Dad have tried to get you to learn how to fight remember? Just not with swords. And what did you say?" he said. Haley huffed.

"It was boring."

"No, you said why bother learning how to fight if you're just going to have guards protect you anyway. And that a princess shouldn't have to know how to fight, although there are many princesses that do know how to fight and at least defend themselves against thieves," he said. She went silent. "That's what I thought. You can't even think of a good comeback."

"My daughter at a loss for words? Has the world come to an end?" the Queen said. They turned to the balcony door and saw her standing there, smiling at them.

"Welcome home Mom," Arum said. Haley stood up.

"Welcome home!" Haley said, grinning like usual. The Queen laughed.

"Thank you both. I am home. Has your father returned yet?" she asked.

"No. We received a letter though, saying that he should be back within a week," Haley said.

"Among other things," Arum said. Haley raised her eyebrow and looked at him.

"What other things?" Haley asked.

"Mother, who is behind you?" Arum asked, pointing behind the Queen. She smirked at her son, but turned to introduce the guests.

"Haley, Arum, I would like to introduce you both to the King of Sindria, Sinbad. Along with his household members, Jafar and Masrur," the Queen introduced. They stepped forward.

"Hello, it's nice to formally meet the Prince and Princess of this beautiful country," Sinbad said.

"It's nice to meet you," Jafar said.

"Hello," Masrur said.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you three," Arum lightly bowed.

"A pleasure to meet you all," Haley curtsied.

"Haley, where are Ashley and Allie? I thought we said to have them by your sides at all times," the Queen said.

"It's okay Mom, they're down in the training camp. I'm sure they've even noted every move Haley's made," Arum said.

"How could they be able to do that? I'm up here and they're focusing on their sparring," Haley said.

"They're you're personal guards, of course they would pay attention to every detail," Arum argued. Clangs were heard form down below as well as "Hah!"s and "Where were you aiming?".

Sinbad went to the edge of the balcony and watched them spar. "They're not half bad. Do they by any chance have metal vessels?"

"Metal vessels? What are those?" Haley asked.

"They are metal items that contain a djinn," Sinbad said. He continued as if feeling the upcoming questions. "A djinn is a lifeform made by the Rukh. When these djinns are inside a metal vessel, they can give power to their masters, or the people who own the metal vessel that the djinn is in."

"And what exactly are the Rukh?" Arum asked.

"To put it simply, they are the beings of life. They are where we get our Magoi from whenever we use it. They are natural phenomena, fate," Jafar briefly explained.

"Oh," Haley said.

"To answer your question Sinbad, no, those two do not have metal vessels. They are simply swordsmen who the King and I hired to protect Haley at all times. Although over the last six years those three have become more like sisters than a Princess and her guards," the Queen said.

"I see," Sinbad said.

"Well shall we get started with business then?" Jafar asked.

"What kind of business?" Arum asked.

"Haley, come with me. Arum, please go get Ashley and Allie and meet us in the dining room," the Queen said.

"Okay," they said. The Queen left and Haley followed while Arum left for the training grounds.

The dining room they had gone to was a smaller one, usually used by the royal family when they didn't have guests over. During the past few years they had bought a slightly bigger table so that Ashley and Allie could eat with them as well, since those two were treated more like family than bodyguards. The ceiling only reached a few inches above Masrur's head and had no other furniture in it other than the chairs, table, and a cabinet to hold a few antique dishes. The walls were an ocean blue with the floor being a dark wood.

When they entered the room, Haley sat in her usual spot which was between Allie and Ashley's seats and the Queen sat one spot away from Haley. Across from Haley sat Sinbad and behind him stood Jafar and Masrur who both politely refused to sit. After a while, Allie and Ashley came and stood behind Haley on either side.

"Prince Arum told us it was an emergency," Allie said.

"Is everything alright your highness?" Ashley asked.

"All will be told in due time," the Queen said. "Now that we are all here, let us begin. Sinbad, as you know, I have asked you to come here as a favor."

"Yes. But does the Princess know of why I am here? Or the circumstances involving the country?" he asked.

"No, I haven't told her anything about it," the Queen said. Haley looked at her, already very confused. "Haley, are you aware of what the Kou Empire is?"

"Of course. It's the Empire that's been trying to take over the world," Haley said.

"Exactly. And a week and a half ago, a representative from the Kou Empire came to our country. Saying that Alantii was the next country on their list to conquer. And that if we don't let them take us over, there will be war," she said.

"Which is why you came to Sindria, to seek out an ally," Sinbad said. The Queen nodded. "When she came to our country, she asked me for a favor. A very big favor."

"One that took a lot of convincing to do," The Queen added.

"And what is this big favor?" Haley asked.

"In order for Kou to not invade us, we will become allies with Sindria. But the Emperor will not simply take this by words alone. We have to prove in a permanent way our loyalties to each other," the Queen started.

"Okay…" Haley said.

"There is typically only one way to prove that to the world, that two nations are close allies," Sinbad said.

"And that way is through marriage," Jafar said.

"Marriage? So, you're telling me that Sinbad and I have to get married?" Haley asked.

"For the future of our country, yes," the Queen said. All eyes were on Haley.

"What do you say, Princess Haley?" Sinbad asked.

"Um, well, it's out of my hands isn't it? I mean, this is the decision that the kings and queens of both countries have to make and the Princess has no say," Haley said.

"That is true. But we did want your opinion on it, since you are 26 years old and no longer a child," Sinbad said.

"Oh, I see. Well that's very kind and considerate of you all," Haley said.

"So what is your official opinion, Princess?" Jafar asked.

"Well, since it's for the sake of my country, I will do what my mother feels is best," Haley said.

"Well spoken. We shall leave in two days' time. That should give you enough time to pack right?" Sinbad asked.

"Yes, but one thing," Haley said.

"Oh? What is it?"

"Ashley and Allie have to come with me. They are my personal guards as well as my close friends," Haley said.

"He and I have already discussed that and have agreed to let them come," the Queen said.

"Really? Well, thank you. That means a lot to me," Haley said. Sinbad smiled and stood up, walking over to her, bowing slightly.

"I look forward to a pleasant life with you, Haley," he said, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. Seeing him closer, Haley blushed slightly and she smiled up at him.

"Same to you, Sinbad," she said.