Disclaimer : I do not own Magi. All rights belong to Ohtaka Shinobu.
baka-tono : there is no exact translation in English, but it can be referred to as : Lord Bonehead
********A/N: I went back to all my chapters, and made changes not anything major. Just some minor details, and some slight event changes. Mei's personality also had been better expressed in the new updated chapters. Enjoy! **************
Chapter 10 Mutual Surprise
"I said move it!" Judal shouted at the guards in front of what seemed to be the Balbadd throne room. "Seriously what is with this swarm of people?"
"Sorry. He's just being grumpy, please don't take it to heart. Are you two alright?" Mei bent down to help the guards Judal pushed to the ground. She received a nod from the two, and then continued walking after Judal.
"Woah! It's baka-tono! What're you doing here? You always mess up my plans!" Judal shouted running up to the Sindrian king. "Huh?" Judal looked sideways not finding Mei. "Ahh! The old hag is gonna nag if I lost sight of Mei."
"I'm right behind you. You know ou'll start seeing things you didn't before if you just slow down." Mei stated appearing behind Judal. "Besides if Kougyoku heard you calling her old hag she would get angry again." Mei chuckled at the two's friendly bickering.
As Judal and the unknown woman stood beside each other as Sinbad realized, without even asking that they were acquaintances. It was obvious if they were on friendly terms, and not trying to kill each other like what Judal usually does with the people he meets. The look on his face alone was already expressing his surprise, and the two big questions. 'What are you doing here?' and 'Who is she?' He actually asked the former question aloud unconsciously.
Judal laughed and tapped his chest, "Ah I'm the priest over at the Kou Empire right now." He said. "And today I'm here on business for them." He stepped away from Sinbad and over to the man dressed in black and white with vines over his head. Sinbad was clearly in thought as he viewed the two men discussing Judal's arrival.
While Judal continued to speak with the man from Al Thamen, Mei went up to Sinbad. "Hello, it is a pleasure meeting you." She said. He took a step forward, and took her hand placing a small kiss on it.
"It is such a shame I haven't met such a beauty like you until now." Sinbad began flirting, though what he was thinking certainly didn't match with his actions. Odd. Judal? With a woman? Now this is something I can use.
So this is how Sinbad goes around complimenting women. It's too weird, I'm used to seeing him do it to other women, but when he's actually doing it to you? Weird. Definitely weird. "Thank you for your compliment, Your Highness." Mei offered a bow. Murmur you did a good job. He doesn't remember a thing.
Thank you my King, but... do you believe this was the right choice?
This is for the best. She replied to Murmur.
[My King, you did not deny my question.]Murmur quietly thought to himself.
"You're very welcome, Miss..?" He began to ask. Wait. Your Highness? He took one second to think. I must be getting more popular among the ladies.
"Mei! Come on what are you talking to baka-tono for? Didn't you want to talk to the other king?" Judal reminded her. Man has her memory always been this bad?
Oh that was right. I almost forgot. Before she could say anything, the King of Balbadd spoke first.
"Sorry, but could you leave now, Uncle Sinbad? If you're talking about reopening trade with Sindria, I'm afraid that's just impossible." Ahbmad declared while still sitting lazily on his throne.
"What do you mean?" Sinbad regained his attention to him.
"I've already handed Balbadd's trading right's over to the Kou Empire. So I can't conduct trade with any country not approved by the Kou Empire." Ahbmad explained to the other king.
"Do you plan on becoming controlled by the Kou Empire?!" Sinbad burst his thoughts aloud.
"No, that's not it. This is something the Banker suggested I do in order to improve Balbadd's economy." Ahbmad explained.
"That is right. It is a Banker's job to act as a mediator between countries, so as to achieve a peaceful economic balance. That's right! As a king would you be interested? Would you like to entrust everything to us Bankers?" The scheming banker offered.
"Hey! I'm not done talking to you either! Promise me as King! Promise me that you'l help all of those who are suffering!" Alibaba shouted loudly even the two guards holding him back cringed.
Ahbmad only yawned in reply to the blonde prince's outburst. "I don't speak the language of scum."
"We're all the same! There's no difference between us! Listen to me! Listen to me damn it!" Alibaba shouted in anger.
After the blonde man had left along with Sinbad, the Banker had spoken in turn and left when his business was complete. This only left Mei with her business, Judal was just the tag along.
"I'll be direct. Cancel your engagement with the Eighth Imperial Princess, Ren Kougyoku." Not even an 'I want' statement. It was clear, she wasn't going to back down. I really want to yell at him for before, but this is his country and his decision. I have no right to butt in, besides it seems Sin's planning something about the way this king is handling things. I'll leave it to him.
"Huh? A mere woman telling me what to do. What a farce! And just why should I listen to you?" Ahbmad asked angrily.
"Yes, I'm actually wondering that myself. But I'm giving you a choice of whether or not you want to do this willingly or by force." Mei replied.
Uwah scary Mei has arrived. It's always so interesting to see Mei being stubborn though it sucks to be the person she's being stubborn towards. Well it's not like it's my problem. Judal mentally thought as he viewed all this from the sidelines with an intrigued grin.
"G-Guards!" Ahbmad shouted in panic.
"Woah, now that might not be the best idea Ahbmad. ... If your guards lay a hand on her, Kou won't stay quiet about it. I'm just imagining all the things that could happen." Judal stepped forward to defend Mei before he crazily thought of all the possibly fighting that would occur. Ahh I would be so looking forward to that, but there's no way I'm having this pig king kill Mei. How dumb would that be!?
"Wha-What!? What is that supposed to mean? Just who is this woman?!" A baffled Ahbmad continued shouting on. Sahbmad, his younger brother had tried his best to calm Ahbmad down.
"It's not important who I am. Though the question still remains, would you like to cancel the engagement willingly or by force?"
I'm soo sorry I haven't updated for almost 3 months! I had a lot more to write for this chapter, but my brain was dying trying to write the rest, so I'll give you this first before I explain what has actually happened.
**If you're confused don't worry. It'll all be explained in the next chapter. ...Whenever that comes out...
Thank you too all who are still reading, favoriting, alerting, ect. THANK YOU!