The Guarded Princess

IX

Back in the castle, Kouen and Koumei were residing within the part of the castle that Sinbad had lent to them doing their work and reviewing national issues. Kouha and Kougyoku didn't bother with them, knowing that it was best to leave them undisturbed considering the mountain of work that there had been early in the morning. Moreover, judging from Kouen's attitude, they could tell that he wanted to get his work done without anyone bothering him so that he could visit Lucy as fast as possible.

The other generals and even Sinbad were also busy with their work, much to everyone's surprise. Though, after Lucy arrived, it seemed as if he had taken his duty as King much more seriously. Kouha and Kougyoku walked around the castle with an agitated face.

"I can't believe that Lucy-nee isn't here," Kouha pouted.

"To think that someone had taken her out of the castle," Kougyoku stamped her foot. "And even got permission to do so!"

"Honestly, who could've taken her?" Kouha crossed his arms.

Just as they turned the corner, they spotted Ja'far walking with a pile of scrolls in his arms - most likely domestic issues that he had to deliver to Sinbad. Looking at one another and coming to a decision within a split second, they nodded their heads at each other and began running towards Ja'far.

"Ja'far~!" Kouha ran up to him with an innocent face.

"Ja'far-dono~!" Kougyoku smiled as she waved her hand.

Ja'far turned around and jumped a little, his complexion paling as he saw the two Ren siblings with such a suspicious air and feigned smile. He immediately backed away as the two approached him and gazed at them with doubting eyes.

"Is there something that you need, Kouha-sama? Kougyoku-sama?"

Kouha pouted his lips out as he crossed his arms. "What's with that face, Ja'far? Why are you standing so far away?"

"Because," he started, eyeing them. "No matter how you look at it, you two are definitely up to something."

"Ehhhhh?" the two whined.

"It's nothing like that," Kougyoku smiled. "Ja'far-dono~."

"See?" he remarked before sighing. "So? What did you guys want to ask me?"

"As expected of Ja'far! Always knowing what we wanted before even having us tell you," Kouha gave him a thumbs-up as he stuck out a tongue.

Ja'far stared at him, wanting him to get on with it already.

"Forget about Kouha-niisama," Kougyoku pushed him aside. "We just wanted to ask who it was that had taken Lucy-neesama outside. After all, for him to get permission to take her outside of the castle is quite something considering what had happened a few days earlier."

"Moreover, we're bored," Kouha added. "Everyone's busy and what better is it than to go visit Lucy-nee?" he sighed in bliss, thinking about spending time with her again. "There's no one else other than Lucy-nee that gets me."

"That I have to agree with," Kougyoku smiled, recalling the times when they were young.

Ja'far looked at the two siblings and chuckled to himself. It was his first time seeing such a childlike expression on these two. They were known for their talent and strength in conquering a dungeon but standing before him weren't two dungeon capturers but rather, two teenage kids just like anybody else. The only who could make them have such a childlike face was Lucy and no one else. He sighed and looked up at the sky.

"There's no need to worry about her," he reassured them. "The person who was chosen to guard her decided himself that he would do it. She'll be safe."